The servant approached several moments later, informing her that she would be received on the Lord's private terrace. Ophelia smiled and thanked the man, raising the hood of her powder blue cloak so that it might offer better protection from the cold. Diogenes's servant waited patiently for her to do this, then beckoned for her to follow him. She did so, motioning for her own attendant to follow behind with the bounty she had chosen to bestow upon the Lord.

She advanced towards the elder as he rose from his seat, sinking into a curtsy that was slightly lower than his bow, for although she was technically his social superior, she was a guest in his house and that in her mind evened things out considerably. She had also come to offer an apology, which placed them on even more equal footing. Her curtsy was graceful, each bend of her lithe body like a well-timed step in a dance. There was a subtle sensuality to the way she moved, though she knew it not. When she straightened once more she stood with perfect posture, back erect and head held high, face relaxed in a radiant smile.

"Lord Diogenes, thank you ever so much for receiving me today," her tone was one of sweet sincerity as she looked with earnest innocence upon the Leventi vassal. "I would never dream of interrupting your ritual; I am simply honoured that you have invited me to be a part of it. Truly, this is not a formal visit.

As he had indicated, she settled herself in the seat opposite his, crossing her legs delicately at the ankles and folding her hands together in her lap. "Tea would be wonderful, thank you, and you do not offend me at all in enquiring after the purpose of my visit," a soft blush crept across her cheeks as he smiled indulgently at her. "The fact is, I wished to apologize for my rudeness in not being able to properly greet you at the most wonderful party you were gracious enough to host the other day. I had a wonderful time, but alas an illness claimed me and I had to make an early departure. You need not fear for me now, I am quite alright, it was only a minor malady...but I felt it unforgivable to have not thanked you for your hospitality, and so I decided to come here and thank you in person, and to give you this as a token of my gratitude."

She beckoned forth her attendant, who came forward bearing Ophelia's carefully chosen gifts. There were candied fruits, sweet and savoury pastries, cheeses of all manners, even some eggs and a bird or two. And, of course, the crowning jewels, the three bottles of Condos wine.


"I do hope my gift will appease you," she murmured demurely, turning then to the servant who was pouring her tea so that she might give proper thanks to them. Having done so, she turned her eyes back to the aged lord, curious to see how he would respond. She had heard rumours that he had little love for her father and brother, but she had never known him to cross them with a bitter word -- though her conversations with him had been limited to brief courtly interactions, so truly she knew nothing of his opinions other than what people claimed they were. According to the rumour mill, he was not her family's biggest fan, but was that hardly surprising given who he served? Did that not simply make him a loyal vassal? And truly, even she had to admit that they could both be trying on occasion. Still, she could not help but wonder if that dislike -- if not fabricated by the gossip-mongers of Greece -- extended to her. He had always treated her cordially, but to her knowledge that was how he treated everyone. Perhaps he was the sort to greet both friends and enemies alike with a smile; she could not say.

"And I do hope I have not interrupted a moment in which you wished to be alone. I can return at a more convenient time if you wish? I would not wish to impose upon you in any way, Lord Diogenes."