Pharaoh's First Love

page 20

Shelyn tensed. Her cheeks red from all the adult attention Yun gave. "I..am afraid I don’t. But surely you aren’t serious...you’re too old to be tucked in"
Yun begged. "Then work on a story with me? We can write while Jin plays as our muse with his instrument. We could think of it as us playing house. "
“Be sure and bring a bib little brother. You’re practically drooling like a dog.” He rose, pushing his cup away after finishing and tucked a few dark strands behind his ear. “Enjoy playing house if that’s what you’re up to. Shelyn, I’d appreciate you stopping by this afternoon or evening before dinner. Admittedly I’m surprised you’re here today. After all, I thought your brother would have been returning. I’ll speak with one of our generals and see if I can’t get you an update, if only to put your mind at ease.” Calion said and promptly left without letting his gaze linger upon her any further. He understood what Yun was trying to do though it’s not as if he was going to grow jealous over his own brother. As far as he was concerned if Shelyn was so easily swayed to Yun’s side then she was far less worthy of his time than he initially thought.
With that Calion disappeared, heading on down to the dark and cool levels below ground where he would be spending much of his morning crafting various glass artworks. Items he had planned to give to Shelyn in the future although he sincerely doubted, she’d understand what they were by just looking at them.
Shelyn finally swatted Yun away. "Why must you use me to get a rise out of him like that? I don’t want to play with you."
Jin giggled. "Yun got punished. Hehe"
Shelyn sighed. Now she was being summoned again to be alone with Calion.
Yun smirked. "Was he telling the truth? You’re waiting on Helm to return? You’re pretty close to him, aren’t you? Why? It’s not like you’re on his mind."
Shelyn didn’t humor him. She stood. "Prince Jin? Let’s go alright? Since Yun is here, he can make himself useful and have the harp brought to the yard today. I have an idea for your lesson today."
Shelyn lead Jin out of the palace. Yun reluctantly had the harp moved and followed along back to the yard of Shelyn's parents. And the Shelyn sat with the young prince in her lap as she helped him play.
Yun watching from the fence.
The Pharaoh worked tirelessly through the morning, melting sands and adding dyes. Twisting the malleable material as he saw fit. He didn’t quite know how she’d react to these gifts, for all he knew she was entirely pure even in mind. Sure, it was risky and she might find him to be some sort of creep, but all the same he made these to be mostly artistic to the eye, something one might not necessarily know the true purpose of, and even if she figured it out… what harm would there be in her accepting the gift? It’s not as if he was going to make her use them… yet.
All in all, the few hours he spent crafting away had helped in relieve some tension he was feeling towards Yun. His younger brother was growing increasingly hostile despite how generous Calion had been to him in the past. Yun had nearly anything he could ask for, the only thing he didn’t have was the throne, although he wouldn’t put it past his scheming brother to have begun considering things to change that. He hoped the boy wasn’t so far lost. Calion did think things might return to normal if Shelyn left on her way, but he wasn’t quite done with her and ready for her to leave yet… not until he had a bit more time with her after all she had caught his eye. And perhaps what further fueled his curiosity was by how difficult it was proving to be to have her. Sure, if he really wanted to, he could demand her, hold her against her will, but he found it almost like a game of sorts. Like a lion circling and toying with it’s prey, letting them wonder if and when the lion might finally pounce and sink it’s teeth into the gazelle.