Ariel awoke early the next morning; exhausted but happy. The sunlight wafted in through the open window, warming the room and bathing it in a golden glow. She felt as though she might be glowing herself as she remembered everything that had happened the night before; her marriage to Ramses.

“Good morning, my princess.”

She hadn’t realised that he was awake, but he was, and smiling at her, like any man in love. She smiled back, warmly. “Good morning.” Her heart leapt at remembering she was now awake and had to get up and dressed. “Oh, by Ra! I’ve got to get up and attend to your mother. If I’m late-”

She was halfway out of bed when Ramses grabbed her hand. “Um, Ariel...”

Ariel realised. “Oh! Of course!” Of course she didn’t serve the Queen anymore; not now that she was her daughter-in-law. With an embarrassed laugh, she slid back into bed beside her husband, into his waiting arms. “I have to get used to this now!”

“Yes, I wasn’t teasing you just now,” Ramses reminded her, kissing her cheek. “You really are a princess now.”

Even though she had known him all her life and could tell when he was being sincere and when he was teasing her, Ariel blushed. “Me? A princess? I can’t believe it.”

“Ariel, you’re as beautiful as any royal woman, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!”

“Oh? And is that all I am, Prince Ramses? Beautiful?”

“No! Of course not! You’re also playful and fun and kind and, well, just about everything I hoped to find in the woman I loved!”

“Flatterer!” she smiled, snuggling up to him. “Do you think your father’s cooled off yet?”

“Possibly not, knowing him, but he will. Eventually. Trust me.”

Ariel gave a happy little sigh. “I don’t want to get up today, Ramses! I want to just lie here and be close to you!”

Ramses laughed. “Then we shall do! There’s nothing in the rules that says a prince and his princess can’t!”

Ariel giggled. “You be my prince and I’ll be your princess!”

Ramses’ prediction was right. Seti did cool off after a few weeks, and he even started to become more sociable and friendly around Ariel whenever she was in the room; even when they were alone together. Ariel was glad. She didn’t want to be the cause of any rift between father and son. As she smiled to herself, she suddenly felt a wave of nausea creep over her. It was just for a second and then it was gone. Ariel frowned. She’d been feeling ill the other day too, but that seemed to have passed; although Queen Tuya had stated that she looked especially pale these days and kept asking her if she felt well. Rubbing her stomach, absently, Ariel jumped with a start as she felt a sort of tingling pulsing through her veins; like her body was telling her something. Like her body was telling her she was hiding something. Now she thought about it, her usual woman’s problem hadn’t begun this month...

Ariel smiled to herself with the realisation. She couldn’t wait to tell Ramses!