Before Heracles could retort, a knock came at the door.
“Heracles—Gwen, are you in there?” Amelinda’s voice called.
“Yes, we’re here,” Heracles replied, rising to open the door.
“Hi, Amelinda,” Gwen greeted smoothly, flashing a bright smile.
“Hi, Gwen. I heard you just arrived,” she said as she stepped inside, eyeing the table with curiosity.
“Fresh off the carriage,” Gwen said lightly. “And already dragging Heracles into trouble.”
Heracles muttered, “He’s not wrong.”
Amelinda folded her arms. “Then why lock the door?”
“Obviously,” Gwen said with mock gravity, “because we were sharing the deepest secrets of manhood.”
“You’re not men. You’re just boys,” she teased, lips curving.
“True,” Gwen said, pointing at Heracles. “He’s a boy. I’m a boy genius.”
Heracles groaned again. “Ignore him.”
Amelinda arched a brow, looking between them. “You’re not hiding something from me, are you?”
“Nope,” Gwen said instantly, too fast. Then he softened it with a grin. “Unless you count how many sweets I stole on the way here.”
Heracles gave her a calm nod. “It’s just nonsense talk, Amelinda.”
She lingered, unconvinced, then sighed. “Fine. But I’ll figure it out sooner or later.” She turned and left, the door clicking shut behind her.
Heracles looked at Gwen. “You really don’t plan to tell her?”
“Not yet,” Gwen said, quieter now, the grin fading just a little. “Some things need the right moment.”
They let the subject drop, drifting into easier talk until the bell for lunch pulled them from the room.
The kitchen was already buzzing when they arrived. Gwen straightened, put on a polite smile, and bowed his head lightly. “It’s good to see you again, Queen Alcmene. Hello, everyone.”
Alcmene’s expression softened at once. “Welcome, Gwen. Sit, eat with us.”
Heracles slid into the chair beside his mother, Gwen dropping into the empty seat at his side.
“Long time no see,” Aunt July said warmly, studying him. “You’ve really grown.”
“Thank you, Aunt July,” Gwen replied with an easy grin. “It’s been a while since I last visited. Heracles, Amelinda, and I were caught up in Hippocoon for so long, I almost forgot what home felt like.”
“Yes, we heard about that,” July said, eyes twinkling.
Aunt Lena leaned forward, elbows on the table. “So tell us—are you just here to visit, or is there something more?”
Gwen’s spoon paused midair. Then he shrugged lightly. “Both, maybe. But mostly, I came to invite Heracles to stay with me for a few days.”
Lena smiled slyly. “And not Amelinda?”
“They’ve got ‘men’s business,’ apparently,” Amelinda teased, her tone playful.
Gwen shot her a mock glare. “Don’t expose me so fast. I was going to make it sound cooler than that.”
Amelinda pouted, amused, and everyone chuckled.
“Let the boy eat before you interrogate him,” July laughed, passing Gwen a basket of bread.
“Thanks, Aunt,” Gwen said, flashing her a grateful smile. He helped himself to soup, the steam rising warm against his face.
“You should try the lamb chops too,” Lena suggested, sliding the platter closer.
“Don’t mind if I do,” Gwen replied cheerfully, spearing a piece.
Lunch rolled on with easy laughter. They asked after Gwen’s family, and though he answered every question politely, Heracles noticed how carefully he skipped over certain details.
When the meal ended, the household began to scatter. Heracles and Gwen slipped back upstairs, their earlier conversation hanging between them. They stretched out in his room and dozed until the afternoon sun dipped lower.
Heracles and the Nemean Lion
The first epic in the Heracles and the Twelve Labors series — witness Heracles' legendary battle against the invincible lion. A tale of strength, fate, and immortal valor.
Heracles and the Dragon Hydra
The second chapter of the Heracles and the Twelve Labors series. Heracles faces the monstrous Hydra — a dragon-like beast with many heads, each reborn from the last. A mythic journey of courage, strategy, and divine challenge.
Heracles and the Burden of Mercy
The third chapter of the Heracles and the Twelve Labors series. Heracles faces the ultimate test of mercy by choosing to redeem the ethereal Ceryneian Hind instead of slaying it, while Avery atones through grueling labor, Lily sings the hymn that rebirths the Hydra, and the dark ocean Umbrother awakens, heralding a greater shadow to come.
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