Chapter Text
“Lavender’s looking a bit frail, what do you think?” I ask, turning back to the happy pooch, his tongue sticking out the side of his mouth.
“Yeah, you’re right. I should’ve watered them more. Hm… You’ll help me remember, right?” My eyes dart from the lavenders and back to him.
No thoughts behind these beady beautiful eyes.
“Aww, thanks, buddy. I knew I could count on you.” I pet his soft fuzzy head, his head bobbing from side to side.
I love Argos so much. My son. Sometimes it feels like he’s the only one really sticking with me at all times. Like mom’s ordered him to be my bodyguard or something.
“Let’s water them now. What do you say? Would you like to help me get some water from the fountain?” He waddles over and reaches out his big paw to nudge my knee.
He is genuinely so pure and kind I might die.
“Let’s go, then.” I tread away from the array of flowers, passing by statues, abundant fruit trees and servants working on the crops and tending to the rest of the garden, grass lapping at my ankles.
I spot Eudokia leaning against a statue to the glory of my father, a soapy basin in her lap as she fervently scrubs a gargantuan amount of different dirty dishes. My attention is drawn to a wine pitcher which would be handy to water my poor flowers.
I pick up the empty recipient, lifting it to eye-level before asking: “Is this clean?”
She looks up, bothered. “Yes, your Majesty.” She sighs.
My eyes are pulled back to the ridiculous amount of dishes. “Do you need any assistance?” I raise a brow. She drags her eyes to meet mine, “They’re busy cooking everything for her Highness’ guests, your Majesty. I’ll be just fine, thank you, your Majesty.” She states a bit rapidly, silently urging me to go away so she can carry on.
“Alright. Good luck…” I mutter, walking away. Argos gives her a last insistent gaze before rushing back towards me.
It’s been 3 years since the suitors have been staying here. They’ve been… Interesting guests to have around. Mostly attention hungry hogs waiting for an opportunity to be king. They can be funny sometimes, but damn, they can be annoying.
First of all, they keep pestering mom every chance they get, whether it’s with insistent demands that she choose a husband, a tawdry display of gifts or unimpressive flattery. Second, they slow everything around here, monopolising the servants and whatnot. But most of all, they can be so loud at night, and when we tell them to keep it down, they retort that it wouldn't be respectful for Lord Dionysus.
But alas, it’s not like we’re gonna kick them out. They’re guests, after all. And so far, mom’s been doing a fine job at containing them. We just need to keep them on a tight leash until my father returns, everything’s under control.
Then, Argos stops dead in his tracks. He’s either spotted some rodent or a new person to play with and pester. I follow his gaze, landing on three men sitting by the fountain. Suitors.
Strange, you’d think they’d be too busy ‘worshipping Dionysus’ at their table. I just take a deep breath, they’re not in a pack so they shouldn’t be too much of a pain to deal with.
Before I can even start walking though, Argos rushes towards them. They must have food, the only reason Argos even rushes is for food. The red-haired one jumps up at the sight of the mutt, retreating towards a lemon tree. The brown-haired one, Amphinomus of Dulichium, opens his arms with a big smile to greet the creature, while the dark-haired one, Antinous, some noble’s son from here, just observes, amused.
I trot my way towards the three men, Argos jumping expectantly to the two who remained at the fountain.
“Awww, Big boy! You wanna play? You wanna play? Aw-hawwww, can we keep him?” Amphinomus chuckles heartily, warmly rubbing at Argos’ cheeks.
“He’s probably already got an owner, you know.” The raven-haired comments, reaching over to rub the fuzzy head.
I clear my throat, the two look up. The red haired one resurfaces from his refuge, a big opportunistic smile on his bony face.
“Good afternoon, your Majesty…” The red-haired nobody grins uncomfortably.
“Evening, your Majesty.” Antinous quips,
“Hi, Majesty.” Amphinomus smiles. He’s mom’s favorite, so he gets the privilege of being a little more informal than the others.
Argos gives a little bark, propping himself up on Amphinomus’ knees.
“He likes you.” I comment, letting my hand rest on my hip.
“Is he always this friendly?” Antinous asks, looking up at me with handsome obsidian eyes.
“You must smell like food.” I shrug, the red-haired one guffaws forcefully next to me, I try my best to suppress any twitch of distaste on my face. Then, he speaks, wiping an insolent tear from the corner of his eye,
“That’s a great one, your Majesty. Very humorous. Uhm… Say, now, would her Majesty be inclined to accept any visits at this time?”
Do I look like her chambermaid? How would I know?
“Aw, come on, Eury, look at the dog…” Amphinomus insists, trying to put the spotlight back on the handsome boy.
“Yes, and that’s a very nice dog…” The ginger says slowly, as if thinking twice about his words.
“Say, what’s your name?” I request, nodding my head towards the pale one.
He smirks proudly, “Eurymachus. Eurymachus of Zacynthus, your Majesty.”
I just hum and look off to the side, unimpressed. Zacynthus is just another one of these lost rocks in the middle of the sea which depends on us to stay afloat.
“You know, your Majesty. It’s such a shame, that we don’t see you at our banquets, really, we would love-” Blah blah blah, ass-kissing from the ginger, I just let it go in one ear and out the other. I know we have to be respectful towards them, but for crying out loud, they can be so insufferable.
“Eurymachus.” Antinous calls with an unamused gaze.
The irritating redhead goes silent.
“So that’s… Aragon? Andrea? Alexandros… A… Starts with A, I’m sure of it.” Amphinomus guesses, pondering the dog.
“He’s called Argos.” I announce, the two nodding with understanding.
“Argos. Got it.” Antinous notes, giving Argos a light scratch on the underside of his maw.
“Say… What have you got in that pitcher?” Antinous remarks, sizing me up. I almost forgot I came here for water.
“Nothing yet. I just need something to water my flowers with. The servants are all occupied, so I have to fetch it myself…” I comment, taking a step closer to the fountain.
“Please, allow me.” Antinous offers, standing up hovering his hands over the pottery. Damn, he’s got a good two or three inches on me.
“If you must.” I place the recipient in his hands. I let my eyes linger on his brawny physique, his sly eyes, his little playful smile. I’d fuck him for sure.
He bends over the fountain, submerging the pitcher. I can’t get myself to stop staring at the curves, the hard ridges, the slutty way in which his red chiton drapes over his body. Damn good-looking specimen, I’ll admit. I’d be an idiot not to recognise it.
Him along with Amphinomus are pretty handsome. I guess it’s just that the brown-haired one has more of a cuddly bear charm to him. I’d do them both. Whatever though, there’s a sea of men out there who aren’t out to court my mother. There are better pickings.
He turns back to me, handing me the damp ceramic jug. I take it, our eyes locking onto each other.
“Good man.” I snicker,
“Anything for you, your Majesty.” Antinous grins, crossing his arms,
“Very well. I’ll go now. You three have fun. Argos, come on, boy.” I call out, Argos coming to rush by my side. Antinous looks a little surprised, the ginger looks a bit disappointed.
“Later, Majesty!” Amphinomus shouts out,
“Goodbye, your Majesty.” Antinous calls with a small wave,
“Goodbye…” Eurymachus mutters, barely audible.
Opportunistic greedy pricks.