Chapter 42: The Queen's Quarters

As the men began to argue again, Dedyet walked over to her female 'friends' that had given the applause, a bright smile on her face.

"You must feel so special, your highness," a young woman said, her eyes sparkling. "I wish I was pregnant, too. I mean, I'm already seventeen!"

"When I had my first, I was seventeen, too," Kija confessed happily.

"By Hathor!" Dedyet said, suddenly realizing something.

The two women looked at their queen in shock. "Is… Is something wrong, your highness?"

"I just realized that I'll be seventeen too when having my baby!"

"That's so great!" Kija answered, celebrating. "It seems like the perfect age to bear the first child!"

"And once my child is there," Dedyet announced, "you can help me take care of it. We will surely need some nurses."

"Oh, I'd love to be a nurse!" Kija said, overly excited. "It's what I've always been wanting!"

"I can't wait to hold the royal baby!" One of the women spoke out, turned to the other in excitement.

Dedyet chuckled. "We will see about all that in a few months, alright? While I agree that you'd be great nurses, I think it's too early to organize that yet. I'm still...overwhelmed."

The two women smiled at each other and left the halls, eagerly discussing the future of the kingdom and palace.

Left alone with Dedyet, Kija advised, "What it's not too early for, though, is wearing special amulets and keeping your hair up! Those are two really important things to do when pregnant. They'll help keeping the demons away from the royal baby!"

Dedyet nodded, glad to be reminded of that. "Thank you, Kija. I have many amulets in my private quarters. Would you come and follow me?"

"Oh, of course!"

When they arrived, Dedyet walked inside and grabbed a little chest. She then looked over to Kija who was still standing in the door. "Uh… Don't you want to come inside?"

Kija shook her head. "This is a royal bedroom. I am not allowed to enter it."

"What nonsense. Just come in!" Dedyet said as she sat down on her bed.

"...Your husband wouldn't want that."

"Kija, please!"

"Fine. I hope no one will see us and report me…"

Kija walked inside, blushing, and stopped in front of the bed. "You must have really rare treasures in this chest, my queen."

"This is where I keep the things my mother owned before she- Oh. Nevermind."

"Oh… Okay. I'm sorry."

"Please, sit down. And stop apologizing. There is nothing you should be sorry for."

"Oh, your highness! There is no way I will touch the royal bed!"

Dedyet rolled her eyes. "I am allowing it now."

"No. It's not right."

"Fine, if you want to stand."

"We should not be in here together…"

Dedyet barely listened. Instead, she opened the chest and looked inside.

"Wow…" Kija mumbled as she saw the shimmery golden jewelry in Dedyet's hands.

"Would you tell me what of this you see as fitting?" Dedyet asked, holding out the little chest for Kija to grab.

"Y-your highness! Do you really allow me to touch your jewelry?"

"Of course. That's what we're here for, no?"

Kija nodded slowly. She grabbed the chest and carefully sorted out everything that wasn't needed. "These three amulets here are worn in pregnancy," she eventually said, holding a few ones out.

Dedyet grabbed the rare treasures and took a closer look.

"Our goddess Toeris plays an important role in this business. With wearing these, you will signalize her to protect you. We can only hope for the best. The demons are strong and willing to take any baby away. Even a little child of Ra…"

"Kija, that sounds terrible!"

"No need to be afraid, my queen. We will all pray for you and the royal child every day from now on."

"Thank you, Kija."

"Naturally."

Dedyet smiled at her. "You are such a polite woman."

"Thank you, your highness. I was taught to be."

"Please, just call me Dedyet."

"I'm not allowed to."

"Of course you are!"

Kija shook her head. "This would be rude."

"Saying 'your highness' all the time makes it seem as if I'm above you!"

The servant couldn't believe what she just heard. "But…you are!"

"Just because my father used to rule a kingdom?"

Kija nooded quickly. "Yes! And because you are the pharaoh's wife!"

"But it doesn't mean I'm better than you!"

"It does. And I don't want to rush you, my queen, but I would really much like to leave this room now. Am I allowed to leave yet?"

"So you will let me sit here all by myself?"

"Yes. No one but you and the great king are worthy of being in here."

Dedyet chuckled. "It's just a room, Kija!"

Kija blushed nervously. "It's the royal bedroom…"

"Well, these here are just my quarters. Ramses has his own ones."

"The private quarters of the king are the most sacred places to be in," Kija mumbled, her eyes widening.

"I was there already. And while I admit that it was nice, I like the garden better."

"I am so sorry to bother, but please can I leave?"

"Fine. If that makes you feel better."

"Thank you, your highness."

"Dedyet."

Kija nodded nervously.