The torches on the walls of Set’s great palace cast dancing shadows across the corridors of black stone. The crackle of flames mixed with the rhythmic sound of sandals against the cold marble. He walked with steady steps, though his heart pounded with unease. In his hands, wrapped in a dark linen cloth, was the gift he had chosen for Set: a heavy gold necklace with a sword-shaped pendant a symbol of power and war accompanied by several rings that looked as though they had been forged in the depths of the desert. Objects worthy of a king, worthy of Set.

He also carried a goblet of dark wine that the king himself had requested. A simple request, almost mundane, but he, as always, had volunteered to fulfill it. He never allowed others to approach Set so easily. His place was beside him as a guard, a shadow, a shield. And perhaps... something more. Something he had never dared to name.

Upon reaching the large doors of the royal chamber, he announced his presence with a soft knock against the engraved gold. No answer. Only a faint, muffled sound of voices and something more... intimate. Still, he entered as he always did, with silent permission. And what he saw made him freeze for a brief moment.

Set was there, naked, his skin glistening with the sweat of a moment just interrupted. His muscular body seemed sculpted from living bronze under the warm torchlight. By the door, a woman also naked shrank with embarrassment as she noticed his presence.

Set shot her a hard, disdainful look and ordered in a dry tone, "Leave."

The woman didn’t question. She hastily grabbed her clothes and exited, passing by him with her face hidden. He, in turn, lowered his gaze to the floor respectfully, but the image of the king was already burned into his mind the body, the brief glance, the tension in the air.

The silence that followed was thick. "Look at me." Set called, his voice low, deep, and heavy with something more than just authority.

He hesitated, but obeyed. He lifted his eyes and met Set’s. They were dark as the night over the desert intense, almost furious. But there was something else there. A spark. An ancient, unspoken fire.