Chapter 8: Hugs and apologies
Ramses looked at his bloody fist, realizing what he had done. Setpenkhamun broke down, the servant by his side. Around them was a bloody mess.
The prince though was a coward. He left quickly, running after Dedyet.
"Wait! My princess!"
He was fast enough to see her disappearing in a room and slowly walked after her.
Inside was a sobbing princess, sitting on her bed, the face buried in her hands.
Ramses closed the door in a quiet way, glad to be alone with her. "I'm so sorry."
As there was no answer coming, he allowed himself to sit down next to her. "I am sorry," Ramses repeated.
"I can't believe this just happened," she said, sobbing.
"I'm here for you." He laid his hand on her back.
"Why did you slap him?"
A short moment of silence.
"He… he threatened you."
Dedyet finally looked up. Her makeup was completely ruined. "That's just how he is."
"That's just how he is? He threatens you on a daily basis?!"
"No…"
"I want to help you."
"But you don't belong here."
His heart was slowly breaking. "W-what?"
"You don't belong here. I think my brother has shown that to you already…"
"But… I have to stay."
She looked him in the eyes. "Why?"
"I have met someone special throughout this journey."
"I think that's none of my business. It's probably best if you just…" She sighed. "…leave."
He looked at her. "Do you want me to go?"
She faced the ground. "It doesn't matter what I want."
"Dedyet. You matter so much."
She smiled sadly. "Thank you."
"Can I be honest with you?"
"If that's what's best for you, then absolutely."
"I don't know if it's best for me. But I have to let you know."
The princess seemed interested. "Yes?"
Ramses gulped. But sometimes you have to be brave even if it's only for a second. And so he said it. "You are in fact the most beautiful woman I have ever been allowed to lay my eyes onto."
And what came next was a warm and happy smile. And a blush.
He smiled as well.
The room turned quiet again before Dedyet spoke up, blushing even more than before. "Is it weird that I… Is it weird that I want to hug you now?"
"Not at all," he answered quietly.
And so the two hugged each other tightly.
Several seconds and a beautiful hug later, the room went quiet another time.
"So… How is it going in Upper Egypt?" Dedyet eventually asked, trying to make the feeling of awkwardness go away, pretending that she hadn't just hugged a complete stranger.
"It… It is good," he told her, nodding.
She smiled. "And… Is your father a good ruler?"
Ramses smirked. "The best one there ever was. But that's because my time didn't come yet."
Dedyet laughed.
"But don't tell my father I said that."
"You are cocky." She smirked at him. "But I think the inside is different."
He looked up to her in surprise. "The inside?"
"Your inside! The most important thing about a person!"
"The heart?"
"Not quite."
"The heart is undoubtedly the most important organ. I'm sure of it."
"But I don't mean the heart."
"What is it that you mean?"
"The soul and its beauty." She smiled warmly.
"Oh! You mean the stunning appearance and beauty of Egyptian royalty!"
"No."
Ramses was obviously more than surprised.
She looked at him and she said, "Beauty isn't about having a pretty face. It's about having a pretty mind, a pretty heart and a pretty soul."
He looked at her, speechless.
Dedyet blushed. "Oh! It's just… It's a quote my mother once- Oh… Let's just forget about it." She smiled awkwardly.
Ramses raised an eyebrow. This really did make him curious. Dedyet was not older than sixteen! And she lived in this palace with her brother and small groups of servants! Where even were all the people?
"Dedyet?"
"Yes?"
"Can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"Your parents. Where are they?"
A long pause. "They aren't in the palace…"
"But where are they then?"
Dedyet faced the ground. The room turned quiet once again.
"I don't want to talk about it."
"Oh! I- Err- I'm sorry!"
"It's fine. You didn't know."
Ramses looked away, cursing his stubbornness. Yes. He had definitely ruined it.