As the curtain of night began to fall, my father wanted everyone for dinner before we all left out for the night. Iv'e never seen our table so lively with so many people. I thought we were noisy with just our family, with many others at the here its louder. People laughed and connected. I couldn't take my eyes off of Ratuk. I guess my curiosity a little peaked. I've apparently knew him since we were kids, but I can't seem to remember what kind of person he was. While dealing with this, I almost forgot my father invited Mr. Fredrick back, who some how clung to the side of the table with Shahadi. Not too surprising given Shahadi's tribe is heavily opened to trades all over the world. The only problem is Mr. Fredrick gives me the creeps. Also this time Mr. Fredrick came with a much younger guy. He loos around Ahkmad age. The guy has the same wheat colored hair has Mr. Fredrick along with green eyes that were pale. He also looked strong.
"Mr. Fredrick it was nice to have you in the kingdom again, I'd hope our little misunderstanding didn't do damaged to our built relationship." My father stated.
"Of course not King Sefti. I even had to bring my son Adam, to show him what wonders lie beyond the walls we live in." His son Adam rose and bowed to my father.
"Welcome my boy, You look around Ahkmad's age, you should go hunting with him tomorrow, it's the men favorite part of these festivals, isn't that right Ahkmad?" My brother who sat next to Ratuk, shifted his happy expression to a more on guarded look.
"Why not." Ahkmad said coldly.
Ahkmad has never treated a guest of father's like this, let alone ever made such an expression. His personality was lively and optimistic, There is something I don't know about that Ahkmad know's that is warranting this behavior. I must find out why my brother is acting oddly. I was boredom picking at my food, that I didn't directly across from me Ombte was staring at me as if he was waiting for me like an obedient puppy. I gave him a quick smile. He was the only one that seemed innocent in all of this. Could I trust him with my life? With the smile I gave him he looked down quickly. He is shy as well? Hmm how cute.
After the dinner was wrapped out everyone left into the night into the village for the festival. With the amount of people, you wouldn't believe all of these people resided in this village. Me and my siblings wore the crowns my father made for us and I took a mask that represented Hathor. Not my choice but Hotep wanted me to remain graceful with every move I made. I managed to escape the sight of my guard with a lot of hard work and entertainment for the festival. As I walked off, and found a secluded hill with a worn down house and a nearby barren tree and took a seat to watch the sky. There was so much for me to worry about and yet, no leads to solving any of it.
"Princess Aza?" I quickly turned.
Behind me as quiet as a lion Adam was behind me. How did he find me? He was suppose to be enjoying the festival.
"Ah, Prince Adam." I stated as I stood to my feet.
"Princess I am no prince, in my home we just call each other by name, no title." He crossed an arm over his chest.
"Apologies, A-Adam." I found it so weird to change my customs all for the sake of comfort for him.
"I thought I noticed you from far." He stated getting closer.
"How did you know it was me?" I asked with a hint of worry on my face.
"Your sleek figure along with that silvered hair and sun-filled eyes, who else could it had been?" Normally anyone would have known that to be a compliment , but me on the other hand just found it weird.
"I see." My voice was shaky.
"No need to be cautious with me, I am pretty easy going, See for yourself." He got closer holding out his hand to me.
"What are you doing?" I curiously asked.
"This is an acquainted greeting for 2 normal people." He stated.
As I still was processing him, He reached for my hand and I felt a touch from his, before a shadow passed me. I looked up to see a figure who wore the mask of Horus in front of me. Someone who was dressed with the robes of these lands.
"You dare put your hands on a royal figure of our lands." He placed one hand on a short sword and the other outstretched across me.
"I meant no harm to Princess Aza, I would never cross that line." Adam said in a serious tone.
I didn't noticed that we were surrounded by guards, none of mine but ones that covered their mouths, almost like-. I grabbed the mask off of the person all to reveal Ratuk, and those gleaming purple eyes. Even in the dark as we are now, they were captivating. How did he know I was here, and for how long?
"Princess, I wanted to look cool in front you a little longer." He stated with a smile.
"Prince Ratuk, surely this is not how you treat the guest of Sefti?" Something dark took a turn to Ratuk's face.
"I can't imagine how he would respond to know a foreigner touched his daughter in the dead of night, knowingly she is preparing for an engagement." Ratuk said with a provoking tone.
"Princess, You weren't afraid were you? Did you feel in danger to me?" He leaned to the side ignoring Ratuk.
"I can't say exactly -" Ratuk stood in front of me.
"You definitely shouldn't have approached her alone either, That just screams suspicion."
"And what about you, how did you know we were here, unless you were watching from far, who really has suspicious behavior?"
They reminded me of a panther and lion going head to head ready to strike each other.
"Princess Aza, I think it would be wise to return to the festival, where it is safer." Ratuk spoke.
His guards lead the way back to the festival, and Ratuk followed as well. We left Adam there who didn't seem pleased that I was taken from his presence. I was curious how Ratuk knew where we were.
"Princes Ratuk?" I called and he turned immediately to me.
"Yes princess?"
"How did you know?" I nervously asked.
"How can one call themselves a good husband if they cannot keep their wife safe?" He said it as if we were already married.
"Well what I mean is, what made you interfere?" He smiled and moved closer to my face.
"I originally was looking to spend some time with you, but instead I found you talking to him, and though I intended to keep my distance, I saw him touched you, and Instinctively I went to you."
he seemed honest.
"Why feel responsible about something so trivial as an exchanged of customs ?"
"Well I wouldn't say an exchange, and how could I watch another man lay hands on my future wife, I am a jealous man Aza." He said.
Here he was talking about respect and he even dropped the formalities with my title. Maybe Adam was right. Maybe it was more common to address others as just their name than be bothered with the title. I have lived so closed in, I can't tell what's changing in the world.
"Princess Aza." I turned to see Ombte walk over to us.
"Oh, you're here." He acknowledged Ratuk.
"Prince Ombte were you looking for me?"
"I was just going to ask if you wanted to take a walk down the village." He rubbed the back of his neck.
He seemed nervous to ask me.
"Oh, I-" Ratuk started speaking.
"I just got her, I didn't think she would have gotten stolen this quickly." He spoke.
What was this feeling I felt before. They both were sharing a gaze that I seemed to be left out of.
"Ombte I would like to walk with you." I stated as I began walking toward him.
"Just as I began to express my feelings, well I guess it can't be helped, I don't intend to give my time up again so easily, so enjoy this freebie." Ratuk said and he turned away followed by his guards into the festival.
He is going to annoying, I can smell it in the air, and he's Ahkmad's childhood friend, so he must be a good guy. For sure he was witty and straightforward, this could be positive and a negative, he was a wildcard but I just don't know if that will be good or bad for me.