Entangled

AGBÉ̩KẸ́

"Is there a reason you've been avoiding me?" The King's question hung in the air, heavy with unspoken implications.

I hesitated, grappling with the truth as it danced on the tip of my tongue. "Do I need a reason to seek your company?" I countered, my words laced with a subtle defensiveness. "Besides, I wasn't avoiding you." The lie rolled out of my mouth like I was some expert liar.

A soft smile graced the King's lips, and for a fleeting moment, I wondered if he could see through the facade I so desperately tried to maintain. "As a benevolent king who cares about his people," he declared, letting the book drop onto the table.

With deliberate steps, one, two, three, he positioned himself directly in front of me. The proximity was so intimate that I dared not move. I felt the weight of his gaze upon me, a tangible force that rooted me to the spot, rendering me unable to move or speak.

In that breathless moment, time seemed to stand still, the world narrowing down to the space between us. My heart raced in my chest, its frantic rhythm a stark contrast to the stillness that enveloped us. Was it normal to feel this way, I wondered, as the heat of his proximity seared through me, igniting a fire within that threatened to consume me whole.

His hand extended towards mine, and I held my breath as he gently placed an object in my palm. "You have the freedom to leave the confines of the palace at any time," he explained, his voice a soothing balm against the turmoil raging within me. "But only under the watchful eye of an escort."

The tingling sensation of his touch lingered on my skin, a fleeting caress that left me yearning for more. As I gazed down at the bronze pass nestled in my hand, a glimmer of hope ignited within me. Did this simple token hold the key to my freedom, I wondered, my heart pounding with anticipation at the prospect of what lay beyond the palace walls.

As our eyes locked in a silent exchange, the weight of unspoken words hung heavy in the air. He pointed to something in the room leaving no room for me to ask questions. I followed his hand's direction and spotted a fabric on his bed.

Moving closer to inspect, I discovered a shirt and trousers.

"These were made especially for you," the King explained, his voice gentle yet firm. "I suggest you change into them; you'll want to be comfortable." His words hung in the air, pregnant with unspoken implications.

"We leave the palace before sunset," he continued, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"We?" The word tumbled from my lips, a mixture of surprise and disbelief coloring my tone.

"Yes, we," Khalid affirmed, his gaze unwavering as he met my eyes with a quiet resolve.

*****
I gaze at the setting sun as it dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange casting a warm glow over the world. I found myself captivated by the breathtaking sight unfolding before me. I wonder if the sun ever gets bored repeating the same process, rising in the east and setting in the west. Then again, it must have found its purpose, something I desperately wish to discover.

The tranquil moment was shattered by the resonating neighs of horses emanating from the palace stable. An hour after meeting the King, Khufu knocked at my door, and now, I stand, watching the King gently brushing the mane of a black horse, appearing very much like an ordinary man.

Drawing closer, I observed him in silence, struck by the simple beauty of the moment.

"You look... comfortable," he remarked, his tone gentle yet tinged with amusement.

"And you look positively ordinary," I replied, a playful smirk dancing upon my lips. And it was true – in his simple attire, with the soft light of the stable casting a warm glow upon his features, Khufu appeared every bit the ordinary man.