Chapter 39: One last sunset
A few days later.
Ramses felt as if he was carrying a huge amount of weight on his shoulders. He was now a married prince and had given thousands of people a happier life. Setpenkhamun (who will eternities later call himself 'Spookenkhamun') had refused to ever see his sister again. Somehow, he had disappeared within several days.
However, nothing of that was on Ramses' mind, these few days after his wedding. Several priests were preparing a huge crowning ceremony, but Ramses – standing on his royal balcony – wasn't ready for any of it.
"Dedyet?"
Standing next to him, she looked at him with a sweet smile, wearing a see-through linen dress. Mild wind was blowing through her hair. "Mhm?"
But Ramses didn't answer.
"What is it, Honey?"
"I'm just really… I don't know."
"You are surely overwhelmed, right?"
"Yes."
"And… Something else, too?"
"In love."
She smiled once again.
"But that's not it."
"What is it then?"
"Do you remember when you told me that in a marriage people had to… talk about their worries?"
"It helps the heart to heal."
She saw the look in his eyes. As if something, deep inside of him, was breaking.
Dedyet was concerned. "What's wrong, my love?"
He took a deep breath. "I told you about how my father thought he would die on this certain day, right?"
"And that he was too ill to attend our wedding, yes. I haven't seen him in a long time. Is he fine?"
"I don't know it."
"But you've spoken to him yesterday?"
"But not today."
"...What do you mean?"
"It's just…"
"Yes?"
"The day he thought he'd die… Have I ever given you the date?"
"No. You have never."
"Well… It's today."
For a moment, there was silence.
"Hun… I'm so sorry. I didn't know!"
"Dedyet."
"Yes?"
He looked deep into her eyes, asking, "Do you think he will die?"
Silence, before... "I only know one thing. The gods, whenever they want it… it will happen."
Ramses didn't answer.
"I know how losing a parent feels like. But you should know, Hun, you are never alone. I'm always with you. I've always been. And I'll always be, no matter what comes."
"Thank you, Dedyet," he answered, his voice cracking, "I appreciate it."
The lovers stood on their balcony and watched how the sun went down. "The day is ending…" Ramses mumbled.
The atmosphere was ruined by Ramses' future chief adviser, who suddenly stood behind them and said, "Sire. Your father has died."