6

Queen Miraene was what you’d call a mother bear. She was a perfect example of one, but kept in under a cool and calm façade. She was extremely protective of her home and children; the most being Daimon.

Being the only male child the gods gave to her, Miraene always did placed Daimon’s needs before any others. She was so overprotective of him that when her husband planned to betroth him when he was nine years of age to Lord’s daughter without her or Daimon’s consent, hell was raised in the palace for a week. She wanted her son to marry for love, unlike his parents.

Dhimitrios never loved her, and neither did she. Their marriage was arranged by their fathers; when she was just the ripe age of thirteen and he twenty-six. Dhimitrios, like his son, wasn’t ready to be wedded. But due to his father’s failing health, and being the only child of his parents; he was betrothed to Miraene; the only child and daughter of the King’s Right Hand man. By the heavens, they couldn’t even stand each other in the beginning. Miraene’s hatred for everyone for taking away her right to choose was so great that in the end, she poisoned her father a year after her marriage, and later killed the king, her late father in law, a year after she got rid of her father permanently. She almost killed Dhimitrios, but then came Daimon.

Miraene gave birth to Daimon when she was at the age of fifteen, a year after she disposed of the previous king. Dhimitrios couldn’t touch someone he knew was younger than him, but at last, he couldn’t prevent the inevitably. It felt like rape to her more than anything; seeing as the previous king and a few others were there to see to the bedding. Gods above was that mortifying! Even up till now, she still felt angry and embarrassed that old bastards saw her young, naked body, and gave advice to Dhimitrios on what to do. In the end, they all got what they deserved; and she really hope that Hades had deposited their black souls into the deepest part of Tartarus.

She and her husband began to tolerate each other after his arrival. Before they knew it, they became friends. Five years later came Moragan, then a year later came Meraena; their miracle child. Her pregnancy with Moragan was complicated, and the Healers told her that it was impossible to have another child. But Meraena came; but at a horrible cost. She’s now barren. And now, she can rest in peace.

Together, she and Dhimitrios changed most of the laws of Grecia – getting roars of outrage from the hard headed traditionalists. Now, woman was able to choice who she wanted to marry; the age of consent and legality for women was now sixteen, although sadly, they couldn’t get it up to eighteen; and they could do so many things that they couldn’t do before.

Although they both had lovers, they were careful not to get them pregnant or get pregnant, seeing as if they break their betrothal contract, Hecate will descend on the guilty party.

It was due to her overprotective, albeit subtle, that she invited the love interest of her son, along with her father.

And by the gods, she was proud of her son’s choice.

When Herada Armstrong walked through that door, she was dazzled by her beauty; as well as the strong aura she exuded. She was dressed in a sleeveless, white dress which had two slits from the hip on both side, allowing her to walk freely. The dress hugged her body and also showed some cleavage. On both of her toned laps and biceps were well crafted golden bands, and on her neck are two necklaces; but one was hidden in the crack of her ample bosoms. Her pitch black hair was immaculately done up, with some wavy stands fanning her face. On her head, and holding her hair in one place, was a laurel crown, which was perfectly crafted from obsidian and garnet stones. Her eye lids were done with a perfect blend of dark green and black powder, which brought out her grey-jade eyes.

The woman was well-mannered, intelligent and kind too. The Lady hesitantly reveled that in her spare time, she traveled to the parts of Grecia which are having difficult time and helped the less privileged. Surprisingly, her mother was the one who built the brought up the idea of building Mordred’s House – which helps house the poor and homeless in less privilege parts of Grecia. The Royal Family has been donating to the cause – even though time and time again that they were informed that their money was not needed. Now she sees why.

When asked why she dealt with it personally, she replied, “It’s my mother’s legacy. I won’t let that legacy be forgotten. Her dream was to see that people get their happy ending and achieve their dreams; just like she did. And I’ll carry that touch passed to me by her and execute the race perfectly. Although my grandmother, Morgana has made so many offers to help, it is still my duty to take care of it all. Maybe one day, I might share the heavy burden with someone.” She ended with a shrug.

While she said all this, her father was looking at her with a proud, wide grin. And Miraene couldn’t fault the eccentric man. If she had a daughter like Herada, she would be proud too. But not that she’s ungrateful for her daughters, of course. But her girls have always lacked something each. And she couldn’t place her fingers on it.

Miraene was amazed by the compassion the woman had. Although aloof and cold, having a blank and flat look on her face; the black haired woman still go out of her way to help others in need. Unlike most of the people in Athens.

Herada’s demeanor may be cold, and she comes off have having no interest in anything; but by the gods, she is a smart woman. A prodigy; just like her Moragan.

When she went head to head with her eldest daughter in a political debate, Miraene was shell shocked that not only did she surpass Mora in knowledge, but she countered her points with well detailed points of her own. Mora herself looked amazed, and that made her gain a point in the eighteen years old book. Even Mera was in awe of her knowledge, and she grinned wolfishly when she countered her know-it-all sisters so called facts.

It was when Meraena decided to run off her mouth unnecessarily that Miraene found out that Herada was a type of woman who doesn’t tolerate rubbish. She wasn’t afraid to rip you a new one; ready to call one out when they started acting stupid. The way she handled Mera gave her another point in hers and Mora’s book.

All in all, dinner with the Armstrong Heiress and her father went well. Miraene and Moragan enjoyed talking to her. Their conversation was filled with light hearted talks or theories. Rihardos inputed his opinions now and the, but he was mostly focused on beaming and staring at his daughter with pride. Mera just looked at them with a light displeased frown, silent after Herada chastised her.

Unfortunately, the dinner came to an end. The three royal women, along with their handmaidens, escorted father and daughter out. Rihardos got into a carriage, while Herada got on her house. Without hesitation, the woman replied to Mera’s question of why she brought a horse and not enter a carriage with her father.

“I’m heading over to the Temple of my Patron God, Hades, to pray and pay my usual visitation to my surrogate mother.”

Mera’s face twisted a little at the reminder that Herada was in fact a follower of Hades. Herada just gave her a flat look, a cold look in her eyes. She just promptly dismissed the young Princess. Miraene and Mora’s respect for her increased. Herada was proud of her faith, not caring for the reaction or opinions of others.

With a bow of her head, Herada majestically galloped away. Rihardos also gave a bow of his head, a hand on his chest, before entering the carriage and leaving the palace ground.

Miraene and Moragan glanced at each other with a certain look on their faces, getting a suspicious look from Meraena.

It’s decided then. Daimon was definitely marrying Herada. And they were definitely going to help. When their minds flashed back to the stoic and regal woman, one thing was clear to them:

Their mission wasn’t going to be easy at all.