I wake up to the sun shining throughout my room in Aphrodite's temple, the light casting a beautiful gold on the walls. Hopefully when I move in with my Uncle Zeus and Aunt Hera my room will be just as beautiful. I still have another few gods to train with, Hermes, Dionysus, and since I already trained with my dad, Poseidon, I am to have lessons from Hestia. Walking to my balcony I open the french doors and a warm breeze begins to flow into my room. A knock on my door brings me off the balcony, opening my door to see Aphrodite already dressed and ready to leave.
"Good morning sweetie, I'm afraid you'll have to get ready quickly so you can enjoy breakfast before we are off to see Lord Zeus. You go on and shower while I pick you something to wear." The goddess of love says to me. I walk into the bathroom closing the door behind me before showering, humming a random tune as I go. Soon I'm fresh and smelling like cherry blossoms. Drying off, I slip on my bathrobe before brushing my teeth. While looking at my reflection in the mirror I notice that Aphrodite's blessing had two effects on me. My hair was still jet black but it was less unruly, falling in waves down my back and reaching my waist. The other difference being my eyes, they weren't sea green anymore. It was similar to what I see in Aphrodite's eyes, they're changing color. It's like they are deciding between my natural color and a sky blue so I decided to see if I'm able to have them stay the light shade of blue. To my surprise, they responded almost instantly becoming the desired pale blue. An idea came to my mind and I concentrated on my hair realizing that being the daughter of Poseidon and having the blessing of Aphrodite would be enough to instantly dry my hair. Content in my new discoveries I begin to enter the bedroom and see a lovely white chiton on my bed, laying next to it was a sky blue cape as it was rather cold during these months and my tiara rested next to the cape. Placing everything on I exit my room to see Lyko lying outside my door and followed me to the dining room where I catch the smell of bacon and wild berry muffins, my favorite. Aphrodite looks up from the magazine she held and smiles at my appearance.
"You look gorgeous, and I like the new eye color." She says but something tells me there was a double meaning, as though I proved a suspicion of hers by changing my eye color, brushing it aside I take a seat at the table and begin to eat. Twenty minutes later we are finished and leave the house, walking the streets of Olympus. Lyko starts getting excited running ahead just to run back again, as though telling us to hurry along. Arriving at the throne room I wait for Aphrodite to enter and be seated before I enter, something I learned long ago. Bowing before Zeus I waited as he gave me the signal to rise. He glanced at my appearance stopping at my eye color and smirked to himself.
"Well, that's new. Tell me why did you change your eye color?" He asks me gently.
"It is a new gift from Lady Aphrodite. When I discovered the new color I believed it was time for a change. Should I change them back?" I asked him nervously, honestly, I really thought the new color suits me. A little better than my father's color which hurt me but it's not as though he was around to ask or be able to see it anyway. Apparently, King Zeus had the same thought. That's when I realized the color looked strikingly similar to his own, causing me to blush and look down.
"I think this color looks better on you, more regal. Befitting of the new Princess of Olympus." He says with a chuckle. I see him glance over to his wife Hera who nods in confirmation.
"I agree, it makes you look very beautiful." Lady Hera says and rises from her throne. Walking over to me I bow my head in respect and look towards my feet... okay so half in respect and the other half from being nervous. She's not tall in her current form, only about 5'4" but still much taller than me. Taking her hand she lifts my chin gently and studies my face. "If only I could have a daughter as beautiful as you are. So strong and respectful, we are going to have such a wonderful time while you stay with us. Would you like to see our temple where you will be staying?" She asks me sweetly, nodding my head she grabs my hand and takes me to the door of the throne room. Looking back I see Zeus nod his head signaling he would catch up with us later. Aphrodite waves goodbye and turns toward King Zeus as they began speaking in a hushed but obviously serious matter. I turn around as to not face plant in front of Queen Hera or any other deity for that matter as we walk back through the streets of Olympus.
After about two minutes of walking, I see a large palace where the pillars are ordained with carvings of peacocks and lighting bolts, an incredibly strange combination but it was able to form one of the most exquisite palaces I could ever fathom. A giggle comes from Hera and I realize my expression must have been one of pure awe. As my cheeks blush we begin to walk inside, there were anemoi and nymphs running around doing small chores here and there. Walking into the entrance there was a glorious marble grand staircase that led to the second floor. After ascending the stairs we walk down a few hallways until we were in what I assume is the North Wing where the main bedrooms are. My room was the second door on the right and as I walk in my mouth fell open from the pure beauty of it. Expenses were not a concern as it seemed I had a living area, an en suite restroom which also contained a walk in closet. Although it was most of the things I had in Aunt Aphrodite's home here it was on a much grander scale. there were steps to a large four poster king sized bed lay against the wall to my right. The bathroom was through two french doors straight ahead of the main entrance. A sofa, two armchairs, and an armoire were placed to our right. Everything was decorated in whites and golds with images of crowns and peacocks and lightning bolts.
"Do you like everything? I was so excited that you were coming I wanted you to have all the best things. I hardly get the chance to spoil anyone." Hera said while I walked into the room turning around and marvel at her and Zeus's generosity.
"I love all of it. If this is my room I may never want to leave, it's all breathtaking!" I say looking back to Aunt Hera with the largest smile I've ever had.
"Oh, you have no idea how happy I am to hear it. Perhaps maybe after your training, we could see about you staying more often. We'll have plenty of time to discuss that so let's go on downstairs and I'll show you around and tell you everything you'll be learning with us." She said while taking my hand and leading me back downstairs.
We talked for several hours and I met several different servants. Hera and I discuss how I'm to continue my lessons on etiquette as well as basic schooling subjects. Whereas, when I am with Zeus, I will be learning to rule, studying all that goes into being the King of the gods. King Zeus returned around the time dinner was to be served and asked that I leave to wash up while he discussed a few matters with his wife. I nod my head and leave the study we are in, halfway closing the door on my way out. Something compels me to stay, however, so against my better judgment I do. Listening in on the conversation I hear something that I truly wish I didn't.
"After you and Nerissa left the throne room Aphrodite told me something I previously thought I'd be happy to hear. Her gossiping has discovered Poseidon is soon to cut ties with his daughter in order to not have anyone question Triton's place in his line of succession. Many nobles believe that when we grant her immortality, she should be the first in line for his crown." Zeus states in a hushed tone.
"How can he do something like that based on a rumor of a few Lords in Atlantis. Nerissa has earned the favor of almost every Olympian, and he still thinks it's in his best interest to disown her because of rumors for a change in his line of succession? Can we do anything?" Hera asks him hushed but upset. I can't believe this, my mother and father would never do this. Yet, they haven't reached out what-so-ever, and I know that Triton had been nervous in the past year about him being the prince but was I really the cause of it?
"I mean it is his realm, I don't think we can do anything to change his decision. Even if we gave him advice he'd never listen to it. Perhaps there's another solution, I've been thinking for a while... Nerissa is an incredibly gifted girl maybe we can..." Zeus was saying but I had already begun running away, my mind too absorbed in the fact that my father could betray me like that. Running straight through the front door I don't stop running until I've ended at the elevator doors to leave Olympus. Deciding this is exactly what I need, I enter the elevator and leave the home of the Gods in order to clear my head. I'll return soon, but I need to figure out just how it's so easy for the Gods to use me because I'm a demigod. Can I really trust them?
