"You know that the end signals a new beginning, right?"

-Unknown.

Hope you guys enjoy the music 😊❤

Aahotep's Pov

Anxious, that was what I felt as I gazed out into the lush rose garden below. The noon sun hit the delicate petals making them reflect their vibrate colours, painting a picture that was more glorious than the ones that sat on frames.

I was happy that I was finally going to see the women that had been pulling my heart strings after fourteen days but I also felt like something wasn't quite right, that maybe something had happened to Neith.

I was probably just over thinking everything, I thought as I shook my head but something within me didn't quite believe that. A knock on the door brought me out of my worried thoughts.

"Come in," I said a little too cheerfully hoping it was Neith but my smile fell as I saw Abu enter the room.

"Your Highness," Abu said as he bowed slightly. He looked like a skeleton that had come alive. His eyes seemed to be sucked in and the outer rims looked like he had painted them with black eye paste.

"Abu, you don't look too well. Have you been eating?" I asked with a frown.

"Yes Sire, I have. But you look a lot worse. Have been sleeping Sire?" Abu asked looking worried.

"How could I?" I said, sighing.

So much had happened in the last week I didn't know how to deal with everything. The Kings and Queens of the neighbouring lands had left a couple of days back, congratulating us on our victory and told me that everything would move along peacefully now. If only it were that simple.

I still had something I was dreading to face. Something that kept me awake all these nights. Something that made it hard for me to swallow my food or even water. Something that might kill me inside if I continue to look into it.

"It's going to be fine your Highness," Abu said bringing me out of my miserable thoughts.

"I don't think it will be. She is my mother after all," I said trying to hold back the tears that threaten to fall. I looked away hoping the clear blue skies could help me heal the pain that seemed to have sunken deep within my soul.

Abu said no more. He just cupped his hand over mine, sending a bit of warmth to my cold skin.

**********

"Aahotep!" Neith screamed as she speed walked towards me, a broad smile lit up her face and seemed to take up half her face. I smiled just as wide and before I could get a word out I got crushed as she gave me a life threatening hug.

"Ouch!" She said breaking the hug immediately as she winced in pain and stepped back, holding her left side. A frown immediately formed on my brow.

"Why you holding your hip? Did you get injured?" I asked as I tried to move closer but my chair seemed to restrict my movement.

"What! No, I um.. I just walked into a beam on my way here so..." Neith trailed off, completely avoiding eye contact. That liar.

"Neith..." I said in a demanding tone. She seemed to be hiding the pain she felt. According to the letters I received Neith was never injured in any way or so they said.

"It's nothing really," Neith said, her eyes still didn't look at mine. Now I was getting mad.

"Fine, I'll just ask Baako," I said and started pushing the wheels of my chair.

"Wait.... it's not that big of a deal. I'm alive aren't I?" Neith said blocking my path.

"What do you mean alive? So are you saying you almost died?" I asked looking up to her. Don't tell me she actually put herself in danger despite my warnings.

"No... well... it's a little complicated," Neith said stammering again.

"Baako!!" I screamed startling Neith as she jumped back a little. I was about to call for him again but he appeared by Neith's side before I could.

"Yes, your Highness?" Baako asked making a slight bow.

"Did Neith put herself in any sort of danger?" I asked looking at him, my eyes burning into his almost black irises.

"Yes, she almost died. She had been unconscious for four days. I'm sorry I should have been more efficient in guarding her," Baako replied, his voice never shaking or unsteady. His composure was perfect, too perfect. Only a handful of people weren't intimidated by my presence and Baako was one of them.

"What Baako means was that I got myself involved to a very sensitive situation that needed to be handled delicately," Neith said rushing in to save Baako from my burning glare.

"And you were the only one who could have handled that situation delicately?" I asked stressing on the word delicate.

"Well... I was the only one there so...." Neith trailed off again.

"Tell me everything that happened," I demanded looking at Neith with a murderous look. She is in big big trouble.

I listened inventively throughout the narration of what really happened on the battlefield.

"And then I woke up, happy to be alive and well, the end. Now Baako you can go and I feel a little sleepy so I'm going to head to my room," Neith said pushing Baako but he wouldn't budge.

"Baako you can go and I need to talk to you Neith," I said coldly. Baako bowed again and left without a word.

"Show me," I said looking at Neith.

"Show you what?" Neith looked confused for a second before realising what I meant.

"I rather not," Neith said bringing her hands to cover her wounded area.

"Now," I said in a dangerously low voice. I really wasn't in the mood to be nice today. Not after what she did.

She looked scared to say anything more. Hesitantly she pulled up her brown linen top. I gasped at the sight of her wound. I moved closer to her and reached out my hand, touching the gruesome cut. I moved my fingers along the twists of the pink and black lumps that seemed to have been formed due to the heating of the flesh. It looked painful, felt painful. She must have been in so much of pain. I felt a drop of tear fall onto my cheek.

"You could have died," I said unable to remove my hand from the scar nor was I able to look up to her. My heart was beating so fast as I thought of how close to death she had been. If I lost her I don't think I could have handled it. I know I couldn't have.

"But I didn't," Neith said, moving in closer and wrapping her hands around my neck. Her warm embrace seemed to bring out all the built in emotions I had locked away. I buried my head into her stomach, hugging her slightly and let my tears flow without hesitation. We stayed like this for a long long time and I wished I could have continued to stay like this for eternity.

**********

"So, tell me what are you planning on doing about the council and your mother?" Neith asked looking at me.

"Do we really have to talk about this now?" I asked trying to avoid the subject. I feel like a total fool for breaking down like that. Not even my mother had seen such a vulnerable side of me, yet Neith never said a word the entire time I sobbed like a baby in her arms. Now I wanted to hide under my blanket and never come out. So embarrassing.

"Yes, we do," Neith said looking at me. Her brown eyes shined under the crescent shape of the moon. I sighed, I had to tell her.

"While you were away we investigated all the leads and found most of the members of the rebel group. We will be arresting them all tomorrow and a new council will be set up. We will decide what to do about my mother then," I said, gazing into the pond that seemed to be filled with black water .

"How are you feeling about it?" Neith asked. I could feel her gaze on me but I avoided looking at her.

"Not too good," I answered honestly.

"I'm sure she would have a good explanation," Neith said softly, placing her hand over mine.

"Neith there is one more thing you need to know about my mother," I said, my mouth instantly going dry. My heart beat accelerated and I felt hot despite the cool breeze that passed our way.

"What is it?" Neith asked looking a little worried. I swallowed hard. I had to tell her.

"Mother was the one who killed my father."

A/n:

Hey guys, I'm back with a new chap. Sorry it took a while 😅. I'm not feeling too well so I'm truly sorry for the delay.

So Neith is at it's end. Only two more chapter to go and then an epilogue. *Sobs* gonna miss writing Neith 😭.

So, did you guys enjoy the chap? What do you think about the latest development. Do you have any theories as to why Aahotep's mom would have done such a thing? Leave a comment and let me know.

So since the book is at it's final stages I would like you guys to comment below and tell me who is your favourite character so far and why? Mine was Ammon. (Ya, you read right it's not Neith 😜)

Hope you guys have an amazing day/evening/ night. Love ya!! 😘❤❤