Chapter Two: True Love
1144 Words
The pharaoh introduced the young man as Radames Ramses Samaha. When Bastet heard his name, a shiver ran through her body, and she knew he was the one that the Goddess wanted for her. Radames bowed before the Pharaoh and the Queen. When he was given the nod of approval, he approached Bastet and bowed before her.
She held out her hand and their eyes met, their eyes stayed on each other as he took her hand and kissed it. She felt the fire fill her entire body from head to toe. She smiled at him, he smiled at her and before he let go of her hand, he gave it a gentle squeeze. There was just something about him, an arrogance, yet softness in him that felt tantalizing.
He smelled like the desert sun and honey to Bastet. Radames inhaled her sweet scent, and it reminded him of sweet lilies. Bastet had never been in love before but she knew what love was, she had seen how her parents were with each other, and she knew what the look in Radames eyes meant. She knew he felt as she did. It was more than just lust, it was love, even though no words had been spoken they both knew.
Her father was speaking again, which drew her attention away from Radames for a few moments.
“We welcome you to the palace, consider this your home from now on.” The Pharaoh says to him.
Radames gives the Pharaoh another bow, “Thank you, I appreciate the welcome my Pharaoh.”
The Pharaoh gestures to a chair below his and Radames goes to take his place. Bastet watches him out of the corner of her eye, her father and mother both notice the looks but say nothing. After a few moments, her father rises from his throne and speaks again.
“Bastet my daughter, soon it will be time for you to wed, you are reaching the age, and Radames will be the one to help me find a suitor for you. One who is suitable and capable of helping you rule. On your eighteenth birthday I will be announcing your chosen suitor.” Her father says.
Bastet responds quietly, “Do I have no say in the matter father?”
The Pharaoh looks at her gently, “No, it is my decision and mine alone. With Radames help we will find you the right man. Besides my dear one the Gods will lead me to your chosen one.”
Bastet gave a small nod and let out a quiet sigh that could not be heard. She kept her emotions to herself and did not change her facial expression. She knew that arguing about it now would not change anything. When her father decided something there was no swaying him from it.
“Come now my dear it is time to celebrate the arrival of my new chief.” Her father says taking her mother’s hand and leading her down the few steps.
Bastet waited quietly. Radames stood and came up to her, “May I escort you to the celebration Princess?” He asked quietly.
He offers his hand to her and she takes it. “Thank you Radames, and yes you may.”
She takes his arm and follows her mother and father out of the throne room to the banquet hall where there was a large feast. Her father sat at the head of the table with her mother beside him, while Radames sat on his other side across from Bastet. As they all sat and began eating (with her father's cup bearing tasting everything beforehand) Bastet began asking Radames questions.
“So Radames how long have you lived here?” She asks him.
Radames answers her, “I have lived here all my life, but I have also spent a great deal traveling around to other places. Now I am here to stay.”
She smiles at him, “So how did you come to meet my father and become Chief of the Pharaoh?”
“My father introduced me to him,” Radames begins to say, before he can finish however the Pharaoh interrupts.
“Come now Bastet let him eat.” He tells her.
“Yes father,” she responds looking at Radames and returning the smile he is giving her.
“How are our people doing my daughter?” The Pharaoh asks her.
Bastet hesitates for a few moments and then answers. “They are doing well father, but we are having some issues with the slaves.”
“What kind of issues?” He asks.
Bastet looks at her father and answers bluntly, “Some of them are being mistreated, for example the baker has been abusing his slave. A mere boy of only eleven. Now I understand that they are his, but if we are not careful, they will revolt against us and try to overthrow us.”
The Pharaoh looks at Radames, “What do you think about this Radames?”
Radames was quiet for a few moments and then answers very carefully, “I think there needs to be laws implemented on how the slaves are treated. The Princess has a point if we are not careful, they could revolt against us. But at the same time, we must have a firm hand on them.”
The Pharaoh agreed and he could see how not making rules could cause problems later. “Well then Radames, we shall discuss this in great detail later and come to an agreement on some laws that the slave owners must abide by.”
Radames gave a nod, “You are truly wise great Pharaoh.”
The Pharaoh nodded, and looked at Bastet and Radames, and for a moment he caught a look in their eyes that he was all too familiar with and he wondered to himself if he should worry about them. He was not sure about Radames and his daughter being together. Even though he knew who Radames’s father was and feared him, he wanted the best for his daughter. After all she could be key to an alliance if it were needed.
He would not give her away easily.
After dinner he and his wife retired for the evening. And with the servants keeping a careful eye on them Radames and Bastet stayed and talked to one another for a long while.
It did not take them long to realize that they were made for each other. But Radames had secrets he was not ready to share with Bastet.
That night was the beginning of their romance. Once that they kept hidden from everyone. And as time passed by, their love for each other blossomed.
The day came though when it was almost Bastet's eighteenth birthday and her suitor was to be announced.
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