Of Cheekbones and Destiny

Aeneas let his gaze drift, and recognized scene after scene from the Trojan War.

The abduction of Helen.

The Greek armies before the walls of Troy.

Hector locked in combat with Achilles.

The wooden horse. The flames.

And then, at the very end of the wall, as if it were both the beginning and the end:

A Trojan youth boarding a ship. Blonde hair, blue eyes. Striking a heroic pose, arm outstretched, sword firm in hand.

His determined gaze fixed on a place beyond the sea, where a red sun was rising.

Aeneas’ eyes shimmered as he stepped closer to the wall and gently brushed his fingers across the still-damp paint.

Dido stared at the mural, stunned.

What are these images?! The last time I was here, this wall showed scenes from Tyre!

“W-who commissioned this?”

“I do not know, my lady,” her handmaiden replied, equally shaken.

Aeneas rubbed the wet pigments between his fingers, lost in thought.

“Sunt lacrimae rerum et mentem mortalia tangunt…” he whispered softly, barely audible.

Dido gritted her teeth.

What is he murmuring there? It must be something dire, if he turns to that foreign tongue. This is terrible! Aeneas has only just begun to process the loss of his homeland, and now he’s confronted with it again so vividly. What must he think of me? By Melqart, who arranged this?!

While Dido and Eshmunet exchanged anxious glances, bright, satisfied giggling echoed through the halls of Olympus, as Venus leaned over the all-seeing fountain in triumph.

“Ha! I knew the plan was brilliant! With this little reminder, Aeneas will undoubtedly realize that his destiny awaits him and tolerates no further delay. Farewell, Carthaginian future!”

Alexios, this time without his hood or cloak, scratched his long, pointed ears while leaning against a pillar a short distance away, one hoof slightly bent.

“But aren’t the Threads of Fate unchangeable anyway? Why even bother going through all this trouble?”

Venus had just drawn breath to answer when another voice cut through the hall.

“…Because destiny can only be fulfilled if the one it concerns chooses to accept it. It calls him, but it doesn't force him.”

Juno lounged casually beside one of the colossal marble columns, as if she had been standing there the entire time.

“You again!” Venus groaned in her direction. But her irritation quickly gave way to smug confidence. “Say what you want, it matters little. Aeneas has already chosen his destiny!”

The queen of the gods arched a brow and tilted her chin toward the fountain.

“Oh? Are you quite sure about that, Blondie?”

Venus blinked, perplexed, then whirled around and hurriedly peered down into the world of mortals.

There stood Aeneas.

No longer brooding before the murals, but turned toward Dido, a gentle smile playing on his lips.

“It would be my honor to stay here in Carthage!”

Silence.

Dido and Eshmunet’s eyes flew wide, while Venus froze above the fountain in utter shock.

“EHHH?!”

“I believe you may not know your Aeneas quite as well as you think,” Juno remarked dryly, slowly disappearing behind the columns again with a satisfied smirk.

But Venus no longer paid her any attention. Horrified, she followed the events unfolding in the Temple of Tanit.

Dido, too, struggled to process what the Trojan prince had just said.

He… wants to stay in Carthage? But why so suddenly? Not that I would mind…

“You… you wish to stay?” she asked softly, her cheeks faintly flushed.

Aeneas nodded with confidence and gestured toward the murals.

“The fact that even here, thousands of miles from Troy, our tragic history and legacy are depicted and carried on has made me realize that I no longer need to bear that burden alone.”

He winked roguishly.

“And that you went to such lengths to add my humble self so flatteringly at the very last moment, just to show me that my future lies here in Carthage… that honestly means a lot to me.”

Dido forced a nervous smile.

“Well, um…”

Should I tell him the truth? But if he finds out I had nothing to do with this, he’ll probably set sail again…

“A-ahaha, exactly so! I’m delighted you like it. Such good fortune that it was completed at the very last moment, wouldn’t you say, Eshmunet?”

Her handmaiden looked at her in confusion.

“But my lady, I thought you knew nothing about...”

Dido jabbed her sharply with an elbow and gave her an exaggerated wink.

“Wouldn’t you say, ESHMUNET?!”

“Uh… yes. O-of course. Such good fortune!”

Meanwhile, Aeneas had turned back to the painting, a spark of pride in his eyes.

I have to admit, the painter really nailed my chiseled chin and expressive cheekbones. Was I always that tall? Then again, I did grow an inch or two since last summer.

His gaze wandered over his body, and he had to suppress a satisfied laugh.

Looks like I worried for nothing. Queen Dido definitely has a thing for me! If I can keep this up, we’re basically already together.

Resolved, he turned back to her.

“Well then… since our fleet won’t be ready to depart for some time anyway, it would be my honor to lend you our full strength in building Carthage. It is the least I can do in return for your hospitality. My men and I stand fully at your disposal!”

Dido’s eyes shimmered, and for a moment she seemed at a loss for words.

Then she recovered her regal composure, nodded, and extended her hand to him.

“I thank you for your generous offer, Prince Aeneas, and I graciously accept. You are welcome to remain in Carthage for as long as you desire.”

Aeneas’ heart pounded as he looked at her outstretched hand.

Slowly, he extended his own hand, stopped, wiped it once on his red cloak, then reached out again, gently clasping hers.

Several seconds passed, and he still hadn’t released her hand.

HAND-HOLDING! Well... it's basically just handshaking, but who cares?!

A deep blush spread across the queen’s cheeks and she lowered her gaze, saying nothing.

“…Would you care to see the harbor next, Prince Aeneas?” Eshmunet finally blurted, pulling him from his dreamlike daze.

Hastily he let go.

“Oh, um, sure. I mean... of course! I am certain the harbor is equally magnificent!”

And so they departed the great Temple of Tanit together, while high above on Olympus, the desperate scream of a goddess echoed through the sacred halls.