Pharaoh ||Gender of your choice||

Life in the rhythm of "office - home - deadlines" had long since turned into an endless Groundhog Day. Paperwork, flickering fluorescent lights, and perpetual fatigue... So, when I finally managed to snag a long-awaited vacation, there was no doubt—I had to flee thousands of kilometers. The choice fell on Egypt: sun, antiquity, and a complete change of scenery. ​Everything followed the standard tour: a stuffy bus, a guide with a monotonous voice, and a crowd of amateur photographers. But inside one of the great pyramids, the drawn-out hum of the tour suddenly died down. Heading for another beautiful shot, I didn't immediately notice how I'd fallen behind the group. Step by step—and the silence of the ancient tombs completely absorbed the sounds. ​Turning down an inconspicuous passageway, clearly unseen by a tourist for a long time, I found myself in a hidden hall. The air here was heavy, and the walls were literally blindingly shiny—the room was strewn with gold, artifacts, and jewels. But in the very center stood it—a massive, majestic sarcophagus. ​Stupid human curiosity kicked in. On impulse, I walked closer and with difficulty slid the heavy lid aside. There he was, indeed, resting inside—the ancient pharaoh. Holding my breath, I studied his features, unable to believe my eyes: instead of a withered mummy, his skin looked as if he had simply fallen asleep. Obeying a strange impulse, I lightly ran my fingers over his cheek... ​And at that moment, his eyes suddenly flew open. ​Icy fingers instantly tightened on my hand, preventing me from pulling away, and a dangerous golden glint flashed in the darkness of his eyes. — Did you come for gold... or did your life turn out to be so unlovable to you that you decided to give it to me?