The chatbox has been hidden for this page. It will reopen upon refresh. To hide the CBox permanently, select "Permanently Toggle Cbox" in your profile User Settings.
This chatbox is hidden. To reopen, edit your User Settings.
It was not distaste over the chance to finally have a male heir to the Leventi name that saw Fotios disinterested in Georgios’ get together. Nor was it hatred for a brother that he knew would be thrilled by the news of another baby on the way. If was more a case of moderated expectations. He knew the chances of this child being born male and he knew the likelihood of ever having such an heir other thank the closeted and mollycoddled child in Konstantinos. He had long ago resigned himself to the fact that his Leventi name would suffer this generation unless they found men of promise and wealth but no name could be found to match his own daughters to. Or unless he could win a negotiation with those of good high breeding.
Which was only one of the reasons that Fotios continued to uphold the gathering of information and sway that he wielded over others of influence that he had had within his possession since he was Master Informer. If Leventi was to flourish, more cunning means than the norm would have to be arranged.
It was to these thoughts that Fotios had turned during the dinner, speaking where he thought necessary and otherwise failing to rise to the bait of conversation made by others. He turned his thoughts inwards and considered the options that lay before him along his web of interests. He had stared across the table at the different female specimens available for consideration and internally sighed at the efforts before him.
He had left the meal with the tired resignation of future apprehension and the feeling of a lost evening. He had already sent his mind heading future into the night and off towards his own haven with Eirini when his steps found him coming across his eldest niece. She appeared to be hovering on a stairway, having left the meal ahead of him and cleared waited in ambush for someone’s presence. Not at all ignorant of the level of ungrateful disdain that his nieces held for him, Fotios did not consider that it was for himself that she waited.
Instead, he passed her with a gracious enough look, intent on heading down the stairs and across the foyer, done for the evening’s socialisation.
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.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
It was not distaste over the chance to finally have a male heir to the Leventi name that saw Fotios disinterested in Georgios’ get together. Nor was it hatred for a brother that he knew would be thrilled by the news of another baby on the way. If was more a case of moderated expectations. He knew the chances of this child being born male and he knew the likelihood of ever having such an heir other thank the closeted and mollycoddled child in Konstantinos. He had long ago resigned himself to the fact that his Leventi name would suffer this generation unless they found men of promise and wealth but no name could be found to match his own daughters to. Or unless he could win a negotiation with those of good high breeding.
Which was only one of the reasons that Fotios continued to uphold the gathering of information and sway that he wielded over others of influence that he had had within his possession since he was Master Informer. If Leventi was to flourish, more cunning means than the norm would have to be arranged.
It was to these thoughts that Fotios had turned during the dinner, speaking where he thought necessary and otherwise failing to rise to the bait of conversation made by others. He turned his thoughts inwards and considered the options that lay before him along his web of interests. He had stared across the table at the different female specimens available for consideration and internally sighed at the efforts before him.
He had left the meal with the tired resignation of future apprehension and the feeling of a lost evening. He had already sent his mind heading future into the night and off towards his own haven with Eirini when his steps found him coming across his eldest niece. She appeared to be hovering on a stairway, having left the meal ahead of him and cleared waited in ambush for someone’s presence. Not at all ignorant of the level of ungrateful disdain that his nieces held for him, Fotios did not consider that it was for himself that she waited.
Instead, he passed her with a gracious enough look, intent on heading down the stairs and across the foyer, done for the evening’s socialisation.
It was not distaste over the chance to finally have a male heir to the Leventi name that saw Fotios disinterested in Georgios’ get together. Nor was it hatred for a brother that he knew would be thrilled by the news of another baby on the way. If was more a case of moderated expectations. He knew the chances of this child being born male and he knew the likelihood of ever having such an heir other thank the closeted and mollycoddled child in Konstantinos. He had long ago resigned himself to the fact that his Leventi name would suffer this generation unless they found men of promise and wealth but no name could be found to match his own daughters to. Or unless he could win a negotiation with those of good high breeding.
Which was only one of the reasons that Fotios continued to uphold the gathering of information and sway that he wielded over others of influence that he had had within his possession since he was Master Informer. If Leventi was to flourish, more cunning means than the norm would have to be arranged.
It was to these thoughts that Fotios had turned during the dinner, speaking where he thought necessary and otherwise failing to rise to the bait of conversation made by others. He turned his thoughts inwards and considered the options that lay before him along his web of interests. He had stared across the table at the different female specimens available for consideration and internally sighed at the efforts before him.
He had left the meal with the tired resignation of future apprehension and the feeling of a lost evening. He had already sent his mind heading future into the night and off towards his own haven with Eirini when his steps found him coming across his eldest niece. She appeared to be hovering on a stairway, having left the meal ahead of him and cleared waited in ambush for someone’s presence. Not at all ignorant of the level of ungrateful disdain that his nieces held for him, Fotios did not consider that it was for himself that she waited.
Instead, he passed her with a gracious enough look, intent on heading down the stairs and across the foyer, done for the evening’s socialisation.
Replaying the dinner in her mind, Selene was horrified by her actions.
That was not like her.
She was not one to be like Nana, a flare of dramatics driving every action. No, Selene had tried to keep a level head, letting the rest of the sisters feel louder than she did. But she hadn’t expected the news of another sibling to break her like it had. And perhaps it was just a symptom of her overall heartache, but upon knowing that her mother was pregnant-- again-- was not news she had been ready for.
It brought back the shame of Colchis all over again. She had been so close to the brass ring, had invested both mentally and emotionally in the idea. How many nights since the proposal had she laid awake, anxious for their future? How often had her dreams been filled with little dark haired sprites that called him Papa? Selene had buried down the disappointment, made herself think of any but him.
And then, within an instant, those few words from her father brought her own loss back to the surface. Her actions had been so unlike herself that she felt as if she had been standing against the wall, watching it all unravel in front of her. When she fled the room, she had just enough time to disappear into the house before Olympia could find her. Closed into the darkness of the library, Selene wrapped her arms around her and let the guilt of her actions wash over her.
She hated how she did not wish to see Tisiphone and Olympia. Right now, at this very moment, she didn’t want any reminder of her lost happiness. Her sister was in love and had a family, the lack of a crown was unimportant as Selene saw it.
And as she sat, silently focusing on the rows of tomes in front of her, she realized something even more important. Another child meant one more person who’s future would rely on her decisions. As the eldest, it was her duty to make sure that a secure home was established. If her parents were no longer alive, it would be to her that they looked. How could she let them down again? If she was not married, she would end up in the household of her uncle, or would maybe fall to her sister. And at almost 30 summers old, her time was running out.
And suddenly, she knew what she had to do.
It was fortunate, as the dinner was winding down, she was able to hover at the top of the stairs. Hands knotting and unknotting, fingers dancing across the calluses, Selene found herself seated on the top step. The familiar gait of her uncle, the only person who would leave the property, came from behind. Turning, she tried to brush any remnants of her emotions from her face. For a moment, she lost her courage, allowing him to walk past her. The words were stuck on her lips, a moment of weakness washing over her.
It wasn’t until she looked up again that she realized he was already out of the door.
Dashing down the stairs after him, she waited until they were both outside to speak. “Uncle!” She said, her voice a bit above a rushed whisper. Stopped at the threshold, she let her hands fall to her side. “Uncle, may I speak with you a moment?” Her head was bowed in respect, unsure of what he knew or how he felt about her return.
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.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
Replaying the dinner in her mind, Selene was horrified by her actions.
That was not like her.
She was not one to be like Nana, a flare of dramatics driving every action. No, Selene had tried to keep a level head, letting the rest of the sisters feel louder than she did. But she hadn’t expected the news of another sibling to break her like it had. And perhaps it was just a symptom of her overall heartache, but upon knowing that her mother was pregnant-- again-- was not news she had been ready for.
It brought back the shame of Colchis all over again. She had been so close to the brass ring, had invested both mentally and emotionally in the idea. How many nights since the proposal had she laid awake, anxious for their future? How often had her dreams been filled with little dark haired sprites that called him Papa? Selene had buried down the disappointment, made herself think of any but him.
And then, within an instant, those few words from her father brought her own loss back to the surface. Her actions had been so unlike herself that she felt as if she had been standing against the wall, watching it all unravel in front of her. When she fled the room, she had just enough time to disappear into the house before Olympia could find her. Closed into the darkness of the library, Selene wrapped her arms around her and let the guilt of her actions wash over her.
She hated how she did not wish to see Tisiphone and Olympia. Right now, at this very moment, she didn’t want any reminder of her lost happiness. Her sister was in love and had a family, the lack of a crown was unimportant as Selene saw it.
And as she sat, silently focusing on the rows of tomes in front of her, she realized something even more important. Another child meant one more person who’s future would rely on her decisions. As the eldest, it was her duty to make sure that a secure home was established. If her parents were no longer alive, it would be to her that they looked. How could she let them down again? If she was not married, she would end up in the household of her uncle, or would maybe fall to her sister. And at almost 30 summers old, her time was running out.
And suddenly, she knew what she had to do.
It was fortunate, as the dinner was winding down, she was able to hover at the top of the stairs. Hands knotting and unknotting, fingers dancing across the calluses, Selene found herself seated on the top step. The familiar gait of her uncle, the only person who would leave the property, came from behind. Turning, she tried to brush any remnants of her emotions from her face. For a moment, she lost her courage, allowing him to walk past her. The words were stuck on her lips, a moment of weakness washing over her.
It wasn’t until she looked up again that she realized he was already out of the door.
Dashing down the stairs after him, she waited until they were both outside to speak. “Uncle!” She said, her voice a bit above a rushed whisper. Stopped at the threshold, she let her hands fall to her side. “Uncle, may I speak with you a moment?” Her head was bowed in respect, unsure of what he knew or how he felt about her return.
Replaying the dinner in her mind, Selene was horrified by her actions.
That was not like her.
She was not one to be like Nana, a flare of dramatics driving every action. No, Selene had tried to keep a level head, letting the rest of the sisters feel louder than she did. But she hadn’t expected the news of another sibling to break her like it had. And perhaps it was just a symptom of her overall heartache, but upon knowing that her mother was pregnant-- again-- was not news she had been ready for.
It brought back the shame of Colchis all over again. She had been so close to the brass ring, had invested both mentally and emotionally in the idea. How many nights since the proposal had she laid awake, anxious for their future? How often had her dreams been filled with little dark haired sprites that called him Papa? Selene had buried down the disappointment, made herself think of any but him.
And then, within an instant, those few words from her father brought her own loss back to the surface. Her actions had been so unlike herself that she felt as if she had been standing against the wall, watching it all unravel in front of her. When she fled the room, she had just enough time to disappear into the house before Olympia could find her. Closed into the darkness of the library, Selene wrapped her arms around her and let the guilt of her actions wash over her.
She hated how she did not wish to see Tisiphone and Olympia. Right now, at this very moment, she didn’t want any reminder of her lost happiness. Her sister was in love and had a family, the lack of a crown was unimportant as Selene saw it.
And as she sat, silently focusing on the rows of tomes in front of her, she realized something even more important. Another child meant one more person who’s future would rely on her decisions. As the eldest, it was her duty to make sure that a secure home was established. If her parents were no longer alive, it would be to her that they looked. How could she let them down again? If she was not married, she would end up in the household of her uncle, or would maybe fall to her sister. And at almost 30 summers old, her time was running out.
And suddenly, she knew what she had to do.
It was fortunate, as the dinner was winding down, she was able to hover at the top of the stairs. Hands knotting and unknotting, fingers dancing across the calluses, Selene found herself seated on the top step. The familiar gait of her uncle, the only person who would leave the property, came from behind. Turning, she tried to brush any remnants of her emotions from her face. For a moment, she lost her courage, allowing him to walk past her. The words were stuck on her lips, a moment of weakness washing over her.
It wasn’t until she looked up again that she realized he was already out of the door.
Dashing down the stairs after him, she waited until they were both outside to speak. “Uncle!” She said, her voice a bit above a rushed whisper. Stopped at the threshold, she let her hands fall to her side. “Uncle, may I speak with you a moment?” Her head was bowed in respect, unsure of what he knew or how he felt about her return.
Fotios was already out the door and half way across the courtyard that would take him back towards the main estate by in less than a hundred yards. When the Leventi manor had first been built, the building in which Georgios stayed had been the finest of all luxuries, with the architecture and craftsmanship of each wall and every item the best that could be afforded at the time. It was still, by many rights, a phenomenally pretty building. It was no country parsonage or simple manor house. It was an estate fit for royalty.
The only reason that it had been permitted to grow ivy and brightly coloured climbers over its front and left to become a pretty addition to the estate more than something powerful and commanding was because Fotios' grandfather had seen fit to replace it. Feeling no need to knock the structure down, he had simply built a new one, an additional storey tall and several chambers wider across the earth, the new Leventi estate, where he and his wife and children lived, was phenomenal in its scope and powerful in its state of address to the world. And for all this, to Fotios, it was home.
And he wanted to get back there.
To be quite frank, Fotios had had enough of the evening. He was tired, he was busy and now he was several hours behind on his workload. He would be late to bed which would set his wife discontented for not having been with him before she slept and then he would be needed to deal with that in the morning. In Fotios' life it was as if every event and element were lined up beside one another. One broken column, one falling piece, and everything else was shifted out of sync and order. And Fotios hated anything that was out of order.
So, when he was called back from his wander home, the voice of his eldest niece stopping him midstride, Fotios paused and glanced over his shoulder to see the Lady Selene approaching him from the house. To her credit, she had hurried her steps in an effort not to hold him up any longer than she meant to and given that Selene was perhaps the least irritating of his nieces, Fotios simply exhaled with a slow and deliberate patience, and then waited for her to approach and ask for a little of his time.
He nodded at her question, before glancing back towards his own abode.
"You may walk with me and speak as you do so." He told her, beginning to head back home. He suspected that whatever was concerning the young woman - an issue with her horse, her worries over Colchis, her harp being left to fall out of tune in her absence - he could just as easily hear it on the move as he would standing still.
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.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
Fotios was already out the door and half way across the courtyard that would take him back towards the main estate by in less than a hundred yards. When the Leventi manor had first been built, the building in which Georgios stayed had been the finest of all luxuries, with the architecture and craftsmanship of each wall and every item the best that could be afforded at the time. It was still, by many rights, a phenomenally pretty building. It was no country parsonage or simple manor house. It was an estate fit for royalty.
The only reason that it had been permitted to grow ivy and brightly coloured climbers over its front and left to become a pretty addition to the estate more than something powerful and commanding was because Fotios' grandfather had seen fit to replace it. Feeling no need to knock the structure down, he had simply built a new one, an additional storey tall and several chambers wider across the earth, the new Leventi estate, where he and his wife and children lived, was phenomenal in its scope and powerful in its state of address to the world. And for all this, to Fotios, it was home.
And he wanted to get back there.
To be quite frank, Fotios had had enough of the evening. He was tired, he was busy and now he was several hours behind on his workload. He would be late to bed which would set his wife discontented for not having been with him before she slept and then he would be needed to deal with that in the morning. In Fotios' life it was as if every event and element were lined up beside one another. One broken column, one falling piece, and everything else was shifted out of sync and order. And Fotios hated anything that was out of order.
So, when he was called back from his wander home, the voice of his eldest niece stopping him midstride, Fotios paused and glanced over his shoulder to see the Lady Selene approaching him from the house. To her credit, she had hurried her steps in an effort not to hold him up any longer than she meant to and given that Selene was perhaps the least irritating of his nieces, Fotios simply exhaled with a slow and deliberate patience, and then waited for her to approach and ask for a little of his time.
He nodded at her question, before glancing back towards his own abode.
"You may walk with me and speak as you do so." He told her, beginning to head back home. He suspected that whatever was concerning the young woman - an issue with her horse, her worries over Colchis, her harp being left to fall out of tune in her absence - he could just as easily hear it on the move as he would standing still.
Fotios was already out the door and half way across the courtyard that would take him back towards the main estate by in less than a hundred yards. When the Leventi manor had first been built, the building in which Georgios stayed had been the finest of all luxuries, with the architecture and craftsmanship of each wall and every item the best that could be afforded at the time. It was still, by many rights, a phenomenally pretty building. It was no country parsonage or simple manor house. It was an estate fit for royalty.
The only reason that it had been permitted to grow ivy and brightly coloured climbers over its front and left to become a pretty addition to the estate more than something powerful and commanding was because Fotios' grandfather had seen fit to replace it. Feeling no need to knock the structure down, he had simply built a new one, an additional storey tall and several chambers wider across the earth, the new Leventi estate, where he and his wife and children lived, was phenomenal in its scope and powerful in its state of address to the world. And for all this, to Fotios, it was home.
And he wanted to get back there.
To be quite frank, Fotios had had enough of the evening. He was tired, he was busy and now he was several hours behind on his workload. He would be late to bed which would set his wife discontented for not having been with him before she slept and then he would be needed to deal with that in the morning. In Fotios' life it was as if every event and element were lined up beside one another. One broken column, one falling piece, and everything else was shifted out of sync and order. And Fotios hated anything that was out of order.
So, when he was called back from his wander home, the voice of his eldest niece stopping him midstride, Fotios paused and glanced over his shoulder to see the Lady Selene approaching him from the house. To her credit, she had hurried her steps in an effort not to hold him up any longer than she meant to and given that Selene was perhaps the least irritating of his nieces, Fotios simply exhaled with a slow and deliberate patience, and then waited for her to approach and ask for a little of his time.
He nodded at her question, before glancing back towards his own abode.
"You may walk with me and speak as you do so." He told her, beginning to head back home. He suspected that whatever was concerning the young woman - an issue with her horse, her worries over Colchis, her harp being left to fall out of tune in her absence - he could just as easily hear it on the move as he would standing still.
She could tell that he had been frustrated by everything that had happened recently, and it was not like she could blame him-- she was, too. First, she had run off with Olympia in the first place, causing far more eyes to be on them than necessary. She assisted in a birth that should have never had to happen on sea. She broke the trust of a good friend and had to build it back after the fact. She had found herself set to be wed to a crown prince, only to return again with it rescinded.
She tried her best not to be the difficult one, though Fotios certainly found her inability to land a husband frustrating. But she was ambitious in her own way, had believed that her worth laid in the man that she would marry. And while Fotios would have seen her wed long ago, she had wanted to at least prove her own worth. But it was more and more obvious that she was doing something wrong.
What, she couldn’t say for certain.
The first one she wanted had a preference for men. And the one her heart desired had impregnated another before she was even asked about. She was beautiful, to a fault it would seem.
Her steps quickened to meet her uncle, knowing just how much he hated pointless conversation. He was a busy man, one who had plenty to do without having more added onto his place by his niece. And yet, there was more she had to ask of him. “I am sure, by now, you have heard word that Prince Vangelis has rescinded his offer of marriage. He has impregnated another, and I will not watch as a Thasasi takes the throne over a Leventi.” It was part of her pride as well. She would not knowingly deal with a bastard on the side.
“I am at your disposal, Uncle.” She said blunt, knowing that there was little else to say other than that. “I have tried and failed to secure a marriage of my own. Perhaps I have put too much stake in my own beauty, or in my chastity and proprietary. Whatever the case, it seems a fair assessment that I should instead entrust that aspect of my future to you.” Her skirts in her hands, she was doing her best to keep up with him. But she felt the need to say what she needed to.
“I do have a few requests, if you would indulge me?” She asked, hoping that her uncle would be far too content in the idea that he would finally have a say in her marriage to allow her to speak what she had hoped he would take into account when seeking a match.
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.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
She could tell that he had been frustrated by everything that had happened recently, and it was not like she could blame him-- she was, too. First, she had run off with Olympia in the first place, causing far more eyes to be on them than necessary. She assisted in a birth that should have never had to happen on sea. She broke the trust of a good friend and had to build it back after the fact. She had found herself set to be wed to a crown prince, only to return again with it rescinded.
She tried her best not to be the difficult one, though Fotios certainly found her inability to land a husband frustrating. But she was ambitious in her own way, had believed that her worth laid in the man that she would marry. And while Fotios would have seen her wed long ago, she had wanted to at least prove her own worth. But it was more and more obvious that she was doing something wrong.
What, she couldn’t say for certain.
The first one she wanted had a preference for men. And the one her heart desired had impregnated another before she was even asked about. She was beautiful, to a fault it would seem.
Her steps quickened to meet her uncle, knowing just how much he hated pointless conversation. He was a busy man, one who had plenty to do without having more added onto his place by his niece. And yet, there was more she had to ask of him. “I am sure, by now, you have heard word that Prince Vangelis has rescinded his offer of marriage. He has impregnated another, and I will not watch as a Thasasi takes the throne over a Leventi.” It was part of her pride as well. She would not knowingly deal with a bastard on the side.
“I am at your disposal, Uncle.” She said blunt, knowing that there was little else to say other than that. “I have tried and failed to secure a marriage of my own. Perhaps I have put too much stake in my own beauty, or in my chastity and proprietary. Whatever the case, it seems a fair assessment that I should instead entrust that aspect of my future to you.” Her skirts in her hands, she was doing her best to keep up with him. But she felt the need to say what she needed to.
“I do have a few requests, if you would indulge me?” She asked, hoping that her uncle would be far too content in the idea that he would finally have a say in her marriage to allow her to speak what she had hoped he would take into account when seeking a match.
She could tell that he had been frustrated by everything that had happened recently, and it was not like she could blame him-- she was, too. First, she had run off with Olympia in the first place, causing far more eyes to be on them than necessary. She assisted in a birth that should have never had to happen on sea. She broke the trust of a good friend and had to build it back after the fact. She had found herself set to be wed to a crown prince, only to return again with it rescinded.
She tried her best not to be the difficult one, though Fotios certainly found her inability to land a husband frustrating. But she was ambitious in her own way, had believed that her worth laid in the man that she would marry. And while Fotios would have seen her wed long ago, she had wanted to at least prove her own worth. But it was more and more obvious that she was doing something wrong.
What, she couldn’t say for certain.
The first one she wanted had a preference for men. And the one her heart desired had impregnated another before she was even asked about. She was beautiful, to a fault it would seem.
Her steps quickened to meet her uncle, knowing just how much he hated pointless conversation. He was a busy man, one who had plenty to do without having more added onto his place by his niece. And yet, there was more she had to ask of him. “I am sure, by now, you have heard word that Prince Vangelis has rescinded his offer of marriage. He has impregnated another, and I will not watch as a Thasasi takes the throne over a Leventi.” It was part of her pride as well. She would not knowingly deal with a bastard on the side.
“I am at your disposal, Uncle.” She said blunt, knowing that there was little else to say other than that. “I have tried and failed to secure a marriage of my own. Perhaps I have put too much stake in my own beauty, or in my chastity and proprietary. Whatever the case, it seems a fair assessment that I should instead entrust that aspect of my future to you.” Her skirts in her hands, she was doing her best to keep up with him. But she felt the need to say what she needed to.
“I do have a few requests, if you would indulge me?” She asked, hoping that her uncle would be far too content in the idea that he would finally have a say in her marriage to allow her to speak what she had hoped he would take into account when seeking a match.
Fotios walked as Selene dogged his steps back towards the main estate. The courtyard and stable area was large so she would have plenty of time to state her case before they arrived on his own doorstep and if they reached it before she was done he would hover to hear her out, depending on the interest he held in the conversation.
When she started to speak, explaining the situation of her failed engagement, Fotios nodded, simply and easily. He had heard of what had happened in the briefest of senses but apparently Selene did not wish to go any further on the subject. Instead, she had run away from witnessing the evidence of her defeat and returned to the household of her father. Fotios could have told her then and there that that was her issue. A lack of killer instinct or desire to accept compromise. And that came from her mother. Taught to be pristine and perfect and demure and sweet and that she would one day have a perfect prince charming that would offer her all that she could ever want and no downsides or hints of realism to the arrangement. That was where Evelli had plumped the girl's impressions of the world too high.
So, the Colchian prince had a bastard child? So what? Fotios had seen the way that Vangelis of Kotas had watched his eldest niece when he had been in Taengea. At the end of the day, he was a man. Selene had only to get on top of him and seduce him into submission to have him still willing to marry her over a Thanasi baby-maker. Nobles of all kingdoms and families had bastards all over their family tree. The fact that he only had one was still a boone.
Selene was expecting too much perfection from her future husband.
When she then turned it around and offered such a duty to Fotios, however, the man's steps slowed a little in interest. He looked a little over his shoulder so that he might watch her better in the darkness and his brows drew low in a frown of concentration. She wanted him to take over her potentials for marriage? Wanted him to override all that her mother might say and do and arrange for a union of benefit to all parties, no matter what she might personally think of the man?
The rights and permissions for her marriage had always lain with Fotios. But now she asked him to handle the selection and choice as well as the final seal of approval.
His steps pulled to a stop in the middle of the courtyard when Selene specified a few requests for her future groomsman. Fotios's lips hitched to one side in thought.
"As might I, but state your own first." He told her. He offered her little else by way of conversation but then he was still digesting this strange turn about in her opinions of the handling of her future marriage.
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.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
Fotios walked as Selene dogged his steps back towards the main estate. The courtyard and stable area was large so she would have plenty of time to state her case before they arrived on his own doorstep and if they reached it before she was done he would hover to hear her out, depending on the interest he held in the conversation.
When she started to speak, explaining the situation of her failed engagement, Fotios nodded, simply and easily. He had heard of what had happened in the briefest of senses but apparently Selene did not wish to go any further on the subject. Instead, she had run away from witnessing the evidence of her defeat and returned to the household of her father. Fotios could have told her then and there that that was her issue. A lack of killer instinct or desire to accept compromise. And that came from her mother. Taught to be pristine and perfect and demure and sweet and that she would one day have a perfect prince charming that would offer her all that she could ever want and no downsides or hints of realism to the arrangement. That was where Evelli had plumped the girl's impressions of the world too high.
So, the Colchian prince had a bastard child? So what? Fotios had seen the way that Vangelis of Kotas had watched his eldest niece when he had been in Taengea. At the end of the day, he was a man. Selene had only to get on top of him and seduce him into submission to have him still willing to marry her over a Thanasi baby-maker. Nobles of all kingdoms and families had bastards all over their family tree. The fact that he only had one was still a boone.
Selene was expecting too much perfection from her future husband.
When she then turned it around and offered such a duty to Fotios, however, the man's steps slowed a little in interest. He looked a little over his shoulder so that he might watch her better in the darkness and his brows drew low in a frown of concentration. She wanted him to take over her potentials for marriage? Wanted him to override all that her mother might say and do and arrange for a union of benefit to all parties, no matter what she might personally think of the man?
The rights and permissions for her marriage had always lain with Fotios. But now she asked him to handle the selection and choice as well as the final seal of approval.
His steps pulled to a stop in the middle of the courtyard when Selene specified a few requests for her future groomsman. Fotios's lips hitched to one side in thought.
"As might I, but state your own first." He told her. He offered her little else by way of conversation but then he was still digesting this strange turn about in her opinions of the handling of her future marriage.
Fotios walked as Selene dogged his steps back towards the main estate. The courtyard and stable area was large so she would have plenty of time to state her case before they arrived on his own doorstep and if they reached it before she was done he would hover to hear her out, depending on the interest he held in the conversation.
When she started to speak, explaining the situation of her failed engagement, Fotios nodded, simply and easily. He had heard of what had happened in the briefest of senses but apparently Selene did not wish to go any further on the subject. Instead, she had run away from witnessing the evidence of her defeat and returned to the household of her father. Fotios could have told her then and there that that was her issue. A lack of killer instinct or desire to accept compromise. And that came from her mother. Taught to be pristine and perfect and demure and sweet and that she would one day have a perfect prince charming that would offer her all that she could ever want and no downsides or hints of realism to the arrangement. That was where Evelli had plumped the girl's impressions of the world too high.
So, the Colchian prince had a bastard child? So what? Fotios had seen the way that Vangelis of Kotas had watched his eldest niece when he had been in Taengea. At the end of the day, he was a man. Selene had only to get on top of him and seduce him into submission to have him still willing to marry her over a Thanasi baby-maker. Nobles of all kingdoms and families had bastards all over their family tree. The fact that he only had one was still a boone.
Selene was expecting too much perfection from her future husband.
When she then turned it around and offered such a duty to Fotios, however, the man's steps slowed a little in interest. He looked a little over his shoulder so that he might watch her better in the darkness and his brows drew low in a frown of concentration. She wanted him to take over her potentials for marriage? Wanted him to override all that her mother might say and do and arrange for a union of benefit to all parties, no matter what she might personally think of the man?
The rights and permissions for her marriage had always lain with Fotios. But now she asked him to handle the selection and choice as well as the final seal of approval.
His steps pulled to a stop in the middle of the courtyard when Selene specified a few requests for her future groomsman. Fotios's lips hitched to one side in thought.
"As might I, but state your own first." He told her. He offered her little else by way of conversation but then he was still digesting this strange turn about in her opinions of the handling of her future marriage.
Selene had no expectation that her uncle would understand what had happened. He was a man who didn’t think of sex as anything more than a pleasurable act. Hades, she should have felt the same, really. There was no reason that as a follower of Aphrodite that she didn’t think of it as something to be enjoyed frequently. It shouldn’t have been something that was cause enough to break the deal. It was not as if she was under any impression that he was virginal.
She expected Vangelis to have past lovers.
But there was never any thought that he might have slept with anyone who would have been fit to wed. And that was the dilemma that Vangelis had been presented with. For a bastard of a whore was one thing, but one with a lady of the court was quite another. And even further still was the very motto of the Kotas name, of an importance of blood over all-- that would have prevented him from going through with the wedding. For while he was highly focused on the right person for the throne, nothing mattered more than the need to protect family. And that child was family.
It was not perfection she expected from Vangelis. But part of the reason she had fallen in love with him in the first place had been the strength of his convictions. He was a man of his word, who thought of everyone else before himself. He wished for the best for his kingdom, and wanted to make his family proud. If he had turned away his child, she may not have felt the same for him. She would have turned bitter to him, and that was not something she wanted. She simply expected him to stay true to himself. And Selene never doubted that this had been a sign of that. And she loved him more for it.
Because she was the right choice for Queen. But only he could decide what he could live with. And she knew she would not want to be a regret in his life.
As he stopped, she was quick to catch up to him, so that they could be face to face in the moonlight. There had been no doubt in her mind that he would be interested in this turn of events. Afterall, this had been what he had always wanted, wasn’t it? He had been kind to indulge her parents in allowing her to choose. “My hope is that the match is political. I am aware of my reputation, of how widely sought after my hand would be. If I cannot have a match of my own making, I would at least like a match that would offer the kingdom something more.” If she was going to marry, she wanted it to be for something more. If not love of her husband, then love of her kingdom and people would have to do. “Outside of Greece would be preferable.”
She folded her hands demurely in front of her, trying to appear far more calm than she really felt. This next ask was a large one. “I also do not wish for my father to know of this conversation. He would try to change my mind on it, and while he has my best interests at heart, I feel that the added burden of a new child makes it even more important that a match is made that can secure the future of my family, if need be.” She hated the idea of hiding anything from her father, but she didn’t want him to talk her out of this. “Whomever you pick, if the match is brought to me, I will agree to it. And while my father will attempt to talk me out of it regardless, at least this way it appears that he has kept his promise to me to allow me to choose. It will help ease his mind on the matter, and should allow him to focus on my brother.”
Her eyes met his. “And your requests?”
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.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
Selene had no expectation that her uncle would understand what had happened. He was a man who didn’t think of sex as anything more than a pleasurable act. Hades, she should have felt the same, really. There was no reason that as a follower of Aphrodite that she didn’t think of it as something to be enjoyed frequently. It shouldn’t have been something that was cause enough to break the deal. It was not as if she was under any impression that he was virginal.
She expected Vangelis to have past lovers.
But there was never any thought that he might have slept with anyone who would have been fit to wed. And that was the dilemma that Vangelis had been presented with. For a bastard of a whore was one thing, but one with a lady of the court was quite another. And even further still was the very motto of the Kotas name, of an importance of blood over all-- that would have prevented him from going through with the wedding. For while he was highly focused on the right person for the throne, nothing mattered more than the need to protect family. And that child was family.
It was not perfection she expected from Vangelis. But part of the reason she had fallen in love with him in the first place had been the strength of his convictions. He was a man of his word, who thought of everyone else before himself. He wished for the best for his kingdom, and wanted to make his family proud. If he had turned away his child, she may not have felt the same for him. She would have turned bitter to him, and that was not something she wanted. She simply expected him to stay true to himself. And Selene never doubted that this had been a sign of that. And she loved him more for it.
Because she was the right choice for Queen. But only he could decide what he could live with. And she knew she would not want to be a regret in his life.
As he stopped, she was quick to catch up to him, so that they could be face to face in the moonlight. There had been no doubt in her mind that he would be interested in this turn of events. Afterall, this had been what he had always wanted, wasn’t it? He had been kind to indulge her parents in allowing her to choose. “My hope is that the match is political. I am aware of my reputation, of how widely sought after my hand would be. If I cannot have a match of my own making, I would at least like a match that would offer the kingdom something more.” If she was going to marry, she wanted it to be for something more. If not love of her husband, then love of her kingdom and people would have to do. “Outside of Greece would be preferable.”
She folded her hands demurely in front of her, trying to appear far more calm than she really felt. This next ask was a large one. “I also do not wish for my father to know of this conversation. He would try to change my mind on it, and while he has my best interests at heart, I feel that the added burden of a new child makes it even more important that a match is made that can secure the future of my family, if need be.” She hated the idea of hiding anything from her father, but she didn’t want him to talk her out of this. “Whomever you pick, if the match is brought to me, I will agree to it. And while my father will attempt to talk me out of it regardless, at least this way it appears that he has kept his promise to me to allow me to choose. It will help ease his mind on the matter, and should allow him to focus on my brother.”
Her eyes met his. “And your requests?”
Selene had no expectation that her uncle would understand what had happened. He was a man who didn’t think of sex as anything more than a pleasurable act. Hades, she should have felt the same, really. There was no reason that as a follower of Aphrodite that she didn’t think of it as something to be enjoyed frequently. It shouldn’t have been something that was cause enough to break the deal. It was not as if she was under any impression that he was virginal.
She expected Vangelis to have past lovers.
But there was never any thought that he might have slept with anyone who would have been fit to wed. And that was the dilemma that Vangelis had been presented with. For a bastard of a whore was one thing, but one with a lady of the court was quite another. And even further still was the very motto of the Kotas name, of an importance of blood over all-- that would have prevented him from going through with the wedding. For while he was highly focused on the right person for the throne, nothing mattered more than the need to protect family. And that child was family.
It was not perfection she expected from Vangelis. But part of the reason she had fallen in love with him in the first place had been the strength of his convictions. He was a man of his word, who thought of everyone else before himself. He wished for the best for his kingdom, and wanted to make his family proud. If he had turned away his child, she may not have felt the same for him. She would have turned bitter to him, and that was not something she wanted. She simply expected him to stay true to himself. And Selene never doubted that this had been a sign of that. And she loved him more for it.
Because she was the right choice for Queen. But only he could decide what he could live with. And she knew she would not want to be a regret in his life.
As he stopped, she was quick to catch up to him, so that they could be face to face in the moonlight. There had been no doubt in her mind that he would be interested in this turn of events. Afterall, this had been what he had always wanted, wasn’t it? He had been kind to indulge her parents in allowing her to choose. “My hope is that the match is political. I am aware of my reputation, of how widely sought after my hand would be. If I cannot have a match of my own making, I would at least like a match that would offer the kingdom something more.” If she was going to marry, she wanted it to be for something more. If not love of her husband, then love of her kingdom and people would have to do. “Outside of Greece would be preferable.”
She folded her hands demurely in front of her, trying to appear far more calm than she really felt. This next ask was a large one. “I also do not wish for my father to know of this conversation. He would try to change my mind on it, and while he has my best interests at heart, I feel that the added burden of a new child makes it even more important that a match is made that can secure the future of my family, if need be.” She hated the idea of hiding anything from her father, but she didn’t want him to talk her out of this. “Whomever you pick, if the match is brought to me, I will agree to it. And while my father will attempt to talk me out of it regardless, at least this way it appears that he has kept his promise to me to allow me to choose. It will help ease his mind on the matter, and should allow him to focus on my brother.”
Her eyes met his. “And your requests?”
Fotios listened to his niece with a seriously renewed interest, more and more curious as to why she was breaking with her romantic notions of marriage. It was true that Evelli had filled all of her daughters heads with the supreme ambition of becoming Queens to royal Princes. And Selene had known that duty from a young age. But Fotios was not blind to Selene's more gentle nature. To her hopes and optimism that love would come as part of the deal when it came to negotiating the union with a man.
At least, it had certainly occurred with this last engagement. It didn't take a genius to witness Selene's distance from life and the sadness that had permeated her behaviour since she had arrived back in Taengea. Her smile was frostier now, held in place by a sense of etiquette over real happiness. Fotios didn't feel a great sympathy for her but he could witness the emotion for what it was. She was heartbroken. And as silly as it was to allow that heartbreak to affect the rest of her life, she was doing just that, having it send her desperation into his hands and ensure that he would see her married by the time the year was out.
As she spoke he nodded a little, mostly to himself but also to show that he was listening. When she finally finished her terms and asked for his own, his lower lip jutted out in consideration and he ended up shaking his head.
"I have no others." He confirmed with a tone of surprise. "You have named them all as your own." His gaze then turned shrewd and narrowed upon her features. "And you shall accept any match of my choosing?" He wanted her to repeat such an affirmation, to be assured that she meant what she said. After all, it would take him time, effort and favours to secure a marriage for her. He would not see those efforts go to waste because cold feet dawned when he presented her with the reality of her choice.
As if to indicate the meaning of her promise, Fotios pushed on.
"For we are at war with Egypt. And marriages are powerful ways to regain peace between nations..." Fotios knew exactly which Egyptian he would be contacting first but he saw no reason to name the man now. The Sirdar might no longer favour his niece and so end up being a dead end in terms of negotiations. But his words were true. If Selene was going to be wed to a man outside of Greece, there was a strong potential that that would be to a nation with whom they had been in conflict.
"Your favoured prince currently fights in that war. If he were to fall, you would be able to wed those that struck him down?"
Fotios wasn't trying to be cruel with the idea. He was testing her. He would not see his time wasted with a woman that would not see through her vows.
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.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
Fotios listened to his niece with a seriously renewed interest, more and more curious as to why she was breaking with her romantic notions of marriage. It was true that Evelli had filled all of her daughters heads with the supreme ambition of becoming Queens to royal Princes. And Selene had known that duty from a young age. But Fotios was not blind to Selene's more gentle nature. To her hopes and optimism that love would come as part of the deal when it came to negotiating the union with a man.
At least, it had certainly occurred with this last engagement. It didn't take a genius to witness Selene's distance from life and the sadness that had permeated her behaviour since she had arrived back in Taengea. Her smile was frostier now, held in place by a sense of etiquette over real happiness. Fotios didn't feel a great sympathy for her but he could witness the emotion for what it was. She was heartbroken. And as silly as it was to allow that heartbreak to affect the rest of her life, she was doing just that, having it send her desperation into his hands and ensure that he would see her married by the time the year was out.
As she spoke he nodded a little, mostly to himself but also to show that he was listening. When she finally finished her terms and asked for his own, his lower lip jutted out in consideration and he ended up shaking his head.
"I have no others." He confirmed with a tone of surprise. "You have named them all as your own." His gaze then turned shrewd and narrowed upon her features. "And you shall accept any match of my choosing?" He wanted her to repeat such an affirmation, to be assured that she meant what she said. After all, it would take him time, effort and favours to secure a marriage for her. He would not see those efforts go to waste because cold feet dawned when he presented her with the reality of her choice.
As if to indicate the meaning of her promise, Fotios pushed on.
"For we are at war with Egypt. And marriages are powerful ways to regain peace between nations..." Fotios knew exactly which Egyptian he would be contacting first but he saw no reason to name the man now. The Sirdar might no longer favour his niece and so end up being a dead end in terms of negotiations. But his words were true. If Selene was going to be wed to a man outside of Greece, there was a strong potential that that would be to a nation with whom they had been in conflict.
"Your favoured prince currently fights in that war. If he were to fall, you would be able to wed those that struck him down?"
Fotios wasn't trying to be cruel with the idea. He was testing her. He would not see his time wasted with a woman that would not see through her vows.
Fotios listened to his niece with a seriously renewed interest, more and more curious as to why she was breaking with her romantic notions of marriage. It was true that Evelli had filled all of her daughters heads with the supreme ambition of becoming Queens to royal Princes. And Selene had known that duty from a young age. But Fotios was not blind to Selene's more gentle nature. To her hopes and optimism that love would come as part of the deal when it came to negotiating the union with a man.
At least, it had certainly occurred with this last engagement. It didn't take a genius to witness Selene's distance from life and the sadness that had permeated her behaviour since she had arrived back in Taengea. Her smile was frostier now, held in place by a sense of etiquette over real happiness. Fotios didn't feel a great sympathy for her but he could witness the emotion for what it was. She was heartbroken. And as silly as it was to allow that heartbreak to affect the rest of her life, she was doing just that, having it send her desperation into his hands and ensure that he would see her married by the time the year was out.
As she spoke he nodded a little, mostly to himself but also to show that he was listening. When she finally finished her terms and asked for his own, his lower lip jutted out in consideration and he ended up shaking his head.
"I have no others." He confirmed with a tone of surprise. "You have named them all as your own." His gaze then turned shrewd and narrowed upon her features. "And you shall accept any match of my choosing?" He wanted her to repeat such an affirmation, to be assured that she meant what she said. After all, it would take him time, effort and favours to secure a marriage for her. He would not see those efforts go to waste because cold feet dawned when he presented her with the reality of her choice.
As if to indicate the meaning of her promise, Fotios pushed on.
"For we are at war with Egypt. And marriages are powerful ways to regain peace between nations..." Fotios knew exactly which Egyptian he would be contacting first but he saw no reason to name the man now. The Sirdar might no longer favour his niece and so end up being a dead end in terms of negotiations. But his words were true. If Selene was going to be wed to a man outside of Greece, there was a strong potential that that would be to a nation with whom they had been in conflict.
"Your favoured prince currently fights in that war. If he were to fall, you would be able to wed those that struck him down?"
Fotios wasn't trying to be cruel with the idea. He was testing her. He would not see his time wasted with a woman that would not see through her vows.
There was no denying that her uncle thought she was a bit fanciful, a bit of romantic at heart. Her parents had brought her up to believe that she was very much the best of the best, and that she deserved every consideration. Her every wish was met, from the finest horses to the nicest jewels-- she was treated as if she was already a Queen. And both of her parents indulge her, for the most part.
She had tried to be a realist, but in her world, it just wasn’t something that was easy to do. She lived in a gilded palace, where money was no object and where she could entertain any fantasy she wished. Selene had thought she had been realistic about what would happen with Zacharias. It wasn’t a fanciful wish of a marriage filled with love, but one of mutual benefit. He could keep his lover in secret and fulfill his duty, and she would be the cover and Queen he needed. All they would need would be to produce an heir-- legitimate or otherwise-- and they would have been able to carry on as they wished.
And then he was murdered, and her life was put into chaos.
Vangelis had caught her by surprise. One minute, she was content on a simple marriage to anyone but a royal, the next she was engaged to a crown prince. And it had morphed from friendship to love so quickly that it made it difficult to breath to think of it now. But while that was fresh, loss of love, she had been perfectly fine with a possibly loveless marriage before. She could do this.
“Yes, Uncle-- I will not argue with your choice. I trust you.” There was no reason for her to not to trust him. He’d always wanted what was best for the family. He had wanted her matched sooner rather than later. And he wanted connections that were beneficial to the name. There was no lie in her trust of him. “Whomever you pick, I will accept it, as is my duty.” He brought up the potential of the death of Vangelis, which had always been in the back of her mind.
It had been the reason Vangelis hadn't wished to be married before he left. It had been the reason he hadn’t wished to push their relationship further. If he died, he had said, he wanted her to be free to marry again without the burden of being a widow or mother. He wanted her to be prepared for that. But he most likely had never considered that she would be considering a marriage of political gain. Still, it seemed her best bet.
Her heart had failed her once. A political marriage would protect her. And she could prepare. Could build up the walls she needed to make sure that she didn’t fall in love so easily again.
With a swallow, she nodded. “It would be my duty to do so. If he falls, then he would have done so doing his. I will make a point not to ask until I feel like I can. But if he dies in battle, then it is the price of war. He does his duty, just as I must do mine.” Perhaps it wasn’t something she believed yet. But she had faith that she would, in time.
Fotios nodded to her, but she couldn’t understand the look on his face, nor the way in which he simply turned back to his house. She knew that he wouldn’t say much now, not with a firm plan in place to freely marry her off for the sake of politics. With a sigh, she stopped trying to catch up with him, watching him disappear into the larger house. It was obvious that she was filled with resolve now, back straight and tall as she made the journey back to the smaller house alone.
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.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
There was no denying that her uncle thought she was a bit fanciful, a bit of romantic at heart. Her parents had brought her up to believe that she was very much the best of the best, and that she deserved every consideration. Her every wish was met, from the finest horses to the nicest jewels-- she was treated as if she was already a Queen. And both of her parents indulge her, for the most part.
She had tried to be a realist, but in her world, it just wasn’t something that was easy to do. She lived in a gilded palace, where money was no object and where she could entertain any fantasy she wished. Selene had thought she had been realistic about what would happen with Zacharias. It wasn’t a fanciful wish of a marriage filled with love, but one of mutual benefit. He could keep his lover in secret and fulfill his duty, and she would be the cover and Queen he needed. All they would need would be to produce an heir-- legitimate or otherwise-- and they would have been able to carry on as they wished.
And then he was murdered, and her life was put into chaos.
Vangelis had caught her by surprise. One minute, she was content on a simple marriage to anyone but a royal, the next she was engaged to a crown prince. And it had morphed from friendship to love so quickly that it made it difficult to breath to think of it now. But while that was fresh, loss of love, she had been perfectly fine with a possibly loveless marriage before. She could do this.
“Yes, Uncle-- I will not argue with your choice. I trust you.” There was no reason for her to not to trust him. He’d always wanted what was best for the family. He had wanted her matched sooner rather than later. And he wanted connections that were beneficial to the name. There was no lie in her trust of him. “Whomever you pick, I will accept it, as is my duty.” He brought up the potential of the death of Vangelis, which had always been in the back of her mind.
It had been the reason Vangelis hadn't wished to be married before he left. It had been the reason he hadn’t wished to push their relationship further. If he died, he had said, he wanted her to be free to marry again without the burden of being a widow or mother. He wanted her to be prepared for that. But he most likely had never considered that she would be considering a marriage of political gain. Still, it seemed her best bet.
Her heart had failed her once. A political marriage would protect her. And she could prepare. Could build up the walls she needed to make sure that she didn’t fall in love so easily again.
With a swallow, she nodded. “It would be my duty to do so. If he falls, then he would have done so doing his. I will make a point not to ask until I feel like I can. But if he dies in battle, then it is the price of war. He does his duty, just as I must do mine.” Perhaps it wasn’t something she believed yet. But she had faith that she would, in time.
Fotios nodded to her, but she couldn’t understand the look on his face, nor the way in which he simply turned back to his house. She knew that he wouldn’t say much now, not with a firm plan in place to freely marry her off for the sake of politics. With a sigh, she stopped trying to catch up with him, watching him disappear into the larger house. It was obvious that she was filled with resolve now, back straight and tall as she made the journey back to the smaller house alone.
There was no denying that her uncle thought she was a bit fanciful, a bit of romantic at heart. Her parents had brought her up to believe that she was very much the best of the best, and that she deserved every consideration. Her every wish was met, from the finest horses to the nicest jewels-- she was treated as if she was already a Queen. And both of her parents indulge her, for the most part.
She had tried to be a realist, but in her world, it just wasn’t something that was easy to do. She lived in a gilded palace, where money was no object and where she could entertain any fantasy she wished. Selene had thought she had been realistic about what would happen with Zacharias. It wasn’t a fanciful wish of a marriage filled with love, but one of mutual benefit. He could keep his lover in secret and fulfill his duty, and she would be the cover and Queen he needed. All they would need would be to produce an heir-- legitimate or otherwise-- and they would have been able to carry on as they wished.
And then he was murdered, and her life was put into chaos.
Vangelis had caught her by surprise. One minute, she was content on a simple marriage to anyone but a royal, the next she was engaged to a crown prince. And it had morphed from friendship to love so quickly that it made it difficult to breath to think of it now. But while that was fresh, loss of love, she had been perfectly fine with a possibly loveless marriage before. She could do this.
“Yes, Uncle-- I will not argue with your choice. I trust you.” There was no reason for her to not to trust him. He’d always wanted what was best for the family. He had wanted her matched sooner rather than later. And he wanted connections that were beneficial to the name. There was no lie in her trust of him. “Whomever you pick, I will accept it, as is my duty.” He brought up the potential of the death of Vangelis, which had always been in the back of her mind.
It had been the reason Vangelis hadn't wished to be married before he left. It had been the reason he hadn’t wished to push their relationship further. If he died, he had said, he wanted her to be free to marry again without the burden of being a widow or mother. He wanted her to be prepared for that. But he most likely had never considered that she would be considering a marriage of political gain. Still, it seemed her best bet.
Her heart had failed her once. A political marriage would protect her. And she could prepare. Could build up the walls she needed to make sure that she didn’t fall in love so easily again.
With a swallow, she nodded. “It would be my duty to do so. If he falls, then he would have done so doing his. I will make a point not to ask until I feel like I can. But if he dies in battle, then it is the price of war. He does his duty, just as I must do mine.” Perhaps it wasn’t something she believed yet. But she had faith that she would, in time.
Fotios nodded to her, but she couldn’t understand the look on his face, nor the way in which he simply turned back to his house. She knew that he wouldn’t say much now, not with a firm plan in place to freely marry her off for the sake of politics. With a sigh, she stopped trying to catch up with him, watching him disappear into the larger house. It was obvious that she was filled with resolve now, back straight and tall as she made the journey back to the smaller house alone.
