All Chapters of Queen of the Eternal Nile: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

By the time we finished our midday meal, the sun had climbed high over the western desert, bathing everything in shimmering heat.After giving the horses time to rest and drink, our small expedition resumed its journey.As we rode farther west, the lush green fields along the Nile gradually disappeared behind us. The change was so subtle at first that I barely noticed it. Then suddenly… Everything became quiet and no farmers worked beneath the blazing sun, no children chased one another between the houses and no women carried baskets from the fields.Even the cheerful sounds of village life had vanished and left only abandoned homes scattered across the empty plain, their crumbling mud-brick walls slowly surrendering to the desert.I couldn't stop staring at them."...Where is everyone?" I asked in wonder.Ramose guided his horse alongside Snow, following my gaze."The villages used to be prosperous," he said quietly, pointing toward the deserted settlement. "Families lived here for

The Western Royal Residence had grown unusually quiet.Night settled gently over the estate as servants moved through the corridors carrying trays of food, lighting the oil lamps one by one until the palace glowed beneath the stars.Dinner had been ready for hours yet one place at the table remained empty.The Pharaoh hadn't returned and neither had Ramose nor Kasim. Only Rasyid and the soldiers who had ridden ahead had made it back safely.I sat beside the window in my room, absentmindedly tracing circles across the wooden windowsill while staring toward the dark horizon where the desert stretched endlessly beneath the moonlight."They're taking longer than expected..." The words escaped in little more than a whisper.No matter how many times I told myself they were the strongest warriors in Egypt, my heart refused to listen.What if the bandits had been more numerous than expected?What if someone had been hurt?What if...Knock… Knock… Knock… A gentle knock interrupted my thoughts

The morning air was calm, carrying the sweet scent of blooming date palms through the Western Royal Residence.For the first time since arriving in ancient Egypt, I felt genuinely hopeful.Word of the oil lamp had spread throughout the palace overnight. Servants chatted excitedly while carrying baskets of supplies, and several craftsmen were already arguing over different lamp designs, eager to improve what we had created.Even Ramose, who rarely praised anything without careful thought, admitted the invention could change Egypt forever.And it made me smile.Maybe... I really could leave behind something good in this strange world.After breakfast, I carried my notebook into the courtyard and settled beneath the shade of a date palm. Snow grazed lazily nearby, occasionally nudging my shoulder with her nose whenever I paused writing.I laughed softly and scratched behind her ears before returning my attention to the sketches."If I widen the base..." I murmured to myself while drawing

The attack had delayed our expedition until the following morning.Thankfully, no lives had been lost, and only a handful of guards sustained minor wounds. Watching the battle unfold, I finally understood why the Pharaoh's Royal Guard was feared throughout Egypt. Their discipline, speed, and skill left the assassins with little chance of success.Pharaoh Kharef's shoulder had been cleaned and tightly bandaged after the blast, but that didn't stop him from behaving as though nothing had happened.I watched him mount his horse, using the very arm I'd specifically told him not to strain and I could only let out a long sigh."You should be resting, my Pharaoh." I said.He looked down at me from the saddle, the corner of his lips lifting into a faint smile."A Pharaoh rarely has that luxury, Lady Maritza." He said quietly.I folded my arms across my chest."I still don't approve." A small pout found its way onto my face.His smile widened just enough for me to notice."I'll survive."I ro

The desert thundered beneath the pounding hooves.Hot wind lashed against my face, whipping my long hair into a tangled mess as the horses raced across the endless sea of golden sand.The assassin's arm was locked tightly around my waist, pinning me against the saddle so firmly that every breath became difficult."No!"I twisted violently, trying to throw him off balance but his grip only tightened."Stop fighting!" he barked into my ear."I'd rather die!" I shouted as I slammed my elbow backward as hard as I could."Oof!"His body jerked from the impact, and I felt him loosen his hold for the briefest moment before grabbing me again."You've got sharp elbows for such a small woman," he growled.The rider beside us laughed."I warned you. The foreign woman isn't easy."I ignored both of them.Panic wouldn't save me; think, Maritza. Think.I forced myself to breathe despite my racing heart. I'd taken self-defense classes years ago and they had always told us the same thing.‘If you can