Chapter 10 : My First dance for you
2130 Words
Kadesh Palace, nine o'clock in the morning.
All the people of Kadesh rejoiced and gathered to celebrate Ankhamun's wedding. The palace was very well decorated and extraordinarily beautiful, the bride was still on her way.
Ankhamun was dressed, the man was ready to welcome his future wife. There was no smile on his face, among the sea of people who were waiting for his presence, among all the people who were happy because their prince was getting married, Ankhamun did not feel the slightest pleasure.
Jamal, Zephyr, Ahmanet, Assad, Salimah, Haya, Ellea, prince Fatih, and all his family from Egypt were waiting for Ankhamun in the wedding hall. While the groom himself was still silent in his room, accompanied by Tahtah.
"Will I be able to love her someday, Tahtah?"
Ankhamun is nervous. He had faced all kinds of enemies in his duties, he never felt fear even when his life was in danger. But now, on his wedding day, Ankhamun was feeling restless.
"Prince, love will come naturally if the prince is used to her presence by the prince's side. Come, everyone is waiting."
Ankhamun still didn't move, he was setting his mood.
Seeing the large number of people down there, after hearing the music which signaled that the bride was about to enter through the main gate, Ankhamun turned around.
"After this day passes, things will be different." After saying that, Ankhamun immediately stepped out of his room.
Ahmanet held back her emotions after seeing Ankhamun coming, oh, it can't be described in words what she is feeling right now, but for sure she is very proud of her son.
Jamal gave him a smile, Ankhamun nodded slowly, then he greeted them all with a faint smile. Zephyr, Haya, Elleya, Assad, Salimah, Fatih and his grandfather also gave him a happy smile.
"Ankhamun, I never thought you would step over Farish, that kid still doesn't want to marry he said.." Assad spoke while glancing at his son with a mocking face.
Prince Farish complained, "Baba, you're started again."
Ankhamun smiled wider at Fatih's reaction.
"Prince Farish, uncle Assad is right, when are you getting married?" asked Princess Haya, Zephyr and Jamal's first child.
"I'm waiting for Ellea to grow up, Princess Haya." he joked, they all shook their heads.
"I'm an adult bro, let's get married." Ellea replied, Zephyr shrieked and immediately gave her youngest daughter a threatening look.
While the others even responded with a joke because they were excited about Ellea. Jamal and Assad exchanged glances, I don't know what's going on in the minds of the two men now.
"Your Majesty, Lady Estheria has entered the palace gates." said the butler.
Ankhamun stepped in accompanied by Tahtah, while his parents and other dignitaries remained waiting there.
As soon as Ankhamun stepped out, all the people cheered, some set off fireworks, sprinkled flowers and so on.
The bridal procession was very long, truly an eye-pleasing parade, music and costumed dancers that looked like birds from heaven.
Ankhamun stared at the horse-drawn carriage carrying Lady Estheria, waiting for the girl to come out. After Ankhamun saw it, he was stunned for a moment.
He had met her before, but seeing Estheria in wedding attire was different than before. Estheria is a little girl with slightly curly hair, her skin is neither white nor black, very fitting and also natural because she lives on the sea side.
Her eyes were big and expressive, she was really tiny and looked like she really needed protection. Her height was only up to Ankhamun's shoulders.
It's hard to believe that girl is good at martial arts. While her stature looks very fragile and weak. Estheria's face was covered by a transparent veil from nose to chin, her wedding dress was red with gold trimmings, matching Ankhamun.
It could be seen that the girl was smiling behind her mask, Ankhamun remained expressionless but he continued to observe Lady Estheria's face.
Dyvette was in that sea of people with Vivian and Lucas, she wanted to see Ankhamun. Dyvette was astonished by his steady reaction when he greeted the bride.
"Look at prince Ankha, I feel sorry for Miss Estheria, it seems the prince is not happy at all with this marriage." Vivian said.
"It reminds me of my lost sheep." continued Lucas.
"Your sheep?"
"She's called Esther. Fat and adorable, sadly she's lost somewhere."
"I'm so sorry, I hope she's okay."
"She was pregnant when she went missing."
"Oh my God..."
"You guys, instead of rejoicing are gossiping." Divette grumbled. Dyvette continued to observe the bride and groom until they finally went inside.
"Miss want to come in?"
"You think I'm invited?"
"You said you were invited to dance?"
"That's tomorrow night, not now :)"
"Oh, I thought the invitation to the wedding was included as well."
"Let's go, I want to go for a walk."
"Miss, let's go on a culinary tour tonight, shall we?" invite Vivian.
Ever since Dyvette lost her mother, Vivian and Lucas have always tried to cheer her up and make Dyvette not bored from being sad. Every day they will find a way to keep their lady cheerful and happy.
"Lucas, I forgot I haven't shopped yet. We're going to the gem boutique tomorrow."
"Okay miss." Lucas nodded.
Today Dyvette wants to focus on training for tomorrow night. Vivian and Lucas faithfully accompanied her everywhere.
* * *
In the palace, the wedding took place solemnly and smoothly. Ankhamun kissed his wife's forehead after the religious leaders approved them.
They performed a series of Kadesh customs, including slaughtering an ox and burning it as a burnt offering to please God. During the whole process of the marriage, Ankhamun did not smile at all.
Jamal was worried about his son's attitude, because Ankhamun really looked very forced to marry Estheria.
"Zephyr, was my decision wrong to match Ankhamun and Estheria?" Jamal asked after they reached the room. He left the crowd with Zephyr, while Ahmanet and the others were still there celebrating with the family from Egypt.
"What do you think?"
"I don't see the happiness on my son's face. Yes, although Estheria looks happy that she's finally married to the person she loves." Jamal replied, Zephyr was walking behind him, they were in Zephyr's room and on their way to the bed.
"You treat Ankhamun like Omar to Assad, I don't know if you realize it or not, dear. But you've been doing that all along without realizing it." Jamal stopped in his tracks, causing Zephyr to stop too.
"Was my education wrong, Zephyr? You know what Assad was like. Will Estheria end up like sis Yasmin?" Jamal turned around, he looked at the woman he loved so much with a guilty look.
"Let's pray that it doesn't happen. Didn't Ankhamun ever say that he doesn't want more than one wife?"
"Assad grew up hating his father. I was afraid Ankha would hate me." Jamal looked down.
"Ankhamun is a good boy. I believe he will not be like that, one day he will understand. You are a good father, Jamal. You did nothing wrong in educating your son, Ankha grew into a talented and extraordinary young man thanks to you. Well, maybe we shouldn't have to worry about his heart too. He already loves someone else."
"Who did he love? Was that the girl he was grumpy with a few years ago?"
Zephyr smiled. Jamal looked confused by his wife's reaction.
"You've known your son. You should already know the answer." After saying that, Zephyr took Jamal's hand and kissed it. Jamal looked at her questioningly.
*
*
*
The next night...
The party was lively, they were gathering to watch the dancers and musicians who were performing.
Ankhamun sat side by side with Estheria, one by one the artists showed their talents. Jamal and Assad seemed to really enjoy the entertainment, even his grandfather, Maatre joined in moving his hands following the dancers.
"They're boring." Ankhamun mumbled, Estheria turned and looked at him.
"I think they are very beautiful and talented, Your Majesty." the answer
"You can dance?"
"What-?"
"Like them." Ankhamun fixed his gaze on the dancers, then Estheria followed his gaze.
"Dancing is not my forte, prince."
Ankhamun nodded slowly. He was imagining someone.
The music has ended, after that it's time for Dyvette to perform. The presenter said, "The Miserable moon by Dyvette Aliya Mebraah." Everyone turned and waited for the girl to come.
The Miserable moon is the music Dyvette chose for herself. Ankha's heart sank at the mention of Dyvette's name, as did Jamal, Assad and Zephyr.
Dyvette walked gracefully, she was wearing a beautiful white silk dress, specially designed by Mrs. Gems. Behind it attaches the accessories of six angel wings. Her hair was dyed blonde and left loose, she was barefoot.
Some parts of her body are beautifully hennaed, her clothes are slightly revealing, her white skin is smooth, gold jewelry on her head, hands, feet, back, waist and neck make her appearance perfect. Making her look like a fairy that fell from heaven, her face was only lightly made up, the impression of innocence and seductiveness blended together.
Her green eyes were bright and beautiful, all eyes fixed on her the moment she entered the hall.
Jamal, Assad, Zephyr feel the same way. Their hearts seemed to fall from their place, even to speak it seemed unable. While Ahmanet watched her with a look that seemed to say "Oh, isn't she that arrogant girl who lost her mother a month ago?"
Zephyr's two daughters were also blown away. Likewise Prince Fatih who had not blinked at all. Salimah was like that too, while the others waited for Dyvette's appearance with faces that looked impatient.
Ankha's heart skipped a beat, his eyes flashed with pain. He held his breath ever since Dyvette had been there.
The music started playing, starting with a soft melody, Dyvette started moving her hands to the rhythm. Her fingers were very supple and smooth, she moved beautifully.
Like a drunken fairy, plus Dyvette's expressive eyes, everyone was mesmerized by her performance. As if they blinked unwillingly, Dyvette didn't look real at all. The show looks like a dream that comes on everyone's night at least once in their life.
Her body is very flexible, twisting to the music, Fatih has swallowed saliva several times because of the girl.
As time went on, the music grew louder and louder, no one could understand why Dyvette had chosen a more suitable melody to play at the funeral at Ankhamun's wedding. It was as if she wanted to show everyone that she was grieving.
The tones were getting more demanding, as if expressing a wounded heart and screaming at the sky, just like the title says, The Miserable Moon. Beautiful music, plus dancers as beautiful as fairies, perfect.
At the last minute, Dyvette's dance is getting out of control, she is spinning around, she is looking at Zephyr with a frightened and painful expression, Zephyr is also looking at her with a look of holding back tears.
Jamal turned to Zephyr several times, seeing the expression on his wife Jamal immediately knew that this Dyvette must be her daughter who was exiled.
While Assad clenched his fists, I don't know what the man was thinking right now.
The music had reached its peak, the dance ended with Dyvette sitting on the floor. She dropped herself and gasped for air. Her eyes were red from crying.
Everyone clapped, the Kings who witnessed that looked very satisfied and praised Dyvette. This was the first time that Dyvette made a confident face in front of so many important people. Why say confident? Because she was dancing alone, which was her first performance at the palace.
Estheria studied Ankha, a worried look on her face. Dyvette was very charming, she was a little jealous that Ankha kept watching the girl.
"Prince, I'm not feeling well. Can we go back early?"
Ankhamun turned to his wife, was it a disguised 'invitation'? And again, how can he touch another woman when his mind is currently only filled with the girl panting in front of him.
Dyvette bowed as a sign that the show was over. Many Kings showed interest in her. But Dyvette's eyes continued to focus on Ankhamun who was also staring at her expressionlessly.
But the next second managed to make Dyvette feel many butterflies flying in her stomach. Her heart was beating fast, her face was hot.
Ankhamun smiled sweetly at him! Then the man gave a nod that didn't know what it meant.
The two of them are both asking themselves in their heart.
What happened to me? ~Dyvette
What happened to me? ~Ankha
- Writer
