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. A shorter chapter than usual, but at least it's an update.
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Chapter 03: Propositions
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The First Union…Akunadin's lips curved up into a rare smile as himself and Ain rode along the path on the back of a horse. His hands gripping the reins, the priest's arms were encircling his passenger, who seemed pleased.
The sun was beginning to set in the distance; the dark sky alit with a red and yellow flame. Nearby, the winding river was enlivened by a series of sparks from the fading sunlight, setting the mood. Workers had downed their tools for the night, Akunadin and Ain alone on the path that led to the nearby city, located a short distance north of the capital.
"I had a wonderful time, Lord Akunadin," Ain smiled, speaking quietly.
Akunadin smiled once more to himself as the horse moved along. He then leant down to kiss the top of Ain's dark brown hair, which was, for once, freed from its headdress.
"I thought I told you to call me just Akunadin, Ain. We've been enjoying each other's company for a while now." Akunadin then laughed. "You know, you're far too polite for your own good."
"I'm sorry," Ain replied, falling quiet once more.
The woman was still aware that even though this was the man she was going out with that he was still a member of the royal family.
Akunadin's arms wrapped around the woman in front of him and the two laughed lightly together. The sun had almost vanished beyond the horizon, a thin blanket of light pulling back over the desert sands. Ain then leaned back against Akunadin as she slowly watched the sun disappear, sighing contentedly.
"Akunadin, did you have a good time tonight?" she asked. "Akunadin?"
Twisting to gaze over her shoulder, Ain looked up at her partner.
Akunadin himself remained silent for a while, after which he shifted, looked down at Ain and smiled benevolently. The priest had been doing some thinking as of late, and he had decided that this peaceful time they had been spending together lately seemed to have brought them even closer together. Closer than he had though possible.
"I was thinking," Akunadin replied, looking ahead at the road. "Ain, we've become closer as of late, have we not?"
Ain's head nodded in agreement.
"I'm glad you think so: I was wondering if I could ask you something." Akunadin thoughtfully paused. "Ain, I want you to move in with me. Be my wife."
The horse came to a complete stop.
"Ain, are you all right?" Akunadin asked the silent woman.
Akunadin suddenly fell silent, quietened by the feeling of Ain clasping his right hand. She held it close to her chest, and Akunadin could feel her gentle fingers stroking his skin, making it tingle excitedly. The young woman then nodded, after which she turned around and smiled up at Akunadin. Now he knew everything would be all right.
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Arriving back inside the walled city, Akunadin brought the horse to a gentle stop. The sky had turned dark, the sun non-existent. Dismounting, he guided the horse along the city streets.
Ain herself was surveying what lay around her from the back of the horse, gazing at the shadowed alleys and paths.
"What will your brother say?" Ain asked, still in quiet shock over Akunadin's proposal.
"I don't tell the esteemed Per A'a everything," Akunadin chuckled in reply. "Leave him to me."
Guiding the horse along, Akunadin stopped it in front of a familiar house. He then smiled up at Ain.
"My dear, let me ask your father first," he spoke. "It's only proper; not that I expect any resistance, of course."
Ain nodded silently, a smile on her face. Now all Akunadin had to do was deal with Akunumkanon.
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"So, Akunadin, what is this news you say you have for me?" Akunumkanon asked, sometime later.
"I've asked Ain to move in with me," Akunadin replied, smiling wryly. "I've just got to talk to her father, but that shouldn't be a problem."
"I agree," Akunumkanon nodded. "I'm sure you'll be fine. You have my blessing."
"Thank you, Per A'a."
The fact his brother, Akunadin,had finally seemed to find that special someone made the Per A'a smile. Unlike himself, Akunadin had not shown much interest in the opposite sex, at least until now. Sure, his younger brother had dallied in such affairs, but Akunadin seemed more pleased to keep to the side, away from the public eye. Akunumkanon knew full well that his brother appreciated his privacy.
"So, you've found a nice woman at last, and to think it's that nice young lady I saw a while ago," the Per A'a smiled. "I must say I'm pleased for you."
Akunadin ran his hands down his legs, flattening the creases in his robes. He then gazed at his brother who was smiling down at him.
"Thank you," Akunadin replied, somewhat quietly.
The seated man then fell silent once more, trying to avoid his brother's gaze. Akunadin never felt comfortable when he could sense people watching him.
"Brother, do you have something else to say?" Akunadin asked, looking up at Akunumkanon.
"I'm just pleased for you," Akunumkanon said with a smile. "When are you going to introduce me properly to Ain? I would like to get to know her better."
Akunadin shook his head and smiled to himself as Akunumkanon sat next to him on the bed, gazing at his younger brother from the side. It was something that he would have to do, eventually. Ain would have to meet his brother, the Per A'a. She had only encountered Akunumkanon the once, in the hall. It was hardly what one could call being introduced to the family.
That and Akunadin felt nervous.
What if my brother finds Ain and her family too low in stature for me to take her on as my wife? the priest wondered.
"Perhaps later on, once she feels up to it," Akunadin replied. "You are the Per A'a, after all. She's bound to be nervous, brother. She almost ran away from you the last time you crossed paths."
The black-robed priest then rose from his seat and faced his brother.
"Anyway, I suppose I should go and visit her father. Get the formalities over and done with," Akunadin spoke.
Akunadin then headed out of the room, after which he went down into the city.