Promised (Prince Ramses x fem! Reader)

Chapter 1: Wishes

"And then he practically accused me of bringing down the dynasty! Again! Why is it that whenever I try to make him happy and do what he wants me to do it's never enough? I'm always the screw-up. The weak link..." Ramses complained, the sound of stress evident in his wavering tone as he choked on those last words. When slavery became outlawed, his father, Pharoah Seti needed to dismantle and reassemble the old system, constantly dealing with external and internal disputes within his empire. At the same time, Ramses was just born, so his father's problems forevermore became his own. (Name) understood Pharaoh's high standards, but she could never sympathize with him after experiencing the blatant abuse that Ramses received, and ultimately her fair share.

"I mean, you know how he is." Ramses sighed, realizing (Name) knew all too well, she was a maid after all. Her mother Rabia who was close friends with Queen Tuya from a very young age, was at the very top of the royal workforce, having the same, or arguably even more luxuries than even the high priests, Hotep and Huy. The Queen was generous enough to let her stay at the palace after discovering that Rabia had been suffering from the abuse of her husband for many years. During that time, they were both pregnant, so it was almost perfect that the two friends could live and raise children together. It was a dream for the mothers-to-be to pass on the friendship with their children. However, Seti wouldn't allow her to stay without any conditions.

After having (Name), Rabia was tasked with being the head advisor, palace manager, and the palace maid all in one. She dealt with things ranging from cleaning, babysitting, cooking, styling, to planning and entertaining to name a few. Queen Tuya saw to it that Rabia would not be overworked and be able to live comfortably in the palace as equals, though there were times when she couldn't sway her husband to be so lenient. When (Name) was of age, she went through a similar metamorphosis as Ramses. Instead of both of the children playing by the steps of the river picking at water lilies and splashing water, they were learning how to fulfill their predestined new roles. It was inevitable that (Name) would be on the receiving end of Seti's wrath whenever she got something wrong or fumbled, though Queen Tuya was always there to reassure the situation.

Recalling some of those memories, (Name) only hummed in agreement. After a brief moment of silence, Ramses sighed in a state of vulnerability and brought his knees up to his chest."Sometimes I just wish I could run away from all of this, but then that proves my father's low opinions about me." He added, his voice so soft that it was barely within earshot. It didn't help that he was about 15 feet up in the air, sitting on the same statue that she would always find him at. It was a statue of his father, and right on his lap, he would sit, as if to relive when he was younger. Now with the state of their relationship, it seemed like they couldn't even look at each other, causing (Name) to wonder if this would be an argument that could blow over the next day.

"I'm sorry I dumped so much on you, I just had so much on my mind lately that I couldn't bottle it up anymore." (Name) listened and softened the unreadable expression on her face. Her silence wasn't that she was unsure of what to say, but because she was aware that the best way to console him was not to force-feed his lies that he was overreacting. She wanted to hear him out first. Granted, she understood she didn't need to be anyone's therapist, but for (Name), listening to Ramses came out of a place of light and willingness. She felt no reluctance when he needed some consolation. She knew if he didn't have her that his heart would go permanently cold, closed off, broken beyond repair. He was to be the future Pharaoh, and (Name) wouldn't let him even get close to becoming just as callous as his father.

Deep down Ramses was just that impressionable little boy, trying to escape his destiny and gain his father's acceptance, to be loved and carefree. "You know we can always talk. Whenever there is something on your mind I will listen, just as you do for me." (Name) replied, recounting how many times he was there to rescue her from tears, a mutual problem being his father. One of the most prominent memories (Name) treasured was the time Ramses gifted her a palace kitten after she dropped a whole platter of food and she was humiliated by the king and the priests for being incompetent. They decided on naming the little thing Neema for being born at the perfect moment. As they spoke, the black cat was probably stealing milk or knocking over vases; she was known for being mischievous, but so endearing that no one could stay mad at her.

"Just know that I'm proud of you, how hard you work, every last bit of effort, your attention to detail. " Ramses was quiet, his head hanging low. "You shoulder so much, and I notice it all. Even if it gets hard just know that I'll be here to cheer you on because I know you're more than capable of being great, so don't go holding out on me now." Ramses couldn't help but smile at her remark and looked down at her. "Thank you, I honestly don't know what I'd do without you," he spoke before carefully jumping down from the knees of the statue. "But as you wish (Name), that also means you can't hold out either. So you must tell me, have you found a suitor yet, or did you scare them all off?" Ramses asked with a stupid smirk plastered on his face as they walked and talked.

(Names) ears flushed, she was hoping he wouldn't catch on but the word of her business was probably spreading like a wildfire. Unbeknownst to her, he was only asking because he knew there was a spark more than platonic love that was slowly growing between them. He was anxious with every proposal that she would agree to one. (Name) didn't know of all the sleepless nights, the stolen glances, and cherished moments, the festering, burning feeling inside of him. She laughed, feeling his sharp, kohled eyes burning right through her studying all of her micro-mannerisms. "Oh please, at least I have suitors." (Name) quipped causing him to laugh and shake his head since he should have been long engaged now that he turned 20.

However, she was unaware of the fact he was turning down consorts left and right just as she was, adding more to his father's displeasure. "Who? Me?" Ramses asked narrowing his eyes at her as his smirk grew. To make things even tenser, he of course knew about the running joke between their mothers that they would get married somehow. Queen Tuya teased since she was younger than she would see fit that (Name) would become her daughter-in-law. She believed it was an auspicious pairing that her best friend's daughter could marry her son. On the other hand, Pharaoh didn't like her idea of them marrying, it was quote-unquote 'blasphemous' for a maid and prince to be betrothed.

"You wish." (Name) rolled her (e/c) eyes, trying to appear unbothered even though there was a flurry of emotions swirling through her right now. That she wished, that she knew her wishes were in vain, among many more."You know just because you said that I'm marrying the next suitor on sight, maybe then you'll stop bothering me." (Name) laughed, not being able to contain the stoic demeanor any longer. Her cheeks were physically hurting from keeping so still. "Even if it were a mule? Or a frog?" Ramses added more fuel to the fire as they both approached some of the open pillars of the palace that overlooked the entire city. The Nile river's ripples sparkled ever so slightly under the moonlight, stars dappling the night sky like specs of white paint.

"Mule or frog, even a scarab." she teased, which caused him to scoff and look up to admire their city, however while Ramses was distracted, (Name) stole a glance at his side profile, admiring his illuminated features. "I'm almost certain that if you do-" Before he could finish a booming voice interrupted him, echoing off the alabaster pillars. "Ramses." The pair flinched, an expression of fear replacing his confident one. She felt a knot form in her stomach, before watching the shell of a man slowly turning around to face his father who was watching the two in distaste. Ramses hesitated a moment and lowered his gaze, his heart beating against his chest. "Yes, father?" He replied gingerly, knowing what was coming next.

Knitting his brow at the girl before answering his son, Seti indicated that (Name) should already have left upon his arrival. (Name) felt her cheeks redden, the glare of the Pharaoh was enough to burn right through her and past the pyramids in the distance. "Stupid. Stupid." she mentally chided as her shoulders tensed. "Please excuse me your majesty." Upon that statement, she immediately bowed her head and dismissed herself from the room, her heart racing as she wondered if he overheard the entire conversation. If he did they were both definitely in hot water. As her silhouette cut through the palace, she hurried to her room on the far end, hoping for the best. (Name) just prayed he wouldn't be too hard on Ramses.