Tittle: Phoenix's soul Volume 1: Pharaoh's heart Chapter 5 (2/3)

 

 

(Chapter 5: welcome to my palace part 2/3)

 

######################A week later ##################################### 

 

It was a week later after the incident; the king finally recovers his strength. Even on the saddest part of that incident came into a good part, when the king was still recovering, they became more and more closer to each other, Ai-ka helped Ania take good care of the king, letting him eat his meal, wiping the king with warm soaked cloth, and help change his clothes with the help of Hepa,

 

The days became more sweeter for them, teasing and laughter can be heard on the king’s chamber as for the guards who was guarding the entrance of his chamber just stare at each other for it was their first time to hear the king laugh that loud

 

The king felt more in love with the girl, he kept using the mantle the girl weaved for him, even the girl always say “Alim, I know it’s my weave but a king shouldn’t wear clothes like that” still he insisted on wearing those cause for him it was the most precious clothe he could have, for him no gold or any precious stones can trade that simple but priceless clothe, for it was made for him, handmade by the girl he always dreamed of, the days went by too fast for them, as they shared many things and kisses… sleeping together, dreaming together but when will he be able to say those three words that was on his mind that kept repeating? 

 

Ai-ka was falling for more to the king, every time she hears his laughter, smell his scent and felt the warmth of the king, she was always hoping she could give herself to the king not just because of her job but to prove her love to him, she wants to let the king devour her, be satisfied and be pleasured with his desires, but she was more hoping to say those three words that her heart kept shouting deep inside

 

Ata was busy ruling the kingdom while the king was recovering, he was the one who did the politics and all the kings job, it was difficult but with being with Alim always makes it more easier for it was not new to him, he was more busy gathering more information about this group even many times he failed to find one, he checked the records his council gave and also checked Ania’s and Thoth’s secret gathered information. And time the king recovered they talked about those information

 

“So, how’s your search, Ata” the pharaoh asks

 

“My search still leads me to nowhere, but I should assume that this traitors inside our council keeping their tracks unseen”

 

“Have any thought who were this stupid people who covered their tracks”

 

“They’ve blended well my lord, but as of what I’ve gathered from this information this Kemosiri or this baby brokers started far more than forty-five years by now my king”

 

“what? I wasn’t even born that time” the king sits on the chair near the table Ata was using on the library

 

“Yes, As far I search this group started in time your father claimed the throne and my father became the high council and also vizier Uab had been chosen by your father to be his vizier, it was the first day vizier Uab became the advisor to the king and that time my father was uncrowned being a  prince and next to the heir because before our grandfather died he was exposed on having permitting black market to enter our country, So instead of him, your father became the pharaoh, but because of your father’s pity he was still assigned on the council”

“So you’re point that it might be vizier Uab or your father doing these deeds?”

 

“I still have no proof, but it is my theory, to hide this kind of group to our regime, he should have a great higher position to hold, and those position were preferred for”

 

“Still I won’t accuse any of them, even your right for we still don’t have proof to prove, specially that I know you have a grudge for your father, I don’t want to make it sound like it was your revenge or something”

 

“Yes I know my lord”

 

They began, studying and analyzing the information taken when again the mystical thief appears in front of them

 

“Hello your shortness” he greeted

 

“Who are you?” the prince asks and about to prepare his dagger

 

“No, Ata, I know him” he stops the prince and face the magical thief “I assume you have any information about this group”

 

“Well I guess, the incident helped your mood to change, well here” he said it in sneering tone before he snaps his fingers and a papyrus scroll appear

 

“You can use magic?” the prince gasped

 

“Well I haven’t introduced him to you my cousin, his name is Sutekhi the magical king of thieves if that what he wants to introduce” the king introduced the magical thief to his cousin but the prince was confused on the lines ‘if that’s what he wants to introduce’ and how come the king have a thief as a friend?

 

 

“Ok,… Sutekhi I heard you have information to give about this group” the prince started to snap from his confused mind and focusing back on the matter

 

“This scroll had its records of their victims and clients” the thief went near and spread the scroll on the table and started to explain

 

“It started about forty-five years ago, at first the townspeople welcomed it, because it meant that the children would survive and be well cared for, plus the families needed the meager payments they received for the babies, they were paid slightly more if the child were a male. At first they only took the newborns, and then it was the one year olds then the two year olds. Once the child reached the age of three they were considered safe, Then when things started to improve for the people and more of them were able to keep their children the 'Brokers' started to turn desperate they had suddenly lost a lucrative business. At first the only babies used were those whose parents couldn't afford to keep them, the children would have normally been either killed or left somewhere, their fate unknown, to have their better life they sell it for the nobles with this called baby brokers as their negotiator but suddenly it became worst, here are the list of people that they do sell their child willingly and here are the list that were taken forcefully, and one of them was one of your soldier Bomani”

 

“Bomani?” the king burst

“I never heard he have a child nor a wife”

 

“he had, my king, Her daughter was a beautiful little girl always smiling, it was rare to hear her cry and if she did it must have been pretty serious, anyway one day the townspeople heard her screaming along with her mother, and rushed into Bomani's home to see what was wrong… that's when they saw them taking the child and stabbed Bomani’s wife on her back and still not contented they cut her head and managed to run away from the people with the child”

 

“How awful” the king couldn’t believe those horrible experiences his soldier had

 

“Wait, how did you know the exact event on that day?” the prince was curious

 

“Well, how can you miss if you have a big swamp of vision” the thief murmured

 

“what? swamp?” the prince was more puzzled

 

“Nothing my prince, I was there also at that time” the thief lied

 

“You’re at the time, you’re already that old? But you look like the same age as we are”

 

But the thief just smirks and gave an amused glare at the curiosity of the prince

 

“What else you have found about this group, Sutekhi” the king asks for more

 

“Well it’s just what I know for now” then he murmured “I just know about the chaos they bring not everything besides it’s not my job doing it, it’s someone else’s job”

 

“Ok… a person like you still doesn’t know everything” the king mocks, as he was giving the thief a hint that he knows the true identity of the man

 

“well, I guess I’ll be going now” he stepped out of the window “but his head prop back “And if someone will come and offer to be your lover’s guard, accept her, cause I know her, and I know you will too know her” and then the king blushed

 

“Ok, I will” he answered

 

‘A guard? Her? Means she’s a girl if he said it right’

 

“Who was that? How come he knows about this” the prince snaps the king out of his mind

 

“Ah… him, his my friend, don’t worry he can be trusted”

 

“Are you sure?”

 

“Yes I am indeed sure, just don’t ask why”

 

“Ok, by the way how’s the girl? Ai-ka” the prince wants to start teasing the king

 

The king just raised his brows as he gets the hint; he also remembers his debt as he was lost on their deal

 

“Here” he throws a bag of almost 50 coins of gold

“For what?” the prince ask for he was still unaware what was that for

 

“I lost, you win alright”

 

“Ah, I was joking about those deals, but thanks anyway I needed some extra allowance”

 

The king just smirk at the prince and he bids bye and went back to the room to check for the girl

 

When he reached his chamber he found the girl cleaning the hallway of his chamber

 

“Ai-ka, you’re still here? I was thinking you went to your training”

 

“Alim” the girl said excitedly when she saw the king but went downfall when she answered, “well I’d love to… but I don’t know where to go” she pouts and played her fingers

 

 The king raises his brows for a moment then he said

 

“So you mean, you’re afraid to get lost inside the palace, well surely this palace is a bit bigger, even I haven’t went to all parts of this place, I guess I’d love to tour you around the palace”

 

The girl burst out of happiness and nods, they went sightseeing around the four wings of the palace, the west wing where the king’s chamber and gardens and swamps, the east wing where the throne room, library, healing room, sacrament chambers, temple sacred places, council court chamber, soldiers chamber, and the royal dining table, training hall and other chamber used on daily politics and gatherings, the north wing was where the prince chamber, council and priests rooms, laundry and the kitchen, servants, workers and slave chambers, the storage room of any goods and foods, even the storage of gold’s and other precious stone and profits of the palace, while the south was where all the king’s harem lady where placed, dancers, musicians, talents and entertainers

 

Ai-ka was amused on how big the palace was, even with just a limited tour of the palace still her eyes widened on the site, when they finished exploring the four wing’s, Alim guides the girl back where the training hall was located and there as expected the healer waited for the girl to come

 

“You were late on your first day my dear” the healer crossed her arms

 

“I am indeed sorry, Ania, I don’t know how to get here, for I am still haven’t familiarized the place, but the king thoughtfully guided me and let me toured around this four walls” Ai-ka explains

 

“Yes, Ania, that’s why I am here… but since then, I also want to see her first day of practice”

 

The healer just considered the reason and started fixing the thing they’ need on their practice

 

“The first thing to do is to know your element” the healer started to explain while motioning the girl to sit on the weaved mat

 

When the girl sat on the mat the healer also sat in front of the girl

 

“Now, answer me, have you ever experienced using any sort of magic or something magical happened to you?”

 

“Well five years ago, I have seen the water turn into a whip, it was absolutely unreal for us to see, but now when I saw Aneb, Thoth, you and even the king, I guess it was because of the power I have as a fateh”

 

“your guess is right my dear, mostly fateh has an element of water, because it contains healing powers, it is cool but still warm, it is steady and refreshing,” she stands and went towards the girl, “ relax and follow me here” she guides the girl into a small swamp “ caution, your clothes shall be wet, with this lesson”

 

“Ok” the girl step into the swamp,

 

The water was just low near knee level and being a short lady the water almost reached on her waist, but for her it was just ok, the healer took off of all her unnecessary garments and what’s left was a skimpy tunic and for Ai-ka it was new to her to see the healer wearing short clothes for she was used to see her wearing long robe garments

 

“Now feel the water, feel your KA flowing to you and connect to the element” she instructed and the girl followed by closing her eyes and focusing on the feeling she felt

 

There was something warm but cool feeling surround her body and then her mark glowed, stinging pain distracted her focus

 

“Ouch… it hurts…” almost feel on her knees

 

“Try, not to focus on the pain but the power it releases” the healer helped her to ease the pain but on the other side 

 

The king also felt the pain and his mark also glowed, both of them felt the connective pain but when Ai-ka tried to focus her mind on the warm feeling sensation the pain became lesser until it was gone, when the stinging pain was gone the king felt amused and smirked as he thought ‘hmmm… good by now she knows how to alleviate and control our KA, in no time she’ll be a talented magician’

 

He still watched on how the girl manages to steady her power and employing her KA to connect the element she wants to tap

 

“Breathe, feel the power inside your body released” the healer instructed her student and the girl did what the healer said, she breathe and feel her KA flowing, her body glowed along with her mark

 

“Now limit, your power, limit you’re KA, don’t let it all flow and connect it to the element, connect your KA to the spirit of water and when you have finally done it you can control its soul” 

 

The girl was deep on her concentration to limit the power her body is releasing and tried to become one with the water surround

 

“Exhale, inhale… inhale the soul of the water, exhale your KA, breathe”

 

She exhale and inhale doing what the healer had said to her, then it was indeed true she can feel the water’s soul ‘I can feel it, the water so calmly and refreshing, cool yet so warming, can feel my mind ease and my body become assiduous, I can feel my KA connect to the flow of water and its soul become one to mine’ she thought while she can feel the power flowing,

 

Both her body and water glowed, orderly her body glowed and right after it the water glows continuously, that order repeatedly cycle at the same time as she can feel the connection, and she knows now, they have become one

 

“Hmmm…. Let me see” the healer leaned a bit, she put her hand on top of the water and when the water glowed, she breath and her hand also glowed, tried to feel if the girl successful did it

 

“Hmmm… good, now let’s stop from there and I want you to practice more”

 

The lessons went well and the girl was happy about it for it was a good accomplishment for her, she wanted the king to be proud of her and this is her one way to make it fulfilled, and when they were done they went back to the king’s side

 

“did you see, did you see, did you” the girl bursts out of excitement to know if the king was pleased with it,  the king just smirked at the behavior of the girl, he found it somehow cute

 

“Yes, I see it and I was proud of you” the king said in ‘proud-parents-tone’ 

 

Ai-ka jumped around so high shouting “yep hey” acting like a young child, giggling and fidgeting around, the king just chuckled at the girl happy to see that the girl had finally adjusted on the place feeling comfortable with him, also even having fun with him, and with it, it made him to be a contented king

 

“Will you stop little one, we should go for now, so we can take our lunch and I still have politics to do” the king said it on a playful but strict tone

 

“Okay…” she started to walk outside the training chamber, saying goodbye to the healer and went to the corridors walking around and went to the dining hall where they can have their lunch

 

The girl still hopping around while walking like a child, waving her arms around humming playful tone and even walk around the rails if she found one, being small it really makes her more like a child to look, “Alim, Alim”

 

“Yes little one”

 

“Do you think, I’ll be a good magician?”

 

“You’ll be little one, and it’s true”

 

“Yep heey… yes, yes, and you’ll be pleased with me with that right Alim” she giggles

 

“Yes... Little one, I know you want to please me, but anything you do always pleases me” he shook his head before he smirk and kiss the girl “I always do, Ai-ka” and this made the girl blush

 

He copped her face softly with a visible smug can be seen and he was too happy to know that she always think highly of him but their romantic scene was cut off when

 

“Sire” two guards came and kneels down to the king "My pharaoh! The council is waiting for you”

 

The king felt annoyed and let go of a loud sigh "Can't they wait a while longer?"

 

"I'm sorry, my pharaoh, but there are a lot of cases today."

 

"There are always a lot of cases."

 

“But my pha—“

 

"Fine, fine, I'm going!”

 

“Thank you, my king, would you like for me to escort your concubine back to your chamber now my king?” the soldier was just trying to be nice but the king had different thoughts on his mind his over-active imagination kicked in. ‘What if he have plans on doing something to my Ai-ka ? Or what if he had  stopped on some hallowed part on the way to our chamber, and this guards, lusting for her beauty, what if NO…NO… ?’

 

“No, I’ll be the one, the council can wait more minutes, I am the pharaoh, they don’t have right to object, is my word clear, warrior?” the king said it on his pharaoh tone

 

“ye—yes… sire, I will tell them, you’ll be in just any minute” he stands and about to leave when he remembered something “sire, I almost forgot, this morning a woman, a strong woman, I think she’s a woman warrior by the looks of her , came and offered her service to be one of your palace foot guards, and she was specific on her job, she was offering, she said she wants to be your personal guard” the soldier said to the king

 

“A woman? Ok I’ll just attend to it after” the king said

 

“Yes, sire”

 

So instead going to the dining hall, Alim took Ai-ka to his chamber,

 

“I’ll be back this afternoon, little one” he kissed Ai-ka’s lips and forehead

 

“But you haven’t take your lunch” Ai-ka’s face was visibly worried for the king

                                                    

“Don’t worry Ai-ka, I won’t die for just one skip of a meal, and about you I’ll have Hepa bring your food and guide you back to the healer’s room

 

The girl nods, but still worried for the king, the king went to his throne and sits on the golden throne in the inclined part of the space, crouch on his front, sitting on a cushion his eight councils, and on his right side was Ata

 

“First” the king commands and the door opens, a very strong appealing woman enters and kneels in front of the king

 

“Who are you and what business brought you here in my country” the king said on his firm diplomacy tone 

 

 

“Sire, I am here to propose and offer myself to be your personal guardian”

 

“How would I know if you’re not from the enemies that want to kill me and disguise like yourself”

 

“I am no enemy nor want to kill you, I am a friend of Sutekhi, I am Sakh” the woman introduced herself to the king

 

“Sutekhi? Hmmm…” he remembers what Sutekhi had said to him “ ok, you’ll be one of my personal guard but I’ll have you for something more specific job to do, so wait for me on my chamber and if you find someone, there’s a girl try to introduce yourself to her” the king accepted her

 

The staid woman soldier bows and the other guards guided her to the king’s chamber

When the woman was gone the other council member specially her vizier reacted

 

“My pharaoh, it’s not wise to accept warriors without any further checks about her, and about this Sutekhi do you really know this man?”

 

“I am the pharaoh, vizier Uab, my words are the laws, if I accepted her, you don’t have the rights to query my decision and your power is just to give advice not put issue on my words, my laws” the pharaoh said on firm strong final tone and the so called vizier just bowed his head and went back to his post but the glare on the king’s eyes followed him until he sits,

 

The king really hates it if someone objects his words, no one had ever made him change his mind if his words are done and anyone who objects, sometimes gets punished, but this time because it was his adviser he let it slip for once but that doesn’t mean he’s free from the king’s wrath if he want to

 

“Next” the king said, still his mood was ruined, the guards opens the door and came a trader, an old man with his goods

 

Seeing the glaring pharaoh and obviously he’s mad, the trader began to tremble, bowing in front of the king

 

“State your purpose trader” the king said on more strong firm diplomacy tone

 

“my—my—king, I—I—I am a scent oil trader, I wish to sell my oils to your people” the trader stutter hard for he was scared, it was well known to all trader that, pharaoh Alim was the most hardest king to please and deal with, and he had also heard that one of the traders too, had been punish because he argued to the king, this king is well known for his stubbornness,

 

“Hmmm… A scent oil trader?” the king’s brow went up

 

“Yes… yes… my pharaoh, scent oils, our oils are from the northern foreign country, and it is well known to be the highest class of quality”

 

“Prove the quality of goods, trader” the king motion the healer to check the quality

 

“Yes, my king” the trader took some bottle and pours to the healer hands and the healer tried to check the quality

 

“Well?” the king inquiry

 

“Yes, my king it is true, the scent was indeed in best quality” the healer said and went back to her post

 

“Do you have some cinnamon oil and rose oil too?” the king asked

 

“Ahm… if you don’t want that scent my king I won’t sell those scent”

 

“No… I ask you if YOU HAVE, so answer me yes or no”

 

“Yes my king I have” 

 

“Really” the king broke into a genuine smile and everyone gasped even his council nor the guards for it was new to them to see the king smile on one of his dealings, the trader became happy seeing the king smile, but unknown to everyone the king smiled because of the memories his mind held back, memory of the week he’d been resting, the week were Ai-ka stayed with him nuzzling around him on his scent

 

*flashback*

 

“hmmmm…. You smell so good Alim” Ai-ka shifts more to nuzzle more on Alim

 

“You really love my scent right?” he chuckles a lot on the girl’s doings

 

But the girl doesn’t mind she hugs him more and sniffing the king scent, she move up and down at the king’s neck,

The king shivers at her breath bringing him to stiff but he must control his lust for now because he was still recovering but he loved the way the girl loving his scent very much

 

“Alim, you’re the most sweet-smelling scented man, I’ve meet” she giggles and kiss the king on his cheeks

 

‘Oh I could get used of this’ Alim thought slyly as perverted images started entering his mind,

 

‘everything went well, Hepa , Ata, Ania, even Thoth was right, now she’s not mad at me, she hugs, kisses me, even she was willing to give herself now to me , I can even touch her with those kind of touch  and taste her body… oh… Oh yes, it is going to be wonderful. In just a few weeks, she'll be mine. Ai-ka will always be mine!” biting his lips while the girl nuzzled and rest her head on the king’s shoulder, near the neck and fall asleep on the king’s warmth

 

*end of flashback*

 

 

‘She loves my scent, I won’t allow anyone to have those kinds of scent’ he thought

 

“I want to have all your cinnamon and rose oil, I will buy all of it, I want you to bring it all on the palace, I don’t want you to sell it to anyone, if you or if someone wear those scents, both of you will be punish to death, so if you value your life, do what I want, and tell this to the other trader, ALL CINAMON AND ROSE ARE FORBIDDEN TO BE USED,ONLY THE KING OF KEMET ARE ALLOWED TO HAVE THOSE SCENT AND IF ANYONE SELLS OR BOUGHT THOSE SCENTS, THEIR SENTENCE WILL BE A CAPITAL CRIME OF NOT FOLLOWING THE DIRECT ORDER OF THE PHAROAH, AND IF THEY WANT THOSE SCENTS TO BE SOLD COME TO ME AND I’LL WILL BUY IT ALL” the king said it on the final law tone on the trader while the trader just bows his head,

 

“Scribes write it down and make it a law, my council make sure this new law will be on exertion to all people of Kemet, and guards be alerted to this and capture anyone who commits this crime” the king commanded so firm to everyone

 

“But my pharaoh” the vizier was about to insist and protest

 

“Are you going to protest again my vizier?” the king said it venomously

 

The vizier just let out of loud groan before sitting back to his post and the king just smirk on him, and brings his mind back to the dealing

 

“so are you contented with this deals, I will buy those bottles of scent for 2 gold coin each” he said it on a serious but smirking tone, the trader gasped it was a big deal for him, to hit 2 gold, the king will buy his good for an expensive price, the trader broke a huge grinning smile on the king and nods eagerly

 

“Yes, I am, and I’ll make sure those scents will be only yours” the trader guessed on his mind ‘maybe those scent are the king’s favorites but why does he effort so much to have these new laws?’

 

And there the trader sign on the papyrus sheet as a sign of agreement between the king, and the trader bows for goodbye, happily smiling as he went outside

 

“Next” the king called for the third one, there the guards entered holding tightly on a man who was chained, and struggling, so lots of guards is holding him

 

“Sire, we captured this man, he is one of the bandits that came from the village of el Khulna, and we think he’s one of the groups called Kemosiri you’ve been looking for my pharaoh” the head guard said kneeling,

 

“Prisoner, tell me who you are, and if your with this group Kemosiri or not” the king said it on a scary firm diplomatic tone

 

“What if I am, you stupid king” the prisoner said it on a sneering tone

 

“Give respect to the king” the council stands and shouted to the prisoner

But the prisoner just laughed “hahahaha, respect? How could you respect a person who lovely used a dirty whore who’ve been used by many men as her master” the king glared at the prisoner “don’t talk bad about the girl if you wish to live”

 

“hahaha, who? You protect her that much? Hahahaha that lewd woman? Well I guess you don’t know her” the prisoner lick his lip “she taste so good, and tight” he said more as he saw the king grind his teeth on anger “ she’s warm and if you did it harder she’ll scream in want and sh”

“shut up!!!” the king cut him off, he almost went down and punch the man but he was held back by his council and Ania spoke to her “ no, my king he’s just taunting you, you shouldn’t have to be affected by his words”

 

“yes Ania, your right” still panting hard in anger and shouted to the prisoner “Ai-ka is still innocent, I won’t believe on your lies, GUARDS TAKE THIS PRISONER AND PUNISH HIM DEADLY” the king commanded his soldier and there the soldier took the prisoner but the prisoner was still laughing teasing the king by saying how wonderful his night was with the girl

 

When the prisoner was gone he sit on his throne and massage his temples, his anger caused him headache and groan he said “the court is close, I’ll resume the case tomorrow” and there the court was close, everyone who was waiting outside was told that the court was close and they have to be back tomorrow

 

The king stand and about to leave when he heard his uncle murmured

 

“this is what, I told him, loving a whore is a bad idea, they are just for pleasure nothing else” but he was shocked when he finished the lines he was on the floor his left face in pain and the king is on his top, holding his robe and the king’s fist was on his sight

 

“What’s the meaning of this” he reacted late

“Don’t ever, ever, ever talk like that, next time I hear you saying those words; I’ll kill you with my own hand… UNCLE” he said angrily and venomously on the last part ‘UNCLE’ word then he stands and walks back to his chamber without even glancing to his council’s calls

 

On his way his mind was still deep on the prisoner’s words ‘no, Ai-ka said she’s still pure and no one has ever had her, I know he was lying, but if you think about it why do Ai-ka said I am the most sweet-smelling man he ever met, did she ever hug or sleep with someone’ he stop and look over to the sky, ‘no, even if it’s true, even he had slept with many men, I don’t care… even how dirty she’s been, still I want her, I love her, and I will make sure no one will ever touch her, I’ll be her last… I love her so much’ tears on the king’s eyes slowly drops on his cheeks ‘I’ll make sure on my power no will talk badly to her again, no one’ he sob punching the walls and cried more slowly down on his kneel ‘Ai-ka little one, I love you so much, if it is a crime to yearn to the gods to let you fall in love with me, I’ll will wish it’ he sit on the side and cried for more, he doesn’t know why he was feeling this way, he was not affected, for him, it was ok if Ai-ka is pure or not, for him his love was true, but his feelings was hurt as images of Ai-ka tortured wryly being used by that insolent man, he can’t take of any thoughts of Ai-ka being hurt or something, it makes his heart ache much and he felt so much jealousy towards at that thought ‘RA, please let her love me, and if she does I have the right to conceal her to any man who will just hurt her by physical, or mentally…’ he pleaded to the god RA but his thought was scattered when

 

“My king, are you crying?” he immediately stands and turns his back and said

 

“no Hepa, A king wont cry” he said it firmly but still on the edge of his voice Hepa can still guess he was crying so the servant just smirk at him “here we go again my king do you remember the time I told you on your mother’s death and more about on your father’s death, when it was your first time to be a king?” Hepa ask him and those words brought him back on that time

 

*flashback*

 

The Pharaoh, the great Morning and Evening Star of Kemet, lay on his deathbed that night. He clutched on his robe with one hand and reached out to his incoming son with the other. "Alim…" he croaked, his throat dry and breaking.

 

Alim rush held his father's hand and placed in on his cheek, tears coming to his eyes. "It's alright father. I'm here."

 

"You'll be… a great… Pharaoh…" With one last strained breath, his hand slid off of Alim's cheek and out of his hold. His eyes closed and his chest stopped rising and falling. Alim starred in shock. It couldn't have been possible.

 

"The Pharaoh has died! May his soul live forever!" The cry rang across the grounds of the palace and into the city. Gently, Thoth slipped the cartouche out of the dead man's hold and led Alim away from his body. Alim refused to let his tears fall. He put the cartouche around his neck and walked away from the room with Thoth. He didn't even notice Hepa standing a little ways away from the door to the room.

 

"My prince" Hepa whispered. In just a few minutes, Alim had become an orphan and the most important person in Kemet! 'I'll never leave him alone and he needs me now more than ever, his sorrows will lead him no good if I won’t guide him well' Hepa thought. She had made up her mind. She have been his personal servant for years and even loved by the prince as his own mother, now is her chance to show him more how motherly he loved Alim

 

She went looking for prince, and when his room was empty she opted out and she realized that she knew exactly where Alim had gone. There's only one place Alim could cry… the tree outside in the garden near the swamp, so when she went sobs greeted her as she entered the garden, proving her thoughts was  right. Alim had his knees drawn up to his chest, his arms resting on top, and his face buried in his arms.

 

"Um… my prince” she called softly.

 

"No… away Hepa… don't look at me," Alim said, but the order wasn't convincing enough for Hepa to obey it. Not that she would anyways.

 

"Do you not want me near? Why? I am here just to comfort you my child" Hepa asked.

 

Alim lifted his head and wiped his tears with the back of his hand. "A prince… or better still, a king, shall not be this weak. He can't cry."

 

"A prince can't this, a prince can't that… You always say the same things." she knelt down in front of him. "Before being a prince, Alim, you are a human. The Pharaoh was your father.

“Your pain is nothing outside of normal." He patted Alim's arm, which brought his head up to look at her

 

"Do you know that I was convinced that he'd always be with me? I… I knew that this would happen one day, but… I don't know… he was so strong!" Alim cried again

 

"He was a man, like me and you," Hepa said with a smile. It brought more fresh tears to her prince.

 

"I loved him!" Alim said, tears cascading down his face. "E-even if he wasn't often with me… I… I…" He broke down and placed his head in Hepa's lap, crying. Hepa stroked his shoulder, offering what comfort she could.

 

It was sunrise after an hour or so, and neither really noticed. Alim wiped his now dry eyes and sat up. "Are you okay now?" she heard Hepa ask.

 

“Yes, Hepa, I am now… thank you” he smiled

“You must prepare yourself after seventy-two day you will be crowned the new Pharaoh and at only the age of thirteen you will have a big responsibility to handle” she pat his shoulders again “you should be strong but this you still should remember crying doesn’t mean you’re weak, but sometimes means your stronger than anyone else” and Alim nod s

 

*end of flashback*

 

“Crying doesn’t mean I am weak but I am stronger than anyone else” the king said it with a smile

 

And the servant smile at him too “So, what is it? Why are you crying my king, don’t tell me, she was mad at you again?” she opens the topic

 

“no Hepa, I was hurt because I don’t want to let anyone see her as a dirty lewd woman, I can’t take any insult that everyone had given to her, I don’t want anyone hurt her, I can’t take to see she was hurt, if only she will accept me as her lover, I can protect her more on those hurtful insult” he closed his eyes “yes I can protect her with my power but will she allow me to protect her? She never loved me; she never felt the same as I felt for her”

 

“My king, your love is true, but did you ask her? Did you ask her to give her heart to you? Did you ask her to be your lover?” she smirk when he just stare at her “how would you know, she doesn’t feel the same way as you feel, that she doesn’t love you, if you haven’t ask her?”

 

“But, Hepa… I am scared, I don’t know what will happen to me if I ask her and she would answer me ‘no’ or what if she just answer me ‘yes’ because I am the pharaoh, and be obligated to do so, I don’t want to be like that Hepa”

 

“you wouldn’t know my king if you won’t try, for a woman like me, we simply wait for the man to do the move, so maybe you wouldn’t know she loves you and she was waiting for you to ask her heart, to be your lover” she said smiling to the king

 

“I’ll try to ask her but still I am scared, I know you may think now that I am weak, but Hepa, telling I love you to the one you always dreamed and loved is the most difficult thing than ruling this country or leading in the battle, even more difficult on asking forgiveness to her”

 

The servant giggled “yes, I know my king, I’ve been on what you felt too but just try” she winked at him then they went back on their ways

 

He sighed so loud before opening his room and drop down to the bed, burying his face on the bed and then

 

“Alim” Ai-ka entered the room and saw the king laying down tired on the bed

 

 'It seems my pharaoh had a hard day in court,' she thought, she walk around and took some scented oil from the closet and went towards the bed, she manage to sit on the bed without the king noticing

 

“My pharaoh” she whispered on the king ears

 

Alim raised his head and smiled, though it was strained. "Little one, I didn't hear you come in."

 

Ai-ka set the bottle down on the table and traced one hand up the pharaoh's arm to his shoulder. "Let me help you."

 

Alim leaned back into Ai-ka's touch. "In what way?"

 

The girl set to work on the pharaoh's shoulders. "You had a rough day. Let me help you relax."

 

Alim’s eyes shut open. "What? But I am not yet fully recovered, we can't do anything yet."

 

Ai-ka laughed. “silly you, I was talking about a massage, Alim, but if you had something else in mind I'd be more than willing-"

 

"Please," Alim had to stop that line of thought before something got out of control and this moment was not the right time "stop talking. But…" He placed his hand over Ai-ka's shoulder.

 

Ai-ka smiled and somehow managed to look understanding and sneaky all at once. The girl moved to straddle his hips. Normally the pharaoh's harems would kneel next to him, but since Ai-ka was so small and the bed was so soft that would be impossible. Since the pharaoh had given his permission, Ai-ka thought that he could forgive this lapse in respect.

 

Alim didn't mind at all. 'Even if the man said is true still I love her, and I am lucky to have her in my side ' he thought. Ai-ka had barely begun and he already felt much better. 'She’s everything I could want and more than I ever dared to hope for.' Ai-ka's hands moved down from his back, neck to his waist to put some oil on his body

 

“Ohm… little one” he moan loudly but the girl giggles “we haven’t started yet”

 

His one eye crack open “we haven’t? But it seem to pleasurably relaxing” he close his and enjoy Ai-ka’s touch

 

“Alim, your weird” she giggles as she started her work,

 

(Continued on part 3 of this chapter) (Chapter 5: Welcome to the palace part 3/3)