Don't mention it. Ahh….the reason why I did was to get to know you better! I know I am not worthy to even talk to you like this since your Egypt's maidens, but I bravely said what I said because I like you, Spia!, Arthur added stopping his horse and looking at me with great passion and sincerity in the eyes.
I saw his blue eyes clear which touched my heart, but I needed to move my gaze away from him since as a warrior for the queen's courts we need to be loyal to her and only her. Romance and relationships can ruin my dream of becoming the best spy and mercenary of the group.
Ah, I am happy to hear that Arthur, but, as of the moment, love or relationship isn't one of my priorities but my position in the queen's courts. I hold a big responsibility there and love has no place with people like us….a mer….!, I stopped talking since as a spy we aren't allowed to disclose who we truly area and what we do for the queen and Egypt.
Position, and what title might that be? That you can't love someone like me?, Arthur, with eyes almost tearing-up when I said I can't have a relationship or fall in love because of my job.
Ah…well, it's hard to say (since we're not allowed to tell it anyway!) But it's an honorable and decent job in the queen's courts, I assure you. Let's ride faster to join them. Arthur, we can be friends, for now. I know if we are meant to be, the gods will make a way for us to get to know more of each other…..and….
There was news in the city that a Mediterranean climate has occurred and hot, dry summer is approaching. Spira decided that we both stay for a while in Siracusa with Arthur's family until the hot summer is over since we need to get back to Egypt soon for Princess Jaur's birthday and crowning the next fall. It's going to be three months of wait starting today. Maybe the gods has answered Arthur's prayer that I stay with him and his family. But as a mercenary, the risk of me endangering his and his family's life is my concern. I don't want to ruin his life just like I didn't with mine because of my job. I know it's not anyone's fault but my family deserved a better life and me being with the organization helps me feed them and supports with their yearly expenses. Queen Henshu makes sure that her warriors and people are safe, healthy and well taken-cared of in life, family and fun.
It's nice to see children playing outside and seeing families live their lives peacefully in Siracusa. Arthur and his family is lucky to have Belinda, though she lost her eyesight, she remained strong and caring with her children, her family and their guests, us. Eating her arancini, caponata, breads and delicacies are fascinating. I love her and ah….I think I am falling in love with Arthur too. He is kind, gentle and smart, unlike when he jousts, he is totally a different person inside the arena. Arthur asked to come with him to walk up a hill and I agreed. Spira is talking with Fila about building armors in his armor shop which he and his son Boi runs when they are not joining tournaments.
Temenite Hill is a breathtaking. Ahhh… the round shaped hill along with the many trees and beautiful nature, I can live here for the rest for the rest of my life!, I said to myself when I saw the historical hill of Sicily.
Come, look at this! This is called Micreme, Bongavillea, Hyacinth, Athena's flower, and more….. I love Anthea since it grows in the swamps but violet is a beautiful resemblance of it that captures any eyes. Here!!!, Arthur plucking one and placing it on the side to my ear and touching my cheek after.
You are so beautiful, Spia! I….ah…..can you be my girlfriend?, Arthur added shyly, then, is about to kiss me but I avoided his lips.
I…like you too, Arthur (in fact I am deeply in love with you, but I can't) but I can't promise to be here with you since I get deployed most of the times I am needed by the queen and Spira or the general. Would that be okay with you? Will you wait for me?
Yes I will wait for you Spia! I love you so much! I pledge my life, honor and heart as a champion for love of you!, Arthur raising his hand in the promise that he will love me for the rest of his life. I was touched and felt the urge to kiss him. I took his neck with bot of my hands and kissed his mouth. We fell on the ground full of flowers and grass which made it so romantic. We came there as best friends and came out of Temenite Hill as lovers. We were holding each other's hands when Spira came running with her horse advising me that's we are needed back to the palace urgently. My face changed from happy to gloomy. I know this was what I was afraid of when I hesitant in accepting Arthur's love, the separation because of war or responsibilities I pledged my life with for the queen of Egypt.
Arthur looked at me and became sad. He hugged me for fear of my life and our future. That's why I never wanted to accept you in my life, is because my life is tied with my job as a mercenary for the queen! I love you with all of my heart but I need to fulfill my duty to my queen, nation and my job!, I hugged and kissed my love Arthur goodbye. This is the longest, hardest and painful goodbye I encountered in my life.
It never gets any better for when Spira and I left from Siracuse, a long drought came to Greece and flash floods happened nearly at the same time that we left it. I heard news that Arthur and his family is okay and now living in Malta. He wrote to me that he will visit in Thebes. Memphis is being built, restored as the country's richest city blessed by the gods since it has lots of mineral deposits and the queen ordered us to explore the place more before heading back to Thebes for the crowning of Princess Jaur.
Memphis was Egypt's first cities built with all the pyramids just like in Cairo. Inebu-hejd (White Walls) is where all Pharaoh's are crowned and Princess Jaur will be presented as queen there. Memphis was found by Menes that since Egypt is rich in gold, miners dig and sometimes exploit the resources of the city, why Queen Henshu ordered for it to be placed under her protection.