Fourteen |

The Wig's Status

"Karim, can I try your hair on?"

The muscular, tall, and bronzed man looked at the tiny seven-year-old princess's pleading eyes.

"You mean my wig?" Karim asked the crowned princess.

"Oops! I mean wig. Hehe." Anippe replied cheekily.

Karim just chuckled.

"So, whaddya say? Can I try it on?" Anippe pleaded.

"May I ask why?" the strong, broad Priest replied, causing the princess to blush.

"I uh- I desire to have hair of my own," she muttered embarrassingly.

Karim chuckled.

It was adorable seeing Anippe embarrassed. She was a steadfast, energetic, and confident girl. So for her to act all flustered and embarrassed was amusing to Karim.

"I believe you have wigs of your own, no?" Karim replied.

"Yes, that I do. But mine has gold in it, and well, it's rather itchy. Yours seem so much cooler. Please, Karim? Please?"

Karim chuckled, shaking his head.

Anippe glared at the Priest.

Karim held another chuckle as Anippe gave him a dirty look.

It had been a week since the Pharaoh decided to shave all of the princess's hair, and though it was normal for children to be bald, Anippe was not enjoying it one bit.

"Karim," Anippe began with a firm voice.

Karim raised an eyebrow.

"I order you to hand me your wig," Anippe stated with a smudge expression on her face.

To her shock, Karim's face broke into a massive smile before he roared, laughing out loud.

Anippe just stared at him.

Karim managed to calm himself down before shaking his head.

"I'm sorry to pop your bubble Anippe, but you still aren't in a position to be giving orders out."

Anippe crossed her arms and looked out towards the hallway's windows.

Though she refused to meet his gaze, Karim sensed that Anippe was probably feeling a sense of guilt and embarrassment.

So Karim walked towards her and kneeled.

Anippe turned to stare at him, a slight pout on her lips.

Karim smiled.

"I have a better proposal for you, my princess."

Anippe stayed silent.

"Instead of trying to claim my wig, how about, we make one?"

Anippe looked surprised.

"Could we?"

Karim nodded.

"There are supplies in the palace, and I could bring some craftsmen to help you get your measurements."

Anippe was silent for a moment before nodding.

"Alright. I'd like that." Anippe smiled. "Very much."

Karim nodded.

"After I get my wig, will I be able to be one of the Sacred Guardians?"

Karim looked taken back.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, Papa spends most of these days with you guys, and I just thought that I would automatically have status to join if I could get your wig."

"What does my wig have to do with this?"

"Well, almost everyone has something that covers their head or face. Except for Shada, he's always bald."

Karim almost laughed again.

"I didn't want to be another bald person in my Papa's court, so I thought you would join Shada in both being bald if I got your wig."

"Who says I'm bald?" Karim asks.

"You have hair?!" Anippe gasps.

Karim winks.

"You can't just wink at me! Do you have hair?" Anippe pressed.

Karim laughed as the young girl began to chase him around the long corridors.

Later that evening

"How did you manage to make her fall asleep, Priest Karim?" one of the midwives demanded.

The other midwives were still too stunned to speak.

Karim shrugged.

The young girl had fallen into a deep slumber, wax in her fingers and her clothes.

After making a total of three wigs, the young girl could not resist the temptation to close her eyes for a few seconds.

"Allow us to take the princess from here, Priest Karim."

Karim shook his head.

"I'll take her, do not worry."

The midwives nodded and began to clean the mess the young princess had caused on the table.

Karim gently lifted Anippe from his lap and made his way to her chambers.

Down the hallway, he heard his name getting called out.

"Karim!"

Turning around, Karim fought the urge to smile at the scene.

Pharaoh Atem practically was running towards him. His long red cape moved swiftly behind him.

"Is she alright?" He asked, his face full of concern.

Karim nodded.

"My Pharaoh, it is nothing to worry about. The midwives are overreacting since the princess has miraculously fallen asleep for a nap."

Pharaoh Atem sighed.

"I-" Pharaoh Atem narrowed his eyes at the dry wax in her fingers and clothes.

"What is this?" he asked.

"Well, Princess Anippe wished to make her wigs since I refused to give her mine."

"What? Why?"

Karim sighed.

"She believed by getting my wig she could earn a place within the Sacred Guardians."

The Pharaoh was silent, puzzled at the information.

"Why would she want to join? When I was her age I hated learning about politics and getting held in that meeting room."

Then everything clicked.

"Oh," he whispered.

Karim smiled sadly.

"It appears she misses you, my Pharaoh."

Pharaoh Atem sighed.

"It appears organizing the upcoming festivals has limited my time with her," he answered.

"Do not be so hard on yourself, my Pharaoh. It is your duty, after all." Karim replied as Pharaoh Atem shook his head.

"Yes, but it's also my duty to raise her too. I'm her father." Pharaoh Atem added.

"My Pharaoh," Karim began with a smile. "You are aware we can manage by ourselves, right?"

"Yes, but-"

"As you said, you are Anippe's father, and she deserves the same amount of attention as Egypt. Probably more if I do say so myself, she will be your successor one day."

Pharaoh Atem was silent before a small smile appeared on his face.

"Yes… you are right, Karim. She is the future, and one day she will lead Egypt."

He stepped in to gently grab his daughter from Karim.

"But for now, she's my little girl," he whispered as he held Anippe closer.

"Go and rest, my Pharaoh. We can manage for the day." Karim spoke softly.

Pharaoh Atem nodded gratefully before turning away and walking down the corridor.

When the Pharaoh was a few steps away, Karim managed to catch Anippe opening her eyes, her father wholly oblivious and shooting Karim a cheeky smile.

"She sure is his daughter." Karim snickered as Anippe closed her eyes again and pretended to be asleep in her father's arms.

Note(s):

Back in Ancient Egypt, people would wear wigs

Wigs were associated with social class. Not everyone was permitted to wear wigs.

Wigs for royalty got made with gold and rich material.

Karim appears wearing a black wig with a gold band. It's unsure if he has hair or is bald. Hence why, he teases Anippe.

Author's Note(s):

I inspired this chapter with my childhood. Like Anippe, I would pretend to be asleep, so my father could carry me. I loved being held in his arms, feeling completely safe from the world around me. Sometimes I wish to be a child again.

As you've noted, this book is not over, and it won't be for a long time. Thanks for the support if you're new here, and I'll see you all soon. Take care.