Entertaining the upper echelons of society was one of the many tasks that the Lady Leventi was expected to carry out, and it was perhaps one of her favourites. In the early years of her marriage to Fotios the prospect had utterly terrified her, she'd feared committing social faux pas that would damn her reputation before she'd even had the opportunity to establish one, ultimately rendering her a useless companion for such a ambitious man.
It wasn't enough just being beautiful, beauty could only hold people's attentions for so long and entice powerful jealousies that could ruin her just as quickly as any faux pas. Whilst Eirini was also intelligent and skilled in keeping the attentions of men, she had needed to learn how be seductive without being crude – she had needed an education in refinement to imbed herself within the very core of Taengean society.
It had all been remarkably successful and over the years she had become the favourite hostess among society, to be invited to one of Lady Eirini's intimate soirées was truly an indication of a persons popularity at court. A mere invitation could raise a courtier upon a pedestal whilst the revoking of one could send that person tumbling into the pits of obscurity.
Ergo, everyone who mattered was currently feasting and making merry in one of the Leventi's private rooms.
It was lavishly decorated with silks of crimson and gold, an incense of jasmine heavy upon the air as the sweetest wines flowed freely from jugs, poured by exquisite specimens from all over the known world – It was an indulgence of all the senses.
At the centre of it all, the Lady Eirini lounged upon a kline, draped in the finest fabrics and most expensive jewels – almost as though she were the queen of the gods herself. Around her courtiers swarmed, desperate to garner even an ounce of attention from their esteemed hostess. Naturally, she flirted and laughed with every one of them, basking in their adoration as though it fuelled her very existence.
Her melodic laughter ceased however, when one of her ladies came over and leant down to whisper within her ear, a smile curling at Eirini's lips for what was divulge. With a clap of her hands, Eirini gained the attention of the room, "Friends, I have procured a very special surprise for you all this evening..." With a nod towards her lady, the woman ushered the bard inside. "...welcome Hesiodos of Phossis."
It wasn't enough just being beautiful, beauty could only hold people's attentions for so long and entice powerful jealousies that could ruin her just as quickly as any faux pas. Whilst Eirini was also intelligent and skilled in keeping the attentions of men, she had needed to learn how be seductive without being crude – she had needed an education in refinement to imbed herself within the very core of Taengean society.
It had all been remarkably successful and over the years she had become the favourite hostess among society, to be invited to one of Lady Eirini's intimate soirées was truly an indication of a persons popularity at court. A mere invitation could raise a courtier upon a pedestal whilst the revoking of one could send that person tumbling into the pits of obscurity.
Ergo, everyone who mattered was currently feasting and making merry in one of the Leventi's private rooms.
It was lavishly decorated with silks of crimson and gold, an incense of jasmine heavy upon the air as the sweetest wines flowed freely from jugs, poured by exquisite specimens from all over the known world – It was an indulgence of all the senses.
At the centre of it all, the Lady Eirini lounged upon a kline, draped in the finest fabrics and most expensive jewels – almost as though she were the queen of the gods herself. Around her courtiers swarmed, desperate to garner even an ounce of attention from their esteemed hostess. Naturally, she flirted and laughed with every one of them, basking in their adoration as though it fuelled her very existence.
Her melodic laughter ceased however, when one of her ladies came over and leant down to whisper within her ear, a smile curling at Eirini's lips for what was divulge. With a clap of her hands, Eirini gained the attention of the room, "Friends, I have procured a very special surprise for you all this evening..." With a nod towards her lady, the woman ushered the bard inside. "...welcome Hesiodos of Phossis."