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Nikolias didn't like very much about being a noble, it was true. His upbringing as an only child, more than anything, had made him a perfectionist as much as anything else, trying not to call attention to his weaknesses.
But rich food was perhaps one of the perks of nobility, and so he was there at Elise's party for that as much as anything else...for Queen Elise certainly knew how to throw a party.
He bowed to the nobles who required it, and nodded politely to those who did not before tucking into a plate of food before taking a few turns around the dance floor. Anything really, to get his mind off the fact that there were several people here that he knew little about how to be more than polite to, including more than a few Leventis.
That being said, he determined that he wasn't going to be a total wallflower this time. He might as well find a conversation and try to jump in when there was a lull. It was then that he spotted Irakles, and bid him hello almost in relief, though Gianna appeared to be talking to him at the moment, and Nikolias knew better than to interrupt. He helped himself to another glass of wine- his third, all told- and just absorbed himself in all the conversations occurring around him, though normally the noise of so many of them would have driven him mad.
He did smile, amused, at the mention of how Stephanos thought he would avoid being pinned to any particular Leventi young lady.
"If I may, I'd advise you to take it from me- that will probably fail sooner or later. Gods only know how you've been able to keep it up for this long. Olivia and I were engaged at a young age, as you probably know, but I've seen more than a few men cornered into marriage when they lingered just a tiny second too long. It only takes a glance from someone who has eyes like a hawk, and it may not matter whom that someone is. Once you've been seen, there may be no end of gossip."
He'd been around a lot longer than Stephanos, irrespective of how uncomfortable he often was. Was it just Nikolias' opinion, or were the nobility at least almost as obsessed with gossip as the poor?
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Nikolias didn't like very much about being a noble, it was true. His upbringing as an only child, more than anything, had made him a perfectionist as much as anything else, trying not to call attention to his weaknesses.
But rich food was perhaps one of the perks of nobility, and so he was there at Elise's party for that as much as anything else...for Queen Elise certainly knew how to throw a party.
He bowed to the nobles who required it, and nodded politely to those who did not before tucking into a plate of food before taking a few turns around the dance floor. Anything really, to get his mind off the fact that there were several people here that he knew little about how to be more than polite to, including more than a few Leventis.
That being said, he determined that he wasn't going to be a total wallflower this time. He might as well find a conversation and try to jump in when there was a lull. It was then that he spotted Irakles, and bid him hello almost in relief, though Gianna appeared to be talking to him at the moment, and Nikolias knew better than to interrupt. He helped himself to another glass of wine- his third, all told- and just absorbed himself in all the conversations occurring around him, though normally the noise of so many of them would have driven him mad.
He did smile, amused, at the mention of how Stephanos thought he would avoid being pinned to any particular Leventi young lady.
"If I may, I'd advise you to take it from me- that will probably fail sooner or later. Gods only know how you've been able to keep it up for this long. Olivia and I were engaged at a young age, as you probably know, but I've seen more than a few men cornered into marriage when they lingered just a tiny second too long. It only takes a glance from someone who has eyes like a hawk, and it may not matter whom that someone is. Once you've been seen, there may be no end of gossip."
He'd been around a lot longer than Stephanos, irrespective of how uncomfortable he often was. Was it just Nikolias' opinion, or were the nobility at least almost as obsessed with gossip as the poor?
Nikolias didn't like very much about being a noble, it was true. His upbringing as an only child, more than anything, had made him a perfectionist as much as anything else, trying not to call attention to his weaknesses.
But rich food was perhaps one of the perks of nobility, and so he was there at Elise's party for that as much as anything else...for Queen Elise certainly knew how to throw a party.
He bowed to the nobles who required it, and nodded politely to those who did not before tucking into a plate of food before taking a few turns around the dance floor. Anything really, to get his mind off the fact that there were several people here that he knew little about how to be more than polite to, including more than a few Leventis.
That being said, he determined that he wasn't going to be a total wallflower this time. He might as well find a conversation and try to jump in when there was a lull. It was then that he spotted Irakles, and bid him hello almost in relief, though Gianna appeared to be talking to him at the moment, and Nikolias knew better than to interrupt. He helped himself to another glass of wine- his third, all told- and just absorbed himself in all the conversations occurring around him, though normally the noise of so many of them would have driven him mad.
He did smile, amused, at the mention of how Stephanos thought he would avoid being pinned to any particular Leventi young lady.
"If I may, I'd advise you to take it from me- that will probably fail sooner or later. Gods only know how you've been able to keep it up for this long. Olivia and I were engaged at a young age, as you probably know, but I've seen more than a few men cornered into marriage when they lingered just a tiny second too long. It only takes a glance from someone who has eyes like a hawk, and it may not matter whom that someone is. Once you've been seen, there may be no end of gossip."
He'd been around a lot longer than Stephanos, irrespective of how uncomfortable he often was. Was it just Nikolias' opinion, or were the nobility at least almost as obsessed with gossip as the poor?
It was easy to fall into self-depreciation, even if realistically Melina knew that her family primped themselves just so. However, she had seen her cousins and her mother for years without makeup too, so as she stared at her made-up reflection in the mirror, she felt she was still inadequate. Why couldn’t she be enough? Her internal thoughts were ones of loathing after years of taking criticism and learning that she just didn’t match up to any woman in her family. However, only this time was she able to say her words, a confession with a response that haunted her.
-Then become one.- As if that it was that simple. Gazing at her reflection, she kept herself in control, even as she wanted to lash out and destroy the mirror, so she wouldn’t have to be privy to her reflection. Yet, as always, she held herself together. She wasn’t like Dafni or Agape who would express themselves readily. No, she was the middle-child who knew that such actions would not be permitted. “Yes father.”
Her reply was soft, as if they were simply talking about an achievable task and not something that Melina had been trying to fix since she was a teenager. It was easy to put on that second skin of an obedient daughter, even as pain twisted in her chest. Swallow it away, father doesn’t have time for your antics. You already made a fool of yourself today.
At least, her mother seemed easily enough distracted by her own irritation that she probably hadn't heard Melina. Instead, she was surrounded by the brilliance of a woman that very well could have been a fallen star, one that demanded attention itself. That made it so much easier for Melina to fade into the familiar shadows. Giving Dafni a small smile, she went in the hands of servants that were waiting to make their transition to the carriage that much easier. Even as Dafni complained about Melina messing up her skirts, she watched her mother and father with a glance of envy. They had the perfect marriage, one that Melina only hoped that she would be given one day. A cruel reality that she had been denied as years passed and she realized that she wasn’t even considered. In fact, she had seen her cousins already matching up with the Mikaelidas brothers, even if the men were trying to stay blissfully unattached.
As the carriage began to move, Melina let her thoughts fade away, forcing herself to sit up straight. Dafni tried to hold a conversation, one that Melina half-heartedly joined. She wouldn’t dash her sister’s hopes, of scoring someone of nobility, even if she thought her own chances were taken away before she could even try. Fingers clutched around the jewel of her necklace, her mind whirling as she thought of possibilities.
A carriage ride by night, a party in full swing. Could she even make herself noticed for a second before she faded into oblivion? She knew that she didn’t have much to offer, the middle child rarely did, but she found herself making silent prayers as she gazed up at the night sky as if asking any listening God to hear her plea.
Finally, the carriage settled in front of the Mikaelidas estate, much too soon in Melina’s eyes, yet she knew that she had to get this over with. To see her perfect cousins and unobtainable men celebrate. Yet, there was a glimmer of hope in her gaze this time, as she emptied the carriage. A celebration was not a time for sorrow, even if that was the default state of her heart. Rather, it was time for second chances, a possibility for new beginnings. Already the seed of what her father said was planted, the barbs of which harsh, yet set in stone her desperation for a transformation.
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It was easy to fall into self-depreciation, even if realistically Melina knew that her family primped themselves just so. However, she had seen her cousins and her mother for years without makeup too, so as she stared at her made-up reflection in the mirror, she felt she was still inadequate. Why couldn’t she be enough? Her internal thoughts were ones of loathing after years of taking criticism and learning that she just didn’t match up to any woman in her family. However, only this time was she able to say her words, a confession with a response that haunted her.
-Then become one.- As if that it was that simple. Gazing at her reflection, she kept herself in control, even as she wanted to lash out and destroy the mirror, so she wouldn’t have to be privy to her reflection. Yet, as always, she held herself together. She wasn’t like Dafni or Agape who would express themselves readily. No, she was the middle-child who knew that such actions would not be permitted. “Yes father.”
Her reply was soft, as if they were simply talking about an achievable task and not something that Melina had been trying to fix since she was a teenager. It was easy to put on that second skin of an obedient daughter, even as pain twisted in her chest. Swallow it away, father doesn’t have time for your antics. You already made a fool of yourself today.
At least, her mother seemed easily enough distracted by her own irritation that she probably hadn't heard Melina. Instead, she was surrounded by the brilliance of a woman that very well could have been a fallen star, one that demanded attention itself. That made it so much easier for Melina to fade into the familiar shadows. Giving Dafni a small smile, she went in the hands of servants that were waiting to make their transition to the carriage that much easier. Even as Dafni complained about Melina messing up her skirts, she watched her mother and father with a glance of envy. They had the perfect marriage, one that Melina only hoped that she would be given one day. A cruel reality that she had been denied as years passed and she realized that she wasn’t even considered. In fact, she had seen her cousins already matching up with the Mikaelidas brothers, even if the men were trying to stay blissfully unattached.
As the carriage began to move, Melina let her thoughts fade away, forcing herself to sit up straight. Dafni tried to hold a conversation, one that Melina half-heartedly joined. She wouldn’t dash her sister’s hopes, of scoring someone of nobility, even if she thought her own chances were taken away before she could even try. Fingers clutched around the jewel of her necklace, her mind whirling as she thought of possibilities.
A carriage ride by night, a party in full swing. Could she even make herself noticed for a second before she faded into oblivion? She knew that she didn’t have much to offer, the middle child rarely did, but she found herself making silent prayers as she gazed up at the night sky as if asking any listening God to hear her plea.
Finally, the carriage settled in front of the Mikaelidas estate, much too soon in Melina’s eyes, yet she knew that she had to get this over with. To see her perfect cousins and unobtainable men celebrate. Yet, there was a glimmer of hope in her gaze this time, as she emptied the carriage. A celebration was not a time for sorrow, even if that was the default state of her heart. Rather, it was time for second chances, a possibility for new beginnings. Already the seed of what her father said was planted, the barbs of which harsh, yet set in stone her desperation for a transformation.
It was easy to fall into self-depreciation, even if realistically Melina knew that her family primped themselves just so. However, she had seen her cousins and her mother for years without makeup too, so as she stared at her made-up reflection in the mirror, she felt she was still inadequate. Why couldn’t she be enough? Her internal thoughts were ones of loathing after years of taking criticism and learning that she just didn’t match up to any woman in her family. However, only this time was she able to say her words, a confession with a response that haunted her.
-Then become one.- As if that it was that simple. Gazing at her reflection, she kept herself in control, even as she wanted to lash out and destroy the mirror, so she wouldn’t have to be privy to her reflection. Yet, as always, she held herself together. She wasn’t like Dafni or Agape who would express themselves readily. No, she was the middle-child who knew that such actions would not be permitted. “Yes father.”
Her reply was soft, as if they were simply talking about an achievable task and not something that Melina had been trying to fix since she was a teenager. It was easy to put on that second skin of an obedient daughter, even as pain twisted in her chest. Swallow it away, father doesn’t have time for your antics. You already made a fool of yourself today.
At least, her mother seemed easily enough distracted by her own irritation that she probably hadn't heard Melina. Instead, she was surrounded by the brilliance of a woman that very well could have been a fallen star, one that demanded attention itself. That made it so much easier for Melina to fade into the familiar shadows. Giving Dafni a small smile, she went in the hands of servants that were waiting to make their transition to the carriage that much easier. Even as Dafni complained about Melina messing up her skirts, she watched her mother and father with a glance of envy. They had the perfect marriage, one that Melina only hoped that she would be given one day. A cruel reality that she had been denied as years passed and she realized that she wasn’t even considered. In fact, she had seen her cousins already matching up with the Mikaelidas brothers, even if the men were trying to stay blissfully unattached.
As the carriage began to move, Melina let her thoughts fade away, forcing herself to sit up straight. Dafni tried to hold a conversation, one that Melina half-heartedly joined. She wouldn’t dash her sister’s hopes, of scoring someone of nobility, even if she thought her own chances were taken away before she could even try. Fingers clutched around the jewel of her necklace, her mind whirling as she thought of possibilities.
A carriage ride by night, a party in full swing. Could she even make herself noticed for a second before she faded into oblivion? She knew that she didn’t have much to offer, the middle child rarely did, but she found herself making silent prayers as she gazed up at the night sky as if asking any listening God to hear her plea.
Finally, the carriage settled in front of the Mikaelidas estate, much too soon in Melina’s eyes, yet she knew that she had to get this over with. To see her perfect cousins and unobtainable men celebrate. Yet, there was a glimmer of hope in her gaze this time, as she emptied the carriage. A celebration was not a time for sorrow, even if that was the default state of her heart. Rather, it was time for second chances, a possibility for new beginnings. Already the seed of what her father said was planted, the barbs of which harsh, yet set in stone her desperation for a transformation.
A man of purpose and resolution, Zacharias strode across the ballroom towards the rest of his family. His mind already fixed on the topic of conversation he’d have with his uncle; the stratagems which were being employed by their Colchian neighbors with the barbarians at the northern border. It was a topic he felt sure that would both raise Prince Irakles’s hackles, and would encourage the man to wax on and on about the inferior leadership and how he, Irakles, would have done it better and differently. That would keep the two of them in place for at least half an hour, by his estimation. By then, Selene would have been secured to dance by some one or other, and if she wasn’t, he could move on to his father and ask some inane question that would both annoy the king, but his father wouldn’t be able to help but answer it. A weakness of his father’s that he’d sometimes exploit for the very reason he planned to use it tonight, if necessary.
Zacharias stepped around a servant with a tray, casually replacing his untouched wine upon the platter with the lightest touch. He glanced over his shoulder for just a moment to find his little brother suddenly being spoken to by Nikolias, and then looked forward again, only to nearly slam into someone. That was the beginning of the end. He’d taken his eyes off the prize and now found himself in some sort of strange dance with Konstanos of Leventi, each trying to get out of the other’s way. Zacharias grinned through gritted teeth, a smile that was as cold as the look the Leventi lord shot him. They circled each other, finally able to move freely, only for Zacharias to then find another body sliding lithely before him.
“Lady Selene.” Her name dropped from his lips like glass to the floor. He glanced up toward Irakles, still holding out the vain hope that he could somehow reach the man, even if he had to do it with Selene in tow. Perhaps still strike up that conversation, she’d get bored, wander off...but there, his youngest sister Gianna was giving their uncle and adoring, imploring gaze. Zacharias knew then that he’d missed his chance and he looked down into Selene’s lovely face instead. The determined set to her features made him realize that his evening was now spoken for.
”Prince Zacharias, perhaps you would give me a moment of your time in private?” she asked. He hesitated and threw another look over his shoulder at Stephanos, who wasn’t paying the least bit of attention. Why he’d look for help from his little brother, he belatedly mused, he didn’t know. Stephanos wouldn’t have come to his aid in this instance for anything. It was his brother’s opinion that he was being an idiot for not already having Selene. He looked back at Selene. ”I promise, it will not take long,” she insisted.
Exhaling, Zacharias waved his hand off to the side of the room where a balcony would leave them enough privacy to talk, but also in full view of the room so that nothing untoward could even be attempted. Leading her through the throng, he kept his hands firmly at his sides and stood rigidly beside the balcony railing like he was lined up in front of a firing range full of archers, waiting for her to begin. His lips were tightly closed but, he was a man of good breeding. He’d give the lady her time to say her piece.
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A man of purpose and resolution, Zacharias strode across the ballroom towards the rest of his family. His mind already fixed on the topic of conversation he’d have with his uncle; the stratagems which were being employed by their Colchian neighbors with the barbarians at the northern border. It was a topic he felt sure that would both raise Prince Irakles’s hackles, and would encourage the man to wax on and on about the inferior leadership and how he, Irakles, would have done it better and differently. That would keep the two of them in place for at least half an hour, by his estimation. By then, Selene would have been secured to dance by some one or other, and if she wasn’t, he could move on to his father and ask some inane question that would both annoy the king, but his father wouldn’t be able to help but answer it. A weakness of his father’s that he’d sometimes exploit for the very reason he planned to use it tonight, if necessary.
Zacharias stepped around a servant with a tray, casually replacing his untouched wine upon the platter with the lightest touch. He glanced over his shoulder for just a moment to find his little brother suddenly being spoken to by Nikolias, and then looked forward again, only to nearly slam into someone. That was the beginning of the end. He’d taken his eyes off the prize and now found himself in some sort of strange dance with Konstanos of Leventi, each trying to get out of the other’s way. Zacharias grinned through gritted teeth, a smile that was as cold as the look the Leventi lord shot him. They circled each other, finally able to move freely, only for Zacharias to then find another body sliding lithely before him.
“Lady Selene.” Her name dropped from his lips like glass to the floor. He glanced up toward Irakles, still holding out the vain hope that he could somehow reach the man, even if he had to do it with Selene in tow. Perhaps still strike up that conversation, she’d get bored, wander off...but there, his youngest sister Gianna was giving their uncle and adoring, imploring gaze. Zacharias knew then that he’d missed his chance and he looked down into Selene’s lovely face instead. The determined set to her features made him realize that his evening was now spoken for.
”Prince Zacharias, perhaps you would give me a moment of your time in private?” she asked. He hesitated and threw another look over his shoulder at Stephanos, who wasn’t paying the least bit of attention. Why he’d look for help from his little brother, he belatedly mused, he didn’t know. Stephanos wouldn’t have come to his aid in this instance for anything. It was his brother’s opinion that he was being an idiot for not already having Selene. He looked back at Selene. ”I promise, it will not take long,” she insisted.
Exhaling, Zacharias waved his hand off to the side of the room where a balcony would leave them enough privacy to talk, but also in full view of the room so that nothing untoward could even be attempted. Leading her through the throng, he kept his hands firmly at his sides and stood rigidly beside the balcony railing like he was lined up in front of a firing range full of archers, waiting for her to begin. His lips were tightly closed but, he was a man of good breeding. He’d give the lady her time to say her piece.
A man of purpose and resolution, Zacharias strode across the ballroom towards the rest of his family. His mind already fixed on the topic of conversation he’d have with his uncle; the stratagems which were being employed by their Colchian neighbors with the barbarians at the northern border. It was a topic he felt sure that would both raise Prince Irakles’s hackles, and would encourage the man to wax on and on about the inferior leadership and how he, Irakles, would have done it better and differently. That would keep the two of them in place for at least half an hour, by his estimation. By then, Selene would have been secured to dance by some one or other, and if she wasn’t, he could move on to his father and ask some inane question that would both annoy the king, but his father wouldn’t be able to help but answer it. A weakness of his father’s that he’d sometimes exploit for the very reason he planned to use it tonight, if necessary.
Zacharias stepped around a servant with a tray, casually replacing his untouched wine upon the platter with the lightest touch. He glanced over his shoulder for just a moment to find his little brother suddenly being spoken to by Nikolias, and then looked forward again, only to nearly slam into someone. That was the beginning of the end. He’d taken his eyes off the prize and now found himself in some sort of strange dance with Konstanos of Leventi, each trying to get out of the other’s way. Zacharias grinned through gritted teeth, a smile that was as cold as the look the Leventi lord shot him. They circled each other, finally able to move freely, only for Zacharias to then find another body sliding lithely before him.
“Lady Selene.” Her name dropped from his lips like glass to the floor. He glanced up toward Irakles, still holding out the vain hope that he could somehow reach the man, even if he had to do it with Selene in tow. Perhaps still strike up that conversation, she’d get bored, wander off...but there, his youngest sister Gianna was giving their uncle and adoring, imploring gaze. Zacharias knew then that he’d missed his chance and he looked down into Selene’s lovely face instead. The determined set to her features made him realize that his evening was now spoken for.
”Prince Zacharias, perhaps you would give me a moment of your time in private?” she asked. He hesitated and threw another look over his shoulder at Stephanos, who wasn’t paying the least bit of attention. Why he’d look for help from his little brother, he belatedly mused, he didn’t know. Stephanos wouldn’t have come to his aid in this instance for anything. It was his brother’s opinion that he was being an idiot for not already having Selene. He looked back at Selene. ”I promise, it will not take long,” she insisted.
Exhaling, Zacharias waved his hand off to the side of the room where a balcony would leave them enough privacy to talk, but also in full view of the room so that nothing untoward could even be attempted. Leading her through the throng, he kept his hands firmly at his sides and stood rigidly beside the balcony railing like he was lined up in front of a firing range full of archers, waiting for her to begin. His lips were tightly closed but, he was a man of good breeding. He’d give the lady her time to say her piece.
She knew he preferred to avoid her, although she couldn’t find a cause for his feelings. She had been nothing but kind and respectful to him, and she was almost certain her family’s reputation was part of the reason he avoided her. Most just saw her after the throne, and the crown. And while that was true (who didn’t want to be queen?), it was not solely her desire to take the crown that caused her to pursue him so.
He had to understand familial obligations. He was the crown prince, set to take the throne from his father upon his death, meaning that he had to feel the pressures from his side of the family to secure a bride. Wasn’t that why they were so often pushed together by both sides of their families? Her own persistence was because she felt the need to secure the future of her own family line. Full of daughters, her house needed the security that only marriages could provide. And as she was the oldest and most eligible, it would come to her to make a match good enough to care for the whole, should they need it.
And it was getting tiresome feeling like she was failing.
But the recent months had been spent giving him space, instead watching his habits carefully. And it was becoming apparent to her that while he didn’t seem to favor her above others, there was no female he seemed to favor at all. For a prince who needed heirs, that behavior alone should cause pause. And he seemed more set on conversation than dancing, than even attempting to find a woman who he could come to care for.
And then, suddenly, it clicked for her-- perhaps he didn’t prefer women at all. After all, everyone in the kingdom seemed to want her, in one way or another. She could accept that maybe she was not for everyone, but from the looks of it, he would never ANY woman in that way. And that was when her idea formed.
As he tried his best to be patient with her now, she couldn’t help the smile that formed on her face as he at least agreed to a moment. Following his gesture, she made for the balcony. And was pleased to see that they were alone, but took no chances as she stepped to the farthest edge. Her back to the party, she waited until he was closer to her side. With her face away from the guests, there was little chance anyone would hear, or attempt to hear, their conversation.
”I believe, Prince Zacharias,” She said, her voice low and respectful, ”that you and I are more alike than you think.” Selene let her body lean against the rail. ”For as loudly as my family seems to be set on our match, yours seem to wish it as well. And yet, neither of us want it.” She paused, her eyes glancing over at him to take in his reaction. ”I’ll be frank, for I am sure you have much to do-- a marriage of political necessity is not a bad thing. My family wishes for me to marry a King, for a king would offer protections to any female members of my family that may end up unwed. So while it seems as if I just want the crown, in reality, my obligation to my family is far more important than my own desires. And as the future King, your family wishes heirs to continue the family line.” She smiled, ”At first, I thought it was simply me that you detested. But from the way you act at gatherings, it is more of my gender that bothers you and not me specifically.” She did not come out directly to say what she meant, but she knew he was aware of her implications.
She focused back on the gardens below. ”I think, your highness, that we can come to an agreement that will be favorable for the both of us?” Selene knew this to be highly improper. But then again, so was his favoring of men.
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She knew he preferred to avoid her, although she couldn’t find a cause for his feelings. She had been nothing but kind and respectful to him, and she was almost certain her family’s reputation was part of the reason he avoided her. Most just saw her after the throne, and the crown. And while that was true (who didn’t want to be queen?), it was not solely her desire to take the crown that caused her to pursue him so.
He had to understand familial obligations. He was the crown prince, set to take the throne from his father upon his death, meaning that he had to feel the pressures from his side of the family to secure a bride. Wasn’t that why they were so often pushed together by both sides of their families? Her own persistence was because she felt the need to secure the future of her own family line. Full of daughters, her house needed the security that only marriages could provide. And as she was the oldest and most eligible, it would come to her to make a match good enough to care for the whole, should they need it.
And it was getting tiresome feeling like she was failing.
But the recent months had been spent giving him space, instead watching his habits carefully. And it was becoming apparent to her that while he didn’t seem to favor her above others, there was no female he seemed to favor at all. For a prince who needed heirs, that behavior alone should cause pause. And he seemed more set on conversation than dancing, than even attempting to find a woman who he could come to care for.
And then, suddenly, it clicked for her-- perhaps he didn’t prefer women at all. After all, everyone in the kingdom seemed to want her, in one way or another. She could accept that maybe she was not for everyone, but from the looks of it, he would never ANY woman in that way. And that was when her idea formed.
As he tried his best to be patient with her now, she couldn’t help the smile that formed on her face as he at least agreed to a moment. Following his gesture, she made for the balcony. And was pleased to see that they were alone, but took no chances as she stepped to the farthest edge. Her back to the party, she waited until he was closer to her side. With her face away from the guests, there was little chance anyone would hear, or attempt to hear, their conversation.
”I believe, Prince Zacharias,” She said, her voice low and respectful, ”that you and I are more alike than you think.” Selene let her body lean against the rail. ”For as loudly as my family seems to be set on our match, yours seem to wish it as well. And yet, neither of us want it.” She paused, her eyes glancing over at him to take in his reaction. ”I’ll be frank, for I am sure you have much to do-- a marriage of political necessity is not a bad thing. My family wishes for me to marry a King, for a king would offer protections to any female members of my family that may end up unwed. So while it seems as if I just want the crown, in reality, my obligation to my family is far more important than my own desires. And as the future King, your family wishes heirs to continue the family line.” She smiled, ”At first, I thought it was simply me that you detested. But from the way you act at gatherings, it is more of my gender that bothers you and not me specifically.” She did not come out directly to say what she meant, but she knew he was aware of her implications.
She focused back on the gardens below. ”I think, your highness, that we can come to an agreement that will be favorable for the both of us?” Selene knew this to be highly improper. But then again, so was his favoring of men.
She knew he preferred to avoid her, although she couldn’t find a cause for his feelings. She had been nothing but kind and respectful to him, and she was almost certain her family’s reputation was part of the reason he avoided her. Most just saw her after the throne, and the crown. And while that was true (who didn’t want to be queen?), it was not solely her desire to take the crown that caused her to pursue him so.
He had to understand familial obligations. He was the crown prince, set to take the throne from his father upon his death, meaning that he had to feel the pressures from his side of the family to secure a bride. Wasn’t that why they were so often pushed together by both sides of their families? Her own persistence was because she felt the need to secure the future of her own family line. Full of daughters, her house needed the security that only marriages could provide. And as she was the oldest and most eligible, it would come to her to make a match good enough to care for the whole, should they need it.
And it was getting tiresome feeling like she was failing.
But the recent months had been spent giving him space, instead watching his habits carefully. And it was becoming apparent to her that while he didn’t seem to favor her above others, there was no female he seemed to favor at all. For a prince who needed heirs, that behavior alone should cause pause. And he seemed more set on conversation than dancing, than even attempting to find a woman who he could come to care for.
And then, suddenly, it clicked for her-- perhaps he didn’t prefer women at all. After all, everyone in the kingdom seemed to want her, in one way or another. She could accept that maybe she was not for everyone, but from the looks of it, he would never ANY woman in that way. And that was when her idea formed.
As he tried his best to be patient with her now, she couldn’t help the smile that formed on her face as he at least agreed to a moment. Following his gesture, she made for the balcony. And was pleased to see that they were alone, but took no chances as she stepped to the farthest edge. Her back to the party, she waited until he was closer to her side. With her face away from the guests, there was little chance anyone would hear, or attempt to hear, their conversation.
”I believe, Prince Zacharias,” She said, her voice low and respectful, ”that you and I are more alike than you think.” Selene let her body lean against the rail. ”For as loudly as my family seems to be set on our match, yours seem to wish it as well. And yet, neither of us want it.” She paused, her eyes glancing over at him to take in his reaction. ”I’ll be frank, for I am sure you have much to do-- a marriage of political necessity is not a bad thing. My family wishes for me to marry a King, for a king would offer protections to any female members of my family that may end up unwed. So while it seems as if I just want the crown, in reality, my obligation to my family is far more important than my own desires. And as the future King, your family wishes heirs to continue the family line.” She smiled, ”At first, I thought it was simply me that you detested. But from the way you act at gatherings, it is more of my gender that bothers you and not me specifically.” She did not come out directly to say what she meant, but she knew he was aware of her implications.
She focused back on the gardens below. ”I think, your highness, that we can come to an agreement that will be favorable for the both of us?” Selene knew this to be highly improper. But then again, so was his favoring of men.
He should have been preparing for his training, packing his bags for what would be a few weeks away from the city. Emilios knew what he should be doing, but decided to put it off for a night. It was important to support family, he knew, and with his uncle and cousins hosting a party, they would expect him to be there, since he was in town. And, he almost reasoned with the image in the mirror, if he didn’t attend, he would never hear the end of it from his father.
But further still, his desires to attend the party were centered around Theodora.
They had spent the better part of the year meeting in secret, having long ago crossed the lines from friends to lovers. But they weren’t just lovers, although the passion that was there was intense between the two. No, Emilios considered Theo one of his closest confidants. The woman knew almost everything about him, from the desire to be more than the rumors that surrounded him to his need to eventually please his father. She knew him to the depths of his soul, and he felt as if he knew her better than anyone else.
So tonight, he planned on seeing how she felt about marriage.
Of course, they couldn’t discuss it openly without causing further issues between their families. But at least they could speak of it, so he could gauge her interest to then talk to his father about it. Maybe, just maybe, he could finally find happiness and settle down with her. But he would have to appear as if that was not his plan.
So instead, he dressed as he usually would for a party such as this. He wore a white chiton, covered in a red himation, the threading gold with lion’s outlined along the edges. Dark high sandals on his feet and no weapon at his side, Emilios was satisfied that he would look exactly as people expected him to. He was handsome, flirtatious and appeared to think the party was nothing but a casual affair.
When in reality, it was one of the biggest nights of his life.
When he arrived at the Palati, instead of going through the front like everyone else was, Emilios chose to go through the kitchens. Sneaking in was his favorite way to arrive, knowing that it irritated those who hosted the parties to not get a chance to formally deter him from their daughters. Luckily, this was family, so he wasn’t overly concerned about it. And he had not slept with anyone else but Theo since he’d met her. Greeting the staff, he took the moment to pluck a small bowl of popped corn from a tray ready to go out into the crowd. Coming into the room, he searched out the usual suspects, munching on the salted corn as he joined Stephanos and Achilleas just in time to see Zacharias and Selene disappear out onto the balcony.
”Uh oh, poor man. He’ll be engaged by the end of the night now.” He said from behind them, grinning like a fool as he caught the group off guard.
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He should have been preparing for his training, packing his bags for what would be a few weeks away from the city. Emilios knew what he should be doing, but decided to put it off for a night. It was important to support family, he knew, and with his uncle and cousins hosting a party, they would expect him to be there, since he was in town. And, he almost reasoned with the image in the mirror, if he didn’t attend, he would never hear the end of it from his father.
But further still, his desires to attend the party were centered around Theodora.
They had spent the better part of the year meeting in secret, having long ago crossed the lines from friends to lovers. But they weren’t just lovers, although the passion that was there was intense between the two. No, Emilios considered Theo one of his closest confidants. The woman knew almost everything about him, from the desire to be more than the rumors that surrounded him to his need to eventually please his father. She knew him to the depths of his soul, and he felt as if he knew her better than anyone else.
So tonight, he planned on seeing how she felt about marriage.
Of course, they couldn’t discuss it openly without causing further issues between their families. But at least they could speak of it, so he could gauge her interest to then talk to his father about it. Maybe, just maybe, he could finally find happiness and settle down with her. But he would have to appear as if that was not his plan.
So instead, he dressed as he usually would for a party such as this. He wore a white chiton, covered in a red himation, the threading gold with lion’s outlined along the edges. Dark high sandals on his feet and no weapon at his side, Emilios was satisfied that he would look exactly as people expected him to. He was handsome, flirtatious and appeared to think the party was nothing but a casual affair.
When in reality, it was one of the biggest nights of his life.
When he arrived at the Palati, instead of going through the front like everyone else was, Emilios chose to go through the kitchens. Sneaking in was his favorite way to arrive, knowing that it irritated those who hosted the parties to not get a chance to formally deter him from their daughters. Luckily, this was family, so he wasn’t overly concerned about it. And he had not slept with anyone else but Theo since he’d met her. Greeting the staff, he took the moment to pluck a small bowl of popped corn from a tray ready to go out into the crowd. Coming into the room, he searched out the usual suspects, munching on the salted corn as he joined Stephanos and Achilleas just in time to see Zacharias and Selene disappear out onto the balcony.
”Uh oh, poor man. He’ll be engaged by the end of the night now.” He said from behind them, grinning like a fool as he caught the group off guard.
He should have been preparing for his training, packing his bags for what would be a few weeks away from the city. Emilios knew what he should be doing, but decided to put it off for a night. It was important to support family, he knew, and with his uncle and cousins hosting a party, they would expect him to be there, since he was in town. And, he almost reasoned with the image in the mirror, if he didn’t attend, he would never hear the end of it from his father.
But further still, his desires to attend the party were centered around Theodora.
They had spent the better part of the year meeting in secret, having long ago crossed the lines from friends to lovers. But they weren’t just lovers, although the passion that was there was intense between the two. No, Emilios considered Theo one of his closest confidants. The woman knew almost everything about him, from the desire to be more than the rumors that surrounded him to his need to eventually please his father. She knew him to the depths of his soul, and he felt as if he knew her better than anyone else.
So tonight, he planned on seeing how she felt about marriage.
Of course, they couldn’t discuss it openly without causing further issues between their families. But at least they could speak of it, so he could gauge her interest to then talk to his father about it. Maybe, just maybe, he could finally find happiness and settle down with her. But he would have to appear as if that was not his plan.
So instead, he dressed as he usually would for a party such as this. He wore a white chiton, covered in a red himation, the threading gold with lion’s outlined along the edges. Dark high sandals on his feet and no weapon at his side, Emilios was satisfied that he would look exactly as people expected him to. He was handsome, flirtatious and appeared to think the party was nothing but a casual affair.
When in reality, it was one of the biggest nights of his life.
When he arrived at the Palati, instead of going through the front like everyone else was, Emilios chose to go through the kitchens. Sneaking in was his favorite way to arrive, knowing that it irritated those who hosted the parties to not get a chance to formally deter him from their daughters. Luckily, this was family, so he wasn’t overly concerned about it. And he had not slept with anyone else but Theo since he’d met her. Greeting the staff, he took the moment to pluck a small bowl of popped corn from a tray ready to go out into the crowd. Coming into the room, he searched out the usual suspects, munching on the salted corn as he joined Stephanos and Achilleas just in time to see Zacharias and Selene disappear out onto the balcony.
”Uh oh, poor man. He’ll be engaged by the end of the night now.” He said from behind them, grinning like a fool as he caught the group off guard.
Achilleas had merely given a shake of his head at the younger prince’s insouciant attitude towards his conquests. Whilst it might be easy to envy Stephanos the easy way he pursued his own pleasures, such behaviour was not without cost, and the younger of Zenon’s sons had already built himself a reputation that would be hard to outrun. Not that it seemed to faze him, Achilleas observed wryly.
He himself had been much more careful in keeping his assignations discreet and away from the loose-lipped courtiers of Vasiliadon, despite there being ample opportunity. He politely declined each and every one, having no desire to risk incurring the wrath of one of those men he worked beside in the senate when one of his daughters came home cursing Achilleas of Mikaelidas for any of the irrational things women got upset over. Nor should he want to have to explain any illegitimate offspring to his father, who had made it perfectly clear to his son that his reputation was to remain unblemished, despite the fact Irakles had taken his own mistress - a girl of just 14 - when Achilleas was no older himself.
Finding his comfort instead in the arms of a servant within his father’s household, there was no pressing need for the baron to turn his attentions elsewhere. Odd then, that his gaze drifted irresistibly to the second born Leventi girl, and Achilleas made himself look away because Stephanos was already too aware of his weakness for the girl and Achilleas had vowed that he would not indulge it any further. When it was deemed time for him to marry, he was certain he would be told of it, and until then it was much safer to keep them all at arm’s length.
Which was why he could commiserate a little with Zacharias, shooting a sympathetic look after the crown prince as he strode purposefully away, his eyes coming to rest upon Nikolias of House Condos as the man approached them, offering his own words of wisdom in response to Stephanos’ flippancy. Achilleas did not mind Lord Nikolias, despite thinking his son an unpleasant brat, and he offered the older man a respectful bow as he joined them.
It appeared the Condos Lord shared opinion with his father over the import of reputation, and Achilleas could not quite stifle the snort of laughter in time for it to be entirely polite. “I think if you seek to protect his good reputation, my Lord Condos, you have come a great deal too late” the elder of Irakles’ sons observed. “Though by the law of odds, you are right in that one of Stephanos’ many ladies shall pin him down before too long. The question is, which shall it be?”
Not the Lady Selene, Achilleas would hazard, as he watched the blonde follow Zacharias out on to the balcony where she seemed to rather intent on having words with him. She had certainly set her cap for a different Mikaelidas Prince.
”Uh oh, poor man. He’ll be engaged by the end of the night now.”
The voice from behind him had Achilleas startle, and he turned to find his brother having miraculously appeared from...nowhere. Another one just as blase as Stephanos when it came to his romantic entanglements.
“How do you do that?” the older brother griped, reaching for some of the popped corn that Emilios had also managed to appropriate, before giving his brother a look up and and down as if to assure himself his sibling had dressed himself properly. One never could be too sure with Emilios.
“You should go and show your face to father before he sends someone to the archontiko to fetch you” he said, lifting his chin towards where Irakles stood with his brother and sister in law. “He has been muttering about you not being present at these things as you should”
Indeed, Emilios had been even more lackadaisical about attending court as of late, and if he didn’t know better, Achilleas would think his brother had some secret lover he was cavorting with. But like their cousin, his brother was not one to think to deprive the ladies of Vasiliadon of his company by devoting himself to just one, so the idea held no ground.
“I’ll hold on to this for you” the older said, and neatly plucked the bowl of corn from his brother’s grip as he waved one hand vaguely for him to go and do the proper thing and greet their hosts and their father.
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Achilleas had merely given a shake of his head at the younger prince’s insouciant attitude towards his conquests. Whilst it might be easy to envy Stephanos the easy way he pursued his own pleasures, such behaviour was not without cost, and the younger of Zenon’s sons had already built himself a reputation that would be hard to outrun. Not that it seemed to faze him, Achilleas observed wryly.
He himself had been much more careful in keeping his assignations discreet and away from the loose-lipped courtiers of Vasiliadon, despite there being ample opportunity. He politely declined each and every one, having no desire to risk incurring the wrath of one of those men he worked beside in the senate when one of his daughters came home cursing Achilleas of Mikaelidas for any of the irrational things women got upset over. Nor should he want to have to explain any illegitimate offspring to his father, who had made it perfectly clear to his son that his reputation was to remain unblemished, despite the fact Irakles had taken his own mistress - a girl of just 14 - when Achilleas was no older himself.
Finding his comfort instead in the arms of a servant within his father’s household, there was no pressing need for the baron to turn his attentions elsewhere. Odd then, that his gaze drifted irresistibly to the second born Leventi girl, and Achilleas made himself look away because Stephanos was already too aware of his weakness for the girl and Achilleas had vowed that he would not indulge it any further. When it was deemed time for him to marry, he was certain he would be told of it, and until then it was much safer to keep them all at arm’s length.
Which was why he could commiserate a little with Zacharias, shooting a sympathetic look after the crown prince as he strode purposefully away, his eyes coming to rest upon Nikolias of House Condos as the man approached them, offering his own words of wisdom in response to Stephanos’ flippancy. Achilleas did not mind Lord Nikolias, despite thinking his son an unpleasant brat, and he offered the older man a respectful bow as he joined them.
It appeared the Condos Lord shared opinion with his father over the import of reputation, and Achilleas could not quite stifle the snort of laughter in time for it to be entirely polite. “I think if you seek to protect his good reputation, my Lord Condos, you have come a great deal too late” the elder of Irakles’ sons observed. “Though by the law of odds, you are right in that one of Stephanos’ many ladies shall pin him down before too long. The question is, which shall it be?”
Not the Lady Selene, Achilleas would hazard, as he watched the blonde follow Zacharias out on to the balcony where she seemed to rather intent on having words with him. She had certainly set her cap for a different Mikaelidas Prince.
”Uh oh, poor man. He’ll be engaged by the end of the night now.”
The voice from behind him had Achilleas startle, and he turned to find his brother having miraculously appeared from...nowhere. Another one just as blase as Stephanos when it came to his romantic entanglements.
“How do you do that?” the older brother griped, reaching for some of the popped corn that Emilios had also managed to appropriate, before giving his brother a look up and and down as if to assure himself his sibling had dressed himself properly. One never could be too sure with Emilios.
“You should go and show your face to father before he sends someone to the archontiko to fetch you” he said, lifting his chin towards where Irakles stood with his brother and sister in law. “He has been muttering about you not being present at these things as you should”
Indeed, Emilios had been even more lackadaisical about attending court as of late, and if he didn’t know better, Achilleas would think his brother had some secret lover he was cavorting with. But like their cousin, his brother was not one to think to deprive the ladies of Vasiliadon of his company by devoting himself to just one, so the idea held no ground.
“I’ll hold on to this for you” the older said, and neatly plucked the bowl of corn from his brother’s grip as he waved one hand vaguely for him to go and do the proper thing and greet their hosts and their father.
Achilleas had merely given a shake of his head at the younger prince’s insouciant attitude towards his conquests. Whilst it might be easy to envy Stephanos the easy way he pursued his own pleasures, such behaviour was not without cost, and the younger of Zenon’s sons had already built himself a reputation that would be hard to outrun. Not that it seemed to faze him, Achilleas observed wryly.
He himself had been much more careful in keeping his assignations discreet and away from the loose-lipped courtiers of Vasiliadon, despite there being ample opportunity. He politely declined each and every one, having no desire to risk incurring the wrath of one of those men he worked beside in the senate when one of his daughters came home cursing Achilleas of Mikaelidas for any of the irrational things women got upset over. Nor should he want to have to explain any illegitimate offspring to his father, who had made it perfectly clear to his son that his reputation was to remain unblemished, despite the fact Irakles had taken his own mistress - a girl of just 14 - when Achilleas was no older himself.
Finding his comfort instead in the arms of a servant within his father’s household, there was no pressing need for the baron to turn his attentions elsewhere. Odd then, that his gaze drifted irresistibly to the second born Leventi girl, and Achilleas made himself look away because Stephanos was already too aware of his weakness for the girl and Achilleas had vowed that he would not indulge it any further. When it was deemed time for him to marry, he was certain he would be told of it, and until then it was much safer to keep them all at arm’s length.
Which was why he could commiserate a little with Zacharias, shooting a sympathetic look after the crown prince as he strode purposefully away, his eyes coming to rest upon Nikolias of House Condos as the man approached them, offering his own words of wisdom in response to Stephanos’ flippancy. Achilleas did not mind Lord Nikolias, despite thinking his son an unpleasant brat, and he offered the older man a respectful bow as he joined them.
It appeared the Condos Lord shared opinion with his father over the import of reputation, and Achilleas could not quite stifle the snort of laughter in time for it to be entirely polite. “I think if you seek to protect his good reputation, my Lord Condos, you have come a great deal too late” the elder of Irakles’ sons observed. “Though by the law of odds, you are right in that one of Stephanos’ many ladies shall pin him down before too long. The question is, which shall it be?”
Not the Lady Selene, Achilleas would hazard, as he watched the blonde follow Zacharias out on to the balcony where she seemed to rather intent on having words with him. She had certainly set her cap for a different Mikaelidas Prince.
”Uh oh, poor man. He’ll be engaged by the end of the night now.”
The voice from behind him had Achilleas startle, and he turned to find his brother having miraculously appeared from...nowhere. Another one just as blase as Stephanos when it came to his romantic entanglements.
“How do you do that?” the older brother griped, reaching for some of the popped corn that Emilios had also managed to appropriate, before giving his brother a look up and and down as if to assure himself his sibling had dressed himself properly. One never could be too sure with Emilios.
“You should go and show your face to father before he sends someone to the archontiko to fetch you” he said, lifting his chin towards where Irakles stood with his brother and sister in law. “He has been muttering about you not being present at these things as you should”
Indeed, Emilios had been even more lackadaisical about attending court as of late, and if he didn’t know better, Achilleas would think his brother had some secret lover he was cavorting with. But like their cousin, his brother was not one to think to deprive the ladies of Vasiliadon of his company by devoting himself to just one, so the idea held no ground.
“I’ll hold on to this for you” the older said, and neatly plucked the bowl of corn from his brother’s grip as he waved one hand vaguely for him to go and do the proper thing and greet their hosts and their father.
The fact that Achilleas thought it was too late to save Stephanos' reputation was true. Even so, Nikolias thought he might as well have a little fun while he was here, since Emilios thought Stephanos would be engaged by the end of the evening, and Achilleas was questioning which of the young ladies might be the fiancee.
"Would you care to take bets on which one?" he asked Achilleas with a grin that was somewhere between playful and boyish and devious. "Imma is thought to be too young, at least by her father, so I've heard. But any one of the others is fair game. At least the majority of Lady Evelli's girls seem to have gotten their perceived boldness from their mother herself." If he had been able to read Achilleas' mind- yes, Nikolias was fully aware that some people likely thought he might be a male oracle- he might have agreed that it wouldn't be Selene.
It seemed that the theory was posited that Olympia and Stephanos were sleeping together, but sleeping together did not necessarily mean a marriage proposal would be forthcoming. Matches had often been set up when far less was happening between two parties, though. Who knew? And with as many ladies as Stephanos seemed to spend time with, it could be any one of them, really. What was the harm in guessing? Maybe it would teach the young man a lesson. Nikolias thought somebody certainly ought to.
"How many drachmae should we start at?" he added, grabbing another glass of wine for the sake of having something to do with his hands in the current absence of a quill. Owls, perhaps, were safer to bet, but members of the nobility could presumably bid as much of any coin as they wanted. Perhaps Stephanos would not be exactly pleased that Nikolias saw his predicament as reason to place bets, but, well, with the type of reputation he seemed to have, the young man probably ought to have expected such a thing by now. However, it seemed that brash young men such as Stephanos often did not expect such things, depending on the day. They often did as they pleased, it seemed, and heeded little if any advice.
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The fact that Achilleas thought it was too late to save Stephanos' reputation was true. Even so, Nikolias thought he might as well have a little fun while he was here, since Emilios thought Stephanos would be engaged by the end of the evening, and Achilleas was questioning which of the young ladies might be the fiancee.
"Would you care to take bets on which one?" he asked Achilleas with a grin that was somewhere between playful and boyish and devious. "Imma is thought to be too young, at least by her father, so I've heard. But any one of the others is fair game. At least the majority of Lady Evelli's girls seem to have gotten their perceived boldness from their mother herself." If he had been able to read Achilleas' mind- yes, Nikolias was fully aware that some people likely thought he might be a male oracle- he might have agreed that it wouldn't be Selene.
It seemed that the theory was posited that Olympia and Stephanos were sleeping together, but sleeping together did not necessarily mean a marriage proposal would be forthcoming. Matches had often been set up when far less was happening between two parties, though. Who knew? And with as many ladies as Stephanos seemed to spend time with, it could be any one of them, really. What was the harm in guessing? Maybe it would teach the young man a lesson. Nikolias thought somebody certainly ought to.
"How many drachmae should we start at?" he added, grabbing another glass of wine for the sake of having something to do with his hands in the current absence of a quill. Owls, perhaps, were safer to bet, but members of the nobility could presumably bid as much of any coin as they wanted. Perhaps Stephanos would not be exactly pleased that Nikolias saw his predicament as reason to place bets, but, well, with the type of reputation he seemed to have, the young man probably ought to have expected such a thing by now. However, it seemed that brash young men such as Stephanos often did not expect such things, depending on the day. They often did as they pleased, it seemed, and heeded little if any advice.
The fact that Achilleas thought it was too late to save Stephanos' reputation was true. Even so, Nikolias thought he might as well have a little fun while he was here, since Emilios thought Stephanos would be engaged by the end of the evening, and Achilleas was questioning which of the young ladies might be the fiancee.
"Would you care to take bets on which one?" he asked Achilleas with a grin that was somewhere between playful and boyish and devious. "Imma is thought to be too young, at least by her father, so I've heard. But any one of the others is fair game. At least the majority of Lady Evelli's girls seem to have gotten their perceived boldness from their mother herself." If he had been able to read Achilleas' mind- yes, Nikolias was fully aware that some people likely thought he might be a male oracle- he might have agreed that it wouldn't be Selene.
It seemed that the theory was posited that Olympia and Stephanos were sleeping together, but sleeping together did not necessarily mean a marriage proposal would be forthcoming. Matches had often been set up when far less was happening between two parties, though. Who knew? And with as many ladies as Stephanos seemed to spend time with, it could be any one of them, really. What was the harm in guessing? Maybe it would teach the young man a lesson. Nikolias thought somebody certainly ought to.
"How many drachmae should we start at?" he added, grabbing another glass of wine for the sake of having something to do with his hands in the current absence of a quill. Owls, perhaps, were safer to bet, but members of the nobility could presumably bid as much of any coin as they wanted. Perhaps Stephanos would not be exactly pleased that Nikolias saw his predicament as reason to place bets, but, well, with the type of reputation he seemed to have, the young man probably ought to have expected such a thing by now. However, it seemed that brash young men such as Stephanos often did not expect such things, depending on the day. They often did as they pleased, it seemed, and heeded little if any advice.
"Are you going to grace us with your voice tonight?" the queen asked her daughter as she stared down at the top of Xene's head. The princess made a bit of a face, seeming to think through her answer. A good course of action considering that Elise's questions were often the opposite of questions. They were orders, though they remained soft and pliable in the face of her eldest daughter's clear discomfort at the notion. The queen's fingers deftly wove delicate threads of silver into her daughter's hair as she let loose a small tut of discontent at the silent rejection of her question.
Her arrival to her daughter's rooms had had a dual purpose. Both Xene and Gianna were of marriageable age, but Xene was the oldest. While the queen would normally shove off the duty of doing her daughter's hair on one of the princess' ladies, she had wanted the moment alone with her daughter in her silent attempt to scheme. There would be many people at the annual party, a great number of unmarried nobles who should have been vying for the princess' hand if only she would show them any interest at all.
It truly was time for both daughters to flee the nest of safety that was the Palati. Thankfully, Zanon was of the same opinion, though he seemed more than content to let both girls delay the inevitable. Tugging lightly on one of the locks of Xene's hair, Elise pressed a kiss to the top of her daughter's head. "You will behave tonight. Make a good impression as you always do, but try your best to make impressions in the correct places. Do not stand with the ladies all night. Mingle," the queen prodded her daughter in the back as she finished with the braid and started pinning Xene's hair up. "Do you understand me, Xene?" Elise instructed, lifting an eyebrow at her.
The princess turned her head and sighed, keeping her blue gaze on her mother's face. "Of course, mother. Whatever you want, mother," the princess noted as she rose to her feet. Then Elise was ushering them both out of the door and then into the courtyard, and then to carriages with the rest of the family that had chosen to travel that way.
Elise couldn't help but feel the excitement of hosting such a large function. It was not often that she hosted more than court, so this early event was surely a treat to the Queen. She had been preparing for days, ordering slaves and servants about, making a fuss over the arrangements and the food and wine choices. Everything had been perfectly settled when she had left the night before (and she made sure to talk all about it on the way over) and now, returning to Archontiko Mikaelidas, Queen Elise was pleased with the set up. She made quick work of ushering her kids away before striding through the ballroom with a keen and critical eye and making note of everyone who had already arrived. She would wait until more nobles had assembled in the home before she made her usual announcements, instead making her way toward the tables of food and wine. From here, she would survey the refreshments and ensure that they were up to her standards while keeping a keen eye on her brood of children.
Gianna and Stephanos had gravitated toward their uncle, and Elise could clearly see Zacharias and Lady Selene of Leventi holding a conversation with one another upon the balcony. Contented with this, the queen spread her hands down the front of her gown and nodded to herself, pleased that things were running so smoothly thus far.
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"Are you going to grace us with your voice tonight?" the queen asked her daughter as she stared down at the top of Xene's head. The princess made a bit of a face, seeming to think through her answer. A good course of action considering that Elise's questions were often the opposite of questions. They were orders, though they remained soft and pliable in the face of her eldest daughter's clear discomfort at the notion. The queen's fingers deftly wove delicate threads of silver into her daughter's hair as she let loose a small tut of discontent at the silent rejection of her question.
Her arrival to her daughter's rooms had had a dual purpose. Both Xene and Gianna were of marriageable age, but Xene was the oldest. While the queen would normally shove off the duty of doing her daughter's hair on one of the princess' ladies, she had wanted the moment alone with her daughter in her silent attempt to scheme. There would be many people at the annual party, a great number of unmarried nobles who should have been vying for the princess' hand if only she would show them any interest at all.
It truly was time for both daughters to flee the nest of safety that was the Palati. Thankfully, Zanon was of the same opinion, though he seemed more than content to let both girls delay the inevitable. Tugging lightly on one of the locks of Xene's hair, Elise pressed a kiss to the top of her daughter's head. "You will behave tonight. Make a good impression as you always do, but try your best to make impressions in the correct places. Do not stand with the ladies all night. Mingle," the queen prodded her daughter in the back as she finished with the braid and started pinning Xene's hair up. "Do you understand me, Xene?" Elise instructed, lifting an eyebrow at her.
The princess turned her head and sighed, keeping her blue gaze on her mother's face. "Of course, mother. Whatever you want, mother," the princess noted as she rose to her feet. Then Elise was ushering them both out of the door and then into the courtyard, and then to carriages with the rest of the family that had chosen to travel that way.
Elise couldn't help but feel the excitement of hosting such a large function. It was not often that she hosted more than court, so this early event was surely a treat to the Queen. She had been preparing for days, ordering slaves and servants about, making a fuss over the arrangements and the food and wine choices. Everything had been perfectly settled when she had left the night before (and she made sure to talk all about it on the way over) and now, returning to Archontiko Mikaelidas, Queen Elise was pleased with the set up. She made quick work of ushering her kids away before striding through the ballroom with a keen and critical eye and making note of everyone who had already arrived. She would wait until more nobles had assembled in the home before she made her usual announcements, instead making her way toward the tables of food and wine. From here, she would survey the refreshments and ensure that they were up to her standards while keeping a keen eye on her brood of children.
Gianna and Stephanos had gravitated toward their uncle, and Elise could clearly see Zacharias and Lady Selene of Leventi holding a conversation with one another upon the balcony. Contented with this, the queen spread her hands down the front of her gown and nodded to herself, pleased that things were running so smoothly thus far.
"Are you going to grace us with your voice tonight?" the queen asked her daughter as she stared down at the top of Xene's head. The princess made a bit of a face, seeming to think through her answer. A good course of action considering that Elise's questions were often the opposite of questions. They were orders, though they remained soft and pliable in the face of her eldest daughter's clear discomfort at the notion. The queen's fingers deftly wove delicate threads of silver into her daughter's hair as she let loose a small tut of discontent at the silent rejection of her question.
Her arrival to her daughter's rooms had had a dual purpose. Both Xene and Gianna were of marriageable age, but Xene was the oldest. While the queen would normally shove off the duty of doing her daughter's hair on one of the princess' ladies, she had wanted the moment alone with her daughter in her silent attempt to scheme. There would be many people at the annual party, a great number of unmarried nobles who should have been vying for the princess' hand if only she would show them any interest at all.
It truly was time for both daughters to flee the nest of safety that was the Palati. Thankfully, Zanon was of the same opinion, though he seemed more than content to let both girls delay the inevitable. Tugging lightly on one of the locks of Xene's hair, Elise pressed a kiss to the top of her daughter's head. "You will behave tonight. Make a good impression as you always do, but try your best to make impressions in the correct places. Do not stand with the ladies all night. Mingle," the queen prodded her daughter in the back as she finished with the braid and started pinning Xene's hair up. "Do you understand me, Xene?" Elise instructed, lifting an eyebrow at her.
The princess turned her head and sighed, keeping her blue gaze on her mother's face. "Of course, mother. Whatever you want, mother," the princess noted as she rose to her feet. Then Elise was ushering them both out of the door and then into the courtyard, and then to carriages with the rest of the family that had chosen to travel that way.
Elise couldn't help but feel the excitement of hosting such a large function. It was not often that she hosted more than court, so this early event was surely a treat to the Queen. She had been preparing for days, ordering slaves and servants about, making a fuss over the arrangements and the food and wine choices. Everything had been perfectly settled when she had left the night before (and she made sure to talk all about it on the way over) and now, returning to Archontiko Mikaelidas, Queen Elise was pleased with the set up. She made quick work of ushering her kids away before striding through the ballroom with a keen and critical eye and making note of everyone who had already arrived. She would wait until more nobles had assembled in the home before she made her usual announcements, instead making her way toward the tables of food and wine. From here, she would survey the refreshments and ensure that they were up to her standards while keeping a keen eye on her brood of children.
Gianna and Stephanos had gravitated toward their uncle, and Elise could clearly see Zacharias and Lady Selene of Leventi holding a conversation with one another upon the balcony. Contented with this, the queen spread her hands down the front of her gown and nodded to herself, pleased that things were running so smoothly thus far.
Xene loved parties. She loved court. What she didn't like was being pushed to do something that she was not inclined to suggest on her own. Lately, her mother seemed intent on prodding her to perform for a crowd, and while the princess had done so many times before with little trepidation if any at all, she still asserted that she didn't want to perform this time. The concerto that she had been preparing was far from ready to be performed in front of a crowd, and she was more afraid of boring an audience with a performance they had seen time and time again already.
True, if the lovely bard Hesiodos was there, as he often was for the big Taengean events, then maybe she would find it in herself to at least sing with him. But as it stood, her mother's pointed prodding of her patience let Xene feeling the slightest bit irritable at first. That slight irritation quickly turned to full-blown annoyance when Elise tugged on her hair and pushed Xene to be a good little princess so that someone might ask for her hand.
Sure, she wanted to marry, but the princess wished to marry for love, not because she was being forced to. Both of her brothers would find wives and they would carry on the Mikaelidas line on their own, the princess was sure. Why was it so important for her to be married off when the Kingdom had yet little use of even more alliances. The Kingdoms had found peace, after all. The princess remembered the treaty signing rather vividly. Was there even any use in remaining silver-tongued and open to such negotiations?
Bah. Negotiations.
What a terrible way to think of marriage.
The princess had to swallow her bitterness as they traveled to the Mikaelidas Archontiko, biting her tongue to keep from really conversing with anyone. As soon as she was freed from her metaphorical prison and the quen's gaze was no longer on herself, the princess escaped into the throng of people, schooling her features to appear oh so happy to be there. She was, but she was going to make it her goal to avoid her mother at all costs. Initially, she simply wandered about with her cup of wine in her hand. Then she started to let her gaze actually wander the crowd that had chosen to attend the party. Her blue gaze landed on Stephanos with Achilleas and then Zacharias and then her sister. At first, she wasn't super inclined to approach anyone.
Zacharias seemed a little busy, so the princess strode in the direction of Stephanos and her cousin, really only focused on them though she was more than aware that Lord Nikolias wasalso in attendance. "Good evening," Xene greeted sweetly, looping her arm into her brother's. "What are we talking about?" she hummed, glancing toward her sister from across the room with an unhidden and very affectionate smile. Hopefully, the night would progress with grace and no one getting into a fight. Her gaze slid to Stephanos.
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Xene loved parties. She loved court. What she didn't like was being pushed to do something that she was not inclined to suggest on her own. Lately, her mother seemed intent on prodding her to perform for a crowd, and while the princess had done so many times before with little trepidation if any at all, she still asserted that she didn't want to perform this time. The concerto that she had been preparing was far from ready to be performed in front of a crowd, and she was more afraid of boring an audience with a performance they had seen time and time again already.
True, if the lovely bard Hesiodos was there, as he often was for the big Taengean events, then maybe she would find it in herself to at least sing with him. But as it stood, her mother's pointed prodding of her patience let Xene feeling the slightest bit irritable at first. That slight irritation quickly turned to full-blown annoyance when Elise tugged on her hair and pushed Xene to be a good little princess so that someone might ask for her hand.
Sure, she wanted to marry, but the princess wished to marry for love, not because she was being forced to. Both of her brothers would find wives and they would carry on the Mikaelidas line on their own, the princess was sure. Why was it so important for her to be married off when the Kingdom had yet little use of even more alliances. The Kingdoms had found peace, after all. The princess remembered the treaty signing rather vividly. Was there even any use in remaining silver-tongued and open to such negotiations?
Bah. Negotiations.
What a terrible way to think of marriage.
The princess had to swallow her bitterness as they traveled to the Mikaelidas Archontiko, biting her tongue to keep from really conversing with anyone. As soon as she was freed from her metaphorical prison and the quen's gaze was no longer on herself, the princess escaped into the throng of people, schooling her features to appear oh so happy to be there. She was, but she was going to make it her goal to avoid her mother at all costs. Initially, she simply wandered about with her cup of wine in her hand. Then she started to let her gaze actually wander the crowd that had chosen to attend the party. Her blue gaze landed on Stephanos with Achilleas and then Zacharias and then her sister. At first, she wasn't super inclined to approach anyone.
Zacharias seemed a little busy, so the princess strode in the direction of Stephanos and her cousin, really only focused on them though she was more than aware that Lord Nikolias wasalso in attendance. "Good evening," Xene greeted sweetly, looping her arm into her brother's. "What are we talking about?" she hummed, glancing toward her sister from across the room with an unhidden and very affectionate smile. Hopefully, the night would progress with grace and no one getting into a fight. Her gaze slid to Stephanos.
Xene loved parties. She loved court. What she didn't like was being pushed to do something that she was not inclined to suggest on her own. Lately, her mother seemed intent on prodding her to perform for a crowd, and while the princess had done so many times before with little trepidation if any at all, she still asserted that she didn't want to perform this time. The concerto that she had been preparing was far from ready to be performed in front of a crowd, and she was more afraid of boring an audience with a performance they had seen time and time again already.
True, if the lovely bard Hesiodos was there, as he often was for the big Taengean events, then maybe she would find it in herself to at least sing with him. But as it stood, her mother's pointed prodding of her patience let Xene feeling the slightest bit irritable at first. That slight irritation quickly turned to full-blown annoyance when Elise tugged on her hair and pushed Xene to be a good little princess so that someone might ask for her hand.
Sure, she wanted to marry, but the princess wished to marry for love, not because she was being forced to. Both of her brothers would find wives and they would carry on the Mikaelidas line on their own, the princess was sure. Why was it so important for her to be married off when the Kingdom had yet little use of even more alliances. The Kingdoms had found peace, after all. The princess remembered the treaty signing rather vividly. Was there even any use in remaining silver-tongued and open to such negotiations?
Bah. Negotiations.
What a terrible way to think of marriage.
The princess had to swallow her bitterness as they traveled to the Mikaelidas Archontiko, biting her tongue to keep from really conversing with anyone. As soon as she was freed from her metaphorical prison and the quen's gaze was no longer on herself, the princess escaped into the throng of people, schooling her features to appear oh so happy to be there. She was, but she was going to make it her goal to avoid her mother at all costs. Initially, she simply wandered about with her cup of wine in her hand. Then she started to let her gaze actually wander the crowd that had chosen to attend the party. Her blue gaze landed on Stephanos with Achilleas and then Zacharias and then her sister. At first, she wasn't super inclined to approach anyone.
Zacharias seemed a little busy, so the princess strode in the direction of Stephanos and her cousin, really only focused on them though she was more than aware that Lord Nikolias wasalso in attendance. "Good evening," Xene greeted sweetly, looping her arm into her brother's. "What are we talking about?" she hummed, glancing toward her sister from across the room with an unhidden and very affectionate smile. Hopefully, the night would progress with grace and no one getting into a fight. Her gaze slid to Stephanos.
Slowly, people filed in, and all went to the greet the host and hostess of the event first, as decorum dictated they should. Throughout the process, Evelli found herself locked in conversation with various other nobles, a chalice of wine finding itself into her hands as she laughed and exchanged tales with others. In the process, her husband had also wandered off to greet his brother and and speak to other's of his circles, but Evelli had never partook in the words exchanged by men. Afterall, she needed to listen to the women to find out of any new, eligible men for her brood of girls.
Even as she conversed, Evelli's eyes were sharp as she watched her eldest daughter. Selene had always had a form of grace to her that made her appear as if she was a swan gliding across the still waters of the lake. The rumors of her being blessed by Aphrodite originated from her graceful nature, but far be it from Evelli to correct them. It would only benefit the Leventi's to have a daughter rumored to be blessed by the Goddess herself.
Smiling to herself as she watched Selene boldly intercept and speak to the crown princes himself, Evelli found it enough at that point to leave her overseeing eye over her eldest, trusting Selene to handle herself. Sliding her gaze over to check in on her other daughter's, and frowning a little when she could not locate Olympia and Theodora properly, Evelli wrote that off as there being far too many attendee's, and simply continued her observations.
Frowning briefly when Fotios entered, what had made Evelli's brows furrow was not her brother in law, but instead the way in which their daughter trailed behind. Melina had always been the quiet wallflower, although most of Fotios's offspring had seemed to gain that trait. From which parent had they inherited the trait from, Evelli did not know, for both Fotios and Eirini were unabashed in their activities, but what Evelli did know, was that at least she could not sit back and watch as a niece of her's hovered that way.
So the woman made her excuses to the ladies she had been conversing with, and sifted her way through the court session in full swing, making it just in time to the quiet girl's side, where Evelli gently touched her upper arm, giving teh girl a smile, before giving a quick and respectable curtsy to Fotios and Eirini, just as her husband arrived. Evelli waited till Georgios had finished greeting his own brother, before piping up. "Lady Eirini, Lord Fotios, shall I bring the young ladies to greet the Queen first?" she offered. It was usually up to the ladies to greet the Queen of course, but Evelli did not mind playing escort. Her own in attendance were full grown and old enough to pay their own respects.
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Slowly, people filed in, and all went to the greet the host and hostess of the event first, as decorum dictated they should. Throughout the process, Evelli found herself locked in conversation with various other nobles, a chalice of wine finding itself into her hands as she laughed and exchanged tales with others. In the process, her husband had also wandered off to greet his brother and and speak to other's of his circles, but Evelli had never partook in the words exchanged by men. Afterall, she needed to listen to the women to find out of any new, eligible men for her brood of girls.
Even as she conversed, Evelli's eyes were sharp as she watched her eldest daughter. Selene had always had a form of grace to her that made her appear as if she was a swan gliding across the still waters of the lake. The rumors of her being blessed by Aphrodite originated from her graceful nature, but far be it from Evelli to correct them. It would only benefit the Leventi's to have a daughter rumored to be blessed by the Goddess herself.
Smiling to herself as she watched Selene boldly intercept and speak to the crown princes himself, Evelli found it enough at that point to leave her overseeing eye over her eldest, trusting Selene to handle herself. Sliding her gaze over to check in on her other daughter's, and frowning a little when she could not locate Olympia and Theodora properly, Evelli wrote that off as there being far too many attendee's, and simply continued her observations.
Frowning briefly when Fotios entered, what had made Evelli's brows furrow was not her brother in law, but instead the way in which their daughter trailed behind. Melina had always been the quiet wallflower, although most of Fotios's offspring had seemed to gain that trait. From which parent had they inherited the trait from, Evelli did not know, for both Fotios and Eirini were unabashed in their activities, but what Evelli did know, was that at least she could not sit back and watch as a niece of her's hovered that way.
So the woman made her excuses to the ladies she had been conversing with, and sifted her way through the court session in full swing, making it just in time to the quiet girl's side, where Evelli gently touched her upper arm, giving teh girl a smile, before giving a quick and respectable curtsy to Fotios and Eirini, just as her husband arrived. Evelli waited till Georgios had finished greeting his own brother, before piping up. "Lady Eirini, Lord Fotios, shall I bring the young ladies to greet the Queen first?" she offered. It was usually up to the ladies to greet the Queen of course, but Evelli did not mind playing escort. Her own in attendance were full grown and old enough to pay their own respects.
Slowly, people filed in, and all went to the greet the host and hostess of the event first, as decorum dictated they should. Throughout the process, Evelli found herself locked in conversation with various other nobles, a chalice of wine finding itself into her hands as she laughed and exchanged tales with others. In the process, her husband had also wandered off to greet his brother and and speak to other's of his circles, but Evelli had never partook in the words exchanged by men. Afterall, she needed to listen to the women to find out of any new, eligible men for her brood of girls.
Even as she conversed, Evelli's eyes were sharp as she watched her eldest daughter. Selene had always had a form of grace to her that made her appear as if she was a swan gliding across the still waters of the lake. The rumors of her being blessed by Aphrodite originated from her graceful nature, but far be it from Evelli to correct them. It would only benefit the Leventi's to have a daughter rumored to be blessed by the Goddess herself.
Smiling to herself as she watched Selene boldly intercept and speak to the crown princes himself, Evelli found it enough at that point to leave her overseeing eye over her eldest, trusting Selene to handle herself. Sliding her gaze over to check in on her other daughter's, and frowning a little when she could not locate Olympia and Theodora properly, Evelli wrote that off as there being far too many attendee's, and simply continued her observations.
Frowning briefly when Fotios entered, what had made Evelli's brows furrow was not her brother in law, but instead the way in which their daughter trailed behind. Melina had always been the quiet wallflower, although most of Fotios's offspring had seemed to gain that trait. From which parent had they inherited the trait from, Evelli did not know, for both Fotios and Eirini were unabashed in their activities, but what Evelli did know, was that at least she could not sit back and watch as a niece of her's hovered that way.
So the woman made her excuses to the ladies she had been conversing with, and sifted her way through the court session in full swing, making it just in time to the quiet girl's side, where Evelli gently touched her upper arm, giving teh girl a smile, before giving a quick and respectable curtsy to Fotios and Eirini, just as her husband arrived. Evelli waited till Georgios had finished greeting his own brother, before piping up. "Lady Eirini, Lord Fotios, shall I bring the young ladies to greet the Queen first?" she offered. It was usually up to the ladies to greet the Queen of course, but Evelli did not mind playing escort. Her own in attendance were full grown and old enough to pay their own respects.
He made conversation like any good spare prince would. Afterall, that was what he had been raised and trained for, was it not? That somehow, he had received all the exact same lessons, tutors and scoldings as his brother had, but somehow due to some fluke of birth and luck, it was Zenon that got the crown. His weak, lilly-livered half brother didn't even have the heart to allow Irakles to deliver the killing blow to their enemies, and merely told him to hold back till treaties were signed! It made no sense to Irakles. All he had to do was end it, and their lands would fall under Taengean rule.
Glory to Taengea.
A master at holding his tongue though, Irakles wanted to play the bigger game. He had plans, and he had ideas, but they needed to wait for the correct time, and such, he showed up as a responsibile, dutiful younger brother would. Dressed in all his finery of the second prince, no one would guess the plans he had as Irakles regaled people with stories, listened to the tales of other's with a compassionate ear, and basically just networked and gained the people's trust and belief as he shared laughter and stories with them.
Picking up an olive in a brief respite between conversations where the man had to entertain lesser nobles and lords from the other provinces of Taengea, a sudden voice had him turning in surprise when he heard Gianna's voice addressing him. It was odd for Irakles.... no, irritation would be a better word. His brother has had two sons, which made it even harder for Irakles to get anywhere near the throne, and to make matters worst, the two Mikaelidas offspring of Zenon was growing more and more to be like their own father. Irakles had briefly wondered if perhaps, Stephanos would have more of the drive and eagerness to ensure Taengea's glory, but even then, he seemed to have developed a bad streak and weakness for ladies.
Unacceptable.
Gianna and Xene just... well, the man had never held females in high regard. His mistress was useful to him due to her capability to navigate the murky waters of court and nobles, but otherwise, his nieces and his two daughters had always remained on his peripheral attention. Irakles entrusted the care of his daughters to Meena entirely, which was why when Gianna's crooning got his attention, Irakles blinked as the surprise sunk in, before his brows furroweds up. "Tis a busy time for the kingdom, Gianna. Have you been keeping with your lessons? You should not have so much free time as you are implying you have, at the moment." he started, managing a smile that was a ghost of how he used to be. Once upon a time, Irakles had been a.... better uncle to his brother's offspring. Not as ambitious, he had tried to instill the need for Taengea's glory in them.
But he had long since given up. Now he trusted no one but himself to achieve that. Not even his sons.
Taking a swig to empty out his chalice of teh remaining wine, his smile turned lopsided as he regarded Gianna a little more, before offering. "Perhaps a short while, if you'd wish. Although I would've thought you are far too old for frivolous rides along the sea anymore, Gianna?"
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He made conversation like any good spare prince would. Afterall, that was what he had been raised and trained for, was it not? That somehow, he had received all the exact same lessons, tutors and scoldings as his brother had, but somehow due to some fluke of birth and luck, it was Zenon that got the crown. His weak, lilly-livered half brother didn't even have the heart to allow Irakles to deliver the killing blow to their enemies, and merely told him to hold back till treaties were signed! It made no sense to Irakles. All he had to do was end it, and their lands would fall under Taengean rule.
Glory to Taengea.
A master at holding his tongue though, Irakles wanted to play the bigger game. He had plans, and he had ideas, but they needed to wait for the correct time, and such, he showed up as a responsibile, dutiful younger brother would. Dressed in all his finery of the second prince, no one would guess the plans he had as Irakles regaled people with stories, listened to the tales of other's with a compassionate ear, and basically just networked and gained the people's trust and belief as he shared laughter and stories with them.
Picking up an olive in a brief respite between conversations where the man had to entertain lesser nobles and lords from the other provinces of Taengea, a sudden voice had him turning in surprise when he heard Gianna's voice addressing him. It was odd for Irakles.... no, irritation would be a better word. His brother has had two sons, which made it even harder for Irakles to get anywhere near the throne, and to make matters worst, the two Mikaelidas offspring of Zenon was growing more and more to be like their own father. Irakles had briefly wondered if perhaps, Stephanos would have more of the drive and eagerness to ensure Taengea's glory, but even then, he seemed to have developed a bad streak and weakness for ladies.
Unacceptable.
Gianna and Xene just... well, the man had never held females in high regard. His mistress was useful to him due to her capability to navigate the murky waters of court and nobles, but otherwise, his nieces and his two daughters had always remained on his peripheral attention. Irakles entrusted the care of his daughters to Meena entirely, which was why when Gianna's crooning got his attention, Irakles blinked as the surprise sunk in, before his brows furroweds up. "Tis a busy time for the kingdom, Gianna. Have you been keeping with your lessons? You should not have so much free time as you are implying you have, at the moment." he started, managing a smile that was a ghost of how he used to be. Once upon a time, Irakles had been a.... better uncle to his brother's offspring. Not as ambitious, he had tried to instill the need for Taengea's glory in them.
But he had long since given up. Now he trusted no one but himself to achieve that. Not even his sons.
Taking a swig to empty out his chalice of teh remaining wine, his smile turned lopsided as he regarded Gianna a little more, before offering. "Perhaps a short while, if you'd wish. Although I would've thought you are far too old for frivolous rides along the sea anymore, Gianna?"
He made conversation like any good spare prince would. Afterall, that was what he had been raised and trained for, was it not? That somehow, he had received all the exact same lessons, tutors and scoldings as his brother had, but somehow due to some fluke of birth and luck, it was Zenon that got the crown. His weak, lilly-livered half brother didn't even have the heart to allow Irakles to deliver the killing blow to their enemies, and merely told him to hold back till treaties were signed! It made no sense to Irakles. All he had to do was end it, and their lands would fall under Taengean rule.
Glory to Taengea.
A master at holding his tongue though, Irakles wanted to play the bigger game. He had plans, and he had ideas, but they needed to wait for the correct time, and such, he showed up as a responsibile, dutiful younger brother would. Dressed in all his finery of the second prince, no one would guess the plans he had as Irakles regaled people with stories, listened to the tales of other's with a compassionate ear, and basically just networked and gained the people's trust and belief as he shared laughter and stories with them.
Picking up an olive in a brief respite between conversations where the man had to entertain lesser nobles and lords from the other provinces of Taengea, a sudden voice had him turning in surprise when he heard Gianna's voice addressing him. It was odd for Irakles.... no, irritation would be a better word. His brother has had two sons, which made it even harder for Irakles to get anywhere near the throne, and to make matters worst, the two Mikaelidas offspring of Zenon was growing more and more to be like their own father. Irakles had briefly wondered if perhaps, Stephanos would have more of the drive and eagerness to ensure Taengea's glory, but even then, he seemed to have developed a bad streak and weakness for ladies.
Unacceptable.
Gianna and Xene just... well, the man had never held females in high regard. His mistress was useful to him due to her capability to navigate the murky waters of court and nobles, but otherwise, his nieces and his two daughters had always remained on his peripheral attention. Irakles entrusted the care of his daughters to Meena entirely, which was why when Gianna's crooning got his attention, Irakles blinked as the surprise sunk in, before his brows furroweds up. "Tis a busy time for the kingdom, Gianna. Have you been keeping with your lessons? You should not have so much free time as you are implying you have, at the moment." he started, managing a smile that was a ghost of how he used to be. Once upon a time, Irakles had been a.... better uncle to his brother's offspring. Not as ambitious, he had tried to instill the need for Taengea's glory in them.
But he had long since given up. Now he trusted no one but himself to achieve that. Not even his sons.
Taking a swig to empty out his chalice of teh remaining wine, his smile turned lopsided as he regarded Gianna a little more, before offering. "Perhaps a short while, if you'd wish. Although I would've thought you are far too old for frivolous rides along the sea anymore, Gianna?"
Zacharias studied Selene’s profile, outlined in golden against the velvet black of the night beyond. The gardens below the balcony boasted curving paths of white limestone that wove pale paths barely visible from here. Though he couldn’t truly see what lay out there, he knew it well enough. There was a large fountain dominated by a statue of Aphrodite in the midst of the garden. Under the strains of music filtering through the doorway behind them, he could hear the trickle of water and pictured the jar carved into Aphrodite’s arms, eternally pouring an eternal, crystal clear stream into the fountain’s wide basin. He stood with his hands fixed on the railing now, determined not to begin the conversation. In the end, he didn’t have to. Lady Selene was a Leventi through and through and didn’t need him to coddle her into saying what she’d come to say.
”I believe, Prince Zacharias, that you and I are more alike than you think.” she started and it was here that Zacharias knew he should turn his attention back to her instead of keeping his face towards the gardens, but he had a hunch it would be easier to keep his features composed if he wasn’t focusing on her. Whatever she wanted to say, he suspected that he didn’t want to hear. Selene pressed on. ”For as loudly as my family seems to be set on our match, yours seem to wish it as well. And yet, neither of us want it.”
Zacharias turned his head, watching her with a neutral expression, but she had surprised him. She didn’t want the match? For all the jibing his brother had been doing, needling and baiting him into aggravation with Stephanos’s view of Selene’s behavior, Zacharias had fully believed what his brother did: that it was Selene who wanted it as much as her mother. Though, Zacharias reflected, when it came to women, his brother tended not to think too deeply beneath their surface intentions. As for the crown prince himself, he rarely thought of women at all and never had.
His eyes met Selene’s and her gaze searched his face, as though waiting for him to ask a question he wasn’t going to. He was fairly sure that she hadn’t brought him out here simply to reveal she didn’t wish to marry him. If that was the case, then her pursuit would have cooled off, surely, and gone for an easier target. His brother; his cousins? Condos, even. Perhaps even Iason of Dimitrou, if she could corner that poor boy. Interrupting his thoughts, Selene went on to outline that political marriages were necessary - a thing he knew. She also felt the need to point out that her family wished her to marry a king, something he also knew. It was at this point that his attention slipped away from her and back out to the gardens. His jaw set and he let a single sigh slip out. The only sign his patience with this conversation was waning. At the mention of heirs, Zacharias stood up fully and looked down at Selene.
“My lady-” he started, intending to cut this off here and now, but she smiled and he fell silent again, thinking that she really was beautiful, as everyone did. But his appreciation for her face did not translate to attraction.
”At first, I thought it was simply me that you detested,” Selene said and at this, Zacharias sighed loudly.
“I do not detest you,” he didn’t hide the tired edge to his tone and his words were said so quietly he wasn’t sure Selene heard them, for she continued.
”But from the way you act at gatherings, it is more of my gender that bothers you and not me specifically.”
His eyes, which had been wandering over the people inside, zipped back to Selene’s face. Zacharias’s body stiffened and his bright blue gaze narrowed as his lips pressed into a thin line, but Selene was now looking at the gardens, speaking in that direction.
”I think, your highness, that we can come to an agreement that will be favorable for the both of us?”
His heart thudded dully in his chest. Not in a fast, erratic way, like a bird fluttering in a cage, but in the slow, hard pounding of a blacksmith’s hammer. It hurt. His thoughts slid over one another, struggling with what to keep secret and what to actually say. Just because she’d guessed at the truth didn’t mean she had proof. Proof that would, no doubt, cast him into both public and private shame. Zacharias’s eyes drifted towards Stephanos through the windows. He couldn’t hear what his brother was saying to their cousins, but Stephanos looked happy enough. Xene stepped up to the group and Zacharias felt his features harden. She couldn’t know, either. He couldn’t bear it if she stopped looking at him with respect. His gaze slipped to Gianna, who he could just see through the doorway speaking to their uncle. Two more people he didn’t want to know what he got up to in his own time. Lastly, he looked to his parents. His mother, who he knew would still love him but he didn’t want to deal with the tears that would surely come. Lastly, his father. The one person he knew first and foremost who would not accept his natural tastes. Zacharias looked back at Selene. She had no idea the corner she’d just backed him into. Or...perhaps she did. She was clever.
Zacharias swallowed. “Are you expecting a proposal tonight, then?” he asked finally.
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Zacharias studied Selene’s profile, outlined in golden against the velvet black of the night beyond. The gardens below the balcony boasted curving paths of white limestone that wove pale paths barely visible from here. Though he couldn’t truly see what lay out there, he knew it well enough. There was a large fountain dominated by a statue of Aphrodite in the midst of the garden. Under the strains of music filtering through the doorway behind them, he could hear the trickle of water and pictured the jar carved into Aphrodite’s arms, eternally pouring an eternal, crystal clear stream into the fountain’s wide basin. He stood with his hands fixed on the railing now, determined not to begin the conversation. In the end, he didn’t have to. Lady Selene was a Leventi through and through and didn’t need him to coddle her into saying what she’d come to say.
”I believe, Prince Zacharias, that you and I are more alike than you think.” she started and it was here that Zacharias knew he should turn his attention back to her instead of keeping his face towards the gardens, but he had a hunch it would be easier to keep his features composed if he wasn’t focusing on her. Whatever she wanted to say, he suspected that he didn’t want to hear. Selene pressed on. ”For as loudly as my family seems to be set on our match, yours seem to wish it as well. And yet, neither of us want it.”
Zacharias turned his head, watching her with a neutral expression, but she had surprised him. She didn’t want the match? For all the jibing his brother had been doing, needling and baiting him into aggravation with Stephanos’s view of Selene’s behavior, Zacharias had fully believed what his brother did: that it was Selene who wanted it as much as her mother. Though, Zacharias reflected, when it came to women, his brother tended not to think too deeply beneath their surface intentions. As for the crown prince himself, he rarely thought of women at all and never had.
His eyes met Selene’s and her gaze searched his face, as though waiting for him to ask a question he wasn’t going to. He was fairly sure that she hadn’t brought him out here simply to reveal she didn’t wish to marry him. If that was the case, then her pursuit would have cooled off, surely, and gone for an easier target. His brother; his cousins? Condos, even. Perhaps even Iason of Dimitrou, if she could corner that poor boy. Interrupting his thoughts, Selene went on to outline that political marriages were necessary - a thing he knew. She also felt the need to point out that her family wished her to marry a king, something he also knew. It was at this point that his attention slipped away from her and back out to the gardens. His jaw set and he let a single sigh slip out. The only sign his patience with this conversation was waning. At the mention of heirs, Zacharias stood up fully and looked down at Selene.
“My lady-” he started, intending to cut this off here and now, but she smiled and he fell silent again, thinking that she really was beautiful, as everyone did. But his appreciation for her face did not translate to attraction.
”At first, I thought it was simply me that you detested,” Selene said and at this, Zacharias sighed loudly.
“I do not detest you,” he didn’t hide the tired edge to his tone and his words were said so quietly he wasn’t sure Selene heard them, for she continued.
”But from the way you act at gatherings, it is more of my gender that bothers you and not me specifically.”
His eyes, which had been wandering over the people inside, zipped back to Selene’s face. Zacharias’s body stiffened and his bright blue gaze narrowed as his lips pressed into a thin line, but Selene was now looking at the gardens, speaking in that direction.
”I think, your highness, that we can come to an agreement that will be favorable for the both of us?”
His heart thudded dully in his chest. Not in a fast, erratic way, like a bird fluttering in a cage, but in the slow, hard pounding of a blacksmith’s hammer. It hurt. His thoughts slid over one another, struggling with what to keep secret and what to actually say. Just because she’d guessed at the truth didn’t mean she had proof. Proof that would, no doubt, cast him into both public and private shame. Zacharias’s eyes drifted towards Stephanos through the windows. He couldn’t hear what his brother was saying to their cousins, but Stephanos looked happy enough. Xene stepped up to the group and Zacharias felt his features harden. She couldn’t know, either. He couldn’t bear it if she stopped looking at him with respect. His gaze slipped to Gianna, who he could just see through the doorway speaking to their uncle. Two more people he didn’t want to know what he got up to in his own time. Lastly, he looked to his parents. His mother, who he knew would still love him but he didn’t want to deal with the tears that would surely come. Lastly, his father. The one person he knew first and foremost who would not accept his natural tastes. Zacharias looked back at Selene. She had no idea the corner she’d just backed him into. Or...perhaps she did. She was clever.
Zacharias swallowed. “Are you expecting a proposal tonight, then?” he asked finally.
Zacharias studied Selene’s profile, outlined in golden against the velvet black of the night beyond. The gardens below the balcony boasted curving paths of white limestone that wove pale paths barely visible from here. Though he couldn’t truly see what lay out there, he knew it well enough. There was a large fountain dominated by a statue of Aphrodite in the midst of the garden. Under the strains of music filtering through the doorway behind them, he could hear the trickle of water and pictured the jar carved into Aphrodite’s arms, eternally pouring an eternal, crystal clear stream into the fountain’s wide basin. He stood with his hands fixed on the railing now, determined not to begin the conversation. In the end, he didn’t have to. Lady Selene was a Leventi through and through and didn’t need him to coddle her into saying what she’d come to say.
”I believe, Prince Zacharias, that you and I are more alike than you think.” she started and it was here that Zacharias knew he should turn his attention back to her instead of keeping his face towards the gardens, but he had a hunch it would be easier to keep his features composed if he wasn’t focusing on her. Whatever she wanted to say, he suspected that he didn’t want to hear. Selene pressed on. ”For as loudly as my family seems to be set on our match, yours seem to wish it as well. And yet, neither of us want it.”
Zacharias turned his head, watching her with a neutral expression, but she had surprised him. She didn’t want the match? For all the jibing his brother had been doing, needling and baiting him into aggravation with Stephanos’s view of Selene’s behavior, Zacharias had fully believed what his brother did: that it was Selene who wanted it as much as her mother. Though, Zacharias reflected, when it came to women, his brother tended not to think too deeply beneath their surface intentions. As for the crown prince himself, he rarely thought of women at all and never had.
His eyes met Selene’s and her gaze searched his face, as though waiting for him to ask a question he wasn’t going to. He was fairly sure that she hadn’t brought him out here simply to reveal she didn’t wish to marry him. If that was the case, then her pursuit would have cooled off, surely, and gone for an easier target. His brother; his cousins? Condos, even. Perhaps even Iason of Dimitrou, if she could corner that poor boy. Interrupting his thoughts, Selene went on to outline that political marriages were necessary - a thing he knew. She also felt the need to point out that her family wished her to marry a king, something he also knew. It was at this point that his attention slipped away from her and back out to the gardens. His jaw set and he let a single sigh slip out. The only sign his patience with this conversation was waning. At the mention of heirs, Zacharias stood up fully and looked down at Selene.
“My lady-” he started, intending to cut this off here and now, but she smiled and he fell silent again, thinking that she really was beautiful, as everyone did. But his appreciation for her face did not translate to attraction.
”At first, I thought it was simply me that you detested,” Selene said and at this, Zacharias sighed loudly.
“I do not detest you,” he didn’t hide the tired edge to his tone and his words were said so quietly he wasn’t sure Selene heard them, for she continued.
”But from the way you act at gatherings, it is more of my gender that bothers you and not me specifically.”
His eyes, which had been wandering over the people inside, zipped back to Selene’s face. Zacharias’s body stiffened and his bright blue gaze narrowed as his lips pressed into a thin line, but Selene was now looking at the gardens, speaking in that direction.
”I think, your highness, that we can come to an agreement that will be favorable for the both of us?”
His heart thudded dully in his chest. Not in a fast, erratic way, like a bird fluttering in a cage, but in the slow, hard pounding of a blacksmith’s hammer. It hurt. His thoughts slid over one another, struggling with what to keep secret and what to actually say. Just because she’d guessed at the truth didn’t mean she had proof. Proof that would, no doubt, cast him into both public and private shame. Zacharias’s eyes drifted towards Stephanos through the windows. He couldn’t hear what his brother was saying to their cousins, but Stephanos looked happy enough. Xene stepped up to the group and Zacharias felt his features harden. She couldn’t know, either. He couldn’t bear it if she stopped looking at him with respect. His gaze slipped to Gianna, who he could just see through the doorway speaking to their uncle. Two more people he didn’t want to know what he got up to in his own time. Lastly, he looked to his parents. His mother, who he knew would still love him but he didn’t want to deal with the tears that would surely come. Lastly, his father. The one person he knew first and foremost who would not accept his natural tastes. Zacharias looked back at Selene. She had no idea the corner she’d just backed him into. Or...perhaps she did. She was clever.
Zacharias swallowed. “Are you expecting a proposal tonight, then?” he asked finally.
Stephanos was in the midst of laughing when the drawling voice of Nikolias droned over the music. He drank from his wine as he listened to the elder man outline for him that it was unlikely he’d be able to keep up his avoidance of marriage for this long. The prince shrugged and smiled lazily at the lord. “What I’ve been doing’s been working thus far, my lord.” Never mind that his father had often gotten involved behind the scenes to avoid tying his youngest son into a marriage that would deal more damage than an wanted pregnancy rumor.
“I think if you seek to protect his good reputation, my Lord Condos, you have come a great deal too late” Achilleas said to Nikolias. Stephanos turned and made a face at Achilleas, but didn’t actually deny that. He was aware of the reputation he had...he just didn’t care about it. The one he cared about was his status in the military and that was under no question of being a good one. Who cared what he got up to in his free time, then? A bastard or two...or five...or more? Didn’t matter. They were provided for. It was fine. “Though by the law of odds, you are right in that one of Stephanos’ many ladies shall pin him down before too long. The question is, which shall it be?” Achilleas pressed on.
Stephanos laughed. “None,” he said emphatically. “A princess. Like I said. I won’t settle for less.”
At that moment, he heard crunching near his elbow. Stephanos swiveled and his lazy grin morphed into a sly one as he found Emilios standing next to him. “Where’d you come from?” he asked at almost the same moment as Emilios said, ”Uh oh, poor man. He’ll be engaged by the end of the night now.”
“Huh?” Stephanos looked toward the balcony and then shook his head, waving a hand vaguely in that direction. “Good. He’s being weird about it. If Selene was chasing me like that, I wouldn’t say no.” His attention drifted to the bowl in Emilios’s hand and he took a few bits of popcorn, popping them into his mouth. “Besides,” he said around his food. “She’s gorgeous. So what if he doesn’t like her? Get a few heirs and call it a day.” He drank his wine. “It’s not like it’s a love match anyway. I’m aiming for Princess Persephone of Athenia, myself. Or her sister. Don’t care. Or,” and here he glanced around at them all. “Athanasia of Colchis. A princess. Do I have to have met them? No. Do I have to like them? No. It’s a political match. I’ll do my duty. He needs to do his.”
As Achilleas began to berate Emilios, Stephanos tuned him out and smiled at his sister as she approached. Xene was a welcome relief and Stephanos reached for her, pulling her between himself and Nikolias, which edged him closer to Achilleas and Emilios. “We were discussing you dancing with my lord Nikolias, here. He’s quite light on his feet from what I saw.” He grinned, not ashamed.
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Stephanos was in the midst of laughing when the drawling voice of Nikolias droned over the music. He drank from his wine as he listened to the elder man outline for him that it was unlikely he’d be able to keep up his avoidance of marriage for this long. The prince shrugged and smiled lazily at the lord. “What I’ve been doing’s been working thus far, my lord.” Never mind that his father had often gotten involved behind the scenes to avoid tying his youngest son into a marriage that would deal more damage than an wanted pregnancy rumor.
“I think if you seek to protect his good reputation, my Lord Condos, you have come a great deal too late” Achilleas said to Nikolias. Stephanos turned and made a face at Achilleas, but didn’t actually deny that. He was aware of the reputation he had...he just didn’t care about it. The one he cared about was his status in the military and that was under no question of being a good one. Who cared what he got up to in his free time, then? A bastard or two...or five...or more? Didn’t matter. They were provided for. It was fine. “Though by the law of odds, you are right in that one of Stephanos’ many ladies shall pin him down before too long. The question is, which shall it be?” Achilleas pressed on.
Stephanos laughed. “None,” he said emphatically. “A princess. Like I said. I won’t settle for less.”
At that moment, he heard crunching near his elbow. Stephanos swiveled and his lazy grin morphed into a sly one as he found Emilios standing next to him. “Where’d you come from?” he asked at almost the same moment as Emilios said, ”Uh oh, poor man. He’ll be engaged by the end of the night now.”
“Huh?” Stephanos looked toward the balcony and then shook his head, waving a hand vaguely in that direction. “Good. He’s being weird about it. If Selene was chasing me like that, I wouldn’t say no.” His attention drifted to the bowl in Emilios’s hand and he took a few bits of popcorn, popping them into his mouth. “Besides,” he said around his food. “She’s gorgeous. So what if he doesn’t like her? Get a few heirs and call it a day.” He drank his wine. “It’s not like it’s a love match anyway. I’m aiming for Princess Persephone of Athenia, myself. Or her sister. Don’t care. Or,” and here he glanced around at them all. “Athanasia of Colchis. A princess. Do I have to have met them? No. Do I have to like them? No. It’s a political match. I’ll do my duty. He needs to do his.”
As Achilleas began to berate Emilios, Stephanos tuned him out and smiled at his sister as she approached. Xene was a welcome relief and Stephanos reached for her, pulling her between himself and Nikolias, which edged him closer to Achilleas and Emilios. “We were discussing you dancing with my lord Nikolias, here. He’s quite light on his feet from what I saw.” He grinned, not ashamed.
Stephanos was in the midst of laughing when the drawling voice of Nikolias droned over the music. He drank from his wine as he listened to the elder man outline for him that it was unlikely he’d be able to keep up his avoidance of marriage for this long. The prince shrugged and smiled lazily at the lord. “What I’ve been doing’s been working thus far, my lord.” Never mind that his father had often gotten involved behind the scenes to avoid tying his youngest son into a marriage that would deal more damage than an wanted pregnancy rumor.
“I think if you seek to protect his good reputation, my Lord Condos, you have come a great deal too late” Achilleas said to Nikolias. Stephanos turned and made a face at Achilleas, but didn’t actually deny that. He was aware of the reputation he had...he just didn’t care about it. The one he cared about was his status in the military and that was under no question of being a good one. Who cared what he got up to in his free time, then? A bastard or two...or five...or more? Didn’t matter. They were provided for. It was fine. “Though by the law of odds, you are right in that one of Stephanos’ many ladies shall pin him down before too long. The question is, which shall it be?” Achilleas pressed on.
Stephanos laughed. “None,” he said emphatically. “A princess. Like I said. I won’t settle for less.”
At that moment, he heard crunching near his elbow. Stephanos swiveled and his lazy grin morphed into a sly one as he found Emilios standing next to him. “Where’d you come from?” he asked at almost the same moment as Emilios said, ”Uh oh, poor man. He’ll be engaged by the end of the night now.”
“Huh?” Stephanos looked toward the balcony and then shook his head, waving a hand vaguely in that direction. “Good. He’s being weird about it. If Selene was chasing me like that, I wouldn’t say no.” His attention drifted to the bowl in Emilios’s hand and he took a few bits of popcorn, popping them into his mouth. “Besides,” he said around his food. “She’s gorgeous. So what if he doesn’t like her? Get a few heirs and call it a day.” He drank his wine. “It’s not like it’s a love match anyway. I’m aiming for Princess Persephone of Athenia, myself. Or her sister. Don’t care. Or,” and here he glanced around at them all. “Athanasia of Colchis. A princess. Do I have to have met them? No. Do I have to like them? No. It’s a political match. I’ll do my duty. He needs to do his.”
As Achilleas began to berate Emilios, Stephanos tuned him out and smiled at his sister as she approached. Xene was a welcome relief and Stephanos reached for her, pulling her between himself and Nikolias, which edged him closer to Achilleas and Emilios. “We were discussing you dancing with my lord Nikolias, here. He’s quite light on his feet from what I saw.” He grinned, not ashamed.
It wasn’t until she saw his face blanch that she realized just how much her implications sounded less like a compromise and more like blackmail. Her own cheeks flushed, for he took it differently than she had meant it. Her reputation as a social climber was well known, but she was not mean, like he seemed to think she was being. As soon as he spoke, she shook her head, unable to deny her need to make her meaning plain to him.
”Not at all.” She said softly, placing a hand on his forearm. Yes, her desire for the crown was deeply rooted in her family obligation, but she was not about to get it in this manner. She wanted it on her own terms, ”My proposal to you, Zacharias, is a marriage of mutual compromise.” Selene looked back out to the gardens, still knowing that the delicate nature of the conversation required privacy. ”This is not something I wish to hold over you, in an attempt to control you. You know me well enough to know that I am not like that, I think.” The corners of her mouth turned upward.
”What I am offering to you is an alibi.” She moved closer to him, keeping her voice low for his benefit. ”My family wants me to marry you. You need a Queen for the throne, an heir to continue the line-- but there need not be more than that between us.” Selene knew that her father would not approve of this, but she didn’t seem to care. ”If you were to marry me, you would gain a fitting match for the throne. It would satisfy my family’s desires and my own as well. But between you and I, I would offer discretion in return.” Her hand stayed on his forearm, knowing what it would seem like to those on the outside looking in.
It would look as if she was trying to seduce him.
”I do not care who you sleep with, so long as we do try for an heir. Should you wish to keep a bedfellow on the side, it would not harm my feelings in the slightest. All I ask is that you do not feel as if you need to keep it secret from me.” Her chin lifted boldly, her eyebrow arching a little. ”Life would appear exactly as it needed to for anyone looking in. Our families would be pacified on the marriage front, I would have the title I wish for, and you would be able to continue as you wish. I am offering an olive branch to you, and a promise that if you decide to pursue a marriage with me, I would do everything in my power to keep your secrets.”
She softened a bit, turning to him now, allowing anyone who wished to read her lips to see what she was saying. ”We give them what they are expecting, but on our own terms. And perhaps we will be able to find our own happiness in that.” Her hand reached to his cheek, resting it there with some affection. ”I do not need an answer now. Nor, should you choose not to accept, will I tell anyone what I know. I have always considered you a friend, and I am not in the habit of betraying those I consider to be friends.” There was the need to lay the groundwork for this to appear a bit more natural, to help his case in others thinking that it was not a farce. So she stepped closer, pressing a chaste kiss to his cheek. She pulled back with a secretive smile. ”I shall look forward to your answer, whatever it may be.”
Selene stepped back, gave him a deep bow of her head, then turned back and headed into the main room. For the first time in a long time, she felt like she had taken charge of her own life. And, in one way or another, she would have an answer. Then, she could either prepare for her wedding or start looking elsewhere for a suitable match. Her eyes glanced about the room, shooting a wink to the gaggle of Mikaelidas men before searching out the company of her sisters.
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It wasn’t until she saw his face blanch that she realized just how much her implications sounded less like a compromise and more like blackmail. Her own cheeks flushed, for he took it differently than she had meant it. Her reputation as a social climber was well known, but she was not mean, like he seemed to think she was being. As soon as he spoke, she shook her head, unable to deny her need to make her meaning plain to him.
”Not at all.” She said softly, placing a hand on his forearm. Yes, her desire for the crown was deeply rooted in her family obligation, but she was not about to get it in this manner. She wanted it on her own terms, ”My proposal to you, Zacharias, is a marriage of mutual compromise.” Selene looked back out to the gardens, still knowing that the delicate nature of the conversation required privacy. ”This is not something I wish to hold over you, in an attempt to control you. You know me well enough to know that I am not like that, I think.” The corners of her mouth turned upward.
”What I am offering to you is an alibi.” She moved closer to him, keeping her voice low for his benefit. ”My family wants me to marry you. You need a Queen for the throne, an heir to continue the line-- but there need not be more than that between us.” Selene knew that her father would not approve of this, but she didn’t seem to care. ”If you were to marry me, you would gain a fitting match for the throne. It would satisfy my family’s desires and my own as well. But between you and I, I would offer discretion in return.” Her hand stayed on his forearm, knowing what it would seem like to those on the outside looking in.
It would look as if she was trying to seduce him.
”I do not care who you sleep with, so long as we do try for an heir. Should you wish to keep a bedfellow on the side, it would not harm my feelings in the slightest. All I ask is that you do not feel as if you need to keep it secret from me.” Her chin lifted boldly, her eyebrow arching a little. ”Life would appear exactly as it needed to for anyone looking in. Our families would be pacified on the marriage front, I would have the title I wish for, and you would be able to continue as you wish. I am offering an olive branch to you, and a promise that if you decide to pursue a marriage with me, I would do everything in my power to keep your secrets.”
She softened a bit, turning to him now, allowing anyone who wished to read her lips to see what she was saying. ”We give them what they are expecting, but on our own terms. And perhaps we will be able to find our own happiness in that.” Her hand reached to his cheek, resting it there with some affection. ”I do not need an answer now. Nor, should you choose not to accept, will I tell anyone what I know. I have always considered you a friend, and I am not in the habit of betraying those I consider to be friends.” There was the need to lay the groundwork for this to appear a bit more natural, to help his case in others thinking that it was not a farce. So she stepped closer, pressing a chaste kiss to his cheek. She pulled back with a secretive smile. ”I shall look forward to your answer, whatever it may be.”
Selene stepped back, gave him a deep bow of her head, then turned back and headed into the main room. For the first time in a long time, she felt like she had taken charge of her own life. And, in one way or another, she would have an answer. Then, she could either prepare for her wedding or start looking elsewhere for a suitable match. Her eyes glanced about the room, shooting a wink to the gaggle of Mikaelidas men before searching out the company of her sisters.
It wasn’t until she saw his face blanch that she realized just how much her implications sounded less like a compromise and more like blackmail. Her own cheeks flushed, for he took it differently than she had meant it. Her reputation as a social climber was well known, but she was not mean, like he seemed to think she was being. As soon as he spoke, she shook her head, unable to deny her need to make her meaning plain to him.
”Not at all.” She said softly, placing a hand on his forearm. Yes, her desire for the crown was deeply rooted in her family obligation, but she was not about to get it in this manner. She wanted it on her own terms, ”My proposal to you, Zacharias, is a marriage of mutual compromise.” Selene looked back out to the gardens, still knowing that the delicate nature of the conversation required privacy. ”This is not something I wish to hold over you, in an attempt to control you. You know me well enough to know that I am not like that, I think.” The corners of her mouth turned upward.
”What I am offering to you is an alibi.” She moved closer to him, keeping her voice low for his benefit. ”My family wants me to marry you. You need a Queen for the throne, an heir to continue the line-- but there need not be more than that between us.” Selene knew that her father would not approve of this, but she didn’t seem to care. ”If you were to marry me, you would gain a fitting match for the throne. It would satisfy my family’s desires and my own as well. But between you and I, I would offer discretion in return.” Her hand stayed on his forearm, knowing what it would seem like to those on the outside looking in.
It would look as if she was trying to seduce him.
”I do not care who you sleep with, so long as we do try for an heir. Should you wish to keep a bedfellow on the side, it would not harm my feelings in the slightest. All I ask is that you do not feel as if you need to keep it secret from me.” Her chin lifted boldly, her eyebrow arching a little. ”Life would appear exactly as it needed to for anyone looking in. Our families would be pacified on the marriage front, I would have the title I wish for, and you would be able to continue as you wish. I am offering an olive branch to you, and a promise that if you decide to pursue a marriage with me, I would do everything in my power to keep your secrets.”
She softened a bit, turning to him now, allowing anyone who wished to read her lips to see what she was saying. ”We give them what they are expecting, but on our own terms. And perhaps we will be able to find our own happiness in that.” Her hand reached to his cheek, resting it there with some affection. ”I do not need an answer now. Nor, should you choose not to accept, will I tell anyone what I know. I have always considered you a friend, and I am not in the habit of betraying those I consider to be friends.” There was the need to lay the groundwork for this to appear a bit more natural, to help his case in others thinking that it was not a farce. So she stepped closer, pressing a chaste kiss to his cheek. She pulled back with a secretive smile. ”I shall look forward to your answer, whatever it may be.”
Selene stepped back, gave him a deep bow of her head, then turned back and headed into the main room. For the first time in a long time, she felt like she had taken charge of her own life. And, in one way or another, she would have an answer. Then, she could either prepare for her wedding or start looking elsewhere for a suitable match. Her eyes glanced about the room, shooting a wink to the gaggle of Mikaelidas men before searching out the company of her sisters.
Nikolias definitely wasn't going to give up on possibly betting which Leventi young lady Stephanos would become engaged to, and said as much.
"Maybe you didn't hear me, gentlemen, shall we place bets on which girl it will be?" His money was on whichever one was not quick enough to pull herself from his side in time, which, in his opinion, would likely mean it would be Olympia, regardless of whether or not Stephanos tried to deny that they would end up together. Sleeping together on a fairly consistent basis didn't automatically mean marriage, it was true, but it did mean- generally- that one spent a lot of time around the same person. Of course, regardless of whether or not the others went for his idea, it didn't matter if the person wasn't here tonight. Then again, one could never tell, because who could say for certain what was on a parent's mind when negotiating a marriage for their offspring?
"Perhaps you should place the first bet, Lord Emilios, since you seem to be so certain that whatever is to happen will happen tonight," he added.
At Stephanos' idea that Nikolias should dance with Xene, he smiled, though the glint in his eyes showed that he knew he was, in a sense, the recipient of revenge on Stephanos' part. Trying to give as good as one got, he supposed.
Well played, young man, well played. He bowed in Xene's direction, though he addressed them both.
"It would be an honor." He would kiss her hand- at least for the sake of show- if she would allow it, as well. Anything to show Stephanos that Nikolias was not cowed in the least.
Speaking of the concept of a princess, Nikolias was, at the moment, unaware where one could be found, if Stephanos was so keen on marrying such a young woman. Though now that he thought about it, it would make sense, though nothing seemed to have been said to this effect, that Stephanos' father might attempt to delay marriage for his son until one could be found.
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Nikolias definitely wasn't going to give up on possibly betting which Leventi young lady Stephanos would become engaged to, and said as much.
"Maybe you didn't hear me, gentlemen, shall we place bets on which girl it will be?" His money was on whichever one was not quick enough to pull herself from his side in time, which, in his opinion, would likely mean it would be Olympia, regardless of whether or not Stephanos tried to deny that they would end up together. Sleeping together on a fairly consistent basis didn't automatically mean marriage, it was true, but it did mean- generally- that one spent a lot of time around the same person. Of course, regardless of whether or not the others went for his idea, it didn't matter if the person wasn't here tonight. Then again, one could never tell, because who could say for certain what was on a parent's mind when negotiating a marriage for their offspring?
"Perhaps you should place the first bet, Lord Emilios, since you seem to be so certain that whatever is to happen will happen tonight," he added.
At Stephanos' idea that Nikolias should dance with Xene, he smiled, though the glint in his eyes showed that he knew he was, in a sense, the recipient of revenge on Stephanos' part. Trying to give as good as one got, he supposed.
Well played, young man, well played. He bowed in Xene's direction, though he addressed them both.
"It would be an honor." He would kiss her hand- at least for the sake of show- if she would allow it, as well. Anything to show Stephanos that Nikolias was not cowed in the least.
Speaking of the concept of a princess, Nikolias was, at the moment, unaware where one could be found, if Stephanos was so keen on marrying such a young woman. Though now that he thought about it, it would make sense, though nothing seemed to have been said to this effect, that Stephanos' father might attempt to delay marriage for his son until one could be found.
Nikolias definitely wasn't going to give up on possibly betting which Leventi young lady Stephanos would become engaged to, and said as much.
"Maybe you didn't hear me, gentlemen, shall we place bets on which girl it will be?" His money was on whichever one was not quick enough to pull herself from his side in time, which, in his opinion, would likely mean it would be Olympia, regardless of whether or not Stephanos tried to deny that they would end up together. Sleeping together on a fairly consistent basis didn't automatically mean marriage, it was true, but it did mean- generally- that one spent a lot of time around the same person. Of course, regardless of whether or not the others went for his idea, it didn't matter if the person wasn't here tonight. Then again, one could never tell, because who could say for certain what was on a parent's mind when negotiating a marriage for their offspring?
"Perhaps you should place the first bet, Lord Emilios, since you seem to be so certain that whatever is to happen will happen tonight," he added.
At Stephanos' idea that Nikolias should dance with Xene, he smiled, though the glint in his eyes showed that he knew he was, in a sense, the recipient of revenge on Stephanos' part. Trying to give as good as one got, he supposed.
Well played, young man, well played. He bowed in Xene's direction, though he addressed them both.
"It would be an honor." He would kiss her hand- at least for the sake of show- if she would allow it, as well. Anything to show Stephanos that Nikolias was not cowed in the least.
Speaking of the concept of a princess, Nikolias was, at the moment, unaware where one could be found, if Stephanos was so keen on marrying such a young woman. Though now that he thought about it, it would make sense, though nothing seemed to have been said to this effect, that Stephanos' father might attempt to delay marriage for his son until one could be found.