THE GREAT LADY OF ALKION

CHAPTER 46

"I have already cleared the kitchen for you my lady," Luciana said." You will have the space you need."
"That's perfect. I'm sure that Seti will be thrilled."
"Of course he will. He will be the first person to eat food cooked by you here."
"I feel excited for this. I'll  need to change first."
"Alright. I'll help you."

"What do you mean there's no cook in the kitchen Bennu ?"
"There's no one there my lady. I was there just now."
"But I'm thirsty. There's no water or juice here and you forgot to bring me some."
"I'm sorry my lady."
"Forget it. I'll go get some myself. It's been a while since I prepared a drink for myself. I might as well go do something for myself and ease my emotions."
"You're right Lady Meritaten. It will be beneficial for you. Let me walk you there."
" I'll be fine by myself. Clean this room and see to it that my and Smenkhhare's clothes are cleaned."

The kitchen was spacious and there was no one there. She walked into the pantry to pick out her ingredients. There were many spices, vegetables and fruits. All she needed was there and she kept smiling at herself picturing Seti's joy after he ate the food.
She would prepare him some stew, bread and serve some lettuce and grapes. She would then bake a cake with some dates and sweeten it with honey. Not an extraordinary meal but it would be ideal for her husband.
She soon began to knead some dough for the bread.
"Ugh by Bastet, you're the last person I wanted to see," Meritaten groaned when she entered the kitchen. Astrid looked at Meritaten, inhaled and exhaled deeply.
" Meritaten."
" Wait. Don't tell me that you're the one who sent the cooks away."
" It's only for a while. Do you need something ?"
" Do I need something ? I don't think I would come all the way here if I didn't want anything. You're inconveniencing everybody."
" I don't think I'm inconveniencing anyone. If you need anything brought to you, you could send someone in to get it for you."
" I could ? I sent Bennu and she didn't get what I wanted her to."
" But I haven't seen her here."
" Are you trying to imply that I'm a liar ?"
" I didn't say that you're one. Maybe she got here before I did because I haven't seen her. If you need something, feel free to find it or find someone to help you."
" That's not necessary. Prepare me some pomegranate juice right now."
" I would like to help but I'm busy at the moment," she answered and lifted her hands filled with dough for Meritaten to see.
" Then stop what you're doing and serve me."
" Excuse me ?" Astrid said looking at Meritaten sternly." I don't think you're in any position to order me around."
" Why ? Whom do you think you are ?"
Astrid shook her head and went on with her kneading. Memories about what Smenkhhare did to her in their room and how he'd called Astrid's name when they were getting intimate enraged her. She saw a jug full of water in front of Astrid, grabbed it and threw the water on Astrid.
"Don't ignore me!" she yelled at a now fuming Astrid who couldn't believe what Meritaten had done to her.
"How dare you throw water on me ?"
"That serves you right for ignoring me."
"Listen, if you have problems with Smenkhhare, don't involve me. Go throw your tantrums elsewhere not on me," Astrid hissed.
"You even have the nerve to call his name ?"
By now, anger took full control over Meritaten and she charged towards Astrid and pushed her to the wall. She began to strangle her as Astrid tried to break free from the strong grip.
"Let...me g..go," she tried to say.
"Never. I will teach you a lesson today."
Astrid pushed Meritaten away with all her might. When Meritaten was off of her, she began to cough as she tried to regain her breath. She rubbed her sore neck as she looked at Meritaten who looked back at her with fury written all over her face.
"You will stay away from my husband," Meritaten screamed as she pounced on Astrid before pulling her hair and actually pulled out some strands.
"Let me go Meritaten," Astrid shouted in pain.
"By the time I'm done with you today, you will never mess around with Smenkhhare."
Astrid dug her nails into Meritaten's arms and it did work. Meritaten let go of her and she crawled away to put some space between them.
"Don't you ever dig your nails into me again!" Meritaten screamed after seeing some blood from her crescent shaped wounds.
Meritaten threw the jug at Astrid who dodged it and it flew into the wall. Astrid had had enough and so she grabbed the pot full of flour and threw it at Meritaten who looked white covered in the flour.
A utensil throwing fight began with Meritaten taking many hits while Astrid dodged many incoming pots, cups and even a watermelon.
There was a lot of noise coming from the kitchen and it attracted some attention. Some servants had gathered at the door to witness the ongoing catfight in the kitchen. Many cheering for Astrid.
"What is going on in there ?" Luciana asked when she heard that there was a fight.
"Your lady is fighting with Lady Meritaten," she was answered.
She rushed to push those looking at the fight away. The fighting was intense and all she could say was," Oh no."
She had to find Seti to step in since nobody looked ready to stop the two women. She rushed to the great hall but the guards tried to restrain her from entering since the Pharaoh was discussing something important with his sons and Thutmose.
She struggled and got free. Running into the hall, she kowtowed before the sovereign.
"What are you doing here ?" the angry Pharaoh boomed. He had been discussing the increasing incidents of stolen money affecting the treasury and he wasn't happy.
"Pardon me your majesty but my lady and Lady Meritaten in a fight in the kitchen and I don't know how to stop it. They are hurting each other."
" Astrid ?" Seti said and rushed to the kitchen with Smenkhhare following suit.
The fight continued in the kitchen and when Meritaten saw that she couldn't win, she grabbed a knife.
" I will kill you," she screamed at Astrid who looked at Meritaten and tried to gain her composure.
Meritaten charged towards Astrid and was about to stab her but Astrid gripped her wrist and twisted it making her drop the knife to the ground.
Astrid pushed Meritaten away and that was when the two princes walked in and the servants parted to create way for the princes.
Seti rushed to Astrid who had a cut on her temple that was bleeding. He embraced her after seeing her disheveled appearance.
"Are you alright ?" he asked her. She nodded and he hugged her tightly. He would stand by her through everything.
Smenkhhare just stood there looking at the mess in the kitchen and at Meritaten who looked terrible covered in flour with her wig on the floor.
"What did you do ?" he shouted at her.
"Me ? Why don't you ask that woman ? She is the reason for all of this. She was picking on me."
"Stop lying," Astrid said.
"I'm not a liar, you are," Meritaten said and tried to attack Astrid but Seti pulled Astrid behind him while Smenkhhare held Meritaten back by holding her hand.
"So, you were about to attack Astrid in my presence ?" Ramses asked. They hadn't noticed his presence and Meritaten tried to hide behind Smenkhhare who moved away from her.
" No your majesty but she started all of this."
" Stop lying Meritaten. You did it," Astrid defended.
" How dare you accuse me of lying before the living Horus ?"
" Believe me my lord, I didn't begin this fight."
" She is lying."
" Shut up. Both of you just shut up!"
The room fell silent.
" Is there a witness ?" Ramses asked.
" I saw what happened your majesty," a man said.
" Who are you ?"
" I am a wine steward."
" Did you see who began this ?"
" Yes I did your majesty."
" Who did ?"
The steward looked at Astrid who looked back at him. Seti looked at the man as well awaiting to hear what he would say.
"Your majesty, she did," he pointed at the lady and there were gasps and whispers.