I felt my heart drop to my stomach, and a flurry of emotions engulfed me like a tempest. Fear, excitement, uncertainty – they all danced a chaotic waltz, leaving me breathless in their wake when I received the news that the King requested my audience. It was a sensation I had not experienced before, one that left me feeling both exhilarated and unnerved. Whenever he crosses my mind, or I catch a glimpse of him from afar, my body mirrors this emotional surge. It's been weeks since I last saw him, marked by a somewhat awkward moment.
"I don't want to lose you," his words echoed in the recesses of my mind, their weight heavy upon my soul. The memory of his touch lingered, a fleeting caress that left a trail of longing. What did it all mean? I pondered, my thoughts swirling like leaves caught in a storm.
He never asked to see me; honestly, I didn't feel there was a need to see him either. Most of my time was spent with the Queen, understanding the intricacies of the palace life and the culture of Egypt and getting to know her better. Back in my hometown, I knew my stepmother was involved in a lot of planning and detailing regarding the palace, but most of the duties were carried out by other women in the court.
On the other hand, Queen Aziza has a larger scale of involvement in the palace affairs. The palace networking is astonishingly complex, allowing me to understand how it runs smoothly and seamlessly.
Each department operates independently, whether the kitchen, clothing, cleaning, or others, intertwining to form a web of networks. Watching her manage all this for the past few weeks earned her a sage amount of respect from me.
I suspect what she enjoys most from our encounter is the simple pleasure of having someone to share her day with. She seemed more excellent and more laid back than I had expected, and even with a larger room, an upgraded wardrobe, more time at my disposal, and a little taste of freedom, I still find it hard to trust her. 'oju lalá kàn fi ñsóri' meaning to be always watchful of my surroundings to avoid danger.
Ultimately, I'm just a girl trying to survive in a foreign land, and trusting people isn't exactly a forte I thrive in.
Standing outside the King's chamber door, I paused to steady my nerves, inhaling deeply as I smoothed the delicate fabric of my dress. The gown, a pristine white cascade of silk, hugged my frame elegantly, its neckline dipping gracefully to reveal just a hint of skin.
My hair, swept back in a simple bun, lent an air of sophistication to my appearance, while the glimmer of gold jewelry adorned my ears and wrist added a touch of opulence to the ensemble.
As I glanced down at the red bead encircling my wrist, a quiet reminder of my roots, a sense of reassurance washed over me. Embracing the customs and traditions of others did not mean forsaking my own heritage; rather, it was a testament to the richness and diversity of my identity.
With each step forward, I carried with me the echoes of my past, a silent tribute to the land and culture that shaped me into the person I had become.
As I entered the King's chamber, his figure came into view, framed against the backdrop of towering bookshelves. Despite his casual attire, there was an undeniable magnetism to his presence, an aura that seemed to command attention without effort. I felt his gaze sweep over me, a silent appraisal that sent a shiver down my spine.
"Why did you wish to see me, Your Majesty?" I inquired, my voice steady despite the flutter of nerves within me. The King turned to face me, a book forgotten in his hands, his expression unreadable.
"How have you been finding your time with the queen dowager?" he asked, his tone casual yet tinged with a hint of curiosity.
"Interesting," I replied, choosing my words carefully as I tried to decipher the meaning behind his question. A pregnant pause filled the room, tension simmering beneath the surface as we stood locked in a silent exchange.
"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.
Yet, despite the simplicity of the scene before me, I couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort wash over me. In Khufu's presence, surrounded by the gentle rhythm of the stable, I felt a peace unlike any I had known before.
"The plan is to appear ordinary, so I don't draw attention outside the palace." Khufu explained, his voice calm.
"What are we doing here?" I inquired, my curiosity piqued.
He regarded me with a knowing look, a faint hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "What does it look like?" he replied, a playful glint in his gaze. "We're going horseback riding."
Before I could protest further, a man of perhaps forty years appeared before us, whom I suspect to be an ostler, appeared with a brown horse and stopped before me.
I reached out to stroke the horse's velvety muzzle, my fingers tracing the gentle curve of its jaw. "Does she have a name?" I inquired, turning my attention to the man before me.
His glance travelled to Khufu, whom I had momentarily forgotten, and he was still present as if he were seeking permission to speak to me.
"Ain, my lady," he finally replied, his voice soft yet filled with reverence. "It means 'priceless.' She's a gentle soul, a perfect match for you."
As the ostler spoke, I couldn't help but notice the way he avoided meeting my eyes, his gaze fixed firmly on the ground. It dawned on me then that his reluctance to make eye contact might be due to Khalid's presence, a silent reminder of the hierarchy that governed life within the palace walls.
"That's a beautiful name," I murmured, my voice soft with admiration. The mere mention of it conjured memories of carefree days spent riding with my brother, the wind whipping through our hair as we galloped across open fields.
As I stood there, lost in reverie, I felt Khalid's presence behind me, his arms encircling my waist with a familiarity that sent a jolt of electricity coursing through my veins. In a reflexive motion, I twisted my body, elbow connecting with his stomach with a force that elicited a low grunt of pain.
"What in the world are you doing?" Khalid's voice held a mixture of surprise and discomfort as he instinctively recoiled, one hand instinctively moving to the spot where my elbow had landed.
"I'm perfectly capable of mounting a horse on my own, thank you very much," I replied, a note of defiance creeping into my tone as I swung myself onto the saddle with practiced ease.
With a mischievous glint in his eyes, Khalid proposed a challenge, his words laced with playful intent. "Let's make this interesting," he suggested, a grin spreading across his face. "I challenge you to a race. The loser must grant the winner a wish. What do you say? Are you up for it?"
A thrill of excitement coursed through me at the prospect of a competition, and I met Khalid's gaze with a determined nod. "I never back down from a challenge," I declared, a smile playing at the corners of my lips. "But how will we know when to stop?"
"Don't worry, you'll know when to stop," Khalid reassured me with a cryptic smile, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.
""Alright, let's do this," I replied, mirroring the smirk that played across his lips. With a shared glance, we urged our horses forward, leaving the hustle and bustle of the city behind us as we ventured into the vast expanse of the countryside.
Under the open sky and bathed in the warm glow of the sun, riding felt exhilarating. I relished the freedom of the open road, the wind tousling my hair as I savored each moment away from the confines of the palace walls.
But alas, victory eluded me as Khalid surged ahead, his horse's strides effortlessly outpacing mine. Perhaps I had been too caught up in the joy of the ride to focus on the race itself.
"I can get down myself; I don't need your help." I insisted as the King reached out to help me down from the saddle, his touch sending a shiver down my spine.
"I know you're perfectly capable," he chuckled, his hands lingering on my waist a moment longer than necessary. "But a little help never hurt anyone. He got me off the horse, but his hands still lingered on my waist, and as our gaze met, I felt my body heat up from how close our bodies were.
"Where are we?" I asked, my voice betraying a hint of curiosity as I stepped away from him, the sudden chill in the air pulling me back to reality.
"Hmm..." the King's response was vague, his attention momentarily elsewhere until my question brought him back to the present. "See for yourself," he replied with a cryptic smile, gesturing towards the riverbank ahead.
As we approached the water's edge, bathed in the soft glow of the full moon, I couldn't help but feel a sense of tranquility wash over me. A rugged wooden bench stood sentinel between two towering torches, casting flickering shadows across the tranquil scene.
Without hesitation, I made my way towards the bench, sinking onto its weathered surface with a sigh of contentment. Closing my eyes, I allowed myself to be enveloped by the cool breeze, the gentle lapping of the water against the shore a soothing lullaby.
In that moment, I couldn't help but think of my mother, her words echoing in my mind like a comforting refrain. "láti inú omi ni mo ti wá, àti sí omi ni èmi yóò pada." she used to say. "From water, I came; to water, I shall return."
Her words resonated in the depths of my mind, stirring memories of countless visits to the riverbank back home. It was there, amidst the gentle lull of flowing water, that I felt closest to her. Since it was the last place I saw her, I'd imagine she returned to the water, as she had always said.
The thought brought a sense of solace, a comforting notion that she had found her way back to the source from which she came. And in a world where all water bodies are interconnected, I couldn't help but wonder if she was here too, her presence lingering in the tranquil depths beneath the moonlit surface. An involuntary sigh escaped me as I pondered this possibility, the weight of her absence heavy upon my heart.
Slowly, I opened my eyes, allowing the warm glow of the torchlight to wash over me, casting flickering shadows upon the water's surface. A sense of comfort enveloped me as the Khalid draped a cozy cloth over my shoulders, his gesture a silent reassurance amidst the quietude of the night.
"Thank you," I murmured, unsure if my words reached him. Seating himself beside me, the King and I settled into a comfortable silence, the gentle rhythm of the flowing water the only sound to break the stillness.
He gestured towards the moon's reflection dancing upon the surface of the river and spoke, his voice soft yet filled with a quiet intensity. "Khonsu," he remarked, his words punctuating the night air.
"What?" I inquired, my curiosity piqued, I turned to him, my interest evident in the furrow of my brow, prompting him to continue.
"He's a god of the moon, a traveller and a healer who wanders the night sky, marking the passage of time."
After a short pause, he spoke again. "I thought you might find that interesting to add to the history you learn from the Queen," he explained, his attempt to engage me in conversation both genuine and endearing.
A soft chuckle escaped my lips at his earnestness, the sound mingling with the gentle rustle of leaves overhead. Our eyes met, and for a moment, the world seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of us in the quiet embrace of the night.
But our reverie was abruptly interrupted by the loud rumbling of my stomach, This time, it was the King's turn to chuckle, his laughter echoing through the night air like a melody.
"I suppose lecture time can wait," he remarked, rising to his feet with a playful grin. "Let's go eat."