So sorry for the delay. The Holidays are great, but they're also very time consuming.

The Princess turned back to the handsome hero.
"Now then, the reason for my coming." She paused a moment, calculating, also eating up the delightful sight of Hercules' form.
"I happened to be present when you gave that brilliant and moving speech in my kingdom."

Herc nodded. That was when he tried to get Thebes and Athens to discontinue their petty rivalry.
But brilliant? Speaking before a large group of people was grueling. He'd have much rather face a mass of Minotaurs than speak in public.
Surely she was over-exaggerating his obvious lack in such abilities.

"I have come to discuss such strategies with you at length. I believe that it would be beneficial to all if Athens and Thebes put aside their differences and work as one. After all, we all belong to Mother Greece, do we not?"

Nobody knew exactly what to say. What could they say? Meg only knew that this whole thing smelled fishy. That is, more fishy than the usual sea air wafting onto the Greek shores.

"I estimate that our debating will take some time. So I, and my servants, shall require proper living quarters."
Of course it was beneath herself to politely ask. It was was an honor to house royalty.

Phil, of course, perked up. "Of course, your majesty. Right, kid?"
He elbowed his student in the knees, flinching his eyebrows, like a fuzzy, wriggling worm.

Such was his naivete, Herc didn't fully receive that what his coach was trying to relay. Still, he shrugged. What could it hurt? It was his duty as a Hero to promote peace.

"Alright, Princess..."

"Uh uh", she corrected, wagging her slim finger. "Silly Hercules. Remember, no formalities. To you, I am simply, Erse." Finishing off with a giggle.

"Oh, right", he shrugged again. "Well, let me introduce you to my friends."

Princess Erse was honestly disinterested in meeting anyone else, but she digressed, putting on her best, demure smile.

"My trainer, Phil, I'm sure you know", Herc indicated the creature beneath him with a wave of his hand.

"Ah, yes." She grudgingly offered her wrist into the half-animal's grip, holding back a hint of disgust.

"Always a pleasure, your highness." She smoothly jerked back her hand.

"Marlena", he continued, indicating the lady with great respect. "My ever faithful housekeeper."

Respectfully avoiding her gaze, the older woman dipped into a formal curtsy. "At your service, ma' lady."
The princess nodded her acknowledgment, poising her head upward and shooting a resentful glare down her nose, regarding the servant with distaste. She obviously blamed her for her unexpected arrival and embarrassment. In truth, the Princess expected to be welcomed with grand rapture and celebration, as was fitting. She was sorely disappointed.

"My wonderful assistant, Torrin."
The young man bowed.
"And Megara, and Zebra."
The impression of the Athenian upper-crust was quite different between the two girls.
Zebra was quite excited. She'd never met royalty before. The closest she'd been in coming face-to-face with someone of importance was when she attended a concert with Meg, among thousands of other spectators.
She slid a foot behind her and attempted a curtsy of her own. But a misplaced leg threw her off balance.
Attentive to her needs, Torrin grabbed her arm to steady her sway. Zebra smiled her thanks.
This display caused the Princess to giggle. More at Zebra's expense that out of good humor.
It was barely detectable, but Meg caught the disrespect. She didn't like it. And she liked the spoiled Princess ever less, only giving a stiff nod when her name was pronounced.

Still, the heir to all of Athens was unfased, keeping in line with edicate.
Oh, how do you do?" Again displaying her radiant smile.
Then, turning to Hercules, fiening wearyness. "I'd love to stay and chat with the help, but I'm very tired." She looped an arm possessively through Hercules' and leaned against his powerful shoulder, reveling in his strength, and batting her eyelashes.
"My dear Hercules, would you be kind enough to show me to my room?"

She tugged him away before he could object, while Phil ushered the Athenian guards to their own quarters.
"Uhh, sure. OK." Herc looked back at his friends, helplessly shrugging as he allowed himself to be dragged away.

The room was dead silent.
Meg's purple eyes widened in shock, her body trembling with anger and resentment.
"The HELP?"
Her knuckles protruded as she closed her fingers into balls of rage.
"Why I outta..."
She trudged forward to follow, raising a ready fist.
It took the combined strength of Zebra and Torrin to hold her at bay, restraining her arms.

Meg's fiery eyes flared.
"You heard what she said!"
She struggled against her jailers.
"She needs to be set straight, with a brain jarring blow!"

"Meg, please, calm down", Zebra desperately pleaded.

"She's not worth it", added Torrin.

"Besides, she's a Princess", Marlena submitted in defeat.

Meg finally wriggled free from her restraints in a huff, scowling.
"So. She's not MY Princess."
She continued to stare at the spot where they disappeared.

The only sound that could be heard was the splash of rain as the storm picked up in volume. Torrin finally sighed and ran a hand through his dark curls.
"Well, I suppose I should go and help Phil."
He gave Zebra's hand a squeeze.
"Something tells me that we're in for a long haul."

After he left, Zebra attempted to talk some sense into her high tempered friend.
"Meg, you've got to try and not take such high offense from people. I mean, we're not in High School anymore."

"Oh no, this goes far beyond adolescent insults."
Meg turned to meet her eyes, pointing an accusing finger toward the other rooms.
"That girl thinks she owns the world."

"Meg, we are but strangers in this..."
She had to choose her words carefully, seeing that Marlena was still present.
"...country. As long as we reside here, we must take care to obey the laws of the land."

Ah, Zebra, the voice of reason.

"Oh yeah? Well I will NOT be governed by that spoiled brat", Meg pouted. As so as they found Zebra's grandfather, they would not have to obey royalty. And she was determined to make that come true as soon as possible.
"After seeing her, I can only imagine the state of mind of her parents. 'The help'." She spat with venom on her tongue.
Then she became self conscience at the state of her words.
"Uh...no offense, Marlena."
Shame colored her entire face.

The humble housekeeper smiled, but there was sadness behind it.
"None taken, Miss Meg."
She hung her head, hiding her face within the shadow of her loose, bed tossed, graying hair.