Part 27

The next letter she received from Ajaxson, arrived only a day later, almost as if he knew Lukas had left the Castle. Talia brought the letter to her room and sat down on the edge of her bed to read. Not only that, but a personal message was sent to Zeus as well. For a long time, she wondered what could that be before eventually giving up.

She opened the envelope that had arrived without a package, front teeth sunk into her bottom lip. Her thoughts were still running in split ends when it came to Ajaxson, but she didn't possess the energy to go through everything again. The moon princess stared at the letter, reading the first few paragraphs over and over until each word had settled permanently in her mind.

"What?" She muttered, brows drawn together as a mixture of shock and indignation churned in her gut. Blinking away, Talia managed to get to the end of the letter somehow, teeth grinding together.

Talia stood, anger sizzling in her bones as he stalked across the room to her mirror. Each word echoed in her ears, taunting her and mocking her. She bent forward, resting against the bureau beneath, lungs becoming increasingly laboured. Her heart felt strangely heavy in her chest as she stared up at her reflection, eyes stormy and ragging under her dark eyebrows.

Ajaxson had the audacity to invite her for an lovely evening together? How dare he propose such an outrageous thing even after knowing her feelings towards him?

With a sigh, she returned to her empty bed, curling under the sheets. It had been a horrible day so far, mostly involving sitting with Hera. They had to act lovingly in front of Zeus while deciding the menu for engagement. She had difficulty keeping her disdain out of her tone, nodding along to Heras ridiculous menu selection. The Queen wanted each family to carve their turkey. Who even does that?

The God of Lightning, excited and happy at the engagement ceremony, nodded along.

Talia blinked, staring back at the piece of paper in her hands. By no means she was looking forward to seeing Ajaxson on the very same evening. Maybe that's why he sent a personal message to Zeus. It all made sense now. He wanted to take her away. But where exactly? Her tummy anxiously twisted. She didn't know how this had happened, but there's no way out of it.

***

By the time Ajaxson arrived at the Castle, she had built up quite a bit of a mood.

Zeus, once he received the message, called nymphs for Talia. He insisted his daughter look her best as it may be perceived as their first public outing after the engagement announcement. That's why her hair was styled with a flower crown bearing her moon crystal, expensive fabric draped around her body. Despite all the glamour, her eyes lacked spark.

Talia wasn't sure what to expect, but she knew it's her betrothed, and that was enough to put a damper on her mood.

Few minutes passed when Ajaxson pulled up in a carriage, correcting the short sleeves of his material. She watched him through the window beside the door, glancing at him from the corner of her eye. Her betrothed was dressed impeccably; shoes squeaky clean, his hair pulled up just slightly and nudged to the side. He looked sharp. Talia detested him.

The guards alerted of the Gods arrival, and in the living hall, Zeus stood up, tugging his belt in order. It appeared as if her father was the one invited for the date.

"About time," The God of Lightning muttered, shifting on his feet.

She could see Ajaxson shift on his feet outside, tugging at his sleeves and squaring his shoulders. A bunch of delicate-looking flowers were cradled in his other hand. Did he bring them for her? The thought made her lips twist.

With a huff, the moon princess approached the living hall, trying to appear cheerful. At least for the sake of her father.

"Ajaxson!"

Her betrothed voice was bright, and he greeted Talia's father with a courteous bow. "My lord, a pleasure to see you again! I apologise if I'm a bit late."

"That is no problem," Zeus shook his head. "I understand the roads must be terrible due to weather past these days."

Before he could answer, his eyes fell on Talia standing in the corner.

"Oh," Ajaxson gaped, stopping in his tracks as his eyes for the first time found her. "Talia, I didn't you see you there. My manners are just terrible today."

"Good evening." He stalked towards her, trying to wrap his arms around.

"Hello," She greeted coldly, recoiling from the touch but remaining in her spot against the wall, hands locked behind her back. What was he trying to do?

Faking a smile on his face, he turned to her father.

"My lord," He said, meeting Zeus eyes earnestly. "We won't be far tonight. We will be in Olympus, but I would rather keep the location private for the moment. It's meant to be a surprise for Talia."

A smile curled around Zeus lips, and he laughed. "That's just fine, son. Have daughter of mine home in three hours, yes?"

"Of course," Ajaxson promised. The handsome God gave her the flowers, eyes crinkling around the corner. As much as she wanted to throw them at his face, Talia liked the arrangement.

The moon princess clapped her hand, calling a nearby maid servant. She didn't even touch the flowers, simply motioning it towards the maid.

"Take these flowers to your maid quarters and keep them in the vase. I'm sure they will look very lovely"

Ajaxson's mouth dropped at that.

Her father, on the other hand gritted his teeth, fully enraged at her behaviour. Before he could utter any word, Ajaxson motioned him. The God of Lightning dropped his shoulders.

He turned to the moon princess and extended his hand. "Shall we?"

"Sure," The moon princess replied curtly and proceeded to stride right past him, ignoring his hand in favour of stalking toward the carriage without a glance back. She knew both men must be staring at her, but Talia couldn't be bothered.

***

His steps catching up to Talia were audible against the stone path. She didn't make an effort to stop for him, trying to reach for the handle when Ajaxson swooped in. He swiftly tugged at the door, holding it for her with a guarded expression on his face.

The moon princess firmly averted his eyes and climbed into the luxurious-looking carriage without a word. It took a moment before her betrothed climbed in and closed the door behind him. But not before giving the driver an address she hadn't heard before. Where was he taking her?

After few seconds, the carriage started moving, and she twisted her body towards the small window at the back, pressing her forehead against the cold glass. Talia could do anything to be back in her room with a book and Lukas by her side.

Fortunately, Ajaxson remained silent. She felt his eyes tracking her, but Talia didn't let that affect her, keeping her eyes on the road in front of them. It wasn't until they were almost in the centre of the roads that her betrothed spoke up, worry easily discernable in his voice.

"Are you quite alright, Talia?" He asked.

The moon princess shot him an indignant glare but didn't reply. Was he that clueless? After the amount of stress, Ajaxson put her under; he had the gall to pretend. She gripped the hem of her cloth, knuckles turning white.

"Is it something I have done?"

Unable to bite her tongue any longer, Talia sneered at him, "Why don't you send another letter and find out? Or better talk to my lover again?"

If he was surprised at the jab, Ajaxson only showcased the barest hint of it. His mouth slid ajar, bottom lip moving a fraction as he hesitated, thinking thoroughly before speaking. She glowered at him.

"I know must be angry," Ajaxson stated warily, "because... I didn't say anything about our engagement announcement?"

She huffed a hard puff of air, facing away and turning towards him. "Aren't you a scholar for figuring that out so quick?"

"Talia" He sounded resigned, taking his hand through the wild locks of his hair. "I only meant to apologise for that. That's why I sent those letters and a gift."

"I don't need your apologies," The moon princess clenched her jaw, thinking back to the set of books she received. Conveniently those letters and that gift got the entire Castle talking about their engagement. "Just stop acting like we're anything more than strangers forced to follow an arrangement."

With that said, Talia angled her face away, and as the carriage came to a stop, she pushed the door wide open without waiting for any confirmation that they were in the right place. From her peripheral vision, she saw Ajaxson mumble something under his breath before following her.

She wasn't quite sure where they were, blinking at the unfamiliar walls. The sun just about breached the horizon, but the fog was so thick Talia could only see a few yards ahead. Seconds later, she heard a little bell chiming and figured out they were in a temple.

"I'm not acting, Talia." His voice turned suddenly strained, hands folded together. "I don't want to intrude on your life more than I already have. I wish you'd —"

Talia frowned in sudden bewilderment, watching him deflate, her eyes slipping to the ground between them. "What?"

He pressed his lips together, opening and closing his mouth. "Nothing. Forget it"

***