THE GREAT LADY OF ALKION

CHAPTER 45

The walk to the great hall felt shorter than usual. There she was standing timidly behind her soon to be husband. She had wanted him to choose her as his wife but not have marriage imposed on them like that.
Pharaoh walked into the hall where everyone bowed before him when he sat on his throne.
"Some few days ago, I sent my heralds to announce to you all that I intended to have a wife selection for my sons. All the women suitable for this selection arrived yesterday and I'm sure that my sons and I have have already seen them. It's time for me to announce the ladies who will soon join us here in the palace as wives for Smenkhhare and Seti. My sons, do step forward."
Seti and Smenkhhare walked up the stairs and each stood on either side of Pharaoh.
"For my eldest son Smenkhhare, I hereby choose Lady Meritaten, the daughter of Lord Abasi,the priest of Ra."
There were whispers in the hall as she walked to the front. Her eyes were fixed on the floor and she stood next to Smenkhhare who huffed in annoyance. She did feel that she was unwanted. Her father walked to the front as well and bowed before the Pharaoh.
"I thank you ,your majesty for your wise choice," he said and bowed again smiling as brightly as he could. Nobody felt more proud than he did. He would most certainly get elevated to a high priest now that his daughter would marry into the royal family.
Pharaoh raised his hand up and the hall fell silent.
"For my second son, Seti, I choose Lady Amuntikhet, daughter of Lord Takelot, the high priest of the temple of Heliopolis."
There were murmurs and whispers again within the gathering. The graceful lady walked up the stairs and stood beside Seti with a smile. Seti smiled awkwardly at her and it was obvious that he felt uncomfortable.
"I hereby declare that both my sons will marry these ladies in a moon's time. The wife selection is over and so let the feast begin."
The musicians began their work as people began to eat and drink. Some ladies cried because they were not chosen while others just enjoyed the feast.
"I heard that you were caught in bed with the prince," Abasi said to her." Excellent. You make me proud. I am happy to have you as a daughter. You really did serve your purpose and overdone your sisters."
"Yes father," she sighed and looked away.
The days went by so fast and soon she got married to Smenkhhare in a lavish ceremony. Seti on the other hand, did not marry the following day. Lady Amuntikhet was found dead in her room before the wedding creating chaos in the palace.
Meritaten's wedding night was awful. Her now husband came in drunk that he could not even construct a simple sentence. That was what became of her first night in the palace as a married woman. It began with misery and would remain shrouded in more misery in the years to follow.
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She stood up from the bed and went to have a bath after Smenkhhare. He dressed up and left her without saying a word. She bit her lip to keep herself from crying but it didn't work. She cried more and more questioning her life. If she hadn't fallen for him and allowed him to sleep with her, there would be minimal chances of her being chosen. Perhaps she should have married another man who would love and care for her but knowing her father, that wasn't likely. She would have ended up in another unhappy marriage with a father in law who didn't bother much about her just like the Pharaoh didn't care.

"I'm going for a brief meeting with my father in the great hall. Afterwards, I'll meet with the soldiers for some training," Seti said as he fastened his belt on his kilt. There was some silence for a while and when he looked at her, her eyes were fixed on his torso. He grinned and flicked her forehead.
"Ouch."
"You're staring a bit too much, don't you think ?" he said with a smile." Have you even heard what I have said to you ?"
" Yes I have heard you and I don't think there's a problem with me staring at my own husband." Astrid said as she smiled back at him. She helped him wear his wide collar necklace made of beaded rows and shaped like the vulture. The collar stretched over his breast to the collarbone. A pendant was strung on the beaded necklace bearing an amulet of protection.
"Maybe you could clean the palace for a change."
"No way. It's very huge and it would take days for me to clean even half of it. Here are your bracelets."
" Have you learned what this symbol is ?" he asked pointing at the golden symbol on the piece of jewelry.
"I have. It's an ankh," she answered proudly.
"I'm glad to see that you're getting better and better at this. Asenath is a good teacher, isn't she ?"
"Yes she is Seti. Soon, I'll know more than you."
"I love the enthusiasm. Since you don't have much to do today, maybe you should do something good for me. I took you out yesterday now it's your turn to make me happy."
" What do you want ?"
" I'd love something from your hands."
"That's it ? Alright I will please you. By the time you're done with your father, just come here and you'll find my gift to you."
"That's great."
He kissed his wife and left for the great hall.