Such thoughts gradually magnified in his heart, magnified, until they became infinitely large.
Seto never considered himself an overly greedy person. He walked this land, neither caring about the name of the god Anubis bestowed upon him by the world, nor coveting the power and status of the Egyptian royalty.
He hardly desired anything, so he never felt greed.
In the past, the scribe who taught him etiquette and writing said that greed is the worst desire of humankind, one that hatches many venomous snakes that harm others, so greedy people always end up with nothing.
Until now, Seto still did not understand.
He only wanted his Mother goddess, would that also harm others?
Perhaps it would.
Seto compared the difference in size between himself and Xin Hexue. The Mother Goddess had a slender figure, a narrow waistline, and a pale, flat abdomen. In Seto’s eyes, this was a body that was extremely alluring but not healthy enough, and did not align with the Egyptians’ pursuit of robustness.
Some habits belonging to jackals or canines were retained in Seto, which meant that during sexual activity, he would lock Xin Hexue firmly in place.
And with such a body, Xin Hexue would undoubtedly find it difficult to accommodate him, and would probably be unable to endure being knotted for a long time.
Would he harm his Mother Goddess?
At this thought, a bitter taste rose in Seto’s throat, making it exceptionally difficult and painful to swallow. It was as if the wind and sand from his journey back had scraped all the way down his esophagus into his stomach.
Perhaps his pain was too obvious, Xin Hexue embraced the little puppy that had sunk deep into sorrow at some point.
“Alright, alright…”
Although he did not understand what the other party was thinking about again, Xin Hexue still held the head with its not-so-soft hair, his slender fingers threading through Seto’s short hair, slowly combing through it. It had become somewhat tangled from the long journey through the dry desert.
Seto’s hair texture was like the man himself, pitch black and shiny, but rough to the touch.
Xin Hexue carefully worked out a small knot, his fingers combing all the way to the ends of Seto’s hair, which were cut straight across.
“Was it too hard?”
He tried to understand Seto’s sudden heavy sadness.
After a good night’s sleep, and having had no communication with the other party, not even in written form via letters, for over two months, Xin Hexue also felt a bit of pity for this neglected target.
But the prerequisite was that he did not understand what Seto was thinking.
If he knew what was going on in Seto’s head now, Xin Hexue would probably have tossed him away immediately.
But for now, he still had the patience to indulge Seto resting his head against his shoulder and neck.
Seto carefully sniffed at the scent coming from Xin Hexue, as if seeking some substance essential for sustaining life.
His fingertips landed on the edge of the cold mask. “Can I remove it?” Xin Hexue asked.
Occasionally, a cat’s curiosity could be piqued.
Few had seen the complete face of Seto-Anubis, even when he was still a young child.
This mask was made due to the red moon vision at the time of Seto’s birth. The divine name Anubis was bestowed upon him, and afterwards it became difficult to remove. Even as he grew older and the original mask no longer fit, the royal craftsmen would forge a new one. It was connected to Seto for eighteen years of life.
But when Xin Hexue took it off, Seto did not struggle. He just stared intently at his Mother Goddess.
Between his brows was a youthful heroism, his eyes lonely and cold, like an unsheathed cold sword. He had little resemblance to Rahotep, and Xin Hexue guessed Seto took more after his birth mother.
The scar below his left eye testified that, had the enemy’s weapon on the battlefield been just a fraction closer, it could have pierced this eye.
Xin Hexue’s fingertips rubbed over it. “Did it hurt?”
Seto thought about it. “…It hurt.”
Xin Hexue tilted his head slightly. “Should I have someone call the healer to take another look at it?”
His expression was one of distress, yet it also seemed to contain a certain inducement, which Seto could faintly perceive.
They both knew this wound had already healed; the pain and aura of death from that time had already passed.
Seto’s eyes flickered. In the next moment, he said with a firm tone, “Mother Goddess…a kiss, and it won’t hurt anymore.”
A soft smile spread in Xin Hexue’s eyes as he looked at Seto, who had already automatically and consciously closed his eyes after making his request.
His breath was warm, and the temperature of his lips lingered on the shallow scar for only a few moments before leaving.
[Seto love value +10]
[Seto’s current love value is 90]
Xin Hexue said leisurely: [So easy to coax.]
After a while, his pupils dilated in surprise.
K could guess the reason for the cat’s astonishment and continued: [Young people have a lot of inner heat.]
Xin Hexue fell silent for a moment. Something hot and hard was currently pressing against his thigh. He suddenly thought to ask: [So, does that mean you are already very old, gege?]
K: […?]
Has his persona now been updated to that of a not only incompetent but also elderly husband?
K: [If based on the bionic man’s factory settings, my age does not exceed thirty years.]
[Also, all components of a bionic man can be replaced and repaired, unlike ordinary human males who need to worry about issues like decreased sexual desire and weakened function due to old age, leading to inadequacy in husband-wife physical exchange activities.]
In other words, if one had a bionic man partner, the possibility of family conflicts caused by sexual activity would be greatly reduced.
Xin Hexue slowly blinked, [I was just curious about your age, gege, where did your thoughts go?]
K:[…I’m sorry.]
Dirty program’s automatic associations.
Before Xin Hexue could finish debating on whether to reward the little dog he hadn’t seen for a long time and help him out, the White King had already sent someone to the palace to urge them.
The servant waiting outside the hall reminded: “Your Highness Seto, the Pharaoh commands you to go and report on your duties.”
According to protocol, Seto should have reported to the Pharaoh immediately upon returning to Thebes, but instead he had recklessly rushed straight to the Divine Envoy’s palace.
This had already displeased Rahotep, who had received reports from his informants. And Seto, who only came to report after much urging, even walked the entire way without a trace of shame, the abnormality between his legs noticeable even though it was covered by a loincloth.
He had come out of Iah’s palace…
Rahotep’s expression darkened, and his dissatisfaction with this royal brother reached its peak.
Despite this, Rahotep still greatly rewarded his capable royal brother. The victory banquet lasted for three days and three nights in the Theban palace. Gold, silver, and jewels were bestowed upon Seto like flowing water, demonstrating the Pharaoh’s favor towards a capable subject.
At the end of all the rewards, Rahotep granted Seto an additional privilege.
He bestowed upon Seto a luxurious residence outside the palace, granting him the right to move out of the palace even though he was not yet married.
Of course, this right was not optional; it meant that from now on, Seto would no longer reside in the palace. He had to live in his own spacious mansion and could only enter the palace for court assemblies or when summoned by the Pharaoh.
For other princes, independence was actually a good thing, but considering Seto’s abilities and status, the ministers below whispered amongst themselves. Had Prince Seto’s military achievements already made the Pharaoh wary?
How much of this move was appreciation for his royal brother, and how much was caution, others could not know.
The elite troops on the golden chariots returned with the spoils confiscated from the rebels, as well as gifts of gratitude sent by the lords of the Amra region.
Gold and silver ore, precious woods like frankincense and ebony, kohl, resin, ointment, gum, and coconuts continuously flowed into the capital city of Thebes. Rahotep had people deliver a considerable portion of these to the Divine Envoy. Ebony was used to craft a new bed, gold and silver were melted down to make new jewelry, and treasures were placed on cabinets…
While Nub was using a tool to carefully open a coconut for Xin Hexue, Rahotep entered the palace.
He was extremely familiar with this palace, as if he were another master who lived here.
Nub’s eyes were deep and heavy, and he suppressed all emotions.
“Iah, are the delivered items to your liking?” Rahotep familiarly sat down on the other side of the long chair, right next to Xin Hexue.
The elegant long chair was covered with painted leather, the down cushions exquisitely embroidered with gold and silver thread. Like the rest of the furniture in this palace, the decor was luxurious yet understated.
Xin Hexue always wore a white robe when going out, covering his face to avoid direct sunlight. Therefore, Rahotep particularly enjoyed the times when he could see his face completely. In such private spaces, he felt very comfortable during these moments together, even without speaking.
He couldn’t quite describe the feeling in his heart. Perhaps he simply felt a satisfaction of desire for control because the Divine Envoy was unconcealed before him?
The longer he spent time with Xin Hexue, the more he saw him, the more it proved he was the person who understood this mysterious envoy the most. If there were a special honorary title for this, he would enjoy that title and status.
Besides that…
What else was there, stirring in his chest?
Rahotep heard Xin Hexue say: “Thank you for your rewards, but the palace really has no more space…”
Rahotep frowned and quickly interrupted, “Then have the palace attendants move the inferior and unsatisfactory items to the storeroom first.”
For some reason, he did not like Xin Hexue using the word “rewards”.
But his rewards to Seto could be called bestowals/rewards, because he was the master of this land. All people and things, even a grain of sand underfoot, belonged to him.
The relationship between him and his royal brother was inherently unequal.
Unequal…
So that was it.
The dark clouds that had been swirling in Rahotep’s heart for a long time suddenly parted, and his mood became sunny.
So what he had been seeking and waiting for was the appearance of someone equal to him?
[Rahotep love value +5]
[Rahotep’s current love value is 85]
Xin Hexue looked at the White King, who had suddenly left the long chair and was pacing around the palace.
What illness was this now?
A faint doubt swept through Xin Hexue’s heart.
Rahotep’s mood, however, grew increasingly agitated, making it difficult for him to maintain his gentle and calm facade.
What did he need to do?
Even if he himself placed Iah in an equal position during their interactions, what else did he need to do to make those ignorant people…like that Anahet and Seto…understand that they should respect Iah as they respect him, that they should not talk nonsense, touch inappropriately, or even entertain thoughts that should not exist?
Rahotep had never known what position to place Iah in.
He needed a position more noble than the High Priest of the kingdom.
Rahotep’s heart surged again. The same throbbing from that night of the Sacred Bull Festival celebration appeared. His thoughts were chaotic, and he still did not understand what he needed most.
Xin Hexue was getting dizzy from his pacing.
He had finally found a similarity between Seto and Rahotep. Were the Egyptian royal brothers all like patrol dogs?
To get some peace and quiet, Xin Hexue could only speak up to find a topic:
“The Amra region is truly wealthy.”
Otherwise, it could not have sent so many gifts of thanks.
Rahotep’s gaze swept over the rare treasures. His spirits sank, and his voice gradually took on a chill. “Yes…a rich and populous land.”
Who would have thought that a few years ago, this lord could not send tribute due to poor harvests and his envoy was absent from the celebrations?
“If it weren’t a fertile land, the rebels would not have set their sights on Amra.”
When Seto beat them back step by step, they retreated west towards Libya.
Among those rebels, there might have been farmers who joined the plundering because they could not pay taxes in lean years, but judging by the current situation, more of it was the work of Libya.
This country is located in the western desert, far from the Nile and lacking water sources, and therefore often invades Upper Egypt.
Rahotep turned to Xin Hexue and said, “Since the harvest season has arrived, and Upper Egypt has rested and recuperated sufficiently…”
“It is time to declare war on Libya.”
Upper Egypt needed a victorious war to make the surrounding countries and tribes see clearly that even divided in two, Upper Egypt was still the scorching sun above their heads.
At night, they lay side by side on the bed, like those “zhi ji” who would sleep together after long discussions of government affairs.
Xin Hexue had his back to him.
The candles in the palace were not extinguished. By the faint light, Rahotep saw clearly that his Divine Envoy had a beautifully sculpted neck. Because of his slightly curled sleeping posture, the skin at his neck slightly highlighted his cervical vertebrae.
Rahotep suddenly wanted to kiss that bony protrusion.
But it was not out of desire.
After this war is victorious…
Rahotep felt he should place Iah in a higher position, even though he had not yet figured out what high position that should be.
