Recently a dear reader gifted me a beautiful present. They commissioned artist ToodyFrutti to draw Atem and his daughter, Anippe.
If you don’t know who Anippe is, she’s an OC I created for a one-shot that ultimately became pretty popular to the point I began a fanfiction based on her and Atem.
I never, NEVER, expected the fanfiction to gain so many readers. Now for this beautiful gift of artwork to be bestowed on me. I’m completely speechless and stunned. It’s the most touching gift I have ever received, and it has made me truly happy.
Thank you again; you know who you are, for this present. Thank you, ToodyFrutti, for this wonderful and dear artwork. You have truly captured the essence of Atem and Anippe.
| Atem and Anippe . 2022 | Artwork is by the talented ToodyFrutti
"Seto! Look!" Kisara gasped as she stopped her husband from walking away from the scene.
"What is it now?" Seto asked in a sour mood. All he wished to do was go to his chamber and sleep.
"Anippe is taking her first steps!" his wife replied, making Seto's eyes pop open in the alert.
Anippe?
Husband and wife stand on the edge of the balcony as they gaze down below the courtyard.
The scene is simple.
Pharaoh Atem is crouched down, his robes touching the ground.
He has both arms extended.
"Come on Anippe. I'm right here!"
The small princess is a good distance away from her father. Anippe slowly stood up and grimaced at how far away her father was from her.
"Come on love. I'm right here!" Atem cheered again, signaling with his hands for her to walk towards him.
Tears formed in her eyes as she extended her arms for him.
"Papa!" she winced as she began to wobble towards her father before falling down.
"Come on Anippe. Papa is right here!"
Anippe's face recoiled in distress but as she looked at her father's smiling face she knew she would be okay. Standing up again, Anippe extended her arms towards her father and little by little began walking towards him.
As Anippe walked closer towards him, Atem couldn't help but feel his father's presence so strong around him.
He smiled.
In another time, it was his father who was in his place. Waiting for him to reach his embrace.
Seeing Anippe walking towards him, Atem couldn't help but feel his chest about to burst with emotions.
Perhaps this is what his father felt when he took his first steps towards him.
A sensation of overflowing pride, joy, and gratitude.
Finally, after one last step, Anippe flung herself at her father, making Atem chuckle at her behavior.
"Was that so hard?" Atem asked before tenderly pressing a kiss on her temple.
"Papa," is all the princess cried out.
From above the courtyard, Kisara smiled at Seto's expression.
Seto caught his wife's eyes and looked away.
"What?" he asked, trying to act cool.
Kisara giggled before lightly poking her finger at his cheek.
"Admit it, you were this close to crying."
"Kisara, that's not true!" he scoffed.
She laughed.
"Whatever you say, dear."
Seto just shook his head.
Note(s):
I was inspired to write this chapter from season 5 of Yu-Gi-Oh!, episode 36 titled "In Search of a King."
I specifically wrote this chapter from the scene where Atem is taking his first steps. I wrote this scene off the English dub version rather than the Japanese version for a reason. In the English version, Atem's father talks to him and is affectionate with him. Compared to the Japanese version, where he comes off cold and is quiet around him.
Author's Note:
Hi all. I apologize for not posting these last few chapters. I totally forgot to keep posting them on here, hehe...
"Anippe, just what are you doing?" the man yelled.
"I'm trying to see Uncle Seto and Aunt Kisara's new baby!" the princess replies from above.
"Get down before Mahad sees you!"
Anippe pouts, "Shada, please, can I go in?"
Shada shook his head before extending his arms so Anippe could jump into them.
"Sorry princess, but the rules are clear. You cannot enter Priest Seto's chambers unless his approval or the Pharaoh's."
Anippe crosses her arms as she lets out a scoff.
"Come on now, jump," Shada says.
Anippe just stares at Shada's wide-open arms and prepares to jump from her high position before she hears the chamber doors open.
She rapidly changes her position so she can jump inside the chamber before Shada's strong arms whoop out of nowhere and grab her.
"No! Let me go! Please! I want to see the baby!" Anippe yells as she struggles against Shada's arms.
"Well with all that ruckus you're causing, I don't think I'll let you in."
Anippe stops what she's doing and turns to her Uncle.
"Seto!" she beams.
He just raises an eyebrow at her.
"Can I please please see my new cousin? Please?" Anippe begs.
Seto sighs as he pinches his nose bridge.
"Fine, you can enter. But under one condition."
Anippe glows in happiness as Shada looks at Seto, uncertainty.
"You are on your absolute best behavior. Kisara is still tired from giving birth and your cousin needs to sleep. Meaning you are silent as a cat. Understand?"
"I give you my word as princess of Egypt," Anippe replied dead serious, making both Seto and Shada speechless.
For a moment Seto just looked at her eyes and she looked back at him, firmly.
Seto's face broke into a small smile.
"Very well. Come along now."
Between Shada and Seto, Anippe quietly marched inside the chamber and took notice of Kisara's form. She was silently sitting on the bed holding the new family member in her arms.
Servants and midwives rushed out of the room while others stayed at the end of the room, silently for instructions.
Kisara perks up at Anippe's visit.
"Hello Princess, are you here to meet your new cousin?"
Anippe nodded, "Indeed I am."
Kisara gently turned the baby in her arms so Anippe could see its face. A baby boy was gently sleeping in her arms. His sleeping face, snuggled to her chest. His soft breathing and sudden coos.
"He's your new cousin, Astennu." Anippe heard Seto say.
The crowned princess could only stare at the new baby.
He had soft brown hair, just like Seto. His skin tone was a mix between Kisara's pale skin and Seto's tan skin. But, what color were his eyes?
"I see you beat me in meeting the new family member." her father's booming voice announced.
Entering Seto's chamber with a small smile, Atem nodded at his daughter before settling his attention on Seto.
"I am proud of you both. Now you will know the best gift of the gods, parenthood," he said, strolling over to his daughter's side.
"Hiya Papa," Anippe whispered with a huge smile. Atem looked down at his four-year-old summer princess.
"I thought we were going to come to visit your new cousin together." Atem pouted sarcastically.
Anippe blushed in embarrassment.
"Oops, I forgot."
Both Atem and Seto chuckled before going back to looking at Astennu.
Shada rolls his eyes, knowing Anippe was trying to look innocent. Somehow Anippe noticed Shada's little stunt which made her stick her tongue at him. Shada looked offended.
"Kisara," Anippe began, turning away from the priest so she wouldn't be scowled for her rude behavior.
"Why did you name him Astennu?"
Atem shot Seto a cheeky look whereas Seto sent him a death glare.
Kisara giggled.
"Well princess, contrary to Egypt's traditions and your parent's custom, I didn't name our son. Seto did. He'll answer that for you."
Seto coughed nervously, making Atem and Shada grin at his suffering.
Anippe turned to her uncle, intrigued at his response.
"Well you see, Astennu means god of the moon. Just like your parents named you after goddess Anuket, Astennu is named after Khons."
"Why?"
"Er, well."
Seto sighed before crossing his arms, and rocking them side by side like he was holding a baby.
"When you were an infant, you couldn't stop crying one night and no one was there to attend to you. So I rocked you back to sleep under Khon's gaze."
"What does that have to do with his name?" Anippe pressed but was silenced by her father.
"He's getting there, be patient. Continue."
"Well before I entered your room, I was dead set on not having kids. I lost my mother in a village fire and was abandoned by my father until reuniting with him a couple of years later. I did not have a good childhood. However I met Kisara and just like me, she had a horrible childhood. Yet, she wanted children to give them a life she didn't have. Unlike me, who was traumatized by being a failure of a parent. I was scared and unsure if I could grant Kisra that wish."
Kisara smiled tenderly at Seto.
"But when I held you, Anippe, and rocked you back to sleep, I talked to Khons."
Atem smiled softly.
"Watching you sleeping, how you held onto me, I knew what Khons was trying to tell me. That I had to let go of my fears and embrace my new life. That life with a child wouldn't be so bad."
Seto chuckled, "Here we are now, four summer years later."
Seto stopped rocking his arms and smiled at Anippe.
"That is why he is named Astennu. To honor the god who allowed me to see beyond my fears and flaws. However, I would like to thank you too. For teaching me that I can be a father."
Anippe smiled at Seto's words.
"I'm happy for you."
"So am I," Seto replied with a smile.
Suddenly a horrid sound rang across the room.
Young Astennu was wailing for immediate attention.
Anippe cringed at how his screams pierced through her ears.
Atem coughed before picking up Anippe.
"Well, we've been intruding for a while now. We'll come by again tomorrow. This time together, right Anippe?"
Anippe nodded.
"Goodbye, and thank you!" Kisara managed to say as the midwives tried calming Astennu down.
Before stepping out of the room, Atem leaned over at Shada, and whispered in his ear, "Can you bring the gift I have for them from the room next to my chambers?"
"Yes my Pharaoh!" Shada replied before sprinting out of the room.
As the Pharaoh and Princess walked down the palace's hallways, the little girl couldn't help but hear the rapid whispers of the staff. The excitement in the palace was everywhere. Everyone was thrilled with the arrival of the new baby.
Once Anippe and her father were a good distance away from them, they found Mahad and Isis in one of the spell rooms.
"Ah, I assume you met the new baby," Isis spoke with a gentle smile.
"Yeah! He was so tiny! It was super exciting too!" Anippe exclaimed eagerly.
"Everyone in the palace is excited to meet the new baby." Mahad chuckled.
Turning to her father, Anippe asked, "Was my birth this exciting Papa?"
Both Isis and Mahad became silent, watching how Atem tried keeping his face expressionless.
Anippe felt her father tense.
Isis suddenly scooped her from her father's arms.
Before Isis could begin to walk away, Atem slowly leaned over and kissed his daughter's forehead softly. Refusing to meet her curious eyes, Atem's lips turned to a small melancholy smile.
"The day you were born, is a day Egypt will never forget." is all he managed to whisper to her before Isis began to walk away.
"Come Anippe," is all Isis whispered.
Anippe turned back and frowned at the scene unfolding in the spell room.
Mahad was embracing her father as if he was trying to soothe him.
But why?
It wouldn't be till a few years that Anippe would learn the truth of the day of her birth.
Note(s):
In ancient Egypt, women had the full right to name their children as they carried them. This is why Kisara doesn't answer Anippe's question, as Seto named their child.
This week’s adventure was inspired by one of the artworks done by @siosiri
@dragontamer05 The truth is that I can’t imagine how beautiful can be that child. Y.Y
The man couldn't help but feel utterly weak. The sight was enough for him to feel wholly fearful.
His wife smiled weakly at the small infant in the midwife's arms. Even though her eyes sparkled with adoration, she tiredly whispered, "She's divine."
Her breathing became harder. She winced in pain and immediately the midwives and the Chief Healer were by her side.
The man rushed to his wife's side only for the midwives to plead him to leave and let them resolve the situation. "No, no." he pleaded, the world spinning in circles as he felt his stomach drop into a pit of emptiness. "Please, please, please stay with me, Mana. You have to be here, with us..."
He never felt the pulls of various healers, ushering him out of the room. He only saw her petite and weak figure. Her soft gaze on him with a drowsy expression. He tried to scream for her, but her figure was far from his grasp, and soon from his sight.
In another room, the man walked around anxiously. All he desired was to be at his wife's side. If only he could demolish the wall separating him and his wife.
His complete adoration and love.
How was it possible that their happiest day had suddenly turned into a nightmare? The man weakly leaned on the wall. His face was dismayed. How was it possible that the most powerful man in Egypt shivered in fear?
Soft footsteps entered the room. The man looked up and there she was.
His daughter.
She was soundly asleep wrapped in a small blanket. The midwife gently placed her in his arms and he let out a shaken breath.
She was exactly like his wife described her.
Completely divine.
With a soft smile, the man allowed himself to enjoy this small moment. She was finally here.
His daughter.
Their precious daughter. Their own child.
"Anippe," the man tenderly whispered. "Hello my love," he continued before hearing midwives and healers shouting across the other side. Tears now in his eyes, with a trembling voice he said in desperate prayer, "Please, reach out to Mama. Help keep her here."
However, the gods heard no prayers that day.
It was dusk when the man was delivered the heartbreaking news.
She was gone.
The man awoke and gasped hard. Sitting forward, he threw his sheets off him and sighed.
It was hopeless. No matter how much he tried, he couldn't sleep peacefully. The minute he closed his eyes he relived that tragic day all over again.
It had just been a few days ago that she died. Atem and Egypt mourned in deep pain.
His throat tightened as his eyes clouded with tears.
"Mana."
That's when he noticed the cries of his daughter. Faster than light itself, he was next to the small wooden baby bed where she laid.
Atem frowned slightly. She couldn't stop crying.
"Hello, Anippe. What's wrong dear?"
Carefully, he picked up his daughter and rocked her.
Even though he wanted to mourn and lock himself away from the world, he knew he couldn't.
Anippe's cries and coos are a call back to the living world, making Atem smile sadly. No matter how daunting, how agonizing, how heartbreaking his wife's death was, there is a life she created that must be lived.
Anippe was here because of her... There was a beautiful princess that needed to be fed, to be sung to, to be held close, and loved. She was his beacon of hope in his most distraught dark thoughts. He wouldn't let himself be consumed into a dreadful and dark place because... he had her.
Humming, Atem paced around his room. Anippe's cries slowly come to a stop.
Explanations will come in the years ahead. For now, he wants her to know how magical her mother was. He wanted her to know how captivated he was with her breathtaking beauty, both inside and out. He wanted her to know about all the pranks they pulled together, the trouble they caused in the palace, and when he had asked for her hand at the Nile river. He wanted his daughter to know that her mother loved her with every part of her soul. Just like he did.
Gazing at Anippe's sleeping form, Atem softly kissed her forehead.
But those days would have to wait.
For now, they both needed sleep.
--
Note(s):
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS, Manhattan dad's heartbreak after wife dies giving birth to twins, By HEIDI EVANS
Author's Note(s):
The first week back in University was amazing. Felt like updating due to my good mood. However, the chapter was anything but a good mood. I cried writing this chapter. It's enough to lose a significant other and become a widow(er). However, becoming a single parent as well? I'm completely devastated just imagining the weight and heartbreak of those who such tragedy has been bestowed upon them. This chapter is in your dedication, single parents. Know that you are never alone. You are a literal angel, a hero, and most importantly, a parent to a precious blessing.
A burst goosebumps shot from his shoulders, violently making him shiver before he flinged himself back into his bedsheets. He let out a pitiful noise and rubbed his swollen eyes.
His body felt like it was on literal fire.
"Here, this ought to make it better!" Merit Ptah said as she rushed over to Pharaoh. She draped a cold wet towel on his forehead.
"I beg of you Chief Physician, please make it stop. I wish to see my daughter." he groaned.
"It's alright my Pharaoh" she replied. She pushed back his sweaty blonde bangs and moved the towel on his forehead. "The medicine should work soon."
"How soon?" he asked miserably. His body was wrought with aches and shivers. "I feel like I'm in literal fire."
"You're just sick my Pharaoh, not dying. It is just a fever, that's all." Mahad spoke, trying to calm his best friend. Atem shifted his gaze at Mahad and gave him a thankful weak smile.
Mahad had brought in the best doctors in all of Egypt and made them run every test available. It turned out to be food poisoning from undercooked meat.
Plus a fever as well.
Luckily the Pharaoh was still young and in great health, he should make a speedy recovery.
"Just give it a day, my Pharaoh." Mahad said with a small smile.
"Another whole day? I need to get better now!" he groaned.
Chief Physician Merit sighed and draped a cold towel on him once more.
"I know, but you need to get better. Egypt can wait. You cannot. I do not like seeing you so ill."
"I miss Anippe." Atem weakly let out. Mahad couldn't help but smile.
They had been separated for exactly a week now, and it was killing them. They were not meant to be apart for this long, it was pure torture for them and everyone else. But the last thing the Palace wanted was for princess Anippe to get sick as well.
"She misses you, too. She's always asking for you," Mhad replied before Merit added jokingly, "Please get better soon. I fear that if you do not, our beloved crowned princess will destroy the Palace."
Atem let out a weak laugh before his features changed to determination. "Alright. I promise you both, I will get better."
Merit nodded before taking the towels in the bowl of cold water and leaving. Mahad gave Atem a gentle squeeze on his shoulder.
"You rest now. I will return later to check up on you."
"Thank you, Mahad."
--
It was evening when a "Psst!" awoke Atem.
With a groan, he sat up and walked slowly towards his balcony. The curtains separating him and the person out his balcony.
"Hello?" he asked, too tired to demand the guards outside his chamber's doors to seize the intruder
"Papa?" his daughter's voice called from behind the curtains.
"Anippe?" Atem asked, his eyes widening at the thought of his daughter just a few feet away from him.
"Thank Ra you're okay!" his nine-year daughter let out.
"Anipee," Atem began weakly, yet tried to act upset.
"How did you get up here? This balcony is at least fifty feet high from the courtyard."
Anippe was silent which made Atem grow more upset at her.
"Anippe," he began but his daughter cut him off.
"I'm not sorry Papa. I had to see you!"
She let her head down as she whispered "I miss you."
Atem smiled sadly at her small figure on the other side of the curtain.
"I miss you too, my princess." Atem replied with a tender smile on his face. He had missed his daughter so much that just hearing her beautiful voice made him feel one hundred times better.
"I'm coming in!" Anippe stated suddenly. Atem saw her shadow reach out to grab the curtain separating the. As much as he wished to embrace her, he stayed firm.
"Anippe, no! You'll get sick too!"
"I don't care," she said resolutely. "We can be sick together."
He frowned and shook his head. "No dear. You have to stay healthy."
"Well I don't!" she shot back.
She huffed and crossed her arms.
"I just want to see you Papa."
At that moment, Atem was tempted to yank the curtains separating him and his daughter, just so he could grant her request, but then he remembered how awful he had felt these past few days.
His daughter was everything to him. He had to protect her at all costs. He would never forgive himself if he caused her to be in pain.
"I'm sorry my love, but you can't come in. I promise you, I'll get better soon" he assured her.
"When I do, we can play together again. You just need to be a bit more patient." Atem added as he saw her shoulders slouch.
Her head lowered down.
"You promise?" she asked weakly.
"Yes my love," he nodded. "I promise you."
After a minute she stood up firm and let out a defeated sigh.
"Fine Papa."
Atem smiled.
Anippe turned around and retrieved a small bag from her waist.
"I brought you some food."
Atem was surprised. "You didn't eat your lunch?"
Anippe shrugged. "I'm not very hungry. Besides, it's your favorite today."
"Ta'amiya?" Atem eagerly asked as if his love for his daughter could not have grown even more.
"No, it's batarekh." she replied without emotion.
Atem froze at the name.
Before he could react Anippe burst out laughing.
"Of course it's not! They're ta'amiyas Papa!" she giggled.
"Anippe," Atem let out, setting a hand above his heart.
"Don't scare me like that again." he scowled jokingly as his daughter continued to laugh.
She placed the wrapped food on the ground before standing up and pointing, "It's right here, Papa. They are still somewhat warm. Please eat them and get better, okay?"
A big grin blossomed on the Atem's features. "Very well my love. I love you."
"I love you, too. Bye Papa!" Anippe replied before she made her way to the edge of the balcony and disappeared.
When he was sure she had left, due to the yelling of Mahad down below, he stepped out of the curtains and grabbed the delicious wrapped meal.
Atem noticed a pendant was holding the handkerchief from unfolding. Taking it off, Atem brought it closer to his face and smiled at the realization.
This was the same pendant he had given her when she was sick of the cold back when she was five years of summer.
The pendant was a figure of a cat, symbolizing the goddess Bastet.
Protector of children and homes from diseases.
--
Extra Scene:
"Why you ought to be ashamed of yourself Anippe! Fifty feet high? You've gone too far young lady!" Mahad scowled at the princess as she gave him an emotionless look.
"By the end of tomorrow, I want one hundred parchment scrolls saying "I promise to never disobey Master Mahad again." Do I make myself clear?" Mahad affirmed, crossing his arms.
"Yes Master Mahad." Anippe replied.
With a final nod, he confiscated her rope and began to walk away. Anippe looked down at her shoes.
"Oh and Anippe,"
The princess looked up to see Mahad's back on her.
"Next time, use the secret ladder in the west side of your father's chamber. His chamber has another balcony there. It's just deeply hidden."
Anippe didn't say anything. She let Mahad walk away, before her face broke into a huge smile.
___________________
Note(s):
"Bastet is the Egyptian goddess of the home, domesticity, women's secrets, cats, fertility, and childbirth. She protected the home from evil spirits and disease, especially diseases associated with women and children." - worldhistory .org
"The first known female doctor was Merit Ptah who lived in Egypt around 2700 B.C. According to her son who was a High Priest, she wasn't just any doctor but "the Chief Physician". " - TODAYIFOUNDOUT .COM
According to Kazuki Takashi (the creator of Yu-Gi-Oh), Atem's favorite food is Ta'amiya while his least favorite one is Batarekh.
"Another type of bean identified from ancient sources is ful nabed, a pale variety of the common broad bean (Vicia faba). Pharaonic cooks almost certainly invented ta'amia or falafel, fried rissoles made from mashed beans, onions, garlic, and spices. Coptic Christians consume large quantities of falafel during Lent. The Copts are said to be descended from the ancient Egyptians and many of their traditions are so old that their origins may well lie in Dynastic times." - Hilary Wilson on ta'amiya in her book, Egyptian Food and Drink.
"Fish were also salted or pickled in oil and, in later times, great quantities of preserved first were exported from Egypt. In some scenes of fish preparation, removal of the roes is shown. The dried and salted roe of the grey mullet, known as batarekh, is considered a great delicacy in modern Egypt and is reputed to be a recipe as old as the pharaohs." - Hilary Wilson on batarekh in her book, Egyptian Food and Drink.
Reference: The book is titled Egyptian Food and Drink by Hilary Wilson and is part of the Shire Egyptology series.
Author's Note:
Hey guys. I'm leaving the city today and won't be back till a week or two. Hope you enjoyed this chapter, wherever you are, cause by the time you'll read this I'll probably be freezing myself in Alaska. Take care and see you all soon.
Immediately, the Pharaoh, Mahad, Karim, Shada, Isis, and Priest Seto bursted out of one of the many rooms and were stunned to see the full swing commotion before them.
“My Pharaoh, please stand back! He is a criminal!” one of the guards pleaded.
Royal guards were everywhere, including their trained baboons and dogs. With their spears and swords, in the middle of the guards was a small boy.
His hands raised, but he didn’t seem frightened.
“The princess! The princess-”
“Where is crowned princess Anippe!” cried one of the female servants.
“Guards kill him! He kidnapped the princess!” accused another female servant.
“What?! How?! She was under your watch!” Karim practically yelled at the team of female servants.
The Pharaoh was ready to interfere when one of the palace’s vases began to move by itself.
The boy gasped before practically leaping like some animal over the guards and running towards the giant vase.
The guards were stunned at how fast the boy was.
“Servant boy!” yelled the palace staff as the boy ran towards the vase.
“Come back here you brat!”
“Guards!”
Even with all the screaming and commotion, the Pharaoh heard her giggle.
Anippe!
Turning his attention to where her giggles were coming from, the Pharaoh noticed it was coming from inside the vase to which the boy... was running to!
Immediately the Pharaoh sprinted in a run towards the vase. Erupting more commotion from the guards and his court.
“Pharaoh!” Mahad yelled as he and Priest Seto hurried after him.
The Pharaoh paid no attention to his friends nor guards. His daughter could be in danger! Damn servants. They had one job!
“First and last time they take care of my daughter!” the Pharaoh cursed to himself.
Out of the corner of his eye, the Pharaoh saw the boy catching up to him. He growled.
Father instincts rushed within him at the moment. The Pharaoh swiftly turned before grabbing the boy’s arm, twisting him, and pushing him to the guards.
Hard.
“Have him prisoned! I’ll deal with him later!” the Pharaoh roared before the vase began to move violently.
“Yes my Pharaoh!” the guards replied firmly as the boy struggled against their grasps.
“No stop! You don’t understand! Anippe-”
“Darius?!”
Mahad and Priest Seto turned to see Mahad’s best student, Ammon, appearing within the commotion.
“Ammon you know this boy?” Priest Seto demanded making the young magician step back in fear.
“Uh-yes Priest-Priest Seto.” stuttered Ammon.
Mahad glared at his student before one of the female servants exploded, “Did you let him into the palace?! How do you know him?! Do you see what you have done?! The princess is gone because of you!”
Tears filled Ammon’s eyes at the sudden statement.
“No, no. Darius…”
“Look out!” a male servant screamed purple sparks began exploding from inside the vase.
An eruption of giggles was then followed before all chaos broke loose.
“Anippe!”
“The princess!”
“Pharaoh!”
“Ah!”
The Pharaoh was quick to extend his arms as his daughter came out flying from the inside of the vase.
Yet instead of landing in his arms, she slowly floated down.
The two summer age princess giggled as she clapped her hands.
“Papa! Papa!” she squealed in his arms, indicating she wanted to go again.
The whole court, servants, and two young boys were silent. Mahad stood frozen solid as Seto looked like he was about to pass out.
The Pharaoh just stared at his daughter.
The crowned princess looked back at her father and laughed as she wiggled in his arms before she began to float up again.
The Pharaoh snapped out of trance as his daughter began to slip from his arms.
“Ra… she has magical powers.” Mahad let out as Isis smiled happily.
“Oh Mana would be so proud.” Isis thought.
“Ra please don’t make her anything like Mana.” Priest Seto muttered to himself before Mahad sent him a death glare.
The Pharaoh stared at his daughter one last time before practically jumping in joy.
“Anippe, you have magical powers!” the Pharaoh celebrated, as his daughter laughed at her father’s attitude.
“Mahad isn’t this great! Now she can study under you just like-” he stopped talking. His grip on his daughter tightened a bit. Mahad didn’t need him to finish what he was saying.
Everyone knew who their Pharaoh was referring to.
If not, his eyes told it. Showing a thousand word story in just seconds. A story of love, friendship, tragedy, madness, grieve, loneliness, and acceptance. A tragic story indeed.
“Papa.” the princess let out as she placed one of her chubby hands on each of his cheeks.
The Pharaoh stared at his daughter for a second before bringing his forehead close so it touched her’s.
“Your mother would be so happy my love.” the Pharaoh whispered, staring at his daughter’s aquamarine’s eyes.
“Who knows, when the time is right and you are of age, your mother’s wand might be yours.” the Pharaoh continued. “But for now, it’s safe to say that you will study under Mahad’s wing. Alongside Ammon and the rest of the students-”
The Pharaoh stopped talking. He took his gaze off his daughter before he narrowed his eyes at the detained boy.
“You.” he commanded.
The boy, Darius, stood straight, trying to look brave, however his eyes flickered a hint of fear.
The Pharaoh was amused.
No person, especially a child, ever stood courageously in his presence. They were always shivering as cowards.
"Yes, my Pharaoh." the boy replied.
Holding his daughter closer to him, the Pharaoh asked the boy, with a slight scowl, "How did you get inside the palace?"
Note:
“In Ancient Egypt, police officers used dogs and trained baboons to help them on the job” - from WTF Fun Facts
It was the middle of the night, when the man woke up to use the bathroom. Perhaps he shouldn’t have drank so much water before going to bed. On his way back to his chambers, he overhears some sniffling. Is someone sick or crying? Is it Isis? Or Mahad? Quickly moving to each of their chamber doors, the man doesn't hear the noise coming from neither chambers.
Of course. They were still out late in some meeting with the Pharaoh.
But then, where was the noise coming from?
He curiously follows the whimpering to the center of the hallway, Anippe’s chamber door, causing the man to freeze. Maybe he should get a servant for this? Unless by some miracle Isis was back now? But what if something is happening right now?
The Priest sighed as he looked both ways.
Not a single sign of life nowhere.
The cries of the small infant continued.
Finally, out of immense concern, he opens the door to check on the crowned princess. Blinking in the dark room, though there is a small night light near the bed, from the opened balcony.
The priest continues to stand in the doorway. What is he supposed to do? This is his first interaction with her, and he's not the ideal at comforting people, especially children. Why is she crying? The Priest's gaze lands on the moon, shining so brightly from the balcony.
"What?" he asks. It was as if Khons, the god of the moon, was telling the Priest to do a better job of comforting her. The Priest hesitates.
Is it too late for him to slip out and get a servant? Is the Pharaoh back yet?
The princess continued to weep and with a deep sigh the Priest approached her nursery. He rests a comforting hand on Anippe's head. He isn't quite ready to hug her, so this will do, right? As soon as he starts patting her head, gently.
“Hush now Anippe.” the Priest said.
He did not sign up for this. Why is he constantly babysitting the princess when he’s uncertain he even wants children of his own?
Hearing Anippe’s crying get louder, the Priest lifts her up into his arms. He's held children before, though it's been years. It was before he arrived at the palace.
Holding her in his arms, the Priest takes notes on the infant. Anippe is small, so she's very light. Her small hands tightly wrap around his finger as she studies his face. The warmth radiating from her body helps put at ease the Priest as he gently rocks her back and forth. Still hearing her sniffle, despite her sobs slowing down, the Priest starts, "Happy Khons?"
Deciding to pace around the room, the Priest continues gently rocking Anippe while lost in his own thoughts.
She continues to look at him. “What are you staring at?” he snaps, a bit grumpy at the time of sleep he’s losing. Anippe whimpers at his harsh tone.
Tears threaten to fall making the Priest panic. “No no no. Please don’t cry. I was only joking. You can stare at me just please don’t cry.”
He hummed trying to make Anippe calm down. “And Kisara wants to start a family.” he thought to himself as Anippe calmed down and continued to stare at him.
Relaxing his attention on her aquamarine eyes, Seto thought to himself, could he really be a father? Anippe made soft noises, making Seto’s body relax. If this is what it took to calm down a baby, it wasn't bad, though he really doesn't want that responsibility. Nevertheless, if Kisara was alright into having to start their own family, Seto would be there for her. There's no doubt about that.
Anippe’s movement began to slow, and her eyelids fought hard to stay open. She snuggled closer to Seto’s body, smushing her face onto his chest. Seto sighed. “I admit I was wary when your father and mother told me they were expecting a child. I should say, I was wary of your mother’s genes. I mean no offense, but truly, I did not think our world was ready for you just yet.”
Walking outside of her chamber’s balcony, Seto studied the night sky. Was it him or were the stars shining brighter tonight?
Anippe had fallen asleep, her tiny fist still around his finger. Smiling softly, Seto studied the sleeping princess in his arms. “But now I see that you are exactly what our world needed. You’re everything and more.”
Yes, perhaps this wasn’t so bad.
He chuckled to himself when he nodded at the moon and returned inside the chambers.
“Thank you Khons.” Seto thought.
He didn’t know how long he had been pacing around the princess’s chambers.
The man had been so deep in thought that he didn't notice someone approach the doorway until they spoke.
"Seto?"
Looking from Anippe to the doorway, Seto scowls lightly at his cousin. "She was crying."
Atem had just returned from a late conference and seeing Anippe’s chamber doors open, he decided to check in on her. He didn't expect to see Seto walking around and rocking Anippe in his arms. It warms Atem’s heart and brings a knowing smile to his face.
Though his cousin was certainly not the most affectionate person, he was constantly stepping up to help people. His helpful nature will never change, and that will lead to him overcoming a lot of the limitations he places on himself, like being involved with children.
Carefully taking his daughter from Seto's arms, Atem gently places her back on her nursery and tucks her in.
"Still don't want to have children of your own?" Atem softly teases. Seto glares at his cousin.
"I'm going back to sleep." Seto snaps back, avoiding his cousin’s question.
Chuckling, Atem pats Seto’s back. "Goodnight, Seto."
The walking figures of two were seen in the dark corridor. The fire torches held by the guards protecting them from the darkness surrounding them.
The young princess yawned, rubbing her eyes, before a cold breeze touched her bare shoulder. She shuddered.
"If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile." Isis whispered soothingly at Anippe as they walked the palace’s grounds under the moonlight. Guards surrounding them.
Anippe nodded at Isis’s words.
It had been the coldest night Egypt had ever experienced and it was the first time the Pharaoh had left his daughter in the care of his trusted friends as he was required in Atlantis for political reasons.
The first time he was separated away from Anippe.
“Isis,” Mahad sighed in relief as she and Anippe approached the other wing of the palace huddled together.
“Mahad!” the princess cheered as Mahad crouched down to pick her up. “Sorry we took so long, Anippe was hard to convince to come with me.” Isis said, recalling how the princess refused to leave her room as she said it was too cold outside and it was super dark.
“Mahad, it’s so cold.” the princess spoke tiredly. Mahad gave her a sad smile.
“Yes, I’m sorry Anippe. But we need to leave.”
“Why?” the princess asked.
“We are going on an adventure of our own. Far away from the palace.” Priest Seto answered as he emerged from the shadows.
“Seto!” Anippe greeted him with a sweet smile. Mahad and Isis expected Seto to continue giving her a stone look or shrug off her smile. Yet both were astonished at the response the Priest gave.
Seto could not help but smile back, feeling warm for a minute before shooting Isis and Mahad a look.
“The troops and horses are prepared. Let’s go.”
With that being said the priests soon found themselves galloping far away from the palace, surrounded by countless guards.
It wouldn’t be till a few years later that Anippe would learn that an assassin had managed to enter the palace that night.
