Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece Chapter 1061: Royal Family Affairs

Although Christoya was not quite as animated as Agnes, she had shed her sickly demeanor. Propping herself up against the head of the bed, she looked at them with lingering suspicion. "Dido actually agreed?"

"She's your daughter-in-law. You fell ill and wanted to see your grandson—how could she possibly refuse? I received their reply just four days after sending my letter. You can see how much they care about you," Davos said, speaking up for Dido.

"That's right, Sister. Dido is quite considerate," Agnes chimed in from the side at Davos's subtle urging.

Christoya shot them a sideways glance and muttered under her breath, "What do you two know?"

Then, another thought striking her, she pressed immediately, "Dido isn't coming back to Thurii with him, is she?"

"She's staying in Rome to keep Clotho company."

Relief finally washed over Christoya. She rested a hand against her stomach. "I'm hungry. I'd like something to eat."

Agnes broke into a relieved smile. "I'll have Molina arrange it."

She had barely stepped out of the bedchamber when a clear, bright voice rang from outside: "Mother, we're back!"

"Ah, Mother, you're better?! It seems Hades really answered our prayers!" Eunice said excitedly. She stopped in her tracks, raised her palms toward the heavens, and silently recited a brief prayer. Avia entered right behind her and mirrored the gesture.

Christoya waited until they finished giving thanks before asking, "You two went to the Temple of Hades?"

"To the Hill of the Gods! The temple there is the most efficacious," Eunice emphasized.

"Look at how devoted these two are, Christoya. Ever since you fell ill, Eunice and Avia have been worried sick about you. They haven't gone out to play once these past few days..." Davos lavished praise on his daughters.

Touched by their devotion, Christoya opened her arms. "Thank you, Eunice."

Eunice rushed forward and threw her arms around Christoya.

"Oof, you reckless girl, couldn't you be gentler? With a jolt like that, I'll be stuck in bed for another few days," Christoya complained in fond jest, lightly tapping her daughter on the back.

Eunice nestled against her, squirming affectionately in her embrace.

"Avia, come here too," Christoya smiled, patting the mattress beside her.

"Mm." Standing nearby, Avia hurried over and was gathered into Christoya's arms as well.

With both daughters in her embrace, Christoya said with heartfelt warmth, "There really is nothing better than having daughters."

Then she smiled and added, "In two more days, your nephew will be back."

"Piras comes over every few days. What's so surprising about that?" Eunice said, unimpressed.

"Little fool, your brother's boy!" Christoya playfully smacked Eunice's back a little harder.

"Chris!" Eunice's voice shot up an octave. Then, caught off guard, she gasped, "My sister-in-law actually agreed?!"

Christoya immediately darted a look at Davos, her eyes saying:

Aloud, she said, "Your father stepped in. How could she say no?"

"Oh." Eunice nodded, then broke into a delighted grin. "That's wonderful! When Chris arrives, I'll take him out to ride Stater!"

Christoya swatted her again and scolded, "You silly girl, think for a second. Chris is only two years old—how could he possibly ride that Egyptian horse of yours?"

"Mother, Stater isn't an Egyptian horse. He's an Arabian horse," Eunice protested.

"Hush," Christoya chided, waving her off.

"Mother Christoya, I'll take good care of Chris. May I take him to play with Melita?" Avia asked softly. "Melita is very gentle and never scratches anyone."

"Of course you may," Christoya replied with a smile.

"You're playing favorites," Eunice pouted.

After the three of them had bantered by the bed for a while, Davos finally asked, "Eunice, since you two went to the Hill of the Gods today, how is the construction of the main temple coming along?"

"Father, you asked the right person! Lord Praxinas gave Avia and me a thorough tour of the site. Everything seems to be progressing smoothly, and all the artisans are working with great dedication. The entire outer colonnade has been erected, half of the exterior walls are finished, and the sculpting of the Statue of Hades is complete—they're currently applying the outer layer..." Eunice reported with fluid confidence.

Davos listened attentively and nodded in satisfaction. "Mm, very thorough. It seems work on the main temple is proceeding splendidly. You two did a proper inspection, and I must thank you for it."

"Of course! We may be women, but as daughters of the wise and benevolent King of Daionia, we can certainly be of service to you, Father!" Eunice puffed out her chest with pride.

Davos chuckled. "Good, good. That is music to my ears."

At that moment, Avia let out a sudden snicker she couldn't contain.

"It seems Avia has a different view," Davos said, turning warmly to his younger daughter.

Faced with her father's affectionate look, Avia grew flustered and stammered, "I... oh, no, I just remembered how sulky my sister looked on the way back... and I couldn't help laughing."

"Sulky? What happened?" Davos asked in surprise. His eldest daughter was usually brimming with energy, cheerful and spirited; even when Christoya gave her a stern scolding, she rarely stayed down for long.

"Avia, don't you dare say a word!" Eunice blurted out, clawing the air in a mock threat.

"Pay no attention to her, darling. Go on, tell us," Christoya said, her curiosity piqued. She held Eunice tight to keep her from lunging at Avia.

Avia cast a timid glance at Eunice, who was scowling and gnashing her teeth, before quickly summarizing what had happened.

"Oh? A young man had the nerve to scold our Eunice to her face?" Davos stroked his beard, his surprise giving way to amusement rather than anger.

For the first time in her life, an outsider had taken Eunice to task, and she hadn't even dared to snap back. That already set him apart from the other young men in Thurii... Christoya slipped into deep thought.

At seventeen, Eunice had reached the age of courtship. Matchmakers had called in droves, but not one suitor had caught her eye. Over the years, Christoya had absorbed Davos's philosophy that children should choose their own partners whenever possible, as that was the only true foundation for a happy marriage. (Crotokatax, of course, was an exception. As heir to the throne, his marriage was bound to carry heavy political stakes. Even if Christoya cared little for Dido, she had to admit the match had fortified Crotokatax's standing—which was precisely why she felt no need to force her younger children into high-society alliances.)

Yet Eunice possessed an exceptionally headstrong nature. Coupled with her prominent lineage, her prospects weighed heavily on Christoya's mind. Hearing of such an unusual young man was like catching sight of a lifeline while adrift—Christoya was eager to seize it, regardless of his background.

"Your Majesty, have someone look into this young man's background right away..." Christoya said, giving Davos a meaningful look.

"Father, what is there to investigate? A rude fellow like that should be expelled from Thurii at once! He shouldn't even be allowed to enter the design competition for the mountaintop colossus!" Eunice fumed, cheeks flushed with annoyance.

"Ah? Ah! Quite, quite!" Davos agreed readily enough, though he carefully avoided committing to either side.

The family enjoyed their conversation a while longer until Molina entered the room. "Your Majesty, dinner is served."

Once seated in the dining hall, Davos noticed two empty places and asked, "Have Apox and Brillantes not returned yet?"

Molina, the chief internal steward attending at his side, replied promptly, "Prince Apox sent word that a research project at the Academy of Mathematics has run late, so he is dining at the academy tonight... Prince Brillantes is still at rugby practice and will return later."

Looking at the sparse gathering around the table, Davos grew momentarily lost in thought. In the blink of an eye, the children had grown up, each consumed by their own pursuits. The days when the whole family gathered around the table for a lively meal would be hard to recapture.

Letting out a soft, silent sigh, Davos said, "Let us eat."

When dinner concluded, Molina stepped back into the dining hall. "Your Majesty, Aristiras requests an audience."

"I see." Davos knew Aristiras was too discreet to disturb him at such an hour without good reason. Adopting an unhurried tone, he said, "Have him wait in the study. I'll join him shortly. Eunice, I leave you with a mission: look after your mother."

"Clumsy as she is, what could she possibly do? I am quite recovered and have no need of her fussing," Christoya remarked.

"Mother, am I really your daughter? You never miss a chance to tease me!" Eunice protested.

Laughter rippled through the dining hall.

Davos proceeded to the study, where his royal herald stood waiting before the desk. Aristiras looked as calm and composed as ever; nothing in his demeanor hinted at the gravity of what he had come to deliver.

After formal greetings were exchanged, Davos motioned for him to take a seat before asking, "What matter brings you to me at this hour?"

"Regarding this affair, our intelligence operatives in Thurii had already detected suspicious activity and placed it under close surveillance. Today, a confidential report arrived from an informant within the slave camp, confirming the plot beyond doubt. Your Majesty—there is a conspiracy to assassinate you during the opening ceremony of the All-Greek Academic Symposium in ten days' time."