The sun was already setting when different people started arriving to celebrate Pharaoh's victory. Some were allies, some were nemesis.
Kissa sat before her mirror as the maids adorned her hair with golden rings. As usual, whenever she was around Pharaoh, she wore gold. She was wearing a golden dress with a golden usek.
"You look beautiful my lady." One of her maids complimented and she smiled slightly.
"It's almost time my lady." The other maid said as she walked into the room. "Different people from different kingdoms are here already."
Kissa still didn't understand how they would easily get to their place after being informed shortly about the celebration. Or maybe Pharaoh informs her late intentionally.
"When did the men arrive from war?" Kissa asked the two ladies behind her.
"Five days ago Lady Kissa." They replied and Kissa rolled her eyes.
"I heard that Pharaoh might be choosing his 50th concubine today." The first maid, Ramla said to the second maid in a whisper but Kissa heard.
"It's another political marriage." The second maid, Sabola replied in a hushed tone too.
"It might not be a political marriage. It might be out of lust." Kissa replied as she stood up. Both ladies bowed respectfully as she looked at herself in the mirror.
"Are you ready Lady Kissa?" Lapis asked as she stepped in.
"Has the celebration started?" Kissa asked.
"A celebration can't start without Pharaoh around but all the guests arrived already." Lapis replied to her with her head bowed.
"Are his concubines coming?" Kissa asked. She wasn't ready to deal with deadly glares very early in the night.
"No Lady Kissa. He has warned them strictly to stay back in the concubines quarters." Lapis informed and she sighed.
Ramla and Sabola quickly covered Kissa's head with a golden transparent veil. "Your staff, Lady Kissa." Sabola knelt as she brought up a golden staff resting on a pillow.
Kissa took the staff and looked at it with a smile. The staff was made of pure gold and a lotus was on it.
"Pharaoh has sent words that he'll be leaving his quarters in a few minutes. You must meet him on the passage to the celebration hall." Lapis informed and Kissa nodded as Ramla helped her down the stairs.
Kissa walked down the long passage with Lapis before her and some guards behind her. The moon was already up and shining brightly.
Each pillar they passed by had a lamp on it, shining on the passageway mixing with the moonlight to form a beautiful colour.
"Here we are." Lapis said as they stopped and they looked right and saw Pharaoh walking towards them with his personal guard.
"Greetings to you Kissa." He smirked and she bowed back in respect.
At a corner, Sara and Akila were watching Pharaoh adjust the veil on her head while her head was still bowed.
"The Pharaoh is in love with her. It's not only because she is the one behind all his victories." Akila said and Sara almost exploded due to anger.
"She is just a teenage girl and the Pharaoh is way older than she is." Sara gritted her teeth in anger.
"Even she doesn't know he is in love with her." Akila whispered. "I overheard one of the maids saying Pharaoh wants her to bear the heir to the throne once he conquers all the kingdoms left."
"So what will happen to my own son? He is Pharaoh's first son and he wants to give the throne to her own child. That won't happen." Sara almost yelled in anger.
"We have to kill her." Sara clenched her fists.
"We can't kill her, my lady. If we do, who knows what will happen to the kingdom. There might be no kingdom left for your son to rule." Akila said politely.
"I've had enough of being put in the same spot. Get me my dinner immediately I get back to my room." Sara grumbled as she walked back to the Concubines quarters.
Kissa sensed the concubine's presence and she was right when she saw Sara and Akila walking into the opposite passage.
"Don't think of doing anything funny tonight Kissa. You know what I am capable of doing if you get on my bad side." Pharaoh threatened as he walked forward with her.
"Yes Pharaoh." Kissa replied and immediately, the doors pulled open.
As expected, the whole hall was filled with different types of people. The aisle leading to Pharaoh's throne was covered with golden carpets with people sitting on each side of the carpet.
The Pharaoh's golden throne was elevated by three stairs and a small golden sitting pillow was on the floor on the left side of the throne.
Everyone stood up and bowed as Kissa and Pharaoh walked down the aisle to the throne. All eyes were on Kissa who had her head bowed as they walked forward.
"Greetings Pharaoh Asim."