My Pharaoh

Chapter 3

Paloma

When I went to the palace earlier today for my meeting with the Pharaoh, I was told it had been cancelled and was immediately escorted off the premises. The guard who walked me out explained to me that the Pharaoh has to cancel a lot of things he wants to do, and I shouldn't take it personally.

I keep trying to remember what the pharaoh looked like but I can't remember at all. I guess the look I got was too fast. I wish I could remember.

I'm at home now, getting ready for tonight. I've sharpened my dagger and my other weapons. Now I just need to wait. I sit in my bed and rest my head on the window sill. Everything feels slow today. I close my eyes. The warm breeze floats over my head and into my room.

I miss home. No matter how many times I call this place home, it never will be. I wish I was with my family, or sitting by the Nile thoughtfully, or talking with Aba instead of studying. Anything there, rather than the life I'm living now.

I sigh and stand up when there's suddenly a knock at my door.

"Paloma."

It's just the landlord. He looks me up and down, I'm in black assassin clothing.

"Someone came here and knocked on your door and asked for you but you were out, anyway, they left this note."

He says, handing me a folded piece of paper and leaving.

I hope I see you tonight Amunet.

My heart drops to my stomach a bit. Who is it, from that dark side of my life, that knows where I live?

I have to move.

***

I'm sitting on the mans roof, waiting for him to come home, with a bow and arrow.

The city looks so beautiful from up here. Crisp and blue. Despite all the mess of it, the complete rush and noise and density of people and life, this city can look so peaceful and welcoming, sometimes. Although for me it'll never compare with my village.

A carriage pulls into the house, there he is. I stretch my bow back and aim the arrow at his heart as he stands there talking to another guy. I take the shot. It hits him in the chest, anyone that was around runs away before they can notice me. I walk quickly and gently off of the roof and jump onto another and then another and another until I'm far away enough that I won't be suspected. I pull my mask off and assassin clothes and put them into a black bag and change into the black dress that was underneath my clothes and walk down the street as if everything's normal.

Home is quite a while away. But I enjoy walking when I can. Especially when it's not on the way to go and kill someone.

"The female assassin." I hear someone state behind me and I turn around in shock.

I'm pretty sure it's that same man. I can almost tell from his eyes, but I can't see the rest of his face.

"It's you." I whisper.

He stands next to me and we walk slowly together down the street.

"Thanks for taking another one of my kills."

"Don't blame me for sabotaging your paychecks. I was just doing my job."

"No no, I mean it really, thanks." He mutters. His voice, I forgot how nice it was.

"I don't get it...who do you work for?"

He scoffs.

"I don't work for anyone."

"So who wants you to kill these people?"

"I do."

We hear guards running from behind us and he stops and holds my hand and pulls me around a corner until they're out of sight. I look up at his eyes. They're familiar, I know I saw them that night, but they feel all too familiar for only a second meeting. I push him away. "They won't suspect us if we don't act suspicious." I state, looking at him. He doesn't listen, and looks out at the street.

He relaxes once he realises that we're safe. And he looks down at me and notices my staring. I back away from him out of embarrassment and carry on walking. He follows.

"So...what makes you want to kill these men?"

He glances over at me with dark eyes. "Are you joking?"

I shake my head.

"They're terrible men. The good people of this country don't deserve to be amongst men like that, let alone led by them."

I smile slightly. That's a good reason. Certainly better than mine.

"Why do you kill these men?" He asks.

"For the money."

"What does a woman like you need that much money for?"

"A woman like me?"

"No, I just mean...there are other ways for you to get money."

"Well, I don't like those ways."

He nods slightly.

"So, why do you need the money?"

What a strange question.

"Why does anyone need money?" I answer.

He shrugs. He can't be serious.

"I assume you're in the same rank as me in society, so you should understand, if I wanted to survive I'd do something with a lesser paycheck, but I want my family and I to live, and be happy and healthy, isn't that what you want too?"

"Are you married?" He asks, instead of answering my question.

"No...are you?"

"No."

We're almost at my street, and I'm getting more and more nervous for him to find out the area I live in, so I turn onto a different road, going in the wrong direction.

"Is this your way home?" He asks quickly.

"What do you mean?"

"This is the wrong way."

"How do you know?"

He sighs. "Shit," he states "well I don't know if you received my note..."

"How do you know where I live?!" I say in annoyance and he doesn't answer.

I roll my eyes and walk past him and towards home, he doesn't follow me. What a weirdo.

I hope I don't bump into him again. Now I seriously need to move.

I walk into my apartment and sigh when I realise I forgot to mention the opportunity of working for Amr to that man. Whatever, the last thing I want is to work closely with him.

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