Beauty of Thebes

Chapter 50: Golden Crown

The greatness and decline of a temple were connected to the reputation of a god.

Eutostea’s current survey of the main temple showed that it was degrading. Even the temple that was meant to serve evil spirits was cleaner than this. The Moussa stood next to her with a box as she organized her thoughts on what to do first.

“I’ll need some clothes first,” she smiled shyly and opened the lid of the dusty box.

Several clean clothes were folded neatly. There traces of someone who had worn them in the past. It was no ordinary clothes. Sure, it looked old, but the quivering sensation made Eutostea’s hands melt, almost.

Along the edge was embroidered with gold threads. It described the shapes of constellations in the night sky. From the idea of gods bending man in heaven, it was the divine lady and the priest(ess) representing the gods’ voice who could wear such embroidered clothing.

The front was embroidered with a cane of Dionysus and vines of grapes wrapped ‘round it.

Eutostea took off her old clothes and changed into the priest’s uniform.

The Moussa were excited when they heard they’ll have a priestess after a long time. They flicked away somewhere and came back with another box in their arms. It was a golden silver bracelet embossed with the pattern grapes in Dionysus’ image.

They put it on Eutostea’s wrists and rubbed her arm in satisfaction.

Suddenly, they thought of something and disappeared.

The box they brought this time was smaller than before. The Moussa fluttered their long and beautiful eyelashes, lowering their eyes solemnly.

Inside the box was a small golden crown wrapped in silk.

“I am a priest, not a woman of Dionysus.”

Eutostea refused with embarrassed eyes. It was a treasure burdensome to receive.

Dionysus appeared and took the box. The Moussa backed away as he stood before Eutostea.

“It’d be left rotten in the dust anyways. You wear it, Eutostea,” he said.

“Dionysus.”

“It’s a present for my first priest. If it’s too much for you, you’re free to leave it behind when you go away. And don’t think you’re wearing it to flatter me. Just wear it and stop thinking too much.”

Dionysus slowly draped the crown over her head. The leaves of the vine wrapped around the side of her hair and forehead. Narrowing his eyes, he carefully fixed the position of the golden crown.

“There. It suits you, cute bun. Hmm… you look better with bobbed hair,” he smiled, eyes bent with satisfaction.

Eutostea didn’t blink.

“If you’re trying to flatter me and win my affection, do it with labor. There are many places here in the temple that needs cleaning up. I can’t do it alone. My ankle is injured.”

“Wow, you’re openly testing a god,” Dionysus clicked his tongue, eyes twinkling. However, he never said no.

Eutostea raised her arm to take off the burdensome crown.

Dionysus hurriedly held her hand and cried, “If you take it off, then you’re disqualified to become a priest. No, then I won’t have another good one… but just keep it on, okay? Pretty please?”

“Yes, yes.”

Eutostea looked tired and pulled her hand away from his grasp.

Ignoring Dionysus’ request to be carried on his shoulder, she sat on the leopard’s back lying down. The leopard was a beast that was as big as Dionysus.

The leopard which Eutostea mounted was a male named Mariad. He rose from his seat gently and went out of the inner room in a relaxed manner similar to his master.

Dionysus took Eonia with him and followed Eutostea.

“Get rid of the floor here and move the altar back.”

Eutostea pointed to the floor of the assembly hall and handed Dionysus a rake.