The theatre erupted with deafening applause. Many nobles and royals alike rose to their feet in celebration at the great tale they had witnessed. They had hung on every word of the sagatellers and the actors–the songs the bards sang accompanied the great spectacle before them–as ice and lightning and fire were all used to entertain them. For many here it was their first time exposed to such a powerful tale. This story about King Antares had answered so many questions they had about the Stygians and created thousands more. To be a mere boy and have accomplished such an incredible feat. Many had begun to understand why they were so feared and for good reason. There was an odd feeling in the air between a mix of ungovernable praise and hushed fear. Nevertheless all turned to the Stygian King ready to heap praise.

Freyja did not know how she managed to do it. Once again she had proven to herself the strength she possessed in the face of heartache. It was fortuitous that the tale had ended where it did, for she did not know how much longer she could withhold the gathering tears that weld in her eyes. There was much she had not known about that fateful day, much her brothers had said to Antares that he did not tell her. However before she could even begin to address any of it. The crowd had risen with ravenous praise. Instinctively, she followed suit joining them in their celebration. The gaze of the emperor on her neck behind her. She would maintain her indifferent deposition, she was a monarch first. The time for tears would come later. Faye had accepted this but most importantly of all, she prayed to all Gods she could recall that the man next to her would understand it and rise. She begged him to rise.

King Antares greeted the praise with a warm wave, his smile was inviting and genuine. As the actors emerged from behind the curtain he redirected praise back to them and the crowd answered in kind. He looked on as the south could not contain their glee, while those of the north and from his home shared more subdued praises. This version of the tale had surprised them all in ways they were not prepared for. The king glanced at Typhon, hoping that his dear friend would see reason and to his pleasant surprise the Stygian giant was fast asleep. The effects of the wine seemed to have taken hold.

"A glorious story!" the emperor beamed. "I was moved by it all, what say you my Reza. Are you not impressed by King Antares?" Nero smiled at her.

Reza's cheeks flushed a soft pink, the play had left her speechless. She had wrestled many emotions as she looked on with baited breath. She knew what Antares felt for Faye, she was not blind to it. From the first time she saw how he looked at her, she knew. As she was taught to do, she pretended not to see, not to understand it because she knew there was more to it. However the play had made it clear to her many things about the man she was meant to marry. Most importantly of all, more than his strength at such a young age, or that he was a butcher of men. It was that his heart would ever only belong to one person. It was not that he did not want to be loved, he did. As Reza had come to realize, unfortunately she would never be that person in the king's eyes. She should have been gladdened by it, he was beautiful yes, but she felt nothing for him. Even so perhaps it was the last vestiges of her youth leaving an imprint on her, but it pained her that he would not even give her the opportunity. Was she truly that undesirable to love?

"Look at that King Antares, your greatness leaves her stunned!" the emperor broke out into another laughing fit.

Reza looked to her mother for comfort. Tereza struggled to maintain her composure.

"Nero, may I speak with you for a moment." Tereza commanded.

"It seems I am due for a scolding from my dear consort," he grinned. "You all go along and enjoy yourselves. I will join you shortly!"

They all took his word and departed, the crowd cheerfully emerged back into the waiting hall where various groups had broken off and engaged in riveting conversation. The time together in the theatre had relaxed their moods and nobles from different realms exchanged laughs and good times. Antares had awoken Typhon and the red giant eagerly desired to retire to his chambers. The king had no cause to stop his friend and bid him farewell. He rejoined the others in the great hall, Faye was the first to go to him. She did not care how others would have perceived her action, including her husband. She would speak to Antares.

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"I did not know," she fought back tears. "I swear to you, I did not know he would do this, I-"

Antares smiled to ease her worry, "I know."

Faye wanted to say more but all she could muster was a nod. She forced on a smile and recomposed herself. However the king's little sister found it harder to do so.

"Brother how could he…" she stormed in his direction.

"Temper yourself little sister," he soothed his valiant knight. "It was a wonderful tale."

Guinevere bit her lip but gingerly nodded.

"I am glad you agree with me, King Antares!" Nero called out, with Nyryne at his side.

The emperor approached with the star of the play as his trophy for all to see. Nyryne had changed into a lovely purple dress and carried herself with glowing respect. They were accompanied by the emperor's supporters and those eager to see an interaction between the two men.

"Lady Nyryne, you have a great talent." King Antares bowed.

"King Antares Than-"

"To turn a great tragedy into such a spectacle." Antares offered a cold smile, "Surely you must have experienced something similar in your own life to draw inspiration?"

Nyryne hesitated, "I-I have not your grace."

"Think of what you could conjure when you do."

King Antares and the emperor laughed in tandem while others joined in with a chuckle and praise. Yet as Nyryne feigned a laugh of her own, she felt as though the king's words were a warning of what was to come and not one of jest. She instinctively tried to take a step back, however Nero had placed a hand on her back stopping her. She looked over to the emperor who smiled with an earnest candor, amazed by conversation with the Stygian King.

"We are of the same mind, young king," Nero chuckled. "She is a great talent to capture such a story so well, the scene at the seashore of the twenty thousand men executed? Marvelous!" he looked at Queen Freyja for an approving nod, which she returned haphazardly.

"Thirty thousand," Antares corrected.

"I beg your pardon?"

"The sagatellers had said twenty thousand, but it was thirty thousand." The Stygian King stated matter of fact, "We executed thirty thousand men that day, another twenty thousand in the north as well."

"Ah so a mix up then?" the emperor scratched his chin.

"It is a minor detail," Antares chuckled and called for a drink. "Hardly worth the correction truly."

"Marvelous!" Nero decreed and many joined in his praise. "Come along, you must tell me what you thought in great detail. I have a terrible habit of examining things in such ways."

Antares looked over at his sister and Faye. He offered them a pleasing gaze and they returned one in kind. Faye would look after her for him as he went along with the emperor. The two men flanked by nobles and royals alike with Nyryne in between them carried on in dialogue. Their relaxed atmosphere transferred to all who still remained in the waiting room to intermingle. It had been a trying day, full of a great many surprises. And exciting as the day had begun, it now also ended in the same tone for all involved.

Many opinions about King Antares had been formed, broken and remade that day. Least certain of all by the emperor and his family. As for the Stygian King, for such a painful memory to be made into theatre, a show to be enjoyed. Rage first took root, then guilt and sadness assumed control. The south had continued to remind him of his many faults, the play and its contents the latest in a long line of slights by the emperor. However as the night went on and he tried to make peace, it was not these continued jabs that most bothered him. It was the look of trepidation Princess Reza possessed as she beheld him, after she had finally learned of him.

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