Surprised when the princess released her grasp on Zenais' arm, the brunette blinked in surprise when Gianna released her guards despite their protests, a part of her surprised. Back in Colchis, Yiannis had always ensured they were escorted by guards, and from her visits with the royal family of the rocky kingdom, she knew that the members of the royal family, despite being well trained in military, were still escorted by a guard or two. Clearly Princess Gianna was no military trained expert, and Zenais could't help but frown as Gianna whisked her away despite the guard's protests, and pulled her into the crowds of people.
"Are you sure that is alright, Princess? I-" Zenais tried to ask between the brisk pace Gianna set them on in an attempt to lose her guards. Yet before she could finish her sentence, they seemed to be interuptted yet again when a man taller then Zenais had ever seen before appeared. The bow caught her off guard, for it had been years since anyone bowed to her, and her eyes held a slight sense of alarm.
Thankfully, Gianna had maintained her composure (not that Zenais was surprised, she was a princess afterall) and took to introducing herself most quickly, giving the brunette enough time to recover from her surprise. "I-I wouldn't say I'm very well versed, as compared to Princess Gianna herself, but I-I try." Zenais replied with a small stutter when the princess gestured at her. Almost immediately, it was as if the brunette withdrew into a shell, a common reaction for she was as easily startled as a young deer.
In the streets where many roamed however, it was hard to remain in one's shell, for it would only make things awkward, and it was the first thing her governess had taught her in her lessons back in Alastaire manor in Lyncaea - to never have an awkward lull in conversation. To be a noble lady meant that one had to be able to carry and build on conversation, and considering Zenais had been brought up as a noble lady, her habits were hard to break.
So the young lady recovered quickly, albeit with a smile less sweet and almost watery, as she gestured at the stalls and vendors. "The figs are beautiful at this time of the year, and Maliania has beautiful blooms for sale. The footrace is due to begin soon, with the men competing for the coveted title of King. Would you be joining?" she asked, in her attempt to revive the conversation. Her hazel eyes flickered to Gianna, and her smile turned friendlier, a little warmer as she continued, "I'm sure the title of Queen of Maliania would come easy for your Highness, however."
Dysmas had caught the startled look in the hazel eyes of the shorter woman, even as the taller smiled and bid him welcome on their outing. “Thank you, that is most kind. I would like that very much.” He replied politely with a friendly smile of his own.
He had already been considering what his next response would be -- apologizing for his abruptness and how he would introduce himself. If they were commoners, escorting a lord around would no doubt be greatly uncomfortable. But neither lady seemed to lack in the poise and decorum that spoke of the noble classes. However, Dysmas was not prepared to hear the pretty brunette state the princess was more well-versed. Why would she mention the princess? Was she, perhaps, one of Princess Gianna’s retainers? Or… was…
She was. She had to be. Dysmas had never met Taengea’s royal family, but he had heard Princess Gianna described to be as radiant as the sun and twice as warm. From the bronzed glow of her skin, to her honey locks of hair, and especially the sweet and inviting smile, Dysmas could now -- with certainty -- say that the description could not compare to the reality, for Gianna’s beauty was indescribable.
He couldn’t help an embarrassed chuckle at the realization that now dawned on him. “I hope you will forgive my lapse in manners, Your Highness. It is not everyday I find myself in the company of royalty… nor in such an uncouth way, at that.” Though the Nikolaos family was a vassal of Athenia’s current monarch, so it was not as though Dysmas was completely green, either.
“I am Dysmas, Your Highness,” his attention turned to the brunette whose arm was linked with that of the Princess, “and if there are to be introductions, might I ask your name as well, my Lady?”
The Athenian certainly felt humbled to be in the presence of two lovely young women, more so now that he was aware to whom it was that he stood before. A part of him even wondered if he was worthy of being in Gianna’s presence like this. So casually. It seemed wrong… improper. And yet she was… very easy to talk with.
“I have heard of this footrace,” Dysmas scratched his head, looking around wondering if he would be seeing a crowd begin to gather somewhere. “Lady Evelli asked me that as well… but I don’t know if I should participate. I know nothing of it, the rules, the course… perhaps someone with a better understanding of it is more deserving of the chance to win.”
He was just as content to watch the race and perhaps learn from observation. He had two companions, if either of them had something they wished to do with their day, he might rather indulge that instead.
“Easily.” He agreed with Zenais on her comment regarding Gianna’s entry into the Queen of Maliania contest. “Though, if I may be so bold, Zenais, I believe you would also make a fine Queen of Maliania.”
Either lady would have fierce competition should any of the Leventi women decide to participate, but it was no lie for him to admit that both women were genuine contenders for the crown. “Should we head toward that event? I would not wish either of you to miss it if you plan to take part.”
Zenais of Lyncaea @dysmas With all the restrictions and limitations that had come with status, Gianna had found her silver lining in bringing people together. While she had assisted her mother with court preparations on numerous occasions—they would be her duty one day, Elise would tell her—Gianna cherished every chance she had to escape beyond the palace walls, especially when it resulted in camaraderie and a reprieve from her father’s assigned escort, however short. She was determined that today would be no exception.
She had already succeeded in escaping her guards to the sound of Zenais’s protestations. With the arrival of Dysmas, all the pieces of her plan seemed to be falling into place. Zenais tried in vain to deflect the attention Gianna had thrust onto her shoulders. But she was being modest—too modest by Gianna’s standards. As she was about to jokingly chastise her friend, the man before her offered an apology for his purported lack of manners. Gianna should not have been surprised and yet she seemed to regularly be plagued by a negligence for her exact station in life.
She had never paid it much mind until she overheard Zenon’s advisors reprimanding him for the freedoms granted to the youngest princess, allowing her to shirk responsibilities without consequence as long as she batted her eyes. While Gianna always assumed it was because the King was too busy to deal with the unconventional child, she always failed to catch the slightest smile that brightened his features when he dismissed her. Perhaps it was a lifetime of those moments and growing up in the shadows of her politically proficient siblings that had culminated in her general disregard for any sort of personal importance beyond what a marriage could offer.
“Nonsense, my Lord Dysmas, Zenais will be the first to tell you I have little patience for propriety. Life is far too short not to enjoy the company we keep,” she lilted, eyes bright as she assessed the foreign lord before her. And she was certain of his own status as a lord by the fabric with which he adorned himself and the rigidity of his etiquette. If nothing else, Gianna’s few years in the court had taught her how to efficiently evaluate her peers, a skill she had utilized on more than one occasion to save herself some degree of embarrassment.
Zenais appeared to have recovered from the sudden addition of a third person to their party as she praised Maliania’s figs and flowers, gesturing to the vendors that lined the street. Gianna reassuringly patted the girl’s arm as she mentioned the footrace, asking Dysmas of his intention to enter. The man expressed his concern regarding the rules or rather his lack of knowledge and Gianna was quick to enlighten him, “It’s a bit more than a simple footrace. If you wish to participate, you will need a partner, such as myself—or Zenais!" Gianna quickly added in a futile attempt to stave off the heat that crept into her cheeks before continuing, "—who will put blossoms in her hair. You will be judged on how quickly you can complete a circuit of town and how many blossoms your partner has left in her hair.”
"I'm sure the title of Queen of Maliania would come easy for your Highness, however."
Gianna was caught somewhat off guard, even more so by Dysmas’s agreement. She was grateful when the lord directed his own comment regarding the beauty contest to Zenais. The princess was inclined to agree. Zenais was quite lovely and would likely hold her own against the Leventi girls—one of whom was all but guaranteed to win the title. Grasping the young woman’s hand, Gianna could hardly contain herself. “You flatter me, Zenais, but I must agree with Lord Dysmas. Please tell me you plan to enter the running for Queen of Maliania?”
Her husband's smile and words were indulging - but then again, that was why Evelli loved him. Georgios did indulge her very much, and in that, was why Evelli wanted badly to provide a complete family for him. As much as he dotes on his five girls however, the woman still harbored some wish of providing him a son he could continue the family with, but it appears as if Hera had other plans for them.
Pushing those thoughts to the back of her mind however, she smiled as they strolled towards the vendors. Giving her husband a look that said of how much she thought of him giving in to the girls, she raised a brow. "With a chiton so indecently short, they would not need much to reach within? I'm surprise you would condone that for Nana, husband." she murmured, a hint of tease in her voice. If Georgios had her way, she had a suspicion her husband would have locked all their girls up in nunneries at this point of their lives. He had vastly different plans when compared to Evelli's wishes of seeing them all safely married.
Happily taking the flatbread with the fragrant butter spread on it, the woman happily took a bite, and watched with affection as the other two started on their own tidbits their father handed them. Georgios made a wonderful father. It was the way in which he doted on their first born that had eventually made Evelli fall for him afterall, for their marriage had in no way been a love match. They were just lucky that Aphrodite decided to bestow them with her blessing after the birth of Selene, and Evelli's heart softened towards her jovial husband. He had a good heart, and wanted nothing but the best for his family. What could she do against someone who had such pure intentions?
With a small smile, Evelli offered her flatbread on Georgios's lips, as they continued strolling, eventually finishing up their tidbit, just as the music started. It would signify the start of the footrace, and it was in that event that her daughter's would shine.
Of that, Evelli was sure.
Taking a hand, she motioned at Imma and Nana to run along towards where a small raised dais had been erected, where the rest of the participants would gather before the footrace began. The men would hang back as the females would be judged first as the Queen of Maliania, before the selected girls would then be hitched on the back of their chosen beau. Evelli took a deep breathe, and then fell in to step next to her husband as the contests began. Her girls' would not fail. They did not own the title of the most beautiful girls in Taengea for nothing.
The tall man seemed like a nice, polite person, friendly smile intact which simply put Zenais further at ease. Watching as who seemed to be a noble lord greet the princess, Zenais found herself observing the situation with a hint of nostalgia. It had been a long time since she was a lady herself yes, but it was the only life she had known until Fate had other plans for her, and it was a life she looked fondly upon. While the past ten years had given her a great deal of experience, and a way of life that she likely would not have known had she remained a daughter of a noble house, it was her family she missed, and not the lifestyle in Lyncaea.
A little surprised when the male turned to her, Zenais smiled politely and tilted her head in a small, gentle nod. It was a show of manners and gentility that went far beyond her station now, something which she knew sparked curiosity for many, yet none actually asked her why a commonborn lady as she was now,would have such impeccable manners one usually associated with nobility. "Zenais, my lord. That would suffice." her soft voice responded with the information.
Nodding when Gianna explained how the footrace went, the young lady's cerulean eyes blinked in surprise when the princess offered herself as a partner for the footrace. Stammered rejections bubbled forth at once once Gianna finished the explanation, shaking her head. "Nay, I do not wish to participate Your Highness. Tis... something I do not enjoy." Not entirely a lie. As a younger girl, Zenais had enjoyed such showcases, for she was a tad bit of a vain girl at a younger age, back when she was the only daughter of House Alistaire. Now in her circumstances however, to draw attention to herself would surely to spell for death, and in that instance, Zenais had no wish to participate in a competition sure to draw attention.
Her cheeks flushed when both princess and noble lord insisted, but Zenais shook her head firmly, her brunette locks bouncing as she did so. "I am flattered, truly I am Lord Dysmas, Princess Gianna. But I am not one who participates in such. I do believe Your Highness could make a fine partner in Lord Dysmas though. Lord Dysmas should have no problems winning the footrace." she encouraged with a smile. Nodding when Dysmas suggested they make their way towards the event as the music started, Zenais made sure to keep herself a step or two behind Gianna, careful of her place and status, while at the same time trying to keep herself out of the public eye. From the corners of her eye, she could see the five gorgeous daughters of the Leventi family, females who were regaled far and wide as the most sought after bachelorettes in the Kingdom, and definite shoo-in's for winners when it came to the title of Queen of Maliania.