It had taken Theodora far too long to conjure up the courage to seek out her aunt: While Theodora had no intention of doing anything that would bring shame to her family ― and certainly nothing that would implicate her any further, it didn't change the way the young woman felt.
Everything had happened so fast, over such a short amount of time. Or perhaps, that was just how it felt to Theodora. One moment, she had been happily (or so she thought) in love with a man she wanted to marry, and in the very next second, she'd found herself betrothed to his brother. She had tried talking her way out of it. She had tried arguing her case. She'd tried pleading ― but to no avail.
At some point ― she wasn't entirely sure when ― she'd realized that there was no way out of this predicament. It was a little confusing, and it was a little heart wrenching, but part of her also understood the importance of keeping up appearances. She had a responsibility to her family, one that she would never dare go against. Upholding her end of the bargain was the right thing to do, and there was no part of her that could properly justify any other course of action than going through with this marriage.
But was she not allowed a moment of weakness? Was she not allowed a moment to feel sadness? Sadness for the love that would never truly be hers?
Perhaps she truly was spoiled ― perhaps she'd grown to accustomed to getting everything she could ever possibly want handed to her on a silver platter and the moment she came a across a bump in the road, she was throwing a tantrum? She wasn't sure. She did feel foolish for thinking the things she did ― for feeling the way she did. She should have been thrilled. She should have been ecstatic about marrying Achillieas.
With a sigh, the brunette lifted her hand as it curled into a fist. For a moment, it hovered there in the air: For a split second, Theodora hesitated. Don't be a fool, she told herself. Shaking the feeling off, her knuckles landed upon the wooden door in front of her. Taking a step back, the young woman squared her shoulders and took a deep, calming breath.
"Aunt?" She called out, but quickly added, "It's Theodora."
Eirini's dressing room was more than just what its name suggested. For the lady of the house and the matriarch of the Leventi family, it was akin to the Elysian Fields, a sanctuary of peace and tranquility and seeped with all the luxury and excess synonymous to the Leventi name – Fotios had never left her in want of anything, this private room of hers stood as a testament to that.
It was a spacious room, with silks adorning the walls and a mosaic floor that depicted her patron goddess, Hera and her sacred peacock... a scene that was echoed on various other decorative pieces throughout the room. Luxurious klines positioned around a shallow pool for when she welcomed guests into her sanctum and within said pool, flowers floated – it truly was a splendid place, equipped with everything needed to prepare the mistress of the house for a day amongst courtiers.
Eirini found herself spending most of her day there when her husband was otherwise occupied and when she had seen to her own duties for the day. That day in particular she had already spent a good few hours within her sanctuary by the time she found herself before the large polished bronze mirror at her vanity, which she stared into as she pulled an ivory comb through her raven tresses.
Theodora's arrival at the door was not entirely unexpected. Ever since Fotios had informed her of her little problem, she had expected the young woman to call upon her and seek her guidance. They had always been close, then again, she supposed she was with most of her nieces... perhaps even more so than her own daughters in a bizarre way. But with Theodora and Selene in particular, Eirini had always spotted the greatest potential.
With a nod towards one of her maids, the woman opened the door and granted her niece entrance. "Theodora, my dear...what a pleasant surprise." Setting down her comb, Eirini rose from her chair to greet the girl with a warm kiss to the cheek, taking hold of her arms as she pulled back. "You look flustered, is something the matter?" Eirini feigned ignorance to the reason behind arrival.
As it always had, just as it did now ― as the doors were opened, even Theodora couldn't stop herself from allowing her brown eyes to wander about the room: It was beautifully decorated, though had a certain kind of personal twist to it that one could only come from Eirini's own making. It was no secret that Eirini had great taste ― and not just in decorative items.
Her eyes swept from across the room until they landed upon her aunt as she rose from her seat: No one would ever argue the matriarch's beauty ― though whether because they couldn't or didn't dare was arguable. Perhaps it was simply both.
Not that it truly mattered, of course.
A smile settled upon the brunette's features as she bowed her head in greeting. "Aunt Eirini." She spoke, only lifting her head when her aunt drew closer. At the question, Theodora's eyes immediately flicked towards maid before returning to the woman before her: This wasn't something she wanted to discuss in front of those who might find delight in whatever noble gossip they could dig their fingers onto.
"Would asking for some... Privacy be too rude of me?" She asked softly, keeping her tone low enough for only her aunt to hear: Another thing she did not want was those kind of rumors to fly around either.
While she understood the importance of roles and class, that didn't mean she wished any kind of ire to be thrown her way for seeming rude when she really wasn't intending to be.
"I'd rather speak to you, and only you." She continued in the same fashion as before, though with a little more meekness this time. Theodora was stubborn and her upbringing had ― while not as bad as it could have been ―left her with some pride, and admitting any residing faults with herself didn't come easy. Not even when it came to someone she considered herself as close with as she did with her aunt.
Theodora's request for privacy confirmed Eirini's suspicions about the topic of conversation; she knew her maids to be discreet (severe punishment was inflicted if they were anything but) and yet her niece desired complete solitude – a tell-tale sign of a guilty conscious. "Of course, dearest." Naturally, Eirini obeyed and with a quick flick of her wrist, her maids quickly parted from her dressing room with a soft click of the door behind them.
Once they were alone, Eirini lead the younger woman over to a kline and encouraged her to sit - comfort was always present at the Leventi household as Eirini found that it had a tendency to loosen people up. She turned then to pour them both a glass of wine, offering one to Theodora before claiming a seat next to her, a hand upon her shoulder offering a gentle squeeze of comfort.
"Now then, what has got you so troubled?" She queried, bringing her glass to her lips for a refreshing sip as she watched her niece. "It is not often I see you so flustered, is this about Achilleas?" Of course, Eirini was treading lightly around the subject. She already knew, Fotios had told her weeks ago now and yet she maintained the facade of ignorance expertly.
"Remember, you never have to be shy around me, Theodora, whatever you speak of shall be held in the strictest confidence." For the most part Eirini was speaking truthfully, she genuinely wanted to enrich her nieces life with sound advice and staunch confidentiality, she cared deeply for the girl, looked upon her like a daughter... but if Fotios would ask, she wouldn't lie.
A rather obvious relief seemed to make the young brunette's shoulder slump when her aunt so easily agreed to her request. She was thankful that her aunt hadn't put up more of a fuss about it and though she didn't doubt the loyalty of the older woman's servants, there were some matters Theodora simply wanted to be kept between only the two.
Theodora didn't argue when her aunt lead her over to the kline, and though she could not stop her hands from shaking or the sense of nervousness to course through her vein, she did as she was told and took a seat. Once she had, Theodora folded her hands in her lap, thumbs twiddling as she focused on her breathing.
It was far easier than focusing on her busy mind. All the thoughts that wanted to press their way to the forefront of her mind.
Her aunt brought the question so easily, so readily it almost startled the younger Leventi woman. For a moment, she remained quiet. It was hard finding the right words, and not because she didn't trust her aunt or found her to be a true and trusted confidante, because the moment she spoke the words aloud, it was as if she was committing some kind of crime ― and how would her aunt look at her after?
"Partly." She began, brows furrowing as she looked down at her hands. "And partly not." She sighed at that, indecision coloring her features as she started chewing on the bottom of her lip.
"It's not that." She quickly protested, gaze finally lifting to look at her aunt. But that hardly changed the fact that she felt way more comfortable discussing this with her aunt, than what she would have ever felt doing so with her mother. In a way, she couldn't help but to feel as if she was betraying her, but then, her mother held her and her sister's future in such a high regard, and Theodora couldn't rid herself of the fear that her mother would have judged her for her heart's desires.
"For the past two years." She began, lowering her gaze once more. "I have..." Her brows furrowed and she searched her mind for the right way to explain herself. She'd thought they would come much easier before she'd arrived, but now that she found herself here, it seemed they wouldn't come nearly as voluntarily as she would have preferred. "Well... I've been... Seeing someone." She shuffled uncomfortable in her seat. "Who isn't Achilleas, and when... The proposal was announced, or rather, when it was offered, I thought it had come from someone other than him." She'd hastily and very eagerly accepted it. "And when I realized my mistake, I tried fixing it." Theodora sighed at that: Thinking back, she should have been smarter. She should have been more patient. "But... By then, it was far too late."
"Aunt... I'm in love with someone other than my betrothed." And she had absolutely no idea what she was supposed to do about it.
Eirini prized herself on being a good 'actress', though it hadn't always been that way. At the end of the day her father's blood flowed through her veins, making her rash, brazen and often melodramatic – it had taken years for her to learn how suppress such instincts. When she had married Fotios, her first introduction had been a disaster, she had let her emotions rule her actions and she had feared that he may divorce her for it, sending her back to the gutter from which she came.
The woman who prided herself on being the 'queen' of the Taegean court was now a far cry from that young woman who had first come to the Leventi manor all those years ago.
Poised and unwavering, Eirini simply sipped from her libation as Theodora relayed to her the sordid love-triangle she had wound up in the middle of. Admittedly, it was a little more difficult than usual to keep the amusement from her features – and to think that her husband thought these girls were the pride of the Leventi family.
No, that wasn't entirely fair, Eirini could see the logic behind her husband's thoughts. Evelli's daughters were blessed by Aphrodite, a few even had a potentially formidable mind to lend to their credence; they encompassed all the traits that made daughters a powerful commodity. Unfortunately, Eirini's own daughters did not and such had been the source of her petty smugness when Theodora confessed to her sin. Perhaps they weren't so perfect after all.
That being said, Eirini did harbour a genuine love for her nieces, her only grudge towards them came in the form of jealousy – why couldn't they have been born to her? Yet, that love coupled with her husband's words framed her next actions.
Drawing a long sip from her cup, Eirini held her gaze, her expression unreadable. "I see..." Her tone was flat, though far from disapproving. Turning from her slightly, Eirini set aside her cup and turned fully towards Theodora, taking her hand in her own and giving it a tight squeeze. "You must know that my duty towards your Uncle and his arranging of this marriage requires me to sway you from this path."
Her gaze held Theodora's and whilst this was well rehearsed, there was genuine sentiment behind her words. "But.." She began, "...as your aunt, I fear I cannot so easily talk you from such a path, especially if you love the man as you claim." A sigh brought her words to a momentary conclusion, as a hand came to place upon the younger woman's cheek. "You really love him?"
Had it not been for her love for Emilios, it would have been much easier to swallow. She had always known she'd one day marry someone, and that someone would likely be someone she did not love. That had never been an issue to her, but rather, a sworn duty she would happily accept to further her family and do everything in her power to make them proud.
But then Emilios had happened, and for the past two years, Theodora had found herself wrapped up in a love affair that was so much more than she had ever expected.
It was almost too much.
Theodora did not move away when her aunt spoke, nor when she took her hand in hers. Instead, Theodora watched her aunt carefully. Eirini was the perfect image of how a noble lady should act. She was poised and beautiful, every movemenet elegant and calculated. Had Theodora not been used to it, she might have found the doll-like movements a bit creepy. Instead, Theodore envied her aunt's ability to remained so perfectly calm, as if there was nothing in this world that could possibly break the perfect mask she wore.
Still, it didn't stop the young woman from swallowing: She had expected the words, to some degree. But that didn't make it any less bitter to swallow. "I know." She replied simply, pursing her lips.
Still, the single 'but' offered was enough to give her the comfort she had come her to find. Some light in the endless darkness. "I do." But did that really matter? She wasn't sure what she wanted her aunt to say, to tell her to stay away from Emilios - or whether to continue this affair. "But it still feels wrong, and yet, it feels right all the same."
Huffing a breath of frustration, Theodora averted her gaze. "I would never do anything that would put our family at risk, and yet, I fear my own emotions." And what they were capable of making her do.
There was a part of Eirini that wished she could advise her niece truthfully, to ignore the fact that her husbands ambitions lay between them and yet unfortunately, the raven-haired woman was as much committed to the outcome as Fotios was – it was the devotion between them that enforced her every action.
The same devotion that stoked Theodora's inner-turmoil and conflict; her loyalties were torn between Emilios (yes, she already knew who had captured her niece's heart) and her duty to her family, and it was Eirini's task to ensure that she remained committed to both.
If she was being honest with herself, it was a task easier said than done and if only for the damned principles Evelli and Georgios had instilled within their daughter. Apparently, with great beauty came great virtue and that was a paradox to Eirini in every sense, it also made her thankful that she hadn't been raised with such dutiful parents...gods know what miserable marriage she would have been trapped in.
Regardless, this wasn't about her, this was about Theodora and she quickly weighed her options, opting to appeal to the romantic aspect of the younger woman's constitution.
A small smile curled at her lips at Theo's confirmation of her love, it was natural, even Eirini could understand all powerful love. "I know you wouldn't my dear, I never doubted you for a moment.." She soothed, a hand running over the woman's dark hair in an offer of comfort. "..and I cannot imagine what you must be feeling, I was fortunate to marry the man I loved, but not without our own complications."
Her mouth twisted in a moment of contemplation, "But marriage does not have to doom such love...nor restrict it." Eirini's words were hushed, reserved solely for her niece and not prying ears that may have been lingering. "Not even the gods can deny such love, it didn't between your Uncle and I – in fact, marriage can often prove to be beneficial to such delicate matters...as a married woman you would have more freedom than you do now."
Perhaps going to her aunt rather than her mother wasn't the way Theo should have gone about it, but then, her mother had raised her. Her mother had different expectations of her than her aunt ever would have. While it made her feel guilty, it also made her feel a lot less vulnerable to declare her true nature to her aunt, rather than her mother.
A sigh fell from Theodora's lips as Eirini tried to comfort her with both words and her touch. It didn't help, of course, but the young brunette appreciated the gesture nonetheless. "Complications?" Theodora asked, brows furrowing.
It was then that Theodora finally, and properly, looked at her aunt. Her brows rose again in surprise at the alternative that she'd offered. Of course, Theodora had considered it. She would have been lying if she ever claimed something else, but she hadn't allowed the seed to grow roots and fester. Rather, she had told herself to prepare to toss Emilios aside forever.
For a moment, Theodora remained quiet as she contemplated the solution offered. It wasn't a foreign concept, of course. Many married women had men on the side. It wasn't an uncommon practice and yet... "While I would never judge someone for the choices they make..." She began, hesitating for a moment as she allowed herself a moment to consider her words. "Achilleas seems like a good man. He doesn't deserve to be lead astray like that."
And Emilios deserved better, too. Emilios deserved someone that could give him everything. She couldn't do that. She could only give him something ― and that hardly seemed fair. She wanted to give Emilios the earth and the sky. She wanted him to have these things. All these things she had wanted, and had been ready to offer ― but now couldn't. "I know I am indecisive and naive, but I also like to think that I am compassionate, and... Doing what you're implying... That seems to contradict this." She shook her head, her voice low as her eyes turned away.