Because he viewed most politicians as people he’d far rather hit with a shovel than work with on a daily basis, it was just as well that Achilleas had zero desire to ever sit on a throne. He’d always tried to please his father growing up, but even then he’d know that he wasn’t suited to rule. Though he did know that he was far enough from the throne to feel safe from it, since his uncle had two sons of his own to succeed him. He’d certainly never foreseen what ended up happening, his uncle and elder cousin murdered and Stephanos on the throne. Achilleas had been quick to offer his fealty to the new king, guilt filling him at being relieved that it was Steph not him on the throne.

He’d been watching his father closely since that day at the circus, Stephanos’ question about where his father was still troubling him. Sure Irakles sought power, but he couldn’t murder his own flesh and blood….. Could he? Look how he cared for his youngest daughter Sara? Sending her gifts of jewels and silks for her last birthday, he must care for her as much as Achilleas himself did. Though Achilleas spent time with Sara, only sending gifts and letters when he’d been away at war.

Achilleas had not been staying at the house his parents still shared, choosing instead to stay at the paláti in case Stephanos should need him for anything. Not to mention that he felt that at thirty-two, he was too old to be under his parents’ roof anymore.

Achilleas strode through the halls of his childhood home in answer to the missive that his father had sent requesting his presence as well as that of his younger brother. He knew Emilios had been busy over the previous fortnight, helping to restore order to the city in the aftermath of the attack. He too had been busy, supporting Steph’s reign, doing his best to find what had happened to his older cousin Zach, and root out anyone who meant his cousin harm.

Closing the distance between them, Achilleas smiled warmly at Emilios, “Well met brother mine.” He clapped him on the shoulder, “Thank you again, for looking out for Theodora for me that day. I can't express just how relieved I was to know you were looking out for her for me.” Achilleas looked at the closed door of their father’s study, “Any idea what father wants?” He asked, preparing to knock after Emilios answered.

As time passed, Irakles easily got into the reviews of documents that had been sent to him by the Master of War in Taengean courts. As the previous Master of War and still retaining his position as general of the Taengean armies, he still held sway in military decisions. His commanders would send him weekly reports in which he updated himself on. On top of that, his duties as the head of Mikaelidas household required him to sign approvals of various items - from the smallest budget approval, to the events to be held that the family hosted. Scrawling his signature over the most recent budget that he had reviewed, the male tossed the parchment into his pile that would be picked up and delivered accordingly the next morning.

Taking another swig of his wine, Irakles easily fell into his work, until such a time when he heard footsteps arrive on the outside of his ornate study. Only then, did the man look up, just in time to hear the exchange of his son's voices just briefly, before the door was pushed open.

Irakles was no man of emotion. He rarely, if ever, showed affection to anyone. His mistress, Meena, was perhaps the only one that came closest to seeing an 'affectionate' side of him, and even then it was a satisfaction of sexual need and slaking his physical desires. While to call his feelings for Meena true love was a stretch by any means, there was no doubt that Irakles could not get enough of his mistress's body, and often spent nights at the mansion he had set her up in, rather then in bed with his wife - a bed he had not shared in many years, ever since the birth of his second son.

As Achilleas walked in, followed by Emilios, Irakles levelled them with a neutral, but firm look. It was a look they should recognize well. Growing up, the father had been nothing but strict with them - especially when it came to Achilleas. Still finding his eldest son a little too soft for his liking, he had fully intended to mould a tough character of his two boys. Perhaps the greatest regret he had, was how loyal the two became to the crown, and the fact that both of them lacked the ambition that his daughter Tasia had. In a way, her need for success was wasted due to her gender - ironic, since he would've preferred her attitude in one of his boys.

But he made do.

With Fotios's suggestion, Irakles had agreed to the marriage of his eldest son and his second daughter, and it was this matter in which Irakles had summoned both his sons to his study today to discuss.

"We have an engagement to plan, Achilleas. I'm sure you're aware. Emilios," Irakles turned to his second son, in a voice that bade no argument. "You'll be best man to your brother. In such a time, it would do well to show family unity by doing such."

Picking up a parchment he had prepared earlier, he pushed it in the direction of his two sons. On it were dates and locations, obviously plans for the wedding and engagement party. "We'll throw the engagement party two weeks hence from today. A month after the chaos that had reigned should be enough to show appropriate respect to my late brother, but a time to bring back joy in to people's lives with a celebration."

Picking up his quill, he indicated a date on the parchment for Achilleas. Three dates had been scrawled in Irakles's handwriting. "Your vists to the priest with your intended will be as stated here - the priestess will be waiting for you at the Naos of Aphrodite." As Achilleas studied the parchment, only then did the elder male lean back in his leather covered wing-backed seat, lacing his fingers in front of him. "Upon the priests' blessing, we will throw the engagement gathering - tis why I have arranged for your visit to the Naos to happen within the next two weeks. As we speak, I have sent runners to send the greatest goldsmiths of Taengea to our residence. Emilios, you will confer with your brother and his intended, before directing the goldsmiths to crafting the ring. Gold and precious gems should be used - we do not want to offend the Leventi household by providing the bride with anything less, am I clear?"

His instructions were clear. The wedding was to take place post haste, and as soon as possible. He did not wish to delay, for Irakles had further plans. Besides, it would seem as if Fotios was eager for this union of his nieces and his sons, and Irakles saw no reason why he should deny his comrade what he wished. While he was curious as to why Fotios did not propose a union between his own daughters instead, he did not question. The daughters of Georgios were beautiful specimens of women, and Achilleas should be proud he was gaining such a beautiful wife in Theodora of Leventi.

As soon as he said 'engagement', his heart dropped. It was difficult to keep his face neutral, not to show the pain he was feeling. It was like the injuries from the circus were fresh, his own encounter with the Creed suddenly ached. As if he had been wounded again. As he listened to his father, it was very obvious to him that the chance of his father's mind about which brother would marry Theo. He was stupid to think that his father might take pity on his son, that he would offer him a chance. The reality of it was that his father didn't believe that marriage was a binding contract. He had his own mistress almost as soon as he had secured his own 'heir and spare'.

His father would have pointed out that there was no way he couldn't still have Theo.

Could he do that to his brother?

The idea of being the best man at the wedding of his true love was akin to stabbing him right in the chest. "Yes, sir." He said simply, clearing his throat. "Of course." Unity, after the hellish time, unity was important. He wondered if his cousin would have taken pity on him, would have refused the marriage between the two, which would have been his right as king. But with his own worries, his own new life, to worry about, how could he even think to bother him with his own problems? "It does seem a bit soon, father. After what happened at the Leventi house, do you think they are prepared for such an event?" It was a good enough excuse. Even with all the money, the people to assist in rebuilding had been spread thin. To repair the house in which Theo's family stayed at while in the city? "They may need a bit more time to prepare."

And maybe Theo would be able to convince her father by then.

Emilios was only half listening to his brother, to his father. But the question of the location brought him back. "She's said to be blessed by Aphrodite, isn't she?" He commented, shrugging his shoulders. "I think the goddess deserves the right to give her blessing." He made it seem like an off-hand comment like it was the only thing that made sense to him. But he used to thank Aphrodite daily. Now, he was just wishing for the ability to turn back the time to allow him to be more specific with his father.

His vague consideration for his father was biting him in the ass.

Then, to further drive the pain home, he was told that he would be the one who was in charge of the things. He bit his tongue, simply nodding. He needed out, needed to be away from both of them. He needed to lose his temper on something already destroyed. "Is that all, father?" He asked, hoping to be done with his torture for today.

“Trust me, I’ve no desire to anger any of the Gods.” Achilleas assured Irakles, You’re bad enough. He thought for he’d spent his entire childhood trying to please Irakles. Trying and failing miserably, luckily during the years he’d been away fighting, he’d accepted that he would not be able to and had almost convinced himself not to care anymore.

“The wedding will go off as you’ve planned in two weeks. You have my word.” He started making plans of his own, for he had no intention to move into his father’s home once he was wed. He knew his parents’ marriage had not been a loving one, but he still hated the way his gentle mother had been treated by Irakles. Achilleas didn’t like his father’s mistress Meena very much, but his Irakles’ affairs were just that, his personal business. That Meena and her daughters had been moved into the main house while his mother had been relegated to one of the small houses on the estate did bother him.

Achilleas nodded, though Irakles had turned away and could not see it. “I’ll go now, if that suits you father.” He said, waited a moment then turned and left the room, holding the door for Emilios. Trust his father to make marrying the woman he loved into a mission to be carried out with military precision. Once outside their father’s study, Achilleas offered his younger brother a rueful smile, unaware of the agony Emilios was going through.