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It was a quiet day in the Paláti and nowhere was the silence more deafening than in the royal library. The room was devoid of any life save for two people, Danae of Stravos and the bodyguard who accompanied her at all times. The sight itself wasn't too strange. The youngest Stravos girl was known to be a bit of a bookworm, preferring the library within her family's lavish mansion to her own bedroom. It's not that much of a surprise that she would choose to spend her free time in the one located with the royal family's residence while she was their guest.
Though the Xanthos's would probably think it very rude of her to be sneaking guests in under their very noses.
The sixteen-year-old was seated at a desk. Modeling her posture after the commanding pose she had watched her father assume a thousand times before, she poured over a few papers containing different money amounts. Her expression was her well-known, unpleasant scowl. The hope was that her guest would find the young girl imposing, something she needed to convey for both the sake of her business and her own sanity.
Her eyes flickered up to the door when she heard it open and a set of quiet footfalls approach her. A glimmer of recognition shone in her eyes as she caught sight of the ragged figure who had entered, eyes wide with wonder in regards to the state of the library. This was probably the first, and last, time he had ever stepped foot into the royal Paláti. There was no doubt in Danae's mind, this meeting was going to be something he would never forget.
The boy was slight and just a few missed food scraps away from being considered concerningly thin. This was hidden by the newer clothes Danae had given him as a payment, but that had been a few weeks ago and she knew that it would be only a few more before they were just as grungy as the rest of him. His pimpled cover face was the only indication of his age, just ever so slightly younger than her, but it disgusted her, given that he only seemed to have more of them every time she saw him. It was almost as if he were collecting them. Of course, though, she'd never say this out loud, not while his ability to blend in with a crowd was one of her greatest assets.
"Tarchon," she greeted him by name, forcing herself to give him a small smile, "I trust that you have something for me?" Her slightly raised eyebrow made it clear to him as to what she was referring to. As if the boy needed reminding what he had been fetching for her for the past few years.
You see, it would be rather... unbecoming for a young lady of Stravos to be seen in the places that Tarchon could go. The very same places where he acquired the grim covering him, but would never ask twice about where the little sack of gold he had every few weeks came from. Nor would they question just how this street urchin seemed to know always place his bets precisely on all matters concerning the Athenian court. Just as long as they got their cut, they wouldn't ask the noble woman's proxy too many questions.
The boy nodded as he pulled out a small pouch. He was visibly nervous at the sight of how light the bag was as he put it on the desk in front of her. Clearly, Tarchon was used to holding a heavier bag, especially since he was one of the few proxies Danae trusted enough to actually be in her presence.
"Mi'lady, it's all there. 4 Drachmae, 13 Owls." He glanced down at his feet, avoiding Danae's eyes as she reached out for the bag and poured its contents onto the table to confirm his statement. As disgusting he was, he wasn't a liar. Danae was not surprised to find the exact number he described, even though her slightly perplexed expression said otherwise.
"As you say," Danae responded dryly, mimicking the way her father spoke with his business associates. She didn't even realize that she was doing it at the moment, it just came so naturally to her and her Stravos blood. "But it is light. Last time, you brought me triple what I have here."
Her no-nonsense stare bore into him before noticeably glancing down at his clothes, no doubt compelling one of her most loyal street urchins to tell her the truth.
"You lost. He only took second." He said nervously, worried that there would be some sort of retribution for the loss directed to him. Her face grew cold as she recalled the bet she had sent him with. Betting on the local races was never her style, she couldn't guarantee that her odds were as high as they would be with court gossip, but it would do for this week for reasons beyond Tarchon's grasp.
Accepting his answer, Danae picked up two of the Drachmae and handed them back to the boy. "Thank you for your honesty. I will send for you again shortly." His eyes lit up at the sight of the extra drachma, a bonus that gave him reason to stay true to his integrity. This is where she and her father differed greatly in their philosophies. He did not care for those who were loyal to them, Danae saw the need to reward them in order for them to stay loyal to her. That way, they always would know that she would offer the better price to keep his silence than whoever would want information on the dealings of the youngest Stravos girl.
But that didn't mean that she wasn't afraid to use the stick when the carrot rotted in front of her.
"There's more if you keep your word, Tarchon." She said as he exited the room, blissfully unaware of the price that extra drachma had just cost someone else. Danae's expression turned sour as she turned to the open book in front of her and pulled out a scrap of parchment hidden in the folds of the other pages. The page was half-filled with names, dates, and numbers; a careful record of the errands of her proxies, none of them aware of this document or the existence of the others for the very reason one of them was going to learn the hard way.
At the bottom of the page, she scribbled in the info Tarchan had brought her and once she was done, he eyes scrolled upwards to find the name that should have identical info with it.
Abraes... Red Cloth, Matching Hat ... Circuses B.... 2 Drachmas, 7 Owls
Danae had sent two boys off with identical bags of money, to make the same bet, and yet one came back considerably short. Young Abraes had lied to her. He won't do at all then, she silently thought to herself, it's a shame too, he was far better looking than Tarchon.
"You there," She said sharply to one of the imposing bodyguards lining the library, courtesy of her father. The man approached her, ready for her curt instructions he had undoubtedly been told to carry out a thousand times before. "Go to the market and find a boy called Abraes. He has blond curls and a voice so high you will want to stab your own ears. If you are unsure, he will be dressed in red cloth with a matching hat, similar to the boy you just saw." Her voice was so cold and matter-of-fact, it was almost bone-chilling, "I want him to be taken care of before the day's end."
With an equally curt nod to signal he understood his orders, the man left the library. She may be kind to those who were loyal to her, but clearly, there was no mercy in her heart for those who tried to double-cross her. Abraes was a fool to try to do so.
The door slammed shut behind him and Danae breathed a sigh of relief that the business of testing the newest proxy was over. She put the rest of the coins back into the little pouch as she double checked the sheet to ensure that the math of her dealings was properly adding up. This sheet was only one of many, each with a different set of data that she obsessively pooled over day after day. Danae needed to ensure that her data was correct and no loose ends were left unchecked. As if she would allow such a thing to happen, but still she checked and checked and rechecked again.
In fact, Danae became so absorbed in the data in front of her that she failed to notice the entrance of another person into the library. Except this wasn't the welcome presence of the returning slave or loyal Tarchon. No, instead it was someone that Danae would do almost anything to prevent them from seeing the business-savy side of her. This was someone who she could never pay off or have killed if need be.
And in a few moments, if Danae continued to be oblivious to anything, but the crunching numbers in her head, they would be the person who would know Danae's secret and undoubtedly use it against her.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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It was a quiet day in the Paláti and nowhere was the silence more deafening than in the royal library. The room was devoid of any life save for two people, Danae of Stravos and the bodyguard who accompanied her at all times. The sight itself wasn't too strange. The youngest Stravos girl was known to be a bit of a bookworm, preferring the library within her family's lavish mansion to her own bedroom. It's not that much of a surprise that she would choose to spend her free time in the one located with the royal family's residence while she was their guest.
Though the Xanthos's would probably think it very rude of her to be sneaking guests in under their very noses.
The sixteen-year-old was seated at a desk. Modeling her posture after the commanding pose she had watched her father assume a thousand times before, she poured over a few papers containing different money amounts. Her expression was her well-known, unpleasant scowl. The hope was that her guest would find the young girl imposing, something she needed to convey for both the sake of her business and her own sanity.
Her eyes flickered up to the door when she heard it open and a set of quiet footfalls approach her. A glimmer of recognition shone in her eyes as she caught sight of the ragged figure who had entered, eyes wide with wonder in regards to the state of the library. This was probably the first, and last, time he had ever stepped foot into the royal Paláti. There was no doubt in Danae's mind, this meeting was going to be something he would never forget.
The boy was slight and just a few missed food scraps away from being considered concerningly thin. This was hidden by the newer clothes Danae had given him as a payment, but that had been a few weeks ago and she knew that it would be only a few more before they were just as grungy as the rest of him. His pimpled cover face was the only indication of his age, just ever so slightly younger than her, but it disgusted her, given that he only seemed to have more of them every time she saw him. It was almost as if he were collecting them. Of course, though, she'd never say this out loud, not while his ability to blend in with a crowd was one of her greatest assets.
"Tarchon," she greeted him by name, forcing herself to give him a small smile, "I trust that you have something for me?" Her slightly raised eyebrow made it clear to him as to what she was referring to. As if the boy needed reminding what he had been fetching for her for the past few years.
You see, it would be rather... unbecoming for a young lady of Stravos to be seen in the places that Tarchon could go. The very same places where he acquired the grim covering him, but would never ask twice about where the little sack of gold he had every few weeks came from. Nor would they question just how this street urchin seemed to know always place his bets precisely on all matters concerning the Athenian court. Just as long as they got their cut, they wouldn't ask the noble woman's proxy too many questions.
The boy nodded as he pulled out a small pouch. He was visibly nervous at the sight of how light the bag was as he put it on the desk in front of her. Clearly, Tarchon was used to holding a heavier bag, especially since he was one of the few proxies Danae trusted enough to actually be in her presence.
"Mi'lady, it's all there. 4 Drachmae, 13 Owls." He glanced down at his feet, avoiding Danae's eyes as she reached out for the bag and poured its contents onto the table to confirm his statement. As disgusting he was, he wasn't a liar. Danae was not surprised to find the exact number he described, even though her slightly perplexed expression said otherwise.
"As you say," Danae responded dryly, mimicking the way her father spoke with his business associates. She didn't even realize that she was doing it at the moment, it just came so naturally to her and her Stravos blood. "But it is light. Last time, you brought me triple what I have here."
Her no-nonsense stare bore into him before noticeably glancing down at his clothes, no doubt compelling one of her most loyal street urchins to tell her the truth.
"You lost. He only took second." He said nervously, worried that there would be some sort of retribution for the loss directed to him. Her face grew cold as she recalled the bet she had sent him with. Betting on the local races was never her style, she couldn't guarantee that her odds were as high as they would be with court gossip, but it would do for this week for reasons beyond Tarchon's grasp.
Accepting his answer, Danae picked up two of the Drachmae and handed them back to the boy. "Thank you for your honesty. I will send for you again shortly." His eyes lit up at the sight of the extra drachma, a bonus that gave him reason to stay true to his integrity. This is where she and her father differed greatly in their philosophies. He did not care for those who were loyal to them, Danae saw the need to reward them in order for them to stay loyal to her. That way, they always would know that she would offer the better price to keep his silence than whoever would want information on the dealings of the youngest Stravos girl.
But that didn't mean that she wasn't afraid to use the stick when the carrot rotted in front of her.
"There's more if you keep your word, Tarchon." She said as he exited the room, blissfully unaware of the price that extra drachma had just cost someone else. Danae's expression turned sour as she turned to the open book in front of her and pulled out a scrap of parchment hidden in the folds of the other pages. The page was half-filled with names, dates, and numbers; a careful record of the errands of her proxies, none of them aware of this document or the existence of the others for the very reason one of them was going to learn the hard way.
At the bottom of the page, she scribbled in the info Tarchan had brought her and once she was done, he eyes scrolled upwards to find the name that should have identical info with it.
Abraes... Red Cloth, Matching Hat ... Circuses B.... 2 Drachmas, 7 Owls
Danae had sent two boys off with identical bags of money, to make the same bet, and yet one came back considerably short. Young Abraes had lied to her. He won't do at all then, she silently thought to herself, it's a shame too, he was far better looking than Tarchon.
"You there," She said sharply to one of the imposing bodyguards lining the library, courtesy of her father. The man approached her, ready for her curt instructions he had undoubtedly been told to carry out a thousand times before. "Go to the market and find a boy called Abraes. He has blond curls and a voice so high you will want to stab your own ears. If you are unsure, he will be dressed in red cloth with a matching hat, similar to the boy you just saw." Her voice was so cold and matter-of-fact, it was almost bone-chilling, "I want him to be taken care of before the day's end."
With an equally curt nod to signal he understood his orders, the man left the library. She may be kind to those who were loyal to her, but clearly, there was no mercy in her heart for those who tried to double-cross her. Abraes was a fool to try to do so.
The door slammed shut behind him and Danae breathed a sigh of relief that the business of testing the newest proxy was over. She put the rest of the coins back into the little pouch as she double checked the sheet to ensure that the math of her dealings was properly adding up. This sheet was only one of many, each with a different set of data that she obsessively pooled over day after day. Danae needed to ensure that her data was correct and no loose ends were left unchecked. As if she would allow such a thing to happen, but still she checked and checked and rechecked again.
In fact, Danae became so absorbed in the data in front of her that she failed to notice the entrance of another person into the library. Except this wasn't the welcome presence of the returning slave or loyal Tarchon. No, instead it was someone that Danae would do almost anything to prevent them from seeing the business-savy side of her. This was someone who she could never pay off or have killed if need be.
And in a few moments, if Danae continued to be oblivious to anything, but the crunching numbers in her head, they would be the person who would know Danae's secret and undoubtedly use it against her.
It was a quiet day in the Paláti and nowhere was the silence more deafening than in the royal library. The room was devoid of any life save for two people, Danae of Stravos and the bodyguard who accompanied her at all times. The sight itself wasn't too strange. The youngest Stravos girl was known to be a bit of a bookworm, preferring the library within her family's lavish mansion to her own bedroom. It's not that much of a surprise that she would choose to spend her free time in the one located with the royal family's residence while she was their guest.
Though the Xanthos's would probably think it very rude of her to be sneaking guests in under their very noses.
The sixteen-year-old was seated at a desk. Modeling her posture after the commanding pose she had watched her father assume a thousand times before, she poured over a few papers containing different money amounts. Her expression was her well-known, unpleasant scowl. The hope was that her guest would find the young girl imposing, something she needed to convey for both the sake of her business and her own sanity.
Her eyes flickered up to the door when she heard it open and a set of quiet footfalls approach her. A glimmer of recognition shone in her eyes as she caught sight of the ragged figure who had entered, eyes wide with wonder in regards to the state of the library. This was probably the first, and last, time he had ever stepped foot into the royal Paláti. There was no doubt in Danae's mind, this meeting was going to be something he would never forget.
The boy was slight and just a few missed food scraps away from being considered concerningly thin. This was hidden by the newer clothes Danae had given him as a payment, but that had been a few weeks ago and she knew that it would be only a few more before they were just as grungy as the rest of him. His pimpled cover face was the only indication of his age, just ever so slightly younger than her, but it disgusted her, given that he only seemed to have more of them every time she saw him. It was almost as if he were collecting them. Of course, though, she'd never say this out loud, not while his ability to blend in with a crowd was one of her greatest assets.
"Tarchon," she greeted him by name, forcing herself to give him a small smile, "I trust that you have something for me?" Her slightly raised eyebrow made it clear to him as to what she was referring to. As if the boy needed reminding what he had been fetching for her for the past few years.
You see, it would be rather... unbecoming for a young lady of Stravos to be seen in the places that Tarchon could go. The very same places where he acquired the grim covering him, but would never ask twice about where the little sack of gold he had every few weeks came from. Nor would they question just how this street urchin seemed to know always place his bets precisely on all matters concerning the Athenian court. Just as long as they got their cut, they wouldn't ask the noble woman's proxy too many questions.
The boy nodded as he pulled out a small pouch. He was visibly nervous at the sight of how light the bag was as he put it on the desk in front of her. Clearly, Tarchon was used to holding a heavier bag, especially since he was one of the few proxies Danae trusted enough to actually be in her presence.
"Mi'lady, it's all there. 4 Drachmae, 13 Owls." He glanced down at his feet, avoiding Danae's eyes as she reached out for the bag and poured its contents onto the table to confirm his statement. As disgusting he was, he wasn't a liar. Danae was not surprised to find the exact number he described, even though her slightly perplexed expression said otherwise.
"As you say," Danae responded dryly, mimicking the way her father spoke with his business associates. She didn't even realize that she was doing it at the moment, it just came so naturally to her and her Stravos blood. "But it is light. Last time, you brought me triple what I have here."
Her no-nonsense stare bore into him before noticeably glancing down at his clothes, no doubt compelling one of her most loyal street urchins to tell her the truth.
"You lost. He only took second." He said nervously, worried that there would be some sort of retribution for the loss directed to him. Her face grew cold as she recalled the bet she had sent him with. Betting on the local races was never her style, she couldn't guarantee that her odds were as high as they would be with court gossip, but it would do for this week for reasons beyond Tarchon's grasp.
Accepting his answer, Danae picked up two of the Drachmae and handed them back to the boy. "Thank you for your honesty. I will send for you again shortly." His eyes lit up at the sight of the extra drachma, a bonus that gave him reason to stay true to his integrity. This is where she and her father differed greatly in their philosophies. He did not care for those who were loyal to them, Danae saw the need to reward them in order for them to stay loyal to her. That way, they always would know that she would offer the better price to keep his silence than whoever would want information on the dealings of the youngest Stravos girl.
But that didn't mean that she wasn't afraid to use the stick when the carrot rotted in front of her.
"There's more if you keep your word, Tarchon." She said as he exited the room, blissfully unaware of the price that extra drachma had just cost someone else. Danae's expression turned sour as she turned to the open book in front of her and pulled out a scrap of parchment hidden in the folds of the other pages. The page was half-filled with names, dates, and numbers; a careful record of the errands of her proxies, none of them aware of this document or the existence of the others for the very reason one of them was going to learn the hard way.
At the bottom of the page, she scribbled in the info Tarchan had brought her and once she was done, he eyes scrolled upwards to find the name that should have identical info with it.
Abraes... Red Cloth, Matching Hat ... Circuses B.... 2 Drachmas, 7 Owls
Danae had sent two boys off with identical bags of money, to make the same bet, and yet one came back considerably short. Young Abraes had lied to her. He won't do at all then, she silently thought to herself, it's a shame too, he was far better looking than Tarchon.
"You there," She said sharply to one of the imposing bodyguards lining the library, courtesy of her father. The man approached her, ready for her curt instructions he had undoubtedly been told to carry out a thousand times before. "Go to the market and find a boy called Abraes. He has blond curls and a voice so high you will want to stab your own ears. If you are unsure, he will be dressed in red cloth with a matching hat, similar to the boy you just saw." Her voice was so cold and matter-of-fact, it was almost bone-chilling, "I want him to be taken care of before the day's end."
With an equally curt nod to signal he understood his orders, the man left the library. She may be kind to those who were loyal to her, but clearly, there was no mercy in her heart for those who tried to double-cross her. Abraes was a fool to try to do so.
The door slammed shut behind him and Danae breathed a sigh of relief that the business of testing the newest proxy was over. She put the rest of the coins back into the little pouch as she double checked the sheet to ensure that the math of her dealings was properly adding up. This sheet was only one of many, each with a different set of data that she obsessively pooled over day after day. Danae needed to ensure that her data was correct and no loose ends were left unchecked. As if she would allow such a thing to happen, but still she checked and checked and rechecked again.
In fact, Danae became so absorbed in the data in front of her that she failed to notice the entrance of another person into the library. Except this wasn't the welcome presence of the returning slave or loyal Tarchon. No, instead it was someone that Danae would do almost anything to prevent them from seeing the business-savy side of her. This was someone who she could never pay off or have killed if need be.
And in a few moments, if Danae continued to be oblivious to anything, but the crunching numbers in her head, they would be the person who would know Danae's secret and undoubtedly use it against her.
While they had yet to hear news from Taengea and how the kingdom was recovering from the horror that had happened in the closing chariot races of the Dionysus festival that Emilia had been a week or so ago, Emilia was curious. She had been asking messengers and had her ear to the news channels everyday, never had she been more interested in the unfolding events happening in a different kingdom. That being said however, Emilia was still somewhat under house arrest. With her being so close to the line of fire, and almost caught within the flames that had engulfed the Circus in Taengea, Persephone was reluctant to let Emilia out of the palace, and had ordered double the amount of guards.
So the young Xanthos princess was left to her own devices in the castle, and she was currently thoroughly bored. She had tried to request to visit the Agora for the afternoon, but had failed, and as such her feet had brought her to the royal baths in the palace. Upon her completion of her bath, Emilia had got Helen to dry her natural brunette locks, replacing the simple circlet of golden ivy leaves and emerald studded crown on her head, donning her white inner dress paired off with a royal blue silk toga over her right shoulder. Helen snapped the silver belt on her waist, pinning the toga with an owl brooch on her shoulder, before placing the pair of silver sandals for Emilia to slip on.
As she exited, she picked up the two upper-arm bangles two lady's maids handed to her, slipping them on before she exited to the pathway. Now what was she to do? There was only so much she could do when on palace lockdown.
Sighing, Emilia finally turned to the pathway leading to the library. The young princess was no great believer of books... but what else could she do? Perhaps she could read up more on the Creed that she had had the misfortune of watching in work in Taengea. For now, she held a great interest in the rebelling factions.
Decision made, Emilia made the way two flights up the stairs, turning the corner that was meant to take her to the library - just in time for her to almost knock into a ragged figure, a slight, mousy looking boy who looked to scrawny for his own good.
Seeing that, the princess immediately froze to a stop. Who was this? Immediately, Emilia had half a mind to call for Nicholai, knowing her bodyguard would not be difficult to summon. But she also knew he had his own duties to see to, and not wishing to cause him more troubles, instead she said nothing as the boy widened his eyes and then proceeded to hurtle down the stairs in what was a mix of fear and awe. Frowning, she took two steps towards the opened doors of the library, and placed one palm on the wall as she heard a familiar voice.
A Stravos.
Internally, Emilia would've hissed if she hadn't wanted her position to be discovered. She held no love lost for the Stravos family, especially not for one Elias of Stravos. Cousins they may be, but the conniving, wily and deceitful way in which her relatives deal with business and politics gave a bad taste in Emilia's mouth, and while their family may be doing their best to build good relations with the Xanthos, Emilia didn't want any part of it.
Stepping closer still, Emilia perked her ears when she heard the low voice.
"...I want him to be taken care of before the day's end."
She frowned deeper, and took a step back into the shadows as the man left, leaving who she assumed was her cousin of her age in the library. She knew the voice, even if she's not heard it very often. What was she up to?
Taking a step into the light, Emilia's lips curled upwards with an interested, almost innocent smile that did not reach her eyes, she stepped in. After almost half a minute of Danae obviously not noting her presence, the girl moved forward, until she stood right next to the elbow of the furiously scribbling girl, peering at the worksheet and almost having her eyes fall out when she saw the amount of data and numbers. "Ah... is there something you want to tell us, cousin dear?" Emilia murmured in her ear when she finally gleaned all the information from the worksheet, a Cheshire like-smile for Danae to see should she turn over.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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While they had yet to hear news from Taengea and how the kingdom was recovering from the horror that had happened in the closing chariot races of the Dionysus festival that Emilia had been a week or so ago, Emilia was curious. She had been asking messengers and had her ear to the news channels everyday, never had she been more interested in the unfolding events happening in a different kingdom. That being said however, Emilia was still somewhat under house arrest. With her being so close to the line of fire, and almost caught within the flames that had engulfed the Circus in Taengea, Persephone was reluctant to let Emilia out of the palace, and had ordered double the amount of guards.
So the young Xanthos princess was left to her own devices in the castle, and she was currently thoroughly bored. She had tried to request to visit the Agora for the afternoon, but had failed, and as such her feet had brought her to the royal baths in the palace. Upon her completion of her bath, Emilia had got Helen to dry her natural brunette locks, replacing the simple circlet of golden ivy leaves and emerald studded crown on her head, donning her white inner dress paired off with a royal blue silk toga over her right shoulder. Helen snapped the silver belt on her waist, pinning the toga with an owl brooch on her shoulder, before placing the pair of silver sandals for Emilia to slip on.
As she exited, she picked up the two upper-arm bangles two lady's maids handed to her, slipping them on before she exited to the pathway. Now what was she to do? There was only so much she could do when on palace lockdown.
Sighing, Emilia finally turned to the pathway leading to the library. The young princess was no great believer of books... but what else could she do? Perhaps she could read up more on the Creed that she had had the misfortune of watching in work in Taengea. For now, she held a great interest in the rebelling factions.
Decision made, Emilia made the way two flights up the stairs, turning the corner that was meant to take her to the library - just in time for her to almost knock into a ragged figure, a slight, mousy looking boy who looked to scrawny for his own good.
Seeing that, the princess immediately froze to a stop. Who was this? Immediately, Emilia had half a mind to call for Nicholai, knowing her bodyguard would not be difficult to summon. But she also knew he had his own duties to see to, and not wishing to cause him more troubles, instead she said nothing as the boy widened his eyes and then proceeded to hurtle down the stairs in what was a mix of fear and awe. Frowning, she took two steps towards the opened doors of the library, and placed one palm on the wall as she heard a familiar voice.
A Stravos.
Internally, Emilia would've hissed if she hadn't wanted her position to be discovered. She held no love lost for the Stravos family, especially not for one Elias of Stravos. Cousins they may be, but the conniving, wily and deceitful way in which her relatives deal with business and politics gave a bad taste in Emilia's mouth, and while their family may be doing their best to build good relations with the Xanthos, Emilia didn't want any part of it.
Stepping closer still, Emilia perked her ears when she heard the low voice.
"...I want him to be taken care of before the day's end."
She frowned deeper, and took a step back into the shadows as the man left, leaving who she assumed was her cousin of her age in the library. She knew the voice, even if she's not heard it very often. What was she up to?
Taking a step into the light, Emilia's lips curled upwards with an interested, almost innocent smile that did not reach her eyes, she stepped in. After almost half a minute of Danae obviously not noting her presence, the girl moved forward, until she stood right next to the elbow of the furiously scribbling girl, peering at the worksheet and almost having her eyes fall out when she saw the amount of data and numbers. "Ah... is there something you want to tell us, cousin dear?" Emilia murmured in her ear when she finally gleaned all the information from the worksheet, a Cheshire like-smile for Danae to see should she turn over.
While they had yet to hear news from Taengea and how the kingdom was recovering from the horror that had happened in the closing chariot races of the Dionysus festival that Emilia had been a week or so ago, Emilia was curious. She had been asking messengers and had her ear to the news channels everyday, never had she been more interested in the unfolding events happening in a different kingdom. That being said however, Emilia was still somewhat under house arrest. With her being so close to the line of fire, and almost caught within the flames that had engulfed the Circus in Taengea, Persephone was reluctant to let Emilia out of the palace, and had ordered double the amount of guards.
So the young Xanthos princess was left to her own devices in the castle, and she was currently thoroughly bored. She had tried to request to visit the Agora for the afternoon, but had failed, and as such her feet had brought her to the royal baths in the palace. Upon her completion of her bath, Emilia had got Helen to dry her natural brunette locks, replacing the simple circlet of golden ivy leaves and emerald studded crown on her head, donning her white inner dress paired off with a royal blue silk toga over her right shoulder. Helen snapped the silver belt on her waist, pinning the toga with an owl brooch on her shoulder, before placing the pair of silver sandals for Emilia to slip on.
As she exited, she picked up the two upper-arm bangles two lady's maids handed to her, slipping them on before she exited to the pathway. Now what was she to do? There was only so much she could do when on palace lockdown.
Sighing, Emilia finally turned to the pathway leading to the library. The young princess was no great believer of books... but what else could she do? Perhaps she could read up more on the Creed that she had had the misfortune of watching in work in Taengea. For now, she held a great interest in the rebelling factions.
Decision made, Emilia made the way two flights up the stairs, turning the corner that was meant to take her to the library - just in time for her to almost knock into a ragged figure, a slight, mousy looking boy who looked to scrawny for his own good.
Seeing that, the princess immediately froze to a stop. Who was this? Immediately, Emilia had half a mind to call for Nicholai, knowing her bodyguard would not be difficult to summon. But she also knew he had his own duties to see to, and not wishing to cause him more troubles, instead she said nothing as the boy widened his eyes and then proceeded to hurtle down the stairs in what was a mix of fear and awe. Frowning, she took two steps towards the opened doors of the library, and placed one palm on the wall as she heard a familiar voice.
A Stravos.
Internally, Emilia would've hissed if she hadn't wanted her position to be discovered. She held no love lost for the Stravos family, especially not for one Elias of Stravos. Cousins they may be, but the conniving, wily and deceitful way in which her relatives deal with business and politics gave a bad taste in Emilia's mouth, and while their family may be doing their best to build good relations with the Xanthos, Emilia didn't want any part of it.
Stepping closer still, Emilia perked her ears when she heard the low voice.
"...I want him to be taken care of before the day's end."
She frowned deeper, and took a step back into the shadows as the man left, leaving who she assumed was her cousin of her age in the library. She knew the voice, even if she's not heard it very often. What was she up to?
Taking a step into the light, Emilia's lips curled upwards with an interested, almost innocent smile that did not reach her eyes, she stepped in. After almost half a minute of Danae obviously not noting her presence, the girl moved forward, until she stood right next to the elbow of the furiously scribbling girl, peering at the worksheet and almost having her eyes fall out when she saw the amount of data and numbers. "Ah... is there something you want to tell us, cousin dear?" Emilia murmured in her ear when she finally gleaned all the information from the worksheet, a Cheshire like-smile for Danae to see should she turn over.
For a moment, Danae grew too comfortable with the empty silence after Tarchon and the slave left. It wasn’t often she got to enjoy such a feeling and in the royal paláti of all places. She had become a bit arrogant, being able to sneak Tarchon into the palace underneath everyone’s noses and so she believed that no one would dare to disturb her here. Danae should have been more careful with becoming comfortable in such a public place.
It was a lesson she was going to have to learn the hard way it seemed.
So, yes, she didn’t notice the Princess sneak up behind her and peer over her shoulder until the girl whispered in her ear. Startled, Danae looked up and found herself face to face with her beloved cousin Princess Emilia. Truth be told, the youngest Stravos couldn’t stand her counterpart in the Xanthos household and struggled to hide it most of the time she had to be graced with the Princess’s presence. Danae just couldn’t understand how someone could be so infuriatingly simple-minded, focused only on boys and fashion. Those seemed to be the only topics she ever wanted to talk about and of course whenever she was in the room, that was what the had to be what was discussed. The other courtiers had no problem with this kind of thing, but as the intricacies of court life were something out of her grasp, such as gossiping without blackmailing the subject of the rumors, for instance, it was pure torture for the sixteen-year-old. In fact, Danae thought that if she had to sit through another conversation of which of Emilia’s suitors were cute enough for her standards, she’d probably take a knife to her own throat.
But deep down, Danae knew her dislike of the princess ran much deeper than the conversations of chitons and crushes. Truth be told, she was deeply jealous of the princess. Why wouldn’t she be? The Xanthos girl represented everything Danae wanted to be, but couldn’t. Emilia was naturally pretty and stood just as radiantly to her beautiful sister. When she entered a room heads turned to look at her lovely face, no one ever did that for her. Not while she had been following Chara’s footsteps all her life. Plus it didn’t hurt that Emilia was born into what the Stravos family had wanted for generations, the crown of Athenia, and it was practically wasted on such a blockhead!
It wasn’t fair. Someone more politically savvy, financially astute, and capable of ruling should be so close to the crown. It should be someone like her sitting that close to a crown.
Of course, Danae could never breathe these thoughts of hers out loud, unless she would like to see her head separated from her body that is. Even the thought of replacing her on the throne is treasonous and yet, she kind of didn’t care. She needed to have that feeling of superiority over her cousin in order to even stomach being around the girl.
“Emilia!” Danae warmly greeted, not skipping a beat. She had her father to thank for her acting skills in situations such as this. After all, It was rule number one of business, don’t let the other person know that you think ill of them. They have gotten her out of several tough situations before, why shouldn’t they work now? But anyone who Danae well would be able to tell that she held the smile for just a moment too long and was just a bit too wide for her naturally shy demeanor. “I was wondering where if you were well after what happened.” She continued, just now noticing that the paper containing all of her proxies information was out in plain view. At the moment she noticed it, her cheerful facade fell slightly to internal worry before coming back again just as quickly. Emilia would have to be looking for it specifically to notice it. Hopefully, the lord’s daughter might have thrown the princess off balance enough for her to miss it. As she continued to speak, she quietly moved the paper to under the book, out of the other’s sight, “Mother insisted I stop by and ensure that you were alright.” As she spoke, she didn’t look at the paper, feigning that it wasn’t important. Danae couldn’t let Emilia even have the slightest clue that it was a crucial part of her business, if not the list of people who actually made this venture a profitable reality.
“She was worried sick about you,” She continued, distracting the princess with their shared relative, Danae’s mother, and the King’s sister, Circenia, “and she had us leave the countryside early to make sure you were okay.” Okay, the last part was a lie. They were already back in Athenia was here, but knowing her mother and the socialite she was, it wasn’t that much of a stretch that the noblewoman would want to dote on the girl that was more of a dream daughter than the one she had that took more after her husband than her. But would Emilia believe it though?
“She’ll be relieved though to hear that you’re okay.” Hopefully the conversation about Circenia and hiding the paper would be enough to distract Emilia from what she might have seen. Otherwise, Danae would be only a few moments away from swallowing her pride and actually needing to bring up some exceedingly boring topics that the princess would find appealing.
Oh, the things she would do for money...
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For a moment, Danae grew too comfortable with the empty silence after Tarchon and the slave left. It wasn’t often she got to enjoy such a feeling and in the royal paláti of all places. She had become a bit arrogant, being able to sneak Tarchon into the palace underneath everyone’s noses and so she believed that no one would dare to disturb her here. Danae should have been more careful with becoming comfortable in such a public place.
It was a lesson she was going to have to learn the hard way it seemed.
So, yes, she didn’t notice the Princess sneak up behind her and peer over her shoulder until the girl whispered in her ear. Startled, Danae looked up and found herself face to face with her beloved cousin Princess Emilia. Truth be told, the youngest Stravos couldn’t stand her counterpart in the Xanthos household and struggled to hide it most of the time she had to be graced with the Princess’s presence. Danae just couldn’t understand how someone could be so infuriatingly simple-minded, focused only on boys and fashion. Those seemed to be the only topics she ever wanted to talk about and of course whenever she was in the room, that was what the had to be what was discussed. The other courtiers had no problem with this kind of thing, but as the intricacies of court life were something out of her grasp, such as gossiping without blackmailing the subject of the rumors, for instance, it was pure torture for the sixteen-year-old. In fact, Danae thought that if she had to sit through another conversation of which of Emilia’s suitors were cute enough for her standards, she’d probably take a knife to her own throat.
But deep down, Danae knew her dislike of the princess ran much deeper than the conversations of chitons and crushes. Truth be told, she was deeply jealous of the princess. Why wouldn’t she be? The Xanthos girl represented everything Danae wanted to be, but couldn’t. Emilia was naturally pretty and stood just as radiantly to her beautiful sister. When she entered a room heads turned to look at her lovely face, no one ever did that for her. Not while she had been following Chara’s footsteps all her life. Plus it didn’t hurt that Emilia was born into what the Stravos family had wanted for generations, the crown of Athenia, and it was practically wasted on such a blockhead!
It wasn’t fair. Someone more politically savvy, financially astute, and capable of ruling should be so close to the crown. It should be someone like her sitting that close to a crown.
Of course, Danae could never breathe these thoughts of hers out loud, unless she would like to see her head separated from her body that is. Even the thought of replacing her on the throne is treasonous and yet, she kind of didn’t care. She needed to have that feeling of superiority over her cousin in order to even stomach being around the girl.
“Emilia!” Danae warmly greeted, not skipping a beat. She had her father to thank for her acting skills in situations such as this. After all, It was rule number one of business, don’t let the other person know that you think ill of them. They have gotten her out of several tough situations before, why shouldn’t they work now? But anyone who Danae well would be able to tell that she held the smile for just a moment too long and was just a bit too wide for her naturally shy demeanor. “I was wondering where if you were well after what happened.” She continued, just now noticing that the paper containing all of her proxies information was out in plain view. At the moment she noticed it, her cheerful facade fell slightly to internal worry before coming back again just as quickly. Emilia would have to be looking for it specifically to notice it. Hopefully, the lord’s daughter might have thrown the princess off balance enough for her to miss it. As she continued to speak, she quietly moved the paper to under the book, out of the other’s sight, “Mother insisted I stop by and ensure that you were alright.” As she spoke, she didn’t look at the paper, feigning that it wasn’t important. Danae couldn’t let Emilia even have the slightest clue that it was a crucial part of her business, if not the list of people who actually made this venture a profitable reality.
“She was worried sick about you,” She continued, distracting the princess with their shared relative, Danae’s mother, and the King’s sister, Circenia, “and she had us leave the countryside early to make sure you were okay.” Okay, the last part was a lie. They were already back in Athenia was here, but knowing her mother and the socialite she was, it wasn’t that much of a stretch that the noblewoman would want to dote on the girl that was more of a dream daughter than the one she had that took more after her husband than her. But would Emilia believe it though?
“She’ll be relieved though to hear that you’re okay.” Hopefully the conversation about Circenia and hiding the paper would be enough to distract Emilia from what she might have seen. Otherwise, Danae would be only a few moments away from swallowing her pride and actually needing to bring up some exceedingly boring topics that the princess would find appealing.
Oh, the things she would do for money...
For a moment, Danae grew too comfortable with the empty silence after Tarchon and the slave left. It wasn’t often she got to enjoy such a feeling and in the royal paláti of all places. She had become a bit arrogant, being able to sneak Tarchon into the palace underneath everyone’s noses and so she believed that no one would dare to disturb her here. Danae should have been more careful with becoming comfortable in such a public place.
It was a lesson she was going to have to learn the hard way it seemed.
So, yes, she didn’t notice the Princess sneak up behind her and peer over her shoulder until the girl whispered in her ear. Startled, Danae looked up and found herself face to face with her beloved cousin Princess Emilia. Truth be told, the youngest Stravos couldn’t stand her counterpart in the Xanthos household and struggled to hide it most of the time she had to be graced with the Princess’s presence. Danae just couldn’t understand how someone could be so infuriatingly simple-minded, focused only on boys and fashion. Those seemed to be the only topics she ever wanted to talk about and of course whenever she was in the room, that was what the had to be what was discussed. The other courtiers had no problem with this kind of thing, but as the intricacies of court life were something out of her grasp, such as gossiping without blackmailing the subject of the rumors, for instance, it was pure torture for the sixteen-year-old. In fact, Danae thought that if she had to sit through another conversation of which of Emilia’s suitors were cute enough for her standards, she’d probably take a knife to her own throat.
But deep down, Danae knew her dislike of the princess ran much deeper than the conversations of chitons and crushes. Truth be told, she was deeply jealous of the princess. Why wouldn’t she be? The Xanthos girl represented everything Danae wanted to be, but couldn’t. Emilia was naturally pretty and stood just as radiantly to her beautiful sister. When she entered a room heads turned to look at her lovely face, no one ever did that for her. Not while she had been following Chara’s footsteps all her life. Plus it didn’t hurt that Emilia was born into what the Stravos family had wanted for generations, the crown of Athenia, and it was practically wasted on such a blockhead!
It wasn’t fair. Someone more politically savvy, financially astute, and capable of ruling should be so close to the crown. It should be someone like her sitting that close to a crown.
Of course, Danae could never breathe these thoughts of hers out loud, unless she would like to see her head separated from her body that is. Even the thought of replacing her on the throne is treasonous and yet, she kind of didn’t care. She needed to have that feeling of superiority over her cousin in order to even stomach being around the girl.
“Emilia!” Danae warmly greeted, not skipping a beat. She had her father to thank for her acting skills in situations such as this. After all, It was rule number one of business, don’t let the other person know that you think ill of them. They have gotten her out of several tough situations before, why shouldn’t they work now? But anyone who Danae well would be able to tell that she held the smile for just a moment too long and was just a bit too wide for her naturally shy demeanor. “I was wondering where if you were well after what happened.” She continued, just now noticing that the paper containing all of her proxies information was out in plain view. At the moment she noticed it, her cheerful facade fell slightly to internal worry before coming back again just as quickly. Emilia would have to be looking for it specifically to notice it. Hopefully, the lord’s daughter might have thrown the princess off balance enough for her to miss it. As she continued to speak, she quietly moved the paper to under the book, out of the other’s sight, “Mother insisted I stop by and ensure that you were alright.” As she spoke, she didn’t look at the paper, feigning that it wasn’t important. Danae couldn’t let Emilia even have the slightest clue that it was a crucial part of her business, if not the list of people who actually made this venture a profitable reality.
“She was worried sick about you,” She continued, distracting the princess with their shared relative, Danae’s mother, and the King’s sister, Circenia, “and she had us leave the countryside early to make sure you were okay.” Okay, the last part was a lie. They were already back in Athenia was here, but knowing her mother and the socialite she was, it wasn’t that much of a stretch that the noblewoman would want to dote on the girl that was more of a dream daughter than the one she had that took more after her husband than her. But would Emilia believe it though?
“She’ll be relieved though to hear that you’re okay.” Hopefully the conversation about Circenia and hiding the paper would be enough to distract Emilia from what she might have seen. Otherwise, Danae would be only a few moments away from swallowing her pride and actually needing to bring up some exceedingly boring topics that the princess would find appealing.
Oh, the things she would do for money...
She rarely spoke with her cousin, related as they may be. The Stravos family was, while rich and definitely related to her own family, also spoilt and desirous of connections Emilia had no wish to provide them. Enjoying her position as princess and the younger, doted upon sister of the two that were in the Xanthos family, Emilia had no intention of allowing just anyone to swoop in and take her position.
Besides, it wasn't as if Danae was a great conversationalist. Emilia enjoyed an exchange of words too much to stand for the other's muted nods and idiotic smiles - as if she was listening. Who was she trying to kid? The sixteen year old was no idiot.
But their position and connection necessitated the cordial manner in which Emilia always greeted Danae with, the tight smiles and few words she was willing to exchange before she made her excuses to leave. So it wasn't fair that although her father was Danae's mother's sister, but Emilia didn't particularly care, to be honest. Call it a bad stroke of luck.
Straightening up to put some distance between the two of them when Danae greeted her warmly. The princess's brows raised skeptically, the wry smile still playing on her lips as she laced her hands behind her back. "I'm fine, thank you for the concern. I have Persephone to thank for that. Do ensure Aunt Circenia that no harm has befallen myself." she murmured in a polite response, even if her heart blazed with curiosity on the source of the concern. Everyone knew Keikelius had no qualms in using his relation to royal blood mercilessly, and Emilia had grown up cautioned by her father about his brother-in-law.
Rocking on her feet, Emilia's eyes were quick to catch the paper Danae tried to surreptiously move out of view, and the princess smiled to herself. She'll have to get it. But... how? Letting her gaze flick back to Danae, the girl smiled. "What brings you to the library, Danae? I saw a young urchin exiting as I entered. A... friend of yours?" she started the conversation, taking a few steps closer to the table where Danae had been working, all the time keeping her gaze on her cousin's face, eager to pick out any tick or twitches in her expression.
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She rarely spoke with her cousin, related as they may be. The Stravos family was, while rich and definitely related to her own family, also spoilt and desirous of connections Emilia had no wish to provide them. Enjoying her position as princess and the younger, doted upon sister of the two that were in the Xanthos family, Emilia had no intention of allowing just anyone to swoop in and take her position.
Besides, it wasn't as if Danae was a great conversationalist. Emilia enjoyed an exchange of words too much to stand for the other's muted nods and idiotic smiles - as if she was listening. Who was she trying to kid? The sixteen year old was no idiot.
But their position and connection necessitated the cordial manner in which Emilia always greeted Danae with, the tight smiles and few words she was willing to exchange before she made her excuses to leave. So it wasn't fair that although her father was Danae's mother's sister, but Emilia didn't particularly care, to be honest. Call it a bad stroke of luck.
Straightening up to put some distance between the two of them when Danae greeted her warmly. The princess's brows raised skeptically, the wry smile still playing on her lips as she laced her hands behind her back. "I'm fine, thank you for the concern. I have Persephone to thank for that. Do ensure Aunt Circenia that no harm has befallen myself." she murmured in a polite response, even if her heart blazed with curiosity on the source of the concern. Everyone knew Keikelius had no qualms in using his relation to royal blood mercilessly, and Emilia had grown up cautioned by her father about his brother-in-law.
Rocking on her feet, Emilia's eyes were quick to catch the paper Danae tried to surreptiously move out of view, and the princess smiled to herself. She'll have to get it. But... how? Letting her gaze flick back to Danae, the girl smiled. "What brings you to the library, Danae? I saw a young urchin exiting as I entered. A... friend of yours?" she started the conversation, taking a few steps closer to the table where Danae had been working, all the time keeping her gaze on her cousin's face, eager to pick out any tick or twitches in her expression.
She rarely spoke with her cousin, related as they may be. The Stravos family was, while rich and definitely related to her own family, also spoilt and desirous of connections Emilia had no wish to provide them. Enjoying her position as princess and the younger, doted upon sister of the two that were in the Xanthos family, Emilia had no intention of allowing just anyone to swoop in and take her position.
Besides, it wasn't as if Danae was a great conversationalist. Emilia enjoyed an exchange of words too much to stand for the other's muted nods and idiotic smiles - as if she was listening. Who was she trying to kid? The sixteen year old was no idiot.
But their position and connection necessitated the cordial manner in which Emilia always greeted Danae with, the tight smiles and few words she was willing to exchange before she made her excuses to leave. So it wasn't fair that although her father was Danae's mother's sister, but Emilia didn't particularly care, to be honest. Call it a bad stroke of luck.
Straightening up to put some distance between the two of them when Danae greeted her warmly. The princess's brows raised skeptically, the wry smile still playing on her lips as she laced her hands behind her back. "I'm fine, thank you for the concern. I have Persephone to thank for that. Do ensure Aunt Circenia that no harm has befallen myself." she murmured in a polite response, even if her heart blazed with curiosity on the source of the concern. Everyone knew Keikelius had no qualms in using his relation to royal blood mercilessly, and Emilia had grown up cautioned by her father about his brother-in-law.
Rocking on her feet, Emilia's eyes were quick to catch the paper Danae tried to surreptiously move out of view, and the princess smiled to herself. She'll have to get it. But... how? Letting her gaze flick back to Danae, the girl smiled. "What brings you to the library, Danae? I saw a young urchin exiting as I entered. A... friend of yours?" she started the conversation, taking a few steps closer to the table where Danae had been working, all the time keeping her gaze on her cousin's face, eager to pick out any tick or twitches in her expression.
“Oh really? I thought she was here in Athenia, though?” Danae asked her cousin with genuine curiosity when she responded to Danae’s story with a statement about how Persephone was the one to credit with her good health, even though as far as Danae knew, the sisters had been a full kingdom apart at the time of the fire. “But my mother will be glad to hear that. We truly are relieved that no harm came upon you.” Alright, that was a lie. The three Stravoses who all wanted the crown were not relieved to know she was okay, but that didn’t mean that Danae, Elias, and Keikelius wished for her to die that day either. It just… It just would have been easier for them if the royal family was distracted for some time so her own family could have some more time to guarantee that the Xanthos’s were not successful in changing the succession law. Time, after all, was worth more than gold in a situation such as this and if everyone was focused on a singed princess, there wouldn’t be anyone looking at their rivals.
Her fake smile tightened when Emilia asked her why she was in the library. Truthfully, she wanted to intimidate Tarchon a little bit and remind him of who he was dealing with if he thought of betraying her. He wouldn’t know that Danae didn’t live here of course, especially since he didn’t know her name, but being brought into the Palati would definitely be an experience he would remember. In hindsight, she could see that it was a stupid idea, but she suspected that Tarchon was going to bring a different amount than the proxy she had just sent her slave out to kill. She wanted to just further encourage the truth from the boy who was the least likely to lie to her.
Not that she was going to say anything about that though. That would be even more idiotic than what she had already done. As she put an arm over the book, pressing her elbow firmly enough against the cover to pin it into place; she twisted the truth with a small shrug, “I was told that you were busy and it would be quite a while until you could see me. So, I decided I would pass the time by reading.” It wasn’t too out of character for Danae to do this. She was known to be a bit of a bookworm and was no stranger to other manors libraries. Too bad most people didn’t know she conducting her own meetings in their houses, right under their noses.
It was just unfortunate that this time she had been caught.
“No, not exactly.” She said, almost stammering as she was confronted with the knowledge that Emilia had seen Tarchan in the palace. This can not be happening, she screamed in her head as she tried to keep her shock hidden behind the cheerful mask she put on the for the princess. Luckily, she did have an excuse ready for the Princess. It was something she had spent forever drilling into her head in case if something like this were to happen. In fact, just saying the spiel came so naturally to her that Danae would actually be impressed with the vapid princess if she could tell her cousin was lying, “I’m patronizing him.”
Knowing that her cousin might need a little bit more to make the story believable, she continued by saying, “He was in the market a few months ago, begging for food.” It was true, this was how she discovered most of her little army of proxies. The promise of food was all someone needed most of the time to be convinced to work for her. However, Danae wasn’t satisfied with just retelling the details. She needed to pull on Emilia’s heartstrings. After all, the princess was supposedly known for her kindness, not that Danae had ever seen it herself because of coldly they treated each other.
“You should have seen him then. He was nothing more than a skeleton with skin stretched over it…” She trailed off at the end to let the image she painted sink into the princess’s mind before continuing, “It was so pitiful, I couldn’t just walk away. So I asked him what happened to bring him so close to Hades… and…” Her voice trailed off at the end as if just mentioning it was breaking her heart made of stone, “There was a sickness that swept through his neighborhood in the city and his whole family died, Emilia. He was left with nothing!” Danae’s expression conveyed shock at her own retelling, but it wasn’t real. It never was. She didn’t see these kids who all carried the same story as anything more than an opportunity. Hopefully, though, her acting skills weren’t too rusty or at the very least the vapid princess would think that the story was too elaborate to be made up on the fly.
“I couldn’t just walk away from him after he told me that. So, I promised him that I would help him have a second chance.” She continued with a small shrug as if it was the thing that anyone would do, knowing full well that Emilia probably wouldn’t offer something so extensive beyond just giving them some bread and wine. “I made sure he had enough food and adequate shelter until he was well enough to take an apprenticeship with a local merchant.” This was all true, but of course, she didn’t mention that the merchant was herself and it wasn’t so much of an apprenticeship as Danae definitely wasn’t teaching him anything she knew. Not in a million years.
Hell, Hades could freeze over and she still wouldn’t teach her proxies a damn thing. Otherwise how else was she going to keep them dependent --and loyal-- to her?
“I would hardly say he’s a street urchin anymore, dear cousin. After all, did you see what he was wearing?” Danae said, attempting to steer the conversation that she believed would distract Emilia long enough for her to stop questioning Danae, “It was all brand new, purchased only a few weeks ago. Plus did you see how bright those colors were? No beggar could afford something like that.” The next part she said with a light chuckle as she genuinely reacted to the joke she was about to tell, “I should know, I paid a bit more than a pretty penny for that ensemble.” It was true, those outfits weren’t cheap, but they were worth it. After all, it made it so much easier for her slaves to track them down if they double-crossed her. They wouldn’t be able to hide very well figuring since she had kept detailed records of what they all looked like.
After all, this was something that Danae cared very deeply about and was not willing to let the court see under any circumstances if she could help it. She would be an imbecile to not have a way of tying up any loose ends.
However, Danae knew she really did need to seal the deal and complete the distraction. She had pulled at Emilia’s heartstrings, which may or may not have worked, but now she needed to deflect to something that would be far more appealing to her cousin than this conversation. “Speaking of clothes…” She started to say with a high pitched tone as if she really was excited about something as dull as fashion, “My mother had bought me so many new Chitons, but some of them are just too bright for someone like me to wear,” she said glancing down at her dark gray outfit. Emilia, of course, would know that Danae was not someone who was fond of the dreamy pastels that filled other lady’s wardrobes. It just wasn’t her style. Perhaps it was Emilia’s though and she could be enticed with just a little embellishment, “But they’re so beautiful with the needlework and you should just see the embroidery. She made the flowers look so real!” This wasn’t true of course, the flowers looked the same as any other stitched one, but what Emilia didn’t know wouldn’t kill her right?
Now it was time to seal the deal, “I brought some of them with me though, do you want to go try them on?” She asked with a smile, still just as forced as when she had first greeted Emilia. Hopefully, though the princess would be too distracted with the promise of finery to care anymore. Though, knowing how this day had gone so far, the chances of this working were probably not working in her favor. Who knew, perhaps Danae’s patron god Hermes might take pity on her and bless her momentarily with the ability to convince Emilia that her lies were the truth.
However, after making the Danae didn’t move to stand, keeping her elbow firmly on the book with a scrap of paper hidden inside. If Emilia was going to get at it, she was going to have to be clever enough to outthink the girl who thought of everything.
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“Oh really? I thought she was here in Athenia, though?” Danae asked her cousin with genuine curiosity when she responded to Danae’s story with a statement about how Persephone was the one to credit with her good health, even though as far as Danae knew, the sisters had been a full kingdom apart at the time of the fire. “But my mother will be glad to hear that. We truly are relieved that no harm came upon you.” Alright, that was a lie. The three Stravoses who all wanted the crown were not relieved to know she was okay, but that didn’t mean that Danae, Elias, and Keikelius wished for her to die that day either. It just… It just would have been easier for them if the royal family was distracted for some time so her own family could have some more time to guarantee that the Xanthos’s were not successful in changing the succession law. Time, after all, was worth more than gold in a situation such as this and if everyone was focused on a singed princess, there wouldn’t be anyone looking at their rivals.
Her fake smile tightened when Emilia asked her why she was in the library. Truthfully, she wanted to intimidate Tarchon a little bit and remind him of who he was dealing with if he thought of betraying her. He wouldn’t know that Danae didn’t live here of course, especially since he didn’t know her name, but being brought into the Palati would definitely be an experience he would remember. In hindsight, she could see that it was a stupid idea, but she suspected that Tarchon was going to bring a different amount than the proxy she had just sent her slave out to kill. She wanted to just further encourage the truth from the boy who was the least likely to lie to her.
Not that she was going to say anything about that though. That would be even more idiotic than what she had already done. As she put an arm over the book, pressing her elbow firmly enough against the cover to pin it into place; she twisted the truth with a small shrug, “I was told that you were busy and it would be quite a while until you could see me. So, I decided I would pass the time by reading.” It wasn’t too out of character for Danae to do this. She was known to be a bit of a bookworm and was no stranger to other manors libraries. Too bad most people didn’t know she conducting her own meetings in their houses, right under their noses.
It was just unfortunate that this time she had been caught.
“No, not exactly.” She said, almost stammering as she was confronted with the knowledge that Emilia had seen Tarchan in the palace. This can not be happening, she screamed in her head as she tried to keep her shock hidden behind the cheerful mask she put on the for the princess. Luckily, she did have an excuse ready for the Princess. It was something she had spent forever drilling into her head in case if something like this were to happen. In fact, just saying the spiel came so naturally to her that Danae would actually be impressed with the vapid princess if she could tell her cousin was lying, “I’m patronizing him.”
Knowing that her cousin might need a little bit more to make the story believable, she continued by saying, “He was in the market a few months ago, begging for food.” It was true, this was how she discovered most of her little army of proxies. The promise of food was all someone needed most of the time to be convinced to work for her. However, Danae wasn’t satisfied with just retelling the details. She needed to pull on Emilia’s heartstrings. After all, the princess was supposedly known for her kindness, not that Danae had ever seen it herself because of coldly they treated each other.
“You should have seen him then. He was nothing more than a skeleton with skin stretched over it…” She trailed off at the end to let the image she painted sink into the princess’s mind before continuing, “It was so pitiful, I couldn’t just walk away. So I asked him what happened to bring him so close to Hades… and…” Her voice trailed off at the end as if just mentioning it was breaking her heart made of stone, “There was a sickness that swept through his neighborhood in the city and his whole family died, Emilia. He was left with nothing!” Danae’s expression conveyed shock at her own retelling, but it wasn’t real. It never was. She didn’t see these kids who all carried the same story as anything more than an opportunity. Hopefully, though, her acting skills weren’t too rusty or at the very least the vapid princess would think that the story was too elaborate to be made up on the fly.
“I couldn’t just walk away from him after he told me that. So, I promised him that I would help him have a second chance.” She continued with a small shrug as if it was the thing that anyone would do, knowing full well that Emilia probably wouldn’t offer something so extensive beyond just giving them some bread and wine. “I made sure he had enough food and adequate shelter until he was well enough to take an apprenticeship with a local merchant.” This was all true, but of course, she didn’t mention that the merchant was herself and it wasn’t so much of an apprenticeship as Danae definitely wasn’t teaching him anything she knew. Not in a million years.
Hell, Hades could freeze over and she still wouldn’t teach her proxies a damn thing. Otherwise how else was she going to keep them dependent --and loyal-- to her?
“I would hardly say he’s a street urchin anymore, dear cousin. After all, did you see what he was wearing?” Danae said, attempting to steer the conversation that she believed would distract Emilia long enough for her to stop questioning Danae, “It was all brand new, purchased only a few weeks ago. Plus did you see how bright those colors were? No beggar could afford something like that.” The next part she said with a light chuckle as she genuinely reacted to the joke she was about to tell, “I should know, I paid a bit more than a pretty penny for that ensemble.” It was true, those outfits weren’t cheap, but they were worth it. After all, it made it so much easier for her slaves to track them down if they double-crossed her. They wouldn’t be able to hide very well figuring since she had kept detailed records of what they all looked like.
After all, this was something that Danae cared very deeply about and was not willing to let the court see under any circumstances if she could help it. She would be an imbecile to not have a way of tying up any loose ends.
However, Danae knew she really did need to seal the deal and complete the distraction. She had pulled at Emilia’s heartstrings, which may or may not have worked, but now she needed to deflect to something that would be far more appealing to her cousin than this conversation. “Speaking of clothes…” She started to say with a high pitched tone as if she really was excited about something as dull as fashion, “My mother had bought me so many new Chitons, but some of them are just too bright for someone like me to wear,” she said glancing down at her dark gray outfit. Emilia, of course, would know that Danae was not someone who was fond of the dreamy pastels that filled other lady’s wardrobes. It just wasn’t her style. Perhaps it was Emilia’s though and she could be enticed with just a little embellishment, “But they’re so beautiful with the needlework and you should just see the embroidery. She made the flowers look so real!” This wasn’t true of course, the flowers looked the same as any other stitched one, but what Emilia didn’t know wouldn’t kill her right?
Now it was time to seal the deal, “I brought some of them with me though, do you want to go try them on?” She asked with a smile, still just as forced as when she had first greeted Emilia. Hopefully, though the princess would be too distracted with the promise of finery to care anymore. Though, knowing how this day had gone so far, the chances of this working were probably not working in her favor. Who knew, perhaps Danae’s patron god Hermes might take pity on her and bless her momentarily with the ability to convince Emilia that her lies were the truth.
However, after making the Danae didn’t move to stand, keeping her elbow firmly on the book with a scrap of paper hidden inside. If Emilia was going to get at it, she was going to have to be clever enough to outthink the girl who thought of everything.
“Oh really? I thought she was here in Athenia, though?” Danae asked her cousin with genuine curiosity when she responded to Danae’s story with a statement about how Persephone was the one to credit with her good health, even though as far as Danae knew, the sisters had been a full kingdom apart at the time of the fire. “But my mother will be glad to hear that. We truly are relieved that no harm came upon you.” Alright, that was a lie. The three Stravoses who all wanted the crown were not relieved to know she was okay, but that didn’t mean that Danae, Elias, and Keikelius wished for her to die that day either. It just… It just would have been easier for them if the royal family was distracted for some time so her own family could have some more time to guarantee that the Xanthos’s were not successful in changing the succession law. Time, after all, was worth more than gold in a situation such as this and if everyone was focused on a singed princess, there wouldn’t be anyone looking at their rivals.
Her fake smile tightened when Emilia asked her why she was in the library. Truthfully, she wanted to intimidate Tarchon a little bit and remind him of who he was dealing with if he thought of betraying her. He wouldn’t know that Danae didn’t live here of course, especially since he didn’t know her name, but being brought into the Palati would definitely be an experience he would remember. In hindsight, she could see that it was a stupid idea, but she suspected that Tarchon was going to bring a different amount than the proxy she had just sent her slave out to kill. She wanted to just further encourage the truth from the boy who was the least likely to lie to her.
Not that she was going to say anything about that though. That would be even more idiotic than what she had already done. As she put an arm over the book, pressing her elbow firmly enough against the cover to pin it into place; she twisted the truth with a small shrug, “I was told that you were busy and it would be quite a while until you could see me. So, I decided I would pass the time by reading.” It wasn’t too out of character for Danae to do this. She was known to be a bit of a bookworm and was no stranger to other manors libraries. Too bad most people didn’t know she conducting her own meetings in their houses, right under their noses.
It was just unfortunate that this time she had been caught.
“No, not exactly.” She said, almost stammering as she was confronted with the knowledge that Emilia had seen Tarchan in the palace. This can not be happening, she screamed in her head as she tried to keep her shock hidden behind the cheerful mask she put on the for the princess. Luckily, she did have an excuse ready for the Princess. It was something she had spent forever drilling into her head in case if something like this were to happen. In fact, just saying the spiel came so naturally to her that Danae would actually be impressed with the vapid princess if she could tell her cousin was lying, “I’m patronizing him.”
Knowing that her cousin might need a little bit more to make the story believable, she continued by saying, “He was in the market a few months ago, begging for food.” It was true, this was how she discovered most of her little army of proxies. The promise of food was all someone needed most of the time to be convinced to work for her. However, Danae wasn’t satisfied with just retelling the details. She needed to pull on Emilia’s heartstrings. After all, the princess was supposedly known for her kindness, not that Danae had ever seen it herself because of coldly they treated each other.
“You should have seen him then. He was nothing more than a skeleton with skin stretched over it…” She trailed off at the end to let the image she painted sink into the princess’s mind before continuing, “It was so pitiful, I couldn’t just walk away. So I asked him what happened to bring him so close to Hades… and…” Her voice trailed off at the end as if just mentioning it was breaking her heart made of stone, “There was a sickness that swept through his neighborhood in the city and his whole family died, Emilia. He was left with nothing!” Danae’s expression conveyed shock at her own retelling, but it wasn’t real. It never was. She didn’t see these kids who all carried the same story as anything more than an opportunity. Hopefully, though, her acting skills weren’t too rusty or at the very least the vapid princess would think that the story was too elaborate to be made up on the fly.
“I couldn’t just walk away from him after he told me that. So, I promised him that I would help him have a second chance.” She continued with a small shrug as if it was the thing that anyone would do, knowing full well that Emilia probably wouldn’t offer something so extensive beyond just giving them some bread and wine. “I made sure he had enough food and adequate shelter until he was well enough to take an apprenticeship with a local merchant.” This was all true, but of course, she didn’t mention that the merchant was herself and it wasn’t so much of an apprenticeship as Danae definitely wasn’t teaching him anything she knew. Not in a million years.
Hell, Hades could freeze over and she still wouldn’t teach her proxies a damn thing. Otherwise how else was she going to keep them dependent --and loyal-- to her?
“I would hardly say he’s a street urchin anymore, dear cousin. After all, did you see what he was wearing?” Danae said, attempting to steer the conversation that she believed would distract Emilia long enough for her to stop questioning Danae, “It was all brand new, purchased only a few weeks ago. Plus did you see how bright those colors were? No beggar could afford something like that.” The next part she said with a light chuckle as she genuinely reacted to the joke she was about to tell, “I should know, I paid a bit more than a pretty penny for that ensemble.” It was true, those outfits weren’t cheap, but they were worth it. After all, it made it so much easier for her slaves to track them down if they double-crossed her. They wouldn’t be able to hide very well figuring since she had kept detailed records of what they all looked like.
After all, this was something that Danae cared very deeply about and was not willing to let the court see under any circumstances if she could help it. She would be an imbecile to not have a way of tying up any loose ends.
However, Danae knew she really did need to seal the deal and complete the distraction. She had pulled at Emilia’s heartstrings, which may or may not have worked, but now she needed to deflect to something that would be far more appealing to her cousin than this conversation. “Speaking of clothes…” She started to say with a high pitched tone as if she really was excited about something as dull as fashion, “My mother had bought me so many new Chitons, but some of them are just too bright for someone like me to wear,” she said glancing down at her dark gray outfit. Emilia, of course, would know that Danae was not someone who was fond of the dreamy pastels that filled other lady’s wardrobes. It just wasn’t her style. Perhaps it was Emilia’s though and she could be enticed with just a little embellishment, “But they’re so beautiful with the needlework and you should just see the embroidery. She made the flowers look so real!” This wasn’t true of course, the flowers looked the same as any other stitched one, but what Emilia didn’t know wouldn’t kill her right?
Now it was time to seal the deal, “I brought some of them with me though, do you want to go try them on?” She asked with a smile, still just as forced as when she had first greeted Emilia. Hopefully, though the princess would be too distracted with the promise of finery to care anymore. Though, knowing how this day had gone so far, the chances of this working were probably not working in her favor. Who knew, perhaps Danae’s patron god Hermes might take pity on her and bless her momentarily with the ability to convince Emilia that her lies were the truth.
However, after making the Danae didn’t move to stand, keeping her elbow firmly on the book with a scrap of paper hidden inside. If Emilia was going to get at it, she was going to have to be clever enough to outthink the girl who thought of everything.
Resisting the urge to roll her eyes, Emilia couldn't help but wonder on the sibling relationship between her cousins. Did they not communicate or asisst each other even if they were apart? Or maybe her relationship with Persephone was just closer then others, but if that was the case, the young princess merely felt sad for her cousin.
"Regardless as that may be, my sister can assist me no matter where she is. Her position aids her in that." Emilia flashed a confident smile, one that belied her skepticism at Danae's assurance that her family was glad she had emerged from the terror of the Taengean festival unscathed. Of course they were. Because her survival merely proved another impediment to the crown.
A slow smile broke across Emilia's face, as she caught the way she shifted across the papers. Deciding to let her reasoning for being in the library slide, the brunette instead, responded to her half-stammer, a sure sign that she was grasping for words out of thin air. Ah, what was her cousin hiding? If at all it was something to be found out, Emilia wanted to know. Any small matter would be a great help to her sister, she knew.
Feigning surprise, Emilia couldn't help but echo, "Patronizing?" as if confirming what Danae had said, before she continued speaking. Nodding sagely at Danae's story, the girl feigned being touched at her heartfelt retelling, taking the opportunity of how intent Danae was, to wander even nearer towards the table. Now standing about half a foot away from the table, she nodded more, pretending to listen as her mind calculated just how much it would take to yank that piece of paper out from under the book, which in turn was firmly held under Danae's elbow. "Oh really,cousin? Persephone had never mentioned any sickness in a village though, and she would have heard of it. The boy can't be more then ten." she asked, skeptically, smiling as she continued, "But good on you! It would do great to hear the royal family and our relatives do great. The people of Athenia will love us even more,don't you think Danae?"
She almost laughed, when Danae tried to distract her. What was she thinking? Emilia had all the royal seamstresses at her beck and call. She had an important job, something more then anyone could imagine - vapid as they thought she was. Fashion and respect were seen hand in hand, and it would never do for a royal family to be dressed in drab gowns. So Emilia alone was single-handedly responsible for ensuring her sister, herself and her father were dressed appropriately to garner the respect and attention that a royal family required to retain their position and garner respect.
Not that many understood.
"I'm sure I would enjoy seeing your chitons, cousin dear. Shall we?" she murmured, taking a step closer to Danae as if making a move for the door. Hopefully catching her off guard, the princess pushed harder then usual at Danae's shoulder to knock her off balance,but before she could step closer, a maid appeared at the door, together with another polished look elder male, whose hair was already graying and skin looked wizened enough for him to come from the olden ages. Emilia had frowned, staring at the male, until the maid announced him to be her new tutor... and at that, the girl groaned and threw Danae a dirty look. If anything, she occasionally wished she and Danae could swap places - if only she didn't have to go through dastardly lessons.
Without another look at Danae, Emilia headed off towards the maid's summons, not given much of a choice. Her father and her sister would not be happy to know she missed lessons again, and if she had not been caught and had not been seen at all, Emilia could have feigned lack of knowledge. Yet when she was clearly caught... well it left her little chance but to leave her cousin in the libraries as she left with the new tutor to the study room, where she could be trapped in for the rest of the day.
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Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
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Resisting the urge to roll her eyes, Emilia couldn't help but wonder on the sibling relationship between her cousins. Did they not communicate or asisst each other even if they were apart? Or maybe her relationship with Persephone was just closer then others, but if that was the case, the young princess merely felt sad for her cousin.
"Regardless as that may be, my sister can assist me no matter where she is. Her position aids her in that." Emilia flashed a confident smile, one that belied her skepticism at Danae's assurance that her family was glad she had emerged from the terror of the Taengean festival unscathed. Of course they were. Because her survival merely proved another impediment to the crown.
A slow smile broke across Emilia's face, as she caught the way she shifted across the papers. Deciding to let her reasoning for being in the library slide, the brunette instead, responded to her half-stammer, a sure sign that she was grasping for words out of thin air. Ah, what was her cousin hiding? If at all it was something to be found out, Emilia wanted to know. Any small matter would be a great help to her sister, she knew.
Feigning surprise, Emilia couldn't help but echo, "Patronizing?" as if confirming what Danae had said, before she continued speaking. Nodding sagely at Danae's story, the girl feigned being touched at her heartfelt retelling, taking the opportunity of how intent Danae was, to wander even nearer towards the table. Now standing about half a foot away from the table, she nodded more, pretending to listen as her mind calculated just how much it would take to yank that piece of paper out from under the book, which in turn was firmly held under Danae's elbow. "Oh really,cousin? Persephone had never mentioned any sickness in a village though, and she would have heard of it. The boy can't be more then ten." she asked, skeptically, smiling as she continued, "But good on you! It would do great to hear the royal family and our relatives do great. The people of Athenia will love us even more,don't you think Danae?"
She almost laughed, when Danae tried to distract her. What was she thinking? Emilia had all the royal seamstresses at her beck and call. She had an important job, something more then anyone could imagine - vapid as they thought she was. Fashion and respect were seen hand in hand, and it would never do for a royal family to be dressed in drab gowns. So Emilia alone was single-handedly responsible for ensuring her sister, herself and her father were dressed appropriately to garner the respect and attention that a royal family required to retain their position and garner respect.
Not that many understood.
"I'm sure I would enjoy seeing your chitons, cousin dear. Shall we?" she murmured, taking a step closer to Danae as if making a move for the door. Hopefully catching her off guard, the princess pushed harder then usual at Danae's shoulder to knock her off balance,but before she could step closer, a maid appeared at the door, together with another polished look elder male, whose hair was already graying and skin looked wizened enough for him to come from the olden ages. Emilia had frowned, staring at the male, until the maid announced him to be her new tutor... and at that, the girl groaned and threw Danae a dirty look. If anything, she occasionally wished she and Danae could swap places - if only she didn't have to go through dastardly lessons.
Without another look at Danae, Emilia headed off towards the maid's summons, not given much of a choice. Her father and her sister would not be happy to know she missed lessons again, and if she had not been caught and had not been seen at all, Emilia could have feigned lack of knowledge. Yet when she was clearly caught... well it left her little chance but to leave her cousin in the libraries as she left with the new tutor to the study room, where she could be trapped in for the rest of the day.
Resisting the urge to roll her eyes, Emilia couldn't help but wonder on the sibling relationship between her cousins. Did they not communicate or asisst each other even if they were apart? Or maybe her relationship with Persephone was just closer then others, but if that was the case, the young princess merely felt sad for her cousin.
"Regardless as that may be, my sister can assist me no matter where she is. Her position aids her in that." Emilia flashed a confident smile, one that belied her skepticism at Danae's assurance that her family was glad she had emerged from the terror of the Taengean festival unscathed. Of course they were. Because her survival merely proved another impediment to the crown.
A slow smile broke across Emilia's face, as she caught the way she shifted across the papers. Deciding to let her reasoning for being in the library slide, the brunette instead, responded to her half-stammer, a sure sign that she was grasping for words out of thin air. Ah, what was her cousin hiding? If at all it was something to be found out, Emilia wanted to know. Any small matter would be a great help to her sister, she knew.
Feigning surprise, Emilia couldn't help but echo, "Patronizing?" as if confirming what Danae had said, before she continued speaking. Nodding sagely at Danae's story, the girl feigned being touched at her heartfelt retelling, taking the opportunity of how intent Danae was, to wander even nearer towards the table. Now standing about half a foot away from the table, she nodded more, pretending to listen as her mind calculated just how much it would take to yank that piece of paper out from under the book, which in turn was firmly held under Danae's elbow. "Oh really,cousin? Persephone had never mentioned any sickness in a village though, and she would have heard of it. The boy can't be more then ten." she asked, skeptically, smiling as she continued, "But good on you! It would do great to hear the royal family and our relatives do great. The people of Athenia will love us even more,don't you think Danae?"
She almost laughed, when Danae tried to distract her. What was she thinking? Emilia had all the royal seamstresses at her beck and call. She had an important job, something more then anyone could imagine - vapid as they thought she was. Fashion and respect were seen hand in hand, and it would never do for a royal family to be dressed in drab gowns. So Emilia alone was single-handedly responsible for ensuring her sister, herself and her father were dressed appropriately to garner the respect and attention that a royal family required to retain their position and garner respect.
Not that many understood.
"I'm sure I would enjoy seeing your chitons, cousin dear. Shall we?" she murmured, taking a step closer to Danae as if making a move for the door. Hopefully catching her off guard, the princess pushed harder then usual at Danae's shoulder to knock her off balance,but before she could step closer, a maid appeared at the door, together with another polished look elder male, whose hair was already graying and skin looked wizened enough for him to come from the olden ages. Emilia had frowned, staring at the male, until the maid announced him to be her new tutor... and at that, the girl groaned and threw Danae a dirty look. If anything, she occasionally wished she and Danae could swap places - if only she didn't have to go through dastardly lessons.
Without another look at Danae, Emilia headed off towards the maid's summons, not given much of a choice. Her father and her sister would not be happy to know she missed lessons again, and if she had not been caught and had not been seen at all, Emilia could have feigned lack of knowledge. Yet when she was clearly caught... well it left her little chance but to leave her cousin in the libraries as she left with the new tutor to the study room, where she could be trapped in for the rest of the day.
