THE GREAT LADY OF ALKION

CHAPTER 34

"Do you need me to do anything for you my lady," Luciana said.
"I'm fine at the moment. I just need rest. I had an early morning and have had breakfast with the Pharaoh."
" Where is Prince Seti ?"
" He is in the Great Hall with the Pharaoh, Smenkhhare and the court officials to discuss state affairs. Life here has now began."
" All will be well. Don't you worry."
" I am not. Look at you all dressed up like an Egyptian woman," she said as she walked towards Luciana.
"I had to. I need to blend in well with the women in the harem."
" How is it like over there ?"
" Except the glances and gossiping, all is well. It's much comfortable here than in Alkion because I serve the Pharaoh's daughter in law."
" It's normal for them to do so. I'm sure they are gossiping about me as well because we are foreigners. Lucky for you that you can start your life here again. Nobody knows you here and you will live well before I find a good husband for you."
" You're still on that again," she laughed.
" Of course. I promised you that you will marry a dignified person. Just tell me whom you set your eyes on and who will love you."
" I have to forget your brother first. It's not easy but living here is a good start. Oh and speaking of love, here is a flower. I found it here when I came in and I think it's from Prince Seti. It seems like he really wants to win you over."
" That's really nice of him to," she said as she smelled the flower. It was a rose. She placed it inside a vase. Just then Seti walked in.
"What are you doing ?" he asked.
" I would like to open the wedding gifts. It's a good thing that you are here and we could open them together. That is if you are not busy."
" I'm not busy. I am already done with the council meeting with father. I only need to go inspect the soldiers' weaponry in the afternoon."
He sat beside her on the bench and they began to go through the gifts before them.
Luciana handed them the gifts and they began to talk about what they would keep and what they would give away.
"Look, this is too much kohl," Astrid said." It would look great on Meritaten. She has lovely eyes. Look at this eye shadow as well. I don't use these Seti. I could gift them to her."
" Mmmh I agree. Here look at this anklet. It looks beautiful. You are definitely keeping it."
" I will. This will suit Rashida. Look at the silver beading on this belt. I have noticed how much she loves beaded belts."
" I love how caring you are for my family. I hope that they are warm towards you as well."
" It is my duty to care for them whether they are warm towards me or not."
He smiled at her and they went through their gifts together as they enjoyed a a lengthy chat. Luciana could not contain her smile at the sight of the two. Her lady seemed to be falling for Seti. She seemed much happier since they got to Egypt the day before and so far, all was good.
After going through the gifts, Seti took her out for a walk around the palace to make her familiarize herself with the surroundings.
The next day, she had Luciana follow he as she delivered the gifts she had for Rashida and Meritaten. She found Meritaten in her room. Her maidservant, Bennu was combing her lady's wig. None seemed to notice Astrid so she knocked at the door.
"It's you ?" this from Meritaten.
"Yes. May I come in ?"
"You may," she replied snobbishly as she put away her mirror. Bennu stood behind Meritaten after bowing before Astrid." What brings you to my chambers ?" she asked after Astrid walked in.
"I came to bring you something," Astrid said as she turned to pick the golden box filled with kohl and eye shadows." Here. I received this but I do not use such make up. It will suit you best because you have the loveliest and alluring eyes here."
She handed the box to Meritaten who looked taken aback. She opened the box and found the make up as she was told.
"To add to that, you may have this circlet as a gift from me. It's from Alkion," Astrid said as she passed a box with a circlet made with fire agates and blue sapphires.
"There was no need to bring all these to me."
"There is. You and I are daughters in law to the Pharaoh hence we are like sisters. How could I dare not treat you well ?"
Meritaten nodded and Bennu took the boxes and placed them on the dressing table.
"My lady accepts your gifts Lady Astrid. Thank you," Bennu said on behalf of her mistress.
" You're welcome. I shall leave now," Astrid said before turning away and leaving. When she left Bennu went close to Meritaten and began to look through the boxes.
" Lady Astrid has indeed looked at you with affection. Look at this circlet. It will bring out the shine in your eyes my lady. The make up as well. I have to admit that she seems kind."
" Kind ? Kind ?" Meritaten tried to laugh but she ended up crying. " My husband only has affection for her. You also saw it last night Bennu. He left me and approached her and there was nothing I could do."
" My Lady, don't bear ill will against Lady Astrid. I don't think she knows your husband's intentions."
" Don't tell me what to do Bennu. Did you see it ? She is the only one who has told me that I have lovely eyes. Smenkhhare has never seen that. All my life, everyone kept praising me for them but the person I'd want to praise me praises another yet here she is giving me gifts," she said and knocked off the boxes from her table." Don't you ever accept anything from that woman ever again. I forbid it!"