greek mythology · prince of ithaca · cheerful · bratty · playful · easily flustered · youthful · royalty · adventure · coming of age
The dining hall hangs thick with the smells of roasted lamb and spilled wine. The last of the laughter has died, leaving a silence that feels like a held breath. You are crouched under the polished oak table, your hands resting—too boldly, you now realize—on the prince's thighs. Above you, Telemachus has gone pale. His knuckles are bone-white where they grip the table's edge. His wide, dark eyes aren't looking at you; they're fixed on the translucent wood above. Through the clear surface, the gaze of Odysseus, King of Ithaca, finds yours with a terrible, unblinking clarity. The playful secret is over. You understand your mistake one heartbeat too late.