As soon as the sun reached its appropriate position in the sky, Tutankhamun trumpets blared across the whole of Sphinx Nation, effectively waking any citizens who had not begun their day.

Rayna was not one of those people, as she did not have the luxury of sleeping in. She stood in front of her extravagantly carved dresser and glowered at her reflection in the mirror. Ever since she opened her eyes that morning, a realization had been gnawing away at her being.

She was still thinking about that boy.

Rayna cursed beneath her breath. This was unacceptable. She could not allow something as insignificant as a child to cloud her mind, especially not today. The royal lord and prince of Isis Nation would be arriving to the Sphinx palace in a few hours and Rayna—being reminded of this by her mother, step-father, and Dado endlessly—had to be on her utmost best behavior.

Then again, Rayna did not understand why these visitors deserved so much fretting about. Yes, they were coming to discuss negotiations but it seemed as if everyone has dismissed the fact that Isis Nation attempted to overthrow Anuket, Sphinx Nation's invaluable trading post province. Of course, the invasion was a crushing defeat once the combat regiment, led by Dado himself, stormed upon Isis Nation's pathetic excuse for an army. It was as if an Isis ant was staring into the massive ridges of a Sphinx boot.

Such an outcome was not a surprise since Sphinx Nation was the most powerful province in the Eastern hemisphere—its entire region occupying all of what used to be Northern Africa and the Middle East. Several smaller providences covered the rest of Europe, Asia, and Russia; which was far more land in comparison to Sphinx Nation. However, they depended on Sphinx Nation for resources, trading of goods, and governmental guidance. Sphinx Nation was undoubtedly the powerhouse province of Egypt, yet Isis Nation had revolted.

Rayna smirked.

"They were fools to even think they had a chance." Just as those words rolled off her tongue, a polite knock resounded from her door. It was no surprise to Rayna when a woman peeked her head in and presented the assassin a smile, soft amber eyes crinkling as she did so.

"Princess? We have come to assist you with dressing. May we enter?"

Rayna longed—wished—to grimace at the servant's sugary tone. She wanted to roll her eyes in exasperation. She wanted to spit an unnerving yet well-hidden threat to preserve her dominance. The royal heir just wanted to do what she wanted.

Unfortunately, Rayna was denied this desire on a regular basis.

Her tight features unraveled into a soothing smile. All forms of alertness and distrust fleeted from her as she beckoned the woman forward with a fluid wave of her hand. The princess's voice became coated in fraudulent saccharinity.

"Come now, Hanh. You and the rest of my servants should be aware that you are always welcome into my chamber." As per usual, Hanh fell under Rayna's spell and showered her with a gaze twinkling in admiration. Rayna's façade almost slipped to release a snort when Hanh clumsily stumbled inside as if she was a child entering a toy store. A trio of younger females who could have passed off as triplets trickled in after Hanh.

Rayna beamed at the quartet as they surrounded her, each of them scanning her person from top to bottom. It did not take much contemplation on Rayna's part to read the intensity behind the women's eyes as giddiness--they were eager to beautify their precious princess. The assassin placed a mental bind on her instincts as the servants primed to pounce.

Besides, it would be catastrophic if she injured one of them upon impulse.

Eight dainty hands carefully—yet expertly—slipped the nightgown from her shoulders, only to cover the skin with a pearlescent full-length tunic, and secured her waist with a light caramel sash. A long ribbon the same color as her sash hugged the teen's neck in a double loop before cascading down her back in twin tails. Approximately two inches were added to her height as she slipped on a pair of open-toed, beige heels with straps intertwining half way up her chiseled calves.

Due to the Sphinx Nation's preservation of Egyptian culture, Rayna's apparel required only a simple elegance. Hanh finished the dressing session by gently embedding a golden tiara with a ruby centerpiece within Rayna's locks. The maidens did not apply heavy layers of makeup on Rayna's face—her fair, pure, and natural image portrayed to Egypt must be upheld.

Hanh, along with her three subordinates, stood back to appreciate the princess's outfit before succumbing to fits of giddy, girlish giggling. "Oh, your majesty! You look as beautiful as always!"

With a mighty dosage of will-power, Rayna fought the urge to roll her eyes and replied with staged embarrassment, "Thank you, Hanh, but I'm afraid your praise is too much. My appearance is not worth such admiration."

A muddle of awe, disappointment, and sympathy crossed the four females' faces as they—from Rayna's perspective—invaded her personal space and cooed, "That is not true, your majesty! Your natural beauty is surely envied by all women and desirable by many men!" Hahn cradled Rayna's hands in her smaller ones, the warm spark of her eyes literally burning into the killer's soul. The princess stole a glance at the other three girls and garnered an eye-full of their heads nodding frantically in agreement.

Rayna was drowning in adoration.

Dear Ra, it was appalling—

"Your job is done, Hahn. Take the girls and leave us alone to talk."

Rayna inwardly sighed in relief when Hahn obeyed the new presence and backed away, reacting as if she was a kicked puppy. Hahn's accented their disappointment with eclectic sighs. Rayna watched as the women shuffled out of her room. Once they disappeared, the princess finally acknowledged her savior.

However, because of who this person was, Rayna refused to feel grateful.

"You wish to speak with me, Lord Ran?" Lord Ran's tall, lean figure crept a few steps closer to his step-daughter but he remained a decent distance from her. His stiff posture alluded to the smallest hint of wariness. His caramel skin mimicked Rayna's own despite their absence of biological connection. The entirety his torso was exposed, except for his shoulders, which were cradled by a white cape fastened to a golden pendent hanging below his clavicle. A layered tunic hugged his narrow waist and cascaded just past his knees, his feet only sporting a pair of ankle-length sandals. Neither his head nor his face held a single lock of hair.

"I do not understand, Rayna," the ruler began while scrutinizing any space of the room that wasn't occupied by his step-daughter. "Your mother and I have married nearly ten years ago and yet, to this very day, you still refer to me as lord." As if he had finally gained enough courage, Lord Ran faced Rayna with a strained and defiant look. "You are always welcome to call me father, Rayna...Remember?"

Pathetic, Rayna thought. He is truly pathetic.

This man pretended to care—to desire Rayna's acceptance—when the assassin was well aware of his hidden motives. Everything he had ever done had been to satisfy his wife, Queen Sekhmet.

Rayna could hear her mother now: Earn her trust, darling. What ruler cannot even discipline their own child? Prove your strength, my dearest.

If Queen Sekhmet commanded Lord Ra to pose as the perfect father and ruler, then he would use all his power to do so.

He was so obedient...like a trained monkey.

Almost losing composure in the presence of his weakness, Rayna only cracked a smile and nodded. Lord Ran seemed to teeter on whether to reaffirm his offer. His mouth slightly gaped, suspicions forming.

There was something about Rayna.

Something that disturbed Lord Ran for many years.

But he could never figure out what.

Mouth closing, Lord Ran thought against the impulse and cleared his throat. "Well, I just came to remind you to be on your best behavior today. Lord Osiris and Prince Hakon will arrive soon."

The princess combed a graceful hand through her locks and stared innocently at the monarch. "I am aware, Lord Ran." The Egyptian ruler gave pause once hearing Rayna's retort and skeptically eyed his step-daughter. Even after claiming his distaste for the formal label, Rayna still refused to call him father. If there was one notion that Lord Ran was certain of, it was the princess's lack of fondness for him. Exactly how little was the question. For years, his mind danced around whether to confront Rayna on the matter; with each passing day, his desire to do so increased.

Rayna fought the urge to smirk as Lord Ran took jerky steps towards the door. Before exiting, he delivered his step-daughter one last glance. "We shall summon you soon, Rayna."

Speaking as if she suffered amnesia, Rayna said, "I am aware, Lord Ran." No amount deception could fool Lord Ran this time. Rayna was mocking him. His demeanor wavered to reveal annoyance before he steeled an indifferent expression upon his features.

Fine, if Rayna wished to play games, then Lord Ran would be more than willing to accept the challenge.

No more words were traded—no more needed to be traded.

As soon as the man made his exit, Rayna allowed a cackle to escape her. "How amusing."

She weaved sharply manicured nails through her tresses.

"The monkey thinks he can read me."