Beauty Of Thebes

Chapter 54: His Beating Heart

Dionysus came back in a flash with carts full of work the little bun entrusted him with. He cut down dozens of trees and beaten firewood without sweating, without a speck of dust on his clean face.

Eutostea didn’t trust him so easily. She asked Moussa to check the back of the temple piled with firewood. Moussa came back explaining a good pile of firewood with five carts full.

“You’re not hungry? Let’s eat,” said Dionysus, plopping down next to her and looking at her with glittering eyes. 

Eutostea looked at him with different eyes. He was a good worker, she could attest, but goodness was he a shambles of mess. She’ll need to revise some of the temple’s rearrangement. It would likely end earlier than expected if she bossed him around efficiently. 

And he’d be willing to do so too it looked like.

Not knowing her wicked thoughts, Dionysus looked at Eutostea’s lips before popping a grape in his mouth. 

Eutostea, she looked like a cute baby bird he wanted to eat. 

Eutostea paid him no mind and ate her meal with a peaceful smile, thanking Moussa for the palatable dish. 

Devouring his plate, Dionysus looked at Eutostea.

“How’s your shoulder?” he asked. 

Just looking at it bothered him. 

“The pain went away after having a sip of the drink you gave me.”

“It’s only a one-time thing. Don’t rely too much on that. Also, you’re still a patient, so take a rest. It’s the best shortcut to healing quickly.”

“I’ve had enough rest.”

“Why do you believe in yourself so confidently? You’re a mortal, one with a weak human body. So fragile, so weak that you could break so easily. Don’t overdo yourself. Let’s stop our work and rest for today.”

Dionysus bent his arms and grinned, resting his chin on the palm of his hand.

“Also, shall we refill the bowl we made in the memory of the assembly hall cleaned up to its fullest? It’ll be quite an enjoyable night to hear the Muses perform at night and wine poured out as if a purging.”

“Won’t you end up starting a fire?” Eutostea poured cold water on Dionysus’ romantic proposal. “In addition, if you look at the nails of the bowl submerged with wine, they look a little black and a little rough.”

“Then let’s fill it with clear water.”

“We’ll fill it with clear water. I think it would be better if we could pump from the groundwater to prevent dryness. I have to get new water to make wine anyways.”

“Wow! You’ll make me a drink?” Dionysus asked, voice excited and thrilled. 

Eutostea looked at him as if stating the obvious.

“Yes, because I’m your priestess. It’s my duty to build a wine for the altar. There’s different recipes for each temple. If you could tell me what you prefer, I’ll learn them fully.”

Suddenly, she realized what she said in front of the god of wine seemed quite presumptuous. Eutostea blamed herself for the slip of the tongue. 

It was Dionysus’ specialty providing the best drink in the world from a simple wave of a hand. Would she be able to compare hers with his drink after many trials and errors and practices? But… what if she failed to make him a delicious wine? Would she be a failure as a priestess?

As she thought about this, Dionysus, who tilted his golden chalice and stared at the red wine, parted his lips. 

“Your words aren’t more touching than I thought. Eutostea, my heart is pounding so hard. I can’t control it. I only had a small sip of you but you’re far more deadly than any drink I ever had.”

With eyes full of hearts, Dionysus looked at Eutostea. 

His hand covered her cheek, thumb rubbing the corner of her eyes and cheekbone. 

Eutostea looked at him straight in the eye.

Her lips touched his earlier… it was too short! Dionysus leaned his body towards her, knocking down the golden chalice. The breath of the man and woman drinking the same wine mingled in the air.

“Dionysus,” Moussa called his name.

Disturbed by the short valuable time he had with Eutostea, the lascivious Dionysus squinted his eyes and turned his head. 

“What?” he asked.

“A message from Olympus.”

A giant eagle sat clutching on one foot over Moussa’s shoulder, bowing slightly.

“All gods, including the twelve main powers, gather in Olympus immediately.”

From the beak of the eagle came the voice of Zeus. The giant beast, who had said what it needed to say, spread its huge wings wide as if to cover the sky and rose rapidly, creating a gust of wind.

Dionysus big his lips and looked at the chaotic lunch table.

Moussa, hiding behind the tree, ran out and put golden sandals on.

“I don’t know what’s going on, but since something’s happening, looks like I’ll have to go up.”

Dionysus descended from the altar. 

Eutostea began to move, but he stopped her.

“You didn’t eat much. Just finish your meal. Someone will clean up the mess. Don’t wait for me. Sleep whenever you’re tired. I’ll come back for you soon as I finish my work,” leaving her behind with a friendly voice, Dionysus’ figure disappeared alongside the eagle.

Eutostea sat on the tablecloth with spilt wine and looked up at the cloudless afternoon sky.