Meeting with a genie

It was a hot morning as Atem and Mana are riding the horse through the desert, the wind blew hot air and the sun shined brightly on the clear skies. There were no trees around but only cactuses. Mana looked at Atem to check whether he is alright in this kind of weather.

"Prince...do you want to rest for a bit and eat before going to the tomb?" Mana asked still looking at Atem worriedly.

Atem smiled and glanced sideways to see Mana, "I'm fine...how about you? Are you hungry? It seems that the tomb is still far away based on the map mother gave."

Mana shook her head and added, "If you're not hungry then I guess we need to finish the task and eat afterwards. But if you feel tired or hungry, just say so ok prince?" Atem nodded in response.

The two of them continued the journey for about 4 hours not stopping but only drinking water to prevent dehydration, Mana cast a spell to both of them so that they are protected from enemies' attacks and even the heat wave. After riding for a long time, they came across a big pyramid near the Nile river. Surrounding it was nothing aside from the desert sands spreading and the river flowing to the other cities. Atem and Mana got off the horse and gave it water as well as food while it rested. Since there was no trees around the tomb, Mana casted a spell to create fake trees just to give shelter to the horse. Both of them then went towards the gate of the tomb.

"Is this it Prince?" Mana asked looking at the pyramid's details.

Atem looked at the map, "I guess it is Mana. Let's go."

Atem then looked at the gate of the pyramid and saw a symbol of an ankh. He traced it with his right hand while Mana tried to push it.

"What to do? It seems it won't open Prince..." Mana said and sighed.

Atem tried to remember something that his mother said, "If I remember correctly...I need my blood and..." he mumbled as he got a small knife from his bag and was about to slash his left hand when Mana saw it and stopped him.

"Prince! What are you doing?! The queen will get angry to me if she saw that you were hurt!" Mana shouted as she grabbed Atem's hands.

"Mana relax...I know what I'm doing, besides Mother instructed me to do this to open the gate. You are here to guard me and you are a magician so you can heal this small wound" Atem replied with a smile as he reassured his companion.

Mana looked at him to check if he was joking and realized he was not. The royal magician then let go of his hands. Atem proceeded with slashing his left hand by the knife. He winced a bit because of the pain and as the blood started dripping from his hand, he placed it on the symbol and traced it. As the symbol was now dyed in Atem's blood, it glowed and the gate began to rumble opening a pathway inside. Atem wrapped his wounded hand with a cloth and both of them entered.

Upon coming inside, the gate began to close and they were in darkness. Mana casted a spell so that a ball of flame is summoned on her right hand. Both of them walked down the narrow path and came into a place like a maze with Anubis statues crossing their arms and holding crook and flail on their hands standing on the opposite side of them, the path they will have to walk is a small ground with deep holes and sharp spikes at the bottom of it. If you lose balance, you'll definitely fall on the holes and die. Atem was the first one to walk, he stepped his right foot on the road and suddenly the Anubis twist their crook and flail to reveal sharp knives at the end of it, the statues then marched towards Atem ready to attack him.

"Prince! Don't worry, I'll help you!" Mana shouted as she began to cast a spell in order to destroy the statues when Atem called her.

"Mana stop! Don't destroy them...I know what's wrong now" Atem shouted and backed off slowly. When one of the Anubis statue is closer to him, Atem shifted his foot placement so that his left foot steps forward. The Anubis stopped moving, Mana was surprised and stopped chanting her spell.

"It's alright now, Mana. Come here, step your left foot first" Atem instructed as he extended his right hand to Mana.

The royal magician followed what she was asked to do and as she nears Atem, she grabbed his hand. Both of them walked through the small path and went to the next entrance. Upon arriving at the second place, Both of them sigh in relief that they made it alive but then they were greeted by 5 entrances to the next. Above the 5 entrance was a saying, "Behold! 5 ways to the next place but only one truly leads you in the right path."

"What now Prince?" Mana asked and Atem began thinking of a solution. He remained quiet for a few minutes then he heard the wind blowing omewhere.

Atem was surprised, "weird...this tomb is shut so why is there a wind coming inside?"

"Maybe there is an escape route here, Prince?" Mana replied.

Atem shook his head, "no...it's not an escape route Mana. If we are here to get the lamp, I bet that place is shut too. So the wind is not an exit but a route for traps. Mana! We need to find one entrance that has no wind."

Mana was confused for a bit but nodded and began listening to each entrances, both of them took 5 minutes to find the right one since the wind on the four entrances confused them.

"Prince, it's the fourth one right?" Mana asked while Atem nodded, "Yes...let's go now."

When the two walked into the end of fourth entrance, they were greeted by yet another place set with traps. There were small holes on each side of the walls except the lower part of it.

"Becareful in here Mana, I'm sure there is a trap set on here" Atem said.

Mana nodded, "I will Prince." After saying it, unfortunately Mana stepped on a small rock that triggered the trap. As soon as Atem realized it, He shouted to "Drop on the floor." Both of them did and the holes shooted arrows non-stop.

"Let's just crawl until we get to the next place Mana," Atem said and Mana nodded.

Upon arriving at the next entrance, the door on the entrance of the pyramid opened while they came inside a place full of jewelries, gold coins and other treasures Atem's ancestors kept there. In the center of all was a golden lamp, a sign was placed above it saying "As a place for the wealth of the past rulers, a reward is given to whoever survived. Only get what you need, don't be greedy!"

Atem took a deep breath and walked straight into the lamp, he was about to get it when he felt the whole place rumbling. He turned around and saw Mana holding a sceptre.

"Mana! What did you do? Let's hurry up and go now!" Atem shouted and took the lamp, as Mana throw away the sceptre and run before Atem. The place where the lamp was placed suddenly released a big ball of rock ready to block the way out of the room. Atem run off fast and grabbed Mana to run faster. They escaped the room before it was blocked by the rock, they then run fast on the place with arrows and the trap activated throwing arrows at them. Mana used her magic to create a barrier around them as they run off to the next room, they were out of breath when they arrived at the place of maze and Anubis statues.

"Prince, just go without me. I can't take it anymore, I'm sorry. Please tell Master that I did my best to protect you..."Mana said as she caught her breath.

Atem suddenly grabbed her hand and forced her to walked on the narrow path, "What are you saying Mana? I won't leave you behind! Let's go."

The two walked on the narrow path and run faster on the way towards the exit. They were only a few meters away when they saw the gate half closing already.

"Don't worry! I'll create a field to stop the gate temporarily, you go first Prince" Mana shouted and casted a spell to create a force field that indeed stopped the gate from closing. Atem run off and exited the gate when the force field started breaking and the gate began to close again.

"Mana!" Atem shouted and extended his left hand, the royal magician immediately grabbed it and she was pulled outside the tomb before the gate closed permanently. The two after escaping the tomb sighed in relief and rested on the sand, they then looked at the bright sky and closed their eyes for a bit.

"Prince...I'm really sorry, I was the one who burdened you even though I should be the one protecting you..." Mana said.

Atem smiled, "It is alright Mana what is important is we got what we needed." He said and raised the lamp, it shined brightly when the sun hit it.

Mana opened her eyes and looked at the lamp, "So what shall we do with it?"

Atem opened his eyes too and looked at the lamp as well, "to tell you the truth...I don't know too Mana. I guess we should find a place to rest first and eat, that tomb gave us lots of surprises and I am very hungry right now."

Mana smiled and nodded. The two then rode the horse and travelled back to the palace direction, they found a forest a few kilometres away from them towards the west of the tomb. They entered the forest and began unwrapping the foods Queen Aziza asked to be prepared, Atem placed the lamp beside him as they finish eating the foods. After they finished eating, Mana healed the prince's wound and Atem took the lamp to look at it again.

"Do you know how to use that, Prince?" Mana asked as she sat beside him.

Atem shook his head, "No...but there are hieroglyphics here."

Mana asked as she looked closely on the lamp, "Where?"

"Here Mana," Atem replied pointing at the bottom of the lamp. Indeed there was hieroglyphics inscribed but some of the symbols are fading already, making it hard to read.

"Prince, if I may...I would like to take a closer look" Mana said and Atem handed the lamp to her. The royal magician then examined the symbols and began understanding the meaning of it. "I get it now...it says that you need to rub the lamp three times for a genie to come out" Mana added and handed back the lamp to Atem.

Atem sigh upon hearing Mana's words which caused the latter to ask, "Why are you sighing Prince?"

"Well...it's not like I don't believe what you said Mana but the thing is...it said a genie will come out. A genie! Genies don't exist, they are only made up by the stories from the people who lived a long time ago. I can't believe we risked our lives for this lamp" Atem said placing the lamp on the sand.

Mana smiled, "Well it doesn't hurt to try right? I mean why would the queen ask you to get the lamp if it isn't true, Prince."

Atem laughed, "Fine." He then grabbed the lamp and rubbed it three times as what was said. Nothing happened, he laughed again. "See? I told you genies don't exist Mana" Atem added. He was about to keep the lamp inside his bag when it suddenly glowed and flew away from him. The lamp began shaking and a smoke came out of the lamp, the smoke enveloped both Atem and Mana making them hard to see what was going on.

"What is happening Prince?!" Mana asked and Atem answered, "I don't know." Mana casted a spell to have a wind blow on their direction making the smoke disappear with it. When the smoke cleared out, a young lady was standing in front of them. She was wearing a white tube and a white long skirt with long slits on each side, her shoes were gold and her hands were equipped with golden bracelets and one hanging tightly on her left arm. Her hair was that of chestnut brown and her eyes are a sea of blue, she was very beautiful and when you gaze on her eyes it's as if you are being pulled in. Atem and Mana looked at the stranger with a confused expression, they both then looked at each other and Mana began chanting a spell. The young lady noticed her and stopped her.

"Please don't do that if you may," the young lady said and snapped her hand that made Mana's mouth shut.

Atem witnessed it and took his small knife pointing it towards the stranger in front of them. "Who are you?!" He asked still pointing the knife.

The young lady smiled, "you have the guts to ask me that while pointing that knife of yours to me?! What a very disrespectful person you are indeed. Not only did you hurt my feelings, but you are now trying to kill me. Shall we go at it then?"

Atem held his knife tightly and run towards the stranger, "I was just asking who you are!!"

The young lady laughed as she dodged every attack of Atem, "Calm down Master...or shall I call you...your majesty instead? Let's stop this, I will introduce my name and I will release your girl from my magic while you explain what you want from me."

Atem stopped his attacks and asked, "How did you know I am from the royal family?"

The young lady smiled, "well of course since I am the one that was from that lamp..." she pointed at the lamp that was on the sand. "...I am what you call a genie. Oh wait! You don't even believe in that kind of thing" she added and laughed.

Atem just stared at her confused, "Uhm...huh?"

The young lady stopped laughing and sighed afterwards seeing the confused look her master is making. She released Mana from her magic and said, "don't even dare to cast another spell on me Miss Magician since I will only deflect it." Mana was silenced and nodded.

"Anyway, shall we forget what just happened a while ago and start anew Master? I will introduce first. I am Tea, a genie living inside that lamp for thousands of years. I had been helping your ancestors in battles with which they cannot win, I hold cosmical powers far too powerful than the royal magicians. And I serve only my Master which is none other than you..." Tea trailed off. She then sat cross legged on the sand and levitated, "I will help you on whatever you want but I will only grant 3 wishes and after that I will return into the lamp and be gone."

Atem and Mana listened to her words and the former tried to understand everything that the stranger was saying, Atem came close towards Tea and said "So you are really a genie? Ok, I will believe that for now but wait...what happens if I wish for my wishes to be unlimited Tea?"

The young lady smiled, "That won't happen of course. As I said I only grant 3 wishes and there are exceptions to that...one is the unlimited wishes and two is reviving someone who died."

"Ok...then how about falling in love?" Atem asked and Tea laughed. She then went down and stood face to face with Atem, she placed her right hand on Atem's cheek and slowly traced his chin with it stopping at the middle as she cupped his chin with her hand.

"Well that can happen...of course if you want that person to look at you so deeply in love and smitten like a zombie," Tea replied as she pulled Atem closer to her and pulled away when their eyes are only inches apart. "Well, I did my introduction Master...how about you do the same?" she added as she sat on a rock.

Atem nodded, "I am Prince Atem...the son of the current king and queen of Egypt. That girl is Mana, a royal magician and a childhood friend . I came to get you because I need your power to assist me in the incoming war that will be happening after tomorrow." He explained emphasizing the word "friend" so the genie would understand.

Tea laughed, "Ok...and what will be you first wish Master?"

Atem looked at her as she did the same, violet eyes stared to blue ones. Atem felt that he was being pulled in by her beauty not just the face but her eyes as well, he diverted his attention when he realized what was happening. Atem cleared his throat as a blush formed on his face, "Well the wishes would have to be made when we go back to the palace. Both I and Mana are so tired of the journey to find you, I think we should all go back to the palace and continue talking there."

Tea smiled, "Fine by me. By the way...Master, don't you want me to entertain you for a bit? I'm very good at dancing..."

"No need for that, let us g-" Atem replied and was cut off when Mana grabbed his hand. Atem looked at Mana as if questioning her, the latter smiled.

"Since we are now here and she offered, why don't we let her entertain us for a bit Prince? Besides, by the time we return to the palace...I am sure we won't have the time to see her magic" Mana said.

Atem sigh, "Fine..." He looked at Tea who in return looked at him with a smile. "Please do entertain us Tea," Atem requested with a pout.

Tea smiled and bowed in front of them both, Atem and Mana decided to sit on the sand while Tea performs. The girl snapped her fingers and smoke began to surround them again, she then began singing "A friend like me (like in Alladin)" as 6 men wearing white long clothes falling above their knee and each of them holding a big sword appeared walking closer to Atem and Mana. They pointed their swords towards the two and was about to strike them when Tea flew in front of Atem and Mana, producing a sword of her own and attacking the six men while she drags the two to avoid the attack. She then grabs Atem's hand causing the latter to let go of Mana. Tea pushed him on the sand as she look straight into Atem's eyes and touched Atem's nose as she winked at him and walked away. Tea then produced a small golden bench and let Atem and Mana sat there while she went inside her lamp as she reappear again when the lamp was rub, this time she is now kneeling in front of Atem. She then produced six ladies wearing blue tube and genie pants, while their faces are covered with a blue mask revealing only their eyes. The girls along with Tea danced in front of Atem and Mana, they circled around them and danced side to side shaking their hips.

Atem was surprised and diverted his gaze on the sand but Tea grabbed him again and waltz with him as she twirled around him and drop off the ground only to be caught by Atem, Tea smiled and pulled him closer making Atem uneasy. She then closed her eyes and inched her face closer to him as if to kiss him and vanish before their lips would even touch, Atem felt his heart beat fast when their faces were close but as soon as she vanish in front of him he looked surprised and spun around to see where she went. Tea then appeared in front of Mana and produced different foods as she pulled Atem towards them by a red cloth, Tea then produced lots of coins in front of Atem. She then snapped her fingers and two men dressed in nothing but white wrapped round skirt appeared holding two big fans embroidered with jewels, the two men began fanning Atem and Tea added guards standing beside Atem as well as servants serving him food. The dancers continued dancing around Mana and Atem while Tea continues popping things offered to the royal families as she danced with joy. Atem watched her with admiration seeing how she enjoyed performing, he then smiled and his eyes only followed Tea. At the end, Tea appeared in the center of all her creations and produced a fire on both her hands ending her performance with a bang. Mana clapped in amazement when the performance ended while Atem only stared in awe.

Tea walked towards Atem with a smile, "so how was my performance master?"

Atem smiled, "It was really good. Thank you Tea" he said in his most sincere tone while looking at Tea.

The latter upon seeing his smile blushed and diverted her gaze towards Mana, she then made all her creations vanished. "Well that's great, I guess we should go now. It's getting dark" Tea said calming herself as she walks towards the horse.

"Ok, um...aren't you gonna go inside the lamp?" Atem asked.

"Why? Can't I just ride with you two?" Tea replied as she turned to face Atem.

"That would be fine but I think having three people in a horse is kinda...um, let's just say I feel bad for the horse. Besides you need to change your clothes if you're gonna travel with us" Atem said as he pointed her clothing.

Tea pouted, "Ok...I guess I will go inside my lamp then because my Master doesn't want me to join their travel." She vanished after that and Atem sigh.

"She's really a handful," Atem said massaging his forehead.

Mana came towards Atem, "Prince...I think we should let her ride the horse if she wants to. You see she has been kept away in her lamp for too long, I think she's lonely and bored inside that she said those words. Besides, don't you think it will be suspicious to introduce a girl tomorrow without having the guards see her arriving in the palace?"

Atem thought for it in a bit and gave up, "Fine. Tea...you heard that?"

"I didn't hear anything Master says, just tell me if we are on the palace already!" the lamp answered.

Atem sighed, "Look...I am sorry if I hurt your feelings. Mana is right, if the guards don't see you when we arrive there tonight and you appear tomorrow...it will create chaos. Besides, I don't want to fight you because I need your help for the battle. Please come out now."

After 3 minutes, Tea appeared in front of them wearing an off shoulder white dress that falls above her knees. The sleeves stopped just below her elbow and she was wearing golden sandals, she then covered herself with a white cloak.

"Well...is this alright now Master?" she asked with a pout as she spun around. Atem smiled and nodded, the prince then ride the horse followed by Mana on the back. Tea hesitated to come up the horse but Atem offered her a hand, the young lady looked at Atem and saw his smile.

"It will be alright, just grab my hand and I won't let you go. I promise you won't fall because I will catch you" Atem assured her. Tea upon hearing his words smiled and didn't hesitate to grab his hand, she then sat in front of Atem.

"Um, where would I hold?" Tea asked seeing that Atem was the one holding the halter.

Atem smiled, "Just hold the halter then." He said releasing his hold on the leather, Tea did what she was told and felt warmth over her hands. She looked at it only to find that Atem was holding her hands, she suddenly felt her heart beat fast but she didn't know why.

"What are you doing Master?" Tea asked calming herself.

"Since I am the one leading the horse, I am simply holding the halter. But since you are the one holding it, then I'm holding your hand as an indirect way of holding the halter...Relax and just enjoy the ride" Atem said with a smile and pulled the halter to make the horse move already.

The horse run off in a fast speed and Tea was feeling scared at the sudden speed, Mana was holding Atem's waist so she wasn't scared of falling. Meanwhile, Atem noticed the young lady's expression so he leaned closer to her and whispered "It is alright. I won't let go of you, just look at the view."

Tea feeling the warmth enveloping on her left ear and back formed a blush on her face, she tried composing herself and looked around them. She found many things, the villages that changed over the course of time. Even the number of pyramids built, everything seemed new to her. She smiled as she was awed by the changes that happened, she lived for a long time inside the lamp without knowing that a lot already changed. Meanwhile Atem occasionally stares at Tea to check whether she is fine or not, he saw that she was enjoying the view of Egypt and that made him smile unconsciously.

It was already sunset when they arrived at the palace, the guards welcomed them as they bowed whenever Atem passed them. The councils upon knowing through Isis that they had already arrived rushed to greet them.

"Our prince, welcome back! It is nice to know that you both-" Shimon stopped midway when he noticed an unfamiliar girl with them. "Our prince, who is this young lady that you have brought here?" Shimon asked examining Tea, his gestures made Tea uncomfortable making her lean towards Atem.

The prince noticed it and said, "Shimon it is alright. She is a friend."

Shimon acknowledged it and bowed down in front of Tea as he apologized to her. Queen Aziza then arrived welcoming her son, Mana and even Tea, she hugged them tightly as they ackwardly hugged her back.

"My son, you are back...it's good to see you came back safely...." Queen Aziza said with a smile and her son smiled back, Queen Aziza then looked at Mana and said "And I must thank you Mana for bringing home my son safely just as you promised."

Mana nodded with a smile, while Mahad who was just standing with the other councils smiled at his apprentice acknowledging her already as a magician. Queen Aziza then looked at Tea and saw that both her and Atem's hands are holding, she smiled and teased "Oh my...As the future pharaoh of this country, my son sure knows how to treat a lady."

Upon hearing the queen's words, Atem and Tea blushed and released their holds on one another. "I am sorry mother..." Atem replied with a reddened face.

Queen Aziza laughed, "Why are you sorry my son? Anyway...It is good to know that you are alright Miss?" she asked turning her attention towards the young lady.

Tea smiled, "Just call me Tea...my queen."

"Ah...Tea, well welcome here to our palace. I hope you will enjoy here and don't be shy to ask the people here if you have any questions, ok?" Queen Aziza said holding Tea's hands. The young lady smiled and nodded.

"Very well, I am sure you three went into a very tiring journey. You should eat dinner already and take a bath, then get a goodnight sleep" Queen Aziza said and walked inside the palace, while the councils followed her except for Mahad.

Mana was the first to get off the horse, she run towards her Master as Mahad caught her into an embrace. "I should go first our prince, goodbye!" Mana said as she waved to Atem, the prince waved back and both Mana and Mahad bowed to him then left.

Atem then got off the horse and offered a hand to Tea, "Here...grab my hand."

The young lady nodded, and took Atem's hand as she went down the horse. A servant then came to lead the horse into its home.

"I guess, you are hungry. Let's go inside and eat" Atem said with an ackward smile and lead the walk inside the palace as Tea trailed behind him.

The dinner served was enormous, they had different kinds of foods placed over the long rectangular wooden table. Wines were served and the musicians played a very calming music to entertain the royal family, the councils as well as Tea who sat quietly eating her dinner. Atem looked at her worriedly on the opposite side since she was seated between Shimon and Mahad. Queen Aziza saw this and just smiled, meanwhile Shimon talked towards Isis and Tea. He give the two girls different jokes on which Isis just smiled at it while Tea laughed in an uncomfortable manner. The other councils just smiled and went along the conversation from time to time. Tea was uncomfortable at first in talking with the councils since they are new to her, so Atem took the initiative to help her.

"Tea, can you tell us what and where did you go before we met you?" Atem asked and the young lady looked at him confused. "Tell us your adventures?" the prince added and Queen Aziza said "It would be very pleasing to know the things you saw Tea, it's alright."

Tea was hesitant at first but then began, "Well...I didn't go...to many places really. I was kept in the la~nd near the Nile water for too long. I saw market traders before were still small and some citizens around it never buys anything since they don't have the money, now it seems the citizens have work and bought things from the traders..." She trailed off correcting herself to never tell them that she lived in a lamp.

The stories continued and the councils asked her things. Whenever she couldn't answer, Atem and Queen Aziza always help her out. Tea was able to feel comfortable with them after an hour and was now chatting with the councils in a carefree manner, Atem on the hand was glad to see that Tea is smiling and laughing now.

"You sure seem fond of her my son, are you falling for her?" Queen Aziza mumbled in a way that only her and Atem can hear, the prince was caught off guard with his mother's words and blushed.

"N-no way mother, I was just happy to see that she seems ok now" Atem replied and the queen only smiled.

The dinner took 2 and a half hours because of the talking, Atem and the rest went to their room to sleep but Atem took this time to take a bath in warm water. Tea was escorted towards her room, which was just in front of Atem. She took her time to take a bath in warm water as well while looking at the moonlight outside her window.

It was eleven in the evening when Tea came out of her room and went to the balcony, the wind was blowing cold air and the moonlight shined in between the clouds illuminating some cities on the desert. The people in the palace are all asleep now except for the guards on duty, Tea breath in the air and calmed herself watching the moon. A figure then came besides her catching her attention.

"I thought you are asleep..." the figure asked and Tea looked at who was beside her and revealed to be none other than Atem now wearing new royal clothes.

"Well, I want to enjoy the scenery first before I sleep...besides, I already slept and was kept inside the lamp for such a long time" Tea replied with a smile.

Atem glanced at her and smiled, "It is good that you are able to enjoy. Tomorrow, you can do whatever you want before the battle begins the day after. The clothes suit you well by the way."

Tea was surprised and looked at her appearance, she was wearing a simple long white dress that stops on her ankle. Nothing was placed on it and a pair of golden sandals was the only one that accompanies it. Tea is beautiful even in that simple outfit, her blue eyes and chestnut hair makes her look like a princess from a neighbouring country. Tea smiled and replied, "Thank you....by the way master, what are your wishes? Have you thought of them already?"

Atem nodded, "I will tell you my two wishes but just do it tomorrow ok? The last one shall be told after the battle." Tea nodded. "Well my first wish is for the citizens of this country to be safe from the battle, my second wish would be for you to help us win the battle" Atem said.

Tea smiled, "No problem with those wishes Master. You can win the battle even when you are just here."

"No...I want to battle but if it is possible to end it without having too much injured people on both sides that would be great" Atem replied.

"Oh? So you want to appease the other party? I can help you with that...besides I have lived here for a long time that I saw some battles ending in a very bad result" Tea said and frowned remembering the battles.

Atem looked at Tea as he noticed a tone of sadness in her words, he was worried and wanted to comfort her but he doesn't know how. The truth is, he doesn't even know why does she affects him this much even though they just met. Maybe it's the fact that he felt sorry for she has to live in such a long time without someone beside her, the fact that she has to serve different kings in every generation just to realize that time passes on while she just stay the same. He wanted to hug her because he knew how lonely she must felt, but he doesn't have the courage for he might scare her off.

"You know, if ever you feel sad or want to cry out just feel free to show it to me...it must have been hard on you" Atem said with a sad smile.

After hearing the prince's words, it is Tea's turn to look at Atem. "Thank you...and indeed it is hard but...but just having someone beside me helps a lot, just like what you are doing" Tea said with a smile.

"That's great to hear, by the way...Tea? Have you ever wanted to be free of your duty as a genie?" Atem asked.

Tea looked at him confused but smiled, "well...I have always wanted to explore the world...but I can't, since I am needed."

"But if you were given a chance to do so, would you want to have freedom?" Atem asked and Tea nodded. Time passed by while the two stared at the moon, the cool air made Tea shiver catching Atem's attention.

"I guess we need to sleep now, let's go inside" Atem said offering his right hand on which Tea gladly accepted.

To be continued...