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Theodora’s emotional reunion with her mother had been cut short the day of the Thesmophoria festival, the responsibilities of Queen superseding her desire to reconnect with her family. There hadn’t been much time that day to speak with the woman who raised her, and so the very next morning she had sent off a missive to the Leventi manor to invite Evelli for the midday meal. Much to Theo’s delight, her mother agreed, and so the young Queen eagerly awaited the woman’s arrival.
Dressed in a pale lavender chiton as a nod to the family she came from, golden fibulae in the shapes of lions’ heads served as a reminder of the family she married into. A golden belt cinched the garment at her waist, her only jewelry consisting of matching gold chains around her neck and bangles at her wrists. Her thick brunette locks were mostly left free, a few pins keeping them from her face, but otherwise loose. She saw no need to dress extravagantly just to visit with her mother, but she didn’t want to disrespect her either by dressing too plainly.
Pacing her solar somewhat impatiently, her face lit up when a servant entered to inform her of Evelli’s presence. Halting her steps, she smiled and nodded with a murmured thanks. “Please, bring her here. Don’t keep her waiting any longer.”
Seating herself at the small table that was already set with a variety of fruits, cheeses, and smoked meats, her mouth watered as she looked at them. Theodora had been ravenously hungry lately, and she wasn’t really sure why. The days she wasn’t hungry were days she spent horribly nauseous, but the Queen simply wrote it all off to stress. Thrust into such an important role so soon after her wedding (a spectacle in itself), not to mention her husband’s departure to war not even two weeks later, she thought it was understandable, even normal, that her body should react in such a way. After all, she hadn’t been prepared for this. Stress was normal in times like these.
When the servant brought her mother back to the room, Theo rose back to her feet with another broad smile. Dismissing the young man with a nod, she rushed over to her mother and wrapped her in a tight hug. “I’m so happy you were able to come today,” she said as she stepped back, the joyful smile never leaving her face. “I’ve missed you terribly. Papa has come to call when he can, but it’s so rare either of us has the time. And besides, Papa is not you. There are some things you only want to talk to your mother about.”
Gesturing toward the table heaped with food, she urged Evelli, “Please, come sit and tell me everything. I thought we might take our meal in here, where, hopefully, we won’t be interrupted too many times.”
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Theodora’s emotional reunion with her mother had been cut short the day of the Thesmophoria festival, the responsibilities of Queen superseding her desire to reconnect with her family. There hadn’t been much time that day to speak with the woman who raised her, and so the very next morning she had sent off a missive to the Leventi manor to invite Evelli for the midday meal. Much to Theo’s delight, her mother agreed, and so the young Queen eagerly awaited the woman’s arrival.
Dressed in a pale lavender chiton as a nod to the family she came from, golden fibulae in the shapes of lions’ heads served as a reminder of the family she married into. A golden belt cinched the garment at her waist, her only jewelry consisting of matching gold chains around her neck and bangles at her wrists. Her thick brunette locks were mostly left free, a few pins keeping them from her face, but otherwise loose. She saw no need to dress extravagantly just to visit with her mother, but she didn’t want to disrespect her either by dressing too plainly.
Pacing her solar somewhat impatiently, her face lit up when a servant entered to inform her of Evelli’s presence. Halting her steps, she smiled and nodded with a murmured thanks. “Please, bring her here. Don’t keep her waiting any longer.”
Seating herself at the small table that was already set with a variety of fruits, cheeses, and smoked meats, her mouth watered as she looked at them. Theodora had been ravenously hungry lately, and she wasn’t really sure why. The days she wasn’t hungry were days she spent horribly nauseous, but the Queen simply wrote it all off to stress. Thrust into such an important role so soon after her wedding (a spectacle in itself), not to mention her husband’s departure to war not even two weeks later, she thought it was understandable, even normal, that her body should react in such a way. After all, she hadn’t been prepared for this. Stress was normal in times like these.
When the servant brought her mother back to the room, Theo rose back to her feet with another broad smile. Dismissing the young man with a nod, she rushed over to her mother and wrapped her in a tight hug. “I’m so happy you were able to come today,” she said as she stepped back, the joyful smile never leaving her face. “I’ve missed you terribly. Papa has come to call when he can, but it’s so rare either of us has the time. And besides, Papa is not you. There are some things you only want to talk to your mother about.”
Gesturing toward the table heaped with food, she urged Evelli, “Please, come sit and tell me everything. I thought we might take our meal in here, where, hopefully, we won’t be interrupted too many times.”
Theodora’s emotional reunion with her mother had been cut short the day of the Thesmophoria festival, the responsibilities of Queen superseding her desire to reconnect with her family. There hadn’t been much time that day to speak with the woman who raised her, and so the very next morning she had sent off a missive to the Leventi manor to invite Evelli for the midday meal. Much to Theo’s delight, her mother agreed, and so the young Queen eagerly awaited the woman’s arrival.
Dressed in a pale lavender chiton as a nod to the family she came from, golden fibulae in the shapes of lions’ heads served as a reminder of the family she married into. A golden belt cinched the garment at her waist, her only jewelry consisting of matching gold chains around her neck and bangles at her wrists. Her thick brunette locks were mostly left free, a few pins keeping them from her face, but otherwise loose. She saw no need to dress extravagantly just to visit with her mother, but she didn’t want to disrespect her either by dressing too plainly.
Pacing her solar somewhat impatiently, her face lit up when a servant entered to inform her of Evelli’s presence. Halting her steps, she smiled and nodded with a murmured thanks. “Please, bring her here. Don’t keep her waiting any longer.”
Seating herself at the small table that was already set with a variety of fruits, cheeses, and smoked meats, her mouth watered as she looked at them. Theodora had been ravenously hungry lately, and she wasn’t really sure why. The days she wasn’t hungry were days she spent horribly nauseous, but the Queen simply wrote it all off to stress. Thrust into such an important role so soon after her wedding (a spectacle in itself), not to mention her husband’s departure to war not even two weeks later, she thought it was understandable, even normal, that her body should react in such a way. After all, she hadn’t been prepared for this. Stress was normal in times like these.
When the servant brought her mother back to the room, Theo rose back to her feet with another broad smile. Dismissing the young man with a nod, she rushed over to her mother and wrapped her in a tight hug. “I’m so happy you were able to come today,” she said as she stepped back, the joyful smile never leaving her face. “I’ve missed you terribly. Papa has come to call when he can, but it’s so rare either of us has the time. And besides, Papa is not you. There are some things you only want to talk to your mother about.”
Gesturing toward the table heaped with food, she urged Evelli, “Please, come sit and tell me everything. I thought we might take our meal in here, where, hopefully, we won’t be interrupted too many times.”
While Evelli would've dearly liked to spend more time with Theodora just to find out how her third born had been ever since the wedding Evelli had had to leave early from, and the disastrous events that followed (which she could only hear second hand from her husband), their reunion at Thesmophoria had been cut short due to weather inasmuch as it was also due to Theodora's new duties as a Queen now. With the other four of her daughters needing settling and Evelli's increasing morning illness, she had finally eventually found the time to join Theodora as her daughter had invited her.
Going to the palati was nothing new to Evelli, for as wife to Georgios, she had attended many court sessions. But to be within the inner walls of the palati was a first for the matriarch, for despite being of Leventi birth, there had never been a reason for her to enter all the way to the solar rooms. They had afterall, always been of Mikaelidas family rooms - except now, Theodora was one, she supposed. It was still a hard concept for her to wrap her head around.
She had promised Georgios she would see a physician, and she knew it'd have to be soon for her ailment, but Evelli still wanted to see Theodora first. So that morning, she had dressed in her finest red chiton when she had received the missive, coiffing her hair in its updo before dusting her cheeks with kohl and paint. Her carriage arrived right on time, and by the time the midday meal rolled around, Evelli was arriving right at the doorstep of the palati where her black leather slipper cladded feet were led right to the foyer as the servants announced her arrival.
Despite being curious at her surroundings, Evelli always maintained a cool composure, walking in the regal air her mother had always taught her to when the servants led her to the solar. It was only when her eyes fell upon Theodora, did Evelli finally relax as she embraced her daughter, glad to finally see her.
"I would've have missed it for the world." she murmured. Granted, she'd have to return soon to check on Tisiphone and Olympia, with Selene still morose (but she had sent Georgios to ensure of their elder daughter's wellbeing), but she also had Theodora to check on. Evelli had too many daughters, and while she knew the necessity needed to care for them, it didn't mean she had enough time all the time. She simply made time.
Smiling when Theodora spoke of Georgios, she knew her husband had done his best to see the new Queen, but Georgios had his way with Selene, Imma and Nana, same as how Evelli had her way with Theodora and Olympia. It was just how they worked in parenting somehow. "Your father is worried still, Theo. You know that." she reminded gently, as she followed Theodora to the table laden with food, her eyes widening a little. "Do you always feed a small army here?" she teased, taking a seat before turning to Theo. "You have to tell me of yourself first, Theo. I'm sorry I couldn't stay for the whole wedding. I'm sure Achilleas hasn't had an easy time."
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While Evelli would've dearly liked to spend more time with Theodora just to find out how her third born had been ever since the wedding Evelli had had to leave early from, and the disastrous events that followed (which she could only hear second hand from her husband), their reunion at Thesmophoria had been cut short due to weather inasmuch as it was also due to Theodora's new duties as a Queen now. With the other four of her daughters needing settling and Evelli's increasing morning illness, she had finally eventually found the time to join Theodora as her daughter had invited her.
Going to the palati was nothing new to Evelli, for as wife to Georgios, she had attended many court sessions. But to be within the inner walls of the palati was a first for the matriarch, for despite being of Leventi birth, there had never been a reason for her to enter all the way to the solar rooms. They had afterall, always been of Mikaelidas family rooms - except now, Theodora was one, she supposed. It was still a hard concept for her to wrap her head around.
She had promised Georgios she would see a physician, and she knew it'd have to be soon for her ailment, but Evelli still wanted to see Theodora first. So that morning, she had dressed in her finest red chiton when she had received the missive, coiffing her hair in its updo before dusting her cheeks with kohl and paint. Her carriage arrived right on time, and by the time the midday meal rolled around, Evelli was arriving right at the doorstep of the palati where her black leather slipper cladded feet were led right to the foyer as the servants announced her arrival.
Despite being curious at her surroundings, Evelli always maintained a cool composure, walking in the regal air her mother had always taught her to when the servants led her to the solar. It was only when her eyes fell upon Theodora, did Evelli finally relax as she embraced her daughter, glad to finally see her.
"I would've have missed it for the world." she murmured. Granted, she'd have to return soon to check on Tisiphone and Olympia, with Selene still morose (but she had sent Georgios to ensure of their elder daughter's wellbeing), but she also had Theodora to check on. Evelli had too many daughters, and while she knew the necessity needed to care for them, it didn't mean she had enough time all the time. She simply made time.
Smiling when Theodora spoke of Georgios, she knew her husband had done his best to see the new Queen, but Georgios had his way with Selene, Imma and Nana, same as how Evelli had her way with Theodora and Olympia. It was just how they worked in parenting somehow. "Your father is worried still, Theo. You know that." she reminded gently, as she followed Theodora to the table laden with food, her eyes widening a little. "Do you always feed a small army here?" she teased, taking a seat before turning to Theo. "You have to tell me of yourself first, Theo. I'm sorry I couldn't stay for the whole wedding. I'm sure Achilleas hasn't had an easy time."
While Evelli would've dearly liked to spend more time with Theodora just to find out how her third born had been ever since the wedding Evelli had had to leave early from, and the disastrous events that followed (which she could only hear second hand from her husband), their reunion at Thesmophoria had been cut short due to weather inasmuch as it was also due to Theodora's new duties as a Queen now. With the other four of her daughters needing settling and Evelli's increasing morning illness, she had finally eventually found the time to join Theodora as her daughter had invited her.
Going to the palati was nothing new to Evelli, for as wife to Georgios, she had attended many court sessions. But to be within the inner walls of the palati was a first for the matriarch, for despite being of Leventi birth, there had never been a reason for her to enter all the way to the solar rooms. They had afterall, always been of Mikaelidas family rooms - except now, Theodora was one, she supposed. It was still a hard concept for her to wrap her head around.
She had promised Georgios she would see a physician, and she knew it'd have to be soon for her ailment, but Evelli still wanted to see Theodora first. So that morning, she had dressed in her finest red chiton when she had received the missive, coiffing her hair in its updo before dusting her cheeks with kohl and paint. Her carriage arrived right on time, and by the time the midday meal rolled around, Evelli was arriving right at the doorstep of the palati where her black leather slipper cladded feet were led right to the foyer as the servants announced her arrival.
Despite being curious at her surroundings, Evelli always maintained a cool composure, walking in the regal air her mother had always taught her to when the servants led her to the solar. It was only when her eyes fell upon Theodora, did Evelli finally relax as she embraced her daughter, glad to finally see her.
"I would've have missed it for the world." she murmured. Granted, she'd have to return soon to check on Tisiphone and Olympia, with Selene still morose (but she had sent Georgios to ensure of their elder daughter's wellbeing), but she also had Theodora to check on. Evelli had too many daughters, and while she knew the necessity needed to care for them, it didn't mean she had enough time all the time. She simply made time.
Smiling when Theodora spoke of Georgios, she knew her husband had done his best to see the new Queen, but Georgios had his way with Selene, Imma and Nana, same as how Evelli had her way with Theodora and Olympia. It was just how they worked in parenting somehow. "Your father is worried still, Theo. You know that." she reminded gently, as she followed Theodora to the table laden with food, her eyes widening a little. "Do you always feed a small army here?" she teased, taking a seat before turning to Theo. "You have to tell me of yourself first, Theo. I'm sorry I couldn't stay for the whole wedding. I'm sure Achilleas hasn't had an easy time."
Your father is worried still, Theo. You know that.
“I know,” she murmured in return, piling her plate with a helping of just about everything on display. “Just as I know he means well. He and Imma have been wonderful; truly, I did not mean to sound ungrateful. I don’t know what I would have done without either of them.”
Laughing at her mother’s comment on the amount of food the Queen had asked for, her expression was almost sheepish. “I’ve just been so hungry lately,” she replied with a shrug. “It seems I can never get enough. Comfort eating, I suppose.” She laughed again as she bit into a ripe piece of melon, salivating at the sweetness that filled her mouth. Chewing and swallowing, she joked, “I probably could eat all of it myself at this point, so make sure you take what you want before I do just that.”
Theodora’s expression sobered as Evelli went on to speak of the wedding and Achilleas, shaking her head with a soft sigh. “It certainly has not been easy,” she agreed, thinking back on the nights that followed the wedding, her husband moving mechanically through his day as he seemed so many miles away from her. “Achilleas did his best to shield me from it, I think, but his father’s death hit him harder than he would ever express. It was all I could do to get through to him and offer any comfort at all. Not to mention that it couldn’t have happened on a worse day.”
The Queen would never forget the sight of Irakles dropping to the floor on her wedding day, the chaos and confusion that followed. Expecting to become a baroness at the beginning of their engagement, then a princess, then suddenly a queen instead… Achilleas wasn’t the only one having a hard time adjusting. Dreams of grandeur were one thing, but the abrupt and earth-shattering reality was something else entirely. And then to have her husband depart for war barely two weeks later…
“I worry for him,” she confessed, dropping her eyes to her plate as she shifted some of her food around. “I know his prowess in battle is practically unmatched, but…” Sighing, she bit her lip and turned glassy eyes to her mother. “Our marriage is still so new. I do not want to be a widow so soon.” Fidgeting with the skirt of her chiton, she dropped her gaze again and shook her head. “Barely wed with hardly a moment to get to know each other, and already he is gone. It has not been… ideal, I will say that.”
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Your father is worried still, Theo. You know that.
“I know,” she murmured in return, piling her plate with a helping of just about everything on display. “Just as I know he means well. He and Imma have been wonderful; truly, I did not mean to sound ungrateful. I don’t know what I would have done without either of them.”
Laughing at her mother’s comment on the amount of food the Queen had asked for, her expression was almost sheepish. “I’ve just been so hungry lately,” she replied with a shrug. “It seems I can never get enough. Comfort eating, I suppose.” She laughed again as she bit into a ripe piece of melon, salivating at the sweetness that filled her mouth. Chewing and swallowing, she joked, “I probably could eat all of it myself at this point, so make sure you take what you want before I do just that.”
Theodora’s expression sobered as Evelli went on to speak of the wedding and Achilleas, shaking her head with a soft sigh. “It certainly has not been easy,” she agreed, thinking back on the nights that followed the wedding, her husband moving mechanically through his day as he seemed so many miles away from her. “Achilleas did his best to shield me from it, I think, but his father’s death hit him harder than he would ever express. It was all I could do to get through to him and offer any comfort at all. Not to mention that it couldn’t have happened on a worse day.”
The Queen would never forget the sight of Irakles dropping to the floor on her wedding day, the chaos and confusion that followed. Expecting to become a baroness at the beginning of their engagement, then a princess, then suddenly a queen instead… Achilleas wasn’t the only one having a hard time adjusting. Dreams of grandeur were one thing, but the abrupt and earth-shattering reality was something else entirely. And then to have her husband depart for war barely two weeks later…
“I worry for him,” she confessed, dropping her eyes to her plate as she shifted some of her food around. “I know his prowess in battle is practically unmatched, but…” Sighing, she bit her lip and turned glassy eyes to her mother. “Our marriage is still so new. I do not want to be a widow so soon.” Fidgeting with the skirt of her chiton, she dropped her gaze again and shook her head. “Barely wed with hardly a moment to get to know each other, and already he is gone. It has not been… ideal, I will say that.”
Your father is worried still, Theo. You know that.
“I know,” she murmured in return, piling her plate with a helping of just about everything on display. “Just as I know he means well. He and Imma have been wonderful; truly, I did not mean to sound ungrateful. I don’t know what I would have done without either of them.”
Laughing at her mother’s comment on the amount of food the Queen had asked for, her expression was almost sheepish. “I’ve just been so hungry lately,” she replied with a shrug. “It seems I can never get enough. Comfort eating, I suppose.” She laughed again as she bit into a ripe piece of melon, salivating at the sweetness that filled her mouth. Chewing and swallowing, she joked, “I probably could eat all of it myself at this point, so make sure you take what you want before I do just that.”
Theodora’s expression sobered as Evelli went on to speak of the wedding and Achilleas, shaking her head with a soft sigh. “It certainly has not been easy,” she agreed, thinking back on the nights that followed the wedding, her husband moving mechanically through his day as he seemed so many miles away from her. “Achilleas did his best to shield me from it, I think, but his father’s death hit him harder than he would ever express. It was all I could do to get through to him and offer any comfort at all. Not to mention that it couldn’t have happened on a worse day.”
The Queen would never forget the sight of Irakles dropping to the floor on her wedding day, the chaos and confusion that followed. Expecting to become a baroness at the beginning of their engagement, then a princess, then suddenly a queen instead… Achilleas wasn’t the only one having a hard time adjusting. Dreams of grandeur were one thing, but the abrupt and earth-shattering reality was something else entirely. And then to have her husband depart for war barely two weeks later…
“I worry for him,” she confessed, dropping her eyes to her plate as she shifted some of her food around. “I know his prowess in battle is practically unmatched, but…” Sighing, she bit her lip and turned glassy eyes to her mother. “Our marriage is still so new. I do not want to be a widow so soon.” Fidgeting with the skirt of her chiton, she dropped her gaze again and shook her head. “Barely wed with hardly a moment to get to know each other, and already he is gone. It has not been… ideal, I will say that.”
Evelli couldn't help but watch... just watch, at the amount of food Theodora seemed to be packing away, and then mentally did some maths in her head. It's been... about three months since she had gotten married? Two? Honestly, the matron wasn't entirely sure, but definitely some months, since Tisiphone had grown so much by now. Comfort eating was what Theodora called it, and while Evelli wanted very much to believe her, as the mother looked closer, she found herself scrutinzing automatically for details that would tell her more. She was no physician, but having been pregnant for five times now, she had experience under her belt at least.
But keeping her assumptions to herself for now, Evelli merely picked up some cheese and smoked meats, chewing as she listened and allowed Theodora the safe space to rant. If Evelli had felt enormous pressure the first few months of being married to the second son of a Leventi, she couldn't imagine what Theodora felt now. That Achilleas did his best to protect his new wife earned Evelli some brownie points in her book, but she had yet to have a proper talk with her new son-in-law after the wedding had taken place. Far too many things had taken place after she had returned to Taengea, Evelli felt like she had barely had the time to take a breather.
Reaching out to clasp her hands over Theodora as she started sighing, Evelli was quick to catch the pair of glassy eyes, and instinctively squeezed her daughter's hand, hoping to offer some measure of comfort. She couldn't promise her daughter that Achilleas would return. Afterall, on Ares's field, Thanathos was undiscerning and would claim whoever he liked. "I understand Theo. But whatever happens, you know you can come to us, right?" she murmured, the best comfort she could give at the moment being the security of her family.
"How about your new home?" she asked, although she hoped Theo got the message. She was curious as to how her daughter was getting along with the former Queen Mother and the two princesses. Granted, they've always had a cordial relationship with the former royal family, but Evelli had barely had the time to get to know the Queen Mother from Olympia's quick marriage to Stephanos, and she doubted Queen Elise would be all too happy with both her husband and eldest son dead, and now her youngest being hunted for a supposed, unproven crime he had committed.
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Evelli couldn't help but watch... just watch, at the amount of food Theodora seemed to be packing away, and then mentally did some maths in her head. It's been... about three months since she had gotten married? Two? Honestly, the matron wasn't entirely sure, but definitely some months, since Tisiphone had grown so much by now. Comfort eating was what Theodora called it, and while Evelli wanted very much to believe her, as the mother looked closer, she found herself scrutinzing automatically for details that would tell her more. She was no physician, but having been pregnant for five times now, she had experience under her belt at least.
But keeping her assumptions to herself for now, Evelli merely picked up some cheese and smoked meats, chewing as she listened and allowed Theodora the safe space to rant. If Evelli had felt enormous pressure the first few months of being married to the second son of a Leventi, she couldn't imagine what Theodora felt now. That Achilleas did his best to protect his new wife earned Evelli some brownie points in her book, but she had yet to have a proper talk with her new son-in-law after the wedding had taken place. Far too many things had taken place after she had returned to Taengea, Evelli felt like she had barely had the time to take a breather.
Reaching out to clasp her hands over Theodora as she started sighing, Evelli was quick to catch the pair of glassy eyes, and instinctively squeezed her daughter's hand, hoping to offer some measure of comfort. She couldn't promise her daughter that Achilleas would return. Afterall, on Ares's field, Thanathos was undiscerning and would claim whoever he liked. "I understand Theo. But whatever happens, you know you can come to us, right?" she murmured, the best comfort she could give at the moment being the security of her family.
"How about your new home?" she asked, although she hoped Theo got the message. She was curious as to how her daughter was getting along with the former Queen Mother and the two princesses. Granted, they've always had a cordial relationship with the former royal family, but Evelli had barely had the time to get to know the Queen Mother from Olympia's quick marriage to Stephanos, and she doubted Queen Elise would be all too happy with both her husband and eldest son dead, and now her youngest being hunted for a supposed, unproven crime he had committed.
Evelli couldn't help but watch... just watch, at the amount of food Theodora seemed to be packing away, and then mentally did some maths in her head. It's been... about three months since she had gotten married? Two? Honestly, the matron wasn't entirely sure, but definitely some months, since Tisiphone had grown so much by now. Comfort eating was what Theodora called it, and while Evelli wanted very much to believe her, as the mother looked closer, she found herself scrutinzing automatically for details that would tell her more. She was no physician, but having been pregnant for five times now, she had experience under her belt at least.
But keeping her assumptions to herself for now, Evelli merely picked up some cheese and smoked meats, chewing as she listened and allowed Theodora the safe space to rant. If Evelli had felt enormous pressure the first few months of being married to the second son of a Leventi, she couldn't imagine what Theodora felt now. That Achilleas did his best to protect his new wife earned Evelli some brownie points in her book, but she had yet to have a proper talk with her new son-in-law after the wedding had taken place. Far too many things had taken place after she had returned to Taengea, Evelli felt like she had barely had the time to take a breather.
Reaching out to clasp her hands over Theodora as she started sighing, Evelli was quick to catch the pair of glassy eyes, and instinctively squeezed her daughter's hand, hoping to offer some measure of comfort. She couldn't promise her daughter that Achilleas would return. Afterall, on Ares's field, Thanathos was undiscerning and would claim whoever he liked. "I understand Theo. But whatever happens, you know you can come to us, right?" she murmured, the best comfort she could give at the moment being the security of her family.
"How about your new home?" she asked, although she hoped Theo got the message. She was curious as to how her daughter was getting along with the former Queen Mother and the two princesses. Granted, they've always had a cordial relationship with the former royal family, but Evelli had barely had the time to get to know the Queen Mother from Olympia's quick marriage to Stephanos, and she doubted Queen Elise would be all too happy with both her husband and eldest son dead, and now her youngest being hunted for a supposed, unproven crime he had committed.
Theodora wove her hands with her mother’s when she reached out in comfort, offering the hint of a smile. While she did not love Achilleas, she did care for him, and she did not want to lose him. They hadn’t had the time to be anything more than what they were, but she still hoped that could change. That couldn’t change, however, if he never returned, and that was not a possibility she was yet ready to accept. Evelli’s words only went so far to soothe her, but Theo knew there was little more she could offer.
“I know,” she murmured, dropping her eyes back to her overfilled plate. “But I just hope I don’t… have to come to you. I just… I just want everything to work out.” The words fell short, but what more could she really say? “I don’t want to be a burden. To you or Papa or… anyone. Especially with another sibling on the way. Gods know you two have enough on your hands already.” The smile she offered her mother was more genuine this time, glancing down at the older woman’s gently rounded belly before squeezing her fingers and letting go to continue eating.
How about your new home?
Evelli’s tone was subtle, but there was a look in her face that let her daughter know what she meant. “My new cousins have been very welcoming,” Theo assured the Leventi matron as she nibbled on a bit of cheese. Xene and Gianna had been lovely since her arrival, and she couldn’t be more thankful. It had made an already difficult transition at least a little bit easier. “As has my new… brother.” It felt very strange to name Emilios as such, but technically, that’s what they were now. Truthfully, having him under the same roof was akin to torture, knowing what they had once been, and what they never could be again. But this much, she did not mention to her mother. Some things were better left unsaid.
“Elise has not been, er, unkind, but I don’t believe she likes me very much, either. I suppose I can’t really blame her.” With Theodora and Achilleas in the position that should have rightfully been held by one of her own children, the new Queen had at least an inkling of how the former Queen must feel. Not that Theo or Achilleas could have predicted what happened, but there was little to be done for it now. Hopefully, the woman’s opinion of them would soften in time.
“I am surviving,” she assured Evelli as she poured herself a cup of water from a nearby decanter. “I think that’s all any of us can do in a time like this.”
Taking a sip from her glass, she looked at her mother with a wistful expression. “I wish I could just come with you and Papa to Macendia. I think I took for granted how simple life was before.” Shaking her head, she sighed. “I may be able to arrange a visit, but I do not know when or for how long, particularly with so little word coming from the south. I have to be here in case… well. In case.” Biting her lip, she did her best to shake off the nagging worry constantly pricking at the back of her mind before she asked, “Do you know when you will leave? I’m sure Papa is itching to go soon.”
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Theodora wove her hands with her mother’s when she reached out in comfort, offering the hint of a smile. While she did not love Achilleas, she did care for him, and she did not want to lose him. They hadn’t had the time to be anything more than what they were, but she still hoped that could change. That couldn’t change, however, if he never returned, and that was not a possibility she was yet ready to accept. Evelli’s words only went so far to soothe her, but Theo knew there was little more she could offer.
“I know,” she murmured, dropping her eyes back to her overfilled plate. “But I just hope I don’t… have to come to you. I just… I just want everything to work out.” The words fell short, but what more could she really say? “I don’t want to be a burden. To you or Papa or… anyone. Especially with another sibling on the way. Gods know you two have enough on your hands already.” The smile she offered her mother was more genuine this time, glancing down at the older woman’s gently rounded belly before squeezing her fingers and letting go to continue eating.
How about your new home?
Evelli’s tone was subtle, but there was a look in her face that let her daughter know what she meant. “My new cousins have been very welcoming,” Theo assured the Leventi matron as she nibbled on a bit of cheese. Xene and Gianna had been lovely since her arrival, and she couldn’t be more thankful. It had made an already difficult transition at least a little bit easier. “As has my new… brother.” It felt very strange to name Emilios as such, but technically, that’s what they were now. Truthfully, having him under the same roof was akin to torture, knowing what they had once been, and what they never could be again. But this much, she did not mention to her mother. Some things were better left unsaid.
“Elise has not been, er, unkind, but I don’t believe she likes me very much, either. I suppose I can’t really blame her.” With Theodora and Achilleas in the position that should have rightfully been held by one of her own children, the new Queen had at least an inkling of how the former Queen must feel. Not that Theo or Achilleas could have predicted what happened, but there was little to be done for it now. Hopefully, the woman’s opinion of them would soften in time.
“I am surviving,” she assured Evelli as she poured herself a cup of water from a nearby decanter. “I think that’s all any of us can do in a time like this.”
Taking a sip from her glass, she looked at her mother with a wistful expression. “I wish I could just come with you and Papa to Macendia. I think I took for granted how simple life was before.” Shaking her head, she sighed. “I may be able to arrange a visit, but I do not know when or for how long, particularly with so little word coming from the south. I have to be here in case… well. In case.” Biting her lip, she did her best to shake off the nagging worry constantly pricking at the back of her mind before she asked, “Do you know when you will leave? I’m sure Papa is itching to go soon.”
Theodora wove her hands with her mother’s when she reached out in comfort, offering the hint of a smile. While she did not love Achilleas, she did care for him, and she did not want to lose him. They hadn’t had the time to be anything more than what they were, but she still hoped that could change. That couldn’t change, however, if he never returned, and that was not a possibility she was yet ready to accept. Evelli’s words only went so far to soothe her, but Theo knew there was little more she could offer.
“I know,” she murmured, dropping her eyes back to her overfilled plate. “But I just hope I don’t… have to come to you. I just… I just want everything to work out.” The words fell short, but what more could she really say? “I don’t want to be a burden. To you or Papa or… anyone. Especially with another sibling on the way. Gods know you two have enough on your hands already.” The smile she offered her mother was more genuine this time, glancing down at the older woman’s gently rounded belly before squeezing her fingers and letting go to continue eating.
How about your new home?
Evelli’s tone was subtle, but there was a look in her face that let her daughter know what she meant. “My new cousins have been very welcoming,” Theo assured the Leventi matron as she nibbled on a bit of cheese. Xene and Gianna had been lovely since her arrival, and she couldn’t be more thankful. It had made an already difficult transition at least a little bit easier. “As has my new… brother.” It felt very strange to name Emilios as such, but technically, that’s what they were now. Truthfully, having him under the same roof was akin to torture, knowing what they had once been, and what they never could be again. But this much, she did not mention to her mother. Some things were better left unsaid.
“Elise has not been, er, unkind, but I don’t believe she likes me very much, either. I suppose I can’t really blame her.” With Theodora and Achilleas in the position that should have rightfully been held by one of her own children, the new Queen had at least an inkling of how the former Queen must feel. Not that Theo or Achilleas could have predicted what happened, but there was little to be done for it now. Hopefully, the woman’s opinion of them would soften in time.
“I am surviving,” she assured Evelli as she poured herself a cup of water from a nearby decanter. “I think that’s all any of us can do in a time like this.”
Taking a sip from her glass, she looked at her mother with a wistful expression. “I wish I could just come with you and Papa to Macendia. I think I took for granted how simple life was before.” Shaking her head, she sighed. “I may be able to arrange a visit, but I do not know when or for how long, particularly with so little word coming from the south. I have to be here in case… well. In case.” Biting her lip, she did her best to shake off the nagging worry constantly pricking at the back of her mind before she asked, “Do you know when you will leave? I’m sure Papa is itching to go soon.”
Perhaps the hardest thing about being a mother, is knowing when to let them go. Evelli had spent most, if not all her life since the birth of her eldest daughter preparing for the day the girls would get married. They would get the best, most high ranking husbands. With beauty rumored to be blessed by Aphrodite herself, and the backing of the Leventi name, Evelli was convinced they would marry to King's and princes, and true enough, her wishes and hardwork came true.
But what she had not expected on the backend of it all, was the difficulty in watching her daughters grow up to be woman, and reminding herself she can't hold their hands through every stage of their life. Watching and hearing Theodora say the very words she knew she had to accept at one point, Evelli bit her bottom lip, but nodded. She understood it theoretically, but that didn't make the practice of it any easier. Of course, that she had the last child on the way would probably make this transition alot easier for her... or maybe it was just the pregnancy messing with her.
Having been worried about how Theodora would adapt to an entirely new family, especially with the turmoil that had lambasted the Mikaelidas family practically following their wedding, Evelli internally breathed a sigh of relief as she heard her daughter assure the kind treatment of her new family to her. Although truth be told, Evelli wasn't sure what she could do if Theodora had told her she'd been mistreated? It wasn't like Evelli could demand... anything from the family really. Plus, with what had happened, one couldn't really blame Elise for her behavior.
"Don't we always." she murmured wryly as she reached out for the same decanter that Theodora had poured from. Pouringher own chalice with some liquid, the woman took a sip and allowed the refreshing feeling down her throat. "Don't if you have to force it, Theo dear. I don't wish to put you in a difficult position." she assured. That was what it meant right, to let your daughter's go? Theodora was no longer a Leventi, but her husband's family. No matter how much Georgios wished to keep his girl's with him for the rest of his life, it would be impractical. Evelli had been lucky to have been of Leventi to begin with, but Theodora had a point.
In case.
"Soon, yes. You do know your Papa well." the woman replied with a little laugh. "He misses the simple life of Macendia, and he's had quite enough of the political mess here." Georgios had always never been one to play political warfare. Unlike many of his cohorts, Georgios was quite happy with Fotios as the Head, and he just ensured the province he had charge of was run well. Evelli had always been the more ambitious of the two. "Have you had a chance to visit properly with your Papa? He misses you all."
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Perhaps the hardest thing about being a mother, is knowing when to let them go. Evelli had spent most, if not all her life since the birth of her eldest daughter preparing for the day the girls would get married. They would get the best, most high ranking husbands. With beauty rumored to be blessed by Aphrodite herself, and the backing of the Leventi name, Evelli was convinced they would marry to King's and princes, and true enough, her wishes and hardwork came true.
But what she had not expected on the backend of it all, was the difficulty in watching her daughters grow up to be woman, and reminding herself she can't hold their hands through every stage of their life. Watching and hearing Theodora say the very words she knew she had to accept at one point, Evelli bit her bottom lip, but nodded. She understood it theoretically, but that didn't make the practice of it any easier. Of course, that she had the last child on the way would probably make this transition alot easier for her... or maybe it was just the pregnancy messing with her.
Having been worried about how Theodora would adapt to an entirely new family, especially with the turmoil that had lambasted the Mikaelidas family practically following their wedding, Evelli internally breathed a sigh of relief as she heard her daughter assure the kind treatment of her new family to her. Although truth be told, Evelli wasn't sure what she could do if Theodora had told her she'd been mistreated? It wasn't like Evelli could demand... anything from the family really. Plus, with what had happened, one couldn't really blame Elise for her behavior.
"Don't we always." she murmured wryly as she reached out for the same decanter that Theodora had poured from. Pouringher own chalice with some liquid, the woman took a sip and allowed the refreshing feeling down her throat. "Don't if you have to force it, Theo dear. I don't wish to put you in a difficult position." she assured. That was what it meant right, to let your daughter's go? Theodora was no longer a Leventi, but her husband's family. No matter how much Georgios wished to keep his girl's with him for the rest of his life, it would be impractical. Evelli had been lucky to have been of Leventi to begin with, but Theodora had a point.
In case.
"Soon, yes. You do know your Papa well." the woman replied with a little laugh. "He misses the simple life of Macendia, and he's had quite enough of the political mess here." Georgios had always never been one to play political warfare. Unlike many of his cohorts, Georgios was quite happy with Fotios as the Head, and he just ensured the province he had charge of was run well. Evelli had always been the more ambitious of the two. "Have you had a chance to visit properly with your Papa? He misses you all."
Perhaps the hardest thing about being a mother, is knowing when to let them go. Evelli had spent most, if not all her life since the birth of her eldest daughter preparing for the day the girls would get married. They would get the best, most high ranking husbands. With beauty rumored to be blessed by Aphrodite herself, and the backing of the Leventi name, Evelli was convinced they would marry to King's and princes, and true enough, her wishes and hardwork came true.
But what she had not expected on the backend of it all, was the difficulty in watching her daughters grow up to be woman, and reminding herself she can't hold their hands through every stage of their life. Watching and hearing Theodora say the very words she knew she had to accept at one point, Evelli bit her bottom lip, but nodded. She understood it theoretically, but that didn't make the practice of it any easier. Of course, that she had the last child on the way would probably make this transition alot easier for her... or maybe it was just the pregnancy messing with her.
Having been worried about how Theodora would adapt to an entirely new family, especially with the turmoil that had lambasted the Mikaelidas family practically following their wedding, Evelli internally breathed a sigh of relief as she heard her daughter assure the kind treatment of her new family to her. Although truth be told, Evelli wasn't sure what she could do if Theodora had told her she'd been mistreated? It wasn't like Evelli could demand... anything from the family really. Plus, with what had happened, one couldn't really blame Elise for her behavior.
"Don't we always." she murmured wryly as she reached out for the same decanter that Theodora had poured from. Pouringher own chalice with some liquid, the woman took a sip and allowed the refreshing feeling down her throat. "Don't if you have to force it, Theo dear. I don't wish to put you in a difficult position." she assured. That was what it meant right, to let your daughter's go? Theodora was no longer a Leventi, but her husband's family. No matter how much Georgios wished to keep his girl's with him for the rest of his life, it would be impractical. Evelli had been lucky to have been of Leventi to begin with, but Theodora had a point.
In case.
"Soon, yes. You do know your Papa well." the woman replied with a little laugh. "He misses the simple life of Macendia, and he's had quite enough of the political mess here." Georgios had always never been one to play political warfare. Unlike many of his cohorts, Georgios was quite happy with Fotios as the Head, and he just ensured the province he had charge of was run well. Evelli had always been the more ambitious of the two. "Have you had a chance to visit properly with your Papa? He misses you all."
He misses the simple life of Macendia, and he's had quite enough of the political mess here.
“Can’t really say I blame him there,” Theodora responded with a sheepish smile, draining the rest of her water. “It’s been… exhausting, to say the least. I… I don’t know how to keep up.”
Pushing a bit of food around her plate, she picked up another piece of melon and took a bite with a soft sigh. When Evelli asked if she had been to visit Georgios, Theo nodded idly as she put the melon back on the plate. “Yes, a couple times, though I wasn’t able to stay long. It wasn’t hard to tell that he was ready to be gone. Kept talking about what needed doing in Macendia, and the first things he planned to work on when he returned.”
Gods, but how desperately she wished she could join them. Theodora had known she was bound for a life of prestige; one was not born into the Leventi family without great ambition. But had she known what all it would entail… maybe she really would have run off into oblivion with Emilios, like she had so naively sworn she would do. She was doing her best, she really was, but nothing could have prepared her for what it would be like to be Queen, much less a Queen without her King.
“I…” She trailed off as she took another bite of her melon, wondering how much of her concern she ought to share with her mother. Evelli was the one that had groomed her to be the perfect bride, after all; how could she really tell her that it wasn’t what she’d hoped? But, it was also her mother, and if she couldn’t share such worries with her, who could she share them with?
“I don’t know that I’m cut out for this,” she forced out after a moment of silence, words jumbling over each other in her rush while her cheeks stained a bright red. “I keep hoping that things will die down and get better, but it seems they just…” Swallowing hard, she looked away and sighed. “It seems no matter what, they just get worse. Is this how it’s always going to be?” Turning back, her dark gaze pled with Evelli’s, begged for her understanding, a word of advice, anything.
Going to pour herself another glass of water, her hand slipped, and the entire pitcher rained down in her lap, as if adding insult to injury. Jumping up from her chair, Theo nearly screamed in exasperation, the front of her chiton soaked and dripping.
“See what I mean?” she whined, a servant rushing in after having heard the ruckus in the hall. Closing her eyes for a moment to banish some of the annoyance she felt, Theo turned to the girl, her jaw tight. “Just bring another chiton, will you? I don’t care which.” Rushing out to heed the Queen’s bidding, Theo turned another pleading glance on her mother.
“What a metaphor, huh?” she quipped weakly.
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He misses the simple life of Macendia, and he's had quite enough of the political mess here.
“Can’t really say I blame him there,” Theodora responded with a sheepish smile, draining the rest of her water. “It’s been… exhausting, to say the least. I… I don’t know how to keep up.”
Pushing a bit of food around her plate, she picked up another piece of melon and took a bite with a soft sigh. When Evelli asked if she had been to visit Georgios, Theo nodded idly as she put the melon back on the plate. “Yes, a couple times, though I wasn’t able to stay long. It wasn’t hard to tell that he was ready to be gone. Kept talking about what needed doing in Macendia, and the first things he planned to work on when he returned.”
Gods, but how desperately she wished she could join them. Theodora had known she was bound for a life of prestige; one was not born into the Leventi family without great ambition. But had she known what all it would entail… maybe she really would have run off into oblivion with Emilios, like she had so naively sworn she would do. She was doing her best, she really was, but nothing could have prepared her for what it would be like to be Queen, much less a Queen without her King.
“I…” She trailed off as she took another bite of her melon, wondering how much of her concern she ought to share with her mother. Evelli was the one that had groomed her to be the perfect bride, after all; how could she really tell her that it wasn’t what she’d hoped? But, it was also her mother, and if she couldn’t share such worries with her, who could she share them with?
“I don’t know that I’m cut out for this,” she forced out after a moment of silence, words jumbling over each other in her rush while her cheeks stained a bright red. “I keep hoping that things will die down and get better, but it seems they just…” Swallowing hard, she looked away and sighed. “It seems no matter what, they just get worse. Is this how it’s always going to be?” Turning back, her dark gaze pled with Evelli’s, begged for her understanding, a word of advice, anything.
Going to pour herself another glass of water, her hand slipped, and the entire pitcher rained down in her lap, as if adding insult to injury. Jumping up from her chair, Theo nearly screamed in exasperation, the front of her chiton soaked and dripping.
“See what I mean?” she whined, a servant rushing in after having heard the ruckus in the hall. Closing her eyes for a moment to banish some of the annoyance she felt, Theo turned to the girl, her jaw tight. “Just bring another chiton, will you? I don’t care which.” Rushing out to heed the Queen’s bidding, Theo turned another pleading glance on her mother.
“What a metaphor, huh?” she quipped weakly.
He misses the simple life of Macendia, and he's had quite enough of the political mess here.
“Can’t really say I blame him there,” Theodora responded with a sheepish smile, draining the rest of her water. “It’s been… exhausting, to say the least. I… I don’t know how to keep up.”
Pushing a bit of food around her plate, she picked up another piece of melon and took a bite with a soft sigh. When Evelli asked if she had been to visit Georgios, Theo nodded idly as she put the melon back on the plate. “Yes, a couple times, though I wasn’t able to stay long. It wasn’t hard to tell that he was ready to be gone. Kept talking about what needed doing in Macendia, and the first things he planned to work on when he returned.”
Gods, but how desperately she wished she could join them. Theodora had known she was bound for a life of prestige; one was not born into the Leventi family without great ambition. But had she known what all it would entail… maybe she really would have run off into oblivion with Emilios, like she had so naively sworn she would do. She was doing her best, she really was, but nothing could have prepared her for what it would be like to be Queen, much less a Queen without her King.
“I…” She trailed off as she took another bite of her melon, wondering how much of her concern she ought to share with her mother. Evelli was the one that had groomed her to be the perfect bride, after all; how could she really tell her that it wasn’t what she’d hoped? But, it was also her mother, and if she couldn’t share such worries with her, who could she share them with?
“I don’t know that I’m cut out for this,” she forced out after a moment of silence, words jumbling over each other in her rush while her cheeks stained a bright red. “I keep hoping that things will die down and get better, but it seems they just…” Swallowing hard, she looked away and sighed. “It seems no matter what, they just get worse. Is this how it’s always going to be?” Turning back, her dark gaze pled with Evelli’s, begged for her understanding, a word of advice, anything.
Going to pour herself another glass of water, her hand slipped, and the entire pitcher rained down in her lap, as if adding insult to injury. Jumping up from her chair, Theo nearly screamed in exasperation, the front of her chiton soaked and dripping.
“See what I mean?” she whined, a servant rushing in after having heard the ruckus in the hall. Closing her eyes for a moment to banish some of the annoyance she felt, Theo turned to the girl, her jaw tight. “Just bring another chiton, will you? I don’t care which.” Rushing out to heed the Queen’s bidding, Theo turned another pleading glance on her mother.
“What a metaphor, huh?” she quipped weakly.
While Evelli had always thrived in the atmosphere and hubbub of the court life in the capitol, as she aged, even she could see why her husband preferred the quiet calm they found in Macendia. It had been one of the few points of contention between husband and wife whenever Georgios had wished to remain in the manor while his wife itched to return to court, yet this time Evelli saw a reason behind Georgios's wish for them to return, and was one of the few times the brunette did not put up a fight when the suggestion had been made. Her husband had been surprised, but only pleasantly so, and had proceeded to arrange for everything.
Evelli laughed a little, when Theodora told of her father's eagerness to return to Macendia. She could almost imagine her husband's face mentally calculating everything he'd need to do even as he tried to give attention to the daughter he had in front of him. Ever since they had discovered Evelli pregnant so far after the birth of their last child, her husband has been thrown for a bit of a loop and was all legs at the moment.
"Don't blame him Theo, he's... well, none of his ever thought this could happen." she murmured wryly, letting a moment's silence linger as mother and daughter both munched on the offered food.
When Theodora spoke up however, Evelli did not press her. Years of dealing with the variety of characters her daughter's presented her meant Evelli had gotten very well adept at reading moods over the years, and a brief glance at her second-born daughter was enough to tell the matriarch Theodora was finding the words difficult to spit out, and time was usually the best cure for that. True enough, when the other spoke, Evelli quietly listened as she sipped upon the milk offered, allowing for Theodora to offload everything she had been feeling over the last few, messy weeks.
She had been intending to just listen that is, until Theodora dropped an entire pitcher. Following suit, Evelli jumped up to try and avoid the water splatter, but much of it seems to have flooded Theodora's chiton even as a servant rushed in to help. Watching as the servant quickly followed instructions, Evelli flagged her down to instruct her to bring in two more to clean up the mess, before approaching Theodora to wrap an arm around her shoulder in a sort of half hug.
"It will get better, Theo, I promise you." Evelli finally murmured in a soft, and what she hoped was an encouraging voice. "They will not die down, it will not dissipate, but what will happen is that you will grow stronger. And you'll be able to handle them." A cheeky smile crossed her lips as she grinned at Theodora. "Did you think I was always the way I am now, Theo? Having five daughters changes one." Evelli grinned and winked at her daughter, before stepping back as the servant arrived to help the young Queen change out of the sopping chiton into the one she had been instructed to bring.
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While Evelli had always thrived in the atmosphere and hubbub of the court life in the capitol, as she aged, even she could see why her husband preferred the quiet calm they found in Macendia. It had been one of the few points of contention between husband and wife whenever Georgios had wished to remain in the manor while his wife itched to return to court, yet this time Evelli saw a reason behind Georgios's wish for them to return, and was one of the few times the brunette did not put up a fight when the suggestion had been made. Her husband had been surprised, but only pleasantly so, and had proceeded to arrange for everything.
Evelli laughed a little, when Theodora told of her father's eagerness to return to Macendia. She could almost imagine her husband's face mentally calculating everything he'd need to do even as he tried to give attention to the daughter he had in front of him. Ever since they had discovered Evelli pregnant so far after the birth of their last child, her husband has been thrown for a bit of a loop and was all legs at the moment.
"Don't blame him Theo, he's... well, none of his ever thought this could happen." she murmured wryly, letting a moment's silence linger as mother and daughter both munched on the offered food.
When Theodora spoke up however, Evelli did not press her. Years of dealing with the variety of characters her daughter's presented her meant Evelli had gotten very well adept at reading moods over the years, and a brief glance at her second-born daughter was enough to tell the matriarch Theodora was finding the words difficult to spit out, and time was usually the best cure for that. True enough, when the other spoke, Evelli quietly listened as she sipped upon the milk offered, allowing for Theodora to offload everything she had been feeling over the last few, messy weeks.
She had been intending to just listen that is, until Theodora dropped an entire pitcher. Following suit, Evelli jumped up to try and avoid the water splatter, but much of it seems to have flooded Theodora's chiton even as a servant rushed in to help. Watching as the servant quickly followed instructions, Evelli flagged her down to instruct her to bring in two more to clean up the mess, before approaching Theodora to wrap an arm around her shoulder in a sort of half hug.
"It will get better, Theo, I promise you." Evelli finally murmured in a soft, and what she hoped was an encouraging voice. "They will not die down, it will not dissipate, but what will happen is that you will grow stronger. And you'll be able to handle them." A cheeky smile crossed her lips as she grinned at Theodora. "Did you think I was always the way I am now, Theo? Having five daughters changes one." Evelli grinned and winked at her daughter, before stepping back as the servant arrived to help the young Queen change out of the sopping chiton into the one she had been instructed to bring.
While Evelli had always thrived in the atmosphere and hubbub of the court life in the capitol, as she aged, even she could see why her husband preferred the quiet calm they found in Macendia. It had been one of the few points of contention between husband and wife whenever Georgios had wished to remain in the manor while his wife itched to return to court, yet this time Evelli saw a reason behind Georgios's wish for them to return, and was one of the few times the brunette did not put up a fight when the suggestion had been made. Her husband had been surprised, but only pleasantly so, and had proceeded to arrange for everything.
Evelli laughed a little, when Theodora told of her father's eagerness to return to Macendia. She could almost imagine her husband's face mentally calculating everything he'd need to do even as he tried to give attention to the daughter he had in front of him. Ever since they had discovered Evelli pregnant so far after the birth of their last child, her husband has been thrown for a bit of a loop and was all legs at the moment.
"Don't blame him Theo, he's... well, none of his ever thought this could happen." she murmured wryly, letting a moment's silence linger as mother and daughter both munched on the offered food.
When Theodora spoke up however, Evelli did not press her. Years of dealing with the variety of characters her daughter's presented her meant Evelli had gotten very well adept at reading moods over the years, and a brief glance at her second-born daughter was enough to tell the matriarch Theodora was finding the words difficult to spit out, and time was usually the best cure for that. True enough, when the other spoke, Evelli quietly listened as she sipped upon the milk offered, allowing for Theodora to offload everything she had been feeling over the last few, messy weeks.
She had been intending to just listen that is, until Theodora dropped an entire pitcher. Following suit, Evelli jumped up to try and avoid the water splatter, but much of it seems to have flooded Theodora's chiton even as a servant rushed in to help. Watching as the servant quickly followed instructions, Evelli flagged her down to instruct her to bring in two more to clean up the mess, before approaching Theodora to wrap an arm around her shoulder in a sort of half hug.
"It will get better, Theo, I promise you." Evelli finally murmured in a soft, and what she hoped was an encouraging voice. "They will not die down, it will not dissipate, but what will happen is that you will grow stronger. And you'll be able to handle them." A cheeky smile crossed her lips as she grinned at Theodora. "Did you think I was always the way I am now, Theo? Having five daughters changes one." Evelli grinned and winked at her daughter, before stepping back as the servant arrived to help the young Queen change out of the sopping chiton into the one she had been instructed to bring.
Her mother was a strong woman; that could never be doubted. If Theodora only possessed half of Evelli’s strength, she would be satisfied. And while she had always been tenacious and thought of herself as a strong-willed woman, that resolve was beginning to falter. Was she really as strong as she thought as she was, if she couldn’t take these changes in her life in stride? Granted, those changes had been so abrupt and numerous that any normal person should count themselves lucky to be able to roll with them with any sort of grace. Perhaps she was just being too hard on herself. Or perhaps she wasn’t being hard enough.
Evelli was quick to reassure her that things would get better, that she herself hadn’t always been the way she was. Theo could hardly imagine what it had been like to raise five children like herself and her sisters, though she should count herself lucky if she was so blessed. Though a son or two would surely be nice…
“I hope you’re right,” she answered with a half-hearted smile, though it was clear there wasn’t much confidence in the sentiment. She leaned into her mother’s embrace, trying to take comfort from both her words and her touch. “But what if…” Biting her lip, she cut herself off at the return of the servant, a plain white chiton held in the woman’s arms. Stepping from Evelli’s grasp and allowing the girl to help her remove the sopping wet one she wore to replace it with the one she held, the Queen sighed in relief. Thanking her and waving her off, she waited until the others finished cleaning up the mess she made before she spoke again.
“What if I can’t do it?” Her voice was almost a whisper, unwilling to let such doubt be heard too loudly. It wouldn’t do for her people to have the same lack of confidence in her that she did; her position demanded a certain level of self-assurance and poise that Theodora was lucky to fake when she had to. Shaking her head, she covered her face for a moment and sighed.
“It was supposed to be Selene,” she mumbled into her palms before letting her hands drop as she turned back to Evelli. “She was going to be the perfect Queen, with her beautiful smile and level head. And then when it was Olympia, gods, it was like she was born to it. But me?”
She made a face as she stared out the window, filtered sunlight rippling along the marbled floor. “I feel like a little girl trying on her mother’s crown. It still doesn’t feel… real, if you know what I mean? And yet all of these people are looking to me for answers, and I… I don’t know what to tell them. I just… I wish I’d had more time to get used to this, I guess. It was all forced on me so suddenly, it feels like I’m now running to catch up.”
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Her mother was a strong woman; that could never be doubted. If Theodora only possessed half of Evelli’s strength, she would be satisfied. And while she had always been tenacious and thought of herself as a strong-willed woman, that resolve was beginning to falter. Was she really as strong as she thought as she was, if she couldn’t take these changes in her life in stride? Granted, those changes had been so abrupt and numerous that any normal person should count themselves lucky to be able to roll with them with any sort of grace. Perhaps she was just being too hard on herself. Or perhaps she wasn’t being hard enough.
Evelli was quick to reassure her that things would get better, that she herself hadn’t always been the way she was. Theo could hardly imagine what it had been like to raise five children like herself and her sisters, though she should count herself lucky if she was so blessed. Though a son or two would surely be nice…
“I hope you’re right,” she answered with a half-hearted smile, though it was clear there wasn’t much confidence in the sentiment. She leaned into her mother’s embrace, trying to take comfort from both her words and her touch. “But what if…” Biting her lip, she cut herself off at the return of the servant, a plain white chiton held in the woman’s arms. Stepping from Evelli’s grasp and allowing the girl to help her remove the sopping wet one she wore to replace it with the one she held, the Queen sighed in relief. Thanking her and waving her off, she waited until the others finished cleaning up the mess she made before she spoke again.
“What if I can’t do it?” Her voice was almost a whisper, unwilling to let such doubt be heard too loudly. It wouldn’t do for her people to have the same lack of confidence in her that she did; her position demanded a certain level of self-assurance and poise that Theodora was lucky to fake when she had to. Shaking her head, she covered her face for a moment and sighed.
“It was supposed to be Selene,” she mumbled into her palms before letting her hands drop as she turned back to Evelli. “She was going to be the perfect Queen, with her beautiful smile and level head. And then when it was Olympia, gods, it was like she was born to it. But me?”
She made a face as she stared out the window, filtered sunlight rippling along the marbled floor. “I feel like a little girl trying on her mother’s crown. It still doesn’t feel… real, if you know what I mean? And yet all of these people are looking to me for answers, and I… I don’t know what to tell them. I just… I wish I’d had more time to get used to this, I guess. It was all forced on me so suddenly, it feels like I’m now running to catch up.”
Her mother was a strong woman; that could never be doubted. If Theodora only possessed half of Evelli’s strength, she would be satisfied. And while she had always been tenacious and thought of herself as a strong-willed woman, that resolve was beginning to falter. Was she really as strong as she thought as she was, if she couldn’t take these changes in her life in stride? Granted, those changes had been so abrupt and numerous that any normal person should count themselves lucky to be able to roll with them with any sort of grace. Perhaps she was just being too hard on herself. Or perhaps she wasn’t being hard enough.
Evelli was quick to reassure her that things would get better, that she herself hadn’t always been the way she was. Theo could hardly imagine what it had been like to raise five children like herself and her sisters, though she should count herself lucky if she was so blessed. Though a son or two would surely be nice…
“I hope you’re right,” she answered with a half-hearted smile, though it was clear there wasn’t much confidence in the sentiment. She leaned into her mother’s embrace, trying to take comfort from both her words and her touch. “But what if…” Biting her lip, she cut herself off at the return of the servant, a plain white chiton held in the woman’s arms. Stepping from Evelli’s grasp and allowing the girl to help her remove the sopping wet one she wore to replace it with the one she held, the Queen sighed in relief. Thanking her and waving her off, she waited until the others finished cleaning up the mess she made before she spoke again.
“What if I can’t do it?” Her voice was almost a whisper, unwilling to let such doubt be heard too loudly. It wouldn’t do for her people to have the same lack of confidence in her that she did; her position demanded a certain level of self-assurance and poise that Theodora was lucky to fake when she had to. Shaking her head, she covered her face for a moment and sighed.
“It was supposed to be Selene,” she mumbled into her palms before letting her hands drop as she turned back to Evelli. “She was going to be the perfect Queen, with her beautiful smile and level head. And then when it was Olympia, gods, it was like she was born to it. But me?”
She made a face as she stared out the window, filtered sunlight rippling along the marbled floor. “I feel like a little girl trying on her mother’s crown. It still doesn’t feel… real, if you know what I mean? And yet all of these people are looking to me for answers, and I… I don’t know what to tell them. I just… I wish I’d had more time to get used to this, I guess. It was all forced on me so suddenly, it feels like I’m now running to catch up.”
Despite having been many years from her last pregnancy, the current growing child within her was reminding Evelli of many things she experienced almost sixteen years ago before she gave birth to Imma. From being a new mother, to even being a new wife and having to quickly grasp new responsibilities along with learning how to co-exist a family that had, overnight, now become yours. While Evelli had always known Georgios parents' suddenly having to co-exist in the same household took awhile to get used to, but it worked out eventually. Perhaps it was a good thing? At least now when Theodora asked her for advice, Evelli could give it based on fresh memory, and not rusty maybe's.
With a gentle gaze as she watched Theodora's wavering self confidence, while Evelli would like to believe she had raised her daughter's to be strong women in their own right, there came a day when a mother's words only held so much clout. Afterall, Theodora now had to contend with the words, gossips, whispers and opinions of so many other's, it was inevitable for this to occur.
So the best thing Evelli could do at this moment, was provide support.
Reaching out for her second born at the doubtful whisper she murmured, she shook her head as she placed her own, slightly wrinkled hands upon her daughter's shoulder where she stood facing the window. "Luckily for you, your mother had no crown to wear." she tried to lighten up the mood with a little squeeze to the other's shoulder, before speaking properly. "But we all learn, sweetheart. Even Selene had to learn." And she still learned now, that the path to being a Queen was never easy, and the path after, even more so. Evelli never had the chance, but she was sure as Hades she wanted her daughter's to have it.
"You are all born to be Queens. Just ask your father." Georgios would agree, of course. He thought the world of all his girl's. Both his and Evelli's views on marriage for their children varied, but one thing was for certain, they both knew their girl's could be rulers if they so wanted to be. "And one day, it'll feel right. Little girl's grow up. You just have to give it time, and until then... we're all here."
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Despite having been many years from her last pregnancy, the current growing child within her was reminding Evelli of many things she experienced almost sixteen years ago before she gave birth to Imma. From being a new mother, to even being a new wife and having to quickly grasp new responsibilities along with learning how to co-exist a family that had, overnight, now become yours. While Evelli had always known Georgios parents' suddenly having to co-exist in the same household took awhile to get used to, but it worked out eventually. Perhaps it was a good thing? At least now when Theodora asked her for advice, Evelli could give it based on fresh memory, and not rusty maybe's.
With a gentle gaze as she watched Theodora's wavering self confidence, while Evelli would like to believe she had raised her daughter's to be strong women in their own right, there came a day when a mother's words only held so much clout. Afterall, Theodora now had to contend with the words, gossips, whispers and opinions of so many other's, it was inevitable for this to occur.
So the best thing Evelli could do at this moment, was provide support.
Reaching out for her second born at the doubtful whisper she murmured, she shook her head as she placed her own, slightly wrinkled hands upon her daughter's shoulder where she stood facing the window. "Luckily for you, your mother had no crown to wear." she tried to lighten up the mood with a little squeeze to the other's shoulder, before speaking properly. "But we all learn, sweetheart. Even Selene had to learn." And she still learned now, that the path to being a Queen was never easy, and the path after, even more so. Evelli never had the chance, but she was sure as Hades she wanted her daughter's to have it.
"You are all born to be Queens. Just ask your father." Georgios would agree, of course. He thought the world of all his girl's. Both his and Evelli's views on marriage for their children varied, but one thing was for certain, they both knew their girl's could be rulers if they so wanted to be. "And one day, it'll feel right. Little girl's grow up. You just have to give it time, and until then... we're all here."
Despite having been many years from her last pregnancy, the current growing child within her was reminding Evelli of many things she experienced almost sixteen years ago before she gave birth to Imma. From being a new mother, to even being a new wife and having to quickly grasp new responsibilities along with learning how to co-exist a family that had, overnight, now become yours. While Evelli had always known Georgios parents' suddenly having to co-exist in the same household took awhile to get used to, but it worked out eventually. Perhaps it was a good thing? At least now when Theodora asked her for advice, Evelli could give it based on fresh memory, and not rusty maybe's.
With a gentle gaze as she watched Theodora's wavering self confidence, while Evelli would like to believe she had raised her daughter's to be strong women in their own right, there came a day when a mother's words only held so much clout. Afterall, Theodora now had to contend with the words, gossips, whispers and opinions of so many other's, it was inevitable for this to occur.
So the best thing Evelli could do at this moment, was provide support.
Reaching out for her second born at the doubtful whisper she murmured, she shook her head as she placed her own, slightly wrinkled hands upon her daughter's shoulder where she stood facing the window. "Luckily for you, your mother had no crown to wear." she tried to lighten up the mood with a little squeeze to the other's shoulder, before speaking properly. "But we all learn, sweetheart. Even Selene had to learn." And she still learned now, that the path to being a Queen was never easy, and the path after, even more so. Evelli never had the chance, but she was sure as Hades she wanted her daughter's to have it.
"You are all born to be Queens. Just ask your father." Georgios would agree, of course. He thought the world of all his girl's. Both his and Evelli's views on marriage for their children varied, but one thing was for certain, they both knew their girl's could be rulers if they so wanted to be. "And one day, it'll feel right. Little girl's grow up. You just have to give it time, and until then... we're all here."
Theodora let her mother’s words comfort and bolster her, nodding as she spoke. She was right, of course; no one learned how to rule a kingdom overnight. And even if she doubted her own ability to do so, it was hard to doubt Evelli’s confidence. Things would work out in the end, even if the path ahead was a difficult one, fraught with obstacles at every turn. She had to believe that, or she would lose all hope. With everything going on around them, that was the last thing she could be allowed to do.
“You’re right, of course,” she replied, reaching up to cover her mother’s hand on her shoulder with her own. “I just… I never thought this would be easy, but I didn’t think it would be quite so hard, either.” Shaking her head, she sighed. “I guess I didn’t really know what to think, honestly. I still don’t.”
You are all born to be Queens. Just ask your father.
She couldn’t help but smile at that, for she knew just how true it was. It could never be doubted how much Georgios doted on his girls; unlike his brother, her father held very little in the way of machinations for power. Of the pair, Evelli was the more set on that. Theo knew Georgios would have been content to have his daughters stay with him forever on the idyllic island of Macendia. Perhaps she had once longed for what she now had, but if only she had appreciated that peace while it lasted…
“Thank you, Mama. I guess I just have a little bit more growing up to do than I thought.”
And gods, wasn’t that the truth? She had thought herself a proper woman before her marriage was bound, but now… There was so much more to everything than she had ever thought. Theodora had always lived a privileged life, she knew, but she had never realized just how sheltered she was. Without that shelter, she hardly knew what to do. It reassured her though, that said shelter did not linger so far beyond her reach. She knew she had only but to reach out, and Evelli and Georgios both would be there to take her hand.
She just didn’t want to have to reach out. She wanted to prove she could do this on her own, but it was quickly becoming clear that was a nearly impossible task. Theodora could not do this alone. She needed to take the support being offered.
For a moment, she pulled Evelli into a tight embrace, her arms closed around the woman’s waist as she briefly hid her face in her shoulder. “Thank you,” she mumbled again before she pulled back, clearing her throat and swallowing hard against tears that threatened to choke her up.
“Shall we finish eating then?” she said with a forced smile, gesturing to their almost forgotten breakfast spread. “I’d hate it for it to all go to waste while we sit here and listen to my whining.”
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Theodora let her mother’s words comfort and bolster her, nodding as she spoke. She was right, of course; no one learned how to rule a kingdom overnight. And even if she doubted her own ability to do so, it was hard to doubt Evelli’s confidence. Things would work out in the end, even if the path ahead was a difficult one, fraught with obstacles at every turn. She had to believe that, or she would lose all hope. With everything going on around them, that was the last thing she could be allowed to do.
“You’re right, of course,” she replied, reaching up to cover her mother’s hand on her shoulder with her own. “I just… I never thought this would be easy, but I didn’t think it would be quite so hard, either.” Shaking her head, she sighed. “I guess I didn’t really know what to think, honestly. I still don’t.”
You are all born to be Queens. Just ask your father.
She couldn’t help but smile at that, for she knew just how true it was. It could never be doubted how much Georgios doted on his girls; unlike his brother, her father held very little in the way of machinations for power. Of the pair, Evelli was the more set on that. Theo knew Georgios would have been content to have his daughters stay with him forever on the idyllic island of Macendia. Perhaps she had once longed for what she now had, but if only she had appreciated that peace while it lasted…
“Thank you, Mama. I guess I just have a little bit more growing up to do than I thought.”
And gods, wasn’t that the truth? She had thought herself a proper woman before her marriage was bound, but now… There was so much more to everything than she had ever thought. Theodora had always lived a privileged life, she knew, but she had never realized just how sheltered she was. Without that shelter, she hardly knew what to do. It reassured her though, that said shelter did not linger so far beyond her reach. She knew she had only but to reach out, and Evelli and Georgios both would be there to take her hand.
She just didn’t want to have to reach out. She wanted to prove she could do this on her own, but it was quickly becoming clear that was a nearly impossible task. Theodora could not do this alone. She needed to take the support being offered.
For a moment, she pulled Evelli into a tight embrace, her arms closed around the woman’s waist as she briefly hid her face in her shoulder. “Thank you,” she mumbled again before she pulled back, clearing her throat and swallowing hard against tears that threatened to choke her up.
“Shall we finish eating then?” she said with a forced smile, gesturing to their almost forgotten breakfast spread. “I’d hate it for it to all go to waste while we sit here and listen to my whining.”
Theodora let her mother’s words comfort and bolster her, nodding as she spoke. She was right, of course; no one learned how to rule a kingdom overnight. And even if she doubted her own ability to do so, it was hard to doubt Evelli’s confidence. Things would work out in the end, even if the path ahead was a difficult one, fraught with obstacles at every turn. She had to believe that, or she would lose all hope. With everything going on around them, that was the last thing she could be allowed to do.
“You’re right, of course,” she replied, reaching up to cover her mother’s hand on her shoulder with her own. “I just… I never thought this would be easy, but I didn’t think it would be quite so hard, either.” Shaking her head, she sighed. “I guess I didn’t really know what to think, honestly. I still don’t.”
You are all born to be Queens. Just ask your father.
She couldn’t help but smile at that, for she knew just how true it was. It could never be doubted how much Georgios doted on his girls; unlike his brother, her father held very little in the way of machinations for power. Of the pair, Evelli was the more set on that. Theo knew Georgios would have been content to have his daughters stay with him forever on the idyllic island of Macendia. Perhaps she had once longed for what she now had, but if only she had appreciated that peace while it lasted…
“Thank you, Mama. I guess I just have a little bit more growing up to do than I thought.”
And gods, wasn’t that the truth? She had thought herself a proper woman before her marriage was bound, but now… There was so much more to everything than she had ever thought. Theodora had always lived a privileged life, she knew, but she had never realized just how sheltered she was. Without that shelter, she hardly knew what to do. It reassured her though, that said shelter did not linger so far beyond her reach. She knew she had only but to reach out, and Evelli and Georgios both would be there to take her hand.
She just didn’t want to have to reach out. She wanted to prove she could do this on her own, but it was quickly becoming clear that was a nearly impossible task. Theodora could not do this alone. She needed to take the support being offered.
For a moment, she pulled Evelli into a tight embrace, her arms closed around the woman’s waist as she briefly hid her face in her shoulder. “Thank you,” she mumbled again before she pulled back, clearing her throat and swallowing hard against tears that threatened to choke her up.
“Shall we finish eating then?” she said with a forced smile, gesturing to their almost forgotten breakfast spread. “I’d hate it for it to all go to waste while we sit here and listen to my whining.”
The subtle reminder from Theodora that they've all 'grown up', even if that wasn't what her daughter meant, brought a pang to her heart. Would it be a very different experience for this child she would give birth to come the new year? His or her sister's would be way past the age that would be close to them. It was an odd feeling, to on the one hand have fully grown daughter's, one even already a mother herself, and to at the same time be anticipating being a mother yet again in just a few months time.
Smiling, Evelli quickly pushed the remainder of those doubtful thoughts away and returned Theodora's embrace. She always wanted, at least, for her daughter's to remember the fact that their mother would always be around.
"No need, Theo. Mama would never be far away." she murmured in response to the mumbled thanks. It was a brief, but poignant moment,yet that moment would linger on in their memory far more then any long drawn out event. Laughing at the forced smile and light joke her daughter threw, Evelli nodded and led Theodora to the settee, settling them down before quickly arranging a plate of the delicate bites for the young Queen. Grabbing a glass of juice herself, the woman gulped it down with delight. "I would listen to anything at all you'll say, and you know that." she teased in return, yet within the teasing words held the truth of a mother. That was her duty afterall, wasn't it? And she would sit there for as long as Theodora needed her.
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The subtle reminder from Theodora that they've all 'grown up', even if that wasn't what her daughter meant, brought a pang to her heart. Would it be a very different experience for this child she would give birth to come the new year? His or her sister's would be way past the age that would be close to them. It was an odd feeling, to on the one hand have fully grown daughter's, one even already a mother herself, and to at the same time be anticipating being a mother yet again in just a few months time.
Smiling, Evelli quickly pushed the remainder of those doubtful thoughts away and returned Theodora's embrace. She always wanted, at least, for her daughter's to remember the fact that their mother would always be around.
"No need, Theo. Mama would never be far away." she murmured in response to the mumbled thanks. It was a brief, but poignant moment,yet that moment would linger on in their memory far more then any long drawn out event. Laughing at the forced smile and light joke her daughter threw, Evelli nodded and led Theodora to the settee, settling them down before quickly arranging a plate of the delicate bites for the young Queen. Grabbing a glass of juice herself, the woman gulped it down with delight. "I would listen to anything at all you'll say, and you know that." she teased in return, yet within the teasing words held the truth of a mother. That was her duty afterall, wasn't it? And she would sit there for as long as Theodora needed her.
The subtle reminder from Theodora that they've all 'grown up', even if that wasn't what her daughter meant, brought a pang to her heart. Would it be a very different experience for this child she would give birth to come the new year? His or her sister's would be way past the age that would be close to them. It was an odd feeling, to on the one hand have fully grown daughter's, one even already a mother herself, and to at the same time be anticipating being a mother yet again in just a few months time.
Smiling, Evelli quickly pushed the remainder of those doubtful thoughts away and returned Theodora's embrace. She always wanted, at least, for her daughter's to remember the fact that their mother would always be around.
"No need, Theo. Mama would never be far away." she murmured in response to the mumbled thanks. It was a brief, but poignant moment,yet that moment would linger on in their memory far more then any long drawn out event. Laughing at the forced smile and light joke her daughter threw, Evelli nodded and led Theodora to the settee, settling them down before quickly arranging a plate of the delicate bites for the young Queen. Grabbing a glass of juice herself, the woman gulped it down with delight. "I would listen to anything at all you'll say, and you know that." she teased in return, yet within the teasing words held the truth of a mother. That was her duty afterall, wasn't it? And she would sit there for as long as Theodora needed her.