Chapter 7

It was just another day as the light passed through the ever-familiar window and onto the face of the one sleeping in the bed. "Why did sunrise have to come so early? Work is supposed to be slow today," an aggravated sigh was passed.

He lifted himself from his bed, carelessly walking to the shop that he was so used to tending to. He cleaned up, picking everything up off the floor, placing it on his daughter's now empty workbench. 'She has today off, she won't mind me using her space.'

Soon after his wife joined him, and on they worked at the shop, selling and making goods until lunch came.

"Do you want to see if she'll join us for lunch?" his wife asked.

"I'm sure she won't but we can try," he smiled, taking her hand and walking to his daughter's house. He rapped on the door, but no one answered. "Masi?"

"I wonder if she's still sleeping? Or if she's at her hill?" her mom sighed.

"No, we'd have seen her pass the shop if she was headed out there," he opened the door, everything left still as though she'd been taken away last night and never returned. Both layers of a dress lay scattered on the bed, dishes still on the table.

"Where could she be? It's like she never came home last night," her mom began worrying.

"I'm sure she's alright, she's under the protection of the Pharaoh after all."

"You don't think she went to the Palace do you?"

"Its illegal, he wouldn't risk her life like that. The Pharaoh knows what he's doing."

She nodded, but the fear and worry nestled in her heart; she didn't know where her daughter was.

"I'm sure we'll see her sometime soon, lets just go about our business," they left her house and did as he suggested.

"Atemu, please excuse me, I need to make a trip into the city," Masi bowed to him.

"Already?" his brows furrowed.

"Yes, I need to tell my parents, I'm sure by now they're scared to death."

"Alright, when you return, wait for me in my room, my meeting shouldn't last too long."

"Thank you," a slight bow as she turned and headed towards the town. She passed the guards and returned to her familiar streets of the village; only different this time. Her clothes were those of nobles, those of the Palace residents, her hair pulled back as everyone else in the Palace had. Pulled away from her face by a headdress of some type. Hers being a very simplistic golden band with the wings of Ra on the side.

She walked the streets, hearing low murmurs about who she was and now they didn't seem to recognize her. She managed to make it to her shop, walking in with the same confident air that Atemu carried about himself she drew the attention of her parents instantly.

"Masika! What are you wearing? Where've you been?"

"Do you like it?" she posed for them.

"Where'd you get that? That's Royal clothing!" her mom examined the clothes and headdress.

"Yes, I know, I got it from Mana, she brought it to me this morning."

"Who's Mana?" her mom asked.
Her dad remembered full well who Mana was, "Were you in the Palace last night?"

"Yes, and I am currently one of the residents," she beamed, making her confident stance even more noticeable.

"That's against the law!" her father interjected.

"Actually no it's not, the council even knows."

"So you're living with the Pharaoh in the Palace?"

"Yes."

"I can't believe it!" her father denied.

"I am, and as long as I'm in the Palace, I'm to be respected as highly as the Pharaoh!" she smiled happily to her family, hoping for their acceptance.

"Congratulations! I'm so proud of you!" her mother hugged her tightly.

"It feels really weird though, I've barely met the council, and they're bowing to me."

"What about your manners?" her father asked.

"I bow to them but they tell me not to. It's very difficult, but the Palace is absolutely beautiful. I'll have to tell you one day."

"Are you busy now?"

"I'm supposed to be, Atemu wanted me to do something for him when I came back, so I should head back."

"No life comes without work, remember that, even the Pharaoh has to work," her father preached one last time as he hugged his departing daughter.

"I'll come by and visit when I can," she waved as she left the shop, heading back to the Palace. The murmurs continued as few people seemed to recognize her, but not as royalty. She barely suppressed her laughter at their confusion, but she made her way swiftly to the Pharaoh's room with no delays.

She walked in the empty room, noticing he wasn't there yet, she looked around, seeing all the gold shimmer in the daylight, she was still speechless about the whole event. She flopped onto the center of his bed, feeling the fine cloth that he used as sheets; so different from what she was used to. She lied back on the bed, relishing the feeling of the soft silk as though she were making a snow angel.

"So this is home?" she sighed, closing her eyes in the softly lit room.

The door creaked open, but she remained lying on the bed.

"Enjoying yourself?" Atemu asked, making his way over to the bed.

"Indeed, thank you for allowing me to stay," she propped herself up with her elbows.

He sat beside her, trying to get used to seeing her in such formal clothing, "You seem different in these clothes."

"As do you, but I'm also used to seeing you in your formal clothing, you've never seen me all dressed up."

"No I haven't, but I'm enjoying every minute of it," he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"Why thank you Atemu," she smiled, shifting her weight to one elbow she used her free hand to pull him back to her, stealing a kiss from him.

"That was unexpected," he smiled, sitting back up.

"I'm spontaneous remember?"

"Indeed," he grinned before stealing a deep kiss from her, forcing her elbow to give out, she fell flat on the bed, their lips still attached, the kiss deepening more, even from such an awkward angle. His hand played with her hair as hers remained on the back of his neck. Still grinning, he pulled back from the kiss, leaving her tempting more.

"Definitely not expecting that," she closed her eyes, allowing the feelings to set in once more, reliving an instant replay.

"I guess you're rubbing off on me," he laughed, standing up. "I hate to do this to you, but Seto says you should still do some busy work around the Palace. So I say, for today, just help Mana in the stables. Sometimes she'll be there all night, with a friend it'll make the work easier and faster."

"Anything for you my Pharaoh Atemu," she licked her lips as she bowed, "Under one condition."

His brow rose, "And what would that be?"

She ran up to him, pressing a gentle kiss to his cheek, "There'll be more of that when we meet tonight."

A grin rose on his face. "You drive a hard bargain," his sarcasm quite evident as he let a kiss rest on her forehead before departing.