She woke groggily the next morning, the moist, hot air causing her clothing to stick to her body. She rolled quickly out of bed and looked out onto the balcony. From where the sun was she noticed that it must have been at least noon. She quickly changed out of her outfit from the day before into a new one and headed down to the throne room, looking for her father.
Hector stood with Eetion on the balcony overlooking Thebe. It was a warm day, and the air was wet and sticky. He was silent for a time until Eetion spoke. "Did you ask her?" he questioned curiously.
"Yes. She will answer me tonight." Hector replied. "I only hope the shock won't make her too upset."
"Did you do everything I told you? Did you ask her questions? Try to bond with her? You kept your distance, correct?" The King became curious.
Hector chuckled and answered Eetion. "Yes. She became sarcastic, just like you said, but she's also very articulate. She became a little defensive, but I think she trusts me. I tried not to make her nervous. It might have backfired, I don't know." Hector sighed and ran his hands through his hair. "This is my brother's area of expertise, not mine." He began again, a hint of wit in his voice. The King laughed. Hector looked back up at him. "It's not funny."
"Well, she's coming here by now, I'm sure. Unless you want to run into her, I suggest you go practice your speech." he suggested, adding under his breath, "You might need it." Hector threw him a dirty look and quickly left the throne room.
At the same moment on the opposite side of the room, Andromache entered and rushed over to her father.
"Was he-"
"Yeah,"
"Did he-"
"Uh huh."
"Did you-"
"Yes."
"Should I-"
"Yep."
"And who-"
" No one."
"So I-"
"That's right."
"Uhhhhh!" she sighed, finally giving up. Her father turned around and smiled at her. "How do you always do that?" she asked.
"Do what?" her father asked.
"That mind reading, sentence finishing thing." she explained. "I hate it." She finally walked over and sat on a bench at the edge of the room. "So, let's recap. He was telling the truth, he did ask your permission, you do know that he asked last night, I should marry him, and there will be no one else to marry, so I should." she concluded. "That about right?"
"He's a good man, and he'll make you happy. He adores you." he assured her.
"He told you that?" she asked. Eetion nodded his head. "Then I know what I have to do."
"You don't have to. But I think you'll be glad you said yes." Andromache embraced her father and left the room.
