Disclaimer: I have no legal claims to YGO.....yet...

A/N(1): Gratzie for the reviews: Karania Avalon, Shining Friendship, Chibi Kitty Sorceress, eveeee90, Luthien-Anwaman, Racegirl, norestar-angel, inuzgirl, Black-wings91, Aerin M, and ShiningFriendshipII Yah! You guys rock! Thanks to everyone who put this story on their favs list! Almost Royalty really appreciates it!

A/N(2): As usual, sorry for not updating soon enough. I guess you can say that I was between a rock and a hard place with this fiction. Never fear! I'm back with a new idea that should enliven this fiction once again. WOOO! Hehehehehe. Enjoy!

Title: Almost Royalty

Chapter VIII: Exempt from Responsibility

"Morning," rubbing her violet eyes from drowsiness, the young servant rose from her sleeping quarters quicker than usual. "The Pharaoh awaits his meal," muttered the blonde, even though it was not this that excited her so. It was routine for her to dress, fix his majesty's meal, and prepare his bath every day.

No, her excitement was drawn from a recent discovery. "The Pharaoh will not be pleased.." Her lips curved toward Ra upon imagining the Pharaoh's face once she delivered the word that his friend was nothing but a thief.

With those thoughts in mind, she rushed toward the dining hall, where she would prepare his meal. "It almost pains me to tell him--almost." Like Ra's breath, she roamed through the dining hall, creating his meal as fast as her hands could strain to. After all, the faster she fixed his morning meal, the faster she could reveal the unsolicited truth.

Suddenly, however, her thoughts were interrupted by the presence of warm hands...around her waist. She jumped, but did not make any attempt to rid the hands that were now secured around her. Her heart had memorized the feel of his hands, his breath, and...his lips. "Jou," she whispered, putting her hands over his tightly. "I was looking for you last night." And ended up finding someone else, she thought to herself.

"I was on duty, but now," he turned her around to face him, "now I want nothing more than to be with you." His eyes spoke the truth as they swirled in the darkness of her orbs. He always wondered if she would unlock the secrets that created the darkness, but for now, his mind was more focused on her opening up to him...about their relationship.

Meanwhile, Mai wanted nothing more than to be in his embrace, but she pulled away, shaking her head playfully. "Jou, it is now my turn to serve the Pharaoh." Chuckling, more to herself, she returned to fixing her master's meal. Jou, once again, stopped her.

"The Pharaoh will understand," the bodyguard whispered, bringing her into a passionate kiss. As their lips parted, her lips tingled for more, but the image of the broken Pharaoh stirred into her thoughts once again. Before she could decline to his advances, his lips moved to her ear, where they whispered "come to my chamber" in a very seductive tone. Closing her eyes, she felt herself melt into his arms.

Before she was under his command, however, she opened her eyes back to her mission. "I'm sorry Jou, but it is very important that I speak to the Pharaoh." Pulling away from him, she gathered breakfast for the Pharaoh on a lustrous plate. Then, while looking at him, she added, "we can continue this discussion after." Turning around, she carried the plate down the hallway. He followed, interested in her previous statement.

"What's this important matter?"

The servant shook her head, her blonde hair swinging back and forth with this motion. "Nothing. I...wouldn't want to upset you." She slightly rushed the last sentence, hoping that he wouldn't hear it, but he did.

Stopping in the middle of the hallway, his eyebrow raised with worry. "Upset me?"

Defeated, she slumped her shoulders. "After hours, I caught Anzu taking something from the Pharaoh's room." As she spoke, her voice grew to a mere whisper. She didn't want the other servants to hear. She then added, "it was the puzzle that he wears around his neck."

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As Ra's brilliant rays seeped through the only aperture--the Priest's chamber--in the temple, they met, and interrupted, the sleeping figure beneath the aperture. As his dark eyes focused on the room, he wasn't familiar with anything his eyes were showing him.

"Maka....Yughta...Kuolu..."

Holding his head, he felt the images of last night refresh his memory. "The Separation Ritual," he whispered, pulling his hands away from his face. "I performed the Separation Ritual." Sitting up, he felt the pain live once again in his body. As he placed a hand on his arm to alleviate some of the pain, he couldn't help but stare at his hand. It was then he realized that they were in fact his hands.

"Bless the Gods," mumbled the blonde under his breath. "I'm....in my own body." As he stood up to marvel at himself, his eyes shifted to another being on the floor. It was Seth. His eyes then wandered to the millennium rod and puzzle. A grin played on his lips.

Striding toward his former host, he bent down and picked up the items beside him. Before he could check to see if the priest was still alive, he heard a voice calling for the priest on the ground floor. Rushing toward the wash room for concealment, he watched as Seth's servant walked into the chamber. "MASTER!" he heard her cry, once she was in the chamber. His grin couldn't help but widen triumphantly. The priest was dead.

But, before he could celebrate, he heard a male's voice from inside. "Anzu, what happened?" His grin soon disappeared, bringing forth a frown. Seth was indeed alive, he thought to himself, but would he recognize me?

Before more questions could form in his mind, he suddenly heard the priest's voice boom throughout the temple. "What puzzle? What are you talking about?" Marik's eyes widened. His servant was telling him how she gave Seth, really him, the puzzle in exchange for her freedom. No, he couldn't let Seth know that he possessed Yami's puzzle. As he stepped out of the wash room, he had no other choice but to intrude on their conversation. Placing the items in his cloak, he walked in front of the chamber and took a deep breath. This would indeed answer if the priest would recognize him or not.

"Priest Seth," the blonde spoke strongly, making both Anzu and the priest look at him. "I must speak with you at once." As he walked in, their eyes searched him for answers. But, before Seth could question his presence, he signaled the servant to depart. She obeyed.

"State your name." The priest said coldly, folding his arms. "You already know mine."

"I'm surprised you don't recognize my voice," pausing, he stepped forward. Then, "it's Reira."

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"Are you sure it was Anzu?" Disbelief settled in his eyes as he spoke. "Maybe--"

"No," she shook her head, "I swear on Ra's eyes, Jou. You have to believe me."

He nodded. "I do."

There was a silence, and then, "I have to inform the Pharaoh" came out of the servant's mouth. She was serious, too. Jou could tell as he watched her features grow less and less jaunty. He wondered how Yami would react when he heard.

No, he couldn't let Mai tell him. It was break his heart....if Seth already didn't break it.

He had overheard the conversation with Yami and Seth. He knew Yami wasn't the real Pharaoh, but that didn't bother him. What did was the fact that Seth acted as if he didn't care less about it. How could he not? He's been waiting to overthrow Pharaoh Yami since Bel Saf died--ever since Yami became Pharaoh. By all means, he didn't tell Yami that he heard the conversation, only because he knew Yami wouldn't take it so well. It was a personal affair, after all.

But if Yami heard about Anzu, and it turns out to be true, it would kill him. He knew it would. Jou knew of the deep affection he shared with Anzu--it was the kind of love he felt for Mai. And if Jou knew the Pharaoh, it wouldn't be long before he asked Anzu to marry him.

Shaking out of his daze, he noticed that they were almost to the Pharaoh's chamber. "Mai," he called out, trying to make her stop. She wouldn't. "Please Mai, maybe you should tell the Pharaoh--"

"He needs to know, Jou," she glanced over her shoulder, "listen, I know she's your friend, but you can't have her sneaking around the palace like that. We must warn the Pharaoh before it's too late. Do you understand?"

He was about to disagree, when they heard the voice of the Pharaoh from behind. "Mai?"

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"What kind of fool do you take me for?"

Marik smiled, but made no attempt to answer his question. Instead, he took out the millennium rod. "Only the real Reira could possess an item such as this." Holding the rod higher, he noticed the waves of disbelief in Seth's face wash away.

"That doesn't explain why--"

"Indeed," reasoned the imposter, lowering the rod. "I used the rod to create another body." As he spoke, his thoughts contained all the happiness he was feeling at the moment. After all, Seth showed no inclination of knowing the truth. He had the upper hand.

"Why are you here?"

An idea suddenly struck the blonde. "Egypt is living a lie." He paused, but then continued, "my writings and the Pharaoh's word will show Egypt the truth." Smiling, he placed a hand on Seth's broad shoulder. "It's time to show the country her true heir to Bel Saf's legacy."

Anzu, who was listening to their conversation from the stairs, gasped. "Seth is..the true Pharaoh?"

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"Pharaoh," handing the plate to Jou, Mai bowed respectively. "You look very well today." As she recanted the plate from Jou, she walked in the Pharaoh's chamber, and placed it on his wooden dresser. "What wakes you so early?"

"I was plagued by a horrid dream," responded her superior, bringing a hand to his forehead to demonstrate his horror. Indeed, he was bothered by the same dream that has been replaying in his mind while he was awake. It was the dream of Seth being Pharaoh.

"Rest your eyes some more, I will wake you before your meeting with--"

"That won't be necessary," he interrupted, now walking past her, "I'm sure I will feel better after I eat something." As he walked back into his chamber, he heard Mai and Jou follow close behind. "You may leave if that is what you wish."

"No," the young servant looked to the bodyguard. Then, "I wish to address a matter."

Taking a piece of fruit from the dish on his dresser, he asked: "What is on your mind, Mai?" As he chewed, his eyes remained on Jou, wondering if his friend had any idea what his servant wanted to ask of him. The bodyguard only lowered his eyes.

"It pains me to tell you like this, but," she paused, relieving her lungs with oxygen. Then, looking at the Pharaoh, she continued what she had been practicing all night to say, "I believe that it is important to inform you that--"

"We will be leaving the palace, Pharaoh," Jou continued, holding Mai's hand within his.

Mai, bewildered, pulled away from him. "What?"

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"Why do you want to help me?"

Marik turned away from him. "You've been denied your destiny for too long." As he faced him again, Seth felt Reira's words become more and more compassionate. "When Kentara told me to take care of you, I knew not how to teach you the ways if the clergy. You were never meant to be a priest. You had the heart of a Pharaoh." Reaching into his cloak, he pulled out the millennium rod, "this rightfully belongs to you, Pharaoh Seth."

As Seth took the rod from Marik, he couldn't help but feel confused by Reira's actions. It still didn't make any sense to him. For one thing, Reira had always preached to him that he was meant to be a priest. Secondly, why would Reira want to bring down his own son from power? "Reira," looking down at the rod, Seth proceeded, "I still don't understand why you want to help me."

"All will be explained," his master answered, as they walked out of his chamber together. "Now, it's time to reclaim your place on the throne." Once that was said, they descended down the stairs and out the temple.

Meanwhile, Anzu steadied herself against the wall, unsure of what she had just heard. "Seth can't be Pharaoh..." Folding her arms to comfort herself; her thoughts didn't back her previous statement. "No, Yami is the Pharaoh. There's no possible way Seth could be Pharaoh.." Pulling herself away from the wall, she started to walk down the stairs slowly. "If he is trying overthrow the Pharaoh, then.....Yami's in trouble."

Without thinking, she ran down the stairs, and past the temple to the palace. "YAMI!"

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"Pharaoh," avoiding Mai's gaze, Jou found the Pharaoh's dark orbs. "I ask permission to court your servant." As he knelt down beside Mai, he lowered his head in an unworthy action. "Please Pharaoh, I love this woman." Mai tried her best not to roll her eyes.

"Mai," she turned her attention to the Pharaoh, "do you want Jou to court you?"

Ignoring the Pharaoh's question, she looked at the bodyguard. She couldn't believe he was protecting Anzu from punishment. But, what really bothered her was the fact that he didn't believe what she had said. "No Pharaoh," she finally answered, making Jou look at her. "I don't want to marry anyone who doesn't believe a word I say." Turning away from them, she walked away, leaving Jou and Yami confused. Mostly Yami.

"Jou, would you care to explain what just happened?"

Jou shook his head. "No, but you will thank me for this later." Walking out of the Pharaoh's room, Jou went after Mai, leaving the Pharaoh even more confused by his statement. Jou didn't care. He needed to make things right with Mai.

Once he reached her room, he yelled her name, but she wouldn't answer him. He knew she was in her chamber. He also knew she was mad at him. "Listen, I couldn't let you tell the Pharaoh that Anzu--"

Stepping out of her room, she looked at him. "Why?" She sounded more upset than angry.

"The Pharaoh has enough to deal with at the moment."

"Is that all?" She continued, "are you sure there's nothing going on between you and Anzu?" Sniffing back a couple of tears, she stumbled back into her chamber, without another word. He followed, whether she liked it or not.

"What? How could you say that?"

She growled. "You're always protecting her! It's like every time she does something wrong; you have to hide it from the Pharaoh! It's not right, Jou!" Pausing, Jou could see the tears now flowing down from her cheeks. "And now I'm starting to think that I should have never fell in love with you...." When she looked at him, it almost broke his heart.

That's when he said something he knew he wasn't supposed to...."Mai, how could you say that? The only reason why I've been protecting Anzu from the Pharaoh is because Anzu doesn't want to see the Pharaoh hurt. She loves the Pharaoh!"....it was too late when he realized what he said though. The damage was done and now Mai's eyes were gleaming with the satisfaction in knowing she would now lead Anzu to her demise.

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"I wonder what is going on outside," muttered the Pharaoh, as he squinted at four men in front of the palace. Sighing, he stepped away from the window, and turned around to call one of his guards to resolve the commotion downstairs. But, when he was almost out of the doorway, he bumped into someone on the way out. It was Anzu. She looked flushed from running.

"Is there something wrong?"

She nodded. "Yami, I'm so sorry," wrapping her arms around him, she placed her head against his chest. "I'm so sorry." As she held him, she couldn't help but think about the conversation with Seth and the foreign priest. What would happen if Seth really became priest? Raising her eyes to his, she said: "you need to get out of here. Seth is after you."

"What?" he pulled away from her, "please, Anzu, explain to me what is going on."

Before she could, they heard the sound of footsteps approaching. Yami, confused, stepped out of the chamber, even with the warnings from Anzu, and laid his eyes on the same four men that were in front of the palace. The only one he recognized from the group was Seth. The other noble beside him was unfamiliar.

"Gentlemen, what is the meaning of this?"

Only the two guards in front of the royals answered: "We have a claim to your arrest."

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"She does fancy the Pharaoh;" the blonde paced around the room, anger in her face replaced with amusement. "This can work in my favor both ways." As she whispered to herself, Jou tried to think of something that would avert her attention from the thought of Anzu loving the Pharaoh. Nothing came to my mind. He had to think of something to save Anzu!

"Mai," he finally said, making Mai look at him. "You can't set her to be stoned, what if...you were in love with a royal?" Stepping forward, he didn't see any hint of sadness in her eyes. She only turned away from him.

"I'd keep it to myself," she muttered coldly; "I'm not stupid."

"Please," he took her hands in his, "keep it to yourself....for me?"

She shook her head. "She should be treated as any other servant who disobeys the code of conduct." Striding toward her dresser, she glanced back at Jou, then started taking off her tunic. Jou lowered his eyes from her, blushing, but then she made him look at her with: "I did love a royal, Jou. His name was Prince Varon." Sliding her tunic slightly off her back, she let Ra's rays hit three scars on her back. "I was whipped for two days after the public found out."

Shocked, Jou only stared at the scars, unsure of how to react. It still didn't explain why she hated Anzu. He would expect the opposite from being in a situation like that. "I don't understand," whispered the blonde, once she slid her tunic back on, "why...do you want to see her punished?"

"Not just her, any servant." She stepped toward the door again; "they all deserved to be punished like me."

Without another word, she walked out of the room toward the Pharaoh's chamber. "Wait, Mai!" Jou shouted, following her close behind. She turned around, but made no effort to show if she was listening or not. "It doesn't have to be this way."

"Jou," she sighed exhaustedly. Then, "I'm not out for revenge, I just--" She stopped mid-sentence, and looked at the scene near the Pharaoh's room. "Something's wrong, Jou," she whispered, walking closer to the argument. "The Pharaoh's in trouble."

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"Arrest?" Looking at Seth, he didn't wait for an answer. "On what grounds?"

One of the guards stepped forward, holding a book of papyrus. "We only have a claim from Priest Seth in regard to your arrest." Turning to Seth, he proceeded, "please state your claim, Priest Seth."

"As the Pharaoh of Egypt, you have lied to your people about your birthright." Pausing, he took the book of papyrus from the guard. "This book clearly indicates that your father was in fact Priest Reira, not Pharaoh Bel Saf of Egypt." He cleared his throat. Then, "this is not my only proof, however. I do believe that you told me something in this very room about the truth of your birth yesterday. Would you please restate your exact words, Pharaoh."

Yami, horrified, stared at Seth. "I..." Lowering his eyes, he knew he had no other choice but to admit the truth--to everyone. "I'm not Bel Saf's son," he whispered softly, "Queen Kentara had an affair with Priest Reira when she was with my father--no, Bel Saf. This act of adultery resulted in the birth of a child. I am that child." Swallowing hard, he could feel the tension building up in the room. But, he still had more to say. "Kentara did have a son with Bel Saf, though." Shifting his eyes to the priest, he started feeling hot tears moist his eyes. "Seth is Bel Saf's true heir."

The guards stood there a moment, bewildered. Then, "you're under arrest, Pharaoh. The code of conduct clearly states that any citizen found guilty of a claim must in fact be placed under arrest." Bringing his hands behind his back, they bound his hands, and looked at Seth.

Seth smiled. "Put him in the dungeon."

As they escorted the prisoner to the dungeon, Yami's eyes remained on the ground, too shocked and humiliated to find comfort in anything else. Seth, flipping his cape over his shoulders, looked at the three other beings in the hallway and yelled "STAND ASIDE!" before walking after the two guards with Marik, who was also smiling.

Once they were out of sight, Anzu fell to her knees in tears. "YAMI!" Her scream echoed throughout the hallway, but never seemed to reach the ears of the one called. As she held her stomach, she couldn't stop the paroxysm of tears that had evaded her eyes. "YAMI!" She called out again.

Jou, who was in a state of disbelief as well, knelt next to Anzu. "It's okay, Anzu. We'll..." He stopped himself from saying something he couldn't promise the brunette. Would Yami be killed? Living a falsehood could mean....death.

Mai ignored the two, stuck in her own thoughts. "What will Seth do now that he's Pharaoh?"

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To be continued...

Well, it looks like this story will be running for another three to four chapters. I got a lot of ideas! WOO! Anyway, if you're interested, you can all check out my web journal (the site is on my profile) for news on my fics (including updates..), and just to talk about YGO in general. Leave a message on my tag board!