"But it wasn't your fault…"
"It's my fault. It's because of me she died if not, she would have followed my father and escaped." Cairo clenched his her hands which were still in his tightly.
"She loved you Cairo. If she didn't, she wouldn't have done that for you." Kissa said but he shook his head negatively.
"No. Ever since I was born, I've been a burden to her. She wanted to leave my father but she couldn't because of me. She wanted me to be the king because she said I was destined." Cairo explained with his face buried in the bed.
"She took all the abuse my father threw at her. He would be drunk and decide to take out his anger and faustration out on her. He would beat her up, and hurt her but still she took it all because of me." Cairo half yelled. "She didn't want his concubines to kill me because I was just a naive little boy then. I couldn't even handle a sword. I couldn't shoot arrows, all I could do was run and hide behind my mother.'
"But that's not true. You can do anything." Kissa sighed.
"After she died, my father rebuilt the palace. He didn't see me as his son, he just saw me as a piece of trash. I worked day and night, trained day and night. I became the best swordsman in the kingdom and also the best archer but still, he didn't see me worthy to be his son." Cairo hissed angrily. "I would have left him, see how his kingdom crumbles if not because I know how much my mother put into that kingdom so I could be a great king for it one day."
"The only way I can get that throne is either by killing you." Cairo looked up at her and she stared back at him.
He wasn't crying anymore but his eyes were red. "But no I couldn't. What will my mother say if she saw me. She's going to tell me. "Cairo, this is not how I trained you." She would be disappointed in me."
"She would be proud of the man you've become Cairo. She would be proud that you can differentiate the right from wrong. She'll be proud of the brave warrior you have become." Kissa held his hands with a smile. "She would be proud that you never gave up and kept pushing no matter what."
"How did you know she would be proud of me and not be disappointed?" Cairo asked with a raised brow.
"Because I know there's nothing to be disappointed about in you. You're doing everything you can to live up to her expectations." Kissa patted his hair gently. "If I was her, I would be really proud of you Cairo. Really."
"Thank you so much Kissa. I really appreciate." He smiled gently and she smiled back at him.
"You just got carried away and called her by her name Cairo." Layla's voice echoed in the room before a splash was heard on the balcony.
They both looked back and saw the water take form of Layla who shook her body gently to make sure there wasn't any droplets of water on her.
"When you are done with your lovey thing, tell me so I can talk." Layla sat on Kissa's throne like chair which was placed in her balcony. "Ohh, this place has a nice view of the pyramids."
Cairo took his hands away from Kissa's gently before walking down the stairs.
"Where do you think you're going?" Layla asked.
"Back to work." Cairo replied.
"When did you start taking your 'work' seriously?" Layla teased but all Cairo did was shrug before walking towards the door. "That is no way to act towards a soon to be concubine."
Cairo and Kissa shot their heads towards her direction in shock. "Concubine?" They both asked.
"Of course. Do you think I wouldn't play my cards well? In a few days, I would be his concubine which would give you enough time to finish with your nonsense Cairo." Layla rested her back gently. "Ohh this chair is comfortable."
"How did you manage to do all this?" Kissa asked.
"Layla has her own personal charm and Asim who is attracted to women would easily fall into her charm but I underestimated her." Cairo explained.
"Underestimated? Cairo!!"