Chapter 31: Outraged

It was evening when Dedyet arrived. She got out of the litter and walked towards the palace she grew up in, ten de Nile servants behind her.

The Lower Egyptian guards were surprised to see her returning. "Princess! You are back!"

"I certainly am."

"We- we didn't know where you were and how you vanished!"

"The only thing that matters is that I am fine, yes?"

"Where is this litter from? Who has brought you here?!"

"I would like to go inside and see my brother now. Is that okay for you? You can trust me that the people who have brought me here are absolutely peaceful."

"Oh! Of course, your highness! We are sorry that we have bothered you in such an inappropriate way..."

"You are forgiven." Dedyet smiled before walking inside.

The princess was nervous. "Set?" She called, moving towards the throne room.

And that was – without surprise – exactly where she found him.

"Dedyet! You are back!?"

"Yes. I wanted to talk to you."

"Did you finally dump this barbaric man from the other side?"

"No. We are engaged."

"What?!"

"This is what I wanted to talk to you about."

"Oh, you little slut!"

"W-what?"

"Leave the palace, you worthless traitor!"

"Set, what are you saying?!"

"I might lose my kingdom because of you!" Setpenkhamun was now yelling.

"I know… If I go, you lose a lot of power, because I have done so much to-"

"Quiet!"

"...I came here to ask you if you are willing to find a peaceful solution for this problem."

"Kill him and take over his kingdom instead!"

"You… You don't mean this seriously, do you?"

"It doesn't matter. You'd rather want me dead than him, wouldn't you?!"

"Set! I wouldn't want anyone dead! I love you as much as I love Ramses! Just in two really different ways."

"You don't even know what love is!"

"And you do?!"

"Yes! Better than you, you slut!"

"Stop insulting me! Please!"

"You bring shame over our family!"

"But Set! It's only us!"

"Well, then you bring shame over me. The people. The palace. The country."

Dedyet was hit badly by her brother's words. "I am really hurt by what you're saying," she admitted.

"What did that guy do to you that makes you claim to love him now, all of a sudden? Did he compliment you in a special way? Was that it?!"

"We've spend many romantic hours together. He even told me…" She smiled warmly, her eyes sparkling, "He even told me that he loves me more than anyone else on this world. That's really what he said!"

"Dedyet, you were there for only a few days!"

"I had to leave this place! What else could I have done? You were treating me so badly!"

"Behave in a mature way and talk to me about things. That's what you could have done!"

"That's what I'm trying to do now, but you don't seem to listen!"

He looked away from her, focusing on the palace walls. "And this is the end."

"...What?"

"This is it. One random guy managed to ruin my kingdom."

"Set, it has been ruined before. By yourself!"

"Shut your mouth!"

"Everyone makes mistakes and it's important to learn to accept them. No one is flawless. So why can't you do so, too, Set? Why can't you accept your mistakes?"

"I don't make mistakes. Only you do. By leaving me alone now. Do you have an idea what these barbaric people from the other side will do to me once my kingdom is in their hands?!"

"Please don't call the de Niles barbaric. They are very friendly people. And you can work closely by Ramses' side, as his chief adviser or so. He could teach you a lot about ruling and we could all live together! In peace. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

"No. That would be ridiculous."

Dedyet faced the ground, obviously disappointed. "It's the only idea I have."

Set suddenly sounded optimistic. "I have an idea, too!"

She looked up to him. "One that includes violence?"

"No."

"What is your idea, then?"

"How about you just forget about him?!"

"I love this man. And our kingdom is in ruins. Don't you see how the people are suffering?"

"The last thing I care about is the well-being of a worthless peasant!"

"Set. You don't understand. It's many of them. Everywhere here. And they are starving. Children are dying! Every day. Because of you."

Set began to yell again. "Lies!"

"I know that it has never been your intention, but this is the sad and harsh truth. It needs to be said."

"You don't know anything! You are a woman. A slutty one, even!"

"Set! What makes you say such a terrible thing about your own sister? I have always loved you! It's just that-"

"Loved me?! You left your safe home to travel away illegally and sleep with a man you barely know! You aren't my sister anymore."

Suddenly, Dedyet was in tears. "What?"

Her brother kept yelling. "Didn't you hear me?!"

A tear rolled down the princess' cheek.

"Oh dear Hathor!" Her brother cursed. "Stop crying!"

"Maybe it was goddess Hathor. The voice in my heart."

"You are crazy. Insane, even."

Dedyet looked him in the eyes, about to be direct. "Set. You would be the stronger king of Egypt if you wouldn't suck at ruling. You are unpopular amongst your underlings and that's why they will gladly accept any change! The people are desperate. And their land is falling apart while you sit here and watch. You are the worst king there has been so far. I am so sorry to say this, to my own brother even, but it really is the truth. If we don't do anything, Lower Egypt – our dear and loved home place – will fall into pieces. And just because of your stubbornness. There are innocent people, paying for your mistakes. Do you think that is fair?"

It were these words that made Setpenkhamun slap his sister across the face.

Several female servants gasped in the background, not believing what they had just seen.

Dedyet let a hand feel her bleeding nose, completely shocked and unable to speak.

"Leave my palace, you disgusting concubine!"

And so she left. This time, bleeding and in tears.