Cleopatra Vii: Daughter Of The Nile, Egypt, 57 B.C.

3 January, morning. I could feel my insides shaking. Would this sister try to poison me? Yes, I believe so. As for my other older sister, Berenice — never! She and I adore each other even though I am eight years younger. I keep the cup and raised it toward Tryphanea as if toasting for her, but really I was watching the liquid, looking for oil floating in its surface, or powder sticking to the sides of the cup. If I suspected poison and tossed it into the pool, she would have her guards behead me on the spot. If it was indeed poison, one sip and I could die... My eyes closed as I took the first sip, as if savoring such an excellent taste, but really my thought was, 'O Isis, I'm afraid...' My stomach turned with nervousness, or was it for the fearsome death beginning in me?