Forbidden: An Yugioh Reader Adventure

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Mana had always said that Atem's thinking was too impulsive, too extreme, and too in the now. Atem would merely say that she was too much of a naysayer, which would make her angry and try to get Yugi to say something to him. He never did but the younger merman would sigh with agreeable look in his eyes. Atem didn't see himself as overly optimistic and even if he did, where was the harm in it?

What a fool he had been.

When he returned home that late afternoon Mahad greeted him, along with a group of guards. His older brother, Crown Prince Ciel, had passed. After seeing his son, the king fell into a deep sleep and would not wake. Worse still, Atem was being place under arrest for unpermitted surfacing, and cavorting with a human. Mahad begged for Atem's cooperation. "Prince Zev had suggested that his guards be used to take you into custody, please do not fight me."

For once, Atem did not fight or argued. Mahad was unusually calm and knew something him didn't. Atem followed the large merman with guards at his back. The palace carried a wave of grief as another prince had died. Each of the guards wore a black band on their right upper arm in mourning. Atem did not ask what killed his brother for any answer other than murder would be wrong. Zev was behind this death, but with no proof all he could do is stay silent and see what he could do about his charges. They knew about Persona. How did they know and how much? All were things he would need to put aside for now. Now, he had to visit his brother to pay his respects and find out what was happening to his home.

Only when Mahad led them away from where Ciel's room was did Atem speak out. "Am I not going to pay my last respects to my brother?"

"Forgive me Prince Atem, but this is your brother's command. Prince Zev is claiming his title as Crown Prince and is acting regent of the King."

"By who's orders!"

"The council's." Mahad held up his hand, respectfully, adding, "It is light regency, since head healer Isis believes that the king will wake."

Atem huffed at this saying under his breath. "We can only hope."

Of all of the wretched things to happen, his brother now had the power to rule in their father's place. Mahad looked over at Atem, seeing his calculating expression the merman said, "Did not be hasty, master Solomon has asked me to advise you to be...submissive."

Submissive, to Zev? Were they out of their minds? No, the situation was just that dire. Even with a light regency, Zev had enough power to make Atem miserable. All it would take is for his father to pass in the night and Zev would have all the power. Submissive? Just what was Solomon thinking, asking Mahad to tell him to be submissive? What was wrong with obedient? It was like he was asking for Atem to challenge...

Atem stopped and the guards at his back halted, but did not ask for him to keep moving. With a glance, he realized that the guards were his late brother's. Only the Crown Prince was given their own guards, the rest followed the king. "I will see my brother first. It is my right to give my final respect to him." Mahad turned to Atem and waited.

Waited to hear a key sentence. Atem drew himself up and said, "Only the King can deny my right."

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To say Zev was peeved when he found himself and the rest of the council waiting to pass judgment on his brother was an understatement. The day he long for had arrive, but naturally his younger brother was being difficult. When a guard arrived saying where Atem was the council members and nobles muttered among themselves on how dutiful the prince was being. No matter, there was still the charges against him.