Chapter 14: Unrequited Love?

Seth eyed his cousin in concern. Something was bothering the other. That he was sure of. A moment ago he was fine, then suddenly, he's as silent as ever. What's going on?

"Isis," he called, catching the attention of the priestess.

"Yes, High Priest Seth?" Isis asked.

"Have you seen the pharaoh? I haven't seem him all afternoon," Seth answered. True enough, he was so busy making sure the girl was all right and finishing his job for the day, he didn't see where Atemu went earlier.

"I suppose he is in his chambers now, resting," Isis said.

Seth gave her a curt nod and then he was off.

Atemu stared at a distance solemnly. The seemingly weight of the world on his shoulders. He felt alone again. Lost, confused and alone.

He had wanted to talk to his cousin during the day but Seth was nowhere to be seen. Atemu never saw him after seeing him with the unconscious girl.

Why are the gods so cruel? They made him fall in-love with his cousin, who apparently loves somebody else. Why?

Can't they just pick on somebody else?

"Atemu," the pharaoh didn't need to turn to see who it was, knowing exactly it was his cousin.

"I want to be alone, Seth," he answered without moving; his gaze focused at the view the balcony was giving.

A hand rested on his shoulders to perhaps provide assurance or comfort but he didn't take any of it. "I'm alright seriously. You may leave, cousin," he answered in a passive voice.

Seth was confused. What was going on? Atemu never used that tone except when he was upset over something. Upset or angry, which one?

"Are you sure? I know you're lying, Atemu," Seth answered, forcing the other to look at him, somewhat surprised to see tear tracks on the pharaoh's cheeks. He was crying.

Wiping away the stray tear, he embraced his cousin, offering comfort but Atemu pushed him away. "I'm fine, Seth, you may go," Atemu repeated as he turned his back on his cousin. It was bad enough that his cousin was able to break his defenses easily.

"What 'fine' are you talking about? You were crying, what reason, I know not," Seth argued, "Tell me what's wrong," he demanded, placing a hand on his cousin's shoulder.

Atemu made a move to swap his cousin's hand, only to have his hand caught. He looked at his cousin.

"You know I'm concerned with you, Atemu. Tell me what's wrong," Seth said softly.

Atemu sighed. How can he tell his cousin if he was the reason behind it after all?

Seth waited for his pharaoh's reply in concern. What was troubling his pharaoh? If it had something to do with Bakura and Mahado he'd —

"Have you ever felt heartbroken, cousin?"

"What?" Seth asked, the question taking him aback. Why did his cousin ask him that question? Did someone break his cousin's heart? Whoever it was, they're going to pay.

"What would you do if you found out that the person you loved, the person you cared about loved somebody else?" Atemu asked, meeting Seth's questioning gaze.

"I…" Seth was speechless for once. He didn't know what to answer. How would one answer that question anyway? He never experienced it, how on earth is he going to answer his cousin's question?

Atemu gave him a small smile and shook his head. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked that, I suppose you don't know what to answer me," he suddenly said before making his way back inside.

"Atemu?"

The pharaoh stopped at the sound of his name.

"Yes, cousin?"

"What do you mean by that question?" Seth asked.

"You don't have to worry yourself about that, Seth. It was nothing, sheer curiosity," Atemu lied. It hurts. He wanted to cry, really. He started to walk away but his cousin obviously stopped him.

"No, tell me," he said.

"I said it was nothing," Atemu answered.

"Please, cousin, just tell me," Seth argued.

Atemu sighed. How can one be so persistent, annoying and adorable all at the same time?

"I'm having weird feelings towards someone." There, he said it already. That would have provided the answer.

"Explain about what you mean about 'weird feelings'," obviously not.

"I think I'm in-love with someone," Atemu admitted.

"Who?"

"That I won't tell you."

"Then what's wrong? This person you like can't possibly refuse," Seth said.

'If only you know,' Atemu thought. He looked at his cousin, "No, Seth, it's not easy. This person that I like… well… he likes somebody else."

Seth watched his sleeping cousin, Atemu's words repeating themselves in his head. Who can that person be? He was sure it was male but he doubts it was someone he doesn't know. Atemu never got out of the palace nor did he meet anyone without his High Priests knowing. So who can he be?

Somehow, oddly, something inside of him flared. Was that jealousy? So it was true. He did want the pharaoh, reason as to why his body always reacted madly whenever he was closer to his cousin. But why will he be jealous? He knew from the start that any relationship between them is impossible.

He got up and headed for the door. He couldn't help but feel hurt that somebody had captured Atemu's heart before him. Reasons behind it all, though, remain to be covered.

A/N: Umm… yeah. This is shorter than the other chapters coz' the previous ones were I think 5-6 pages long each. And this one's only four pages long! Man, anyway, don't forget to drop a word or two. Oh yeah, is it Ryou or Malik? I know I'm getting annoying but I can't help it. This, my friends, is the side effect of working at 3 AM. Uncontrolled insanity. Beware! Just kidding… ;) :winks winks:

I know people are already telling me to rest but I'm sorry I didn't read your reviews last night. I just read them now. Sorry about that. Although I do promise I will follow your advice.