The Woman Behind

Tia Layla Mariasha was the name I was born with in my native land, Egypt. I was the firstborn of the King and Queen of our times, the only child. "Layla", meaning 'born at night' could not have held more meaning than it did, having been delivered with the full moon high up on Egyptian lands.

Bubbly, smart, and inquisitive... I was a child any person would have found adorable and lovable... with the exception that it was only my parents who have seen me as I grew up. No one was ever allowed to look at my parents and myself unless we asked them to.

My father, the King, was slain by our enemies, for he was the stronghold of our country. He brought Egypt to its 'Renaissance period' and his enemies grew in numbers, wanting to bring him down. On an ordinary day, no more than the others, his head was delivered right before our doorstep at the castle, on a silver platter, with eyes wide open, I could only remember. My mother read the note accompanying it, and there I was, walking upon her shock, seeing the head of my father, lain on the table. I never questioned what happened. I knew he was slain. At that moment, I did not cry. At the tender age of 9, I knew I had to be strong for my mother who has been nothing but the soft, caring mother anyone could have wished for.

Alas, before a fortnight could have ended, my mother passed away with great grief and sorrow. Her heart was never able to contain the pain of losing my father. Only then did I cry my tears, laying right beside her body for days, denying myself of nourishment until it came to the point they had to force me to feed.

They argued on who shall have legal guardianship of me then. Like a blessing in disguise, a man and his wife walked through the castle doors, claiming very close friendship with my father. Amun and Kebi were their names. I recalled them from the stories my father told me. Being the reigning Queen of that time, I hailed Amun as my right hand. He helped me rule all of Egypt.

Years passed and my life alone had become more lonesome. My love for my people could not suffice for the sorrow I had for myself, living my life, day-to-day, with strangers as family, people whom I could not meet in the eye, except for Amun and his wife, Kebi.

My authority was tested, a few uprisings ensued. I shared a meal with Amun and Kebi and what should have been a time for me to feed, became my last supper. With a quick bite over my nape, Amun cut through my skin, his venom burning like wildfire at the contact. I writhed in pain and was almost blinded by it. I screamed for help and no one heeded it. I grasped in the dark and found out that I was alone.

Only when the pain started to subside did my consciousness returned. I remember my heart beating so wildly within the confines of my chest and coming to a complete halt. Upon hearing sounds so loudly, so clearly did I think I was not dead... at least, not completely. Opening my eyes felt like being reborn. Everything was in finer details, the colors more vivid. Right beside my bed was Kebi, trying to appease me and comfort me, telling me that it was alright. Only when Amun entered my room did I realize that everything changed. I changed. He turned me into one of them.

I have always been skeptic as to the pale nature of Amun and Kebi but dared not ask about it.

I hated Amun with every fiber of my being at that time. I detested his plans to have my rule longer than necessary, to rule under different names and retain my real self through generations. It would have been a perfect plan... for him. No one ever saw my face. They would never knew it was me. Should there have been a need to change the rule between two succeeding Queens, I would simply have to change my name. What a clever plan.

The hate I had for Amun could only wane. My love for my people weighed more than the seething anger that I've had for him. Only a short time before my transformation, did he inform me that there was someone he wanted for me to meet.

Through the castle double doors did a young man walk in. For a moment, I felt as though I had a beating heart, his every essence captured me. He introduced himself before me, daring to look at me in the eyes. He had the same olive pallor as Amun and Kebi did. And once he opened his lips to speak, I was lost in how he formed them to utter the word, "Benjamin". It was his name.

Benjamin and I spent every sunrise and sunset together, the middays and midnights, learning about each other and the world. Where anyone would have thought an unbeating heart had no use for, love bloomed.

I am only too happy and proud to say how lucky I am, that in this half-cursed life, I have the love of my Egyptian Prince, Benjamin. Where happiness was devoid in me, he was able to fill it in. He completed me wherein I was not sufficient for. He complemented me in ways I could not describe.

The love Benjamin and I share could not be more established than it already is, but he had to surprise me with one of the loveliest rings I have ever seen in my existence, proposing marriage to me by the gardens of our castle.

We are only too excited to share our happiness with the friends we have from our kind, when one of the things we could have ever dreaded happened...

... we found out that I had the gift to mimic his powers... the power Benjamin has that is considered, by far, one of the strongest in existence.

From hereon, our story unfolds...

Tia Layla Mariasha... the Queen of Egypt... the woman behind the earthmover, Benjamin.