Disclaimer: Yu-Gi-Oh isn't mine. If it was, I'd be as rich as Seto Kaiba himself. (Well, probably not, but you get the idea…) And this fic is beta-read by Pamster. Thanks a lot to her for checking it and her advice.

Author's Note: This chapter has an unedited version that you can request from my email. I hope you're registered as an author. If not, let me know and leave your email address and I shall send it to you. And Zatken? I've tried sending them to your email address except it did not work. Naquda is a town associated with the worship of Set.

Summary: Defeated by Obelisk, Set wiles away the days in his estate, plotting how to tie Neith to him as Akunadin watches all this with a quiet eye.

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Chapter 22: Asking For A Hand

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A few weeks later, Set, Akunadin and Neith, as well as an entourage of servants, had returned to Set's estate in Naquda. This was the priestess's second visit to his hometown, though she had only remained enclosed in his estate the last time, and the young master of the household was watching his mentor as the old priest nodded his head in greeting and entered the library.

His mentor then seated himself on the throw cushions in front of him. He had already been informed of Atemu's impending nuptials and wished the young boy all the luck in the world. One certainly needed it when dealing with women.

"Where is your lady friend this morning?" Akunadin enquired of him, his left leg propped up by several cushions, his leaning stick lying nearby. "I would have thought that she would be joining us for breakfast."

"She's still asleep. I believe she's still famished from the journey."

Feeling weary, he nodded glumly as Akunadin reached forwards, plucking a peach from the bowl of fruit that lay between them. He had grown accustomed to being alone, but now he found that he desired to be as close to his lotus as possible; the longer the better.

"Are you thinking of her again?"

A weak smile graced his lips and he leaned back, resting both his elbows in the cushions for comfortable leverage.

"I am. I just want to show her the outside of this place. The last time she came here she didn't leave these four walls," he whispered, moving his left leg slightly. "It would be nice if I could show her more of the town where I was born, where I grew up."

His hands clasped together limply in his lap and his head bowed sadly again.

"Set, are you all right?"

He sighed as the sound of footsteps came up behind him. His head tipped back, and for the briefest of moments warmth shone in his eyes as he watched Neith approach him, her fist tiredly rubbing her eye. Akunadin had seen it and did not need to use his Sennen Eye to see Set's mood instantly brighten because of her presence.

"Morning, lotus. Did you sleep in?" he asked, all traces of sadness gone, quickly replaced by his usual mask of objectivity.

She nodded quietly in response and he patiently waited for her to take a seat beside him on his right. His mentor took a sip from his jar of wine and as he looked at his lotus he smiled. She was dressed for the day in a simple linen dress, necklaces dangling around her neck. Having her around to keep him company really had helped his constitution.

I'd rather have you attending me than some slave.

He stopped thinking and noticed that she was looking at him. Leaning over, he whispered something in her ear. She giggled, and he then kissed her on the cheek, just as Akunadin coughed.

"I think that I shall take my leave now and allow the two of you to be alone in each other's company," the old priest announced, rising from his seat. "I'm going out but shall return in several hours. Stay here or go for a walk if you want to, but I trust you to behave yourselves."

Thanks a lot, for everything, he thought, the old man's eyes knowingly catching his own.

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Just under an hour later they were outside, like Set had whispered into her ear. His mentor gone, they were taking a nice long walk down the back of the estate towards the riverside fields where the servants worked. The sun was high overhead and he smiled when he felt her right arm coil around his waist. They were walking slowly, allowing him to lean on her, his weight on her and using his uninjured right leg. It made a pleasant change to that walking stick he had been using, which Neith was holding in her left hand. His left arm was slung over her matching shoulder for balance as they walked down the path.

His fingers squeezed her shoulder. He hated being dependent like this, but needs dictated to him that he needed some form of help. And he would rather it be Neith, who would respect his privacy. He couldn't bear the thought of trying to regain his strength with anyone else. And Neith hadn't disappointed him; she was always there with a soft smile and an understanding loving touch.

"Do you mind if we sit down and rest around here somewhere? My leg's feeling tired and I need to rest."

He leaned against her, resting his head on the right-hand shoulder of the smaller woman. A sweet smile graced her lips and he thought about how they tasted and how much he wanted her right now. Oh how he loved to look at her; her head held high, proudly facing everyone who was unfortunate enough to earn her wrath. She truly was a woman worthy of his affections and he would not forget all her loving care all these weeks and those to come.

"No, not at all. But where are we going to sit?" She looked around and then up at him. "There's not a chair in sight."

He chuckled and made a sweep of his right arm.

"Look around you lotus. There's all the seating we could possibly need."

Lining the dusty path they walked were several green fields, the peasants who were hard at work not noticing his presence. Or perhaps they had but were too afraid to stop what they were doing and look in case his wrath fell upon them. As long as they did their job and observed the law he did not mind. Besides, news of his failed attempt to upset Atemu had not gone beyond the royal palace back in Waset. Respect. They gave tribute to him; gifts of fruit and breads were just a small sign of the status he held as the Hem Ntjr Tepey in the eyes of the common people. Respect was what he craved.

And I'll see to it that it will stay that way, he thought, handing Neith his white cape. She lay it down on the ground and then he allowed her to help him sit gently upon an inlay of dry land near a field. No one can be allowed to know.

She gingerly set his left leg out in front of him, making sure he was comfortable. He nodded, pleased with her efforts as she sat down beside him.

"It's a beautiful day, is it not?" she asked him.

If any of the workers were watching they were keeping quiet about it as she leaned against him, resting her head in the crook of his left shoulder. His arm wrapped around her and held her close to him. Everyone already knew about them, thanks to Mahaado and the swiftness with which rumour travelled. There was nothing faster than a juicy piece of gossip.

"Yes, I suppose it is," he replied quietly.

"Set, why didn't you inform me of your plans sooner? I could have helped you. It's my job to lend a hand to the man I love." She shifted and rested more comfortably against him. "You know, don't you, that you can always rely on me?"

He himself shifted, the fingers of his left hand playing with her hair.

"But I did not wish to get you involved. You're far too precious to risk losing. I just want to protect you. Is that so wrong?" he whispered, feeling her left hand run a path up his chest to cup his face.

"Not at all. It's very noble of you. I feel better, knowing that you're looking out for me." Her hand slowly began to rub his cheek in a most familiar and warming manner. "You know, it's my birthday soon, and that's put me in a very good mood. Perhaps I can help to take your mind off this bad leg of yours. I'll make it worth your while."

He chuckled again, removing her hand from his face with his own.

"Really? That wouldn't be too bad. But not in public, hmm? Let's go somewhere a little more private."

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"So then, my dear, what are you going to do to me this afternoon? What have you schemed inside that little head of yours?"

His cadence was deliberately slow, alluring yet with just enough suggestion of danger to appeal to her senses.

He had soon returned back to the room he shared with his lotus, quietly and eagerly anticipating just what they would do together. Now he found himself lying on his bed, looking up at the ceiling as she shuffled about nearby. She had been so caring towards him lately, and he did appreciate it, but he looked forward to the day his leg healed and he regained his independence. Although having a broken leg after facing Obelisk was a small price to pay to be able to say he stood up to the war god Atemu had been pushed into summoning.

That was another thing that got him. He was going to have to allow her to take the lead. He did not mind it so much, so long as he could keep her under his thumb. People had to be controlled, no matter how close to you they got. The law of Ma'at, of truth and balance, needed to be kept. He liked to be in control, to have others running around, attending to his every need. If he did not have it he felt vulnerable. He hated to display such helplessness in front of anyone, even Neith. Yet that did not mean that he hated everyone he knew. Some, like Neith and Akunadin, meant more to him then simply being a means to an end.

He idly leaned back into the throws and cushions that propped up his bed, feeling the sheets crush softly beneath him. He could feel her hand gently clasping his left foot, lifting his leg ever so carefully so as not to cause him any pain. She was so gentle sometimes. The digits drifted daintily against his skin, sending a shiver through his spine. His foot was then placed onto a cushion to stop it being jerked painfully once they actually began.

He gently stroked the soft head of light-brown hair once she had climbed onto the bed, lying sideways so she did not touch his leg, and rested her head in his lap. She was breathing softly, the light-brown strands slipping over, through and between his fingers.

"I don't know, my Lord. After all that business with Per A'a, you look stressed. What do you want me to do?" she murmured in reply, batting her perfectly kohl-lined eyes.

He smiled as she closed her eyes, peacefully resting her head against him as he continued to stroke her hair. He then felt her hand brush gently up the inside of his leg, his kilt being pulled up alongside it.

"Neith, don't you dare reverse the question back onto me. Though I do appreciate your thoughtfulness," he told her, pressing her head closer to his lap.

He then leant down and softly kissed her head, still stroking her hair, entwining the strands with his fingers as she turned and smiled up at him.

"I'm sure you do. Why don't you show me what you want me to do to you? What is it my lord desires of me?" he heard the young woman murmur.

His inner-self felt smugly pleased by this generous offer as he realised that he now truly had a worthwhile partner, one who had offered him her loyalty and her heart. Such a thing was rare and deserved to be rewarded and revered. Gently, he rested his right hand on the side of her face, her skin warm to the touch. She was such a lovely young woman, the same age as him.

Finally, he had someone who was worthy of his time, sharp of mind and was someone whom he honestly felt he could grow older with.

"I know of one thing that you can do for me, my lotus," he told her, murmuring softly. "Please, show me your love."

He gently turned her head into his lap as he leaned back and smiled contentedly, feeling her hand rise even higher. She then rose out of his lap, his hand still clenching at her hair as he gently leaned into her kiss. She was such a treasure, something to be kept safe and valued like silver. He was so grateful for her support at a time when everyone but his mentor was pretty much against him.

He continued to stroke her hair and could have sworn that there was something he had to do today, like planning her birthday. Damn.

The thought totally vacated his mind when he felt her begin to kiss his neck, fervent warmth flowing through his veins.

Looking at her lovingly, a lingering smile graced his lips as he pulled at the fastenings of her necklaces. They easily came apart in his hands and he carefully placed them on the floor to his left side. She tasted so sweet and he wondered, as he always did, what it would feel like for this particular moment in time. He slowly ran his hands up the bodice of her dress and cupped the back of her head, keeping her close to him as they continued the kiss. What a sweet-tasting flower she was.

Never mind that; it can wait.

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Simultaneously, Akunadin had returned early to the estate, his business with the Temple of Set in the town below finished earlier than he had expected. His son, who was the High Priest of said Netjer as well as the Per A'a, was too much in need of recuperation to attend to temple duties so he had gone in his place. Tributes and taxes from the populace had been taken and recorded; the morning rites had been seen to and now he was in need of some time to himself.

He smiled contentedly, feeling self-satisfied by the fact his son, who was now a fine young man, had found himself a suitable woman. His instincts, which had served him well, told him that she was suitable not only for his son but also for the plans he had for the two of them. When his son took the throne would he not need a queen? Set liked her and she liked him, and he himself found her to be a pleasant young woman.

Everyone shall be happy. Marvellous work, if I do say so myself.

His fingers linked together in front of him as he walked along the balcony that connected Set's room to his own. He had heard tell that his son and his woman had gone for a walk, and he needed something from inside Set's room. He was sure the young man would not mind if he borrowed several papyri.

He was almost within reach of the veil that cut off his son's room from the balcony when he heard a breathless echo.

"Hem Ntjr… that's wonderful!"

He could not help but peer through the window to his right. Except what he saw made him turn his head away in embarrassment, ashamed that he had caught his son engaging in one of his more pleasurable activities with that woman of his. It echoed in his mind as he quickly turned on his heel and walked back the way he had came. The scrolls could definitely wait.

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Later, Set was gazing at Akunadin across the table at the far end of his library, which he had retreated to in the evening to catch up on what was happening in the temple of the God he served. He looked at this man curiously, puzzled by his mentor's strange look, and his eyes narrowed defensively.

"What do you mean; 'there's no need for me to get mad'? My leg is bandaged up like one of the deceased, I am being kept in my hometown under your lock and key and most of all I'm…! Forget it; it's personal," he snarled, an angry tone in his voice.

Akunadin smirked at him, quietly amused.

"You know, you could always ride her. Where's the harm in that? You never know, you might enjoy it…"

"I can't – What did you say?" he exclaimed, shocked by his mentor's words. Why did he suddenly say something like that? "What do you mean by that? I can't let her get that sort of control. Once a woman starts taking control in the bedroom she'll use it to lever power throughout the rest of the relationship. It's a tried and tested fact."

He fell back in the chair, glancing at the old priest.

"Exactly what I said; I'm no fool. Besides, just because she's on top doesn't mean that you're out of control. Can't you direct what she does? Directing and manipulating are things you are good at, boy. Use them to your advantage. Besides, I've seen that you're thinking about binding her to you in a more lasting and formal way. A contract would be a good idea."

He closed his eyes and rested his hand in his head, amused. Akunadin pushed back his chair, rose from the table and took his leave. His mentor, as always, was right. A contract was a good idea. He had been thinking about it for a while now but did not know how to ask the woman he intended to take as his own. Perhaps on her birthday, when the time was right…

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