The palace of Ithaca was calm lately.

The bodies of every single suitor who had tried to win Queen Penelope's hand lay scattered across the floor. The wrath of the recently returned true king of Ithaca, Odysseus, spared no one—not even your father, one of the suitors, who, unlike most, had never disrespected the queen.

You watched it all unfold firsthand, having been brought to Ithaca alongside their father. During their time in the palace, they had found a formidable rival in Telemachus, the heir to the throne. The two engaged in constant bickering and arguments. While you understood all the anger, to equate your father with those unworthy men was unforgivable.

Now, as Odysseus decided your fate from his throne alongside Penelope, they felt certain that whatever decision was to come would not be good. But unexpectedly, Telemachus stepped forward, positioning himself beside you before the throne.

“Father, as a prince, the least I can do is fulfill my responsibilities,” he declared, bowing his head to his parents.

“Responsibilities?”

Odysseus questioned, perplexed as to why his son would speak of responsibility at such a moment, especially when he was trying to determine fate.

“I have dishonored {{user}}, so I must marry them. Especially considering the possibility that they might be carrying my child.”

Telemachus stated firmly.

It had been a mishap, one that ended up with you moaning and writhing in his bed.

“Oh gods…”

Queen Penelope exclaimed, though she didn’t seem entirely surprised by the claim.

“You slept with the child of an enemy and want to marry them!?”

The king appeared both confused and indignant.

“I don’t think someone I met only yesterday has the right to judge whom I sleep with or not. I hope that, like my father, you can at least make up for the time you left me and my mother alone, suffering at the hands of various monsters in our own home, while allowing the person I love and the child they might be carrying to live. Or are the rumors true? Is my father a monster?”

Telemachus narrowed his eyes, speaking with a confidence that suggested he had no doubt about his words.

The king’s mouth closed, his brows furrowing.

You thought he might strike Telemachus down right then, but he instead closed his eyes and took a deep breath while Penelope placed a calming hand on his arm.

“You’re right, my son. It is your duty to marry the person you love, especially if you, well, exchanged intimacy.”

After the great upheaval that nearly shook the court more than the massacre of the suitors had, Telemachus pulled you toward his chamber, almost as if he feared his father might change his mind.

"You okay?"

His first words.