Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh!

Thoughts

"Speech"

Chapter 18

At least, that's what Yugi thought. All those months ago. Now he was standing in the streets with the rest of the town, waiting and watching for the king to ride by. Yugi sighed and closed his eyes. What went wrong? One moment Atem was kissing him and promising that he'll love no one else to-

"Here they come," someone whispered. Yugi looked up and saw that indeed there were the horses he and Atem used to ride together. Now, his horse was being ridden by the future Queen. Yugi remembered the night Atem left on his journey. He told no one where he was going or why. But somehow, someone found out and it slowly made its way around the town. His friends kept from Yugi in hopes the rumour was wrong, but Seto ended up telling him. He thought it wasn't right to keep something like that from him, considering what it would mean. Yugi held onto the hope it wasn't true, but a few days later, a messenger came ahead of the party to announce the arrival of the Pharaoh and his bride. Yugi spent the night at the oasis, talking to his mother and Aknamkanon.

As the couple came more into view, Yugi could feel the tears form in his eyes. When they started blurring his vision completely, Yugi decided he should leave. He blinked a few times so he could see and sneaked through the crowd and quickly walked into the castle.

During the almost a year went by during their engagement and many people found out about it. The whole castle knew, and the vendors and anyone who went into the castle during the days found out. And there were hardly any objections. Since day one the people could see how close the two were and how happy they were together. The news Atem was marrying someone else shocked the populace. So when everyone was to greet the new couple and Yugi ducked out early, the guards let him by. Their reason was he had always been polite and kind, never made someone seem below him, even when he could have as Atem's fiancé. They admired and thanked him for it.

Yugi sped through the halls to the royal chamber, where servants were tidying the place up. When they noticed him some bowed their heads and continued, and others looked worried. A few looked at him and smiled sympathetically. Yugi nodded numbly and rushed to the spot where he hid his most prized possessions. Only Atem and Mana knew where they were. Now, since he was no longer welcome in this room, he was taking it with him. A maid came over and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Excuse me Yugi, but the Pharaoh is to be here soon." Yugi turned around with teary eyes and saw that it was Dalila. He smiled briefly at her before returning to his task.

"He hasn't reach the square yet, Dalila. I think it'll be fine," he replied shortly. Dalila sighed and knelt down.

"Would you like some help at least," she asked. Yugi looked at her in wonder and smiled, the first genuine smile in weeks, and nodded. Dalila smiled back and waited until he told her what to do. Between them, the brick was taken out, the box removed and the brick replaced in good time. A servant looked out the window and told them Atem and his party had reached the outer gates. Yugi stiffened and opened the box up.

"What are you looking for," Dalila asked.

"Just checking to make sure everything is there," Yugi replied without looking up.

"Oh. Is it?" Yugi now looked up. He nodded.

"Yes, everything," he said. She smiled at him.

"Yugi!" Everyone looked at the door. It was Mana. She hurried in and grabbed his hand. "What are you doing," she asked. Yugi pulled his hand back and grabbed the box. He held it up.

"I came for this," he said before walking out the door. Yugi ran all the way to his new hiding place and placed the box inside. This was the one place no one would know about. Ever.

Atem walked into the castle with his bride, whose name is Runihura. The Holy Court, the royal court, delegates, guards, staff, and servants were lined up waiting. Everyone was there… Well, everyone but Yugi, who watched from a balcony above them all. Mana briefly looked up and saw him there. She really wanted him down there with her, but she couldn't blame him for wanting to keep his distance.

"Mana," Atem's voice broke into her thoughts. Mana looked up at her childhood friend and gave a smile. "I would like you and Runihura to be friends," he said. Mana nodded and looked at the bride. She was pretty, with shoulder-length black hair, dark eyes, and healthy complexion. She certainly looks like a queen, but is she one the kingdom would be loyal to? Mana looked at her again and decided no. The kind of queen the people would want is someone like Yugi. But, to find someone like him would be very difficult. Mana just hoped Atem remembered that when he chose her.

Yugi stood above everyone and watched as his ex-lover introduced everyone to his new bride. He was sorry he wasn't down there with Mana but he was sure she understood. The way she looked at him told him so. Yugi sighed. But she did look sad. I wonder if Atem even knows I'm not there, Yugi thought. Then he snorted. Who was he kidding? Atem didn't care about him anymore. Did he ever? Yugi shook his head. Of course he did! We were together for a long time, and he did say he loved me!

"But then why would he do this," Yugi whispered to himself.

"Because he's an idiot, and that's all there is to it." Yugi whipped his head around to look at the speaker. Dalila stood there. She came up next to Yugi and leaned against the rail like him, and spoke. "I mean, if he loved you the way he made people believe he did, then you two would be married already. Instead, your engagement lasted nearly a year, and he goes out and finds this lady, whoever she is, and says he's marrying her. Doesn't even tell you goodbye. Seriously, what kind of friend or lover does that to someone?" Dalila looked at him. Yugi shrugged.

"I don't know. I just hope there's a reason he'll tell me sometime soon," he whispered. Dalila nodded and watched the group downstairs with him. As they did so, both of them noticed Mana slink away. A few moments later, she joined them. Not a single word was uttered, but Mana laid her head on Yugi's shoulder and the three continued to watch the future-queen become acquainted with everyone.

Yugi lay on the grass, watching the clouds go by. He felt Mana lay next to him and looked at her. She smiled.

"Grape," she asked, holding the bunch out to him. Yugi rolled his eyes and took a few.

"Does the kitchen staff know you took it," he asked her. Mana nodded and showed him some strawberries.

"They would have given me figs but they said the crops aren't doing so well this season." Yugi sat up and stared at her with a questioning look.

"Really," he asked. Mana nodded. Yugi was stunned. That was odd.

"Yugi." Mana and Yugi looked over. It was Seto.

"Hi Seto," Yugi greeted as Seto walked over. "Where's Kisara?"

"Oh, somewhere with Isis and Runihura. Cousin asked where you were," Seto informed.

"Oh? Does he mean where I am right now, why am I not in the rooms, or where I was during the introductions," Yugi asked. Seto shrugged.

"Never specified, but I think he means where you are right now, seeing as how you're not in the rooms doing your duty," Seto guessed. "I told him I didn't know and advised him to find you himself." Yugi and Mana exchanged smiles.

"Thanks Seto," Yugi said. Seto smirked.

"Don't thank me yet. And don't mention this to Mahad, or my father. They'll both kill me if they found out," he said as he pulled out a roll of parchment from his belt. He gave it to Yugi who read it.

"Well, what is it," Mana asked when Yugi froze. He looked at her and her over the head with the scroll.

"Like you don't know," he cried. Mana looked at him with a hurt expression and then looked at Seto. He nodded. Mana's expression was one of realization.

"Sorry Yugi, I forgot. Besides I wanted it to be a surprise, so it's a good thing I forgot then, yes?" Yugi and Seto exchanged glances, looked at her and nodded. Mana looked sheepishly at them.

"But how did you find it," Yugi asked. "To the best of my knowledge, the Pharaoh locked it away, only to be used for emergencies."

Seto nodded. "More specifically, an emergency that involves you." Yugi frowned at him. "Well, read the whole thing then. It says it was made for the well-being of the son Tsarina. She signed it at the bottom, see?" Seto pointed out the signature. "The date says it was made in the month before your mother died. Oh," he said suddenly. Seto pulled out a sheet of papyrus from his belt as well. "Here," he urged and Mana took it. Yugi read over her shoulder. Seto pointed to the scroll. "This is the original. But this one," he moved his finger over to the sheet, "This one is an addition, made by Aknamkanon himself."

"Made the day after he…." Yugi trailed off, knowing the oasis was to be his alone. The date marked it as the day after the Pharaoh took him for that ride. Yugi smiled. Aknamkanon really was looking out for him. Yugi looked at Mana. "What do you wish me to do first, Mistress?" Mana looked back at him and giggled.

"Well," she started. "First off, you can thank Seto. Then you can lie back down and not move unless I tell you to." Yugi raised an eyebrow. Mana shrugged. "The servants are already done half my room, and besides, you can be my personal slave. Like your mother was to Atem's," she exampled. Yugi "ah"ed and turned to Seto.

"Thank you Seto," he said as he hugged him.

"You're welcome," the member of the Holy Court answered. "You can help me by telling me where my love has run off to." Mana and Yugi looked at each other and giggled. Seto growled. "That's not the answer I was looking for," he stated crossly. Yugi pointed behind him. Seto looked.

"Really? I'm your love? I thought you just liked taking advantage of me," Kisara speculated. Seto stared at her and she smiled.

"Of course I love you! How many times did I say it," he asked. Kisara still smiled.

"Well, given recent events, that's hardly anything to go by. My apologies Yugi," she said, looking at him around Seto's body.

Yugi shrugged with a smile. "Its fine Kisara," he assured her. She waved her thanks and skipped away, Seto close behind. Mana poked Yugi in the shoulder and he looked at her. She smiled and offered him the fruit. The two lay on the ground for a good part of the afternoon.

It was about dinner time when they eventually saw Atem. Unfortunately, he had everyone dine in the hall. Mana and Yugi were among the last to attend and their seats were positioned near the head. When Mana noticed this, she grabbed Yugi's hand looked at him. His expression was dark and hard, staring ahead. When he noticed she was looking at him, Yugi gave her a reassuring smile.

They sat down nearly next to Atem and waited for the meal to start. Atem said a few words, mainly how he appreciated everyone was there and thank you for coming, blah blah blah. Yugi sat there, motionless and emotionless. When the meal started he joined in at the bare minimum. He kept feeling Atem's gaze on him throughout the meal. It made him uncomfortable but everyone was worried about him enough so he forced himself not to react. That's exactly what Atem would want, right?

"Yugi." The Japanese-Egyptian raised his head. Runihura sat next to him, having moved her escort. She smiled at him, but Yugi did not return it. This woman took his fiancé, and there was no way she just wanted to make sweet short-talk. He stared at her until the smile went away, which didn't take long after all. The lady cleared her throat and leaned in closer. "So," she started. "What has you unhappy?" Yugi raised his eyebrow a little but stayed silent. When it was apparent she wanted an answer, Yugi sighed.

"What does it matter to you, milady? I'm just a slave," he said, hoping she would drop it. She didn't.

"Well, you are sitting here looking like a lost soul, and you are sitting very close to the Pharaoh, so you must have some importance, despite your being a slave. And my fiancé informed me he had a relationship prior to ours with someone named Yugi. He didn't say who you were exactly, but it isn't hard to tell when he's been staring at you all night," Runihura laughed. Yugi didn't so much as twitch a muscle.

"Now why would he do that," he asked her. "As you said, our relationship was prior to yours. Why do you care who I am? Don't trust your fiancé enough to tell you?" He was pissing her off, that much he could tell. Runihura's frown turned into a scowl, but it was not so noticeable that anyone looking at them could tell there was a problem. She was almost as good as Yugi at hiding her emotions. Yugi stared her straight in the eyes. "Well," he prompted.

Runihura glared. "I trust him," she said, unconvincingly. "He has told me things, but I want to learn from you. I care who you are, considering my fiancé was once in a relationship with you, and you are sitting near the head, which is impressive, for a slave," she complimented, venom dripping from her voice. Yugi didn't move.

"Sorry to disappoint you, but you are going to learn nothing about me. It doesn't matter that I was in a relationship with the Pharaoh anymore because he's marrying you, not me. And the fact I'm sitting near the end of the table is something you'll find the reason behind at some point. And do not ever try to befriend me because it'll never work. There's something about you I don't like, and I may be the only one who thinks this is a huge mistake, but at least you'll know not everyone's fooled." Yugi smirked slightly. "You touch this kingdom with any hand other than that of a loving queen, you'll answer to me, understand?" Yugi stood up and left, leaving a very stunned and furious Runihura, along with everyone else that attended. Mana glanced at Atem and saw his face was one of anger. She shivered inwardly. Things were going to get worse before they get better.