Pharaoh's Bride

Part 3

Behind the length of carved wood that made up the dining table, was the Pharaoh, seated upon a raised floor pillow made from goose feathers. He sat high upon the raised platform, by himself. Throughout the eight years in his reign, the political atmosphere brought every one of his wives up to sit beside him, though none of the Pharaoh's wives found it to be a permanent seat. Below the platform were stone steps, rounded off as semi–circles that were covered in dark green rugs. Perpendicular to the platform was another long wooden table, set with today's breakfast. Chairs mirrored each side, numbering ten in total. On a normal day it would seat the Pharaoh's five wives on one side and the children he had with each, respectively, on the other side. Today, however, he would only see four of his children.

The Pharaoh did not have to wait long for his family to arrive. His wives entered in order of marriage date, with Ahset and Akhara arriving first, followed by their daughters Nebta, aged seven, and Hemetre, who was a few months younger than her sister. Then came his third wife, Meryt, and her daughter Thut. She was six. Khemut came in behind her, holding her daughter, Freyi's, hand. Freyi was five years old. The last of the five to enter was Kiya.

Like the other wives, her face had been perfected with powder gold and minerals. They all wore white cotton dress robes, gold necklaces, and a single gold band on their left arm to display their position as consorts. But unlike them, Kiya was, by far, the prettiest. A gift many attributed to her patron goddess, Isis. But the four other wives were not ill at ease; they knew it was Prince Ankhetep's ailing health –not herself– that had captured the Pharaoh's heart as his eyes lingered on Kiya more than usual. Aneksi arrived moments later. In an instant, the Pharaoh's eyes drew away from Kiya and his face lit up with a smile as Aneksi stepped out from behind her.

Aneksi's eyes were also painted, but having run late, she wore no powder on her face. Upon her head, she wore a bronze circlet, the symbol of her new status as the Pharaoh's consort, with beads and small jewels weaved into her braided hair. As a new bride, she wore a silken white dress, slit at the sides, and a bejeweled belt around her waist.

She turned her attention away from the Pharaoh to draw her eyes to the table. There was no extra chair set for her there. Aneksi looked back up at the Pharaoh, seeing that the Pharaoh's smile had gotten wider. He motioned for her to walk forward and take the seat beside him.

Aneksi hesitated. Lithra had told her that sitting next to Pharaoh in the public would have her equated to being Great Royal Wife. And since the Pharaoh still had not officially named which of his wives would be the one to take the title, it was something to be cautious of.

As she walked up the steps to sit at his side, Aneksi felt the cold stares of her fellow consorts and even some from the servants in the chamber. But the Pharaoh did not seem disturbed at all by their reactions. He had not once taken his gaze off her as she walked forward, and when Aneksi made it up to the last steps, the Pharaoh took hold of her hand and guided her to his side. Once Aneksi settled down onto the pillow, she received a sudden kiss on her cheek. Aneksi felt her face heat, refraining from looking in the Pharaoh's direction or at anyone else. How would the other wives react to his open affection?

What followed after was a moment of absolute silence. Aneksi's gaze moved from one consort's solemn face to another. Their demeanor did not express any vehemence, but neither did they seem all too welcoming of Aneksi. When her eyes landed on Kiya, Aneksi felt her heart stop for a second. The older woman's narrowed, dark eyes, pursed lips, and lifted chin was of a look that was far from being pleased.

The booming call from the Royal Master of Servants broke the tension in the air.

"Rise, for the Glorious Child of Ra, Son of the Great Amanrakh and grandson of the Fearless Tyamun, may their souls reach Anubis as rays of light and fire." The five wives of the Pharaoh stood by their seats in utmost stillness as he spoke, while the younger of the children fidgeted in their spot. "–the Ruler of the Nile and her reaches, may He live for an Eternity favored by the gods, and may He bless us with His wisdom so that the people of the Blacklands forget not to bow before Him in servitude." The Pharaoh raised his hand, indicating that they be seated. The servants walked forward and pulled the chairs out, allowing for each wife and daughter to take their seats.

Aneksi eyes flitted from one person to another, watching silently as everything happened like it did any other day for the others in the chamber. However, she felt alienated. Aneksi had anxiously listened to the Master of Servants, and watched to see if the other consorts said or did anything in particular for her to emulate. The procedure and rules of the Palace were still mostly unknown to her and a nervous tick made her leg involuntarily shake.

The Pharaoh placed his left hand on Aneksi's thigh and rubbed his thumb back and forth slowly along her exposed skin. Aneksi blinked out of her state and turned her head to the Pharaoh. He remained facing forward, but he smiled. Aneksi turned away and exhaled. She let it out slowly, squaring her shoulders. This would be the first of countless mornings for her in the Palace. She could not let her anxiousness get the better of her.

Water bowls were given first, to rinse one's hand for eating. Then came the platters of fruits and bread and jugs of water and beer. Throughout the breakfast, Aneksi nodded or smiled her thanks to the mute servants –one of whom was Lithra– as they refilled her cup or put another fruit upon her plate. Her mother had taught her it was a good gesture so they would trust their superiors. However, none of the servants met her gaze, and neither did any of the Pharaoh's other wives or their children, care to thank or acknowledge the servants. Aneksi wondered if no one else had been taught to do this by their mothers, or if such practices were simply not meant to be done in the Palace.

Sometime later, one of the Palace guards approached to speak to the Pharaoh. His wives, including Aneksi, all watched the Pharaoh as he leaned to his right to listen to the guard's message in private. His face remained emotionless for the few moments the guard spoke.

With a nod, the Pharaoh dismissed the guard back to his post and the meal resumed. Aneksi frowned at the Pharaoh's nonchalance, assuming that the guard had brought news regarding Prince Ankhetep's health. She received only a gentle pat on the knee from the Pharaoh in response.

It was not long before the meal was over. Servants began clearing away the remaining food and used plates. The Pharaoh held Aneksi's hand briefly once their silverware had been taken away, indicating that she follow him out of the dining chamber. As the two took a separate route only the Pharaoh was permitted to use, Aneksi straightened and glanced over her shoulder, feeling someone's stare on her back. And sure enough, where the other wives of the Pharaoh were being escorted back to their consort chambers, Kiya was scowling in her direction.

Aneksi froze at the spiteful look in Kiya's eyes.

"Neferkempi," the Pharaoh called, drawing Aneksi's attention back to him.

"Yes," she answered back, rushing to catch up with him.

The Pharaoh had reached their private garden, where he stood, leaning against one of the stone obelisks. Aneksi glanced over her shoulder again, seeing two Palace guards trailing behind them at a distance. She turned back to face the Pharaoh.

"What happened to your personal guards?" Aneksi asked, her eyebrows furrowed.

Lithra had mentioned that Palace guards were prohibited from leaving their post or route and that the Pharaoh was always surrounded by personal guards.

"I exiled them from the Palace. These two will be temporary guards of mine until I can find replacements," the Pharaoh shrugged.

"For what reason?" Aneksi raised her eyebrows. The Pharaoh looked over at her and took her hand.

"Because this morning their gaze never strayed from you," he said, bringing her hand to his lips. "I cannot trust them to keep me safe if they cannot recognize what is mine."

Aneksi stood silent in place, eyes wide and lips parted. Though she knew her father had power vested in him to do as he pleased, Aneksi could not fathom that their misplaced gaze had cost them their work. The Pharaoh smiled sheepishly at her confusion, his bronze-colored cheeks tinged red.

"Pharaoh–" she began.

"Neferkempi, what could be wrong with me exiling them?" he cut in, holding onto her hand more tightly. His voice had become stern. "They could never fulfill their duty if they are distracted by you." His eyes followed her as she sat down by his feet, laying her free hand on his knee.

"And what if they had children," she whispered, breaking his gaze to stare at the statue of Ma'at, "or unwell parents who depended on them? Without their service to you, their families have nothing to sustain themselves."

The Pharaoh followed her gaze, frowning. He turned back to Aneksi and tugged on her hand.

"Your words hold reason," he admitted. "But do you truly believe I have harmed them? That perhaps I may have caused a child to go hungry and grow hateful of their King? Or...or," Aneksi said nothing while he rambled on, "would this child of theirs remains ill as they have no means to purchase an antidote?" His eyes were distant and glittering as if he were to weep at any moment.

"How is the Prince?" she asked in a low voice, looking directly up into the Pharaoh's eyes. "Is his life so much in danger?" The Pharaoh's shoulders sagged. Aneksi patted his knee in comfort.

"Yes, I worry for his life," he whispered, closing his eyes. Aneksi sighed, seeing his eyelids flutter.

"I would tell you not to worry," Aneksi said with a slight laugh, "yet you prove to me time and again that your emotions precede reason when it is regarding those close to your heart." The Pharaoh opened his eyes to see Aneksi lean forward and peck his jaw. She smiled up at him, her hands on his knees. "But if you are to worry, let your tears fall. I see no wrong in weeping to ease your pain."

The Pharaoh's eyes narrowed but Aneksi held her gaze. A torn soul hidden behind a golden mask was the making of a tomb. Her mother was the reason she learned this at such a young age.

After a moment, the Pharaoh leaned forward and laid his forehead on hers. When they parted, Aneksi smiled through the wet streaks on her cheeks.

"Neferkempi," the Pharaoh said, watching as she stood up. Her smile grew wide at the adoration in his voice. He placed his arms around her waist and pulled her into an embrace. Aneksi closed her eyes and pressed her cheeks against the Pharaoh's chest, listening to the faint beat of his heart. "One can only thank the gods for having you."