The Glory That Is Rome (a Percy Jackson AU)

The Fairest One of All

Calypso looked at herself in the mirror and wondered if it was her appearance that made Odysseus decide to stay with his wife, Penelope. She didn't think it could be so. Calypso had sharp eyesight and she could see as well as anyone that she was more beautiful than Penelope. Sure, Penelope had thick, dark hair and chiseled features, but Calypso had large, almond-shaped eyes, pouty lips, and pale skin with freckles that her mother once told her looked like constellations. Odysseus himself lavished her with compliments about her physical appearance, so it couldn't be her looks that kept him with Penelope.

It also couldn't be her wealth. Her father, Atlas, was a senator even wealthier than Odysseus. Marrying Calypso would be a financial boon for him, so why did he not do so? Calypso contrived to ask Odysseus about it tonight. They were going to meet in an apartment he rented. It provided more privacy that a fornice and Calypso preferred to avoid places associated with lupae. She was a mistress after all, not a lupa.

Calypso made sure she looked her best before she went out. She didn't wear any cosmetics — no she was not a lupa, but she did wash her face with rosewater and dabbed perfume on her neck. She made sure her hair neatly plaited and she put on her fur-trimmed cloak over a creamy-colored tunic made of silk.

Calypso was careful while she snuck out of her house. She could not let her father know what she was doing. If she was caught, she would be punished. Her father would probably beat her and her reputation would suffer, making it more difficult for her father to find her a good marriage, but if Odysseus was caught. . . Calypso didn't want to think of it. She was breaking social rules; he was breaking civil laws.

She arrived at the apartment before Odysseus and decided to clean up the place. They had left in a hurry the previous night when they feared they had heard strange voices. As the sunlight faded, Calypso wondered if Odysseus was going to come tonight as he had promised. Had the events of last night changed his mind?

She was just about to leave when she heard footsteps and saw Odysseus. Her lips curved up towards the sky as he crossed the room, but he didn't return her smile. His muscled arms were crossed in front of his broad chest. Odysseus was not the tallest man, but he had broad shoulders, and a handsome face. Calypso liked to run her fingers through his red hair and gently rub the scar on his leg he had gotten while killing a boar as a child.

"Odysseus, what's wrong?" Calypso asked. "I can cheer you up."

"No you can't," he said shortly, his voice containing none of its usual silkiness that Calypso yearned to hear.

"Come sit," Calypso said, inviting him to sit down on the sofa beside her.

"Calypso, I can't see you again," Odysseus said.

"Why not?" Calypso asked. "Am I not more beautiful than your wife? Can I not offer a dowry larger than Penelope's?"

"Calypso, I love Penelope," Odysseus said, twiddling his fingers.

"Then why did you romance me?" Calypso spat. "You told me you loved me — you lying merchant!"

Odysseus recoiled, but then recovered and smoothly said, "I have come to my senses."

"Meaning you have another mistress," Calypso said sharply.

"No, my only mistress from now on will be my wife," he swore.

Calypso could tell when Odysseus was lying and he seemed to be telling the truth — or at least what he thought was the truth. She gave him a kiss on the cheek and then slapped his face. Then, she turned on her heel and strode out of the room. She was not a lupa and now she was also not a mistress.