Eutostea, the third princess of Thebes, is visited by the mysterious guest calling himself the God Apollo in bed. In pitch-black darkness, only an outline of him said, “I have come to share a one-night love with you. Once the night passes, you will not remember me, nor shall we meet ever again.” Soon, the three princesses band together to reveal his face while he is sleeping. But the candlewax melts off the tip of the candle in Eutostea’s hand and falls on the god’s shoulder. Apollo wakes, grabs the second princess, declaring, “Princess of Thebes, admire to your heart’s content. ‘Tis the face of the mere shell you sought so dearly.”

It was dawn, the time when the goddess Eos stretched herself, waving her hair. The cart, which carried offerings that would decide the fate of the nation, slowly moved. 


Those who woke up early in the morning and bustled around got on their horses with a drowsy look. Since the brass cart was fully loaded up, the horses wouldn’t be able to endure the long journey if they lost their energy from the beginning, so the parade of people took shorter breaks repeatedly. 


Eutostea was riding the horse in the rear. Everyone knew that she was a princess, but she wrapped herself, even her head, with an outer garment to not stand out among the people. The horse she was riding was a healthy one with a lustrous chestnut coat. It was even gentle, so even though she only rode it once or twice only when she went on a picnic, the horse recognized Eutostea and didn’t even make a whining sound. 


Chapter 11 - Chapter 11