Pyramids: The Gateway to Stars

Chapter XXX

Chapter XXX
Solar Boat

“Do you think I can make it?” I asked anxiously. “I’m not really good at dancing. What if I forget the steps? Or the steps will get jumbled up in my head and I won’t be able to execute the dance well?”

The thing I’m probably good at right now is to expect the worst possible scenarios in my head and panic. Why did even Khufu assigned this task to me?

“Shh. You surely overthink a lot, Hesperia,” Maye said. “Most importantly, you should enjoy the dance! Listen to the beat, the rhythm, the melody, and your body will surely flow with the music!” And then, she started moving her body gracefully, in a way that she looked like a dancing ballerina.

Her moves were superb! It seems like this wasn't their first time to dance at the festival. It just makes me even more nervous because I literally hadn't danced in a huge crowd before.

“Hesperia,” Dalia called as she gently gripped my shoulders and gave me a reassuring smile. “Before anything else… believe in yourself that you can do it.”

Dalia just met yesterday on my first day of practice and yet her eyes were filled with faith in me. I trailed off. “But…”

“In fact, you were already doing great earlier at practice. Just be consistent, okay?”

“And oh!” Maye butted in. “Don’t forget the eye contact, Hesperia! If you’re not very confident with your dance, at least you have to be good at making eye contact.”

“How can that help?”

“It’s one of the common techniques in igniting someone’s interest while dancing,” she explained. “With good eye contact, people will notice less of your mistakes, and it builds connection between you and the crowd.”

Dancing is more complicated than I thought. I sighed.

The royal family, especially the Pharaoh, would be the main audience at our performance. Plus, there’d surely be more people who'd watch us that day. I didn't want to be the cause of ruining our performance, so I had to do this, whether I'd like it or not.

“Okay.” I don’t exactly know how I’ll do it, but okay. I can do this.

Maye clapped. “That's what I like about you, Hesperia!” The two seemed proud.

“Oh, I think I have to leave early today.” Dalia stood up. “Please keep practicing. We’ll rehearse again tomorrow.”

“Sure, Dalia! Have a safe trip!”

--

Even if Dalia and the others already left, I practiced our dance all morning until afternoon. It was just interrupted abruptly when Khufu called and asked me to go with him and ride a ship. A Solar boat at that! The famous boat I’ve only once seen at the museum—now, I’d be able to ride it!

He told me there was something he wanted to show me. I wonder what it is. The boat itself is already surprising enough.

“How’s the dance going?” He broke off the silence between us.

“The dance is okay…” I gripped at the edge of the ship and leaned, putting my attention to the water splashing. “But you should’ve let me work instead, Your Majesty.”

“Khufu,” he said as if correcting me, “No need for formalities when we’re together, Hesperia.”

I gazed back at him. That was the first time he spoke about wanting him to be called by his name.

“Okay…” I nodded yet he kept his stare at me as though waiting for something. I unconsciously licked my lips and said. “Khufu.”

A small grin crossed his lips.