Disclaimer: "I do not own yugioh."
"Talk"
'Thoughts'
Dreams/ flashbacks
Tea sighed and turned to snuggle into the warmth of her lover, but all she encountered was cold air. Moisture gathered at the corner of her closed eyelids as she recalled everything that had happened. Seto was gone. He was out of her sight, out of her life, but not out of her heart.
How had things turned out to badly? This wasn't supposed to happen. This shouldn't have happened.
But it had happened. And it was her fault. It was all her fault.
A knock on the door startled her. Quickly wiping her eyes, she prepared herself to meet the incoming person. The door opened and a servant girl entered meekly.
"Princess, I bring your breakfast." Tea nodded her head.
"I will wash up before I eat. You can put it on my bed." The girl nodded and placed a tray of deliciously smelling food on the bed. Tea quickly washed up and sat on the bed, ready to dig in. just as she was about to touch the food, thoughts entered her head.
'I wonder what Seto is eating? If he has anything to eat?' immediately her appetite disappeared and she withdrew her hand. She couldn't even look at the food anymore. How could she enjoy the simple pleasures of life when she was the reason of so much misery pain for Seto… and Mokuba. She hadn't even thought about the poor boy until now. She hadn't seen him either. She could only guess what Yami had done to him.
She had to find him. She had made a promise to Seto that she would take care of Mokuba. So far, she had failed him, but not anymore. She would find Mokuba and make sure he was fine. She would take care of the boy, would protect him at all costs. It was the least she could do.
With a determined glint in her eyes, she got up, held the tray in her hand and walked towards the kitchen. As soon as she was spotted by the staff, they began panicking, running to hold the tray and chiding the servant girl who had brought the food for not picking it up. Tea struggled to calm them. Finally, they relaxed when she assured them no harm would come to them or anyone else, and resumed their work, stiffly though. Tea glanced around the kitchen, hoping to find someone she could talk to about Mokuba. Surely, the servants would know. They gossiped about everything.
"Hey Lisa, where should I put this bag of potatoes?" Tea's head snapped in the direction the voice came from and she soon spotted Mokuba struggling with a big sack of potatoes.
"Mokuba, I told you to get me some, not the whole bag." The woman named Lisa said and raced to take the bag from the heaving boy. Mokuba smiled sheepishly and rubbed the back of his neck.
"M… Mokuba?" Tea whispered in shock. He was here, working in the kitchen like a slave? His head turned towards her and his eyes widened.
"Tea?" he seemed just as shocked to see her. Without wasting another moment, Tea ran toward him and pulled him in an embrace.
"Oh Mokuba, I'm so glad you are okay. I was so worried."
"I was worried about you too." He confessed, holding her tightly.
"Mokuba, I'm so sorry for all this." She said, pulling away guiltily. "It's because of me you're here working as a servant. I'm so sorry."
"It's no big deal." Mokuba said with a shrug. "The people here are very nice. They don't let me do anything difficult. I just bring what the need from the store room. It's easy." Tea smiled graciously at everyone who had stopped working to watch the two.
"Mokuba, I'll speak with Yami and get you out of here."
"No." He whispered earnestly. "I don't want you to ask him for anything. He… he may use me against you, and I don't want that. I'm fine." Tears threatened to pour down her face. He cared for her, just as Seto did. Taking a deep breath, she got up.
"I'll get you out of here Mokuba. Just… just hold on for a little longer." She said and stood up.
"Thank you so much for taking care of Mokuba." she said to the staff and quickly walked out, her destination, the throne room.
The guards quickly parted from the door and opened it for her as she neared it. She entered it with a racing heart and glanced around to spot Yami. He was sitting on his throne. Their eyes met and she quickly averted her gaze, lowering her head in a respectful bow.
"M… my pharaoh." She struggled. "I wish to speak with you." She heard footsteps approaching her and dared to look up. As she had feared, Yami was walking towards her. She braced herself. He stood before her and held her chin, lifting her face to meet his eyes.
"There's no need to be so formal with me Tea." He said. She nodded her head and shuffled uncomfortable on her feet.
"I have a surprise for you." He said, holding her hand and taking her with him. "Come see your throne." Her eyes widened as they fell upon a gold chair, decorated beautifully with jewels and gems. It was slightly smaller in size than Yami's chair but equally magnificent.
"Do you like it?" A whisper near her ear startled her and she nearly jumped. She hadn't noticed him come so close. "Well, do you?" He pressed.
"Yes. It is very beautiful." She said, struggling to not step away and place some distance between them. "Yami, I…" She began, but stopped. Now that she was here before him, she wasn't sure if she should do it. What if it only angered him to cause more trouble for Mokuba and Seto?
"What is it Tea?" Yami asked in a kind tone. She felt slightly encouraged.
"I… I don't have a personal attendant." She said which was true. She had declined the offer before because she didn't want anyone finding out about her and Seto. That clearly was not an issue anymore.
"I am aware of that." Yami said, his hand reaching out to brush her hair. "Do you have someone in mind?" She gulped and nodded, lowering her gaze before speaking.
"I… I want… Mokuba to be my attendant." She fearfully snuck a glance at him, expecting him to be angry at her request. He, however, only raised an eyebrow in response.
"You met the boy." He stated in a plain voice. She slowly nodded her head. He gazed at her for a few moments before turning his back and walking towards the throne. For the next couple of seconds, she stood frozen on her spot before quickly running up to catch up with him.
"My pharaoh." She spoke in a desperate tone. "He has done no wrong. He doesn't deserve to be punished." Yami kept walking. "Yami please." She begged. He stopped and turned around. She halted as well.
"I am willing to grant you your request, provided that you fulfill mine." Her heart beat immediately increased in warning. Yami's eyes glinted as he spoke. "I want you to spend tonight in my chambers." She let out a small gasp, eyes widening. Yami only smirked, having found her reaction adorable.
"You don't have to answer me right away." He assured her with an amused smile. "I want to give you time to think. For now, come and sit with me." He held her hand gently and led her to the throne. "I have been informed that you participated in court proceeding in Greece. I believe you'll be a valuable asset to Egypt as well." Mutely, she followed him. He waited for her to sit on her chair before he sat and faced forward.
"Shaada." He said in a commanding voice. "Bring forth the accused." Shaada nodded his head at two guards who went out and soon brought in a begging man. The guards ignored his pleas and dragged him to the center of the room, right before their throne chairs. The man fell on his knees.
"Please my lord, have mercy on me. Have mercy." Tea stared at Yami from the corner of her eyes. His face was hard, lips set in a thin line, eyes cold.
"You have been accused of stealing food from the kitchen. Do you accept or deny?" yami asked in a cold voice.
"I did no such thing my Pharaoh." The man said. "I would never do such a thing. I wouldn't even dream of doing such a thing. I would never--."
"Akim." Yami said in a bored tone, and a priest moved to stand before the rambling man. The man stopped speaking and stared at the intimidating priest in fear. Tea watched in wonder as the priest moved aside his flowing hair and revealed a gold eye she had seen on all millennium items. The eye glowed bright gold for a few seconds and then stopped. The priest turned to Yami.
"My pharaoh, he lies. He did commit thievery. After every royal meal, he snuck in the kitchen and stole the remaining royal food." Judging by the panic stricken look on the accused man's face, Akim was telling the truth.
"Please my pharaoh, forgive me." The accused man fell on the ground, forehead touching the floor. "I did not mean for it. I did not mean any harm. I am a loyal servant. I have been a loyal servant for years. Forgive my mistake. I beg you." Yami did not appear fazed by his desperate pleads.
"You, a lowly servant, stole royal food, meant for the members of the royal family only. You also denied your crime and lied. You now have two sins to your name. You will be punished."
"Please my pharaoh." The man begged. "Forgive me. You are kind, you have gracious, and you are our god. Be merciful. Be merciful."
"I am fair and just. Your punishment will reflect that." Yami said in a strict voice. "For stealing, your hands will be cut so that you can never commit such a sin again."
"Have mercy my lord." The man screamed. "Have mercy." His pleas fell on deaf ears and Yami continued in a loud voice.
"And for lying, your tongue will be cut." Tea gasped in horror at the cruel punishment. The man began screaming in desperation.
"Mercy my lord. Have mercy. Have mercy." Tea watched as two guards came and held the man's arms to keep him from escaping. While another guard approached him with an unsheathed sword. Tea turned to Yami.
"This is wrong. He did a small crime. Surely you can forgive him this time." Yami's expression didn't falter.
"People need to know that forgiveness will not be granted anymore." He sain in a strict voice. "No longer will I let people take advantage of my merciful nature. Every crime, no matter how big or small will be punished." He turned to meet her eyes, gaze as hard as rock. "I will no longer be mocked. I will not be known as a weak man and a weak pharaoh." Tea faintly knew what he was trying to say, and once again, she felt guilty. Her attention was drawn to the screaming, struggling man. She watched in horror as the guards forcefully stretched the accused man's arms forward, palms stretched out and facing up. Another came and forced his mouth open, pulling his tongue and keeping it there. The man writhed like a fish out of water. She couldn't watch. She made an attempt to get up and run, but Yami's firm grip on her wrist kept her seated. She turned to him with desperate eyes, begging him not to do it, or at least not make her watch it. But his eyes were fixed on the spectacle up front..
"You must watch this princess. Let this be my last warning to you." He said in a cold voice. Trembling, she turned her head and nearly screamed in horror when the guards swung their swords, one aiming for the tongue, the other aiming for the hands. And then there was blood. Blood and pained screams. The poor man screamed and cried in agone as blood oozed out of his mouth, dripping down his chin and on the floor, where a huge puddle had already formed from his bleeding wrists. Not being able to watch it any longer, she buried her face in Yami's shoulder, sobbing softly.
"Let this be a lesson to all." Yami spoke in a booming voice. "Treachery will not be tolerated."
She faintly heard the guards speak to the man and drag him out of the room, but she didn't have the courage to look. She wondered if this was all a show for her to be more cautious and obedient. After a few moments, she felt a comforting hand on her shoulder, moving in soothing circles.
"I think you need to rest now Tea." Yami whispered in a gentle tone. "I will call for a servant to take you to your chambers." She pulled away and slowly nodded her head. "I will also make arrangements for Mokuba to be sent to your room and assigned as your personal servant."
"Thank you." She whispered. He shook his head, dismissing her gratitude. A smirk appeared on his face as he spoke.
"You can thank me later when you come to my room tonight."
"Tea." Mokuba yelled before he threw himself at the princess, hugging her. She hugged him right back, nodding to the guards who had brought him to her room. They bowed deeply in respect and left the room.
"Thank you so much for doing this Tea." Mokuba said, pulling away to look at her. "But you didn't have to do it. I was fine." Tea smiled at the young boy. He was so much like his older brother, not just in looks, but in attitude and thinking as well.
"Tea." Mokuba said in a low voice, breaking her train of thoughts.
"Yes Mokuba." she replied.
"What did you have to do for Yami to let me go?" she looked genuinely surprised, but then again, he was Seto's brother. He was smart and knew Yami.
"I just had to ask him for a favor." She said with a fake smile. "That's all."
"If you don't want to tell me it's okay." Mokuba said, looking at the floor. Tea sighed at his sad expression.
"Mokuba, it was nothing compared to you." She assured him. He still looked guilty. "Mokuba, trust me, it's no big deal. Now stop looking so down. I asked the servants to bring your stuff and they have put it in the back room. You should sort through it and arrange it in the adjacent room. From now on, you'll be staying in my chambers." He smiled excitedly and hugged her again.
"Thank you so much Tea. I'll get to it right away and I'll show you all of my cool things. Just you wait." He got up, ready to run to his task when Tea quickly grabbed his hand to stop him.
"You'll have to show me everything tomorrow. It's late and you need to sleep. Tomorrow I'll help you set up your room. So go to sleep now and we'll talk tomorrow." Mokuba nodded his head.
"Okay. I'll see you tomorrow." Tea followed him to his room where a bed had been placed. She tucked him and kissed his forehead affectionately.
"Good night Mokuba." she whispered, closing the door and exiting before Mokuba could see her tears. She quickly wiped her eyes and adjusted her appearance before leaving for Yami's room.
Yami could barely contain his excitement. Tonight was the night. Tonight was the night he would claim her as his. He would show her a world of pleasure she would never forget. He would kiss her, touch her, please her, and make her scream his name over and over until she would forger who that bastard Seto was.
His blood boiled in jealousy when he thought about the two of them together. For how long had they been together? He didn't know. But it didn't matter anymore. Seto was gone, the only thing remaining of him was his memories, and Yami would work to erase those as well, starting tonight. He would make her forget Seto's touch and imprint his in her mind.
He would make her his.
He waited patiently. After pain staking moments of silence, a knock reached his ears.
"Come in." he said. The door opened and she came in, looking cautiously around the room. Yami stood up and walked towards her.
"Hello Tea. I'm glad you came." He said honestly. She slowly nodded her head, not taking her eyes off him. "Come forward Tea. I don't bite, not unless you want me to." He said with a handsome smile. She, too, smiled weakly in return and took hesitant steps towards him, until she was barely a foot away. "You look beautiful." Yami said, hand reaching out to hold her hand. "I have something for you." He went to his bed and brought her a nicely wrapped package, handing it to her. "Open it. You'll like it." She did as instructed and found herself holding a beautiful dress. She leftie it to take a better look. It was plain blue silk with organza.
"There is more in the box." Yami said softly. She placed the dress on a nearby chair and gasped at a beautiful gold necklace that shimmered inside the box. Beside it were matching earrings, bracelets, and a belt. She stared at them in wonderment.
"These are… beautiful." She whispered. A prominent smile appeared on Yami's face.
"Try them on." He said. "I want to see you in them." She shot him a hesitant look, but he gently held her arm and guided her to a change room.
"I'll wait here and I promise not to peek." He said with a twinkle in his eye. A half-hearted smile broke on her lips before she disappeared in the change room. Yami waited patiently for her to appear. He had personally purchased those items specifically for her. The blue had immediately reminded him of her eyes. He had to look hard to find the right shade, and he just hoped he had bought the right one.
A slight movement behind him caught his attention and he eagerly turned his head. It was even better than he had imagined, or he could have imagined. The dress clung to her body in the right places, highlighting her curves for his hungry eyes. Its low cut neck gave him a nice view of the necklace he had bought for her, her collarbone, and a peek of the supple curve of her breasts. The fabric was stretched across her breasts in a very elegant way. The gold belt he had purchased for her now adorned her petite waist as if it was made specifically for that purpose.
He raised his eyes to look at her face that carried a slight blush, probably from his attention.
"You look beautiful." He whispered. Her blush deepened slightly and she lowered her gaze, feet shuffling uncomfortably on the floor.
"You shouldn't have gotten all this for me." She said in a low voice. He shook his head to dismiss her saying.
"Come." He said, holding her hand and leading her towards his bed. "I have something else for you as well." She followed him like an obedient servant and he wasn't sure if he liked it or was irritated by it.
"Sit." He told her, motioning to the bed. She seemed unsure and hesitant by obliged and sat down. He turned and grabbed a small box from his nightstand before taking a seat beside her. He could feel her eyes on the tiny box. With a smirk, he opened it and took out a beautiful matching ring.
"We are to be wed soon and yet I haven't offered you a ring." Her eyes widened and he continued. "I plan to remedy that by giving you this." He held her hand and gently slipped the ring on her finger.
"This ring represents my bond with you, my right on you." He said meeting her gaze. "Now you're officially mine." Her eyes were wide, mouth parted slightly in shock. He smiled at her reaction and slowly leaned forward to kiss her finger that supported the ring. He skin felt amazingly soft. He moved p and gently kissed her wrist, her arm, her shoulder, her neck, her jaw, until he reached his final destination, her lips. He pulled back to look her in the eye before leaning forward and kissing her deeply. She did not kiss him back. He pulled back to stare at her still shocked face. She couldn't believe what was happening.
"Tea, are you not happy?" he asked. Her eyes snapped back to their normal state, though wider than normal, and focused on him.
"Well?" he pressed. She slowly nodded her head.
"Yes. I am happy."
"Good." He said before leaning forward to kiss her again. This time, she kissed him back shyly. Yami groaned in appreciation, his hands reaching up to brush the skin of her arms, slowly sliding up to touch her bare shoulders. She trembled under his touch.
This was the time.
Lips still connected, he gently pushed her on his bed. Then he pulled back to stare at her. Hair fanned on the pillow, cheeks hued pink, lips parted to draw in shaky breaths; she looked beautiful, like a goddess descended from heaven… just for him. For him and him only.
Desire overcame his senses. He hungrily kissed her again, tongue darting in her mouth to taste her sweetness.
Heavenly.
Leaving her lips, he kissed her jaw, sucking on her chin before suing his tongue to lick down her neck. He heard another gasp from her and knew he was doing it right. Quickly finding her pulse, he sucked it harshly, earning a loud gasp from her. His hands that were previously holding her waist slid up her curvaceous body to settle on her shoulders. Holding the straps, he slid the silky material off to reveal more of her creamy skin. His gaze fixed itself upon two protruding mounds covered in white bindings. With eager hands, he set to the task of removing them. Excitement coursed through his body and he hurriedly moved up to kiss her again. But this time, he tasted a slight saltiness. Pulling back, he noticed her moisture ridden closed eyes, and the tear trails on her cheeks.
"What's the matter princess? Do you not like what I am doing?" her eyes snapped open and she stared at him in fear. He continued.
"Or do you wish it was someone else lying above you, doing this to you?" she had nothing to say. With a grunt, he pulled away from her.
"Y… Yami?" she whispered in a stutter.
"What?" He let out an angry growl and turned away from her.
"I… I'm sorry." She said. His head snapped in her direction so fast she feared he may have broken it.
"Don't lie." He breathed venomously. "You're not sorry. But you will be." Fear crossed her face and she immediately sat up.
"No… I really am sorry." She neared him and wrapped her arms around him. "Please give me another chance." With a grunt, he threw her arms off him and roughly pushed her away, causing her to stumble back on the bed.
"You have had plenty of chances, but no more. I had hoped today's display would teach you a lesson, but I was wrong. I would have to use another approach."
"Yami, please--." She begged, but he cut her off.
"Leave." He didn't have to turn around to know she was crying. He could hear her sobs, and sliding of cloth as she dressed.
"Why are you doing this?" she whispered behind him. He turned to stare at her.
"Why are you being so cruel?" his eyes narrowed in anger and he took a menacing step towards her.
"Cruel?" he said in a loud voice. "I am being cruel? Treachery has occurred against me, by the ones I trusted the most. Yet the ones who committed the act live. The man who betrayed my trust, who mocked my authority, who undermined my rule, made me a fool before my people, a laughing stock lives because I spared his life in a kind act. And his accomplice, the woman who disgraced me before the whole palace, before my priests, before the gods, before my own eyes, walks free with her title, her honor, her reputation, and much more that I have graciously bestowed upon her. And you call me cruel?" he grabbed her shoulders and pulled her eye to eye. "Tell me, how am I cruel?" he mocked.
"TELL ME." He screamed at the top of his lungs in her face and she screamed in fear, sobbing loudly. Disgusted, he pushed her away. She stumbled and fell back on the bed, but quickly got up and ran out the door. Yami watched her disappear. When she was out of sight, he let out a deep breath and fell back on the bed.
He could have had her. He could have had her tonight. She had been submissive, obedient. Who cared if she felt sad? Who cared if she didn't want him? He should have claimed her to let her know she belonged to him. If not for her pleasure, he should have done
But then why hadn't he? What had stopped him?
Was it because he wanted to show her that he could be Seto, or that he could be better than Seto?
Or was it because he still cared for her? That he still cared for her happiness? And that no matter how much she hurt him, he couldn't hurt her?
Even after all this, he still loved her and wanted her to love him. And he knew if he had proceeded to touch her against her wishes, he would have imprinted a highly negative impression on her mind, not that it wasn't present already. But he didn't want to make it worse. He didn't want to force her. He didn't want to be known in her mind and heart as a rapist.
Red eyes watched the princess run blindly across the hall and into her room. He knew what had happened. He had witnessed it, enjoying it quite a lot. He had thought that pharaoh would have claimed her, but he had turned out to be surprisingly soft, or foolish as Bakura thought it. Had it been him, he would have shown the princess who was the boss. He didn't care about her emotions of feelings. She was royalty and he hated royalty, no matter whom. He wanted to kill all those with even a drop of royal blood and rid the world of their filth.
But he was willing to make an exception for the pretty and petite princess. She was a delicacy that he meant to enjoy. And soon he would. Eyes scanning the area, he carefully sneaked towards the exit. His mission was to gather some information about the situation at the palace. And he had been pleased to find the strongest of the priests and his least favorite, high Priest Seto, was in jail. The pharaoh was in a terrible state of mind, having lost two important and strong individuals he trusted. Now was the perfect time to attack. All he needed was a good plan.
Carefully moving within the shadows, he was stopped by an approaching voice.
"I can't believe I have to tend to that whore." It was a female, an angry female by the sound of it. He shrugged his shoulders and continued to move.
"She should be the one rotting in jail and not my Seto." His steps halted and he listened carefully, suspicion lingering in his mind. "Some honorable princess she is." The woman huffed and his suspicion was confirmed. She was talking about Tea. He stayed still, listening and watching. Soon the woman appeared. By her attire, she seemed a servant. She was small with long auburn hair and decent features.
"I hate her so much. I just wish she would die." The woman said in frustration.
"That can be arranged." He said, coming out of the shadows and appearing before her. The girl was startled and backed away from him.
"H… who are you?" she stuttered in fear, realizing he had heard everything she had said.
"That does not matter." He said carelessly. "All you need to know is that I can help you." Her eyes moved to the millennium ring around his neck and she gasped.
"You… you have Priest Mahado's ring.. You… you are Bakura." He smirked and in the blink of an eye, he was holding a knife to her throat.
"You are not as stupid as I gave you credit for." He said with a smirk.
"Why are you here? What do you want?"
"I am here to help you get what you want." He said slyly.
"What do you mean?" she pretended not to understand, but he could see the fear flicker in her eyes.
"Don't pretend little girl." He whispered in a deathly sweet tone, eyes twinkling. "I heard what you said. You want to get rid of the princess." Her eyes widened in fear, her heart beating wildly.
"N… no." she denied it and began struggling. "Let me go or I'll scream and the guards will come to get you." She threatened.
"I can do it for you." He whispered invitingly. "I can get rid of her if you want." Her struggling stopped and she watched him with unbelieving eyes. He knew he had caught her in his cage. All needed to do now was snap the door shut.
"And I can help you get your love… priest Seto." Her eyes widened so much he thought they would pop out.
"Y… you can?" he nodded his head, smirk never leaving his face. "How?"
"That is not your problem. I will do that for you… if you want."
"Yes. I want that." She said desperately and he chuckled. "Please do it."
"Of course I will do it." He said in an assuring tone. "Provided that you do something for me."
"I'll do anything." She said in a desperate tone and he smirked.
"Nothing much. Just a few small tasks that I will assign you. If you perform them acceptability, I assure you that you will get your wish."
"Few tasks?" she said uneasily.
"Yes. And in return you will have your Seto." He said. She looked away sadly.
"Even if you rescue him, he will not come to me. He will go to that whore." She spat in a venomous tone.
"I will make sure he comes to you." He assured her.
"How?" she asked, clearly not convinced.
"I have unlocked the magic of the millennium ring. I know of its mystical properties. With this ring, I can erase Seto's memories of the princess and replace them with yours." He said with a smirk. "The priest will think he loves you and has been in love with you for a long time. He will come to you, but only if you agree to do what I say."
"What about the princess?" she asked.
"I'll dispose of her." He said staring at the knife intently.
"I agree." She said with a huge smile. "I'll do anything to get Seto out of that prison. I'll do anything for him." he smirked in victory.
"Very well then girl. I will leave now and no one will hear or know of this meeting. I will come back soon to tell you of your task." He said and disappeared, leaving a shocked but happy girl behind.
Bakura laughed silently to himself as he fled from the palace. This trip had proved to be more useful than he had imagined. He now had an accomplice in his plan, a spy within the palace, and a scapegoat to take the blame should the plan not work so well. The poor girl had been so easy to trick, so gullible. All he had to do was make up some life about the millennium ring and she was eating out of his hands like a faithful pet. The millennium ring didn't do any of what he had told her. Memories were the forte of the millennium rod that once belonged to Seto and now resided with the pharaoh. But she didn't need to know that.
Also, he had no plans of disposing Tea. She was too precious to waste away like that. No. he would steal her from Yami and keep her for himself. He would enjoy the softness of her skin, the beauty of her body, the experience of her submission. He would truly enjoy that.
It won't be too long now. Soon he would kill Yami and Seto, destroy the palace, and claim Tea as his.
Soon.
Hope you liked the chapter. This story is near end. I will try my best to finish it by September. Review and let me know if you have any ideas about the ending.
So remember people...
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Thank you.