Desert Winds (a Percy Jackson AU)

The King's Contest

   Hazel was washing the dishes when her father came into the room. Hades was a wealthy merchant known for selling fine funeral goods. "Hazel," he said. "Family meeting in the eating room."

     Hazel put down the clay bowl she was washing and dried her hands on a rag. She followed her father to the room where they enjoyed their meals. She sat down beside her mother. Hazel had inherited her mother's curly hair and striking features, but her eyes were golden instead of brown and her hair was lighter.

Maria, Hades' first wife, sat beside her children. Her children had the same dark hair as her, but while Bianca had her mother's warm complexion, Nico was as pale as his father. Everyone was looking up at Hades. He looked imposing with his costly tunic and well-groomed beard.

He shifted and cleared his throat. "The King is looking for a wife," he announced.

Bianca and Hazel exchanged glances. They were both of marriageable age, but what could this possibly have to do with them? It was Nico who spoke up. "I thought he was marrying a noble. Why tell us what we already know?"

Hades smiled for the first time all morning. "Because to choose his wife, he hosting a beauty pageant," he explained. "And all eligible women can enter — regardless of family background or wealth."

     "Why would he do that?" Hazel asked.

      Hades narrowed his eyes. "This contest may very well win him the support of the people. King Frank is an inexperienced ruler. He has to prove quickly that he will be a great successor of his father. What better way to do so?"

     "Conquer some lands," Nico muttered.

     "I'm sure he shall do so," Hades said, "but in the meantime, he is doing this."

      "No king has ever done this before," Bianca said breathlessly.

     "That is true," Hades said. "I would like both you and Hazel to enter. I have two beautiful daughters — twice the chance to marry into the throne."

    Bianca and Hazel exchanged glances. For their entire lives, they had been told they were not as valuable as Nico because they were girls, but now their gender made them more precious. Bianca left first, heading to the room she shared with her siblings. They were wealthier than the average Assyrian and were lucky to have two bedrooms — one for Hades and one for his offspring.

     Marie beckoned Hazel to follow her. Hazel stood up and was led to her mother's sleeping palette in the kitchen. As the second wife, Marie had to sleep there while Maria enjoyed the luxury of Hades' bed.

     Marie looked her daughter in her eyes. "I always regretted my marriage," she said.

    Her voice was as bitter as spoiled fruit and her breathe smelled of beer. "You were a cursed child — a child of a lesser wife," she continued. "I thought my marriage would bring me wealth, but that came with the duties of a servant."

    Her words were like a knife stabbing Hazel's heart. "But now you have a chance to be more than Bianca," Marie said.

    Hazel lifted her chin. She pushed away thoughts of her childhood sweetheart Sammy, though they made her heart cleave in two. "Yes, Mother," she said. "I will make you proud."

   Hazel wished that she could've believed her own words.