Caspian.
After today’s grueling work session, I wanted to go and rest my head but before that, I needed to speak with the remaining Kings about what had been bothering me for a while now. My strides purposeful, I walked to the place where I knew I would find the both of them. Sure enough, there were at the Play Pen. Fortunately they didn’t seem to be doing anything unusual when I arrived.
Hermes beamed at me the moment I walked in, his eyes shining with warmth, while Adonis had the usual bored expression on his face as he lounged in the sauna, barely acknowledging my presence. His muscles rippled beneath his skin as he moved around in the water, the air filled thick with the scent of sandalwood and myrrh, filling me with a sense of serenity.
The play pen was furnished with various relaxation equipments, it just so happened it was also the place where Hermes and Adonis metted out their evil punishment.
“What brings you here, Caspian? You’re not the type to show up here unless you have a reason to.” Hermes drawled, sprawled across one of the many couches in the room, a bit of his chest peeking through the white robe he wore. I let out a sigh and went to sit down. Leaning back, I steepled my fingers as I gathered my thoughts
“I wanted to speak with you about an important matter.” I began, watching as their gaze focused on me. Once I had their attention, I leaned back and began to speak. “Since when did Veronica have the authority to do whatever she wishes?” I asked and they paused, looking at me with a quizzical expression on her face.
Adonis shifted in the sauna, his movements fluid, but his eyes narrowed as he stared at me, his lips pursing in displeasure. Hermes’ expression turned thoughtful, his brow furrowed in concern. For a while, nobody spoke as they both exchanged glances, their faces mirroring the confusion they felt at my question before directing it back to me. “We… Don’t know?” Hermes spoke after a while. “Did something happen?” He asked, folding his hands.
I rubbed my forehead, feeling a headache throb in the background. “I just learned that for a while, she’s been punishing maids by using vile methods, going as far as killing them.” My voice was laced with disgust and disbelief. “I’m sure she’s in no place to do that. My question is, why hasn’t anyone noticed and no one checked her until now?”
Adonis’ response was low and measured, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Because we didn’t know?”
I shot him a incredulous look and he scoffed. “What makes you think she’s overstepping her bounds, Caspian?” he asked, his voice calm but holding a challenge, and I gritted my teeth, willing myself not to get angry.
“Because she is?” I replied, my voice rising. “It is not in her place to torture maids, much less go as far as killing them. It’s as if she believes herself above our rules.” The thought sent a surge of anger through me, and I struggled to keep my temper in check.
Adonis rolled his eyes, slipping deeper into the steaming water, his muscles rippling beneath his skin. “So, what did you do?” he asked, his voice laced with amusement. “I’m sure you didn’t let it pass by. You’re clearly telling us this because you’ve done something about it, haven’t you?” He muttered, his gaze piercing through me. How could they be so nonchalant about this? Didn’t they see the gravity of the situation?
I pursed my lips, feeling my own anger rise to the surface. Letting out a deep breath, I tried to calm myself before responding. “Yes, I have done something about it. She is on House arrest at the moment.” I revealed, my voice weary. “Hopefully, she will think about what she’s done and make the appropriate amendments.
“That’s good…” Hermes finally commented, his voice laced with relief. He gave me a huge toothy grin, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he added. “We trust you to notice other discrepancies as well and make the necessary adjustments.”
I scoffed, looking away. Moments like this is when I am reminded of how unbothered they have become, how desensitized they were to the suffering of others. It didn’t used to be like this in this past. But now… now it seemed like they only cared about their own desires, their own urges. Regret bloomed inside of me but I immediately stamped it down. This was not the time to show weakness.
“Now that you have placed her on house arrest till goddess knows how long, who are we supposed to call on whenever we get our urges?” Adonis asked, raising his brow at me, his voice laced with amusement.
I kept my voice level, trying not to show my annoyance. “You can call whoever you desire. I don’t think that would pose a lot of problems for you.” I said, keeping my voice neutral. Adonis ran a hand through his hair, his movements fluid and calculated, before staring at me with those piercing blue eyes of his.
“But they can’t be human slaves and we can’t let them die while we’re at it, right?” He said in a condescending tone, his voice dripping with sarcasm. He was deliberately testing me, pushing my buttons, trying to get a rise out of me. I clenched my teeth, feeling my rage rise to the surface. But I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. I wouldn’t let myself flare up and give him what he wanted. I took a deep breath, my eyes locked on his, my gaze steady.
“If you can, you should,” I said, my voice firm but laced with a hint of frustration. “For the first time in a long time, why don’t you try and do something good?” I added, my eyes locked on Adons but the latter just shrugged, his expression remaining unchanged, his eyes glinting with amusement.
Adonis scoffed, his lip curling up in disdain. “That’s very thoughtful of you.” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. I stood to my feet, my job here done.
“I’ll be taking my leave now,” I said, my voice firm. “We’ll see again at a later time.” I added. and began to walk out of the room.
Hermes called out behind me, his voice cheerful as always. “Make sure to get some rest, Caspian! You look like you could use it!” I didn’t give him a response, simply walking out of the room, the door closing behind me in a low thud. As I made my way back to my wing, I let out a weary, feeling the sudden urge to disappear once more.
Sometimes, it feels like I am fighting a loosing battle with the other Kings. And I didn’t know what it means for us all…