Iason was tempting her in more ways than he probably realised. Not only was her body - newly awakened to the idea of being content with someone else; of enjoying the simple touches that she had never before permitted to breach her personal space - enjoying his petting and coaxing (since when had her neck been so sensitive?), but his words were torment enough. They spoke of a life she could live easily; something she only had to say yes to now to take in both her hands. Having woken up beside Iason now she had a strong mental image of what her life would be like if she simply wanted to stay by his side... A life that would only revolve around being happily content with her world. Not the ruling of one.

But could she leave Athenia? Could she allow Elias to take over, as she more than knew he would do in her absence. Could she allow a people she had worked for, for so many years, to be taken into hand by the Stravos family?

Then again, did she have any choice?

"It... It feels wrong to leave Athenia." She admitted to the man beside her as she touched and kissed at her shoulder in a way that had her toes curling. Her tone was doubtful and clearly swaying in conviction. "I don't like the idea of Elias as King and I don't want that for the people that my father loved so strongly..." She continued to fiddle with the bedsheet, unable to stop herself leaning in to Iason's touch. "But... but I can't help but think that regardless of how much I dislike I, there's likely nothing I can do to stop it. My House will have lost all credit, I have no more family, I'm female which is an impossibility from the start and I have no loyalty or leverage within the Senate." With a sigh and resignation, Persephone rested her brow on her arm for a moment, taking a calming breath in and then out. She then looked up, rubbed a hand over her face and took a stiffening inhale. "Athenia needs saving." She said determinedly, as if coming to her decision. "But I am not the person who has either the resources or skills to do it."

Perhaps she had given enough. Perhaps she had given enough of her time and efforts and life to the cause that was the Athenian kingdom. It had been over ten years since she had thought of anything else. And yet clearly such loyalty meant nothing to the men with whom she had toiled beside. All those who had been loyal to her prior to the attack will have been convinced that she was killed or would have adapted to the situation - possibly even turned against her for whatever tale of cowardice Elias likely spun in order to damage her reputation. And everyone else had wanted a King over a Queen. Elias was the one legitimately in line to be exactly that...

Perhaps it was time to stop attempting to force the hand of the Athenian Senate and to allow the kingdom to go where it would...

Looking over her shoulder at the man who gave her such attentions, Persephone waited until she had his gaze before speaking.

"You could marry anyone you wished." She told him. "A woman whom you could care for and love but also build upon your family name. That was why we were matched to begin with. I'm not suggesting you would find someone to join with for pure, financial reasons - you could love her too. But that woman might still be out there..." Her tone was questioning, as a delicate frown drew down over her eyes. "You're certain you'd rather have me?"

Persephone was thankful to Iason for allowing her to speak and verbalise her thoughts without interruption. She needed that calm and that lack of abrupt conversation to think her thoughts through to their conclusion. Iason was right. Why waste more lives, spill more blood for something that was now being claimed by the man who was due to inherit it anyway? Perhaps her father had been trying to turn the tide and force a change the kingdom was not ready for. Who was she to decide that she knew best and better than its ruling classes and force the people to suffer the consequences of such hubris...?

Turning as she was guided, Persephone felt heat spark as Iason leaned in to kiss her but her kiss in return was lacking in enthusiasm, her own mind preoccupied. Persephone was a one-track kind of person and her focus was complete and absolute on whatever stood before her. She offered a small response to show that she enjoyed his touch, but it was clear her mind was elsewhere. Her eyes, however, met Iason's as he spoke with her regarding his feelings in terms of their marriage.

It was in that moment that she realised she didn't truly understand Iason. Or rather, his world view. Persephone had been raised in an environment that was ambitious and prevalence at every turn. Iason had been taught to appreciate what he had. Whilst Persephone had never thought herself to be arrogant or conceited; her parents had always made it clear that her privileges came with great responsibilities and there was no natural right for her to live in contentment at the oppression of others... but she had never, perhaps, been taught to value what she had in the same way that Iason valued his. Had she been looking at the Dimitrou manor less as a sanctuary in a storm and more for what it was, with the eyes of own self but a few months ago, she might have - not looked down on it - but would have been surprised that the Dimitrou family saw no need to attempt to earn and build bigger and stronger. They seemed totally at home with what they had.

It was the same with Iason's attitude towards marriage. Were Persephone in his place she would have been taught to calculate and consider very possible option and potential future. She would have ranked herself as low on gains and advantaged and ne'er considered the match.

Iason clearly saw things differently. He saw something with her that he wanted and it didn't matter that others might be able to offer more or that a future partner might be out there. He was content with what he had.

And whilst Persephone wasn't able to understand that frame of mind, she couldn't help the curling warmth and soft breeze of relief pull through her; key reactions that told her he had offered her the answer she had instinctively hoped for. Which meant her own seemed perfectly natural to give...

"Okay." She said with a smile, the single word anticlimactic but the look in her eyes promising anything but...