Chapter 3: A Royal Welcome
"Are you going somewhere this morning, Harry?" Queen Cassandra asked her nephew.
"It is my hunting day," Harry answered.
"But we will have visitors today."
"Good for them. Give them my regards." Harry put his hunter-green cloak on and proceeded towards the city.
****
"We are here, your highness," the coachman announced to a sleepy Hermione that they had reached the walls of Troy.
"Good. Stop here. We will walk the rest of the way. I do not want to make a scandal," Hermione commanded. Fleur looked at her, horrified, as they stood in front of the Trojan gates.
" But we have to walk miles!"
"Oh Fleur, do not exaggerate. Besides, exercise will do us good." Hermione got down from the carriage, her half-sister behind her. She sighed. She was in for a long day.
The gates of Troy opened and Hermione walked through them, unnoticed. The city was crowded but undeniably beautiful.
"Stay close to me," she ordered Fleur, "You are bound to get lost."
Her half-sister nodded silently, making Hermione turn her head to the back for her answer while still walking.
Suddenly, a gasp escaped her mouth as she tripped over a cloak, her body clashing against a man's embrace.
"I beg you pardon." Hermione straightened herself, although the man still had her by her waist.
"No. It was completely my fault. I should watch where I am going. My apologies." Harry looked up to catch the damsel's gaze.
She had the most beautiful chestnut eyes he had ever seen. Their glances locked for a single second as Hermione stared into Harry's emerald pools.
"Quite all right then. We will continue our way," Fleur announced, taking Hermione's hand.
"Well, where are you headed?" Harry intervened.
"We are on our way to the palace," Fleur answered.
"Well, I am going there myself. I will get my coachman and take you," Harry offered, suddenly forgetting about the hunting trip. After all, as Troy's royalty, he figured he should start being nicer to strangers, even though he had not been nice that morning, but who was counting?
"No, that really is not necessary," Hermione assured the stranger, flinching as Fleur hit her arm. It was clear that her half-sister did not enjoy a good walk every now and then.
"I insist. It is the least I can do." Harry smiled thinly.
****
"Where are you from? I have not seen you here before." Harry chased the stranger's glance from across his seat.
"I am not from around here," Hermione replied.
Before Harry could proceed with his question, which he was sure the damself had avoided, the carriage came to a halt. He got down and then helped Hermione and Fleur step out. Before they knew it, they were entering the palace.
"Thank you," Hermione said gratefully, trying to make her way to the throne room, if she could find it.
"You are welcome," Harry answered as he tried to make his way into his room.
He did not get very far however, for a soldier got in his way, making him trip.
"Sorry Paris," he apologized. Harry sighed in anger.
"It is Harry," he corrected.
"It is the same. You both look alike," the soldier scoffed.
"Actually I beg to differ," Hermione cut in, leaving Harry thunderstruck.
"I beg your pardon madam?" the soldier asked.
"Was Paris not light brown haired with mahogany eyes and tanned skin?"
Hermione's description of Paris was quite accurate, leaving even Fleur in a surprised state. Harry was amused. Who was this damsel?
"Hermione?" Oliver's voice echoed through the hall.
"Oliver!" Hermione ran towards him, hugging him and leaving Harry thunderstruck once more. Was it not 'Hermione' the name of Helen's daughter?
****
"So, Menelaus finally sent you?"
"What do you mean, finally? I did not want to come."
"Well, he told father that he would send you here, so I was expecting you." Oliver smiled.
"How very nice of you." Hermione laughed as Fleur came forward and cleared her throat, poking Hermione's shoulder. She clearly wanted an introduction.
"Oh, Oliver, this is Fleur, my half-sister. Fleur, this is Oliver, prince of Ithaca."
"Enchanted." Oliver smiled, kissing Fleur's hand.
"Indeed." Fleur bowed her head politely.
"Could you tell me where to find Prince Harry? From what I understand, he is the sole heir to the throne," Hermione said.
"Certainly. Are you not in luck? Here he is now. Harry, come here!" Oliver called his black-haired friend as Hermione's eyes opened wide.
"What?" From his tone, Oliver could tell that Harry's mood was not the best at the moment. No surprise there, though. His friend had always been cold, even with him.
"This fair lady here requests your presence. Hermione, this is Prince Harry of Troy, Harry, Princess Hermione of Sparta."
Harry took a deep breath as he leaned down to kiss the hand of the daughter of Helen.
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