𝐆𝐎𝐃𝐋𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 ᵉ*ᵗᵐ

35 ┃ 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧

━ ⭑─⭒━

━ ⭒─⭑━

It had been a week since that night, since you'd last had the whirlwind of encounters.

Lady had quickly settled into court life, though "settled" was a generous way of putting it. She was a constant presence at your side, trotting after you through the palace halls, her sharp golden eyes sending servants scattering with fearful squeaks.

The few who had mustered enough courage to remain in her presence had eventually come to realize she was more bark than bite—mostly.

Still, she remained wholly indifferent to their reactions, uncaring of the way she sent workers, nobles, and even the occasional soldier stumbling out of her way. She only listened to you, ears flicking toward the sound of your voice, tail flicking whenever you scolded her.

When she wasn't with you, she was with Penelope.

It had come as a surprise to most—the mighty Askálion curling up at the queen's feet, accepting her attention with the same quiet reverence that Lady had first given you. And, as expected, Penelope had taken the role of doting caretaker with ease, lavishing Lady with gifts, hand-embroidered bows, and the finest cuts of meat from the royal kitchen.

More than once, you had returned to your chambers only to find Lady sprawled on a lavish new cushion, a silken bow fastened to her thick fur, utterly pampered and proud of herself.

But the most unexpected change over the last week?

Telemachus.

It had started subtly, almost imperceptibly. The way he always seemed to find you after his tasks, how he sought you out after his time spent with his father or training in the courtyard. It wasn't unlike when you were children, when he would come to you after long days, eager to drag you off for an adventure, to listen to you play music, or to simply sit with you in the quiet.

But this was different.

He didn't just seek you out—he lingered.

The weight of his presence had become something you expected, something you had started to anticipate. Whether it was catching your gaze across the hall during court, sitting beside you at meals, or walking with you through the palace grounds, he was always there.

It was almost as if he had made a quiet, determined effort to be part of your days, to weave himself into your routine like it was the most natural thing in the world.

You weren't sure what to make of it.

And, truthfully, you didn't have much time to dwell on it.

Because today—today, Hermes had come to cash in his debt.

Right now, you were heading back to your room to drop off yet another one of Apollo's gifts.

Telemachus had been busy with something—his father, perhaps, or more of his endless responsibilities. Callias, Asta, and the others had been occupied elsewhere, most likely with Andreia, much to your indifference. And Lady, unsurprisingly, had remained with the queen, thoroughly enjoying the royal treatment Penelope lavished upon her.