Chapter Four- Engaged

"Oh, Yug'! I can't marry Seto!" Joey moaned the next day.

"I'm aware of that. Why didn't you say something last night?"

"I did when we were dancing. I thought I made it clear and I know I did. Now, I think he thought I was playing hard to get." He sighed as he looked at the ring. "I can't marry him, but I realized last night that I love him."

"Oh, boy," Yugi breathed. "Sounds like you fell head over heels in love."

"More like head over fins. Maybe I should tell him the truth like I told you."

"You won't be able to: Seto's busy with wedding plans and accepting congratulations. By the time he's done, he'll be tired and when he wakes up, you'll be gone."

"Well, I could swim out to his kingdom. I'm familiar with the flag on the ship and can search for it."

"I got a better idea. Seto won't be leaving for another two or three days. You could check in with your family and come back to keep an eye out for Seto and once he's alone or boards the ship, you'll be able to talk to him or follow the ship."

"I'll follow the ship. Once I know where he lives, I'll be able to visit and tell him the truth."

Yugi nodded as they headed down to the hidden shore. He told Grandpa that he and Joey were going to sleep under the stars for Joey's last night of his visit. He was still a bit skeptical about Joey's claim of being a merman, although it did explain Joey's short annual visits. The two sat on the sand and talked about the ball.

Yugi divulged about his talk with Seto during their dance. "He spoke of different policies he plans to implement or change once he's king."

"When will that be?"

"He didn't say. Every kingdom has their own inheritance laws. Mine, for example. I'll be king about a month after getting married. Of course if something happens to Grandpa before then, I'll still be crowned." Then Yugi laid back on the sand as the sun vanished and the stars shone brightly in the sky. Joey laid back too and the two friends spent time pointing out their favorite constellations until they fell asleep.

Yugi was awakened by Joey shaking his shoulder. "Yug, it's almost dawn." The short prince forced himself to open his eyes and sit up, rubbing his eyes. He blinked as he made out Joey's outline approaching the water. "Yugi, I'm sorry I lied to you all these years. I always felt bad about it and you were so honest with me." He sat down.

"I can understand why you lied. I probably would have laughed and dismissed your claim if you had told me four years ago. I admit I'm still a little skeptical."

"Well, you'll soon have proof. Here comes the dawn." Joey nodded at the sky that was growing lighter. Yugi's gaze went to the water and ultimately Joey's legs as the sun slowly peeked over the horizon.

Yugi gasped as Joey's legs glowed softly before they merged into a scaled royal blue fishtail. The rest of Joey's clothes faded away, leaving a bare-chested merman before him. "Wow," he said as he moved closer. "Joey, you look amazing. I'm happy we met and you decided to tell the truth."

Joey grinned up at him. "I'm happy you still want to be friends. I was worried you wouldn't once you saw my tail."

"Of course we're still friends. This doesn't change anything between us." Yugi leaned down and hugged Joey who returned the gesture.

"Well, I better get going. I'll be back here in two days to check in about Seto."

"Of course. Oh and even though you didn't really want it, congratulations on your engagement."

"Thanks," Joey said softly as he pushed himself into deeper water before diving down, the light flashing off his tail and the engagement ring.

Seto blinked at the windows where sunlight was streaming in. It was a beautiful morning and he laid there, savoring and re-living the previous day. First, everyone in the kingdom had come forward throughout the day to offer their congratulations. He accept each one with a big smile and a thrill went through him: He was going to get married! He discussed his plans with Solomon in case the elderly monarch posed questions about some detail Seto had overlooked. It was obvious that the ceremony would take place at his kingdom. He wrote a short list of potential wedding colors as well as a list of food and drink. He knew he wanted his brother as best man while his stepfather would perform the ceremony. Maybe Joey's family would like to be part of the ceremony.

He now smiled at the ceiling. His beloved fiancée; he could still see the look of love on Joey's face when named Seto's mate. He had heard Joey's insistence that he wasn't looking for a mate, but he saw the attraction in the blonde's eyes and knew that Joey was in love with him despite his words. I wonder why he would reject being a mate instead of following his heart. It's curious. He rolled out of bed and started getting dressed. He wanted to go to the marketplace and see if there were items there that he wouldn't be able to find at his own marketplace.

He had reached the fork in the path and saw Yugi coming up from the shoreline. Ah. Perfect. He's close to Joey and may provide some insight into his mind. "Yugi," he said.

Yugi looked up, slightly startled. "Hi, Seto."

"I'm heading into town. I would like some company."

"I'll come with you."

"Thank you." The pair began down the path. "Yugi, you know Joey pretty well, yes?"

"We've been friends for four years."

"Then tell me why Joey accepted my decision to marry him if he wasn't looking to be chosen? It's clear that he loves me, I saw it in his eyes."

Yugi's mind raced to come up with a reasonable answer. He knew the real reason: Joey was a merman and was sure his mother would be furious if she learned her son was engaged to a human. Wait, that's it!

"Joey's worried that his mom won't approve of him marrying another man."

Seto nodded. "Okay, I can see that. My stepfather will be surprised when I tell him and naturally will want to meet him. I'm certain he'll be charmed by Joey; I sure am. Plus, if Joey plays it right, his mother will approve of the engagement."

Marina held up her son's hand and looked at the gold band on his finger. It was certainly beautiful: A circle of white stones and pale blue stones were embedded in the center of the band and they glinted in the light. "When did you get this?"

"On my second night of my visit. Yugi's grandpa threw a party and I spent a lot of time talking and dancing with another close friend, Seto. After the party, he…asked-for-my-hand-in-marriage," he finished in a rush.

"Marriage!?" both mermaids exclaimed, the queen releasing Joey's hand.

"Yes. I've known Seto as long as I've known Yugi and I really like him. I want to spend the rest of my life with him."

Marina's surprise faded to be replaced with understanding. "I hear what you're saying. I felt the same way about your father. I'm happy for you. You know I'll want to meet him."

"Of course, Mother," Joey said calmly, but inwardly he was worried. There's no way that meeting's going to happen! What am I going to do?