Beauty of Thebes

Chapter 15: Sloppy Plan

Askitea and Hersia’s mind went blank, feeling as if they’d been struck by a hammer on the back of their head knowing a man, or a god possibly spent the night with their maiden sister.

Eutostea did not wait until their shock faded and said, “Father wants more information fromhim –his height, the texture of his hair, his facial features, everything… I’m to gather the information tonight… if he comes.”

And then she looked up at the Temple of Artemis.

“When he’s asleep, I’ll secretly light a candle. Whether he’s an ordinary man or a god…” Eutostea trailed off.

“How on earth can you tell the difference between a man and a god?” Hersia questioned sharply.

“Man who sees a god’s true colors… their eyes burn and they go blind. This truth will be enough for father. He won’t care what happens to me as a result. This will be fine…”

“Sister, you’re crazy. Why go this far…?” Askitea muttered.

She bit her lips and looked at the temple that Eutostea refused to enter out of fear. She clutched her skirt and opened the temple door wide open and entered.

Akistea walked before the eye of the goddess Artemis who stared at her with knowing eyes. Her heart palpitated as she looked around. Then she found a tray of candles and hid it inside her skirt before quickly leaving the temple. Her younger sister, Eutostea, looked at her with questionable eyes.

Askitea stood next to Hersia and said to Eutostea mockingly, “What? I’m a virgin, aren’t I? Did you think I’d get shot with an arrow? I went in instead so you would not have to. Don’t worry.”

At this moment, Askitea acted the part of an older and responsible sister.

Eutostea was amazed, her lips parted slightly open.

“I want to see what a god looks like. How rare is it to see a god in real life? If he’s a normal man, I’ll pull out all the hairs in his body. Hersia and I will wait outside with the guards on standby. Soon as you give the signal, I will light the candlestick and go in quietly to catch a glimpse of his face. Isn’t that a good plan?”

“…You don’t have to do this for me,” Eutostea said.

“Nonsense! We’re not doing this for you but because we want and yearn to see a god! I’ve always yearned for Zeus, but Apollo is good enough. He’s a handsome god, too. If I could see his face once, I’d gladly volunteer even if I was blind!”

Eutostea looked at her two sisters alternately not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

“He came to my bedroom quarter believing I was Hersia. I’m sure you know that, sister.”

“Hmph! Well, there’s still Ares,” Hersia snorted, pretending she was upset. “I’ll go in there and surprise him. I’ll show that god my precious face and he’ll see the kind of beauty he missed out on!”

“But the moment you see his true identity, you’ll go blind and burn to death. Didn’t you hear about the story of the woman burning to death after seeing Zeus?”

“Fake news! It was Hera’s doing!”

“Oh really? Don’t say I did not tell you.”

“Shut up!”

The two sisters quarreled once more, the sight a regular occurrence.

Eutostea sighed and smiled.

The three princesses pondered over their sloppy plan while returning to Eutostea’s room. The night drew near and their plan would soon set in motion. The two beautiful princesses remained together, walking around freely in the hallway, and instructing the guards to contact them when they see Eutostea’s signal. Their excuse was a sleepover in their sister’s room. When Eutostea slid the hairband under her door, Askitea and Hersia will know that it was time to sneak in her room. Eutostea was confused, unsure if their plan would work… but it was worth the try.

Meanwhile, the lamp shook ominously.