The Owl Princess

Book 7: Chapter 1- The Third-Quarter Moon

"It's nice to have some time alone together," Hazel said as she rested her head on Frank's broad shoulder.
They sat on a cliff overlooking Ogygia Beach holding hands and watching the sunset. Frank craned his head to looked at something.
"I think you spoke too soon," he said.
Athenaíí was chasing Aphrodisia down the beach with green himation bunched up under her arm.
"Damn it," she said. "After all the effort I put into this."
"I don't know why you're so upset," Aphrodisia replied with a shrug of her shoulders.
Athenaíí unrolled the himation. It was a fine piece of textile work with an elaborately woven border. A princess or noblewoman would not distain to wear such a garment.

Despite it's high quality, the himation had been poorly taken care of. The cloth was rumpled and stained.
Athenaíí had spent months weaving it whenever she had free time and gave it as a gift to Aphrodisia on her last birthday. Aphrodisia thanked her by carelessly wiping her filthy hands all over it and tossing it on the floor whenever she wasn't wearing it.
Hazel had completely given up on Aphrodisia. The slave was about as useful as breasts on a man when it came to looking after the camp. She and Athenaíí usually ended up doing all of the work.
Frank shifted so that he could rest his head in Hazel's lap.
"I'm worried about Leo," he said. "He's done nothing but mope for days now."
"I bet it has something to do with Calypso," Hazel replied, running her hand through his hair.
Calypso had not been seen around the camp in a while. Hazel knew that they parted on bad terms the last time they met. Apparently, Calypso had confessed to being in love with Leo and he brushed her off.
"I don't see what his problem is. Calypso could hold her own among the beauties of Athens and a woman of greater skill, I have never met. She would be the perfect wife for Leo."
"We haven't even had our wedding yet and you're already matchmaking like an old matron."
She gave him a playful slap on the forehead.
Hazel caught sight of Princess Reyna and Princess Thalia dragging their fishing equipment and a large krater down the path which lead from the cliffs to the caves.
"I can't tell what your brother sees in that silly little creature," Princess Reyna said, panting and out of breath.
"If she's such a silly little creature," Princess Thalia replied. "Why are you so threatened by her?"
Princess Reyna put down her end of the krater.
"She doesn't threaten me."
"Nor should she...unless she gives Jason a son before you do. Who knows, maybe she's carrying a son as we speak."
"Go fuck yourself."
Princess Thalia dropped her side of the krater.
"What did you say?"
"I said: go fuck yourself."
Prince Jason gave Princess Reyna the respect and attention she warranted as his betrothed. Still, the fates always seemed to find a way to throw Prince Jason together with Lady Piper. A few brushes of the shoulder as they passed one another in a cramped space. A few sighs and panting breaths.  A few glances that lingered too long.
Hazel wasn't the only one who had noticed the spark between the dashing prince and the gorgeous lady-in-waiting. Princess Reyna could be demanding and difficult but she was neither blind nor stupid. She treated her prettier, more charming, rival with coldness and hostility.
Everyone was at each other's throats: Athenaíí was fed up with Aphrodisia's carelessness and laziness; Princess Thalia never missed an opportunity to rub her brother's preference for Lady Piper in Princess Reyna's face; Princess Reyna constantly gave Lady Piper the cold shoulder.
Hazel felt as though she was in the middle of a battlefield.