CHAPTER 2: THE ROYAL WHO CRIED FIRST
The Palace Guards arrived only moments later, their bronze spears gleaming under the torchlight.
Princess Khenmet’s face changed the moment she heard the heavy march of sandals on stone.
“What is the meaning of this?” she demanded, trying to regain her royal stature.
Teti looked toward the grand palace entrance. “The Pharaoh's investigators?”
The massive wooden doors burst open. Detective Reese, the Chief Investigator of the Royal Court, entered with a squad of elite guards and a royal physician close behind him.
Princess Khenmet instantly pointed a trembling, gold-ringed finger down at Merit.
“She fell because she tried to assassinate me!” Khenmet lied quickly, her voice echoing off the hieroglyphic-carved pillars. “Ask Teti. She witnessed the entire assault!”
Detective Reese did not look surprised. He didn't even look at the princess.
He simply walked straight past Khenmet and knelt beside the pregnant woman on the floor.
“Merit,” Reese said quietly, his voice calm. “You did well. The trap is sprung.”
Khenmet froze, her breath catching in her throat.
Teti’s mouth fell open in utter shock.
Merit slowly opened her eyes, the agonizing pain vanishing from her face, replaced by a calm, calculating gaze. The royal physician immediately checked her pulse and her pregnant belly, ensuring the unborn child was unharmed, while Reese stood up to face the royal family.
Khenmet’s voice cracked with rising panic. “What is the meaning of this treason?”
Reese turned to her, his face grim.
“What’s going on, Princess,” the detective said, “is that Merit has been helping the High Court investigate your treacherous plots for the past three moons.”
Khenmet took a sharp step back, her back hitting a massive stone pillar.
“That is absolute madness! I am the Princess!”
Reese lifted a small silk cloth, revealing a twin mystical recording artifact, glowing with the same blue light.
“We have recorded every word from your private chambers. The poison plots. The forged royal decrees. And now, this orchestrated push on the grand staircase.”
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Khenmet’s fake tears stopped instantly.
Teti, realizing the gravity of the crime, slowly pulled her arms away from the princess, leaving her standing entirely alone.
