(I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh)
Before I start I would like to clear up something: Yuugi was not trained to be a slave from the age of 6 but he was taught that anything could happen in life. He could lose everything in a matter of minutes whether it be from a rebellion or by being kidnapped. He had to be ready to adapt to any new lifestyle that he was pushed into.
If you have any questions concerning this story or any of the characters please feel free to ask whether it be a review or a PM.
Thank you and enjoy the chapter.
The Pharaoh and the Prince
Previously…
They reached the palace and were greeted by the entire court, guards, servants, and slaves. They were all very pleased to see that the young prince was home. None so more than a mysterious boy who standing next to the head of the Emperor's council. After Yuugi dismounted his and started to walk towards the boy ran toward him and pulled him into a tight hug.
"Oh. Yuugi!" the boy said still squeezing him "I am so happy that you are back safely."
"Um…thank you." Yuugi said as he weaseled his way out of the hug and moved to stand next to his father. "If you don't mind me asking but who are you?"
"I believe I can answer that." Said Marcus the head of the council "This is Prince Duke, second in line for the throne of Greece, and he is your betrothed."
"WHAT!?"
Chapter 7: Explanations/The Beginning of Trouble
Three pairs of eyes were staring at the council member and Duke both standing there looking happy and proud. One pair belonged to Yuugi who was staring on in complete shock and confusion. Another belonged to Yuugi's father who had on a look of confusion, shock, and anger. Finally, the third pair were Atemu's and they showed only one thing. That he was entirely and completely pissed off.
"What is the meaning of this?" Atemu asked his eyes set right on the Emperor.
"I can assure you Atemu I knew nothing of this." Said the Emperor quickly turning to Atemu and bowing slightly.
"Then why is it that this…" Pointing to Marcus "Man believes that my little one will marry that brat from Greece."
"Excuse me." Duke says drawing their attention to him "But I am no brat and, by little one, I hope you aren't talking about my Yuugi."
"Why you insufferable child!" Atemu yelled.
"Who are you anyway?" Duke said in a snob like voice and crossing his arms.
"I am the Pharaoh Atemu ruler of upper and lower Egypt." He said stepping towards Duke and fixing him with his best glare causing him to shiver "And I suggest you remember that."
"It's not like you can do anything." Duke said in snide and mocking voice "We're not in Egypt."
"Do you really want to test that theory?" Atemu said walking up to him and looking him straight in the eyes.
"Enough!" Yuugi yelled before separating the two knowing Atemu would kill Duke if he continued talking with him like this. "Can we please go inside so we may talk about this in proper manner?"
"Fine." Atemu said obviously still pissed.
"Whatever." Duke said crossing his arms again.
"This way." The Emperor said glad that Yuugi had gotten the two to stop their fighting.
He led the party through the palace which was richly decorated for the return of the prince. They walked to the throne room and then through a door right behind the throne. The door led into a comfortable looking room which was used for council meetings. The entire walk there Atemu kept an arm possessively around Yuugi's waist so it was no surprise that when they sat down Yuugi ended up being seated on Atemu's lap. Neither missed the glare from both Marcus and Duke but they choose to ignore them.
"Alright I believe it is time for explanations." The Emperor said after everyone had taken a seat "So Marcus why is Prince Duke really here?"
"Because he is Prince Yuugi betrothed." Marcus said with a didn't I just say that two minutes ago look.
"I do not remember making such a betrothal." The Emperor said sending him a glare.
"Well your majesty you did." Marcus said matter of factly "The arrangements were made when Prince Duke was two and Yuugi was one."
"Unfortunately your majesty…" Amethyst said with a glare of her own directed at Marcus "Marcus is correct on this." This got gasps from everyone around the room and Atemu squeezed Yuugi who was on the verge of crying. He didn't want to marry Duke he loved Atemu. "However…" Amethyst continued drawing the attention of everyone "The betrothal was broken off after Yuugi went missing. So the claim is no longer valid."
"So I don't have to marry Duke?" Yuugi asked looking at Amethyst with hopeful eyes.
"No you don't." She responded causing Yuugi to smile brightly and relax back into Atemu.
"Shouldn't the council have known about the betrothal being broken off?" Asked Seto who had been listening to the entire conversation.
"Yes, they should have known." Replied Amethyst looking at the council accusingly "In fact they were the first ones to read the letter from the King of Greece. They would have known when they invited Duke and the King would have as well."
"Well it is obvious that I can no longer trust you Marcus." Said the Emperor "Nor can I trust anyone on the council."
"But your majesty-" Marcus started.
"Enough!" The Emperor ordered causing him to shrink back "You and the rest of the council are hereby under investigation. Until it is over you are not to leave the palace grounds and you will have no say in the ruling of the empire."
"But your majesty!" Marcus yelled in anger and shock.
"I have had enough of you! Leave!"
Marcus and the council all bowed before they left the room nothing but vengeance on their minds. The remaining people finally took note of the time of day and, in seeing it was rather late, they decided to head to the dining hall for dinner before going to bed. Before Atemu and Yuugi could leave the Emperor called for them to wait.
"I have been meaning to ask you two a couple questions but for some reason I kept getting interrupted." He said to the two of them who gave nervous glances knowing what he was going to ask "First I would like to know how long you have been with each other?"
"Well I met him when he was eight." Said Atemu "And we became friends but then I had to stop seeing him because I had to start my lessons to become Pharaoh. Then about a year into my rule he was sold to me as slave and he became my personal slave. Then over the next months we fell in love until we finally admitted our feelings. We have been together for about a year since."
"Alright." The Emperor said with a nod of his head "And secondly, have the two of you ever engaged in sexual activities?"
"Dad!" Yuugi yelled blushing a bright red and covering his face with his hands.
"What? I am curious as to how far your relationship has developed." He said.
"Yes, Emperor Darkshadow, we have." Atemu responded as he and Yuugi shrunk slightly away from him fearing his response.
"Well." He said with a sigh "I can't say I'm surprised." He continued which caused both boys to look at the Emperor "Just make sure you treat my son right Atemu or you'll get it." He added with a slight smile before he left.
"That didn't go anywhere near as bad as I thought it would." Yuugi said in shock.
"Did you want him to yell at us?" Atemu asked him.
"Well, no. But I sure wasn't expecting that reaction."
"Me neither. But let's not dwell on it. It's late." Atemu said putting his arm around Yuugi's waist "We should go get some food and then head to bed."
So that is what they did unbeknownst to them the council was planning in a secret room underneath the palace.
"I can't believe this!" Marcus yelled as he continued to pace the room. "That idiot of an emperor doesn't understand anything."
"Why don't we just get rid of him?" One of the councilman asked.
"Because if we do that bastard he calls a son would take the throne." Replied another councilman.
"Then why not get rid of them both?" Questioned another.
"Because Amethyst is always looking for those who wish to do harm the Emperor and the Prince." Said another.
"Yes." Marcus said with a sinister smile before sitting at the head of the large table in the room "But that is her only concern."
"What are you implying Marcus?"
"Did none of you notice how our beloved prince seemed to have clung onto the Pharaoh since they arrived?"
"Yes. They seem quite comfortable with each other." Said the only woman on the council with a smirk "Dare I even say that they are lovers."
"Precisely." Marcus said with a smirk of his own.
"So we do not target the prince or the emperor but…" Started one councilman.
"We target the closest thing to the little prince's heart." Finished Marcus, his smirk widening "And we play off the sorrow he will be feeling."
Back upstairs in the Emperor's office, Amethyst and the Emperor were discussing the days ahead.
"I do believe that Prince Duke will be a problem." The Emperor said sitting at his desk.
"I agree." Amethyst said as she sat in a chair across from him "But I believe Atemu would be more than happy to put him in his place if he so much as looked at Yuugi."
"Do you believe he will try something?"
"Of course. He's Greek. They can't help but try to take what isn't theirs."
"What of the council?"
"I will investigate them myself." Amethyst said standing up and walking to look outside over the city before turning back "I have a feeling they will try something soon but I am not sure what."
"Well then stay on guard." He said walking up to stand next to her "I want the next few days to go off without a hitch."
The next day Atemu was standing on a balcony, overlooking the entrance to the palace, watching Yuugi and his father greet the numerous other royals arriving. He watched as young princes and princesses flirted with his little one, noting each one as an enemy and potential threat. While he continued to watch he noted an older king and prince who were first greeted, not by the roman court but, by the excited young Prince Duke.
"Father! Brother!" Duke yelled as he ran up to them.
"Son!" The king yelled as he embraced him "How do you like Rome?"
"It's okay." Duke said with a shrug.
"And this must be your betrothed, Yuugi." He said as they reached them "It is an honor to meet you in person." He said with a bow.
"The honor is mine Your Highness." Yuugi replied with a bow of his own "And I am not your son's betrothed."
"What?"
"Perhaps I can explain." Amethyst said moving forward "The council made a mistake in inviting Prince Duke here because the betrothal was broken off after Yuugi went missing. This should be common knowledge as it was you who broke it off."
"But your council promised a marriage." The king said.
"The council is now under investigation." The emperor said stepping to face the king "As is all their actions."
"This is completely outrageous!"
Atemu was standing on the balcony watching the entire exchange. He was watching them argue over the "betrothal" and his anger was increasing every time they mentioned it. Yuugi was his and no one was going to take him away. He was so wrapped up in listening to the conversation that he didn't hear the person walking up behind him until it was too late.
Back down by the entrance the arguments were stopped by the sound of a scream. Everyone looked up to see someone falling from the balcony. Yuugi's eyes went wide and he gasped in shock.
"ATEMU!"
And that's the chapter. Don't forget to review. :)
