Chapter 42: Times Have Changed
Inside the Amazon royal palace.
Diana's bright eyes locked naturally with the Amazon Queen's, no longer the pampered princess once protected by her people, but a knight radiant with proud wings of light.
"Mother, when I was young, didn't you tell me? That humanity was the gods' most miraculous creation—powerful and filled with infinite potential?"
She paused, then said sincerely: "When I first stepped into the human world, I was full of hope. But soon, disappointment swallowed me whole. In truth, it was me who exiled myself, choosing to remain in their world, searching for an answer in my heart."
"Did you find it?" Queen Hippolyta's furrowed brow softened as she looked at her only daughter with calm eyes.
"Yes. I finally understand your words back then." Diana smiled faintly. "Xi Nian—he is the miracle I chose, the answer I wanted to find."
Hippolyta fell silent for a moment before asking softly, "You have that much faith in him?"
Diana's brows, sharp as blades, lifted with determination. "I have faith in myself. That is why I made this choice."
She gently held her mother's hand and whispered, "Mother, you don't blame me, do you?"
"Of course not." Hippolyta shook her head, smiling tenderly. "You are my daughter. No matter what you decide, I will support you."
At that moment—
From outside the palace doors, General Antiope stormed in, her voice like thunder before she even stepped into the hall. "I object!"
"Antiope." Hippolyta lifted her gaze to her.
"Your Majesty!" Antiope dropped to one knee in salute before repeating firmly: "I cannot agree with Princess Diana's choice! She is the princess of the Amazons. How can she stake everything on a weak, young human?"
She could neither understand it, nor accept it.
"Antiope." Diana opened her mouth, but Hippolyta gently tapped her hand and said instead, "You still have that fiery temper. Do you remember when Diana was little?"
Antiope frowned deeply, uncertain of the queen's meaning.
Hippolyta spoke softly: "When Diana was a child, she loved to secretly watch you and the warriors train. Out of love, I didn't want her to become a fighter. I scolded her many times and forbade her from touching weapons."
"But in the end, she still snuck off to train with you."
"This…" Antiope opened her mouth, then closed it, words stuck in her throat.
"You know this well." Hippolyta sighed. "Neither you nor I could control Diana as a child. How could we possibly control her choices as an adult? You say she is exceptional, and this is the decision she has made. How can you question her?"
Antiope fell completely silent.
Her fists clenched tight, then slowly loosened. At last, she said with helpless resignation: "I… I will respect Princess Diana's decision."
From the moment the Amazon Queen and General Antiope ceased their objections, no one on Themyscira could challenge Diana's choice again.
This also meant Xi Nian's identity and status on Themyscira rose to stand alongside that of Princess Diana herself.
"Antiope, there is one more thing I wish to entrust to you. It concerns Xi Nian," Diana suddenly said.
Queen Hippolyta hesitated. Was it really wise to entrust matters about Xi Nian to Antiope?
Antiope raised her brows. "Princess Diana, please say the word."
Diana lowered her voice. "I want Xi Nian to…"
…
In the old structure.
Xi Nian lay half-starved on the bed of the small dark room, when suddenly the sound of footsteps echoed from the corridor outside.
Finally, someone was here!
He shot up, just in time to see the female guard rush in with a set of clothes in hand. "Your Highness, quickly change into these. General Antiope wishes to see you!"
"Is it time to eat?" Xi Nian muttered as he grabbed the clothes, immediately stripping off his shirt, causing the flustered guard to bolt outside in panic.
"What's the big deal? It's not like you've never seen a man before." Xi Nian grumbled as he changed into the clothes and walked toward the exit.
Leaving the long, dim corridor, he finally stepped out and felt the joy of sunlight once again. Looking down at his outfit, he noted it was at least proper men's clothing this time—brown linen short sleeves on top and fitted trousers for easy movement, reminiscent of ancient Greek style.
But the trousers looked oddly new, freshly stitched with bright seams.
Before he could dwell on it, the sound of galloping hooves filled the air. A squad of female cavalry appeared at the cliffside structure, led by none other than General Antiope on a black horse.
She glanced at Xi Nian, whispered instructions to the guard, then ordered her cavalry: "Bring him a horse."
A horse?
A female knight led forward a powerful white stallion, stopping in front of Xi Nian. His lips twitched.
Really? Times have changed! Couldn't they get some modern transportation?
But under the stares of Antiope and the riders, Xi Nian had no choice but to lock eyes with the horse.
Sensing his hesitation, the guard asked, "Your Highness, shall I help you mount?"
"Please do." Xi Nian was deeply moved—until she picked him up and tossed him two or three meters into the air, dropping him squarely onto the saddle.
Startled, the white horse bolted like an arrow, carrying Xi Nian wildly across the open ground.
"Go!" Antiope shouted, spurring her own mount as she and the cavalry raced after.
…
Enclosed by the cavalry, the white stallion finally slowed. Xi Nian clutched the reins desperately, still shaken but grateful he hadn't been thrown off.
As he caught his breath, he realized the slowed pace wasn't for his sake—they had entered the heart of Themyscira's settlement.
Smooth white stone roads wound through the mountains, flanked by countless white buildings.
As the cavalry escorted Xi Nian through, hundreds of women in flowing white dresses, along with armed guards at their posts, all turned to look at him, eyes filled with curiosity and surprise.
Xi Nian suddenly felt like a young man visiting his girlfriend's house for the first time, being scrutinized by an army of aunts and cousins.
Only this wasn't just relatives. This was an entire tribe, an entire race.
And the most striking thing of all—
Every face was female. Not a single man in sight. And not one elder among them!
At last, Xi Nian understood why his men's clothes had been newly sewn. On this island, there was no need for them.
Themyscira?
They might as well rename it the Kingdom of Daughters.
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