Alright here's the second chapter loves! This originally was all supposed to be one chapter but I thought I'd make it two just to add a little bit of suspense. I apologize in advance for any OOCness with Atem - if there is any! It's just how the story needed to be. I hope you all have a blessed day and as always,

Enjoy~

Nightfall soon swept over the city and Saa rushed to finished dressing for the evening. The rooms they'd had to dress in contained, to Saa, beautiful white dresses with flecks of what seemed like gold along the neck lines for the women, and along the hems for the men. Once she and her new friend and fellow food delivery boy, Malik, finished dressing they ran to get into their spots. They followed the lines of servants all heading towards the same direction, Saa's heart pounded in her chest as she approached the large hall where the party would be taking place. When they had arrived all the decorations had been put up, and Saa believed truly that this was the palace of the Pharaoh. No restriction had been put for this child's birthday, from golden dancers to extravagant marble statues had all been placed around for the heir to the throne. Saa's mouth dropped and she looked to her new friend with excitement.

"This is so beautiful!" Saa exclaimed, and Malik nodded in response.

"I can't believe we get to spend an entire night here!"

"Hurry let's get to our spots before we get in trouble." Saa grabbed Malik's hand and rushed him towards the front of the room where atop a good thirty steps sat a long beautifully decorated table sat, with a few of the royal court already sitting in their respected spots. As Saa and Malik rushed up to their positions, she heard a voice call her name. Saa turned to see one of the Pharaoh's advisors beckoning her over. Once she reached him he smiled at her, his grey hair framed his face and his bright blue hat slightly distracting Saa.

"Would you be a dear and bring in the first course for me?" He reached his hand out to pat her shoulder but Saa instinctively flinched backward.

The man retracted his hand and smiled at her, "I am sorry my dear."

Saa nodded and bowed before making her run to the kitchens. As Saa walked down the halls she suddenly remembered, she didn't know where the kitchens were. Maybe I can ask someone. Saa thought as she looked for a servant with a kind face. Saa went up to a few asking if she could get directions to the kitchens but to no avail none would answer her. Why isn't anyone talking to me? Saa cried as she continued to ask for help. However, none of the servants would be caught dead talking or what some would see as 'slacking off' on the night of the Pharaoh's child's birthday. Saa was about to give up when she heard someone call her.

"Hey I think I can help you!" A young boy walked up to her.

He stood a little taller than her, tanned skin just as she; however this young boy was adorned with gold. He had hold armlets, gold bracelets, a gold head piece, and even gold anklets. Saa looked at him with shock as she studied his hair, a mix of red, blonde, and a darker shade she couldn't quite make out in the lighting of the hall. His giant plum eyes stared back at her as he seemed to be studying her as well. With a slight rose to her cheeks she bowed, whoever he is, he must be important.

"T-thank you sir! I am eternally grateful sir."

She remained bowed other wise she would've seen the confusion on this boys face as he tilted his head to the side.

"Why're you calling me sir? I'm only twelve."

"I-I respect you and you are someone of great importance so of course I would call you sir, sir! But if that is not your wish you may tell me what you wish me to call you – sir!" Saa stuttered out.

She heard laughter and peeked up to see the boy laughing so hard tears began to form from his eyes.

"Oh my Ra, you're acting like a servant!"

It was now Saa's turn to look confused, "Sir, I am a servant."

His brow raised as he looked to Saa in surprise, "I would never have guessed." She's too pretty to be a servant. He thought to himself.

"Well servant or not, can you call me by my name – Atem?" He smiled.

Saa nodded, "Very well I will call you Atem." She bowed again.

She felt a hand on her shoulder and winced away out of fear.

"Hey I didn't mean to scare you. I'm sorry!" Atem apologized.

"I-it is I who should apologize I have offended you Atem!" Saa bowed again, "Please forgive me Sir!"

"Please don't bow anymore, I might get dizzy from just watching you!"

"Oh I am so sorry please forgive me." I'm getting myself into so much trouble.

"Please stop - I don't even know your name, would you tell me please?" Atem asked.

"S-Saa sir."

"Saa, please stop treating me like your inferior to me, I want you to treat me like a friend okay? Please?"

"S- Atem, it wouldn't be right because I am inferior to you. I am a servant and you are – who you are."

She doesn't know who I am. Atem thought to himself.

"But this is my one name day wish. My one wish is to be your friend and for you to think of me as the same." Atem declared.

It took a moment before Saa realized what he had said,

"N-name day, then you are –"

"The Pharaoh's son, yes I am." Atem nodded.

"Sir how can I possibly – "

"Please Saa, everyone treats me as though I am made of ice. No one will be my true friend here, other than Mana. But I want to be your friend and it is my one wish on t this day to be your equal. Please." Atem put a gentle hand on her shoulder, and this time Saa did not wince.

Saa nodded and gave Atem a small smile, "I will be your friend if that is what you wish."

Atem flashed her a brilliant smile, "It is. Now why were you on your way to the kitchens?"

"To bring one of your father's advisors his first meal." Saa replied.

Atem tilted his head to the side, his brow furrowed.

"Saa, there are specific servants charged with bringing out the first course. I know you're not one of them because they're all in the kitchens and don't come out until they finished cooking."

Saa gasped, "Then why – "

Atem smiled and grabbed her hand, "My father's advisors are wise men. They must've known I wanted a new friend and sent you! Now let's go to the hall, I want you to sit next to me!"

Saa didn't have the heart to tell him that servants were not allowed to sit with the guests, much less royals. However, it was his name day and he seemed determined to get whatever it was he wished. Saa felt herself smile as she studied him; sudden warmth had spread through her chest at the thought of a true friend. I hope we're friends forever Atem. Saa thought as they entered the hall. Atem dragged Saa up to the royal table and sat at his seat. He scooted over and patted the space next to her with a smile,

"Come sit with me!" Atem urged her.

Saa smiled sadly and shook her head, "I am afraid I cannot Sir. It is agai-"

"It is against regulations and social rules." A man spoke up from the other end of the table.

His eyes cast downward on Saa, he motioned for her to return to her place. Immediately afraid of consequence if she didn't follow his order, Saa scurried back to her space with her head down. She turned to face the hall but her eyes remained downcast.

"That's not fair! Should I not allow my friends to sit with me and share in the celebration?" Atem angrily asked the man.

"Quite the contrary young prince. If you should have a friend you wish to sit with, by all means invite them. However, servants are not your friends, they are here to serve us and that is all. You cannot become friends with one of them, it's unsightly of a man of your stature to mingle in such ways with them." The elder man made a noise of disgust before turning to the food that was now brought out.

Atem lowered his head and remained quiet for some time. Saa overheard the Pharaoh whisper something to his son, but couldn't make out what he was saying. Whatever it was, Atem was pleased with what he said and let out a laugh.

"Thank you father, I'll be sure to finish my dinner as quickly as possible." Saa could hear the smile in his voice.

"Servant girl!" The man from earlier called out, Saa was by his side in a flash.

"Bring me some more wine." He demanded, not even looking up from his meal.

Saa nodded and hurried out but not before hearing the Pharaoh reprimand his brother.

"Aknadin, what a way with words you seem to lack!"

Aknadin, that's his name. Saa thought to herself as she rushed to the kitchens and back with a small wine barrel. She walked up to Aknadin and carefully poured wine into his cup. He grumbled and snatched the glass, downing the wine inside, and then tapping the edge for more. Saa complied each time, and this was where she spent most of her night – filing Aknadin's glass. It was almost as if he thought he was punishing her by making her hover over him every second of the night. Saa did not mind, as she could sneak a few peaks at Atem and his father, studying their faces. She admitted they did look alike, but he must've gotten his wondrous hair from his mother.

The night was drawing to a close, as most of the guests that came to celebrate were now leaving to return home; but not before saying their goodbyes to the royal family. One by one everyone left, and now there were only a handful of people in the hall, still enjoying themselves. Atem had finished his feast a few hours ago, however he hovered around, and stole glances at Saa. When Saa had a break from Aknadin – finally – Atem immediately jumped up and grabbed her wrist, dragging her away. He turned back to wave goodbye to his father,

"Goodnight Papa!"

"Farewell my son, do not forget she will be needed in a few hours to return with her fellows." The Pharaoh smiled.

Atem nodded and continued on his way. Saa looked to him in confusion,

"Where are you taking me Sir?"

"Saa!" Atem sighed, "How many times do I need to tell you to call me Atem?"

"I-I'm sorry! I couldn't call you that in front of everyone, it's so informal! I just – I –"

"Fine fine, you can call me 'sir' in front of guests but when it's just us call me Atem. Hopefully when we're older you can just call me Atem all the time!" Atem turned to her and smiled.

Saa nodded, a smile sprung to her lips as well.

"Very well Atem. But as I said before, where are you taking me?"

"For a tour of my favorite places in the palace, then I'll bring you to the kitchens so you can eat – I didn't see you eating at dinner. Then we'll spend the night together! Like all friends do!" Atem grinned and skipped ahead with Saa trailing behind him.

"Atem do you really think it's appropriate for – "

"Papa said it was okay. I don't care about you being a servant; if I could I'd free you from that awful life today. But Papa said he couldn't do that right now with all the unrest in the village. So it'll have to wait for another day. But – I will be your friend and no one can stop me!"

Saa felt the familiar warmth in her chest again; she'd never met anyone like him before.