Queens Of Olympus Volume 1

Chapter 3

Maia

Once I finished eating, the servants cleared the table and left me in the Grey Hall without anything to do. With the food removed, the monotonous colour was really boring and drab. Overwhelmingly so.

I sat up to request a change of scenery and like magic, Erebus showed up from nowhere with a big smile on her face. She remained at a respectful distance and bowed deeply. “Was breakfast satisfactory, Your Darkness?”

“It was very nice,” I answered, still able to taste the sweetness of the fruit in my mouth.

“Excellent. What would you like to do as your next activity? I could prepare a relaxing bath for you or show you to our wine cellars? A day of hunting? Or perhaps Your Darkness would like some company sent up to your chambers. Men? Women? Both?”

I stared at her. Was this what my predecessors have been doing? Lounging around, being spoiled like kings and queens, passing the days with meaningless activities?

“What about my daily duties?” I inquired, stopping her in the middle of another suggestion.

She exchanged a confused look with Stephan, both looking surprised that I wasn’t jumping on the opportunity to get wasted or kill some innocent creatures.

“Your daily duties?” Erebus repeated slowly, like perhaps she misheard me.

“Yes. As the ruler of the Underworld, surely, I have tasks to do and people to oversee?”

“Well, yes.”

“I’d like to start on those right away,” I decided confidently, rising from my throne. “What is expected of me?”

“Umm. Not much, Your Darkness. There are regular reports that require your signature and occasionally, a permission slip. There’s the invite to the annual Olympus ball but rest assured, we take care of the preparations. Oh, and you have a monthly meeting with the Persephone that you have to attend to keep her and their side happy but apart from that, the system and Kleon keep things running. ”

“Kleon?”

“Your assistant. Have you not met Kleon yet?”

I stared at her. “No.”

“He usually introduces himself to the new Hades within the first week. I’m sure he’ll show up soon,” Stephan offered kindly.

Annoyance flickered through me. If he was my assistant, why was I meeting him on his terms? Not just that, was I not allowed to pick who assisted me instead of the other way around?

It was a miracle the Underworld was still running with all this incompetence. No wonder nobody wanted this position, it was like becoming captain of a sinking ship. Despite having only been for a short while, I could see what a mess this was.

What did I get myself into?

I cleared my throat, trying to embrace the situation. It was too late to go back on my decision and even if I did, that would mean rejoining Hera & Co and all the bullies. I’d rather not.

With a sigh, I rose from my seat. “Do I have an office or a study or something? I’d like to get familiar with my duties.”

Even though she seemed surprised, Erebus nodded and guided me through the palace. After only a short walk, we arrived at a set of tall double doors framed with intricate gold decorations. She opened the office for me and I stepped from the cold blue hallway into an oasis of gold. Bookshelves reached all the way to the high ceiling and were packed with old books and tomes. A large chandelier swung above the desk and cast a warm glow throughout the space, making it feel bigger than it was. Whoever designed this place had taste.

The whole vibe was so different from the rest of the palace and I was all for it. It was actually cosy and felt like a place where I could spend some time.

“Would you like anything else?” Erebus asked from by the door.

“No, thank you. This is perfect.”

“Then I’ll leave you to it. If you need assistance, just ring the crystal bell,” she said, gesturing to the familiar bell on the desk. With a smile, she disappeared.

It was a little strange stepping into an office that was and wasn’t mine. I could tell that someone else set it up with a lot of care and attention but I also knew that person was long gone. Whatever they did or left behind, it was mine to keep or change.

I trailed my hand along the large, black desk first and sat down in the chair behind it. The leather shrieked but it was surprisingly comfortable. Much better than the awkward chairs at the dining table.

After rummaging through some of the drawers and cupboards, partly for information, partly because I was curious, it became annoyingly clear there was nothing here to help me figure out what I was supposed to be doing.

I glared at the crystal bell tauntingly sitting on the corner of the desk. Ringing it would be like admitting defeat and acknowledging I was entirely clueless and unprepared. But what other choice did I have?

Reluctantly, I gave it the smallest cling and not even five seconds later, someone knocked on the door.

“Come in!” I agreed, worry flashed through me that I’d be told off for sitting at the desk. I suppressed the silly thought and remained in the chair, drumming my fingers on the wood. I was the Hades, I could sit wherever I wanted.

The doors opened and a short man with glasses and a briefcase strode in. He bowed deeply in front of me and saluted for good measure. “At your service.”

“I presume you’re Kleon?”

He nodded, adjusting the heavy glasses on his nose. “That’s me.”

“Oh, great. I could use some help with—” I gestured to everything. “This.”

“It would be my honour to assist you.”

“Thank you. I’m just not very sure what exactly I’m supposed to do.”

He sat down in one of the chairs opposite me and opened his briefcase. “Your Darkness shouldn’t worry too much. Your duties are minimal and uncomplicated. The system does most of the work on our side.”

“And what about Persephone’s side?” I inquired. I thought I ruled over the entire Underworld but it was clear there was a hard divide.

“Yes, she and her minions take care of processing the new souls and ferrying them over the Styx from the Docks to the Harbour.”

“That sounds like most of the work,” I remarked.

Kleon shook his head. “No, the souls still need to be registered in the Terminal and judged before they pass on. That’s our domain.”

“I thought the entire Underworld was my domain.”

He averted his gaze. “It is, Your Darkness, but I would advise you to work with the Persephone. Her position has been part of the Underworld almost as long as yours.”

with“I’ve heard the stories. What do you know about their relationship?”

“She was a mighty competent companion. It was no surprise when he gave her as much power as he did and she in turn ruled the Underworld with him and for him. Her successors have certainly solidified their position.”

“I see. Well, I have every intention of working with her. Even the land of the dead needs harmony. How about we go over those reports first and perhaps, you can tell me a bit more about the good old days.”

The man smiled as he shut his briefcase. “Wonderful. It’ll be my honour serving you, Your Darkness.”

“Likewise. So what should I do first?”

He handed me a journal. “Probably the monthly meeting. It’s in a couple of days and you’ll want to make a good impression on Persephone. She, umm…”

“She?”

He chuckled uncomfortably. “Nevermind. You’ll find out.”