Circenia stood astutely in her chambers as she was in great thought, the trials and tribulations of being of Stravos waned her mind. The family had many enemies of which were relatives looking to take the throne – Marikas being one of the many. Minas bore a daughter and not yet given Athenia to claim the throne, but where he is has failed Circenia found success. As Princess, sister to the King, Circenia gave birth to a son who could one day replace Minas as King. An ambition any mother of great standing would want for their child, but the Athenian throne was touched by probable scandal – seeing any bloodline of Xanthos on the throne would cause yet another uproar from other Houses. Poisonings and accidental deaths were not uncommon for she feared for her brother and the future of Elias when he becomes of age. Princess Circenia looked out to see the great blue waters of the sea to ease her worries, before she turned from the view to pick up her pet to sit poised upon the edge of her chaise. The all-white Aphrodite’s giant kitten meowed at her mother’s touch, before Circenia looked up at her attending maid with an expectant gaze as she ordered, “I am distressed Lydia, I want Dionysus’s gift to me brought here.” Wine was a blessed gift from the son of Zeus, if it were not for wine then Circenia would have been a mad woman.

Lydia nodded before she went to retrieve wine for the Princess, who rubbed her kitten that laid nestled in the folds of her peplos. Circenia said, “Do not keep me waiting, Lydia.” There was a coldness to her words, before she returned her attention to Tyche. Politics always aggravated Circenia, if not brought upon anxiety and it only worsened when she had children did she understand the gravity. Their futures also dictated her own, and if it was not lived finery and wealth… That would surely harp on their reputation, Circenia could not have anything less than what she had currently. She expected the same of her children. Chara held great potential, she was only six and Circenia saw so much of her future as if she was the Pythia. The thought of Chara eased Circenia’s anxiety, her future was something she could control and prepare for she was once a daughter to royalty. Even though Circenia was a Princess, she was not given the tools to be such as she was raised by a Queen – she saw it a dishonor to prepare Chara to be anything less. Raising a boy was much different, Elias was on a path that Minas had only experienced and Keikelius was a wealthy merchant’s son. Elias’s preparation would take work, but Chara’s path was much clearer to Circenia… familiar.

Leda entered the room and was met with an irritated glare from Circenia as she questioned her daughter’s attendant, “Must I educate you on diligence? Why…” Circenia did not finish her statement as she laid her eyes on her dear daughter who entered the room in a perfect manner and posture. A smile crossed her expression as she rubbed Tyche and listened to her daughter, though she rolled her eyes at the mention of Rafail of Marikas. Princess Circenia held her hand out to her daughter, “Come to me my child,” She then looked up to Leda, “Why are you still here? Look for Lydia, tell her she is relieved of her duties to me and bring me the wine I asked for.” The coldness of her words and expression switched to a warm and affectionate tone as she laid eyes on Chara, who by now should have grabbed onto her mother’s hand.

Circenia cupped her cheek gently as she said, “Know this and remember it well, no man is ever right.” Circenia said as she went to adjust the tiara on her daughter’s head, she continued, “Listen not to that of your cousin, a Lady of your bloodline listens to none other than herself. Your cousin speaks such words because he is ugly himself, he does not have what you have – becoming the throne’s future.” Circenia took her finger to lift her daughter’s chin to look into her eyes, “You will be a Queen one day.”