Sala Khadijah Wahab, Crowned Princess of the United Arab Nations
Kaiba impatiently drummed his fingers against his desk, glaring at the lavender eyed male in front of him.
"I don't understand why you need to take time to think about this, Mutou. It's just switching the launch dates. Mokuba's presented us with a solid case and it makes sense. You're the only thing standing in the way of us moving forward." He explained, gesturing to the live feed of Mokuba in his large office.
Yugi crossed his arms and frowned,
"This isn't what we agreed upon when I signed my contract. I'm sorry but I have to deny your request to switch the launch dates."
Kaiba groaned and rubbed at his temples.
They had been going back and forth for an hour and Kaiba could sense Mokuba's nervousness over the video session.
"Mokuba, we'll call you back." Kaiba said, hanging up on his brother without so much as a goodbye.
Yugi's expression remained stoic as Kaiba sighed and leaned back in his chair,
"You're not going to change my mind. The Japanese release is happening in two months as planned." Yugi said, narrowing his eyes.
"I know we agreed to release the game in Japan in May but Yugi-"
"I said no Kaiba-kun."
Kaiba growled and slammed his fists on his desk,
"Why? You've seen the charts, the projections, the money! The money Yugi!"
"It could flop in America! The projected figures don't mean it's stable, Kaiba-kun! This change could cause my game to go ass backwards!" Yugi challenged, mimicking Kaiba's behavior.
Kaiba shook his head and ran his fingers through his brown locks,
"Why can't you trust me on this? I would never want any of my products to flop. Why would I put you in that situation?" He asked gingerly.
He knew Yugi wouldn't respond to anger, so maybe a gentle approach would be best.
Yugi sighed and adjusted his light purple bow tie,
"I need you to keep what I'm going to tell you to yourself. I know you and Atem have been in a rough patch since the fundraiser last month but I really need you to not tell him what I'm about to tell you." He said seriously.
Kaiba blinked at his ex rival and wondered what could possibly be so bad to make Yugi, of all people, want to keep a secret from Atem.
Kaiba nodded silently, waiting for the bombshell.
Yugi took out his phone and tapped the screen quickly. He handed his phone to Kaiba, visibly shaking.
Kaiba took the phone and looked at the screen. He saw that it was a selfie of Te'a. She was smiling brightly and in her hand was a small plastic stick. He zoomed into the picture and felt his heart dip into his stomach.
It was a positive pregnancy test.
Oh shit.
"Kaiba-kun...You can't tell anyone yet. She went to the doctor and confirmed it but-"
"Your secret is safe with me. Congratulations, Mutou."
Yugi took his phone back and sighed,
"I really can't have my game fail, Kaiba-kun. I don't want to take any chances...I mean, it might be better to just delay the game entirely to build the hype and then release it worldwide this fall…" He trailed off.
Kaiba perked up,
"That's actually not a bad idea…" He said, tapping the monitor to call his brother.
"Really?!" Yugi asked excitedly, happy that they could finally reach a compromise.
Kaiba nodded, waiting for Mokuba to accept the Facetime call.
Mokuba's stern face appeared on the large monitor,
"What's the verdict?" He asked, absentmindedly answering emails on his laptop.
"What would your anonymous shareholder say to delaying the game until the fall and releasing it world wide at that time?" Kaiba asked, hoping this would put a true end to the debate.
Mokuba thought silently and then sighed,
"Yugi, is there really no other way we can convince you to just allow us to switch the dates?"
Yugi rolled his head backward and then into his hands,
"I've already explained this to your brother. My answer is no. We either delay it entirely or keep the launch dates as previously specified in my contract."
"Fine. We'll delay the project and do a full world wide release in the fall." Mokuba finally agreed.
Kaiba let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding and loosened his tie,
"We'll get the new date sent written up as an addendum and have a copy sent your way." He said, ending the call when Mokuba nodded his head in agreement.
Yugi stood and adjusted his bow tie,
"Thank you for listening, Kaiba-kun. And please be discreet."
Kaiba nodded,
"No need to worry, Mutou. Atem and I have been…" He trailed off, not knowing what to call the current state of his relationship with Atem.
Things were messy.
Strained.
The sex had gone stale yet again.
He wondered when he and Atem would be able to reconcile for Kaiba's public aggression but the ex pharaoh had been distant since that fight.
So distant that keeping Yugi's secret wouldn't be a problem.
"He talks to me...about everything... " Yugi said slowly.
"What does that mean?" Kaiba asked, raising an eyebrow.
"It means that I know what he's feeling… Kaiba-kun, you know you need to do right by him. He knows you love him. But... " Yugi trailed off, sighing as he sat back down,
"Kaiba-kun...Atem is looking into moving in with me and Te'a...He was scared to impose but...You can't just make him promises and never follow through on them. At first, I understood that you didn't want to expose Atem to the paparazzi and the gossip columns...But, after what happened with the Prime Minister...It's clear that you've never cared how your actions affect your public image so-"
"What point are you trying to make, Mutou?" Kaiba asked angrily.
"Atem is going to leave you if you don't change. He still talks to Salem so it's not as if-"
"You don't get to use Salem against me. You don't know what we had and what it was like being with someone with that much power and intelligence. She's dangerous and the sooner Atem realizes that, the sooner he'll grow up and stop complaining about being "trapped" in a luxurious mansion." Kaiba retorted, sick of being spoken to like an angsty teenager.
"That. That's the problem. You brought him here and then you punish him for taking his new life for granted. I know I had some issues trusting Salem but the more Atem explains how she talks to him and treats him...It's just. I personally haven't seen her do anything dangerous. No one has."
"I have. That should be enough. Her being dangerous doesn't mean I still don't have feelings but I have to draw the line somewhere." Kaiba retorted.
No one knew what Salem was capable of except for him. He didn't care if people thought he was being overprotective.
"You had to draw the line? I think it's pretty clearly that Salem drew the line and then you crossed it. And if you still have feelings for her and Atem still has feelings for her, why don't the three of you get together and talk it out? Maybe you three could-"
"You don't know anything about what's good for Atem. You don't know who he is now. He can complain all he wants about not getting his way but I know what I'm talking about when I say that he isn't ready to be public and-"
"Kaiba-kun. You've hurt so many people in your life. Do you really want to lose Atem just because you're scared of what people might think? Atem is his own person and has every right to leave. He doesn't have to stay with you if he's unhappy. He needs to be with people he loves and trusts." Yugi explained defensively.
"Ohhh. You mean people like you who are also keeping secrets from him? Good to know that when you withhold information it's being a good friend but if I'm over protective it's called being an abuser." Kaiba scoffed, crossing his arms and glaring at his employee.
Yugi paused and studied Kaiba's expression carefully,
"I never called you an abuser."
Kaiba pursed his lips and and cleared his throat. He never wanted to say it out loud but he knew his behavior towards Atem was something he would never put up with from a friend or a lover…
He knew that he was being abusive and manipulative but it was the only way to keep Atem safe.
Yugi sighed,
"I've said my piece. You know how to be a good lover. You and Salem had something special in the early stages of your relationship. I won't take that away from you. Everyone could see that you were visibly happier. I just don't know why you can't do the same thing for Atem… It's just...What was all this for if you aren't willing to change?" He stood up and quietly exited the office.
Kaiba breathed out through his nose and put his face in his hands.
No.
He knew what he was doing and it was only to keep Atem in his life.
He took out his phone and sent a message to Isono.
Seto Kaiba: Please prepare a large dinner tonight. Fatty beef, lots of oil and carbs. Make sure Atem is hungry.
..
….
..
Isono: Sir, I haven't seen Master Aknankhanen since last night. I assumed he was with you.
Kaiba's heart stopped.
There was no way Atem had already left was there?
Kaiba bursted through the front doors of the mansion and scrambled up the large staircase. He opened the door to his bedroom and scanned it thoroughly.
After realizing Atem hadn't shared the same bed with him for a month, he ran down the hallway to the guest room, knocking rapidly on the door.
"What?!" Atem growled as he swung the door open.
Kaiba sighed inwardly and glared at the ex king,
"Isono said he hadn't seen you since last night. I was worried." He said barging into the bedroom.
He felt his heart sink when he noticed Atem was laying out his clothes. As if the ex royal was packing.
He cleared his throat and forced a smile,
"I"m sorry. I just- I know I've been an ass and I wanted to make it up to you. I even had Isono make us a special dinner. Please join me…" He said, holding out his hand.
Atem noticed that Kaiba had looked at the bed and was on high alert,
"Aibou told me he spoke with you this afternoon. He said he left the conversation feeling as if you didn't want to listen to reason." he said cautiously.
Kaiba shook his head,
"I want you to be with me, Atem. I want you to trust me."
Atem narrowed his eyes at his lover,
"Let's just eat dinner and get the argument over with." He said, walking past the brunette.
Kaiba frowned and followed Atem, hoping his scheme wouldn't backfire on him.
Atem sighed as he sat at the dinner table, excited that he would no longer have to eat steamed vegetables every day.
His eyes widened when Isono uncovered the dishes on the table to reveal an assortment of meats, rice, dumplings, and soft boiled eggs. He turned his gaze to Kaiba who was smiling handsomely at him,
"I'm sorry I've been so difficult, Atem. I know you and Yugi are close but-"
"Close? We tell each other everything, Kaiba. Close is an understatement." Atem interrupted.
Kaiba blinked and smiled warmly,
"Right. Of course."
"I'm going to eat this food, Kaiba. But, you won't bribe me to stay. I've made my decision and I want to be my own person." Atem said, greedily spooning rice and beef on to his plate.
Kaiba raised an eyebrow and chuckled,
"Is there any reason why you can't be your own person and be with me at the same time? I never wanted to make you feel like you can't be an individual."
Atem stuffed a large spoonful of food into his mouth and fluttered his eyes,
"So good…" He moaned as he chewed a mouthful of food.
"I'm also sorry I haven't spoken to Isono about his behavior towards you. No more plates of steamed veggies. I promise you'll have a well rounded diet." Kaiba explained, his own plate still empty.
Atem swallowed his food and gazed at the table. He knew that being fed better food was one of his demands but he didn't want to give Kaiba his way just because the CEO gave him hearty food for dinner on time.
"It's not just the food, Kaiba. You treat me like property and not an equal. Who cares what people think about us? We should just be happy right? Only thing is, I'm not happy in this place. We fight all the time, you're never home, and Yugi is the only person I can really talk to.." He said, spooning a soft boiled egg onto his rice and slicing it open.
Kaiba nodded, pretending to be listening intently,
"Well, Yugi and Salem Correct?"
Atem set his fork down and glared at the brunette,
"I'm not going to forsake her like you have."
"Atem. Do you want to know what I'd like from you in order for me to feel more comfortable going public with our relationship?" Kaiba asked, loosening his tie.
Atem furrowed his brow,
"What else could you want from me? I've given up a lot to be in this world again."
Kaiba's shoulder's bounced as he chuckled,
"I want you to trust me. I want you to trust me more than you trust Yugi and Salem. You say I haven't changed. But, it really works out in your favor because that makes me predictable. You know all of my tricks and shortcomings. You don't know Yugi like that anymore. And you definitely don't know Salem-"
"Not this again." Atem interrupted,
"Kaiba. I love Salem. And I trust Aibou. He wouldn't do anything to hurt me."
"Oh, really?" Kaiba asked, raising an eyebrow.
Atem crossed his arms and glared daggers at Kaiba,
"Really."
Kaiba nodded and shook his head,
"Please, Atem. I love you and I don't want you to get hurt. Yugi was in my office this morning and he wants to help you. But, him and Te'a are going through a tough time and-"
"Yugi would have told me if him and Te'a were having issues." Atem barked, knowing Kaiba was leading up to something.
"I didn't say they were having issues. They've actually never been better with the news of the new addition to their family, but of course you already know about that…." Kaiba said, finally spooning a small portion of rice on to his plate.
Atem froze,
"New addition? What does that mean?" He asked warily.
Kaiba tilted his head,
"Oh? I would have assumed you already knew considering Yugi would never knowingly tell me something important before telling you…" He spooned a large helping of mixed greens onto his plate accompanied by a smaller portion of shredded chicken thighs.
Atem felt his heart beat start to quicken and his breathing becoming shallow,
"W-what did he tell you?"
"You really don't know? Hmmm ...I guess I do remember him saying something about keeping it a secret." Kaiba said thoughtfully.
Atem blinked at Kaiba and then looked down at his large plate of food.
"Aibou wouldn't keep something like that from me…You're lying."
Kaiba scoffed,
"Why would I lie? I'm his employer. He's going to have a major life change and the success of the game is now more important to him than ever." He explained, taking a graceful bite of his food.
Atem's breathing became heavy. He couldn't let Kaiba mess with his brain this way.
Was Kaiba messing with his brain?
It seemed like the brunette was just relaying the information but…
"Why wouldn't Aibou tell me...Te'a is my friend too…" He mumbled, no longer hungry.
Kaiba shrugged,
"There's no need to be upset, pharaoh. It's bad luck to tell people too early. Plus, Yugi is different now. He's an adult and he's just trying to protect his family.."
Atem's stomach flipped and turned,
"Aibou doesn't see me as family?"
Kaiba blinked,
"I never said that."
Atem sighed shakily and tried to blink the tears out of his eyes. He stood up and ran up the stairs, ignoring Kaiba as he called after him.
He ran down the hall and into his room, taking out his cell phone and dialing Yugi's number.
"Atem? What's wrong? Do you need us to come pick you up?" Yugi spoke quickly.
Atem sniffled and breathed,
"Is it true?"
He heard Yugi pause,
"Is what true?"
"Don't treat me like a child, Aibou. Is Te'a pregnant? Why did you tell Kaiba not to tell me? I should know before anyone-"
"Atem. Stop. I told Kaiba because he asked me why I was acting strange and I needed him to understand that the game-"
"Aibou, since when are things about business and money with you? You've changed and-"
"Of course I've changed Atem. I'm an adult now and need to do what's best for me and Te'a."
"So, me not knowing was what was best for you?" Atem bit back a sob.
He couldn't trust his Aibou anymore…
"Just not right away Atem...Kaiba shouldn't have told you-"
"I'm glad he did! Now I know that I can't trust you like I used to, Yugi."
"...Atem...Please. Don't you see what he's doing? Let me come get you, he's obviously gotten into your head."
"No. I'm not going anywhere with anyone. I thought we were family, Aibou...I see now that you've forgotten what our friendship meant to you. Goodbye."
Atem pressed end and threw his phone on the bed. He tried his best to wipe his tears away as they streamed down his face.
"You're family to me, Atem." Kaiba said from the doorway.
Atem didn't turn to look at his blue eyed lover. He couldn't bear to grovel at Kaiba's feet when the brunette had obviously planned this argument to happen.
"Trust me, Atem. It's better if we move on." Kaiba said, walking into the bedroom.
Atem breathed in and out slowly,
"I'll move on. If you can admit one thing." He said, finally turning to look at Kaiba.
Kaiba raised an eyebrow,
"And what would you like me to say?"
"Admit that Salem isn't dangerous and you're just trying to keep her and I apart...because you're mean and jealous." Atem challenged.
Kaiba glared at the ex king and crossed his arms,
"Never. I stand by my judgment of her and you should too if you know what's good for you."
Atem shook his head and scoffed,
"Then it's decided." He said walking to his nightstand and taking the small sleek remote Salem gave him off of the surface.
Kaiba took a step back,
"What is that?" He asked carefully. He knew Salem's technology too well at this point and he was rightfully fearful of it.
"A way out." Atem said, pressing the center button and closing his eyes.
Kaiba watched in fear as the device warbled and beeped, the remote glowing Salem's signature color as a large bubble surrounded and cradled the ex pharaoh. His eyes widened as the bubble glowed and shrunk around Atem's form, the ex royal's body becoming translucent and finally disappearing completely.
Kaiba breathed heavily, realizing what just happened.
"She took him…" He growled, feeling his muscles tense with fury.
"Isono! Get my keys!" He yelled, knowing that there were only so many places his curly haired ex lover would be willing to take Atem.
"I'll find you, pharaoh. Even if that pink snake kills me."
Atem gasped loudly as he awoke in a large stark white bedroom. He stood up frantically, immediately walking out of the bedroom and into a long corridor.
"Hello?! Anyone?!" He yelled, walking down the hall.
He jumped when he heard a loud warble behind him. He hid around the corner, peeking to see what was joining him in the mysterious home. He covered his mouth to mask his breathing when he saw Salem appear in the hallway.
She was filthy.
Her hands were covered in blood and she was holding a torn blood stained green jacket.
He watched as she looked around, seemingly knowing where she was.
"Atem? Are you here? It's okay to come out. This is supposed to happen, please don't be afraid!" She yelled slowly walking in Atem's direction.
Atem stepped out from the corner and smiled weakly,
"Hi." He said, confused by Salem's appearance.
"Hi, habibi. If you're here then things at home are insane, mish kida?"
Atem put his and on his upper arm, avoiding Salem's gaze. He nodded slowly, wondering if coming to this place was the right decision.
"I'm sorry for my appearance I was...painting…" She lied, leading Atem back to the bedroom.
"Trash can." Salem said out loud, confusing Atem even more.
The room beeped and lit up, producing a small white trash can from the floor.
Atem watched as Salem threw the mystery jacket into the bin and stripped down completely naked, throwing the rest of her clothes into the trash as well.
He swallowed thickly as he looked her up and down. He noticed that she looked more muscular then she did when he had seen her last. Even when she was covered in dirt and "paint" she was stunning.
"I'm going to shower off. Are you hungry?" She asked unashamedly showing off her naked body.
Atem shook his head slowly, trying to keep himself from drooling.
Salem smiled warmly,
"I'm sure you'd like a place to rest for a moment. Bed." She said, not waiting for the room to beep and light up to see a large all white bed rise up from the floor.
He walked over to the bed and sat down on the soft fabric.
What is this place?
He gazed at Salem's taught cheeks as she sauntered through a different door. He sighed and laid back onto the bed.
"Something's off… I know that's not paint...What has she been up to and what was she doing before she came here." He thought, realizing in his haste to get away from Kaiba, he had forgotten his phone.
He heard Salem commanding the other room to make all of the necessary amenities for a bathroom and then heard her start the shower.
He sat up and gazed at the door to the bathroom. He wanted to be with her… But something wasn't right. He didn't know if he should ignore it and just enjoy being with someone who treats him like an adult or if he should question it.
After all, he ignored the signs with Kaiba and he's in a huge mess now because of it.
But, Salem was different.
Right?
He stood up and began undressing on his way to the bathroom with only one thing on his mind.
He walked into the bathroom and silently joined Salem in the shower. The curly haired beauty was unsurprised at Atem's actions.
"What took you so long?" She said, wrapping her arms around the ex pharaoh's neck.
Atem's eyes went dark as he pulled her naked body close to his,
"Sorry to keep you waiting, angel…"
Kaiba banged on the front door of Salem's estate loudly, shouting her name. He crossed his arms when he heard movement coming from inside. He groaned and rolled his eyes when Jackson answered the door,
"Ah, Mr. Kaiba. What an unpleasant surprise." The guard said, running his fingers through his blonde hair.
"Where are they?" Kaiba growled, stepping closer to the large man.
Jackson sighed,
"Where are who?"
"Don't play dumb with me you oaf. Salem and Atem. He pressed a button on a remote I can only assume Salem gave to him and now he's gone. Where. Is. He." Kaiba asked again, stepping even closer.
"Lady Sala hasn't been in Japan for the past week. As for Atem, he's your responsibility. You lost him, so you find him. Lady Sala has done you more than enough favors regarding that spoiled brat."
"That spoiled brat is my boyfriend and Salem took him. I know she did." Kaiba said, grabbing the lapel of Jackson's blazer,
Jackson wrapped his hand around Kaiba's wrist and squeezed, smirking when Kaiba yelled in pain. He twisted Kaiba's arm behind his back and kicked the brunette square in the back.
Kaiba toppled to the ground and coughed. He looked up at Jackson who was glaring down at him.
"Please exit the premises before I call the authorities. I have no qualms with kicking your ass. You can't hide behind Lady Sala anymore." Jackson said, slamming the front door.
Kaiba gawked at the now shut door.
What the hell?
Atem breathed heavily as he collapsed next to Salem, exhausted from their trist. He kissed her forehead and sighed happily,
"That was amazing, angel…" He said, chuckled when Salem snuggled into his chest.
"Are you and Seto not having sex? It seemed like you were overly eager…" She said, swirling her index finger against Atem's abdomen.
Atem sighed,
"I don't want to talk about him."
Salem sat up slowly,
"What do you want to talk about?"
Atem stretched and yawned,
"I guess I do have a few questions about this place" He said looking around.
Salem nodded,
"Well to start, I'm sorry you had to press the button. Whatever happened must have been awful for you to want to come to me…."
"Yugi is keeping secrets from me and Kaiba is of course making you his scapegoat. I couldn't take it anymore." He explained, watching Salem get up from the bed to go and clean herself up in the bathroom.
"Scapegoat?" She said from the doorway.
Atem nodded,
"Whenever I bring up how much better you treat me he says I don't know who you really are and that I should be careful…"
Salem silently walked back into the bedroom,
"Well...I hate to also be the one to say it, habibi, but you don't really know me that well. Yes, we're close. But it is true that there are things about me you don't know."
Atem crossed his arms,
"Okay then. Will you answer all of my questions honestly? I'm an adult and I demand to be treated as such."
"Atem-"
"No, Salem. You're the one person who's ever made me feel like I could do more, like I could be more...You're the one who's supposed to be honest with me. Please." Atem pleaded, slowly getting up from the bed and putting on his tracksuit.
Salem sighed and tossed her messy curls over her shoulder.
"Closet." She commanded, getting dressed as the floor opened and present her black stealth outfit paired with her dark grey trench coat.
"Fine. Atem. What are your questions?" She asked, commanding the room to make two chairs and a coffee table with fresh tea.
Atem sat on one of the chairs and gazed at Salem seriously as she took the spot in front of him,
"What is this place? Where are we?"
Salem crossed her legs and blew on her tea,
"We're nowhere and everywhere. This place is an invention of my own design. Aside from the voice activated commands, it also masks our location from hostile entities. Kind of like a safe room or panic room."
Atem furrowed his brow,
"Everywhere and nowhere?"
Salem nodded and sipped her hot beverage,
"As you know, I can travel between realities and dimensions. Right now, where in between dimensions."
"In between? I don't understand."
Salem sighed set her tea down, sloppily pouring more tea from the kettle causing little bubbles to form on top of her beverage.
"Think of the body of the tea as your dimension and the space around us another dimension." She started.
Atem nodded, following along intently.
"Do you see the bubbles that are forming on the surface of my tea? Those exist between the actual body of the tea and the world around us. Whatever is inside that bubble is existing in it's own world. Each bubble differ in size, space, and length of existence." She explained, popping the smaller bubbles and moving the bigger bubbles around.
"I see...That's very clever...I see why Kaiba is so scared of you. You're much smarter than him." Atem said, drinking his tea.
Salem shook her head and frowned,
"That's not why. I've shown him things and taken him places… He's right to be afraid. Even though he doesn't know my past as well as he thinks he does, he's seen enough of my last minute decision making to want to keep you away from me…"
Atem raised an eyebrow,
"Your past?"
Salem sighed,
"As you know, I'm not from Seto's reality…"
Atem nodded, fully aware that Salem is a foreign presence in their dimension.
"Well, this reality isn't the first one I came to. I've lived two lives before this one. But my first one, my original reality, is something I haven't told anyone about…"
"Tell me. I want to know everything." Atem said, putting his hand on top of Salem's.
"Everything?" She asked incredulously.
"Everything."
Salem sighed and nodded,
"Well, it all started when I was crowned…"
"Crowned?"
"Crowned Princess…" She blushed.
"What?!"
I was thirteen. My mother and father had learned that I had my first blood and had me crowned publicly. Immediately. It was easier to marry me off that way.
"Princess? Are you alright." Anansi's newly low voice was taking me some getting used to but I was glad to have him by my side nonetheless. Early puberty was a common thing among "super" soldiers.
"Yes, Anansi. I'm just thinking through my next project." I was lying of course.
I was a genius. A prodigy. The kingdom was already benefiting from my progressive tech. It made profits easy and it kept my family in charge.
"Are you sure you aren't thinking about the suitor your parents are having you meet? I know I'm a lot younger than you, Princess. But, It's my job to protect you. Maybe I can scare him off!"
Anansi was only nine years old and given the task of being my right hand and protector. He was a prodigy in himself. His combat marks were high and he was the son of my father's most trusted general.
Naturally, Anansi would have been first in line for my hand in marriage but…
His mother.
"His mother? What was wrong with his mother?" Atem asked.
"Well...His father was a general...and his mother was an innocent woman walking through soldier crowded streets at night…" Salem explained.
"Oh…"
"A child of rape can't be the king. He has her eyes..." She said.
"I get it. So, did you ever meet with the suitor?"
"Well ...no, not exactly.."
The day that I was to meet with my suitor, I had a breakthrough with one of my projects.
"Anansi! Anansi!" I yelled, jumping up and down excitedly.
I smiled brightly at my right hand, smoothing out my chanel skirt.
"Yes, princess!" He was so loyal…
"It's finished. My newest project! This should truly unite our nations…" I was so sure that I was going to change everything and that I had to be the one to do it. I was the princess after all. I wanted to be more than a pretty face and a baby maker.
"Aren't we already united because of our fathers and the treaty?" He asked, confused on the intricacies of war and peace.
"True. We are united on paper. But there are small rebel camps forming in each of the territories we've conquered. Their concerns have gone unheard by my mother and father. They need clean water but their lakes and rivers have become contaminated by the factories built after the war. My parents refuse to get rid of the factories. So, as a compromise, I thought it would be best if we offer a clean water solution."
I was confident in my ability to invent and produce a large scale water cleanser that would work for entire villages. It would clean their water supply as it was being dirtied. I thought it was going to be perfect.
The only problem was my product needed to be tested.
Who better than my unsuspecting suitor.
"Did it work?" Atem asked, drinking his tea.
Salem sighed,
"I think you know that it didn't…"
Atem raised an eyebrow.
"I trusted Anansi to "dirty" my suitor's water. Anansi, being a literal child, put poison in the cup...He wanted to be the one sitting at the table getting to know me better...I didn't have time to use the pill form of my invention to cleanse the water ...and…"
"He's dead." Anansi said, not bothering to touch the limp body in the chair.
I was confused and scared. My suitor was a royal and it was illegal for anyone to hurt a royal. Even the princess.
"I'll take the fall. I can say he tried to force himself on you. There are no cameras and it's my job to defend your honor. No one will bat an eye.." He said, adjusting his small tie.
I agreed and we covered up my first accidental murder.
My parents weren't fooled.
I was punished.
"They destroyed everything!" I yelled as I looked at my laboratory. It was a mess. Machines were broken, notebooks and laptops strewn about.
"There's no salvaging this ...I'll have to start over… " I said, falling to my knees.
"Princess, please stand up. You'll ruin your dress before the summit." Anansi said, playing with his badge of honor.
He had been awarded for thwarting my fake rapist.
"Fuck the summit! Everything I've ever invented is gone! And I can never debut my last project! It'll prove we tampered with evidence.." I was spiraling..
"Your parents seem like they've never really trusted you…" Atem mumbled..
Salem chuckled,
"They had me framed for treason.."
"What?!"
When I turned fifteen, I started to notice a change in Anansi. He would stare at me. Just stare.
As my right hand, he would watch me get ready for my day. Nothing sexual. I would always be in a robe or a night gown.
One day, while I was getting ready for a morning in the throne room, he finally said it.
"I'm in love with you, Princess."
I dropped my makeup brush on my vanity and gazed at him through my mirror.
"Excuse me?"
I couldn't say that I was shocked.
Anansi had hit puberty and the small child that I had once looked down on was now a towering colossus.
He was barely eleven years old and still growing.
"Princess. I love you. I want to make love to you. I want to marry you. I wouldn't tell anyone you gave yourself to me if you say yes. We could keep it a secret." He was frantic and desperate.
Of course, I loved him too. But as family.
"Anansi...You're too young…" I said, the only excuse I could think of to stall.
"I look older than you now. No one knows of my origins besides your parents and my father...Your grandmother thinks we're a perfect match. Princess, please." He was by my side now, one one knee.
"I want to do dirty things to you...I want to kiss your pretty neck and put my fingers in your royal curls…" He said, putting his hand on my thigh, circling his thumb on the exposed skin.
I gently pushed his hand away and stood up, crossing my arms over my ample chest.
"I need time to think. Please leave me to my thoughts so I may continue getting ready for my day." I said gesturing to the door.
Anansi frowned and stood up, running his fingers through his thick wavy hair,
"I'll wait for you outside the door."
Of course I couldn't give myself to Anansi. I wasn't interested in sex and thinking about losing the only friend I had was too much to bear.
So, I went to his father to voice my concerns later that week.
It didn't go well.
"Sir, please understand. There are many reasons why I'm denying your son's request for marriage. I assure you it has nothing to do with his lineage. He's my only friend and-"
"Friend?! You're a princess. You're THE princess. You don't get to have friends. You get married, become queen, and birth heirs to continue your legacy. My son is strong, handsome, and is on track to become one of your best war strategists. It only makes sense that he becomes King!" Anansi's father was a brute.
My mistake was underestimating him.
After the unsuccessful conversation with Anansi's father, my right hand had become distant.
He wouldn't talk to me or even smile at me.
It was almost a month before I was arrested in my bedroom.
The trial was a joke.
I was accused of selling my technology to the rebel causes and then destroying my lab to get rid of any evidence. Because there was no proof, instead of setting me free, I was convicted of high treason.
My sentence was public humiliation.
"Public humiliation? Why?" Atem had stopped drinking his beverage and was completely invested in the story.
"There was a rumor that I had given my virtue to my most trusted guard…"
"Oh."
"Anansi's father spread false information about the technology and my supposed lost virtue...all because I denied his son.." Salem said, shaking her head.
"And the public punishment?"
I was cold. So cold.
My body was naked on a stone slab. I was restrained by my wrists and ankles.
There was no escape.
I looked to my side when I heard male voices approaching my shivering form.
"Hello, princess. My, my you're quite the woman. Everything is right where it should be..." Anansi's father said, licking his lips as he looked at my body.
"Why are you doing this? Please, let me go…" I pleaded, shivering from the cold stone against my skin.
He laughed deeply and shook his head,
"Marry my son. If you don't, we'll bring in the doctor. He'll test your virtue in front of the entire kingdom. If you really are a virgin as you claim, you'll be set free. If not, well...I'm sure Anansi will still take a disgraced princess…"
"I don't understand. Test your virtue?"
Salem nodded,
"A doctor sticks his finger inside of you to see if you've broken or stretched your hymen. In poor families, they shove a cloth inside of you and if there's blood you're a virgin. If not…"
"And what happened to you?"
The room opened up.
It was so bright.
The sun shined on my bright skin, making sure every person in the audience could see every shameful part of me.
The doctor came in. His face was distraught.
This same doctor has taken me from my mother's womb, treated every scrape, illness and had watched me blossom into a young woman..
Now he was taking part in my public torture…
It was a dark day for both of us.
The doctor used a small bit of vaseline to make sure I didn't tear and then quickly inserted a finger.
I screamed.
I had never even touched myself and this doctor had his finger inside me.
My body shook and quaked.
I became even colder all over my body as a tried gasping for air.
"What happened?"
"I went into shock. I was rushed to the hospital. I was, of course, acquitted after that but...the damage was done."
A year went by after those events. My grandmother had banded together with the people of the kingdom to have Anansi's father tried for false accusation of the kingdom's heir.
He was executed on Anansi's birthday.
I had taken to spending all of my time in my lab. Working on a way out. Life had to be better. There had to be more.
"...Princess.." I heard Anansi's deep voice from the doorway.
"I'm busy." I spat.
I had lost all patience for those I once trusted. I stopped going to my doctor and learned medicine to be able to treat myself. I took combat classes to not have to rely on Anansi anymore.
I was getting stronger and smarter.
And more dangerous to myself and those around me.
"Princess. I'm sorry. My father deserved what he got and-"
"Death was too good for that man and you know it! Think of your poor mother! The whispers and looks she gets even now! This all started because you told your father that I denied you! How could you do that to me!" I was furious.
I only had one friend in my whole life.
And his actions caused my biggest trauma.
"I didn't know what he would do….." Anansi begged, stepping further into the lab.
I stood up from my work bench and glared at my former friend,
"Yes. You did. You can't fool me, Anansi. You may play around with the harlots in the city and convince them you're a lovable dumb jock but I know the truth. You're twelve years old! A child! And already our most talented strategist. If there's one thing you know, it's how to plan things in your favor...What you didn't count on was my pride being stronger than your plan."
Anansi sighed,
"I can't lose you too… Please...I'll do anything."
It was at this point, I should have dismissed Anansi as my guard but instead,
"Anything?" I asked.
He nodded vigorously, wanted to make up for his mistake.
"Pledge your life to me. You will follow me wherever I may go even if it means death. You will not question me. Anything I need, you will provide. If I do decide to take a lover, you will not interfere. Do you accept?"
Anansi walked up to me and kneeled, putting his right hand to the left side of his chest,
"I accept, my princess. I am your servant."
"Good. I have a new invention that I want to test and we're going to test it together." I said, finessing some last minute details.
Anansi stood and nodded,
"What is your new invention called?"
"The "smart" watch."
"So, he was there when you first invented the watch? Holy shit, you made that when you were sixteen? That's amazing." Atem said, fawning over Salem's brilliance.
"That's not that impressive. You were pharaoh when you were the same age and Seto took over Kaiba corp. Plus, the watch didn't open a portal for three years. I couldn't get it to work until I was nineteen." She explained.
"Really? What happened when you finally did get to test it?"
"Well, for a long time I thought that I ended the world. It turns out, my reality is the reality in which Kaiba and Yugi lose to Diva…"
Atem sighed and leaned back in his chair,
"That sucks. So you tested it, came back to your home and the world was just covered in darkness?"
Salem nodded,
"I didn't think there were any survivors. Nothing was left. There was no soil. No water. No sun...But, as Seto may have told you we had a run in with his alternate...That Kaiba, the one from my dimension, is absolutely insane...He even rallied several Salas to help him find me…" She trailed off, starting in the direction of the trash can.
It still held her bloody clothes.
"Kaiba told me a little bit about that. But, I don't see how any of this specifically makes you danger...ous.." Atem trailed off when he thought about the "paint" that was all over Salem when they first arrived in the safe zone.
He gazed at her, studying her face carefully.
She was hiding something.
"Do you talk to your alternates?" He asked, crossing his arms.
Salem shook her head,
"They're petty and obsessive. I'm the original Sala, the creator of the technology. I don't need to bother myself with them."
"Really? It's just strange that you were carrying a torn green leather jacket...You don't wear green. At least not in leather form. And I doubt you would "paint" anything you own red.." Atem reasoned, trying to get answers out of her.
"Atem… please…"
"What were you doing before you came here. What have you been up to?" Atem questioned, finally ready to hear what made Salem such a bad person.
Salem breathed in and looked at Atem with tear filled eyes,
"There were some Salas that promised Anansi their love if he sold me out to them...I've been tracking down those Salas and... exterminating them. The green jacket belong to a Sala who was a war criminal in her dimension. I had to get rid of them to make sure you stayed safe-"
"Stop." Atem stood up and backed away from Salem. He didn't realize Salem would commit multiple murders and still be able to look at him with those big innocent eyes like she could never hurt anyone in her life.
She had no remorse.
"Atem, you don't understand-"
"Shut up! You're a murderer. Those girls look just like you and you killed them in cold blood!" He yelled. He realized that he was trapped in this strange place with a woman who had just confessed to killing multiple people.
Salem's lip quivered as she stepped closer to the ex pharaoh,
"I've only done what I had to in order to protect what I had left. You're all I have left, Atem…"
"No! Don't come any closer!" He yelled, throwing the tea cups and hot kettle in her direction.
His eyes widened as he watched he dodge all of the projectiles quickly.
Kaiba was right.
Salem was dangerous.
Extremely dangerous.
"Don't ever contact me or Seto again." He started, his face red with anger and hurt.
"...Atem.." She pleaded again, trying to get closer.
"Send me back, NOW!" He screamed, glaring at the woman he once thought he knew.
Salem sobbed and pressed a button on her watch, sending Atem back to his bedroom at the Kaiba mansion.
He fell to his knees and let out a loud melancholy sob. He cradled himself in his arms, trying to keep himself from vomiting on the plush carpet.
He heard loud footsteps coming toward him and then Kaiba's frantic voice,
"Atem?! Atem, are you hurt?" Kaiba held Atem close and examined his boyfriend closely.
No marks.
Atem sobbed and shook, trying to take several breaths to calm down.
"Atem... You've been gone for weeks...What happened? Where were you?" Kaiba asked gently.
Atem felt his heart break even more than it already was.
Weeks?
It felt as if he had only spent a few hours in the safety pocket Salem had created.
He wrapped his arms around Kaiba and cried harder.
He had been so wrong.
So, so, so wrong about everything.
"I'm s-s-sorry...You were right.." Atem hiccuped, holding onto Kaiba tightly.
Kaiba sighed,
"I'm just happy you're back. I was scared that I had driven you away for good. I'm sorry too.."
"Salem is a monster. I'm sorry I didn't listen to you..please don't ever leave me. I'll do whatever it takes for us to move forward but just please don't leave me. You're the only person I can trust…" Atem blabbered, still trying to control his sobs.
Kaiba blinked and felt his heart flutter.
Did Atem finally push Salem out.
Were they free?
"Atem...Thank you..for coming back... When can go public whenever you're ready."
Thank you for reading the chapter!
Ugh, I don't even know what to say….
I wanted to try and finish this story by the end of September but it looks like it'll continue into October. I just want to be thorough.
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