Chapter 3 Three

Tiye relaxed in the hot steaming water even though it's the hot season. Nevertheless, the hot water helped her tired aching muscles; she has been spending a lot of time training these days because her father was forcing her to do so. He stretched her limits to busy her day in silly demands. Such as learning the right etiquette of the court like some shallow, frivolous girl, he sends her some tutors who always rub her the wrong way, and it ends badly. She exhaled and dipped her head into the lukewarm water, cutting the world out.

The king has been suspicious recently, and it is getting on her damn nerves; he needs to treat her as an heir, not just a little female or an ignorant princess.

A servant entered her champers after asking for permission, holding a wooden box that contained a variety of fragrant oils and herbs to help her relax more and treat the bruises she gained from today's scuffle. She sighed, enjoying the relief that it brought.

A court messenger came with a letter from her father "The king requests your presence, your highness, princess Tiye to attend the council meeting today and he insists on wearing formal attire." He gave her sides glance before clearing his throat "He said literary, and I quote 'please, a princess today not a feral boy'." He added quickly "His words your highness not mine." With that, he scurried away, holding his rope in his hands so not to stumble while he fled.

Tiye laughed quietly, she didn't blame the male who ran so she won't punish him; she knows those are her father's words she heard them before and more than once.

She was about to get out of the pool regretfully when her friend entered her champers unannounced as usual. Looking her up and down, she quirked a delicate brow, asking a silent question.

"King's orders. He wanted me in my armor. What is going on, the palace feels....unsettled?"

"I know nothing. He asked for my presence in the throne room and ordered me to wear formal too.'' She walked to her bed and stood waiting for her servant to dry her wet body. Her heart skipped a beat, it must be something serious. Her father has been acting weird for a while now. But at least today she's going to know what's wrong for sure, if not she will throw a fit. He already thinks of her as a little girl so she is going to act like it.

Her servant harried to help her, drying up, dressing her, and brushing her long tangled hair. Tiye pursed her mouth in distaste, looking at her reflection in the mirror she looked so.... womanly in that white velvet gown with so much gold adorning it which made her stomach churn. She hated this.

She wore her big golden wristband, hiding her birthmark. Her father said it's not a normal thing to show and flaunt it around, it's where the gods blessed her, or to be specific Sekhmet marked her. She doesn't know why the lioness goddess would do that but it's known that every heir to the throne has a god looking after him, protecting and guiding his ruling, but again why the goddess of war, destruction, plagues, and everything awful would bless her.

She must be cursed by someone to have this fate; she would be hated by all as a result. It is said you gain some of the characteristics of your guardian and she sure doesn't need this, she has her plate full already.

She asked her father once before about that but his answer was because her mother died giving birth to her and as a last wish she asked the gods to protect me in her stead; she was disappointed though. She wanted maybe Horus or Hathor or anyone else but as an alternative she got the Savage lady.

A knock on the door interrupted her musing, "The king is waiting princess."

She stood following the servant, walking elegantly, her head held high prideful, her friend _ not a friend now _ her protector only one step behind. It was something not needed and uncalled for. She can protect herself perfectly well, but it's a tradition in every generation there must be a protector, a human shield you can call it that, for the pharaoh.

"Princess, are you armed?" Her protector asked quietly. Her voice was just above a whisper, looking around suspiciously.

"Yes Mandisa I have my daggers on me, but can you feel it the air is thick and tense?"

"Yes, my princess, the palace doesn't feel safe anymore, something is about to happen."

"I think my father called us today for that reason."

"Just be careful, my princess, and know I got your back.''

She nodded silently, looking ahead when she reached the throne room and the guards announced her arrival; she took a deep breath, raising her head, squaring her shoulders, walking with the pride of a queen to be.

The commissionaire of the royal court announced her arrival

"All hail princess Tiye, (Chione) the daughter of the Nile, (Maye) Ra's beloved, (Neith) the one who stands above all others, all hail (Thema) the queen."

She staggered, her heart beating picked up quickly, and her eyes round with surprise. What has just happened? Thema? The queen? She looked her father's way slowly, trying to comprehend the whole situation. The great hall was silent, nothing can be heard, and even the breaths of the occupants. They stood frozen in place like the huge columns that surrounded them on each side, only her unsure steps now resonated around. Her father has just officially named her the heir to the throne, the next queen, the next pharaoh.

"My beloved daughter, how are you faring?" The king greeted her with his arms raised, beckoning her to get closer

"I'm always in a good health by your blessings, my king," She said, curtsying, paying her respects for her father the king.

"No Tiye. Future queens bow to no one." He said, holding his hands for her to help her stand up. She took her place next to her father's throne and Mandisa again, one step behind. She regarded the council members who are murmuring among themselves now, gauging their reaction. It varied between shock, uncertainty, and anger. Of course, her uncle and cousin filled the last category they didn't approve of her.

''what's the meaning of this, brother?"

Hanbal shouted angrily. His brother has just ruined everything. All this hard-working and planning turned to dust.