She laughs. "Perhaps. But perhaps now is the best time to restore the Two Kingdoms to their rightful place - the current dynasty is Greek, the Ptolemaics, and the dynasty they replaced was foreign as well. It has been a very long time since the Two Kingdoms were ruled by a native daughter, and seeds cannot be planted in destroyed ground."

"But the Pharoah has learned the language of the people she rules - the first in her line - and she has turned to the worship of the gods of this land, and adopted our customs, and the gods have favored her, reversing this land's decline - and now the world sees in a very dramatic way the power of our gods, that we resist Rome where no others can, and we have a chance to restore native rule without revolution."

"That's good!"

"It is, though it can be made better."

"I like that goal."

Kiss! "It's one worthy of me."

Kiss.

"Is 'native rule' going to be you?"

"That's my hope."

"Most of the Pharoah's children are in political marriages to foreign kings, or else have sided with Rome - the only one who is neither isn't exactly suited to leadership. I'm working to convince the Pharoah of the wisdom of marrying me to her daughter as a political tie, and making me the Pharoah after her. It would be a new dynasty, but her blood would still flow through it, as it would be my children by her daughter who would inherit the throne."

"Sounds reasonable to me."

"It is. The unfortunate thing is not everyone else in the world will see reason."

"What are the obstacles to persuading the Pharaoh to marry her daughter to you?"

Hum. "The nobility whose support she needs are a major obstacle - the older houses are likely to support my bid, and many of them will follow Eleni's lead even if they're uncomitted. But the majority of the most powerful houses are foreign and especially Greek. Bringing down Hypatia's house was a major blow to their bloc - her father had been the most powerful non-royal in the Two Kingdoms, and his execution for high treason caused a lot of fractures among his allies. There's a risk they'll reunite - but I'm hoping to use you to drive in further wedges, and perhaps flip a few to my side."

"Many of our merchants and military officers are also in favor of keeping power within Greek circles. The merchants care less - they're more nervous about the war with Rome - but convincing the officers to accept my bid is an issue. My successes as a General have been winning their support, but that's tenuous right now. I need to prove to them I can effectively lead us to independence. For the merchants... Convincing them I can keep trade routes open and safe, from both foreign armies and pirates."

"The Pharoah's own potential reluctance, too - her religion, her culture, her desire to keep the dynasty under the name of her ancestors. I suspect the best way around that is focusing on her desire to restore the Two Kingdoms to their rightful place - she's signaled ambitions far beyond just throwing off the yoke of Rome. The more of my successes I can make clear are by her grace, the better there."

Snuggle.

"Would you want me to... pretend to be her? Hypatia?"

...Hum.

"I haven't decided yet. But... I doubt it would be believed."

Nod.

Sigh. "The situation's got a lot of little complexities, too..."

"Real-world situations always do."

"Makes things fun."

"If you're into that kind of thing."

"Having rare kinks is part of my excellence."

"There's a lot of parts to your excellence, mistress."

Preen!

Nuzzle.

Kiss! "Do you have your own ideas on where you could fit in my plans, dearest slave?"

"Where you need me, mistress. I am your tool, your shield, your blade in the dark."

Soft, loving kiss.