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.

Summary: After Bakura's attack, Set and Neith spend some time in his chambers. He remembers the day he was told he was to be a father as Akunadin later pays Neith a visit later without Set. What is the old man up to?

--

Chapter 27: Machinations

--

Set frowned as he removed his blue crown, placing it to the side. The woman he had resting between his legs was indeed a pretty sight. A most arresting sight, his lotus was. Especially when they were so intimately at ease like this. He felt so relaxed, which was something that did not happen often. It had taken him a long time to calm her down, but eventually he had succeeded, no thanks to that Thief. To think that she had been threatened in such a manner made him angry. He would have to punish the guard who had left her on her own and then make sure she was never on her own again.

Neith breathed slowly, contentedly closing her eyes and resting her hands on her belly as Set ran his fingers through her hair. She may not be able to see his face but she could feel his hands. They were running furrows through her hair, making her feel soothed and at ease.

Perhaps the little one would feel it too. Such times like this were rare; he usually held himself back. If she had wanted to break the silence, she would have given him her gratitude.

Although he had been angry with her at first, he had also been relieved she was ok. He had made her promise to never do such a thing again. She had not known what he was thinking about, that she had disobeyed him, but she knew that she had learned her lesson. Now she knew exactly why he felt as if he needed power to protect her.

Sighing peacefully, she felt his fingers brush her face, moving onto her lips. They were so beautiful and exquisite, yet so cold and impersonal. What exactly it was that attracted her to him she could not put into words.

He's who he wants to be; that's all there is to it.

"Open wide. I have a treat for you, my dear. Something special to soothe my poor lotus," she heard him tell her.

One of his hands crept towards her shoulder and squeezed it gently. He was gently nudging her mouth open, and she then felt a grape being dropped inside. She sucked on it gently, eventually biting through the sweet flesh and swallowing the remains.

"You're such a thoughtful man," she said, jokily, as she opened her eyes.

She accepted another grape, staring at the brick wall as she smiled. She was dozily aware of his hand slipping from her shoulder and trailing across her chest, making circles on her dress. Why did she feel so close to him? She was prepared to give him everything, so much more than she ever would for the young Per A'a.

Set watched her as he fed her another grape, his fingers lightly touching her lips as she rubbed his right leg with her dainty hand. She was calmly rubbing him through his long white kilt, her head tipping to one side as he decided to repay the favour.

"Why, thank you for the compliment. You're such an intelligent young woman. A real treasure," he murmured.

He continued to stroke her hair slowly, his mind troubled. What if she had died? What if the baby had died along with her? What would have happened then? He would have been left on his own again. His mother had left him, having died of a broken heart after Father had died in battle. That loneliness gave him succour, but now that he had someone special once again he would not let it go without a fight.

Neith could feel his worry. He seemed so quiet, more so than usual. It made the relaxed atmosphere tenser. And why, to her, did he seem so far away?

"Set, are you feeling alright?" she asked.

She was no longer rubbing his leg in case he was upset about something she had said or done. Ignoring his quietness, she turned onto her side and curled up peacefully, luxuriating in the sensation as she felt his arms curl around her. His fingers were playing with her hair, and she nestled her head in his lap as he mumbled quietly to himself.

"That stupid Mahaado. How could he be so utterly incompetent? I told Atemu this would happen, and that Mahaado should be punished, but did our so-called Per A'a listen to me? No, of course he didn't. He's Per A'a, after all," she heard her husband grumble.

He was going on about the events of several hours ago when Bakura had dumped the body of Atemu's father before the eyes of the new Pharaoh and his priests. She could not believe he was all right, especially after what he had told her about Bakura. She then gently brushed his leg in an affectionately soothing manner.

"Then why don't you try to change it? Make him listen to you," she replied.

She had only offered her opinion, but Set stopped stroking her hair.

"Perhaps I shall, " she heard him murmur, her eyes falling shut.

His arms clutched her close to him as she fell asleep.

"You know, lotus, I remember another time when we were like this."

--

Four months ago…

Waking up with a small yawn, he looked down at who lay beside him in the bed. Neith was sleeping peacefully beneath the covers, her back turned to him. A funny sound was coming from her, a cross between a yawn and a snore. Almost three years had passed since he had taken her into his household, and she had yet to give him the child they had been trying for.

Maybe the Netjer were testing his resolve, but it had been a while. If he did not know any better, he would have sworn that Isis had gotten it wrong.

Not that I'd be bothered by not having a snivelling, bawling brat crying for my attention, but it wouldn't be all bad, having a boy, he thought, a wistful smile on his face.

Neith appeared somewhat apathetic as she stretched and yawned. He rested a hand on her shoulder, turning her onto her back.

"Is something wrong?"

She scoffed and turned back onto her side, resting her hands beneath her head.

"Don't be ridiculous." She sounded annoyed as he sidled up behind her, running his hands over her shoulders. "You check up on me so often that it's hard for me to do anything without an armed escort."

There was a small murmur as he draped his arms over her, his head coming to rest on her shoulder. She felt so tense, as if something was on her mind. He did not know what she was thinking, as he did not have the Sennen Eye, but perhaps he could do something to alleviate that.

"You know, I wouldn't mind a little boy running around. I could train him to kick that idiot Mahaa in the shins." He then nuzzled her neck, smiling wickedly at the thought of his little boy kicking that oaf. "What do you say to us getting down to making one right now?"

He then pulled her onto him and rolled over onto his back, a smile on his face as he then ran a hand down her back.

Perhaps it won't be so bad.

"Set, please! I'm not in the mood!" She clambered off him and retook her old position, crossing her arms protectively over her chest. "Please, just let me sleep."

A dark look appeared on his face as he pulled back the covers. He cast a snide look at her and then rose from the bed. Soon he was getting himself ready for the day, inwardly fuming at her rejection of his advances.

"You're never in the mood these days. You would do well to remember it's your duty to do well via your husband." He pulled the golden ankh he wore on over his head and then stormed over to the door. "Try and remember that for when I come back."

The door slammed behind him, and Neith quietly whispered to herself.

"I can't be pregnant, can I?"

--

Later the next morning, after the attack of the thief, Set found himself walking through the palace corridors with his mentor. It had taken him a long time to calm her down, but eventually Neith had fallen asleep. Whether this was from his hopefully soothing words or sheer exhaustion he did not know, but he was grateful all the same.

He continued to walk through the corridors, which led down to the secret underground chamber below the palace, and as he thought about what he would do he grew ever more excited. After three long years, the Ka of those enemy spies he had caught were ready to be harvested. Of course, they would have to be disposed of once the deed had been done. He could not have them telling Atemu what he had done. There could be no forgiveness for those who had threatened the country.

"I would strongly advise you against such action, Set. There is no need for you to stain your hands with their blood," Akunadin told him, glancing at him as they walked on. "Don't stain your soul."

"They are only getting what they deserve," he spat. "Besides, I have more pressing concerns that occupy my time."

"Ah yes. How is she this morning? And the child?"

He walked ahead of his mentor and came to a stop. Akunadin walked up to him and continued to watch him, troubling thoughts of what she must have gone through flickering through his mind. From what he had been told, he had gathered that she had been scared out of her mind. At least they were both fine, Neith and the child. He then turned looked straight at his mentor and the Sennen Eye.

"I believe that answers your question?"

Hurriedly walking away, he did not see the thoughtful look on Akunadin's face as the old man walked behind him, considering his son's future. Now that his boy was a father-to-be, he was even more determined to see that Set would get what was rightfully his. But was such a thing right? His son deserved the throne; that was for sure. But could there not be another way besides brute force?

He'll have an heir soon, someone to continue the family bloodline, but what if something happens before then? he thought, watching Set as he walked on ahead. But what's all this buying support at court for, hmm? Are you finally planning something, my boy?

"Sir, what do you think of yesterday's events?"

"Bakura?" He looked at his son, struggling with his own conscience, feeling the weight of deeds long past that stained his own soul blacker then the darkest night. "Why do you ask? Does something worry you?"

Bowing his head, his son turned to face him.

"I worry that the Ka of the Veju shrine lack the strength to fight his Diabound. I've never seen a Ka like it before."

"His Ka is strong because of hatred," he told Set, keeping the why to himself.

I thought I'd killed them all. Is this survivor a punishment for my deeds?

"Are you all right, Sir?"

He kept his fears to himself and bowed his head in agreement. Set was quietly standing on his own up ahead, a dark air about him. From what he saw, it had him worried. His son could all too easily forget his lessons on mercy and forget his ethics in order to find power with which to protect, only to become seduced by its irresistible allure, just like he had been all those years ago when he had created the Sennen Items.

Not that you'd mind, eh? You want him on the throne, and you'll do anything to make sure you'll live to see him there.

"Set, what are you planning?"

"I have developed a way to deal with that Bakura. I'll teach him what it means to mess with me." He went wide-eyed as Set turned to face him, a zealous gleam in his eyes. "I shall go down amongst the villagers and see what Ka they have to offer me. Then I'll bring them back here and develop them into the perfect weapons. I'll make them fear and hate me, strengthening their Ka a hundredfold!"

He then walked off, not hearing his silent pleas.

Son, don't you remember what I taught you? Don't make my mistakes. Don't take the path I did all those years ago.

He watched his son disappear, heading down the secret passage that led to the underground pit. He knew what Set would do to those villagers unfortunate enough to catch his attention. They would be tortured, pitted against one another, deprived of sleep, anything to increase their abhorrence of his son and make their Ka grow more powerful.

But why should I care? What are their lives compared to that of my son? Let them suffer; he shall thank me in time, once he becomes king.

Breathing heavily, he wheezed painfully as he leant against the wall, needing support. Set was taking the same path he had, and he could do nothing to stop him, unless he approached it from a different angle.

--

Neith gazed at herself in the hand mirror, the image of a tired young woman staring back at her. Allowing her attendant to brush her hair, she sighed wearily. Never had she thought it possible, but she was slowly turning into the version of herself she had seen in Isis's vision. And she felt sad about it.

I know I'm having this child, and I know it'll be a boy. At least Set'll be happy. A male child is everything.

"Are you all right, mistress?"

"Yes. Now please, just leave me be."

Her female attendant left the room upon her order, and as she left Akunadin entered, surprising her.

What is he doing here?

The old priest had a questioning gaze, and he was unaccompanied, strangely, by her husband. Why had he come on his own? Was it something to do with Set? Akunadin was an extraordinarily wise man, so why was her approaching her? She looked up at him from the chair, lowering her hand mirror.

"Lord Akunadin, can I help you?" she asked him. "If you're looking for Set he isn't here. Oh, where are my manners? Please, sit down."

She rose from the chair, offering it to him, but he shook his head.

"A lady in your delicate condition needs it more than I. I just need to talk to you about your husband." She re-seated herself in the chair, feeling lethargic, and she felt him looking down at her.

"Neith, have you recently noticed a change in his behaviour? I have, and it has me worried."

She understood what he was talking about and nodded.

"Only some subtle ones. He seems even more intent now on getting power to keep me safe than he ever has before. I know power is important to him, the need to feel strong and to be in control, but lately…"

"I know. Would it be unfair of me to ask you if you could perhaps have a word with him? He might listen to you. I'm afraid that sometimes he ignores my advice. He's always been a something of a firebrand."

She laughed, shaking her head.

"No disrespect, Lord Akunadin, but surely you know as well as I that such a thing is impossible. If you, his father figure for the last ten years, can't get through to him, than what hope is there for me? I'm just his wife. He'd only tell me to keep my nose out of his affairs. He's a very headstrong individual."

She then felt her baby move within her, the unusually strong kick causing her to wince. It was such a strange feeling to get used to. To think that such a thing had been born from love. She had felt so close to Set that night that she felt as if they were one and the same person.

"Neith, are you alright?"

"Yes, thank you. He kicked, but it's nothing to worry about." She smiled at the old priest, her hands resting on her swollen belly. "I think he might have a warrior's Ka."

She failed to see the gleam in the old priest's eyes as he moved over and helped her up from the chair. His arm supported her around his waist. He truly was like his prized student, cold but thoughtful to those who he thought deserved it. She guessed Set had picked up some of his mentor's mannerisms over the years they had spent together.

"Well, that's good. At least it shows he's strong. Much like his father, if I'm not mistaken. What do you say to me getting you something to eat? It will build your strength up, and keep the child healthy."

He then led her out of the room, a sly look on his face. It served to be nice to her. She was carrying his son's heir, after all. She would prove useful, should his son need persuading in elevating his hatred for Atemu. She would suit his plans to get his son on the throne to a tee.

Yes, she'll serve me well.

--