Di.M.H; "I hope you enjoy this story. Please R&R and remember to...LIVE ON!"
Hidden Love
#
Mana lay there in the pharaoh's bed beside the pharaoh himself. It wasn't like they made love just cuddled together. She looked over at the man that was sleeping beside her. It had been a few years since she and the pharaoh had become lovers. They started their relationship as children and still continue their relationship even now.
Atem had been saying that they should tell the court of their relationship but Mana was afraid of what this would do to his image. If the kingdom knew that he was in a relationship with a girl that was of a class lower than him; what would they say? Mana wanted to protect Atem's image while Atem kept insisting that they should go public.
Mana was getting tired of sneaking around the palace so they could have some time together but she was only concern of what his people would say of their relationship. Atem was the people's pharaoh and she couldn't be selfish in wanting him to herself. She turned to get a better look at him. They had been sleeping in the same bed for a while now but never going beyond just snuggling together. Mana was willing to give herself to him if he asked.
She watched as he slept smiling. He was so handsome and she couldn't believe that he had chosen her as his lover. Atem opened his eyes and smiled at the sight of his love. He loved waking up to her every morning. He leaned forward and placed a kiss onto her forehead.
"Good morning love," he said.
"Good morning my king," she said.
"Mana, we've been over this. You don't have to call me that."
"Sorry Atem,"
He chuckled before he captured her lips. Mana moaned as he kissed her with such passion. She placed her hand onto his chest as she returned the kiss. They pulled away as there was a knock on the door. Mana nearly jumped in surprise. Atem groaned knowing that his day as king has just begun. He kissed her before climbing out of bed. Mana got out of bed as she crept to the balcony to sneak out back to her quarters.
Atem answered the door as she managed to climb down and tiptoed into the area where her quarters were. This was normal for them to do. Atem would speak to the person at the door while Mana went back to her chambers in hopes of keeping their relationship hidden.
"Yes," Atem asked as he opened the door to see Muran standing there.
"Sorry for interrupting my king," said Muran, "but there is a matter that needs your attention."
"Oh and what might that be?"
#
Mana sighed with relief as she managed to get back into her chambers when there was a knock on the door. She quickly jumped before opening the door to see her master standing there. She smiled and greeted him as usual.
"Hello master," she said.
"Did you sleep well Mana," Mahad asked.
"Yes sir,"
"Good, because now we have to go over your next lesson."
"Right,"
She followed him to the court yard where they would be training. Mahad showed her what they were working on which was a spell to create a blast of energy at one's opponent. Mana nodded as she summoned her wand. She waved it and a small light that was about the size of a dust bunny appeared in front of her. The small light hit the practice dummy but only left a tiny burn mark on its chest. Mana groaned as a sweat drop appeared on the side of her head.
"Close but…."
The practice dummy exploded into flames. Mana moaned as she got to her knees. That wasn't what she was suppose to do that all. Mahad stood there in shock. He didn't think that Mana would be able to pull it off that quickly.
"Sorry master, I screwed up again."
"No Mana, you didn't, you were supposed to destroy the dummy and you did but now we need to focus on destining it a little more."
"I did," Mana asked in surprise.
"Yes, now let's keep practicing."
"R-right,"
#
Atem had finished his meeting for the day. He was sitting on the throne with his eyes closed. Apparently there was an issue with some of the farmer's life stock. There weren't that many predators in the desert that could do that much damage in that little time. He had sent several of his men to search for tracks or something to help identify what the creature could be.
He walked toward the window and looked out at the capital that was busy with people walking around going about their daily lives. He smirked when he heard three knocks on the door. He recognized those knocks. It was a great way for him to know to that it was her. He chuckled before walking over to answer the door to see Mana standing there.
"Hello love," he said.
"Hey Atem," she said.
Atem stepped aside to let her inside. She walked through the doorway. Atem smiled and closed the doors behind her after telling the guards that they were not to be disturbed. He turned to Mana; who was smiling at him. He walked over and wrapped his arms around her waist and captured her lips. Mana wrapped her arms around his neck as she returned the kiss. She loves when they could get some time together. They pulled away and just snuggled together. This was Atem's favorite moment with Mana in his arms and they were alone to be themselves to where he could shower her with affection. He led her to the throne and sat down pulling her into his lap.
Mana snuggled into his chest. Atem smiled as he looked down at her with a loving gaze. He kissed her forehead tenderly. Mana looked up at him smiling. They kissed again. He nuzzled his face into her hair to take in her scent, the scent that he loves so much. Mana placed her head onto his chest and closed her eyes as she listened to his heart beat. She felt safe and loved in his arms. She loved feeling his warmth pressed against her body.
He ran his fingers through her hair. He looked up as he could hear voices outside the door. It sounded like someone was arguing with the guards that he had asked to make sure that they weren't disturbed. Mana looked up and turned to doors. She stood up from his lap to his dismay. He sighed and stood up to walk toward the door.
He opened to the door to see Seto standing there arguing with the guards. He stepped out to ask him what he wanted.
"Forgive me sire," said Seto, "but I have information in regardless of the attacks on the cattle."
"I see and what have you found?"
"There were crocs in the area. According to a local that the crocs have been nesting there for years and several of the cattle would get too close when a female would be going to nest or if their nest is near. We believe that the crocs were defending their young."
"I see, well then tell the farmers to take their cattle down a different path. If this is to continue then there would be more than cattle that would meet an end at the jaws of the crocs in the area."
"Yes of course sire,"
Seto bowed and walked off. Atem was relieved that they were able to discover what was attacking the cattle and how it could be fixed. He walked back into the throne room to see Mana looking at him with a raise brow which he thought was cute. He explained about the attacks on the cattle and how he had some of his men look into it.
"So, Seto was reporting that they had found what it was," she asked.
"Yes, it appears that they were taking the cattle through an area where the crocs would nest."
"So, it's a matter of protecting their young."
Atem nodded. Mana smiled and walked over to wrap her arms around his neck. He chuckled before he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her lips which she returned. The door opened at that moment but they were too caught up in the kiss to hear it.
"What is going on here," a voice cried out causing them to pull away.
Muran stood there with shock on his face. Mana murmured that they were burst it under her breath. Atem just stood there still holding Mana in his arms as he stared the old man.
"What is the meaning of this," Muran shouted, "Mana are you, trying to seduce our pharaoh!"
"I'm not…"
Atem had pulled away from her and held up his hand silencing her. Mana looked at him as he walked toward the old man.
"Do not speak to her in such a way," Atem snarled.
"B-but sire," Muran cried.
"Enough," Atem roared, "You will not speak to her in that way. Mana is my lover and deserves to be treated as such."
Muran was speechless as the words left Atem's mouth. He couldn't believe it that Atem and Mana have been sneaking around in secret to have romantic moments together without anyone knowing.
"B-but sire, this is forbidden, you should be courting a princess not a magician's apprentice."
Atem was getting annoyed now; he could care less what was expected of him. Mana is his love and nothing could change that. He walked back to Mana and wrapped an arm around her shoulder pulling her to him. Mana placed a hand onto his chest. Atem glared at the old man before he captured Mana's lips kissing her with much passion that she could feel herself melt under his touch. Atem would kiss her like that many times so it didn't come as a surprise to her when he did this. He pulled away but kept his arm around her.
"I don't want to hear it," he said as Muran went to say something, "I will not court another. Do not try to arrange a meeting with a princess."
Muran nodded before he walked away still unable to talk. Mana looked up at him as he sighed. He looked down at her with an apologetic look.
"I'm sorry about that Mana," he said.
"You don't need to apologize Atem," she replied.
"Well, we knew that we couldn't keep it hidden for long."
"Yeah, it was nice while it lasted."
Atem had noticed her tone. Was she scared that the court would try to tear them apart? He kissed her forehead softly to assure her that nothing could become between them.
"Do not worry love," he said, "I will fight for our love."
"But, you should be with a princess."
She pulled away from him and had her back to him. Atem walked over and wrapped his arms around her waist as he nuzzled his face into her hair. He could care less about that, as far as he was concern; Mana was what mattered to him.
"I don't want to be with a princess love; I wish to be with you."
"I do as well but you deserve someone that is of the same class as you."
It did hurt her to say that, she didn't want to let him go but she knew that he needed a princess and not a magician's apprentice. He gently turned her to face him before kissing her lips which she returned. There was no way that he would ever let her go.
"Class means nothing to me," he said, "if I have you then that's all I need Mana."
"I feel the same way Atem but I do know there are others that won't approve of our relationship."
"That means nothing to me love; I would give anything to be with you."
He got down to his knees and took her hands in his. He brought one to his lips and kissed her knuckles. Mana looked down at him as he did this.
"Marry me Mana," he said suddenly.
"Wh-what," she asked caught off guard.
"Marry me," he repeated, "I love you and I want to be with you forever. I've known for a long time that I wanted to spend my life with you. You are everything I could ever ask for in a woman. I love everything about you: your joyful personality, your beautiful smile, your wonderful sing song voice. I love you Mana; there is no other woman I want by my side."
A smile formed on her lips. She loves this man; she had thought about what it would be like to be his wife. Since the day they became lovers was the happiest day of their lives. Mana tackled him to the floor. She began to shower his face with affection which made him smile as she did so. He was glad that he made her this happy.
"Yes," she finally said, "I will marry you."
He smiled and pulled her into a very passionate kiss. He was so happy that she said yes. He knew for a long time that she was the one that he wanted to spend his life with forever. They pulled away and they stood up from the floor dusting themselves off.
"You do know that we have to let the whole kingdom know," she said.
"I don't mind, I want the whole kingdom to know that you are going to be my wife," he replied, "the whole world can know for all I care, just as long as I'm standing with you."
"I love you Atem,"
"I love you too Mana."
#
Mana looked out at the kingdom below from the balcony that she was standing on. She smiled down watching the people go about their lives. She felt arms wrap around her waist from behind and lips pressed against her cheek. She looked over her shoulder to see Atem standing there. They had announced their engagement to the whole kingdom and were met with confusion since no one knew of them being lovers.
The court was caught off guard when Atem had mentioned during a meeting that he had taken a bride. Their shock grew when it was revealed that it was Mana whom Atem had taken as his bride. Some were of course against it while others were saying that they were wondering what took them so long. Mahad had told Mana that he knew that she and the pharaoh would become more than friends someday.
They revealed that they've been seeing each other in private the whole time it only made Mahad have a heart attack. Their wedding was scheduled in a few days and during the time of waiting to tie the knot; they would still steal moments together.
Atem would asked not to be disturbed whenever she came to see him in between meetings or whenever he was free from his duties as pharaoh. They made sure to make time for each other when they could. Mana would still sleep in his bed with him without anyone knowing. They decided to wait until they were married before taking it to the next step in their relationship even though there were times they wished for it.
Atem nuzzled into her hair taking the scent that he loves so much. Mana turned to face him placing her hands onto his shoulders. He chuckled as he stared into her emerald eyes. He captured her lips. She wrapped her arms around his neck as she returned the kiss. He ran his fingers through her hair as he used his tongue to seek entrance into her mouth. Mana was willing to allow him entrance. They pulled away as footsteps caught their attention.
They looked to see the wedding planner standing there smiling at them. Mana snuggled to Atem's chest as he greeted the man.
"Forgive me," he said, "but I've come to discuss the plans for the wedding."
"Very well," said Atem, "let's love go."
"Of course," she replied as she followed him and the planner into the room to discuss their wedding.