Chapter Five- Modified Memory

Bakura held onto Atem's waist as they raced across the ground toward home. Her heart was light with joy. She was loved and still engaged to Atem. The court may object, but she had a plan that may quell their objections. At least I hope so, anyway.

"Bakura, what's this request you want to make?" Atem asked as they went through the palace gate.

"You'll find out and I'd prefer it if you called me Kura again. I…really liked it."

Atem smiled as they dismounted. "As you wish…Kura." He led his love inside and into the Throne Room to see seven stern faces: Siamun and the court.

"We knew it," Seto said. "You went looking for the thief."

"No," Atem corrected. "I went looking for my consort. It turns out she still loves me. She thought I didn't love her."

Kura saw the court exchange looks of disbelief and marched up to them. "You don't believe me, fine. Then use your Items to determine the truth for yourselves."

"Kura, that's not necessary," Atem protested.

"I disagree. If they will only believe me using the Items, then it is necessary." She stood calm and still as she waited.

At last, Aknadin came forward and activated the Eye. He looked at her thoughts of yesterday and today and was stunned by what he learned. He withdrew and announced, "It's true. She does love the pharaoh and she has given up being a thief."

"I have and I have a request." She turned to the magician. "Mahad, I ask for my memory to be erased and this time for good."

There was a collective gasp and Mahad repeated, "For good?"

Kura nodded. "I realized that I was happier being Kura and not remembering."

"But surely your knowledge as an ex-thief would be useful. They say it takes a thief to catch a thief."

"That makes sense, but still…"

"Kura, I understand your reason to forget your past, but by doing so, a valuable resource to stop thievery would be lost. However, what if I made you forget you were male? I can have you believe you were always female."

Kura's mouth parted slightly in surprise before saying, "Really? That sounds perfect and everyone pretty much gets what they want."

"Give me time to set it up. I promise to have it ready before the day is over."

"All right."

"Well then," Siamun said. "Shall we give you different clothes, Kura?"

"Different?" she asked, looking down. What's wrong with what I have on? I'm a commoner and this is what common women wear.

"As you will be queen, it is only fitting that you look the part."

"Oh. Uh, okay."

"Master Siamun," Isis said. "Allow me to assist Kura with her attire."

"Granted."

Mahad scoured the memory spell, modifying it to suit his needs. He didn't need to erase Kura's memory, merely replace the male parts with female. He would have to modify her memory of the double trap, fixing it so that she only remembered the memory spell. At last, he was satisfied and left to find Kura and fulfill her request.

He entered her room to see her and Atem alone. The young woman was now wearing the clothes of a queen and looked royal and confident; a perfect match for Atem's own regal bearing. She also wore gold earrings, a necklace, bracelets, and new shoes.

"You look lovely, Kura," Mahad commented.

"Thank you. I love how they feel."

"As I promised, the spell is ready. I warn you though, you will likely pass out at some point."

"I understand and I'm ready."

Mahad placed his fingers on her forehead and began chanting the modified spell to rearrange everything he intended to change. Kura's eyes slid out of focus as the male images of her past morphed into female ones. She lost consciousness as Mahad began modifying her memory of her last attempted tomb-robbing. Atem supported her as Mahad completed the changes.

Kura's eyes fluttered open and focused on Atem and Mahad a few minutes later. She blinked before blushing slightly. "I passed out, didn't I?"

"Yes. I'm guessing you haven't eaten in the last two days," Atem answered. He reasoned that she wouldn't remember her request as it involved making her forget she had been male. Her flee to the desert, however, should be clear to her recollection.

"You're right. Maybe we could attend to that?"

"It is close to dinner. While we eat, we can discuss our marriage contract."

"I'm not sure what I could bring to my half of the contract aside from my knowledge of thieves."

"Siamun wanted me to choose someone to wed and have an heir."

Kura's eyes lit up. "Oh, I would be honored to help produce an heir."

"And we will eventually. Now, we need to throw a feast for the city to celebrate our wedding and your coronation."

"Coronation?"

"Yes; at the feast we will be bonded and you will be crowned queen."

Three days later, the city was celebrating the royal marriage. A couple members of the court led the crowd in two toasts. Kura beamed at the happy festive mood. No one knew she had been a thief; she surmised it was her clothes as her appearance was exactly the same as when she had been out stealing and plundering.

A fanfare of trumpets sounded and silence fell. The people stood as Siamun approached the steps that led to where two thrones were situated, a pillow with a gold woman's crown on it. He ascended the steps and stood beside Kura's throne, facing the crowd.

"Citizens of Egypt, we are honored to have you here to celebrate the union of the pharaoh and his consort. As is tradition, their marriage involves the crowing of the wife." He gestured for Kura to rise and she did so before kneeling on one knee as Siamun put the pillow down and lifted the crown.

"As advisor to the pharaoh, it is my duty and pleasure to crown the new queen of Egypt." He lowered the crown onto Kura's head. "Rise, Queen Kura." She did so and the people kneeled. "Our queen," they murmured.

Kura smiled at the crowd before her. These were her people now and she knew that her life could only get better. She would share a bed with Atem, attend meetings and judging with him, support his decisions, and give her advice when asked. In time, she would give birth to the future pharaoh or queen of Egypt.

I never dreamed I would go from thief queen to queen of Egypt. It took one botched robbing to bring me to this point and I intend to serve the people to the best of my ability.

Kura snuggled against Atem's chest and felt his arms wrap around her back to draw her closer. "That was a wonderful celebration," she said softly.

"It was indeed." Atem smiled lovingly at her. "I feel so lucky that we met."

"Me too. I can't believe you didn't recognize me at first."

Atem was momentarily confused. I didn't recognize her…oh, right. Mahad modified her memory. She doesn't remember being male.

"No one told me you were a female thief, so of course I didn't know."

"Oh. Well, it all worked out. I look forward to my first day as queen."

"As do I." He kissed her forehead and as she fell asleep, she heard Atem say, "Sweet dreams, my queen."

The End