"My brother" my sister says as she comes in my room
"What brings you hear" I reply
"I miss you my brother. Ever since you've been named pharaoh we hardly spend time together" she says with a sad tone.
"My blossom that doesn't mean I don't have you in my mind" I place my hand on her cheek and she places her hand on top of mine.
Suddenly Siamun comes into the room.
"Ah I am glad you two are here"
"What is it Siamun?"
"I have something very important to talk to you about my pharaoh and of course you as well my lady" we both sit on my bed and wait for Siamun to speak.
"Your father didn't have time to tell you one of the important traditions of the royal family"
"Which was" I ask questionably
"You my pharaoh must marry my sister" he says. My sister and I both look at each other puzzled.
"But no one knows about me"
"Well my lady your father kept you a secret because he knew his end was near and he wanted your protection. As you know the pharaoh has many worshipers but also many enemies. A royal female's life is more at stake than a royal male. Now that you're brother is pharaoh you are more protected"
"just because I'm a female" she replies in disbelief
"My lady you must understand your father""I do but…"
"No buts my blossom" I say looking at her…then I turn my gaze to Siamun "When will we go on with this?" I ask. I had to fulfill the royal tradition even if I wasn't fond of the idea. But who could love me more than she?
"When ever my pharaoh and my lady are ready" He bows and we both watch him leave my room. We turn our gaze towards each other.
"I promise I will try my best to make you happy my brother" I could tell by the sound of her voice that she wasn't fond of the idea much either
"I know you will and I promise you the same"
"After all who could love me more than you can right?"
"That's exactly what I thought"
"Great minds think alike" she says with a sweet smile"
"why don't we spend the day together?" I suggest
"Okay…if that wont be a problem" she says with concern in her voice
"Everything has been pleasant so I doubt I will be needed today"
"Great Atem" her concern turned to joy. It did me good to see her smile. She was the only family I had left.
"What does my sister wish to do?"
"Well I want to entertain his highness" Knowing Acenath she was trying to make the best out of this situation
"Very well then I'm all yours today"
"Good. Go sit on your royal throne and call out the musicians. I will be there in 10 minutes"
"very well my blossom" I go to my royal throne and call out the musicians as she requested. I sit down and await her arrival when Mana comes.
"Hello My pharaoh" she said playfully
"Hello Mana please call me Atem we are still friends"
"I know but my master said to call you Pharaoh besides it fits you"
"oh really?"
"Yeah you're so high and mighty"
"Oh please deep down I am still the same guy you once shared a childhood with"
"speaking of childhood where is Acenath?"
"She is getting ready to do her dance"
"oh really? She dances nicely can I watch?"
"If she doesn't mind"
"of course she won't"
"Mana seeing as in your are both of our friends there is something you should know"
"what is it"
"wait until she comes" Mana turns around and looks at my sister with confused eyes. She comes closer to us and Mana starts asking questions
"Atem tells me you both have something to tell me"
"yeah um tell her Atem"
"Well…Acenath and I are set to marry"
"what!" she says puzzled
"Yes Mana we are soon going to be husband and wife"
"aren't you two brother and sister"
"don't spread it out to the whole world Mana. Only the royal people know this"
"I know that Acenath but it is just shocking!"
"Well we have to do what's in tradition right my blossom?"
"Right My brother" We both look at each other with smiles and Mana analyzes both of us.
"Well I want to be cool about this and on the bright side if you two weren't related I'd say you make the cutest couple!"
"Thanks Mana" my sister says placing her hand on Mana's shoulder. Mana looks at her with caring eyes.
"I love you two and I wish you nothing but the best"
"well time for entertainment" Mana sits next to me and Acenath walks to the musicians. She tells them to begin and she begins to dance. Both Mana and I look at my sister in awe.
"She sure knows how to move!" Mana tells me with a stunned tone. My sister always left everyone in shock when she began to belly dance. She looked beautiful and radiant. Just then Mahado comes in looking for Mana.
"Mana where are you young lady"
"that's my warning to leave. Tell Acenath I said sorry!" Mana says quickly hiding. She always made us laugh. My sister stops dancing and orders for the music to stop as well.
"What seems to be the trouble Mahado?"
"oh forgive me my lady I was looking for Mana"
"please Mahado call me Acenath…why don't you call me that anymore"
"Since he became the Pharaoh my duty is to call you both Lady and Pharaoh. Well soon Pharaoh and the Royal wife"
"don't be ridiculous Mahado" Acenath replies to him as they walk to my throne. Mahado stops a certain distance and Acenath sits on the right side of my throne. Mahado bows
"My Pharaoh may I ask where is Mana?"
"She must be hiding" I say trying to hide Mana
"sure you know how playful Mana could be" Mahado gets up and replies
"forgive me for interrupting"
"no worries" Both my sister and I say at the same time
"Mind my saying my lady but you dance divine but why don't you let other belly dancers entertain you and the Pharaoh?"
"I at least want to do one thing on my own you know"
"Well if you will excuse me"
"Carry on and take the musicians with you"
"Very well" Mahado leaves taking the musicians with him. I turn my gaze towards Acenath
"You dance divinely as Mahado said"
"thanks my brother" she said. She kisses me on the cheek. I knew that slowly we would get by this and get use to seeing each other with different eyes.