Pharaoh’s Concubine - Chapter 18.1

Editor: Anonymous Stickman, Obelifera

The sun slowly sank into the Nile River, rendering Memphis with a gorgeous blush. The farmers who had been cultivating for a day all returned to their huts from the fields, and the market on the street gradually dispersed. From time to time, several young girls in groups of two or three passed by, carrying water containers atop their heads while happily shuttling between the alleys.

A young man, who stood on the wall of the Memphis Palace, blew a sharp whistle into the sky, and a dark brown eagle flew down from the sky. He stretched out his left arm high towards it. “Lu! Come down!”

The young man had red hair akin to a burning flame, complemented by his emerald green eyes, which reflected his strive for glory. His finely crafted armor and turquoise sword embedded in his sheath proved his identity. He was the youngest general of the Ramses period and the eldest son of the village chief of Sittat, Mentus. Twenty-seven-year-old Mentus, together with Litah, the nation’s highest prophet who was only twenty-four years old, were known as the “Empire Duo”. Together with the young and promising Pharaoh, they brought infinite vitality and hope to the new dynasty of Egypt.

“Good job, Lu! You’re quick!” Mentus praised, and gestured for Lu to land on his arm. “Where’s that punk, Buka? Didn’t he always say that he’d always be near you?”

Lu swooped down and landed steadily on Mentus’ strong left arm. He flapped his wings and moved his claws.

“What’s wrong? Are you hungry?” Mentus asked, puzzled. Lu fluttered his wings more violently, almost as though he was flying. Mentus felt as though Lu was acting very abnormal, so he looked at his wing carefully, and found a small note attached to his right claw. “You turned out to be a warfare messenger. Not bad, Lu!” Mentus untied the note from Lu’s claws and spoke with praise. Lu also raised his head, looking proud.

“What kind of material is this? How strange, it’s not papyrus.” Mentus slowly opened the note without hesitation. When he saw the crooked hieroglyphs written on the note, his expression abruptly changed. “It’s Buka’s handwriting …”

After taking a quick glance at the note, an anxious expression appeared on Mentus’ face. He touched Lu awkwardly, his originally shiny feathers obviously stained by the long journey he took.

Although he was apologetic, he spoke in a hurry to Lu. “I can’t accompany you anymore. I’m going to see the Pharaoh now. I will ask others to find some food for you.” Lu seemed to understand Mentus’ words. He screeched in a low tone before fluttering his wings and flying into the evening sky back to the direction he came from. Mentus looked at Lu’s diminishing figure, and asked softly, “Going back to find Buka? You’re really good now Lu.”

Turning around, his green eyes became as cold as a deep lake. “Somebody, bring me my cloak! I need to request an audience with the Pharaoh at once!”

Memphis was the central and most prosperous city of Egypt, located on the banks of the Nile River. Not only had it developed agriculture, but merchants from all over the world rested and traded here too. Among its citizens, many people engaged in construction, textiles, and handicrafts. Some were even mummy experts. Memphis was an “international metropolis”.

The Pharaoh had a luxurious palace in Memphis. When new pharaohs would succeed the throne or have important sacrifices, meetings, wars, etc., they’d visit Memphis. They’d have large-scale constructions here to build magnificent temples, pyramids and luxurious palaces for their short stay. This also applied to the new Pharaoh Ramses, who succeeded less than a month ago and was unable to break away from convention. He ordered the construction of a huge Sphinx statue near Memphis just three days after being crowned, and came to Memphis just to supervise the progress of the fortification. He also participated in local sacrifices and accepted blessings from people in the passing.

It was rumored that their new pharaoh was different from their previous pharaoh, Seti I. Not only was he able to lead in battles, but he was also a genius in diplomacy and internal affairs. In addition, he had the “Empire Duo” Mentus and Litah as his right-hand men. The new Pharaoh ascended the throne within three days and boosted the morale of his whole country. The villagers from the villages around Memphis were even willing to travel for days to visit Memphis and view their new Pharaoh from afar.

What made the young girls all over Egypt seethe in excitement was the appearance of their new Pharaoh. Ramses was famous for being a man of great talent and beauty before ascending the throne. After he ascended the throne, his supreme status made him even more appealing as it added flowers to the brocade [1]. Although he was out of their reach, all of the girls in the world wanted to gain his favor, even if it was only once. Even without a title, they would gladly endure the hardship. Moreover, although their chances were pretty slim, they still held the mentality of a moth darting into a flame, dreaming that perhaps someday they would be his special one or be conferred as concubines. But till now, their dreams had always been wishful thinking.

. . .

Palace of Memphis, Pharaoh’s Bedroom.

The bedroom in the side palace was large. Each of its walls were decorated with luxurious gold ornaments. Expensive vases were placed on a table, containing the Egyptian’s most favorite flowers, the Lotus. Layers of translucent curtains drifted slowly and quietly within the night breeze, and a luxurious bed lying in the depths of the room was faintly visible.

Two young bodies overlapped. Heavy breathing and moans from the bed within the room passed through the layered curtains and leaked to the outside. Mentus paced at the door of the side palace, his green eyes reflecting his anxiety. The guard at the door peered at him expressionlessly as he walked around like an ant on a hot pan [2].

“How much longer do I need to wait?” Mentus asked for the tenth time, while beads of sweat oozed from his forehead.

“Reporting to the General: I don’t know.” The guard answered without emotion.

Mentus looked up at the sky and saw that all the stars were lit up. Although he knew the Pharaoh’s temperament, he had encountered a military dilemma that was necessary to tend to before it became unmanageable. However, the heavy gasps from inside the room made it difficult for him to proceed and take a step. He, who had never married a woman before, bowed his head in embarrassment upon hearing such a sound. He could only hope that it would end earlier.

“How much longer do I need to wait?” The red-haired young man spoke awkwardly again.

“Reporting to the General: I still don’t know.” The guards answered in the same dull tone as before. Mentus wiped the sweat off his forehead and continued to pace in front of the door.

At this time, the room was filled with the sights and sounds of spring. The hot enthusiasm within it practically tore through the thick curtains and passed through the doors. The heated woman looked up, her eyes blurred and her lips slightly parted: Her hands clenched tightly under the bed sheet, her long nails piercing right through it.

Compared to her intoxicated look, the man with her seemed overly calm. His amber eyes gleamed with no emotion, as if they were inorganic gemstones, ignoring the woman’s expression.

The woman’s body began to tighten, and her cries grew louder. The man finally snarled low and ended everything. He got up quickly, put on his clothes, picked up the sword beside him, and walked out the door without even a bit of reluctance at having to do so. The woman on his bed breathed heavily, her thoughts frozen in happiness. Seeing the man leaving so quickly, she quickly stood up without a cover, exposing her bare yet proud body. She faced him and said, “Your Majesty! Next time, please summon this servant again! Serving Your Majesty was an honor.”

Ramses turned around and glanced coldly at the woman’s perfect figure. Perhaps she shouldn’t have been brought to Memphis. It was only a mere whim at that time. He’d thought that taking her here to vent his desires at any time would save him a lot of trouble. But now, it seemed as though the woman in front of him misunderstood this as special treatment. He pondered for a while, and the woman saw him turned silent, the hope in her heart increasing. “Your Majesty …” The woman acted flirtatiously with her eyes half drooping, and she felt elated as she spoke, “Please summon me again … “

“Get lost.” The man’s indifferent tone made her cold. She looked up incredulously, and she saw Ramses’ frosty expression. In an instant, she felt as though she had fallen into a 10,000-foot ice pit. She froze for a moment, not knowing how to comfort herself. Without waiting for her to react, Ramses threw a sentence coldly: “Retrieve your reward and get lost. If you act this rash again, I will kill you with no mercy.”