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MidReal Story
Playing the Queen's Game
Scenario:As one of Zeus's bastard children, I am doomed to be targeted by Hera. However, I found a way to get on the queen's good side before she discovered who my father is.
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Alexia Thorne
firstperson protagonist, female, demigod, relationships with other protagonists are complex and secretive, long dark hair, cunning and resourceful
Hera Queen of Gods
protagonist, female, queen of the gods and antagonist to Alexia, married to Zeus but unaware of Alexia's parentage, regal appearance with golden hair and stern eyes
Zeus King of Gods
side protagonist, male, king of the gods and Alexia's father in secret, relationship with Hera is complicated by his infidelity
I was born from a secret that no one was supposed to know.
A secret that could get me killed.
My mother was a mortal, but my father was a god.
Zeus to be exact.
King of the Gods.
What’s worse than having Zeus as a father is that he’s married to Hera Queen of the Gods.
The worst of it all is that not even my father knows that I exist.
My mother was smart enough to keep me a secret from him.
She knew that if he would find out, he would take me away from her and give me to one of his many mistresses to raise.
After all, I am the product of adultery.
My mother had no intention of giving me up, so she kept me a secret and raised me on her own.
She taught me everything that I know today.
She taught me how to be cunning and resourceful.
How to get what I want without getting caught.
But little did she know, I had other plans.
I didn’t want to settle for less and live the rest of my life in misery.
I had other things in mind and I needed her help to settle the score once and for all with the people who wronged us.
I approached the grand temple of Hera in Athens, carrying a basket full of golden apples in my hands.
The temple guards looked at me suspiciously, but they let me pass.
After all, I was bringing them an offering that was worth a fortune.
I walked inside the temple and found Hera alone.
She was busy arranging flowers on her altar.
She turned around to face me, surprised to see me standing there.
I kneeled on one knee and bowed my head in respect.
I held out the basket for her to take.
"An offering from a loyal servant," I said humbly.
Hera took the basket from me and placed it on her altar.
Her fingers traced over the golden apples in awe.
They were stolen from the Hesperides garden, where Zeus’ most trusted nymphs kept them for him.
Hera knew exactly where they came from and she wasn’t surprised that I managed to get my hands on them. "What do you want in return?" she asked me.
"I have information about your husband’s latest affair," I replied.
She raised an eyebrow at me, intrigued.
"Go on," she said.
"I know where he is hiding his new lover," I continued.
"A young nymph who lives in the forest near his palace. He has been seeing her for months now and they are getting careless. If you would like, I can take you to them."
Hera studied me for a moment before responding.
"I would like that very much," she said with a smile.
As I led Hera out of the temple, I knew the balance of power was about to shift.
I led Hera through the winding path that went through the sacred grove.
I had mapped out the route during my previous scouting trips.
The queen’s footsteps behind me were measured and deliberate, her presence radiating divine authority.
We walked for a while until we reached the clearing where Zeus met his latest lover.
I pointed to the ground, where a discarded amphora of nectar lay shattered.
Rose petals were scattered all over the grass and a golden bracelet was left in haste.
Hera picked it up and her fingers clenched around it tightly, her knuckles white with fury.
I stepped back and let her anger build, keeping my facade of a loyal informant intact.
"Why are you helping me?" Hera asked, her voice a mixture of suspicion and curiosity.
"I have my own reasons," I replied, meeting her gaze with unwavering determination.
"Perhaps we can help each other," she suggested, her eyes glinting with the promise of an alliance.
I nodded my head in agreement, standing tall in the face of the goddess.
The clearing was bathed in a warm, golden light as the sun began its descent towards the horizon.
Hera held the bracelet up to her eyes, tracing the intricate patterns with her fingers.
Her expression softened as she examined it, her anger slowly giving way to a mix of sadness and longing.
She turned to me, her eyes filled with a newfound respect.
"Your loyalty deserves recognition," she said, reaching out to touch my shoulder.
"Perhaps you could serve in my personal retinue at Olympus."
My heart raced at her words, the offer exceeding anything I had hoped for.
I bowed my head graciously, accepting the offer while concealing the triumph that surged within me.
Hera removed a silver pin from her own dress and fastened it to my chiton, the cool metal a reminder of my position as one of her trusted servants.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, I realized I had just taken the first step in rewriting my destiny.
I sat in Hera’s private study on Olympus, surrounded by ancient scrolls and dusty tomes.
The queen had tasked me with organizing her vast library, a task that required both knowledge and discretion.
My fingers traced over the parchment, feeling the rough texture of the ink as I read through the stories of past demigods.
Hera stepped out of the room for a council meeting, leaving me alone with her most prized possessions.
I quickly unrolled a scroll that caught my eye, the symbols revealing themselves as I smoothed out the creases.
It was a collection of protective runes, designed to shield against divine sight.
I reached for a bronze stylus and began to scratch these symbols into the underside of my new silver brooch - the same one Hera had given me.
The runes would provide an extra layer of protection, ensuring that my secret remained hidden from prying eyes. Footsteps echoed outside the room, growing louder with each passing moment.
I quickly rolled up the scroll and returned it to its shelf, the fresh markings still warm against my chest.
I continued sorting through the scrolls, categorizing them by subject and date.
My fingers danced across the ancient texts, committing their locations to memory as I searched for more protective magic.
The clicking of sandals on marble announced Hera’s return.
I grabbed a scroll that I had prepared earlier - an old hymn praising her role as keeper of divine law.
Rising from my work, I bowed and presented it to her with both hands, speaking the formal greeting in Ancient Greek: "Thank you, Mother of Order."
Hera smiled, her eyes flickering with approval, as I silently vowed to wield my newfound power with precision.
She accepted the scroll, her fingers brushing against mine, and gestured for me to resume my work.
I returned to the shelves, organizing scrolls as I stood at attention.
My feet ached from hours of standing, but I knew better than to sit in a goddess’s presence.
The queen settled into her chair behind her desk, the soft leather creaking beneath her weight.
The afternoon sunlight streaming through the window highlighted the gold threads woven into her hair, casting a warm glow across the room.
As I worked, I noticed Hera watching me from the corner of her eye.
She frowned, her brow furrowing as she considered something.
Finally, she spoke, her voice tinged with an unusual warmth: "Please take the seat—you shouldn’t have to stand all day, miss."
She gestured to an ornate chair near her desk, its cushions adorned with intricate patterns of gold and crimson silk.
I hesitated for a moment, knowing that servants rarely sat in a goddess’s presence.
But Hera’s stern look compelled me to lower myself onto the cushioned seat.
I sat at attention, my back straight and hands clasped together in my lap.
Hera continued to review the petitions on her marble desk, her fingers moving swiftly over the documents.
The scratching of her pen against the parchment filled the room with a rhythmic sound.
The queen’s voice interrupted the silence, her words tinged with a hint of urgency: "I require a trusted messenger for a delicate task."
I rose from my seat, standing at attention as I awaited further instructions.
Hera’s eyes met mine, her gaze piercing and searching.
She seemed to weigh her words carefully before speaking again: "Zeus has been meeting someone in the mortal realm. I need you to follow him and report back to me."
My heart pounded against my chest, my breath catching in my throat.
I had anticipated this moment for so long, yet it still caught me off guard.
Hera continued, her voice unwavering: "He has been seen near the city of Thebes, in the land of Greece. You will need to travel there and observe his movements."
The mention of Thebes sent a shiver down my spine.
It was the same city where I knew my mother lived, where I had grown up as a child.
I swallowed hard, forcing myself to maintain a steady voice: "Yes, Mother Hera. I will complete this task for you."
Hera’s gaze bore into mine, searching for any sign of deception.
Satisfied with what she saw, she nodded curtly: "You may leave now. Prepare yourself for your journey."
I bowed deeply before turning to exit the study.
The sun had dipped below the horizon by the time I returned to my quarters.
The palace guards patrolled the halls, their footsteps echoing off the marble floors.
I waited until nightfall, when the moon was high in the sky, before continuing my task.
In the dimly lit room, I gathered the necessary materials: parchment, ink, and a signet ring.
The ink was made from crushed olives and ash, mixed with a small amount of water.
I poured it into a shallow bowl, careful not to spill a single drop.
With a steady hand, I copied Zeus’s royal seal onto the blank parchment.
The intricate design seemed to come alive under my fingers, as if the ink itself held a power beyond mere mortal hands.
I worked quickly yet deliberately, aware that every stroke held significance.
As I finished copying the seal, I set it aside to dry.
The next step would require great care and attention to detail.
I heated a small amount of beeswax over a candle flame, watching as it melted into a smooth liquid.
With precision, I poured the wax onto the parchment, carefully shaping it into a perfect circle. The wax hardened quickly in the cool night air, forming a solid seal that would protect the document from tampering.
Finally, I pressed the signet ring into the center of the wax seal, leaving an indelible mark that bore Zeus’s authority.
The forged documents were complete, bearing his royal seal and granting access to his private wing for routine maintenance of sacred artifacts.
I folded the parchments carefully and tucked them into an inner pocket of my robe.
A knock at my door broke the silence of the night.
"Enter," I called out softly, my voice barely above a whisper.
A figure clad in dark robes appeared in my doorway, their face obscured by shadows.
"Miss Thorne," they spoke in a hushed tone, "Hera summons you to her chambers for evening duties."
I nodded curtly and followed them through the winding corridors of the palace.
As we walked, I could feel Hera’s presence drawing near - her power radiated like heat from a crackling fire. The queen’s chambers were dimly lit, with only flickering candles illuminating the opulent furnishings.
Hera sat regally on her throne-like chair, her golden robes shimmering in the dancing light.
Her gaze bore into mine as I approached, her eyes burning with an intensity that bordered on ferocity.
I halted at the foot of her throne, my heart pounding against my chest.
The air seemed heavy with anticipation, as if the very fabric of the room held its breath in anticipation of the queen’s words.
Hera rose from her throne, her movements fluid and calculated.
She began to circle me, her gaze fixed upon mine.
With each step, the tension in the room heightened, like a taut bowstring ready to snap.
She halted directly in front of me, her eyes narrowed as she studied my features.
"There’s something different about you," she whispered, her voice low and husky.
Reaching out a hand, Hera brushed a stray strand of hair behind my ear.
I attempted to step back, but a strange power held me firmly in place - it was as if the very air itself seemed to resist my movement.
Her fingers continued their gentle exploration, grazing across my cheek and jawline.
The silver brooch resting against my chest grew warm beneath her touch, its intricate runes pulsing with a subtle light.
Hera's eyes flickered with recognition, and a knowing smile played at the corners of her lips.
She leaned closer, her fingers tracing a path down my jaw and throat.
The runes on the brooch burned with an intense fire, but they could only conceal so much.
Hera's gaze narrowed, her eyes fixed upon something she had noticed.
I stood rigid, my senses heightened as I awaited the queen's next move.
With a sudden movement, Hera stepped back from me, her gaze still piercing.
She tilted her head to one side, studying me anew.
Her attention seemed focused on my throat, where my voice emanated.
I had taken great care to bind my chest and deepen my voice, creating the illusion of a masculine form.
Yet exhaustion was beginning to wear at the edges of this carefully constructed facade.
As Hera commanded me to speak my true name, a crack fissured through my carefully crafted mask - the voice that emerged was higher and softer than I had intended. A smile spread across Hera's lips as realization dawned upon her features.
She had been searching for something - a sign that I was Zeus's bastard child, a secret that only a select few knew.
But it wasn't that which had piqued her interest - no, it was something far more mundane yet equally as remarkable.
For in a retinue comprised solely of women, serving the goddess queen in her chambers...
"My name is Justyn Firestone Dewar," I forced out, my voice still wavering between masculine and feminine.
I dropped to my knees before her, my throat tight with the lie.
Hera's fingers lifted my chin, her gaze piercing as she studied me anew.
"A woman warrior in disguise," she mused aloud, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes, "how delightfully bold."
She began to circle me once more, the golden folds of her robes whispering against the marble floor.
When she returned to face me, she extended a hand - palm upwards.
"Rise, Justyn. Your secret is safe with me - I admire such cunning in my servants."
I stood on shaking legs, relief washing over me that Hera had only discovered my deception as a woman - not the far greater truth that I was Zeus's bastard child.
Hera's eyes continued to bore into mine, her gaze unwavering.
"Speak your true name once more," she commanded, her voice low and husky.
I hesitated, my throat tightening with fear.
But then I made a bold decision - I would not be cowed by this goddess queen.
Meeting her gaze directly, I dropped the falsely high pitch and allowed my natural voice to ring out - deep and masculine.
"I am who I appear to be, my Queen - a man in your service."
Hera's eyes widened at the masculine timbre of my voice, but I held her gaze steadfastly.
Confusion flickered across her features as she struggled to reconcile the feminine form before her with the voice that resonated from my throat.
Reaching out a hand once more, Hera sought to grasp my throat anew.
But this time, I was prepared - stepping back from her touch, I bowed formally.
"I am sorry, my Queen," I apologized, my voice still resonating with the masculine pitch.
"But I must stand my ground. I will not be touched by any other than yourself."
Hera's fingers hovered mere inches from my throat, her gaze narrowed in concentration.
The protective runes beneath my brooch pulsed with heat, but they had done their job - Hera was unable to pierce through to the truth of my divine heritage.
Instead, she was consumed by the novelty of a woman warrior in disguise.
When she spoke, her voice was tinged with curiosity.
"Very well," she acquiesced.
"I shall respect your wishes. But first, you must prove your worth as a warrior. Remove your outer robe, Justyn. I wish to see your form."
I nodded graciously, reaching to unfasten the ties that bound my outer robe.
With slow deliberation, I unwrapped the fabric, letting it fall to the floor in a puddle of dark silk.
Beneath the outer robe lay a carefully crafted deception.
My chest was bound in tight bandages, compressing my feminine curves to create the illusion of masculine contours.
Padded shoulders and arms added bulk, further enhancing the illusion.
Hera circled me once more, her eyes tracing the lines of my form with growing interest.
When she spoke, her voice was tinged with approval.
"Your physique is impressive, Justyn," she murmured.
"But I would see more. Remove the padding from your shoulders and arms that you may prove your true strength."
I hesitated, knowing that this was a turning point - once revealed, there would be no hiding the truth of my body.
But Hera's piercing gaze left no room for refusal.
With a deep breath, I reached behind my back and unwrapped just enough of the binding to reveal the defined muscles that lay beneath.
Years of combat training had honed my physique into that of a warrior - broad shoulders and chiseled arms that rippled beneath my skin as I moved. Hera's fingers traced a path along my shoulder, pausing at a jagged scar that told the tale of a past battle.
Her eyes flashed with approval as she surveyed my form anew.
"Indeed," she murmured, "you are a warrior's physique. The gods have blessed you with strength and cunning. Rise, Justyn. Your place is by my side."
And with that, Hera's discovery of my physical form became yet another layer in the intricate web of deception that protected me from her wrath.