Beauty Of Thebes

Chapter 49: My, My, You’re Cute

Dionysus walked with a rusty furnace bowl (Eutostea was serious). 

He guided the Moussa to grab the remains of the crayfish tools that hadn’t been used for long and head to the underground facilities that appeared to be a liquor store.

When the inner introduction of the temple came to an end, they came to the garden. Weeds coiled around the marble altar and Dionysus hurriedly cleared them all away.

The Moussa prepared the lunch meal and neatly spread out a linen cloth as Dionysus set Eutostea down from his shoulder and sat her down.

Dionysus lay comfortably on the linen cloth, not caring whether wrinkles were formed or not.

“You’re hungry, aren’t you? I’m thirsty, too. Right, I’ll have a drink.”

“Drink as much as you like. However, I’d like to hear your supposed explanation with a sober mind.”

Eutostea stole his golden chalice.

Dionysus gave a broad smile.

“My, my… why are you so cute?”

“…..”

Unaccustomed to that sort of praise, Eutostea was left speechless.

Dionysus touched the tips of her hair.

“Short hair looks good on you, too. Apollo must’ve owned your sacrificed hair, right? I’m jealous. I barely got a drink from you as a tribute,” he said, pouting.

As he touched her hair, face gradually nearing hers under a pretext, Eutostea turned her head and dodged.

Dionysus’ lips touched her ear.

“Oh, there was something on your ear. Haha…”

Eutostea wiped her ear without agitation and looked at Dionysus with calm eyes.

“Will you continue making a fool of me?” she questioned.

Till Dionysus told her the full story, she’ll not show a crack of emotion towards him.

Dionysus sighed, surrendering.

“Fine, fine. When you first woke up, you wondered why I was taking care of you in my temple, right? Fine. I’ll explain it to you as promised. Though make sure to give me a kiss as a reward later on. Anyways, I’m sure you remember that Apollo cured you from Artemis’ hunt. It was a game, a bet for them, but that crazy woman got pis*ed off when Apollo decided to save you, so she cursed you. It’s a powerful curse placed on you and Apollo. Though you’ve escaped death, your life still hangs by the tread. Artemis will do her best to kill you and Apollo won’t always be able to stop her. He asked me to help hide you. This place won’t catch Artemis’ eyes. It’s just the Moussa, my beasts, and you and me here.”

“…I’ll have to live all my life here?”

“Why? You don’t want to?” Dionysus asked, curious.

Besides, there was nowhere to go. She ran away from the palace without even a plan in mind. And even if she tried to live anew or become a priestess, who would accept her? She cut her hair, a symbol of a slave. If Eutostea walked around loosely in the mortal world, she’d be stoned to death or subjected to the harsh conditions of men.

Meanwhile, the goddess was searching for her through the eyes of death. 

The life of an ordinary mortal woman, who had no means to defend herself, was akin to an ant. Man was predisposed to be weak. Dionysus didn’t want to see her in danger.

Dionysus bit his lips and said, “You should stay here until your safety is assured.”

He spoke with the utmost purity, not showing his desires. He pretended to wear a generous heart that would let her go after her safety is set whenever she so desired, but in truth… his plan to make that cute little bun fall in love with him was set in motion.

Dionysus smiled, appreciating Eutostea’s face. Somehow, the more he looked at her, the more her beauty shone. Maybe this was the effect of attraction. 

“Be the priestess of my temple, Eutostea. I’ll protect you from Artemis. I won’t let her touch even a single speck of your hair. It can even last a lifetime, if you want.” 

He drew a confident smile, again. He knew the woman in front of him had only one option. 

“I understand.”

Eutostea returned the golden chalice she took from him.

“I’ll serve as your priestess.”

She turned her gaze away and took a glimpse at his shabby, simple temple surrounded by coniferous forests.

“But it looks like we have a lot of work to do.”

Then her eyebrows tightened, nose scrunched up.

‘I need to get better soon… I don’t want to walk around with a p*nis-shaped cane.’

Dionysus giggled as if he had read her thoughts.

Facing the clear wind, the two ate their lunch.

Eutostea’s cup was filled with red wine, slowly drinking Dionyus’ wine without much hesitation. 

Dionysus smiled. This woman, she sure gave him satisfaction.