It had not been a satisfying night’s rest for the Lord Mikaelidas. Retreating to his room he had been left feeling rather foolish after his clumsy attempts to clear Theodora of any wrongdoing. He had thought she would be glad of his efforts, but if anything the young lady had seemed almost put out when he had spoken up.

Which left Achilleas to nurse his wounded pride- and face- for much of the night. Not only had he offended their host, but he’d somehow irritated Theodora and talked himself out of a sweet deal on the horses they had purchased, which was the entire reason for being here.

It was unlike him to be so foolhardy and he could tell that Krysto had thought it too. He had left his friend in the stables before the man could say anything though, not quite ready to have his actions scrutinised and dissected yet, and had headed back inside to bid Lord Leventi a final goodbye and collect the documentation regarding the agreement they had reached the day before.

The man had been reserved but had clasped his forearm as he took his leave, so Achilleas could at least be hopeful he had not done any lasting damage to his standing with his fellow baron, and, clutching the sealed paperwork in his hand he had been making his way back through the manor to join Krysto and be on their way. There was a part of him that was disappointed that Theodora had not seen fit to come say farewell, but then he thought perhaps it was for the best, he had overstepped his own boundaries with her enough as it was. At least he could leave knowing she wasn’t being held responsible for anything that had occurred the night before.

He thought he had taken a wrong turn when he ended up in a large room he had not seen before, and so was looking back the way he had come when he crashed into something. Or should that be someone.

Strong arms reached out to steady Theodora as she rebounded off of the very solid warrior’s form, and Achilleas looked down at her with an expression that seemed almost pleased for a moment. But then he removed his hands from her arms quickly, and his features shifted into something more impassive. There was a faint bruise beginning to bloom on his nose and the unsmiling top lip was a little puffy where it had caught his teeth in yesterday’s little mishap, but otherwise the Lord seemed unharmed.

“ Lady Theodora” He dipped his head in a bow and then came upright again, a well practiced greeting that seemed a little stiff and formal after their earlier acquaintance. But that is what Achilleas defaulted to when he felt uncertain, and if nothing else, this wilful girl before him left him feeling that.

“ We are about to leave. I did not think we would see you before departing” . The man’s gaze flickered over her shoulder as if to be sure there were no eavesdroppers before he almost reluctantly added “ I am glad that I have”

He caught and held Theodora’s gaze for a moment “ When you are next in Vasiliadon..” Achilleas began, but then he seemed to reconsider, brows drawing together. It was not as if she would be allowed to come calling, and he was infrequently in the Capital anyway. “ ...perhaps our paths will cross again” . It was dismally vague, he realised as the words left his mouth, but the young baron knew enough to know that there was little point pursuing this...interest, when such things were dictated by political and social gain, rather than by whomever caught his eye. It was a fact he found rather burdensome now, looking at the Leventi girl, but he had been raised knowing his fate in that regard, and it did not allow for flimsy dalliances with daughters of wealthy Lords or allies.

There was almost a sigh of resignation, before Achilleas straightened and seemed to steal himself. “ I wish you well, Lady Theodora.” And then he was gone, striding swiftly away toward the stables to where his horse waited ready to carry him back to Euttica and duty.