Divinity: Chapter fifty one
"Ares you have a visitor" Eris interrupted Ares's reading in the living room.
Ares raised his face to meet his wife's eyes "A visitor?"
"It's me Ares" Geb stepped in.
"Geb!" Ares stood up immediately.
Geb came in and nodded his head at Ares "I need to talk to you"
Eris arched a thin brow and frowned at Ares who was now looking at her "Please leave us alone Eris"
Eris turned and closed the big doors behind her, but Ares could tell she wasn't happy with Geb's visit, she knew who he was and she knew the matter he wanted to talk to Ares had to do with Gaia.
"What can I do for you Geb?" Ares motioned Geb to sit, he followed later.
"I haven't heard from you since…" Ares trailed off.
"I need your help once again Ares" Geb said.
"It's been almost a year since that incident Geb why…?"
"She took the crystal with her" Geb interrupted.
Ares sighed. He knew that, he witnessed it himself when he went to confront her "I know…"
"You know? How?" Geb asked surprised.
"I saw her Geb" Ares confessed.
"You…when! Why!" Geb raised his voice.
"Geb…that was a long time now…" Ares stood up and walked away from the terran god "I can't see her again Geb, I can't…"
Geb stood up "Why not?"
"I can't hurt her anymore…I… I destroyed her home, turned my back on her…and hurt Obelix…I should have been there to help her instead of doing what I did. I confronted her and fought her…I can't Geb, I can't hurt her anymore…" Ares lowered his gaze.
"You are the God of War, that is your job!" Geb said.
"I can't hurt her anymore Geb" Ares said again.
"Why are you saying this?" Geb asked.
"Because I love her" Ares raised his face to look up at the terran god.
Geb remained silent. "You…"
"I've always loved her but I never confessed my feelings to her, when I was going to it was already too late…" Ares rubbed his face.
"Ares…" Geb trailed off.
"I acted out of rage, I was angry with myself…I was angry at her for not choosing me, I fell for Metallia's lies and did horrible things...but it's because I love her that I won't hurt her anymore" Ares sat down on a chair that was next to him.
Geb sighed "But…you married Eris"
"Because I realized Gaia wasn't going to come back, it wasn't going to be like before when I could look for her and talk for hours or help her train…I realized that the woman who was always there waiting for me when I was crazy trying to bring Gaia back was Eris…she didn't deserved what I was doing to her either, I'm trying to start a new life with her" Ares confessed.
"Ares…I didn't know any of this…" Geb lowered his gaze.
"She's beautiful Geb, more than before…she has matured" Ares said.
"Is…she…?" Geb couldn't find any more words.
"You need to see her" Ares said.
"I need to bring back the sacred crystal" Geb said.
"The crystal is more important than her?"
"You don't understand Ares…she…"
"She's expecting a child Geb" Ares interrupted him.
Geb's eyes widened in shock "What?"
"You are going to be a grandfather…" Ares half smiled at him.
Geb lowered his gaze, tears threatened to fall "A child…she's having a mortal child…" he said.
"A child that has royal blood, a child that will change her life forever…that child is a miracle and you know it" Ares said.
"A child…" Geb whispered.
"Pleeeeeeeease Aurea, help me stand up!" Gaia laughed.
"No" the brunette maid shook her head in denial with her arms crossed.
"I just want to walk for a while!" Gaia said again between laughs.
"I don't trust you Gaia, you will go and try to sneak in the meeting Eros is having with the other kings" Aurea responded.
"What a kill joy you are" Gaia said playfully.
"Maybe I am" Aurea said holding her own laugh.
"Fine! I'll try to stand up on my own…baby help me stand up" Gaia said.
Aurea rolled her eyes and went to her side "Fine! I'll help you"
"You are a sweetheart" Gaia flashed a smile at her.
"Maybe I am" Aurea smiled. "How are you feeling?"
"Actually I'm feeling fine, heavy…but fine" Gaia said.
"You are not even that big" Aurea said.
"But I feel huge" Gaia answered.
A knock was heard on the door. "Maybe is Obelix" Gaia said softly while combing her hair.
"I'll go open" Aurea walked towards the door and opened revealing Leonidas standing outside.
"Leonidas! Is something wrong?"
Leonidas smiled "No, His Majesty asked me to come and see if Her Majesty was awake"
Aurea made a funny face "Pfff…awake? She's ready to go out"
Leonidas laughed "She's something special"
"She truly is…" Aurea sighed.
"Can I come in?" Leonidas asked.
"Yes, of course" she stepped aside and let the general come in.
"Your Majesty"
Gaia turned to see Leonidas and smiled "Ah! Leonidas!"
"How are you feeling?" Leonidas asked.
"Fine, fine" she waved her hand.
"Eros asked me to come and see if you were awake to come and join us to dinner in one of the gardens in honor of our guests" Leonidas said.
"Why, of course, baby and I are very hungry" Gaia rubbed her belly.
"Yes, yes… more than hungry you want to know what's happening over there" Aurea interrupted.
Gaia rolled her eyes "That too"
Leonidas laughed "I'll escort you to the gardens" he offered his arm to her and she took it happily.
Serenity was outside in the gardens waiting for her husband to come home, even though he said to her not to wait for him awake she still was worried and wanted to see him.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft voice. "Queen Serenity"
Serenity turned to see Luna standing there, her burgundy eyes filled with worry.
Serenity gave her a half smile "Good evening Luna, I thought you were asleep already"
"I couldn't sleep" the mauian girl lowered her gaze.
"It's late" Serenity said turning back to see the blue orb hanging in the sky.
"You miss her right?" Luna asked.
"Terribly" was only Serenity's response.
After a few minutes in deep silence the lunar queen broke the silence again "In moments like this, she would have been here giving some advice to me…"
"Advice?" Luna asked softly.
"She asked me when I got engaged if I really was in love with Athan… I remember her eyes staring at mine so serious, asking me if he loved me back…and I said yes. I said yes because I thought he loved me, when I got married I found out she left because she was feeling sad for being alone, for knowing things weren't going to be the same from now on…and I didn't listen, but now I know I was wrong…now I'm the one that needs her and misses her…" Serenity started to cry.
Luna came closer and hugged Serenity "I'm sure she misses you as well"
"I do not understand Luna! Why, why this is happening to me?" Serenity broke down into tears, she was desperate.
"Your Majesty…" Luna said sadly.
"I love him; I love my husband! why he doesn't love me back? What have I done wrong?" Serenity breathed between sobs.
"This shall pass Your Majesty…trust me" Luna held her queen in a tight embrace; this surprised Serenity and realized she was exposing her heart to this young woman, her assistant that became a very close friend.
Serenity half smiled "Thank you…Luna"
"I must return to the palace" Athan said.
"To your wife whom you don't love, by the way" Neherenia said.
Athan sighed and ran a hand through his blonde hair. "Who told you I didn't love her?"
"From the moment you appeared here looking for me" Neherenia caressed his cheek with her lips.
"Stop it…" Athan stood up from the bed where he was sitting.
"Now you stop me? After you came here seeking for love? I can give you the heir you want Athan, remember that" Neherenia said.
Athan turned to look at her astonished "You are Serenity's cousin…I coul…" he trailed off.
"I'm Serenity's dark side…if we are cousins or not, nobody seems to care. I'm more beautiful than her… more mature, I can proudly wear the silver crown…" she tried to kiss Athan again but he moved away.
"I have to go…" he walked away.
Neherenia's blood boiled in rage, how could he ditch her like that? But after a few seconds she regained her posture again, a devilish smile plastered on her lips "But I have you eating from my hand…my spell is working well, soon, dear Serenity I'll be the most beautiful…the most powerful…and of course, I'll wear your crown" she laughed.
Gaia and Leonidas appeared in the gardens where the kings where having drinks and waiting for her to have dinner. This was a moment to celebrate, even King Odell was there celebrating alongside Queen Narella.
The gardens were lightened with candles and torches, a long dining table with a rich red table cloth was in the center of the court, delicate silver ware was placed alongside the long table, small candles were placed as a centerpiece, the intention was to keep the place as lightened as possible and with no distractions and of course without looking tacky or old.
Gaia appeared with a long very dark blue dress with long sleeves, her dark hair was styled in a low bun; her favorite emeralds comb was on the side of her bun gleaming in the light of the candles. Her makeup was subtle, a soft pink gloss on her lips and a peachy shade on her cheeks. Her eyes had a shimmery light shadow that made her green eyes look more delicate. Beautiful as always.
The kings stood up when they saw her coming closer and nodded their heads in respect. She smiled.
"Bonam Noctem Your Majesties" she nodded her head in respect as well.
"Good evening Queen Gaia" they said in unison.
"I'm so happy to see you all here, it's a wonderful surprise!" Gaia smiled at the gentlemen.
"We couldn't let this great opportunity escape, Your Majesty" King Bernard said.
Eros walked to join her side and kissed the top of her head softly "I'm glad you came" he whispered.
"The baby and I are starving" she chuckled "And I wanted to see you…"
"I wanted to see you too, my beautiful Dea" Eros kissed her softly on the cheek.
"Oy! Leave the romantic moments for later!" King Urmanus joked with the couple.
For the very first time, the kings brought their wives with them to this dinner party and visiting.
King Bernard's wife Camila was slightly chubby, her skin was a soft tan color, her light brown hair was styled up in a high bun, Her eyes had an almond shape and were brown. Her lips were small and looked like a heart every time she pouted her lips. Her dark red dress accentuated her curves. It was a pretty woman and was actually very kind, kind like the king himself.
King Urmanus's wife Eloisa, was tall and slender. She had long straight dark blonde hair, her skin was pale. Queen Eloisa wasn't very pretty but her character made her a very graceful woman, her hair was thin and if she didn't had a low ponytail her hair probably would have been covering her face, her eyes were big and light brown, her mouth was a thin line, her nose was slightly large, but that didn't seem to bother her or her husband. She was calmer, but she too was nice and friendly.
Gaia understood why Kind Isra was a cold man most of the time, his wife Asún passed away almost two years ago and he still was mourning his loss. For what the other queens said, Asún was Isra's match in every way, he was the one with the temper while she was the sweetest woman ever, he was tall and she was short, he had a strong voice and hers was almost like a whisper. They were complete opposites and many people believed that was the main reason of their strong bond. They loved each other very, very much.
"Do you know already when is going to be your due date?" Queen Eloisa asked Gaia, a smile on her face.
"Well…the doctor said that in two or even maybe three more weeks" Gaia commented.
"Are you excited?" Queen Camila asked this time.
"Excited and extremely nervous" Gaia chuckled.
"Oh…you'll be fine!" Eloisa waved her hand.
"I remember when I had my child…the moment when you finally meet that bundle of joy you carried inside you for nine months is priceless, I remember seeing Bernard crying" Queen Camila said.
"When I had Argos, time seemed to stop…it's a very emotional moment" Queen Eloisa said.
"When Eros was born, I remember it was pouring, the doctor couldn't get here because of the terrible weather, when I thought I couldn't handle it anymore the doctor arrived just in time to help us. But, once I saw him in my arms…everything seemed to vanish, the bad weather, the pain I felt…everything, it was just a moment between the baby and myself" Queen Narella said.
"Now I'm feeling more nervous than before" Gaia joked.
"No! why?" Camila asked.
"Because…what if...my baby doesn't like me? What if my baby doesn't love me?" Gaia said.
"That will never happen dear" Queen Narella said, the other two queens nodded their heads in agreement.
"A mother is god to the eyes of a baby" Queen Eloisa said.
Gaia smiled. "Thank you"
"I can tell King Eros is excited as well" Queen Camila said.
Gaia chuckled. "Excited and nervous as well"
"I too want to meet my grandchild!" Queen Narella smiled.
Gaia lowered her face and placed her hands on her large baby bump and smiled. "I can't wait to meet you too, baby love" she thought.
A/N: And we are getting closer to the end of season one of Divinity. As always I'm glad to read your reviews...thank you for continuing this new adventure for me and stay tunned for the next update :)
we already know that I don't own sm, just the plot and some of the characters.