THE GREAT LADY OF ALKION

CHAPTER 60

Many days later, the land's princess walked into the hall with a lot of excitement.
"Father, it's time for us to play hounds and jackals."
"Oh my. I forgot that we were to play that Rashida. I have some things left to discuss with Astrid and Seti here about the slaves."
"But father, we had planned this long ago. I had everything prepared. We were to play and enjoy the scenery by the Nile alone."
"Daughter," he said as he stood up and walked down the steps towards her." Forgive your old father for this. It slipped my mind because of the many things that have been going on. I promise to spend some time with you as soon as I am done with this."
" This is the third time you have forgotten something we planned together."
" Understand me Rashida. I am the Pharaoh and my duty to the empire comes first."
" It's alright. Forget it," she said with a sad tone and rushed away.
Ramses sighed before turning to walk up the steps and sit on his throne.
" She is used to having all the attention because she is your only daughter," Seti said.
" I did not mean to forget that but I have been having a lot to take care of and duty must come first."
" I understand her actually," Astrid said." It was always like that with my family. I spent little time with my mother and grandfather. Even Fabian was kept busy taking care of the army affairs. Do spend time with her."
" I will do my best to. She is my little girl after all and she means everything to me."
"She is lonely and it's evident in her eyes. Rashida has everything but that's her only problem. Be with her my lord. She does need love."
"The both of you are right. I may need some time to relax as well. The work has been overwhelming."
" Yes father. You need to relax as well and take some time off. Your royal health must be taken care of," Seti said.
" Understood. Now let's go through the plan again."

" Rashida!" Thutmose called out." Wait for me."
" Thutmose ?"
" You seem sad. Perhaps you could tell me the reason why ?"
" Father does not have time for me. He is just busy with Astrid and Seti. It's like nobody wants me around. Seti and Smenkhhare are always busy not to mention that they are married so their time is devoted to their wives. Father is busy as well with no time for me. He will forget my name soon. I'm sure."
" That's not true. He values you very much. I know how much he does. I do too," he said awkwardly as he rubbed the back of his head." Maybe I could take you for a ride if you want to."
" Really ?" she beamed.
" Yes. I have nothing to do right now."
" Of course. Let's go."

Meritaten sat on a chair as she rubbed her cat's fur with Bennu fanning her. In walked Smenkhhare and he looked at his wife.
" Leave us Bennu," Meritaten said. She placed the cat beside her and she stood up. When they were alone, Smenkhhare took out a necklace and her eyes shone with joy.
" This is for you," he said as he shifted on his feet.
" For me ?" she asked with widened eyes.
" Yes Meritaten. Let me help you wear it."
" Uhm sure,"she said as she turned her back to him. He placed the necklace on her neck and clasped it. She then turned around to look at him." It is really beautiful Smenkhhare. I love it" she gushed.
" I had the goldsmith make it for you. It is an amulet for protection now that you are expecting a child. I thought it would be good to give you that."
" I really love it. Look at the design. It is just perfect," she gushed.
" It's good that you love it," he said as he rubbed the back of his head and ran his hand through his side lock." You deserve it because you have given me the chance to be a father and..."
Meritaten was still glued to the necklace and she looked at him when she realized that he had stopped speaking.
"I am sorry. It's just that you've never gifted me anything and this seems like a dream."
"It's nothing big. I just want you and the child to be protected by the gods."
"What got into you so you gave this to me ?"
"I uhm..." he kept quiet and purses his lips into a line. He remembered how he had seen Seti treat Astrid now that she was expectant. He was gentle and loving towards her tending to her needs even though she had a maidservant. It would not hurt if he himself took good care of Meritaten now that he was also thrilled over the thought of having a child.
"I am moving back into our room," he said suddenly.
"You are ?"
"Would you like that ?" he said uncomfortably.
"Of course I would. Finally the gods have heard my prayers. My husband is back to me and soon, I will give him a child. We will be a happy family."
"A family ?" he asked and began to think of his own. He had always wanted to have a better family than the one he grew up in. How he'd wished to have his own children and a wonderful wife.
"You are thinking about your family, aren't you ?"
"Yes."
"It's what I would like to have too. We both grew up under situations we didn't want to grow up in. We lacked the love of our parents. But that can change now that we have a child on the way. It would be great if you then became Pharaoh."
"It would. I would be the best there ever was and my name will spread from generation to generation and my son will be the next living Horus after me."
" That will make me happy. You deserve to be Pharaoh, Smenkhhare. You can count on my support."
" I want to but I do not wish to show greed for the throne. It will court father's anger and I do not wish for that."
" You are his oldest surviving son. The other royal sons died but you survived to adulthood. You are greatly favoured even more than Seti. His only merit is that he was born to the Great Wife."
" Enough of that Meritaten. I need to go into the city to oversee some work," he said as he wore his head dress.