Falling for the Pharaoh

Nathifa - [Never Loved]

It took me two days to get a room, and then another two days for the Pharaoh to actually return from wherever he disappeared to.

My mother stayed with me the whole time, as did Anat. Anat was only allowed to come too because I refused to leave without her. It took a lot of convincing, but my mother finally agreed to let her be my personal maid.

“Being a maid to the queen of Egypt is not the same as being a maid to a high classed family, do you understand Anat?” My mother asked as she brushed her hair.

“Yes, my Lady.”

“You cannot, I repeat cannot, go around calling her Nathifa like you do at home, do you understand.”

We both looked at her. How did she know?

My mother looked at me. “Did you honestly believe that I didn’t know?”

I looked away, I hadn’t spoken to my mother since we had arrived at the palace, and I didn’t plan on doing so until she took me home.

“Anat... if another noblewoman were to hear, you would get into a lot of trouble.”

“Yes, my Lady.”

My mother began to tightly braid her hair. “Good girl.” She said.

There was then a knock at the door.

After finishing off Anat’s braid, my mother walked over to the door. She opened it and I wasn’t too surprised to see the Pharaohs mother. “Lady Iset!” My mother said excitedly as they kissed each other’s cheeks.

Normally, I would stare at that beautiful woman in awe, but today I did not. I just looked at her, I didn’t even bother getting up.

Lady Iset took my mother’s hands in hers. “Forgive me for taking so long to come and greet you. My son has clearly not gotten used to being a Pharaoh yet!”

My mother laughed as she pulled Lady Iset into our room. “What has he done this time?”

“The boy left the palace four nights ago to fool around with Whati! Can you believe it! He must believe that he’s still a child!”

“Oh come now, he has just become a Pharaoh, he needs time to adjust.”

Lady Iset sighed. “You’re right.” She then looked at me with a large smile. “Maybe the beautiful Nathifa will help him with that, yes?”

I looked away.

“Nathifa.” My mother called. I could hear that she was trying hard to remain calm. “You must get up when you are in the presence of Lady Iset.”

“Oh no!” Lady Iset smiled. “Don’t worry about such formalities.” She walked over to me and bent down to meet my gaze but I kept looking away. She giggled. “Look at her, she looks unbelievably shy!”

I pressed my lips into a thin line.

Lady Iset got up. “And who is this young lady?”

I turned my head and saw her gazing at Anat.

“Anat, we are hoping that she can be allowed to stay with Nathifa. Anat was raised with Nathifa and—”

“Oh, of course!” Lady Iset said. “You don’t need to explain anything to me. She can bring anything you want to the palace, just make sure she feels at home.”

There was then another knock at the door, and my mother went to receive it. Lady Iset looked at me. “My dear,” she started as she placed her hand on my cheek, “there is no reason for you to be scared.”

I looked at her.

She smiled warmly at me. “You will be treated well here, I promise. And my son will never do anything to harm you. I swear he won’t. So don’t be scared.”

I was surprised that she knew I was scared, she was more observant than I thought she was. But before I could think more of what she was saying, a handsome young man walked into the room.

He had black hair which was long enough to tie into a ponytail, but short enough to leave some strands falling over his face, and green eyes that were harsh but had a mischievous look to them. He was well built and tall, and was very attractive overall.

“Whati.” Lady Iset said, I could tell that she was forcing the displeased tone.

He smiled at her, looking almost frightened.

“I was wondering when I would see you.” Lady Iset shook her head as she walked over to him.

He laughed hesitantly. “I... I heard that you called for me?”

She suddenly grabbed his ear and twisted it. “Silly boy.” She said. “Did you really think you could hide that long from me?”

“Ow... My Lady!” The young man called.

I placed my hand over my mouth, trying not to laugh and Anat covered her mouth with both of her hands, holding back her own laugh.

“Not in front of the ladies! Please, my Lady.” He begged.

She let go. “My son got his share and you will get yours. Do you understand?”

He rolled his eyes, as he rubbed his ear.

Lady Iset suddenly began to grin as she walked over to me. “That’s how you control a man.” She said with a wink.

“Keep that in mind for when you’re trying to control Atemu.” The boy muttered.

Lady Iset looked at him. “Whati!” She called.

He straightened up immediately.

“Are you not going to introduce yourself? You are in the presence of the future queen of Egypt.”

He looked at me and smiled. “Forgive me.” He said as he placed his right hand over his heart and bowed his head. “My name is Whati and I am the best friend of his majesty the Pharaoh.”

I looked at him and nodded my head, not knowing what else to do.

He looked back at me and then raised your eyebrows. “You look confused.”

I felt my cheeks heat up.

He laughed, straightening up. “I also came to tell you something.” He said.

I just continued to look at him, I still had no idea of what I was supposed to say to him.

“I have been hearing rumours and such of your apparent fear of marrying the Pharaoh. Fear and dislike.”

I swallowed hard.

“What I came to tell you is that there is no reason whatsoever for you to be frightened. Pharaoh Atemu is, I promise you, the kindest young man you will ever meet. He will treat you like a queen, no, he will treat you better than that. So don’t be scared.” He smiled at me. “As for the rumour that you dislike this marriage... all I really have to say is, if you did dislike it, you must be insane.”

My eyebrows shot up.

“Whati!” Lady Iset called.

He looked at her. “I’m only telling the truth!” He defended. “Even you have to agree with me on that one!”

She smiled at him.

He looked back at me. “If you do dislike this marriage... whether the reason is that you’re already in love with someone else or whatever, you need to think again. Atemu is better than any other man in this country. He’s worth it.”

I looked down at my hands, frowning. What did he know. He must have never loved before.

Lady Iset walked over to him. “Whati, I forgive you for being a silly boy a few nights ago.”

He laughed and bowed. “Thank you, my Lady.”

She kissed his forehead.

“So how are the preparations going?” My mother asked him.

Whati looked at her. “Very well!” He smiled. “The only thing I would be worried about is the crowd. We’ve got nobles from all around the region coming, Greece, Rome, Hittite, Syria, Babylon, Persia... The architects have their work cut out for them.”

Lady Iset looked worried. “Will they be done by tomorrow night?”

“Oh of course.” Whati assured her. “They work best under pressure.”

She smiled.

“And what exactly are they doing?” My mother asked.

“Well, because of the crowd, they’ve decided that the ceremony should take place outdoors, along the Nile.” He said. “They’re building a stage and a floor for the performances—” He cut himself off and turned to me. “There will be hundreds of performances. The minister of arts is doing an excellent job in coordinating that.”

After I nodded, he turned back to my mother and Lady Iset. “The official ceremony will end when the sun is setting, and we will all return to the palace where just the Egyptian nobles, our family and friends and some others will continue to celebrate.”

“Oh, wonderful!” My mother said excitedly.

“Will there be dancing?” Lady Iset asked.

Whati grinned. “A lot.”

She clapped her hands together.

Anat walked over to me. “What a grand wedding, don’t you agree?” She sounded excited, which upset me.

“Indeed.” I muttered.

She then frowned.

While the three were still talking about the marriage, Anat got onto her knees and took my hand in hers. “Nathifa, what if he is right? What if the Pharaoh is worth it?”

I looked away. “He’s never loved.”

“But—”

“Do you expect me to be able to just forget him? To forget Ausar and move on?”

Anat looked at our hands.

“It’s not a matter of liking him, Anat.” I said. “I like him, I know he is kind and loving and caring and whatnot... the problem is that I’m being forced into a marriage that I don’t even want! And it’s not because I don’t like him, it’s because I am already in love with someone else.”

Anat looked at me. “But this happens all the time!” She said. “You are not the first or the only woman to be forced—”

“I know, Anat! But that doesn’t change—”

“Nathifa, do you really believe your father would have said yes to you marrying Ausar?” Anat asked, angrily.

I looked at her.

“Think about it carefully. Your father would have never approved. Your father doesn’t even like the fact that your brother is his friend.”

I looked away. “He would have—”

“No, Nathifa! You’ve never loved any other boy other than Ausar! You probably don’t even know how to love!”

“That’s not true—”

“Yes it is, Nathifa! It is very true. You fell in love with him because he would call you beautiful and lovely and gorgeous and attractive... has he ever called you anything else?”

“Yes—”

“Stop lying to yourself!” She demanded. “This is the will of our gods. This is what the gods want for you and maybe the gods are trying to tell you that Ausar wasn’t right! You’ve only ever done good in your life so there would never be a need for the gods to punish you, so clearly the gods are trying to reward you!”

I pulled my hands and looked away. “You don’t know him.” I said.

“Young Lady?” I heard Whati called.

I looked up and saw him looking at Anat.

“Since you’re her maid and know her well, would you mind coming along with me? The designers would really appreciate your help.”

Anat smiled and nodded as she walked over to him and followed him out.

And I was left alone to deal with the horrible feeling that was growing inside me.