Chapter 30: Silly distractions
He opened the door to his bedroom quietly. Ramses walked inside, seeing that his girlfriend was already asleep. He undressed and went to bed himself – carelessly, without his servants preparing him – thinking about what his father had told him. He didn't want to force Dedyet into anything! He didn't want her to end up unhappy! But his father's will was strong and uniting Egypt was something Ramses really wanted, too. It would be a historical event happening because of him!
Once in bed, he looked at his soon wife. He only saw her back, but even that part of her body was a truly beautiful one. How would he manage to make her stay here tomorrow? Was she – Hathor forbid – not sure about the marriage?
Ramses woke up the next morning, having Dedyet sit on his lap.
"Good morning," she said sweetly. "You are a long sleeper, are you?" The princess chuckled.
His eyes widened, immediately thinking of his father's words. "I see you are already dressed, my love."
"Yes. Have you forgotten that I want to leave today? We have talked about it yesterday."
"Err, well. How about you stay here for a little while longer and meet all the servants? It will most likely be them who will prepare you for our wedding."
"What about my actual servants? The ones in the palace in Lower Egypt?"
"They can work for us too, if you want them to."
"Will we move out of this palace and have a completely new one?"
"Yes. We will live wherever you want in the country and start our own family. It's all really exciting, isn't it?"
"I'm not so sure..."
"About marrying me?"
"No! Ramses, I love you. And I want to marry you, too. If it just wasn't for the pressure…"
"What pressure?"
"I want to be alone with you. Alone in our palace, and live in peace. Without all this...stress."
"But that's how it'll be in only a few weeks!"
"Hmm… I think you don't understand me. But that's fine." She smiled weakly. "You don't have to understand or agree with everything I think or say."
"But... I do!"
"Hun... Would you mind if I left already?"
"D-don't! Don't go!"
"What? Why not?"
"I don't want you to leave. It's because…I love you so much."
She smiled. "I love you very much, too, but you know, we will see each other again soon. And we can always write letters, too!"
"Mh."
"Is there anything wrong?"
"I think my father still wants to talk to you."
"Oh, I don't think anyone else but us is awake yet. We went to sleep quite early, you remember?"
"Do you think I should come with you?"
"No…"
"No?"
"I want to talk to my brother alone, I think. It's probably for the better."
"What will you tell him?"
"That we are engaged."
"And what else?"
"I will see, okay?"
"Okay…"
"You said your servants will bring me?"
"Uh, no."
"No?"
"Oh, err, do you hear that?"
The rooms were quiet.
"What?"
"I said 'Do you hear that?'," Ramses repeated loudly, desperately attempting to buy some time.
"I have heard you the first time, too, Honey. But the halls seem quiet."
"It's probably the cat."
"What cat?"
"The cat in the palace."
"Oh, there's a cat in the palace?"
"Yes, yes! You should meet her now! Like, immediately!"
"Why are you so weird to me?"
"Oh, just because... I think you like cats!"
Dedyet smiled, obviously confused. "Well, who doesn't like cats?"
"I know a story of someone who doesn't! Do you want to hear it?"
"No, tha-"
"Once upon a time, there was...a grumpy lady. She was grumpy, because one day, her cat left and-"
"Oh, I almost forgot!"
"Forgot what?"
"That I want to leave!" She gave him a kiss.
"N-no! Dedyet!"
Dedyet seemed slightly annoyed as she turned back to Ramses. "What is it now?"
"...I want to sleep with you."
Her eyes widened. "Now?"
"Yes."
"Sorry, I really have to go early. The journey takes so long, you know?"
"Have you travelled often? How many times eaxctly?"
Dedyet rolled her eyes before standing up. "That's it, Ramses."
"What?"
"I'm leaving."
"But-"
"Whatever you were trying to do, it didn't work."
"Dedyet!"
"Goodbye, my love."