Chapter 11: Menelaia’s View

I am Menelaia, the queen of Sparta. I have to be strong. Every step I take must look like I am the strongest person in the world. I have to. I have to. I have to I must.

***

...

My heart stoped the moment my eyes landed on him.

It was as if an arrow had stuck through my heart.

Oh god, I thought while sweat fell down my forehead. I never seen a face like that in my life...

His body had the right to be called "created by the gods". It was perfect. It was beautiful. It was... It looked tasty.

Stay calm, Menelaia! I told myself. Do NOT look like a man. You are a Queen. You are here to see the boy who will be your King. Be cool!

I walked closer, making sure my face stayed very smooth and my eyes with out lust.

I sat down near him, moving slowly so he wouldn't see how much I wanted to just lean over and stare at him.

Up close, he was even prettier. His eyelashes were so long, and he looked so gentle.

"I imagine you spend most of your time trying to avoid being seen," I said.

My voice sounded okay. It was deep and steady, like a proper Queen. I was so proud of myself! I didn't stutter once!

Inside, I was screaming. He’s so cute! Look at his little nose! I want to give him everything!

Helenos looked at me, and his eyes were full of worry. "It is a constant effort," he whispered.

My chest felt so tight. It wasn't a bad, though. It was a warm, tingly feeling that made me want to reach out and take a bit out of him.

I looked at his mother, Leda, who looked like in the verge of crying, and his sister, who looked fine... No. not fine... no one can get past my eyes! That's one more thing to be proud of

They didn't understand him. They saw a problem or a prize, but I saw him.

I felt a sudden, hot rush of protectiveness. It started in my toes and went all the way to my head. I wanted to be his shield. I wanted to be the one who kept the world away so he could just breathe.

"Helenos, I will be direct with you," I said, keeping my voice soft but very firm. I told him I didn't care about the land or the gold. I told him I was here because of him. "I have not come here for a political convenience. I have not come here for territory. I came here for you. I know the truth about your position. I know people are wanting to get you. I can protect you from that."

He looked so surprised. He looked at me like I was a hero in a story.

Ahhang... that face...

I had to stand up then, because if I stayed sitting next to him for one more minute, I was going to do something... something bad.

I walked over to a small tree in a pot and gripped a branch. I squeezed the wood so hard my knuckles turned white. It was the only way to keep myself from bouncing on my toes.

"I understand, Menelaia," he said.

He said my name. Just my name. No "Queen," no "Your Highness."

haa..hah...Stop it... It feels damp underneath(This technically is not 18+...hehe)

"I shall leave you to think on my words," I said, my voice sounding much more grown-up than I felt.

I turned and walked out of the room. I took long, slow steps. I looked powerful. I looked like a leader. But the second the doors closed behind me and I was alone in the hallway, I let out a long, shaky breath. My face felt so hot it was probably glowing red.

I leaned back against the cool stone of the corridor, my hands pressed against my cheeks. My skin felt like it was on fire. I wanted to find a pillow and scream into it, or maybe run a lap around the palace gardens until I collapsed from exhaustion just to get this energy out of my system. I felt so light, like my sandals weren't even touching the stone floor, like I could just float up and drift over the rooftops of Mycenae.

I get it, Menelaia

My name. Just that. No titles.

Heart flipped wild. Floating feeling, could drift right out the window, past the walls. Kept the queen smile on, pretty and secret, no big grin.

Doors shut, hallway empty, and I let out a rough breath. Face hot, probably lit up.

Marrying him, I thought while my heart was pounding.

***

Ieaned on the cool corridor stones, hands to cheeks, feeling the fire in my blood. Wanted a pillow to scream into, or run the palace gardens till I dropped, shake this off. Floating, not even sure my feet touched ground.

Beautiful does not say it. Better than town statues, better than Eurotas sunset.

My head was full of melty, sticky sweet. That look in his eyes, soft and up at me like I was the sun.

I did it. Yelling inside the empty hall.

Yes. A powerful woman in Greece should get the worlds beauty.

Tiny hop, jewelry tinkling softly. Like a girl promised, every toy. Giggle urge, spin till dizzy. (Rhymes)

That's how it hit.

Wait

But then a chill prickled at my brain base, sharp in the chest. Thorn through the joy.

Stopped. Smile stayed, but edged sharper.

Servants eyeing him with the wine. Guards straightened as he passed. They looked at him. Who wouldn't want to look at his face.

"..."

What if he talks with others.

My body itched.

Helenos was so soft, innocent. People are like wolves, and when they see something pretty, they will grab, touch, and own.

A smile to a servant. Those eyes on a soldier. I want it all only for me.

I can't let him wander free. Too precious, fragile.

Mine to guard. Others talking, planting ideas, stealing focus. Deep breath to stop it, let the queen rule.

Calm... Calm down

The more I thought about it, the more I realized I couldn't just let him wander around. He is too precious. He is too delicate. He is mine, and I have to make sure he stays that way. If he speaks to others, they might put ideas in his head.

They might try to take his attention away from me. And I simply won't allow that.

I took a deep breath, trying to push down the jumpy feeling so the Queen could take over. But even she felt it now—this need to pull him close and never let him out of my sight.

"My Queen?"

I jumped, nearly leaping out of my skin. It was one of my guards, standing tall and looking confused. I realized I had been staring at a wall with a very scary look on my face.

"Everything is fine," I snapped, my voice sharp and royal again. "Prepare the men. We will be leaving soon with the Prince of Mycenae."

The guard bowed and hurried away. I watched him go, my eyes narrowing.

My own guards shouldn't look at Helenos for too long. I’ll have to make sure he stays in the center of the formation.

I walked toward the balcony that looked over the courtyard. I saw the golden sun setting over the hills, but all I could see was Helenos's face.

He is going to be mine. He is mine. I am the one who promised to protect him.

I am the one he called by name.

If anyone else tries to get close to him, if anyone else tries to make him smile or whisper in his ear... I’ll show them why people are afraid of Sparta. I’ll be the only person he ever needs to talk to. I’ll build a wall around him made of my own soldiers, and I’ll be the only one with the key.

I went to my room to start packing, but I couldn't focus. I kept imagining him talking to a servant or laughing with a stranger, and my stomach would get all hot and twisty.

"He's too pretty for anyone else," I whispered to the empty room. "He's just for me. I’ll make sure of it. I'll make sure he never even wants to look at anyone else."

I sat on my bed and hugged my knees, feeling childish and jumpy and powerful all at once.

I’m the Queen.

I get what I want.

And I want Helenos all to myself.

.

Ask any questions. Sorry about... I don't't't't't't't't't't't't't't If you add 't to any word it gets added by one.