Chapter Text
My mom and I had worked in the palace for as long as I could remember. She told me the stories of the gods, the Trojan War the king had left to fight in. That had been nineteen years ago, I’d been born around when the war had started.
Queen Penelope was kind, she ensured my mother didn’t have to go near the suitors at my request. I took over her old jobs that revolved around the suitors. That meant putting up with their endless taunts and jabs. I’d learned to be quick witted and even quicker on my feet.
That didn't stop me from getting in trouble with them, despite my efforts Mom had spent ever growing amounts of time wrapping wounds.
I was well known around the palace staff, the whoreson servant who didn’t know when to keep his mouth shut. That was fine. I’d clean up my mother’s reputation and make the people who doubted me pay eventually.
Mom didn’t talk about my dad. Said he left when she was pregnant, told me he was lost at sea. Not dead, just lost at sea. I rolled my eyes at that nowadays, where the hell was he? And why wasn’t he helping Mom and I? Mom had claimed that he had loved her, he would’ve loved me, I doubted that.
I’d seen what love was, that was what the Queen had for her husband and son, what Mom had for me.
I was serving the suitors, making a huge effort not to run my mount and get in another fight at my mother’s wish. I was nineteen, the only thing keeping me here was my mother.
“Pour me another glass, little bastard.” Euryphemus ordered.
I bit my tongue, doing as ordered. Then he deliberately “spilled” the wine all over me. My blood was boiling, don’t react, I told myself, repeating my mother’s words, just let them humiliate me.
Another suitor snorted, “Acts just like his whore mother.”
I cleaned the spill, “My mother is not a whore.” I grit out.
“Where’s your father, little shark?” Antinous taunted, “Off at sea with our dead king?”
I felt my anger only building, “And where’s your respect for your hostess.” I snapped back, “She’s housed you here for nineteen years and yet you treat her as if she’s a toy rather than your ruler.”
Antinous grinned that monster-like smirk, “A king is a ruler, a queen is—”
“A queen is what.” A familiar male voice spoke up, Prince Telemachus, he was holding dozens of scrolls, leveling each suitor with a look.
The prince wasn’t a fighter, he avoided the suitors at all costs. So why was he here now?
“Don’t stop at my account, Antinous.” Prince Telemachus smirked, “What were you saying about the ruling Queen of Ithaca?”
Antinous scowled and walked away. I finished cleaning and went to stand to see Telemachus holding a hand out to me. I blinked, but hesitantly accepted the help up.
“Thank you, your majesty.” I murmured, going to walk away.
“You can just call me Telemachus.” He interjected, “We’re the same age and there’s no need for formalities.”
I chuckled, “On the contrary, you are the prince, I am the servant. There’s much need for formality.” I replied with a small bitter undertone.
Prince Telemachus smiled, smiled? “I’ve seen you around, you’ve got a bit of a reputation.”
“I’m aware.” I said, crossing my arms, expecting to be told off.
“Good, that’s something to be proud of, not many people in this world refuse to conform to what others want them to do.”
My mind halted, “What?” I found myself saying.
The prince laughed, “I’m not your supervisor, nor am I the current ruler, but I am the Prince. And I see no issue with your attitude. The suitors need someone to put them back in their place.”
I rubbed the back of my neck, “Thanks?”
He nodded, walking away with a smile. I stayed there, dumbfounded by the conversation I’d just had. What had just happened? Against better judgment I found my face warming as I thought over what had happened.
I shook my head, looking down to my wine stained clothes. I groaned, walking back to the room Mom and I shared.
She gasped when I walked in, “Percy, are you alright, what happened?”
“I’m fine.” I told her, “I didn’t even throw a punch.”
Mom smiled that tired smile, “Let’s get you cleaned up.”
I fidgeted with the sand dollar Mom claimed that my father had given her before he left. She’d given it to me when I turned twelve. She cleaned up my clothes as I sat watching. She didn’t let me help with this part, despite my begging.
“What was it this time?” She asked with that old smile.
I crossed my arms, “They called you a whore, I corrected them, nothing else.”
Mom nodded, “Then why are you covered in wine?” She pressed.
“One of them poured it on me.” I muttered.
She gave me a tight hug, “I’m proud of you.” She whispered in my ear.
“For what?” I asked.
She just kissed my cheek and went back to what she was doing.
My mind went back to the conversation I’d had with the prince.
Mom gave me a look, that look every kid should dread to see on your mothers face. Her lips quirked up, “Your blushing.”
My face grew hot, “I am not.”
She dropped it, but I knew it would come back to bite me. I got redressed and right as I finished another servant walked into the room, panting slightly.
“The Queen wants to see you both.” She relayed.
I saw the panic bloom in my mother’s expression, “Did she say why?” Mom asked nervously.
The servant (I think her name was Amedia) shook her head, “Nothing of that.”
I cursed under my breath. Mom and I walked to the Queen’s chambers, guards allowed us to pass. Mom nervously knocked on the door. Queen Penelope opened it, and smiled when she saw us.
“Come in.” She gestured inside, a beautiful tapestry was being worked on her loom, the olive tree bed seemed to almost glow with the evening light.
“Have we done something wrong?” My mother asked.
“On the contrary.” Queen Penelope smiled kindly, “I asked you here to raise your position, Sally.”
I thought Mom would die of a heart attack then and there.
“What?” She managed
“You’ve worked here longer than most, you’ve been nothing but loyal, and you do everything you are ordered without complaint. A large portion of the staff would soon rather meet Charon than that.” The Queen stated, “And as for Percy.” She smiled at me.
“Whatever it is, Antinous started it.” I stated.
Mom sighed, Queen Penelope just laughed, “If you’d like, I want you to train with the guard staff.”
My jaw fell open, “What?” The resemblance between my mom and I was clear just then.
She met my eye, “My son walks through the palace daily, he’s watched you dodge attacks, use your wit to get your opponent to back down, and has said you have a natural talent that you use in your frequent fights. Of course it is completely option—”
“Yes.” I replied, I slapped my hand over my mouth, realizing that I’d interrupted the Queen.
But she just smiled, “You’ll start training tomorrow, I trust you know where the field is.”
I nodded.
Mom and I left straight after thanking her. We met each other’s eyes in shock.
“Oh my gods.” Mom whispered.
“Let’s fucking go!” I grinned,
She hugged me tightly again, “I don’t know what had you late today, but whatever it is, I think it caused all this.”
Telemachus, I realized. She pulled away, going to check in and see what her position was. I stood there. The Prince came up eventually.
“What did you tell her?” I asked him, still feeling a bit giddy but in almost disbelief.
Telemachus shrugged, “I told her the truth.”
“Thank you.” I whispered.
He smiled, “Good luck with training, Perseus.”