Title: Tears of the Phoenix part 4
Author: Sorceress Fantasia
Pairings: S/Y, eventual YYxY, SxJ and maybe some others
Warnings: Angst, romance, sap, some OOC-ness, probably some historical incorrectness
Disclaimer: If my desire to own YGO were proportionate to the size of the world's deserts, there would have been at least two more Sahara Deserts. Since that has not happened, I must say that I do not own YGO and any of its characters.
Something was irritating his eyes, and Yugi tried to bat it away with a weary hand. He sighed blissfully when he was left alone again, snuggling deeper into his headrest. Then without warning, his blanket was tugged away lightly and Yugi protested with a whine. When his blanket was released, he quickly pulled it closer to his body. He sighed happily again, not aware of a light chuckle in the room.
Then, Yugi felt a caress that was expertly disguised as a simple nudge on his shoulders, and someone whispered, "Yugi, it's time to wake up."
"...Becca, one more minute..." he slurred, barrowing deeper into his comfortable bed.
Just when Yugi thought he had finally gotten his good friend to give up on waking him up for their morning chores, he felt a body loom over his, and a sloppy kiss was planted on his left cheek. When Yugi only asked to be left alone with a soft mumble, another kiss was planted below his ear. Before he could respond to that, she was blowing softly into his ear, almost flirtingly so. When did Rebecca get so playful anyway?
Finally, Yugi gave up.
"Fine, fine, I'm up. Stop that, Rebecca," he mumbled, slowly getting up when she crawled off of his body. Yawning loudly and stretching his body, Yugi could barely register that the sun was already up, and probably had for quite a while already. Vaguely, he wondered what he would have to do in order to persuade Rebecca to give him his breakfast; she always saved him a bit of food when he got up too late, but as a bit of punishment, Yugi usually had to help her do a few chores before she would hand the food over. Initially, she claimed that it would help Yugi learn to wake up in the morning, but it later became some sort of game between them when she finally realized that Yugi would never, ever be a morning person.
He rubbed his eyes wearily, and he had to blink a couple of times before they focused enough to let him see clearly. When they did, Yugi felt his jaws drop.
Instead of where Rebecca was supposed to be, arms akimbo with a smug expression, there was Yami – no, the pharaoh! – sitting on the edge of his bed, with the most amused expression Yugi had ever seen. Suddenly, a wave of revelation washed over him and he nearly fell over. The pharaoh – not Rebecca! – had been the one trying to wake him up for the past few minutes! He was so going to be executed. He could just hear the other servants whispering amongst themselves.
"Did you hear about that idiotic servant who continued lazing in bed after the pharaoh was awake? And the pharaoh even had to wake him up!"
"Oh yes. I've never heard of such a stupid person!"
"Me neither."
And all three servants sighed dramatically together, thanking the pharaoh for ridding the world of another idiot.
Hastily, Yugi tried to get onto his knees on the ground, but with his usual clumsiness, his foot got tangled up with the blanket and nearly fell off instead. Luckily, Yami was there to catch him and put him back onto the bed. Even so, Yugi could not stop himself from sputtering his apologies and pay his respects to the mighty pharaoh.
He stopped only when Yami's warm finger were pressed against his lips.
"Yugi, I thought we got over the pharaoh thing last night! I'm Yami to you, not 'your majesty' or whatever!" Yami barked, his eyebrows knitted together in a deep frown.
Yugi winced.
"I... I'm sorry, Yami. I just..."
"No, no, hikari. I'm sorry for snapping at you. I should have known that it's impossible for you to get used to my other identity overnight," he sighed. "But Yugi, I want you to understand that you're my friend, no matter who I am. So whether I'm wearing my pharaoh garb or my servant ones, it doesn't matter to you. I'm still Yami."
He spoke with such sincerity that Yugi found it difficult to refuse him. Slowly, he nodded.
"I know, Yami... It's just that my mind hasn't made that adjustment yet. Please give me some time," he pleaded, batting his puppy eyes that he could always count on to tug people's heart strings. Then, sheepishly, he added, "Besides, I just woke up."
The combined forces of the puppy eyes and sheepish tone made Yami chuckle, all traces of anger seeping out of his previously tensed body in a split second. Shaking his head, he pinched Yugi's cheeks in amusement.
"Speaking of that, do you have any idea how hard it is to wake you up? I've tried everything I could, and I was almost ready to pounce on you!"
Deciding that Yami wanted him to act normally instead of revering him and putting him on the highest pedestal, Yugi stuck out his tongue good-naturedly and batted Yami's hands away from his face.
"It's a good thing you didn't then. I might have punched you! No matter what you think, pouncing scares people!" he yelled in mock anger, but any hints of anger were instantly dispelled by his rambunctious laughter.
The playful atmosphere was shattered though, the moment Yami pulled him closer and whispered in his ear, "But you wouldn't wake up."
Yugi shivered at the whisper of wind into his ear, and he knew it wasn't because it was chilly. It was the tone Yami had spoken with, something that Yugi recognized immediately from his years on the streets: flirtation and desire, mixed with a bit of lust. But it was so subdued Yugi almost thought he had imagined it. Did that mean that...? Had Yami kissed him, whispered in his ears and caressed him earlier? Or was that all just a dream?
No, it was all real, Yugi was sure. He could still feel the warmth on his cheeks, and the tingly shivers on his shoulders. Yami had done all that, and maybe more while he was fast asleep.
At that, Yugi felt a rush of pride and also embarrassment. Pride because the pharaoh liked him enough to do all those things to him, and embarrassment because of the same reasons. He was just a servant, hardly worthy of any affection from the pharaoh of all people. More importantly, he already had Seto.
His embarrassment overcame his surge of pride, and Yugi quickly ducked his head, choosing to peer at Yami through his jagged bangs and a change in topic.
"Yami? How come you're already fully dressed? I mean... Aren't I supposed to help you with your clothes?"
"Hmm? Oh, right, you are supposed to, but you looked too tired so I decided to let you sleep a bit more. I didn't expect you to wake up early this morning, really, since you must have had a big shock last night," –he shrugged- "So I got someone else to help dress me. I did tell you about assigning a servant to work under you, didn't I?"
Yugi blinked. Indeed, Yami had said that somewhat offhandedly last night, but Yugi didn't think he really meant it. After all, someone who did no work in a house was only wasting food and space. That was something that monster of a man – for lack of a better description- had drilled into his head after years and years of repeating it in his face. Yugi's face hardened.
"I'm sorry, Yami. I promise that I'll be up tomorrow to help you," he said.
Yami seemed to understand his need to do something –it was probably reflected in his eyes, Yugi thought- and he nodded.
"You will help me, but take as long as you need to get used to your new life. I imagine you usually don't wake up this early in the east wing," he teased gently. "Becca, one more minute?"
The young servant blushed.
"Just curiosity speaking here, but who's Becca?" Yami asked, looking at him intently.
"My friend in the east wing. She used to wake me up every morning..." –he gasped- "Yami, she must be worried sick about me! Can I visit her or something to let her know I'm fine?"
Yami cocked an eyebrow.
"Worried? Why would she be worried? She must know that you're with me, the pharaoh! Why would it worry her?"
Yugi gulped inwardly. He had a sneaking suspicion that Yami wouldn't like the truth very much. Uh huh, not at all. Perhaps he would get angry enough to throw him into the dungeons or have him punished accordingly. But he didn't like the idea of lying to his friends, least of all the pharaoh, the ruler of this mighty kingdom! Slowly, he started.
"Well... Rebecca lost her family before becoming a servant here. So she's worried for me; she doesn't want to lose anyone else..." he paused, unsure of how much to say. But one look at Yami's confused expression, and he knew he had to continue. He added, "And we weren't sure how... you would react to me. Nobles aren't... exactly known for their kindness."
He knew that well from experience. Friends who had run away from their masters' cruelty, who had gotten beat up for looking at a noble girl, who lost both their arms for stealing an apple from a rich man's kitchen... He only knew their heartlessness, and none of their benevolence. But all those were in the past. Yugi was already in the palace, living peacefully under the watchful eyes of his friends and Seto. And now, he had Yami. He was safe.
Shaking off those depressing thoughts, Yugi continued, "And I'm not really the most graceful person around... We were worried that I would break a vase or something."
He grinned nervously, waiting for the laughter that was sure to come. Surely, Yami would tease him for being paranoid, and agree with his assessment of just how graceful he was. But it never came.
Instead, when he looked up, he saw Yami gazing at him with an unreadable expression. Before he could do anything or ask any questions, however, a string of knocks on the door effectively cut through the tension in the air and Yami headed for the door.
Yugi sighed in relief. There was something... something in the way Yami had looked at him. It made his body tingle and his heart beat faster. If he had a mirror, there was no doubt that he would see himself blushing. But he could think of no explanation for why he was reacting this way. It wasn't the first time he had seen such an expression from Yami. The older man always became subdued and even upset after Yugi told him stories of street children, though he had never revealed if those were from his personal experiences. Most of them weren't, for Yugi found it considerably easier to wriggle out of trouble and danger than most of his companions on the street.
But Yami had never looked this... unreadable before.
Then, Yugi perked up at the smell of food. He looked towards the door, where servants were bustling in with trays of steaming food and sweet wine, and he gaped. He had never seen this much food at one go before! Who was going to eat all that?
Just as he was gaping at the servants setting up a make-shift table and laying out the food, Yami got back to his side.
"Yugi, you should get dressed and eat some breakfast. After that, we'll have to go to court."
"Court? Me?"
To say he was a rabbit staring into the sharp edge of an arrow was an understatement.
Luckily, Yami's gloominess seemed to have dissipated, and he smiled gently.
"It shouldn't be as boring since you're going to be there with me. And I'll have to announce your new status to my subjects, so you have to be there today. If you get really bored, then I promise you don't have to go tomorrow. But no matter, Yugi, get dressed!" he exclaimed, pulling Yugi out of bed and to his wardrobe.
It was actually just a normal-looking chest in a corner of his room, but the amount of clothes it contained was astonishing to Yugi. He rummaged through them, silently hoping for a little advice on what one wore to court and maybe some help on choosing a set of clean clothes. But Yami apparently wasn't going to help; he was still waiting patiently beside him.
Then, someone spoke up.
"Your majesty, if I may help?"
Yugi looked up to his side, where a boy was bowing respectfully to the pharaoh.
"Granted. Pick a set of clothes that would look good on Yugi, but make sure it's formal enough. He's going to court with me, and he needs to give everyone a good first impression."
The boy quickly got to his task, and Yugi backed away to get a good look at him. He was probably fifteen summers, with dirty white hair framing warm brown eyes and a set of handsome features. But though he looked frail and perhaps even a little weak, Yugi could detect the slightest hints of a tough spirit within that body. Yugi quickly found himself sympathizing with the other boy; his white hair must have given him much trouble. After all, apart from old age, people usually associated white hair with consorting with evil spirits (1). It was unnatural, they said. But at least, his hair wasn't really all white; it was a little brown and yellow, though Yugi couldn't tell if that was natural or an intentional change in hair colour.
It seemed that the other boy wasn't new to his job, for he quickly pulled out a set of appropriate clothing and shut the lid to the chest. Placing the folded clothes respectfully in both hands, he held it up for Yugi.
"Thank... Thank you..." Yugi stammered uneasily as he reached out for the clothes.
"This is the servant I was telling you about, Yugi. He'll be performing most of your duties from now on," Yami said, and then he turned to the other. "Introduce yourself, slave."
The boy nodded obediently, like he was used to such names.
"My name is Ryou, your majesty."
Yugi was almost alarmed by how submissive the other servant was. Was servants trained to be like that in the north wing? Trained to obey all instructions like a docile lamb for the slaughter? He suppressed a shiver that threatened to travel down his spine. Hastily, he put on a wide smile.
"Hello Ryou. I'm Yugi."
Instead of answering immediately, Ryou took a quick glance at the pharaoh, his head turning just a fraction of an inch as though he was afraid of looking. When he finally deemed it safe, he answered with a smile of his own, "Hello Yugi, it's a pleasure to meet you. I will be working under your care from now on, so please, if you have anything I can help, just order me to do so."
His voice was not as dispassionate as it had been earlier, but there was still a tinge of insincerity lacing his every word, almost like the boy had already been desensitize. Ryou did not act as though he didn't want to be there in the room, but he did nothing to show he wanted to either. So when Yami waved him off for some other chores, he simply bowed deeply and left the room, just as all the other servants who laid the table had.
Somehow, Yugi was starting to question his decision to stay in the north wing.
It was just normal breakfast fare that consisted of a few loaves of bread and bowls of fruit, but Yugi acted like it was a feast. Although the young boy did not grab the food or gobble, it was easily apparent that he was enjoying the food and drink from the small sounds of satisfaction he was making. Or the wide eyed look he had when he first laid eyes on the table. Or the way he kept glancing his way to make sure it was okay to eat that much.
It was utterly cute and awfully endearing, Yami thought.
As he tore off pieces of the bread and dipped them in honey, Yami couldn't help but notice that the honey was particularly sweet today. However, he knew it wasn't because of any extra effort put in by his servants. The image of Yugi eating daintily and licking the excess honey off his slender fingers was what made everything taste especially tasty. Yami licked his lips.
Just last night, a skimpily dressed Yugi had visited his dreams, and the naughty minx had invited –no, begged- him to unclothe him. While Yami could no longer remember the details, he was sure that had been one of the most erotic experiences he had ever had. And when he forced his mind to recall just some of the juicier moments, all he remembered was a little sweet honey, a moaning Yugi, and a lot of fondling.
Pretty much like now, sans the fondling.
Yami wondered if Yugi knew what he was doing to him just by moaning at the taste of honey, or by closing his beautiful eyes and making those satisfied little sounds, or opening his amethyst pools to mere slits as he licked his fingers clean.
Maybe he did. Maybe Yugi was seducing him. It did seem plausible after a while, since Yugi had not stopped his actions for even a moment. And no one had ever rejected the pharaoh's warm bed and embrace. In fact, he had a whole harem falling at his feet, begging for that opportunity. So maybe Yugi was doing the same? Maybe Yugi wanted him as much as he wanted him? And maybe he was just waiting for Yami to take the first step.
His lust nearly overflowed at that thought, and it took all his self-control to rein in those treacherous emotions.
But Yugi was making it so, so hard to keep his hands to himself!
And the problem was if Yugi even wanted him to stay away?
Yami forced himself to look at the bread he was eating instead. For a moment, he tore pieces off with a ferocity that surprised even himself. As he sulked and tried to calm himself down lest Yugi got jumpy, he began to reconsider the situation.
Yugi feared nobility. No doubt there was a good reason behind it. A personal experience, perhaps. That was a likely explanation, since Yugi had lived on the streets before, and after so many stories and tales, Yami had little doubt as to how chaotic that was. Worse still, the chaos existed within the order that he, the pharaoh, put forth, and within the chaos where he had little power over, there was order. It was a type of order very different from what he was used to, however. Yami had long heard of his subjects whispering amongst themselves about how people got together and formed some sort of criminal gangs. There was even one gang, he heard, that specialized in kidnapping children and selling them off as slaves.
The court did as well as they could to prevent such heinous crimes, but there was a limit as to how much they could do.
Perhaps Yugi had been one of those whom he had failed to protect.
Perhaps he had been one of those smuggled children.
Perhaps he had been tortured, abused and starved by a cruel master.
Perhaps... perhaps Yugi had been one of the many children who had been sexually assaulted.
Yami's lips tightened and his muscles grew taut. Yugi must have suffered terribly in his childhood. And it was all his fault. He, the almighty pharaoh, had failed to protect his best friend and soon-to-be lover. That was such an unfathomable thought that his mind nearly went blank. Nearly.
As Yugi continued to devour the sweet bread, the pharaoh made his decision.
He would protect Yugi. In all ways possible, and regardless of what he had to do or overcome. And if it was impossible, he would make it possible.
Yugi would always be safe.
And he would be loved. Forever.
The morning court session was always a bore for Seto. It was the time when the palace guards tried to get some attention by showing off their recently polished swords when there was nothing to slice at except mosquitoes; when the less important subjects tried to make themselves seem important (and showing everyone their pompousness in the attempt); when the council members argued about petty trivialities; and when the other high priests talked about mundane stuff. Even the palace maids, whose sole purpose was to beautify the court and hopefully get the more desperate subjects so captivated that they would ogle and shut up, looked bored at this time of the day.
Worse still, it was also when the pharaoh would intimidate everyone and exercise his god almighty powers. In Seto's opinion, Atemu just enjoyed showing everyone just how much of a spoilt brat he was. Speaking of which, where was the brat?
He glanced outside. It was getting late already, and everyone was whispering almost excitedly at the pharaoh's absence. Every now and then, Shada, one of the high priests, would hush them and assured everyone that the pharaoh was surely on his way. But it was strange. Despite his temper, Atemu was seldom late for a court session. He either arrived on time or skipped it altogether, but he was never late. So that probably meant that Atemu was still lazing around in his bed, and perhaps had even coerced a servant into hand feeding him grapes. Again. He sure knew how to enjoy himself.
Seto's brow twitched.
Throwing a curt message that he was going to look for the pharaoh (or as he said it in his head, drag the lazy bum out of his bed), he stormed out of the court room. Vaguely, he heard someone asking a servant to follow him, but he waved it off. As he whizzed down one of the many corridors to Atemu's room, Seto smirked while he imagined the ways he could wake his cousin up.
There was no way he was going to let a servant spoil his fun.
Yugi followed meekly, a few steps behind Yami's billowing cape that seemed to be riding on his air of superiority and regality. Everyone seemed to felt it too, for they obediently stepped back and bowed respectfully as they walked by, some almost prostrating on the ground as they revered the arrival of the living god. But no one noticed him, almost like he was Yami's little shadow that was supposed to follow him around. Yugi's mood soured at that thought, but soon perked up again when the door loomed before them.
And then the gigantic gates creaked open, and all the splendor that was the court room greeted Yugi's eyes. It was almost too much to take in at one shot, and the young servant had to belatedly remind himself to close his jaws. It simply wouldn't do to have the pharaoh's personal servant looking like the proverbial frog in the well.
As he followed Yami to the elevated podium where the throne was, Yugi was painfully aware of how every pair of eyes seemed to shoot to him all of a sudden, and he kept his head low, cringing inwardly. He had a feeling court wasn't going to be fun at all. Even Seto's presence –which was for certain, he thought- wasn't helping. Quickly, he dodged behind Yami, trying to seem demure and meek while hoping that the lions of the court would not devour him. He felt slightly better though, when old Shimon, who was standing by the other side of the throne, gave him a warm smile.
They both looked to the court again when Yami threw his cape behind him forcefully, and took his seat on the throne.
He watched as Yami met their curious gazes steadily, and then held out a hand to silence the unspoken questions that was as clear as a cloudless sky. It was so apparent from their body language. Slowly, the high priests, the council members and the less important court members bowed deeply, going down onto their knees. As were the rules, those in lesser positions bowed the lowest, their noses almost touching the ground but not quite (that position was reserved for servants and guards). On the other hand, the high priests merely knelt in reverence, one hand crossing their torsos to touch the opposite shoulder with their heads dipped low.
"Long live the pharaoh! May Kemet prosper under his glorious rule!" they hailed in unison.
And Yugi watched in fascination when Yami answered them with a simple 'Rise!', and all of them quickly rose, though the lesser subjects were still looking at the ground. It was then that he noticed something wrong: someone wasn't there.
Seto.
He bit his lip.
Suddenly, he noticed a movement near the sides of the court and he glanced over. He was disappointed when it turned out to be a palace scribe (2) who, seemingly heavily burdened by a roll of papyrus scroll, was stepping forth to announce that court had started.
That seemed to be a magical phrase, and many took it to be their cue to speak up. One of the high priests stepped forward, and most of those behind him quickly scampered back into line to wait for their turns. However, even the high priest was not given the chance to say his piece before Yami stopped him with a hand.
"Before we discuss anything, I want to make an announcement," he said, his booming voice reverberating within the great halls and amplified by the utter lack of any noises from the court members. Before he continued, he shot the palace scribe a hard glance, who quickly nodded. The man readied his scroll and reed pen, carefully placing his scribal palette (3) on a table beside him.
"As most of you should know, my last personal servant was released some time ago for not doing his job as well as he should have. So now I have chosen someone to replace him," – he gestured for Yugi to step forward – "This is my new personal servant, Yugi. I want all of you to look at him well and remember his face, for I will not tolerate anyone mistreating him in any way. He is my shadow, and not obeying him is tantamount to disobeying me."
The palace scribe wrote everything down furiously, half-afraid of missing a word or two and angering the mighty pharaoh, and hence had no time to think about what he was actually writing. But it was a good thing too, for if he did manage to think through before he recorded the pharaoh's words, there was no doubt that he would drop all his writing materials in shock and disturb the tension in the air. And the tension was thick, contributed to by all the shocked, surprised, astonished, and even slightly scandalized faces of everyone in court. Even Shimon, one of the most elderly and experienced member of the court, appeared to be completely bewildered.
But no one was as shocked as Yugi himself.
"If I, by any chance, learn of anyone browbeating or bullying Yugi, I promise that there will be very, very severe consequences," he finished, placing great emphasis on the last bit of his sentence with a tone that frightened many.
The pharaoh seemed to drawl as he added, "If any of you have any objections, it would be good to raise them all right now. I will not accept any arguments after court."
Those who knew him especially well could hear the underlying message just as clearly: the pharaoh's word was law. There was no room for any objections. Period. And those who were less familiar with the pharaoh's temper were too intimidated to tremble, lest speak up.
For the longest moment, a thick and heavy veil of unease settled into everyone's heart, and some were afraid to even breathe lest they disturbed the tension. It was generally an unspoken rule not to hurt or harm the pharaoh's personal servants and slaves, especially those who were in favour with the ruler, and everyone knew that rule like the back of their hand the day they stepped into the palace. But to hear it spoken out loud -and by the pharaoh himself, no less- was unsettling to say the least.
Some of them wondered if the young child beside the pharaoh even knew if he had just made history.
After being directed back to the court room upon reaching Atemu's empty room, Seto suppressed a few choice words and hastened his pace. He hoped that court had not really started yet. Well, there were usually some idiots asking stupid questions at the beginning of the court sessions, so maybe he hadn't missed much yet. Still, he walked faster, hoping to get to the court room as soon as possible.
When he did, the guards stationed outside the grand door took one glimpse of the glower on his face and quickly opened the door. Inwardly, Seto congratulated himself on the glower he had perfected over the years on the job. It always got things done faster.
His satisfaction disappeared almost immediately when he entered, however. Instinctively, he knew something was wrong. The place was much too quiet and the subjects much too subdued to be normal. Those men were usually neck-deep in argument by that time, and the high priests would have to step in and mediate. And Atemu would just sit on his throne had watch the whole scene play out like it was some show. But now, everyone was quiet. It was so quiet that the only sound Seto could make out faintly was the slightly laboured breathes the older court members were making. Even then, he could tell that those men were trying their best to suppress the sounds. The tension in the air was thick; so thick that Seto could feel it weighing heavily on him even though he had just arrived. Narrowing his eyes, he looked up to the podium where he knew Atemu would be. That boy must have said something bizarre. Something so bizarre that bordered on frightening. Perhaps he had announced that he had decided to take another concubine. Or he was finally putting his harem to good use. That would certainly be shocking.
And it was indeed shocking, for when he looked up, he saw Yugi –his Yugi!- standing meekly beside his cousin.
In utter shock and disbelief, Seto made a beeline for his usual position and paid his respects, bowing his head and kneeling.
"Long live the pharaoh! May Kemet prosper under his glorious rule!" he said solemnly, hardly able to keep the shock away from his voice.
"Ah, please rise, Seto! I was just thinking where you had wandered off too..." Atemu replied casually.
He rose, almost doubling over at the rate his heart was going. A heady sensation had settled into his mind, and swirls of psychedelic colours and images swarmed his eyes. But he managed to shake those off and steadied himself at the last moment.
"Forgive me, your majesty. I went to your room to look for you when it was time for court and you weren't here yet."
"I see. Too bad for that. You just missed a most important announcement I made."
"Your majesty, may I be allowed to hear of it when you feel for it?" Gods, he hated the game he had to play with Atemu in the presence of others.
Atemu gestured for the scribe to answer in his stead, seemingly too excited –although he hid it well- to offer a proper reply.
"The son of Ra, the living incarnation of Horus and the almighty pharaoh has proclaimed the servant Yugi as his personal servant, and in the pharaoh's words, no one is to mistreat, browbeat or bully the servant as doing so is akin to mistreating the pharaoh himself," the scribe read from his roll of papyrus script, pulling it along and letting it fall onto the ground as he read. His voice was steady and strong, but Seto could still catch a hint of fear, and it was easy to understand: what Atemu had just done was unprecedented.
Feeling numb, he looked up, forgetting for the moment that no one was supposed to meet the pharaoh's gaze. And in his shock, everything seemed to be... different, like it was closing up on him. There was his cousin, smirking at his victory of snatching Yugi, his lover, away. Yugi was beside him, looking like he didn't mind the fact. And they were both smiling.
His lips trembled, his mouth opening and closing and then opening again. He wanted to say something, anything, but he could find no words.
His feet were unmoving, like they had grown roots and stuck firmly onto the ground. He wanted to run up to them and demand an explanation, but he could find no strength.
And then court proceeded as usual.
After court, most of which flew by his head like lazy flies, Seto had finally gathered up his strength and the first thing he wanted to do was to confront his cousin and his lover. Just what had transpired in his short trip to Atemu's bedroom?
He was about to march right up to Atemu's study room when someone held him back with a firm grip.
"It would be unwise to talk to his majesty with your current state of mind, Seto."
Seto looked back and narrowed his eyes.
"Let go, Mahaado."
The older high priest smiled faintly. Growing up with the royal family and having known Atemu and Seto since they were in diapers, he was long used to their tempers and he often doubled as their confidants. It was most interesting when he got any 'top secret information' that concerned the other from both parties.
"Seto, if you want to talk to his majesty about his decision, at least be calm first before you even approach him. Otherwise, you'd have no chance at convincing him at all. You, of all people, should know that."
Seto growled low in his throat, but forced himself to calm down. Mahaado was right; Atemu was one of the most stubborn people around, and it was difficult to change his mind. It would be an even more tedious task if he were to charge in there with a temper and half an argument.
But he said nothing. If there was one thing he hated, it was acknowledging he wasn't right.
Luckily, Mahaado knew that.
"Still, I wouldn't recommend you opposing his majesty's decision. He seemed very adamant about it, and he does need another personal servant anyway, although implying execution for mistreating the child seemed a little..." he trailed off with a shrug. Some things were better left unsaid. "But I can't imagine anyone mistreating the child, really. He's too cute for that. I know I'd feel extremely guilty if I did that." He smiled again, giving the younger one a look.
Mahaado was generally a very likeable person, and he took on the role of elder brother very well, always looking after him and Atemu when they were younger. But there were times when Seto felt he was carrying out his role far too well. Like right now.
"That child has gotten a good master, Seto. Don't ruin it for him," Mahaado said before he turned and walked away, leaving Seto alone to wonder just how much he knew.
-tbc-
(1) I made this up, though I did try to find proof. I just think that white hair would be extremely strange to people in ancient Egypt, since people were supposed to have black hair. Of course, Yami and Yugi's hair are even stranger, but hey, he's the pharaoh.
(2) A palace scribe is actually a priest whose job is to record stuff. I just threw one here just to record the proceedings during the court sessions.
(3) A scribal palette is "used to store reed pens (in an elongated depression) and to mix the red and black inks (in round wells) which the scribes used in writing out documents on papyrus." Explanation taken from (www.rom.on.ca/quiz/egypt/egytqz14.html)
Authors note: I know I told most of you who asked that you will find out about Seto's reactions in this chapter. However, seeing that I am getting increasingly busy, I thought that it would be better to post this chapter first, rather than drag it longer than I already have. So his confrontation with Yami will have to be in the next chapter. But I did add some of his shock here! So there/laughs/
Also, I haven't got the time to respond to everyone's reviews, but still a very big thank you to everyone who reviewed the last chapter! If you enjoyed this chapter, please also review for this chapter and tell me how to improve on it! Thanx!