Lauren's POV I looked at the worn cap in my hands and put it on my head over the bun I made in my hair, looking at myself in the mirror and shuddering to see something so different in me. We could not appear to be in good financial condition, nor to be excessively clean, which would differentiate us too much from the local population. I wore low boots and looser clothes to camouflage the shape of my body, very masculine military-cut pants and double long-sleeved blouses with leather vests over the strategically torn fabrics. Hadd thought it right that none of the women showed themselves as women because it would make the situation very difficult if one of them walked in a group that looked like too many men, the chances of us being harassed for that would increase a lot, and he tried at all costs to show that what we didn't we wanted to draw attention. Ursel took longer than all of us, she had a female form that was hard to cover up. I ironically found myself in a sit
Karila knew the second she stepped onto the first step of the stairs and her gaze flicked down to the man waiting for her downstairs, smiling with the kindest look she could ever see in her life on anyone, and that was him. Her wedding day was an endless ambiguity, it was by far one of the happiest days of her life, just as it filled that princess's chest with anguish when she remembered her parents who had died prematurely.It bothered him immensely that they hadn't been able to see her wed. And that was one of the guilts she carried with her every day for going against their advice and their impositions, even if she had been aware that if she was going to marry who they wanted, she would never have married the man she loved years later. afternoon. That's why the feelings were so ambiguous, she knew it would be unhappy if she got married too soon, but she also couldn't stop blaming herself for not giving her parents that happiness of seeing her getting married before th
- Why are you here? – I asked looking at her hugging me tight. It was comforting to have her, but too dangerous, he didn't understand exactly what was going on.— I knew she was going to meet with the president, and that was a big mistake, I managed to arrive in time to get her out of there, they wanted to kill her. – She spoke seriously, I sighed."It wasn't a terrorist attack, was it?"His nod was negative.— Al Sisi wants her dead, and he won't stop until he gets it, for that he will always use contradictory situations to manage to cover up what he wants, as he did with the politicians contrary to him, which will obviously make him easily re-elected . His bitterness was intense, his voice harsh.— You need to be careful with the situation Lauren, Karila can protect you to the limit that is under her roof and a little beyond, the president is a powerful man, if he wants to talk, you pretend to be insane and don't go against him. It's dangerous, her escort
Lauren's POV Occasionally I would rest my cup of tea on my lap and lose my eyes on the structure tops of the roof of that courtyard, looking at the pattern of shadows reflected on the walls, it is extensive and vague, there were only the two of us there, which was decisive for feel your presence beside me. For a moment I thought going upstairs was appropriate, but she didn't seem to be in the mood to go upstairs and isolate herself in her room, so I didn't either, remaining in calm silence for minutes at her side, still avoiding looking away. for your sure face uncovered. — Don't you feel sleepy? – His husky voice breaking the silence startled me. She moved to replace the cup on the small table between the chairs and I noticed she pulled the handkerchief back over her face, I made sure of that before looking back at her, the gaze wasn't on me, it was above, in the sky. "No... Am I being inconvenient?" – I asked trying to understand that she wanted me to lea
Deciding to get it done before dinner, Karila went downstairs, meeting Hadd in her tracks.—Notify Normani so they can come and explain to me about the new escort, I want to be aware that I'm going to leave safely when I need to and the sooner that happens, the better. - She spoke peacefully to the man who nodded watching her walk away across the courtyard, hands clasping each other, it seemed a little empty not to feel the ring in her hands, but that load she carries would be kept inside that box.Ursel was sitting next to the living room, reading the news on her cell phone with a tranquility that broke into a fright when Karila entered the room without warning. The princess looked at her carefully, noticing her agitation in her presence."Your Highness, it's good to see you standing with us again." - She spoke sweetly.“Kind of you, Ursel. – He answered in a low voice, his eyes on the main doors, waiting calmly when he heard the hurried steps from the courtyard
Unguarded, Normani and Akil stood near the tent, watching the movement of historians in and out near the excavations. They knew Karila was inside with Ursel, Lauren, Rudolph and other unknown historians of the current Czech expedition.Hadd participated in the escort from behind the tent, close to the corvettes, talking to other security guards about any point of distrust, everything seemed calm and nothing arose from suspicion so that they remained in a posture of tension, even if not for a second they thought of relaxing and trust the environment.— This pursuit is not veiled, he does everything in her face, it even gets stupid. – Akil commented, looking through his Shemagh at the movement of historians in the wide distance, they were at the side of the tent, under a canopy that gave them more comfortable shade. His comment was skeptical because he was a man of war, he knew that a lot didn't work on display.“Al Sisi fears nothing, he has good support from the people in Egypt, man
The clay brick foundations between the stones and sand gave a sequence to be admired, the historians of the expedition had already made their own definition of how that temple would be, with corridors and sanctuaries well defined in a daring proposal, it was all that range of information that made me fascinated with my work.How dare I think of leaving if I've done nothing wrong? And lose it? Not even.On a relief fragment, Dr. Waziry showed us drawings that made me smile at the rediscovery.— Worship of a solar deity, God Ra. – Karila's voice was surprisingly low, leaving not only the Doctor of History surprised but all of us with the propriety she had in simply saying that with the interpretation of the drawing. I watched her approach, we were in a small group analyzing these fragments of reliefs with drawings that said a lot about what that place represented.— Correctly Your Highness, by our personal studies, these cults started here in Abusir around the Fifth Dynasty, by our
POV NarratorAgainst Lauren's plans the next morning to be able to read the translations of the princess's biography, Ursel summoned her to a meeting that would begin to determine what her days in El Kab would be like. They would spend a month away from Cairo on an expedition, at some point that heartened her deeply because she knew she would be safely away from whatever madness was happening here in the Capitol.But her anxiety took another turn when Ursel simply said that Karila Aistarabaw I would go to Saudi Arabia that week and then I would meet them in El Kab when they traveled because I wanted to follow those expeditions closely during all the period they would stay there. The princess would leave Cairo for an entire month and focus on helping historians.It was the first time that that would happen, the woman had never stayed away from her hometown for so long, but it seemed not only an intimate desire of hers to follow something she wanted so much, but also a defense strate
She stood straight, watching her reflection in the mirror as her sewing assistant finished adjusting the shoulder straps of her black shirt. There was a lot of serenity in her expression, even if her ever so impetuous brown eyes were still there. Karila Aistarabaw held out her arms wide, feeling the gloved woman's delicate hands tugging at the last remnants of fabric so that the shirt completely covered the waistcoat she wore underneath her clothes.The country was waiting outside, the international press, its supporters, even its antagonists, it was a unique moment in the history of Egypt, which made it swallow several times, sustaining the sobriety of its royal creation. She was a woman who built herself under that role, her upbringing was governed by her parents under the circumstance of power, she was prepared.Her body moved as the final adjustment was made, and the black, gold-embroidered Sherwani tucked into her arms and fell into line with her stance. The golden buds were qu
Princess Egypt watched as the little boy crawled out of bed and stared at her as soon as she issued a summons. Her body curved before him, to match their heights, the awed brown glint in her eyes made her hold back a smile, she wanted to be serious.- Ali, we are moving from here, the elections are close and we will have a new phase in our lives, you will stay with other people, these different from me, people who are good, who will take extreme care of you until the votes pass so that can go toour home. - Karila quoted in a low Arabic, but authoritative enough for the child to understand that it was something serious. She was very intelligent, perhaps she had drawn so many attributes from Mahara that they were unlistable.His careful look showed his education, he was raised by Karila's principles, like a little prince who would show above all respect when he was old enough for everyone, especially women. The princess knew he still couldn't absorb much, but he made himself understoo
Years laterMusic on* More Than That - Lauren JaureguiDoctor Lauren Jauregui acquired respect and wove an impeccable reputation in the years assigned as a professor at Yale, even if her personal life still hovered around the new classes each semester, yet when they were in her class, silence and respect prevailed in every second.It was clear that they were still questioning themselves about their involvement with the missing princess of Egypt, they questioned the background of truth in the photographs even after the hoax was exposed, they wove long rounds of conversations trying to imagine why for 3 years she behaved like a lonely woman, without ever appearing with no one by her side, without any expository amorous bids, they never knew what to imagine coming from the Egyptology professor. The woman who talked about Egypt like no one else.Extremely elegant, in an all-black blazer and straight-cut slacks, she tucked her hands casually into the front pockets of her pants, glancin
Months laterLauren Jauregui temporarily moved to Cartagena, Colombia. The first months of her return from Egypt were strange, even for her biological life, her immune system was deregulated like crazy, she couldn't keep up for a week without having some health problem that didn't involve painkillers or more serious medications.That forced him to attend his doctor for a few successive times in the meantime, his mind was still used to the Egyptian routine, sometimes he caught himself talking about Egypt with his mother, in a distracted way, trying to sabotage himself that he wasn't wanting news from Karila all the time.He knew the princess was all right, that was all he knew.He was waiting in the doctor's office, glancing from the watch on his wrist to the young woman at the front desk, talking to her co-worker about the new soap opera that had debuted on Univision. A really tempting drama to pay attention to when you want to fill your mind with any superficiality.- Lauren Jau
It was a delicate matter.- There's one last thing to deal with. - Allyson said when Karila lined up all the sheets and put them back in the folder.- Yes?The CIA director put her hands in her pockets, her gaze downcast.- In the midst of our plans, the Saudi King let a personal team be alert about any attempt on his life for some time, he had left the order that if it happened to him, that they would look for you, and make you pay. They did this on Lauren and Mahara's exit from the Four Seasons, they mistook Mahara for you. - Saying that was difficult, even more so after everything.Karila arched her brow, she was surprised, lethargic, her brown eyes sadly dropped to the floor. She thought of Sarosh's pain, and then of little Ali... Tears kept coming from her impulsive eyes, tearing all her feelings out. Yet another victim of you.- They didn't tell you before because of the traumatic effects, but Mahara is gone... not for you, don't think that way, she was in the wrong place
Lauren seemed to think the same because she couldn't help herself and needed to look at those rings on her hands, was that true? She did, pulling Karila's hand in hers, laughing uncontrollably, stroking her delicate hand with her thumb.- From barely alive to this. -She said gesturing to the rings. Karila grimaced as she remembered the nearly dead one. She knew she had pretty exaggerated declines.- You knew how to act well, wretch, how did you lie that you didn't speak Arabic? Did you understand exactly everything around you? - He asked looking directly into her eyes. Lauren felt her cheeks burn, that was indeed a good lie that deserved justification.- I don't speak so well, it's not a lie at all. -She shrugged pretending to be no big deal.- But it's not entirely true. - Karila objected, narrowing her gaze as she watched Lauren hold the sheet covering her bust.- From the first day of the expedition meeting in Connecticut, Astrid instructed me to hide too much knowledge, menti
Allyson had even helped Karila, it wasn't a lie that she was the only one to see the woman leave her room in a deplorable state, lost look and bent body. The princess told her that she only needed to talk to Lauren and no one else, that she wanted to have her moment to say goodbye to her, that there was no hunger or any need that made her need to be interrupted, it was her last request to the American agent, who nothing could say. in retort or denial.Everyone was aware that Karila was fine, and that she was going to stay, warning Dayna and Astrid was providential for the women to be calm, no one had run away, and neither would they. Karila had accepted the help, everything was fine.Finally would.That specific resort had a peculiarity, all its decoration was a union of modern Egyptian decoration with exquisite antiquity. Lauren watched the environment in dim light, it was difficult to define her immediate feeling, maybe it was a complete embarrassment of many sensations inside he
Lauren didn't know what the scene that followed made her feel, maybe even years later she wouldn't know how to describe such despair when observing every inch of that room. The plush rug was wet and a small glass vial was broken over the liquid.It was all that.There was nothing beyond.Karila was no longer there.- Don't fucking tell me she went to turn herself in? Do not tell me! - Lauren walked around the room, opening the doors quickly, the bathroom was empty, it had a small window, it was impossible for her to have gone out that way.If it did, she walked the halls flawlessly.Astrid was as unresponsive as Lauren, watching Dayna who had the same conflicted feeling, it was totally Karila doing what she had done. She knew well that a woman would never let herself be protected, never... she was proud, too protective to be protected.- She shouldn't be that far away, we can help her find sanity. - Dayna suggested in a hurry. Lauren put both hands to her head, trying to think
The first few seconds were difficult and hellish as she stood outside the door, staring at the polished wood.The princess vehemently denied with her head, taking the back of her palm to her face, trying to wipe more of the tears that insisted on falling from her, she hated herself for still being so fragile. Her body shifted to sit on the bed, looking dazedly around her, in a place she didn't know, far from any sane comfort zone.Maybe if he could make a deal with Al Sisi, leave all of his wealth and possessions to the man in exchange for Lauren's freedom and peace of mind, no more stalking, no conspiracy theories, no more. She for Lauren and nothing else.Would it be enough? Would he comply? He would make all their efforts in vain, but was that what he really wanted? To be alive to prolong your sufferings? Was it worth going into those questions? Her brown eyes filled with tears and overflowed without her own control.Thinking about it made her rummage through her own robes, pul