Chapter 4- Advice and Scheming
"I see. That is quite the dilemma you have, Prince." Mahado said.
"Yeah. I like someone that I don't have a chance with." Atemu said.
Mahado looked over at Atemu from across his desk. "Now I wouldn't say that." Mahado said.
Atemu blinked. "What do you mean? Heba is in a completely different social class that I am." Atemu said.
"It is looked down upon, Master Mahado." Mana added.
"That is in the eye of the beholder. You wouldn't be the first member of the Royal family in history to have fallen for someone of lower status than you, Atemu." Mahado said.
"Name one." Atemu challenged.
"I can name several. Your grandfather, Pharaoh Akentran, for starters. His wife, Queen, Hesephut, was s slave when he first met her as a teenager. He fell in lover with her. Once the council saw that she would make a good queen, Akentran was allowed to marry here. Queen Ancilla, your great-great grandmother, was the princess and she fell in love with a servant. Once her father saw that he would make an excellent king, he allowed her to marry him. Pharaoh Jesup met and fell in love with his personal slave boy and was allowed to marry him once he proved himself a good spouse and actually had a child with him. Shall I go on?" Mahado asked.
"No. I think that I get the point." Atemu said.
"So, Atemu could be with Heba, right?" Mana asked.
"If the Pharaoh thinks it would be a good match, and if Heba agrees, then yes, it is possible." Mahado explained.
"But I haven't even formally met him." Atemu protested.
"I am sure that Mana could fix that." Mahado said.
"I sure should. I love hanging out with Heba. He's a good person." Mana said.
"Okay. You two talk like I'm in love with him. I said that I like him, not love him." Atemu said.
"You never did believe in love at first sight." Mahado said with a sigh, leaning back in his chair.
Atemu glared at him. "No, I don't. You can't fall in love with someone just by looking at them." Atemu said.
"I did." Mahado said.
"You did?" Mana asked.
Mahado nodded. "The first moment I saw Isis, I knew that I wanted to spend my life with her. We may have only been thirteen at the time, but I knew I loved her." Mahado said.
"I still don't believe in it." Atemu said.
"Well then, talk to Heba and get to know him. You'll know for sure in time then." Mahado said.
"Not a chance. I am not talking to him." Atemu said.
"Prince, what are you afraid of?" Mahado asked.
"I am not afraid of anything." Atemu argued.
Mahado glanced at Mana and said, "Mana, could you go? I'd like to speak with the Prince alone."
Mana nodded and left the room, closing the door behind her.
"Out with it. What's wrong?" Mahado asked.
Atemu looked at Mahado.
Mahado knew that Atemu didn't liken appearing weak in front of anyone, but they had been friends long enough for Atemu to do that with him.
Atemu sighed. "I guess it's Father that I'm afraid of." Atemu admitted.
"Pharaoh Aknankanon? Why in the name of Ra would you be afraid of your father?' Mahado asked.
"I just don't know how Father would react if he found out that I like a servant. I don't want Father to have Heba killed just because I like him." Atemu explained.
"Atemu, I know you're afraid of that, and I know that the Pharaoh has the power to do that, but if I am sure of anything, it's that he would not have Heba killed for something like that. Pharaoh Aknankanon is a just man and would not do something like put Heba to death just for you liking him." Mahado told him.
"I guess so. I'm just so scared that something might happen to Heba just because I like him." Atemu said.
"I you're worried about the other performance fighters, then you don't have that much to worry about. From what I have seen and heard, Heba is more than capable of protecting himself." Mahado said.
"I know he is." Atemu said.
"Then do what I told you and go talk to him." Mahado said.
"No. I would rather him not know. I'm too scared of what he might think." Atemu said.
Mahado sighed. "Atemu, if you don't tell him, it'll drive you nuts." Mahado said.
"I'll take that chance, and I don't want you telling my father about this, either." Atemu said.
Mahado held up his hands in surrender. "Okay. I won't tell your father." Mahado said.
Atemu nodded and left.
As soon as Atemu left, Mana came back in. "Is he going to talk to him?" Mana asked.
"No. He's too scared and stubborn to, but I think that we might be able to get the truth out with a little help." Mahado said.
"But he made me promise not to tell anyone." Mana said.
"He made me promise not to tell the Pharaoh, but that he didn't say anything about anyone else." Mahado said.
"What are you doing to do?" Mana asked.
"Recruit a little help to get Atemu to come out with the truth. Come with me." Mahado said.
Mahado and Mana left the room quickly.
Atemu walked down the hall. 'I can't believe that Mahado tried to get me to talk to Heba. I can't do that. I don't want him finding out that I like him. It's just a simple infatuation that will die out.' Atemu tried to convince himself. His heart, however, was screaming at him to that this wouldn't die out.
Atemu was once more so lost in his thoughts that he did not even watch where he was going and ended up walking right into someone.
Both were knocked to the ground.
"My Prince! I am so sorry!"
Atemu froze. He recognized that voice. He may have only heard it once, but his heart wouldn't let him forget that angelic voice.
Atemu looked up to see Heba kneeling before him. 'Damn it! Someone hates me today.' Atemu silently cursed himself as he stood up. Taking a deep breath, Atemu said, "You can stand up."
Heba did as told and stood up. "I am sorry, my Prince. I should have watched where I was going." Heba apologized again.
"It's all right. It was an accident. I was not watching where I was going, either." Atemu told him. He had to mentally take a breath before saying, "You're the new performance fighter, Heba, aren't you?"
"Yes, my Prince. I am." Heba answered, not looking at him.
It was forbidden to look at anyone of higher social status unless told, but it was punishable by death to look at a member of the Royal family without permission.
"You can look at me, little one." Atemu said.
Heba looked up, trying to fight sown the blush at being called little one. For some reason, being called little one didn't bother him at all, even though he hated it when people made fun of his height.
Atemu mentally smirked at the blush on Heba's face. 'Hmm. Maybe I do have a chance.' Atemu thought. "I was rather impressed with your performance last week. You are an excellent fighter." Atemu said.
"Thank you, Your Highness. I am glad that my performance pleased you." Heba said.
"Yes. I look forward to seeing you perform again." Atemu said.
"Yes, Your Highness." Heba said.
"Tell me. How did one so young acquire such incredible skill?" Atemu asked.
"As a child, I lived in one of the villages on the outskirts of the kingdom that were often attacked by raiders. We were taught to fight at a young age. I was forced to fight raiders on a number of occasions. I was fighting for my life then." Heba said.
"Kill or be killed." Atemu murmured.
"Yes, it was. A year ago, I left the village and became a wanderer. I faced raiders during that time as well." Heba said.
"I see. I am sure that you will be called on more often. Perhaps I shall you later, little one." Atemu said.
Heba blushed again.
Atemu smirked and left.
Heba glanced back and watched him leave. 'What was that all about?' Heba asked himself, wondering why his heart was beating a mile a minute.
Atemu couldn't wipe the smirk odd his face. 'I think that I might have to take the advice that Mahado gave me and get to know him.' Atemu thought.
"So, Atemu actually has a crush on that new performance fighter." Seth said.
Mahado nodded.
"Hmm. I certainly did not expect that when I brought Heba here. I just thought that he would be a performance fighter, not end up catching Atemu's eye." Eternias said.
Mahado had gathered Seth, Yami, Eternias, and Isis to help him and Mana with Atemu and his love life.
"What is it that you want us to do, though?" Isis asked.
"Well, we all know how stubborn Atemu can be, so I thought that we could all get him to tell him somehow." Mahado said.
"That's a pretty tall order." Yami said. He sighed thoughtfully and said, "You all know that it is nearly impossible to get Atemu to do anything that you want him to."
"Would you prefer to have a love sick Atemu on your hands since you know that you're one he comes to tell about how he feels so alone." Mahado said.
Yami paled and said, "What did you have in mind?"
"Well, first we need someone to keep an eye on Heba, and maybe find out what he thinks about Atemu." Mahado said. He turned to his student and said, "Mana, I think you're the one who should do that."
Mana blinked. "Why me?" Mana asked.
"Because other than Eternias, you're the only one of us who has had a lot of contact with him, and you and Heba have already become friends." Mahado explained.
Eternias tapped his chin thoughtfully. "You said that Atemu's worried that the Pharaoh might do something to Heba if he found out about how Atemu feels about Heba, right?" Eternias asked.
"Yes. I think that is one of his biggest fears." Mahado replied.
"Well, I believe that I will have a talk with the Pharaoh and find out just what he thinks about this." Eternias said.
"If Father finds out and doesn't approve, he might have Heba killed or order him out of the palace." Yami countered.
"I know. That's why I'm only going to put it as a hypothetical situation and not mention Heba's name." Eternias said.
"I don't think that a hypothetical situation will work for Father. He's going to know that you mean a real situation." Yami said.
"Maybe, but I'll play it by ear." Eternias said.
"It's not a bad idea. The Pharaoh should know about this." Isis agreed.
"Right. You do that Eternias." Mahado said.
"What about the rest of us?" Seth asked.
"Well, since Yami and Seth are by far the closest to Atemu of us, and they will find reasons to get Atemu into the left wing of the palace since that's where Hebe is unless he's performing." Mahado said.
"Great. we're on babysitting duty." Seth grumbled.
"No. More like matchmaking duty." Yami said.
"What about me?" Isis asked.
"I'm going to need help making sure that no one interfere with this. We all know that the King of Siam so coming soon, and we all know that his daughter has an infatuation with Atemu. We need to keep her away from him as much as possible." Mahado said.
Yami rolled his eyes. "The royal airhead herself is annoying. Even Father can't stand her." Yami said.
"No one can. She's too dumb to realize that Atemu doesn't like her, and she never takes the hint. She follows him around like a lost puppy." Seth said.
"Which is why need to keep her away. We all want Atemu to be happy, so if he's going to be happy with Heba, we need to make sure she doesn't mess this up. If Heba suspects that there is something between her and Atemu, he won't do anything." Mahado said.
The group nodded.
Aknankanon sat in the throne room with Shimon, discussing the arrival of the King of Siam.
"King Moran will arrive at midday three days from now, Your Majesty." Shimon said.
"I understand, Shimon. Have the guest rooms prepared for Moran and his daughter, Lydia." Aknankanon said.
"Of course. The servants are getting them prepared as we speak. The King and his daughter will only be staying here for a week." Shimon said.
"Good." Aknankanon said. He sighed as he rubbed his head. "Unfortunately, that will be enough time for Lydia to nearly drive Atemu to insanity." Aknankanon said.
"Yes, I know. Shall I see to it that Atemu has a lot of business that he needs to attend to?" Shimon asked.
"Yes. The more he has to do, the less he'll see of her, and the less he'll be complaining to Yami which is the less Yami will be complaining to me." Aknankanon said.
"I shall make all the arrangements, Pharaoh." Shimon said.
"Thank you, old friend. I do not know what I would do without you." Aknankanon said.
Shimon smiled. "I would do anything for you, Aknankanon. You know that." Shimon said.
Shimon and Aknankanon had grown up together, so they were old friends. When Aknankanon had become Pharaoh, he had made Shimon his adviser. Only when they were alone and in special moments would Shimon use Aknankanon's name.
A moment later, Eternias entered the throne room and made his way to the throne. "Pharaoh, may I speak with you?" Eternias asked.
"Certainly. What is it?' Aknankanon asked.
"Well, I was wanting to ask you about something. Completely hypothetical, of course." Eternias said.
"Yes. Go on." Aknankanon said.
Neither Aknankanon nor Shimon had been fooled by Eternias' hypothetical situation. They both knew that it was a real situation, and they would find out everything sooner or later.
"Well, if a Prince of Egypt were to fall for a servant, would you allow him to be with that servant?" Eternias asked.
"I see. Hmm." Aknankanon said, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "I suppose that would depend on if the servant was adept enough to make a good spouse, and if I thought that the servant was loyal." Aknankanon said.
"And if that servant was not, what would happen?" Eternias asked.
"I would forbid the relationship." Aknankanon answered.
"Would you have anything done to the servant?" Eternias questioned.
"As long as the Prince and the servant followed my orders not to have the relationship, no. However, if they went through with the relationship, I would have the servant removed from the palace in order to prevent the relationship from continuing." Aknankanon responded.
"Then you would not have the servant killed?" Eternias queried.
"no. That is no reason to kill a servant." Aknankanon said.
Eternias nodded and started to leave.
"Eternias." Shimon said.
Eternias turned and around and said, "Yes, Shimon."
"Perhaps you would like to enlighten us as to what you are talking about." Shimon said.
"The situation was purely hypothetical." Eternias said.
"Uh-huh. Eternias, do not think we are blind. Shimon and I may be farther in age, but we know a real situation when we see one. One of my sons have fallen for a servant, haven't they?" Aknankanon asked.
Eternias sighed. 'Looks like Yami was right.' Eternias thought. "Yes. Atemu has fallen for one." Eternias said.
"Then why all this secrecy?" Shimon asked.
"You see, Atemu's worried that if you found out he fell fro a servant, you would be angered and have the servant k9illed." Eternias said.
"Eternias, if Atemu ahs truly fell, then I would allow it unless there was reason not to." Aknankanon said.
"Well, Atemu's also worried about what people will think, and what the servant would think." Eternias said.
"Does this servant have a name?" Aknankanon asked.
"Well, yes." Eternias said.
"Who is it?" Aknankanon asked.
Eternias sighed again. "It's Heba." Eternias said.
"The new performance fighter?" Shimon asked.
Eternias nodded.
"Hmm. I thought that this might happen." Aknankanon said.
"You did?" Eternias and Shimon asked.
Aknankanon nodded. "I saw the look in Atemu's eyes when he first saw Heba after the fight with Benshin. I saw the attraction he felt. I have no problem with Atemu having a relationship with him as long as Heba does nothing against us." Aknankanon said.
Eternias nodded. "Thank you, Pharaoh." Eternias said and left the throne room.
Aknankanon and Shimon both chuckled once they were alone again.
"Shimon, do you remember when we were young and insecure in matters such as love when we were Atemu's age?" Aknankanon asked.
"Of course I do. That was certainly a hectic time for us. Especially since you were like Atemu and too scared to tell Amara how you felt." Shimon said.
"Yet, with your help, I told her." Aknankanon said, smiling sadly at the memory of his late wife.
"Perhaps Atemu will find happiness with Heba." Shimon said.
"I certainly hope so." Aknankanon said. He chuckled and said, "I really want Yami to stop complaining to me about how Atemu stays depressed because of the lack of his love life."
Shimon and Aknankanon both laughed at the familiar situation.
"Hmm. That's odd." Benshin said.
"What's odd about the Crown Prince being here? He lives in the palace." Heba said.
"Yes, but he rarely comes to this wing. I wonder why he was here." Benshin said.
"I don't know, but he really is good at getting me to blush." Heba said.
"How?" Benshin asked.
"Well, he called me little one for some reason. Usually, I get angry when people talk about my height-" Heba said.
"-or lack thereof." Benshin interjected.
"-but this time it was different." Heba said, ignoring his friend's teasing. "It just seemed to be right. I'm not sure why, and I felt kind of warm when he complimented me on my fighting." Heba said.
Benshin grinned wide. "Heba, I think that you have a crush on the Prince." Benshin said.
Heba blushed. "I do not!" Heba exclaimed.
"Come on. The signs are there." Benshin said.
"But I don't even know him. How could I have a crush on him?" Heba asked.
Benshin shrugged. "I think you do." Benshin said.
Heba shook his head. "No. That's not possible." Heba said.
"Heba, do you think he's good looking?" Benshin asked.
"Well, yes. Anyone would." Heba said.
"Then I think it's safe to say that you like him." Benshin said.
"But he's the Crown Prince. He must have Princesses falling all over trying to get him." Heba said.
"He does, but he always stays as far away from them as possible when they are here. The Prince prefers the company of men." Benshin said.
"Then I'm sure that there are men whose company he would prefer." Heba said.
Benshin shrugged. "You never know. I think you should consider it." Benshin said.
'Promise me you will find a new reason to live.'
Yugi's words rang in Heba's mind.
'Maybe, I have, brother.' Heba thought. "Excuse me, Benshin. I need to think." Heba said and left.
"Benshin." Mana said.
Benshin tired to face the magician-in-training. "Hello, Mana. You just missed Heba." Benshin said.
"I know. I accidentally heard what you were talking about. Does Heba really like Atemu?" Mana asked.
"Yes, he does. Why?" Benshin asked.
Mana suddenly smiled wide. "Maybe you can give me a hand." Mana said.
Okay. Atemu's friends are plotting to get him with Heba, Aknankanon doesn't mind, and Heba's starting to realize that he might like Atemu.
The next chapter will have King Moran and Lydia in it. Don't worry. Lydia isn't going to cause trouble.
R&R.