Unrest 11

"Huh?"

Artaxerxes, doubting his hearing, was taken aback by Themistocles' accusations.

"On what grounds can you claim such a thing?" Artaxerxes asked, shocked that Themistocles had drawn such a dramatic conclusion after hearing Artaxerxes confirm some rumors.

Themistocles, realizing he was speaking to a 7-year-old, decided to dumb things down, "Well you see, my Prince. When a handsome man and a pretty girl are attracted to one another..."

As Themistocles was about to go on about the birds and bees, Artaxerxes with a tick mark on his forehead yelled, "I know how lust works! I'm just finding it hard to believe a father would do something as irresponsible as sleeping with his son's wife!"

Nodding his head in understanding, Themistocles said, "That's understandable you find this hard to accept, my Prince."

"However, as a close aide to the king himself, I have a better understanding as to the king's habits and behaviors" Artaxerxes, hearing this, could only nod in acceptance. After all, the king spent most of his time among advisors and ministers of state. Not with his family.

Something that has caused a rift in the Achaemenid clan. Artaxerxes, exhausted from his earlier training, sat at a nearby bench, motioning for the standing Themistocles to continue, "Because of my close proximity with the King, I take particular notice of the women in the harem the king spends his time with, and recently the king has spent most of his time with one woman in particular."

"Though I'm unaware as to who she is, as the king has been issuing strict orders for his guards to stay quiet. However this only increased my suspicions, after all, the king is the most powerful man on earth. Why would he care what anyone thinks about who he spends his nights with?" As Themistocles spoke, pieces in the puzzle were coming together in Artaxerxes's mind.

"Mm, a valid point. Keep an eye on the king, Themistocles, if you have anything else, come to me straight away." Artaxerxes said, already thinking of the consequences this could have.

Internally, Artaxerxes mind was spinning, 'If only Hystaspes were here, then I could confide in him, and leave this entire mess on his shoulders.'

Hystsaspes had been sent to the satrapy of Bactria in order to learn basic administration, so he was away from the current capital of the empire, Susa. Themistocles, expressing his agreement, and performing a courtesy, dismissed himself and walked towards the inner palace.

Without anywhere to turn with these thoughts, Artaxerxes headed to the only person left he could find comfort in. Walking through the zigzagging corridors of the palace in Susa, Artaxerxes didn't even take notice of the elegant stone reliefs on the walls. Filled with magical beasts, and heroes, while glazed with every color on the spectrum.

Arrived at a stone door with mighty winged djinns carved on it, and flanked by guards. Artaxerxes entered uninterrupted. Opening the door he saw his mother, Amestris. Amestris had hardly aged at all in the 7 years he'd been on this earth. With the same tanned skin and elegant flowing brown hair, she truly was befitting being the most powerful woman on earth.

She was dressed in elaborate silks that cascaded down her body in a rippling wave. Even with her only ornament being a pair of golden ringed earrings, one couldn't mistake her for anything less than a queen.

The Queen's chambers were beautifully designed with columns supporting a wide terrace out the window and expertly carved motifs covering the walls. One could see the huge orange sun setting on the distant cosmic horizon.

Noticing Artaxerxes, Amestris smiled, "Arta! Done with your daily training already?" She said with a smile bending down and giving him a kiss on the forehead. Artaxerxes, nodding his head, responded, "Yes mother, I wonder if I could tell you something?"

Artaxerxes, when around his close family members, tends to act more childlike in order not to stand out so much and make himself a target. Acting mature in front of Themistocles was one thing, but his mother was another story entirely.

"Of course, what is it Arta?" Amestris asked, noticing Artaxerxes seemed worried.

"Well...Big brother Dariaios, came to me telling me that auntie Artaynte wasn't a good person..."

Amestris, taken aback by this topic coming out of left field decided to listen further. Noticing he had his mother's attention, Artaxerxes went on, "I was really confused, but then one day, I saw auntie Artaynte walking into Father's private suite when I was playing tag with sister Rhodo."

At this point in the dialogue, Amestris's eyes were wide, and she had already gotten a good idea of where this was going.

"And then...weird sounds started coming out of fathers room, that went like--"

"I think I understand Arta." Amestris hurriedly cut her son off, not wanting her confused son to imitate acts of pleasure.

Artaxerxes held his breath, watching to see how his mother would react to this, and oddly enough, she didn't seem too surprised!

'Please don't tell me she's already aware of the affair." Artaxerxes thought. But upon further contemplation, it made perfect sense that she knew. After all, Amestris was in charge of the harem, and by extension was aware of everything going on in the king's chambers.

"Mm, you were right to bring this to me Arta, it seems that ill have to have a talk with your father soon," Amestris said with a smile, though Arta could tell it wasn't one of her happy smiles, but rather the smile of a wife who was about to scold a husband.

Having done everything he could, Arta spoke with his mother a moment longer as to what he had learned recently and then left, his mind full of chaotic thoughts. Wondering what exactly he could do now...