Divinity: Chapter thirty eight
Eros came back past dinner time. He and his father had tried to reason again with the southern king, they had accomplished things but not to stop the war.
The both entered the castle, King Odell went to his chambers with a tired look on his face.
"Are you alright Father?" Eros asked concerned.
"Yes son, I'm fine…I'm just tired, my age is taking its toll" said the king.
Eros eyes showed concern. "Go and have some rest…I'll take responsibility for tomorrow, you don't have to come with me"
King Odell's eyes widened. "But it's a lot of work to do!"
"I'll manage, besides Leonidas will be helping me" Eros patted his father's shoulder.
"I will do my best Your Majesty to help His Highness" Leonidas said.
"Well…I guess you're right, I might leave the meeting up to you tomorrow then" the king smiled.
"Very well, I'll go and check on Gaia to see if she's still awake" Eros turned to leave to his chambers.
"Eros!"
Eros stopped in his tracks and saw his father. "Yes Father?"
King Odell walked to his son and placed a hand on his right shoulder. "I'm very proud of you…You're going to be a great king, better than myself"
"Father…" Eros said dumbfounded.
"Isn't he Leonidas?" the king asked.
"Yes, Your Majesty" Leonidas said.
Eros noticed his father's wet eyes, he was holding his tears, and smiled at him.
"Thank you Father…"
King Odell nodded. "Well…no go on, go see your wife, she must be waiting for you"
"Right…I'll talk to you tomorrow morning, good night Father, Leonidas…could you take my Father to his chambers?" he asked his general.
"Certainly Your Highness" the general said.
Eros smiled at his friend and bowed his head at his father before he left to his chambers.
When he walked into the room, he saw Gaia sitting at the balcony looking at the moon. He walked silently and tried to cover her eyes to surprise her.
"How was your day?" she asked.
Eros stopped in his tracks. "How did you…" he asked confused.
"Know it was you? I once was a Goddess dear" she smiled at him.
"You are still a Goddess love" Eros said, approaching to her.
"How was your day?" she asked trying to change the subject.
"Exhausting" he said.
"How was yours?"
"A little bit boring without you here…"
"Did Mother left you alone today?" he asked.
"No…dear, I want to talk to you about something" she walked to the rim of the balcony and sat, motioning to him to do the same.
"Okay…what is it?" he sat next to her.
"Love…I would like to be more involved in the things you do…" Gaia said.
"Gaia…" Eros lowered his gaze.
"It's not that I don't like to spend time with your mother, I do. I love it in fact, she's a sweetheart, but…I would love to be more involved in the things you do, now that I'm the new princess"
"My little Dea…what I do is boring; you can enjoy your free time with the girls of the court"
Gaia lowered her gaze. "They…don't seem to like me"
"What? That's not true" Eros said.
"Aurea told me today what some of them are saying... there have been some rumors" she said softly.
"What rumors? What are they saying?" he asked.
"That I'm a witch" she said.
"What!" he stood up "Who told them that?" he asked upset.
"I don't know..." she said.
"Not all the girls have been rude to me but some of them have been distant, afraid" she said.
"Dear, it's only a rumor…don't pay too much attention to it" Eros said.
"But I do want to get more involved in political issues…I may even try to help you stop that war" she said hopefully.
"Dear…those men are harsh, they speak up their minds…they won't be kind just because a woman is there" Eros said.
"Eros, I went through an audience with the higher gods, suffered the loss of my family, I lost my best friend as well and had to take insults and disgraces…I once did so much for the planet, I know how to talk, you have seen me!" she pleaded.
Eros sighed, she was right. She went through so many things in her life, and has proven to be a strong woman. She is a strong woman. She's a Goddess. "Tomorrow morning, the three kings from the other Kingdoms are coming here, we have to convince King Isra to stop this madness of war"
Gaia gave him a wide smile, standing up she went to hug her husband. "Thank you, thank you, thank you! I love you, love you love you!" she kissed him on the lips.
"You love me only because of that?" Eros raised his brow.
"No, I love you because you're my everything" Gaia said.
Eros smiled. "You are my everything, because of you I'm alive"
They kissed deeply and went to bed.
The next morning they were ready to enter the conference room where the other three kings were waiting for them. Leonidas had a folder with papers in his hand.
"They're waiting Your Highness" the general said.
"Yes" Eros turned to see her wife in her lavender long dress. Her hair was styled up in a braid and some curls framed her delicate face.
"Are you ready?" Eros asked.
"I'm ready" she smiled.
"These men are complicated Your Highness" Leonidas said.
Gaia smiled. "I'll take my chances"
"Of course you will…why am I even worried? You'll do fine" Leonidas laughed.
Leonidas opened the door for them to enter the room.
King Bernard, King Urmanus and King Isra stood up to receive the prince. The three men frowned when they saw the girl walking next to the prince.
"Where's King Odell?" King Urmanus asked.
"He's feeling a little unwell" Prince Eros said.
"And who's this girl?" King Isra asked.
"Her Highness Princess Gaia" Leonidas said.
The three kings widened his eyes in shock.
"Good morning Your Majesties" she said.
"I don't think this is a matter that concerns the Princess" King Isra said.
"Shall we begin?" Prince Eros said sitting in his father's chair, Gaia following sitting in his actual chair, next to her sat Leonidas.
"Well…the other points we were treating yesterday, are all agreed. We will import your merchandise and export ours to your kingdom" King Bernard from the Western kingdom said.
"Very well, we can settle this agreement by signing these papers here" Leonidas passed him the folder with the papers.
"Of course, if King Urmanus also agrees" Eros finished.
"I've been thinking…I don't think it's a good idea for the kingdom to that at this moment" King Urmanus said.
"May I ask why not?" Gaia asked.
"Your Highness...it's a matter that only concerns our kingdom" the Eastern king said.
Gaia smiled. "Your Majesty, if you weren't interested in the treaty, then why would you be here?"
"Think about the good things you'll do for your people. You'll give them the opportunity to grow as merchants, and this of course will give more recognition to your kingdom because all of the good products you export" she said.
"Her Highness has a point"
"Bernard!" King Urmanus said.
"Think about all the benefits…that is why I'm joining them, to improve the quality of life of our people" King Bernard said.
King Urmanus stayed silent for a moment. "You're right, Her Highness is right. I'll sign the treaty right now if you don't mind Prince Eros"
Prince Eros smiled. "Not a problem at all" he handed him the papers to sign with Leonidas.
"Well I won't sign. I'm still not at peace with you…" King Isra said.
"Why is that you still want to be at war with us?" Gaia asked worried.
"Your Highness, the Northern Kingdom has something that belongs to us" King Isra said.
"And what is that?" she asked curious.
"A piece of land" the king said.
Gaia turned to see her husband with an understanding look. She remembered when they met and he talked about properties.
Flashback
"Royals tend to be spoiled and..." Gaia scratches her arm trying to avoid eye contact with him.
"And...?" he continued and raised an eyebrow
"Selfish" she finished. Her comment made Eros laugh.
"Why are you laughing?" she asked annoyed looking at him, she wasn't expecting him to laugh.
"Is that what you think of us?" he asked still laughing
"Yes" she said
"Is that what you think of me?" he asked again, his laugh gone.
"I don't know you that well but, you humans want everything not realizing this planet doesn't belong to all of you in the first place" when she realized what she had just said she covered her mouth quickly.
"You...humans?" "What is wrong with you?" he asks annoyed.
"Nothing" she said still covering her mouth.
"So this planet has an owner? Is that what you're trying to tell me?... Oh please!..." he said turning and giving his back to her.
"And what you are trying to tell me is that you are the owner of it?" she asked raising her voice
Eros walked back to the shore of the lake, Gaia followed.
"We own what we reign" he said dryly.
"No, you don't" she said upset.
"No?" he asked turning to see her "Then to whom this planet belongs?"
"To it's protector" she said crossing her arms. He was about to say something when he noticed her eyes were dead serious.
End of flashback
"For a piece of land you are hurting innocent people?" Gaia asked.
"It's ours. It's our right to fight for it" King Isra said.
Eros noticed she was getting upset. He too remembered that conversation they both had when he found out who she really was.
"We are asking you to stop this madness, we can work things out on some other way, they're people living there" Eros tried to reason with him.
"We will ask them to join us or to move" the king said.
"And what if they don't want to move or join you?" Eros asked.
"We will have to make some adjustments" King Isra said.
"How can you say that?" Gaia exclaimed. "Those people have a life there, you can't make them choose!"
King Isra stayed silent.
"With all due respect, you are fighting something that don't belong either you or this kingdom" Gaia said.
Isra laughed. "Don't say nonsense. It belong to us"
"Do you pray at night King Isra?" she asked.
Leonidas widened his eyes; she had character to stand up to him.
"What kind of question is that?" King Isra asked.
"Just, answer me this… do you pray at night Your Majesty?" she asked again.
King Isra looked at the other men in the room and swallowed. "Yes, I do"
"To whom?" she asked again, her golden apple eyes looking straight at his brown ones.
"The protector of this planet" King Isra said.
Leonidas and Eros smiled softly. She had made it.
"Then, there you have it. There's your answer" Gaia said.
The other two kings stayed silent and surprised by the character of this petite girl.
"What answer? I'm not looking for answers" the southern king said.
"Yes you are, you claim a piece of land that rightfully belongs to that protector you send your prayers every night" Gaia said.
King Isra stayed silent. She was right.
"I'm not sure if that protector exists" the king tried to win the battle.
"But you still, send your prayers to that protector every night" she smiled.
"Touché" King Bernard said.
"If you want the peace and wellness you ask to the gods, you have to leave those people alone" Prince Eros said.
King Isra was beaten, and by a princess. He smiled for the very first time in all the meetings.
"You have a strong point Your Highness. If peace is what we seek, we must start here with us. I'm at your disposition" King Isra stood up and bowed his head before Gaia.
Eros's eyes widened in amazement so as the other three men. They were in shock.
Gaia stood up and smiled.
"Do we have a peace agreement Your Majesty? Are you finally going to sign the peace treaty? Gaia asked kindly.
"Prince Eros, give me the papers" King Isra said.
Eros stood up and handed him personally the peace treaty. Isra signed all of them.
"You have a wonderful future queen by your side Your Highness" King Isra said, extending his hand out to him.
Eros smiled. "I know, and thank you" they shook hands. Peace was already settled.
"Well… this fight has finally come to its end" King Urmanus said standing up.
"We will meet again, soon for some other treaties we might propose for the future" King Bernard said.
"It's time for us to leave, it's late" King Isra said.
"I'll take you to the front gates" Prince Eros said.
Leonidas and Gaia stayed in the conference room.
"Walk with us Your Highness, General?" King Isra said.
The three kings left the Northern Kingdom in peace, happy and satisfied by the enormous advance they made in today's meeting.
"We humans, always wanting power…" Eros quoted Gaia's words.
Gaia smiled. "You remembered"
"I'll always remember it. Come, let's go inside and talk to Father about your achievement. I'm so proud of you" the prince kissed his princess.
Serenity sighed.
Luna was there with her while looking at some papers for the Alliance they keep trying to form. She shook her head at the precious queen.
"Is something the matter You Majesty? Luna asked worried.
Luna was a girl with mysticism; she was a petite girl in her early 20's, she seemed younger than the queen, her features were delicate but some of them feline, she had kitty ears, she was from Mau after all, her skin was a little more tan than the queen's, she had burgundy almond shaped eyes and a small nose, her lips also were small and always wore a pink gloss. She was quite efficient and very smart and most important very kind.
Queen Serenity found a friend in her and she felt happy to not feel alone anymore when her husband wasn't around. Serenity's hand was supporting her delicate face; she directed her lavender eyes to the kitty girl in front of her.
"Well…it's been months since I tried to give my husband a baby" Serenity said sadly.
"A baby?" Luna asked.
"Yes…" Serenity said.
"That's what's been bothering you Your Majesty?"
"Yes…"
Luna bit her lip "Maybe it hasn't happened because of the stress"
"Stress?" asked the queen.
"Yes. Back in Mau, several girls who lived under pressure couldn't have babies. Until they lead a more peaceful life"
"Peaceful life…"
"Your Majesty?"
"I wish we had peace, peace is what I need right now" Serenity said softly.
"Don't worry…everything will turn out fine soon" Luna smiled.
"You are adorable. Thank you for being such a good friend and advisor as well" Serenity smiled back.
Luna blushed. "Thank you for having Artemis and myself here"
"Is Artemis your boyfriend?" Serenity asked.
Luna blushed a deep shade of red. "N-No Your Majesty…he's just a good friend of mine, we've known for so many years"
"Hmm…he seems to have stronger feelings for you, if Aphrodite sees you together, she'll say he's in love with you"
"We're just friends Your Majesty" Luna said.
Serenity laughed.
Gaia started to be more involved in the politics issues of the kingdom alongside Eros. The king was surprised when Eros told him she convinced King Isra to stop the war they were having for the land he claimed as his. Queen Narella was also surprised to see her daughter in law wasn't indeed like the other girls in the court and understood that just sit and drink tea all day long wasn't her best way to spend her day.
The four of them were having dinner one night, King Odell have been sick for the past three months since he couldn't go to the meeting where Gaia made her debut. His health was delicate, making Eros take charge of all the matter of the kingdom with Leonidas supporting him as his assistant.
Despite the rumors, she continued to be involved in anything she could; the queen was starting to get worried.
"Why is the court saying horrible things?" the queen asked sadly.
Gaia saw her husband in a told you so matter and kept eating her vegetables soup. After the engagement ball she couldn't eat any animal anymore. That peacock made quite an impression on her.
"Those are just rumors…we shouldn't pay attention to them" Eros said annoyed.
"But it's the court dear" the queen said.
"Yes, but the court has hundreds of jealous girls…including Charmindy" Eros said.
"I wouldn't doubt if she started that rumor" Eros said again.
"Charmindy…" Gaia thought.
"Maybe you're right…her senses aren't well. I feel so sorry for that tormented soul" Queen Narella said again, taking a drink from her glass of wine.
"Your Majesty, are you feeling better?" Gaia asked, changing the subject.
"I'm better Gaia, thank you for asking" the king smiled.
"I wanted to talk with you…" King Odell said.
"Yes Father?" Eros said.
"Your mother and I talked it over and we came to the conclusion that you are ready to rein this kingdom" the king said.
Eros choked with the wine he was drinking. "What?"
"Your father and I think you and Gaia have been doing a very good job, you have solved more problems in a very short amount of time, and you even stopped a war that was going on forever" Queen Narella said.
"But what about you?" Eros asked worried.
"We are going to be here, but we can't take care of the kingdom anymore…this kingdom needs new direction, you are young, you can bring more prosperity to this land. We believe in you" Queen Narella said.
"I'm getting old son and I'm feeling weak…I will be by your side if you need an advice but, I don't think you'll need any, you have a wonderful girl by your side. The court might be saying thing about her, but the people have responded very well, they adore her" King Odell said.
Gaia blushed. Eros took his wife's hand and turned to look at his parents.
"Very well… although, I wish we couldn't have a big coronation ceremony. I do not wish a ball, I better want to invest that money in more improvements for the people" Eros said.
King Narella's eyes widened. "No party?"
Gaia smiled. "Your Majesty, maybe we can have a ball later…but Eros is right, we can improve the people's life by investing in better food for the people and better education for the children"
"They're right dear" King Odell approved his son's petition.
"Very well…we might talk to the priest to celebrate the coronation as soon as possible" Queen Narella said.
"Maybe Obelix can do the ceremony, like he did in our wedding" Gaia proponed.
"Yes…good idea" King Odell said.
Gaia tried to take another sip of her wine but suddenly felt dizzy; she put a hand on her face.
Queen Narella noticed her sudden reaction. "Dear, are you alright?"
Eros turned to see her "Love, what's wrong?" he asked worried.
Gaia put aside her glass of wine and asked for some water. "I'm fine, it's the wine…I think it's taking its toll" she laughed.
"Yes, maybe that is. You should go to rest" said the king
"I'm okay, really, I'll just drink some water and I'll be fine" she smiled.
"Well…so we can have the ceremony in a couple of days" the king said.
"Very well" Eros said.
"Can the people be present at the ceremony?" Gaia asked.
"The people?" asked the queen.
"Yes…since they weren't at our wedding, and…we do want them to trust us as, and they're as important as the court" Gaia said.
"Well…that's something new…" said the queen.
"But it's not a bad idea" King Odell said.
"We can ask them to wear something more proper mother, if that's what's bothering you" he laughed.
"No…no it doesn't bother me, it's just unusual, but I think Gaia is right" she smiled.
Dinner went smoothly and they agreed that the coronation ceremony will take place in two days. The next day the king and queen were going to make the announcement to the people in the court and the people of the kingdom.
Gaia and Eros were at their chambers getting ready for bed. Gaia was wearing her soft yellow night gown, she was sitting in her vanity brushing her long dark hair. Eros was looking at her from the bed.
Gaia saw his reflection from her mirror and smiled. "It seems you are ready to be king" she said.
"Why do you say that?" he asked.
"When I met you, you didn't want to rule this kingdom. And now you agreed easily" Gaia said.
"Because I'm no longer alone" Eros said.
"Aren't you scared?"
"No"
"Not even a little bit?"
"No…"
"Not even a little tiny bit?"
Eros laughed. "Maybe…a little tiny bit"
Gaia laughed and stood up, she turned to go to bed when the dizziness came back making her loose her balance; she fell hard on the floor.
Eros freaked out and stood up quickly to her side. "Love!" he lifted her from the floor and placed her on the bed.
"What's going on little dea?" he asked worried.
"I felt dizzy again…it was that wine. I'll stop drinking wine!" she said.
"Tomorrow morning I'm calling the doctor" Eros said.
"Dear, its okay…I'm fine. It was the wine. I drank too much, that's all" she tried to reason with him.
"Are you sure?" his worried tone was still in his low voice.
"I'm sure, now let's get some sleep…I'm so tired" she said, turning to his side and fell asleep in an instant.
"I hope it's just the wine…I couldn't stand losing you" he whispered in her ear and kissed her cheek softly, he blew off the candle in his drawer, turning to her side he fell asleep.
A/N: I'm so sorry for not posting the update yesterday, but I'm here, I haven't left you with an unfinished story :) this chapter is a little bit longer than we are all used to read, (well...i love long chapters) but it was because i made a tiny mix up with the names of the chapters and too keep it's continuity I had to do this. Well...I want to keep thanking and welcoming to all of you who keep reading, and to the new readers of course, thank you for your kind reviews and ideas. Thank you very much.
We all know I don't own sm, just the plot, story and some of the characters.