Alexandros was not usually someone who was often late to anything, today just happened to be one of those very few exceptions. He felt a tinge of guilt since it was such an urgent summons, but what could he do? He could only arrive as fast as his legs could take him.
Walking on through the courtyard of the Mikaelidas manor towards the makeshift sickbay, Alek, upon nearing it had to shift to the side as guards passed by carrying what looked to be one of their patients. Though it seemed, that particular man would no longer need his help, or rather, was not allowed it. Once the way had cleared, the healer resumed his stride and set his marks on the first untreated patient he saw: a woman covered with bad burns.
She was probably beyond help, but there was no way he wouldn't try. Grabbing a wad of cloth, in dipped it in a nearby basin of water and lightly dabbed it against her forehead first before slowly doing the same to her wounds, hoping that it'd give her some sort of relief. It was quite clear it did not, when the female cried out in pain. Oh how he hated this. Palming some on salve, he pulled a piece of willow bark from his pouch and gave it to her to chew on. There wasn't much else he could do for her, unless he wanted to start cutting off limbs. But that was something of a last resort. Definitely not ever a thing he wanted to do. Even just the thought of it made his stomach churn uncomfortably.
Looking around for another patient, his eyes stopped on the gathering of royals on the other side of the tent. What was going on exactly? Alexandros wanted to find out, and yet, found it best to not interfere, for it was not his place.
Right as the crazed man almost sealed the deal on his blackmail against her, there were able-bodied guards that swooped in to apprehend him, leaving the two volunteers struggling to aid them in an effort to please the noble lady. "Wait-" She cried, extending her arm towards the the scuffle before being blocked by one of the guardsmen, her cousin was about to follow them as well before she was also blocked. For a second, Evie was seen in a new light for it was admirable how helpful she was being, especially by almost lunging for the captured man! Nana must let her in on the little secret the man must've seen her do.
Until the spirited Leventi had the audacity to show concern for her safety!
"No, no, I'm fine!" The blonde replied with confusion wavering in her voice, a bit offended by the question. Of course she was alright, why wouldn't she be? The man as deranged as he looked had no intention of hurting her with the sheers, he just wanted to blackmail her for stea-- borrowing from a vendor a few days back, there was nothing harmful about that! The only harmful part was being a sleazy informant, rattling on a beautiful woman for something fueled by innocence in the name of style.
The Prince Irakles was the one who summoned the guards and was able to make the crowd disperse as he approached the noblewomen. His question mirrored Evie's, yet his made her puzzled state revert into the same chipper one she had as she walked into the tent. "We're alright, your Majesty!" She claimed, lifting her flowing skirts and dipping into a respectful curtsy. "No harm has come to us, thanks to your aid." The Prince was an authoritative man and highly respected man and her sister Theodora's future father-in law so it didn't hurt to show unflattering respect. His daughters were courteous ladies too: Tasia always attended court and then there was her younger sister Sandra? She was a mousy brunette, that Sandra and didn't have much of a presence. It was common courtly gossip that they were both bastards of the prince, though Nana declined to believe it for she thought that gossip were tall tales... except for gossip surrounding her- only if it praised her appearance and name then she didn't hesitate to believe it. Gossip, what was the point to it all? The ladies of court should spend time running a comb through their matted hair than prattle nonsense! To be fair, she does catch an unidentifiable woman by his side at times but she never paid attention to the royal affairs unless it involves her sisters.
It could've been an odd sight for the Prince, seeing both beautiful Leventi women trying to follow after crazed man only to be stopped by guards; women in such a situation would cry for help and cower, which Nana would've done if only she didn't assume that the man had leverage on her.
She overheared that affluent Mikaelidas had saved Evie for the second time this day, over what? The fellow Leventi paid her cousin a curious glare, wondering what Prince Irakles had done before she arrived. Perhaps it could be discussed in the sitting room, a place he offered to escort them to to prevent the nerves of the 'scare'. Nana held her tongue, wishing she could tell them that she was fine! What was with all of the concern? It was too flattering, but gods if only they knew. "Certainly, your Highness!" She said, sounding generous for his offer and waiting for him to lead the way.
Her eyes averted towards the disappearing guards and the lanky volunteers she ordered, who lagged behind. "What Will happen to the man?" Would he tell the guards!? The woman never wished death on anyone or anything but the soil she accidentally steps in, but perhaps the man can have a mercifully quick death. Who knows, maybe Hades had a knack for trends!
The Leventi girls were, thankfully unharmed, not by any significant means anyway. While he himself was not entirely sure which Leventi was it that had fathered these two sets of girls, there was no doubt which family tree they fell under - that particular Taengean family was large, and it was a common saying that one could not go out of one's house for a day and not meet a Leventi of some sorts. Regardless of whose offspring they were, however, Irakles was respectful of all of them and smiled at the sweet smile in which Lady Evangelina offered him, a flicker of amusement passing his gaze. She was level headed it seems, more so than her relation that now stood by her. Their thanks merely made him dip his head, brushing it off as he always did.
The coquettish way in which Lady Evangelina looked at him caught the elder male by surprise. His mistress that was widely known among court may be a good two decades younger then he was, but while he has had two daughters with Meena, Irakles had no wish to take on a new one, especially not one of such status. He had naught the time, nor the effort. Yet he knew of his looks, and the fact that a girl so young she could be his daughter tried her luck with him would've had him laughing was this not a public affair.
Instead, he simply cleared his throat and smiled congenially, offering an arm to each lady, before starting towards the entrance to his mansion. As they passed his guards dragging the man away, he tried to nudge Lady Nana's attention away from the manhandling of the ruffian, as he spoke in his low rumble. "Placed in a cell until we deem him safe to be with society, for now. Do not fret, nothing big will harm him." he reassured.
Stepping into the cooled hall of the Mikaelidas palati, the prince was quick to instruct his servants to bring out some warmed mead for each lady, before bringing them to the seating room. There, a large kline lounged in the middle, while smaller stools were arranged around. Each of the plush seats were embroidered with red threads through a blue silken sheet. It was to the kline that Irakles brought them to, just as the servants bustled in with the spiced mead, which they handed one to each lady, and placing a tray of figs and olives drizzled in honey between the two ladies on a table.
Taking a step back, the prince gazed at the two ladies with a smile as he spoke "I do hope this will calm your nerves for now. Do help yourselves, and when you are ready to leave, summon any of my servants and they will direct you to the front door." Dipping his head respectfully, he continued, "I shall return outside for now. The day draws to a close, and there is a need to ensure all that has come for aid and medical attention has received it. Apologies for my departure, my ladies."
Pivoting on his toe, Irakles left the room, exiting outside to the frontcourt of the Mikaelidas manorhouse once again, eyes roaming around till he spotted a young man who Irakles had noticed earlier to be watching them. Heading for the young man who appeared to be a healer, the prince glanced down at the woman covered in burns, pleased to find that while her wounds would not heal anytime soon, she did not seem to be in as much pain. Clearly the young man knew his stuff.
"Boy, go round and make sure all that needs to be tend to have been done. Those who need further attention, ensure that they know which healer they can visit." His tone was authoritative, the usual he used when he wanted to get things done. The serious gaze he flashed at Alexandros was clear he meant no-nonsense, before Irakles strode away, barking out orders to his men for the wrap up for the day.
The older prince was safe research. Hadn’t he proven earlier he’d held no interest in her? Maybe that had been what had given her the gumption to tease him a bit more. She could send sweet smiles or coy words his way and in the end, he didn’t take them seriously.
That should have defeated the purpose of her flirting but, she’d had an effect upon the older man. Even if he was pretending she hadn’t. She saw it in the flash of amusement that lit up his face and then again when he cleared his throat at her shameless flirting, and his congenial smile that was so different the distracted worried lines that had been there moments ago. Whether he knew it or not, he’d probably just taught Evangelina a very bad habit.
Her entire insides warmed at the idea of having the ability to alter a man’s thoughts. She considered her flirting a success and it was evident in the puckish glimmer in those dark eyes of hers. Dark eyes that said, ‘I have a secret, wouldn’t you like to know it?’ Her top teeth bit into the fullness of her bottom lip to keep her smirk in check. Oh yes, Prince Irakles had created a bit of a monster. She’d hoped only to provide a bit of a distraction, and it had worked.
Evangelina only watched the man being dragged away out of the corner of her eye, unlike Nana, she felt it was better not to ask too many questions about what would happen to the man. It was best sometimes not to know those things. Her gaze sobered a little and she dropped it to the ground at Prince Irakles reply. Nothing big would harm him? That didn’t exactly instill a lot of warm fuzzy feelings in Evie.
The darker haired Leventi took the moment to let her fingertips lightly graze the inside of his elbow with her nails as she linked her arm through his. If he’d reacted to her teasing tones, would he react to her teasing touches? Oh, the things she did in the name of research… Pretending it was nothing more than an accident she refused to acknowledge it; although, the pint-sized girl kept a careful eye on him out of the corner of her eye.
The ambled through the cooler halls until Irakles directed them towards the kline. Withdrawing her arm carefully not to graze him again, she eased downward on to the richly colored kline with far more calculated grace then was normal for her. Shifting she crossed her legs, the black chiton exposing just a tiny bit more of her trim ankles before she leaned forward and accepted the glass of mead, uttering a soft ‘thank you.’
Sliding a quick glance to Nana, she cleared her throat softly then nodded her head as she raised her big, doe eyes back up to Irakles. “Thank you again, your highness. We’ll only take a few moments to collect ourselves and then we’ll be out of your hair.” Her puckish glimmer returned and the corner of one side of her mouth lifted equally impishly. “I promise.”
“You are a busy man, your highness. You’ve not got time to continue babysitting us… we fully understand.” She slid a small smirk to Nana before returning her cheeky grin to her lips. “Besides, how are we to talk about you if you are here.” It was a terribly wicked thing to say and it was quite evident the little brunette knew it and was enjoying every bit of it.
Waiting until he was completely gone before her facade dropped and she twisted around on the kline to look at Nana sheepishly. She didn’t have to say anything… she knew her cousin well enough to know there were about to be quite a few questions. “Oh, please don’t laugh at me… It was just a bit of research.”
Nana nodded in response to the Prince's answer, unsure whether the sudden drop within her stomach was a cross between relief and fear. What did she have to worry about? The necklace was in the best condition once returned, was it not? With odd lingering thoughts on the subject mentally brushed aside, she replaced it with memories of receiving her one and only vanity while remaining silent as both her and her dear cousin followed the monarch inside the manor, taking Prince Irakles arm in pursuit.
Once they all walked through the hall and entered a room, a few words were exchanged-- wait just a moment! Did the Evangelina bat her eyelashes towards the older Prince a few moments before? Has the sky fallen? Has Zeus fallen for a mortal? Have calves sprung wings and flown to the netherworld? Have all of these events transpired as her stubborn kin fluttered those doe eyes in a man's presence!? A royal, no doubt! Her hands flew to her chest, her lips parting in the utmost of shock as Evie performed rather flirtatious banter towards him. Who was this woman and what has she done to her aunt Ava's daughter!?
Mesmerized, Nana didn't hesitate to run over to the kline the brunette sat gracefully on and couldn't wait until the monarch was out of earshot before explaining with a quick laugh. "What!? I'm not laughing!" She was. "I'm in shock-- that surely didn't look like research!" Her hands rested on the smaller Leventi's hands, eyebrows raised in curiosity as her head tilted to the side to witness. "Noo-" Her bare ankles! Her light brown eyes shifted towards Evie, then her ankles, then Evie again, and her ankles, her crossed legs, and back to her cousin. "Evie! Oh my goodness, Evie dearest! Exposed in front of a Prince! A married Prince!"
Nana's eyes were filled to the brim of tears, remembering both of them being enthusiastic horse riders with no regards to becoming proper noble ladies. She still thought her dear cousin was still in such a stage, but yet here she was! Proving her wrong. "He's married!" A girlish giggle erupted from her chest and out of her lips, before she placed her finger over her mouth in an effort to stop it.
"I am so proud of you!"
The hand trailed down her chin, to her neck and stopped right at a necklace hidden behind her dark purple himation. To the naked eye, only the chain could be seen, but once her fingers slightly tugged the chain... all that were seen was a shimmering diamond, the size of a Golden Drachmae...[/div]
Unintentionally catching the attention of the prince, he swore his soul had slipped from his body and begun to descend into the underworld. Something about the fellow unnerved him, whether it was just his gaze, the booming of his voice, or as simple as his princely status; he was unsure, perhaps it was all three. All Alexandros knew was he had better do what his highness asked, and quickly. Not that he was exactly dawdling before, but that definitely encouraged him to pick up his pace.
"Yes, your highness," he murmured softly, dipping his head.
Hurrying over to his next patient, he did his best to assist him with his fever, before moving on to the others. Attending to all these people was a dauntingly tiring task, but somehow he managed to get through them okay. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and his long white chiton clung at his olive skin. Alek dabbed his cheek and underside his chin with the back of his hand.
Having helped most everyone to the best of his ability and having felt his job done, Alexandros left the manor in the same way he came.