Althea

Epilogue

Today it is 7th of august, year 637. Today, it's my twentieth birthday. To anybody else, it'd be a simple day. To me, it was the end of a long war. I was supposed to die when I was nineteen. Today, I turn twenty, and I have officially gotten away from my haunting fate.

The curtains were opened by Harriet soon after I woke myself. The light invaded the enormous room, and I looked beside me. Aias was nowhere to be found. "Goodmorning, your majesty. Happy birthday." She said with a bow, bringing a smile to my lips.

"Thank you, Harriet." I smiled at her.

My birthday was today, yet even after getting ready for the day, I didn't see Aias anywhere. I wondered where he was. Callie found me in the garden shortly after, bringing her maid with her, a parasol in her hand. She handed the parasol to her maid, before sitting down opposite me. Breakfast was served shortly after, a 'special one' from the chef, as Harriet informed me.

"Althea! Happy birthday!" She hugged me. Calliope was turning twenty too, in two months, and that meant a big marriage awaited her. Something that was recently really pissing Aias off.

  I hugged her back, with a smile. "Thank you, Callie." I laughed softly. "You're the first to tell me despite my maid.." I shook my head to hide my frown. I didn't want to complain, but I truly wondered why Aias hadn't come to see me, and left early in the morning. Usually, he'd stay a bit more after we both woke up, before getting on with his day. I understood, that as emperor, he was busy. And I was the empress now, I was also busy, but whenever I got him alone, in his office, or even in the empty throne room, I was more than happy to express my needs.

  I felt a blush creeping up my neck at the memories, deciding to shut them down immediately. "Is that so?" Callie questioned. "I wonder where my brother is." She said, cutting a piece of cake and bringing the silver fork to her mouth.

I fanned my face, looking around. "So do I..." I muttered.

  Soon after breakfast ended, Callie said she needed to go pick out a wedding dress, and left the palace shortly after. I walked along the halls, way too unmotivated to be doing any royal duties right now. I know, I know. Stupid of me, but... I wanted to see Aias. I had already arranged a meeting with Delia at 3pm, and already met with my brother, uncle, and aunt. The only person I hadn't seen at all today, was Aias. I could only imagine what kind of work he was swept up in. I didn't wanna bother, but...

  I found myself standing in front of his usual meeting room door. I turned the handle, opening it smoothly, just a bit, peeking inside. Indeed, Aias was sitting on a couch, with some important looking men on the one opposite him. Ah, shoot. I hope I didn't ruin anything. When he noticed me, his expression didn't change. "Get out." At first, I thought he was speaking to me- which was impossible. Then, I saw the two men get up immediately and gather the papers they'd spread out, before shooting past me.

  "Sorry for interrupting..." I muttered, walking inside and closing the door behind me.

  "You never interrupt, sweetheart." He got up and swept me up in his arms, kissing me hungrily. Despite his strength, he seemed exhausted. "Happy birthday, silver." He broke away from the kiss to say.