Tiy and the Prince of Egypt Read Online Free PDF

a great deal of effort to blend into the background—as much as her pale skin and blue eyes would allow—and freckles would not help.
    “Are you feeling al l right, dear?” Her mother questioned.
    Tiy blinked.
    “There is something your father and I need to discuss with you.”
    “Not now, Tuya,” her father said. “She has only just opened her eyes. Let her gain strength before we burden her any further.”
    “We don’t have time! Pharaoh Tuthmosis will learn that she has awakened. We must prepare her before he comes to see her.”
    “Prepare me for what? ” Tiy asked, offended. Didn’t they think she knew how to behave in front of important people? “I won’t embarrass you,” she added. And then she let what they said settle into her mind. Pharaoh, son of Ra, wanted to come see her. She bit her lip to hide her fear.
    Her mother waved her arm in the air. “It’s not that, dear. You have saved Pharaoh’s son from certain death. Pharaoh wants to grant you a personal request.”
    “Not now, Tuya!” her father said.
    “Yes, now ! You don’t know her as well as I do. She is strong enough for this change in her life.”
    “Tell me, ” Tiy said a little shaky.
    Her father threw up hi s hands, and her mother failed at suppressing a smirk.
    “I want to know.” Tiy said.
    Her mother took a deep breath, leaned in, and spoke quickly, almost too quickly for Tiy’s covered ears to hear.
    “There is a school within the palace at Memphis where children of a few select officials and viziers are invited to attend, along with the children of the royal family. The education within that school exceeds all others. A world of opportunity would be open to you if you were to attend—”
    “They’ll never accept her,” her father interrupted. “Especially those brats the viziers call their children.”
    “Hush!” Her mother’s face turned red. She glanced at the lady servants to see if they had heard his blasphemous comment. Their heads were still bowed, their countenances unchanged. Her voice lowered, but the force of it was the same. “They have to accept her. Not only did she save Prince Amenhotep, but Pharaoh has just taken the Mitannian princess to wife. Tiy’s appearance will not seem so different with a Mitannian in the palace.”
    “I don’t want to go away,” Tiy said.
    “Yes , you do,” her mother said. “You will be taught among the royal children. Don’t you see what a gift this is? You were meant to save Prince Amenhotep. I know it! You will bring our family great prestige with the education you receive.”
    Tiy wanted to roll over and cry. This wasn’t what she wanted at all. She didn’t want to leave. True, she didn’t have any friends in Akhmim, but her nursemaid, Nebetya, was so kind to her. She didn’t want to leave her.
    Tiy’s insecurities crept into her throat, choking any argument. Maybe Nebetya treated her like a friend because she thought she had to. Who would be her friend in a palace full of children raised to despise foreigners?
    No on e.
    She was too different to pass as Egyptian-born. So what if Pharaoh had taken the Mitannian princess to wife? That didn’t change centuries of ingrained traditions. The new princess would be an outcast too, just not to her face. Tiy, on the other hand, would be teased without mercy, despite her ancestry hailing from Mitanni as well. Officials or not, her parents couldn’t keep the children from laughing and pointing at her.
    “Please don’t make me go,” Tiy said. “I can bring honor to our family here in Akhmim.”
    “Don’t be silly,” her mother said. “You will not let this opportunity pass, do you hear?”
    Tiy grimaced. She knew arguing was of no use. Once her mother decided on something, nothing changed her mind.
    Whatever medicines they had given her seemed to burn off suddenly. She moaned and squirmed in discomfort, regretting the small movement as soon as the wrappings rubbed against her raw skin. She never wanted to