Eight |

First Steps

"Seto! Look!" Kisara gasped as she stopped her husband from walking away from the scene.

"What is it now?" Seto asked in a sour mood. All he wished to do was go to his chamber and sleep.

"Anippe is taking her first steps!" his wife replied, making Seto's eyes pop open in the alert.

Anippe?

Husband and wife stand on the edge of the balcony as they gaze down below the courtyard.

The scene is simple.

Pharaoh Atem is crouched down, his robes touching the ground.

He has both arms extended.

"Come on, Anippe. I'm right here!"

The tiny princess was at a reasonable distance away from her father. Anippe slowly stood up and grimaced at how far away her father was from her.

"Come on, love. I'm right here!" Atem cheered again, signaling with his hands for her to walk towards him.

Tears formed in her eyes as she extended her arms for him. "Papa!" she winced as she began to wobble towards her father before falling.

"Come on, Anippe. Papa is right here!"

Anippe's face recoiled in distress, but as she looked at her father's smiling face, she knew she would be okay. Standing up again, Anippe extended her arms towards her father and, little by little, began walking towards him.

As Anippe walked closer towards him, Atem couldn't help but feel his father's presence so strong around him.

He smiled.

At another time, his father was in his place—waiting for him to reach his embrace.

Seeing Anippe walking towards him, Atem couldn't help but feel his chest about to burst with emotions. Perhaps this is what his father felt when he took his first steps towards him, the sensation of overflowing pride, joy, and gratitude.

Finally, after one last step, Anippe flung herself at her father, making Atem chuckle at her behavior.

"Was that so hard?" Atem asked before tenderly pressing a kiss on her temple.

"Papa," is all the princess let out.

From above the courtyard, Kisara smiled at Seto's expression.

Seto caught his wife's eyes and looked away.

"What?" he asked, trying to act cool.

Kisara giggled before lightly poking her finger at his cheek.

"Admit it; you were this close to crying."

"Kisara, that's not true!" he scoffed.

She laughed.

"Whatever you say, dear."

Seto just shook his head.

Note(s):

I was inspired to write this chapter from season 5 of Yu-Gi-Oh!, episode 36 titled "In Search of a King."

I specifically wrote this chapter from the scene where Atem is taking his first steps. I wrote this scene off the English dub version rather than the Japanese version for a reason. In the English version, Atem's father talks to him and is affectionate with him. Compared to the Japanese version, where he comes off cold and is quiet.

Author's Note:

Hi all. I apologize for not being active. I just arrived from Alaska and now back in the West Coast. I'm still a bit tired of the trip but I'll try getting back on track with the story. Hope you're all good. Take care and see you all soon!