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It was still like walking through a dream on a floor that was made of glass. Georgios knew that it could come crashing down at any moment. The physician could come back and tell them that he was wrong. Or maybe he was right and the baby would be gone before they even had a chance to process it. That may be the case, but that didn't mean they didn't have an obligation to let the other members of the family know more about the situation. While it may have been nice to invite all the Leventi's to the table, it wasn't practical. The last thing he needed was a long table full of every neice he had staring at him asking questions. Daughters and Fotios was enough. His brother could handle the rest as they headed out the door to Macendia.
Georgios attempted to do most of the planning, but he gave away a few of the tasks to those who were willing to take them. A good mask of happiness plastered over constant worry over each daughter and now his wife. He was a man about to be ripped at the seems with the weight he was carrying on his shoulders. Food was prepared with time to allow a very nice lamb and a few salted fish. It was accented with anything that a person could want - except olives. It had been scratched off the list without him even knowing about it.
Palms pressed against the wooden table top as he watched the servants busy around him. His whole body was tense watching them do what they needed to do as the hour was drawing nearer. Most of those that were invited were living in the Old Estate anyhow, it was a matter of waiting on Theodora, if she would come, and his brother Fotios who wasn't far away. His fingers reached out and twisted a plate. Was he overthinking all of this? Most definitely.
The Lord stepped away and stood just outside the hall they used for eating. He wanted to send his loud voice through the manor to see how long it was going to be until they were all down and ready to greet guests. He was getting anxious. Servants were instructed to go find Evelli, Imma, Nana, Selene, and Pia to check on their progress and report back to him. Or at least let Evelli know that the time was drawing nearer. A house full of women. What had he done to end up in a world like this? But, don't let that current grimace fool anyone... he loved his family just the way it was. He only hoped that the new addition would not create too many waves.
He had also requested a goblet of wine to be put in his hand so he could start to sip. It wasn't because he wanted to get drunk. That was sloppy. He just needed something to do while he waited.
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It was still like walking through a dream on a floor that was made of glass. Georgios knew that it could come crashing down at any moment. The physician could come back and tell them that he was wrong. Or maybe he was right and the baby would be gone before they even had a chance to process it. That may be the case, but that didn't mean they didn't have an obligation to let the other members of the family know more about the situation. While it may have been nice to invite all the Leventi's to the table, it wasn't practical. The last thing he needed was a long table full of every neice he had staring at him asking questions. Daughters and Fotios was enough. His brother could handle the rest as they headed out the door to Macendia.
Georgios attempted to do most of the planning, but he gave away a few of the tasks to those who were willing to take them. A good mask of happiness plastered over constant worry over each daughter and now his wife. He was a man about to be ripped at the seems with the weight he was carrying on his shoulders. Food was prepared with time to allow a very nice lamb and a few salted fish. It was accented with anything that a person could want - except olives. It had been scratched off the list without him even knowing about it.
Palms pressed against the wooden table top as he watched the servants busy around him. His whole body was tense watching them do what they needed to do as the hour was drawing nearer. Most of those that were invited were living in the Old Estate anyhow, it was a matter of waiting on Theodora, if she would come, and his brother Fotios who wasn't far away. His fingers reached out and twisted a plate. Was he overthinking all of this? Most definitely.
The Lord stepped away and stood just outside the hall they used for eating. He wanted to send his loud voice through the manor to see how long it was going to be until they were all down and ready to greet guests. He was getting anxious. Servants were instructed to go find Evelli, Imma, Nana, Selene, and Pia to check on their progress and report back to him. Or at least let Evelli know that the time was drawing nearer. A house full of women. What had he done to end up in a world like this? But, don't let that current grimace fool anyone... he loved his family just the way it was. He only hoped that the new addition would not create too many waves.
He had also requested a goblet of wine to be put in his hand so he could start to sip. It wasn't because he wanted to get drunk. That was sloppy. He just needed something to do while he waited.
It was still like walking through a dream on a floor that was made of glass. Georgios knew that it could come crashing down at any moment. The physician could come back and tell them that he was wrong. Or maybe he was right and the baby would be gone before they even had a chance to process it. That may be the case, but that didn't mean they didn't have an obligation to let the other members of the family know more about the situation. While it may have been nice to invite all the Leventi's to the table, it wasn't practical. The last thing he needed was a long table full of every neice he had staring at him asking questions. Daughters and Fotios was enough. His brother could handle the rest as they headed out the door to Macendia.
Georgios attempted to do most of the planning, but he gave away a few of the tasks to those who were willing to take them. A good mask of happiness plastered over constant worry over each daughter and now his wife. He was a man about to be ripped at the seems with the weight he was carrying on his shoulders. Food was prepared with time to allow a very nice lamb and a few salted fish. It was accented with anything that a person could want - except olives. It had been scratched off the list without him even knowing about it.
Palms pressed against the wooden table top as he watched the servants busy around him. His whole body was tense watching them do what they needed to do as the hour was drawing nearer. Most of those that were invited were living in the Old Estate anyhow, it was a matter of waiting on Theodora, if she would come, and his brother Fotios who wasn't far away. His fingers reached out and twisted a plate. Was he overthinking all of this? Most definitely.
The Lord stepped away and stood just outside the hall they used for eating. He wanted to send his loud voice through the manor to see how long it was going to be until they were all down and ready to greet guests. He was getting anxious. Servants were instructed to go find Evelli, Imma, Nana, Selene, and Pia to check on their progress and report back to him. Or at least let Evelli know that the time was drawing nearer. A house full of women. What had he done to end up in a world like this? But, don't let that current grimace fool anyone... he loved his family just the way it was. He only hoped that the new addition would not create too many waves.
He had also requested a goblet of wine to be put in his hand so he could start to sip. It wasn't because he wanted to get drunk. That was sloppy. He just needed something to do while he waited.
As she got to what Evelli suspected would be the end of her third month of being pregnant, she had fully expected her energy to recover and her ability to resume regular chores would come back to her. That had been how her past few pregnancies had been like anyhow.
Carrying Selene had been the easiest, the period which Evelli had practically breezed past, while Nana had kept her head stuck to the chamber pot for the better part of the first half, but it seems this one was being particularly difficult. Evelli found it hard to even crawl out of bed from purely being tired sometimes ever since they had arrived home almost a week ago, and in a way, she was looking forward to returning to Macendia, and had pretty much been glad to agree when her husband had suggested as such. She believed being back in their family home would help her daughter's recover from their trip to Colchis.
While Evelli had been inclined to believe the physician had been cooking up a lie at first, as her condition was brought to her attention, more and more of her bodily changes became apparent to Evelli's previously nonchalant state. Her breasts were becoming sensitive, and she was having a growing dislike for bread along with the obvious distaste for olives, two things Evelli had previously enjoyed. Instead, the woman merely wanted fruit juices and fresh fruits these days, and she considered herself lucky she was born of nobility, to have access to them.
The dinner would be soon, and while she didn't like the idea of parading in front of people once again, for she had thought herself long done with them, she knew she had no choice. Better to tell everyone with one fell swoop, then informing them one by one, before they returned to Macendia. She felt better when Georgios informed her it would only be with his brother, but Evelli knew what would come of Fotios being informed.
It wasn't as if she didn't share his sentiments - a part of Evelli wished dearly this was a boy. At least she could be a part of his growing up, could she not? It would fulfill her last wish, and if the Gods wanted to grant her a pregnancy so late in her years, it would be a cruel joke to provide her with another girl.
Taking another deep breath and what was possibly the fiftieth prayer ever since they found out about the pregnancy for the child to be a boy, Evelli eventually allowed the servants to put the final touches on her purple and blue outfit, chinching it above her waist rather then the abdomen where the child was carried. Her hair was brushed and curled up in an elegant coiffure above her head, and Evelli proceeded to clasp the Leventi crest around her neck, the pendant resting in the hollow of her neck, before making her way down to the dining hall, just as the servant her husband sent came looking for her.
She smiled despite herself, knowing Georgios was probably worried. He had spent many, many years waiting for his gaggle of girl's to be ready for some event or the other, but while Evelli felt bad, she knew how long women took to get ready. Nodding to tell the servant to fetch the other girl's instead, she made her way down, smiling as she reached her husband. Curling a hand around the goblet of wine he held, she took a deep breathe of the fine Condos brew, but made no move to sip at it. No sense in trying when the physician could not be sure if wine would be beneficial to a babe. "They'll come soon. I'm sure Theodora would come. We have not had a meal with everyone in awhile."
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As she got to what Evelli suspected would be the end of her third month of being pregnant, she had fully expected her energy to recover and her ability to resume regular chores would come back to her. That had been how her past few pregnancies had been like anyhow.
Carrying Selene had been the easiest, the period which Evelli had practically breezed past, while Nana had kept her head stuck to the chamber pot for the better part of the first half, but it seems this one was being particularly difficult. Evelli found it hard to even crawl out of bed from purely being tired sometimes ever since they had arrived home almost a week ago, and in a way, she was looking forward to returning to Macendia, and had pretty much been glad to agree when her husband had suggested as such. She believed being back in their family home would help her daughter's recover from their trip to Colchis.
While Evelli had been inclined to believe the physician had been cooking up a lie at first, as her condition was brought to her attention, more and more of her bodily changes became apparent to Evelli's previously nonchalant state. Her breasts were becoming sensitive, and she was having a growing dislike for bread along with the obvious distaste for olives, two things Evelli had previously enjoyed. Instead, the woman merely wanted fruit juices and fresh fruits these days, and she considered herself lucky she was born of nobility, to have access to them.
The dinner would be soon, and while she didn't like the idea of parading in front of people once again, for she had thought herself long done with them, she knew she had no choice. Better to tell everyone with one fell swoop, then informing them one by one, before they returned to Macendia. She felt better when Georgios informed her it would only be with his brother, but Evelli knew what would come of Fotios being informed.
It wasn't as if she didn't share his sentiments - a part of Evelli wished dearly this was a boy. At least she could be a part of his growing up, could she not? It would fulfill her last wish, and if the Gods wanted to grant her a pregnancy so late in her years, it would be a cruel joke to provide her with another girl.
Taking another deep breath and what was possibly the fiftieth prayer ever since they found out about the pregnancy for the child to be a boy, Evelli eventually allowed the servants to put the final touches on her purple and blue outfit, chinching it above her waist rather then the abdomen where the child was carried. Her hair was brushed and curled up in an elegant coiffure above her head, and Evelli proceeded to clasp the Leventi crest around her neck, the pendant resting in the hollow of her neck, before making her way down to the dining hall, just as the servant her husband sent came looking for her.
She smiled despite herself, knowing Georgios was probably worried. He had spent many, many years waiting for his gaggle of girl's to be ready for some event or the other, but while Evelli felt bad, she knew how long women took to get ready. Nodding to tell the servant to fetch the other girl's instead, she made her way down, smiling as she reached her husband. Curling a hand around the goblet of wine he held, she took a deep breathe of the fine Condos brew, but made no move to sip at it. No sense in trying when the physician could not be sure if wine would be beneficial to a babe. "They'll come soon. I'm sure Theodora would come. We have not had a meal with everyone in awhile."
As she got to what Evelli suspected would be the end of her third month of being pregnant, she had fully expected her energy to recover and her ability to resume regular chores would come back to her. That had been how her past few pregnancies had been like anyhow.
Carrying Selene had been the easiest, the period which Evelli had practically breezed past, while Nana had kept her head stuck to the chamber pot for the better part of the first half, but it seems this one was being particularly difficult. Evelli found it hard to even crawl out of bed from purely being tired sometimes ever since they had arrived home almost a week ago, and in a way, she was looking forward to returning to Macendia, and had pretty much been glad to agree when her husband had suggested as such. She believed being back in their family home would help her daughter's recover from their trip to Colchis.
While Evelli had been inclined to believe the physician had been cooking up a lie at first, as her condition was brought to her attention, more and more of her bodily changes became apparent to Evelli's previously nonchalant state. Her breasts were becoming sensitive, and she was having a growing dislike for bread along with the obvious distaste for olives, two things Evelli had previously enjoyed. Instead, the woman merely wanted fruit juices and fresh fruits these days, and she considered herself lucky she was born of nobility, to have access to them.
The dinner would be soon, and while she didn't like the idea of parading in front of people once again, for she had thought herself long done with them, she knew she had no choice. Better to tell everyone with one fell swoop, then informing them one by one, before they returned to Macendia. She felt better when Georgios informed her it would only be with his brother, but Evelli knew what would come of Fotios being informed.
It wasn't as if she didn't share his sentiments - a part of Evelli wished dearly this was a boy. At least she could be a part of his growing up, could she not? It would fulfill her last wish, and if the Gods wanted to grant her a pregnancy so late in her years, it would be a cruel joke to provide her with another girl.
Taking another deep breath and what was possibly the fiftieth prayer ever since they found out about the pregnancy for the child to be a boy, Evelli eventually allowed the servants to put the final touches on her purple and blue outfit, chinching it above her waist rather then the abdomen where the child was carried. Her hair was brushed and curled up in an elegant coiffure above her head, and Evelli proceeded to clasp the Leventi crest around her neck, the pendant resting in the hollow of her neck, before making her way down to the dining hall, just as the servant her husband sent came looking for her.
She smiled despite herself, knowing Georgios was probably worried. He had spent many, many years waiting for his gaggle of girl's to be ready for some event or the other, but while Evelli felt bad, she knew how long women took to get ready. Nodding to tell the servant to fetch the other girl's instead, she made her way down, smiling as she reached her husband. Curling a hand around the goblet of wine he held, she took a deep breathe of the fine Condos brew, but made no move to sip at it. No sense in trying when the physician could not be sure if wine would be beneficial to a babe. "They'll come soon. I'm sure Theodora would come. We have not had a meal with everyone in awhile."
For the first time in months, Olympia had someone else assisting her to dress. She was draped in the lavender purple chiton her mother had brought her in Colchis, one of the few dresses she had in her possession, a simple belt showing off her frame that was perhaps far too thin for a woman who had given birth three months back. There was still for her a too obvious swell in her stomach that she had hoped would fade with time, but it seemed it stubbornly remained even as the rest of her had slimmed down from her basic diet and worried picking at most everything but bread and water and the most simple of meats. A hold over from her fear of being poisoned when she had been a prisoner in her own home, and after watching her sister's ex-fiance very nearly die of it himself before her.
Her dark hair had been washed and the curls dressed simply in a low chignon, no ornaments adorned it and she wore no jewelry save for the gold band around her finger that Stephanos had given her when they exchanged vows. It was due in part to the fact that all of her jewels had been left behind in the palace when they fled for their lives, and that the items Nana had offered her would have only given Tisiphone something to yank at with a grip that was far too strong for someone so small.
A simple grey himation was draped over her shoulders, and she was prepared to join her parents, turning to the maid who had been wrapping Tisiphone in her own swaddling clothes. The little girl giggled at the sight of her mother, Pia's expression one of wide eyed joy as she tickled her little one, the smile on her daughter's face filling her with joy even as the blonde curls that had started to come in reminded her so much of the husband she missed. Her eyes too were a mirror image of Stephanos' own, and as she lifted Tisi into her arms she wished that they were encompassed by his embrace as they had been when he left for war.
Prepared for a night with family, at least in appearance if not emotionally, Olympia carried her daughter through the halls, pointing out things that she remembered from her own childhood as the girl tried to grab for everything brightly colored and shiny that caught her eye. A smile was still on her lips as she entered the room, widening as Tisiphone gave an excited shriek at the sight of her grandparents. In the brief time she had been spending time with them, it had become obvious how much the little girl enjoyed the doting affections of Georgios and Evelli both, but she flailed her hands most vigorously at Georgios.
"Good evening Mama, Papa." Pia bent to kiss first Evelli, and then shifted to sit close to her father so that Tisiphone's enthusiastic grip could gather a fistful of his chiton, clicking her tongue as she lifted a hand to prevent it from disappearing into the infant's mouth. "Forgive her. She slept a good deal today and seems to think everyone should be as energetic as her this evening. Are you well, Mama? You look a bit pale."
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For the first time in months, Olympia had someone else assisting her to dress. She was draped in the lavender purple chiton her mother had brought her in Colchis, one of the few dresses she had in her possession, a simple belt showing off her frame that was perhaps far too thin for a woman who had given birth three months back. There was still for her a too obvious swell in her stomach that she had hoped would fade with time, but it seemed it stubbornly remained even as the rest of her had slimmed down from her basic diet and worried picking at most everything but bread and water and the most simple of meats. A hold over from her fear of being poisoned when she had been a prisoner in her own home, and after watching her sister's ex-fiance very nearly die of it himself before her.
Her dark hair had been washed and the curls dressed simply in a low chignon, no ornaments adorned it and she wore no jewelry save for the gold band around her finger that Stephanos had given her when they exchanged vows. It was due in part to the fact that all of her jewels had been left behind in the palace when they fled for their lives, and that the items Nana had offered her would have only given Tisiphone something to yank at with a grip that was far too strong for someone so small.
A simple grey himation was draped over her shoulders, and she was prepared to join her parents, turning to the maid who had been wrapping Tisiphone in her own swaddling clothes. The little girl giggled at the sight of her mother, Pia's expression one of wide eyed joy as she tickled her little one, the smile on her daughter's face filling her with joy even as the blonde curls that had started to come in reminded her so much of the husband she missed. Her eyes too were a mirror image of Stephanos' own, and as she lifted Tisi into her arms she wished that they were encompassed by his embrace as they had been when he left for war.
Prepared for a night with family, at least in appearance if not emotionally, Olympia carried her daughter through the halls, pointing out things that she remembered from her own childhood as the girl tried to grab for everything brightly colored and shiny that caught her eye. A smile was still on her lips as she entered the room, widening as Tisiphone gave an excited shriek at the sight of her grandparents. In the brief time she had been spending time with them, it had become obvious how much the little girl enjoyed the doting affections of Georgios and Evelli both, but she flailed her hands most vigorously at Georgios.
"Good evening Mama, Papa." Pia bent to kiss first Evelli, and then shifted to sit close to her father so that Tisiphone's enthusiastic grip could gather a fistful of his chiton, clicking her tongue as she lifted a hand to prevent it from disappearing into the infant's mouth. "Forgive her. She slept a good deal today and seems to think everyone should be as energetic as her this evening. Are you well, Mama? You look a bit pale."
For the first time in months, Olympia had someone else assisting her to dress. She was draped in the lavender purple chiton her mother had brought her in Colchis, one of the few dresses she had in her possession, a simple belt showing off her frame that was perhaps far too thin for a woman who had given birth three months back. There was still for her a too obvious swell in her stomach that she had hoped would fade with time, but it seemed it stubbornly remained even as the rest of her had slimmed down from her basic diet and worried picking at most everything but bread and water and the most simple of meats. A hold over from her fear of being poisoned when she had been a prisoner in her own home, and after watching her sister's ex-fiance very nearly die of it himself before her.
Her dark hair had been washed and the curls dressed simply in a low chignon, no ornaments adorned it and she wore no jewelry save for the gold band around her finger that Stephanos had given her when they exchanged vows. It was due in part to the fact that all of her jewels had been left behind in the palace when they fled for their lives, and that the items Nana had offered her would have only given Tisiphone something to yank at with a grip that was far too strong for someone so small.
A simple grey himation was draped over her shoulders, and she was prepared to join her parents, turning to the maid who had been wrapping Tisiphone in her own swaddling clothes. The little girl giggled at the sight of her mother, Pia's expression one of wide eyed joy as she tickled her little one, the smile on her daughter's face filling her with joy even as the blonde curls that had started to come in reminded her so much of the husband she missed. Her eyes too were a mirror image of Stephanos' own, and as she lifted Tisi into her arms she wished that they were encompassed by his embrace as they had been when he left for war.
Prepared for a night with family, at least in appearance if not emotionally, Olympia carried her daughter through the halls, pointing out things that she remembered from her own childhood as the girl tried to grab for everything brightly colored and shiny that caught her eye. A smile was still on her lips as she entered the room, widening as Tisiphone gave an excited shriek at the sight of her grandparents. In the brief time she had been spending time with them, it had become obvious how much the little girl enjoyed the doting affections of Georgios and Evelli both, but she flailed her hands most vigorously at Georgios.
"Good evening Mama, Papa." Pia bent to kiss first Evelli, and then shifted to sit close to her father so that Tisiphone's enthusiastic grip could gather a fistful of his chiton, clicking her tongue as she lifted a hand to prevent it from disappearing into the infant's mouth. "Forgive her. She slept a good deal today and seems to think everyone should be as energetic as her this evening. Are you well, Mama? You look a bit pale."
Fotios held assuredly little interest in dining with his brother and the corresponding branch of the Leventi House that evening. Whilst he was a man that held great pride, honour and devotion to the name of Leventi, it was a constant frustration to him that without alienating those that he needed to keep the House strong, he could not decide who might bear said name. As more and more women were, over the years, added to the Leventi House, Fotios was refused the right of casting out those that were perhaps the most annoying, for he needed some of them to marry beneath their station, retain their name and produce male heirs. The others he would utilise to marry up, have them shed the name Leventi and replace their own ownership of it with large sums of gold or trade agreements.
Yet, it had not at all worked out in such a way.
The women who had been married with high expectations and ambitions had yet to see him to any kind of value - they had either failed to secure their unions or seen their husbands leave for war or exile almost immediately after marriage. And the ones that were left... had caused reputations for themselves as ambitious drama queens or meek little mice and held no true likelihood of being married at all.
Once again, so much for all the powers of the Head of House if you could not choose the quality of beings the possessed the name.
Yet, given his brothers aided him in the workload of running the Leventi empire of trade and commerce, he could hardly speak such thoughts aloud. Instead, he permitted the decisions of the Fates and the Godly intervention on his family, took it as a challenge that had been presented before his otherwise unoccupied mind, and utilised the pieces he had been given.
So, when Georgios sent the request that he was to join the man and his family for dinner that evening, Fotios had had little opportunity to decline. Leaving his wife unhappily to address her dinner herself with their three children, Fotios had dressed for a formal meal in a charcoal grey chiton with silver adornment and threaded edging and pulled a black himation about his shoulders. His sandals were quick and light of step as he moved across the courtyard and towards the building that was legally his own and yet had been adopted by Georgios and his offspring given the amount of time they had been spending in the capitol.
When he reached the entryway to the manor, a servant greeted him formally and suggested that he let Lord Georgios know of his arrival. With a quailing glare in the young boy's direction, Fotios made it clear that he would do no such thing. For he was not about to be announced him to his own damn house.
Making a mental note to fire the boy as soon as such paperwork could be arranged, Fotios moved through the hallways of the estate with the confidence only a man in his position could garner, his expression one of a man forced to attend an execution over a dinner.
"What is this all about, Georgios?" He asked, as he located several members of the family already in attendance, overriding whatever conversation was being garnered over the child Olympia held. "I had plans this evening." Plans that involved sitting at home and working, then bedding my wife, not being around here with you and yours. But that seemed hardly details relevant to the discussion.
Instead, Fotios' gaze moved from his brother to his wife and then to their daughter, his stare moving from her face to the child she held.
"Another girl, I see." He added, without either approving or scathing tone; simply that of a sad statement of fact that he had already been expecting.
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Fotios held assuredly little interest in dining with his brother and the corresponding branch of the Leventi House that evening. Whilst he was a man that held great pride, honour and devotion to the name of Leventi, it was a constant frustration to him that without alienating those that he needed to keep the House strong, he could not decide who might bear said name. As more and more women were, over the years, added to the Leventi House, Fotios was refused the right of casting out those that were perhaps the most annoying, for he needed some of them to marry beneath their station, retain their name and produce male heirs. The others he would utilise to marry up, have them shed the name Leventi and replace their own ownership of it with large sums of gold or trade agreements.
Yet, it had not at all worked out in such a way.
The women who had been married with high expectations and ambitions had yet to see him to any kind of value - they had either failed to secure their unions or seen their husbands leave for war or exile almost immediately after marriage. And the ones that were left... had caused reputations for themselves as ambitious drama queens or meek little mice and held no true likelihood of being married at all.
Once again, so much for all the powers of the Head of House if you could not choose the quality of beings the possessed the name.
Yet, given his brothers aided him in the workload of running the Leventi empire of trade and commerce, he could hardly speak such thoughts aloud. Instead, he permitted the decisions of the Fates and the Godly intervention on his family, took it as a challenge that had been presented before his otherwise unoccupied mind, and utilised the pieces he had been given.
So, when Georgios sent the request that he was to join the man and his family for dinner that evening, Fotios had had little opportunity to decline. Leaving his wife unhappily to address her dinner herself with their three children, Fotios had dressed for a formal meal in a charcoal grey chiton with silver adornment and threaded edging and pulled a black himation about his shoulders. His sandals were quick and light of step as he moved across the courtyard and towards the building that was legally his own and yet had been adopted by Georgios and his offspring given the amount of time they had been spending in the capitol.
When he reached the entryway to the manor, a servant greeted him formally and suggested that he let Lord Georgios know of his arrival. With a quailing glare in the young boy's direction, Fotios made it clear that he would do no such thing. For he was not about to be announced him to his own damn house.
Making a mental note to fire the boy as soon as such paperwork could be arranged, Fotios moved through the hallways of the estate with the confidence only a man in his position could garner, his expression one of a man forced to attend an execution over a dinner.
"What is this all about, Georgios?" He asked, as he located several members of the family already in attendance, overriding whatever conversation was being garnered over the child Olympia held. "I had plans this evening." Plans that involved sitting at home and working, then bedding my wife, not being around here with you and yours. But that seemed hardly details relevant to the discussion.
Instead, Fotios' gaze moved from his brother to his wife and then to their daughter, his stare moving from her face to the child she held.
"Another girl, I see." He added, without either approving or scathing tone; simply that of a sad statement of fact that he had already been expecting.
Fotios held assuredly little interest in dining with his brother and the corresponding branch of the Leventi House that evening. Whilst he was a man that held great pride, honour and devotion to the name of Leventi, it was a constant frustration to him that without alienating those that he needed to keep the House strong, he could not decide who might bear said name. As more and more women were, over the years, added to the Leventi House, Fotios was refused the right of casting out those that were perhaps the most annoying, for he needed some of them to marry beneath their station, retain their name and produce male heirs. The others he would utilise to marry up, have them shed the name Leventi and replace their own ownership of it with large sums of gold or trade agreements.
Yet, it had not at all worked out in such a way.
The women who had been married with high expectations and ambitions had yet to see him to any kind of value - they had either failed to secure their unions or seen their husbands leave for war or exile almost immediately after marriage. And the ones that were left... had caused reputations for themselves as ambitious drama queens or meek little mice and held no true likelihood of being married at all.
Once again, so much for all the powers of the Head of House if you could not choose the quality of beings the possessed the name.
Yet, given his brothers aided him in the workload of running the Leventi empire of trade and commerce, he could hardly speak such thoughts aloud. Instead, he permitted the decisions of the Fates and the Godly intervention on his family, took it as a challenge that had been presented before his otherwise unoccupied mind, and utilised the pieces he had been given.
So, when Georgios sent the request that he was to join the man and his family for dinner that evening, Fotios had had little opportunity to decline. Leaving his wife unhappily to address her dinner herself with their three children, Fotios had dressed for a formal meal in a charcoal grey chiton with silver adornment and threaded edging and pulled a black himation about his shoulders. His sandals were quick and light of step as he moved across the courtyard and towards the building that was legally his own and yet had been adopted by Georgios and his offspring given the amount of time they had been spending in the capitol.
When he reached the entryway to the manor, a servant greeted him formally and suggested that he let Lord Georgios know of his arrival. With a quailing glare in the young boy's direction, Fotios made it clear that he would do no such thing. For he was not about to be announced him to his own damn house.
Making a mental note to fire the boy as soon as such paperwork could be arranged, Fotios moved through the hallways of the estate with the confidence only a man in his position could garner, his expression one of a man forced to attend an execution over a dinner.
"What is this all about, Georgios?" He asked, as he located several members of the family already in attendance, overriding whatever conversation was being garnered over the child Olympia held. "I had plans this evening." Plans that involved sitting at home and working, then bedding my wife, not being around here with you and yours. But that seemed hardly details relevant to the discussion.
Instead, Fotios' gaze moved from his brother to his wife and then to their daughter, his stare moving from her face to the child she held.
"Another girl, I see." He added, without either approving or scathing tone; simply that of a sad statement of fact that he had already been expecting.
His wife always knew how to calm him instantly with as little as a touch, but her words were also helpful. There had been different reactions played again and again in his mind when he had thought about this dinner over the past twenty-four hours. Sometimes it went well. Other times, it was a disaster. It was part of the reason he had only invited his brother. The more people in a room made more of a chance that the room might erupt into chaos over such a sudden surprise. A half smile was given to Evelli along with a nod before he looked to Olympia and Tisiphone.
"Good evening, Pia." Georgios started and might have said more when she gave excuses for the child. He had been around plenty of babies and this minor infraction against his clothing was not anything to be worried about. Olympia always seemed to be so worried... she was going to end up with far too many wrinkles too soon if she kept up needing to find excuses for Tisiphone and everything that she did. Georgios had no time to give her the reassurance passed through his mind when his older brother was passing into the foyer they were all standing.
What might have been a smile before was now curving into a smirk hearing not a pleasant greeting from Fotios, but instead a questioning of why he had to be here at all. Georgios' grin returned and he shook his head with a hand out to gesture towards the hall where the food had been prepared. A little much and a little overdone, but this was supposed to be a celebration - he hoped. There was a part of him that thought if he could set the right mood he would get the reaction from all of them that he wanted. Or maybe if they were all happy that Georgios could move from utter shock into something more real.
"You can be patient, brother." He gave a glance as he knew that the others would be in attendance as soon as they were ready, but he could already tell that Fotios was being ... well Fotios. Georgios did not even give attention to the mention on the gender of the baby. He knew that he was probably about to be accused of the same with child number six unless there would be boy talk. Did the gods already know how much the Leventi wanted another male heir?
He cleared his throat and gave a brush of a hand to Evelli's side. "Let us go sit and give the rest of the girls a few more minutes. I won't keep you all night from your plans for this celebration." He stepped in the direction of the table as he instructed they could proceed from one space to another. It was hard enough to keep a secret from his brother. "We will be leaving for Macendia tomorrow, however I will be available whenever you send for me." His daughters and his wife needed the space and he thought it would be less stressful at Evelli. Georgios was still dedicated to Taengea even if he wasn't going to stay in the Capitol all of the time.
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His wife always knew how to calm him instantly with as little as a touch, but her words were also helpful. There had been different reactions played again and again in his mind when he had thought about this dinner over the past twenty-four hours. Sometimes it went well. Other times, it was a disaster. It was part of the reason he had only invited his brother. The more people in a room made more of a chance that the room might erupt into chaos over such a sudden surprise. A half smile was given to Evelli along with a nod before he looked to Olympia and Tisiphone.
"Good evening, Pia." Georgios started and might have said more when she gave excuses for the child. He had been around plenty of babies and this minor infraction against his clothing was not anything to be worried about. Olympia always seemed to be so worried... she was going to end up with far too many wrinkles too soon if she kept up needing to find excuses for Tisiphone and everything that she did. Georgios had no time to give her the reassurance passed through his mind when his older brother was passing into the foyer they were all standing.
What might have been a smile before was now curving into a smirk hearing not a pleasant greeting from Fotios, but instead a questioning of why he had to be here at all. Georgios' grin returned and he shook his head with a hand out to gesture towards the hall where the food had been prepared. A little much and a little overdone, but this was supposed to be a celebration - he hoped. There was a part of him that thought if he could set the right mood he would get the reaction from all of them that he wanted. Or maybe if they were all happy that Georgios could move from utter shock into something more real.
"You can be patient, brother." He gave a glance as he knew that the others would be in attendance as soon as they were ready, but he could already tell that Fotios was being ... well Fotios. Georgios did not even give attention to the mention on the gender of the baby. He knew that he was probably about to be accused of the same with child number six unless there would be boy talk. Did the gods already know how much the Leventi wanted another male heir?
He cleared his throat and gave a brush of a hand to Evelli's side. "Let us go sit and give the rest of the girls a few more minutes. I won't keep you all night from your plans for this celebration." He stepped in the direction of the table as he instructed they could proceed from one space to another. It was hard enough to keep a secret from his brother. "We will be leaving for Macendia tomorrow, however I will be available whenever you send for me." His daughters and his wife needed the space and he thought it would be less stressful at Evelli. Georgios was still dedicated to Taengea even if he wasn't going to stay in the Capitol all of the time.
His wife always knew how to calm him instantly with as little as a touch, but her words were also helpful. There had been different reactions played again and again in his mind when he had thought about this dinner over the past twenty-four hours. Sometimes it went well. Other times, it was a disaster. It was part of the reason he had only invited his brother. The more people in a room made more of a chance that the room might erupt into chaos over such a sudden surprise. A half smile was given to Evelli along with a nod before he looked to Olympia and Tisiphone.
"Good evening, Pia." Georgios started and might have said more when she gave excuses for the child. He had been around plenty of babies and this minor infraction against his clothing was not anything to be worried about. Olympia always seemed to be so worried... she was going to end up with far too many wrinkles too soon if she kept up needing to find excuses for Tisiphone and everything that she did. Georgios had no time to give her the reassurance passed through his mind when his older brother was passing into the foyer they were all standing.
What might have been a smile before was now curving into a smirk hearing not a pleasant greeting from Fotios, but instead a questioning of why he had to be here at all. Georgios' grin returned and he shook his head with a hand out to gesture towards the hall where the food had been prepared. A little much and a little overdone, but this was supposed to be a celebration - he hoped. There was a part of him that thought if he could set the right mood he would get the reaction from all of them that he wanted. Or maybe if they were all happy that Georgios could move from utter shock into something more real.
"You can be patient, brother." He gave a glance as he knew that the others would be in attendance as soon as they were ready, but he could already tell that Fotios was being ... well Fotios. Georgios did not even give attention to the mention on the gender of the baby. He knew that he was probably about to be accused of the same with child number six unless there would be boy talk. Did the gods already know how much the Leventi wanted another male heir?
He cleared his throat and gave a brush of a hand to Evelli's side. "Let us go sit and give the rest of the girls a few more minutes. I won't keep you all night from your plans for this celebration." He stepped in the direction of the table as he instructed they could proceed from one space to another. It was hard enough to keep a secret from his brother. "We will be leaving for Macendia tomorrow, however I will be available whenever you send for me." His daughters and his wife needed the space and he thought it would be less stressful at Evelli. Georgios was still dedicated to Taengea even if he wasn't going to stay in the Capitol all of the time.
Fotios routinely held an attitude that was neither snide or snarky but also not particularly pleasant. He fell somewhere in the middle ground, where he set others on edge but also could not truly be called out upon anything he said to be particularly insulting. Instead, he simply stated what he thought and left his actions to be observed as they were.
For whilst he might have waltzed into the manor with less than a wondrous introduction, he had come. And had the inviter been anyone other than his brother, he was more likely to have not. His very presence was a comment in and of itself and those who knew him well - like his brother - would witness that, even when his words showed him to be there under duress.
When his words over the baby's gender were ignored by Georgios in his taking of the child, Fotios didn't bother to repeat himself. Instead, he simply rolled his eyes at his brother’s assurance that he could be patient.
"For a limited period." He agreed with the man only slightly, before obeying the suggestion that he follow the so far collected members of Georgios' family to the large hall, decked for dining and celebrations.
When his brother's words confirmed that this was indeed a moment to be cherished would be a positive announcement, his gaze instantly flickered to Evelli with a knowing look. Fotios was more than aware of the foods and herbs that had been recently ordered to the manor that would aid in nausea and fatigue. And he knew that a physician had been summoned recently. He had simply assumed that Evelli was either with child again or dying. Given that his brother now labelled this meet as a celebration, it had to be the former.
Fotios' gaze dropped momentarily to Evelli's waist and then back to her face, as if he were sizing her up. She was not of prime age to have this child but clearly Georgios' didn't much worry about that.
What Fotios was frustrated by was how this pregnancy would likely spark Eirini's persistent desire to try for another. If Evelli was successful in birthing a babe at her age it would embolden Eirini's desire to try herself. Something that Fotios was none too enthused by.
So, thanks for that, brother... He thought to himself, before he moved towards the nearest receptacle of wine and poured himself a chalice. At least his brother always kept a good stock of the stuff...
"I can't say I'll be disappointed brother." He offered, in reply to Georgios' revelation that the family was relocating back to their province for now. "This manor is far too noisy of late."
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Fotios routinely held an attitude that was neither snide or snarky but also not particularly pleasant. He fell somewhere in the middle ground, where he set others on edge but also could not truly be called out upon anything he said to be particularly insulting. Instead, he simply stated what he thought and left his actions to be observed as they were.
For whilst he might have waltzed into the manor with less than a wondrous introduction, he had come. And had the inviter been anyone other than his brother, he was more likely to have not. His very presence was a comment in and of itself and those who knew him well - like his brother - would witness that, even when his words showed him to be there under duress.
When his words over the baby's gender were ignored by Georgios in his taking of the child, Fotios didn't bother to repeat himself. Instead, he simply rolled his eyes at his brother’s assurance that he could be patient.
"For a limited period." He agreed with the man only slightly, before obeying the suggestion that he follow the so far collected members of Georgios' family to the large hall, decked for dining and celebrations.
When his brother's words confirmed that this was indeed a moment to be cherished would be a positive announcement, his gaze instantly flickered to Evelli with a knowing look. Fotios was more than aware of the foods and herbs that had been recently ordered to the manor that would aid in nausea and fatigue. And he knew that a physician had been summoned recently. He had simply assumed that Evelli was either with child again or dying. Given that his brother now labelled this meet as a celebration, it had to be the former.
Fotios' gaze dropped momentarily to Evelli's waist and then back to her face, as if he were sizing her up. She was not of prime age to have this child but clearly Georgios' didn't much worry about that.
What Fotios was frustrated by was how this pregnancy would likely spark Eirini's persistent desire to try for another. If Evelli was successful in birthing a babe at her age it would embolden Eirini's desire to try herself. Something that Fotios was none too enthused by.
So, thanks for that, brother... He thought to himself, before he moved towards the nearest receptacle of wine and poured himself a chalice. At least his brother always kept a good stock of the stuff...
"I can't say I'll be disappointed brother." He offered, in reply to Georgios' revelation that the family was relocating back to their province for now. "This manor is far too noisy of late."
Fotios routinely held an attitude that was neither snide or snarky but also not particularly pleasant. He fell somewhere in the middle ground, where he set others on edge but also could not truly be called out upon anything he said to be particularly insulting. Instead, he simply stated what he thought and left his actions to be observed as they were.
For whilst he might have waltzed into the manor with less than a wondrous introduction, he had come. And had the inviter been anyone other than his brother, he was more likely to have not. His very presence was a comment in and of itself and those who knew him well - like his brother - would witness that, even when his words showed him to be there under duress.
When his words over the baby's gender were ignored by Georgios in his taking of the child, Fotios didn't bother to repeat himself. Instead, he simply rolled his eyes at his brother’s assurance that he could be patient.
"For a limited period." He agreed with the man only slightly, before obeying the suggestion that he follow the so far collected members of Georgios' family to the large hall, decked for dining and celebrations.
When his brother's words confirmed that this was indeed a moment to be cherished would be a positive announcement, his gaze instantly flickered to Evelli with a knowing look. Fotios was more than aware of the foods and herbs that had been recently ordered to the manor that would aid in nausea and fatigue. And he knew that a physician had been summoned recently. He had simply assumed that Evelli was either with child again or dying. Given that his brother now labelled this meet as a celebration, it had to be the former.
Fotios' gaze dropped momentarily to Evelli's waist and then back to her face, as if he were sizing her up. She was not of prime age to have this child but clearly Georgios' didn't much worry about that.
What Fotios was frustrated by was how this pregnancy would likely spark Eirini's persistent desire to try for another. If Evelli was successful in birthing a babe at her age it would embolden Eirini's desire to try herself. Something that Fotios was none too enthused by.
So, thanks for that, brother... He thought to himself, before he moved towards the nearest receptacle of wine and poured himself a chalice. At least his brother always kept a good stock of the stuff...
"I can't say I'll be disappointed brother." He offered, in reply to Georgios' revelation that the family was relocating back to their province for now. "This manor is far too noisy of late."
There was a moment where she thought about pretending to be sick, thinking that she could say that she was unwell after all the travel to avoid having to attend. The very thought of having to present herself to the family, after the disappointing return, threatened to bring up the meager contents of her stomach. It would not have been so much of a lie. But she could not hide forever. And they would be leaving for the safety of her island tomorrow. Selene knew that hiding there, using her favorite pastimes as reliable escapes, was in her future.
She had to be strong. She could do this.
Selene always took care in her appearance, regardless of her emotions. Bathed and robed, her hands slowly trailed along the fabrics laid out of her. And bless, Jo had been selective in what she laid out. All of her more… fashionable dresses had been kept in the chest, the sensible evening dresses of rich fall hues laid out in front of her. She rubbed the plum chiton in her fingers, the fine silks and rich color one she always leaned towards. But it felt wrong, especially given her recent events. Instead, she let the fabric fall to the bed, choosing instead the deep emerald chiton next to it. The cut was nothing spectacular, neither was the leather and gold belt that attached it around her waist. High against her breast, it flowed freely from there. As a woman of marrying age, few of her dresses were cut so modestly. Yet this was a dinner with family-- there was no need to make it more than that.
Her hair was loose around her shoulder, not heated to curls but in her natural waves.There was a bare look about her, one she favored when home with her family. In the city like this, it was odd for her not to play the part. But there was little Jo could do to convince her that she needed more. There was no need to paint her face, not in common company. And even with her planned conversation with her uncle, she felt properly dressed for such an occasion.
With a sigh, she placed the cuff on her wrist and prayed that her uncle would understand what happened. He would most likely know of her doubts, and she would have to speak to him of her future. She hadn’t even told her father, but she did not wish to worry him more than he already was. After all, something must have happened to call such a meal. She just hoped that she was not the person who this dinner was for. She still wished to hide, to gather courage before reentering society at all.
It took a servant coming to get her to pull her out of her room-- she had been hiding long enough. Stepping out into the halls, Selene took the familiar path down towards the dining room. Most of the party was already in attendance, so whatever shame she felt was put behind her as he chin lifted. Giving a small bow, she gave a quiet greeting to those present before she took her usual seat next to her mother. Wordlessly, she slipped her hand into her mother’s and gave it a squeeze before letting it go. There was nothing for her to say.
Not yet anyway.
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There was a moment where she thought about pretending to be sick, thinking that she could say that she was unwell after all the travel to avoid having to attend. The very thought of having to present herself to the family, after the disappointing return, threatened to bring up the meager contents of her stomach. It would not have been so much of a lie. But she could not hide forever. And they would be leaving for the safety of her island tomorrow. Selene knew that hiding there, using her favorite pastimes as reliable escapes, was in her future.
She had to be strong. She could do this.
Selene always took care in her appearance, regardless of her emotions. Bathed and robed, her hands slowly trailed along the fabrics laid out of her. And bless, Jo had been selective in what she laid out. All of her more… fashionable dresses had been kept in the chest, the sensible evening dresses of rich fall hues laid out in front of her. She rubbed the plum chiton in her fingers, the fine silks and rich color one she always leaned towards. But it felt wrong, especially given her recent events. Instead, she let the fabric fall to the bed, choosing instead the deep emerald chiton next to it. The cut was nothing spectacular, neither was the leather and gold belt that attached it around her waist. High against her breast, it flowed freely from there. As a woman of marrying age, few of her dresses were cut so modestly. Yet this was a dinner with family-- there was no need to make it more than that.
Her hair was loose around her shoulder, not heated to curls but in her natural waves.There was a bare look about her, one she favored when home with her family. In the city like this, it was odd for her not to play the part. But there was little Jo could do to convince her that she needed more. There was no need to paint her face, not in common company. And even with her planned conversation with her uncle, she felt properly dressed for such an occasion.
With a sigh, she placed the cuff on her wrist and prayed that her uncle would understand what happened. He would most likely know of her doubts, and she would have to speak to him of her future. She hadn’t even told her father, but she did not wish to worry him more than he already was. After all, something must have happened to call such a meal. She just hoped that she was not the person who this dinner was for. She still wished to hide, to gather courage before reentering society at all.
It took a servant coming to get her to pull her out of her room-- she had been hiding long enough. Stepping out into the halls, Selene took the familiar path down towards the dining room. Most of the party was already in attendance, so whatever shame she felt was put behind her as he chin lifted. Giving a small bow, she gave a quiet greeting to those present before she took her usual seat next to her mother. Wordlessly, she slipped her hand into her mother’s and gave it a squeeze before letting it go. There was nothing for her to say.
Not yet anyway.
There was a moment where she thought about pretending to be sick, thinking that she could say that she was unwell after all the travel to avoid having to attend. The very thought of having to present herself to the family, after the disappointing return, threatened to bring up the meager contents of her stomach. It would not have been so much of a lie. But she could not hide forever. And they would be leaving for the safety of her island tomorrow. Selene knew that hiding there, using her favorite pastimes as reliable escapes, was in her future.
She had to be strong. She could do this.
Selene always took care in her appearance, regardless of her emotions. Bathed and robed, her hands slowly trailed along the fabrics laid out of her. And bless, Jo had been selective in what she laid out. All of her more… fashionable dresses had been kept in the chest, the sensible evening dresses of rich fall hues laid out in front of her. She rubbed the plum chiton in her fingers, the fine silks and rich color one she always leaned towards. But it felt wrong, especially given her recent events. Instead, she let the fabric fall to the bed, choosing instead the deep emerald chiton next to it. The cut was nothing spectacular, neither was the leather and gold belt that attached it around her waist. High against her breast, it flowed freely from there. As a woman of marrying age, few of her dresses were cut so modestly. Yet this was a dinner with family-- there was no need to make it more than that.
Her hair was loose around her shoulder, not heated to curls but in her natural waves.There was a bare look about her, one she favored when home with her family. In the city like this, it was odd for her not to play the part. But there was little Jo could do to convince her that she needed more. There was no need to paint her face, not in common company. And even with her planned conversation with her uncle, she felt properly dressed for such an occasion.
With a sigh, she placed the cuff on her wrist and prayed that her uncle would understand what happened. He would most likely know of her doubts, and she would have to speak to him of her future. She hadn’t even told her father, but she did not wish to worry him more than he already was. After all, something must have happened to call such a meal. She just hoped that she was not the person who this dinner was for. She still wished to hide, to gather courage before reentering society at all.
It took a servant coming to get her to pull her out of her room-- she had been hiding long enough. Stepping out into the halls, Selene took the familiar path down towards the dining room. Most of the party was already in attendance, so whatever shame she felt was put behind her as he chin lifted. Giving a small bow, she gave a quiet greeting to those present before she took her usual seat next to her mother. Wordlessly, she slipped her hand into her mother’s and gave it a squeeze before letting it go. There was nothing for her to say.
Not yet anyway.
Imma hated to admit it, but she had felt much more confident when her mother and sisters had been in Colchis. No longer in their shadows, she had enjoyed the admiration in the faces of young men whenever she she attended a party or event. She knew that they were looking at her and not one of her beautiful sisters. The attention that has been lavished upon her was a bit unsettling. She had never been fond of being the center of attention, but it was thrilling to have any attention at all. It was also nice not to feel as if she disappointed her mother with her very existence.
Best of all, she’d had her father all to herself. She would always treasure their time together. Imma had been in a constant cheerful mood, happy and content. Maybe she had not been left behind because she was an embarrassment after all. Yet now they were back, and she realized all over again how beautiful and sophisticated her older sisters were and how inferior she felt to them. She loved them and adored every moment they spent with her, but they brought out her insecurities about her appearance.
Strangely enough, her mother hadn't looked at her with disapproval sinc her return. She seemed distracted for some reason. Maybe she was worried about Selene, who had obviously not married Crown Prince Vangelis. Imma felt sorry for her eldest sister and wondered what had happened between the two of them that had ended their relationship. The sensitive girl would never ask in case Selene became upset. Maybe she was pleased she had not married him. The choice had been hers. The prince could have had a thousand mistresses that he refused to give up or an annoying habit that Selene couldn’t live with.
Their return heralded something else Imma had been dreading … going back to Macendia. She was fond of her island home, but it wasn’t as exciting as the city and there weren't as many things to do and places to paint. Of course, she could return whenever she wished, as long as she had her parents’ permission. Perhaps she would be able to stay with Theo in the Palati again. The gardens were beautiful, both to paint and to wander in. There were so many areas she still wanted to sketch, but now that project would have to be put on hold, at least for awhile.
She wasn’t looking forward to tonight’s dinner either. Her mother and sisters would probably regale everyone with their adventures in Colchis, and she would sit quietly, ignored. The only good part about that was that she could eat without interruption. Imma was already hungry and her stomach growled ominously as Corinna dressed her in a knee-length cornflower blue peplos over a floor-length white chiton. The peplos was fastened with opal and aquamarine fibulae with looped silver chains hanging from them with a small blue aquamarine at the bottom of each loop.
It had been designed to be folded to create a second layer that fell just past her waist, concealing her plain leather belt. The edges of the apoptygma was elaborately embroidered with patterns in silver thread and blue beads that matched the embroidery at the bottom of her chiton. Around Imma’s neck was a silver chain with an aquamarine pendant in the shape of a butterfly in its center. Silver and aquamarine bands adorned her arms and her hair was left loose to cascade to her hips in unruly platinum ringlets.
Finally ready, she traversed the halls to the dining room. Her parents, uncle, and two of her sisters were already there. “Good evening Mother, Father, Uncle Fotios, Selene, Pia.” Her voice was polite and quiet.
Moving to her dark-haired sister’s side, she smiled at the baby, “Good evening to you too, little Tisi.” She wagged a finger in front of the infant, hoping that she would grab it. One day, maybe she would be brave enough to hold her without fearing that she would drop her.
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Imma hated to admit it, but she had felt much more confident when her mother and sisters had been in Colchis. No longer in their shadows, she had enjoyed the admiration in the faces of young men whenever she she attended a party or event. She knew that they were looking at her and not one of her beautiful sisters. The attention that has been lavished upon her was a bit unsettling. She had never been fond of being the center of attention, but it was thrilling to have any attention at all. It was also nice not to feel as if she disappointed her mother with her very existence.
Best of all, she’d had her father all to herself. She would always treasure their time together. Imma had been in a constant cheerful mood, happy and content. Maybe she had not been left behind because she was an embarrassment after all. Yet now they were back, and she realized all over again how beautiful and sophisticated her older sisters were and how inferior she felt to them. She loved them and adored every moment they spent with her, but they brought out her insecurities about her appearance.
Strangely enough, her mother hadn't looked at her with disapproval sinc her return. She seemed distracted for some reason. Maybe she was worried about Selene, who had obviously not married Crown Prince Vangelis. Imma felt sorry for her eldest sister and wondered what had happened between the two of them that had ended their relationship. The sensitive girl would never ask in case Selene became upset. Maybe she was pleased she had not married him. The choice had been hers. The prince could have had a thousand mistresses that he refused to give up or an annoying habit that Selene couldn’t live with.
Their return heralded something else Imma had been dreading … going back to Macendia. She was fond of her island home, but it wasn’t as exciting as the city and there weren't as many things to do and places to paint. Of course, she could return whenever she wished, as long as she had her parents’ permission. Perhaps she would be able to stay with Theo in the Palati again. The gardens were beautiful, both to paint and to wander in. There were so many areas she still wanted to sketch, but now that project would have to be put on hold, at least for awhile.
She wasn’t looking forward to tonight’s dinner either. Her mother and sisters would probably regale everyone with their adventures in Colchis, and she would sit quietly, ignored. The only good part about that was that she could eat without interruption. Imma was already hungry and her stomach growled ominously as Corinna dressed her in a knee-length cornflower blue peplos over a floor-length white chiton. The peplos was fastened with opal and aquamarine fibulae with looped silver chains hanging from them with a small blue aquamarine at the bottom of each loop.
It had been designed to be folded to create a second layer that fell just past her waist, concealing her plain leather belt. The edges of the apoptygma was elaborately embroidered with patterns in silver thread and blue beads that matched the embroidery at the bottom of her chiton. Around Imma’s neck was a silver chain with an aquamarine pendant in the shape of a butterfly in its center. Silver and aquamarine bands adorned her arms and her hair was left loose to cascade to her hips in unruly platinum ringlets.
Finally ready, she traversed the halls to the dining room. Her parents, uncle, and two of her sisters were already there. “Good evening Mother, Father, Uncle Fotios, Selene, Pia.” Her voice was polite and quiet.
Moving to her dark-haired sister’s side, she smiled at the baby, “Good evening to you too, little Tisi.” She wagged a finger in front of the infant, hoping that she would grab it. One day, maybe she would be brave enough to hold her without fearing that she would drop her.
Imma hated to admit it, but she had felt much more confident when her mother and sisters had been in Colchis. No longer in their shadows, she had enjoyed the admiration in the faces of young men whenever she she attended a party or event. She knew that they were looking at her and not one of her beautiful sisters. The attention that has been lavished upon her was a bit unsettling. She had never been fond of being the center of attention, but it was thrilling to have any attention at all. It was also nice not to feel as if she disappointed her mother with her very existence.
Best of all, she’d had her father all to herself. She would always treasure their time together. Imma had been in a constant cheerful mood, happy and content. Maybe she had not been left behind because she was an embarrassment after all. Yet now they were back, and she realized all over again how beautiful and sophisticated her older sisters were and how inferior she felt to them. She loved them and adored every moment they spent with her, but they brought out her insecurities about her appearance.
Strangely enough, her mother hadn't looked at her with disapproval sinc her return. She seemed distracted for some reason. Maybe she was worried about Selene, who had obviously not married Crown Prince Vangelis. Imma felt sorry for her eldest sister and wondered what had happened between the two of them that had ended their relationship. The sensitive girl would never ask in case Selene became upset. Maybe she was pleased she had not married him. The choice had been hers. The prince could have had a thousand mistresses that he refused to give up or an annoying habit that Selene couldn’t live with.
Their return heralded something else Imma had been dreading … going back to Macendia. She was fond of her island home, but it wasn’t as exciting as the city and there weren't as many things to do and places to paint. Of course, she could return whenever she wished, as long as she had her parents’ permission. Perhaps she would be able to stay with Theo in the Palati again. The gardens were beautiful, both to paint and to wander in. There were so many areas she still wanted to sketch, but now that project would have to be put on hold, at least for awhile.
She wasn’t looking forward to tonight’s dinner either. Her mother and sisters would probably regale everyone with their adventures in Colchis, and she would sit quietly, ignored. The only good part about that was that she could eat without interruption. Imma was already hungry and her stomach growled ominously as Corinna dressed her in a knee-length cornflower blue peplos over a floor-length white chiton. The peplos was fastened with opal and aquamarine fibulae with looped silver chains hanging from them with a small blue aquamarine at the bottom of each loop.
It had been designed to be folded to create a second layer that fell just past her waist, concealing her plain leather belt. The edges of the apoptygma was elaborately embroidered with patterns in silver thread and blue beads that matched the embroidery at the bottom of her chiton. Around Imma’s neck was a silver chain with an aquamarine pendant in the shape of a butterfly in its center. Silver and aquamarine bands adorned her arms and her hair was left loose to cascade to her hips in unruly platinum ringlets.
Finally ready, she traversed the halls to the dining room. Her parents, uncle, and two of her sisters were already there. “Good evening Mother, Father, Uncle Fotios, Selene, Pia.” Her voice was polite and quiet.
Moving to her dark-haired sister’s side, she smiled at the baby, “Good evening to you too, little Tisi.” She wagged a finger in front of the infant, hoping that she would grab it. One day, maybe she would be brave enough to hold her without fearing that she would drop her.
Smiling as her daughters slowly filed in, Evelli's heart was its usual soft self as Olympia brought in the young grandchild of hers, the little Tisiphone easily catching the hearts of everyone around her even as she enthusiastically grasped a fistful of Georgios's chiton in her small hands. Evelli could remember faintly, how her own children each had been at this age, and it had been the easiest to handle before they started learning how to talk and walk, and it became an exercise in stamina in order to keep up with them. Soft, fussy and still reliant on their parent to move around was the easiest - and she'd have to handle that soon, again. With a child of her own, an aunt or uncle who would be younger then their own niece, a sibling to Olympia who would be younger then Olympia's own child.
A pang of uncertainty hit her again, and Evelli couldn't help but wonder how the news would be received. It felt so foreign, this feeling of insecurity, especially when she thought herself long past that stage, where the thoughts and opinions of other's mattered to her. Evelli had grown up taught by Nomiki and her father to never bow down to the opinions of other's, but still... having a child at her age wasn't exactly common, even if the Dowager Queen Elise had done so herself.
And what if the child was a girl?
Suddenly feeling green, the matriarch reminded herself to take a deep breathe in, her grip tightening on Georgios's forearm a little, before she had to actively tell herself to relax, especially as Fotios's statement of Tisiphone being a girl. She could understand her brother-in-law's dissapointment - afterall, Evelli felt the same each time she saw she had given birth to a girl, even if she loved them all the same.
Luckily for her, her husband quickly stepped in to respond, allowing her to smile to Selene as she made her entrance. Reaching out for her eldest daughter, Evelli squeezed the eldest blonde's hands as she took her seat, a soft whisper of "Thank you." extended to her. She knew the girl was still taking it hard, and Evelli had made it a point to at least pop in to visit with Selene every evening before they retired for the night, but wounds like this cut deep, and Evelli was also aware of that by giving her time to heal, so long as she kept an eye on her.
Turning to smile at Imma as she entered, Evelli's smile was warm as she watched the interaction of her youngest with her niece. Imma was young, but just of the age to start finding a husband, a fact that Evelli was well aware of. She wished she would still be able to escort Imma to all the court sessions until such a time would come,but with situations as they were now, she was hoping Theodora would be able to fill that slot, or even Selene and Olympia, once they were up to it. Nana could be a handful, so they would likely have to help their father in that aspect, but Imma wasn't that difficult to handle, only needing to get her to speak.
"Come, take a seat Imma dear." Evelli murmured softly at her youngest, making a mental note to have a word with Imma later that night. With all that had been going on ever since they had returned just a week or so earlier, Evelli hadn't had the chance to spend some quality time with Imma, and made a mental note to do so tonight. Afterall, while Georgios would love for them all to return to Macendia, as he found the island home to be safest for his family, Evelli had a feeling Imma wouldn't want to return just yet.
Hoping again that Theodora had received the missive her parents had sent inviting her to the dinner, Evelli took a glance at the remainder of her daughter's in attendance, before turning to the servants signalling for the dinner to be brought in.
Like clockwork, the servants immediately filling everyone's chalices with the finest Condos wine, as platters of food were brought up. With two of each placed in front of them, one on either end of the tables to make it easy for everyone to be able to reach them, the fare for the night was a myriad of bread, roasted root vegetables, along with sliced cheese and preserved olives. A large flagon of goat's milk was placed on the table for anyone who wished for some, before the servants served everyone's plate with slices of goat roasted over a spit, whilst at the same time, a large pot of stewed beef was brought out for everyone to spoon some if they wished for it.
Ensuring the servants served Fotios and Georgios first, only after that was done, did Evelli see to the rest of her daughter's. Passing platters of bread and cheese out to Imma and Selene, to allow the food to be passed down for everyone else, Evelli noticed the servants also offering to help Olympia with the young child so the young mother could eat.
For a moment, the only sounds that could be heard was of cutlery, requests of food and of eating in general, and it was only after everyone had settled in to the act of consuming their dinner before Evelli nervously glanced at Georgios. While normally commanding and an imposing figure in court, suddenly Evelli had no clue how exactly did one break such news to the family. She had done it happily enough back when she was of a normal age to have children... but now? She wasn't so sure.
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Smiling as her daughters slowly filed in, Evelli's heart was its usual soft self as Olympia brought in the young grandchild of hers, the little Tisiphone easily catching the hearts of everyone around her even as she enthusiastically grasped a fistful of Georgios's chiton in her small hands. Evelli could remember faintly, how her own children each had been at this age, and it had been the easiest to handle before they started learning how to talk and walk, and it became an exercise in stamina in order to keep up with them. Soft, fussy and still reliant on their parent to move around was the easiest - and she'd have to handle that soon, again. With a child of her own, an aunt or uncle who would be younger then their own niece, a sibling to Olympia who would be younger then Olympia's own child.
A pang of uncertainty hit her again, and Evelli couldn't help but wonder how the news would be received. It felt so foreign, this feeling of insecurity, especially when she thought herself long past that stage, where the thoughts and opinions of other's mattered to her. Evelli had grown up taught by Nomiki and her father to never bow down to the opinions of other's, but still... having a child at her age wasn't exactly common, even if the Dowager Queen Elise had done so herself.
And what if the child was a girl?
Suddenly feeling green, the matriarch reminded herself to take a deep breathe in, her grip tightening on Georgios's forearm a little, before she had to actively tell herself to relax, especially as Fotios's statement of Tisiphone being a girl. She could understand her brother-in-law's dissapointment - afterall, Evelli felt the same each time she saw she had given birth to a girl, even if she loved them all the same.
Luckily for her, her husband quickly stepped in to respond, allowing her to smile to Selene as she made her entrance. Reaching out for her eldest daughter, Evelli squeezed the eldest blonde's hands as she took her seat, a soft whisper of "Thank you." extended to her. She knew the girl was still taking it hard, and Evelli had made it a point to at least pop in to visit with Selene every evening before they retired for the night, but wounds like this cut deep, and Evelli was also aware of that by giving her time to heal, so long as she kept an eye on her.
Turning to smile at Imma as she entered, Evelli's smile was warm as she watched the interaction of her youngest with her niece. Imma was young, but just of the age to start finding a husband, a fact that Evelli was well aware of. She wished she would still be able to escort Imma to all the court sessions until such a time would come,but with situations as they were now, she was hoping Theodora would be able to fill that slot, or even Selene and Olympia, once they were up to it. Nana could be a handful, so they would likely have to help their father in that aspect, but Imma wasn't that difficult to handle, only needing to get her to speak.
"Come, take a seat Imma dear." Evelli murmured softly at her youngest, making a mental note to have a word with Imma later that night. With all that had been going on ever since they had returned just a week or so earlier, Evelli hadn't had the chance to spend some quality time with Imma, and made a mental note to do so tonight. Afterall, while Georgios would love for them all to return to Macendia, as he found the island home to be safest for his family, Evelli had a feeling Imma wouldn't want to return just yet.
Hoping again that Theodora had received the missive her parents had sent inviting her to the dinner, Evelli took a glance at the remainder of her daughter's in attendance, before turning to the servants signalling for the dinner to be brought in.
Like clockwork, the servants immediately filling everyone's chalices with the finest Condos wine, as platters of food were brought up. With two of each placed in front of them, one on either end of the tables to make it easy for everyone to be able to reach them, the fare for the night was a myriad of bread, roasted root vegetables, along with sliced cheese and preserved olives. A large flagon of goat's milk was placed on the table for anyone who wished for some, before the servants served everyone's plate with slices of goat roasted over a spit, whilst at the same time, a large pot of stewed beef was brought out for everyone to spoon some if they wished for it.
Ensuring the servants served Fotios and Georgios first, only after that was done, did Evelli see to the rest of her daughter's. Passing platters of bread and cheese out to Imma and Selene, to allow the food to be passed down for everyone else, Evelli noticed the servants also offering to help Olympia with the young child so the young mother could eat.
For a moment, the only sounds that could be heard was of cutlery, requests of food and of eating in general, and it was only after everyone had settled in to the act of consuming their dinner before Evelli nervously glanced at Georgios. While normally commanding and an imposing figure in court, suddenly Evelli had no clue how exactly did one break such news to the family. She had done it happily enough back when she was of a normal age to have children... but now? She wasn't so sure.
Smiling as her daughters slowly filed in, Evelli's heart was its usual soft self as Olympia brought in the young grandchild of hers, the little Tisiphone easily catching the hearts of everyone around her even as she enthusiastically grasped a fistful of Georgios's chiton in her small hands. Evelli could remember faintly, how her own children each had been at this age, and it had been the easiest to handle before they started learning how to talk and walk, and it became an exercise in stamina in order to keep up with them. Soft, fussy and still reliant on their parent to move around was the easiest - and she'd have to handle that soon, again. With a child of her own, an aunt or uncle who would be younger then their own niece, a sibling to Olympia who would be younger then Olympia's own child.
A pang of uncertainty hit her again, and Evelli couldn't help but wonder how the news would be received. It felt so foreign, this feeling of insecurity, especially when she thought herself long past that stage, where the thoughts and opinions of other's mattered to her. Evelli had grown up taught by Nomiki and her father to never bow down to the opinions of other's, but still... having a child at her age wasn't exactly common, even if the Dowager Queen Elise had done so herself.
And what if the child was a girl?
Suddenly feeling green, the matriarch reminded herself to take a deep breathe in, her grip tightening on Georgios's forearm a little, before she had to actively tell herself to relax, especially as Fotios's statement of Tisiphone being a girl. She could understand her brother-in-law's dissapointment - afterall, Evelli felt the same each time she saw she had given birth to a girl, even if she loved them all the same.
Luckily for her, her husband quickly stepped in to respond, allowing her to smile to Selene as she made her entrance. Reaching out for her eldest daughter, Evelli squeezed the eldest blonde's hands as she took her seat, a soft whisper of "Thank you." extended to her. She knew the girl was still taking it hard, and Evelli had made it a point to at least pop in to visit with Selene every evening before they retired for the night, but wounds like this cut deep, and Evelli was also aware of that by giving her time to heal, so long as she kept an eye on her.
Turning to smile at Imma as she entered, Evelli's smile was warm as she watched the interaction of her youngest with her niece. Imma was young, but just of the age to start finding a husband, a fact that Evelli was well aware of. She wished she would still be able to escort Imma to all the court sessions until such a time would come,but with situations as they were now, she was hoping Theodora would be able to fill that slot, or even Selene and Olympia, once they were up to it. Nana could be a handful, so they would likely have to help their father in that aspect, but Imma wasn't that difficult to handle, only needing to get her to speak.
"Come, take a seat Imma dear." Evelli murmured softly at her youngest, making a mental note to have a word with Imma later that night. With all that had been going on ever since they had returned just a week or so earlier, Evelli hadn't had the chance to spend some quality time with Imma, and made a mental note to do so tonight. Afterall, while Georgios would love for them all to return to Macendia, as he found the island home to be safest for his family, Evelli had a feeling Imma wouldn't want to return just yet.
Hoping again that Theodora had received the missive her parents had sent inviting her to the dinner, Evelli took a glance at the remainder of her daughter's in attendance, before turning to the servants signalling for the dinner to be brought in.
Like clockwork, the servants immediately filling everyone's chalices with the finest Condos wine, as platters of food were brought up. With two of each placed in front of them, one on either end of the tables to make it easy for everyone to be able to reach them, the fare for the night was a myriad of bread, roasted root vegetables, along with sliced cheese and preserved olives. A large flagon of goat's milk was placed on the table for anyone who wished for some, before the servants served everyone's plate with slices of goat roasted over a spit, whilst at the same time, a large pot of stewed beef was brought out for everyone to spoon some if they wished for it.
Ensuring the servants served Fotios and Georgios first, only after that was done, did Evelli see to the rest of her daughter's. Passing platters of bread and cheese out to Imma and Selene, to allow the food to be passed down for everyone else, Evelli noticed the servants also offering to help Olympia with the young child so the young mother could eat.
For a moment, the only sounds that could be heard was of cutlery, requests of food and of eating in general, and it was only after everyone had settled in to the act of consuming their dinner before Evelli nervously glanced at Georgios. While normally commanding and an imposing figure in court, suddenly Evelli had no clue how exactly did one break such news to the family. She had done it happily enough back when she was of a normal age to have children... but now? She wasn't so sure.
Laughing as Tisiphone reached for her grandfather eagerly, she had already marked him as a favorite, the sound had not yet settled as her uncle entered the room. Of all of her relatives Fotios was the one she was least certain about. As far as she knew he'd done nothing to help her or her husband during their imprisonment, had done nothing to help prove Stephanos' innocence, and until she heard otherwise, seeing his close friendship with Irakles could only lead her to assume that he had been just as eager to see her replaced with another sister on the throne. One who had obeyed his rules instead of following her own ambitions and making her own way in the world.
The old man's comment regarding his great-niece's gender had her lips spreading into a smile one might give to those fond of stating the obvious that one simply had to tolerate out of kindness. He could be as disapproving as he liked but his own family was all plain girls with little to recommend them in court, and unless things had changed drastically she doubted there had been any interest in the awkward shy creatures finding a match.
"Charming as ever, uncle." Pia kept her smile in place even as she shifted so that Imma could take a place next to her. Giving her sister a kiss to her forehead as Tisiphone latched onto the offered finger and began to gnaw on it, she turned back to her uncle with a brow arched and tone even. "She is a sweet beauty, already a prince of Colchis has asked for her hand. How have your daughters fared?"
Fotios could act as high and mighty as he liked, and as head of the Leventi family she would give him the respect required on the surface, but the more she knew him the more he appeared a bitter man who looked out only for himself, not the rest of the family. It wouldn't surprise her that he preferred Theodora, given how easily manipulated and malleable the girl was. Turning her attention to Selene now that Tisiphone was occupied by trying to grab a many of Imma's fingers as she could, she gave her eldest sister a smile that was warm and reassuring. While Olympia had been healing and growing once more with the return to her family home, Selene had been dealing with her own pain of a kind that she could only partly understand.
Stephanos had his dalliances, but their marriage was not at risk, nor would he choose one of his mistresses over her even if one fell pregnant. As honorable as Vangelis of Kotas had tried to appear he had ruined her sister's happiness and stolen her husband from her, and she had little kind words to speak of him. The kindness that had been shown when they first landed on the shores was in her mind sufficiently repaid and she now owed him nothing. He was in her prayers only in as much as was required to keep her husband safe.
As dinner was served, she allowed one of the young maids who had taken to tending to her daughter to stand by and assist her, the girl kept in a sling nearby so that the young mother could reach out and touch her little foot when she grew anxious. The cause of this dinner could have been any number of things, and as she looked about the room she noted the absence of Nana and Theodora, wondering if the queen would deign to come down from her palace as she herself had done when one of these dinners had been called what felt like an age past.
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Laughing as Tisiphone reached for her grandfather eagerly, she had already marked him as a favorite, the sound had not yet settled as her uncle entered the room. Of all of her relatives Fotios was the one she was least certain about. As far as she knew he'd done nothing to help her or her husband during their imprisonment, had done nothing to help prove Stephanos' innocence, and until she heard otherwise, seeing his close friendship with Irakles could only lead her to assume that he had been just as eager to see her replaced with another sister on the throne. One who had obeyed his rules instead of following her own ambitions and making her own way in the world.
The old man's comment regarding his great-niece's gender had her lips spreading into a smile one might give to those fond of stating the obvious that one simply had to tolerate out of kindness. He could be as disapproving as he liked but his own family was all plain girls with little to recommend them in court, and unless things had changed drastically she doubted there had been any interest in the awkward shy creatures finding a match.
"Charming as ever, uncle." Pia kept her smile in place even as she shifted so that Imma could take a place next to her. Giving her sister a kiss to her forehead as Tisiphone latched onto the offered finger and began to gnaw on it, she turned back to her uncle with a brow arched and tone even. "She is a sweet beauty, already a prince of Colchis has asked for her hand. How have your daughters fared?"
Fotios could act as high and mighty as he liked, and as head of the Leventi family she would give him the respect required on the surface, but the more she knew him the more he appeared a bitter man who looked out only for himself, not the rest of the family. It wouldn't surprise her that he preferred Theodora, given how easily manipulated and malleable the girl was. Turning her attention to Selene now that Tisiphone was occupied by trying to grab a many of Imma's fingers as she could, she gave her eldest sister a smile that was warm and reassuring. While Olympia had been healing and growing once more with the return to her family home, Selene had been dealing with her own pain of a kind that she could only partly understand.
Stephanos had his dalliances, but their marriage was not at risk, nor would he choose one of his mistresses over her even if one fell pregnant. As honorable as Vangelis of Kotas had tried to appear he had ruined her sister's happiness and stolen her husband from her, and she had little kind words to speak of him. The kindness that had been shown when they first landed on the shores was in her mind sufficiently repaid and she now owed him nothing. He was in her prayers only in as much as was required to keep her husband safe.
As dinner was served, she allowed one of the young maids who had taken to tending to her daughter to stand by and assist her, the girl kept in a sling nearby so that the young mother could reach out and touch her little foot when she grew anxious. The cause of this dinner could have been any number of things, and as she looked about the room she noted the absence of Nana and Theodora, wondering if the queen would deign to come down from her palace as she herself had done when one of these dinners had been called what felt like an age past.
Laughing as Tisiphone reached for her grandfather eagerly, she had already marked him as a favorite, the sound had not yet settled as her uncle entered the room. Of all of her relatives Fotios was the one she was least certain about. As far as she knew he'd done nothing to help her or her husband during their imprisonment, had done nothing to help prove Stephanos' innocence, and until she heard otherwise, seeing his close friendship with Irakles could only lead her to assume that he had been just as eager to see her replaced with another sister on the throne. One who had obeyed his rules instead of following her own ambitions and making her own way in the world.
The old man's comment regarding his great-niece's gender had her lips spreading into a smile one might give to those fond of stating the obvious that one simply had to tolerate out of kindness. He could be as disapproving as he liked but his own family was all plain girls with little to recommend them in court, and unless things had changed drastically she doubted there had been any interest in the awkward shy creatures finding a match.
"Charming as ever, uncle." Pia kept her smile in place even as she shifted so that Imma could take a place next to her. Giving her sister a kiss to her forehead as Tisiphone latched onto the offered finger and began to gnaw on it, she turned back to her uncle with a brow arched and tone even. "She is a sweet beauty, already a prince of Colchis has asked for her hand. How have your daughters fared?"
Fotios could act as high and mighty as he liked, and as head of the Leventi family she would give him the respect required on the surface, but the more she knew him the more he appeared a bitter man who looked out only for himself, not the rest of the family. It wouldn't surprise her that he preferred Theodora, given how easily manipulated and malleable the girl was. Turning her attention to Selene now that Tisiphone was occupied by trying to grab a many of Imma's fingers as she could, she gave her eldest sister a smile that was warm and reassuring. While Olympia had been healing and growing once more with the return to her family home, Selene had been dealing with her own pain of a kind that she could only partly understand.
Stephanos had his dalliances, but their marriage was not at risk, nor would he choose one of his mistresses over her even if one fell pregnant. As honorable as Vangelis of Kotas had tried to appear he had ruined her sister's happiness and stolen her husband from her, and she had little kind words to speak of him. The kindness that had been shown when they first landed on the shores was in her mind sufficiently repaid and she now owed him nothing. He was in her prayers only in as much as was required to keep her husband safe.
As dinner was served, she allowed one of the young maids who had taken to tending to her daughter to stand by and assist her, the girl kept in a sling nearby so that the young mother could reach out and touch her little foot when she grew anxious. The cause of this dinner could have been any number of things, and as she looked about the room she noted the absence of Nana and Theodora, wondering if the queen would deign to come down from her palace as she herself had done when one of these dinners had been called what felt like an age past.
Fotios already maintaining a cross mood had him worried about how this dinner was about to pan out. Could they reschedule for when he might be more eager to hear something like this? Perhaps it could have been done through a letter passed from Macendia back to Vasiliadon. Georgios was already detained in thinking through all the other ways that he could have done this without needing to hear the disappointment in his grandchild being another daughter or how boisterous his daughters could be. It was true, they had made it quite full in the last couple weeks as his wife and daughters returned. Georgios adored it, Fotios... well they were very different people.
He held his hand out to gesture to a chair especially place for his brother while Evelli had taken up herding the girls. It was a moment teaming with servants serving what needed to be served and people diving in to eat. A temporary pull to stand up before they had started, but this ended merely with him pressing his lips together deciding to wait. Surely his brother would be in a better mood after he had tasted the dinner. His daughters could relax or ask what they needed without missing supper. Not that he thought any of them would dare run out on this joyous news. Was it joyous? He stuffed his mouth with another few bites over the tension in the room.
Georgios washed down some more of the food with the finishing drops of his chalice of wine. A servant refilled in an instant and now seemed as good as any. His brown eyes glanced over to Evelli with a knowing look hoping that she would nod in return before he rose from his seat cup in tow. He cleared his throat. "While we do treasure these moments with family, this is not just a farewell from this manor." He started already feeling the words that he thought he had rehearsed disappearing one by one from his recent memory. Georgios had always been good with socializing. He never worried about anything... but right now he looked directly to Fotios.
"We are here because before we go, I feel necessary that you all know that there is another Leventi on the way." No details given just yet, but he soon worried about what that might do with the girls all around the table and hurried with the rest. "Evelli and I are blessed once again." He finished and took a long pull from his glass as he awaited the response.
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Fotios already maintaining a cross mood had him worried about how this dinner was about to pan out. Could they reschedule for when he might be more eager to hear something like this? Perhaps it could have been done through a letter passed from Macendia back to Vasiliadon. Georgios was already detained in thinking through all the other ways that he could have done this without needing to hear the disappointment in his grandchild being another daughter or how boisterous his daughters could be. It was true, they had made it quite full in the last couple weeks as his wife and daughters returned. Georgios adored it, Fotios... well they were very different people.
He held his hand out to gesture to a chair especially place for his brother while Evelli had taken up herding the girls. It was a moment teaming with servants serving what needed to be served and people diving in to eat. A temporary pull to stand up before they had started, but this ended merely with him pressing his lips together deciding to wait. Surely his brother would be in a better mood after he had tasted the dinner. His daughters could relax or ask what they needed without missing supper. Not that he thought any of them would dare run out on this joyous news. Was it joyous? He stuffed his mouth with another few bites over the tension in the room.
Georgios washed down some more of the food with the finishing drops of his chalice of wine. A servant refilled in an instant and now seemed as good as any. His brown eyes glanced over to Evelli with a knowing look hoping that she would nod in return before he rose from his seat cup in tow. He cleared his throat. "While we do treasure these moments with family, this is not just a farewell from this manor." He started already feeling the words that he thought he had rehearsed disappearing one by one from his recent memory. Georgios had always been good with socializing. He never worried about anything... but right now he looked directly to Fotios.
"We are here because before we go, I feel necessary that you all know that there is another Leventi on the way." No details given just yet, but he soon worried about what that might do with the girls all around the table and hurried with the rest. "Evelli and I are blessed once again." He finished and took a long pull from his glass as he awaited the response.
Fotios already maintaining a cross mood had him worried about how this dinner was about to pan out. Could they reschedule for when he might be more eager to hear something like this? Perhaps it could have been done through a letter passed from Macendia back to Vasiliadon. Georgios was already detained in thinking through all the other ways that he could have done this without needing to hear the disappointment in his grandchild being another daughter or how boisterous his daughters could be. It was true, they had made it quite full in the last couple weeks as his wife and daughters returned. Georgios adored it, Fotios... well they were very different people.
He held his hand out to gesture to a chair especially place for his brother while Evelli had taken up herding the girls. It was a moment teaming with servants serving what needed to be served and people diving in to eat. A temporary pull to stand up before they had started, but this ended merely with him pressing his lips together deciding to wait. Surely his brother would be in a better mood after he had tasted the dinner. His daughters could relax or ask what they needed without missing supper. Not that he thought any of them would dare run out on this joyous news. Was it joyous? He stuffed his mouth with another few bites over the tension in the room.
Georgios washed down some more of the food with the finishing drops of his chalice of wine. A servant refilled in an instant and now seemed as good as any. His brown eyes glanced over to Evelli with a knowing look hoping that she would nod in return before he rose from his seat cup in tow. He cleared his throat. "While we do treasure these moments with family, this is not just a farewell from this manor." He started already feeling the words that he thought he had rehearsed disappearing one by one from his recent memory. Georgios had always been good with socializing. He never worried about anything... but right now he looked directly to Fotios.
"We are here because before we go, I feel necessary that you all know that there is another Leventi on the way." No details given just yet, but he soon worried about what that might do with the girls all around the table and hurried with the rest. "Evelli and I are blessed once again." He finished and took a long pull from his glass as he awaited the response.
At Olympia's flippant comment regarding his own daughters, Fotios felt a flare of anger that was reserved solely for the protectiveness he held to his own offspring. A man rare to anger but supremely dangerous when the ire broke through, his features froze in an icy stare that threatened physical violence. Yet, in a moment, it was calmed once more. He watched Olympia as she cooed over her child and wondered if she realised how vulnerable she was in that moment. The little bundle she cared for so devotedly was of no use to him. She was a Mikaelidas and female to boot. There would be no issue with his removal of her presence should he wish. Olympia held far too loose a tongue for one who had no stable foundation on which to place her own pedestal.
"As they have yet to marry a traitor run from his home, I can honestly say that they fare in a manner that isn't shameful to their family." He stated simply. Taking a sip from his wine cup and moving away from the group, Fotios headed further into the dining chamber and took his seat when all were encouraged to do so. He said nothing further on the topic yet was clearly in a detached sort of mood as he assessed the spread before them. His eyes strayed over the meats and the vegetables and he denied all of it in favour of more wine.
He did nothing to impress his power in the household, feeling no threat to his authority. Georgios could head his little parcel of chittering females if he wished. The end result was all the same. Fotios held their lives in his hand. And if at any point he decided to make that clear, he would do so. They could all have their fun for now. He cared not.
As the other daughters of the Leventi household filed in, some with more enthusiasm or energy than others, he watched their approaches with a trained eye that was more habit than interest. He couldn't be bothered to continue the pattern when Nana finally made her late entry but he watched Imma's joining of the group at the table with a look that was softer than the others. After their recent conversations, he was interested in where the youngest of Georgios' coveted little darlings would progress to.
Otherwise, he kept expressionless and quiet, allowing his brother to take centre stage and speak at the head of the table. He spoke with joy and carefully calm before announcing that which Fotios had already known. He glanced towards Evelli and sipped from his chalice without much reaction. The woman was old. She would suffer with this birth. And if Georgios had cared for his wife at all he might have been more careful at sharing his bed with her without the necessary precautions.
But, if he chose to risk the life of his wife, Fotios could not argue. Another chance at a Leventi heir was well enough. The loss of a woman that had so far failed in her apparently devout attempts to marry her daughters to privilege would perhaps be a blessing in disguise. At least then Fotios would be able to marry off the girls how he saw fit. He held all that Georgios owned and valued in the palm of his hand. Evelli was less controllable because of her popularity in Court. Georgios would bend without his wife there to hold him upright. And the girls would all be reassigned to those of advantage. The Leventi House would stop hoarding their girls as if they were precious gems, left in caves so long that moss began to grow over their forms and names.
Fotios's gaze looked to Imma once more.
Perhaps not all of them were a lost cause.
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At Olympia's flippant comment regarding his own daughters, Fotios felt a flare of anger that was reserved solely for the protectiveness he held to his own offspring. A man rare to anger but supremely dangerous when the ire broke through, his features froze in an icy stare that threatened physical violence. Yet, in a moment, it was calmed once more. He watched Olympia as she cooed over her child and wondered if she realised how vulnerable she was in that moment. The little bundle she cared for so devotedly was of no use to him. She was a Mikaelidas and female to boot. There would be no issue with his removal of her presence should he wish. Olympia held far too loose a tongue for one who had no stable foundation on which to place her own pedestal.
"As they have yet to marry a traitor run from his home, I can honestly say that they fare in a manner that isn't shameful to their family." He stated simply. Taking a sip from his wine cup and moving away from the group, Fotios headed further into the dining chamber and took his seat when all were encouraged to do so. He said nothing further on the topic yet was clearly in a detached sort of mood as he assessed the spread before them. His eyes strayed over the meats and the vegetables and he denied all of it in favour of more wine.
He did nothing to impress his power in the household, feeling no threat to his authority. Georgios could head his little parcel of chittering females if he wished. The end result was all the same. Fotios held their lives in his hand. And if at any point he decided to make that clear, he would do so. They could all have their fun for now. He cared not.
As the other daughters of the Leventi household filed in, some with more enthusiasm or energy than others, he watched their approaches with a trained eye that was more habit than interest. He couldn't be bothered to continue the pattern when Nana finally made her late entry but he watched Imma's joining of the group at the table with a look that was softer than the others. After their recent conversations, he was interested in where the youngest of Georgios' coveted little darlings would progress to.
Otherwise, he kept expressionless and quiet, allowing his brother to take centre stage and speak at the head of the table. He spoke with joy and carefully calm before announcing that which Fotios had already known. He glanced towards Evelli and sipped from his chalice without much reaction. The woman was old. She would suffer with this birth. And if Georgios had cared for his wife at all he might have been more careful at sharing his bed with her without the necessary precautions.
But, if he chose to risk the life of his wife, Fotios could not argue. Another chance at a Leventi heir was well enough. The loss of a woman that had so far failed in her apparently devout attempts to marry her daughters to privilege would perhaps be a blessing in disguise. At least then Fotios would be able to marry off the girls how he saw fit. He held all that Georgios owned and valued in the palm of his hand. Evelli was less controllable because of her popularity in Court. Georgios would bend without his wife there to hold him upright. And the girls would all be reassigned to those of advantage. The Leventi House would stop hoarding their girls as if they were precious gems, left in caves so long that moss began to grow over their forms and names.
Fotios's gaze looked to Imma once more.
Perhaps not all of them were a lost cause.
At Olympia's flippant comment regarding his own daughters, Fotios felt a flare of anger that was reserved solely for the protectiveness he held to his own offspring. A man rare to anger but supremely dangerous when the ire broke through, his features froze in an icy stare that threatened physical violence. Yet, in a moment, it was calmed once more. He watched Olympia as she cooed over her child and wondered if she realised how vulnerable she was in that moment. The little bundle she cared for so devotedly was of no use to him. She was a Mikaelidas and female to boot. There would be no issue with his removal of her presence should he wish. Olympia held far too loose a tongue for one who had no stable foundation on which to place her own pedestal.
"As they have yet to marry a traitor run from his home, I can honestly say that they fare in a manner that isn't shameful to their family." He stated simply. Taking a sip from his wine cup and moving away from the group, Fotios headed further into the dining chamber and took his seat when all were encouraged to do so. He said nothing further on the topic yet was clearly in a detached sort of mood as he assessed the spread before them. His eyes strayed over the meats and the vegetables and he denied all of it in favour of more wine.
He did nothing to impress his power in the household, feeling no threat to his authority. Georgios could head his little parcel of chittering females if he wished. The end result was all the same. Fotios held their lives in his hand. And if at any point he decided to make that clear, he would do so. They could all have their fun for now. He cared not.
As the other daughters of the Leventi household filed in, some with more enthusiasm or energy than others, he watched their approaches with a trained eye that was more habit than interest. He couldn't be bothered to continue the pattern when Nana finally made her late entry but he watched Imma's joining of the group at the table with a look that was softer than the others. After their recent conversations, he was interested in where the youngest of Georgios' coveted little darlings would progress to.
Otherwise, he kept expressionless and quiet, allowing his brother to take centre stage and speak at the head of the table. He spoke with joy and carefully calm before announcing that which Fotios had already known. He glanced towards Evelli and sipped from his chalice without much reaction. The woman was old. She would suffer with this birth. And if Georgios had cared for his wife at all he might have been more careful at sharing his bed with her without the necessary precautions.
But, if he chose to risk the life of his wife, Fotios could not argue. Another chance at a Leventi heir was well enough. The loss of a woman that had so far failed in her apparently devout attempts to marry her daughters to privilege would perhaps be a blessing in disguise. At least then Fotios would be able to marry off the girls how he saw fit. He held all that Georgios owned and valued in the palm of his hand. Evelli was less controllable because of her popularity in Court. Georgios would bend without his wife there to hold him upright. And the girls would all be reassigned to those of advantage. The Leventi House would stop hoarding their girls as if they were precious gems, left in caves so long that moss began to grow over their forms and names.
Fotios's gaze looked to Imma once more.
Perhaps not all of them were a lost cause.
As usual, Nana was "late." However, as she saw it, nobody could blame her for such things. Usually, her tardiness could be attributed to the importance she placed on appearing immaculate, but her time lately had been completely drawn up with thoughts of Timaeus and her urge to spend as much time as possible with her treasured Olympia, and as such, she wasn't in quite the state of mind for such dreaded formal occasions as family dinners. Perhaps in other households, these planned congregations were a thing to look forward to, but each dinner unfailingly came with some sort of reprimand or chiding, and Nana was no masochist. So, when she was so rudely interrupted from a rather important brainstorming session as to what to write to Timaeus in her first letter, she could not help her irritation. And though the thought of just not coming altogether seemed a wonderful prospect, she would rather sit through a boring dinner than possibly face the wrath of her dear Uncle Fotios.
However, that did not mean that she could not draw out her entrance. In her mind, she was every bit a princess, and if her lateness was needed for her presence to be appreciated, she would allow it.
Though she was never one to rush through her dressing - that could be left to Imma - she took less time than usual in clothing herself for the meal that had already gone underway below. After removing the ruby silk she'd worn for the majority of the day, she fastidiously went about donning a saffron yellow silk, pinning it in place quickly and confidently, before adding a gold ring and horse cuff to her usual adornment of her Leventi pendant and olive branch bangle.
It was then that she left her quarters, surefooted in her slow steps. Though she knew she perceived to be of little value in the eye of her uncle, and perhaps her parents, for that matter, her lateness would certainly state her importance.
Gliding into the dining room, Nana made no effort to socialize with anyone present, instead quietly taking her seat at Pia's side and reaching her hand over to grasp her elder sister's. Nana made it no secret that she adored Pia, and she would not begin to hide it now.
And, it seemed that she had not missed much, as soon after she arrived, her father's tone and demeanor seemed to shift. Though he seemed perhaps a bit serious upon her arrival, the atmosphere in the room as he began to talk was... heavy. Nana could not imagine what it was that he planned to say.
And then, he announced that she would soon have another sibling.
Nana blinked, her eyebrows furrowing and nostrils flaring as she stared at her father, her confusion obvious. Taking a moment to pause and try to collect her thoughts as much as she was able (which everyone knew was not very much), Nana spoke.
"...I'm sorry, correct me if I'm hearing wrong, but Papa, are you meaning to say that Mother is pregnant again?"
Glancing ever so quickly at her mother, Nana once again looked back to him. Mother would not like what she had to say about this.
Squeezing Pia's hand for courage as she once again spoke out, she conceded, "I am happy for you, I suppose, but..." It was at this point that she could not keep from staring at her mother.
"Mama, aren't you...you know," Nana's face wrinkled a bit in anticipation of her mother's irritation, "Too... old?"
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As usual, Nana was "late." However, as she saw it, nobody could blame her for such things. Usually, her tardiness could be attributed to the importance she placed on appearing immaculate, but her time lately had been completely drawn up with thoughts of Timaeus and her urge to spend as much time as possible with her treasured Olympia, and as such, she wasn't in quite the state of mind for such dreaded formal occasions as family dinners. Perhaps in other households, these planned congregations were a thing to look forward to, but each dinner unfailingly came with some sort of reprimand or chiding, and Nana was no masochist. So, when she was so rudely interrupted from a rather important brainstorming session as to what to write to Timaeus in her first letter, she could not help her irritation. And though the thought of just not coming altogether seemed a wonderful prospect, she would rather sit through a boring dinner than possibly face the wrath of her dear Uncle Fotios.
However, that did not mean that she could not draw out her entrance. In her mind, she was every bit a princess, and if her lateness was needed for her presence to be appreciated, she would allow it.
Though she was never one to rush through her dressing - that could be left to Imma - she took less time than usual in clothing herself for the meal that had already gone underway below. After removing the ruby silk she'd worn for the majority of the day, she fastidiously went about donning a saffron yellow silk, pinning it in place quickly and confidently, before adding a gold ring and horse cuff to her usual adornment of her Leventi pendant and olive branch bangle.
It was then that she left her quarters, surefooted in her slow steps. Though she knew she perceived to be of little value in the eye of her uncle, and perhaps her parents, for that matter, her lateness would certainly state her importance.
Gliding into the dining room, Nana made no effort to socialize with anyone present, instead quietly taking her seat at Pia's side and reaching her hand over to grasp her elder sister's. Nana made it no secret that she adored Pia, and she would not begin to hide it now.
And, it seemed that she had not missed much, as soon after she arrived, her father's tone and demeanor seemed to shift. Though he seemed perhaps a bit serious upon her arrival, the atmosphere in the room as he began to talk was... heavy. Nana could not imagine what it was that he planned to say.
And then, he announced that she would soon have another sibling.
Nana blinked, her eyebrows furrowing and nostrils flaring as she stared at her father, her confusion obvious. Taking a moment to pause and try to collect her thoughts as much as she was able (which everyone knew was not very much), Nana spoke.
"...I'm sorry, correct me if I'm hearing wrong, but Papa, are you meaning to say that Mother is pregnant again?"
Glancing ever so quickly at her mother, Nana once again looked back to him. Mother would not like what she had to say about this.
Squeezing Pia's hand for courage as she once again spoke out, she conceded, "I am happy for you, I suppose, but..." It was at this point that she could not keep from staring at her mother.
"Mama, aren't you...you know," Nana's face wrinkled a bit in anticipation of her mother's irritation, "Too... old?"
As usual, Nana was "late." However, as she saw it, nobody could blame her for such things. Usually, her tardiness could be attributed to the importance she placed on appearing immaculate, but her time lately had been completely drawn up with thoughts of Timaeus and her urge to spend as much time as possible with her treasured Olympia, and as such, she wasn't in quite the state of mind for such dreaded formal occasions as family dinners. Perhaps in other households, these planned congregations were a thing to look forward to, but each dinner unfailingly came with some sort of reprimand or chiding, and Nana was no masochist. So, when she was so rudely interrupted from a rather important brainstorming session as to what to write to Timaeus in her first letter, she could not help her irritation. And though the thought of just not coming altogether seemed a wonderful prospect, she would rather sit through a boring dinner than possibly face the wrath of her dear Uncle Fotios.
However, that did not mean that she could not draw out her entrance. In her mind, she was every bit a princess, and if her lateness was needed for her presence to be appreciated, she would allow it.
Though she was never one to rush through her dressing - that could be left to Imma - she took less time than usual in clothing herself for the meal that had already gone underway below. After removing the ruby silk she'd worn for the majority of the day, she fastidiously went about donning a saffron yellow silk, pinning it in place quickly and confidently, before adding a gold ring and horse cuff to her usual adornment of her Leventi pendant and olive branch bangle.
It was then that she left her quarters, surefooted in her slow steps. Though she knew she perceived to be of little value in the eye of her uncle, and perhaps her parents, for that matter, her lateness would certainly state her importance.
Gliding into the dining room, Nana made no effort to socialize with anyone present, instead quietly taking her seat at Pia's side and reaching her hand over to grasp her elder sister's. Nana made it no secret that she adored Pia, and she would not begin to hide it now.
And, it seemed that she had not missed much, as soon after she arrived, her father's tone and demeanor seemed to shift. Though he seemed perhaps a bit serious upon her arrival, the atmosphere in the room as he began to talk was... heavy. Nana could not imagine what it was that he planned to say.
And then, he announced that she would soon have another sibling.
Nana blinked, her eyebrows furrowing and nostrils flaring as she stared at her father, her confusion obvious. Taking a moment to pause and try to collect her thoughts as much as she was able (which everyone knew was not very much), Nana spoke.
"...I'm sorry, correct me if I'm hearing wrong, but Papa, are you meaning to say that Mother is pregnant again?"
Glancing ever so quickly at her mother, Nana once again looked back to him. Mother would not like what she had to say about this.
Squeezing Pia's hand for courage as she once again spoke out, she conceded, "I am happy for you, I suppose, but..." It was at this point that she could not keep from staring at her mother.
"Mama, aren't you...you know," Nana's face wrinkled a bit in anticipation of her mother's irritation, "Too... old?"
There was a little bit of shame for her, knowing she should have been elsewhere. She should have been in Colchis, and she could feel her uncle’s disappointment in her return. It was dutiful of her to recognize that, so she kept to herself. The conversation around her was low, but her focus was on her plate. She gently pushed the meat around, choosing the roasted vegatable over the heavy main dish.
As her father rose for a toast, she shifted her focus from her plate to him. Glass in hand, she bowed her head in agreement of his comment. While she may have been rightly ashamed, it had nothing to do with her family. She was a proud Leventi, and was not thinking that she would have any reason not to be able to redeem herself. All was not lost, she knew. And so she held out hope for that.
And then, her father broke the news.
Her head was swimming, hand frozen in lifted toast. Another Leventi, the pointed look to his wife with that same smile. She had heard the news plenty of times, had been at this exact position every single time the news was announced. There should have been no shock in it, for suddenly the symptoms were obvious. Her mother has been ill for so long, selene so concerned about it. The exhaustion that should have been telltale was blamed on travel. Selene had been so consumed by her own worries that she had ignored the signs.
Her glass tumbled to the table shortly after Nana’s question. As the wine spilled out against the table, Selene pushed back from the setting. The eyes on her didn't stop the thick sob that clogged her throat.
“I can't…” she said, another son dislodging from her wall of stoic shame. “I'm sorry…” she said, quickly standing from the table. Selene couldn't look at any of them, the emotions too raw again for her to try and justify herself. She couldn't sit here, feeling this way.
She turned on her heels, feeling the room without a look back at the reaction.
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There was a little bit of shame for her, knowing she should have been elsewhere. She should have been in Colchis, and she could feel her uncle’s disappointment in her return. It was dutiful of her to recognize that, so she kept to herself. The conversation around her was low, but her focus was on her plate. She gently pushed the meat around, choosing the roasted vegatable over the heavy main dish.
As her father rose for a toast, she shifted her focus from her plate to him. Glass in hand, she bowed her head in agreement of his comment. While she may have been rightly ashamed, it had nothing to do with her family. She was a proud Leventi, and was not thinking that she would have any reason not to be able to redeem herself. All was not lost, she knew. And so she held out hope for that.
And then, her father broke the news.
Her head was swimming, hand frozen in lifted toast. Another Leventi, the pointed look to his wife with that same smile. She had heard the news plenty of times, had been at this exact position every single time the news was announced. There should have been no shock in it, for suddenly the symptoms were obvious. Her mother has been ill for so long, selene so concerned about it. The exhaustion that should have been telltale was blamed on travel. Selene had been so consumed by her own worries that she had ignored the signs.
Her glass tumbled to the table shortly after Nana’s question. As the wine spilled out against the table, Selene pushed back from the setting. The eyes on her didn't stop the thick sob that clogged her throat.
“I can't…” she said, another son dislodging from her wall of stoic shame. “I'm sorry…” she said, quickly standing from the table. Selene couldn't look at any of them, the emotions too raw again for her to try and justify herself. She couldn't sit here, feeling this way.
She turned on her heels, feeling the room without a look back at the reaction.
There was a little bit of shame for her, knowing she should have been elsewhere. She should have been in Colchis, and she could feel her uncle’s disappointment in her return. It was dutiful of her to recognize that, so she kept to herself. The conversation around her was low, but her focus was on her plate. She gently pushed the meat around, choosing the roasted vegatable over the heavy main dish.
As her father rose for a toast, she shifted her focus from her plate to him. Glass in hand, she bowed her head in agreement of his comment. While she may have been rightly ashamed, it had nothing to do with her family. She was a proud Leventi, and was not thinking that she would have any reason not to be able to redeem herself. All was not lost, she knew. And so she held out hope for that.
And then, her father broke the news.
Her head was swimming, hand frozen in lifted toast. Another Leventi, the pointed look to his wife with that same smile. She had heard the news plenty of times, had been at this exact position every single time the news was announced. There should have been no shock in it, for suddenly the symptoms were obvious. Her mother has been ill for so long, selene so concerned about it. The exhaustion that should have been telltale was blamed on travel. Selene had been so consumed by her own worries that she had ignored the signs.
Her glass tumbled to the table shortly after Nana’s question. As the wine spilled out against the table, Selene pushed back from the setting. The eyes on her didn't stop the thick sob that clogged her throat.
“I can't…” she said, another son dislodging from her wall of stoic shame. “I'm sorry…” she said, quickly standing from the table. Selene couldn't look at any of them, the emotions too raw again for her to try and justify herself. She couldn't sit here, feeling this way.
She turned on her heels, feeling the room without a look back at the reaction.
Honestly, there was no good way to go about announcing such a news. Had she been younger, this would've been good news, but after five children, her youngest now already sixteen years of age, and now she was bearing another? It was impossible, of course. The former Queen Mother had given birth to the youngest Princess Gianna at an age older then she was now, but it didn't mean it wouldn't come with complications. Her husband was understandably worried, but neither could Evelli bring herself to be entirely fussed. This was her chance, a chance given by the Gods to have a son for a family which sorely needed one. She wouldn't be disappointed for a sixth time, would she?
Her smile was quiet but eager when her husband finally made the annoucement, but it hid the uncertainty the newly pregnant mother felt. While she had expected surprise, perhaps even some measure of concern, Evelli did not expect the silence that came from Fotios. Did her brother in law always act unconcerned with everything? Unsettling as it may be however, Evelli suddenly realized she wouldn't at all be surprised if he had known even before this dinner, and when Georgios casted an uncertain gaze in her direction, Evelli wrinkled her brows.
Even if she had wanted to say something however, her thoughts were interupted when Nana spoke up, sounding quite aghast as she found her words slowly. Georgios nodded to Nana's query, and while Evelli wondered momentarily if Nana would be displeased at the idea of yet another young sibling ousting her spot as one of the youngest, she never imagined Nana's reaction to be... well, what it was.
But it was Nana being Nana, and had it been in hindsight, Evelli wouldn't be at all surprised.
At that moment though, the elder Leventi debated between giving an agitated sigh, or allowing her husband to handle it, yet in the brief second she hesitated, it was a moment long enough to allow yet another reaction.
Everyone's attention was riveted when Selene suddenly took off from the table after a chunky, choked apology, and the stunned silence that followed after only made Evelli take a deep breathe, feeling a deep rumbling in her stomach that could only either be queasiness from something served which the babe did not agree with... or pure anxiety. Briefly, she felt Georgios lay a worried hand on her shoulder, but Evelli let out the fortifying breath she had taken, laying her own over the man's hand and then nodded at him to go after Selene. He always knew how to handle their eldest best, and she wasn't certain what had set Selene off this time, but surely for once, they could tell some good news without each of her five daughters going into each of their own meltdowns.
Giving her husband another assuring nod, she watched as Georgios made his apologies to everyone at the table, telling Fotios he would seek out his brother soon before he went after Selene. Evelli herself turned to Nana, her smile soft but with a hint of steel behind them. "Not entirely, it seems, Nana. The Gods would like to bless us with another member to the family, so here we are. Tisiphone would have a playmate, it would seem." she replied to the best of her ability. Evelli was well aware that the pregnancy would have it's own complications... but they would deal with it.
They always did.
Waving the rest of the servants forward to serve as the meal continued, she glanced at Olympia and Imma in turn, curious as to how they would react to such a news, before turning to their guest for the dinner, ever the gracious host. Ensuring the servants served Fotios appropriate as the Head of House, Evelli waited for the slaves to back away before she murmured, "It would have been nice to have Eirini and the girl's over for dinner as well, but Georgios feared me having to play hostess too much." she murmured apologetically, polite as she was always trained to be, before putting forth a query. "I was wondering if it would be alright for Imma and Nana to remain in the capitol under your ward, while the rest of us returned to Serenn? Unless of course, you girls wish to come along with us." she asked. Georgios had fully intended to bring the whole family home to their home island, but while Evelli knew Olympia and Selene would enjoy the respite, she doubted the two younger ones wanted to be sequestered out of the way from the young and available men in the capitol.
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Honestly, there was no good way to go about announcing such a news. Had she been younger, this would've been good news, but after five children, her youngest now already sixteen years of age, and now she was bearing another? It was impossible, of course. The former Queen Mother had given birth to the youngest Princess Gianna at an age older then she was now, but it didn't mean it wouldn't come with complications. Her husband was understandably worried, but neither could Evelli bring herself to be entirely fussed. This was her chance, a chance given by the Gods to have a son for a family which sorely needed one. She wouldn't be disappointed for a sixth time, would she?
Her smile was quiet but eager when her husband finally made the annoucement, but it hid the uncertainty the newly pregnant mother felt. While she had expected surprise, perhaps even some measure of concern, Evelli did not expect the silence that came from Fotios. Did her brother in law always act unconcerned with everything? Unsettling as it may be however, Evelli suddenly realized she wouldn't at all be surprised if he had known even before this dinner, and when Georgios casted an uncertain gaze in her direction, Evelli wrinkled her brows.
Even if she had wanted to say something however, her thoughts were interupted when Nana spoke up, sounding quite aghast as she found her words slowly. Georgios nodded to Nana's query, and while Evelli wondered momentarily if Nana would be displeased at the idea of yet another young sibling ousting her spot as one of the youngest, she never imagined Nana's reaction to be... well, what it was.
But it was Nana being Nana, and had it been in hindsight, Evelli wouldn't be at all surprised.
At that moment though, the elder Leventi debated between giving an agitated sigh, or allowing her husband to handle it, yet in the brief second she hesitated, it was a moment long enough to allow yet another reaction.
Everyone's attention was riveted when Selene suddenly took off from the table after a chunky, choked apology, and the stunned silence that followed after only made Evelli take a deep breathe, feeling a deep rumbling in her stomach that could only either be queasiness from something served which the babe did not agree with... or pure anxiety. Briefly, she felt Georgios lay a worried hand on her shoulder, but Evelli let out the fortifying breath she had taken, laying her own over the man's hand and then nodded at him to go after Selene. He always knew how to handle their eldest best, and she wasn't certain what had set Selene off this time, but surely for once, they could tell some good news without each of her five daughters going into each of their own meltdowns.
Giving her husband another assuring nod, she watched as Georgios made his apologies to everyone at the table, telling Fotios he would seek out his brother soon before he went after Selene. Evelli herself turned to Nana, her smile soft but with a hint of steel behind them. "Not entirely, it seems, Nana. The Gods would like to bless us with another member to the family, so here we are. Tisiphone would have a playmate, it would seem." she replied to the best of her ability. Evelli was well aware that the pregnancy would have it's own complications... but they would deal with it.
They always did.
Waving the rest of the servants forward to serve as the meal continued, she glanced at Olympia and Imma in turn, curious as to how they would react to such a news, before turning to their guest for the dinner, ever the gracious host. Ensuring the servants served Fotios appropriate as the Head of House, Evelli waited for the slaves to back away before she murmured, "It would have been nice to have Eirini and the girl's over for dinner as well, but Georgios feared me having to play hostess too much." she murmured apologetically, polite as she was always trained to be, before putting forth a query. "I was wondering if it would be alright for Imma and Nana to remain in the capitol under your ward, while the rest of us returned to Serenn? Unless of course, you girls wish to come along with us." she asked. Georgios had fully intended to bring the whole family home to their home island, but while Evelli knew Olympia and Selene would enjoy the respite, she doubted the two younger ones wanted to be sequestered out of the way from the young and available men in the capitol.
Honestly, there was no good way to go about announcing such a news. Had she been younger, this would've been good news, but after five children, her youngest now already sixteen years of age, and now she was bearing another? It was impossible, of course. The former Queen Mother had given birth to the youngest Princess Gianna at an age older then she was now, but it didn't mean it wouldn't come with complications. Her husband was understandably worried, but neither could Evelli bring herself to be entirely fussed. This was her chance, a chance given by the Gods to have a son for a family which sorely needed one. She wouldn't be disappointed for a sixth time, would she?
Her smile was quiet but eager when her husband finally made the annoucement, but it hid the uncertainty the newly pregnant mother felt. While she had expected surprise, perhaps even some measure of concern, Evelli did not expect the silence that came from Fotios. Did her brother in law always act unconcerned with everything? Unsettling as it may be however, Evelli suddenly realized she wouldn't at all be surprised if he had known even before this dinner, and when Georgios casted an uncertain gaze in her direction, Evelli wrinkled her brows.
Even if she had wanted to say something however, her thoughts were interupted when Nana spoke up, sounding quite aghast as she found her words slowly. Georgios nodded to Nana's query, and while Evelli wondered momentarily if Nana would be displeased at the idea of yet another young sibling ousting her spot as one of the youngest, she never imagined Nana's reaction to be... well, what it was.
But it was Nana being Nana, and had it been in hindsight, Evelli wouldn't be at all surprised.
At that moment though, the elder Leventi debated between giving an agitated sigh, or allowing her husband to handle it, yet in the brief second she hesitated, it was a moment long enough to allow yet another reaction.
Everyone's attention was riveted when Selene suddenly took off from the table after a chunky, choked apology, and the stunned silence that followed after only made Evelli take a deep breathe, feeling a deep rumbling in her stomach that could only either be queasiness from something served which the babe did not agree with... or pure anxiety. Briefly, she felt Georgios lay a worried hand on her shoulder, but Evelli let out the fortifying breath she had taken, laying her own over the man's hand and then nodded at him to go after Selene. He always knew how to handle their eldest best, and she wasn't certain what had set Selene off this time, but surely for once, they could tell some good news without each of her five daughters going into each of their own meltdowns.
Giving her husband another assuring nod, she watched as Georgios made his apologies to everyone at the table, telling Fotios he would seek out his brother soon before he went after Selene. Evelli herself turned to Nana, her smile soft but with a hint of steel behind them. "Not entirely, it seems, Nana. The Gods would like to bless us with another member to the family, so here we are. Tisiphone would have a playmate, it would seem." she replied to the best of her ability. Evelli was well aware that the pregnancy would have it's own complications... but they would deal with it.
They always did.
Waving the rest of the servants forward to serve as the meal continued, she glanced at Olympia and Imma in turn, curious as to how they would react to such a news, before turning to their guest for the dinner, ever the gracious host. Ensuring the servants served Fotios appropriate as the Head of House, Evelli waited for the slaves to back away before she murmured, "It would have been nice to have Eirini and the girl's over for dinner as well, but Georgios feared me having to play hostess too much." she murmured apologetically, polite as she was always trained to be, before putting forth a query. "I was wondering if it would be alright for Imma and Nana to remain in the capitol under your ward, while the rest of us returned to Serenn? Unless of course, you girls wish to come along with us." she asked. Georgios had fully intended to bring the whole family home to their home island, but while Evelli knew Olympia and Selene would enjoy the respite, she doubted the two younger ones wanted to be sequestered out of the way from the young and available men in the capitol.