I think I need to remember to do more translating ... the warm weather around here is making me become rather lazy.
NeferNeferi -- It is, isn't it? I might have chosen a different way for them to see each other, but it's not my story. Hope you like this short chapter.
Roanna Luna -- No problem. It gives me practice in getting some understanding of how to write in Chinese.
Youlan isn't in fifth grade (so to speak ... I'm not exactly certain if fifth year in primary school corresponds to fifth grade over here.) right now; she was when she first started writing the story. I'd assume it was over two or three years ago when that happened.
About the twins comment, I'm thinking that they're fraternal twins and not identical ones. That's why they don't recognize each other because they don't look alike.
Heh, hope you have more time to spend on the computer to write your commentary.
Chapter 19
"Where are you from? And for what reason are you here now?" Tameri asked Atem, who was resting next to her.
After the two had introduced themselves to the other person, they began to chat about various things. Now, Tameri asked the questions that she really wanted to know about him.
"About that ..." Atem closed his eyes and thought over his answer for a moment. "I come from Egypt's capital, Thebes. Because I wanted to break free from certain vexing things in my life, I escaped from a prison. After some interesting events, I find myself here in this remote place."
"Prison?" Tameri asked, interested. "You don't look like a criminal."
"Ah ... even though I'm not a criminal, I've suffered through limitations of my freedom that are no different from one that is a prisoner. I can only live my days and nights locked up in a cage."
As he spoke, Atem found himself thinking, 'Being free and unrestrained ... it seems so faraway from me ...'
"It appears that your life has been very exhausting for you ... In that case, is there anything I can do for you?" Tameri asked.
Atem sat up. "What? Really?"
"As long as I can do so, I would most certainly help you."
"Then ... why don't you be my wife?" Atem asked, a naughty tone in his voice.
Tameri was so surprised by his response that she dropped the flute in her hand. "Wh ... what?!"
"Hahaha! You can obviously see that I'm just joking! Did you really think it was true? Ahahahaha!" Atem, seeing her reaction, began to laugh. This may actually be the first time in his life that he had laughed so heartily.
"You ..." Tameri was speechless, as she watched him laugh.
Atem smiled at her. "Hehe, since you want to help me so much ... why don't you play a song to help relieve my boredom?"
"With this?" She lifted the flute in her hand and he nodded. "Then ..." She brought the flute to her lips and began to lightly play a song that praised the Nile River. As she handily alternated the positions of her fingers, the pleasing sounds continued to flow from the flute.
Atem silently listened to the song she was performing for him as he carefully looked her over. Tameri's face was very comely looking while her limbs were long and slender in the right places. Her head of beautiful long hair was being blown slightly by the wind.
'... This is the first time I've met a girl like her. She hasn't tried to cling to me like glue or seduce me at all. She's really special ...'
He didn't know when it started, but Atem's eyes had slowly stopped on her body and he didn't want to move his sights anywhere else. Regarding Tameri, a warm feeling began to quietly grow in his heart. 'Have I fallen in love with her?' Atem asked himself. The answer quickly made itself known. 'Yes, I love her. When I first set eyes on her, I had fallen in love with her ...'
Fate seems to like playing cruel jokes on people. What this young Pharaoh didn't know was that this was a forbidden love that would have no happy ending ...
Author's Corner:
Youlan: The final three lines [Rika: this is in the Chinese version. Here, it's the final two sentences.] has this sad feeling to them ...
Pharaoh: Damn! Hey!! Why the heck did you write a plot with me having feelings for my own sister?!
Seto: What's wrong with that? Siblings could be married to each other in ancient Egypt.
Pharaoh: Damn you! I reject such a notion! How can siblings get married?!
Youlan: Stop quarreling. The characters appearing in the next chapter are in the royal palace. Seto, have you read the script yet? You're one of the major figures in it.
Seto: Nonsense! Do I need you to tell me that?
Posted on July 25, 2004.