THE GREAT LADY OF ALKION

CHAPTER 83

Meritaten sat looking through the window. There was nothing outside. No one in sight except for the vast desert. She pulled her knees to her chest and lay her head on her knees and closed her eyes.
That morning, she had received the ten whippings given to her as punishment. She was now numb from all the pain. Her once white dress was tattered at the back from the beating she was receiving. No one had dared visit her and she couldn't believe how her father didn't think twice before reporting to Pharaoh that she had truly hurt Astrid to save his neck. That must be how betrayal felt. Smenkhhare on the other hand was free from her. He would surely be happy now that he did not see her and had not come to see her. She was living a miserable life with her day starting off with whippings then being served a bun with moulds and poorly cooked vegetables. Months ago she would have anything. Fresh meat, fruits, juices, wines name them but she had no choice but to gobble down the pathetic meals to survive. Sometimes she would get better meals after sleeping with one of the jailors there and he would smuggle them to her. What a life.
She sniffled and wiped away a tear. Just then, the door was opened and in walked a man. She sat up and looked at him.
"I brought you your supplies. I couldn't get much but this will do," he whispered.
She walked towards him and grabbed the small basket from him going through everything inside.
"You only got me figs, bread and a shawl ?"
"What did you want me to bring ? This is not the palace and you are no longer the wife of the prince. I had to go through a lot to get these to you yet you don't pay me enough."
"Pay you enough ?"she said through her teeth." Isn't sleeping with you enough ? I have nothing but my body to give to you."
" You are so dramatic. Here is some eye liner. You have the most alluring and seductive eyes I have ever seen. So grey and big. Use this sometime when I come to be with you," he said and something from his tone sent chills through her spine.
" Thank you,"she smiled.
When he left, she sat by the window with a cup of water in hand to act as a mirror as she applied the eyeliner. Maybe she would feel prettier after using it.
The water in the cup did not help her much but she liked the better look only that this eyeliner made her feel a bit of burning sensation in her eye. Maybe it was because she had not used liner for a while so she shrugged.
Moments later, she began to blink rapidly when the burning did not subside but only became worse. She rubbed her eyes to try and ease the discomfort but it did not help.
She let out a scream and a jailor walked inside her cell as she rubbed her eyes heavily.
"My eyes. My eyes," she cried as she smudged the dark eyeliner all over her eyes."They are burning. Help me."
The alarmed jailor passed her the cup of water.
" Wash your face with this," he said as she took the cup and poured some water on her face.
" The burn won't go,"she cried.

" Blind ?" Smenkhhare said and stood up.
" Our source said that,"his guard, Asim, said.
" But how could this happen ?"
" When her cell was searched, they found some figs, bread, a shawl and eye liner."
" How could she have access to that ?"he said as he walked slowly around the room." She must be exchanging something for the sake of those items but for her to get that eyeliner and become blind, there must be someone behind it."
" She created many enemies. Could it be Princess Astrid or Prince Seti ?"
" Those two would never do such a thing,"he scoffed." I think the one behind this is none other than my darling little sister. I shall pay her a visit."

Rashida lay on her bed as she looked at the ceiling and Smenkhhare walked in and watched.
" What are you thinking about ?" he asked startling her.
"Smenkhhare."
" Meritaten. What did you do to her ?"
" Me ? What can I possibly do when I am stuck here."
"Listen here,"he muttered." I know what you are capable of. If you had the nerve to kill my child, would blinding a person be impossible for you ?"
She exhaled before walking closer to him.
" What I did will forever be a knot between us, won't it ?"
" What do you think ? How should I feel knowing that my own blood sister killed my unborn child ? I was looking forward to having my own child and what did you do ?"
" Smenkhhare, I..."
" What ?"he shouted as he grabbed her by her shoulders and shook her angrily." These years, all I wanted was for you and I to break free from our mother's reputation. Now you killed. How different are you from her ?"
"Smenkhhare, you're hurting me. Let me go." she said.
" Did you let your anger go ? You knew that Meritaten was a crazy woman and you had to go for it and cause all of this."
" Fine,"she said as she pushed his arms away." Yes I was wrong. I acted out of anger and jealousy. I am locked up here and Thutmose hates me. What more do you want from me ? I am paying the price. Since I did all of that, no one ever told me to reflect on my wrongdoings but I do it each and every day. Do you know how it feels to know that I am unwanted in the family ? A shame to father's legacy ? Smenkhhare, I failed,"she cried and knelt on the dry grass that was layered on the floor." I beg for your forgiveness. Please forgive me Smenkhhare,"she begged as she placed her hands on his knees.
" How could you ? I could take it that you are arrogant and proud with a bad attitude at times but killing ? You disappointed me."
"I know,"she said as she buried her face in her palms.
" Get up,"he said and pulled her up with one arm." I may feel anger towards you but you are still my sister and I cannot hate you."
"Oh Smenkhhare," she cried and leaned on his chest.
"You were wrong to do what you did to Meritaten. You have to stop being bad from now on," he said as he wiped her tears away.
" Mmmh,"she nodded." I had to teach Meritaten a lesson though."
"Lesson or not, that's enough. Live your days in peace."