I don't own Night at the Museum

Ancient Egypt 1991 BC

Her delicate hands slowly curled into fists as she stood in front of the man before her Jaw tightening, she tried to control all of the anger that was building up inside of her. "Neferet," she looked up at the provincial governor of her nome, also her father, who stared back at her with a serious look upon his eyes. "Did you not comprehend what I said?"

Neferet raised her chin and inch in the air and looked at her father. "Yes father," she answered him, then swallowed before she continued. "An arranged marriage to the future pharaoh."

Her father stood up from his seat and slowly made his way towards his daughter where he placed his hands on both sides of her head and planted a gentle kiss. His daughter was past the age of marriage and felt that she should have been married years ago, but it had proven to be difficult when her mother had died and that she had rejected the hands of many suitors. Arranging marriages was not a common marital union, but his daughter had to be married to someone. Who was to care for her when he would be gone?

Once he pulled his lips away from her forehead, Neferet looked up and smiled to her father. "I will be in my chamber," she said, not even curious to ask whom her future husband was. At her chamber, she dismissed her servants and remained alone in her thoughts. Why would her father do something like this? Ever since her mother's death, he had been adamant in marrying her with someone and all of a sudden, it was to the future pharaoh. She knew that many young women her age, who were not of the lower class, would be enthusiastic to be married to him. She had heard many stories that ranged from how kind and generous he is as a person to the mysterious that lurk in his chamber.

Her attention was whisked away from her thoughts when something soft rubbed against her legs and she looked to the ground. A gray Egyptian Mau with black markings purred against her legs and then hopped onto her lap. Neferet picked up her cat and looked at it right in the eyes. "You are lucky to be a cat and not the daughter of a nomarch like me," she spoke as if the cat had the ability to understand her.

The cat's response was only a tilt of the head and a golden statue that was hidden behind the cat's head became visible. Neferet smiled as she placed her cat to the ground and approached the statue. She slowly sank to her knees as she sent a silent prayer to the Goddess Bast, to give her strength and power to get through this arranged marriage, to make her different life the best as she possibly could.

Her prayer was answered by her pet cat rubbing its head against her. She took it as a sign that the Goddess was willing to watch over her and with that, she felt a little protection. Giving the Goddess Bast a silent thank you, she placed her hand upon the cat's head and scratched it. This silent moment did not last long as one of the servants opened the door to her chambers and called her.

"Neferet," the servant walked in and looked at at her, who avoided looking at her. "The governor wishes to speak to you."

Of course he does. "Wish me luck," Neferet kissed her cat and got up to her feet. She walked past the servant and to the room where she was speaking with her father before. Neferet noticed that he was reading a message that was written on papyrus and it made her curious to know what the contents of the message were. "Yes father?" she said and he looked up at her.

Her father stood up from his seat and walked over to his daughter once more. In a hushed voice, he spoke to her. "I just received a message from Pharaoh Merenkahre."

Another jolt of anger rose inside of her but she tried her best to console it. "Yes?" she motioned for him to continue, hoping that Pharaoh Merenkahre had rejected about this arranged marriage.

However, her father's delighted smile said otherwise, much to her disappointment. "He would be honored to have his youngest son married with you."

"Youngest son?" Neferet almost raised a dark eyebrow at her father.

"Yes he has two sons but the youngest one has the ability to inherit the throne," her father explained to her.

Neferet was confused about this. Wasn't the oldest son supposed to inherit the throne and if something were to happen to the oldest, wouldn't the next one in line inherit it? "Alright," she said before thinking twice about asking the next question that lingered on her mind. "How old is the youngest son?" Neferet asked.

"About eighteen years of age," her father answered.

Neferet gave a gentle nod of her head. "So two years younger than I. I don't know what others will think about a pharaoh that has a wife that it older than him." She tried to keep her voice steady and not let a single nerve show. "Do you think that this is fair?"

"Neferet please," her father softly spoke but she interrupted him.

"I don't think that this is fair at all," she continued, "in fact I would rather marry-"

"That's enough!" her father snapped and she looked at him in surprise. He had never looked so angry with her before. "I did this for you!" he pointed his index finger at her and she swore that she saw it shook. "If it wasn't for Pharaoh Merenkahre to offer you his son, I don't know what I would have done. I don't know how much life I have in me left, but I want someone to take care of you when I am gone, and I am glad to see how much you are appreciating my efforts to do what is best for you."

Neferet suddenly felt tears welling up into her eyes. She quickly batted her eyes to keep the tears from spilling. She knew about her father's deteriorating health but she always assumed that he was only forcing her to marry just to give her away, not because he was doing what was best for her.

Angry, her father turned his back to her and placed his hands on the table that stood next to him, "tomorrow," he hoarsely said, "we will go to Pharaoh Merenkahre and you will meet his son and be married to him. You may go now."

Taking a deep breath, Neferet turned her back on her father and walked out of the throne room. She walked past the hallways and the servants until she walked into the room, closed the door, and weeped in silence.

Originally, I had Neferet's father as a pharaoh. Due to a historical inaccuracy, this was bought to my attention and changed it to governor upon the suggestion of MrsFindlay. Thank you!