Time slipped by, turning into months in the blink of an eye.
The weather grew colder, and the situation in Eryxis's kingdom became increasingly difficult, but none of this affected Demeter in the palace, whose life remained as usual.
Although the stores of food were running low, King Cleius, even while reducing his own expenses, did not cut back on Moira's meals, so the goddess noticed no particular changes.
In such times, she didn't need to worry about any troubling matters. Demeter simply followed her own rhythm, applying the sacred food to the Little Prince during the day and burning him with ritual fire at night.
The flames consumed Demophon's original flesh and bones, and the vitality brought by the sacred food allowed new ones to grow continuously. The goddess's ritual was going very smoothly; apart from causing her some fatigue, there was nothing undesirable.
