Responses to Comments:
NeferNeferi - You'll see how Atem-chan will survive in the palace. Although I should add that this story doesn't really answer the question …
Kuruelna - I don't mind at all. Just review when you feel like it.
Chapter 12
At the eve of daybreak, there was a carriage that was slowly heading towards the country's borders. Inside the carriage sat two individuals. One person was driving and the other was sitting. In the arms of the woman seated in the carriage was a sleeping female infant.
The woman thought of the events that had just occurred. Even now, she still couldn't completely believe it. She looked down at the child that was smoothly and steadily sleeping in her bosom and tenderly teased the cute sleeping face. A small smile appeared on the woman's countenance.
"I never thought we would be able to see each other again, Princess Tameri …"
{Several Minutes Before}
When she was abruptly led to the place where they were gathered by a priest, she was completely frightened. After all, the people she was facing wielded great power. We can only imagine the oppressive feelings she was confronted with at this time.
She worriedly sat there, not understanding why these group of men wanted to bring her to this place. At this moment, the elderly High Priest spoke, "You … were a maid that once served the Queen, is that right?"
"Yes, my Lord …" she weakly answered, her voice so small that even she could barely hear it.
"Now, I want you to do this task for me."
"Task? But I am no longer a maid serving the Queen." she said.
"Because you are no longer by her side, this is why I want you to do it."
'What exactly is this task?' She thought restlessly.
The High Priest made a motion to his wife to bring the person over, while the elderly woman slowly went over to her side. She handed over a sleeping female infant to the other woman. When she looked at the features of the baby, she immediately spoke, surprised. "She's … ! This … How is this possible?!" She stared, not believing her eyes.
"From your reaction, I think the Queen must have switched the sacrificial offering. Is that correct?" The High Priest asked.
The woman remained silent, listening. Why is the little Princess here?!
"Be at ease. I don't mean to reveal this event, but the Queen's plan has caused a mistake to occur in ours. Originally, the baby that is resting in your arms should have been the young Prince. However, right now I think there really isn't any difference between them since they are both members of the royal family."
"Then … what does my Lord wish for me to do?" She asked.
"I want you to … raise … this Princess, who will live among the people."
"What?!" She began to suspect something was wrong with her ears. "My Lord, what do you mean?" The woman asked, wanting to know a more definite answer.
"According to the current situation, I think it would be impossible for the young Princess to be raised by someone in the royal family. Yet, she is a member of that family and cannot be corrupted by the ways of the common people. Then it would only be natural that someone that serves the royal family be the one to instruct her in all of the royal etiquette and protocols so that she won't feel uncomfortable when she returns to the palace in the future.
"After all, some people will find it impossible to fit in with the many customs in the palace in a short period of time. In addition, I also do not wish to … see the young Princess become a wild girl with no understanding of manners in the future. Therefore, your responsibility is great … are you willing to accept this important task?" The High Priest finished stating his carefully thought out reasons in one breath.
"I am willing … in the future … when the little Princess is old enough to have her rite of adulthood, I will have her brought back here … so she can return to the place she should go back to."
"Very good. There is something else you should take. Let her always have it on her."
The High Priest took out a slender object from his robes. It was a necklace with the badge of the royal family stamped on it.
The woman recognized the necklace. It was the necklace the Queen had put around the baby's neck before the little Princess was to be taken as the sacrifice.
"This thing can prove her identity because it hides something quite obscure. Other than the goldsmiths that work for the palace, no one else can create a necklace that is identical to this one."
"I understand." She accepted the item and stood up. "Sir Priest, the time is late. I must be leaving now. My younger sister is waiting for me outside."
"Then go … but remember! In the future, you must allow this young Princess set foot in the great halls of Egypt's palaces."
"Yes. I will not let her encounter any mishaps!"
The carriage outside sounds loudly. The woman carried the young Princess and headed out to the distant borders of their land.
"Elder sister." The woman driving the carriage called, causing her to wake up from her thoughts.
The other woman extended her hand, pointing towards a house that seemed to disappear and reappear in front of them.
"We've returned home." She said.
The woman stared at the vast prairie that spread as far as the eye can see as well as the lakes and waters dotting the landscape. She thought to herself, young Princess … you will be growing up here now.
Author's Corner: Youlan: This chapter marks the end of the first half of this story. Next time, it will be a new storyline.
Yami Youlan: That's very good. Aren't you also about to begin a new life yourself? The beginning of a new semester …
Youlan (new school term starts): Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah!!!! Don't mention those two characters in my presence!!!! (Rika: the 2 characters mentioned is 'kai xue' or beginning of a new school year) I – HATE – BITTERLY – STARTING – A – NEW – SCHOOL – YEAR!!!!
Posted on May 6, 2004 by Rika.