Disclaimer: please look at page one.
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Chapter 3:
"You're Highness! His Majesty wants you to hasten to his chambers. Please hurry!" a soldier burst into Yuki's rooms.
Without a word Yuki stood up and walked out. He strode through the numerous corridors deep in thought. What could be so urgent that his father wanted to see him in the middle of the day?
His father was seated on one of the small beds, a lot of cushions strewn around him. A great frown adorned his face and in his hand was a crumpled bit of paper.
"Emperor Firdauz of Sardis has decided he doesn't like us very much. He has declared war."
Yuki's eyes widened slightly. "His ambassador has just signed our peace treaty…they cannot breach it unless we have breached it ourselves. What is his reason for this?"
The king smiled grimly. "We have begun trade with his long time nemesis…Troy. Emperor Firdauz is very upset. It won't do for us to forget that the fall of Atlantis at his hands will be a jewel in his crown. We have tried to point out that nowhere in the treaty is our trade issues mentioned, but his Imperial Majesty has found his excuse."
Only the slight clenching of his fists revealed Yuki's state of mind. "What are you going to do about it? If I were you, I'd send out envoys to Troy, Athens and Hatussas they hate Sardis and will join us. Sardis is rich enough for us all to share its plunder."
The king examined on the tassels on his cushions. "That is precisely what I am going to do. Troy will need no convincing, they are eager for Sardis' blood, Hatussas will be happy with a few essential gifts, but Athens…now Athens will be hard to convince. King Davideus, isn't very happy with the way trade has progressed between us…he will need a precious gift. Something to help me wrap him around my finger…his son Arturius needs a wife. I propose to give him Mika's hand in marriage."
"What?" Yuki looked at his father in disbelief. "She's in love with Tohma. You did promise to let her marry him! There isn't any need to go back on that promise! We can barter with Davideus!"
"Mika is a princess of Atlantis and she will do her duty to the city and the state! You will inform her of this and also inform Tohma that I want him to go with her…he will keep an eye on her and see that she is no way violated. He may return the moment she married. Send Tohma to see me once you have informed him."
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Shuichi sat next to Tohma looking at all the different colours of cloth around him. he was choosing some clothes for himself, he need clothes…he could last too long wearing only his jeans and the Atlantean garb…they called what the men wore waist cloths, seemed inviting. He slipped behind a screen and tried on a red one. It was red silk with silver and dark blue embroidery on the edges. It was almost like a knee length wrap around skirt. Shuichi stepped out and looked at Tohma who caught his breath.
It did look good on the pink haired boy. Tohma slipped a pair of silver armlets onto the boy's arms along with a short silver chain with a big ruby pendant. Shuichi turned to look into the mirror…he looked noble! Suddenly the door opened and Yuki strode in. he didn't catch sight of Shuichi who was hidden in the shadows of a pillar.
"My father wants to see you immediately. Wait a second… I need to brief you." Yuki looked at his best friend expressionlessly. "Mika is to marry king Davideus' eldest son. You will escort her to Athens and return when she is safely married. By the way Sardis is launching an invasion, which is the reason."
Tohma's face went white and he stared at Yuki. His eyes were filled with a silent plea…then he stood up and left the room. Shuichi saw a flicker of worry on Yuki's face, before his usual cold look was back. Then Yuki turned and the golden eyes met the purple ones. Shuichi stepped out from the shadows. Yuki looked him up and down slowly making him blush.
"So you were eavesdropping?"
"No I was looking into the mirror…you didn't even look around. It's not my fault." Shuichi frowned a little. "He's your best friend; maybe you could show a little sympathy."
Yuki grimaced; the boy looked very good when he frowned. "Firstly, if you knew me better Shindou, you would know that I am incapable of any of the gentler emotions. Secondly, I am the Prince of Atlantis and I will not be spoken to like that."
Shuichi didn't know what got into him. He just blurted out his thoughts and weirdly they came out slightly contemptuous. "You mean, you wish you were incapable of them. A very nice mask you hide behind your Highness." He started to walk past Yuki, but the Prince's hand clamped down on his shoulder. Yuki tried to shove down the thrill going down his spine at the contact with Shuichi's soft skin. "Explain yourself…" but Shuichi just looked into his eyes. Yuki felt his body bend of its own accord and his lips met Shuichi's. Then his thoughts were swept away with electric feeling the kiss sent jolting through him.
Shuichi felt it too, but he jerked away. He had kissed back a little, but he had to stop. He turned and ran out of the room, leaving Yuki standing alone in the midst of the scattered clothes.
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A/N: ok! So Dou deshita ka? Did you like it? tell me quickly please!
Taka.