QUICK UPDATE! :D
The Pharaoh and the Slave pt.8
YUGI'S POV
If for a moment I thought that being a Scribe would mean that I could stay with Atem, that thought flew away after a few weeks on this job. I'm responsible for the writings and fresco (1) for the tomb of the new Pharaoh, so I'm very busy. I've become more important in society now, and I'm the master of a really good team of Scribes. They seem to like me because I'm young, but that doesn't mean they don't like to tease me because of my height.
And what of Atem? Oh, well… he's too busy to do anything with me right now. I know that these are hard times, Akefia attacked the village a little while ago, and I know that he's busy with other matters inside the court, but I can't help but feel… strange. His advisor now is Seth, and he's always with him! "Yes Highness" "of course Highness" "what can I do Highness" blah blah blah… I don't know why I'm feeling like this but it's really driving me crazy thinking about it. I confided these thoughts in the sorceress-in-training and my good friend, Mana. And what did she say?
"You know what I think about it? You're very very jealous!"
"Mana! Are you crazy?"
"Nope, I'm sure of it. But it's so cute how you want to stay by him!" She laughed. "I think you need to talk with Atem about this, though."
"I don't understand. Why are you saying this? I thought you liked Atem as well? I remember hearing that you're a candidate to be the royal wife," I said.
Mana sighed. "The Pharaoh's first wife has to be a much loved person, and one that Atem loves as well. I'm sure that the one Atem loves isn't me, and I deal with it, but I'd prefer if you don't bring this up again."
"I'm sorry Mana," I said. She's too kind.
"Eh, it's fine! The only said thing is that I'll never be able to know what kissing Atem feels like." This caught me off guard, and I could feel my face turning red. I was sure Mana had noticed, because she was giving me this weird look. The look on her face when she pieced two and two together was priceless, and if I wasn't so embarrassed I would have laughed.
"I can't believe it! You've kissed Atem?" she said loudly.
"N-no, the first time-" but she cut me off.
"The first time?" She threw and arm around my shoulders. "Incredible. Yugi, you dog you!" She laughed at me, and somehow I ended up laughing too. I'm glad she's my best friend!
NORMAL POV
Atem sat alone on his throne in the throne room. He needed a break from everything that was happening. He was stressed and tired out of his mind. The village was in chaos because of the last attack, and everyone was looking to Atem to fix it and make it better, and the stress was adding up. Atem was beginning to get dizzy spells during the day.
Standing up to go back to his room and rest, he managed a few steps before he got dizzy again and tripped. He could feel himself falling forwards and waited for his body to hit the ground, but it never happened.
"Are you okay, your Majesty?" a male voice said.
Atem looked up from the arms of the one who caught him. "Oh, Seth, it's you," he said.
Seth helped him stand back up, but still kept one hand on his back in case he fell again. "Forgive me for touching you without permission, but-"
"Don't worry about it." Atem shook his head. "Thanks for your help. I just haven't been feeling good." He didn't notice Yugi entering from the side of the room. Yugi hid behind one of the pillars and waited. "Seth, can you please accompany me to my rooms?" Atem asked. Seth nodded and helped Atem walk with his injured foot.
Yugi's hand flew to his mouth to prevent himself from gasping out loud. He had only heard the last bit but he knew how to interpret the meaning of things and soon felt tears of rejection coming to his eyes.
The day after, Atem called Yugi in for an audience to ask about the progress of the tomb. Yugi, for once, wasn't looking forward to it. He was still angry after what he had witnessed yesterday. Atem, on the other hand, was really happy to see Yugi. He ushered Yugi to stand closer once he had come in.
"There haven't been any problems, have there? If there's anything at all, you can tell me about it."
"All okay," Yugi said. He just wanted this to end.
"Ah, perfect. So Yugi, do have an idea of what we can do to reinforce security in the village?" It was a casual question that Atem was sure Yugi would answer.
"If you want the truth, you shouldn't ask me that. I'm a mere slave. You have advisors who are more endowed to answer your question." Yugi refused to look Atem in the eyes when he spoke.
Atem narrowed his eyes. 'What's up with him today?' he wondered. "Well then… I guess I could ask Seth."
"Yeah, sure, why not ask Seth?" Yugi snapped. "It's easier to trust someone that's stayed with you for 10 years. Believe me, you're lucky to have him."
Atem was beginning to get annoyed. He ordered all the guards in the room out, wanting to talk to Yugi alone. Once they were gone, he grabbed Yugi's upper arm. "Well? What's up with you Yugi? Are you angry with me or Seth for some reason?" Yugi tried to pry his arm loose.
"If you're angry with me, then just tell me. But what do you have against Seth? You know I trust him a lot."
Something inside Yugi snapped. "You have trust in him because he's your lover!" he shouted.
CRACK
Yugi gasped, his cheek stinging and his head forced to one side. Realization of what happened made him place a hand on his cheek and tears come to his eyes.
Atem had hit him.
Yugi's words had made Atem angry, sure, but he had lashed out against his will. Atem instantly regretted it. His hands were shaking. "Yugi… I… I don't…" He found he couldn't form an intelligent sentence. What had he done?
Yugi didn't bother to hide his tears this time. "Okay, now what? You'll sell me? Kill me? Fine! But please don't' make fun of me!"
"Damn!" Atem said. He couldn't understand why he was so angry. "Away with you then! I don't want to see you!"
"I understand!" Yugi said, and he ran from the room. He really didn't have any idea of where he was going to go, but he knew who he was going to. He sobbed hard as he ran. 'That's it,' he thought. 'It's over… it's all over now.'
He ran straight into Mana's room. She was standing by the window watching the sun set. "Mana!" He cried.
Mana spun around. "Yugi! Don't you have to ask permission first before entering a girl's room?" But when Yugi flung himself into her arms, she began to suspect that something was wrong. "What is it Yugi?" she asked, her voice full of worry. She helped Yugi sit down on the ground before he fell over. She held his face in both of her hands.
"I-I've offended him, Mana… I've offended Atem… and he slapped me…" Yugi sobbed.
"What! How dare he!" She tried to stand up to go and kill Atem personally for what he did, but Yugi held her back.
"No! It's m-my fault! I was arrogant, and…" he said.
"Yugi, how can you say that? He hasn't kept his promise to you and now he's hit you. …I understand now. This isn't just infatuation, is it? You're really falling in love!"
Yugi sniffed, realizing that she was right. "Yes! I love him! I love him so much!" He hugged Mana and she held him tightly as he cried new tears. "It doesn't matter now thought! He loves another person! For him it was only a play!" He cried on until exhaustion took over. Mana never once let him go.
(1) Fresco is a type of mural painting that's done in plaster on walls or ceilings. A good example is the Sistine Chapel, done by Michelangelo.
Show of hands, how many people want to help Mana murder Atem? *raises hand* I know I did the first time I read this doujinshi.
So, I might get to the next chapter or two tomorrow. Right now I've got a room to pick up. See ya next time!
