"Come now Nefertiri! Behave yourself!" Dalila scolded.
I only sighed and crossed my arms as she twirled the shimmering white and gold fabric around my body.
When she's done dressing me I sit at my vanity table and fumble with a hairclip as she brushes my hair.
"Dalila why does father want to see me anyway?"
Dalila just sighed and continued to brush through my matted tresses.
"Does it matter princess? Just be glad your father wants to see you."
She had a point.
It wasn't often the Pharaoh made time for anyone.
Even me.
Ever since mother died when I was 10 he'd been distant even more so now that he was getting older and desired a son to rule his kingdom for him.
I knew deep down he loved me with all his heart like any father would love their daughter but sometimes it didn't feel like enough.
He was affectionate towards me always bearing gifts and little trinkets, always hugging me tight as though afraid to lose me but we never talked.
I mean not really talked.
Sometimes it seemed like Dalila was the only one I could really talk to and even then there was so much I wouldn't...or couldn't discuss with her.
Sometimes although allot more than not lately I felt empty and alone.
I did once not so long ago mention this to Dalila but she told me that I was just a spoiled princess who should stop sulking.
As much as I loved Dalila like a mother sometimes I just wished she'd be more like my friend.
But how was I to know that a friend wouldn't just be the same.
I'd never had a friend before.
How is it a princess like I can have servants, priests, chefs and other workers at her disposal but no friends?
I sigh at my own thoughts as Dalila finishes adorning my hair with strands of silver and gold.
The moment she's finished I spring from my seat and twirl around letting my hair swing freely as it surely messes up some of her good work.
Dalila frowns at me.
"Princess we haven't time for this. Now put on your jewels. Your father is waiting."
"A moment is all I ask Dalila. I'll be down in a few minutes. I promise."
Dalila mumbles something before exiting my chambers.
As I leisurely walk through the gossamer curtains that cover my chamber entry from the balcony I can feel Goosebumps rise on my uncovered arms.
The cool night wind is a nice change from the scorching heat of the day.
Sometimes I think Ra is purposely trying to cook us alive.
I grasp the balcony railing and lean out over the edge as to let the cool breeze hit my face.
I can see numerous things from my balcony.
As a child it was my safe haven because it never occurred to me that I could be seen from up here.
For years now though since my mother died there have been many empty rooms.
So now there is never much to look at.
After all who would wonder around an empty room?
Father always said it was her clutter that took up the walls of this palace but I always thought large empty spaces were frightening so I never minded as a child.
All her clutter gave me a place to play in as I'm rarely aloud outside.
I soak up the last free moment I have before heading back to chambers and putting on my jewels.
The gold bracelets and chains glisten against my pale skin.
I then proceed to smile before leaving my chambers to meet father.
...
"Father." I say as I bow.
He gives me a smile and takes my hand.
"I have a present for you Nefertiri."
Now I am curious.
What could possibly be so important to give me that couldn't wait till morning?
"Bring her in!" My father shouted as he clapped his hands.
Her...
It rolled on my tongue for a few moments before my father's men came back into the room.
Following them was a slender beauty with dark olive skin and the deepest brown eyes accompanied by her thick black hair.
"This Nefertiri is Anck-Su-Namun."
She bowed first at my father then at me with her eyes downcast to the floor.
"But father what am I to do with her?" I asked still focusing on her.
"She'll be your friend. A companion of sorts." He smiled while tracing his hand up and down her bicep.
"Thank you father." I bowed.
He came and kissed the crown of my head making me smile.
Whenever he did that I felt like a little girl again.
"Now go back to your chambers Nefertiri. Get some sleep for tomorrow you will accompany her on a tour of the palace."
"Yes father."
I bowed one last time to him before turning back to Anck-Su-Namun.
Her eyes found their way to mine and she bowed a goodbye.
Before they once again looked down to her feet I smiled.
My way of welcoming her.
...
As I was heading up the palace stairs to my chambers I near crashed into the high priest Imhotep.
Trailing him were 2 of his gold painted lesser priests.
They all bowed to me expressionless.
All except for Imhotep who always seemed to have a sinister look on his face whenever around me.
When I attempted to push past him to get to my chambers he grabbed the top of my arm and I could feel his fingers digging deep into my skin.
I turned to face him not knowing what look to have on my face.
One of anger? Of timidness? Of speculation?
Undecided I went for expressionless.
"You'd best watch your back. Princess." He sneered.
"And you'd best watch yours." I spat back tearing my arm from his grip and hurriedly scuffled up the stairs.
I'd never liked him.
He'd lived in the palace as our high priest since I was a young child.
Sometimes I wondered if my mother had despised him as much as I.
Many of the things he did to me would give me merit to have him killed but I never once spoke a word of it to anyone.
I didn't exactly fancy having someone's head chopped off even if it was someone I despised.
What was he doing upstairs anyway?
There was nothing upstairs on this side of the palace other than my bath and chambers.
I'd often had a sneaking suspicion he was entering my chambers when I myself was not there.
It was a frightening feeling to know that he could be watching me.
I sighed as I opened the door to my chambers.
As I sat at my vanity table and began to remove my jewellery and hair adornments my thoughts wondered back to Anck-Su-Namun.
She was a true beauty and didn't look more than a year older than I.
16 maybe?
I wondered why father had brought me a friend when often when I'd told him I was lonely he'd encouraged me to talk to Dalila.
Why the change of heart now?
Maybe he really did care.
Upon removing the last adornment and washing off the last of my makeup I unwrapped my clothes and placed them over my chair.
Dalila would wash them in the morning as she always did.
I selected a simple white cotton nightgown to cover me in my slumber before heading out to my balcony one last time.
Upon peering around at the view from my balcony I noticed a silhouette in the room across from mine.
The room that earlier I had described as empty.
It was a room allot like mine only smaller.
It had thin gossamer curtains to cover the entrance to the room from the balcony just like mine.
It had a large bed just as mine did and a vanity table just like mine but they hadn't been there when I left.
I watched the feminine silhouette move about the room.
Although it was rude and intrusive I couldn't tear my eyes away.
When they came out to the balcony I realised it was Anck-Su-Namun.
She wasn't yet in her nightclothes.
Still in her shimmering white and gold gown.
I watched as she looked around until finally she saw me staring.
I absentmindedly began to blush and turn away but I quickly turned back and smiled.
She didn't smile back only bowed.
I smiled once more waiting for her to reciprocate but to no avail.
I mouthed a 'night' to her before retiring back into my chambers and catching up on my slumber.
Tomorrow I would see her.
I would find out who she really was.