This is a story not meant to be taken too seriously. It's fine if you don't like this story, but don't flame me just because you don't like it. A review is for giving helpful critiques, not complaints. Flames shall be ignored.

Disclaimer: Yu-Gi-Oh belongs to Kazuki Takahashi and this first paragraph belongs to the book Ever After-A Cinderella Story, written by Wendy Loggia, and unfortunately, I'm am neither.

Long walks in the moonlight, unexpected tokens of affection, a gallant young prince on a majestic horse…what girl hasn't dreamed of being swept off her feet by love in a fairy-tale romance?

Once upon a time, in the captivating beauty of England's ocean shores, a girl named Nadina dreamed that very dream.

But she did so only after her other dreams had been shattered.

Then, it was up to her to make it true.

~*~

Nadina watched from her balcony window as the black Sudan stopped in front of their luxurious mansion. Her heart was beating with excitement and she was almost positive that it was about to jump from her throat. Her brother was home. Finally, after waiting for the weeks that turned into months, her brother Marik was finally home.

Picking up the heavy, full skirt of her dress, she hurried out of her room and down the stairs into the lobby, where one of the "suits" her brother had hired was just coming in through the door.

"Curt," she called from the top of the grand staircase. "Is my brother home?"

"Yes, Miss Nadina," Curt looked up his little mistress's radiant, glowing face. "The Master is home and he's brought some new hands with him." But fourteen-year-old Nadina didn't hear anything after the satisfactory yes. She flew down the staircase and across the lobby, her tissue thin slippers barely touching each step.

"Marik!" She burst through the door, flew down the steps, and threw herself into her brother's embrace.

"Nadina!" Marik Ishtar laughed and hugged the little sister he had abandoned for so long. He buried his nose in her silky sweet smelling hair and hugged her tighter. How he had missed her during his trip! How he had longed to see her, to touch her face. His little Nadina had grown up during the weeks while he was on his business trip.

"I missed you so much!" Nadina looked up at her brother with loving and adoring eyes. "How long are you going to stay for this time before you have to leave again?"

He draped his arm around her shoulder and hugged her to him as they walked up the steps toward their mansion. "I'll be staying for a while and take care of a business here."

And I'll take care of that business all right, he thought grimly. Unknown to his little sister, the rich, intelligent brother had changed during his last trip.

Nadina knew little about her brother's "businesses." All she ever saw was that they were always wealthy and bountiful—money was never a problem—her brother, rich and successful. However, one thing she disliked about her brother's occupation was the fact that he was rarely seen at home. He leaves and travels around the world for business reasons unknown to her for weeks and sometimes months at a time. Though trinkets and intricate delicates were never forgotten on Marik's part, they were never enough to make up for her brother's presence.

"For how long?" Nadina persisted, her honey colored curls that was tied with a white ribbon bounced.

"Long enough to beat off all the admirers I bet you were having while I was gone, lined up in front our door." He teased. Involved with the Black Market and his goal of possessing the most rarest and most powerful cards, Marik took on a totally different personality at home. His demanding and ruthless attitude was changed and known as sweet and sensitive in Nadina's eyes, possessive and protective of her while he showers her with affection and pampers her like a princess.

"What admirers?" Nadina gave a pout. "Everyone knows this is the Ishtar's property and no one dares to set a foot upon it. Those suits you've hired had all but scared them away."

"Well, that's good." Marik said reasonably. "I'd like to keep you for a few more years."

"Brother!" He laughed at the comical expression on Nadina's pretty face.

"I'm just kidding. Come on, let's go to dinner, I'm starved. You can tell me what you've been up to during all the time that I was gone."

After a well enjoyable dinner with Marik and their adopted brother, Odion, one of the suits brought a message over to the dining table, where dessert has just been served.

"Master, permission to report the orders that has been accomplished." He bent at the waist and didn't look up until Marik waved impatiently.

"Talk."

"We've accomplished what you've told us. He's to be shipped over tomorrow afternoon."

"How was it done?" Marik sat down the wineglass. Nadina was confused. What was this man talking about? Who's going to be shipped over? She looked over at Odion and found him focused on what the man was saying, his face showing he understood everything that was said.

It must be something from their business trip, she decided. But as the conversation went on, it sounded more and more mysterious and serious, almost dangerous sounding.

"As Master knows, we've acknowledge the fact that hand to hand combat wasn't enough. It was done with chemicals in the morning coffee." When Marik gave a "humph," the man quickly went on, "Seto Kaiba is too smart, Sir, he wouldn't believe anything otherwise. He's got the brains and the brawn."

"I've heard enough." The Ishtar heir said sharply, holding up a hand. Nadina looked up at her brother's tanned face. He seemed to have grown tense all of a sudden. Tense and edgy.

"Leave us now. Report to me tomorrow for his arrival."

"Yes, Sir." The man quickly gave a short bow and left. Quite hastily, Nadina noticed. What's going on? Why was a man being shipped over tomorrow?

"What was that about, brother?" She asked casually in her best Victorian belle voice.

"Business." Her brother suddenly drew back from the engaging conversation. As Nadina quietly started on her dessert, she noticed that Marik had not begun to touch his dessert. His happy and joyful self from his homecoming had disappeared. He tapped his long fingers on the lacy tablecloth and his pale lavender orbs stared into the burgundy of his wine.

Finally, he spoke. His voice had lost all the warm and caring sound that he had before as he spoke to Odion. Now it sounded oddly cold and calculating.

"What do you think, Odion?"

"It is reasonable, Master. Worth a try." Odion never talks much, only when summoned to talk or when needed to. Though silent, Nadina knew Odion was a good partner in her brother's work and Marik was happy with Odion beside him.

"Do you think it will work?"

"Perhaps, Master, it would be wise to retreat to the study to talk," Odion casted a sideways glance at Nadina, who drew back, offended.

"Perhaps you're right, Odion." Marik pushed back his chair and stood up. "Nadina, darling, don't forget to brush your teeth and your lessons are still at the same time I set them before I left, I assume?"

"Marik, I'm fourteen. I know how to take care of myself." But she pouted. "Brother," she clinged on to her brother's arm. "Can't I come along with you?"

Before her brother could shook his head, she hurried on, "I'm old enough to learn about your business now, I want to do something with my life. I don't want to…to just sit around and be a piece of art people admire."

"Young ladies in my family do a lady's duties." Marik said firmly. "You're studying now and after that you do your duty as a wife." His eyes softened as he traced a fingertip down her cheeks. "You're beautiful, Nadina."

"Oh, Marik!" Nadina jerked away and cried passionately, "Do you only wish for me to be an empty headed ninny that does nothing but cook and take care of children?"

"You don't have to do neither," was what Marik said reasonably. "You'll have maids for those."

"But what do you expect me to do then?!" Without waiting for her brother to answer, she swirled around to face a startled Curt, the first person she saw. "Tell me, Curt," she asked the unsuspecting victim. "What exactly does my brother have planned for my future? For all you man all seems to know except me. So please, let me in the joke." The last sentence was said in a commending order.

Curt peeked over at his master, who seemed to be keeping his temper together. "Well, Miss Nadina," he began hesitantly. "We all know that there is only one thing for a pretty girl to do, — break a dozen or so of hearts before she finds one to suit, then marry and settle."

"That may be the case with many, but not for me! I believe that it is as much a right and duty for girls to do something with their lives as for men and I'm not going to be satisfied with such…frivolous parts as you give me," cried Nadina, with kindling eyes as she turned back to her brother. "I meant what I said, brother. Would you be contented to be told to enjoy yourself for a little while, then marry and do nothing more till you die? Don't you think me helping with your business will be a better way for a woman to spend her life, rather than in dancing, dressing, and husband-hunting?"

"Girl's are not meant to—"

"We've got minds as well as hearts; ambition and talents, as well as beauty and accomplishments; and I want to live and learn as well as love and be loved. I'm sick of been told by every male in this house that all I should be is an accomplished, modest, and refined young woman for my future husband! I'm sick of being told that this is all a woman is fit for! I won't have anything to do with love till I prove that I'm something beside a house-keeper and a baby-tender!"

"I think it's time for you to excuse yourself and go to your room. You've done enough hassle today." Marik said quietly.

"I most certainly is not—"

"You will do as I say."

Nadina left the dining room with as much dignity as she could muster up. Her brother was more authoritative than ever and his voice demanded her to obey. But when she shut the door to her bedroom, she threw herself on the bed and wept.

Marik had changed. My Marik that had left along with the trip is gone, and in its place was someone I don't even recognize.

Raising the lacy tulles of her nightgown, Nadina tip-toed down the long hallway, taking several turns and flights of stairs to reach her brother's library. As she had predicted, there was a stream of light that flowed from the crack of the door. As she reached the double doors, she dropped the silk frock and peeked through the keyhole.

Sitting around the table was her brother, Odion, and some other close members of Marik's crew.

"Seto Kaiba is strong, Master, we have no control or prediction to how he's going to respond to this capture." She heard Odion's deep voice said gravely.

"What about the bratty little brother of his?" Her brother's thoughtful voice asked. "What's his name now? Mokuba, isn't it?"

"Yes, Master. By the time we have gained access to Kaiba Mansion, Kaiba has already hidden him away in their safe house. We have not pinpointed the location of the house yet. So that's why, with your permission, they have moved on to Plan B with the help of your Rare Hunters."

"What about the Kaiba Corporation?"

"A replacement has been found to take on the office."

"I see."

Then, with a softer voice, she heard Marik ask, "Clark, has my sister have an idea of what we're doing?"

"It's hard to say exactly," Nadina recognized it as the head of her brother's security team back here at the Ishtar estate. Clark Black, one of his most trustworthy man, reasons why he was appointed as her personal bodyguard. The girl strained to hear more.

"How has she been after I was gone?"

She saw Clark look down, "Patiently waiting for the Master's return each and every day."

"I haven't heard any words of complain from her tutor. She's doing well in her studies."

"My brother Edward had only good things to say about Miss Nadina's lessons. She's growing into a bright and intelligent young lady under the Master's careful and precise caring."

"Headstrong and spoiled is more like it." Amused, Marik leaned back in his chair, his expression sudden turning serious once again. "Now, gentlemen, that's exactly what I'm worried about. Nadina is no longer the little girl we've all watched grow up. She's turning into a young lady. She knows nothing about anything right now. But sooner or later, Nadina's going to wonder exactly what my 'business' is. Sooner or later, she's going to know how I make my money, where the money comes from, and whom I'm associating with. Not forgetting to mention—my Millennium Rod and my Rare Hunters."

There was silence.

"We understand that, Master. We'll be very careful."

"Besides your homecoming, Master Marik, the environment of the Ishtar estate shall remain the same." Clark promised gallantly.

"And since Seto Kaiba is going to arriving tomorrow afternoon, I need more security to keep an closer eye on that curious sister of mine. We mustn't have her interfere with our interest. Clark, I also need you to set apart a few of the security member for our job tomorrow."

"Yes, Master."

"You boys know why I travel. Because I prefer to take care of all the unpleasant conducts somewhere other than from home so my sister would have no contact with what I do for a living. I want her to grow up innocent and oblivious to the evils of this world. But for this special case, our affair's going to be taken care of right here below this mansion. I want everyone to keep their eyes sharp and be on their guard."

"Yes, Master."

"We need to do this job right. We need to get Kaiba to hand Obelisk the Tormentor over and with acceptation, the Black Market is willing to offer a high price for his other rare and powerful Duel Monster's cards. Including all three of his Blue-Eyes-White-Dragons."

"Yes, Master. We shall handle the details. We will make Kaiba tell us where he's keeping his deck."

Nadina, stunned, could control herself no more. She fell back from the keyhole, trembling and shaking with fear and shock from the conversation she had just heard.

Marik? Her brother Marik? Kidnapping CEO's from their offices? Associating with the Black Market? That's where all their riches and money came from?!

And the "unpleasant conducts," Nadina bit her lips. What is that suppose to mean? Has Marik done more than kidnapping? Has he possibly killed people? Is that what's going to happen to this—Seto Kaiba?

Horrible words and the terrible meanings of them swirled in her brain like a whirlwind. Within five minutes, her world has came tumbling down upon her head. Everything seemed untrue, but the betrayal and treachery felt in her heart told her that everything was true.

"If you will all excuse me," Marik's voice sliced through the girl's chain of thoughts. "I haven't bid my sister good-night in a while. I can assure you that she's waiting in her room this very instant waiting for me to show up."

I was, oh Marik, I was! Nadina untangled herself and picked up the silk so she would not trip as she ran for her room. But the Marik I was expecting is no longer here. You're not the Marik I use to know. That Marik is lost.