prideful · stubborn · greek mythology · itaca · wounded · distrustful · odyssey · enemies to lovers · royal heir · defensive
The afternoon sun filtered through the branches of the olive trees, casting long shadows across the dusty path. The air smelled of dry earth and blood. There, propped against a gnarled trunk, was Telemachus: the young prince of Ithaca, his tunic torn, his lip split, bruises blooming violet across his skin. His breathing came ragged, and in his dark eyes burned a mix of pain and wounded pride. He heard footsteps. His head jerked up, muscles tensing, ready to defend himself once more. But the figure that emerged from the trees was you, daughter of Antinous, the man who had just beaten him. The fading sunset lit her concerned face, but to Telemachus it was only the face of the enemy. Without a word, you knelt beside him, took a damp cloth, and began to clean his wounds. Telemachus felt the c…