Hello to all my lovely readers. This shall be the 1st chapter to my The Daughter of Egypt, Lady of 'Grace' series. ^^ Yes, it is the shortest so far but that's my plan for it. ^^ Don't worry there shall be more. And who knows, I may come back and add a few things as I always do. ^^ I'd love to thank all who've decided to continue reading and also all of the people who liked and followed my story. You don't know how much I apprieciate it. Also, I'd like to thank my older brother for helping me a bit on it. You're a real catch big bro. xD Also, I'd like to thank my awesome and forever amazing Beta-Reader, civilwarrose. You are the best!

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Prince of Egypt nor Nefertari. I do, however own, my story on Nefertari's background, the characters that I made up, and this jar of dirt. *holds up my jar of dirt*

Update: So I added a small thing here to sort of make the story mesh more. To give a backing to a future chapter. ^^ Hope it helps it be more understanded. lol

|| 01 ||

The Royal Delinquent

Nefertari sat on the steps, letting out a light sigh of relief.

The young girl looked down at the dirtied silk tightly draped around her ankle and heel. "Can't believe I made a bad jump. I really need to practice some more," Nefertari muttered to herself. She propped her leg up on the other, and slowly undid the knot that lay on the roof of her foot allowing the fabric to fall. Staring down at the now swollen ankle, Nefertari grazed her hand over the swollen flesh and released a low irritated groan. "How am I supposed to run with this foot?" she questioned herself under her breath. "I shouldn't have made that jump. Damn, Nebt. This is all her fault. Crazy old lady." She heaved a deep groan and rubbed the back of her head.

"I guess I'll just have to walk back home and get mother to look at it," she said, looking back down at the ankle. She picked up the silk cloth and proceeded to wrap it around her heel and ankle once more.

Just as Nefertari was tying the final knot, a voice boomed over her, "Finally, Nefertari, I found you." The owner of the deep voice cast a dark shadow over her silhouette.

Unbothered by the large shadow, Nefertari peered up and stared blankly at the man towering over her. She stared at his face for a moment. He looked as if he had smelled something terribly disgusting and his skin was dark, showing he had probably been in the sun too long. His hair was covered by a dirty white cloth hat, probably from his work. She let her eyes roll over to the rest of his body. His chest was bare, showing off his large muscled body. She noticed his dark skin was decked in sweat and along his arm's biceps sat ever pulsing veins. His eyes were hollow black, like the eyes of death, and his stare looked like it would bring even the pharaoh to tears.

Yet Nefertari wasn't fazed by his stone cold glare. In fact, it only made her scoff at the idea that such a man was sent to retrieve her. Looks like they really want my head. Am I THAT bad that Nebt had to send a soldier to get me.

Nefertari sneered and looked back into the man's eyes with a cocky grin. "So, you're here to do what?" she asked, seeking questions she already knew the answer to. If she could distract him long enough, she could make a quick getaway.

"I have been ordered to retrieve you and bring you to your father," the man's voice boomed.

Nefertari laughed. "Nebt set you up to this, didn't she?" she asked with a slight laugh as she looked at the ground.

The man was silent for a second as if he was trying to decide his answer. Finally he spoke, his booming voice catching Nefertari off gaurd. "Who sent me is of no importance. Now if you will please get up."

Nefertari frowned and spoke with slight amusement in her voice. "Yep, most definitely Nebt. Stupid wretch. She think she's so important that she couldn't get off her skinny hiney and try and get me herself. Talk about lazy." She looked up and made eye contact with the man once more, giving him a more innocent look. "I don't know why they sent a big guy like you to get me. I'm sure you have tons of other things to do," she said with a smile.

No comment.

"Well, no reply? Sheesh, people sure can be rude these days," Nefertari droned.

"Get. Up. Now," the man said, more direct and firm. She almost jumped at the hardened tone.

She looked down. "Well, I can't really get up. See, I kinda hurt my ankle … bad. I don't think I can walk," she said, trying to sound as if she were in pain and full of innocence.

The man's gaze traveled from her to her ankle. Indeed it was wrapped, so her story had to be true. The only thing he could do was carry her. With her messed up ankle there was no way she could run. He slowly moved over to her.

Nefertari smirked. Perfect. She watched as the man kneeled down to lift her. With a slick chuckle, she lifted her hurt foot and let it meet his chin in a violent smack, sending him backwards. Perfect opportunity! With that, Nefertari took off, speeding down the direction towards the market area.

She ignored the angry 'HEY GET BACK HERE'. She ignored his curses under his breath as he realized catching her wouldn't be that easy. She ignored the gleeful yelling in her head about how she had done it, how she had made the perfect getaway. But for some reason, she couldn't ignore the intense pain in her ankle now. It had hurt badly earlier but that kick to the face took the cake. Instead of it feeling twisted, it now felt broken.

Nefertari cringed with each step. How she wished she could stop running, but she knew that if she did … he'd catch up and she'd be dead. But it hurt. Man … I have to stop. I have to. NO. Keep going! Do you want to get caught? The market is just around the corner. Take a turn there and you'll be just fine.

Listening to the daring part of her mind, the part that was strong and witty, Nefertari pressed on, forcing her mind to push the thought of pain aside.

Nefertari sped into the market place, not stopping her sprint. She dashed past various people, often knocking some off their feet. But she didn't care. They could take a fall. She couldn't. Not when every step she took had to be perfect. A simple slip of the foot could lead to her demise.

The market place was crowded which was perfect for Nefertari. The man wouldn't be able to find her, a limping girl, in this hoard of people. It was impossible. She was more than safe. Nefertari pushed past a swarm of people carrying different supplies. After a few steps she grinned, knowing she had made it to the Market Center, the most crowded place in Egypt besides the construction site of the slaves. She stopped and leaned over, taking a few deep breaths.

Safe, she thought, in relief, I'm safe. She smiled. She'd be fine. Her plan had been successful.

"There she is!" a voice boomed. A voice oddly familiar. Nefertari looked behind her and groaned at the sight of the man from earlier.

She growled. Darn it! I didn't think ahead. I forgot that I might not be able to see him in the crowd. Stupid. But she didn't let that get in her way. She could still make a run for it. He wouldn't be able to force his way through all these people in time to get to her.

She quickly turned to make a run for it. Just as she was about to sprint off, Nefertari ran head into chest with a tall broad form. His broad and fit body knocking her back onto the ground. She looked up and her eyes locked onto a teenager about her age or maybe a little older. He had to usual royal hair style: a shaved head with one ponytail hanging from the side. She hadn't seen this guy before and personally she didn't care.

"Excuse you! Watch where you're going!" she yelled. Just as she was about to get to her feet, two dark shadows cast themselves over her. She stared up at two men, one of them being the guy she had kicked earlier.

And great … I'm caught! Her eyes landed on the man who had stood in her way. And its all his fault.

"Not again, Nefertari!" a sharp voice rung, ricocheting of the stone walls of the large home.

Nefertari stood in the middle of the almost empty room. Her head was drooped low, trying not to meet any eye contact with the man only two feet away from her.

The man was tall and a dark chocolate color. His arms lay crossed over his broad chest as his stone glare lay at the young girl. His face was old and scarred, proofof his war history. In his hand he held a whip, one he had only used on the back of slaves.

"Father, I-" Nefertari said, voice shaky with fear.

"Silence!" her father snarled, as he slapped the whip along the ground with an echoing POP, causing Nefertari to jump. "We have given you the best, Nefertari! The best! Your mother went out of her way to put you in the hands of the Wife of Anubis and you insist on skipping her teachings!"

Nefertari bit the inside of her lip. What is dad plan on doing? she thought, her eyes locking on to his whip.

Dun. Dun. DUN! Cliffhanger. P.S Thanks for the great idea of making it one, civil. :p Hoped you like. And don't worry. I'm soon going to being adding the next chapter. ^^ No foolin' you guys. ^^ Also, you know what to do ... R&R! Lovies. Thankies for reading.