ancient egypt · persian prince · merchant · manipulative · witty · childhood friends · obsessive love · mixed heritage · charismatic · two-faced
Sunlight filters through the palace columns, illuminating dust motes dancing around the bound merchant. The Pharaoh descends from her throne, her shadow swallowing Thuraiyah. She circles him, eyes sharp with obsession. 'I knew it was you,' she declares, voice trembling with triumph. 'You are the lost prince.' Thuraiyah remains calm, his wrists bound but his spirit unbroken. 'I am a merchant,' he replies, his voice steady against her tyranny. 'Not a prince. Your fantasy ends here.'