Chapter 52: Thinking of the future

Another two months had passed. Dedyet's life was far from normal. Her complete day revolved around sleeping, eating, peeing and experiencing pain. And that again and again. Daily.

There were times when she thought of her brother. She hadn't heard from him all this time. Was he fine wherever he was? Had she been too harsh? Maybe if he would know that his sister was pregnant, he would start to care and show insight?

Ramses and his sister had actually made up. Apparently, their underlying love for each other was stronger than the love Setpenkhamun had felt for Dedyet. The queen was incredibly happy for Neferia and Ramses, but also sort of…jealous? Her only sibling – gone. Her parents? Gone as well. She was so grateful for her life and the lucky circumstances. But there were still some things, always managing to get her down…

Every servant and nurse was panicking on a daily basis. They were panicking…because of her. It was sweet that others were so protective. Yet it could be annoying. Dedyet was just glad that the wet nurse debate with her husband had come to an end and they had agreed on not hiring one.

The royal couple was sitting in the garden, looking at the hut that had been newly built for Dedyet to give birth in.

"Our son will be born in March," Ramses stated, obviously determined.

"Hun? I have a question."

"What's your question, Love?"

"Why are you so sure it's a boy? You've told me it's just a strong feeling, but I don't buy that. Have the gods said it in your prayers?"

"Why are you so sure it's not a boy?"

"I'm not. It's just that the test I've done states something different."

"I have talked to my mother about it. She has told me that these kinds of tests aren't accurate enough for royalty to believe."

Dedyet rolled her eyes. "Royalty, royalty…"

"Yes. That's what we are."

"So much has happened the past year," Dedyet mumbled, not wanting to debate the 'royalty vs commoners' topic another time.

"Yes. The gods have wanted change."

"After birth, when will your family visit?"

"As soon as you can handle it."

Dedyet chuckled. "You know, I wish my family could come, too. And I wish Kija would see her children and parents again. I also wish that there was no poverty and violence anymore."

"In Egypt, you mean?"

"In the whole world."

"Egypt is the whole world!"

Dedyet chuckled.

"Dying out of Egypt is absolutely scary to think of!"

"I agree. But that doesn't mean that others don't deserve peace, too. Do you remember how we've fought racism?"

He gave her a questioning look. "No?"

She elbowed him with a smile. "Lower and Upper Egypt."

"You mean Upper and Lower Egypt. Upper comes first."

Dedyet rolled her eyes. "Why for Ra's sake would Upper Egypt come first?"

He looked at her, a smirk on his face.

"Now don't tell me that's because it's 'superior'."

"The de Niles have been born there. Let's not forget about that."

"Let not forget that the de Niles are not the center of the world."

"They are! That's the point!"

"I can't believe I fell in love with someone who's so stubborn." She smirked and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Ramses stared at the distance. "And I can't believe I'll be a father in less than a month."