𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝓅𝓇𝒾𝒸𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝑒𝓍𝒾𝓈𝓉𝑒𝓃𝒸𝑒. (𝘚𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘳 𝘣𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘶)
Part one Part two Part Three Part five
NOTE: This chapter took me WAYY too long for it to only be 5.6 pages. Anyways, im sorry it took 3 or 4 weeks for this chapter to be released, school is just killing me right now. And I dont know, but my writing seems too rushed, so I might have to fix that.
"𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝓅𝓇𝑒𝓉𝓉𝒾𝑒𝓈𝓉 𝑔𝒾𝓇𝓁, 𝐼'𝓋𝑒 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝓈𝑒𝑒𝓃."
The days that followed were different. Maybe its because Melantho has been avoiding her for reasons she doesnt even know! It was boring to have no one to talk to, no one to gossip with, no one to play pranks with. She tried making small talk with the other servants but the just seemed so busy with their tasks. It was lonely.
Then hanging the laundry.
Then bring the queen her lunch.
By the Gods it was boring, she was missing Melantho so much it felt as if somethings been torn from her. And the best part?
Its only been 3 days.
3 days and she's acting like a lost puppy without their master. She seemed so lost without her?
As she was cleaning up the halls, AGAIN. She felt a presence behind her, she turned around to see Melanthius, pissed as ever. Next thing you know is you hear a loud slap as your head is tossed to right as he slapped you.
"You BITCH! WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY FUCKING SISTER"
"I DONT EVEN KNOW WHATS GOING ON!" You yelled back, holding the area where he slapped you as it burned. What did I even do?! You thought.
"THEN WHY'D SHE CRY TO ME ABOUT YOU HUH!" Well that isnt helping is it?
"THAT ISNT ANSWERING MY QUESTION" You cried, genuinely not understand the situation. Before Melanthius could yell say more, someone grabbed his hand pulling him back. "You shouldnt be here goatherd." Telemachus's voice was low, as if trying not to snap. "Go back to tending to the flock." He said, before letting go of Melanthius who shot you a glare before going off with a huff.
How'd Telemachus get here so fast?
"Are you alright?" His voice came out softer as he addressed you, gently placing a hand on your shoulder.
"I am, its just that I have no clue what the fuck Melanthius was on about." You sighed, Melantho was mad. Sure. But she was crying? Thats not very Melantho of her.
"Gods she's annoying." Telemachus grumbled, crossing his arms as he ranted about Melantho for a good moment, before noticing Y/N shifting uncomfortably.
"Could you not?" She muttered, fiddling with her hands.
"Sorry, its just she gets on my last nerves" Telemachus said.
You two stood there in silence, until Eurykelia called Telemachus away. You couldnt even ask how he knew you were over here. You two just kept running into each other lately, divine intervention maybe?
No get your head out of the clouds Y/N!
You arent special enough for the Gods to notice you!
You let out a sigh, your shoulders slumping as you bend down to pick up the fallen broom from when Melanthius slapped you.
"Melantho?" Melanthius's soft voice rang out from the goatpens, he saw Melantho run off somewhere, hot tears running down her cheeks. His little legs carried him to the halls where Y/N was. "Y/N? Do you know where Melantho went?" He asked, Y/N put down the rag she was using to clean the windows.
"Have you checked the nearby riverbank?" You asked, turning around to face the younger boy.
"I-!" He blinked, trying to think about where that could be. "I-dont know where that is..." He admitted reluctantly. You smiled a soft smile. Before walking over to him.
"I'll take you there!' You chirped, "Just cover for me when Eurykleia asks where I went" you said before running off, as he chases after you.
"Wait up!" The shorter boy yelled after you.
They ran through the palace halls, till they reached the outside, pausing for a moment so Melanthius could regain his breath. "Gods your slow" Y/N complained.
"Im not slow! Your just unfemininely fast!"
"Shut up!"
As they reached the riverbank, they saw Melantho curled up underneath the willow tree, crying loudly. Melanthius was the first to run up to her, placing a hand on her shoulder, shaking her. As Melantho met his eyes it was clear it wasn't one of Melanthos little tantrums. Y/N followed after, worried for her friend. "Melantho?" Melanthius's voice came out gentler than he wanted to. "Whats wrong?" He asked, Melantho brought her hands up to wipe the tears from her eyes, her voice coming up in small hiccups.
"I-I...I was in the market! And I bumped into this boy-he called me ugly and disgusting! And I-" Another loud cry came from her, as Melanthius drew her close, letting her cry into his shoulder, not minding the fact she was ruining his tunic.
"You know you arent supposed to be in the market place..." He comforted, but then his eye twitched at the mention of a boy insulting her. "Who? I swear I'll kick his ass and send him to Hades himself!-"
Melanthius was always protective of those he held dear in his heart, he and his sister only had eachother for as long as they could remember. it was no doubt that Melanthius would be protective of his sister. She's the only family he has, and he's the only family she has. Mika smiled to herself, reminiscing at the old times. Melantho was a little brat back then, she still is, but she would often get in trouble and run off to places she shouldnt be. You remember that day when she ran off into the marketplace and bumped into some noble boy.
Melantho later ranted to you about him during lights out as if she wasnt crying earlier about him calling her disgusting and ugly. She had told you that day, despite her being upset earlier that she actually liked the guy.
Yes she told you all about how cute he was and maybe he was right, maybe she just had to doll herself up more.
You couldnt deny that Melantho was often seeking attention from literally anyone. But why would she seek attention from the person who bullied her? She told you all about how his orange hair seemed to glow under the sun, his dark green eyes like a cat, the riches he must have, all the women he could have thirsting over him with a single glance. She told you all about it.
Maybe that was Melanthos problem though.
She always wanted attention.
Even if it was the wrong kind of attention.
You sighed, telling yourself not to worry about these things. Melantho always has everything figured out. You continue cleaning up the floor. You hear footsteps behind you, an elderly voice calls out. "Y/N?" You turn around, instantly becoming alert. You see Eurykleia's elderly face, she was old, yes. Yet she still had that beauty which caused the great Laertes to buy her in the first place.
"Uh...yes?" You said, voice low when speaking to her. She walks towards you, clasping her hands a small smile on her face. Your expression slightly dropped once you remember that Telemachus had told her about her little "episode" maybe she's only being nice to me because of Telemachus? What if she's pretending to like me because i was upset earlier and the prince showed concern-
"Could you please bring the Queen her lunch?" She asked.
"O-Oh of course!" You replied, snapping out of your trance. Eurykleia nodded, as she walked past. You hurried off to the kitchen, telling the cooks to cook the queens lunch based on her preferences. Once they were done, you walked up the heinously long stairs all the way up to the Queens bed chambers. You notice your hands were full, so you had to call out, not wanting to bother moving the tray to the left hand. "Your Majesty, may I enter?" You called out. There was a brief moment of silence as if the Queen was wondering if she should let her in.
"Enter." Penelope's voice rang out. You pushed the door open with your heel, quietly slipping into her chambers. You raised your head silently, the Queen was sitting on her bed weaving something, her son Telemachus was sitting next to her, Penelope put down whatever she was doing, Telemachus smiled softly at seeing you. "Oh, it's you Y/N? You met my son before, right? She said, looking at you a bit more intently.
"Oh yes ma'am, it seems we keep on meeting" you said, happy that the Queen still remembers you. Telemachus gave you a slight wave, you walked over and place the tray near the bedside table, Penelope gave a slight nod of approval. It's gone awkwardly quiet, taking that as a sign you quietly walked out of the room.
Once Y/N left the room, Telemachus put his focus back on his mother. "I like that girl" Penelope says nonchalantly as she picks back up loom, silently weaving. "Do you like her Telemachus?" Penelope shifts her gaze towards her son, a soft knowing smile on her face, as she watched her son's face go through a hundred different shades of red.
"N-...No of course not! S-...she's my friend!" He stuttered, his eyes downcast, his face brighter than a tomato, all semblance of whatever man he's supposed to be gone. Penelope brought a hand up to her mouth, softly chuckling at her son's reaction.
"Im just teasing you, you know?" Penelope laughed as Telemachus's face grew redder if that was even possible. She ruffled her son's head affectionately, smiling softly. Telemachus being embarrassed moved away, gently swatting his mother's hand away with a laugh.
"Mother-! Im not a child anymore!" He protested, moving away, flustered.
"By the Gods, your just like your father." She smiled softly, looking at her soon who was a clear reflection of young Odysseus.
The days that passed were...Even more quiet. Without Melantho to talk to, and Telemachus having to do whatever princely duty he has. She closed her eyes, wondering what she could have done for Melantho to be so upset with her. She pushed the covers off of her, noticing Melantho isnt in her bed. She must have woken up earlier. She tumbles out of bed, rubbing her eyes with a soft yawn. She puts on a new peplos, putting her hair into a bun.
The day was spent cleaning, and cleaning, and cleaning some more. Gods its the same routine over and over again. Its really boring. And then theres the very rare time where she gives the Queen her meals. Which she didnt mind, but she wants to see the Queen more. The Queen is so nice, no wonder Melantho likes her so much.
The only interesting things going on today is the rumors. Being a servant means you overhear gossip. And lately? Theres rumors about some noble men getting frustrated.
They want a king.
The old king is gone.
Dead.
They believe the Queen is waiting for a man who wont come back. That she "should get over it". Gods, men seem to have no feelings, no compassion. And they wonder why women arent willing to marry them. She didnt want suitors vying for the Queen, the king must be alive. Right?
Suitors mean more work. More work means oversleeping. And oversleeping means getting a long 4 hour lecture from Eurykleia. And im not gonna make it through that, man.
NOTE: THE SUITORS MIGHT FINALLY BE INTRODUCED, AND IM HOPING I CAN WRITE LONGER CHAPTERS WHEN THEY DO GET INTRODUCED YK? Anyway this took TOO long (as I said before) and prepare for Melantho to be a petty asshole sooner or later.
