Chapter 19 (Dolores O'Riordan – Ordinary Day)

"Good morning, Gem."

A warm voice drifted through Yugi's mind, bringing him slowly out of the soft cloud he was drowning in. Harsh midday light pierced through his eyelids and Yugi sat up, now fully awake, to see Atemu standing beside the bed, already dressed.

"Ah, there is my Gem. Did you sleep well?"

Yugi frantically tried to get out of bed and kneel at the same time, and would have fallen out of bed headfirst had Atemu not caught him. "M-my pharaoh, I'm so sorry. I-"

"Relax, Gem. Your body is still trying to heal, you needed your rest."

"My pharaoh…"

Atemu held out a golden cup. "Here, drink this."

Yugi took the potion and drank it quickly, cringing at the taste.

"Now for your bandages." Atemu settled at Yugi's side and began undoing the many wraps that covered Yugi's wounds.

"My pharaoh, you don't have to, I can ask Heqet or one of the others to help."

"I want to do this, Gem. It's partly my fault you were hurt, let me help you heal." Atemu paused. "You are healing very quickly, maybe another two days and there won't even be a single scar."

"My pharaoh, aren't I supposed to be serving you?"

Atemu laughed. "My precious Gem, serving you like this is giving me pleasure. Surely you wouldn't deprive me?"

'Why does he keep asking things I can't answer?' Yugi fell into confused silence.

When all of the bandages had been replaced, Atemu climbed off the bed and called Yugi over to the dressing table. Yugi came obediently, but stopped short at the sight of the clothing displayed there.

The tunic and kilt were made of pure white linen and lined with shining gold silk. Every edge was embroidered with golden patterns in glittering golden thread. The collar to go with it was made of layered gold, carved with the same abstract design as the embroidery and set with sparkling amethysts around lower edge. A gold belt, wrist cuffs, and anklets were set to the side. Finally, sandals set with burnished gold spirals completed the outfit. An outfit that was so small it could only fit one person.

Yugi was stunned. "My pharaoh, is it…?"

"It's yours, Gem. Remember all of the fittings yesterday?"

'For me? I'm supposed to wear this?' Yugi thought. "My pharaoh, there must be some mistake. This can't be clothing for a concubine"

"You're so much more than a concubine, Gem." Atemu smiled and picked up the tunic. "Now, I insist."

Even as he was walking towards the banquet hall with the golden collar gleaming across his shoulders, Yugi still couldn't believe it.

'That's it,' he thought, 'I have got to find a way of saying 'Please No' to my pharaoh.' Still, the new clothes were very comfortable, and they fit him better than anything else he had ever owned. And as they walked through the grand banquet hall to the less formal hall, Yugi didn't feel quite as out-of-place as he had yesterday.

The room wasn't empty this time. Joseph, Seto, Taylor, and Heqet were already eating. Behind Heqet, Pili was hovering attentively. Atemu took his place at the head of the table next to Seto, and Yugi sat on his other side next to Heqet. Joseph was across from him (next to Seto), and Taylor was on the other side of Joseph.

"Are you feeling well?" Yugi asked Heqet as soon as he took his seat.

The question was not a formality. Yugi had never seen Heqet look so uncomfortable in his whole life. She was sitting as straight as a pillar and anxiously glancing over her shoulder every time Pili moved.

"I'm fine, Gem, it's just that I can't get used to this girl. Look," she turned to Pili, "could you go find something else to do for a while. I promise I'll call you back before I leave this room."

Pili smiled amusedly before taking up some dirty dishes and heading to the kitchen.

Heqet sighed in relief. "Honestly, she's a darling girl, but I just can't get used to being waited on. She's supposed to stay with me and advise me until I become accustomed to my new position."

"Speaking of advice," General Taylor interjected, "Heqet, I was wondering if you could help me with a few things in the concubine's quarters later today. After all, you have yet to appoint your successor."

Captain Joseph spoke up. "Taylor it seems you've once again anticipated my orders. Heqet and her appointed successor should be able to make your job a lot easier."

"Thank you, captain."

"I'd be glad to help, general. In fact I have a successor in mind already."

Joseph turned his attention to Heqet. "Once again I'd like to apologize for my oversight. Yugi would never have been hurt if I had just-"

Yugi interrupted, "There is to be no more apologizing, my friend. It was not your fault."

Joseph smiled and fell silent.

"Well anyway," Heqet said, "I believe that…"

Atemu watched the conversation silently, pleased with how well his new inner circle of councilors was getting along. After a while, he turned to Seto.

"Seto, your report said that the ambassadors have been causing trouble around the palace. Aren't they ready to leave yet?"

"Unfortunately, no," Seto replied. "They are impressed, but they request one final parting celebration to present their gifts and make their final requests before they leave."

Atemu sighed. "Another big meal to gorge themselves on, no doubt."

Seto nodded.

"Very well, the sooner they leave the better. Can you arrange another banquet for tonight?"

Seto paused to give this some thought. 'I'm already very busy, but most of the court that was here last night should still be in the area. And with Joseph around to 'assist'…'

"Very well, my pharaoh, I shall start the arrangements immediately."

"Thank you Seto." Atemu stood up. "Joseph, Yugi, Heqet, Taylor, would you come with me."

Heqet stood. "I must fetch Pili."

Atemu nodded. When Heqet and Yugi went to the kitchens to find Pili, he gestured for Captain Joseph to come closer.

"Joseph," Atemu whispered, "I need you to take us to the prisoners. I don't want to alarm Yugi any sooner than necessary, but we will need him to help identify the guard who hurt him."

"Yes, my pharaoh."