After about 20 minutes or so of wandering around & talking to the patrons who were attending his Birthday celebration, Atem walked back up to stand at his throne, except this time he brought his entire Royal court with him. "Excuse me, Everyone can I have your attention..." announced Shimon "The time has come for the Pharaoh to choose his betrothed" Seto continued as he watched Atem walk out from between him & Mahad, pausing slightly Atem smirked & walked through the crowd of girls in front of him; He knew exactly who was becoming his Queen.
With one hand behind his back, he walked straight up to Loretta, hearing a lot of the others gasp & mumble in disbelief at his decision he closed his eyes & smirked, opening his eyes he took Loretta's hand & kissed the top of it before taking a step back from her.
Smiling at Atem, Loretta's eyes welled up with happy tears "Princess Loretta..." he started with a smile & a cheeky little wink "I have loved you from the first day we met & I haven't been able to get you out of my mind but I was wondering..." he continued getting down on one knee "Will you marry me?" he asked as he brought the small box out from behind his back & opened it to reveal a ring that was similar to the one he was wearing but with a narrower band & having the stone shaped like a heart "Wow, I dont know what to say...Yes Atem I will marry you" said Loretta as everyone aww'd, standing back up Atem slipped the ring onto her finger, now that everyone wasnt paying as close attention to them Atem pulled Loretta close running the side of his hand along her jaw as his eyes began to well up "Atem...What's wrong" "I just never thought this day would ever come that i would meet the love of my life & she be as beautiful as you are" he said with a smile, bending his neck slightly Atem gently rested his forehead against Loretta's, being mindful because he had his crown on so as not to hurt her.
As the night continued on Loretta got introduced by Atem to the rest of his Royal court, one thing Loretta had to get used to was being bowed to now that she was Atem's betrothed it was expected of anyone of lower ranking to bow as a sign of respect, there was alot that Loretta had to learn but luckily she'll have Atem by her side every step of the way.
Coming out to the entrance of the Palace Atem & Loretta stood hand in hand looking at each other, reaching up Atem held the side of Loretta's face gently caressing her cheek with his thumb "I'm going to miss you, my beautiful Princess" Atem said with a smirk as Loretta blushed "& I will miss you, my Pharaoh" said Loretta with a smirk & a bow back at him. "As per Royal tradition we will be married after a fortnight of you moving into the palace, the room connecting mine is already set up for on your arrival tomorrow but once we are married you will be allowed to sleep with me & that room will be for any children we have" Atem said with a blush as he cleared his throat & looked away sheepishly "Oh,..." Loretta blushed as she started to imagine what any children she had to Atem would look like.
Chuckling to quickly change the subject Atem started again, regaining as much composure as he could "I really should be letting you get home, your Mother is probably worried sick about you & I accept full responsibility, tomorrow when Seto & I come to escort you back to the Palace I will personally apologize to your Mother for any worry she may have" "Thank you Atem, that is very noble of you but its ok, I'm sure my Mother will understand...Aww he's so sweet" said Loretta as she gave him a kiss goodbye & then got up on Seto's horse "Goodbye my love, I will miss you" he called out blowing her a kiss "I will miss you more," she said poking the tip of her tongue out.
Giving his horse a gentle kick on his side making him go from a walk to a trot Loretta held on tighter around Seto's waist so as not to fall off.
With Loretta's house approaching Seto slowed the horse down again, "Loretta, I just want to say before I take you home how sorry I am for talking to you the way I did the first day we met, I can see how happy you make Atem & as his cousin It pleases me knowing that" said Seto as he turned his head to look over his shoulder at Loretta & smile.
"Wow, Thank you, Seto, I didn't know that you & Atem were cousins" "Our Fathers are brothers, also being a Royal court member of Atem's my Father was in the same position with our previous Pharaoh, Aknamkanon" Seto stated proudly.
"It's been so nice getting to know you, Seto, & I hope that when I move into the Palace tomorrow we can get to know one another a little better" "I am here to help you whenever I can, your highness" said Seto as he turned to look at Loretta only to get a smirk from her "Seto..." Loretta giggled shaking her head "Your just as bad as Mahad, I'm not even married to Atem yet, please just call me Loretta as you were" "You're right, sorry" he chuckled as he stopped his horse just outside the door.
"Thank you again, Seto, I will see you tomorrow morning," she said as she slipped down off his horse & began to walk towards the door "Are you sure you don't want me to come in with you so I can explain your lateness?" Seto asked as he started to get down himself "Your place is with Atem, I will be fine, my Mother knew where I was & what my feelings were for Atem she'll understand but thank you for your concern Seto" "Yet again you are right..." he said with a chuckle "I know you dont like the formalities but it is now my job to protect both you & the Pharaoh, your highness" he finished with a short bow "Ok Seto I will give you that one but no more ok..." she said wagging her finger at him & smiling "Good night Seto" "Good night Loretta, sweet dreams" he said giving her a quick smile then flicking the reins of his horse.
The Next Morning
"Loretta?..." said Rosetta knocking on her daughters door "The Pharaoh is here to see you" "Coming Mother" said Loretta as she finished tying off her sandals, walking out her door & down the stairs Loretta was met by the most beautiful set of eyes; Her Pharaohs eyes "Hello, my Darling" he said in his smooth Baritone voice as he took her hand pulling her close & kissing her cheek "My Pharaoh..." she said taking a step back & giving a short bow "How I've missed you" "I have missed you too, my love" he said with a smirk, kissing her hand "Mum..." Loretta said sadly as she remembered why Atem was at here "What is it, Loretta?" "I have to go now, I'm going to miss you so much" said Loretta as she walked over to her Mother & gave her a hug "it's ok Loretta once you are settled into the Palace your family are welcome to come & visit whenever they like, they have my permission" said Atem putting his hand on Loretta's shoulder, smiling at her.
"Thank you, your Majesty, that is very kind of you," said Rosetta bowing "Rosetta was it? I will be sure to take very good care of your daughter, she will be protected by my best guards, the very same guards that protect me" "I am so glad that my Loretta has someone as kind & as generous as you, your highness" Rosetta said bowing again "Please, call me Atem...Oh I forot to mention if Loretta hasnt told you already we will be getting married in a fortnight & you are all cordially invited to our wedding as our guests of honour" said Atem beaming "We will be there, thank you again Atem" "Now if you would excuse me we must get going, Loretta needs an early night so her training can begin first thing in the morning" said Atem as he took Loretta's hand, giving it a small squeeze.
Helping Loretta up onto the back of his horse with her bag Atem started to ride off, turning half around Loretta smiled happily as she waved to her family "Are you ok Loretta?" said Atem as he smiled feeling Loretta arms tightening around his waist "I am now that I am with you" she smirking & closing her eyes.
At the Palace
Slipping down off his horse Atem held his hand out for Loretta to help her down "Take my hand Loretta & close your eyes, I have a surprise for you" he said with a smirk as she slipped down off the horse & took his hand & quickly closing her eyes.
As she was being led down the hallway Loretta quickly opened one eye & then shut it again before Atem noticed, before long the pair had stopped "Now keep your eyes closed until we are in the room..." said Atem as Loretta heard the door latch click & the squeak of the hinge "Ok, you can open your eyes now Loretta, welcome to your new room" Opening her eyes Loretta marveled at the huge room she was in, "I hope this is to your liking I had it set up especially with the colours I thought you liked" said Atem as he chuckled at the expression on Loretta's face "Wow, this room is bigger than my whole house, Thank you so much Atem. its beautiful these are indeed my favourite colours" said Loretta as she looked in awe at the big four poster bed which was made up with Royal blue sheets & a dark purple comforter "I'm so happy that you like it..." said Atem with a smile "I will leave you to get settled in, unfortunately, I can't spend the time with you as I wanted, I have a meeting that I must attend to discuss the plans for our wedding so hopefully Shimon doesn't keep me too long" he chuckled "Thank you so much Atem, I can't begin to express the amount of gratitude that I feel, could you maybe show me around the Palace once your meeting is over?" said Loretta tilting her head to the side & smiling.
Taking her hand & kissing the top of it Atem smiled at her "Of course I can, anything you wish is my command, I love you, Loretta, & no one can ever take away the feelings I have for you, I want you to be happy & comfortable here, I know this place is strange for you so I will try my hardest to be with you every step of the way" "Wow...He is so charming, I couldnt have asked for a better person to become my husband" thought Loretta to herself as a happy tear rolled down her face as she looked at Atem with glistening eyes "Loretta?... What is the matter my dear, why are you crying, d-did I say something to upset you" he said with a look of concern of his face as he caressed her cheek with his thumb, shaking her head softly "You are the kindest & caring person I have ever met Atem, I am happy & I can't wait till we are married" she said with a small sniff as she held the hand that was cradling the side of her face.
Looking away & the back to Loretta again, Atem smiled & blushed slightly, he took a deep breath "Um Loretta? I was wondering,...Would it be ok if I kissed you, if you dont feel ready I will back off & not rush you, I would hate to start this beautiful of ours relationship off on the wrong foot" "I'm honestly a bit nervous but I can tell that you are the sort of man who treasures such a relationship..." taking a step closer to him so that their noses were touching "I love you too...Atem" she said tilting her head to the side & touching her lips to his in a gentle chaste kiss, feeling him reciprocate the feeling she deepened the kiss snaking her hands up behind his head while he ran his hands down her sides to just below her waist.
Stepping back from one another so they could get their breath back Atem looked at Loretta, holding her hands in his "Thank you Loretta, that was amazing but now I must get to my meeting but I will be counting the minutes until I see your beautiful face again" he said running his hand under her jaw making her melt into his touch "Bye Atem, I'll miss you" she said winking & blowing him a kiss.
TBC...