The Language of Stars (1)

Erithea stepped on her bare feet with a little tiptoe. She passed through the freshly mowed grass, spreading the fresh scent she liked. It was a full moon and even though it was quite late— Erithea felt that the atmosphere was still alive and well.

The beauty of the Milky Way galaxy hypnotizes her. Erithea smiled as she subconsciously lifted her head to the sky to admire the millions of stars that seemed to be staring and blinking at her. When she saw the stars, Erithea did not feel alone. She knew that each of them was millions of light years from Earth. But Erithea always felt that the constellation of stars in the sky was a romantic thing.

"Careful," Apollo wrapped his arms around her waist, as the distracted Erithea— almost fell into the lake.

"Oh thank you," said Erithea embarrassed.

"I'm too easily distracted by the clear, starry night sky," said Erithea.

Apollo took her to an artificial pond in his palace. The area was located higher than any other place within the palace complex. No tall, dense trees in close proximity. But during the day, the place will remain shady because of the lush trees and flower gardens around there.

"You like stargazing?" Apollo asked.

"I admire their beauty, they are mysterious and friendly at the same time. They are more beautiful than a string of pearls and more alluring than a swarm of fireflies. But that doesn't mean I memorized their names," Erithea confessed.

Apollo asked her to sit down and dipped her feet in the lake. The artificial lake was quite extensive and well cared for. The water was clear and Erithea could see golden fish swimming towards her feet. The shimmering light of the stars and the moon was also reflected well, creating a beauty that spoils the eyes.

"I seem to have forgotten all my troubles by being here," Erithea muttered after taking a deep breath.

Apollo chuckled.

"How much trouble does a girl your age have?"

"You're a prince, you know what it's like to be demanded to never let our parents down,"

Apollo scratched his chin as if in thought.

"I don't know, I can't remember the last time I felt that way. So what exactly are they asking of you?"

"Being the prettiest princess of the Titan race, I shouldn't even be able to carelessly smile..my father said, ordinary Titans let alone humans don't deserve to see my smile," said Erithea.

"Oh my gosh, that's shameful, my father was so exaggerating and I can't remember the last time I went out into the field at night to look at the stars," she continued.

"But you're here now," Apollo stared at her intently, Erithea stared at him for a while before finally turning her face a little awkwardly.

"You can laugh all you want, no one will criticize you here. You can even try to laugh like a cyclops," Apollo said again. Erithea momentarily imagined what it would be like when a Cyclops monster laughed? She had never seen one so she imagined a Cyclops laughing like the knights guarding her palace. Only that they did it while holding their huge bellies shaking like gelatin.

Erithea couldn't hold back her laughter, she released it while occasionally covering her mouth. Even though it was too ridiculous for her, she couldn't help but shake her shoulders.

Apollo stunned, she was even more charming when laughing like that.

"So, princess Erithea, why are you so adamant about being a follower of Artemis?" Apollo asked again. He had never really heard of a reason. He only knew that the girl wanted to become a follower of Artemis. Apollo considered it unworthy of her. However, this time he would try to open his mind. If she had a good reason— Apollo would support her.

"I— Kairos forced me to marry someone I didn't like," said Erithea quietly. She still hides the fact about her being wanted to be Zeus' concubine.

"You didn't like it that much, to the point where you decided to be a virgin forever?" Apollo spoke with a slight scratch on his neck.

"I really don't want to marry him."

"Is he less handsome, less powerful or—"

"Oh, I don't care about any of that. I just really hate the thought of being his wife," Erithea shook her head vigorously.

"But, Erithea. you are an Immortal, you can try to live this marriage, then separate. Maybe one day you will meet someone you like. When divorced, the Titan woman is more free to choose her new husband," Apollo said.

"Ah, sorry, I didn't mean to be insensitive or anything. I just want to say that there are many solutions to your problem. There is no need to be a follower of a goddess. Because it's a serious job with a long term commitment. I think Kairos will be against it too."

Erithea smiled at him, it couldn't be that easy. When she became Zeus's concubine, the king would not let her go easily. Even if he got bored and left her—the queen Hera would make her as the queen's mortal enemy. She was famous for making sure her husband's mistresses live miserable lives. That's why most women didn't dare to deal with Zeus.

He simply pressed a few buttons on his communication device, he could immediately notify Artemis if her potential followers were in his palace. But Apollo always put it off. He wanted to be with Erithea a little longer.