"W-What are you saying?" Jin Wo stuttered as he looked at his older brother, clearly thinking that this was a joke while Min Jun just gazed at the man in front of him that was dressed in black, trying to find truth in the words that have just fallen on his ears.
Joon Wo wasn't clueless to the stare he was getting from the boy in front of him that was only a bit shorter than him now. As he compared his little brother's figure both then and now, he couldn't help the smile that crept up his face finding its way to be displayed to the young boy.
"I-it's true." Min Jun mumbled under his breath but Joon Wo heard him. "It really is you."
The gentle and warm smile that was slowly coming out at Joon Wo has taken him aback making him doubt and doublethink everything that has happened so far.
Did his brothers really abandon him? He thought and thought, a feeling deep inside him told him that there was no way that this was possible but the logical side of him refused to accept that inner feeling.
"It's been a while, brother." Yu Jun said stepping closer to join them.
Poor Jin Wo was not accepting what he was seeing or hearing, they weren't told anything about this. No one told them that their brother was coming back.
"Hope you've been well Hyung." Joon Wo said. The word Hyung came out unintentionally as if his mind didn't have another way to address his brother. "At least one of you still remembers me." His spat out making sure it was noticeable which they did.
Pain spread across Min Jun's face at his brother's words, he felt a weird knot starting to tangle in his stomach. A mixture of overwhelming feelings taking over him.
Seems like Joon Wo isn't the only one that was frustrated to his bones.
"Don't be too harsh on them." Yu Jun faked a smile. "They were too young when you left it's only natural that they forget how you look."
They stayed silent for a moment, none of them knew what to say and none of them dared to ask about what happened or why that happened. The awkwardness in the air was so suffocating that they felt the sky start to darken.
"Well," Joon Wo said breaking the silence. "if there is nothing else to say." He lowered his head in curtesy, not wanting to take this any further. Too many emotions and sensations at once.
His brother did the same but the younger ones didn't. When Joon Wo noticed that was the end of their first meeting after 10 years, he turned around to see that the servant was still standing there waiting for him.
Poor guy, he had to witness all that bad blood between brothers.
~~~~
"What about the Hittites?" Akhenaton said as he sat on his throne with court lords and ministers standing a couple of steps below him on the marble floor.
"The last means of negotiation failed, Pharaoh." One of the lords said.
The pharaoh sighed and sat back in his golden coated throne that imbedded with different colored diamonds. He was getting sick and tired of the none ending the conflict with the Hittites (Modern-day Turkey). The conflict started over one of the cities on the borders between the two empires, the city of Kadesh (located now in Syria.)
Akhenaton was first able to conquer the city a few years ago but still, the conflict continued leading to several battles between the two empires.
"And by the looks of it, they aren't going to be quiet for long, Pharaoh." The minister of defense stepped out. "We must prepare for another battle!"
Sounds of acceptance backing up the advice were echoing in the huge court hall. Akhenaton sighed for the 10th time in less than a minute, he can't say that they are wrong because indeed this was the beginning of another battle.
But he was already late!
He should've already departed a week ago to reach Goryeo (Korea) on time for the Chuseok or whatever that ritual was called and it would be an inappropriate thing to do to not go after the official letter was sent. But he can't just leave this mess to handle itself, what would his men think when they are out there surrounded by death and blood and he was having a vacation with wine and grapes?
Honestly, he was starting to mentally break down with all the problems that are coming at him one after another, especially since he just fixed Lord Seth's mess which left the throne in a financial problem that wouldn't be fixed until later this month when it's time for harvest and they had the battle to fight by the end of the week.
This was a slice of how his life has been. Ruling over an empire as big as Kemet was no easy job, he thought…and he just came to realize that…after 21 years of being on the throne, really?
"Alright," Akhenaton closed his eyes as he talked, "prepare for the attack."
"Yes, Pharaoh." They said in unison and left the hall leaving the emperor on his one, giving him a few moments of peace.
"Jaffar, summon Tari to my chambers." He said standing up with the groan, the throne was not comfortable by any means, and sooner he was in his study the better.
"Yes, Pharaoh," Jaffar said bowing waiting for his king to go out first before he goes to do what he was told.
~~~~
"You called, Papa?" Tari said as she just barged into his study knowing that her father won't mind her doing that.
"Oh, indeed I did." He smiled at her and gestured for her to sit down which she did gladly with her sore feet from the dancing lesson she just finished. Why would they bother to teach her how to dance? She always wondered. She preferred the martial art lesson way more than the dance lesson.
"Is everything okay? You seem exhausted." She said worry in her eyes as she saw how her father got up from his chair and came to sit with a loud thud next to her on the couch that was in front of the terrace.
He didn't reply for a moment enjoying the view that was in front of them, the sparkling city of Thebes could be clearly seen from this spot.
It was Cleopatra's favorite and now it was Nefertari's.
"Is it the Hittites again?" Tari said. She was no longer a child, she was now part of the court and she dealt with the countries affairs as well, though her father never allowed her to meddle with the deeper affairs like this one, he could only talk with her every now and then as a way to relieve his stress.
He nodded his head. "We are probably going to battle again by the end of this week."
"End of this week!" she yelled and turned to look at her father. "But father we won't make it on time!"
"That is why I called for you, Tari." He said not looking at his stunned looking daughter. "I can't make it."
He turned to look at her to be taken aback from her silver eyes that filled with tears that threaten to fall at any given moment.
"W-why are you crying?" he panicked. "D-don't cry. I know you want to go, hear me out first."
"Papa you meany…" she pouted and wiped her eyes with the back of her balm.
"I-I'm not!" he frowned sadly at her and took a deep breath to regain his composure. "I only said that I can't make it, it doesn't mean that you won't."
She looked at her father with a questioning look. "You mean I'll go alone?"
He nodded. "I can't leave the men and go but I also can't refuse the king's request. So, I'll send you instead. You are the crown princess and your presence won't be less than mine."
She looked at her father with confusion. She wanted to go so bad but she didn't want to leave her father in the middle of this mess and go have fun alone.
"I know what you are thinking so, don't. You are not going there to have fun; you are going as a representative of the throne."
"But, still," Nefertari said.
"No buts. This is an official order, Crown Princess Nefertari." He placed his words formally making no room for complaints or questioning.
"Go and have fun sweetheart." He smiled warmly at her. "You've worked hard for the past years." He ruffled her long raven-black hair that curled it's way on her back, planting a kiss on her forehead, making her feel how his lips curled up in a smile on her tanned skin.
She had tears in her eyes but this time it was out of love and compassion.
"Thank you, Papa!" And she wrapped her arms around him as hard as her arms could and he warmly returned the hug, knowing that he will miss her dearly.