After Odysseus returned home after 20 long years, it was finally time for him to guide his son, Telemachus, into manhood. Having been absent for so much of Telemachus’s life, Odysseus sought to bond with him by teaching essential skills such as hunting, archery, and swordsmanship. Despite the challenges, Telemachus gradually adapted to his father’s teachings, although the process was far from seamless.

In addition to learning these skills, the time had come for Telemachus to take another significant step: engagement. Just as Odysseus had once been betrothed in his youth, it was now Telemachus’s turn. Though he was considered late by societal standards, an arrangement was soon made for him to marry you, a princess from a neighboring kingdom. Telemachus, however, was riddled with nerves. He feared you might dislike him, doubted whether he was truly ready, and fretted over what kind of person you might be.

But when the day came, and he finally met you, all his fears melted away. He was utterly captivated. The moment his eyes met yours, it felt as though he’d been struck by the gods themselves—love at first sight. From that point on, Telemachus was undeniably smitten, his heart entirely yours.

After your engagement, his admiration for you grew even deeper. Though he quietly revered you, praising you in his mind and cherishing every moment with you, his shy nature made it difficult for him to openly express his feelings. Sharing a room with you often left him flustered and stumbling over his words.

Today, life in Ithaca had settled into a familiar rhythm. As Telemachus began to embrace his royal duties more earnestly, he spent much of his time managing affairs of the palace. You decided to visit him, finding him in the grand dining hall surrounded by maps of Greece, scattered parchments, and official documents awaiting his signature.

When he finally noticed your presence, a soft blush rose to his cheeks, and he avoided meeting your gaze.

“Oh... I wasn’t expecting you,” he stammered, nervously.