Authors Note: Hello everyone! It's been a long time since I've ever written anything for this site and even though I won't be making a habit out of it I did want to write again and what better couple then my favorite. The last story I wrote was in 2013 and I never finished it. Even though I am writing again I will not be finishing that story. So hopefully this story is a fresh start and I can pick up my love for writing again. I did enjoy writing this chapter even though I have a lot of doubts on if I wrote it to the best of my abilities, but none the less I will post it and let the readers decide if I should continue. As always I do not own the characters nor Yugioh in general. Please enjoy!

Pacing back and forth I couldn't help but project my anxiety on the room. The constant beating of my heart in my ears and the inability for my lungs to keep up was just a reminder of what was to come. In one month time I was going to be married off. In one month time I would be leaving behind everything that I held dear to only be replaced by a complete stranger. Ever since the news of the engagement the more agitated I became as the day drew closer for my fiancé to arrive to whisk me away. And the day was finally here. Well almost here, the ship wasn't due till the morning and currently the moon was still half way to its peak. It brought no comfort though. No matter how many walks I took through the gardens or how many naps I tried to take, the nagging voice at the back of my head was still as constant and still as strong.

Forcing out a sigh and with another attempt to quell the nervous feeling I sat down on the foot of my bed. Even the soft sheets and welcoming pillow were not enough to tempt me to sleep. To many 'what ifs' played through my head. What if he was a jerk; what if he was too old; what if I can't grow to love him, but the worst was what if this stranger was cruel. I had heard many horror stories from close acquaintances, some much younger then me who were forced into the arms of abusive men. Too many social events I would spend seeing new bruises on my friends and each party I would have to console them in their tears. Wishing I could take them away from it all and yet now I find I maybe in the same position. Who would console him? I would be forced to a new land with new people. I wouldn't have a single shoulder to lean on.

A hesitant knock sounded at his door, as if unsure on whether they should disturb him in his current state. I refused too take out my frustration on others so rather than yell at whoever had decided to bother me I would just simply request to be left alone. Silently I made his way across his room to the door and pulled it ajar. I had expected to see a guard checking up on me or even my father come to tell me to get some rest. Instead I was met with the brown tearful eyes of my sister. Her lip trembled and she clearly was struggling to hold on to her emotions. I never thought how hard this situation would be on her but seeing her small farm and innocent eyes I knew I could never force her into this situation.

"Joey?" She whispered under her breath. Her voice wavering as she held back tears.

"Serenity. What are you doing out of bed at this time you should know a young women needs her rest." I smiled in what could only be described as strained and deep down I knew she could see through it.

She nodded, her eyes trailing down as she again tried to stifle what emotion she was experiencing. Her hair fell into her face and I knew she was trying to hide from the outside world. I reached out and pushed her hair back, leaning down I again smiled but this time genuine.

"Hey, cheer up little sis. I know what you're thinking and trust me I'm scared too..." I tilted up her chin and ruffled her hair. "But you know I can handle just about anything right? No matter what happens I won't leave you forever."

Once again her eyes held their tearful look but this time she couldn't hold them back. She let out a spot cry and quickly stepped forward to wrap her arms around me. Burying her head against my chest I heard her soft sobs as I gently hugged her back. I knew it would do us no good if I were to cry. I needed to be the brave one right now. That's why I offered my hand so she wouldn't be forced to. I knew she couldn't handle the weight of this marriage and I couldn't bring myself to make her bare it on her own.

"I don't w-want you to g-go brother!" Her small voice broke threw her sobs and my heart broke with it. "You didn't h-have to take my place I w-would have been fine. Please…please reconsider."

Hugging her closer I kissed her head softly.

"You know I won't. I will not let them take away your childhood. I've lived my childhood and I've played my games but now it's time for me to grow up and take my responsibly." I gently pushed her shoulders and stepped away. "I want you to have fun okay? Play some pranks on the cooks, go play in the pond, just be happy. I'll be fine just promise me you won't let this get in the way of you living your life."

I held op my pinky expectantly and gave her biggest grin. She hesitated and even though I could see her lip trebling and her brows etched in grief she let out a shaky laugh. Her small pinky wrapped around mine and we slowly shook our hands in agreement. I could see her hesitance but I knew that when we promised each other something we would always keep it. It was my sister I knew that would be the hardest to leave but I hoped my future husband would be reasonable enough for a couple of letters.

After one more hug and a few more tears I had finally convinced her to go and try to get some rest. As I watched her walk down the hallway and around the corner I suddenly felt relief. No matter who this man was or what he was capable of my sister will never have to experience it. She would be safe and happy. I yawned softly and with a content smile, closed my door. Tomorrow I would wake up like normal, get dressed and have breakfast. Then I will welcome the man who will single handedly change my life in the course of one month. Then nothing will be normal again.

The sun cascaded into the room and right onto my face. I let out a low groan of disapproval and tiredly pulled my blankets over my head to block out the light and attempt to get more sleep. Just as I felt myself on the brink of slumber a loud knock at my door. I groaned louder to vocalize my displeasure only to be met with another loud knock.

"Joseph I swear if you are not in the middle of getting dressed right now I will put you to work in the stables and your father will not get you out of it this time!"

"Good maybe if I'm a stable boy I wont have too marry this man and I can stay here!" I re back. I would rather shovel horse shit then to marry this stranger.

"Stop being a over dramatic Joseph he's not as bad as you seem to think! He's defiantly grouchy and unapproachable but he's not going to bite you!"

Instantly my eyes shot open and I bolted out of my bed. Quickly I ruffled my hair into what could pass as presentable and made sure that my clothes were facing the correct way. When I deemed myself presentable I went to the door, took a deep breath, and pulled it open. A small elder women greeted me with a stern and disapproving scowl. Her eyes were sunken in and her face showed her age. I was sure if I counted her wrinkles I could figure out her age. Trees were like that right? Her hair was thin and ashy gray and was only held back by a single leather strap that barely could keep the stray wisps of her hair from spilling around her face. In general she would appear to be a sweet old woman but I resented her. Deep down I knew she had my best interests at heart but really she couldn't ever just let me have a little fun. I could see she her face take on a deeper frown and I knew she was waiting for me to say something. But rather than give her the satisfaction I simply stretched my arms, placed my hands behind my head, pretended to yawn, and strode off in the direction I knew wasn't the way she wanted me to go.

I heard her let out a screech of disbelief at my actions and I heard her as she scurried after me.

"And where do you think you're going Joseph your betrothed has been waiting almost an hour for your arrival and you're just going to run off and do whatever you please? Is this how the husband to a high priest is to act?' He face was beginning to turn a bright red with the strain of trying to keep up with my longer strides. "You are doing nothing but embarrassing you and your father you realize!"

I gave a soft hum as my grin grew wider.

"Ahh so my future husband is a high priest?" I made a point of stressing the high as if that was to be of some importance on my decision. "Well I'm sure if he's so great then he shouldn't mind waiting a few more minutes for his betrothed to eat. And if he really was in such a hurry to meet me why wasn't I awoken sooner when he arrived?"

Clearly that was not the response she was expecting and she faltered in her steps. I took the hesitation to gain a bit of a lead and made a quick turn into the kitchens. The cooks all seemed to be clamoring away to prepare their best for our guests dinner and even if I wasn't looking forward to it I couldn't deny how excited I was for the feast they would receive tonight. I walked to one of the many cooling pastries that was set out and snuck one away when I was sure the cook wouldn't see.

"You know if you want something to eat you don't have to sneak it away like a petty thief. You can just take it."

I looked back to see that she had finally caught up with me and was now standing in the door frame with her arms crossed. I just shrugged and began to stuff the warm pastry in my mouth. She gave a disgusted look and shook her head.

"I don't know if I should feel happy about you leaving or sorry for him that he has to live with you." She sighed and stepped closer to me. For a moment her features softened as she placed a thin boney hand on my shoulder. "You know the reason why you're in the kitchen isn't because you're hungry, trust me your always hungry you would live here if you could. But this is only just a short term solution. Eventually you will have to face him and eventually you will have to marry him. You can hide all you want but the problem isn't going to go away.

"Finish you r breakfast but don't keep hiding. I'll vouch for you that you didn't want to be him while you were hungry and then I need you to suck it up and meet him." She gave a finally stern look then walked back out of the kitchen.

I stood in shock for what seemed like forever. It wasn't till a younger cook bumped my shoulder in a hurry that I realized I was probably in their way and should leave. As I slowly made my way out of the kitchen, my food forgotten on the table, I thought over what just happened. Never in all my life has she ever shown me that amount of kindness. It almost seemed like she cared, almost. Come to think of it I don't think I've ever seen her when she isn't scowling at everybody. I was so deep in my thoughts that I hadn't realized that I had walked right to the door of the main hall. Gently I placed my hand on the door and felt the coolness on my palm. I tried to settle my heart as now it seemed like it was ready to burst out of my chest. This was it. No more hiding, no more running, and no pretending that this will all go away. My betrothed was on the other side of this door along with my future. I pressed a little firmer on the door as loud ringing hummed in my ears. The door was heavy but with more effort I pushed it open to see all eyes on me. I froze. As all the eyes stared at me only one stood out and instantly I knew who they belonged to. Icy blue and completely unapproachable. This was him. This was the man I was going to marry and spend my life with. I've never wanted to hide any more than I did at this moment but I couldn't. I was already here and he had already seen me. There was no going back. A grunt got my attention and I broke my gaze away from the man with the cold eyes to see my father.

"It's so nice of you to finally join us my son," he's smile was forced and he gave me a look that told me to not mess this up. "I would like you to meet your betrothed, High Priest Seto Kaiba."

Authors Note: So demanding on how people feel about this story so far will determine if I continue it. If I do continue it I will either write Seto's point of view and thoughts on marriage or just keep it Joey's and him finally meeting Seto. I kept the names as their modern names rather than their past live names. It was easier for me to write. Only people who are close to Joey call him by that everyone else will call him Joseph. I hope it's not to confusing and if you liked it please let me know!