Yami sighed, "Fine, I think it'll be better to impress Mahaado so I'll do it. I'll eat in the kitchen."
Seto smiled, "Is this a one time thing or are you going to continue to do things formally from now on whenever we're in the company of royalty. After all, Mahaado may want to start having all our meals together."
Yami sighed, "I don't know, let's just take things one day at a time."
It wasn't so much he was opposed to this idea; after all when he was young and Gozaburo was alive he had to eat in the kitchen while the royal family ate in the main dining room and even after Seto's mother died Gozaburo continued to insist on the main dining room.
After he died and it was now just him and Seto, Seto started making him eat with him in the small dining room off the small kitchen and reserved the main dining room and main kitchen for holidays and guests. He of course objected at first as even though they were raised together as small children as they got older and especially after Seto's mother died, Gozaburo started keeping them apart more and more, despite Seto's attempts otherwise. After his death he tried to maintain that distance due to the big five but having to listen to Seto constantly yell at him or complain and when Seto started eating in the kitchen with him, he finally conceded defeat and gave up on the formalities they used to live by and they started eating in the small dining room together.
Seto had a temper so the first time a member of the big five said a one word about it to Seto, he threaten if they said another word he'd have them all locked up, so they never said another word, out loud as they were positive that Seto would go through with locking them up! The real reason they never said another word was that they feared if they did say anything Seto would follow through with his threat and then he might accidentally on purpose forget they were in jail and they'd be stuck there forever.
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Seto had a feeling that after all these years of skipping formality and just eating together even in the presence of other royalty to suddenly go back to the way things were before, Yami wouldn't last long. He initially argued over their eating together as his father was dead and he was now king, so why should they have to stick to stupid formalities? Why should they be forced to eat alone in separate rooms when there was no longer anyone who had the authority to force them to do so? It didn't take much to wear Yami down in to agreeing to eat together. Especially when he started eating in the kitchen with him, it shamed Yami into agreeing to eat together in the dining room as Seto knew Yami wouldn't want it getting around that the king was eating in the kitchen because he refused to eat in the dining room.
Seto looked down at Mokuba and said, "Mokuba, remember when Yami's friend came to visit and we ate in here?"
Mokuba looked at Seto and nodded.
"Good, well this isn't much different just sit in the chair closest to me and Maura will sit in one closest to Mahaado."
"What?! Do I have to?" Maura asked.
Seto looked calmly at her and asked, "Is that a problem?"
She hesitated at first then sighed and said, "No, no problem."
"Good, you and Mokuba go in together and Yami you can either follow me or go on to the kitchen."
Yami sighed, "I'll follow you."
They walked in and everyone stood as Maura and Mokuba made their way to their seats and Seto walked in and as he got to his chair he bowed slightly and said, "I apologize for being late. Some things came up that I had to deal with." It wasn't a lie really, let Mahaado think he was really doing important royal business. "Please everyone have a seat."
Mahaado smiled and said, "Not at all, think nothing of it, we have not been waiting long. I know only too well how things can unexpectedly come up." Then seeing Yami standing behind him made him curious.
"Is your brother not going to join us?" Mahaado asked curiously.
Seto smiled, "Oh, well we decided that at least for tonight that we shall do things formally, if you wouldn't mind allowing him and Dylan to dine together? We have a small nook in the kitchen for them to dine at."
Mahaado was surprised by this but then smiled and said, "No of course not, Dylan you may go eat."
Dylan was surprised by this as he had to always get up early to get his own breakfast and see to Mahaado's. Then he was usually allowed an apple or something small for lunch and only after Mahaado was in his office working but then there were days that he got no lunch at all or at least not until Mahaado got tired of listening to his stomach growl and demanded he get something to eat. He was never given any luxury like sitting down to a meal, while Mahaado was eating. The only times he got to sit and eat in peace were before Mahaado got up and after he went to bed. He bowed low and said, "Thank you, sire.
The cook was dreading this as he wasn't sure if his food would be good enough for Mahaado as he certainly didn't want his king angry at him for not pleasing his guest. However he sighed in relief as Mahaado said nothing about the food.
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Zariah had cast a spell on Mokuba's bracelet to let her know when the watcher was near, then she connected that spell to her medallion. Now that it was glowing she knew the watcher was in the same room. Knowing that Mokuba would likely sense her if not see her and give her away, she put on the medallion in hopes to block the boy's senses. She feared if the watcher saw her or sensed her and knew Mokuba could as well it might anger the watcher and possibly put the boy in danger. A small part of her hoped the watcher could see her despite the medallion. If the watcher had as much power as she thinks he does she was sure of it.
As she entered the dining room she immediately could tell who the watcher was. When she got closer she realized he was wearing one of her rings. 'Strange I do sometimes make and sell things, but I don't sell any that contain the metal required to hold magic as it's too dangerous for those who have no power to control. The metal is special because I make them with just a little bit of metal that can only be found on the island of my home country. Could someone from my homeland be here and selling rings I made? I don't remember if I had any left behind when I ran away, but I suppose it's possible. Could this mean someone has come looking for me? Mmm…this is precisely the reason I don't stay in one place for a long length of time and just another reason why I don't sell my magic rings or give magical items as they could be traced back to me. That's why I was reluctant to give Mokuba anything, but I know he needs me so I believe it'll be okay as long as he keeps the amulet I plan to give him in his room and doesn't take it out. I'm not worried about his cloak as anyone with decent magic could place the spell.'
Then as she got closer she realized something else. 'What? A spell! And a powerful one at that, definitely someone from my homeland, but is it just a coincidence or are they after me?'
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A/N: The reason Zariah simply said the watcher instead of him or her as she has no way to know if the watcher was a male or female at that time. For the first references she made to the watcher reread chapter 287.