U.N.T.O.L.D

Chapter 3

I immediately felt at home in the temple.

I liked how quiet it was in comparison to my father's palace, where it was difficult to have a moment for yourself.

I kept visiting my family regularly, since it was allowed by the temple's rules. But it started feeling awkward, especially with my sisters. Until that moment, my sisters and I had been on good terms: we had spent play time together and shared activities like sewing. They didn't know about Apollo's calling since he had asked me to keep it to myself. Still, we were somewhat close, even if I went to school and they didn't.

After just a few months at the temple, I noticed that things between us were changing. Whenever I visited, they just greeted me and then grouped together, leaving me out. At first it hurt, but soon I noticed that I didn't bother. It was surprising how quickly our relationship was changing.

On the contrary, I stayed close to Hector. He was twenty now, but he still tried to spend time with younger siblings like me. After all, he was going to be the king of all of us one day and he wanted us to stay loyal to him. My twin brother Helenus had joined Artemis' temple shortly after I had entered Apollo's - apparently, he had been destined to priesthood together with me. I hadn't seen him ever since.

Myrrhine became the first real friend of my life and I enjoyed spending time with her. The high priest Laxani was grumpy but he developed some affection for me even if he was awful at showing it – actually he was awful at showing anything and generally distrustful of people.

"Myrrhine, if you keep babbling like that when you accept the offers people will think that I beat you." he growled one morning.

"I'm very sorry, sir. It is very hard for me to relax" she answered with a blush. She was just eleven and not used to seeing so many people and talking to them.

"Well, you better find a way, otherwise Cassandra will take your place." he said bitterly.

I thought he was rather unfair with her and I couldn't see how his attitude could help her relax.

"I don't agree with you, Laxani. I think Myrrhine is doing well and that people actually like her. There's no need for me to take her place." I said defiantly.

I meant it: people usually don't like priests who behave as if they were better than the other people and Myrrhine's understatement was very likeable.

Myrrhine looked at me in shock and Laxani turned, slightly outraged:

"Would you disobey me?" he asked very quietly.

"I believe that you're wrong, so yes." I said, trying not to sound bitter.

He looked at me for a long moment and I feared that he would get really angry.

"Consider yourself lucky, Myrrhine. Your fellow novice is quite loyal. You could take some clue from her about fighting back" he said instead, turning to Myrrhine, then he left without a word.

Myrrhine looked at me, cautious: "Princess, I… appreciate your help but you didn't need to put yourself in this situation just for me."

"I've already told you to call me by my name, Myrrhine. There are no princesses here. And it would be unfair to take your place"

Myrrhine smiled, reassured; she made a move as if she wanted to hug me but eventually she thought better of it and just took my hand for a moment.

Soon I felt something in my mind: Apollo's presence had intensified and I felt his pride warming me. He was pleased with me and that was enough to make me happy.

Laxani wasn't actually angry with me – on the contrary, he appreciated my frankness. From that day on he abandoned his wariness of me and started considering me like a trustworthy person.

My novitiate went on quietly and even happily. Myrrhine was still in awe of me because I was the king's daughter, but after some time she started feeling more at ease in my presence. I got used to Laxani and learned not to take his snide remarks seriously. I felt at home.

At fifteen, I was consecrated to Apollo.