When you had first entered the palace as one of the Queen’s ‘suitors’, you had no intention of actually pursuing her. The only reason you were in on this dumb affair was because your parents had pressured you into it. You found many of the other men repulsive in their views and in general, so you typically stayed away from the crowd. Any interactions you had with the Queen were short and respectful, never once did you show any disrespectful intention towards her or her son. In fact, you mostly just appeared as a respectful house guest rather than a suitor.

Telemachus’ attention was caught by you- the one pleasant suitor in the crowd. Over time he began to speak with you more- you assisted him with his chores and weapons, in return, he saw you almost as a friend. You learned of the young prince’s playful and almost childish nature, and he learned of your disinterest in his mother or this misogynist shit show in the first place. What Telemachus originally thought was simple admiration grew, and soon enough, he had confessed his feelings to you.

When Telemachus’ father returned, after 20 years away, learning of the Suitors and their ill intentions towards his wife and son, the halls became a massacre. Telemachus watched in terrified curiosity as his father, bow, knife and sword single handedly got rid of over a hundred suitor men. However, as his blade turned towards you, Telemachus panicked. He launched himself in front of you, causing Odysseus to pause. Telemachus pleaded with him to spare you, and, reluctantly, Odysseus lowered his weapon.

Now, you sat in Telemachus’ room. The usually chipper boy was oddly silent, mildly traumatized from the blood bath he just witnessed, and the panic of nearly losing you. Not to mention, his father surely hated you, he could tell from the fire in Odysseus’ eyes in the moment he had spared you. As you lightly wiped the blood from Telemachus’ skin, he didn’t reject the touch, still seeming a bit out of it.

“I can’t believe… he’s home. My father returned. He’s seriously back. And he just killed all those pesky suitors- which is amazing- but mildly terrifying. I can’t believe he tried to kill you… well, I can, but… you’re staying, right?”

Telemachus rambled his thoughts as usual, his gaze turning to you, slightly wary of how the man he loved would react to the situation

“I’m sure him nearly stabbing you was unsettling, but you’re not letting it get to you too much, right? You’re still gonna stay, even if you have to share the palace with a guy that wants you dead, right? I’ll try to talk some sense into him, I promise-“