**Nicko's POV:**
After this ceremony, my lady Jewel will be taken across the lands of Greece, Turkey, and throughout Eurasia (Europe and Asia) as the wife of King Agamemnon.
I looked at her face, filled with courage and determination, recalling that just a few hours ago, she was a damsel in distress...
I managed to convince her to marry King Agamemnon for the safety and prosperity of Dardania. I shared the story and the lesson from "The Olympian Love Triangle":
Aphrodite married Hephaestus but secretly had an affair with Ares, the most brutal of gods.
In this situation, my lady Jewel agreed to marry King Agamemnon for the sake of the kingdom, but she secretly vowed to continue searching for true love without King Agamemnon's knowledge...
**Flashback:**
**Gema:** Nicko, I don't understand...
**Nicko:** This is a story of love and betrayal, my lady.
**Gema:** I know, Nicko, but why are you telling this to me?
**Nicko:** Because, like you, Aphrodite married Hephaestus against her will.
**Gema:** And you want me to experience the same fate as Aphrodite?
**Nicko:** No, my lady. I want you to learn from it.
**Gema:** ...?
**Nicko:** You see, Aphrodite did not comply with Zeus' request; rather, she was forced by Hera.
**Gema:** But how? How did Hera manage to force Aphrodite to marry Hephaestus?
**Nicko:** Simple. Hera knew Aphrodite's secret and used it to blackmail her. This was also her perfect opportunity for revenge after Paris awarded Aphrodite for being fairer than her, and to avenge her son Hephaestus by tricking her into sitting on his "Golden Throne."
**Gema:** Aphrodite's secret?
**Nicko:** Aphrodite was the offspring of Dione and Zeus.
**Gema:** Aphrodite was the daughter of Dione? But you said that Uranus dripped blood onto Gaia, and Aphrodite sprang from the foam of the sea?
**Nicko:** To this day, the exact origins of Aphrodite remain mysterious. Legends say that, unbeknownst to Zeus, she pretended to have emerged fully formed and stunningly attractive from the foam of the sea.
**Gema:** Tell me, Nicko, what is the significance of this secret about Aphrodite?
**Nicko:** Dione is said to be a sea goddess...
As my lady Jewel paused in shock, I continued with the lesson she could glean from "The Olympian Love Triangle":
While married to Hephaestus, Aphrodite continued to seek love behind his back. She embarked on a passionate affair with Ares, the god of war, and they shared many joyous encounters, which, in turn, provoked Hephaestus.
Just like his mother Hera, Hephaestus showed no mercy to Aphrodite's lovers.
One day, he asked Helios to spy on Aphrodite and Ares, and they managed to catch them in the act of making out.
In his anger at his wife's betrayal and his brother's trickery, Hephaestus crafted a divine net to trap them.
He then revealed their predicament to the other gods, who laughed at their embarrassment.
**Gema:** What lesson can I learn from this story, Nicko?
**Nicko:** Forgive me, my lady, but there is nothing for you to do but accept your fate as queen of Dardania, and like Aphrodite, hold no love for King Agamemnon.
**Gema:** But the ending is tragic; I don't want to end up like her!
I cut her off, discussing the possible consequences, and covered her lips with my finger.
**Nicko:** King Agamemnon doesn't have to...
My lady Jewel thought for a moment, and while she pondered, I attempted to break the silence and asked,
**Nicko:** So, are you with me on this, my lady?
I extended my hand to her, and she took it, saying,
**Gema:** Yes, I am with you.
**End of Flashback:**
After the ceremony, I went to my lady Jewel’s room. Although she was now recognized as a true woman, I believed that my reason for staying was to fulfill my obligations as a royal servant.
Her journey as an elegant queen was still unfolding.
This was the only way I could think to maintain contact with my lady.
As I entered Jewel’s room, filled with dressers and busy servants, she demanded privacy for her tutorial.
Immediately, her servants complied with her request.
**Gema:** It’s as if it’s only you and me now, Nicko...
**Nicko:** So, where did we leave off, my lady?
**Gema:** Do you think I’ve already forgotten, Nicko?
**Nicko:** About what, my lady?
**Gema:** Aphrodite’s secret.
You caught me there, my lady...
**Nicko:** The prophecy states that "a sea goddess will bear children greater than their sire." After the birth of the firstborn, a girl—clearly Aphrodite—there will soon come a son who could overthrow his father.
**Gema:** O.O?
