In the heat of the moment, it had felt incredibly clever. She'd went straight to Achilleas to ask for his help. He'd refused her, of course, and though she understand why he'd done it, it hadn't made the pill any less bitter to swallow. She'd felt incredibly foolish as well as embarrassed, but at least she'd tried, right? And she hadn't told him anything about her coming here. The fewer people who knew, the better it would be.
She hadn't even told her maid the true reason behind coming her. She'd simply told her she wanted to go into town in hopes of there being some kind of rumors that could help the situation ― one way or another. Borrowing the servant's clothes had only been part of that. Her maid had been against it, but Theodora had told her that being recognized as a noble would hardly fly well. It would offer her far more attention than walking around looking like a servant or a commoner would have. She'd even bought a veil of sorts to shield to help her shield her face in case anyone she didn't want to, would recognize her. It was a simple thing, an item of clothing she'd seen several commoners wear to protect their face from the scorching sun.
As she walked through the streets of Tangea, she was a little surprised that very few seemed to pay her any mind at all. It was a welcome feeling in a way. She had gone through most of her life being recognized as a courtier of the house of Leventi and now, she was no one.
She'd managed to contain her nervousness for most of the stroll throughout the city. It was only when she found this so-called "The Order House" that the jittery feeling of anxiousness started to really take hold. She'd heard the rumors of the Crown Prince of Colchis. She'd heard what people said of him, and though the young woman was entirely aware of how some rumors could be enhanced in any form and manner, they usually derived from some kind of truth, however small it might have been. Whether it had been intentional or not, Prince Vangelis hadn't done much (at least from what she knew) to fight off the rumors that swirled around him.
Some rumors were harder to belive than others, while others were downright terrifying.
Stepping through the doors, it took the brunette a moment to allow her eyes to adjust to the lighting within. Brown eyes searched the venue, and though she had only met the Crown Prince once or twice at her family's estate, he'd left quite the impression. He wouldn't be too hard to spot ― or so she hoped, anyway.
Rubbing her fingers against the palm of her hand, she could feel them started to grow damp and sweaty at the notion. She could feel her heartbeat quicken and a cold ball of anxiousness started to settle in the pit of her stomach. She knew why she'd come, and there was no chance in hell that she would ever allow herself to back down now. She'd come this far and more importantly, she had promised her sister she would do everything in her power to help ― whichever way she could and though she had yet to talk to her mother and father, she honestly believed this was the best way to do it. Even if it meant putting herself and her future at a great risk.
No. She wouldn't allow herself to fall into the dark pits of doubt and uncertainty. She had come this far for a reason and after today's earlier fiasco with Achilleas, she would stop at nothing to ensure that her sister's safety, and in turn both her unborn babe and her husband's. At whatever cost ― at whatever risk.
But then, as she had stepped inside, the young woman found herself at a loss. This was the only clue she'd really gotten. This was where Stephanos had said he'd though the Colchis Crown Prince would most likely be found. And she would find him. She would talk to him, and tell him everything he needed to know.
Taking a deep breath, Theodora attempted to let the doubt wash away. The best she attempted to was lightly quell it and let her undying loyalty towards her sister take control of her emotions.
Waiting for someone to announce her presence, and to greet her, the young woman found herself standing there, feeling at a loss. The nervousness that had settled was a hard thing to rid herself of, and rather than letting her gaze wander about the room, she focused on her hands. And then on her breathing.
Whilst there were no expected visitors to the Order House that evening and the hour was late, it wasn't in the Taengean way of life and morals to leave a lonesome woman (despite her entourage in the form of a singular maid) standing on the open doorstep in the darkness. Ergo, the Lady Theodora of Leventi - as she was soon discovered to be - was let into the open foyer of the Order House quickly by the manservant who monitored the doors from dusk ‘til dawn.
After she was properly welcomed and greeted as was befitting of a lady of her rank - the servant passed only a momentary glance at her clothing - the young man left quickly to find the Head Slave of the household, who ran the business of the building when the chief steward was asleep. It wasn't long before the two men in question returned and the Lady Theodora was greeted once more.
"My Lady... you are welcomed here at the Order House, but might I enquire as to the purpose of your visit?" He asked her respectfully.
As soon as the women revealed whom it was that she had come to see, the Head Slave offered her an exceptionally low bow, promised that the man in question would be fetched immediately and bade she wait until his return before entering the rest of the property. A man of his word, the Head Slave was quick to find the Crown Prince of Colchis working in one of the studies provided for his use during his stay in Taengea.
Vangelis had been working for several hours, meaning that he appeared a little wild for all intents and purposes. His jaw sporting an evening shadow of dark stubble and his hair unruly from him running fingers through the thick locks on more than one occasion, Vangelis had unfastened the top strings of his loose shirt several hours ago and kicked off his boots still earlier. The desk before him was littered with paperwork and tasks that were now - mercifully - almost entirely seen to, plus a tray of food and wine that he hadn't touched.
When the Head Slave knocked upon the door to the study and was bade to enter, Vangelis had been finally allowing the thought of a bedroom to enter his mind and been toying with the concept that he might try sleeping a full night for once. But it would appear that the Fates had other plans, despite his workload being completed for once, and Vangelis offered a half smile of wry amusement to nobody in particular as he flattened his palms to the desk and pushed himself to his towering height of six foot two.
Wriggling his toes into the tops of his leather boots, Vangelis pushed his feet back home, but gave no other care for his appearance. If a woman was so intent on visiting him so late in the evening, then she could deal with his attire as it was.
And when the Head Slave insisted that there was a Lady Leventi in the main foyer here to address him, Vangelis had the mistaken impression of exactly which Lady Leventi had come to pay him a visit. The Lady Selene, after all, had seen him more casually unattired than he currently stood.
Moving around his desk, past the crackly fire in the hearth and across an intricately woven rug of reds and dull golds, Vangelis waved a hand to instruct the Head Slave to head back in the direction he had come and followed the man back down the corridor towards the main doors of the old Order House. His sister and cousin had long since been abed so he had nothing to fear of he and Selene being interrupted. Which would be cause for concern given their last meeting and what he might discover of her intentions this time.
As they reached the foyer, Vangelis was surprised to find Selene gowned in something more attributable to that of a servant or maid. The gown and cloak she wore were of a rougher material than the silks he was used to seeing her in and Vangelis wondered if the woman was so ashamed to be seen with him now - for whatever crazy reason she chose to adopt - that she had to hide her identity when travelling between the Leventi estate and the Order House.
It was only when the woman in question turned and lowered her hood that Vangelis immediately realised his mistake. The woman who now turned to face him upon his approach was an exquisite creature of fine beauty but she was not her elder, blonder sister. This was Theodora. A woman he knew by sight and introduction but never had he spoken to her directly. The fact that she had come here to speak with him personally, that she had done so by gowning herself in clothing that would not attract attention. That she travelled with no guard and only a single maid for company...
It all had Vangelis' brow drop into a scowl of attention as he focused on the scent of emergency he was sensing. Something had happened that had drawn a woman he barely knew into his company alone at night. Whilst Vangelis personally cared not for social etiquette, he knew the Leventi’s surely did and for the Lady Theodora to betray it so was indicative of some great difficulty, he was sure.
Vangelis was the first to admit that he had been out of the loop with regards to the Taengean political scene since returning to the capitol. With Magnus now in town, he had directed the man to keep an eye on the situation and he had yet to report back that evening, so Vangelis had not an up to date report on the situation. All he knew so far was that the Senate meet Stephanos had mentioned concerns of had occurred and that Irakles had attempted a coup. Stephanos had kept to his chambers in the royal palati ever since - presumably to strategise a counter political stroke. He knew little else than that, until Magnus would return with a report on his investigations into the Courts. Royalty he might have been, but Vangelis could hardly force himself to be invited round to a royal House's dinner table and expect them to be loose tongued regarding the proceedings of the Senate. If there had been a coup, the nobility would do everything to ensure that such information never leaked. A challenged monarchy was a weak one. One open to attack. And with the Egyptian embassy due to arrive the next day, it would be foolish to allow such an impression to reach foreign ears.
The embassy was another reason for why Stephanos had shut himself away and avoided Vangelis' note seeking information on how the Senate event had concluded. Such a large ambassadorial event was a fantastic opportunity for a kingdom to show their strength and might before potential enemies, ensuring a remaining peace coexisted between them. Such a time was hardly a period where notes between friends would be high on priority lists for the young king.
"Lady Theodora." Vangelis greeted, bowing his head in a shallow mark of greeting that he always offered to Selene. Coming from a crown prince, such a gesture was one of great respect, for the lady. "What brings you here?" He questioned, not one to mince words or think to offer his guest full entrance to the building or refreshment before interrogating them as to their purpose. Vangelis was a man who got to the truth of a matter regardless of the minutiae of politeness. His scowl dropped lower, assuming the visit had something to do with his last visit with a Leventi. "Is this regarding your sister, Selene? Is she alright?" He demanded, his tone rough.
It seemed that even her clothing hadn't been enough to hide her identity within these walls. It was impressive, if nothing else, though she could only hope the same eye of detail hadn't been applied to the streets outside. The less people knew of her being here, the better it would be.
She would rather not be the target of Irakles', her uncle― or any other high ranking noble's ire.
When the Head Slave approached her, Theodora felt the slow exhale of breath pass her lips. "I am looking for the crown prince." She said. "I'd very much like to speak with him." She answered. It seemed appropriate to keep things as sweet and simple as possible. Give her a moment to clear her thoughts before she'd meet with the man she'd come here to see.
Soon thereafter, the young woman found herself mostly alone once more within the room. This time, though, her eyes did not fall upon her hands, but rather her gaze lifted to take the room in. The walls and the decorations lining them. The roof above her head, and then behind her, how many steps it would take before she reached the door.
Though she hadn't thought there would be any reason to flee, being nervous and terrified wasn't the only emotions that plagued her. The level of secrecy all of this had taken had also left her feeling slightly paranoid. Her maid reached out a hand and placed it upon Theodora's shoulder. She didn't ask, but she wasn't very pleased either.
Had it been anyone else, Theodora would not have trusted them. But her maid had been with her for many years now, and she treated her more like her own daughter than she did her Lady.
Moments passed before the crown prince arrived, and the sound of footsteps had the young woman turning. It was only then that she dared lower the veil had had done a good job at shielding her face as much as possible. For a moment, the brunette could only stare:
Vangelis was much taller than she had expected him to be. And a lot more imposing, too. He was handsome by his own right, though not quite as chiseled as she'd remembered. Rather, his features appeared softer, but not in a tender way. He was every bit as terrifying as the rumors claimed him to be. Perhaps she truly was growing paranoid.
It didn't help manners much that he looked at her the way he did. It made the young woman feel dread start to crawl all over her skin. And though she should have spoken up, no words seemed to come. In their absence, her mouth felt dry.
"Your highness." Theodora greeted in turn, a slight tremble to her voice as she returned the gesture. The fire that had lead here this far was nowhere to be found. She felt incredibly out of place. There was so many places she could think of where she'd rather be than right here. Still. She had come for three very important reasons. She would not turn away and run now. "No, no." She shook her head. "I'm not here about Selene." Her eyes flickered between the crown prince and his servant. "Though, I would like to request that we speak." Her eyes returned to the crown prince then. "Privately, if at all possible."
She wouldn't dare argue it if he requested the two not to be alone. She could easily understand the importance of a crown prince needing safety, and though she hardly imposed a threat to the man, even Theodora understood that some rules could simply not be bent.
The mistake of which Leventi daughter was standing before the - now closed - front doors of the Order House was almost laughable once her shawl had been removed from her face. Where Selene was blonde and pure of skin, Theodora possessed almost black dresses and speckles across her features where the sunlight had caught her. Both were extremely beautiful - as confirmed the rumour that circulated that both of the eldest daughters of Georgios and Evelli of Leventi were blessed by Aphrodite herself. Each were equally halting in their appearance.
When the young woman confirmed that her visit had nothing to do with Selene, Vangelis felt himself relax, but he also noticed that the nonchalant way that Theodora breezed the subject passed, probably meant that her eldest sister had not informed her of her befuddling anger towards Vangelis. Otherwise, why would she be here?
When answers were not forthcoming but, instead, replaced with a beseechment to speak with him in private, Vangelis placed a polite hand to his chest.
"Of course." He answered simply, with a calm bow of his head and the gesture of a hand to indicate that she follow him, Vangelis led the second eldest Leventi (whom he had yet to interact with in any great measure, thus spurring his curiosity as to her visit still further) towards the study he had just vacated.
Opening the door and stepping into the room, Vangelis then held the port open for the Lady Theodora, allowing her to decide if she would bring her maid in with her or if the talk she wished to have with him was literally for his own ears alone. Either way, Vangelis cared little for social precautions and knew that if Theodora was willing to risk her reputation by being alone with him it was nobody's business but her own. Especially if she intended for no-one to know of this meeting. And he was hardly at risk from a waif of a girl like Theodora.
Once she'd made her decision on who was to enter the room, Vangelis shut the door, encouraged her to take a seat by the open fire and moved to pour the lady a cup of wine from the jug that had been set on his desk and had so far been untouched. He held it out for her to take before standing by the hearth, leaning against its mantel and bracing his weight with arms folded. He watched her as she appeared to steal herself for the conversation at hand.
"What did you wish to discuss, Lady Theodora?" He asked in a tone that was blunt and to the point but not unfriendly.
Theodora wasn't certain whether she should have felt relieved or terrified at his acceptance. She had hid her tracks well enough, so that was hardly something to be afraid of. But the fact still stood: This man had quite the reputation and Theodora didn't know him at all. Interlacing her fingers to stop them from trembling, the young woman offered the man something of a polite, but thankful smile. Allowing herself only a moment to hesitate, Theodora took a deep breath. As the air slowly exhaled from her lungs, she forced her legs to move.
When the door was opened, Theodora immediately turned towards her maid. "Wait here." She told her, ignoring the look of disapproval that was shot back at her. No. She couldn't be a part of this. The less people that knew, the better it was, and though her maid was one of the people Theodora trusted the most, some things could simply not be left to fate.
With that, the brunette turned once more, facing the crown prince and the open door. She tried praying forth every ounce of bravado that she could possibly muster, but where there would usually be a steady flame, only a small ember.
Taking the offered seat, Theodora accepted the cup of wine with a smile: Liquid courage if nothing else. Perhaps it would also calm her incredibly raw nerves, too. Lifting the cup to her lips, she took a deep swig from the wine, letting the liquid sit in her mouth for a second before swallowing. For a moment, she focused on the warmth that spread down her throat and settled in the pit of her stomach.
And perhaps she had focused on that feeling a little too much, because when the crown prince spoke up, Theodora found herself nearly jumping in her seat. Lifting her head, she looked at him, lips parting to speak, though no words seemed to come.
Furrowing her brows then, the young woman turned towards the fire. There was so many ways she could go about this, though she wasn't certain which way would be better. Was it better to be direct and to the point? Did she have to feel him out before revealing anything? But if that was the case, would Stephanos not have warned her? "I'm here to deliver a message." She began quietly, closing her eyes as she went over the conversation between her, her sister and her husband. Opening her eyes then, Theodora pursed her lips as she turned to look at the crown prince once more.
How could she possible know she could trust him? "But... Now that I'm here, I wonder... How do I know I can trust you?" Would he give away her name? Would she find herself in the same situation her sister currently found herself in? Under house arrest, more afraid now than she'd likely ever been in her entire life? And how did she know she could trust this man to be of help? Could he really?
As the girl entered the room, it was clear she was nervous of him or his presence. Whichever was the case, however, Vangelis did little to relieve the tension. Not because he didn't care - the girl was the sister to Selene (whom he considered himself to be friends with) and Olympia (who was not only Queen of Taengea but also a woman whose life Vangelis had saved a little over three months ago). Not to mention the fact that he, his sister and his cousin all now stayed within this very building through the rented generosity of the Leventi family. He had absolutely zero intention of either frightening or upsetting the girl who sat in the chair before him.
But intention had little to do with the image Vangelis often projected to others and he had long since given up on trying to assure people he was not the monster the rumours spoke him to be. Partially because it was an annoying process that had to be restarted with every war campaign he went on, sparking new rumours as he went, and partially because his reputation was what helped him end so many battles without bloodshed in the past and would hopefully continue to do in the future.
His encouragement to sit and offering of wine was about a homey and helpful he was to someone he knew little of. She would have to take that the sole extension of courtesy and compassion he could muster, right now.
When Theodora revealed that she was there to deliver a message, Vangelis didn't move. This he could fairly well surmise for himself, given he knew her very little. It was more likely her words came from someone who knew him more personally - especially if they were of a sensitive enough nature to require her to hide her identity and limit her presence on her journey to the Order House.
She then moved on to admit her hesitancy in passing along the message, however, and Vangelis' brow dropped into a dark scowl.
"If the message is only yours to deliver, I think it matters little." He told her, in the same blunt but not unkind manner of address. His language was pointed and firm but never angry or chiding. "The person who gave you the message clearly trusts me enough." He nodded his head, tilting it back a little in encouragement, as he continued to stand, still as a statue, arms folded. "Tell me."
Theodora fell quiet then, considering his words. There was always the threat of her having walked straight into some kind of trap, but then, she sincerely doubted that Stephanos would have been able to conduct such a thing on such a short notice. Not that she thought her sister would have agreed to it.
Or so she hoped, anyway.
"You make a fair point." She said, lowering her gaze. A ghost of a smile touched upon her lips. No, she had no argument to offer against him. Though, whether that was because she was too nervous to think of one was still up in the air. "I don't know how much you've heard about the situation regarding the King and Queen being put under house arrest." Did he even know that much? Though, she supposed it was a hard detail to miss these days. It seemed as if it was the only thing people talked about anymore. Sighing, Theodora lifted the cup to her lips once more, taking a much smaller sip this time.
"Stephanos told me to tell you that he won't make it to trial." Again, she pictured the room she'd visited. The plates of untouched food and the fear her sister had looked at her with. The suspicion. "They're at the palati, locked up inside their chamber. They won't eat anything in fear of the food being poisoned."
And then there was the matter of the guards. She had done as she'd been told and noted the guards that she could see. She could only assume there would be more patrolling both the corridors and outside them as well. "There were four guards outside their room. Six if you count the two that brought me there." She looked at the crown prince directly. "There might be a couple patrolling the corridors, and there was at least two stationed outside. How many are patrolling the walls and elsewhere, I can't say for sure." As if feeling a weight of tension being released from her body, Theodora's shoulders slumped a little.
When Theodora offered to him that he made a fair point, there was a brief moment of Vangelis' naturally dry humour as he stated point blank in return - "I usually do." - before offering her one of the slight curls at the corner of his mouth that counted towards a half smile. It clearly did little to put the woman at ease, but Vangelis couldn't argue that he hadn't tried when she finally let loose the information she had obviously felt under pressure in containing.
When the words "house arrest" were spoken, Vangelis' brow dropped lower. At the comment regarding Stephanos being unlikely to survive to trial, his jaw tightened and a vein became more obvious in his temple. His expression grew darker the more the girl revealed and by the time she was detail guard placements and her witnessing of the palace's defences, Vangelis was turning away from the hearth and the conversation, taking several steps away as if to pace in thought, his back to the Leventi girl.
One of his hands unlocked from his folded arms, and rested against his chin as his mind switched to a militant and then political tact.
His instant reaction was to arrange the best escape route - both in and out. Travel was no issue, for he had his own ship that he could escort anyone he wished on back to Colchis. He would need a half day at most to have the ship ready for voyage which meant any escape attempt - always better at night - would have to be handled after sundown the next day at the earliest opportunity. Which meant performing the extraction of a disgraced king under the eyes of an Egyptian embassy.
Vangelis rubbed a hand over his face in frustration.
Not only that but Vangelis did not have the political knowledge of Taengea to know the best move here. As much as he liked Stephanos as a person; as much as he considered him a friend - was he supported by the majority of his nobility? By the results of the Senate meet, he would guess no. Which meant, regardless of true lineage, he was not the king to hold power in the land. To help him would be classed as treason against the new monarchy. And while he himself could not be charged with a crime within Taengea (or Athenia) and held diplomatic immunity for his immediate bloodline, he was a representative of Colchis. His actions would spur inter-kingdom designs.
Vangelis considered Stephanos; a man he considered his friend, and his Queen; a woman who was sister to someone he considered a friend. He thought of the Queen's unborn child; an innocent in all of this. He then thought of Colchis. Of his duty. Of how his father and his people had fought for years to ensure peace between the Greek kingdoms. How Egypt was literally within spitting distance now and could not be shown weakness in the Greek realm for fear of attack.
Vangelis felt his stomach churn and swallowed hard. There was only one logical option.
"I understand that you naturally care for your sister, Lady Theodora." Vangelis began as he turned to look back at her from where he stood beside his desk. He shook his head. "But what you're asking is bigger than you know." His chin rose and his eyes turned flinty and cold. The expression that coated his features whenever he was forced to step out onto the battlefield and kill in the name of the greater good. "I hope Stephanos is wrong of his predictions but if not, I cannot help him."
And that was the end of it. Having delivered her message, Theodora was fully prepared to take her leave. Unless he had any questions he needed to direct to her, of course, though from the way his expression darkened, and that he eventually turned away gave her the impression that her job here was done.
She'd done what she'd come here for. She'd delivered Stephanos' message and she'd assumed the crown prince would know what to do with it.
Silence stretched between them and Theodora had to squash the temptation to sneak out of the room and never return here again. All it would take was a few silent steps towards the door and somehow close it behind her without him noticing... Her maid was probably waiting somewhere close by. It wouldn't take much to find her, she hoped. And just like that, Theodora would be gone and off in the dark hours of the night.
And none would be any wiser.
It seemed though, that the crown prince had a whole different reaction to the message than the young brunette had thought he would have. For a moment, all she could do was stare blankly at him as he spoke. Processing the words over and over again in her head, the blank expression was then replaced by confusion.
Furrowing her brows as she pushed herself to her feet, she was at a loss for words. Why would Stephanos send her here if he wasn't certain the crown prince would help? While she understood his reasoning, his answer was still unacceptable.
All of the emotions she had battled throughout the day ever since she had met with her sister came rushing back. Every ounce of fear and misery this whole ordeal had caused. Every threat. Every lie. Every second spent sneaking around... No. This was her last chance. This was it.
She had nothing to lose. She could get no worse answer than what she'd gotten already.
"No." She said firmly. "I won't accept that." She pressed, eyes narrowing. "I did not come all this way, dressed as a servant, walking through mud and gods know what other kind of filth they throw about the streets." It had been gruesome, truly. "I did not come all this way, risking not only my own life, but also my sister and her unborn baby's life for you to say no."
"They're going to die, your highness. They won't get a chance to prove their innocence." She shook her head, trying to push the anger that threatened away. "Three innocent lives. Punished for a crime someone else committed." Sitting back down, Theodora crossed her arms and stared at him, her expression portraying as much defiance as it did unyielding, but childish stubbornness. She would sit here all night if she had to. She would scream at him from outside his bedroom window if she had to.
Vangelis stood where he was, neither his stance nor his features giving away any form of emotional reaction to Theodora's words. He knew what his decision to do nothing would entail. Specifically because he suspected Stephanos to be quite correct in his assumptions. If Prince Irakles was behind the death of Zenon and Zacharias and was now looking to rid the throne of Stephanos before his child was born, so as to claim it for himself, then it was the logical move to ensure that Stephanos and his immediate family never made it to the trial. Vangelis had known the prince and now king perhaps a short amount of time, but never had he seen anything in his company that would make him believe him capable of patricide and fraticide in order to take the crown he clearly felt uncomfortable wearing. And if Vangelis could see that with only a few months in his acquaintance, everyone else would surely do so. Whatever Irakles had done to sway the Senate would only be a short term fix and the trial would not stand to see Stephanos made guilty. Which means he couldn't survive that long if whomever was framing him - Irakles seemed the clearest choice - was to succeed in their power grab. But being able to be proven innocent at trial did not necessarily mean holding the true loyalty of one's people. And Stephanos fleeing his keep would only sway more to the side that supposed him guilty. Innocent people did not tend to run from judgement.
Whoever was set on destroying Stephanos and his family had played the game well. And Stephanos had lost. It was as simple as that. And whilst Vangelis did consider the man to be a friend - and good person in and of himself - his duties and responsibilities couldn't justify the risks of stepping in.
No matter how much he might want to.
"Yes, I am aware, my Lady." Vangelis answered her accusations in a calm tone, his face shut down and emotionless, his eyes flinty and cold. "But I am always aware of the hundreds and thousands of countrymen, to you and I, who died in the wars between the Grecian kingdoms until the Peace Union was formed." Vangelis felt the weight of the pendant he wore beneath his shirt suddenly seem very heavy against his skin. The Colchian bloodgem, the Taengean coin, the Athenian shark tooth. The necklace his father had given him to remind him that peace was more important than war. Vangelis shook his head. "You ask me to risk returning us to that, in order to save the lives of only a few." His gaze narrowed. "Regardless of the love you bear them, my Lady, no lives are worth risking a return to an un-unified time."
Swallowing and waving a hand towards the door, Vangelis offered her a nod of respect.
”Unless you have any other information that changes the situation for the better, I fear we are done here. I apologise for your wasted trip.”
Theodora had a temper she was quite aware of. It wasn't always as easy to reign in as she ― and those at the mercy of it would have hoped. Passionate, was another word people often used to describe her, and though the wording sounded better, it all just boiled down to the very same thing.
There was absolutely nothing Theodora wouldn't have done to help her sisters. She would have crossed the narrow oceans, she would rally an army ― and apparently, she would also arrange secret meetings with a Colchis crown prince. A meeting that was nothing if not treason.
The Crown Prince made valid points. Valid points Theodora couldn't possible argue. At least, not objectively. The entire mission she was on was purely subjective and incredibly selfish when faced with the risks. She had nothing to convince him with. No sensible argument to use against him. He was right.
He had so much more to consider than the lives she was asking him to safe. He had an entire kingdom to consider in all of this, and it was wrong, and utterly selfish of her to except anything else off of him.
And yet, Theodora had nothing to lose, but absolutely everything to gain.
Swallowing, she could feel the desperation start to take hold. She could feel it battle against the anger that threatened to flare her temper as it had when she'd asked Achilleas for help. Anger wouldn't help her here. It would only get her thrown out on her ass. "There must be something ― anything I can do, or offer, that will change your mind."
The words came forced and a little uncertain. She was treading a dangerous path and could just as easily find herself regretting trying to make a deal with the crown prince. Could the price really be worse than having to live with the death of her sister and her unborn baby? Living with the thought that she hadn't done everything she could? No. No, she'd promised she'd do everything she could.
Lifting her gaze, the young woman remained seat. Looking at the Crown Prince directly, Theodora pursed her lips. "Please."
Vangelis watched the Lady Theodora calmly, his emotionless mask in place. It was the only way he was able to make decisions like this. Whether they were on a battlefield where a tide had to be turned to win the war - perhaps allowing small groups of men to be sacrificed in order to achieve a retreat or victory. You shut down, you assessed logically and you saved more lives than if you viewed the scenario through a personalised lens. It was a lesson he had learnt so young that it had solidified into habit and then crystallised into a part of his personality. It was impossible for him to bring in his own feelings on a matter - sometimes even when he wanted to.
Such as now. Where Vangelis knew what his true feelings would be in this situation. He knew that what he would want to do, if he was a man independent of responsibilities, was to run in and rescue those he called friends. And were it only his own life that would be placed at risk (even if that life was the crown prince of his homeland) he would gladly offer it. As he had done at the circus three months ago or during the attack on the Creed two weeks prior. But this was not solely a matter of his life, it was that of his people too.
He watched as Theodora progressed from anger to begging. She pleaded that there must be something she could do or offer to him to help her loved ones. Vangelis knew her desperation to be true, for a lesser man might take that begging and use it to his own ends. Vangelis was no such person but he could see the opportunity and read her desperation in the words that created it.
With a long and low exhale, Vangelis stepped around his desk, and walked towards Theodora, his boots resounding on the wooden floors as a dull and heavy thump of each step. He stood before where she sat, towering in his height and held out a hand for her to take. Once she did, he pulled the woman back to her feet.
"I wish I could provide for you what you need, Theodora." He told her, dropping her title in a moment of sympathy. "I hold your family in high esteem and would not wish such a fate on anyone, least of all a connection to the Leventis." He curled his fingers around her hand and held fast for a moment, his touch solid in his next promise. "I will do what I can to think of a way to keep your family alive until trial." He told her, his features remaining hard. "But you need to prepare yourself for the fact that there may not be a viable solution for me to find."
Using the hand he held in his own as a guide and touching her shoulder to encourage her in the direction of the door, Vangelis was clearly now wishing for her to leave, more to not prolong her own hopes than because he found her company unfavourable. He didn't want her to think that the longer she stayed the more chance she had of convincing him to change his mind. Such false enthusiasm was cruel on a topic as sensitive as this. When they stopped at the door, Vangelis turned to her for a final word before opening it for her departure.
"You are brave to come here, my Lady." He told her. "I advise you not to let that go to waste by seeking help elsewhere. If you have come to me, you have exhausted all other options. Do not advertise your appeals further and force your family to witness the death of two of its daughters." The words might have been harsh but they were well meant and Vangelis hoped that the young woman took them to heart as he pulled the study door opened, revealing her maid beyond.
It was only when the Crown Prince moved from the desk that Theodora found her body (and the stubbornness that had kept it feeling more relaxed) and her muscles tightening in response. While he did nothing to provoke such feelings, she couldn't help but to find the man terrifying in his own right.
He was incredibly hard to read, though likely intended it that way. She supposed it was a trait to be envied. She'd always had a hard time not conveying her own emotions and letting them spill across her expression. And here he was, the Crown Prince of Colchis ― doing the exact opposite.
Still, even as he towered over her and pulled her to her feet, her gaze remained upon his. While uncertainty flickered across her brown eyes, her gaze remained unyielding.
It was not his words that surprised her the most, but rather the firm grip around her hand. It was almost gentle in nature, yet set all the same. Not at all what she had expected. While it wasn't the answer Theodora had hoped for, it was far better than nothing. He could do a lot more than she ever could have, and though he held diplomatic immunity, he was at risk just as much as the rest of them.
A slow exhale of breath left her lips as she contemplated his words. He'd try ― try to keep Stephanos and Olympia alive until trial. And that was all they needed. The trial would prove their innocence in all of this and everything would be resolved. "No matter the outcome." She began, testing the words before she continued. "I'll be forever grateful that you tried to help. That's all I can ask." It was true, too. That was exactly what she'd come here for, and though she would have much preferred a more solid answer, something of a more promising nature, even Theodora realized this was the best she'd get.
This time, Theodora did not fight him when he tried to make her leave. She'd pressed her luck, and it likely wouldn't end well if she pressed it any further. Even though she desperately wanted to. He made it rather clear, too. This was it.
A small smile, almost defeated, crossed her lips and she looked up at him. It was harder to hear the words she'd been thinking herself out loud than she'd imagined them to be. Though, she wasn't offered the chance to say anything else before he'd opened the door. "Thank you, your highness." She said simply and stepped back out into the corridor.