This chapter is dedicated to Jam( Turn it up) By Kim Kardashian...LOL.
"Mana?" Echoed the Guardians in confusion.
The guardians still were in their battle pose, but their facial expression showed to be of confusion. Their lord knew of this intruder?
Mahad groaned silently in his head, he should of known Mana would try and come along some how. That was his mistake for revealing there was a intruder in the palace to her earlier.
Even though he was well aware of the fact that it was Mana and that she could never harm a hair on anyone. He still had to keep up the appearance that she was a stranger to him. Atem and the others weren't aware that he knew of this girl. He would have to go along with what Atem ordered.
Taking a side glance at his long time friend and pharaoh, he noticed how angered and brash he looked. ' I hope he doesn't make a bad move, after all the dark energies could still be clouding his mind.'
" Pharaoh, do you know this girl?" Isis asked.
Seto scoffed, " Why ask such a absurd question? Look at her! She's a servant girl why would our great pharaoh even acknowledge her?"
Isis gasped. " Such a rude thing to say." She turned her head and lost her battle pose.
Marik gasped at his sister's actions, " Sister! What are you doing? This girl may be a servant but she could be an assassin! Resume your position!" He yelled at her.
Isis just glanced at her brother then looked away. " No."
Marik blinked in surprise and unthinkingly lost his position also. Bakura growled and turned to face Isis's back. " You would dare allow harm to come to our pharaoh?" He accused.
Isis sucked in her teeth and sighed, she turned back to look up at the frightened girl. " Oh save it Bakura, you know me too well to think that of me." Bakura just growled and shook his head, but he stayed in offense.
" Then what is it?" Asked Mahad tentatively.
" I will not harm a defenseless girl." She pointed at her with a elegant hand. " Look at her, is that the face of an assassin? We have encountered many of them in our service to The pharaoh, I believe we can differentiate a simple servant girl between an assassin."
" I do not believe she is an assassin either." Everyone except Atem looked at Seto in shock. Out of everyone here they would have thought him to be the most adamant about it.
Seto looked at them all irritatedly, " What?" The guardians looked away and back at the now confused girl. Seto 'humpfhed', " Nonetheless, she is still trespassing past her boundaries for a servant girl and punishment should be dealt." Everyone nodded at that.
" But the order is for The pharaoh to make." Mahad said. Everyone turned towards Atem for permission. But were surprised to see such an angry disposition from him.
Though she had no right to be, Mana was starting to get irritated from all the speculation of whether or not she was a assassin. Did she look like a assassin to them? Honestly if she were, which she isn't, She would have had ample time to murder Atem. She felt sick just thinking of that. She would never hurt Atem!
She looked at Isis's determined gaze, she was grateful for Priestess Isis defending her. Or at least protecting her from getting hurt by the others. Though she was slightly hurt that Atem wasn't the one to call off the attack. He knows it's her, or he wouldn't have called her name like that.
She wasn't sure if she should speak or not. But then what would she say? 'Oh I snuck in here and watched you all persecute a man with dark magick that I'm sure wasn't for my eye's. Oh and I'm in love with Atem, so I wanted to make sure he was alright.' That wouldn't be good at all.
She leaned in close to the edge, so the guardians wouldn't think she was trying anything. She supposed she will have to wait for Atem to say something. But She didn't have to wait long.
Atem was seething with anger, he couldn't believe his habibti had been in here this whole time. How did he not detect her presence? ' It must have been because I was too focused on Abasi.' He thought.
And also, how did she even get in here? He had guards placed in front of the entrance and down the corridor. He mentally sighed, she always was too sneaky for her own good.
Though it didn't matter how she got here, no, it was why she came here. She could have easily gotten herself in danger! He always made sure when passing judgment that civilians were out of the way, so they wouldn't accidentally get caught in death's hands.
He couldn't bare the thought of losing Mana, she is his everything. His reason for wanting to continue being King of Egypt, even after his mother and father died. If something happened to her, he wouldn't know what to do.
" Mana! What are you doing up there!" He yelled up at her, finally regaining his voice.
Mana gave a start, not expecting him to yell at her. " Uh, well, that is to say-whoa!" As she tried explaining herself, she was unknowing-ling scooting closer and closer to the edge.
"Oh no, no!" She fell from the balcony in a swift motion. Her arm's were flailing upwards and so were her legs. She knew she wouldn't survive a fall such as this, not with such hard flooring awaiting her skull. ' I'm sorry Atem, it seems our dream won't come true.' She awaited to feel the cold , hard floors and her imminent death.
But instead she felt the warm, muscled arm of a man. ' Huh? I didn't hit the floor? Then who caught me? Who reached me in time?' Mana slowly opened her eyes and blinked in surprise.
"M-Mahad!" She gasped out. She would have never thought he would be the one to catch her.
Mahad grunted and straightened up, He gave a slight indiscreet smile to Mana, " Are you alright, Mana?" He whispered so only she could hear.
"Uh-Uh, Yes." She quietly said back.
Mahad nodded, and his face went back to being slightly indifferent. He turned around with Mana in his arms to face the others who had crowded around, Atem being the closest one near him.
"Are you alright, girl?" Isis asked worriedly.
Mana blinked surprised to see all the apprehension faces of the guardians. Where they all worried about her? She looked at Isis's kind and gentle face and nodded in affirmation. " Yes, I am. Just a bit shooken is all."
Mahad set Mana down on her feet, and steadied her when she began to stumble. She waved him off and stood entirely on her own. " I'm fine, thank you." She smiled.
But she lost her smile when someone forcefully pulled her arms behind her and she felt the harsh, scratchy feel of what she believed to be rope, being tied around her wrist's.
" What?" Mana panicked, she was being put in custody.
She turned her head slightly and saw it was Bakura handcuffing her. He just looked at her like she had it coming.
" You are in trouble, girl. You were trespassing in an area you were not permitted to enter, as a servant you should know your place." He said.
" I wasn't trespassing...Well, maybe I was, but it was with good reason!" She cried out.
Bakura still held her even after he tied her ropes, " Oh really?" He said absently, it was clear he wasn't listening. He must of thought she was lying and saying what 'all prisoner's say' lingo.
" Anyways, I'm going to take her-"
"Release her this instant!" Atem ordered. He was just snapping out the daze he was in when he saw his love falling from the third floor of pillars. It was like watching in slow motion as she fell. He felt foolish for not being the one to catch her. Too many things were weighing on his mind and was making him not react the way he usually would.
He was eternally grateful that Mahad got to her in time. Though he noticed a exchange of words between them, that he could not hear. He found that quite odd as he was sure none of his guardians knew of her.
As he was coming to his senses he had heard Mana's cries of protest and Bakura's harsh tone. He noticed the rope around her wrists and the way Bakura was holding her. With a start he came to the realization that she was being arrested. He almost wanted to gut Bakura for it, but he knew he was just doing his role, he had no knowledge that Mana was his intended. For now he was spared from his wrath.
The guardians all looked at Atem in surprise, Mahad wasn't as surprised but he had to keep up appearances and Isis was surprised but she was glad the girl wasn't being made a prisoner.
" But, Pharaoh she is-" Bakura tried to say but Atem cut him off.
Atem narrowed his eye's angrily, " I said release her, Now Bakura!"
Bakura gave a reluctant nod and untied Mana's bindings. Once her hands were free Mana brought her hands in front of her and rubbed her abused wrists. Bakura stepped back and crossed his arms in irritation.
Atem stepped in front of Mana and took her hands in his. He looked tenderly down into her wide emerald eye's and asked, " Are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm alright." She said sweetly. But then she narrowed her eye's in accusation. " But, you wouldn't need to ask that if you hadn't yelled at me, causing me to fall!"
Atem look at her in indignation, she was really trying to put this on him?, " I would have never had to yell at you if you weren't up there in the first place!" He yelled at her.
" I was only up there for your sake!" She yelled back.
" What do you mean for 'my sake'? I'm not in any danger." He said confused, his voice going down an octave.
Mana took her hands away from Atem's grip and crossed her arms, looking away from him and instead finding the wall painting of Uraeus very interesting.
" Mana.." He said her name in that way she hated, it always meant she had better answer or else.
She sighed, " Look I'm not sure at all myself, I just had this strange feeling in here," She pointed to her chest, " That something was wrong with you, so I came to see what it was."
Atem thought about what she said, " How do you know it has to do with me?" He asked.
She blushed a bit, " Well I only ever felt that way around you, you know whenever you were angry or bothered."
" Oh?" He said intrigued.
" Yes, 'oh' indeed," She said rolling her eyes. " I don't know why it does that, but I knew I had to see you."
" I believe I know why it does that, Mana." He said coolly.
Mana looked at him in surprise and unfolded her arms, " You do?" She asked skeptically.
"Yes," And in one swift motion he seized Mana by her waist and pulled her flush against him. A gasp came from her and the guardians behind them, Mana stared at Atem in surprise by his bold move.
Atem wrapped his arms around her waist and leaned in close to her ear, his warm breath making her tingle. " It's because me and you are meant to be, habibti."
Mana wanted to push him off of her, not liking how he caught her off guard like that. But she took one glance in his eye's and found herself enraptured in his intense gaze.
" Is that so?.." Mana whispered back, and the two began to inch closer to each others lips.
Someone giving a loud cough in the background breaking the connection they were having, or at least broke it for Mana.
She turned her head abruptly, causing Atem to only kiss her cheek instead. She realized in embarrassment that all the Sacred Guardians were watching her and Atem in a stupor.
Mana wriggled herself out of Atem's arms and stood next to him, clasping her hands against her thighs and bowed her head.
" Um, Hello I apologize for the intrusion." She said sincerely.
She was so embarrassed with herself she could barely talk. The sacred guardians of the court just saw her pressed up against their pharaoh like some wanton woman.
' What a horrible first impression.' She thought.
The guardians were as confused as can be. How did this servant girl know the pharaoh so casually? Even to go as far as to argue back at him. And now she and him were engaging in a intimate embrace as if they were lovers? That was when Bakura decided to make some sort of noise to get their attention.
Ignoring Mana, Seto directed his attention to the pharaoh. " Pharaoh, pardon my asking but what is going on? Who is this girl?" He asked, gesturing to Mana who was standing beside Atem.
Mana looked at Atem in a way that meant to not reveal their true relationship to his guardians. She didn't think she was ready for whatever was to come from telling others of their relationship. And she defiantly wasn't ready for the Sacred Guardians of his Royal Court to be the first one's to know of all people.
Atem felt Mana's pleading gaze on him, mostly likely because she didn't want him to tell them of their relationship. However, he was beginning to grow tired of hiding away their love for each other as though it was some dirty secret.
Mana was not some whore off the streets, nor was she some concubine of his. No, he not like his father at all. Mana is his love, his life and his queen. He would never let anyone deem her as anything less than that. And he would have no other woman than her. He would never do what his father did to his mother. He vowed that.
" This is Mana and she is my...," Atem looked down at Mana in assurance of what he was going to say. Mana took that as a sign that he was going to make the right decision to not tell them and relaxed. Atem returned his gaze to his guardians. " She is my consort." He said proudly.
" What?" Echoed the guardians and Mana. She took a step back in shock; she couldn't believe Atem just revealed their relationship to his guardians. She turned her head slowly and took in the equally stunned faces of his guardians. ' Oh no, what are they thinking? Or worse, what are they going to say?'
Bakura's eye's were wide with shock, which was a rare thing to see on his face since most of expression's were either of boredom or indifference.
Everyone else also held the same expression on their faces. They all had the same train of thought going; Their king had a lover? And it was one of low class and holds no rank among society. They had always wondered why their pharaoh would send away his private dancers, concubines and women offering themselves to him which just a single wave of his hand.
This girl next to him must have been the reason.
" You and this servant," Seto started slowly, looking pointedly at them both, " are lovers?" He asked skeptically.
Atem rolled his beautiful eye's in agitation, " Yes, Seto, and her name is Mana."
Mahad didn't know what too feel. He was glad that his close friend had finally taken interest in someone, however, he didn't like the fact that he kept this a secret from him. He took pride in knowing that the pharaoh, his friend, confided in him about everything. And as his appointed protector since childhood, he had the right to know who came and went into the pharaoh's life.
Mana does seem like a nice girl, but now that it was apparent she was lying and keeping the truth of their relationship a secret from him, he wasn't so sure about her. He wanted to pose a question, but decided against it and remained silent for the moment.
" I see...so your his concubine?" Asked Marik.
Mana was taken aback, "Um, No, Priest Marik."
" What? But your a ser-ow!" Isis discreetly pinched Marik on his side to warn him to refrain from what he was about say.
Marik glared at his sister, rubbing his exposed side. " What's wrong with you?" He whispered.
Isis kept her stare straight ahead, choosing to observe the girl named Mana. " Unless you want to get your tongue sliced off, then I suggest you not finish that sentence or anything else that questions the pharaoh's choice." She whispered back.
" Oh really? And who's going to do that?" He challenged, giving a smirk.
Isis sighed, " Me, now hush!" She said slapping his broad shoulder.
Bakura had heard the whole exchange, and gave a chuckle. Those two have been his closest friends since childhood and made his dreary life much more bearable.
Atem stared in disbelief at his so called guardians as the three of them were having some sort of private joke that was only between them. When just a few moments ago they were ready to spill blood.
The Ishtar family were close friends with his father as they had helped a lot in worldly matters. Marik and Isis's father has been the palace's astronomer since he could remember, so he would always see the two hanging around the palace, he remembered trying to talk to them one day out in the gardens. They were cold to him at first not caring that he was the prince.
He was surprised at this and slightly hurt; he knew he could of gotten rid of them and their father with just one word, but their indifference to his status intrigued him and made him want to get to know the inseparable siblings. And Bakura might as well have been born an Ishtar himself. The three of them had a bond that could never be broken. And he would never want to see that happen.
However, that didn't mean they could go off into their own little world and completely disregard that their king has just made an important announcement to his trusted friends and protectors.
Seto just looked on in boredom. He was already over the initial shock he felt earlier with the news of their lord having a lover. Because as far as he was concerned she was just some servant girl that caught the pharaohs eye. It won't be long before she's out on the streets.
Atem gave a throaty cough to get the attention of the three friends and others. They straightened their posture and gave their full attention to him.
" Yes, Mana is a servant of the palace, but she is my consort and respect will be given to her, Am I clear?" He declared.
There was a few eye twitch's here and there, but the message was clear. " Yes, my pharaoh." They answered in unison.
" Good, now I declare this meeting adjourned. I'm going to escort Mana back to her room," He grabbed Mana's wrist and started to tug her toward the door, " I trust that you all will be present for dinner later?" He asked.
" Yes, of course." Isis answered for everyone.
Atem gave a nod and walked out the room with Mana in hand. Mana looked at them all sheepishly before she disappeared through the entrance too.
The guards left the door open for the other guardians when they decided to leave the room.
Turning slowly on his heel, Marik looked at his fellow guardians with a raised blonde eyebrow. " So, that was interesting." He mused.
" Yes, it was." Agreed Bakura.
Seto scoffed, " He's not serious about her, she's just one of the few who somehow managed to attract the pharaoh."
" Don't be so harsh, Seto." Isis said chidingly.
" No, he's right Priestess."
Everyone looked in surprise at Aknadin who hadn't spoken for most of the meeting. They weren't even aware he was still here.
" Okay, Aknadin, you seriously need start speaking up more. I didn't even know you were still here." Said Bakura, Everyone nodded in agreement.
Aknadin ignored Bakura and began walking to the door. He seemed in deep thought, " This isn't good...Not good at all. I can see it in his eyes, she more than she seems. This mustn't progress further..." He left the room mumbling to himself, his words ringing through the air.
There was a awkward silence left behind when he left, as everyone look at the door with confused faces.
" Okay...what in the name of Osiris was that about?" Marik asked.
" Who the hell knows? That man has always been senile." Said Seto.
Isis didn't bother reprimanding Seto on his comment, she thought the old man was slightly off and wasn't all the way there.
Bakura looked at his nails in boredom, " Why is that old man still even in the court? I mean I know there are a lot of old men in the royal court, but being a sacred guardian is a completely different thing."
" He may be old, but he has shown amazing skill with a sword." Countered Mahad.
" Anybody can wave a sword around!" Marik pulled out the sword that was hanging around his waist and began to swing it about wildly.
Everybody ducked out of the way of Marik and his uncoordinated swings, " Marik! Stop that and put your sword away!" Isis yelled.
Marik stopped abruptly and turned around swiftly, almost slicing Bakura across the chest. Marik blinked and put away his sword, " Oh, sorry.."
Bakura eyed Marik angrily, his right eye twitching. " Marik..." Bakura growled out.
Marik laughed nervously, " You wouldn't hurt me...We're practically blood!" When Bakura continued glaring at him not answering, Marik decided it would be safer close to his sister. Very close to her.
" Don't think your safe next to your sister, you fool." Bakura threatened.
Marik gasped in feign fear, " Sister! Do you hear this crazed man? He wants to hurt me! You wont let that happen now will you?" He asked, holding her waist and nuzzling his cheek next to hers.
Bakura stopped his advance and faked disgust, " Oh my rah.."
Mahad was laughing, he loved watching the siblings and Bakura act oddly to each other.
Seto started walking towards the door, " I'm getting out of here, you three can continue playing games like children." He looked back at Mahad, " I think I'll go check the newly placed security measure's before dinner." He smirked at him and walked out.
" Why that..." Mahad followed after Seto, he turned around before leaving through the door, " I shall see you all at dinner." With that he hastily walked after Seto. They could hear the two of them starting to argue down the halls.
" Well, I feel insulted." Marik said, still leaning onto Isis.
" It's your own fault, now get off me!" Isis complained, trying to remove her brother's arm from around her.
Marik frowned and let Isis escape from his arms. He then crossed them, " What do you mean it's 'my fault'?" He asked.
Bakura sighed, " What she means is your not helping your image any by acting like a child."
" I don't act like a child!" Marik said defensively.
Bakura shook his head, his long silver tresses flowing about around his face, " There you go, that's what I'm talking about."
"What?" Marik shouted.
" Marik, stop shouting!" Isis said poking her brother's chest. " And Bakura stop twisting my words." She turned to face her brother, giving him a slight smile.
" What I meant was that it's hard for people to take you seriously sometime Marik. I know your true nature is to have fun and take things calmly, however sometimes you need to..play 'face'."
Marik stared at his sister in confusion, " Play 'face'? What do you mean?"
She gave a laugh, and played with hem of his tunic, " I mean you need to not show how your truly feeling sometimes, especially in certain situations. Here I'll show you."
Isis turned her head to the side so that neither Marik nor Bakura could see her face. Taking a deep breath, Isis slowly turned her head to face them. Her once kind, happy expression was replace with a cold, indifferent look. Her lips were pursed tightly and her eye's narrowed into a serious gaze.
" This is playing 'face'." She said, her voice void of emotion.
Bakura and Marik stared at Isis for moment, before looking at each other in disbelief. Then they started laughing in unison.
" What is so damned hilarious?" Isis asked annoyed, she slipped out of her cold facade and back into her kind face, yet it was tinged with annoyance.
" That was so ridiculous!" Bellowed Bakura, he was clutching his abdomen as he continued laughing.
" Yeah, I think I'll call that 'face' of yours Priest Seto's face." Marik added, laughing a long with Bakura.
Isis narrowed her eye's at the two of them in irritation, " It wasn't meant to be funny, I was trying to show you how to keep people like Priest Seto from getting to you."
Marik and Bakura calmed down, though they were still chuckling a little, Marik wrapped an arm around Isis's shoulder, " Relax Sis, I get what your trying to do. And I understand, but I am who I am. And some mask won't change that. Though I'll be sure to try it out. Alright?" He said, smiling down at her.
Isis huffed and shrugged his arm off her shoulder, " Just don't expect me too come to your defense anymore." She started moving to the door, " Let us leave, I want to change before dinner. And get a reading in." She left through the door.
Marik and Bakura walked after her, " Now look what you did! She's mad at us, specifically me." Marik said dejectedly.
Bakura held up his hands in defense, but had a smirk on his face. " Hey, she's your sister."
Marik just groaned, and the two of them left the throne room trying to catch up to Isis.
Mana was walking along side Atem as he escorted her back to the servant's quarter's where she stayed. Although it was more like he was dragging her with him, since he held a tight grip on her wrist that she knew would leave a mark.
They were corridors away from the throne room which was located in the north side of the palace. The Servant's area is located northwest, not too far from the dining hall. Though Mana wanted to be as far away from the throne room as possible, since it will take some time before she will get over the events that took place in there.
Stumbling along to keep up with his brisk strides, Mana tried tugging her wrist from his grasp. " Atem, your hurting my wrist.."
Atem looked back at her for a moment, just now realizing he still held her wrist. Releasing her, he slowed in his pace so she could match his steps.
" I apologize, I wasn't paying attention."
Mana rubbed her abused wrist and looked up at him in confusion, " What were you thinking about?" She asked.
Atem sighed, a long and tired one. " An abundance of things, everything is such a mess right now in my mind that it's hard to focus on one single matter." He turned and looked at Mana, running his warm hand through her soft hair.
" However, one thought keeps crossing my mind and that's about how I almost lost you, twice." He confessed.
Mana enjoyed his touched, leaning her head into his hand. Though she made sure to stay aware since they were still walking.
She scrunched her eyebrows together, going over what he said to her just now. " Twice? I only fell from the balcony and I was saved by Mahad. Nothing else happened to me."
Atem looked troubled, as though he was debating whether or not to tell her what he was thinking.
"What is it? You can tell me." She said, leaning into him.
" I meant before any of us were aware of your presence in the room." His worried gaze then turned to one of anger. " When I was persecuting that man, I could have very well sent you down with him! You were not wearing a millennium item nor do you possess any spiritual protectants. I could have lost you to the shadows!"
Mana flinched, she was not expecting him to be still mad with her. " It's alright Atem! I'm not hurt or anything!" She looked at him with trusting eyes, " Besides it's not like you would ever do something to physically hurt me anyways."
Atem shook his head, looking away from her. " Of course I wouldn't, but sometimes that's not the case when dealing with darkness." He said oddly.
Mana wanted to ask what he meant by that but decided to drop it. She didn't want to trouble him any further. " Okay Atem, I'm sorry for 'endangering' my life and being somewhere I wasn't suppose to. I promise I won't do it again."
Atem smiled, and Mana smiled back. Happy to see he wasn't so glum anymore. They made a right down a hall and Mana and Atem could hear the sounds of brushing, pots clanking and the head servant yelling out orders to the others. Mana mentally groaned, realizing she never did finish cleaning the private dining room for tonight. She was going to hear an earful from her superior.
Deciding this was far enough, Atem turned to Mana and pulled her towards him. Wrapping an arm around her waist and using his other to play with her hair, he smirked, leaning down until their faces were an inch apart.
" Now," He started watching Mana lick her lips nervously. " Will you try not to get yourself into any trouble, or do I have to take you to my room and chain you to my bed?"
Mana blushed profusely, she wanted to kiss him so badly then. The way he made her feel with just one look or touch or even word, could just set her off the edge.
Not able to take it anymore, Atem closed the distance between them, slanting his thin lips over her full, plump ones.
"Mmm.." Mana mumbled as she let Atem dominate her mouth with his warm tongue. Running her hands through his wild hair, she kept pressing herself closer to him not wanting to let go.
This went on until human nature got the better of them and they came up for oxygen. " Atem." Said Mana as she gasped for air.
"Hmm?" Responded Atem as he absently played with her hair.
She smiled wide, and cocked her head. " I love you."
Atem blinked in surprise, but then he too smiled. " And I love you Habibti."
They disentangled themselves from each other albeit it very reluctantly as they did not want to part from each other. " I better go, I must have a lot of chores to make up." Mana said, taking a few steps down the hall.
Atem wanted to tell her that she wouldn't have to if she would just come with him, but he knew that would result in an argument and he still wasn't all the way calmed from his earlier aggression.
"Alright, I'll be off now." He turned to leave.
" Wait!" Yelled Mana as she hurried back to him.
Atem turned back around, looking confused. " What is it?"
All of a sudden he felt a sharp, small pain on his left bicep. He saw Mana retract her fingers, " Did you just pinch me?" He asked incredulous.
Mana smiled in satisfaction, " Yes I did, that's for telling your guardians about us!"
He rubbed his arm and winced, " Well it was either that or you being thrown in the dungeons."
Mana gasped, " You wouldn't let that happen..would you?" She asked skeptically.
Atem rolled his eyes in mock annoyance, " Of course not, besides they are my guardians Mana, how long was I too keep it a secret from them?"
Mana felt bad then, she didn't want Atem to have to lie for her, especially about their relationship. But she just wasn't ready for the whole public to know about them. Though with his sacred guardians knowing, she wasn't sure how long it would remain a secret.
She sighed and rubbed Atem's arm soothingly, " I don't know Atem, I just wasn't expecting for your guardians to be the first to find out about us."
Atem pulled Mana in for a hug, squeezing her tight he leaned down to whisper in her ear, " Don't worry, my guardians are my most trusted friends. They will like you. It's only up from here love."
Mana smiled, he always knew what to say to her to make everything alright. " Okay, Atem, I'll try and think positive. If your guardians like me then perhaps going public won't be so bad." She almost laughed at Atem's relieved look.
" Well, I need to go," She left Atem's embrace and walked slowly down the hall. She needed to report straight to the Servant's quarters which was the last door at the end of the hall, before heading to her room. This whole hall was used by the servants to get supplies, store foods and spare pottery. And she was in no hurry to get there. She could still feel Atem watching her as she walked away.
"Your still here?" She asked, not looking back.
Atem was surprised he didn't know she still knew he was here. Well, no use in hiding it. " I couldn't help it, your too enticing for me too not watch." He said, watching her hips move side to side as she walked away.
" If only your loyal subjects could hear their divine king now." Mana said laughing.
He laughed a long with her. But then stopped suddenly, and there was a pause in the air, Mana figured he left already and paid no mind to it, continuing her trek down the hall.
" And if only the loyal subjects could see their divine queen now."
Eyes wide, Mana abruptly stopped in her tracks. ' Did he say what I think he said?' Queen? Her? He must be playing a very unfunny joke on her. She turned around to ask him what he meant, but he was already gone.
She turned back around and continued back on her walk, a lot more slowly as she contemplated what he meant.
" Hmm, Mana the queen of Egypt." She blinked, did she really just say that? Shaking her head she thought nothing more of it. As if a servant could become the queen of Egypt.
"Mana! Where have you been?" Bellowed the head servant. Mana was now in the Servants quarters where they reported to be told of their duties for the day. All around her male and female servants were tidying things up, collecting supplies or getting ready for their next shift.
Head servant Sharifa was immediately on her the moment she entered the room. Mana stepped back as Sharifa kept getting closer and closer to her. You never want to be within striking range of this woman.
Sharifa has been working in the palace for a long time. Way before she even came here. Which apparently made her qualified to be the head everyone. Though you wouldn't know that she's been here for so long by her looks. She was quite stunning for someone her age.
She had nicely toned skin that seemed to be kissed by Rah himself. And she was quite tall, definitely taller than most of the women including Mana which made her quite intimidating by even being next to her. Her eye's were a brilliant shade of pure gold, that went well with her long black hair that had bangs across her forehead.
Her attire consisted of a lot of jewelry. It was almost over bearing. She had bracelets stacked upon each other up to her elbows and wore many of necklaces paired with outstanding earrings. She wore a long tunic that went all the way to her feet, but it showed huge amounts of her cleavage. Even the tunic was quite detailed.
Mana had always wondered how exactly Sharifa could afford everything. She may be the head servant but she still was a servant nonetheless. And even though servants do get some compensation, it isn't enough to look the way she does. Though she remembered over hearing the common gossip among the servants and them saying that the reason Sharifa was the head servant and had all that jewelry was because she slept with most of the nobles and those in the royal court when she first started working here. And still does apparently. Now that, Mana could believe.
After all her body was quite amazing, what with her rounded hips, long legs and breasts Mana could only hope looked as good when she got older. Still, how could such a lovely woman have such a nasty, malicious personality?
" Well? What have you been doing?" She asked angrily.
Mana snapped out of her observations to see Sharifa standing right in front of her, looking down with a mad gaze.
" Um, Uh-What?" She stumbled over her words, not knowing what to say. If she told her what she was really doing then Sharifa would either think she was lying and have her whipped or think she was crazy and keep her in her room. And still probably get punished.
"Ugh!" Sharifa threw up her hands, obviously frustrated with her. Looking at Mana with gold narrowed eyes outlined in ridiculous amounts of kohl. She began to finger the coiled whip that hung around her waist.
Mana paled, she remembered that whip quit well. Sharifa would consistently use it on her when she first came to the palace. Though in the beginning, Sharifa was kind to her, almost like a mother figure. But then she suddenly turn wicked and began giving out lashings for every one of her mistakes. It was only when she got older and more resistant to pain that it used less on her.
Now she hasn't felt the sting of that whip in years and didn't want to feel it now.
" You see this whip?" Sharifa asked lightly.
" Uh-Yes." Responded Mana, she could see it very well.
Sharifa smirked and crossed her arms, " Do you wan to feel it's lovely touch on your backside?"
" No, Miss Sharifa."
Sharifa lost her smirk, " Then tell me why the hell you didn't finish cleaning the dining room? And didn't report back for awhile?"
Mana looked away so she wouldn't have to look into Sharifa's menacing eyes, " Well I-"
"Look at me when I'm talking to you!"
Mana instantly look back at Sharifa, " I'm sorry for not finishing my duties Miss Sharifa. I have absolutely no excuse and I-" She gulped, " deserve to be punished for my negligence."
Sharifa stared at Mana in silence, probably deciding what course of punishment she should take. " Your right, you do deserve to be punished." She finally said.
Mana sighed, " I understand." She made to turn around so Sharifa could have access to her back.
" However," Sharifa started slowly, rubbing her right arm socket. " My right arm is quite sore right now so I'm not able to do much." At Mana's relieved look she gave her a steely one back. " Oh I could use my left arm," Mana's relieved look deflated and Sharifa smirked in satisfaction. " But your not worth the effort."
Mana blinked, so she wasn't going to get a whipping? She almost started jumping for joy. But she was too tired to do that and Sharifa might find that offensive.
" I see, well thank you for your mercy. And I promise to not neglect my duties again." Mana bowed and began walking to a door on the right that lead to the Sleeping area. She wanted to finally get some sleep after having such a eventful evening.
But Sharifa's voice stopped her, " Where do you think your going?" She asked, walking to a chair and sitting down properly, crossing her legs.
Mana turned around slowly, " To the sleeping area..to get some sleep?" Mana said unsure.
" Ahaha," Sharifa laughed and pulled out a hand held white feathered fan with gold trimming, most likely another gift from her 'clients'. She began fanning herself with it. Closing her eyes she began speaking. " No your not."
Mana blinked, " What?" She said stupidly.
Mana could see Sharifa rolling her eyes behind her eyelids, " I said your not going to bed. Not yet anyways," She leaned further back in her chair clearly enjoying herself. " Your going to be working kitchen duty and serving."
Mana's jaw dropped, kitchen duty and serving? She just got in from having a stressful day and now she has too continue work? But of course Miss Sharifa doesn't care. She never does.
Then she remembered something, " But wait, I'm not part of the kitchen staff and it's not my shift serve today."
Sharifa lowered her fan and opened her eyes, Mana was nervous from the cold glare Sharifa gave her. " Since, you decided to skip out on your cleaning today I had to assign it to another person and have her finish it. She had just came in a moment before you did. I'm letting her take the rest of the night off and you will do her shifts."
Mana felt bad, she didn't think that someone else would have pick up her slack. Now she has to make it up by doing their shift. She would have to apologize to that person later.
Sharifa took in Mana's expression and smiled, " You should feel bad, poor Kisara had to finish up your job. Maybe next time you won't neglect your duties." She leaned back in her chair and went back to fanning herself. " Now get to work and don't disappoint me."
Mana bowed, " Yes, Ma'am." Now Mana felt even worse, Kisara was a fellow servant and one of the sweetest people she's ever met. Besides Atem, Kisara was the only one to show her kindness. She would have to make it up to her somehow.
Mana left the room and the evil witch and tiredly made her down the hall to get to the kitchens. How could this day get anymore tiring?
" Good, now place those soups on that tray and your done." Said the cook Akiiki.
" Alright." Responded Mana as she went to do what she was told. Once she had entered the kitchen where all the food for the Royals were made she was immediately put to work on prepping and making the food. She wasn't the best cook but she made do.
Akiiki was a nice man would handsome features. A lot of the servant girls would always swoon over him and try to get placed in the kitchen with him. Mana didn't see what was so great, he was a good man and that was that. He seemed to favor her a lot though, and she wasn't complaining as long as he continued slipping her sweets once in awhile.
" I finished with trays, Akiiki." She said as she dusted herself off and smoothed down her dress. Smelling the lovely aroma of roasted pork, steamed vegetables, breads and sweets she realized that she hadn't eaten since this morning. She tempted to pick off on of the rolls on trays.
" Ah Ah," Akiiki swatted her hand away when he saw her reaching for one. " That's not for you." He went back to chopping the onions.
Mana groaned, " But I'm so hungry..Please Akiiki? Just one." Mana begged, clasping her hands together and swishing her hips side to side.
Akiiki rolled his eyes and sighed in defeat. " All right, just one," Mana gave a yelp of joy and began to reach for a roll. " After, you finish serving." He finished.
Mana dropped her hands and huffed. It was bad enough she had to watch him make the food, now she had to watch other people eat it in front of her!
" Must you be so cruel?" Mana asked pitifully.
Akiiki laughed, " Only to you , lovely." He winked at her, his shimmering green eyes showing his mirth.
Mana blushed, " Oh stop," She picked up one of trays of food and began to towards the door that lead into the hall. " When do I head in?" She asked.
" Right after Bahiti comes back, then after you I will send someone else in. And the cycle repeats itself." Just then Bahiti came in looking pleased with herself.
" I think Priest Seto is finally falling for me!" Bahiti said, she sat down on one of the wooden chairs and began fanning herself with her hand. " Watch, I'll no longer be a servant and instead the wife of a sacred guardian." She cackled with laughter.
Akiiki rolled his eyes at Bahiti, " As if Priest Seto would want you, you bag of wind." Bahiti glared at the back of his head when he turned around.
Mana blanched, Priest Seto? He was in the dining room? Did that mean she would be serving all the others too? Just then she remembered Atem asking his guardians to join him for dinner. ' Oh no..' Mana thought.
" Did any of the other guardians happen to be there?" Mana hurridely asked Bahiti. Bahiti looked at Mana as if she were stupid, " Uh Yes? All of them are including the pharaoh himself."
Mana panicked. She couldn't see them all after having such an embarrassing first meeting. It would be even worse now that she has to serve them. This is why she didn't want anyone to know yet.
" Mana?" Akiiki appeared in front of her, waving a hand in her face. She blinked, " Yes?" She answered.
" Are you alright?" He asked worridely.
Mana gave a forced smile, " Yes I am fine."
Akiiki didn't look convinced but he wasn't going to push it. " Well okay, It's your turn to go in," He pointed at the tray of rolls still her hands, " Take those in, offer them drinks-"
" I know what to do." Mana snapped, cutting him off. She then felt bad when she saw his hurt expression. " Ah, I'm sorry I just have a lot on my mind."
Akiiki nodded in understanding, " I get it, Just go ahead and get it over with." Mana nodded and stepped around him to get to the door.
"Oh and Mana!" Akiiki shouted as he sprinted back to her before she left.
" Yes?" Mana turned around, holding the tray tightly.
He smiled and held out his hand, " This is for you." In his hand was a beautiful multi-colored beaded bracelet held together by string. " It's not much, but as a palace cook one could only afford so much." He said rubbing the back of his head.
Mana blinked in surprise, he got her bracelet? No one but Atem ever got her anything. " You didn't have to do that." She said.
Akiiki shook his head, " Yes I did," at Mana's questioning look he said, " What? You didn't think I would forget it was your day of birth yesterday, did you?"
" You remembered?" Mana asked astonished.
" Of course now let me put this on you." He grabbed Mana's wrist and gently tied the bracelet around it. " There, it looks great on you." He released her wrist.
Mana didn't know what to say or feel, never has someone ever shown this much care for her before, besides Atem. She wanted to hug him but she still held the tray in her grip. So she opted for kissing him on the cheek. " Thank you so much Akiiki, I'll never take it off." She smiled at him.
It was Akiiki's turn to be surprised. He wasn't expecting that. " No problem, Lovely. Now get in there and make the pharaoh happy." He said enthusiastically, going back to the counter tops to make more food.
And then Mana lost her smile, her temporary happiness fading. She sighed and left the kitchen. She walked across the hall and faced the door which lead into the room the pharaoh and his guardians will be in.
She knew she would have too see them somehow, what with the knowing she's the consort of the pharaohs, as Atem so nicely put it. But she wasn't expecting it to be so soon.
' Damn you Sharifa.' Mana thought, trying to pin the blame on that woman always helped get her through things. Taking a deep breath, Mana plastered a smile on her face and rolled her shoulders.
After all, she was a servant of the pharaoh and pleasing him and his needs came above all else.
At least that's what she was supposed to do.
A/N: Wow, so looks like Mana still isn't done for the day. Haha, I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Now THIS was long. Approximately 21 freaking chapters! So hopefully it was worth the wait guys. I'm having a lot of fun writing this, a lot more than I did when I was writing MBF. This I feel I can take my time and not worry so much. Plus my writing has gotten better over the years. So, if you can notice my favorite characters in my story so far would have to be Marik, Isis and Bakura. They are just so much fun to write and their dialogue always ends up being hilarious.
Though I feel I'm making Marik fall into the Yugioh Abridged Version too much. Which is NOT what I want. Yikes. I don't know, is he Aqua girl 007? Lol.
Well anyways yeah, I wanted to capture the relationship between everyone and show how everyone sees each other. Marik and Isis are extremely close siblings, Bakura is their child hood friend. Mahad and seto have a love/hate thing going on lol and Aknadin is freaking crazy.
Honestly I keep forgetting about Aknadin! Seriously! I wrote exactly what I was thinking when I did Bakura's line for that scene. He's so lame, but I do have plans for him in the future.
Facts- I don't believe there are any for this one either.
A/A/N- I really appreciate the feedback I'd gotten on my last chapter! I especially liked how you all took my suggestion for the Code Geass Anime! It's a really good show( that I finished sadly) and I felt it would help my story along. This chapter was actually inspired by Ouran High Host club. It's a really funny anime that's about a cross dressing girl who goes to a rich school and has to join a host club full of sexy guys who cater to the female needs. But of course there's romance. So yeah check that out if you like, You'll notice which characters are like the ones on my story lol. It was completely unintentional though! Aha.
On that note I will end this, thank you for reading and please review!
Oh and please tell me what you THINK in a review. A review is not you telling me how you want me to update faster or telling me how you waiting and waiting for an update. That's in my opinion rude and a complete waste of my time. So please leave a detailed review and I'll very much appreciate it. Thanks ;3
OH! and Sharifa was inspired by that Cleopatra girl on Monster High! Lol.