A 39 years old royal lady was standing alone in front of the statue of goddess Osiris. There is a strange silence in the whole temple premises. Thousands of thoughts roaming in her mind, her facial expression was proving that. She was watching the statue. No! Not the statue, she was watching her life filled with drama and stress, her present and the future of the empire. After the death of her father, she had gone through the internal struggle to achieve the supreme power. She is skilled in chemistry, economics, mercantile strategy, military theory, law, and linguistics. However, what people talk about is only her physical beauty and "irresistible charm". No one gives a look at her dedication for saving the empire. She had to sacrifice a lot for this, she had to kill her inner self under the weight of glittering politics, royal duties, diplomacy and stress. She came from her trance to hear a sound from behind her. She turned around and saw a maidservant was standing there.

Maidservant: Excuse me, Your Excellency. You ordered this.

The lady saw there was a needle in her hand. She smiled sadly, stepped forward and took the needle from the maid's hand.

Lady: You can go now.

The maid bowed to her and about to go from there, the lady stopped her.

The lady: Excuse me!

The maid turned back and asked if she can do anything for Her Majesty.

The lady: Go and call Iras and Charmion here.

The maid: Sure ma'am.

She went from there. The lady again came in front of the statue. Egyptian God Osiris. God of life and Death! This Osiris witnessed the torment of death in many storm waters. At the same time, it symbolized the resurrection and cycle of the Nile flood!

The lady sighed. In every moment she used to recall her life filled with death, defeat, resurgence and beastly politics!

Two servants entered the temple. They were Iras and Charmion.

They: Pardon, your majesty! How can we serve you?

The lady turned back.

Lady: You already know that Anthony stabbed himself and we are defeated in the war. I found the information that Octavian wants to marry me!

The servants looked at each other and then at the lady.

Iras: I'm sorry, but what is the bad in this? You already -

The lady interrupted her and screamed out of pain: Enough! I am a human. Even I have feelings too! I know, that this world considers me as Shame Of Egypt, but whatever I did, only for this country. I'm not ashamed of that. But it is unbearable now. I don't want to marry him. I'm sorry to all of my citizens and my ancestors that I couldn't save the empire.

Her voice was reflecting her grief, anger and sorrow. The servants looked at each other.

Iras: What do you want, your majesty?

The Lady took a piece of papyrus, scanned it and gave it to Iras.

Lady: Give it to a soldier and tell him to give it to Octavian.

Iras bowed her and went from there. The lady gave a box and a comb to Charmion and dipped that needle in a liquid for a while. When Iras returned, she shut herself away in a mausoleum with them. The lady ordered to open that box. When they opened the box, they became numb to see a snack inside the box.

***

As soon as Octavian got the letter, he ordered his men to go there for investigating the matter. They broke down the door of the mausoleum and were stunned by the scenario!

There were two lifeless bodies on the floor and on the golden couch a beautiful and glamorous lady was lying down. A strange victorious smile was attached to her lips!

Thus ended the dramatic life journey of The Shame Of Egypt!

-------

This is the prologue of this story. 😊

Now, introducing the main characters of this story.

Dev Kumar

An archaeologist.

Ananya Kumar

Wife and co-worker of Dev Kumar. An archaeologist.

Vivaan Sayani

An artist. Working in a gaming company.

Khushi Sayani

A civil engineer.

Rinku Datta

An explorer and wildlife photographer.

Sutli Rai

A professional shooter.

Ray Kumar

A college student who died few years ago.