Two days had passed since that fateful night. The palace staff was in an up roar over the behavior of the prince. He had been acting oddly. He was not as focus in his lessons and ate very little. At every opportunity he would hide away for hours. Naturally, every healer and guardian were determined to get a chance to be noticed and be the one to cure the prince of his problem. This only drove him away more.

Atem decided to hide in the garden that his mother loved. Everything that grew in it was something she chose or something she planted herself. Bushes of jasmine, roses, and hibiscus all grew with little care in the garden. In the middle grew one single gigantic tree that tie everything together. A lilac tree. The fragrance of the different flowers would have been over powering if it weren't for the open air that spread out the scents. It was in the tree that Atem took refuge to get away from the all the healers and staff that were convince that something was wrong with him.

There was nothing wrong with him. He was just... he was just feeling tired. He had spent the last two days looking for the girl he had met in every registry they had in the palace, but there was no noble girl by the name Maye. If she wasn't a from a higher birth them who was she and can he still court her? Will if it came to that he'll just have to think of something, but first he needed to find her.

He leaned back against the tree and stared up at the sky through the purple petals of the flowers. The heat was even worse today though the sun had passed its highest point in the sky. Not even the wind blew a cooling breeze, but the heat had nothing on the emotions that laid within him. That kiss. He couldn't stop thinking of it. Atem licked his bottom lip as he thought about how she tasted. His teeth bit down when he remembered her smile and how she looked when she worried for him. It made him happy that she cared about him even though she didn't even know who he was the night he met her.

Atem froze as he heard a group of people running down below in the corridors calling his name. It was unlike him not to answer. He didn't like for people to worry themselves about him, but he wanted to be alone. Not a single one thought of entering the garden. They were scared to since it was his mothers place. He smirked as he watched them stop and call around without once bothering to turn their heads his way. The tree only gave so much cover. They would have at least seen his legs. Giving up, the group moved on. 'Oh well.' he sighed, noting that he would have to apologize later.

XXX

"My King, please listen to us. It's clear that this affair with the Prince choosing his own wife is too much of a strain on him." Aknadin stated with other parts of the counsel agreeing with him.

"For goodness sake, the young Prince is just having an off day or two. With this unbearable heat I don't blame him." Shimon interjected.

"I agree with Master Shimon," Isis added calmly, "Prince Atem has always worked very hard and he is taking this matter very seriously."

"Indeed," Shada nodded, "he has even come up with a way to select a proper wife. I'm sure this will pass."

Akenon grinded his teeth at the remarks the three were making. His foolish brother was always too soft when it came to his son. This was the future of the kingdom they were talking about. Not just anyone should be married into the bloodline. He turned his head to his own flesh and blood who said nothing and looked disinterested on the topic.

It should be his son's place to lead this country not Atem's. Seto took things more seriously than that pampered brat. "Priest Seto," He said calmly, hoping that he could say something to get the Pharaoh to change his mind, "is there anything you wish to add?"

The man turned his cold blue eyes to his master then looked up at the king and merely said, "I believe what Master Shimon said is right. It's too hot. We should be worrying how the citizens are doing and not how the Prince is day dreaming for the first time in his life." Aknadin shoulders slumped as his son sided with the others. If he only knew what he could be! "However," Seto continued, "if this starts to impede on his duties then we can have this discussion again."

The King nodded proudly at the four that he picked for the sacred court. They will all be loyal to his son. "Well said Priest Seto." The king said as he looked down at him from his throne. "He is right about the citizens. Today is supposed to be the last of this unnatural heat. I want scouts sent out to make sure that all manual labor has continued to stop. And I want to increase the rations of water from our supply house. Priest Seto and Priest Shada, can I count on you two to see that these orders are carried out Thoroughly."

"Of course, my King." They both said bowing to him.

"Then that should conclude for now." The king dismissed the court and watched them leave as a servant hurriedly approached him. The king motioned for him to come closer, so the others wouldn't hear. Aknadin eyes narrowed as he watched in suspicion. He will have to speak to that servant later.

xxx

"Ha! There you are!" Atem jolted and nearly fell from his perch as Mana climbed up onto a nearby limb. "You know everyone is looking for you. You shouldn't hide like that."

"Sorry," he said guiltily as he repositioned himself, "I just needed some time to think."

"About Maye?" Mana grinned at her friends flushed face when he heard her name. "That Nanu girl she was with gave me a bunch of info on her."

"Really! I couldn't talk to her since Mahad kept watch over us. I tried yesterday looking for her in the all of the noble family scrolls but none of them have a daughter named Maye." Atem was relieved that Mana had manage to find out more about her.

"That's because Maye is not her real name."

"It's not!" He cried, making Mana laugh.

"Of course not! That's what the people call her, so her father doesn't find out that she sneaks out of her house."

"So, who is she?" He asked eagerly hoping that he could find a away to meet with her again.

Mana felt bad that she couldn't say anymore to him. When they got home that night both her and Mahad where confronted by the king. Mahad told him everything and forced Mana to spill what she found out from Nanu. Turned out that the girl happened to be one of the selected families invited to the birthday celebration. The only problem was that she was currently being courted by two other noble men. The king had immediately invited her family to tonight's dinner to give Atem a chance at courting her. Mana was given strict instructions not to say a word since his father wanted it to be a surprise.

"Sorry," she said looking down, "I can't tell you. Just know that you'll see her again." Atem wanted to ask her more but understood that if Mana was willing to hold back information that there must have been a good reason.

Mana glanced back up at him and said, "Come on, we should let the others know that you're okay."

Xxx

The heat of the day lingered in the air even as the sun sank in the sky. Atem was busy getting ready for dinner when someone knocked on the door. He called out for them to enter as he fixed the crown on his head. When they came in without a word he turned to see who it was.

"Mana!" He smiled at her, "What are you doing here?" He then saw that she was upset about something. He was about to ask her what was wrong but was cut off.

"I'm so sorry I didn't tell you more about Maye in the garden. I wasn't supposed to tell you more because it was supposed to be a surprise. I don't know why it happen! It's so unfair!" Atem stepped forward as tears welled in her eyes.

"Mana what's wrong?" He gripped her by her shoulders and moved her to sit on the bed.

Mana sniffed and said, "You know how your father invited some guest to dinner?" Atem nodded as he offered her a handkerchief. Mana took it and blew her nose loudly making the him chuckle in his mind. "Well, your father found out about Maye and invited her and her father to the palace, so you could see her again before your birthday."

Atem felt his legs go weak when he heard that he would be seeing Maye again. He would get a chance to know who she is. "That's great! But Mana, why are you crying so hard? Isn't this a good thing?"

"Oh Atem, I don't know how it happen, but Maye's father found out about her secret, and ended up giving her away!" This time the strength really left his legs as he fell to his knees. He stared at Mana as she wiped away tears and asked with a hollowed voice, "What do you mean give her away?"

"I mean, she's getting married the day after tomorrow." No, that can't be. He had just met her. How could all this happen in a single day. Atem shook is head and got to his feet and walked out of the room. But not before putting a hand on Mana's shoulder. "Thank you." He whispered to her.

As he walked he found his father standing by himself looking out a window. His face was stern as he stared at nothing. He turned his head and his features went unchanged when he saw his son. "I am guessing that Mana told you what had happen."

"Yes. Is it really true. Is May- is she getting married." Atem asked as his fist tighten. His father didn't look away from his son saying, "Yes. In order to protect her honor her father arranged a marriage for her."

"To protect her honor?" Atem repeated not understanding.

"She was reported being seen late at night without an escort engaging with an unknow man."

"Engaging! It was just a kiss." Atem shouted out then blinked when he realized what he admitted to.

"You know as well as I that a father has a right to protect their daughters. There is nothing I can do." He turned away and walked down the hall as Atem looked away not wanting his father to see tears in his eyes. How could such a simple act ruin his chance at happiness?

"Come my son, our guests are waiting." His father said stopping for a moment then started again. Atem wiped his eyes and took a deep breath and followed his father's steps.

In that moment he hated himself, not for the kiss, but for feeling that there was nothing he could do. Was that it? Was he going to give up on her so easily? He looked up and saw that they were almost to the dining room. His red eyes glanced at his father as a thought occurred to him.

"Father, if it were my mother would you give up on her?" The King smiled broadly at the question but did not stop or turn around to his son. But he couldn't hold back the laugh in his voice when he said, "Not a chance!" He sighed then stopped just shy of the doorway. He halted his son then turn slightly to him adding, "As I said my son, there is nothing I can do, but maybe you can think of something." He tilted his head to the room making Atem peek over.

There she was, sitting at the table. Her black hair fell around her shoulder and her face was done up with make-up that was not as heavy as most noble girls liked to have it. Even the jewelry she wore was not flashy like the other women at the table. In his opinion, she didn't need all that anyways, she was already a perfect jewel.

"I didn't think she was still coming." Atem said as he stared at her while she listened to the other guest talk.

"Her father owns a lot of the land where we raise our sheep and harvest our crops. What kind of Pharaoh would I be if I didn't congratulate his daughter on her engagement." Atem frowned at the last word. His father chuckled saying, "Not to worry my son. The intended is not here. Notice the seating arrangement."

Atem looked up at his father then back at the table. His eyes widen when he noticed that they were seated to the top of the table. The space on her right that was empty was his seat.

"Well, we better not keep them waiting."

Xxx

The young girl smiled lightly while making idle chatter with the others at the table. While she liked talking to new people she was having a rough day. An anonymous note sent to her father had told him about the affair in the market and threw her in the first marriage offer made to him. Her father would have kept her home had he not already confirmed with the Pharaoh that he would bring his family to the palace that same day. Her mother was furious when she found out what he did, claiming that the Pharaoh may have wanted their daughter for his son. Being the proud man that he was he refused to break off the engagement, unless there was proof that that was the case.

The girl scoffed at the idea that the Prince would be interested in her. She was just one of many of the noble girls that he could choose from to be his wife. He had never met her before. The Pharaoh was probably just being kind to her father for working so hard. Even if the prince did want her she couldn't help but think of the boy from the market.

'What was he doing right now?' she wondered. She sighed and push the pointless question out of her mind. She never got his name and she would most likely never see him again. At least Nanu will be okay with the new job to help her family. The poor dear was going on to Esha that the boy was the Prince in disguise.

"His Royal Majesty Pharaoh Aknamkanon and Prince Atem."

The whole table stood as the pair walked in. The girl's eyes widen as she noted how handsome the prince was. His red eyes glanced to hers and she looked away, embarrassed in how she was staring at him. Suddenly, she felt a little light headed as something told her that she had seen him somewhere before. What Nanu was saying couldn't be true! There was no way. His entire appearance was different, and yet…

"Thank you all for joining me and my son. I look forward to spending the evening with you." The king then walked to the girl and her father and said, "I am glad that you can make it my friend. And I see that you have brought your lovely wife and daughter. I hope you can honor my son by letting him sit next to her."

"Oh! My Pharaoh, the honor would be mine." The old man gushed as Atem stepped forward to her. The girl bowed saying, "Good evening, my Prince."

"Good evening. What is your name?" he asked smoothly.

"Aziza, my Prince." She said as she tried not to blush at the way he was looking at her.

"Aziza." He repeated. "What a beautiful name." The girl smiled at him and thanked him in in a shy voice.

Xxx

Atem found it nearly impossible to eat. Mainly because he was so nervous sitting so close to the girl he admired. He didn't know what to say or do. His father was busy talking to the other guest at the table and her father and mother where busy chatting as well. No one appeared to be paying them any mind. He glanced over at her and noticed that she was not eating very much as well.

"Are you not hungry?" he asked in a low voice so not to draw the attention of others at the table. The girl froze for a moment then said, "Oh, no. I guess I'm just thinking of someone."

"Someone?" Atem had a mini panic in his head when she then said, "A friend. You see, I will be leaving the city soon and I'm just worried about them."

"Did Nanu not get the job?" He asked without thinking. The girl snapped her head to him and asked in a low whisper "How do you know about Nanu?"

Atem cursed to himself remembering that she didn't know that it was him that night. He opened his mouth to say something then said, "My friend Mana told me about a girl named Nanu. I believe she met her at the night market two nights ago."

Aziza remember a girl introducing herself as Mana to Nanu, but that still didn't explain how he knew Nanu was connected to her. "But how do you know that I know her?" She asked with a stern voice forgetting for a moment who she was talking to. Atem's mind race to come up with an answer. He didn't want to give himself away since he didn't know how she would react.

She stared at him patiently waiting for an answer, as she thought more about what Nanu said. Was it really him that she met in the market? Or was he the anonymous person that send that note to her father. Nanu was in tears saying that she told Mana her real name and that maybe someone over heard her. Then she remembered how the boy said he couldn't give her his name and that he wasn't supposed to be in the market.

Atem saw her face soften and knew that she had figured him out. "You're him, the boy I met in the market." She said lightly. Atem blushed and nodded to her. Aziza felt her breath leave her and sway in her seat. The chatter stopped as they saw Atem holding the girl as she fainted.

Xxx

"Please, forgive me my Pharaoh. I have no idea what came over my daughter." Aziza father said putting his head to the ground. His wife came into the room and fell to her knees as well when she saw her husband's action.

"There is no need for that. I'm sure she was just tired from the heat of the day." The king waved off then telling them to rise. The man nodded and said, "Yes, I'm sure that was it. I just hope her fiancé will not be embarrassed by this spectacle."

Atem turned to man and stepped towards him, "Sir, if I may, how serious are you about this marriage?" The man stiffed at the question as his wife rushed to his side.

"The contract has not been signed just yet, my Prince." He said carefully as his wife squeezed his arm slightly.

"Then, may I have your permission to court her?" Atem asked making Aziza's mother gasp. The two looked ready to faint themselves. The old man shook his head to get his mind working and said sadly, "My Prince there is something you should know. My daughter may not be a suitable match for you. That is why I am rushing to marry her off. I'm sorry, but I do not want to ruin your good name."

Atem looked over at his father. The king looked down at him and said nothing. He swallowed and understood that if he wanted her he would need to fight for her on his own. The small room they were in only contained the five of them so none of the priest or higher noble would see what he would do next. Aziza's mother nearly cried out when her husband grabbed on to her arm. The future Pharaoh was kneeling to them. His father watched with a pleased look in his eye.

"My Prince! Please! There is no need! If you want her that badly-"

"I wish to apologize to you for tainting your daughters honor, as I was the boy she was with. Please allow me to make amends by courting your daughter to be my wife."

The father struggled to say something as a mix feeling welled inside him. His wife nudged his arm making him look at her then back down at the prince. He gulped then said, "My Prince, I give you my blessing to court my daughter."

xxx

Aziza woke up as a small breeze waft into the room. She sat up fast when she saw that she was not in her own room. Where was she? The last thing she remember was sitting at the table talking to the prince. She gasped when she remembered what he revealed to her. He was the boy from the market! He kissed her in front of all those people and she kissed him back!

She got out of the bed and walked to the door of her room. There was no way she could go back to sleep now so she might as well take a small walk to clear her mind. The moon was out and lit a path for her as she walked through the halls, stopping every few steps to check her surroundings so not to get lost. A light floral scent tickled her nose and she change her direction to follow it. A garden would be the perfect place to sort out her thoughts.

As she walked she wondered if the prince knew that she was already engaged to be married the day of his birthday. She frowned and wonder if it made any difference who she would marry since she didn't know either of them. The kiss was sweet, but she didn't even know if she liked the prince enough to want to marry him. Not that it would be her choice if he managed to convince her father to break the engagement. She breathed in the sweet air as she turned the corner to see a small garden with a tall tree blooming with purple flowers.

She smiled and enter the garden without noticing that someone was watching her. All the flowers looked so pretty in the moonlight that she promised herself to come back to see how it was in the daytime. She headed to the tree in the middle to get a better look at the flowers. However, when she got closer she saw that someone was sitting in one of the branches.

"Hello?" She called out. The person moved, and she stepped back when she heard them climbing down the tree. She turned to leave when a voice called out, "Wait! Please don't go!"

Aziza glanced over her shoulder and saw Atem jumping down from mid trunk. He turned around and gave her a small smile asking, "How are you feeling?"

"I'm alright, thank you. I couldn't sleep so I went for a walk. I'm sorry if I'm disturbing you, I'll leave." She said with a short bow.

"You're not, please stay. I've been wanting to see you again." He said walking to her. She held up her hand and said, "Please, stop. Don't come any closer. I shouldn't be alone with you here."

"But why?" Aziza felt bad when she saw the hurt look in his eye, but she didn't want to give in to him. She had enough pride not to throw herself at him just because he was the Prince of Egypt and a great kisser.

"Because, I'm going to be married soon." She replied looking away from him. Atem blinked guessing that she didn't know that that plan had changed. Then a horrible idea entered his head. "Do you love the man your engaged to?"

"Love?" She nearly laughed at the question. "I don't even know who he is."

"But I heard that you were already being courted by two other men."

He knew about that? He really was interested in her. "Your highness, they court my father, not me." She scoffed. She held her hands behind her back and asked slyly, "Why are you so interested?"

Atem blushed as he ran his fingers through his tricolor hair. "I'm asking because I couldn't stop thinking about you since that night. I even got your father's blessing to court you. So, for now your marriage is postponed." He felt a little smug at that last part. Aziza could see his smugness and decide to tease him a bit.

"Oh, and do I have a choice in the matter." Atem's smile dropped and he said hurriedly, "Of course! Please understand that I wouldn't want to force you to marry me. If you want me then I'll happily be yours. If not, I will quietly withdraw."

"Quietly?" She repeated with a quirked brow.

"Well, maybe not too quietly." He grinned at her, as she looked down to giggle. He then took a deep breath and asked, "Aziza, will you let me court you?" She looked back up him and thought for a moment then nodded.

"Yes." Aziza replied with a smile and began walking closer to him. Atem could feel himself going light headed as she came closer. He badly wanted to hold and kiss her again. But he watched as she walked pass him and stood looking up at the tree. "It's so beautiful here."

Atem also looked up at the tree and said, "It was my mother's. When I was little she would bring me here to play."

"Are all the flowers here her favorites?" Aziza asked, feeling him move next to her.

"Yes, everything here is something she picked. I've been think of her a lot lately, so I come here to hide from the staff."

"I'll keep that in mind. But I won't tell anyone. I know what its like when you hide to get away." They looked at each other for a moment till she turned back to the tree saying, "Your highness I"

"Atem."

"Huh?" she glanced over at him and met his eyes.

"Aziza, I'm going to be courting you. You should call me by my name." He said gently.

"Oh, right. Atem," she said testing his name on her tongue. "I'm sorry for deceiving you. You were so honest with me and I was not brave enough to give you my real name."

"There's no need. I understand why you had to do it. Even though it was difficult to find you at first, I would have found you eventually. I'm glad Mana knew who you were before I did something drastic."

"Drastic?" Aziza laughed, "Drastic how?"

Atem smirked at her saying, "Sneaking out to look for you. Mana would have helped me too. She likes you."

"Well, I'm glad it didn't come to that. I hope I get to know your friend more too." Atem reached for her hand and Aziza let her fingers intertwine with his. She forced down a blush as he came closer to her. Atem swallowed down a lump as he said in a steady voice, "Aziza, I want you to understand that I am serious about you having a choice in this relationship. I want us to grow to love each other. So, speak your mind with me and I promise to listen with sincerity. And I promise to keep you safe."

"Atem." Aziza's eyes shined with happiness as her hand rested over his heart. Atem held onto it and bent his head towards her face. She looked too beautiful not to kiss in that moment. The girl felt her eyes fluttering as his lips came closer to her. He then stopped just as they were about to touch and whispered to her, "Aziza."

"Yes." She breathed back.

"Will it be alright if I kiss you again."

"Yes."

Aziza's eyes fully closed as his lips pressed against hers hungrily. She let herself get lost in the kiss as he wrapped his arms around her pulling her closer. She wrapped her arms around his neck and snaked a hand up into his hair making him moan into her mouth. When they finally broke apart for air Atem held her close to him, enjoying the time alone before he would have to let her go back to her room.

Xxx

"Well, that worked out better then expected." Mana said as she swung her feet from a balcony.

"Yes, I'm glad her father was so forgiving and understanding." Isis commented as she watched with a smile at the two lovers.

"I highly doubt he'll be so understanding if he saw them now." Mahad added, his face flushed with embarrassment for watching such public displays of affection.

"Leave them be Mahad."

"Yeah, besides she's going to be his wife one day." Mana said with pride. The three stood watch over the couple till at last they had to part ways.

xxx