Pharaess Cleopatra: Hello again! Sorry to be the Debby Downer in the first chapter, but since when has Cinderella ever been happy in the beginning?

*Silence*

Exactly. Point proven. Anyways, hope you enjoy this chapter, because a certain someone comes into play here! Till then!

Chapter 2: Changing Fate

A couple weeks or so had passed, none seeming to get much better as time went on, but like always, Yugi ignored all the pain and sorrow he felt, though he still seemed shaken up from when Mai had slapped him across the face and when Dartz punished him for ripping her dress by accident. It seemed Dartz's punishment had Yugi the most shaken up, always shrinking in fear before his ruthless stepfather. However, while Yugi was scrubbing the tiled floor in the front room, the sound of the doorbell rang in his ears. Dartz was busy in his study while Mai and Tea were probably doing something in their rooms, or in the study, one or the other. Yugi set the wet cloth on the rim of the bucket filled with soapy water before wiping his wet hands on his white apron to dry them, making sure to move the bucket out of the way. When his hands were dry, Yugi got up from the floor and answered the door, a man in a black suit standing at said door when he opened it.

"How may I help you?" Yugi asked politely.

The man handed Yugi a small package. "This is for Master Dartz, and this is an invitation for him as well." He set the sealed envelope on the package he had already handed to Yugi before walking off.

Yugi closed the door with his back, since his hands were full, before heading upstairs to Dartz's study, though he hated interrupting when he was busy. When the boy reached the study that was near the end of the hallway, Yugi shifted the package over to hold it one hand, using the other to knock on the door just loud enough for his stepfather to hear. "Come in." Was all that was heard moments later.

Grabbing the handle, Yugi turned it before pushing the door open to see Dartz at his desk doing some paperwork while Tea was seated on the couch, reading a book, and Mai was either looking or trying on different jewelry in a large jewelry box she had. "What is it, Yugi? I'm very busy." Dartz had glanced up to see the boy who spoke in a semi-shy tone.

"I'm sorry for interrupting, but a package came in for you and some kind of invitation."

Dartz froze for a moment before setting his pen down. "Bring it here." He said.

Yugi obeyed and went over to the desk, handing said items to his stepfather. He set the items down in from of himself, grabbing the envelope first as he quickly cut it open and removed the folded paper inside, opening it before reading through it until something on said paper seemed to catch his attention. "Hmm?"

"What is it, Father?" Asked Mai, though she seemed like she could care less really as she continued with her jewelry.

"It's an invitation to a ball held by the king; the prince is returning home today from his journey of collecting rare Duel Monster cards, and every available man and maiden is to attend."

Suddenly, Mai tossed the jewelry in her hands aside while Tea closed her book and set it down, the girls running up to each other as they started jumping up and down, squealing like little children. "A ball!" Tea cheered.

"And we're invited!" Mai added happily.

While the girls were having their squeal fest, jumping up and down excitedly, Dartz set the paper aside and grabbed the package. He quickly sliced it open and peeked inside, finding a piece of paper along with a huge stack of cash under said paper. Dartz grabbed the note and read through it rather quickly before a devious smirk appeared on his face, until the doorbell suddenly rang again, grabbing everyone's attention.

"I'll get—"

"Come with me, Yugi." Dartz said, not giving Yugi the chance to finish as he got up from his desk.

"Umm, alright..." He said reluctantly before following his stepfather out the room and downstairs to the front door.

Dartz opened the door once he reached it, a man standing behind it as the girls peeked around the corner to see what was going on downstairs. "I have come to retrieve the boy you spoke of, Master Dartz."

"Well, this is him, the nice boy I spoke of." He pushed Yugi forward a bit, who seemed confused as all hell, not understanding what was going on. "He's a very hard worker and always does what's he's told the very first time and does it rather efficiently. I believe you'll make very good use of him."

"Stepfather, what are you doing? What's going on?" Yugi asked, looking very confused.

"Well that package contained a large amount of money from my sells in duel cards, and Duel Disks, and such. So now, I have decided to hire some new servants and have sold you to someone for a very hefty price – I say, you were worth keeping for as long as I did, because they paid a high price just to have you, my boy."

Yugi, and the girls, gasped, tears filling the boy's eyes as he took a couple steps back, shock and disbelief clearly written on his face. "Wh-what!? You sold me!? Why!? What did I do wrong!?"

"Nothing, son, your services are simply no longer needed here."

"Why!?" Yugi began to cry and tears rolled down his face. "I don't want to go! I didn't do anything wrong, and yet you still sold me just for new help!? You're cruel and heartless, Dartz! I hate—"

Smack!

Yugi hit the floor hard, harder than when Mai had hit him. Dartz had smacked Yugi across the face, even harder than the girls could ever do, though he was much stronger, so it only made sense. The helpless boy grabbed his cheek that was now on fire, more tears streaming down his face onto his hand. "You don't ever talk to me like that, you little shit! I don't need you anymore! I got rid of you because you're clumsy, scrawny, and just plain useless! Now get the hell out of my sight, you worthless slave!"

The girls were in total shock until Tea quickly whipped around and ran up to Yugi's room. She searched around frantically throughout the small room until she looked in one of his drawers, smiling as she reached in and grabbed what she was looking for. Yugi, on the other hand, slowly pushed himself to stand, the man at the door leading the boy out of the house and to a carriage that was waiting for him. But before Yugi could get in the carriage, Tea ran past her father and out the door. "Yugi, wait!" She called, the boy turning to see the brunette haired girl running up to him. "Here, take this. If my father ever found it, I'm more than certain he would sell what was inside, so at least take this. I know how important it was to you..."

Using his free hand, Yugi took the golden box and held it close to his chest. "Thank you, Tea..."

She lifted a hand, wiping the tears from his face before lifting his chin as her light blue eyes met his violet purple ones. "Stay strong, Yugi, alright?" He nodded, though it was small, but enough for Tea to see. "Goodbye, Yugi... I wish you luck." Was the last thing she said before walking back into the house and closing the door.

"Come, the king is waiting." The man led Yugi into the carriage before closing the door and getting up front, cracking the reins as the horses took off.

Yugi was silent, the other three servants in the carriage with him talking amongst themselves. After a few minutes, the boy unlocked the lid of the golden box Tea gave to him and lifted the lid to see three items inside: a golden pyramid that had been a puzzle Yugi put together with a silver chain attached from his grandfather, a plastic case containing a deck of cards from his father, and a metal card shaped locket with a photo of Yugi with his mother inside. Yugi slowly closed and locked the box back, his hand still on his burning cheek, but used his other hand to dry the tears in his eyes. After about an hour or so, the carriage finally came to a stop. The door opened and Yugi grabbed his golden box in his lap before stepping out of the carriage with the other servants, or at least he assumed that's who they were from how they were dressed. The four were then led inside the glorious castle and into a rather large room – the throne room to be exact. The walls were white and trimmed with gold, marble floors under them as they walked, and a royal blue rug leading up to the thrones, upon which the king sat with the prince at his side. The king had golden blonde hair and deep red eyes with a beard, but what surprised Yugi was the prince. He looked almost identical to himself, though the prince looked more bold, fierce, and handsome – God, was he handsome – and he had vivid crimson red eyes mixed with a hint of amethyst to Yugi's violet ones. Though, some of his golden blonde bangs also spiked upwards in his hair whereas Yugi's did not, and his hair was trimmed with a deep red rather than violet red.

After a few minutes of talking with the trader, the king finally spoke. "Welcome, all of you. Now then, to begin, you are not slaves, but servants and here, you will be treated as equals – as family. Everyone who works here in this castle is treated like family, and that is how it has always been. However, one of you will have the very special job of becoming my son, Yami's personal steward. You will help him in his usual duties and always stay by his side. Now then, go ahead and choose which of them you would like to be your steward, Yami, my son."

"Yes, father." A chill ran up Yugi's spine when he heard Yami's deep, velvety, baritone voice, though he didn't understand why.

Yami walked down the steps and over to the servants, though he barely took notice to the first three. However, when Yami laid his eyes on Yugi, he was pulled right in, like a fish on a hook. The prince looked over Yugi for a moment before touching his shoulder, making his decision. Yugi looked up at the prince – though barely – getting a closer look at his handsomeness, but at the same time, thoughts raided his mind. What if he was demanding like Mai? What if he was cruel and would abuse him like his stepfather? And what if he would actually treat Yugi poorly when no one was looking? Yugi became terrified of these thoughts as he quietly walked behind Yami, who was leading the boy to his new room. He held his golden box close to his chest as he kept his head down, his hand still on his cheek while trying to hide the tears the threatened to fall from his violet eyes. Suddenly though, Yami had opened a door and led Yugi inside, telling him that this would be his new room before saying he would return shortly with some pajamas for him to get him out of those tattered clothes. When he knew Yami was gone though, Yugi set his box down before throwing himself onto the bed, letting out his uncontrollable sobs he could no longer keep buried inside. Yugi buried his face in the sheets, sobbing and sniffling as he cried loudly, not even noticing someone had come back into the room until he felt a hand gently stroking his hair. The boy gasped as he quickly stood up and backed away only to see Yami before him, seeming to be surprised at seeing the terrified looking Yugi.

"Y-your highness! I-I'm sorry! Do you need something?" Yugi asked in a rush before quickly bowing his head, the boy's entire body trembling violently.

Yami's eyes softened as he walked up to Yugi, placing a hand under his chin to have the boy stand up straight again, catching his tear-filled violet eyes with his gentle crimson red ones. The prince gently placed his hands on Yugi's shoulders, having him sit down on the floor as he kneeled in front of the smaller male. Yami then lifted his hand to carefully wipe Yugi's face, or at least the side that wasn't being covered by his hand, before he spoke in a calm and soothing tone.

"What is the matter, little one? I will not hurt you if that is what troubles you. As my father said, we are treated as family here. No one will punish you for simply crying, it is a way of release."

"I-I'm sorry, your highness..." Yugi hiccupped.

Yami shook his head with a tender smile gracing his handsome face. "You have nothing to apologize for, and please, refer to me as Yami. But I must ask, why are you covering your cheek like this? I have noticed you doing this ever since you arrived."

Yugi drifted his eyes away from Yami, not wanting to make eye contact with the prince. "Can you please put it down?"

His hand tensed up as his fingers bend inwards slightly. "It's alright, I will not judge you, I promise. Can you please lower your hand for me?"

Yugi sighed softly before slowly sliding his hand down away from his cheek, but when he did, however, Yami's eyes widened at what he saw. There on Yugi's face was a fading red mark that was starting to bruise on his jaw. "What is your name, young one?" Yami then asked.

"Y-Yugi Moto, your high – I mean, Yami..."

"Yugi, what happened to your cheek? It's very red and beginning to bruise rather harshly. Who did this to you?"

"My..." Yugi tensed up. "My stepfather..."