**Nicko's POV:**
A week after my lady's marriage, I feel proud of her success, her swift recovery, and her talent for deception, skillfully hiding her true feelings from King Agamemnon.
On the night after her wedding, she spoke with King Agamemnon, asking him to respect her maidenhood, promising that she would give her virginity when she was ready.
She also reassured King Zircon that everything would be alright and that he need not worry about the secret marriage.
I arrived at my lady's room and found her facing the mirror.
**Gema:** Nicko? I've been expecting you.
My lady said while brushing her hair.
**Nicko:** Waiting for me, my lady?
**Gema:** So, what's our next lesson?
**Nicko:** Take a close look at this.
My lady stopped brushing her hair and turned to me, her eyes lighting up as she grabbed what I was presenting to her.
**Gema:** Wow! What is this, Nicko?
**Nicko:** That, my lady, is an emerald, forged by Hephaestus, crafted by Hades, and beautified by Aphrodite.
**Gema:** I've never seen one before? Where did you get it?
**Nicko:** I brought it with me from the Far East before I came here to Dardania, my lady.
**Gema:** It's beautiful.
**Nicko:** Do you like it, my lady?
**Gema:** Yes! It's stunning.
**Nicko:** It is said that all kinds of crystals in the world are cursed by Hades. The emerald, however, has the ability to always reveal the truth.
**Gema:** Always reveal the truth?
**Nicko:** If you look at someone through it, you can see if they are hiding something or deceiving themselves. It is an item used to determine if someone is lying.
My lady then tried to use the emerald on me and said:
**Gema:** Nicko? You're glowing?
**Nicko:** Glowing?
**Gema:** Rays of light are shining around your outline. What does it mean?
I paused to think but couldn't come to a conclusion.
I've never looked through it myself before.
**Nicko:** That, my lady, I do not know.
My lady returned the emerald to me and asked:
**Gema:** So what does the emerald say about me, Nicko?
I smiled slightly and held the emerald up to my right eye while gazing at her.
**Nicko:** It suggests that you, my lady, wish to learn more about the legends of precious minerals.
**Gema:** Precious minerals?
**Nicko:** Yes, including metals, stones, crystals, and Jewel like you!
**Gema:** Ooh... is that so?
I managed a smile as I continued.
---
It is said that during Persephone's first days in the Underworld, she cried every day, begging Hades to return her to her mother, Demeter. Despite his affection for her, Hades feared losing Persephone. To prevent her departure, he tricked her into eating pomegranate seeds. Because she had tasted the food of the Underworld, she was obligated to spend a third of each year with Hades and the remainder with her mother, Demeter.
Each time Persephone returned to Hades, she felt sadness at leaving her mother behind. Recognizing her distress, Hades reached out to Zeus, who promised an oath by the River Styx:
"I swear an oath by the River Styx that everything I do from this day forward will be dedicated to bringing you happiness."
To honor this promise, all other gods in mouth Olympus devised a plan: all riches would be sent back to Hades as a tribute to Persephone.
Hades vowed to bestow all this wealth upon her in an effort to win her heart as the queen of the Underworld. With the help of Hephaestus, he crafted minerals and gemstones, which were fashioned by Aphrodite and delivered by Hermes through volcanoes.
Moved by Hades' efforts to save their marriage, Persephone eventually fell in love with him and decided to stay a little longer, half the year.
The once innocent child of maidenhood became the fearsome queen of the Underworld, ruling alongside Hades equal in power.
To solidify their bond, Aphrodite established a law that declared:
"Hades will seek no love from another, and Persephone will genuinely enjoy Hades' company."
---
**Mycenae's POV:**
As I walked along the hallway, I heard a conversation coming from the princess's room. Trying to sneak a peek, I caught sight of the Princess listening to Nicko's story.
I didn't hear the entirety of it, arriving just at the end, but it was clear they were enjoying each other's company.
**Gema:** That was beautiful, Nicko.
**Nicko:** Indeed, my lady.
Nicko was about to leave when the princess suddenly asked him to stay.
**Gema:** Aren't you taking this back with you, Nicko?
**Nicko:** No, my lady. That was my present for you, which I didn't manage to give due to unforeseen circumstances.
I saw the princess smile as she gazed at the green stone in her hand.
**Gema:** Nicko?
**Nicko:** Yes, my lady?
**Gema:** Please! Stay here for a while, with me.
**Nicko:** Yes, my lady.
I raised an eyebrow and remarked:
**Mycenae:** How adorable...
