“Happy birthday, Vac.”

Vac smiled as his grandmother ruffled his hair. It'd been ten days since he'd arrived in the city and now he was eighteen, the age at which he was considered an adult, with the right to drink and engage in other such activities. He'd spent most of the time training and some time learning about and interacting with the various gangs. Aside from the ones he'd met before, there was a group that produced fake and cheap manufactured goods, and another that ran some sort of protection racket, though Vesta had advised him to stay away from the latter on account of them being focused on finding the intruder. There was also a group that worked on the construction and maintenance of the housing

‘That much has been curiously consistent across the different places I've been to.’

Vesta smiled and said, “I suppose you've come of age. Which means you're ready to experience certain things, aren't you?”

Vac nodded and said, “Yeah, like drinking.”

‘Though I already did that with Medea. I suppose I never told Granny about that, and I probably won't tell her… Who knows how she'll react?’

Vesta’s smile seemed to be on the edge of a smirk as she said, “Oh, that's not what I'm referring to.”

‘It feels like she's trying to tease me about something or is making fun of me.’

As he found himself perturbed by her behavior, she walked towards him, leaned closer and whispered in his ear.

“I’m talking about the traditional ceremony to become an adult, na cháseis tin partheniá sou, if you understand? It's a practice you mortals set up, and you lot have put so much emphasis on the idea that it holds importance.”

He blushed at her words, and stepped back as he realized what she meant. It was an older tradition, one that he'd never really thought about for a while as he'd had other things to worry about, and so it'd been buried at the back of his mind.

“Uh, what? Um, I'm not sure I'm ready for something like that.”

Vesta smiled and said, “Well, you can take a vow of celibacy, if you like. Though I have a feeling that's not the direction you lean towards.”

His grandma frowned, taking a moment to catch on, but gasped when she did and said in as respectful a tone as she could manage, “Lady Vesta, don't you think that's too much? He's still a kid, he's not ready for that. And that's leaving aside the fact that the tradition itself isn't particularly nice. Those kinds of places are-”

Vac scowled at her words.

‘There she is, treating me like a kid again. I'm an adult now, I can handle it.’

“I think that's my decision, Granny, and I've decided to give it a try.”

Morta sighed and with a shake of her head, “Vac please. What about -”

“It doesn't matter, Granny, nothing wrong with this. Like Lady Vesta said, it's the tradition. I'll be going then.”

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

As one of Vesta's men led Vac away, Morta frowned and turned to Vesta. Before she could say anything, Vesta said, “I understand what you were about to say, but sometimes people need a little push. As for the tradition itself, well, I did not create it or the places it takes place in, but it is ultimately for you mortals to decide how you regard it.”

Vac took a gulp as they reached the destination. The only colorful place in this damp and dark city, filled with scantily clad women, booze, and fireworks. He was led to a seedy looking man who was informed of the occasion by Vesta's man. The seedy looking man rubbed his hands with a smirk and said, “Oh, how wonderful, it's certainly a special thing. I remember my first, it was certainly something. And you're sent by the Balancer at that, can't recall that happening before. Don't you worry, I'll get my best girl on it, she'll be gentle.”

‘I’m not sure about this. If I'm being honest my feelings on these kinds of places are just as mixed as Granny's, but I can't back out now after I mouthed off.’

Vac was then blindfolded, and before he could panic was led to a separate area, where his blindfold was removed. There he saw a bed, and a beautiful scantily clad woman covered in makeup and fine clothing.

She took him by the hand and led him over, with a whisper, “Come here, handsome. It's your lucky day.”

As he tried to ease his beating heart, an image of Medea flashed through his mind and wouldn't get out, and this time he understood what it meant.

He quickly let go of her hand with a muttered apology, and ran out of the establishment. He held his hands to his blushing cheeks as he sat down on the ground.

‘Oh man. I have a crush on Medea.’

It wasn't particularly strange for him to feel that way about her, he knew. She was beautiful, smart, strong, and he got along with her in a way he didn't with anyone else. But that didn't make the realization any less embarrassing.

‘Oh man, is this what Granny was going to talk about? Is this why it felt so embarrassing to talk about Medea with her? Jeez. Did she already know? And what about Vesta? Oh gods, please tell me Medea doesn't know.’

“What's with this timing?”

He knew that things with him and Medea were complicated. He knew that above all Medea had a strong sense of responsibility, and had strongly held beliefs some of which they did disagree about. But that didn't change his beating heart, and the feelings held within.

‘I wonder if I can find a way, make a world where I could be with her with no issues?’

----------------------------------------

Medea sighed as she began making preparations for the plan, in accordance with the discussion she'd had with the king. She thought back to it as she went about her work.

“So, have you decided what decision you'll make about Vacuus Venti?” She turned her head just slightly to acknowledge Pyrrhus and replied, “Like I said, I understand my role and responsibility as the princess of Sicily. I'll pursue Vac, and find him. I helped him then, as his friend, nothing more. My understanding of my duty has not changed, King Pyrrhus.”

“And when you do find him, can you guarantee you will bring him in, as someone who acted against the country?”

She replied in the affirmative as quickly as she could, but there was a clear moment of hesitation that he was more than observant enough to notice and understand.

He shook his head, and with a sigh said, “Alright. I'll give you a test then. You won't be the one responsible for bringing in Vac, but I shall assign you to capture the man who helped him, the rider of the Pegasus. Rumors say that he's been active along the coast, interfering in both Sicily’s matters, and in Rome’s. So, bringing him in alive is your task. Do you understand?”

Medea nodded. She could tell that this was more of a punishment than anything else. Not even the Romans had caught him, and here she was being ordered to do so. She understood why, but it still grated on her. There probably was some push from the councilors as well for there to be some repercussions, and this way would also preserve her image with the people.

‘He thinks I can't do this? Well screw him, I'll do it, no matter how impossible this damn task is supposed to be.’

“I understand, King Pyrrhus. It shall be done.”

Ultimately, they didn't know much about the man, but Medea knew enough. While there were still some things to work out, she could tell she held all the necessary pieces. If she succeeded here, the next step would be Vac.

‘King Pyrrhus asked what I would do. I wonder that myself, but… I must meet Vac, either as his friend, or… as his opponent.’