"This seems a bit strange," Mana says as everyone decorates the palace.
"I think we should have gone to Sparta instead," Maria says, her eyes keeping a look out for anything.
"Me too," Mana agrees. "But this ball is important for Atem to find a Queen."
"He should change the law so he can marry my sister, we all know he likes her."
"Unlike you and Priest Seto, Gabrielle isn't at a high enough status to marry," Shada says. "There is no changing that fact."
"I know and by this point...I feel that my sister won't be returning any time soon," Maria sighs.
"What do you mean?" Mana asks.
"Like I said, we can feel each others emotions, she's felt my frustrations and anger for this ball and I have felt her...calmness and joy."
"Calmness and joy?" Mana and Shada question.
"I think...either she lost her memory or she is actually happy where she is."
What none of them realize is that Atem and Seto overheard everything the group talked about. Atem feels his heart break even more than it already was, Gabrielle is happy where she is? She won't return here to be with them? Could she...did she find someone else?
"My Pharaoh," Seto says. "Are you alright?"
"I am fine, finish with the decorating and prepare for tonight," Atem orders, walking away.
Seto watches as his cousin walks away, that is something he probably shouldn't have heard. Seto sighs, and just when Atem was feeling better this causes more problems. He walks out, earning bows from Mana and Maria.
"Is there something wrong?" Shada questions.
"Atem and I overheard your conversation, maybe talk about that somewhere more private," Seto advises.
"Oh no," Maria sighs. "This is not going to end well for us, is it?"
"No, he is not going to be in a good mood tonight," Seto says.
They all sigh, this is not what they needed, Maria is already depressed enough without her sister. They all go back to their duties, Maria stays by Seto's side to keep him safe while Mahad goes to be with Atem.
"Seto...I know what I said about Gabrielle-"
"We cannot be sure she is not going to return," Seto says. "When was the last time she felt so calm?"
"Hmm...other than here, it would have been back in Thebes when we were with our mothers...I am so stupid," Maria face palms. "She could be with our mothers!"
Seto chuckles a bit, Maria can forget a few things but it still does not change the fact that Gabrielle is not here.
(Atem's POV)
I remove my pendent and toss it onto my bed in frustration. She is happy where she is? How could she be happy after being kidnapped? Could she have lost her memories? The Gods told me that she is my Queen, she must come back. I sit on the couch that is near the balcony door, I cannot continue without her here. I miss her smile, her laugh, her voice...I remember that day well when I first heard her sing. It was when my father first fell ill, back when we were only fourteen.
(Flashback, Normal POV)
"Prince Atem?" Gabrielle asks, knocking on his door.
"Go away! I want to be alone," Atem orders from his room.
"But my Prince-"
"I said Go Away!"
Gabrielle flinches, she has never heard Atem so angry before and to be honest, it frightens her.
"What to do," Gabrielle whispers before a thought pops into her head.
Atem is on his bed, frustrated and sad, why does it have to be his father who is ill? Did the Gods hate him? Atem sighs and looks at the pendant his father gave him not even an hour ago, the millennium puzzle. He doesn't want to lose his father, he is the only one he has left. Atem sniffles when he hears something coming from his door, he told everyone to leave him alone, why did Gabrielle have to be so stubborn?
"You are the ocean's gray waves, destined to seek, life beyond the shore just out of reach. Yet the waters ever change, flowing like time the path is yours to climb," Gabrielle sings. "In the white light, a hand reaches through, a double-edge blade cuts your heart in two. Waking dreams fade away, embrace the brand-new day. Sing with me a song of birthrights and love, the light scatters to the sky above. Dawn breaks through the gloom, white as a bone. Lost in thoughts all alone."
Atem opens his door to hear her still humming, he takes her arm and pulls her into his room. He closes the door before hugging her, Gabrielle is shocked but continues to softly hum as Atem cries. After a while, Atem calms down but he doesn't let Gabrielle go.
"Thank you Gabrielle," Atem says, slowly letting her go.
"You're welcome, my prince," Gabrielle smiles.
"Please, call me Atem. I just need a friend right now..."
"Atem, I haven't called you that since I first came here. I am so sorry, I should have realized-"
"I don't blame you, you were just doing what you were told to."
Gabrielle and Atem smile at one another, both talking and relaxing.
(End Flashback. Atem's POV)
I am broken from my thoughts as there is a strong knock at my door.
"Enter," I say.
"Pharaoh, are you alright?" Mahad asks, entering my room.
"I am fine, Mahad."
"I know you well, Atem. You are not fine."
I sigh, Mahad has been my friend since we were small, he has always been able to tell when I am lying.
"You miss Gabrielle, don't you?"
I stiffen, is it that obvious?
"She may be calm right now, but she may not remember anything and she thinks she is fine," Mahad says. "She will return Atem, someday."
"Someday isn't good enough," I say. "I need her back, I cannot continue without her."
(Maria's POV)
It has been several hours since the conversation about my sister, I am walking around the palace trying to rid the feeling of darkness. My sister is planning something and I do not know if it is going to end well. It's like she is planning a trap, just like she did with Mana on Seto and Mahad. As I turn the corner, I am entangled in a net and pulled away. I feel my voice is gone as I try to fight against the net, suddenly I am released as I am in front of a woman. Helen, Queen of Sparta.
"Hello Maria," She smiles.
I glare at her, my voice still not of use.
"Oh, you still have no voice," Helen says. "Gabrielle, return your sister's voice."
I turn to see my sister dressed in royal clothing, a smirk on her face. She waves her hand and I feel my voice return, but I do not trust it right now. I feel the tears fall, I run at her and hug her.
"Sister, you have returned!" I cry.
"I have, sorry I would have returned sooner, but I was getting to know our parents," Gabrielle says with a smile.
"Our parents?"
"Maria, Queen Helen is our mother, King Menelaus is our father."
I look at her in shock, they are our parents!?
(Two hours later, Regular POV)
"Introducing the King of-"
Atem and Seto tune out the guard, their eyes scanning over the crowd. They haven't seen Maria in hours and it is not good when the Captain of the Guard is missing. Atem sees all of the princesses looking at him, smiling and giggling. He sighs and looks back at the guard announcing the royals who are attending, he wants to search for his love again. Seto and Mahad notice the look on Atem's face and look at one another, they know he is thinking of Gabrielle. They both face forward again when they see the guard's eye widen and his face holds shock, what is going on. The guard clears his throat and takes a deep breath.
"Introducing the King and Queen of Sparta," he announces. "King Menelaus and Queen Helen with their children. Prince Alexander, Princess Selene and Princess Skylar."
The Pharaoh's court look in shock as Maria and Gabrielle walk in with the royals of Sparta, both dressed as royals. Both seem to glow in radiance, the family walks up and bows to the Pharaoh. Atem nods, his face still holding pure shock as his eyes lay on Gabrielle. Soon, everyone has gathered and the ball begins. Atem and Seto walk up to the royals of Sparta.
"Pharaoh Atem," Menelaus bows. "I have heard many great things about you from my daughters. I want to thank you for taking care of them."
"King Menelaus," Atem bows. "Your daughters have proven themselves as great allies and friends. But may I ask, why did you suddenly claim them?"
"I understand your suspicions, they had been taken after their birth and we search endlessly. However, my wife was taken and I had to fight to bring her home, for ten years I fought and was unable to search for my daughters. Finally after many years we get word that they are in Egypt, I sent my men to find them and explain the situation. However, my men took their own actions and brought Selene home. I am deeply sorry for causing you such worry."
"Who had taken them from you?" Seto questions.
"Some men from Troy," Helen explains. "They did not like the mix of a Trojan and a Greek. They wanted our daughters dead. We thank Artemis for protecting them and the two women who raised them. And we thank you for housing them here and making them feel welcomed."
"Did their mothers know the truth?" Atem inquires.
"Yes, that is why they sent them away during the Trojan war," Prince Alexander answers. "In our family we were blessed with strength from the gods. Mainly Ares and Artemis."
"That explains our ways in fighting and magic," Maria adds. "And to why our names are Selene and Skylar. Selene means moon and mine is that of warrior."
Atem says nothing as he looks at Gabrielle, she smiles at him, a pink blush on her face. She is a princess...Atem smiles, the Gods knew, they knew should would attend the ball as the princess of Sparta. Atem holds out his hand to her.
"May I dance with the princess?"
"Yes," Gabrielle smiles, taking his hand.
The two walk to the dance floor and dance together, Atem holds Gabrielle close to him as others join them. Seto and Maria dance together, both smiling after Seto asked for Maria's hand.
"I have missed you so," Atem says.
"I have missed you, not a day has gone by that I did not think of you," Gabrielle says.
"Never leave me again, please stay."
"I am not going anywhere, my pharaoh."
"Do not call me pharaoh," Atem says seriously. "Call me your husband instead."
Gabrielle feels her face heat up, he is asking her to marry him? Her!? Atem smirks as his kisses her, giving her all of the love he has for her. She stiffens a bit before kissing him back with just as much love. On the side, Mana is squealing and jumping while Mahad just smiles.
"Finally," Maria smiles. "I swear, if he did not admit his feelings to her, I was going to explode."
"I will have to say, those guards that took her did us a great service," Seto smirks.
"What do you mean?"
"If they hadn't taken Gabrielle away, Atem would have not realized that he was in love with her. It would have stayed as unrequited love and Atem would have married one he does not love."
Maria nods, that is true, it is thanks to those men that Atem realized his love for her sister. Although they could have gone without his sulking.
"King Menelaus, I want to take your daughter's hand and make her my Queen," Atem says. "Please give us your blessing."
"May the Gods smile on you two," Menelaus says. "You have my blessing and may you forever be happy!"
Everyone cheers as the Pharaoh and his fiancee smile, above the Gods smile as the path of destiny is going the course it should. However, will it last?