Chapter 37: A goodnight story
Nefera was brought to bed later than usually. The lunch that was supposed to be prepared for the royal family and guest, turned out to be a rather big banquet. The de Niles had talked a lot and the afternoon had strung-out immensely.
It was night when the little Nefera was prepared for bed. The rest of the family was still sitting in the dining hall, but they had all agreed that it was too late for someone as young as Nefera to still be awake. The princess didn't feel like she was missing anything important, though. Her father and uncle were mainly yelling at each other, while her mother tried to reconcile. Mostly without success.
When the nurse placed Nefera, who had her favorite dollie in her arms, in her bed, she was quickly commanded to tell the toddler an amusing story. The nurse hesitated, not knowing what to tell the little girl.
"I want to hear a story! NOW!" Nefera commanded again.
"Uh... Once upon a time, there was a little princess living in her father's kingdom. She had long, black hair and big, purple eyes. Oh, and a, uh, very beautiful face. She lived happily together with her mother and father until something happened."
Nefera gasped. The princess sounded like her! "What happened, what happened?!"
"Uhm... Well, a little sibling was born into the family."
Nefera looked sour. What a stupid story!
The nurse continued. "It was a little brother, who soon ruled the kingdom and took his sister, the princess, as a wife."
"A wife?"
"Yes. They both lived happily and ruled a kingdom as amazing as the one we live in!"
"Nobody can rule better than Father!" Nefera said defiantly. How could the nurse even dare to tell her such an insulting goodnight story?!
The young woman stutted. "Well, er, yes, that's true!"
"Why did you say that then?"
She got nervous. "Well, there is someone who will be a great ruler someday, but didn't rule yet!"
"Who is it?"
"It's you!"
Nefera gasped. "Am I gonna rule?"
"Of course, Nefera," the nurses said, not really sure of her statement. The situation was in fact kind of awkward.
"But Father said that only men can rule!"
"Oh! Well, then! Uh. If your father said that, it must be true!"
Only a minute later, the bedroom door opened, and the nurse walked out again. A sour-looking Nefera was left behind in her room. Her mother hadn't even given her a goodnight kiss!
Argh! The services here were terrible!