The silence that followed Ramose's revelation hung in the air, thick and heavy, like a storm about to break. Naiya's mind raced, struggling to comprehend the truth. Prince Ramose. The second son of Pharaoh Akhenaten. All this time, she had been confiding in a prince, sharing moments of vulnerability with someone who was far more than just a soldier.
Naiya could feel her heart pounding in her chest. Every word that had passed between them suddenly took on new meaning. The way he had always been there, the understanding in his eyes, the connection that had felt so natural—it all made sense now, yet it left her more confused than ever.
"Why didn't you tell me?" she finally managed to ask, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ramose let out a soft sigh, his gaze never leaving hers. "I didn't want to be seen as a prince to you. I didn't want you to think I was trying to influence you with my title. I wanted you to see me as just Ramose, the man who has shared this time with you. But now…" He paused, his eyes searching her face. "Now that you know, I hope you can still see me as that man, and not as a prince with his own agendas."
Naiya's thoughts swirled in a storm of emotions. She had spent weeks getting to know him, learning about his kindness, his humor, his quiet strength. The idea that he was royalty had never once crossed her mind. And yet, now that the truth was out, she couldn't help but feel a sudden weight on her shoulders—a weight that was heavier than the gold-plated walls of the palace surrounding them.
"I… I don't know what to think," she admitted, her voice shaky. "You've been so kind to me, and now I find out you're—this."
"I understand," Ramose said softly, taking a step closer. "But I need you to know that my feelings for you are not tied to my status. I care for you, Naiya, and I can't deny it any longer."
Naiya's heart thudded in her chest. She had felt the pull between them, a connection that went beyond the physical, something deeper, something she couldn't explain. But now, with the weight of his confession, she felt a growing fear—the fear of what this might mean. What did it mean for her, someone who had been pulled out of time and thrown into this world that she didn't belong to? What would it mean for him, a prince who had responsibilities far beyond anything she could fathom?
"I don't know how I can be a part of this world," she said, her voice cracking as she spoke. "I'm not supposed to be here. I don't belong in Egypt. I don't belong in your world."
Ramose reached out, gently taking her hand in his. "You belong here, Naiya," he said firmly. "You've shown me kindness when I was just another face in the crowd. You've treated me as a person, not as a prince. And that means more to me than anything."
Naiya closed her eyes, the weight of his words settling over her. She didn't know what to say, or if there even were the right words to say. But the truth was, despite the confusion, despite the uncertainty of everything, she didn't want to let go of this connection she had with Ramose.
"You're asking a lot," she murmured, still uncertain of what the future held. "But I'm not sure what's going to happen now. My life—my real life—isn't here. And I don't know if I can stay in a world that isn't mine."
Ramose's grip on her hand tightened just slightly. "Then take the time you need. I don't expect you to make any decisions now. But I want you to know something, Naiya." His voice dropped, becoming more earnest, more vulnerable. "No matter what happens, I will stand by you. Whether you choose to stay or go, I will support you."
Naiya's breath caught in her throat. His words, so sincere and filled with warmth, seemed to chase away the darkness that had clouded her mind for so long. She didn't have all the answers. She didn't know what the future held, or if she could truly belong in this strange time and place. But for the first time in a long time, she felt a glimmer of hope.
"Thank you," she said, her voice steadying as she looked up at him. "I don't know what's next, but… I'm glad I met you, Ramose. I just hope I'm not making a mistake."
"You're not," he assured her, his eyes soft with understanding. "You're following your heart. That's all any of us can do."
And in that moment, Naiya allowed herself to believe him.
The music from the banquet drifted into the garden, muffled and distant, as the two of them stood there, silently watching the Nile glisten under the starlit sky. It was a moment suspended in time—one that felt like a beginning, a turning point. Whatever happened next, Naiya knew that she had crossed a threshold.
And as Ramose's hand remained gently clasped around hers, she realized that the path ahead, though uncertain, would no longer be one she walked alone.