A/N: I wrote this story a while ago, so it wasn't really my best work. I'm going to be editing it and adding more. So, for old readers, I hope you like the revised version. For new readers, thanks for reading and feel free to leave your opinion of the story. I just ask that you don't be rude and nasty in your review. Other than that, enjoy the fanfic!

Disclaimer: Well, it's 3 chapters into the story and I still don't own YuGiOh.

All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on.

This was my mother's favorite proverb. Now that I think about it, she applied this proverb to everything in her life. Holding onto what mattered and letting go of what did not.

My mother, how I miss her. Growing up, I was always told that I looked more like my mother than my father. My younger sister was said to look more like my father. Of all the traits I have inherited from my mother, my favorite is my eye color. I have the same blue eyes that my mother has. A soft and gentle blue that can become the color of the stormy sea when angered.

Growing up, I was often told the story of how my mother and my father met every night before I slept.

My nurse, Alcyone, would begin, "my sweet Teana," as she tucked me into the bed. Sitting beside me, she would coo, "how much like your mother you look, child. Every day that passes, you look more and more like her."

At this point, I would beg her to tell me the story of how my parents met, although I knew it word for word by heart.

"Well, darling, as you know, your mother was born in the city of Thebes to King Iolaus and your father was born to the Spartan king, Cynortas. Your father, my child, was next in line to become king. However, he wanted to travel before he became king." At this point, Alcyone would stop and look at me.

"Continue Alcyone," I would beg.

Smiling, she would continue, "well, during his journey, just outside the city of Thebes, your father ran into thieves, who robbed him of everything, even his clothes! As a result, he was forced to dress in common garb." I would laugh at this point as I imagined my father wandering around dressed like a commoner.

"Upon arriving in Thebes, he had no money. While wandering the marketplace, he caught sight of the most beautiful woman he had ever seen," she would stop here and look over at me as I yelled out, "Mama! It was Mama, was it not?"

I already knew the answer, yet I still asked that question every night.

Nodding, Alcyone would praise, "you are my smart child," before she continued.

"According to your father, he was bedazzled by her beauty. The way the sun shone on her, it lit her face up and gave her the appearance of a goddess. Your father knew at that moment that he wanted her to become his bride. He would not rest until he made her his bride," Alcyone said, giving Teana a small smile.

"But Mama said that she was filthy and was fighting with two boys when Papa saw her," I would always pipe up and Alcyone would laugh at my face. "How could he have fallen in love with her?"

"Because, my child, your father saw your mother's inner beauty," Alcyone would pause and say, "that, my darling, is more important than outer beauty. He saw her soul."

Shaking my head, I always replied, "I would never marry a man who is not handsome. I will marry the most handsome man and he will also be sweet and nice."

With a smile, Alcyone would continue, "your mother was the youngest daughter of the king. When your father went to him for her hand in marriage, King Iolaus refused. He did not believe," At this point I would once again interrupt.

"That Papa was a King!"

Nodding, Alcyone would continued, "exactly! So, your father tried all that he could to win your mother's heart. However, your mama was not easy to please and made him work extra hard. But, your father was determined. After all, he was a Spartan warrior!"

"Papa was strong! Just like how all of our people are strong!" I would pipe up and Alcyone would nod.

"King Iolaus was impressed by how persistent your father was and was ready to give him your mother's hand. Your mother, however, was not pleased and ran away from home." I always gasped at this part although I knew the story through and through.

"What happened after that?" I always asked and Alcyone would always laugh at my feigned innocence.

"Well, your mother," she would continue, "she ran into the thieves who had robbed your father and they kidnapped her." I would always gasp and she would make a grave face.

"But, Papa arrived like a warrior and saved Mama, right?" I asked and she nodded.

"Yes, your father arrived and drove away the thieves. Your mother immediately fell in love with him and accepted his offer of marriage. King Iolaus was pleased that his youngest daughter was happily married and that an alliance had been established between Sparta and Thebes."

"Mama left Thebes and came to live here, right?" I always asked this question and, as always, Alcyone would nod.

"I cannot imagine leaving my home," I would say. "I will never leave Sparta."

"You do not know that, my child," Alcyone would smile. "No one knows what the future holds. When you grow older, you might wish to leave Sparta and explore." At this, she would stand.

Shaking my head, I always yawn, "I will never leave my family and my home."

Chuckling, Alcyone would nod and blow out the candle, saying, "good night my darling Princess. Sleep well," before she retreated to her own room.

Never did I imagine that I would not only leave my home but be sold as a slave in a foreign land.

Teana closed her eyes and took a deep breath as she paused outside Athar's house. She was sure that Athar was aware of what had happened between her and Adil.

"Mother?" Teana called as she entered the house. She heard footsteps and Athar appeared before her.

Her hair was frazzled and she looked tired. When she saw Teana's face, her expression changed and Teana felt her heart break. It was obvious that Athar knew what had happened.

"Teana," the woman said and Teana immediately fell to her knees, sobbing and begging for forgiveness.

"Mother, please forgive me. I am so sorry for what happened to Adil. I did not mean for it to happen. I am sorry for hurting you," she sobbed, not daring to look at the woman. Athar, however, looked confused before she moved towards a sobbing Teana and raised her to her feet.

"You silly child," she said as she looked down into the girl's sobbing face. "Why are you sobbing and apologizing?"

"I am sorry that Adil had his tongue cut out because of me," Teana sniffed but Athar shook her head and wiped her tears.

"Do not feel sorry, my child, and do not cry," she said to the girl. "You have done nothing wrong. My son has disgraced me by committing such an atrocious crime against you. I should be apologizing to you, dear."

At that, Athar closed her eyes and bowed her head. Immediately, Teana shook her head and raised the woman's face to look at her. "Please do not bow and embarrass me."

Shaking her head, Athar said, "I apologize for his actions. I have thrown him out."

"You did? But how will he survive?" Teana asked before another thought crossed her mind. "How will you survive without him here to support you?"

"Do not forget that I am a noble, my child," Athar chuckled. "I will be able to support myself without Adil's help."

"Enough of that," she said as she impatiently waved her hand. Leading Teana to the chair, she sat her down and said, " now child, tell me what happened at the palace."

Taking a deep breath, Teana began to recount everything that had happened that night, including both of her meetings with the Pharaoh.

"So, you met Pharaoh before the dance?" Athar asked with wide eyes and Teana nodded.

"I see. Continue, child" Athar motioned for her to resume her tale and Teana did. As she spoke, Teana noticed that Athar's eyes grow wide when she mentioned how Pharaoh had watched her as she danced, but Athar kept quiet. When she finished the tale, Athar remained quiet. After a few moment, she finally spoke.

"You have done it, my dear," Athar breathed as she looked at Teana. A smile broke out on her face, causing Teana to give her a puzzled look.

"What have I done?" she asked, and Athar laughed.

"My child, it is obvious that Pharaoh favor you," she informed her. "He does not talk much to young women, especially dancers. The fact that he spoke to you not once but twice indicates that he is taken with you."

"Taken with me?" Teana asked and immediately shook her head. There was no way that he could be taken with her. In his eyes, she was nothing more than the daughter of a respectable warrior.

Nodding, Athar said, "it seems that he will make you a dancer in his personal court."

"Do you honestly believe he will?" Teana breathed and Athar nodded.

"And, it seems as if he might do more," Athar continued, a smile on her face. "This Pharaoh has yet to select a dancer to take to his harem."

At her words, Teana's eyes grew wide and she shook her head.

"His harem? You mean to say that he might move me to his harem?" she asked and Athar shrugged.

"I do not know for sure, child," Athar confessed, "but it seems that he is taken with you so it is plausible."

Shaking her head, Teana breathed, "he cannot." She did not wish to become a mere concubine. No, she was a princess. She could not end up in the harem of a pharaoh.

Seeing the look on her face, Athar let out a sigh before she said, "I am sorry child, but you will have no choice. If Pharaoh decides that he wants you, then it shall be so. No one will deny the Pharaoh. Those who do are put to death."

"But, he cannot," Teana continued muttering to herself. Perhaps it was time to tell the truth. However, she recalled what Pharaoh had done to Adil for lying to him. While the Pharaoh liked her, Teana knew that he would not take kindly to her lying to him.

But, surely he wouldn't put her, the daughter of a king, to death. Then again, she had heard grave tales about foreign lands where even kings were killed by other rulers. And, from what she had seen, this land was not a merciful one.

"He can, child, and if he wishes to, he will," Athar said and Teana sighed in defeat.

"But, he knows that I am not a servant," she said and saw Athar's eyes grow wide.

"Not a servant?" the woman asked and Teana nodded.

"I told him the truth," Teana said. "That my father is a respected Spartan warrior."

"Most likely, my child, he will make you a dancer in his private court and," she paused and shrugged, "he might move you to his harem."

As the woman said it, Teana noticed that a strange look had entered her eyes.

"Mother," Teana asked, moving towards the woman, "are you well?"

Nodding, Athar replied, "you know, child, it was not long ago that I was a dancer in the Pharaoh's private court."

"You were a dancer?" Teana breathed, her eyes wide.

With a smile, Athar nodded and continued, "I spent most of my youth dancing for Pharaoh."

"That is why you knew so much about dancing and so much about Pharaoh's court of dancers," Teana gasped and the woman nodded.

Suddenly, everything made sense to her. Looking at Athar, Teana asked, "you were the dancer Pharaoh chose to move to his harem, were you not?"

"You are wise child," Athar said before she nodded. "Yes, it was I."

"What happened?" Teana asked, looking at Athar, who shook her head.

"Pharaoh wished to marry me, but his advisers were against it. I was below him. Torn between his duty and love, he," she paused and closed her eyes.

"He chose duty," Teana finished.

"But, he gave me wealth and make me a noble," she said.

"I was just like you," Athar began, looking at Teana. "I was also a slave, child."

"That was why you took me in," Teana gasped and Athar smiled.

"Yes, child. You remind me so much of myself when I was younger," she said before she stood. "Hopefully your love story turns out better than mine."

Before Teana could reply, Athar said, "now, I think it wise if we both get some rest," before retreating to her room. Nodding, Teana gave a slight bow and watched as the older woman walked away.

Teana woke to a pounding at the door. Yawning, she got out of bed and made her way to the front room. Athar was already up and had answered the door. Just as Teana arrived, she closed the door before she turned around and saw her.

Gasping, Athar shook her head and said, "come now child. You look a sight! Pharaoh has sent for you to go to the palace and you look like a guttersnipe."

"Tsk," the woman continued fussing, "we must clean you up and dress you properly."

Donning her fiercest look, she led Teana into the bathroom.

"Cleanse yourself," Athar ordered as she stood and moved to leave the room. "When you have finished, come to my chamber."

As she shampooed her hair, Teana could not help but wonder why Pharaoh had called her to the palace. Was Athar right? Could he possibly be considering making her a dancer?

Moments later, Teana found herself in Athar's room. Smiling at the girl, Athar moved to her closet and produced a package.

"For you, child," she said as she handed Teana the package.

"Mother, I cann-" Teana began but Athar shook her head.

"It is a gift, child. My gift to you," she smiled.

"Thank you," Teana hugged the woman, tears rolling down her face.

"Hurry up and put it on, dear," Athar said when they broke apart. Nodding, Teana ran out of the room and made her way into the room she slept in.

Opening the package, she gasped. In it was the finest and most beautiful linen Teana had ever seen. On top of the linen were golden bracelets and a golden neck wear.

Carefully, Teana dressed herself before she returned to Athar's chamber. The moment she entered, a smile crossed the woman's face.

"You look beautiful, child," Athar said as she took in the girl's appearance.

Smiling, Teana replied, "thank you, mother," before adding, "for everything."

Leading Teana to the door, Athar hugged her again and said, "now, off to the palace," as Teana stepped onto the litter.

"May Ra smile down upon thee," Athar whispered as she watched Teana head towards the palace.

Uneasily, Teana looked around herself, feeling as if she were in a dream. She was standing in front of the throne, the same room she had danced in the night before, awaiting the arrival of the Pharaoh. Yet, as she looked around the room, it seemed as if it were a completely different room. It looked much different during the day than it had the night before.

Just as she began to look around the room, she saw the door open and watched as the Pharaoh stepped through the door. Directly behind him was his cousin, Seto.

Immediately, she cast her eyes downwards and bowed, but not before she saw the slight smile that had crossed the Pharaoh's lips.

"You may rise, Teana," she heard him say and looked up to see him staring at her. Beside him, Seto was also staring at her, although with much less warmth than his cousin.

"Everyone, please leave the room," Atem suddenly ordered. "I wish to speak to her in private."

Looking around, Teana saw the advisers stand and quickly retreat from the room. Turning her attention back to the front of the room, she saw that Seto was still standing besides the Pharaoh.

"Cousin," Atem said as he turned towards his cousin, "can you also give us a few moments in private?"

Nodding, Seto turned to leave. However, as he did, he shot Teana a look, causing her to immediately avert her eyes.

The moment they were alone, Atem looked at Teana and smiled.

"Do you feel more at ease without everyone watching you?" he asked and her eyes immediately grew wide. She opened her mouth to answer only to close it in surprise.

"Thank you," she said as she bowed before him. "I did not realize that you did that because of me."

Shaking his head, Atem said, "I must speak to you about something rather important and I would prefer if you were at ease while I did so."

"But," Teana wondered, "how did you know I felt uneasy in their presence?"

He looked at her and she saw the kindness in his eyes once more. Smiling, he replied, "you were at ease last night when it was just you and I. However, your entire posture was much to rigid a few moments ago. It was very clear that you were not at ease in the presence of so many people."

Smiling, Teana whispered, "thank you," as she bowed her head once more.

"There is no need to bow for everything," he said and she heard the slightest hint of laughter in his voice. Looking up, she saw a smile on his face.

Before she could say anything, he continued, "now, you must be wondering why I have called you here."

At the look on her face, he smiled and said, "do not fear, Teana. You are not in any trouble."

Upon seeing her relax, he chuckled and said, "as you know, my private dance court is considered to be the best throughout Kemet and in all other lands. Nobles and rulers journey from distant lands just to see my dancers."

At that, her eyes grew wide. She knew that Pharaoh's dancers were renowned but she didn't know that they were that magnificent.

He continued, "after your performance last night, I've decided that I want you as a dancer in my court."

Looking down at her with his fingers pressed together, he asked, "do you have any objections to this?"

Teana, looking into his anticipating eyes, found that she could not say no to him. Smiling, she nodded and replied, "I humbly accept, my Pharaoh."

Immediately, a smile broke out on his face and he exclaimed, "wonderful!"

He clapped his hands and everyone reentered the room. Taking his seat, Atem said, "she has accepted. Prepare a spot for her at once."

Looking around, Teana saw that everyone was smiling, clearly pleased that she had accepted. However, her eyes fell on Seto's face and she saw that he was glaring at her, suspicion and distrust etched clearly on his face. It was obvious that not everyone had wanted her to become a dancer in Pharaoh's court.

"You did it!" Athar cried as she hugged Teana, who returned the hug.

Breaking away, Teana whispered to the woman, "thank you for all you have done for me. I shall never forget you."

Smiling, Athar nodded and hugged her again as tears flowed down her face.

"May Ra smile down upon you and grant you happiness," she whispered to Teana. "Now go, child. The palace awaits you."

As she turned to leave, Teana said, "I shall never forget you, mother."

"I should hope not, "Athar smiled at her. "Do remember to visit this old woman."

Nodding, Teana replied, "I will always remember you, mother." With that, she turned and began to head towards the palace, her new home.

It was amazing how much had changed in as little as a day. Teana thought back to a few months before and where she currently was. Everything that had happened all of those months before now seemed like nothing more than a horrible dream. As she looked at the palace, she felt as though she had finally woken up.

"Praises to thee, o Mighty Artemis," she smiled as she reached the palace door. "Please continue to watch over me."

Inhaling deeply, Teana watched as the door to her new life opened.

So, reviews! Tell me what you think about the new and improved chapter!
-DramaQueen95