Theo could tell her attempt to settle her sister had done very little of the sort. But there was nothing she could do. It was better to rip the band-aid off and bolster the girl on then it would be to coddle her and allow her to continue to wallow… not only would it not help with her mental fortitude but it would likely bring on the ire of their uncle, as well as her mother.
She watched Imma’s face sour further; deciding that escaping to the gardens was a good idea for all. It seemed ironic that so many of them could be so miserable on a day that was meant to be so celebratory. She understood the reasoning for the executions. It was a show of strength from the new King on the day of his coronation. It would be discussed and turned into stories for years to come. ...But for those who’d lived through the circus.. For Theo and those who’d faced the creed, it was just a reminder of all the pain they’d faced. Now the occasion wouldn’t be a celebration in her mind of her sister's coronation, but a day marred by the execution of creed sympathizers.
Theo wanted to rage with Imma. Wanted to declare the world unfair and run off… go home to curl up in her bed and decry how horrible everything was, but she wasn’t allowed to do that. The weight of the girls had always been carried on her and Selene’s shoulders; Selene for being the oldest, and Theo for being the most grounded in reality. It was why she adored Emilios so much.. That for the briefest amounts of time together she could just be herself. Forget about her responsibilities and be in love. With him.
Now what?
She clung to Imma as they wandered into the garden; arm stretched over her shoulders as she brushed blonde curls from her cheek. Selene and herself had always been deemed the lovliest.. The fairest. Far and wide, stories had been told of their beauty. But no one ever considered her for her mind. Suitors didn’t want her opinion on things. So she’d grown annoyed with her fairness. What had she ever done to deserve such a thing? Her beauty did not come from any merit of her own. She didn’t work to obtain it and so it’s value meant little to her. She put her worth in her accomplishments, just as she did with her sisters. With her family and friends. With Emilios.
To her Imma was beautiful. She had a precocious spirit and a lovely personality. She’d grown so much over the years as an artist and her paintings were really becoming quite lovely; Theo even had several hanging in her room. And while she wasn’t as statuesque as Selene was, she was still pretty, none the less. Imma had grown up with flaxen blonde hair that hung straight when released from its stays and curled about her temples when worn up. She was curvaceous and had full lips and warm dark eyes. And while she was a bit high strung, she was still growing into herself.
They made it out to the stables; following the same path that Eva had a few moments before. Theo rubbed soft circles between the collarbones of her tense sister as they entered to the familiar sights and smells of the horses. Being in a stable was almost a second home to her; she spent so many hours in their own in Serren. The smell of hay and manure...of grain and leather.. It was comforting and familiar. When they found their cousin, she seemed to be just as morose as Imma. Theo drew in a breath; knowing that, whatever she may be feeling, she had to be the stronger one for all of them. The sister and cousin they could lean on… even if she felt the farthest thing from. With Eva’s sarcastic remark and Imma’s self-deprecating reply, Theo tutted. “Hush.. you’re lovely. Even with such a sour expression.” Her eyes sparkled and she nudged the girl with her hip.
Eva replied with her plan of escape and before Theo could comment, Imma had hopped onto the idea excitedly; eager to get away. Theo opened her mouth to respond as her heart lept into her throat; her pulse quickening at the idea of them leaving, but Imma continued on; begging her to go.. To leave her out of it if need be and with a strangled gasp of a voice, she halted her. “Stop this.”
Her voice sounded panicked in that moment and her face paled in the dim lamplight of the barn. She let the silence settle between them as her heartbeat pounded in her ears. She reached out and gripped the post of the stall to keep her from falling over. And then she continued. “I cannot believe.. Cannot fathom. ..After everything that happened less than two weeks ago that you would be so inclined as to run off in the middle of the night.. By yourselves and with no escort.” Theo pictured Imma laying in the street. Her eyes staring blankly into the night sky; a blade embedded in her chest and it made her want to bend over and empty the wine from her stomach.
With a shaky voice, she continued. “If you wish to go home, petition mother to have the carriage brought around for you. Tell her you’re not feeling well. But do not go running off into the night. There are any number of Creed members just waiting to enact revenge upon Stephanos for what he did today.” She took Imma’s chin in her hand. “Finding one of his younger sisters-in-law away from the safety of a guard would be just their luck.” She looked up to Eva. “...That includes you, as well. You both may not like it… I don’t particularly like it. But we are all of considerably higher rank now. We must remember that both from a social and political standpoint. For our own safety.”
Evangelina blinked at Imma’s response. It was that awkward moment when her humor failed to be funny. She glanced at Theo, certain that her older cousin would understand that she’d only been teasing. Imma was whining and suddenly Theo’s veneer seemed to crack just a little around the seams. An edge of panic, a paleness to her face… surely she hadn’t believed it too. Did they really think she’d be so reckless to endanger not only her own life but Imma’s too.
“Stop this.” Theodora’s voice, oddly unnerved considering the usual tower of strength that she was.
She knew what spooked looked like, whether it was human or horse it was something she could identify. Had the recent events with The Creed effected her cousin so deeply? Evangelina hadn’t realized. Sending a sharp glance to Imma as backup to Theo’s curt command.
“Theo…” Her brows scrunched together as she looked back to Theo, her head tilted curiously. “Are you okay? I wasn’t serious about devising an escape plan… I may not like being cooped up here at this party with all of these people but I don’t have a death wish. Geeze.” Evangelina’s lips thinned, and she shot Imma another warning that now was not the time to continue with her whining. She knew too well how difficult it was at being at that awkward age that Imma was at, especially when your sisters were known through out the realm for their beauty. That however did not warrant whining from Imma. She was of an age that it was no longer acceptable.
Hissing a breath in between her teeth. “Perhaps we should return to the party. I am sure our abscense will be noticed soon enough.” She was prepared to elbow Imma should another whine come out of her. “Come Theo, rest assured… we won’t be taking any undue risks tonight.”At least not by stealing horses and making a mad escape from the party. It was still hard that her cousins believed she was possible of doing something so stupidly reckless. Reaching out, she linked arms with her older cousin and gave her a subtle squeeze.
“Do you need a few moments to collect yourself?” She murmured quietly. Shooting Imma a glance, “I can take Imma back inside… I imagine she’d quite enjoy seeing some of the Mikaelidas’ art inside, maybe she can even explain some of it to me…” Her lips pursed and didn’t wait for agreement before she let go of Theo, and latched onto Imma. “And if you don’t behave, I am going to go find Lady Boer… “ She winced, and quickly corrected herself. “Lady Boosalis and tell her how just fascinated you are to hear about that little mole she has on her neck…, you know… the one with the funny hair, that one that she thinks looks like Posedian?”
As she was dragging, Imma off talking about mole on the court bore’s neck she glanced over her shoulder at Theo. She just needs a moment… just a moment to collect herself. It’s been a long day.
The ride to court was a silent affair, with the exception of Nana's heels thumping against the soles of her sandals. "Can't they move a little faster?" Her urgent tone cracked the uncomfortable silence that filled the carriage, "I don't recall our House being in charge of breeding billygoats!" An unladylike moan passed her lips as she slumped against the chair, folding her arms together after the carriage made a slight bump in the road, bumping into another on it's way to the same location. The woman of twenty one years was in a hurry, and thought that the horses carrying the weight of the carriage and three females were being quite inconsiderate and slow! Her sister and new brother-in law became both God and Goddesses not too long ago; King Stephanos has been her brother-in law for quite some time now, but his name wasn't significant until a crown was placed over his head. Now that she was in closer proximity with the crowns, she could receive anything her heart desired... except there was one troublesome law that may prevent her from requesting the jewel-encrusted bench by the gardens: The Monarch is beholden to no-one except the Kingdom itself, meaning that the King and Queen should not favor anyone in their former Houses, which was-- Personal opinions aside, Nana remembered how the Zeus saved his brothers and sisters from their wretched Titan father and Greeks such as herself hold their family members dear to them, no matter the circumstance and to not do so was disgraceful. Despite their differences, the Leventi sisters were close with one another so regardless of prestigious status, Queen Olympia shall at least accept her dire plea for a superior bench! It would be disgraceful not to, for what if Zeus refused to help his siblings escape the belly of the beast because of a law?
Moments later, the three women and their families arrived to the Mikaelidas Palati. Departing from the carriage, Nana strolled beside her sisters as they entered the palace for court. Her brown eyes flickered towards Olympia-- Queen Olympia in a beautiful chiton with the same crown placed over her dark curls. Mentally preparing for the question, Nana took a step forward to ask until her older sister approached Selene instead. In the utmost surprise, the vapid Leventi was far from dejected or offended, it made her feel proud that her Queen sister preferred solace with her family members and the action made her assume that the nettlesome law may mean mote to Olympia; afterwards she'll move forward with her please, nevertheless she had to wait for petitions. Petitions were the worst, provided she had the discipline to tune it out. Pivoting on her heel, she joined Theodora at one of the seats and refused the offer of wine by slave and platter.
As they watched nobles and those of royal blood alike enter the Palati, a loud sob inched towards her and the second oldest. Nana's head turned to the action and her heart quickly fell. "Imma!" She cried, leaning over to rub the youngest's back as she clung to Theodora. Out of all five of them, Imma was the closest to her in age although they were five years apart. She was talented in art, and it showed since she was attuned to her emotions as shown presently. At first, Nana was confused as to why her younger sister was crying, before remembering the hanging of those caught murderers at the coronation. She flinched as the mental image entered her mind, "Yes, please go on ahead," The lady droned, at the mention of the two heading outside. "I'll be here." Theodora's well-meaning speech went through one ear and out of the other as the sound of ghastly breathing infiltrated her head. Letting her hand fall from a departing Imma's back, she rose and examined the crowded Palati. Or at least attempted to.
All this time, she was grateful for the mere mention of court to replace the hanging that happened during her older sister's moment of glory. The Leventi paid attention to the emeralds, rubies, aquamarines, diamonds, and any minerals that accompanied Olympia before a platform and severely men were brought forth to tear her attention away from the much needed distraction. And now, now she was in need of another to replace the terrorizing image of Death. The picture appeared again, causing her necklace to feel heavier than it should. Her hand grasped the diamond necklace tightened around her throat, fingers squeezing the diamond before snatching it off: chain and all. A sigh of relief, she clasped the accessory in her closed fist and strolled around the Palati, trying to look busy.
Two noblewomen nearest to her whispered about King Stephanos and his second blessing; it was a first that the vain woman took pleasure in gossip, especially as a diversion. Well, if the new King had two blessings then maybe it can earn her a jewel encrusted bench! Chuckling at the thought, she took a double-take, "Oh, how obtuse that sounds!" She muttered, ashamed that she listened in on the prattle. All gossip was false, unless it was gossip about her, good gossip of course! She used to believe in all hearsay as a girl, until one recalled that she was far from chaste due to her chitons being three or four inches higher than normal. That was when it wasn't fun to listen to anymore, when every and all (with the exception of nicer ones) lost their credibility.
Rolling her eyes, she searched for her bench near the gardens and the misplaced mirror attached to the column in front of it. It was her getaway, away from the smallest traces of stench provided by respectable scholar and noblemen sweat. The air and smell of gardenia allowed Nana to become lost in her own small world filled with hairbrushes and lip balm with the mirror as her guide. One of the Leventi slaves were perched near the entrance, they would run to the carriage to fetch her enhancement supplies once she sat down. But due to recent events, she was impatient to start so she locked eyes with the slave and flicked her wrist to send them to do her bidding. Once they disappeared, Nana walked over to the bench which was...
What was this?
Occupied by someone else! Unbelievable, this was her spot, even the noble ladies and the stain by the name of Tasia knew that! Pressing her lips together, she stalked over to the stranger and perched herself right behind them. A tap on the shoulder would've been polite, but she was positive that they had enough sense to hear her. "Excuse me," She queried, "You're in my seating area."
Selene was aware of the eyes on her, could hear the whispers of those around her as she made her way through the room. As the eldest, there had been an expectation of her marriage happening first. It was common that any other eligible daughters would have to wait until the eldest was married before the rest were wed. The stigma she wore, of being almost 30 an unwed, would have been considered a burden to anyone else. But most of her life, she’d been told that no one was worthy of her hand.
It wasn’t as if she lacked offers. Her father would sit her down, tell her the names of the offers that had been made for the right to marry her, and would promptly promise her that they weren’t good enough. And while her father wasn’t specifically looking to further the Leventi name, the fact that her mother always seemed to push for a more suitable match made every non-royal less than worthy. And the way her mother built up her worth made her feel that she only deserved a King. For most of her life, she had wanted to be in Pia’s shoes. She had pictured herself as the Queen of Taegnea, patiently waiting for Zenon to approach her father for her hand.
But he was dead, and now, Pia was Queen.
She didn’t envy her sister. The crown she wore was heavy, indeed. The weight of the Circus felt crushing for Selene, and she couldn’t imagine what it was like to be the ruler now, picking up the pieces. The pregnancy was just more stress, more things to gossip about. She didn’t want that life.
At least, not here.
The idea of a marriage overseas seemed more and more appealing, where the Creed weren’t a threat. Where royalty was respected and adored. In both Athenia and Colchis, she had seen what royal life could be like. She had seen how much the people adored Persephone, how much they had respected and worried about Vangelis. If she was going sit beside a ruler, she hoped that it would be in a place like that.
Where kings didn’t lose their heads.
Her heart clenched a little, thinking of the prince who had continued to show her kindness, who challenged her to be more. Selene couldn’t think of him, not when the whispered of her infertility were surrounding her. She had to think of anything else but him. He would probably marry someone from Athenia, or from Colchis.
Her sister found her quickly, and Selene (always one for propriety and decorum) gave the Queen a small curtsy before wrapping her arm around her sister’s. Placing her hand on top of hers, Selene smiled brightly. ”Of course, my Queen.” She took a moment to quickly give her a once over, pleased by her change of clothing. ”You look absolutely gorgeous, sweet sister.” The chance of a safe conversation in this environment wasn’t possible. They would be overheard, and rumors would fly. ”I’m glad that’s over. I despise public execution.”
One think that Imma knew was that she was not lovely. Not in comparison to the natural beauty of her sisters and cousin. Her hair was often a mess and paint could be found under her nails. Her face had to be scrubbed for hours to make sure that it was clean and often left red and raw because of it. She looked okay today, she supposed, but that was thanks to the diligent work of her sisters in ensuring that she didn’t return to her paint room to so much as touch a paint brush. Her mother deserved credit as well for keeping the youngest sister near her as much as possible during their preparations but Imma did not make it easy on anyone. Partially because that was her nature, and partially because she didn’t want to go. Olympia was crown Queen, that was great (for her). She was already of Mikaelidas, now she was a Queen. Things were changing much to quick, and though Imma tried to be upbeat about things the night before, but after a hanging, it was simply too much for her.
She scowled at Theodora, an act she was not accustomed to doing but did anyway. She didn’t care that she wasn’t lovely, it was what made her different than the rest of her sisters. She nearly took a step back when Theo went on, however, folding her arms realizing that she was most certainly NOT going to be getting her way this night. “I wo-“ she started to say but was cut off by her cousin that she was going to mention would be her escort home. Did they forget that they were both Leventi? That when they mounted upon a horse there was nobody or nothing that could stop them. If only the gods gifted her with a Pegasus then nobody could tell her what to be.
To make the matters worse, Evangelina didn’t even have a plan to begin with. Oh! If only Imma was older, then she could scold the two of them and make them feel so small and silly and stupid. She opened her mouth to offer some retort but closed it at the look from her cousin and settled deeper into her scowl with little more than a popping sound as her lips parted and then sealed closed tightly. Then the plan was changed to go back in the ‘party’ to which Imma started “more like a-“ and was elbowed into silence for her efforts it deeming the party a mortuary or a hangman’s noose.
If Evie really thought that Imma was going to explain to art to her she was dead wrong. She too, was now the enemy. If she deemed to explain anything to her, it would be false information in the hopes that she would repeat it elsewhere and look ever the fool. That would get her back for lying about an escape plan and then dragging her back into the building. She shivered at the thought of Lady Boosalis and the grotesquery that was upon her neck, but even the thought of that did little to ebb the defiance and anger that was uncharacteristically building up inside the young Imma.
Imma went with Evie, but not without turning her head back as she walked “Fret not Theo dearest” she said, her voice sweet and kind, the best acting she had ever done. “Soon you will be married away from me too. Then you won’t have to worry a fig about what I say or do” her voice remained that same sweet voice and didn’t display the frog that was in her throat. When she turned around, she used the back of her hand to wipe away the tears. Why had she said that? It was an awful thing to think let alone say. Imma wasn’t usually a vengeful person, but she was hurting, and she felt as though she were being batted around. She was a constant burden on her sisters, she knew that already, only now it seemed to really be taking its toll on them. She felt the burden she knew that she was and she hated it.
Maybe Theo was right, maybe she was weak.
It still didn’t forgive what she had said, she knew that even as she walked away, and she would have to apologize for it. Not now, she couldn’t now. She could barely breathe as she tried to keep a neutral face. She wiped her tears again and with a sinking heart she told Evangelina “soon I’ll have no sisters left” but couldn’t bring herself to look at the girl as they walked.
Theo knew she went too far in the middle of her rant. She knew she wasn’t making Imma feel any better or being fair to Eva but she’d been biting her tongue to keep from saying anything for the better part of the day. ..Come to think of it, the better part of the last few weeks. She’d been listening to her sisters as they complained about the most frivolous of topics like matching shoes to gowns, to earth-shattering crises’s like how to get a prince to fall in love with you. She’d had every sister congratulating her and fawning over her engagement... Telling her how lucky she was and how happy she clearly had to be when no one had actually asked her if she was happy. And Imma showing since it’d been announced exactly how displeased with it she was didn’t help.
If only she knew.
The fact of the matter was there was one person more displeased than Imma. In her selfish desire to keep Theo hers and in her house she’d missed the fact that Theo herself had no desire to marry Achilleas or leave. In Pia’s coronation, she’d had no time to question her about how she felt. Having a baby and getting married and crowned queen of Taengea was rather distracting, and all. Theo understood that. Selene was buried in letters.. Her time with the crowned prince of Colchis clearly at the forefront of her mind. And Nana?
...Well.. Nana was Nana. She doubted she’d notice anything beyond whether her dress was fashionable or not. So when she snapped at Imma, she knew why.. The need to keep everything bottled up was just getting to be too much and Imma’s immature selfishness had been the tipping point of the evening. If she had to suck up her pride and love for Emilios and marry for the good of the family and of the kingdom after almost dying the night of the creed attacks without complaint, Imma could sit through a party and exchange pleasantries with members of the royal court.
Eva made her excuses; intent on placating Theo and calming her frayed nerves and Theo felt rotten all over again. They’d all had a long day; no one had expected to be subjected to a mass execution at a coronation and she doubted, given the choice, that any of them would have voluntarily sat through such an event. She should have been more understanding of Imma’s frustration and pain. She was doing a horrible job at encouraging and lifting her up today.. But when one’s soul was so frayed and tattered, it was hard to find the silver lining.
She watched as Eva helped pull Imma towards the door; nudging her to not say anymore and Theo sighed. But Imma’s parting comment hit below the belt. She flinched as if the girl had physically slapped her. Actually, a slap would have been less painful. She leaned back heavily against the paddock as they left her alone with the horses; normally a comforting place to be. She looked down at her hands; twisting her fingertips together as she fought back bitter tears. In the silence of the stables, her mind was able to wander to when things weren’t such a giant disaster and she sucked in a breath. She straightened her back to look about expectantly; remembering why she’d wanted to come outside in the first place. She lifted the back of her knuckle to wipe away her tears as she moved further into the stables. Glancing behind her to ensure that her sister hadn’t returned for a final sucker punch, she turned back to the shadows of the empty stalls; hissing as she called his name. “Emilios…”
Another lord called out to Lord Gavriil, giving him his means of escape. He patted Lord Gavriil’s arm and slipped out of the man’s grasp. His freedom was short lived. The room was filled to the brim with people and he wondered if this was how fish felt in an overstocked pond. Wherever he moved, bodies were slithering against him, asking him questions, looking at him. It was a den of vipers.
He looked around for Xene but still she was not visible in this crowd and, she was hardly the only fair haired person in Taengea. Any number of golden haired women and men, for that matter, circulated the hall. Olympia was deep in conversation with Selene and the two of them were moving much too far away for him to join. At any rate, he was not alone long.
As Gavriil had done, another Lord descended on him, and then another. They wanted to speak about their families, or disputes they had with neighbors, or sometimes hinting at favors that he might want to do for them. A few offered favors in return but these were hardly one on one conversations. Each man tried to talk over the other and he found himself having about five different responses, alternating in turn and doing his best not to offend anyone. With Irakles around, he couldn’t afford enemies.
A slave wandered close by with a tray, on top of which sat goblets of wine. Stephanos snatched one and held it to his lips as though it was a shield. Whenever he needed a second to think of what to say, he’d take a sip in order to buy himself time. This gathering was nothing new. He’d been in large crowds before but not since the events of the circus and when he had governed the normal day to day disputes of his people, there were never this many speaking to him at once.
He was uncharacteristically on edge. A carryover, no doubt, from earlier. Still, he pasted on tight smiles and no one seemed to see that he’d rather be anywhere else. The bronze braziers on the edges of the room burned hot and brilliant. His skin prickled as his chiton shifted against him and he wondered if he would start to sweat soon. The room desperately needed fresh air. There were too many bodies in such a confined space.
Time wore on and he answered most of the questions thrown his way, though, irritatingly, Irakles cut in every so often. It would prove him childish to talk over his uncle and so he kept quiet, forced to allow the man to speak for him. His mother was hovering nearby, brushing his arm or plucking at his himation to straighten it just so. He moved away from both mother and uncle. Their smothering was a little too much to endure.
Before he got too far away, a lord from the house of Condos shouted out a question that stopped him in his tracks. The rest of them? He turned and leveled the man who’d spoken with a frigid glare.
“You’re right. I am happy to kill the ones I’ve had confined but to say they weren’t a threat? Have you forgotten the murder of your king and crown prince so easily? I haven’t. I’ve lived with it every day and night since. They had their trial. And now they’ve paid for their crimes.”
He glared around the room, locking eyes with each face that displayed even a hint of the same feelings that the upstart noble did.
“Perhaps some of you have not heard.” His voice rolled out over them, daring anyone not to listen. “Lord Hedron led a garrison of men to the gorge just after they were settled. He wanted vengeance for our fallen king and the crown prince. His only son and heir was also killed when the creed invaded our city. He let his emotions guide him in his thirst for blood. It ended in tragedy.”
He held up three fingers, looking around the room again to be sure he still held everyone’s attention. “Three. Three men came back. Lord Hedron was not among them. I admire his passion but I do not admire his lack of sense. Would you have your king go on a fool hardy mission with no planning? With no men? To give the Creed more innocent men to slaughter?”
Silence met him and he lowered his hand. “I thought not. I stand accused of doing nothing. Allow me to waylay your fears, my lord. I am raising men and I have plans that are still being debated by me and a few trusted advisors. We will not make Lord Hedron’s mistake. And I will come back with the Creed leader’s head on a pike. Does this please you, my lord? Or should I run every plan I make by you first?”
Those parting barbs to Theo from Imma earned her a merciless yank of the arm from Evangelina. It was one thing to be hurting but it was entirely another to lash out with the full intention of hurting a loved one. Her jaw clenched and her pace picked up till she was all but dragging Imma away. She wanted to get far enough away from Theodora to make sure that no one else could possibly hear the tongue lashing she was about to give one of her favorite cousins.
Once out of earshot and sight, Evie dragged the younger cousin towards a secluded alcove in the gardens then roughly yanked her around to face her.
“Imma.” The girl’s name wasn’t gently whispered, it seemed to crack out of her mouth like a whip. Her dark eyes glowered down at the petite blonde. “Stop crying this instant, you aren’t a baby anymore. Actions have consequences. Your behavior now has consequences.”
Her teeth gritted together and before she could stop herself, she dragged her younger cousin into a tight embrace.
“Stop this crazy talk about having no sisters left. Marriage does not change the fact that we are still blood, we are still family, and we are and will always be connected.” Evie buried her face in Imma’s hair, “You have sisters and they can never leave you… not even death can erase them. Marriage is not the end, my darling, it’s no different than if one of them is to step into another room.” She sighed heavily and stepped back a little to frown down at Imma.
“I am disappointed in what you said to Theo. It’s not like you to be hurtful… to try and hurt someone you love. That’s a terribly spoiled action.” She let her hands drop from Imma’s sides and cross in front of her chest. “You are a young woman now, not a little girl… and a Leventi on top of that. You are beautiful and will set the world on fire when your time comes. So there is no reason you shouldn’t put your shoulders back and look down at that nose of yours at anyone daring to make you feel lesser than you are.”
She gave a jerk of her chin to where they were. “Your sister is the queen and she needs you today. She needs to see a friendly face among this crowd.” Evie pursed her lips and narrowed her gaze again at Imma, “Just think, if you hate being here among this crowd and would like nothing more then to return home and paint… and you aren’t even the person that is being scrutinized… how must your sister feel? You are not weak. You are not a child and I expect better from you…” Her body softened a little and she frowned down at Imma.
“You should expect better from yourself,” Evie murmured softly. Shifting around to be able to reach into the pouch under her chiton to act as pockets, she pulled a piece of white linen out and handed it to Imma. “Dry your eyes and put your gladiator face on…”
Careful to be drinking from his goblet at the moment the new king decided to press upon the upstart his power and authority - just in case a twitch of the lips was beyond his control and would be hidden from sight - Fotios watched with the eyes of a hawk as Stephanos did an adequate job of shutting up the Condos lord.
At least any encouragement towards the lord loosening his tongue had been done through third parties so that, when the newly crowned monarch shot him down there was no glances, panicked looks or any other body language to suggest that Fotios had ever spoken to the man.
Instead, the Head of the Leventi House made eye contact, just for a moment, with his friend in the Mikaelidas clan. Irakles had been sweeping the hall with his gaze to assess the reactions of the nobility at the same time Fotios had and they caught in line for just a moment. Each of them moved on without hesitation.
It was no secret in the Taengean court that Irakles and Fotios were close. Had it not been for the Prince having so fearsome a reputation and an open affair with his mistress people might have associated their friendship with other rumours that had circulated regarding Fotios of Leventi. Not that he had ever given cause for proof. And of course, there was zero to be found with Irakles. The prince was a friend and nothing more but that in itself was something precious and singular. Fotios rarely had friends...
As the lower lord of Condos wilted and ducked his head in shameful resignation of his incitement being shot down quickly and effectively, Fotios was not at all worried that his quarrel had been silenced so immediately. It had served its purpose and acquired him what was necessary...
The public acknowledgement of King Stephanos that he would be charging blinding into battle against the Creed in the near future. Such a vow could hardly be lived down now, should the man fail to see it through...
Having seen to his first matter of the day, Fotios placed his cup aside, licked the last of the residue from his lower lip and then made his way calmly through the crowds of nobles like a ghost.
Slipping in and out, hardly noticed in his demeanour or stride but given looks of surprised awe and respect when the men realised he was practically on them before they had noticed his approach, Fotios ignored all reactions until he met his wife.
She did not miss his approach in any way and Fotios gladly laid a hand on the small of her back before leaning into murmur in her ear, only interrupting her gossip and socialising for but a moment.
With her aware of his plans and where he was going, Fotios moved to one of the side doors of the hall and stepped out into the gardens.
From there he strode around the building, out and round into the Mikaelidas quarters.
A sealed letter of agreement from Prince Irakles allowed him entrance passed the guards and he continued on his way...
That was the thing about servants and slaves... Provided you walked in a manner that implied you knew exactly where you were going and what you were doing, no-one dared to question your right to be there.
Ignoring all glances and walking with a determined air and an aura that bid everyone step out from his path, Fotios headed quickly towards his intended destination... the old King's quarters...
Listening with rapt attention to the light conversation that flowed, Magnus was at the same time attuned to everything else happening within the room, a skill he had honed for years in order to be able to excel in his job as he does now. The gossip of the court was quick to reach his ear - a piece of news the spymaster could not say he was surprised to hear. Afterall, King Stephanos, formerly second prince and spare to the throne, had no good reputation to back himself up. Rumors flew on whether or not he was fit to rule the kingdom, even weeks after he had ascended upon the death of the previous king and his elder brother.
His eyes flicked upwards towards the crowd, momentarily detaching himself from the female conversation to observe the crowd. Eyes took in the copious amount of Leventi's in attendance - of no surprise, considering the size of that particular royal family.
Roaming further, Magnus's gaze fell upon the figure of the second daughter to Georgios of Leventi, the beautiful Lady Theodora. A dark haired beauty that rivalled her elder sister Selene's blessed looks... yet her gaze followed a figure. Was she not said to be betrothed to Achilleas of Mikaelidas, heir and son to Prince Irakles of Mikaelidas? The eldest of the prince seemed not in attendance though... so who was this the Lady Theodora seemed to gaze upon?
Before Magnus could spot who it was however, the gaggle of Leventi girls had begun moving, just as Prince Irakles made his appearance in the grand ballroom - just in time to hear the irate calls of a noble lord whose voice made his frustrations clear. By then, silence had somewhat settled when those unnerving words were basically thrown in Stephanos's face, and it was with bated breath that everyone waited for the King's response, for Prince Irakles had made it clear he would not be stepping in to save his nephew's hide.
His eyes flickered briefly when the doors to the hall opened, and admitted the figure of Nethis of Thanasi - a figure that Magnus could say he was surprised to see. He had heard of missives being sent out from the Thanasi household of late, that were delivered across the waters. His informants at the docks had mentioned they had been addressed to the Leventi household... Magnus could only surmise who were they for, as he watched the entrance of the eldest Thanasi sibling with much curiosity.
Yet before he could allow himself to dwell further on the whys of Nethis of Thanasi appearing across the seas to attend court in Taengea, the strong voice of King Stephanos rang across the halls in response to the speaker who had addressed him so impudently. A strong response - one that had Magnus smiling as he flicked his gaze to observe the King in his actions... and then the spymaster internally cursed when he heard the silly promise he made. Fool. He already addressed how much of a silly plan one would make to crash the gorge with the Creed as it was, why would he go on to make such a promise?
However, that meant that the court immediately erupted into an uneasy feeling - one that Magnus could sense when chatter broke out, nervous chatter which imbued the whole hall with a feeling that made one itch in their own skin. He frowned, his jaw tightening, the back of his neck on end. If Magnus had been alone, he would've taken the chance to dive into the foray, get more information, strike while the iron was hot.
But he had more responsibilities now. One that was now on his arm, and would join him on his ship ride home.
Leaning down, he tugged at Iolanthe's arm, dipping his head to whisper in her ear, "It looks like Taengean court isn't exactly the best place to be for the marriage mart now. Perhaps... I could entice you in a night ride across Taengean beaches? We can attend dinners and soiree's tomorrow night - I'm sure more men is to be had there. But tonight... I know where I could procure the finest horseflesh for a nice ride." he grinned at his lady companion as he made his offer, certain she would be hard pressed to say no. While this was court... Magnus was not entirely certain he wanted to expose Iolanthe to the toxicity that was Taengean court in their time of turmoil.
Imma let out a wordless protest at the yank from her cousin but did not try to pull away or run away. She wished that she could. She wished that she could overpower her cousin and sister and rush to the horse barn and take off into the evening. What would she do then though? Return home where she would face the ire of her parents? Get punished for being so foolhardy? Though her might protested everything about staying and told her they would be fine if they just ride away, her essence told her it was the right thing to do. So, she did run for the stables and mount the first horse she seen and ran.
Instead she was being drug around like a stubborn one. Perhaps the comparison was not so far off. Imma was forced to face Evie and she glared at her with her brows furrowed. She tried to hold onto anger so that her despair could be kept at bay. It wasn’t working, but maybe it at least looked like it was working.
“Evangelina” came the younger Leventi’s response. She tried to sound just as harsh, but the word started to catch in her throat before she could cut it off with the expertise that was just used on her. Her eyes told the true story of her pain and it was not anger. She felt slighted by her Queen sister, then by Theo and now Evie was going to take a round at her. If they wanted her to keep her chin up, maybe they should have stopped swinging at it. Imma was innocent, in her mind, of everything save for her last words used against Theo which she needed only a half second to reminisce about before realizing the err of her ways.
She was prepared for just about anything. To be called a fool. A hurtful one at that. The worst of the Leventi and worst sister in the Kingdom. What she had not been prepared for was the hug. It was a complete shock to which it took Imma seconds to realize what was happening and then hug her cousin back. Her attempts at a tough exterior shattered and the tears fell freely in a soundly cry as she tried to burry herself in Evie as best that she could. She shook her head, “n-n-no. Nana said” she started but her words were shaky and she stopped, trying to dry the new spring of tears that has escaped.
Imma tried to hold onto Evie’s hands as she pulled them away but let go when she spoke of disappointment. When she was done she bowed her head, ashamed. “I know” she spoke meekly, swallowing hard. The lump in her throat remained. Swallowing again didn’t help. “I didn’t… I mean… I did mean to, but I don’t know why. Why would I have said that? I don’t want to be a wretch. I don’t want to hurt Theo, or you or anyone. I’m just” Imma paused her entire body quivering as she tried to steel it. “I’m scared I’m going to lose everyone. I’m scared” she paused again and then shook her head. She was afraid that one day she would be married as well, and how could she ever tell anyone that? She was a woman. A Leventi woman, she had been reminded, and it was fully expected of her to get married. She had been disappointing enough. She didn’t need to confess that secret. She was just scared, that’s all she could say on the matter.
Again, she shook her head “she doesn’t need me. She has Olympia. She has you. She has Nana. She had people all around her that love and adore her. Even the very gods. I’m so happy for her, really, that she is so blessed and that she can be happy. I just wish… forget it. I’m being selfish. I’m not weak. Not a child. I will pretend that everything is okay” she managed to say and there was even some muster of courage in her voice when she said it before drying her tears on the fabric.
It took a few deep breaths but Imma managed to put on the face that was expected of her. Mostly, anyway. A small smile, but her eyes told a different story. Not that anyone would care. She would keep it all inside, locked away in a chamber without door nor key. Only accessible when she was alone, and nobody could she how truly weak and childish she was. Imma nodded her head, ready to fight he battle of a gladiatorial woman. She clung onto Evie arm as though she clung onto life. She would let the elder lead and she would follow. She would mingle as best that she could and then she would go home.
A clever manipulator is one who not just receives the information they want but one who receives the information with ease. Believing that she could find out what had caused Imma to act out, had brought her this victory.
'n-n-no. Nana said'
Everything else Imma said seemed to dull away in Evangelina’s mind along with the tears of the younger girl. What had that silly twit told her?
“Wait.” Evie issued the order with a soft firmness. “What exactly did Nana say?”
Her dark eyes bore down into the younger girl, wanting an exact answer as to what Nana was stirring. Her once bosom buddy cousin should be made to lick the spoon when she stirred this sort of horse shit up. Her jaw clenched, everyone was preoccupied with their lives and not paying enough attention to the younger set of Leventis.
Tipping Imma’s chin up to look at her she frowned at the girl. “Stop.” She cut the girl off, “You. Are. A. Leventi. The worthy shall inherit. Do you believe that? If not… who do you think inherits this world? It is not the people who sit back and wait for the world to fall into their laps. You know better than that… A canvas does not paint itself. Leventi's matter.” Crossing her arms in front of her, she continued.
“In this world, there are few things we can be certain of, your family is one of them. Do you hear me, Imma?” An exasperated breath escaped, “Imma, we are limbs of a tree the same tree if one limb is cut off then they die. If all the limbs are lost… the tree dies. Our family is the same way. We need one another. Just because your sisters have other sisters does not make you any lesser.” Her fists clenched, her nails digging into the palm of her hands.
“I think we need to find that sister of yours and clear the air…” Her body tensed and she pivoted and started stalking off, where was that blathering nuisance of a Leventi… “Let’s go, Imma. Your sister needs the record set straight.”
His nephew's gaze was frigid, and anyone who didn't know the newly crowned King well enoug would assume his firm stance came from the confidence of a well thought out plan, of careful calculations behind his every move. It was obvious in the way Stephanos tried to pull off his posture, the frivolous royal was doing his best as he spoke, and the silence that fell as the Condos lord was cowed was proof that if nothing else, Stephanos was getting better at faking it.
Because Irakles knew better then to think he was anywhere near fit to be King.
He knew of Lord Hedron's folly - Irakles himself thought it to be a suicide mission to lead his army to the gorge where the Creed resided, yet he had said naught. He was not one to give advise where e knew it would not be heeded - and the deceased lord was too anguished over te loss of his only son and heir to act logically. A tragic happening, but something that Irakles could not seem to empathize with, since he had brought it upon himself.
Instead, as the male spoke, Irakles's sweeping gaze caught Fotios' own, and the prince gave a small smirk at his friend, fairly certain the Leventi had the same line of thoughts as he did. They were close - it was no palace secret the two were great friends, and had many a discussion in either the Leventi manor or the Mikaelidas residence. Irakles holds the ex - Master Informer to high regard, and values the advice given to him.
Listening to the King's tirade, Irakles lay a gentle hand on Elise's arm as he felt her breathe quicken, leaning down to whisper reassurances to the Queen - until Stephanos promised that he will return with the head of the Creed. At that point, Irakles felt more then saw the Queen Mother pale, her grip tightening so hard on his arm he could feel her nails digging into his skin. The prince winced, before he slowly pried his fingers under hers, and squeezed her hands. "Do not worry-" he started, only to be interuptted as the Queen turned her gaze mounting with panic to him.
"Do not allow him to go, Irakles! He cannot!" she hissed. Irakles shook his head. "The word has been said - everyone in court has heard it. To bar him from going would be no better then to brand him a liar, Elise.It would not do at all."
She started to protest, only for Irakles to hold his finger up to stop her flow of words. "Do not worry, I will ensure the Creed will not take your only son left away from you." he reassured, internally smiling at himself. Fotios would be proud of is choice of words, really.
Straightening up from where he had to bend at his waist to have is whispered conversation with Elise, his eyes roamed, and was surprised to find Fotios missing now, as the shamedfaced lord ducked out and away from the whispers that the crowd in the ballroom started up again, hushed but full of meaning, whilst the questioning Condos lord now slinked away. The prince watched the area around them, before he finally summoned two of her handmaidens to take Elise to a corner to rest after her excitement.
Irakles himself strolled towards Stephanos, chalice of wine in hand which he held up to the other in a mock toast as he approached, a small, wry smile on his lips. "Promises must be kept, Stephanos. I hope you know that. No matter the consequences." A simple sentence, yet loaded with meaning, a meaning which was clear in his honeyed gaze. That Irakles doubted Stephanos would make it, and he would give his own life in return. But who was he to decide for the new king? What he could do, was help to ensure what he wanted to happen would - and Irakles was not below doing mental tricks to get it to work.
Gianna responded to Magnus’s greeting with a courteous inclination of her head. As he introduced Iolanthe, the princess offered the noblewoman her sweetest smile. She gingerly sipped her wine as Magnus continued to praise Olympia’s work in preparing for court, only pausing when he asked about the previous weeks, concern evident in his voice. She swallowed hard, taking a moment to compose her thoughts as she watched the man with an uncharacteristically assessing gaze—Xene would be so proud.
”It has been understandably difficult, but the Kingdom has shown remarkable resilience in the face of great adversity,” she answered, as careful in her choice of words as she was to keep her voice even. Her face softened as she continued. ”I must admit some personal challenge in adjusting to a somewhat emptier palace, but Stephanos has fully embraced a role he never imagined he would need to fulfill.”
As she finished praising her brother for stepping in and attempting to amend his public image, an equally fervent and accusatory voice captured the attention of the court. Gianna froze, eyes wide as she searched the room for the owner of the voice. Her eyes landed on a man from the Condos family, one she had only seen in passing. She gripped her chalice tighter, holding it to her breast as she awaited her brother’s response with bated breath. Gianna sent a silent prayer to the gods to grant Stephanos the patience and the sense to give a satisfactory answer without reverting to the fury she had witnessed the prior evening.
As Stephanos finished detailing Lord Hedron’s failed attack on the Creed and scathingly offered the Condos lord access to his plans, Gianna released the breath she was unaware she had been holding. Regaining her composure, the princess turned her attention to Magnus and Iolanthe. The room suddenly felt too small and the princess desperately wished to be near her family. With an apologetic smile, she looked between the pair as she made her escape, ”I pray you will excuse my discourtesy, but I must attend to my mother. It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
Gianna hurried to the corner of the room where Elise had been ushered. Taking her hand, the princess attempted to soothe the distressed Queen Mother. The woman was too agitated to form words as she gestured towards where Irakles and Stephanos stood. Gianna’s gaze followed her mother’s wild motions until she finally sputtered out, ”Go to him!” and waved her hands at her daughter. Startled into action by Elise’s gesticulations, Gianna wasted no time in crossing the gala hall and sidling up to her brother, resting a hand in the crook of his elbow.
”Uncle… Stephanos,” she greeted the men in turn, having approached at the tail end of what appeared to be a heated conversation—an admittedly common occurrence in the Mikaelidas residence in recent weeks.
Olympia smiled at her eldest sister, though the expression was somewhat more drawn and drained than she had planned. After the events of that morning, the pin that Desma had found and the warning issued, the coronation, planning everything here, she was tired and had been holding back tears in order to preserve what little dignity her husband had left her. She wanted to tell Selene everything, wanted her sister to comfort her and tell her that this was all nonsense, that Stephanos would not do such a thing to her, that she was fine and all would be well.
”As do I.” the queen sighed heavily, glancing around the room and giving her sister’s arm a gentle squeeze as several other Leventi women darted in and out of sight among the crowd. Wherever Imma and Evie had run off to, no doubt Theo would keep their heads on straight. As for Nana….as long as she looked lovely she would be content. ”I had hoped that we could avoid that sort of spectacle but, Stephanos insisted. He seemed to enjoy it.” The disgust in her tone was clear and she kept her voice lowered.
For a while she was managing quite well. With Selene by her side she could smile and speak with everyone who stopped her, happily making small talk with the people of the court and thanking them for their well wishes on the apparent health of herself and child, blessings and hopes that it would be a boy. She took their compliments and returned them, praising their own children and glad for once that she had a mind for whispers and facts about people. Without it she would have been lost and unable to make it through so many conversations, but for once she felt as if she was in her element, this was what she had been raised to do.
Stephanos’ voice ringing through the hall brought her to a grinding halt close by to Irakles and Elise, and she like her mother-in-law grew pale as the new king spoke. His tale was one of horror and gore, one she had tried to know as little of as possible when she reached out to the grieving widow. And now he was making a mistake. Publicly announcing in front of the entire court that he would destroy the Creed with plans that she had never heard anything about. No wonder then he had kept it from her, like his mistress, like so many things she hadn’t realized until now. Her grip on Selene’s arm was like a vice, and she wished she could be sent away like Elise had been, but her gaze was stuck on Stephanos now and she had to remind herself to keep breathing normally. He couldn’t go, if he went he would die and if he died….Olympia looked over to Irakles and felt herself begin to shake. Their enemies wouldn’t rest until Stephanos’ son was dead as well, and that would include her by default.
”I think...I need to go.” Her voice was thin, quiet as she tried not to cause too much of a scene, but as she tried to turn and step away the world spun around her and she crumpled to the floor in a faint.
Nefertari was hovering again, waited in the wings for her supposed chance to shine. A simple dancing girl would have been one thing, but she had the misfortune of being a slave at the same time. This was her chance to shine, to entrance the unexpecting audience with her talents.
But a dancing girl had no true place at a coronation of all things, and so she had almost been permanently regulated to the fine ranks of serving girls, hair tied up and her peplos carefully arranged to be just a particular shade of boring. She missed her skirts, the whirl of bright colors and the clink of her jewelry. But someone had twisted their ankle and ruined their troupe’s entire routine, and Nefertari happily took up their place.
She wore silver around her neck and what could only barely pass as clothing, but Nefertari was still resigned to the position of a serving girl.
But now she could do so with flair, balance a tray of wine upon her hip and swirl her way through the congregation in an meandering circle. Aimless and unanchored, her silent bare feet make the jingle of her anklets all the louder as she approached her betters with a smile. “Care for a refreshment to ease your thirst?” For the men she had a different kind of smile, for their wives an invitation, and for their sons she bore a promise.
Only in Taengea could that particular desire be slaked, guaranteed by the curl of her lip and the sway of her hips. The machinations and plots of nobles were not the concern of slaves like Nefertari, and so she had no issues with ignoring the sheer import of the speeches around her. She was owned by the palace, body and soul, and would be until either she was set free or died trying. It mattered not who held her chains, simply that they were held in the first place.
Her kind of entertainment was nowhere near as desired as the supposed rumor of someone touched by the god of the sun, and Nefertari only spared a moment to be jealous of a woman she had never met. The god touched wasn’t there to get herself a patron, so Nefertari would simply help herself.
A new husband is the only way you will be safe, My Aikaterine.
His words were haunting in the back of her mind as her best friend brushed through her hair for the one-hundredth stroke. She had counted aloud every pass through the long brown hair. Meanwhile, Aikaterine was lost in her own mind staring back at the practically unknown reflection in the mirror. She had never seen herself look so appealing in her life. A hand reached upwards at the wrist of the lady behind her in protest. "You don't need to make a fuss. I shouldn't be even going. I am no noble." She shook her head in a bit of defeat. She didn't have a fancy House name that carried her signature with a sense of style. Aikaterine was just rich, and even that was more in animals rather than drachmae holed up in a vault. They owned the majority of land around Meganea and had nearly thirty well-bred horses. With more on the way. The hand she had grabbed for brushed her away to gently squeezed her shoulder. You're going, Kat. Her friend had stopped there, but she could easily fill in the rest of that sentence. "He would have wanted you to..." trailed off in the confines of her mind. It was the truth. This was the first step to follow-up on any of the leads her late husband had started nearly a year ago. Or she would have to do it herself before the monster consumed her.
That excuse didn't work, so it was time for another. Her voice pleading through the words. "What if I spill wine on your beautiful dress." Thick, dark brows knit together in a worrisome glance down at the pastel chiton her best friend loaned her for the evening. Manicured fingers twisted at the fabric before petting it and straightening it. It was dazzling, magnificent. She couldn't even name all the words that she would use to talk about it. Most of all, it might turn heads and she much rather stayed anonymous. This was one of many reasons Aikaterine didn't own anything that would meet the expectations of possibly being seen by the king, the queen, and all the nobility in the land. Not at something as glamorous as to be called a gala. What was a gala anyhow? She hadn't been to anything of the sort, however, she was an eligible maiden and she needed to be seen if she had any chance to be married again. She had a large dowry, she had a the proof she could safely bare sons, and she was here.
With a shove and a wave out the door, Aikaterine was on her way to the Mikaelidas Palati for the very first time. The marble was something that she could appreciate for hours and in combination with the fountains and the gardens littered about as she made her way with the rest of the crowd arriving for the festivities, she could have spent days. If it weren't for the push to go with the crowd. Her steps were light and kept up with the pace of the others. She could blend in with the others thanks to the dress she was borrowing and her friend's prowess at hair care. Aikaterine herself had never learned how to braid her own hair. Sure, she could do a horses mane to perfection, but wasting time on herself was never a positive experience.
The main hall of the Palati was a spectacle of its own. Her green eyes were instantly gazing from ceilings to floor attempting to take in the plethora of details that came together to make this an absolutely unforgettable evening. It was completely overwhelming in combination with the people that encircled her. Each person in bright colors to signify the happiness of the coronation. This was supposed to now be a happy time. A new era for the people of Taengea. Aikaterine had no idea what Stephanos and Olympia had in mind for the kingdom. It could be great... or the change could be bad. She found her knowledge of the situation greatly lacking.
Her hands folded together as she almost wanted to pinch herself to see if she was dreaming. Somehow that was happening a lot lately. Everywhere she went in the grand capital was large and impressive. She didn't even know any of this existed. Why would her family want to keep her from so many pieces of life? Aikaterine had an idea. It was easy to control a person when they were clueless to what life could really be like. She only had dreams of love in regards to a man and woman because her best friend had it. And there were others in the town that did too. She saw them in passing with the glint in their eyes. She saw it tonight between some of the patrons. The way they tilted their hips toward each other and the yearning between them. This want only growing as they inhaled more and more wine with each passing hour. It was amusing being able to be a simple bystander.
Aikaterine couldn't even recall the closest experience to this from her memories. Her wedding wasn't at all what some might have been. It was just the business transaction. There was very little she did in the whole arrangement. It was more between Aktis and her father. Nothing as wonderful as this. But, she felt like her part was still the same as she stealthily moved towards a corner of the room to settle in and merely eavesdrop for the evening.
A goblet was taken into her hand. A momentary pause as she stared at the red liquid inside. Was it safe? Aikaterine, of course, it is safe. Cretheus isn't here to hurt you. Her own struggles tackled each other as she nodded a thank you to the servant who had been bringing the refreshments around. She couldn't say no. Not here. Not to insult the royal family, but wine wasn't one of those things that she took on that often, not the kind that they provided here. Instead, she was stuck statuesque staring and rotating it in the glass. It moved with the gravity in a circle and was a simple source of amusement and a way to ignore the others around her. Aikaterine, stop. She could hear her friends voice in her head. Make a good impression. Finally, she pressed the golden goblet to her lips and took a taste of the libations. It was the best she had ever tasted. They must have sourced in the most expensive drinks in the entire realm, known world, for this very occasion. No one would expect anything less.
One thirst-quenching sip and then another delighted her palate as she watched the rest of the party over the top rim of the glass. Her ears perked now and then as she listened to the gossip that circled again and again. The people were so kind to each other, even if they had heard the story once for someone else it was as though they thought a new person might provide another juicy morsel. Most of it was about the king, the queen, and the others that were of the royal interest. Aikaterine was mostly interested in what the people had to say about the horses of Leventi and internalize what she might have to do to make her horses better. That was the goal above all goals. They would have competitive horses to rival the large house of Taengea. She just needed a good rider and an excellent race to prove it all. And maybe a little help with the insights of this party.
Her attention was soon put upon her feet. How did anyone wear fancy shoes and tight ties around her waist? She could already feel them cutting into her ribs when her friend had criss-crossed them around, but she didn't know that after a while it would only get more uncomfortable. This was just another one of the endless reasons that Aikaterine did not dress up like this. It was impractical, especially with the work she was accustomed to with the horses. Her brow lifted as a woman walked by and gave her a look. Just a simple nod, though she really wanted to vent about how she was feeling. She wanted to talk about how far away she was from home and how far away this was from her normal. Instead, nothing came out. She stood rather dumbfounded and kept to herself. This was going to be harder than she thought to put herself out there.
Aikaterine couldn't obsess about the passing woman for long. No, there was the strangest wave through the crowd filled with gasps, moans, and questions. It created a hushed congregation of hisses as the people were all asking the same thing while trying to tell the other what they had seen. With every single person's head seemed to turn in the direction of the queen where she was maybe trying to leave? Aikaterine had an expression to match all the rest as she took a step forward and leaned up onto the balls of her feet. There was no use, she wasn't about to be able to see anything at all. There were far too many people between herself and the action. "What happened?" Her words pulled in quietly with her next breath. It wasn't even to anyone imparticular as they all were focused on the same thing. A thing that was a mystery to Aikaterine from one corner of the room. Maybe someone besides her would repeat the whispers that seemed to be making the same wave as the first round of gasps.
The lady from Meganea had never once been interested in any type of gossip. Especially not the kind that was cruel to another person, but this seemed more serious than anything. Something that would make this night even more memorable than it already had been. Aikaterine didn't think that was even possible, and then it happened. Emerald eyes glued in the direction of the Queen, but still unable to see a thing. She almost felt selfish at this moment thinking about her own comfort. She couldn't have possibly known that this was going to happen, but didn't she remember that the queen was pregnant? This was a lot to put on a woman who was tasked with growing a baby. Even Aikaterine was struggling to keep up with the excitement of the evening and she was perfectly healthy without a condition to speak of.
"My goodness, do you think we should all leave?" As quiet as a mouse, she squeaked out a few more words and a question. She had no idea what happened at these things. She didn't know that they might go all night. Aikaterine didn't know that even if the queen was hurt, gods forbid, the people might stick around just to gossip with each other all the reasons and consequences to the fall she had just taken. The lady just wasn't that curious as she gave a look around and no one was moving. Were they waiting for an announcement? She questioned in her ignorant head. Aikaterine was the furthest from being a leader. At this moment, there was no way that the meek unknown lady from the cliffs of Meganea was going to be able to be the first to rush away from the scene. Would that look suspicious? There were always those kinds of things surrounding the royals. She did not want that.
So she froze. Her hand pulling the glass to her mouth to take in the end of her wine. The moment was stressful. It might have only been a minute or even two that had passed, but it felt like an eternity while they all watched on. They were glued like anyone would be. Was she going to be okay?
The mousy girl sitting on the bench spun around, her low-lidded eyes widened in shock at the woman who's veins were filled with a small hint of blue blood.
"Oh, I am so sorry my lady!"
Nana shook her head, flicking her wrist in a dismissive motion to shoo the girl off her bench. "It happens, but don't allow it to happen again dearest."
Shooting up from the designated seat, the girl bowed to the fourth youngest of the second branch of the Leventi House, scurrying away with a numerous amount of bows. Once the girl was gone, the dark blonde sighed and lowered herself down on her bench in relief. Once seated, the slave near the entrance disappeared and came back with a luxurious pouch filled with enhancement tools for their owner's appearance. Retrieving the pouch, Nana loosened the threads that held the knit together and pulled out her prized kohl pencil which she used to line her lower eyelid. Rotating in her spot, she gazed into the misplaced mirror on the column and begun to line her lower lid with the point of the pencil. The mirror exposed many a moment in court, though it wasn't large enough to display everyone in the hall, only the people on both sides and behind Nana. A clever and calculating woman would use this mirror to her advantage, watching the courtly congregates whisper and scheme their way to top. As for Nana of Leventi, she wasn't the clever sort for she used it to dabble in her makeup tools and admire herself whilst ignoring all of those around her.
Adding the finishing touches of the liner, the lady of twenty-one years leaned a bit closer, moving her face side-to-side to check any straying marks or discoloration. She recoiled in frustration, finding the kohl marking underneath her lower lid. Taking a small linen cloth and a vial of raw milk from her pouch, she twisted the lid of the vial and poured the liquid into her cloth. Nana took her time, dabbing the cloth every thirty seconds over the marking and each eyelid with the absolute precision of a perfectionist. The wind from the outside of the court blasted against her clean skin, helping her relax and lose herself in the moment. After the removal was completed, she stared straight into the mirror expecting everyone to be leaving; Her self-care routines commonly lasted until the end of court, but this specific session was taking a bit too long for her liking. It did make sense, due to the crowning of the new King and Queen of the kingdom- speaking of the Queen, Nana remembered her one request to Olympia for jewels to be cemented on her bench. Soft brown eyes flickered towards the end of the room, settling upon King Stephanos, Prince Irakles, and her two sisters Selene and Olympia. Since they were still present, there would be no time to waste!
Discarding her pouch and kohl coated cloth towards her slave, she rose from the bench and proceeded to walk towards the side where Selene and Olympia were nearest. It was then when Pia crumpled to the floor, and Nana sped up her walking almost bumping into the nearest slave. Her heartbeat quickened as a few of the servants were approaching her, she had to do something, quick.
"Oh, Queen Olympia, we should definitely cut down on the jewels, hm? You know I also feel light-headed when I have oh so many!" She added with a light laugh thus bending down to her fallen sister, her gaze fixed on Selene as if asking to help her. "Let's take off the jewelry and put you in something simple, right 'Lene? May as well take a light nap afterwards, yes?" And thankfully Imma and Evangelina were nearing. "Imma, Evie, let's take our dear Queen to the dressing room, shall we?" The dark blonde snapped her fingers to gather four slaves attention, they were able to gather Olympia and keep her on her feet. Once they dispersed, Nana slipped her hand around her Queen sister's waist and placed her arm over her shoulders. With the reassurance that Selene would place the third youngest's right arm over her petite shoulders, she made her way out of the hall hoping the others would follow her out.
Imma realized what she had said far too late to take it back. She was acutely aware of the friction that has been brewing between her sister and her cousin. She should have been more tactful, she knew, but she couldn’t bare the frustration that had mounting inside of her, and the day was far too long. At any rate, it was too late, and the words had slipped inher anguish and rather than have the focus on her, she decided to add more friction between the cousins. Imma took a deep, shaky breath and shook her head averting her eyes. Truth blended with fiction in her mind and she lost track of what was really said and what her interpretation of those things has been.
The youngster steeled her nerves and started answering the question. “She was just saying… telling me about how now that Pia is no longer a Leventi that she isn’t really my sister anymore, besides in memory. She told me” Imma started, then in a voice that was meant to impersonate Nana (but that would most certainly be found of offensive by her sister) she added “now that she is a Mikaelidas, she has no time to feign concern over your childish issues. It is time you grew up, Imma, and realize the truth of it all. When you are married you will have a new family as well. Now, stop your whimpering!” Imma took a deep breath and let out a sigh. Most of what she had said was true, and Nana did have a; sometimes, cold presence when she spoke. Had the words been identical to what she dolled out to Evangelina? No, even Imma knew that. Had the spirit of the conversation been left intact? To her 16-year-old mind, yes.
Did Leventi’s matter as much as her family continued to claim? Imma wondered often if anything at all in this world mattered, save what the gods decreed. So many gods wanted so many different things that even that was confusing. She raised her chin, she would act as though she understood. Imma nodded her head, too afraid to let her words betray her. If they all wished for a strong Imma, they would get one. She could be as cold as anyone, if she really wanted to be. She could pretend that nothing at all mattered to her and that she was bothered by nothing. Why should she continue to be the baby? She wouldn’t, she vowed. Her skin would be as tough as anyone’s. Nothing would pierce her armor. Only… it would. She would just hide it.
Her mouth had opened to point out that limbs were pruned off of trees all the time and that the tree lived. It made some stronger. The pruned pieces died far away from the tree, but she closed it just as quickly and without a sound. Had Evie proven what Nana had said? Imma rather thought so, but in the vein of trying to be a strong girl she didn’t say anything. Only childish girls continue to argue when they don’t need to.
She wondered though, how long would it be until she was a pruned branch taken away?
No matter, Imma of Leventi vowed; internally, that she would become the best possible version of herself. She would take the words that were often flung at her head and rather than dodge them she would let them hit her square. Let it ding and mold her to the person everyone insisted that she become. Insisted that she was, for whatever reason. She would hold her head and chin high, as she was now, and appear indifferent.
“There is really” Imma started but Evie was off already leaving. Imma followed afterwards. Nana would have too many graces to belittle her too much, at least, before so many people. She might not even raise her voice in such company. Squaring her shoulders, she followed her cousin, resisted the urge to lower her chin and gaze to look at the ground. The upturn of the chin was exaggerated, for the benefit of others, and would hurt her neck before long but Imma was stubbornly refusing to lower it. She’d be known as Imma high chin before too long.
Until she heard the commotion and her gaze found her Queen sister on the ground. She paused in horror at that, her mouth agape. “Pia” she managed hardly a whisper before she started to rush forward. Nana already barking orders. In truth she was calmly trying to redirect the attention away from their sister and get her out of the situation. Imma felt she was barking though, perhaps because the pounding of her heartbeat in her ears made everything seem so much louder. What if she was dead? It was common for women to perish when they were with child. How far along, Imma didn’t know.
She had been so angry at her and now she might well be dead. Imma was too stunned to cry. Instead, she did as Nana said and assisted with getting Olympia out of there.
The rumblings around the room did not make him regret the way he had announced the decision. Their confusion certainly was something he did not understand. The Creed needed to be exterminated. The people wanted blood. He would give it to them. Their feelings of unease were unwarranted. Perhaps it had been a year or more since he’d led any sort of military crusade but that didn’t change the fact that he had experience. He was not untested in battle.
He turned away and lifted the cup to his lips, drinking deeply as he eyed his uncle striding toward him. There smile he returned to Irakles was tight while his eyes remained cold.
"Promises must be kept, Stephanos. I hope you know that. No matter the consequences." The old man reminded him smoothly.
His tight smile thinned and he raised his glass to match the toast that Irakles had instigated. “And they will be uncle. You can be sure of that.” This promise and the ones he’d made before.
Gianna reached them just then. He had ignored his mother’s constant flappings of both Irakles and Gianna, pushing both toward him. He would have turned his back on her but she looked so very concerned that he offered her a little wave instead. It was meant to be a sort of gesture of acknowledgement to her distress but Elise’s eyes ignited in anger and her lips pursed. He would get an ear full later.
“We’re fine,” he assured his sister without looking at her. His gaze locked onto Irakles and he took another drink. “Prince Irakles and I understand each other perfectly. We were just chatting about keeping promises. That’s important, Gianna. A promise you make is heard by the gods.”
He turned away, intending to speak to a lord not far away but a servant intercepted him first. The words were hurried and low. His eyes drifted to the side of the room where Pia had been. She was no longer visible but there was a small circle of bodies, being very quiet and looking to be in the process of great activity.
Without a word to anyone else, he followed the servant through the crowd, shoving the rest of his unfinished wine into the nearest slave’s hand before he disappeared out into the corridor with Pia and the rest of those with her.