Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Keeper Of The Crown ❯ The Sunlit Garden ( Chapter 4 )

Keeper of the Crown

Chapter Four: The Sunlit Garden

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Anzu stared in awe at the large white horse before her. Sure, she had seen horses before. She had seen her father and the men on the Royal Council ride them plenty of times. But never before had she actually been so close to one before. Her father had forbid her from going to the Royal stables. He was always afraid she would injure herself. And Akunamukanon loved his daughter too much and would hate to see her hurt.

Besides...women didn't ride horses. It wasn't a very lady-like thing to do. Especially for someone as delicate as the Princess of Egypt. At least, that is what Layla, Anzu's mother and the Queen of Egypt, had told her.

"He's gorgeous!"

Yami smirked and ran a hand across the horse's smooth white hair. "It's a she," he corrected. "Her name is Althaea. It means `pure' in the land of my mother."

"Where was she from?" The brunette asked, interested, as she took a step closer to him.

"Greece," was the short reply.

The girl smiled. "I bet she was lovely. What was she like? Your mother, I mean?"

The tri-haired teen frowned slightly. He had hardly any memories of his mother. He had been only four when she left this world. He did know that she a very pretty woman all the way from Greece. She had been a servant girl at the fishing wharf his father had worked at. And they immediately had fallen in love.

He loved the story of how his parents had fallen in love with each other. Before his father had passed away, Yami would always beg him to tell the story before he went to sleep each night.

"Your mother, Callia, was a lovely woman from a land far away. With locks of silky chestnut colored hair and eyes as blue as the morning sky. She was a kind woman. Always putting others before herself. The thing I loved most about her though was not her beauty, but the way she laughed. The way it would light up her eyes and put such a bright smile on her face. She could light up a room with her laughter."

Yami told her of what his father would say of his mother. Anzu smiled and began petting the horse. "She sounds like she was a wonderful person."

The other nodded to the statement.

"I see a lot of your mother in you, Yami."

Smiling, Yami closed his eyes. He liked that he was like his mother. Everyone always said he had Callia's personality and his father's looks. Looking back at Althaea. She was chewing slowly on some of the grass on the floor. "Althaea once belonged to my father. She was given to me a few days before my father was killed."

"Killed?!" Anzu questioned, a horrified expression on her face. Yami had lost both his parents? But he was so young! That just was not fair to him! Nobody should have to lose their parents at such a young age. "I...I'm so sorry," she whispered.

When the other didn't say anything, the princess placed a hand on his arm. "How was he killed, if you don't mind me asking?"

The crimson eyed teen glared fiercely at the ground. He had told the story of his father's death many times before. It didn't really faze him. The deep sadness inside his heart. He tried hard not to think about it. "It... It happened not too long ago. He was in the war against the Shadow Demons. He was killed by a Demon that betrayed the troops in the midst of battle."

Anzu gripped his arm tightly. "My father as well fought in that war. He was injured, but he lives now..." she cut off, feeling ashamed for saying such a thing. "I apologize. That must not make you feel better."

Yami closed his eyes again and swung a leg over the horse's side, hoisting himself onto the animal. The brunette's hand fell from his arm. Shaking his head, he cleared the thoughts of his deceased parents aside. Reopening his crimson orbs, he smiled down at the girl still standing. "Come for a ride with me."

Anzu's eyes widened. "W-what? A...a ride on the horse?"

The peasant chuckled. "Are you afraid, Teana?"

"Well...I...I've never ridden a horse before in my entire life. I've never even been near one, to be honest. So, uh, yes...I guess I am a little frightened at the thought of going for a ride on one..."

Yami grinned. "Don't worry. Just hold onto me and you wont fall."

The princess giggled and nodded, letting the other help her onto Althaea. She wrapped her arms tightly around the other's waist, blushing as she felt him place a hand over hers.

`He makes me feel so strange. I'm blushing just by his hand being on mine. Every time he looks at me...every time I touch him, or any time he touches me, I feel so warm. His voice sends shivers down my spine. And I love that feeling. Could that really mean, though, that I love him? Or is this just an infatuation?'

Scarlet orbs sparkled in the afternoon sunlight. "We'll start slow, since this is your first time on a horse," their owner assured. Kicking Althaea lightly in the side, the horse began to walk down the sandy shore of the Nile.

Anzu laughed as the horse began to trot slowly. The wind blew in her face, causing her hair to fly back behind her. "This...this is nice."

"I'm glad you think so." Yami flashed her a brilliant smile which caused her to chuckle once more. His eyes softened slightly. He liked the sound of her laughter. It was almost musical. He wanted to hear her laugh again.

"The thing I loved most about her though was not her beauty, but the way she laughed. The way it would light up her eyes and put such a bright smile on her face. She could light up a room with her laughter."

Ruby orbs widened slightly at the memory of his father saying such things about his mother. `Why does she make me remember such things? How my father would describe mother...it is almost like describing Teana. Locks of silky chestnut colored hair and eyes as blue as the morning sky. That his her appearance. She is lovely to me, just as Callia was to father.' He chuckled slightly at this thought. `So, father, we have a similar taste in women it appears.'

Anzu sighed loudly, lost still in her thoughts of love. She leaned forward slightly, pressing her cheek to Yami's shoulder and resting it there. Her azure eyes closed and she tightened her hold around his waist. `It's nice...just to hold him...'

The peasant boy flushed and tried to keep his attention on the path in front of him. After going a few minutes more, he stopped Althaea in her tracks and got off the horse. He helped the brunette off as well.

"Why have we stopped?" Anzu questioned, disappointed that the ride was over already. She had really been enjoying herself.

"I thought you might want to walk for a while. Stretch your legs or something."

The princess looked over her shoulder, barely making out the city behind her. "Are we so far away?"

Yami shrugged his shoulders. "Ten minutes or so from my home."

Anzu nodded and twirled her hair between her fingers. Yami was acting so...distant? Was it her fault? For bringing up the subject of his father's death? "Y-Yami...have I upset you?"

The tri-haired teen shook his head slowly. Mentally, he cursed himself for acting so rude. "It is not you. I'm sorry if I seem rude. There is a lot on my mind..."

"Well, I could head home if you'd like to be a-"

"-No!" Yami grabbed one of her hands and squeezed it. "Don't leave so soon. I'd like it very much if you would stay with me."

The brunette nodded. "Alright, if you insist. Would you like to go for a walk, then?"

"Yes. That would be enjoyable."

The taller teen led the way down the sand path after tying Althaea to a nearby tree. He still held the blue eyed girl's hand tightly in his own as they walked. This made both their cheeks turn a deep pink color. But neither of them really wanted to let go. So their hands stayed clasped together like that.

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Yami looked down at Teana as she slept. She had fallen asleep not to long ago. Worn out, obviously, by the heat of the day and by walking. So he had carried her back to where Althaea was tied and back to his home. Once there, he had laid her on the bed and left to bring his horse back to the stables.

Teana was still asleep when he returned, which was the reason he watched her. She looked so peaceful while she slumbered. A soft smile on her lips and her body curled into the bed sheet.

Yami pulled away again and picked up something on a wooden cabinet near his bed. It was a Lotus blossom he had picked earlier that day with the intention of giving to her. He didn't plan on her falling asleep on him though.

It was a pretty flower. Pure white with a splash of maroon near the center. The petals were soft. Like velvet, almost, to the touch. Fingering the blossom gently, he placed it behind Teana's ear.

The sky was beginning to darken with the setting sun. Yami smiled and stared out the small window of his room. He always loved the sunset. The end of one day with a lingering promise of a brighter tomorrow. Which each sunset, everyone grew older and wiser. With each sunset, love grew another day bolder.

"I suppose I should start dinner."

Yami looked down at Teana and smiled. Dinner for two sounded nice, considering that he usually ate dinner alone. His grandfather didn't live in the same house as him, even though they were family. So he ate by himself whenever the old man wouldn't come over. And that was most often. The idea of company, especially Teana's company, made him very happy.

The scarlet eyed teen placed a hand to his chin. "What should I make? What would Teana like?" He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I wish I knew more about her. All we seem to talk about is my life..." Shrugging his shoulders, he went into the small kitchen of the clay hut. The house only had two rooms. His bedroom and the kitchen. There was a small storage room behind the house, but it was barely big enough to fit anything.

Humming to himself, Yami began to prepare something for dinner.

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Anzu groaned as she opened her eyes, taking a few minutes to let them adjust to the darkness of the room she was in. Frowning, she looked around. She didn't recognize this room. Surely it was not hers. It was far too small to be hers. Neither was it any room of the Palace. So if it was not a room in the Palace, then where the heck was she? And what was she doing there so late in the evening?

A low humming noise drew her attention. Standing from the rickety wooden bed she previously had been sleeping in and avoiding the fishing wire that hung from the roof and on the wall; she inched towards the second room of the house. It was illuminated by one lantern hanging from the low ceiling. Chopping vegetables in the corner of the room was Yami, smiling to himself as he hummed.

The brunette's cerulean orbs grew large. She was in Yami's house?! And...it was past sunset?!

`Pharaoh will kill me for being home so late. For sure he will know that I was not with Mana and Mahado. They come home at sunset or before. It is much later than that now!' She bit her lip. `If they find out where I was, I will be severely punished. Not to mention Yami could be killed!'

The other occupant of the room chose that moment to turn around. A large grin appeared on his face as he noticed who was standing a few feet away. "I'm glad to see you're up. Did you sleep soundly?"

"Um...yes..." Anzu replied slowly. "Thank you," she added after a few moments. She took a few steps towards the main entrance of the hut. "I-I really should leave, though."

"What?" Yami abandoned the vegetables for a moment and went over to her.

"I have to go. I was supposed to be home by sunset. Oh, I'm such an idiot! Falling asleep like that." The princess sighed loudly. "Thanks for everything, though. I really appreciate it. You didn't have to bring me to your house or anything. You could have just woken me up." She blushed. "It was sweet of you."

The tri-haired teen opened his mouth to say something but closed it, not knowing what he could say. It's not like it was her choice to leave, after all. She was supposed to be home already. She wasn't leaving him for good or anything like that. He could always see her some other time. "It...It's no problem..."

Anzu smiled and gave him a quick hug. After reluctantly pulling away, she dashed out of the house for the palace. She hoped no one would notice her absence.

Yami frowned and looked down at the small table in the center of the room. Taking the extra plate off the table, he put it away. "I guess I'll be dining alone again..."

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"Where were you?!"

Anzu flushed as she stared up at her father. He was fuming with anger as he paced back and forth through the throne room. She had just arrived a mere two minutes ago, and already they were interrogating her. It wasn't like she had gotten hurt or anything. She wished sometimes that they weren't so overprotective. And she told the Pharaoh just that.

Akunamukanon growled. "You're the princess of Egypt, Anzu! Of course your mother and I will be very protective of you! You are our only child. One day you will be queen! And because of that, people loathe you. There are bad people out there, daughter. People that, at any given moment, would drive a knife through your flesh if they see you alone and unprotected!"

"Gee, I'm glad to know I'm so hated in my future empire," Anzu replied sarcastically.

Layla stood by the Pharaoh's throne, a displeased frown on her face. "Anzu, this is not a joking matter. Not only did you lie to us and say that you would be with Mana and Mahado, but you went out into the city all day without any guards. Your life was in jeopardy, as your father was saying."

"Mother, I am not a child. I think I can take care of myself."

"Not against an assassin you wouldn't be able to," the queen retorted.

Akunamukanon held a hand up for silence. "Anzu, we trusted you. What you have done today has broken that trust. You know I hate punishing you, daughter, but I think you need to learn a lesson. So, as of this point, you are not allowed to go out into the city. Even with the protection of a guard. You are to stay inside the Royal grounds. And if I find out you have disobeyed me again, the punishment will be much more severe. Do I make myself clear?"

Anzu pouted and stared at her feet. The Pharaoh growled. "Do I make myself clear?!" he repeated, yelling this time.

"Yes!" The princess hollered.

The Pharaoh rushed down to his daughter and slapped her across the cheek. "Never yell at your Pharaoh," he scolded. "It is a sin! I not only your father, but a living god. Much more superior than you. Now go to your chambers before I get even more pissed off than I am right now."

The brunette held her cheek and glared at her father, slowly making her way out of the throne room. In the hallway, she passed Seto. He was standing against the wall with a very wide smirk on his face.

He snorted at the frown she wore on her face and walked over to her. Raising a hand up, he picked out the white blossom from behind her ear. Anzu blinked in surprise. She hadn't even realized it had been there. Had Yami placed it in her hair while she was asleep? The thought made her blush.

"Who gave you this?" Seto asked, grinning. Amusement shining clearly in his azure orbs.

The princess snatched the flower out of her cousin's hand. "That is none of your business," she answered haughtily. Her eyes softened as she ran her fingers across the velvety petals.

"Was it the one you went to see today in the city?"

Anzu gasped and eyed Seto. "W-why do you think I went to see someone."

"Well, I doubt you'd wander around the city by yourself all day. Besides, someone had to have given you that Lotus. Someone that causes you to blush," the high-priest-in-training said. He honestly didn't care if she had gone to see someone or not. He was worried, like most other people in the Palace, about her protection.

The blue eyed girl shook her head. "If I told you the truth, you would frown upon me."

Seto raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?" He had a hunch about what the answer might be already.

"I think I might be falling in love with someone. But I'm not sure if it's love or just an infatuation. I haven't known this person for a very long time. But I just feel connected to him in a way I've never felt before with anyone else. It's so strange that I want to be by his side. And it's so wrong of me to think I like to be with him." Anzu wiped her eyes which were beginning to brim with tears. "And I don't know why I'm telling you this."

"You have to tell someone." Seto smiled and wrapped her in an embrace. "I don't care if you love someone, Anzu. I would never frown at you because of something like that." He paused a moment, biting his lip. "I actually know the way you feel. I too am confused at my feelings towards a certain someone. I can understand why you are upset."

The princess smiled and hugged her cousin back. Sometimes Seto could be so... caring. It surprised her. Usually, he tried to act tough and in charge. But now, he was being so gentle. It was a pleasant change in character.

"I think you should head up to your chambers now," the brunette said, his blue eyes soft. "We'll talk more tomorrow."

Anzu nodded and made her way down the long hallway towards her chambers. She frowned once more at remembering that she wasn't allowed into the city anymore.

`How am I going to see Yami again? I felt so bad leaving him tonight. And I saw the extra dinner plate on his table. He was hoping I would stay with him this evening.'

The princess lay down on her bed once she reached her room. Though her bed was big and cushy, and her room large and extravagant; she couldn't help but feel more at comfortable in Yami's hut. It was just so homey and welcoming.

`I wish I could apologize to him at least. For leaving so abruptly. But if I go out into the city again...I could put him in danger. I refuse to do that. I'll wait until father's anger cools down a bit. Then I'll find a way to see him again.'

To Be Continued....