Disclaimer – I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! or Shakespeare

*Rated T for Teen

All's Well That Ends Well

Act IV, Scene II – Florence – The Widow's House

Bertram/Seto and Diana/Ryou entered the stage together.

"They told me that your name was Fontibell," said Bertram/Seto.

"No, my good lord. My name is Diana," replied Diana/Ryou.

"Hm…like the goddess. And you are worthy of such a name. You are not a maiden, but a monument. When you are dead, you should be one as you are now, for you are cold and stern. And now, you should be as your mother was when your sweet self was had."

"She was honest then."

"And so should you be."

"No. My mother did but her duty. Such a duty, my lord, as you owe to your wife."

"No more of that!" Bertram/Seto snapped. "Do not strive against my vows. I was compelled to her, but I love you. And by love's own sweet restraint, I will forever do you all rights of service."

"So you serve us till we serve you? But when you have our roses, you barely leave our thorns to prick ourselves and you mock us with our bareness."

"How have I sworn?"

"It is not the many oaths that makes the truth, but the plain, single vow that is vowed truly. If I should swear by God's great qualities that I loved you dearly, would you believe me? Especially when I did love you poorly? This has no holding. Your oaths are words and ill conditions, but unsealed, at least, in my opinion."

"Change it. Change it. Love is holy. And my integrity never knew the deceit that you charge men with. Do not stand more off," said Bertram/Seto, lightly playing with Diana's/Ryou's hair. "Satisfy my sick desires. Say you are mine, and my love will, as it begins, persevere."

"No. Not unless you give me your ring," declared Diana/Ryou stubbornly.

"I'll lend it to you, my dear. But I cannot give it to you since it is a token of my family's pride and honor."

"I will only give myself to you if you give me your ring," Diana/Ryou insisted.

Bertram/Seto sighed and paused as if thinking intently. "Here, take my ring. My house, my honor, my life, is yours. And I will abide by you."

Diana/Ryou smiled at him sweetly. "When midnight comes, knock at my chamber window. I will make sure my mother does not hear. And when you come to take my virginity, you must stay there for an hour and not speak to me. My reasons are most strong and you shall never know them. And when back again this ring shall be delivered. But on this special night, I will put on your finger another ring. This ring may token to the future our past deeds. Farewell, then. You have won me as a wife, though, there, my hope is done."

Bertram/Seto grinned victoriously. "A heaven on earth I have won by wooing you," he said as he left the stage.

Diana/Ryou watched him go and started speaking out of his earshot. "Hn, you may as well thank both heaven and me! You may in the end. My mother told me just how you would woo. She says all men have similar oaths. You have sworn to marry me when your wife is dead; therefore, I'll lie with you when I am buried! I will live and die a maid! But soon, very soon, you will get what you deserve."

End Scene