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All was quiet in the house of Drakos. Rain beat down on the roof above, creating a calming ambiance, giving an appearance of emptiness in a house that was typically so busy. The three Drakos girls were in the sitting room. Imeeya played with her dolls, whispering quiet words to the toys. Essa stared with eyes full of wonder, newborn hands reaching about the air. Only a few weeks old and her daughter was full of curiosity. She would be intelligent, just like her mother, and like her father she would be brave.
Despite the dreary weather it was a good, peaceful day. Imeeya raised no tantrums, Essa was calm and happy, and Tythra was able to take care of the work that needed to be done, all while her baby was in her arms and a watchful eye was on Imeeya.
“Princess Tythra?”
The silence was shattered. Tythra’s eyes tore from her children and to the servant at the entrance of the sitting room. What was so important that they interrupted a moment between family? Her eyebrow raised, silently commanding the servant to speak more.
“His Majesty has arrived and is wishing to see you. Shall I watch over the chi-”
“No, no.” Tythra rolled her eyes. “He’s here to see them. Bring my brother here. You should never leave the King waiting.”
Tythra was overjoyed to see her brother this day, even if it were sudden. Tython was busy, as a good king should be, and so Tythra only truly got to enjoy the company of her brother at court or when he came to visit his nieces.
When he was brought to the sitting room she stood, Essa in hand, and moved to him with lips pulled into a wide smile. “Tython, what a surprise!” She kissed her brother on the cheek in greeting. Imeeya had gotten up from her toys and made her way over to her uncle, excitement gleaming in her eyes. “I fear Imeeya may have missed you more than I have.” She teased.
“Come, come. Sit, brother.” Tythra gestured to one of the cushioned chairs, before moving back to where she had originally been sitting. She gestured to one of the slaves, never looking at him. “Light a fire. The cold rain could give him a terrible chill.”
It was not too long later that the crackling of flame joined the rain’s cadence. Once again things were calm, things were peaceful. This was a perfectly happy day made even better by Tython’s sudden arrival. While she may be typically annoyed at unannounced, unplanned visits, Tython was an exception. No work was more important than family, and Tythra would drop anything if it meant just a few spare moments with him.
“Care to hold your niece?” Tythra offered the baby to him. “I swear, Tython, you have a magic touch when it comes to Essa. She spends the majority of the day fussy, but as soon as you arrive she is calm and in her best behavior. The same was true with Imeeya. I’m beginning to think my daughters like you more than either of their parents. Thesus jokes when Imeeya throws her tantrums that we should call the King over stating a dire emergency.” Tythra laughed easily.
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All was quiet in the house of Drakos. Rain beat down on the roof above, creating a calming ambiance, giving an appearance of emptiness in a house that was typically so busy. The three Drakos girls were in the sitting room. Imeeya played with her dolls, whispering quiet words to the toys. Essa stared with eyes full of wonder, newborn hands reaching about the air. Only a few weeks old and her daughter was full of curiosity. She would be intelligent, just like her mother, and like her father she would be brave.
Despite the dreary weather it was a good, peaceful day. Imeeya raised no tantrums, Essa was calm and happy, and Tythra was able to take care of the work that needed to be done, all while her baby was in her arms and a watchful eye was on Imeeya.
“Princess Tythra?”
The silence was shattered. Tythra’s eyes tore from her children and to the servant at the entrance of the sitting room. What was so important that they interrupted a moment between family? Her eyebrow raised, silently commanding the servant to speak more.
“His Majesty has arrived and is wishing to see you. Shall I watch over the chi-”
“No, no.” Tythra rolled her eyes. “He’s here to see them. Bring my brother here. You should never leave the King waiting.”
Tythra was overjoyed to see her brother this day, even if it were sudden. Tython was busy, as a good king should be, and so Tythra only truly got to enjoy the company of her brother at court or when he came to visit his nieces.
When he was brought to the sitting room she stood, Essa in hand, and moved to him with lips pulled into a wide smile. “Tython, what a surprise!” She kissed her brother on the cheek in greeting. Imeeya had gotten up from her toys and made her way over to her uncle, excitement gleaming in her eyes. “I fear Imeeya may have missed you more than I have.” She teased.
“Come, come. Sit, brother.” Tythra gestured to one of the cushioned chairs, before moving back to where she had originally been sitting. She gestured to one of the slaves, never looking at him. “Light a fire. The cold rain could give him a terrible chill.”
It was not too long later that the crackling of flame joined the rain’s cadence. Once again things were calm, things were peaceful. This was a perfectly happy day made even better by Tython’s sudden arrival. While she may be typically annoyed at unannounced, unplanned visits, Tython was an exception. No work was more important than family, and Tythra would drop anything if it meant just a few spare moments with him.
“Care to hold your niece?” Tythra offered the baby to him. “I swear, Tython, you have a magic touch when it comes to Essa. She spends the majority of the day fussy, but as soon as you arrive she is calm and in her best behavior. The same was true with Imeeya. I’m beginning to think my daughters like you more than either of their parents. Thesus jokes when Imeeya throws her tantrums that we should call the King over stating a dire emergency.” Tythra laughed easily.
All was quiet in the house of Drakos. Rain beat down on the roof above, creating a calming ambiance, giving an appearance of emptiness in a house that was typically so busy. The three Drakos girls were in the sitting room. Imeeya played with her dolls, whispering quiet words to the toys. Essa stared with eyes full of wonder, newborn hands reaching about the air. Only a few weeks old and her daughter was full of curiosity. She would be intelligent, just like her mother, and like her father she would be brave.
Despite the dreary weather it was a good, peaceful day. Imeeya raised no tantrums, Essa was calm and happy, and Tythra was able to take care of the work that needed to be done, all while her baby was in her arms and a watchful eye was on Imeeya.
“Princess Tythra?”
The silence was shattered. Tythra’s eyes tore from her children and to the servant at the entrance of the sitting room. What was so important that they interrupted a moment between family? Her eyebrow raised, silently commanding the servant to speak more.
“His Majesty has arrived and is wishing to see you. Shall I watch over the chi-”
“No, no.” Tythra rolled her eyes. “He’s here to see them. Bring my brother here. You should never leave the King waiting.”
Tythra was overjoyed to see her brother this day, even if it were sudden. Tython was busy, as a good king should be, and so Tythra only truly got to enjoy the company of her brother at court or when he came to visit his nieces.
When he was brought to the sitting room she stood, Essa in hand, and moved to him with lips pulled into a wide smile. “Tython, what a surprise!” She kissed her brother on the cheek in greeting. Imeeya had gotten up from her toys and made her way over to her uncle, excitement gleaming in her eyes. “I fear Imeeya may have missed you more than I have.” She teased.
“Come, come. Sit, brother.” Tythra gestured to one of the cushioned chairs, before moving back to where she had originally been sitting. She gestured to one of the slaves, never looking at him. “Light a fire. The cold rain could give him a terrible chill.”
It was not too long later that the crackling of flame joined the rain’s cadence. Once again things were calm, things were peaceful. This was a perfectly happy day made even better by Tython’s sudden arrival. While she may be typically annoyed at unannounced, unplanned visits, Tython was an exception. No work was more important than family, and Tythra would drop anything if it meant just a few spare moments with him.
“Care to hold your niece?” Tythra offered the baby to him. “I swear, Tython, you have a magic touch when it comes to Essa. She spends the majority of the day fussy, but as soon as you arrive she is calm and in her best behavior. The same was true with Imeeya. I’m beginning to think my daughters like you more than either of their parents. Thesus jokes when Imeeya throws her tantrums that we should call the King over stating a dire emergency.” Tythra laughed easily.
The young king was not feeling as jovial upon approaching his sister's home as he usually did. In fact, there was no sense of joy in his heart at all on this day. There was only a sharpened rawness and that very quiet moment of panic that he had been struggling for most of the morning up until then. The news that had come from the battlefields, of which he was not on currently, was grim. It was nothing that Tythra should have ever had to endure, but something that she would today.
Generally, Tython's visit's to the Drakos manor were for fun and pleasantries. The king enjoyed the company of his young niece, in the very same way that he enjoyed the very tiny company of his own daughter. A surprise, of which he and Yanni both were convinced after having so many sons. His thoughts were somewhat on getting to hold baby Essa, but truthfully, that was only so that if Tythra fainted or anything of the sort, the little girl would not be harmed.
It hurt to be forced into a situation in which Tython had to be the bearer of bad news. Especially when it came to his best friend and beloved sister. Even in the past, when she had been trying her hardest to get rid of Yanni due to her own fears that Tython would never see her again, he still counted her as his closest friend. Everything could be bared to his sister. Tythra was not a gossip and she never spread his business around, even if he came to her for advice.
Breathing deeply once through his nose, the king started his climb slowly up the stairs and into the front door of the manor. The servants there sort of stopped him, though the one who rushed to speak to Tythra was too late to turn back and invite Tython into the family room. The king fixed the man with a rather impassive look, impressing the fact that he did not have to knock nor announce himself when it came to visiting his sister. Just as she need not either. It was not as if he were entering his sister's bedchamber without announcing himself. This was the public portion of the manor.
Then his stormy gaze drifted to Tythra and he did his best to put a smile on his face. It was only to please little Imeeya, who he leaned down to hug properly in greeting. "I've missed you too, little one," Tython asserted gently, ruffling her hair a bit as he rose back to his full height. Servants rushed to stoke the fire as Tythra commanded it, but Tython could not find it in himself to sit. Not yet.
He was all too pleased to take Essa from his sister, holding her close to his chest and gazing down at her with all of the affection that a parent would to their own. She wasn't his, obviously, but she may as well have been now.
For Thesus was dead and he was never coming back and little Essa would never meet her daddy.
Tythra spoke, but Tython's gaze remained profoundly distant as he gazed quietly into the face of his newborn niece. Because this was the hardest thing he had ever done. The hardest words he would ever say. He knew that he couldn't mince them and that his silence up until this point would only bring more questions from his sister. And if that happened, he would surely lose his nerve.
The king very slowly brought his gaze back up to Tythra, "I want you to know that this brings me the greatest of pains, Tythra, but if I do not say it now I will not be able to say it at all," Tython said very slowly, his low, gravelly voice sounding out the words slowly. "Thesus has fallen in battle," he did not remove his gaze from Tythra's face, swallowing hard as the only sign of pained emotion he would allow himself. his voice did waver when he spoke again, "And the gods have commanded that he does not return to our shores with breath in his lungs."
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The young king was not feeling as jovial upon approaching his sister's home as he usually did. In fact, there was no sense of joy in his heart at all on this day. There was only a sharpened rawness and that very quiet moment of panic that he had been struggling for most of the morning up until then. The news that had come from the battlefields, of which he was not on currently, was grim. It was nothing that Tythra should have ever had to endure, but something that she would today.
Generally, Tython's visit's to the Drakos manor were for fun and pleasantries. The king enjoyed the company of his young niece, in the very same way that he enjoyed the very tiny company of his own daughter. A surprise, of which he and Yanni both were convinced after having so many sons. His thoughts were somewhat on getting to hold baby Essa, but truthfully, that was only so that if Tythra fainted or anything of the sort, the little girl would not be harmed.
It hurt to be forced into a situation in which Tython had to be the bearer of bad news. Especially when it came to his best friend and beloved sister. Even in the past, when she had been trying her hardest to get rid of Yanni due to her own fears that Tython would never see her again, he still counted her as his closest friend. Everything could be bared to his sister. Tythra was not a gossip and she never spread his business around, even if he came to her for advice.
Breathing deeply once through his nose, the king started his climb slowly up the stairs and into the front door of the manor. The servants there sort of stopped him, though the one who rushed to speak to Tythra was too late to turn back and invite Tython into the family room. The king fixed the man with a rather impassive look, impressing the fact that he did not have to knock nor announce himself when it came to visiting his sister. Just as she need not either. It was not as if he were entering his sister's bedchamber without announcing himself. This was the public portion of the manor.
Then his stormy gaze drifted to Tythra and he did his best to put a smile on his face. It was only to please little Imeeya, who he leaned down to hug properly in greeting. "I've missed you too, little one," Tython asserted gently, ruffling her hair a bit as he rose back to his full height. Servants rushed to stoke the fire as Tythra commanded it, but Tython could not find it in himself to sit. Not yet.
He was all too pleased to take Essa from his sister, holding her close to his chest and gazing down at her with all of the affection that a parent would to their own. She wasn't his, obviously, but she may as well have been now.
For Thesus was dead and he was never coming back and little Essa would never meet her daddy.
Tythra spoke, but Tython's gaze remained profoundly distant as he gazed quietly into the face of his newborn niece. Because this was the hardest thing he had ever done. The hardest words he would ever say. He knew that he couldn't mince them and that his silence up until this point would only bring more questions from his sister. And if that happened, he would surely lose his nerve.
The king very slowly brought his gaze back up to Tythra, "I want you to know that this brings me the greatest of pains, Tythra, but if I do not say it now I will not be able to say it at all," Tython said very slowly, his low, gravelly voice sounding out the words slowly. "Thesus has fallen in battle," he did not remove his gaze from Tythra's face, swallowing hard as the only sign of pained emotion he would allow himself. his voice did waver when he spoke again, "And the gods have commanded that he does not return to our shores with breath in his lungs."
The young king was not feeling as jovial upon approaching his sister's home as he usually did. In fact, there was no sense of joy in his heart at all on this day. There was only a sharpened rawness and that very quiet moment of panic that he had been struggling for most of the morning up until then. The news that had come from the battlefields, of which he was not on currently, was grim. It was nothing that Tythra should have ever had to endure, but something that she would today.
Generally, Tython's visit's to the Drakos manor were for fun and pleasantries. The king enjoyed the company of his young niece, in the very same way that he enjoyed the very tiny company of his own daughter. A surprise, of which he and Yanni both were convinced after having so many sons. His thoughts were somewhat on getting to hold baby Essa, but truthfully, that was only so that if Tythra fainted or anything of the sort, the little girl would not be harmed.
It hurt to be forced into a situation in which Tython had to be the bearer of bad news. Especially when it came to his best friend and beloved sister. Even in the past, when she had been trying her hardest to get rid of Yanni due to her own fears that Tython would never see her again, he still counted her as his closest friend. Everything could be bared to his sister. Tythra was not a gossip and she never spread his business around, even if he came to her for advice.
Breathing deeply once through his nose, the king started his climb slowly up the stairs and into the front door of the manor. The servants there sort of stopped him, though the one who rushed to speak to Tythra was too late to turn back and invite Tython into the family room. The king fixed the man with a rather impassive look, impressing the fact that he did not have to knock nor announce himself when it came to visiting his sister. Just as she need not either. It was not as if he were entering his sister's bedchamber without announcing himself. This was the public portion of the manor.
Then his stormy gaze drifted to Tythra and he did his best to put a smile on his face. It was only to please little Imeeya, who he leaned down to hug properly in greeting. "I've missed you too, little one," Tython asserted gently, ruffling her hair a bit as he rose back to his full height. Servants rushed to stoke the fire as Tythra commanded it, but Tython could not find it in himself to sit. Not yet.
He was all too pleased to take Essa from his sister, holding her close to his chest and gazing down at her with all of the affection that a parent would to their own. She wasn't his, obviously, but she may as well have been now.
For Thesus was dead and he was never coming back and little Essa would never meet her daddy.
Tythra spoke, but Tython's gaze remained profoundly distant as he gazed quietly into the face of his newborn niece. Because this was the hardest thing he had ever done. The hardest words he would ever say. He knew that he couldn't mince them and that his silence up until this point would only bring more questions from his sister. And if that happened, he would surely lose his nerve.
The king very slowly brought his gaze back up to Tythra, "I want you to know that this brings me the greatest of pains, Tythra, but if I do not say it now I will not be able to say it at all," Tython said very slowly, his low, gravelly voice sounding out the words slowly. "Thesus has fallen in battle," he did not remove his gaze from Tythra's face, swallowing hard as the only sign of pained emotion he would allow himself. his voice did waver when he spoke again, "And the gods have commanded that he does not return to our shores with breath in his lungs."
The world as Tythra knew it stopped. It was as if time was completely frozen. She was breathing, she could hear the crackling of fire, but… everything else just stopped making sense. What did her brother say? No, clearly Tythra misheard him. He was pulling a prank, he was trying to catch his sister off-kilter.
But this was not the type of joke Tython would pull, and his face was grave and serious. Thesus of Drakos was… dead? But that in itself didn’t make sense. He was a valiant warrior, one that just wouldn’t die. Tythra always told him his soft heart would be what ended him, but she didn’t ever truly mean it. Thesus was strong. Thesus was brave. Thesus… had a family to come back to.
Tythra didn’t love Thesus, not like she loved Minas. But he was the father of her child. He was her husband. He was to support her and her daughters. And… And he was to meet Essa! He should have been here for her birth! He promised he would be here! He… he…
“Imeeya, let’s leave Uncle Tython alone, hm?” Tythra stood up and scooped up her daughter. She held the four-year-old close. Her heart was pounding, fighting the squirming child who very much did not want to be held right now. What did Tythra do when Imeeya would ask where daddy was? What would she do when it was Tythra, once again, tucking the child in bed? What would she do when all the other children played with her daddy and Imeeya looked around and saw… none.
And Essa would never know what it was like to have a father. She would never have a fatherly love. She would never lay eyes on Thesus. She would never know his laugh or his smile. Her girls were cursed to live with just a mother. And Tythra, who was always typically so confident, felt… lost. Thesus was supposed to be the kind parent. He was more nurturing than Tythra ever was, despite their genders. He was always smiling and joking. He was always trying to make Imeeya and Tythra laugh. He looked forward to when he was around to tuck Imeeya in. And he always spoke of having a second child all the way up to the moment he was called off to go to the north.
Thesus died not even knowing Essa existed. His only thoughts would be of Imeeya. Her… poor baby girl.
Tythra would not cry. She could not cry. She could not… break… she couldn’t…
Imeeya had stopped squirming and looked at her mom with such a confused expression. Tythra blinked, allowing the child to slide back down to the floor. And then all at once, time picked up. She blinked, once more focusing on her brother. “I’m sorry, he what?”
Tythra knew what Tython said. She knew it a hundred times over. But it just didn’t make sense. It couldn’t make sense. Tython was wrong. Her brother was wrong! Because for Thesus to be dead it means her daughters would be without a father. For Thesus to be dead it would mean Head of House would now fall to his brother. For Thesus to be dead…
It meant Tythra would be alone.
She couldn’t accept his reality. She wouldn’t accept this reality. Thesus was alive. There was no possibility on this planet that would have Thesus be dead. “He’s not. You’re wrong, Tython.” Her voice was cold, colder than it had ever been to Tython. It was cold as the ice surrounding her heart right now, trying to shield her from the impending, inevitable pain. “Hand me my daughter. I received a letter just recently that Thesus would be coming home soon. He would not die right before he was supposed to leave. This is ridiculous, Tython. Really. I thought more of you. I thought-”
Tythra’s heart would not stop pounding. Her head felt a little light. The world was… spinning.
She was spinning.
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The world as Tythra knew it stopped. It was as if time was completely frozen. She was breathing, she could hear the crackling of fire, but… everything else just stopped making sense. What did her brother say? No, clearly Tythra misheard him. He was pulling a prank, he was trying to catch his sister off-kilter.
But this was not the type of joke Tython would pull, and his face was grave and serious. Thesus of Drakos was… dead? But that in itself didn’t make sense. He was a valiant warrior, one that just wouldn’t die. Tythra always told him his soft heart would be what ended him, but she didn’t ever truly mean it. Thesus was strong. Thesus was brave. Thesus… had a family to come back to.
Tythra didn’t love Thesus, not like she loved Minas. But he was the father of her child. He was her husband. He was to support her and her daughters. And… And he was to meet Essa! He should have been here for her birth! He promised he would be here! He… he…
“Imeeya, let’s leave Uncle Tython alone, hm?” Tythra stood up and scooped up her daughter. She held the four-year-old close. Her heart was pounding, fighting the squirming child who very much did not want to be held right now. What did Tythra do when Imeeya would ask where daddy was? What would she do when it was Tythra, once again, tucking the child in bed? What would she do when all the other children played with her daddy and Imeeya looked around and saw… none.
And Essa would never know what it was like to have a father. She would never have a fatherly love. She would never lay eyes on Thesus. She would never know his laugh or his smile. Her girls were cursed to live with just a mother. And Tythra, who was always typically so confident, felt… lost. Thesus was supposed to be the kind parent. He was more nurturing than Tythra ever was, despite their genders. He was always smiling and joking. He was always trying to make Imeeya and Tythra laugh. He looked forward to when he was around to tuck Imeeya in. And he always spoke of having a second child all the way up to the moment he was called off to go to the north.
Thesus died not even knowing Essa existed. His only thoughts would be of Imeeya. Her… poor baby girl.
Tythra would not cry. She could not cry. She could not… break… she couldn’t…
Imeeya had stopped squirming and looked at her mom with such a confused expression. Tythra blinked, allowing the child to slide back down to the floor. And then all at once, time picked up. She blinked, once more focusing on her brother. “I’m sorry, he what?”
Tythra knew what Tython said. She knew it a hundred times over. But it just didn’t make sense. It couldn’t make sense. Tython was wrong. Her brother was wrong! Because for Thesus to be dead it means her daughters would be without a father. For Thesus to be dead it would mean Head of House would now fall to his brother. For Thesus to be dead…
It meant Tythra would be alone.
She couldn’t accept his reality. She wouldn’t accept this reality. Thesus was alive. There was no possibility on this planet that would have Thesus be dead. “He’s not. You’re wrong, Tython.” Her voice was cold, colder than it had ever been to Tython. It was cold as the ice surrounding her heart right now, trying to shield her from the impending, inevitable pain. “Hand me my daughter. I received a letter just recently that Thesus would be coming home soon. He would not die right before he was supposed to leave. This is ridiculous, Tython. Really. I thought more of you. I thought-”
Tythra’s heart would not stop pounding. Her head felt a little light. The world was… spinning.
She was spinning.
The world as Tythra knew it stopped. It was as if time was completely frozen. She was breathing, she could hear the crackling of fire, but… everything else just stopped making sense. What did her brother say? No, clearly Tythra misheard him. He was pulling a prank, he was trying to catch his sister off-kilter.
But this was not the type of joke Tython would pull, and his face was grave and serious. Thesus of Drakos was… dead? But that in itself didn’t make sense. He was a valiant warrior, one that just wouldn’t die. Tythra always told him his soft heart would be what ended him, but she didn’t ever truly mean it. Thesus was strong. Thesus was brave. Thesus… had a family to come back to.
Tythra didn’t love Thesus, not like she loved Minas. But he was the father of her child. He was her husband. He was to support her and her daughters. And… And he was to meet Essa! He should have been here for her birth! He promised he would be here! He… he…
“Imeeya, let’s leave Uncle Tython alone, hm?” Tythra stood up and scooped up her daughter. She held the four-year-old close. Her heart was pounding, fighting the squirming child who very much did not want to be held right now. What did Tythra do when Imeeya would ask where daddy was? What would she do when it was Tythra, once again, tucking the child in bed? What would she do when all the other children played with her daddy and Imeeya looked around and saw… none.
And Essa would never know what it was like to have a father. She would never have a fatherly love. She would never lay eyes on Thesus. She would never know his laugh or his smile. Her girls were cursed to live with just a mother. And Tythra, who was always typically so confident, felt… lost. Thesus was supposed to be the kind parent. He was more nurturing than Tythra ever was, despite their genders. He was always smiling and joking. He was always trying to make Imeeya and Tythra laugh. He looked forward to when he was around to tuck Imeeya in. And he always spoke of having a second child all the way up to the moment he was called off to go to the north.
Thesus died not even knowing Essa existed. His only thoughts would be of Imeeya. Her… poor baby girl.
Tythra would not cry. She could not cry. She could not… break… she couldn’t…
Imeeya had stopped squirming and looked at her mom with such a confused expression. Tythra blinked, allowing the child to slide back down to the floor. And then all at once, time picked up. She blinked, once more focusing on her brother. “I’m sorry, he what?”
Tythra knew what Tython said. She knew it a hundred times over. But it just didn’t make sense. It couldn’t make sense. Tython was wrong. Her brother was wrong! Because for Thesus to be dead it means her daughters would be without a father. For Thesus to be dead it would mean Head of House would now fall to his brother. For Thesus to be dead…
It meant Tythra would be alone.
She couldn’t accept his reality. She wouldn’t accept this reality. Thesus was alive. There was no possibility on this planet that would have Thesus be dead. “He’s not. You’re wrong, Tython.” Her voice was cold, colder than it had ever been to Tython. It was cold as the ice surrounding her heart right now, trying to shield her from the impending, inevitable pain. “Hand me my daughter. I received a letter just recently that Thesus would be coming home soon. He would not die right before he was supposed to leave. This is ridiculous, Tython. Really. I thought more of you. I thought-”
Tythra’s heart would not stop pounding. Her head felt a little light. The world was… spinning.
She was spinning.
Tython would not hand Tythra back her newborn daughter. That was entirely out of the question, watchign the way Imeeya seemed to slide out of her arms and settle on the floor at her mother's feet. Turning his head, Tython looked toward the archway of the sitting room for the passing of a servant. As if on queue, one of the female servants passed into the room at that moment, bearing refreshments for the King and the Princess. "Take Lady Imeeya and little Essa out of the room, if you will," the King said calmly, noting the way the servant froze and then stood stock straight in an instant.
Looking between the princess, who seemed to be reeling about something the King had just told her, and the toddler and baby girl, the servant nodded slowly and reached up toward the King in order to take the baby from him, carefully supporting the child's neck in a way that was practiced. As if she herself were a mother. Tython wondered if she would soon find out that her husband had died in the war. Many had in the last few days, that much was sure and true.
And utterly soul crushing when it came to the thought of telling so many of the losses they had just suffered. No loss was greater than the loss of a husband and father, however, and Tython knew that for as strong as his little sister was, that she was not safe from grief. He was not either, though he grieved his brother-in-law in a way that was far more silent and steeped in quiet rage and frustration.
The King knew that he did not need to repeat himself, so he didn't, instead keeping his gaze on his sister even as she spoke. "I am not wrong, Tythra," Tython said in a very quiet voice, shaking his head as his only rejection for her request to hand her Essa. Imeeya was being lead from the room, Essa supported delicately in the sevants arms. Only when they were alone did Tython step forward and reach for Tythra's form, pulling her into his arms as she started to feel faint.
"It was sudden," Tython said very quietly, "We lost a countless number of men. Lord Thesus was among the dead," he murmured quietly, leaning Tythra to her chair so that she could sit again instead of slumping to the floor. With her settled safely into one of the seats, he moved across the room for a cup and some water, pulling one of the heavy chairs out of its usual spot so that he could sit directly across from Tythra, so close that she could lean into his lap if she needed to.
"Drink some water, Tythra," Tython coaxed, "You do not know me to joke about the lives of men," he said firmly, knowing that Tythra would soon understand that the King was not trying to test her or pull the wool over her eyes in any way at all.
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Tython would not hand Tythra back her newborn daughter. That was entirely out of the question, watchign the way Imeeya seemed to slide out of her arms and settle on the floor at her mother's feet. Turning his head, Tython looked toward the archway of the sitting room for the passing of a servant. As if on queue, one of the female servants passed into the room at that moment, bearing refreshments for the King and the Princess. "Take Lady Imeeya and little Essa out of the room, if you will," the King said calmly, noting the way the servant froze and then stood stock straight in an instant.
Looking between the princess, who seemed to be reeling about something the King had just told her, and the toddler and baby girl, the servant nodded slowly and reached up toward the King in order to take the baby from him, carefully supporting the child's neck in a way that was practiced. As if she herself were a mother. Tython wondered if she would soon find out that her husband had died in the war. Many had in the last few days, that much was sure and true.
And utterly soul crushing when it came to the thought of telling so many of the losses they had just suffered. No loss was greater than the loss of a husband and father, however, and Tython knew that for as strong as his little sister was, that she was not safe from grief. He was not either, though he grieved his brother-in-law in a way that was far more silent and steeped in quiet rage and frustration.
The King knew that he did not need to repeat himself, so he didn't, instead keeping his gaze on his sister even as she spoke. "I am not wrong, Tythra," Tython said in a very quiet voice, shaking his head as his only rejection for her request to hand her Essa. Imeeya was being lead from the room, Essa supported delicately in the sevants arms. Only when they were alone did Tython step forward and reach for Tythra's form, pulling her into his arms as she started to feel faint.
"It was sudden," Tython said very quietly, "We lost a countless number of men. Lord Thesus was among the dead," he murmured quietly, leaning Tythra to her chair so that she could sit again instead of slumping to the floor. With her settled safely into one of the seats, he moved across the room for a cup and some water, pulling one of the heavy chairs out of its usual spot so that he could sit directly across from Tythra, so close that she could lean into his lap if she needed to.
"Drink some water, Tythra," Tython coaxed, "You do not know me to joke about the lives of men," he said firmly, knowing that Tythra would soon understand that the King was not trying to test her or pull the wool over her eyes in any way at all.
Tython would not hand Tythra back her newborn daughter. That was entirely out of the question, watchign the way Imeeya seemed to slide out of her arms and settle on the floor at her mother's feet. Turning his head, Tython looked toward the archway of the sitting room for the passing of a servant. As if on queue, one of the female servants passed into the room at that moment, bearing refreshments for the King and the Princess. "Take Lady Imeeya and little Essa out of the room, if you will," the King said calmly, noting the way the servant froze and then stood stock straight in an instant.
Looking between the princess, who seemed to be reeling about something the King had just told her, and the toddler and baby girl, the servant nodded slowly and reached up toward the King in order to take the baby from him, carefully supporting the child's neck in a way that was practiced. As if she herself were a mother. Tython wondered if she would soon find out that her husband had died in the war. Many had in the last few days, that much was sure and true.
And utterly soul crushing when it came to the thought of telling so many of the losses they had just suffered. No loss was greater than the loss of a husband and father, however, and Tython knew that for as strong as his little sister was, that she was not safe from grief. He was not either, though he grieved his brother-in-law in a way that was far more silent and steeped in quiet rage and frustration.
The King knew that he did not need to repeat himself, so he didn't, instead keeping his gaze on his sister even as she spoke. "I am not wrong, Tythra," Tython said in a very quiet voice, shaking his head as his only rejection for her request to hand her Essa. Imeeya was being lead from the room, Essa supported delicately in the sevants arms. Only when they were alone did Tython step forward and reach for Tythra's form, pulling her into his arms as she started to feel faint.
"It was sudden," Tython said very quietly, "We lost a countless number of men. Lord Thesus was among the dead," he murmured quietly, leaning Tythra to her chair so that she could sit again instead of slumping to the floor. With her settled safely into one of the seats, he moved across the room for a cup and some water, pulling one of the heavy chairs out of its usual spot so that he could sit directly across from Tythra, so close that she could lean into his lap if she needed to.
"Drink some water, Tythra," Tython coaxed, "You do not know me to joke about the lives of men," he said firmly, knowing that Tythra would soon understand that the King was not trying to test her or pull the wool over her eyes in any way at all.
Lord Thesus was among the dead.
No. No this wasn’t right. This was a dream- a nightmare. Her husband was not dead. Her husband was on his way home. He was on his horse riding through the night. He was only thinking of home. He was thinking of Imeeya and how much he wanted to hug her again. He would be surprised when he gets home when he sees his newborn daughter, one that already looked exactly like him. He would tell Tythra he loved her.
… Had Tythra ever done the same?
Posidaios, 719BC
Why can’t I go nap?
Tythra was grumpy. The four-year-old didn’t want to be at this festival. She didn’t want to be stuffed into all these fancy clothes and parade around and forced to talk to all the other nobles. She didn’t want to be here at all. She wanted to be home with her dolls and to play by herself. Tythra was good at being by herself. The only person she wanted to give her company was her big brother.
The festival was three days long. Tythra knew it was important. It was to honor the Gods and that was a really, really good thing. The gods protected Colchis and blessed their soldiers with the ability to fight, and their women with the ability to protect themselves. But the sun was really high in the sky. It beat down on the child, making her even crankier than she already was. There was barely wind on this day to cool her down. She was hot.
I wanna go home, Tythra thought as she held her brother’s hand following him as the children obediently did what their parents told. Tythra’s feet were hurting, she was tired from hardly getting any sleep, and worst of all she was bored. Tythra wasn’t allowed to run around like everyone else. She wasn’t allowed to go to the pretty market stalls. She wasn’t allowed to get messy like the other children. She had to be proper and stay with her big brother. That’s what Princesses did. At least that’s what mama said.
Honestly, Tythra didn’t quite understand it. Grandpapa only died last year, and papa only was the King for that long too. Which meant that Tythra was only Princess for a year. Why did things have to change because of that? Why couldn’t she play as normal kids do? Why did she have to talk to people and trail behind her brother and be good? Being good was boring. Didn’t her parents understand that?
And why is it so hot?!
Tythra wanted to stomp her feet and throw a tantrum. She wanted to start crying in the middle of this festival. She wanted to scream and yell until she got what she wanted which was simple: To go home. But instead she slipped her hand from her brother and looked at him with wide eyes. “I wanna go get juice.” Her words were simple and innocent, in no way indicating the growing storm within her tiny body. When mama and papa told her she was a Princess now, they didn’t tell her it came without any naps. They didn’t tell her she would be busier and have to wear uncomfy clothes because they were pretty. Tiaras also hurt her head. They were heavy. Tythra didn’t want to be a Princess right now. All she wanted was a nap.
The child had went to one of her nursemaids to go find juice when she suddenly felt a small thunk against her leg. Tythra jumped and when she looked and there was a ball at her feet. When did that get there?
“Throw it back!” a young boy said. Tythra bent down and felt the tiny ball in her hands. It was rough, kinda like the balls she had back at home. Tythra looked up uneasily to her nursemaid, but she looked distracted by one of the guards who was walking by. So Tythra tossed the ball back at the boy.
“Wow! Good throw!” He said as he caught it. The boy had a really, really big smile. It was a nice smile. It reminded her of the smiles her nursemaid got when talking to the soldiers around the manor. But this smile was more fun.
The boy looked interesting too. He had dark hair and really light blue eyes. They were almost grey like Athena’s! He was missing two of his teeth. They were probably wiggly and fell out, lucky! That means he’d get big boy teeth soon! He had dark hair that fell in front of his eyes. But despite the fact that he looked a little messy, he was dressed really richly. Just like her big brother, even!
He tossed the ball back and Tythra frowned. “I’m not allowed to play. I’m supposed to get juice and go back to my big brother.”
“You can play! I’m a head of house now! So I give you permission!” The boy puffed up his chest, looking all proud. Tythra couldn’t help but giggle. He was silly. The crankiness was starting to disappear because of this boy’s silliness.
“I’m a Princess though. Princesses have to stay really clean. Plus mama and papa said there’s lots of people I gotta talk to today.” Tythra started to rock back and forth on her feet. She threw the ball back to the boy.
His eyes suddenly got wide. “Are you Princess Tythra? Wow! I told my mom when she was crying because dad was gone that I was gonna marry a Princess one day. I promised that I’m going to take good care of her! Cuz that’s what Drakos men do!”
Wait, was Tythra going to marry this guy? Gross! Boys were icky. Even if he was silly Tythra wasn’t going to marry him, nu uh! He was Lord Drakos? Papa talked about that family right? His mama is in charge because he’s so little. Tythra thought that was cool because women don’t normally get to be bossy! She wrinkled her nose at the child. “I’m not gonna marry no one! You’re gonna have to find another Princess because it won’t be me!”
But the boy took a step forward. He was laughing at Tythra’s wrinkled nose. He didn’t seem to mind that the Princess just said no. In fact, it only made him smile wider. “Nope! I’m gonna marry you. I promised my mom I’m gonna marry a Princess and you’re it! I love you, Princess Tythra!”
Teleos, 700BC
He isn’t Minas.
Tythra had imagined herself standing in this exact position with a different man years ago. She knew one day she would get here. She knew one day that she would get married, for the good of the Kotas family. Once Yanni and Tython had married and Tythra found that she wasn’t going to be sent away, she got over her fear of marriage.
And then Tythra met Minas. She was so nervous at first when she arrived at Athenia. But in the time she was there Tythra had fallen in love with Minas, a love that was never returned. The way he smiled, the way his eyes pierced into her… it made her heart race. The way his hand brushed against her’s and the strength of his arm as he led her like a proper gentleman, everything made her breath catch.
But it wasn’t black and white that Tythra was wearing currently. She was dressed in Drakos colors, the blue and yellow glimmering each time it caught the light. This wasn’t at all she was expected. Tythra didn’t think she’d be wearing a tiara when she was walking to her husband’s home. She expected a crown and to be greeted by a palatai.
But more importantly, she expected to be with a man that she loved. Tythra knew one day that she would marry, and when she was younger she had every thought it would be because of politics. Turns out… she was right. For the one man that she did come to care about, the one man that still held her heart despite giving his to another woman, rejected her. And now she was with someone else. Another man who, despite Tythra’s cold nature… cared for her.
The smile she had was polite. Her eyes shined as any bride should. But the smile Lord Thesus had was genuine. He was happy and not because he was married to a Princess. He was happy not because it was a Kotas on his arm. He was happy because it was Tythra. For the two did get along. Tythra respected Thesus. He was a good, honest man. He was strong like any Colchian was, but unlike most men of Colchis he wore his heart on his sleeve. Honestly, the man couldn’t tell a lie even if it was to save his own life. And so while he wasn’t Minas, and he would never be Minas, Tythra wasn’t upset by the match.
All her life she had different men and women suck up to her. She was Tython’s only sister, the future King of Colchis. Not only that, but it was evident that the bond between the siblings was not for show. Tython cared for Tythra and she cared just as fiercely for her own brother. Which meant for others being friends with Tythra could be very profitable. But Thesus was not like others. He didn’t suck up to Tythra. If Tythra was being a brat in court, he’d tell her to her face. But he was never unkind about it. He was always that boy who wanted to play ball. He just wanted to be near Tythra.
I promised my mom I’m gonna marry a Princess and you’re it!
How did he know? Tythra never once expected she would be married to Lord Thesus of Drakos. Even as her father was arranging the marriage and the negotiations were set Tythra did not believe that it would go through. She already had one failed engagement, after all. And yet here they were, Thesus looking to be the happiest man alive with Tythra on his arm. His wife, forever and always.
The ever-present polite smile changed when she looked upon her new husband. It became… softer. And for once, more genuine. This son of a bitch. He knew. At five years old he set himself a goal to marry a Princess and he did just that. Thesus of Drakos was persistent, she’d give him that.
“What are you thinking, Lady Drakos?” He chuckled, looking down at her now with those nearly grey eyes. Eyes that were like staring back at Athena, wiser than anyone she had ever met, and clearly far more knowing.
“Princess,” Tythra teased him, her own smile growing wider. She didn’t look like a Kotas now, stoic with their emotions hidden behind a mask. And truth be told, she didn’t look much like a Drakos either. They were fierce warriors. But what she did look like… was Thesus’s wife. “My name changed, not my title.”
“Oh, excuse me. How could I forget?” He bent over to kiss the tip of Tythra’s nose. To which she immediately wrinkled cutely- something that was also so unlike her. “You know you did that once. Do you remember? When I told you that we would get married?”
“Yes and I happen to remember telling you to find another Princess didn’t I?” Tythra rolled her eyes. That day was so foggy, and yet the conversation between two small children was still crystal clear in her mind. “I must say, you’re not a good listener are you?”
“Excuse me?” Thesus smirked, amused. His arms wrapped around his new wife’s hips. “I think it’s you who doesn’t listen? You’re as stubborn as when I first met you.”
“And how so.” Tythra raised an eyebrow as she casually draped her arms around her husband’s neck. Fingers laced into his dark tresses, twirling the locks with her long fingers. “I mean, you’re not wrong, but I still require an example.”
Thesus just closed the distance, even more, placing his forehead against her’s. She could feel his hot breath just inches away from her lips. “Because I told you this would happen all along, Tythra. None of this should have come as a surprise. I said it before, and I’ll say it again. I love you, Princess Tythra of Drakos.”
Ermaios, 692BC
I am going to kill Thesus.
Tythra wanted him dead. She wanted him dead every time he squeezed her damn hand and said it was almost over. How long has it almost been over? This pain felt like it lasted centuries. This pain felt like a thousand of Zeus’s lightning bolts were running all through her body threatening to rip her in half.
“It’s almost over! You’re almost there!” Thesus encouraged his wife as another scream ripped from her lips. The Priestesses of Artemis were all caring for her. One wet a towel to wipe the sweat that was dribbling from the Princess’s forehead. The other was below, as a midwife should be.
“Shut up, Thesus!” Tythra yelled as she squeezed her eyes shut. She didn’t care right now about what was polite or proper. Screw decorum. Right now Tythra was ready to unleash all the expletives she had held back her entire life in one breath.
Too bad every breath was dedicated to another scream.
It was nine months of bliss for one night of pure torture. Tythra before had been bouncing around knowing that the baby was coming but not quite sure when the show would begin. The priestesses were all waiting, saying their prayers as Tythra got closer and closer to labor. But now that she was in the midst of it, Tythra wished she could take it all back. This couldn’t be worth it right? Why did people put themselves through this?
“I-I think I see it’s head!” Thesus gave Tythra’s hand another squeeze. “You can do it, Tythra! It’ll be ov-”
“Stop looking, Thesus!” Tythra snapped, teeth grinding. Tythra was at her worst. Her body was drenched in sweat, her face red with pain, and every muscle was clenched as she tried to get a human being out of her body.
Gods protect me because if I survive this I can’t promise Thesus will. But then suddenly, as if the Gods heard her prayer, the room filled with cries. Tythra collapsed back and tried to catch her breath. Oh, Imeeya or Ithra was going to be in so much trouble when Tythra set her eyes on them.
Or so she thought. But when the babe was wiped clean and the midwife handed the child to Tythra, her heart instantly melted. “She’s healthy.”
She. “Imeeya,” Tythra breathed towards the baby laying on her chest. “You’re healthy, huh? Look at you. You know you put mama through a lot of pain.”
“Yes she did,” Thesus ran a hand over his daughter’s head. The baby yawned, her eyes still closed. “And got papa yelled at a lot.”
But Tythra was ignoring Thesus. Her eyes were only on her daughter. Her precious little wyrmling, her new world. This was worth it. She was perfect. Alive for all of five minutes and already the owner of all of Tythra’s love and attention. She was a blessing, the greatest gift that Tythra could have ever received. Tythra put her finger in her small hand and felt as those tiny fingers wrapped around it.
Nine months she carried Imeeya. She had nearly tackled Thesus with joy when the priestess had told her she was with child. And Imeeya was not an easy child to carry. She was trouble from the start. The constant sickness she gave her mother, even forcing her into bedrest towards the end. And the pain was something Tythra would never forget.
And yet within seconds Imeeya made her forget everything. “Look at her, Thesus.” Tythra whispered, unable to tear her eyes from the child for even a second. “Look at how precious she is.”
“She’s perfect, Tythra. She’s daddy’s little girl.” He chuckled placing a kiss upon their daughter’s head. His hand finally moved from Imeeya to Tythra, fingers running through the messy blond strands. “Still want to murder me?”
“Not tonight,” Tythra sighed happily. Tonight it was all worth it. This was magical. This was proof that the gods existed (not that Tythra doubted for a second). And yes, in the coming days she would feel the remnants of pain throughout her body. And yes, she was bound to get sleepless nights, even if there was a nursemaid available to help them. But despite the fact that her husband had given her encouraging words despite not knowing a single thing about the pain she was going through… she chose to forgive him for now.
“Good, because I plan to be with this little one for a very long time.” Thesus fell in love again. Tythra could see it in his eyes as he gazed upon his daughter. And Tythra couldn’t blame him. Imeeya would be everything to the two parents. Tythra would lay down her life so that Imeeya could have a chance at a better one, and so would Thesus. She would be given the world, spoiled rotten and taught how to succeed. And while Tythra struggled to show warmth and affection, Imeeya was blessed because she had a father that would smother her in it. This child would know only happy days, and grow up with the largest smile on her face.
“You better,” Tythra’s eyes returned now to who daughters who finally had her own open. Blue… exactly like her father’s. Would Imeeya be just like him? Or would she take after her mama? Tythra couldn’t wait to find out.
“I promise you, Tythra. I love you Imeeya.” His eyes sparkled with the joy only a new father could have. And then he placed a kiss on Tythra’s forehead. “And I love you, mama.”
Artamisios, 689BC
Nope, absolutely not.
“Let me talk to my brother, Thesus. Now’s not the time.” Tythra did not want her husband to go to the North. She knew he was a soldier, just as any man was. She knew it was the duty of Colchian to take up arms to defend their homeland. But Imeeya was so young, and the pair have been trying again for another child. They needed a son, an heir. Now was not the time to go to battle.
“Tythra, you know you can’t.” Thesus was gathering his things. He was to leave tonight. “It’s going to be fine. You freaked out the last time and look, here we are, having the exact same conversation.”
The last time Thesus went to the North Tythra could barely sleep. Imeeya was just a little girl, not even one. Tythra spent a month sleeping in Imeeya’s nursery until she finally forced herself to go back to her own bedroom. The thought of raising her daughter alone paralyzed her. And now that they were trying to have another?
Absolutely not. He was not to go to the North Lands. Tythra was putting her foot down.
“Just one conversation, Thesus. Tython will listen. He always listens to me. One conversation, that’s it. And then you can stay here, we can have our heir, everything will be just fine. We won’t lose to the North if you st-”
“Enough.” Thesus didn’t have the smile that he always had. He didn’t have that twinkle in his eye or that playful smirk. He was serious, a warrior just like the Drakos bloodline suggested. And he didn’t like the weakness his wife showed, the worry she had for him.
But Tythra didn’t give a damn. She knew that Ares was looking down at her in disappointment and disgust, but if her husband fell and went to Hades Tythra would want to follow. She could not be left alone. Thesus had to stay.
“Just one talk. Just let me try.” Tythra whispered. She moved over to her husband and placed a soft hand on his face. “Just let me try. Okay? For me? Can you just let me ask him for me?”
“Stop it!” Thesus shouted and Tythra winced. It was not out of fear, Thesus would never hurt Tythra and she knew it. But Imeeya was asleep not two doors down. She did not want her child to wake up in the dead of night and see her parents fighting. Worse, she didn’t want to have to explain why her father was leaving.
Thesus must have realized this too. Because his expression immediately softened, and he gently grabbed his wife’s hand, completely enveloping it in his own. For a moment he put down his bag and focused his entire attention on Tythra. “I’m only to be there for a month. Two, at maximum. I won’t even be on the front lines. I’ll be home before your birthday. And we’ll celebrate it the three of us and everything will be ok-”
“Papa?”
Both parents turned there head to see large blue eyes peering up at them from the doorway. So his shout was enough to wake up Imeeya. Tythra turned her back to Thesus quickly and he moved from her to pick up the toddler.
“Hey, what didn’t I tuck you in already?” He teased her, his smile back but this time they didn’t reach his eyes. There was a tension still in the room, enough that even the child could sense it. Tythra couldn’t fully face them, still recollecting herself.
“Mama and papa fighting?” Imeeya was so intelligent, already able to pick up social cues and connect them together to a logical conclusion. Typically this would be something that Tythra would be proud of. Her daughter was to be the most intelligent in all the land. But right now… Tythra didn’t wish that. Instead she wanted her to be innocent and not notice that trouble between her parents.
“Mama and papa were just having a loud talk. That’s all.” Thesus kissed the top of Imeeya’s head. There was sadness in his eyes, and the kiss lingered a little longer than it would. “Papa is going away for work for a little bit okay? But when I get back I’ll give you some extra bedtime stories, okay?”
Work. Tythra almost scoffed. He was getting sent away. Duty. Sure, but not work. His work was here, Head of Drakos, father to Imeeya and wife to Tythra. But his duty was… well, Tythra didn’t much want to think about that.
“Okay!” Imeeya perked up, sliding from her father’s arms. She didn’t much have a grasp of time. Leaving for work could be a day, a week. The promise of extra stories, however, wasn’t something the child would likely forget. Before she could do anything else the nursemaid came in, realizing Imeeya had left her bed. Shooting an apologetic look to the parents, she shuffled the small child away.
Silence. Tythra just closed her eyes. “Don’t go.” She asked one more time, quietly. “Please just… stay?”
“You know I can’t, Tythra.” Thesus went and grabbed his things. “And you know Tython won’t appreciate you asking either. This is what it means to be a Colchian.” This time it was Thesus who had a hand to his face, cradling her cheek. “Two months, Tythra. And then I’m home. I’ll write to you the entire time that I am away. There won’t be a single week that goes by without you receiving one of my letters. You’ll blink and then I’ll be back home, reading those bedtime stories to Imeeya. I promise.”
“I won’t forgive you if you’re lying, Thesus.” Tythra warned. “I’ll hate you forever.”
Thesus merely chuckled. He placed a slow kiss on his wife’s lips and pulled away. “Don’t do that, because I could never hate you. Now go, get in bed. Every time you sleep now it’s one day closer for when I’m home. Tythra… I love you.”
Current Day
Did I ever say I love you?
Tythra leaned into her brother’s lap. She didn’t want to sob. She was stronger than this. She was a Kotas born Drakos. She was stronger than this. And yet a sobbed ripped through her chest violently. This was worse than when her parents died. She was sad then. She was very sad. But there had been warning. They had been sick.
But Thesus was young. And he promised. Tythra blinked. She blinked again and again and again. But Thesus wasn’t home. He wasn’t reading those bedtime stories to Imeeya. He wasn’t going to meet Essa. He won’t even get to know she exists.
Tythra was alone. Tythra didn’t know what hurt more, the fact that she just lost the father of her children or… the fact that she lost her husband. A husband that Tythra could not recall ever saying ‘I love you’ to. A husband that she respected, smiled at, even laughed with but never… gave her affection.
Was it because her heart belong to Minas or was it because she was cold? Did Thesus deserve her? Time and time again he gave her love. He would kiss her, tease her, make her smile and laugh even when she didn’t want to. He took her demands in stride, even if it was unlady like. He listened to Tythra despite the fact that it was Thesus who was in charge. He was the head of house, he was the man… but he didn’t treat Tythra like she was lesser. He treated her like the Princess she was… no. He treated her like a Queen.
“N-No.” Tythra finally spoke and she sounded broken. This was such an unusual sound from her, a rare sight never to be seen by anyone. She felt shattered, even worse than when Minas told her to leave. Tythra was completely and utterly… gone.
She wanted to follow her husband. But she had two daughters to think about. She couldn’t, she had to stay. And she wanted to hate him just like she told him she would. She wanted him to be here so she could scream at him. So she could whack her small fists against his chest over and over again until he grabbed her wrists and forced her into a hug. He lied.
“N-no, Tython. H-He promised.” She whispered. Oh gods, how pathetic Tython must think Tythra was. This was not the Kotas she was raised to be. Men died at war, Tythra knew this. Men died all the time. Good men, decent men were sent to Hades far earlier than they should have been.
He should have listened. He should have let Tythra talk to Tython. He should have let her convince her brother that he was best left home. His brother could have went instead! Not that Thesus would have listened anyway. He would have been furious had Tythra gone behind his back. And Tython wouldn’t have accepted it anyway. It was a man’s duty.
But now Tythra was left with a broken family. Her daughters, the two most important things in the world for Tythra, would grow up with no father. Would Imeeya even remember him? Would she remember the stories that he would tell her? Would she remember how she begged for him to tell the story about Athena, Medusa, and Persus. Really any story about Athena she would love to hear, and Tythra would stay by the doorway and listen, thanking @athena for blessing her with a child already so wise.
And Essa, oh baby Essa, would never once lay eyes on him. She wouldn’t ever get to feel the love that Thesus had for him. Would she feel love at all? Tythra was apparently incapable of it. She hadn’t said that much to Thesus. The man had said it over and over and over again. But she didn’t say it to him. Not once.
Please gods, let my daughters be better than me. Let them love, let them be happy. Athena bless them with wisdom. Hera, Artemis, bless them to be strong women. Aphrodite, bless them with the love and the ability to love back.
They will be better than Tythra. The will be.
The sobs continued to rip through her lips and tears cascade down her cheeks. She wrapped her arms around herself and closed her eyes. One more time. She would blink one more time. He had one last chance.
When she opened them, they were blurry. Once they refocused, the man she saw was Tython, no Thesus. Not her husband. She would never seem him again.
Tythra finally threw her arms around Tython. She sobbed into her brother. She didn’t care anymore. She didn’t care that she wasn’t a Kotas, strong even in the face of the worst hardships. She was a Drakos. She will always be a Drakos.
@hades , he died with honor. Please allow his soul into Elysium.
Finally, Tythra managed to calm herself. The tears began to slow, but never did they stop. She wiped them and moved back, allowing her brother space once again. “He said everything would be okay,” Tythra said softly. Her hands fell to her lap and her gaze followed. Her tears slid from her cheeks, dripping down onto her chiton. She was a mess. “Will it… brother?”
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Lord Thesus was among the dead.
No. No this wasn’t right. This was a dream- a nightmare. Her husband was not dead. Her husband was on his way home. He was on his horse riding through the night. He was only thinking of home. He was thinking of Imeeya and how much he wanted to hug her again. He would be surprised when he gets home when he sees his newborn daughter, one that already looked exactly like him. He would tell Tythra he loved her.
… Had Tythra ever done the same?
Posidaios, 719BC
Why can’t I go nap?
Tythra was grumpy. The four-year-old didn’t want to be at this festival. She didn’t want to be stuffed into all these fancy clothes and parade around and forced to talk to all the other nobles. She didn’t want to be here at all. She wanted to be home with her dolls and to play by herself. Tythra was good at being by herself. The only person she wanted to give her company was her big brother.
The festival was three days long. Tythra knew it was important. It was to honor the Gods and that was a really, really good thing. The gods protected Colchis and blessed their soldiers with the ability to fight, and their women with the ability to protect themselves. But the sun was really high in the sky. It beat down on the child, making her even crankier than she already was. There was barely wind on this day to cool her down. She was hot.
I wanna go home, Tythra thought as she held her brother’s hand following him as the children obediently did what their parents told. Tythra’s feet were hurting, she was tired from hardly getting any sleep, and worst of all she was bored. Tythra wasn’t allowed to run around like everyone else. She wasn’t allowed to go to the pretty market stalls. She wasn’t allowed to get messy like the other children. She had to be proper and stay with her big brother. That’s what Princesses did. At least that’s what mama said.
Honestly, Tythra didn’t quite understand it. Grandpapa only died last year, and papa only was the King for that long too. Which meant that Tythra was only Princess for a year. Why did things have to change because of that? Why couldn’t she play as normal kids do? Why did she have to talk to people and trail behind her brother and be good? Being good was boring. Didn’t her parents understand that?
And why is it so hot?!
Tythra wanted to stomp her feet and throw a tantrum. She wanted to start crying in the middle of this festival. She wanted to scream and yell until she got what she wanted which was simple: To go home. But instead she slipped her hand from her brother and looked at him with wide eyes. “I wanna go get juice.” Her words were simple and innocent, in no way indicating the growing storm within her tiny body. When mama and papa told her she was a Princess now, they didn’t tell her it came without any naps. They didn’t tell her she would be busier and have to wear uncomfy clothes because they were pretty. Tiaras also hurt her head. They were heavy. Tythra didn’t want to be a Princess right now. All she wanted was a nap.
The child had went to one of her nursemaids to go find juice when she suddenly felt a small thunk against her leg. Tythra jumped and when she looked and there was a ball at her feet. When did that get there?
“Throw it back!” a young boy said. Tythra bent down and felt the tiny ball in her hands. It was rough, kinda like the balls she had back at home. Tythra looked up uneasily to her nursemaid, but she looked distracted by one of the guards who was walking by. So Tythra tossed the ball back at the boy.
“Wow! Good throw!” He said as he caught it. The boy had a really, really big smile. It was a nice smile. It reminded her of the smiles her nursemaid got when talking to the soldiers around the manor. But this smile was more fun.
The boy looked interesting too. He had dark hair and really light blue eyes. They were almost grey like Athena’s! He was missing two of his teeth. They were probably wiggly and fell out, lucky! That means he’d get big boy teeth soon! He had dark hair that fell in front of his eyes. But despite the fact that he looked a little messy, he was dressed really richly. Just like her big brother, even!
He tossed the ball back and Tythra frowned. “I’m not allowed to play. I’m supposed to get juice and go back to my big brother.”
“You can play! I’m a head of house now! So I give you permission!” The boy puffed up his chest, looking all proud. Tythra couldn’t help but giggle. He was silly. The crankiness was starting to disappear because of this boy’s silliness.
“I’m a Princess though. Princesses have to stay really clean. Plus mama and papa said there’s lots of people I gotta talk to today.” Tythra started to rock back and forth on her feet. She threw the ball back to the boy.
His eyes suddenly got wide. “Are you Princess Tythra? Wow! I told my mom when she was crying because dad was gone that I was gonna marry a Princess one day. I promised that I’m going to take good care of her! Cuz that’s what Drakos men do!”
Wait, was Tythra going to marry this guy? Gross! Boys were icky. Even if he was silly Tythra wasn’t going to marry him, nu uh! He was Lord Drakos? Papa talked about that family right? His mama is in charge because he’s so little. Tythra thought that was cool because women don’t normally get to be bossy! She wrinkled her nose at the child. “I’m not gonna marry no one! You’re gonna have to find another Princess because it won’t be me!”
But the boy took a step forward. He was laughing at Tythra’s wrinkled nose. He didn’t seem to mind that the Princess just said no. In fact, it only made him smile wider. “Nope! I’m gonna marry you. I promised my mom I’m gonna marry a Princess and you’re it! I love you, Princess Tythra!”
Teleos, 700BC
He isn’t Minas.
Tythra had imagined herself standing in this exact position with a different man years ago. She knew one day she would get here. She knew one day that she would get married, for the good of the Kotas family. Once Yanni and Tython had married and Tythra found that she wasn’t going to be sent away, she got over her fear of marriage.
And then Tythra met Minas. She was so nervous at first when she arrived at Athenia. But in the time she was there Tythra had fallen in love with Minas, a love that was never returned. The way he smiled, the way his eyes pierced into her… it made her heart race. The way his hand brushed against her’s and the strength of his arm as he led her like a proper gentleman, everything made her breath catch.
But it wasn’t black and white that Tythra was wearing currently. She was dressed in Drakos colors, the blue and yellow glimmering each time it caught the light. This wasn’t at all she was expected. Tythra didn’t think she’d be wearing a tiara when she was walking to her husband’s home. She expected a crown and to be greeted by a palatai.
But more importantly, she expected to be with a man that she loved. Tythra knew one day that she would marry, and when she was younger she had every thought it would be because of politics. Turns out… she was right. For the one man that she did come to care about, the one man that still held her heart despite giving his to another woman, rejected her. And now she was with someone else. Another man who, despite Tythra’s cold nature… cared for her.
The smile she had was polite. Her eyes shined as any bride should. But the smile Lord Thesus had was genuine. He was happy and not because he was married to a Princess. He was happy not because it was a Kotas on his arm. He was happy because it was Tythra. For the two did get along. Tythra respected Thesus. He was a good, honest man. He was strong like any Colchian was, but unlike most men of Colchis he wore his heart on his sleeve. Honestly, the man couldn’t tell a lie even if it was to save his own life. And so while he wasn’t Minas, and he would never be Minas, Tythra wasn’t upset by the match.
All her life she had different men and women suck up to her. She was Tython’s only sister, the future King of Colchis. Not only that, but it was evident that the bond between the siblings was not for show. Tython cared for Tythra and she cared just as fiercely for her own brother. Which meant for others being friends with Tythra could be very profitable. But Thesus was not like others. He didn’t suck up to Tythra. If Tythra was being a brat in court, he’d tell her to her face. But he was never unkind about it. He was always that boy who wanted to play ball. He just wanted to be near Tythra.
I promised my mom I’m gonna marry a Princess and you’re it!
How did he know? Tythra never once expected she would be married to Lord Thesus of Drakos. Even as her father was arranging the marriage and the negotiations were set Tythra did not believe that it would go through. She already had one failed engagement, after all. And yet here they were, Thesus looking to be the happiest man alive with Tythra on his arm. His wife, forever and always.
The ever-present polite smile changed when she looked upon her new husband. It became… softer. And for once, more genuine. This son of a bitch. He knew. At five years old he set himself a goal to marry a Princess and he did just that. Thesus of Drakos was persistent, she’d give him that.
“What are you thinking, Lady Drakos?” He chuckled, looking down at her now with those nearly grey eyes. Eyes that were like staring back at Athena, wiser than anyone she had ever met, and clearly far more knowing.
“Princess,” Tythra teased him, her own smile growing wider. She didn’t look like a Kotas now, stoic with their emotions hidden behind a mask. And truth be told, she didn’t look much like a Drakos either. They were fierce warriors. But what she did look like… was Thesus’s wife. “My name changed, not my title.”
“Oh, excuse me. How could I forget?” He bent over to kiss the tip of Tythra’s nose. To which she immediately wrinkled cutely- something that was also so unlike her. “You know you did that once. Do you remember? When I told you that we would get married?”
“Yes and I happen to remember telling you to find another Princess didn’t I?” Tythra rolled her eyes. That day was so foggy, and yet the conversation between two small children was still crystal clear in her mind. “I must say, you’re not a good listener are you?”
“Excuse me?” Thesus smirked, amused. His arms wrapped around his new wife’s hips. “I think it’s you who doesn’t listen? You’re as stubborn as when I first met you.”
“And how so.” Tythra raised an eyebrow as she casually draped her arms around her husband’s neck. Fingers laced into his dark tresses, twirling the locks with her long fingers. “I mean, you’re not wrong, but I still require an example.”
Thesus just closed the distance, even more, placing his forehead against her’s. She could feel his hot breath just inches away from her lips. “Because I told you this would happen all along, Tythra. None of this should have come as a surprise. I said it before, and I’ll say it again. I love you, Princess Tythra of Drakos.”
Ermaios, 692BC
I am going to kill Thesus.
Tythra wanted him dead. She wanted him dead every time he squeezed her damn hand and said it was almost over. How long has it almost been over? This pain felt like it lasted centuries. This pain felt like a thousand of Zeus’s lightning bolts were running all through her body threatening to rip her in half.
“It’s almost over! You’re almost there!” Thesus encouraged his wife as another scream ripped from her lips. The Priestesses of Artemis were all caring for her. One wet a towel to wipe the sweat that was dribbling from the Princess’s forehead. The other was below, as a midwife should be.
“Shut up, Thesus!” Tythra yelled as she squeezed her eyes shut. She didn’t care right now about what was polite or proper. Screw decorum. Right now Tythra was ready to unleash all the expletives she had held back her entire life in one breath.
Too bad every breath was dedicated to another scream.
It was nine months of bliss for one night of pure torture. Tythra before had been bouncing around knowing that the baby was coming but not quite sure when the show would begin. The priestesses were all waiting, saying their prayers as Tythra got closer and closer to labor. But now that she was in the midst of it, Tythra wished she could take it all back. This couldn’t be worth it right? Why did people put themselves through this?
“I-I think I see it’s head!” Thesus gave Tythra’s hand another squeeze. “You can do it, Tythra! It’ll be ov-”
“Stop looking, Thesus!” Tythra snapped, teeth grinding. Tythra was at her worst. Her body was drenched in sweat, her face red with pain, and every muscle was clenched as she tried to get a human being out of her body.
Gods protect me because if I survive this I can’t promise Thesus will. But then suddenly, as if the Gods heard her prayer, the room filled with cries. Tythra collapsed back and tried to catch her breath. Oh, Imeeya or Ithra was going to be in so much trouble when Tythra set her eyes on them.
Or so she thought. But when the babe was wiped clean and the midwife handed the child to Tythra, her heart instantly melted. “She’s healthy.”
She. “Imeeya,” Tythra breathed towards the baby laying on her chest. “You’re healthy, huh? Look at you. You know you put mama through a lot of pain.”
“Yes she did,” Thesus ran a hand over his daughter’s head. The baby yawned, her eyes still closed. “And got papa yelled at a lot.”
But Tythra was ignoring Thesus. Her eyes were only on her daughter. Her precious little wyrmling, her new world. This was worth it. She was perfect. Alive for all of five minutes and already the owner of all of Tythra’s love and attention. She was a blessing, the greatest gift that Tythra could have ever received. Tythra put her finger in her small hand and felt as those tiny fingers wrapped around it.
Nine months she carried Imeeya. She had nearly tackled Thesus with joy when the priestess had told her she was with child. And Imeeya was not an easy child to carry. She was trouble from the start. The constant sickness she gave her mother, even forcing her into bedrest towards the end. And the pain was something Tythra would never forget.
And yet within seconds Imeeya made her forget everything. “Look at her, Thesus.” Tythra whispered, unable to tear her eyes from the child for even a second. “Look at how precious she is.”
“She’s perfect, Tythra. She’s daddy’s little girl.” He chuckled placing a kiss upon their daughter’s head. His hand finally moved from Imeeya to Tythra, fingers running through the messy blond strands. “Still want to murder me?”
“Not tonight,” Tythra sighed happily. Tonight it was all worth it. This was magical. This was proof that the gods existed (not that Tythra doubted for a second). And yes, in the coming days she would feel the remnants of pain throughout her body. And yes, she was bound to get sleepless nights, even if there was a nursemaid available to help them. But despite the fact that her husband had given her encouraging words despite not knowing a single thing about the pain she was going through… she chose to forgive him for now.
“Good, because I plan to be with this little one for a very long time.” Thesus fell in love again. Tythra could see it in his eyes as he gazed upon his daughter. And Tythra couldn’t blame him. Imeeya would be everything to the two parents. Tythra would lay down her life so that Imeeya could have a chance at a better one, and so would Thesus. She would be given the world, spoiled rotten and taught how to succeed. And while Tythra struggled to show warmth and affection, Imeeya was blessed because she had a father that would smother her in it. This child would know only happy days, and grow up with the largest smile on her face.
“You better,” Tythra’s eyes returned now to who daughters who finally had her own open. Blue… exactly like her father’s. Would Imeeya be just like him? Or would she take after her mama? Tythra couldn’t wait to find out.
“I promise you, Tythra. I love you Imeeya.” His eyes sparkled with the joy only a new father could have. And then he placed a kiss on Tythra’s forehead. “And I love you, mama.”
Artamisios, 689BC
Nope, absolutely not.
“Let me talk to my brother, Thesus. Now’s not the time.” Tythra did not want her husband to go to the North. She knew he was a soldier, just as any man was. She knew it was the duty of Colchian to take up arms to defend their homeland. But Imeeya was so young, and the pair have been trying again for another child. They needed a son, an heir. Now was not the time to go to battle.
“Tythra, you know you can’t.” Thesus was gathering his things. He was to leave tonight. “It’s going to be fine. You freaked out the last time and look, here we are, having the exact same conversation.”
The last time Thesus went to the North Tythra could barely sleep. Imeeya was just a little girl, not even one. Tythra spent a month sleeping in Imeeya’s nursery until she finally forced herself to go back to her own bedroom. The thought of raising her daughter alone paralyzed her. And now that they were trying to have another?
Absolutely not. He was not to go to the North Lands. Tythra was putting her foot down.
“Just one conversation, Thesus. Tython will listen. He always listens to me. One conversation, that’s it. And then you can stay here, we can have our heir, everything will be just fine. We won’t lose to the North if you st-”
“Enough.” Thesus didn’t have the smile that he always had. He didn’t have that twinkle in his eye or that playful smirk. He was serious, a warrior just like the Drakos bloodline suggested. And he didn’t like the weakness his wife showed, the worry she had for him.
But Tythra didn’t give a damn. She knew that Ares was looking down at her in disappointment and disgust, but if her husband fell and went to Hades Tythra would want to follow. She could not be left alone. Thesus had to stay.
“Just one talk. Just let me try.” Tythra whispered. She moved over to her husband and placed a soft hand on his face. “Just let me try. Okay? For me? Can you just let me ask him for me?”
“Stop it!” Thesus shouted and Tythra winced. It was not out of fear, Thesus would never hurt Tythra and she knew it. But Imeeya was asleep not two doors down. She did not want her child to wake up in the dead of night and see her parents fighting. Worse, she didn’t want to have to explain why her father was leaving.
Thesus must have realized this too. Because his expression immediately softened, and he gently grabbed his wife’s hand, completely enveloping it in his own. For a moment he put down his bag and focused his entire attention on Tythra. “I’m only to be there for a month. Two, at maximum. I won’t even be on the front lines. I’ll be home before your birthday. And we’ll celebrate it the three of us and everything will be ok-”
“Papa?”
Both parents turned there head to see large blue eyes peering up at them from the doorway. So his shout was enough to wake up Imeeya. Tythra turned her back to Thesus quickly and he moved from her to pick up the toddler.
“Hey, what didn’t I tuck you in already?” He teased her, his smile back but this time they didn’t reach his eyes. There was a tension still in the room, enough that even the child could sense it. Tythra couldn’t fully face them, still recollecting herself.
“Mama and papa fighting?” Imeeya was so intelligent, already able to pick up social cues and connect them together to a logical conclusion. Typically this would be something that Tythra would be proud of. Her daughter was to be the most intelligent in all the land. But right now… Tythra didn’t wish that. Instead she wanted her to be innocent and not notice that trouble between her parents.
“Mama and papa were just having a loud talk. That’s all.” Thesus kissed the top of Imeeya’s head. There was sadness in his eyes, and the kiss lingered a little longer than it would. “Papa is going away for work for a little bit okay? But when I get back I’ll give you some extra bedtime stories, okay?”
Work. Tythra almost scoffed. He was getting sent away. Duty. Sure, but not work. His work was here, Head of Drakos, father to Imeeya and wife to Tythra. But his duty was… well, Tythra didn’t much want to think about that.
“Okay!” Imeeya perked up, sliding from her father’s arms. She didn’t much have a grasp of time. Leaving for work could be a day, a week. The promise of extra stories, however, wasn’t something the child would likely forget. Before she could do anything else the nursemaid came in, realizing Imeeya had left her bed. Shooting an apologetic look to the parents, she shuffled the small child away.
Silence. Tythra just closed her eyes. “Don’t go.” She asked one more time, quietly. “Please just… stay?”
“You know I can’t, Tythra.” Thesus went and grabbed his things. “And you know Tython won’t appreciate you asking either. This is what it means to be a Colchian.” This time it was Thesus who had a hand to his face, cradling her cheek. “Two months, Tythra. And then I’m home. I’ll write to you the entire time that I am away. There won’t be a single week that goes by without you receiving one of my letters. You’ll blink and then I’ll be back home, reading those bedtime stories to Imeeya. I promise.”
“I won’t forgive you if you’re lying, Thesus.” Tythra warned. “I’ll hate you forever.”
Thesus merely chuckled. He placed a slow kiss on his wife’s lips and pulled away. “Don’t do that, because I could never hate you. Now go, get in bed. Every time you sleep now it’s one day closer for when I’m home. Tythra… I love you.”
Current Day
Did I ever say I love you?
Tythra leaned into her brother’s lap. She didn’t want to sob. She was stronger than this. She was a Kotas born Drakos. She was stronger than this. And yet a sobbed ripped through her chest violently. This was worse than when her parents died. She was sad then. She was very sad. But there had been warning. They had been sick.
But Thesus was young. And he promised. Tythra blinked. She blinked again and again and again. But Thesus wasn’t home. He wasn’t reading those bedtime stories to Imeeya. He wasn’t going to meet Essa. He won’t even get to know she exists.
Tythra was alone. Tythra didn’t know what hurt more, the fact that she just lost the father of her children or… the fact that she lost her husband. A husband that Tythra could not recall ever saying ‘I love you’ to. A husband that she respected, smiled at, even laughed with but never… gave her affection.
Was it because her heart belong to Minas or was it because she was cold? Did Thesus deserve her? Time and time again he gave her love. He would kiss her, tease her, make her smile and laugh even when she didn’t want to. He took her demands in stride, even if it was unlady like. He listened to Tythra despite the fact that it was Thesus who was in charge. He was the head of house, he was the man… but he didn’t treat Tythra like she was lesser. He treated her like the Princess she was… no. He treated her like a Queen.
“N-No.” Tythra finally spoke and she sounded broken. This was such an unusual sound from her, a rare sight never to be seen by anyone. She felt shattered, even worse than when Minas told her to leave. Tythra was completely and utterly… gone.
She wanted to follow her husband. But she had two daughters to think about. She couldn’t, she had to stay. And she wanted to hate him just like she told him she would. She wanted him to be here so she could scream at him. So she could whack her small fists against his chest over and over again until he grabbed her wrists and forced her into a hug. He lied.
“N-no, Tython. H-He promised.” She whispered. Oh gods, how pathetic Tython must think Tythra was. This was not the Kotas she was raised to be. Men died at war, Tythra knew this. Men died all the time. Good men, decent men were sent to Hades far earlier than they should have been.
He should have listened. He should have let Tythra talk to Tython. He should have let her convince her brother that he was best left home. His brother could have went instead! Not that Thesus would have listened anyway. He would have been furious had Tythra gone behind his back. And Tython wouldn’t have accepted it anyway. It was a man’s duty.
But now Tythra was left with a broken family. Her daughters, the two most important things in the world for Tythra, would grow up with no father. Would Imeeya even remember him? Would she remember the stories that he would tell her? Would she remember how she begged for him to tell the story about Athena, Medusa, and Persus. Really any story about Athena she would love to hear, and Tythra would stay by the doorway and listen, thanking @athena for blessing her with a child already so wise.
And Essa, oh baby Essa, would never once lay eyes on him. She wouldn’t ever get to feel the love that Thesus had for him. Would she feel love at all? Tythra was apparently incapable of it. She hadn’t said that much to Thesus. The man had said it over and over and over again. But she didn’t say it to him. Not once.
Please gods, let my daughters be better than me. Let them love, let them be happy. Athena bless them with wisdom. Hera, Artemis, bless them to be strong women. Aphrodite, bless them with the love and the ability to love back.
They will be better than Tythra. The will be.
The sobs continued to rip through her lips and tears cascade down her cheeks. She wrapped her arms around herself and closed her eyes. One more time. She would blink one more time. He had one last chance.
When she opened them, they were blurry. Once they refocused, the man she saw was Tython, no Thesus. Not her husband. She would never seem him again.
Tythra finally threw her arms around Tython. She sobbed into her brother. She didn’t care anymore. She didn’t care that she wasn’t a Kotas, strong even in the face of the worst hardships. She was a Drakos. She will always be a Drakos.
@hades , he died with honor. Please allow his soul into Elysium.
Finally, Tythra managed to calm herself. The tears began to slow, but never did they stop. She wiped them and moved back, allowing her brother space once again. “He said everything would be okay,” Tythra said softly. Her hands fell to her lap and her gaze followed. Her tears slid from her cheeks, dripping down onto her chiton. She was a mess. “Will it… brother?”
Lord Thesus was among the dead.
No. No this wasn’t right. This was a dream- a nightmare. Her husband was not dead. Her husband was on his way home. He was on his horse riding through the night. He was only thinking of home. He was thinking of Imeeya and how much he wanted to hug her again. He would be surprised when he gets home when he sees his newborn daughter, one that already looked exactly like him. He would tell Tythra he loved her.
… Had Tythra ever done the same?
Posidaios, 719BC
Why can’t I go nap?
Tythra was grumpy. The four-year-old didn’t want to be at this festival. She didn’t want to be stuffed into all these fancy clothes and parade around and forced to talk to all the other nobles. She didn’t want to be here at all. She wanted to be home with her dolls and to play by herself. Tythra was good at being by herself. The only person she wanted to give her company was her big brother.
The festival was three days long. Tythra knew it was important. It was to honor the Gods and that was a really, really good thing. The gods protected Colchis and blessed their soldiers with the ability to fight, and their women with the ability to protect themselves. But the sun was really high in the sky. It beat down on the child, making her even crankier than she already was. There was barely wind on this day to cool her down. She was hot.
I wanna go home, Tythra thought as she held her brother’s hand following him as the children obediently did what their parents told. Tythra’s feet were hurting, she was tired from hardly getting any sleep, and worst of all she was bored. Tythra wasn’t allowed to run around like everyone else. She wasn’t allowed to go to the pretty market stalls. She wasn’t allowed to get messy like the other children. She had to be proper and stay with her big brother. That’s what Princesses did. At least that’s what mama said.
Honestly, Tythra didn’t quite understand it. Grandpapa only died last year, and papa only was the King for that long too. Which meant that Tythra was only Princess for a year. Why did things have to change because of that? Why couldn’t she play as normal kids do? Why did she have to talk to people and trail behind her brother and be good? Being good was boring. Didn’t her parents understand that?
And why is it so hot?!
Tythra wanted to stomp her feet and throw a tantrum. She wanted to start crying in the middle of this festival. She wanted to scream and yell until she got what she wanted which was simple: To go home. But instead she slipped her hand from her brother and looked at him with wide eyes. “I wanna go get juice.” Her words were simple and innocent, in no way indicating the growing storm within her tiny body. When mama and papa told her she was a Princess now, they didn’t tell her it came without any naps. They didn’t tell her she would be busier and have to wear uncomfy clothes because they were pretty. Tiaras also hurt her head. They were heavy. Tythra didn’t want to be a Princess right now. All she wanted was a nap.
The child had went to one of her nursemaids to go find juice when she suddenly felt a small thunk against her leg. Tythra jumped and when she looked and there was a ball at her feet. When did that get there?
“Throw it back!” a young boy said. Tythra bent down and felt the tiny ball in her hands. It was rough, kinda like the balls she had back at home. Tythra looked up uneasily to her nursemaid, but she looked distracted by one of the guards who was walking by. So Tythra tossed the ball back at the boy.
“Wow! Good throw!” He said as he caught it. The boy had a really, really big smile. It was a nice smile. It reminded her of the smiles her nursemaid got when talking to the soldiers around the manor. But this smile was more fun.
The boy looked interesting too. He had dark hair and really light blue eyes. They were almost grey like Athena’s! He was missing two of his teeth. They were probably wiggly and fell out, lucky! That means he’d get big boy teeth soon! He had dark hair that fell in front of his eyes. But despite the fact that he looked a little messy, he was dressed really richly. Just like her big brother, even!
He tossed the ball back and Tythra frowned. “I’m not allowed to play. I’m supposed to get juice and go back to my big brother.”
“You can play! I’m a head of house now! So I give you permission!” The boy puffed up his chest, looking all proud. Tythra couldn’t help but giggle. He was silly. The crankiness was starting to disappear because of this boy’s silliness.
“I’m a Princess though. Princesses have to stay really clean. Plus mama and papa said there’s lots of people I gotta talk to today.” Tythra started to rock back and forth on her feet. She threw the ball back to the boy.
His eyes suddenly got wide. “Are you Princess Tythra? Wow! I told my mom when she was crying because dad was gone that I was gonna marry a Princess one day. I promised that I’m going to take good care of her! Cuz that’s what Drakos men do!”
Wait, was Tythra going to marry this guy? Gross! Boys were icky. Even if he was silly Tythra wasn’t going to marry him, nu uh! He was Lord Drakos? Papa talked about that family right? His mama is in charge because he’s so little. Tythra thought that was cool because women don’t normally get to be bossy! She wrinkled her nose at the child. “I’m not gonna marry no one! You’re gonna have to find another Princess because it won’t be me!”
But the boy took a step forward. He was laughing at Tythra’s wrinkled nose. He didn’t seem to mind that the Princess just said no. In fact, it only made him smile wider. “Nope! I’m gonna marry you. I promised my mom I’m gonna marry a Princess and you’re it! I love you, Princess Tythra!”
Teleos, 700BC
He isn’t Minas.
Tythra had imagined herself standing in this exact position with a different man years ago. She knew one day she would get here. She knew one day that she would get married, for the good of the Kotas family. Once Yanni and Tython had married and Tythra found that she wasn’t going to be sent away, she got over her fear of marriage.
And then Tythra met Minas. She was so nervous at first when she arrived at Athenia. But in the time she was there Tythra had fallen in love with Minas, a love that was never returned. The way he smiled, the way his eyes pierced into her… it made her heart race. The way his hand brushed against her’s and the strength of his arm as he led her like a proper gentleman, everything made her breath catch.
But it wasn’t black and white that Tythra was wearing currently. She was dressed in Drakos colors, the blue and yellow glimmering each time it caught the light. This wasn’t at all she was expected. Tythra didn’t think she’d be wearing a tiara when she was walking to her husband’s home. She expected a crown and to be greeted by a palatai.
But more importantly, she expected to be with a man that she loved. Tythra knew one day that she would marry, and when she was younger she had every thought it would be because of politics. Turns out… she was right. For the one man that she did come to care about, the one man that still held her heart despite giving his to another woman, rejected her. And now she was with someone else. Another man who, despite Tythra’s cold nature… cared for her.
The smile she had was polite. Her eyes shined as any bride should. But the smile Lord Thesus had was genuine. He was happy and not because he was married to a Princess. He was happy not because it was a Kotas on his arm. He was happy because it was Tythra. For the two did get along. Tythra respected Thesus. He was a good, honest man. He was strong like any Colchian was, but unlike most men of Colchis he wore his heart on his sleeve. Honestly, the man couldn’t tell a lie even if it was to save his own life. And so while he wasn’t Minas, and he would never be Minas, Tythra wasn’t upset by the match.
All her life she had different men and women suck up to her. She was Tython’s only sister, the future King of Colchis. Not only that, but it was evident that the bond between the siblings was not for show. Tython cared for Tythra and she cared just as fiercely for her own brother. Which meant for others being friends with Tythra could be very profitable. But Thesus was not like others. He didn’t suck up to Tythra. If Tythra was being a brat in court, he’d tell her to her face. But he was never unkind about it. He was always that boy who wanted to play ball. He just wanted to be near Tythra.
I promised my mom I’m gonna marry a Princess and you’re it!
How did he know? Tythra never once expected she would be married to Lord Thesus of Drakos. Even as her father was arranging the marriage and the negotiations were set Tythra did not believe that it would go through. She already had one failed engagement, after all. And yet here they were, Thesus looking to be the happiest man alive with Tythra on his arm. His wife, forever and always.
The ever-present polite smile changed when she looked upon her new husband. It became… softer. And for once, more genuine. This son of a bitch. He knew. At five years old he set himself a goal to marry a Princess and he did just that. Thesus of Drakos was persistent, she’d give him that.
“What are you thinking, Lady Drakos?” He chuckled, looking down at her now with those nearly grey eyes. Eyes that were like staring back at Athena, wiser than anyone she had ever met, and clearly far more knowing.
“Princess,” Tythra teased him, her own smile growing wider. She didn’t look like a Kotas now, stoic with their emotions hidden behind a mask. And truth be told, she didn’t look much like a Drakos either. They were fierce warriors. But what she did look like… was Thesus’s wife. “My name changed, not my title.”
“Oh, excuse me. How could I forget?” He bent over to kiss the tip of Tythra’s nose. To which she immediately wrinkled cutely- something that was also so unlike her. “You know you did that once. Do you remember? When I told you that we would get married?”
“Yes and I happen to remember telling you to find another Princess didn’t I?” Tythra rolled her eyes. That day was so foggy, and yet the conversation between two small children was still crystal clear in her mind. “I must say, you’re not a good listener are you?”
“Excuse me?” Thesus smirked, amused. His arms wrapped around his new wife’s hips. “I think it’s you who doesn’t listen? You’re as stubborn as when I first met you.”
“And how so.” Tythra raised an eyebrow as she casually draped her arms around her husband’s neck. Fingers laced into his dark tresses, twirling the locks with her long fingers. “I mean, you’re not wrong, but I still require an example.”
Thesus just closed the distance, even more, placing his forehead against her’s. She could feel his hot breath just inches away from her lips. “Because I told you this would happen all along, Tythra. None of this should have come as a surprise. I said it before, and I’ll say it again. I love you, Princess Tythra of Drakos.”
Ermaios, 692BC
I am going to kill Thesus.
Tythra wanted him dead. She wanted him dead every time he squeezed her damn hand and said it was almost over. How long has it almost been over? This pain felt like it lasted centuries. This pain felt like a thousand of Zeus’s lightning bolts were running all through her body threatening to rip her in half.
“It’s almost over! You’re almost there!” Thesus encouraged his wife as another scream ripped from her lips. The Priestesses of Artemis were all caring for her. One wet a towel to wipe the sweat that was dribbling from the Princess’s forehead. The other was below, as a midwife should be.
“Shut up, Thesus!” Tythra yelled as she squeezed her eyes shut. She didn’t care right now about what was polite or proper. Screw decorum. Right now Tythra was ready to unleash all the expletives she had held back her entire life in one breath.
Too bad every breath was dedicated to another scream.
It was nine months of bliss for one night of pure torture. Tythra before had been bouncing around knowing that the baby was coming but not quite sure when the show would begin. The priestesses were all waiting, saying their prayers as Tythra got closer and closer to labor. But now that she was in the midst of it, Tythra wished she could take it all back. This couldn’t be worth it right? Why did people put themselves through this?
“I-I think I see it’s head!” Thesus gave Tythra’s hand another squeeze. “You can do it, Tythra! It’ll be ov-”
“Stop looking, Thesus!” Tythra snapped, teeth grinding. Tythra was at her worst. Her body was drenched in sweat, her face red with pain, and every muscle was clenched as she tried to get a human being out of her body.
Gods protect me because if I survive this I can’t promise Thesus will. But then suddenly, as if the Gods heard her prayer, the room filled with cries. Tythra collapsed back and tried to catch her breath. Oh, Imeeya or Ithra was going to be in so much trouble when Tythra set her eyes on them.
Or so she thought. But when the babe was wiped clean and the midwife handed the child to Tythra, her heart instantly melted. “She’s healthy.”
She. “Imeeya,” Tythra breathed towards the baby laying on her chest. “You’re healthy, huh? Look at you. You know you put mama through a lot of pain.”
“Yes she did,” Thesus ran a hand over his daughter’s head. The baby yawned, her eyes still closed. “And got papa yelled at a lot.”
But Tythra was ignoring Thesus. Her eyes were only on her daughter. Her precious little wyrmling, her new world. This was worth it. She was perfect. Alive for all of five minutes and already the owner of all of Tythra’s love and attention. She was a blessing, the greatest gift that Tythra could have ever received. Tythra put her finger in her small hand and felt as those tiny fingers wrapped around it.
Nine months she carried Imeeya. She had nearly tackled Thesus with joy when the priestess had told her she was with child. And Imeeya was not an easy child to carry. She was trouble from the start. The constant sickness she gave her mother, even forcing her into bedrest towards the end. And the pain was something Tythra would never forget.
And yet within seconds Imeeya made her forget everything. “Look at her, Thesus.” Tythra whispered, unable to tear her eyes from the child for even a second. “Look at how precious she is.”
“She’s perfect, Tythra. She’s daddy’s little girl.” He chuckled placing a kiss upon their daughter’s head. His hand finally moved from Imeeya to Tythra, fingers running through the messy blond strands. “Still want to murder me?”
“Not tonight,” Tythra sighed happily. Tonight it was all worth it. This was magical. This was proof that the gods existed (not that Tythra doubted for a second). And yes, in the coming days she would feel the remnants of pain throughout her body. And yes, she was bound to get sleepless nights, even if there was a nursemaid available to help them. But despite the fact that her husband had given her encouraging words despite not knowing a single thing about the pain she was going through… she chose to forgive him for now.
“Good, because I plan to be with this little one for a very long time.” Thesus fell in love again. Tythra could see it in his eyes as he gazed upon his daughter. And Tythra couldn’t blame him. Imeeya would be everything to the two parents. Tythra would lay down her life so that Imeeya could have a chance at a better one, and so would Thesus. She would be given the world, spoiled rotten and taught how to succeed. And while Tythra struggled to show warmth and affection, Imeeya was blessed because she had a father that would smother her in it. This child would know only happy days, and grow up with the largest smile on her face.
“You better,” Tythra’s eyes returned now to who daughters who finally had her own open. Blue… exactly like her father’s. Would Imeeya be just like him? Or would she take after her mama? Tythra couldn’t wait to find out.
“I promise you, Tythra. I love you Imeeya.” His eyes sparkled with the joy only a new father could have. And then he placed a kiss on Tythra’s forehead. “And I love you, mama.”
Artamisios, 689BC
Nope, absolutely not.
“Let me talk to my brother, Thesus. Now’s not the time.” Tythra did not want her husband to go to the North. She knew he was a soldier, just as any man was. She knew it was the duty of Colchian to take up arms to defend their homeland. But Imeeya was so young, and the pair have been trying again for another child. They needed a son, an heir. Now was not the time to go to battle.
“Tythra, you know you can’t.” Thesus was gathering his things. He was to leave tonight. “It’s going to be fine. You freaked out the last time and look, here we are, having the exact same conversation.”
The last time Thesus went to the North Tythra could barely sleep. Imeeya was just a little girl, not even one. Tythra spent a month sleeping in Imeeya’s nursery until she finally forced herself to go back to her own bedroom. The thought of raising her daughter alone paralyzed her. And now that they were trying to have another?
Absolutely not. He was not to go to the North Lands. Tythra was putting her foot down.
“Just one conversation, Thesus. Tython will listen. He always listens to me. One conversation, that’s it. And then you can stay here, we can have our heir, everything will be just fine. We won’t lose to the North if you st-”
“Enough.” Thesus didn’t have the smile that he always had. He didn’t have that twinkle in his eye or that playful smirk. He was serious, a warrior just like the Drakos bloodline suggested. And he didn’t like the weakness his wife showed, the worry she had for him.
But Tythra didn’t give a damn. She knew that Ares was looking down at her in disappointment and disgust, but if her husband fell and went to Hades Tythra would want to follow. She could not be left alone. Thesus had to stay.
“Just one talk. Just let me try.” Tythra whispered. She moved over to her husband and placed a soft hand on his face. “Just let me try. Okay? For me? Can you just let me ask him for me?”
“Stop it!” Thesus shouted and Tythra winced. It was not out of fear, Thesus would never hurt Tythra and she knew it. But Imeeya was asleep not two doors down. She did not want her child to wake up in the dead of night and see her parents fighting. Worse, she didn’t want to have to explain why her father was leaving.
Thesus must have realized this too. Because his expression immediately softened, and he gently grabbed his wife’s hand, completely enveloping it in his own. For a moment he put down his bag and focused his entire attention on Tythra. “I’m only to be there for a month. Two, at maximum. I won’t even be on the front lines. I’ll be home before your birthday. And we’ll celebrate it the three of us and everything will be ok-”
“Papa?”
Both parents turned there head to see large blue eyes peering up at them from the doorway. So his shout was enough to wake up Imeeya. Tythra turned her back to Thesus quickly and he moved from her to pick up the toddler.
“Hey, what didn’t I tuck you in already?” He teased her, his smile back but this time they didn’t reach his eyes. There was a tension still in the room, enough that even the child could sense it. Tythra couldn’t fully face them, still recollecting herself.
“Mama and papa fighting?” Imeeya was so intelligent, already able to pick up social cues and connect them together to a logical conclusion. Typically this would be something that Tythra would be proud of. Her daughter was to be the most intelligent in all the land. But right now… Tythra didn’t wish that. Instead she wanted her to be innocent and not notice that trouble between her parents.
“Mama and papa were just having a loud talk. That’s all.” Thesus kissed the top of Imeeya’s head. There was sadness in his eyes, and the kiss lingered a little longer than it would. “Papa is going away for work for a little bit okay? But when I get back I’ll give you some extra bedtime stories, okay?”
Work. Tythra almost scoffed. He was getting sent away. Duty. Sure, but not work. His work was here, Head of Drakos, father to Imeeya and wife to Tythra. But his duty was… well, Tythra didn’t much want to think about that.
“Okay!” Imeeya perked up, sliding from her father’s arms. She didn’t much have a grasp of time. Leaving for work could be a day, a week. The promise of extra stories, however, wasn’t something the child would likely forget. Before she could do anything else the nursemaid came in, realizing Imeeya had left her bed. Shooting an apologetic look to the parents, she shuffled the small child away.
Silence. Tythra just closed her eyes. “Don’t go.” She asked one more time, quietly. “Please just… stay?”
“You know I can’t, Tythra.” Thesus went and grabbed his things. “And you know Tython won’t appreciate you asking either. This is what it means to be a Colchian.” This time it was Thesus who had a hand to his face, cradling her cheek. “Two months, Tythra. And then I’m home. I’ll write to you the entire time that I am away. There won’t be a single week that goes by without you receiving one of my letters. You’ll blink and then I’ll be back home, reading those bedtime stories to Imeeya. I promise.”
“I won’t forgive you if you’re lying, Thesus.” Tythra warned. “I’ll hate you forever.”
Thesus merely chuckled. He placed a slow kiss on his wife’s lips and pulled away. “Don’t do that, because I could never hate you. Now go, get in bed. Every time you sleep now it’s one day closer for when I’m home. Tythra… I love you.”
Current Day
Did I ever say I love you?
Tythra leaned into her brother’s lap. She didn’t want to sob. She was stronger than this. She was a Kotas born Drakos. She was stronger than this. And yet a sobbed ripped through her chest violently. This was worse than when her parents died. She was sad then. She was very sad. But there had been warning. They had been sick.
But Thesus was young. And he promised. Tythra blinked. She blinked again and again and again. But Thesus wasn’t home. He wasn’t reading those bedtime stories to Imeeya. He wasn’t going to meet Essa. He won’t even get to know she exists.
Tythra was alone. Tythra didn’t know what hurt more, the fact that she just lost the father of her children or… the fact that she lost her husband. A husband that Tythra could not recall ever saying ‘I love you’ to. A husband that she respected, smiled at, even laughed with but never… gave her affection.
Was it because her heart belong to Minas or was it because she was cold? Did Thesus deserve her? Time and time again he gave her love. He would kiss her, tease her, make her smile and laugh even when she didn’t want to. He took her demands in stride, even if it was unlady like. He listened to Tythra despite the fact that it was Thesus who was in charge. He was the head of house, he was the man… but he didn’t treat Tythra like she was lesser. He treated her like the Princess she was… no. He treated her like a Queen.
“N-No.” Tythra finally spoke and she sounded broken. This was such an unusual sound from her, a rare sight never to be seen by anyone. She felt shattered, even worse than when Minas told her to leave. Tythra was completely and utterly… gone.
She wanted to follow her husband. But she had two daughters to think about. She couldn’t, she had to stay. And she wanted to hate him just like she told him she would. She wanted him to be here so she could scream at him. So she could whack her small fists against his chest over and over again until he grabbed her wrists and forced her into a hug. He lied.
“N-no, Tython. H-He promised.” She whispered. Oh gods, how pathetic Tython must think Tythra was. This was not the Kotas she was raised to be. Men died at war, Tythra knew this. Men died all the time. Good men, decent men were sent to Hades far earlier than they should have been.
He should have listened. He should have let Tythra talk to Tython. He should have let her convince her brother that he was best left home. His brother could have went instead! Not that Thesus would have listened anyway. He would have been furious had Tythra gone behind his back. And Tython wouldn’t have accepted it anyway. It was a man’s duty.
But now Tythra was left with a broken family. Her daughters, the two most important things in the world for Tythra, would grow up with no father. Would Imeeya even remember him? Would she remember the stories that he would tell her? Would she remember how she begged for him to tell the story about Athena, Medusa, and Persus. Really any story about Athena she would love to hear, and Tythra would stay by the doorway and listen, thanking @athena for blessing her with a child already so wise.
And Essa, oh baby Essa, would never once lay eyes on him. She wouldn’t ever get to feel the love that Thesus had for him. Would she feel love at all? Tythra was apparently incapable of it. She hadn’t said that much to Thesus. The man had said it over and over and over again. But she didn’t say it to him. Not once.
Please gods, let my daughters be better than me. Let them love, let them be happy. Athena bless them with wisdom. Hera, Artemis, bless them to be strong women. Aphrodite, bless them with the love and the ability to love back.
They will be better than Tythra. The will be.
The sobs continued to rip through her lips and tears cascade down her cheeks. She wrapped her arms around herself and closed her eyes. One more time. She would blink one more time. He had one last chance.
When she opened them, they were blurry. Once they refocused, the man she saw was Tython, no Thesus. Not her husband. She would never seem him again.
Tythra finally threw her arms around Tython. She sobbed into her brother. She didn’t care anymore. She didn’t care that she wasn’t a Kotas, strong even in the face of the worst hardships. She was a Drakos. She will always be a Drakos.
@hades , he died with honor. Please allow his soul into Elysium.
Finally, Tythra managed to calm herself. The tears began to slow, but never did they stop. She wiped them and moved back, allowing her brother space once again. “He said everything would be okay,” Tythra said softly. Her hands fell to her lap and her gaze followed. Her tears slid from her cheeks, dripping down onto her chiton. She was a mess. “Will it… brother?”
The first thing the King did was reach his hands to his sister's shoulders, attempting to rub her back and bring her some quiet calm. Situations like this were difficult, but he didn't feel awkward about it. Tython had come himself because he knew that Tythra would need him. He knew, deep down, that Tythra would want him there over anyone else. To have learned of it through missive or in passing would have been far more catastrophic for his sister than Tython wanted other people to witness. Here, he was glad that it was him to witness her rather than anyone else. Rubbing her back gently, the King let his brows furrowed.
If there was one sound that he did not like to hear from his sister, it was the crying. He'd struggled with that since they were kids. Even when she had been very young, he hadn't liked to see her cry. Now, it was just heartwrenching, and everything in him told him that he should be the one holding her. He could only think of the pain she was feeling, but he'd never expected her to truly love Thesus.
Perhaps he was wrong. Perhaps she had never admitted it to herself, and now it was too late. Whatever it was, the King leaned over his sister, making a silent attempt to gather her up into his arms. Instinct drove him to comfort her, and as her brother, that was what he would do. There were no other male figures in the Drakos home, so Tython knew that he would have to be. The girls would not have their father, but they would have their uncle. No matter what they needed, when they needed him. He would be there.
Tython would cross oceans for his family.
And then Tythra was wrapping her arms around his neck. The king embraced her, burying his face against her shoulder, hoping that this would give her the comfort that she needed. He continued to rub her back, saying nothing but trying to extend comfort and consideration for her feelings. "I know what he promised you," he murmured softly, "But he is right. Everything will be okay, Tythra," Tython murmured finally, one of his hands in her hair to keep her close. His brows were furrowed and he wasn't sure he wanted her to let him go yet. Hugs like this were so rare between the two of them and he just needed her to recognize that she was still safe. Even without her husband, there was safety there.
"Because you still have me. You still have Yanni and the rest of our family," he murmured, "We will never abandon you. We will support you because you may not hold the Kotas name, but you are still a Kotas. And a Drakos," Tython murmured, "I will raise your girls as my own if I need to, but they will not be without a father figure in their life," he continued. "Your world is not falling apart, Tythra. We are still here. We are still yours to lean upon."
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The first thing the King did was reach his hands to his sister's shoulders, attempting to rub her back and bring her some quiet calm. Situations like this were difficult, but he didn't feel awkward about it. Tython had come himself because he knew that Tythra would need him. He knew, deep down, that Tythra would want him there over anyone else. To have learned of it through missive or in passing would have been far more catastrophic for his sister than Tython wanted other people to witness. Here, he was glad that it was him to witness her rather than anyone else. Rubbing her back gently, the King let his brows furrowed.
If there was one sound that he did not like to hear from his sister, it was the crying. He'd struggled with that since they were kids. Even when she had been very young, he hadn't liked to see her cry. Now, it was just heartwrenching, and everything in him told him that he should be the one holding her. He could only think of the pain she was feeling, but he'd never expected her to truly love Thesus.
Perhaps he was wrong. Perhaps she had never admitted it to herself, and now it was too late. Whatever it was, the King leaned over his sister, making a silent attempt to gather her up into his arms. Instinct drove him to comfort her, and as her brother, that was what he would do. There were no other male figures in the Drakos home, so Tython knew that he would have to be. The girls would not have their father, but they would have their uncle. No matter what they needed, when they needed him. He would be there.
Tython would cross oceans for his family.
And then Tythra was wrapping her arms around his neck. The king embraced her, burying his face against her shoulder, hoping that this would give her the comfort that she needed. He continued to rub her back, saying nothing but trying to extend comfort and consideration for her feelings. "I know what he promised you," he murmured softly, "But he is right. Everything will be okay, Tythra," Tython murmured finally, one of his hands in her hair to keep her close. His brows were furrowed and he wasn't sure he wanted her to let him go yet. Hugs like this were so rare between the two of them and he just needed her to recognize that she was still safe. Even without her husband, there was safety there.
"Because you still have me. You still have Yanni and the rest of our family," he murmured, "We will never abandon you. We will support you because you may not hold the Kotas name, but you are still a Kotas. And a Drakos," Tython murmured, "I will raise your girls as my own if I need to, but they will not be without a father figure in their life," he continued. "Your world is not falling apart, Tythra. We are still here. We are still yours to lean upon."
The first thing the King did was reach his hands to his sister's shoulders, attempting to rub her back and bring her some quiet calm. Situations like this were difficult, but he didn't feel awkward about it. Tython had come himself because he knew that Tythra would need him. He knew, deep down, that Tythra would want him there over anyone else. To have learned of it through missive or in passing would have been far more catastrophic for his sister than Tython wanted other people to witness. Here, he was glad that it was him to witness her rather than anyone else. Rubbing her back gently, the King let his brows furrowed.
If there was one sound that he did not like to hear from his sister, it was the crying. He'd struggled with that since they were kids. Even when she had been very young, he hadn't liked to see her cry. Now, it was just heartwrenching, and everything in him told him that he should be the one holding her. He could only think of the pain she was feeling, but he'd never expected her to truly love Thesus.
Perhaps he was wrong. Perhaps she had never admitted it to herself, and now it was too late. Whatever it was, the King leaned over his sister, making a silent attempt to gather her up into his arms. Instinct drove him to comfort her, and as her brother, that was what he would do. There were no other male figures in the Drakos home, so Tython knew that he would have to be. The girls would not have their father, but they would have their uncle. No matter what they needed, when they needed him. He would be there.
Tython would cross oceans for his family.
And then Tythra was wrapping her arms around his neck. The king embraced her, burying his face against her shoulder, hoping that this would give her the comfort that she needed. He continued to rub her back, saying nothing but trying to extend comfort and consideration for her feelings. "I know what he promised you," he murmured softly, "But he is right. Everything will be okay, Tythra," Tython murmured finally, one of his hands in her hair to keep her close. His brows were furrowed and he wasn't sure he wanted her to let him go yet. Hugs like this were so rare between the two of them and he just needed her to recognize that she was still safe. Even without her husband, there was safety there.
"Because you still have me. You still have Yanni and the rest of our family," he murmured, "We will never abandon you. We will support you because you may not hold the Kotas name, but you are still a Kotas. And a Drakos," Tython murmured, "I will raise your girls as my own if I need to, but they will not be without a father figure in their life," he continued. "Your world is not falling apart, Tythra. We are still here. We are still yours to lean upon."
There was logic, and there was emotion. Tythra typically operated from pure logic. Logic dictated that everything Tython was saying was correct. She was a widow, but she wasn’t alone. Her children would have a father figure in their uncles, Tython, and Thesus’s brother. She would have support in raising her daughters. Tythra had her family, and so did her baby girls.
A Kotas shouldn’t feel emotion- not like this. But she still felt it. Deep in her heart, she felt the pain and sorrow. She felt… guilt. Guilt for not being a good enough wife for him? For not giving him the warmth that he deserved? Was that it? He was a good man, a decent man who died far too soon.
Calm yourself, Tythra. Tythra thought as she hugged her brother. His hand rubbed her back, just like when they were kids. Just like… when each of their parents died. Both times she hurt, but that pain was different from this. This was rawer. This was… agony.
But she had to pull herself together.
She couldn’t be like this. She couldn’t be a mess. She had two daughters to think of. If they heard her sobbing into her brother’s arms, what would they think? Imeeya would know something is wrong. She would sense it. Tythra would have to pull herself together before she could face either of her daughters.
How does one tell a four-year-old daddy won’t ever come home? When did Tythra tell her? It wasn’t as if Imeeya would forget her own father. Essa at least… never knew him? Though Tythra expected one day, she would have to answer why she never had a dad. She would have to tell her about Thesus. What did Tythra say? Did she tell her only good things? Did she say some of the bad? Did she paint her father to be a hero?
Of course. That answer was obvious. Thesus was a hero. As much as Tythra hated him for dying, he was a hero. Tythra would only remember him as such and would not allow anyone ever to say anything otherwise. Thesus of Drakos was a man to be remembered and respected, and Tythra would make sure her daughters were raised with that in mind. He was a man of faults, but they did not outweigh the overwhelming strength that he had.
Tythra stepped away from her brother, wiping the tears from her eyes. She took a deep breath. “Thank you,” she said quietly. She meant it. Thank you for telling her. Thank you for being there for her. Thank you for… being here. Being alive. “I think… I think I need to get some rest.” She needed to be alone. She needed to climb into her side of the bed and… well, she needed to be alone. “Would you… put Imeeya to bed for me?” The nursemaids could do it, but… Tythra always thought that was a time for family. She didn’t say anything after that. Tythra couldn’t muster any more words. She felt as if she was a dead woman walking as she left the room. She shrugged off the servants who had stepped forward to assist her and entered her cold, dark room… alone.
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There was logic, and there was emotion. Tythra typically operated from pure logic. Logic dictated that everything Tython was saying was correct. She was a widow, but she wasn’t alone. Her children would have a father figure in their uncles, Tython, and Thesus’s brother. She would have support in raising her daughters. Tythra had her family, and so did her baby girls.
A Kotas shouldn’t feel emotion- not like this. But she still felt it. Deep in her heart, she felt the pain and sorrow. She felt… guilt. Guilt for not being a good enough wife for him? For not giving him the warmth that he deserved? Was that it? He was a good man, a decent man who died far too soon.
Calm yourself, Tythra. Tythra thought as she hugged her brother. His hand rubbed her back, just like when they were kids. Just like… when each of their parents died. Both times she hurt, but that pain was different from this. This was rawer. This was… agony.
But she had to pull herself together.
She couldn’t be like this. She couldn’t be a mess. She had two daughters to think of. If they heard her sobbing into her brother’s arms, what would they think? Imeeya would know something is wrong. She would sense it. Tythra would have to pull herself together before she could face either of her daughters.
How does one tell a four-year-old daddy won’t ever come home? When did Tythra tell her? It wasn’t as if Imeeya would forget her own father. Essa at least… never knew him? Though Tythra expected one day, she would have to answer why she never had a dad. She would have to tell her about Thesus. What did Tythra say? Did she tell her only good things? Did she say some of the bad? Did she paint her father to be a hero?
Of course. That answer was obvious. Thesus was a hero. As much as Tythra hated him for dying, he was a hero. Tythra would only remember him as such and would not allow anyone ever to say anything otherwise. Thesus of Drakos was a man to be remembered and respected, and Tythra would make sure her daughters were raised with that in mind. He was a man of faults, but they did not outweigh the overwhelming strength that he had.
Tythra stepped away from her brother, wiping the tears from her eyes. She took a deep breath. “Thank you,” she said quietly. She meant it. Thank you for telling her. Thank you for being there for her. Thank you for… being here. Being alive. “I think… I think I need to get some rest.” She needed to be alone. She needed to climb into her side of the bed and… well, she needed to be alone. “Would you… put Imeeya to bed for me?” The nursemaids could do it, but… Tythra always thought that was a time for family. She didn’t say anything after that. Tythra couldn’t muster any more words. She felt as if she was a dead woman walking as she left the room. She shrugged off the servants who had stepped forward to assist her and entered her cold, dark room… alone.
There was logic, and there was emotion. Tythra typically operated from pure logic. Logic dictated that everything Tython was saying was correct. She was a widow, but she wasn’t alone. Her children would have a father figure in their uncles, Tython, and Thesus’s brother. She would have support in raising her daughters. Tythra had her family, and so did her baby girls.
A Kotas shouldn’t feel emotion- not like this. But she still felt it. Deep in her heart, she felt the pain and sorrow. She felt… guilt. Guilt for not being a good enough wife for him? For not giving him the warmth that he deserved? Was that it? He was a good man, a decent man who died far too soon.
Calm yourself, Tythra. Tythra thought as she hugged her brother. His hand rubbed her back, just like when they were kids. Just like… when each of their parents died. Both times she hurt, but that pain was different from this. This was rawer. This was… agony.
But she had to pull herself together.
She couldn’t be like this. She couldn’t be a mess. She had two daughters to think of. If they heard her sobbing into her brother’s arms, what would they think? Imeeya would know something is wrong. She would sense it. Tythra would have to pull herself together before she could face either of her daughters.
How does one tell a four-year-old daddy won’t ever come home? When did Tythra tell her? It wasn’t as if Imeeya would forget her own father. Essa at least… never knew him? Though Tythra expected one day, she would have to answer why she never had a dad. She would have to tell her about Thesus. What did Tythra say? Did she tell her only good things? Did she say some of the bad? Did she paint her father to be a hero?
Of course. That answer was obvious. Thesus was a hero. As much as Tythra hated him for dying, he was a hero. Tythra would only remember him as such and would not allow anyone ever to say anything otherwise. Thesus of Drakos was a man to be remembered and respected, and Tythra would make sure her daughters were raised with that in mind. He was a man of faults, but they did not outweigh the overwhelming strength that he had.
Tythra stepped away from her brother, wiping the tears from her eyes. She took a deep breath. “Thank you,” she said quietly. She meant it. Thank you for telling her. Thank you for being there for her. Thank you for… being here. Being alive. “I think… I think I need to get some rest.” She needed to be alone. She needed to climb into her side of the bed and… well, she needed to be alone. “Would you… put Imeeya to bed for me?” The nursemaids could do it, but… Tythra always thought that was a time for family. She didn’t say anything after that. Tythra couldn’t muster any more words. She felt as if she was a dead woman walking as she left the room. She shrugged off the servants who had stepped forward to assist her and entered her cold, dark room… alone.
This was something that he hadn't seen in his sister. The grief and the way that she held herself. This news had hurt her, Tython knew. More than the news that their parents had died. Even he, then, had struggled with the weight of that. The two of them had had one another, and Tython had had Yanni. Tythra no longer had Thesus to lean on, though the king wondered whether Tythra ever had. Was she regretting that now? Likely. A person would always feel bad over the things they didn't do, didn't say when someone was dead and gone. He had seen it in numerous family members of soldiers that had passed on. That look that had settled into Tythra's eye.
Tython was not inclined to let his little sister go at first. Something in him struggled to come to terms with the fact that she may not have wanted to be touched, and he silently struggled with the fact that he wanted to give her comfort. He went the safer route, however, pulling his hands off of her and letting her go when she pulled away. This reminded him of when their mother had died, but so much worse. And now the man felt powerless, a feeling he really hadn't felt since he was quite a bit younger. Having been a young man that had always been given a great amount of responsibility, it frustrated him here that he couldn't do more.
"Of course," Tython answered when Tythra asked him to put Lady Imeeya to bed. His gaze had softened and he couldn't argue with her. If she needed rest, then that was what she would get and he wouldn't push her. For a moment, he put his hand on her shoulder, "Come to me when you're feeling better," he said softly, "I can always have Yanni take the girls so that you may grieve in peace and Imeeya can play with her cousins," Tython offered before his sister left the room.
He left right behind her, however, navigating the home to find the nursemaids that had both Imeeya and Essa. "Come here, little one," he murmured to Imeeya, crouching so that the little girl could walk into his arms. Wrapping his arms around Imeeya, the king picked her up, supporting her on his hip with his arm under her butt. Looking into her little face, the king sighed softly. "Its time for bed. Your mother isn't feeling well," he said calmly, turning to start back into the hall with the little girl.
The walk through the Drakos manor and to Imeeya's bedroom wasn't long, but Tython did remain mostly quiet, glancing toward his niece every so often. "How about I tell you a story before you sleep?" he offered, mostly to himself. He didn't think himself a great storyteller, but he'd told his boys stories before bed whenever he'd gotten the chance. His thoughts were always similar to Tythra's. He thought that bedtime was a time for being with their family. He would have to return to the Kotas manor before long to start his own bedtime rituals with his children, but he knew that he could spare some quality time with Imeeya to ensure that she got to bed safe, warm, and sleepy from the excitement of a bedtime story.
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This was something that he hadn't seen in his sister. The grief and the way that she held herself. This news had hurt her, Tython knew. More than the news that their parents had died. Even he, then, had struggled with the weight of that. The two of them had had one another, and Tython had had Yanni. Tythra no longer had Thesus to lean on, though the king wondered whether Tythra ever had. Was she regretting that now? Likely. A person would always feel bad over the things they didn't do, didn't say when someone was dead and gone. He had seen it in numerous family members of soldiers that had passed on. That look that had settled into Tythra's eye.
Tython was not inclined to let his little sister go at first. Something in him struggled to come to terms with the fact that she may not have wanted to be touched, and he silently struggled with the fact that he wanted to give her comfort. He went the safer route, however, pulling his hands off of her and letting her go when she pulled away. This reminded him of when their mother had died, but so much worse. And now the man felt powerless, a feeling he really hadn't felt since he was quite a bit younger. Having been a young man that had always been given a great amount of responsibility, it frustrated him here that he couldn't do more.
"Of course," Tython answered when Tythra asked him to put Lady Imeeya to bed. His gaze had softened and he couldn't argue with her. If she needed rest, then that was what she would get and he wouldn't push her. For a moment, he put his hand on her shoulder, "Come to me when you're feeling better," he said softly, "I can always have Yanni take the girls so that you may grieve in peace and Imeeya can play with her cousins," Tython offered before his sister left the room.
He left right behind her, however, navigating the home to find the nursemaids that had both Imeeya and Essa. "Come here, little one," he murmured to Imeeya, crouching so that the little girl could walk into his arms. Wrapping his arms around Imeeya, the king picked her up, supporting her on his hip with his arm under her butt. Looking into her little face, the king sighed softly. "Its time for bed. Your mother isn't feeling well," he said calmly, turning to start back into the hall with the little girl.
The walk through the Drakos manor and to Imeeya's bedroom wasn't long, but Tython did remain mostly quiet, glancing toward his niece every so often. "How about I tell you a story before you sleep?" he offered, mostly to himself. He didn't think himself a great storyteller, but he'd told his boys stories before bed whenever he'd gotten the chance. His thoughts were always similar to Tythra's. He thought that bedtime was a time for being with their family. He would have to return to the Kotas manor before long to start his own bedtime rituals with his children, but he knew that he could spare some quality time with Imeeya to ensure that she got to bed safe, warm, and sleepy from the excitement of a bedtime story.
This was something that he hadn't seen in his sister. The grief and the way that she held herself. This news had hurt her, Tython knew. More than the news that their parents had died. Even he, then, had struggled with the weight of that. The two of them had had one another, and Tython had had Yanni. Tythra no longer had Thesus to lean on, though the king wondered whether Tythra ever had. Was she regretting that now? Likely. A person would always feel bad over the things they didn't do, didn't say when someone was dead and gone. He had seen it in numerous family members of soldiers that had passed on. That look that had settled into Tythra's eye.
Tython was not inclined to let his little sister go at first. Something in him struggled to come to terms with the fact that she may not have wanted to be touched, and he silently struggled with the fact that he wanted to give her comfort. He went the safer route, however, pulling his hands off of her and letting her go when she pulled away. This reminded him of when their mother had died, but so much worse. And now the man felt powerless, a feeling he really hadn't felt since he was quite a bit younger. Having been a young man that had always been given a great amount of responsibility, it frustrated him here that he couldn't do more.
"Of course," Tython answered when Tythra asked him to put Lady Imeeya to bed. His gaze had softened and he couldn't argue with her. If she needed rest, then that was what she would get and he wouldn't push her. For a moment, he put his hand on her shoulder, "Come to me when you're feeling better," he said softly, "I can always have Yanni take the girls so that you may grieve in peace and Imeeya can play with her cousins," Tython offered before his sister left the room.
He left right behind her, however, navigating the home to find the nursemaids that had both Imeeya and Essa. "Come here, little one," he murmured to Imeeya, crouching so that the little girl could walk into his arms. Wrapping his arms around Imeeya, the king picked her up, supporting her on his hip with his arm under her butt. Looking into her little face, the king sighed softly. "Its time for bed. Your mother isn't feeling well," he said calmly, turning to start back into the hall with the little girl.
The walk through the Drakos manor and to Imeeya's bedroom wasn't long, but Tython did remain mostly quiet, glancing toward his niece every so often. "How about I tell you a story before you sleep?" he offered, mostly to himself. He didn't think himself a great storyteller, but he'd told his boys stories before bed whenever he'd gotten the chance. His thoughts were always similar to Tythra's. He thought that bedtime was a time for being with their family. He would have to return to the Kotas manor before long to start his own bedtime rituals with his children, but he knew that he could spare some quality time with Imeeya to ensure that she got to bed safe, warm, and sleepy from the excitement of a bedtime story.