I ran around the dark field where our people were growing all the vegetables for the kingdom. They were carrying torches to continue their work, but they waved at me without doing anything else, which I was relieved about. They better be glad I wasn't Perses because he would have burned the field in retaliation. Dad would, of course, take his side, saying that his children need to be treated with respect.
I stopped at the edge of the property where a large river ran and just laid down, hoping the sounds of nature would relax me. I grabbed my stomach, where the pain started to flare. I pulled up my shirt to see the scar across my stomach that Cronus gave me to burn. I wondered if he figured out the plan and was punishing me, but it started to disappear.
"I decided to remove the scar I gave you since you have to prove to me that you changed your ways," Cronus explained, walking out of the trees with my dad by his side.
"Sir!" I exclaimed in surprise, getting up and kneeling real quick.
"Your father and I decided on your rewards for helping me," he stated, walking over to me, and I kneeled there waiting.
"Your father tells me you enjoy pegasus, so I will give you two of my finest and a gold necklace with my symbol on it," Cronus said, holding out a gold necklace with a scythe charm. I went to grab it, but he pushed my hand away, saying that he would put it on me. As he put it around my neck, it felt like a noose tightening, but I remained calm. He clasped it, then burned it where I could never take it off again.
Around twelve the next day, I dragged myself down to the dining room, where everyone was eating. Mom seemed relieved to see me complaining about how I never get up early, but Dad told her to leave me alone.
I filled my plate of meat and veggies and headed to my usual seat next to Perses. When Dad waved me over to sit by him, I nodded, knowing I couldn't argue. Pallas shot me a look, which I ignored. We both knew what was going on. Dad loves that I'm getting on Cronus's good side, but, to be honest, Pallas was probably jealous.
"The pegasus should arrive today. Cronus will be bringing them." Dad announced, making Mom drop her fork. Her face was filled with terror, then anger.
"Why are you now just telling me!" She screamed, getting up and calling for all hands on deck. She barked orders, then hurried to the kitchen, probably to make sure they had the right food.
My brothers and dad laughed, and I couldn't help but grin.
The afternoon came, and so did Cronus. He got out of a gold coach pulled by two golden pegasus. They were beautiful, their fur and feathers glinting in the sun. He was the only one ever to own them.
"Can you invite everyone else? I say we have a meeting tonight if that's ok?" Cronus asked, to which Dad quickly agreed. Mom's smile tightened, and she excused herself quickly. The rest of the afternoon, we show Cronus around our farm. He said he never really visited our farms and was interested in where all our food came from. Because of magic, we were able to grow anything and everything. Out of season, no problem. It can't grow in a warm climate, no problem. Only grow in cold or snowy weather, no problem.
While the South was tasked with providing food, the North was tasked with distributing the cold everywhere, and the East was tasked with finding ore and minerals, as well as ensuring that everyone had access to light. The West was tasked with providing mortals to fill the roles needed for everyday life. Everyone came up with different inventions that were shared and traded with all.
By that afternoon, we were back at the kitchen table, eating with the other pillars—Cronus at the top of the table, me to her right. Coeus has snow-white hair and eyes with a thick fur cloak, and his wife Phoebe has light golden hair to her waist, yellow eyes, and a green laurel on her head. She wore a bright yellow toga. Hyperion was a tall, muscular man with eyes that emitted a yellow light, complemented by his black hair, which was cut neatly, with a halo of light around his head. He wore an off-white toga. His wife, Theia, had silver, flowing hair that reached to her knees, and like her husband, a yellow glow came from her eyes. Her toga was silver. In front of them and beside Phoebe was Iapetus, who had sliver white hair with eyes and was dressed in a pure white toga. Clymene had blue, fluffy hair that reached her waist and blue eyes that resembled my Dad's, and she wore a light blue dress.
"Where is Rhea?" Mom asked, glancing at the door.
"I didn't think it would be best for her to travel," He replied, to which everyone agreed. We may be gods, but we still need to take care of ourselves. She could miscarry, which would be unfortunate.
"I hate we are leaving her out. Should we all relocate to your house?" Clymene asked with a sickly sweet voice. I couldn't help but shake my head.
"Astraeus, Why do you say no?" Cronus asked. I froze, taking a deep breath. I could feel everyone's eyes boring into me, waiting for me to mess up. They all knew a few months ago I was against Cronus's actions.
"We may be gods, but Rhea needs rest, not playing host to us," I replied, looking Cronus right in the eyes.
"You are absolutely right. Her health is far more important than these get-togethers." Cronus said, looking at Clymene, who stared at the ground, ashamed.
"Anyway, brother, why the meeting tonight?" Iapetus asked, taking the attention off of his wife.
"Right. I would like to discuss assigning Astraeus additional responsibilities. He did speak out against me last year, but I knocked some sense into him. I think he really reflected on his actions." Cronus stated. My stomach felt in knots. I could see my dad beaming while my aunts' and uncles' faces soured.
"What do you suggest? But do keep in mind what he did last year." Hyperion stated slowly, looking at me. I wanted so badly to flinch away from his stare, but I couldn't, so I stared right back at him.
"I want him to take over the responsibilities of the underworld," Cronus stated, beaming at the thought while everyone else put on fake enthusiasm.