The Life and Times of Bonnie Chance

The Wedding

Coming back to the wedding of Carol and the Egyptian pharaoh, Memphis...

"We've arrived at the temple of Amen!" Memphis said as he helped Carol off the chariot while Bonnie dismounted from Unas's horse. The people who had gathered there were cheering. "Perhaps the priests are waiting impatiently for us! Only high-ranked mandarins and family of the royalty can get into this temple... Since Bonnie is your cousin, we will let her in. The citizens are forbidden to come near!" Memphis explained for Carol.

"Long live the queen! Long live the pharaoh!" the immense crowd cheered as the royal couple and Bonnie walked into the temple.

"I'm trembling, perhaps because I'm too nervous and anxious..." Carol said.

"Hey, I'm walking next to you and you're still anxious?" Memphis said, holding her hand tighter.

"Greetings, my pharaoh. Greetings, my queen... We're ready!" the high priest said, bowing to them when they reached the entrance of the temple.

"Greetings, High Priest Kapta," Memphis said.

'This priest will conduct the wedding ceremony?' Carol thought. 'Oh my God, who would believe... that everything that happens right in front of my eyes is real!'

"Please advance into the temple..." the high priest said.

'According to history, the temple of Amen is one of the architectures that has the most magnificent dimension at the time...' Carol thought as she followed the high priest deeper into the temple with Memphis next to her and Bonnie behind her. The priest came to a stop and turned to face them again.

"The first formality before the wedding ceremony is... that you two must be cleaned!" the high priest said. "My pharaoh, please go to the room on the right and my queen to the left! Lady Bonnie, you will wait with me."

"Huh... I bathed this morning!" Carol said.

"Just do it... It's only a formality!" Memphis said, smiling at Carol as he caressed her face.

"But who will bathe right here?" Carol asked.

"My queen, don't worry... No one is allowed to see!" a maid said, coming forward to escort her.

"?" Carol said.

"Go on," Bonnie said. She doubted they would let anyone violate their queen's privacy. Carol followed the maid to a room that was open to the outside, but safe from prying eyes. In the floor were steps leading into a square pool, with a woman standing at each corner, wearing costumes to represent Egyptian gods.

"Here you are, my queen... This is the scared lake, there are four young girls standing in the four corners, wearing god-like masks and symbolizing for the four quarters of the world!" the maid explained, bowing to Carol. "This sacred water will get rid of all your earthly worries!"

"Why does it seem exactly like the baptism of Christians?" Carol said, surprised. She was stripped down to an underdress made of a thin layer of fabric, and she descended the steps into the pool. 'Wow... the water is so clear and cool... They even mixed in a fragrance... makes me feel so buoyant!' Carol enjoyed the feel of the water and the sweet scent that had been added to it. 'Mother, I'm going to be a bride,' she thought, smiling. She heard her mother calling out to her, asking where she was. 'I apologize for not being able to inform you of this pivotal news. I know that Brother Ryan will be furious if he knows. He wants me to finish college first, and then get married. I've gone against him...' She pictured her brother, who was working with Professor Brown to examine the clay tablet. Carol exited the pool.

"Your Highness, please change into your bridal gown," one of the maids said as they helped her up. Carol was dried off and dressed in the most splendid dress and cape that she had ever seen and was given a more elaborate golden headdress to wear on her head. "This gown must be inlaid with gold since it's so heavy!" she said, sniffing.