2 Chapter 2
Rameses 4th,
The grand throne room was full of ministers and high-ranking nobles.
They were in a heated discussion and each one tried to convince the other that his proposition would be the best for the good of Egypt and its people.
Ramses, looked around him in boredom, the great hall was indeed magnificent, he thought.
From its huge beautiful lotus crowned columns to the marble floors that took years to gather and polish to be this shiny.
His father Ramses the 3rd made sure that this specific room won't match any other.
He hand picked everything even the vibrant colors that were used to make these beautiful paintings.
That blue one especially cost him a fortune but the previous king didn't care.
This room was the living proof of his power and great reign. Anyone who enters it for an audience with the king would shiver from the atmosphere that it exuded.
Ramses fidgeted a little on his throne even though the ostrich billow that separated between him and the unforgiving precious metal didn't take the bite of its hardness.
He needed to speak to someone to make him something thicker, at this point he doesn't care for how ugly it would look as long as his bottom doesn't hurt like that.
Annipe, his sister and wife tried to disguise her open mouth as she yawned.
She never cared about what happened in such meetings but it is the tradition that she sat on his right during any audience.
He has another chair on his left for his heir which was still empty.
He looked away because that topic always saddened him and he can't help it.
He has been married to his sister since he was fifteen, going thirty now and he still didn't secure the royal bloodline.
Each time the gods blessed them with pregnancy there was a miscarriage.
At first, he didn't care because, to be honest with himself he didn't want to have any kids with his sister but now he is getting old.
It doesn't matter that his sister's mother the second wife of the previous king had a coup with her eldest son and tried to assassinate his father.
And it doesn't matter that after his father passed away and the traitors met their demise, he had to marry his half-sister.
It was the Egyptian customs to preserve the royal bloodline and neither the gods nor the people care about it.
To everyone Ramses the fourth was the voice of gods on earth, he is the god king.
"Your highness, they are asking for your attention."
Ramses, almost flinched when his friend and advisor Omari tried to drag him out of this vortex of thoughts.
He looked up at his annoying friend that was on his left then back at the men who were staring at him openly.
"Speak up your mind."
He said in a bored tone after he leaned his right cheek on his arm that was propped on one of the throne's rests.
"Your highness, the great king of all of Egypt; we know that this isn't our place to discuss such a personal matter but your subjects are worried and agitated."
One of the nobles that wore gold from head to toe spoke calmly and the king suppressed a smirk when he saw him fix his small robe around his waist.
His belly was so big that the poor fabric couldn't hold it. It was because of food and ale; the man did basically nothing but that.
"And what do my people want? I'm obliged to calm their worries and make them happy; I'm here to serve them."
The pharaoh spoke honestly making the men nod in approval and murmur quietly among themselves.
"Thank you, my king, then please let this humble man tell you what your people want."
The man said those words and stood there silently, sweat began to cover every visible part of his body.
"We want to ask you to get a second wife, your highness. It has been fifteen years with no success, you must secure an heir."
Ramses couldn't hide his surprise after what he had heard. He knew that this issue would arise soon but he thought that they would be discreet about it, not discuss it openly here as so many people were present.
He opened his mouth to ask him what else when the queen beside him stood up angrily.
"How dare you ask for such a thing in front of me? I should have your head for this insult, peasant."
The man flinched away and fell on his hands and knees when the queen walked toward him with murder in her eyes.
Ramses sighed tiredly, today especially he felt so drained and tired this situation wasn't helping either.
"Enough, queen Annipe. The man didn't ask for something uncommon. It is the pharaoh's right to have more than one wife. Are you trying to deny me this?"
He asked the enraged woman making her pause in the middle of slapping the nobleman.
She turned around to glare at him but when she saw his narrowed eyes and clenched jaw, her features smoothed and she elegantly bowed her head to him.
"Who am I to deny the god king anything? I'm just a simple jealous wife, husband. Please understand."
Ramses almost huffed a laugh at her show of obedience. Everyone in court knows how their relationship is and that it wasn't even built on acceptance not to mention love.
The king gave her a fake smile as she reclaimed her previous place then looked back at his officials.
"Continue please, and what is your solution for this dilemma of mine?"
He asked honestly because he was confused, sure these hungry for power men have again out of such proposition.
"We have thought that we might provide you with suitable candidates your highness, any official or noble who had a daughter of suitable age would offer her for you and you can choose."
Aha, and here it is. These are their true colors, that is what they want after all.
He stood up and stretched his body almost groaning when his back cracked.
He has been sitting on that cursed chair since morning and it is almost time for the second meal.
"I take it that you already have your list prepared?"
The man grinned victoriously at him and almost ran to hand him a piece of papyrus.
Omari took the three steps that separated the throne from the floor where the man stopped and bowed offering the piece of paper.
His advisor returned to stand behind him and after a few breathes he spoke.
"There are six girls here, your highness. And they all are from prominent families."
The king hummed as he observed those greedy mortals. Power-hungry indeed.
"Is Babu's daughter among them?"
The king asked no one in particular as he looked the man in the eye who on his behalf composed himself.
"I'm afraid not my king."
The king hummed again and descended then he walked toward the man who he mentioned.
"Why Babu? Do you think that your daughter is better than me or that position is beneath her?"
The nobleman dropped instantly to his knees and spoke in a firm but an honest voice.
"We don't deserve such an honor, my king, my reasons are totally personal and it is not my right to mention them. I asked my daughter and she said she would better be somewhere else serving the kingdom."
The king was silent for a moment then he burst out laughing, he always respected that man and his courage.
And even though he wanted to give an official title and name him a minister the man refused saying positions and titles corrupt one's soul.
"Stand up Babu. With all due respect, if your daughter had accepted I would have refused her, the woman might kill me in my sleep if I offended her somehow."
The man stood up and chuckled with the king because it was the truth.
Babu has one daughter only and he dotted on her. The young female liked to play with swords and ride big horses.
She sometimes would spar with the king since they were so young, and the entire court was convinced that these two were definitely in love.
The king nodded his head at the man who has always supported him since the death of his father.
He helped him to heal and always gave him the advice he needed, he was like a second father to him.
Ramses walked back to his throne then he looked at his wife who was on the verge of storming out of the throne hall.
"It is settled then, queen. I will let you choose my second wife, you are free to test them and choose the best among them. You have till the end of Opet festival."
He said then turned to address the men who were all big smiles and glinting eyes.
Why wouldn't they? One of them will be the king's new father-in-law, a title that held a massive power in court.
"But I will add one more girl, I will be choosing her and you have no right to question me or my motives."
Silence dropped suddenly in the cheerful room and the king grinned, now let us sees what you all will do next.
