SOOOOOO, some historical stuff you need to know if you don't already,
Men wore tunics (A DURR, but at the same time im like incorporating suits and classic general uniforms into this because they're gods and NO ONE QUESIONS THEM AND WHAT THEY WEAR! ;) )
They liked to eat fish and berries
Woman where usually engaged at 15 so Serena now being 20 was a rather surprising thing for her not to be married or engaged even though they technically are immortal.
MY OWN LITTLE NOTES
For the palace picture open aired corridors, and columns/pillars everywhere. (Old school, cliché Greek bulidings.)
ANYWHO! Please review and don't hate me for any errors/ bad historical accuracy i am kinda creating my own world/time period...they're gods right? They can do what they want ;)
P.S The fluff is on its way, hopefully next to chapters i will get the ball rolling! I am stoked to see what i can do with Serena and Darien... WOOT
The queen was on her way to her chambers when she was stopped by a figure in the touch lit corridor.
"Evening your highness." Felix bowed, taking a step away from the large, supporting column.
"Ah, Felix, just the man I wanted to see, tell me how was this…afternoon?" She questioned, looking at the silver haired man.
"Well things went rather well, she seems to be taking a liking to him." He replied, smoothing down his hair with his hand in a nervous way. He did not like the idea of spying on her young highness, but he knew the queen meant well.
"You know Felix you have been my advisor for quite some time now, since the dark times. I hope you know I trust you and I deeply appreciate you keeping an eye on my daughter." Gaia smiled as if she could read his mind. She herself had no time to even ask her daughter how her afternoon went, considering she was stuck dealing with the army until around midnight.
At the thought of the afternoon she remembered her talk with Ares son, and she couldn't help but feel assured by his presence.
"I trust everything is in order so far?" the queen of earth questioned, raising an eyebrow at the young man in front of her.
"Yes Queen Gaia, we have gotten our camp set up on the north side, by the forest, that way we have suitable ways of getting resources." He flashed his straight teeth at the queen. She felt assured in his presence.
"Tell me young one, do you believe something might actually happen?" Gaia inquired, taking a seat in the study that would now be in full use of adolescent Phrourarchos.
Darien felt taken back by this, but knew honestly would be the best option.
"All I can say is I feel the same thing my father does, and I follow my gut ma'am." He stated, the queen beaming in response.
"I can see I lay my loyalty to the right person."
Gaia snapped out of her thoughts of the afternoon and stared at her consultant.
"I am off to bed; I shall see you in the morn." She said quietly, and continued down the hall after Felix and her exchanged bows.
Serena woke up with a startling gasp, jerking straight up out of bed, regaining her breath. It took her a second to realize she wasn't on the beach with Anatol, but in her sun drenched bedroom. She tossed the satin sheets off herself and rushed to the bathroom, spraying water on her forehead that was damp with sweat. What kind of dream was that? She hung her head over the sink, resting the cold cloth on her neck, remembering her dream if you could call it that.
Her and Anatol stood close on the beach, him smirking down at her making her shiver.
"I knew I was going to make you mine." He chuckled to himself, causing her to shrink down. She did not like how close they were together; she didn't feel safe near him.
"Please I would like to return to the palace." She whispered, looking longingly at the palace that seemed so far away.
"You are mine, we do not need to return there." His face lost all expression of humor and grabbed her arm roughly making Serena cringe.
"Let go of me!" She yelled furiously, trying her best to pull her arm out of his cold, firm grip.
"Why would I do something silly like that little girl?" His voice got husky, his hot breath on her cheek.
"Do not make me hurt you." She threatened, knowing she had some skills in fighting, but nothing like Anatol had and he knew that.
He let out a light laugh, again smiling so amused by her expression.
"My love, my powers are far greater then you believe…" he hissed, roughly grabbing her chin in his powerful hands and stared into her frightened eyes. Oh how he loved making her feel like this!
The nightmare was still fresh in her mind; she just couldn't seem to shake it off. It was just a dream, but she had a hard time ridding of the vision of the malicious sneer he had on his face. It has been two days since she has seen Anatol and she had lopsided thoughts on the manner of seeing him again this evening now.
Gae entered the bathroom, making sure the princess was ok. She was shocked Serena's bed empty this early in the morning, and it scared the living hell out of her.
"There you are!" Serena nearly jumped a foot in the air, whipping her head around to see Gae standing at the entrance.
"You startled me!" She laughed it off and threw the damp cloth into the sink.
"Well you startled me! I thought you were kidnapped or something seeing's how you're out of bed before the afternoon." The black hair advisor chuckled and pulled Serena out of the room towards her closet completely unaware of the rigid posture Serena held.
"I will leave you to get ready then, and I will send in someone to deal with your sheets and other laundry." And with that she left the room, leaving a silent Serena to get dressed.
"Morning daughter." Gaia smiled as Serena entered the queens study now dressed in a olive green dress that flowed down to her feet.
"Mother." She acknowledged, ungracefully flinging herself into an open chair and let out a sigh. "How is everything with the army?" she asked, staring at her mother's figure that was bent over piles of paper.
"Well so far, they seem to behaving, but I need to meet with Ares so I will be leaving to go to the palace on Mars for a day or two, and I need you to do me a favour." Gaia glanced up from the documents in front of her and let out a shy smile.
"Oh, what is it?" Serena questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"I will need you to check in with general and ensure everything is going smoothly. He has set up a meeting for tomorrow evening, but I will not be there to attend. Felix will be in attendance as well to assist you with anything, he himself was once a great commander." The queen let out a small smile at the memory. Felix has been with her for many years, neither aging nor changing when he was selected by Ares to join the elite army that consisted of many immortals that protected the palaces of the Gods and Goddesses. After Nalalia was defeated the army was in little use so Gaia decided to take in Felix as her adviser and now trusted friend.
"Yes mother whatever you need." Serena sighed. She had mixed emotions on the subject; on one hand she was glad her mother seemed to trust her with such important matters, but on the other hand she did not look forward to talking to some bloodthirsty Phrourarchos whose only interests were annihilating this threat.
"Good." Gaia closed the subject and picked up a few scrolls and documents that covered the large wooden desk in front of her and proceeded to the door. "I shall be back in a couple of days, please be good, and be kind to Anatol." And with that the queen left a grumbling princess who managed to get up and walk over to the window.
She stared longingly out the window at the ocean. She had always been drawn to the ocean, especially at night when the moon was full. It seemed to pull in into a trance and she could just sit there for hours staring up at the sky. Even though she has been to all the other palaces on the other planets she still found space fascinating while everyone around her seemed to dismiss it like it was no big deal and it irritated her.
Serena wandered out of the queen's study and made her way along open corridor towards the kitchen where she saw Gae talking to a servant. She hid behind a pillar and slinked her way along until she could hear what she was saying.
"Sorry Ma'am I was just getting things prepared for tonight for her young majesty and her suitor." The young lad apologized and moved out of the way for Gae.
"What exactly are you planning?" She inquired, taking a step towards the man. Gae could be extremely intimating when she chose to. Her 6'1 figure and strong, broad shoulders only hinted at what she could do. She could handle a sword and several other weapons with ease and many knew this. Serena was shocked when she noticed the servant barely reacted and just continued speaking.
"Prince Anatol has informed me to set a place in the garden for their dinner, and has asked that I keep the rest a secret." He merely stated shrugging his shoulders.
"Very well then." Gae mumbled, knowing she couldn't say much more but she did not feel any more at ease. She was exceptionally protecting when it came to the princess, she had watched her grow up, and been like her own daughter in a way. Gae turned on her heel and continued down the corridor before she rounded the corner. Before Serena moved out of the shadows another servant approached the man and gave him a questioning glare.
"That was close Nerio. You should be more careful." The new stranger whispered angrily, taking some of the plates that Nerio held.
"Not my fault that stupid advisor saw me. Blame him for this Theron." Nerio hissed back and retreated towards one of the palaces many gardens with a fuming Theron behind him.
Serena did not know what to think of the pair, but decided that they both seemed to have anger management problems. She shrugged it off and continued down to the kitchens when the coast was clear.
The rest of the day seemed to drag on and by seven Serena was already dressed in her crimson silk dress. She enjoyed the way the dress reflected the torched hallways at night, giving the illusion of fire. Anatol had sent a messenger earlier in the afternoon to tell her to meet in him the south gardens, but she already knew this and laughed a bit when the older looking man told her the message. The man gave her a strange look but continued on his way, heading back towards the palaces gate. Serena admitted to herself she felt strange going to the dinner, knowing no one else would be there, but at the same time was actually kind of excited to see Anatol and that worried her. She adjusted her hair that was now fixed into a long braid that hung open with waves of curls that fanned over her small shoulders. She rounded the corner to the garden, fidgeting with her dress one last time and smiled when she saw a little table stationed in the small garden.
"Princess Serena," Anatol beamed when he saw her, snapping out of his daydream.
Anatol stood clad in a formal black tunic with gold trim. His sandy blonde hair contrasted with the dark colour of his outfit, making him look like a true god. Though Anatol was born into the immortal realm, he was only considered a bantam god. The higher gods and goddesses consisted of the protectors and rulers of the planets and Earth's moon, where the natural gods and goddesses where children born to two higher gods, which was the result of Serena. The bantam gods were those born of the natural gods and other beings in the immortal realm; Anatols father being born from Zeus and Hera, and his mother who was a commoner of his home Enceladus. Even though Serena was aware of his status she thought he had the look of a higher god. She began to blush and stared at the cobble stone ground.
"Good evening Anatol." She managed to spit out and took the seat Anatol pulled out for her.
He took his seat across from her around the small bistro table and poured Serena some wine which she eagerly took, hoping to rid of these jitters. She was annoyed that he seemed to have this control over her emotions and she knew she would have to do something about it and fast.
"You look beautiful as usual my goddess." Anatol offered his praise to her as a formality, though he could not deny she looked stunning in the fading sunlight that flooded the lawn. Serena remembered how he talked about suitors lining up, offering empty compliments to her and it bugged her that all he ever had to say about her was her beauty.
"Thank you…" She held a controlled smile and took another sip of her wine. She willingly dug into her food, hoping to end this night sooner rather than later. They held little conversation while they ate their fish and wild berries picked from the palaces orchid and it aggravated Anatol.
"Do you plan on ignoring me all night?" He questioned, sounding rather harsh.
"Oh." The princess was shocked that he asked her so coldly; she cringed at the flashback of her nightmare. "Anatol, you seem to be very pleasant and I truly appreciate this dinner you planned even though it was not your responsibility but I feel that I should tell you that I am not ready for marriage and other such things like my mother has come to believe." She stated confidently, and was proud of herself that she kept eye contact with him the whole time.
"Little late for that." He simply smirked, flabbergasting Serena. Anatol wanted to laugh at Serenas expression but kept his arrogant smile plastered on his face. "As you can see I have prepared this lovely evening for our engagement night. I have already conversed with your mother and she has given me her blessing." He sneered, leaning forward in his seat and resting his elbows on the table.
"My mother did what?" She stuttered, to stunned to say anything else.
"Yes, it seems she believes we are getting along amazingly and agrees that we should be engaged to show others that your kingdom will have a strong monarch later on in this oh so difficult time." He droned on, flicking his hand dramatically, enjoying every emotion that fluttered across the princess's face.
"I am sorry, but I cannot." She tried to stay calm but on the inside she was screaming and throwing a tantrum of a five year old. How could her mother believe that this was the right man for her?
"Sorry my dear but you have no choice in the matter really, of course the queen said the wedding shall not take place for some time, but I am sure I can rearrange that." He gave her a wink that terrified her to the bone.
"I will see you are escorted out of this palace and I shall talk to you when my mother returns." She barely whispered, getting up from her seat and tossed her napkin on her now empty plate.
Serena tried to stay collected while she walked away but picked up her pace as soon as she was out of view of Anatol. How could he be such a low life! She knew he had his issues, but to be this… revolting it drove her mad. She headed out towards her bed chamber, and was thankful the corridors were empty of any servants, just the occasional guards. The sun had already set and torches were lit leaving an eerie glow to fill the palace. She heard footsteps behind her and rushed forward into the closest room, hoping that if it was Anatol that he did not see her come in here. She quickly cracked the large door open a bit to see down the hall but it was now empty. She closed the door and leaned against it, letting out a soft sigh.
"How could mother do this?" She hissed, letting the rage seep through her semi-calm façade.
"Can I help you? She heard a strong voice behind her, startling her half to death.
She let out a small screech and tried to get out the door but only managed to fumble with the handle instead.
Was Anatol in here too?