Hello~ An update was long overdue. My gears are slow, but turning, so please be patient with me. :)

We have the next chapter, so I do hope you all like it. Thank you so much for your love as always. And please,

Enjoy!

Secrets Underground

Chapter 23

"How would you like to be my apprentice?"

Priest Shada's words echoed in my mind like a church bell. It was just too good to be true. An opportunity to stay close to the palace. To find out the reason why I was brought here. How could I say no? Plus, it was a chance for me to escape my fate that the Prince had in store for me. I would be a fool to decline, especially since this position would help me learn more about this time period, this country, and their different, astonishing, way of life.

A time where magic existed, after all.

However, I couldn't allow myself to be joyful just yet. As I followed Priest Shada through the several turns and twists of the palace, I was wringing my hands nervously behind him. My eyes scanned each and every corner, searching with fear. Praying. Wanting nothing more than to disappear because the Prince was the last person I wanted to see right now. And I just knew that he would not like the situation at all. After witnessing his temper, I couldn't help but wonder if Priest Shada would be able to protect me from whatever wrath he would cast upon me.

I was supposed to be in the room. I was his prisoner hanging on death row, ordered to listen to no one but the Prince and follow his commands. All in all, he was the one who held my life in his grips.

Then again… would it really be my fault? I was just following orders. And not just anyone's orders. A Priest who had considerably strong power. Although he was a Prince, Priest Shada's authority was higher than his. And surely magically as well.

But then again… he did sentence me the other day against Priestess Isis and Priest Mahad's wishes.

"You seem troubled," Priest Shada suddenly said, glancing back quickly. "Something on your mind?"

I mulled about it for a short time. What would be the harm in telling him?

"The Prince. Wouldn't he be furious?" I asked quietly.

Shada went silent.

"Don't worry about him," he said stiffly, and I looked to the ground, his tone making me uneasy.

It was sharp. The words the least bit cheerful. Annoyed. And angry, it sounded. Above all, Priest Shada's entire mood suddenly went downhill. He was as stiff as an aging door, brooding to himself with furrowed brows and a glare in his dark irises as he stared dead ahead.

My question looked as if I had pricked his side with a thorn, and now, I could only wonder as to why. What is it about the Prince that put the Priests on the edge? First it was Priest Set, and now Priest Shada. And Mana, even though she wasn't a Priest. She was, to my understanding, the Prince's only friend. Yet she too was unnerved.

"Come, this way," Priest Shada said suddenly, and I was brought back to my surroundings. It was the hypostyle hall; the one that led straight to the throne room.

This hall, I suddenly remembered, was where I met the Priests just before the Sed festival! Whether Priest Shada was there amongst them or not, he didn't seem to remember either. Though, how could he possibly forget the person who was practically the Prince's lookalike!

The door Priest Shada finally stopped at was one of many administrative rooms this hall held.

Is this the place I would be spending my time should I begin working with him? I started to break out into a cold sweat, since this area also meant that I might have to interact with the other Priests. This was their wing. A place where they came to relax and discuss matters privately to themselves before bringing it up with the Pharaoh. I really didn't want to run into them. Especially now. But looking around, I was put at ease. The chance of that happening was pretty slim. There were many other doors, and this room would definitely be where Priest Shada worked. It was the most logical place to show me after all. Later I would deal with the other Priests, but for now, I could relax myself for the time being.

Opening the door, Priest Shada ushered me inside. Hesitant at first, I eventually entered the room, only to gasp, my legs locking in position, my face frozen with evident surprise.

A bright room lit with torches. It was big, and heavily decorated. Cushions and fancy cots littered the place, reminding me of a living room that was more on the wealthy side. Desks were shoved into corners where scrolls were opened, laying around messily. And the people within, were all looking at me with wide eyes themselves.

"The other Priests…" I whispered in a tiny, fearful voice, my face surely twisted weirdly, but Priest Shada ignored my state and moved forward as if nothing was out of the ordinary.

There they were. Two of them, anyways. And they both kept a curious gaze on me as I nervously looked anywhere but directly at their faces.

"Isis, I was led to believe you would be at the Pharaoh's side," Priest Shada spoke, and I snuck a peek at the woman he said those words to. She turned away from me for a split second to respond.

"My services were no longer needed," she said quietly, and she looked at another man who I recognized as Priest Mahad.

Who would have thought that the two who were there to witness my sentencing would also be the first people I would meet in this situation!

"Has Set returned?" Priest Shada continued.

"No," Priestess Isis answered.

Priest Shada hummed in response. Looking at him now, I saw that he was actually rummaging around through the piles of scrolls, obviously looking for something.

Priest Mahad noticed the same because he looked at Priest Shada with a raised brow.

"What are you searching for? Have you misplaced something?" he asked.

The room gave off a wary vibe. Although it was just the two of them, they were evidently curious, but neither wanted to say anything since I appeared to be with Priest Shada. Well, right away anyways.

"Why have you brought this boy with you, Shada?" Isis voiced. Her eyes were still trained on me, but her voice took on a little bit of a stricter tone.

Priest Shada looked up.

"From now onwards he shall be my apprentice," he replied. "I am searching for the documents to seal that placement for him actually," he went on, and his eyes went wide, grabbing a thick scroll stuck between another pile and the wall.

Priestess Isis was surprised. Blue eyes widened as if she didn't hear him properly, and neither wanted to believe him. Even Priest Mahad seemed to be shocked by the strange turn of events since he looked back and forth between Priest Shada and me.

"His name is Timaeus, if you're not yet aware," Priest Shada explained.

"We're aware…" Priest Mahad mentioned, and my heart fluttered with anxiety, catching the undertones of what he was referring to when he looked at me.

"He's a very intelligent individual. I intend on tutoring him for a while before assigning work," Priest Shada continued, eyes skimming over the scroll.

The other two said nothing. Surely dumbfounded by those words. But the silence didn't stay long. In a quick moment the door opened wide and three other Priests stepped in.

My whole body drained itself of blood. I was cold as ice. My first urge to disappear into the ground. Especially since it was Priest Set who walked in, voice loud and unwavering for the occupants inside to hear.

"The Pharaoh is recovering. His condition was no more than fatigue. Healers predict he may be well soon with-"

He stopped talking.

I stopped breathing.

Our eyes met.

And he was viciously pissed in an instant.

"What is he doing here?!" he shouted, and I started to shake when he started to take long strides towards me. I could practically feel the flames radiating off his form, and the killer look that danced in those icy eyes of his

"My orders!" Priest Shada said loudly, just in time.

Priest Set stopped and turned towards Priest Shada like a whip lash.

"What?" he hissed.

Priest Shada was the least bit bothered.

"I am taking him under my wing. He is to be my new hand in management," he explained again.

Priest Set seemed to have cooled after that explanation. But only slightly. He was now angry for another reason.

"Regardless of the reasons, this boy spells nothing but trouble for us," he argued, and I flinched when Priestess Isis added in a note of her own.

"And you aren't aware of the full story yet," she muttered, annoyed.

"I don't care," Priest Set shot back, and he gave me a dark look before turning back to Priest Shada.

"Take him to your quarters if that is the case. He has no place amongst us. Keep him away from our matters."

"Then perhaps you should first take more care in what you say before you enter. You can never be sure who will be listening," Priest Shada replied nonchalantly.

I kept my nose down when I saw the peeved look that crossed Priest Set's face. And he was just about to retort when the door slammed open once again.

I turned around quickly to see who else would come in, only to almost faint.

At the door, breathing heavily, eyes like blood scanned the room in a rage before locating me.

"Shada. You should learn from your own words before advising others," the Prince said, and he marched up to me, shooting the others a sharp gaze.

"Mind your own matters."

It was then my turn. He grabbed my arm tightly, and I almost dropped to my knees from how hard they were shaking.

"What are you doing here?" he hissed. "I ordered you to return to the room. You disobeyed my direct command!"

"I- I.. had gotten lost…" I somehow managed to say. But before the Prince could respond, Priest Shada was standing before us, looking down with a glare. The Prince gripped my arm tighter, and returned the look despite the height differences.

"First, I ask that you learn some manners. Then you may approach and quarrel with me," Priest Shada growled, and I yelped when with a small flick of his finger, and a blast of black smoke, the Prince's hand was separated from my arm.

The spot on my arm throbbed dully. Whether it was from the Prince's grip or Priest Shada's magic, I didn't know, or care.

The Prince however said nothing. He just looked up at Priest Shada, his hand clenched tightly. And if his looks could kill, as I had said before, his enemy would be brutally dead.

"Against the law you've gone and sentenced a person. Why, may I ask?" Shada moved in closer to the Prince and crossed his arm. "I've heard the tale. And I find it utterly ridiculous. As the future Pharaoh, I urged you on several instances to refrain from rash actions. Yet here we are. What do you have to say for yourself? Or should I bring this situation up with your Father?"

"He deserved it," the Prince argued back. "My injuries were aggravated further and he appears before me with the audacity to shout at me!"

"Considering your own actions, I find those words of yours quite hypocritical," Priest Set shot, and the Prince glared at him.

"What injury do you speak of now?" another said, and I looked past Priest Shada to see another man, fairly well built with a dark wig who had been watching the commotion silently. His eyes were kind, but weary.

"Injured? Care to explain?" Priest Shada teased sinisterly, and the Prince was left searching for an answer.

"Let me take a guess," another voice added in, and I saw another man who was also watching the exchange quietly until now. He was quite elderly, but I remembered him being one of the people who I had accidentally came across in the grand hallway. His golden eye stood out more than his cold face that held a slight resemblance to Set's.

"Our crowned Prince was outside in the city the morning of his father's Sed. Snuck out despite all orders to stay put," Priest Aknadin announced.

The others gasped, left shaking their head with disappointment.

"And this situation I speak of came up because he was trying to escape during the festival itself," Priest Shada continued. "Cloaked himself to blend in with the crowd. Its no wonder the guards were unable to locate him.

I bit my tongue, knowing that I was my confession that resulted in his awareness of that fact.

"My Prince, how could you be so reckless? You're almost fourteen summers. You shouldn't be behaving this way," Priest Mahad explained, almost beggingly.

The Prince was as silent as ever. He just listened to them speak, and I noticed the tremors he held back. Was it from anger, or something else? I couldn't tell.

"He's so careless," Priest Set muttered.

"Why so stubborn…" the other Priest whose name I don't know said.

"He has nothing on his mind. Not his responsibilities. Not his father. Not even his mother who worries herself ill whenever he goes missing!" Priest Aknadin yelled, and that was the breaking point.

Silence overwhelmed the room for a moment.

"Leave, my Prince. Timaeus is freed from you. I am taking him as my apprentice," Priest Shada said, voice calm.

Taking a second, the Prince didn't object. He just turned around, and stormed off.

As the doors closed, I heard the many sighs that reverberated across the room. For a place that outsiders should not be in to hear discussions, I of all people was a witness to palace infighting. The situation got so heated so fast. But I remained quiet. I was in a precarious situation. They could do anything to me now that the Prince was out of the way. Though at the same time, my heart panged a little for the Prince. Those were some awful things to listen to. And thirteen summers? Almost fourteen years old? He was still so young.

"Come, Timaeus," Priest Shada called as he walked towards the door. "I shall show you to your quarters."

"You still intend on keeping this boy at your side?" Priest Set asked.

Shada nodded, and that was the end of that argument. Eyes were rolled, but none found anything else to argue about. For now, atleast, the situation was put to rest.

I followed Priest Shada out, and as I did, I heard a bang from within, and a sudden curse.

"Should anything happen to the Pharaoh, that boy will bring nothing but destruction upon us with his reign. What are we going to do?!"

The door clicked shut too late.

But I was sure. That voice belonged to Priest Aknadin. And at that moment was when I realised something very important.

Was the Prince the only child for Pharaoh Aknamkanon? If that was the case, then words like that would cause nothing but harm when that future does come to pass. When Pharaoh Aknamkanon's reign ends, and the Nameless Pharaoh takes his place.

That day would be soon. I know that much. But, the start of those rumours… Was I now standing in the middle of it? The seeds of destruction. Were they really being planted and growing right before my eyes?

What was I going to do then?

"Please forget about what you've just witnessed," Priest Shada said quietly, and I looked up at him with a start as we walked down the hall. I didn't expect to hear something like that.

"In this line of work, should you stay as long, you will come across similar scenes often. You will sign a document swearing confidentiality, and live here. Do you understand?"

I nodded.

Basically, whatever life I had before now, was to be forgotten. I belonged to the palace now. And their secrets were to be buried with me.

"Good," Priest Shada said, and he turned a corner, opening a door for me to enter.

Just before I did though, a hand stretched out to stop me.

"This is not where you will be staying."

"Then where?" I thought, but I remained still, curious as to why we were here then.

"Inside, is Ramose's family. I've gathered them here to allow you to speak with them properly, and part ways," he said, and I went still once more.

I looked at the door, and heard utter silence within. I knew I would have to meet with them once more, but I didn't think that this was how it was going to happen.

I nodded, gulping deeply.

"Thank you."

And with that, Priest Shada backed away. I entered hesitantly.

The scene was a mournful one. They were seated on the floor, too afraid to sit in the seats offered to them. Senisonbe looked as if she had spent hours crying. Ramose was fidgeting, his face stone cold, but tearful as well. Merimose however was hugging his mother, and as soon as I entered, he was the first to spot me.

The boy's eyes widened, and he jumped up and ran to me. He grabbed me tightly, and burst into sobs.

"Timaeus, I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry! Please, forgive me!" he cried, and I hastily wiped his tears, trying to comfort him and tell him that it was alright. But he was having none of it.

"I really am sorry! I- I just don't know what happened! It was a mistake. Really. I didn't know who- ... and he-"

His words weren't coming out properly. He was so fretful, but I kept smiling, trying to hush him. He eventually fell silent, but remained hugging me tightly.

When he seemed to have calmed down a bit, I finally looked up, and saw Ramose staring at me with unreadable eyes. Senisonbe refused to look at me. She hid behind her angered husband.

I let go of Merimose and stepped towards him. I bowed my head, his sadness, frustration, grief, rage… everything radiating from his form like waves. It overwhelmed me, and it overwhelmed even him because I could hear him breathing heavily, refusing to say a word.

"I am really sorry for everything that's happened," I started to quietly explain. "And I did not forget everything your family has done for me. I couldn't let anything terrible happen to your family as a result of my own actions. So, I've set everything right. You will lose nothing. And, you won't have to deal with me anymore. I've been offered a job within the palace-"

"I hope you've accepted," Ramose snipped.

There was no kindness in his tone. But I nodded anyways, understanding where it was coming from.

"I have."

He said nothing after that. The only one who showed some joy was Merimose who hugged me once more, this time with well wishes.

"Good luck, and visit me sometimes, okay?" he said, and I thanked him. I doubt the last part would happen as often as he thought though. Things would not be the same.

"I would love to see you again," I said instead, and he was happy for that.

As we listened to Merimose chatter on about things, as if the tension didn't exist, Priest Shada entered once more. He had a guard at his side this time, and upon his arrival, we all stood.

"Timaeus, we shall go now," he said to me before turning to Ramose's family.

"The rest of you will follow this guard. He will escort you out."

The three was immediately ready to leave. Ramose said not a word to me, and neither did Senisonbe. Merimose hugged me for the last time.

"Bye, Timaeus," he whispered, and I waved, watching them disappear before my eyes.

Once they were gone, I followed Priest Shada who continued to lead the way.

"Now I will take you to your quarters. It will be located in the staff area, and it is a shared room, so do try to get along. Everyone will be focused on their own work, and I expect you to do the same. I have high expectations for you, so do not disappoint me," he explained, and I nodded.

There was a lot riding on my position. And with the way Priest Set was against me, I would really have to prove my worth. I just hoped that my skills were good enough. If anything, I just hoped that they were right. But so far, it seemed as if I was on the correct track. Though, at this time I couldn't help but be curious as to who my roommate would be. The feeling that rose up within me was nostalgic. It felt like I was in university all over again.

As I looked around, I knew right away that this was part of the palace I hadn't been to before. It was recognisable. And I really didn't know which would be the way to leave if I ever needed to. All I knew was that we were somewhere near the center of the palace- on the ground floor, somewhere far to the back of the palace. It was much cooler than the outskirts of the building. This area was almost bare of any decorations and fancy columns. Things were plain, and simple. And looking around I could see words written on the wall. Not carved words. Words written in what seemed to be paint of some kind. But I couldn't be certain from just a glance.

Also, the people that littered the halls looked quite young. Around my age atleast, and there were just a few of them hurrying down the halls towards their destination. The only time they slowed down was when they passed by and spotted me walking with Priest Shada. They froze in their tracks, some dropping to their knees no matter what they saw. The hair was enough to convince them.

I sighed, the awkwardness creeping up my bones. Ah yes. The usual. If this kept going, sooner than later it would grow into a problem I couldn't handle anymore. And Priest Shada seemed to share my sentiments because he turned for a split second to look at me.

"We will need to do something about your appearance," he said.

I nodded, and he didn't clarify on just what that 'something' might be. For a split second I worried if that meant I would lose my hair. But my visions, regardless of the horrors they contained, also reminded me that I kept my locks.

"Here it is, room thirty-five," Priest Shada said, and taking a look at the door I had to stop and do a double take. And look at the other doors. I finally realised that each door in this area was numbered.

Seeing my surprise Priest Shada started to explain the reasoning.

"By sectioning off the palace, we are aware of where everyone is located. In this area, the staff's quarters, students are kept. And that title can range from a student in training to become a soldier. A healer's training. Palace cook. And even your position. Management. And these students are all for the palace alone. Their parents hold status within the palace, and so shall they. You, on the other hand, are one of the rare special cases."

"The students who study and train here are also contractually tied to the palace. But because an official employee contract is not made yet, and they just have a student status of their supposed career, everyone is accounted for at the end of the day using these numbers, and a strict schedule. The same, obviously, applies to yourself. You are to remain here in this area at all times, unless sent by me. Understand? Guards are always on patrol, and make sure you are in attendance when they count each student's presence at night unless otherwise stated," Priest Shada warned, and I nodded.

Within the palace there were a lot of stricter rules. But otherwise, I still felt it within me. This giddy feeling I got on the first day of dorm life. Or military training. Scary, but exciting.

Priest Shada opened the door with no more words, and I was ushered in.

"Relax for now. You will start in the morning. I will send clothes for you with a servant," he said.

As soon as I stepped inside, I noticed a boy sitting on one of the cots. He was fairly tall, and almost on the boney side. No hair. Shaven. Eyes large as he sat there, buried in scrolls. And as we entered, he looked up, stopped for a split second, and dropped to his knee hastily. Eyes were impossibly wide as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing.

"No, none of that," Priest Shada dismissed quickly, and the boy looked up. "He is not the Prince. At ease, now."

The boy looked quite wary, but taking a little bit of time to look at me properly, his worry turned into astonishment. I smiled, but he got nervous again.

"With your clothes," Priest Shada went on to say, "I will send a shawl. Cover that hair of yours starting from tomorrow. The less people able to see your resemblance, the better."

"I understand."

"Good. Then I will be on my way," Priest Shada said, and giving me a look over once more, he shut the door and left.

I turned to my roommate who continued to stare at me, and started to back away slightly when I started to approach him.

I stopped, knowing I had to share some things about myself first for him to trust me. They were all lies, but necessary ones or else he would think I'm crazy on top of suspicious.

"Ah, my name is Timaeus Caelius. I guess we're sharing this room," I said, trying to break the ice, but he was still not at ease. Barely.

"Amr," he said stiffly. And after a moment of studying me, he finally spoke.

"You look just like the Prince."

"Yeah, it's a real dangerous situation," I chuckled, but he didn't even break into a smile. He pressed his thin lips together nervously.

"Where are you from?"

"A little place in Greece."

"Why are you here?"

"I'm studying under Priest Shada."

"You can read?"

"Yes, actually."

My eye twitched. I was being interrogated. And I smiled my way through. The boy was studying me from top to bottom, as if he didn't believe a single word I said! But it was understandable. Sometimes I couldn't believe myself. Of all the odds I was the one who looked like the Nameless Pharaoh… It was unbelievable. Though he should have been convinced, right? I mean, Priest Shada himself brought me here.

"And you are sure you are not the Prince in disguise?"

"One hundred percent."

He paused, and hummed to himself.

"Then, can you write as well?"

"Somewhat," I answered.

It was as if that answer was a light switch. He spun around and went to his cot, and came back with a scroll. Without missing a beat he opened it infront of my surprised face and leaned in close with a hopeful look in his eyes.

"Then can you help me with my readings? I'm terribly stuck."

Ah. So that's what it was. I was a bit relieved, but also humoured greatly. This would be a fun person to hang with. I nodded, and he broke out into a wide grin. He had to be in his late teens, but right now, he looked just like a kid who struck gold. And whatever uneasiness he had was now gone since he grabbed me and flopped me down beside him on the cot.

"Can you read it to me? So far I understand that…"

As he went on explaining his work, which I found quite awakening, there was a knock on the door. A servant entered the room a moment later with a pile of clothes.

I got up to receiving it and set them down on the cot that would be mine for now, and took a seat. As soon as I did, I felt the tremors racking my body. The stress was now catching up to me, and the pain. I looked at my bare feet that held small cuts and throbbed dully. I was dirty all over. And for a split second I almost forgot that I had spent some time sitting in a jail cell.

I laughed to myself at my odd forgetfulness, and that was when Amr snapped me out of it. He looked worried, fidgeting slightly.

"You can wash first. We can do this later," Amr said quietly.

Looking at him, I could see his eyes that gazed at my reddened feet sorrowfully.

"That's a good idea. I'll be right back then," I said, and picking up the clothes I turned around, only to look everywhere awkwardly. Amr realised my problem before I did and pushed me towards the door.

"Come, the bath is this way," he said, and to my astonishment we left the room and travelled down the hall a bit before coming to a bigger door. My mind told me exactly what it was, and I mentally prepared myself as we entered.

Just before we did though, I tied my hair in the cloth. I would have to hide it somehow when I washed it, because just as I presumed, it was a large bathroom.

A shared bathroom.

Vases filled with water sat in the empty room, small separation walls on one end of the room. There were a few other boys inside, stripped down to nothing, bathing fast.

I resisted the urge to be needlessly embarrassed. Amr tapped me on the back.

"Bathe quickly and return to the room. It's getting dark," Amr said, and at that I rose a brow.

"What do you mean? What time is it?"

"Almost nightfall. Tonight we're going to be sent to our rooms early, so hurry up. Anyone caught outside is punished."

My head was suddenly spinning as I tried to remember what happened during the day. Wasn't it only a moment ago that it was daytime? Had so much time passed already? Whatever. I had no time to think about it. Right now, I had to listen to him and hurry up. No wonder these boys were practically running out the bathroom barely wrapped in their towels.

"Alright," I told him, and he was just about to leave when something caught his eye. I turned to see what he was looking at when he zoomed passed me with an evil grin, picked up a vase, and dumped the water on top of another boy's head. This other boy was struck with surprise, and shouted Amr's name after turning around hastily and throwing a wet towel in his direction. Amr dodged it and ran outside, chuckling to himself.

"Friend of yours?" I asked, laughing a bit to myself.

Amr nodded.

"Yeah, and that was payback for what he did to me yesterday," Amr answered, and he told me once more to hurry before leaving with a quick wave.

I went to one of the stalls, while one by one everyone left. Some remained and eyed me with curiosity from seeing a new face, but I tried my best to blend in, and bathed quickly myself.

Hanging the clothes up on the divider and undressing myself, I resisted the urge to dump the whole thing on my head as well. I admired the water as if it were gold. And not even the cold deterred me from enjoying the long-awaited scrub down.

Around fifteen minutes later I was feeling more refreshed than I had ever been. And donning the clothes, I noticed that the tunic was longer than the one I wore previously, and slightly different. This one had a little bit of a sleeve, and some golden coloured embroidering around the neck. As for what I did with my hair… I pulled everything that I could behind my ears and tied it as I would in a ponytail before putting the almost see through shawl over my head and threw it over my shoulders like a scarf. A little bit of blond poked out from the top and sides, but it was okay. It wouldn't cause any suspicions.

I made my way back to the bedroom. And thank goodness the doors were numbered. The hall blurred and made one around me, tripping my mind as if I were in a crazy hall of mirrors instead!

Entering the room quietly I saw that Amr was already in bed, his notes gone. He had only one in his hand as he laid in his now cleared bed. But mostly, he was gazing at the ceiling, looking bored.

"You don't need help anymore?" I asked, and he sat up as he noticed me. The scroll was tossed to the side.

"No. I think I can't focus anymore," he said. "I'm just really tired."

"I feel the same way," I agreed, sitting on the cot myself and laying down while Amr got up and blew out the two torches next to the door.

The room was immediately dimmed significantly. Only two remained. One on his side, and one on mine.

"Should I blow out this one? Are you ready to sleep?" I asked, and he shrugged his shoulders.

"I'm just waiting for dinner," Amr answered, and I sat up.

I had forgotten that I needed to eat.

"Food is brought to our rooms?" I thought aloud.

"No. We usually eat in another area. But, sometimes, on serious occasions when they don't want us being outside for too long, meals are sent to us instead."

"Serious occasions?" I echoed.

"Yeah," Amr said. "The Pharaoh is sick. To cause less chaos, everyone unneeded is sent away until matters are sorted. That's why we had to be in our rooms this early today."

"I didn't know that…" I trailed off. Only someone who lived in the palace would be aware of something like that. I was glad I was here then.

"Yeah, they usually let us know in advance," Amr went on, and he let out a deep yawn.

I unconsciously did the same, weariness hitting me harder than before.

We fell silent, each in our own thoughts. I just struggled to keep my eyes open, especially when my body was getting heavier and heavier by the moment. I suddenly didn't feel like eating. Sleep was the only thing on my mind. Everything else was just going to take a back seat until I could think straight again.

That's what I had decided, only to open my eyes with a start when Amr spoke.

"I'm so glad," he said, casting me a glance. "You may have his hair, but you're nothing like the Prince."

My interest was piqued, and I saw an opening for questions. Exhaustion suddenly vanished, especially when I recalled his quarrel with the Priests that happened earlier.

"Oh? What is he like then?" I pressed, and Amr fell silent as he laid down again.

He stared up at the ceiling, and I waited impatiently for him to say more. He was just floating in his thoughts again, but there was a frown on his face that kept me waiting. And then, the look turned grave.

"Timaeus. Let's leave it at that," he whispered.

Now I was really curious. I turned to my side, facing him, and tried to prod him a little more.

"Not allowed to say?" I asked, but he just shook his head.

"That's not it."

"Then what?"

He said nothing once more. After another moment, he mirrored my form on the cot. He looked at me seriously and thought some more for a bit. Then, with his voice low, he finally decided to speak.

"You're going to find out soon."

I couldn't help but smirk a little.

"Really?"

He was still serious as he nodded, and he leaned in closer to me. What he said though in that moment, wiped my face clean of all humour. The world seemed to stop around me, and my ears popped. Nothing else went through my head. Only his words were there, spinning around my brain on a loop.

"When you do witness it, you're going to wish you didn't."

Thank you so much for reading! Please leave some thoughts on your way out, and as always, constructive criticism is much appreciated.

I shall see you next update! :)

Bye~