Chapter 19:Fairytales and Enemies

YURI! Don't lift heavy things!"

"Please don't run, Yuri!"

"Aren't you cold?! Come here and get some blankets!"

I stifled a giggle as Yuri was tightly wrapped in blankets like a newborn baby. His Majesty was fretting over her as if she would shatter any moment.

"With all due respect, Your Grace, we are trying to keep Yuri's pregnancy a secret…but with you fretting over her like this, you will give it away yourself!" I cackle good-naturedly. It was a good thing we found out about the pregnancy here in Ugarit. Back in Hattusa, there would be no way we would be able to hide from the eyes and ears Queen Nakia had around the palace.

A baby…we were finally putting down some roots here. Yuri was starting a family. I wonder…if I was next?

I shook my head quickly. Me, with a baby? I was no mother. I am fine as I am. I am not the motherly type.

"Sakuwai, you are sure you would not like to go directly back Hattusa? It would be much safer." I say gently to the girl. After our run in with Egypt, I was beginning to see the danger I had dragged this innocent girl in.

"Please, Miss. Yuki. I would like to stay with you, that if I am not a bother…" She looked up with panic suddenly. "Am I bothering you?"

"No, no, Sakuwai. You don't bother me. I am just worried for your safety, that's all." I smile and fix the collar of her dress. She brushed my hands away quickly.

"Miss. Yuki! I am your handmaid, I am supposed to fix your dress, not the other way around!" She scolded me. I laugh wave her off.

"Sakuwai, you are my friend! I am not above you and you are not below me." I say sternly.

She stared at me, and stared at me, and stared at me.

"You are different from the other noble ladies." She finally says, there is a note of wonder in her voice.

"Well I surely hope so! I am by no means a noble or a lady." I laugh. She still looked very serious.

"No, you see everyone as a person. You don't hold your status over others. You use power for good means. You protect even a girl like me. You are a real goddess." She smiles gently and turned to help the three sisters pack.

I scowl at her retreating form. I was no goddess… I was just me. Seeing people as people…isn't that normal? In that girl's world, I guess it's not.

Living in the palace, I seem to have forgotten there is a dark side of every utopia. No matter how many pretty jewels and how nice things are at the palace in Hattusa, there are people outside of the walls suffering. There are girls like Sakuwai and Ursula who long for a better life. I really have been spoiled. I have to start to do something. But what could I do? A single person like me, what difference could I make?

I looked at Sakuwai's beaming face as she carried a trunk down the steps and listened to her clear laugh as she watched His Majesty fretting over Yuri.

I had brought a smile on her face. That was something, wasn't it? Maybe I can't change the world…but I had changed Sakuwai's world, haven't I?

I get it now. I don't have to change the entire world to make a difference. I can change one person's world. Watching Sakuwai smile, I realize, that that is enough for me.

News of Yuri's pregnancy could not be kept under wraps. It was not long before civilians crowded in front of the palace gates, all of them begging for a glimpse of Ishtar and to congratulate her. News of her pregnancy has surely made its way back to Hattusa by now. Gossip travels much faster then even Aslan when it comes to speed.

Though this is a very joyous occasion, it will not be safe for Yuri to travel back to Hattusa this way. There were too many things that could go wrong. So what to do? We had to travel secretly. Deceive the people.

"Your Majesty, a word if I may?" I pull the king aside to discuss this matter with him. Surely he will agree.

"Yuki, I know you are right. I have to send her back to Hattusa. But it does not seem safe for her to go back to Hattusa where Queen Nakia is and I am to be stuck here defending from Egypt." He ran his hand through his hair in thought.

"Why not by sea, Your Grace? It would take longer, give you more time to send guards back to Hattusa to prepare for our arrival, and by sea, the mob of people would not be able to do her any harm." I suggest.

"Did you say 'us'? As in Yuri and you as well? Ilbani will have to stay here, you realize. Will you go back alone?" He seemed to say almost teasingly.

"I don't want to leave Ilbani…I know he will be incredibly upset at me for this. But I must keep Yuri safe. Especially now, in her delicate state. You understand the importance of this, do you not? Besides, I know that I will see him again, safe and sound back in Hattusa." I smile up at the King.

"You are right. Hm. Of course you are right, you usually are. I see your reasoning, and I have no doubt, that in your hands, Yuri will be safe." He smiled and turned away. "We will prepare a boat to send you all back home."

"Thank you, your Majesty. Your praise is much appreciated." I say with a grin.

"Oh, and I hear congratulations are in order for Ilbani and you as well. I never thought I would see that man settle down. How long until you have a little one of your own?" He chuckled and walked off.

I froze at the thought. Gods, I wasn't ready for children! I was only 17!...but many had children early here…No! I was not the motherly type! I couldn't possibly…

I shook my head and stifled the thoughts. I had more things to worry about. There was a war on the horizon and Yuri has to get back to Hattusa in once piece. I have much more pressing things to deal with. And…I had to tell Ilbani that I was going with Yuri back to Hattusa…

"Stop grinning at me! I am trying to be upset at you!" Ilbani growled.

"Aw, we will only be apart for a while! His Majesty planned to send you back with the first group over land to meet us back in Hattusa!" I try to reason with him. He seemed pretty upset though.

"Why don't you ever consult these things with me?" He sighed but patted my head fondly. I grinned back.

"Would you agree to let me go?" I ask with a knowing smile.

"Absolutely not. But that's not the point." He growled back.

"I'll meet you back in Hattusa?" I ask gently.

"Don't be late for the wedding." He huffed before smothering me in a kiss. I melted into his embrace. Whenever I was with him, all of my troubles seemed to drift away. The entire world didn't matter anymore. It was just us. That was all that mattered. Just the feeling of him against me, the way his hand would trail through my hair, how his lips moved against mine. Just us in our own private world.

I sighed in disappointment when we eventually had to pull apart. We couldn't live in our world forever. No, but for now, I have to fight to create a better reality. Fight for a better world for the people I love.

"I think that's all!" I call from the ship as I watched the last of the cargo get loaded on. The three maids and Sakuwai were already boarded and Yuri was saying her goodbyes to His Majesty. Ilbani came up beside me, I leaned over the side of the ship to smile happily at him.

"Be safe." He said hesitantly, reaching up to stroke my cheek. I leaned into his touch.

"You as well. May your journey be swift." I reply. We had always kept our affections somewhat private. I had respected our mutual decision; it was not professional for us to parade our relationship in our workplace. I had not questioned that before, but right now, I just wanted to launch myself into his arms and kiss him like there was no tomorrow. By the yearning look on Ilbani's face, he felt the same.

I smiled and pressed two of my fingers to my lips and waited for him to mirror me. He hesitantly followed my movements and pressed his fingers to his lips as well. I moved my fingers and put them into the air between us. He reflected my actions.

We stood with our fingers touching in the space, a tiny little connection across the space that separates us.

A kiss, but not really a kiss.

We stayed that way as the ship began to pull away. I leaned further and further over the railing as we sailed off. I kept leaning over until I nearly fell off the boat. Our fingers finally separated and I was left feeling alone. Empty.

"Don't be late for the wedding!" He called out. I could barely hear his voice over the wound of the waves against the ship and the wind beating the sails.

"Be safe. I love you." I say, but my voice was carried away by the wind. I watched as the land drifted away. As Ilbani's form shrunk, until it was nothing more then a speck on the horizon.

I found myself rooted in this spot, watching the horizon line. I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned to see Sakuwai smiling softly at me. I snapped out of my reverie. I turned to look at our little crew. Hadi, Ryui, Shala, Sakuwai, Yuri…and when did Rusafa board?

"He jumped on while you and Ilbani were off in your little fantasy world." Yuri said, hiding her sly smile. Even I couldn't hide the blush that crept up on my face.

"Fwaa!" I gasp as I burst through the surface of the water. I grabbed the rough rope that hung off the side of the ship and pulled myself back on board. A fluffy towel was swiftly thrown over me as soon as I touched ground onto the deck.

"You are going to catch a cold!" Hadi huffed as she went to fetch me dry clothes.

"It's fine! It's so warm out, and I love the sea!" I laughed as I dropped the towel and basked in the sun.

"You're lucky, Yuki! I want to play in the ocean too." Yuri grumbled beside me.

"Absolutely not! It is not good for the baby; you shouldn't even be out right now! It is chilly!" Shala scolded.

"But I like the smell of the ocean. It reminds me of when I was a child." Yuri sighed, closing her eyes.

"I heard that Princess Yuri and Miss Yuki come from another land. Was that land near the ocean?" Sakuwai inquired as she tried to throw the towel back on me.

"Surrounded by water. Our land was surrounded by water." Yuri said forlornly.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. The wind on my face, the feeling of salt drying on my skin, the smell of the ocean, the kiss of sunlight on my face. Yuri was right. When I closed my eyes, it feels as if I am back in Japan. I was confused a moment, usually thoughts of Japan made me cringe, it brought back ugly memories.

But now, I felt at peace. I didn't hate it, but I really didn't miss it. Ilbani's words drifted back into my thoughts.

"Don't forget your old country. It is a part of you."

He was right. Japan is a part of who I am, it makes me what I am today. Bad memories are also a part of who I am. Even if I hate those memories, even if I wish they would disappear. They are a part of who I am. No matter how bad the memories are, no matter how much I wish I could forget, I can't. My life is not made of just good memories. There are bad memories too. But they are mine and mine alone. Ilbani is right. I can't forget a country, a place that shaped my personality. But even so, I know I was beginning to forget. I had been away from home so long, I was forgetting Japan already…

I open my eyes and looked around. I must have been lost in thought for a while. Yuri had gone inside already.

"Um, if you don't mind me asking, what was your land like?" Sakuwai asked tentatively. I smile and pat next to me for her to sit.

"It is a land that is surrounded by water, where people can fly from place to place. People could cross the world in a day. It was a place where food was plentiful. Where a house could be kept warm without a fire, even in the winter." As I recounted Japan with Sakuwai, my memory began to revitalize. As I spoke, I saw the pink cherry blossoms blooming, I heard the cars as they zoomed by, I could taste cool somen noodles on a hot summer day, smell downy in the freshly washed laundry, and feel the pages of a book in my fingers.

I understand now, I don't have to forget. Telling my story, I can still remember. This way, I won't forget.

"Your world sounds amazing, Miss. Yuki. Do you miss it at all? I mean, I'm glad you are here, but do you ever get homesick?" Sakuwai asked. Her eyes were wide with wonder. I guess to people here, our land does sound magical.

Was I homesick? I didn't want to go back, but thinking about it now…I had always remembered the bad things about Japan. I overlooked the good.

" I have no regrets in my decision to stay here. But sometimes, I do find myself thinking of my old country. Whenever that happens, I just look around for thinks that our lands have in common. It makes it feel like I am connected to my old land again." I smile as I brush my fingers through Sakuwai's hair and began to braid it.

"What could we have in common with a magical land like your old home?" Sakuwai sounded like a little child for a moment. A child that was engrossed in a story.

"Well, for starters, the sky is the same color of blue. The ocean feels the same. The smell after rain, the blanket of snow that falls over the world, How the stars twinkle in the night." I say as I tie off the braid. Sakuwai was beginning to fall asleep, she had leaned over and rested her head on my lap.

"I love fairytales." She yawned and fell asleep.

Sakuwai's POV

I love fairy tales. When I was young, my mother would tell me stories before I went to bed. I would dream that one day I would meet a prince; I dreamed that he would take me away from poverty.

As I grew older, I realized that this was impossible. What made me special above the thousands of other starving girls trapped in poverty? This was the world I lived in. There were no happy endings for me. I was born a beggar, and I would die a beggar. Unnoticed.

But I didn't want my family to live that kind of life. My mother, my brothers and sisters. I didn't want to watch them starve. I was the oldest. I had to do something, anything to stop it. I never wanted to see my sister clench her stomach and cry from hunger. I never wanted my brothers to dig through the trash. I didn't want my mother to cry because of my father's absence.

But what could I do? I was merely a girl in a world where men ruled. I had no skill, I had no connections. What did I have to offer? Myself. That's all I have. But I would give everything for my family.

I hated it. I hated the feeling of a strange man's hands on me. Sleeping in a different bed every night. The smell of alcohol on their breaths, their greasy fingers. It was all so dirty. I was dirty.

But I would do it, if it kept them from starving. I would do it. I would put up with anything.

But it didn't go as I planned. When my family found out where I was getting the money, they rejected me. They hated me with all of their being. I was cast out.

I remember being confused, so very confused.

I only wanted to help them. I gave everything to help…and yet…

I had nowhere left to go. So I went back to my old profession and even managed to secure a place in the palace. But I was not happy. I was merchandise, sold and loaned to foreign dignitaries. I was nothing.

But even then, I would think of the fairytales that my mother lulled me to sleep with. What I once saw as a beam of hope in my life…was now nothing more then a story. A story that taunted my misfortune. That flaunted a happy ending, when I couldn't find my happy ending.

When Princess Yuri and Miss. Yuki marched into the palace, I watched them in awe. Awe and jealousy. Why did these girls get a happy ending? Why was I cursed with this miserable life, while those ladies lived in a life of luxury? Why? I worked so hard, I gave up everything, and I ended up with nothing. What made those girls so special? What was so great about them?

I wanted that luxury. I just wanted a taste. I snuck into her room. Miss. Yuki's. She had so many pretty things, I really just wanted to see what it felt like. When I looked in the mirror, though, nothing had changed. I was wearing fine jewels and a dress in royal purple. But I was still dirty. I realized it then, that I would always be dirty. No matter how finely I dress, no matter how many jewels adorn me, I was a beggar. I would not find my happy ending like this.

When Miss. Yuki walked in, I was prepared to be shouted at, whipped. It would not be uncommon for a high-ranking woman like her to execute me for this crime. Perhaps that would be for the best. I had nothing to live for. Nobody would miss me.

But instead, she offered me so much more. She offered me the chance of a new life. She offered me a happy ending. She would do that for someone like me. Someone who was dirty and tainted. Who had nothing to offer, who would not offer any merits. She took me in without question. She offered me a home, a new way of life.

She worried for my safety when our plan in Beduit went wrong. She would brush her fingers through my hair and sing to me. She had allowed me to try on her clothes whenever I wanted. But even when I tried on those clothes, I felt dirty. I couldn't wear such fine things while I was so dirty. It wasn't right.

But Miss. Yuki never looked at me with judgment in her eyes. She never wore the beautiful things she had, she preferred wearing boys tunics and long cloaks. I didn't understand why at first. Perhaps it was because it was easier to fight and move in those clothes, but even when we lounged in the palace with His Majesty and Prince Piyasili, she would wear those men's clothes over a dress.

I think I understand why it is that I could never wear those clothes, that even in gorgeous garments, I would never be as beautiful as her. She didn't need jewels and silk. She could wear rags and still be the vision of a goddess. I will never measure up to her. But maybe, one day, I would be able to stand next to her. Maybe one day, I can look in the mirror and see someone worthwhile.

Yuki's POV

I heard a ruckus rising above deck and quickly woke everyone up. This didn't bode well.

I dashed up the stairs and was shocked as my bare feet felt the shock of freezing water on my feet.

We were sinking.

I gasped and dashed into action. What were you supposed to do in this kind of situation? I spied a piece of rope in the corner and dashed to it.

Stay together. We can't get separated!

I wrapped the rope around Ryui, Shala, Hadi and Sakuwai.

"Stay together. I will find Yuri. Get to safety!" I shout over the chaos.

Yuri. Where was Yuri. The water was freezing. Where was Yuri!

"Princess! The water is black please, there is another boat, go! It is too dangerous here!" A sailor shouted at me.

I looked to see Ryui and Shala drag an unconscious Hadi onto the other ship. I have to find Yuri. I jumped into the water without a second thought.

I jolted at the sudden shock of cold. It was freezing. Yuri. Where? I saw a glimpse of purple fabric fluttering and grabbed onto it, tracing it back to its owner.

"Yuri!" I shouted. She was being held up by Rusafa and Sakuwai. I grabbed a nearby crate and pushed it toward them.

"Sakuwai! I told you to stay with the others!" I nearly sob. I have dragged this child into a huge mess. What have I done?

"Baby. Please, save the baby." Yuri mumbled in her stupor.

The baby! This water was frigid, we had to get Yuri out, or the baby might…!

"A ship!" Rusafa suddenly shouts. I look up to see that it was true. A ship. Lowering a ladder for us.

I looked up warily. We could have just trapped ourselves on a ship of enemies. But we don't have a choice right now.

"Where do you hail from?" A sailor asked. I thought the question over. If we didn't plan this carefully, we may be in some trouble if this ship was an enemy of the Hittite Empire. We would definitely be in trouble.

"Riffraff on our ship! I did not condone this!" A voice came from behind me. I glanced around and saw what I dreaded. Egyptian soldiers. I discretely began to remove the jewelry and weapons from Yuri and hid as much of it as I could under my dress. I felt Rusafa grabbing some of the things from my hands and hiding it as well. I sneak him a look of gratitude. Now to talk our way out of this.

"Please, sir, we are merely merchants. The ship carrying us sank and we found ourselves in a very awkward situation" I say, feigning innocence.

"You people don't look like merchants…" One of the soldiers stepped forward for a closer look. I put my hand on my dagger. This could get ugly.

"Baby. Save my baby." Yuri cried out, clutching me in agony.

"Did she just say baby? Is she your wife?" The soldier directed his attention to Rusafa.

"No, my sister. We were headed to their wedding. When our ship sank." Rusafa said. I pushed my hand off my dagger.

"And you?" The soldier turned to me again.

" I am her twin sister. We look alike, no? And this is Sakuwai, my sister in law." I clarify with an innocent smile. "Please, sir, we need a doctor. I beg of you!"

"Our nearest port would be in Byblos. There is no doctor on our boat."

Byblos? A neutral territory, but much too close to Egypt for my on the border, actually. What choice do I have? I can't endanger Yuri's life anymore.

"Please, I beg of you, allow us passage on your ship until we reach Byblos. Please!" I say to the soldier, trying my best to look like a hapless girl.

"Yes, I will not disagree with this arrangement." He finally declared, much to my relief. We will have to lay low here for a while.

We were on an enemy ship with Yuri sick and her baby at risk. And now, we are heading closer and closer to Egypt. To our enemy.

We had spent some time on this ship. Yuri was still out, phasing in and out of consciousness. I had a bad feeling about this.

"P- Yuki!" Rusafa caught himself before he gave my title. "Yuri is bleeding! I… I think…"

No. No, no no no!

"She will be fine." I say, rushing to her side. There was blood trailing down her legs. The baby…"They will be fine." I felt myself beginning to shake. I wasn't even convincing myself anymore. I felt a little hand on my shoulder and looked to see Sakuwai behind me.

I took a deep breath and steadied myself. Byblos was right there. Maybe it wasn't too late. Maybe we can save them both. I clutched Sakuwai's hand as if it was the only thing anchoring me to reality. Perhaps it was right now.

Yuri…how did it end up like this?

"I'm afraid it is too late for the baby. It is her life that I worry for now." The doctor said gravely.

Yuri lied in a cot, shivering and moaning in anguish. I tucked the blanket tighter around her. I felt so useless.

"Please, sir! If it is money, I can pay! Just save her! I beg of you, please!" I cry. I can't let Yuri die here. No. I can't.

"There is just nothing I can do! I hear there are better doctors in Egypt…but I don't know how you would get access to them." The doctor rejected the trinkets I tried to give him.

I felt a cold feeling seep into my very bones. The baby. The baby was gone. And now, Yuri could leave me too.

"I hear a man named Ramses can arrange for such doctors to come. But he is a high general." The nurse mumbled to herself.

Ramses. He could probably get doctors for Yuri…

"Rusafa. Sakuwai. Watch over her." I say, leaving the room. I had an Egyptian to find.

This was a really sad chapter...

There is going to be a lot more stuff happening soon since we have just scratched the surface to the Egypt Arc of the story.

Thanks for Reading!

~ EternallySnowy