Beauty of Thebes

Chapter 27: Pretty When Intoxicated

“You… do you think I’m the type to poison you? No. I won’t allow my name to be tarnished. Look, I’m only trying to offer you the best drink you could ever taste in this mortal world, but you don’t want it? Why?”

Dionysus donned a tearful look, eyes strained and cheeks flush a rosy-tinted peach.

Eutostea shook her head. She was not the least bit dispirited by his appearance. There was no one but her awake at this time of the hour wherever she looked around. Only the god standing in front of her was playing theatrics musingly.

No. She’ll not dance in the palm of his hands and voluntarily drink his wine. And the idea itself was horrid the more she thought about it.

“The festival ends today. We leave for Delphi tomorrow, stopping by in the afternoon for a small break. I’ll need to keep my sanity intact so that the tributes reach the destination safely.”

“Oh, c’mon! My drinks have no hangover effects. Those drowning in drunkenness will wake up with a clear mind. Of course, you won’t remember a single thing that will happen today.”

“I know. That’s why I refuse,” Eutostea said coolly.

Dionysus, who begged and begged Eutostea, changed his posture and talked persistently, asking that they drink together. He was the god of wine and entertainment. This quarrel was second nature to him.

“Then take a glass. Okay, fine. You don’t need to drink it. I’ll just drink alone while you keep me company. Let’s have a table. Are you hungry?” Dionysus changed the subject as if he had given up.

The golden chalice carved by Hephaestus fingers showed off its grand gracefulness in Dionysus’s hand. Eutostea looked at him—he was the sort of god who refused to give up.

Reluctantly, Eutostea accepted the golden chalice.

“It’s the best drink. You’ll regret it.”

Eutostea’s eyes narrowed. Didn’t he say he won’t force her?

But sure enough, the moment she received the chalice, Dionysus encouraged her to take a drink.

“It’s a seductive color. I’ll regret it once I take a sip,” Eutostea murmured.

“That’s the point. Just stop doubting yourself and drink up. Drink, drink, drink!” Dionysus echoed and clapped his hand in rhythmic motion. “C’mon, drink!”

Meanwhile, the haggard-looking god snapped his hand and food appeared. No one was around to follow his will, but that didn’t stop him. He clapped his hand again and a spring rose from somewhere on the barren surface began to flow in a stream.

A beautiful warrior wrapped in elm bark walked out of the darkness. The goddess-looking warrior poured wine on Dionysus’ empty chalice. She carried food from hand to hand while mouthing a song from start to the chorus. The song spoke of two lovers whose love was destined to be a tragedy.

The scenery of the white petal tree, which began to scatter in time, was lyrical. The atmosphere was serene.

Eutostea put her lips on the chalice.

Dionysus’ eyes bent satisfactorily.

The wine tasted different. She knew it was no ordinary wine—ordinary wineries were bland with by-products. The scent of the wine tasted like sweet fruit, its potency strengthening as it touched her throat.

The female warrior replaced her chalice with a new one.

Eutostea took a sip, emptying the chalice in no time.

“Isn’t it good?” Dionysus mumbled while grapes.

His eye sparked, as if insinuating Eutsotea to fall deeper in temptation.

And fall she did. The taste was amazing.

“What bad drinks have you had on a regular basis? Admit it, my creation is godly, right? You won’t find this specialty anywhere.”

Like a mother bird watching a baby eat its prey, Dionysus grinned and lifted his chin. She looked intoxicated, but still, she looked pretty like that.