The Queen's Heir

The grand halls of Olympus echoed with the distant sounds of divine life as the young godling explored her new home. Sunlight streamed through the colossal columns, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air. Her bare feet padded softly across polished marble floors, each step filled with a mixture of wonder and slight apprehension.

From atop Mount Olympus, the familiar voice of Hera called out warmly.

"My dear one! Come join me for breakfast. I've prepared something special." Her tone was laced with maternal affection, a stark contrast to the tension that often hung heavy between her and Zeus.

As she approached the dining area where Hera sat regally at a table laden with ambrosia and nectar, she noticed several other gods observing from nearby balconies or through open archways. Apollo strummed his lyre idly, watching with keen interest while Artemis sharpened arrows with practiced ease.

"I am a lady." You said frowning. "Mother, what is wrong with him, doesn't he know how to recognized a gender?" You asked hera still frowning.

Hera's warm smile faltered for a moment, her gaze shifting between her daughter and the other gods now watching with varying degrees of amusement. She let out a soft sigh, her expression softening as she addressed the young godling.

"Oh, my sweet girl," she began gently, rising from her seat to approach her daughter. "It's not that they don't recognize you. Olympus has always been... a bit unconventional when it comes to such things. Many of us here have fluid forms or take on different genders depending on the situation."

She placed a comforting hand on the young godling's shoulder. "Your brothers and sisters are simply surprised. They're not used to seeing you in this form so clearly."

Hermes let out a loud laugh from across the hall. "Surprised is an understatement, Mother Hera! We've been calling her 'he' this whole time." He winked conspiratorially at the newcomer.

Your gazed turn to hermes. "Then is he born as a chicken?" You asked hera curiously while pointing your little fingers on hermes.

Hera's lips twitched, struggling to suppress a laugh as she watched the exchange unfold. "Oh, darling, no," she chuckled softly, turning her attention back to Hermes with an amused glare. "Hermes is very much male, despite his penchant for mischief and sometimes questionable fashion choices."

Hermes dramatically gasped, placing a hand over his heart in mock offense.

"Questionable fashion choices? I'll have you know these sandals are the latest trend in celestial footwear!"

He struck a pose, showcasing his winged shoes before winking at the young goddess again.

"And for the record, I'm quite certain I was born fully formed and perfectly masculine."

Apollo snorted from his seat, setting down his lyre completely. "Leave it to Hermes to get offended by being compared to poultry." He rose gracefully and walked over to join them near the table.

"Oh! I thought he's a chicken, he looks delicious though." You answered voice laced with disappointment.

Hera let out a genuine laugh this time, covering her mouth with one hand.

"My dear, you can't eat the gods. We're not that kind of sustenance." She patted her daughter's head affectionately. "And I assure you, Hermes is much more trouble than he's worth."

Hermes struck a pose, flexing his arm muscles. "Trouble? Darling, I prefer to think of myself as an acquired taste. Like fine wine or... well, ambrosia." He grinned widely, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Though if you're offering to consume me, I might be persuaded to accept."

From across the hall, Apollo shook his head with an exasperated sigh.

"Please stop encouraging her, Hermes. She's going to start treating us all like livestock." He approached them with his usual calm demeanor.

"Your mother is right though. We are immortal beings, not dinner options."

"Oh, but the thought of a nice roasted chicken... with herbs and lemon," the young goddess mused aloud, her fingers tapping thoughtfully against her chin.

"It sounds so much more appealing than... whatever Hermes is." She glanced at him with a critical eye, as if sizing him up for the spit.

Hera's laugh turned into a full-blown giggle, shaking her head.

"My sweet girl, you have such peculiar tastes for a goddess. Perhaps we should introduce you to the mortal world's cuisine instead of trying to devour your siblings."

She gave Hermes a warning look. "Don't encourage her cannibalistic tendencies."

Hermes, however, seemed utterly delighted by the prospect.

"Cannibalistic? I like the sound of that! It's much more exciting than being worshipped by mortals." He struck another pose, flexing his muscles.

Because of that statement the little godling feel encouraged and suddenly appear on hermes shoulder biting him.

A sharp yelp escaped Hermes' lips as teeth sank into the flesh of his shoulder. His body stiffened instantly, muscles tensing under the unexpected assault. The winged sandals on his feet skidded across the marble floor as he stumbled backward a step, arms flailing instinctively.

"What in the name of Tartarus was that for?" he cried out, voice pitched higher than usual. His free hand flew to cover the newly acquired bite mark, dark red blood already seeping through his tunic.

"Have you lost your mind? That hurts!"

Hera gasped sharply, her maternal instincts kicking in immediately.

"Eirene! Stop that this instant!" She rushed forward, hands reaching out to intervene between her daughter and the injured god.

Apollo abandoned his lyre entirely, sprinting across the hall with alarming speed.

"What happened? Did someone attack her?"

Hera reached them in a flash of divine speed, her expression a mix of exasperation and concern.

"Eirene, that is not how we greet our family!" she scolded gently but firmly, placing a hand on her daughter's shoulder to gently pull her away from Hermes.

"You can't just go around biting people, even if they are being annoying."

Hermes was already checking the damage to his shoulder, grimacing dramatically.

"Annoying? Darling, I'm offended! This is going to leave a mark for weeks."

He winced as Hera's healing magic began to work its way through the bite wound, closing the skin and soothing the pain.

Apollo arrived moments later, his golden eyes wide with surprise.

"Biting? Really? I've never seen anyone act so... feral." He glanced between the two godlings with obvious amusement.

"What did he do to deserve such treatment?"