Hello, everyone! It's the half-obligatory breather chapter after a long battle scene. However, I tried to cram in as much plot-relevant information and subtle hints in this story, just to make it more efficient and effective. I'm glad you've all been liking the story so far, as we begin the transition to the last arcs with this chapter. Do read it carefully, digest what I'm alluding with, and let me know what you think with your reviews, PMs, or discussions. Also, for those who have basic questions, I implore you to read the previous chapters' AN (yes, even as far back as Ch. 2), because I answer as much as I can in those sections.
Mailbag time!
Greyfox2: [the reply's excerpt] Thanks for the review! [...] Oh, you mean the AN. [...] Regarding Medea's CE, I no longer play FGO, so my knowledge of it is mostly second-hand.
Mythic Imagination: Thank you for the review. I've realized the issue you're addressing, but I still feel like I can't do much more to cater to what I perceive to be most readers' habit and preference. By those, I mean how they often skip through and forget about things mentioned only once in previous chapters, because I myself occasionally have the same problems. Besides, the things you mentioned won't get involved much in future chapters, so I feel I have to emphasize more on their fleeting appearance while I can to avoid making them passing mentions and side objects.
Stratos263: Yes, though it'll mostly be a slow process. As you can see, overusage of it does have its consequences.
As always, let me know what you think. The next update will be slower (yet again...) because I'll head out of town tomorrow. See you guys later!
The nameless man watched on as the Arcadian messenger-slash-diplomat rushed to and fro happily, just like a lap dog which had just gotten praised by his master. Of course, the nature of their job and the master they now answer to were different, so his opinions would likely be invalid simply because of this reason.
An assassin and a public figure operated on different planes of existence, after all. However, what's universal should be a personal reaction to the stupidity emanating from this male person from the masses around him – even though he's in Arcadia, where they should whole-heartedly support him for achieving and triumphing over his failure from before.
Who hadn't heard of his treatment by Atalanta in the Adventurers' Guild? Where he's kicked through all the furniture and into the wall simply because he attempted to touch her? Public rumors grew worse, and some stories even had him sexually harassing the princess, which naturally legitimized her action even though that could be interpreted as an insult to the kingdom. Those more attuned to politics realized this was nothing more than her personality and his actions – considered quite normal by the onlookers at that time – clashing due to their incompatibility, though this didn't stop the more uneducated public to harass him back every chance they had.
The source of his happiness was easy to understand.
Just a few weeks ago, the entire Greece was shocked at the sudden passing of Iasus, the King of Arcadia, due to an 'undisclosed illness'. Only the related parties knew of what actually happened, which entailed the smuggling of a divine sacrifice as well – a crime worthy of an execution in the first place, even for rulers and kings.
Why? Because divine sacrifice, festivals, and times of prayers were crucial to a poleis's survival… quite literally. In a world ruled by deities, no matter how high humanity's worth was in comparison to the modern era, one displeasing act in front of their eyes would warrant annihilation, massacre, and abandonment, leaving the humans without divine protection and supervision to the macabre waiting for them from the faithless villains.
These applied even to the more 'benevolent' or 'aloof' deities, though these personalities were, more often than not, human creation… which ended up transforming their Divine Graphs into what the worshipers thought of the deities they're praying to, perverting their true origin into something else. This process could sometimes be so extreme it gave birth to a whole new deity, such as a derivative of it used to create the Gorgon sisters.
Therefore, an object as important and heavily-invested into as the Calydonian Boar was of an utmost importance to an entire kingdom, because it's planned to be sacrificed in the yearly ritual as a show of gratitude of the bounty Artemis had blessed their nature. No one should escape punishment in embezzling it, much less being directly responsible for its death… including Iasus.
If so, then shouldn't those below him also be implicated? No matter how much a king threw his weight around, it's difficult to move around an item this important without anyone noticing, especially with the widespread use of Magecraft even among the normal populace. They're sensitive enough to get a feel of what's happening in the palace, despite its protective charms – which was the primary reason how the gossip of Atalanta's abandonment spread so quickly all those years ago.
Iasus's body was delivered back soon after that horrendous battle in the forests of Arcadia, where witnesses from afar saw the destruction and flattening of a large green area – now simply a dead land – and was buried without any delays, deliberately being kept simple to signify his criminal and scandalous deeds, not only once, but twice. The people still remembered his sins which broke the royal family apart, and they wouldn't forgive the fact their hard-earned tax money would be used to fund the burial ceremony of such a person.
Ushered quickly into the royal mausoleum, without any carvings of procession and ritual laments, jewelry, weapons, and so on, Iasus's burial chest was as plain as a servant's.
Oh, how the minds of the people were feeble. When Iasus was managing Arcadia finely, helping it grow into a prosperous nation, no citizen was there to congratulate and sing him praises. But only when he did things wrongly – those which could be argued was simply caused by the weaknesses of a human being – he was lambasted to no end, lowering his popularity even further undeservingly.
And now, no one would remember his name bar from the mistakes he made in life, not his accomplishments. Not even future grave robbers would realize the casket they're ransacking belonged to a former ruler, surely to be treated as trash and discarded to one side in favor of his sole daughter's.
The nameless man could only sigh in admiration at the manipulation done by his now-sworn master, one which he duly reported to his previous commander-in-chief but failed to respond to.
He still remembered all those months ago, when he last felt His Highness Jason's blade kissing his neck.
Oh, it's not due to the fear of death. The nameless man had accepted it as a regular risk in his occupation the moment he agreed to have his own 'self' erased from the livelihoods of those around him to allow him to execute his tasks more readily.
It's the promise of something even worse awaiting him if he went against the royal prince that night.
Granted, it was a major faux pas to spy on His Highness Jason's private time. Despite having cast away any notion of a relationship a long time ago, the nameless man could wrap his head around the idea of the wish to be left alone with one's loved ones, especially someone as powerful and influential as the prince. He deserved it, because he's powerful enough to protect those lovely ladies against any and all threats, from the nameless man's point of view.
No wonder the Arcadian man he's observing was happy. Not only did their ruler – one who's now so negatively viewed by the populace – replaced by his legitimate offspring, Atalanta, the kingdom also gained the presence of a powerful individual… perhaps the strongest among the current generation of heroes. His Highness's reputation preceded himself, which meant Arcadia wouldn't be thrust into an ugly succession battle over who should lead the now-kingless kingdom.
While Princess Atalanta's personality was… difficult, to say the least, the public didn't truly believe and know that, as she rarely operated inside Arcadia itself apart from returning to her humble home inside the forest. The bad rumors about her were thus justified by the people as a quirky, but adorable personal trait, and some thought it's simply a deliberate ruse to badmouth her and ruin her reputation.
That, too, he suspected was the work done by His Highness with the assistance of the Adventurers' Guild's Master, Chiron. Unlike the prior issue, the nameless man had lesser circumstantial evidence to validate this theory, but his gut feeling told him it's correct.
Truly, under that courageous and kind face lied a scheming snake far more vicious than those who came before him, including the Olympians.
Therefore, shouldn't the nameless man secure his own backside and jump ship from the soon-to-be-doomed Iolchos? It's not an exaggeration he worried for that particular kingdom's survival, given the illogical manner King Pelias was acting lately. While the current official prince had good prospects, in a way that he's not influenced by his father's strange obsession with His Highness Jason, it wouldn't be too late to apologize to His Highness Acastus regarding the nameless man's betrayal to his cousin's side. In fact, the former might reward him in return for safeguarding Iolchos's sensitive information and placing it under the protection of one of Greece's most powerful individuals, securing the kingdom's future.
With the matter settled with frightening efficiency – again, perhaps due to the background laid out already since time immemorial by His Highness Jason – Atalanta was crowned Queen of Arcadia, with himself acting as the King Consort, indirectly announcing he wouldn't meddle too much with internal politics. While the nameless man didn't believe this intention was sincere – after all, according to his information regarding the new queen, her husband had always had a profound influence on her – it calmed the populace down from the fear Arcadia would eventually become Iolchos's vassal puppet state.
For people like the nameless man – i.e. the highest-ranked information officials – a future where Iolchos, Arcadia, and Colchis would merge into one large hegemony was a very possible reality.
Fortunately, for the common folks, it's not something they should worry about.
So, what was his new master's motives for doing this? Petty revenge on those who wronged him and the people he loved? It's a possibility, though the nameless man's observation of His Highness Jason always portrayed a thoughtful, complicated individual, with the capability and habit of separating his instinctive desires from affecting his actions.
How could a cold, calculative person like him be motivated by such… simple thoughts? The nameless man disregarded the word 'petty' for this mental argument, because one simply couldn't fathom how much a trivial thing meant to another person, but it's close. Did His Highness truly harbor the ambition of world conquest? If so, then he had to…
The nameless man's thought forcibly screeched to a halt as he realized something.
To do what he just thought of… His Highness Jason would need to destroy Olympus itself. Completely and utterly, leaving no other individual to be revered and worshipped other than him.
His heart skipped a beat. How could he not think of this possibility before? Berating himself, he bit his lower lips to stifle the frightened growl brewing inside his stomach.
Yes, he's used to kill his emotions and thoughts away on missions. However, when faced by an extinction-level threat like this… even he couldn't help but shiver with his entire body at the thought.
…perhaps joining His Highness's side wasn't such a good idea after all?
"Elysium… I can see Elysium…"
Medusa calmly patted the back of a groaning Atalanta, limp and powerless after sessions and sessions of official meetings and reports. Truly, despite having lived as the de facto queen of the forests they're living in previously, actual royal duties were completely outside of her interests or specialization. Her hands, normally wiry and illogically powerful to be able to draw Tauropolos, were now locked up due to excessive writing and signing on parchments containing Arcadia's domestic affairs.
Even with Medea assisting, as well as several hired secretaries from the Adventurers' Guild, the majority of the responsibility still fell onto her lap, causing her to be swamped under literal mountains of paperwork.
Now, inside the royal chamber, she let her ears and tail roam freely, though they, too, laid without energy and flat against her body.
From a close distance, Medusa could feel Atalanta's spirit draining away into a dangerous level – one enough to be automatically summoned into Charon's boat at the River Styx. However, knowing that old boatman wouldn't dare mess around with Shirō's 'possessions', so the little girl just smiled sympathetically at the older woman.
Being back in this form sure took her back to those happy days, where she lived her lifelong dream among her cherished family. Not that anything's changed now – and some would argue life's just gotten better for the young Gorgon – but she was never one of luxury and accolades, so those days of simply living in the forest and feeding off nature was the most precious to her.
Certainly, it all came as a surprise for her. Having known Atalanta was royalty for some time, Medusa's suspicions regarding her relationship with her own family was confirmed after she bared it all – her past, her story, how she came to be with Shirō, etc. – so it's even more shocking when Arcadian messengers and diplomats came as a group when they're still cleaning off the battle's remains and requested for Atalanta to be their new ruler.
However, those didn't even come close to how slack Medusa's jaw became when Atalanta accepted, rather than turning them all away… preferably violently, just like she'd done numerous times in the past. And that's even without Shirō's input!
Thus, in a whirlwind of activity so intense Medusa wasn't sure what's going on… they ended up here, inside Arcadia's royal palace, lounging around like they owned the place.
Well, that statement's not necessarily untrue, but still… It's the thought which counted!
Medusa was sad when the forest she loved was destroyed. Perhaps not to the extent of Atalanta's love for it, but she's still a being born from people and nature. However, the royal palace's environment surprised her, in a sense that vegetation was actually a part of the entire complex's design, instead of being a decorative afterthought. Just like the small house Atalanta and Shirō built – which was destroyed during their battle with the Calydonian Boar – this palace, too, married human structure and nature as best as it could.
Perhaps Atalanta and her father shared more things than they thought or care to admit?
Despite her relative inexperience in interpersonal relationships, even Medusa knew not to bring this thought up and out loud.
- Clack.
The sound of the grand door opening brought Medusa out of her thoughts.
Their chamber was gated by a Magecraft-controlled door made out of near-indestructible vines. Thick and flexible, the wood tentacles wrapped around themselves and into the solid structure silently and efficiently, giving a surreal feeling whenever one walked through it with permission. The noise was installed to give the inhabitants inside it a semblance of warning and normality, since the way these vines allowed passage meant it's near-silence in its operation, even with the amount and scale of vegetation unraveling to allow anyone in or out.
Of course, the only ones allowed in this room was her husband and fellow wives.
There's no need for maids and servants in here, because the moment they were accepted into the building, Shirō and Medea immediately remodeled the entire structure's magical enhancements and enchantments to remove any unnecessary points of liability, such as workers. This room had automated cleaning and maintenance system, which actually gave off a more natural feel and atmosphere to it, since practically the forest themselves were doing the dirty work, decomposing and using their leftovers as nutrition to strengthen and feed itself.
"Muu…!"
Without any warning, Atalanta leapt off the bed and rocketed towards Shirō's expectant embrace, accompanied by Medea's giggles who had predicted this reaction as soon as the older woman excused herself from her administrative duties earlier.
"Uuu… Pat me… Spoil me…" She mumbled incoherently into her husband's chest, with all of her limbs wrapped around him like a bear. "I cannot take it anymore…"
He obliged, using the tips of his fingers to brush her unkempt hair and tease the soft fur around and inside her ears, while using his palm to rub the crown of her now-steaming head. He could feel the imbalance in her body temperature, from her overworked brain to her cold, numb lower parts, but he could merely hold her close and comfort her, knowing what she's going through was necessary.
Also, predictably, the other two girls in the room approached him after several seconds of allowing Atalanta some exclusive time with him, and he felt two distinct hands pull either side of his clothes.
Looking at the pleading, teary stares of his other two wives – though he's quite sure they're faked quite a bit – he just chuckled and carried all three of them onto the bed, after hoisting the trio of slim, soft, fragrant bodies with both of his arms, eliciting a good yelp from all of them.
"Really, you all… We haven't even taken a bath yet, and you want to roll around on the bed? Look at you!" He chided softly, releasing his hold on them, though their arms were still somewhat outstretched towards his body, all needy and hungry for more. "What do you think?"
Medusa's excited proclamation was all they needed to move from the bed – which was automatically cleaned by the room itself, by design, into the bath.
It might look like a redundant action, really, to put the delectable women on top of the bed before asking them to take a bath with him, but since the clean-up wasn't too strenuous or troublesome, he decided to go along with it just to get them off his back. After all, similar to Atalanta, his head felt a little fuzzy from all the administrative duties he'd just performed… but never would words of outright rejection come out of his mouth.
Perhaps he'd been spoiling them too much? After all, they'd all tasted what an all-out session of sex with him was like. He wouldn't dare claim he's the best Adonis the world had ever seen, past, present or future – only that he's an incredible student. He could always be better, because he's the first one to realize he's not perfect by any stretch of the imagination.
Yes, he'd also admit it's not the first time he used sex to worm his final steps into a desired partner's heart. After all, there's only so much an emotional connection could provide one with mental and spiritual satisfaction – and, by default, living in an era where Mystery was so dense in the air meant any exchange of bodily fluids would achieve much greater effects than a comparable act in modern times. Therefore, the act itself would inadvertently increase the level of affection towards him inside the woman – just like Alaya planned.
Did he like this method? Partially, no. But he's not one to talk about it, particularly when he, too, physically and emotionally enjoyed his time with his women.
Much like their private chamber, the door towards the royal bath was also made out of intertwining vines, but with one major difference: it's on the floor.
- Clack.
Similarly, it also had an artificial sound installed because it's too silent to warn anyone inside from any intruders, welcomed or otherwise. However, it seemed too overbearing when one thought about it, since the only ones allowed in these two places – and a few others – were the royal families and preferred guests. Again, it's to remove any need for human maintenance as part of Shirō's and Medea's upgrade to the entire thing.
As soon as it closed behind them, Medea was the first to disrobe and stole a kiss from her husband, pulling his hand and leading him onto the bath. The tired Atalanta followed soon after, with Medusa being the most meticulous and folded her long robe to one side, instead of throwing everything everywhere in an action filled with impatient carnal desire.
A soft, silky ribbon of light enveloped all of them, courtesy of Medea, to cleanse off their bodies so they could all jump into the bath immediately. She and Medusa had already let their hairs down, tickling Shirō's vision with two curtains of varying colors of violet. A bright blonde shade cut through them, augmented by Atalanta's jade gradation, as she nuzzled her naked body onto his among the milky white water.
The other two, being fresher, decided to tease their husband with a show, slowly and sultrily walking towards him with nary a thread on their body.
Well, as much as their slim bodies – especially Medusa's current form – could provide, anyway.
Their budding chests, hardened nipples of varying shades and sizes, Medusa's smooth pubic mound and tight slit, and Medea's thin carpet of purple strands covering her blooming lower lips made their way into his view. From his sitting position, he extended his arms, which both girls took and placed them onto their bodies to pleasure themselves.
"Zzz…"
Meanwhile, Atalanta had already fallen asleep, unaware her turn was being taken over by her fellow wives.
Meanwhile, Acastus was in an identical situation to his cousin and his wives earlier, where a wall of documents blocked his vision entirely around him.
Unlike them, though, his enthusiasm was still firing high, despite facing the same thing day in, day out after his father's disappearance.
Yes, Pelias was nowhere to be seen, but his son was ready to take his place.
Also, he took the liberty of moving Jason's parents back to their original rooms in the palace, since no one was around to oppose that. The guards, workers, and maids warmly welcomed them back – as much as they respect King Pelias's ability to govern and rule over Iolchos, their knowledge of what transpired between him and his brother was far more accurate than the common folk, especially the senior staffs. Over time, the resentment and enmity of the forceful dethronement did subside, but they never forgot Pelias's sins. Only his excellent job as a ruler kept them from speaking too much – after all, he took care of them well, with nary a salary went delayed and sickness uncared for.
Aeson and Alcimedes were also busy on the other desks, willingly assisting their nephew in dealing with the sudden increase in workload.
Apparently, Pelias hadn't been doing his duties prior to his disappearance, and without a supervisory board pressing him, no one figured out until the issue was discovered by the palace workers a few days ago. Therefore, this thing happened, but because of Acastus's excellence and the former king and queen's calming influence, everything soon ran normally after a minor hiccup.
There wasn't even time for an official inauguration ceremony to crown Acastus, but the workload steadily decreased, as the young man took on the brunt of the work.
In this way, he did take over his father.
However, as was clear to everyone who knew the two – Acastus and Jason – the current acting king's attitude towards his cousin was the complete opposite when compared to his father.
Stories of how he secretly attended his cousin's wedding in Arcadia had already circulated quite widely among the populace. And while his grasp over Iolchos's entirety wasn't quite as profound as Pelias, due to his inexperience, he was an eager learner, which led him to this current relationship with Jason.
The young, naïve prince who simply wished to be friends with everyone and understand everything. The older, wizened prince who simply wished for his friends' and family's happiness and understand his enemies.
One whose father was the epitome of pragmatism, excellence, and attention to detail, yet allowed his desires to control himself. One whose father was beloved by everyone, yet weaker in every measurable aspect, and allowed those around him to dictate his desires.
In a series of 'coincidences', the two met and struck a close friendship, camaraderie, and brotherhood ever since.
However, a new influx of letters and reports came this morning, containing the latest information regarding the newly-crowned Queen of Arcadia. While this meant their estimated finishing time took a hit, the three in the room couldn't help themselves but be happy for Jason, because he'd just become Arcadia's proxy king.
Oh, the people might speculate, but they didn't dare talk out of fear their words were detectable by the shift in Mystery around them. In this era, spoken language bore a heavy responsibility, and any gossip and rumor could easily be traced by a well-trained professional in this style of Magecraft. However, someone of Acastus's status could easily voice their opinion out loud if they believed it's enough of a truth to merit such risk.
Besides, even without speaking, he could see how much his cousin and his wife – well, now wives – loved each other, simply from how they looked and behaved around each other. While he hadn't personally met or be introduced to the younger ones, he did saw them in the wedding, and thus he presumed they had a good relationship going forwards.
A palace harem wasn't all intrigues and drama and backstabbing, unlike what the minstrels would lead the public to believe. Most of the time, aside from some competitive fervor, the women did get along well, especially in the more secluded harems in stricter kingdoms. There's no sense in building up factions and plotting around each other when they, more often than not, slept in the same room and saw each other every day. Sure, there were the leader and follower types, but even that's quite controlled due to the presence of the king.
Also, unlike popular belief, the king rarely neglected them into some cold corner in the palace. Other than bedchamber duties, the women also spent time chatting of personal, calming subjects with the king, where they would behave like a 'normal' family and speak of things unsuitable to be presented in the royal court. While he did have to split his attention, it's unlikely one of the women would be alienated just like her dramatized versions in songs and stories.
Jason's harem was still small, and personally, Acastus looked up to that model. He didn't desire many women himself, and while he had a few lovers on the side, their number had stabilized over the past years as they got acquainted with each other. He intended to keep it that way, so his children would be able to live in a stable environment without the need of ambition and cunning.
He's personally not sure what his aunt and uncle were thinking, but he doubted they disapprove of Jason's choice in women. In this era, relationships between in-laws were acceptably distant, owing to the lack of accessible instant communication – even with the help of Magecraft – and the respectful mannerism each party had to the other's privacy. There were often times when a child brought home their partner and married soon after, with no more than their parents' presence required for approval. Of course, the other methods were also commonplace, but the former was far from being unheard of.
Of course, there were also things he declined to speak to them about, other than confirming this incredibly simple and inevitable thing.
His plan to unite the crowns of Iolchos and Arcadia.
Of course, it wouldn't be literally, as the word 'crown' itself wouldn't be invented until at least one millennium later, unbeknownst to Acastus and the others. Perhaps the term of 'throne' would be better-suited – still, it wasn't the be-all-and-end-all for a ruling symbol, because only one individual was officially and acceptably allowed to use said term: the leader of the reigning pantheon. Even Zeus himself rarely sat on it, as he preferred to roam around Greece to patrol and sleep with women he fancied.
Additionally, the distance between the two kingdoms was great. It'd be more of an alliance Athens and Thebes were building recently, in the wake of Atlantis's sudden destruction and the various oracles' warnings of an imminent extinction event. While both kingdoms held good relationships with both alliances, neither were an official member, and Acastus was adamant in delaying things as much as possible until he could personally contact his cousin.
Who, in his mind, was gleefully enjoying the bodies of his beautiful wives, just like what he did yesterday when he officially brought his lovers to come live with him in the castle. The faster he got this done, the sooner Iolchos would be considered under Jason's protection – and with the two brothers together, Acastus firmly believed a utopia-like land would be possible to be born in Iolchos, or other parts of Greece.
He's under no illusion he's enough of a person to be able to properly defend Iolchos from each and every threat, while also valuing his loved ones. In fact, even being burdened by Aeson and Alcimedes like this was already nearing his limit, since he's currently only hanging on the foundations built by his uncle and now-missing father over the years. It's especially felt in the previous occasion when Jason asked him to come over and guard the elderly couple, since his status was still a prince at the time.
Also, wasn't one of Jason's wives a Colchian princess? If the three kingdoms could unite and forge an unbreakable alliance, then…
His dream might not be so far away, after all.
"Lonely, isn't it?"
"If you're looking for words of regret, then there is none in my heart."
"As always," Penthesilea muttered back, closing her eyes and sighing at her sister's form.
Their appearances were so different from one another that it's difficult for those who weren't paying proper attention to realize they were, in fact, related. Sure, their facial features might be similar, but the contrast between Penthesilea's albino colors and Hippolyta's more natural, tanned one was so great that thought wasn't difficult to justify. Besides, it's impolite to gaze at two royalties' faces for too long, lest the culprits be charged with harassment of the highest order.
It was mid-afternoon, but surprisingly, most of their administrative duties had been completed. While it could also mean the Amazons were declining as a whole, the two of them simply felt it's due to a job well done, instead of worrying about the future. A busy monarch meant there were often problems to deal with inside their domain, but also a wealth of prosperity to be managed.
In that aspect, the Amazons felt quite secure with their queen leading the way.
The reclamation of more cliff side area had been successful, as well as combining this gain with the newly-stabilized generation of hardier, but more productive crops. Their arid climate meant high-moisture produce was difficult to come by and cultivate, but they're making steady progress towards adapting desirable crops to their climate after a succession of joint studies with the newly-reformed Arcadia.
Thus, Penthesilea's question was two-fold. Was Hippolyta feeling lonely with the absence of Molpadia, or the child's father?
'As always, she's not honest to her own self…' the white-haired princess lamented in her heart.
Since she was small, she looked up to her sister. To her, there's no existence stronger than Hippolyta at that age, even without accounting Ares's blessings upon the two of them.
However, as they grew, why was it Hippolyta merely looked more and more fragile as Penthesilea knew her better, and gained life experiences of her own?
Was it because she tasted the forbidden fruit: love? Honestly, the princess didn't believe that in the slightest. Despite Ares's negligence of pursuing emotional attachment to people not named 'enemies' – because doing so increased one's chance to empathize, understand, and eventually defeat them – she thought it'd be a good thing if a woman or a man naturally sook each other's company, as per the natural laws. It's only humanity's desire to pervert them that same-sex love could exist as beautifully as it was now, though obviously the universe itself kept trying to 'correct' this aberration.
Among Amazons, love between women weren't all that rare. Though normally they'd purchase male slaves who're pleasing to the eyes to procreate, the lack of someone of the same social standing as the women meant they sometimes sook the comfort of those close to them – another female… or females, for the more brazen ones.
So why was Hippolyta looked so troubled every day, more and more often lately? Oh, for sure the queen would deny such a thing, and she's practically blind to her own reflection in the bronze mirror in her room, requiring Penthesilea to point it out for her. Then, predictably, she'd coldly shoot her sister's suggestions down, placing the need of acting as a 'queen' in front of a 'woman'.
Unnecessarily, Penthesilea might add. There's no reason why the two attributes couldn't exist together at the same time. Didn't Arcadia just prove it? Even though Atalanta was the first female ruler in its history, the people accepted her well enough, along with the presence of the King Consort.
Women from the information department suggested this lack of unrest was caused by some shadowy background laid out by Jason, though they didn't have any solid evidence backing that theory. The Amazons were still trying to verify this rumor – after all, every whisper could be the beginning of a kingdom-toppling deluge – but the instability detected in Colchis, their close neighbor, meant they had to dedicate resources into investigating that first, instead of the faraway Arcadia.
Well, mentioning that fact right now would likely be detrimental to Hippolyta's mental health, so Penthesilea could only grit her teeth and see her sister suffer… simply because the latter just couldn't be honest with herself.
It's difficult to do so – she'd admit that much – because of their upbringing. While Ares didn't forbid or ridicule the concept of a romantic relationship, what he stressed was probably worse than outright banning the former: devotion to martial studies and might. Therefore, the Amazons were raised under the concept of 'might makes right', even if it didn't always involve physical combat. For instance, there's no questioning of Hippolyta's governing and political 'might' inside Amazon; therefore, no one challenged her decisions most of the time, with only the occasional polite protests and complains.
It's gotten to the point where it's hurting her, and she didn't even know it or want to recognize it!
Once again, after having tasted it so many times, Penthesilea could only sigh in regret.
If only she was better than her sister. Then, she would be queen, and Hippolyta and Molpadia could live away happily like a normal family.
If only she saw this problem earlier and pushed Jason further into this relationship. Then, the responsible man would've made more of an effort to stay and fight for the family to be together, instead of their current strained status.
If only Ares was more involved in the Amazons' day-to-day activity. Then, she could consult him what appropriate measures she could take so Hippolyta could still be both a 'queen' and a 'woman'.
Wait, no – come to think of it, the god himself wasn't particularly a decent example or role model to learn from. Perhaps the most she could do was confirm what's banned and what's not?
Shaking her head, she chose to end her self-introspection and join her sister on the porch near the royal study, noticing the contents of the set of drinks on the table wasn't the alcohol she's expecting, but milk and sliced fruits instead.
Smiling at the surprising tweak, she settled down and enjoyed the creaminess and sharpness of the combination, gulping several large cups in succession and with one breath. The fruit was cut small enough for adults to avoid having to chew, though clearly it's not meant for children of Molpadia's age to enjoy.
In this simple arrangement, her mood's already lifted. Setting aside the delicious treat, there's little doubt in her mind this recipe came from Jason, and thus signaling Hippolyta's beginning to accept her affection to him, and it couldn't be separated fully from her life – not if she wanted Molpadia to be happy.
Her mind could be playing tricks with her – a lifetime of politics would cause it to naturally form lines where insulated dots existed – but she's sure it's progress nonetheless.
"Will you visit Athens in the future? I think Molpadia's scheduled return will be soon, right?" The younger sister asked, halfway hoping her older sister would get the underlying meaning behind her words. "You two can take a nice vacation, for once."
"Perhaps. That's a good idea," Hippolyta nodded, letting her black bun-tied hair down for once. "We'll see…"
"You can stop there. There won't be a "We'll see…", and then everything which can go wrong will go wrong." Penthesilea glared, to which her sister replied with a small smile. "You've just jinxed it, haven't you? Why can't you put in more effort for her once, now that you have the chance? I can deal with things over here, since we won't receive attention after what Sir Jason – ah, should I address him as 'Lord', now? – did."
Even a direct mention of his name didn't immediately cloud the Amazonian queen's face. Good.
"Yes, yes, dear sister," Hippolyta answered with a light tone of voice, as if she's taking this task lightly – a fact which irked Penthesilea to no end.
Here she was, worrying about her sister for so long, and this was the treatment she'd get? Someone who's not even putting in serious effort to better the relationship between mother and daughter, and to improve upon what they experienced themselves with their own mother?
"I'll punch you one of these days…"
"Ah, please don't."