After resting for afew hours Atem sat up & yawned, stretching his arms over his head & arching his back he smiled when he felt his vertebrae pop "slow down Atem, your not one-hundred percent yet" he said to himself with a chuckle. Looking over at Loretta who was still sound asleep he gently ran his fingers down her bare arm "Loretta...We have to go & see Shimon" he smiled as she gently rolled over with her eyes starting to flutter open, closing her eyes again Loretta smiled
"But I'm still sleepy" she pouted, chuckling Atem smiled "you are so beautiful, but we have to get up..." sighing "Dont forget we still need to trail Bakura too, his punishment on the other hand is going to be alot more severe, Im sorry Loretta" Atem said as his smiled turned in a frown, opening her eyes quickly Loretta sat up & cupped Atem's cheek in her palm "Dont be sad Atem, I will be ok, at least I will have you by my side" she said as she gazed into his eyes & smiled.
Walking towards Shimons room Loretta sighed & stopped dead in her tracks "Loretta...Whats wrong" Atem said as he stopped next to Loretta & took her hand "I'm ok Atem, I'm just really nervous, I know its only Shimon who we are going to talk to for now but I am really anxious about what he is going to say" Loretta said as she started to shake slightly, embracing his wife to help calm her down Atem place a light kiss on her cheek
"its ok Loretta, I know you are worried but I can assure you, everything is going to be ok" Atem said as he tightened his hold on Loretta gently rubbing her back "t-thank you Atem" said Loretta as she tried & then failed to hold back a sob, letting her tears flow freely down Atem's back.
Noticing that Loretta was crying Atem pulled back from her so that he could look at her "Loretta...Look at me, you can do this, you are strong but you need to be brave, for me & yourself, I realise now that you have feelings for Seto & dont wish any harm to come to him, but thats why I am with you, if Shimon says anything at all you dont agree with, I will be right there to back you up, you have my word" Atem said as he lifted Loretta's chin & kissed her forehead.
After standing for a while to comfort his wife & to make sure she was ok they finally continued on to Shimons room, knocking on the door Loretta took a deep breath as the door began to open,
" Good afternoon my Pharaoh & my Queen, what an honour it is to have you here to what do I owe the pleasure" Shimon said in shock "Good Afternoon Shimon, we have come to talk to you about Seto's punishment" Atem frowned as he looked at Loretta out of the corner of his eye "Oh yes of course, please come in your Majesties" shimon bowed as Atem & Loretta stepped through the door.
Taking a seat on the couch Atem cleared his throat "Now because of what happened with Seto, I think it is only fair that he gets a light punishment, starting with his should be taken from him, hence he will then lose the title of Head Priest & Royal court member, what do you think Shimon, you were there with my Father" Atem said checking on Loretta again who sat quietly next to him nodding in agreement
"For someone so young you are very wise my Pharaoh & I cant see anything wrong with that type of punishment, for what he did to the Queen was unexceptable, the only thing I can think of is if he becomes a temple guardian starting from the lowest rank" Shimon said as Atem hummed in agreement
"What do you think Loretta, it's going to be your call" Atem said as he looked at Loretta who had her head down thinking, slowly raising her head Loretta looked at Atem
"I think that is fair but I think after 6 to 8 months he should be re-tested & brought back into your royal court, IF he has learned his lesson" Loretta said as Atem nodded
"Ok Loretta, if that is what you wish I will make it so, so let it be written, so let it be done!" Atem said as he stood up holding his hand out for Loretta to take
"Is that all you wish to speak about my King? What about Bakura" Shimon said as he stood up & bowed
"Yes it is, thank you Shimon but I will dealing out Bakura's punishment" said Atem as his eyes narrowed & his lip started to curl up in a snarl "it was an honour to help you my Pharaoh, if you need anymore advice please feel free to ask me" Shimon said bowing again as Atem made his way out the door "your input was much appreciated" Atem said with a smile.
Wandering slowly back down to their chamber Atem looked at Loretta "I'm very proud of you Loretta, you handled that so well I'm glad to call you my wife & my Queen" Atem smiled as he kissed the top of Loretta's hand
"I couldn't have done it with out you Atem, you gave me the courage to speak up & say what I thought, I was really nervous this morning but I feel alot better now & its all thanks to you" Loretta said as she kissed Atem's cheek.
"It's good to see you so happy, what would you like to do now..." Atem said as he took his cape off from around his neck & flicked it over his shoulder "Im finished work for today" he chuckled
"Hmm, I dont know, I just want to relax, I'm still abit tired" Loretta said with a yawn "Yes & I can see you are still stressed about what has happened to you lately but I have an idea on what we can do" Atem smirked
"oh no, I dont like that smirk of yours Atem, what are you thinking" Loretta giggled as she took a step away from him
"Its ok, I was just thinking that it might be nice if I run you a nice warm bath & give you a massage to help you relax then maybe we could have an early night because since we have a big day on tomorrow" Atem said as he put on his most convincing smile.
"Ok, you got me, that sounds really nice, thank you Atem, I would enjoy that..." she smiled "for everything you have done for me you deserve something" Loretta said turning her smile into a smirk "What would tha..." said Atem as he was cut off by Loretta pulling him close to her & kissing him passionately, running her fingers down his chest making Atem sigh in delight, taking advantage of her situation she let her tongue slip into his mouth tasting the strong menthol flavour of his toothpaste "{Mmm peppermint}" Loretta thought as she smiled in her kiss "{I thought you would enjoy that}" Atem thought back smugggly.
Pushing Atem into a pillar & locking his hands up by his head Loretta began to nip & kiss down the side of Atem's neck specifically keeping to his pulse point & collar bone, noticing that Atem was starting to pant heavily Loretta looked up to see a small trail of sweat running down the side of his cheek & along his jaw.
Still holding his hands above his head Loretta took a step back from Atem to allow him to regain his breath & his composure "You ok there Atem?" Loretta giggled, letting Atem's arms drop to his sides
"Thank you Loretta, you seem alot happier" he smiled "You always make me happy Atem, but I think we should take this to our chamber, I'm surprised no body saw us" Loretta giggled with a blush "Thats because the guards have been dismissed for today but Mahad is usually around I haven't seen him today" Atem said as he took Loretta's hand & started walking.
Getting into their chamber & shutting the door, Atem slowly walked Loretta backwards until her legs bent at the edge of the bed sitting her with a plop down on her bum
"Atem...?" she questioned raising an eyebrow "Allow my to run you a warm bath while you sit back & relax my Queen" he said with a smirk as he pulled his shirt off over his head tossing it to her, bringing the white tunic top up to her cheek near her nose Loretta took in a deep breath, closing her eyes & sighing contently, this was the smell she loved, that she had fallen in love with, a smell that couldnt be described. It was sweet & yet spicy but also sort of musky at the same time, smiling to herself Loretta slowly opened her eyes humming quietly.
Hearing the taps being turned off Loretta quickly hid the top behind her back as the sound of Atem's footsteps resonated through the room "Your bath awaits my Queen" he said with a bow at she looked up at him, having fallen into an almost trance Loretta got up & walked over to Atem who was standing next to the door frame of the bathroom with a loving smile on his face, taking her hand he guided her towards the bath.
Stepping into the bathroom Loretta gazed in awe at the wonderfully placed candles that lined the wall of the bath & the back of the basin, another thing that caught her eye was the purple Lotus that floated on top of the bath & to top it off, that oh so sweet smell of lavender that wafted past her nose
"Wow Atem, this is beautiful" Loretta said as she let go of a happy tear "Nothing is too good for my Queen, sometimes it pays to be in love with a King..." he smirked. Turning her back Loretta carefully slipped out of her dress & undergarmets, taking the towel off of Atem's arm Loretta wrapped it around herself, sitting on the edge of the bath she slowly dipped her toes into the water, sliding into the warm caress of the water she handed the towel back to Atem, who flicked it back over his shoulder.
Letting her hair flow down over the edge of the bath Loretta sunk further down into the water, covering her shoulders. Dropping down onto one knee Atem kneeled next to Loretta
"Is there anything I can get for you my Queen" he smiled with his deep wine coloured eyes shining, looking over at him with a smile as equally loving as his Loretta rested her head & neck on the edge of the bath but still kept eye contact
"A glass of wine would be nice" she winked "Of course your Majesty, red or white?" he questioned with a chuckle know full well what she wanted "I feel like red tonight please Atemu" Loretta said with a giggle of her own as he gasped slightly at his own name & then smiled "As you wish milady" he said as he stood up & bowed again before walking out the door.
Just as Atem was about to walk through the door Loretta called out to him "Oh & Atemu...Take off your crown, if you are going to continue to serve me it wouldn't be right for you to be of high ranking" Loretta giggled "Yes my Queen, you are right, I will be with you in a moment" he said as the sound of the wine bottle being put down was heard & his fading footsteps.
Comming back into the bathroom room now in a Black kilt with the red Shendyt Atem bowed "Your wine, my Queen" Atem said as he kept his eyes down but with a smirk on his face "Thank you Atemu, now get up off your knees & come up & join me" Loretta said as she took the glass of wine off the tray & took a sip watching Atem stand up & then sit on the edge of the bath
"Is the wine to your liking, my Queen" Atem said as he watched her take another sip then sit the glass on side of the bath
"Mmm yes, its lovely & sweet, just like you" Loretta smirked as a blush formed on Atem's cheeks "Thank you, your majesty that is very kind of you to say" he said with a smile as the blush grew. After her glass of wine was finished Loretta sunk back down into the bath & closed her eyes, letting out a long exhale
"Is everything ok my Queen, you seem stressed" Atem asked raising a concerning eyebrow "I just cant seem to get rid of the thought out of my head about Seto & Bakura's sentencing tomorrow morning, I know Seto is only gettting a light punishment but I'm not really looking forward to Bakura's execution" Loretta said as she gently rubbed her forehead with her fingers, getting up from the baths edge, Atem placed the wine tray on the basin & walked back over to Loretta,
"would a massage help your frayed nerves, my Queen" he said kneeling down at the end of the bath "that would be nice & it just may well help" Loretta smiled as she sat up in the water.
Dropping afew drops of Lavender oil onto his hands Atem started to massage Lorettas neck, back & shoulders, dipping his hands under the water Atem used his thumbs to rub up Loretta's spine up towards her shoulders. Letting Loretta lay back in the bath to relax again Atem dried his hands & then took his place next to her on the baths edge
"How do you feel now, any better" he asked handing her another glass of freshly poured wine "That was nice, I really enjoyed that, thank you Atem, you can stop being submissive to me now" she smiled kissing his cheek "aww but I like being your servant" he pouted
"well...Ok then just dont go too overboard" Loretta said looking at Atem out of the corner of her eye as she took a drink "Thank you, my Queen, its a great honour to serve you" Atem said picking up Loretta's hand & kissing it "Atem..."Loretta scolded "What did I just say about not going overboard" she said softly shaking her head "Sorry" Atem said sheepishly as Loretta laughed
As the night carried on Atem & Loretta found they had worn themselves out with all their 'fun' & now it was time for bed, getting into her nighty & doing her hair Loretta climbed into bed with a sleepy yawn.
Slipping down under the covers Loretta lay looking at Atem "Do you think you are ready for tomorrow now" Atem said giving Lorettas a chaste kiss "Im still abit nervous but thanks to you I do feel a whole lot less stressed" Loretta said as she played with his bangs
"I know your not comfortable with what is going to happen but If you dont want to watch Bakura's execution then you dont have to" Atem said as he brought his hand up cupping the side of her face
"I would prefer not to, but I am the Queen & if I am to sentence Bakura to death then I should be there for when it happens" Loretta said with a sigh as she turned over onto her back.
Looking at his brieved wife Atem smiled "you are very brave Loretta & I admire you for it but you don't have to be brave for me, he will be decapitated by a guard, which is job usually done by the Pharaoh but I dont think i'm well enough yet" Atem said as he leaned up on his elbow watching Loretta's eyes slowly slip closed.
Turning back over onto her side Loretta wriggled over towards Atem feeling the warmth of his body & the smell of wine on his breath, laying down on his side Atem pulled Loretta closer into his chest so her head sat neatly under his chin "Good night my beautiful Queen, sweet dreams" he whispered kissing her forehead.
The next morning it was time for the sentencing of Seto & Bakura, setting her crown neatly on top of her head Loretta gulped, trying to hold back the freshly brewed tears in her eyes
"I can do this, Atem is depending on me, although I have feelings for Seto at least I will see him again, once he regains Royal status" Loretta thought to herself as she carefully wipped away any tears from her eyes, as to not to ruin the kohl that sat under them. Walking into the room Atem came & stood behind Loretta placing his hand on her upper back
"Its time to go Loretta" he said solemnly, letting out a shaky sigh Loretta nodded to Atem "Ok, I'm ready" Loretta said with a sad smile. Standing & gazing at one another Atem pulled Loretta into his chest embracing her "It's ok Loretta, I'm here" Atem said rubbing her back, stepping back from him Loretta smiled "we better go now we dont want to be later" she said cupping the said of his face.
Walking towards the throne room Loretta started getting anxious, noticing that his wife was alot more quiet than usual Atem looked at her, raising an eyebrow
"Is everything ok Loretta? Your worried, aren't you?" Atem said as they stopped walking "Now that we are this close, I can feel that all the courage I built up yesterday is gone, I dont want to let you down Atem" Loretta said as she shut her eyes & took a deep breath in & then released it after a few moments
"You won't ever let me down Loretta, you have done so much that impresses me that it out weighs all others, I love you Loretta & I know you can do this" Atem said as he put his hand on her shoulder & nodded at her as she opened her eyes.
Getting throne room Atem stopped just in the doorway & nodded to Loretta who nodded back, stepping through the door the couple were met by Mahad & Karim, Mahad of course now taking Seto's place as Highpriest
"Good Morning your Majesties, the trial will begin soon" Mahad said with a bow "Thank you Mahad" Atem said with a smile & a nod, taking their seats in their respective thrones Atem looked over at Loretta "{If at anytime you want to leave, I won't hold it against you, but I will be here to comfort you, if need be}" Atem told her through their link "{Thank you, Atem}" Loretta thought back as she made herself comfortable upon hearing the announcement of Seto's arrival.
Being lead by two guards, Seto was pushed down onto his knees infront of Loretta's throne, he looked so different now that he wasnt in his sacred guardian robes, instead he was in plain white robes that are worn by the temple staff
"Good Morning everyone, please remain silent for Seto's Trial" Shimon announced as he looked to Loretta & then bowed. Standing up out of her throne Loretta looked down at Seto
"Thank you for that Shimon, now as you can see Seto here has be stripped of his Royal court status & millenium Item, I'm not going to go into detail about what happened between Seto & I but for the fact that it happened saddens me, Atem has lost a very valiant member of his royal court & he has lost all of the respect that I had for him..." Loretta sighed as she looked down at Seto again who had his head hung in shame, walking down the steps of her throne Loretta walked over to Seto & kneeled down beside him
"Look at me please Seto" she ordered gently, looking up, his sapphire eyes locked onto hers
"I'm really sorry that this had to happen Seto but fortunately for you I am only going to sentence you to two years working in the temple starting as the lowest rank, if you can prove yourself worthy again you will be brought slowly back up the ranks & then only if you are proven worthy, will have the opportunity to resit your test after 18 months & then you will be allowed back into Atem's Royal court" Loretta said as she stood up & looked to Atem for approval.
Walking back to her throne & sitting down Loretta gestured for the guards to let Seto stand up "That is all for today, you will be allowed to rest for the entirity of today then you are expected to start your service at the Temple of Ra at Dawn, Is there anything you would like to say for yourself before you are taken away, you have permission to speak freely" Loretta said looking at Seto
Standing up & looking at Loretta "firstly can I be released from these guards, your Majesty" Seto said as he tried to bow
"I will allow it since you have down me no physical harm" Loretta said as she nodded to the guard "Thank you my Queen..." Seto said as he started to walk closer to Loretta but was stopped by the guard "Let him pass" Loretta ordered as she stood up, taking Loretta's hand in his Seto bowed & then kissed the top of her hand
"Please my Queen, please except my sincerest apologies, I should have never let this to happen, I don't know why I couldn't control myself I am appalled at my own disgarceful behaviour, I am very sorry also to you my King..."he bowed to Atem "What I did behind your back while you were laying severely injured was wrong of me, I should of been there for you, you are my cousin, we are family, please accept my apology my Pharaoh" Seto bowed
Looking at Seto, Atem nodded in agreement "Thank you Seto, yes I do accept your apology but hopefully you learn from this very lenient punishment that Loretta gave you" Atem said smiling at Loretta
"Thank you, my Pharaoh, I apperciate your gracious judgement" Seto said to Atem & then turned to Loretta "my Queen, you are the best Queen this kingdom could have & the Pharaoh is so very lucky to have you" Seto said with another bow as he stepped back away from Loretta, letting go of her hand
"thank you Seto, you may now return to your chambers to rest but you will have a guard at your door & by your side 24/7" Loretta nodded to te guard to take him away.
Taking a deep breath, Loretta sat with one leg over the other & her eyes closed "Now for the next part, you can do this Loretta, I think I will need more of Atem's comfort for this" Loretta thought to herself
"Loretta?..." Atem asked taking her hand "{I need your help Atem, I dont know if im going to be able to sit through this trial without your comfort}" Loretta said to Atem via their link
"{Im here for you Loretta, would you like to leave now}" Atem answered back whilist giving her hand a small squeeze "{I dont know, I will see how it goes because as soon as I see Bakura all the bad memories are going to come flooding back, I was traumatised enough by him & what he did to me, now I have to relive it again}" Loretta said as a single tear ran down her cheek.
Noticing that the Queen was upset Mahad came & stood at her side "My Queen..." he bowed "Are you ok" he said putting his hand on her shoulder
"Mahad? I need of abit of comfort, is it ok if i give you a hug" Loretta said standing up from her throne "Oh, yes of course your highness" he said blushing slightly & looking at Atem
"Its ok Mahad, you dont have to worry, I trust you" Atem nodded as Mahad embraced Loretta letting her lean into his shoulder "Thank you for being so caring Mahad, Atem is so lucky to have you as a friend" Loretta whispered in his ear as Mahad smiled
"Are you feeling better now, your majesty" he said stepping back from her "I'm still abit nervous, but I appreciate your concern" Loretta smiled at Mahad before sitting down back in her throne.
Announcing that Bakura was now on his way in, Atem came & sat on the arm of Lorettas throne & gave her a reassuring smile "Im right here" he whispered as Bakura was brought in in front of Atem & Loretta
"Being that I am now head priest, I will be the referee for this sentencing, my Pharaoh if you would like to procede with this for the Queen" Mahad said bowing to Atem as he stood up,
"Im not going to waste my time on you Bakura, you showed no remorse for anything you did to my Queen & Im not even going to allow you to speak either, you have no right, there is only one punishment for you...Death!" Atem said with a glare as his rage started to build
"It was bad enough that you came into my palace & stole her from my private chambers but to then you tie her up & cut at her hair, slash her face & break her leg but dont even get me started on how you endangered the lives of her unborn twins, I knew you were evil Bakura but to do something like what I have just mentioned to someone so beautiful & innocent, is just horrendous" Atem finished as he looked at Loretta out of the corner of his eye
"Thank you, my King..." Shimon said with a bow "Now hearing what the Pharaoh has had to say do the rest of the royal court agree with his punishment" Mahad said stepping up next to Shimon
"If Seto were here im sure he would agree with the Pharaoh, he was the one who risked his life to save our Queen along with Karim & I" Shada said
"my Pharaoh, the final decision is yours, but I can see you have already made up your mind" Shimon said looking at Atem who smirked at him
"Yes Shimon, my mind is well & truly made up, Ramses your sword please" Atem said to the head guard as he nervously drew it & carefully handed it to Atem who nodded a 'Thank you' in return
"Im sorry Loretta, but this must be done" Atem said giving Loretta a sympathetic look "{Please turn away my darling, I dont want you to see this}" he said via their link with tears in his eyes.
Storming over to Bakura with the sword raised high he glared at the lowly thief who sat on his throne room floor "Lift your head thief" Atem snarled as the tears in his eyes grew.
Watching Bakura sit up & the guards stood back so as not to get hit, Atem nodded to them & in one fowl swoop swung the sword slicing it through the back of Bakura's neck severing his throat & windpipe
"Goodbye Bakura, may Anubis have pity on your soul" Atem sneered as he wiped Bakura's blood off the sword on his cape & handed it back to Ramses. Seeing that Loretta had already run out he turned to his royal court
"Thank you all for the support you have given Loretta & I but now I must go & find her & comfort her, if someone could please tidy this mess & then take Bakura to be buried somewhere out in the desert Unmarked , I'm glad this is finally over" Atem sighed as he began to walk away from the bloodied mess left in his throne room.