Disclaimer: I'm just going to go simple today—I don't, sadly, own Yugioh.
Author's note: sorry guys! I got hung up in my X-files obsession… :O I know, I know, it's not Yugioh, but hey—X-files is pretty great. Kind of obsessed. Alrighty… so here's another very fluffy/cheesy chapter ^0^ hope you like it!
Author's responses/thanks:
Thedarkpaladin666: whoa! You favorited, alerted, reviewed… I don't know how to say it well, but thank you! ^D^ I'm glad you like it!
From my anonymous reviewer Me, it makes me so happy that you're L-O-V-I-N-G I-T! Don't worry, I'm not stopping! More to come. And the next update is now!
Aqua girl 007, as always for reviewing and continuing to read!
And dear non-FFnet-registered reviewer princess atemma: haha no, it is not the end. As you can see, the story has not been marked complete, so please, wait to judge.
Chaos Infinity-X: You totally guessed it. Right on the dot.
And to: Nick-Arach, for favoriting this story. And to anyone else I neglected to mention! I get too many emails, guys, whoa.
Anywho, here is your WARNING: fluff and cheese ahead! Make sure watch your step and remember, all seat belts buckled during the ride!
An Announcement
Mana hated these balls—these parties.
Well, she thought, at least I'm his body guard, and now he's mine, so…her thoughts trailed off blissfully at the thought, and she quickly shook herself, so I have more say over who he dances with. Namely, me, or no one at all…
Again, Mana shook herself and smoothed out her dress. Just past her knees and ruby red, adorned with a gold belt and intricate gold edges, the shoulders just hung off and it hugged her form gracefully. The gold circlet adorned her head again, along with matching gold sandals.
As soon as Mahad escorted Atem into the grand ballroom, Mana was at his side. They gave one another a nod and Atem squeezed her hand before taking his seat.
The ball proceeded as normal. Atem gave another fancy speech saying that the Court of Kings would be announced in half an hour, but to dance until the time came; at which point princesses were surging forward for a chance at the Pharaoh and Mana had to step in, taking him into a dance herself.
Atem smiled at her throughout the full half-hour, during which nearly every princess tried to cut in. Mana had to remind herself that they already hated her. Might as well, right?
The music stopped and Mana guided Atem to the throne, where he was once again safely surrounded by his Guardians. He clasped his hands behind his back, "My Court of Kings is a select group of rulers that, over the course of these balls, I have determined to be trustworthy and good leaders. They will be the final verdict on matters of the kingdom. First, my Court of Priests and second my Court of Kings. They are, as follows," Atem said, his expression serious.
He proceeded to name them. There were so many, Mana couldn't remember all of their names. It took almost an hour to announce all of them. There were a few chiefly important ones: King Dartz of Atlantis, Alexander the Great, and an Indian Chief: Tastan. Other than that, she couldn't remember many others, but had a feeling Atem had picked well.
The announcements finally came to a close. "If you were not chosen," Atem was saying, "Do not be offended. I was only allowed to pick a number out of every one." His head bobbed in a variation of a bow, "Now, this is a party. Let us enjoy ourselves."
There was applause and cheers as usual, but Mahad, standing behind the Pharaoh, had a strange feeling enemies had been made tonight. He shrugged it off. It had to have happened eventually.
Atem leaned back to Mahad and whispered something to him. Mahad nodded and gestured for the Guardians to step forward. They did, and Mana, as instructed, escorted Atem from the room, outside where the air was crisp and clean.
Almost as soon as they were outside, Atem dropped the pharaoh act, stretching and taking Mana's hand. "It's good to be outside," he said, "It's always so stuffy in there."
Mana pranced ahead of him, pulling him with her. "I like it out here too," she said cheerfully, "No princesses."
Atem laughed, and they set to a comfortable walking pace. "Mana, I wanted to ask you something," Atem told her quietly, bringing them to a halt. Mana waited, cocking her head with her aquamarine eyes alight. Atem smiled, "Close your eyes, would you?"
Mana pursed her lips for a moment before closing her eyes.
After a moment's silence, he spoke: "Alright, Mana, you can open your eyes now."
She opened them.
Mana found that she had to look down, where she found Atem.
On one knee.
And holding a small red box.
His amethyst eyes were bright with anticipation and he looked like he wanted to smile. Mana's breath caught in her throat, "Atem…"
Letting go of her hand, he opened the little red box.
Inside was one of the most gorgeous rings Mana had ever seen. There were swirling patterns in the general shape of a narrow diamond around an oval ruby. On the top and bottom, at the highest ends of the swirls were very small amethysts, and on each vertical end of the farthest swirls were sapphires.
All the swirling patterns and the rings itself were made of shining gold.
The faucets of the ruby shined and Mana almost couldn't breathe.
"Mana," Atem's soft baritone broke through, "Will you marry me?"
"Is that even a question?" Mana asked quietly, her eyes shining, "Yes. A thousand times yes!"
Immediately that smile that had wanted to break through Atem's face came, and he stood to slip the ring on to her finger, where, just as he had made sure, it was a perfect fit.
Almost as if it had been planned, they faces touched and Atem's lips graced hers.
Mana's heart raced in her chest, somehow trying to escape. Her fingers clutched at him and her mind jumped into overdrive.
Gently, Atem's lips intertwined with hers. While a hand caressed her face, the other held her waist. His heart flew, his head felt light and he was sure that heaven had finally been completed—as cheesy as it was, he knew it was true.
Mana gasped as their mouths momentarily broke contact. Atem's lips quickly found hers again, his fingers stroking her cheek.
They pulled apart for a moment, smiling. "We don't have to go back in there, do we?" Mana asked him.
Atem tilted his head, "Not yet. Not until the end."
"Why?"
"So I can announce our engagement," he said simply, "You and I both want to get those princesses of my trial sooner rather than later."
"Alright, fair enough," Mana agreed, leaning into him. "What are we going to do until then?"
"What ever you would like," Atem said, embracing her.
"Hm, I like that," she said thoughtfully, at which Atem had to chuckle. "You know," she began, "I think I've loved you ever since we met." She brought her head up to look him thoughtfully in the eye, nodding, "Yep. I haven't realized it before, but I've always loved you. Maybe because it's so natural to me."
Atem grinned, "Then that makes two of us." Cupping her cheek, he kissed her again—this time for longer.
"Atem?"
"Mm," he murmured, his lips making a trail along her cheek.
"Is it really possible," she breathed, "For me to have you forever?"
Atem laughed at that, throwing his head back, "Mana, my love, you can have me for as long as you could possibly want."
The Pharaoh had his arm around Mana, which in and of itself should have been a clue to everyone that something else had been going on outside.
As the ball ended and everyone was readying themselves to leave, the Pharaoh held his hand up for attention and almost immediately, everyone fell silent. "Tonight's party has ended, and as we leave, I have something I must say to you all."
Once he had everyone's undivided attention, he smiled and continued: "It is the news of my engagement."
The talking rose again and the Guardians called for silence, appearing just as surprised as everyone else—well, almost all of them. Mahad wasn't so surprised. In fact, he was extremely light and happy inside.
"It is only just recent," he told them, and Mana thought that that statement was an understatement. "But I am to be married to my Guardian, Priestess and Magician: Mana."
Taking her hand, he showed her to the crowd. Mahad was the first to begin applauding, and the Guardians quickly followed, their enthusiasm causing their applause to ring the loudest in the room. The next to follow was King Dartz and his party—particularly Chris, who had known inwardly that it had to happen eventually.
Everyone had to consent that the two made a lovely couple. Just outside the room, the kitchen staff heard the news and practically stumbled in with applause and cheers of their own. They even went so far as to dance around the room arm in arm, banging their pots together and rousing the entire room to a loud, ringing and merry mood.
Atem and Mana were arm in arm as everyone exited, but Dartz and his party stayed to congratulate the couple. Chris came first with a knowing smile on her face. She embraced each of them with the statement: "I knew it had to happen sooner or later—I'm just glad you chose sooner."
Atem laughed at that, "Thank you, Chris. Your advice that night helped me acknowledge my feelings."
Chris bowed, "My pleasure."
Dartz and Ironheart were next, shaking their hands. "Congratulations, Pharaoh," Dartz said, "I'm very happy for you both."
Ironheart bowed to Mana, "You must be a very fine young lady to be the soon-to-be wife of our king."
Mana blushed at that, "Oh, thank you." She liked the 'wife' part.
Atem squeezed her hand, his eyes glued to hers. Dartz, Ironheart and Chris left, leaving Atem and Mana with the Guardians—and Shimon.
Mahad was first, and to both of their surprise, embraced them. "I knew it!" he exclaimed, "I just knew it."
Atem and Mana both laughed at their friend, who continued to beam ridiculously. At least, it was ridiculous for Mahad. They hardly ever saw him smile.
For several minutes they stood talking, during which Shimon stood taping his foot impatiently. That was never a good sign with Shimon.
Atem sighed, turning to his vizier, "Yes, Shimon?"
His foot stopped.
Slowly, he smiled, "Excellent choice for a spouse, my King. She will make a wonderful wife."
Atem and Mana blinked at once another. Mana stepped forward and kissed Shimon's cheek, "Thank you, Shimon Muran."
Shimon bowed, "Anything for our king. And besides, you are quite liked around here, Mana. As are the two of you as a couple. You've been the talk of the palace for months now."
Every Guardian knew this, and they had to laugh at the looks on the couples faces. They hadn't even known how they really felt until several days before.
Aknamkanon was the last to find out, who came into the room to see what all the noise was about. He had heard the kitchen staff's explosion of excitement and all the cheers, and now he had heard the laughter from down the hall.
"What's going on in here?" he asked.
Everyone turned to look at him, and he made his way to his son, who he saw was linking arms and holding hands with Mana. No one said anything as he came forward, studying everyone's faces. They all appeared to be very happy.
Very calmly, he said: "So, I take it that the two of you are engaged?"
Blinking, they both nodded.
Aknamkanon held out his arms and embraced them at the same time, almost lifting them off their feet. "Well!" he exclaimed, "This is cause for celebration!"
Again, everyone was left laughing and Atem said, "Another night, father. The ball just ended."
Aknamkanon nodded in agreement, "Another night." He was smiling, and slapped Atem on the shoulder as he and Mana left.
Instead of Atem walking Mana to her room, she walked him to his, since she was still his body guard and all, and would probably continue to be. Reaching his room, they stood before his door, grinning.
Their lips met in a passionate kiss, while the guards pretended not to notice. Atem grinned, "Do you know how happy you've made me tonight, Mana?"
Mana loved the way he said her name. "I think I have an idea."
They kissed again and when they broke apart, foreheads touching, Mana said conversationally: "So, forever?"
Atem, his eyes sparkling, had to agree that forever sounded good.
Whooooo! They finally really kissed! Let me know what you think of it! Guys, this was a long chapter. Four pages! Usually they're maybe two and half, cause it's easier to update that way. ^O^ I'm happy I got this done! There's about 4-6 chaps left before I finish this up, so stay tuned!
Review, favorite, blah, blah, blah you know what to do—and hey, watch some X-files this week! They're awesome! (And Fox Mulder is pretty attractive) Anywho, goodnight FFnet!
-Anevay