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Athanasia sighed as her maidservants stripped her of her heavy silk chiton and bathed her with fluffy cloths dipped in cool water. Her mother had been giving her lessons in running a household for the last month. She enjoyed them for the most part, though she was fairly certain that she disappointed the Queen occasionally, perhaps more often than she thought. Disapproval never showed on Yanni’s face, but her daughter sensed it was there.
It was diplomacy she had the most trouble with. The young princess had always been blunt and was not accustomed to sugar-coating her words. This didn’t go over well with the servants she dealt with. More than once, she had caused maids to burst into tears and she had overheard a few of them complaining among themselves about how rude she was. She didn’t think she was rude at all … just candid. What was wrong with that?
Apparently everything.
Eventually Athanasia would be married, perhaps to a foreign king, and it was important that she be able to efficiently manage not just a manor but an entire palace with staff numbering in the hundreds. She would have to give them orders without upsetting them or she would have to hire more servants. One of the maids and a gardener had quit since she had been assisting her mother. Maybe they had not left because of her, but it was possible that she was at fault.
Maybe I should visit Evras. She has been helping Mother since I was a little girl and should be able to give me some tips and advice. Yes, that was what she would do. She had not seen her sister-in-law lately, and she missed her. Despite the fact that their families were generally as odds, she got along well with Evras and thought of her as a sister. Athanasia had always wanted a sister. She also wished to inquire about her health. The princess looked forward to having a new niece or nephew.
Her handmaidens slipped a plain lavender peplos over her head and fastened it at the shoulders with equally unremarkable ivory fibulae. They removed the tiara from her head and took out the combs that held her hair in a fashionable updo. She sighed again as her long auburn-gold mane tumbled down her back. Another thing she didn’t like about household management was having to dress like a princess all the time. Athanasia was much happier in simple clothing, though she knew that her parents preferred to see her dressed up.
Slipping on some nondescript sandals, she left her chambers and traversed the corridors until she reached her sister-in-law’s rooms. Hopefully, she would be there, as it was not too long before dinner. Without hesitation, Athanasia rapped sharply on the door.
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It had been a long and frustrating day
Athanasia sighed as her maidservants stripped her of her heavy silk chiton and bathed her with fluffy cloths dipped in cool water. Her mother had been giving her lessons in running a household for the last month. She enjoyed them for the most part, though she was fairly certain that she disappointed the Queen occasionally, perhaps more often than she thought. Disapproval never showed on Yanni’s face, but her daughter sensed it was there.
It was diplomacy she had the most trouble with. The young princess had always been blunt and was not accustomed to sugar-coating her words. This didn’t go over well with the servants she dealt with. More than once, she had caused maids to burst into tears and she had overheard a few of them complaining among themselves about how rude she was. She didn’t think she was rude at all … just candid. What was wrong with that?
Apparently everything.
Eventually Athanasia would be married, perhaps to a foreign king, and it was important that she be able to efficiently manage not just a manor but an entire palace with staff numbering in the hundreds. She would have to give them orders without upsetting them or she would have to hire more servants. One of the maids and a gardener had quit since she had been assisting her mother. Maybe they had not left because of her, but it was possible that she was at fault.
Maybe I should visit Evras. She has been helping Mother since I was a little girl and should be able to give me some tips and advice. Yes, that was what she would do. She had not seen her sister-in-law lately, and she missed her. Despite the fact that their families were generally as odds, she got along well with Evras and thought of her as a sister. Athanasia had always wanted a sister. She also wished to inquire about her health. The princess looked forward to having a new niece or nephew.
Her handmaidens slipped a plain lavender peplos over her head and fastened it at the shoulders with equally unremarkable ivory fibulae. They removed the tiara from her head and took out the combs that held her hair in a fashionable updo. She sighed again as her long auburn-gold mane tumbled down her back. Another thing she didn’t like about household management was having to dress like a princess all the time. Athanasia was much happier in simple clothing, though she knew that her parents preferred to see her dressed up.
Slipping on some nondescript sandals, she left her chambers and traversed the corridors until she reached her sister-in-law’s rooms. Hopefully, she would be there, as it was not too long before dinner. Without hesitation, Athanasia rapped sharply on the door.
It had been a long and frustrating day
Athanasia sighed as her maidservants stripped her of her heavy silk chiton and bathed her with fluffy cloths dipped in cool water. Her mother had been giving her lessons in running a household for the last month. She enjoyed them for the most part, though she was fairly certain that she disappointed the Queen occasionally, perhaps more often than she thought. Disapproval never showed on Yanni’s face, but her daughter sensed it was there.
It was diplomacy she had the most trouble with. The young princess had always been blunt and was not accustomed to sugar-coating her words. This didn’t go over well with the servants she dealt with. More than once, she had caused maids to burst into tears and she had overheard a few of them complaining among themselves about how rude she was. She didn’t think she was rude at all … just candid. What was wrong with that?
Apparently everything.
Eventually Athanasia would be married, perhaps to a foreign king, and it was important that she be able to efficiently manage not just a manor but an entire palace with staff numbering in the hundreds. She would have to give them orders without upsetting them or she would have to hire more servants. One of the maids and a gardener had quit since she had been assisting her mother. Maybe they had not left because of her, but it was possible that she was at fault.
Maybe I should visit Evras. She has been helping Mother since I was a little girl and should be able to give me some tips and advice. Yes, that was what she would do. She had not seen her sister-in-law lately, and she missed her. Despite the fact that their families were generally as odds, she got along well with Evras and thought of her as a sister. Athanasia had always wanted a sister. She also wished to inquire about her health. The princess looked forward to having a new niece or nephew.
Her handmaidens slipped a plain lavender peplos over her head and fastened it at the shoulders with equally unremarkable ivory fibulae. They removed the tiara from her head and took out the combs that held her hair in a fashionable updo. She sighed again as her long auburn-gold mane tumbled down her back. Another thing she didn’t like about household management was having to dress like a princess all the time. Athanasia was much happier in simple clothing, though she knew that her parents preferred to see her dressed up.
Slipping on some nondescript sandals, she left her chambers and traversed the corridors until she reached her sister-in-law’s rooms. Hopefully, she would be there, as it was not too long before dinner. Without hesitation, Athanasia rapped sharply on the door.
There really was only so much one can do when on bedrest, Evras was beginning to realize. After the last disastrous time she's tried to make a trip down and almost ended up throwing her guts out when she saw stuff she was highly certain she wasn't supposed to see, Evras had been far more conservative in her one-per-day jaunts out of her chambers, sticking to infinitely safe places like the God's worship place on the Kotas manor grounds, and perhaps the occasional sitting around on the stone bench of the compound, before she returned to her self-confinement.
With so much time on her hands, Evras had nearly finished embroidering all the new outfits for the new babe already. They had once upon a time, entertained the idea of handing down Dion's old clothes to his sibling, but with so many years in between, Evras had given away most of the outfits especially when Zanon had decided to have his merry way carousing. In a way, it had been done in a fit of anger as Evras tried to come to terms with the fact that her husband had, at that time, been done with her, but now it only comes full circle for it means now Evras had to come up with a whole new wardrobe for this new child.
Not that she was complaining, really. It gave her something to do, and the dark-haired princess was really quite excited for her second child. Born one of five siblings, she had longed for a sibling for her own son. It pained her to watch Dion grow up alone, and now that she carried her second child, excitement didn't even begin to explain what she felt. Of course, with it came trepidation, and the anxiety of anything at all happening to this babe after many miscarriages meant Evras followed the physician's advice to a tee, drinking any herbs he sent and following all advice to remain abed.
But that also meant she was bored out of her mind. Essa visited occasionally, and Evras also had the company of Zanon when he got some time in between running the kingdom in the absence of his father and Vangelis. But how much time could she take from them? They were people with their own schedule, Evras couldn't very well demand they spend all their time in her dreary room.
So the princess had taken to trying to paint, although she was faily absymally. Despite her having a nose for herbs, Evras most definitely had no eye for colors, and when Athanasia finally knocked upon her door, the sister to her husband would walk in to find Evras in her simple pale beige night chiton, dark hair tied in a loose ponytail over her left shoulder with her bottom lip between her teeth as she was trying and failing to form a sun from a splotch of yellow paint.
With a smear of green on her cheek, Evras's eyes widened when her servants opened the door to reveal the young princess, and Evras quickly put the paint aside, beckoning Athanasia forward when she saw the slightly worried look. "What's the matter, Asia?" she asked quickly. Despite the bad blood between their families, Asia had been young when Evras had married into the Kotas family, and luckily for Evras that meant the only girl of the family had yet to be tainted with the ideas of animosity between Kotas and Thanasi. As she grew up, Evras had spent much time with Asia when her husband had been busy, and it wouldn't be an exageration to say Asia had been Dion's first playmate either. All of it meant Evras was generally highly concerned when it came to Asia's wellbeing.
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There really was only so much one can do when on bedrest, Evras was beginning to realize. After the last disastrous time she's tried to make a trip down and almost ended up throwing her guts out when she saw stuff she was highly certain she wasn't supposed to see, Evras had been far more conservative in her one-per-day jaunts out of her chambers, sticking to infinitely safe places like the God's worship place on the Kotas manor grounds, and perhaps the occasional sitting around on the stone bench of the compound, before she returned to her self-confinement.
With so much time on her hands, Evras had nearly finished embroidering all the new outfits for the new babe already. They had once upon a time, entertained the idea of handing down Dion's old clothes to his sibling, but with so many years in between, Evras had given away most of the outfits especially when Zanon had decided to have his merry way carousing. In a way, it had been done in a fit of anger as Evras tried to come to terms with the fact that her husband had, at that time, been done with her, but now it only comes full circle for it means now Evras had to come up with a whole new wardrobe for this new child.
Not that she was complaining, really. It gave her something to do, and the dark-haired princess was really quite excited for her second child. Born one of five siblings, she had longed for a sibling for her own son. It pained her to watch Dion grow up alone, and now that she carried her second child, excitement didn't even begin to explain what she felt. Of course, with it came trepidation, and the anxiety of anything at all happening to this babe after many miscarriages meant Evras followed the physician's advice to a tee, drinking any herbs he sent and following all advice to remain abed.
But that also meant she was bored out of her mind. Essa visited occasionally, and Evras also had the company of Zanon when he got some time in between running the kingdom in the absence of his father and Vangelis. But how much time could she take from them? They were people with their own schedule, Evras couldn't very well demand they spend all their time in her dreary room.
So the princess had taken to trying to paint, although she was faily absymally. Despite her having a nose for herbs, Evras most definitely had no eye for colors, and when Athanasia finally knocked upon her door, the sister to her husband would walk in to find Evras in her simple pale beige night chiton, dark hair tied in a loose ponytail over her left shoulder with her bottom lip between her teeth as she was trying and failing to form a sun from a splotch of yellow paint.
With a smear of green on her cheek, Evras's eyes widened when her servants opened the door to reveal the young princess, and Evras quickly put the paint aside, beckoning Athanasia forward when she saw the slightly worried look. "What's the matter, Asia?" she asked quickly. Despite the bad blood between their families, Asia had been young when Evras had married into the Kotas family, and luckily for Evras that meant the only girl of the family had yet to be tainted with the ideas of animosity between Kotas and Thanasi. As she grew up, Evras had spent much time with Asia when her husband had been busy, and it wouldn't be an exageration to say Asia had been Dion's first playmate either. All of it meant Evras was generally highly concerned when it came to Asia's wellbeing.
There really was only so much one can do when on bedrest, Evras was beginning to realize. After the last disastrous time she's tried to make a trip down and almost ended up throwing her guts out when she saw stuff she was highly certain she wasn't supposed to see, Evras had been far more conservative in her one-per-day jaunts out of her chambers, sticking to infinitely safe places like the God's worship place on the Kotas manor grounds, and perhaps the occasional sitting around on the stone bench of the compound, before she returned to her self-confinement.
With so much time on her hands, Evras had nearly finished embroidering all the new outfits for the new babe already. They had once upon a time, entertained the idea of handing down Dion's old clothes to his sibling, but with so many years in between, Evras had given away most of the outfits especially when Zanon had decided to have his merry way carousing. In a way, it had been done in a fit of anger as Evras tried to come to terms with the fact that her husband had, at that time, been done with her, but now it only comes full circle for it means now Evras had to come up with a whole new wardrobe for this new child.
Not that she was complaining, really. It gave her something to do, and the dark-haired princess was really quite excited for her second child. Born one of five siblings, she had longed for a sibling for her own son. It pained her to watch Dion grow up alone, and now that she carried her second child, excitement didn't even begin to explain what she felt. Of course, with it came trepidation, and the anxiety of anything at all happening to this babe after many miscarriages meant Evras followed the physician's advice to a tee, drinking any herbs he sent and following all advice to remain abed.
But that also meant she was bored out of her mind. Essa visited occasionally, and Evras also had the company of Zanon when he got some time in between running the kingdom in the absence of his father and Vangelis. But how much time could she take from them? They were people with their own schedule, Evras couldn't very well demand they spend all their time in her dreary room.
So the princess had taken to trying to paint, although she was faily absymally. Despite her having a nose for herbs, Evras most definitely had no eye for colors, and when Athanasia finally knocked upon her door, the sister to her husband would walk in to find Evras in her simple pale beige night chiton, dark hair tied in a loose ponytail over her left shoulder with her bottom lip between her teeth as she was trying and failing to form a sun from a splotch of yellow paint.
With a smear of green on her cheek, Evras's eyes widened when her servants opened the door to reveal the young princess, and Evras quickly put the paint aside, beckoning Athanasia forward when she saw the slightly worried look. "What's the matter, Asia?" she asked quickly. Despite the bad blood between their families, Asia had been young when Evras had married into the Kotas family, and luckily for Evras that meant the only girl of the family had yet to be tainted with the ideas of animosity between Kotas and Thanasi. As she grew up, Evras had spent much time with Asia when her husband had been busy, and it wouldn't be an exageration to say Asia had been Dion's first playmate either. All of it meant Evras was generally highly concerned when it came to Asia's wellbeing.
Footsteps approached from the other side of the door. Athanasia didn’t expect for Evras to answer it herself, and indeed it was a servant who opened it and ushered her inside. That must mean that at least one of the inhabitants of the room was there or she would have been turned away. Zan was probably off attending to affairs of state; she had not seen much of him since her father and the rest of her brothers had gone to war. She couldn’t even imagine what he was going through, but as the second son, he had been taught to rule. One day perhaps they would run into each other and she could ask how he was faring. They were the only two Kotas siblings left in Colchis and they should stick together.
Athanasia smiled when she saw Evras sitting in bed painting. She had not known that her sister-in-law could paint. The woman looked quite pretty even with a smudge of green on one cheek and she seemed to be content. The princess would go stark raving mad if she had to stay in bed all the time. However would she spend her time? She was happiest when she was outdoors being active. It would stifle her to be confined by walls for months on end.
And what would happen to the street children she supported? They would have to result to pick-pocketing again without the money she regularly provided them with when she went into the city in disguise. Their reading lessons were progressing well too. She was trying to teach them ways to better their lives so they could become honest working citizens when they grew up. A few of the older ones had obtained jobs already. Abandoning them was completely out of the question.
Athanasia was not planning on getting pregnant anytime soon, but she needed to be more careful and not injure herself. Pregnancy wasn’t the only condition that could leave one bedridden, and she took more than her fair share of risks when she gallivanted about in the lower levels or hunted in the dead of night. She had barely avoided a few bar brawls, and had almost been gored by a wild boar she had been trailing.
Evras’ voice brought her out of her thoughts. Is my anxiety that obvious? A Kotas never revealed his or her feelings, but her sister-in-law had known her since she was a child and had lived with the royal family long enough to sense when they were worried, angry, or even elated. She had lived in the Kotas household nearly as long as she’d lived with her own family and knew their ways. The young princess certainly couldn’t fault her for that.
“Nothing,” she said. She had come to ask for advice, but now she couldn’t bring herself to do it. “I haven’t seen you in awhile, and thought I would check on you and see how you’re doing.” Sitting down on the edge of the bed, she smiled. “It looks like you are keeping yourself busy. How is the baby …” Before she could finish her sentence, she got a good look at the painting. “Gods, that’s awful!” she exclaimed. Tact was not one of Athanasia's strong points.
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Footsteps approached from the other side of the door. Athanasia didn’t expect for Evras to answer it herself, and indeed it was a servant who opened it and ushered her inside. That must mean that at least one of the inhabitants of the room was there or she would have been turned away. Zan was probably off attending to affairs of state; she had not seen much of him since her father and the rest of her brothers had gone to war. She couldn’t even imagine what he was going through, but as the second son, he had been taught to rule. One day perhaps they would run into each other and she could ask how he was faring. They were the only two Kotas siblings left in Colchis and they should stick together.
Athanasia smiled when she saw Evras sitting in bed painting. She had not known that her sister-in-law could paint. The woman looked quite pretty even with a smudge of green on one cheek and she seemed to be content. The princess would go stark raving mad if she had to stay in bed all the time. However would she spend her time? She was happiest when she was outdoors being active. It would stifle her to be confined by walls for months on end.
And what would happen to the street children she supported? They would have to result to pick-pocketing again without the money she regularly provided them with when she went into the city in disguise. Their reading lessons were progressing well too. She was trying to teach them ways to better their lives so they could become honest working citizens when they grew up. A few of the older ones had obtained jobs already. Abandoning them was completely out of the question.
Athanasia was not planning on getting pregnant anytime soon, but she needed to be more careful and not injure herself. Pregnancy wasn’t the only condition that could leave one bedridden, and she took more than her fair share of risks when she gallivanted about in the lower levels or hunted in the dead of night. She had barely avoided a few bar brawls, and had almost been gored by a wild boar she had been trailing.
Evras’ voice brought her out of her thoughts. Is my anxiety that obvious? A Kotas never revealed his or her feelings, but her sister-in-law had known her since she was a child and had lived with the royal family long enough to sense when they were worried, angry, or even elated. She had lived in the Kotas household nearly as long as she’d lived with her own family and knew their ways. The young princess certainly couldn’t fault her for that.
“Nothing,” she said. She had come to ask for advice, but now she couldn’t bring herself to do it. “I haven’t seen you in awhile, and thought I would check on you and see how you’re doing.” Sitting down on the edge of the bed, she smiled. “It looks like you are keeping yourself busy. How is the baby …” Before she could finish her sentence, she got a good look at the painting. “Gods, that’s awful!” she exclaimed. Tact was not one of Athanasia's strong points.
Footsteps approached from the other side of the door. Athanasia didn’t expect for Evras to answer it herself, and indeed it was a servant who opened it and ushered her inside. That must mean that at least one of the inhabitants of the room was there or she would have been turned away. Zan was probably off attending to affairs of state; she had not seen much of him since her father and the rest of her brothers had gone to war. She couldn’t even imagine what he was going through, but as the second son, he had been taught to rule. One day perhaps they would run into each other and she could ask how he was faring. They were the only two Kotas siblings left in Colchis and they should stick together.
Athanasia smiled when she saw Evras sitting in bed painting. She had not known that her sister-in-law could paint. The woman looked quite pretty even with a smudge of green on one cheek and she seemed to be content. The princess would go stark raving mad if she had to stay in bed all the time. However would she spend her time? She was happiest when she was outdoors being active. It would stifle her to be confined by walls for months on end.
And what would happen to the street children she supported? They would have to result to pick-pocketing again without the money she regularly provided them with when she went into the city in disguise. Their reading lessons were progressing well too. She was trying to teach them ways to better their lives so they could become honest working citizens when they grew up. A few of the older ones had obtained jobs already. Abandoning them was completely out of the question.
Athanasia was not planning on getting pregnant anytime soon, but she needed to be more careful and not injure herself. Pregnancy wasn’t the only condition that could leave one bedridden, and she took more than her fair share of risks when she gallivanted about in the lower levels or hunted in the dead of night. She had barely avoided a few bar brawls, and had almost been gored by a wild boar she had been trailing.
Evras’ voice brought her out of her thoughts. Is my anxiety that obvious? A Kotas never revealed his or her feelings, but her sister-in-law had known her since she was a child and had lived with the royal family long enough to sense when they were worried, angry, or even elated. She had lived in the Kotas household nearly as long as she’d lived with her own family and knew their ways. The young princess certainly couldn’t fault her for that.
“Nothing,” she said. She had come to ask for advice, but now she couldn’t bring herself to do it. “I haven’t seen you in awhile, and thought I would check on you and see how you’re doing.” Sitting down on the edge of the bed, she smiled. “It looks like you are keeping yourself busy. How is the baby …” Before she could finish her sentence, she got a good look at the painting. “Gods, that’s awful!” she exclaimed. Tact was not one of Athanasia's strong points.
While the Kotas, if she knew her husband well, had been trained to never show emotions (it really was a habit within the Colchians that Evras was beginning to realize she disliked), Evras was well adept at picking them up. She had to, or her marriage to Zanon would've likely not survived very long at this point - but that was besides the topic. The fact was, while it did take Evras some deliberation, she could see Asia had heavy thoughts on her mind that even as the princess waved it away, Evras raised a brow of doubt.
For the moment though, she allowed the young girl to sweep it under the rug, and merely patted the edge of the bed, a soft smile upon her lips as Athanasia took a seat upon it. It was nice to have visitors when one was forced to be in bed all day. There was only so much conversation one can have with an unborn child before it became just her talking to her unresponsive stomach.
Her face twisted to a mix of disappointment and amusement at Athanasia's exclamation. Evras was under no delusion that she was a good artist at any level, but she had... what, hoped? No, it really shouldn't even have been hope at all, and the mother-to-be chuckled wryly as she gave a lopsided smile at her sister in law. "Is it really? Maybe I should leave the paintings for the baby's room to the professionals, you think?" she asked with humor in her tone, ending it with a laugh as she put the awful drawed upon canvas to a side, and focused entirely on her visitor.
"I've been fine, if not bored. You know how it is." Evras murmured. If anyone at all, Athanasia should know how boring it got to be alone in a room. The youngest and only daughter to the family had never been able to sit still for long, and had caused her tutors much grief over her growing years. "Busy is... well, I haven't at all, and really, if you have anything at all for me to do, now would be a great time for it?" Her tone held a mixture of plead and hope, but in a way, Evras was also trying to needle Athanasia into telling her what the issues were. She knew the young princess had been tasked by her mother to take upon all the tasks Evras had been in charge of before the physician's strict instructions to be on bedrest to ensure the safe birth of the child she carried, and she doubt it would be easy on the younger one. It had taken Evras years to even get somewhat of a hold to run the household smoothly as she did now.
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 the Kotas, if she knew her husband well, had been trained to never show emotions (it really was a habit within the Colchians that Evras was beginning to realize she disliked), Evras was well adept at picking them up. She had to, or her marriage to Zanon would've likely not survived very long at this point - but that was besides the topic. The fact was, while it did take Evras some deliberation, she could see Asia had heavy thoughts on her mind that even as the princess waved it away, Evras raised a brow of doubt.
For the moment though, she allowed the young girl to sweep it under the rug, and merely patted the edge of the bed, a soft smile upon her lips as Athanasia took a seat upon it. It was nice to have visitors when one was forced to be in bed all day. There was only so much conversation one can have with an unborn child before it became just her talking to her unresponsive stomach.
Her face twisted to a mix of disappointment and amusement at Athanasia's exclamation. Evras was under no delusion that she was a good artist at any level, but she had... what, hoped? No, it really shouldn't even have been hope at all, and the mother-to-be chuckled wryly as she gave a lopsided smile at her sister in law. "Is it really? Maybe I should leave the paintings for the baby's room to the professionals, you think?" she asked with humor in her tone, ending it with a laugh as she put the awful drawed upon canvas to a side, and focused entirely on her visitor.
"I've been fine, if not bored. You know how it is." Evras murmured. If anyone at all, Athanasia should know how boring it got to be alone in a room. The youngest and only daughter to the family had never been able to sit still for long, and had caused her tutors much grief over her growing years. "Busy is... well, I haven't at all, and really, if you have anything at all for me to do, now would be a great time for it?" Her tone held a mixture of plead and hope, but in a way, Evras was also trying to needle Athanasia into telling her what the issues were. She knew the young princess had been tasked by her mother to take upon all the tasks Evras had been in charge of before the physician's strict instructions to be on bedrest to ensure the safe birth of the child she carried, and she doubt it would be easy on the younger one. It had taken Evras years to even get somewhat of a hold to run the household smoothly as she did now.
While the Kotas, if she knew her husband well, had been trained to never show emotions (it really was a habit within the Colchians that Evras was beginning to realize she disliked), Evras was well adept at picking them up. She had to, or her marriage to Zanon would've likely not survived very long at this point - but that was besides the topic. The fact was, while it did take Evras some deliberation, she could see Asia had heavy thoughts on her mind that even as the princess waved it away, Evras raised a brow of doubt.
For the moment though, she allowed the young girl to sweep it under the rug, and merely patted the edge of the bed, a soft smile upon her lips as Athanasia took a seat upon it. It was nice to have visitors when one was forced to be in bed all day. There was only so much conversation one can have with an unborn child before it became just her talking to her unresponsive stomach.
Her face twisted to a mix of disappointment and amusement at Athanasia's exclamation. Evras was under no delusion that she was a good artist at any level, but she had... what, hoped? No, it really shouldn't even have been hope at all, and the mother-to-be chuckled wryly as she gave a lopsided smile at her sister in law. "Is it really? Maybe I should leave the paintings for the baby's room to the professionals, you think?" she asked with humor in her tone, ending it with a laugh as she put the awful drawed upon canvas to a side, and focused entirely on her visitor.
"I've been fine, if not bored. You know how it is." Evras murmured. If anyone at all, Athanasia should know how boring it got to be alone in a room. The youngest and only daughter to the family had never been able to sit still for long, and had caused her tutors much grief over her growing years. "Busy is... well, I haven't at all, and really, if you have anything at all for me to do, now would be a great time for it?" Her tone held a mixture of plead and hope, but in a way, Evras was also trying to needle Athanasia into telling her what the issues were. She knew the young princess had been tasked by her mother to take upon all the tasks Evras had been in charge of before the physician's strict instructions to be on bedrest to ensure the safe birth of the child she carried, and she doubt it would be easy on the younger one. It had taken Evras years to even get somewhat of a hold to run the household smoothly as she did now.
Athanasia immediately regretted her careless words. Evras looked disappointed that she had called her painting awful, but she detected a trace of amusement in her expression as well.
“Is it really? Maybe I should leave the paintings for the baby's room to the professionals, you think?
Most young women would have apologized, but the princess saw no reason to give her sister-in-law false hope. If she hung that painting in the baby’s room, her little niece or nephew would have nightmares. If Athanasia woke up and that was the first thing she saw, so would she.
She knew that Evras was trying to occupy herself during her confinement, but there were many other things she could do, like read, sew, or start a new embroidery project. Perhaps she’d have better luck if she tried her hand at poetry. “It really is,” she admitted, “though it’s probably better than what I could do,” Athanasia’s talents were athletic, not artistic. “You should definitely hire an artist to paint pictures for the baby’s room.”
“I've been fine, if not bored. You know how it is.”
The young princess nodded, remembering when she had fallen from her horse and broken her arm when she was five. She’d had to spend several weeks in bed and it had nearly driven her crazy. The only time she was happy was when her parents and brothers visited her. Maybe Evras felt much the same … and she would have to remain in bed for months. I will visit her more often from now on.
Athanasia thought she heard an imploring note in her sister-in-law’s voice when she asked if she had anything for her to do. She thought of the problems she was experiencing after taking Evras’ place as her mother’s assistant. This was the perfect time for her to express her concerns. And it was the initial reason for her visit. Evras would feel useful if she was able to give her pointers to help her adjust. It was so difficult, though, acknowledging weakness of any kind. It went against all of the principles she had been taught as a child.
Still …
“The Queen is teaching me how to run a household,” she began. “I’ve been assuming some of the duties that you usually assist her with.” Athanasia sighed. “You make it look so effortless but for me ...” The princess paused. It seemed wrong to say even that much, but she continued on. “It isn’t easy.”
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Athanasia immediately regretted her careless words. Evras looked disappointed that she had called her painting awful, but she detected a trace of amusement in her expression as well.
“Is it really? Maybe I should leave the paintings for the baby's room to the professionals, you think?
Most young women would have apologized, but the princess saw no reason to give her sister-in-law false hope. If she hung that painting in the baby’s room, her little niece or nephew would have nightmares. If Athanasia woke up and that was the first thing she saw, so would she.
She knew that Evras was trying to occupy herself during her confinement, but there were many other things she could do, like read, sew, or start a new embroidery project. Perhaps she’d have better luck if she tried her hand at poetry. “It really is,” she admitted, “though it’s probably better than what I could do,” Athanasia’s talents were athletic, not artistic. “You should definitely hire an artist to paint pictures for the baby’s room.”
“I've been fine, if not bored. You know how it is.”
The young princess nodded, remembering when she had fallen from her horse and broken her arm when she was five. She’d had to spend several weeks in bed and it had nearly driven her crazy. The only time she was happy was when her parents and brothers visited her. Maybe Evras felt much the same … and she would have to remain in bed for months. I will visit her more often from now on.
Athanasia thought she heard an imploring note in her sister-in-law’s voice when she asked if she had anything for her to do. She thought of the problems she was experiencing after taking Evras’ place as her mother’s assistant. This was the perfect time for her to express her concerns. And it was the initial reason for her visit. Evras would feel useful if she was able to give her pointers to help her adjust. It was so difficult, though, acknowledging weakness of any kind. It went against all of the principles she had been taught as a child.
Still …
“The Queen is teaching me how to run a household,” she began. “I’ve been assuming some of the duties that you usually assist her with.” Athanasia sighed. “You make it look so effortless but for me ...” The princess paused. It seemed wrong to say even that much, but she continued on. “It isn’t easy.”
Athanasia immediately regretted her careless words. Evras looked disappointed that she had called her painting awful, but she detected a trace of amusement in her expression as well.
“Is it really? Maybe I should leave the paintings for the baby's room to the professionals, you think?
Most young women would have apologized, but the princess saw no reason to give her sister-in-law false hope. If she hung that painting in the baby’s room, her little niece or nephew would have nightmares. If Athanasia woke up and that was the first thing she saw, so would she.
She knew that Evras was trying to occupy herself during her confinement, but there were many other things she could do, like read, sew, or start a new embroidery project. Perhaps she’d have better luck if she tried her hand at poetry. “It really is,” she admitted, “though it’s probably better than what I could do,” Athanasia’s talents were athletic, not artistic. “You should definitely hire an artist to paint pictures for the baby’s room.”
“I've been fine, if not bored. You know how it is.”
The young princess nodded, remembering when she had fallen from her horse and broken her arm when she was five. She’d had to spend several weeks in bed and it had nearly driven her crazy. The only time she was happy was when her parents and brothers visited her. Maybe Evras felt much the same … and she would have to remain in bed for months. I will visit her more often from now on.
Athanasia thought she heard an imploring note in her sister-in-law’s voice when she asked if she had anything for her to do. She thought of the problems she was experiencing after taking Evras’ place as her mother’s assistant. This was the perfect time for her to express her concerns. And it was the initial reason for her visit. Evras would feel useful if she was able to give her pointers to help her adjust. It was so difficult, though, acknowledging weakness of any kind. It went against all of the principles she had been taught as a child.
Still …
“The Queen is teaching me how to run a household,” she began. “I’ve been assuming some of the duties that you usually assist her with.” Athanasia sighed. “You make it look so effortless but for me ...” The princess paused. It seemed wrong to say even that much, but she continued on. “It isn’t easy.”
Evras laughed light heartedly, glad to see Athanasia could take her humor in a stride. While relationships between her and the Kotas at the beginning were rocky at best, Evras liked to believe she had made leaps and bounds in improvement, but Athanasia was likely the easiest time she had. The youngest princess of the Kotas family had been but a young child when she had joined the family, with an impressionable mind and a behavior much like her brothers, but a big heart. Her welcome of Evras had been enough to make them sisters, if not by blood.
Nodding in agreement, she eventually placed the botched up painting by a side to make more space for the young princess to take a seat upon her bed. It was sad that the highest points of her life now was either when she had visitors, when she took her daily bath (because she had a chance to walk!) or when her husband returned home (although sometimes, Zanon really returned far too late to have any sort of decent conversation at all, and Evras couldn't blame him for that), and while Evras was all for growing the babe within her womb, she now realized she was also quite eager to meet the child - because that meant she'd be given her freedom to roam back once again.
That Athanasia had been taking over some tasks of hers had been of no surprise to Evras, for Queen Yanni had mentioned that to her that evening when they had met the physician who had subsequently given her the instruction of bedrest. Evras did a large amount of running the household, from ensuring the menu and budget of the household was done on a weekly basis, to checking on the servants and ensuring the upkeep of all rooms. While they may seem menial tasks, they do add up quite abit over the course of the week, that Evras had had to train herself to be astute to remember the smallest of details.
"I do?" she asked in amusement, and then gave a wry grin. "Oh trust me, it isn't. It still isn't... but it comes with practice. You should've seen how often I made the Queen angry in my first few years." Evras murmured, internally wincing at the few times she remembered Yanni's face changing simply because Evras forgot to do something, or did it wrongly, and Yanni had to somehow salvage her mistake. It was a skill learned over the years however. "Which task is it do you find difficulty with?"
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Evras laughed light heartedly, glad to see Athanasia could take her humor in a stride. While relationships between her and the Kotas at the beginning were rocky at best, Evras liked to believe she had made leaps and bounds in improvement, but Athanasia was likely the easiest time she had. The youngest princess of the Kotas family had been but a young child when she had joined the family, with an impressionable mind and a behavior much like her brothers, but a big heart. Her welcome of Evras had been enough to make them sisters, if not by blood.
Nodding in agreement, she eventually placed the botched up painting by a side to make more space for the young princess to take a seat upon her bed. It was sad that the highest points of her life now was either when she had visitors, when she took her daily bath (because she had a chance to walk!) or when her husband returned home (although sometimes, Zanon really returned far too late to have any sort of decent conversation at all, and Evras couldn't blame him for that), and while Evras was all for growing the babe within her womb, she now realized she was also quite eager to meet the child - because that meant she'd be given her freedom to roam back once again.
That Athanasia had been taking over some tasks of hers had been of no surprise to Evras, for Queen Yanni had mentioned that to her that evening when they had met the physician who had subsequently given her the instruction of bedrest. Evras did a large amount of running the household, from ensuring the menu and budget of the household was done on a weekly basis, to checking on the servants and ensuring the upkeep of all rooms. While they may seem menial tasks, they do add up quite abit over the course of the week, that Evras had had to train herself to be astute to remember the smallest of details.
"I do?" she asked in amusement, and then gave a wry grin. "Oh trust me, it isn't. It still isn't... but it comes with practice. You should've seen how often I made the Queen angry in my first few years." Evras murmured, internally wincing at the few times she remembered Yanni's face changing simply because Evras forgot to do something, or did it wrongly, and Yanni had to somehow salvage her mistake. It was a skill learned over the years however. "Which task is it do you find difficulty with?"
Evras laughed light heartedly, glad to see Athanasia could take her humor in a stride. While relationships between her and the Kotas at the beginning were rocky at best, Evras liked to believe she had made leaps and bounds in improvement, but Athanasia was likely the easiest time she had. The youngest princess of the Kotas family had been but a young child when she had joined the family, with an impressionable mind and a behavior much like her brothers, but a big heart. Her welcome of Evras had been enough to make them sisters, if not by blood.
Nodding in agreement, she eventually placed the botched up painting by a side to make more space for the young princess to take a seat upon her bed. It was sad that the highest points of her life now was either when she had visitors, when she took her daily bath (because she had a chance to walk!) or when her husband returned home (although sometimes, Zanon really returned far too late to have any sort of decent conversation at all, and Evras couldn't blame him for that), and while Evras was all for growing the babe within her womb, she now realized she was also quite eager to meet the child - because that meant she'd be given her freedom to roam back once again.
That Athanasia had been taking over some tasks of hers had been of no surprise to Evras, for Queen Yanni had mentioned that to her that evening when they had met the physician who had subsequently given her the instruction of bedrest. Evras did a large amount of running the household, from ensuring the menu and budget of the household was done on a weekly basis, to checking on the servants and ensuring the upkeep of all rooms. While they may seem menial tasks, they do add up quite abit over the course of the week, that Evras had had to train herself to be astute to remember the smallest of details.
"I do?" she asked in amusement, and then gave a wry grin. "Oh trust me, it isn't. It still isn't... but it comes with practice. You should've seen how often I made the Queen angry in my first few years." Evras murmured, internally wincing at the few times she remembered Yanni's face changing simply because Evras forgot to do something, or did it wrongly, and Yanni had to somehow salvage her mistake. It was a skill learned over the years however. "Which task is it do you find difficulty with?"
After the dreadful attempt at art had been set aside, Athanasia scooted closer to Evras, trying not to make the mattress shake too much. Like most young women who had never had children, she was overly cautious and didn’t want to do anything that might hurt her sister-in-law or her unborn niece or nephew. What if the small sway of the mattress upset Evras’ stomach? She would never forgive herself. However, Evras had invited her to sit on the bed. If she thought the movement would bother her, she would have waved the princess toward a chair.
I don’t want children … ever. Athanasia knew she would have them eventually. It was her duty to give her husband heirs. If she was lucky, her first child would awaken a maternal instinct she was currently unaware of. She didn’t want her children to grow up with a mother who could hardly stand the sight of them.
Evras was a wonderful mother. The young princess had started playing with Dion when he was just a baby. It had been fun having someone in the household who was younger than she. As she grew up, she began to notice how well his mother took care of him, guiding him, protecting him, and teaching him right from wrong. She was proud of him too. Athanasia could see it in her eyes whenever she looked at him.
“I do? Oh trust me, it isn't. It still isn't... but it comes with practice. You should've seen how often I made the Queen angry in my first few years.”
There was amusement in Evras’s voice. Running the royal household wasn’t easy for her? And she made the Queen angry when she was first learning, as Athanasia was now? She supposed her mother might have been harder on Evras because if Vang never married or had children, she would take her place someday. If her eldest brother did marry, his wife would have to learn too. Maybe the Queen would be irritated with her as well. She had not reprimanded Athanasia yet, but had given her some good pointers. Was she doing better than Evras at this point, or was the Queen more lenient with her own daughter? She shouldn’t be, as Athanasia would be representing Colchis when she was wed.
“I can’t imagine Mother ever being irritated with you. The two of you get along so well.” The princess had been too young to pay attention to how her mother had treated Evras back then. Her studies had taken up most of her time, and learning to use a bow and steering clear of horses had consumed the rest of it.
“Which task is it do you find difficulty with?”
Now that she had admitted she was struggling, it was not as difficult for Athanasia to talk about it. “Tact. I just say what pops into my head when instructing the servants. I can tell that they think I’m rude. Mother says I’m doing fine, but I think I need to be kinder. One day I’ll probably be a princess or queen of another kingdom. They won’t understand Cochian ways. I need to win the favor of the people, not alienate them with my bluntness.
“Like just now when I said your painting was awful. I should have praised your use of color and then let you down gently instead of blurting out how horrible it was. You understand me and knew I wasn’t ridiculing you. Those who live in my future husband’s kingdom will not know me at all.”
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After the dreadful attempt at art had been set aside, Athanasia scooted closer to Evras, trying not to make the mattress shake too much. Like most young women who had never had children, she was overly cautious and didn’t want to do anything that might hurt her sister-in-law or her unborn niece or nephew. What if the small sway of the mattress upset Evras’ stomach? She would never forgive herself. However, Evras had invited her to sit on the bed. If she thought the movement would bother her, she would have waved the princess toward a chair.
I don’t want children … ever. Athanasia knew she would have them eventually. It was her duty to give her husband heirs. If she was lucky, her first child would awaken a maternal instinct she was currently unaware of. She didn’t want her children to grow up with a mother who could hardly stand the sight of them.
Evras was a wonderful mother. The young princess had started playing with Dion when he was just a baby. It had been fun having someone in the household who was younger than she. As she grew up, she began to notice how well his mother took care of him, guiding him, protecting him, and teaching him right from wrong. She was proud of him too. Athanasia could see it in her eyes whenever she looked at him.
“I do? Oh trust me, it isn't. It still isn't... but it comes with practice. You should've seen how often I made the Queen angry in my first few years.”
There was amusement in Evras’s voice. Running the royal household wasn’t easy for her? And she made the Queen angry when she was first learning, as Athanasia was now? She supposed her mother might have been harder on Evras because if Vang never married or had children, she would take her place someday. If her eldest brother did marry, his wife would have to learn too. Maybe the Queen would be irritated with her as well. She had not reprimanded Athanasia yet, but had given her some good pointers. Was she doing better than Evras at this point, or was the Queen more lenient with her own daughter? She shouldn’t be, as Athanasia would be representing Colchis when she was wed.
“I can’t imagine Mother ever being irritated with you. The two of you get along so well.” The princess had been too young to pay attention to how her mother had treated Evras back then. Her studies had taken up most of her time, and learning to use a bow and steering clear of horses had consumed the rest of it.
“Which task is it do you find difficulty with?”
Now that she had admitted she was struggling, it was not as difficult for Athanasia to talk about it. “Tact. I just say what pops into my head when instructing the servants. I can tell that they think I’m rude. Mother says I’m doing fine, but I think I need to be kinder. One day I’ll probably be a princess or queen of another kingdom. They won’t understand Cochian ways. I need to win the favor of the people, not alienate them with my bluntness.
“Like just now when I said your painting was awful. I should have praised your use of color and then let you down gently instead of blurting out how horrible it was. You understand me and knew I wasn’t ridiculing you. Those who live in my future husband’s kingdom will not know me at all.”
After the dreadful attempt at art had been set aside, Athanasia scooted closer to Evras, trying not to make the mattress shake too much. Like most young women who had never had children, she was overly cautious and didn’t want to do anything that might hurt her sister-in-law or her unborn niece or nephew. What if the small sway of the mattress upset Evras’ stomach? She would never forgive herself. However, Evras had invited her to sit on the bed. If she thought the movement would bother her, she would have waved the princess toward a chair.
I don’t want children … ever. Athanasia knew she would have them eventually. It was her duty to give her husband heirs. If she was lucky, her first child would awaken a maternal instinct she was currently unaware of. She didn’t want her children to grow up with a mother who could hardly stand the sight of them.
Evras was a wonderful mother. The young princess had started playing with Dion when he was just a baby. It had been fun having someone in the household who was younger than she. As she grew up, she began to notice how well his mother took care of him, guiding him, protecting him, and teaching him right from wrong. She was proud of him too. Athanasia could see it in her eyes whenever she looked at him.
“I do? Oh trust me, it isn't. It still isn't... but it comes with practice. You should've seen how often I made the Queen angry in my first few years.”
There was amusement in Evras’s voice. Running the royal household wasn’t easy for her? And she made the Queen angry when she was first learning, as Athanasia was now? She supposed her mother might have been harder on Evras because if Vang never married or had children, she would take her place someday. If her eldest brother did marry, his wife would have to learn too. Maybe the Queen would be irritated with her as well. She had not reprimanded Athanasia yet, but had given her some good pointers. Was she doing better than Evras at this point, or was the Queen more lenient with her own daughter? She shouldn’t be, as Athanasia would be representing Colchis when she was wed.
“I can’t imagine Mother ever being irritated with you. The two of you get along so well.” The princess had been too young to pay attention to how her mother had treated Evras back then. Her studies had taken up most of her time, and learning to use a bow and steering clear of horses had consumed the rest of it.
“Which task is it do you find difficulty with?”
Now that she had admitted she was struggling, it was not as difficult for Athanasia to talk about it. “Tact. I just say what pops into my head when instructing the servants. I can tell that they think I’m rude. Mother says I’m doing fine, but I think I need to be kinder. One day I’ll probably be a princess or queen of another kingdom. They won’t understand Cochian ways. I need to win the favor of the people, not alienate them with my bluntness.
“Like just now when I said your painting was awful. I should have praised your use of color and then let you down gently instead of blurting out how horrible it was. You understand me and knew I wasn’t ridiculing you. Those who live in my future husband’s kingdom will not know me at all.”
That Athanasia had no idea how irritated the Queen had been with Evras's ineptness at running a royal household was laughable, and the pregnant princess gave an amused chuckle at that. "We get along fine now, but it wasn't with no difficulty. Relationships take time to be worked at, Asia." she murmured in explanation. Of course, even up till today she suspected the Queen still harbored some levels of suspicion, especially now when Thea had also somehow managed to get herself impregnated by another Kotas brother, but it wasn't as if she had a choice. It was either ensure a good relationship with her mother-in-law or a lifetime of difficulty, so the choice was quite clear for her.
Of course, Asia had been young back then so likely saw everything with innocent tinted glasses that only children could have. But Evras kept those difficulties to herself, not wanting other's to think her weak. Her husband had his own share of whispers to deal with, and Nethis merely was happy she now was married into the royal household. Thea was likely the only one she came closest to telling of her troubles, but even Thea didn't know the extent of turmoil Evras had dealt with in the early days of her marriage.
Luckily for Evras, she was glad Athanasia finally opened up, and shifted to listen intently as the youngest of teh Kotas brood finally spilled what was bothering her. It wasn't as if the married princess didn't know that Athanasia had somewhat of a lack in filter between mind and mouth. It was an issue she's often heard the Queen or one of her brother's attempting to keep it in check, but yet... Evras didn't know if it would be a strength or a weakness.
"I'll agree with you that you do need to win the favor of people, but bluntness may not necessarily be bad. I would rather be told of my faults then be blinded to them, honestly. Besides, what happens if you were nice to me and I actually thought I could be an artist? I think getting honest feedback is far more important." she replied, reaching out to her sister-in-law and giving her upper arm a squeeze of comfort. "But try this - how about being blunt about good things and bad things? I don't think you necessarily have to be less blunt, but people like to hear good things. So perhaps... you could start and end with good points? Or offer solutions?" Afterall, no one would like to hear all the problems they had but nothing they could improve.
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That Athanasia had no idea how irritated the Queen had been with Evras's ineptness at running a royal household was laughable, and the pregnant princess gave an amused chuckle at that. "We get along fine now, but it wasn't with no difficulty. Relationships take time to be worked at, Asia." she murmured in explanation. Of course, even up till today she suspected the Queen still harbored some levels of suspicion, especially now when Thea had also somehow managed to get herself impregnated by another Kotas brother, but it wasn't as if she had a choice. It was either ensure a good relationship with her mother-in-law or a lifetime of difficulty, so the choice was quite clear for her.
Of course, Asia had been young back then so likely saw everything with innocent tinted glasses that only children could have. But Evras kept those difficulties to herself, not wanting other's to think her weak. Her husband had his own share of whispers to deal with, and Nethis merely was happy she now was married into the royal household. Thea was likely the only one she came closest to telling of her troubles, but even Thea didn't know the extent of turmoil Evras had dealt with in the early days of her marriage.
Luckily for Evras, she was glad Athanasia finally opened up, and shifted to listen intently as the youngest of teh Kotas brood finally spilled what was bothering her. It wasn't as if the married princess didn't know that Athanasia had somewhat of a lack in filter between mind and mouth. It was an issue she's often heard the Queen or one of her brother's attempting to keep it in check, but yet... Evras didn't know if it would be a strength or a weakness.
"I'll agree with you that you do need to win the favor of people, but bluntness may not necessarily be bad. I would rather be told of my faults then be blinded to them, honestly. Besides, what happens if you were nice to me and I actually thought I could be an artist? I think getting honest feedback is far more important." she replied, reaching out to her sister-in-law and giving her upper arm a squeeze of comfort. "But try this - how about being blunt about good things and bad things? I don't think you necessarily have to be less blunt, but people like to hear good things. So perhaps... you could start and end with good points? Or offer solutions?" Afterall, no one would like to hear all the problems they had but nothing they could improve.
That Athanasia had no idea how irritated the Queen had been with Evras's ineptness at running a royal household was laughable, and the pregnant princess gave an amused chuckle at that. "We get along fine now, but it wasn't with no difficulty. Relationships take time to be worked at, Asia." she murmured in explanation. Of course, even up till today she suspected the Queen still harbored some levels of suspicion, especially now when Thea had also somehow managed to get herself impregnated by another Kotas brother, but it wasn't as if she had a choice. It was either ensure a good relationship with her mother-in-law or a lifetime of difficulty, so the choice was quite clear for her.
Of course, Asia had been young back then so likely saw everything with innocent tinted glasses that only children could have. But Evras kept those difficulties to herself, not wanting other's to think her weak. Her husband had his own share of whispers to deal with, and Nethis merely was happy she now was married into the royal household. Thea was likely the only one she came closest to telling of her troubles, but even Thea didn't know the extent of turmoil Evras had dealt with in the early days of her marriage.
Luckily for Evras, she was glad Athanasia finally opened up, and shifted to listen intently as the youngest of teh Kotas brood finally spilled what was bothering her. It wasn't as if the married princess didn't know that Athanasia had somewhat of a lack in filter between mind and mouth. It was an issue she's often heard the Queen or one of her brother's attempting to keep it in check, but yet... Evras didn't know if it would be a strength or a weakness.
"I'll agree with you that you do need to win the favor of people, but bluntness may not necessarily be bad. I would rather be told of my faults then be blinded to them, honestly. Besides, what happens if you were nice to me and I actually thought I could be an artist? I think getting honest feedback is far more important." she replied, reaching out to her sister-in-law and giving her upper arm a squeeze of comfort. "But try this - how about being blunt about good things and bad things? I don't think you necessarily have to be less blunt, but people like to hear good things. So perhaps... you could start and end with good points? Or offer solutions?" Afterall, no one would like to hear all the problems they had but nothing they could improve.
It had not dawned on Athanasia until now that she was going to have to deal with a mother-in-law that she was going to have to try to get along with. If she was married to a nobleman, she would outrank him and his family, unless she moved to a kingdom that did not acknowledge foreign titles. She didn’t think her father would give her to a man who lived in a kingdom like that. He wouldn’t want the daughter whom he doted on to be lowered in status.
She would most likely wed a royal, and her mother-in-law would be either the Queen or the Dowager Queen. Perhaps she would be welcomed with open arms, or maybe her husband’s family would be a suspicious of her and she would be in the same situation in which Evras had found herself in all those years ago, trying to please a woman who did not approve of her.
Maybe the kingdom she married into would be as wary of Colchians as the Kotas were of the Thanasi. Athanasia would have to work hard to gain respect. Her mother-in-law would find fault in the way she had learned to manage a household and she would have to learn another way. How would she ever cope in such a hopeless situation? Her first instinct was to question everything and to say what was on her mind, which would probably not go over well.
What if her husband was critical of her too? Zan and Evras had their differences, but all in all, they seemed to be happy together. She wanted that kind of relationship for herself. What she was afraid of most was being shut away in a gilded cage because her husband and his family thought that she was an embarrassment, and only allowed out for public events. If she was sent off to a remote estate in the country where she was able and could hunt to her heart’s content and continue to sneak away in disguise, she would likely not complain. But what was the chance of that?
Athanasia had a deeper respect for everything that Evras had gone through now. Hopefully, she would be have the strength of character to handle the changes in her own life as well as her sister-in-law had. How long did she have until she was wed? Her mother had already brought up the subject. Were her parents in the process of selecting her future husband? Evras had been married when she was younger than the princess was now.
She listened intently to Evras’ advice. Bluntness was not always bad? Did people really appreciate being told of their faults? Athanasia was of this mindset herself, but she was a Kotas and had a thick skin. The truth, to her, was always better than lies, which did nobody any favors. How did one be blunt about both good and bad things? Perhaps she should give it a try.
“So I shouldn’t have just said outright that your painting was awful. I should have praised your effort and complimented the colors you used. Then I should have told you to leave the painting to professional artists, but if you wanted to learn how to paint, you should take lessons. Is that what you mean?”
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It had not dawned on Athanasia until now that she was going to have to deal with a mother-in-law that she was going to have to try to get along with. If she was married to a nobleman, she would outrank him and his family, unless she moved to a kingdom that did not acknowledge foreign titles. She didn’t think her father would give her to a man who lived in a kingdom like that. He wouldn’t want the daughter whom he doted on to be lowered in status.
She would most likely wed a royal, and her mother-in-law would be either the Queen or the Dowager Queen. Perhaps she would be welcomed with open arms, or maybe her husband’s family would be a suspicious of her and she would be in the same situation in which Evras had found herself in all those years ago, trying to please a woman who did not approve of her.
Maybe the kingdom she married into would be as wary of Colchians as the Kotas were of the Thanasi. Athanasia would have to work hard to gain respect. Her mother-in-law would find fault in the way she had learned to manage a household and she would have to learn another way. How would she ever cope in such a hopeless situation? Her first instinct was to question everything and to say what was on her mind, which would probably not go over well.
What if her husband was critical of her too? Zan and Evras had their differences, but all in all, they seemed to be happy together. She wanted that kind of relationship for herself. What she was afraid of most was being shut away in a gilded cage because her husband and his family thought that she was an embarrassment, and only allowed out for public events. If she was sent off to a remote estate in the country where she was able and could hunt to her heart’s content and continue to sneak away in disguise, she would likely not complain. But what was the chance of that?
Athanasia had a deeper respect for everything that Evras had gone through now. Hopefully, she would be have the strength of character to handle the changes in her own life as well as her sister-in-law had. How long did she have until she was wed? Her mother had already brought up the subject. Were her parents in the process of selecting her future husband? Evras had been married when she was younger than the princess was now.
She listened intently to Evras’ advice. Bluntness was not always bad? Did people really appreciate being told of their faults? Athanasia was of this mindset herself, but she was a Kotas and had a thick skin. The truth, to her, was always better than lies, which did nobody any favors. How did one be blunt about both good and bad things? Perhaps she should give it a try.
“So I shouldn’t have just said outright that your painting was awful. I should have praised your effort and complimented the colors you used. Then I should have told you to leave the painting to professional artists, but if you wanted to learn how to paint, you should take lessons. Is that what you mean?”
It had not dawned on Athanasia until now that she was going to have to deal with a mother-in-law that she was going to have to try to get along with. If she was married to a nobleman, she would outrank him and his family, unless she moved to a kingdom that did not acknowledge foreign titles. She didn’t think her father would give her to a man who lived in a kingdom like that. He wouldn’t want the daughter whom he doted on to be lowered in status.
She would most likely wed a royal, and her mother-in-law would be either the Queen or the Dowager Queen. Perhaps she would be welcomed with open arms, or maybe her husband’s family would be a suspicious of her and she would be in the same situation in which Evras had found herself in all those years ago, trying to please a woman who did not approve of her.
Maybe the kingdom she married into would be as wary of Colchians as the Kotas were of the Thanasi. Athanasia would have to work hard to gain respect. Her mother-in-law would find fault in the way she had learned to manage a household and she would have to learn another way. How would she ever cope in such a hopeless situation? Her first instinct was to question everything and to say what was on her mind, which would probably not go over well.
What if her husband was critical of her too? Zan and Evras had their differences, but all in all, they seemed to be happy together. She wanted that kind of relationship for herself. What she was afraid of most was being shut away in a gilded cage because her husband and his family thought that she was an embarrassment, and only allowed out for public events. If she was sent off to a remote estate in the country where she was able and could hunt to her heart’s content and continue to sneak away in disguise, she would likely not complain. But what was the chance of that?
Athanasia had a deeper respect for everything that Evras had gone through now. Hopefully, she would be have the strength of character to handle the changes in her own life as well as her sister-in-law had. How long did she have until she was wed? Her mother had already brought up the subject. Were her parents in the process of selecting her future husband? Evras had been married when she was younger than the princess was now.
She listened intently to Evras’ advice. Bluntness was not always bad? Did people really appreciate being told of their faults? Athanasia was of this mindset herself, but she was a Kotas and had a thick skin. The truth, to her, was always better than lies, which did nobody any favors. How did one be blunt about both good and bad things? Perhaps she should give it a try.
“So I shouldn’t have just said outright that your painting was awful. I should have praised your effort and complimented the colors you used. Then I should have told you to leave the painting to professional artists, but if you wanted to learn how to paint, you should take lessons. Is that what you mean?”
Evras was nothing if not familiar with the concept of blunt, afterall. How long had she have to live with people who pointed fingers with their assumptions of Thanasi and witchcraft? And she had to pretend she didn't hear anything, although it was far too clear that she could in fact hear every whisper exchanged in negativity regarding her and her birth family, along with how she managed to 'trap' the second prince into marriage.
So she, of all people, knew how horrible it felt. But she also knew how she felt the first time she had earned praise from Yanni, or whenever her father had a bout of lucidness and actually had a kind word to say to each of them. So yes, she knew bluntness when tempered with a kind word, could do wonders for people.
The princess chuckled, but gave an amused nod as Athanasia attempted putting in practice what Evras had said. "Not bad for a first attempt, sister. Somewhat like that. You could have done without the last part, but getting there. I know I have no eye for colors." she murmured with a hidden laugh in her words, her tone obvious she had taken no offense. Evras was a realist herself, and knew she had no eye for colors or painting, or even drawing in a straight line. She only did it now out of pure boredom.
"But tell me, what's happening in the household? Surely it isn't so terrible to deal with the housekeeper." Evras teased, her blue-green eyes twinkling. They all knew how anal their housekeeper could be, proud as a pin as she was to be working for the royal household. But truthfully, Evras did wish to help Athanasia. It was driving her absolutely mad to sit alone in a room and not move much, a stark contrast to her busy days before she had been instructed by a physician to remain still so her child could grow safely in her womb. "Perhaps I could give you pointers. It was what your mother used to offer me."
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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Evras was nothing if not familiar with the concept of blunt, afterall. How long had she have to live with people who pointed fingers with their assumptions of Thanasi and witchcraft? And she had to pretend she didn't hear anything, although it was far too clear that she could in fact hear every whisper exchanged in negativity regarding her and her birth family, along with how she managed to 'trap' the second prince into marriage.
So she, of all people, knew how horrible it felt. But she also knew how she felt the first time she had earned praise from Yanni, or whenever her father had a bout of lucidness and actually had a kind word to say to each of them. So yes, she knew bluntness when tempered with a kind word, could do wonders for people.
The princess chuckled, but gave an amused nod as Athanasia attempted putting in practice what Evras had said. "Not bad for a first attempt, sister. Somewhat like that. You could have done without the last part, but getting there. I know I have no eye for colors." she murmured with a hidden laugh in her words, her tone obvious she had taken no offense. Evras was a realist herself, and knew she had no eye for colors or painting, or even drawing in a straight line. She only did it now out of pure boredom.
"But tell me, what's happening in the household? Surely it isn't so terrible to deal with the housekeeper." Evras teased, her blue-green eyes twinkling. They all knew how anal their housekeeper could be, proud as a pin as she was to be working for the royal household. But truthfully, Evras did wish to help Athanasia. It was driving her absolutely mad to sit alone in a room and not move much, a stark contrast to her busy days before she had been instructed by a physician to remain still so her child could grow safely in her womb. "Perhaps I could give you pointers. It was what your mother used to offer me."
Evras was nothing if not familiar with the concept of blunt, afterall. How long had she have to live with people who pointed fingers with their assumptions of Thanasi and witchcraft? And she had to pretend she didn't hear anything, although it was far too clear that she could in fact hear every whisper exchanged in negativity regarding her and her birth family, along with how she managed to 'trap' the second prince into marriage.
So she, of all people, knew how horrible it felt. But she also knew how she felt the first time she had earned praise from Yanni, or whenever her father had a bout of lucidness and actually had a kind word to say to each of them. So yes, she knew bluntness when tempered with a kind word, could do wonders for people.
The princess chuckled, but gave an amused nod as Athanasia attempted putting in practice what Evras had said. "Not bad for a first attempt, sister. Somewhat like that. You could have done without the last part, but getting there. I know I have no eye for colors." she murmured with a hidden laugh in her words, her tone obvious she had taken no offense. Evras was a realist herself, and knew she had no eye for colors or painting, or even drawing in a straight line. She only did it now out of pure boredom.
"But tell me, what's happening in the household? Surely it isn't so terrible to deal with the housekeeper." Evras teased, her blue-green eyes twinkling. They all knew how anal their housekeeper could be, proud as a pin as she was to be working for the royal household. But truthfully, Evras did wish to help Athanasia. It was driving her absolutely mad to sit alone in a room and not move much, a stark contrast to her busy days before she had been instructed by a physician to remain still so her child could grow safely in her womb. "Perhaps I could give you pointers. It was what your mother used to offer me."
