It was not as if he hadn’t expected the letter. There were questions that needed answers, and so much had been kept secret that as things came to light. it was critical to figure out just how deep the deceit may have gone. And he had not been at the scene of the wreckage to explain what he knew. And even though he was simply Baron in name only, he was still just as responsible for what had happened as Iris was. So there was no hesitation as he dressed the part.

Most of his clothing had been lost, but he’d been able to salvage a dark brown chiton from Hector. The man was larger than him, but the benefit was that cloth such as this was easy to fold himself into. Tucked and pinned and folded, there was little evidence that it wasn’t his. Mourning the loss of the property, the himation of black wrapped around his shoulders was fitting, the pin on his chest belonging to the Argyris house.

He hadn’t even bothered to clean the blackening from it. It had been found after the fire, returned to his wife and now pinned on him. It was his reminder that he needed to have a clear head, needed to do what it took to make sure that Persephone was successful. After all, she wouldn’t have burned down Elias’s house in rage. She would have used politics, would have used the senate as it was intended to be used. And that alone had been enough to prove that his decision had been right.

Elias would stop at nothing to get the throne.

He had done what he’d felt was right to protect his family, because the potential threat to his family was very real in the end. And it has been proven here.

His journey to the home of the Antonis lord was quicker on horseback, especially because Aimias wasted no time with his pace. But there was still quite a distance to travel. And even having left early, it was still late in the day when he finally arrived. Aimias wanted to get this over with, wanted to return to his wife so they could figure out what to do with the new knowledge. They had to come up with a plan. No more separate fronts, no more deception. They needed to be, and would be, united.

As he made his way into the house, he did not expect Marietta to be the one to greet him. Hardly knowing the girl, for she had always kept away from him. His position had always been on the fringes of any room, listening to conversation around him. Which usually meant that he wasn’t a part of the festivities. And she hadn’t made any effort to speak with him, but that didn’t matter to him much. With a bow of greeting, he stood and took her in. He knew little of her, save for the fact that he had always seen her close to Elias.

He would be on his guard.

“Lady Marietta, it is kind of you to say. We are safe, thank the Gods.” With a polite smile, he took the news of her father’s delay with a nod. “Certainly, company would be welcome. And tea, if you have it.” He remained standing, waiting for her to get her bearing before making any further moves.

He tried not to be irritated by the fact that he had to wait to speak with the Lord. After everything that happened, it really wasn’t surprising that he was busy with more than just the arranged meeting. There was little denying the climate that they were trying to deal with, the wrath of the people and the frustrations of the upper class. And the fires only added fuel to their rage. And while Lord Argyris has lost everything he owned, save for the life of his wife and child, in that fire, he was not simply upset about the destruction.

No, he had other things on his mind.

But just because he was distracted, he was not going to change his usually calm demeanor. The exhaustion was apparent in his stance. The clothing too big, too long for his frame showed how little he had to his name. But his eyes were firm in his resolve to do what he’d set out to do from now on. With his wife by his side, he would continue to do what was best for Athenia-- Elias be damned.

“It is kind of you, Lady Marietta. I am sure you have something else you could be doing. The company is most appreciated.” It was not a total lie. While he was far more awkward than she was, it was a bit refreshing to be able to relax for a moment. He would not trust her, at least not without reason to do so, but he could be polite and partake in the small talk he hated. If only to take his mind off things for a few brief moments.

He normally didn’t have time for the younger girls of court. Most of the women stayed away from him. With no financial advantages or handsome features, it was not like he was highly sought after. And he lacked any flirtatious conversation ability. He was boring, and had been told many times that he was a dull clot. Aimias had learned that it was better to be seen but not heard, and to only talk when spoken to-- he offended less people that way. But, from what he had gleaned about his hostess, she was a bright but awkward girl herself.

Taking a seat as the tea was brought into the room, he watched her carefully, trying to deduce exactly why he felt like he was being delayed. There was no reason to believe that Marietta would have any other motive than being polite. But, then again, she had been seen in the company of Elias on more than one occasion. And she truly owed no loyalty to the simple Lord now. That alone made him more on guard, reminding himself that he would have to tread carefully-- just how close she was to Elias, he could not say for sure.

Her question was not an odd one. Many people had been asking him similar questions since he and his wife returned to the city. Some would consider it only polite to inquire, while Aimias thought it rude to keep bringing it up. Still, he set his tea down after a few of his own drinks, sighing softly. “That is what I am here to find out. I do not pretend to be an expert in fire and arson, so I could not garish any information into the investigation of the cause.” He knew it was manmade, but he didn’t feel as if he could share that here.

“I have heard many claim that it came from Hapheastus himself, though my wife and I have done little to anger the Gods. Still, I cannot recall any storms that night. I’m sure the speculation within the Court is far more widespread. One of those theories is most likely to be correct, and I have not been in town long enough to know one way or the other.” He sighed again, letting a bit of grief come to his deep eyes. “Your father will have more, I hope.”