The Moonflower Hotel

Chapter 1

"Did I ever tell you the story of Dionysus, my darling?"

A mother asked her young son. The boy, with tousled black hair and drowsy blue eyes, immediately perked up and shook his head. At just six years old, he knew little of mythology or life's complexities, but his curiosity was boundless.

"Will you tell me, Mum?" he asked eagerly.

She smiled gently, nodding as she climbed into bed beside him, wrapping her arms around his small frame.

"Dionysus was the god of fertility and wine, later revered as a patron of the arts. He created wine and spread the art of viticulture. He had a dual nature; on one hand, he brought joy and divine ecstasy; on the other, he could unleash brutal and blinding rage."

The boy grasped his mother's hand, his eyes wide with excitement.

"His parents were Zeus and a mortal woman named Semele," she continued, gently caressing his forehead.

"Zeus, the god of thunder and lightning?" the child asked, recalling images from a cartoon.

"Yes, that's right. Semele was deceived by Hera and perished, but Zeus saved their unborn child by sewing him into his thigh until he was ready to be born. Later, the Titans tore Dionysus apart, but he was reborn, symbolizing the cycle of life and death. To protect him, Zeus entrusted him to mountain nymphs to be raised."

"He was raised by fairies?" the boy asked, eyes gleaming.

She nodded, choosing not to correct him.

"Let's say, spirits of the forest." The boy nodded, urging her to continue. "He loved his mother dearly, even though he never met her. He ventured into the underworld to bring her back to life."

"Did he find her?" the boy asked, frowning.

His mother smiled and nodded. The boy wrapped his arms around her, hugging her tightly.

"I'd do that too, Mum. I'd go to the end of the world to find you."

She laughed softly, touched by her son's words.

"I know you would. But remember, Victor, there are always those who lurk in the shadows, consumed by jealousy and rage. People like Hera, who can't accept reality." The boy nodded solemnly as she concluded, "That's enough for tonight."

"Tell me another story~" Victor whined playfully, seeking more of his mother's attention.

She looked at him lovingly, kissing his forehead. "Tomorrow night. I promise."

Victor reluctantly agreed, clutching his teddy bear as his mother turned off the lights. She took one last look at her son before leaving the room.

In the master bedroom, her husband awaited, reading a book. He set it aside as she entered and joined him in bed.

"Have you told him yet?" he asked, his voice serious yet warm.

"In a way, yes. It's not easy telling your son that his parents are getting a divorce," she replied coldly, turning off the lights.

                                                                                      ***

"Victor! Victor, it's morning~"

He wasn't at home; the familiar scents of vanilla and strawberry pancakes were absent. He couldn't recall whose home he was in this time.

"Victooooor," the voice called again, disrupting his thoughts. It was Dee's voice, less elegant than his mother's, with a slightly masculine tone. She shook him gently until he opened his watery blue eyes and rolled onto his back.