THE GREAT LADY OF ALKION

CHAPTER 63

Just as Rashida lay to sleep, Smenkhhare opened the door and got in the room. She sighed and sat up on the bed.
"What now ?" she asked lazily.
"You don't know ?" he yelled." What did you do to Astrid ?"
"Oh my goodness. I am having the worst day and all of you are on my neck."
" On your neck ? That must be because you did something wrong!"
"You of all people should sympathize with me Smenkhhare. We are of one blood."
" Do you know that Astrid was bleeding after she came to see you ? We all know that you do not like her so you cannot escape suspicion. Just what did you do or say to her ?"
" I am not having this conversation,"she said as she turned her back towards him but he pulled her back.
" What did you say to her ?" he hissed.
" Let go of me," she cried and pulled away." Look at yourself Smenkhhare. You have no shame. How dare you do this to me ? I am your sister and she is a foreigner but here you are defending her. Come on, do you think that I don't know of your feelings for her ? I don't know why Seti ignores the rumours and has never taken action against you because of his respect for you. You come here and question me over another man's wife. Maybe I should tell Seti that it's true."
" Listen here, I will not play games with you here. You will stay away from Astrid or else you will lose my trust and love for you."
He walked out banging the door behind him and she sat on her bed trying to blink away the tears that were about to fall. What did Astrid have ? What did she lack ? She asked herself that and fell back onto the bed. The following day would surely be a good one. Or so she thought.

Days later...

"Astrid!" Rashida called out as she walked fast to catch up with Astrid who was on her way to the great hall to seek an audience with Ramses. Luciana moved aside.
"Rashida."
"I have been informed that you have been trying to seek audience with father over the past few days. What do you wish to tell him ?"
"Why do you ask that Rashida ?"
"Astrid, I know that you want to tell him of my affair with Baka but please don't do it. I don't want to imagine what father might do out of rage."
"I told you to end your affair with that flippant man but you have not. I will not let you jump into misery while I see it. You are my husband's sister and I will not allow that," Astrid said as she began to walk but Rashida held onto her flowing shawl.
"Astrid, don't. At least give me some time to tell father."
"You don't get it, do you ? You must stay away from Baka and forget about him. Just that. Why can't you see that he will only make you miserable ? A man who fools around with every woman in the capital will do nothing but bring you misery."
" It is normal for a man to have mistresses but when I am his wife, he will pay me more attention. All I want is to be loved and he makes me feel loved. I am that desperate Astrid," she began to cry and fell on her knees still holding onto Astrid's shawl." Astrid, I have never begged this much before but please hear my cry. Don't ruin the chance I have at love. I am begging you."
" Rashida," Astrid said as she bent down to help Rashida stand up." I can understand your pain but Baka is not the right man for you. You deserve someone better. Please Rashida, have pity on yourself this once and listen to me. He will not treat you well."
" Astrid," she cried and began to sniffle.
"Heed my words."
After saying that, she walked away and Luciana followed.
" She is so pitiful," this from Luciana.
" She really is but I won't let her get her way. Baka will not make her happy."
" I agree. She deserves a better man who will well mannered."
" Let's go see Pharaoh. I need to talk to him about something."
Once outside the great hall, Astrid looked at the huge doors.
"Please announce me," she told a guard who nodded before entering the hall.
"Lady Astrid wishes to see you your majesty," he said.
"Let her in," Ramses said as he put aside some scrolls.
Astrid walked in gracefully as was her nature and curtsied before the Pharaoh.
"Greetings, my lord. May the gods bless you."
"Come nearer," he gestured to her and let her sit near him." You have tried to see me for the past days but I have had too much to work on. Tell me what you wished to tell me."
Astrid took in a deep breath and began to talk. Pharaoh stood up in rage banging the seat with his fist.
"How dare she !" he roared and the scribe who recorded all events in the palace looked at the Pharaoh in fear.

" What ?" Rashida asked as she ran her hand through her wig.
" It is as I tell you Rashida,"Baka said." We need to think of something before something happens."
"I can't believe that after begging her she would still go ahead and report me to father," she said and bit her lower lip." Curses on you Astrid," she shouted.
"It is good that we know what is going to happen so we are a step ahead."
"What do you suggest we do ?"
"Let us elope."
"What ? Have you lost your mind ?"
"Soon Pharaoh will have guards take us to him. He will send me to the front lines at battle or banish me. I can't be without you so let's leave while we still can. When everything is calm we will return and make him understand our love for each other. I promised you that I will change for you and I have. Do you want to be with me forever ?"
" Of course I do."
" Then come with me."
"I don't know Baka. I have a bad feeling about this."
"Rashida, we have no time. Let's go."
"Alright. Do I need anything ?"
"No. Once we are out of the palace and safely hidden will we be safe and start to look for necessities."
"Let's go then," she said.
" This is what we will do. Meet me outside the tunnel that leads to the Nile. You know where it is, don't you ?"
" Yes. I will wait for you there."