It seemed they were both relieved to break away from the embrace: she so she would not have to confront the response to her breakdown, he so he would not have to offer it. He was much more comfortable with a task to complete, and quickly moved to open the window, letting the afternoon light flood into the room that had become stuffy and close. At Theodora’s request that he send her for her maid, Achilleas glanced at her and nodded. “Of course, I will go myself”.

He hesitated a moment as if wondering whether he should leave her alone, but then the promise of escape from the intensity of the situation was too great, and he gave her a nod before exiting the room,closing the door behind him with a soft click.

Alone in the hallway, Achilleas leant back against the cool stone of the wall, blew out a long breath. Entirely out of his comfort zone, he had floundered through that, and he did not like to feel so unsure of himself. Perhaps it would grow easier as he knew her better – he would be better positioned to know what would soothe her. For now though, he was just glad to be away from the confusing tumble of Theodora’s emotions.

He pushed off the wall and headed down the corridor toward the rest of the house, but not before he heard the quick slap of sandals upon stone as someone hurried ahead. He quickened his pace, but by the time he had rounded the corner, whoever it was had disappeared.

I am as paranoid as I accuse Pia and Stephanos of being he chided himself, but Achilleas would not put it past his father to use his staff as spies. Having been left in no doubt that he was in in the man’s bad books, the eldest son knew he needed to walk the line carefully, and he did not want word of Theodora’s histrionics getting back to Irakles. Mayhaps it was too late for that.

He tracked down the Leventi maid and tried not to grow irritated at her suspicious glances at him as he led her back towards his study. Did she think he was blind? “The Lady Theodora is a little..overtired” he said, looking straight ahead as they walked. Not that he owed her any kind of explanation . “ I will send one of the other girls with water in case she wishes to freshen up.”

For a moment, he considered going back into his study, but when he threw open the door for the Theodora’s maid and caught the glance that passed between the two females, he decided against it. Glancing at Theo, he dipped his head. ‘ I will leave you to..refresh yourself” he voiced, and before any request could be made of him to stay , he had gone. He would retreat to the andron, feeling suddenly as if he needed a drink. Before he did, he caught one of the Mikaelidas servants and did as he had promised, sent her with water so Theodora might clean herself up a little. He was tempted as well to request a massage for himself, shoulders feeling tight after the spear work earlier, but also – and he could admit this to himself – with how uncomfortable he had found the last half hour.

Instead, Achilleas sank onto one of the benches in the andron, leant back with a sigh and stared at the ceiling, Theodora’s words ringing in his ears. ‘So that’s it then’. She had sounded so..disenchanted, and he had long found it hard to disappoint people. Was he being too cautious? Cowardly even? The thought weighed on him as he waited for his betrothed to reappear.