Dear Selene,


How I wish you were here with me, everything seems to have changed in your absence in a most overwhelming way. I could never throw your letter in the fire, especially since my midwife Helena has seen fit to keep me on frequent bedrest with only a little bit of exercise. She believes, and I am sure she is right, that resting is best for the baby, though he leaves me little rest these days. He will surely either be a dancer or a warrior with how he moves about, especially when Stephanos is near.



And on to that point, now that I have no doubt word has traveled and it has been made public, I have to confess my dear sister that Stephanos and I have already married. We were wed a week after the old king's funeral, all in secret. Only our parents and uncle Fotios were present, and his own mother and uncle Irakles. I wanted for you and the rest of our sisters to be present, but it was decided that for the good of the baby and to keep any of the possible issues at bay it would be best done without much pomp and circumstance. It certainly wasn't the wedding I had ever imagined, but now that it is done I find we are settling in rather well together.


I look forward to trying on the chiton you sent ahead once it will fit again! I am grown rather large of late, and I struggle to feel lovely wearing anything, much less fitting into any of my preferred styles. Simple shapeless drapes do well enough for me now.


Hurry home dear Selene, not that I wish you to be having less of a good time, but I miss you and selfishly feel I need you by my side. Our other sisters are wonderful of course, but I find it is your counsel and affection I miss most.



Your loving sister,



Olympia of Mikaelidas, Queen of Taengea