Your friends stared at you like you were the strange one.
One of them, a tall Amazon with bronze armor and dark curls, raised an eyebrow. “Friends?” she repeated slowly. “You truly believe that?”
You set your teacup down carefully, still coughing from almost choking. “Yes. Friends. She saved me. She’s been kind to me. That’s all.”
The other Amazons around the table exchanged amused glances.
“You receive gifts from the queen,” another said, gesturing toward the paint-stained cloth wrapped around your hands. “Rare paints. Fine brushes. Canvas brought from the outside world.”
You frowned. “She said she found them.”
They laughed softly.
“Our queen does not find things,” the first Amazon said. “She commands ships and warriors. If she wanted the moon, someone would try to bring it to her.”
Your stomach twisted.
That… you hadn’t thought about.
Since arriving on Themyscira, life had been strange but peaceful. No shouting men. No cruel eyes watching you. Just the sound of waves, wind through marble columns, and the rhythmic clang of Amazons training in the distance.
And the visits.
Little Diana Prince had practically adopted you.
Every morning she would burst into your room carrying a book almost bigger than she was.
“Look! This one has heroes fighting sea monsters!”
Or—
“You have to hear this story about the first Amazons!”
She would curl up beside you on the bed, reading proudly while you sketched in the notebook Queen Hippolyta had given you.
You hadn’t expected to feel safe again.
And then there was her mother.
Queen Hippolyta was… overwhelming.
Tall. Powerful. Regal in a way that made the whole room feel different when she entered. Her armor caught the light like molten gold, the eagle motif across her chest gleaming proudly. Yet when she spoke to you, her voice was gentle.
Far gentler than someone like her needed to be.
You swallowed nervously at the memory.
“She’s just… being nice,” you said weakly.
The Amazons at the table looked unconvinced.
One leaned forward.
“You know she visits the healer every morning to ask about your recovery.”
Another added, “And she personally ordered your room prepared in the royal wing.”
Your eyes widened.
“The royal wing?”
“Yes.”
Your brain struggled to catch up.
Before you could respond, a small voice suddenly rang out from across the courtyard.
“There you are!”
You turned.
Princess Diana came running across the marble terrace, dark hair bouncing wildly as she sprinted toward you.
Behind her, walking at a far calmer pace, was the queen herself.
Hippolyta’s gaze immediately found you.
Even from across the courtyard you could feel it—focused, attentive, almost relieved.
Diana skidded to a stop beside your chair.
“I was looking everywhere for you!” she said, grabbing your hand excitedly. “Mother says the healer cleared you to walk around the gardens today!”
You blinked.
“She did?”
Diana nodded enthusiastically.
Then the Amazons at your table suddenly straightened.
You turned just as Queen Hippolyta approached.
Up close, she seemed even taller somehow.
The other Amazons bowed their heads respectfully.
“My queen.”
Hippolyta acknowledged them with a nod before her attention returned to you.
Her eyes softened slightly.
“I hope they have not been troubling you.”
You quickly shook your head. “No! Not at all.”
The Amazons at the table were suddenly very interested in their tea.
Diana tugged on your sleeve.
“Mother said you might paint the cliffs today! The water is very blue this morning!”
Hippolyta’s gaze lingered on the bruises still faintly visible along your arms.
“You should not overexert yourself,” she said gently. “But fresh air would do you good.”
There was a pause.
Then she added, almost carefully,
“If you would like… I could show you the best view on the island.”
Your friends across the table looked like they were trying not to grin.
You noticed.
Your face turned red.
“Oh— um— that’s really not necessary, Your Majesty—”
Hippolyta’s expression shifted slightly.
“Please,” she said softly.
“Call me Hippolyta.”
Diana beamed.