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It had been a longer absence than usual,business in Euttica keeping him busy beyond what he had expected. He would rather have remained and finished it, but tomorrow’s Senate meet had made that an impossibility, and so Achilleas had made the ride from his barony back to Vasiliadon, and to Archontiko Mikaelidas. Following his conversation with his father, there seemed to have beena flurry of activity concerning his betrothal to Theodora of Leventi,and the baron had not accounted for barrage of details his mother had been swept up in. He could see now why his father had rolled his eyes when he had asked what exactly needed to be done to facilitate such a thing.
Hoping that here at least he would be spared the bulk of it for a few hours, the Lord had handed off his horse to the stable boy and made his way through the manor house to his own chambers. He took a detour to his study to check up on any correspondence that had not been forwarded onto Eutticca, flicking through the few papers and frowning at one that he would need to respond to sooner rather than later, he sat down in the straight backed chair and read it through, glancing up with a start when someone entered a few moments later.
“My Lord” came the words of the head housekeeper, the servant offering him a bow as a jug of kykeon was set upon the table and a cup poured for the elder of the Prince’s sons. “ Will I have a bath drawn for you My Lord?”
Achilleas supposed he ought, for it was hot and the journey had been long enough to see him damp with sweat, and so he gave a nod . “ Yes thank you Phyliss”. He was grateful for the refreshment too, sipping at it as he dealt with the rest of the missives that had been waiting for him. When the elderly housekeeper left, the Lord lifted his eyes to the door and wondered if he would not soon receive another visitor. And then he felt like a coward for hoping not.
He had not see Briseis to speak to since the betrothal had been announced, and though the news itself would be no shock – it had always been in his future to be wed to a noble woman – he was not looking forward to the conversation he needed to have to bring their long standing arrangement to an end. It had become habit, familiar and Achilleas couldn’t deny that he would miss the easiness of it all. But even had he not concluded so himself, his father had made it clear enough that his dalliance with the maid could not continue. He was betrothed, committed now, to a young woman of fine standing, and he could not sully that promise by continuing to dally with the staff.
It played upon his mind as he bathed, and then though dinner and then later still. The usual way of it was that she would come to him when the rest of the household had retired, and he would be glad to welcome her to his bed. But when the time came, Achilleas lay wakeful and tetchy this time, unable to find rest. He should have just told her the moment he’d had the conversation with his father rather than letting it drag on. Now he just wanted it done.
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It had been a longer absence than usual,business in Euttica keeping him busy beyond what he had expected. He would rather have remained and finished it, but tomorrow’s Senate meet had made that an impossibility, and so Achilleas had made the ride from his barony back to Vasiliadon, and to Archontiko Mikaelidas. Following his conversation with his father, there seemed to have beena flurry of activity concerning his betrothal to Theodora of Leventi,and the baron had not accounted for barrage of details his mother had been swept up in. He could see now why his father had rolled his eyes when he had asked what exactly needed to be done to facilitate such a thing.
Hoping that here at least he would be spared the bulk of it for a few hours, the Lord had handed off his horse to the stable boy and made his way through the manor house to his own chambers. He took a detour to his study to check up on any correspondence that had not been forwarded onto Eutticca, flicking through the few papers and frowning at one that he would need to respond to sooner rather than later, he sat down in the straight backed chair and read it through, glancing up with a start when someone entered a few moments later.
“My Lord” came the words of the head housekeeper, the servant offering him a bow as a jug of kykeon was set upon the table and a cup poured for the elder of the Prince’s sons. “ Will I have a bath drawn for you My Lord?”
Achilleas supposed he ought, for it was hot and the journey had been long enough to see him damp with sweat, and so he gave a nod . “ Yes thank you Phyliss”. He was grateful for the refreshment too, sipping at it as he dealt with the rest of the missives that had been waiting for him. When the elderly housekeeper left, the Lord lifted his eyes to the door and wondered if he would not soon receive another visitor. And then he felt like a coward for hoping not.
He had not see Briseis to speak to since the betrothal had been announced, and though the news itself would be no shock – it had always been in his future to be wed to a noble woman – he was not looking forward to the conversation he needed to have to bring their long standing arrangement to an end. It had become habit, familiar and Achilleas couldn’t deny that he would miss the easiness of it all. But even had he not concluded so himself, his father had made it clear enough that his dalliance with the maid could not continue. He was betrothed, committed now, to a young woman of fine standing, and he could not sully that promise by continuing to dally with the staff.
It played upon his mind as he bathed, and then though dinner and then later still. The usual way of it was that she would come to him when the rest of the household had retired, and he would be glad to welcome her to his bed. But when the time came, Achilleas lay wakeful and tetchy this time, unable to find rest. He should have just told her the moment he’d had the conversation with his father rather than letting it drag on. Now he just wanted it done.
It had been a longer absence than usual,business in Euttica keeping him busy beyond what he had expected. He would rather have remained and finished it, but tomorrow’s Senate meet had made that an impossibility, and so Achilleas had made the ride from his barony back to Vasiliadon, and to Archontiko Mikaelidas. Following his conversation with his father, there seemed to have beena flurry of activity concerning his betrothal to Theodora of Leventi,and the baron had not accounted for barrage of details his mother had been swept up in. He could see now why his father had rolled his eyes when he had asked what exactly needed to be done to facilitate such a thing.
Hoping that here at least he would be spared the bulk of it for a few hours, the Lord had handed off his horse to the stable boy and made his way through the manor house to his own chambers. He took a detour to his study to check up on any correspondence that had not been forwarded onto Eutticca, flicking through the few papers and frowning at one that he would need to respond to sooner rather than later, he sat down in the straight backed chair and read it through, glancing up with a start when someone entered a few moments later.
“My Lord” came the words of the head housekeeper, the servant offering him a bow as a jug of kykeon was set upon the table and a cup poured for the elder of the Prince’s sons. “ Will I have a bath drawn for you My Lord?”
Achilleas supposed he ought, for it was hot and the journey had been long enough to see him damp with sweat, and so he gave a nod . “ Yes thank you Phyliss”. He was grateful for the refreshment too, sipping at it as he dealt with the rest of the missives that had been waiting for him. When the elderly housekeeper left, the Lord lifted his eyes to the door and wondered if he would not soon receive another visitor. And then he felt like a coward for hoping not.
He had not see Briseis to speak to since the betrothal had been announced, and though the news itself would be no shock – it had always been in his future to be wed to a noble woman – he was not looking forward to the conversation he needed to have to bring their long standing arrangement to an end. It had become habit, familiar and Achilleas couldn’t deny that he would miss the easiness of it all. But even had he not concluded so himself, his father had made it clear enough that his dalliance with the maid could not continue. He was betrothed, committed now, to a young woman of fine standing, and he could not sully that promise by continuing to dally with the staff.
It played upon his mind as he bathed, and then though dinner and then later still. The usual way of it was that she would come to him when the rest of the household had retired, and he would be glad to welcome her to his bed. But when the time came, Achilleas lay wakeful and tetchy this time, unable to find rest. He should have just told her the moment he’d had the conversation with his father rather than letting it drag on. Now he just wanted it done.
She hadn't gotten a chance to see him since he returned, but Briseis knew how this worked. Once her duties were finished for the day and most of the household was asleep, she slipped through the halls in the darkness and followed a familiar path to her lover's room. A grey himation draped over her shoulders to protect against the slight chill covered the rather more revealing manner in which she'd tied her chiton, but as she slipped through the door to Achilleas' room it appeared that the attempt at seduction wouldn't be as effective as she'd like it to be. He appeared to be asleep, or at the very least trying to be, and so instead of speaking up right away, she shed her clothing with a few easy tugs and a smile on her lips as she knelt at the foot of the bed.
Briseis reached out gently to rest her hand briefly on his knee, giving him warning that she was there before crawling up slowly and tugging the blankets out of her way as she did. It was obvious he'd had a bath before retiring, his skin was softer than usual from the oils and the scent of them combined with his own felt intoxicating. Her lips found his chest and the hand that wasn't supporting her traced slowly along his abdomen. He'd been gone too long this time.
"Will you not wake and have me?"
The words were less spoken more whispered against his skin, a low and breathy question she had asked before and always received a fairly enthusiastic response to. Grazing her lips against his shoulder, the girl laid her head against his chest and looked up at him with adoration clear in her eyes. In the time she'd spent with the lord she had found herself becoming infatuated, and then absolutely in love. Perhaps he didn't yet return such feelings, and it was foolish of her to think he would ever consider marrying her, but she hoped that she could remain by his side anyway.
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She hadn't gotten a chance to see him since he returned, but Briseis knew how this worked. Once her duties were finished for the day and most of the household was asleep, she slipped through the halls in the darkness and followed a familiar path to her lover's room. A grey himation draped over her shoulders to protect against the slight chill covered the rather more revealing manner in which she'd tied her chiton, but as she slipped through the door to Achilleas' room it appeared that the attempt at seduction wouldn't be as effective as she'd like it to be. He appeared to be asleep, or at the very least trying to be, and so instead of speaking up right away, she shed her clothing with a few easy tugs and a smile on her lips as she knelt at the foot of the bed.
Briseis reached out gently to rest her hand briefly on his knee, giving him warning that she was there before crawling up slowly and tugging the blankets out of her way as she did. It was obvious he'd had a bath before retiring, his skin was softer than usual from the oils and the scent of them combined with his own felt intoxicating. Her lips found his chest and the hand that wasn't supporting her traced slowly along his abdomen. He'd been gone too long this time.
"Will you not wake and have me?"
The words were less spoken more whispered against his skin, a low and breathy question she had asked before and always received a fairly enthusiastic response to. Grazing her lips against his shoulder, the girl laid her head against his chest and looked up at him with adoration clear in her eyes. In the time she'd spent with the lord she had found herself becoming infatuated, and then absolutely in love. Perhaps he didn't yet return such feelings, and it was foolish of her to think he would ever consider marrying her, but she hoped that she could remain by his side anyway.
She hadn't gotten a chance to see him since he returned, but Briseis knew how this worked. Once her duties were finished for the day and most of the household was asleep, she slipped through the halls in the darkness and followed a familiar path to her lover's room. A grey himation draped over her shoulders to protect against the slight chill covered the rather more revealing manner in which she'd tied her chiton, but as she slipped through the door to Achilleas' room it appeared that the attempt at seduction wouldn't be as effective as she'd like it to be. He appeared to be asleep, or at the very least trying to be, and so instead of speaking up right away, she shed her clothing with a few easy tugs and a smile on her lips as she knelt at the foot of the bed.
Briseis reached out gently to rest her hand briefly on his knee, giving him warning that she was there before crawling up slowly and tugging the blankets out of her way as she did. It was obvious he'd had a bath before retiring, his skin was softer than usual from the oils and the scent of them combined with his own felt intoxicating. Her lips found his chest and the hand that wasn't supporting her traced slowly along his abdomen. He'd been gone too long this time.
"Will you not wake and have me?"
The words were less spoken more whispered against his skin, a low and breathy question she had asked before and always received a fairly enthusiastic response to. Grazing her lips against his shoulder, the girl laid her head against his chest and looked up at him with adoration clear in her eyes. In the time she'd spent with the lord she had found herself becoming infatuated, and then absolutely in love. Perhaps he didn't yet return such feelings, and it was foolish of her to think he would ever consider marrying her, but she hoped that she could remain by his side anyway.
Achilleas was ashamed to say he feigned sleep when he heard the soft snick of the door opening. Foolish, for it hardly delayed what was to follow, and he felt the bed dip as she moved and then her touch, the cool air as she moved aside the blanket that lay between them only to replace her with her own warmth.
It was a familiar routine, one that his body knew and accepted even if he intended otherwise, his cock giving a little surge of interest as Briseis’ hand trailed over his stomach. Clearly it had not received the message about this no longer being an appropriate arrangement.
Achilleas realised he needed to make some show of waking, and so he blinked a few times, twisted his neck so he could look down at the girl, feeling his resolve stutter a little in the face of what he was about to do. Again, he thought how he should have planned it differently, and almost he considered just going along with it, sinking into her obliging body one last time just to avoid having to tell her this way. But he’d made up his mind, had let this drag on too long already and the Lord had no wish to test his father’s patience in the matter, so Achilleas shifted so her weight was more on the bed than on him, expression guarded as he spoke.
“We can’t”. He began, thinking it as a good a starting point as any. Achilleas stretched out an arm to retrieve one of the layers she had discarded and pressed it upon her, covering the gentle curves that he knew so well now, and pushed up so he was sitting, body twisted so he faced her beside him. “This” he gestured indistinctly between them. “This cannot happen anymore Briseis. I’m promised to another now”. Achilleas’ voice was low, conscious of the quiet in the rest of the manor, and of the possibly displeasing content of his words.
He thought it better just to be direct. It was not as if he had been unclear in anyway about what she was to him, what he could be to her. And if he could make it as clean and brief as possible then it was probably for everyone’s benefit. Briseis would have heard no doubt, of his betrothal to Theodora, so perhaps she had even been expecting it, despite all appearances. Watching her, he reached out to rest a hand upon her shoulder and gave what he hoped might be a comforting squeeze. “You understand why?”
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Achilleas was ashamed to say he feigned sleep when he heard the soft snick of the door opening. Foolish, for it hardly delayed what was to follow, and he felt the bed dip as she moved and then her touch, the cool air as she moved aside the blanket that lay between them only to replace her with her own warmth.
It was a familiar routine, one that his body knew and accepted even if he intended otherwise, his cock giving a little surge of interest as Briseis’ hand trailed over his stomach. Clearly it had not received the message about this no longer being an appropriate arrangement.
Achilleas realised he needed to make some show of waking, and so he blinked a few times, twisted his neck so he could look down at the girl, feeling his resolve stutter a little in the face of what he was about to do. Again, he thought how he should have planned it differently, and almost he considered just going along with it, sinking into her obliging body one last time just to avoid having to tell her this way. But he’d made up his mind, had let this drag on too long already and the Lord had no wish to test his father’s patience in the matter, so Achilleas shifted so her weight was more on the bed than on him, expression guarded as he spoke.
“We can’t”. He began, thinking it as a good a starting point as any. Achilleas stretched out an arm to retrieve one of the layers she had discarded and pressed it upon her, covering the gentle curves that he knew so well now, and pushed up so he was sitting, body twisted so he faced her beside him. “This” he gestured indistinctly between them. “This cannot happen anymore Briseis. I’m promised to another now”. Achilleas’ voice was low, conscious of the quiet in the rest of the manor, and of the possibly displeasing content of his words.
He thought it better just to be direct. It was not as if he had been unclear in anyway about what she was to him, what he could be to her. And if he could make it as clean and brief as possible then it was probably for everyone’s benefit. Briseis would have heard no doubt, of his betrothal to Theodora, so perhaps she had even been expecting it, despite all appearances. Watching her, he reached out to rest a hand upon her shoulder and gave what he hoped might be a comforting squeeze. “You understand why?”
Achilleas was ashamed to say he feigned sleep when he heard the soft snick of the door opening. Foolish, for it hardly delayed what was to follow, and he felt the bed dip as she moved and then her touch, the cool air as she moved aside the blanket that lay between them only to replace her with her own warmth.
It was a familiar routine, one that his body knew and accepted even if he intended otherwise, his cock giving a little surge of interest as Briseis’ hand trailed over his stomach. Clearly it had not received the message about this no longer being an appropriate arrangement.
Achilleas realised he needed to make some show of waking, and so he blinked a few times, twisted his neck so he could look down at the girl, feeling his resolve stutter a little in the face of what he was about to do. Again, he thought how he should have planned it differently, and almost he considered just going along with it, sinking into her obliging body one last time just to avoid having to tell her this way. But he’d made up his mind, had let this drag on too long already and the Lord had no wish to test his father’s patience in the matter, so Achilleas shifted so her weight was more on the bed than on him, expression guarded as he spoke.
“We can’t”. He began, thinking it as a good a starting point as any. Achilleas stretched out an arm to retrieve one of the layers she had discarded and pressed it upon her, covering the gentle curves that he knew so well now, and pushed up so he was sitting, body twisted so he faced her beside him. “This” he gestured indistinctly between them. “This cannot happen anymore Briseis. I’m promised to another now”. Achilleas’ voice was low, conscious of the quiet in the rest of the manor, and of the possibly displeasing content of his words.
He thought it better just to be direct. It was not as if he had been unclear in anyway about what she was to him, what he could be to her. And if he could make it as clean and brief as possible then it was probably for everyone’s benefit. Briseis would have heard no doubt, of his betrothal to Theodora, so perhaps she had even been expecting it, despite all appearances. Watching her, he reached out to rest a hand upon her shoulder and gave what he hoped might be a comforting squeeze. “You understand why?”
Her smile widened as he woke, and she brushed her nose against his chest in an affectionate nuzzle. It was a thrill, every moment she got to spend with him, and now that he was back she was determined to take advantage of it. The baron's shifting settled her on her back and she reached for him, expecting his warm weight to cover her instead of the blanket he drew over her bare skin. A slight frown of confusion flickered over her face but she kept her smile in place until he spoke at last.
We can't?
For a moment she was sure she must have misheard him. He had been the one to call her to his bed, the one who had set up these expectations and she had willingly obliged the entire way. Why now was anything different? The excuse of his recent betrothal very nearly made her roll her eyes. His own father kept a mistress and illegitimate daughters in this household, why did Achilleas feel the need to suddenly remove her from his life. He wasn't even wed yet.
As he sat she remained where she was, staring up at him as he tried to further explain why she was suddenly so distasteful. A trembling had begun in her full lower lip as her expression turned into a full on pout, and she was trying not to cry as it fully sank in what he was telling her. Pulling the sheet that he had used to cover her nakedness up further, Briseis hid her face. Let him perceive it how he would, she wasn't entirely sure exactly what she was feeling. Heartbreak, shame, anger, fear. Now that he was done with her would she lose her position in the house? Would he look at her with disgust or simply ignore her existence from here on out?
"No."
She truly didn't understand why. Why had he even begun with her if he was only going to end it as soon as he was wed? Had he just been using her after all, in spite of what she had thought of him? A million thoughts were running through her mind and after a moment she landed on perhaps the least rational of possibilities. Sitting upright suddenly, the girl tried to wrap her arms around the baron to hold onto him and try to keep him as hers. She could learn to share, she could be discreet, but all of the promises she was trying to make wouldn't leave her lips as she buried her face in his neck and let tears fall at last.
"Please, don't send me away. I love you."
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Her smile widened as he woke, and she brushed her nose against his chest in an affectionate nuzzle. It was a thrill, every moment she got to spend with him, and now that he was back she was determined to take advantage of it. The baron's shifting settled her on her back and she reached for him, expecting his warm weight to cover her instead of the blanket he drew over her bare skin. A slight frown of confusion flickered over her face but she kept her smile in place until he spoke at last.
We can't?
For a moment she was sure she must have misheard him. He had been the one to call her to his bed, the one who had set up these expectations and she had willingly obliged the entire way. Why now was anything different? The excuse of his recent betrothal very nearly made her roll her eyes. His own father kept a mistress and illegitimate daughters in this household, why did Achilleas feel the need to suddenly remove her from his life. He wasn't even wed yet.
As he sat she remained where she was, staring up at him as he tried to further explain why she was suddenly so distasteful. A trembling had begun in her full lower lip as her expression turned into a full on pout, and she was trying not to cry as it fully sank in what he was telling her. Pulling the sheet that he had used to cover her nakedness up further, Briseis hid her face. Let him perceive it how he would, she wasn't entirely sure exactly what she was feeling. Heartbreak, shame, anger, fear. Now that he was done with her would she lose her position in the house? Would he look at her with disgust or simply ignore her existence from here on out?
"No."
She truly didn't understand why. Why had he even begun with her if he was only going to end it as soon as he was wed? Had he just been using her after all, in spite of what she had thought of him? A million thoughts were running through her mind and after a moment she landed on perhaps the least rational of possibilities. Sitting upright suddenly, the girl tried to wrap her arms around the baron to hold onto him and try to keep him as hers. She could learn to share, she could be discreet, but all of the promises she was trying to make wouldn't leave her lips as she buried her face in his neck and let tears fall at last.
"Please, don't send me away. I love you."
Her smile widened as he woke, and she brushed her nose against his chest in an affectionate nuzzle. It was a thrill, every moment she got to spend with him, and now that he was back she was determined to take advantage of it. The baron's shifting settled her on her back and she reached for him, expecting his warm weight to cover her instead of the blanket he drew over her bare skin. A slight frown of confusion flickered over her face but she kept her smile in place until he spoke at last.
We can't?
For a moment she was sure she must have misheard him. He had been the one to call her to his bed, the one who had set up these expectations and she had willingly obliged the entire way. Why now was anything different? The excuse of his recent betrothal very nearly made her roll her eyes. His own father kept a mistress and illegitimate daughters in this household, why did Achilleas feel the need to suddenly remove her from his life. He wasn't even wed yet.
As he sat she remained where she was, staring up at him as he tried to further explain why she was suddenly so distasteful. A trembling had begun in her full lower lip as her expression turned into a full on pout, and she was trying not to cry as it fully sank in what he was telling her. Pulling the sheet that he had used to cover her nakedness up further, Briseis hid her face. Let him perceive it how he would, she wasn't entirely sure exactly what she was feeling. Heartbreak, shame, anger, fear. Now that he was done with her would she lose her position in the house? Would he look at her with disgust or simply ignore her existence from here on out?
"No."
She truly didn't understand why. Why had he even begun with her if he was only going to end it as soon as he was wed? Had he just been using her after all, in spite of what she had thought of him? A million thoughts were running through her mind and after a moment she landed on perhaps the least rational of possibilities. Sitting upright suddenly, the girl tried to wrap her arms around the baron to hold onto him and try to keep him as hers. She could learn to share, she could be discreet, but all of the promises she was trying to make wouldn't leave her lips as she buried her face in his neck and let tears fall at last.
"Please, don't send me away. I love you."
He wasn’t quite sure what he had been expecting. Disappointment? Possibly. That she might be a bit hurt. That too. It was why he had been putting it off. But as Achilleas looked down at the girl, saw those pale blue eyes turned up at him and her pouty lower lip start to tremble, he realised it was going to be worse than he had thought. His attempt to explain didn’t seem to help, and he blew out a breath when she hid from him, his hand hovering a moment as he considered pulling the sheet away from her face so they could talk about this like adults.
He resisted though, let his hand fall and looked anywhere but at Briseis as he waited for her to gather herself. He didn’t do well with such open displays of emotion, had been too well trained that to show such things was weakness, and so he found himself uncomfortable. As if this wasn’t always going to be uncomfortable. It was the quietly spoken no that had the lord turn to see his lover again, a frown drawing together dark brows. What did she mean, no? She didnt understand?
He didn’t think he could explain it any more clearly. He was betrothed to be married. What more reason did she need? She jerked up suddenly, and Achilleas found himself with arms full of Briseis as she clung to him and he felt the salt of her tears on her skin.
‘Please dont send me away. I love you’
He tensed beneath her hold as her muffled words spilled out against the hollow of his throat, the breath that he’d taken stilling in his lungs. “What?”
Achilleas grasped onto her arms and pushed her away so he could see her face. He was shaking his head. “You don’t love me, Briseis. That’s not what this is. It has never been that” But her face was a mess, damp with tears and he tried not to think how she had always been so affectionate with him, had come to light like a flame whenever he returned to Vasiliadon, had never failed to appear at his door and share all of herself with him. There was a slow realisation like a run of cold water down his spine.
Oh but he had been a fool.
“I have never said..” he started to defend himself, wanted to say that he had been clear from the beginning what this arrangement had been. But that had been years ago, and he realised that he should’ve addressed it long before now. Because somewhere she had invested more and he hadn’t cared enough to stop her. That was an unpleasant reflection on his own character, and one that he didn’t much want to acknowledge.
“This isn’t me sending you away” Achilleas tried,wanting to stop the tears that still gathered and fell, gathered and fell. “You still have your job here. Nothing changes except..” You can’t come naked to my room anymore. He might’ve said it had she not already laid claim to thinking so much more of what was between them. But it just seemed cruel for him to speak so lightly of it, and so he switched directions. “I’m to be married, Briseis. I cannot go into that with the stain of infidelity already set.”
She would understand that, surely. What women would not think better of a man for thinking so? “You have done nothing wrong..” Achilleas released his hold upon her arms and went to smooth away the one of the tears that streaked down her face. “Do not take it so badly”
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He wasn’t quite sure what he had been expecting. Disappointment? Possibly. That she might be a bit hurt. That too. It was why he had been putting it off. But as Achilleas looked down at the girl, saw those pale blue eyes turned up at him and her pouty lower lip start to tremble, he realised it was going to be worse than he had thought. His attempt to explain didn’t seem to help, and he blew out a breath when she hid from him, his hand hovering a moment as he considered pulling the sheet away from her face so they could talk about this like adults.
He resisted though, let his hand fall and looked anywhere but at Briseis as he waited for her to gather herself. He didn’t do well with such open displays of emotion, had been too well trained that to show such things was weakness, and so he found himself uncomfortable. As if this wasn’t always going to be uncomfortable. It was the quietly spoken no that had the lord turn to see his lover again, a frown drawing together dark brows. What did she mean, no? She didnt understand?
He didn’t think he could explain it any more clearly. He was betrothed to be married. What more reason did she need? She jerked up suddenly, and Achilleas found himself with arms full of Briseis as she clung to him and he felt the salt of her tears on her skin.
‘Please dont send me away. I love you’
He tensed beneath her hold as her muffled words spilled out against the hollow of his throat, the breath that he’d taken stilling in his lungs. “What?”
Achilleas grasped onto her arms and pushed her away so he could see her face. He was shaking his head. “You don’t love me, Briseis. That’s not what this is. It has never been that” But her face was a mess, damp with tears and he tried not to think how she had always been so affectionate with him, had come to light like a flame whenever he returned to Vasiliadon, had never failed to appear at his door and share all of herself with him. There was a slow realisation like a run of cold water down his spine.
Oh but he had been a fool.
“I have never said..” he started to defend himself, wanted to say that he had been clear from the beginning what this arrangement had been. But that had been years ago, and he realised that he should’ve addressed it long before now. Because somewhere she had invested more and he hadn’t cared enough to stop her. That was an unpleasant reflection on his own character, and one that he didn’t much want to acknowledge.
“This isn’t me sending you away” Achilleas tried,wanting to stop the tears that still gathered and fell, gathered and fell. “You still have your job here. Nothing changes except..” You can’t come naked to my room anymore. He might’ve said it had she not already laid claim to thinking so much more of what was between them. But it just seemed cruel for him to speak so lightly of it, and so he switched directions. “I’m to be married, Briseis. I cannot go into that with the stain of infidelity already set.”
She would understand that, surely. What women would not think better of a man for thinking so? “You have done nothing wrong..” Achilleas released his hold upon her arms and went to smooth away the one of the tears that streaked down her face. “Do not take it so badly”
He wasn’t quite sure what he had been expecting. Disappointment? Possibly. That she might be a bit hurt. That too. It was why he had been putting it off. But as Achilleas looked down at the girl, saw those pale blue eyes turned up at him and her pouty lower lip start to tremble, he realised it was going to be worse than he had thought. His attempt to explain didn’t seem to help, and he blew out a breath when she hid from him, his hand hovering a moment as he considered pulling the sheet away from her face so they could talk about this like adults.
He resisted though, let his hand fall and looked anywhere but at Briseis as he waited for her to gather herself. He didn’t do well with such open displays of emotion, had been too well trained that to show such things was weakness, and so he found himself uncomfortable. As if this wasn’t always going to be uncomfortable. It was the quietly spoken no that had the lord turn to see his lover again, a frown drawing together dark brows. What did she mean, no? She didnt understand?
He didn’t think he could explain it any more clearly. He was betrothed to be married. What more reason did she need? She jerked up suddenly, and Achilleas found himself with arms full of Briseis as she clung to him and he felt the salt of her tears on her skin.
‘Please dont send me away. I love you’
He tensed beneath her hold as her muffled words spilled out against the hollow of his throat, the breath that he’d taken stilling in his lungs. “What?”
Achilleas grasped onto her arms and pushed her away so he could see her face. He was shaking his head. “You don’t love me, Briseis. That’s not what this is. It has never been that” But her face was a mess, damp with tears and he tried not to think how she had always been so affectionate with him, had come to light like a flame whenever he returned to Vasiliadon, had never failed to appear at his door and share all of herself with him. There was a slow realisation like a run of cold water down his spine.
Oh but he had been a fool.
“I have never said..” he started to defend himself, wanted to say that he had been clear from the beginning what this arrangement had been. But that had been years ago, and he realised that he should’ve addressed it long before now. Because somewhere she had invested more and he hadn’t cared enough to stop her. That was an unpleasant reflection on his own character, and one that he didn’t much want to acknowledge.
“This isn’t me sending you away” Achilleas tried,wanting to stop the tears that still gathered and fell, gathered and fell. “You still have your job here. Nothing changes except..” You can’t come naked to my room anymore. He might’ve said it had she not already laid claim to thinking so much more of what was between them. But it just seemed cruel for him to speak so lightly of it, and so he switched directions. “I’m to be married, Briseis. I cannot go into that with the stain of infidelity already set.”
She would understand that, surely. What women would not think better of a man for thinking so? “You have done nothing wrong..” Achilleas released his hold upon her arms and went to smooth away the one of the tears that streaked down her face. “Do not take it so badly”
The girl tried desperately to hold onto him as he pushed her away, the tears growing into more uncontrollable and louder sobs as he held her up. How could he know what she felt? Be so certain that what she was feeling for him was nothing more than an illusion. Yet how could it be anything but love? She yearned for him when he was gone, ached to feel his touch, and gave all of herself to him in spite of knowing full well he would never truly marry her. She had been a fool in her own right to think she meant more to him than just a warm body, and the more he spoke the clearer that knowledge became.
Everything she had given, all that she was, the time spent, it was all wasted now. The noble bitch would get everything that was being taken from her and more that Briseis could never dream of. She'd had few violent thoughts in her life, but now as Achilleas continued to run through his excuses she wished nothing more than for Hades to take Theodora of Leventi out of this life.
"Nothing changes?!"
Her incredulity came out as something closer to a wail, and she was far less invested in making sure no one knew of their trysts. When she had thought it was love, that he would keep her about, she hadn't wanted anything to ruin his name or hers, but now that he was showing he was no better than the next man she had little care for it. Prince Irakles was proving to be of higher moral stock than his self-righteous son in her eyes. At least he took care of both wife and mistress and thought for himself instead of letting the law of propriety run his feelings.
"Everything changes, Achilleas! You've sat here and all but called me a stain on your reputation! Is that all I am? A stain to be washed off when you saw fit? A warm whore for your pleasures when you wish it?!"
Briseis lifted her own hand to smack at his as he attempted to wipe a tear from her cheek, angrier and more devastated than she had ever been in her entire life. Her voice next came out as a hiss and she shoved at his chest in rage.
"I know I have done nothing wrong! Save make the mistake of loving you all these years, foolishly thinking you cared for me too!"
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The girl tried desperately to hold onto him as he pushed her away, the tears growing into more uncontrollable and louder sobs as he held her up. How could he know what she felt? Be so certain that what she was feeling for him was nothing more than an illusion. Yet how could it be anything but love? She yearned for him when he was gone, ached to feel his touch, and gave all of herself to him in spite of knowing full well he would never truly marry her. She had been a fool in her own right to think she meant more to him than just a warm body, and the more he spoke the clearer that knowledge became.
Everything she had given, all that she was, the time spent, it was all wasted now. The noble bitch would get everything that was being taken from her and more that Briseis could never dream of. She'd had few violent thoughts in her life, but now as Achilleas continued to run through his excuses she wished nothing more than for Hades to take Theodora of Leventi out of this life.
"Nothing changes?!"
Her incredulity came out as something closer to a wail, and she was far less invested in making sure no one knew of their trysts. When she had thought it was love, that he would keep her about, she hadn't wanted anything to ruin his name or hers, but now that he was showing he was no better than the next man she had little care for it. Prince Irakles was proving to be of higher moral stock than his self-righteous son in her eyes. At least he took care of both wife and mistress and thought for himself instead of letting the law of propriety run his feelings.
"Everything changes, Achilleas! You've sat here and all but called me a stain on your reputation! Is that all I am? A stain to be washed off when you saw fit? A warm whore for your pleasures when you wish it?!"
Briseis lifted her own hand to smack at his as he attempted to wipe a tear from her cheek, angrier and more devastated than she had ever been in her entire life. Her voice next came out as a hiss and she shoved at his chest in rage.
"I know I have done nothing wrong! Save make the mistake of loving you all these years, foolishly thinking you cared for me too!"
The girl tried desperately to hold onto him as he pushed her away, the tears growing into more uncontrollable and louder sobs as he held her up. How could he know what she felt? Be so certain that what she was feeling for him was nothing more than an illusion. Yet how could it be anything but love? She yearned for him when he was gone, ached to feel his touch, and gave all of herself to him in spite of knowing full well he would never truly marry her. She had been a fool in her own right to think she meant more to him than just a warm body, and the more he spoke the clearer that knowledge became.
Everything she had given, all that she was, the time spent, it was all wasted now. The noble bitch would get everything that was being taken from her and more that Briseis could never dream of. She'd had few violent thoughts in her life, but now as Achilleas continued to run through his excuses she wished nothing more than for Hades to take Theodora of Leventi out of this life.
"Nothing changes?!"
Her incredulity came out as something closer to a wail, and she was far less invested in making sure no one knew of their trysts. When she had thought it was love, that he would keep her about, she hadn't wanted anything to ruin his name or hers, but now that he was showing he was no better than the next man she had little care for it. Prince Irakles was proving to be of higher moral stock than his self-righteous son in her eyes. At least he took care of both wife and mistress and thought for himself instead of letting the law of propriety run his feelings.
"Everything changes, Achilleas! You've sat here and all but called me a stain on your reputation! Is that all I am? A stain to be washed off when you saw fit? A warm whore for your pleasures when you wish it?!"
Briseis lifted her own hand to smack at his as he attempted to wipe a tear from her cheek, angrier and more devastated than she had ever been in her entire life. Her voice next came out as a hiss and she shoved at his chest in rage.
"I know I have done nothing wrong! Save make the mistake of loving you all these years, foolishly thinking you cared for me too!"
He was shocked by the intensity of her reaction, the shuddering sobs that seemed so loud in the quiet of the hour, her arms that still reached for him as he tried to hold her back to where he could look on her properly.
Achilleas looked slightly panicked, and he didn’t know what to do with her. To take her into his arms and offer comfort was contradictory to everything he was trying to achieve and yet her tears bothered him, the thought that he was responsible for this upset leaving him anxious.
What had she thought? That he would keep her as a Mistress when he took a wife? The idea angered Achilleas, just as it angered him seeing his father disrespect his mother in such a way. He was not his father’s son, in that way at least.
He could not promise her himself, but at least he could offer some reassurance that this did not threaten her position within the Mikaedlidas household and he thought that would be some small comfort to the girl, but it appeared another thing that he was wrong in.
This time, the volume of her cries become a concern, and Achilleas looked toward the door, releasing her long enough to raise his hands placatingly “Shhh Briseis, please” he said, only just biting back the ‘calm down’ that wanted to spill out afterwards. But her noise would wake half the household if he weren’t careful and so the lord’s desire to soothe the girl only increased.
“I didn’t mean it like that” he protested. “And I would never speak of you in that way!” There was an absence of denial though, that perhaps he had thought it. Not so starkly. But there was a reason the lord had engineered such a relationship, and at the core of it was his comfort. And the convenience. The affection he felt for the girl had come later, over time. And yet even then Achilleas had known it to be as a temporary balm, his sweet servant girl.
But as he reached out to wipe away her tears, he was about to learn that sweet biddable Briseis was not so easily soothed. Her hand smacked at his, and he pulled back in surprise, not certain how to handle the kitten suddenly showing its claws. When she pushed against him, Achilleas felt his own temper rise in response to her words, to the venom he felt directed at him.
“What did you expect?!he whispered back at her as he caught hold of her wrists, preventing her from flailing at him any further “You are a maid, Briseis. It was not as if this could even be more than what it has been! I never pretended anything different”
He shook his head “If I have been remiss in anything, it is just not having disavowed you of whatever childish fantasies you have been nurturing all these years, and for that, I am sorry. But this is hardly unexpected”
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He was shocked by the intensity of her reaction, the shuddering sobs that seemed so loud in the quiet of the hour, her arms that still reached for him as he tried to hold her back to where he could look on her properly.
Achilleas looked slightly panicked, and he didn’t know what to do with her. To take her into his arms and offer comfort was contradictory to everything he was trying to achieve and yet her tears bothered him, the thought that he was responsible for this upset leaving him anxious.
What had she thought? That he would keep her as a Mistress when he took a wife? The idea angered Achilleas, just as it angered him seeing his father disrespect his mother in such a way. He was not his father’s son, in that way at least.
He could not promise her himself, but at least he could offer some reassurance that this did not threaten her position within the Mikaedlidas household and he thought that would be some small comfort to the girl, but it appeared another thing that he was wrong in.
This time, the volume of her cries become a concern, and Achilleas looked toward the door, releasing her long enough to raise his hands placatingly “Shhh Briseis, please” he said, only just biting back the ‘calm down’ that wanted to spill out afterwards. But her noise would wake half the household if he weren’t careful and so the lord’s desire to soothe the girl only increased.
“I didn’t mean it like that” he protested. “And I would never speak of you in that way!” There was an absence of denial though, that perhaps he had thought it. Not so starkly. But there was a reason the lord had engineered such a relationship, and at the core of it was his comfort. And the convenience. The affection he felt for the girl had come later, over time. And yet even then Achilleas had known it to be as a temporary balm, his sweet servant girl.
But as he reached out to wipe away her tears, he was about to learn that sweet biddable Briseis was not so easily soothed. Her hand smacked at his, and he pulled back in surprise, not certain how to handle the kitten suddenly showing its claws. When she pushed against him, Achilleas felt his own temper rise in response to her words, to the venom he felt directed at him.
“What did you expect?!he whispered back at her as he caught hold of her wrists, preventing her from flailing at him any further “You are a maid, Briseis. It was not as if this could even be more than what it has been! I never pretended anything different”
He shook his head “If I have been remiss in anything, it is just not having disavowed you of whatever childish fantasies you have been nurturing all these years, and for that, I am sorry. But this is hardly unexpected”
He was shocked by the intensity of her reaction, the shuddering sobs that seemed so loud in the quiet of the hour, her arms that still reached for him as he tried to hold her back to where he could look on her properly.
Achilleas looked slightly panicked, and he didn’t know what to do with her. To take her into his arms and offer comfort was contradictory to everything he was trying to achieve and yet her tears bothered him, the thought that he was responsible for this upset leaving him anxious.
What had she thought? That he would keep her as a Mistress when he took a wife? The idea angered Achilleas, just as it angered him seeing his father disrespect his mother in such a way. He was not his father’s son, in that way at least.
He could not promise her himself, but at least he could offer some reassurance that this did not threaten her position within the Mikaedlidas household and he thought that would be some small comfort to the girl, but it appeared another thing that he was wrong in.
This time, the volume of her cries become a concern, and Achilleas looked toward the door, releasing her long enough to raise his hands placatingly “Shhh Briseis, please” he said, only just biting back the ‘calm down’ that wanted to spill out afterwards. But her noise would wake half the household if he weren’t careful and so the lord’s desire to soothe the girl only increased.
“I didn’t mean it like that” he protested. “And I would never speak of you in that way!” There was an absence of denial though, that perhaps he had thought it. Not so starkly. But there was a reason the lord had engineered such a relationship, and at the core of it was his comfort. And the convenience. The affection he felt for the girl had come later, over time. And yet even then Achilleas had known it to be as a temporary balm, his sweet servant girl.
But as he reached out to wipe away her tears, he was about to learn that sweet biddable Briseis was not so easily soothed. Her hand smacked at his, and he pulled back in surprise, not certain how to handle the kitten suddenly showing its claws. When she pushed against him, Achilleas felt his own temper rise in response to her words, to the venom he felt directed at him.
“What did you expect?!he whispered back at her as he caught hold of her wrists, preventing her from flailing at him any further “You are a maid, Briseis. It was not as if this could even be more than what it has been! I never pretended anything different”
He shook his head “If I have been remiss in anything, it is just not having disavowed you of whatever childish fantasies you have been nurturing all these years, and for that, I am sorry. But this is hardly unexpected”
Nothing he could say would make this better, not unless he began laughing and it was all just a cruel joke and he promised to love her as she loved him until the end. Any hope she'd had, the feelings developed over the years, he was crushing them now, snatching away everything with a look on his face that shocked her. He had really, truly felt nothing. Any kindness had been false, and she'd been nothing more than his right as a noble. All attempts at shushing her simply increased the volume of her sobs as everything crumbled around her, and she slouched forward as he held her wrists. She hadn't planned to attack him again, but his caution showed the lack of trust he had in her.
What had she expected? Better than this. The high esteem she'd held for him meant that even if they had ended things one day, she had expected to still respect and care for him. But this? This was far worse than anything she could have ever dreamed of in the years they'd spent together. Tears and snot now dripped down her face as he reminded her again that she was just a maid, just a nothing, a warm piece of flesh for him to sink into when he desired and nothing more. The feelings she'd been fostering were love, a misplaced love she could see now, but to hear him call her childish was a final break to her bruised heart.
"I pity her. She may be richer but she will be just as lonely as me."
She was no fool. Lady Theodora was no stranger to Mikaelidas men. Briseis had been here when Achilleas had not, and though she had never seen them together, she had heard whispers of what his brother did when he was not present. Nobility always assumed if no one of status was around that their secrets were safe, and for now this one was. Let Achilleas discover that his lady was false on his own, secrets didn't hide forever. He would feel just as she did soon enough, but she would no longer be ready to soothe his wounds.
The maid tried to free herself from his grip, desperate to break away from this man who wounded her now with every word and every touch. She hadn't decided yet if she would leave entirely, not that anyone would notice or care if she did. She could return to Maliania, perhaps join her mother in Aprhodite's temple, or seek employment elsewhere in the city. Would Prince Irakles care if she resigned? Would he or Meena be willing to recommend her services elsewhere? It was all in need of an answer, but first she had to escape this place that served as setting for a nightmare.
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Nothing he could say would make this better, not unless he began laughing and it was all just a cruel joke and he promised to love her as she loved him until the end. Any hope she'd had, the feelings developed over the years, he was crushing them now, snatching away everything with a look on his face that shocked her. He had really, truly felt nothing. Any kindness had been false, and she'd been nothing more than his right as a noble. All attempts at shushing her simply increased the volume of her sobs as everything crumbled around her, and she slouched forward as he held her wrists. She hadn't planned to attack him again, but his caution showed the lack of trust he had in her.
What had she expected? Better than this. The high esteem she'd held for him meant that even if they had ended things one day, she had expected to still respect and care for him. But this? This was far worse than anything she could have ever dreamed of in the years they'd spent together. Tears and snot now dripped down her face as he reminded her again that she was just a maid, just a nothing, a warm piece of flesh for him to sink into when he desired and nothing more. The feelings she'd been fostering were love, a misplaced love she could see now, but to hear him call her childish was a final break to her bruised heart.
"I pity her. She may be richer but she will be just as lonely as me."
She was no fool. Lady Theodora was no stranger to Mikaelidas men. Briseis had been here when Achilleas had not, and though she had never seen them together, she had heard whispers of what his brother did when he was not present. Nobility always assumed if no one of status was around that their secrets were safe, and for now this one was. Let Achilleas discover that his lady was false on his own, secrets didn't hide forever. He would feel just as she did soon enough, but she would no longer be ready to soothe his wounds.
The maid tried to free herself from his grip, desperate to break away from this man who wounded her now with every word and every touch. She hadn't decided yet if she would leave entirely, not that anyone would notice or care if she did. She could return to Maliania, perhaps join her mother in Aprhodite's temple, or seek employment elsewhere in the city. Would Prince Irakles care if she resigned? Would he or Meena be willing to recommend her services elsewhere? It was all in need of an answer, but first she had to escape this place that served as setting for a nightmare.
Nothing he could say would make this better, not unless he began laughing and it was all just a cruel joke and he promised to love her as she loved him until the end. Any hope she'd had, the feelings developed over the years, he was crushing them now, snatching away everything with a look on his face that shocked her. He had really, truly felt nothing. Any kindness had been false, and she'd been nothing more than his right as a noble. All attempts at shushing her simply increased the volume of her sobs as everything crumbled around her, and she slouched forward as he held her wrists. She hadn't planned to attack him again, but his caution showed the lack of trust he had in her.
What had she expected? Better than this. The high esteem she'd held for him meant that even if they had ended things one day, she had expected to still respect and care for him. But this? This was far worse than anything she could have ever dreamed of in the years they'd spent together. Tears and snot now dripped down her face as he reminded her again that she was just a maid, just a nothing, a warm piece of flesh for him to sink into when he desired and nothing more. The feelings she'd been fostering were love, a misplaced love she could see now, but to hear him call her childish was a final break to her bruised heart.
"I pity her. She may be richer but she will be just as lonely as me."
She was no fool. Lady Theodora was no stranger to Mikaelidas men. Briseis had been here when Achilleas had not, and though she had never seen them together, she had heard whispers of what his brother did when he was not present. Nobility always assumed if no one of status was around that their secrets were safe, and for now this one was. Let Achilleas discover that his lady was false on his own, secrets didn't hide forever. He would feel just as she did soon enough, but she would no longer be ready to soothe his wounds.
The maid tried to free herself from his grip, desperate to break away from this man who wounded her now with every word and every touch. She hadn't decided yet if she would leave entirely, not that anyone would notice or care if she did. She could return to Maliania, perhaps join her mother in Aprhodite's temple, or seek employment elsewhere in the city. Would Prince Irakles care if she resigned? Would he or Meena be willing to recommend her services elsewhere? It was all in need of an answer, but first she had to escape this place that served as setting for a nightmare.
This was not going at all to plan, the tears, the confession of this love that he had blinkered himself to making what he had thought would be a logical conclusion to a pleasant arrangement seeming a nightmare instead.
How had he misjudged this so terribly? He was mangling it all and making it worse with almost every word and Achilleas wasn’t sure now if he could prevent this freefall. Damn his father to Hades and back. He cursed the man, lying somewhere down the hallway with his own mistress, no doubt, whilst ordering Achilleas to wrap up his own dalliance.
Not that the Lord wouldn’t have done this sooner or later anyway. But the time pressure, his fumbling of it in the urgency to get it done before it could come to the man’s attention that he had not - that was at least partially Irakles’ fault.
Achilleas stared at his lover hopelessly, not knowing how he was supposed to soothe this hurt that he himself had inflicted, all the while growing more conscious of this all becoming gossip fodder to the rest of the household. She needed to be quiet
But her cries and broken sobs did not grow quieter despite his efforts, and Briseis words, delivered amongst the hiccoughing tears and upset, stung him.
Achilleas was unused to being the villain of the piece, he did not like it, did not like the way it made guilt twist his stomach into a knot, reminded him of other times he had conducted himself poorly.
“I didn’t mean for you to be so upset” he offered, releasing her wrists as soon as she tried to pull away.He would not be some brute who would restrain her against her will.
“I’m sorry, Briseis. It's not that I don’t care for you. Of course I do. This is just not..” He reached for the words that could somehow make this more palatable, but they were not there.
Not sustainable. Not realistic. Not unless he was going to be just the kind of man his father was.
Briseis looked so young and broken in that moment and Achilleas was not hard-hearted, despite his ability to speak words that wounded. He felt a wash of shame at his own part in this, not as insubstantial as he would have liked, and it was enough to push at his resolve.
Gathering her up close to him was natural, she fit into his arms so neatly, familiar, and the sobs were muffled against his chest. Achilleas sighed, placed his hand upon her back lightly, feeling the hitch in her breaths as he did so.
“I’m sorry” he repeated the earlier apology into her the cloud of her hair, not unaware of the pointlessness of his words but unable to leave it so bitter. What could he do? He had little choice in doing this now, his father had been clear enough about that. There was no offer of friendship that could soften the blow either, they were miles apart. He didn’t know how he was supposed to salvage anything, to smooth the sharp edges left behind.
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This was not going at all to plan, the tears, the confession of this love that he had blinkered himself to making what he had thought would be a logical conclusion to a pleasant arrangement seeming a nightmare instead.
How had he misjudged this so terribly? He was mangling it all and making it worse with almost every word and Achilleas wasn’t sure now if he could prevent this freefall. Damn his father to Hades and back. He cursed the man, lying somewhere down the hallway with his own mistress, no doubt, whilst ordering Achilleas to wrap up his own dalliance.
Not that the Lord wouldn’t have done this sooner or later anyway. But the time pressure, his fumbling of it in the urgency to get it done before it could come to the man’s attention that he had not - that was at least partially Irakles’ fault.
Achilleas stared at his lover hopelessly, not knowing how he was supposed to soothe this hurt that he himself had inflicted, all the while growing more conscious of this all becoming gossip fodder to the rest of the household. She needed to be quiet
But her cries and broken sobs did not grow quieter despite his efforts, and Briseis words, delivered amongst the hiccoughing tears and upset, stung him.
Achilleas was unused to being the villain of the piece, he did not like it, did not like the way it made guilt twist his stomach into a knot, reminded him of other times he had conducted himself poorly.
“I didn’t mean for you to be so upset” he offered, releasing her wrists as soon as she tried to pull away.He would not be some brute who would restrain her against her will.
“I’m sorry, Briseis. It's not that I don’t care for you. Of course I do. This is just not..” He reached for the words that could somehow make this more palatable, but they were not there.
Not sustainable. Not realistic. Not unless he was going to be just the kind of man his father was.
Briseis looked so young and broken in that moment and Achilleas was not hard-hearted, despite his ability to speak words that wounded. He felt a wash of shame at his own part in this, not as insubstantial as he would have liked, and it was enough to push at his resolve.
Gathering her up close to him was natural, she fit into his arms so neatly, familiar, and the sobs were muffled against his chest. Achilleas sighed, placed his hand upon her back lightly, feeling the hitch in her breaths as he did so.
“I’m sorry” he repeated the earlier apology into her the cloud of her hair, not unaware of the pointlessness of his words but unable to leave it so bitter. What could he do? He had little choice in doing this now, his father had been clear enough about that. There was no offer of friendship that could soften the blow either, they were miles apart. He didn’t know how he was supposed to salvage anything, to smooth the sharp edges left behind.
This was not going at all to plan, the tears, the confession of this love that he had blinkered himself to making what he had thought would be a logical conclusion to a pleasant arrangement seeming a nightmare instead.
How had he misjudged this so terribly? He was mangling it all and making it worse with almost every word and Achilleas wasn’t sure now if he could prevent this freefall. Damn his father to Hades and back. He cursed the man, lying somewhere down the hallway with his own mistress, no doubt, whilst ordering Achilleas to wrap up his own dalliance.
Not that the Lord wouldn’t have done this sooner or later anyway. But the time pressure, his fumbling of it in the urgency to get it done before it could come to the man’s attention that he had not - that was at least partially Irakles’ fault.
Achilleas stared at his lover hopelessly, not knowing how he was supposed to soothe this hurt that he himself had inflicted, all the while growing more conscious of this all becoming gossip fodder to the rest of the household. She needed to be quiet
But her cries and broken sobs did not grow quieter despite his efforts, and Briseis words, delivered amongst the hiccoughing tears and upset, stung him.
Achilleas was unused to being the villain of the piece, he did not like it, did not like the way it made guilt twist his stomach into a knot, reminded him of other times he had conducted himself poorly.
“I didn’t mean for you to be so upset” he offered, releasing her wrists as soon as she tried to pull away.He would not be some brute who would restrain her against her will.
“I’m sorry, Briseis. It's not that I don’t care for you. Of course I do. This is just not..” He reached for the words that could somehow make this more palatable, but they were not there.
Not sustainable. Not realistic. Not unless he was going to be just the kind of man his father was.
Briseis looked so young and broken in that moment and Achilleas was not hard-hearted, despite his ability to speak words that wounded. He felt a wash of shame at his own part in this, not as insubstantial as he would have liked, and it was enough to push at his resolve.
Gathering her up close to him was natural, she fit into his arms so neatly, familiar, and the sobs were muffled against his chest. Achilleas sighed, placed his hand upon her back lightly, feeling the hitch in her breaths as he did so.
“I’m sorry” he repeated the earlier apology into her the cloud of her hair, not unaware of the pointlessness of his words but unable to leave it so bitter. What could he do? He had little choice in doing this now, his father had been clear enough about that. There was no offer of friendship that could soften the blow either, they were miles apart. He didn’t know how he was supposed to salvage anything, to smooth the sharp edges left behind.
“What did you expect!”
It was barely a question the way it burst out between sobs, shoulders shaking as he released her. Now that she was free she didn’t know what to do, where to go or how to act. Nothing was right anymore and she had no one. Her brother would send her away if he found out what she had been doing and how she’d brought further shame upon them by not even being good enough to keep the interest of the lord.
His muttered excuses just stung her more, suddenly he was trying to track it back, say that he did care for her it just wasn’t….even she didn’t know how he ought to finish that. She’d always thought she was doing everything right. They’d been discreet, she’d been careful to ensure she didn’t get with child, done everything he asked of her. Why now was she being punished and cast aside in such a way when she’d proven over and over that she was trustworthy.
“How could you say you care for me when it’s clear you don’t? Why would you be so cruel?”
Achilleas’ arms around her again felt suffocating now instead of comforting, but as she sobbed against his chest she realized that he’d never held her like this before. Not when they had been lovers and she always tried to curl into his embrace, she’d never been able to stay with him through the night, always leaving him behind to sleep in her cold cot. Briseis managed for a moment before it was too much, trying to claw her way out of his hold and remove herself from his bed, seeking the security of her clothing that his embrace no longer held.
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“What did you expect!”
It was barely a question the way it burst out between sobs, shoulders shaking as he released her. Now that she was free she didn’t know what to do, where to go or how to act. Nothing was right anymore and she had no one. Her brother would send her away if he found out what she had been doing and how she’d brought further shame upon them by not even being good enough to keep the interest of the lord.
His muttered excuses just stung her more, suddenly he was trying to track it back, say that he did care for her it just wasn’t….even she didn’t know how he ought to finish that. She’d always thought she was doing everything right. They’d been discreet, she’d been careful to ensure she didn’t get with child, done everything he asked of her. Why now was she being punished and cast aside in such a way when she’d proven over and over that she was trustworthy.
“How could you say you care for me when it’s clear you don’t? Why would you be so cruel?”
Achilleas’ arms around her again felt suffocating now instead of comforting, but as she sobbed against his chest she realized that he’d never held her like this before. Not when they had been lovers and she always tried to curl into his embrace, she’d never been able to stay with him through the night, always leaving him behind to sleep in her cold cot. Briseis managed for a moment before it was too much, trying to claw her way out of his hold and remove herself from his bed, seeking the security of her clothing that his embrace no longer held.
“What did you expect!”
It was barely a question the way it burst out between sobs, shoulders shaking as he released her. Now that she was free she didn’t know what to do, where to go or how to act. Nothing was right anymore and she had no one. Her brother would send her away if he found out what she had been doing and how she’d brought further shame upon them by not even being good enough to keep the interest of the lord.
His muttered excuses just stung her more, suddenly he was trying to track it back, say that he did care for her it just wasn’t….even she didn’t know how he ought to finish that. She’d always thought she was doing everything right. They’d been discreet, she’d been careful to ensure she didn’t get with child, done everything he asked of her. Why now was she being punished and cast aside in such a way when she’d proven over and over that she was trustworthy.
“How could you say you care for me when it’s clear you don’t? Why would you be so cruel?”
Achilleas’ arms around her again felt suffocating now instead of comforting, but as she sobbed against his chest she realized that he’d never held her like this before. Not when they had been lovers and she always tried to curl into his embrace, she’d never been able to stay with him through the night, always leaving him behind to sleep in her cold cot. Briseis managed for a moment before it was too much, trying to claw her way out of his hold and remove herself from his bed, seeking the security of her clothing that his embrace no longer held.
‘What did you expect!’ The words were scalding, and he had no answer that he would dare give voice to. He’d thought..had hoped that it would be a more amicable dissolution of their arrangement, but he could see now his own naivety in that. She was hurt, felt cast aside and he could hardly blame her. Never mind that her feelings had surpassed those he thought she held, had deepened beyond a fond regard into something less easily unwound. “I don’t know” he said uselessly as his gaze held hers, and his apology sounded feeble even to his ears.
Achilleas had never been accused of being cruel before, and the word pricked at him like the sharp edge of a knife, moved him to taking her into his arms as if he might show her that he cared, that abiding by the expectations set upon him did not mean he was entirely without feeling. He let her tears fall onto his skin, but it was too little too late, trying to hold onto something already shattered, and when she tensed within his arms he let her go again, watched in dismay as she skittered away from him.
“I do care” he repeated, pushing an agitated hand through his hair. “We have not been as subtle as perhaps I thought. People know Briseis, and I cannot be seen to be so disrespectful of this betrothal. You should not take it so personally.”
He made no move to stop her as she dressed though, averted his gaze to offer her some modicum of modesty where before it would not even have been a thought. It was different now, and of all the things he couldn’t give her, that little respect was one that he could. Drawing the sheet back over his own nakedness, he leant back against the head of the bed, frowning at nothing in what felt like the hideously long time that it took her to dress. And his voice had become flat and cool by the time he spoke again, not looking at her, but instead at his hands where they had wrapped around his knees and linked together.
“I understand should you wish to seek employment elsewhere. But do not be hasty in doing so. There are worse places to work and you will be taken care of here.” And for a moment, the blue of his gaze sought out her own, guilt ridden and apologetic before it slid away once more, his words more controlled than his expressions “It is not as if I am here so often that you will have to attend me”.
Indeed, whereas his absence had been a source of contention between them before, perhaps now she would be glad of it, the fact that he was rarely in Vasiliadon longer than a day or two at a time. And as Achilleas swallowed, he thought he would be glad of it too, because it was an unflattering reflection he saw of himself in the salt shimmer of her eyes.
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‘What did you expect!’ The words were scalding, and he had no answer that he would dare give voice to. He’d thought..had hoped that it would be a more amicable dissolution of their arrangement, but he could see now his own naivety in that. She was hurt, felt cast aside and he could hardly blame her. Never mind that her feelings had surpassed those he thought she held, had deepened beyond a fond regard into something less easily unwound. “I don’t know” he said uselessly as his gaze held hers, and his apology sounded feeble even to his ears.
Achilleas had never been accused of being cruel before, and the word pricked at him like the sharp edge of a knife, moved him to taking her into his arms as if he might show her that he cared, that abiding by the expectations set upon him did not mean he was entirely without feeling. He let her tears fall onto his skin, but it was too little too late, trying to hold onto something already shattered, and when she tensed within his arms he let her go again, watched in dismay as she skittered away from him.
“I do care” he repeated, pushing an agitated hand through his hair. “We have not been as subtle as perhaps I thought. People know Briseis, and I cannot be seen to be so disrespectful of this betrothal. You should not take it so personally.”
He made no move to stop her as she dressed though, averted his gaze to offer her some modicum of modesty where before it would not even have been a thought. It was different now, and of all the things he couldn’t give her, that little respect was one that he could. Drawing the sheet back over his own nakedness, he leant back against the head of the bed, frowning at nothing in what felt like the hideously long time that it took her to dress. And his voice had become flat and cool by the time he spoke again, not looking at her, but instead at his hands where they had wrapped around his knees and linked together.
“I understand should you wish to seek employment elsewhere. But do not be hasty in doing so. There are worse places to work and you will be taken care of here.” And for a moment, the blue of his gaze sought out her own, guilt ridden and apologetic before it slid away once more, his words more controlled than his expressions “It is not as if I am here so often that you will have to attend me”.
Indeed, whereas his absence had been a source of contention between them before, perhaps now she would be glad of it, the fact that he was rarely in Vasiliadon longer than a day or two at a time. And as Achilleas swallowed, he thought he would be glad of it too, because it was an unflattering reflection he saw of himself in the salt shimmer of her eyes.
‘What did you expect!’ The words were scalding, and he had no answer that he would dare give voice to. He’d thought..had hoped that it would be a more amicable dissolution of their arrangement, but he could see now his own naivety in that. She was hurt, felt cast aside and he could hardly blame her. Never mind that her feelings had surpassed those he thought she held, had deepened beyond a fond regard into something less easily unwound. “I don’t know” he said uselessly as his gaze held hers, and his apology sounded feeble even to his ears.
Achilleas had never been accused of being cruel before, and the word pricked at him like the sharp edge of a knife, moved him to taking her into his arms as if he might show her that he cared, that abiding by the expectations set upon him did not mean he was entirely without feeling. He let her tears fall onto his skin, but it was too little too late, trying to hold onto something already shattered, and when she tensed within his arms he let her go again, watched in dismay as she skittered away from him.
“I do care” he repeated, pushing an agitated hand through his hair. “We have not been as subtle as perhaps I thought. People know Briseis, and I cannot be seen to be so disrespectful of this betrothal. You should not take it so personally.”
He made no move to stop her as she dressed though, averted his gaze to offer her some modicum of modesty where before it would not even have been a thought. It was different now, and of all the things he couldn’t give her, that little respect was one that he could. Drawing the sheet back over his own nakedness, he leant back against the head of the bed, frowning at nothing in what felt like the hideously long time that it took her to dress. And his voice had become flat and cool by the time he spoke again, not looking at her, but instead at his hands where they had wrapped around his knees and linked together.
“I understand should you wish to seek employment elsewhere. But do not be hasty in doing so. There are worse places to work and you will be taken care of here.” And for a moment, the blue of his gaze sought out her own, guilt ridden and apologetic before it slid away once more, his words more controlled than his expressions “It is not as if I am here so often that you will have to attend me”.
Indeed, whereas his absence had been a source of contention between them before, perhaps now she would be glad of it, the fact that he was rarely in Vasiliadon longer than a day or two at a time. And as Achilleas swallowed, he thought he would be glad of it too, because it was an unflattering reflection he saw of himself in the salt shimmer of her eyes.
The tears were falling again as she tugged her chiton over her head, covered again from the gaze that now felt intrusive instead of desiring. Somewhere between her arrival, the shattering of her heart, and the friction of the material, her hair had become a cloud, tangled and frizzed out as if she had become a lioness and grown a mane. It no doubt gave her words a different sort of air than she meant as she gave a whine of frustration, clutching at the loose fabric.
"What does it matter if people know?? Have I brought shame to you? Do I not act and do my duties well in spite of it? Your own father keeps his mistress close and cares for her and what damage has it done his reputation?!"
Irakles of Mikaelidas was the most formidable man she'd ever met, a prince, a general, and as far as she knew and had heard, was a good man. No one had a cruel word to say about him, certainly the servants she worked with held little but respect for their employer. He was generous and fair with them, and he treated his women, both wife and mistress, as well as any noble she'd heard of. There was little sphere for her to examine in that regard, but in this moment it seemed to matter little. She knew from little cues that Achilleas did not always see eye to eye with his sire, but if a man could not respect his father, what hope was there for that man.
Finally tying her dress in place, she swept her sandals from the floor and turned her back on him, striding to the door and trying not to let her shoulders shake too much from sobs. Briseis stopped by the door, turning back to look at him for what felt like the last time, lips still trembling as she wished she could hate and curse him but still felt only love.
"I wish you could love me."
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The tears were falling again as she tugged her chiton over her head, covered again from the gaze that now felt intrusive instead of desiring. Somewhere between her arrival, the shattering of her heart, and the friction of the material, her hair had become a cloud, tangled and frizzed out as if she had become a lioness and grown a mane. It no doubt gave her words a different sort of air than she meant as she gave a whine of frustration, clutching at the loose fabric.
"What does it matter if people know?? Have I brought shame to you? Do I not act and do my duties well in spite of it? Your own father keeps his mistress close and cares for her and what damage has it done his reputation?!"
Irakles of Mikaelidas was the most formidable man she'd ever met, a prince, a general, and as far as she knew and had heard, was a good man. No one had a cruel word to say about him, certainly the servants she worked with held little but respect for their employer. He was generous and fair with them, and he treated his women, both wife and mistress, as well as any noble she'd heard of. There was little sphere for her to examine in that regard, but in this moment it seemed to matter little. She knew from little cues that Achilleas did not always see eye to eye with his sire, but if a man could not respect his father, what hope was there for that man.
Finally tying her dress in place, she swept her sandals from the floor and turned her back on him, striding to the door and trying not to let her shoulders shake too much from sobs. Briseis stopped by the door, turning back to look at him for what felt like the last time, lips still trembling as she wished she could hate and curse him but still felt only love.
"I wish you could love me."
The tears were falling again as she tugged her chiton over her head, covered again from the gaze that now felt intrusive instead of desiring. Somewhere between her arrival, the shattering of her heart, and the friction of the material, her hair had become a cloud, tangled and frizzed out as if she had become a lioness and grown a mane. It no doubt gave her words a different sort of air than she meant as she gave a whine of frustration, clutching at the loose fabric.
"What does it matter if people know?? Have I brought shame to you? Do I not act and do my duties well in spite of it? Your own father keeps his mistress close and cares for her and what damage has it done his reputation?!"
Irakles of Mikaelidas was the most formidable man she'd ever met, a prince, a general, and as far as she knew and had heard, was a good man. No one had a cruel word to say about him, certainly the servants she worked with held little but respect for their employer. He was generous and fair with them, and he treated his women, both wife and mistress, as well as any noble she'd heard of. There was little sphere for her to examine in that regard, but in this moment it seemed to matter little. She knew from little cues that Achilleas did not always see eye to eye with his sire, but if a man could not respect his father, what hope was there for that man.
Finally tying her dress in place, she swept her sandals from the floor and turned her back on him, striding to the door and trying not to let her shoulders shake too much from sobs. Briseis stopped by the door, turning back to look at him for what felt like the last time, lips still trembling as she wished she could hate and curse him but still felt only love.
"I wish you could love me."
What does it matter if people know?
He scrubbed a hand over his face, if she could not understand see why it would be seen as inappropriate then there was no point trying to explain. It was not about her, nor anything she had done. It was just a consequence of who he was and the expectations that went along with that. Achilleas should never have let it go on as long as he had, he would be kicking himself for that, and for not having seen that his nice uncomplicated, convenient arrangement was slip sliding into something that would not be so clean and easy to step away from.
All of that he accepted responsibility for, but when Briseis mentioned Irakles, Achilleas’ gaze lifted to her incredulously. She was comparing him to his father?The very man who had ordered him to end this dalliance? His father had enough weight and clout that noone would dare speak to his face of his own conduct, but that did not mean that such judgements were not happening. Achilleas found it hard to swallow even now, and he knew it galled Emilios too. And Irakles own habits did not preclude him from coming down hard on his own sons if he thought they were damaging their standing or reputation.
“You clearly do not know my Father” he said, not entirely able to keep an edge from his voice. “If you think for a moment he wouldn’t see to end this himself before it stood any chance of damaging his relationship with the Leventi family, then you are more naieve than I have been in this”
Never mind that Achilleas did not want to be that man either. As much as he didnt’t want to hurt the girl who even now stood crying before him, he had his own standards that he held himself to, and going into a union with Theodora already guilty of infidelity was not something that fit into those ideals. He had done what he could to soften this blow, there was nothing more he could offer her.
And her parting words, thrown back over her shoulder with a look that skewered him with another healthy dose of guilt, sketched out exactly what that entailed. The Lord made himself hold her gaze for a few long beats, because it would have been cowardly not to, and he didn’t let himself sigh as he wanted to at her childish notion that love would ever have been a thing to come to bear between she and him. She could have no claim upon his heart, a serving girl in his father’s house. His future was set in an entirely different direction. It would not be the first time Achilleas had severed bonds because that future made different demands of him.
“You should go” he said finally, his tone measured and firm, his expression shuttered. He needed to stay resolved now, and not let Briseis’ words or injured expressions sway him, she would get over it in time. “We are done here”.
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What does it matter if people know?
He scrubbed a hand over his face, if she could not understand see why it would be seen as inappropriate then there was no point trying to explain. It was not about her, nor anything she had done. It was just a consequence of who he was and the expectations that went along with that. Achilleas should never have let it go on as long as he had, he would be kicking himself for that, and for not having seen that his nice uncomplicated, convenient arrangement was slip sliding into something that would not be so clean and easy to step away from.
All of that he accepted responsibility for, but when Briseis mentioned Irakles, Achilleas’ gaze lifted to her incredulously. She was comparing him to his father?The very man who had ordered him to end this dalliance? His father had enough weight and clout that noone would dare speak to his face of his own conduct, but that did not mean that such judgements were not happening. Achilleas found it hard to swallow even now, and he knew it galled Emilios too. And Irakles own habits did not preclude him from coming down hard on his own sons if he thought they were damaging their standing or reputation.
“You clearly do not know my Father” he said, not entirely able to keep an edge from his voice. “If you think for a moment he wouldn’t see to end this himself before it stood any chance of damaging his relationship with the Leventi family, then you are more naieve than I have been in this”
Never mind that Achilleas did not want to be that man either. As much as he didnt’t want to hurt the girl who even now stood crying before him, he had his own standards that he held himself to, and going into a union with Theodora already guilty of infidelity was not something that fit into those ideals. He had done what he could to soften this blow, there was nothing more he could offer her.
And her parting words, thrown back over her shoulder with a look that skewered him with another healthy dose of guilt, sketched out exactly what that entailed. The Lord made himself hold her gaze for a few long beats, because it would have been cowardly not to, and he didn’t let himself sigh as he wanted to at her childish notion that love would ever have been a thing to come to bear between she and him. She could have no claim upon his heart, a serving girl in his father’s house. His future was set in an entirely different direction. It would not be the first time Achilleas had severed bonds because that future made different demands of him.
“You should go” he said finally, his tone measured and firm, his expression shuttered. He needed to stay resolved now, and not let Briseis’ words or injured expressions sway him, she would get over it in time. “We are done here”.
What does it matter if people know?
He scrubbed a hand over his face, if she could not understand see why it would be seen as inappropriate then there was no point trying to explain. It was not about her, nor anything she had done. It was just a consequence of who he was and the expectations that went along with that. Achilleas should never have let it go on as long as he had, he would be kicking himself for that, and for not having seen that his nice uncomplicated, convenient arrangement was slip sliding into something that would not be so clean and easy to step away from.
All of that he accepted responsibility for, but when Briseis mentioned Irakles, Achilleas’ gaze lifted to her incredulously. She was comparing him to his father?The very man who had ordered him to end this dalliance? His father had enough weight and clout that noone would dare speak to his face of his own conduct, but that did not mean that such judgements were not happening. Achilleas found it hard to swallow even now, and he knew it galled Emilios too. And Irakles own habits did not preclude him from coming down hard on his own sons if he thought they were damaging their standing or reputation.
“You clearly do not know my Father” he said, not entirely able to keep an edge from his voice. “If you think for a moment he wouldn’t see to end this himself before it stood any chance of damaging his relationship with the Leventi family, then you are more naieve than I have been in this”
Never mind that Achilleas did not want to be that man either. As much as he didnt’t want to hurt the girl who even now stood crying before him, he had his own standards that he held himself to, and going into a union with Theodora already guilty of infidelity was not something that fit into those ideals. He had done what he could to soften this blow, there was nothing more he could offer her.
And her parting words, thrown back over her shoulder with a look that skewered him with another healthy dose of guilt, sketched out exactly what that entailed. The Lord made himself hold her gaze for a few long beats, because it would have been cowardly not to, and he didn’t let himself sigh as he wanted to at her childish notion that love would ever have been a thing to come to bear between she and him. She could have no claim upon his heart, a serving girl in his father’s house. His future was set in an entirely different direction. It would not be the first time Achilleas had severed bonds because that future made different demands of him.
“You should go” he said finally, his tone measured and firm, his expression shuttered. He needed to stay resolved now, and not let Briseis’ words or injured expressions sway him, she would get over it in time. “We are done here”.
The bitter anger and sadness that filled her felt as if it was rushing in her ears, the blood pulsing all the more for the embarrassment she felt for being so foolish. He had lead her on, whether he intended to do so or not, but she had been foolish enough to believe that what they had could be anything more than convenience for him. She should have listened to her mother, known better than to trust any man after all. He had used her and played with her heart, and now she had nothing but her word against his.
Once her chiton was fastened entirely and her sandals in place Briseis turned her flaming face away from him, the door barring her exit as his tone became cold, unlike she'd ever heard before. Declaring they were done, as if she'd simply been a cloak he'd worn once or twice before deciding he wanted something more luxurious. Never mind that what he'd had could have kept him warm and comfortable all his life if he'd only not minded something that lacked the frills and finery.
Letting him have the last word, not because he deserved it but because he didn't deserve her warnings, the girl simply left in silence, slamming the door behind her and taking measured steps until in the servant's quarters. There her tears and sobs were unleashed, until she cried herself to sleep.
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The bitter anger and sadness that filled her felt as if it was rushing in her ears, the blood pulsing all the more for the embarrassment she felt for being so foolish. He had lead her on, whether he intended to do so or not, but she had been foolish enough to believe that what they had could be anything more than convenience for him. She should have listened to her mother, known better than to trust any man after all. He had used her and played with her heart, and now she had nothing but her word against his.
Once her chiton was fastened entirely and her sandals in place Briseis turned her flaming face away from him, the door barring her exit as his tone became cold, unlike she'd ever heard before. Declaring they were done, as if she'd simply been a cloak he'd worn once or twice before deciding he wanted something more luxurious. Never mind that what he'd had could have kept him warm and comfortable all his life if he'd only not minded something that lacked the frills and finery.
Letting him have the last word, not because he deserved it but because he didn't deserve her warnings, the girl simply left in silence, slamming the door behind her and taking measured steps until in the servant's quarters. There her tears and sobs were unleashed, until she cried herself to sleep.
The bitter anger and sadness that filled her felt as if it was rushing in her ears, the blood pulsing all the more for the embarrassment she felt for being so foolish. He had lead her on, whether he intended to do so or not, but she had been foolish enough to believe that what they had could be anything more than convenience for him. She should have listened to her mother, known better than to trust any man after all. He had used her and played with her heart, and now she had nothing but her word against his.
Once her chiton was fastened entirely and her sandals in place Briseis turned her flaming face away from him, the door barring her exit as his tone became cold, unlike she'd ever heard before. Declaring they were done, as if she'd simply been a cloak he'd worn once or twice before deciding he wanted something more luxurious. Never mind that what he'd had could have kept him warm and comfortable all his life if he'd only not minded something that lacked the frills and finery.
Letting him have the last word, not because he deserved it but because he didn't deserve her warnings, the girl simply left in silence, slamming the door behind her and taking measured steps until in the servant's quarters. There her tears and sobs were unleashed, until she cried herself to sleep.