Chapter 33: Cheiristoya
Just then, the woman turned around and Davos couldn't help but stare at her eyes: a woman with beautiful blonde hair and her hair was simply piled up in a bun which looked like a cloud behind her head, revealing a slender white neck. A pair of curved eyebrows beneath her smooth forehead, bright blue eyes like the Aegean Sea. Curved eyelashes that shadowed the eyes, which add a slight hazy temptation. The bridge of her nose is not entirely straight, but has a small curve, thus it look less heroic and more cute and graceful. Her thick and even lips have brilliant blood color, and a delicate white face that is as smooth as a goose eggs. Finally, with a perfect curve that outlined her slightly raised chin…
Despite having seen countless beautiful women on television in his previous life, the beauty of this woman still made Davos dazzled…
She opened her lips lightly and revealed her white and even teeth, “Esteemed leader, Davos, I am Cheiristoya.
“…er…” Davos subconsciously repeatedly rummage his memory, ‘Who is Cheiristoya? Am I familiar with her?’
Cheiristoya obviously saw a lot of men who had forgotten themselves in front of her, so she didn't show any contempt and step forward and softly said, “I am the daughter of Pronifos, an aristocrat of Miletus, and the concubine of the Persian prince, Cyrus the Younger. I came to seek asylum from you!”
The concubine of Cyrus the Younger?! Davos was so excited that he suddenly remembered what Olivos had said before and blurted out, “You are the…woman who fled from the Persian soldiers when Cyrus the Younger was killed!”
As soon as he spoke, he felt that what he said was insensitive and quickly said, “I'm sorry! I shouldn't…shouldn't-”
“It doesn't matter… this is the arrangement of the goddess of fate.” Cheiristoya looked dejected, “I was lucky that I was able to escape, but the other sisters…”
Her mournful grief made Davos' heart throb again. He scolded himself for being worthless, ‘I am not a virgin and was soon getting married in my previous life!’
But after all, it was the first time that he had been alone with such a beautiful woman. He asked while coughing unnaturally, “Where were you before?”
“Clearchus was a trustworthy leader who, for the sake of Cyrus the Younger sheltered me. Unfortunately…”
Despite being attracted by the beauty of Cheiristoya, Davos was still clear-headed and so he continued to ask, “Although Clearchus is dead, Timasion had become the new leader, and you can let him continue to shelter you. Now that we are at war with Persia, you don't have to worry about anything anymore.”
“But Timasion doesn't have much prestige as Clearchus in his camp. He wouldn't be able to control those who wanted to… the people that wants to shame me.” Cheiristoya blushed while crying.
Davos had no intention of admiring her beauty, and now that he had calmed down and thought more about it. He thought to himself, ‘I publicly advocated unity at the general assembly and as soon as I returned from Timasion's camp, this beautiful woman ran to my quarter and if he didn't understand the situation, he might thought that I was greedy for her beauty and had abducted her, regardless of the friendly troops!’
He was lost in thoughts, while Cheiristoya became anxious since she didn't see Davos responding, “I heard that you are the “favored” of Hades, the soldiers of the entire camp, revered you, and so I have chosen you among the leaders. That's why, while you were at the general assembly, I took advantage and sneak over when the management was lax. For the sake of the gods, you must help me!” In a moment of desperation, she went forward and grabbed Davos' hand, pleading.
The two were close to each other, and so Davos could smell the fragrance of her beautiful hair, with him slightly lowering his head, he could see her white and plump breast. He suppressed the urge to embrace her and said, “Do not worry, I'll help you.” With that, he took a step back and shouted, “Asistes come in!”
Cheiristoya gave a “Ah” sound and retreated in a hurry, her face blushed again.
As the herald of Davos, Asistes had been waiting outside his quarter, and when he heard the order, he immediately came in and became speechless by the situation inside.
“Go to Cheirisophus and say, ‘The Milesian concubine of Cyrus the Younger, Cheiristoya, wants to march with our camp and ask him if he agrees’”
“…Asistes!…Asistes! Do you understand?”
“…oh…oh…I understand.” Asistes regained his senses and hurriedly took back his gaze and answered in a hurry.
“I see, why aren't you leaving then!”
“Yes! Yes!!” He didn't forget to sneak a glance before he went out.
“This little guy!” Davos laughed and said, “Don't blame him, who told you to be too charming!” He couldn't help make a joke.
Cheiristoya chuckled, “Leader, you seem to be younger than him, but I don't see you behaving like him.”
Davos had an awkward smile and there was a moment of silence inside his quarter.
“Will Cheirisophus agree in letting me stay?” Cheiristoya was the one to speak first and asked with concern.
“I don't think that it's a big problem. You are free and not a slave to anyone. You have the right to choose where you want to go.” Davos consoled her and said, “In fact, Cheirisophus is your best choice to seek refuge.”
“I don't like Spartans!” Cheiristoya answered very simply.
For some reason, Davos was relieved.
When she heard the phrase ‘You are free and not a slave to anyone’, Cheiristoya suddenly felt like crying, and her gaze was roaming over Davos. A short while later, she said softly, “Leader Davos, where are you from?”
“Just call me Davos.” Davos corrected her, and his remnant memories poured into his mind, “I am a Thessalian, my home is in a village near Macedonia.”
“Doesn't your parents worry about you coming out as a mercenary so young?”
“My parents have already passed away.”
“Sorry, I didn't know…” Cheiristoya repeatedly apologized.
“It's fine.” Davos waved his hand, he didn't feel anything about this body's parents, he really didn't feel anything due to his rebirth, but Cheiristoya's question reminded him of his previous life's parents, which made him sad.
Cheiristoya looked at him quietly, and she suddenly felt that there was a slight throbbing. On one hand, the young age of the leader and the death of his parents stimulated her maternal instinct to protect him. While on the other hand, his calmness beyond his age made her feel like she was talking to someone at the same age as her. This difference highlighted the mystery of Davos, which greatly attracted Cheiristoya.
“They all say that you are the ‘favored’of Hades, is that true?” When Cheiristoya uttered this sentence, she realized that she was too presumptuous.
Nevertheless, Davos did not mind, and asked back, “Do you believe it?”
“I believe!” Cheiristoya immediately made up for her previous mistake.
Davos smiled and said slowly, “In difficult times, we always find a God to trust, so that our mind won't collapse out of fear. But if we depend too much on God instead of our own effort to get out of predicaments, then it will only speed up our end…”
Cheiristoya slightly opened her mouth, as if she was deeply pondering…
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
He doesn't know why the two of them unexpectedly have an agreeable chat.
For Davos, the repression and distress of his travels have been vented.
For Cheiristoya, the daughter of a Milesian aristocrat and the death of her mother from an early age, while her stepmother did not care about her… when she grew up, Miletus was besieged by Cyrus the Younger, and in order to preserve his own family and power, the only father who loved her, gave Cheiristoya to Cyrus the Younger. Cyrus was very fond of her, but in private, the other concubines harassed her out of jealousy. After the death of Cyrus the Younger, she fled to the camp of Clearchus and every day she got confronted by the guards of the supply unit and the lustful gaze of several captains, which made her uneasy… Presently, she rarely confides about the oppression she had suffered with someone that she had just met…
As their chatting gets heated, Asistes came in, followed by the herald of the whole mercenary troops, Tolmides.