Princess Carmel; Chapter 11

Princess Carmel; Chapter 11

© 2022 by Amber Wright

SCROLL TEN

1 year later

“It is more splendid than I imagined.” Carmel gazed in wonder at all the different rooms, halls and chambers in turn. Light filtered through the middle of the courtyard. “See, now the children can play in peace. The walls are about them to protect them.”

“We shall have a house designed like this.” King Ezron glanced down at the little round head poking from the white bundle in Carmel’s arms. “For our Anath.”

Carmel smiled down at the infant of a few weeks. “I see she is looking around and seeing what type of houses she will design someday.”

King Ezron laughed. “You have quite the imagination.”

“Of course,” Carmel shifted Anath onto her other shoulder. “What good would designing do if one did not have an imagination?”

“Exactly. Wise—”

“Child.” Carmel smiled, and they continued to tour the large house. Every room was exactly as she had imagined, only better, more grand. The widows and fatherless would indeed think they had died and gone to where El lived. Here was a piece of peace for them on earth.

00000

Days melted into weeks. Each day brought new wonders to Carmel as she discovered what life was bringing her, hour by hour: purpose and peaceful contentment. The house for the widows and fatherless was now filled and a new sense of loyalty was gathering among the people for their king and queen.

“So you see, my lady,” Zara smiled with an almost pride, “you were more than a Treaty of Peace for your people but for King Ezron’s people as well.”

“And to think you doubted my marrying him would do any good.” Carmel replied, a teasing smile spreading across her cheeks. “Zara.”

“I stand corrected—and grateful you did not take my hint of dislike for him to think that he was an unacceptable match for you.” Zara shook her head, “I was a fool then. I am sorry.”

“I only tease. After all,” Carmel turned into the proper, sober queen, “you did tell me that I should behave and not toy with destiny.”

Zara smiled and picked up the infant Anath. “Your very likeness, my lady, rests in this babe. I remember you at this age.”

“You look so young!” Carmel pinched her eyebrows together, quite shocked. She always thought Zara as someone near her age.

“I still am—young, my lady.” Zara’s wrinkles around her eyes were but slight and her tanned skin was still smooth. “I was only your age when I became your nurse.”

“Truly?”

“Yes. My father sold me to pay off his debts else my whole family would have suffered.”

“Was it really that bad?” Carmel felt her heart stop. She had never imagined such a tale to be her very own nurse’s.

“Yes.” Zara’s voice was now a hoarse whisper, laced in pain. “My father would have gone to prison…my mother would have had to beg bread from the streets and—” She wiped one finger across her eyelids. “And my beautiful little sisters would have ended up in the brothels.”

“I am so sorry, Zara.” Carmel whispered.

“It is fine, my lady.” Zara exchanged her hoarse whisper for a strained chirp. “I have had you for my pupil—and a wonderful lady you have turned out to be. I do confess, I share in your glory for I have learned you your lessons.”

Carmel smiled, blinking back what would have been tears. “My parents chose a wise teacher for me. I will forever be—grateful!”

Zara looked down at Anath sleeping with a faint smile on her infant face. “And now, I have the most beautiful baby to hold and cherish—as if she was one of my own blood.” She looked up.

“Our favorite,” Eman announced in her usual bright voice, “lamb on flatbread and honey cookies!” She placed the tray on the table. “My lady, you must eat and rest your body for—”

“Shh!” Damali hissed, giving Eman a glare.

“Oh!” Eman said, catching her breath with a startled halt. “I am sorry…I mumble…”

Carmel looked from one maid to the next. “What is such a secret that I am not to hear?”

“Servants’ whispers, my lady. That is all.” Damali replied in a rush, dishing out the food and drinks. “Ooh, the little lady is smiling!”

“She must be dreaming about a handsome prince,” Eman lifted her eyes dreamily upward.

“I hope not.” Carmel felt disgust roll through her. “She is only less than one month. She will have at least fifteen more years before she will entertain one princely thought.”

“Precisely,” Damali gave Eman a curt nod.

Eman reddened and began to stammer.

“Please,” Carmel smiled sweetly to settle her maid’s troubled countenance. “The food awaits.”

00000

Their little band of camels drove further up into the mount where the air became cooler and smelled of scented cedars. Carmel was puzzled but said nothing. She was enjoying the ride and wondered if they were going to stop once they reached the summit.

They did.

After a few more moments of silence, now walking into the leafy branches of the cedars, she turned to King Ezron. “My lord?”

“I have something to show you, yes.” King Ezron bit the corners of his mouth but his eyes were still smiling so she knew he had a surprise up his sleeve. “Wait until we reach it.”

“Is it—”

“No questions else I may change my mind. Now,” he pulled out a silk band. “I tie this over your eyes and you only can look when we get there. No peeking, understood?”

“Understood.” Carmel smiled, feeling the silk tighten over her closed eyelids. Before long she smelled the strong scents of cedar sap.

A little conclusion of the walk’s end formed into her mind. She kept her knowing smile to herself, not wishing to ruin King Ezron’s surprise for her. But she knew…she smelled the surprise.

The silk cloth was taken from her eyes and she gasped in shock, nonetheless. The surprise was magnified a thousand. There atop the cool mount was a small cedar house and surrounding it was a very large portion of ground cleared to the dirt. She swallowed her forming saliva.

“This is my gift to you, my lady.”

“What is—pray tell me, my lord.” Carmel stammered in a rush. She hadn’t expected this. “I am eager to know—what shall—what is this?”

“Your house is to be built here,” King Ezron wore a pleased smile, seeing her look over the grounds and lofty view in awe. “And that,” he pointed to the small cedar house, “is where you and Anath shall come when the building starts.”

Carmel blinked, and gulped.

“For you shall oversee every detail of the house. Should you not like that, my lady?” his eyes twinkled.

“Yes!” Carmel felt her insides bursting. “I should like that—very much!”

Suddenly, she felt very blessed. She, Carmel of the House of Hiram, now Queen of Aram-Damascus, would become the lady of her very own designed house. El had been good to her.

Carmel looked up at her husband the king with a grateful countenance. “Thank you, Ezron.”

The End