Falling for the Pharaoh

Nathifa - [My Fathers Decision]

The Pharaoh and I stood there quietly for a moment. I looked at him though, he was wearing white harem pants and no shirt, but you could barely see his body because it was covered with jewellery. Like his solid gold waistband, wrist and armbands too. and the awkwardness was getting to me. I cleared my throat. “Um... if you don’t mind... may I introduce you to my maid?”

He raised both his eyebrows. “Oh... well, of course.”

I smiled. “She’s probably back in our room, we have to go find her.”

He nodded. “Alright.”

We walked quietly through the garden, the shortest way to my room, and the awkwardness was getting to me again.

“How does it feel?” I asked.

He looked at me. “To be a Pharaoh?”

I nodded.

He shrugged and smiled. “I don’t think I’ve been one long enough to know.” He said. “But it does feel different, I’ll give you that much.”

“What about it makes it different?”

“It’s only now that I realize how unimportant I was when I was simply a Prince.” He said. “Just a day ago, only the people who lived around here knew what I looked like... now, almost all of Egypt is dying to see my face.”

I nodded. “Do you like the attention?”

“Not really.” He laughed. “I thought I would, but I don’t.”

I laughed too. “I don’t like attention either.”

“Really?”

I nodded, wondering why he sounded so sceptical.

When we had arrived to my room, I looked at him. “We’re here.” I said. “Just to warn you, she may start screaming and faint.”

“Why?” He asked, looking worried.

“She’s always wanted to meet a Pharaoh... but since she’s a maid she’s never had that privilege.”

He smiled. “I see.”

“She is very kind, I promise.”

“I believe you.” He said, still smiling.

I smiled back and then opened the door. “Anat!” I called. “Anat? There is someone I want to show you!”

She came running out of one of the rooms. “Oh Na—” She froze as she looked at the King.

“Meet the Pharaoh.”

Her eyes widened as she threw her hands over her mouth. After a long... very long gasp. She fell to the floor, giving him a full on bow. “Oh, my Pharaoh! What an honour! What an honour!”

I laughed as I walked over to her, bending down.

I noticed the Pharaoh was laughing too. “Please, get up my Lady!” He said as he walked over to her, bent down and put his hand on her shoulder.

Bad idea... I thought as I saw Anat jump up.

“Oh it is very bad for my Pharaoh to touch a servant! You will get dirty—”

The Pharaoh just laughed. “You’re very funny... Anat?”

Her wide eyes widened more. “Yes, my Pharaoh, Anat!”

I laughed and hugged her. “Calm down, Anat.” I could hear her racing heart.

She was taking deep breaths as I rubbed her back. “Oh, what a dream, what a dream!” She shook her head and then looked at me. “Am I dreaming?”

I shook my head. “Nope. Now, Anat, come walk with us.”

“M-me?”

“Yes, Anat! Stop being so amazed and come on.” I took her hand and pulled her forward.

The Pharaoh left the room first and we followed.

Anat stayed as far away from him as possible, afraid that her aura would dirty him. I got annoyed... but only enough to roll my eyes.

“Pharaoh.” I called.

He looked at me.

“Do you feel like you are ready to rule a kingdom?”

He smiled. “As ready as I need to be.” He sounded confident, which pleased me.

I looked around for a while as we walked through the garden, my arm linked with Anat’s. “This is such a beautiful garden.”

“My mother’s design.” He said, proudly. “With my father’s help.”

“Your mother seems very wonderful.”

“She is.” He smiled. “Very wonderful.”

I was starting to like this young Pharaoh more and more. He seemed compassionate and friendly... plus he was absolutely handsome.

I thought of how lucky his wife would be. He would treat her well. Probably almost as well as his mother.

We spent the rest of the evening together until my father came and told me he had arranged for my family to leave.

My time with the Pharaoh had made me like him a lot. He was clearly talented, enjoyed horseback riding, knew a great deal about music, and art and animals. That had Anat amazed. She secretly told me that she thought he would not know anything at all.

But it was true. He surprised us.

After having a long conversation with my parents, he sent us off with good wishes, and I hoped that I would see him again.

However, the whole carriage ride home was strange.

My mother kept whispering things to my father and they both looked absolutely pleased... as if they had done something wonderful.

My best friend Anippe, who was in the carriage with us, noticed my parents as well. Anippe looked at me, her large brown eyes were curious. “Did you enjoy your time with the pharaoh?” She asked, clearly trying to make me take my mind off of my parents conversation.

“Oh yes, very much. He is very kind.” I wanted to turn to Anat and make fun of her but remembered that she was in the other carriage. So I looked back at Anippe, who was playing with her long black hair. “Anat was able to speak to him too!”

“Why did you not call me?” Anippe asked, crossing her thin arms. “He seems very dreamy... I would love to have been able to speak to him!”

“What do you mean, dreamy?” I asked, grinning at my best friend who was soon to be married to someone else.

Anippe didn’t seem to understand my grin and her brown eyes looked as playful as ever. “What do you mean, what do I mean? What a man he is. The most handsome and most attractive man in Egypt I’m sure.” She looked at me. “He’s got those shoulders... the ones you pointed out and thought was unbelievably attractive? You agree, right? He’s godly when it comes to looks!”

I placed my hand over my mouth, trying to cover my agreeing smile.

“And his eyes... all he has to do is look at a woman with those eyes and I swear they’d undress themselves in less than a second.”

And that had unleashed my uncontrollable giggles.

“Plus, you saw his body!” She continued. “Oh, what I would give to get my hands on him.”

I smacked Anippe with the back of my hand, still giggling. “Is that any way to speak of our Pharaoh?” I asked, biting my lip.

She grinned. “You aren’t going to tell anyone, now are you?”

I laughed. “Of course not.”

When we had arrived home, my father game me a smile, “When something great passes, another great thing comes to life.”

I nodded. “I agree, papa.”

My father stepped forward and kissed my forehead. “That’s my daughter.”

I smiled at him, a little confused.

“I have a great feeling that Ra... no, all of our gods are going to reward you well.”

“For what?” I asked.

“For your kindness and good will. You deserve everything that will happen to you.” He took me into his arms.

I started to smile widely. Maybe now would be a good time to bring up my marriage. “Father...” I started.

“Yes, my love?” He patted my head.

“I was starting to wonder about my marriage...”

My father pulled away, a wide grin on his face. “Your mother has something to discuss with you, related to that.”

“She does?” I asked, shocked.

“Yes.” He winked at me. “And I must leave to the palace, so you have my blessings ahead of time, my dear.”

I raised my eyebrows.

“You will be the happiest girl in Egypt.” He smiled as he stepped back into his carriage. “And you have all of my approval.”

And with that he left.

My heart was racing. So that was it? That was all I had to do?

I turned around and rushed into my home. When I arrived at the gathering room, I was greeted by my whole family, except my father, and a few others, including Anippe and Ausar.

“Mama!” I called right away as I ran up to her. I passed a quick smile at Ausar, who smiled back. “Papa said you had to discuss something with me?”

My mother sat down on a chair and smiled pleasantly at me. She then looked at my brother. “Khenti, come here.” My brother left the side of Ausar, his friend, and walked over to me.

“We have unbelievably wondrous news for you.” My brother said.

I turned my head to Anippe. She looked almost excited as I was.

“Nathifa... a great time has come for you!” My mother said.

“Oh stop with this!” Anippe yelled. “Just hurry up Lady Umi! You’re killing all of us!”

My mother looked at Anippe with a frown and then turned to me. “Fine...”

My heart started to race as I quickly turned to Ausar. We were finally going to get married! I was a little disappointed though. Ausar didn’t look as excited as I wanted him to be. He just smiled, with his arms crossed as he leaned against the wall.

“The Pharaoh has asked for your hand in marriage!”

I heard a plate or two drop as Anat walked into the room, her eyes widened and then she grinned. “My Lady!” She squealed.

My little sisters suddenly gasped loudly as soon as they understood that and began to scream in joy.

My mother and brother laughed.

Anat ran over to me, but then froze as if she had just remembered something. Anippe looked at me too, the colour drained out from her normally rosy cheeks.

My eyes widened. “What?” I asked.

My mother laughed. “Too hard to believe?”

I turned my head and looked at Ausar, who’s eyes were wide open. I then looked back at my mother. “I can’t do this!”

My mother continued to laugh as she got up and held my cheeks in her hands. “You’re going to be your father’s gift to the Pharaoh!” She leaned forward to kiss my cheek.

But I pulled away. “Mama!” I cried. “I’m not some object that you can give as a gift!”

My mother looked shocked.

My brother walked over to me. “Nathifa, he wasn’t literally treating you like—”

“I know!” I yelled. “But I will not marry the Pharaoh!”

My mother’s eyebrows shot up. “What do you mean you will not?”

“I do not want to marry the Pharaoh!” I said, tears forming in my eyes. “How do you expect me to go there and be his wife?”

“And what is wrong with him?” My mother asked. “He is the Pharaoh of Egypt! How can you speak of him like that?”

“Nothing!” I said. “Nothing is wrong with the Pharaoh! I just refuse to marry him!”

My mother walked towards me. “Darling... every girl in Egypt would want this... why—”

“Well I am not every girl!” I said. “I do not wish for this!”

Anippe walked over to me. “Nathifa... maybe—”

“Do not try to console me, Anippe!” I yelled. Only she and Anat knew about my love for Ausar. And I didn’t want those two to start agreeing with my family.

“Nathifa.” My brother said, he sounded annoyed. “Half of Egypt probably already knows that this wedding will happen. If you refuse then you will ruin the Pharaohs image and you will destroy father!”

I looked at him as the tears escaped. “I will not go.” I cried. “How can father do this?”

My brother frowned. “Nathifa, you must listen to him no matter what. You have no choice.” He placed his hand on my cheek. “It is your destiny. It’s what the gods want.”

“But I do not want this!”

Anippe hugged me. “But think about it positively, Nathifa... you know how kind he is!”

“I don’t care!” I yelled.

“Nathifa. Do not raise your voice!” My mother said with a frown. “There is no way that your father will change his mind. What’s done is done, child. Be happy. Girls all around our country dream of this.”

I looked up and through my blurry vision, I could see the frown on Ausar’s face.

“Think of all the jewellery and perfume and silks! Not to mention the fact that you will have a grand, glorious wedding!” My mother said as she wiped my tears.

“But I—”

“They are right.” Ausar interrupted, his voice was cold. “You should be happy his father died. So stop crying.”

I looked at him, the boy I loved. “I did not—”

“You’re going to be the Queen of Egypt.” He said, without looking at me.

Anippe giggled. “Yes! Queen Nathifa! The wife of the young and very handsome Pharaoh Atemu!”

Ausar let out a small, sarcastic laugh and left the room.

And I cried some more, but it didn’t help. The next day, I was off to be my father’s gift to the new Pharaoh of Egypt.