Angel: Back again! Disclaimer!
Yami Ang: (sighs) Angel does not own Yugioh. She does own Crystal, Isiria, and I think the personalities of Mana and Mahaado. By the way, she lost the court case and is really in need of cash.
Angel: (counting money and grumbling) Stupid, evil, greedy lawyers that lost me the case.
Lonely Heart In Egypt
Chapter 3: Just Friends
Crystal smiled as she listened to Mana in her mind, and eventually just shut her off, just as Yami came out of his daydream. "Crystal, are you okay? You seem confused."
"Well, I am a bit. You said that these flowers were not half as beautiful as I am, but I do not understand. These flowers and this entire garden have an unbelievable beauty."
Yami looked rather embarrassed. "Well, it may have something to do with the fact that I see these gardens everyday, but you are a new kind of beauty."
Crystal appeared disappointed at that. "Oh, that makes sense I suppose."
'Mahaado?' Yami asked. 'What did I do? She seems disappointed. I hope I didn't offend her or anything.'
'Yami, I'm almost positive that she is disappointed because you did not compliment her from what was in your heart. I think it is right for me to say that she fancies you too.'
'I never said I fancied her! I just said...'
'You do like her. Can't you just accept it?'
'Mahaado, it doesn't matter how I feel, it depends on her..'
'Just give it time then. See if she seems interested.'
'I suppose.'
'In the meantime, you should just offer her your friendship.'
'Okay.'
Mahaado sighed as Yami turned his attention to Crystal. The two young royals had no idea, but their guardians had ulterior motives to pair the two together (besides just wanting to see them happy). Mana and Mahaado also loved one another, as they had met before. However, the two Duel Monsters remembered meeting before, unlike the two royals. As long as the royals were spending time together, Mana and Mahaado could too.
"Uhh...Crystal?"
"Yes?"
"When do you leave the palace?"
Crystal sighed sadly, thinking that Yami just wanted to know when she would be gone so that he would be rid of her.
Seeing her expression, Yami hastened to clarify. "I mean, not that I want to get rid of you or anything, but when do you have to go?"
Crystal brightened at this. "I do not know. Probably whenever Father wants to go. Why do you ask?"
"I just wanted to know how much time I have left to enjoy your company."
"Well, that's certainly sweet of you. However, I honestly do not know."
'Mahaado, please shut up,' Yami thought to his friend, as he was finding it rather difficult to think with Mahaado talking in his mind. He was trying to think of a way to get Crystal to stay longer. "Well Crystal, you and your father can stay here however long you would like to stay."
"Are you sure? I hate to impose."
"It would be no trouble, really. And it's only if you want to stay."
"Are you kidding? I course I do! I mean...I would be honoured."
Yami smiled at the princess's eagerness. "You would probably have to check with your father though."
Crystal grinned. "Well, my father spoils me rotten. I'm sure I could convince him."
Yami grinned slyly in response. "It is little wonder he spoils a beautiful woman such as yourself."
Crystal blushed, "Let's go see him now!"
She then dragged Yami out of the gardens, much to Mahaado's amusement. The mage smiled as he realized that his plan was working, and hopefully Mana would help him carry it out. Mahaado knew that she thought the two royals should be together too, but he only hoped she would be willing to help him with his plan. Then it would almost certainly work. He smiled again as he followed the unsuspecting royals.
-----------------------Inside the palace---------------
"Father, can we please stay here? I don't want to be riding all night again at any time during the next few days."
"I don't know Crystal. Would Pharaoh permit it?"
"Father, he already said we could. However, I decided it would be polite to ask you as well."
"I'm sure the riding factor is your only reason for staying here tonight."
"Father, I'm ashamed of you. Besides, when I was a child, we always stayed here for a few days after state visits."
Isaac moved over to whisper his next comment in his daughter's ear. "I wouldn't choose him dear, but if you fancy him..."
Crystal went bright red at her father's comment, even though Yami was unlikely to have heard it. "Father, Yami and I are merely friends," she whispered patiently before raising her voice again. "Could we please stay?"
"As long as you promise that there will be no funny business."
"Father, do not even go there"
"Sorry dear. Pharaoh, could you please prepare rooms for myself and my daughter?"
"Yes, King Isaac. And please, call me Yami."
"If you insist, Pharaoh."
"I do insist, King Isaac."
Isaac smiled and bowed. "As you wish, Yami."
Crystal smiled at the King. "Thank you, Father. I'll just go track down Mana so I can tell her."
Yami smiled again as the Princess took off in the direction of the gardens. "Isaac, you are indeed blessed to have such a kind and beautiful daughter."
Isaac sighed. "In more ways than you know, Yami. After her mother died, I don't know what I would have done without Crystal. She was truly a 'mummy's girl', and missed her mother dearly. Even though she was only twelve, she comforted me. She made sure she was always helping out somehow, and always made sure I knew how much she loved me. She was the one that got me through that difficult time."
Isaac paused, and continued, "She is such a treasure. She is all I have now, but I fear my time is coming. I fear what will happen to her if I should die. If something happens to me, Yami, could you please look after her for me? She means the world to me, and I would be happy knowing that she is safely in your protection."
Yami nodded, "I will always look after her, and I will even look out for her after she marries, which will no doubt be soon."
Isaac grinned, "What makes you say that, Yami?"
Yami didn't pick up on what Isaac was implying, but he still answered, "She is young, beautiful; she has a caring nature and a pure soul. Why would anyone not want to marry her?"
"Would you marry her?"
Yami felt his face betraying by turning interesting shades of red, but he still answered, "Only if she and I truly loved each other, as she deserves only the best. Someone giving their heart completely to her would be what she deserves. I seriously doubt I will marry her, as she is too pure. She deserves so much more."
"Well Yami, if she chose you I would rest easy knowing that my daughter is in your care, at all times."
"I think I shall take that as a compliment, though I'm not entirely sure I should."
Isaac smiled and was about to reply, when a women's scream came from the direction of the gardens. "Was that..." he asked in shock, turning to Yami
Yami finished the sentence for him, his own eyes widened in horror. "Crystal!"
Angel: Besides the fact that I am still terrible at writing romance, how was that?
Yami Ang: Rotten cliffhanger, but still pretty good! For you especially!
Angel: Thanks! I think...
Mai: Ignore Ang, it was okay! It is your first story after all.
Angel: Thanks:D And there is room for improvement in my upcoming stories
Mai: Think positively, hun.
Angel: (suddenly suspicious) Wait a minute. Why are you being so nice?
Mai: Don't sound so accusing! Yami Ang lent me one of those attitude-improving books.
Angel: I wondered where that book was...
Yami Ang: (sweatdrops)
Angel: ...I was supposed to give it to one of my friends yesterday.
Mai: Well, anyway, review! And please don't be too critical of our young friend!
Angel: (is getting mentally disturbed by Mai's behaviour) Yami Ang, never give her one of those books again! Where is that brainwashing book?
Yami Ang: (disappeared in a dust cloud long ago)
Angel: (hits Mai on head) Review!
Special Note Jou Aerin, for currently being the only consistent reviewer of these first few chapters, I award you $1000 in virtual money for being so nice! Thanks!