The research and accuracy of this is a farce.
The pyramids were in construction and the Nile ran clear as a diamond. Under the night creatures joined together to drink in mirth and collect in company. There was a boy singing on a rooftop. There were people back from the grave, some immortals, some folks with wings, claws, tails, scales, above average limb count and sizes from minuscule to huge.
A few humans were dancing in the spectacular crowd of supernatural citizens. One human girl danced like a snake; she led her friends in an alluringly sinister troupe. As she spun she felt her responsibilities, her pains and fears, fall under her feet. She stomped them down and rushed into freedom. She felt eyes on her back, over her shoulder she saw a pale but cute boy smile at her. As he watched, her hips moved a little faster. He came up to dance with her; he did not touch her but followed her dance well. The girl was interested in finding out if he was cold-blooded under the scales.
"My family has been cursed with insanity!" Cleo DeNile said to her friends while they sat in the Full Moon boutique.
Her werewolf friend listened while holding up earrings. "Your father is still going to make Nefera the Pharaoh?"
"Ra help us, but I'm really peeved that Daddy has asked me to do something so….conformative!" Cleo shuddered. She pointed to the emerald earrings Clawdeen held.
Cleo's mute friend/ lady-in-waiting sat next to her on the boutique's sofa. She wore spectacles and had her nose in a scroll. Hearing Cleo bring up the 'family plan', Ghoulia patted her shoulder.
"Uh, wear the same dress twice?" Clawdeen asked, fresh mocking in her voice.
"You would hate that too, think of the drop in your sales, my dear." Cleo groaned, "Daddy has demanded I marry!"
Clawdeen's ears perked up, under her purple gele. "As in soon?"
"As in by his choice of man." The princess said, sitting next to her fateful lady-in-waiting Ghoulia. "From what the rumors gather, the boy is a Ptolomy; rich as Ra and his mother hurls the sun, owning everything underneath."
Ghoulia held up her hands, she put her hands in the position of measuring scales.
"She's has a point, those are not bad qualities in a husband." Clawdeen said, though she didn't love the idea of marriage by order.
"I know, but I feel like such a pawn. Daddy wants the connection because he feels pressure from those Moonlight Walkers. Precious Nefera is the Virgin Queen so as the extra I'm forced to bed the Ptolomy. Such a sunburn." Cleo said, waving her jeweled hand.
"Yeah, but think of the perks; you won't have to wait for an allowance you'll just pick from your own pocket." Clawdeen told her, she thought of the sales and how it would help her family with their eventual move.
"True. Did I tell you the Moonlight Walker Gory has been imitating my jewelry? Wrong choice for her, gold does not go well with that marble completion." Cleo said as she looked at the think gold necklaces and bracelets against her friend's brown fur.
"If there are vampires in the palace then why exactly is Nefera forcing monsters out of the city?" Clawdeen asked, she looked out the window at the empty streets.
"My council and family are in denial about the pale-faces being supernatural." Cleo stated, "Strange as they are, but Daddy likes old money."
"DeNiles in denial? Ha!" The werewolf's laugh exposed her sharp teeth. Ghoulia put a hand over her smile.
Cleo rolled her painted eyes. "You can do better. I know I can do better than Ptolomey."
Clawdeen put her chin on Cleo's tiara, "We talking about short, Greek and scaly?"
"He is not short." Cleo said as she examined a silver pendant shaped like a snake head.
"Compared to my brother and Manny Taur the boy is." Clawdeen said, adjusting her gele. "Has he heard the news about your betrothed?"
"It's not public knowledge yet, and he only gets upper ring secrets from me." Cleo said, she put her hand on Ghoulia's lap.
Across the monster part of the city, the Equalist Rebellion members talked over baklava.
"You're in what ?!" A cyclopse girl asked her companion.
"With the princess, you heard me." The gorgon boy said, through his eye-covers he watched her jaw drop to the table.
"Deuce! That is crazy! You were suppose to use her to gather information on the Upper Ring!" The girl said, pulling his cloak over her single eye.
"I did, Iris, and then I discovered I want to spend the rest of our lives together." Deuce said, his snakes-for-hair poked around his shoulders.
Iris covered her eye but through the peak-hole she saw guards behind Deuce. "You think she'll want to be with the boy who's planning to murder her sister?"
"They aren't close." Deuce said, noticing guards of Nefera watching them. "Making my princess the queen will be the best thing for this country."
The four guards advanced, Deuce caught the blade and kicked one back. Iris flipped the table and threw pepper dust in the others' eyes. The two monsters ran from the restaurant.
"Ever consider she's using you to get the throne?" Iris asked as they ran, the guards followed them through the streets and alleys.
Deuce pulled her down an alley; they jumped through an abandoned door and sat in the shadows. "She's a woman of the people, she's who the kingdom needs."
"I've given up on this hateful city, Deuce we should go back home. The stars would be the same under any sky." Iris told him.
The gorgon placed a hand her shoulder. "I wish you a safe trip back."
She watched him leave. Iris knew he was headed in the most dangerous direction.
The palace of the Pharaoh had patrol near every door and window. The balcony was private, with only two guards near the princess. Cleo did not feel well that night, she considered it was anger with her backwards family and sadness with the news over future. She felt nausea, she snapped for a servant to bring her a vase.
Ghoulia watched her mistress/friend's sickness. Ghoulia knew of many remedies to Cleo's fits but this was less passionate and more pitiful. Unlike Ghoulia, who Cleo made undead through forbidden magic, Cleo was not a monster. However, Ghoulia thought, seeing the high and mighty Cleo unwell made her a bit more human.
A servant handed Cleo a cloth so she could wipe her mouth. The princess adjusted her bracelets and armlet.
"Oh Ra I feel awful, but I usually don't do things I don't want to." Cleo told Ghoulia.
"That's not exactly true." Ghoulia wanted to say. Deuce said it for her when he walked from the balcony.
"I've completed a few royal duties but nothing major. Have you learned to fly recently?" Cleo asked, she stretched her legs on the longue chair.
"A favor from a harpy friend." Deuce said, kneeling to look at her. She gave him her hand, his snakes ticked her hand. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine." Cleo said, she waved a hand to the servant and Ghoulia. They walked towards the walls. "Now that we're alone we need to talk."
"Yes?" The gorgon said, his eyes trailing over her sparkling blue dress.
Cleo sighed but kept a stiff upper lip. "I'm marrying a boy my father chose as a way to buy leverage."
"Mmmhh. No you're not." Deuce said.
"No, I am. He's coming sometime this week so you'll have to stay away for awhile, at least until after the honeymoon." The princess explained, her finger twisting around one of his snakes.
A jealous snake tried to crawl over the snake around her finger. "Cleo, I am not going to be a concubine."
Cleo lightly tugged on the snakes. "And say you 'compromise is the foundation of love' like you mean."
"You're only marrying this guy cause he's rich?" Deuce asked.
Cleo cocked her head to the side. "Uh, doy. That's what marriage is for."
"In my country we get to marry out of love and mutual respect, so you and I should probably go there after all."
Cleo almost choked. "What?"
"We leave Egypt, we get married, you rule a kingdom smart enough not to follow your psycho sister and this other guy can jump in a river." The gorgon stated.
"Never." Cleo said, taking her hands away, "How dare you ask me to abandon my subjects! My home!"
"Your loyalest subjects have left," Deuce told her, his snakes hissed, "before they were run-out by brutal guards thanks to Nefera."
Cleo stood up. "Because my sister is a cruel maniac! It's only a matter of time before there's an uprising, then I'll walk over her ashes and burn bright on the throne."
"I love that image but really, how much of a chance do you have of that? My allies are gone, you are the last person in Egypt I care about." Deuce was still on his knees, looking up at her. "I mean, I like Ghoulia too."
Cleo didn't believe her father would let things get so out of hand. "I was at the Wolfs' place of business early today-"
"They were raided tonight, the boutique is gone and so are they." Deuce stood up and put his hands on Cleo's arms. Cleo looked at his tunic, avoiding his face.
"I will save Egypt." Cleo stated, she gently pushed away from him. "That is my destiny."
He rubbed her back, making circle around her heart. "I'm sorry, but I think it's over."
"Between us, yes it is." Cleo walked away from him. He tried to follow her but the guards stepped between them.
"I can't believe you'd ask me to stop being a princess. I'd never ask you to stop being a monster." Cleo said, she kept her chin high. The tear dewed in the peak of her nose.
Deuce pushed against the guards, they did not let him move closer. "I can't change that."
"Neither can I." Cleo said, she looked at her dresses made by the Wolf family. "Leave here while you can."
Iris felt an amazing respect for Manny as he carried twice as much as the unicorns. The migrating monsters created a caravan. They walked in the moonlight towards Greece.
"I wanted to strangle her most day but I'll miss her too." Clawdeen said as she walked next to Deuce. The snakes around his ears drooped to his shoulders.
In the bright morning Cleo sat in the palace garden. Ghoulia sat near the fountain and considered how the speed and pressure of water could be controlled. The princess wore a wrap around her head and she tended to the lotuses.
"My daughter," Ramses DeNile said as walked into the garden. A young man stood next to him. "It is a privilege and pleasure to introduce you to Seth Ptolemy."
A mask of made solid gold? Great, he's ugly but at least he has the self-respect to shield. Cleo thought, she formally said, "Hello."
"Greetings." He said just as formally, his hands behind his black tunic.
"Marvelous," The Pharaoh said joyfully, "Cleo you are packed and ready to leave for Diospolis. The wedding will be held there, and it will be glorious."
"Diospolis! Daddy, I expect to stay here in my own palace!" Cleo said, sticking her trowel in the dirt.
Ramses smiled nervously at Seth Ptolemy and sternly looked at his daughter. "My child, the Ptolemy palace is even more magnificent, you could not be more fortunate. "
Cleo looked up and down at Seth, he was wearing almost as much jewelry as she was, a boy of taste but his standing is too stiff.
"Fine then." Cleo said, crossing her arms.
Ghoulia adored the Diospolis library and the ease of creating new toys. She only showed Cleo, and her servants, the star-studying scope device. The servants politely oowed and awed; they assumed it was Cleo's indulgence to let her mute servant play welder. Cleo didn't bother to tell them the new hydraulic systems were Ghoulia's idea.
Cleo took the credit and her deserved credit for the changes she installed in Diospolis. She had new trade schools built, even some for women, and permitted more travel in and out of the city. She demanded regulations on intents of stay but weapons and family members were welcomed in quanitiy.
For the most part, Cleo was rather happy. She wasn't queen but being the princess-in-law to Madame Ptolemy gave her administrative power her home council and family didn't allow. She became a bit of a home-body after her wedding to Seth Ptolemy.
"How much longer until this is done?" Cleo asked, pointing to her round stomach. She had her hands on her back and felt like a pig ready for sacrifice.
Seth had his mask off so she could see his smile. "Mother said her time was after ten months, it's only been eight since the honeymoon. Be calm, our little heir is almost here."
Cleo remembered their honeymoon; the view was grand, the food was iced perfectly, the bed was soft, the sex was a frustrating twelve minutes. She thought of the pretty separate wing he bought her so she smiled.
There was a shift against her organs. "Oh Isis, grant me strength."
She sat on her fluffy chair, covered with pillows as round as her soon-to-come-child, and let the servants fan.
"If it's a girl, we are naming her Amuncommon, after mother. If a boy, then how about Khaemweset?"
"Your father?" Cleo asked, though she knew boy or girl her father wanted a grandchild after him.
"No, it was the name of the greatest drummer I ever knew. Jackals got him last year." Seth said, he lovingly stared at Cleo's belly.
"About jackals, I want a daughter named after me so I'd like you to stay out of the way when I tell your mother."
"Cleo it would mean so much to-"
"Almost as must as me allowing you to take that kitten-servant as your second wife?" Cleo offered, a grape dropped into her mouth.
Seth looked towards the twilight, the crocodiles in their moat shimmered. "I, well that is-"
"I've seen the way you look at her." Cleo smirked as she chewed. "Sure you'll still have to keep her out of sight from your mother and the public but you should do right by marrying the ghoul."
I can't believe she said ghoul. It surprised Seth that his wife knew of monster slang. She didn't like to talk of her childhood before they married but he assumed if she didn't answer he didn't have to either.
"You wouldn't be jealous having to share?" Seth asked, though he already was planning to run to his Catty when the conversation was done.
Cleo almost laughed. "You sing better when she's around, and as long as my children are the true heirs it doesn't bother me if you have fun."
"Wow, you really want keep me content in palm, don't you?" Seth asked.
Gods he's dragging this, Cleo said, "I do."
"All right by me." Seth kissed her stomach then left to find Catty.
Ghoulia sat on a pillow near Cleo's propped feet.
"He's a nice boy, boring but he's worth more than his weight in perks." Cleo told her, maybe worth as much as my weight, uggh.
Seth and Catty found a high priest who was willing to quietly marry them. Seth found the highest Anubis statue to look over the city. Catty's black fur was as warm as the night air, and her voice was magic.
"Pharaoh," She asked in a thick accent. "What's next?"
"I take care of my son and bring you into the palace as the greatest gift he could ever receive. Your voice, your love, your entire being. Any prince would be lucky to be loved by you." Seth said as he kissed her cheeks.
Catty sunk her claws into his back. "I can't believe the princess approved of me being in the family. But I am grateful she'll let us be together."
Seth liked that Catty had few wishes except to be together. He didn't want to spoil her like Cleo, he wanted to roam the earth Catty. He wanted to be a care-free creature like she was. She had been alone before they met during a festival. He was humming with the choir, her powerful pipes overtook the choir. For a moment he danced for her; the moment died when his mother pointed to his wife standing alone (with her blue-haired lady-in-waiting) waiting for his return to their world.
Seth knew Cleo didn't care about his dreams, and he was grateful for her indifference. As he sat with Catty in his lap, he looked at the city Cleo was empress enough to rule in his place. He thanked Ra for his self-interested but sometimes compassionate wife.
In the same night, Ghoulia wiped Cleo's sweating forehead. The princess moaned painfully, she was agitated that a mid-wife was looking under her dress. The lack of decency that childbearing involves is so primal and- owwww! Ra dammit!
"Your highness, he is almost here."
"It's a she, you miserable- AGGGHH!"
The midwife said something else. The midwife then said nothing. Cleo heard nothing; her heart felt gripped by a cold hand of Anubis. Ghoulia released her hand and went to investigate. Cleo cried quietly as she laid in mourning. She didn't hear the midwife's scared mumblings. Nor did Cleo witness Ghoulia taking a gold cat-statue and swing it against the mid-wife's head.
Ghoulia took the green baby-size egg into her arms and carried it to Cleo's pillow-filled bed. With an ear to the shell, Ghoulia heard a heartbeat. She grabbed the small knife Cleo used to trim her nails. She was strong as a sheep but that was enough to break the skin-like shell of the egg. Ghoulia gasped then felt a wave of emotion she wasn't prepared for. She took a scarf of Cleo's and wrapped it around the child's face. The child cooed in protest but allowed Ghoulia to clean her in Cleo's facial-scrub bowl.
Wrapped in linens, Ghoulia carried the new person to Cleo. Cleo had pushed the candles to the floor. She held her legs to her chest.
"I don't want to see it. The poor thing, never got to…." Cleo wondered what sort of sarcophagus a baby would need.
Ghoulia put the bundle in front of Cleo's face. The princess closed her eyes. She heard strange gurgling and opened her eyes. A living child was near her, and the child was beautiful. Cleo took the small one in her arms, she chuckled and hot tears continued to fall.
"A perfect girl," Cleo said, looking at her ten toes and ten tiny fingers. "Why did that idiot woman…."
Cleo noticed her daughter had a shiny head. Black scales went behind her ears. Three tiny black snakes wiggled atop her head. The princess stroked the material tied around her child's eyes. The baby curled her hand around her mother's finger.
Cleo sighed. "Oh my Ra, he wouldn't let me go. It's almost romantic if he wasn't such a needy drama snake. I mean, really, asking Isis to make me bare his child when my husband wanted to much to be a father."
Ghoulia stroked the child's head. Cleo sighed and thought of what she'd have to tell Seth.
"Our child….still born?" Seth asked, a hand to his mouth.
Cleo looked at their titled floor. "Forgive me, Seth. There was nothing I could do."
Seth turned from her. He had no idea what to say to her so he left.
Cleo went to her closet where Ghoulia and a stone-woman were sitting. Cleo entered and asked, "Well?"
The stone woman held the child. "She is healthy, her eyes are a sparkling shade of green."
"I'll take your word for it." Cleo said, "My bedroom is rarely visited by my husband so you will dwell there. I'd prefer you stay in the shadows but let her see the sunlight. That light complexion is unattractive but I blame someone else for that."
Ghoulia smiled at the baby. Cleo examined her daughter, now that is a healthy amount of fat. She's like a ball of sun, ready to be carried by a scarab.
"What are you going to do with her?" The stone-nanny asked.
Cleo was taken back. "You are informal, aren't you? So far planned is in six days I'm going to put her through a quiet and dignified Sebou."
"Excuse me, ma'am but I want to know where this child should go since she can't be presented as real royalty-"
"She is as royal as they get- she is the future master of this city. The future Pharaoh." Cleo said as she let the black snakes bend over her finger.
"This city is…friendlier to monsters than others, but do you really think the humans will follow a monster queen?" The stone-nanny, who's name was Abbelle but Cleo would not ask for a long time.
"When she is all grown up and ready," Cleo said sweetly before coldly stating, "They absolutely will."
This girl is mad, Abbelle said, "Yes, Madame Ptolemy."
"DeNile, I kept my family name." Cleo said as she rubbed her child's head.
In the other wing of the Palace, Catty rubbed Seth's head. His makeup ran down his face.
"I was selfish, that is why I am without a living child." Seth stated.
Catty hummed. The honey-sweet sound refreshed Seth's soul.
Seth wiped the eyeliner that ran down his face. "Cleo is selfish but she was doing right by the orders of the elders. I must do better."