NOTES:
To Kcrane: Thanks to for correcting me! You're right—Hecuba is Hector's mother, not Andromache's. Sorry for the mistake!
I know the plot is going a bit fast, but that's just how I intend it. If I take too long writing a story, I end up getting bored with it and leave it hanging unfinished. I promise this one will turn out good, though! Thanks for the reviews!
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Chapter Three – Beginning With Friendship
Andromache kept her chin up and her gaze directed completely in front of her as she strode briskly down the palace hall leading to her bedroom chambers. It took quite a struggle just to ignore the man following from a few feet behind. She could feel his eyes focused on her back, but she did nothing to acknowledge his presence or the fact that he was actually supposed to be escorting her.
The dinner that had just passed and ended turned out to be one of the worst she's ever endured. Her father's angry scolding before the meal only aggravated the ill feelings she already had towards Hector. So when the time came for their second meeting at the evening's banquet table, she had no other inclination than to be less than civil towards the ignorant prince. Her would-be suitor tried valiantly to soothe her aversion of him by engaging her in conversation, but the more he persisted in his attempts to win over her attention and interest, all the more she resented his presence.
The princess bit her lower lip, and her brow furrowed as she contemplated for a moment whether she was being unfair about the whole thing. Did she really have the right to be so cold towards Hector, who has so far done nothing wrong? He even saved her life!
But that was before she found out who he really was, before he fooled her and caught her off guard. She felt so angry with him for embarrassing her like that, for causing her to be indebted to him, the one person she didn't want to have anything to do with right now. Noble, dashing rescuer though he was, Hector of Troy was another suitor, another pompous royal aiming to win her as a prize and take her away from the family and home she loved so dearly. He was bound to be just like the others—she knew it!
Andromache shook her head and closed her eyes for a moment, wishing she could just completely clear her mind from all these conflicting thoughts and feelings whirling inside her. Eventually, she found herself just several feet away from her chamber doors, steps away from refuge, at least for the night.
It was at this last minute that Hector decided to use the courage he had mustered up during their long walk of silence. Before Andromache could bid him a hasty goodnight as she finally turned around to face him, the prince pinned her under his gaze and spoke with the same voice that moved her earlier at the beach.
"May I ask you something, Princess Andromache?" he began, his eyes never shifting from her face. Although this unnerved her greatly, the maiden could not seem to shield herself from his fervent stare. "I hope you wouldn't think me rude for asking, but…"
Unable to control her protective instincts, Andromache scowled arched her eyebrow at him, resulting in a cold look that would intimidate even the bravest of male hearts. It was an expression that dared him to go on…if he wished to risk incurring her wrath.
Hector seemed to falter a moment upon noticing this, but just as quickly he regained the genial smile on his face and went on. "…if I have done anything, anything at all to offend you, I wish to know what it is so I can make proper amends."
Andromache stared back at him with an innocence tinged in sarcasm. "Why Prince Hector, what made you think that you have done anything to offend me?"
Even with the iciness of her tone, Hector refused to back down. "Well, I sensed that there was some tension between us at supper this evening, and I just thought…"
Andromache shook her head and lifted a hand to cut him off. "You can stop worrying yourself with such thoughts, your Highness, because you have done nothing that requires amends." she told him. "I apologize if I seemed less than enthusiastic toward you this evening. I am tired, that is all."
The obvious relief that swept across Hector's face almost made her want to laugh. "I understand." he said, nodding his head agreeably. "It must have been a taxing day for you. Perhaps it would suit you better if we did something tomorrow morning instead, when you have rested?"
It was Andromache's turn to be taken aback. After the way she had just treated him, an upfront invitation to another rendezvous was the last thing she expected. "Why?" was the first word blurted from her mouth.
The earlier happiness on Hector's face became replaced with confusion. "It would be nice if we had the chance to spend time together and become friends, don't you think?" he said lightly. "I really would like to get to know you better, if you'd allow it."
Why? So you could evaluate and judge me like you would your horses? Andromache thought resentfully. So you could decide whether I'm worth the bride-price? If I would be good enough to parade in front of the high and mighty Trojans?
Noticing the adversely skeptic look on her face, Hector promptly threw in another reason. "Besides, your father suggested it, since we were unable to start off on the right foot on our first meeting." He smiled apologetically.
A strange feeling burbled inside Andromache when she heard this second reason. Was it disappointment? Was she disappointed that the king had instructed to Hector to spend time with her, and it did not come solely from his own will?
Pushing this thought aside, the princess scowled. "Oh. in that case, it seems I have no choice then." she said bitterly. "After what happened today, I dare not disobey another one of my father's orders."
The smile immediately left Hector's lips, and the glint in his eyes faded with it. "Well, if there is something else you need to take care of tomorrow, we don't have to." he said quietly. "You would not be forced to keep me company if you do not wish it."
Andromache fell silent for a moment as their gazes met again. One look into those eyes and she could already confirm his sincerity, his inability to ever lie to her. It was something she had never seen in any man before, not even the ones in her family. And it was real. He really did care about what she thought and wanted. Suddenly, the princess felt overwhelmed with guilt over her unfriendly actions.
"Forgive me." she finally mumbled, turning her head away. "I did not mean to sound rude."
She touched the back of her hand to her forehead wearily. "I am just so tired. Perhaps I would be in better spirits tomorrow when I have already rested."
She looked back at him for a moment and managed a forced smile. "It would be my honor to spend the day with you, Prince Hector." she said, hoping her expression was enough to mask the lack of earnestness. "I shall meet you in the dining hall in the morning for breakfast, then? Is that all right?"
If Hector noticed the half-heartedness of her acceptance, he did not show it. He just smiled and held out his hand to her. Andromache slipped hers into it, and he planted a light kiss on her fingers.
"I look forward to it." he said, meeting her eyes when he raised his gaze once more. "Good night, Princess. Sleep well."
As soon as she closed the door behind her, Andromache leaned her head back against it with a heavy sigh. From the moment she was told about Prince Hector of Troy, she convinced herself that he would be no different from the rest of her past suitors, and she would find it just as easy to drive them away. But now…she was no longer so sure.
The girl lip her lower lip and thought about Hector's face, and all the emotions she read from the depths of his eyes on the first day alone. Was she really ready to see more, and learn more about this legendary but mysterious prince?
And was she willing to risk it?
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The gentle noise of cheerful voices drifted through the vast back gardens of King Eetion's palace, the only sounds to be heard in the quiet of late evening. The moon shone from the clear skies above to light up her already radiant eyes as she gazed up at him, gesturing animatedly while she spoke and laughed.
Hector felt his breath catch in his throat as he stared into those eyes. Not for the first time, he noticed the way they crinkled just slightly at the sides when she smiled, and saw the gold flecks that sparkled against their hazel pools. Not for the first time in the past week since they first met, he sensed a warmth that spread from his heart to the rest of his body at the sight of the beautiful smile on her face. A smile that he worked hard to place there, and was therefore meant for him. Him alone.
"Prince Hector?"
Hector blinked, startled out of his reverie by her voice. Andromache was now looking at him with a half-concerned, half-questioning look on her face, an expression that gave him the sudden urge to either laugh out loud or just wrap his arms around her and hold her tight.
"Is there something wrong?" the maiden asked. "Why have you suddenly grown so quiet?"
He felt her hand place itself gently on his forearm, an innocent gesture of comfort. But it meant all the world to the Prince of Troy, who felt like he earned the greatest victory of all—the friendship and trust of the maiden he had been hoping to win over from the day he first met her on the beach. Indeed, they had come a long way from the time when he thought she actually detested him.
Hector just smiled and shook his head. "Nothing is wrong." he assured her. "I'm sorry for my inattentiveness. I was just thinking about some matters."
"About your home?" Andromache guessed. "You have been gone for more than a fortnight now, haven't you? You must miss your family terribly."
Hector shrugged. "I do." he admitted. "But I am used to being away from home for long periods of time. It is part of my duty."
"Do you know when you will be leaving?" Andromache murmured. A strange look flashed momentarily across her face as she asked this. "How soon before you set sail for home again?"
Hector smiled at her. He took the dainty hand that was laid on his forearm and enclosed it in his large one. "Not for a while, I'm afraid. There are still things I must do here in Thebes, matters I must discuss with your father and his council."
His fingers pressed very gently against the princess' palm. "And then, there's you." he said softly. "Another reason why I may consider staying longer than had been planned."
He held her gaze for a long moment as these rather bold words left him. A faint blush colored Andromache's cheeks, and she hid this by lowering her face.
"Well, there are still quite a few places in Thebes you have not had the chance to see and visit." she said, turning away from the prince and walking a few steps away. "Podes suggested that we ride up to the mountain see the Temple of Athena tomorrow morning."
Hector smiled in spite of the slight disappointment that washed over his heart. He walked to Andromache and placed his hands on her slender shoulders.
"That sounds wonderful." he said. "But if we are going to make another long journey tomorrow, then perhaps we should retire to bed now. It has been wrong enough of me to keep you up at this late hour." He grinned. "I certainly do not wish to incur an offense against your protective brothers, as my record with them has been clean so far."
He took her hand in his as she turned to face him again. "Come, Princess. I shall escort you to your room."
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"Your Highness, would you be needing anything else?"
"Hmm?" Andromache turned away from the terrace of her room to look at Cithia. "No. No, thank you. You may go now. I shall be all right."
The handmaiden smiled. "Very well, my lady. Good night, and sleep well." She curtsied before leaving the room, shutting the heavy chamber doors behind her.
Andromache waited till she was gone, then turned back to the view than lay just below her balcony. She leaned her hands against the ledge as a small sigh escaped her lips and her gaze drifted upon a sight that stirred inside her emotions she never knew she could feel.
Everyone in her family, especially her brothers, was pleasantly surprised by how quickly she became friends with Hector in spite of the bad start they had on their first meeting. In a matter of a few days, the Prince of Troy had succeeded in doing what nearly a dozen other men couldn't over the past five years. He gained the young princess' trust, and earned himself the right to be called her friend. And Andromache herself had no answer why he had been permitted to break down her barriers and get so close.
The princess watched Hector as he walked slowly across the courtyard to the other end of the palace, where the men's quarters were. It not take her long to decide that he was the most attractive man she had ever seen, with his impressive height and muscular, virile build, his shining brown eyes and stunning smile. But the other princes and lords, they had been handsome too. What they did lack was Hector's kind heart. His honesty, his sense of humor, and his genuine care and concern for her. Her earlier suspicions about the Trojan prince was right—he was different.
Andromache's heart sank as her gaze followed Hector's retreating back until it disappeared in the shadows. This was clearly the reason why her feelings and reactions towards him would also naturally be different. There were just so many things she still could not understand, but she also knew that soon enough, the confusions will be cleared, and she would be able to realize what exactly it was that she felt and had or wanted to do.
And that, truthfully, was what the young princess of Thebes feared the most.
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COMING UP: Chapter 4 – A Princess' Choice