Chapter 63 Princess's Wedding (1)
Davos nodded and said: "I will send Ancitanos to assist you, because this time the participants in Turii are all well-known scholars from all over Greece, and they have great influence in the Greek city-states. As scholars, Ancitanos will know them better, and there will be some common topics, so that they will not be neglected.
In addition, these scholars may put forward some requirements, as long as it is not excessive, we will try our best to meet them. What you need to pay attention to is that there may be a lot of people listening to their lectures after the conference starts. You must send enough people to maintain order, avoid riots, and protect the safety of these scholars. "
"Your Majesty, don't worry, I will make arrangements carefully." Lycias said with a serious look.
"It's been discussed for so long, it's time for lunch." Davers stretched his waist and said with a relaxed expression and a smile: "I have one last thing to say, which is my personal matter. . After the Hera celebration tomorrow is the wedding of my daughter Cynthia, and I will hold a celebratory banquet in the palace tomorrow night, and invite you to attend!"
…………………………
This year's Hera marriage celebration was even more lively than in previous years, and more people came to watch because there was a special young couple among the newlyweds participating in the celebration.
They were the daughters of King Davos, beloved by the people of Dionysia—Cynthia and the hero of the people of Dionia, the youngest captain of the legion—Patroclus.
Apart from the background halo behind them, they themselves are quite popular with the people.
As an adult, Cynthia became her mother Cristoia's right-hand man, helping with business affairs, and was well known to the people of Turii. She is gentle, generous, virtuous and industrious, and she is an excellent female image respected in Dionysian culture.
Patroclus was born into a freedmen family. After his father was wounded on the battlefield, he did not become decadent, but actively devoted himself to public affairs. Through his own efforts, he became an excellent official of the kingdom and made his own contribution to the prosperity of Turii. Patroclus himself, through his studies at the Dionysian School and on the battlefield, became an excellent fighter and team officer, and because of his outstanding record, he became the flag-bearer on the triumphal ceremonies. The success of the Patroclus family as a Dionysian nation of immigrants was a model for the countless free-born families in the kingdom.
So, even though the celebration was over, the people were still in high spirits, knowing that the traditional wedding of the two young men was to be held in the evening, and maybe they could see the king and his wife.
At this moment, Cynthia has separated from Patroclus, followed her mother Agnes, and took the slave girl to the Hades Fountain (the former Turi Fountain) beside the Victory Square, to the Hades couple and Diver in the center of the spring. After the statue saluted, he filled several jars of clear spring water and returned home.
At this time, the Davos mansion was already dressed in red, and everyone was dressed in costumes, including the servants, who were making careful preparations for the upcoming wedding.
Cynthia quickly returned to the bathroom in the main building, took off her already soaked clothes (wet when she splashed water at the Hera celebration), and scrubbed her whole body with the spring water, not only to wash away the dirt on her body , but also according to tradition, symbolically wash away the remains of their virgin age.
Then she changed into a clean robe and came to the backyard garden. Agnes was already waiting beside the statue of Artenis, the virgin and child protector, in front of which offerings had been placed and the oil lamps had been lit.
"Mother Agnes!" Cynthia hurried over.
"Don't worry, child." Agnes smiled, took her hand, made her stand in front of the statue, and then stood by herself.
At this time, Agnes was wearing a white priest's robe. She was extremely beautiful and slender. Standing with Cynthia, they were completely a pair of sisters. It was impossible to see that she had given birth to two children and had already three sixteen seventeen-year-old women. Only if you look closely, will you find a line or two of crow's feet in the corners of her eyes.
Agnes looked at the statue of Artemis with a bow and arrow in front of her, and couldn't help feeling emotional: Twenty years ago, when she became the priest of this goddess, she thought she would serve her and grow old alone. Never thought that in the future I would have a considerate husband, two lovely children, and a big lively family...
"Come, pray softly with me." Agnes came back to her senses, said softly to Cynthia, and then took the lead in singing in a low voice: "The night falls, and the bright moon appears.
Artenis, you are patrolling the world with a bow and arrow.
Girls and children are under your protection.
…”
Cynthia followed with devout prayers.
After the prayer was over, Cynthia's personal slave girl brought some clothes and toys that she had worn when she was a child, and set it on fire in front of the statue.
Looking at the rising white smoke and smelling the pungent smell, Cynthia couldn't help but feel a little disappointed, because from this moment, she bid farewell to her childhood career, and at the same time, she was separated from the blessing of Artenis, and would transfer To the realm of Aphrodite, goddess of sex, and Hera, goddess of marriage protection.
To do so, she went back to her bedroom, where her other mother, Cristoia, was waiting.
"Mother, thank you for your hard work!" Cynthia shouted excitedly. At this time, her bedroom was very gorgeously dressed, and a golden statue of Aphrodite was erected at the head of the bed. This was the result of Cristoia's efforts alone. According to tradition, no Outsiders intervene.
"Silly child, isn't this what a mother should do!" Cristoia said with a smile, then took out a gilded apple, handed it to her, and said, "Pray to Eros."
In the legend of the "Iliad", the Prince of Troy, Paris, gave Aphrodite the golden apple, thinking she was the most beautiful goddess, so Aphrodite, who was very happy, immediately blessed Paris and made the most beautiful Greek The woman Helen fell in love with him, causing the Trojan War. In some Greek city-states in later generations, there was such a marriage custom: offering a golden apple to Aphrodite, the bride would be blessed by the god of love.
Cynthia holds the golden apple and prays to Aphrodite.
After a moment of silence, she placed the apple in the statue's outstretched hand in exchange for a new ornate chest strap that had been stacked in its hand. This is also a custom formed from the legend of the "Iliad": in the legend, the goddess Hera begged Aphrodite to lend herself the belt she wore around her breast before she was united with Zeus, the king of the gods. , Because the chest strap has the magical power of temptation, and indeed Zeus was fascinated by Hera, so that Hera successfully achieved her goal.
As a bride, who doesn't want the groom to spoil himself alone, bathe in love and enjoy the joy!
Cynthia shyly picked up the chest strap and tried it on her chest.
Crystoya took Cynthia and sat beside the bed, pointed to a few items on the bed, and said, "This crown, necklace, and earrings were given to you by your mother, who was married to Gnesia. Jewelry with which Turiyi came."
Cynthia looked at these pieces of jewelry: the crown was made of gold and silver, inlaid with blue and green garnets, and the style was very delicate and delicate; and the necklace was made of silver as a chain and gold as a tassel, The front end is embellished with a huge orange-red amber, which is very dazzling; the earrings are two small and delicate silver nails strung with a milky white pearl exuding halo.
Cynthia held it in her hand, looked at it and looked at it, she couldn't put it down, and wished she could wear it on her body immediately, she couldn't help saying, "It's so beautiful!"
Cristoia sighed aside: "The family of your mother who loves Ganes is a great noble in Lijim. I remember when her father, Atili Cruz, sent her to Turii with a gorgeous fleet. Let your father hold a grand wedding. Your father refused to take into account my feelings... At that time, your Aegnes mother was wearing expensive jewelry, and surrounded by a huge family sending her off, she came home from the port, Along the way, it has attracted the attention of thousands of people, and this wedding is still the topic of many Turiyi people..."
Only then did Cynthia remember that when Cristoia and Davos got married, it was Amendolara who took it back from the Lucanians. Everyone's mind was on how to gain a firm foothold and recover in Amendolara. In urgent matters such as war trauma, the marriage ceremony of the two of them was very simple. They just participated in the start-up Hera celebration. There was neither a grand wedding nor any banquet. Instead, they followed two oil bottles (that is, she and brother Adoris)...
Thinking of this, Cynthia immediately put down her jewelry and hugged Cristoia with both hands affectionately: "Mother, what is the old thing you gave me?"
"At that time, my marriage was simple, and I didn't have many items, only this one-" Kristoia sighed again and picked up a belt from the bed.
Cynthia immediately noticed what was special about this belt: although it looked a little old, it had a good texture to the touch, and it was as light as nothing. It was something she had never seen before... The entire belt was colorful, but it didn't feel tacky at all, but rather luxurious.
Seeing that Cynthia was staring at the belt, Cristoia felt quite emotional. She stroked the belt with her hand and said quietly, "This is a Persian royal belt, which once blessed me from being captured by Persian soldiers. , it even blessed me to meet your father, it blessed me to escape Persia successfully, it blessed me to follow your father to Great Greece, and finally marry him... Now I give it to you..."
Cristoia spoke softly, and countless images of the past kept popping up in her mind. The promise that Davos made to her back then has now been fulfilled, and the person she served when she was young is now completely in her mind. I don't know what it looks like...