Sub Rosa -- Under the Rose

I am trying to blend the storyline of Duelist of the Roses with the normal YGO storyline.
I figured on some theories for how the cards came to England:
1. Note some of the monsters like Celtic Guardian, and Gaia the Fierce Knight are not all Egyptian, which suggest perhaps there were Shadow Games in other areas, but Egypt was sophisticated enough to create controlling artifacts for it. Which also explains the perfect rules, due to distance giving variation (kinda like how all those versions of poker exists)
2. If Christian Rosenkreuz’s (Seto) ancestors where seeking the Card Guardians, perhaps his family was Egyptian in origin and the brought the game with them, and it blended with another imported game: Chess.
A person can be reincarnated more then one time, in Buddhist and Hindu Mythology, people can be reincarnated hundreds, even thousands of times until they are able to reach Nirvana.

Note: with the exceptions of transplanted YGO characters (ones not found in DOTR such as Duke and Mokuba for example) who will be given appropriate names, and that Yugi is Henry Tudor, and Seto is Christian Rosenkreuz, the people will go by their game names when parts of it takes place in the DOTR timeline.

All suggestions appreciated, and please point out historical errors to me, and There will be references to other historical events, and a few Shakespearean plays (which dealt a lot with War of the Roses, in Richard III, a more famous example. In fact, the phrase “My kingdom for a card” is a corruption of the famous line “My Kingdom for a horse”, which also appears in the Lancaster storyline). But mostly, the references will be YGO and “karmic lessons”.

The time frame is mostly DOTR and Modern Day, centering on the Kaibas (both Seto and Mokuba), Jou, and Yami/Yugi, with smaller side stories for others. Though I may decide to write a few short scenes in set in Ancient Egypt.

Warning: Lemon, Yoai, Violence, Incest, possible non-con, and a great deal of witchcraft and swearing in later chapters.

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Prologue


Fern – Sincerity, Fascination, Confidence, Magic, Shelter

Or

“Lessons of Life”

“Oh, Come in Brother Dearest, you are not interrupting anything.” A gentle voice called out, as the pageboy slipped into the massive study, the scent of old books, ink, and the bottled herbs always brought a calming sense to his whole being. “Ah, Christian, you’re face so heavy, please come here, tell me your worries.” The dark-haired youth smiled gently, his stormy sea-color eyes beckon him to unshed his burden.

“William…” Christian started slowly as he paced towards his green-clad older brother, and slipped into his lap, wincing slightly. “I fell off of Arrow… another horse kicked it when I left Crawford’s keep.” He explained, wincing again, trying hard not to cry.

“You should’ve told me earlier!” The older boy exclaimed, pressing the boy’s head close to his chest, speaking softly. “How bad it hurts? It is neither weak nor cowardly to admit your pain, it is foolish to deny it, and strength to accept the pain and do something about it, no matter what Knight, Clergy, or even King would say, remember that, My Brother.” He coaxed, pulling his younger brother into his lap.

“It hurts to sit down, and to stand…” The younger brother whispered, then his eyes immediately caught the sight of a jar, with numerous small heart-like things of a pale rose-color floating in it. “What is that?” He pointed at it, his mind immediately off his soreness.

“It is called a Bleeding heart, it’s a flower that represent rejected love, broken-hearts.” William explained gently, smoothing the younger Rosenkreuz’s hair. “It’s used to alleviate… feminine troubles.” He added slowly.

“Why would anyone allow their heart to be broken? I find that rather silly and stupid.” Christian retorted. “I’ll never let that happened, it’s just plain dumb.”

Surprisingly, The older boy gave out a sharp bark of laughter, holding his brother close in an unusually caring manner, as if he were to let go that the youth would disappear.

“Christian, I have to tell you something very important, a lesson you must learn and take heart to.” The dark-haired boy whispered low. Then he rose to his feet, his long hunter green velvet robe, with long billowing sleeves, a long strip of midnight blue brocade dividing it at his waist, and also edged the sleeves, the hem, and the low square collar; a style that harken the days of Norman conquest.

“What is it, Big Brother?” He questioned, not liking the grave tone of voice, or the distant look in his eyes.

“You are familiar with the reason we are here, dare I presume?” William asked, looking out the polished horn window. The scenery outside was distorted by the yellowed material, giving a ghostly visage to the world.

“Because of the magic here, of the Rose cards.” Christian replied automatically, having the information drilled into him by their belated parents. “Why are you asking?”

“Just a warning, Brother Dearest. Don’t let it become an obsession, it is the death of our parents, they were dead long before they died. I could tell even without my magic.” He smiled bittersweet, making him look far older then the fifteen summers of age he really is, his fingers running over his medallion, stroking the silver dragon.

“How could they be dead before they died? That doesn’t make any sense! Oh, I wish you would stop speaking in such taunting riddles!” The youth exclaimed, becoming quite annoyed by how his older brother is shimming away from the real meaning, so he thought.

“They stop living for themselves, or for us, they spent all their time upon this quest to find the true Card Guardian. Yes, it will be most wondrous if it were to be found, but we can not waste our entire lives upon this venture… it is much like the questing-beast in it’s manner, elusive, and nigh-impossible.” He explained slowly, watching the ice-tinted eyes become wide with understanding, and then narrowed down to a cold disbelief, not liking that the words went against everything they were taught.

“The Card Guardian… it would give us power unimagined, And yet you’re saying we should not look for it?!” He shouted, outraged by the thought.

“My Brother, that is not what I mean, I mean for that it should not take up your whole life… Obsession and Fanaticism runs deep in our family. At twelve years, I think you should learn of such truths, as so you can truly decide your own destiny, not what the stars or our family dictates.” The older boy kneeled slightly, sweeping his brother into a tender embrace. “All our ancestors died of an obsession over the Card Guardian, a fanaticism for a religion that sent them miles and miles into hostile deserts and their dangerous people. Obsession for another that lead them to do the unthinkable to try to take them, a thirst for power that leads them to make deals with demons and devils. Oh Dearest Brother, I do not want to see you die for the flaws that ran in our family, I want to see you live in honor and glory; mastering and conquering these awful truths about our blood! To shine with your own dreams and joys, not mirroring their mistakes!” He pleaded, getting himself so taut with emotion that betraying tears start to form in his eyes, his embrace grew tighter.

“Are our parents wrong then, William?” Christian askthe the words and the voice frightened him so, but the embrace was welcoming and warm. His slender body relaxing, and leaning into the frail frame of his older brother, feeling the quickening heartbeat.

“No… they just fell into the ancient trap….” He whispered, stroking the chestnut-toned hair, then gave him a chaste kiss upon the forehead, feeling an unfamiliar giddiness as his rose lips met upon the smooth skin. “Please mark my words, harken to it, my only desire is to see you as a man, whose eyes are cleared of the hound-like fanaticism. Remember, The Stars are not at fault, for we men are masters of our own fate.” His eyes glimmered with a soft joy as he reluctantly broke the hug, and rose to his feet again.

“Master Rosenkreuz.” A tiny, slim body entered the library, and bowing deeply. “I have a message.”

“Pray, sirrah, give it over to me, and wait for me to send a reply if it needed so.” William snatched the letter and broke the seal, his stormy-sea eyes scanning over the spidery script. “You can go now, there is to be no reply.” With that, the page bowed deeply, turned about face, and left the brothers alone.

“Stay inside. There is a peasant revolt in the village of Abbeywyvern, and it is spreading to the manor lands. They will try to kill any nobles unfortunate enough to be caught outside.”

“Where are you going? And why should I stay inside like a frightened mouse? I am not afraid of them, I won’t let my life get dictated by masses of bleating sheep bearing wolfish growls, I will not be shut away while you risk yourself!” Christian shouted with the fury of insulted pride.

“Christian! Listen to me! You are too young to fight on your own, and even with only crude scythes, clubs and pitchforks, a large mob can take down the most powerful knight.” The older boy snapped. “Just… just stay here, I don’t want to lose you. I won’t risk myself, I can stop the mob without having to go outside.” William sighed sadly. “I’m sorry I’m being crossed. But heed my words.” He whispered as he left the young Rosenkreuz alone.



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For notes, there is no William Rosenkreuz in the game; he’s a “Transferred/made-up” that I’m using for the fic.