Promised (Prince Ramses x fem! Reader)

Chapter 3: The other woman

(Name) squinted her eyes, trying her best on her toes to try and focus on Ramses who hesitated before he spoke. From her position, it seemed as if he were scanning the crowd, probably looking for anyone with a box-shaped wig or her (s/c) skin. (Name) felt an indescribable urge to just shout from the top of her lungs that she was there, or push the giraffes in front of her out of her way, however, if she had done that she might as well have been asking for a death sentence. It was agony for (Name) to stay quiet, yet, she pulled through and gave the prince her utmost attention. It sounded like a well-rehearsed classic Ramses speech, (Name) inferring it was the 'thing' that he ran off to do after their last conversation. In an adoring gesture, she clapped as he concluded with a heartfelt "thank you" and a beaming smile, the crowd going wild as they admired the new Prince Regent.

(Name) was swelling with pride, she couldn't fathom how she would feel when one day she would be in this very hall and he would be named Pharaoh of Egypt. She yearned that she would be able to see him become Pharaoh from his side, rather than through a sea of people who were way too tall. The thought of it made her blush for a moment, quickly redirecting her focus to Ramses looking at his father with deep admiration as if his eyes asked "Are you pleased father?" then to Queen Tuya who hugged him with the grace of a goddess. Suddenly Seti reacted as if he had forgotten something, murmuring to Hotep and Huy who were too busy guzzling down the alcoholic beverages or creating some type of tonic. "What did he say?" Rabia asked her daughter, not expecting much of an answer since no one heard their exchange. Suddenly the spotlights went off, flooding the palace with only the light of the moon above and the torches.

Gasps and murmurs emitted from the hall, everyone oblivious to what was going on. "By the power of Ra," the two priests chanted as the spotlight appeared on them, people gawking at the fact that they materialized out of what seemed to be thin air. "Oh, I should've seen this coming." Rabia sighed, before folding her arms against her chest. (Name) knew all of their tricks too well, it was a cheap smoke bomb tactic that they used way too much that it was almost laughable how gullible these people were. "We present for your delight, Prince Ramses, a gift from far away land," Huy spoke slyly, before using another smoke bomb that was attached to a string to amp up the theatrics. "This should be interesting," (Name) muttered, her eyes unwavering from a spot between two necks where she could see perfectly. "We present to you, an exotic, foreign flower. Princess Sara, as your suitor." Hotep finished before the smoke revealed a silhouette of a feminine body.

The crowd collectively 'ooed' and 'awed' at the woman before them. She was long and slender, with olive-toned skin, and a thick head of curled, umber brown hair that ended right above her waist. To top it all off, she was adorned with a golden leaf crown. Her dress was different from Egyptian attire, with silks draped in a fashion that she had never seen before. Though (Name) could not see her face, her aura alone-and the look on Ramses' face was enough to tell that she was drop-dead gorgeous. She stepped forward and bowed her head to show her respect to the family. "I, Princess Sara of Macedonia, offer myself to you and the Egyptian empire by being your loyal bride," she spoke with such poise and grace that it almost sounded intoxicating-as if she were putting a spell into place. The crowd stood still, awaiting Ramses' response-whereas (Name) was almost sure she was having a panic attack. From her thumping heart, clammy hands, and the disgusting feeling of her stomach-churning. She mentally cursed herself, remembering last night when she teased him for not having any suitors.

"So whattaya say, Prince?" Huy asked, tilting his head a bit with a Cheshire-cat grin. Rabia sensed her daughter's consternation, Rabia's anxiety becoming present by her widened eyes and hand latching onto (Name's) in suspense. Queen Tuya looked as if she were made out of marble, her right hand gripping onto her left wrist. The once placid expression of the woman was now wide-eyed at the scene before her, hoping just as hard as Rabia and (Name) that Ramses would gallantly decline. Seti gave him a prodding nod, urging Ramses to get on with it before he spoke for him, his grip hard on his scepter. "Princess Sara...of Macedonia. I-" Ramses spoke slowly and measured, Sara, raising her head slowly to meet his eyes that were back to scanning the crowd. He looked so very lost for a moment, as (Name) pleaded with all her might that he would just get up and leave. "Please don't say yes..." she whispered to herself before he furrowed his brows and hardened his expression. "I accept your hand as my bride." He stated, projecting his voice with clarity and certainty that made him sound in favor of the marriage.

The crowd went wild once more, with whistles and cheers to display their approval and devotion. The musicians revved up an upbeat tune, and the Princess of Macedonia graciously took Ramses' outstretched hand up the stairs to greet the Pharaoh and the Queen. (Name) lost balance, stumbling on her feet. Her mother's hand was frozen in the same position as they were mere seconds ago, both of them unable to process what just happened. Then it hit her. The slap of reality, once again. This was perfectly normal, this was the outcome that subconsciously lingered in the back of her mind every time she was enamored with the thought of being with Ramses. 'Be realistic, you're just a maid.' or 'You're not one of them. Stop thinking about those things.' But Sara was, and Sara just reinforced every single doubt that she had in her mind about whether or not this connection was just all in her head. That he could like her more than just a friend, that he could see her more than just a lower-status maid.

(Name) felt nauseous watching them up there as she saw a pretty clear glimpse of Sara's face. She was ethereal. (Name) felt so betrayed that he could look at Sara that way as if he was waiting his entire life to meet this woman. The princess of his dreams. Pharaoh Seti, who was usually just as unmoving and stolid as his massive statues, was now smiling at the Princess as they spoke, something that everyone thought was unthinkable even for him. There was nothing to be furious about, to be remorseful of, in fact above all she felt utterly stupid enough to believe yet again that there was even an ounce of possibility that she would have been able to step out of her confined role and be the one up there instead of Princess Sara. How pitiful, how naive, how stuck up in the clouds she was. (Name) chuckled to herself, realizing that she wasn't much less gullible than these people in the crowd who had bought into Hotep and Huy's smoke tricks from earlier. Rabia watched her daughter with a crestfallen look, revealing some of the age in her frown lines. "Let's go. I can't stand to watch this any longer." she ushered, before gently leading her out of the crowd.

(Name) staggered, before peeling her glossy eyes away and following her mother through the maze of people and to her room at the very end of the palace. In the room, the curtains blew wistfully, as if they were sad upon the news of the marriage proposal. (Name) collapsed onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling as she fought hard to keep herself composed and detached from the situation. "(Name)...." Rabia sighed deeply, her voice weak and tired enough to make (Name) come to her senses and shed a few tears. "Why are we even surprised?" (Name) choked out, Rabia not sure if she was sobbing or laughing. "I always knew that nothing would happen between us. I hoped it would-but, I was a fool to ever think that. To ever believe Queen Tuya's words, or believe that just because we had each other from day one I was actually going to be the one he married. At the end of the day, what are we?" (Name) asked, wiping her eyes hastily, not caring where the smudged kohl went. Rabia held out a comforting hand but was unable to move seeing her daughter in this condition.

"Their servants. Not royalty. Not equals mom." (Name) continued, Neema crawling out from under the safety of the bed frame and jumping up to brush up against her human, sensing her distress. "Although he grew up with me, shared his worst nightmares with me, comforted me, flirted and teased me, 20 years of me would never compare to 1 minute of Princess Sara. Do you know why? Because she is the princess and I am the maid." she snorted, her head pounding from her outburst as she sat up. "To think...I declined all those suitors for him." (Name) managed to joke, causing her mother to crack a weak smile and embrace her in a hug, shaking her head in the process. "Oh, my child." Rabia kissed the top of (Name's) forehead, holding her face close to her chest as if she were still a little girl. "Anyone in your position would have dreamt, would have hoped. There were many times when I felt the same at your age," She murmured, plucking the lilies out of her braided hair. (Name) knew exactly who she was referring to, which caused her to feel less isolated.

"Father," was all (Name) could say, Neema trying to push her way in between their enveloped hug. Chuckling, Rabia allowed her, and broke apart from her daughter, looking down at the flowers into her work-worn hands. "Sometimes our wishes and dreams don't come true because there is something greater waiting for us." she started before dropping her head low. "Leaving your father wasn't what I wished for, but if I hadn't left, then I'm sure he would've killed both of us. Even if my wish didn't come true, I got something greater than any wish could grant. I had you." She spoke truthfully, as (Name) withheld saying anything for her mother's sake. "It doesn't matter if you were raised as a servant. You are still my daughter. A beautiful, smart, and kind woman who consistently shows her strength and worth." She affirmed, before putting the flowers in (Name's) hands. "It just seems Ramses has been too blinded by his duty to see that."