Hello everyone! I almost forgot to update today, but fortunately I remembered and so here I am, one week more with another chapter. This story is almost done, just two chapters more after this one. Here we'll see how are doing Asterix and Mischiefus with Cleopatra. What do you think it'll happen? Well, soon you'll know. I hope you'll like it. 😊 Oh, and as always, if you're enjoying this story, please, can you leave a review? Just if you want. I love to hear your thoughts about this. 😊

Well, I'd like to give a special thanks to Drummergirl for helping me editing this story. I'm really, really, really grateful to her, she's awesome!

Okay after say all this, here you have the next chapter of this story, I hope you all will like it!

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Asterix was shocked; the house they were in was huge! It seemed as big as the village, at least... maybe even bigger. Why did the Romans need so much space in their homes? Surely it was much easier living in rather small spaces, where everything was closer together. That way they wouldn't get tired looking for... anything.

As soon as Cleopatra entered the house, she gave her son to one of the servants there, probably to put him to sleep in his crib. He and Mischiefus, on the other hand, had to follow the Egyptian woman, for she had asked them to accompany her.

The Gaul boy was so absorbed in observing his surroundings that he jumped slightly when he heard Cleopatra's voice.

"You've come a long way, I suppose, and I'm sure you must be hungry. Would you children like something to eat?"

At the mention of food, Asterix immediately became aware he hadn't eaten for several hours. He was in fact hungry. Aware of this, the young boy immediately perked up and enthusiastically responded to the Egyptian woman:

"Oh, yes, I'm starving! I could eat a whole roasted boar, by Tutatis!"

Cleopatra's eyes widened like saucers when she heard that. What had that child just said? As far as she knew, Romans weren't in the habit of eating roasted boar, and naturally, the Queen of Queens knew perfectly well none of the Roman gods were named Tutatis. That name... she had only heard from the... no, it couldn't be that this child was Gaulish, could it?

"'Roasted boar?' 'Tutatis?' Little boy, aren't you Roman?" she asked him in a curious voice.

The blond boy opened his mouth to answer, but before he could, the other boy quickly put a hand on his shoulder and spoke before him.

"Yes, he is. The thing is, in his house, they had a Gaul slave and some of his vocabu... vocabu... vocabulistics... rubbed off on him."

Cleopatra shook her head; she knew the boy was most likely lying. What she didn't understand was why he was doing it. But if he didn't want to tell her the truth, it'd only be worse for him. She would find out anyway. For now, the Egyptian woman decided to correct the grammatical error of the young brown-haired boy, so looking him straight in the eyes, she said:

"You mean vocabulary."

Mischiefus smiled nervously, and replied:

"Yes, that. Exactly."

Satisfied that she had... educated the boy – even a little – the Queen of Queens decided to leave the two boys alone to talk, since she couldn't help but notice the blond-haired boy – Asterus, according to Caesar – was looking at his companion with visible anger in his eyes. It was clear he wanted to say something to the other boy, but he didn't want to do it in front of her. So, Cleopatra decided to let them talk, but not before deciding she was going to listen in on their conversation. With this firm resolution, the Egyptian woman said to the two children:

"Oh, all right, you two. Wait here while I tell the cook to bring you something to eat."

Unbeknownst to the children, the Egyptian woman had already signaled one of her slave girls to do what she had just said she would. The slave in question had immediately nodded and left to carry out the order she'd received from her queen.

Cleopatra smiled. That gave her the opportunity to pretend to leave, and hide and listen to whatever the two children were going to say to each other, which she did almost immediately. Pretending to head for the kitchen, the Egyptian woman disappeared from the boys' sight and stopped, waiting for both of them to start talking.

"Hey, why did you do that?" she heard the blond boy ask suddenly. He seemed annoyed, but not furious, and interested to know the reason his companion acted the way he did.

Cleopatra heard the other boy sigh before answering:

"Asterix, she can't know who you are. She can't know you're Gaulish. If she finds out, Caesar will throw us to the lions!"

Asterix... had he called him Asterix? And what was it the brown-haired boy just said about the two of them being thrown to the lions if she found out his name was Asterix? What had Caesar done?

The Queen of Queens was getting angrier by the minute, and not at the two young children talking, oblivious to the fact there were ears listening to them. No, her fury was directed at Caesar, for she only knew one person named Asterix, and if this Asterix was the same Asterix she knew, then that meant Caesar was probably using her to subjugate the people who had so kindly helped her architect build a palace for the leader of the Roman Empire, and who had also protected her son when Brutus tried to harm him. She was indebted to the people of that village, and Caesar had dared to use her to defeat them? It was unheard of!

The Egyptian woman couldn't understand how Asterix could have become a child, but if Julius Caesar knew, then the reason he brought him to her and didn't tell her his real name was so that she wouldn't return him to his village. No, it was clear Caesar was interested in Asterix being there. But what was the reason?

Cleopatra was so deep in thought, she almost jumped when the blond boy's voice reached her ears again:

"Yeah, you're right... but something tells me that Jules won't do anything to us if she protects us."

How could he say that? Did he even know her? Well, if that boy really was Asterix, then yes. He probably did know her, but how could he be sure she would protect them from Caesar? Did they really think with her by their side, they would be safe from the man crowned with laurel?

As if he had read her thoughts, the brown-haired boy asked Asterix:

"What do you mean?"

Asterix looked at the boy and calmly replied:

"What I mean is that I think Jules won't dare to go against her, because if he does, he loses."

Mischiefus let out a chuckle at what the other boy had said, and Cleopatra couldn't help but smile, herself. It was true Caesar never, never, ever went against her, for if he did, things always ended badly... for him, naturally.

The queen of queens kept watching the two boys. Apparently, what Asterix had said to the other boy wasn't enough for him. He needed more of an explanation.

"And how do you know that?"

From where she stood, Cleopatra saw the blond boy shrug his shoulders, and in an innocent voice, reply:

"I don't know. I just... I feel like it's like that. Maybe... maybe it has something to do with what I did or saw when I was... older... even though I still don't remember any of that."

So, the boy knew he was actually an adult. He just apparently had no memories of his adult life, but he did have... vague feelings? The whole thing was giving her a headache. The situation was the strangest she'd encountered. How had it happened? How had Caesar figured it out? And why did he think it was a good idea to bring Asterix to her? Perhaps it would have been a good idea, if Cleopatra hadn't discovered the child was Asterix. Upon discovering it, her only intention at that moment, as a token of gratitude to the Gaul warrior, was to return him to his village safe and sound. She wouldn't allow Caesar to take advantage of him just because he was now a child.

The queen of queens looked up when she heard the other boy's voice again:

"Well, you recognized Cleopatra. I guess that's something."

The Egyptian woman watched the blonde child put his hand to his chin in thought before replying:

"Yes, I suppose so."

Cleopatra couldn't see the brown-haired boy's face because he had his back to her, but she guessed he had smiled, as he gently tapped the other boy's shoulder and said in an animated voice:

"Of course it is, by Jupiter. I'm sure everything will be all right; you'll see. But in the meantime, I think we should continue to act like we have been."

Asterix smiled slightly and replied in a more cheerful voice:

"Agreed."

At that moment, the slave girl who had gone to speak to the cook appeared at Cleopatra's side and informed the Queen of Queens the cook would soon have the food ready, as he had been ordered. The Egyptian woman nodded and left the place where she stood to join her two guests. They both fell silent when they heard her arrive, fearful she might have overheard some of their conversation, not knowing she had actually heard all of it.

Smiling kindly at the two children, the Egyptian woman said to them:

"Children, sit down at the table. Food will be brought to us soon."

She immediately led them to the table and settled them down. They didn't have to wait long for the food to arrive. There was lamb, salad, veal, dates, cake... and other varieties of food, but to the blond boy's chagrin, there wasn't a single roasted wild boar on the menu.

In spite of that, the boy ate everything he was given without complaining. After all, he was a guest, and his parents had taught him guests couldn't begrudge the food their hosts gave them.

As they were finishing their meal, Cleopatra suddenly turned to the younger boy and said:

"The food was very good, wasn't it Asterix?"

The boy who was just finishing eating a piece of bread nodded happily and replied:

"Yes, yes it was..."

Asterix's eyes widened in shock as he realized the Egyptian woman had just called him by his real name. At the same time, Mischiefus – who had been drinking water – choked and spat it all out. Fortunately, and strangely enough, he didn't get anyone wet.

When the Roman boy was able to speak again, all he could say was:

"H-how did you know? By Jupiter!"

Cleopatra shifted her focus from Asterix to the other boy. It was logical for him to ask this question, as they didn't know how she had been able to find out. So, she patiently explained to the young Roman:

"I overheard your whole conversation earlier, by Osiris."

Mischiefus' eyes widened with fear. Was something going to happen to them for not telling Cleopatra the truth? What if she did something worse to them than throw them to the lions? The Roman boy, full of fear, asked:

"A-all of it?"

Cleopatra understood the boy was afraid of what might happen to them for not being truthful with her, but these children had nothing to worry about. She wasn't at all angry with them. No, the one she was angry with – rather furious – was Julius Caesar. How had that man dared to do such a thing? Oh... Cleopatra was going to make sure she put the man in his place.

Turning her focus back to the question Mischiefus had asked her, the Queen of Queens responded:

"Yes, all of it. But don't worry. I won't hurt you, by Anubis. I'm not like that brute Caesar."

That answer made Asterix immediately perk up, and he even let out a chuckle. Cleopatra had mocked Julius without any fear of retaliation. Now, in a much more enthusiastic voice than before, he exclaimed:

"Oh, by Belenos, is that true?"

Cleopatra smiled tenderly. The truth was that, looking like that, Asterix was quite cute. The Queen of Queens then wondered if her son Caesarion would be the same when he was that age. In fact, she hoped he would be. Putting aside thoughts about her son, the Egyptian woman said to the Gaul boy:

"Truly, by Osiris, I'm indebted to you, Asterix, for what you did for my people... helping my architect build that palace, and for me personally when you took care of my son, Caesarion."

Asterix's smile faltered. He blinked several times, looking at Cleopatra with a mixture of uncertainty and what appeared to be embarrassment. His mouth opened and closed several times, but not a sound came out of it.

Puzzled by this change in behavior, the Queen of Queens looked at the little Gaul with genuine concern and asked:

"By all the gods, what's wrong with you, Asterix?"

Asterix lowered his eyes in embarrassment, looking down at his hands resting on the table. It was the same as always. People talked to him about things he had done, but he was unable to remember anything at all. The only times he seemed to remember something were when he slept, and on those occasions, they were only fragments... unconnected places and times. He didn't even know if he could trust what he saw in his dreams.

Looking the Egyptian woman in the eyes, the Gaul boy replied:

"I'm sorry, but I don't remember any of that."

So that was it... Cleopatra quickly regretted having told Asterix what the Gaul warrior had done. She should have taken into account he was unaware of those exploits.

Closing her eyes to mask her awkwardness, the Queen of Queens said in an impassive voice:

"Oh yes, I've heard that you don't remember anything about your adult self. But don't worry, I'll help you get back to your home."

Mischiefus, who had remained silent up to that point not wanting to interrupt the conversation, suddenly perked up when he heard that. If Cleopatra could help his Gaul friend, maybe she could also help him get back to his parents... right?

"Mmmm... what about me?" asked the Roman boy shyly.

Cleopatra looked at the young Roman boy with wide eyes. Certainly, she had almost forgotten the boy was there... almost. Not wanting to appear harsh or insensitive, the Egyptian woman said to him:

"Yes, I'll help you too, young one. Although... I'd like to know how you know Asterix."

Mischiefus opened his eyes to almost their full capacity, and looking first at Asterix and then at the Egyptian Queen, he said:

"It's a long and funny story. You see, my parents and I were at the Colosseum when suddenly they announced a new vacation spot in Armorica..."

And so, the Roman boy told the Egyptian woman all about their adventure in Gaul, and how the Gauls accepted them in their village when they needed it most – both times they had needed it – and he told her how they had helped the villagers get back what was theirs as they had been much nicer to their family than their own fellow Romans.

Asterix listened with fascination to the story. An important part of it involved Obelix, and also him.

That was actually the first full story he had heard of anything he had done as an adult. And truth be told, he was glad to know he hadn't been seduced by Roman culture. He was a Gaul to his very core, and nothing in the world could change that.

When Mischiefus finished telling his story, Asterix was happy to learn something more about his past, and it also made him discover that not all Romans were bad... although to tell the truth, he had realized that a long time ago.

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Driving his cart back to Rome, Caesar was happy. No... he was joyful! He had left his hostage in a place where Obelix would never be able to find him. And as long as Asterix was in his hands, he wouldn't have to worry about that Gaul village. At last! At last he could proclaim he had conquered the whole of Gaul!

The only thing he was worried about was Cleopatra finding out who that boy really was. But he had made sure to put enough fear into those two children to get them both to keep their mouths shut, so there was little chance of Cleopatra discovering the truth. And he was thankful for that, because he knew for sure if Cleopatra found out, she would side with Asterix and do everything in her power to return the boy to his village... something Caesar couldn't allow... not unless he wanted his victory to just be something illusory and fleeting like all the other times. No, this time he had the key to victory in his possession, and he would make sure it stayed that way.

Caesar couldn't help but laugh like a maniac. He had won and nothing could –

Suddenly a chariot passed him at superhuman speed. Not even the best horses in the empire could go at that speed, and Caesar was aware of that because he had the best horses in the empire. So, if it wasn't horses, it could only mean what had just passed him was... a Gaul under the effect of the magic potion! No! It couldn't be that the Gauls had discovered where Asterix was if his current situation was known only to him, him and... Oh no! By Jupiter!

There was another person who knew, too... the person who had brought Asterix to him in the first place: Overanxius. Could it be his senator had told the Gauls where Asterix was? The emperor knew the man quite well, and knew he was loyal to Rome and to him, so he knew that the man would never betray him... unless it was Obelix who was seeking answers from him, in which case... he felt sorry for poor Overanxius, for the man had probably been rendered unrecognizable.

But... now that he thought about the senator, his attitude when he left after dropping Asterix off was rather odd. It almost seemed as if he felt sorry for the boy, and Caesar hadn't missed the man's concerned tone when he asked about the blond Gaul's fate.

"What I wanted to... what I wanted to ask is, what you're going to do with the boy?"

That question hadn't been out of strategic interest, but rather sounded as if he had wanted to make sure nothing bad was going to happen to Asterix.

Caesar shook his head. This wasn't the time to be thinking about something like that. The most important and urgent thing at the moment was that there were Gauls – Obelix probably among them – heading towards the place where Asterix was. He had to prevent them from getting there before him at all costs.

Urging his horses to turn back, Caesar set out to get to Cleopatra's side before Obelix did. Fortunately, the leader of the empire knew of a shortcut that, with luck, would allow him to get there sooner than by going the usual way... the way the Gauls were likely to go.

The empire's leader gave his horses a crack of the whip and forced them to go even faster. Despite going by a short cut, he couldn't waste time. He knew that at the speed at which the Gauls could run while under the effects of the potion, it was easy for them to cover long distances in a short time.

Caesar smiled as he realized one thing: this was a race, and the prize of that race was...

Asterix.

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I've to admit I had a lot of fun writing some parts of this chapter. I liked the idea of Cleopatra discovering on her own that the blond boy Caesar took to her was actually Asterix, and so I did it. And I liked to add the detail that even not remember her, Asterix knows Cleopatra well enough to know they're save with her if Caesar tries everything. What do you think of this chapter? Did you like it? If you're enjoying this story, it would be awesome for me if you leave reviews. This would help me to continue writing 😉

Okay, after say that, I really hope you all enjoyed this chapter, I also would like to thank you all those who've read this story, those who voted it, those who have it on their reading lists and I'd like to especially thank to Beatlesfangirl15 for all the reviews. Thank you very much, I really appreciate it!

See you in the next chapter 😉