AO 7 Ch 10

"P-p-princess," the guard stuttered, interrupting the veiled woman who was kneeling before a statue in the depths of the Zenovian palace. He could barely find his way through the pillars with how dimly lit it had been, nevermind how the princess had managed with a dark veil over her face.

The entire palace was in mourning from the Queen’s sudden death.

"Yes?" she spoke softly, lifting her head.

Yet the guard couldn't help but shudder under the weight of her gaze, even though the veil hid her eyes from him. He had no doubt that a single misstep from him would spell the end. That was just the way of the Zenovian palace lately. 

"As the battle for succession continues, the attempt to capture Princess Eva has failed," he bowed to the veiled lady. 

"That is disappointing," she whispered, "However, not entirely unexpected." 

"Princess?" he asked with a frown, "we sent a large number of assassins after Lady Eva, even with Lord Valken overseeing her. It was enough to have dealt with this swiftly. That none of them have survived and our contact reports that they indeed attempted the mission speaks to an overwhelming force that we had not anticipated." 

"Of course," the princess stood and turned to him. "Her lover is the four-sphered mage Arden Aldis, son of Harry Zenov." 

The guard frowned. "If that's the case, why didn't we send more? Send Vel'shae." 

"Because I don't truly want Eva dead," the veiled princess spoke softly. "I want her to come home. That is why the people were instructed to bring her back alive." 

"Of course, my lady," he bowed, a nervous sweat beading on his brow. He had perhaps misinterpreted the reason behind all of this. Too much of the palace lately was double speak and innuendos rather than outright orders.

"It matters not. Send more, and make sure that she is too uncomfortable anywhere but back home." Despite the harsh order her voice never fluctuated, remaining soft and even.

"Your will will be done," he bowed, certain to make up for his mistake before it became known by this woman. 

"Good, do keep tabs on my other siblings, though I might have seized the palace. This does not end until each and every one of them returns to my grasp." She turned back to the statue

The guard bowed swiftly, eager to get out of there, eager to get out of the room with one of the heirs.

The queen had abruptly fallen ill, passing away in less than two weeks as if she’d suddenly hit the end of her lifespan. Even with the best serpent mages available she hadn’t recovered.

The result had sent shockwaves throughout the palace, and as members of the royal family returned from the now-ending war were kidnapped or killed swiftly, one after the other. Some of the Vel’shae were incensed that they had not even waited for their mother's funeral and began picking sides.

The next ruler of Zenovia should be the most magically powerful amongst them, yet it was clear that none of the successors wished to truly test their mettle against one another and risk a loss. Instead, they were dealing with each other before that came to pass.

The mourning period would end soon, and then they would all be forced under the same roof for the funeral. That was if they didn’t want to give up entirely.

The guard shuddered to think about the bloodbath that would ensue as he left the veiled princess to her mourning in the dark hall of prayer. Little did he know that she was doing far more than prayer.

"Forgive me, Mother, for the interruption," the veiled princess bowed again to the statue of the goddess Freya.

"It matters not. I am patient." As always, the statue's eyes glowed. Though the stone lips did not move, they freely spoke.

"Of course, your patience has proven quite impressive, Mother." The veiled princess dipped her head until her forehead brushed against the foot of the statue.

"Dear child, the time will come soon. I know it has been long, too long. But I promise it will all be worth it." The statue shifted down to kiss the top of the princess's head. "You've been hiding amongst Zenov's descendants for generations."

The princess looked up as the statue rose from kissing her head. "As is my mother's will. I have been steadily devouring the strength of the goddess, Hecate, with each one of his descendants that has passed my lips." She reached up under the veil and brushed them. "I can nearly taste it, Mother. I've nearly taken enough, but the rest of her power will come to me on its own accord."

Freya chuckled. "Of course. You were always destined to become a god, even if you weren't born one." The statue smiled softly as it returned to its original position. "Daughter, you just have a few small hurdles remaining, and soon you will transcend to full godhood. But we must make haste, as I was mentioning before we were interrupted. Arden Aldis is on the same path as you, and should he beat you there, there is a risk that he might strip you of everything we have worked for."

The veiled princess's eyes hardened. "I can simply take what he's earned. Would that not be enough to finish this in one go?"

The statue's eyes still glowed. "Oh, there are so many delightful things we can do to him. He's in love with your cousin, Eva, and while I wish for him to die, I do not wish him a swift death for everything he's done. For the hubris he's shown, he must be made to suffer a punishment so great that no other mortal would dare rise against the gods." The statue's eyes flashed brightly. "For not only will your ascension mark a new age, an era of the gods leading this world in truth, but it must also shatter the hope of anyone who might think they can do anything about it."

"Your will be done, Mother." The veiled princess kissed the feet again and the light in the statue's eyes blinked out. The princess rose, touching her lips again. "Arden Aldis, I do fondly remember your father. His soul was delicious." Her laughter echoed through the dark hall.

***

"Oh my gosh, that looks amazing on you," Ditzy said as Emlyn held up another dress. She had said the same about the last three and it clearly wasn’t entirely genuine, this one was horrible on purpose.

Emlyn frowned. "If I didn't know better, I would say you were trying to get on my good side."

"Thankfully, you do know better," Ditzy winked. The blonde goddess very much did what she wanted without concern of who was watching. The way she flirted with Ard nearly drove Emlyn up a wall the first time she’d seen her.

"Uh-huh," Emlyn was still unconvinced. "I see the way you look at Ard when he's not paying attention."

"Oh please," Ditzy looked away. "If I wanted Ard, I could have him at the snap of my fingers." The blonde goddess snapped her fingers as if to demonstrate.

"How's that working out for you?" Emlyn went back to rifling through the dresses for something that really wowed her and hopefully would get Ard’s ever shifting attention.

"I simply... don't need him," Ditzy said. "Besides, clearly he and Hekate have something burgeoning. Bastet and I would just be stepping on her toes."

"Yeah…" Emlyn said, knowing the goddess was full of shit. "I'm sure that's exactly how everyone sees it."

The goddess narrowed her eyes. "Are you telling me someone is saying otherwise?"

"Oh no, no, no," Emlyn said exaggeratedly. "I'm certain no one sees you lusting over Ard." 

The goddess scoffed. "Of course not.”

“Of course not.” Emlyn echoed before changing topics. “What about this one for you?" Emlyn picked out a pink number that she hoped would make Ard salivate. The goddess looked it over as casually as she could.

"Does Ard like pink?" she asked.

Only for Emlyn to smile. "What does it matter what Ard likes? You're not actually interested in him," she emphasized with a giant smirk. Goddess be a little crazy, either she didn’t know what she wanted or refused to admit it.

"Right, I am just entertaining the idea of going to a ball," Ditzy insisted. "They are incredibly fun, especially when Ard is actively trying to make a fool of himself. His mother will be furious," Ditzy pointed out.

"Duh," Emlyn laughed. "But I hate to break it to you and her. Ard couldn't care less. He just does what he wants and deals with the consequences."

"He's always been so willful?" Ditzy asked trying to hide her curiosity as she looked at dresses.

"Ard? Yeah," Emlyn said with a chuckle. "Ever since we were kids, there was rarely an opportunity for mischief that Ard didn't take.”

“He does get himself in trouble quite frequently, doesn't he?" Ditzy said with a soft smile that Emlyn absolutely wanted to pounce on, but resisted.

"If by that you mean always, then yes." She mirrored Ditzy’s smile.

"And you put up with it?" Ditzy asked.

"Uh-huh. Don't ask me why. Even I'm not entirely sure. What does get me, though, is why everyone else around him puts up with it, too. I mean, really, I'm stuck with the fool due to my own poor choices. The rest of you could be a lot smarter." Emlyn found a silver number that she held out to the goddess, the flashy material suited her better.

"Perhaps we could be," Ditzy said, taking the dress and holding it up. "But wouldn't that ruin all of the fun?"

Damn, she was hot. Not ridiculously curvy like Maribelle, but instead she looked natural and flawless like a work of art.

"Anything worth living for isn't going to be easy. I don't mean that in some overly philosophical manner. I mean, quite literally, if it's something valuable, there's going to be enough people that want it. You're going to need to be ready to fight if you want to get it and keep it.” Ditzy went on as she flicked her finger at one of the dresses, changing it on the spot.

“Does that mean you're about to fight with me over Ard? Because if that's the case, just let me know. I'll throw in the towel and make you think you've won before I stab you in the back." Emlyn smiled as the last part of that comment slipped out.

"You are a dangerous one," the goddess said.

"Of course I am. I'm the one crazy enough to stay by Ard's side through all of this. The question I have for you is, why are you hesitating so much?" Emlyn asked with a suspicious squint.

"I'm not hesitating," Ditsy said quickly. "It's just not smart for me to make a move on anyone."

Emlyn tilted her head. "What exactly does that mean?"

"That's exactly what it sounds like. I need to be careful about who I spend time with. My presence has a..." She waffled her head. "...dangerous effect on men."

"I'm going to need you to clarify that one a little for me.” Emlyn put her dress shopping down for the moment and turned to give the goddess her full attention.

“My presence has a long-standing history of driving men mad," the goddess enunciated slowly for her. 

"Well… that’s… a thing," Emlyn frowned, unsure exactly what to say to that. 

"It is what it is," the goddess shrugged. "For, well, ever, my presence has, quite literally, driven men insane with temptation."

"I mean, that's a solid brag," Emlyn chuckled, making up her mind and going back to shopping. "And don't get me wrong, Ditzy, you're a looker. But I have trouble believing it's actually that bad, especially considering it's Ard we're talking about and he hasn't done a thing.” Ard had a way with women and the number surrounding him currently was testament to the fact that he wasn’t afraid to go after another.

“I hope that it doesn't come to affect Ard, but history has taught me that I cannot rely on such a hope." Ditzy shook her head.

Emlyn squinted at her. "Well, if he does become a problem, let me know and I guess that means it's time to knock some sense into him." It wouldn't be right of Emlyn to refute the other woman's problem, but she could offer a solution.

"I appreciate the concern. It's simply just unlikely to come to pass."

And for a brief moment, Emlyn felt pity for the goddess. She had a sort of forlorn expression on her face, and Emlyn wondered if the goddess of love ever really knew love. If she caused men to be obsessed, that wasn't love. It was something far less endearing and possibly far more dangerous. 

"So if it doesn't affect Ard, what are you going to do?" Emlyn asked, to fill the silence.

"Enjoy his presence for a little longer," Ditzy smiled. "You could say I'm not convinced anyone is immune, but if Ard thus far has shown himself to not be easily swayed, then it just means I have more time with your group and amongst this new pantheon that Hecate is building before the problem inevitably surfaces."

"Wow," Emlyn says, staring at the blonde goddess, "you have a remarkably shitty outlook on your life."

The goddess scowled at her. 

"Excuse me, I mean, so let me get this straight, at this point your feelings are that men can't be around you without becoming obsessed over you, thus you stay distant, and if they don't become obsessed with you, it's not because they won't, it's just because they haven't yet." Emlyn pieced it all together for her and handed her the pink dress she’d been eyeing. "Do me a favor, wear that, and for the ball, do your absolute damnedest to make Ard one of these Ditzy, obsessed men."

"You would put your own man through such a gauntlet?" The goddess scoffed. 

"Look, there are many things about Ard," Emlyn held a hand up. "But there's one thing I can trust about him. It's that he does, whatever the fuck he wants, including controlling his affections. I mean to say, if he wants to be obsessed about you, it'll happen because he wants it. If he doesn't want that, and I highly doubt he does, then it won't happen. Ard is literally so stubborn, I don't care what goddess mojo you might have, it's absolutely nothing in front of him." Emlyn pushed the dress into her arms a little more.

Ditzy looked at the dress. “If something does happen, with his powers and Hecate’s, I suppose he could be returned to normal. So, I’m not risking too much.”

"Now," Emlyn said, turning in place, "can I get the goddess of love's honest opinion on clothing? Or are you just going to keep saying everything looks good with that half-hearted, unwilling-to-get-close smile of yours." Emlyn pursed her lips as she called the goddess out.

"Well, if you want my opinion, the yellow one was horrendous." Ditzy looked like she was about to gag. 

"Thank you for your honest opinion. I was going to go with the yellow one. Because we all know Ard's going to wear blue. And I like to match him."

The goddess smirked. "Don't let him hear. Or he just might guess how obsessed you are with him." The goddess of love's eyes twinkled. 

Emlyn could only snort. "Oh, he knows. I remind him often." Emlyn winked.

“Well, if you want to match him we can give them all the same sort of flare.” The goddess touched one of the dresses and drew metal lines across the bust. “See? Now where’s Ard’s outfit? We’ll start with his and then make the rest match.”