Aides (COMPLETED)

Twenty Eight

Kore

Days passed but I was more confused than ever on what my duties entailed. My life was miserable in the underworld. Everyday the people would journey to the throne room, bearing gifts for the new queen, while begging the king for traveling mercies. None of their problems interested me.

Despite the length of time I had spent in the realm, I hated to admit it, but we were more distant than ever. The colder he was towards me, the more I wanted to know him and warm his heart.

It became a challenge for me.

The servants were patting my face with powder, preparing me for the day ahead, when a knock sounded at me door.

"Good morning your majesty. The king has requested for your presence" a guard announced.

I nodded and slowly faced the mirror to take a final look at my appearance. Once I approved, two guards escorted me to a dark hallway in the back of the palace.

"The king is through those two doors at the end of this path" they directed me and bowed. I thank them and continued down the fiery path but stop and bent to fix my heel. As I stand to continue down the path, I bumped into a menacing figure. He was a tall and handsome man with long black hair that stopped just above his neck. He smirked as he saw my startled expression but stared me down with disgust.

"Pardon me" I whispered.

"Watch where you're going!" he snapped.

How rude a man he was!

Before I had the chance to correct him, Aides came to my rescue and spoke, "I believe he was at fault my queen, don't you think?" he places his palm against my neck.

The stranger frowned, surprised at my status, but bowed low to show his respects. "Yes my queen, I did not recognize you; I apologize." he lied.

"That is quite alright"  I signaled for him to rise, embarrassed at the circumstances of the situation.

"But our dear fried was at the wedding? I'm confused as to why he didn't recognize you?" the king hinted.

"My king...maybe he didn't see me at the ceremony?"

"Kiss her feet" he demanded, cutting my speech off.

I look up to Aides but his eyes did not leave the mean man's face. He slowly bent to kiss my feet and stood at attention.

"Queen Persephone, this is Thanatos, god of death. His touch is gentle but the aftermath is deadly" he smirked.

"Oh.. I see" I whispered, blushing at the predicament.

"I'll meet you inside" Aides commanded. He bowed once more and turned into the hallway, past the doors, into the conference room.

We walked to the end of the hallway in silence. Before I have a chance to break from his reach, he pushes me to a corner, trapping me against the wall. "Stop making excuses for insignificant people. Have you forgotten you are a Queen?" he growled, annoyed at my hesitation.

"No I have not" I fumed, desperate for his touch to leave me.

"Must you beg for respect?" he suggests.

"I didn't think to?" I retorted beneath a tired breath.

"You must act like a queen or people will not treat you as such. Understand?"

I pretended to look past him to avoid his gaze, but he snatched my chin and forced me to face him.

"Do you understand?" He repeated himself.