Circenia of Xanthos, sister to the king and princess of Athenia, had never been a girl prone to anxious nerves, but today was not just any day. Today could change the very course of her life, could determine the extent of her future. If there was any day where anxiety was acceptable, it was this one.
The youngest daughter of the royal line at twenty one years, Circenia had been a prize long sought after. As intelligent as she was beautiful, the princess never had a shortage of suitors, but today, she was set to meet one of the only ones who ever held any real interest for her. Keikelius of House Stravos, a wealthy merchant’s house that controlled much of the commerce of the kingdom.
Spoiled rotten and accustomed to a lavish, ostentatious lifestyle, Circenia would never settle for anything less, and with the money House Stravos possessed… she had to admit such a marriage had a certain appeal. Her brother Minas had told her of the proposal not even a week prior, expecting her to shoot it down just as she had all the others, but to his surprise, she’d actually seemed interested. She’d even agreed to meet this man Keikelius, much to the king’s delight, and a date was set without further ado.
Today was that day.
Attended by three of her retainers, Circenia strolled through the gardens of the palati, while her ladies in waiting kept a respectful distance. A warm and balmy day, the princess was clad in a scarlet peplos of the finest silk, the hem of the garment worked with delicate golden embroidery. She’d had it commissioned especially for this meeting, worked in the colors of House Stravos in honor of her potential mate. Her arms and shoulders were left bare, though gold and ruby bracelets and armbands caught and reflected the gathering sunlight. Matching chains decorated her neck while ruby drops hung from her ears, eye-catching in their glittering beauty. Ruby and garnet fibulae held her peplos in place, while a shimmering diamond tiara resting atop elaborately braided hair capped off the entire ensemble. Relying on her own natural beauty, her face was left mostly bare, save for a touch of carmine to redden her lips and a brush of kohl to emphasize the clear blue of her eyes. Circenia was determined to make an impression, and such a look was sure to do just that.
With it being such a beautiful day, Circenia had requested the meeting to be held outdoors where the natural light of Helios might accentuate what she had to offer. She’d spent hours that morning getting ready, driving her ladies mad as they adjusted and readjusted her outfit, styled and restyled her hair, and searched the palati high and low for just the perfect jewels, only to have the princess refuse almost all of them. Though it had taken hours of work, the final product was stunning, and Circenia was more than satisfied with the result. She just hoped Keikelius was, as well.
Approaching the agreed upon meeting place in front of one of the larger, more elaborate fountains of the palati gardens, Circenia took a deep breath and steeled herself. Folding trembling hands in front of her, she held her head high and strode forward, relieved to see that she had arrived first. Smoothing her peplos, she seated herself on one of the nearby benches and arranged the hanging fabric so that more than a little of her leg would show. First impressions were everything, and the princess was determined that she would make a strong one. Now, all that was left was to wait, keen gaze directed toward the path so that she might spot him before he saw her.
Gods, please don’t let him be ugly. If you love me at all, at least give me that.
The youngest daughter of the royal line at twenty one years, Circenia had been a prize long sought after. As intelligent as she was beautiful, the princess never had a shortage of suitors, but today, she was set to meet one of the only ones who ever held any real interest for her. Keikelius of House Stravos, a wealthy merchant’s house that controlled much of the commerce of the kingdom.
Spoiled rotten and accustomed to a lavish, ostentatious lifestyle, Circenia would never settle for anything less, and with the money House Stravos possessed… she had to admit such a marriage had a certain appeal. Her brother Minas had told her of the proposal not even a week prior, expecting her to shoot it down just as she had all the others, but to his surprise, she’d actually seemed interested. She’d even agreed to meet this man Keikelius, much to the king’s delight, and a date was set without further ado.
Today was that day.
Attended by three of her retainers, Circenia strolled through the gardens of the palati, while her ladies in waiting kept a respectful distance. A warm and balmy day, the princess was clad in a scarlet peplos of the finest silk, the hem of the garment worked with delicate golden embroidery. She’d had it commissioned especially for this meeting, worked in the colors of House Stravos in honor of her potential mate. Her arms and shoulders were left bare, though gold and ruby bracelets and armbands caught and reflected the gathering sunlight. Matching chains decorated her neck while ruby drops hung from her ears, eye-catching in their glittering beauty. Ruby and garnet fibulae held her peplos in place, while a shimmering diamond tiara resting atop elaborately braided hair capped off the entire ensemble. Relying on her own natural beauty, her face was left mostly bare, save for a touch of carmine to redden her lips and a brush of kohl to emphasize the clear blue of her eyes. Circenia was determined to make an impression, and such a look was sure to do just that.
With it being such a beautiful day, Circenia had requested the meeting to be held outdoors where the natural light of Helios might accentuate what she had to offer. She’d spent hours that morning getting ready, driving her ladies mad as they adjusted and readjusted her outfit, styled and restyled her hair, and searched the palati high and low for just the perfect jewels, only to have the princess refuse almost all of them. Though it had taken hours of work, the final product was stunning, and Circenia was more than satisfied with the result. She just hoped Keikelius was, as well.
Approaching the agreed upon meeting place in front of one of the larger, more elaborate fountains of the palati gardens, Circenia took a deep breath and steeled herself. Folding trembling hands in front of her, she held her head high and strode forward, relieved to see that she had arrived first. Smoothing her peplos, she seated herself on one of the nearby benches and arranged the hanging fabric so that more than a little of her leg would show. First impressions were everything, and the princess was determined that she would make a strong one. Now, all that was left was to wait, keen gaze directed toward the path so that she might spot him before he saw her.
Gods, please don’t let him be ugly. If you love me at all, at least give me that.