Episode 11

Teris

"Uh...Little help here?" My back was turned to her as she was getting into a gown I had instructed her to. Her chief maiden was here with a couple of other maids to help her out.

She had been acting weirdly all morning. She was being nice. Too nice. Perhaps,my words had gotten to her last night. Or it could be that she needed something. Either ways,it would not pass me by.

I heard her groan and I was tempted to see why but she had specifically said not to turn around.

"This is not necessary. I can't wear these horrifying things. I can't even breath in them. Could you please help me out of them? Please?" She pleaded. I found it weird that she would actually plead with a maid. The consorts in the palace took little or no time in bossing their maids around and this one seemed to be making acquaintances.

I turned around and gazed upon her,neglecting her instructions. I could not deny the fact that she looked very stunning in the lilac gown that hugged the upper half of her body very tightly. Her cleavage was slightly exposed and she did not seem very comfortable with it.

On sensing my eyes on her,she embraced her chest immediately, trying to hide her exposed cleavage. I bit down on my lip as I tried hard not to laugh. There was distrust in her golden eyes that seemed to sparkle this morning.

She embraced herself even tighter,causing the maids to look between two of us.

"Lady Madge,you may leave us now." I said and she nodded. Herself and the maids curtsied and left the room.

"Umm...S...Teris." She said. Something in me twisted. I did like the sound of my name on her tongue but the fact that she had shown no respect made me somewhat annoyed.

"King Teris." I said and a frown etched on her forehead.

"Bringing me here and feigning so much care will not change my perception about you. You still remain no king of mine."

Her words were like a thousand needles,jabbing at the same point. It infuriated me.

"I want to see Eos. I will be leaving to see him soon. Do well to tell your knights not to stand in my way."

My lips lifted at its corner as I smirked. That was why she was being so nice.

"You are not leaving these grounds,Persephone." I said and her face turned red. "I was not asking Teris. I am going to see my brother. I do not need to seek your permission to do the things I want to. I repeat. You are not my king. You can not order me around." As she spoke,she glared daggers at me.

"I explained these things to you. You can not leave this walls. I can not protect you and my child outside these walls. Though it seemed like the storm has been calmed but I assure you it has not. This is not about you anymore. It is about my child. My heir. It did not start with you either. Bearing my heir alone has put you in danger and..."

"Your reasons do not change my mind. I am going to see my Eos."

Heavens know I have never met anyone as stubborn as she was. Why did she not understand? I was not about to let her leave my sight.

"You will not leave these grounds and that is final." I said sternly.

Her frown deepened even more and she grew even angrier.

"I want to see my brother Teris. I miss Eos. I need to see him and you are not letting me. Why? Who says you can tell me what to do?You have no right whatsoever over me Teris. "

"Oh,I do now. As far as everyone knows,you are my consort. You know what that means? You are mine. I have every right over. Every. I own everything that is yours. You need my permission for every step you want to take. You even need my permission to breathe. Why? You are mine Persephone. Mine."

Her jaw clenched and I saw a slight sparkle in her eyes. Her eyes watered as she looked at me with resent.

"You ruined my life and brought me here...as what?Your stupid consort? " She cried.

"I pretty much made it better. I gave you a home. No. A huge castle. Would you rather keep begging on the streets like you were born to?" I said with a coy smile on my face. I did not mean the words I said but I could not help the way they came out.

She clenched her fist tightly and hit me across the face making my face turn to the side. "You knew that before you took advantage of me!" She screamed. She hit me. I was the king. Who in the lands was she to raise her hand to me?

I slowly turned to look at her with blazing anger but her look mirrored mine as anger flashed in her golden eyes.

"You will not treat your King that way!"i shouted at her with burning rage.

She shook my head and a tear slipped down her porcelain cheek,dissolving my anger immediately. I had hurt her once again without even realizing. A sob escaped her lips as she shook her head again.

" No. You are no King to me. You are a bastard." She sobbed.

Her words crushed me.

"Persephone... I..."

"Get out."She said and turned away from me. I moved further and touched her shoulder. She squirmed slightly under my touch and I withdrew immediately. She was not comfortable under my touch and I understood.

I turned away from her and headed to the door. On reaching it,I looked back one last time. She moved slightly and I took that she was sobbing. It was for her sake. My child's sake. I really could not let her out.

★★★★★★★★

Persephone

I slipped out of my chambers quietly and on my toes with the hopes of not calling any attention. For the same reason I did not put on shoes. I closed the door slowly so it would not creak. Tiptoeing on the hallways was not a very nice experience for me as I had never walked in pants before. Yes pants and a tunic. I could not find any comfortable dress in my wardrobe so I had stolen... or rather grabbed Teris' clothes.

I heard footsteps somewhere behind me. Very heavy footsteps...or rather marching. The knights were approaching. I ran on instinct and rounded the familiar hallway. I was not yet familiar with these corners as every corner looked alike.

I looked backwards and forward as I ran. Until I reached a vast room. Very huge. There were beautifully decorated chairs in the middle of the room,arranged in a straight line,with women sitted on them. I gasped when I realized where I was. The Court. The Court was where the consorts underwent their trainings and they were all here!

I turned around hastily as they had not noticed me yet and I began walking out before I bumped into someone.

"I am so sorry." I was saying before I looked up.

My eyes met blue angry eyes that resembled Teris'. Her blonde hair was packed up in a tight bun that did not leave a single strand out. She had defined cheekbones and a rather small nose that I would have squeezed if she were not looking so stern. Her lips were painted purple,matching the purple velvet dress she wore. Her left eyebrow went up as she stared down at me. She was an epitome of great beauty. The Queen mother herself.

"Where are you running to if I may ask?" She said and her voice seemed even harder than her face.

I gulped. "Running away in man's clothing,Miss Aeschylus?" She asked and my heart skipped a bit when I heard my father's name. My jaw went slack unconsciously.

"Women in the palace do not drool,Miss Aeschylus."

Drool? I lifted my hands to my lips and I did not feel any bit of saliva. Oh. I was supposed to close my mouth.

"How did you..." I drifted off.

"You honestly think I would not find out about the woman who suddenly walks into my home I have sustained for years and claims her bastard child is my son's? You must think of me a fool."

I looked away from her as I did not want to disrespect her by replying her with the words that danced on my tongue. My mother taught me good manners and also taught me to stand up for myself I someone was trying to belittle me. Staying and mingling with the people on the streets of Avalor honed the latter ability.

"Did your Father teach you such things? Oh no. It must have been your mother as she was fond of attracting other people's husbands'." She said, her eyes brimming with fury.

Confusion set in. Did she know my mother? What did she mean by that?

"I do not understand your words,your Majesty." I said.

"Do not act innocent with me,Miss Aeschylus. I will not be fooled. I have dealt with your kind severally. As a matter of fact,I am surprised. After all her talks of integrity, Elpis ended up leading her daughter into prostitution."

Oh she definitely knew my mother and she was standing before me, speaking ill of her. I clenched my fists.

"Do not take my mother's name. My mother taught me well but apparently, you did not teach your son well. You probably taught him how dignifying it was to go about taking advantage of innocent women!" I shouted and gasps followed afterwards.

Her jaw clenched.

"How dare you?!" She said and hit me across my cheek. The impact turned made my head tilt forcefully and my head spun for a few seconds.

"I am Queen Hera . No one talks to me in such a manner. "

I turned to look her in the eye slowly. She was hurt. I could see hurt in her eyes. There was something else there. Something I recognized as insecurity.

That was not something I expected to see in a noble. What was it that made her insecure? Myself or my mother?

I was going to push further to get to the bottom of it.

Pulling a solemn look on my face,I proceeded.

"It does not really matter now, does it? Do you feel any better pointing fingers at me because of your very own fear? I did nothing wrong your Majesty. My words might have come out rude but I do not feel I said the wrong thing. What you feel now is what I felt when you insulted myself,my child and my parents. What exactly have I done to deserve such treatment from you?" I asked softly.

She looked up and I saw a stoic look on her face.

"You are the daughter of that woman. That is your crime and I swear on my children's lives you will suffer." She said and walked past me,hitting my shoulder as she did.

I staggered slightly and lost my footing for a couple of seconds before someone held my shoulder and stabilized me.

"Easy there,little one." I looked up and my breath got stuck in my lungs.

The King. The King. That King. The very one that took everything from myself and Eos.

"Why do you look like you're seeing a ghost?" He said playfully. His green eyes brightened up when he laughed.

He was a very handsome man who age did not seem to catch up with. He seemed carefree enough. One would never accept there was a tyrant behind that playful smile.

I looked away from his face and stared at the ground as a sign of respect. If only I really did.

"It-it is nothing your Majesty." I faked a stammer and sounded as polite as I could.

I suddenly felt his hand on my cheek and I looked up to give him a questioning look. The smile was still on his face as he caressed my cheek. I found it very awkward.

"You are a very beautiful woman with good character too. I consider Teris lucky to have you." He said and I felt red creep into my cheek. It was not a blush. I felt slightly embarrassed. Everyone could hear him and here I was trying not to call attention to myself. His hand dropped from my face.

The smile on his face was suddenly replaced with amusement. He looked down at my clothes and chuckled.

"Trying to run away,eh?" He laughed.

More red crept into my cheek and I looked away.

"Come. Teris has something for you." He said and turned away,motioning me to follow him. I dared one look back and heavens,if looks could kill,I would be meat.

I followed him and just as we rounded the corner, I heard someone scream my name. It was the most beautiful sound I'd heard in a while. I turned to my right and I saw him there,running towards me. My joy. My happiness. My heart. My Eos.

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