"Were you able to speak to her?" Mahad asked his student.
Mana nodded "she's just getting ready then she'll come speak with us, she didn't look well master…"
Mahad raised an eyebrow as asked what seemed to be wrong.
"Well…" she began "she looked as if she'd not slept at all and her eyes looked red and sore from crying… is it really necessary to interrogate her?"
"I'm afraid so Mana" Mahad replied "you're the one who wants to prove she's innocent…"
"Yes I know but why can't you just take my word for it! She's going through enough already!"
"What are you two bickering about now?" asked someone crossly making both Mahad and Mana jump in fright.
"Ah! Prince…. Erm…" Mana began.
"Nothing!" Mahad cut in "we were just discussing the freeze spell… Mana did it wrong!"
"Yeah!" Mana followed "silly me!"
The Prince gave them a suspicious look "really now? Then who's she?"
"What do you mean?"
"You said she's going through enough already…. Who do you mean?"
Mana then barked out a very fake, nervous laugh "haha I didn't say that! You need your ears cleaned…"
But the Prince wasn't an idiot "you're talking about Nefertiti aren't you? What has the gold digger done this time?"
Mana threw him a glare "one! She is not a gold digger and two! I'm worried about her…"
The Prince scoffed "why do you even care? It's not like she does… all she cares about is being a trophy…. Just like every other female that waltzes into my home… she thinks she can charm me like everyone else? Ha! I'm not falling for it! I would be more than happy if the bitch just disappeared forever!"
"THAT IS ENOUGH!"
The Prince was about to reply but he was cut of my a harsh slap across the face, he first thought it was Mana who hit him… but she was still on his right and Mahad wouldn't dare strike him.
Cradling his cheek he stared in shock at the girl who had been haunting his dreams for months, only she did not have the soft, beautiful smile on her face. Instead her eyes were streaming with tears, her chest was heaving heavily as if she was trying to calm herself down and was shaking like a leaf.
"People don't understand you…" muttered Nefertiti "I understand why you act like this… you've been hurt in the past" She then glared at him "but you think you've got it worse! I've never had any friends, I'm being forced against my will and I am unloved!
"I've been called a lot of things, most of the time I can just block out the words… but you… you just had to go that next step!"Nefertiti then turned around and started running.
"Nefertiti where are you going?" Mana called
But she got in reply was "I've had it with this place!"
Silence followed, mainly because people were completely gob smacked at what happened… Mahad was the first to speak asking if the Prince was okay.
"She… she hit me?"
Mana then snapped out of her trance and got in his face "I DON'T BLAME HER! HOW COULD YOU SAY ALL THOSE MEAN THINGS ABOUT HER!" She then shoved him "She wanted to study politics and try and make a differences in this world. The last thing she wanted to be was a trophy!"
Mana then took a breath to calm herself down "My face is my curse, that's what she told me…"
The Prince gave her a puzzled "Curse?"
"She only gets noticed by her looks, but no one, especially you! Don't take the time to get to know her… she's a wonderful person and you treat like vermin!"
The Prince took in her words, Nefertiti didn't want to marry him? Then why wasn't she kicking and screaming like he was? What does she have to be so afraid of?
Mahad massaged his temple, things just got a lot more complicated because now, Nefertiti had all the motivation in the world to murder the Prince…. Walking away, he casted an invisibility spell on himself and decided to shadow her steps…
Finally reaching the outdoors, Nefertiti couldn't hold in the cries any longer…. Everything she had been feeling since she was born, since she arrived here had finally made her crack.
'What is the point?' she asked herself 'I'm never going to achieve my dreams, the Prince will never love me and I'll be living in fear forever….'
Looking at her hands, she analysed her options… she could run away, but then that would put her brothers at risk of death. She could kill the Prince out of vengeance, but even if he was an ungrateful brat… no one deserves to be killed… not to mention she'd just get executed if the council ever found out. They weren't stupid… especially Mahad… if anything… she wouldn't be surprised if he wanted to question her today.
"I am an unloved child" she sobbed in a hushed tone "I am not needed in this life, I cannot find a reason to remain…" But even though she felt this way, she knew there was one last thing she had to do…
"I'm surprised you showed…" commented Imhotep.
Nefertiti didn't say anything, she remained in a stony expression, and her eyes cast downwards.
"You're not going to betray me are you?" he asked her harshly.
"…No father…"
"Good!" he concluded "now watch closely so you remember which drink to give the bastard… and don't try spilling the drink!" Nefertiti watched carefully as he poured the red looking liquid into the wine, slowly the poison submerged itself within the drink… Nefertiti would have considered it to look quite beautiful if it wasn't so deadly.
"Right… I just have to go and get drinks for myself and the Pharaoh, wait here!" and with that he left the room.
Nefertiti stared at the two glasses long and hard… seeing the tray next to them she decided to prepare and put the drinks onto it.
"Sister…" she heard from behind her, turning around she saw Osiris standing there "you're…. you're going to do it aren't you?"
Nefertiti didn't say anything, instead she walked over to him and embraced him leaving him a little stunned.
"Nefertiti?"
"Whatever happens…" she whispered "remember that I'll always love you, Seth, Bes and Amun… you are my world… thank you Osiris…"
"For… for what?"
Once again she didn't say anything instead she kissed him on the forehead and went to grab the trays, and just at that moment Imhotep came back. "What are you doing here child… away!" he snapped shooing his son away… Osiris quickly retreated.
Imhotep slowly turned to his daughter "you go on in first… and make sure he drinks it soon!" Nefertiti nodded and walked out the room and headed to the throne room, it wasn't a long walk, which Nefertiti was thankful for… she just wanted this to be over as soon as possible.
As the large doors opened she could see the Pharaoh, proudly sitting his throne with his son sat next him… who thankfully… wasn't sporting a bruised cheek.
"Ah Nefertiti!" cheered the Pharaoh "we were wondering where you where…"
"I apologise my Pharaoh" she replied with a bow "but my father and was busy preparing you drinks"
"Yes!" cut in Imhotep as he too walked in "we wanted to show our gratitude on your services to us, and of course… agreeing on this marriage".
The Pharaoh chuckled "the pleasure is mine my old friend… especially that I can give my son away to the most beautiful, kind-hearted girl in the whole of Egypt". At this point Nefertiti zoned out, meaning she did not see the pity on the Prince's face. Suddenly feeling a nudge from her father she snapped out of her trance she stepped forward to the Prince…
"Here is you're drink my Prince…" she offered as she picked it up only to have it snatched out of her hand and be in shock as he down the whole thing.
"Thanks…" he muttered but then noticed his stunned expression "what? I'm upset okay!" Quickly turning away she slowly began to drink her wine, the liquid almost felt soothing against her throat.
"And here is your drink my Pharaoh" Imhotep offered.
The Pharaoh smiled "thank you…"
"NO MY LORD DON'T DRINK IT!" somebody yelled. Before anyone could process what was going on, the glass was knocked out of the Pharaoh's hand and spilled onto the floor. There Mahad stood with his Millennium Necklace in hand, with Mana just behind him.
"Mahad! What is the meaning of this!" Seto demanded.
"I am afraid you have been betrayed my Pharaoh… he poised yours and the Prince's drinks… he wants the throne…"
"But Mahad" gasped Isis "how can you be so sure?"
"I followed Nefertiti and she her contributing with him… and saw him pour the poison in"
The Prince started to breathe heavily and through the glass on the floor "you…" he fumed standing up "you've killed me!" he yelled pointing at Nefertiti.
"I-I'm so sorry" she sobbed "I had no choice!"
"SEIZE THEM BOTH!" Seto Ordered but Imhotep was one step ahead as he grabbed a hold of Nefertiti and put a dagger to her throat.
"Nobody move!" he hissed "So my plan to become Pharaoh hasn't gone as smoothly as I wanted it… I made sure the poison was slow and painful, somewhat like an illness… it was the perfect plan. But no matter… I have ruined the bloodline!" he then cackled "and it's all thanks to my darling daughter…"
"Get your hands off of her!" Mana screeched but it was no use, Imhotep through a vile onto the floor and black smoke engulfed the room… when the room cleared… him and Nefertiti where nowhere in sight.
"FIND THEM!" The Pharaoh ordered "FIND THEM NOW!"
Mahad bowed and ordered the men to follow him… The Pharaoh turned to his son with a scared expression, but the Prince's was ten times worse.
"I'm going to die… I'm going die!"
"NO YOU'RE NOT!"
Everyone turned to the door to see Osiris and his brothers.
"They are in on it to! Arrest them!" the Pharaoh ordered.
"No my lord!" Mana interrupted "the boys had nothing to do with this… Osiris knew but that's it…"
"You knew?" Seto snapped "you knew and you didn't say anything!"
"Don't you dare judge him!" Seth shot back but soon calmed down "Osiris didn't have a choice… as did Nefertiti…"
"What are you saying?" asked the Prince "and what do you mean that I won't die…"
"The Poison is slow… it takes at least a day to start taking effect, its suppose to be like an illness… like its natural…"
"How do you know all this?" The Pharaoh questioned.
"First… I need to explain my sister's actions as well as her upbringing…" Osiris stated "The Prince especially needs to hear this…"
Everyone fell silence as they waited for Osiris to start…
"My sister, all of us… having been living in fear. Imhotep, the man we knew as our father died many years ago when he formed an alliance with The Pharaoh. The more he got involved the more power hungry he got. He believes the brains should led a kingdom… not blood. So he plotted this assassination… and used my sister as a weapon.
"Nefertiti… she enjoyed star gazing and reading. Her dreamed of wanting to be part of the council… she began studying at an early age and was about to go through her first test… but that all changed when he told her about the marriage… she refused and… that was the first time I saw him hit her…"
Seth then cut in "she dislocated her arm, but Imhotep didn't treat it… claiming it was her punishment… she fixed it herself. After that she changed… she never admired the night and never touched her books."
"On the night before we arrived, I was hiding in my father's chambers where he was talking with her… I liked to sneak in his room and go through his books, and that's when I found about the assassination. But… the worst part was… he forcing Nefertiti to do it…"
"How?" questioned Mana.
Osiris was now crying "he… he threatened to kill us if she didn't do what he said…" he then turned to the Prince and grabbed his hands "you have to believe me, my sister would never intentionally hurt you… she wouldn't hurt anything!"
The Prince stared in shock at the weeping boy in front of him…
"I can vouch for him" spoke Mana "last night I overheard them both talking and he held a knife to her throat… once again threating to kill her brothers… Nefertiti was put against her will my lord…"
"Yes…" said the Pharaoh sadly "but she still succeeded in poisoning my son… I cannot just let this past!"
"I can help!" Osiris cut in.
"How?" Seto demanded.
"Well…" Osiris began "when I found about it I… stole all my father's notes and started… to make an antidote."
Everyone gave him a blank stare… but it was surprising Seth who first spoke…
"Osiris.. What are you saying? You can cure the Prince!"
Osiris nodded "it's still not finished though… I need certain supplies that I did not have access to…"
"We can provide them!" Isis told him "just give me the list and I'll get them!"
"You can't be serious!" snapped Seto "he's a child!"
"Yes" Isis snapped back "but he's the only one who can save our Prince…"
"Prince…" spoke Osiris "I'll make a cure on one condition…"
"What's that?"
"You save my sister! No matter what it takes!"
The Prince stared at him for a long time before closing his eyes and smiling sadly "I promise… I'll save you're brilliant, brave sister…"