Chapter 9: Kneeling in Holy Light

Thousands of citizens had gathered outside the arena walls, having witnessed the cosmic light show. When the collapsed gates revealed Apollo standing in full divine armor with Irene at his side, the entire population of Athens dropped to their knees in worship.

“Praise Apollo! Praise the God of Light!”
“Praise Lady Irene, the Blessed Bride!”

Inside the arena pit, Cassandra crawled forward on her hands and knees, tears smudging her thick makeup, her diamond gown torn and covered in dust.

“Lord Apollo! Spare me!” Cassandra wept frantically, banging her forehead against the burning stone until it bled. “I was forced by my mother! I didn’t want to swap the marriage! I was tricked!”

“Liar!” Lady Cynthia screamed from behind her, clawing at Cassandra’s dress. “You begged me to drug Irene! You wanted Lord Hector’s wealth!”

The two vain women began slapping and clawing at each other in the dirt right before the divine God and the entire city, exposing their pathetic greed and ugliness to everyone.

Lord Hector lay in a stupor, staring at his empty, burned hands.

Irene looked down at her stepmother and stepsister, feeling no joy in their humiliation—only a profound, quiet peace.

“Cassandra,” Irene spoke softly, her voice carrying clearly across the arena. “You thought happiness was bought with stolen titles and diamond gowns. You shoved me to a beggar… but you never understood that true nobility lies in the heart, not in a silk dress.”

Apollo looked at Irene with deep pride. Then he raised his hand, commanding the wind and light.

“Cassandra, Cynthia, and Hector,” Apollo pronounced divine judgment. “Your titles are revoked by heaven. Your wealth is returned to the poor of Athens. By decree of the Sun, you shall spend the rest of your mortal days wandering the outer lands in rags—seeking bread scraps from those you once despised!”

With a flash of light, the luxurious clothes and jewels vanished from Cassandra and her mother, replaced by dirty, tattered grey rags—the very rags they had forced upon Irene on her wedding day!

Guards who had once served the Duke now stepped forward, dragging the weeping, hysterical trio away into exile as the citizens jeered and threw rotten fruit at them.

Duke Vane bowed his head to the dirt, trembling violently. “Lord Apollo… what of my fate?”

Apollo glanced down cold-eyed. “You allowed corruption to fester in Athens. You shall abdicate your ducal throne today and spend your remaining years serving as a humble sweeper in my temple.”

“I obey… I obey!” Duke Vane wept in gratitude for being spared his life.