The Prince and His Pauper

Chapter 24: The Pauper's Trials

It's been months since Antonio- I mean, Eros left me crying at our old house. Palace. That's been destroyed because I saw his face. Why did I have to be so stupid and allowed my sisters to trick me into ruining my marriage! Though, it's not entirely their fault..... Antonio- Eros! Not Antonio- told me not to and I still disobeyed him. But my sisters are now out of the way after I tricked into believing my husband wanted both of them and they stupidly jumped off the cliff I did to be with him.

Now, I'm just wandering around looking for Antonio- Eros! Eros, Eros, not Antonio. I did however cleaned up two disregarded temples of the Goddess Demeter and Queen of the Gods Hera to distract me from the pain in my heart. Not to mention the baby somehow growing inside me. He misses his daddy too and I have feeling he knows that Daddy left us.

"Don't worry, I'm going to find Daddy and beg for his forgiveness. Hopefully, it's enough. If not..... I don't know what else to do to show him how much I love him. Just wait a little while more, ok?" I tell my baby. I don't know if he can hear but I like to think he does so I don't feel as lonely as I think.

If I knew where to look for him..... He's not in his temples or in Aphrodite's or even when the people are preaching about the warnings of Eros' arrows if we don't honor him and his mother..... I thought to myself as I continue my long walk around the shores of what I think is the Adriatic Sea. I haven't been paying much attention to my surroundings. All I know is that I walked into a nice beach but I don't see the beauty in it with my gloomy mood.

My walk on the beach continues for another half hour before seeing a villa about a mile away. I can make it there. Hopefully, the owner of the villa would let me in and rest for bit before heading back to find my husband. I don't think I would be able to walk any longer if I don't get at least three hours of sleep. I knock on the front door three times once I got there and wait patiently for someone to greet me.

"Hello, welcome to Aphrodite's villa. Who wishes to see her?" A servant asks. Aphrodite?! Mother-in-law lives here?! Maybe I can get her to see how much I love Antonio-Eros! I just have to get on her good side. Do whatever it takes to prove myself.

"I am Pschye, Eros' wife. I wish to see my mother-in-law Aphrodite." I state confidently. The look on the servant's face instantly changes into one of fear. I'm guessing he's heard of me?

"You came here willingly?!" He added in a shock tone.

"Yes, now would you please allow me to see her?" I answer. The servant didn't need to be told twice and led me toward the throne room where Goddess of Beauty was shouting orders to her servants about finding her the right shade of red dress. We waited for a while ten minutes before she finally notices us.

"Who are you? And why are you so tired? Oh! You're here for some beauty tips right? Well, honey, the first thing you should do is take a nice relaxing bath with rose petals. Then brush your hair about hundred times before you pick out your best clothes. After that, you'll have the men at your feet! Once that baby is born of course. That would be one sacrifice in my honor! Thank you, have a good day. Bye!" Aphrodite chatters.

"N-no, your highness. Sh-she's not here f-for your wonderful advice. She's.... Um, she's....." The servant stutters.

"Mother-in-law, I am Pschye, wife to the god Eros. I have come to face my punishment for mistrusting my husband. Whatever punishment you deem fit, I'll accept it. I'll do whatever you ask of me to prove to you I love him and win his forgiveness." I declare. In an instant, her face shifts from bubbly to furious.

"Forgiveness?! You come here in my home and wish to see my son that you have disrespected along with me?!" Aphrodite screams. "Your marriage was a sham! I don't recognize it and I certainly don't see you as my daughter-in-law! Guards! Send her away!"