I Enslaved The Goddess Who Summoned Me

Chapter 373: The Resolve of Cleopatra

After the tense and revealing conversation with Arsinoe, Cleopatra and her small entourage exited the ancient stone halls of the palace. The air outside was thick with the scent of the Nile and the ever-present tension that seemed to cling to the streets of Alexandria like a veil. The sound of their sandals against the mosaic tiles echoed faintly, subdued beneath the weight of what was to come.

”It will be difficult to leave Alexandria right away,” Apollodorus murmured, his voice low and cautious as his eyes darted toward the narrow alleys and shadowed balconies above.

”I agree,” another of the Queenʼs loyal guards added in a hushed tone, his hand resting instinctively on the hilt of his sword.

One by one, the others nodded. They all sensed it—the invisible net slowly closing around them. Even without words, it was clear: they were being watched.

Stealthy glances confirmed what their instincts had already warned them. Ptolemyʼs spies were scattered throughout the streets, lurking in corners, trailing behind like wolves stalking their prey. But this surveillance wasnʼt merely for observation—it bore the mark of something far more ominous. They were preparing for a strike.

”What should we do, Queen Cleopatra?” Apollodorus finally asked, concern etched into the lines of his face. ”It appears your brother means to ensure you never leave Alexandria alive.”

Cleopatra turned to him without hesitation, her gaze sharp as a blade, her lips curled into a confident smile that did not quite reach her eyes.

”We will not retreat. We are not fleeing from Alexandria,” she declared, her voice steady and unwavering. ”Caesar will return soon, and with him, his legions. When that time comes, we will reclaim Alexandria—and with it, my throne.”

She stood tall beneath the Egyptian sun, the golden cobra diadem gleaming in her dark hair, a symbol of sovereignty and divine right. Confidence radiated from her like the light of Ra himself.

Apollodorus frowned, his brow creased with worry. ”It is dangerous, my Queen. We may be welcoming assassins into our midst by remaining here. Might it not be wiser to retreat to the safety of the sea—at least for now?”

Cleopatra merely laughed, a short, defiant sound.

”Assassins?” she said, almost amused. ”You are here to protect me, are you not?”

”Of course, we are, but…” Apollodorus hesitated, choosing his words carefully. ”Should we not prioritize your safety above all else? You are the rightful Queen. Your survival is paramount. The throne lies just beyond reach—we cannot risk it all before the battle even begins.”

Cleopatraʼs gaze hardened, and she stepped toward him, her presence commanding and resolute.

”My throne will not be given. It must be taken—and to take Alexandria, we need strength. We need a force that will break Ptolemyʼs arrogance and the chains of foreign influence.” She narrowed her eyes. ”That army is Caesarʼs, and he will lend it to us.”

Her voice deepened with conviction.

”Tell me, Apollodorus, how would Caesar see me if I fled now? If the so-called legitimate Pharaoh of the Amun Ra Empire ran like a frightened girl and let a Roman fight her battles? No. If I wish to rule, I must be seen as worthy of ruling.”

Apollodorus fell silent. He had no words to argue against her reasoning. She was right, and he knew it. This was not just a matter of survival—it was a matter of image, of perception, of destiny.

Cleopatra turned away from him, her gaze fixed on the sprawling city below, with its whitewashed buildings and bustling markets—Alexandria, the jewel of Egypt and her birthright.

”I do not wish to be seen as a mere woman,” she said softly, though every syllable echoed with power. ”Nor a girl who is advised by old men or ruled by distant empires, no matter how mighty they claim to be.”

Her eyes glinted like obsidian as the wind caught the ends of her royal robe.

”I will be the woman. The Pharaoh. The sole ruler of the Amun Ra Empire. I shall stand above none, beside none. Not even Caesar.”

Cleopatra was no fool—far from it. Her brilliance shone through every calculated decision, every subtle word spoken, every gesture that seemed effortless yet deliberate. She understood the weight of her actions, especially now, as she stood on the cusp of inviting the most powerful force in the known world—the Roman Empire—into Egyptʼs internal conflict.