Yetao's gaze flickered between Bam and Peanut, a mischievous idea suddenly taking root in his mind. Perfect timing.
Without warning, he staggered dramatically, his body swaying as if struck by sudden dizziness. Peanut lunged forward, catching him before he could fall. As Peanut's concerned arms steadied him, Yetao shot him a quick, playful wink—careful to keep it hidden from Bam's watchful eyes.
Peanut cleared his throat nervously. "Are you... are you okay?" he stammered, his acting skills clearly lacking as the words tumbled out awkwardly.
Before Yetao could respond, Bam swooped in with surprising speed. His powerful hands snatched Yetao away from Peanut's grasp, lifting him effortlessly. With unexpectedly gentle movements that contradicted his fierce expression, Bam carried Yetao to the bed and tucked him firmly beneath the sheets.
"You better behave and stay alive," Bam growled, his golden eyes burning with intensity. "I can't face Seshat if something happens to you."
Yetao flinched at the harshness in his tone. Looking up at Bam's face—really looking at him for once—he noticed the dark circles beneath those intimidating eyes. The King of Desert looked utterly exhausted, his normally immaculate appearance showing signs of strain.
"I'm alright now," Yetao replied softly. "Pea has already treated me." He tilted his head innocently. "Where is Chen?"
The casual question only seemed to ignite Bam's anger further. A muscle twitched in his jaw as his expression darkened. Pea? First it was Seshat. Now him too? Bam's conflicted thoughts were written clearly across his face.
"You do know that they are Gods, right?" Bam asked through gritted teeth, unable to contain himself.
Yetao blinked, genuinely confused. "So? Should I call you 'my lord'?" He shrugged beneath the blankets. "Everyone calls you by your names, though."
Bam exhaled sharply, his breath hot with barely contained fury. He leaned down, his face inches from Yetao's, and spoke in a dangerously low tone that sent shivers down Yetao's spine.
"Let me just tell you. If you ever think of betraying or hurting Seshat, I'll chase you even to the underworld. You get it?"
Without waiting for a response, Bam straightened and stormed out of the room grabbing Peanut along with him.
The sudden silence felt heavy in their wake.
"What just happened?" Yetao mumbled, replaying the tense exchange in his mind. Slowly, his eyes widened as an absurd conclusion formed. "Ahhhhh! I get it now. He likes Chen, doesn't he?"
Yetao sat up in bed, his fatigue momentarily forgotten as excitement bubbled within him. "Is that why he was so angry out of nowhere in the library? Because I played with Chen when he couldn't?"
A squeal escaped him as he hugged his knees, fanboying over the potential romance—momentarily forgetting he was stranded in a dangerous world filled with gods and monsters.
"Awww, so he was just jealous. I get it now!" Yetao flopped back onto the pillows with a grin. "Now that I know, it's easy to deal with that grumpy guy." His smile faltered slightly. "But... isn't he engaged?"
His expression turned serious as he pulled the blankets higher, suddenly contemplative. "Chen was a kind one. I can't let him get hurt." Determination hardened his features. "I'll find out the truth before I return to my world."
Meanwhile, Peanut and Bam stood in a secluded corridor, their voices low as they engaged in a heated discussion.
"I found her running for her life in the middle of the desert," Peanut explained, his usually cheerful demeanor replaced with solemnity. "I merely helped her escape."
Bam's brow furrowed, confusion evident in his golden eyes. "That's strange. Then is she the one who killed Makko?" he muttered, more to himself than to Peanut.
Peanut shook his head emphatically. "She didn't. When Hermanubis delivered the news, even she was surprised." He met Bam's skeptical gaze steadily. "Makko had many enemies. How could a delicate woman like her do such a thing?"
Bam scoffed, crossing his arms over his broad chest. "Hah, delicate woman? You know nothing about her." His eyes narrowed dangerously. "She's definitely hiding something."
"He was a direct fellow of Zababa," Peanut pressed, frustration coloring his tone. "Do you think just anyone could take him down?"
"She's not just anyone, Peanut," Bam replied with chilling certainty. "You need to be careful too. She can fool you and Seshat." His lips curved into a cold smile. "But not me."
....
The journey back to the palace the next day was tense, the air between them heavy with unspoken accusations. Upon their arrival, a crowd had gathered, anxiously awaiting Yetao's return.
Seshat stood at the front, relief washing over his beautiful features at the sight of Yetao unharmed. The concern in his eyes made Yetao's heart skip a beat.
Yetao approached Seshat immediately, offering a bright smile. "You don't need to worry. I'm fine, see?" He twirled around playfully, displaying his uninjured state with a flourish.
Chen stepped forward, a gentle smile warming his features as he ruffled Yetao's hair affectionately. The touch lingered for a moment too long.
"Now get back to your quarters," Bam interrupted sharply, his voice cutting through the moment like a blade.
Yetao rolled his eyes dramatically. "There he goes with his grumpy personality again," he muttered under his breath.
As Bam practically dragged Chen away, Yetao couldn't help but smirk knowingly. So he really does like him.
The sound of hurried footsteps interrupted his thoughts. Hanan rushed forward, her delicate hands grasping Yetao's as she examined him for injuries, her eyes filled with genuine concern.
"I'm really okay, Hanan," Yetao assured her with a warm smile. "I'm super-strong for my own good."
Over Hanan's shoulder, Yetao caught Peanut staring at him intently, his gaze unreadable. Yetao smiled at him, and something flickered in Peanut's eyes.
"Let's go, Yetao," Hanan urged, tugging at his hand.
"Just a moment, Hanan," Yetao replied, gently freeing himself from her grasp. He approached Peanut, oblivious to the whispers that followed his movement.
"When can we go to the library?" he asked innocently.
Peanut leaned closer, his breath warm against Yetao's ear as he whispered, "I'll send you a message."
Gasps and murmurs erupted from the surrounding attendants, but Yetao, completely unaware of the scandal he was causing, simply nodded happily and returned to Hanan's side.
Hanan's expression, however, had grown troubled.
....
After changing into fresh attire, Yetao found Hanan waiting for him in the corridor, her posture tense. "Yetao..." she began hesitantly.
Sensing her unease, Yetao tilted his head. "What's wrong, Hanan?"
She took a deep breath, steeling herself. "Is there something going on between you and Seshat?"
Three seconds of stunned silence stretched between them. "Huh?" Yetao finally managed, utterly bewildered.
Hanan sighed heavily. "Yetao... since you've been in the library for the past month, there have been rumors about you and Seshat." Her eyes looked pained. "But now they've escalated to include Peanut. I know you're just being yourself around them, but..." She trailed off, gathering courage. "I want to hear the truth from you."
"No way!" Yetao blurted out, his tone leaving no room for doubt. "Chen—I mean Seshat—is my master. He teaches me, and I learn from him. That's it." His eyes were earnest. "As for Peanut, he saved me. So, I'm indebted to him. Nothing more, nothing less. I swear, Hanan."
Relief washed over her features. "I know there's nothing like that. Even if you loved one of them, that wouldn't be a sin." Her expression darkened. "But if that's between two Gods, then it's a different story. This kingdom has already suffered enough because of that. I don't want to witness it for a second time."
Something in her tone made Yetao hesitate to pry further. The shadows in her eyes spoke of secrets too dark to disturb.
"Anyway," Hanan continued, her voice lightening deliberately, "you'll be working in the art hall from today."
"Why?" Yetao asked, confusion evident in his voice.
"It's the King's orders," she explained. "Apparently, you damaged an important scroll the last time you were in the library."
Annoyance flashed across Yetao's face. That petty bastard. Whose fault is it that I fell on the shelf in the first place? he cursed inwardly, struggling to maintain a neutral expression.
"He's just sulky," a familiar voice interjected. "He'll let it go after a few days."
Yetao turned to find Lisa approaching, her movements as graceful as ever. The last time he'd seen her, she'd been drugged and unconscious. Now, she seemed fully recovered, her beauty radiant under the palace lights.
Hanan excused herself, leaving them alone.
"I came to thank you," Lisa said, her smile genuine.
Embarrassed, Yetao shook his head. "I just did what I could. No need to thank me." He studied her face. "Are you all right now?"
She nodded, her eyes twinkling. "I didn't know you could dance so well. The musician girls said you danced like a fairy. Next time, join me."
Excitement bubbled in Yetao's chest. "Really?" he asked, unable to hide his enthusiasm.
"That would be my pleasure," he added when she confirmed with a nod. They say she's the greatest dancer in the territory. I should learn her style before I leave this world. Since I'm here anyway, why not use these opportunities?
Lisa tilted her head, studying him. "Is Bam giving you a lot of trouble?" she asked suddenly.
Yetao flinched, caught off guard. "A bit?" he answered hesitantly after a moment's thought.
"You can tell me the truth," she assured him. "He's a known troublemaker."
Confusion washed over Yetao. "But aren't you his fiancée? Why are you cussing him?" The question slipped out before he could stop himself. Crap!!! Did I really just ask her that? he screamed internally, immediately regretting his words.
Lisa's expression froze in shock. "They're still spreading that nonsense?" she muttered, running a hand through her silky hair.
With a heavy sigh, she explained, "I've known him since childhood. But whenever we talk, we end up fighting." Her eyes met Yetao's directly. "Do you think I could marry someone like that?"
Yetao couldn't help but agree silently that it seemed impossible.
"Don't bother with the rumors," she advised. "They're just echoes, not the actual voice."
Her expression softened suddenly, a nostalgic smile gracing her lips. "But... he wasn't always so grumpy. There was a time when he used to smile a lot." Sadness tinged her voice. "It's just time and circumstances that changed him completely. I believe the innocent Bam we once knew is still hidden inside him somewhere."
....
Evening painted the sky in shades of amber and gold as Yetao finished his duties at the art hall. In the gathering dusk, he spotted Peanut walking purposefully across the courtyard.
"Pea!!!" he called out, breaking into a run.
From a distance, Bam and Seshat watched the exchange silently.
After a brief conversation, Yetao followed Peanut elsewhere, disappearing from view.
Seshat's fist clenched tightly at his side, disappointment etched across his divine features. "She didn't see me today," he thought miserably, unaware that Bam had deliberately prevented Yetao from visiting the library.
Unable to bear the pain any longer, Chen turned and walked away.
Bam remained, his concerned gaze following Seshat's retreating form before turning to glare in the direction Yetao had disappeared.
....
"We need to search the treasury too, not just the library," Peanut was saying, his voice low and urgent. "I've prepared something to help you move discreetly. Let's discuss the details tomorrow."
Yetao nodded eagerly. "Okay then. See you tomorrow!" With a bright smile, he turned and walked away.
Peanut's eyes followed Yetao's retreating figure, his hand unconsciously reaching out toward the diminishing silhouette. Catching himself, he clenched his fist and muttered, "Not now. Stay patient." With visible effort, he turned and headed for his quarters.
....
Meanwhile, Yetao had lost his way in the darkness. "Huh? I don't think I saw this statue when I was chasing Pea," he murmured, looking around in confusion.
The realization dawned on him slowly. "Did I get... lost?"
No one was in sight. A heavy silence hung in the air, broken only by the occasional chirp of crickets. Beside a towering statue stood an eerily still pond, its surface black as obsidian in the moonless night.
A shiver ran down Yetao's spine. "How did I end up in such a creepy place all alone?" he whispered, slowly backing away.
His foot landed on a dry leaf, the sudden crunch making him jump. Heart racing, he continued retreating when suddenly—
A hand grabbed him from behind.
Yetao's scream echoed through the darkness as he nearly toppled over, only to be caught by another firm hand. Eyes squeezed shut in terror, he continued screaming until a palm clamped over his mouth.
"Don't yell!" a familiar voice snapped.
Slowly, Yetao opened his eyes to find Bam glowering at him. He quickly broke free from the King's grip, his heart still racing.
"What are you doing here?" Bam demanded.
Embarrassed to admit he was lost, Yetao improvised. "I... I just thought the scenery seemed nice here."
Bam's skeptical gaze swept around them, taking in the eerie pond and the forbidding statue towering above. Then he noticed Yetao's averted eyes and slight trembling.
A smirk curved his lips. She must have lost her way. The realization was like a gift—perfect ammunition for petty revenge after Yetao had hurt Chen earlier.
"Take your time then," Bam said casually, turning to leave. "It's just that sometimes there might be corpses walking around since there's no moon. Be careful not to bump into them—they might think you're food."
Terror seized Yetao as Bam began walking away. "Wait..." he called out, his voice barely above a whisper as he grabbed the edge of Bam's robe. "I'll come too..."
Bam couldn't contain it any longer. Laughter—genuine, unrestrained laughter—burst from him.
Yetao stared in amazement. This was the first time he'd heard Bam laugh without cynicism or mockery. Lisa's words echoed in his mind: "He wasn't always so grumpy. There was a time when he used to smile a lot." A small smile tugged at Yetao's lips.
Their moment of unexpected happiness shattered as a low, inhuman growl rumbled through the darkness.
Bam turned to see a group of corpses shambling toward them, their dead eyes gleaming with unnatural light. "Seriously?" he muttered.
Yetao's grip on Bam's robe tightened, his entire body trembling.
"Why? Do you not like the scenery now?" Bam teased, finding Yetao's fear amusing.
Yetao shot him a venomous glare.
"Where's the girl who threw hands at my soldiers the moment she arrived?" Bam challenged.
"Those were humans!" Yetao snapped back. "How am I supposed to attack ghosts?"
Bam grabbed a nearby corpse by the throat, making Yetao scream. "Why? You can touch them too," he remarked with infuriating casualness, as if dealing with walking corpses was as normal as swatting flies.
With a fluid movement, Bam summoned his sand, capturing most of the corpses by their throats and dispatching them with sickening cracks. But in his confidence, he missed several approaching from behind.
One lunged forward, its cold, rotting hands seizing Yetao.
"Hey!!!" Bam shouted, whirling around too late.
The statue's falcon head suddenly blazed with golden light, its stone eyes glowing like twin suns. The corpse holding Yetao leaped into the pond, dragging its captive down into the water.
Yetao struggled frantically, but the corpse's grip was unnaturally strong. The pond, which had appeared shallow, suddenly seemed as deep as an ocean. Water filled his lungs as he sank deeper and deeper, darkness closing in from all sides.
His last conscious thought before the blackness claimed him was of Bam's face—not angry or mocking, but filled with genuine alarm.
Is he... worried about me?
Then consciousness slipped away, and Yetao knew no more.