Atem woke up just after the rising of the sun. He had slept particularly well. The last remnants of his dream still lingered in his mind, causing him to lightly blush. He looked up at the ceiling and smiled to himself, reluctant to get out of bed.

"Prince Atem? Your father would like to speak with you right away," his servant said as he quietly entered the room.

Atem sighed and pulled himself up into a sitting position. "Very well. Tell him I'll be with him momentarily." He sent his servant on his way and got out of bed, calling for more servants to ready him for the day. He rushed them, caring more about hearing what his father had to say than looking presentable. As soon as he was ready, he ran out of his room and down the hallway to his father's room. He stopped outside of the door and composed himself before he entered.

"Father, you wished to see me?"

"Yes Atem, I have some important news to share with you," the pharaoh said, gesturing for his son to take a seat beside him. "I am adding a new member to the court today. His name is Seto and I am appointing him sacred guardian of the millennium rod. There will be a ceremony and I would like for you to attend. You see, Seto is around your age and I would like him to sit at your right hand someday when you take my place."

"Seto? I don't recall any nobles by that name," Atem said, confused.

"He is not a noble, but his test scores were immaculate, the best this court has ever seen. He is intelligent, extremely hard-working, and has a strong will. He will serve you well, noble blood or not. Atem, I'd like it if you made an effort to get to know him," the pharaoh said, eyeing his son.

"Yes Father, I will," the prince said as he made a move to leave the room.

"The ceremony will begin at evening, Atem. Please be ready."

Atem stepped out of the room and shut the door. He made his way out to the courtyard and began to walk around the extensive gardens. Who was this Seto and where did he come from? Aknamkanon seemed to think very highly of him; Atem had no doubt that he would be an exceptional guardian. His heart was conflicted though; he had always thought that Mahad would be the one to be his right hand once he was pharaoh. The magician had been there for him his entire life, but now this stranger was coming in to take his place. He laid down on one of the benches and stared up into the sky, lost in thought. The slow-moving clouds were very soothing; he shoved his worries in the back of his mind and simply breathed in the fresh air.

"My prince?"

Atem was startled and looked over to see Mahad standing nearby.

"Sorry to disturb you, but the pharaoh wanted me to make sure you weren't running too far off. You need to be prepared for the ceremony."

"My father knows me well. He does not have to worry, though. I'm not going anywhere. I'm too interested to see who this new guardian is," Atem said as he pulled himself up and made room for Mahad, who sat down beside him.

"I hear Master Seto is very skilled. He will make a fine addition to the court," Mahad assured him.

"Yes, but—" Atem stopped himself. He did not want to tell his friend what his father had divulged to him just yet.

"Is there something bothering you, my prince?" Mahad asked, concern in his voice. "There seems to be something preoccupying you."

"I'm fine Mahad, just thinking about a few things." He paused and looked up into Mahad's eyes. "Can I ask you something?"

"Anything, my prince." Mahad gave Atem his full attention.

"You will always stay by my side, right? No matter what?"

"Of course, Atem. No matter what."

The time for the ceremony came and Atem was ready. He had gone back to his chambers after spending a few more hours in the gardens and had his servants prepare him. Instead of his usual white tunic, he was wearing one of deep purple, setting off his eyes. He was adorned with the finest gold jewelry as well as his crown, which he rarely wore except for these special occasions. He heard a knock on his door and Mahad entered.

"My prince? It is time to go." He swallowed hard as he looked at Atem. "You look, um…Yes let's leave now. We do not want to be late."

Atem smiled and followed his friend out the door and through the palace. They made their way into the throne room where the pharaoh and the rest of the sacred guardians were already assembled. Mahad walked Atem to his place beside his father and then took his own place among the guardians. Atem watched as the doors opened and a tall young man entered the room. His eyes widened as the man came into view. He was very imposing, not because of his height but rather his demeanor. His confidence was evident the moment one laid eyes on him. He walked with a proud gait, as if he were truly born of nobility. Atem surveyed the beauty of the man: his flawless skin, his high cheek bones, but most of all his eyes. They were like pools of precious sapphires that seemed to reveal the fire within him. His eyes rimmed in kohl, the blue stood out unlike anything Atem had ever seen in his life.

The man kneeled before the pharaoh and Aknamkanon stood as the millenium rod was brought over to him.

"Master Seto, you are not of noble birth, but your incredible efforts have more than earned you a place on this court. From this day forth, you will be known as the sacred guardian of the millennium rod. Take up your millennium item and do your duty to protect your pharaoh, your prince, and your kingdom." Aknamkanon bid Seto stand and the young man took the millennium rod from his hands. "As you are the youngest member of the court, Master Seto, you will become my son's right hand when he ascends to the throne. Protect him and serve him well."

Seto glanced over at Atem and their eyes locked. The prince felt a strange sensation, like nothing he had ever felt before, but kept his composure. He nodded in Seto's direction and then continued to look forward. He let his eyes wander back onto the new guardian, though, and to his surprise Seto was still looking in his direction. Atem could have sworn he had seen the guardian smirk. He felt heat rising in his face and he took a deep breath to calm himself. He would not look at Seto again; instead he glanced in Mahad's direction. Atem felt a sudden pang in his chest as he observed the magician's forlorn expression. Clearly he hadn't taken the news of his sudden demotion too well.

"The ceremony has ended. We will now proceed to the feast!" Shimon announced. The pharaoh and the prince left first. Atem looked straight ahead, not wanting to see Mahad again. He did not want to face him; he was completely unsure of what to say. Thankfully, the pharaoh's family eats at a table above everyone else so there was no way he would have to talk to him just yet.

He was about to sit at the table when suddenly his father shouted out, "Seto, come join us!" The new guardian turned around when he heard his name and walked up to their table. "This feast is in your honor, of course, so you should sit at the highest table," the pharaoh continued.

"Thank you, my pharaoh. This is truly an honor." He placed his hand on his chest and bowed, then sat down in the chair next to Atem. The pharaoh became involved in a conversation with those across the table from him, which left Seto and Atem with no one to speak to but each other.

"Master Seto, it is nice to finally make your acquaintance," Atem said in a most regal manner.

"The pleasure is all mine, my prince." Seto was looking at Atem as if he were assessing him; the corner of one side of his mouth was turned up into a pleased sort of smile. With those piercing blue eyes on him, Atem suddenly felt very self-conscious. He turned his face away from his new guardian to hide the redness in his cheeks.

"I hear your test scores were the best the court has ever seen," Atem said, turning to look Seto right in the eyes again. He wasn't sure why this man was causing him to react this way but he wouldn't have it. Seto served him, and he would not turn the prince of Egypt into a blushing fool.

"Yes, I always work to the best of my ability. If I am asked to perform a task or prove my skill, I will hold nothing back. You don't deserve anything less from your guardians, my prince." It was obvious that Seto was a very intense individual.

"You put all of yourself into your duty. I greatly respect that," Atem replied. "I have no doubt you will serve me well Master Seto, even if you are not my right hand like my father wishes." The prince was provoking a reaction from Seto, but he also said this out of loyalty to Mahad. His father may wish for Seto to take this position, but when Atem was pharaoh he could do what he pleased. If he wished for Mahad to stand by his side he would, and no one could question his actions. He glanced down at Mahad's table and saw the magician in conversation with Isis. He seemed to be paying little attention to the female guardian; his eyes appeared distant, as if he were deep in thought about something completely unrelated to her words. Atem sighed inwardly and looked back at Seto.

Seto was caught off guard at Atem's words, and his glance toward Mahad did not go unnoticed. "My prince, I thought it was the pharaoh's wish for me to stand by your side. There is not a single member of the court who is as skilled as I am or can protect you as well as I can." He wasn't pleading with the prince to see his side; he was stating a fact he knew to be true.

Atem was struck by Seto's self-assurance and something in him drove him to knock the man down a peg. "We will see in time if that is true, Master Seto. When I become pharaoh, I will decide for myself whether you are worthy."

"I will prove to you I am more than worthy, my prince; of that I am certain. When I want something, I will do anything to get it." He smiled devilishly at Atem and the prince lost his breath. "No one is going to stand in my way," he said, blatantly looking over at Mahad.

Atem raised an eyebrow at him. Seto was just initiated as a guardian and already he was challenging another member of the court for superiority. In fact, it seemed like Seto was challenging the prince himself. If Seto asserted himself as Atem's right hand, it would mean he won. The prince was starting to consider Mahad for the position even more seriously, just so Seto couldn't have it. The fire inside Seto was strong, but Atem had determination and will that could easily match his.

"You will learn to watch what you say when speaking to the prince of Egypt, Master Seto. You will serve me as I see fit," Atem shot back at him. He smirked at the guardian, his violet eyes fierce. Seto merely matched his gaze, a silent power struggle playing out between them.

"Atem, I am retiring to my chamber now." Aknamkanon said, interrupting the two of them.

"I think I'm ready to leave as well, father. Goodnight, Master Seto. I look forward to spending more time with you in the future," Atem said as he got up.

"As do I, my prince." Seto stood and bowed as the pharaoh and the prince departed. Atem turned around one last time and caught a glimpse of the beautiful new guardian watching him leave.