Forced to marry the enemy prince in her sister's place

Hera had slept in the next day. She had tossed and turned in bed all night, thinking about her conversation with Iris. She was conflicted on her feelings. She didn’t know if Iris was right and if she should risk so much for Niko.

Her bedroom was dark and gloomy when she woke up. Iris hadn’t come to pull the curtains. She sat up, tired from sleep, looked around, and sighed.

Niko came by the palace again. There was a council meeting going on. After the meeting, he was waiting in the anteroom per usual.

"Did you really have to come here today?" Hera asked after she had seen him.

"Of course I need to come," he replied. "I wanted to make up for yesterday."

Hera sighed and rolled her eyes. "You didn’t have to bother, Niko. I thought I made things clear yesterday."

"I know. You told me what you always have; you’re in this for your people, you’re under the prince’s care and all of that, but we can still be friends, can we not?"

"Niko..."

"Please, I don’t want to lose you over something so trivial. We don’t have to stop being friends. I’ve even spoken to Penelope. She isn’t going to bother you again."

"You did?"

"Yes, this morning. She promised me she wasn’t going to be a bother."

Hera sighed. "Fine," she said. "What is it you want us to do?"

"The games are starting in a few weeks," Niko said. He looked at her expectantly.

She arched an eyebrow. "What games?"

Niko’s eyes widened a little. "You don’t know about the games? What have you been learning here all along?"

"Just tell me what these games are, Niko."

"Alright, alright. I’m sorry." He chuckled. "The games are basically a test of strength, patience, and most importantly, power. Every son, born from influence, competes in these games."

"So basically, rich people come to show off."

"Don’t frame it that way, Hera," Niko groaned. "Even the prince competes in these games, but he isn’t around right now." He was passionate about his stance. "We are basically the rulers of the future. We need to show the people we can rule. We need to give them something to look forward to.

"I see."

Niko shook his head slightly. "No, you don’t. Just come with me. I’m going to give you a little sneak peek into the preparations."

"And where exactly are we going, Niko?"

"The Colosseum."

The Colosseum was larger than life. The largest structure she’d ever seen was built. It was circular with a podium on one side. At its centre, men fought dangerously against each other. Swinging their swords and spears.

They went through the king’s passage to stand and watch from the podium.

"Isn’t this dangerous?" Hera asked. "Someone could get hurt."

"Then they were meant to lose from the start," Niko said. "We use real weapons because we believe you must always be ready. When there are real lives at stake, everyone fights as well as they should. "

"Heavens," Hera muttered under her breath. "People here always take things to the extreme."

They watched for a while as the men below exchanged blows and dodged each other’s swords.

"I think we’ve seen enough," Niko announced. "Why don’t we see other things?"

"Other things like what?"

"All the other participants, of course. And maybe the prisoners."

"Prisoners?" Hera recoiled. "What prisoners?"

"Why are you so surprised?" Niko laughed. "You didn’t keep prisoners back in your kingdom?

"I mean, I think we did..."

"Then stop acting so shocked," he said. "The prisoners are going to fight as well, to the death. Whoever emerges as the victor gains their freedom."

"That’s barbaric."

"It has been a tradition since I can remember," he said. "I bet you also have interesting traditions back in Epirus that I would find vulgar or disgusting. It, however, does not change the fact that it has been there since we were born, and will still be there after we die."

Hera was quiet.

They went down to the prison cells first. Both men and women together. The area smelled rancid, the walls were caving in, and the irons were decaying.

There were puddles of stagnant water along the passageway between the cells.

"Good heavens." Hera coughed and covered her nose. "How do they survive in here? Is this how you treat them?"

"They’re criminals, Hera. They’re getting less than what they deserve."

"They’re still people, Niko, people who will likely die from diseases before they’re able to fight for their lives inside that thing."

"I can’t do anything about it, Hera. Unfortunately, I’m not the prince."

"Let’s leave, please. I can’t stand to be here any longer," she said.

Then they went towards the under croft. Hera could already hear the rowdiness. The men are shouting and grunting like animals.

"I’m not going in there, Niko, I don’t feel comfortable."

Niko looked at her, a little annoyed. "We’re here already; we might as well go inside."

"No, Niko, I’m ok here. Maybe when there aren’t so many people, we could look at the place together. Besides, I don’t need more people seeing us together."

"Fine then, suit yourself." He left her and went into the room.

She could hear him cheering and laughing with his peers as she stood alone.

"What a surprise, princess," someone said behind her.

She quickly turned to see who it was.

"What is it you seek, princess Hera?" Theo said.

"I’m with someone," she said quickly. She could see him slightly chuckle as she said this. "We came to see the Colosseum, you know, the preparation for the games coming up in a few weeks."

"The games! I almost forgot." He had a crooked smile.

Hera fiddled with her hands and tried not to look at him. "So will you be participating as well?"

He put a hand on his jaw and acted like he was deep in thought. "I might," he said. "Would you come to watch me if I played?"

"I’m not sure, my lord," Hera replied hesitantly. "I’m not sure I like the idea of men brutalizing and killing each other."

"You could learn a thing or two."

"I highly doubt that."