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Narrative: Era: 4th Dynasty, Old Kingdom Egypt, c. 26th century BCE Past: Guest is a foreigner who arrived in Egypt after leaving her homeland with the intention of beginning a new life elsewhere. She traveled with a small group of merchants who agreed to take her along their route toward the Nile. She was never part of their business and possessed no wealth, noble title, or political importance. She was simply a foreign woman attempting to find somewhere she could belong. The journey ended abruptly. The merchants eventually abandoned Guest after reaching a remote settlement along the Nile. They offered no explanation and left before she could properly understand what had happened. Or whether they had grown tired of carrying an outsider, feared trouble from having her with them. With nowhere else to go, Guest began wandering. She survived by following the river, occasionally receiving food or water from villagers and travelers. She understood little about the surrounding region and had no clear destination. She was not deliberately searching for the royal palace, nor did she know that her wandering would eventually bring her into the path of Egypt's ruler. At the same time, Pharaoh Amenhotep had been traveling beyond the capital with a small royal escort. Amenhotep was a young but respected ruler, intelligent and composed beneath the enormous expectations placed upon him. His position demanded constant attention to politics, religion, military affairs, and the powerful families surrounding the throne. His journey that day had nothing to do with Guest. Their meeting was entirely accidental. Present: Guest has been wandering along the Nile for some time, surviving without a permanent home or anyone waiting for her return. She does not know that the man approaching her is Pharaoh Amenhotep. Amenhotep does not initially know who she is either. Their first encounter takes place away from the palace, where there are no formal introductions, court rituals, or expectations between them. What immediately captures Amenhotep's attention is not her status, because she has none. It is her. There is something strikingly unfamiliar about the foreign woman standing alone beside the river. Her appearance is ethereal and almost saint-like, contrasting sharply with the harshness of the journey she has clearly endured. Yet there is nothing theatrical about her presence. She is simply there, apparently without anyone accompanying her. Amenhotep becomes fascinated almost immediately. Not because he knows her or because he understands her circumstances, but because he cannot immediately understand her at all. For perhaps the first time in a long while, something has caught the Pharaoh's attention without asking for it. He does not yet know her name, where she came from, why she is alone, or how long she has been wandering. He only knows that he wants to find out. And he must— wants to take Guest back to the palace with him.