Queen of Sparta
The North Wind god Boreas had departed, and Crete had shown what true virtue meant. The next morning after the incident wrapped up, the rainbow god Iris still hadn't returned to Olympus. We shared a simple breakfast of bread and milk together.
"Tormented boy, won't you reconsider? Come away with this body to paradise."
At Iris's suggestion, I fiddled with the sword at my waist. Good—keep it loose, ready to draw at any moment.
"'Paradise' isn't quite accurate. It's paradise for one man alone, but pure hell for all the others."
Iris burst into booming laughter at my words. His tastes might be twisted, but his personality was refreshingly decent for an Olympian god.
"We've beaten back the North Wind's bite, but yours cuts even deeper—no defense against it. Still, whenever you want, I'll lower a rainbow bridge for you."
He's seriously telling me to cross the rainbow bridge right now. What a casual way to drop a bombshell.
"...I'll pass, if possible."
"Hohoho, I understand. But if you need help, just call. This body sits on a divine throne now, so I can't move freely, but thanks to you, boy, we scored a massive victory this time. I want to repay the favor."
"You mean crushing Boreas?"
Iris nodded brightly.
"The North Wind god was my equal—couldn't take him down easily. He's the kind of foe who demands I stake everything in battle. But your utterly insane antics created an opening in Boreas. A once-in-a-lifetime chance."
According to him, Boreas had taken a fatal wound this time and wouldn't show his face for decades.
"From this winter onward, for dozens of years, the North Wind will weaken. Winters will warm up, bringing changes to farming and all sorts of fields. Humans will have to adapt again."
It hit me anew just how massively the gods' actions rippled through human lives. A warmer winter had upsides, sure, but plenty of downsides too. Chaos loomed ahead. Definitely need to strip away the gods' influence in this world as much as possible.
"By the way, are you really okay after devouring that fragment of divinity?"
"Yeah, no problem."
Iris couldn't hide his shock at my nonchalant reply.
"...You're no ordinary human, that's for sure. Some great god's incarnation, maybe?"
"No way."
"Then the rumors must be true—you're Zeus's son."
Absolutely not. I desperately wanted to deny it, but blood of the supreme god brought big advantages in this world, so I kept quiet. Think what you want.
"Your identity doesn't matter, boy. But you crushed the plot against this body's divine beast and even beat Boreas, so as a god, I owe you proper recompense. I'll offer material rewards, but first—anything you desire?"
Helen and other kingdom notables sat at this breakfast table too. Sparta's king Tyndareus had sinned against Iris and was set to be hauled off to his divine prison. No one dared complain about a god taking the king.
"Yes, I have a request."
"Speak it, boy."
I glanced at Helen beside me and made my plea.
"The princess wishes to ascend as queen. Please watch over the Sparta she will lead."
Gasps erupted around us. The high officials who'd followed to the hunt were at a loss with the king captured—now they witnessed a new queen's birth. Helen's face flushed with excitement. Iris eyed the princess, stroking his chiseled jaw.
"Princess of Sparta. Do you desire the throne?"
Helen hid nothing—no false modesty here.
"With all my heart, all my ambition, I do. Sparta belongs to Spartans. Though I'm a woman, I cannot hand the throne to an outsider."
Her words resonated; some elderly Spartan ministers closed their eyes and nodded approvingly. But the ambitious nobles wore complicated expressions. With the king gone, they'd dreamed of grabbing power themselves. Now that dream fizzled like a midsummer night's fantasy.
"If the princess desires it, so be it. The rainbow's blessing will follow."
"Ah! Thank you!"
Helen's face lit up. Her radiant smile was so stunning even Iris, indifferent to women, let out an admiring sigh.
"The princess's beauty rivals any goddess."
"You're too kind."
"Just speaking as I see it. But your beauty is so extraordinary, it might draw goddesses' envy. Stay humble about your looks—never flaunt them."
"I'll remember that."
With Iris's approval secured, I drove the point home with a polite warning to the gathered nobles.
"This is the great god's decree. If anyone objects, speak now."
Predictably, no one breathed a word, no matter how bold. They'd all witnessed last night's cataclysmic disaster in the northern sky.
"I, Peleus, declare I will protect the rightful successor. Any who rebel against the new queen must face my sword first."
"Lord Peleus."
Helen beamed at me, her soft golden hair swaying like she was in bliss.
Here, Helen brought up one key promise to Iris.
"I will make rainbow worship Sparta's state religion."
"Oho!"
Iris beamed with delight, of course. More followers meant more prayers and offerings, strengthening a god. He held a middling rank now, but Spartan faith could elevate him high.
"Hahaha, I've long watched over Sparta's royal house, but today I finally get proper respect. Queen Helen, I'll grant blessings beyond your expectations."
On the spot, Iris gifted her his divine beast—a white stag. No mere animal; it symbolized their pact and guarded her in peril.
"This stag can outrun and evade anyone. Queen, if danger strikes, mount it and flee to safety."
Elated with the white stag gifted too—and state religion secured—Iris magnanimously offered one more wish.
"Queen, what do you desire?"
Helen pondered, then eyed me intently. Huh? Why look here?Damn, she really is gorgeous. Milk-white skin, clear blue eyes—they suited her perfectly. Well-fed in the palace, certain... assets were impressively developed. Glanced quick; she didn't notice, right?
"Lord Iris, I have a wish."
"Speak."
"My one wish: Let no man but Peleus here become my husband."
"Hm?"
Iris looked puzzled; the nobles' eyes widened. I was just as stunned. As I failed to mask my fluster, Iris chuckled amusedly.
"Closer than I thought, you two? Sad for this body, who craves you, boy—but I can grant it. Provided your hearts align."
He gestured at me first. Helen shot me a sly, seductive smile—like a black widow eyeing trapped prey, but more playful mischief than malice.
"What kind of wish is that? I don't want to block Her Majesty's path to marriage."
She'd brazenly contradicted our "just friends" pact. Helen replied shamelessly.
"In my eyes, no other man measures up to you—skilled and capable."
"'Girl'? You're about to be a queen of a nation..."
"Before you, I just want to be one woman."
Sighs rippled again. Old ministers stroked beards, chuckling "ho ho." Wanna bolt. What a crisis...
"Lord Iris, may the queen and I speak privately a moment?"
"Do as you like, boy. Go enjoy your youth."
Some nobles roared with laughter. The red-faced ones had probably lusted after Helen.
"Shall we, Your Majesty?"
The moment we were alone in an empty tent, I spoke up.
"What if I refuse? If Iris grants it, Your Majesty truly couldn't marry anyone else. Don't you know wishing to gods demands utmost caution?"
My tone turned scolding, but Helen acted like it was no issue.
"Then I'd marry the nation. I've never wanted a husband anyway—they're just rivals for power. Even if you refuse, no loss for me."
Power vanishes the instant you share it. Raised royal, she grasped its essence well.
"But you got the god's recognition as queen solely thanks to you, Lord Peleus. Who else could do that for me? I'll marry no one but you."
Didn't expect such resolve. She sidled closer, exploiting the empty tent.
"But if you'd be my husband, I'd welcome it joyfully. Queen by day over all men, frail woman submitting to one man by night."
Quoting romance poetry or something. Up close, her finger circled my chest teasingly. Such a temptress.
"Sometimes even a queen wants to set down her heavy crown and find comfort in a kind man's arms. I want to bloom only at your side. Is that not enough?"
...Trouble. My head filled with urges to accept. But marriage? Not for the apocalypse's executor. Sorry—gotta refuse. Hurts me too.
"I..."
As refusal hung on my lips, Helen's delicate hand sealed them, smiling.
"Answer later. You have important duties, Lord Peleus?"
She'd preempted me—knew I'd refuse and delayed it. Sharp as a tack. In that instant, I realized I couldn't say no anymore.
"Yes. If I fail, everything vanishes."
Couldn't tell Helen yet, but someday I might spill the secret.
"Everything?"
"Yes. All heads to doom."
Despite the wild talk of apocalypse, Helen accepted it without doubt. No prying either, since I didn't explain.
"Got it. Then I'll help you with everything I can. Let me do that much."
"...Thank you."
We settled on close alliance for now, leaving our future to fate. But I doubted it'd be simple.
"Lord Peleus."
"Yes."
"Do you think we're fated?"
"Who knows human affairs?"
Honest answer—she shook her head.
"I do."
Helen leaned in quietly, kissed my cheek, and whispered in my ear.
"Think I can't seduce you?"
The most famed beauty of Greek and Roman mythology smiled seductively at me.
* * *
Recruiting suitors for Helen fizzled out. The princess herself had divine approval as queen, and King Tyndareus—who summoned them—was now a criminal. Suitors scattered empty-handed, and Iris bid farewell too.
"Boy, a gift for you. Open it when despair overwhelms you someday."
Before leaving, he handed me a small golden box. Purpose unknown, but precious—I stowed it safely.
Iris departed, dragging sinful King Tyndareus away. I worried Helen might grieve her father.
"Regrettable. He sinned against a god—no helping it."
But Helen was calm, almost relieved.
"It's fine. Reap what you sow."
Their father-daughter bond wasn't what it seemed? I'd thought them close; odd. Helen just shook her head faintly at my expression.
"If my silence preserves Father's honor, so be it."
Apparently not close after all. Whether lingering affection or tied to her own honor, I couldn't say.
"As you wish."
More pressing matters awaited anyway. As we discussed affairs with Helen, a mounted messenger galloped up, dismounted before her, and knelt.
"Your Majesty!"
"What is it?"
The news he brought was graver than expected.
"Artemis's priestess has arrived at the palace. She demands we heed the goddess's will in setting Sparta's state religion."