Selene's arm linked through hers; drawing the three of them closer together. She glanced up as if being violently pulled from her thoughts and offered a polite smile as her sister expressed her eagerness to find a new bolt of linen...but her mind was anything but on this shopping venture.

Selene had insisted, of course. After her new engagement and the shock and celebration had worn off, they were all left to the way things were before. ...But nothing really felt the same now for Theo. Because when the engagement was finalized, and the announcement was made a hole was wrenched through her and it had been festering for days now. What had she done?? By agreeing to marry Achilleas she was effectively ending her love affair with his brother Emilios; the man she wanted to marry. The man she'd thought had been arranged for her. This was all a horrible misunderstanding that it was just far too late for her to back out of now.

"Blue will look lovely with your complexion..." And it would. With Selene's golden blonde hair and fair skin, she had always been stunningly beautiful; an envy to anyone in Serenne. Why she'd not been chosen to wed Achilleas over her was lost to her as while she'd been told that she too was enviable, she was younger than her and of darker features. Why not Selene? She and Achilleas would be lovely together! ....Then again, it wouldn't do to marry two women from the Leventi household to two brothers from the Micaelidas house. While her parents esteemed to reach beyond their station, even that was a stretch. ...It seemed there was no option available to her that would lead to her being with Emilios and it was crushing.

Theo's stomach was in knots thinking about it. She'd been thinking about it for days; what else could she do? What would Emilios himself say when he returned? She couldn't stand the thought of losing him, but what other option was there? She could break the engagement, but that would bring dishonor to her family; to her parents. And there would be no way that the Micaelida's would allow for such a slight against the Achilleas. They would break the entire contract and walk away.

She brushed a lock of dark hair from her forehead with the back of her wrist. The Gods were cruel. She'd been faithful in her prayers to Athena but it seemed Aphrodite was jealous in her attentions as she had not the wisdom to figure a way out of this. As Selene bubbled about having a new chiton, Theo blurted out a snarky reply. "You already have so many, dear.. what more could another do?"

Immediately she regretted it. She didn't mean to be so short with her Selene. Of all her sisters, she seemed to be the most like her, after all. But she just didn't have the capability of being excited about shopping at the moment. As with most things, she'd simply come to support her and do as she wished. Do as they all wished, as it was her lot to please them. Such the life that came with being a child in the middle. "I'm sorry, Selene... I'm afraid my mind is elsewhere. Of course, you should have a new gown. Perhaps I will find something I favor as well..." In truth, Theo was content with the items she had. Though she did enjoy wearing new things for Emilios. He was the only person she'd any desire to have attracted to her; to see her as beautiful, even if others already did. But what did it all matter now anyways? Dressing for him would be a thing of the past. Now she would have to dress for Achilleas and the idea of doing such a thing didn't have the same pull to her. Of course, he was immensely handsome... With broad shoulders, dark hair and striking blue eyes. Blue eyes that reminded her so much of Emilios's. So much so, she'd confused the brothers after not seeing them for so many years. But where Achilleas seemed reserved and stoic, Emilios was adventurous and dashing. He didn't take no for an answer and he challenged her unlike anyone had ever challenged her. She adored their battles; their wordplay and his humor. All of which she had no understanding of with Achilleas. "Pia, tell Selene she would look lovely in blue.."

The three really were quite a sight. Dark and light, pale contrasting colors as they made their way through the market. Eyes followed them as they walked, whispers of rumors and desires followed them as they went. The talk was part of the reason Selene preferred to go out in the morning, when it was far quieter and easier to avoid men who stared too long. But in a group, like this, they were far safer. And she certainly wasn't thinking about who was looking at them. Instead, she was thinking about Theo's words.

Her face feigned shock at her sister's words. "As if I need to be told how fetching I would look in blue!" She teased the girls, bumping her hips into theirs. "And how dare you think I need the reassurance in purchasing another chiton." There was a lightness in her voice, joy in her words. "Thinking I'm so down on my own fortune that I would need your honeyed words to make me feel better. Hush, sweet sister." Her eyes were bright with mirth, obviously taking no offense in her sister's own curt reply. "Some of us still need to attract a worthy husband, Theo. What if a pretty new chiton catches the eye of a prince? Or the like? What if Aphrodite's match for me likes best the way I look in blue?"

Selene gently tugged on a loose piece of Theo's curls, smiling. "Which you have yet to share your feelings on the matter, dear Theo. Are you happy? Is he kind?" These were things she wanted to know. The title was secured, but her feelings were aloof to her. She wanted to make sure her sweet middle sister would be happy with the marriage that had been placed in front of her. "And be honest, Theodora. I'll not have you lying in fear that I might spill your secrets. I've never given you reason to think otherwise." She would focus on why Pia looked so ill once she had heard the feelings of Theo.

One sister first. Then the other. As was her usual manner with her siblings. They were most important to her. Far more important than a good marriage, at this point. The marriage would come. But for now, her sister's were her largest concern. And she would get the truth out of each of them.

Olympia held tightly to Selene as they walked down the street, marveling at the change that would soon befall them. Theo was engaged, it seemed impossible that she would be leaving them and living somewhere else, being the mistress of her own house with a husband and eventually children of her own. It was the life they all dreamed of really, and Theo was getting it first. Jealousy had been eating her alive ever since the announcement was made, the engagement of her elder sister and a Mikaelidas nonetheless. That was what she had wanted ever since she knew what it was to have any sort of power. A prince, a baron, title, fortune, and power. Theo was getting it handed to her on a plate, while Olympia was having to gain any foothold with subterfuge. She didn't resent her sister, not really, but the seeds were there.

And Selene wasn't making this any easier with going on about it all.

"Of course mother knows what she's doing. You'll have made the best match in our family when this is done Theo. I wish it was me. I'm ready, to leave home and make a new place my own. Watch the little ones run about. I'd give anything to trade places with you."

It wasn't even remotely a lie. Achilleas was a stunningly handsome man, with the darker hair she preferred in spite of her previous dalliances. If the opportunity were given she would trade places with Theo without question. A babe with Mikaelidas features would not look amiss in the household of a cousin. But no, that was her sister's fate. She had to find a way to make her own, to grapple for the future of herself and her child, even if the best she could reasonably hope for was a payment and a time in a country estate until it was done.