It took me longer than I'd like to admit to write this. Writers block is a bitch. I know it's short but I hope you like it!
The morning sun crept into the window and landed on an empty bed. Seto had been up for hours already finishing some paperwork. Frustrated, he ran his long fingers through his brown hair. A town at the edge of his kingdom was having a bad harvest and was requesting help from the capital. Another town to the west was about to start a civil war with the neighboring town over a boundaries issue. There were five more papers like this.
It was all necessary work, but very tedious. He had gotten himself into this though and he wasn't going to back out. No matter how infuriating the people in the kingdom were. After another hour of spilling over the papers there were sounds of the castle becoming alive. Footsteps of maids and servants could be heard out in the hall, skittering about getting the morning cleaning done. Outside the guards were doing their morning review. Seto set down his quill and went to the window to watch the soldiers. He wished for the hundredth time that morning that he could go for a ride on Blue and get ready for the next tournament.
As Seto was thinking of how to better improve his form there was a knock at the door. "Enter." He called dully as he was still gazing out the window. Three people entered the room; a pretty maid with auburn hair bringing him his breakfast, his advisor, and Seto's younger brother Mokuba.
His advisor stepped forward as the maid set down his breakfast and started making his bed and straightening the room. "Ahem." The advisor cleared his throat importantly looking up at Seto. "Sire, as you know you're knight will be arriving tomorrow. It'll be a grand event. I have seen to the preparations. I just need to make sure that you are ready to give your speech and knight him." The advisor missed Seto's glare. "Also we should pick out your most regal outfit for you to wear tomorrow."
"Just let Mokuba do that." Seto said returning to his desk. "I have a pile of work. I can't be bothered with some stupid matter like a knighting."
Mokuba saluted his brother. "I won't let you down Big Bro." And immediately set off to get to work. The advisor didn't seem pleased with this idea and made his concerns known as soon as the door closed.
"Sire," his stern voice was oddly uncharacteristic. "Ever since the late king's passing it was always you who would inherit the throne. Many of us would like to see you rule, however ... " he paused here. Possibly to find the best words to express the direness of the situation. "There have been rumors of a group trying to appoint Mokuba as the next king. One can't help but wonder if the young prince isn't behind this rebellion?"
Unable to help himself Seto gave a short scoff at the ridiculousness of this. Slowly he turned to his advisor with a cold stare. "My brother," he said slowly. "Plotting to take the throne?" Seto scoffed once more. "You must be the most imbecilic advisor in the kingdom." The man looked stunned as the prince continued. "If Mokuba wanted the throne he wouldn't have to start a rebellion. I would gladly give it to him." The advisor appeared startled and looked around as if afraid by him saying it that it would come to pass. "My brother is the only thing besides the kingdom I care about. To speak against him is to speak against me." Seto slowed down his speech and stared down the now perspiring advisor. "Which of course is treason."
The man began to tremble. "I-I m-m-meant nothing b-by it your highness." He began to stutter as he wiped sweat from his brow. Seto's eyes didn't waver. "I-I of course didn't m-mean t-to insult you sire."
Slowly Seto put his fingertips together and looked at the man. "Of course you didn't mean to insult me." He said smoothly. "You just meant to insinuate that my only flesh and blood is a traitor and that I should do something about it." The advisor was frozen with fear, his eyes the size of coins. "You're dismissed from my services." Seto stared, sitting back.
The advisor while trembling took a few steps back before slowly bowing and leaving the room. As the door closed Seto leaned back in his chair and sighed. The crown that loomed over his head was a heavy thing. It wasn't beyond him to rule, but many ridiculous events came along with it. Planning stupid knightings, talks of rebellions, parties and other such things that weren't worth his time kept swimming to the surface. If it was all just laws and not having to deal with simpering people it would be much easier. Seto stood and went to the window, grabbing a roll from his breakfast tray as he passed. He leaned against the arch around the window and stared out at the grounds.
His room overlooked the training grounds and the stables. Seto thoughtfully munch on the semi-warm bread as he calculated how much more time he needed to spend on royal business before he could slip out to do a bit of training. There wasn't a tourney for another year, but that didn't mean he couldn't start getting ready now.
As strategies played through his head someone rode up to the stables and dismounted. Seto didn't give much notice till the person took off their helmet and a head of black, red, and gold popped out. Slight irritation swarmed up in Seto's chest. "He wasn't meant to be here till tomorrow." He muttered to himself as he threw the roll down and grabbed a robe. He hastened down the steps to the stables. On his way he called for some guards to summon his brother and others to tell Truesdale that he was now the king's advisor and to get the preparations done for the knighting yesterday.
There was chaos in the castle as everyone hurried to get things together by the time Seto got down to the stables. Yami was standing at one of the stables and talking to the stable boy as he tended to his horse. As Seto drew nearer the stable boy stopped in the middle of a laugh and bowed to Seto. Yami turned and gave a slight bow as well. "Good morning your highness." Yami said as he straightened and smiled at him. His eyes were the same brilliant amethyst color and were shining from the cold air. His cheeks were slightly colored from the ride. Seto could tell that he had rode hard and fast. "Lovely day is it not?"
"It would be lovely," Seto said his voice cold. "If my castle wasn't in a rush to get preparations complete because someone decided to come a day earlier than on the day he was assigned to. I'm waiting for your explanation."
Yami looked sheepish as he didn't entirely make eye contact. "There were," he paused searching for the right words. "Complications in my journey. I felt the need to run faster than my thoughts could and arrived here early." He looked back at Seto. "There is no one to blame but myself and I sincerely apologize for any trouble I have caused you." He bowed slightly.
It was a sincere apology, so Seto waved him to stop bowing. "It's already done so nothing can be done about it. Next time don't be so bothersome." Yami looked up with a smile and nodded. "Preparations should be done by later this evening so we'll both need to get ready. Someone can show you to your room and help you with your things. I must go … prepare as well." He added grimly thinking about the not written speech as well as getting put into fussy clothing.
Later that evening Seto sat in the king's throne. It was made of white gold encrusted with sapphires. After he had been cleaned and scented with perfumes he had put on a normal black outfit. The royal white coat trimmed with fur that had silver strands in it was tradition so he wore it as well. His crown matched the throne and he looked at the crowded throne room trying not to hint at his boredom. Finally Yami was announced and the doors opened.
Yami walked up to just below the throne and kneeled in front of Seto. Seto stood and addressed the room. "Today we gather here to witness this man be sworn into the service of the crown." He glanced down at Yami. "From this day forth your life shall belong to me. You will serve me and the crown. You will die for me if need be." He drew his sword and tapped Yami's shoulder lightly. "I dub thee, Sir Yami Mutou." He set the sword to the side. "Rise Sir Yami, the Prince's personal guard." Yami rose to applause. Seto couldn't help noticing that his smile had something besides gratitude in it. He ignored it for the moment spoke to the room again. "Now let us feast."
As everyone moved into the dining hall Yami was set at a place of honor next to Seto himself. As everyone began eating and drinking Seto turned to Yami. "Did you find my speech funny in some way?" He asked grabbing a goblet of wine.
"No my lord." Yami said suppressing a snicker and not looking Seto in the eyes. Whatever it was he seemed to think it was hilarious.
Seto didn't like feeling as if he were being laughed at. "I command you to tell me." He said evenly, not letting his annoyance show through.
With a slight twinkle in his eye and a smirk playing on his lips Yami leaned forward and whispered so that no one else could hear, "Do all your knightings sound like wedding vows?" When he pulled away his smile was sly and slightly mocking.
Feeling his eyes burn with fury and his cheeks burn with humiliation all Seto could think of to do was glare at him. He turned away from him as Yami began talking to a few people from court and took a large gulp from his goblet. Filling it and downing it a few more times Seto's annoyance wasn't diminishing. After several goblets and only a little food Seto called ordered a girl from the kitchens to meet him in his room and left the feast.