’All my life I’m stuck in this place…. With no Ra itself beaming down warm glows upon my face….. Desolated in this dark, gloomy underground so called ‘home’…….. I have no one to talk to, no one to share my thoughts, my feelings…. Except for those old filthy books piling itself on my desk…. How I wish to have a friend…. Just one friend….’
“My Queen, you have a beautiful baby daughter!”
A smile formed upon the beautiful woman’s expression. Her rapid breathing slowly decreased, a single pinprick of sweat trickled down her face as the maid beside her patted it off gently with a linen cloth. Some of her silky black hair still stuck to her face, but she didn’t care.
“Let me see her, Sadiki,” the woman said and stretches out her feeble arms. They were still somewhat trembling due to aftermath of arduous labor.
“Yes, my Queen. Here….” She young brunette walked over, cradling an ever so small new born wrapped fully in beautiful clothes. Then ever so gently she placed the delicate infant upon the Queen’s arms. Sadiki looked up as she heard the sound of the door being opened. Immediately she kneeled down before the man walking in, panic written all over his face.
“Your Highness, and Prince,” she muttered softly.
“How is she, Nefertari??” Pharaoh Aknamkemon asked, frantically darting his vision from left to right. Beside him was the young Prince Atemu, no more than two years old. Tears swelled up his big violet eyes as he asked over and over, “Mommy…. Mommy is okay?”
“The Queen is well, my Pharaoh. Allow me to lead you to her.” One by one servants and maids helping around in the chambers bowed in respect as the Pharaoh and the Prince passed by. Sadiki led him to the bedside, revealing a smiling Nefertari.
“Dearest….,” she slowly began. Pharaoh Aknamkemon sat down slowly, brushing a strand of hair away from his beloved’s face as he leaned in for a kiss. Few moments later they parted as Nefertari held up her arms with the infant sleeping soundly.
“She’s beautiful…. Just like you.” He whispered softly and held his wife into a long embrace. The young prince, who was sitting on his Father’s lap, crawled onto his Mother’s bed. He blinked questionably at the even smaller person than himself in his Mother’s arms.
“This… is your baby sister, Atemu,” Nefertari said as his eyes lit up joyfully. Atemu giggled and examined his new sibling. Oh how wonderful for him to have a playmate so soon!
Pharaoh Aknamkemon chuckled as patted Atemu on the head. “What should we name her, love?” he asked as Nefertari pondered slightly.
“Since it was the Goddess Renenutet who granted us wish for our daughter, let her name be Rinenet…. Born upon great fortune and having the power of fortune itself….”
The Pharaoh nodded his head in approval, smiling widely. “Beautiful name, suits her already.” Nefertari leaned down and nuzzled her nose lightly with the plump infant.
“Welcome to our family, Rinenet…!”
~*~*~*~*~
Three Years Later
“Rinet, my child….!” Your ears perked up as you hear your name being called in the far distance. You sat on the edge of the fountain and looked around, wanting to find the owner of that voice. However, no one was to be seen, so you just shrugged it off and continued to stare at your reflection among the clear water.
“Rinet.” Your mother stood near the entrance of the garden. Her long black hair flowed smoothly against the breeze. “There you are. I’ve been looking fore you!”
“Mommy….!” You giggled happily and run up to her, stretching out your little arms begging her to pick you up. She chuckled and does so. You felt her arm trembling a bit as she let out a little cough.
“Mommy…?” you clutched onto her clothes worriedly. She shook her head a little and smiled.
“I’m alright.” With you in your mother’s arms, she walked towards the fountain once again, resting herself at the rail as you sat on her lap. “The physicist has told me this is only temporary… It’s just a simple flu.” She brushed her delicate long fingers through your black hair. Slowly you felt your eyes closing and rested your head on your mother’s chest. The fragrance of Casablanca lingered around her as you inhaled them, letting you drift into a dream escape.
“Every time I see you, my dear child, all the pains and uneasiness of my sickness goes away….,” she spoke softly, rocking you back and forth. “You are truly my little fortune, you know that?”
She then reached behind her neck and took off a necklace; two to be exact. The red gems were cracked in half with half of an image of Casablanca implanted inside. She put them both around your neck. Her blue eyes glistened as she smiled, tilting your head to look at her.
“May you find fortune yourself as well; whether it is a something or someone… my beautiful Rinet.”
~*~*~*~*~*~
“Mother….. MOTHER!!” Atemu screamed by the bedside. His knuckles were white due to clutching on the sheet too forcefully. You watched your mother’s beautiful features as she weakly smiled, her hand slowly slipping away from your cheek. Then her smiled disappeared as she drifted into a deep sleep. Forever.
“Mother!!!” You heard your brother screamed again, this time burying his face to the bed sheets. Your Father whimpered behind you, tears streaming down his face. ’What is happening to Mommy… why is nii-chan and Father crying….?’ You remained stagnant, your young mind still trying to process everything that had just happened within the last two minutes. Feeling the urge to utter something you felt your throat constricted.
“The Queen’s disease seemed to have spread throughout her immune system during the past few weeks… unnoticed.”
“It was thought to be a simple flu…. But turned out to be an incurable disease…..”
’I am told to be named after the Goddess of Fortune herself….
But how can it be…
When my Mother had just died right in front of me….
I have no hope…. Nor fortune…’
~*~*~*~*~*~
“I refuse to read any more of these pointless scrolls!” The boy shouted angrily as he shoved the pile away from the desk. His violet optics glaring down at the scrolls hatefully. ’Everything’s so dull and boring… Why must I be stuck here… with no one to talk to, not even a friend!’
After awhile his anger subsided as he rested his head upon the wooden desk. “Malik-sama,” a voice said suddenly. The boy sighed exasperatedly and lifted his head once again.
“Rishid…..,” he solemnly muttered. The older man glanced at the scattered scrolls at the dusty floor, and then looked up sympathetically. He felt his young master’s pain vividly in his own heart. Before the boy could say anything more he heard shuffling noises down the dark corridors.
“Your Father wishes you to be at the hall in a few minutes,” Rishid spoke. He then heard the boy grunted in displeasure.
“What for?”
“To apprehend set ups and preparations for the upcoming funeral,” said Rishid.
’Upcoming funeral?’ This sparked the boy’s interest. He turned his head facing the older man, eyes full or curiosity. “Who’s funeral….?”
“The Royal Queen, Malik-sama. She had just deceased……”
~*~*~*~*~*~
You looked into the brown dusty sand that leads to infinity. Ra was slowly setting, beautiful horizon beamed down at your Mother’s sarcophagus. It was surrounded by many such as nobilities and high priests. They all bore a solemn grievance on their expressions. Some were sobbing quietly. You stood by your Father and Atemu. A silent tear trickled down your face as Siamun, one of your Father’s High Priests, stood up to began the mourning speech.
’I will never see my Mother’s face anymore…
Not anymore…’
“Rinet!” Pharaoh Aknamkemon yelled when you took a sprint away from the crowd of mourners. You didn’t know where you were running off to and you didn’t care. You just wanted to be away, as how your fragile mind telling you to do so. With your little feet dragging on and on you’ve finally stopped near what looked like an entrance to a cave.
You sniffled a bit trying to scrutinize the beige surroundings when all of a sudden you felt a sharp pain through your ankle. You screamed looking down at a snake slithering away through the sand. Feeling your knees growing weak you stumbled across the cave and leaned against it. Pulling your knees close to your chest you cried softly, the world around you slowly turning black…
”Wait up, Rishid! I think I hear something.”
“What is it, Malik-sama?”
Malik took few steps forward and listened. He could hear, out far in the distance under the dark tunnels, a soft crying voice. The voice sounded vary faint, but it was there. “I think I hear someone crying….it’s near the entrance?” He darted towards the bright opening of the cave, and there, he saw a tiny shadow crouched up in the corner.
The sandy-colored hair boy slowly walked up to you. ‘Why would someone appear at the entrance of a tomb keeping place?’ he thought. His eyes landed on your ankle, which was bruised badly with a trail of blood running down and appeared to have been bitten by a snake.
“Are you all right?” Malik asked as he kneeled down. You looked up; you seemed startled as tears stroll down your cheek. The boy seemed startled as well, for he knew who you were: the young princess of Egypt. You didn’t speak but continued to whimper. “Malik-sama, please wait up!”
“Rishid…,” The boy turned to the older guy. “Wh—what happened Malik-sama?”
“I think she’s hurt….probably got bitten by a snake or something. Hurry and get the first aid kit for me!”
“Yes! I will be right back.”
“It’s alright now. You don’t need to be afraid anymore,” he gently patted your head. Slowly you looked up and give slight smile.
“There! It’s all bandaged up. You will feel better in no time!” Malik set the first aid kit away. You looked at the bandage then looked up.
“T… Thank…you…,” you managed to say something.
“You’re welcome,” he replied. “Say… are you lost?” You nodded your head yes.
“Under the hot summer days plus the desert, even an adult can loose his way. Not to say a child, Malik-sama,” Rishid stated.
“True, well let’s get you back out on there. I’m sure the guards are looking everywhere for you.” Malik took your tiny hand and led you out of the tunnel. Few minutes later you’ve arrived at the entrance. There were indeed guards outside yelling at your name.
“Princess Rinenet! We’ve finally found you!” The guards hurried their way to your side. “Pharaoh Aknamkemon is very worried when you got lost. Please, allow us take you back.”
You shyly nodded as the boy let go of your hand. Taking a few steps forward but turned back, walking towards the boy once more. “Thank you again…uhm…”
“Oh right, forgot to mention my name. I’m Malik Ishitar.”
After hearing his name you gave a big warm smile. “Malik…Ishtar….” Then you took off something around your neck. It was a half-cracked ruby necklace with a half white Casablanca image implanted inside. You tipped to your feet and put the necklace around his neck.
“….A thank you gift,” you said quietly. “Will we meet again someday?”
The boy blinked for a few seconds but quickly smiled, “….I’m sure.” You waved as you were being led away. He watched until your tiny figure vanished under the blazing sun.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Four Years Later…
“New members of High Priests? Nii-chan, what do you mean?” you asked as you and Atemu sat on the bed inside his chamber.
“I’m not really sure myself. All I know is that Father’s High Priests will be taking in their new apprentice to train them. And they will be the next holder of the Millennium Items or something…,” Atemu trailed off. It has been four years since Mother had passed away. You were now eight and Atemu, being ten, would be required to learn about the court and politics in order to become the successor after Father. You suspected that these new chosen apprentices will be Atemu’s court members in the future.
Atemu sighed and slowly stood up. “Well, I have to go to Siamun for another lesson this afternoon. I will see you at dinner?” You smiled and nodded. Atemu waved and took his leave, leaving you alone in the bedroom.
“Nii-chan always has to have his tutoring… while I’m here all alone…,” you muttered sadly. Even though the palace provided you with anything and everything one would clearly desire, you felt alone. There were no playmates; Atemu cannot be with you at all times because of his study. Sighing to yourself you got up groggily and decided to take a stroll down to the gardens…..
“Nee-san, I’ll miss you!” Malik cried and wrapped his arms around his sister’s waist. Isis, who had been chosen for Prince Atemu’s High Priest court in the future, rubbed her hand down his dear brother’s back in attempt to soothe him.
“I will miss you too, Malik. But we will see each other again, I’m promise. I will always come home and visit,” she cooed softly as pebble of tears dropped to the floor from Malik’s eyes. Isis kneeled down so she was at eyelevel with him. “Don’t cry anymore, hm? Why don’t you take a stroll down in the palace gardens? It will keep your mind off about all the sadness. I will go find you after I’m done with some negotiations with the Pharaoh.”
Malik wiped the remaining tears away and nodded gravely. He exited the throne room sniffling. After a good ten minutes of wandering around the palace gardens revealed itself on his left side. It was beautiful, far from anything he had seen. Malik slowly walked towards the fountain, the clear water rippling through as he gazes down at his own reflection.
“Tomorrow I will be returning to the underground… without nee-san…” Malik bit his lower lip and with a splash, his reflection vanished in his own hands. “I hate being a tomb keeper….!”
With that, he buried his head in his hands….
Skipping down the golden hallway you hummed to one of your favorite melody, twirling yourself around as you landed inside the garden. You gasped inwardly seeing someone else inside the garden as well. ’Oops, he must have heard my humming!’ you thought embarrassingly to yourself. As you scrutinized the person ahead you noticed the soft sobbing emitting from his voice. His face was concealed in his hands as he sat at the edge of the fountain.
Worried to what might have happened to this poor boy, you approached him quickly. “Are you okay?” you asked putting a hand on his shoulder. The boy flinched as he looked up; immediately you recognized him. He seemed to recognize you as well, for his violet orbs widened in surprise.
You gasped. “It’s you!”
’So I met her once more…. It’s such a surprise…
To be able to see the Princess of Egypt in such a circumstance…
We chatted throughout the afternoon… she told me her name is Rinet…
When she thanked me again for helping her back then…. I blushed…
Then she held out her hand, asking for a friendship handshake… I laughed and accepted…
I thought to myself… “This must be the beginning of a good fortune….”’
’I met him again! What a pleasant surprise!
I remember him telling me his name, its Malik….
We chatted throughout the afternoon… he told me his sister is becoming an apprentice here…
He looked sad… but I managed to cheer him up!
In the end he smiled… it was so cute…
I thought to myself… “This must be the beginning of a good fortune…”’
