So, I'm finally back, after, ouch, eight and a half months on this story. Gah, that's bad. Anyways, for those of you who want to know why I was gone so long, I had a relapse in illness which took me out of school for a quarter (yes, my university still does quarters) so I've been making up the missed time over the summer. Never, I repeat never take two very demanding research classes over the course of five weeks. It does not work out. But, right now I only have one class so I finally have the time (and motivation) to update!
I will admit, part of the reason that this took so long is because I've had a growing sense of dissatisfaction with this story. I really wanted to take it down and rewrite the entire thing, but I'm going to put up one more chapter to see what people say about it. If I do continue this story I might have to write another story with Set o and Ryou as royalty…
Inconstancies: Thanks to my countless changes of the plot, a few inconstancies have popped up. I will be going back through and fixing them where I find them. Thanks goes to Saffire Blade for pointing out the one I didn't catch with Mokuba. I've also given the role I had planned to have Dartz fill to Pegasus. When I thought about it, it just made more sense to use him. I don't think this will cause problems, but if anyone notices any let me know.
Chapter Rating: As of this chapter I'm raising the rating of this story, just to be safe.
All right, now that my rants are done, we can finally get back to the story! Yay!
Chapter Title: Keine wie du (No One Like You) - Laith Al-deen
Completion
Chapter Twelve: No One Like You
Outside the thunder was loud enough to make the windows shake. Seto felt Ryou's hand tremble in his own. He pulled back the covers and crawled into the bed beside her, taking hold of her hand once more as she turned her head toward him.
"You are not intimidated by anyone, but thunder frightens you."
"There are plenty of people who intimidate me, but it would only hurt Kaiba if I showed it."
Seto just stared at her for a moment. "You don't always need to be queen. There's no one you need to impress here."
"Really?" A soft smile graced her face. "You barely said more than two words to me before the incident with Mokuba. Besides," Ryou said, her voice becoming softer, "I've never really pretended with you."
Before Seto could think of something to say to that thunder shook the windows once more. Ryou's hand tightened around his own. "I wish it would stop that."
"Why are you afraid of thunder?"
"Hmm? Why do I have to have a reason?"
"Mokuba was scared of it because it our mother died in a thunder storm. You're fear is similar to that. You don't fear it just because."
After a moment the white haired queen took a deep breath. "The plague struck when I was six."
Seto nodded, silently urging her to continue. The plague that had struck Kul Elna and Crawford had devastated the two countries. Their economies had been sent reeling and still had not fully recovered twelve years later. The only good thing about it was that it had only affected Kul Elna and Crawford.
"My father tried to keep it away by keeping all visitors out of the palace and turning it into a prison for those still there. But it came anyway. We were all restricted to our rooms until it passed. When it had…" Ryou's voice trailed off, unconsciously moving closer to her husband. "There were so many dead, including my mother and little sister, Amane.
"She was my father's favorite, his heir. Amane and I looked similar enough to be twins, and after her death my father couldn't take it. He had to keep Bakura around, as he was now his heir, but he made arrangements with Pegasus and sent me to Crawford as soon as possible."
Her hand tightened around his own and she unconsciously moved closer to Seto. "The night the plague stuck and the night before I left Kul Elna there were horrible thunder storms."
Seto didn't say anything. He simply held her, and when she stopped trembling he knew she had gone back to sleep.
/
"Your Majesty, a new ambassador has just arrived from Crawford."
Seto's head snapped up to stare at his advisor. "Why was I not informed that Pegasus was sending a new ambassador?"
Akhenaden sighed and shook his head. "Siegfried came with only a small group of guards. They rode fast and hard to get here before any of our messengers could get here to inform us of their coming. The first the castle heard of their arrival was when they came through the gates. It would be proper if you were to greet them."
Seto glared at the advisor as the silence stretched on. "Did you say Siegfried?"
The older man nodded slowly. "Please remember, Your Majesty, that if you kill him it will be seen as a declaration of war."
The king made a sound of disgust as he stood up and headed for the door of his study. "Let's get this over with."
/
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Queen Ryou."
Ryou smiled brightly at the girl as she curtsied to her. Mai had brought her extra pillows so that she could sit up to receive her new maid. "It is good to finally meet you, Lady Mana. I do hope you've been enjoying the city."
"Um, yes," Mana said, somewhat uncertainly. "It has certainly been different from our estate. The Ladies Natasha and Clarissa have been very…" The young woman trialed off, obviously uncertain of what word would be appropriate.
"Gossipy," Rebecca supplied.
"Or bitchy."
Ryou chuckled softly at the shock on Mana's face. She obviously had been expecting the queen to be like Natasha and her group, and was surprised to find that Ryou's servants spoke so freely. Or that Ryou just seemed to take it in stride.
"Mai will be with us for another month until my Lord Husband's birthday celebration. You will be working with her from now on."
"Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you," Mana said with another curtsey, recognizing the dismissal.
When she had left with Mai Ryou flopped back onto her pillows. Acting the proper queen had tired her more than she thought it would. "Rebecca, please inform the cook there's no need to bring breakfast. I'm going back to sleep."
Ryou didn't even hear Rebecca's answering "Yes, Your Majesty."
/
The court was nervous, and only partly because Seto was glaring at anyone and anything that came across his path. The news of Siegfried's sudden arrival had the court in an uproar. The throne room was filled, the courtiers muttering combined to sound like angry misquotes buzzing in the king's ears.
Sending Siegfried was essentially the same thing as Pegasus bitch slapping Seto. Ryou had stayed in Crawford for five years after the plague. Four of those years had been at her father's command. After he died Bakura had demanded the return of his sister. Pegasus had managed to put off sending her home for an entire year. When the arrangements had finally been made, Bakura's spies got a hold of incriminating letters between Pegasus and Siegfried's father.
Those letters detailed the final plans to spirit Ryou away during her trip and hide her until she was old enough to marry. When she was the king planned to marry her, replacing the queen he lost in the plague. If Ryou and Pegasus had been married beneath the gaze of the gods, and their marriage consummated, then not even a king could refute their marriage.
When Bakura and Gozaburo had found out both threatened war against Crawford. Together the two kings sent a small army to see Ryou safely back to Kul Elna. Both Kaiba and Kul Elna kept their boarders well guarded right up until Seto and Ryou's marriage.
To top it all off, Seto and Siegfried had met twice before at the Winter Feasts. To put it simply, each time had ended badly.
When the doors opened to admit Siegfried and his party the court went quiet, waiting with baited breath. Siegfried made his way through the crowd, his lips upturned in an arrogant smile. "King Kaiba."
When Seto spoke it was like a deep frost settled in the room, making many of the courtiers shiver. "Welcome to Kaiba, Sir Siegfried."
/
"Ryou! Get back in bed! Ryou!"
Seto sighed and stood up when he heard Mai's voice, walking into the sitting room to see Ryou storming toward him…or at least trying to. She still had not regained enough strength to carry herself with her old sense of purpose.
"Is it true?" the white haired woman asked as she stumbled. Seto caught her and set her down on one of the plush couches. "Siegfried is here?"
Seto nodded. "Yes."
Ryou continued to hold onto Seto's arms, giving him a startled look. "Why?"
"Pegasus sent him as an ambassador." He noticed Mai slip out of the room but kept his focus on his wife. "He won't hurt you Ryou. I won't allow it."
The queen lowered her gaze. "I know. That's not it." Ryou sighed and leaned against Seto's chest. Seto stared at the top of her head for a moment, slightly startled, before wrapping his arms around her. "Siegfried was my friend, and he betrayed me. He was only twelve when he came up with the idea to marry me to Pegasus. He spent two years putting everything into place, and it would have worked if Leon hadn't given me a copy of that final letter."
Seto pulled back so that he could look her in the eye. "You're the one who sent the letter to Bakura?"
Ryou nodded. "I knew Siegfried was up to something. His brother, Leon, came to me and told me what was going on." Ryou shook her head, trying to hide her tears. "They were my friends. Pegasus treated me like his own daughter. For five years they were the closest thing I had to family."
Seto pulled Ryou back into his embrace. "You have a family Ryou. None of them are worthy of a place in it."
This time it was Ryou who pulled out of the embrace. "Malik!"
Seto blinked. "What?" That was definitely not what he had been expecting.
"I need to see Malik now. He has to go to Kul Elna. Bakura has probably already heard about what happened to me. We need to send Malik to calm him down before he does anything rash."
"Malik is not exactly the calming type, Ryou."
"No, but he does have a talent for calming my brother. Mai!"
"She went to get Malik, my lady," Rebecca said, entering the room through the servant's entrance.
"Good. Rebecca, please get me some paper and ink."
Only a few minutes later Mai knocked on the door. "Ryou, I brought Malik."
"Come in."
Seto sat beside Ryou, watching the exchange with interest. Ryou and her servants were certainly efficient when they needed to be.
"Malik, I need you to take this letter to my brother. He cannot be allowed to send the priest for an investigation."
"Do you really think he'd go that far?" Seto asked.
"Definitely," Malik answered. "I don't think you understand just how protective Bakura is of his little sister. If he sends the priest and they discover Ryou is still a virgin he won't hesitate in having your marriage annulled."
When the ink was dry Ryou folded the letter. Mai was there with her ring and sealing wax before Ryou even asked for it. "Here, Malik."
"Right," the blond said as he took the letter. "Probably won't be back until the Winter's Feast." As he left he shouted over his shoulder, "Don't kill Siegfried and start a war while I'm gone!"
Ryou slumped against Seto once more as her energy left her once more. "Back to bed," Seto said softly as he picked her up, motioning to Rebecca and Mai that they could leave.
/
The castle had not been so active since Ryou's arrival. Seto's birthday was fast approaching and even though Seto was doing his best to ignore it, no one else was. Mai had been busy helping Ryou commission her husband's gift, as well as setting up the new household she would be taking over when the celebrations were over.
As she swept down the hall her eyes met those of a certain soldier's before he slipped into a room. Looking around her to make sure no one was watching Mai slipped into the room behind him.
As soon as the door closed she was pushed against the wall, desperate lips upon her own. She moaned into the kiss, allowing his access to her mouth. "Valon," she whispered in a husky voice when they finally parted for air.
"I've missed you," he whispered into her ear, sending a shiver down her spine.
"I've been busy," she muttered as Valon leaned down to place kisses on her neck, pulling at her collar.
"Surely they can spare you right now."
Her knees were growing weak at his touches; the feel of him against her was fogging her judgment. She ran her fingers through his hair, turning his face toward her's so that she could kiss him again.
/
Valon knew immediately that Rafael was not pleased as soon as he walked into the room. "If you're using the maid to get close to the queen, then fine. If it's because you have feelings for her, then stop. Now." Rafael left no room for argument, but Valon glared at him anyways.
"Now, now, Valon, remember who you're doing this for."
After a few moments Valon lowered his gaze, refusing to look at Siegfried's smirking face. "Good. Well, now that we're all here, I have your new orders. You're to do nothing."
Alister sat up a little straighter in his chair. "What? You were sent here just to tell us that?"
"Yes," the man said simply. "A new plan has been put in place, and you will only endanger it if you do anything to make Kaiba more suspicious. If everything goes according to plan then this will all be over during the Winter's Feast."
/
After a month of recovery Ryou had almost all her strength back. She still tired quickly, but was able to make appearances at court once more. And now, on the day of Seto's birthday, she was expected to join in the feast tonight. Seto and Doctor Lee both were against it, but Ryou had assured them that if she felt tired she would let them know immediately. With Akhenaden on her side she had eventually gotten them to agree, if somewhat reluctantly.
Ryou smiled as she entered the study. "You know, no one expects you to do any work today. You're supposed to be celebrating."
"It's not exactly something I care about," Seto said, never lifting his eyes from his papers.
"Well, it's something your people care about, and they want to celebrate it with you."
"They can get drunk off the free wine without my presence just fine."
Ryou rolled her eyes, grabbing onto Seto's arm to make him stand up. "At least come see your present before you get too moody."
Seto sighed but allowed his wife to drag him out into the sitting room. He blinked in surprise when he saw what was waiting for him. "Happy birthday, brother!" Mokuba said, a huge grin plaster on his face. Akhenaden smiled and nodded, stepping back so that Seto could examine his gift.
"There's one from each of us," Ryou said softly as Seto walked toward the three foot tall replicas of the Blue Eyes, White Dragon, and Obelisk the Tormentor. The three ships, the pride of the Kaiban navy, were Seto's not-so-secret pleasure. When Ryou had asked Mokuba and Akhenaden's advice on what to get Seto, Mokuba had told the queen about the king's love for the ships.
"They're perfect," Seto whispered in an awed voice as he walked around the replicas.
"As much as I hate to ruin the moment, Your Grace, the feast will begin soon and you still need to get ready."
Seto reluctantly tore his eyes away from his gift and nodded. "Let's get this over with."
/
"That wasn't so bad."
Seto hated to admit it, but Ryou was right. He had been surrounded by his wife, brother, advisor, and Mai, who as a countess was allowed to sit at the High Lord's table. Thanks to them the feast had not only been bearable, but somewhat enjoyable.
And during the event Seto had suddenly realized that when Ryou smiled at him he couldn't help smiling back at her, or reaching out to hold her hand. He knew he should have held disgusted with himself for acting like a love sick boy, but for some reason he wasn't. The entire way back to their chambers Seto had been thinking about his relationship with his wife, and it shocked him when he comprehended just how much he'd come to care for her.
Mana had entered the room to help Ryou undress but Seto waved her back, before following his wife into the dressing room. Ryou was humming softly to herself as she pulled her hair over her should, out of the way. Seto brushed his fingers against her bare shoulders, letting her silently know it was him. Ryou stiffened slightly, but didn't stop him as Seto undid the clasps on the back of her dress.
As the dress fell around her ankles Seto waited for Ryou to stop him. But she stood there, waiting. Seto undid the laces on her corset and let it fall to the floor as well. Ryou stood before him in only her under shift now. Seto took a deep breath as he reached for the strings on the front of the shift, which rested against her chest. He could feel her chest rising up and down with as she took deep, steadying breaths.
"Ryou," he whispered, taking a step closer to her so her back rested against his chest. "There's one more thing I'd like for my birthday, if you're willing to give it."
/
I should never write about thunder storms again. While I was writing the first scene with Ryou and Seto a really bad thunder storm came through and knocked my internet out for two days. Fun times, that.
Anyways, let me know what you think of this chapter. Should I rewrite the story or keep going with it like it is? I'll be rewriting a few of the inconstancies before posting the next chapter. I'll list any changes made on my profile, and, if continued, the start of the next chapter (which hopefully won't take as long as this chapter to get up).