4 Chapter 4

Akila,

It was as if the shock, fear, and trepidation has frozen her in place.

What has passed through the day was running vividly in her mind's eye.

And how she woke up with yet again one of those panic attacks which always visited her nights.

How her heart kept beating erratically all day long. Even though her day was mundane as usual.

She woke up the same as usual after the sun rose and birds began to chirp behind her small shabby window.

She fed the two goats that her grandmother had insisted on raising to get her the cup of milk she loved.

And how she waited, watching women go about their business when she was done with all her chores and awaited for her old grandmother to rise.

All that was done with an aching chest and racing heart for no reason, still.

She doesn't even remember that night's dream, but in the back of her head; it taunted her, so she took that as a bad omen even though it was a blessed day.

Her grandmother assured her that it was nothing, but still, she felt it deep in her soul this day will be different.

But she had never thought that it will end like this or is it just the start, she wasn't sure.

After taking a quick cloth bath, she wore her long robe and black headpiece to hide her wheat-colored hair.

She doesn't like how people would stare at her because it looked strange.

If she could, she would have hidden her eyes too, but she needs them to see where she is going.

People of Thebes are not judgmental, but they are superstitious.

When they see her, they give her a wide berth and that had always made her feel rejected and an outcast.

Even though she has no choice in the matter of her eye or hair color, they even went to lengths to uncover her body to see how white she is.

Akila had tried so many times to get tanned but her skin never accepted it, she only gets so red and burned and that is all.

Throughout her life, she was called so many names, but the one she hates the most was Jackal.

The animal which feeds on rotten carcasses.

And even though they don't have green eyes but some said she has this look to her that made them feel cornered or threatened even without opening her mouth.

And that's why whenever she was outside she looked down and hid her hair and body. While having some dirt on her face and hands.

She doesn't mind looking filthy as long as she doesn't draw any unnecessary attention to herself.

And what is happening to her now is the total opposite of what she wanted or hoped for.

She came here today to pray to the goddess and give her a little offering and then head home.

Her grandmother was too old now to have such a long walk. And Akila has been doing this quick journey for several years now all by herself.

The magnificent beast rose his hackles up and Akila hugged the shaking little girl tighter to her chest.

The girl kept shivering like a small bird while Akila felt numb to the entire world.

At any moment now, the horse would kick her turned back and she would be broken into two pieces.

She said a small prayer to whomever god that was watching this and hoped that this last deed would help her go to a good place in the afterlife.

She was so poor to offer the judges anything, but at least her heart was rich and that's what all mattered.

After a few heart beats when nothing happened and no kicking or killing took place, Akila noticed the deathly silence that surrounded her.

She opened her eyes slowly and took a quick look to find that everyone was watching her.

She closed them back quickly, but again she had to open them when shaky hands parted hers.

She looked up and spoke a few words that made no sense even to her own ears but closed her mouth when she felt the shadow of someone towering over her.

Her breath hitched when her green uncertain eyes met curious honey ones.

A tall man with broad shoulders was staring intently at her that her body shivered for no reason.

"Omari, this is the last candidate. Take her to the palace."

The man who looked rich because he was dressed in silk and gold from head to toe said and Akila frowned at him, then the other one who was helping her to stand up.

She was thinking that she had seen him somewhere before that she didn't notice her head covering fall.

Murmurs began all around her, but she paid them no attention. She was adamant to remember, but suddenly she gasped in horror and dropped to her knees.

This was the pharaoh, Ramses, the fourth king of all Egypt and protector of the Nile.

She kept her forehead on the ground and began to apologize to the king and how she was disrespectful to him.

But firm hands helped her to look up, then those same strong hands parted her long light-colored hair.

"Stand Up, little Mitt. You did nothing wrong, on the contrary."

She looked up at the king and yet again their gazes collided, but she couldn't look away this time because his soft yet rough voice was luring her in.

The king again parted her hair and put it back behind her ears. So he could wipe some of the dirt that was smudged on her cheeks.

Someone in the distance cleared his throat, and the king nodded his head and left.

"Direct me to your house, little female. We need to finish this quickly so I can join my king. We have a lot to discuss."

Akila nodded her head, still not comprehending what was happening or what the king meant.

But obediently, she followed the man after telling him where she lived.

Her grandmother met her halfway when she saw them approaching and hid her behind her back.

"My lord, whatever had happened, I apologize for it and I will try to repay your inconvenience as much as I can, but please don't hurt my girl. She is still young and naïve, she knows nothing of this world we live in."

Akila scowled at her grandmother and opened her mouth to tell her that she did nothing wrong, but for the first time in her life; her grandmother glared and pushed her away.

"Nothing of the sorts had happened. I have come with great news for you. Your granddaughter has been chosen to be one of the candidates that will compete for the pharaoh's second wife position. I'm here to inform you of that."

Akila flinched away and looked at her grandmother with big wide, scared eyes.

She thought that her reward for saving that girl would be a position as a palace maid, not this.

"But... But we are no one, my lord. We are just humble, low citizens. Such a place should be occupied by one of the noble girls."

The nobleman gave her grandmother a sweet smile before responding to what she thought was a good reasoning.

"I'm afraid that our king has spoken. Your girl will come with me to the palace now. Your needs will be taken care of from this moment forward. Whether or not the girl becomes the second wife, it doesn't matter. From this moment, you two will be taken care of."

Akila Shook her head in disbelief and walked backward. She doesn't want this.

She had heard the stories about the palace and its occupants.

It wasn't a secret what had happened to the late king and how his own son and wife were killed.

No, she won't face the same fate because something like this was bound to happen.

As she walked backward slowly, planning to run away, her back hit something firm and warm.

She swallowed harshly and looked back at the huge chest of one of the royal guards, who was staring at her blankly.

"Then we will take our leave. Someone from the palace will visit you soon."

The nobleman said and nodded to the chariot that was standing on the far right.

Akila kicked and screamed as she was dragged away. She called for her grandmother, but she cried and turned her head.

And when she was secured in the chariot, her tears flowed freely. She just felt it.

Her fate is already been sealed since she had decided to help that little girl.

This was what her heart kept telling her since dawn. That is why she was uneasy and skittish.

This must be the beginning of her end, she thought as she fell and hugged her body to herself while the horse began its trek.

"Before we reach the palace, I have a few words to tell you, little female."

The man spoke as he looked down at her while guiding the horse to their destination.

"Keep your head down. Say nothing. Follow the rules. And never, ever cross paths with the queen. You are her rival now even though chances of you winning are slim or might be even impossible."

Akila buried her face between her bent knees and sobbed. She just wanted to be back home.