Pharaoh: There you have it, councilman. Prince Nkosi has spoken *To Nkosi* Then, brother, you have until the harvest to produce me this promised bride. May the gods bless you on your travels. Though I ask of you that you would allow your servant to accompany you. However, until this week has passed…
*The young man tickled the child, giving him affectionate pecks on the forehead and cheeks*
Pharaoh: ...You shall be with me, receiving the affection of you elder brother. Does this sund fair, my brave Majai?
*The boy caught his breath, trying to regain his composure despite the giggles breaking from his lips*
Nkosi: This is adequate. If it pleases Pharaoh, then let it be so.
*The young prince hopped from the throne, leaning in to embrace the Pharaoh in one final hug before rushing over to Nubia, tugging her away in order to prepare for his self proclaimed ‘mission’. The Pharaoh watched, resting his chin on his fist, a grin painting his lips*
Pharaoh: This should be interesting.
………..
*Taking a break from the story to soothe her dry throat with a sip of tea, Rodessa could hear the sound of her partner laughing from the other end of the phone. She couldn’t help but grin. She knew that kind of story would be right up his ally - the pale haired man tended to find such antics amusing and she had seen him actively encouraging such impish behaviour elsewhere.
(Not to mention that she had missed hearing that laugh. Suave as he always presented himself, Rodessa knew he was a big dork at heart.)*
Huxian: ...Pft!!! Cute! Ahahaha! And here I thought she was bad! No, No! Ah, my sides! I thought that little girl was territorial, but this? Ahaha!
Rodessa: Cute, righ- wait. *Deeper Voice* What little girl?
*Though Rodessa couldn’t see it, Huxian waved off the question with a hand, even as he wiped tears of mirth from his eyes with the other*
Huxian: Hahaha….no, it’s nothing. Though, I guess...there was this girl I once knew. She was pretty attached to one of my friends. She would even say they’d get married one day. It was adorable! So, the funny thing is, every time the girls tried to flirt with him...well, I’m just going to say that Nkosi kid, what he did there? I can see her doing. Hahaha!
*From the other end of the line, Rodessa heard a loud thud, which only caused a slight blip in the hysterical giggling from the other end, which seemed a little further away than before.*
Rodessa: ...Let me guess. You fell off the bed.
Huxian: Haha...maybe?
Rodessa: *Deadpan* Dumbass...Oh, there’s more stories, if you want to hear them?
Huxian: *Wide Grin* Sure.
*Pulling himself back onto the bed, Huxian made sure to settle a little closer to the middle, just in case the next story had him in stitches again. Snuggling into the plush blankets, he pulled the communicator closer so he could hear clearly*
Huxian: Ok, hit me.
*He could hear Rodessa clear her throat at the other end of the line*
Rodessa: Well, there’s not really much recorded for that week leading up to Nkosi’s journey, but there was some documents that apparently belonged to the Pharaoh that record the last day together and it’s one of the cutest things I’ve read in awhile
Huxian: Oh? What do you mean?
Rodessa: Well...
….
*The night was waning and, but for the odd movement of those unlucky enough to have been assigned night watch, the royal camp was still. Only one of the tents was still lit - that belonging to the Pharaoh. A single small flame flickering in the centre of the room, casting a warm glow against the canvas backdrop where shadows danced. Both Pharaoh and young brother were curled tightly together, the younger pressed against the elder, as if to ward off the desert night chill, but was otherwise fast asleep. The Pharaoh, on the other hand, slowly came to, eyes flickering as he glanced down as the small child, a fond smile touching his lips. Not only was he snuggling closer, but he could see the child was also sucking on his thumb.
Pharaoh [Inner Thoughts]: Ah, if only he knew how cute he was being. He’d be so flustered. Adorable child.
*As much as he wished to allow the boy to sleep longer, they unfortunately had much to attend to. Gently, he kissed the top of the boy’s head, feeling the child stir.*
Pharaoh: We should wake now, Nkosi.
*The boy started to roll over, as if silently denying the suggestion. The Pharaoh bit back a grin*
Pharaoh: Nkosi? Ra is beginning his journey. We should great him.
Nkosi: MNNN!!!
Pharaoh: *Chuckle* Ah...nothing else I can do...thirty more minutes.
Voice: You spoil him, my Pharaoh.
*The voice was quiet, despite the words, as if not to disturb the child’s sleep. Ducking into the tent, the owner of the voice - the familiar figure of Nubia - made her way to where the two brothers lay.*
Nubia: It will make things more complicated once we set off.
*Though her words were a reminder of what was to come, her tone was gentle. The Pharaoh glanced down at the boy in his arms, gently running a hand over his shorn head*
Pharaoh: *Soft chuckle* I know...though...I can’t help it. Look how cute he is.
Nubia: Which is precisely why the young prince is the way he is. My Pharaoh, you are like a doting father, did you know that?
*The Pharaoh sighed a little, eyes lowering to the boy once more, ringers brushing over the braid at the nape of his neck, a little of the humour fading from his eyes*
Pharaoh: I know...Forgive me. I...can’t help it. We are all we have left since our lord father and mother journeyed to the Land of the Dead. I need to raise him with all the love our parents can no longer provide...as well as do my duty and bring prosperity to our country. It is why I need you, Nubia.
*The woman in question lowered her gaze slightly from her Pharaoh’s earnest expression, feeling a faint heat in her cheeks, unable to meet his gaze until she could compose herself once more. Finally, she cleared her throat*
Nubia: It is why I am here. I teach the young prince the way of the people, how to survive the poisonous asps that lay in wait within the courts, the kindness and chaos of mortal men, and the way to defend himself from such. And you, my Pharaoh...you teach him what it means to rule.
We both have our burdens to bear. We both have our demons, but…
*She leaned over to the young child, kissing his cheeks. The boy’s eyes fluttered open, heavy lidded from sleep as she scooped him into her arms. His tiny limbs snaked around her neck as he settled against her, breathing in her scent as he nuzzled closer. With Nkosi in her arms, Nubia continued*
Nubia: ...I know that we are barely in the realms of adulthood ourselves, no matter how we are told we are of age. We have no one to guide us, so our judgements, our shortcomings...they’re all….*Shaking her head* No, I won’t say too much. As long as I...as we are able to raise this child into a great man, that is enough for me.
Pharaoh: It is almost like we are his parents.
Nubia: *Flustered* W-well! No! I mean...yes? No. No! Why would you say that?!?
*Admittedly the Pharaoh had initially spoken an observation, but seeing his friend and guard becoming so flustered he couldn’t help but gently tease her a little*
Pharaoh: *Fake Innocence* Ah? Would it be so bad, Nubia?
Nubia: My Pharaoh, please! You take the joke too far! What if one of your suitors overheard?
*The Pharaoh, however, waved off the protest with a hand, fixing her with a look*
Pharaoh: What the suitors think is not my concern. *Smiles* My wife is to be chosen by ‘The Great Nkosi’, remember? I shall entertain the women that have traveled to gain my favour, but ultimately, I have no interest in them. Nor do I see myself shackled in a marriage to one I have no feelings for. No. The woman that my brother chooses for me...I trust he will find me one who is worthy.
Nubia: ...You trust a child with the future of the nation?
Pharaoh: I trust my brother with that future, Nubia. Please, I ask that you do not doubt your young charge. What he lacks in years, he makes up for in his near instinctive sense of justice. He may not know intellectually why those three raised his hackles. However, I do.
Nubia: Why? They just seemed like-
*The young ruler raised a finger, cutting off the young guard, his expression serious*
Pharaoh: The first candidate: While it is true she hales from a wealthy household, nobility in her own right, what she and those backing her seek is not the good of the people, but how far their influence can grow. What better way than to crawl into the bed of the Pharaoh?
*He holds up a second finger.*
Pharaoh: Candidate two: It is easy to see from her attire. Did you notice? Adorned in jewels and extravagance. Were I to rule with her as my Great Wife, though she was noted for her intelligence and beauty, she would eat through the people’s tax money within the year just for the chance to wear foreign silks.
*He held up a third finger.*
Pharaoh: And finally, candidate three. While she seems approachable and as with the others, beautiful and from a good family, she is but a pampered princess. While the airheadedness would be...cute, for a time... for a monarch? No. What I need is someone who can rule at my side. A mother to our people, not just a bearer of my heirs.
Nubia: I… had never thought of it that way.
*The Pharaoh lowered his hand, giving her a faint smile, a silent acknowledgement that she understood why he could not trust that his council knew best for whom he should marry. Nothing more truly needed to be said on the subject. Oh, true, he didn’t delude himself into thinking Nubia would fully trust Nkosi’s decision yet, but it was a start.
Still…*
Pharaoh: Once again you focus all your attentions on Nkosi. Once again you neglect me. Are you not my playmate, Nubia?
Nubia: My Pharaoh, you know we-
Pharaoh: *Tensely* My Name.
Nubia: Excuse me, my Pha-
Pharaoh: Nubia… There is only us here. Please...say it? Say my name, like you used to back then.
Nubia: ...Amen…
*The Pharaoh, Amen, relaxed a little, a fond smile crossing his face. It had been so long since he had heard his name, since he had become the ruler of his nation. He had...missed it.*
Amen: Good. When we are alone like this, use it. I don’t need to give you permission for something like that.
Nubia: Yes my… yes, Amen. I’ll try to remember that.
*A small smile graced her lips as the small boy in her arms finally decided to open his bright eyes and stared up at her.*
[END]
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