Celebration

When the dawn came, the royal subjects along with their Magical Creatures started preparing a celebration to the royal family to welcome their newborn princess. The people of the kingdom started making their way to the palace to pay their respects. The royal family would soon be awake and everyone wanted this day to be special.

Atem didn't mind letting Mystery sleep in after last night. She was still recovering from her labor and needed her strength back. The Millennium Star no longer rested in her heart, so she had to recover on her own. At the same time, her body had to get used to being back to the way it was now that her child was born.

Already well-dressed and ready, Atem watched his child as she was slumbering peacefully beside her mother. He couldn't help but smile and sigh. It was the peaceful contentment every new parent found themselves in after seeing their child for the first time. His fears and concerns about not knowing what to do and making mistakes faded as well. He just had to embrace that he would just know because this was his child.

The princess softly stirred and started opening her eyes. It made Atem excited to see her look at him with those blue eyes of loving innocence. She didn't know anything about the world yet, but she knew who her father was and was happy to see him. It was as if she shared that same passionate love Mystery had for him.

"Good morning, my Emily," Atem softly whispered. "Did you sleep well?" As if she understood the question, she gave an answer with a smile and a squeal. Atem took that answer as a 'yes'. He saw right away that she was the living image of her mother. At the same time, he prayed that a part of him would live inside of her.

Mystery sighed like she was just coming out of a dream. She opened her eyes and was happy that the first thing she saw was her daughter; awake and ready for her first day. Atem leaned down and said 'good morning' to his wife by kissing her. "How are you feeling today?"

"Much better, thank you," said Mystery. To prove it, she got out of bed and on her feet and started stretching. It felt good for her to be able to bend down and touch her toes again. She was even able to stand and walk. Physically, she was back to her old self, but she would still need a little time before thinking about flying or performing magic again. For now, she decided that she needed to clean herself up and look regal. After all, she was still a queen and couldn't ignore her duties. She also figured that her daughter could use a bath too, so she took her along.

By the time Mystery and Emily were finished and ready for the day, the sky was bright blue and the sun was in the sky. It was still morning, so most of the day wasn't wasted. Now the royals were ready to meet the public. Everyone was waiting and cheering.

Atem walked to the balcony and became visible to the crowd. He raised his hands in the air to silence them. When they all became quiet, he raised his voice and made his announcement. "People of Egypt, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you here. We are gathered here on this day to celebrate the birth of a new child. The Great Goddess Millennia has smiled down upon us and blessed us with not only a new princess of Egypt, but also a new heiress of the Great Goddess herself. It was her light that spread across the kingdom, promising us that Egypt will live in an age where light will always shine through the darkness." He takes Emily from Mystery and holds her. "I now present to you our new princess: Emily!" He announces and raises her in the air for all to see.

As the people cheer for their new princess, many monsters let out their cries and prance around. As if the child knows what's going on, she smiles at the public and squeals at them. She tries reaching to wave at them, but it's hard for her to do so being wrapped up and held up high. A gentle breeze moves through the royal family and a sunbeam shines on them as if Ra is smiling down at them. Seeing that and wondering the same thing, the entire public stops cheering and gets down to the ground to bow and kneel.

Atem lowers Emily and holds her in his arms to cradle her. Afterwards, he places a finger on her nose and gently rubs it. Mystery rubs her own nose against Emily's face, kisses her, and takes her back into her own arms. Remembering that all of their friends are waiting for them, they enter the throne room, pass through their kneeling subjects, and take their seats. Before Mystery sits down, she places her daughter in the royal cradle next to her.

"You may rise," said the pharaoh and queen. The sacred guardians and the rest of the royal servants get up off the floor and on their feet.

Seto faces Atem and tells him, "We are ready to begin with your permission, my pharaoh."

"Proceed then," said Atem.

"Very well," said Seto. Now that the presentation was over, the true celebration could begin. Seto clears his throat and raises his voice. "The time has come. In honor of her arrival, let us all welcome her newest excellence home with the ceremonial festival of the daughters of Millennia!"

Music was played on drums, flutes, and harps. Many young girls danced to the music to amuse the royal family. Even some of the Magical Creatures moved to the beat. Many of the royal subjects engaged in friendly conversation as they ate and drank to their heart's content. Since this was a day for everyone to celebrate the new royal birth, all people and creatures of high and low estate were invited to the palace to not only pay their respects and give best wishes, but to share in the fun. After all, the Gods of Egypt were their Gods as well; meaning that they were family.

The same could not be said for Bakura and Max; the children of the Dark Lord Cobalt. Being so, they were not welcome to take part of the celebration. Not that it bothered them. Neither of them actually liked parties. Besides, no one in the city knew of their existence, so how could they expect to receive an invitation? The royals knew, however, and Max and Bakura didn't appreciate being ignored by them. So although they hated parties, they hated being ignored most of all. On the other hand, they weren't the attending type. Rather, they were the type to crash parties. And that was what they decided they would do after sunset; intrude at the palace and devastate the royals with their evil ways. But first, a few things were in order. With dusk being several hours away, the thieves took this time to gather surprises for the royal family.