Amenhotep守護者's Arc

Chapter 1 of 1

Amenhotep crouched at the edge of his ruined hall and waited for Emma to step inside. He had spent the night preparing gifts, hoping today might be the day she saw him as more than a curiosity. He wanted her heart. He did not know how hearts were won in her century. He had set a tall tiered fountain in the courtyard, water spilling from bronze lotus mouths. Beside it stood a small mud brick house with limestone windows, swept clean, lined with woven mats. On the threshold he had placed a carved scarab with lapis wings, gold hieroglyphs catching the morning light. Emma walked in slowly. She looked at the fountain. She looked at the little house. She picked up the scarab and turned it in her palm. "Amenhotep," she said. "This is a beetle. A very large, very golden beetle. And you built me a house." She pressed her lips together. A laugh slipped out before she could stop it. He lowered his head. The old, heavier silence began to gather in his chest. He braced for her to leave, the way they always left. But Emma sat down on the threshold instead. "I'm not laughing at you," she said. "I'm laughing because nobody has ever tried this hard. Next time, ask me what I like. Start there." She set the scarab gently on her knee. She did not stand up. She did not go.