Akana laid restless in her bed, she knew that at this time her maid, Mut, has already bed. Akana hated herself for eavesdropping, her father, the pharaoh of Upper and Lower Egypt, has always taught her honesty, then again, with so many siblings, maybe that was the only way he could get all of them to tell the truth.
"she's of age, Mensah. This will settle the dispute between you and Rome"
Akana knew who was speaking to her father, as soon as he said the pharaoh's first name. Only the pharaoh's highest general, Panahasi, calls the pharaoh by his first name.
"Hmm" was all that the pharaoh responded, Akana picked up the anxiety in his tone, she walked away quickly after that, to her bed chamber. Pondering what this all meant.
There has been a dispute between Rome and Egypt for a long time now, this has been the topic amongst the servant's lips for ages, rumors have been flowing around Egypt about the Roman leader, Abelardus. He was a wary old man who could not take care of anything, it was his son and heir to the throne, Atilius, who has been traveling all over doing what his father couldn't. It was just a matter of time before Abelardus dies and Atilius succeeds.
Akana stared into her mirror which sat right across her bed, she saw her reflection in the mirror, the Egyptian princess with no kohl on her eyes, no wig to wear, no jewelry, somehow, she found herself despicably ugly. She couldn't imagine herself being wanted by any man, unless arranged marriage, because of her status. She was just a few months shy of 16, perfect age for marriage, as Panahasi said.
Akana felt sleep drifting over her again, which she gladly embraced, she blew out her candle and fell asleep to the scent of the incense around her room.