The New Princess of Egypt

Part 9

I wander down the smooth staircase and into the ballroom, glancing around at my surroundings. The sweet and spicy smells of food waft around the palace and the lanterns that hang in every corner, bathe everyone in a honey-coloured light. I walk around, visiting tables to eat a morsel or two of the vastly varying finger food and mingling with the crowd. I stay vigilant though, drinking not even a sip of wine and keeping an eye out for danger. Out of the corner of my eye, I see my father's advisor Akil staring at me whenever he gets the chance. I worry that he's onto me. 

Then I feel a light tap on my bare shoulder, feeling fingers graze against my skin and the edge of my dress. I almost leap out of my skin and the wine in my full goblet threatens to spill on the paved sandstone floor. I spin around to be faced with Madu. 

He grins nervously, "Sorry if I scared you, Princess.". I smile back, searching his face for any signs of malice or discontent. 

There's none, he's genuine.

"It's okay, I just wasn't paying any attention. I should've noticed you coming. It's me who should be sorry." I put on a more high-pitched voice, sounding quite similar to the real Princess Azizi. Though, what I said was the truth, I should've noticed him. I was just too wrapped up in my thoughts and worries about Akil. 

"So, what do you think of the gala?" Madu asks, his voice is deep but innocent. My eyes dart around and I try to distract myself by counting the tiny fabric stitches on his robe with a plunging neckline. 

"Yes, it's beautiful. But I personally don't like the reason it's being held." I reply, rolling from my heels to my toes to make it seem more natural as I peak over Madu's shoulder at Akil. He looks away the moment I set eyes on him. 

"Why?" Madu questions as I focus back on him. 

"Because of all the unnecessary deaths, feel free to kill the enemies for all I care, but all of the refugees and innocents too? No, it's not right. They didn't deserve to die so soon." Is my honest answer and I voice it to Madu since I think my sister would agree with it. 

"Hm, I agree. The rebels are the enemies, but the refugees aren't. We shouldn't have to kill them too." Madu sighs. 

I nod but a thought nags at me, "But weren't you on the team that went there?". 

"Yes, I was. My commanding officer hit me with the butt of his spear when I refused to kill one of the refugee families that were trying to escape and just did it himself. There was so much blood..." Madu gestures to the bruise on his temple and trails off. 

"It's brutal, but he was just following a set of cruel orders." I whisper. 

We stand in silence together for what seems like an eternity. 

Then with nothing more to say, Madu waves goodbye and walks off to find his father. I shrug off my worries and take a long swig of the wine in my goblet, giving up on the alcohol abstinence. The tart purple liquid sloshes down my throat as I swallow. 

The rest of the night is spent as I started it, mingling with the guests and eating bits of finger food. Though, this time around I choose to ignore Akil. The alcohol soothes my nerves and lulls my mind. As the world around me begins to spin and swirl, I stumble past the hordes of drunken soldiers and up the staircases. It takes longer than normal to pull out the lock to my chambers and once inside I collapse on my bed, the lower half of my body dangling off the side. As my fuzzy mind shuts off, I fall asleep listening to the hollering coming from downstairs.