Pyramids: The Gateway to Stars

Chapter XV

Chapter XV
Midnight

"Watch where you are going, woman."

And just like that, I stumbled upon another angry-looking tiger amidst an early, busy morning. Jeepers. I scolded myself inwardly for the clumsiness I made.

You're really looking for an early death, Hesperia. Yesterday, you experienced how harsh the second son could get and now you just bumped into King Khufu, out of all people. What a reckless thing to do to start your day.

I bowed and gawked at his tiger-looking eyes. I directly looked into them to show my sincerity. "I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I was just too sleepy—"

One of his servants moved forward and blocked me to Khufu. "Save your excuse to yourself, Miss," he said. "You're wasting His Majesty's time."

A glint of prejudice toned his voice as he frowned. Even just by the way he looked at me, I could tell how much he was looking down on me—a mere commoner like the ones who live outside and faraway from the palace.

I lowered my head in shame. That moment I realized how low my status is in the eyes of these people. If I would compare it to a pyramid, I'm just at the base—the ground where high class people can easily step on us within their wealth and power.

The servant continued, "His Majesty still has a lot of things to do so scram and get out of the way."

"S-Sorry," I mumbled and immediately moved to the corner.

Khufu then called me before leaving. He still had that annoyed expression on his face. "I don't want a maid who's such a weakling. Have enough sleep or else you'll keep messing up, woman."

"Y—Yes."

With one last mocking look from the servants circling him, they all passed by me and continued walking through the hallway as they discussed important matters to Khufu. I watched them leave until they completely vanished from my sight.

Whew. That was pretty scary. Those judgmental gazes of the royal servants are much scarier than Khufu's. I mean, they are not even the Pharaoh, but they think so highly of themselves! Jeez.

I headed to the kitchen while my thoughts continued clouding my mind. Now that I thought about it, that was the first time I met Khufu early this morning. Usually, he never joins breakfast with the royal family for reasons that I don't know of.

I yawned. The moment I opened my mouth, the muscles on my face contracted, reminding me of the weak ache coming from my forehead that banged against Khufu's hard, brawny chest. I grumbled and caressed it to lessen the pain. His chest is already that hard, alright.

Later on, I reached the kitchen where the cooks and the maids were bustling and cramming all over the place to prepare for the royal family's food. Oh right. It was almost time for breakfast.

For today's meal, there were luscious brown bread, pitchers of milk, and myriad kinds of fruits. They look salivating. My stomach grumbled in hunger. I better help the maids so we can get to eat quickly!

I approached the maids and greeted Akila who's busy placing the meals on the plates. "Good morning, Akila!"

"Oh good thing you're already awake!" She greeted me with a smile and handed me a huge plate of brown bread. "Here, put this on the table please."

"Okay, sure!"

For fifteen minutes, I assisted the maids in serving breakfast meals to the dining table. Since Djedefhor is usually asleep in the morning, he doesn't join in breakfast which means I also don't get to eat with the royal family. I only join them during dinner.