alone

Time. The concept of time has been disputed for years and years by mortal entities. With little understanding of the true significance it holds among their lives, one would think that it's been taken advantage of. Each second, each pace; both are rather different depending on who time entails on.

Time is self-evident. Time is everlasting.

Time is eternal.

Periodically, it exemplifies eternal bliss or even eternal hell. The process of time would go on and on contrarily on each individual being. The process of time runs relying on the situation at hand.

In her case, she often wonders when it will be on her side for once, without her undying essence tarnishing her opportunity of grasping onto the peace she desperately longs for.

The sour mood she possesses hadn't affected the current weather of her humble abode. Pertaining to the vast and heavenly place as her home seems plausible in her case as the divine ruler of this esoteric and mythological realm, unbeknownst to the modern-day humans occupying the lands of her grandmother Gaea.

The golden curtains glimmered as soon as her stepson's chariot took over his twin's duty carefully, without entirely alerting any of the deities aside from her eye's and body's sensitivity to the light that seeped through the lustrous fleece. The light immediately met her warm hazel eyes as soon as she fluttered them open.

Her fluid movements hadn't refrained her from unconsciously shifting her arm to the spacious side of the bed, holding no weight of a body to fill it with warmth. Her chest tightened at the thought of what she had foreseen from the very beginning. Her familiarity with the feeling no longer affected her.

With her back against the headboard, her eyes memorized the corners of their private chambers. Once seen as a location for bliss, now seen as the cage of her eternal hell. These walls were once meaningful in her eyes as it entailed wonderful memories of her marital life. Years had passed and it has become of a reminder of her husband's infidelity and betrayal. The lonely walls represented his cheating ways and the vindictive personality of hers, an image that the people saw her as. The chambers represented her loneliness, pain, and emptiness throughout history. The wall that she had grown to assemble for each hurt she withstood. After all, she was the cold-hearted queen who wasn't merciful to her husband's lovers. No amount of emotion severed the walls, transforming them into negativity. Rage, turmoil, and later on, remorse. Self-remorse.

Everyone was unaware of her inner battles, after all, she has to put up a façade as the Queen of the Heavens. Faltering would portray her as weak in the eyes of all the deities. It wouldn't suit her title. Besides that, her marriage with her husband was seen as a mockery over the few millennia.

Goddess of Marriage, a laughing stock. She thought bitterly.

There was a knock on her door. Having a sense of the deity's presence, her cold and powerful voice echoed across the room, "Come in, Iris."

Her personal handmaiden entered the room with her usual daily dose of tea on the golden tray. The rainbow goddess served it to her mistress by her bedside, her fingers gracefully lifting the object to her divine lips. Brewed Mountain tea with 1 teaspoon of honey and 2 teaspoons of nectar.

Her Majesty's eyes closed and her lips slightly pursed, a sign of contentment. Rarely does the Queen voice out her gratitude and Iris learned these signs, with her lifetime of servitude to her advantage. The amount of respect and loyalty she possesses for the Queen can never be questioned. After all, she has given her everything she needs in this immortal life of hers.

Iris observed her mistress from a distance as she enjoyed the cup of tea prepared solely for her. Delighted that she brightens a portion of her day with her daily preparations despite the longing look the Queen always seems to carry. Unbeknownst to her mistress, Iris observed her beautiful hazel orbs that contained numerous shades similar to her own set of rainbows held so much darkness and emptiness inside those depths.

"Is there anything you wish for, my Lady?" Iris inquired, in hopes of improving the Queen of Heaven's mood.

The cup was placed on her bedside table before replying to her loyal handmaiden, "No, dear." It was abrupt on her part. Iris followed through as her mistress stood and she immediately removed her robes in preparation for her bath.

In front of the comfort room's gigantic mirror, Hera's gaze wandered around each curve of her body. Despite possessing the ideal physical appearance of a woman, she resented every inch of her.

Unwanted feelings of insecurities.

Iris helped her ease into the boiling bathtub that contained scented flowers and soap that improved and flourished her skin.

"Did I ever fail to appease the eyes of men, Iris?"

Her handmade was dumbfounded by the sudden question of the Queen. She was certain that this question was more related to their King's cheating ways affecting her mistress. Iris was trained to be perceptive for the Queen and therefore, observed her frowning at her very own reflection.

In her eyes, her mistress looked glamorous. Perfect.

"You attract many men when your eyes aren't glimpsing at them. I suppose I should honestly inform you of your appealing elegance and glamour, my Queen. Something many women (mortals and goddesses alike), including I, are very envious of." She was gratified with Iris' answer that eased a few of her worries.

Her handmaiden proceeded on washing her Majesty and afterward, combed her long wavy ginger red hair that flowed down her waist. Elegantly, she braided and turned it into a bun before hiding it under her veil, refusing to reveal her locks to the public. On top of it was her polos, an Ancient Greek crown that Zeus created solely for his precious Queen. This serves as a proper way of showing that she is, indeed, tied down to her King and appears as the Queen of the vast lands of Olympus. Hera dressed into her royal white chiton with a golden girdle attached around her waist. Iris moved over and positioned her golden cloak made out of lion skin on top of the chiton. She also handed over Hera's white gloves.

Without wasting any more time as it is, Her Majesty departed her private chambers, Iris following shortly behind. In front of gigantic marble doors, her name was announced to the entire Pantheon present in the dining hall. Everyone was obligated to rise and welcome her presence despite the obvious distaste most held towards her. Upon reaching her seat, she noticed the King's absence at the end of the long table. It would mean that she would have to lead today's meeting and duties as well.

"You may all sit."

The first meal of the day was not as pleasant as she anticipated. After the command, the deities were quick enough to indulge themselves with the food being served while conversing with one another. The Queen of the gods paid no attention to their silly antics and rumors. In fact, she was in some sort of trance. Unfocused. Lost.

"Mother...?" Her son, Ares, the god of war broke her out of her trance. His features are oddly similar to hers. His orbs may be bloody in the eyes of mortals but at the same time, it holds a hint of unique hazel that only she possesses. In fact, there are similarities he took over from his mother. One of them is the strategic characteristics when it comes to war which would explain Ares' main domain. Hera was gratified at her son's improvement over the years though he still possesses his well-known bloodlust, he became even more civilized throughout the years.

"Yes, dear Ares?" She diverted her attention to him.

"May I asked to be excused for today's meeting? I have matters to attend to regarding the upcoming issue about the Middle-Eastern war. The reports I have been working on will have to be delivered by noon." Ares started with confidence but by the end of the sentence, he whispered it once he saw the tantalizing eyes of her mother. For a moment, he received silence and coming from his mother, this irked him. He won't deny the intimidation she exuded.

He followed her hand as it reached out towards her wine glass, taking a small sip.

"1200 sharp. Do not fail me." He released a short breath before he nodded.

The goddess of wisdom merely glanced at the Queen and a few of her brothers whispering amongst themselves, no doubt, giving to the pleasures of spreading gossips to entice the attention of crowds. With her stormy grey eyes that deeply resembled the King's, she respected the Queen as she was of higher authority. Much to her dismay, she failed at signaling her half-brothers from their chatters by nudging them at their side.

It was too late.

"Enough with your ridiculous gossips before I make a move at enchanting your knives to cut your tongue out of you, children. I suppose it is ludicrous to pertain to the lot of you as youngsters when you've been living for centuries." Hera said, nonchalantly, but oddly the tone of her voice sent shivers down their spine. Her eyes weren't even on them as she ate, and yet, they were mumbling an apology in a matter of time.

After the unnerving silence, the rest of the gods proceeded on finishing their meals and conversing with their neighbors by showing off their gear and swords which would be quite disrespectful in the eyes of an outsider.

To the Queen, it was an ordinary day that reminded her of her usual schedule.

Abruptly, she stood from her chair, assisted by Iris. "Meeting would be 0830. Dismissed." She left without another word.

Her face turned towards Iris who was following from behind. The gloves on her hands were removed by her and handed over to her handmaiden as well as her cloak. Shoulders bearing the weight of the cloak were beginning to hurt. "The message must be sent to the entire Pantheon." After all, some wouldn't take her words seriously. There's a high chance of at least 2 of them being tardy despite the reminder.

"Yes, my Lady." Iris nodded in understanding and waited for her mistress.

The Queen waved her hand to the air and vanished into a burst of light.

Her eyes were closed when she arrived at her destination but she could feel the harsh winds that carried her royal chiton into the air with the little struggle of being lifted. Warm light touched her face, giving her a sun-kissed glow, showing off all of her beautiful features. On top of the highest tower of the palace was where she was right at this moment. Surely, it bewildered her before when it became a daily routine of some sort. This location would have reminded her of her husband. From the highest tower, one would see the glory of Zeus as every inch of it represented his being. And from the highest tower did Hera feel every sort of pain. The perfect view of the skies, the platform, and the city he had created. All of it was for the deities. All of it was for her.

Blue skies, white clouds. It reminded her of Zeus' wonderful eyes that changed depending on his current mood as his emotions affect the power he holds over his very own domain.

The courtyard was carved with numerous statues but solely it consisted of a particular statue that outstood the rest. In the middle of the courtyard consisted of Hera's statue, in all of its glory. A reminder of Zeus' loyalty and devotion towards her they have defeated the Titans and won her over after centuries of convincing her to be his.

The famous garden of the Queen was gifted by her real mother, Rhea. As it once belonged to the divine primordial deity, Gaea, located at the deepest wonders of the Earth. It was transferred to Olympus with the help of her husband.

Gripping onto the marble railings, she sensed the difference in the wind's force reflecting her very own emotions. After all, she was the Queen of the Heavens. Her control over this land was priceless and even before, she has power over this domain. She sighed as she slightly calmed down at the sudden appearance of her peacock, Mátia, on her shoulder. Her hand reached out to pet his head and gazed at him with so many emotions underneath her cold hazel orbs, knowing the amount of information her peacock holds the moment she touched his feathers.

"You always seem to impress me, my little peacock, and yet, what you seecauses the tightening that I feel... over here." She whispered the last two words and placed her palm on her chest. Her creation reacted instantly to his mistress' words and rubbed the surface of his head against her, not knowing what kind of comfort to give her.

I've always wanted to write a story that depicts the life of Hera from her perspective. She was often portrayed as the villain in Myths as she continuously tarnished the heroes' opportunity to solve their quests and goals. And I hated how everyone... well, hated her as well. There are only a few stories about her and this was my chance to show how I truly see her. I honestly just think that Hera was often misunderstood in the Myths.

Hera will always be my favourite goddess.

So here is my version. The update is random. I realized how slow I was in updating and this story needs more time.

Comments? Thoughts?

~Red