Of course being the king of Crete, Minos and Therus were to also sit at the head table. Adelphi sat at one end, Minos was between the king and queen and Therus sat at the other end. Adelphi drank wine and waved at guests as usual and daren't look across at Therus, not that her mother would notice if she did. The queen seemed to be grilling Minos with questions of politics, Adelphi almost felt sorry for him.
Of course, curiosity got the better of Adelphi as she stole a few sideways glances at Therus. His smart build seemed to be the only thing he inherited from his father. He did possess qualities that would deem him handsome with his bronzed skin, thick black hair but to Adelphi he seemed to possess that which most men do: A sort of innocent arrogance which of course makes it all the more irritating. But Lea was right, what did she know. It was when she came to this conclusion that she realised that her sideways glance had become a stare, and that he was looking right back at her, raising his goblet. Adelphi felt heat on her forehead 'this is embarrassing' she thought and attempted a sweet smile which she assumed looked like she was suffering. She slowly looked away, conscious that he might still be looking, wishing her mother would engage her in conversation so she didn't look so idle. 'I'm normally fine with guest, but when they're suitors I have to be strange and awkward!' she screamed at herself, in her head of course. She was merely thinking this when the trusted Heptarian appeared, as if on cue.
He appeared to have snuck into the hall unnoticed from the back and was looking up at Adelphi hopefully.
"Heppy!" she whispered. "You should be in bed" she said, hoping now that her mother, or anyone would not notice the exchange.
"Why can't I come?" he said too loudly, stamping a foot and sticking out his lower lip.
"Because you are too little, and plus wine isn't good for you" Said Adelphi, realising she was holding a goblet in her hand. Heptarian was about to point this out when he saw Agamemnon's supposed shield on the dais full of gifts. He of course did not know its heritage, but was, like all others, amazed at the craft and the sheer size of the thing. He ducked out of Adelphi's grip and was at the dais in a moment. Adelphi stood, alarming the others at the table. Apparently no one saw Heptarian, luckily for him.
"What is the matter Adelphi?" Queen Pasiphae asked, although Adelphi sensed that whatever the answer, it was too late to pacify her mother. Adelphi didn't want to get Heptarian into trouble, but he would be seen, reprimanded and sent back to his chambers any way. Whilst she was having this dilemma, the other four were still waiting expectantly for an answer.
"Are you ill daughter?" Aeson looked concerned.
"No" she said a little too defensively. "I was just... I'll take Heptarian back..."
"What do you mean Hep-?" Pasiphae cut short when she saw Heptarian staring up at the shield that was bigger than him, amazement in his eyes. He would surely get into trouble for sneaking in. To Adelphi's shock, Aeson took control of the situation. For once.
"Heptarian, why don't you come here and greet our guests then you may admire the shield all you want. hmm?" he said holding out his arms, as if expecting Heptarian to run into them. At first Heptarian looked scared then meekly stepped forward and kneeled before the four of them all of whom were now standing.
"My lords, please forgive me, have mercy" he said, as if he had rehearsed the greeting a hundred times. Aeson ruffled his hair, Minos patted his shoulder and Therus shook his hand at which Heptarian took great pride. A warrior, wanted to shake his hand. He was beaming.
"Worry not young man, you are fine young man who may one day be able to take that shield into battle" said Minos with mock sincerity, which of course was lost on Heptarian who was smiling ear to ear. Adelphi of course noticed but bit her tongue. How dare he talk to Heptarian like that.
"Shall we resume" Said Pasiphae, sensing the rising awkwardness after Minos' tone. "Heptarian, you may take your seat besides Adelphi"
"But caaan I sit next to prince Therus pleaase" he implored "Your majesty" he said more meekly.
"Of course you may!" Aeson was in a surprising jovial mood, considering that Minos was flirting with the queen. Heptarian was overjoyed and of course Adelphi knew he would obviously want to sit next to a man, and a prince at that, but now she would have sit in a solitary way again and wave occasionally to others in the hall and hope that someone would have the guts to ask her hand in a dance. 'They won't though' she thought bitterly as she realised that people would know why Therus was here and they wouldn't want to dis respect him. But Adelphi was restless and wanted to do something, talk to someone, she was even thinking about getting up to use the latrine just for something to do.
After a few more goblets of wine, Adelphi thought she heard someone say her name, although she thought it must be the effects of the wine.
"Adelphi" the voice was slightly louder and clearer now and she realised it was her mother's. She jumped out of her unmistakeable drunken reverie. She wasn't worried though, Lea had told her she was remarkably well at hiding it and to appear sober even though she was completely passed it.
"Yes mother" she said turning, trying not to slur her words. Her mother tried to hide her irritation behind a wide smile, which was, quite frankly very scary.
"Minos would like to know whether you would like to keep the two year old Ariadne in your care during their stay" Adelphi took these words in. 'Of course, the young Ariadne'. Adelphi recalled her father telling her about Minos' new born daughter and how her mother died in childbirth. She realised her silence whilst remembering this might be mistaken as hesitancy.
"Yes, of course, it will be my pleasure" she said immediately to Minos who smiled.
"I hope that you will be happy with her"
"I'm sure I will"
"Please, forgive for taking advantage of your further kindness but I must request another favour" he said, with the nodding approval of Pasiphae. "Therus ad I would be delighted if you would conduct a tour of the grounds, our families could catch up in the process of the walk"
By now, Adelphi's thoughts were getting fuzzier and she almost laughed at the suggestion. Of course during the tour, the others will conveniently walk apart from her and Therus, making them walk together. It was so obvious that Adelphi let out a chuckle, before composing herself and saying more seriously.
"Of course, the palace and grounds have such rich heritage" this seemed to be enough and so she was left to her own devices again. At some point she thought she saw Heptarian being carried away having fallen asleep, although she cannot be sure due to the wine. She does remember excusing herself in the ridiculous hours of the morning to escape this banquet by faking a headache. By the morning she did indeed have a real headache.
"Up! Come on now Adelphi, get up!" Lea shouted as she drew away the light gauze covering the balcony. Adelphi groaned as the blinding light flooded the room.
"Go awaayyyy" her voice muffled by the cushion over her head.
"It is almost midday and don't you remember agreeing to conduct a tour for your guests"
"I remember no such thing!"
"I'm not surprised, what with the state you returned in. Now get up and into the bath" Lea was dragging the sheets off Adelphi who slowly but surely rolled to the edge of the bed and sat up with her head in her hands.
"You won't get any husbands looking like that"
"Thanks. And I think they would be more interested on the wealth that endows me" she sais as she stumbled to the adjoining bathing room.
"Look at you, so cynical already" said Lea catching Adelphi's robe as she fell out of it. "Careful now. Apparently, there were rumours that Therus was pleased with you."
"You know I can barely remember what he looks like. And It is well known fact that Minos is rather pleased with my mother, whhhha-" Gasped Adelphe as she plunged into the piercingly cold pool.
"Why is it so cold?" She said catching her breath.
"It will help with your hangover." Adelphi was about to protest but she suddenly felt soothing fingers massaging her head. "And you don't want to go around saying things like that about your mother, it could cause wars."
"I know, but did you see them!" Lea pulled her hair, again.
"Ow! You need to stop doing that" Adelphi pulled away and dunked her head under water, feeling the rush of water to her hears before resurfacing. "Anyway, do you know when the others are arriving?"
"Tired of Therus already are you? Well, Iros of Lycedias should arrive shortly" Adelphi paused.
"Lycedias is a very very long way away, they must have been informed long ago" Adelphi accused trying to look into Lea's eyes. Lea tried to busy herself with Adelphi's robes.
"If I'm not mistaken, everyone has known about these plans for a long time, and nobody thought to tell me?" At last, Lea spoke.
"Your parents did not want me to tell you"
"Why? It's not like would have minded or kicked up a fuss, I know my duties, they don't have to treat me like a child"
"I know, but I think that they just... were worried that if you knew who was coming, you might start making preferences of your own and they didn't want to hurt you-"
"Make preferences? They're the ones who are making me take Therus on a 'tour'" Adelphi was climbing out shivering from the cold water.
"But he's their choice, maybe they think it is very advantageous" Adelphi looked dejectedly at Lea.
"I know... It's just that I feel a little used"
"No. people will only lose you if you let them. Now get in there and get ready, you don't want it to look like you just woke up"
"But I did just wake up" Said Adelphi running into her camber and dodging the bar of soap that Lea threw at her. She laughed but couldn't get rid of the sickening feeling that she was a move in someone else's bigger game.
