While everyone fell over themselves to admire lilies, I adored the red anemones. They hide themselves so deep with the flamboyant shade of red and has to be coaxed by the spring to its acme. Isn't that what love does to a person!?
- Diary Of Ophelia
Yes, the whole journey was over in a flash without them knowing it. Zeus had readily narrated the story for this particular reason. He had guessed that the Young Prince was in pain but was not going to admit due to his sense of duty and pride. Forcing him to have medical care at the site of battle itself would have been impossible because that would hurt his pride. And a future-king ought have a decent amount of pride and sense of duty. Zeus found nothing wrong with it. So the story about how his daughter came to be the best sword wielder in their country was narrated to them. And the Prince was so interested in the story that he had been ignorant of his pain for the time it took to reach the palace. Mission accomplished!
The Crown Prince himself was surprised. And he was so curious about why giving someone a set of swords can give rise to gossip. But since asking that at present would be disrespectful to the king, he reined in his curiosity.
"Yes, Your Highness." Jason said and entered the palace with the King. Lieutenant Andreas followed close behind after having given the necessary instructions to the soldiers.
The King was greeted by the Prime Minister Dionysus. He was already drunk, which was clear from his overly red cheeks, but stood straight without swaying.
"All well, Dionysus?" Zeus asked.
" Yes, My Lord."
"Here, meet the Crown Prince of the Isles of Apollo, Jason." Zeus introduced.
"Prime Minister Dionysus." Jason gave a nod with a slight smile.
"Crown Prince Jason." Dionysus gave a small bow with a wide smile.
" Where is my wife and children, Dionysus?"
"At the banquet, My Lord." Dionysus replied.
"We'll get going then." Zeus said and made his way towards his beloved wife and children.
Jason followed the King but left a distance between them. He was sure that the King would like to have some time to tell about the incidents to the Queen.
"I'm back dear." Zeus gave a huge smile to Danaë.
"How's our daughter, Zeus? Is she okay?" Her words were tinged heavily with worry.
"Oh yes. She is. Don't worry. She must have reached the palace by now. Barak was with her. Didn't they inform you? Well, then they must have informed Epione. Where is she?" He looked around for his second daughter. She was nowhere to be found. "As I thought. She's not here. She must have gone to tend to Sia. And calm down dearest. Epione is the best healer in our country after you. She'll handle it. We've got guests to see to. We can't shirk our responsibilities." Zeus tried to console his wife.
"I know dear. It's just that I heard her opponent was someone better than her in the art of swords."
" Well, I don't know about that. But it's clear that she had met her match. In more ways than one. And to think that the whole thing stemmed from a misunderstanding. Prince Jason has more wounds on him than our daughter, I presume. He seems the noble type. According to him, Sia is a young lad. He was careful to not hurt the 'kid', I believe."
"Kid?" Danaë asked incredulously.
"That's what I heard him call her." Zeus said with a twinkle in his eyes. "Well, she was in her Perseus Avatar and you have to admit that she's not as tall as an average male. Obviously Crown Prince Jason took her to be a kid."
"That must have ignited the volcano of anger in our daughter." Danaë had a hard time holding her laughter in. "Well, as long as she is fine."
"Well, where is the birthday girl?"
"She is righ....Oh no. There. Near the ritual fire." The Queen said with panic evident in her voice. They were aware of Thea's fascination with fire.
"Princess Thea, would you like to see the present I've brought you?" Jason had reached by her side and had knelt down to talk to her.
Thea was successfully diverted from the beauty of the raging fire.
She revealed a sweet smile, "Yes, but who are you?"
"Oh, pardon me Princess." He stood up and bowed to her while saying, " Prince Jason at your service."
Thea laughed out with glee and asked him with her hands held out, "Where is my present?"
" I heard a certain someone is fond of flowers." Jason took a big bouquet of sunflowers from Andreas and knelt down again to present it to Thea. She was so happy that her face was shining like a sunflower.
" Is that all for me?" She asked with wide eyes.
" It's for the birthday girl. Aren't you the one?" Jason said with amusement. "Happy Birthday, Princess." He offered the bouquet to her again.
She grabbed it with two hands and admired for a second and then turned to Jason to give him a bright happy smile. "Thank you, Brother."
Jason was stunned for a moment. He was taken back into his memories when his little sister was of this age. He shook himself out of the reverie soon. "You are welcome."
Thea continued to beam at him with the bouquet of sunflowers held tight in her grasp. The King and Queen was watching it all with a fond smile. They now came to them and Thea showed them her treasure with pleasure, "Mama, Papa aren't they beautiful?"
"Yes, they are sweetheart." Danaë said with a smile.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Crown Prince Jason."
"Your Highness." Jason bowed.
"I think it's high time you had your wounds treated, Crown Prince Jason." Danaë said in a stern tone.
" Thank you for your concern, Your Highness." Jason said with a warm smile. "But I'm perfectly al...," He swayed on his feet and Andreas was quick to hold him steady. He attempted to reassure them about his state but failed to do so.
"Quick, take him into the healing facility." She instructed Andreas and instructed two soldiers to help support Jaison. "Alec, show them the way. I'll be there right away." She then turned to Thea who was looking on at the fading form of Jaison with worry. "Is brother okay, Mama?"
"Oh yes, sweetheart. He is a bit hurt and I'm going to heal him now. Want to come with me?"
"Yes, Mama."
"Zeus, I'll see what I can do. You should have taken him to the healing facility as soon as you reached the palace."
"You think he'll allow himself to be taken for healing before he had done his duty?' Zeus asked his wife in a resigned tone.
"You males and your big stupid egos." She muttered with exasperation. "I'll get going then."
"I'll join you soon, dear."
Thea followed her mother, the bouquets of sunflowers hugged to her chest.
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