The palace hummed with anticipation, gearing up for my banquet to mark my return and accomplishments. Amidst the hustle, my focus remained on supervising the temple's construction. Apart from the deposed princess's unsuccessful attempts to converse with me, she seemed to be adapting to her duties. However, the dynamics between her and Rashidi appeared perplexing to me. Not that I care much – I've got more important things to focus on than wondering about her and who she has spent her time with.
Her composed voice interrupts my thoughts: "Making me stand here won't make your work faster. You can release me and summon me when necessary." She needs to figure out when to stop; making conversation isn't part of the job description. She's just an ordinary person here and should act accordingly.
I pause in my activities, lifting my head to meet her eyes. "I don't understand your perspective. I am your Master, and you are my servant; you don't get to make demands. You, of all people, should know this." She stands before me, a scowl forming on her face. Her brown eyes emanate warmth and depth, inviting you to discover hidden treasure. This is the longest I've stared at her, and I quickly averted my gaze.
"Sit and stay quiet," I said
She sighed in relief, settling into the chair across me, the table creating a divide. Minutes passed in silence as I focused on completing the temple construction for my mother's memorial.
"Why won't you just let me go? You can summon me when needed," frustration laced her voice. "Sitting here doing nothing is tiring."
"That's not how being a personal maid works. You have to be around me always," I replied, focusing on the task.
After a brief silence, she drew my attention again and asked, "What are you working on?"
Now, releasing a frustrated sigh, I warned, "If you keep talking, you'll regret it. I've shown you enough grace by letting you sit. Being quiet isn't a hard task, so just shut up."
"What are you going to do? Kill me?" Her words caught me off guard; though her face remained stoic, I sensed her effort to hide her true feelings. Unfazed, I found her demonstration of dominance intriguing. I was curious to see how long she could maintain this facade.
"There are worse things I can do to you. I don't necessarily need to kill you," a subtle smirk played on my lips as our eyes met. Yet, I once again found myself captivated by her gaze. Clearing my throat, I looked away, hoping my warning would suffice to quiet her.
She started drumming her fingers on the table, and to keep my anger in check, I clenched my hands into fists. I knew she was trying to provoke a reaction, but I wouldn't play this childish game.
"Letting you sit was a mistake. Perhaps if you were still standing, you'd know your place."
"Just let me go so I don't disturb your work. You don't need me for anything now," she said, upset. Before I could reply, a knock echoed from the door.
"My king, you have a guest. Lady Jamila is here to see you," my guard announced. I am dealing with one trouble already, and now another one is here; it seems today isn't working in my favour.
"You can leave now," I commanded, signalling to my guard to let Lady Jamila in.
She wasted no time bolting out of my room. A smile crept onto my face, swiftly replaced by a scowl when Jamila walked in, plopped down on my bed, and crossed her legs, casting a seductive gaze at me. I left my office and settled onto a comfortable couch beside my bed.
"What are you doing here?"
"Do you think it's that easy to get rid of me? We are engaged; I don't think I need a reason to see you," she responded.
"Were—we were supposed to get engaged. The old king arranged our engagement, but now he's dead. There's no need to proceed with it. I only allow you to enter the palace because of your father."
Jamila is the daughter of Ramses, a powerful minister in my court responsible for the royal treasury. He was my father's right-hand man. I despise him as much as I do my father. I can't risk getting on his wrong side again after calling off my engagement to his daughter. Politics is like playing a game; you must ensure you play your cards right. If I'm to rectify the harm her father has done to our land, I need to be cautious about how I navigate this game.
She stood up from the bed, moving closer to me, and brushed my cheek with her knuckles. "But I love you," she leaned forward to kiss me, but I stopped and took her hand off my face.
"Cut the bullshit, Jamila. We both know the kind of person you are. Whatever power you can gain by marrying me won't happen, so stop coming here."
"You must think you have everything figured out since you are king, but this isn't over. I'm not someone you can get rid of easily," she said before storming out of the room.
"Khufu!"
"Yes, Your Majesty," he hastily entered, awaiting my command.
"Let Rashidi know I need to talk to him right away. Emphasize that it's essential." Khufu quickly left to deliver my message.
After a brief interval, Rashidi appeared.
"Is everything all right? Khufu mentioned you needed to see me, emphasizing its significance."
"Jamila visited a short while ago."
He scoffed, "What does she want?" while pouring himself a glass of wine and settling into a seat.
"Take a guess?"
From a young age, I understood the harsh reality of the palace, especially after losing my mother. Her words resonate in my mind, especially in tough times. Life shouldn't be faced alone; having someone trustworthy and reliable is crucial. For me, that person is Rashidi. We grew up together in the palace, facing hardships side by side. He's more like a brother than a friend or loyal subject, a constant support.
"Any new updates?" I inquired.
"My informant indicates an increase in Jamila's visits to Yusuf's residence. Also, there are secretive gatherings among certain ministers at his quarters."
"We must infiltrate these secret meetings."
"That's tricky —he doesn't allow just anyone into their group."
"We need to find a way quickly," Rashidi nodded in agreement with my statement.
Yusuf is my cousin. After my father passed away, he set his sights on the throne. With Jamila's father's support, especially following our engagement's end, he sought backing. But as long as I'm alive, no one will take what rightfully belongs to me.
A knock reverberated through the door.
"Who is it?"
"It's Agbé̩kẹ́. I've brought your lunch," her voice ignited excitement in me like a child eagerly anticipating a treat.
"Come in," I gestured.
She entered, tray in hand, pausing momentarily at the sight of Rashidi. A smile graced her lips before she resumed her path, delicately placing the food on the table.
"You were in a hurry to leave. Didn't think you'd be back," I remarked, crossing my arms. Waiting for a snarky reply, I was met with silence. I wondered if her display of dominance was just a fleeting moment.
As she was making her way out, I called her back. "Hold on. Where do you think you're going? I didn't permit you to leave."
She walked over gracefully, positioning herself nearby. I couldn't help but wonder why I was eager to hear her speak. Shaking off the distraction, I cleared my throat and shifted my attention to Rashidi.
"We need more funds to finish the temple, and I don't want to dip into the royal treasury. There's also a demand for importing essential food into the kingdom, and I won't take away from what belongs to the people. Still, I'm committed to finishing the temple in time for the late Queen's commemoration."
"We've accounted for the anticipated taxes in our budget. Maybe we should temporarily halt the temple's completion until then," Rashidi proposed.
"Maybe I can solve this seemingly impossible task for you, but there's a condition," Rashidi and I turned our heads towards her, intrigued by her surprise element. Unlike any other servant, I wouldn't usually spare a glance for an interrupting one, but with her, curiosity lingered.
"A condition?" Rashidi scoffed, expressing disbelief.
"I'm just following your advice," she exchanged a knowing look with him. I wanted to ask her what she meant by following his advice, but instead, I inquired, "What solution do you have?"
"You have to promise to accept my condition first."
"What if I don't like your solution?"
"What if you do?" I let out a defeated sigh, folding my arms across my chest.
"Let's hear your condition first."
"I can move freely in the palace, and I don't have to stay with you throughout the day; I only have to stay with you when needed."
"No!"
"But you haven't heard my plan yet."
"I don't need to hear it. I'm not agreeing to those terms."