Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Keeper Of The Crown ❯ A Royal Wedding ( Chapter 12 )

 

Keeper of the Crown

 

Chapter Twelve: A Royal Wedding

 

 

Yami fidgeted uncomfortably as several servant girls scurried around him, measuring his legs and his waist and his chest. Then they would race off and grab fine silk material and wrap it around his body. He jumped suddenly when one of the girls removed his cloth shirt.

 

“Relax, peasant. They're just dressing you.”

 

Yami turned to the High Priest's son, who was watching him smugly from the opposite side of the room. He apologized quickly. “It's just that,” he explained, “I'm not used to people dressing me. Hell, I'm not used to getting new clothes.”

 

Seto looked to the dirty shirt which was lying carelessly on the floor where it had been throne. “I can see that. However,” he walked closer. “You do wish to look nice on the day you take a wife, right?”

 

The peasant nodded, feeling extremely nervous as one of the girls started poking the material with a thin needle. “Of-of course I do. The only thing I don't understand is why Pharaoh is having Anzu and I marry so soon. I thought he would prolong this day as much as he could. It's not even been three days and already the wedding is set.”

 

“Pharaoh wanted to do it as quick as possible, so that he didn't have time to think it over and change his mind,” the brown-haired man said. “He isn't happy about all this, though.”

 

Yami sighed. He figured as much. But it was as though he could go back on it now. He had already moved his belongings - the little amount that he had - into the palace. Now normally, the wife-to-be would move her things to the home of the husband-to-be. But due to the circumstances, Yami would be the one moving in.

 

Also aside from the moving of furniture, the scribe and advisor Shimon had drawn up the marriage contract, and had it blessed by the priests. There was no going back now.

 

A horrible thought suddenly occurred to Yami after the servant girls had finished dressing him in the colorful silk. He was to be the next Pharaoh after Akunamukanon passed away. What if...what if he didn't make a good leader? What if he was just a street rat, like Akunamukanon and everyone else seemed to think, and did a terrible job with holding the country together?

 

“Calm down, peasant.”

 

“Why do you keep calling me that? I do have a name, no matter how far beneath you in the social class I am.”

 

Seto grinned. “Because, from today on, your name will not be what it was.” Seeing the other's confused expression, he elaborated. “You are to be the next Pharaoh, and because of that you must leave your old name that symbolizes your peasant lifestyle. You must choose a strong, powerful name...because that is what you are to become. A strong and powerful ruler for this nation.”

 

Yami frowned. He didn't want to lose his name; it was the only ties he had left to his parents. If that would change, then there would be no evidence of him being their son. Not that it mattered, he supposed, since they weren't even alive any longer.

 

There was a knock on the door, and a blue-haired girl stepped inside. Seto smile and went over to her, kissing her hand gently. The girl giggled and blushed, and then turned to the groom.

 

“Anzu is ready,” she announced. “She's waiting for you in the Throne Room, so that you may sign your marriage contract.”

 

Yami gulped. Looking down to the stand in front of him, he grabbed the thin crown that sat on it innocently, cushioned by a royal purple pillow. He placed the crown on his head, covering the top with his hair. It was heavy, he noticed right away. Made of solid gold, no doubt, the crown was not as elegant as the one the current Pharaoh wore. But it certainly was fit for a Prince of Egypt.

 

Blinking, crimson eyes regarded his reflection coolly.

 

`Prince,' Yami thought. Raising a hand to the part of the crown visible from underneath his golden bangs, he gave a half-smile. `Prince...'

 

OOOOO

 

Anzu stood nervously next to her father's throne. She was dressed in a long, sleeveless, white linen dress. The dress was covered from the neck down to her toes with a multi-colored bead-net. On both her arms and feet were golden bangles of many different sizes and designs. Several of her rings were adorned with fingers, and a think jewel-encrusted tiara was placed in the middle of her forehead.

 

On the throne, Pharaoh Akunamukanon sat impatiently. He was already regretting his agreement to allow his daughter to marry the peasant boy. Though he could plainly see the love `Yami' held for the princess, he didn't feel entirely sure about the idea of his kingdom one day being handed over to a street-rat. How a boy who was not even the ripe age of eighteen would be able to take control of an entire nation, especially one as thriving as Egypt, was unfathomable.

 

It was an unwise choice to let Anzu have her way. But this old king wanted his only living daughter to be happy. Teana, after all, had been killed as a result of her arranged marriage. He did not want that happening to the current princess.

 

The door to the throne room opened and the High Priest Akunadin came in, followed by the other six members that made up the Holy Council. After them came Seto, and then Mahado's apprentice mage, Mana. All of them were dressed in their best festival robes, looking excited for their princess, whom they all adored so much.

 

Following the arrival of the bride's guests, came those invited by the groom. There weren't many. The blonde that Anzu recognized as Katsuya strode in, a smug look on his as he dragged along with him an auburn-haired girl. Behind the two was a boisterous looking blonde woman, whom the princess guessed was older than Katsuya, but still very close to him judging by the heartfelt glances she kept sending his way. After her was Honda, the tall and gangly brunette friend of Yami's. Then there came an old man, who resembled Yami, so she guessed it was his grandfather of uncle. And that was all.

 

Anzu was a little disappointed that Bakura wasn't there, but after all that had happened between him and Yami, she didn't think he would gent an invite to the wedding at all.

 

The blue-eyed princess clasped her hands together and leaned forward on her feet. The anticipation to see Yami dressed in his new, royal attire was killing her inside. Shimon, after bowing to the royal family, came to the center of the room and held his hands up for silence. Pointing to the door, he introduced the much-awaited groom.

 

“May I present to you all the future king of Egypt; the peasant who today will become our country's prince...Yami Mutou.”

 

A hush fell over the room as two guards pulled open the heavy doors of the throne room. Yami was led in by several servant girls, including Kisara. Anzu's breath caught in her throat when she first laid eyes upon him. He looked exactly like a prince that her father would want her to marry. He looked as nice as Prince Varon did in his royal garb. No, he looked better than Varon, Anzu decided with a nod of approval.

 

Queen Layla came down the marble stairs and took Yami's hands. The pride in her clear eyes shone brilliantly, and Anzu never would have guessed that it was really her mother showing approval to her spouse-to-be.

 

The princess followed her mother down the stairs and stood next to Yami once she reach him. Looking up at him, she gave him an adoring smile and wrapped her hands around his left arm. Shimon presented the couple with the wedding certificate, and they read it carefully. Then taking the offered quill, they each took a turn in signing it.

 

After Yami and Anzu signed it, the Pharaoh begrudgingly signed his name as well. Since the groom had no father, the old man who looked like him - his grandfather, Sugoruko, they all learned - had to come and place his signature underneath Akunamukanon's large, royal one.

 

After this, another certificate was presented. This one was for Yami, to signify his name change. Yami had been nervous, thinking that he would have to choose his own name, but he had been wrong. Akunadin's son had already picked a name for him. One that, he declared, the God's had told him to choose.

 

“From this day forth,” Seto declared, rising his hands up towards the heavens. “By the will of the Gods, your name shall no longer be Yami Mutou. Instead, the Gods have blessed you with a new name, one indeed fit for a future Pharaoh.” He mumbled a small incantation under his breath, and placed his palm against Yami's chest. “I declare you Atemu Amenhotep Setnakhte, Prince of Egypt, and future Pharaoh of this grand kingdom. May the Gods bless you, shower you and your new bride with countless blessings, and grant you to lead our nation to a time of peace and prosperity.”

 

The document was then signed by Yami - using his new name - and Seto.

 

And that was all there was to the wedding. The papyrus certificates were blessed by the High Priest and the Priestess Ishizu, and then Shimon took it away.

 

Though there was no official ceremony to the wedding, it did not mean that there was no festival afterwards. There was a grand party held in the palace courtyards, and almost all the royal citizens - and the handful of guests from the groom - in Egypt attended.

 

There was music, dancing, wine, food, much good company, and everything else typical for an Egyptian festival.

 

OOOO

 

Anzu looked up at her new husband imploringly. She gave him a small smile, and took his hand in her own. “Atemu,” she whispered, “you have yet to dance with me. I think my father is becoming angry at your lack of manners.”

 

Yami, now Atemu, flushed slightly. He stood up and led Anzu towards the center of the festival where there were couples dancing already. “I'm sorry, princess,” he said sincerely once they stopped walking. “I didn't know if you wanted to dance or not.”

 

The brunette giggled and rested her head on his strong chest. “For you, I am always willing to dance,” she replied truthfully, shivering as she felt his hands travel down to her waist and hold her there. She looked up at Atemu, her eyes dancing with joy and anticipation. She wanted the festival to be over and done with already. Her mother had told her what would happen once the celebrations were over. The princess was to spend her first night alone in a separate room from the one she grew up sleeping in.

 

She was to sleep in the room with her new husband, and Queen Layla hadn't been vague when she told her daughter what she was supposed to do during the night. Anzu had been extremely embarrassed by the thought of doing something tointimate with Atemu already, but the Queen had insisted that it was proper post-marriage etiquette. The woman was not allowed to put up a fight in the situation, now that she legally belonged to her husband.

 

Looking up at Atemu, she blushed deeply. He noticed her expression and raised an eyebrow.

 

“What is it? What's wrong?” he questioned, looking slightly concerned. “Am I not dancing right? I'm not used to dancing so formally...”

 

Anzu chuckled and shook her head, placing a hand on his cheek. “No, you're perfect. You're perfect, Atemu.” She smiled and inched closer to him. “It's just that...I'm a little nervous about this evening. What's going to happen after the party, I mean.”

 

Atemu looked puzzled, but then nodded when he figured out what she was talking about. “Well...we don't have to do anything tonight if you don't want to. I don't want you to feel uncomfortable about it. I'll wait until you're ready.”

 

The brunette shook her head. “No, I want to. I want to, I really, really do. It's just,” her cheeks darkened even more, “it's just embarrassing, and that's all. I want to do it though, don't think that I don't.”

 

The tri-haired teen smiled. “I don't think you don't.” He placed a kiss on her forehead, letting his lips linger there for a moment, and then pulled away as the slower song they were dancing in time to came to an end. The drums then picked up with a faster tune.

 

Seto immediately came over and asked his younger cousin to honor him with a dance. Anzu gasped. “Won't this be showing your soft side to everyone else present?”

 

Seto rolled his eyes and twirled the princess around in a small circle. “I'll allow myself to let my façade slip for tonight, because you're my cousin and I think I should be allowed to have fun on one of the most important nights of her life.”

 

Anzu grinned in agreement and began dancing with her cousin, letting him lead her to the center of the dancing couples, and momentarily forgetting why the festival was even being held. And she realized, after never getting a chance to notice before, that Seto was an extremely good dancer.

 

Kisara was a lucky woman.

 

While Anzu and Seto danced merrily together, Atemu sought out someone to dance with. And he found just the girl sitting by herself away from all the large crowds.

 

“Shizuka,” he whispered, grabbing her attention instantly.

 

The auburn-haired girl looked up at him, blushing lightly. She wiped her eyes and stood up to greet him. “Y-yes?”

 

Atemu extended an arm as an offering. “Would you care to dance with me?” he asked; a glint of hopefulness shone in his eyes.

 

Shizuka looked from his eyes to his arm and then nodded slowly. It wouldn't do any harm, she supposed. Taking his hand, she let him lead her in the unfamiliar dance. Since neither of them knew the tune or how to move to it, they both happily looked ridiculous as they tried to copy the movements of those around them. Neither of them cared, however, because of the fun they were having.

 

“Yami,” Shizuka asked, glancing briefly into his crimson orbs. “Why did you choose her? I mean, Katsuya said that you could take me as your bride. Why didn't you? Did you really hate me that much? Did I annoy you so much that you would want nothing to do with me in that sense?”

 

Atemu looked away from her, feeling slightly ashamed. “Shizuka...No, I never hated you. And you never annoyed me. The reason why I didn't accept your brother's proposal was because I had already met and fallen in love with Anzu. Had he brought up the subject sooner, I probably would have agreed. But you see, Shizuka...I never would have made you happy. I couldn't have given you what you deserved, because I truly wasn't in love with you. And that would have always put a strain on our relationship.”

 

Shizuka frowned, tears welling up in her hazel orbs. “I see...So does this mean I'm destined to be alone forever?”

 

Scarlet orbs twinkled gleefully as they landed on a brown-haired boy who was standing alone in the distance. “I think that there is already someone waiting for you to love him. And he's not as far away as you may think he is.” Atemu twirled the younger girl, letting her get a glimpse of Honda. “I see him right now. He's watching you as I speak.”

 

Shizuka blinked and followed the direction where her friend was staring. She blushed when her eyes locked on the brown-haired teen. “H-Honda?”

 

Atemu nodded as the song ended. “I think he would make you...very, very happy.”

 

The song ended and the groom pulled away, placing a kiss on Shizuka's cheek before walking slowly away. Shizuka watched him go, and then turned to Honda, who was slowly walking over to her.

 

Atemu heard as Honda asked Shizuka to dance, and how the girl agreed excitedly. Smiling to himself, he went in search of his bride.

 

OOOOOO

 

After the festival was over, most of the guests had left to go back to their homes immediately. Those who lived in the palace had gone straight to their quarters, leaving the servants to clean the party's mess. The Pharaoh had been unwilling to let his daughter go off with her husband for the evening, but he knew the time would eventually come when he would have to let go of her and let her become the woman she was destined to be.

 

Atemu had been given a chamber almost on the other side of the palace, so that the evening could be an undisturbed one for him and his bride. So when all else in the royal palace was quiet, the princess and her new husband were still very much awake.

 

“Atemu,” Anzu said; her voice unsure. She no longer wore the dress she had on at the party. Instead, she was adorned only in a thin robe that was cut off just below her upper thighs. “Atemu, I'm really nervous.”

 

Atemu, sitting next to her on the bed, gave her a supportive look. “I know you are. And as I told you before, we don't have to do this if you don't want to.”

 

The brunette sighed and rested her head on his shoulder. Licking her lips, she shook her head and wrapped her arms around Atemu's neck slowly. “No...I already said I wanted to. And I do. I'm just afraid...”

 

“Don't be afraid. Just be yourself, and you'll be wonderful.”

 

Anzu nodded, and smiled appreciatively. Then, lowering her head slightly, she began to kiss Atemu's shoulder and neck. He exhaled sharply through his nose and made no movements except for removing his silk shirt.

 

The princess blushed and turned her eyes away.

 

“What?” Atemu asked, grinning. “It's not like you haven't seen me naked before. You have.”

 

“But-but that was just an accident... and we-we....”

 

She immediately shut up as Atemu leaned down and kissed her deeply. Anzu closed her eyes, bringing her hands up and burying them in her husband's spiky-but-soft hair. The kiss progressed, fueled by pent-up passion and desire that they both had for one another. When they pulled away, they were both breathing raggedly.

 

Atemu began to trail kisses down the princess' neck, lowering her down slowly onto the mattress that they were currently sitting on. Anzu made no complaint; she only tilted her head to the side to give him better access. She giggled when he licked the sensitive joint of her neck, and ran her hands slowly across his chest.

 

“See? This isn't so bad.”

 

“No...Its not. It's actually-” she was cut off as she let out a small groan when Atemu bit her neck lightly. “-N-nice,” she finished off her sentence.

 

Atemu pulled away again and took her hands in his own. He moved her hands away from his chest and down to the cloth covering the lower half of his body. Seeing the fear cloud her eyes, he stopped immediately. “Anzu, if you don't want to, we could just end it here for tonight.”

 

Anzu didn't reply verbally. Instead she raised her head and captured his lips with a heated kiss, pulling his body down to hers and removed the cloth around his waist in a single movement. The pleasure she felt from having his body against hers like that was something she couldn't even begin to describe. And she could tell he felt the same way when he carefully removed the short robe she wore, leaving them naked against each other.

 

They came together in another kiss, and the evening progressed into the most magical one of their lives.