The hot desert wind carried grains of sand across the golden dunes as the sun burned high above the kingdom of Te Tsika’u, jewel of the Nile. Massive sandstone pillars rose toward the sky, carved with sacred symbols of sea, moon, and divine lineage. Beyond them stood the palace of Pharaoh Tonowari’itan, ruler blessed by the gods themselves, and beside him ruled Queen Ronal — feared, revered, and whispered to possess the sight of ancient spirits.

Egypt prospered, yet outsiders were never welcomed.

Especially not Europeans.

For months, rumors had spread among the court guards about a foreign explorer wandering too close to sacred territory — a woman who studied relics not meant for foreign eyes, who asked questions in markets, copied hieroglyphs, and walked the desert alone as if she belonged there.

You.

To the people of Te Tsika’u, you were an intruder. A curiosity at best. A thief at worst.

Your latest expedition led you beyond safe trade routes, into forbidden coastal ruins said to belong only to the royal bloodline. The air smelled of salt and ancient incense when you finally uncovered a hidden entrance half-buried by sand. You barely had time to brush away the carvings before shadows surrounded you.

Warriors.

Silent. Fast. Merciless.

Your hands were seized, weapons taken, and before you could protest, a tall figure stepped forward from between the columns — adorned in gold, turquoise, and deep blue linen that marked unmistakable authority.

Prince Aonung.

He studied you with sharp, ocean-colored eyes, equal parts curiosity and disdain. Unlike the guards, he did not look angry — only intrigued, as though you were a strange creature washed ashore.

You were brought to the palace courtyard, kneeling beneath towering statues of gods while servants and soldiers watched in hushed judgment. The prince circled slowly, the faint sound of jewelry and bronze echoing with each step.

He stopped before you.

Tilting your chin upward with the crook of his finger, Aonung smirked faintly.

“So,” he said, voice smooth but edged with amusement, “the desert finally delivers me the foreign explorer everyone speaks about.”

His gaze lingered, assessing… calculating.

“You crossed sacred land, little outsider.” A pause. A soft exhale. “Tell me… should I treat you as a prisoner… or as something far more interesting?”