Wine, Gold, and Treason
by @bitchDarius arrives in Egypt with a hidden mandate from his father: map out the kingdom's weaknesses, manipulate the court, and eventually overthrow the Pharaoh. He initially dismisses his new wife as a naive, total blabbermouth—until his hyper-observant instincts notice that her "accidental" clumsiness always seems to happen around his confidential documents and royal seals. What follows is a perilous psychological chess match disguised as a doting marriage.
MEET THE CHARACTERS
Princess Kamilah Amenemhat
Princess Kamilah Amenemhat carries herself with a mesmerizing, delicate grace that perfectly sells the illusion of a fragile, pampered dove of the royal court. Her long, cascading tresses of honey-gold hair are woven with intricate golden chains, heavy coin earrings, and a flawless pearl headpiece that rests upon her brow, framing a soft, youthful face that seems entirely untouched by the harsh realities of statecraft. Her gaze is wide, dreamily distant, and seemingly vacant of deep thought, while her striking dark eyes are painted with a soft, captivating allure. She dresses in a daringly elegant, deep midnight-blue top and translucent silken veils, draped in heavy layers of polished gold necklaces that chime softly with her every movement. Holding a glass of fine white wine amidst the opulent warmth of the palace banquets, she cuts the perfect image of a breathtaking, superficial ornament—a girl consumed entirely by jewels, music, and the simple pursuit of pleasure. 22 years old.
Prince Darius Suren
A 29-year-old warrior prince with a tall, commanding silhouette that radiates cold, dangerous discipline. Prince Darius Suren commands the room with a striking, dangerous allure, his tall silhouette radiating the cold discipline of a warrior empire. His sharp, angular face is framed by disheveled, ink-black hair that falls loosely over his brow, contrasting heavily against his slightly dark, sun-warmed complexion. His hooded, piercing dark eyes seem to look straight through people, carrying a subtle, calculating gleam that warns others he is always three steps ahead. He is dressed in a heavily structured, high-collared midnight uniform adorned with brilliant golden filigree embroidery along the seams, a deep blue ceremonial sash draped across his chest. Thick gold chains and a massive, shimmering star-burst medal rest over his heart, signaling his immense royal status. Resting a long, elegant hand thoughtfully against his chin, a ghost of a knowing, confident smile plays upon his lips.
EXPLORE CHAPTERS
The Serpent’s Silken Cage
"You look so tired, my Maaaaster," a sweet, melodic voice chirped, dragging out the vowels with an agonizing, playful slowness that made Darius instantly wince. He grumbled under his breath, rubbing the bridge of his nose as he turned to face her. "Kamilah, I have told you a dozen times," Darius muttered, raising a sharp eyebrow as she scurried toward him like an over-eager puppy. "Do not call me that. It is an archaic court term, it is incredibly cringey, and frankly, it is far too provocative for a casual conversation." "But I like to, Master," she cooed, entirely ignoring his stern tone as she immediately threw her arms around his waist. She clung to him with a silly, childish dependency, nuzzling her soft cheek against his chest and inhaling the scent of his skin. "My papa said a good wife honors her husband’s strength. You are very strong, Master. Look at all those big, scary papers with the big, scary words you read today! I looked at one and my head hurt so bad I thought my brains would melt right out of my ears! So I went to the gardens instead and saw the prettiest blue bird, but then a cat chased it, and then I tripped on my skirt, but look! My knees didn't scrape!" Darius let out a low, defeated groan, but a faint, amused smirk tugged at the corner of his lips despite himself. She was a total blabbermouth, her voice a non-stop stream of trivial, innocent nonsense. Despite knowing his empire was historically aggressive, Kamilah seemed to genuinely just want to have fun and enjoy the first days of her marriage, completely unbothered by the heavy political weight suffocating everyone else. She dragged him toward the low-slung divan, practically forcing him to sit before bouncing over to a silver tray.
Stuffed With Honey
(Kamilah's POV) Stupid. She thinks. He is so devastatingly stupid. So charming, with a handsome face and gorgeous features, but very stupid. She sits close to him, feeding him more than eating herself. Her traditional Egyptian clothing, breathable and revealing, was the opposite of his heavy Persian traditional wear. But they both matched a lot, coincidentally. They both loved midnight blue and gold. "Ah~ I promise this one is sweeter!" She says, her eyes focused on his lips. He covers his mouth and shakes his head. "Please, for lord's sake. Eat your own plate." He insists. She feeds him anyways. He winces, his face scrunching everytime she calls him master. Especially Infront of the elders. *If only he wasn't a rival, I would happily live with him. But alas, despite his handsomeness, I have to end his life.* She thinks. *However, I can still enjoy stuffing him with food. I love seeing his cheeks round while chewing and his laugh is mesmerising.* She thinks, holding her spoon to him, handfeeding him his glass. She LOVES feeding him, realistically, even though she's an airhead and yapping during breakfast and food as a front. "Princess, do quiet down." One of her oldest and most closest maids says. The maids and other royals were watching. He seemed embarrassed while she was unfazed. She was completely playing the stupid act. Everyone thought she is just lovesick and clingy.
Honey On His Lips
(Darius POV) Darius is in a meeting, bowing and listening to his father and the Pharaoh. The Persian wear heavy armour whereas the Egyptian wear loose and revealing clothing that display their muscles and scars. Her father is very quiet and a tired man with skill. Lord Xerxis and Darius's other you ger siblings, princes and some VERY educated and smart princesses, discuss something and all the advisors and royals, etc. A ball. Planned. As Darius takes the princess to Persia, soon. If all goes well today, he'll take her tomorrow. They also suggest a ball for her—since she's extravagant and well... Everytime the Egyptian princess is mentioned in the conversation, Darius can't help but his ears redden. He shouldn't feel like this. But he keeps remembering the way she fed him, last night how she cuddled against him, how she straddled him— fuck. A royal clears his throat, saying that they were talking to him. He becomes serious again. Although he can still taste honey. He'd never allow himself to eat more than a few bites—but Kamilah stuffed him like Turkey. (Heavy dialogue)
Red Nails
(Darius POV) It had been five minutes as he stepped back into the private corridors. This was the guest side. Filled with gardens. He looks out at Egypt. The way she asked him if he liked Persia more than Egypt, and the way she said she'd fallen inlove—fuck.... This was more difficult than he thought. He was getting seduced by this woman. He's never fell for seduction. This woman was a fucking airhead and he was swooned. He groans, stepping into the chambers. The sight is pleasing. She's painting her nails with henna—she seems to follow the steps of Cleopatra. She is as beautiful as her anyways. She looks up at smiles. The type of smile that has no thoughts in her brain. "My Master!!!!!!" She jumps up like a puppy. He winces. "Ah—Dont... Call me that..." He mumbles, but she hugs him tightly like a child. The height difference always amused him. The top of her head barely reaches his chin. She keeps calling him Master and drags him to the bed, taking off his shoes and gloves and everything else. He groans. "Please— why are you so..." He mumbles, looking away. She literally worships him and treats him like a kid. "Oh!!!! You're so pale!!!" She says. His heart drops. "I truly can't eat anymore—I have yet to digest the morning breakfast you... Stuffed me with." He tries to reason but she doesn't listen. Fuck. She grabs plates and straddles his lap and feeds him fruits and bread and wine, talking about her day. He mentions the ball. They have a long dialogue as she feeds him.
The Ballroom Threshold
(Kamilah's POV) The ballroom blazes with torchlight and incense, the air thick with perfume and the murmur of a hundred voices. Kamilah's fingers tighten on his forearm as they pause at the entrance, her painted eyes scanning the crowd with a flicker of something too sharp to be idle curiosity. A minister approaches, his smile oil-slick, and she transforms instantly—giggling, leaning into Darius, pressing her palm to his chest as she babbles about the music. Darius feels the weight of her hand, the tremor in her fingers that no one else would notice, and knows she has already seen something he has not. She is stupid, completely oblivious. He goes to his father and brothers to chat, then she goes to a minister. One of the charming prince. They flirt with her and then Darius spots her with a northern prince. She notices him and then Darius interrupts between them, taking Kamilah away. Darius thinks she's a stupid airheaded woman who did not realise she was getting flirted and hit on, but he doesn't know that Kamilah is the one seducing evil men. Ministers approach Darius and Kamilah, and they talk about her father in very "royal" words that Kamilah wouldn't understand. Darius and the minister don't think she understands, but she does. Each and every word. (3 events in total, first the entrance, then the flirting wirh the northern prince, then the annoying greedy ministers trash talking her father)