Chapitre 49: Confrontation in the Palace [49]
As they walked toward the palace, Diana led the way with firm steps, while Clark followed her in silence.
Clark could hear the murmurs and hostile comments of the Amazons along the way. Some of them stared at him with looks full of disdain, muttering words of distrust and scorn about the presence of a man in Themyscira.
"A man here? How disrespectful!"
"How dare he set foot on our sacred land?"
Clark chose to ignore the comments. He knew he wasn't welcome there and didn't want to make the situation worse. Diana also remained silent, focused on guiding him to the palace. She understood the reason for her sisters' discomfort.
When they reached the palace, one of Clark's cell guards stepped aside as they passed through the entrance. Clark noticed this detail and turned to Diana, speaking calmly:
"It seems your mother already knows you went to the cell and dismissed the guards to talk to me."
Diana looked at him, without showing surprise, and nodded slightly. She had already suspected that her mother, Queen Hippolyta, was aware of everything that was happening. The queen's decisions were always quick and firm, especially when it came to protecting Themyscira.
The two proceeded through the main corridor of the palace, finally arriving at the great hall where the queen was. Hippolyta's expression appeared more irritated than the first time Clark had seen her. Beside the queen was Antiope, the general of the Amazons, observing everything with a serious and attentive gaze.
Diana stepped forward and bowed respectfully before her mother, and Clark imitated her, bowing in a gesture of respect.
"Why have you brought this man before me again and dismissed the guards who were watching him while you spoke?" Queen Hippolyta asked, her voice laden with disapproval.
"I wanted to speak to him privately, Mother," Diana replied, keeping her head held high. "And I brought him here because there are important things happening in the outside world."
Hippolyta and Antiope narrowed their eyes at Clark, as if trying to see through him, assessing every detail. Clark felt uncomfortable under their penetrating gazes, and his body tensed slightly while he remained still.
"What important things are happening in the outside world that have you so concerned?" Hippolyta questioned, addressing Diana without looking away from Clark.
"There's a war happening, Mother," Diana said, her voice filled with worry. "And I believe Ares is behind it, influencing men. We need to do something before the destruction spreads further."
"It's no surprise that men are always at war, with or without Ares's help," Hippolyta replied, showing no surprise. "The nature of men is to destroy themselves, Diana. That doesn't change. Even if Ares is involved, it still has nothing to do with us or Themyscira."
Clark remained silent, but mentally agreed with the queen's words. He knew that human conflicts were often driven by ambition and weakness, without divine influence. However, he couldn't help but think that if Ares was indeed involved, things could get even worse.
"Even so, Mother, I believe we shouldn't stand idle. We need to intervene, especially if Ares is truly involved," insisted Diana, her gaze determined.
Hippolyta sighed, her expression hardening. "Diana, the role of the Amazons is to protect this island, not to meddle in the affairs of men. Our mission is to preserve peace in Themyscira, not to fight in the wars of the outside world. A queen's duty is to protect her people, not to take unnecessary risks."
Diana frowned, clearly frustrated by her mother's words. "What good is it to protect the island if everything around us is destroyed?" she questioned, her voice filled with despair. "Maybe I don't want to be queen."
Hippolyta looked at Diana with visible anger in her eyes, irritation evident in every line of her face. "Be careful what you say, Diana. Leadership responsibilities are not something one can abandon on a whim."
Diana didn't reply, keeping her gaze firm, though the tension between the two was palpable.
Hippolyta then turned to Clark, who observed the exchange between mother and daughter in silence. "Diana has always been reckless, but since you arrived, she seems to have gotten worse. You've spent too much time with this man, Diana."
Clark wasn't surprised by the accusation. He knew he'd be seen as a negative influence, and it was normal for the blame for Diana's rebellious attitude to fall on him. He kept a calm and serene expression, not attempting to argue. He knew that any words now would only make things worse.
Hippolyta turned her attention back to Diana, hoping her daughter understood the gravity of the situation. "Now, return to your post. And you, Clark, will be taken back to the cell and closely monitored. I will not allow any more rule violations."
Clark raised an eyebrow and took a step forward, a slight smile on his face. "Do you know what a joke is?"
Hippolyta frowned, her expression becoming slightly confused. She didn't seem to understand where Clark was going with this. Diana, on the other hand, seemed entirely unfamiliar with the term.
"Joke?" Diana asked, looking at Clark with curiosity.
Clark kept smiling, noticing their reaction. "Because yours are the best," he replied, letting out a laugh.
Hippolyta, still confused, looked at Diana, who was trying to process Clark's words. Antiope, beside the queen, maintained a distrustful expression, clearly seeing no humor in the situation.
Clark then looked at Diana, tilting his head slightly and asking in a curious tone.
"Diana, how were you born?"
Diana looked at him, surprised by the unexpected question, but soon replied with a certain pride: "My mother molded me from clay, and the goddess Hera gave me life."
Clark pretended to be fascinated by her answer, nodding while keeping a light smile. "That's... incredible," he said, trying to appear impressed, though he was inwardly amused by her naivety.
Hippolyta watched the scene, a bad feeling beginning to grow within her. She knew Clark was manipulating Diana, or at least trying to plant doubts. The queen felt it needed to end before something worse happened.
"Enough talking," Hippolyta said, her voice firm and authoritative. "Guards, escort him back to the cell immediately."
Two guards approached Clark, ready to escort him back. However, in the blink of an eye, Clark disappeared from where he stood and reappeared beside Hippolyta's throne.
Whoosh!
The guards exchanged glances, confused, searching for him. Diana's eyes widened, surprised at how quickly Clark moved. Hippolyta was visibly irritated, rising from her throne.
Clark looked at the guards, smiling ironically. "Aren't you supposed to be imprisoning me? Seems like you're not doing a good job."
Antiope, sensing the threat Clark posed, drew her sword and prepared to act.
Clang!
Diana took a step forward, her voice alarmed. "Clark, what are you doing near the..."
Whoosh!
Clark used his super speed once more, now appearing beside Diana before she could finish her sentence.
"... my mother? What are you talking about, Diana? I'm right here beside you."
The guards quickly ran toward Hippolyta and Antiope, forming a defensive barrier around them.
Hippolyta looked directly at Clark, her face showing anger and distrust. "What do you intend, man?"
Clark walked calmly until he stood in front of the queen, his hands relaxed at his sides. The guards raised their swords toward Clark, ready to attack at the slightest hint of a threat. Diana also moved closer to her mother, trying to understand the situation.
Clark looked directly into Hippolyta's eyes, his expression serious and determined.
"That's the thing, Queen. I don't want anything. Because if I did, I would have already done it." His eyes narrowed as he spoke, the intensity of his words heightening the heavy atmosphere in the throne room.
The environment seemed transformed. The air became dense, almost palpable, and a silence charged with tension filled the place. The Amazons held their defensive stances, while Diana looked from Clark to her mother, trying to find a way to ease the situation.
Hippolyta kept her gaze fixed on Clark, assessing every word and gesture of his. She could sense there was something different about this man, something that set him apart from the others she despised. The anger was still there, but now mixed with an uncomfortable curiosity.
After a moment that felt like an eternity, Hippolyta raised her hand, signaling for the guards to lower their swords.
"Antiope, Diana, I want you to give us a moment alone," the queen commanded, her voice firm and authoritative.
Antiope immediately frowned, clearly uncomfortable with the order. "My queen, with all due respect, it's dangerous to leave this man alone with you. I cannot allow it."
Hippolyta kept her gaze fixed on Antiope, her expression growing even sterner. "Are you going to disobey your queen, Antiope?"
The Amazon general hesitated, feeling the weight of Hippolyta's authority. After a moment, she lowered her head in respect. "Forgive me, my queen. It was not my intention to challenge you." She then turned and left the hall, maintaining a firm posture.
Diana looked at Clark before leaving, her eyes reflecting a mixture of concern and hope. "I've placed my trust in you, Clark. Prove you're worthy of it."
Clark nodded, a slight smile forming on his face. "I won't disappoint you, princess."
Diana turned and left the hall, leaving Clark and Hippolyta alone. The throne room felt even larger and emptier without the other Amazons, the silence echoing off the stone walls and creating a tense atmosphere.
Hippolyta remained on her throne, her eyes fixed on Clark, assessing him intensely. After a few moments, she finally broke the silence.
"Now we can talk, Clark."
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