Responses to Comments:
NeferNeferi - We'll see if the plan they come up with works or not. All I can say for now is that not everything will turn out the way they wanted.
Kuruelna Kahini Kilani – Sorry about that. I thought from what you wrote that you were learning the language.
Yeah, I remember seeing that in a Dickens novel before but I don't prefer using it very much. Especially in this story, it becomes confusing and pointless after a while when all you are saying is echoing things that are happening in the scene itself. We all know Akunadin is lying about what he did since it's mentioned in Chapter 2, so we don't need to be reminded of it again.
It happens really often in spoken Chinese, that's true. Even I tend to speak without using pronouns or nouns if the person I'm talking to knows what I'm referring to. Japanese is like that too.
Oh, answering your question… yes, she did give birth to twins. That fact will come into play later in the story but right now the focus is on Atem because he's the eldest child and the heir to the throne.
Chapter 5
{In the Great Hall}
After making his decision, the Pharaoh then promptly sent the group of ministers back to their homes. To Akunadin, the only one to remain behind, he said, "Priest Akunadin … do you know which of my children is the reincarnation of the evil spirit?"
"The gods replied to me, 'The child that was born first.' "
'Hehe … from the information Belmon gave me, it seems that the boy was born first. That being the case, it is only natural to get rid of him! Then he won't be an obstruction to my goals.'
"The first-born? … Isn't that … Atem?"
The Pharaoh felt very forlorn. Of all the children to die, it just happened to be the boy child in the set of twins.
"That's correct." Akunadin answered.
"… Let's conclude this for today. Akunadin … you can leave now to … make your preparations."
At the end of the sentence, the Pharaoh seemed to nearly use all the strength he could muster in his body to speak.
"Understood." His plan accomplished, Akunadin happily left, leaving behind the Pharaoh by himself in the hall.
{Women's Quarters in the Palace}
Just as the Queen was discussing with her servants about how to carry out their plans, a maid that was keeping watch suddenly and hastily ran into the room.
"My Queen, the Pharaoh has returned!"
"The Pharaoh is here?!" The Queen hears this and, at once, told the servants to return to their duties as she went out to greet him with the air of someone who didn't know what was happening.
"My Pharaoh, you are here early."
"Ah … there's something that I would like to discuss with you…"
The Queen thought, 'Most likely it's about using a child as a sacrifice to the gods.'
Surely enough, once the Pharaoh sat down, he began telling her what Akunadin had told him. Of course she had already known about all of this, but she still had a look of panic on her face as she listened to him.
"What!? Is this true, Your Majesty!?"
The Pharaoh nodded and said, "I must do this … for the country."
For the country?! For your country, you would sacrifice your own flesh and blood?!
"Then which child must we sacrifice?" The Queen wanted to know.
"It's Atem …"
The only child who can succeed me …
At this piece of information, the Queen was truly shocked.
Why?! Why must it be the boy?!
"If that child is sacrificed, then you … won't have an heir or son…"
Even if this is what will happen, you are still willing to go through with it?!
The Pharaoh looked away, not wanting to see his Queen's face.
"I don't have any other choice!" After declaring this, he leaves the room.
"Indeed … you don't have any choice in this matter, but I do! Even if it violates the decree of the gods! Even if I will be punished by them, I still wish to allow my child to continue living …"
The Queen softly speaks this as she watches her Pharaoh leave.
Author's Corner:
Youlan: Once again, it's a linking-type of chapter … it doesn't matter if you decide to skip it.
Everyone: We all read through the whole thing and now you tell us!
Youlan: Waaaa … (is kicked flying into the air)
First posted on April 4th and updated on May 6th of 2004 by Rika.