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The stables at the Palati were quiet with the midday lull. Morning chores for the servants had been finished and the evening ones had yet to be started. The afternoon sun filtered in causing rays of light to sparkle with the tiny dust particles. It was the sort of place that was quiet and put her at ease. Leaning against the heavy wooden beam, her gaze ran over a familiar horse that her parents had bred.
She was waiting for Lord Achilleas. There were questions she craved answers for. Biting her bottom lip, she reached out and stroked the black nose of the horse, tickling it softly, “You know, Icarus would be so proud of how you’ve grown out. It looks like you have finally grown into that pretty face of yours.”
The horse’s lips smacked against her fingers in reply and she laughed. Of course the horse was an arrogant beast… He was a Leventi.
When she’d arrived a few minutes ago, she’d had one of the stable boys scurry off to find Lord Achilleas and let him know what there was a Lady Leventi waiting for him down by the stables. The oldest of Irakles’ sons was quite close with King Stephanos, it was a shot in the dark but Evangelina was hoping it was a shot in the right direction. The past few weeks she’d not quite been herself, she’d fallen out of the loop of information after another disappointing group of suitors had found her to be lacking.
They expected Selene or Theo. She was neither. Sucking in a deep breath, her eyes took inventory of the rest of the stable. Everything was immaculate. The horses were perfection. Cataloging as much as she could as her eyes skimmed over it. Looking back to the black, she tilted her head at him, “I don’t suppose you want switch with me… You can sleep in the room next to Nana and I’ll sleep here. Hmmm?” His ears flicked back and forth listening to her then sneezed.
Evie winced. Of course, he didn’t want to sleep in the room next to Nana. She wiped her arm against her side, thankfully her chiton was a nice and dark turquoise color. Hearing footsteps, she glanced over her shoulder but it was one of the stable boys doing an afternoon check on the horses. She smiled softly at him and dropped her gaze again letting herself loose herself in her thoughts again. Had he word on her cousins? Were they safe? Taking a long breath in, the dangerous question lingered in her mind. Was her uncle wrapped up in all of this shadow spying?
The sound of footsteps on the cobblestone floor, brought her out of her lost thoughts and she looked over her shoulder again only to see yet another stable boy. Just where was Lord Achilleas? The stables were nice but she didn’t want to be standing here waiting all day for him… she had other things to do.
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The stables at the Palati were quiet with the midday lull. Morning chores for the servants had been finished and the evening ones had yet to be started. The afternoon sun filtered in causing rays of light to sparkle with the tiny dust particles. It was the sort of place that was quiet and put her at ease. Leaning against the heavy wooden beam, her gaze ran over a familiar horse that her parents had bred.
She was waiting for Lord Achilleas. There were questions she craved answers for. Biting her bottom lip, she reached out and stroked the black nose of the horse, tickling it softly, “You know, Icarus would be so proud of how you’ve grown out. It looks like you have finally grown into that pretty face of yours.”
The horse’s lips smacked against her fingers in reply and she laughed. Of course the horse was an arrogant beast… He was a Leventi.
When she’d arrived a few minutes ago, she’d had one of the stable boys scurry off to find Lord Achilleas and let him know what there was a Lady Leventi waiting for him down by the stables. The oldest of Irakles’ sons was quite close with King Stephanos, it was a shot in the dark but Evangelina was hoping it was a shot in the right direction. The past few weeks she’d not quite been herself, she’d fallen out of the loop of information after another disappointing group of suitors had found her to be lacking.
They expected Selene or Theo. She was neither. Sucking in a deep breath, her eyes took inventory of the rest of the stable. Everything was immaculate. The horses were perfection. Cataloging as much as she could as her eyes skimmed over it. Looking back to the black, she tilted her head at him, “I don’t suppose you want switch with me… You can sleep in the room next to Nana and I’ll sleep here. Hmmm?” His ears flicked back and forth listening to her then sneezed.
Evie winced. Of course, he didn’t want to sleep in the room next to Nana. She wiped her arm against her side, thankfully her chiton was a nice and dark turquoise color. Hearing footsteps, she glanced over her shoulder but it was one of the stable boys doing an afternoon check on the horses. She smiled softly at him and dropped her gaze again letting herself loose herself in her thoughts again. Had he word on her cousins? Were they safe? Taking a long breath in, the dangerous question lingered in her mind. Was her uncle wrapped up in all of this shadow spying?
The sound of footsteps on the cobblestone floor, brought her out of her lost thoughts and she looked over her shoulder again only to see yet another stable boy. Just where was Lord Achilleas? The stables were nice but she didn’t want to be standing here waiting all day for him… she had other things to do.
The stables at the Palati were quiet with the midday lull. Morning chores for the servants had been finished and the evening ones had yet to be started. The afternoon sun filtered in causing rays of light to sparkle with the tiny dust particles. It was the sort of place that was quiet and put her at ease. Leaning against the heavy wooden beam, her gaze ran over a familiar horse that her parents had bred.
She was waiting for Lord Achilleas. There were questions she craved answers for. Biting her bottom lip, she reached out and stroked the black nose of the horse, tickling it softly, “You know, Icarus would be so proud of how you’ve grown out. It looks like you have finally grown into that pretty face of yours.”
The horse’s lips smacked against her fingers in reply and she laughed. Of course the horse was an arrogant beast… He was a Leventi.
When she’d arrived a few minutes ago, she’d had one of the stable boys scurry off to find Lord Achilleas and let him know what there was a Lady Leventi waiting for him down by the stables. The oldest of Irakles’ sons was quite close with King Stephanos, it was a shot in the dark but Evangelina was hoping it was a shot in the right direction. The past few weeks she’d not quite been herself, she’d fallen out of the loop of information after another disappointing group of suitors had found her to be lacking.
They expected Selene or Theo. She was neither. Sucking in a deep breath, her eyes took inventory of the rest of the stable. Everything was immaculate. The horses were perfection. Cataloging as much as she could as her eyes skimmed over it. Looking back to the black, she tilted her head at him, “I don’t suppose you want switch with me… You can sleep in the room next to Nana and I’ll sleep here. Hmmm?” His ears flicked back and forth listening to her then sneezed.
Evie winced. Of course, he didn’t want to sleep in the room next to Nana. She wiped her arm against her side, thankfully her chiton was a nice and dark turquoise color. Hearing footsteps, she glanced over her shoulder but it was one of the stable boys doing an afternoon check on the horses. She smiled softly at him and dropped her gaze again letting herself loose herself in her thoughts again. Had he word on her cousins? Were they safe? Taking a long breath in, the dangerous question lingered in her mind. Was her uncle wrapped up in all of this shadow spying?
The sound of footsteps on the cobblestone floor, brought her out of her lost thoughts and she looked over her shoulder again only to see yet another stable boy. Just where was Lord Achilleas? The stables were nice but she didn’t want to be standing here waiting all day for him… she had other things to do.
Achilleas had not been expecting company. Indeed, he had decided to lay low for a few days given all that had transpired, even though it left him at the mercy of his mother and seemingly endless questions or debreifings about the wedding. He’d taken to hiding out in his study in the hope that she might think him too busy to interrupt, when in fact his responsibilities were so diminished that he could barely find anything to do. Emilios had taken over the head of house, Euttica was out of his control. And despite his best efforts, his father had shown no inclination of relenting, even after Achilleas had approached him and practically begged for something to do.
Perhaps if that meeting had gone differently, he would not have done what he had done. Perhaps if his father had shown even a nod towards something other than cold indifference or scorn. Perhaps then it might have been easier to avoid the urge to do the right thing. And perhaps in that he might have finally won the man’s approval.
But it seemed the fates did not intend for such a thing, and Achilleas had left his father’s company with the discontent he had been trying to stifle only smouldering more fiercely. With Stephanos gone, there was no one standing in opposition to the accusations that had been thrown at him, and so it seemed inevitable that his cousin’s name would be blackened, his regency ended. There had been too many inaccuracies and convenient discoveries for Achilleas to ignore the suggestion that it had all been orchestrated.
The Lord Mikaelidas had not been sleeping well, and on the edge of dozing, he startled when the knock on his door came and the servant announced the Lady Leventi waiting for him in the stables. Achilleas blinked a couple of times - he wasn’t expecting Theodora, indeed it felt as if great pains had been taken to ensure they did not have any time alone together as the wedding drew nearer. But if she had managed to escape the clutches of her family and had come to him, then he could only be happy about it. He wanted more than anything to confide in someone about his conversation with the Colchian, and Theo he knew had been exposed to the same suspicions he had now accepted. He pushed to his feet and drew a hand across his face, as if he might sweep away the weariness, and his steps through the manor and to the stables were quick and eager, despite how fraught their last meeting had been.
It was this anticipation of being met by his betrothed that had the Lord come to a rather abrupt halt when he rounded the corner to find an altogether different young woman in the stables. Achilleas wore his confusion openly for a moment before good manners saw it smoothed away and instead a warm, if somewhat hesitant, smile put in its place.
“My Lady Evangelina. To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?”
As he spoke, the lord was trying to figure out what would have brought Theodora’s cousin to find him, and he found himself hoping against hope it was not further wedding nonsense. He could not bring himself to focus on such trivial things when his mind was astir with the knowledge of what he had done, the fear that he would somehow be found out.
And he could not help but wonder why the woman should summon him to the stables of all places, rather than presenting herself at the house as would be expected. But then, if nothing else, Achilleas was coming to see that the Leventi women rarely did as he expected.
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Achilleas had not been expecting company. Indeed, he had decided to lay low for a few days given all that had transpired, even though it left him at the mercy of his mother and seemingly endless questions or debreifings about the wedding. He’d taken to hiding out in his study in the hope that she might think him too busy to interrupt, when in fact his responsibilities were so diminished that he could barely find anything to do. Emilios had taken over the head of house, Euttica was out of his control. And despite his best efforts, his father had shown no inclination of relenting, even after Achilleas had approached him and practically begged for something to do.
Perhaps if that meeting had gone differently, he would not have done what he had done. Perhaps if his father had shown even a nod towards something other than cold indifference or scorn. Perhaps then it might have been easier to avoid the urge to do the right thing. And perhaps in that he might have finally won the man’s approval.
But it seemed the fates did not intend for such a thing, and Achilleas had left his father’s company with the discontent he had been trying to stifle only smouldering more fiercely. With Stephanos gone, there was no one standing in opposition to the accusations that had been thrown at him, and so it seemed inevitable that his cousin’s name would be blackened, his regency ended. There had been too many inaccuracies and convenient discoveries for Achilleas to ignore the suggestion that it had all been orchestrated.
The Lord Mikaelidas had not been sleeping well, and on the edge of dozing, he startled when the knock on his door came and the servant announced the Lady Leventi waiting for him in the stables. Achilleas blinked a couple of times - he wasn’t expecting Theodora, indeed it felt as if great pains had been taken to ensure they did not have any time alone together as the wedding drew nearer. But if she had managed to escape the clutches of her family and had come to him, then he could only be happy about it. He wanted more than anything to confide in someone about his conversation with the Colchian, and Theo he knew had been exposed to the same suspicions he had now accepted. He pushed to his feet and drew a hand across his face, as if he might sweep away the weariness, and his steps through the manor and to the stables were quick and eager, despite how fraught their last meeting had been.
It was this anticipation of being met by his betrothed that had the Lord come to a rather abrupt halt when he rounded the corner to find an altogether different young woman in the stables. Achilleas wore his confusion openly for a moment before good manners saw it smoothed away and instead a warm, if somewhat hesitant, smile put in its place.
“My Lady Evangelina. To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?”
As he spoke, the lord was trying to figure out what would have brought Theodora’s cousin to find him, and he found himself hoping against hope it was not further wedding nonsense. He could not bring himself to focus on such trivial things when his mind was astir with the knowledge of what he had done, the fear that he would somehow be found out.
And he could not help but wonder why the woman should summon him to the stables of all places, rather than presenting herself at the house as would be expected. But then, if nothing else, Achilleas was coming to see that the Leventi women rarely did as he expected.
Achilleas had not been expecting company. Indeed, he had decided to lay low for a few days given all that had transpired, even though it left him at the mercy of his mother and seemingly endless questions or debreifings about the wedding. He’d taken to hiding out in his study in the hope that she might think him too busy to interrupt, when in fact his responsibilities were so diminished that he could barely find anything to do. Emilios had taken over the head of house, Euttica was out of his control. And despite his best efforts, his father had shown no inclination of relenting, even after Achilleas had approached him and practically begged for something to do.
Perhaps if that meeting had gone differently, he would not have done what he had done. Perhaps if his father had shown even a nod towards something other than cold indifference or scorn. Perhaps then it might have been easier to avoid the urge to do the right thing. And perhaps in that he might have finally won the man’s approval.
But it seemed the fates did not intend for such a thing, and Achilleas had left his father’s company with the discontent he had been trying to stifle only smouldering more fiercely. With Stephanos gone, there was no one standing in opposition to the accusations that had been thrown at him, and so it seemed inevitable that his cousin’s name would be blackened, his regency ended. There had been too many inaccuracies and convenient discoveries for Achilleas to ignore the suggestion that it had all been orchestrated.
The Lord Mikaelidas had not been sleeping well, and on the edge of dozing, he startled when the knock on his door came and the servant announced the Lady Leventi waiting for him in the stables. Achilleas blinked a couple of times - he wasn’t expecting Theodora, indeed it felt as if great pains had been taken to ensure they did not have any time alone together as the wedding drew nearer. But if she had managed to escape the clutches of her family and had come to him, then he could only be happy about it. He wanted more than anything to confide in someone about his conversation with the Colchian, and Theo he knew had been exposed to the same suspicions he had now accepted. He pushed to his feet and drew a hand across his face, as if he might sweep away the weariness, and his steps through the manor and to the stables were quick and eager, despite how fraught their last meeting had been.
It was this anticipation of being met by his betrothed that had the Lord come to a rather abrupt halt when he rounded the corner to find an altogether different young woman in the stables. Achilleas wore his confusion openly for a moment before good manners saw it smoothed away and instead a warm, if somewhat hesitant, smile put in its place.
“My Lady Evangelina. To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?”
As he spoke, the lord was trying to figure out what would have brought Theodora’s cousin to find him, and he found himself hoping against hope it was not further wedding nonsense. He could not bring himself to focus on such trivial things when his mind was astir with the knowledge of what he had done, the fear that he would somehow be found out.
And he could not help but wonder why the woman should summon him to the stables of all places, rather than presenting herself at the house as would be expected. But then, if nothing else, Achilleas was coming to see that the Leventi women rarely did as he expected.
After the second time of glancing over her shoulder, she grew a little slower at glancing to see who was coming and going from the stables. On the third set of footsteps, she focused on the heavy footfalls and then the pause. That had to be him. Steeling herself, she prepared to turn around and have a conversation with him.
Was he her favorite person? No. Not really. Maybe it was because they’d started off on a rather bad foot after the rocks he’d thrown at her. She’d only later learned they weren’t at her but rather at Nikos. But old habits died hard.
‘My Lady Evangelina. To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?’
Turning around she offered a patient smile at his politeness. Yes, she knew he wasn’t expecting her. He’d probably expected Theodora or perhaps Aunt Evelli. Pushing herself off the supporting beam, she turned around to face him.
“I am sorry to intrude upon your time, especially so close to the wedding,” She hesitated. “You must be as busy as we are trying to prepare for your wedding, so I’ll not try and take up too much of your time.” Those questions were eating a hole through her though, she prayed he had some answers for her. Answers that weren’t being fed to her by a rather manipulative source…
“I was hoping we could speak rather openly.” Catching her bottom lip nervously between her teeth, her sharp eyes glancing around cautiously. “Will you walk with me? I’m afraid some of the things I wish to discuss are of a rather delicate nature.” Waiting for him to agree, she nodded softly towards the corrals.
“I know that we have not always been each other’s favorite people, but I hope we can call at least a little bit of a truce to discuss some people who are very dear to both of us.” Slanting another glance at him, before her attention returned to her surroundings. She took a deep breath before continuing, “You’re very soon to be my cousin after you marry Theo, and you were once very close to King Stephanos. No?”
The pint-sized Leventi licked her lips and glanced around again, “I wish to know more about these charges that were brought up against him and I’d prefer to hear it from someone who wasn’t my uncle. I’d like a broader understanding if you follow my meaning.” She cleared her throat softly, an earnest look on her face as she spoke quietly, “Did Lene and Pia make it to Colchis?”
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After the second time of glancing over her shoulder, she grew a little slower at glancing to see who was coming and going from the stables. On the third set of footsteps, she focused on the heavy footfalls and then the pause. That had to be him. Steeling herself, she prepared to turn around and have a conversation with him.
Was he her favorite person? No. Not really. Maybe it was because they’d started off on a rather bad foot after the rocks he’d thrown at her. She’d only later learned they weren’t at her but rather at Nikos. But old habits died hard.
‘My Lady Evangelina. To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?’
Turning around she offered a patient smile at his politeness. Yes, she knew he wasn’t expecting her. He’d probably expected Theodora or perhaps Aunt Evelli. Pushing herself off the supporting beam, she turned around to face him.
“I am sorry to intrude upon your time, especially so close to the wedding,” She hesitated. “You must be as busy as we are trying to prepare for your wedding, so I’ll not try and take up too much of your time.” Those questions were eating a hole through her though, she prayed he had some answers for her. Answers that weren’t being fed to her by a rather manipulative source…
“I was hoping we could speak rather openly.” Catching her bottom lip nervously between her teeth, her sharp eyes glancing around cautiously. “Will you walk with me? I’m afraid some of the things I wish to discuss are of a rather delicate nature.” Waiting for him to agree, she nodded softly towards the corrals.
“I know that we have not always been each other’s favorite people, but I hope we can call at least a little bit of a truce to discuss some people who are very dear to both of us.” Slanting another glance at him, before her attention returned to her surroundings. She took a deep breath before continuing, “You’re very soon to be my cousin after you marry Theo, and you were once very close to King Stephanos. No?”
The pint-sized Leventi licked her lips and glanced around again, “I wish to know more about these charges that were brought up against him and I’d prefer to hear it from someone who wasn’t my uncle. I’d like a broader understanding if you follow my meaning.” She cleared her throat softly, an earnest look on her face as she spoke quietly, “Did Lene and Pia make it to Colchis?”
After the second time of glancing over her shoulder, she grew a little slower at glancing to see who was coming and going from the stables. On the third set of footsteps, she focused on the heavy footfalls and then the pause. That had to be him. Steeling herself, she prepared to turn around and have a conversation with him.
Was he her favorite person? No. Not really. Maybe it was because they’d started off on a rather bad foot after the rocks he’d thrown at her. She’d only later learned they weren’t at her but rather at Nikos. But old habits died hard.
‘My Lady Evangelina. To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?’
Turning around she offered a patient smile at his politeness. Yes, she knew he wasn’t expecting her. He’d probably expected Theodora or perhaps Aunt Evelli. Pushing herself off the supporting beam, she turned around to face him.
“I am sorry to intrude upon your time, especially so close to the wedding,” She hesitated. “You must be as busy as we are trying to prepare for your wedding, so I’ll not try and take up too much of your time.” Those questions were eating a hole through her though, she prayed he had some answers for her. Answers that weren’t being fed to her by a rather manipulative source…
“I was hoping we could speak rather openly.” Catching her bottom lip nervously between her teeth, her sharp eyes glancing around cautiously. “Will you walk with me? I’m afraid some of the things I wish to discuss are of a rather delicate nature.” Waiting for him to agree, she nodded softly towards the corrals.
“I know that we have not always been each other’s favorite people, but I hope we can call at least a little bit of a truce to discuss some people who are very dear to both of us.” Slanting another glance at him, before her attention returned to her surroundings. She took a deep breath before continuing, “You’re very soon to be my cousin after you marry Theo, and you were once very close to King Stephanos. No?”
The pint-sized Leventi licked her lips and glanced around again, “I wish to know more about these charges that were brought up against him and I’d prefer to hear it from someone who wasn’t my uncle. I’d like a broader understanding if you follow my meaning.” She cleared her throat softly, an earnest look on her face as she spoke quietly, “Did Lene and Pia make it to Colchis?”
Achilleas appeared rather bemused at Evangelina’s apology. He could not imagine what would give the young woman cause to seek him out, and found himself curious, despite the disappointment that it was not Theodora as he had hoped. “It is of no bother” he said generously, waving away her apology. But the placid expression he had worn shifted as she went on, the subtle lift of his brows enough to signal a sudden wariness, matching that he saw on the face of his visitor .
What was this?
But the Lord could hardly refuse Evangelina’s request and he paused a moment before giving the slightest nod of his head, extending an arm for her to step out of the stall and join him.
Something of a delicate nature. Achilleas frowned a little as they walked, contemplating what might constitute such a thing. He did not know the Lady Evangelina well at all, so it was unusual for her to seek him out, let alone to wish to discuss something that required the relative seclusion she had requested. Ever mindful of propriety however, the Lord made sure that though they would not be overheard, they were fully visible to the servants working in the garden. He might be about to be married to her cousin, but that did not mean he was oblivious to her reputation, nor the idle gossip that could spring from even the most innocuous of situations.
He stopped by the fence marking the boundary of the paddock where his own horse grazed, gave a whistle but the damnable creature just lifted his proud head and glanced over before returning to his grazing. The horse was no fool, and without even a hint of a sweet treat to entice him, was quite content to leave his master hanging high and dry. Achilleas gave a slight snort of amusement at the creatures haughty stubbornness - not unlike his own, it might be said- before lifting a brow at Evangelina, inviting her to begin.
But before she could get too far, the lord Mikaelidas had held up a hand to stop her, brow furrowed. “Sorry, but a truce from what my lady? I have no grievance with you, and I confess it is entirely unknown to me if I have offended you somehow?”
Indeed, Achilleas had barely spoken to the girl, he could think of no occasion where they had spent enough time together to even sow the seeds of discord, so her words confused him.
The source of her reticence soon became clear and Achilleas straightened, cast his own glance about him . He could not escape Stephanos it would seem.
“Am I not still?” He asked crisply, unsure what Evangelina implied in her use of the past tense when remarking upon his friendship with his cousin. It was a sore spot for the Lord, not only because of the steps he had taken in recent days but also because he knew he had been deemed untrustworthy by some, and Stephanos amongst them as he had given no word of his plans to flee.
Still, he softened a little as the woman went on, understanding tempering his suspicion at being asked of such things. Not seeking to catch him out then, but perhaps instead another who shared his doubts about what had been said. And more than that, one who worried for her kin as he worried for his.
Achilleas gave a shake of his head. “If, and I say if because I have nothing to confirm it, they did indeed sail for Colchis they will still be at sea. Is it a good two weeks voyage, if the winds are fair”. He kept his voice low and angled his body so he could look over Evie’s shoulder back toward the house. It made him uncomfortable to speak of any of it here. Even though his father was no doubt busy elsewhere, the lord knew enough not to be complacent about who might overhear things and he was glad that Evangeline had at least the foresight to lead them away from the manor.
“You were at the Senate meet were you not? What then do you not understand about the charges levelled at my cousin?” Achilleas was quite deliberate in his choice of words. He still considered Stephanos his King, but until he was certain of Evie’s motives he would not state it.
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Achilleas appeared rather bemused at Evangelina’s apology. He could not imagine what would give the young woman cause to seek him out, and found himself curious, despite the disappointment that it was not Theodora as he had hoped. “It is of no bother” he said generously, waving away her apology. But the placid expression he had worn shifted as she went on, the subtle lift of his brows enough to signal a sudden wariness, matching that he saw on the face of his visitor .
What was this?
But the Lord could hardly refuse Evangelina’s request and he paused a moment before giving the slightest nod of his head, extending an arm for her to step out of the stall and join him.
Something of a delicate nature. Achilleas frowned a little as they walked, contemplating what might constitute such a thing. He did not know the Lady Evangelina well at all, so it was unusual for her to seek him out, let alone to wish to discuss something that required the relative seclusion she had requested. Ever mindful of propriety however, the Lord made sure that though they would not be overheard, they were fully visible to the servants working in the garden. He might be about to be married to her cousin, but that did not mean he was oblivious to her reputation, nor the idle gossip that could spring from even the most innocuous of situations.
He stopped by the fence marking the boundary of the paddock where his own horse grazed, gave a whistle but the damnable creature just lifted his proud head and glanced over before returning to his grazing. The horse was no fool, and without even a hint of a sweet treat to entice him, was quite content to leave his master hanging high and dry. Achilleas gave a slight snort of amusement at the creatures haughty stubbornness - not unlike his own, it might be said- before lifting a brow at Evangelina, inviting her to begin.
But before she could get too far, the lord Mikaelidas had held up a hand to stop her, brow furrowed. “Sorry, but a truce from what my lady? I have no grievance with you, and I confess it is entirely unknown to me if I have offended you somehow?”
Indeed, Achilleas had barely spoken to the girl, he could think of no occasion where they had spent enough time together to even sow the seeds of discord, so her words confused him.
The source of her reticence soon became clear and Achilleas straightened, cast his own glance about him . He could not escape Stephanos it would seem.
“Am I not still?” He asked crisply, unsure what Evangelina implied in her use of the past tense when remarking upon his friendship with his cousin. It was a sore spot for the Lord, not only because of the steps he had taken in recent days but also because he knew he had been deemed untrustworthy by some, and Stephanos amongst them as he had given no word of his plans to flee.
Still, he softened a little as the woman went on, understanding tempering his suspicion at being asked of such things. Not seeking to catch him out then, but perhaps instead another who shared his doubts about what had been said. And more than that, one who worried for her kin as he worried for his.
Achilleas gave a shake of his head. “If, and I say if because I have nothing to confirm it, they did indeed sail for Colchis they will still be at sea. Is it a good two weeks voyage, if the winds are fair”. He kept his voice low and angled his body so he could look over Evie’s shoulder back toward the house. It made him uncomfortable to speak of any of it here. Even though his father was no doubt busy elsewhere, the lord knew enough not to be complacent about who might overhear things and he was glad that Evangeline had at least the foresight to lead them away from the manor.
“You were at the Senate meet were you not? What then do you not understand about the charges levelled at my cousin?” Achilleas was quite deliberate in his choice of words. He still considered Stephanos his King, but until he was certain of Evie’s motives he would not state it.
Achilleas appeared rather bemused at Evangelina’s apology. He could not imagine what would give the young woman cause to seek him out, and found himself curious, despite the disappointment that it was not Theodora as he had hoped. “It is of no bother” he said generously, waving away her apology. But the placid expression he had worn shifted as she went on, the subtle lift of his brows enough to signal a sudden wariness, matching that he saw on the face of his visitor .
What was this?
But the Lord could hardly refuse Evangelina’s request and he paused a moment before giving the slightest nod of his head, extending an arm for her to step out of the stall and join him.
Something of a delicate nature. Achilleas frowned a little as they walked, contemplating what might constitute such a thing. He did not know the Lady Evangelina well at all, so it was unusual for her to seek him out, let alone to wish to discuss something that required the relative seclusion she had requested. Ever mindful of propriety however, the Lord made sure that though they would not be overheard, they were fully visible to the servants working in the garden. He might be about to be married to her cousin, but that did not mean he was oblivious to her reputation, nor the idle gossip that could spring from even the most innocuous of situations.
He stopped by the fence marking the boundary of the paddock where his own horse grazed, gave a whistle but the damnable creature just lifted his proud head and glanced over before returning to his grazing. The horse was no fool, and without even a hint of a sweet treat to entice him, was quite content to leave his master hanging high and dry. Achilleas gave a slight snort of amusement at the creatures haughty stubbornness - not unlike his own, it might be said- before lifting a brow at Evangelina, inviting her to begin.
But before she could get too far, the lord Mikaelidas had held up a hand to stop her, brow furrowed. “Sorry, but a truce from what my lady? I have no grievance with you, and I confess it is entirely unknown to me if I have offended you somehow?”
Indeed, Achilleas had barely spoken to the girl, he could think of no occasion where they had spent enough time together to even sow the seeds of discord, so her words confused him.
The source of her reticence soon became clear and Achilleas straightened, cast his own glance about him . He could not escape Stephanos it would seem.
“Am I not still?” He asked crisply, unsure what Evangelina implied in her use of the past tense when remarking upon his friendship with his cousin. It was a sore spot for the Lord, not only because of the steps he had taken in recent days but also because he knew he had been deemed untrustworthy by some, and Stephanos amongst them as he had given no word of his plans to flee.
Still, he softened a little as the woman went on, understanding tempering his suspicion at being asked of such things. Not seeking to catch him out then, but perhaps instead another who shared his doubts about what had been said. And more than that, one who worried for her kin as he worried for his.
Achilleas gave a shake of his head. “If, and I say if because I have nothing to confirm it, they did indeed sail for Colchis they will still be at sea. Is it a good two weeks voyage, if the winds are fair”. He kept his voice low and angled his body so he could look over Evie’s shoulder back toward the house. It made him uncomfortable to speak of any of it here. Even though his father was no doubt busy elsewhere, the lord knew enough not to be complacent about who might overhear things and he was glad that Evangeline had at least the foresight to lead them away from the manor.
“You were at the Senate meet were you not? What then do you not understand about the charges levelled at my cousin?” Achilleas was quite deliberate in his choice of words. He still considered Stephanos his King, but until he was certain of Evie’s motives he would not state it.
As she studied him, she wondered why she’d never noticed what a golden child he was. Every move, every gesture he made they were all perfection. Well planned. Polite. Schooled. It was nerve-wracking.
“You’re too kind.” She murmured in reply before dropping her gaze and taking his arm as she spoke to him while walking outside. Her free hand lifted just a touch of the hem of her dress as she walked. If they were to remain this polite and polished, she’d never have her answers. It was maddening.
Stopping at the paddock, she dropped her arm from his and settled her chin on the fence to watch the horse. The man next to her whistled for him, but the horse deemed the soon to be prince not worth his time. Something about that seemed a little like justice from the Gods. Hiding her amusement by looking away, she listened as he spoke.
‘Sorry, but a truce from what my lady? I have no grievance with you, and I confess it is entirely unknown to me if I have offended you somehow?’
This brought her eyes back to him, and she lifted an eyebrow curiously at him. He didn’t remember her. That was amusing but to be expected she supposed. Anyone who considered another human’s suffering wasn’t someone to put too much hope on. Jutting her chin out a little, she tilted her head and focused once more on the horse grazing.
“Maybe a truce is the wrong word, my lord. How about I won’t throw any rocks at you if you don’t throw any rocks at me, this time?” Slanting a curious look at him, remember me now? She looked away again and focused on the horse, continuing her talking. She didn’t have all day to rehash the past with him. What was done was done, and nine years was a long time to hold a grudge.
The crispness in his tone that he defended his friendship was interesting. He didn’t give much away, but that… that was such a sign she couldn’t ignore. Brushing a strand of her chestnut hair out of her face, she looked at him and nodded slowly, “I apologize. I didn’t mean to imply otherwise.”
He gave a shake of his head, ‘If, and I say if because I have nothing to confirm it, they did indeed sail for Colchis they will still be at sea. Is it a good two weeks voyage, if the winds are fair.’ It shouldn’t have amused her as much as it did but he seemed to be thinking he was talking to a little fool. She dropped her gaze to the ground and smiled sweetly at it.
He didn’t trust her and it was obvious that he was underestimating her. That was all fine by her standards. Quite frankly, he wasn’t exactly screaming raging intelligence at her at this very moment to her either. In fact, she was beginning to wonder if the man was just another monkey on a string. How disappointing…
When she asked about the Senate meet, his answer was just as she expected. Very patiently, she sighed and turned to pin him with an unamused look, “I do realize that I am not Theo and that you do not necessarily pay attention to the rest of us… we are just a gaggle of girls in your mind. But to set the record straight… No. I was not at the Senate meet and all I have heard of it has been filtered. If I had been there, you can bet your sweet little rump that I would not be here wasting my time asking you about it.”
“Also, while it may not be confirmed yet, let us be frank with one another. The unorthodox leaving of the Prince of Colchis at the exact same time as my cousins and King Stephanos is not a coincidence, especially if you figure into it Lene’s closeness to the Colchis royal family.” She frowned at him, but her gaze drifted over his shoulder as she paused as a servant passed and she waited until they were gone before she continued. “Lene and Pia won’t write to us at home because our letters are rarely ever just our letters. I am worried about them...Worried enough to risk coming to speak to you about it.”
Crossing her arms over her chest, she stared up at him. “Something you might wish to work on, by the way. If someone mentions your friendship with a suspected traitor, you might not want to answer so… sharply. It gives you away as being emotional towards that subject.” Tilting her head at him, “Now, please tell me I am not wasting my time here.” If she’d meant to spy on him and his doings, she’d have kept that little piece of information on his tell to herself. She’d played dice with the sailors at the docks enough to know how to play this game and not lose her all her coins.
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As she studied him, she wondered why she’d never noticed what a golden child he was. Every move, every gesture he made they were all perfection. Well planned. Polite. Schooled. It was nerve-wracking.
“You’re too kind.” She murmured in reply before dropping her gaze and taking his arm as she spoke to him while walking outside. Her free hand lifted just a touch of the hem of her dress as she walked. If they were to remain this polite and polished, she’d never have her answers. It was maddening.
Stopping at the paddock, she dropped her arm from his and settled her chin on the fence to watch the horse. The man next to her whistled for him, but the horse deemed the soon to be prince not worth his time. Something about that seemed a little like justice from the Gods. Hiding her amusement by looking away, she listened as he spoke.
‘Sorry, but a truce from what my lady? I have no grievance with you, and I confess it is entirely unknown to me if I have offended you somehow?’
This brought her eyes back to him, and she lifted an eyebrow curiously at him. He didn’t remember her. That was amusing but to be expected she supposed. Anyone who considered another human’s suffering wasn’t someone to put too much hope on. Jutting her chin out a little, she tilted her head and focused once more on the horse grazing.
“Maybe a truce is the wrong word, my lord. How about I won’t throw any rocks at you if you don’t throw any rocks at me, this time?” Slanting a curious look at him, remember me now? She looked away again and focused on the horse, continuing her talking. She didn’t have all day to rehash the past with him. What was done was done, and nine years was a long time to hold a grudge.
The crispness in his tone that he defended his friendship was interesting. He didn’t give much away, but that… that was such a sign she couldn’t ignore. Brushing a strand of her chestnut hair out of her face, she looked at him and nodded slowly, “I apologize. I didn’t mean to imply otherwise.”
He gave a shake of his head, ‘If, and I say if because I have nothing to confirm it, they did indeed sail for Colchis they will still be at sea. Is it a good two weeks voyage, if the winds are fair.’ It shouldn’t have amused her as much as it did but he seemed to be thinking he was talking to a little fool. She dropped her gaze to the ground and smiled sweetly at it.
He didn’t trust her and it was obvious that he was underestimating her. That was all fine by her standards. Quite frankly, he wasn’t exactly screaming raging intelligence at her at this very moment to her either. In fact, she was beginning to wonder if the man was just another monkey on a string. How disappointing…
When she asked about the Senate meet, his answer was just as she expected. Very patiently, she sighed and turned to pin him with an unamused look, “I do realize that I am not Theo and that you do not necessarily pay attention to the rest of us… we are just a gaggle of girls in your mind. But to set the record straight… No. I was not at the Senate meet and all I have heard of it has been filtered. If I had been there, you can bet your sweet little rump that I would not be here wasting my time asking you about it.”
“Also, while it may not be confirmed yet, let us be frank with one another. The unorthodox leaving of the Prince of Colchis at the exact same time as my cousins and King Stephanos is not a coincidence, especially if you figure into it Lene’s closeness to the Colchis royal family.” She frowned at him, but her gaze drifted over his shoulder as she paused as a servant passed and she waited until they were gone before she continued. “Lene and Pia won’t write to us at home because our letters are rarely ever just our letters. I am worried about them...Worried enough to risk coming to speak to you about it.”
Crossing her arms over her chest, she stared up at him. “Something you might wish to work on, by the way. If someone mentions your friendship with a suspected traitor, you might not want to answer so… sharply. It gives you away as being emotional towards that subject.” Tilting her head at him, “Now, please tell me I am not wasting my time here.” If she’d meant to spy on him and his doings, she’d have kept that little piece of information on his tell to herself. She’d played dice with the sailors at the docks enough to know how to play this game and not lose her all her coins.
As she studied him, she wondered why she’d never noticed what a golden child he was. Every move, every gesture he made they were all perfection. Well planned. Polite. Schooled. It was nerve-wracking.
“You’re too kind.” She murmured in reply before dropping her gaze and taking his arm as she spoke to him while walking outside. Her free hand lifted just a touch of the hem of her dress as she walked. If they were to remain this polite and polished, she’d never have her answers. It was maddening.
Stopping at the paddock, she dropped her arm from his and settled her chin on the fence to watch the horse. The man next to her whistled for him, but the horse deemed the soon to be prince not worth his time. Something about that seemed a little like justice from the Gods. Hiding her amusement by looking away, she listened as he spoke.
‘Sorry, but a truce from what my lady? I have no grievance with you, and I confess it is entirely unknown to me if I have offended you somehow?’
This brought her eyes back to him, and she lifted an eyebrow curiously at him. He didn’t remember her. That was amusing but to be expected she supposed. Anyone who considered another human’s suffering wasn’t someone to put too much hope on. Jutting her chin out a little, she tilted her head and focused once more on the horse grazing.
“Maybe a truce is the wrong word, my lord. How about I won’t throw any rocks at you if you don’t throw any rocks at me, this time?” Slanting a curious look at him, remember me now? She looked away again and focused on the horse, continuing her talking. She didn’t have all day to rehash the past with him. What was done was done, and nine years was a long time to hold a grudge.
The crispness in his tone that he defended his friendship was interesting. He didn’t give much away, but that… that was such a sign she couldn’t ignore. Brushing a strand of her chestnut hair out of her face, she looked at him and nodded slowly, “I apologize. I didn’t mean to imply otherwise.”
He gave a shake of his head, ‘If, and I say if because I have nothing to confirm it, they did indeed sail for Colchis they will still be at sea. Is it a good two weeks voyage, if the winds are fair.’ It shouldn’t have amused her as much as it did but he seemed to be thinking he was talking to a little fool. She dropped her gaze to the ground and smiled sweetly at it.
He didn’t trust her and it was obvious that he was underestimating her. That was all fine by her standards. Quite frankly, he wasn’t exactly screaming raging intelligence at her at this very moment to her either. In fact, she was beginning to wonder if the man was just another monkey on a string. How disappointing…
When she asked about the Senate meet, his answer was just as she expected. Very patiently, she sighed and turned to pin him with an unamused look, “I do realize that I am not Theo and that you do not necessarily pay attention to the rest of us… we are just a gaggle of girls in your mind. But to set the record straight… No. I was not at the Senate meet and all I have heard of it has been filtered. If I had been there, you can bet your sweet little rump that I would not be here wasting my time asking you about it.”
“Also, while it may not be confirmed yet, let us be frank with one another. The unorthodox leaving of the Prince of Colchis at the exact same time as my cousins and King Stephanos is not a coincidence, especially if you figure into it Lene’s closeness to the Colchis royal family.” She frowned at him, but her gaze drifted over his shoulder as she paused as a servant passed and she waited until they were gone before she continued. “Lene and Pia won’t write to us at home because our letters are rarely ever just our letters. I am worried about them...Worried enough to risk coming to speak to you about it.”
Crossing her arms over her chest, she stared up at him. “Something you might wish to work on, by the way. If someone mentions your friendship with a suspected traitor, you might not want to answer so… sharply. It gives you away as being emotional towards that subject.” Tilting her head at him, “Now, please tell me I am not wasting my time here.” If she’d meant to spy on him and his doings, she’d have kept that little piece of information on his tell to herself. She’d played dice with the sailors at the docks enough to know how to play this game and not lose her all her coins.
It was no natural happening, the carefully constructed manner in which the Lord Mikaelidas conducted himself. From the moment he had begun scholar, he had been raised to embody all that was seen as desirable in a leader, in royalty. And Prince Irakles had been no easy task master, he had high expectations of his sons, expectations that Achilleas especially had been held to. And the result? Well that was the man that Evangeline spoke to now, putting his best foot forward as he always tried to do.
He was not flawless though, as she well knew, and Evie saw that veneer crack a moment later as she expanded upon the reason for dissonance between them. At first, it seemed as though her words meant little to the lord, his expression doubtful, but then the Lady Leventi was treated to a dawning comprehension breaking over Achilleas’ face.
“That was you?” he managed to get out after a moment, trying to reconcile the girl from all those years ago with the young woman before him. His dismay was clear then, for it had not been one of his finer moments. “ I’m so sorry...I wanted to find you to apologise, but Stephanos..” Achilleas broke off, sensing excuses would not be looked upon favourably, especially coming nine years after the fact. “It doesn’t matter. It was awful, and I should have come after you”
He looked down at Evangelina, feeling suddenly foolish at having been called out upon actions from his younger years. Indeed, he would have been about the age the girl was now. It was not a flattering comparison, and Achilleas added this moment to things he would kick Stephanos for when he saw him again. Admittedly it was a lesser offence than disappearing off to another Kingdom without telling him, but Achilleas had never done well with being caught off guard, and this was certainly that.
It would have been convenient to explain away his dismissive reply to Evangelina’s question as a reaction to that little revelation, but the truth of the matter was that the Lord was wary of anyone and anything who sought to speak to him of his cousin’s disappearance. He had his own opinions on it, and everything that had gone before, but he knew that they were dangerous opinions to have, and he was nothing if not careful.
That Evie was not contented with his simplistic answer appeared to take Achilleas by surprise, his brows climbing steadily as she addressed him until he decided that he did not much appreciate her tone and they settled into a frown instead, His face went very still, a single muscle flickering in his jaw as she berated him for his assumptions and vagueness, and his apparent failure in maintaining the aloofness that he had intended.
Achilleas swallowed, caught somewhere between irritation at her gall to speak to him so and embarrassed that he was somehow so transparent.He opened his mouth to respond but shut it again before the sharp words that sat at the end of his tongue could fall out, and instead took a breath, folded his hands behind his back before he tried again. His very blue gaze settled upon hers searchingly, and after a moment he seemed to come to whatever decision he had been debating internally and spoke up.
“My Lady Evangelina.Forgive me, as I’m sure you can imagine I was a little distracted at the senate meet, so perhaps was not as attentive as I should have been to who was in attendance.” That was delivered coolly, the lord clearly measuring his tone so it fell on the side of polite. As he went on though, Achilleas’ voice dropped lower, the subject of discussion becoming more sensitive. “As for whether or not you are wasting your time, that depends on what you want of me. I will answer any questions you have, and I can promise you that you are not risking anything. Consider this in confidence.”
The Lord Mikaelidas turned away from her, shook off the rather martial stance he’d adopted and leant his forearms on the top rail of the fence, looking out over the field as he went on.
“I do not think you are wrong about where your sisters have found themselves, but it does not change my answer. There is no chance of receiving word from them for a good while yet.”
He glanced at her, deigning not to reveal that he had already sent a runner with a missive for his cousin in their wake. He was not sure he trusted her all that much just yet. But he could at least give her a truthful recounting of the senate meet. “What is it you wish to know, Evangelina?”
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It was no natural happening, the carefully constructed manner in which the Lord Mikaelidas conducted himself. From the moment he had begun scholar, he had been raised to embody all that was seen as desirable in a leader, in royalty. And Prince Irakles had been no easy task master, he had high expectations of his sons, expectations that Achilleas especially had been held to. And the result? Well that was the man that Evangeline spoke to now, putting his best foot forward as he always tried to do.
He was not flawless though, as she well knew, and Evie saw that veneer crack a moment later as she expanded upon the reason for dissonance between them. At first, it seemed as though her words meant little to the lord, his expression doubtful, but then the Lady Leventi was treated to a dawning comprehension breaking over Achilleas’ face.
“That was you?” he managed to get out after a moment, trying to reconcile the girl from all those years ago with the young woman before him. His dismay was clear then, for it had not been one of his finer moments. “ I’m so sorry...I wanted to find you to apologise, but Stephanos..” Achilleas broke off, sensing excuses would not be looked upon favourably, especially coming nine years after the fact. “It doesn’t matter. It was awful, and I should have come after you”
He looked down at Evangelina, feeling suddenly foolish at having been called out upon actions from his younger years. Indeed, he would have been about the age the girl was now. It was not a flattering comparison, and Achilleas added this moment to things he would kick Stephanos for when he saw him again. Admittedly it was a lesser offence than disappearing off to another Kingdom without telling him, but Achilleas had never done well with being caught off guard, and this was certainly that.
It would have been convenient to explain away his dismissive reply to Evangelina’s question as a reaction to that little revelation, but the truth of the matter was that the Lord was wary of anyone and anything who sought to speak to him of his cousin’s disappearance. He had his own opinions on it, and everything that had gone before, but he knew that they were dangerous opinions to have, and he was nothing if not careful.
That Evie was not contented with his simplistic answer appeared to take Achilleas by surprise, his brows climbing steadily as she addressed him until he decided that he did not much appreciate her tone and they settled into a frown instead, His face went very still, a single muscle flickering in his jaw as she berated him for his assumptions and vagueness, and his apparent failure in maintaining the aloofness that he had intended.
Achilleas swallowed, caught somewhere between irritation at her gall to speak to him so and embarrassed that he was somehow so transparent.He opened his mouth to respond but shut it again before the sharp words that sat at the end of his tongue could fall out, and instead took a breath, folded his hands behind his back before he tried again. His very blue gaze settled upon hers searchingly, and after a moment he seemed to come to whatever decision he had been debating internally and spoke up.
“My Lady Evangelina.Forgive me, as I’m sure you can imagine I was a little distracted at the senate meet, so perhaps was not as attentive as I should have been to who was in attendance.” That was delivered coolly, the lord clearly measuring his tone so it fell on the side of polite. As he went on though, Achilleas’ voice dropped lower, the subject of discussion becoming more sensitive. “As for whether or not you are wasting your time, that depends on what you want of me. I will answer any questions you have, and I can promise you that you are not risking anything. Consider this in confidence.”
The Lord Mikaelidas turned away from her, shook off the rather martial stance he’d adopted and leant his forearms on the top rail of the fence, looking out over the field as he went on.
“I do not think you are wrong about where your sisters have found themselves, but it does not change my answer. There is no chance of receiving word from them for a good while yet.”
He glanced at her, deigning not to reveal that he had already sent a runner with a missive for his cousin in their wake. He was not sure he trusted her all that much just yet. But he could at least give her a truthful recounting of the senate meet. “What is it you wish to know, Evangelina?”
It was no natural happening, the carefully constructed manner in which the Lord Mikaelidas conducted himself. From the moment he had begun scholar, he had been raised to embody all that was seen as desirable in a leader, in royalty. And Prince Irakles had been no easy task master, he had high expectations of his sons, expectations that Achilleas especially had been held to. And the result? Well that was the man that Evangeline spoke to now, putting his best foot forward as he always tried to do.
He was not flawless though, as she well knew, and Evie saw that veneer crack a moment later as she expanded upon the reason for dissonance between them. At first, it seemed as though her words meant little to the lord, his expression doubtful, but then the Lady Leventi was treated to a dawning comprehension breaking over Achilleas’ face.
“That was you?” he managed to get out after a moment, trying to reconcile the girl from all those years ago with the young woman before him. His dismay was clear then, for it had not been one of his finer moments. “ I’m so sorry...I wanted to find you to apologise, but Stephanos..” Achilleas broke off, sensing excuses would not be looked upon favourably, especially coming nine years after the fact. “It doesn’t matter. It was awful, and I should have come after you”
He looked down at Evangelina, feeling suddenly foolish at having been called out upon actions from his younger years. Indeed, he would have been about the age the girl was now. It was not a flattering comparison, and Achilleas added this moment to things he would kick Stephanos for when he saw him again. Admittedly it was a lesser offence than disappearing off to another Kingdom without telling him, but Achilleas had never done well with being caught off guard, and this was certainly that.
It would have been convenient to explain away his dismissive reply to Evangelina’s question as a reaction to that little revelation, but the truth of the matter was that the Lord was wary of anyone and anything who sought to speak to him of his cousin’s disappearance. He had his own opinions on it, and everything that had gone before, but he knew that they were dangerous opinions to have, and he was nothing if not careful.
That Evie was not contented with his simplistic answer appeared to take Achilleas by surprise, his brows climbing steadily as she addressed him until he decided that he did not much appreciate her tone and they settled into a frown instead, His face went very still, a single muscle flickering in his jaw as she berated him for his assumptions and vagueness, and his apparent failure in maintaining the aloofness that he had intended.
Achilleas swallowed, caught somewhere between irritation at her gall to speak to him so and embarrassed that he was somehow so transparent.He opened his mouth to respond but shut it again before the sharp words that sat at the end of his tongue could fall out, and instead took a breath, folded his hands behind his back before he tried again. His very blue gaze settled upon hers searchingly, and after a moment he seemed to come to whatever decision he had been debating internally and spoke up.
“My Lady Evangelina.Forgive me, as I’m sure you can imagine I was a little distracted at the senate meet, so perhaps was not as attentive as I should have been to who was in attendance.” That was delivered coolly, the lord clearly measuring his tone so it fell on the side of polite. As he went on though, Achilleas’ voice dropped lower, the subject of discussion becoming more sensitive. “As for whether or not you are wasting your time, that depends on what you want of me. I will answer any questions you have, and I can promise you that you are not risking anything. Consider this in confidence.”
The Lord Mikaelidas turned away from her, shook off the rather martial stance he’d adopted and leant his forearms on the top rail of the fence, looking out over the field as he went on.
“I do not think you are wrong about where your sisters have found themselves, but it does not change my answer. There is no chance of receiving word from them for a good while yet.”
He glanced at her, deigning not to reveal that he had already sent a runner with a missive for his cousin in their wake. He was not sure he trusted her all that much just yet. But he could at least give her a truthful recounting of the senate meet. “What is it you wish to know, Evangelina?”
Evangelina’s attention didn’t drift off of him as she let the words sink in. Her face softly neutral as she waited, and then, there it was. Dawning recognition. He knew exactly who she was and that she knew that the perfect exterior he projected was flawed. She licked her lips and smiled slowly, her gaze twinkled, she’d had her fun there. She’d knocked him off balance.
‘That was you?’No. She’d obviously made that up just to mess with him. How else did he think she knew about it? Slanting a glance at him, she raised an eyebrow. Really? He seemed earnestly rattled by that piece of information. ‘I’m so sorry...I wanted to find you to apologize, but Stephanos…’ Her lips twitched again. ‘It doesn’t matter. It was awful, and I should have come after you.’
Taking a deep breath, she turned to regard him. She wasn’t going to tell him that he should have sought her out and apologized. It might not have made much difference to her now, but it might have made a difference to the girl then. Tilting her head, she pursed her lips and shrugged, “Ten years pass and a lot can change.” Drawing her gaze up to his eyes, she held it a moment, before her attention returned to keeping watch on the comings and goings around them.
He looked like he needed a moment to come to terms. Occasionally, she glanced sideways at him. Oh, she’d known exactly how many of his buttons she was pushing. People probably catered to his wants and desires, especially when he applied that suave, polished, cloying politeness to them. But Evie didn’t play nice. Not with her uncle. Not with him. Not with anyone. She saw him swallow back whatever words he wanted to tell her and she smirked.
His too-blue eyes settled on her and she wanted to laugh, he was quite peeved at her wasn’t he. Twisting, she met his gaze as one of her hands landed on her hip. He might have been one of the tallest men she knew but she would guarantee he’d never met anyone quite like her. Tilting her chin up she waited for it, waited for him to put her in her place.
‘My Lady Evangelina. Forgive me, as I’m sure you can imagine I was a little distracted at the senate meet, so perhaps was not as attentive as I should have been to who was in attendance.’ She bit the inside of her cheek. It lacked the bite she was expecting. She waited. His voice dropped quietly, but her gaze didn’t waver as he spoke, ‘As for whether or not you are wasting your time, that depends on what you want of me. I will answer any questions you have, and I can promise you that you are not risking anything. Consider this in confidence.’
The pint-sized Leventi held his gaze for a couple of seconds as if sizing up his words carefully before she gave a nod of her head and looked back to the field with the horses. He relaxed enough, to lean his long, muscular frame on the fence and he continued, ‘I do not think you are wrong about where your sisters have found themselves, but it does not change my answer. There is no chance of receiving word from them for a good while yet.’
‘What is it you wish to know, Evangelina?’ Those too-blue of eyes landed on her again with this question. She didn’t immediately react but she did tilt her head and returned the look.
“Is the evidence really all that damning against him?” The words were quiet but there was a numbness to them. Glancing around the side of him, her eyes flickered to their surroundings before her long sweeping eyelashes fluttered upwards as her eyes settled on him again. “Lene and Pia have my loyalty, so if helping Stephanos helps Pia… he has an ally in me and as much support as I can muster.”
Her hands settled upon the fence and she dug her nails into the wood. She bit her bottom lip, her head dropping in thought. As the sister to the future head of the Leventi family, she knew she wielded a little bit of power but she was going to have to make an advantageous marriage to hold onto any form of that power. Sucking in a breath, she pushed those thoughts out of her mind. She’d think about that tomorrow.
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Evangelina’s attention didn’t drift off of him as she let the words sink in. Her face softly neutral as she waited, and then, there it was. Dawning recognition. He knew exactly who she was and that she knew that the perfect exterior he projected was flawed. She licked her lips and smiled slowly, her gaze twinkled, she’d had her fun there. She’d knocked him off balance.
‘That was you?’No. She’d obviously made that up just to mess with him. How else did he think she knew about it? Slanting a glance at him, she raised an eyebrow. Really? He seemed earnestly rattled by that piece of information. ‘I’m so sorry...I wanted to find you to apologize, but Stephanos…’ Her lips twitched again. ‘It doesn’t matter. It was awful, and I should have come after you.’
Taking a deep breath, she turned to regard him. She wasn’t going to tell him that he should have sought her out and apologized. It might not have made much difference to her now, but it might have made a difference to the girl then. Tilting her head, she pursed her lips and shrugged, “Ten years pass and a lot can change.” Drawing her gaze up to his eyes, she held it a moment, before her attention returned to keeping watch on the comings and goings around them.
He looked like he needed a moment to come to terms. Occasionally, she glanced sideways at him. Oh, she’d known exactly how many of his buttons she was pushing. People probably catered to his wants and desires, especially when he applied that suave, polished, cloying politeness to them. But Evie didn’t play nice. Not with her uncle. Not with him. Not with anyone. She saw him swallow back whatever words he wanted to tell her and she smirked.
His too-blue eyes settled on her and she wanted to laugh, he was quite peeved at her wasn’t he. Twisting, she met his gaze as one of her hands landed on her hip. He might have been one of the tallest men she knew but she would guarantee he’d never met anyone quite like her. Tilting her chin up she waited for it, waited for him to put her in her place.
‘My Lady Evangelina. Forgive me, as I’m sure you can imagine I was a little distracted at the senate meet, so perhaps was not as attentive as I should have been to who was in attendance.’ She bit the inside of her cheek. It lacked the bite she was expecting. She waited. His voice dropped quietly, but her gaze didn’t waver as he spoke, ‘As for whether or not you are wasting your time, that depends on what you want of me. I will answer any questions you have, and I can promise you that you are not risking anything. Consider this in confidence.’
The pint-sized Leventi held his gaze for a couple of seconds as if sizing up his words carefully before she gave a nod of her head and looked back to the field with the horses. He relaxed enough, to lean his long, muscular frame on the fence and he continued, ‘I do not think you are wrong about where your sisters have found themselves, but it does not change my answer. There is no chance of receiving word from them for a good while yet.’
‘What is it you wish to know, Evangelina?’ Those too-blue of eyes landed on her again with this question. She didn’t immediately react but she did tilt her head and returned the look.
“Is the evidence really all that damning against him?” The words were quiet but there was a numbness to them. Glancing around the side of him, her eyes flickered to their surroundings before her long sweeping eyelashes fluttered upwards as her eyes settled on him again. “Lene and Pia have my loyalty, so if helping Stephanos helps Pia… he has an ally in me and as much support as I can muster.”
Her hands settled upon the fence and she dug her nails into the wood. She bit her bottom lip, her head dropping in thought. As the sister to the future head of the Leventi family, she knew she wielded a little bit of power but she was going to have to make an advantageous marriage to hold onto any form of that power. Sucking in a breath, she pushed those thoughts out of her mind. She’d think about that tomorrow.
Evangelina’s attention didn’t drift off of him as she let the words sink in. Her face softly neutral as she waited, and then, there it was. Dawning recognition. He knew exactly who she was and that she knew that the perfect exterior he projected was flawed. She licked her lips and smiled slowly, her gaze twinkled, she’d had her fun there. She’d knocked him off balance.
‘That was you?’No. She’d obviously made that up just to mess with him. How else did he think she knew about it? Slanting a glance at him, she raised an eyebrow. Really? He seemed earnestly rattled by that piece of information. ‘I’m so sorry...I wanted to find you to apologize, but Stephanos…’ Her lips twitched again. ‘It doesn’t matter. It was awful, and I should have come after you.’
Taking a deep breath, she turned to regard him. She wasn’t going to tell him that he should have sought her out and apologized. It might not have made much difference to her now, but it might have made a difference to the girl then. Tilting her head, she pursed her lips and shrugged, “Ten years pass and a lot can change.” Drawing her gaze up to his eyes, she held it a moment, before her attention returned to keeping watch on the comings and goings around them.
He looked like he needed a moment to come to terms. Occasionally, she glanced sideways at him. Oh, she’d known exactly how many of his buttons she was pushing. People probably catered to his wants and desires, especially when he applied that suave, polished, cloying politeness to them. But Evie didn’t play nice. Not with her uncle. Not with him. Not with anyone. She saw him swallow back whatever words he wanted to tell her and she smirked.
His too-blue eyes settled on her and she wanted to laugh, he was quite peeved at her wasn’t he. Twisting, she met his gaze as one of her hands landed on her hip. He might have been one of the tallest men she knew but she would guarantee he’d never met anyone quite like her. Tilting her chin up she waited for it, waited for him to put her in her place.
‘My Lady Evangelina. Forgive me, as I’m sure you can imagine I was a little distracted at the senate meet, so perhaps was not as attentive as I should have been to who was in attendance.’ She bit the inside of her cheek. It lacked the bite she was expecting. She waited. His voice dropped quietly, but her gaze didn’t waver as he spoke, ‘As for whether or not you are wasting your time, that depends on what you want of me. I will answer any questions you have, and I can promise you that you are not risking anything. Consider this in confidence.’
The pint-sized Leventi held his gaze for a couple of seconds as if sizing up his words carefully before she gave a nod of her head and looked back to the field with the horses. He relaxed enough, to lean his long, muscular frame on the fence and he continued, ‘I do not think you are wrong about where your sisters have found themselves, but it does not change my answer. There is no chance of receiving word from them for a good while yet.’
‘What is it you wish to know, Evangelina?’ Those too-blue of eyes landed on her again with this question. She didn’t immediately react but she did tilt her head and returned the look.
“Is the evidence really all that damning against him?” The words were quiet but there was a numbness to them. Glancing around the side of him, her eyes flickered to their surroundings before her long sweeping eyelashes fluttered upwards as her eyes settled on him again. “Lene and Pia have my loyalty, so if helping Stephanos helps Pia… he has an ally in me and as much support as I can muster.”
Her hands settled upon the fence and she dug her nails into the wood. She bit her bottom lip, her head dropping in thought. As the sister to the future head of the Leventi family, she knew she wielded a little bit of power but she was going to have to make an advantageous marriage to hold onto any form of that power. Sucking in a breath, she pushed those thoughts out of her mind. She’d think about that tomorrow.
It took more to stir Achilleas’ temper that that. He was usually fairly level-headed, and even under stress, as he most definitely was, he knew better than to say the first thing that came to mind. Besides, he had been wrong, and if Evangelina had not been at the senate meet then he could only guess at what she might have been told. Stephanos’ name did not deserve to be dragged through the mud anymore than it already had been.
When her first question came, Achilleas huffed out a breath. “ Yes” he said, looking displeased about the fact. “What was presented to the senate was compelling, and Stephanos did not do himself any favours with his behaviour.” He looked sharply at Evangelina then. “That is not to say I think him guilty. I do not. I know my cousin and he never even wanted the crown, He loved his family.”
Achilleas paused, and he shook his head, his gaze dropping away. “I had hoped… I thought that if it came to trial then surely he would be able to dispel the allegations against him, but now…”
He let his words trail off. It did not take much conjecture to see that without anyone to defend the King, the verdict was unlikely to fall in his favour. And he could hardly imagine that there would be much delay before it were addressed formally - though he had not been graced with his father’s company much, he knew enough to know that something was keeping him busy.
Evagelina’s words of support for his cousin surprised Achilleas and he looked back up at her consideringly. If he were honest, he did not know quite what do with her statement. Mustering support? It made sense of course, but the lord’s own position was so precarious that he had not gotten around to thinking of a way that he could do such a thing. There were too many people in his father’s pocket. Or Fotios’, and it was difficult to know who to trust. Never mind that he was supposed to be getting married in a couple of days.
“That is kind. But it is no small thing to pledge support to a traitor, Lady Evangelina, as I am sure you know.”
He was stalling, because Achilleas did not know what the next steps should be. Until he heard from Stephanos he could not ask the man for the answers that would pave the way to proving his innocence, and he had already stepped beyond his own boundaries in speaking to the Colchian Master of Secrets. It was just too risky.
First Theo coming to him and asking for his help for Pia, then Xene looking to him to be some kind of figurehead for the resistance, and now Evangelina telling him of her support for his cousin. Achilleas wondered if any of them really knew the vastness of what they seemed to be expecting of him. His barony, his upcoming wedding...everything he had in his life, his father had the power to take away from him, and the elder son of Irakles did not doubt that he would do it, should he get wind of any disloyalty.
“I can’t be seen as publicly advocating for my cousin” he said after a stretching silence.He found the words distasteful, no matter how true they were. “You understand that, yes? I would suggest you do not either”.
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It took more to stir Achilleas’ temper that that. He was usually fairly level-headed, and even under stress, as he most definitely was, he knew better than to say the first thing that came to mind. Besides, he had been wrong, and if Evangelina had not been at the senate meet then he could only guess at what she might have been told. Stephanos’ name did not deserve to be dragged through the mud anymore than it already had been.
When her first question came, Achilleas huffed out a breath. “ Yes” he said, looking displeased about the fact. “What was presented to the senate was compelling, and Stephanos did not do himself any favours with his behaviour.” He looked sharply at Evangelina then. “That is not to say I think him guilty. I do not. I know my cousin and he never even wanted the crown, He loved his family.”
Achilleas paused, and he shook his head, his gaze dropping away. “I had hoped… I thought that if it came to trial then surely he would be able to dispel the allegations against him, but now…”
He let his words trail off. It did not take much conjecture to see that without anyone to defend the King, the verdict was unlikely to fall in his favour. And he could hardly imagine that there would be much delay before it were addressed formally - though he had not been graced with his father’s company much, he knew enough to know that something was keeping him busy.
Evagelina’s words of support for his cousin surprised Achilleas and he looked back up at her consideringly. If he were honest, he did not know quite what do with her statement. Mustering support? It made sense of course, but the lord’s own position was so precarious that he had not gotten around to thinking of a way that he could do such a thing. There were too many people in his father’s pocket. Or Fotios’, and it was difficult to know who to trust. Never mind that he was supposed to be getting married in a couple of days.
“That is kind. But it is no small thing to pledge support to a traitor, Lady Evangelina, as I am sure you know.”
He was stalling, because Achilleas did not know what the next steps should be. Until he heard from Stephanos he could not ask the man for the answers that would pave the way to proving his innocence, and he had already stepped beyond his own boundaries in speaking to the Colchian Master of Secrets. It was just too risky.
First Theo coming to him and asking for his help for Pia, then Xene looking to him to be some kind of figurehead for the resistance, and now Evangelina telling him of her support for his cousin. Achilleas wondered if any of them really knew the vastness of what they seemed to be expecting of him. His barony, his upcoming wedding...everything he had in his life, his father had the power to take away from him, and the elder son of Irakles did not doubt that he would do it, should he get wind of any disloyalty.
“I can’t be seen as publicly advocating for my cousin” he said after a stretching silence.He found the words distasteful, no matter how true they were. “You understand that, yes? I would suggest you do not either”.
It took more to stir Achilleas’ temper that that. He was usually fairly level-headed, and even under stress, as he most definitely was, he knew better than to say the first thing that came to mind. Besides, he had been wrong, and if Evangelina had not been at the senate meet then he could only guess at what she might have been told. Stephanos’ name did not deserve to be dragged through the mud anymore than it already had been.
When her first question came, Achilleas huffed out a breath. “ Yes” he said, looking displeased about the fact. “What was presented to the senate was compelling, and Stephanos did not do himself any favours with his behaviour.” He looked sharply at Evangelina then. “That is not to say I think him guilty. I do not. I know my cousin and he never even wanted the crown, He loved his family.”
Achilleas paused, and he shook his head, his gaze dropping away. “I had hoped… I thought that if it came to trial then surely he would be able to dispel the allegations against him, but now…”
He let his words trail off. It did not take much conjecture to see that without anyone to defend the King, the verdict was unlikely to fall in his favour. And he could hardly imagine that there would be much delay before it were addressed formally - though he had not been graced with his father’s company much, he knew enough to know that something was keeping him busy.
Evagelina’s words of support for his cousin surprised Achilleas and he looked back up at her consideringly. If he were honest, he did not know quite what do with her statement. Mustering support? It made sense of course, but the lord’s own position was so precarious that he had not gotten around to thinking of a way that he could do such a thing. There were too many people in his father’s pocket. Or Fotios’, and it was difficult to know who to trust. Never mind that he was supposed to be getting married in a couple of days.
“That is kind. But it is no small thing to pledge support to a traitor, Lady Evangelina, as I am sure you know.”
He was stalling, because Achilleas did not know what the next steps should be. Until he heard from Stephanos he could not ask the man for the answers that would pave the way to proving his innocence, and he had already stepped beyond his own boundaries in speaking to the Colchian Master of Secrets. It was just too risky.
First Theo coming to him and asking for his help for Pia, then Xene looking to him to be some kind of figurehead for the resistance, and now Evangelina telling him of her support for his cousin. Achilleas wondered if any of them really knew the vastness of what they seemed to be expecting of him. His barony, his upcoming wedding...everything he had in his life, his father had the power to take away from him, and the elder son of Irakles did not doubt that he would do it, should he get wind of any disloyalty.
“I can’t be seen as publicly advocating for my cousin” he said after a stretching silence.He found the words distasteful, no matter how true they were. “You understand that, yes? I would suggest you do not either”.
With one word he crushed her optimism. ‘Yes.’ Her nails dug deeper into the wood fence till the knuckles turned a paler shade. Tilting her head back she stared upwards toward the sky. The large oak trees stood guard over the two of them. Light filtered down through the branches causing a fractured sort of pattern upon anything it touched. Closing her eyes, she soaked it in. Naturally, she had to work at optimism. Nothing was ever easy for her it seemed. She let out an audible sight of discontent and opened her eyes to stare up at the light.
‘What was presented to the senate was compelling, and Stephanos did not do himself any favours with his behaviour.’ His cool sapphire eyes cut towards her, she could feel him looking at her even with her eyes not focused on him. ‘That is not to say I think him guilty. I do not. I know my cousin and he never even wanted the crown, He loved his family.’
Evangelina’s mind seemed flooded with a thousand different thoughts as he spoke. She blinked, trying to sort through them. Prioritizing them by most important to least important and then re-sorting and re-prioritizing them. Breaking each thought down into something smaller. The larger questions into smaller questions. It was still overwhelming. Without a thought to her company, she banged a palm angrily against the wooden rail of the fence, “Damnation!”
Compelling evidence and idiotic behavior. What had gotten into him? Couldn’t Stephanos tell he was falling right into the plans of his enemies? Her head dropped and she stared at the ground, feeling the small twitch start in the corner of her eyelid.
“I don’t think he’s guilty either.” That admittance was the next thing to a whisper. She didn’t glance at him as she said it but did lift her gaze to the paddock again. “Stephanos, may the Gods bless him, but he doesn’t strike me as having the attention span long enough to plan something to this scale of complexity.” Tilting her head a little, she looked around again. “You don’t just wake up one day and decide you are going to kill members of the royal family, especially not the King and his heirs.” Her voice was still just above a whisper to him. Inhaling a long breath, she glanced at him, “It doesn’t make sense to me. Stephanos is too hot-headed if he were angry enough to kill and wanted the crown don’t you think he’d have gone in there himself, sword-swinging? Like how he did with the Creed?” She frowned in thought. It would take a cool calculating personality to organize this. Pursing her lips, her frown deepened. No. She wouldn’t think about that.
She’d lost herself in thought for a moment, but Achilleas' words brought her back with a jolt. ‘That is kind. But it is no small thing to pledge support to a traitor, Lady Evangelina, as I am sure you know.’ Her eyes widened softly and she glanced cautiously around.
Holding up her index finger, she straightened up and stopped him right there.
“Ah! Ah! Ah! My lord, I am not a kind person and you should have listened a little better to what I said.” There was a hesitant warning in her tone. “I pledged support to my cousins.” Evie’s catlike eyes glimmered curiously at him. “My loyalty is to the crown and to my family.” She stressed the words carefully to the soon-to-be prince. She raised an eyebrow at him hoping he was smart enough to read between the lines she was saying. She hoped he could understand the difference of what was being said and what was not being said.
When she’d felt he understood, she looked back at the paddock and his horse in it as he spoke. ‘I can’t be seen as publicly advocating for my cousin.’ Not immediately looking over to him, her body softened as she leaned back on the fence again, draping her arms over the railing as she did so. Biting her lip, she dropped her gaze to the ground. For the moment, she felt a little sorry for the man next to her. ‘You understand that yes? I would suggest you do not either.’ She smiled faintly to herself. Even now, he was seeking approval.
Tilting her head, she looked at him for a long moment or two. Her eyes ran over the lines of his almost too perfectly chiseled face. That face was the sort of face people followed. It was strong yet kind. She sighed a little sadly as the thought also occurred that there was far too much goodness in that face. Whatever lay before him wasn’t going to be an easy path.
“No. You can’t be seen publicly advocating him, none of us can.” She said softly, reaching out she laid a gentle hand on his bicep. “You do what you must to take care of yourself first and foremost.” She pinned him with a pointed look, “You can not save someone from drowning if you yourself can not swim.” Her hand fell away and she turned her back to lean it against the fencing as she watched the area behind him. “Who else have you spoken to about this?” She bit her lip uncomfortably, darting a glance at him.
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With one word he crushed her optimism. ‘Yes.’ Her nails dug deeper into the wood fence till the knuckles turned a paler shade. Tilting her head back she stared upwards toward the sky. The large oak trees stood guard over the two of them. Light filtered down through the branches causing a fractured sort of pattern upon anything it touched. Closing her eyes, she soaked it in. Naturally, she had to work at optimism. Nothing was ever easy for her it seemed. She let out an audible sight of discontent and opened her eyes to stare up at the light.
‘What was presented to the senate was compelling, and Stephanos did not do himself any favours with his behaviour.’ His cool sapphire eyes cut towards her, she could feel him looking at her even with her eyes not focused on him. ‘That is not to say I think him guilty. I do not. I know my cousin and he never even wanted the crown, He loved his family.’
Evangelina’s mind seemed flooded with a thousand different thoughts as he spoke. She blinked, trying to sort through them. Prioritizing them by most important to least important and then re-sorting and re-prioritizing them. Breaking each thought down into something smaller. The larger questions into smaller questions. It was still overwhelming. Without a thought to her company, she banged a palm angrily against the wooden rail of the fence, “Damnation!”
Compelling evidence and idiotic behavior. What had gotten into him? Couldn’t Stephanos tell he was falling right into the plans of his enemies? Her head dropped and she stared at the ground, feeling the small twitch start in the corner of her eyelid.
“I don’t think he’s guilty either.” That admittance was the next thing to a whisper. She didn’t glance at him as she said it but did lift her gaze to the paddock again. “Stephanos, may the Gods bless him, but he doesn’t strike me as having the attention span long enough to plan something to this scale of complexity.” Tilting her head a little, she looked around again. “You don’t just wake up one day and decide you are going to kill members of the royal family, especially not the King and his heirs.” Her voice was still just above a whisper to him. Inhaling a long breath, she glanced at him, “It doesn’t make sense to me. Stephanos is too hot-headed if he were angry enough to kill and wanted the crown don’t you think he’d have gone in there himself, sword-swinging? Like how he did with the Creed?” She frowned in thought. It would take a cool calculating personality to organize this. Pursing her lips, her frown deepened. No. She wouldn’t think about that.
She’d lost herself in thought for a moment, but Achilleas' words brought her back with a jolt. ‘That is kind. But it is no small thing to pledge support to a traitor, Lady Evangelina, as I am sure you know.’ Her eyes widened softly and she glanced cautiously around.
Holding up her index finger, she straightened up and stopped him right there.
“Ah! Ah! Ah! My lord, I am not a kind person and you should have listened a little better to what I said.” There was a hesitant warning in her tone. “I pledged support to my cousins.” Evie’s catlike eyes glimmered curiously at him. “My loyalty is to the crown and to my family.” She stressed the words carefully to the soon-to-be prince. She raised an eyebrow at him hoping he was smart enough to read between the lines she was saying. She hoped he could understand the difference of what was being said and what was not being said.
When she’d felt he understood, she looked back at the paddock and his horse in it as he spoke. ‘I can’t be seen as publicly advocating for my cousin.’ Not immediately looking over to him, her body softened as she leaned back on the fence again, draping her arms over the railing as she did so. Biting her lip, she dropped her gaze to the ground. For the moment, she felt a little sorry for the man next to her. ‘You understand that yes? I would suggest you do not either.’ She smiled faintly to herself. Even now, he was seeking approval.
Tilting her head, she looked at him for a long moment or two. Her eyes ran over the lines of his almost too perfectly chiseled face. That face was the sort of face people followed. It was strong yet kind. She sighed a little sadly as the thought also occurred that there was far too much goodness in that face. Whatever lay before him wasn’t going to be an easy path.
“No. You can’t be seen publicly advocating him, none of us can.” She said softly, reaching out she laid a gentle hand on his bicep. “You do what you must to take care of yourself first and foremost.” She pinned him with a pointed look, “You can not save someone from drowning if you yourself can not swim.” Her hand fell away and she turned her back to lean it against the fencing as she watched the area behind him. “Who else have you spoken to about this?” She bit her lip uncomfortably, darting a glance at him.
With one word he crushed her optimism. ‘Yes.’ Her nails dug deeper into the wood fence till the knuckles turned a paler shade. Tilting her head back she stared upwards toward the sky. The large oak trees stood guard over the two of them. Light filtered down through the branches causing a fractured sort of pattern upon anything it touched. Closing her eyes, she soaked it in. Naturally, she had to work at optimism. Nothing was ever easy for her it seemed. She let out an audible sight of discontent and opened her eyes to stare up at the light.
‘What was presented to the senate was compelling, and Stephanos did not do himself any favours with his behaviour.’ His cool sapphire eyes cut towards her, she could feel him looking at her even with her eyes not focused on him. ‘That is not to say I think him guilty. I do not. I know my cousin and he never even wanted the crown, He loved his family.’
Evangelina’s mind seemed flooded with a thousand different thoughts as he spoke. She blinked, trying to sort through them. Prioritizing them by most important to least important and then re-sorting and re-prioritizing them. Breaking each thought down into something smaller. The larger questions into smaller questions. It was still overwhelming. Without a thought to her company, she banged a palm angrily against the wooden rail of the fence, “Damnation!”
Compelling evidence and idiotic behavior. What had gotten into him? Couldn’t Stephanos tell he was falling right into the plans of his enemies? Her head dropped and she stared at the ground, feeling the small twitch start in the corner of her eyelid.
“I don’t think he’s guilty either.” That admittance was the next thing to a whisper. She didn’t glance at him as she said it but did lift her gaze to the paddock again. “Stephanos, may the Gods bless him, but he doesn’t strike me as having the attention span long enough to plan something to this scale of complexity.” Tilting her head a little, she looked around again. “You don’t just wake up one day and decide you are going to kill members of the royal family, especially not the King and his heirs.” Her voice was still just above a whisper to him. Inhaling a long breath, she glanced at him, “It doesn’t make sense to me. Stephanos is too hot-headed if he were angry enough to kill and wanted the crown don’t you think he’d have gone in there himself, sword-swinging? Like how he did with the Creed?” She frowned in thought. It would take a cool calculating personality to organize this. Pursing her lips, her frown deepened. No. She wouldn’t think about that.
She’d lost herself in thought for a moment, but Achilleas' words brought her back with a jolt. ‘That is kind. But it is no small thing to pledge support to a traitor, Lady Evangelina, as I am sure you know.’ Her eyes widened softly and she glanced cautiously around.
Holding up her index finger, she straightened up and stopped him right there.
“Ah! Ah! Ah! My lord, I am not a kind person and you should have listened a little better to what I said.” There was a hesitant warning in her tone. “I pledged support to my cousins.” Evie’s catlike eyes glimmered curiously at him. “My loyalty is to the crown and to my family.” She stressed the words carefully to the soon-to-be prince. She raised an eyebrow at him hoping he was smart enough to read between the lines she was saying. She hoped he could understand the difference of what was being said and what was not being said.
When she’d felt he understood, she looked back at the paddock and his horse in it as he spoke. ‘I can’t be seen as publicly advocating for my cousin.’ Not immediately looking over to him, her body softened as she leaned back on the fence again, draping her arms over the railing as she did so. Biting her lip, she dropped her gaze to the ground. For the moment, she felt a little sorry for the man next to her. ‘You understand that yes? I would suggest you do not either.’ She smiled faintly to herself. Even now, he was seeking approval.
Tilting her head, she looked at him for a long moment or two. Her eyes ran over the lines of his almost too perfectly chiseled face. That face was the sort of face people followed. It was strong yet kind. She sighed a little sadly as the thought also occurred that there was far too much goodness in that face. Whatever lay before him wasn’t going to be an easy path.
“No. You can’t be seen publicly advocating him, none of us can.” She said softly, reaching out she laid a gentle hand on his bicep. “You do what you must to take care of yourself first and foremost.” She pinned him with a pointed look, “You can not save someone from drowning if you yourself can not swim.” Her hand fell away and she turned her back to lean it against the fencing as she watched the area behind him. “Who else have you spoken to about this?” She bit her lip uncomfortably, darting a glance at him.
Achilleas watched her obliquely, thinking that he was not the only one who revealed their thinking. But perhaps she did it consciously. Her frustration at his answer was palpable, the lord only raising a brow at her cursing. If there was a situation that justified it, then he was certain it was this.
And he could agree with her sentiments regarding his cousin’s disposition. Even had he not been so sure that Stephanos’ love for his family would never see him entertain such an idea, it was true that his cousin’s temperament did not obviously lend itself to scheming and plotting such as had been required.
Up to a point at least.
“Don’t be deceived” Achilleas corrected gently. “He may not always show it, but Stephanos is no fool. He planned that attack on the Creed down to the last man. He is not always foolhardy and gungho” The lord would know well enough, for he had followed the King’s orders that day, standing beside his men and cutting down swathes of the rats as they fled out of the gorge like the vermin they were. It had been a successful campaign, if not without its costs, though it seemed long ago, now.
His words of warning to Evangelina prompted her to survey their surroundings, and Achilleas wanted to tell her that he had marked the position of each and everyone of the servants when they came out here. He had no desire to have their words recounted to other ears either. But he did not, and instead nodded at her correction. “Of course. My mistake Lady Leventi.”
And when he made his own admission, he was relieved that she did not rail against him for it, and touched when her small hand came to rest upon his arm for a moment. The look that accompanied it was rather less gentle, and the lord smiled for a moment despite himself. “As you say”. She was really rather fierce for one so diminutive in stature.
The brief glimpse of humour disappeared from his face in the next though, and Achilleas looked away. How much could he trust this girl with? After a pause that seemed heavy with his deliberation, he broke the silence. “The Princess Xene, to some extent. Theo. And..” Here, he broke off, wrestled for a moment with whether or not he should divuge everything.
He was not proud of what he had done in talking to Magnus, even though he thought it could benefit his cousin. It felt muddy, dishonest, and that was not how he liked to operate. It had been hard for him, speaking openly against his father too, and hardly a thing to brag about. Achilleas found himseld wanting to like Evangelina thus far, but that did not mean he was ready to trust her with everything. And how would she look upon him if she knew that he had engaged a non Taengean in matters that reflected so poorly upon their kingdom. No. He would not tell her.
"… and thats all."
Achilleas glanced sideways at her, kept his face deliberately neutral before he added a dismissive “It is not exactly an easy thing to speak of”
He turned to face the young woman then, looking at her intently. “What of you? You have clearly spoken to your Uncle at some point?” There was a curiosity into how the Lord Fotios would be spinning the tale to the Leventi family. Achilleas had said before to Xene, that whatever suspicions lay with his father, they should be painted as thick upon Fotios, for the two were thick as thieves. Without having had the opportunity to ask Theo about it, he found himself faced with the next best thing in Evie.
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Achilleas watched her obliquely, thinking that he was not the only one who revealed their thinking. But perhaps she did it consciously. Her frustration at his answer was palpable, the lord only raising a brow at her cursing. If there was a situation that justified it, then he was certain it was this.
And he could agree with her sentiments regarding his cousin’s disposition. Even had he not been so sure that Stephanos’ love for his family would never see him entertain such an idea, it was true that his cousin’s temperament did not obviously lend itself to scheming and plotting such as had been required.
Up to a point at least.
“Don’t be deceived” Achilleas corrected gently. “He may not always show it, but Stephanos is no fool. He planned that attack on the Creed down to the last man. He is not always foolhardy and gungho” The lord would know well enough, for he had followed the King’s orders that day, standing beside his men and cutting down swathes of the rats as they fled out of the gorge like the vermin they were. It had been a successful campaign, if not without its costs, though it seemed long ago, now.
His words of warning to Evangelina prompted her to survey their surroundings, and Achilleas wanted to tell her that he had marked the position of each and everyone of the servants when they came out here. He had no desire to have their words recounted to other ears either. But he did not, and instead nodded at her correction. “Of course. My mistake Lady Leventi.”
And when he made his own admission, he was relieved that she did not rail against him for it, and touched when her small hand came to rest upon his arm for a moment. The look that accompanied it was rather less gentle, and the lord smiled for a moment despite himself. “As you say”. She was really rather fierce for one so diminutive in stature.
The brief glimpse of humour disappeared from his face in the next though, and Achilleas looked away. How much could he trust this girl with? After a pause that seemed heavy with his deliberation, he broke the silence. “The Princess Xene, to some extent. Theo. And..” Here, he broke off, wrestled for a moment with whether or not he should divuge everything.
He was not proud of what he had done in talking to Magnus, even though he thought it could benefit his cousin. It felt muddy, dishonest, and that was not how he liked to operate. It had been hard for him, speaking openly against his father too, and hardly a thing to brag about. Achilleas found himseld wanting to like Evangelina thus far, but that did not mean he was ready to trust her with everything. And how would she look upon him if she knew that he had engaged a non Taengean in matters that reflected so poorly upon their kingdom. No. He would not tell her.
"… and thats all."
Achilleas glanced sideways at her, kept his face deliberately neutral before he added a dismissive “It is not exactly an easy thing to speak of”
He turned to face the young woman then, looking at her intently. “What of you? You have clearly spoken to your Uncle at some point?” There was a curiosity into how the Lord Fotios would be spinning the tale to the Leventi family. Achilleas had said before to Xene, that whatever suspicions lay with his father, they should be painted as thick upon Fotios, for the two were thick as thieves. Without having had the opportunity to ask Theo about it, he found himself faced with the next best thing in Evie.
Achilleas watched her obliquely, thinking that he was not the only one who revealed their thinking. But perhaps she did it consciously. Her frustration at his answer was palpable, the lord only raising a brow at her cursing. If there was a situation that justified it, then he was certain it was this.
And he could agree with her sentiments regarding his cousin’s disposition. Even had he not been so sure that Stephanos’ love for his family would never see him entertain such an idea, it was true that his cousin’s temperament did not obviously lend itself to scheming and plotting such as had been required.
Up to a point at least.
“Don’t be deceived” Achilleas corrected gently. “He may not always show it, but Stephanos is no fool. He planned that attack on the Creed down to the last man. He is not always foolhardy and gungho” The lord would know well enough, for he had followed the King’s orders that day, standing beside his men and cutting down swathes of the rats as they fled out of the gorge like the vermin they were. It had been a successful campaign, if not without its costs, though it seemed long ago, now.
His words of warning to Evangelina prompted her to survey their surroundings, and Achilleas wanted to tell her that he had marked the position of each and everyone of the servants when they came out here. He had no desire to have their words recounted to other ears either. But he did not, and instead nodded at her correction. “Of course. My mistake Lady Leventi.”
And when he made his own admission, he was relieved that she did not rail against him for it, and touched when her small hand came to rest upon his arm for a moment. The look that accompanied it was rather less gentle, and the lord smiled for a moment despite himself. “As you say”. She was really rather fierce for one so diminutive in stature.
The brief glimpse of humour disappeared from his face in the next though, and Achilleas looked away. How much could he trust this girl with? After a pause that seemed heavy with his deliberation, he broke the silence. “The Princess Xene, to some extent. Theo. And..” Here, he broke off, wrestled for a moment with whether or not he should divuge everything.
He was not proud of what he had done in talking to Magnus, even though he thought it could benefit his cousin. It felt muddy, dishonest, and that was not how he liked to operate. It had been hard for him, speaking openly against his father too, and hardly a thing to brag about. Achilleas found himseld wanting to like Evangelina thus far, but that did not mean he was ready to trust her with everything. And how would she look upon him if she knew that he had engaged a non Taengean in matters that reflected so poorly upon their kingdom. No. He would not tell her.
"… and thats all."
Achilleas glanced sideways at her, kept his face deliberately neutral before he added a dismissive “It is not exactly an easy thing to speak of”
He turned to face the young woman then, looking at her intently. “What of you? You have clearly spoken to your Uncle at some point?” There was a curiosity into how the Lord Fotios would be spinning the tale to the Leventi family. Achilleas had said before to Xene, that whatever suspicions lay with his father, they should be painted as thick upon Fotios, for the two were thick as thieves. Without having had the opportunity to ask Theo about it, he found himself faced with the next best thing in Evie.
Evangelina’s strength lay not in hiding her emotions but rather in the unpredictable and often mercurial flows of them. What people expected her to do and what she often did were not always the same; in fact, they were rarely the same thing. One moment she could be cool and guarded and the next tempestuous and unrestrained.
She knew he was watching her, still trying to pin her down in his mind on who she was and what she brought to the table. Did she care what he thought? No. Not really. There were a handful of people she could actually say she wanted to know that they cared. Wanted them to think well of her...wanted to know that they admired her or that she stood out to them in some special sort of way. But it was just a handful. Was it bad that for most people she’d have rathered their horses liked her than them?
‘Don’t be deceived.’ The pint-sized Leventi’s face turned once again neutral as he spoke. That was an interesting statement. She waited to hear what he would say next. ‘He may not always show it, but Stephanos is not fool. He planned that attack on the Creed down to the last man. He is not always foolhardy and gungho.’
Her lips pursed and she dropped her gaze to the ground. There was still a difference between the execution of his attack on the Creed and the way something such as the attack on the circus was executed.
“No. I don’t think he’s a fool at all. In fact, retreating with Pia and Lene was probably one of the smartest things he could do. It showed foresight and understanding of what would happen to Pia should this all go south very quickly.” She slanted her gaze up at him again, “That is admirable and I’ll forever be thankful he didn’t do something noble such as send her away and stay for the trial. She’ll need him now more than ever. He sacrificed this battle to live to fight another day.” Dropping her gaze again, she bit her bottom lip and crossed her arms in front of her chest. “But I am saying, it doesn’t fit his modus operandi. No one steals Stephanos' glory. If he’d wanted them dead, he’d have done it himself… and let the whole world know how weak they were to have been killed by him. Maybe he’d have garnered his own troops and waged his own war but this… that wasn't what happened with the circus."
‘Of course. My mistake Lady Leventi.’
She coughed back a laugh and looked at him, “Lady Leventi. I was Lady Evangelina a few moments ago… are you trying to age me before my time.” It was the first time during the conversation that she tossed him a dimpled smile and snickered.
The smile faded with the coming of the question of who all he’d spoken too. She let him figure out whether he could trust her on her own. Her tongue snaked out and wet her lips as he thought about it before he finally spoke.
‘The Princess Xene, to some extent. Theo. And…’
Evie nodded her head, but she felt like that ‘and’ was a big ‘and’. Tilting her head, she pinned him with a long look. Who else had he told?
'...And that's all.'
Studying him for a long moment, a flash of disappointment flickered across her face but she let it go and nodded her head. Had it been his father?
‘It is not exactly an easy thing to speak of…’ His words broke through the haze of her thoughts and she jerked her head up to look curiously at him. What wasn’t an easy thing to speak of? She didn’t have trouble speaking of just about anything? If it needed saying, then it needed saying. But then again, she was not a diplomat by any means and her parents often teased her that she could curl a man’s nose hairs with the things that came out of her mouth. ‘What of you? You have clearly spoken to your Uncle at some point?’
Ah, so that was what he was curious about. She smiled slowly, nothing is free in this world. He’d scratched her back, so she’d scratch his.
“To me… He speaks as little as possible too.” She frowned at it and tilted her head, “He wasn’t the Master of Secrets for as long as he was without learning to play things to his advantage. I believe he figures most of us girls do not have a brain worth sharing information with, and those of us that he does think can think independently… he’d rather we didn’t.” She wiped her hands on the deep turquoise chiton before crossing her arms again, “These topics are still too hot for him to wish to discuss them openly or to any great extent though. He'll want to see how it plays out, I am sure.” Her frown deepened, “I will say if there is anyone in all of Taengea who knows anything about all of this… It’s him. Again, he was Master of Secrets too long and we both know old dogs don’t learn new tricks.”
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Evangelina’s strength lay not in hiding her emotions but rather in the unpredictable and often mercurial flows of them. What people expected her to do and what she often did were not always the same; in fact, they were rarely the same thing. One moment she could be cool and guarded and the next tempestuous and unrestrained.
She knew he was watching her, still trying to pin her down in his mind on who she was and what she brought to the table. Did she care what he thought? No. Not really. There were a handful of people she could actually say she wanted to know that they cared. Wanted them to think well of her...wanted to know that they admired her or that she stood out to them in some special sort of way. But it was just a handful. Was it bad that for most people she’d have rathered their horses liked her than them?
‘Don’t be deceived.’ The pint-sized Leventi’s face turned once again neutral as he spoke. That was an interesting statement. She waited to hear what he would say next. ‘He may not always show it, but Stephanos is not fool. He planned that attack on the Creed down to the last man. He is not always foolhardy and gungho.’
Her lips pursed and she dropped her gaze to the ground. There was still a difference between the execution of his attack on the Creed and the way something such as the attack on the circus was executed.
“No. I don’t think he’s a fool at all. In fact, retreating with Pia and Lene was probably one of the smartest things he could do. It showed foresight and understanding of what would happen to Pia should this all go south very quickly.” She slanted her gaze up at him again, “That is admirable and I’ll forever be thankful he didn’t do something noble such as send her away and stay for the trial. She’ll need him now more than ever. He sacrificed this battle to live to fight another day.” Dropping her gaze again, she bit her bottom lip and crossed her arms in front of her chest. “But I am saying, it doesn’t fit his modus operandi. No one steals Stephanos' glory. If he’d wanted them dead, he’d have done it himself… and let the whole world know how weak they were to have been killed by him. Maybe he’d have garnered his own troops and waged his own war but this… that wasn't what happened with the circus."
‘Of course. My mistake Lady Leventi.’
She coughed back a laugh and looked at him, “Lady Leventi. I was Lady Evangelina a few moments ago… are you trying to age me before my time.” It was the first time during the conversation that she tossed him a dimpled smile and snickered.
The smile faded with the coming of the question of who all he’d spoken too. She let him figure out whether he could trust her on her own. Her tongue snaked out and wet her lips as he thought about it before he finally spoke.
‘The Princess Xene, to some extent. Theo. And…’
Evie nodded her head, but she felt like that ‘and’ was a big ‘and’. Tilting her head, she pinned him with a long look. Who else had he told?
'...And that's all.'
Studying him for a long moment, a flash of disappointment flickered across her face but she let it go and nodded her head. Had it been his father?
‘It is not exactly an easy thing to speak of…’ His words broke through the haze of her thoughts and she jerked her head up to look curiously at him. What wasn’t an easy thing to speak of? She didn’t have trouble speaking of just about anything? If it needed saying, then it needed saying. But then again, she was not a diplomat by any means and her parents often teased her that she could curl a man’s nose hairs with the things that came out of her mouth. ‘What of you? You have clearly spoken to your Uncle at some point?’
Ah, so that was what he was curious about. She smiled slowly, nothing is free in this world. He’d scratched her back, so she’d scratch his.
“To me… He speaks as little as possible too.” She frowned at it and tilted her head, “He wasn’t the Master of Secrets for as long as he was without learning to play things to his advantage. I believe he figures most of us girls do not have a brain worth sharing information with, and those of us that he does think can think independently… he’d rather we didn’t.” She wiped her hands on the deep turquoise chiton before crossing her arms again, “These topics are still too hot for him to wish to discuss them openly or to any great extent though. He'll want to see how it plays out, I am sure.” Her frown deepened, “I will say if there is anyone in all of Taengea who knows anything about all of this… It’s him. Again, he was Master of Secrets too long and we both know old dogs don’t learn new tricks.”
Evangelina’s strength lay not in hiding her emotions but rather in the unpredictable and often mercurial flows of them. What people expected her to do and what she often did were not always the same; in fact, they were rarely the same thing. One moment she could be cool and guarded and the next tempestuous and unrestrained.
She knew he was watching her, still trying to pin her down in his mind on who she was and what she brought to the table. Did she care what he thought? No. Not really. There were a handful of people she could actually say she wanted to know that they cared. Wanted them to think well of her...wanted to know that they admired her or that she stood out to them in some special sort of way. But it was just a handful. Was it bad that for most people she’d have rathered their horses liked her than them?
‘Don’t be deceived.’ The pint-sized Leventi’s face turned once again neutral as he spoke. That was an interesting statement. She waited to hear what he would say next. ‘He may not always show it, but Stephanos is not fool. He planned that attack on the Creed down to the last man. He is not always foolhardy and gungho.’
Her lips pursed and she dropped her gaze to the ground. There was still a difference between the execution of his attack on the Creed and the way something such as the attack on the circus was executed.
“No. I don’t think he’s a fool at all. In fact, retreating with Pia and Lene was probably one of the smartest things he could do. It showed foresight and understanding of what would happen to Pia should this all go south very quickly.” She slanted her gaze up at him again, “That is admirable and I’ll forever be thankful he didn’t do something noble such as send her away and stay for the trial. She’ll need him now more than ever. He sacrificed this battle to live to fight another day.” Dropping her gaze again, she bit her bottom lip and crossed her arms in front of her chest. “But I am saying, it doesn’t fit his modus operandi. No one steals Stephanos' glory. If he’d wanted them dead, he’d have done it himself… and let the whole world know how weak they were to have been killed by him. Maybe he’d have garnered his own troops and waged his own war but this… that wasn't what happened with the circus."
‘Of course. My mistake Lady Leventi.’
She coughed back a laugh and looked at him, “Lady Leventi. I was Lady Evangelina a few moments ago… are you trying to age me before my time.” It was the first time during the conversation that she tossed him a dimpled smile and snickered.
The smile faded with the coming of the question of who all he’d spoken too. She let him figure out whether he could trust her on her own. Her tongue snaked out and wet her lips as he thought about it before he finally spoke.
‘The Princess Xene, to some extent. Theo. And…’
Evie nodded her head, but she felt like that ‘and’ was a big ‘and’. Tilting her head, she pinned him with a long look. Who else had he told?
'...And that's all.'
Studying him for a long moment, a flash of disappointment flickered across her face but she let it go and nodded her head. Had it been his father?
‘It is not exactly an easy thing to speak of…’ His words broke through the haze of her thoughts and she jerked her head up to look curiously at him. What wasn’t an easy thing to speak of? She didn’t have trouble speaking of just about anything? If it needed saying, then it needed saying. But then again, she was not a diplomat by any means and her parents often teased her that she could curl a man’s nose hairs with the things that came out of her mouth. ‘What of you? You have clearly spoken to your Uncle at some point?’
Ah, so that was what he was curious about. She smiled slowly, nothing is free in this world. He’d scratched her back, so she’d scratch his.
“To me… He speaks as little as possible too.” She frowned at it and tilted her head, “He wasn’t the Master of Secrets for as long as he was without learning to play things to his advantage. I believe he figures most of us girls do not have a brain worth sharing information with, and those of us that he does think can think independently… he’d rather we didn’t.” She wiped her hands on the deep turquoise chiton before crossing her arms again, “These topics are still too hot for him to wish to discuss them openly or to any great extent though. He'll want to see how it plays out, I am sure.” Her frown deepened, “I will say if there is anyone in all of Taengea who knows anything about all of this… It’s him. Again, he was Master of Secrets too long and we both know old dogs don’t learn new tricks.”
Achilleas considered her words regarding Stephanos. He had not considered what it must have cost his cousin to flee, and by the Gods, he knew the man had as much pride as he. Perhaps some of the frustration he felt toward the situation was misplaced. Stephanos had been in an almost impossible situation - if the fears Theo had told him of were real and genuine, then the man had made a sensible choice. Though as Evangeline spoke of the ‘noble’ course she was so glad his cousin had not taken , Achilleas blinked at her, for it was probably exactly how he would have approached it himself. He frowned a little, but did not admit that.
He had the feeling, too, that he had not convinced her with his limited answer to her question. She had looked back at him for too long, and there was a twist to her expression that he wished he had not put there. But the lord held his tongue, for now at least, though he had to turn away from the rather all too knowing look in her eyes.
Of course, she might not understand why he found it difficult to discuss this subject. It was not her father after all, who was embroiled in all the accusation. She was not having to reconcile all that she thought knew of a person and consider that perhaps she had been naive and foolish for years. Achilleas had to muddle through that by himself.
But that was not to say that Evangelina’s particular connections might not have had a role to play,and so the Lord was blunt in his about turn question. What had she been told that had made her seek him out?
He listened quietly to what she had to say, brows raising a little at the hint that she was not a favourite of her uncle. Though when Achilleas thought on it, he could imagine how the girl’s direct manner might be a bothersome trait in the Leventi Lord’s eyes. Indeed, Evangelina did not seem to be governed by the rules of etiquette that others set store by.
But it appeared they were in agreement anyway when it came to her uncle. Achilleas could not claim to be close to the man by any stretch, but he had been an ongoing presence in his life, and certainly was a prominent feature in his father’s. If one had been plotting something, then he could not imagine the other had not been aware at least, if not a conspirator. He nodded slowly at Evangelina’s words, sighing a little. This thorn in his side had roots dug deeper than he would have liked.
“We can agree on that then “ he offered in answer. “I would say to be careful in your curiosity, but I suspect you know that well enough already” He glanced at Evie, thinking her sharp in a way that would see her safe.
Achilleas felt glum about everything now, rehashing it only strengthening the bleak picture that was painted. And he still did not know what to do next, other than to sit tight and watch how things unfolded around him.
It was not a pleasing thought, but one that he cast aside a moment later as their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of another. Contrary beast that he was, now the lord had abandoned all attempts at summoning him, the dark bay stallion approached the fence. Eyeing his human visitors, he gave Achilleas a shove with his nose, demanding some treat that the lord did not have, and then gave a huff off irritation when he learned the fact. When the horse moved toward Evangelina, Achilleas shot her a warning look. “Mind yourself. He’s not above taking a bite out of you when there is nothing else on offer”
And then he remembered that he was talking to a Leventi, and she likely did not need coaching from him about a horse her own family had bred. Instead he stood back and tried not to fuss, as Theodora had accused him of more than once.
“So I suppose that is what we all will do then” he said, still watching the stallion as it reached forward to lip at Evangelina’s shoulder. “Wait to see things play out.” He meant it as an observation, but when the words came there was an inflection that made it seem a question, and Achilleas let them hang, underscoring his own uncertainty.
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Achilleas considered her words regarding Stephanos. He had not considered what it must have cost his cousin to flee, and by the Gods, he knew the man had as much pride as he. Perhaps some of the frustration he felt toward the situation was misplaced. Stephanos had been in an almost impossible situation - if the fears Theo had told him of were real and genuine, then the man had made a sensible choice. Though as Evangeline spoke of the ‘noble’ course she was so glad his cousin had not taken , Achilleas blinked at her, for it was probably exactly how he would have approached it himself. He frowned a little, but did not admit that.
He had the feeling, too, that he had not convinced her with his limited answer to her question. She had looked back at him for too long, and there was a twist to her expression that he wished he had not put there. But the lord held his tongue, for now at least, though he had to turn away from the rather all too knowing look in her eyes.
Of course, she might not understand why he found it difficult to discuss this subject. It was not her father after all, who was embroiled in all the accusation. She was not having to reconcile all that she thought knew of a person and consider that perhaps she had been naive and foolish for years. Achilleas had to muddle through that by himself.
But that was not to say that Evangelina’s particular connections might not have had a role to play,and so the Lord was blunt in his about turn question. What had she been told that had made her seek him out?
He listened quietly to what she had to say, brows raising a little at the hint that she was not a favourite of her uncle. Though when Achilleas thought on it, he could imagine how the girl’s direct manner might be a bothersome trait in the Leventi Lord’s eyes. Indeed, Evangelina did not seem to be governed by the rules of etiquette that others set store by.
But it appeared they were in agreement anyway when it came to her uncle. Achilleas could not claim to be close to the man by any stretch, but he had been an ongoing presence in his life, and certainly was a prominent feature in his father’s. If one had been plotting something, then he could not imagine the other had not been aware at least, if not a conspirator. He nodded slowly at Evangelina’s words, sighing a little. This thorn in his side had roots dug deeper than he would have liked.
“We can agree on that then “ he offered in answer. “I would say to be careful in your curiosity, but I suspect you know that well enough already” He glanced at Evie, thinking her sharp in a way that would see her safe.
Achilleas felt glum about everything now, rehashing it only strengthening the bleak picture that was painted. And he still did not know what to do next, other than to sit tight and watch how things unfolded around him.
It was not a pleasing thought, but one that he cast aside a moment later as their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of another. Contrary beast that he was, now the lord had abandoned all attempts at summoning him, the dark bay stallion approached the fence. Eyeing his human visitors, he gave Achilleas a shove with his nose, demanding some treat that the lord did not have, and then gave a huff off irritation when he learned the fact. When the horse moved toward Evangelina, Achilleas shot her a warning look. “Mind yourself. He’s not above taking a bite out of you when there is nothing else on offer”
And then he remembered that he was talking to a Leventi, and she likely did not need coaching from him about a horse her own family had bred. Instead he stood back and tried not to fuss, as Theodora had accused him of more than once.
“So I suppose that is what we all will do then” he said, still watching the stallion as it reached forward to lip at Evangelina’s shoulder. “Wait to see things play out.” He meant it as an observation, but when the words came there was an inflection that made it seem a question, and Achilleas let them hang, underscoring his own uncertainty.
Achilleas considered her words regarding Stephanos. He had not considered what it must have cost his cousin to flee, and by the Gods, he knew the man had as much pride as he. Perhaps some of the frustration he felt toward the situation was misplaced. Stephanos had been in an almost impossible situation - if the fears Theo had told him of were real and genuine, then the man had made a sensible choice. Though as Evangeline spoke of the ‘noble’ course she was so glad his cousin had not taken , Achilleas blinked at her, for it was probably exactly how he would have approached it himself. He frowned a little, but did not admit that.
He had the feeling, too, that he had not convinced her with his limited answer to her question. She had looked back at him for too long, and there was a twist to her expression that he wished he had not put there. But the lord held his tongue, for now at least, though he had to turn away from the rather all too knowing look in her eyes.
Of course, she might not understand why he found it difficult to discuss this subject. It was not her father after all, who was embroiled in all the accusation. She was not having to reconcile all that she thought knew of a person and consider that perhaps she had been naive and foolish for years. Achilleas had to muddle through that by himself.
But that was not to say that Evangelina’s particular connections might not have had a role to play,and so the Lord was blunt in his about turn question. What had she been told that had made her seek him out?
He listened quietly to what she had to say, brows raising a little at the hint that she was not a favourite of her uncle. Though when Achilleas thought on it, he could imagine how the girl’s direct manner might be a bothersome trait in the Leventi Lord’s eyes. Indeed, Evangelina did not seem to be governed by the rules of etiquette that others set store by.
But it appeared they were in agreement anyway when it came to her uncle. Achilleas could not claim to be close to the man by any stretch, but he had been an ongoing presence in his life, and certainly was a prominent feature in his father’s. If one had been plotting something, then he could not imagine the other had not been aware at least, if not a conspirator. He nodded slowly at Evangelina’s words, sighing a little. This thorn in his side had roots dug deeper than he would have liked.
“We can agree on that then “ he offered in answer. “I would say to be careful in your curiosity, but I suspect you know that well enough already” He glanced at Evie, thinking her sharp in a way that would see her safe.
Achilleas felt glum about everything now, rehashing it only strengthening the bleak picture that was painted. And he still did not know what to do next, other than to sit tight and watch how things unfolded around him.
It was not a pleasing thought, but one that he cast aside a moment later as their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of another. Contrary beast that he was, now the lord had abandoned all attempts at summoning him, the dark bay stallion approached the fence. Eyeing his human visitors, he gave Achilleas a shove with his nose, demanding some treat that the lord did not have, and then gave a huff off irritation when he learned the fact. When the horse moved toward Evangelina, Achilleas shot her a warning look. “Mind yourself. He’s not above taking a bite out of you when there is nothing else on offer”
And then he remembered that he was talking to a Leventi, and she likely did not need coaching from him about a horse her own family had bred. Instead he stood back and tried not to fuss, as Theodora had accused him of more than once.
“So I suppose that is what we all will do then” he said, still watching the stallion as it reached forward to lip at Evangelina’s shoulder. “Wait to see things play out.” He meant it as an observation, but when the words came there was an inflection that made it seem a question, and Achilleas let them hang, underscoring his own uncertainty.
Evie had always found noble characters a bit odd. For every one of them, she found who had truly goodness embedded in them, she found two of them who were noble because that was what was expected of them and they cared what others thought of them. Instead of asking themselves if they were a good person, they received their validation through the beliefs of others.
Nobility, morality, even loyalty all had their own time and place. Could you truly be any of those things while innocents suffer? The pint-sized Leventi trod a careful line. Everything was a rather gray line. She wanted to be all those things. Noble. Moral. Loyal. But, she also understood, those things could only carry you for so long before they would get you killed. How much help could a person be if they were dead?
Shifting her weight back and forth between legs, she explained what she knew, which wasn’t much. Achilleas nodded his head along with what she was saying. Evangelina wasn’t ready to come out and say pointedly that either of their families were just messed up enough to do something to this degree. She would say though that her uncle was a man of secrets. If there was one person in all of Taengea who knew more about the shadows of Taengea it would be him. He’d spent too long there, secrets and skullduggery had become something that had seeped into his bones and become a part of him.
‘We can agree on that then.’ His too-blue of eyes darted towards her, which she lifted her gaze and stuck her chin out stubbornly. ‘I would say to be careful in your curiosity, but I suspect you know that well enough already.’ Achilleas’ words brought a faint quirk in her lips, her dark eyes lighting up a little.
“Curiosity killed the cat and all that,” Her lips twitched again before quirking upwards in a smile, “May we all be careful with the paths we go down.” She brushed a strand of her dark chestnut hair away from her face and drew her gaze back to the stableyard lawn. It was a fine line they were treading, but your rewards were only equal to the risks you were willing to take. You couldn’t win if you never played.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the movement of the horse drawing closer to his uninvited guests. It seemed his curiosity had finally gotten the better of him. Turning around again to greet the animal, she smiled fully for the first time during the meeting. Dimples taking over her cheeks and her eyes seeming to relax. Taking a step onto the rail, she leaned over a little letting her gaze run over the dark bay stallion. He was a Leventi horse alright. There were just certain traits. In fact, unless she was deeply mistaken… he was a brother to her own mount. Tilting her head, she grinned as he shoved the large General around demanding his sweets. Typical Leventi, she smirked.
The disappointed stallion turned to her then and she was instantly reaching out to touch him. ‘Mind yourself. He’s not above taking a bite out of you when there is nothing else on offer.’ The stallion’s nose started lipping at her shoulder, her fingers scratched his giant jowls and without looking at Achilleas, she cooed softly to the stallion, “Mmm… Neither am I, my darling.”
Stepping off the rail and back on to the ground before she was knocked off, her hand gently redirected the stallion’s muzzle to a safer place, her hands rather than her unprotected shoulder. Using her fingers she tickled his nose, “Aren’t you an absolute sweetheart…” The fierce little creature that Evie had been earlier had turned into a puddle of goo with the company of the stallion.
‘So I suppose that is what we all will do then,’ Evangelina was only half-listening to him, the majority of her attention focused on the horse. ‘Wait to see things play out.’ Slanting a sideways glance at him, she paused in her doling out sweet words to the beasty horse to eye him a moment then she smiled faintly and nodded her head.
“I would say that is a wise course of action.” She looked back at the stallion and moved his black forelock away from his face to get a nice, good, clear look at him. “Acting too soon would kill our aid. We don’t know enough to do much good…” She murmured as she ran her hand over the stallion's forehead and smiled to herself.
Stepping back, her hands dug into the special hidden pockets she’d had sewn to the inside of her chiton and produced a small brass ring with various types of fabric swaths on them and tossed it towards him. “Just in case anyone is curious about my visit…” Her words faded and she moved back to the fence to pet the stallion some more. “I wanted to see the horses and needed to bring you the fabric examples for some of the table covers.” Glancing smugly over her shoulder, she wagged an eyebrow, “Have fun deciding on one of those… they all looked the same to me.”
She was quiet for a long moment, then looked back at him curiously, “You really did not remember me?”
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Evie had always found noble characters a bit odd. For every one of them, she found who had truly goodness embedded in them, she found two of them who were noble because that was what was expected of them and they cared what others thought of them. Instead of asking themselves if they were a good person, they received their validation through the beliefs of others.
Nobility, morality, even loyalty all had their own time and place. Could you truly be any of those things while innocents suffer? The pint-sized Leventi trod a careful line. Everything was a rather gray line. She wanted to be all those things. Noble. Moral. Loyal. But, she also understood, those things could only carry you for so long before they would get you killed. How much help could a person be if they were dead?
Shifting her weight back and forth between legs, she explained what she knew, which wasn’t much. Achilleas nodded his head along with what she was saying. Evangelina wasn’t ready to come out and say pointedly that either of their families were just messed up enough to do something to this degree. She would say though that her uncle was a man of secrets. If there was one person in all of Taengea who knew more about the shadows of Taengea it would be him. He’d spent too long there, secrets and skullduggery had become something that had seeped into his bones and become a part of him.
‘We can agree on that then.’ His too-blue of eyes darted towards her, which she lifted her gaze and stuck her chin out stubbornly. ‘I would say to be careful in your curiosity, but I suspect you know that well enough already.’ Achilleas’ words brought a faint quirk in her lips, her dark eyes lighting up a little.
“Curiosity killed the cat and all that,” Her lips twitched again before quirking upwards in a smile, “May we all be careful with the paths we go down.” She brushed a strand of her dark chestnut hair away from her face and drew her gaze back to the stableyard lawn. It was a fine line they were treading, but your rewards were only equal to the risks you were willing to take. You couldn’t win if you never played.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the movement of the horse drawing closer to his uninvited guests. It seemed his curiosity had finally gotten the better of him. Turning around again to greet the animal, she smiled fully for the first time during the meeting. Dimples taking over her cheeks and her eyes seeming to relax. Taking a step onto the rail, she leaned over a little letting her gaze run over the dark bay stallion. He was a Leventi horse alright. There were just certain traits. In fact, unless she was deeply mistaken… he was a brother to her own mount. Tilting her head, she grinned as he shoved the large General around demanding his sweets. Typical Leventi, she smirked.
The disappointed stallion turned to her then and she was instantly reaching out to touch him. ‘Mind yourself. He’s not above taking a bite out of you when there is nothing else on offer.’ The stallion’s nose started lipping at her shoulder, her fingers scratched his giant jowls and without looking at Achilleas, she cooed softly to the stallion, “Mmm… Neither am I, my darling.”
Stepping off the rail and back on to the ground before she was knocked off, her hand gently redirected the stallion’s muzzle to a safer place, her hands rather than her unprotected shoulder. Using her fingers she tickled his nose, “Aren’t you an absolute sweetheart…” The fierce little creature that Evie had been earlier had turned into a puddle of goo with the company of the stallion.
‘So I suppose that is what we all will do then,’ Evangelina was only half-listening to him, the majority of her attention focused on the horse. ‘Wait to see things play out.’ Slanting a sideways glance at him, she paused in her doling out sweet words to the beasty horse to eye him a moment then she smiled faintly and nodded her head.
“I would say that is a wise course of action.” She looked back at the stallion and moved his black forelock away from his face to get a nice, good, clear look at him. “Acting too soon would kill our aid. We don’t know enough to do much good…” She murmured as she ran her hand over the stallion's forehead and smiled to herself.
Stepping back, her hands dug into the special hidden pockets she’d had sewn to the inside of her chiton and produced a small brass ring with various types of fabric swaths on them and tossed it towards him. “Just in case anyone is curious about my visit…” Her words faded and she moved back to the fence to pet the stallion some more. “I wanted to see the horses and needed to bring you the fabric examples for some of the table covers.” Glancing smugly over her shoulder, she wagged an eyebrow, “Have fun deciding on one of those… they all looked the same to me.”
She was quiet for a long moment, then looked back at him curiously, “You really did not remember me?”
Evie had always found noble characters a bit odd. For every one of them, she found who had truly goodness embedded in them, she found two of them who were noble because that was what was expected of them and they cared what others thought of them. Instead of asking themselves if they were a good person, they received their validation through the beliefs of others.
Nobility, morality, even loyalty all had their own time and place. Could you truly be any of those things while innocents suffer? The pint-sized Leventi trod a careful line. Everything was a rather gray line. She wanted to be all those things. Noble. Moral. Loyal. But, she also understood, those things could only carry you for so long before they would get you killed. How much help could a person be if they were dead?
Shifting her weight back and forth between legs, she explained what she knew, which wasn’t much. Achilleas nodded his head along with what she was saying. Evangelina wasn’t ready to come out and say pointedly that either of their families were just messed up enough to do something to this degree. She would say though that her uncle was a man of secrets. If there was one person in all of Taengea who knew more about the shadows of Taengea it would be him. He’d spent too long there, secrets and skullduggery had become something that had seeped into his bones and become a part of him.
‘We can agree on that then.’ His too-blue of eyes darted towards her, which she lifted her gaze and stuck her chin out stubbornly. ‘I would say to be careful in your curiosity, but I suspect you know that well enough already.’ Achilleas’ words brought a faint quirk in her lips, her dark eyes lighting up a little.
“Curiosity killed the cat and all that,” Her lips twitched again before quirking upwards in a smile, “May we all be careful with the paths we go down.” She brushed a strand of her dark chestnut hair away from her face and drew her gaze back to the stableyard lawn. It was a fine line they were treading, but your rewards were only equal to the risks you were willing to take. You couldn’t win if you never played.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the movement of the horse drawing closer to his uninvited guests. It seemed his curiosity had finally gotten the better of him. Turning around again to greet the animal, she smiled fully for the first time during the meeting. Dimples taking over her cheeks and her eyes seeming to relax. Taking a step onto the rail, she leaned over a little letting her gaze run over the dark bay stallion. He was a Leventi horse alright. There were just certain traits. In fact, unless she was deeply mistaken… he was a brother to her own mount. Tilting her head, she grinned as he shoved the large General around demanding his sweets. Typical Leventi, she smirked.
The disappointed stallion turned to her then and she was instantly reaching out to touch him. ‘Mind yourself. He’s not above taking a bite out of you when there is nothing else on offer.’ The stallion’s nose started lipping at her shoulder, her fingers scratched his giant jowls and without looking at Achilleas, she cooed softly to the stallion, “Mmm… Neither am I, my darling.”
Stepping off the rail and back on to the ground before she was knocked off, her hand gently redirected the stallion’s muzzle to a safer place, her hands rather than her unprotected shoulder. Using her fingers she tickled his nose, “Aren’t you an absolute sweetheart…” The fierce little creature that Evie had been earlier had turned into a puddle of goo with the company of the stallion.
‘So I suppose that is what we all will do then,’ Evangelina was only half-listening to him, the majority of her attention focused on the horse. ‘Wait to see things play out.’ Slanting a sideways glance at him, she paused in her doling out sweet words to the beasty horse to eye him a moment then she smiled faintly and nodded her head.
“I would say that is a wise course of action.” She looked back at the stallion and moved his black forelock away from his face to get a nice, good, clear look at him. “Acting too soon would kill our aid. We don’t know enough to do much good…” She murmured as she ran her hand over the stallion's forehead and smiled to herself.
Stepping back, her hands dug into the special hidden pockets she’d had sewn to the inside of her chiton and produced a small brass ring with various types of fabric swaths on them and tossed it towards him. “Just in case anyone is curious about my visit…” Her words faded and she moved back to the fence to pet the stallion some more. “I wanted to see the horses and needed to bring you the fabric examples for some of the table covers.” Glancing smugly over her shoulder, she wagged an eyebrow, “Have fun deciding on one of those… they all looked the same to me.”
She was quiet for a long moment, then looked back at him curiously, “You really did not remember me?”
The Lord Mikaelidas stood back and watched Evangelina, having to prevent himself from warning her off being too affectionate with the horse. It was only the last week that he’d set his teeth into one of the Leventi stablemen after all. The warning that did slip past his lips was almost too late, as she had reached out a hand, her features softened in a way that Achilleas had not seen on her before. Observing the change with some curiosity, he did a double take at her murmured answer, brow furrowed.
Did she..?
She was looking at Amyntas, but something in the way she had framed it had him blink, and his gaze narrowed where it fell upon her. He did not say anything, but instead found himself very interested in the middle distance as she continued to fuss the stallion. The horse was definitely a traitor Achilleas decided, for he seemed almost docile under her tiny hands, and nothing like the fearsome creature he pretended to be around other people. Even the lord himself had been at the receiving end of Amyntas’ teeth before now, and he felt a little betrayed at this unprecedented level of affection the stallion was granting Evangelina.
He shot the horse a dark look, before speaking his thoughts regarding the coming days, and had to bite his tongue when he found himself vying for attention with the stallion. Holding the attention of young women was not something he was used to struggling with as a rule, and it was rather disconcerting that it was a horse who was winning out against him now.
His reactions were quick when Evangelina finally stepped back and threw something toward him, his hand closing around the fabric squares neatly. It was only when she explained what they were and what was expected of him that he rather began to wish he had not caught them.
“Right” he said doubtfully, looking down at the almost identical colours of the swatches. “....some of the table covers?!”. There was more than a trace of exasperation in his voice, Achilleas really not understanding why they needed more than one kind of table cover, nor why anyone thought he would give a damn what colour any of them were. He fisted his hand around the samples, fully intending just to pass them off to his mother and let her make what was clearly a vastly important decision.
It made sense though, he supposed, to have something to explain Evangelina’s seeking him out. They did not boast a connection that would have made it seem a natural conference otherwise and he thought once again that she was smart, this little Leventi girl.
And apparently not yet willing to let him forget that shameful instance all those years ago. Achilleas cringed at the question, his free hand coming up to rub at the back of his neck as he tried to find an answer that did not make him sound either terribly callous, or like some unobservant idiot who couldn’t tell the difference between the Leventi women, as she had accused him of earlier.
He didn’t admit that he hadn’t recongnised Theodora either, when he had first seen her again out in Macendia. It was hardly flattering. “I...well in my defence you look different” he offered after a moment’s pause. “And I really wasn’t around much to know you when you were a child. What a wonderful first impression I must have made” He grimaced as he said it, darting an apologetic look at Evangelina. “I promise you it is not a thing I make a habit of - pelting children with rocks that is. And I did feel terrible about it”
It had not been the only time Stephanos had led him into something he’d come to regret, and Achilleas shook his head at the recollections that came to mind to drive home the point. He lifted his gaze to the young woman before him and smiled tentatively. “I am glad though, despite the circumstances, that you came here today and that we could talk. It is reassuring to know that there are others questioning what happened, even if we cannot act on anything. I’d appreciate it if you would keep me apprised of anything pertinent that you hear”
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The Lord Mikaelidas stood back and watched Evangelina, having to prevent himself from warning her off being too affectionate with the horse. It was only the last week that he’d set his teeth into one of the Leventi stablemen after all. The warning that did slip past his lips was almost too late, as she had reached out a hand, her features softened in a way that Achilleas had not seen on her before. Observing the change with some curiosity, he did a double take at her murmured answer, brow furrowed.
Did she..?
She was looking at Amyntas, but something in the way she had framed it had him blink, and his gaze narrowed where it fell upon her. He did not say anything, but instead found himself very interested in the middle distance as she continued to fuss the stallion. The horse was definitely a traitor Achilleas decided, for he seemed almost docile under her tiny hands, and nothing like the fearsome creature he pretended to be around other people. Even the lord himself had been at the receiving end of Amyntas’ teeth before now, and he felt a little betrayed at this unprecedented level of affection the stallion was granting Evangelina.
He shot the horse a dark look, before speaking his thoughts regarding the coming days, and had to bite his tongue when he found himself vying for attention with the stallion. Holding the attention of young women was not something he was used to struggling with as a rule, and it was rather disconcerting that it was a horse who was winning out against him now.
His reactions were quick when Evangelina finally stepped back and threw something toward him, his hand closing around the fabric squares neatly. It was only when she explained what they were and what was expected of him that he rather began to wish he had not caught them.
“Right” he said doubtfully, looking down at the almost identical colours of the swatches. “....some of the table covers?!”. There was more than a trace of exasperation in his voice, Achilleas really not understanding why they needed more than one kind of table cover, nor why anyone thought he would give a damn what colour any of them were. He fisted his hand around the samples, fully intending just to pass them off to his mother and let her make what was clearly a vastly important decision.
It made sense though, he supposed, to have something to explain Evangelina’s seeking him out. They did not boast a connection that would have made it seem a natural conference otherwise and he thought once again that she was smart, this little Leventi girl.
And apparently not yet willing to let him forget that shameful instance all those years ago. Achilleas cringed at the question, his free hand coming up to rub at the back of his neck as he tried to find an answer that did not make him sound either terribly callous, or like some unobservant idiot who couldn’t tell the difference between the Leventi women, as she had accused him of earlier.
He didn’t admit that he hadn’t recongnised Theodora either, when he had first seen her again out in Macendia. It was hardly flattering. “I...well in my defence you look different” he offered after a moment’s pause. “And I really wasn’t around much to know you when you were a child. What a wonderful first impression I must have made” He grimaced as he said it, darting an apologetic look at Evangelina. “I promise you it is not a thing I make a habit of - pelting children with rocks that is. And I did feel terrible about it”
It had not been the only time Stephanos had led him into something he’d come to regret, and Achilleas shook his head at the recollections that came to mind to drive home the point. He lifted his gaze to the young woman before him and smiled tentatively. “I am glad though, despite the circumstances, that you came here today and that we could talk. It is reassuring to know that there are others questioning what happened, even if we cannot act on anything. I’d appreciate it if you would keep me apprised of anything pertinent that you hear”
The Lord Mikaelidas stood back and watched Evangelina, having to prevent himself from warning her off being too affectionate with the horse. It was only the last week that he’d set his teeth into one of the Leventi stablemen after all. The warning that did slip past his lips was almost too late, as she had reached out a hand, her features softened in a way that Achilleas had not seen on her before. Observing the change with some curiosity, he did a double take at her murmured answer, brow furrowed.
Did she..?
She was looking at Amyntas, but something in the way she had framed it had him blink, and his gaze narrowed where it fell upon her. He did not say anything, but instead found himself very interested in the middle distance as she continued to fuss the stallion. The horse was definitely a traitor Achilleas decided, for he seemed almost docile under her tiny hands, and nothing like the fearsome creature he pretended to be around other people. Even the lord himself had been at the receiving end of Amyntas’ teeth before now, and he felt a little betrayed at this unprecedented level of affection the stallion was granting Evangelina.
He shot the horse a dark look, before speaking his thoughts regarding the coming days, and had to bite his tongue when he found himself vying for attention with the stallion. Holding the attention of young women was not something he was used to struggling with as a rule, and it was rather disconcerting that it was a horse who was winning out against him now.
His reactions were quick when Evangelina finally stepped back and threw something toward him, his hand closing around the fabric squares neatly. It was only when she explained what they were and what was expected of him that he rather began to wish he had not caught them.
“Right” he said doubtfully, looking down at the almost identical colours of the swatches. “....some of the table covers?!”. There was more than a trace of exasperation in his voice, Achilleas really not understanding why they needed more than one kind of table cover, nor why anyone thought he would give a damn what colour any of them were. He fisted his hand around the samples, fully intending just to pass them off to his mother and let her make what was clearly a vastly important decision.
It made sense though, he supposed, to have something to explain Evangelina’s seeking him out. They did not boast a connection that would have made it seem a natural conference otherwise and he thought once again that she was smart, this little Leventi girl.
And apparently not yet willing to let him forget that shameful instance all those years ago. Achilleas cringed at the question, his free hand coming up to rub at the back of his neck as he tried to find an answer that did not make him sound either terribly callous, or like some unobservant idiot who couldn’t tell the difference between the Leventi women, as she had accused him of earlier.
He didn’t admit that he hadn’t recongnised Theodora either, when he had first seen her again out in Macendia. It was hardly flattering. “I...well in my defence you look different” he offered after a moment’s pause. “And I really wasn’t around much to know you when you were a child. What a wonderful first impression I must have made” He grimaced as he said it, darting an apologetic look at Evangelina. “I promise you it is not a thing I make a habit of - pelting children with rocks that is. And I did feel terrible about it”
It had not been the only time Stephanos had led him into something he’d come to regret, and Achilleas shook his head at the recollections that came to mind to drive home the point. He lifted his gaze to the young woman before him and smiled tentatively. “I am glad though, despite the circumstances, that you came here today and that we could talk. It is reassuring to know that there are others questioning what happened, even if we cannot act on anything. I’d appreciate it if you would keep me apprised of anything pertinent that you hear”
The old-timers had a saying, ‘show me your horse and I’ll tell you who you are’. It was something Evangelina found some truth in. People gravitated towards horses that represented something about themselves. This stallion had the ability to be brutal but soft, sweet words turned him into a gentle giant. A glance at Achilleas and she could see the comparison.
He caught the fabric samples and she almost laughed at how his face changed when he realized what they were. The corner of her lip twitched in amusement as she returned her attention to the stallion in the paddock. Carefully balancing keeping a close eye on him and doling out her sweet words to him.
“Oh, yes…” She smirked, “That is only for some of the tables, the other tables are being done in an entirely different color.” He would only get a glimpse at her smiling before she looked down at the ground to hide just how funny she found all of that. His wedding was the social gossip of the year. Biting her lip, she could understand for everyone to need to focus on something more positive. This wedding was something perfectly timed to give the people of Taengea something uplifting to look forward too. He and Theo may not have appreciated everyone having an opinion on everything but they represented happier times for the people.
“And I am fairly certain, there will be a test about the colors you’ve chosen at some point between now and the wedding…” She teased cheekily. “There are also other random samples that will be shown to you in the very near future. I just grabbed one of the samples to bring to you but there was quite a lot to choose from.” So maybe she was exaggerating just a little bit but it was well worth it to see the look of dread that would form on his face.
At her question, she felt a moment of pity for him at being reminded of his bad decisions.
‘I...well in my defense you look different. And I really wasn’t around much to know you when you were a child. What a wonderful first impression I must have made.’ Her darkened, catlike eyes softened and she offered a faint smile. ‘I promise you it is not a thing I make a habit of - pelting children with rocks that is. And I did feel terrible about it.’
After a moment she nodded her head, “I am going to tell myself you weren’t aiming at me but rather my companion that day.” Tilting her head at him, “You just have really poor aim.” She teased him again then looked back to the horse. “I was a little putout, but was more embarrassed for Lord Nikos to have seen me being pelted with rocks than actual harm done to me.” The back of her index finger tickled the sensitive spot between the horse’s nostrils. “An apology would have been nice though.”
The silence seemed to settle between the two for a moment until he broke it. ‘I am glad though, despite the circumstances, that you came here today and that we could talk. It is reassuring to know that there are others questioning what happened, even if we cannot act on anything. I’d appreciate it if you would keep me apprised of anything pertinent that you hear.’
Glancing over her shoulder, she returned his tentative smile, “I am glad I came to speak to you too. It’s better to hear another opinion about everything. So much can get distorted with gossip. I should have been at the Senate meeting to hear it myself but I really didn’t think this would ever be an issue.” She frowned and sighed softly, giving a last glance to the horse before she turned away and stepped over to one of the large oak trees nearby and leaned her small frame against it. “Mmm… I’ll keep you apprised of anything I hear but I ask that you do the same for me, you never know if one small detail might not click for you but might for me… or the other way around.”
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The old-timers had a saying, ‘show me your horse and I’ll tell you who you are’. It was something Evangelina found some truth in. People gravitated towards horses that represented something about themselves. This stallion had the ability to be brutal but soft, sweet words turned him into a gentle giant. A glance at Achilleas and she could see the comparison.
He caught the fabric samples and she almost laughed at how his face changed when he realized what they were. The corner of her lip twitched in amusement as she returned her attention to the stallion in the paddock. Carefully balancing keeping a close eye on him and doling out her sweet words to him.
“Oh, yes…” She smirked, “That is only for some of the tables, the other tables are being done in an entirely different color.” He would only get a glimpse at her smiling before she looked down at the ground to hide just how funny she found all of that. His wedding was the social gossip of the year. Biting her lip, she could understand for everyone to need to focus on something more positive. This wedding was something perfectly timed to give the people of Taengea something uplifting to look forward too. He and Theo may not have appreciated everyone having an opinion on everything but they represented happier times for the people.
“And I am fairly certain, there will be a test about the colors you’ve chosen at some point between now and the wedding…” She teased cheekily. “There are also other random samples that will be shown to you in the very near future. I just grabbed one of the samples to bring to you but there was quite a lot to choose from.” So maybe she was exaggerating just a little bit but it was well worth it to see the look of dread that would form on his face.
At her question, she felt a moment of pity for him at being reminded of his bad decisions.
‘I...well in my defense you look different. And I really wasn’t around much to know you when you were a child. What a wonderful first impression I must have made.’ Her darkened, catlike eyes softened and she offered a faint smile. ‘I promise you it is not a thing I make a habit of - pelting children with rocks that is. And I did feel terrible about it.’
After a moment she nodded her head, “I am going to tell myself you weren’t aiming at me but rather my companion that day.” Tilting her head at him, “You just have really poor aim.” She teased him again then looked back to the horse. “I was a little putout, but was more embarrassed for Lord Nikos to have seen me being pelted with rocks than actual harm done to me.” The back of her index finger tickled the sensitive spot between the horse’s nostrils. “An apology would have been nice though.”
The silence seemed to settle between the two for a moment until he broke it. ‘I am glad though, despite the circumstances, that you came here today and that we could talk. It is reassuring to know that there are others questioning what happened, even if we cannot act on anything. I’d appreciate it if you would keep me apprised of anything pertinent that you hear.’
Glancing over her shoulder, she returned his tentative smile, “I am glad I came to speak to you too. It’s better to hear another opinion about everything. So much can get distorted with gossip. I should have been at the Senate meeting to hear it myself but I really didn’t think this would ever be an issue.” She frowned and sighed softly, giving a last glance to the horse before she turned away and stepped over to one of the large oak trees nearby and leaned her small frame against it. “Mmm… I’ll keep you apprised of anything I hear but I ask that you do the same for me, you never know if one small detail might not click for you but might for me… or the other way around.”
The old-timers had a saying, ‘show me your horse and I’ll tell you who you are’. It was something Evangelina found some truth in. People gravitated towards horses that represented something about themselves. This stallion had the ability to be brutal but soft, sweet words turned him into a gentle giant. A glance at Achilleas and she could see the comparison.
He caught the fabric samples and she almost laughed at how his face changed when he realized what they were. The corner of her lip twitched in amusement as she returned her attention to the stallion in the paddock. Carefully balancing keeping a close eye on him and doling out her sweet words to him.
“Oh, yes…” She smirked, “That is only for some of the tables, the other tables are being done in an entirely different color.” He would only get a glimpse at her smiling before she looked down at the ground to hide just how funny she found all of that. His wedding was the social gossip of the year. Biting her lip, she could understand for everyone to need to focus on something more positive. This wedding was something perfectly timed to give the people of Taengea something uplifting to look forward too. He and Theo may not have appreciated everyone having an opinion on everything but they represented happier times for the people.
“And I am fairly certain, there will be a test about the colors you’ve chosen at some point between now and the wedding…” She teased cheekily. “There are also other random samples that will be shown to you in the very near future. I just grabbed one of the samples to bring to you but there was quite a lot to choose from.” So maybe she was exaggerating just a little bit but it was well worth it to see the look of dread that would form on his face.
At her question, she felt a moment of pity for him at being reminded of his bad decisions.
‘I...well in my defense you look different. And I really wasn’t around much to know you when you were a child. What a wonderful first impression I must have made.’ Her darkened, catlike eyes softened and she offered a faint smile. ‘I promise you it is not a thing I make a habit of - pelting children with rocks that is. And I did feel terrible about it.’
After a moment she nodded her head, “I am going to tell myself you weren’t aiming at me but rather my companion that day.” Tilting her head at him, “You just have really poor aim.” She teased him again then looked back to the horse. “I was a little putout, but was more embarrassed for Lord Nikos to have seen me being pelted with rocks than actual harm done to me.” The back of her index finger tickled the sensitive spot between the horse’s nostrils. “An apology would have been nice though.”
The silence seemed to settle between the two for a moment until he broke it. ‘I am glad though, despite the circumstances, that you came here today and that we could talk. It is reassuring to know that there are others questioning what happened, even if we cannot act on anything. I’d appreciate it if you would keep me apprised of anything pertinent that you hear.’
Glancing over her shoulder, she returned his tentative smile, “I am glad I came to speak to you too. It’s better to hear another opinion about everything. So much can get distorted with gossip. I should have been at the Senate meeting to hear it myself but I really didn’t think this would ever be an issue.” She frowned and sighed softly, giving a last glance to the horse before she turned away and stepped over to one of the large oak trees nearby and leaned her small frame against it. “Mmm… I’ll keep you apprised of anything I hear but I ask that you do the same for me, you never know if one small detail might not click for you but might for me… or the other way around.”