The main door of palace Aetheria had never seemed so large.
Zeus stood before them, his hands resting at his sides, staring at the golden doors with an eagle engraved on it.
From the slight opening of the door, he could hear the low, steady boom of his fathers voice.
Not shouting. He never did. And it was worse that way. His father did not need volume to command fear.
The outside air felt heavy. Zeus exhaled slowly, and opened the door and walked in. As he stepped into the palace, the bright lights, and the heat from the hearth enveloped him.
He had returned some minutes ago, but had deliberately delayed entering. But he could not delay forever.
To his right, the door to the living room was wide open, revealing a cozy space with a massive screen, and plush couches.
They sat in the middle couch, all of them facing the massive screen, his father on the left, Gwen in the middle, and Metis at the right end.
"You are here," his father acknowledged, as a servant moved away from his side.
"Yes, sir." He answered, his eyes flicking across the room. Cronus was not there.
'He must be in his chamber, resting.' He thought.
"Son, how was your day?" Metis asked, looking away from the show briefly.
"It was okay." He replied smiling back at Gwen who smiled at him, and mouthed. "Welcome."
Zeus stepped inside fully, shutting the door behind him.
His father sat up from his slouched position, his legs spread wide as he turned to face Zeus.
Zoran Aera did not smile.
He never did with Zeus.
His gaze slid over Zeus in silent assessment.
"Father, welcome." He greeted, bowing slightly.
Zoran gave him a slight nod. "You're late."
"I came as soon as I could." He answered, straightening up.
Zeus watched his father start to speak, and pause.
Gwen glanced between them both, and began examining her nails closely. She glanced at him again, sympathetically and focused on what was happening in the show.
"I was told you wanted to see me once I returned."
"I did." Zoran said getting up.
"Go easy on him, please." Metis called out as they exited the room.
"I will." Zoran replied, shutting the door.
They walked up the staircase, to his office, down the corridor on the left end.
Zoran headed for his large, leather, executive chair, behind his desk and sat down, signaling Zeus to shut the door.
He looked imposing, that Zeus had to resist the urge to stiffen.
"How well have you been training?" Zoran asked, inspecting Zeus posture.
"Quite well. And consistent." He tried hard not to fidget, or blink too much.
There was a pause, as Zoran stood up from his seat. "Are you ready for the tournament?"
Zoran walked towards him, and stopped in front of him, gazing into his eyes, intimidatingly.
Zeus felt his presence like a shadow stretching over him.
"Yes sir." Zeus answered, trying hard not look at the floor.
"You had better be." Zoran said quietly. "You have already been enough of a disappointment according to all the information I've been supplied."
Zoran leaned into him, and Zeus flinched unconsciously, almost falling.
There was a knock on the door.
"Who is it?" Zoran asked, taking his eyes off Zeus.
"Sir your chief prime minister is here." A servant spoke.
"Try not to die tomorrow. You may leave."
Zeus saw the disappointment on his face, and looked away, heading out of the room. He bowed slightly to the chief prime minister and walked away as he headed into the office.
Zeus headed to his room, his hands fisted. He was going to win the tournament.
**** ****
The tram waited waited beneath the institute arched exit, its polished steel frame gleaming under the descending evening light.
Merva was already seated.
She had chosen her usual place at the back. From there she could see everyone, observe without being observed.
She sighed again and again, as the almost kiss kept replaying in her mind. She felt foolish, for stopping it, and thinking about it.
One by one, the girls poured into the tram as they exited the hall and came out. Their laughter echoing as they waved their male counterparts goodbye.
"Did you see scribe Holten's face?"
"I swear he almost fainted..."
"You're exaggerating."
Silk dresses whispered, and rustled. Heels clicked. The clashing perfumes choking.
Merva sat still, her hands folded neatly on her laps, her face outside the window.
No tram could leave until all its seats were filled, or all the girls were in. And so she had to wait, as more girls stepped in, chattering.
Eventually, the last seat was taken. The conductor at the front, glanced over his shoulder, confirming all the seats were occupied.
The atmosphere settled into the pause before departure, and Merva smiled, eager to return to the comfort of her chamber.
The door began to slide inwards, and paused.
"Merva Polo."
The voice was firm, but respectful.
Several girls turned.
Merva blinked once.
"Yes." She answered, rising immediately.
"You are requested outside." The conductor called.
A ripple of curiosity moved through the tram.
'Requested?'
Merva did not question it aloud.
She simply began walking through the isle, her head inclined to see who it was.
The tram was long, the walk feeling like an eternity, conversations lowering into whispers as she passed.
"Who's calling her?"
"Did she do something wrong?"
"Did something happen?"
Merva kept her expression calm, though she also wondered, and feared. When she reached the front, the doors slid fully open. The evening air brushing against her face.
Then she saw them.
Her cousins, standing just beyond the trams threshold.
"Alex?"
"Lena?"
Her face brightening instantly.
"Merva."
Without hesitation, Merva stepped down from the tram, the pavement smooth beneath her shoes as she closed the distance, and wrapped her arms around Alex in embrace.
He caught her, lifting her up, and spinning her, before he dropped her.
Lena pouted. "No hug for me? It was my idea to come here."
Merva moved to her, and embraced her, their laughter mingling.
"You didn't tell me you were coming today." She said smiling openly. "And when did you get back?" She said looking at Alex.
"I came to surprise you. You don't like it?" He asked.
"I do." She said eagerly, as he patted her hair lovingly.
"You look different." Lena noted.
"In a bad way?" She teased lightly.
"In a noticeable way."
Before she could respond.
HONK!.
The tram driver leaned slightly out of his compartment.
HONK!.
The sharp sound echoed across the platform.
A clear indication for her to return inside as departure was imminent.
Merva half turned instinctively, glancing at the open doors.
"I should..."
"There's no need." Alex said calmly.
He raised one hand towards the driver. "She won't be boarding."
The conductor hesitated.
Lena stepped forward, politely showing them a clearance sheet. "We'be already cleared it with her matron."
The word sunk in, as he checked the stamped sheet. It was approved.
The conductor straightened immediately. "Understood."
The doors slid shut.
The tram pulled away, leaving behind only the three of them.
Merva looked at them confused. "You cleared me?" She asked.
Alex nodded. "We all would be staying at the official lodge tonight."
"Just the three of us?" She pointed at them and herself.
"No. With grandfather," Lena said.
"And mother." Alex finished.
Merva's eyes flickered, but she maintained her smile. "That explains why you are here."
"And we brought your maid, to make things easier for you."
Merva looked around, but did not see her. She spotted a black sleek car parked some feet's away, the family crest shimmering along its side.
"She is in the lodge waiting." Alex cleared her confusion, ushering them towards the car. "Shall we?"
She nodded, Lena holding her hands as they walked to it.
The chauffeur moved to open the door, but Alex stopped him, opening it for Merva and Lena to enter.
The interior was luxurious, and tasteful. Black and red leather seats, soft ambient lights.
Once they were seated, the doors sealed.
The car hummed, its wheels retracting.
And smoothly, they lifted.
The institute's platform shrinking beneath them.
From above, the divine capital was breathtaking. White towers rose like sculpted spears. Bridges with lights that shone like crystal, over flowing canals. The official guesthouses gleamed, with palace Aetheria standing at its center like the crown.
Merva leaned slightly out the window. "Its beautiful tonight." She remarked.
"Yes." Lena agreed softly.
Alex studied Merva. "I heard some interesting things."
"Really?"
"About you."
Merva did not look at him. "Rumors travel quickly."
"Especially impressive ones."
She finally turned to him. "He was only helping me." She defended.
He looked at her pointedly, and grinned.
Lena looked between the two of them, lost. "Who did what?" She asked.
Alex smiled faintly. "Thats not what they are saying."
The car swooped down.
Below them, guard patrols moved along designated routes.
Merva's gaze drifted towards the tallest tower in the distance. She had memorized it since childhood, looking at it brought back memories of pain. She looked away, as the car landed on their designated parking space.
As soon as the door was open, flashes exploded.
"Lord Alex, is it true that you are here to try for your chance at the throne, since it has been made an open challenge?"
"Lady Merva, look here."
"Lady Lena, please look here."
Questions flew through the air, as paparazzi surged forward, cameras snapping rapidly.
Guards moved quickly, forming a barrier, and escorting them to the door.
Inside, the heavy doors shut, muting the chaos outside.
Her aunt approached, smiling. "Merva, dear."
"Aunt." She greeted.
Her maid stood silently at the corner watching her. Their eyes met. Merva inclined her head, slightly smiling, and the maid did too, before bowing her head.
"Miss Merva, your grandfather is waiting for you in his office." A servant informed her.
'Of course he was. The senile old man.'
She took off her coat and handed it to another servant, following the one that informed her.
As she walked up the staircase, the voices of her cousins faded behind her.
The servant knocked at the office door. "Sir, she is here."
There was a pause.
"Send her in."
The door opened.
Her grandfather sat behind his desk, he did not look a day over fifty.
"Merva."
"Grandfather."
"Sit."
She obeyed.
"How is school?" He asked, rubbing lightly at his forehead.
"It is good."
"I heard you've been... doing great."
She held his gaze. "I am trying my best."
This was not why he called her, she knew.
He evaluated her.
"You understand," he started. "That you are my heir to the seat in the council."
"Yes." She answered.
Her father was the eldest child.
"I want you to relinquish it."
The air stilled, but he watched her face and continued. "Give it to your cousin brother, Alex."
There it was, this is what he had wanted to say.
She let him go on, imagining if she refused, and put up a fight. She did not want to go through that much pain from him, and so she smiled.
"Your cousin has been cultivated for public leadership, and would be in better position to command it." He finished.
"Does he know?"
"No." He answered, looking at her. "I will tell him when the time is right."
She smiled again, nodding in acceptance.
"And when will the announcement be made?"
"When you are done with the institute, and are ready to begin your training for the chair."
"Sure." She replied.
'That is enough time to find a way out of this.'
She had always dreamed of taking her place, no one would take it from her.