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A Twist In Time

Accepting her Fate

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Everyone in the room must've been surprised and shocked that a girl like her had actually dared to cut in the middle of his sentence -not to forget, she actually had shouted with an accusing finger pointed directly towards the Pharaoh.

The Pharaoh – yes, not the man Mimi had in mind a few seconds ago.

'Stupid, stupid!' Mimi cursed in her head. She glanced around, all of them giving accusing looks. She looked up at the man and scoffed. She was so busy asking herself how and why a guy like him could become the Pharaoh of this time. It was just like he wanted to torture her no matter what time she was in! Because of that, she didn't hear that the bastard-look-alike was actually talking to her.

"W-what?" Mimi sputtered.

"Yes, what about me? I am simply responding to your answer, princess." the Pharaoh sighed and settled himself better in his seat and waited for her response.

Mimi's eyes widened. Fuck. What now?

Confused and mind blank, she didn't know what to say.

"I-I" she started sweating as her eyes darted around the room, hoping to catch something to help her in this situation.

"Yes?" the Pharaoh insisted.

But the tension was just too much for her to handle since everyone was looking at her!

"I-I want to have your skin!" she suddenly blurted out. And as soon as she heard the words, she clamped her mouth shut.

'WHAT?!'

"E-excuse me?" The Pharaoh was taken aback from her answer - hell everyone was stunned.

She felt her cheeks burning, knowing how ridiculous that sounded, but she kept her cool and looked him directly in the eye, and tried her best not to blink. But her heart told her otherwise and it was pounding tremendously against her chest.

Mimi, you idiot! Why did you have to say that?!'

Yanhamu didn't quite know what to give as response. This girl wanted to have his… skin?

But Mimi continued, knowing it was impossible to run away from this one. Putting on a fake smile while a vein popped out of her head, she spoke with a sweet voice through clenched teeth,

"Y-yes, I always wanted to know how you could get a skin so tanned like yours. I always wondered what to do to obtain it. People like us are envious of that kind of skin and I would gladly wish you could tell me what the secret is."

She could swear that a string had snapped, a vase crashing down on the solid floor and birds to fly away the moment she had responded.

During her explanation, her mind and body just screamed for her to shut up and run away from the place.

'Am I really talking about skin?! Oh, sweet lord from above, just kill me, already! I don't deserve this!!'

All eyes around her were certainly transfixed on her petite form – making her embarrassed than she already was.

'Of all the things you could've think of, this is what you came up with? Mimi no BAKA!'

Softly, she could hear some snickering, but Mimi just held her cool and silently gulped, until a laugh could be heard throughout the place. Eyes were darting towards the person, including Mimi, who for the first time heard him – the Pharaoh himself was laughing!

Murmurs started to fill the room. But Mimi wasn't fully listening. No, she was actually the only one in the room who actually looked at the Pharaoh like no other. She found out that he had a nice laugh that could enlighten the room from a dark place, it sounded like music in her ears. Somehow, it made her smile, even though she ought to be embarrassed.

It took him some time, but finally Yanhamu's laugh slowly dimmed down until he just snickered and beamed. He heaved a long sigh, sitting deeper into his throne and relaxing his body. His right hand covered his eyes where he was leaning on. He didn't say anything; just the smile plastered on his face was enough to know that he enjoyed it. The murmurs continued.

With his other hand, he heft it up, silencing them immediately, "I would like for everyone to leave this room. I wish to speak to the princess in private."

"Y-your Highness?" High Priest Jyou protested, but Yanhamu just waved his hand and dismissed it. Even Taichi, the captain of his army, was astonished to just kick them out like that. But seeing it was the Pharaoh's orders, they couldn't argue with it and obeyed what he commanded.

As soon as he had announced it, people quickly gathered their things and paced from their spot, leaving the room.

Mimi scanned around, seeing how everyone scampered towards the exit. Without much thought, she went to her companions, not wanting to be left alone with him.

Sora clasped her hands with hers and gave a smile. "Don't worry, my lady. It'll be alright."

Mimi nodded as her shoulders slumped. "If you say so…"

Ken however stayed a few more moments rooted to his spot, glancing at the person on the throne. It was until Sora nudged him to his side that he finally took his leave. With a small nod towards Mimi, he followed the redhead, the chamber doors closing behind their backs.

Mimi lingered to where her companions had left. Now it was only her and the Pharaoh. Just great, really, how lucky could she just get?

Yanhamu was pleased once everyone left the room. Now he could fully concentrare on the woman standing in front of him. Still in the same position, Yanhamu discarded his fingers a little so that he could see through his left eye. She was unbeknownst that he was staring at her curves from head to toe.

'She didn't look bad - on the contrary…' Yanhamu found her, 'sexy…'

For once he approved his mother's decision. She was quite a catch. Looking at her body was enough to bring out his nastiest and perverted imaginations come forward. Even her hair was enough to bring him down that road again. It was cascading behind her back and it made him almost want to touch it, caressing it, wanting to sense how soft it must feel underneath his fingertips.

'Shit, and here I thought I shouldn't get interested in her.'

Yanhamu closed his eyes and took a few breaths to calm him down. Sure, even when he said he didn't want anything to do with her, somehow his mind and body told him he couldn't ignore her even if he wanted to.

"Are you okay?"

Yanhamu snapped his eyes open, his heart beating wildly. He didn't even sense her coming. Seeing her face suddenly that close he didn't know what to say. She must've seen him like this and probably got worried.

Keeping up his composure, he waved his hand. "Y-yeah." Again he heaved a sigh, his face still covered with his hand. Normally he would've said something and probably scold her for coming that close – but he didn't.

He heard some rustling and when he looked, he saw her sitting on the Royal platform like it was perfectly common. Now that was something unusual.

"You must think I'm stupid." Yanhamu looked down at her.

"Why do you think that?" he asked.

She suddenly turned around, "Come on, asking how I could get your skin?!" she shouted, "That is just lame!"

Yanhamu grinned. He couldn't argue with that. "I do agree with you on that part."

"Well, you would panic too if everyone was staring at you." Mimi smiled.

Strange how this girl could hold a conversation like that without much knowing of the consequences. Yanhamu suddenly frowned.

If this isn't what she had wanted to say, then there was something else bugging inside her mind at that moment.

He decided to find out. "What did you want to say, then?"

Yanhamu saw her smile disappear, her body tense and looked away from him. "Nothing." she whispered.

He narrowed, he didn't like this, "You do know to who you are talking to, do you not? Now answer me? What were you thinking back then?"

"You wouldn't believe me, even if I said you," she continued, voice soft.

"Hee. Is that so, princess?" He looked her up and down again, replaying the scene when she entered his palace and the way she talked. It then hit him. With that thought in mind, he smirked.

"You're not a real princess, are you?"

He saw how she had flinched. Her lips started to quiver, her eyes gone wide open – all these indicated that he was right, if not for her sudden outburst that made him consider.

"Of course I am the princess! Whom are you taking me for?!" Mimi yelled, her fist clenching.

But Yanhamu pressed on, stating how she could be wrong.

"If you are indeed the princess as you have confirmed, then a princess must know that there is a limit to where she must stand and how she must address herself towards someone higher than her. Of course, peasants and slaves even know that, but you, my beloved princess, if that is indeed your true identity, then why do you not seem to mind coming that close to me when in fact the rule states that no one may come close except if I wish for it?"

He saw how she bit her bottom lip out of nervousness, not knowing what to say back. Yanhamu wondered if she wasn't just an imposter, infiltrating inside the Royal Palace. She could be a spy, working for the enemy. But how?

She was wearing clothes that clearly identified her as a princess, if not at least someone who did obtain a higher status in society. Not only her clothes, but also even her accessories are worth a fortune here. She can't be a spy and she is definitely not a princess. If he was correct, then this girl is just a replacement from the real one, meaning that Rome didn't accept their approval in marriage. Not wanting to start a war, but also not wanting to break the laws of an arranged marriage, they brought her to do it instead.

Rage slowly filled his senses. If there was one thing he hated, then this was one of it. But before he could start anything, a hand was placed on his, a voice calling out to him.

"Please believe me." Mimi said, "If you don't, then tell me. What must I do to prove you that I am the real princess standing here before you?"

Yanhamu glanced at her. Either she was good at acting or she was the real one. But it didn't matter, he was going to found out.

"A test huh?"

"Y-yes. Anything. Just name it. I will definitely prove to you that I am the princess of Ro-"

He didn't wait for her to finish. He didn't want to in the first place. He simply grabbed her arm and pulled her down. With a thud, she fell onto his lap and before she could say or protest, he pressed his lips against her, sensing her struggle underneath him. He put more pressure to it, and after a few moments he could finally feel her body relaxing against him.

It went on like that, just their lips touching and feeling each other, but it soon stopped and he heard her whimper and sighing. He saw her chest rising up and down, lips swollen from the kiss. As he watched her face, he could tell she was easily subdued.

He chuckled. He stood up, one arm carrying her legs, while the other held her back as he stepped out from his throne, down the Royal platform towards the marble doors.

Mimi didn't know what was going on after the kiss, but after feeling her move, without really touching the ground, she quickly snapped back to reality.

"W-what are you doing? P-put me down, right now!" Mimi squirmed and tossed her arms and legs in the air, but he just tightened his hold on her.

"No." was his answer, which infuriated her more. A grin appeared on his handsome face.

Once the doors opened, he saw his men and mother standing there with astonished and confused faces. The rest of the nobles were long gone. He even saw her two servants not too far from the others, their eyes wide as saucers.

"The princess is not feeling well. She will be residing in my chamber to rest. For now, I only want her female servant to follow me. As for the others, return to your posts until further notice." He gave a small bow towards his mother and with that said he left off with the girl still in his arms, suddenly calm after his words.

Taichi, captain of the army, whistled. "Now that is something you don't see everyday. Looks like Yanhamu sees something in her."

"Taichi, address him as Pharaoh!" Jyou, the High Priest announced out furiously before he finally let his eyes wander to where the Pharaoh went. "But there is something telling me that this is not right."

"How so?" this time, Koushiro, the Royal Vizier spoke.

"The girl gave a strange kind of aura that does not belong here."

"You're losing your head, my dear Jyou. All that preaching in the temple must've made you tired and woozy." Taichi laughed, but groaned when he felt a staff hitting his head.

"Look out where you're aiming that thing!" he yelled at the blue-haired guy.

Jyou massaged his temple and sighed. "Lady Nefertiry, what do you think of it?" ignoring Taichi's rants.

"I think they look cute together!" was her reply. "It is about time that boy learns to love and settle down. She might just be the kind of woman we need." Then she called out one of the servants, ordering them to bring her a plume and a scroll.

"I will take my leave, I still have a lot to think about the preparations before the final day. Oh, and Jyou, do try and send my son to my chamber, he still hasn't answered me what kind of flowers he wishes for his wedding. Really, that son of mine only gives me troubles."

Jyou just sweat dropped, "I-I will, Lady Nefertiry…"

"Don't worry about it too much," Koushiro responded, seeing the former queen walk away.

"For now, we will keep this information from the Pharaoh. We have more important matters to take care of right now." He then turned towards the captain. "Taichi, you will watch over those two, but especially the princess. Inform us if there are any suspicious things going on. The last thing we need is bringing the Pharaoh in danger."

"Aye aye, sir!" he saluted and marched away from the two.

"Well, I'll go back to my studies. I will see you tonight." Koushiro nodded and walked off, his robe caressing the floor as he disappeared into the corridors.

"Guess I'll leave too." Jyou sighed and walked outside towards the temples to perform his duty as High Priest.

While they talked, none was aware that Ken was behind a pillar, listening to every word they said.

"She must not be discovered." Ken whispered.

"Who are you talking to?" a voice spoke out, making him turn around. In front of him stood the captain himself with a goofy smile on his face.

"You know that eavesdropping is bad?" Taichi pointed out with a grin.

"W-when did you know?"

"Since the beginning. I don't hold the title of captain for nothing, you know. Those two couldn't hear you nor see you, but I am not like them. I was trained for these kinds of things. I could hear you breathing like you were just standing right next to us."

Pulling out his sword from its sheath, he pointed the blade close to his neck, making Ken step backwards until he was cornered against the wall and him.

Although Taichi was smiling, his face told him he was serious and that he wouldn't let him escape that easily. His eyes cold and dead, was ready to kill any opponent that was opposing against the Pharaoh.

"Now, explain it to me."

But Ken just remained cold and he didn't blink, nor did he give sign that he was scared. He just locked his eyes with him, unafraid the position he was in.

"Oh, so you won't talk, huh?"

Taichi pulled his sword back, only to thrust it forward again with a speed, missing him only by a hair, stabbing the wall behind him.

Still no reaction. It made Taichi grin. "Fine. I'll leave you be… for now."

Taichi sheathed his sword and stretched his arms. "Well, looks like I have work to do, see you." He gave a small bow and a wave before walking away, acting like nothing had happened.

Ken watched him carefully. He gently placed a hand on the side of his neck before finally seeing the red trail of blood that was cascading down his arm.

He started at it. Just looking at the blood like it was something amazing. Suddenly, he clenched his fists and smirked.

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"Let me go! Let me go!"

"Fine."

And he let her go, her body falling, making contact she knew as water. A large splash could be heard as she made her way to the surface. She sputtered, wiping her face from the droplets, and when she could stand, she groaned.

"Why did you do that for?"

"You said 'let go' and I did, princess. It's just simple as that." Yanhamu smirked. "Oh, and nice breasts by the way." he pointed out.

"What?" Mimi looked down at her and indeed, because of the light material her dress was made and being drenched under water, it made it transparent and gave him a nice view of her breasts. With a shriek, she dived under till the water reached her chin, her face red from embarrassment. "P-pervert!"

"Oh, don't be shy now. You and I will get married soon. You should get used to it."

"J-jerk!" and she pushed some water, hoping to splash him. But since he was a standing on the steps, it failed, and only a few drops of water hit his robes." His smirk just widened.

"G-go away!"

He just shrugged, still with his smirk on his face. "Fine. I'll be back later." he winked, making Mimi blush deeper.

When he was a few feet away, Mimi stopped him.

"C-can I ask you a question?"

"Sure."

"W-what made you think I-I was the real princess?" she said with a soft voice enough for him to hear it.

It was silent for a while until Yanhamu decided to break it.

"If you were someone else, then you would've certainly resisted the kiss and struggled yourself out of it. But for a princess, it is different. She only has one path – the path that was given to her since birth. By giving in to that kiss, you have accepted the fate that was given to you. Only a real princess would do that, because she doesn't have a choice in the first place." Yanhamu replied to her softly, "It's just simple as that."

Without looking back, he let the curtains slide, giving her some privacy and leaving her alone with her thoughts.

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To Be Continued

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A/N: Well, that's done. Hope you liked this chapter. Thank you all for your reviews, although I did expect a bit more. That is why I will ask 10 reviews before I post the next chapter. Sorry you guys, but I must make sure people read this – otherwise I can just drop it and delete it.

If you have any ideas just PM me and I'll see what I can do. (smiles)

- aoi senshi