Sorry this one is a little late ^^' Holidays! but Here's my late christmas Gift to everyone!
Merry Christmas! Next week will be the last update of the year! WOOHOO!
Disclaimer: I own nothing, much of Timaeus points were inspired by the book The black Diamond by Andrea Kane. REALLY helped.
As always, read, review, reply, comment, critique and ask questions and now the moment you've all been waiting for...The reaction to Timaeus' Proposal!
Chapter XXIV: Proposal
The priestess stopped laughing. The answer was a rousing chorus of silence and Yugi absorbed it all in stunned disbelief.
Timaeus' gaze swept the room: Pas' face was the picture of shock, but his eyes were calculating. Mut's arms loosened around his shoulders, her eyes wide with surprise but there was a hint of a smile on her face. Then they fell on Yugi-and remained confidently stoic. Not a hint of apology or remorse.
After a long moment, King Dartz stumbled back flabbergasted. Then his breath expelled in a rush ""You…What?"
Timaeus didn't flinch. "I believe I have made myself clear."
"You would not dare!?" Maatkare chocked on her own shock. Her voice weak and shaking. She pointed a single, accusing finger. "He is ours! He was supposed to be ours!" Menkhperre's grip on his sister faltered and she dropped. His own shock broken in a rousing roar of anger "You dare!"
"Do I?" Timaeus cut him off sharply and aloofly. "Isn't that why you claimed he was attempting to 'seduce me to his cause'? I did call him my fiance?"
"You fool!" Menkheperre dropped his sister and raged, first at Timaeus then at his older brother! "This madness would never be allowed! Tell him Pas!" He spun to his brother but Pas regarded him with cold eyes.
"You have no right to speak on the matter," Pas recovered all at once. The sharp words were like a slap across Menkhperre's face and it dropped in shock.
"Lord Hermos," Pas turned to the Knight in burgundy. "Lord Critias," He then addressed the Knight in blue. "Will you please escort these two back to their chambers. We have much to discuss with Lord Timaeus."
Critias opened his mouth to protest, but Dartz silenced him with a look. Dismissed with a nod, Critias bowed and reluctantly joined his comrade. The priestess screeched when Hermos helped her off the floor, her hands flexed in claws at Timaeus but Hermos' grip was stronger and he dragged her away. A prisoner to his shock, Menkheperre did not resist when Critias arrested him and dragged him from the chambers. Their protests bounced off the halls and entered the audience chamber in dying echoes and then there was silence.
Yugi regarded him with incredulous eyes. Timaeus wanted to say something, but knew he could not. Not yet. He could only hope in time, the gem would forgive him.
"Let us speak," Pas said, his words were harsh with restraint and he pressed his thumb and curled forefinger to his temple. His face was all business. Without looking at her he said "Mut will you..."
"Do not, Pasbahknuuit," she cut him off quick and sharp. "Marriage is the Duty of the Mother, and this is Yugi of whom we speak. I am Great Royal Wife. I am not going anywhere."
"Neither am I!" Yugi recovered himself all at once and cut off all objections. "This is my fate we're speaking of and I demand a say in it!"
Timaeus regarded him with a sad expression. "I'm sorry, Ujalah, but I'm afraid your fate is no longer yours to decide."
Yugi stumbled back, shocked. It wasn't the statement. Nor the harsh truth of it. Timaeus had called him Ujalah. It hurt more than it should have, and the betrayal was like a cold slap across his cheek. He let it fester in his belly and fixed the Trierarch with a glare. "And you do?"
Timaeus only smirked. "Did I not just say I wanted you for my consort, little gem?"
Yugi's face fumed with color.
"Enough!" Dartz snapped hoarsely. His hand covered his face and he exhaled sharply and evenly. "Timaeus," he said with a restrained hiss. "I hope you understand what it is you're asking?"
Timaeus spun to him and nodded. "I know perfectly well what I am asking. I never jest about my life. Nor do I jest about things I consider important. You know me better than that."
Dartz's expression did not change. "Yes, I do. Which is why I want to insist upon the gravity of what you're asking."
"I understand the gravity of marriage perfectly well," Timaeus said with a calculated smile. "I am unmarried and when I do I fully intend to do my duty by my wife and remain loyal to them as is both my law as a Locrian and my moral as a man. In accordance I have no present lovers, no prior engagements nor do I have any betrothed, correct?" He rose and eyebrow to the King but his smile was a thin line.
Pas and Mut exchanged a look then turned to the King for confirmation. The King looked shocked for a moment, then cross, then his eyes turned heavy with sadness, and, if Yugi had to guess, defeat. It wasn't loss or anger, or even the disappointment of being beaten, rather a awakened acceptance. A denial he'd held onto with the faint optimistic hope that things might change, even when he knew they never would.
"No," Dartz expelled in a huff. "You do not," he shook his head then looked at Timaeus with a small smile. "You are free to marry whomever you choose. Unless, of course, you were lying about being Ujalah's betrothal just now?" Dartz added with a sly smile.
The three Kemets suddenly looked surprised, and Yugi's heart sank. He wanted to scream. How could he have forgotten that! "That was a mistake!" he tried to mumble but Timaeus had cut him off.
"Of course, that was to dispel the misconceptions the priests had about my escorting Ujalah to Djanet." He regarded both the Per-a'ah and the Royal Wife before he spoke again. "They misinterpreted my and Ujalah's friendship as something less than proper. Now those false rumors have given the public a twisted ideal of our two countries' alliance," he said grimly, then smiled "However, wouldn't those rumors be completely groundless if it was revealed that Ujalah was my fiancé?" Yugi's insides twisted when Pas and Mut exchanged a calculated glance he couldn't read.
"Then his attempts to…seduce me, as the priests called it, would be seen as little more than a bridegroom bonding with his betrothed. It would reestablish the people's faith in the alliance, and dispel Ujalah of all wrong-doing, Just think of the stories." Timaeus spun grandly, addressing all three majesties. "The Prince of Kemet falling for the gallant General, who rescued him from the clutches of power-hungry officials, makes a much better story than a slip of a boy seducing a seasoned pirate to gain alliance to a throne that clearly isn't his. The people love a good romance, and even more they love a Royal Wedding."
There was something brilliantly logical about it and sickeningly horrifying all at once and Yugi's mind spun.
"It certainly would…" Yugi froze in horror when Pas spoke. He spun to him with eyes wide with hurt and betrayal but Pas wasn't looking at him and neither was Mut.
"But from the way you speak, we are safe in assuming this isn't just a simple declaration to correct false information." Her face was sharp with the calculated curl of a smile and an unsurprised, all-knowing brightness of her eyes. "You speak of proposing a real betrothal and are proposing an actual marriage to our Prince?"
"Have I given any indication that I wanted anything less, Lady Majesty?" Timaeus' smile matched hers and the cat-like grin Yugi knew well returned to her face. Oh Amun, oh Ra, Oh Mut, no! They couldn't be? Were they actually…?
"You have not," Pas stepped to his wife's side and watched Timaeus with a guarded expression, but the smallest of smiles curled at his cheek. "But you'll forgive us our concerns. You really mean this do you? You're asking to marry, Yugi?"
"I am," Timaeus said with unwavering, undeterred earnest. "Now the question is will you approve of me as his bridegroom or forbid the union?"
"Your argument is sound," Pas said with some reluctance. "But I have no intention of simply handing my brother over to the first man who asks." Mut gave him a look and Yugi sighed with relief.
An unexpected grin tugged at Timaeus' lips. "Per-a'ah, I'll give you a wealth of reasons why you should consider my offer. First, as I mentioned earlier, the priests have named me as his ruinner. Second, all of our prime concern is Yugi's safety and for good reason. We can dance around the issue all we like, but the fact of the matter is that at this point, it is no longer possible for Yugi to stay in Djanet, nor would he be safe anywhere else in Kemet, as we are in agreement that returning him to Waset is out of the question. As my consort, he would accompany me to Locri where he will become a citizen of Atlantis. He has no enemies there, and more importantly, his enemies here cannot follow him. He will be rid of the Priests and their influence once and for all. You want Yugi safe and taken care of, he will be. For starters he will be an Atlantian citizen and my husband. My titles may have little merit in Kemet, but in Atlantis, I am the First of the Dragon Knights, a coveted title, one of only three and chosen by the King himself, of which I am not only the youngest but their Leader. I am also Trierarch of the Eye of Timaeus and my men obey me without flaw and if I order them they will protect Yugi with their lives. Locri is also my domain, and my position as its Governor, that alone gives me status equal to that of monarch in your country. Further, he will be my consort, and let me assure you that no one, I repeat no one for whom I'm responsible has ever come to harm. As my consort, Yugi will be fully protected at all times—by me. Safety will cease to be an issue."
The smallest of smiles tugged at Pas lips. Timaeus' grin widened. "On to status, Yugi may be a prince in your country, but he possesses very little political or religious power, nor does he have any real influence. Such will not be the case in Locri. As the Consort of a Trierarch and Governor, Yugi will not only inherit those titles, but rule at my side, a position I am confident he will be well suited for. Not only will he be responsible for the needs of the people and their welfare but he will be acting Physician and responsible for the health of not only my household but the Island's physicians as well. Being a Priest of Sekhmet, he will have no trouble adjusting to such a role. He would also have my whole staff and all the ranks associated with the fairer sex as his kingdom, and I am confident in his abilities. Anything he needs to learn I will teach him myself, he'll have attendants to assist him when I cannot, and my quartermaster, who he is already close friends with, would only be too delighted to teach him."
"Now, on to finances," Timaeus continued "I have been Governor of Locri nearly six years, in that time I have turned it into a self-efficient and self-sustaining city. As Trierarch I finance the purchase of my own ships which double as battle ships if needed, but primarily as merchant and trade ships. That has allowed me to live a comfortable life in my own home, however I do not waste those comforts nor do I squander my savings. And, I might add, my association with the Royal Family, as an honorary member and a Dragon Knight, I am rewarded a modest, annual pension, far more than enough to support myself and my nation, but also enough to provide Yugi with whatever he desires. Your brother will never want for anything again, and I shall personally make sure of it." He shifted to look at Yugi a smile slit his face.
Yugi's fists curled, and he growled through gritted teeth. It was all he could do to keep from punching him.
"And what of children?" It was Mut who spoke and Yugi spun to her. "Would it bother you that Yugi cannot give you heirs?"
"My Lady," Timaeus explained. "The heir to Locri is not mine to decide. All the offices are appointed and chosen by his Majesty. I, of course, may present my chosen for consideration but ultimately it is the King who will decide. I will simply be his mentor. As to a more personal matter, I am well aware, neither Yugi nor I would be able to have children naturally on our own. However, Locri has many orphans to adopt and love, and as I have no intention of siring bastards, it would matter not to mean who bears our children should she choose to have any so long as that child is ours to raise. The decision will be entirely up to Yugi."
Yugi felt a weight in his stomach. Oh Ra, were they really talking about children? What made it worse was he himself had had the same thoughts not that very morning.
He paused and smiled to his King. "In addition, I am still an adoptive member of the Royal Family, and with that honor I am bestowed both the trust and respect of the people and an honorably nobility of the Royal Family am I not?"
Dartz smiled. "Indeed, all of which in turn would be Yugi's upon your marriage. Therefore, his title as Prince would be elevated to that of the Atlantian Royal Family, but associated with the titles and ranks associated with Timaeus' House and Name."
Timaeus arched a brow and gestured his hands. "Think of the delightful upheaval such a union will do for the alliance as well? The youngest prince of Kemet's new United Royal House and the First of Atlantis' Dragon Knights? What could be a better symbol of the eternal friendship and unity between Atlantis and Kemet? That alone would make it worthwhile. We could even have it here in the House of Amun to honor the bride."
The bride. Like they were speaking of a grand affair between mutual lovers and not an arranged political union done solely for practicality and safety. The bride who was expected to perform her duty, willingly and obediently without question. The bride who would act as a bridge between her own family as well as her husbands, but forced to leave her family, home and country behind for that of her husband's. The bride who was the symbol and vehicle of connection between families and countries, even if she was nothing more than an ornament for the harem or a doll to sit on her husband's bed until he chose to play with her. The Bride. The word sounded so awful in his mind.
"I will not do it!" He hissed under his breath. The words echoed in the silence. "I will not marry you!" He said louder his voice choked with tears and rage. He fixated Timaeus with wet eyes, and his voice was hoarse with betrayal. "I am not some prize to be won and bartered off! And I'm not some helpless damsel you need to protect!" He said sharp and accusingly, but his hands were shaking.
Timaeus looked at him. For a moment there was surprise then his face fell to a frown and his single eye, a soulful emerald, emphasized apologetically by the pale, painful slit of his right eye.
Don't. Yugi couldn't stand it. Don't look at me like that. "I will not do it!" he declared, his voice breaking. "And you can't force me!" He spun on his heels and ran. He ran like he ran from Waset the morning he'd met Timaeus. He ran like he has when he's woken in the man's bed alone and surrounded by enemies. It wasn't fear. It wasn't survival. It wasn't freedom he desired. No, it was the memories tormenting his soul every time he closed his eyes. Of the Green Shadow and the terrifying Trierarch that promises to protect him. Of the kisses burning his lips, playful and challenging and setting fire ablaze under his skin, and then soft and promising, and so gentle he thought it could be love. His ears rang like drums pounding in his skull, one minute they were seductive whispers and playful teasing that challenged him to play, the sweet promises so earnest and hopeful they made him weep. And those bi-colored eyes that had so many conflicting and contradicting expressions and emotions, it made him all the more determined to see what was behind the masks. See the real face. But all he saw was that single soulful expression that barely acknowledged him with a glance.
He'd been a fool.
A fool who'd fallen for another mask. A fool who believed the silver-tongued promises of a diplomat.
And it tore his heart to pieces.
This one was fun to write (would've been done faster but the book I needed was IMPOSSIBLE to find! Seriously, i ended up downloading one of those ereader apps and doing a temp trial that I was smart enough to cancel and wouldn't you know it, next day after work i found out the book came in at the library (falls over) UGH!
But after that it was fun: hard part was keeping Yugi and Timaeus' pov balanced, but I think i handled it pretty well ^^
Little historical note: Originally, I was gonna have Yugi's official Title be consort since wife sounded more definite and marriage related (hence the term "to wife" meaning to marry" but my beta suggested consort since Yugi's a boy. I agreed. Consort, traditionally, means wife, or the wife of someone in a position of power. However, as a Title, it usually means that the spouse doesn't have any such political power, for example Queen Consort would be the King's Wife, but she would have no real power in politics, likewise Prince Consort, was the husband of the Queen and would likewise have no political power, unless appointed by the Queen (this does not mean they did not possess a great deal of influence however). In this case, Consort simply means Yugi will be the equivalent of a wife and have all the responsibilities of a Governor's wife (Governor was an actual position and title in several countries around the world at that time, and depending on the power of central government acted as rulers in their own right.
The King of Atlantis, however, being the one to decide the heirs to the State, I made up, but it was loosely based on an ancient Roman custom known as the Five noble Emperors where instead of using hereditary as a prerequisite, the Emperor adopt an heir from a pool of elderly boys and nobles who he felt had the best qualities of a King and raise him in the art of statecraft) In Atlantis, it works the same way. So since Timaeus doesn't need an heir of his own to rule Locri, the fact he and Yugi can't naturally have children is not an issue. Also, adoption was a very common practice in both Ancient Egypt and much of of the Ancient world. Unlike the Hittie Empire and Babalyon that required strict pedigrees to rule, the Ancient Egyptians, and much of Greece were actually very lenient with class and rank in terms of marriage. Several Per-a'ah's took commoners or even slaves as wives, and many even became Great Royal Wives if the Per-a'ah had no sisters or simply chose not to marry one of them, one such story is of Rhodepis, who was a greek slave that the Per-a'ah Amanisis married, which is believed to be the origin of cinderella (I'm NOT kidding! look it up!) As such, adoption, especially if the Wife couldn't have children was considered a very noble thing to do and even families that did have their own children would adopt orphans as servants or apprentices. Just something I wanted to bring up since kids and heirs was THE THING back then.
Plus, we get a little more background on Timaeus ;)
Hope you enjoyed it! I also hope with the holidays dwindling down and school out you can all take a break and relax and enjoy ^^
Next Time: In the aftermath of Yugi's reaction, The Per-a'ah and Royal wife have a serious discussion about Timaeus' offer and plans are made to undo Menkheperre and Maatkare's scheming once and for all!