Coulro

Epilogue: The One Who Walks On Stilts

I wasn't a huge fan of the light that poured in through the window. It was always a sickish, shade of violet. But, I enjoyed the accompanying orange blossoms of the sky. The only thing I really liked to do was to go on walks around the place.

The air smelled sweetly of cinnamon and powdered sugar. I loved it this way. It was always like this. Nothing ever came close to the comfort I felt here.

I would walk around and say hi to the neighbors some times. The women here were beautiful and their physiques were naturally gorgeous. They were always so respectful too.

They would address me as 'your highness' and call me 'my lady'. Occasionally, my salonists and three advisors: all ladies, would slither gracefully to me and speak to me of the musings of our king.

The park we lived in and claimed for ourselves was surrounded by abundant rivers. They gleaned with the beauty of life. Sparkled water shined with freshness and frequently life would be born from it. It was ironic that this was known as the underworld.

The dead were all so very friendly. None were too violent and they all seemed to respect my husband and I. They would bow to our feet and return to the soil when we left. They only ever existed and continued to exist so that they could worship us.

I loved walking around. Never running, no, that was for the helpless and the low-lifes who didn't respect us. If they ever tried to run too far, our pet Cerberus would catch them.

I donned a golden pelt made of lion's fur; a gift given to me by my husband. He loved it when I put it on.

When I returned to the castle today, he would grace me with his hearty laughter. Such a deep and rich voice that soothed me. He would pull me and kiss me, and remind me that we are the rulers of this realm. That everything was ours. That this world was ours; therefore, we decided everything. We were the gods.

Well, moreso that HE was the god.

Our son Zagreus had grown. He seemed handsome now and his physique seemed to take after his father.

I cradled our newborn Plutus. A beautiful boy whose fingers are lined with gold. Whenever he would point at one of our subjects, he dictated who deserved gold, and who did not. Such a monarch! Such decisive power! A boy truly resembling his father's control.

I was happy. I grinned at the thought of my family. My life. It had always been this way. It had always.

I frowned. The thought seemed wrong. 'Always'. My displeasure shined through my eyes. I knew something was wrong but I couldn't quite portray it.

Zachar— Zagreus seemed to notice this too. His eyes also seemed to reflect my emotion. It lasted for a second before his usual steely glance took over.

I'm happy. I have always been happy. I'm happy. I'm happy. I'm happy. I always remembered to be happy. I'm happy here.

I'm happy.

The smile never naturally came back.