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Tears of Agony

"Yes, I presume that strategy would work."

"What if we also sent some army troops here-"

"Papa!"

Pharaoh Atem and the rest of his royal entourage members looked up as the door burst open as a distraught crowned princess ran inside. The Pharaoh's heart began to beat faster as he saw her panicked expression.

The princess scanned the room and, when her gaze landed on her father, she immediately ran towards him. She ignored her father's royal entourage members' disliked looks.

The Pharaoh shot up from his throne, ignoring the disapproving looks of his advisors. Military reform be damned; his princess needed him. Her small footsteps bounded on the hard limestone floor as she neared towards him. He knelt down and immediately embraced her in his arms.

"What is it, my love?" he asked with concern, brushing a bit of her tears away.

Anippe pressed her blotchy red face into the crook of his neck. Her hands clutching tightly onto his cape, as she sobbed, "He's gone Papa! He's gone!"

The Pharaoh was silent for a moment before he swallowed hard, containing his laughter.

Classic Mahad.

Though she was barely three and a half summer years, he had hoped she would wise up to his best friend's prank. Mahad would always pull this prank on her mother when they were young and she reacted the same like her, crying and coming to him.

Looking at his daughter the Pharaoh felt his heart ache in pain at the bittersweet feeling of hugging someone from Mahad's heavy prank. Closing his eyes for a second he took in a breath.

"Hmm, it's alright," he hummed reassuringly, running his fingers through her hair. "I assure you, Mahad is not gone, my love."

"Y-yes he is!" she cried, absolutely heartbroken. Before he could reply he heard a few of his entourage members laugh silently behind him. He quickly whipped his head towards them, his puzzle flashing with a menacing glow as his red eyes pierced through their souls.

They all cowardly stepped back, effectively silenced.

Picking up his daughter, the Pharaoh rubbed her back soothingly. "There, there," he murmured. "It's alright Anippe, Mahad-"

As if on cue, Mahad burst through the doors, looking as he had come back from a tormented battle.

"Anippe?" he called out meekly, his attention on the small girl in his best friend's arms. The Pharaoh shot Mahad a small smirk.

He was in so much trouble.

"Anippe?" Mahad called again, walking closer to the sobbing princess.

Her head perked up, and she turned around.

"Mahad?" Anippe gasped, her voice filled with surprise and relief. She twisted in her father's arms as she opened her arms for Mahad to hold.

"Mahad!" she cried out as he embraced her. Mahad hugged the princess for a few seconds before he tried to pull away, but her hold was firm. "Don't leave Mahad! Don't leave!"

"Anippe," Mahad began with a light scowl, "If I recall this was all your idea. You promised me that you wouldn't cry if I disappeared in front of you. You said you knew this was just a spell."

The princess lowered her head in defeat. "Mahad, she's just a child," the Pharaoh scolded, trying to keep a stern expression. Mahad just sent him a light glare.

The Pharaoh bit his tongue to stop his laughs from erupting as he saw how Mahad tried to calm Anippe in his arms.

Oh, what a scene.

"Mahad is right Anippe," the Pharaoh began with a small smile. "If you knew you couldn't handle Mahad disappearing, you shouldn't have asked him to do it."

"Yes, Papa," Anippe replied in despond. She awkwardly looked up at Mahad's scowl face, "Sorry Mahad…"

Mahad sighed. "Apology accepted. Don't ever scare me like this, okay?"

She bobbed her head up and down, "Alright Mahad."

"I apologize my Pharaoh for interrupting your meeting. Anippe ran extremely fast before I could show myself to her again." Mahad apologized, holding a blushing princess.

"Nothing to apologize Mahad," the Pharaoh dismissed with a grin.

"I'll see you later my love," the Pharaoh promised his daughter before he allowed Mahad and Anippe to be escorted out the room.

Waiting until the doors were closed, the Pharaoh turned his attention back to his royal entourage members.

"Now, where were we?"