Vying for the Throne

Zet had been waiting for months to carry out his plan. Soon the festival of Wepet Renpet would be upon them and he would enact his plan. He was tired of playing second fiddle to his brother, Akhartati.

He paced. Why must his brother always be the center of attention. Why must he always have father’s favor? For years that was all he heard. Why are you not more like your brother? You should take your studies more seriously. How can you rule if you are not prepared? He had had enough.

He was the rightful ruler, the next in line. But, Akhartati had his father’s favor. No more. The time was nigh for his brother to take his rightful place, second in line, behind him. He needed to learn his place and know that he would never rule. Never. Definitely not before Zet, and not after him.

So much needed to be done and he needed to check on the progress of his plan. Zet summoned Tadeo, his servant. He was loyal, ambitious, and devious. He wanted more than his current station in life. Zet knew this and would use it to his advantage. The festival. That is when he would carry out his plan.

“Tadeo, have you secured the items I wanted?”

“Yes, sire. I have them in a safe place.”

“You remember the plan?”

“Yes, sire. I know the plan and I am ready.”

“Excellent.”

“Thank you, sire.”

“You are dismissed. On your way out, send in one of the girl servants. I desire a bath.”

“As you wish, sire.”

Being royal certainly had advantages. Sadiki entered his chambers. Before she led him to the royal baths, he had his way with her. After she had satisfied his urges, the two of them made their way to the baths. Once again, he had her undress and enter the bath alongside of him.

The bath relaxed him for a short while, but his anxiety came back. He could not sleep. The eminent demise of his brother constantly on his mind. He hoped his plan would work, but it depended entirely on Tadeo and his friends. Could they be trusted? Maybe. But he had no plans to test that theory. They would need to be dealt with afterward. Another thing on his to-do list. It seemed endless. Soon that would all change. He would not have to deal with anything. His servants would do that.

Zet’s focus turned to Akhartati. After he was out of the picture, his father would name him as his successor and choose for him his chief wife. Once that occurred, he would dispose of his father. He could not kill him right away. That would be too suspicious. It would need to look like an accident. Before he dealt with Tadeo and his friends, he would need them for this last task. Then—the whole kingdom would be his—the money, the power, all the land. Ah, and the women. All for his every wish and whim. He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, he awoke to a knock on his door. Who would dare disturb him? Zet did not acknowledge.

A few moments went by, and someone knocked at his door, a second time. His nostrils flared and he gritted his teeth. Once again, he ignored the knock.

The knocking lasted longer the third time. “Sire, I have a message from the Queen. May I—"

“Enter.”

The door opened slowly, and Sadiki slipped silently inside. She stood by his palate and waited for him to acknowledge her.

“What is so important that the Queen could not wait to tell me at breakfast?”

Sadiki bowed, “Sire, your mother would like you to join the King and her in the Great Hall.”

“Fine. But before we go, take off your tunic. I need you to satisfy me.”

Sadiki bowed and obeyed his every wish. Once she had pleased him, she helped him dress. He ordered her to remain, he would be wanting her again.

“Yes, sire. As you wish.”

Zet left to meet with the King and Queen. When he arrived, he was escorted inside and led to the inner chamber past the thrones. He ran his hand over the King’s golden throne knowing it would soon be his.

Zet bowed to the King and Queen as was expected. His father pointed to a seat beside his brother.

“The priests have told us, Apis is pleased.”

Zet knew exactly what this meant. Through worship of the Bull-God, Apis, the god of Creation, the priests assured Apis would flood the Nile and once again supply the life-giving waters that were necessary for the farmers to till and plant. After that happened, the Wepet Renpet Festival would take place. And the festival meant his ascent to the throne.