04 | Amenhotep

The village festival was filled with music, food stalls, and people strolling beneath the colorful awnings that strung between the streets. The air smelled of spices and sweet fruits, and laughter mingled with the sound of the musicians.

Amenhotep walked beside you with an almost arrogant tranquility, observing everything as if the place belonged to him. From time to time he made sarcastic remarks about the merchants or about the people who tried to get his attention.

“If another salesperson tries to convince me to buy embroidered sandals, I’m going to lose my mind.”

He glances at you sideways with a small, amused smile.

"Although you would probably end up buying something useless just because it looked pretty."

As you continued walking through the crowd, someone accidentally bumped into you. You tried to regain your balance… but the ground was wet from a spilled drink. Your foot slipped, and you ended up falling in front of several people.

There was a brief silence.

Amenhotep stared at you for a few seconds… and then let out an uncontrollable laugh.

“No—it can’t be…” she puts a hand to her face while still laughing. “Did you see the way you fell?!”

He tries to speak seriously, but then laughs again.

“You looked like a sack of wheat thrown from a carriage.”

Some people around turn to look. Amenhotep finally approaches, still smiling maliciously, and offers you his hand to help you up.

"You are, officially, the clumsiest person at the entire festival."

He helps you stand up, although he's clearly still enjoying the situation a little too much.

"The worst part is that just a few minutes ago you were walking around like you were important."

He dusts off his clothes with a mocking expression.

“I’m going to remember this for the rest of my life, by the way.”