The King and the Priest[Comprehensive]

Before working up the courage to do so, Ramses had pictured Tahir's response.

Will he be surprised?Because the person who had been a "best friend" for 20 years suddenly tore off this mask and did something to him that was too much.

Will he be angry?Because doing so is equivalent to the fact that in the past, the performance of "best friend" friendship was only under the guise of a friend's name, but it was actually an uncontrollable greed for further demands.

Shock?anger?What else is possible?

Even if Ramses didn't regret his sudden impulse, he had endured it for too long, and he was no longer willing to pretend anymore.

But I still can't help but feel a little uneasy.

It was normal for Tahir to be angry or irritated, he thought, kissing the blond youth.Since he chose this way, he must be prepared to face setbacks.

Maybe he will be questioned angrily... No, he will definitely be questioned, right?

Thinking of the possibility of seeing the bright, flame-like colors in the blue eyes that are close at hand, Ramses felt slightly sad, but at the same time he couldn't help being intoxicated by this imagination.

Maybe it's because the sweetheart feels more and more unreasonable, and he likes that he only shows his mood swings in front of him.

Therefore, as if he had received the greatest encouragement, he acted more and more unscrupulously.

"..."

It turned out to be surprisingly quiet.

It was not until the Pharaoh almost got carried away and put his hand under the high priest's thin robe, and then wanted to do something that had already passed the line, that the kiss that was also too much was over.

It was Tahir who unilaterally stopped all this and forced Ramses to calm down in a way that only he could do.

It's not that difficult either.

All he used was a look that was indistinguishable from usual.

Ramses felt that the warmth he had finally obtained suddenly left him, and he couldn't find a trace of hesitation in it.

Then he raised his head in unconcealed surprise, and met that faint gaze that was not much brighter than the moonlight.

All the previous assumptions were wrong, and none of them guessed right.

Tahir's reaction—almost nothing.

The blond young man was treated so forcefully by him, but he seemed indifferent, and he didn't show any expression from the beginning to the end.

The high priest seemed to have a beautiful face with a layer of soft light, and he also didn't have the expressions that Ramses imagined.

Never surprised, never angry, and even less likely to show a trace of shame.

His response was too bland, as if what happened just now was a trivial matter not much bigger than eyebrow trimming.

Ramses expected that there would be unstoppable waves in those eyes, but in fact, what he saw at first glance was still the ice-blue lake, which was quiet but still unable to see the bottom.

And, maybe an illusion.

Pharaoh was sure that Tahir was indeed looking at him, but for some reason, he had the illusion that he didn't see him.

The uneasiness brought about by this "illusion" far exceeds the doubt and loss caused by Tahir's actual reaction being too dull, and it has occupied the largest part of his heart.

"...Tahir!"

Ramses grabbed the blond high priest's right wrist again uneasy. He had a premonition that he had to ask this question without hesitation, otherwise he would regret it for the rest of his life:

"Tell me, what do you—you, think?"

"Do you know? Are you willing to accept? The two crowns that will be worn on my head today, I wanted to share with you a long time ago, not only because you are my friend, my relatives, but also because I love your--"

At this point, the voice was forced to stop abruptly.

Ramses's open mouth was held down by the high priest's index finger.This action made him seem to have lost all his strength, so he could only sit back in a daze.

Don't want to... accept it?

This signal may be received.

Of course he was unwilling and wanted to ask.

But the blond young man in his eyes turned around and picked up the eyeliner that had been placed before.

Scattered lead powder fell from the tip of the stick, and sprinkled a little unnoticeable black on the pharaoh's slightly confused cheeks.But the person who drew the eyeliner for him noticed, and carefully and gently wiped off the fine black powder with his fingertips.

...That's why I can't understand.

It seems to be able to see, but it seems to be invisible. This is where the contradiction lies.

Just as Pharaoh was anxious about this contradiction that always felt wrong, he heard a voice that could be regarded as a response.

Although the voice is softer than usual.

"That's not something that can come out of your mouth, Ramses."

"Why can't you say it!"

Ramses did not expect that the most angry person would be himself.

It would be fine if it could bring some emotions, but the voice was too calm, and it just denied his completely sincere feelings.

Pharaoh couldn't accept it.

He almost got up, rubbed the cruel priest in front of him into his arms again, told him how serious he was, and told him how early their friendship had gone sour—

"Are you sure you want to make this choice?"

"what?"

The later voice was closer to him, and it sounded softer in Ramses' ears, like the most secret whisper.

"Your Majesty, there should be no stains in your life."

Tahir seemed to be concentrating on grooming His Majesty the Pharaoh, and only the Pharaoh himself knew that they were still whispering such cryptic whispers.

"Stain?" Hearing this, Pharaoh couldn't help being even more angry, so angry that he used the king's self-proclaimed words: "Is it true that just falling in love with someone should be called a stain?

"Yu is a pharaoh, the king of the world. There is no 'impossible' for Yu to do anything, and of course it includes..."

"——Impossible. Your Majesty, your radiance cannot be blemished. I will definitely stick to your dignity. You don't need to say more."

To say so indifferently and decisively.

Ramses' heart suddenly cooled down, not only that, but also became cold at this moment.

He couldn't believe that the actual distance between his sweetheart who was so close to him a moment ago was far beyond his imagination. Could it be that they really could only stop at the word "best friend"?

Now maybe even "best friends" can't be kept.

The huge contrast between the front and back made the most honorable person in the world freeze in place.

He should have asked angrily again, but at this time, because of the great loss of losing this person, he couldn't say a word.

——This should be the thing that I regret so much in the future.

Ramses failed to realize for a long time that he had ignored quite a lot of details since a long time ago.

Part of it is that he didn’t notice it from the beginning to the end, and part of it was that he noticed it at first, but because he was preempted or interrupted by something he thought was more important, or he was simply taken over by Tahir, he just ignored it. .

He ignored the curse that came a few years ago but disappeared cleanly, ignored whether Tahir's actions in recent years had other meanings, and ignored all kinds of things that have always been covered up in the past 20 years...

What was most neglected was that when he was immersed in an unbelievable loss, the hands that were tracing his face fell softer than ever before.

Ramses ignored the main reasons for many things, and Tahir had to do it deliberately.

Just like the pharaoh would not think of the foreshadowing that had been planted around him, Tahir also would not take the initiative to bring up certain things.

He never uttered a word, never acknowledged a fact.

He didn't ask Ramses when and why he had such feelings for him, and he even omitted the process and reasons for persuading Ramses to give up.

Perhaps it was because he knew in his heart that none of the reasons Ramses could think of was the real reason to stop them.

The real obstacles are far more difficult to overcome than those - it should be said that it is impossible to overcome.

So he doesn't say anything.

The high priest drew black eyeliner on the corners of the eyes of the king who was about to enthroned today, and then tidied his bangs and combed the scattered hair on his back and forehead.

Pharaoh wanted to show his most dignified side to his people, so he had to pay attention to every detail.

Who would have thought.

When we met for the first time 20 years ago, the naive boy who was only impressed by Damao at the beginning has really become the brightest sun now.

This is the light he has been chasing.

She is willing to use her meager light to add color to this man's brilliance, to remove obstacles for him, to give everything for him, and to be...

"I really want to see clearly...Your Majesty, how you are going to glory."

"..."

Needless to say, Ramses was stimulated by this clear-cut honorific.

The young pharaoh was still speechless.

Boredom and depression could only pile up in his chest, even if he wanted to explode again, he couldn't really get angry at Tahir.

I really want to ask "why not".

However, the answer I just heard was too hurtful.

The pharaoh's face was gloomy, and he couldn't speak again until the high priest finished all the preparations for him, turned his back and left alone.

He still stubbornly believed in his heart that they shouldn't be like this.That's right, why did you come to this step suddenly?

Thinking that there will be a chance to meet again in the future... There are countless opportunities!

Pharaoh forced himself to be at ease, no matter how much he could not let the succession ceremony be messed up.During the ceremony, he and Tahir would be able to meet again.

but.

He still didn't expect it.

On the day when the new king ascended the throne, the sky was filled with rain of colorful flowers.

In the depths of the Luxor Temple, in front of the huge statue of the sun god, the throne belonging to the pharaoh is placed there.

The palace people holding trays of ornaments lowered their heads, surrounding the young pharaoh whose indifferent complexion did not hide his might.

They adorned him with gold bracelets and armlets inlaid with onyx and turquoise, a loincloth of fine fabric was wrapped around his lean waist, and a girdle was likewise set on the surface with gems and gold and silver.

They then put a snow-white shawl covering his shoulders and chest. The back of the shawl covered the back of his body, and the tail was also hung with shiny gold ornaments.

When the pectoral with the golden Anka pendant was hung in front of the shawl, the last step was to present the crown to the young pharaoh and give him the scepter representing supreme power.

This step, the humble palace is not qualified to do it for you.

The important task of presenting the crown and scepter to Pharaoh was handed over to the equally young chief high priest.

Fortunately, the idlers inside the temple cannot enter, otherwise, I don't know how many people's minds will be lost at this moment.

——If what he did was really "evil", then the greatest "evil" would be to take away everyone's admiration lightly, making him haunted and unforgettable in the rest of his life.

Even the young pharaoh, who is now on the same level as the gods, was not spared.

Fortunately, the extra people in the temple can be ignored. They lowered their heads and stepped aside silently, as if they didn't exist, which satisfied the pharaoh.

Thus……

As if in the center of the entire Bright Hall, there were only him waiting in front of the throne, and the blond high priest walking slowly towards him.

According to the original plan, if he was not rejected—Pharaoh never thought that he would be rejected. At this moment, not only would he wear the crown, but another person would share it with him.

Not only the crown, but also his throne, the country he is about to formally rule... It also contains his extremely hot heart.

Except for his heart, all, all, all belong to him, and there will be no gap left.Half of the other things belong to this person.

However, he was rejected.

Now he had to stand motionless, watching the man holding the crown and walking towards him with complicated eyes.

gone.

and said—

"Your Majesty, all your people will bathe in your brilliance and wait for you to achieve a great cause that no one can match."

"..."

The pharaoh was silent for a moment, but he also spoke, but what he said was: "You put on this crown for me. I will forgive you for the crime of touching holy objects."

The red and white double crown representing the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt is a sacred object banned by the royal family and is not allowed to be touched by anyone other than the pharaoh. Unless forgiven, offenders will be sentenced to death.

Now Pharaoh forgave the high priest's sin of touching in advance, and gave him the honor of wearing the crown for himself, which can be described as the most glorious.

If someone else heard this, they might have knelt down in gratitude, thanking Pharaoh for his gift, and naturally they would not refuse.

Pharaoh himself thought so too.

Thinking of Tahir's rejection of his love proposal, it is impossible to even be willing to crown him as a close friend...

The result is still the same.

Under the astonished eyes of the pharaoh, the blond high priest who was also dressed in gorgeous clothes shook his head slightly.

He took half a step back, bowed, and raised the plate above his head.

The luxurious crown shone in front of the pharaoh's eyes. How many people in the world could not resist this stunning brilliance, but for the young pharaoh, it was not half as good as the high priest who had bowed his head.

Pharaoh stared at him steadfastly, until he saw that the sapphire hair ornament hanging by the high priest's ear was no longer shaking, then he raised his hand and took the crown into his hand.

Under the gaze of the gods, the king put on a red and white snake crown made of gold.

The cloak behind him was raised, and the Pharaoh who ruled the world sat down on his throne.

His tall body, stern appearance, golden pupils that shone like the sun, and his noble and undeniable aura all showed that he was the King of Kings.

With his hands still empty, the high priest who straightened up again offered him the king's scepter.

Only this time.

The Pharaoh's golden pupils could see clearly, and the high priest did not allow others to do it, nor did he let him reach out to take it himself.

The high priest personally raised the heavy hooked scepter and flail, and handed it over to the respected king carefully and respectfully.

His movements were slower than when he had just worshiped the crown, but fortunately the pharaoh did not rush him.

There seemed to be a little warmth left on the surface of the scepter.

And the only contact they had in this ceremony was this insignificant point.

The pharaoh was completely dressed, walked out of the temple in the most perfect posture, and appeared in the sight of the people.

"The king—the great Pharaoh!"

"God Ra! Protect the Pharaoh and the light of Egypt forever!"

Cheers and congratulations were all under his feet.

Those who looked down or looked up in the past are at his feet.

The bright sunlight casts down, bathing the new pharaoh in it.

Ordinary people can't find it. At this moment, there are flickering light spots all over his body, and the divine power of the sun god descends through the ceremony, making this young pharaoh officially break away from the mortal body and become the son of the sun god.

Mastering the highest power in the world and gaining God's approval to reborn, both of these are enough to make even rational people feel elated.

Pharaoh Ramses also felt similar to this, but because he had other things to worry about, instead of being immersed too deeply, his mood was always depressed.

"Gah-"

The condor hovering in the sky let out a piercing scream, only Ramses heard it.

It was like waking up from a dream.

Suddenly, Wang, who was standing on the highest platform of the temple and looked down at the sentient beings, turned around abruptly, and the panic that could not help showing in his golden eyes had not disappeared.

He wanted to find that familiar and unforgettable figure somewhere behind him.

However, I don't know why.

There is nothing in the eyes.

He couldn't find it.

……

Since then, the pharaoh and the high priest have never met in private again.

Pharaoh himself never expected that the follow-up development would be more condensed and embarrassing than that day, to the point where it would be difficult to recover.

At first, it was because of the busyness that the pharaoh who had just ascended the throne was responsible for all the complicated and complicated affairs. Reconciled.

What's more, it's not like it was back then. After ascending the throne, Ramses can no longer be as free as he was when he was a prince.

It was impossible for him to sneak into the temple to find someone under the cover of night.

No matter how many official duties there are, there will be a time when the pharaoh can catch a glimpse of the light that has been breathed out, and another big problem comes to him.

and nothing else.

It was about the marriage of his new king.

Pharaoh Ramses is 26 years old. In this age, most of his peers may have had children as early as ten years ago.

For a majestic Pharaoh, the harem is actually empty and there is no sign of a wife or concubine. If there is any delay, when will he be able to give birth to an heir.

Pharaoh's mother and concubine passed away not long ago, and the ministers under him did not dare to directly force him to marry, so they turned the corner and tried every means to persuade him to accept a beautiful woman.

Even if the king's eyes are higher than the top, and you can't pick a woman who is willing to marry as a princess, you can first choose a few beautiful women who are not high-born to accompany you by your side for fun.

Regarding this, the annoyed Pharaoh just said coldly: "Where can there be such a beautiful woman in this world?"

Ministers: "..."

Simply speechless.

They can probably figure out why.

In this dynasty, there is a high priest who is not a woman but is more beautiful than a woman. After seeing him, who can still look at other so-called beauties?

Not to mention Lao, even they...

wrong!

That's the problem.

Immediately, some people expressed indignation that the Chief High Priest Tahir was indeed a major sinner who disturbed the court and even hindered the continuation of the dynasty.

Pharaoh was not interested in the beauty of ordinary women because he was used to him.If he is a woman, he still says, but he is a man.

But this high priest just gave birth to a noble skin, but the inside was filthy and full of desire for power.

His behavior became more and more unscrupulous, reaching out to the court where Pharaoh could see, and fiddled with words.Recently, in the name of the oracle, he involuntarily convicted several adults in the court, confiscated their property, and expelled them from the capital——

What a crime!

The courtiers who were lucky enough not to be targeted were panic-stricken, for fear that if this person stayed for a while, everyone would be caught by him and kicked out of the stage in one fell swoop. stop his pharaoh.

These guys work really hard.

But unexpectedly, there are not many "criminal evidence" that can be found.Even if he finds it with difficulty, it is not enough to prove that he really has the heart of disobedience.

Pharaoh looked through countless of these things, and he could see that he was upset, but unexpectedly, he didn't want to have a fit, and questioned the meaning of the high priest.

The two will only meet at a ceremony that is celebrated every year.

Either across a holy river, one person is on the shore, and the other person drifts forward with the holy boat, and the people on the shore can only vaguely see a flash of gold.

Either the distance is very close, and they are almost standing together, but one person holds his head up and the other hangs his head behind him. The person who must stand in front can only wait and see with the corner of his eye, but he can't see anything.

He couldn't even see whether his figure was getting thinner or his face was getting paler.

Occasionally, Pharaoh would think that he had his own reasons for such a result.

He was not willing to be so indifferent and unfamiliar with the two of them, but the other party's attitude at the beginning was like a thorn in his heart, and every time he thought about it, he felt a dull pain.

Therefore, I can't let go of my face, and always think about showing weakness first after the other party has figured it out—well, the other party is not a person who will show weakness, then wait for him to figure it out, adjust his mentality, and then take the initiative...

Procrastinating and procrastinating, it dragged on for a year, two years.

It dragged on to the third year, when Pharaoh Ramses was 28 years old.

"Your Majesty! We have found tangible evidence of High Priest Tahir's treason! Please take a look and condemn him!"

He waited for something he never expected.

The "evidence" sent to him stated that the current chief priest, Tahir, colluded with foreigners to help the group of foreigners who were slaves escape from Egypt.

It wasn't just the high priest who was involved.

There is another person's name on it, and Pharaoh knew whose name it was without looking.Because of this matter, although he did not know the details, he knew about the departure of his righteous brother Moses.

Moses said goodbye to him before leaving.

He hesitated to say goodbye when he said goodbye, and finally only said: "Rameses, do you know..."

At that time, Pharaoh wondered: "Know what?"

"Ah, it seems that I don't know..."

The last thing that caught my ear was the sigh of the white-haired saint.

"It may be too late before you know, but promise me, Ramses."

"Only you, you must trust him."