Chapter 38: A holy decision
Breakfast passed. Days passed. Even weeks passed. It was lucky for Ramses that his lie about Dedyet's pregnancy seemed to be forgotten. The royal wedding was supposed to happen in a few days and both kingdoms were excited. The people living in Lower Egypt were happily waiting for the change that would happen. Maybe finally they'd live in peace.
There were also bad news, though. Setpenkhamun was not planning a revenge – there was nothing he could do –, that wasn't it. But Ramses' father – Egypt's current pharaoh – was in a really bad state of health.
Ramses sat down on a chair that stood next to his father's bed. When he spoke, his voice cracked. "Will you… Will you be able to attend my wedding, Father?"
"My son," the ill king spoke, "I do not think that I will. My health will not improve."
"But the doctors said that-"
"It doesn't matter what any doctor says, my son. The gods have already spoken."
Ramses didn't answer.
"Haven't you looked on the calendar? I will soon attend my journey into the underworld!"
"Father." Ramses sighed and faced the ground. "You can get better. I know it."
"Stop talking such nonsense!"
"Please don't raise your voice! Your lungs are already exhausted enough by the illness inside your body."
"I am going to die."
"Father, please don't say such-"
"Do you know what you're supposed to do?!"
"Once you're gone, you mean?"
"Obviously, yes."
"I do. I have been preparing my whole life. Ruling is my destiny. I swear, Father, I won't disappoint you."
"Good, then go now. Talk to your soon wife and comfort her."
"Just like our kingdom, Dedyet is incredibly worried about you. It's so bad that she can't sleep at night and won't leave the temples, too busy praying."
"That's why I said you should comfort her. Tell her when I'll die so that she is informed praying won't help me."
"I-"
"Go now."
"I'd rather spend this evening with you. It might be the last one we have left…"
"It won't! You fool! How often do I have to repeat it?! The day isn't today!"
A sudden realization came to mind. "It's two days after our wedding," Ramses spoke out in shock, starring at the distance.
"Exactly. You will marry, unite Egypt and then become pharaoh after my death, to be the first one to rule over this big land. This is it. This is what the gods have decided."