Chapter Text
“I must say I am pleased with your recommendation for my son’s advisor,” King Hades said while he and Artemis watched Nico measure out his powder before pouring it into the muzzle of his rifle. “It has been years, but I must say that I am still indebted to you for suggesting her, Your Divinity.”
“Reyna is a fine soror,” Artemis agreed, leisurely taking a sip of wine from the selection Hades had ordered to be brought out for her to taste before she selected one to be served at dinner. She was currently enjoying a wine with a delicate smell and color, but a bold, acidic, earthy flavor. “I thought she would get along with His Highness. Her sister would have, too, but I thought it better to suggest someone closer to the prince’s age.”
“Indeed,” Hades said. “It is good to see Nico with someone so often. You know how he can behave.”
Artemis nodded quietly as she watched Nico raise his rifle to aim at the target across the green. Reyna was standing off to the side with her own rifle, a standard Sorority model, while Nico had acquired one of the new rifles from Vulcan that summer. Hades had mentioned that Nico and Reyna spent a great deal of their leisure time practicing on the grounds of the palace, and it showed. Nico was becoming quite a skilled shot.
Artemis and Hades were seated to the side, a safe distance away from the rifles, testing wines under a tent that had been set up for shade. Thalia, the captain of Artemis’ guard, was standing not far behind them; although Artemis had given her permission to practice shooting with the prince and Reyna, Thalia had declined, insisting that she would stay with Artemis.
“We are in the company of friends, Lady Thalia,” Artemis had said. “What do you plan to protect me from?”
“Forgive my paranoia, Your Divinity,” Thalia had answered. “But wherever there are guns and alcohol, there is always danger.”
So, instead, Thalia stood by Artemis, not drinking or shooting for sport. It was easy to forget that Thalia had once been the crown princess of the Juvian Empire. She still carried the confidence of royalty, but she had a rough, rebellious air about her that gave her the might of a warrior, and her devotion to Artemis made her the perfect captain. She was usually a fun-loving girl, but she took her duty as a guard quite seriously. Artemis wished that Thalia would enjoy herself at some point that afternoon. It was a pleasant day; sunnier than average for Pluto, with a soft breeze reminding them that they were getting deeper into autumn.
Artemis briefly wondered how Will was faring in Venadica; her nephew had such a low tolerance for cold. She knew that he had hoped to return to Diana before the end of the season.
“When will you return?” Will had asked when Artemis announced that she would be visiting Divitia to see the King. He had planned to be home in time to celebrate Chronalia at the end of the harvest, and Artemis had intended to travel with him. Will always fled from Venatica before winter; as much as he despised carriage travel, he feared Pluton winters more.
“I suspect I will only be gone three weeks,” Artemis had replied. She intended to be in Ceres for the Chronalia festival. Diana bordered Ceres to the east and Artemis intended to travel there for a visit before turning back to Ceres to celebrate the harvest. “Worry not, dear nephew. I would not leave you to make the journey on your own.”
Artemis raised her glass to her lips again and took another sip of wine. “Your wife keeps a wonderful vineyard,” Artemis remarked. “You said this is one she has financed in the hill country?”
“Yes,” Hades replied proudly. “The hobby makes her happy, and I am glad to reap the benefits of her investments.”
“I dare say that the gardens are even more beautiful now than they were when I last visited,” Artemis mentioned. She was cut off by the the thunderous blast of Nico’s rifle and looked up in time to see him make the shot just outside the target. “And I dare say he has gotten more skilled, as well.”
“Yes,” Hades agreed slowly. “He certainly has a specific skill set.”
Artemis quirked an eyebrow at Hades’ tone. He did not sound entirely pleased with the prince. Artemis was aware that the two of them had trouble getting along ever since they lost the eldest princess, and although it seemed to be getting better with time, Nico and Hades occasionally had their spats.
“Is there any way I can assist you, Your Majesty?” she asked.
Hades sighed. “I am afraid not,” the King said. “I am worried for my son, Your Divinity. He has yet to keep a suitor for longer than a day and I worry that we will be unable to find him a husband. He refuses to take a wife, so if he does not carry on the family line, it is of utmost importance that he marry a man with a good name and status.”
Artemis nodded in understanding. Marriages between men and women were more common than marriages between two men or two women simply because such a marriage could not result in children. Same-sex marriages, however, were not uncommon, and the main purposes of that type of marriage were economic and political; a same-sex marriage had more short-term benefits, while an opposite-sex marriage had more future benefits. The type of marriage one had relied on both personal preference and the needs of the family. As long as the family line could be continued another way, same-sex marriages were perfectly viable and, in some cases, suited the family better than an opposite-sex marriage.
Some of Artemis’ scholars had found that a statistically insignificant but notably larger percentage of consors and knights had same-sex marriages as compared to non-consors and unknighted people. Her research team believed this was because consors and knights could not pass on their titles and authority to their children, so the traits they had to offer in a bond were more valuable in same-sex marriages.
“My daughter will take care of the issue of progeny,” Hades continued. “She is still very young, so that is not my main concern. A husband may be better suited for Nico; it is true that his irksome personality has somewhat soiled his reputation in Pluto, and therefore he requires a man of great character to turn the common folk in his favor. I have invited many eligible young men in the hopes that Nico might deem one fitting, but he has turned down every one of them. In the words of his would-be suitors, he is ‘aloof, rude, proud, silent, and aggressive.’ His status may loan him some distinguished eligibility as a bachelor, but it seems that it is not enough to pardon his disposition. Nico doesn’t bother to attempt to get along with them; he finds faults to pick at in each man we attempt to convince him to court. ‘He bored me,’ he’ll say. Or, ‘while his face was pleasant, it did not distract from his devastating lack of intellect.’ Or even, ‘I disliked the shape of his nose.’ I am at a loss, Your Divinity. Nico has had trouble interacting with others ever since...well. You remember what happened. The Council is becoming restless. Nico needs to choose a fiancé to guarantee he will bring stability to Pluto. Years have passed, and we are still recovering from the tragedy of the Scarlet Delirium. Nico’s reputation among the people does not lend assistance to the matter.”
“The prince is still young,” Artemis offered. “He cannot marry for years, as it is.”
“Yes, I know,” Hades replied. “But betrothals are very long, complex processes. You know this, Your Divinity. And the fact that he has not made any serious progress is worrying.”
“You are correct,” Artemis agreed. “I can understand why you are concerned. If I may be so bold, I have a nephew in Jupiter who is the same age as the prince. He has had offers, but no serious attempt at engagement. I am quite fond of this nephew. He is in good health, consistently kind and courteous, and has a great interest in and talent for healing that may provide useful to you. Apollo is quite wealthy and could offer a remarkable dowry.”
Hades drummed his finger on the gold rim of his glass. “And this nephew’s name?” Hades asked.
“William,” Artemis answered.
The King frowned. “William. But I seem to remember that the circumstances of his birth were...unfortunate.”
Artemis raised an eyebrow. “Need I remind you that Nico was the same?”
Hades looked displeased. He never liked being reminded of his own children’s illegitimacy – it was a well-kept royal secret. Artemis was one of the few people who was privy to the fact that Hades’ children were natural-born, as she had been present for the delivery. “Nico and his sisters are a different case.”
“Not so different.”
“Your Divinity, with all due respect, I am not sure that William’s status is comparable to Nico’s. The benefits of such a marriage....”
“Would include stronger ties with one of the wealthiest states in Jupiter,” Artemis said, boldly interrupting the King. Her authority was, after all, superior to his, and she wasn’t afraid to use that to her advantage. “You would gain a young, pleasant husband for your son and security in Pluto’s reconstruction. Not to mention the ties you would gain with the Sorority through a royal marriage to my nephew. William is a consor; he could prove quite valuable to you. I think that you will be impressed with him.” Artemis paused before adding, “I introduced the two of them when they were children, at my inauguration. They had a very pleasant evening together. My nephew still remembers that meeting quite fondly. I believe that William would be a very patient, agreeable suitor. It seems that he is exactly what the prince needs.”
Hades was quiet for a moment, tapping his chin in thought. “I suppose it would not be amiss to arrange a meeting,” Hades said. “Will you send word to your brother?”
“Absolutely,” Artemis answered, storing away her delight so that she could celebrate later. “I will send him a letter immediately. My nephew is currently in Venadica. When I hear back from my brother, I can arrange to bring my nephew here for an audience.”
Artemis hoped that Nico wasn’t as terrible a suitor as Hades had suggested; she had always thought Nico was a pleasant young man. Nico had suffered so much already. He was reserved and did not trust easily, so Artemis thought that perhaps Nico’s reputation as a bachelor was misattributed to his disposition. However, Artemis knew that Nico was well-mannered, determined, intuitive, and spirited – all the qualities of an ideal husband. Will deserved a good marriage, as well; all previous applicants to be his suitor had been rather unsatisfactory. Will had much to offer Nico, as well: he was well-educated, rational, exceptionally intelligent, and he came from a wealthy family. Besides that, Artemis thought the two of them would get along. They were both passionate, talented young men. Nico would never bore Will, who could rarely sit still for longer than a few minutes, and Will would bring Nico some much-needed serenity with his even-tempered character.
Later that day but before the evening meal, Artemis retired to her guest chambers to write a letter to her brother. She had brought along her favorite pen during her visit to Divitia – a newer model with the metal-point tips that had recently been developed by a group of consors in Venadica. It held ink well and wrote smoothly; Artemis found herself disappointed with other instruments after it was gifted to her, so she always travelled with it, as she constantly had letters to write and notes to make during her travels.
Artemis tapped the end of her pen to her chin in thought before starting her letter, wondering how best to ask for her brother’s permission. It was, of course, unlikely that Apollo would refuse, but she could not act without consulting him. In any case, she regretted being unable to ask in person to see her brother’s reaction.
My dear brother, she began.
I write to you from Divitia, where I am paying my respects to the royal family, to bring you some potentially happy news. I may have found a man for your dear son William to play the suitor for. During a conversation with His Majesty, the King mentioned his son’s lack of success in finding a potential husband, and I mentioned your son’s name. His Majesty has agreed to arrange a meeting, should you and your son agree to it.
I regret that this meeting would interfere with the plans I had made with my nephew to travel to Diana before the end of autumn. However, such an opportunity is, I think, worth that sacrifice.
Should you agree, I would be honored to act as Will’s chaperone on his trip to Divitia, so I see little need for you to send Chiron far from your younger children for so long. The prince has been a close acquaintance for many years and I am confident that should this arrangement prove successful, your son would be very well cared-for.
I will return to Venadica in three weeks’ time and I hope to hear from you then. Please send your reply to my estate at your earliest possible convenience. If you have requests, questions, or concerns, I ask you to mention them in your answer.
Your loving and devoted sister,
Artemis
True to her word, Artemis and her guards journeyed home to Venadica later that month and was greeted by her sorors and consors. William, her favorite nephew, and Hestia, her aide, were among them, of course, and they, along with Thalia, were the only ones to remain with Artemis after she dismissed the others.
“Will we return to Diana by the end of the week then, Your Divinity?” Will asked.
“A moment, nephew.” Artemis turned to Hestia and asked, “Has there been word from my brother?”
“Yes, Your Divinity.” Hestia filed through the papers in her satchel until she found a letter, and then she handed it to Artemis.
Artemis took the letter and waved for Will, Thalia, and Hestia to accompany her to her chambers. She opened the seal as she walked and scanned over her brother’s words quickly.
My dearest and most divine sister, she read as they ascended the staircase.
I cannot describe the surprise, gratitude, and delight I received upon reading your letter. My William has received suitors before, but we have hoped for a better offer. This possibility is beyond what I ever expected.
“Your Divinity–” Will started, but Artemis held up a hand to silence him as they made their way down the corridor to her private rooms.
“Patience, nephew,” she said, and continued to read.
I have, of course, heard of His Highness’ reputation as a bachelor and rumors of an unpleasant disposition, but I have no way to confirm these utterances. Although I admit to being wary, I trust your judgment, dear sister, and I know you have been an acquaintance of His Highness since he was a child. If you believe he will be a good husband to my son in ways unrelated to his prestige, I offer my permission and my blessing for their meeting.
Artemis nodded to the sorors standing outside the entrance to her chambers and thanked them when they opened the doors and let her pass through. Once inside, Artemis waved a gesture to Hestia, Thalia, and William to make themselves comfortable and took a seat behind the desk in the center of the room. Thalia, of course, did not sit, instead choosing to stand beside the door.
I regret that I will be unable to see you and my son for a while longer, but with the promise of such a future for dear Will, I will gladly wait. Give my son my regards and best wishes, and assure him that we in Diana are thinking of him and hoping for the best.
Again, my most humble thanks for granting my son this honor, Your Divinity. I eagerly await further news and I pray that you accept my gratitude.
Your grateful, happy, and loving brother,
Apollo, Duke of Diana
Having finished, Artemis set the letter down on her desk, folded her hands on top of it, and looked at her nephew with a smile.
“Well, my dear Will,” she said. “It appears we must change our plans.”
“Your Divinity?” Will asked with a confused frown.
“I regret to inform you that you may have to bear the Pluton weather a little longer this season,” Artemis said. “And, perhaps, for many seasons to come.”
“I do not understand,” Will said. “Are we not returning to Diana?”
“No, my nephew,” Artemis replied. “There is some very important business we must attend to here in Pluto; with luck, I may have found you a husband.”
Will looked dumbfounded. “A husband?” he repeated. “Here in Pluto?”
“Yes, indeed. I will accompany you to your first meeting and remain as a chaperone and adviser in Chiron’s place. Does this please you?”
“Absolutely, Your Divinity,” Will said. “This is unexpected and happy news. May I ask his name?”
“Of course,” Artemis answered. “In a few days time, I will be accompanying you to Divitia, where you will meet with His Royal Highness, Prince Nico, the Duke of Angelus, in the hopes of a possible engagement.”