Chapter 9:Plagues and Fakes

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"HAH!" I cried, striking at Kash again only to be easily blocked.

"You've improved, Princess Yuki! But your strength is still lacking!" Kash laughed, slashing at my middle. I ducked and swept at his feet, he jumped just in time.

"Quit. Calling. Me. Princess!" I gasp in between strikes. "Ah!" I wince. I had raised my arm too high and the wound on my shoulder sent a shock of pain. It was nearly healed so it didn't hurt terribly, but the slight hesitation was enough for Kash to smack my hand with the flat of his sword, forcing me to drop my weapon. I was left staring down the wrong end of a sword, a grinning Kash on the other end.

"Gotcha." He sang merrily. He was whistling jauntily as he helped me up. I panted heavily. I guess my stamina is still not up to par. I was proud to say my archery and knife throwing had improved greatly though, I rarely missed a target!

Months had passed since the incident with Egypt. The Egyptians were still lingering around though, I still saw Ramses here and there. Ramses I. A great pharaoh, that much I knew. I know that means keeping a good relationship with him would be good, but I didn't like the way his eyes followed Yuri and I around the palace.

Things were going smoothly in Hattusa for the past few months. Yuri and I were steadily healing; I was even well enough to continue training! His Majesty was including me in much of the political meetings and discussions, and I was learning so much about the legal affairs of Hattusa. And Ilbani…well…

"YUKI! I told you not to push yourself so hard!" A familiar voice scolded. I grin impishly. And dance over to him cheerfully, stopping right in front of him, looking straight up at him with devilish eyes.

"Awwww Ilbani, I'm doing fine. And Kash was going easy on me. I could tell." I say, turning to glare at Kash.

He shrugged his shoulders, that silly grin still on his face. "If I hurt you, I would have to face Ilbani's wrath. And I don't' know about you, but I would prefer to not be lectured for the rest of my life."

I laughed at the scowl on Ilbani's face. "I like his lectures." I grin at him. He took the sword out of my hand and ruffled my hair. I leaned into his touch.

" Well I'm sorry, that I didn't come to lecture you. I came to make sure you actually ate lunch today. I will be accompanying you to be sure you eat more then just an apple." He said nonchalantly. I chuckled. He could just ask me out to lunch…but then he wouldn't be Ilbani, would he?

We sat in the courtyard, one of my favorite places to just sit and enjoy the sunshine. Even when I first came to Hattusa, I cherished the serenity and comfort it offered, I often napping on the soft, untouched grass. Most of the people in the palace didn't come here; they preferred the parlor, which was sheltered from the elements, the bugs and various other things. I liked it here though, I liked the buzzing of the bugs, the chirping of the birds, and the coolness of the wind kissing my cheeks as I laid in the soft grass. I used to come here alone, but lately…

I ran my fingers through Ilbani's long hair, reveling in the silkiness of it. He had fallen asleep in my lap. Lately, Ilbani has stepped into my secret little world. We had to keep a sense of decorum in public. We had both agreed to that, with Ilbani the trusted advisor to the prince, and I a newly blooming tactician, we had to keep a professional relationship in public. Everyone knew of us of course. We were hiding nothing. Since the incident with Egypt…I had stayed in his room while I was injured…and well…I never left. We didn't go any further then kissing though. It just didn't seem right flaunt our relationship when we should be working. But here, here in our special place, where no eyes would look, Ilbani could rest his head in my lap, and I could run my fingers through his glossy hair as he napped.

I traced the lines of his sleeping face. The hardened expression he usually had relaxed as he slept. The lines around his eyes were gone; the corners of his mouth were no longer pinched in a slight grimace. He looked so very peaceful. I couldn't stop my hands as they traced the contours of his delicate features, I couldn't keep the soft smile on my face. When his eyes opened, I couldn't help but shudder at the possessive look that dominated his expression.

"Good morning, sleepy-head." I whisper, not really wanting to break the spell. Wouldn't it be nice, to stay like this forever? Wouldn't it be nice…if there were no more problems, nothing outside of this? That we could live in this moment forever?

I know the world doesn't work like that though. In life, we face hardships. We face struggle and opposition. We will be angered, we will cry and things will go wrong. That is life. Life is difficult; it can be painful and heartbreaking. But it is also full of joy, and beauty. Full of those moments, where you laugh so hard, that you forget why you are laughing, but continue to laugh anyway. Moments where you are so happy that tears leak from your eyes, and you are smiling and crying all at once. And then there are times where you will fall down. Not just once, sometimes…you fall and fall and fall, even if you get up every time…there are moments…where you think that it is easier to just stay down. To just stop getting hurt, to let someone else take care of it. But I can't accept that. Even if I fail again and again forever…I couldn't stay down…because then there would always be that "what if". What if the next one was the one I would have succeeded in? What if I gave up too soon, and now it's too late? I hated having questions like that in my life. I would rather fall down forever, then to never try, and never know if I could have succeeded.

I realize that Ilbani had been watching me as I mused to myself; an amused look etched his features.

"What are you thinking about?" He asked gently.

"Just…how nice life is right now." I answer truthfully.

A shout from Kikkuri shattered our peace.

"The king has fallen ill to the 7 day fever!"

Neither of us wasted time, getting up and running to the King's palace.

"A plague?!" Prince Kail exclaimed. Queen Nakia swept out with Juda quickly, her shawl covering her nose and mouth. The entire room was abuzz with dread. Prince Kail was not even allowed into the room to see his father for fear of infection.

The seven day fever…I was no doctor, and with a name as vague as that…I don't think I will be able to place it. Back at the palace, I watched as Ilbani barked orders to close the gates and not let anyone in…but that only tried to keep the spread out…the fact the King had it meant that the virus was in. I mentally went through the ways disease spread. Air. Blood. Water. Unsanitary conditions….I decided to set forth trying to keeping the contagion at a minimum.

I jumped up, snagging some bandages from the infirmary and running back to where everyone was still gathered. Quickly, I wrapped everyone's hands. Small cuts often go unnoticed, and hands touch everything. Keeping them wrapped will keep most of the virus from entering the blood directly from their hands.

"All water is to be boiled before it is used. That means drinking and bathing water. Bathes must be taken regularly and hygiene must be a priority. Keep your hands wrapped in clean bandages and change them if they get wet." I announce, then I turn to Ryui, Shala and Hadi.

"Hadi, Ryui, Shala, we are going to the food storage. All the food must be washed again and sealed tightly. We must also thoroughly check for rats and other animals that may have access to the food." I say, dragging the three behind me toward the food stores.

"I'm going too." Yuri said, trailing after us.

Ramses' POV

I watched the two goddesses from my comfortable perch. Two women…built for kings. Their spirits were admirable; they were not like the petty, vain women I had grown accustomed to. For a while, I mused at having both of them at my side. After a bit of deliberating, I dismissed the idea. Two cunning women…it could end badly for me if they had decided to both turn on me. So I decided to set my sights on just one.

Which one though? It did not really matter to me. They seemed nearly identical to me. Both were temperamental, both stubborn, boyish and prickly. Kail's woman seemed to know her way around the battlefield better, she was brave and strong, but she often charged in and thought of a plan later. That other one, though…she wasn't as strong as Kail's, but she was cunning. She knew her way in the shadows, knew how to strike without being seen, she knew how to play behind the battlefield.

So which would it be? The bold one that would raise her sword and fight to her very fullest, leaving everything up to fate, or the one that quietly stood back and deliberated before striking. Both had their own unique appeals. It is good to think your attacks through, consider your chances, but at the same time, thinking too hard can make you miss your chance. Charging in with bravery and passion has led many to glorious victory…and many to crushing defeat. Hah. At first, I believed them to be the same, but thinking back on it, their strengths and weaknesses are almost exact opposites! No wonder they stuck together. Together, they were the perfect fighting machine. I suddenly made my decision.

The one that waits, and thinks. Yuki…wasn't it?

Snatching a concubine from a prince…well it could be disastrous. As far as I could tell, Yuki was only attached to that attendant. Bah! Easy pickings. The man looked like a bore! On top of that, Yuri was too much like me. We both charged in without thinking. Yuki evened out Yuri, they were two halves of the same whole. If I was like Yuri, then with Yuki by my side, I would be invincible!

I smiled the more I thought about it. My plan for a perfect Egypt…I want this woman by my side for it.

Yuki's POV

The King…Had passed. A sadness clouded the entire palace, but there was no time to mourn, Prince Arnuwadna had to be crowned quickly in this time of chaos. Queen Nakia…was still the Tawannana, she still held a large amount of power in her hands. Nothing could change that now. Now the problem was…who would be the crown prince? I know the Queen had set up a hospital to treat the sick in a vie for popularity, but what was I going to do about it? The woman was finally helping people, for her own personal reasons, but still. One should not be punish for doing the right thing, no matter what their motives are.

I mumbled to myself as I paced down the hall, everything was a political mess right now…Prince Juda cannot be allowed the crown. I'm sure Queen Nakia has something planned…my muttering was interrupted as I ran into someone, the force knocking me flat on my butt. I scowled and got up, continuing my thoughts.

"Hey! You're supposed to apologize when running into someone!" A haughty voice drifted through my thoughts.

I turn and look at Ramses with amusement. His arms were crossed and he had a fake pout on his face.

"And a gentleman is supposed to help a girl up when they knock her down. So we're even!" I say, turning and continuing to pace. I really didn't like the way his eyes followed me. It made me uneasy.

"Aha! A sharp tongue you've got, eh? But I must ask…what is it that has your mind so preoccupied?" His voice continued to follow me down the hall. He was pretty persistent.

"Oh, well d don't know, the death of the King, the problem of who the crown prince will be, and lets not forget the plague sweeping through the empire! What could I be worried about?" I say, sarcasm dripping from every word. Why won't he go away? I needed to think!

"Ooooh and don't forget that I told Yuri that there was a fake Ishtar in Katapa a few days ago and she set out to find her." He said in a singsong voice.

"Yes, and Yuri has gone to…to…KATAPA?" I screech, the words taking a while to sink in. It's true, it had been so hectic, I hadn't noticed her absence the last two days! I felt a stab of shame, which was quickly replaced with anger.

"Wait. YOU told her? What in the God's name is wrong with you?!" I shout at him.

"Awww don't be mad! I was just testing her! She needs guts if she's gonna be the next Tawananna!" He smiled innocently.

"I don't have time for this!" I shout, reigning in my temper and rushing to my room to pack some things. Ilbani will be upset… I was headed to Katapa.

I grin as I watched her leave. How will you handle this, little mouse?

In Katapa:

I walked into Katapa, watching a girl called "Ishtar" being paraded around in a fancy carriage. Found the fake. I turned away, looking for my Ishtar. Knowing Yuri…she charged in and accused the fake immediately. I turned to a man beside me.

"Sir. Where do you cast people who get in trouble with…Ishtar?" I ask.

"Ah…well if not jail…then I guess the valley would be a death sentence…" He replied in confusion, pointing me to the correct way.

"Thanks." I say simply, nudging Huwant toward the valley.

"Yuri…don't you realize how much I worry about you?" I whisper to myself, heading closer to the valley.

The valley…death hung on to it…sickness…but it wasn't just that. There was hope in some of the people's eyes.

"Yuki!" Yuri crowed happily, running over to me. I clamp her face in my hands before she could embrace me.

"How dare you disappear on me without a word!" I scold her.

"But…I had to!" She cried…then looked around. "I'm not going back yet."

"I know that." I say, snatching the laundry basket from her hands. "Neither am I. Where am I taking this?" I smile at her. She laughed back and sent me to the river. I sigh, how long had she been here? Had she contacted the disease yet…no…it had been a while. If she was going to get it, she would have gotten it by now. So why? Perhaps…humans had grown more and more resistant to sicknesses. The common cold had once killed thousands in ancient times. Yuri and I were born with a higher immunity to those things. Could that be the reason? Whatever it was, I was thankful.

Helping all these people, it reminded me of our time in the House of Rest back in Mitanni. But it was so hot here, there was no shelter, and water had to be carried across the village. "This…this was no way to treat the sick…" I thought to myself as I soothed a wet rag over the forehead of a woman who was suffering from fever dreams. How on Earth can this be ignored? How can people see the suffering and overlook it?

I rocked a child to sleep, he kept crying and crying, his fever was going to break soon, but for now he was in agony. I shushed and rocked him, holding him close until he fell asleep and humming a lullaby.

"We need more medicine." Yuri whispered from behind me. She was right. We needed the medicine. It infuriated me that that fake Ishtar was flaunting around her riches, wasting money on stupid things like jewels and clothes.

"I'm going to get the medicine. I am going to go ask the mayor." Yuri said decisively.

I looked at her. "Then I will go with you." We both nodded in mutual understanding.

The next morning, we went together and banged on the Mayor's door, demanding food and medicine for the sick. I turned and saw that a crowd had formed behind us. Of course, everyone here knew someone who was sick, everyone was afraid. And now, they will fight for it. Our riot was interrupted as that gaudy carriage was plopped right in front of us. The fake Ishtar stepped out, and everyone kneeled to the ground, everyone but Yuri and I.

"What is this? Disperse immediately! Or do you defy the empire?!" She cried.

Her tirade was disturbed when a woman suddenly stepped forward and asked "Ishtar" to bless her child. The child had the 7-day fever. I looked at him with sadness as the child screamed and cried. He was in the beginning phase.

All eyes were on the fake, as she slowly reached to touch the child. But before her hand made contact, she smacked the child away with a look of fright on her face. The child was left, screaming and crying on the floor. Nobody wanted to touch him.

But, he was soon in Yuri's arms. I looked at her proudly as she cooed and swayed the baby before handing her off to the doctor. He brought up the idea of inoculation…of course! That's why Yuri and I were immune, we were vaccinated! Before I could be happy about it, guards surrounded Yuri with spears holding her back.

"Put this girl in jail for inciting a riot!" The fake cried out.

"This has gone on far enough!" I cry, my temper beginning to grow thin.

"And you! Are you with her? I'll make a deal with you, bow to me now, and I will forget your offences." She laughed. I stared at her, waiting for her to wind down. When her laughter subsided, she realized that I had yet to move.

"Girl. I tell you again. Bow. To. Ishtar." She said slowly, anger creeping into her eyes.

"I bow to who I see worthy. You are nothing but a pompous, arrogant, petty little vixen." I say. I was already chest deep in trouble. No point trying to get out of it now.

"SEND THEM BOTH TO JAIL." She screeched, red in the face.

We sat in a makeshift jail cell. They had searched me and found all of my hidden weapons. We sat in the jail cell together; I couldn't help but think of the irony. Back in Japan, I would have been distraught at being thrown in jail…but right now…I was proud. I was so proud, of Yuri for having no fear, for standing up for herself. I was proud to be here with her.

"So what's the plan?" She asked after a moment of silence. I looked around. The jail itself was pretty shabby. The leather cords holding the bars together looked brittle. I didn't need a knife to cut it; I just needed something with a rough edge…

Oh! I was wearing a crescent moon necklace! I usually didn't wear jewelry, but I rather liked this necklace, it was small and didn't get in the way. I quickly pulled it off and began sawing at the cords. I was almost through when the door suddenly slammed open, I fumbled, hiding the necklace in case guards were to come in and see it. But it was no guard. It was the people from the valley and some from when there was a rebellion in the village. That boy, the mayor's son, came and finished what I started, cutting us free from the cell.

"Come on, Yuki. Let's go!" Yuri cried, dragging me out and back toward the valley. I was in awe, these people…they came to break us out? The would risk their lives for us…us, not Ishtar and Ereshkigal…I smiled as I ran behind Yuri back to the valley.

Ilbani's POV

I followed behind Prince Kail as we entered Katapa. Hopefully, where Yuri and Yuki were. Yuki…that child…why can't she just stay put? I sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose. If Yuki just stayed put…then she would be just like the other women in the castle. She wouldn't be Yuki. That certainly didn't make me less worried, or less annoyed. Was it too much to ask for her to just tell me when she plans on these expeditions? Of course I would say she couldn't go, but when she would sneak out anyway, at least I would know where she snuck out to! I realize how ridiculous I sounded, even in my own head. What was this woman doing to me?

The mayor had said that Ishtar had been living here. No sign of Ereshkigal, but he would bring out Ishtar in a moment. I glance at Prince Kail and we share a look. Princess Yuri would never laze about in a palace during a plague. The woman that came out…well she was no Yuri. Prince Kail quickly unveiled her little charade and we were about to turn around and search the city for our goddesses when a man ran into the room, breathless.

"Sir! Th-there is a riot! The citizens are rioting and breaking into the jail!"

"…. Sire…I believe I found them." I deadpan. Prince Kail was already moving out the door. We both knew it was they. They had a knack for starting ripples in the water, the effected everyone around them. Yet…neither of them seemed to notice it.

Yuki's POV

We were back in the valley, celebrating our freedom, Yuri looked sad for a moment, but perked up immediately and began serving soup. I picked up some bowls and helped her pass it all out. So much for exposing the fake Ishtar. But….helping those in need was nice too. I grin as I looked around to all the smiling faces of people healing.

"Silence! His Highness, Prince Mursili is here!" The Mayor's voice echoed off the walls of the valley. Prince Kail was here? I turned and saw that it was indeed Prince Kail…and Ilbani…. who looked rather ireful…

I didn't get to look for long before a woman next to me pushed me down into a bow, trying to save me from landing in jail again I suppose. I kept my head bowed. Maybe he won't see me and I can just sneak back into Hattusa…

"People of Katapa…do you know what the Goddess sisters look like?" Prince Kail addressed the crowd.

"Of course! The both have black hair and black eyes. They are from a far away land. Princess Ishtar has a bright and unusual beauty that attracts everyone, and Princess Ereshkigal has a dark and subtle beauty." The light was dawning on the crowd, eyes turned to Yuri first.

"But my Ishtar likes to fly away from me. And then I lie awake and worry about her. Did you know that, Yuri?" Prince Kail asked, picking Yuri up.

"I-I'm sorry, Prince Kail!" She cried.

"Let me introduce you all…to the one and only Ishtar." Prince Kail said, addressing the crowd again.

I still kept my head down. Maybe they forgot and I can really sneak out! I think giddily to myself. Until a hand pulled me up from the back of my tunic. I was brought face to face with a pair of angry golden brown eyes.

"Ilbani!" I say smiling innocently.

"Don't you 'Ilbani' me! After you just disappear from the palace without a word. Would it have killed you to leave a note? And another thing…" He was going to continue until Prince Kail coughed loudly at him. He suddenly became aware that all eyes were on us.

"And may I introduce, the one and only Ereshkigal and her babysitter." Prince Kail chuckled.

I wrinkled my nose in distaste. "I don't need a sitter."

"Apparently you do." Ilbani grumbled, his anger winding down. I chuckle, leaning into him a bit. I felt him immediately relax. I grin up at him and he ruffled my hair softly.

"I didn't mean to make you worry." I say softly.

"You always make me worry. But I guess I'll have to get used to it." He sighed, flashing me a smile. I beam back at him. I do dislike making him worry. I just couldn't help it

"Those of you who mistreated Ishtar will be banished!" Kash's voice rang out into a frenzied room in the Mayor's home.

"Kash!" Yuri snapped at him.

"Well that's what should happen. Fortunately for you all, Ishtar is kind and is willing to forgive all of you." He finished with a grin.

"What shall we do with her, Highness?" The Mayor asked as the guards dragged in the fake Ishtar. Looking at her now, she had lost all her power. She looked small, weak and scared.

"Well considering Yuri was the victim in all this…I suppose she should decided the girl's punishment." Prince Kail announced. Yuri looked unsure of herself, then she finally got up and stooped next to the girl.

"What is your name?" She asked kindly. I blinked in surprise, the words sounding familiar. Those were the words that had first pierced through the darkness that surrounded me when we were children.

"U-Ursula." The young woman replied.

"Well, Ursula…why did you do it?" Yuri asked gently.

I listened to Ursula's story. She just wanted a taste of luxury. Even if she knew it was wrong, that eventually she would have been caught. She just wanted to glimpse into a world…outside of her own.

"Well. You must be made to work for your crime. We are short of staff in the palace. Won't you come and be my handmaid?" Yuri finally asked. That was no punishment, we all knew it. I looked at Yuri and I saw that girl from years ago. The one who lent me her jacket on that cold day, the one who called me "sister." I smiled and shook my head. That girl…had a way of pulling people out of the dark. She had a light that seemed to emanate from her and affect everyone around her.

"Princess Yuki! Can you allow someone like that to be permitted in the palace?!" Kash shouted at me angrily.

"Oh Kash, it was Yuri's decision to make. And if I'm not mistaken, the three sisters tried to murder her once! Perhaps this will not be such a bad idea. And I told you, enough with the 'princess' thing." I wave off his anger. But I too held my reservations. I wasn't like Yuri in that sense. I could never trust someone so wholeheartedly that quickly. I usually held an ounce of doubt. Even now, I always kept a blade strapped to me, even in my sleep. It had become habit. This…Ursula…I wonder how it will turn out?

"I King Arnuwadna, name Prince Kail Mursili as my next crown prince!" The voice echoed through the senate.

I felt a weight lift of my shoulders. One problem down, many more to go. With Prince Kail the crown prince, Queen Nakia will stop at nothing to kill him now. This game is getting more and more dangerous as time goes on. Ilbani's words drifted back to me.

"Are you sure you want to get involved in politics now? A misstep will mean death." He had told me. I know that. I know that, and of course I am scared. Anyone unafraid of playing with lives is not human. But I had to. I want to make a difference, to make this place a better world. For Yuri. Yuri. Did she still plan to go home? I had kept myself up thinking of this. As the days passed by, I wanted to stay here more and more. Was Hattusa 'home' now? I had asked Ilbani once:

"Ilbani…what is a home?"

"Home is a place where you feel safe and comfortable." He had answered.

Safe and comfortable. I felt comfortable here in Hattusa, but safe…I never had to arm myself in Japan. Japan was by far a safer place to live. So where was home? Will I be able to leave this all behind and go back to Japan? 18 months. We have been here 18 months. How will I feel when Ishtar arises in the sky again? I snuggled into Ilbani. He had gone to sleep already, and I couldn't resist wanting to touch him more, for him to hold me tighter. I still couldn't say I loved him. I did, didn't I? I sighed, my mind was wandering into the land of sleep, and I freely let it, drifting off.

Cold. My mind cried as I nuzzled even closer to Ilbani. Why is it so cold! I groggily sat up, pulling the blanket with me, drawing an unhappy grunt from a now shivering, half asleep Ilbani. Snow. There was snow! I squeal in glee, hopping out of bed and dashing out the door. It didn't even feel cold anymore as I ran into the courtyard, dropping into the snow.

"You'll catch a cold!" Ilbani yelled from the doorway, shrugging on his robe. I stuck my tongue out at him and continued my frolicking. Yuri came out soon afterwards with the four maids. Ilbani wasn't the only one scolding me now.

"Yuki! It's freezing out, at the very least put something else on! You'll frostbite your toes if you don't at least wear some shoes. I looked down at my toes that were getting redder by the moment. I giggled and scooped up a handful of snow.

"And a coat! Really, Yuki I…"Splat! Yuri's rant was cut short as the freezing projectile caught her right in the chest. She shrieked at the cold and turned to me with an evil smile on her face.

"Oh, you're in for it now!" She cried, jumping in the snow and scooping up some snow in her hands. I laughed in delight, readying my weapon. We truly were mirrors; we threw our shots at the same time and ducked at the same time. And at the same time, we turned to see that the snowballs had hit a very irate Ilbani and bemused Prince Kail. We both screamed as they dumped a hand full of snow over our heads. Ryui, Shala and Ursula were practically on the ground giggling as Hadi ran around looking for blankets. I was laughing so hard I could barely breath; I sat down holding my stomach as I nailed Ilbani with another snowball. The look on his face was priceless!

I felt the repercussions of this later as I was wrapped in a blanket shivering by the fire in the parlor. I had stayed to play in the snow long after everyone had gone in due to the cold. I sneezed loudly, wrapping myself deeper into the blanket.

"I told you that you'd catch a cold." Ilbani said behind me, warm tea in his hand.

"I-I'm n-n-not s-s-sick! I-it was o-o-only o-one sn-sneeze, s-so s-s-s-someone is t-t-talking a-about m-me." I say stubbornly, accepting the tea. I felt the warmth of it through the little cup, spreading through my hands and warming my stomach as I sipped it. I sighed happily.

"Is that a saying where you come from?"Ilbani asked casually. I nod. There was a comfortable silence before he spoke again. "Tell me more…about Japan. I want to know the place you come from." He said, draping an arm around me. I leaned into his touch. He had always been curious about Japan, but I guess he never asked to spare my feelings…

"In Japan, there are tall buildings made of stone and metal. The stretch so high, it looks like they touch the sky. In Japan, everyone has a chance to go to school. The have a chance at whatever dream they wanted. Corrupted leaders could be quickly replaced. I never had to wield a weapon in Japan." I say thinking of the land I had left behind.

"It sounds like a perfect place. Do you miss it?" He asked, treading carefully. I looked at him oddly.

"There…there are some things I miss. I miss painkilling medicines sometimes, I miss running water…but all those things… they are not necessities. Just indulgences. But sometimes…I worry for my mother." I surprised myself with that statement. Mother…

Ilbani waited patiently for me to explain, he let me get my thoughts back together. Did I truly miss her?

"…I had always convinced myself…that mother still loved me…deep down. That she was just lost. That was it. That one day, she would find her way, and she would look at me and say, 'I'm sorry, Yuu-chan. Mommy is here now. Mommy loves you.' But perhaps that was just a dream to comfort myself. I…I just couldn't imagine a mother hating her child so much…I just couldn't. I had thought about running away before. Just leaving and never coming back. But I never did. I always stayed. Why…why was that? I used to say, tat it was because mother needed me. That without me…she would not be able to take care of herself. But that wasn't true. I never left because…I never lost that tiny hope that one day… mother might just wake up and find her way out of the dark." I said, my eyes clouded, lost in thought.

"Was it lonely?" Ilbani persisted.

"Yeah. It was. I used to hate the quiet in the house. I would hum, and tap on things as I walked through the house, just so there would be some noise. But…Yuri…she made the loneliness go away." I smile.

We sat like that for a while. In utter peace. No matter what I decide to do, for once I decide to just live in the present, and worry for the future later.

I walked down the hall to find Ilbani, Kikkuri and all of the four maids huddled outside the bathing chamber.

"What's going on?" I ask peeking into the chamber. I blush to see Prince Kail and Yuri…having a moment. Hadi was practically crying with joy and Ursula was grinning proudly.

"Ursula sent Yuri into Prince Kail's bath!" Shala grinned.

"Booooooooo!" they suddenly groaned as Prince Kail left the bath chamber.

"Ohhhhh I wish I had an Egyptian love potion, or even some of Queen Nakia's dark water for them!" Ursula cried in fury.

"It seems we have hired some very capable staff." Ilbani remarked with amusement.

I looked at him incredulously then shook my head in exasperation.

"And you two!" Ursula turned her attention on us. I didn't like the look on her face.

"Don't tell me you two are the same! Have you not shared an intimate night either?!" she screamed at us angrily. I blushed all the way up to my hairline and Ilbani looked away.

"Oh! I have something I must take care of in the library." Ilbani said, briskly walking away. Coward.

"Ohhh and I promised Rusafa to practice with him today!" I say nervously, dashing away. Yeah, I was a coward too.

Ursula's POV

What is with these princesses from another land? Are they all that frugal? I clenched my hands. And look ahead stubbornly.

"Well…I came just in time to fix this little romantic problem…haven't I?" I grin a Hadi who looked about ready to hug me. Oh yes, this was going to be fun!

Queen Nakia's POV

"We need a way to get rid of Yuri. Without Yuri, Prince Kail will be easy pickings. But to get to Yuri…we must separate the light and dark. Yuki had to be separated from Yuri." I muse to myself as I sat in my bath.

"Urhi!" I cry out, the man in question stepped out from behind a curtain. "Begin to prepare for His Majesty's funeral." I say plainly.

"Immediately, M'lady." He bowed. Urhi…he was truly the only one I could trust now.

Some of you guys asked for some rivals, so As you can see, Ramses will be the next corner of our love triangle.

And as you've noticed, I add a lot of moral drabble in my chapters, and now I ask the readers this:

Is it too cheesy? If it is I'll pull back a bit XD

Anyhow, thanks to those who reviewed! and thank you all for still reading!

~Eternally Snowy