The Princess Of Egypt

10. New Era

When Anai woke up the next morning, for a moment she couldn't think why she felt so sad, and then she remembered.
She had lost her father and her brother Moses the day before. And that morning was her oldest brothers coronation.
Anai had heard that her mother was not going to attend the event, as she was too distressed, so would be staying in her bedroom, and Anai wanted to stay in her room as well. However, she knew that Rameses was going to need her support.
After promising to her father that she was going to help Rameses, she knew she had no choice but to attend her brothers coronation.

Anai wanted Bastien to be there by her side, to support her. But she knew that pets were not allowed at royal events, and although she wanted him with her, she didn't feel like her brothers coronation was the right time to bring this matter up with him.
Once the servants had dressed her in her finest clothes, Anai headed down to the great hall, alone.
Before entering the room, she stopped in the small corridor outside, to collect herself and wait to be announced.
"Her royal highness, princess Anai of Egypt" one of the servants said loudly, addressing the court.
Anai sighed, as she knew that was the last time she would be called princess, because once Rameses was crowned king, she would no longer be the daughter of the pharaoh.

Anai stepped into the hall and looked to where her brothers normally stood, but their spots were empty.
Moses was gone, and Rameses was preparing for the ceremony elsewhere, and wouldn't enter the room until everyone else had arrived.
Her mothers place was also empty, which meant that the only people on the stage with her with the priests; Hotep and Hoy, and to Anai's disgust Nefertari was also there.
The Egyptian lady didn't look even remotely sad for the death of the pharaoh, if anything she looked pleased and happy, as she knew that she was going to be queen a lot sooner than she had intended.
Anai scowled at Nefertari, but she took no notice, and continued smiling at the crowds below.

Not wanting to lose her temper, Anai looked away from Nefertari, which is when she noticed that there was only one throne in the centre of the stage, instead of two.
Normally there were two thrones side by side, so that the pharaoh could sit beside his queen.
But Anai realised that until Rameses married Nefertari, there would be no queen of Egypt. So he would have to sit alone at his throne, until then, while his sister and mother sat in the row behind him at royal events. Although the queen mothers seat would remain empty during the coranation, due to Tuya feeling too distraught to attend.

Eventually all the guests arrived, and it was time for the coronation to start.
Anai looked to the entrance, and saw her brother enter wearing the robes that their father had worn at important events.
Rameses said nothing, and made no eye contact with anyone as he made his way over to the throne.
As he took his seat, there was silence in the room, and Anai could tell that the people at court were worried about how a 17 year old boy was going to lead them.

Hotep approached Rameses, holding the pharaoh's crown in his hands. He then placed it down upon Rameses head.
"By the power of Ra, I pronounce you, Rameses, pharaoh of Egypt and protector of the land" announced Hotep.
The high priests then bowed before Rameses, and they were followed by Nefertari, even though she didn't lower her head quite as far as the priests.
Then there was an awkward pause, and Anai was confused about what was supposed to happen next, as she had never been to a coronation before.

Hotep, though still bowing, tipped his head to the side to look at Anai, and he cleared his throat loudly.
Anai frowned, before realising what the priest wanted her to do.
It was her turn to bow before the new pharaoh.
Anai never used to bow to her father that often, but she got away with it, because she was his daughter. And she had certainly never bowed to her brother before, even though he was the heir.
But now that Rameses was king, Anai realised that she would have to show him the respect that he deserved.

Anai turned to face the throne Rameses was sat on, and after taking a deep breath, she dropped to one knee, bowing before him.
Once she was down, the rest of the royal court did the same.
When Hotep was satisfied, he stood to his feet, prompting everyone to do the same.
"Behold our new king, mighty pharaoh Rameses. Long may he reign!" Announced Hotep.
Everyone else in the room copied, and began began to chant the end of Hotep's sentence.
And Anai found inclined to do the same.
"Long may he reign!".

Once the ceremony was over, Anai made her way towards her brothers room.
She moved to hug him, before remembering her place, and dropping into a small bow.
"You don't need to do that when it's just us" said Rameses.
"Are you sure?" Asked Anai.
"Of course I'm sure, you're my sister" Rameses reminded her.
"But you're pharaoh now"
"I know, but you're still my family, and I do not want you to bow to me"
"If that's what you want... It was a nice ceremony".

"I wish mother had been there" admitted Rameses quietly.
"The servants say that she's not well. She's grieving for father. His death has hit her very hard" replied Anai.
"Well until she's feeling better, I don't want anyone outside of the family seeing her"
"You're pharaoh now, which means you can make any laws you want, and stop people seeing her if you like. And I agree, no one should see mother in her current state, apart from us"
"I still can't believe that I'm actually pharaoh. It hasn't quite sunk in yet"
"I don't expect it will for quite some time"
"No... I never thought I would be king so young"
"I think we all hoped to have father around for a lot longer".

Suddenly Rameses threw his arms around Anai, wrapping her in a hug.
"I can't do this. I can't be father. I'm not strong like him" admitted Rameses.
"Maybe not yet, but you will be. You have time to learn how to be a good leader. And I will be here to help you" reassured Anai.
"I don't know what I'd do without your support" whispered Rameses.
"Neither do I. But that's O.K, because I am not going anywhere, I promise. I will always be here, by your side. Together we can rule Egypt the way father wanted".

Rameses sighed and pushed Anai away, "This is my responsiblity. I am the first-born son. This is why I was born. I was meant to pharaoh".
"But that doesn't mean that you have to do this alone" reminded Anai.
"Yes it does. This is my burden, no one elses. I don't want to drag you down with me" admitted Rameses.
"You won't. I don't mind helping you. It's my choice, and I want to help you rule".

"No. I have to do this by myself. I have to be strong like father wanted me to be. I will not be a weak link and rely on other people to solve my problems for me" insisted Rameses.
"But I-" started Anai.
"You will not change my mind. I have to do this... You'd better get back to your own room now. And I'd better find Nefertari, we have a wedding to plan" interupted Rameses
"Whatever you say, your majesty" mumbled Anai.