I woke up early, before the sun had warmed the courtyard. My mind was fixed on one thing — today, Neseret and her son would move under my roof. It was the decision I had given her — and myself — yesterday. Today, it would become reality.
The first thing to do was notify the household. I called the palace steward and a few of the women who kept my wing in order.
"From today, a woman and a child will live here," I said plainly. "Prepare the room next to mine for them. Make sure they have everything they need — water, mats, bowls."
The steward nodded. "As you wish."
"And one more thing," I added. "You will not speak about this outside these walls. This is not gossip for the servants' hall."
I could see they understood. When they turned to carry out my orders, I stood there for a moment longer. A strange unease settled in me. Part of me was glad they would finally both be near me. Another part knew the palace wasn't always a safe place. I'd seen too many intrigues, too many schemes. And now I was bringing them into my world.
"I hope I'm doing the right thing," I muttered to myself.
Out in the courtyard, I ran into Karem. He was grinning as though he already knew what was happening.
"So, it's happening?" he asked with a smirk.
I nodded. "Today they're moving in."
"I never thought I'd see this day," he said with a laugh. "You — the man who's refused everyone for years — finally letting someone close."
"Things change," I replied calmly. "And what about you? What did you do after the festival?"
Karem laughed. "Let's just say I made sure the goddess Hathor was pleased. The wine flowed, and as for the women… one dancer convinced me her performance needed a private encore."
I raised my hand to stop him. "Keep the details to yourself. I don't need them."
"As you say," he said, still grinning.
By midday, we were walking toward Neseret's house. When she saw us, she already had her things ready — not much, just a few baskets of clothes, water jars, thick blankets, and a few keepsakes from her mother.
"So this is all?" I asked.
She nodded. "We don't have much. It won't take long."
Karem lifted the heaviest basket onto his shoulder and looked at me. "So, where are we taking all this?"
"To the palace," I answered. "They've prepared a room next to mine."
Neseret looked at me, her eyes holding a mix of a smile and nervousness. She knew what this meant. This wasn't just kindness — I was bringing her and her son into my life.
We set off together. On the way, I found myself glancing around more often than necessary. It felt like someone was watching us. Maybe it was just habit from the war, maybe not.
"Are you all right?" Neseret asked when she noticed my unease.
"I am," I said with a nod. "I just want to be sure nothing happens to you."
Karem smirked. "You know, if someone saw you like this, they'd think you were a worried grandfather guarding his granddaughter."
"Maybe," I said, but I didn't stop watching the streets.
When we reached the palace, the guards let us through without a word. My orders had already been passed along. Once inside the prepared rooms, Neseret looked around and slowly sat down on a mat.
"I never thought I'd live here," she said softly.
"You'll get used to it," I replied. "This place is safe. And if it isn't, I'll be there."
Karem set the basket down and stretched. "Well, that's my work done. And since I helped, I hope I can take some wine from your stores tonight."
"Just don't overdo it," I told him.
When he left, it was just the two of us. Neseret adjusted the blankets and said quietly, "Thank you for doing this. I know the palace is a place of work for you, not a home. But now… now it's our home too."
I nodded. "Yes. And I have to make sure you are safe here."
Watching her touch the wall, as though making sure this was all real, I felt a strange sense of pride. I had given her something solid, something certain.
But the shadow of doubt lingered in my mind. I had seen too much betrayal to believe happiness lasted forever. And I promised myself that if danger came, I would take her and her son away — even if it meant defying the palace.
"Well," I said, looking at Neseret and Nakht, who was playing with a small piece of wood. "This is your new home. Make it your own. If you need anything, tell the servants – they've been instructed to help you."
I led them into the courtyard, into the small garden I had created during my years in the palace. This was my quiet space, the place where I grew herbs for medicine. The air smelled of mint, coriander, and garlic growing in clay pots.
"This is my garden," I explained. "Some of these plants you already know, the rest I'll show you later. Your son can play here, just make sure he doesn't pull anything out that he shouldn't," I added with a small smile.
Next to the garden was a small pen. Inside were a few goats, some chickens, and even two geese that I'd been given years ago by a grateful farmer. The goats were chewing lazily, the chickens were scratching in the dust.
"And this," I said, "is the food supply and occasional noise maker. The goats give milk, the chickens eggs. The geese… well, they're geese," I said with a laugh as one hissed at me.
Neseret smiled softly. "Nakht will like it here. And so will I."
I nodded. "You'll get used to it quickly. For now, rest and unpack. I'll come back later."
I left them there and went to find Karem. I knew exactly where to look – in the training yard. He was sparring with two younger soldiers, striking a wooden shield and barking orders. When he saw me, he lowered his staff and walked over.
"You look pleased," he said with a grin.
"I am," I admitted. "But I came to talk to you about something else."
Karem leaned on his staff and waited. "Go ahead."
"Why did you have to joke about my age?" I asked directly. "You know I'm not old. You're not much younger than me."
He chuckled. "I couldn't help it. Ever since that assassin yelled 'old man' at you, it's been stuck in my head. And honestly – it's fun to use sometimes."
I shook my head. "Fun? If only you knew how many women chased after me in my time when I was in my prime. And if I hadn't been…" I gestured toward my belt, "if I hadn't lost everything back then, I would have had even more."
Karem burst out laughing so loudly that one of the soldiers glanced over. "You're seriously telling me women wanted you back then?"
"Not just women, Karem," I said with a grin. "Crowds. In the palace I was the closest man to the princess – I taught her, protected her. If I hadn't been a eunuch, I'd have had more offers than I could count. But back then, I had no choice. Now… now I have my body back."
"And you have Neseret," Karem said with a sly smile.
"Exactly," I nodded. "So stop teasing me about being old. If you think about it, I'm actually in my best years."
Karem leaned on his staff, still grinning. "All right, all right. I'll tease you less. But just a little less. The truth is, sometimes you act like you're fifty and tired of everything you see."
"That's because I've lived through more than you can imagine," I said evenly. "But don't forget, I can still outrun you."
"I'd like to see that," he laughed. "Maybe one day we'll race. But for now… you're right. Your age doesn't show. And after what I saw yesterday, when you dragged me out of that ambush, you've got more strength than most twenty-year-olds."
"Maybe," I said with a smirk. "But I still want you to remember that I'm a man, not some old grandpa."
Karem kept laughing, but there was warmth in his eyes now. "I get it. Fine, Amenemhet. I won't bring it up so much anymore. But I can't promise never – you're my friend, I have to tease you sometimes."
"At least wait until Neseret isn't around," I replied.
"I promise," he said with a mischievous look.
We walked together across the yard, talking about plans for the coming days. When I returned to my wing of the palace, Neseret had already unpacked most of her things. Nakht was sitting on the floor, playing with a clay jar I had given him.
"Looks like you settled in fast," I said as I entered.
"It's quiet here," Neseret said. "I feel like I can finally breathe."
I smiled. "Good. I want you to feel safe here."
I sat down on the mat with them and for a while we just watched Nakht build little "structures." And I thought maybe Karem was right – maybe I really do act older than I am. But today I felt like I had more than ever before – a home, a family, and a reason to protect it.