A/N: I am truly mesmerized by your wonderful reviews, do you know how much that means to me? I always wanted to write but never got the chance until now. I'm so, so sovery happy that you are giving this story a chance and find so many ideas for it, how much you think what would happen and how much you want to know what's next. I'm always wanting to post another chapter right after i post a new one. Thank you so much, really, thank you so very much.
Well, this is friday's chapter. I know it's a little *too* early to be posting, but hey! at this time it's officially friday by now! :) I think it will be good for the weekend, and we'll see you 'til monday again for a fresh new chapter of Divinity. I hope yopu enjoy this one as much as you did with the last one.
I just own the plot, the story and some of the characters.
Previously on chapter twenty four
"Gaia, will you marry me?" Eros asked and showed her a gorgeous golden ring with a big pale yellow diamond on top.
"Eros…" Gaia whispered.
Her tears started to fall and she didn't try to hide them. A few seconds later she nodded yes and gave him a wide smile.
Eros stood up and lifts her up and started to twirl.
"I love you…" she said when they stopped and Eros put her down. "I love you so much…"
"I love you too, my beautiful goddess" he said softly
Divinity: Chapter twenty five:
Serenity was in the meeting room with her mother talking about some issues they had to take care; Athan was away in a meeting with Ares and other gods assisting them.
"We need to talk to our guards to raise the security in our palace; beings like Metallia must not be allowed to come in here ever again." Serenity said.
Queen Selene tilted her head to the side softly and stared at her daughter.
Serenity noticed her mother's expression. "Is something the matter mother?"
Queen Selene extended her arm and took her daughter's hand in hers.
"How are you dear?"
"What do you mean?" Serenity asked confused.
"Gaia was your best friend" Queen Selene said concerned.
Serenity lowered her gaze to the white marble table. "I miss her terribly; I wish I knew how she is"
Queen Selene squeezed her daughter's hand. "Maybe you can"
Serenity raised her gaze to her mother. "What are you saying mother, I can't see her. You know the Higher Gods prohibited us to see her"
"Maybe we can do something about it" Queen Selene said and gave her daughter a warm smile.
"Oh Mother!" Serenity said and ran to her mother, and hugged her tight.
"But we have to wait for the right time" said the queen to the princess.
"Yes. But we also need to solve the matter of Metallia invading our palace whenever she wants to come and poison everybody; she's causing too much trouble" Serenity said.
"You're right dear" the queen said with melancholy.
"Is something wrong mother?" Serenity asked concerned.
"No, it's nothing. Is that… every day that passes by I can see more and more what a great queen you are going to be" Queen Selene said.
"Mother…" Serenity said.
"I think it's time dear" the queen said.
"Time for what mother, I don't understand" Serenity said confused.
"Time for you to take my place" said the queen.
Serenity's eyes widened in shock and stood up. She roamed around the room without saying one word, her mother stayed in her chair looking at her.
"Mother…I can't…I'm not ready" Serenity sttudered.
"Yes you are dear. If you haven't I wouldn't never told you this" Selene said.
"But if I take the throne…" Serenity's words died in her mouth.
"It's time dear. You are ready and you have a husband who can be by your side ruling this kingdom. I know you are going to be an excellent queen" Queen Selene said.
"I'm not ready to see you leave mother" Serenity said with teary eyes.
This time the queen motioned Serenity to sit on the chair next to her.
"Dear, this isn't something I just planned, I put a lot of thought to this…and I just realized it has been a long time with me on the throne…the Higher Gods wants me to be in Olympus now" The queen said.
"But if you leave I won't see you again" Serenity said.
"Yes you will dear, not as much as we would like to but, you are my daughter…and I will always be there for you…anytime" the queen finally said.
Serenity took her mother's hands and squeezed them; a single tear left her eyes and nodded.
"They say that there's a woman sleeping in the prince's bed"
"No! who is she?"
"Nobody seems to know who she is"
"I heard she came from enemy grounds"
"No! our kingdom is going to end in our enemy's hands"
Aurea was at the market buying some things the cook asked her to buy for dinner when she heard three women speaking about Lady Gaia. Once she finished buying a sack of potatoes she came near one of the three women.
"Where did you hear that?" she asked.
"Are the rumors true?" a woman with red hair asked.
"What rumors?" Aurea asked.
"Is there a woman sleeping in His Highness's bed?" a woman with blonde hair asked curious.
"Is she from the Southern Kingdom?" another woman with brown hair asked right after the first one made her question.
"What? No!" Aurea said upset.
"You work at the palace, you must know!" the red haired woman spoke again.
"I do work at the palace, but anything you say it's true!" Aurea said.
"Everything you say is nonsense, you better watch your vegetables before that man takes everything you just harvested" Aurea pointed a man taking a bunch of carrots.
The blonde woman turned to see her stand and started screaming. "He's stealing my merchandise! Stop him!"
The other two women ran after the thief and Aurea went back to the palace.
Queen Narella was sitting in the living room reading a book silently; she was enjoying her husband's company. King Odell was reading too, an old book from the library when Eros came into the room.
Eros was amazed to see his parents together at this time; normally his father would be at a meeting or his mother having tea with some friends. And of all the places they would be, they were in the large living room.
He remembered when his father read him stories near the fire at winter. Tall beige and gold decorated walls, three chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, furniture everywhere and near the large window at the back there was a white piano.
Queen Narella felt a presence in the room and raised her head. She smiled.
"Good morning dear" she said lovingly.
Kind Odell did the same thing.
"Good morning Mother, Father" he gave them a small curtsy.
"What a pleasant surprise to see you two here at this time" Eros said, he smiled.
"Well, yes, your father didn't have any meetings for today. It's a miracle" the queen chuckled.
"Don't exaggerate dear, we do spend time together" the king said.
"Well then I guess it's the right time to talk to you both" Eros said.
"About what son?" asked the king.
Eros smiled. "I made a decision. An important one and I want you to support me"
"What is it dear?" asked the queen.
Eros turned to the living room entrance and motioned to someone to come in. At the door appeared Gaia in a dark turquoise satin dress that fit beautifully.
"Lady Gaia" the king said and stood up. The queen smiled.
"Good morning Your Majesties" she gave them a low curtsy.
"Is everybody treating you well?" the queen asked.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you very much for your kindness" Gaia said.
"Well son, what is that you wanted to talk us about?" the king asked.
"Father, Mother…I asked Gaia's hand in marriage" Eros said and took Gaia's right hand in his.
Both royals stayed silent for a few minutes before saying something.
Queen Narella spoke first. "And…what was your answer?" she directed her gaze to Gaia.
"I accepted Your Majesty" Gaia answered softly.
King Odell stood up and went straight to Eros and Gaia. He stared at his son's eyes and a few minutes later a wide smile formed in his face.
"We thought this would never happen" he laughed. Eros smiled back.
Queen Narella stood up next and went towards her son. "I'm so happy for you dear" she hugged him.
"Are you sure this is what you both want?" asked the king.
"Yes." They both answered.
"Then, you have our blessing" King Odell finally said.
"Oh, let me hug you dear!" Queen Narella came near Gaia and hugged her tight.
"When are you planning to get married?" the king asked.
"We haven't thought of it yet. I just asked her last night…" Eros laughed.
"We can have the ceremony in two weeks" the king said.
"Oh! We have so many things to do in such a short amount of time" the queen said.
Gaia felt melancholy inside. This was the moment her mother was waiting. She wanted to find the perfect dress for her and to do the arrangements of her wedding, and now she wasn't there with her when that day finally came. She tried to hold her tears and just smiled.
Eros noticed and squeezed her hand.
"Well…I want to take Gaia to see our kingdom, and we must tell Obelix about our decision" Eros said.
"Very well, but bring her back early…there is so much we have to plan" said the queen.
Once they were in the hallway Eros lifted her face with a finger on her chin softly and saw her teary green eyes.
"I'm so sorry" he said sadly.
Gaia smiled. "You didn't do anything wrong love…it's just that…this was the moment my mother was waiting and now she can't have it with me…"
"I understand…" Eros lowered his gaze.
Now it was Gaia's turn to lift his chin. She smiled at him. "I'll be fine my love…we are finally going to be together.
"Come, it's time go out my love, I want you to meet our kingdom" Eros said.
"I can't wait" Gaia smiled and took her fiancé's arm.
They walked towards the entrance of the palace; Leonidas was waiting for them at the gate.
"Good day Leonidas" Gaia smiled.
Leonidas smiled back. "Good morning My Lady"
"Are you taking the carriage?" Leonidas asked to Eros.
"No" Eros said simply. "We'll go in my horse"
"Are you going alone Your Highness?" Leonidas asked.
"No, you are going with us" Eros said.
Another general helped Gaia to sit on the horse, Eros was a very serious man when he was out of the palace, he was rarely seen laughing or giving wide smiles to people, but this time he gave Leonidas a small smile.
"She said yes"
Leonidas being too a very serious man outside the palace smiled too.
"Congratulations!" he said.
Eros immediately changed the topic since it was a personal matter and didn't anybody else know yet of his plans, sitting on his horse behind Gaia, he took the reins of the chocolate brown horse.
"Bring two soldiers. I don't want us to go alone. But keep them at a certain distance to watch the surroundings" Eros commanded his general.
Gaia saw Eros being a nice man, generous, kind and playful, but never in his role as a prince, this was new to her and she was admiring how he was yet a kind person but with character.
Eros shook softly the reins of his horse and it began to walk, followed by Leonidas in his horse and the other two soldiers at the distance their prince asked them to be.
The palace was not separated from town, Gaia started to see small business selling their merchandise, small houses and children playing outside, but also saw the people who recognized their prince and some of them curtsied or just stared in awe. After him, everybody stared at her. And she started to feel unease.
"We're going to the market place, there's a big fountain there and a lot of small stores selling different kinds of things, you'll love it" Eros said Gaia softly.
Leonidas was next to them in their horses, he noticed Gaia's unease and started to talk to her to make her feel better.
"Don't worry My Lady, they are good people"
Gaia smiled. "Thank you Leonidas, it's just that…I never interacted with people before…I don't know how to act"
"Just be yourself dear" Eros said softly.
Once they reached the market place, Eros stepped off his horse and helped Gaia to do the same thing. Leonidas followed.
Gaia gasped in awe. "It's beautiful"
She saw the surroundings, the downtown had gorgeous details and the Northern Kingdom was famous to be the most beautiful kingdom of the four. Trees were everywhere, it had cobbled streets, it lanterns everywhere and a kiosk in the middle near the big stone fountain adorned with flowers.
In the day time, the farmers sold their merchandise, on the other side were painters making portraits of the people passing by.
"It's so alive, so colorful" Gaia said softly.
Eros smiled. "Come, let's see what they are selling today" Gaia nodded.
They approached a salesman who was eating and nearly choke with his sandwich when he saw the prince coming near. He coughed.
"Are you okay?" Eros asked concerned.
"Your Highness!" the short bald man said surprised.
Eros smiled. "Don't get scared, it's just me"
The prince's smile gave the short man confidence to smile and feel at ease.
"Your Highness...are you looking for something in particular?" the man asked.
"Hm…well…something to give to this lovely lady here" Eros said and turned his face to Gaia. She blushed.
The salesman laughed heartedly. "Well I have this lovely broaches and hair accessories" he extended his work out for them to see.
"You…made this?" Gaia asked amazed by the pieces.
"Yes, My Lady" the man said kindly.
"Oh my, they're beautiful!" Gaia said.
She took one hair piece that had green and yellow stones. When she moved it to see it she was amazed how it caught the sunlight and shone brightly.
"That's a unique piece…it's made with yellow diamonds and emeralds. It took over a month to make the entire piece" the man said.
"It's beautiful…you really do magic" Gaia said.
"It's really beautiful" Eros said softly. "Can I buy it?"
"Of course Your Highness…take it" the man said.
"Are you giving away your work?" Eros asked amused.
"I won't ever sell anything to His Highness" the humble man said.
"But..." Eros was about to say when the man interrupted him.
"Your lovely Lady deserves it" he smiled.
Gaia blushed. "You're so kind"
"You're a kind man. But you never give away your work. Even if it's for me. It's too perfect to be given away" Eros said and handed him a small sack with golden coins.
"Your Highness…thank you" the man curtsied again.
They were about to leave when Gaia stopped him. "Wait" she said to Eros and Leonidas and turned to see the short man.
"Will you place the comb on my hair?" she said and extended the hairpiece out to him.
The man's eyes widened. "You…you want me to …"
"Yes." She smiled.
Eros was shocked by her easiness. The man took the comb with shaky hands and turned to see the prince.
"Only if His Highness agrees"
Eros gave the man a small smile and nodded. The man took a strand of Gaia's long and dark hair and pinned the comb on the side.
"It has the color of your eyes. With all due respect My Lady…you have emerald eyes" the man smiled kindly.
Gaia smiled at him and waved goodbye. The man did the same.
"It looks beautiful on you love" Eros said.
"I think I don't have to be that nervous after all" she told Leonidas and laughed softly.