***Important Notice!***
I have changed the name of the story from 'Arranged Marriage' to 'Betrothed'. Please don't get confused. Let me know what you think of the new title! :)
"So are you excited for the ball coming Teana?"
"I suppose Atem. I have not really prepared yet."
"Prepared?"
Teana laughed. "Yes Atem, prepare! I have to find the perfect dress, with matching jewelry and matching shoes... and..."
Atem put his hands up. "You mean you have to do all that?" he asked while resisting the urge to widen his eyes.
"Well not really, it is more of that this is my first time being introduced to the people of Egypt and I cannot help but want to make a good impression and make sure everything is perfect." she said quickly. She frowned. "I do not want them to think badly of me!"
"Teana, no sane person with any brink of self-dignity could ever think badly of you." He grabbed her hands and squeezed them. She smiled. The two had actually become friends and closer after these spending so many days together.
"It does not hurt to make everything perfect too you know." She pouted.
"Of course." He rolled his eyes.
"I can take you to the market if you would like."
"That would be wonderful! Wait... they would actually allow you to go to the marketplace with me?" she asked raising her eyebrows.
"Uh... well um no. But Father might let us if I take some guards with me and if Seto will come with us, if that is alright with you."
"I would be delighted if Seto joined us. I have actually gotten to know him a little better. He is quite the gentlemen. He is actually very sweet and has been kind to me."
"Wait...when have you gotten the chance to spend time with him?" Atem asked enviously.
"Oh, you know when you have those princely duties you have to attend to during the day. He is great companion." Teana said casually as she flicked a speck of dust of her dress. "I shall ask him for this favor."
Atem could feel his jealously taking over him again. He seriously needed to try to control it.
Teana stood up. "Come now. You should get permission from your father while I ask Seto. Do not keep a lady waiting!" She said putting her hands on her hips and looking down at the still seated Atem.
"The marketplace is so lively here!" Teana remarked as she looked out the window of the carriage. She was observing all the people and vendors trying to sell their merchandise. The market seemed like a whirlwind of colors. So many items were being sold. Fresh dates, pomegranates and other fruits were being sold. On another area of the marketplace, clothing and jewelry were being sold. Teana noticed necklaces made of various sparkling gems. There were sapphires, jade stones, turquoise and even rubies. There was also a much greater selection of bead jewelry place on display on vendor's stands and shops. Teana looked again and saw swords, tools and items that men would like as well. There was something of everything. There were even street performers!
"Was it not lively in your homeland, Princess?" Seto asked.
"Of course it was. It is just different because now we are in Egypt." Teana responded.
"I see." Teana continued to look outside the window while maintaining a conversation with Seto. Atem just listened to the two speak, trying to not let his jealousy get the best of him.
"After you Princess." Seto motioned as the carriage halted. Teana gave him a sweet smile as she stepped down from the carriage. Atem shuffled past Seto to be able to be the one to go outside after her. Atem stepped out of the carriage taking his place beside Teana.
"Look Atem," Teana squeezed his arm and pointed motioned with the other. "Such beautiful bangles!'
"Come, we shall get you some then." Atem smiled and dragged her to the table.
The merchant was surprised to see the prince, high priest and the mystery lady with him. He bowed. "Your majesty." He bowed.
"We are here to see bangles that the lady would find suitable."
The shopkeeper nodded. "Of course. We have a fine assortment of different bangles. I am sure the lady would find something of interest."
"Oh my. These are so beautiful!" She gushed examining one gold one. "They are different from those that are common to Nubia."
"Try it on." Atem suggested.
"Alright,where is the screw on here?" She mumbled while trying to find one.
Atem chucked. The shopkeeper nervously spoke up. "Miss, uh most of the bangles I have are not the ones that contain screws. They are just meant to be slipped on."
"Oh."
Atem chuckled again. "See if the size fits you."
"Uh, ok." She gave an easy grin displaying her white teeth.
"I shall retrieve some more bangles that the lady may like." The shopkeeper announced as he walked to the back of his cart.
"How to get this on..."
"Here let me help." Atem took her hand and pushed Teana's fingers together so that her hand could slip through the bangle.
"It fits!" She exclaimed.
"Yes it does." Atem smirked. Teana practically melted.
The shopkeeper returned. "Here." He brought as basket of colorful ornate bangles. "These are my most ornate bangles in the lady's size. I am sure the lady will find something most appealing in here. Only the best for the prince and ... um..."
"My fiancé." Atem finished.
The shopkeeper gasped. "The prince has been betrothed." He said in wonder.
Teana seemed to be unaware of his comment as looked through the basket. "Oh my. They are all so beautiful."
The shopkeeper redirected his attention to Teana and then back to Atem when Atem generously announced, "Then we will take the lot."
Teana turned to face him, with her cerulean eyes wide. "Atem." She grabbed his wrist. "Oh no. You do not have to do that."
"Well. We are to be married soon and newlywed brides do require new jewelry do they not?"
"Yes...but..." She protested.
"Then we shall buy the lot." He put his hand up in an effort to silence her... "You are a princess soon to be a bride. I do think her future husband should be allowed to spoil her if he wishes."
"I...uh." Teana blinked.
"Teana! Find something yet princess?" Seto called out returning from buying some things of his own.
Teana turned to meet Seto. "Oh Seto!" She grabbed his arm. "You must stop Atem! He is trying to spoil me!" She pleaded beckoning him.
"Too late. I have already paid the gracious merchant." Atem chided. Teana turned took look. Indeed, the shopkeeper now had a small bag of gold he was smiling about.
"See how happy you made him Teana?" Atem motioned.
"Yes. Very noble of you Teana." Seto agreed smirking.
"Agh! I hate the both of you two for ganging up on me like that!" She made a face at them. Seto and Atem laughed.
"Come now. Do you not have to find a dress?" Seto asked.
"Oh dear! Yes! We must hurry. Let us go Atem!" She grabbed Atem's hand and then paused. "Do not think you have diverted my attention you two. I will however, overlook this event." She then continued to drag Atem away with Seto following closely behind.
"Princess I think I see a shop for young ladies up ahead." Seto pointed.
"Oh, where?" Teana raised her hand over her head trying to block out the sun's strong rays while looking to see where Seto pointed.
"Come Princess. I shall take you." He smiled giving out his hand. "I am sure Atem wishes to purchase some items of his own. I know he has not been to the bazaar in quite some time." He looked back at Atem.
Teana readily accepted his hand. "Of course." She turned to look at Atem. "Atem it is alright. I do not want to keep you from acquiring your own purchases. I shall be more than fine with Seto."
Atem wasn't worried about Seto taking good care of Teana. He was sure that he would be happy to, more than happy to actually! He did not want to leave Teana and Seto alone! Who knew what kinds of things Seto had up his sleeve!
"No." Atem said boldly. "I shall accompany you."
Teana was shocked at his outburst. "Please do not feel you have to. I am more than capable!" She told him gruffly. "I am not a child. It is not as if I am going unaccompanied. I have Seto."
Atem realized Teana misunderstood his possessiveness as something completely different. He had to redeem himself! "No, I did not mean it in that way love." He waved his hands dismissing her idea. "I am the Prince. If they see me, they are sure to present you with only the finest. They are unaware of your identity." He lied.
Teana looked confused. "But Seto is the High Priest... so..."
Atem could feel his veins boiling. 'Seto. Seto may be high up, but he is still under me. I am the prince. Not Seto.' Atem plastered a fake smile on his face. "Yes, but I am the Prince. Plus it would be a good idea to acquire some publicity for our betrothal as father has no announced it yet. That way our engagement shall not come as big as a surprise." He tried to reason.
Teana still did not see why it was such a big deal, but she shrugged it off. "Alright." She said shrugging while letting go of Seth's arm and rejoining her arm with Atem's. Atem grinned at this. Seto frowned.
"However," she emphasized. "We will go shopping together to buy somethings for you to after this." She raised her eyebrow at Atem.
Atem sighed and then smirked. "As the lady wishes."
Teana nodded nervously and looked away. 'I wish he would stop doing that!' She thought. 'Every time he smirks at me I practically want to melt. Ra help me deal with those dreamy smirks of his!'
Seto led them to a store in which they entered. The shopkeeper instantly looked up from her seat and gasped. She immediately got up and bowed and got up once she saw that Atem raised his hand. "You Highness!" She uttered in awe.
"Egypt's grand celebration is coming up and my promised shall be requiring a new dress of her liking." He told her in a regal, dignified manner.
The lady's eyes went even wider now glancing at Teana's form. She bowed to her. Teana bit her lip. "You may rise." She told her.
The lady rose curiously looking at Teana's appearance and opened her mouth as if to say something, but quickly closed it. Teana looked at her in confusion and then a thought occurred to her. "Oh. You must be wondering about our engagement and my location of my previous dwelling." Teana perceptively said. Her crown that she had opted to wear did notify people of her royalty, but they would be unaware of who she was. Atem had no sister's. It was always the complexion of her skin that threw people off as well.
"I...uh."
"It is quite alright." Teana said. She noticed Seto's raised eyebrow at her. "I hail from Nubia. I am the daughter of King Hassan-al-Jameen." She said as if it was of little significance. The woman seemed quite shaken up with the amount of high ranked people in the room.
"So!" Teana clasped her hands. "What kinds of dresses do you have?"
The woman shook out of her gaze, and hesitantly took pointed to the back door. "This way your majesty." she addressed her. "My finest dresses are kept in the back."
Teana smiled at her. "Then please lead the way." She commanded.
Atem was a little surprised at Teana's behavior. She did not act like this in the palace, always being so outgoing and easy going. However, she quickly filled a proper royal's mannerism as expected in front of others. Atem and Seto followed the woman and Teana to a back room. Atem and told his guards to wait out front.
The woman opened a closet full of ornate dresses! Teana omitted a soft gasp. "They are gorgeous!" She complimented.
The woman beamed. "My daughter and I stitched them ourselves!" She prided herself.
Teana looked at the shopkeeper and warmly smiled. "Then Ra had bestowed you with a great talent!"
The lady blushed. "Thank you your majesty."
Teana turned to look through the dresses hung up on in the closet. Atem wondered how long this would take. He had never gone shopping for garments with a woman before. Teana did take some time looking through the clothing and picking out a few she liked, but it wasn't as nearly as long Atem thought it would take. Thank goodness!
"I think I fancy these specific ones!"
"Alright we shall take them!" Seto announced.
"Seto!" Teana scolded. "I have not even bothered to try them on! What if they do not fit?"
Seto rolled his eyes. "Women." He muttered.
The shopkeeper frowned. "I shall remove their covers so the lady may try them on." She said leaving to go to another room.
Teana glared at him. "Wait till you are wed, dear Seto. In comparison to other women, I am indeed so much less fussy! I shall like to see you be wed to woman who takes even greater time in such matters."
Seto snorted. "Fussy woman? Ha! I would never marry a woman such as yourself!"
Teana put her hands on her hips coming closer to Seto. "Is that so?"
"Yes." Seto glared right back at her with fire in his eyes.
Atem was getting worried. He should be happy that the two were fighting, but something was off. It was as if they were mocking each other in a playful way and now they were standing so close to each other. They were too close, way too close for Atem's liking.
"Then Seto," she sneered. "You shall not be wed anytime soon, or perhaps ever with that attitude of yours."
"Ha! My attitude! Your attitude! If I am able to deal with your attitude, I can deal with, handle and marry any woman!" He retaliated.
"Ha! Any woman, but me!" She roared back!
"Are you so sure about that?" Seto yelled.
"Yes." Atem interrupted with coldness. Seto's words had angered him and left him in a foul mood. Both Teana and Seto whipped their heads to the side, meeting Atem's gaze." I am sure about that." He glared at Seto. Teana slowly backed away from Seto. Atem's gaze frightened her a bit. Seto and Teana completely forgot about Atem's presence in the room during their quarrel.
"Teana is my betrothed. She is my promised. She is my future wife, my future queen." Atem unkindly told Seto in an authority like manner.
Teana gulped. "Atem." She nervously laughed approaching him. "Who knew you were so possessive?" She nervously joked. "Do not worry." She reached out for his hand. "I am yours."
Atem nodded, softening a little. "Teana and I were having bit of fun." Seto uneasily smiled. "There is no way I could take her away from you." Atem raised a brow and scoffed.
"I hope you remember that." He told him sternly.
"Alright, your majesties! I have brought the dresses for the Princess!" The shopkeeper walked in happily! "Now if the Princess shall come with me, we can properly get her suited! I also have items that will work nicely with the dresses she has chosen in the back." Teana put her fingers to her chin and mouth, nervously wondering if the boys could be civil if she left. Atem interrupted her thoughts.
"Wait, you cannot just take her elsewhere. It is unsafe!" Atem's voice boomed in concern.
"Atem, I shall be fine." Teana said shaking her head and then grinning. "The guards are all male and I could not possibly have you and Seto accompany me to change my garments."
Atem opened his mouth to protest out of instinct, but quickly closed it realizing what Teana just said. He blushed.
Teana giggled. "I shall be right back."
Atem watched her figure walk away following the older woman. Atem's eyes wandered to Seto's figure. Seto was trying to look casual, leaning against the wall. After a long period of silence, Seto spoke up. "So..." Seto coughed. "Have you been fitted for your wedding attire Atem?" He asked trying to make conversation.
"No." He said firmly.
"Oh."
Silence.
"Has the date been finalized for the wedding?" Seto nervously asked.
"No."
Seto did not dare to try to speak again. For what seemed like forever, Seto and Atem stayed silent, Seto remained leaning against the wall while Atem stood straight with a fierce face enacted.
"Alright!" Teana piped out as she entered the room. "I found my dress, and everything to match!" She excitedly exclaimed. The shopkeeper set out to wrap up her purchases.
"I shall call the guards to place the items in the carriage." Seto announced quickly leaving and paying for the items with money from Atem.
Teana smiled warmly at Atem, excitement ridden in her blue eyes. "I cannot wait until the ball. "Atem smiled back and nodded.
"Come." She said reaching for his hand. "Now we must find items worthwhile for you as well!"
"I have something for you Princess." Atem told Teana once the trio had returned to their carriages to embark home. Teana looked at him puzzlingly. Atem reached into his pocket and held what he took out towards Teana. Teana immediately gasped. In his hands was a beautiful sapphire necklace. The pendant was a gold oval with a large sparkling sapphire stone in the middle which was held by a thin gold chain. The most startling fact was the pendant itself remarkably was so close in color and hue to Teana's own eyes.
"It's... beautiful..." She said in awe. "You...you bought this for me?" She asked as if she was in disbelief.
Atem nodded his head. "Let me put it on you, I want to see you wear it." Teana shyly smiled as she turned, lifting her hair up so Atem could place the necklace around her neck and fasten it. Once Atem closed the clasp, Teana immediately looked down, cupping the pendant in her hand, her eyes twinkling at the beauty of the trinket.
Teana turned and engulfed Atem in a huge hug surprising him to a great extent. "Thank you so much Atem! This is one of the best gifts I have ever received!" She let go as she suddenly realized what she did and sat back down, blushing. She caught Seto's eye and noticed him grinning at her with an amused grin on his face. She really hope she didn't embarrass Atem. Atem wasn't really embarrassed, but he sure enough was a bit flustered and extremely pleased at Teana's display of affection.
"When did you find the time to buy this?" She asked curiously.
"When you were looking at the swords with Seto, the necklace caught my eye from afar and I knew I had to get it." He shrugged as if he hadn't done anything special.
Teana warmly smiled at him, cupping the pendant again. "It very sweet of you to have done so. I absolutely love it, although I shall save this necklace for a special occasion."
"I look forward to it." Atem smiled.
Teana softly yawned, as tiredness suddenly washed over her. "Thank you so much for bringing me, both of you. I had a wonderful time."
"I am sure you did Princess." Seto chucked. "You seem quite worn out."
"Yes, with you two ganging up on me with having to...buy bangles...hmm...and surprising me with a necklace..." She murmured. "I did not sleep much yesterday..." Her eyes were getting heavy. "I apologize."
"Yes, with Maibe and Shukura staying with you up so late." Seto remarked.
"Maybe you should let your eyes shut for a little while. You can rest your head on my shoulder." Atem suggested.
"No, no, I will be fine."
"Are you sure?" Atem gave her a look.
She yawned again and Atem gave her another look and gave up. "Fine." She proceeded to softly lay her head on Atem's shoulder while Atem put his arm around her to keep her in place. Within a matter of moments she was asleep.
"Quite remarkable, how quickly she can fall as asleep." Atem commented.
"Yes, although I believe it is mostly to do with the fact she retired to sleep quite late last night. Jono was wondering why Maibe woke up so late." Seto added.
For the rest of the ride home, however the two stayed silent as Teana continued to sleep quietly on Atem's shoulder. Atem found it surprisingly pleasant to have her there.
When they arrived back at the palace. Atem himself offered to carry her back to her room. He softly kneeled on her bed to gently place her on the bed. Teana softly sighed and shifted a little to get comfortable, but accidentally grabbed Atem's arm and brought it close to her chest. Atem fell on the bed beside her with boom.
Teana gave a soft moan, but luckily didn't wake. Atem sighed in relief. He was now laying with Teana and she laid so very close to him, cuddling his arm. Atem was tempted to not get up, and just stay the night here, but he knew better. If word got out he had spent the night, just sleeping in his betrothed's room, rumors would spread. Teana might not be happy with it either. He regretfully, slipped his arm out of Teana's grasp and got up. He glanced at Teana. She looked so peaceful, as if an angel, with her long brown locks of hair sprawled about her pillow. Atem slowly tiptoed out, looking back once more at the sleeping angel and then reluctantly proceeded to close the door.
Phew! That was my longest chapter ever! (Sighs) I hope I did not disappoint! I absolutely loved Atem's jealousy and the 'argument' that Teana and Seto had. It's kinda like how Tea would always tell Seto off in the anime! :D I always loved when that happened! There were also a lot of TeanaxAtem moments as well! I've also reached 50 reviews! Thankyouthankyouthankyou to all my reviewers out there! You guys are totally awesome! You guys are the ones that encourage me to update faster, the most.
***In other news, I also have a new one-shot up featuring TeanaxAtem in a different Vanishshipping genre. It's called Redemption. I'm actually very proud of that one and think it could be one of my best works! So please check out and review to give your thoughts on that!
*A Special thanks to my beta Akai22878! You're the best!
*Please Please Please review! Reviews mean A LOT to me! (Please and Thank You!)
~Startistica