At fifteen, Persephone had had several years of trials in her life. her mother passing away, the responsibilities of court falling on her shoulders. She was finding that her days were filling up, more and more, with administration tasks and the duties assigned to such roles as those that ran the kingdom. And she embraced them all. From her perspective she had begun by wanting to aid in unloading some of this work from her father's shoulders. That had been the child within her - seeking daddy's approval and helping her father to not look so tired each evening...
As time went on, however, her tasks became duties that she took on for other reasons and purposes... Mostly because she knew they needed to be done and, if they were not, the people of Athenia would suffer.
"You were not born to privilege for the sake of yourself..." She could remember her mother instructing her. "You were placed here by the Gods in order to help others..."
And so, she had.
Or... at least she had tried to. Some days it was harder than others.
And today had been one of those days. With piles of paperwork and several meetings with lower born nobleman who wanted to argue the difference of a land dispute of only a few feet in either direction - with such passion it turned out that Persephone simply felt the driving need to knock their heads together and call them each every word for "child" she possessed in her repertoire... it had been a trying day in the life of the princess.
Instead of allowing it to get her down, however, Persephone had chosen to take a turn about the palace gardens and enjoy the flowers and the smell of citrus as he came to life. It was the time of year where spring turned to summer, the air was warm and the fruit was ripe... To sit out amongst the scent and sunshine of the changing seasons had been a joy she had once partaken in. And yet she hadn't had the time in recent years.
Determined, however, to not allow the opportunity to pass her by again, Persephone had put away her things, changed her gown to one that was not ink splotted from her work, and left her chambers clad in a bright yellow chiton with a haltered next of silver and amber. Her hair was piled on top of her head as she had recently taken to wearing the tresses in a more mature fashion and she wore no jewellery besides earrings in the shape of feathers and her mother's ring on her right hand as per normal.
The Xanthos palace gardens might not have been as impressive as some of the other royal houses' offerings but they were impressive enough for their purpose and Persephone was already enjoying the fresh air and sunlight when she heard the slap-slapping of sandals belonging to someone with a walk of irritation. As she grew closer to the noise, she heard several feminine sighs along with the steps that indicated the possible reason for the presence of a young woman in the private royal gardens.
"Watch your fingering." Nestor said sharply and so suddenly that the young woman jumped, her concentration broken. She lowered her flute and looked at her teacher, who had no probllem with giving Daniil the hardest glare that he had in his repertoire. The young brunette took a breath. "Try again."
Daniil nodded and put the flute back in place at her lips. She took another breath and then began the song again. There were days that the youngest member of House Marikas loved her lessons and some days that she absolutely hated them. Today was one of those latter days, but she had to make it through the lessen in order to accompany her father Pavlos on one of his visits errands.
Of course her father had not told her his reason behind this trip, but then he did not have to do so. Going on a trip like this was considered to be a privilege for her father did not spend much time at home these days. He was always busy doing something or another to increase the wreath and power of the House.
In a year she would be presented to Court. Her eldest sisters had already been presented. All the daughters of the noble and royal houses took part in this tradition, just like they were well educated and could play at least one installment.
Daniil took a measure of pride in her lessons as it showed off her intelligence along with other skills even though today she wanted nothing more to be out of doors and in the gardens. She found herself wondering if there were gardens when she and her father was going.
"Obviously your mind is not where it should be Lady Daniil." Nestor shouted frustrated. "Go and get ready for your journey. It is obvious that I cannot reach you when you are so distracted." Daniil ducked her head to hide the embaressment that she felt, but she knew not to cross him.
"Thank you for the lesson Nestor, I will endeavor to do better at our next meeting." she said to him. He made a motion towards the door and Daniil took off. She ran all the way to her rooms in a most unladylike like manner.
Once she was in the family's wing, she moved into her rooms and with the aid of the servants she bathed, the water scented with lavender, just like she liked it. Then her hair was dried and done up in a nice chignon just at the base of her neck and secured with hairpins that matched her light leaf green gown, bought just for the occasion. She slid her feet into a pair of sandals and was ready to go.
Much of the day passed Daniil in a blur and she paid close attention to the things that she saw and heard, mainly to note anything that might be of use to the House and the fact that at least Elena would bug her until she revealed any juicy bits of gossip that she heard.
On one of the places that they called on Daniil found a large garden that had many scents emanating from it. To her it was better to investigat it instead of sitting and twittling her fingers while she waited for her father. And that was exactly what she did as soon as Pavlos disappeared.
Once Daniil was in the garen she let out sigh after happy sigh as she moved along the flowers smelling them...... She was not aware that she was no longer alone......
At only fifteen years of age, Persephone already moved with a grace and poise that defied her decade and a half of life. Her posture was naturally good, despite slouching as often as any other child did in their infancy and her shoulders seemed to instinctively follow suit. As if a divine string had been secured from the tip of her head and she was constantly being held upright without weight or detriment to combat the good posture. In short, she had held herself like a lady since the age of three and like a queen form the age of ten. At fifteen her lithe figure was almost ethereal and had started up the rumours that she was blessed her Aphrodite in her movements and her appearance.
As such, her step was light and her movements almost silent as Persephone moved her way through the gardens and approached around the corner of a high topiary, searching for the sound that betrayed the presence of another human being, but attempted to do so with caution. At each corner she paused to look around it before pulling herself back, straightened and then proceeding around the corner herself.
It was after this process, that Persephone caught sight of the intruder in question.
A young girl who, on paper mirrored to herself: young, brunette, petite in frame... was wandering between the raised flower beds and low hedges as if she had not a care in the world or consideration for exactly where she was. Which just happened to be the private Xanthos family gardens within the royal palace. Not exactly a place for dawdlers.
Standing calmly - now that she knew the trespasser was not a giant lummox of a man or dangerous brigand - with her hands folded before her pelvis and her feet carefully together, Persephone watched the girl for a moment, unaware that the light caught on her ring and silver earrings or that the elegant white and silver of her gown blended a little into the marble statue directly behind her. It could have been this visual illusion that caused her to remain unnoticed until she spoke.
"What precisely are you doing here, young lady?" Persephone asked, her words mature despite her age.
In contrast to the woman that she could not yet see, Daniil was still very rough around the edges. There were those around her that were insistent that she act and behave in one way and their are others that understood the conflict that sat inside of her, the need and want of her father's attentions and affections. She knew as well that her sisters each dealt with similar feelings, but their ways of doing so were different, though Daniil and Agathe had managed to turn home into a sort of a battleground and the pair wee as good as any general could be at their bran of warfare, but it drove the family mad.
She let out a sigh and gently brushed her fingers over the softness of the petals of the flowers. She marveled at how they could be so beautiful and yet there were plants that could kill with the swiftness of Lord Apollo's arrows. She had learned that much from helping keep the gardens back home, though it was not knowledge that she would likely use, it was knowledge and a sort of power came with having that knowledge.
She let out another long sigh and closed her eyes to collect her feelings.. She was not at home and as such she could not allow her emotions to run without control. She bit her lip, the pain a reminder that she had to keep her feelings in check.
She was still so caught up in her thoughts that she had no idea that she was not alone until that quiet was ripped to shreds. The sound of a voice demanding to know what she was doing there caused her to jump, viably startled by the words. Her face flushed as she turned to face the source of the demand. Hazel eyes met unfamiliar dark ones and then dropped, though before they did, Daniil noticed that she had dark hair. She is beautiful. Is she real or did I contour her up? she wondered as her eyes slid towards the ground. She took another breath and then said clearly. "I am sorry. I was lost in thought at the flowers smelled so amazing.. She blushed again, but did not move or lift her eyes from the grass.
Keep a civil tongue in your head Daniil and you should make it through this unscathed. she told herself silently as she continue to keep her eyes trained on the grass.
The girl in question appeared shocked and surprised when a voice interrupted her reverie. Clearly, she had not expected another human being to be within the garden, despite its purpose as the private family gardens of Xanthos. Which meant, by extension, that she couldn't be aware of the true location she found herself in.
Judging from the blank look the girl gave her upon turning around, her eyes not even registering Persephone's appearance or identity, Persephone wondered if the girl knew where she was at all - let alone which part of the palace she resided in. Which meant to she had to have come with someone.
Looking around to try and notice whether guards or a family member were nearby and the girl had simply wandered too far, Persephone only noticed one of the Xanthos guards standing to one side of the gardens. His hand had moved to the pommel of his weapon and he had taken a single step forward, clearly uncertain if the elegant young woman who appeared one of the Courts was a danger to the princess or not.
With a raised hand in his direction to stay his progress, Persephone turned to look back at the girl with a curious frown upon her face.
"To whom do you belong, girl?" For, while the female could not be much younger than Persephone herself, the princess of the kingdom was used to playing in a world of adults and had long since matured beyond her girlhood. This creature, alone and lost in the private sector of the royal palace, appeared to have no such confident or certainty.
"You realise that this area is off-limits to civilians." She told her, her gaze drifting over the young woman's elegant chiton. "You must, I assume come from a House." Persephone frowned still further as she ran through the people the young woman could be. For she was too old to be Lady Danae - the only Stravos Persephone hadn't met in many years, and Persephone knew the Antonis' girls all well enough... Which left Marikas. And of the three daughters, Persephone knew two of them to be blonde. And she had met Sofia several times at Court... The appropriate name falling into place, Persephone straightened, licked her lip and smiled kindly at the girl. "Lady Daniil, I presume?" She asked her, in order to confirm her reasoning and her suspicions.
Daniil gave herself a mental shake as she looked at the girl. It could have been the early hour of the day that she was roused out of bed or the fact that Daniil did not travel much, that lent itself to her confusion and failure to recognize the girl in font of her.
From her looks Daniil realized that the girl could have been family to her, likely a cousin. and she had many of them. She fought desperately to find her voice and that failed hardcore.
Out of the corner of her eye Daniil caught sight of the guard and froze for a few moments. Was he going to attack her? She shifted her gaze to look back at the girl and pulled herself up to her full height and squared her shoulders. She saw the girl lift her hand in a motion that looked much like she was telling the guard to stop.
Her question, the phasing of it, set on guard. It sounded much like she were addressing a slave. Well she was not a slave and it was insulting to think that she would treated on the same level as a slave. Her rage kept her from speaking.
Daniil watched the dark haired girl and listened to her words. I take it we are at an impasse for if you are who your bearing tells me you might be then you fail to recognize your cousin. the younger girl thought with some sense of amusement.
Daniil broke into a smile when she was correctly identified and then dropped into a deep curtsy. "You presume correctly Your Highness." she said softly before she got back up to her feet. "I do apologize for disturbing such beauty. The garden called to me with its many scents."
Silently she prayed to Athena that cooler heads would prevail and that things could be smoothed over with ease. Last think that you need is for Father to tear into your hide for disrespecting one of your royal cousins. Your grandfather would be mortified and your uncle well considering that he thinks the world revolves solely around him....
As soon as the young woman confirmed her identity and offered up her apologies for her presence, Persephone mentally relaxed. This was not some creative intruder or usurper who had come to inflict damage upon her and her family. This was a Lady of the Houses and, now that her name had been spoken and her position clearly identified, Persephone was able to see some of the resemblance in her gaze to that of her father - a man Persephone had been acquainted with several times in the past through political meeting between the Marikas and Xanthos Heads of House.
Calmer now, though no less formal in her bearing and stature, Persephone smiled softly, her head tilting to one side.
"Some of the fragrances are lovely, I cannot argue with you upon that point." She told the girl with an air of friendliness.
With the twist of her lips that indicated mischievous thought, Persephone stepped forward and held out an arm with her cousin could entwine her own.
"Come, and I shall show you the finest smelling bloom in the place." She instructed, indicating the rest of the garden with her other hand. "But you must keep such a moment a secret between us. It is not a common affair for me to welcome others - even family - around private Xanthos property. You should make others jealous and myself an accusee of favouritism, dear cousin."
Her eyes were bright with humour as she set off with Daniil around the little garden.
While she knew exactly where she was going and to which bed of flowers she was aiming for, Persephone walked at a calm and languid pace, her steps carefully measured and unfailingly elegant. Grace poured from her in spades and it had been within the last year that people had begun to take note, suggesting that such a trait was evidence of a divine blessing from Aphrodite.
"How have you come to be alone in our gardens, my Lady?" She asked the young girl as they walked and perused the garden of bright blooms and joyful colours, the midday sunshine flickering through the leaves of the trees over their heads. "Are you here with your father? Where is he attended to, at this time?"
Daniil did not get up from her curtsy until gave an indication that it was alright for her to do so. Persephone was a beautiful girl someone who secretly made the hazel-eyed brunette jealous. She was always impeccably dressed and her graceful movements reminded her of a cat. And no matter what, Persephone, was always calm and self assured. On a secret level, Daniil wanted to be just like her cousin.
Once Daniil was allowed she straightened up and traded smiles with her cousin. Both were slowly relaxing. Daniil watched Persephone til her head to the side and wondered what was going on in that pretty head. Daniil took a moment to inhale the heavenly scent of the flowers. It was heady and she loved it.
”Oh indeed! I sped a good deal of time outside in our own gardens because the scent is just so intoxicating and it makes being indoors near impossible.” Daniil said with a knowing nod and still smiling.
Daniil tried her hardest not to laugh at the mischievous smirk that suddenly appeared on Persephone’s face. She watched her cousin step forward and offer her arm. Daniil stepped up and slid her arm inside her cousin linking arms with her. The loo she gave her was as if they were conspirators in some kind of wickedly delightful plot.
Daniil listened and nodded. She had very few private and fun moments like this so she intended to enjoy it and have fun along the way. ”I promise that this shall be our secret.” she swore solemnly before smiling brightly. Oh I can imagine the reaction of my sisters or my uncle if they were to ever learn of this secret. Well now, I can say that I have a privilege that none of them may have had. Well how do you like that! The baby has something that you do not. Na na na. she thought, adding a silent raspberry at the very end of her thought.
She could see the gleam of humor in her cousin’s eyes and finally she could not hold it back and a soft laugh broke free. She set off with Persephone around the small garden. They walked with arms linked and Persephone led her cousin to a spot that only she was privy to. Daniil noted that watching her cousin move, was like watching a wae break gracefully on the shore. Daniil wanted to move like that, and made a silent oath that she would practice moving like Persephone just as much as she practiced her arms and horsemanship. Daniil could not help but join the many that questioned if her cousin had been blessed by Aphrodite herself. Se also found herself wondering What is it like to be touched by the Gods? What can one do with kind of blessing I wonder?
As they moved the young lady took in all the flowers, the amazing display of both scent and color and she found herself wanting a mate to this in the family’s own garden. If she played her cards right, Pavlos just might grant that request. She would have to just see that through to get what she wanted.
Hearing Persephone’s question brought Daniil back to the here and now. Daniil gave a shake of her head and focused on what she was asked. “My father wished for a companion while he traveled. He did not share what business sent him here. I am guessing that he could be visiting your father or some other noble. He rarely shares his whys and wherefores od what he does to any member of the house.” Daniil told Persephone honestly.
Persephone listened calmly and intently to her cousin as they wandered the gardens, headed for that particular flowerbed that Persephone knew well. Their pace was one of ease and friendly interaction.
When the girl mentioned her father and his intentions around the palace, of which she was ignorant, Persephone smiled and nodded, understanding that not all men were as open with their intentions as others. She had learnt to deal with such men over the last three years or so - since she had been managing the Court.
"There are ways around that, cousin." She told the girl. "If you wish to know a man's schedule there are plenty of options open to you. Then you might not feel so lost in his plans..." She looked across at the Lady Daniil and smiled, before turning back to face forwards as she spoke again. "His coachman, for example, will know all locations. His scribe or immediate manservant will know his belongings to be packed for the trip. From this you can identify the purpose of such a journey, if not the details."
They wandered past the greenery of a particularly over large cops that offers the fresh small of mint and citrus...
"Alternatively you can ask him directly..." She raised a single brow at her cousin. "Just not in a way he realises he's answering..." Her smile turned all-knowing as she put on a faker, higher pitch to her voice. "Father, are you certain my gown is appropriate for being in the presence of royalty." Persephone simpered. "If you're not on your way to visiting royalty, then he'll tell you to be quiet or that your concerns are unwarranted. Then you know you're seeing someone noble." Her voice changed again. "Are we riding today father? Or going somewhere muddy? I couldn't bear it if my new chiton was messy by the end of the day. Whomever we are visiting will disrespect the name of Marikas if I cannot dress appropriately." Persephone rolled her eyes at how la-dee-da the voiced concerns were. "If he tells you your outfit is fine then you're not visiting one of the outer province nobles with fields and horses. It will be one closer to the city in a town or settlement."
As they turned another corner, Persephone summed up the lesson simply.
"Never ask a man directly what you wish... you simply ask him questions he will have either no interest or no issue answering and then piece together the information you seek yourself."
With a pause they had reached the bed Persephone loved most. With roses and gardenia's merged together the enter bed smelt heady but not imposing. It was a beautiful scent that you had to lean close to smell, but once you did it was all that seemed to occupy the inside of your head.
"While not my favourite flowers, these ones are my favourite to sit and smell." She told her cousin, unlinking her arm from Daniil's so that the girl could enjoy the flowers at her own leisure.
Daniil moved with her cousin through the garden in a relaxed and friendly manner. Both girls were seemingly as relaxed as their movements. Danil enjoyed having someone to share with along with her sisters. She was also intoxicated with the the scent of all the flowers around her.
Hearing her cousin’s words, she lifted a brow in a silent question, cuious. Daniil returned her smile. ”Oh?” she asked. Men were a mystery to her, especially thous outside of her own family. She never gave it a thought that she would ever have a reason to know a man’s schedule let a lone his plans, especially when it came down to her. She knew that some day her father would arrange for her marriage after he did the same for her sisters, Agathe and Elena, as was proper.
She gave Persephone her full attention, curiosity alight in her hazel gaze and listened. ”Oh! It never dawned on me to think that they might know intimate details.” she said as she nodded. To be honest any chance that she had to get out of the house was a joy to her. So next time talk to the servants. I wonder what else our servants are privy too. I will have to put this into practice. she told herself.
They continued to move through the greenery and Daniil paused for a brief moment to inhale the scent of the mint and let out a happy sigh. She was quick to resume her steps and keep her attention on her cousin’s impromptu lesson. When she mentioned asking Pavlos’s opinion of her clothing, Daniil could not help but blush, but she nodded. I will have to try that. she thought to herself as the scent of citrus wafted past her and her smile grew.
As they moved around te corner Daniil listened to her cousin sum up the lesson and the brunette found herself nodding and she committed it to her memory. She would have to try it with the menfolk. Aloud she said ”I will have to try your suggestions. I am still learning things when it comes down to things like this, so any help I can get is welcome. Thank you.”
When Persephone paused, Daniil followed and then she took a look around to take it all in. The flowers here were heady in scent and Daniil had to let out a laugh at seeing the roses and gardenia's. She inhaled deeply of the scent and let out a long sigh. She felt her cousin let go of her arm and then said ”Oh this is heavenly! I can see why you would just want to sit here and just smell.” Daniil said with a wide grin and nod. ”I’d not want to come out of here once I was in here.”
Persephone was calm as they meandered through the gardens, enjoying her limited time away from the politics she was constantly being exposed to in order to learn the ways of court. She knew such lessons and practical witness and speculation were entirely necessary - and important - to her being true and proper princess to the kingdom, so she never bemoaned the time or effort they exerted from her. But she did choose carefully to enjoy the meagre time she was allowed outside of such training.
Wandering the gardens with a cousin she had had little chances to get to know seemed innocent and pleasurable enough as a choice of activity for that limited time.
When the young girl commented that she knew little of these tricks of the trade in how to speak to a man - be they a peer or her father in question - Persephone was surprised. For Agathe of Marikas certainly knew these tricks in her superior mastery of the Athenian Court, so why had she not passed them down to her youngest sister. Perhaps the two were not so close?
Not that she passed everything down to Emilia, it had to be said. Mostly because much of what Persephone was being taught would go in one ear and out the other with the young princess. A phenomenon that had nothing to do with her inability to hold, retain and interpret information and everything to do with lack of interest or motivation. If it wasn't within the sphere of Emilia's orbiting interests, then it just didn't stick.
Persephone's mind was far more logical and attempted to harbour any and all information, regardless of personal preference. The downside to this, of course, was that the eldest princess had not half the self-understanding and reflection of her sister who was several years her junior.
Such was the diversity of life.
When her cousin commented on using the techniques Persephone had offered her, she simply smiled kindly and nodded her head in polite encouragement, not wanting to boast upon her suggestion or appear coy at offering credit to her tutors and ladies in waiting - women who had worked hard to instil in Persephone these quirks and tricks of courtly life. And of a female courtier's life in particular.
Her smile became less polite and more in genuine friendship when Daniil expressed her own thoughts back at her with regards to the particular flowerbed before which they had stopped.
"No indeed." Persephone commented, admitting that she would too end up losing hours before the flowers if such a thing were possible. "Luckily, or perhaps misfortunately, I have a series of ladies maids and servants who are able to keep me to my daily schedule if it is drawn astray by these blooms. Their scent and call can only distract me for a time before my duties call me elsewhere."
She smiled at her cousin.
"Perhaps you'll escort me back to the Xanthos rooms now, so that I might return to those duties. I'll be able to then ensure that you're returned to the company of your father?" Persephone linked her arm through her cousin's once more. "Come... let us head in that direction. And, in the meantime, you can entertain us with any further questions you might have for me that I can comedically struggle to answer." She stated a sparkling light in her eye.
Daniil moved through the garden with her cousin, much more calm then she had been in the beginning. She found herself noting plants and flowers that could be used to expand their own gardens, the care of which, was one of her favorite things to do. It was also a nice cover for the days that she took training with Balius in the seclusion that the garden provided her. Any lessons like those that her esteemed cousin were exposed to would have to be learned by her on the sly and by observation, when she was afforded the chance to see such in action. Like her cousin, Daniil was not given to complaining about her duties, at least within the hearing of those that could carry it back to her father. That was not to say that she did not have someone that she did not trust that she could confide in, in fact she had many that she could share with. She was sure that her cousin did not have that luxury, lest betrayal came from someone so close. ff Daniil knew that her chances of seeing these gardens again would be limited and totally dependent on the whims of her father, so she took it in and enjoyed it for all it was worth.
Daniil would have welcomed the chance to learn from her elder sister, if only to assure that she brought no dishonor on the House in public. Though with her liking of swordplay an horses, it was possible that Agathe thought that Daniil would not be interested in such things, so she did not think it worth it to waste her time.
Daniil saw her cousin nod at her mention of the techniques and herself putting them into play. She would also have to pester Agathe for more tricks and tips, and Daniil would not back down until she got her way, even if it threw the house into chaos. If she made a stink about about learning things tied to court, her mother and likely, her father, would insist that Agathe give in and teach her solely to restore the peace.b
Daniil nodded and laughed softly at the idea of having a bevy of ladies solely to keep her from getting lost in the scent and beauty of the blooms. She gave her a friendly smile. "I might have to suggest that to my father or train an existing house servant to do just that."
Daniil returned the smile and added "I should send cuttings from our gardens to be added here, of some plants that I do not see among the beauties here." she waved a hand to indicate the garden.
With a curtsy to her cousin she grinned and said "I would be honored to do so cousin. You must come visit us some day when you are able." she said as she linked their arms and she nodded. Daniil let out a giggle as they moved back towards the Xanthos rooms. As they moved Daniil asked, out of sheer curiosity, "Do you have your eye on anyone special yet?"
Persephone smiled at the young girl and her obvious enthusiasm. While the voice of her governess since she was young murmured in her head about how Daniil was behaving too informally - too exuberant - for a girl of the noble classes, Persephone had to remind herself (as she often did) that in her role as eldest daughter of the king, she was expected to behave as a lady far younger than some of the other Houses and that Daniil's behaviour was not strange for one of her position - just different from the cool maturity (or repression - depending on who you asked) of Persephone's gentility.
As they wandered through the gardens back towards the Xanthos rooms, Persephone listened and commented in appropriate places as Daniil chatted happily and then nodded and commented that cuttings from the Marikas gardens would be very generous of her and much appreciated she was sure...
When she offered Daniil to ask a question, she might have difficulty answering - a poor attempt at humour, perhaps - Persephone quickly realised that Daniil had chosen to do just that. Asking her about romance no less. Persephone had meant that the girl ask her any further queries regarding appropriate courtly etiquette. But, given she was a teenage girl in far more ways than the princess, Persephone couldn't blame her when the conversation diverted to chatter regarding potential future mates. Marriage and men was a topic on the tip of many a noble lady's tongue for it was a subject they grew up believing would be one of the most important in their lives.
Persephone smiled with good grace at the question as they wandered around several flowerbeds and bucked beneath a particularly boisterous looking tree with spiky leaves.
"I do not." She simply commented on Daniil's question. "And I am unlikely to do so." She paused for a moment to pick up one of the blooms that had fallen onto the path. The flower was small and bright pink - bold in its shade, no matter how feminine. "It should be foolish of me to set my sights and gaze on a particular favourite when it is likely that my marriage will be chosen for me. Such prior preference or romantic attachments should only end in heartbreak, I feel...?"
Gentle fingers reached out and brushed the soft petals of the flowers as they moved past them. Daniil liked the feeling of them against her fingertips. She often walked through her own garden doing the same thing, though she had a habit of doing it mostly when she was thinking and planning.
Sera took the time to show Daniil how to care for those flowers. What Daniil didn't know and would not come to realize untill much later, the lessons about the flowers, would also be metaphor for caring for the people that made up her world.
Daniil knew that in many ways she was lucky because as the youngest daughter she did not have many duties save for her lessons so once those were done, she had all the freedom in the world to wonder in the garden. On very hot days she requested that her lessons be held outside under her favorite tree, which gave a good deal of shade.
She would not brag about that though because it was not ladylike, so she just nodded and smiled at her cousin.
"I would like to marry for love some day, if I find a man I love." Daniil declared.
Persephone watched as the young girl tended to the flowers a little along their walk. The softness she displayed in her fingertips suggested a gentle nature in the youngest Marikas but Persephone was always aware of rumour and reputation that stated that Daniil was harsher rather than ladylike... rough and tumble... that she practised combat of all things. The contrast and dichotomy between what she had heard and what she now saw was interesting.
Having never been someone who didn't understand or acknowledge her place, role and position, Persephone had never had the struggle of deciding her own identity and her own way of looking at the world. It was as if she had inherited her personality as she much as she had her appearance. So, the struggle of coming to terms with one's own temperament, likes and dislikes, or personal ambition was something she had never been familiar with nor was she experienced in.
When the young Daniil suggested that she would one day like to marry for love, Persephone smiled a little. The smile was friendly but it held a hint of sadness.
"I think that to be a wonderfully sweet ambition cousin." She told the girl. "But given each of our standings within a royal House, I find it almost as unlikely that you'll be granted that permission as I shall." Not wanting to break the girl's heart too much on that notion she quantified her statement. "Then again... as the youngest of three, it is perhaps more likely that you should be allowed the follow your heart in legal, marital matters. I suspect it will depend greatly on how your sister's marry."
During their conversation, Persephone and her cousin had reached the main entrance to the Xanthos quarters. On either side of the door were stationed guards who were already at attention before Persephone's appearance. Their frames still seemed to stiffen slightly, however, at her approach.
Walking between them and into the main corridor of the Xanthos quarters, Persephone was unsurprised when one of our stewards approached.
"Your Highness..." He greeted by way of beginning conversation. "Lord Pavlos of Marikas has completed his business with your father and has been looking for the Lady Daniil." He commented, his eyes flickering towards the young girl beside the princess.
"Then by all means we should return her to him." Persephone commented with a smiling glance down towards Daniil. "Lead the way Ouros." She instructed, as the middle-aged man gladly turned on his heel and began leading them down the corridor, away from Persephone's private chambers and towards the main wing of the palace where she suspected Lord Pavlos had been instructed to wait in the foyer for the return of his wayward daughter.
Daniil brushed fingers over the petals of the myriad of plants and she took note of the variations of how they felt under her fingers, some soft and some rough. Reminds me of people. The Gods make some soft and some not so soft. And then there are people like me who are a mix of the two. she thought to herself as she walked besides her cousin. Her mix often caused sour feelings in her family, most of which, wanted and likely prayed to Lady Athena begging her to come to her senses while Daniil fought against it with nearly every bone in her body. She would continue fighting until someone either came to their senses or she agreed to compromise, whichever came first.
Daniil knew that in the end she would have to converse that the end result would be that she would have to marry someone that Pavlos chose for her and the chance that her suitor would frown on her arms lessons more then likely.
I want to marry for love. I am not some good cow to be sold off for its meat, to the highest bidder. I would likely bite my buyer in the rear. Daniil thought with wry amusement.
"True though no harm in dreaming right? Who knows maybe Lady Aphrodite will bless one of us with that possibility. Keep hope Cousin" Daniil said with a smile. Yes a lot would depend on how Elena and Agathe made matches, as far as her own future was concerned, but in the mean time she could hope and dream, and she would do just that!
Daniil waked with her cousin, her mind tumbling with hopes and dreams as she moved and barely paying attention to her surroundings now that there were no more flowers to run under her hands.
The words of the servant quickly snapped her back to reality and she found herself smiling at the man while she braced for some kind of lecture from her father, but she also knew him well enough to know that he would not do anything in public.
She was still smiling when father and daughter were reunited. Daniil turned and dropped a graceful curtsy to her cousin. "Thank you for taking the time to show me the gardens Your Highness. I will send the cuttings we discussed soon."
Then she moved to her father's side and the pair moved off to start their journey home.
