Disclaimer: "I do now own Yugioh."
"Talk"
'Thoughts'
Dreams/ Flashback
Tea felt herself melt into the warmth of Seto's lips against her own. Her hands clung to his neck, pulling him closer to her. As he slowly pulled away, she remained where she was, eyes closed and lips slightly parted, savoring the taste of him still on her. Biting gently down on her bottom lip, she looked up at him and suggested that they go inside. He didn't seem at all troubled to agree as he walked briskly into her room, nearly making her trip, though with his hands clasping her waist, she knew he wouldn't have let her fall. As he closed the door behind him, she rested her forehead against his.
"I missed you," she said in a whisper.
"Are you alright?" he asked her softly, one hand gently stroking aside a few strands of her hair.
She nodded, and smiled up to him, not being able to help but feel special for his worry over her. As time passed, she had became more certain of her feelings for him, how much he truly meant to her. And she was certain of his feelings for her in return. She was aware of how much she loved this high priest, and of how much she didn't love the pharaoh. It was obvious to her how hard he tried to get her attention, to make her happy and to bring out a deep emotion from within her for him. Tea had never been shown so much devotion and care, so much attention, and though she was never truly sure how to react with Yami, her heart soared when Seto displayed his affection towards her. Such as the ones being displayed at the moment. Eyes closed, she allowed her head to hang back, her mouth opening to take in a quick breath as her heart pounded inside her chest.
"I've missed you as well," he said with a deep and hoarse voice.
She could only nod slowly as his mouth made its way from her neck, which was tingly from the kisses he had placed there, to her collar and her shoulders, bare from the fabric of her clothing that hung loosely around them. His lips were trailing their way over her skin so softly, and yet she could feel an urgency to his actions. The heightening and familiar emotions within her were only an assurance that she felt the same need for him not to stop. Clutching his hair within her hands, she buried her head into the curve of his neck, trying to keep her breathing calm, but only moaned as his hands ran up her back to remove her clothing.
"Seto..." She called out in a shaky breath. He slowed his actions and stopped, holding her in his arms.
"If you want me to, I'll stop," he said, and when she shook her head, he raised his head to look down into her deep, blue eyes.
"I love you," She said and he captured her lips passionately once more.
The sounds of their lovemaking were barely heard in the hallway, but leaning against the door, Serenity picked up everything. She had her hands clasped behind her back against the thick wood, her bare feet flat against the cold ground. The tears that streamed down her cheeks were dark as they washed off the black paint that had only moments ago outlined her eyes. In order to make herself an appealing gift for the high priest, she had spent hours covering everything that she saw as a flaw on herself, used inks to make decorative markings on her arms, and had applied scented oils to her skin so as to cover the smell of work.
But now she knew why she was never good enough for him. Seto saw her as a mere servant, a poor and unfortunate child compared to the bitch he was sharing a bed with. That foreigner, waving her royal title around in everyone's face, seemed to be the one person that Seto wanted, and that was something Serenity could never compete against.
'Why would you do this to me?'Her mind screamed at him. 'I've only ever done everything in my power to serve you, to make you happy, so that you would accept me', she thought helplessly, recalling the years that she had dreamt of being able to prove herself to the one man she had ever truly felt love towards.
The princess' muffled cries of passion emitting in time with the priest's whispers of love only helped to further infuriate Serenity. Her tears felt hot as they continued to flow uncontrollably down her cheeks. Standing up off the door, she forced her feet to carry her down the corridor towards Seto's room once more. As she approached his door, she forced her chin into the air, and as she held her head high, she invited herself inside and shut the door softly behind her. Her hands had clenched into fists and were shaking as she forced herself to remain calm. Grabbing onto a long bench that stood at the foot of the empty bed, she placed it before a mirror and sat down. Staring at herself, she cleared her throat and began to wipe away the dark streaks from her face with a piece of cloth that lay discarded over the small table beside the reflective glass. It was most likely a piece of Seto's clothing, and using it like a rag made Serenity content.
"I know a little secret," she sang softly to herself as she began to fix her hair.
She ran her fingers through it to comb it down, then rearranged the jeweled pins that held in in place until she was content with what she saw.
"What a shame it would be if the pharaoh knew what I knew," she said with a false sadness.
Staring at herself, a smile spread across her lips in maniacal slowness as her eyes filled with rage.
"I should make sure that he finds out."
Seto smiled as he heard Tea's sigh, her breath warm against his skin. He lay comfortably with one arm behind is head and the other holding the princess' waist under the thin sheets that covered their naked bodies, while she lay with her head on his chest, one arm lying over his stomach.
"Will you stay here until tomorrow?" she asked softly. He gently ran his hand up her back and stopped as it found her head and buried itself in her silk-soft hair.
"I should get back to my room, to be safe," he said, hating that he had to leave her. He closed his eyes as her lips placed gentle kisses on his chest, then looked down as he felt her stir. He was aware of every movement that she made and loved the feeling it stirred inside of him as he looked into her eyes.
"I wish we didn't have to hide anymore," she said honestly. He traced her cheek gently with his thumb and answered.
"I know, but we have to." She pulled herself up onto her arms and loomed over him, her hair falling like a curtain around their faces. Touching her nose to his, she closed her eyes.
"I love you," she whispered. Seto tilted his head so that he could kiss her, then pulled back and said that he felt the same.
Wrapping her arms around his neck as best she could, Tea rested on top of his body and closed her eyes, smiling as she felt his arms wrap around her back to hold her. She had never known that loving someone could lead to actions like the ones that she had shared with Seto over the past couple of months. How could the feelings that she held for him be wrong? Opening her eyes slightly, she stared at a wall and allowed her thoughts to wander free, allowing her to think. She knew why they were wrong, but she wished she couldn't care. Though the truth was that she did. She couldn't bare the thought of Seto being punished for what they felt towards each other. And Mokuba. She had grown to love the boy so much. And she knew how important he was to Seto. What kind of life would the boy be forced to live if they were forced to leave the palace? Rumors and ugly words following him as his brother did everything in his power to provide him with a decent life in the unguarded village outside the very walls that he had grown to think were safe.
But her greatest worry was Yami. How could she tell him? She knew it, deep down inside, that she never could, but it hurt her to have to keep lying to him the way she did. Acting as though everything that he went out of his way to do for her was making her fall in love with him. If only he knew how beautiful it was to love someone the way she loved Seto, he would understand that nothing he did could ever make him anything more than a friend in her heart.
"Tea?" Seto's voice pulled her out of her thoughts and caused her to raise her head to meet his eyes. "I have to go," he said, slowly rolling over to lay her on the bed as he rolled back over and sat up. Crawling on all fours towards him she knelt up and wrapped her arms around his shoulder, kissing the back of his neck. She felt the slight shiver that ran through his body and kissed his neck to see is she could cause it again.
"I thought you were tired after last night," he said with a smirk. Watching her face redden, he laughed softly as she hid herself behind him shyly. Standing to dress himself quickly, he walked back to the bed and bent down to kiss her once more. Sighing, she eagerly kissed him in return and smiled lovingly as he stood back up and walked to the door and left.
Ishizu lay on her side, crying softly into her pillow. She hadn't slept at all the entire night, and now, looking towards her window, she could see the first signs of the rising sun. Wiping her eyes dry, she sat up and hugged her legs to her chest, resting her forehead on her knees. What else could she do but watch as the day unfolded exactly as she had seen that it would.
'Your love for him is beautiful princess,' she thought, 'but it will cost lives to keep it' What more could she do? Seeing the future wasn't as easy as everyone believed it to be. She knew so much of what was to come, and what once was, yet there were countless times when she felt absolutely helpless, as she did now. The princess' affair with the high priest was known to her since before Seto had even known that he would go to retrieve his cousin's future bride.
Raising her head, she saw that the sky was becoming brighter and she walked to her window to watch as the light began to engulf Egypt. There were so many times in her life when she wished that she did not have visions. She wished that something could happen, that she could live her life over the course of a day without knowing what to expect. But it was never so. Sighing exhaustedly, she made her way to her spring and sat on the rocks that surrounded it. Dipping one hand into the water, she closed her eyes and allowed its fresh and soothing feel spread throughout her body, calming her somewhat.
'Dear Gods... help us endure this day and all others that follow.', she prayed.
Seto dressed and prepared himself as the sun rose into the sky. He could barely contain the smile on his face.
I love you... her words echoed in his mind. He had fallen asleep a soon as he returned from Tea's room. And yet with only a few hours of rest, he had awoken feeling renewed. Bathing and changing into new clothes, he was checking himself in his mirror when a soft knock sounded on his door. Casting a moment's glance towards it, he ordered the person enter. It shouldn't have surprised him that it was Serenity, but there was something about her that made him watch ever step she took through his doorway, closing it without a sound, and standing there, looking him directly in the eyes.
"I won't bother you long," she said when neither of them had said a word for a few moments.
He wanted to say something to send her away, but her attitude seemed to have changed somehow. She was still wearing the concubine's outfit, but there was nothing in her voice or the way she moved that seemed to him that she wanted to seduce him.
"Will you reconsider the pharaoh's offer?" she asked simply. He, in return, simply shook his head. When her head slowly dropped, he was sure she was crying. But as she looked up at him again, he couldn't help but look slightly taken back as she was smiling.
"You're a high priest, I am but a servant that you took in to save. Ever since then everyone in this palace has known of my feelings for you. And because of that, I have devoted my life to show you how much you mean to me." Seto listened without interruption because even though he had heard this confession many times before, her eyes were filled with rage as she stared at him.
"But you never even thanked me for everything I've done," she continued, "and the truth is that I might be the best that you could hope to get, dear high priest." At this Seto had to chuckle amusingly. But Serenity went on, a tone of warning in her voice. "We are human, you and I, like so many others in this world. We are meant to have each other because the gods are far to high for us to reach." A dead silence fell between them as they stared into each other's eyes. Then, without excusing herself, Serenity turned and walked out the door. Sighing, Seto concluded that she may have finally lost her mind. Assuring himself that he looked presentable enough, he made his way out of his room and walked off to attend to his duties.
"Your majesty," a guard bowed down deeply before Yami as he sat on his throne, addressing an issue with an advisor. Finishing off quickly, he sent the man away and looked down at the largely built man at his feet.
"What is it?" the young pharaoh asked, allowing the servant to rise.
"The servant girl Serenity wishes for an audience before you. Shall I allow her to enter?" he asked, keeping his eyes to his feet. Yami thought for a moment.
Serenity? The girl he gifted to Seto? What could she possibly want? Not being able to think of a reason why she should want to see him, he supposed he'd see what it was that she had to say.
"Allow her inside," Yami said. Bowing once more, the guard walked out of the throne room and pulled open one of the large doors, making room for Serenity to walk through.
"Leave us," Yami said, and the guard disappeared, pulling the door closed from the outside.
Yami watched as Serenity approached him. She was dressed in the clothes typical of a concubine, the ones that he had ordered be taken to her the night before. Her head hung low and her hands were clasped together in front of her. The fine jewels that adorned her body clinked softly together as she moved.
"What is it you want, servant?" Yami asked. At the sound of his voice, the young girl sank to her knees before him.
"Your majesty," she stated.
"Rise and speak," Yami said. With a small smile, Serenity knelt back and kept her head low, taking quick glances up at the pharaoh.
"I have come to extend to you my greatest thanks for the honor of having me serve as high priest Seto's concubine," she said. Yami gave a quick nod, and continued to listen. "However, he seems not to be in need or desire of me, and so I ask for you to bestow upon me another task, perhaps being a servant once more." The pharaoh was greatly surprised at hearing her words.
"Has he said why he does not wish to take you?" Yami asked. He watched the girl's head shake back and forth. Frowning a bit, he waved a hand at her. "Very well, if he will not have you, then a servant you shall be once more," he concluded.
"Also," her voice said quickly. Her eyes met his and remained staring as she spoke. "The princess has asked me to give you a message." At this, Yami's interest soared. But also his suspicion.
"The princess? I believed the situation between the two of you was not at its best," He said, obviously demanding an explanation. The servant lowered her head.
"It still remains so, however I will let nothing interfere with my duties to my... queen," she said. Yami looked down at her for a moment and saw her squirm slightly.
"What has she said?" he asked eagerly and curiously. At this, Serenity smiled and looked at him again.
"Thank you," Tea said as the servant left her room. She looked down at the black ink decorating her arms with the markings that she was still not quite used to. Unable to contain her happiness, she smiled constantly, ever since she awoke that morning and bathed quickly before anyone entered her room. Seeing him again was all she thought about, but she would have to find the best time when no one would find them. Perhaps she could ask to see him about something and it would seem to everyone an innocent meeting and no suspicions would be raised. But then her smile slowly faded and she sighed, sitting down on her bed. She wished that they didn't have to make plans simply to sneak off together for a few moments just to be together. Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on her door. Standing and walking to the door, she pulled it open and couldn't help but look surprised. "Serenity," she stated.
The young servant girl seemed annoyed to have to do it, but she bowed before Tea and asked with her head lowered if she could enter. Nodding, Tea stepped aside and let her come into the room. Closing the door, Tea turned to speak but found the girl glaring death at her.
"Is there something you wanted?" the princess asked, not letting herself be hurt by the girl. She recalled Ishizu's words and reminded herself to be patient. Folding her arms over her chest, Serenity's lips stretched with a smile.
"Dear Princess, soon to be our queen, do you know what the markings on your arms say?" Tea was confused to say the least.
"Well, actually no, I don't." Serenity turned on a heel and made her way to the bed, allowing herself to sit down comfortably.
"Well let me inform you," she continued, crossing one leg over the other. Tea blinked at the girl's boldness and disrespect, and considered calling the guards. Or Ishizu. Or anyone. "They say that you are a pure woman, brought over large waters under the protection of Hathor," Serenity spoke, her eyes following the markings on Tea's right arm. "You will be the queen of Egypt, of its people."
Tea listened with amazement and with a growing sense of guilt. She watched as Serenity's head tilted to the other side, her eyes taking in the markings on her left arm. "You belong to the pharaoh," she continued, and Tea's heart skipped a beat at the words. "Any man to touch you will be punished as seen fit to the king." Tea's eyes met Serenity's and they remained looking defensively at each other. "I wanted to tell you what they said so that you understand more of our customs," the servant spoke as she stood up and made her way to the door.
"I can learn with time," Tea stated. Giving a nod, Serenity turned to leave. "But thank you all the same," Tea added as the door closed gently behind the girl. Looking at her arms, the princess felt tears fill her eyes. "I had no idea," she whispered to herself. But the greatest question was what Yami would do to his cousin if he found out. Wiping her eyes dry, she made her way outside.
"You are getting better. Be patient." Mokuba nodded as Shadi gave him a light pat on the shoulder. "I will see you tomorrow morning then," the priest said. The boy looked up and grinned.
"And I'll keep practicing," he said happily. Receiving a small smile from the priest, Mokuba turned and ran down the palace corridor. He passed servants and guards, greeting all of them and receiving smiles and waves in return. Arriving at an all too familiar door, he grabbed the round metal handle and pulled it open to reveal stairway led the way downward to a room. Closing the door and making his way down the steps, he entered inside the room and looked around the endless piles of ancient scrolls until he spotted his brother.
"Seto!" he called, running to him and wrapping his arms around his waist, his face pressed against his stomach. He heard his brother let out a soft grunt as he collided into him.
The warmth from his large hand on his head made him smile and looked up at him fondly. His older brother was the world to Mokuba. Everything he did he put his greatest effort into to make his brother proud of him. Such as his lessons with Shadi every morning.
"He says I'm getting better," he said, taking a step back to hold up a piece of paper. Seto took it and held it close for inspection.
"He's right, you are," he said with a nod. Learning to write was very important, especially if Mokuba was ever to take over Seto's work. "Well I can't let you help me translate these yet," his brother's voice said, and he nodded slowly. "But when you learn I can leave you in here for hours on end while I relax," he offered. Mokuba's face lit up ad he opened his mouth to say something but then stopped. His smile disappeared and he frowned a bit, thinking. "That's not fun!" he realized. Seto's laugh filled the small room and echoed loudly in his ears, and it only made the boy happier.
"You're right, it isn't fun. But you'll learn to do the job well, trust me," Seto said, returning to look through the piles of scrolls.
"What are you doing anyways? Can I help?" Mokuba offered. Sighing, the high priest glanced around the room.
"If you wouldn't mind," he said finally. Grinning, Mokuba set aside his piece of paper with childish writing and stood by Seto.
"Where's Yami?" the boy asked. He and his brother never addressed him as a pharaoh when they were alone, simply as what he was: their cousin.
"From what I heard, he left for the day to run some sort of errand," Seto answered, placing into his brother's hands a few scrolls. "I feel sorry for Tea," the boy said. Seto's eyes shot to him.
"Why?" he questioned. Mokuba noted a tone to the question but couldn't quite figure out what it was.
"Well, they're going to get married soon and they're both always so busy just preparing for it that they hardly spend time with each other, which I think is more important." Turning to face his brother, Seto eyed him with surprise. "What?" Mokuba asked, wondering if he'd said something wrong.
"How would you know what's important for people who are getting married?" The boy shrugged and gave his brother a smile.
"Wouldn't you like to spend time with the person you loved?"
"Ishizu?" The priestess stopped in her tracks, as she was walking across the palace courtyard, and turned around to see the princess standing behind her.
"Yes?" she asked. Looking a bit unsure of what she wanted to say, Tea tucked a few strands of her hair behind her ears and smiled, then looked at her feet.
"Would you happen to know where the high priest Seto is?" she asked quietly. Ishizu stared at her for a moment, the silence causing the princess to look up and meet her gaze.
"I do," Ishizu answered. The young girl's face lit up and she asked for her to tell her where. "He has gone with Mokuba to the village," she said simply. The girl's blue eyes lost its shine but she smiled thankfully.
"Alright," she said, turning to leave. "I heard that Serenity spoke to you today," Ishizu said, folding her hands together in front of her. Tea nodded.
"She told me about the markings on my arms," the princess informed her. The priestess didn't respond, waiting for her to continue. As if sensing this, the princess faced her again and swallowed nervously. "Well, I had no idea what they said, so it came as a surprise to learn what was written on me," she admitted.
"You learned something new," Ishizu said, and Tea nodded. "Use the knowledge wisely," she advised, then turned and left, leaving Tea to absorb her words.
Yami sat in the large carriage that was taking him back to his palace. He could hear the heavy hooves of the horses surrounding him, guards ready to sacrifice themselves to keep him safe were mounted on them. His violet eyes wandered to the small window on the carriage door. The sun was nearly done falling out of the sky, which was darkening and slowly filling with stars. His trip to the harbor had gone well, and he smiled as he looked to the wooden box beside him. It was carved with strange symbols that he did not understand, but he was sure that its contents would make his princess happy. How he longed to see her again. He had grown so accustomed to being around her, to hearing her and speaking with her, to watching her smile, hearing her laugh and listening to her thoughts.
She was indeed quite intelligent with matters of politics, and he enjoyed the discussions that they often engaged in. She changed him for the better, he knew. And so did everyone else in the palace. His concubines were given positions to work in the palace, and not having them in his bed was actually comforting. After a moment of indulging in the thought of her, his smile faded and he sighed. Though she was certainly a bit difficult concerning their intimate relationship. Everything he did and said seemed to make her happy, but his attempts to show her any affection, even as simply as giving her a kiss, shied her away from him. Her timidness certainly was enjoyable, but he feared that he may be advancing too eagerly towards her. Never the less, he smiled again as he tried to imagine her expression when she received his gift.
'My Tea', he thought fondly.
"What did you tell him?" Ishizu asked. Serenity acted as though the priestess had said nothing and instead of answering, began to inspect her finger nails. "Serenity," Ishizu's voice said with a hard tone. Sighing, the young girl rolled her eyes.
"I only passed on a message from the princess," she said.
"What message?" Ishizu demanded. Looking to the air, Serenity held a delicate finger to her chin.
"Oh dear, perhaps I was mistaken and I was never to deliver a message to anybody," she said, her attempt to conceal a smile, and failing. Ishizu's face reddened.
"And where is the princess now?" she asked.
"Oh, I heard something about her needing to consult the high priest Seto about something," the servant stated plainly, then added with a mutter, "And I'm sure he's answering all her questions with enthusiasm."
"Serenity! How dare you?" the priestess scolded angrily. Shooting Ishizu a glare of her own, Serenity shot back,.
"How dare you? You knew all about this and yet you did and said absolutely nothing. I am simply being faithful to my pharaoh." The priestess held a hand over her necklace but kept her eyes fired at the servant that she had called to her room moment ago as she walked towards her and stopped when she stood with her face only a small distance from the girl's.
"To speak such things will only earn you death," Ishizu said with an urgent warning in her voice, her eyes pleading for the girl to reason. Once again rolling her eyes, Serenity answered with a smirk.
"Am I the only one who feels the walls shake when those two meet to 'consult'?"
"Don't you ever say something like that again!" At the force and anger in Ishizu's voice, Serenity bowed her head low and apologized. "Get out," the priestess said, turning and walking away from the servant. Hot tears of anger were streaming down her face as Serenity cast a look of hatred at Ishizu's retreating back. But doing as she was told, she quickly walked out of the room.
Tea stood near the large window of her room. The sands of the desert resembled a silk that was placed over the land, glittering under the light of them moon. The princess sighed softly at the sight.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Grinning, she turned around and watched as Seto approached her.
"Yes, it really is," she answered. Moving a step back, she allowed him to stand beside her and look out as well. "How was the village?" she asked. He turned and looked at her with a smile.
"Very tiring," he answered. "Keeping Mokuba still is as easy as catching a bird in a tree," he said, making Tea laugh.
"So he had fun," she stated.
"Yes, he did. Finally. He hasn't been out of the palace in a while, so I suppose it was alright," Seto said, standing to face Tea.
"What?"she asked when he didn't speak for a moment. Instead of answering, he reached out a hand and allowed his fingers to trace the softness of her hair.
"I wish you could have come with us today," he said. The princess was surprised, but looked at him with a tenderness that made his heart melt.
"Really?" she asked. He nodded, cupping her face in his hands and brushing his lips against hers.
Neither of them saw him or even heard him approaching. They held each other and continued to kiss lovingly. Overcome with desire, Seto ran his fingers sensually down her body, earning small gasps from her. Smirking, he led her to the bed and covered her small body with his large one. Tea moved her head up to mesh their lips together again, having missed the contact. Seto eagerly kissed her back, shoving his tongue inside her mouth to add to her pleasure. As expected, she let out a moan. Encouraged by her response, Seto began taking off the annoying robe that kept her body hidden from his hungry gaze. She lifted her body to aid him and in no time, the dress was discarded on the floor somewhere. Seto broke the lip contact and let his gaze wander over her luscious body that was clad only in undergarments.
"So beautiful." He whispered. "By gods Tea, you are so beautiful." She blushed prettily and opened her arms invitingly for him. A wave of desire washed over him and he kissed her lips again, but he did not linger there for long. Instead, he traced hr jaw and neck with his lips. Her gasps turned into moans as he sucked harshly. His hands wandered to her chest, leaving ferathery light touches over the soft mounds that protruded from her body. With one hand, he began opening the bindings that covered her beauty. He heard her gasp and smirked against her neck, quickening the process of getting her naked. But he was surprised to feel her body tremble.
"Tea?" He said, lifting her face to stare into her eyes. But her eyes weren't focused on him. Something must have caught her attention out of the corner of her eye, because she looked to the side and gasped, one hand pressing against her chest as if she meant to hold her heart inside it and the other covered her gaping mouth. Her sudden reaction caused Seto's head to turn and he too remained still and unmoving, neither making a sound. Yami stood in the middle of the room, staring directly at them, his eyes slowly moving between the two lovers. He didn't seem to be breathing, but he didn't move either, as he remained where he stood with a wooden box in his hands. In the moon's light, it was clear that is eyes had filled with tears, but they did not spill and his expression did not betray whatever he may have been feelings.
"Y... Tami." Tea whispered in fear. Very slowly, Yami placed the box in a table in the corner of the room, his eyes not moving from the two entangled lovers. Tea gently pushed Seto off her body and made an attempt to cover her body. Seto too, moved off her, but didn't move away. Instead, he sat before her protectively, ready to withctand the storm that was sure to engulf them all.
"Seto." Yami finally breathed in a venemous voice. "I never expected you to be the one to betray me." He took a step closer towards the two lovers. Tea hid further behind Seto, only peeking from his shoulder. "I always thought I could trust you, that you would always respect the blood bond we share." His features turned animalistic and he screamed in rage.
"But I was wrong. I was wrong to trust a snake like you. You ate my food and then shat in my plate? You bastard." He approached Seto and grabbed his neck, pulling him off the bed.
"You were doing this behind my back. You bastard. I'll kill you." The two engaged in a fight, one trying to hit, the other trying to defent. Behind them, Tea screamed in fear. Hearing the sound of struggle and Tea's screams, the guards rushed inside and stood in shock at the events unfolding. The pharoah and the high priest fighting like common street dogs. No one knew what to do. No one dared to stop them, but one rushed to get the other priests. Soon, Tea's room was crowded with priests and observers.
"Stop all this this instant." Shadi said in a booming voice. Seto and Yami stopped their fight, both moving away from each other.
"What the hell is going on here?" Shadi demanded moving his gaze from an enraged Yami, to an angry Seto, to a crying princess. Ishizu quickly went to Tea, engulfing the sobbing girl in her embrace.
"My pharoah, what are you doing here in the princess' room so late at night? Along with the high priest?"
"I came here to give Tea a present when I saw... I saw... him..." Yami screamed pointing at Seto, who glared right back. Shadi turned his attention to the onlookers and signalled the guards to clear the room. In no time, the room was cleared and the only ones left were the priests, Yami, Seto and Tea.
"My pharoah, please, you need to calm down." Ishizu pleaded. Yami turned towards her and bellowed in rage.
"How can I be calm when I see my future wife in the arms of my cousin, the man I think of as a brother?" The priests all appeared shocked, except Ishizu.
"I came here to give Tea her parcel and I saw them kissing and making love. I saw it with my own eyes." With that, he fell on a chair, his head in his hands.
"Yami..." Tea spoke in a small voice. His head shot up in her direction, his red eyes boring holes into her skull.
"Don't speak." He yelled. "I don't want to hear a word." The priests all stared at each other. Finally, shadi spoke.
"Seto, is this true?" Seto hung his head in shame, not knowing what else to do. "So it is." Shadi said in a defeated voice. He called in some guards. "Take the high priest to his room and keep guard. He is not to leave the palace or his room at any cost." The guards, confused and surprised, complied. Seto didn't struggle or resist.
"My pharoah, you need to leave the princess' room. We need to discuss this matter with calm and intelligence." The other priests nodded their heads and ushered Yami out of the room, leaving Tea and Ishizu alone. Once the men were out, Tea let out an agonizing cry and began sobbing loudly.
"This was to happen princess." Ishizu said. "None of us could have prevented it."
"What would happen now?" Tea asked with teary eyes. "What will happen to Seto?" Ishizu turned her head away, not wanting the princess to see the pain reflecting in her eyes.
"You need to rest princess." Ishizu said. "You are very exhausted." She pushed Tea on the bed and covered her with a blanket.
"What about Seto?" Tea asked again. Ishizu didn't reply, just exited the room.
"This is the worst dilema to befall the palace since the great pharoah's murder." One priests said in a sad voice.
"What do we do now?" The other said.
"This is a matter of pharoah's honor. It must be dealt with delicately." An old priest said.
"Both are at fault. Both need to be punished." While the priests thought of ways to deal with the dilema, Yami sat in a corner.
"No matter what action we take, the news would slip into the public, causing humiliation of the royal family and of the palace."
"What must we do?" Shadi who had been thinking silently spoke after a long time.
"I have a solution." All eyes, including Yami's turned to him.
"My pharoah, do you still wish to marry Tea?" Shadi asked. Yami's eyes hardened, but he nodded his head.
"Then we can't punish the princess." Shadi concluded. "We can't dishonor the future queen of Egypt and so we can't place any blame on her. Seto will be the one to shoulder all the blame and suffer all the punishment."
"How can this happen?" a priest asked. "We saw it with out own eyes."
"Yes." Shadi said patiently. "But only we saw. We are the only witnesses and what we may say will be held as the truth." The other nodded their heads, understanding what Shadi meant.
"I'm sure everyone in the palace knows by now what happened. But they do not know the details. We will give them the details in the way we see fit. We will tell them that it was Seto who came into the princess' room, uninvited and at a late hour. He had bad intentions and he attacked Tea's honor. She screamed for help and that's when Yami entered the picture. He fought Seto to protect his future wife." Shadi cast a careful look at the occupants of the room. "That is what happened. Seto is the one to blame. He is the one at fault. And he will be the one to be punished."
Seto entered his room and leaned against the door, hearing it close with a slam. Removing his golden necklaces and arm bands, he made his way to his bed and allowed himself to fall onto it. Despite what had happened in the last few moments, the only thing on his mind were Ishizu's words. Her warnings had to have been for this. He wanted to be angry with her for not telling him specifically what she had envisioned, wanted to curse her for allowing this to happen, and yet he couldn't. She could see the future, and the past, but could change neither. He recognized that even if she had told him every last detail of what she saw, he would have fallen in love all the same. The princess would have become his obsession and he would have pursued her.
"Seto?" He was so lost in his thoughts that he failed to hear the small voice eminating from within his room. When it called again, he quickly sat and saw that it was Mokuba.
"Hey," Seto said, forcing himself to display a small smile. "What's wrong?" His little brother had a sad look on his face as he walked towards him and sat on his bed.
"I can't sleep," he said, actually looking embarrassed. "I had a nightmare that you were hurt... and Tea was hurt... and I was..." His voice broke and tears ran down his cheeks. He had tried to remain in his room when he became afraid before, demonstrating that he could handle it, but in the end he always ended up in Seto's room. Lying back, Seto lifted an arm and Mokuba crawled towards him and snuggled himself against his side. Placing his arm around his little brother, Seto looked to the ceiling. He wanted to tell him that it was just a nightmare and nothing of that sort would happen. But given the circumstances, that didn't seem possible.
"Mokuba," he said. "Yes?" came the boy's voice.
"I want you to know that I love you," he said. He felt Mokuba snuggle closer to him still.
"I love you too," he answered quietly, a smile in his voice.
"And whatever happens to me, I want you to know that I will always take care of you," he said, swallowing nervously.
"Is something wrong?" Mokuba asked, his voice indicating his fear and confusion. Giving him a squeeze, Seto sighed.
"I'm not sure. But I've done something I shouldn't have and Yami is angry with me for it," he explained quickly. After a moment of silence, his brother wrapped his small arms around him as best he could.
"I'll always take care of you too, Seto," he said. Tears threatened to break his control, but Seto held on with all his might.
"Sleep now," he whispered.
Staring straight ahead, Yami sat on his throne silently. He hadn't slept at all, but did not feel tired. In fact, he didn't feel much of anything. Except the empty cold that had taken hold of his body and mind, a numbing force that would not loosen its hold.
"Your majesty?" He didn't even look at the source of the voice as the large doors opened to reveal two guards escorting the princess towards him. Placing their hands on her shoulders, the trio came to a stop and bowed before him. "She is here," the voice repeated. Without a thought or a sound, the pharaoh's left hand raised, signaling to the chair beside his own. With a small push from one of the guards, Tea slowly made her way to the seat and quietly sat down.
"Get out." Bowing quickly, the soldiers stood and left, closing the throne room doors.
"Your majesty I--." Her voice stopped as his hand raised lazily, then dropped back down. Opening his violet orbs after a long and deadly silence, he turned his head and faced her. She was as beautiful as ever, dressed in the richest of fabrics, her flawless skin and shining hair adorned with gold and jewels. And her eyes, the intense colour and emotion in them still capable of causing his breath to catch in his chest. A very small smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he spoke to her.
"I know now why you would never give me your heart, even after everything that I ever did to offer you mine." Swallowing nervously, she looked down at her hands which were folded on her lap. Her eyes met his once again. "You came here to me and after everything that has happened over this time, you've changed me. I know it. And I cherish everything that you've given me. But you..." His words trailed off and he had to look away from her to take a breath. "You never cared, not for me or anything I did." A sound escaped her, as if she was going to say something, but his head snapped back to look at her and one look into his eyes silenced her. "And you never even took a moment to realize what you have grown to mean to me." His voice rose with anger and emotion and he watched her eyes tear up. He sighed.
"But that doesn't matter now. Because you will know, and feel, the consequences of betraying me." His eyes became hard. "You were promised to me, and that will not change, princess. You will marry me, and become my wife."
"Please you must understand." Tea spoke in a small voice. "I---."
"I don't care." Yami yelled in rage, his anger getting the best of him. Tea screamed in fear and cowered before his now standing form. "I know you don't love me but I just don't care. I have done everything I can to win your heart. I went to great lenghts to make you happy. Here." He threw the same box he had brought to her room last night, that he had retrieved this morning. "Look what I brought you." She only stared at him in fear.
"Open it and look." He yelled in anger. She let out another scream of fear and with shaking hands, she opened the box. Inside were various letters from Lyna, her father, some from servants in the palace and even some from the villagers with whom she had associated in secret. Tears ran down her face as she read a letter from her father.
I'm proud of you Tea. It said. I'm proud of the sacrifice you are making for your people and for your country. You truly are my daughter, the honorable princess of Greece.
"You see what they write?" Yami spoke in a mocknig voice. "Honorable princess. If only they knew the acts you performed, and right under my nose too. I don't know who should be more ashamed, you for commiting such sins, or I for being so blind and allowing such sins." Tea only cried harder, curling in a ball with the letter clutched to her chest.
"I cared for your hapiness yet you didn't regard mine. So now, I don't care about yours. I will do as I see fit." He moved closer to her cowering form and grabbed her delicate arm.
"You will marry me whether you like it or not. And you will see now that I can be very convincing." He looked to the throne doors once more, not witnessing the look in her eyes turn from sadness to pure fear.
"Bring him in," The pharaoh ordered loudly. Though there was no one present in the room aside from the two of them, the doors opened once more and this time the two soldiers that walked in were accompanying Seto, his hands behind his back and his head low. Yami sat back and watched his cousin approaching, with no feeling inside of him as he heard the princess gasp beside him and bring her hands to her face, most likely to cover her mouth as a whimper escaped her lips.
Humiliation, embarrassment, and rage were only a few of the emotions that could describe what Seto was feeling at the moment. He had been asleep when guards kicked his door open and made their way inside. They said nothing and grabbed him. Mokuba had looked terrified and seemed about to attack the soldiers but Seto told him to keep quiet and to remain in the room. Dragged out, his arms were pulled behind him and roughly secured with clasps. And moments later they arrived at the throne room doors. Yami's voice allowed them to enter and now, standing before the throne where he had glimpsed Tea seated, he quickly realized what was happening.
Hearing steps approaching him, Seto raised his eyes and met Yami's, which looked cold and empty. He stopped a few feet away from him and they remained staring at each other, Tea's soft crying the only sound in the entire room.
"Ever since we were children," Yami began, and not having the slightest idea what he was talking about, Seto kept staring at him. "You were always the better one. Favored for everything, while I only received the words 'learn from your cousin.' It was miraculous that I was even chosen to be the pharaoh. But now I see why I was chosen in your place." He matched eyes with Seto and spoke. "Because my father, the great pharoah of Egypt saw that you were just like your father." Seto struggled voilently against the guards holding him. Yami continued. "My father knew you couldn't be trusted. The same filthy blood ran through your veins that ran through the veins of your treacherous father."
"Shut up." Seto yelled. But Yami wasn't deterred. He spoke in a booming voice.
"He knew you were an unhonorable bastrd like your father and unfit to be the pharoah. But still he gave you such a high position, hoping that you would be different. But you proved him wrong. You proved us all wrong when you showed your true colors. You proved that you are a traitor, just like your father." Grabbing his jaw, Yami brought his face to within an inch of Seto's.
"I would have given you the world... power... this palace, anything, because she meant everything to me." The tone in his low and whispering voice caused Seto's spine to chill.
Straightening up again, Yami made his way back up to his seat on the throne. "The penalty for what you have done is decided by me," he said. The princess spoke something softly and urgently behind him but he ignored it, and Tea looked desperately at the high priest. "And I see nothing more fitting than for you to be killed." The room fell silent. No one expected to hear such words.
"but I will be merciful." Yami said. Heart soaring, Tea had the hope that the pharaoh would lighten Seto's punishment because they were family. She noticed that Seto was observing his cousin with suspicion. "You will be granted life. But you will spend it in the darkness of the dungeons."
Tea looked at Yami once more. Had she heard right? He wasn't going to kill Seto? She looked between the men, trying to understand, but she could see that Seto was as confused as she was. "You will be imprisoned in the dungeon below the palace, as the criminal that you are." Yami continued. The malicious smile that spread across Yami's lips made Tea's heart sink once more into dispair. "But you will perform one more task before you are led away.
"Let me go!" Tea's head turned immediately towards the voice and she sprang to her feet when she saw a largely built soldier dragging Mokuba inside the throne room.
The boy had obviously been crying, though now the only thing he was doing was stumbling over his own feet as he fought against the much larger and older man's grip on the back of his shirt fabric. Seto looked back as his little brother approached and moved towards him. But the two soldiers grabbed hold of him and pushed him onto his knees, holding him in place. The commotion caught Mokuba's attention and he gasped when he saw his Seto.
"Brother!" he called, extending his arms out to him. Tea sank back down to her own seat beside Yami and watched helplessly as Mokuba was led past Seto and held at the first step of the throne.
"You will perform the marriage ceremony, Seto," Yami said, "or I'll see to it that your brother pays for your disobedience." Tea gaped and placed a hand over his.
"Please don't do this," she begged him through a sob. But he only looked at her and was quiet.
"Let him go!" Mokuba yelled, glaring death at Yami. "Let go of my brother!" he yelled again, continuing in his efforts to free himself from the guard. Looking down at the boy, the pharaoh calmly rose to his feet once more and made his way down the steps towards him.
"If you touch a hair on his head, you will pay for it dearly," Seto warned. With a snort of laughter, Yami stood before the boy, looking down at him. Mokuba calmed his actions and looked straight into his eyes with hurt but more intensely with hatred. In one swift movement, Yami's hand had sailed across the air and sent Mokuba's head snapping to one side. The sharp sound of his hand meeting the boy's cheek echoed, and was quickly followed by Tea's cry. She made a move to run towards them but was suddenly held on the seat by a delicate yet heavy hand on her shoulder. One quick look beside her showed her that it was Ishizu. The priestess looked down at the scene but did not respond in any way to the princess' pleas for her to stop what was happening.
Her blue eyes traveled back to Mokuba, who was on the floor, holding his face, but looking at Yami out of the corner of his eyes. A small amount of blood trickled down his chin out of the corner of his mouth. A sudden burst of rage erupted from Seto as he yelled out and lunged at Yami. With one look from the pharaoh, the two solders had grabbed hold of him and were dragging him away.
"Yami! I swear you'll be sorry!" Seto was yelling, his voice an explosion of sound that could have reached the heavens. Looking back, Mokuba was obviously fighting back tears as he watched his brother being dragged out of the room. Tea sat sobbing with her face in her hands, Ishizu standing beside her silently.
Super long chapter huh. Hope you enjoyed it.
Well, review and let me know.
Later.