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The Temple of Aphrodite was not a place Achilleas could claim to frequent regularly. And yet here he was, twice in as many weeks. It seemed only apt - his bride to be was said to be blessed by the Goddess, and with their nuptials within touching distance, making an offering to court Aphrodite’s good favour could only be wise.
The Lord’s previous attempt to do so had been disrupted, a fact that Achilleas was still annoyed about. What he had envisioned as a pleasant few weeks in the pit for the arrogant fool of a sailor had ended up being much less satisfying. Inexplicable connections with those who he could not afford to aggravate had seen the Baron give the order for the man’s release, and whilst it was done and he could do little about it now, the knowledge irked him.
Achilleas realised he had been scowling at the old woman who was selling the flowers, and feeling somewhat guilty at her worried expression, the Lord paid for all that she had, sweeping up the armful of blooms and stepping into the cool quiet of the temple.
Perhaps it was just ordinary nerves, or maybe he felt disconnected from Theodora as she was closeted away in wedding preparations whilst he navigated the labyrinth that was the state of their homeland as it stood. A missing and now usurped King, the threat of renewed conflict with the Egyptians. His own unlooked for elevation in status. It all conspired to leave the usually steadfast lord feeling less that assured in the future. And this, this simple act of praying for the Goddess’ favour was something he could claim some control over when ao much else was uncertain.
Achilleas approached the statue of the goddess and paused a moment as he looked upon the carved stone figure, expression serene and benevolent. So different from the God he had set his own path by, the spirit of battle, of violence and war. Perhaps both now had a part to play in his future.
The Crown Prince who was not quite content to call himself such knelt to lay down his offerings at the foot of the statue. First the flowers,roses and aster, an armful scattered across the marble plinth. And then as if he were not quite confident that it was enough, Achilleas set a small stack of coins beside them. He quietly beseeched the goddess to guide him well in his marriage to Theodora, to shine her favour upon them both, before he pushed back to his feet, moving away from the still and silent representation and hoping that his words had reached she who it honoured.
Outside of the temple proper, Achilleas did not immediately depart. His purpose was not singular, rather he had thought to kill two birds with one stone, and having made his offering to Aphrodite, he now waited upon a woman of more mortal seeming.
He had not spoken to Xene since he called upon her at the Palati, before they had known Stephanos and Olympia and Selene had fled, before his Father had assumed Kingship. Achilleas could not pretend he was not concerned as to how these developments would have impacted upon the Princess - she had been strangely vulnerable after he had broken through her ire in the palace gardens. And now here he waited, in another garden that he hoped would offer some protection from prying eyes and ears, so they could speak once again.
He had a confession to make, one that he didn’t how she would receive, but Achilleas stood by his decision to speak to the Colchian man. If, as any rational person might conclude, Stephanos had fled to Colchis, then he had clearly put his trust in Prince Vangelis. The master informer working on the same man’s behalf could only be considered an ally of sorts then.
Achilleas has spent many sleepless hours reasoning with himself to that effect, but he was still concerned that Xene might not see it the same way, and so when he looked up to see his cousin approaching, his smile was warm but there was a slight reserve to it all the same.
“Good day, your highness.”
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The Temple of Aphrodite was not a place Achilleas could claim to frequent regularly. And yet here he was, twice in as many weeks. It seemed only apt - his bride to be was said to be blessed by the Goddess, and with their nuptials within touching distance, making an offering to court Aphrodite’s good favour could only be wise.
The Lord’s previous attempt to do so had been disrupted, a fact that Achilleas was still annoyed about. What he had envisioned as a pleasant few weeks in the pit for the arrogant fool of a sailor had ended up being much less satisfying. Inexplicable connections with those who he could not afford to aggravate had seen the Baron give the order for the man’s release, and whilst it was done and he could do little about it now, the knowledge irked him.
Achilleas realised he had been scowling at the old woman who was selling the flowers, and feeling somewhat guilty at her worried expression, the Lord paid for all that she had, sweeping up the armful of blooms and stepping into the cool quiet of the temple.
Perhaps it was just ordinary nerves, or maybe he felt disconnected from Theodora as she was closeted away in wedding preparations whilst he navigated the labyrinth that was the state of their homeland as it stood. A missing and now usurped King, the threat of renewed conflict with the Egyptians. His own unlooked for elevation in status. It all conspired to leave the usually steadfast lord feeling less that assured in the future. And this, this simple act of praying for the Goddess’ favour was something he could claim some control over when ao much else was uncertain.
Achilleas approached the statue of the goddess and paused a moment as he looked upon the carved stone figure, expression serene and benevolent. So different from the God he had set his own path by, the spirit of battle, of violence and war. Perhaps both now had a part to play in his future.
The Crown Prince who was not quite content to call himself such knelt to lay down his offerings at the foot of the statue. First the flowers,roses and aster, an armful scattered across the marble plinth. And then as if he were not quite confident that it was enough, Achilleas set a small stack of coins beside them. He quietly beseeched the goddess to guide him well in his marriage to Theodora, to shine her favour upon them both, before he pushed back to his feet, moving away from the still and silent representation and hoping that his words had reached she who it honoured.
Outside of the temple proper, Achilleas did not immediately depart. His purpose was not singular, rather he had thought to kill two birds with one stone, and having made his offering to Aphrodite, he now waited upon a woman of more mortal seeming.
He had not spoken to Xene since he called upon her at the Palati, before they had known Stephanos and Olympia and Selene had fled, before his Father had assumed Kingship. Achilleas could not pretend he was not concerned as to how these developments would have impacted upon the Princess - she had been strangely vulnerable after he had broken through her ire in the palace gardens. And now here he waited, in another garden that he hoped would offer some protection from prying eyes and ears, so they could speak once again.
He had a confession to make, one that he didn’t how she would receive, but Achilleas stood by his decision to speak to the Colchian man. If, as any rational person might conclude, Stephanos had fled to Colchis, then he had clearly put his trust in Prince Vangelis. The master informer working on the same man’s behalf could only be considered an ally of sorts then.
Achilleas has spent many sleepless hours reasoning with himself to that effect, but he was still concerned that Xene might not see it the same way, and so when he looked up to see his cousin approaching, his smile was warm but there was a slight reserve to it all the same.
“Good day, your highness.”
The Temple of Aphrodite was not a place Achilleas could claim to frequent regularly. And yet here he was, twice in as many weeks. It seemed only apt - his bride to be was said to be blessed by the Goddess, and with their nuptials within touching distance, making an offering to court Aphrodite’s good favour could only be wise.
The Lord’s previous attempt to do so had been disrupted, a fact that Achilleas was still annoyed about. What he had envisioned as a pleasant few weeks in the pit for the arrogant fool of a sailor had ended up being much less satisfying. Inexplicable connections with those who he could not afford to aggravate had seen the Baron give the order for the man’s release, and whilst it was done and he could do little about it now, the knowledge irked him.
Achilleas realised he had been scowling at the old woman who was selling the flowers, and feeling somewhat guilty at her worried expression, the Lord paid for all that she had, sweeping up the armful of blooms and stepping into the cool quiet of the temple.
Perhaps it was just ordinary nerves, or maybe he felt disconnected from Theodora as she was closeted away in wedding preparations whilst he navigated the labyrinth that was the state of their homeland as it stood. A missing and now usurped King, the threat of renewed conflict with the Egyptians. His own unlooked for elevation in status. It all conspired to leave the usually steadfast lord feeling less that assured in the future. And this, this simple act of praying for the Goddess’ favour was something he could claim some control over when ao much else was uncertain.
Achilleas approached the statue of the goddess and paused a moment as he looked upon the carved stone figure, expression serene and benevolent. So different from the God he had set his own path by, the spirit of battle, of violence and war. Perhaps both now had a part to play in his future.
The Crown Prince who was not quite content to call himself such knelt to lay down his offerings at the foot of the statue. First the flowers,roses and aster, an armful scattered across the marble plinth. And then as if he were not quite confident that it was enough, Achilleas set a small stack of coins beside them. He quietly beseeched the goddess to guide him well in his marriage to Theodora, to shine her favour upon them both, before he pushed back to his feet, moving away from the still and silent representation and hoping that his words had reached she who it honoured.
Outside of the temple proper, Achilleas did not immediately depart. His purpose was not singular, rather he had thought to kill two birds with one stone, and having made his offering to Aphrodite, he now waited upon a woman of more mortal seeming.
He had not spoken to Xene since he called upon her at the Palati, before they had known Stephanos and Olympia and Selene had fled, before his Father had assumed Kingship. Achilleas could not pretend he was not concerned as to how these developments would have impacted upon the Princess - she had been strangely vulnerable after he had broken through her ire in the palace gardens. And now here he waited, in another garden that he hoped would offer some protection from prying eyes and ears, so they could speak once again.
He had a confession to make, one that he didn’t how she would receive, but Achilleas stood by his decision to speak to the Colchian man. If, as any rational person might conclude, Stephanos had fled to Colchis, then he had clearly put his trust in Prince Vangelis. The master informer working on the same man’s behalf could only be considered an ally of sorts then.
Achilleas has spent many sleepless hours reasoning with himself to that effect, but he was still concerned that Xene might not see it the same way, and so when he looked up to see his cousin approaching, his smile was warm but there was a slight reserve to it all the same.
“Good day, your highness.”
There was a nagging at the back of her mind that had lead her down this path. Xene was one to frequent the temples, but Aphrodite certainly was not one that she visited quite as often as she should have. Love had never been at the forefront of her mind. She had always been concerned with the affairs of her brothers, of her Kingdom, of the courtiers and politicians that she mingled among on a daily basis. The princess deeply appreciated the Goddess' presence, however, finding more and more favor in the deity the further that she fell for the Lord Leventi.
The morning had been like many of her others. She woke. She bathed. She dressed. She ate a small breakfast with her mother and her sister and then she escaped the Palati with thoughts of Aphrodite's temple in mind. Along the way, she paused to purchase flowers, her coin purse jingling with coin, some of which would also be offered to the Goddess.
But it was the presence of her cousin that gave her pause as she started up the stairs of the Naos. Her skirts hissed across the marble, the flowers pressed close to her chest. Heron had paused at the base of the stairs, both hands resting behind his back and his gaze trailing up after the princess. He would not enter, giving her the privacy Xene required to give prayer.
"Your highness," Xene conceded the same title to her cousin, also affording him a proper bow that suited his new station. In some ways, he now settled in a station above even hers. His father was King, and while Xene was still a princess, Irakles' children would take presedence when it came to the inheritance of the throne. That fact did not both her, but she did feel that her brother should not have been ousted as he had. It was an opinion that she was keen to keep primarily to herself for the time being.
"If you will afford me the time to say my prayers," Xene said softly, touching his shoulder lightly as she passed him and continued up the stairs and into the temple. She strode carefully across the marble, coming to kneel before the statue of Aphrodite. Laying out her own flowers and the coins along with the offerings given by numerous other temple-goers that morning, Xene then settled her hands in her lap and bowed her head. Feeling hopeful for the future and wanting silent assertion that her feelings were not invalid, the princess settled before the statue for long enough to ask for Aphrodite's guidance, now when she needed it the most, and then finishing her prayers.
A newfound devotion she had found, Xene was keen on returning sometime soon and continue to do so.
Rising back to her feet, her pink gown caught a bit of the breeze among the columns, her golden curls whipping about her face as she strode back toward the stairs and her cousin. "Seeking Aphrodite's guidance, cousin?" Xene questioned Achilleas with a soft smile. A welcoming smile. Compared to the last time they had met, the woman appeared more relaxed, serene. Much of her inner turmoil had settled down the time being.
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There was a nagging at the back of her mind that had lead her down this path. Xene was one to frequent the temples, but Aphrodite certainly was not one that she visited quite as often as she should have. Love had never been at the forefront of her mind. She had always been concerned with the affairs of her brothers, of her Kingdom, of the courtiers and politicians that she mingled among on a daily basis. The princess deeply appreciated the Goddess' presence, however, finding more and more favor in the deity the further that she fell for the Lord Leventi.
The morning had been like many of her others. She woke. She bathed. She dressed. She ate a small breakfast with her mother and her sister and then she escaped the Palati with thoughts of Aphrodite's temple in mind. Along the way, she paused to purchase flowers, her coin purse jingling with coin, some of which would also be offered to the Goddess.
But it was the presence of her cousin that gave her pause as she started up the stairs of the Naos. Her skirts hissed across the marble, the flowers pressed close to her chest. Heron had paused at the base of the stairs, both hands resting behind his back and his gaze trailing up after the princess. He would not enter, giving her the privacy Xene required to give prayer.
"Your highness," Xene conceded the same title to her cousin, also affording him a proper bow that suited his new station. In some ways, he now settled in a station above even hers. His father was King, and while Xene was still a princess, Irakles' children would take presedence when it came to the inheritance of the throne. That fact did not both her, but she did feel that her brother should not have been ousted as he had. It was an opinion that she was keen to keep primarily to herself for the time being.
"If you will afford me the time to say my prayers," Xene said softly, touching his shoulder lightly as she passed him and continued up the stairs and into the temple. She strode carefully across the marble, coming to kneel before the statue of Aphrodite. Laying out her own flowers and the coins along with the offerings given by numerous other temple-goers that morning, Xene then settled her hands in her lap and bowed her head. Feeling hopeful for the future and wanting silent assertion that her feelings were not invalid, the princess settled before the statue for long enough to ask for Aphrodite's guidance, now when she needed it the most, and then finishing her prayers.
A newfound devotion she had found, Xene was keen on returning sometime soon and continue to do so.
Rising back to her feet, her pink gown caught a bit of the breeze among the columns, her golden curls whipping about her face as she strode back toward the stairs and her cousin. "Seeking Aphrodite's guidance, cousin?" Xene questioned Achilleas with a soft smile. A welcoming smile. Compared to the last time they had met, the woman appeared more relaxed, serene. Much of her inner turmoil had settled down the time being.
There was a nagging at the back of her mind that had lead her down this path. Xene was one to frequent the temples, but Aphrodite certainly was not one that she visited quite as often as she should have. Love had never been at the forefront of her mind. She had always been concerned with the affairs of her brothers, of her Kingdom, of the courtiers and politicians that she mingled among on a daily basis. The princess deeply appreciated the Goddess' presence, however, finding more and more favor in the deity the further that she fell for the Lord Leventi.
The morning had been like many of her others. She woke. She bathed. She dressed. She ate a small breakfast with her mother and her sister and then she escaped the Palati with thoughts of Aphrodite's temple in mind. Along the way, she paused to purchase flowers, her coin purse jingling with coin, some of which would also be offered to the Goddess.
But it was the presence of her cousin that gave her pause as she started up the stairs of the Naos. Her skirts hissed across the marble, the flowers pressed close to her chest. Heron had paused at the base of the stairs, both hands resting behind his back and his gaze trailing up after the princess. He would not enter, giving her the privacy Xene required to give prayer.
"Your highness," Xene conceded the same title to her cousin, also affording him a proper bow that suited his new station. In some ways, he now settled in a station above even hers. His father was King, and while Xene was still a princess, Irakles' children would take presedence when it came to the inheritance of the throne. That fact did not both her, but she did feel that her brother should not have been ousted as he had. It was an opinion that she was keen to keep primarily to herself for the time being.
"If you will afford me the time to say my prayers," Xene said softly, touching his shoulder lightly as she passed him and continued up the stairs and into the temple. She strode carefully across the marble, coming to kneel before the statue of Aphrodite. Laying out her own flowers and the coins along with the offerings given by numerous other temple-goers that morning, Xene then settled her hands in her lap and bowed her head. Feeling hopeful for the future and wanting silent assertion that her feelings were not invalid, the princess settled before the statue for long enough to ask for Aphrodite's guidance, now when she needed it the most, and then finishing her prayers.
A newfound devotion she had found, Xene was keen on returning sometime soon and continue to do so.
Rising back to her feet, her pink gown caught a bit of the breeze among the columns, her golden curls whipping about her face as she strode back toward the stairs and her cousin. "Seeking Aphrodite's guidance, cousin?" Xene questioned Achilleas with a soft smile. A welcoming smile. Compared to the last time they had met, the woman appeared more relaxed, serene. Much of her inner turmoil had settled down the time being.
Achilleas shifted uncomfortably under the greeting. From Xene of all people, it seemed particularly awkward, for had his own elevation in station not come directly from the troubles befallen her brother, his cousin? His smile then, was more a suggestion than anything conveying real feeling as the Princess paused by him.
“Of course” Achilleas nodded toward the temple, asserting that Xene should continue on. He would wait. And that he did, offering Heron a curt nod, for it appeared his cousin would be nowhere without her shadow nowadays. The newly minted prince had strongly protested the suggestion that he too, now, ought to travel with some nod towards protection. Calmly, but stubbornly he had resisted. To move about the city that had long been his home with a rentinue of soldiers would draw only more attention, he had argued.
And Achilleas certainly did not feel like shouting the shift in title from the rooftops of Vasiliadon. It was a strange double-edged sword - the promise of something great, something he thought he could actually be good at, but delivered only by embracing the downfall of one he held dear. And Achilleas could not reconcile his own profiteering at the expense of his cousin, even though it was not his own doing. So he quietly wore the title, but dug his heels in at being in any way ostenstatious about it, in a way that he was certain irritated his father. But well, that seemed par for the course nowadays, he considered wryly.
His musings had let him walk into a quieter part of the temple grounds, which suited his purpose better anyway, and he did not doubt that Xene would find him again. There was a small path that skirted the edge of the temple, granted some shade by the carved stone and bordered by sweetly fragrant narcissus, whose yellow heads turned in supplication towards the sun as those within turned towards the statue of their patron goddess.
Achilleas turned at the sound of Xene’s voice, lifting his brows at her question and giving a shrug. “It seems only prudent given that she is said to favour Theodora, and with the wedding so close. Let it not be said that I am not prepared” He spoke lightheartedly, but there was enough truth in it to have seen him make the journey here today, his second attempt at paying his dues to the Goddess. Superstition was not a thing that he tended to indulge overly often, but there had been so much upset, it seemed as though the Gods toyed with them all at the moment, and so a little insurance was welcomed.
“And you? What favour do you ask of Aphrodite? Surely your head has not been turned by romance, Xene?” Achilleas teased her, but there was some genuine curiosity beneath the question. His cousin had seemed so fragile, so tightly drawn when last they had spoken, but he saw none of that now, and without meaning to, the Prince found his gaze seek out that soldier who shadowed her everywhere. Surely Xene would not be so silly as to find comfort there?. The thought displeased him somehow, and his eyes narrowed upon Heron for a moment before returning to the face of his cousin, more open and tranquil than she appeared before, that much was certain.
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Achilleas shifted uncomfortably under the greeting. From Xene of all people, it seemed particularly awkward, for had his own elevation in station not come directly from the troubles befallen her brother, his cousin? His smile then, was more a suggestion than anything conveying real feeling as the Princess paused by him.
“Of course” Achilleas nodded toward the temple, asserting that Xene should continue on. He would wait. And that he did, offering Heron a curt nod, for it appeared his cousin would be nowhere without her shadow nowadays. The newly minted prince had strongly protested the suggestion that he too, now, ought to travel with some nod towards protection. Calmly, but stubbornly he had resisted. To move about the city that had long been his home with a rentinue of soldiers would draw only more attention, he had argued.
And Achilleas certainly did not feel like shouting the shift in title from the rooftops of Vasiliadon. It was a strange double-edged sword - the promise of something great, something he thought he could actually be good at, but delivered only by embracing the downfall of one he held dear. And Achilleas could not reconcile his own profiteering at the expense of his cousin, even though it was not his own doing. So he quietly wore the title, but dug his heels in at being in any way ostenstatious about it, in a way that he was certain irritated his father. But well, that seemed par for the course nowadays, he considered wryly.
His musings had let him walk into a quieter part of the temple grounds, which suited his purpose better anyway, and he did not doubt that Xene would find him again. There was a small path that skirted the edge of the temple, granted some shade by the carved stone and bordered by sweetly fragrant narcissus, whose yellow heads turned in supplication towards the sun as those within turned towards the statue of their patron goddess.
Achilleas turned at the sound of Xene’s voice, lifting his brows at her question and giving a shrug. “It seems only prudent given that she is said to favour Theodora, and with the wedding so close. Let it not be said that I am not prepared” He spoke lightheartedly, but there was enough truth in it to have seen him make the journey here today, his second attempt at paying his dues to the Goddess. Superstition was not a thing that he tended to indulge overly often, but there had been so much upset, it seemed as though the Gods toyed with them all at the moment, and so a little insurance was welcomed.
“And you? What favour do you ask of Aphrodite? Surely your head has not been turned by romance, Xene?” Achilleas teased her, but there was some genuine curiosity beneath the question. His cousin had seemed so fragile, so tightly drawn when last they had spoken, but he saw none of that now, and without meaning to, the Prince found his gaze seek out that soldier who shadowed her everywhere. Surely Xene would not be so silly as to find comfort there?. The thought displeased him somehow, and his eyes narrowed upon Heron for a moment before returning to the face of his cousin, more open and tranquil than she appeared before, that much was certain.
Achilleas shifted uncomfortably under the greeting. From Xene of all people, it seemed particularly awkward, for had his own elevation in station not come directly from the troubles befallen her brother, his cousin? His smile then, was more a suggestion than anything conveying real feeling as the Princess paused by him.
“Of course” Achilleas nodded toward the temple, asserting that Xene should continue on. He would wait. And that he did, offering Heron a curt nod, for it appeared his cousin would be nowhere without her shadow nowadays. The newly minted prince had strongly protested the suggestion that he too, now, ought to travel with some nod towards protection. Calmly, but stubbornly he had resisted. To move about the city that had long been his home with a rentinue of soldiers would draw only more attention, he had argued.
And Achilleas certainly did not feel like shouting the shift in title from the rooftops of Vasiliadon. It was a strange double-edged sword - the promise of something great, something he thought he could actually be good at, but delivered only by embracing the downfall of one he held dear. And Achilleas could not reconcile his own profiteering at the expense of his cousin, even though it was not his own doing. So he quietly wore the title, but dug his heels in at being in any way ostenstatious about it, in a way that he was certain irritated his father. But well, that seemed par for the course nowadays, he considered wryly.
His musings had let him walk into a quieter part of the temple grounds, which suited his purpose better anyway, and he did not doubt that Xene would find him again. There was a small path that skirted the edge of the temple, granted some shade by the carved stone and bordered by sweetly fragrant narcissus, whose yellow heads turned in supplication towards the sun as those within turned towards the statue of their patron goddess.
Achilleas turned at the sound of Xene’s voice, lifting his brows at her question and giving a shrug. “It seems only prudent given that she is said to favour Theodora, and with the wedding so close. Let it not be said that I am not prepared” He spoke lightheartedly, but there was enough truth in it to have seen him make the journey here today, his second attempt at paying his dues to the Goddess. Superstition was not a thing that he tended to indulge overly often, but there had been so much upset, it seemed as though the Gods toyed with them all at the moment, and so a little insurance was welcomed.
“And you? What favour do you ask of Aphrodite? Surely your head has not been turned by romance, Xene?” Achilleas teased her, but there was some genuine curiosity beneath the question. His cousin had seemed so fragile, so tightly drawn when last they had spoken, but he saw none of that now, and without meaning to, the Prince found his gaze seek out that soldier who shadowed her everywhere. Surely Xene would not be so silly as to find comfort there?. The thought displeased him somehow, and his eyes narrowed upon Heron for a moment before returning to the face of his cousin, more open and tranquil than she appeared before, that much was certain.
Xene had been able to find the man easily enough. The shade from the early fall heat was welcomed and Xene found herself drawn tot he flowers. She lingered by the beautiful yellow plants, giving and easy glance toward her cousin. He spoke so simply of his intentions for attending to the goddess and she had no doubt that he truly was ready to marry the woman who had held his heart for so long. They seemed so suited to one another. Even Xene could see that as clear as she could spy the moon on a clear night. Achilleas' union with Theodora was idyllic in the best way.
The princess could only have hoped for the same achievement. However, with the memory of Fotios' lips on hers, those ideas were slowly but surely drifting away into nothing but a bypassed dream. One she couldn't possibly make a move on now that her heart had been given to another. Not unless she was forced into such an arrangement, to which she was sure was unlikely. Irakles didn't seem intent on doing anything to rid himself of the Mikaelidas sisters. Yet.
Trailing her fingertips against the vibrant yellow petals of Aphrodite's narcissus, blue eyes lifted their gaze up to her cousin's face once more. Xene found that it was more logical to think before she spoke in the presence of her cousin. Were she not careful, Achilleas could so easily twist both her words and her logic against her. Just as he had those few days ago in the Palati gardens. Xene momentarily recalled him calling her a drunk and debated cuffing him on the ear now that she was sober. Served him right, after all. It may have hurt her feelings more if it were not true.
"I have every faith that Aphrodite will find favor with your efforts and preparation, Achilleas," Xene said in her usual casual tone. It was easy to be familiar with him now that they were reconnecting on a somewhat friendly level. "You are always prepared as it is," she teased him lightly, pressing one of her golden curls behind her ear.
When her cousin teased her about her own attendance to the temple, the pricness gave him a serene smile. "Despite the fact that I have no love to pray for, I am still a major believer in giving all of our gods the attention they deserve, dear Achilleas. I pray to Aphrodite because I wish to," Xene smirked a little, quite sure that would be a reasonable and logical reason for her to attend upon the Naos. It would not be wise to express that she had any lover at all, let alone that the very man himself was Lord Leventi. But she caught the way that Achilleas' gaze drifted toward Heron and perfectly resisted the urge to grow prickly and irritable over the offense.
"Need we have the conversation again? About why you should leave my guard be? Or did you have something else to discuss that requires such lovely, lonely solitude?" Xene questioned without skipping a beat. Her smile never shifted out of the realm of pleasant and polite. She was quite sure that she would have made her point entirely clear to him by now. At least that was what she hoped.
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Xene had been able to find the man easily enough. The shade from the early fall heat was welcomed and Xene found herself drawn tot he flowers. She lingered by the beautiful yellow plants, giving and easy glance toward her cousin. He spoke so simply of his intentions for attending to the goddess and she had no doubt that he truly was ready to marry the woman who had held his heart for so long. They seemed so suited to one another. Even Xene could see that as clear as she could spy the moon on a clear night. Achilleas' union with Theodora was idyllic in the best way.
The princess could only have hoped for the same achievement. However, with the memory of Fotios' lips on hers, those ideas were slowly but surely drifting away into nothing but a bypassed dream. One she couldn't possibly make a move on now that her heart had been given to another. Not unless she was forced into such an arrangement, to which she was sure was unlikely. Irakles didn't seem intent on doing anything to rid himself of the Mikaelidas sisters. Yet.
Trailing her fingertips against the vibrant yellow petals of Aphrodite's narcissus, blue eyes lifted their gaze up to her cousin's face once more. Xene found that it was more logical to think before she spoke in the presence of her cousin. Were she not careful, Achilleas could so easily twist both her words and her logic against her. Just as he had those few days ago in the Palati gardens. Xene momentarily recalled him calling her a drunk and debated cuffing him on the ear now that she was sober. Served him right, after all. It may have hurt her feelings more if it were not true.
"I have every faith that Aphrodite will find favor with your efforts and preparation, Achilleas," Xene said in her usual casual tone. It was easy to be familiar with him now that they were reconnecting on a somewhat friendly level. "You are always prepared as it is," she teased him lightly, pressing one of her golden curls behind her ear.
When her cousin teased her about her own attendance to the temple, the pricness gave him a serene smile. "Despite the fact that I have no love to pray for, I am still a major believer in giving all of our gods the attention they deserve, dear Achilleas. I pray to Aphrodite because I wish to," Xene smirked a little, quite sure that would be a reasonable and logical reason for her to attend upon the Naos. It would not be wise to express that she had any lover at all, let alone that the very man himself was Lord Leventi. But she caught the way that Achilleas' gaze drifted toward Heron and perfectly resisted the urge to grow prickly and irritable over the offense.
"Need we have the conversation again? About why you should leave my guard be? Or did you have something else to discuss that requires such lovely, lonely solitude?" Xene questioned without skipping a beat. Her smile never shifted out of the realm of pleasant and polite. She was quite sure that she would have made her point entirely clear to him by now. At least that was what she hoped.
Xene had been able to find the man easily enough. The shade from the early fall heat was welcomed and Xene found herself drawn tot he flowers. She lingered by the beautiful yellow plants, giving and easy glance toward her cousin. He spoke so simply of his intentions for attending to the goddess and she had no doubt that he truly was ready to marry the woman who had held his heart for so long. They seemed so suited to one another. Even Xene could see that as clear as she could spy the moon on a clear night. Achilleas' union with Theodora was idyllic in the best way.
The princess could only have hoped for the same achievement. However, with the memory of Fotios' lips on hers, those ideas were slowly but surely drifting away into nothing but a bypassed dream. One she couldn't possibly make a move on now that her heart had been given to another. Not unless she was forced into such an arrangement, to which she was sure was unlikely. Irakles didn't seem intent on doing anything to rid himself of the Mikaelidas sisters. Yet.
Trailing her fingertips against the vibrant yellow petals of Aphrodite's narcissus, blue eyes lifted their gaze up to her cousin's face once more. Xene found that it was more logical to think before she spoke in the presence of her cousin. Were she not careful, Achilleas could so easily twist both her words and her logic against her. Just as he had those few days ago in the Palati gardens. Xene momentarily recalled him calling her a drunk and debated cuffing him on the ear now that she was sober. Served him right, after all. It may have hurt her feelings more if it were not true.
"I have every faith that Aphrodite will find favor with your efforts and preparation, Achilleas," Xene said in her usual casual tone. It was easy to be familiar with him now that they were reconnecting on a somewhat friendly level. "You are always prepared as it is," she teased him lightly, pressing one of her golden curls behind her ear.
When her cousin teased her about her own attendance to the temple, the pricness gave him a serene smile. "Despite the fact that I have no love to pray for, I am still a major believer in giving all of our gods the attention they deserve, dear Achilleas. I pray to Aphrodite because I wish to," Xene smirked a little, quite sure that would be a reasonable and logical reason for her to attend upon the Naos. It would not be wise to express that she had any lover at all, let alone that the very man himself was Lord Leventi. But she caught the way that Achilleas' gaze drifted toward Heron and perfectly resisted the urge to grow prickly and irritable over the offense.
"Need we have the conversation again? About why you should leave my guard be? Or did you have something else to discuss that requires such lovely, lonely solitude?" Xene questioned without skipping a beat. Her smile never shifted out of the realm of pleasant and polite. She was quite sure that she would have made her point entirely clear to him by now. At least that was what she hoped.
He could but hope that her words were true; that the goddess who was rumoured to have blessed his betrothed would shine further favour upon their union. He had done what he could to ensure such a thing, and his features softened into a smile at the gentle teasing from his cousin. It was true that Achilleas was not one for making decisions on the spur of the moment, he was a planner, meticulous about thinking through his options before committing to a particular path. To ensure it was the right path, the one that would get him to where he needed to go.
Or at least, that was his usual approach. Recently, he found himself crowded into decisions that he would have liked to have given more consideration to, or would have liked to not have to have made at all. But he could not keep second guessing himself, it would drive him mad, so he instead paid close attention to Xene’s explanation for her own attention to Aphrodite. She gave away nothing, and he raised his brows but did not comment, only turning to look at her again when she caught his glance toward Heron, and Achilleas glanced away, a flicker of amusement at her irritation. “No. You have made your position clear” he answered. “And that is not why I asked you to come”.
The newly minted Prince turned serious then, casting a wary glance around them to ensure they had solitude his cousin spoke of. He began walking again, a slow pace that gave their interaction a more casual edge than being paused together in the deep of the temple garden. His tongue slipped out to moisten his lips before he began to speak.
“I am hoping you will not think this a betrayal of your trust, Xene, but I do not want secrets between us and so I will risk your wrath either way.” She had sworn him to secrecy afterall, and he had breached that, but he had to hope she would understand why. “Before we had spoken, I was approached by Magnus of Chaossis. Do you know him?”
Achilleas slanted a glance towards the Princess, watched her face for any sign of recognition, before he went on. “Needless to say I didn’t appreciate his curiosity into matters, and we spoke barely a few words the day after the reception. But then..when I found out Stephanos had gone…”
He paused, took a breath, his dark brows furrowed and his gaze directed towards his feet as they continued their gentle walk. They skirted the edge of the temple grounds now, there were few people around, but still, the Mikaelidas lord kept his voice hushed. It was no small thing he was about to confess after all. “I sent for him. It does not take much speculation to suggest where your brother has gone, and if he trusted Prince Vangelis of Colchis then my belief is that we should too. The Prince has clearly left his man behind for good reason, and I told him everything I know, Xene. I told Master Magnus everything that I could.”
She might be angry, there was little he could do about that, but Achilleas stood by his decision and he straightened his shoulders a little in preparation for her response, whichever way it might fall.
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He could but hope that her words were true; that the goddess who was rumoured to have blessed his betrothed would shine further favour upon their union. He had done what he could to ensure such a thing, and his features softened into a smile at the gentle teasing from his cousin. It was true that Achilleas was not one for making decisions on the spur of the moment, he was a planner, meticulous about thinking through his options before committing to a particular path. To ensure it was the right path, the one that would get him to where he needed to go.
Or at least, that was his usual approach. Recently, he found himself crowded into decisions that he would have liked to have given more consideration to, or would have liked to not have to have made at all. But he could not keep second guessing himself, it would drive him mad, so he instead paid close attention to Xene’s explanation for her own attention to Aphrodite. She gave away nothing, and he raised his brows but did not comment, only turning to look at her again when she caught his glance toward Heron, and Achilleas glanced away, a flicker of amusement at her irritation. “No. You have made your position clear” he answered. “And that is not why I asked you to come”.
The newly minted Prince turned serious then, casting a wary glance around them to ensure they had solitude his cousin spoke of. He began walking again, a slow pace that gave their interaction a more casual edge than being paused together in the deep of the temple garden. His tongue slipped out to moisten his lips before he began to speak.
“I am hoping you will not think this a betrayal of your trust, Xene, but I do not want secrets between us and so I will risk your wrath either way.” She had sworn him to secrecy afterall, and he had breached that, but he had to hope she would understand why. “Before we had spoken, I was approached by Magnus of Chaossis. Do you know him?”
Achilleas slanted a glance towards the Princess, watched her face for any sign of recognition, before he went on. “Needless to say I didn’t appreciate his curiosity into matters, and we spoke barely a few words the day after the reception. But then..when I found out Stephanos had gone…”
He paused, took a breath, his dark brows furrowed and his gaze directed towards his feet as they continued their gentle walk. They skirted the edge of the temple grounds now, there were few people around, but still, the Mikaelidas lord kept his voice hushed. It was no small thing he was about to confess after all. “I sent for him. It does not take much speculation to suggest where your brother has gone, and if he trusted Prince Vangelis of Colchis then my belief is that we should too. The Prince has clearly left his man behind for good reason, and I told him everything I know, Xene. I told Master Magnus everything that I could.”
She might be angry, there was little he could do about that, but Achilleas stood by his decision and he straightened his shoulders a little in preparation for her response, whichever way it might fall.
He could but hope that her words were true; that the goddess who was rumoured to have blessed his betrothed would shine further favour upon their union. He had done what he could to ensure such a thing, and his features softened into a smile at the gentle teasing from his cousin. It was true that Achilleas was not one for making decisions on the spur of the moment, he was a planner, meticulous about thinking through his options before committing to a particular path. To ensure it was the right path, the one that would get him to where he needed to go.
Or at least, that was his usual approach. Recently, he found himself crowded into decisions that he would have liked to have given more consideration to, or would have liked to not have to have made at all. But he could not keep second guessing himself, it would drive him mad, so he instead paid close attention to Xene’s explanation for her own attention to Aphrodite. She gave away nothing, and he raised his brows but did not comment, only turning to look at her again when she caught his glance toward Heron, and Achilleas glanced away, a flicker of amusement at her irritation. “No. You have made your position clear” he answered. “And that is not why I asked you to come”.
The newly minted Prince turned serious then, casting a wary glance around them to ensure they had solitude his cousin spoke of. He began walking again, a slow pace that gave their interaction a more casual edge than being paused together in the deep of the temple garden. His tongue slipped out to moisten his lips before he began to speak.
“I am hoping you will not think this a betrayal of your trust, Xene, but I do not want secrets between us and so I will risk your wrath either way.” She had sworn him to secrecy afterall, and he had breached that, but he had to hope she would understand why. “Before we had spoken, I was approached by Magnus of Chaossis. Do you know him?”
Achilleas slanted a glance towards the Princess, watched her face for any sign of recognition, before he went on. “Needless to say I didn’t appreciate his curiosity into matters, and we spoke barely a few words the day after the reception. But then..when I found out Stephanos had gone…”
He paused, took a breath, his dark brows furrowed and his gaze directed towards his feet as they continued their gentle walk. They skirted the edge of the temple grounds now, there were few people around, but still, the Mikaelidas lord kept his voice hushed. It was no small thing he was about to confess after all. “I sent for him. It does not take much speculation to suggest where your brother has gone, and if he trusted Prince Vangelis of Colchis then my belief is that we should too. The Prince has clearly left his man behind for good reason, and I told him everything I know, Xene. I told Master Magnus everything that I could.”
She might be angry, there was little he could do about that, but Achilleas stood by his decision and he straightened his shoulders a little in preparation for her response, whichever way it might fall.
Xene was all too pleased to start walking again. Staying in one place while holding a conversation, especially one that was not meant to be heard by others, was simply a disaster waiting to happen. Doing so meant that many could listen in on what they were saying, and while Xene was not keen on having a scandal on her hands, she was equally unkeen on missing anything that Achilleas had to say. But it was Achilleas' words that struck her odd right away.
So odd, in fact, that she seemed to tense a bit, her brows furrowing slightly as she let her gaze slide back to her cousin. A betrayal of trust? Was he warning her that he had broken her trust after she was explicitly instructed him in the other direction? Already, she put a few inches of distance between them, her blue gaze flicking away from his face so that she could watch the world around her instead of the way that his lips would speak of his treachery.
There would be no more secrets between them because she would not be keen on sharing anything with him. If what he had done was as bad as he seemed to imply, there would be no way for her to trust him again after this. "I know of him and have seen his face around, but I have not explicitly spoken with him," Xene said a little coldly, even her tone guarded against the prospect of a break of trust between them. Maybe she had been a fool to say anything at all to the man. He seemed to not heed her word easily, a lapse in respect for his own cousin.
"You did what?" she questioned when Achilleas finally stopped speaking. Here, she stopped moving, even, putting even more distance between the two of them. The sudden flash of anger and frustration in her blue gaze was a clear indication of how she felt about this new knowledge. "Why would you do that?" she asked almost sharply, her brows knitting together again as she made an attempt in toning down her words and her apparent anger at having her wishes ignored by the man that she had put her trust and faith into. "No, don't answer that. I think we're done here, Prince Achilleas," Xene said boldly, properly.
Turning on her heel, she started to stride back through the gardens without him, her previous thoughts of Aphrodite and Fotios marred by the revelation that she had been betrayed in the worst way. They had had an agreement. He had promised her that he would say nothing of what they had spoken of or Xene's own opinions on what had happened to her brother. Those words and opinions had not been spoken in confidence just so that her cousin could go off and spout them to some foreign Master who could now take those findings to the Colchian royalty.
What if they were seen as a sign of weakness? What if Xene's own opinions and assertions about her brother trailed back to Taengea? Would she put her own position at risk? Would she be next? Would those words be twisted and sent off in all directions for their enemies to grab hold of and use against them?
To say that she was angry was an understatement. Her first instinct was to get away before he stripped more secrets off of her and sold them to the highest bidder.
Stupid, stupid man.
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Xene was all too pleased to start walking again. Staying in one place while holding a conversation, especially one that was not meant to be heard by others, was simply a disaster waiting to happen. Doing so meant that many could listen in on what they were saying, and while Xene was not keen on having a scandal on her hands, she was equally unkeen on missing anything that Achilleas had to say. But it was Achilleas' words that struck her odd right away.
So odd, in fact, that she seemed to tense a bit, her brows furrowing slightly as she let her gaze slide back to her cousin. A betrayal of trust? Was he warning her that he had broken her trust after she was explicitly instructed him in the other direction? Already, she put a few inches of distance between them, her blue gaze flicking away from his face so that she could watch the world around her instead of the way that his lips would speak of his treachery.
There would be no more secrets between them because she would not be keen on sharing anything with him. If what he had done was as bad as he seemed to imply, there would be no way for her to trust him again after this. "I know of him and have seen his face around, but I have not explicitly spoken with him," Xene said a little coldly, even her tone guarded against the prospect of a break of trust between them. Maybe she had been a fool to say anything at all to the man. He seemed to not heed her word easily, a lapse in respect for his own cousin.
"You did what?" she questioned when Achilleas finally stopped speaking. Here, she stopped moving, even, putting even more distance between the two of them. The sudden flash of anger and frustration in her blue gaze was a clear indication of how she felt about this new knowledge. "Why would you do that?" she asked almost sharply, her brows knitting together again as she made an attempt in toning down her words and her apparent anger at having her wishes ignored by the man that she had put her trust and faith into. "No, don't answer that. I think we're done here, Prince Achilleas," Xene said boldly, properly.
Turning on her heel, she started to stride back through the gardens without him, her previous thoughts of Aphrodite and Fotios marred by the revelation that she had been betrayed in the worst way. They had had an agreement. He had promised her that he would say nothing of what they had spoken of or Xene's own opinions on what had happened to her brother. Those words and opinions had not been spoken in confidence just so that her cousin could go off and spout them to some foreign Master who could now take those findings to the Colchian royalty.
What if they were seen as a sign of weakness? What if Xene's own opinions and assertions about her brother trailed back to Taengea? Would she put her own position at risk? Would she be next? Would those words be twisted and sent off in all directions for their enemies to grab hold of and use against them?
To say that she was angry was an understatement. Her first instinct was to get away before he stripped more secrets off of her and sold them to the highest bidder.
Stupid, stupid man.
Xene was all too pleased to start walking again. Staying in one place while holding a conversation, especially one that was not meant to be heard by others, was simply a disaster waiting to happen. Doing so meant that many could listen in on what they were saying, and while Xene was not keen on having a scandal on her hands, she was equally unkeen on missing anything that Achilleas had to say. But it was Achilleas' words that struck her odd right away.
So odd, in fact, that she seemed to tense a bit, her brows furrowing slightly as she let her gaze slide back to her cousin. A betrayal of trust? Was he warning her that he had broken her trust after she was explicitly instructed him in the other direction? Already, she put a few inches of distance between them, her blue gaze flicking away from his face so that she could watch the world around her instead of the way that his lips would speak of his treachery.
There would be no more secrets between them because she would not be keen on sharing anything with him. If what he had done was as bad as he seemed to imply, there would be no way for her to trust him again after this. "I know of him and have seen his face around, but I have not explicitly spoken with him," Xene said a little coldly, even her tone guarded against the prospect of a break of trust between them. Maybe she had been a fool to say anything at all to the man. He seemed to not heed her word easily, a lapse in respect for his own cousin.
"You did what?" she questioned when Achilleas finally stopped speaking. Here, she stopped moving, even, putting even more distance between the two of them. The sudden flash of anger and frustration in her blue gaze was a clear indication of how she felt about this new knowledge. "Why would you do that?" she asked almost sharply, her brows knitting together again as she made an attempt in toning down her words and her apparent anger at having her wishes ignored by the man that she had put her trust and faith into. "No, don't answer that. I think we're done here, Prince Achilleas," Xene said boldly, properly.
Turning on her heel, she started to stride back through the gardens without him, her previous thoughts of Aphrodite and Fotios marred by the revelation that she had been betrayed in the worst way. They had had an agreement. He had promised her that he would say nothing of what they had spoken of or Xene's own opinions on what had happened to her brother. Those words and opinions had not been spoken in confidence just so that her cousin could go off and spout them to some foreign Master who could now take those findings to the Colchian royalty.
What if they were seen as a sign of weakness? What if Xene's own opinions and assertions about her brother trailed back to Taengea? Would she put her own position at risk? Would she be next? Would those words be twisted and sent off in all directions for their enemies to grab hold of and use against them?
To say that she was angry was an understatement. Her first instinct was to get away before he stripped more secrets off of her and sold them to the highest bidder.
Stupid, stupid man.
It was only because he was paying such close attention, almost anticipating reactions before they were given, that Achilleas noticed the shift in his cousin’s demeanour and thinned his lips in displeasure. He had not much been looking forward to this conversation. And yet his conscience forbade him from leaving it unspoken and so the Prince forged ahead, explaining his actions and trying to ignore the irritation he could already feel rolling off the Princess as she walked beside him.
When he’d finished and Xene drew to a halt, her tone accusatory and her tongue sharp, Achilleas took a breath, because she was entitled to her anger her supposed. Even if he had acted in what he believed to be their shared interest, his cousin had taken him into her confidence, and he had flouted it. Opening his mouth to clarify, he was fully prepared to account for his decision, but was hardly given the chance before the Princess interrupted and then turned and strode away, a suppressed anger visible in every elegant line of her countenance.
For a moment, Achilleas watched her go, feeling unaccountable weary. It wasn’t in him, all of this subterfuge and secret keeping. It wasn’t at all how he liked to operate, and now he had a disgruntled Xene to deal with, and he knew his cousin to be stubborn when she felt like it. With a sigh, the man moved after the Princess, his longer legs eating up the head start she had gotten on him quickly, and he rounded her, effectively blocking her path and raised his palms outwards as if quieting a spooked horse. “Your highness. Xene. Please..” Achilleas kept his voice low so as not to attract attention, though he could feel the Princess’ guard staring a hole in his back all the same. “At least let me explain and then you can decide if your anger is warranted or not? And if you wish to be done with this conversation then, then so be it.”
He hoped not. There were enough fractures in the Mikaelidas family without adding another, and Achilleas had been glad to have reconnected with his cousin. She would understand his motivations, surely?
“By all indications it was the Prince Vangelis that aided Stephanos and Olympia in their escape and offered them sanctuary. Arming his man with all the information we have only gives your brother more chance to seize on that which might prove him innocent, or might jog his memory enough to alight on something we can use in his defence.” The Crown Prince had not made a spur of the moment decision to talk with the Colchian man after all. Indeed, Achilleas had thought long and hard about it because he didn’t consider it an insignificant gesture on his part. If his father knew…
“I am sorry if I acted outside of your wishes Xene, but I can’t stop and check in with you before every conversation I have. Sometimes I will have make the decision about who and what I share things with, just as you will. And I trust you to make the right decision there – why can you not afford me the same privilege?”
And he gave a small shake of his head, because if Xene thought that they had time to waste conferring every little detail she was wrong. His conversation with Lord Gavriil had left no doubt as to that. Stephanos had fled at a time when he most needed to assert himself, and the world of court and politics did not stop just because he had deserted.
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It was only because he was paying such close attention, almost anticipating reactions before they were given, that Achilleas noticed the shift in his cousin’s demeanour and thinned his lips in displeasure. He had not much been looking forward to this conversation. And yet his conscience forbade him from leaving it unspoken and so the Prince forged ahead, explaining his actions and trying to ignore the irritation he could already feel rolling off the Princess as she walked beside him.
When he’d finished and Xene drew to a halt, her tone accusatory and her tongue sharp, Achilleas took a breath, because she was entitled to her anger her supposed. Even if he had acted in what he believed to be their shared interest, his cousin had taken him into her confidence, and he had flouted it. Opening his mouth to clarify, he was fully prepared to account for his decision, but was hardly given the chance before the Princess interrupted and then turned and strode away, a suppressed anger visible in every elegant line of her countenance.
For a moment, Achilleas watched her go, feeling unaccountable weary. It wasn’t in him, all of this subterfuge and secret keeping. It wasn’t at all how he liked to operate, and now he had a disgruntled Xene to deal with, and he knew his cousin to be stubborn when she felt like it. With a sigh, the man moved after the Princess, his longer legs eating up the head start she had gotten on him quickly, and he rounded her, effectively blocking her path and raised his palms outwards as if quieting a spooked horse. “Your highness. Xene. Please..” Achilleas kept his voice low so as not to attract attention, though he could feel the Princess’ guard staring a hole in his back all the same. “At least let me explain and then you can decide if your anger is warranted or not? And if you wish to be done with this conversation then, then so be it.”
He hoped not. There were enough fractures in the Mikaelidas family without adding another, and Achilleas had been glad to have reconnected with his cousin. She would understand his motivations, surely?
“By all indications it was the Prince Vangelis that aided Stephanos and Olympia in their escape and offered them sanctuary. Arming his man with all the information we have only gives your brother more chance to seize on that which might prove him innocent, or might jog his memory enough to alight on something we can use in his defence.” The Crown Prince had not made a spur of the moment decision to talk with the Colchian man after all. Indeed, Achilleas had thought long and hard about it because he didn’t consider it an insignificant gesture on his part. If his father knew…
“I am sorry if I acted outside of your wishes Xene, but I can’t stop and check in with you before every conversation I have. Sometimes I will have make the decision about who and what I share things with, just as you will. And I trust you to make the right decision there – why can you not afford me the same privilege?”
And he gave a small shake of his head, because if Xene thought that they had time to waste conferring every little detail she was wrong. His conversation with Lord Gavriil had left no doubt as to that. Stephanos had fled at a time when he most needed to assert himself, and the world of court and politics did not stop just because he had deserted.
It was only because he was paying such close attention, almost anticipating reactions before they were given, that Achilleas noticed the shift in his cousin’s demeanour and thinned his lips in displeasure. He had not much been looking forward to this conversation. And yet his conscience forbade him from leaving it unspoken and so the Prince forged ahead, explaining his actions and trying to ignore the irritation he could already feel rolling off the Princess as she walked beside him.
When he’d finished and Xene drew to a halt, her tone accusatory and her tongue sharp, Achilleas took a breath, because she was entitled to her anger her supposed. Even if he had acted in what he believed to be their shared interest, his cousin had taken him into her confidence, and he had flouted it. Opening his mouth to clarify, he was fully prepared to account for his decision, but was hardly given the chance before the Princess interrupted and then turned and strode away, a suppressed anger visible in every elegant line of her countenance.
For a moment, Achilleas watched her go, feeling unaccountable weary. It wasn’t in him, all of this subterfuge and secret keeping. It wasn’t at all how he liked to operate, and now he had a disgruntled Xene to deal with, and he knew his cousin to be stubborn when she felt like it. With a sigh, the man moved after the Princess, his longer legs eating up the head start she had gotten on him quickly, and he rounded her, effectively blocking her path and raised his palms outwards as if quieting a spooked horse. “Your highness. Xene. Please..” Achilleas kept his voice low so as not to attract attention, though he could feel the Princess’ guard staring a hole in his back all the same. “At least let me explain and then you can decide if your anger is warranted or not? And if you wish to be done with this conversation then, then so be it.”
He hoped not. There were enough fractures in the Mikaelidas family without adding another, and Achilleas had been glad to have reconnected with his cousin. She would understand his motivations, surely?
“By all indications it was the Prince Vangelis that aided Stephanos and Olympia in their escape and offered them sanctuary. Arming his man with all the information we have only gives your brother more chance to seize on that which might prove him innocent, or might jog his memory enough to alight on something we can use in his defence.” The Crown Prince had not made a spur of the moment decision to talk with the Colchian man after all. Indeed, Achilleas had thought long and hard about it because he didn’t consider it an insignificant gesture on his part. If his father knew…
“I am sorry if I acted outside of your wishes Xene, but I can’t stop and check in with you before every conversation I have. Sometimes I will have make the decision about who and what I share things with, just as you will. And I trust you to make the right decision there – why can you not afford me the same privilege?”
And he gave a small shake of his head, because if Xene thought that they had time to waste conferring every little detail she was wrong. His conversation with Lord Gavriil had left no doubt as to that. Stephanos had fled at a time when he most needed to assert himself, and the world of court and politics did not stop just because he had deserted.
Xene really did not wish to speak with her cousin any longer. He had broken a trust that she had handed him on a platter made of gold. A trust that she had not been inclined to give him initially, but had relented because it had been the right and true thing to do. The Mikaelidas family had needed to find some solidarity against the unseen forces that were making all of their lives a constant hell that they could hardly escape from. If it was not one thing, it was always another, and while the princess did not want to entertain her cousin any further, she really had no choice.
He blocked her path before she could get too far and she had half a mind to slap his hands out of her way. How dare he. How dare he now allow her anger for more than a few seconds. She had every right to be frustrated with him. He had very clearly broken the trust between them. How could she ever trust him not to tell her secrets again? What if he contacted Stephanos and told him the things she had said just because he felt it was for the good of the family?
Narrowing her blue gaze at him, the princess stared up into his face. She said nothing to his pleading, allowing it and even basking in the power it gave her in that moment. He wanted her on his team, but she was hardpressed to yield now that he had insulted her in such a way. But she struggled to remain angry the more that he spoke, though a roll of her eyes did not escape her grasp. Huffing at him as he finished speaking, the princess crossed her arms firmly against her chest and waved a lingering Heron off.
The guard's fists clenched as if he might pounce on Prince Achilleas, but he backed away, giving the two of them more space once more. He only glanced back twice before he set his gaze firmly ahead and watched for any prying eyes. He would chase away anyone who decided to set foot into this garden. If the prince and princess required privacy, that is what they would get. He would not stand in the way of their conversation, nor let others attempt the same thing.
Xene's gaze did not unnarrow. It remained firmly planted on her cousin's features, her frustration seeming to grown once more as he continued to speak. He was forgetting one very important thing. "Your father has made the very staunch point that the entire fact that Stephanos has escaped only points more to guilt that may or may not be there. In the eyes of the Senate, they will only see guilt. My brother makes rash decisions. I feel like I know that almost better than anyone, and this was an entirely rash decision on his part. Prince Vangelis may have aided my brother and my sister-in-law, but Stephanos has only buried his innocence even further into the dirt. And you adding to such guilt by skulking around telling things that were not yours to tell does not help my brother's case in the slightest. You are only going to make him even more of a target if you are not careful."
She took a single breath, almost spitting pure venom at her cousin, "But if you thought any length of time about discussing it with someone else, you would have had time to come and discuss with me. You are not rash. You do not make spur of the moment decisions, Prince Achilleas. I do not believe that you did not stop to think about what I might feel if you were to tell someone else these opinions and thoughts, so why did you not approach me? Why am I the last to know that you have betrayed my trust? You do not have to stop and check-in with me to ensure that I'm okay with what you say to others, but you must give me consideration when I specifically tell you that I do not want something spread. I have my reasons, and you endanger those reasons and our safety by explicitly doing exactly the opposite of what I asked of you."
Gritting her teeth, she closed her eyes firmly and let out a slow, even breath. It was a desperate effort to calm herself in that moment. Was she being overbearing right then? Yes. Did she know it? Yes. But she also did not appreciate Achilleas' 'I knew what was best' attitude that he seemed to be impressing on her.
"I am not some pretty little idiot princess, Achilleas. I did not choose to fade into the background and be a quiet and dutiful woman. I became a valued member of the Court through hard work and learning. I learned my place, and I also learned that trust is earned, not freely given. I trusted you to include me on anything that you might have found important in terms of my brother's position. I did not have to do such a thing. I could have left you entirely in the dark, but that would have gotten us nowhere, wouldn't it? But you broke my trust, cousin. It was the one single thing I asked of you: do not tell a soul. I was not ready to tell anyone but you and you forcing my hand does not make me happy. I am not going to jump for joy that you told a complete stranger, no matter who he might be in another court, secrets. How am I to afford you the same privileges of making the right decisions when you can't even heed mine?"
It was here that she took one last calming breath, pressing one of her curls back behind her ear and trying to compose herself. She wouldn't look at him, trying to ensure that she would keep that composure. She did not want to see Achilleas' frustration, nor the pleading look he was likely to give her. He wanted her to understand, but all she felt was undercut and unconsidered with something she had trusted his confidence in. "If you were afraid that I would have said no if you had asked me, you shouldn't have been. I would have given you permission to do so, but I am angered at the fact that knowing you, you thought about your choice... but you did not consider mine."
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Xene really did not wish to speak with her cousin any longer. He had broken a trust that she had handed him on a platter made of gold. A trust that she had not been inclined to give him initially, but had relented because it had been the right and true thing to do. The Mikaelidas family had needed to find some solidarity against the unseen forces that were making all of their lives a constant hell that they could hardly escape from. If it was not one thing, it was always another, and while the princess did not want to entertain her cousin any further, she really had no choice.
He blocked her path before she could get too far and she had half a mind to slap his hands out of her way. How dare he. How dare he now allow her anger for more than a few seconds. She had every right to be frustrated with him. He had very clearly broken the trust between them. How could she ever trust him not to tell her secrets again? What if he contacted Stephanos and told him the things she had said just because he felt it was for the good of the family?
Narrowing her blue gaze at him, the princess stared up into his face. She said nothing to his pleading, allowing it and even basking in the power it gave her in that moment. He wanted her on his team, but she was hardpressed to yield now that he had insulted her in such a way. But she struggled to remain angry the more that he spoke, though a roll of her eyes did not escape her grasp. Huffing at him as he finished speaking, the princess crossed her arms firmly against her chest and waved a lingering Heron off.
The guard's fists clenched as if he might pounce on Prince Achilleas, but he backed away, giving the two of them more space once more. He only glanced back twice before he set his gaze firmly ahead and watched for any prying eyes. He would chase away anyone who decided to set foot into this garden. If the prince and princess required privacy, that is what they would get. He would not stand in the way of their conversation, nor let others attempt the same thing.
Xene's gaze did not unnarrow. It remained firmly planted on her cousin's features, her frustration seeming to grown once more as he continued to speak. He was forgetting one very important thing. "Your father has made the very staunch point that the entire fact that Stephanos has escaped only points more to guilt that may or may not be there. In the eyes of the Senate, they will only see guilt. My brother makes rash decisions. I feel like I know that almost better than anyone, and this was an entirely rash decision on his part. Prince Vangelis may have aided my brother and my sister-in-law, but Stephanos has only buried his innocence even further into the dirt. And you adding to such guilt by skulking around telling things that were not yours to tell does not help my brother's case in the slightest. You are only going to make him even more of a target if you are not careful."
She took a single breath, almost spitting pure venom at her cousin, "But if you thought any length of time about discussing it with someone else, you would have had time to come and discuss with me. You are not rash. You do not make spur of the moment decisions, Prince Achilleas. I do not believe that you did not stop to think about what I might feel if you were to tell someone else these opinions and thoughts, so why did you not approach me? Why am I the last to know that you have betrayed my trust? You do not have to stop and check-in with me to ensure that I'm okay with what you say to others, but you must give me consideration when I specifically tell you that I do not want something spread. I have my reasons, and you endanger those reasons and our safety by explicitly doing exactly the opposite of what I asked of you."
Gritting her teeth, she closed her eyes firmly and let out a slow, even breath. It was a desperate effort to calm herself in that moment. Was she being overbearing right then? Yes. Did she know it? Yes. But she also did not appreciate Achilleas' 'I knew what was best' attitude that he seemed to be impressing on her.
"I am not some pretty little idiot princess, Achilleas. I did not choose to fade into the background and be a quiet and dutiful woman. I became a valued member of the Court through hard work and learning. I learned my place, and I also learned that trust is earned, not freely given. I trusted you to include me on anything that you might have found important in terms of my brother's position. I did not have to do such a thing. I could have left you entirely in the dark, but that would have gotten us nowhere, wouldn't it? But you broke my trust, cousin. It was the one single thing I asked of you: do not tell a soul. I was not ready to tell anyone but you and you forcing my hand does not make me happy. I am not going to jump for joy that you told a complete stranger, no matter who he might be in another court, secrets. How am I to afford you the same privileges of making the right decisions when you can't even heed mine?"
It was here that she took one last calming breath, pressing one of her curls back behind her ear and trying to compose herself. She wouldn't look at him, trying to ensure that she would keep that composure. She did not want to see Achilleas' frustration, nor the pleading look he was likely to give her. He wanted her to understand, but all she felt was undercut and unconsidered with something she had trusted his confidence in. "If you were afraid that I would have said no if you had asked me, you shouldn't have been. I would have given you permission to do so, but I am angered at the fact that knowing you, you thought about your choice... but you did not consider mine."
Xene really did not wish to speak with her cousin any longer. He had broken a trust that she had handed him on a platter made of gold. A trust that she had not been inclined to give him initially, but had relented because it had been the right and true thing to do. The Mikaelidas family had needed to find some solidarity against the unseen forces that were making all of their lives a constant hell that they could hardly escape from. If it was not one thing, it was always another, and while the princess did not want to entertain her cousin any further, she really had no choice.
He blocked her path before she could get too far and she had half a mind to slap his hands out of her way. How dare he. How dare he now allow her anger for more than a few seconds. She had every right to be frustrated with him. He had very clearly broken the trust between them. How could she ever trust him not to tell her secrets again? What if he contacted Stephanos and told him the things she had said just because he felt it was for the good of the family?
Narrowing her blue gaze at him, the princess stared up into his face. She said nothing to his pleading, allowing it and even basking in the power it gave her in that moment. He wanted her on his team, but she was hardpressed to yield now that he had insulted her in such a way. But she struggled to remain angry the more that he spoke, though a roll of her eyes did not escape her grasp. Huffing at him as he finished speaking, the princess crossed her arms firmly against her chest and waved a lingering Heron off.
The guard's fists clenched as if he might pounce on Prince Achilleas, but he backed away, giving the two of them more space once more. He only glanced back twice before he set his gaze firmly ahead and watched for any prying eyes. He would chase away anyone who decided to set foot into this garden. If the prince and princess required privacy, that is what they would get. He would not stand in the way of their conversation, nor let others attempt the same thing.
Xene's gaze did not unnarrow. It remained firmly planted on her cousin's features, her frustration seeming to grown once more as he continued to speak. He was forgetting one very important thing. "Your father has made the very staunch point that the entire fact that Stephanos has escaped only points more to guilt that may or may not be there. In the eyes of the Senate, they will only see guilt. My brother makes rash decisions. I feel like I know that almost better than anyone, and this was an entirely rash decision on his part. Prince Vangelis may have aided my brother and my sister-in-law, but Stephanos has only buried his innocence even further into the dirt. And you adding to such guilt by skulking around telling things that were not yours to tell does not help my brother's case in the slightest. You are only going to make him even more of a target if you are not careful."
She took a single breath, almost spitting pure venom at her cousin, "But if you thought any length of time about discussing it with someone else, you would have had time to come and discuss with me. You are not rash. You do not make spur of the moment decisions, Prince Achilleas. I do not believe that you did not stop to think about what I might feel if you were to tell someone else these opinions and thoughts, so why did you not approach me? Why am I the last to know that you have betrayed my trust? You do not have to stop and check-in with me to ensure that I'm okay with what you say to others, but you must give me consideration when I specifically tell you that I do not want something spread. I have my reasons, and you endanger those reasons and our safety by explicitly doing exactly the opposite of what I asked of you."
Gritting her teeth, she closed her eyes firmly and let out a slow, even breath. It was a desperate effort to calm herself in that moment. Was she being overbearing right then? Yes. Did she know it? Yes. But she also did not appreciate Achilleas' 'I knew what was best' attitude that he seemed to be impressing on her.
"I am not some pretty little idiot princess, Achilleas. I did not choose to fade into the background and be a quiet and dutiful woman. I became a valued member of the Court through hard work and learning. I learned my place, and I also learned that trust is earned, not freely given. I trusted you to include me on anything that you might have found important in terms of my brother's position. I did not have to do such a thing. I could have left you entirely in the dark, but that would have gotten us nowhere, wouldn't it? But you broke my trust, cousin. It was the one single thing I asked of you: do not tell a soul. I was not ready to tell anyone but you and you forcing my hand does not make me happy. I am not going to jump for joy that you told a complete stranger, no matter who he might be in another court, secrets. How am I to afford you the same privileges of making the right decisions when you can't even heed mine?"
It was here that she took one last calming breath, pressing one of her curls back behind her ear and trying to compose herself. She wouldn't look at him, trying to ensure that she would keep that composure. She did not want to see Achilleas' frustration, nor the pleading look he was likely to give her. He wanted her to understand, but all she felt was undercut and unconsidered with something she had trusted his confidence in. "If you were afraid that I would have said no if you had asked me, you shouldn't have been. I would have given you permission to do so, but I am angered at the fact that knowing you, you thought about your choice... but you did not consider mine."
She may have stopped in her steps, given no choice by Achilleas placing himself firmly in her path, but the Princess left little room for doubt that she held on to her annoyance, pinning her cousin with a narrowed gaze that had him sigh. One step forward, two taken back. It was how everything seemed to be going. He followed her gaze to where it flickered towards Heron, his brows raising at the way she waved him off, as if the man had actually been considering interceding. Achilleas set a harder stare at the guard. He might be trusted by Xene, but he would find short favour with her cousin if he chose to involve himself in what were family matters.
Admittedly, it was a little difficult to carry off an imposing air when Achilleas’ attention was drawn back to Xene by her scolding him, and for what felt like a long while, the Crown Prince could do little but stand there and allow his cousin to vent her ire. He held her gaze, only looking away and shaking his head when she suggested that he might have done Stephanos harm in his efforts, because Achilleas did not agree. Stephanos was not one to stand idly by, and if he wanted to return he would have to prove himself innocent of those crimes laid at his feet. Knowing that his cousin and sister were trying could only bolster him at such a juncture, and it might be that what they knew triggered something that he could build his case around.
“I think that if you listen to what I’m…”
But Achilleas wasn’t given a chance to make his argument, because the Princess was speaking again, and he exhaled, resigned himself to letting her upbraid him as she needed to, looking off to the side as the words continued to fall in a ceaseless torrent. He had forgotten what she could be like when she sank her teeth into something. Achilleas did cut his eyes back to her own though, as Xene pointed out the fact that she knew well enough he would not have leaped into such a course of action without due consideration, and at that he did feel a little guilt. He had gone into that conversation with Master Magnus knowing that he was breaking her confidence, and for that decision at least, her criticism was deserved.
When she had finally finished, he did not respond right away, and it was an awkward sort of silence where he willed her to look up at him and she did not comply. And so Achilleas was forced to speak to her without the benefit of his best conciliatory expression to ease the way.
“I know you are no fool, Xene. I did not mean to suggest so. And I apologise, I did make this decision knowing that it was going against your wishes, but I had hoped you would see that it was a choice I did not make lightly, and only did so for the benefit of Stephanos, which, I had reasoned, you would not object to.”
It had perhaps been too much stress to place upon what he was now reminded was a tentative trust between them. If he was mildly irritated by the high-handed way Xene spoke of his seeking permission, he bit his tongue on the matter, for it would not help the situation. He tried to remain diplomatic.
“You are of course entitled to your anger, cousin, but I beseech you do not let this come between at a time where we as a family should be standing together. I am here, including you on something important relating you your brother’s condition, as you have asked. Is that not a show enough of good faith between us?”
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She may have stopped in her steps, given no choice by Achilleas placing himself firmly in her path, but the Princess left little room for doubt that she held on to her annoyance, pinning her cousin with a narrowed gaze that had him sigh. One step forward, two taken back. It was how everything seemed to be going. He followed her gaze to where it flickered towards Heron, his brows raising at the way she waved him off, as if the man had actually been considering interceding. Achilleas set a harder stare at the guard. He might be trusted by Xene, but he would find short favour with her cousin if he chose to involve himself in what were family matters.
Admittedly, it was a little difficult to carry off an imposing air when Achilleas’ attention was drawn back to Xene by her scolding him, and for what felt like a long while, the Crown Prince could do little but stand there and allow his cousin to vent her ire. He held her gaze, only looking away and shaking his head when she suggested that he might have done Stephanos harm in his efforts, because Achilleas did not agree. Stephanos was not one to stand idly by, and if he wanted to return he would have to prove himself innocent of those crimes laid at his feet. Knowing that his cousin and sister were trying could only bolster him at such a juncture, and it might be that what they knew triggered something that he could build his case around.
“I think that if you listen to what I’m…”
But Achilleas wasn’t given a chance to make his argument, because the Princess was speaking again, and he exhaled, resigned himself to letting her upbraid him as she needed to, looking off to the side as the words continued to fall in a ceaseless torrent. He had forgotten what she could be like when she sank her teeth into something. Achilleas did cut his eyes back to her own though, as Xene pointed out the fact that she knew well enough he would not have leaped into such a course of action without due consideration, and at that he did feel a little guilt. He had gone into that conversation with Master Magnus knowing that he was breaking her confidence, and for that decision at least, her criticism was deserved.
When she had finally finished, he did not respond right away, and it was an awkward sort of silence where he willed her to look up at him and she did not comply. And so Achilleas was forced to speak to her without the benefit of his best conciliatory expression to ease the way.
“I know you are no fool, Xene. I did not mean to suggest so. And I apologise, I did make this decision knowing that it was going against your wishes, but I had hoped you would see that it was a choice I did not make lightly, and only did so for the benefit of Stephanos, which, I had reasoned, you would not object to.”
It had perhaps been too much stress to place upon what he was now reminded was a tentative trust between them. If he was mildly irritated by the high-handed way Xene spoke of his seeking permission, he bit his tongue on the matter, for it would not help the situation. He tried to remain diplomatic.
“You are of course entitled to your anger, cousin, but I beseech you do not let this come between at a time where we as a family should be standing together. I am here, including you on something important relating you your brother’s condition, as you have asked. Is that not a show enough of good faith between us?”
She may have stopped in her steps, given no choice by Achilleas placing himself firmly in her path, but the Princess left little room for doubt that she held on to her annoyance, pinning her cousin with a narrowed gaze that had him sigh. One step forward, two taken back. It was how everything seemed to be going. He followed her gaze to where it flickered towards Heron, his brows raising at the way she waved him off, as if the man had actually been considering interceding. Achilleas set a harder stare at the guard. He might be trusted by Xene, but he would find short favour with her cousin if he chose to involve himself in what were family matters.
Admittedly, it was a little difficult to carry off an imposing air when Achilleas’ attention was drawn back to Xene by her scolding him, and for what felt like a long while, the Crown Prince could do little but stand there and allow his cousin to vent her ire. He held her gaze, only looking away and shaking his head when she suggested that he might have done Stephanos harm in his efforts, because Achilleas did not agree. Stephanos was not one to stand idly by, and if he wanted to return he would have to prove himself innocent of those crimes laid at his feet. Knowing that his cousin and sister were trying could only bolster him at such a juncture, and it might be that what they knew triggered something that he could build his case around.
“I think that if you listen to what I’m…”
But Achilleas wasn’t given a chance to make his argument, because the Princess was speaking again, and he exhaled, resigned himself to letting her upbraid him as she needed to, looking off to the side as the words continued to fall in a ceaseless torrent. He had forgotten what she could be like when she sank her teeth into something. Achilleas did cut his eyes back to her own though, as Xene pointed out the fact that she knew well enough he would not have leaped into such a course of action without due consideration, and at that he did feel a little guilt. He had gone into that conversation with Master Magnus knowing that he was breaking her confidence, and for that decision at least, her criticism was deserved.
When she had finally finished, he did not respond right away, and it was an awkward sort of silence where he willed her to look up at him and she did not comply. And so Achilleas was forced to speak to her without the benefit of his best conciliatory expression to ease the way.
“I know you are no fool, Xene. I did not mean to suggest so. And I apologise, I did make this decision knowing that it was going against your wishes, but I had hoped you would see that it was a choice I did not make lightly, and only did so for the benefit of Stephanos, which, I had reasoned, you would not object to.”
It had perhaps been too much stress to place upon what he was now reminded was a tentative trust between them. If he was mildly irritated by the high-handed way Xene spoke of his seeking permission, he bit his tongue on the matter, for it would not help the situation. He tried to remain diplomatic.
“You are of course entitled to your anger, cousin, but I beseech you do not let this come between at a time where we as a family should be standing together. I am here, including you on something important relating you your brother’s condition, as you have asked. Is that not a show enough of good faith between us?”
The princess' anger was spent and she found herself quickly calming. Unlike her brother, she found words to be her weapon when angry. She did not often find the strength of the level of anger needed to throw things or show violence. Were she any different, raised any differently, she might have found something to throw at her cousin. She liked to think herself better than that, however, though her quiet rush of words did little to really ease the growing guilt of her own. Was she truly right to be angry about such things? Yes. Had she needed to take it as far as she had? Absolutely not.
For this, she felt the sharp sting of guilt and purposely wouldn't look at Achilleas at first. Even when he spoke to her in a tone that seemed to plead some sort of forgiveness, she couldn't seem to look at him. No, this was all on her now. Not him. She was the one that had thrown off the handle at the mere mention of betrayal. There was just so much of it in their house as of late that Xene had been hoping beyond hope that she could truly trust Achilleas to heed her one request of him.
Just ask her before saying anything else to people not part of their very small informational circle. That was all she had wanted of her cousin. And while angry, the princess quickly found herself unable to stay angry. Her gaze slid back to his face when he started to reason with her, and the princess felt a sharper jolt of guilt at the expression on his features. He wanted to make up and make things better and she was just being a stubborn woman.
"I'm not angry about you getting Stephanos help, Achilleas," Xene said quietly, crossing her arms against her own chest in a show of discomfort that was much unlike her in most other situation she ever found herself in. "I'm just angry that you broke my trust, not that it should really matter if the end result is actually something that can aid Stephanos. I'm just upset that you did not include me in your decision. I have been championing for my brother since he took the throne. That has been my role in all of this. When you do not include me in vital decisions, you're taking that role from my shoulders. The last few months I have done what I could to support my brother. It does not feel good to have such control taken from my hands," her tone took on one of guilt, because she still felt guilty as she explained her true reasoning for finding fault with Achilleas' actions.
And now, after burning this bridge, she had to find a way to quickly rebuild it. An apology was usually a wonderful start and Xene sighed deeply through her nose. "It is enough of a show of good faith between us," Xene finally admittedly, swallowing a bit. "It just feels like you didn't trust me enough to give you the answer you wanted if you actually had asked. That is what I am not okay with in all of this."
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The princess' anger was spent and she found herself quickly calming. Unlike her brother, she found words to be her weapon when angry. She did not often find the strength of the level of anger needed to throw things or show violence. Were she any different, raised any differently, she might have found something to throw at her cousin. She liked to think herself better than that, however, though her quiet rush of words did little to really ease the growing guilt of her own. Was she truly right to be angry about such things? Yes. Had she needed to take it as far as she had? Absolutely not.
For this, she felt the sharp sting of guilt and purposely wouldn't look at Achilleas at first. Even when he spoke to her in a tone that seemed to plead some sort of forgiveness, she couldn't seem to look at him. No, this was all on her now. Not him. She was the one that had thrown off the handle at the mere mention of betrayal. There was just so much of it in their house as of late that Xene had been hoping beyond hope that she could truly trust Achilleas to heed her one request of him.
Just ask her before saying anything else to people not part of their very small informational circle. That was all she had wanted of her cousin. And while angry, the princess quickly found herself unable to stay angry. Her gaze slid back to his face when he started to reason with her, and the princess felt a sharper jolt of guilt at the expression on his features. He wanted to make up and make things better and she was just being a stubborn woman.
"I'm not angry about you getting Stephanos help, Achilleas," Xene said quietly, crossing her arms against her own chest in a show of discomfort that was much unlike her in most other situation she ever found herself in. "I'm just angry that you broke my trust, not that it should really matter if the end result is actually something that can aid Stephanos. I'm just upset that you did not include me in your decision. I have been championing for my brother since he took the throne. That has been my role in all of this. When you do not include me in vital decisions, you're taking that role from my shoulders. The last few months I have done what I could to support my brother. It does not feel good to have such control taken from my hands," her tone took on one of guilt, because she still felt guilty as she explained her true reasoning for finding fault with Achilleas' actions.
And now, after burning this bridge, she had to find a way to quickly rebuild it. An apology was usually a wonderful start and Xene sighed deeply through her nose. "It is enough of a show of good faith between us," Xene finally admittedly, swallowing a bit. "It just feels like you didn't trust me enough to give you the answer you wanted if you actually had asked. That is what I am not okay with in all of this."
The princess' anger was spent and she found herself quickly calming. Unlike her brother, she found words to be her weapon when angry. She did not often find the strength of the level of anger needed to throw things or show violence. Were she any different, raised any differently, she might have found something to throw at her cousin. She liked to think herself better than that, however, though her quiet rush of words did little to really ease the growing guilt of her own. Was she truly right to be angry about such things? Yes. Had she needed to take it as far as she had? Absolutely not.
For this, she felt the sharp sting of guilt and purposely wouldn't look at Achilleas at first. Even when he spoke to her in a tone that seemed to plead some sort of forgiveness, she couldn't seem to look at him. No, this was all on her now. Not him. She was the one that had thrown off the handle at the mere mention of betrayal. There was just so much of it in their house as of late that Xene had been hoping beyond hope that she could truly trust Achilleas to heed her one request of him.
Just ask her before saying anything else to people not part of their very small informational circle. That was all she had wanted of her cousin. And while angry, the princess quickly found herself unable to stay angry. Her gaze slid back to his face when he started to reason with her, and the princess felt a sharper jolt of guilt at the expression on his features. He wanted to make up and make things better and she was just being a stubborn woman.
"I'm not angry about you getting Stephanos help, Achilleas," Xene said quietly, crossing her arms against her own chest in a show of discomfort that was much unlike her in most other situation she ever found herself in. "I'm just angry that you broke my trust, not that it should really matter if the end result is actually something that can aid Stephanos. I'm just upset that you did not include me in your decision. I have been championing for my brother since he took the throne. That has been my role in all of this. When you do not include me in vital decisions, you're taking that role from my shoulders. The last few months I have done what I could to support my brother. It does not feel good to have such control taken from my hands," her tone took on one of guilt, because she still felt guilty as she explained her true reasoning for finding fault with Achilleas' actions.
And now, after burning this bridge, she had to find a way to quickly rebuild it. An apology was usually a wonderful start and Xene sighed deeply through her nose. "It is enough of a show of good faith between us," Xene finally admittedly, swallowing a bit. "It just feels like you didn't trust me enough to give you the answer you wanted if you actually had asked. That is what I am not okay with in all of this."
Finally it seemed as if the Princess Xene’s anger had run its course, and if anything, Achilleas thought she appeared almost uncomfortable. He consciously relaxed his own posture, realising he had grown more rigid as they had talked and that it was not helpful to finding a truce. He listened, and his gaze softened with understanding as she went on.
It was understandable, her feeling displaced. With Stephanos gone and Irakles assuming rule, it left the Princess in a tenuous position. Achilleas had not considered that she might be feeling it when he had forged on ahead with his conversations and he gave a small nod of understanding, sighing before he offered a response.
“It was not my intent to leave you feeling excluded. Nor to undermine your place. I can see how it might feel that way though.” And at her her words suggesting he did not trust her, there was an immediate dismissal.
“That was not it at all. It was not about you Xene. I think….perhaps I was more focused on the fact that it was a betrayal of my father. It has weighed on me, and maybe it made me blind to how you might feel. I am sorry for that”
Hesitantly, he reached out a hand to settle upon her arm “I meant it though. We need to stand together now more than ever. We haven’t been..close for a while, and maybe that makes me ignorant as to how some things might make you feel. But I am trying, Xene. I don’t know what I am doing here, the situation is not one I had envisioned.”
Indeed, Taengea had been rocked by uncertainty ever since the Creed attacks, and instability was not something that the Mikaelidas Lord enjoyed. Achilleas liked to know where he stood, liked order and defined areas of responsibility to operate within. And skirting the edges of working in opposition to his father was not at all an area he would have imagined putting himself into. Perhaps it was less of a conflict for Xene, she said herself, she had been fighting her brother’s corner for some time now.
“My father has summoned us to a dinner this evening” he said quietly, letting his hand fall back to his side. “I am hopeful that he will speak more of his plans pertaining to a trial. I’ll find out what I can. And then perhaps we can speak again after the wedding, when I am back from Euttica?”
For amidst all of this chaos, there was still a wedding to be had, and by the Gods if it had not been delayed enough already. Tradition dictated that Achilleas and Theodora would return to his home after the ceremony, though it hardly held the promise of a blissful newlywed retreat with everything that was going on in the capital.
“If you need anything when I am gone, you can speak to Emilios. He is of a similar mind to us in this, I am certain.”
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Finally it seemed as if the Princess Xene’s anger had run its course, and if anything, Achilleas thought she appeared almost uncomfortable. He consciously relaxed his own posture, realising he had grown more rigid as they had talked and that it was not helpful to finding a truce. He listened, and his gaze softened with understanding as she went on.
It was understandable, her feeling displaced. With Stephanos gone and Irakles assuming rule, it left the Princess in a tenuous position. Achilleas had not considered that she might be feeling it when he had forged on ahead with his conversations and he gave a small nod of understanding, sighing before he offered a response.
“It was not my intent to leave you feeling excluded. Nor to undermine your place. I can see how it might feel that way though.” And at her her words suggesting he did not trust her, there was an immediate dismissal.
“That was not it at all. It was not about you Xene. I think….perhaps I was more focused on the fact that it was a betrayal of my father. It has weighed on me, and maybe it made me blind to how you might feel. I am sorry for that”
Hesitantly, he reached out a hand to settle upon her arm “I meant it though. We need to stand together now more than ever. We haven’t been..close for a while, and maybe that makes me ignorant as to how some things might make you feel. But I am trying, Xene. I don’t know what I am doing here, the situation is not one I had envisioned.”
Indeed, Taengea had been rocked by uncertainty ever since the Creed attacks, and instability was not something that the Mikaelidas Lord enjoyed. Achilleas liked to know where he stood, liked order and defined areas of responsibility to operate within. And skirting the edges of working in opposition to his father was not at all an area he would have imagined putting himself into. Perhaps it was less of a conflict for Xene, she said herself, she had been fighting her brother’s corner for some time now.
“My father has summoned us to a dinner this evening” he said quietly, letting his hand fall back to his side. “I am hopeful that he will speak more of his plans pertaining to a trial. I’ll find out what I can. And then perhaps we can speak again after the wedding, when I am back from Euttica?”
For amidst all of this chaos, there was still a wedding to be had, and by the Gods if it had not been delayed enough already. Tradition dictated that Achilleas and Theodora would return to his home after the ceremony, though it hardly held the promise of a blissful newlywed retreat with everything that was going on in the capital.
“If you need anything when I am gone, you can speak to Emilios. He is of a similar mind to us in this, I am certain.”
Finally it seemed as if the Princess Xene’s anger had run its course, and if anything, Achilleas thought she appeared almost uncomfortable. He consciously relaxed his own posture, realising he had grown more rigid as they had talked and that it was not helpful to finding a truce. He listened, and his gaze softened with understanding as she went on.
It was understandable, her feeling displaced. With Stephanos gone and Irakles assuming rule, it left the Princess in a tenuous position. Achilleas had not considered that she might be feeling it when he had forged on ahead with his conversations and he gave a small nod of understanding, sighing before he offered a response.
“It was not my intent to leave you feeling excluded. Nor to undermine your place. I can see how it might feel that way though.” And at her her words suggesting he did not trust her, there was an immediate dismissal.
“That was not it at all. It was not about you Xene. I think….perhaps I was more focused on the fact that it was a betrayal of my father. It has weighed on me, and maybe it made me blind to how you might feel. I am sorry for that”
Hesitantly, he reached out a hand to settle upon her arm “I meant it though. We need to stand together now more than ever. We haven’t been..close for a while, and maybe that makes me ignorant as to how some things might make you feel. But I am trying, Xene. I don’t know what I am doing here, the situation is not one I had envisioned.”
Indeed, Taengea had been rocked by uncertainty ever since the Creed attacks, and instability was not something that the Mikaelidas Lord enjoyed. Achilleas liked to know where he stood, liked order and defined areas of responsibility to operate within. And skirting the edges of working in opposition to his father was not at all an area he would have imagined putting himself into. Perhaps it was less of a conflict for Xene, she said herself, she had been fighting her brother’s corner for some time now.
“My father has summoned us to a dinner this evening” he said quietly, letting his hand fall back to his side. “I am hopeful that he will speak more of his plans pertaining to a trial. I’ll find out what I can. And then perhaps we can speak again after the wedding, when I am back from Euttica?”
For amidst all of this chaos, there was still a wedding to be had, and by the Gods if it had not been delayed enough already. Tradition dictated that Achilleas and Theodora would return to his home after the ceremony, though it hardly held the promise of a blissful newlywed retreat with everything that was going on in the capital.
“If you need anything when I am gone, you can speak to Emilios. He is of a similar mind to us in this, I am certain.”
Now that her anger had all but faded, Xene felt nothing but... exhausted, really. She had fought Achilleas so much on the fact that she felt betrayed that now that things were smoothing over, she was just going to let the tiredness seep into her bones. Life without her brothers was... rather dull. Life without Stephanos? Some days she felt like she was losing her mind. She missed him even though he had not left all that long ago to begin with. This fracturing of her family was something that Xene was silently struggling to withstand.
Years of training and decorum, however, meant that she yielded little in the public eye and instead had her moments in the dead of night. Alone. With no one else to witness the weakness and helplessness that she felt at every single turn. Those were feelings best left for solitude, even if she could sort of trust the man in front of her.
"I understand, Achilleas... but you might allow me to feel the slightest bit stung. Else I'll have made a complete ass of myself for no reason at all," Xene said, humor in her voice as she watched her cousin closely. "I can't just let you win like when we were kids. I recognize that you are sorry and that you did what you thought was best, but you must recognize that you still hurt me. Just... try not to do it again, or do, but that doesn't mean you won't get the same exact reaction next time," she pointed out to him. "I trust you, and I'm choosing to trust you."
Lifting her hand to touch the one that rest on her arm, Xene gave him a weak, but gentle smile. "We will stand together. But just as I trust you, you need to trust me too. Together, maybe we can make sense of everything. Two heads are better than just one, right? One general does not run the entire war," the princess commented, looping her arm in his and turning him back toward the exit to the temple. She listened patiently, nodding along as he instructed her about speaking when he returned from his wedding.
"I'm sure I will need little until you return. Just peace and quiet for a few days. I dislike weddings, and I'm sorry for saying such with your own looming," Xene admitted, "But I have much work to do if I'm to help with yours, so why don't you walk me back to the Palati before it gets too late?" Xene volunteered him and then motioned for Heron to go on ahead of them. She would be find with just Achilleas to accompany her, she was sure.
"Now," the princess started as they walked together, "What are you hoping to eat on your wedding day?"
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Now that her anger had all but faded, Xene felt nothing but... exhausted, really. She had fought Achilleas so much on the fact that she felt betrayed that now that things were smoothing over, she was just going to let the tiredness seep into her bones. Life without her brothers was... rather dull. Life without Stephanos? Some days she felt like she was losing her mind. She missed him even though he had not left all that long ago to begin with. This fracturing of her family was something that Xene was silently struggling to withstand.
Years of training and decorum, however, meant that she yielded little in the public eye and instead had her moments in the dead of night. Alone. With no one else to witness the weakness and helplessness that she felt at every single turn. Those were feelings best left for solitude, even if she could sort of trust the man in front of her.
"I understand, Achilleas... but you might allow me to feel the slightest bit stung. Else I'll have made a complete ass of myself for no reason at all," Xene said, humor in her voice as she watched her cousin closely. "I can't just let you win like when we were kids. I recognize that you are sorry and that you did what you thought was best, but you must recognize that you still hurt me. Just... try not to do it again, or do, but that doesn't mean you won't get the same exact reaction next time," she pointed out to him. "I trust you, and I'm choosing to trust you."
Lifting her hand to touch the one that rest on her arm, Xene gave him a weak, but gentle smile. "We will stand together. But just as I trust you, you need to trust me too. Together, maybe we can make sense of everything. Two heads are better than just one, right? One general does not run the entire war," the princess commented, looping her arm in his and turning him back toward the exit to the temple. She listened patiently, nodding along as he instructed her about speaking when he returned from his wedding.
"I'm sure I will need little until you return. Just peace and quiet for a few days. I dislike weddings, and I'm sorry for saying such with your own looming," Xene admitted, "But I have much work to do if I'm to help with yours, so why don't you walk me back to the Palati before it gets too late?" Xene volunteered him and then motioned for Heron to go on ahead of them. She would be find with just Achilleas to accompany her, she was sure.
"Now," the princess started as they walked together, "What are you hoping to eat on your wedding day?"
Now that her anger had all but faded, Xene felt nothing but... exhausted, really. She had fought Achilleas so much on the fact that she felt betrayed that now that things were smoothing over, she was just going to let the tiredness seep into her bones. Life without her brothers was... rather dull. Life without Stephanos? Some days she felt like she was losing her mind. She missed him even though he had not left all that long ago to begin with. This fracturing of her family was something that Xene was silently struggling to withstand.
Years of training and decorum, however, meant that she yielded little in the public eye and instead had her moments in the dead of night. Alone. With no one else to witness the weakness and helplessness that she felt at every single turn. Those were feelings best left for solitude, even if she could sort of trust the man in front of her.
"I understand, Achilleas... but you might allow me to feel the slightest bit stung. Else I'll have made a complete ass of myself for no reason at all," Xene said, humor in her voice as she watched her cousin closely. "I can't just let you win like when we were kids. I recognize that you are sorry and that you did what you thought was best, but you must recognize that you still hurt me. Just... try not to do it again, or do, but that doesn't mean you won't get the same exact reaction next time," she pointed out to him. "I trust you, and I'm choosing to trust you."
Lifting her hand to touch the one that rest on her arm, Xene gave him a weak, but gentle smile. "We will stand together. But just as I trust you, you need to trust me too. Together, maybe we can make sense of everything. Two heads are better than just one, right? One general does not run the entire war," the princess commented, looping her arm in his and turning him back toward the exit to the temple. She listened patiently, nodding along as he instructed her about speaking when he returned from his wedding.
"I'm sure I will need little until you return. Just peace and quiet for a few days. I dislike weddings, and I'm sorry for saying such with your own looming," Xene admitted, "But I have much work to do if I'm to help with yours, so why don't you walk me back to the Palati before it gets too late?" Xene volunteered him and then motioned for Heron to go on ahead of them. She would be find with just Achilleas to accompany her, she was sure.
"Now," the princess started as they walked together, "What are you hoping to eat on your wedding day?"