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Achilleas had risen early, run through the drills that were as much part of his day as eating or sleeping. It was easier before the sun was too fierce. The clack of practice swords in the courtyard was a sign that the elder son of Irakles was in residence, and Achilleas found some relief in the familiar, after so unsettling a day had passed before. His opponent, a young guard, Proteus, was still a little green but he was fast, and the General had been surprised when the youth had managed to catch him a solid whack across the knuckles. He laughed at the expression of horror upon Proteus’ face as he saw that the skin had split, bright red blood welling, but Achilleas had clapped him on the shoulder and commended him on the strike. He would bleed with his men, they were no different that way.
Now, bathed, garbed in a fresh Chiton and with a cloth wrapped around said hand, he had settled himself in his study, intent on attacking some of the paperwork he had failed at the day before. There had been a missive from the Palati that had arrived whilst he was training, and Achilleas recognised his father’s script immediately. There was a dim flicker of unease at what it would contain - more news pertaining to the now disgraced King? Some way in which he wanted to embroil his son further in this mess?
With a sigh, Achilleas reached for it and in one deft motion, broke the seal, unfolded the paper and let it dangle from his fingers as he read it through.
Achilleas,
Your choices worry me. I've reminded you of the need to place the importance of Taengea and the glory of the kingdom beyond flippant relations you pursue with your cousins. It appears you decided to not heed my advice, and in the event as such, I request all of Euttica's further accounts and documents to be sent to me before you could further approve them. Any approval has to come from me, and I have sent my scribe to inform all in Euttica of such a change in events.
I will hand the decision making for Dynasteia Mikaelidas to Emilios. Your wedding to Lady Theodora is imperative.
Prince Irakles of Mikaelidas
The Lord Mikaelidas stared, reread the words again as he felt a hot prickle of anger lick up the base of his spine, draw his shoulders tight and cut the line of his jaw into a sharp, uncompromising edge. He could not….
But the words were clear on the page, irrefutable, and Achilleas’ fingers tightened around the paper a moment until with an inarticulate cry of disbelief he threw it away from him. It wasn’t enough though, his hand closing around a paperweight, smooth polished obsidian and without meaning to, without consciously thinking of it, he had launched it across the room. It crashed into the opposing wall with a noise loud enough to echo around the manor, and shocked Achilleas enough that the fog of fury cleared a little.
“...it appears you decided not to heed my advice…”
The vote. He had known it would displease his father, had fully expected to be called to account for it, but this? This was embarrassing. Sixteen years! Sixteen years he had run his barony and now to be..
There was a hurried pitter patter of sandalled feet and the door swung open, a concerned face peering in “My Lord I heard a crash”
“ GET OUT!” Achilleas roared, and the poor startled servant ran. It was not often that the older of the two brothers lost his temper, but when he did, it was as hot as Hades, and just had to be left to burn itself out.
It aggravated Achilleas more that news of his reaction would reach his father, through Meena or those same servants who would spend the rest of the afternoon sneaking about and trying to stay out of his way. He breathed through his nose and tried to regain some of the composure he was was better known for.
This was not a public admonishment - to outsiders nothing would change, but Achilleas felt it keenly nonetheless. His father’s unsubtle way of yanking on his reins as he would do a wilful horse. Fall in line or watch what happens. It stung his pride more than anything.
With a sigh, the man picked up the missive again, considered the cost of his show of loyalty to Stephanos. He should’ve expected as much, perhaps. The papers that he had been so diligently about to work through sat mockingly before him, as if to compound his father’s message. Later, when he had calmed somewhat, he would sort those papers that related to Euttica and have them delivered to the Palati with a curt note accompanying them.
For now though, he reached glumly for the wine that sat next to them and busied himself with that instead.
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Achilleas had risen early, run through the drills that were as much part of his day as eating or sleeping. It was easier before the sun was too fierce. The clack of practice swords in the courtyard was a sign that the elder son of Irakles was in residence, and Achilleas found some relief in the familiar, after so unsettling a day had passed before. His opponent, a young guard, Proteus, was still a little green but he was fast, and the General had been surprised when the youth had managed to catch him a solid whack across the knuckles. He laughed at the expression of horror upon Proteus’ face as he saw that the skin had split, bright red blood welling, but Achilleas had clapped him on the shoulder and commended him on the strike. He would bleed with his men, they were no different that way.
Now, bathed, garbed in a fresh Chiton and with a cloth wrapped around said hand, he had settled himself in his study, intent on attacking some of the paperwork he had failed at the day before. There had been a missive from the Palati that had arrived whilst he was training, and Achilleas recognised his father’s script immediately. There was a dim flicker of unease at what it would contain - more news pertaining to the now disgraced King? Some way in which he wanted to embroil his son further in this mess?
With a sigh, Achilleas reached for it and in one deft motion, broke the seal, unfolded the paper and let it dangle from his fingers as he read it through.
Achilleas,
Your choices worry me. I've reminded you of the need to place the importance of Taengea and the glory of the kingdom beyond flippant relations you pursue with your cousins. It appears you decided to not heed my advice, and in the event as such, I request all of Euttica's further accounts and documents to be sent to me before you could further approve them. Any approval has to come from me, and I have sent my scribe to inform all in Euttica of such a change in events.
I will hand the decision making for Dynasteia Mikaelidas to Emilios. Your wedding to Lady Theodora is imperative.
Prince Irakles of Mikaelidas
The Lord Mikaelidas stared, reread the words again as he felt a hot prickle of anger lick up the base of his spine, draw his shoulders tight and cut the line of his jaw into a sharp, uncompromising edge. He could not….
But the words were clear on the page, irrefutable, and Achilleas’ fingers tightened around the paper a moment until with an inarticulate cry of disbelief he threw it away from him. It wasn’t enough though, his hand closing around a paperweight, smooth polished obsidian and without meaning to, without consciously thinking of it, he had launched it across the room. It crashed into the opposing wall with a noise loud enough to echo around the manor, and shocked Achilleas enough that the fog of fury cleared a little.
“...it appears you decided not to heed my advice…”
The vote. He had known it would displease his father, had fully expected to be called to account for it, but this? This was embarrassing. Sixteen years! Sixteen years he had run his barony and now to be..
There was a hurried pitter patter of sandalled feet and the door swung open, a concerned face peering in “My Lord I heard a crash”
“ GET OUT!” Achilleas roared, and the poor startled servant ran. It was not often that the older of the two brothers lost his temper, but when he did, it was as hot as Hades, and just had to be left to burn itself out.
It aggravated Achilleas more that news of his reaction would reach his father, through Meena or those same servants who would spend the rest of the afternoon sneaking about and trying to stay out of his way. He breathed through his nose and tried to regain some of the composure he was was better known for.
This was not a public admonishment - to outsiders nothing would change, but Achilleas felt it keenly nonetheless. His father’s unsubtle way of yanking on his reins as he would do a wilful horse. Fall in line or watch what happens. It stung his pride more than anything.
With a sigh, the man picked up the missive again, considered the cost of his show of loyalty to Stephanos. He should’ve expected as much, perhaps. The papers that he had been so diligently about to work through sat mockingly before him, as if to compound his father’s message. Later, when he had calmed somewhat, he would sort those papers that related to Euttica and have them delivered to the Palati with a curt note accompanying them.
For now though, he reached glumly for the wine that sat next to them and busied himself with that instead.
Achilleas had risen early, run through the drills that were as much part of his day as eating or sleeping. It was easier before the sun was too fierce. The clack of practice swords in the courtyard was a sign that the elder son of Irakles was in residence, and Achilleas found some relief in the familiar, after so unsettling a day had passed before. His opponent, a young guard, Proteus, was still a little green but he was fast, and the General had been surprised when the youth had managed to catch him a solid whack across the knuckles. He laughed at the expression of horror upon Proteus’ face as he saw that the skin had split, bright red blood welling, but Achilleas had clapped him on the shoulder and commended him on the strike. He would bleed with his men, they were no different that way.
Now, bathed, garbed in a fresh Chiton and with a cloth wrapped around said hand, he had settled himself in his study, intent on attacking some of the paperwork he had failed at the day before. There had been a missive from the Palati that had arrived whilst he was training, and Achilleas recognised his father’s script immediately. There was a dim flicker of unease at what it would contain - more news pertaining to the now disgraced King? Some way in which he wanted to embroil his son further in this mess?
With a sigh, Achilleas reached for it and in one deft motion, broke the seal, unfolded the paper and let it dangle from his fingers as he read it through.
Achilleas,
Your choices worry me. I've reminded you of the need to place the importance of Taengea and the glory of the kingdom beyond flippant relations you pursue with your cousins. It appears you decided to not heed my advice, and in the event as such, I request all of Euttica's further accounts and documents to be sent to me before you could further approve them. Any approval has to come from me, and I have sent my scribe to inform all in Euttica of such a change in events.
I will hand the decision making for Dynasteia Mikaelidas to Emilios. Your wedding to Lady Theodora is imperative.
Prince Irakles of Mikaelidas
The Lord Mikaelidas stared, reread the words again as he felt a hot prickle of anger lick up the base of his spine, draw his shoulders tight and cut the line of his jaw into a sharp, uncompromising edge. He could not….
But the words were clear on the page, irrefutable, and Achilleas’ fingers tightened around the paper a moment until with an inarticulate cry of disbelief he threw it away from him. It wasn’t enough though, his hand closing around a paperweight, smooth polished obsidian and without meaning to, without consciously thinking of it, he had launched it across the room. It crashed into the opposing wall with a noise loud enough to echo around the manor, and shocked Achilleas enough that the fog of fury cleared a little.
“...it appears you decided not to heed my advice…”
The vote. He had known it would displease his father, had fully expected to be called to account for it, but this? This was embarrassing. Sixteen years! Sixteen years he had run his barony and now to be..
There was a hurried pitter patter of sandalled feet and the door swung open, a concerned face peering in “My Lord I heard a crash”
“ GET OUT!” Achilleas roared, and the poor startled servant ran. It was not often that the older of the two brothers lost his temper, but when he did, it was as hot as Hades, and just had to be left to burn itself out.
It aggravated Achilleas more that news of his reaction would reach his father, through Meena or those same servants who would spend the rest of the afternoon sneaking about and trying to stay out of his way. He breathed through his nose and tried to regain some of the composure he was was better known for.
This was not a public admonishment - to outsiders nothing would change, but Achilleas felt it keenly nonetheless. His father’s unsubtle way of yanking on his reins as he would do a wilful horse. Fall in line or watch what happens. It stung his pride more than anything.
With a sigh, the man picked up the missive again, considered the cost of his show of loyalty to Stephanos. He should’ve expected as much, perhaps. The papers that he had been so diligently about to work through sat mockingly before him, as if to compound his father’s message. Later, when he had calmed somewhat, he would sort those papers that related to Euttica and have them delivered to the Palati with a curt note accompanying them.
For now though, he reached glumly for the wine that sat next to them and busied himself with that instead.
While his brother was up being a good example of what a soldier should do, Emilios was still in bed attempting to recover from a night of drinking alone. His cousin and confidante was under house arrest, and his father had uprooted the whole kingdom.
To the youngest, it seemed as if it was only done for the sake of self gain. But he had heard the whispers among the other senators— it was about time that someone looked out for the kingdom who had a good head on his shoulders. The prince had made a point to make an impression on those that mattered, and now he was the Regent in place of his cousin.
What was his father trying to accomplish?
As soon as he had done his duty as a son, Emilios had gone to the palati to check on Stephanos, only to find that ‘the king wasn’t taking any visitors’. He called bullshit on that, but didn’t press the matter as he knew it would get back to his father who would have been upset by his insistence on seeing ‘the murderer’. Left to drink alone, Emilios spent the night deep in liquor. And spent the morning sleeping off a hangover.
The rap on his door felt far louder than it really was, echoing in his ears. The dark cloth on the window had been closed to allow his sleep, but the door opened and maids burst in, busying themselves with letting in annoying light and a breakfast that smelt a bit too strongly of fish. He groaned as they worked, slowly pulling himself out of bed to sit at the small table by the window. As the servants made their way out, one handed him a letter, the seal of his father bold and obvious.
It was too early for this shit.
Emilios
Your brother is otherwise indisposed to attend to matters of his wedding. You are to takeover duties in handling the House matters, as I am busy acting in Stephanos's stead.
I trust you will handle matters appropriately. Remain in the capitol manor during the time.
Irakles.
It was definitely too early for this shit.
So not only had father made a point to take over the throne from his nephew, he’d removed all responsibility from his eldest son, who hadn’t supported him when the time came. Achilleas had discovered his backbone, and it came at a price. But Emilios hadn’t asked for his job, not when he wanted his brother’s bride instead. Didn’t seem like he would be that lucky either.
All work and no Theo made Emilios a dull boy.
He, for once, made quick work on his breakfast, deciding that if he’d gotten a letter like this, Achilleas probably had as well. It was no surprised that it only took him a few moments to eat the meats offered (but the fish was taken with the servants) before he dressed in a simple pair of riding pants and a white shirt. Making his way over to the rooms that his brother occupied, it was impossible to miss his roar of anger. Leave it to their father to ruin both of their mornings with an informal letter.
Watching as the servant fled his brother’s room, the youngest son gave him a moment to calm down before pushing through the door. Grinning, it was impossible not to notice the wine in his brother’s hand. ”Using my methods is unlike you, brother. I see Father has ruined your morning as well.” Crossing the room, he took a seat in an open chair, kicking his leg up on the arm. ”He’s a gem, that one.”
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While his brother was up being a good example of what a soldier should do, Emilios was still in bed attempting to recover from a night of drinking alone. His cousin and confidante was under house arrest, and his father had uprooted the whole kingdom.
To the youngest, it seemed as if it was only done for the sake of self gain. But he had heard the whispers among the other senators— it was about time that someone looked out for the kingdom who had a good head on his shoulders. The prince had made a point to make an impression on those that mattered, and now he was the Regent in place of his cousin.
What was his father trying to accomplish?
As soon as he had done his duty as a son, Emilios had gone to the palati to check on Stephanos, only to find that ‘the king wasn’t taking any visitors’. He called bullshit on that, but didn’t press the matter as he knew it would get back to his father who would have been upset by his insistence on seeing ‘the murderer’. Left to drink alone, Emilios spent the night deep in liquor. And spent the morning sleeping off a hangover.
The rap on his door felt far louder than it really was, echoing in his ears. The dark cloth on the window had been closed to allow his sleep, but the door opened and maids burst in, busying themselves with letting in annoying light and a breakfast that smelt a bit too strongly of fish. He groaned as they worked, slowly pulling himself out of bed to sit at the small table by the window. As the servants made their way out, one handed him a letter, the seal of his father bold and obvious.
It was too early for this shit.
Emilios
Your brother is otherwise indisposed to attend to matters of his wedding. You are to takeover duties in handling the House matters, as I am busy acting in Stephanos's stead.
I trust you will handle matters appropriately. Remain in the capitol manor during the time.
Irakles.
It was definitely too early for this shit.
So not only had father made a point to take over the throne from his nephew, he’d removed all responsibility from his eldest son, who hadn’t supported him when the time came. Achilleas had discovered his backbone, and it came at a price. But Emilios hadn’t asked for his job, not when he wanted his brother’s bride instead. Didn’t seem like he would be that lucky either.
All work and no Theo made Emilios a dull boy.
He, for once, made quick work on his breakfast, deciding that if he’d gotten a letter like this, Achilleas probably had as well. It was no surprised that it only took him a few moments to eat the meats offered (but the fish was taken with the servants) before he dressed in a simple pair of riding pants and a white shirt. Making his way over to the rooms that his brother occupied, it was impossible to miss his roar of anger. Leave it to their father to ruin both of their mornings with an informal letter.
Watching as the servant fled his brother’s room, the youngest son gave him a moment to calm down before pushing through the door. Grinning, it was impossible not to notice the wine in his brother’s hand. ”Using my methods is unlike you, brother. I see Father has ruined your morning as well.” Crossing the room, he took a seat in an open chair, kicking his leg up on the arm. ”He’s a gem, that one.”
While his brother was up being a good example of what a soldier should do, Emilios was still in bed attempting to recover from a night of drinking alone. His cousin and confidante was under house arrest, and his father had uprooted the whole kingdom.
To the youngest, it seemed as if it was only done for the sake of self gain. But he had heard the whispers among the other senators— it was about time that someone looked out for the kingdom who had a good head on his shoulders. The prince had made a point to make an impression on those that mattered, and now he was the Regent in place of his cousin.
What was his father trying to accomplish?
As soon as he had done his duty as a son, Emilios had gone to the palati to check on Stephanos, only to find that ‘the king wasn’t taking any visitors’. He called bullshit on that, but didn’t press the matter as he knew it would get back to his father who would have been upset by his insistence on seeing ‘the murderer’. Left to drink alone, Emilios spent the night deep in liquor. And spent the morning sleeping off a hangover.
The rap on his door felt far louder than it really was, echoing in his ears. The dark cloth on the window had been closed to allow his sleep, but the door opened and maids burst in, busying themselves with letting in annoying light and a breakfast that smelt a bit too strongly of fish. He groaned as they worked, slowly pulling himself out of bed to sit at the small table by the window. As the servants made their way out, one handed him a letter, the seal of his father bold and obvious.
It was too early for this shit.
Emilios
Your brother is otherwise indisposed to attend to matters of his wedding. You are to takeover duties in handling the House matters, as I am busy acting in Stephanos's stead.
I trust you will handle matters appropriately. Remain in the capitol manor during the time.
Irakles.
It was definitely too early for this shit.
So not only had father made a point to take over the throne from his nephew, he’d removed all responsibility from his eldest son, who hadn’t supported him when the time came. Achilleas had discovered his backbone, and it came at a price. But Emilios hadn’t asked for his job, not when he wanted his brother’s bride instead. Didn’t seem like he would be that lucky either.
All work and no Theo made Emilios a dull boy.
He, for once, made quick work on his breakfast, deciding that if he’d gotten a letter like this, Achilleas probably had as well. It was no surprised that it only took him a few moments to eat the meats offered (but the fish was taken with the servants) before he dressed in a simple pair of riding pants and a white shirt. Making his way over to the rooms that his brother occupied, it was impossible to miss his roar of anger. Leave it to their father to ruin both of their mornings with an informal letter.
Watching as the servant fled his brother’s room, the youngest son gave him a moment to calm down before pushing through the door. Grinning, it was impossible not to notice the wine in his brother’s hand. ”Using my methods is unlike you, brother. I see Father has ruined your morning as well.” Crossing the room, he took a seat in an open chair, kicking his leg up on the arm. ”He’s a gem, that one.”
His brother’s grinning face was not what Achilleas wanted to be confronted with in that moment. But Emilios did not wait for an invitation - he never did - and so the elder just glared at him as he came in and made himself at home, setting down the cup of wine at his sibling’s insouciant observation.
“He wrote to you too?” Achilleas guessed, and with an aggravated huff of breath, he picked up the missive he had been sent and threw it toward his brother. “ I know why he does it” he said through gritted teeth. “ But this is ridiculous”
It made him ridiculous, and that was not a thing that Achilleas had ever born well. Pushing up and away from the desk he sat behind, the man had seized the wine again and was pacing the space, gesticulating
“I dont know where he thinks he will get the time to pay any attention to Euttica!” he ranted. “What with snatching up the title of acting Regent without blinking! And I am supposed to what? Sit around here and think carefully about my choices?!” There was an edge of derision to his voice but Achilleas knew that was exactly what his father intended. It was a message, and one that he did not know how he could ignore. That was what galled him the most. In spite of his accolades, his reputation, everything his hard work had gone into, everything that he claimed as his own was still ultimately at the say so of his father. And the man knew him well enough to know what strings to pull upon if Achilleas did something not to his liking.
He had been naive not to consider this when he had declined to vote, had not thought Irakles would do anything so direct. But he was wrong in that, it would seem.
That knowledge, the truth of the precarious position he had put himself in saw the initial flare of his anger fade to something more slow burn, and the warrior folded abruptly back into his seat, draining the wine and discarding the vessel carelessly upon the desk.. What did he care if it bled onto the papers he would not be attending to.
A moment later, Achilleas had righted the cup.
“What did he have to say to you?” he asked Emilios, sounding almost weary. “ Are you in the dog house too? Or is that just my good fortune?”
He had not seen his brother since they had been dismissed the day prior, and he looked at him properly then, saw the slightly pallid complexion and it gave him pause. His brother did not look like he had spent his evening as pleasurably as Achilleas had, not unsurprising given the events of the day. He felt a little foolish as he thought on that, his cause for discontent paling into insignificance compared to others, depending on which way you saw the truth.
“Did you see Stephanos?” He asked, unwinding the cloth that he’d bound about his hand earlier and flexing his fingers. It stung a little where the skin had split, but the sharpness of it grounded him and Achilleas began to feel more himself again. Albeit himself a little unsettled by the shifting sands that had appeared beneath their feet. “ Does he plan to contest it…..can he?”
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His brother’s grinning face was not what Achilleas wanted to be confronted with in that moment. But Emilios did not wait for an invitation - he never did - and so the elder just glared at him as he came in and made himself at home, setting down the cup of wine at his sibling’s insouciant observation.
“He wrote to you too?” Achilleas guessed, and with an aggravated huff of breath, he picked up the missive he had been sent and threw it toward his brother. “ I know why he does it” he said through gritted teeth. “ But this is ridiculous”
It made him ridiculous, and that was not a thing that Achilleas had ever born well. Pushing up and away from the desk he sat behind, the man had seized the wine again and was pacing the space, gesticulating
“I dont know where he thinks he will get the time to pay any attention to Euttica!” he ranted. “What with snatching up the title of acting Regent without blinking! And I am supposed to what? Sit around here and think carefully about my choices?!” There was an edge of derision to his voice but Achilleas knew that was exactly what his father intended. It was a message, and one that he did not know how he could ignore. That was what galled him the most. In spite of his accolades, his reputation, everything his hard work had gone into, everything that he claimed as his own was still ultimately at the say so of his father. And the man knew him well enough to know what strings to pull upon if Achilleas did something not to his liking.
He had been naive not to consider this when he had declined to vote, had not thought Irakles would do anything so direct. But he was wrong in that, it would seem.
That knowledge, the truth of the precarious position he had put himself in saw the initial flare of his anger fade to something more slow burn, and the warrior folded abruptly back into his seat, draining the wine and discarding the vessel carelessly upon the desk.. What did he care if it bled onto the papers he would not be attending to.
A moment later, Achilleas had righted the cup.
“What did he have to say to you?” he asked Emilios, sounding almost weary. “ Are you in the dog house too? Or is that just my good fortune?”
He had not seen his brother since they had been dismissed the day prior, and he looked at him properly then, saw the slightly pallid complexion and it gave him pause. His brother did not look like he had spent his evening as pleasurably as Achilleas had, not unsurprising given the events of the day. He felt a little foolish as he thought on that, his cause for discontent paling into insignificance compared to others, depending on which way you saw the truth.
“Did you see Stephanos?” He asked, unwinding the cloth that he’d bound about his hand earlier and flexing his fingers. It stung a little where the skin had split, but the sharpness of it grounded him and Achilleas began to feel more himself again. Albeit himself a little unsettled by the shifting sands that had appeared beneath their feet. “ Does he plan to contest it…..can he?”
His brother’s grinning face was not what Achilleas wanted to be confronted with in that moment. But Emilios did not wait for an invitation - he never did - and so the elder just glared at him as he came in and made himself at home, setting down the cup of wine at his sibling’s insouciant observation.
“He wrote to you too?” Achilleas guessed, and with an aggravated huff of breath, he picked up the missive he had been sent and threw it toward his brother. “ I know why he does it” he said through gritted teeth. “ But this is ridiculous”
It made him ridiculous, and that was not a thing that Achilleas had ever born well. Pushing up and away from the desk he sat behind, the man had seized the wine again and was pacing the space, gesticulating
“I dont know where he thinks he will get the time to pay any attention to Euttica!” he ranted. “What with snatching up the title of acting Regent without blinking! And I am supposed to what? Sit around here and think carefully about my choices?!” There was an edge of derision to his voice but Achilleas knew that was exactly what his father intended. It was a message, and one that he did not know how he could ignore. That was what galled him the most. In spite of his accolades, his reputation, everything his hard work had gone into, everything that he claimed as his own was still ultimately at the say so of his father. And the man knew him well enough to know what strings to pull upon if Achilleas did something not to his liking.
He had been naive not to consider this when he had declined to vote, had not thought Irakles would do anything so direct. But he was wrong in that, it would seem.
That knowledge, the truth of the precarious position he had put himself in saw the initial flare of his anger fade to something more slow burn, and the warrior folded abruptly back into his seat, draining the wine and discarding the vessel carelessly upon the desk.. What did he care if it bled onto the papers he would not be attending to.
A moment later, Achilleas had righted the cup.
“What did he have to say to you?” he asked Emilios, sounding almost weary. “ Are you in the dog house too? Or is that just my good fortune?”
He had not seen his brother since they had been dismissed the day prior, and he looked at him properly then, saw the slightly pallid complexion and it gave him pause. His brother did not look like he had spent his evening as pleasurably as Achilleas had, not unsurprising given the events of the day. He felt a little foolish as he thought on that, his cause for discontent paling into insignificance compared to others, depending on which way you saw the truth.
“Did you see Stephanos?” He asked, unwinding the cloth that he’d bound about his hand earlier and flexing his fingers. It stung a little where the skin had split, but the sharpness of it grounded him and Achilleas began to feel more himself again. Albeit himself a little unsettled by the shifting sands that had appeared beneath their feet. “ Does he plan to contest it…..can he?”
He liked his brother angry. It made him seem far more human, far more like him than he had seen. The poster boy for their father’s disappointment, Emilios was used to being judged differently for his actions. But the sandal on the other foot, he wasn’t sure exactly what to do with his sudden elevation in his father’s graces. ”Of course he did. You think he would ruin your day without taking a hit on mine as well? He’s always liked to make sure we are on even footing, in that regard.” Picking up the letter Achilleas tossed on his chest, he read it carefully, surprised by it.
Usually a brief man, the letter was quite telling of his father’s overall disappointment in how he acted during the senate meeting.
”He won’t get the time to focus on it. That’s the point.” Setting the letter back down on his table, Emilios settled into the chair, kicking his feet up onto a small, empty section of the desk. ”If you aren’t attending to your affairs, and he’s not, then he can blame you once he’s done punishing you. He’s always been a fan of power struggles.” There was a casualness in his statement, but he tended to be pretty casual about everything. Even his preference of bow was a casual one, far less physical than his brother’s love of the sword. And he was just as deadly with it.
It was hard not to feel bad for his brother at this point. Having been the perfect son, simple transgressions were major disappointments to their father. And it seemed that he was more than willing to let him know exactly how he felt about his choice. It was a pity, to be frank. Achilleas was trying to show his own political stance and was being openly chastised for it. ”He’s just put me in charge, fat lot I’ll actually have to do. You know his steward will do all the work. I’ll just get to attach the seal. Not like there will be much to do.” His father would see that he wasn’t given any real power. At least, not yet.
At the question, he head shook, ”No. I tried, but the guards brushed me off. Saying he ‘didn’t wish to be bothered’. Which I know is a lie, simply because he would have wanted to know what had happened since he was escorted from the Senate.” He was worried for his cousin, simply because he didn’t know what was going to happen. Even with his father as Regent, if Olympia produced a son, that child would be the next in line. Not Achilleas (as if he wanted it), which would only make it more likely that his father would do something stupid.
At what point would enough be enough?
”I would imagine he will try to contest it. I mean, as much as he sleeps around, there must a whore in the city who can vouch for his location when they were killed. If anyone knows Stephanos, and you and I both do, he would not have killed them for the throne.” He leaned forward, hands on his knees. ”The last thing he wanted was the responsibility of ruling.” They both knew that. ”Do we chance outright calling our father a liar over the matter?” Emilios preferred to let things happen, to try a different way to change things.
Besides, their father wouldn’t do anything drastic.
Would he?
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He liked his brother angry. It made him seem far more human, far more like him than he had seen. The poster boy for their father’s disappointment, Emilios was used to being judged differently for his actions. But the sandal on the other foot, he wasn’t sure exactly what to do with his sudden elevation in his father’s graces. ”Of course he did. You think he would ruin your day without taking a hit on mine as well? He’s always liked to make sure we are on even footing, in that regard.” Picking up the letter Achilleas tossed on his chest, he read it carefully, surprised by it.
Usually a brief man, the letter was quite telling of his father’s overall disappointment in how he acted during the senate meeting.
”He won’t get the time to focus on it. That’s the point.” Setting the letter back down on his table, Emilios settled into the chair, kicking his feet up onto a small, empty section of the desk. ”If you aren’t attending to your affairs, and he’s not, then he can blame you once he’s done punishing you. He’s always been a fan of power struggles.” There was a casualness in his statement, but he tended to be pretty casual about everything. Even his preference of bow was a casual one, far less physical than his brother’s love of the sword. And he was just as deadly with it.
It was hard not to feel bad for his brother at this point. Having been the perfect son, simple transgressions were major disappointments to their father. And it seemed that he was more than willing to let him know exactly how he felt about his choice. It was a pity, to be frank. Achilleas was trying to show his own political stance and was being openly chastised for it. ”He’s just put me in charge, fat lot I’ll actually have to do. You know his steward will do all the work. I’ll just get to attach the seal. Not like there will be much to do.” His father would see that he wasn’t given any real power. At least, not yet.
At the question, he head shook, ”No. I tried, but the guards brushed me off. Saying he ‘didn’t wish to be bothered’. Which I know is a lie, simply because he would have wanted to know what had happened since he was escorted from the Senate.” He was worried for his cousin, simply because he didn’t know what was going to happen. Even with his father as Regent, if Olympia produced a son, that child would be the next in line. Not Achilleas (as if he wanted it), which would only make it more likely that his father would do something stupid.
At what point would enough be enough?
”I would imagine he will try to contest it. I mean, as much as he sleeps around, there must a whore in the city who can vouch for his location when they were killed. If anyone knows Stephanos, and you and I both do, he would not have killed them for the throne.” He leaned forward, hands on his knees. ”The last thing he wanted was the responsibility of ruling.” They both knew that. ”Do we chance outright calling our father a liar over the matter?” Emilios preferred to let things happen, to try a different way to change things.
Besides, their father wouldn’t do anything drastic.
Would he?
He liked his brother angry. It made him seem far more human, far more like him than he had seen. The poster boy for their father’s disappointment, Emilios was used to being judged differently for his actions. But the sandal on the other foot, he wasn’t sure exactly what to do with his sudden elevation in his father’s graces. ”Of course he did. You think he would ruin your day without taking a hit on mine as well? He’s always liked to make sure we are on even footing, in that regard.” Picking up the letter Achilleas tossed on his chest, he read it carefully, surprised by it.
Usually a brief man, the letter was quite telling of his father’s overall disappointment in how he acted during the senate meeting.
”He won’t get the time to focus on it. That’s the point.” Setting the letter back down on his table, Emilios settled into the chair, kicking his feet up onto a small, empty section of the desk. ”If you aren’t attending to your affairs, and he’s not, then he can blame you once he’s done punishing you. He’s always been a fan of power struggles.” There was a casualness in his statement, but he tended to be pretty casual about everything. Even his preference of bow was a casual one, far less physical than his brother’s love of the sword. And he was just as deadly with it.
It was hard not to feel bad for his brother at this point. Having been the perfect son, simple transgressions were major disappointments to their father. And it seemed that he was more than willing to let him know exactly how he felt about his choice. It was a pity, to be frank. Achilleas was trying to show his own political stance and was being openly chastised for it. ”He’s just put me in charge, fat lot I’ll actually have to do. You know his steward will do all the work. I’ll just get to attach the seal. Not like there will be much to do.” His father would see that he wasn’t given any real power. At least, not yet.
At the question, he head shook, ”No. I tried, but the guards brushed me off. Saying he ‘didn’t wish to be bothered’. Which I know is a lie, simply because he would have wanted to know what had happened since he was escorted from the Senate.” He was worried for his cousin, simply because he didn’t know what was going to happen. Even with his father as Regent, if Olympia produced a son, that child would be the next in line. Not Achilleas (as if he wanted it), which would only make it more likely that his father would do something stupid.
At what point would enough be enough?
”I would imagine he will try to contest it. I mean, as much as he sleeps around, there must a whore in the city who can vouch for his location when they were killed. If anyone knows Stephanos, and you and I both do, he would not have killed them for the throne.” He leaned forward, hands on his knees. ”The last thing he wanted was the responsibility of ruling.” They both knew that. ”Do we chance outright calling our father a liar over the matter?” Emilios preferred to let things happen, to try a different way to change things.
Besides, their father wouldn’t do anything drastic.
Would he?
The older of the two brothers frowned. He didn’t understand, had never understood, Emilios’ ability to be so blasé about things. Everything just seemed to roll off his shoulders without even leaving a mark, whereas Achilleas collected it all until he thought he might stagger under the weight. And whilst his brother could sit there and casually observe their father’s actions, Achilleas could feel his stomach twisted up in knots over it, over what it might mean and what he would need to do to get himself back into the man’s good graces. He was envious of Emilios in that regard.
He looked seriously at his brother for a moment “You should use it” he said, of the transfer of the House duties. “Use it as an opportunity to show him what you are capable of...if you actually want that kind of thing” The last was said with a raised brow, for Achilleas found it somehow hard to imagine: his laid back brother actually desiring to tie himself down to responsibility and governance.
The brief trace of amusement faded though as talk turned to Stephanos. It had all ended so..inelegantly, and Achilleas winced at the thought of the memory his cousin would have left the Senate with, all flailing limbs and spitting curses. He had appeared almost unhinged. But he could not help but agree with Emilios’ assertion that Stephanos was not one who had ever craved the crown. He was far too happy living his life of debauchery. He considered the chances of an alibi being found, the liklihood of which would depend on someone going to search one out, and with Stephanos confined to his chambers, who would do that? Did he have those close to him to take up his cause?
His brother’s thoughts seemed to follow the same path, but Achilleas’ head jerked up in shock at what he suggested. “I’m bloody well not going to” he replied, in answer to Emilios’ question as to whether they called their father out. “He would not even speak to me after, and then this?” he flicked the missive in disgust. “I do not have a lot of room for manouver, brother, so you will excuse me not poking the lion any further”
But there was a stir of guilt at the plight of their cousin and Achilleas spoke on. “Surely Stephanos must have someone else who can advocate for him, who will turn up what he needs to exonerate himself?” Emilios would know, the pair of them were thick as thieves. With a sigh, the older of the pair pushed a hand through his hair, leaving the dark thatch uncharastically ruffled. Like its owner.
“You look like death” he observed, glancing at his brother’s pale face again. “Heavy night?” And he thought of the way he had spent his own evening, and recalled that he had meant to speak to Emilios of it. In spite of everything, and even trying to be respectful, it was still difficult to keep the edge of a smile off his lips as he began.
“I saw Theodora last night” he began casually, idly turning his stylus over in his hand, the other resting lightly atop his thigh. “Saw rather a lot of her if you understand” Blue eyes lifted to rest upon an almost matching pair, and Achilleas expression was firm. “And no, I am not going to tell you about it, I just…” here he frowned and tapped the end of the pen against the edge of the desk, betraying his discomfort. “It was certainly not new to her. Not that I expected…” Well no, perhaps he had expected. Or hoped. He wasn’t sure. “I just didnt know she had been involved with someone before, I wondered if you did? You are closer to that sort of thing than I.” He meant whatever gossip circulated around Vasiliadon. Emilios was well liked, sociable. More available for such frivolity than himself, and so confided in more often, he thought.
“Was she courting someone else?”
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The older of the two brothers frowned. He didn’t understand, had never understood, Emilios’ ability to be so blasé about things. Everything just seemed to roll off his shoulders without even leaving a mark, whereas Achilleas collected it all until he thought he might stagger under the weight. And whilst his brother could sit there and casually observe their father’s actions, Achilleas could feel his stomach twisted up in knots over it, over what it might mean and what he would need to do to get himself back into the man’s good graces. He was envious of Emilios in that regard.
He looked seriously at his brother for a moment “You should use it” he said, of the transfer of the House duties. “Use it as an opportunity to show him what you are capable of...if you actually want that kind of thing” The last was said with a raised brow, for Achilleas found it somehow hard to imagine: his laid back brother actually desiring to tie himself down to responsibility and governance.
The brief trace of amusement faded though as talk turned to Stephanos. It had all ended so..inelegantly, and Achilleas winced at the thought of the memory his cousin would have left the Senate with, all flailing limbs and spitting curses. He had appeared almost unhinged. But he could not help but agree with Emilios’ assertion that Stephanos was not one who had ever craved the crown. He was far too happy living his life of debauchery. He considered the chances of an alibi being found, the liklihood of which would depend on someone going to search one out, and with Stephanos confined to his chambers, who would do that? Did he have those close to him to take up his cause?
His brother’s thoughts seemed to follow the same path, but Achilleas’ head jerked up in shock at what he suggested. “I’m bloody well not going to” he replied, in answer to Emilios’ question as to whether they called their father out. “He would not even speak to me after, and then this?” he flicked the missive in disgust. “I do not have a lot of room for manouver, brother, so you will excuse me not poking the lion any further”
But there was a stir of guilt at the plight of their cousin and Achilleas spoke on. “Surely Stephanos must have someone else who can advocate for him, who will turn up what he needs to exonerate himself?” Emilios would know, the pair of them were thick as thieves. With a sigh, the older of the pair pushed a hand through his hair, leaving the dark thatch uncharastically ruffled. Like its owner.
“You look like death” he observed, glancing at his brother’s pale face again. “Heavy night?” And he thought of the way he had spent his own evening, and recalled that he had meant to speak to Emilios of it. In spite of everything, and even trying to be respectful, it was still difficult to keep the edge of a smile off his lips as he began.
“I saw Theodora last night” he began casually, idly turning his stylus over in his hand, the other resting lightly atop his thigh. “Saw rather a lot of her if you understand” Blue eyes lifted to rest upon an almost matching pair, and Achilleas expression was firm. “And no, I am not going to tell you about it, I just…” here he frowned and tapped the end of the pen against the edge of the desk, betraying his discomfort. “It was certainly not new to her. Not that I expected…” Well no, perhaps he had expected. Or hoped. He wasn’t sure. “I just didnt know she had been involved with someone before, I wondered if you did? You are closer to that sort of thing than I.” He meant whatever gossip circulated around Vasiliadon. Emilios was well liked, sociable. More available for such frivolity than himself, and so confided in more often, he thought.
“Was she courting someone else?”
The older of the two brothers frowned. He didn’t understand, had never understood, Emilios’ ability to be so blasé about things. Everything just seemed to roll off his shoulders without even leaving a mark, whereas Achilleas collected it all until he thought he might stagger under the weight. And whilst his brother could sit there and casually observe their father’s actions, Achilleas could feel his stomach twisted up in knots over it, over what it might mean and what he would need to do to get himself back into the man’s good graces. He was envious of Emilios in that regard.
He looked seriously at his brother for a moment “You should use it” he said, of the transfer of the House duties. “Use it as an opportunity to show him what you are capable of...if you actually want that kind of thing” The last was said with a raised brow, for Achilleas found it somehow hard to imagine: his laid back brother actually desiring to tie himself down to responsibility and governance.
The brief trace of amusement faded though as talk turned to Stephanos. It had all ended so..inelegantly, and Achilleas winced at the thought of the memory his cousin would have left the Senate with, all flailing limbs and spitting curses. He had appeared almost unhinged. But he could not help but agree with Emilios’ assertion that Stephanos was not one who had ever craved the crown. He was far too happy living his life of debauchery. He considered the chances of an alibi being found, the liklihood of which would depend on someone going to search one out, and with Stephanos confined to his chambers, who would do that? Did he have those close to him to take up his cause?
His brother’s thoughts seemed to follow the same path, but Achilleas’ head jerked up in shock at what he suggested. “I’m bloody well not going to” he replied, in answer to Emilios’ question as to whether they called their father out. “He would not even speak to me after, and then this?” he flicked the missive in disgust. “I do not have a lot of room for manouver, brother, so you will excuse me not poking the lion any further”
But there was a stir of guilt at the plight of their cousin and Achilleas spoke on. “Surely Stephanos must have someone else who can advocate for him, who will turn up what he needs to exonerate himself?” Emilios would know, the pair of them were thick as thieves. With a sigh, the older of the pair pushed a hand through his hair, leaving the dark thatch uncharastically ruffled. Like its owner.
“You look like death” he observed, glancing at his brother’s pale face again. “Heavy night?” And he thought of the way he had spent his own evening, and recalled that he had meant to speak to Emilios of it. In spite of everything, and even trying to be respectful, it was still difficult to keep the edge of a smile off his lips as he began.
“I saw Theodora last night” he began casually, idly turning his stylus over in his hand, the other resting lightly atop his thigh. “Saw rather a lot of her if you understand” Blue eyes lifted to rest upon an almost matching pair, and Achilleas expression was firm. “And no, I am not going to tell you about it, I just…” here he frowned and tapped the end of the pen against the edge of the desk, betraying his discomfort. “It was certainly not new to her. Not that I expected…” Well no, perhaps he had expected. Or hoped. He wasn’t sure. “I just didnt know she had been involved with someone before, I wondered if you did? You are closer to that sort of thing than I.” He meant whatever gossip circulated around Vasiliadon. Emilios was well liked, sociable. More available for such frivolity than himself, and so confided in more often, he thought.
“Was she courting someone else?”
It was easy for him to let things roll off his shoulders— if it wasn’t the end of the world, he didn’t worry about it. Things changed so rapidly that he could blink and the results would be different. Hell, Emilios had been sure that he was to marry Theo, and look how that turned out. By the time he put his arrow to bow, things would be far different. He was given the luxury of taking a breath, of waiting. And he likes to compare it to their fighting styles. He could keep his distance from those he had killed, never having to look them in the eye or deal with what it meant. Achilleas, with his perfection with a blade, was always face to face with death.
Maybe he was a bit of a coward, choosing the bow over the blade. He tried not to overthink it.
The idea had merit. But what would he do with it? What could he do at this point. “You say that as if Father would even consider anything I do to mean anything. I’ve never had balls to defy him before. What do you suggest I do?” His brother was smart, well versed in managing his duties. Maybe he would have an idea of what he could do. It wasn’t like his father would take it seriously. And it wasn’t like he had given him any reason to think he would go against him. Theo had been the one to speak to her father about them. And he knew what his father would have said about their relations— no reason to stop it as long as they both did as was expected.
As for trying to find an alibi for his cousin, Emilios had already told his men to keep their ears to the ground to let him know what they hear. But that wasn’t good enough for him— there had to be something more they could do. A son, calling out their father as a liar would bear a lot of weight with those in the Senate. Unfortunately, he was the wrong one to do so. They would take his word with a grain of salt, given their reputation of debauchery. People would assume that he was just trying to free his friend. And his father would never let him have any sort of bride. “Sounds like the old bat wins, any way we try. I am suddenly envious of Stephanos and his well landed punch.”
Winking at his brother, Emilios let out a bit of a laugh. “I was attempting to drink enough for Stephanos and I. Apparently, we drink far more than I expected. Too much so to even perform for a woman of my choosing.” His tongue clicked at himself, but even that gave him a headache as he rubbed his temples. “I should not have tried so hard to keep the tavern in business. But I have a duty, you see.” His shoulders lifted in a shrug as he stood, moving to grab a drink in hopes of helping the hurt.
He was glad that the question was asked while he was standing, back to his brother. It gave him a moment to hide the mixed looked on his face. Jealousy would not have gone unnoticed from his brother’s gaze, nor would he have missed the anger that covered his face. He knew it would happen, of course, that Achileas and Theo would find themselves in the throws sooner, rather than later. But that didn’t mean he wished to hear of it. His comment about not sharing was appreciated. The last thing he wished to hear was that his brother was better at that, too.
He returned to his seat, cup in hand, and paused. “Not that I was aware of. But I am not surprised she kept any dalliance a secret. She is a Leventi, after all, blessed by the Gods.” He took a long drink from his glass, trying not to be obvious. “If I was sleeping with her, I’d press her to keep it quiet, too. She is not set for a reputation like that, and needs a sound match to make her family happy. She wouldn’t risk that openly, I would imagine.” Another drink, trying not to choke on the lies as they escaped his lips. “Would you like to know? I can ask around, discreetly, if you wish. Perhaps Selene or Olympia know.”
They didn’t, but he could ask.
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It was easy for him to let things roll off his shoulders— if it wasn’t the end of the world, he didn’t worry about it. Things changed so rapidly that he could blink and the results would be different. Hell, Emilios had been sure that he was to marry Theo, and look how that turned out. By the time he put his arrow to bow, things would be far different. He was given the luxury of taking a breath, of waiting. And he likes to compare it to their fighting styles. He could keep his distance from those he had killed, never having to look them in the eye or deal with what it meant. Achilleas, with his perfection with a blade, was always face to face with death.
Maybe he was a bit of a coward, choosing the bow over the blade. He tried not to overthink it.
The idea had merit. But what would he do with it? What could he do at this point. “You say that as if Father would even consider anything I do to mean anything. I’ve never had balls to defy him before. What do you suggest I do?” His brother was smart, well versed in managing his duties. Maybe he would have an idea of what he could do. It wasn’t like his father would take it seriously. And it wasn’t like he had given him any reason to think he would go against him. Theo had been the one to speak to her father about them. And he knew what his father would have said about their relations— no reason to stop it as long as they both did as was expected.
As for trying to find an alibi for his cousin, Emilios had already told his men to keep their ears to the ground to let him know what they hear. But that wasn’t good enough for him— there had to be something more they could do. A son, calling out their father as a liar would bear a lot of weight with those in the Senate. Unfortunately, he was the wrong one to do so. They would take his word with a grain of salt, given their reputation of debauchery. People would assume that he was just trying to free his friend. And his father would never let him have any sort of bride. “Sounds like the old bat wins, any way we try. I am suddenly envious of Stephanos and his well landed punch.”
Winking at his brother, Emilios let out a bit of a laugh. “I was attempting to drink enough for Stephanos and I. Apparently, we drink far more than I expected. Too much so to even perform for a woman of my choosing.” His tongue clicked at himself, but even that gave him a headache as he rubbed his temples. “I should not have tried so hard to keep the tavern in business. But I have a duty, you see.” His shoulders lifted in a shrug as he stood, moving to grab a drink in hopes of helping the hurt.
He was glad that the question was asked while he was standing, back to his brother. It gave him a moment to hide the mixed looked on his face. Jealousy would not have gone unnoticed from his brother’s gaze, nor would he have missed the anger that covered his face. He knew it would happen, of course, that Achileas and Theo would find themselves in the throws sooner, rather than later. But that didn’t mean he wished to hear of it. His comment about not sharing was appreciated. The last thing he wished to hear was that his brother was better at that, too.
He returned to his seat, cup in hand, and paused. “Not that I was aware of. But I am not surprised she kept any dalliance a secret. She is a Leventi, after all, blessed by the Gods.” He took a long drink from his glass, trying not to be obvious. “If I was sleeping with her, I’d press her to keep it quiet, too. She is not set for a reputation like that, and needs a sound match to make her family happy. She wouldn’t risk that openly, I would imagine.” Another drink, trying not to choke on the lies as they escaped his lips. “Would you like to know? I can ask around, discreetly, if you wish. Perhaps Selene or Olympia know.”
They didn’t, but he could ask.
It was easy for him to let things roll off his shoulders— if it wasn’t the end of the world, he didn’t worry about it. Things changed so rapidly that he could blink and the results would be different. Hell, Emilios had been sure that he was to marry Theo, and look how that turned out. By the time he put his arrow to bow, things would be far different. He was given the luxury of taking a breath, of waiting. And he likes to compare it to their fighting styles. He could keep his distance from those he had killed, never having to look them in the eye or deal with what it meant. Achilleas, with his perfection with a blade, was always face to face with death.
Maybe he was a bit of a coward, choosing the bow over the blade. He tried not to overthink it.
The idea had merit. But what would he do with it? What could he do at this point. “You say that as if Father would even consider anything I do to mean anything. I’ve never had balls to defy him before. What do you suggest I do?” His brother was smart, well versed in managing his duties. Maybe he would have an idea of what he could do. It wasn’t like his father would take it seriously. And it wasn’t like he had given him any reason to think he would go against him. Theo had been the one to speak to her father about them. And he knew what his father would have said about their relations— no reason to stop it as long as they both did as was expected.
As for trying to find an alibi for his cousin, Emilios had already told his men to keep their ears to the ground to let him know what they hear. But that wasn’t good enough for him— there had to be something more they could do. A son, calling out their father as a liar would bear a lot of weight with those in the Senate. Unfortunately, he was the wrong one to do so. They would take his word with a grain of salt, given their reputation of debauchery. People would assume that he was just trying to free his friend. And his father would never let him have any sort of bride. “Sounds like the old bat wins, any way we try. I am suddenly envious of Stephanos and his well landed punch.”
Winking at his brother, Emilios let out a bit of a laugh. “I was attempting to drink enough for Stephanos and I. Apparently, we drink far more than I expected. Too much so to even perform for a woman of my choosing.” His tongue clicked at himself, but even that gave him a headache as he rubbed his temples. “I should not have tried so hard to keep the tavern in business. But I have a duty, you see.” His shoulders lifted in a shrug as he stood, moving to grab a drink in hopes of helping the hurt.
He was glad that the question was asked while he was standing, back to his brother. It gave him a moment to hide the mixed looked on his face. Jealousy would not have gone unnoticed from his brother’s gaze, nor would he have missed the anger that covered his face. He knew it would happen, of course, that Achileas and Theo would find themselves in the throws sooner, rather than later. But that didn’t mean he wished to hear of it. His comment about not sharing was appreciated. The last thing he wished to hear was that his brother was better at that, too.
He returned to his seat, cup in hand, and paused. “Not that I was aware of. But I am not surprised she kept any dalliance a secret. She is a Leventi, after all, blessed by the Gods.” He took a long drink from his glass, trying not to be obvious. “If I was sleeping with her, I’d press her to keep it quiet, too. She is not set for a reputation like that, and needs a sound match to make her family happy. She wouldn’t risk that openly, I would imagine.” Another drink, trying not to choke on the lies as they escaped his lips. “Would you like to know? I can ask around, discreetly, if you wish. Perhaps Selene or Olympia know.”
They didn’t, but he could ask.
The older brother frowned, confused by Emilios’ question. “I don’t mean for you to defy him” he said, with an incredulous look. “That would be stupid, even for you. I mean prove your worth. If you think he doesn’t pay attention to you, then give him a reason to for something other than falling about with whores”.
Achilleas had never been ungenerous in wanting Emilios to succeed. He could perhaps point out that having their father’s notice was not always the enviable notion his younger sibling perceived it to be, that as the elder his actions were always judged more harshly, but it sounded like whining, and so he did not.
He looked disapproving a moment at the comment regarding the violence that erupted in the senate, blew out a sigh. The punch had done no lasting damage of course, as a soldier their father was built to take much worse, but the Lord could not help but think Stephanos had done himself a disservice, and he was surprised Emilios didn't see it too. “It may have cost a lot more than whatever satisfaction it offered” Achilleas warned. “To those watching, Steph played the savage he’s being made out to be”. His brother and cousin were alike that way, he noted. Impulsive, reactive. Traits that made for bad bedfellows with politics and the subtleties of court. That had been one of his father’s main criticisms of the King, and Achilleas had found himself unable to defend his cousin, on that count at least.
His wry observation regarding Emilios’ appearance made for easier subject matter and Achilleas rolled his eyes at his brother’s braggadocious attitude.There was the hint of concern behind the scathing look he gave him though, because it could not be easy for Emilios to see his friend in such straights. “We will find some way to help him” he reassured, with little to no clue as to how they might go about such a thing, never mind his reluctance to further embroil himself in the mess that had already cost him.
So instead he chose to embroil himself further in the nagging thoughts that had been plaguing him since the night before, and whilst everything his brother had to say on the matter made sense, it did not exactly bring him comfort.
Did he want to know?
“Yes” Achilleas answered, unnaccustomed to the searing jealousy the thought brought to life in him. And then “No..I don’t know”. It was not like him to be so unconstant, and perhaps he was a little more unhappy with the idea of Theodora having had a past lover than he had realised. More than one, even?. He frowned. It would do no good to put a face to what was a nameless entity as it stood, surely?
“Would you want to know?” he asked Emilios, his indecision plain upon his face as he glanced at his brother, who was drinking again, he noted. “Is it disrespectful to go behind her back like that? I should probably ask her myself, shouldn’t I. If I want to know, which I don’t know that I do”
It bothered him that his feelings to do with Theodora were never straightforward. She made everything complicated. He waved a dismissive hand at Emilios. “Never mind. I thought you might have known of something already. No need to send the spies out. We are to be wed, I am sure there is nothing worth noting now at least.” And it really wouldn’t help to know who she had been entangled with, because Achilleas knew already he would just want to punch the man in the face, and that wouldn’t serve him well in the grand scheme of things. The Lord shook his head ruefully. “I will be relieved when this wedding is done” he said heavily. “It has felt like one obstacle after another thrown in our path”
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The older brother frowned, confused by Emilios’ question. “I don’t mean for you to defy him” he said, with an incredulous look. “That would be stupid, even for you. I mean prove your worth. If you think he doesn’t pay attention to you, then give him a reason to for something other than falling about with whores”.
Achilleas had never been ungenerous in wanting Emilios to succeed. He could perhaps point out that having their father’s notice was not always the enviable notion his younger sibling perceived it to be, that as the elder his actions were always judged more harshly, but it sounded like whining, and so he did not.
He looked disapproving a moment at the comment regarding the violence that erupted in the senate, blew out a sigh. The punch had done no lasting damage of course, as a soldier their father was built to take much worse, but the Lord could not help but think Stephanos had done himself a disservice, and he was surprised Emilios didn't see it too. “It may have cost a lot more than whatever satisfaction it offered” Achilleas warned. “To those watching, Steph played the savage he’s being made out to be”. His brother and cousin were alike that way, he noted. Impulsive, reactive. Traits that made for bad bedfellows with politics and the subtleties of court. That had been one of his father’s main criticisms of the King, and Achilleas had found himself unable to defend his cousin, on that count at least.
His wry observation regarding Emilios’ appearance made for easier subject matter and Achilleas rolled his eyes at his brother’s braggadocious attitude.There was the hint of concern behind the scathing look he gave him though, because it could not be easy for Emilios to see his friend in such straights. “We will find some way to help him” he reassured, with little to no clue as to how they might go about such a thing, never mind his reluctance to further embroil himself in the mess that had already cost him.
So instead he chose to embroil himself further in the nagging thoughts that had been plaguing him since the night before, and whilst everything his brother had to say on the matter made sense, it did not exactly bring him comfort.
Did he want to know?
“Yes” Achilleas answered, unnaccustomed to the searing jealousy the thought brought to life in him. And then “No..I don’t know”. It was not like him to be so unconstant, and perhaps he was a little more unhappy with the idea of Theodora having had a past lover than he had realised. More than one, even?. He frowned. It would do no good to put a face to what was a nameless entity as it stood, surely?
“Would you want to know?” he asked Emilios, his indecision plain upon his face as he glanced at his brother, who was drinking again, he noted. “Is it disrespectful to go behind her back like that? I should probably ask her myself, shouldn’t I. If I want to know, which I don’t know that I do”
It bothered him that his feelings to do with Theodora were never straightforward. She made everything complicated. He waved a dismissive hand at Emilios. “Never mind. I thought you might have known of something already. No need to send the spies out. We are to be wed, I am sure there is nothing worth noting now at least.” And it really wouldn’t help to know who she had been entangled with, because Achilleas knew already he would just want to punch the man in the face, and that wouldn’t serve him well in the grand scheme of things. The Lord shook his head ruefully. “I will be relieved when this wedding is done” he said heavily. “It has felt like one obstacle after another thrown in our path”
The older brother frowned, confused by Emilios’ question. “I don’t mean for you to defy him” he said, with an incredulous look. “That would be stupid, even for you. I mean prove your worth. If you think he doesn’t pay attention to you, then give him a reason to for something other than falling about with whores”.
Achilleas had never been ungenerous in wanting Emilios to succeed. He could perhaps point out that having their father’s notice was not always the enviable notion his younger sibling perceived it to be, that as the elder his actions were always judged more harshly, but it sounded like whining, and so he did not.
He looked disapproving a moment at the comment regarding the violence that erupted in the senate, blew out a sigh. The punch had done no lasting damage of course, as a soldier their father was built to take much worse, but the Lord could not help but think Stephanos had done himself a disservice, and he was surprised Emilios didn't see it too. “It may have cost a lot more than whatever satisfaction it offered” Achilleas warned. “To those watching, Steph played the savage he’s being made out to be”. His brother and cousin were alike that way, he noted. Impulsive, reactive. Traits that made for bad bedfellows with politics and the subtleties of court. That had been one of his father’s main criticisms of the King, and Achilleas had found himself unable to defend his cousin, on that count at least.
His wry observation regarding Emilios’ appearance made for easier subject matter and Achilleas rolled his eyes at his brother’s braggadocious attitude.There was the hint of concern behind the scathing look he gave him though, because it could not be easy for Emilios to see his friend in such straights. “We will find some way to help him” he reassured, with little to no clue as to how they might go about such a thing, never mind his reluctance to further embroil himself in the mess that had already cost him.
So instead he chose to embroil himself further in the nagging thoughts that had been plaguing him since the night before, and whilst everything his brother had to say on the matter made sense, it did not exactly bring him comfort.
Did he want to know?
“Yes” Achilleas answered, unnaccustomed to the searing jealousy the thought brought to life in him. And then “No..I don’t know”. It was not like him to be so unconstant, and perhaps he was a little more unhappy with the idea of Theodora having had a past lover than he had realised. More than one, even?. He frowned. It would do no good to put a face to what was a nameless entity as it stood, surely?
“Would you want to know?” he asked Emilios, his indecision plain upon his face as he glanced at his brother, who was drinking again, he noted. “Is it disrespectful to go behind her back like that? I should probably ask her myself, shouldn’t I. If I want to know, which I don’t know that I do”
It bothered him that his feelings to do with Theodora were never straightforward. She made everything complicated. He waved a dismissive hand at Emilios. “Never mind. I thought you might have known of something already. No need to send the spies out. We are to be wed, I am sure there is nothing worth noting now at least.” And it really wouldn’t help to know who she had been entangled with, because Achilleas knew already he would just want to punch the man in the face, and that wouldn’t serve him well in the grand scheme of things. The Lord shook his head ruefully. “I will be relieved when this wedding is done” he said heavily. “It has felt like one obstacle after another thrown in our path”
Emilios was hoping that his brother would fully support rebellion. It would have felt good to know that they were doing something for their cousin, who was wrongly accused of killing his family. He wanted to spur an investigation, although he was no mastermind to be able to do so tactfully. ”I always thought my whore were worth paying attention to, thank you very much.” His defensive tone was feigned, his hurt fake.
He wanted to do something, anything for his cousin. And while the King may not have been the most responsible prior to his crowning, Emilios had faith in the man that he would rise above. Eventually. Emotions were still high, his entire life had been turned upside down. It was surprising that he wasn’t completely in his right mind. He wasn’t his brother, as Zacharias had been bred for the throne. As the spare, he’d only known the absolute basics. And Emilios has plenty of sympathy for the man. They shared the spare status, as they had shared most of their childhood and teen years. The two had much in common.
”Steph has never been a calm, collected man. His emotions have always run high, even if he pretended not to care. He is a man with a target on his back who needed to do something. The Senate can see it how they wish. I still see it as a small piece of justice for Father’s actions.” Emilios didn’t understand exactly why Irakles had been so set on saying it was Stephanos. Why didn’t he want the real murderer found? Taking the crown was one thing, but finding justice for his brother and nephew should have been just as important. It just made him suspicious of his father’s involvement.
He simply nodded, knowing that they would be treading on rough ground. They couldn’t make it obvious that they were assisting their cousin, but they couldn’t just let him end up with the wolves, either. They had to do something for him.
Emilios didn’t want to think about Theo, certainly not around his brother. ”Would I want to know if my fiancee was sleeping with other men? I doubt she’s done so since the engagement, and I certainly wouldn’t want to have to look that man in the face and wonder. Or to be compared, or compare myself to him.” As he was already doing now that he knew that they’d slept together. ”Better to just let it be. If she wants you to know, she will tell you.”
He just prayed that she never would want him to know.
Did his smile look as fake as it felt?
”Soon it will be over. You’ll have your bride and we can focus on other things.” He rolled his eyes, ”Like providing an heir for Father to feel more secure about.” Another thing he never wanted to see.
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Emilios was hoping that his brother would fully support rebellion. It would have felt good to know that they were doing something for their cousin, who was wrongly accused of killing his family. He wanted to spur an investigation, although he was no mastermind to be able to do so tactfully. ”I always thought my whore were worth paying attention to, thank you very much.” His defensive tone was feigned, his hurt fake.
He wanted to do something, anything for his cousin. And while the King may not have been the most responsible prior to his crowning, Emilios had faith in the man that he would rise above. Eventually. Emotions were still high, his entire life had been turned upside down. It was surprising that he wasn’t completely in his right mind. He wasn’t his brother, as Zacharias had been bred for the throne. As the spare, he’d only known the absolute basics. And Emilios has plenty of sympathy for the man. They shared the spare status, as they had shared most of their childhood and teen years. The two had much in common.
”Steph has never been a calm, collected man. His emotions have always run high, even if he pretended not to care. He is a man with a target on his back who needed to do something. The Senate can see it how they wish. I still see it as a small piece of justice for Father’s actions.” Emilios didn’t understand exactly why Irakles had been so set on saying it was Stephanos. Why didn’t he want the real murderer found? Taking the crown was one thing, but finding justice for his brother and nephew should have been just as important. It just made him suspicious of his father’s involvement.
He simply nodded, knowing that they would be treading on rough ground. They couldn’t make it obvious that they were assisting their cousin, but they couldn’t just let him end up with the wolves, either. They had to do something for him.
Emilios didn’t want to think about Theo, certainly not around his brother. ”Would I want to know if my fiancee was sleeping with other men? I doubt she’s done so since the engagement, and I certainly wouldn’t want to have to look that man in the face and wonder. Or to be compared, or compare myself to him.” As he was already doing now that he knew that they’d slept together. ”Better to just let it be. If she wants you to know, she will tell you.”
He just prayed that she never would want him to know.
Did his smile look as fake as it felt?
”Soon it will be over. You’ll have your bride and we can focus on other things.” He rolled his eyes, ”Like providing an heir for Father to feel more secure about.” Another thing he never wanted to see.
Emilios was hoping that his brother would fully support rebellion. It would have felt good to know that they were doing something for their cousin, who was wrongly accused of killing his family. He wanted to spur an investigation, although he was no mastermind to be able to do so tactfully. ”I always thought my whore were worth paying attention to, thank you very much.” His defensive tone was feigned, his hurt fake.
He wanted to do something, anything for his cousin. And while the King may not have been the most responsible prior to his crowning, Emilios had faith in the man that he would rise above. Eventually. Emotions were still high, his entire life had been turned upside down. It was surprising that he wasn’t completely in his right mind. He wasn’t his brother, as Zacharias had been bred for the throne. As the spare, he’d only known the absolute basics. And Emilios has plenty of sympathy for the man. They shared the spare status, as they had shared most of their childhood and teen years. The two had much in common.
”Steph has never been a calm, collected man. His emotions have always run high, even if he pretended not to care. He is a man with a target on his back who needed to do something. The Senate can see it how they wish. I still see it as a small piece of justice for Father’s actions.” Emilios didn’t understand exactly why Irakles had been so set on saying it was Stephanos. Why didn’t he want the real murderer found? Taking the crown was one thing, but finding justice for his brother and nephew should have been just as important. It just made him suspicious of his father’s involvement.
He simply nodded, knowing that they would be treading on rough ground. They couldn’t make it obvious that they were assisting their cousin, but they couldn’t just let him end up with the wolves, either. They had to do something for him.
Emilios didn’t want to think about Theo, certainly not around his brother. ”Would I want to know if my fiancee was sleeping with other men? I doubt she’s done so since the engagement, and I certainly wouldn’t want to have to look that man in the face and wonder. Or to be compared, or compare myself to him.” As he was already doing now that he knew that they’d slept together. ”Better to just let it be. If she wants you to know, she will tell you.”
He just prayed that she never would want him to know.
Did his smile look as fake as it felt?
”Soon it will be over. You’ll have your bride and we can focus on other things.” He rolled his eyes, ”Like providing an heir for Father to feel more secure about.” Another thing he never wanted to see.
It was the difference in them, yet another contrast to add to the list of many. Emilios was impulsive and reactive in a manner Achilleas rarely allowed himself him to be. He needed to think on all that happened, decide truly where he stood. He could not just charge off into some plot to undermine their father, no matter how tempting it was with the injury to Achilleas’ pride in having his responsibilities revoked still smarting. He shook his head a little as if to shake the thought of it from his mind.
He was tempted to point out to Emilios that being so dismissive of how the senate saw things was not going to help their cousin - they would need the senate to get behind them if they wanted Stephanos to go to trial confident of an acquittal. But the elder brother bit his tongue, judged that perhaps his sibling was not yet ready to hear reason. Or was too hungover to process it. One of the two.
After speaking of such matters, it seemed a trivial thing almost, to be worrying about whether or not his fiance had taken previous lovers, but Achilleas was not so selfless that he could disregard the issue. And so he listened, genuinely curious as to what Emilios’ standpoint was, wondering if he was being irrational or not. He paused, considering the other man’s words for a moment. His brother spoke sense he knew. “You are right” Achilleas said decisively after a little silence. He would just put it from his mind. He had no reason not to trust Theodora. Aside from the fact that she had played dumb with him in the woods the night before. But he supposed he should have asked her about it then if he were going to. Best to let it lie, as Emilios said. Maybe she would speak to him of it when she felt more sure of him? Even so, Achilleas was not sure it was a conversation he really wanted to have. There was a little press together of his lips, a flicker of a muscle in his jaw that belied his tension at the idea, and so he moved on, only to roll his eyes at Emilios’ attempt at consolation, if that was indeed what it was.
“Is that supposed to make me feel better?” he sniped, looking incredulous. “Good Gods, and here was me thinking I might have a chance to breathe once this wedding was done, but you’re right. That’ll be next.” He looked momentarily aghast, and then reeled off in a near perfect imitation of their father’s voice. “I trust everything is in order Achilleas? You are performing your duties as a husband adequately? I need not remind you of the importance of having heirs for the Mikaelidas line do I?”
It was clear to Emilios that his brother’s irritation with the man had not yet subsided, for it was out of character for Achilleas to speak against Irakles, let alone mock him, and it seemed the older Mikaelidas realised it too,glancing briefly at the younger before his gaze slipped away and he fiddled with a curling lip of parchment on his desk. “I’m quite sure it's time for you to do something scandalous, Emilios, and give him something else to worry about.”
Achilleas suddenly shifted forward, swept his papers into a neat pile once again, clearly having decided he had indulged his bad mood long enough, perhaps said too much. “I think I will go and try and speak with Xene and Gianna.” he said, continuing to tidy his desk, resetting the space as if he hoped it might reset his temper along with it. “It may be they know something, or know someone who can provide the information needed to get Stephanos’ name cleared and this whole nonsense wrapped up. I’m sure if we present the facts that Father will be glad to release him” The words sounded hollow even to his ears, but Achilleas was quick to follow up with an instruction for his brother. “I suggest you think about shared acquaintances you have who might be able to provide an alibi or something”
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It was the difference in them, yet another contrast to add to the list of many. Emilios was impulsive and reactive in a manner Achilleas rarely allowed himself him to be. He needed to think on all that happened, decide truly where he stood. He could not just charge off into some plot to undermine their father, no matter how tempting it was with the injury to Achilleas’ pride in having his responsibilities revoked still smarting. He shook his head a little as if to shake the thought of it from his mind.
He was tempted to point out to Emilios that being so dismissive of how the senate saw things was not going to help their cousin - they would need the senate to get behind them if they wanted Stephanos to go to trial confident of an acquittal. But the elder brother bit his tongue, judged that perhaps his sibling was not yet ready to hear reason. Or was too hungover to process it. One of the two.
After speaking of such matters, it seemed a trivial thing almost, to be worrying about whether or not his fiance had taken previous lovers, but Achilleas was not so selfless that he could disregard the issue. And so he listened, genuinely curious as to what Emilios’ standpoint was, wondering if he was being irrational or not. He paused, considering the other man’s words for a moment. His brother spoke sense he knew. “You are right” Achilleas said decisively after a little silence. He would just put it from his mind. He had no reason not to trust Theodora. Aside from the fact that she had played dumb with him in the woods the night before. But he supposed he should have asked her about it then if he were going to. Best to let it lie, as Emilios said. Maybe she would speak to him of it when she felt more sure of him? Even so, Achilleas was not sure it was a conversation he really wanted to have. There was a little press together of his lips, a flicker of a muscle in his jaw that belied his tension at the idea, and so he moved on, only to roll his eyes at Emilios’ attempt at consolation, if that was indeed what it was.
“Is that supposed to make me feel better?” he sniped, looking incredulous. “Good Gods, and here was me thinking I might have a chance to breathe once this wedding was done, but you’re right. That’ll be next.” He looked momentarily aghast, and then reeled off in a near perfect imitation of their father’s voice. “I trust everything is in order Achilleas? You are performing your duties as a husband adequately? I need not remind you of the importance of having heirs for the Mikaelidas line do I?”
It was clear to Emilios that his brother’s irritation with the man had not yet subsided, for it was out of character for Achilleas to speak against Irakles, let alone mock him, and it seemed the older Mikaelidas realised it too,glancing briefly at the younger before his gaze slipped away and he fiddled with a curling lip of parchment on his desk. “I’m quite sure it's time for you to do something scandalous, Emilios, and give him something else to worry about.”
Achilleas suddenly shifted forward, swept his papers into a neat pile once again, clearly having decided he had indulged his bad mood long enough, perhaps said too much. “I think I will go and try and speak with Xene and Gianna.” he said, continuing to tidy his desk, resetting the space as if he hoped it might reset his temper along with it. “It may be they know something, or know someone who can provide the information needed to get Stephanos’ name cleared and this whole nonsense wrapped up. I’m sure if we present the facts that Father will be glad to release him” The words sounded hollow even to his ears, but Achilleas was quick to follow up with an instruction for his brother. “I suggest you think about shared acquaintances you have who might be able to provide an alibi or something”
It was the difference in them, yet another contrast to add to the list of many. Emilios was impulsive and reactive in a manner Achilleas rarely allowed himself him to be. He needed to think on all that happened, decide truly where he stood. He could not just charge off into some plot to undermine their father, no matter how tempting it was with the injury to Achilleas’ pride in having his responsibilities revoked still smarting. He shook his head a little as if to shake the thought of it from his mind.
He was tempted to point out to Emilios that being so dismissive of how the senate saw things was not going to help their cousin - they would need the senate to get behind them if they wanted Stephanos to go to trial confident of an acquittal. But the elder brother bit his tongue, judged that perhaps his sibling was not yet ready to hear reason. Or was too hungover to process it. One of the two.
After speaking of such matters, it seemed a trivial thing almost, to be worrying about whether or not his fiance had taken previous lovers, but Achilleas was not so selfless that he could disregard the issue. And so he listened, genuinely curious as to what Emilios’ standpoint was, wondering if he was being irrational or not. He paused, considering the other man’s words for a moment. His brother spoke sense he knew. “You are right” Achilleas said decisively after a little silence. He would just put it from his mind. He had no reason not to trust Theodora. Aside from the fact that she had played dumb with him in the woods the night before. But he supposed he should have asked her about it then if he were going to. Best to let it lie, as Emilios said. Maybe she would speak to him of it when she felt more sure of him? Even so, Achilleas was not sure it was a conversation he really wanted to have. There was a little press together of his lips, a flicker of a muscle in his jaw that belied his tension at the idea, and so he moved on, only to roll his eyes at Emilios’ attempt at consolation, if that was indeed what it was.
“Is that supposed to make me feel better?” he sniped, looking incredulous. “Good Gods, and here was me thinking I might have a chance to breathe once this wedding was done, but you’re right. That’ll be next.” He looked momentarily aghast, and then reeled off in a near perfect imitation of their father’s voice. “I trust everything is in order Achilleas? You are performing your duties as a husband adequately? I need not remind you of the importance of having heirs for the Mikaelidas line do I?”
It was clear to Emilios that his brother’s irritation with the man had not yet subsided, for it was out of character for Achilleas to speak against Irakles, let alone mock him, and it seemed the older Mikaelidas realised it too,glancing briefly at the younger before his gaze slipped away and he fiddled with a curling lip of parchment on his desk. “I’m quite sure it's time for you to do something scandalous, Emilios, and give him something else to worry about.”
Achilleas suddenly shifted forward, swept his papers into a neat pile once again, clearly having decided he had indulged his bad mood long enough, perhaps said too much. “I think I will go and try and speak with Xene and Gianna.” he said, continuing to tidy his desk, resetting the space as if he hoped it might reset his temper along with it. “It may be they know something, or know someone who can provide the information needed to get Stephanos’ name cleared and this whole nonsense wrapped up. I’m sure if we present the facts that Father will be glad to release him” The words sounded hollow even to his ears, but Achilleas was quick to follow up with an instruction for his brother. “I suggest you think about shared acquaintances you have who might be able to provide an alibi or something”
He felt rage for his cousin’s misfortune. Stephanos was a victim of this all. He was the rightful king, and there was little they could do to make it right now. Emilios knew that, knew that politically, they would have a hard time proving anything else but his cousin’s guilt. They might be able to prove that he didn’t kill his family, but he had certainly left a bitter taste within the senate. Redemption would take years, and they would have to lay the footwork for it. But now, he just wished to be angry, because being angry at that injustice was easier than being angry at Achilleas.
It was odd trying to put words to his feelings with his brother. He loved him dearly, and would die for him before he let anyone else betray him. And yet here he was, in love with the woman his brother would marry. And he had decided to put aside his love for Theo in favor of love for his brother, even though he was exceedingly jealous of the man and his good fortune. This was not the first time he got exactly what Emilios had always wanted. But even then, he was loyal to his brother. And he was willing to give Theo up.
So why did he feel little guilt over the accord he had struck up with Fotios?
He needed not to think much of it, else he would find himself having a more difficult time being at his brother’s side, where Achilleas needed him to be. So he lied through his teeth, did his best to reassure his brother on the faithfulness of his bride and give him words of encouragement in the future wedding. There was no reason for him to make his brother think him unfaithful. Since finding out about the engagement, he hadn’t wronged his brother, save for the promise to Fotios that he would continue to pursue his relationship with Theo once the marriage had taken place. For now, he had little that would make him do anything besides stand by his side. It was his duty to support his brother, regardless of promises made. Emilios offered further reassurance to his brother, focusing less on the unknown and more on what they did know.
He toasted the upcoming nuptials with him, listened to his continued strife over their father and made a few arrangements for a plan for Stephanos, once the wedding was said and done. As much as he wanted to stay, he knew he had other things he needed to do. His responsibilities, now far greater than any he’d ever had been, would not wait for him to sober up. Let his brother speak with their cousins, and he would think on their shared connections to see if they could find some sort of alibi for the night that the King was killed.
With a plan in place, and another drink finished, Emilios took his leave. For there was much to be done and less time to do it in.
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He felt rage for his cousin’s misfortune. Stephanos was a victim of this all. He was the rightful king, and there was little they could do to make it right now. Emilios knew that, knew that politically, they would have a hard time proving anything else but his cousin’s guilt. They might be able to prove that he didn’t kill his family, but he had certainly left a bitter taste within the senate. Redemption would take years, and they would have to lay the footwork for it. But now, he just wished to be angry, because being angry at that injustice was easier than being angry at Achilleas.
It was odd trying to put words to his feelings with his brother. He loved him dearly, and would die for him before he let anyone else betray him. And yet here he was, in love with the woman his brother would marry. And he had decided to put aside his love for Theo in favor of love for his brother, even though he was exceedingly jealous of the man and his good fortune. This was not the first time he got exactly what Emilios had always wanted. But even then, he was loyal to his brother. And he was willing to give Theo up.
So why did he feel little guilt over the accord he had struck up with Fotios?
He needed not to think much of it, else he would find himself having a more difficult time being at his brother’s side, where Achilleas needed him to be. So he lied through his teeth, did his best to reassure his brother on the faithfulness of his bride and give him words of encouragement in the future wedding. There was no reason for him to make his brother think him unfaithful. Since finding out about the engagement, he hadn’t wronged his brother, save for the promise to Fotios that he would continue to pursue his relationship with Theo once the marriage had taken place. For now, he had little that would make him do anything besides stand by his side. It was his duty to support his brother, regardless of promises made. Emilios offered further reassurance to his brother, focusing less on the unknown and more on what they did know.
He toasted the upcoming nuptials with him, listened to his continued strife over their father and made a few arrangements for a plan for Stephanos, once the wedding was said and done. As much as he wanted to stay, he knew he had other things he needed to do. His responsibilities, now far greater than any he’d ever had been, would not wait for him to sober up. Let his brother speak with their cousins, and he would think on their shared connections to see if they could find some sort of alibi for the night that the King was killed.
With a plan in place, and another drink finished, Emilios took his leave. For there was much to be done and less time to do it in.
He felt rage for his cousin’s misfortune. Stephanos was a victim of this all. He was the rightful king, and there was little they could do to make it right now. Emilios knew that, knew that politically, they would have a hard time proving anything else but his cousin’s guilt. They might be able to prove that he didn’t kill his family, but he had certainly left a bitter taste within the senate. Redemption would take years, and they would have to lay the footwork for it. But now, he just wished to be angry, because being angry at that injustice was easier than being angry at Achilleas.
It was odd trying to put words to his feelings with his brother. He loved him dearly, and would die for him before he let anyone else betray him. And yet here he was, in love with the woman his brother would marry. And he had decided to put aside his love for Theo in favor of love for his brother, even though he was exceedingly jealous of the man and his good fortune. This was not the first time he got exactly what Emilios had always wanted. But even then, he was loyal to his brother. And he was willing to give Theo up.
So why did he feel little guilt over the accord he had struck up with Fotios?
He needed not to think much of it, else he would find himself having a more difficult time being at his brother’s side, where Achilleas needed him to be. So he lied through his teeth, did his best to reassure his brother on the faithfulness of his bride and give him words of encouragement in the future wedding. There was no reason for him to make his brother think him unfaithful. Since finding out about the engagement, he hadn’t wronged his brother, save for the promise to Fotios that he would continue to pursue his relationship with Theo once the marriage had taken place. For now, he had little that would make him do anything besides stand by his side. It was his duty to support his brother, regardless of promises made. Emilios offered further reassurance to his brother, focusing less on the unknown and more on what they did know.
He toasted the upcoming nuptials with him, listened to his continued strife over their father and made a few arrangements for a plan for Stephanos, once the wedding was said and done. As much as he wanted to stay, he knew he had other things he needed to do. His responsibilities, now far greater than any he’d ever had been, would not wait for him to sober up. Let his brother speak with their cousins, and he would think on their shared connections to see if they could find some sort of alibi for the night that the King was killed.
With a plan in place, and another drink finished, Emilios took his leave. For there was much to be done and less time to do it in.