Who Knew the News Would Spread This Fast
Who would have thought word would reach them this quickly? And I never imagined Artemis would move so fast. Perhaps because of that, everyone returning to the palace wore complicated expressions.
"Your Majesty, why not make the worship of Artemis Sparta's state religion?"
One elderly minister advised Helen in a voice thick with worry. She was still officially a princess, but everyone was already treating her like a queen.
"Lady Artemis?"
"Yes. With a queen now on the throne in Sparta, serving a goddess would hold great meaning. Especially since Artemis favors women above all."
Helen shook her head at his words.
"She only favors virgins among women. Who do you plan to turn into a priestess? Even as queen of a nation, how can you speak so lightly of the joy of marriage and bearing children?"
The old minister floundered in embarrassment at her reproving tone. He'd suggested it out of fear of Artemis, but now it sounded like he was asking the queen to live in chastity.
"The gods' mouth was truly reckless. Forgive me."
"I understand your concern. Lady Artemis is one of the Twelve Olympians. Her divine rank surpasses even Lady Iris, so I can see why you'd think that."
Artemis might be irritating, but her bloodline was different. Daughter of the supreme god Zeus and one of the Twelve Olympians, she was a princess among the gods' world—haughty and exalted. It was natural for her proposal to fill the ministers' faces with worry.
But Helen was resolute.
"I've already decided to make the worship of Iris our state religion. I pledged it directly in her presence—do you mean to say I should break my first vow as queen?"
"Forgive us, divine ones."
For now, she quelled the ministers' concerns. But if this issue wasn't handled wisely, Helen's royal authority could shake from the very start. She might even be driven from the throne.
"Lord Peleus, will you help this girl?"
"Gladly."
"Thank you. You're truly the only one I can rely on. I really should marry you, Lord Peleus..."
"Yes, that's enough. The matter is grave—let's stick to business."
With Menelaus out of the running and history altered so Helen became queen, alliance with her was now crucial. I intended to resolve this problem together.
I said I wanted to meet Artemis's priestess.
"I'd ask for nothing more."
"But I need a position. As a prince from another land, there's a limit to how much I can meddle in Sparta's affairs. It lacks legitimacy too."
"I see. Hm..."
Helen pondered briefly before granting me the title of Basileus. It denoted a high official or general of noble blood.
"Basileus, is it? Excellent."
I nodded, already plotting my strategy. I expected them to come out swinging hard.
* * *
"Queen Helen, congratulations on your ascension. One wonders if you've truly earned the blessing to sit upon that throne."
As expected, they came out strong.
Back at the palace, I met Artemis's priestess in the throne room. She was a stern middle-aged woman, like a dormitory matron from a comic, her words sharp as thorns.
"Mind your words, priestess."
A fed-up elderly minister warned her, but she merely snorted.
Typical arrogance from an Artemis priestess.
"Lady Iris permitted me to sit here."
Helen responded calmly, but the priestess scoffed.
"Just as mortals have ranks, so do the gods' world, Your Majesty."
"I know."
"How fortunate that you do. Lady Artemis has long shown great interest in Sparta's people. If you make the right choice, great blessings will fill this land."
The priestess slipped in a veiled threat.
"Lady Artemis is merciful, but she has never forgiven those who displease her. I pray Your Majesty guides the people wisely."
"Ha!"
The ministers shook their heads in disbelief. But Helen, seated in her father's stead on the throne, showed no flicker of emotion.
"I don't take Lady Artemis's will lightly. It's an honor that she turns her gaze to Sparta. But priestess, please discuss that matter with Lord Peleus here. He is the kingdom's Basileus."
"With Lord Peleus?"
The priestess shot me a look of open disdain. If she'd heard from Artemis, she couldn't like me. But on the surface, Artemis and I weren't enemies. She probably assumed I didn't know who sent the Calydonian boar.
"Yes. With my father's sudden absence, I'm relying on the kingdom's wise ministers for various aid. On this matter, I intend to follow Lord Peleus's will entirely."
"Hm..."
The priestess seemed to think Helen hadn't fully seized power yet—or was a puppet. Her words carried that nuance strongly.
I stepped forward and smiled amiably at the priestess.
"Her Majesty has entrusted this heavy duty to unworthy me. It's a true honor to discuss the future with one so holy in service to Artemis. Shall we move somewhere private for more specifics?"
With my polite deference, she could find no reason to refuse and accepted.
"Very well. This should reveal what Lord Peleus truly thinks of Lady Artemis."
Of course, she stayed prickly to the end. And with her ingrained superiority, her attitude was haughty beyond a priestess's station.
I clicked my tongue inwardly but outwardly showed utmost respect.
"This way, please."
In a quiet corner of the palace, serious negotiations began. The priestess eyed me sharply, waiting to see my move.
"Lord Peleus, was it? I can't imagine how a foreigner like you ended up here."
"Fate led me down this path, didn't it? A foreign prince becomes a high official in Sparta—life is truly unpredictable."
"Is it? The faithful who heed the gods' words know better. Even disasters can be avoided—that's precisely why we must listen to the divine."
The blatant threats continued. But I nodded along without showing it.
"Quite right. If Sparta heeds Lady Artemis's will, only blessings will follow. I myself think the queen should have been more cautious in choosing the state religion. Wasn't settling on Iris a bit hasty?"
"...Is that so?"
Clearly not expecting me to side with Artemis, the priestess looked baffled.
"Surprised? Since arriving here, I've observed many gods. And I found Lady Artemis the noblest, most worthy of worship."
"Oh? Is that right?"
"Yes. And recently, I received aid from one of her priestess warriors."
"Who would that be?"
"Lady Atalante."
"Ah, I see."
The priestess nodded knowingly. Atalante's faith in Artemis had shaken beyond waver; defection seemed imminent. But no need to explain that.
"Lady Atalante taught me of Lady Artemis's greatness. Hearing it so often, I couldn't help but admire the goddess myself."
"I-is that so?"
Not anticipating such lavish praise, the priestess—who'd come braced for war—began to sweat. But she seemed pleased, lifting her chin with smug satisfaction.
I continued stroking her ego.
"This Peleus wishes to be most cautious on the state religion. If Lady Artemis's will descends on this land, blessings will endure for generations."
"Well said."
"Priestess, please teach me how to serve the goddess. I'll engrave every word in my heart with reverence."
At my request for doctrine, her face split into a grin. She reeked of dogmatism and fanaticism. Eager to teach one begging for knowledge, she launched in.
Learning about Artemis's faith grated—pure nonsense to me—but lulling the enemy into complacency was worth it.
"Your intent is truly admirable."
I bowed deeply in thanks, and taking it as reverence, she grew elated, chattering away to sate her vanity and showmanship.
I let it all go in one ear and out the other.
She prattled on about faith and her exploits till nightfall. Only then, regretfully, did she rise—words as endless as scripture. Thinking I'd hung on every syllable, she praised me contentedly.
"Your posture for learning is exemplary."
"Rest well, priestess. This Peleus wishes more teachings tomorrow."
After sending her off, I went to Helen. Meeting the queen late at night was impossible for others, but I was specially excepted. With her declaration of marriage, the court treated me like a royal consort.
"Lord Peleus, how did it go?"
"I've lulled Artemis's priestess into complacency."
I explained everything. Helen giggled delightedly.
"Such clever maneuvering. What's your next move?"
"I'm sending word to the Apollo temple."
"What? You don't mean—?"
The shrewd Helen grasped my intent immediately.
"Exactly. I'll inform the Apollo temple that we're considering their faith for the state religion."
"Hee hee hee, that should be fun. No wonder I like you, Lord Peleus."
Word reached the Apollo temple, and the next day, their priest came running. They couldn't ignore such juicy bait.
Coincidentally, lunch was when I'd promised more "teachings" from Artemis's priestess.
I chatted with Apollo's priest in the garden as if no such promise existed.
"Try some of this. Meals under Apollo's sun taste even better."
My overt flattery lit up the elderly Apollo priest's face.
"I never knew Your Excellency held Lord Apollo in such devotion."
"Hahaha, I've always yearned for him, radiant as the sun."
As we bantered warmly, Artemis's priestess watched from afar. This was all deliberate, of course.
Me breaking my promise—and with Apollo's priest, no less—left her face flushing with rage. She soon turned and stormed off with heavy footsteps.
"Artemis's priestess? Why the fury?"
Apollo's priest, oblivious, tilted his head.
I sighed.
"She barged in yesterday demanding we make Artemis worship the state religion."
"Really? How rude."
"Ha, Her Majesty tasked me with looking into it, but it's a mess. My heart belongs to Lord Apollo, yet she scolded me fiercely."
"That wretched—ah, forgive my crude tongue!"
"No offense taken. It's understandable."
Right there, we bonded over trash-talking Artemis's priestess like sworn brothers.
"Fear not, Lord Peleus. If you wish, we'll crush Artemis's ambitions."
"My deepest thanks. Might I see you again tomorrow?"
"But of course!"
We parted amicably, and I escorted him out. Then I hurried to Artemis's priestess.
Her glare was fierce as a leopard's.
"What brings you? I have nothing to say to one who treats promises like roadside vermin."
Fuming, her voice cut like a blade. I apologized with genuine-seeming remorse.
"Don't even ask. Apollo's priest hounded me so relentlessly I barely escaped. Missing today's promise wasn't my intent. For the kingdom's faith, please help me."
"...Is that true?"
I answered with utter sincerity.
"For me, it's truly only Lady Artemis."