Rhydric smile stretched, then stepped closer to her.
He spoke calmly, logically. "Listen again. 'I am a leader but not a king.'"
Athena frowned. "Okay… go on."
"The first of many," Rhydric continued, "but not the last. Hidden in daily word use."
"I know that." Athena muttered. "But that could be a hundred things."
"Not a hundred," Rhydric corrected gently. "Think. Leader… but not a king. A first… but not the last. Something in common within the words: aspire, lead, power, honor, achieve."
Athena shook her head. "That's what I don't get. What do those words have in common?"
Behind her, the room was descending into chaos like, they're not supposed to be solving the riddle together.
Leo lifted a lazy hand. "Your Majesty, the peasants request snacks."
Felicia smacked his back with her foot. "Silence peasant, the queen is thinking."
Levi groaned under her head. "You're heavy, woman."
Felicia gasped. "Excuse me?! My weight is distributed evenly!"
Athena ignored them. Barely.
