The loves, lives, deception, and mystery of Tutankhamun

Bittersweet memories

As Kiya fumed in her chambers, crying bitterly, she drifted back to when she entered the palace. Her father, the Mittani King, had offered her hand in marriage to the Pharoah in exchange for continued peace. The Pharoah had been immediately enamored with her and visited her daily, taking her on long walks in the gardens and boating on the Nile. In the two weeks before their marriage, she felt as if she had known him for a life time. Nefertiti was furious and was often heard cursing 'the foreign woman'. She thought it was a disgrace that she, a pure blood royal, haf to share her husband with a foreigner. Amenhotep IV didnt seem to mind, and brushed off her insults with choice jewels, thinking he could buy her friendship for Kiya. He thought wrong, and to this day she still carried a hatred for Kiya, thwarting her every chance she got.

Kiya still remembered the giddy feeling she had the night of the wedding. Servants had scrubbed and polished her rosy skin till it shone, and ornate golden thread and beads were woven into her hair. Her chocolate brown eyes had been lined with khol and golden paint adorned her eyes. A pair of pure gold sandals had been placed on her feet, and a golden belt had been placed on her hips over a white dress. Fragrant perfume made her dizzy as it had been doused on her, taking her breath. Finally, a thing dold veil was placed over her head, and she was ready to marry Pharoah. Her heart was beating so loud, it drowned out the sound of the murmering and chatting onlookers. She barely remembered the words of the ceremony, but she could never forget the look on Amenhotep IV face as he lifted her veil and kissed her passionately.
My sweet rose bud bud is what he had called her. For a while it had been blissful, Amenhotep faithfully alternating between her and Nefertiti, but then it became every few days and finally to once a week. Her womb had filled with his seed, and a second daughter of his was born. After that she was lucky if he visited monthly. He still gifted her regularly, but it wasn't the same, she craved his company. And now he had gone and married his sister, and he acted like he barely noticed her. Her daughter, Kiana, was her only company nowadays. Looking at the sleeping child, she silently asked the gods why they had seen fit to give her a girl child, and not a boy.
If she had had a son, none of this would be happening right now, she would be the one he came to daily. She swore angrily to the gods, that if they were to grant her the chance to bear the Pharoah a son, she would dedicate him to their use. She pleaded with them to give her a chance, one night for him to lie with her. She knew in her heart that she could bear a son, if only given the chance.