Pharaoh's First Love

page 26

He decided to wait how things might play out with Yun. It would be oh so satisfying to see his brother’s smug face be broken at hearing she would be spending the night with him. “Oh Helm, your sister seems to have quite the defense in place in order to resist the charms of a pharaoh. I wonder… does she have any weaknesses? Of course you know I would not plan to harm her, physically or emotionally… I am quite a giving pharaoh after all.” He said, gently speaking out loud from time to time to Helm so as to not feel so alone. And besides, he’d heard that it is helpful sometimes for patients who are knocked out to have someone nearby speaking to them.
Shelyn tucked in Jin. Given him a kiss on the head and a song. All this took 30mins before she was heading back. Crossing paths with Yun who showered her with flowers to give to her brother. Then boldly stealing an innocent kiss before walking away with promises to see her in the morning.
She was completely red by the time she returned to her brother. Arms full of flowers dropping all over as she stammered closer. But every flower she showered onto Calion. Then she sat upon her brother’s side and leaned in. Closely. Pushing back long strands before giving him a soft kiss. "Please return to me." She whispered to him. She wasn’t showing any sign of leaving. Even when she nested herself awkwardly into his bed to lay with him. No longer giving Calion any attention. Her soft sweet words to Helm alone now. With so much love and affection. Something Calion didn’t get from her. Jin did. But not even Yun.
“Welcome back, seems you are quite popular within the palace hmm?” He said as it was almost impossible to miss the amount of flowers she had walked back with and he had assumed it was his brother’s doing in trying to woo the dear girl. Although, by the time he watched her climb on into bed with Helm he felt somewhat out of place for the time being. This was really a family ordeal and he believed she could use a break from him with everything she has going on.
“I’ll see you in the morning, if you require anything simply ask one of the guards. They know who you are and I’m sure they’ll obey whatever task you ask of them. Good night… Shelyn.” He stood, setting down the flowers in his seat before moving towards the door, leaving it, and shutting it behind him as he took a seat just outside. Not of much mind to return back to his empty bedroom and besides internally he felt that Shelyn shouldn’t have to struggle through the night of worrying on her own. Not that he could help things, but… at least he’d be awake through the long night just the same as she. Quietly the pharaoh bowed and rested his chin on his knees and closed his eyes, his mind drifting to several things. Not least of which was how if he had to spend the night sitting upon a stone floor that at least the following night would more than make up for it.
Come morning not a single noise had been made from inside the room. In face Shelyn had managed a terrible sleep. But never moved.
Jin and Yun were up on time and both dressed in rather nice suits like the men of Shelyn's people. Even though Jin insisted he hated the outfit. But they stopped by to find their brother.
Yun smirked. "A pharaoh on the floor. Looks good on you. Surely you don’t think that will sway her to your bed, do you?"
Jin fussed with his shirt. "Calion? Are you going to see the doctors too?"
Calion himself had drifted in and out of a light slumber throughout the night, the hardest portion was the first half of the night, but by early morning sleep finally took him by force. All the way until he was greeted by his ‘wonderful’ sibling as he woke up to Yun’s usual eat-shit grin. Of course, he couldn’t help but smile back at his brother’s wording. “You’d be surprised~” He replied to Yun’s comment about swaying her into bed.
“Yes Jin, I think they’ve sufficiently rested up and I’m curious if they have discovered any clues as to what had happened.” Calion stood up, brushing off his robes and some dust. He was in need of a bath, but such things could wait until later in the day. “Anyways, if you two are planning on going to see the doctors then I’ll tag along. Feel free to lead the way, after all Yun, you like pretending you’re the leader, right?”
"I lead much better than you. Of course, if all I did was chase a pretty face like you... well I suppose id fall behind too." He continued taunting. Turning on his heels and leading the way.
This early morning left the doctors at their home. Currently in the garden harvesting what herbs they needed to prepare medicine for bandages. And other things.
The Mrs. was the first to greet the bunch with deep bows and apologies for her appearance as she wasn’t expecting anyone. She ushered the group inside. Out of the hot morning air.
Her husband following with the first basket of things. Their home modest and clean. Pictures of the children and travels were hung. She offered them a seat and breakfast or drinks.
The Mr. boldly asked why they even came to visit. Fearing now his daughter was causing them further trouble.
As Calion and the others took a seat he only asked for a glass of water while her parents took a seat on the other side of the table. The look upon their faces suggested they were concerned something was wrong, otherwise why would the pharaoh and the two princes be showing up at their door so early in the morning?
“Firstly, I just want to offer you my condolences and sympathy for the tragedy which has struck your family. I’ve heard quite a good many stories about Helm’s accomplishments from my generals, but if he’s anything like the man I heard in those stories then he won’t let anything like this get in his way either. That being said I am curious as to what you may have learned from his injuries? Could you tell if it was a single attacker? Perhaps multiple? Was it bare fisted/blunt weapons, or were other weapons used? Unfortunately, I don’t know too much as to where he had been located and how close to the capital he was when he was found, and it would just be helpful to have a better picture as to what actually may have happened. I understand you both were not actually there so don’t worry if you can’t go into too much detail, every little bit helps. I would like to make this right for you, Shelyn, and Helm if justice can be served.” Calion started off by saying.
She gave him a glass of ice water. Jin wanted tea and she made it for him and Yun.
Mr. sighed. Rubbing his eyes. "They found him in the desert on the outskirts of the capital. The marks looked like a bear or tiger had used him to sharpen its claws. There was sand in every crevice. And bones were shattered. We will be lucky if he walks again. But there was a blunt force his to the back of his head that had splinters in it. We might have to send him home for better treatment." He sat up straight. Rolling his neck and sighing. "We are prepared for the worse. We will not burden you, great pharaoh with caring for him. We will send Shelyn with him. We can’t afford to stop our work yet. Otherwise we will have no money for his treatments. And I prefer not selling my daughter into a marriage."
He was open about the situation. There was no doubt they had money. But they were living on the royal dime. Their home and the yard given was in the palace walls after all. Their food and clothing paid for. Materials for helping people that required them to buy from home. Truthfully, they weren’t paid as much as doctors in other countries.
Mrs. sniffled. Yun cleared his throat. "Well this brings us to the reason I have come by. I would like to ask for your daughter's hand. I want to marry her."
Jin hasped and huffed and quickly joined. "I want to marry her. I asked her to already. You can’t have her Yun.." he was serious. There was no way he was going to let Yun marry her.
Mr. and Mrs. were both a bit thrown off.
“Were you not listening Yun? They just said they would prefer not selling their daughter off in marriage. Pretty tactless of you… here they are, their son nearly on death’s doorstep and what do you offer them? You ask to marry her in exchange for gold? That’s ridiculous.” Calion shook his head and sipped on his water before looking to her parents.
“It’s not lost on me that his recovery will take quite a bit of funding, coupled with the fact your own services will be distracted from the other people in need of doctors. However, I would prefer this not to appear like a cut and dry business transaction. You and your family mean more to this country than you know. Besides you both tending to those in need your own son has time and time again risked his life on our behalf. I think it is only right that we now come to your aid. I will see to it that you receive proper funding to tend to Helm. I will also be willing to allow you both to head home and focus upon him specifically, at least for the first couple of weeks until he’s in more stable condition. In exchange I only ask you have Shelyn remain here.” Calion looked to Jin and gave him a little smile. “My little brother is quite enamored by her and she has recently begun teaching him various instruments and I would appreciate if she could continue such teachings for him.”