Pharaoh's First Love

89

“She’s not your typical girl. There’s a warmth and sense of peace that surrounds her, a shy and timid way she carries herself which makes even my own heart melt. I would suggest she brightens my day and spending my time with her gives me strength, makes me feel younger than I have in years. Besides…” He turned a cheek and chuckled. “There are parts of her that when I see them simply take my breath away. She’s a good girl, although understandably she is dealing with quite a bit. Loss of family, dealing with her first relationship, and not only first but having to seriously consider having a child. I can safely admit my thoughts are flooded by her.” Calion said with ease. “She is now mine to care for, mine to protect, and much more.”
Aoi raised a brow. Hoping up and wiggling about to plop down beside his big brother. Aoi was very feminine. Long hair and a thin frame. Of course talking often gave it away. "My darling brother it sounds like love!." He excited screamed. "How marvelous. But I have a little surprise for your darling when you do finally seal the deal. "
Overly excited. Aoi the queen of surprises. Despite being a blessed being of illusion, he couldn’t help himself. "I wo der how my lovely Helm will feel hearing his little girl is going to become a pharaoh's bride by spring." He giggled then gave a serious look. A smirk crossing his lips. "You must tell me. I am curious what it is you feel when laying with her. Surely just kissing her must have an effect on you."
Calion didn’t flinch or move away as Aoi took a seat, after all whereas in kingdoms of the north Aoi’s sexuality might be frowned upon in Calion’s own kingdom people were much more open minded. Body servants existed in both females and males and no one would much blink an eye about a noble bedding a male. It was all in pursuit of happiness after all. Turning his cheek slightly Calion gazed on upon Aoi although he was mildly confused. Firstly over the fact Aoi kept saying things that sounded like Helm was still alive, although Calion didn’t have the heart to correct him.

“Rather nosy today aren’t you?” Calion questioned but only laughed in jest. “For as curious as you are maybe you should just watch us next time huh?” Another small joke as Calion sat back and rested his hands down upon the robe covering his waist. “What would you like to know? How my heart pounds as I cup her cheek and spread her innocent lips and allow my tongue to meet her own? How I find it more satisfying to passionately have our tongues dance against one another and find it more sweet than biting into a fresh mango? Or perhaps how parts of her I find taste even sweeter than such fruit? Or perhaps you’d like to know I can’t even kiss her without having a swell of lustful blood run through my body leaving me… well I’m sure you can guess. She stirs my appetite… and I can hardly resist even when she does something and simple as getting dressed.”
Aoi's cheeks burned. His brother was a pervert. A man their father would praise. He stood. Giving a twirl and childish look as he flamboyantly admitted. "Awe yes the blossoming of love how romantic! If only my darling Helm would see just how I crave that cold gaze of his. My very body flutters for him." He was fueled by this outburst of energy.
"Our long days away in paradise seem like daydreams compared to your talk of love. My heart swells with joy for you"
Shelyn lay in bed hugging her little stuffed toy. A birthday spent without her brother. Reminded of this day.
Calion rose and stood beside Aoi who was shorter, but still taller than the majority of females, placing a warm hand upon his shoulder. It seemed to Calion that Aoi may not be taking news of Helm’s passing in a healthy manner, although he was aware people all grieved in different ways. “I’m sure if you put your mind to it you could get any guy to gaze upon you and yearn.” He said, trying to provide a compliment to Aoi considering the male was appealing and likely could potentially fool many as to his gender. “But thank you, I appreciate you being happy for her and I and I hope in time your own love blossoms just as radiantly. Shall I be letting you retire for the night?” Calion asked, not necessarily kicking Aoi out, but he was curious as to where Shelyn ran off to. Additionally, he felt a bit guilty leaving her alone to mourn… on her birthday no less.
Aoi pouted. "But I rarely see you....and Helm isnt home yet." He admitted. In truth Aoi was very...secretive. often times leaving Calion in the dark when it came to certain matters. Especially when it came to his branch in ranks. He gave Calion puppy eyes. "I bet if I ask your bride she won’t send me away...even my own men are pouting this evening...if I go back now they will punish me..they’re so mean when Helm is away."
Calion sighed, he was being guilt tripped and he still didn’t quite understand what to say to Aoi about Helm. After all… the man’s funeral was earlier… and he was nothing more than ash right now.

“Somehow I doubt you’d mind them ‘punishing’ you. Very well… it’s been awhile…” Calion said, taking his brother’s small wrist warmly and giving him a tug over towards a small table which had a brown liquor, like bourbon, and a couple cigars as he took both and took a few more steps out on the balcony to over see the peaceful night and took a seat as he brought the glass bottle to his lips and passed it to Aoi. “Will you smoke a whole one on your own?” He asked, although knowing his brother and his feminine ways he likely would not finish one by himself.
Aoi followed along in a trot. Excited not to be sent away back to the group of men all anxious about Helm. He sat down beside his brother. Refusing the cigar. "I am not Yun. Those things are filthy." He replied. "My darling Helm would not like it." In truth he would of if he wasn’t dressed this way. But he refused to greet Helm in any other way. He took a nice drink though.
"I must tell you. The angel returns. Hopefully you welcome it with open arms. A blessing upon your world dear brother. Yun organized rebellion against you. Seems Helm and his family were the only ones to stand in your way. What better way to anger people than to blame you for the death of a soldier and allow their daughter to be enslaved. A war..to many in their culture would rebel."
Calion lit the cigar after dipping the end in a bit of the liquor as he listened to Aoi speak cryptically. “Those are some heavy accusations to say about your brother. And if true would constitute treason, something at which Yun would most certainly lose his head.” He crossed his legs and sighed, letting a waft of sweet-smelling smoke seep out and wisp away in the night air.

“For what reason would Helm, and his family, seek to stand in the way of Yun’s rebellion? Granted, he was my soldier, but all the same why would he stick his neck out, especially if it could cost him his life.” Calion asked, he simply didn’t understand why Shelyn’s family would put their own lives at risk for a pharaoh they didn’t know too well.

“And Shelyn is not enslaved in any case. She’s not a concubine and I plan to wed her the moment my seed takes to her belly. Understandably the girl is upset right now, but I do intend to make her happy. Even going so far as to cut myself off from concubines completely.” Calion said, although it had only been less than a week and old habits die hard, but he at least believed he could be faithful for her.
"A family older than she. After all father allowed them their original visa. Shelyn would be forced to stay here if they were sent away. Helm fought because he had a duty to keep her and his family safe." Aoi started. "You and Helm are about the same age. Wouldn’t you of done everything to protect Jin...or me or our other siblings? Yun wants the throne. And Helm was the soldier in the way. Simply because he is a foreigner born to foreign parents. Remove what protects you, and you become a simple man with no power. Luckily the little bird took a liking to you. You don’t have to believe me. But I have not desire to have your throne. Nor give up my place among the soldiers. But I fight in those ranks. And if threes anyone worth removing it’s best to remove the link that holds all the other links. Then the ball will crash with the others attached."
Basically Helm was the strongest link in the wrecking ball chain. Top of the line. One he was removed the soldiers and Calion would be left defenseless.  And open without their lucky charm.
“Then he severely underestimates the rest of our soldiers. Not to say Helm wasn’t an exceptional soldier, but there are still plenty I can use to protect this palace and myself.” Calion said, calmly, although part of him was considering putting the Palace on lockdown. All entrances sealed but one, all those coming and leaving, even nobles or royalty, would need to be cleared from the main entrance.
“Then again, it’s as you say, take out the strongest link and the rest come crashing. If Yun was behind this rebellion, to put himself on the throne, then killing him would be the end of it, no?” Calion asked the hypothetical, although it would take more consideration before he was truly prepared to end the life of his brother.
“What can you say about those who served under Helm? Surely a great warrior attracts great subordinates, and when those warriors fall the subordinates rise up and take the place of one they held in such high regard, transforming into great warriors themselves. When a master dies it is the duty of the student to rise up and fulfill the master’s expectations.” Calion asked, curious of if there were any bright upstarts that might fill Helm’s role. After all, he would imagine those upstarts even if they didn’t have allegiance to Calion entirely, they would surely wish to see their commander’s sister remain safe, no?
"They are exceptional. As you would expect of anyone who followed. But lets face facts. Not every blessed being is good. Many are neutral, like your beloved. Capable of fighting when pushed into a corner. But for the most part avoid battle. Yet they yield to a being worthy of following. " he explained before offering the drink back. "You only need but to give an order. And your army in all it’s forces will spring to life." He thought for a moment. Truthfully who knew what the rebellion would do if Yun was taken down. "My advice dear brother, hold your enemy close to you. And await for your angel. If you fall then the bird in your bed becomes food for the dogs. " he stood gently stroking his brother's hair. "Never notices how lovely your hair had become. Perhaps there’s more to loving her than even I knew..." he said before leaving his brother to think.
Aoi couldn’t promise a war would be avoided by killing Yun. But all he could do was offer the advice of waiting on Helm. After all it was Helm who suffered. If anything Helm knew everything. Which is why he would of been murdered to begin with.
Calion remained silent in contemplation as Aoi stroked his hair. Calion considered himself a god, although compared to the powers that Shelyn held his own were much more for vanity’s sake. In that, Calion’s large appetite for carnal pleasures resulted in his youthful and healthy appearance. Unblemished skin, a radiance about him, a sheen to his hair, as well as a body that did not degrade with age so long as he continued to lay. Of course, Calion didn’t truly understand these effects, only that by laying with others he always felt rejuvenated. It’s no wonder he had such a large harem, and now Shelyn, the dear girl, would have to satisfy his undying appetite.
“Was good speaking with you brother. Good night.” He said, he was not of mind to lop off Yun’s head, yet, but keep him under careful surveillance, to make note of all who desired to speak with him, coupled with increased security in the palace. But for now, Calion rose and made his way towards his bedroom, he smelled a bit of alcohol, although he only had a few mouthfuls earlier and wasn’t too influenced by it, he merely wanted to see how his birthday girl was doing as he quietly opened the door in the night and approached the bed to take a seat and place a warm hand upon her back.
“When are you due next to bleed?” He asked. “It’s imperative you give me a child and become my wife Shelyn, such is your duty, a duty now only you can fulfill.” He said, at least hoping she was capable of giving birth.
Aoi smiled and waved goodbye. Leaving on his own for the night. Hopefully he could watch this safely from a distance. He hoped Helm wouldn’t take forever to return. After seeing the beloved sister, he couldn’t think of seeing her so miserable for much longer. He returned to his own room.
Shelyn had cried herself to sleep while cradling her bunny. Not a graceful way to sleep but the mood called for such a childish thing.
Hearing him enough that she could respond. Of course, remaining still. "...tomorrow." she admitted. She knew this wouldn’t be the week she gave him a child. Sadly, they hadn’t had enough to promise it’d take. "...please don’t be angry with me...." she said.
He shook his head ‘no’ and moved to lay alongside her, draping an arm around her body and pulling her in to cuddle as he kissed the back of her neck. “No need to be sorry, it is what it is. We’ll get a fresh start and by the next moon you will undoubtedly be carrying my child.” Calion said as he shut his eyes to lay alongside her. Now of course this brought up the question as to whether she’d be capable of laying with him during such a time of the month. It’s not as if it bothered him, and he supposed there was no harm in soiling their sheets and having Amarie change them, or worst case he could take her in the bath, but it depends upon whether she herself would be willing.
“Rest love, I’m eager to have you with child, but I can wait. You’re still mine regardless.” He kissed the back of her neck and settled in. He didn’t see the point in telling her about Aoi’s conversation, or the odd way Aoi suggested Helm would return. He hadn’t wanted to give Shelyn false hope.
Amarie by this time had finished the dishes and was having a small dinner made of leftovers as they would only go bad being left out all night. She was still wary of returning to her room and against her better judgment she took a seat in the corner of the kitchen and rested her forehead down on her knees. She didn’t dare lay down on the couch, she was unworthy of such, but she hoped she wouldn’t be in too much trouble for sleeping on the floor in the corner.
Shelyn yawned. Rolling over and snuggling in close to him. "Calion? May I have a room here? Just something to place Amarie in so she is always close. Once I’m pregnant I will need her to be near." She told him. It was best to just have her already settled nearby and prepared to help for when she finally had a baby. After all, Amarie would be the perfect nanny to help out with the baby during the night hours especially.
With his eyes shut he was only mumbled softly as he tucked her head under his chin and held her in his arms. “Is this room to be yours that you will share with her?” He questioned, naturally she must have known he’d be requiring her at his side in bed every night. “That being said, I suppose there’s no harm in her utilizing the guest bedroom. Of course… she’ll undoubtedly catch flak from other concubines for how spoiled she has become. All the same, if you’d like to inform her tomorrow that she may use the guest bedroom until at least you give birth then that will be fine with me.”