Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter! I hadn't planned on taking this long to post this chapter but after my exams ended I just crashed, playing Kingdom Under Fire for almost a straight day. I regretted that when I woke up with a major headache, which just pushed typing this back even further. Anyways, it's getting posted now, so I hope you enjoy it.

Completion

Chapter 3: It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) (1)

'Hot and cold.' That's what Akhenaden thought when he saw Princess Ryou ride into the courtyard. 'That could be a very good thing; they'll manage to balance out each other.' He swept down the stairs of the castle as Malik helped Ryou dismount her horse.

"Princess Ryou," he said as she turned to him, bowing to his future queen. "I am Prince Seto's head advisor, Akhenaden.

Ryou nodded. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Advisor Akhenaden."

"If you will please follow me, I will take you to meet Prince Seto." Her pleasant smile seemed to falter slightly, her posture stiffening. 'Well, this is going to go well if she's already that nervous,' he thought sarcastically.

Ryou took a deep breath, steadying herself. "Thank you, Advisor."

Akhenaden turned to walk back up the stairs, Ryou and Malik following behind him. 'Despite her innocent, nervous attitude I think Seto might have his hands full. I think this girl will be full of the unexpected.'

/

Mokuba couldn't help but glance worriedly at his brother. Seto stood before the throne, glaring at the courtiers that crowded the room. This was only to be the formal introduction, done so that the courtiers could see their future queen. After she had been presented to the court Seto would show Ryou to the chambers she would use until they were married in a week. There was no official decree, but Mokuba knew that Ryou and Seto would not be left alone until their wedding night. That was not going to do much to create a stable relationship between the two.

Everyone's eyes snapped to the doors as they opened and Princess Ryou was announced to the court. Mokuba glance to Seto to see his reaction and almost laughed. Seto looked like he could have been knocked over with a feather when his eyes landed on Ryou, she was definitely beautiful just as Malik had said, and it was obvious she knew it but didn't care much about it, at least to Mokuba. However the cold expression on his face was soon back.

The younger prince knew Seto wouldn't give anything else away so he turned to look at the Princess. The courtiers had parted to let her through, Akhenaden and Malik hanging back by the doors, as a stunned silence falling over the court. Ryou was nothing like what anyone had expected. Her white hair had been tied back, unruly white strands falling to frame her face. Her light blue dress was beautiful but simple, not even close to the extravagance of the dresses that the ladies of Kaiba were wearing. 'There's going to be a lot of comments about that tonight,' Mokuba thought, glancing to a group of Seto's admirers, all of whom were glaring at the white haired girl, as in all things Lady Natasha leading the way. 'I hope she can handle herself, especially against that evil Natasha.'

Ryou finally reached Seto, sinking into a deep curtsy. "Your majesty."

Mokuba knew he was the only one who noticed anything. Seto's breathing was slightly fast, his shoulders held back further than usual. The Crowned Prince was nervous. He bowed sharply in return. "Princess Ryou."

After a moment Seto closed the distance between them, Mokuba following behind him. Without a word Seto offered his arm to Ryou, a light blush covering her cheeks. The three royals walked from the room, Ryou visibly relaxing as they entered the hallway to be joined by Akhenaden and Malik.

Seto was silent as he led Ryou through the halls, although he continually glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. Mokuba should have known he'd be the one to break the tension. "Princess Ryou," he called, stepping out in front of the couple, walking backwards so he could look at the white haired woman. "What do you think of Kaiba so far?"

She smiled at Mokuba, clearly grateful. "So far it seems pleasant. The villages we passed through on the way were very hospitable."

'Because their hoping you can turn this country around,' Mokuba thought, although he returned her smile, before he became serious, well, as serious as he could be while walking backwards. "Just remember not to trust a lot of the younger ladies of court, they can be vicious."

Ryou looked slightly shocked, Seto's eyes narrowing. "Mokuba!"

"What? Someone has to warn her about those witches."

Seto shook his head, unable to disagree. Behind them Akhenaden scowled at the black haired boy. "Prince Mokuba, Princess Ryou has only just arrived. Please wait to offer her warnings after she has rested."

Mokuba nodded, smiling at the advisor. "Yes, sir." Mokuba returned his attention to his future sister-in-law. "After you rest will you come see me ride? Seto got me a new horse for my birthday!"

"Ryou will have to get ready for the wedding, Mokuba," Malik said, a slight glint in his eyes. "Although, perhaps we can steal her away for a quick game of mahjong. (2) She's actually quite good at it."

"You say that as if it's a surprise," Ryou said, not at all impressed, although Seto was now looking at her with interest.

"Because it is a surprise, Ryou. You're so sweet in everything else, but start a game of mahjong and you get vicious."

"I do not!"

Malik simply laughed, sharing a look with Mokuba. He knew from past visits that Seto found it almost impossible to resist a game challenge. Mokuba smirked in return, knowing that Malik had just given the couple something to connect over.

Seto shook his head at the two. "We're here," he announced, cutting off the conversation. Ryou removed her hand from Seto's arm, thanking him as Mai, who had already started unpacking luggage, opened the door, clearly wanting to pull the Princess into the room and get to work.

Glancing at Mai, Seto stopped Ryou for a moment. "Get some rest before dinner, Princess. I'll make sure that no one bothers you tonight."

Ryou wasn't the only one to stare at him in shock, but by the time Ryou opened her mouth to thank him, Seto had already turned to walk back down the hall, Akhenaden trailing behind him.

"If anyone starts to bother you too much let me know," Mokuba said. "We'll find some place to play some mahjong!" He was still smiling as he raced after his brother.

Ryou turned to Malik who just raised an eyebrow. "Good luck."

She watched him walk away before turning to her handmaid. "Mai, I don't know if I'm going to be able to handle this."

/

Seto couldn't stop his eye from twitching as he tried to look over reports in his study. 'I really hate it when Malik is here,' he thought as his head snapped up, glaring at the Yami Ambassador. "What?"

Malik's smirk widened. "You were nice to her," he said in an almost sing song voice. Seto's eye twitched again.

Mokuba bit his lip to keep from laughing. "Does she really play mahjong?" he asked before his older brother could make a sharp retort, which would result in a fight between the two royals.

Malik tilted his head slightly. "Of course, and she really is very good. Bakura would have private meetings with his advisors and Ryou where they would play mahjong together as they discussed important issues."

Akhenaden 'hmmed' from his place next to Seto's desk. "Did Bakura always involve her in his important decisions?"

Malik nodded. "Ryou always looked out for the peasants, balancing out the ambitions of the nobles. Her's was the most important voice to her brother."

Seto leaned back in his chair, the papers he'd been looking at before forgotten. "Do you think she'll try to do the same thing here?"

"You mean getting into your good graces or looking out for the people? I'll tell you right now, if it means doing something to better the lives of the peasants she'll do it even if it puts her out of your favor. She'll hate making you angry, but she won't turn her back on what she thinks is right."

Seto was silent, but Mokuba knew what he was thinking. "That's exactly what you need, Seto, especially since most of the nobles are so used to Gozaburo's pampering."

The Crown Prince continued to be silent. "We'll see."

/

"Ryou, I know you're nervous, but stop fidgeting," Mai said in exasperation, trying to make Ryou's stubborn strands of hair stay in place.

"Sorry, Mai," Ryou said softly, slipping her hands under her legs so that she wouldn't get in Mai's way.

"You'll be fine. You've met Duke before. Malik is here for Yami, so there's no need to worry about him," she said trying to reassure the Princess before muttering to herself, "hopefully."

"Malik said that Pharaoh Yugi is very understanding, along with his wife, Tea."

Mai nodded. "I've only seen the twins together once, but Atem is serious, and slightly darker than Yugi. Their relationship is similar to your relationship with Bakura."

Ryou sighed, trying to calm herself. "Hopefully I make a good impression. I'll be meeting courtiers as well as foreign rulers tonight."

As Mai put the last pin into place a knock sounded on the door. Without skipping a beat the handmaid answered the door, Mokuba smiling up at her. "I'm here to take Princess Ryou to dinner."

Ryou stood up, smiling at the prince. "That's very courteous of you, Prince Mokuba."

"Just Mokuba, please. I'm not a big fan of all that court formality stuff."

"Well then," Ryou said as they began to walk toward the dining hall, "I must insist that you call me Ryou."

Mokuba's smile widened. "All right, Ryou."

After a moment Ryou became serious. "Mokuba, do you know if Crawford or Atlantis have sent representatives?"

"Ambassador Croquet just arrived from Crawford last night. I know it took a lot of negotiating between Akhenaden and Pegasus to even get a representative here."

"That's not surprising," Ryou commented. "I doubt Pegasus is happy about this marriage since he tried to secure my hand himself."

Mokuba nodded. "Yeah, I heard their answer to the original invitation was not exactly courteous," the prince said, picking his words carefully. "As for Atlantis, there's been no word yet, but that's usual for them."

Ryou nodded, slightly distracted by her thoughts. "True."

"Princess Ryou," Akhenaden bowed as they reached the dining hall. Ryou blinked, slightly surprised that they were already at their destination. "I shall take you to your seat. Prince Mokuba, Prince Seto has been asking for you."

Mokuba nodded, waving to Ryou and wishing her luck before going to find his brother. Akhenaden watched as Ryou took a deep breath, readying herself. "Are you ready, my lady?" he asked, offering his arm to her.

"As ready as I ever will be, Advisor."

Akhenaden nodded. "The foreign representatives will be sitting at the head table with you, but you will pass them on the way to your own seat. I will not be allowed to take you all the way so you will be on your own meeting them."

Ryou nodded. "I can handle myself, Advisor."

"Good, but I still wish you luck all the same. And this," he said, stopping in front of the dais that the high table was located on, "is where I must leave you."

"Thank you, Akhenaden." The advisor nodded, leaving Ryou to climb the three steps herself.

The first ambassador rose to greet her, his face serious. "Princess Ryou, King Pegasus sends his regards."

'This must be Croquet then,' Ryou thought as the gray haired man bowed to her.

"Thank you, Ambassador Croquet," she said. "I am glad that King Pegasus would think of me during this time."

Croquet bowed again, letting her pass to the next person at the table, Duke Devlin. "Princess Ryou," he said smiling at her. "It is good to see you again. I see you've grown into those ears of yours," he teased.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw Malik and Mokuba smirk, Seto raising an eyebrow. Ryou blushed lightly, glaring just slightly at Duke. "Lord Duke, it's good of you to remember me," she said, refusing to retaliate to Duke's banter. The lord just smirked, allowing Ryou to move to the next official.

"Princess Ryou." Ryou blinked, slightly surprised. She knew this had to be Pharaoh Yugi but he was nothing like what she expected. "I know," he said, taking her shock in stride, "I'm short."

Ryou shook her head. "That's not it, Pharaoh Yugi. You just have the most unique hair I've ever seen, including my brother's and Pharaoh Marik's." Somewhere down the table she heard Malik choke on his drink as he laughed.

The woman next to Yugi laughed, dipping into slight curtsy. "I am Pharaoh Yugi's wife, Tea."

Ryou returned her curtsy. "A pleasure to meet you, Queen Tea."

"Well, we won't keep you from your seat anymore. We'll have plenty of time to talk during dinner."

Finally Ryou was allowed to take her seat after she curtsied to Seto. As soon as she sat Seto signaled to the servants to bring out the food. Ryou felt herself blush when he turned to her. 'Why do I keep blushing?' Ryou thought, slightly annoyed. 'I'm acting like those love struck girls that follow Bakura around.'

Little did she know that Seto and Mokuba were both thinking that she was definitely different from Seto's own admirers. "You did well," Seto said, leaning over so that no one could overhear him.

Mokuba and Malik did notice however, and shared a smirk. Seto saw it from the corner of his eye and mentally groaned. 'Those two are up to something, and I have a feeling that Ryou and I are going to be the ones to suffer for it.'

/

The week passed quicker than Ryou would have liked. She now stood in front of a mirror, Mai and the castle's head seamstress, Miho (3), were placing finishing touches on her wedding dress. "Stop fidgeting!" Mai snapped. Any other day she would have dealt with Ryou's nervousness, but not on her wedding day, especially not when the Princess would be wearing a dress that Mai had spent two years making.

"Is this really necessary, Mai? I still need my hair done!"

Mai sighed, setting down her thread and nodding to Miho, who began to gather her supplies. "You're right, Ryou. If it's not perfect all ready then it never will be."

Mai sat the white haired girl down, arming herself with a brush. On any other woman Mai would have spent hours arranging her hair, but over the years Mai had learnt that Ryou's hair was stubborn, always slipping out of its pins and ties. She had learnt to arrange Ryou's hair in simple styles so that when it did slip out it still looked good.

"Mai, I haven't even been able to talk to Seto since the night I arrived!"

"Well," the handmaid said, twisting a strand of hair into place, "you'll have plenty of time to talk to him tonight." All that did was make Ryou blush deeply. "None on that!" Mai snapped. "Especially during the ceremony."

"Mai, you're not really helping," Ryou said.

Mai paused, looking down to see that Ryou's breathing was fast. "Ryou, calm breaths," she said, making sure that she breathed loud enough herself so that the Princess could hear her, matching her own breaths to the handmaid's. "You'll be fine." Ryou nodded, slightly calmer. "There," Mai said after a moment, "all done."

Ryou stood, turning in a slow circle. "How do I look?"

Mai blinked back tears as she looked at the woman she considered to be her little sister. "Oh Ryou, you're beautiful." Unable to stop herself Mai hugged the girl, Ryou immediately returning the gesture.

After a moment Mai took a step back, looking Ryou over again. "I can't believe you're actually getting married."

Ryou laughed, the wonderful sound echoing off the walls of the room. "Everyone has known I was getting married since I was born, you most of all."

"I know," Mai sighed, shaking her head. "It's just seeing you in that dress…"

"Princess Ryou, it's time," Akhenaden said standing in the doorway Miho had left open.

Ryou turned to Mai who smiled at her. "Don't worry," the handmaid whispered. "I'll be watching you."

The white haired girl nodded before walking over to the Advisor. 'This is it,' she thought. 'I'm getting married.'

/

For as long as that was I really didn't get as far as I wanted. I had been planning to get all the way to the coronation ceremony, but I guess that's going to have to wait until next time. Oh well, hope you guys liked it. The story will defiantly be picking up more speed once the coronation ceremony ends.

1. By Rem. I thought the title was appropriate because it really is the end of Seto and Ryou's worlds when they meet each other. By the way, I don't own this song.

2. I think mahjong is a much more sophisticated game than Duel Monsters so I decided to make it the entertainment for the royals instead. When there are four people playing they will be using the traditional Chinese rules. When there are three they will be using the Korean variation.

3. I'm not sure if Miho was in the dubbed (I only use the dubbed names because that's what my friends use when talking about the show) but she's not an original character. She went to school with Yugi and the gang. Tristan had a huge crush on her, but Miho eventually fell for Ryou, which is why I thought it would be fun to include her in this story.