Chapter 18

Mahad looked at the assembled students with satisfaction then spoke, his voice being carried across the massive room they were in.

"Lightly kiss the top of your partner's hands, and dance." he instructed as he watched his students did as what was asked, gently and softly, their lips touching the top of the knuckles.

Yami smiled at the girl who he had bumped into earlier as he led her to the dance floor. He then grinned as they both held each other's hands, watching as a slight blush appeared on the other's cheeks.

"I am Yami, young lad from Egypt." he introduced himself as they danced across the room. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance, my lady."

Anzu lightly giggled and curtsied to the beat of the music and clasped her hand with Yami's as they moved in a circle. "The pleasure's all mine, Yami. I am Anzu, young maiden from the East, pleased to make your acquaintance." she told him as she blushed again as she made contact with his crimson eyes.

They soon joined with Marik and his partner, Vivian and together they all raised their hands in the air, clasping at the center as their other hand was on their sides, swaying to the beat of the music.

None of them-especially Anzu noticed the look that Vivian was sporting, nor the plan the other girl was thinking to do in order to humiliate one of them.

As they danced to the music, their hands still clasped together, Vivian held out a foot and kicked Anzu's, causing the other girl to release a surprised yelp as she fell towards the ground.

Anzu felt herself fall towards the ground and she closed her eyes waiting for the impact of the cold polished stone against her back when she didn't feel anything.

And felt slender but strong arms wrapped around her, protecting her from possible injury.

She slowly opened her eyes to see worried crimson eyes looking down at her, the owner's face showing the same emotion as his eyes did. One of worry.

"Are you alright?" Yami asked her as he looked at her with worry, that only did she nod her head that he gently helped her to stand up, an arm around her waist for fear that she might lose her balance.

He was about to lead her to the benches to rest when he felt a small tug on his arm. He looked down to see her with a mischievous smile on her face, her blue eyes shining with an idea.

And he already knew what she was thinking as a wide smirk appeared on his face.

Yami then looked up at the band above them and waved a hand, signalling them to change the beat of the music that they were going to play.

Not waiting for an approval, the two began to dance-modifying the steps and away from the refined culture they were trained to do so. Ryou and Marik looked at each other with huge grins on their faces and joined their friend in his dance.

Soon, all the students saved for Seto and Vivian looking at them like a pack of crazy hippies began dancing to the beat of the music that was coming from the band upstairs not questioning the absurdity of such in an occassion like this.

And as the song was about to reach its final note, Yami grabbed Anzu's hand, twirled her around and finished in time with her bend over his arm, a hand reaching towards the floor. The students around them clapped their hands together, liking what they had seen.

A few girls squealed in earnest as they looked at the two still in their position, their eyes on them.

"Alright that is enough." a voice spoke and all quieted down as they looked at the headmistress who was clapping her hands softly as if she did clap loudly it would sound offensive and downright rude.

Yami grinned as he swiftly eased Anzu off the floor and walked her to her line and then returned back to his with his friends grinning at him from ear to ear. Especially Marik.

"Girls, say goodbye to the gentlemen of Prince Charming Academy." Mai told her students as she looked at them only to see them heaving out disappointed sighs about leaving their partners.

She then let out a sigh and continued. "Keep in mind that you will see them during the coronation." This time again, the ladies squealed in excitement then began filing out of the room, with their partners beside them.

"I shall be counting the moments." Yami said with a soft smile as he took Anzu's hand and bend down to kiss the top of her knuckles.

Anzu let out a surprised gasp at the gesture then smiled kindly in return as she placed a hand on her chest. "As will I, good sir."

Together, they let out a laugh as they exited the ballroom.


Evening passed by and Marik waited impatiently on his bed beside Yami's, waiting for the tri-colored haired teen to return back from the bathroom. He couldn't help but notice that something happened with his friend and his partner awhile ago in class. Admit it or not, he couldn't wait to know if what he think was real or it was just something he thought up.

But who couldn't deny the looks that they gave each other during the dance? And after?

He heaved out a sigh as he drummed his fingers on his thighs, hoping that the teen would come back quickly.

"Relax, Marik." Ryou spoke from his place on his bed, on the right side of the room, headphones in his ears as he lightly tapped his foot to the rythm while turning a page of his book for the week.

"I am relax, Ryou." the Saudi prince groaned as he laid back on his bed with a tired sigh "What's taking him so long?"

Ryou looked up from his novel to look at the platinum haired prince with an eyebrow raised. "Why are you waiting for Yami anyway? You know, you could just go after him and clear things up with him." he suggested then turned his attention back to his novel.

"I saw something." Marik replied. "And I want him to tell me if what I saw true or not."


Yami smiled happily to himself as he walked down the hallway towards their room, a hand on the towel on his head. He couldn't help but replay the moment in his mind as he no doubt had never imagined that his day could get even better than he even thought possible.

He walked down the hallway, waving a hand towards some of the friends he had acquired and didn't miss the occasional stares and looks directed his way as he walked, a blue fluffy towel on his head. He then turned his head forward when he stopped dead in his tracks.

Walking towards him was none other than Lord Akhenaden. The lord was wearing a crisp cream colored suit with a light violet undershirt beneath with a light pink tie, his silver hair floating behind his back gracefully with each stride and he couldn't help but feel that there was something he feels whenever he and the older where in the same room together.

And for some reason, the lord harbored feelings towards him like he had done something unforgivable.

Shaking his head, he continued walking and was about to take another step when he felt someone brushed against him. And slowly raised up crimson eyes upward to stare at menacing grey eyes aimed at him.

"Lord Akhenaden..." he greeted the man as he maintained his composure, despite the older's stare. "What can I do-"

He was interrupted by a loud chuckle coming the older and he couldn't help but be freaked out by the way how the older was acting right now. The older was known to keep an uptight posture even in the presence of his own son and to laugh like that...

Was beyond unusual.

Lord Akhenaden looked down at the teenager beside and smiled after he had released a laugh that none of his colleagues or even his son had ever had the opportunity to listen to or even witness. He prided himself in keeping a straight face towards others and deemed emotions as a weakness that could only be used for one's downfall.

But for some reason, he finds himself amused at the sight of the teenager in front of him. A teenager with crimson eyes.

Narrowing his eyes down at the teenager, he leaned his head down to whisper in the younger's ear. "You think you've already won, Yami. But let me tell you this: You have been always nothing just like your father."

And with that, the lord let out a laugh again and continued walking down the hallway. Leaving a stunned teenager in his wake.


"There you are!" Marik cried as soon as he saw Yami enter the room, and the smile on his face was replaced with a worried look as he took in his friend's appearance. "Yami?" he asked, tentatively as he stood up and approached the other. "Is something wrong?"

Ryou blinked as he looked up at the two and his eyes widened as he saw the state their friend was in. The once regal stature was gone, replaced by slumped figure who seemed like he was carrying a huge burden on his shoulders. Gone was the eyes that shone with confidence and determination as it was replaced by the eyes of a dead man.

"Yami!" the British cried in worry as he quickly placed his book on his bed, removed the headphones on his ears and threw them on the bed then approached the tri-colored hair teen. "Yami, what's wrong?" he asked as he cupped the other's face in his hands and tried to look at the other closely, checking for any signs of harm on the teen.

Then put down his hands with sigh-but not one of relief as he took a step back and helped Marik gently prod the teen to the bed to sit down, with the other placing an arm around the shorter male's.

"Yami...what have seen you back there?" Marik asked after a few moments of silence as he looked at the teen with concern in his eyes. "You look like you've been slapped in the face. Figuratively."

Ryou glared at him. "Marik, this isn't time for jokes. Don't you see what Yami look like right now?"

"I'm not making jokes!" the prince protested. "I was trying to ask him the only way I know."

The white haired prince rolled his eyes then turned to look at their friend instead. "Yami, what happened out there?" he asked softly, while trying to read the other's face for any information to his disappointment hadn't found anything.

Marik let out an exasperated sigh. "I told you he wouldn't budge. Hell, the only person I know who could make an impact to him as this is the Lord Akhenaden."

"Why would-"

"As far as I can tell," the prince interrupted as he looked at his fellow prince. "Lord Akhenaden had it for Yami since the beginning of the school year."

Ryou blinked in confusion. "Why would the Lord even have it against Yami? He's just a-"

Marik shrugged. "I don't know but I have a feeling the lord had said something that made Yami like this." he gestured to their friend with a pat on the shoulder. "And I'm curious as to what it-"

"Lord Akhenaden told me that I was nothing just like my father."

Both princes eyes widened as he they both looked at the lord royal in training with a mixture of confusion and shock on their features. Ryou was the first to recover and he turned to look at the other, his brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"I don't know what he means," Yami answered as he shifted his position on the bed. "But that was what I was intending to find out."