The days that followed felt heavy with anticipation for Naiya. She had grown increasingly fond of Ramose, enjoying the rare moments they spent together. There was an ease in his presence that made her feel less like an outsider in this foreign land. And yet, despite their conversations and the laughter they shared, something about him remained just beyond her grasp—an enigmatic quality that hinted at something more, something hidden.
It was on the evening of a lavish banquet at the Menkara palace that Naiya would finally learn the truth about Ramose.
The grand hall was filled with music, the clinking of goblets, and the murmur of noble conversation. Lords, ladies, and foreign dignitaries were in attendance, all adorned in their finest garments, their voices mingling in a symphony of the powerful and the elite. Naiya stood at the edge of the hall, observing the scene, her eyes searching for something familiar in a sea of faces. The grand chandeliers above cast a soft glow, and the distant sounds of laughter and merriment seemed so far removed from her own silent thoughts.
"Enjoying the evening?"
Naiya turned to find Ramose standing beside her, his usual easy smile on his face. He looked striking in his military tunic, a stark contrast to the formality of the event. His dark eyes met hers, and for a moment, she was lost in their depths, feeling that familiar pull that had only grown stronger over the past few weeks.
"I am," she said, her voice a bit softer than she intended. "Though I still can't get used to all this grandeur."
He chuckled. "It is overwhelming at first, I admit. But you'll get used to it. In time."
"Maybe," she replied, glancing around the room. "It all feels so… unreal."
Ramose followed her gaze, his expression thoughtful. "It must be difficult. But you are not alone in this. If you ever need a familiar face, you know where to find me."
Naiya smiled faintly, touched by his words. They stood together in comfortable silence for a moment, until a voice cut through the air, drawing their attention.
"Ramose! There you are."
They turned to see a tall, imposing figure approaching—a man dressed in royal finery, his face sharp and regal. There was a certain air of authority about him that immediately captured Naiya's attention. As he drew closer, his gaze locked with Ramose's, and the two men shared a look that spoke volumes—one of familiarity, respect, and perhaps something more.
"Ramose," the man said, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. "I see you've found your favorite companion again."
Ramose's eyes flickered toward Naiya, as if hesitating for a moment. "Yes, my lord," he said with a slight bow. "This is Naiya, adopted daughter of Lord Menkara and Lady Netira."
Naiya offered a polite curtsy. "A pleasure to meet you, my lord."
The man's eyes narrowed slightly, and his gaze lingered on her for a beat longer than necessary. There was something almost calculating in his expression, but it quickly vanished, replaced by a warm smile. "The pleasure is mine. I'm Prince Seti, eldest son of Pharaoh Akhenaten."
Naiya's heart skipped a beat at the mention of his title. Prince Seti. She had heard whispers of his name in the palace, but she had not yet had the privilege of meeting him in person. Her thoughts raced as she tried to process the revelation.
"Prince Seti," she echoed, her voice betraying a hint of surprise.
Ramose glanced at her with a raised brow, as though he were waiting for something. But Naiya was too stunned to respond. Prince Seti, the eldest son of Pharaoh Akhenaten—this was a man of the highest power in Egypt, the future ruler of the land.
But what did this have to do with Ramose?
The prince turned to Ramose, his expression softening. "I trust you've been keeping yourself occupied, my friend."
Ramose smiled, though it was a small, almost guarded smile. "As much as I can, my lord."
For a moment, the two men shared a look that seemed to carry an unspoken understanding. Naiya could not help but feel like an outsider in this brief exchange, as if she had stumbled upon something important that she wasn't meant to know.
"Ramose, you've been a great asset to the royal army," Prince Seti said, his voice rich with approval. "I'm sure your presence will be missed when you leave for the front lines again."
Naiya's head spun. Leave? Ramose was going to war?
Before she could voice her confusion, the prince turned back to her, his smile returning. "I hope to see more of you, Naiya. You are a most intriguing presence in the palace."
Naiya offered a polite smile, though her thoughts were far from her lips. The prince's words hung in the air, and before she could gather herself, he was already turning to greet other guests, leaving her standing there, trying to make sense of the exchange.
Ramose watched the prince leave before turning back to Naiya, his expression unreadable. "I'm sure you have questions," he said quietly.
Naiya nodded, her mind racing. "Ramose, who are you really? The prince called you his friend, but…"
Ramose's smile faded, and he sighed softly. "I suppose I can't hide it forever."
He looked at her for a long moment, as though considering how much to reveal. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and steady. "I am not just a soldier in the royal army. I am… someone very close to the royal family."
Naiya's heart skipped again, her mind whirling. "You're not just a soldier?" she echoed, the pieces of the puzzle slowly starting to fit together.
"No," Ramose said quietly. "I am Prince Ramose, second son of Pharaoh Akhenaten."
The world seemed to tilt beneath Naiya's feet. She stared at him, speechless, as the realization dawned on her. Ramose—the man she had been spending so much time with, confiding in—was not just a soldier. He was a prince. And not just any prince—he was the brother of Prince Seti, the future Pharaoh of Egypt.
The silence between them stretched long and heavy as Naiya processed the truth, her thoughts a tangled mess.
Ramose looked at her, his expression serious. "I didn't want to reveal my identity right away. I wanted you to see me for who I am, not for my title. But now that you know, I hope you can understand that I care for you, Naiya. I'm not just a prince in this moment. I'm a man who has been… drawn to you."
Naiya swallowed hard, the weight of his confession settling on her chest. She had no words to respond, only the steady beat of her heart to remind her that everything had just changed.