THE GREAT LADY OF ALKION

CHAPTER 47

"Don't believe him sovereign. I'm innocent," she cried out.
"How dare you ?" Ramses roared.
"Stop lying Meritaten," Rashida said as she walked in."You started everything and I saw you. The steward is not lying. Father, Astrid is right. She is innocent."
" Why are you taking her side ?"Meritaten asked.
" I'm not taking anyone's side because Anippe saw you throw water on her and push her against the wall."
" Why did you not do anything about it Rashida ? Ramses asked.
"I was soaking in the tub and when Anippe came in and told me what was going on, I had to get ready before coming here."
"This is a family affair. Everyone leave!" the furious king said and all servants left the family there.
"Kneel down!"
Meritaten did as she was told. She was trembling out of fear.
"You are a priest's daughter and this how you behave ? You have shamed me."
"I realize my faults. Pardon me my lord."
"Pardon ? You denied having started the fight which was lying to the living Horus and now you ask for pardon ? Look at my wife." Seti said.
"Astrid, you have been wronged," Ramses began." It is my duty as your sovereign and father here to grant you justice. I order you Meritaten to apologize to princess Astrid immediately. You are not permitted to receive money for three moons. You shall not set foot out of the palace. Since you overstepped your position as her superior in terms of marriage, it is only fair for her to be above you now. She will now head all harem affairs and be your leader. This is the second time you have assaulted her and now, I'm giving you the last chance. If you harm her, you shall be kicked out of the palace and your marriage to my son annulled."
" Thank you father," Seti said with a small bow." I shall leave with my wife."
Seti wrapped his arms around her shoulders and led her out of the kitchen.
" Are you alright Astrid ?" Smenkhhare asked after following them outside. He placed his hand on her arms looking concerned.
" She is fine," Seti said as he pushed his hand off." Shall we go ?"
" Yes," Astrid said leaning into him.
The pain Smenkhhare felt in his heart was too much. How dare Meritaten attack Astrid ?
Pharaoh left the room followed by Thutmose and Rashida.
Bennu helped Meritaten stand up and she walked slowly outside and met a fuming Smenkhhare.
"Come here," he ordered and she went to him. He grabbed her arm and dragged her to their room. He threw her to the floor and threw Bennu out of the room when she rushed to help Meritaten.
"You have no shame. Do you ?"
"How could you side with Astrid ? What about me ? I am your wife."
" I can't wait for you to mess up again so that you will finally leave."
"I fought her for you Smenkhhare. I don't want her to be all over you. I don't want her to seduce you any further."
"She isn't but guess who is doing all that ? I am. I will go after her because you don't even measure up to her and let me warn you Meritaten. If you lay a finger on her again, I will kill you with my bare hands. I will not tolerate you again and don't bother coming to see me."
" What do you mean by that ?" she cried.
" I'm not staying with you in the same room because l swear to the gods that I will hurt you so bad."
" Don't leave me please," she begged and fell on her knees wrapping her arms on his thighs.
" Let me go."
" I won't Smenkhhare. I swear by Isis that I won't harm her but please don't leave me."
Her plea fell on dead ears. He left her there crying on the floor and walked away from her.
She was overcome with rage and threw everything in sight on the floor breaking lots of vases and pots.
"My lady please calm down," Bennu begged.
"I can't take it anymore Bennu. I can't." Meritaten wept." What did I do to deserve this ? Is it a crime to fall in love with him and try to protect our marriage ?"
"No, it's not."
After a while, she was calm but still on the floor with Bennu by her side. She looked miserable and there was nothing her loyal servant could help her with.
"I remember the first time I came to the palace. The palace looked so grand. It exceeded the imagination I had of it. It was then that I saw Smenkhhare. He smiled at me and I could see my future somewhere at last. He was with me for my first night here. Soon we were married and it seems like yesterday but in a blink, here we are."
" I have seen your love for him all this while. You still love him."
" That's my weakness. If only i could turn back time, I would not love him."
" I understand your pain. Princess Rashida betrayed you. The both of you were to work together and take Astrid down but she stabbed you in the back."
" I hate her and soon, I will settle my scores with her. Everyone for that matter. Astrid, Seti and Rashida then finally Smenkhhare."
" I will help you get what you want. You can count on me. We've come so far and we cannot afford to lose it all."
" They'd better be ready."