Chapter 29: Stillbirth?

Inside her room, Nefera picked up Neferet from the golden desk she had been lying on, about to brush her hair. It was that moment when the princess felt a cold hand on her head.

„You shouldn't be so mean to your mother, Nefera."

The princess looked up, gasping, and faced her uncle, who placed himself next to her.

„Mean? I'm not mean!"

„Your mother has told me about your little sibling."

Nefera was surprised. „Were you involved too, Uncle?"

He raised an eyebrow. „Involved? Involved in what?"

„Involved in putting a little sibling into Mother's tummy!"

He gave her a disgusted look. „Of course not. She would have never let me." He stared into the distance with an angry look. „Your mother would never let me touch her in such a way," he whispered darkly.

Nefera was confused. Touch? „Why not?"

He looked back at her. „Listen, Nefera, it was only your father who put your little sibling into your mother's belly."

„But why did he do that?"

„Because he hates you," he mumbled darkly.

„What?"

„Argh, it's nothing."

„Why didn't he just put my little sibling somewhere else?"

Uncle de Nile rolled his eyes. „Because he wanted to impregnate your mother, you stupid little brat," he mumbled angrily.

She turned to him. „I don't understand you, Uncle! Why are you always mumbling?"

„Oh, it's nothing."

„Are you whispering about secrets?"

„Yes, indeed, Nefera."

She looked at him with big eyes. „Really?"

„Yes, really. There's a big secret I would like to tell you. But you have to promise me, not to tell anyone."

„I promise! I promise! I pro-"

„Good." He got closer to her and continued. „You know what?"

„What?"

„I have a little sibling, too."

„Do you mean Uncle Tut?"

„Indeed."

She frowned. „But that's not a secret!"

„You have no idea what your mother and father expect you to do, do you, Nefera?"

„They...they want me to like my new sibling!"

„No. You need to show your parents who's the strongest!"

„I think Father is stronger than Mother."

He groaned. „NO!"

The scary uncle gulped and got closer to his niece. „Who is stronger, you or your sibling?"

Nefera thought about that for a moment. „Me!"

„Exactly. And who is better?"

„Me!"

„Now tell me, Nefera, who deserves to rule this kingdom? You, or your little sibling?"

„Me, me, me! I'm the older one!"

The uncle smirked, showing his niece a rare smile. „You are right, little Nefera," he told her, petting her head.

Nefera was confused. „Father said that women don't rule and that my little sibling will be a brother, and then he will rule!"

Her uncle gave her a convincing look. „Well, that's how it is."

The little princess whined. „But I wanna rule!"

„You have to get your little brother out of the way, Nefera."

„But how?"

„There is only one way: Stillbirth."