Chapter Seven- Coronation
"I'm sorry you can't return to land," Solomon said as they swam home.
"It is not your fault, it is mine. I had a disconcerting feeling about Dartz for some time. If I had heeded it and not been so trusting, none of this would have happened."
"I think you're being too hard on yourself. In order for your subjects to trust you-,"
"-you have to trust them," Atem added. "Yes, I remember that rule. I was given a similar comprehensive test like Yugi was. My teacher said I knew every rule and law backwards and forwards." Atem's voice held a note of pride as he said this.
"Impressive. You were ready to be king."
"I was," he said sadly.
"Atem, what would you say to you and Yugi getting married?"
Atem looked over at Solomon. "What?"
"It's just like a prince and princess getting married, but in this case, both become king. You're still second in line, but you'll have the title you should already have."
"Marry Yugi. I would like that."
"I thought you would. Perhaps we can add it to Yugi's coronation."
"If Yugi wants to."
Yugi stared at Atem as he slid off the throne and let his grandpa sit. "You can't go back?" he asked, stunned.
"That's what Mahad said. He had the book with the spell in it and said there's no counter spell. Dartz wanted to make sure I couldn't return."
"Oh, Atem. That's awful and you were going to be king."
Atem saw Solomon looking pointedly at him and he looked back at Yugi. "Yugi, would you do me the honor of marrying me?"
"Marry you?" Yugi gasped and then his eyes lit up. "Oh, if we did, we would both be king. Yes, Atem. I'll marry you."
"Wonderful," Solomon said. "So, Yugi when would you like the wedding?"
"How about on my coronation day? After I'm crowned?"
"Sounds good. So, perhaps you want to look at flowers and while doing so, share the news of Atem remembering with the citizens?"
"Oh, yeah," Yugi said. "No one else knows Atem got his memory back. Let's go." Yugi sped out of the room with a chuckling Atem following him.
The news of Prince Yami recalling that he had been a human called Prince Atem spread across the kingdom and various citizens were coming up to say they were happy he remembered and if he was going to go home. Atem would then tell them how the spell couldn't be reversed and assured them that he was fine with that.
"But doesn't that leave your people under the rule of that sorcerer?" the flower vendor, Chris, asked as Yugi and Atem looked over her flowers.
"Not for much longer. The king of the kingdom we trade with is my cousin and he is currently sailing there with a statement that give him control of my land and the sorcerer will be punished. It's likely my sorcerer told the people that I died."
"And this statement will state something to that effect?"
"Correct." Atem saw some flowers that reminded him of roses and gathered a bunch of them while Yugi chose some carnation-like ones. Chris watched them choose the flowers with a curious expression.
"Are these flowers for your coronation, my prince?"
"Some are. The others are for the wedding."
"Wedding?"
"Yes. After I'm crowned, Atem and I will be married."
"Oh! Congratulations, both of you!"
"Thanks, Chris. If you could spread the news, we would appreciate it."
"Yes, my prince. As soon as possible."
Atem would venture up to the surface anytime a ship passed overhead, hoping it was Seto. So far, no sign of Seto's ship. Of course, it does take time to cross the ocean than it is to swim in it. At least a week, maybe more if there's little wind. I need to focus on Yugi's birthday and coronation as well as the wedding.
He returned to the palace and up to Yugi's room where he received a warm hug. "Yugi, is there anything you want for your birthday?"
"Yes: You. Ever since I met you, I've been happy. I finally had a friend, then a brother, and after that, a boyfriend. Soon, I'll have a husband and fellow king. Having you is the best birthday present I could get."
Atem pulled Yugi into another hug. "Okay, I can do that. Easiest present shopping I've ever done."
Yugi laughed. "And what about a wedding gift? What would you like?"
"I already have it: It's your love."
Yugi snuggled into Atem's chest. "That was easy shopping for me, too."
The day of the combination birthday, coronation, and wedding arrived and merpeople gathered by the balcony as they had done two weeks ago. Solomon had already presented Yugi with a beautiful scepter for his birthday at breakfast and was touched when they said that their love for each other were the birthday and wedding gifts to each other. At the appointed time, the royals appeared on the balcony that was festooned with ribbons and flowers.
Solomon raised a hand before saying, "This is a wonderful day for our kingdom. Today is Prince Yugi's sixteenth birthday and has proven himself ready to lead you. Come forth, my boy." Yugi swam up and kneeled before Solomon.
"Prince Yugi, do you swear before the kingdom to uphold our laws and serve the preserve the citizen's well-being and safety?"
"Yes, I swear to uphold our laws and serve the preserve the citizen's well-being and safety." Yugi closed his eyes and bowed his head.
Solomon gestured and Atem came forward with the scepter on a pillow. He lifted the scepter and held it over Yugi's head. "Then, by your vow and this scepter, I name you King Yugi." He touched Yugi with the scepter. "Arise, Your Majesty."
Yugi did so, accepted the scepter, turned to the crowd, and held the scepter high. The crowd cheered and chorused, "Hail, King Yugi!"
Atem beamed at hearing the crowd cheer the crowning and then Solomon was beside him, pushing a bouquet of the rose-like flowers into his hands. Yugi turned to swim up next to him and wait for Solomon to begin.
"It has been a month since the two of you met and yet you befriended and took to each other almost instantly. It was soon clear that you loved one another and desired to be together in marriage. I, Solomon, as my last act as king, unite King Yugi and Prince Atem in matrimony as husbands. I present to you, the kingdom, King Yugi and King Atem." The crowd clapped and cheered as Yugi and Atem kissed and Atem sent the bouquet sailing into the crowd.
