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Chapter 35 Jealousy

Harres and Nebet had left without a goodbye. A proper one, at least. No, Harres had left two horses for Kiran and Layla, each with a note inscribed on a clay tablet which were in small bags tied onto the horse's' reins.

Kiran had discovered, to her great amusement, that Harres had predicted which horse she and Layla would take interest in, if the personalized notes were any indication.

The two horses were both beautiful. It was apparent that Harres had good taste. One of them was a leaner, younger looking horse with a tan coat, white socks on all four legs, and with a blonde mane and tail. The other looked like a horse that had been through war, slightly scarred, muscular, with a chestnut coat, and a black mane and tail.

Of course, Layla went for the tan one. Layla had that kind of taste, slightly vicious personality or not, Layla liked beautiful and wild things. The horse also looked fast, and Kiran was sure Layla had factored in what a thrill it would be to ride it.

Kiran went for the chestnut one. Kiran always did have a penchant for resilient things, maybe it was because she could relate. This horse was most definitely resilient. Though, not as fast a Layla's, the horse wasn't the kind that would be taken down by a single arrow, and that drew Kiran in.

Ramses didn't seem pleased with her gift from Harres, but Kiran wasn't sure why. It wasn't like Harres was giving this gift because he was interested in her. More than likely, Nebet had expressed an interest in leaving them with something nice and Harres had picked up on it.

"Are you jealous, Ramses?" Kiran taunted as she brushed down her horse. Ramses did not reply. Kiran felt oddly pleased by that.

"Ramses~!" A decidedly feminine and extremely surgery sounding voice called out. Kiran blinked as a woman came up behind Ramses and hugged him. "Ramses~" The voice whined. "Why don't you spend your nights with me anymore~? It's so cold without you beside me~!"

Normally, Kiran would laugh at Ramses annoyed expression, or frown upon such a desperate woman, but her brain couldn't quite seem to register what was happening. When it did, Kiran felt an unpleasant feeling settle in her chest.

The woman looked up at her, just then realizing that there was someone other than Ramses there. The unpleasant feeling increased as Kiran got a good look at the decidedly beautiful woman. She had an ample chest and wide hips, along with an almost impossibly thin waist when you figured in her other measurements. She was a good half a foot taller than Kiran herself, though, so her figure didn't look awkward. Her skin was a perfect golden-brown, the kind of skin only the more sheltered women in Egypt could possibly have. Her eyes were thickly lashed and a terracotta color that Kiran rarely saw on people in her time. Her lips were full and pulled into what looked like a natural pout, and her hair was an umber brown and fell all the way down past her hips.

"Oh?" The woman spoke in a condescending tone. "Who's this, Ramses?"

Ramses didn't reply and, even odder, neither did Kiran. Her mouth felt too dry to speak. Still absorbing just how beautiful this woman was and inexplicably hating it.

"She couldn't possibly be your new woman, now could she Ramses?" The woman asked then just as quickly dismissed it with a laugh. "No, of course not." The woman shook her head and skimmed over Kiran with her eyes. "While she's certainly...unique, you could easily have so much more." Kiran could hear the unsaid, 'like me' at the end of that sentence. Still, she did not speak.

Kiran felt a little bit ashamed of herself, which was ridiculous. Kiran hadn't really ever cared about her looks, aside from the basic things, so why did she even care?

"Not even speaking?" The woman sneered. "How obedient, I couldn't possibly imagine you'd keep a woman like that around."

Finally, Kiran felt her temper flare back up. Not necessarily beautiful? Maybe so. Obedient? Never, never, never in Kiran's life had she ever been called such, and just the assumption made her blood boil.

"You must excuse my silence," Kiran's words were pure sarcasm, enough to be caught by even the most naive person. "I was simply surprised by your beauty." The woman seemed to preen under the compliment, only to go red in anger at Kiran's next words. "And baffled by your desperateness and idiotic assumptions."

The woman detached herself from Ramses, walked up to Kiran...and slapped her. Though not particularly painful, the force behind the slap was enough to send Kiran's face looking in the other direction. She was sure her face reflected her shock, but mildly surprised- as she turned around- to see that Ramses' face was also showing the same emotion. Even more surprising was that Ramses still said nothing. That alone was enough to make a lightbulb go off in Kiran's head.

'Oh, shit.'

"You dare insult Lady Aurera!" An outraged maid, who was striding up to the scene with clear anger, shouted.

Kiran really hadn't been thinking. People could argue that she never thought, but in reality, Kiran could usually hold her tongue and speak diplomatically. In reality, Kiran was usually very good at realizing the situation. It was all too obvious, but Kiran had been feeling, well, whatever she was feeling and hadn't given her brain the attention needed to make the connection. How would she even deal with this?

Well, when in doubt, blame Ramses. Why the hell did he have to have had sex with a literally and figuratively 'royal bitch'? Even more than just sex if this woman hadn't been spinning a tale. If they had truly spent that much time together, did that make them- them lovers? Kiran felt an acidic feeling rise in her chest, eroding away at her heart, and god did that sound pathetic.

"I must apologize." Kiran spoke, regaining her bearings. "I did not realize who you were and spoke brashly." Kiran made sure to clasp her hands in front of her as she spoke, bending at her hips until her torso was almost level with the floor and her eyes downcast. "I am a servant of Lord Ramses. I do sincerely apologize for the misunderstanding and my rude behavior towards you, my lady, you may do with me as you wish."

Every word tasted bitter as they left her mouth. Kiran could feel defiant tears spring into her eyes, because, dammit, her pride was taking a major hit at the moment. Her stomach churned at the words spoken in her own voice. The whole situation just disgusted her, but the reality of the situation was that it needed to be said. If Kiran didn't correct her actions, Ramses would be in trouble for it, and that didn't sit well with Kiran. That didn't make it feel any less demeaning.

"Oh?" The delighted tone in the woman's voice made Kiran inwardly cringe. "Then how about being my maid while I stay here. I only brought Hasina with me, and I'm so used to having two handmaids at home. That seems like suitable repayment, right Ramses?"

"Yes," Ramses said with what Kiran wasn't sure to call surprising or unsurprising conflict in his eyes, though this conflict remained only visible to Kiran as his tone was completely blank.

If Kiran was forced to either repeat what she just said or face Ames again, she has no idea which would be worse.

That was depressing, really. So, here's an extra.

Extra- Layla

Layla smiled warmly at the note left for her as she read it.

Dear Layla.

Sorry I couldn't stay longer, but we had to go. We already imposed for a month, much longer than I intended when Harres suggested we come to see you.

(You didn't really think the letter was written by Harres, did you?)

However, I had a great time. I can see why you were able to get along with Kiran, she is truly an interesting woman. She seems like a good person to take care of you as I cannot. I believe I can trust her with that much.

I hope you enjoy the rest of your life, Layla. I know it hasn't been optimal or easy thus far and you deserve so much more than you've gotten. Let yourself live, Layla. Don't waste all of your time on other people and just enjoy yourself sometimes. Let yourself smile, I know there's always one hidden under every act of attitude. Most of all, let yourself love.

You didn't think I failed to notice the way you looked at that Seti, did you?

Layla gaped as she felt her face heat up, she was sure it had turned a million shades of red at this point, too.

Love,

Nebet

Layla heard footsteps approach behind her and quickly slipped the clay tablet back into it's bag. She looked over her shoulder to realize it was Seti. Pushing down her blush, with tremendous effort, Layla turned to face him completely. He didn't look too happy. Layla frowned thoughtfully at his expression.

"Aren't you supposed to be with Kiran?" Seti questioned moodily in a tone that tried so hard to be indifferent, before his eyes flickered quickly to the bag in her hand, expression momentarily becoming a scowl and Layla came to a realization. Her mouth formed an O for a second before she smirked ferally.

"Are you jealous Se-ti~?" Layla enunciated his name as she reveled in the subtle blush that came to Seti's cheeks. It was gone just as quickly as it came, though, and his expression turned blank once again.

"Don't be ridiculous." Seti dismissed and walked off.

Layla sighed at his retreating form, "I don't know, Nebet." Layla patted her horse. "You know I've never really had the patience for such things." But her eyes flickered over to Seti again and the ghost of a smile appeared on her face.

Yeah. I've put Ramses through the jealousy phase twice already, now it's Kiran's turn. Worst of all, Ramses can't do anything about it, because of who is making Kiran jealous. Ramses womanizing has turned against him, but we all saw that coming.

Kiran's also going to have to serve the woman she's jealous of, I wonder how long she'll last until she freaks out again.

And yes, Layla likes Seti, all bets are off on whether she'll act on it, though.

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