**Please Note: Jono = Joey/Jonouchi
Teana and Shukura were chit-chatting about irrelevant things as they walked through the halls of the palace. Shukura decided to walk with her dear friend as she made way to meet Atem for another scheduled date. They saw Atem from afar and saw that he was not alone. However, Shukura moved closer to Teana and whispered in her ear.
"Teana... who's that boy talking to the prince?" She pointed her eyes to the boy with the shaggy blond hair.
"Hmm?" Teana furrowed her eyebrows. "I'm not sure. We have not been introduced yet." Teana turned to Shukura. "Why? Do you find him attractive? Do you wish to be married as well?" A smile spreading on her lips as she teased Shukura.
Shukura opened her mouth to respond, but was interrupted. "Teana!" The two females turned to see Atem who was the one who shouted and gestured her over.
"Just find out for me please?" Shukura whispered grabbing her hand indicating that this was of importance to her. Teana nodded and bid her goodbye as Shukura released Teana's hand.
Teana delicately walked over to Atem and the mystery boy. "Wow Atem, you told me your fiancé was pretty, but you did not tell me how gorgeous she was!" The shaggy blond-haired, brown-eyed boy exclaimed. Unknown to Teana who was embarrassed, Atem made an angry face at the boy from behind her.
"Jono."
"Alright, alright. I am not trying to steal your girl Atem. All I did was compliment the girl. Is that such a crime?" Atem made another face.
Jono ignored him and looked at Teana. "I do not believe we have been introduced properly princess. I already know who you are, but do you know I am?" Teana smiled. Jono bowed. "Jono at your service Princess, best friend of Atem."
Teana smiled warmer this time. "Oh please, no need for formalities Jono. As you are already very comfortable calling Atem by his name, I suggest you do the same for me."
"And she has the voice of an angel too! Quite the catch Atem. " He raised his eyebrows at him. "I shall take my leave then... Teana." He said as he walked away bristly.
Atem looked at Teana and scratched the back of his head. "Ah, Jono is a good friend, but he can be a real... um goofball sometimes."
"It is quite alright. It is wonderful you have friends with humor to them." she said coyly.
"I have arranged for you to meet with the royal clergy if you recall." He reminded her.
Teana nodded. "Yes I look forward to it." Teana began walking alongside Atem as he guided her to where they would be meeting the clergy.
"Yes and I am especially well-acquainted with a few of them." Atem continued while walking with Teana. "Mahad, is one of dearest friends, Seto, is my High Priest and a good friend, Isis is also one that I am very close to. You shall see when you meet them." Teana smiled and nodded, unsure of what small talk she could make with her betrothed. Luckily they were near to their destination and did not have to walk in silence for too long.
Two guards nodded their heads as Atem approached with Teana and opened the doors. Once the couple walked in, the attention of everyone in the room was declared theirs. Atem and Teana walked forward, seeing a priest that Atem had mentioned before. They stopped in front of the priests and were bowed to. The clergy bowed before the two and stood up. A lady with black hair and blue eyes walked up to them.
"I have been expecting you two." The lady said mysteriously. Teana's eyes widened slightly. Atem seeing this, introduced the two.
"Teana, this is Isis. She is the royal priestess, the only one actually."
"It is a pleasure to meet the future queen and wife to Atem." She bowed.
'When she says it like that...' Teana thought.
Teana gave a nervous laugh. "Oh... uh, thank you Isis. It is nice to meet you too." Isis nodded.
"I think it is best that you explain your necklace Isis and the other Millennium Items. Teana here is unaware of them." Atem suggested.
"Of course," She paused. "Seven Millennium Items have been created for the aid in protection, prosperity and success of Egypt. Each Millennium Item wields a special power. For example my Millennium Necklace can show me glimpses of the future and past."
"Oh my, does that mean you can see everything that can happen to me?" Teana was a bit skeptical. 'How can you know about everything that is to happen?'
"Oh no, I cannot see people's futures per say, I can only see what the necklace and gods want me to see. I only see some visions from time to time."
"Oh! Ok, that makes more sense." Teana answered. "It is still a very beautiful and ornate necklace regardless. Quite beautiful indeed." She complimented.
Isis smiled at the younger girl. "Thank you Princess. I am sure that you will enjoy the Egyptian style of fashion now that you are staying here as well. Nubian and Egyptians customs and styles are quite similar, but there are some differences. Perhaps you would like to go to the market to purchase some Egyptian trinkets of your liking." She suggested. "As long as the Pharaoh grants you permission and protection."
"That sounds lovely Isis. I would like that much indeed. Perhaps one day I shall go with Atem."
"I do hope you enjoy Egypt Princess. I am sure you will enjoy learning about all there is to know about Egypt. Of course, if you do ever need anything please do not hesitate to ask me. I am sure I am a bit more approachable than the other priests."
"Of course." Teana smiled. "Thank you Isis."
"Let us meet the other priest shall we?" Atem asked.
Teana nodded her head and followed Atem.
"All your priests are so hospitable and kind, for the most part."
"Yes they are." Atem agreed.
"I must say, the Millennium Items they all possess are quite beautiful indeed. They must be very powerful." Teana paused. "I have noticed that your father also wears something around his neck bearing that symbol. It that a Millennium Item as well?"
Atem smiled. "Yes it is. It is called the Millennium Puzzle. It will be bestowed upon me, once I become Pharaoh of course."
"Oh. Wow, Egypt is quite a powerful kingdom indeed."
"Yes. The Millennium Items have aided us in battle many times." He told her. "Well enough about that for now. We still have not met with all the other priests." He said. Atem glanced around the room and nearby caught the eye of another priest. "Ah, Seto!" Atem called.
Seto and Atem, followed by Teana both walked halfway to each other to meet in the middle. Seto bowed at Atem and then smiled at the Princess. He took her hand and kissed it gently. Teana, unnoticeably, shivered. 'Seto also has soft lips...'
"It is a pleasure to meet the beautiful and lovely bride of Atem and future queen of Egypt. I am sure you will bring much prosperity and joy to Egypt, Princess."
Teana blushed and gave a shy smile as Seto slowly let go of her hand. "You are too kind."
Atem watched this interaction between the two and he felt a little bit of anger boil within him. "Ahem. Well this is Seto he is our High Priest." He announced nonchalantly.
"Oh, you are the High Priest? Forgive me, I was unaware! What a great honor that has been bestowed upon you!" Teana gushed.
"Oh Princess, there is nothing to forgive. To you I am but, Seto."
Teana's eyes gleamed and she smiled at Seto. "Then to you, I shall be known as Teana."
"If you wish, but I do fancy calling you Princess. Egypt has not had a Princess in quite some time, well in my lifetime at least."
Teana gave a small giggle. "Then I will let you fulfill your fancy. I would be honored to be called Princess from the likes of you."
'From the likes of you!' Atem mimicked in his mind. 'What is it with Seto that the ladies find themselves so attracted to? How is it that my future beloved is more comfortable around Seto that her own betrothed!'
Seto grinned. "How do you like Egypt so far Princess?"
Teana and Seto began to chat amongst themselves as Atem detached himself from the conversation. Atem could not understand it, why was he getting so jealous? He had no reason to. It was not as if he a real emotional attachment to the girl. Because in honesty, he didn't. He barely knew the Princess and could not find a real connection to her at the moment. Perhaps it was just the fact Teana was in a sense, his? She was his betrothed, so that must be the reason. Nevertheless, he was still jealous, no matter the reason and did not want his Teana to be in the company of Seto any longer that she needed to.
"Well yes, we shall be going now." Atem interrupted their conversation abruptly, not caring about what Teana and Seto were discussing. "You still have not met Mahad. He is a very good friend of mine." He said as he tugged Teana way from Seto.
Teana looked back at Seto as Atem pulled her away, wondering what was the cause for Atem's strange behavior. 'Is Atem always like this?' She wondered.
Atem and Teana wandered about the palace in search of the Priest Mahad.
"He must be in the scroll room." mumbled Atem. Teana blinked in confusion but did not object to Atem's navigation.
In what had seemed to be forever, they arrived at the scroll room and noticed a man sitting at a table looking at a scroll. "I knew it, Mahad!" Atem quickly rushed to his friend and Teana simply followed.
The man named Mahad turned around and smiled. "Atem, it is good to see you. Ah, and you must be Teana, Princess of Nubia." The girl, upon arriving next to Atem, smiled and nodded shyly. Mahad chuckled and took her hand. Atem saw this and felt his stomach knot and it also tense.
'He would not!' Atem was wrong considering that it was just a friendly handshake. 'Besides he is taken with Mana.' Sighing in relief, Atem started to speak. "Teana, this is a very close friend of mine, Mahad. He is a priest and is the top magician in all of Egypt." Teana stared in disbelief and gawked at his title.
"Amazing Mahad. I would absolutely love to see you practice something one day! Magic! Wow. It is an honor to meet you." Mahad was surprised by this and responded back.
"No, the honor is all mine Princess. I will be happy to show my skill to the future Queen of all of Egypt if she so pleases." Mahad took no hesitation and bowed down to one knee.
Teana's eyes widened at Mahad's display. Atem chuckled, "Mahad, rise my friend. She is of good nature."
"Yes, and I do not mind if you call me Teana rather than using a title." Mahad stood up and nodded.
"If that is what you wish, then I shall follow that Teana."
"Do not worry Teana, Mahad here loves rules and regulations. He is a very formal person." Atem told her. Mahad lost his composure for a second.
"Hey! Ahem…" Mahad coughed. Teana giggled. Mahad shook his head."Oh and Atem," Mahad said changing the conversation. "Seeing that Mana is not here with you, would you happen know where she might be? I intend to have her on time for her lesson."
"Mana? Who is this Mana?" Teana asked, in a slightly envious tone that did not get past Mahad.
"Mana is my apprentice. She is also a childhood friend of Mana and..."
"Mahad is quite taken by her." Atem interrupted cupping his hand near his mouth so that it pointed towards Teana.
"Ahem. I can hear you." Mahad said, a pink tint evident in his cheeks.
Teana smiled, all envy diminished. "Hm. I do hope to meet her soon then. Is she as serious as Mahad, Atem?" Teana asked half joking.
Atem and Mahad widened their eyes. Teana was taken a back a little by their change in expression. "No. Quite the opposite actually." Atem explained.
"Oh."
Mahad and Atem chuckled. "Well you shall find out when you meet her." Atem smiled.
"Yes." Mahad agreed. "However, I must get going now. Mana is scheduled to have a lesson now. Knowing her, I must go and hunt her down."
"Of course. It has been nice meeting you Mahad." Teana smiled
"Likewise."
"Shall we retire now to our respective chambers Teana?" Atem questioned. "We have met all the priests now."
Teana gave a weak smile. "Yes. I am quite tired now. A good night's sleep will do me good."
Atem nodded and accompanied Teana to her door.
"Good night Princess." Atem bid her farewell.
"Good night Atem." She smiled softly yawning and then pecking him on the cheek. She opened her door and gave one last smile to Atem and closed the door to get some well rested sleep.
Atem just stood there in shock from the small kiss on his cheek and put his palm to where on his face the feeling of her kiss lingered. After a couple seconds, Atem recomposed himself and broke into a grin turning to retreat back to his own chambers, smiling.
So that is a much longer chapter than usual. I'm really trying hard to lengthen my chapters for you guys, as a result updating time is longer however. Akai22878 has been an amazing beta! She really helped me a lot with this chapter. So a special thanks to her! This chapter included a slightly jealous Atem!Haha. I love a jealous Atem! :D Next chapter you might actually get to see some... wait for it... *gasp*... romance! I know you guys are waiting patiently for it! :)
Please review! (No flames)
~Startistica