The Pharaoh and the Slave

Chapter One: Slave

"Prince, it's time to wake up."

The young heir to the throne of Egypt groaned as light suddenly filled the room. He lifted the blanket over his head and cuddled deeper into his bed. His best friend and servant since birth, Mahado, sighed and went over and stood next to his bed, crossing his arms disapprovingly.

"Prince, do not make me wake you up the hard way." The young prince groaned once more, causing Mahado to get more irritated. "Fine. I'll get you up the hard way."

Mahado grabbed some of the blanket that the younger boy had over himself and yanked it hard, causing the future pharaoh to roll off his bed and onto his floor.

"Ouch!" From the other side of the bed, a boys head popped up. "Mahado! What was that for?" He complained, rubbing his head to get rid of the pain from the hard floor.

Mahado rolled his eyes. "You refused go get up even with a threat, Prince. I had to wake you up the hard way."

The prince rolled his eyes. "Fine. And how many times do I have to tell you to call me Yami when we're alone?" The heir said, irritated.

Mahado chuckled. "I apologize, but I'm in my priest uniform right now. I cannot call you by your name." Yami huffed in annoyance. "Now if you will excuse me, I have some duties to attend to. Your father is requesting your presence as well." With that, Mahado bowed and exited the room, giving Yami some privacy.

Yami sighed, but stood to get ready to appear in front of his father and start his day as Heir to the Throne of Egypt.

:-:-:-:

Yami nodded and waved to servants he passed by in the halls. He knew most of them well from the nights he would sneak from his room and explore the castle. His other friend in the castle other than Mahado was the royal chef, Mauki. She was real nice and often hid sweets for him.

As he got closer to the throne room where his father would be waiting, Yami's heart started racing. He wondered what his father wanted from him; after all, the Pharaoh only formally summoned him when it was something extremely important.

He stopped right outside the large doors of the throne room and took a deep breath, preparing himself for whatever he was about to face. Once he had calmed his beating heart, he opened the door and entered.

He walked across the room with confidence, kneeling when he reached where all those who addressed kneeled. "You summoned me, Father?"

Pharaoh Aknamkanon motioned for Yami to stand, and the prince did as he was told. "My son, you are now fifteen years of age. Soon you will be taking the throne. You have done well in your studies and sword training. Now you must learn responsibility."

Yami was confused. "Responsibility, Father? What do you mean?"

Aknamkanon turned to the guards to the side. "Bring over the thief." The two guards nodded and dragged a figure over to the group of royals and priests, before throwing the thief down harshly. Yami held in his anger at how the figure was being treated. The guards then took off the cloak that covered the figure's appearance, and everyone gasped in shock and surprise.

The accused Egyptian male looked like Yami. His hair style was similar, with the exception of the color of the back. Where Yami's was red, the boy's was violet. The boy's skin tone was pale, however, compared to everyone else's.

Yami watched as the boy opened his eyes and froze as his heart sped up. The boy had the most beautiful violet eyes. However, Yami could see much emotion; sadness, fear, betrayal. This boy was innocent. Yami could tell.

"Yami." Yami turned to his father. "You will take this thief as your personal slave."

"I told you! I'm innocent! I was framed! I swe-"

Yami looked over to the boy as one of the guards slammed the boy's head down with his foot. When he saw blood going down the side of the boy's head, he had decided to step in.

"Fine." He said, standing. Everyone looked at him, shocked at the outburst that Yami caused. He glared at his father. "I'll take the boy as my slave. However, only those I approve can touch him. No one else. Understood?" The king nodded and Yami walked over to the guard that still had his foot on the boy's head. "Remove your foot, or I can't guarantee your life." The guard quickly removed his foot and stepped back.

Yami kneeled and wrapped his arms around the boy, picking him up bridal style. "I'll be taking my leave now. I'd like to borrow Seto and Mahado as well." The heir spoke with authority. Seto and Mahado turned to the king who nodded. Yami then motioned the two to follow him as he left the throne room.

Once they were out of earshot, Yami started to speak. "Mahado, I want you to go retrieve some towels. Bring them to my room." Mahado bowed before heading off to find the maids. He then turned to Seto. "Seto, go find the doctor and bring him to my room as soon as possible." Seto nodded before heading off to the doctor's room.

Yami then looked down at the accused boy in his arms. "What's your name?" He asked.

The boy hesitated before he answered. "Yugi."

"Don't worry, Yugi. I'll make sure no one hurts you ever again."