V.E.: Well in the next two chapters if I am lucky, this story will succeed the 100 review mark. Next chapter I think, I'll have Nephthys and Kisara leave the regular places and get a little bit more detail into the magical side of this story
For the most part, I've been focused on Kisara's studies. But there's actually a very good reason I have because of the role she's going to have to play in the future. I've had to think about what she's going to be like and what she's going to take charge of. Of course, she'll be a princess, but I want her to have a role beyond that of a simple princess. You might have guessed this from Nephthys though.
I also hope to introduce more of the character later on though. I know how much people liked the appearance of Mahad and Mana in the last chapter. I hope to work in some of Shimon and Aknadin in later chapters, because of how important they'll be in the future. And I know all of you are waiting for Atem to bond closer to Kisara along with Seto's reappearance. Heads up, the later won't happen for a couple of years at least.
Disclaimer: Technically, this idea could be made to stand on its own and would probably make an interesting historical fiction. However, the characters(aside from Nephthys and the cuddly Neftis) and the story setting is not mine.
Kisara concentrated very hard as she sketched onto her papyrus, looking up every couple of moments to make sure she was getting it right.
"You know, if you keep moving like that, I am never going to get this picture to look good."
The snowy white kitten looked up from playing with its ball for the moment, before going back to its pleasurable enjoyment. Kisara sighed as she tried to continue on. Finally after some time, she stopped her scribbling and looked back at it.
She walked over and sat on her bed, where her model was now climbing onto her lap. Unrolling the papyrus wide, the pale haired girl glanced down to her cat before glancing back to her drawing.
"Well, what do you think? Pretty good likeness?"
A rather goofy looking thing with very tall triangle ears, two mismatching shaped eyes, and incredibly huge claws coming out of its paws was playing with a small ball.
"HISS!"
And with that, Neftis batted her small paws at the thing.
Kisara sighed.
"You're right. I should stick to music and not art."
A rap on the door disturbed the otherwise quiet of the room, an unusual thing since she wasn't expecting anyone.
Kisara set off her drawing to the side, as Neftis decided to play with the piece of papyrus.
"Come in!"
The doors opened to reveal Femi as composed as ever as she bowed her head to the young girl.
"Lady Kisara, Nephthys wishes she might have your presence in her room."
Kisara felt her face grow puzzled, her drawing forgotten to her right now as Neftis was having some fun with it.
"Now? But she said that there wouldn't be any lessons today."
Femi nodded.
"It is not a lesson, but still my lady."
Kisara sighed as she grabbed her horrible drawing back from Neftis, who was about to push it off the bed.
"Very well, I'll be ready in a minute after I deal with my little friend."
Femi looked a little amused as she stared her younger charge on.
"I can take care of the cat, my lady. Go."
Kisara got up, favoring the dark skinned servant with a smile as she had found that the servant did not have the best luck with animals.
"Thank you."
She walked past Femi who warily began to approach the kitten who had met her eyes, and walked through the path to Nephthys' room she had come to know by heart. Still, she couldn't help but wonder what Nephthys wanted her for. After being told otherwise yesterday, she had been looking forward to a day off to simply and relax. Even if she was confined to her room with just her writing, harp, and the cat; a break was a break.
As she came to the door, she rapped on it several times quickly; an answer coming more slowly.
"Come in, Kisara."
Still a little unused to Nephthys always knowing who was at her door(Kisara privately suspected it had to do with the Necklace of hers), Kisara nevertheless pushed open the door to find Nephthys not the only person in the room.
Nephthys was chatting to the two servant sisters, Akila and Dendera. Kisara had seen them in Nephthys room attending her and her teacher, but she hadn't really spoken to them since they had given her a bath the first day in the palace. They seemed to be looking very excited at whatever Nephthys was nodding yes to.
On cue, Nephthys turned and beckoned to Kisara.
"There you are, come here."
Kisara slowly came over as she noticed the two sister's smiles were being aimed at her. Cautiously, she felt her voice come out.
"You summoned me, Teacher?"
Nephthys nodded once.
"Kisara, do you know why I keep Femi as a servant?"
Kisara thought for a moment before answering.
"Because she's reliable and gets her work done quickly and with discretion."
Nephthys graced her with a small smile before turning her head towards Akila and Dendera.
"Good to see your observational skills are still sharp, but you've been around her so much it's not surprising. Do you know why I keep Dendera and Akila?"
Kisara shook her head, though Nephthys didn't seem surprised.
"It's alright. As a priestess and member of the pharaoh's court, I have to look my best. I often send Akila to buy new clothes, jewelry, and wigs for me and helps me dress. Dendera, on the other hand, is quite the makeup artist."
The Egyptian woman shot a rather piercing glance at her two servants.
"Though at times their mouths run away with themselves and they are constantly amusing themselves with gossip, they are the best I know. They're like big girls, beautifying people rather than coloring wooden paddle dolls."
To give them their credit, both women seemed a little sheepish at the priestess' words. Kisara felt her eyebrow raise in question.
"I suppose everyone has faults."
Nephthys smirked.
"Yes and today, you will be their doll."
Kisara felt hers go wide though she still managed to keep some composure and her voice even.
"What?"
Akila hurried over and crushed Kisara's lungs in seconds.
"Oh I can't take it anymore! She's so cute!"
Dendera seemed the more cautious of the two as she reproached her sister.
"Calm down, Akila. We have work to do."
"Sorry. It's just I've been dying to get my hands on her since she got here! I mean, can you imagine the look on Maibe's horsy face when I tell her at dinner tonight?"
Kisara's eyes went terrified at the 'get my hands on her.'
Nephthys seemed to only find some amusement in Kisara's discomfort.
"I would like my student to finish this intact, so nothing too extensive ladies. It's not like she's attending a festival at the temple, so not too much make up Dendera."
The lighter eyed twin nodded in agreement.
"As you wish, my lady."
Nephthys smiled, turned and walked away.
"Then by all means, have at her. I'll see you in a bit, Kisara."
As the door closed behind the woman, Kisara couldn't help but shoot a resentful glance in her teacher's direction. However, she didn't have much time as she felt Akila pull her away into Nephtys robing room.
From what Kisara had found out about the palace, was that every bedroom had a robing room to keep her clothes, jewelry, and wigs as well as cosmetics on a small table in front of a mirror. While most robing rooms were as small as Kisara's and no more than the size of a small closet, Nephthys' was bigger though not nearly as big as her own room. There was a small seated chair and table laid out with many cosmetics. All the dresses were hung around her as baskets were also there with the wigs.
Before she could take any more in, she was force seated into the chair with a clear look at her reflection in the copper mirrors. Dendera titled her head side to side, glancing to her darker eyed sister.
"What do you think?"
Akila sighed.
"Well, I'd say crushed lapis lazuli, malachite wouldn't do it justice and she's too pale for mother of pearl. But that would be a waste since she'll be washing it off soon anyway."
Dendera sighed as her thumb rubbed Kisara's cheek.
"I say it's almost a waste to use makeup, she has such nice skin. She almost doesn't need it, but you know me. I'll start with the creams and then use the gold dust. She's too young for the wide sweeps of kohl, but to the temples should be fine."
Akila nodded as she ran her hand through Kisara's silver hair, officially freezing Kisara.
"I say it's a waste to put that hair behind a wig and I won't do it. So, gold jewelry definitely?"
Dendera nodded as she scooped a blob of cream out of a jar and began spreading it over Kisara's face.
"Definitely. What about the color of the dress?"
Akila turned to the dresses, scanning them with a critical eye.
"White seems such oblivious color, but with her eyes I can see some blues and purples, don't you think?"
Dendera gazed into Kisara's slightly terrified eyes and nodded curtly.
"It would."
Kisara gulped as she felt her head pushed back into mirror gazing position. She was to terrified to speak as she went through the beauty treatment of creams and oils. Her own golden jewelry was soon removed by Akila who nodded to her.
"Please rise, Miss."
Kisara uneasily got up and Akila straightened her to take off the simple white dress Kisara was wearing. Immediately, she several dresses in Kisara's size, slipping it over her head and straightened out. But almost after she did that, she seemed to slip it back off and Kisara wouldn't chance a look until she had finally settled on a light sky blue.
Kisara took a look at the reflection in the mirror. It went down to floor without any sleeves, baring her shoulders and neck while it hugged her body in a very form fitting way. It felt almost lighter until Akila fastened a golden belt with lapis lazuli around her waist.
At that, Dendera took out a jar of gold dust and gave Kisara a meaningful look. Kisara closed her eyes and the dusting began. Akila continued on through by taking some gold bracelets and slipping them down each pale white arm.
She took out an even bigger golden collar than Kisara's and Dendera stepped aside to allow her sister to fasten it. She also glanced at Kisara's ears as imagining earrings before turning back to her sister.
"We'll have to ask Lady Nephthys about getting her ears pierced."
Dendera only nodded as she took the kohl brush to do her work, delicately and precisely.
Akila's smile widened as she opened particular basket and gingerly picked up the headdress, a band of gold drops hanging down.
As Dendera stepped back and nodded at her work, Akila stepped forward to adjust the golden hair accessory. Adjusting it to seem most upward at tip of her forehead and letting the rest of it fall down around her hair.
She stepped back, her sister and her sharing identical smiles.
Nephthys came through the door in a foul mood that evaporated at what she was seeing.
"I can't believe that one eyed fool! Honestly, you think he would have gotten down…off his…high horse….by now."
Kisara seemed unsure of what was happening as she spoke.
"Can I open my eyes now?"
She took the silence as a yes and slowly did. Turning around, she found a stranger look back at her in the bronze mirror. The makeup accented the golden flecks on the lids of her eyes, the flecks drawing her attention to her golden head piece, belt with lapis, and three golden bracelets on each wrist.
Her hands went to the golden drops to adjust it, before Nephthys interrupted.
"No, leave it as it is."
The older women turned to her two servants.
"You may leave us now."
The two bowed their heads and left, though they lingered as if unable to taek their eyes off their latest creation.
Nephthys led Kisara out of the robing room, catching a glimpse of the two sisters leaving the room. She directed Kisara back to her usual seat and sat in her customary teacher's chair.
"So, not as bad as you thought it was going to be?"
Kisara shot her teacher a look of terror.
"Never put me on the spot like that again."
Nephthys shook her head.
"I can't promise that Kisara. You'll have to be able to think on your feet in the future, often without my help."
Kisara felt her hand go toward the hand mirror in the shape of an ankh on the desk, still taking a look at her reflection.
"I can't believe it. I really do look like a princess."
Nephthys smiled.
"Indeed, and now I think it's time I tell you exactly what kind of princess I'm training you to be."
Kisara looked up and placed the mirror back on the desk as Nephthys went on.
"Kisara, do you remember how I told you that Egyptian princesses were expected to be more than pretty?"
"You mean how you said there were many involved in court politics?"
Nephthys' eyes gleamed at that.
"Exactly. And do you know what it is about court I am specifically training you for?"
Kisara thought long and hard before shaking her head slowly.
"It seems as if you've been teaching me a little of everything."
"Perhaps that's true, but what I'm really training you for is for diplomacy."
Kisara was startled at that, but Nephthys went on.
"Kisara, haven't you ever wondered why I haven't allowed you to wander the palace?"
"It came across my mind a couple times."
"Do you know what the whole palace and the court has been gossiping about in over the month you've been here? You."
Kisara's eyes widened in surprise as Nephthys smiled.
"Everyone's been talking about you constantly. Femi has constantly been finding servants sneaking around your quarters, trying to catch a glimpse of you. And because they know so little, they keep talking about you. The mysterious girl from the street who saved the pharaoh's life, the girl who might become a princess. The pharaoh maybe considered divine, but you may as well be a goddess taken human form from the stories I've heard.
"You see Kisara, I used to think what Pharaoh Aknamkamon was thinking when he wanted you to be a princess. Now I see it's the only position you could have been given. You're much too pretty and did so much to simply be turned into a servant. If you had magic, you could have been trained as a magician but you don't. Still, your Ka is so powerful to simply allow you to leave. In short, the place you are right now is the only place you could have ended up."
Kisara ventured to speak.
"So then, when everyone see me…."
"They'll be floored at what they see. They'll expect a foreign girl, but you'll give them a Egyptian goddess taken human form. Impressing courtiers is one thing the Pharaoh needs."
Kisara's question must have showed on her face as Nephthys nodded before continuing.
"You see, Prince Atem is a very capable Crown Prince, make no mistake about that. But he tends to stay to Mahad and Mana. There's the chance he'll grow a wider range of acquaintances, but I doubt anyone will be close to him like those two. He knows magic, he knows how to fight, but when it comes to matters of state I get the feeling he find himself a little overwhelmed. The Pharaoh has been trying his best with peace, but with the court he's had some...difficulties. Someone needs to take charge of it before someone with a lot less nobler intentions does.
"But diplomacy is mainly focused on other nations. Between foreign princes and ambassadors, who do you think they will want to negotiate and be entertained with? Princesses have been also been known to serve as emissaries to other kingdoms in their father or brother's stead."
Nephthys lifted up the hand mirror, giving Kisara another glance at herself.
"And you'll stun them just as you're going to stun this court. Kisara, if you think you're beautiful now, wait another few years."
Kisara placed the mirror face down back on the table.
"But…I'm not beautiful. No one ever called me that to my face aside from Amma."
Nephthys' eyes seemed disbelieving at that.
"Not beautiful? If that's so, then I'm as dumb as a mule."
Kisara shifted uncomfortably at the praise.
"But I look so different."
Nephthys smiled at that.
"That's why you're beautiful. Those alone would draw anyone's eyes, but you really are beautiful Kisara. And when you've grown into a young woman, what do you think is going happen? All those foreign dignitaries and generals are going to take one look at you and fall in love with you."
Kisara felt herself blush at the very thought of everyone paying that much attention to her.
Nephthys caught her eyes.
"Not that I'm saying to fall in love with them in return."
Kisara felt a smile twist on her face.
"This is one of those things you never reveal in public, but keep to yourself, right?"
Nephthys smiled warmly.
"Good, looks like you're grasping the rules pretty well. But I don't think I'll need to teach you the finer details of flirting until you're older. I think we'll just focus on the court rules for now."
Kisara gestured to her outfit.
"Do I have to wear this kind of stuff in court?"
Nephthys gave a tiny shrug.
"Truthfully, it depends on the occasion. But you can go change now, if you want to."
Kisara smiled.
"No, I think I'll wear this for the rest of the day. It really is pretty. Do you want to go through a new lesson then?"
Nephthys smiled.
"I did say it was a free day dear. But I heard from Femi you've been practicing your harp. May I hear some of it?"
Kisara gave a great smile.
"Of course, Lady Nephthys."
V.E.: Oh my sweet chapter. Next time, I'll get more into the Kas and the structure of court. I'll even sneak in some other priests' appearances.
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