What should have felt like a gross betrayal of her trust and of the bond between her and her father quickly turned into a feeling of... Iris did not know how to place it. What she felt at that moment. Part of her was furious for having never been told... but part of her was fascinated with the fact that she had a sister. Another person to share her name, to share her blood, and to form a bond with. Something she often felt she sorely lacked.
Not to mention, her half-sister was apparently a valued member of Persephone's posse. Iris had no intention of using the girl for that purpose, but she did have every intention of ensuring that Dianthe would remain safe and well cared for. Even after the sum of her inheritance had been given and used up.
Iris had debated it since the night before, having discussed the revelation briefly with Aimias before sleep had tugged her down and made conversation that much more difficult. Come the morning, she had been occupied with the flurry of preparing everything. Gaios, her steward, had sent word to the Palati that Iris of Argyris was requesting the presence of Dianthe of Aetaea. It was a simple, concise letter that said everything needed in as little words as possible. It also left nothing to be suspicious about.
For all anyone knew, Iris was simply making use of an old connection once met through the missing princess. If anyone were to investigate... they would only find a baroness wishing to connect with a sister that she had never truly known before.
The baroness had the sitting room supplied with various foods and treats, wine, and water. The chaise lounges dotting the room would make comfortable locations for conversation, and a cozy and secluded atmosphere for the two women to truly... speak.
Freely.
It was the first day in the last handful of days that Iris had not immediately thought of the loss of her father as soon as she had risen from bed. The quiet morning walk through her mother's garden had even left her refreshed, where she had once avoided the stonework path that her father had taken his last breaths.
Dressed in the soft blue and silver chiton that had once been her mother's, Iris found herself settled on the edge of one of the lounges, waiting with bated breath as the noon lunch hour came. If Dianthe had accepted the invitation to lunch, as odd and strange as it might be with so little context, then she would have been showing up within minutes. The few guards of the manor, or Gaios himself, would announce her arrival...
And then Iris would have to find the words to speak. She would need to figure out how to tell the young lady in waiting who she was to Iris, who she had been to her father... and what she had gained with Takis of Argyris' death.
Iris was beside herself with anxiety despite the years spent remaining stoic and unmoved in the face of all sorts of trouble and stressors. Forcing herself to her feet, she began to pace back and forth across the meeting chamber, her dress hissing along stone. She chewed rather ungracefully at her thumbnail, not entirely sure what she was to expect in the coming minutes or hours, even.
Dianthe of Aetaea
Not to mention, her half-sister was apparently a valued member of Persephone's posse. Iris had no intention of using the girl for that purpose, but she did have every intention of ensuring that Dianthe would remain safe and well cared for. Even after the sum of her inheritance had been given and used up.
Iris had debated it since the night before, having discussed the revelation briefly with Aimias before sleep had tugged her down and made conversation that much more difficult. Come the morning, she had been occupied with the flurry of preparing everything. Gaios, her steward, had sent word to the Palati that Iris of Argyris was requesting the presence of Dianthe of Aetaea. It was a simple, concise letter that said everything needed in as little words as possible. It also left nothing to be suspicious about.
For all anyone knew, Iris was simply making use of an old connection once met through the missing princess. If anyone were to investigate... they would only find a baroness wishing to connect with a sister that she had never truly known before.
The baroness had the sitting room supplied with various foods and treats, wine, and water. The chaise lounges dotting the room would make comfortable locations for conversation, and a cozy and secluded atmosphere for the two women to truly... speak.
Freely.
It was the first day in the last handful of days that Iris had not immediately thought of the loss of her father as soon as she had risen from bed. The quiet morning walk through her mother's garden had even left her refreshed, where she had once avoided the stonework path that her father had taken his last breaths.
Dressed in the soft blue and silver chiton that had once been her mother's, Iris found herself settled on the edge of one of the lounges, waiting with bated breath as the noon lunch hour came. If Dianthe had accepted the invitation to lunch, as odd and strange as it might be with so little context, then she would have been showing up within minutes. The few guards of the manor, or Gaios himself, would announce her arrival...
And then Iris would have to find the words to speak. She would need to figure out how to tell the young lady in waiting who she was to Iris, who she had been to her father... and what she had gained with Takis of Argyris' death.
Iris was beside herself with anxiety despite the years spent remaining stoic and unmoved in the face of all sorts of trouble and stressors. Forcing herself to her feet, she began to pace back and forth across the meeting chamber, her dress hissing along stone. She chewed rather ungracefully at her thumbnail, not entirely sure what she was to expect in the coming minutes or hours, even.
Dianthe of Aetaea