Chapter 14
“What were you doing out here anyway?” Sydney asked, standing with Michael to go inside after the sun fell from their view.
“I just wanted some fresh air.” Michael answered and started walking towards the palace doors.
“But you’re sick!” Sydney whined. “You need sleep.”
“I couldn’t sleep, not without you there.” Michael admitted.
“God, that sounds like it came straight out of some cheesy romance novel.” Sydney smiled.
“Romance novel?” Michael asked.
“Never mind.” Sydney replied, slipping her hand in his as they walked. Michael wasn’t sure what the gesture meant to her, but it seemed like a sign of affection to him. He wondered if she felt the same way he did.
“You say the strangest things…” Michael shook his head with a smile.
“Fo shizzle.” Sydney replied with a laugh. Michael raised his eyebrow and smiled.
“And that means?” Michael asked.
“For sure. You add –izzle to they end of any word and you’re ghetto.” Sydney explained with a giggle.
“Alrightizzle.” Michael laughed.
“Nice.” Sydney followed Michael into his room. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were bringing me in here to have your way with me.” Michael gave her a confused look. “Again, never mind.”
“You’re one of a kind, that’s fo shizzle.” Michael shook his head with a smile.
“Yes I am, now lay back down; you’re sick.”
***
“Your highness, you must get up it’s time for-” Michael’s chief advisor walked into his room the next morning to find a woman in bed beside the Prince. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to-”
“Oh my god!” Sydney cried as she awoke to find a middle-aged man standing close to her side of the bed.
“It’s okay Sydney, it’s just my advisor.” Michael sat up in bed casually. Sydney pulled the covers up to her shoulders quickly. Even though she was almost fully dressed, she was still freaked out by the old guy in the room. “What seems to be the problem?”
“It’s official business… I don’t think she should be here to listen to it.” He gave a disapproving look to Sydney.
“Sydney, can you go out in the hallway or get some food while we talk?” Michael asked gently. Sydney was annoyed that her morning had been ruined by this man’s presence.
“I’m not a whore.” She said harshly to Michael’s adviser as she left the room.
“Sorry, she’s a little bitter.” Michael apologized to his advisor. “What were you saying Arvin?”
“It’s not important. I wasn’t aware you had brought some… entertainment for last evening.” Arvin said with a glance over his shoulder.
“It’s not like that.” Michael replied.
“I just think it’s not a good idea to have prostitutes here during the festival.” Arvin added.
“Do you not listen to anything I say? She’s not a prostitute. She’s a friend, and nothing happened!” Michael got out of bed and stood in front of his advisor.
“Yes, your majesty.” Arvin smiled politely. He didn’t like this girl already and made plans to get rid of her. He couldn’t risk the Prince’s reputation and his on some pale slave girl.
***
“Sorry about that.” Michael apologized when Arvin left. He let Sydney back into the room and saw she was carrying a tray of food. “You know-”
“Yes, servants. Heard it before.” Sydney smiled, setting the tray down on the bed. She tucked her feet under her and began eating the meal she had brought up for them. “You know, your house is huge.” She commented with bread in her mouth.
“I guess.” Michael sat next to her and ate some of the food too.
“You guess? Dude, its like, bigger than anything I’ve ever seen before!”
“That’s what my father was going for.” Michael replied with a shrug.
“Speaking of, where is your father? I haven’t seen him around doing Pharaoh-y things…” Sydney asked, taking another bite of the bread.
“He died two years ago.” Michael answered sadly.
“Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t know.” Sydney placed her hand on his shoulder gently.
“That’s alright.” Michael continued eating in silence.
“So… does that make you Pharaoh now?”
“No, I have to marry before I inherit the throne.” Michael replied softly, looking into her eyes. Sydney fantasized that he was thinking about her being the one he wanted to marry. She smiled at him and he smiled back. Seemingly caught in the perfect moment, Sydney leaned over and connected her lips to his in a tender kiss.
TBC...