The City of Kings

They were finally nearing the capital after a grueling two-day journey through the unforgiving desert. Jade was utterly exhausted.

Every bump in the relentless ride had rattled her bones, leaving her sick more times than she could count. She had barely eaten, surviving on water and fruit, and the weight she had lost only made her delicate features stand out more.

But right now? She needed a bath—desperately. The layers of dust clinging to her skin from the past two days made her feel utterly filthy, and she couldn't shake the self-consciousness creeping in.

She had spent nearly every moment pressed against the Pharaoh on his horse, and the thought of how disheveled she must look—**how unclean she must seem to him—**filled her with an embarrassing sense of unease.

For two days, she had ridden with the Pharaoh, held securely in his arms.

More times than she could admit, she had caught herself falling asleep against him, her head resting on his broad shoulder as his arms encircled her securely.

The stops for rest were brief—only enough to allow the horses a moment to recover before pressing on. It was clear the Pharaoh was in a hurry.

And yet, in those two days, they had barely spoken. Both seemed to be avoiding conversation.

For Jade, it was out of caution. She didn't know how to act around him.

She feared saying the wrong thing, feared angering him when she still desperately needed his help to return home.

And Rameses? He was preoccupied, or at least, trying to be. He spoke only to his soldiers, commanding them in matters of warfare, reinforcing defenses, and ensuring the security of his empire.

But Jade did not realize how often his golden gaze lingered on her.

When she wasn't paying attention, he watched her like a hawk, ensuring she did not try to flee. It had not escaped her notice, however, that he made certain she was taken care of.

When she was too sick to eat, he ensured water and food were given to her. When she nearly collapsed from exhaustion, he shielded her from the elements—from the wind, the heat, the relentless dust.

And once… just once… she had felt the rough callouses of his hand against her cheek when she had accidentally fallen asleep against him once more.

She had asked the Pharaoh multiple times if she could ride her own horse, uncomfortable with the constant proximity between them.

It felt incredibly inappropriate, particularly with all his soldiers watching them like hawks. She was certain they were whispering behind their backs, questioning who she was to be riding with the Pharaoh so intimately.

But each time she brought it up, he shut her down immediately, offering no explanation and making no move to place her on another horse.

Even though General Horus and Hassan had not voiced their opinions, she could sense their silent curiosity.

Surely, they were thinking the same thing—that their Pharaoh had abandoned all reason, favoring this foreign woman who stood out like a beacon when she was meant to be nothing more than a captive.

As they crested the top of a towering sand dune, the vast expanse of Memphis unfolded beneath them—the beating heart of Egypt, a city of gold and stone, where the gods themselves seemed to walk among men.

From this vantage point, the grand city stretched endlessly toward the horizon, a shimmering jewel nestled along the banks of the mighty Nile, its waters reflecting the golden hues of the sun.

Overwhelmed by the breathtaking view, she straightened, a stunned gasp slipping past her lips as her wide eyes drank in the sight before her.

She was so mesmerized by the wonders of the city that she failed to notice the Pharaoh's gaze upon her.

"Welcome to Memphis," the Pharaoh murmured, his voice barely above a whisper near her ear.

In any other situation, she might have shrunk away in embarrassment, but now, she was too enraptured—too consumed by the majesty of Memphis.

From their high perch, she could see the towering limestone walls that surrounded the vast city, their surfaces gleaming like molten gold beneath the relentless sun.

Monumental statues of gods and pharaohs lined the grand entrance, their carved faces eternal and unyielding.

Beyond them, sprawling temples stretched toward the heavens, their columns etched with hieroglyphs that whispered the stories of kings long past.

The streets teemed with life—merchants shouting over the hum of the crowd, artisans chiseling away at stone masterpieces, priests draped in white linen moving toward sacred temples.

The scent of baked bread, incense, and the distant Nile filled the air, blending into something uniquely alive, uniquely Egyptian.

And then of course, there was the Nile River—the lifeblood of Egypt, stretching endlessly like a ribbon of liquid gold under the sun.

Feluccas, their tall triangular sails billowing, glided effortlessly with the wind, carrying traders and travelers along the sacred waters.

Smaller reed boats, woven tightly from papyrus, bobbed gently near the banks, their simple design a reflection of centuries-old craftsmanship.

Lush greenery lined the river's edge, a stark contrast to the unforgiving desert beyond. Palm groves swayed lazily in the breeze, while vast fields of wheat and barley flourished under the watchful eye of the Nile.

The air carried the rhythmic songs of boatmen, their deep, melodic chants rising and falling with the gentle lapping of water, merging with the ever-present murmur of the bustling city.

Jade could hardly believe her eyes. Enthralled like a child witnessing magic for the first time, she remained oblivious to the Pharaoh's steady gaze upon her.

Rameses, however, found himself utterly captivated—not by the grandeur of his great city, but by the woman before him.

It was almost amusing; here she was, enthralled by Memphis, completely unaware that she had become the true spectacle.

His golden eyes, usually sharp and calculating, softened with something unspoken as he watched her, bewitched in a way he never thought possible.

Despite the dust clinging to her from the arduous journey, she remained breathtaking. The Egyptian sun only magnified her beauty, casting a warm glow that accentuated the delicate contours of her face.

The light danced over her skin, making her seem almost celestial—like a goddess stepping into the land of kings, untouched by time itself.