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The weather was simply gorgeous. Evi sat outside, alone, in a garden chaise, enjoying the last of the day’s sun. She sat, as always, with a large book resting on her legs, her eyes moving quickly across the page as she devoured its contents. The tome itself contained a fictional story, not something she often engaged in, but utterly pleasant nonetheless. But all books were, to Evi. It was rare that Evi came across a book she didn’t enjoy on some level. She often found herself completely engrossed, absorbed, almost like she was in a trance. Transported to another reality, just for a short while. She poured herself into the pages. She scoured the book. She skim read the book. She read until she was almost cross-eyed and the words merged into nonsense. She lived each page in breathless rapture. The characters leapt out at her.
Reading was like an escape from reality for her, even if the content were science of arts, rather than fiction. When she picked up a book and started reading, she could get so sucked into it that she forgot any of her surroundings. Evi’s imagination took over and she was free to fantasise about whatever she wanted without worrying that people would judge her. It's like she could create a little world in her mind and imagine what the characters would look like and how they would act.
The breeze whipped through her hair, and she tucked her long dark locks behind her ears repeatedly, quietly debating whether or not it was time to move inside. She turned away from the book, watching the grass outside flattening in waves that reflected the light as it if was the surface of the river covered in waves as if it were in open water. She should probably move inside, yes. The wind was Evi’s nemesis when reading: it lapped at the pages of her book, as if impatient that she wasn’t reading fast enough. Sighing, she finally closed the book, deciding she had had enough for the day.
Instead, she lay back, her eyes closed, enjoying the last of the sun’s rays kissing her tanned skin. She let her mind wander, thinking of everything and nothing. As if working an old muscle, her thoughts inevitably fell upon Elias, her secret lover, the man she often thought of when there was nothing else occupying her mind. Now that he was released from his house arrest, she thought of him even more. There was so much drama that surrounded him, so much that had happened. And, honestly, she was struggling with everything that was going on at court. It was impossible for her to work out how she really felt about it all. Even though Elias had provided her with his version of events, but the rumours still circulated, and it was hard to sift through all of them.
“Lady Evi?” The girl’s eyes shot open and she pushed herself up from her reclined position, seeking out the speaker. Her eyes fell on the very man she was thinking about, and she leaned forward, feet touching the grass as she sat up completely. “My Lord Elias,” she responded, surprise evident in as she said his name in greeting. “I didn’t realise you were visiting the house…” there was an unspoken question in her tone.
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The weather was simply gorgeous. Evi sat outside, alone, in a garden chaise, enjoying the last of the day’s sun. She sat, as always, with a large book resting on her legs, her eyes moving quickly across the page as she devoured its contents. The tome itself contained a fictional story, not something she often engaged in, but utterly pleasant nonetheless. But all books were, to Evi. It was rare that Evi came across a book she didn’t enjoy on some level. She often found herself completely engrossed, absorbed, almost like she was in a trance. Transported to another reality, just for a short while. She poured herself into the pages. She scoured the book. She skim read the book. She read until she was almost cross-eyed and the words merged into nonsense. She lived each page in breathless rapture. The characters leapt out at her.
Reading was like an escape from reality for her, even if the content were science of arts, rather than fiction. When she picked up a book and started reading, she could get so sucked into it that she forgot any of her surroundings. Evi’s imagination took over and she was free to fantasise about whatever she wanted without worrying that people would judge her. It's like she could create a little world in her mind and imagine what the characters would look like and how they would act.
The breeze whipped through her hair, and she tucked her long dark locks behind her ears repeatedly, quietly debating whether or not it was time to move inside. She turned away from the book, watching the grass outside flattening in waves that reflected the light as it if was the surface of the river covered in waves as if it were in open water. She should probably move inside, yes. The wind was Evi’s nemesis when reading: it lapped at the pages of her book, as if impatient that she wasn’t reading fast enough. Sighing, she finally closed the book, deciding she had had enough for the day.
Instead, she lay back, her eyes closed, enjoying the last of the sun’s rays kissing her tanned skin. She let her mind wander, thinking of everything and nothing. As if working an old muscle, her thoughts inevitably fell upon Elias, her secret lover, the man she often thought of when there was nothing else occupying her mind. Now that he was released from his house arrest, she thought of him even more. There was so much drama that surrounded him, so much that had happened. And, honestly, she was struggling with everything that was going on at court. It was impossible for her to work out how she really felt about it all. Even though Elias had provided her with his version of events, but the rumours still circulated, and it was hard to sift through all of them.
“Lady Evi?” The girl’s eyes shot open and she pushed herself up from her reclined position, seeking out the speaker. Her eyes fell on the very man she was thinking about, and she leaned forward, feet touching the grass as she sat up completely. “My Lord Elias,” she responded, surprise evident in as she said his name in greeting. “I didn’t realise you were visiting the house…” there was an unspoken question in her tone.
The weather was simply gorgeous. Evi sat outside, alone, in a garden chaise, enjoying the last of the day’s sun. She sat, as always, with a large book resting on her legs, her eyes moving quickly across the page as she devoured its contents. The tome itself contained a fictional story, not something she often engaged in, but utterly pleasant nonetheless. But all books were, to Evi. It was rare that Evi came across a book she didn’t enjoy on some level. She often found herself completely engrossed, absorbed, almost like she was in a trance. Transported to another reality, just for a short while. She poured herself into the pages. She scoured the book. She skim read the book. She read until she was almost cross-eyed and the words merged into nonsense. She lived each page in breathless rapture. The characters leapt out at her.
Reading was like an escape from reality for her, even if the content were science of arts, rather than fiction. When she picked up a book and started reading, she could get so sucked into it that she forgot any of her surroundings. Evi’s imagination took over and she was free to fantasise about whatever she wanted without worrying that people would judge her. It's like she could create a little world in her mind and imagine what the characters would look like and how they would act.
The breeze whipped through her hair, and she tucked her long dark locks behind her ears repeatedly, quietly debating whether or not it was time to move inside. She turned away from the book, watching the grass outside flattening in waves that reflected the light as it if was the surface of the river covered in waves as if it were in open water. She should probably move inside, yes. The wind was Evi’s nemesis when reading: it lapped at the pages of her book, as if impatient that she wasn’t reading fast enough. Sighing, she finally closed the book, deciding she had had enough for the day.
Instead, she lay back, her eyes closed, enjoying the last of the sun’s rays kissing her tanned skin. She let her mind wander, thinking of everything and nothing. As if working an old muscle, her thoughts inevitably fell upon Elias, her secret lover, the man she often thought of when there was nothing else occupying her mind. Now that he was released from his house arrest, she thought of him even more. There was so much drama that surrounded him, so much that had happened. And, honestly, she was struggling with everything that was going on at court. It was impossible for her to work out how she really felt about it all. Even though Elias had provided her with his version of events, but the rumours still circulated, and it was hard to sift through all of them.
“Lady Evi?” The girl’s eyes shot open and she pushed herself up from her reclined position, seeking out the speaker. Her eyes fell on the very man she was thinking about, and she leaned forward, feet touching the grass as she sat up completely. “My Lord Elias,” she responded, surprise evident in as she said his name in greeting. “I didn’t realise you were visiting the house…” there was an unspoken question in her tone.
After the Headlord of Stravos' most... trying encounter with the Lady Vasia of Antonis, he needed something to take his mind away from it. Her badgering questions that seemed keen on revealing him as nefarious, the sarcastic manner with which she spoke to him multiple times. She pushed back against the standard of propriety in a way that made Elias of Stravos almost do so himself However, in the interest of revitalizing his business in Lyncestia and keeping the work coming for those whose loyalty he needed most secure in these times of trials and tribulations he kept a lid on his emotions.
In fact, Elias was even certain that he'd managed to persuade her of the objective fact that his services were necessary despite her obvious dislike for him personally and some of the words he chose to bring his point across. After the ordeal that was speaking to Lady Vasia, he sought out Evi of Antonis, her younger cousin and a woman who he'd been courting for several months. He found himself elated by her presence, and after she'd been one of the few to visit him in his time isolated from the rest of the kingdom, he only further craved her company with his newfound freedom.
However, now, there were further complications. Elias had to balance the running of his barony in Lyncestia, the machinations of the throne, the manipulation of the princess along with the managing of the fact that he was under scrutiny for the accusations that never went to trial. His plans needed to proceed without fault, and the delicate balance only furthered the paranoia he felt while incarcerated. The benefit, however, was the freedom to do as he pleased once his obligations were properly tended to. And so, he relished in the freedom, in the small moments of separation from his responsibilities and in this moment, he drank in the sight of his lover.
He felt the grin catch upon his lips even as he sought to dodge the sight of servants. Their innate familiarity was suspicious for too many to find out about, but nevertheless, he couldn't resist the opportunity... Before this, he might've come and visited Marietta, but right now... it was difficult to know what Marietta might ask of him. He didn't want to lie to his best friend, and telling her too much was just as dangerous. Evi... there weren't enough people who knew of that relation to keep her at arm's length the way he did Marietta. He merely needed to keep the secret. The neutrality in his tone when he called out her name was brought along by the fact that he kept only a polite gaze upon her.
He drew closer, taking a seat next to, but not in direct proximity with the young Lady. Of course she didn't know. Neither had Vasia. He'd not come for either of them, after all, but for the general Lacides who was nowhere to be found. It irked him, but he relented as he told her,
"Ah, yes. I was searching for General Lacides. Unfortunately, he isn't present to speak to, but I managed to have a productive conversation with his daughter, Vasia."
He allowed just a touch of lament to pour into his tones as he caught a sidelong glance in her direction. Between them, his fingers slid along the chaise they shared in a brief lapse to take hold of hers. His thumb brushed affectionately along the center of her palm before he relinquished the contact.
"Would you walk with me, Lady Evi? I can relate to you in greater detail the goings on. It was all very encouraging," he murmured in half-sincere tones. He didn't see anyone around, but Elias of Stravos learned from the errors of his recent past. Nobody was to be trusted, neither physical forms nor the shadows that lurked just beyond sight. Evi was a rare exception to that, something that was proven by her continued loyalty to him even after he'd been truthful to her about his misdeeds.
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After the Headlord of Stravos' most... trying encounter with the Lady Vasia of Antonis, he needed something to take his mind away from it. Her badgering questions that seemed keen on revealing him as nefarious, the sarcastic manner with which she spoke to him multiple times. She pushed back against the standard of propriety in a way that made Elias of Stravos almost do so himself However, in the interest of revitalizing his business in Lyncestia and keeping the work coming for those whose loyalty he needed most secure in these times of trials and tribulations he kept a lid on his emotions.
In fact, Elias was even certain that he'd managed to persuade her of the objective fact that his services were necessary despite her obvious dislike for him personally and some of the words he chose to bring his point across. After the ordeal that was speaking to Lady Vasia, he sought out Evi of Antonis, her younger cousin and a woman who he'd been courting for several months. He found himself elated by her presence, and after she'd been one of the few to visit him in his time isolated from the rest of the kingdom, he only further craved her company with his newfound freedom.
However, now, there were further complications. Elias had to balance the running of his barony in Lyncestia, the machinations of the throne, the manipulation of the princess along with the managing of the fact that he was under scrutiny for the accusations that never went to trial. His plans needed to proceed without fault, and the delicate balance only furthered the paranoia he felt while incarcerated. The benefit, however, was the freedom to do as he pleased once his obligations were properly tended to. And so, he relished in the freedom, in the small moments of separation from his responsibilities and in this moment, he drank in the sight of his lover.
He felt the grin catch upon his lips even as he sought to dodge the sight of servants. Their innate familiarity was suspicious for too many to find out about, but nevertheless, he couldn't resist the opportunity... Before this, he might've come and visited Marietta, but right now... it was difficult to know what Marietta might ask of him. He didn't want to lie to his best friend, and telling her too much was just as dangerous. Evi... there weren't enough people who knew of that relation to keep her at arm's length the way he did Marietta. He merely needed to keep the secret. The neutrality in his tone when he called out her name was brought along by the fact that he kept only a polite gaze upon her.
He drew closer, taking a seat next to, but not in direct proximity with the young Lady. Of course she didn't know. Neither had Vasia. He'd not come for either of them, after all, but for the general Lacides who was nowhere to be found. It irked him, but he relented as he told her,
"Ah, yes. I was searching for General Lacides. Unfortunately, he isn't present to speak to, but I managed to have a productive conversation with his daughter, Vasia."
He allowed just a touch of lament to pour into his tones as he caught a sidelong glance in her direction. Between them, his fingers slid along the chaise they shared in a brief lapse to take hold of hers. His thumb brushed affectionately along the center of her palm before he relinquished the contact.
"Would you walk with me, Lady Evi? I can relate to you in greater detail the goings on. It was all very encouraging," he murmured in half-sincere tones. He didn't see anyone around, but Elias of Stravos learned from the errors of his recent past. Nobody was to be trusted, neither physical forms nor the shadows that lurked just beyond sight. Evi was a rare exception to that, something that was proven by her continued loyalty to him even after he'd been truthful to her about his misdeeds.
After the Headlord of Stravos' most... trying encounter with the Lady Vasia of Antonis, he needed something to take his mind away from it. Her badgering questions that seemed keen on revealing him as nefarious, the sarcastic manner with which she spoke to him multiple times. She pushed back against the standard of propriety in a way that made Elias of Stravos almost do so himself However, in the interest of revitalizing his business in Lyncestia and keeping the work coming for those whose loyalty he needed most secure in these times of trials and tribulations he kept a lid on his emotions.
In fact, Elias was even certain that he'd managed to persuade her of the objective fact that his services were necessary despite her obvious dislike for him personally and some of the words he chose to bring his point across. After the ordeal that was speaking to Lady Vasia, he sought out Evi of Antonis, her younger cousin and a woman who he'd been courting for several months. He found himself elated by her presence, and after she'd been one of the few to visit him in his time isolated from the rest of the kingdom, he only further craved her company with his newfound freedom.
However, now, there were further complications. Elias had to balance the running of his barony in Lyncestia, the machinations of the throne, the manipulation of the princess along with the managing of the fact that he was under scrutiny for the accusations that never went to trial. His plans needed to proceed without fault, and the delicate balance only furthered the paranoia he felt while incarcerated. The benefit, however, was the freedom to do as he pleased once his obligations were properly tended to. And so, he relished in the freedom, in the small moments of separation from his responsibilities and in this moment, he drank in the sight of his lover.
He felt the grin catch upon his lips even as he sought to dodge the sight of servants. Their innate familiarity was suspicious for too many to find out about, but nevertheless, he couldn't resist the opportunity... Before this, he might've come and visited Marietta, but right now... it was difficult to know what Marietta might ask of him. He didn't want to lie to his best friend, and telling her too much was just as dangerous. Evi... there weren't enough people who knew of that relation to keep her at arm's length the way he did Marietta. He merely needed to keep the secret. The neutrality in his tone when he called out her name was brought along by the fact that he kept only a polite gaze upon her.
He drew closer, taking a seat next to, but not in direct proximity with the young Lady. Of course she didn't know. Neither had Vasia. He'd not come for either of them, after all, but for the general Lacides who was nowhere to be found. It irked him, but he relented as he told her,
"Ah, yes. I was searching for General Lacides. Unfortunately, he isn't present to speak to, but I managed to have a productive conversation with his daughter, Vasia."
He allowed just a touch of lament to pour into his tones as he caught a sidelong glance in her direction. Between them, his fingers slid along the chaise they shared in a brief lapse to take hold of hers. His thumb brushed affectionately along the center of her palm before he relinquished the contact.
"Would you walk with me, Lady Evi? I can relate to you in greater detail the goings on. It was all very encouraging," he murmured in half-sincere tones. He didn't see anyone around, but Elias of Stravos learned from the errors of his recent past. Nobody was to be trusted, neither physical forms nor the shadows that lurked just beyond sight. Evi was a rare exception to that, something that was proven by her continued loyalty to him even after he'd been truthful to her about his misdeeds.
“Ah, okay. I’m not sure where my uncle is, unfortunately…” she replied honestly. These days he was often busy with something or another, and was rarely found in the archontikó Antonis during the day. She could offer no guidance on where he might be, however, and she felt a stab of annoyance that she couldn’t help her lover further.
She felt the feather light touch of his fingers on the palm of her hand, and Evi went to reflexively close her hand, as if to grasp his thumb in her hand. He was too fast, however, and her hand closed around nothing more than air. The young girl sighed as she brought her hand to rest in her lap, staring down at it for a moment before glancing back up and looking around to see if they had an audience at all. She knew all of her servants were discreet enough to know that a wagging tongue was unacceptable. They were too often privy to private information that it would be impossible for them not to be exposed to things that were best kept secret.
However it would not do for anyone, servant or member of the Antonis house alike, to know of the relationship Evi and Elias shared. It had been going on for some months now, and Evi was not even sure what it meant between them. They were not courting: no, Evi was not by any stretch of the imagination a suitable match for Elias. Perhaps of she had been the daughter of a king - which she could have been - things would be different. But Elias had far too many pressures on him already, without the added concern over his chosen partner.
It did leave them with a strange situation, though. Stolen moments in secret, veiled glances and whispered words. Evi knew she meant more to Elias than a simple whore he bedded every so often, but she doubted it was love he felt for her. Maybe just a quiet type of infatuation, a curiosity. He enjoyed her company, sure, but perhaps it would never be more than that. It was for the best, most likely.
“Yes, a turn about the garden would be greatly appreciated,” she replied semi-formally, mimicking the Stravos Lord’s own tone as she pushed the book aside onto the chair and stood, quickly taking a moment to brush the creases out of the skirt section of the chiton she wore. If Elias offered his arm, Evi would gladly take it, linking her arm through his and bringing her body close to his side. It felt natural, to be close to him, like it was where she was meant to be.
“Why did you want to see Lacides anyway?” Evi asked. She hadn’t seen Elias since her visit to his home when he was under house arrest and she had learnt the truth of why he had been locked away there. Given the time she had had to consider the matter, she felt much the same as she had when he had initially told her. She still believed him to be a fool for doing what he did - he had effectively allowed the law to be passed. If he had retained control of Stravos lands, Xanthos would not have had enough sway over the votes get the law passed.
But she generally empathised with the situation as a whole. Especially now that Persephone was missing, presumed dead, after the attack on the palace. With the Queen now lost from the nation, there had been further turmoil, and the uncertainty of Elias' position had grown even more as a result. She wondered if the young Princess, Emilia, would be given the crown next, or if the old law would take precedent. Did it have something to do with why Elias had come to see her uncle? “What did you and Vasia talk of?”
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“Ah, okay. I’m not sure where my uncle is, unfortunately…” she replied honestly. These days he was often busy with something or another, and was rarely found in the archontikó Antonis during the day. She could offer no guidance on where he might be, however, and she felt a stab of annoyance that she couldn’t help her lover further.
She felt the feather light touch of his fingers on the palm of her hand, and Evi went to reflexively close her hand, as if to grasp his thumb in her hand. He was too fast, however, and her hand closed around nothing more than air. The young girl sighed as she brought her hand to rest in her lap, staring down at it for a moment before glancing back up and looking around to see if they had an audience at all. She knew all of her servants were discreet enough to know that a wagging tongue was unacceptable. They were too often privy to private information that it would be impossible for them not to be exposed to things that were best kept secret.
However it would not do for anyone, servant or member of the Antonis house alike, to know of the relationship Evi and Elias shared. It had been going on for some months now, and Evi was not even sure what it meant between them. They were not courting: no, Evi was not by any stretch of the imagination a suitable match for Elias. Perhaps of she had been the daughter of a king - which she could have been - things would be different. But Elias had far too many pressures on him already, without the added concern over his chosen partner.
It did leave them with a strange situation, though. Stolen moments in secret, veiled glances and whispered words. Evi knew she meant more to Elias than a simple whore he bedded every so often, but she doubted it was love he felt for her. Maybe just a quiet type of infatuation, a curiosity. He enjoyed her company, sure, but perhaps it would never be more than that. It was for the best, most likely.
“Yes, a turn about the garden would be greatly appreciated,” she replied semi-formally, mimicking the Stravos Lord’s own tone as she pushed the book aside onto the chair and stood, quickly taking a moment to brush the creases out of the skirt section of the chiton she wore. If Elias offered his arm, Evi would gladly take it, linking her arm through his and bringing her body close to his side. It felt natural, to be close to him, like it was where she was meant to be.
“Why did you want to see Lacides anyway?” Evi asked. She hadn’t seen Elias since her visit to his home when he was under house arrest and she had learnt the truth of why he had been locked away there. Given the time she had had to consider the matter, she felt much the same as she had when he had initially told her. She still believed him to be a fool for doing what he did - he had effectively allowed the law to be passed. If he had retained control of Stravos lands, Xanthos would not have had enough sway over the votes get the law passed.
But she generally empathised with the situation as a whole. Especially now that Persephone was missing, presumed dead, after the attack on the palace. With the Queen now lost from the nation, there had been further turmoil, and the uncertainty of Elias' position had grown even more as a result. She wondered if the young Princess, Emilia, would be given the crown next, or if the old law would take precedent. Did it have something to do with why Elias had come to see her uncle? “What did you and Vasia talk of?”
“Ah, okay. I’m not sure where my uncle is, unfortunately…” she replied honestly. These days he was often busy with something or another, and was rarely found in the archontikó Antonis during the day. She could offer no guidance on where he might be, however, and she felt a stab of annoyance that she couldn’t help her lover further.
She felt the feather light touch of his fingers on the palm of her hand, and Evi went to reflexively close her hand, as if to grasp his thumb in her hand. He was too fast, however, and her hand closed around nothing more than air. The young girl sighed as she brought her hand to rest in her lap, staring down at it for a moment before glancing back up and looking around to see if they had an audience at all. She knew all of her servants were discreet enough to know that a wagging tongue was unacceptable. They were too often privy to private information that it would be impossible for them not to be exposed to things that were best kept secret.
However it would not do for anyone, servant or member of the Antonis house alike, to know of the relationship Evi and Elias shared. It had been going on for some months now, and Evi was not even sure what it meant between them. They were not courting: no, Evi was not by any stretch of the imagination a suitable match for Elias. Perhaps of she had been the daughter of a king - which she could have been - things would be different. But Elias had far too many pressures on him already, without the added concern over his chosen partner.
It did leave them with a strange situation, though. Stolen moments in secret, veiled glances and whispered words. Evi knew she meant more to Elias than a simple whore he bedded every so often, but she doubted it was love he felt for her. Maybe just a quiet type of infatuation, a curiosity. He enjoyed her company, sure, but perhaps it would never be more than that. It was for the best, most likely.
“Yes, a turn about the garden would be greatly appreciated,” she replied semi-formally, mimicking the Stravos Lord’s own tone as she pushed the book aside onto the chair and stood, quickly taking a moment to brush the creases out of the skirt section of the chiton she wore. If Elias offered his arm, Evi would gladly take it, linking her arm through his and bringing her body close to his side. It felt natural, to be close to him, like it was where she was meant to be.
“Why did you want to see Lacides anyway?” Evi asked. She hadn’t seen Elias since her visit to his home when he was under house arrest and she had learnt the truth of why he had been locked away there. Given the time she had had to consider the matter, she felt much the same as she had when he had initially told her. She still believed him to be a fool for doing what he did - he had effectively allowed the law to be passed. If he had retained control of Stravos lands, Xanthos would not have had enough sway over the votes get the law passed.
But she generally empathised with the situation as a whole. Especially now that Persephone was missing, presumed dead, after the attack on the palace. With the Queen now lost from the nation, there had been further turmoil, and the uncertainty of Elias' position had grown even more as a result. She wondered if the young Princess, Emilia, would be given the crown next, or if the old law would take precedent. Did it have something to do with why Elias had come to see her uncle? “What did you and Vasia talk of?”
It was difficult to determine where any of the lords of Athenia might be now that the Senate was disbarred. It suited Elias greatly that these men did not meet together, for the longer Athenia festered in the wake of the very damage he'd caused and been disgraced for, the stronger his current position held and the easier his future seizing of the throne would be. So, when he arrived at archontiko Antonis, there was a likelihood that the general was present, not yet given to his rounds overseeing the barracks or whatever it was that generals did in times of what could be called peace. Of course, Elias of Stravos did not venture too deeply into military affairs, preferring to keep his attention in the realm of politics. Attempting to venture too deeply could be seen as him flexing new power that he did not rightfully deserve.
Of course, all in its due time.
But, instead of passing time with the general and showing him the schematics of the new generation of triemmes, he'd given a presentation of sorts to Vasia to relate to her father, as well as the copy of the document itself that he'd brought for the express purpose of ensnaring Lacides with.
"Most likely, he's near the barracks. I did try to arrive as early as possible, but I suppose the great general is not so for his propensity of staying inside his home," he mused aloud, a chuckle on his lips. His venture wasn't entirely a waste of time, and his disappointment grew lighter just with the proximity to the woman who ensnared his attentions in a way that was perhaps dangerous. If not for Elias himself, then for the woman he'd grown a genuine care for in the months of their stolen moments and covert abandon. When she answered his offer, there was no stopping the grin that caught upon his lips, one that was far too seldom in these days.
Of course, Elias had a multitude of reasons to do so, but to publically express any such expression would be his downfall. The supposed death of the queen was meant to be a horrible tragedy, or else a revolt at the hands of peasantry, which was the rumour he'd created and sought to perpetuate. Still fresh in the hearts of the royalty, he'd give his people the proper time to grieve and become accustomed to the incompetence of the princess that was left before he began to make more and more public showings of power. Caution, even in victory, was his necessity, a lesson learned from the greatest and most callous of defeats.
Evi's question was a simple one, and he let his gaze rise to the sun that shone over their head for just a moment before he answered her, keeping his pace slow enough for her to comfortably lead him along wherever it was she wanted them to go. If the lord Lacides was absent, it stood to reason that Alehandros was not, and he'd trust Evi to lead them out of the sight of her father.
"With the recent restoration of Stravos lands and authority over them comes the task of returning to normalcy. Lyncestia has not stood idly by in the shadows. Do you recall, lady Evi, the docks I showed you when you visited my province? There are ships in the hidden alcoves, a new generation of triemmes that are ready to be deployed whenever they are purchased," he informed her.
Honesty was so easy with Evi even in the darkest of news given that it was with great pride that he conferred positive happenings with her. Like the phoenix that melted into ash, Elias of Stravos arose in an eruption of flame, ready to take his place in the world as soon as he was able to. There was no permission granted by anyone for such a re-appearance, but in this world of uncertainty, there was no longer the evidence or the proper cause to hold him at bay.
"Vasia took my message instead, and I saw it fit to give her a presentation with schematics that I brought for the general to look upon. They are there for him once he returns home, and I hope that Lady Vasia is as keen as I am for the armies to have new ships to patrol our waters with."
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It was difficult to determine where any of the lords of Athenia might be now that the Senate was disbarred. It suited Elias greatly that these men did not meet together, for the longer Athenia festered in the wake of the very damage he'd caused and been disgraced for, the stronger his current position held and the easier his future seizing of the throne would be. So, when he arrived at archontiko Antonis, there was a likelihood that the general was present, not yet given to his rounds overseeing the barracks or whatever it was that generals did in times of what could be called peace. Of course, Elias of Stravos did not venture too deeply into military affairs, preferring to keep his attention in the realm of politics. Attempting to venture too deeply could be seen as him flexing new power that he did not rightfully deserve.
Of course, all in its due time.
But, instead of passing time with the general and showing him the schematics of the new generation of triemmes, he'd given a presentation of sorts to Vasia to relate to her father, as well as the copy of the document itself that he'd brought for the express purpose of ensnaring Lacides with.
"Most likely, he's near the barracks. I did try to arrive as early as possible, but I suppose the great general is not so for his propensity of staying inside his home," he mused aloud, a chuckle on his lips. His venture wasn't entirely a waste of time, and his disappointment grew lighter just with the proximity to the woman who ensnared his attentions in a way that was perhaps dangerous. If not for Elias himself, then for the woman he'd grown a genuine care for in the months of their stolen moments and covert abandon. When she answered his offer, there was no stopping the grin that caught upon his lips, one that was far too seldom in these days.
Of course, Elias had a multitude of reasons to do so, but to publically express any such expression would be his downfall. The supposed death of the queen was meant to be a horrible tragedy, or else a revolt at the hands of peasantry, which was the rumour he'd created and sought to perpetuate. Still fresh in the hearts of the royalty, he'd give his people the proper time to grieve and become accustomed to the incompetence of the princess that was left before he began to make more and more public showings of power. Caution, even in victory, was his necessity, a lesson learned from the greatest and most callous of defeats.
Evi's question was a simple one, and he let his gaze rise to the sun that shone over their head for just a moment before he answered her, keeping his pace slow enough for her to comfortably lead him along wherever it was she wanted them to go. If the lord Lacides was absent, it stood to reason that Alehandros was not, and he'd trust Evi to lead them out of the sight of her father.
"With the recent restoration of Stravos lands and authority over them comes the task of returning to normalcy. Lyncestia has not stood idly by in the shadows. Do you recall, lady Evi, the docks I showed you when you visited my province? There are ships in the hidden alcoves, a new generation of triemmes that are ready to be deployed whenever they are purchased," he informed her.
Honesty was so easy with Evi even in the darkest of news given that it was with great pride that he conferred positive happenings with her. Like the phoenix that melted into ash, Elias of Stravos arose in an eruption of flame, ready to take his place in the world as soon as he was able to. There was no permission granted by anyone for such a re-appearance, but in this world of uncertainty, there was no longer the evidence or the proper cause to hold him at bay.
"Vasia took my message instead, and I saw it fit to give her a presentation with schematics that I brought for the general to look upon. They are there for him once he returns home, and I hope that Lady Vasia is as keen as I am for the armies to have new ships to patrol our waters with."
It was difficult to determine where any of the lords of Athenia might be now that the Senate was disbarred. It suited Elias greatly that these men did not meet together, for the longer Athenia festered in the wake of the very damage he'd caused and been disgraced for, the stronger his current position held and the easier his future seizing of the throne would be. So, when he arrived at archontiko Antonis, there was a likelihood that the general was present, not yet given to his rounds overseeing the barracks or whatever it was that generals did in times of what could be called peace. Of course, Elias of Stravos did not venture too deeply into military affairs, preferring to keep his attention in the realm of politics. Attempting to venture too deeply could be seen as him flexing new power that he did not rightfully deserve.
Of course, all in its due time.
But, instead of passing time with the general and showing him the schematics of the new generation of triemmes, he'd given a presentation of sorts to Vasia to relate to her father, as well as the copy of the document itself that he'd brought for the express purpose of ensnaring Lacides with.
"Most likely, he's near the barracks. I did try to arrive as early as possible, but I suppose the great general is not so for his propensity of staying inside his home," he mused aloud, a chuckle on his lips. His venture wasn't entirely a waste of time, and his disappointment grew lighter just with the proximity to the woman who ensnared his attentions in a way that was perhaps dangerous. If not for Elias himself, then for the woman he'd grown a genuine care for in the months of their stolen moments and covert abandon. When she answered his offer, there was no stopping the grin that caught upon his lips, one that was far too seldom in these days.
Of course, Elias had a multitude of reasons to do so, but to publically express any such expression would be his downfall. The supposed death of the queen was meant to be a horrible tragedy, or else a revolt at the hands of peasantry, which was the rumour he'd created and sought to perpetuate. Still fresh in the hearts of the royalty, he'd give his people the proper time to grieve and become accustomed to the incompetence of the princess that was left before he began to make more and more public showings of power. Caution, even in victory, was his necessity, a lesson learned from the greatest and most callous of defeats.
Evi's question was a simple one, and he let his gaze rise to the sun that shone over their head for just a moment before he answered her, keeping his pace slow enough for her to comfortably lead him along wherever it was she wanted them to go. If the lord Lacides was absent, it stood to reason that Alehandros was not, and he'd trust Evi to lead them out of the sight of her father.
"With the recent restoration of Stravos lands and authority over them comes the task of returning to normalcy. Lyncestia has not stood idly by in the shadows. Do you recall, lady Evi, the docks I showed you when you visited my province? There are ships in the hidden alcoves, a new generation of triemmes that are ready to be deployed whenever they are purchased," he informed her.
Honesty was so easy with Evi even in the darkest of news given that it was with great pride that he conferred positive happenings with her. Like the phoenix that melted into ash, Elias of Stravos arose in an eruption of flame, ready to take his place in the world as soon as he was able to. There was no permission granted by anyone for such a re-appearance, but in this world of uncertainty, there was no longer the evidence or the proper cause to hold him at bay.
"Vasia took my message instead, and I saw it fit to give her a presentation with schematics that I brought for the general to look upon. They are there for him once he returns home, and I hope that Lady Vasia is as keen as I am for the armies to have new ships to patrol our waters with."
It was best described as a formal garden. The stone path was free of any weeds. The trees lined the perfect, manicured, opaque green lawn in their wood-lined soil beds. In the centre there was a relatively large pond with flowering lily pads and a wooden bridge that crossed the middle so you could look down at the koi carp. The flower beds were a riot of bright colour, with smatters of fuchsia along side the scarlet and saffron hued primroses, and even on close inspection they were weed-free. The air was pungent with the smell of jasmine and other flowers. The garden was truly one of Evi’s favourite places.
Leading them along one of the many paths in the garden, Evi planned to put a few trees and bushes between the pair of them and the house. They would never be truly alone while they remained even within the gardens: anyone could walk the gardens too and find them. It was for this reason that Evi would do no more than hold his arm as they walked. There would be no chaste kisses to their meeting.
“Yes, I’d heard you’d had your status and lands returned to you. I am glad of it.” A little too late, in Evi’s opinion, but it was better than nothing. The accusation of treason had been dropped and, as Evi had suspected, it had not gone to trial. It was a relief, truth be told. Evi knew the truth, told to her from Elias’ own lips. Misguided as it was, he had committed treason against Athenia, and he should have been held accountable for his actions. Everything that had followed, however, suggested a deeper political scandal that even Evi, with consummate cerebral skill, couldn’t begin to understand fully.
“I remember that visit, of course. I am pleased to hear that Lyncestia did not wallow in your absence. I said it then and will say it again, you have done great things for your province. Even with you gone, it still flourished. More ships would be beneficial to us, especially after the recent attacks of piracy in Athenian waters.” She spoke with a neutral tone, in case anyone was listening in on their conversation.
It seemed that not only Lyncestia flourished. Elias himself seemed like a completely different man than the one she had visited when he was under house arrest. Gone was the shadow of stubble around his cheeks and chin, as were the red-rimmed eyes caused by lack of sleep or copious amounts of alcohol consumption. He was crisp and neat again, the perfect gentleman. Even his bearing had changed. He held himself in a way that made him seem a foot taller.
“And what of you, My Lord Elias?” Evi asked softly, “It is good to see you more yourself. House arrest didn’t really suit you.” Evi slowed her pace until they came to a stop, and she turned to face her lover. The girl bit her lower lip, glancing surreptitiously around to check their surroundings. Once she was sure that they were alone, she reached up to touch his cheek with her hand. It was the first time she had initiated contact with him, normally she was purely responsive to his own ministrations. “I have missed you, Elias.”
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It was best described as a formal garden. The stone path was free of any weeds. The trees lined the perfect, manicured, opaque green lawn in their wood-lined soil beds. In the centre there was a relatively large pond with flowering lily pads and a wooden bridge that crossed the middle so you could look down at the koi carp. The flower beds were a riot of bright colour, with smatters of fuchsia along side the scarlet and saffron hued primroses, and even on close inspection they were weed-free. The air was pungent with the smell of jasmine and other flowers. The garden was truly one of Evi’s favourite places.
Leading them along one of the many paths in the garden, Evi planned to put a few trees and bushes between the pair of them and the house. They would never be truly alone while they remained even within the gardens: anyone could walk the gardens too and find them. It was for this reason that Evi would do no more than hold his arm as they walked. There would be no chaste kisses to their meeting.
“Yes, I’d heard you’d had your status and lands returned to you. I am glad of it.” A little too late, in Evi’s opinion, but it was better than nothing. The accusation of treason had been dropped and, as Evi had suspected, it had not gone to trial. It was a relief, truth be told. Evi knew the truth, told to her from Elias’ own lips. Misguided as it was, he had committed treason against Athenia, and he should have been held accountable for his actions. Everything that had followed, however, suggested a deeper political scandal that even Evi, with consummate cerebral skill, couldn’t begin to understand fully.
“I remember that visit, of course. I am pleased to hear that Lyncestia did not wallow in your absence. I said it then and will say it again, you have done great things for your province. Even with you gone, it still flourished. More ships would be beneficial to us, especially after the recent attacks of piracy in Athenian waters.” She spoke with a neutral tone, in case anyone was listening in on their conversation.
It seemed that not only Lyncestia flourished. Elias himself seemed like a completely different man than the one she had visited when he was under house arrest. Gone was the shadow of stubble around his cheeks and chin, as were the red-rimmed eyes caused by lack of sleep or copious amounts of alcohol consumption. He was crisp and neat again, the perfect gentleman. Even his bearing had changed. He held himself in a way that made him seem a foot taller.
“And what of you, My Lord Elias?” Evi asked softly, “It is good to see you more yourself. House arrest didn’t really suit you.” Evi slowed her pace until they came to a stop, and she turned to face her lover. The girl bit her lower lip, glancing surreptitiously around to check their surroundings. Once she was sure that they were alone, she reached up to touch his cheek with her hand. It was the first time she had initiated contact with him, normally she was purely responsive to his own ministrations. “I have missed you, Elias.”
It was best described as a formal garden. The stone path was free of any weeds. The trees lined the perfect, manicured, opaque green lawn in their wood-lined soil beds. In the centre there was a relatively large pond with flowering lily pads and a wooden bridge that crossed the middle so you could look down at the koi carp. The flower beds were a riot of bright colour, with smatters of fuchsia along side the scarlet and saffron hued primroses, and even on close inspection they were weed-free. The air was pungent with the smell of jasmine and other flowers. The garden was truly one of Evi’s favourite places.
Leading them along one of the many paths in the garden, Evi planned to put a few trees and bushes between the pair of them and the house. They would never be truly alone while they remained even within the gardens: anyone could walk the gardens too and find them. It was for this reason that Evi would do no more than hold his arm as they walked. There would be no chaste kisses to their meeting.
“Yes, I’d heard you’d had your status and lands returned to you. I am glad of it.” A little too late, in Evi’s opinion, but it was better than nothing. The accusation of treason had been dropped and, as Evi had suspected, it had not gone to trial. It was a relief, truth be told. Evi knew the truth, told to her from Elias’ own lips. Misguided as it was, he had committed treason against Athenia, and he should have been held accountable for his actions. Everything that had followed, however, suggested a deeper political scandal that even Evi, with consummate cerebral skill, couldn’t begin to understand fully.
“I remember that visit, of course. I am pleased to hear that Lyncestia did not wallow in your absence. I said it then and will say it again, you have done great things for your province. Even with you gone, it still flourished. More ships would be beneficial to us, especially after the recent attacks of piracy in Athenian waters.” She spoke with a neutral tone, in case anyone was listening in on their conversation.
It seemed that not only Lyncestia flourished. Elias himself seemed like a completely different man than the one she had visited when he was under house arrest. Gone was the shadow of stubble around his cheeks and chin, as were the red-rimmed eyes caused by lack of sleep or copious amounts of alcohol consumption. He was crisp and neat again, the perfect gentleman. Even his bearing had changed. He held himself in a way that made him seem a foot taller.
“And what of you, My Lord Elias?” Evi asked softly, “It is good to see you more yourself. House arrest didn’t really suit you.” Evi slowed her pace until they came to a stop, and she turned to face her lover. The girl bit her lower lip, glancing surreptitiously around to check their surroundings. Once she was sure that they were alone, she reached up to touch his cheek with her hand. It was the first time she had initiated contact with him, normally she was purely responsive to his own ministrations. “I have missed you, Elias.”
Raised in Archontiko Stravos, the Headlord of that House was not taken to ornately large gardens that could be used as a maze. No, his estate was primarily the massive home with its ornate decorations and architectural splendor that sought to impress more than the property itself. It might've been exhilarating, to lose oneself with a lover in such gardens, to do away with the world. The palace and archontiko Antonis were such places, and as Evi led Elias along, her arm in his, he quite enjoyed the bit of reprieve from the world. It was a wonderful thing, to slink into the shadows, gone from the world and allowed to savour his freedom for what felt like the first time.
Never again.
The thought plagued him still, the house arrest that was the direct result of his ruined reputation. The Senate, a great source of his ire and resentment, was to be kept closed, which was a grand thing for the extent of the Headlord's liberty. Until the day arrived that his machinations were truly felt by the people, where the economy toiled with the absence of a monarch paired with the deterioration of trade... he was rather off the hook of royal obligations. It allowed him the opportunity to restore his place, regain his allies that he'd lost and forge new connections still. And it offered him an opportunity to meet Evi again.
"The return is with perfect timing. There is more than just the return of what was. The potential for more," he added vaguely, the lord hiding the glimmer of satisfaction that threatened to catch upon his lips. Evi was aware of the truth, with some real detail behind it, but there was no way that she could know the truth of the matter. With the queen ousted from her throne, it provided Elias with a window of opportunity to seize his power. Even though his effort to have her killed ended in failure, there was enough success for him not to have the incompetents murdered on the spot. No, they'd been given promotions and assigned to guard his family. Better to inspire confidence in his leadership by not punishing every last failure.
Evi answered his question to his satisfaction, mirroring his own pleasure at the fact that Lyncestia had not suffered so greatly. Yes, there was an imminent strain for food in the future, for famine was an inevitable consequence to a tangential issue. But, it was not a problem of today, and he didn't dare bring it up to Evi in public or private. When she mentioned the piracy, he nodded in agreement. It was a terrible tragedy, one orchestrated by Elias himself, but now it suited him more than ever. In this position, from the position of a missing monarch, this particular economic devastation that faced Athenia was a perfect means for him to consolidate his power.
"Yes, a terrible tragedy. But, it is fortunate that the dreaded pirate Lukos has not been seen ever since his previous... appearance."
The Headlord of Stravos noticed her wandering gaze, finding his features and his chiton. The sort of pity Evi found on her expression that day in archontiko Stravos was replaced with the sort of attraction that was impossible for her to hide. He almost wanted to grin at her, or wink at her, just to see if her heart might soar in the way that reminded him of their first trip together to his province. But, that effort didn't last very long. Propriety needed to stand while they were still in the public eye. He chuckled in agreement at the idea of house arrest not being suited to him. Never, even when he lived in the archontiko as a young man, did he spend the entire day there. A social creature, it irked him to be away from the sunlight all day.
The thought of the past withered to nothing once they were so deep in the gardens that eyes were not upon them. Evi stepped forward, to brush his cheek along with his hand, and the motion was met with him turning his head to brush his skin against her fingers. He was keen for the contact to continue, or for Evi to embolden herself. He sought after a kiss from her, but it was dangerous to even attempt such a thing. Or was it? If she elected for this, surely a single step further wasn't such a terrible thing. He bent just enough to close the distance between their faces. He pressed his lips to her cheek next, one arm looping about her waist. It was a small embrace at best, but one that sought to portray a sort of desperation for proximity.
"And I, you," he agreed. And it was true. While Elias had the company of a woman in his final week of house arrest, there was no comparison between the base pleasure with Demi and the affection he felt for Evi. He felt the tick within his chest increase just slightly, his lips curving into a smile before he told her,
"It's why I just had to see you. Life beyond the curtain of disgrace has been... eventful. I've assumed regency, giving Emilia a presence suited to rule while the queen's fate is being investigated."
He told her this bit of news in a low voice, unable to disguise his pleasure at the turn of fortune.
"Could you sneak away with me, Evi? For a little while?" he asked her. While there were secrets kept from everyone, Elias of Stravos had his means of suppressing knowledge and maintaining anonymity.
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Raised in Archontiko Stravos, the Headlord of that House was not taken to ornately large gardens that could be used as a maze. No, his estate was primarily the massive home with its ornate decorations and architectural splendor that sought to impress more than the property itself. It might've been exhilarating, to lose oneself with a lover in such gardens, to do away with the world. The palace and archontiko Antonis were such places, and as Evi led Elias along, her arm in his, he quite enjoyed the bit of reprieve from the world. It was a wonderful thing, to slink into the shadows, gone from the world and allowed to savour his freedom for what felt like the first time.
Never again.
The thought plagued him still, the house arrest that was the direct result of his ruined reputation. The Senate, a great source of his ire and resentment, was to be kept closed, which was a grand thing for the extent of the Headlord's liberty. Until the day arrived that his machinations were truly felt by the people, where the economy toiled with the absence of a monarch paired with the deterioration of trade... he was rather off the hook of royal obligations. It allowed him the opportunity to restore his place, regain his allies that he'd lost and forge new connections still. And it offered him an opportunity to meet Evi again.
"The return is with perfect timing. There is more than just the return of what was. The potential for more," he added vaguely, the lord hiding the glimmer of satisfaction that threatened to catch upon his lips. Evi was aware of the truth, with some real detail behind it, but there was no way that she could know the truth of the matter. With the queen ousted from her throne, it provided Elias with a window of opportunity to seize his power. Even though his effort to have her killed ended in failure, there was enough success for him not to have the incompetents murdered on the spot. No, they'd been given promotions and assigned to guard his family. Better to inspire confidence in his leadership by not punishing every last failure.
Evi answered his question to his satisfaction, mirroring his own pleasure at the fact that Lyncestia had not suffered so greatly. Yes, there was an imminent strain for food in the future, for famine was an inevitable consequence to a tangential issue. But, it was not a problem of today, and he didn't dare bring it up to Evi in public or private. When she mentioned the piracy, he nodded in agreement. It was a terrible tragedy, one orchestrated by Elias himself, but now it suited him more than ever. In this position, from the position of a missing monarch, this particular economic devastation that faced Athenia was a perfect means for him to consolidate his power.
"Yes, a terrible tragedy. But, it is fortunate that the dreaded pirate Lukos has not been seen ever since his previous... appearance."
The Headlord of Stravos noticed her wandering gaze, finding his features and his chiton. The sort of pity Evi found on her expression that day in archontiko Stravos was replaced with the sort of attraction that was impossible for her to hide. He almost wanted to grin at her, or wink at her, just to see if her heart might soar in the way that reminded him of their first trip together to his province. But, that effort didn't last very long. Propriety needed to stand while they were still in the public eye. He chuckled in agreement at the idea of house arrest not being suited to him. Never, even when he lived in the archontiko as a young man, did he spend the entire day there. A social creature, it irked him to be away from the sunlight all day.
The thought of the past withered to nothing once they were so deep in the gardens that eyes were not upon them. Evi stepped forward, to brush his cheek along with his hand, and the motion was met with him turning his head to brush his skin against her fingers. He was keen for the contact to continue, or for Evi to embolden herself. He sought after a kiss from her, but it was dangerous to even attempt such a thing. Or was it? If she elected for this, surely a single step further wasn't such a terrible thing. He bent just enough to close the distance between their faces. He pressed his lips to her cheek next, one arm looping about her waist. It was a small embrace at best, but one that sought to portray a sort of desperation for proximity.
"And I, you," he agreed. And it was true. While Elias had the company of a woman in his final week of house arrest, there was no comparison between the base pleasure with Demi and the affection he felt for Evi. He felt the tick within his chest increase just slightly, his lips curving into a smile before he told her,
"It's why I just had to see you. Life beyond the curtain of disgrace has been... eventful. I've assumed regency, giving Emilia a presence suited to rule while the queen's fate is being investigated."
He told her this bit of news in a low voice, unable to disguise his pleasure at the turn of fortune.
"Could you sneak away with me, Evi? For a little while?" he asked her. While there were secrets kept from everyone, Elias of Stravos had his means of suppressing knowledge and maintaining anonymity.
Raised in Archontiko Stravos, the Headlord of that House was not taken to ornately large gardens that could be used as a maze. No, his estate was primarily the massive home with its ornate decorations and architectural splendor that sought to impress more than the property itself. It might've been exhilarating, to lose oneself with a lover in such gardens, to do away with the world. The palace and archontiko Antonis were such places, and as Evi led Elias along, her arm in his, he quite enjoyed the bit of reprieve from the world. It was a wonderful thing, to slink into the shadows, gone from the world and allowed to savour his freedom for what felt like the first time.
Never again.
The thought plagued him still, the house arrest that was the direct result of his ruined reputation. The Senate, a great source of his ire and resentment, was to be kept closed, which was a grand thing for the extent of the Headlord's liberty. Until the day arrived that his machinations were truly felt by the people, where the economy toiled with the absence of a monarch paired with the deterioration of trade... he was rather off the hook of royal obligations. It allowed him the opportunity to restore his place, regain his allies that he'd lost and forge new connections still. And it offered him an opportunity to meet Evi again.
"The return is with perfect timing. There is more than just the return of what was. The potential for more," he added vaguely, the lord hiding the glimmer of satisfaction that threatened to catch upon his lips. Evi was aware of the truth, with some real detail behind it, but there was no way that she could know the truth of the matter. With the queen ousted from her throne, it provided Elias with a window of opportunity to seize his power. Even though his effort to have her killed ended in failure, there was enough success for him not to have the incompetents murdered on the spot. No, they'd been given promotions and assigned to guard his family. Better to inspire confidence in his leadership by not punishing every last failure.
Evi answered his question to his satisfaction, mirroring his own pleasure at the fact that Lyncestia had not suffered so greatly. Yes, there was an imminent strain for food in the future, for famine was an inevitable consequence to a tangential issue. But, it was not a problem of today, and he didn't dare bring it up to Evi in public or private. When she mentioned the piracy, he nodded in agreement. It was a terrible tragedy, one orchestrated by Elias himself, but now it suited him more than ever. In this position, from the position of a missing monarch, this particular economic devastation that faced Athenia was a perfect means for him to consolidate his power.
"Yes, a terrible tragedy. But, it is fortunate that the dreaded pirate Lukos has not been seen ever since his previous... appearance."
The Headlord of Stravos noticed her wandering gaze, finding his features and his chiton. The sort of pity Evi found on her expression that day in archontiko Stravos was replaced with the sort of attraction that was impossible for her to hide. He almost wanted to grin at her, or wink at her, just to see if her heart might soar in the way that reminded him of their first trip together to his province. But, that effort didn't last very long. Propriety needed to stand while they were still in the public eye. He chuckled in agreement at the idea of house arrest not being suited to him. Never, even when he lived in the archontiko as a young man, did he spend the entire day there. A social creature, it irked him to be away from the sunlight all day.
The thought of the past withered to nothing once they were so deep in the gardens that eyes were not upon them. Evi stepped forward, to brush his cheek along with his hand, and the motion was met with him turning his head to brush his skin against her fingers. He was keen for the contact to continue, or for Evi to embolden herself. He sought after a kiss from her, but it was dangerous to even attempt such a thing. Or was it? If she elected for this, surely a single step further wasn't such a terrible thing. He bent just enough to close the distance between their faces. He pressed his lips to her cheek next, one arm looping about her waist. It was a small embrace at best, but one that sought to portray a sort of desperation for proximity.
"And I, you," he agreed. And it was true. While Elias had the company of a woman in his final week of house arrest, there was no comparison between the base pleasure with Demi and the affection he felt for Evi. He felt the tick within his chest increase just slightly, his lips curving into a smile before he told her,
"It's why I just had to see you. Life beyond the curtain of disgrace has been... eventful. I've assumed regency, giving Emilia a presence suited to rule while the queen's fate is being investigated."
He told her this bit of news in a low voice, unable to disguise his pleasure at the turn of fortune.
"Could you sneak away with me, Evi? For a little while?" he asked her. While there were secrets kept from everyone, Elias of Stravos had his means of suppressing knowledge and maintaining anonymity.
“Perfect timing all things considered.” The Antonis daughter replied with a sigh, “However it would have been better if no ‘return’ was needed at all.” she referred, of course, to the fact that Persephone had only been allowed to ascend to the throne because of Elias’ arrest and the Stravos loss of lands. She had had a lot of time to ruminate over what had happened in Athenia over the recent months. And the more she thought about it, the more she believed that even if Elias hadn’t paid the pirates to attack and ransack ships within Athenian waters, the crown would have found a way to blame him for something anyway.
It was she only way she could have had the law passed through the vote. There was more going on behind the scenes than Evi knew. And now with the palace attacked and Queen Persephone’s fate unknown… briefly Evi entertained the idea that Elias had been responsible for that. ‘potential for more…’ What could he possibly mean by that? Or was this all just another ploy on the side of the crown to discredit Elias even further. She refused to ask the blunt question, unwilling to face the truth of it, if Elias did admit to such a thing again.
Evi didn’t want to believe that the Stravos Lord could do such a thing. He couldn’t be capable of it, surely.
The kiss that followed her hand was one steeped in a passion that ignites. It was the promise of realness, the promise that every moment shared between them had not been a dream. In a moment she pressed my lips against his, and Evi felt his body loosen as her arms touched his shoulders, moving closer to be against him. Then they hovered right there, quite soundless for so long, simply feeling each other's presence.
“So Emilia is not to rule? Surely if the law has changed, she is next in line to take the throne?” It was a strange thought. Emilia and Evi were of the same age, and Evi couldn’t imagine herself to be on the throne at her age. Evi didn’t know Emilia that well, but what she did know what a giggly little teenager who was too spoilt with attention for her own good. How could someone so young sit on the throne? It was a good thing, perhaps, that Elias had taken the regency, though she did not understand how that was possible.
But Elias seemed thrilled by the prospect, so there, again, must be more to it than Evi currently understood. In some ways, she wished it was not so. If Elias were not to be King, if he were just to remain a Lord in his own lands, Evi might have the chance to marry him. She could make him happy, she thought… and she knew that he would make her happy. However, seeing Elias as happy as he was when he talked about the regency, Evi knew in her heart that the man would never rest unless he secured the throne for himself.
“Sneak away?” Evi repeated his words, somewhat incredulously. “Sneak away where? I mean… yes, of course I can, but you have responsibilities. Surely they are not less important than spending time with me?” It was a fairly self-depreciating comment. She still didn’t know how Elias felt about her, if he felt anything at all. They had been intimate together, sure, but Elias had been intimate with a number of women who he had then cast aside. So far, it didn’t seem like he had grown bored of her… yes, he had said the word 'love', but what did that mean in the grand scheme of things, especially when it happened whilst in the throes of carnal embrace? Did he love her? Truly? Or was it just something he had said in the heat of the moment?
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“Perfect timing all things considered.” The Antonis daughter replied with a sigh, “However it would have been better if no ‘return’ was needed at all.” she referred, of course, to the fact that Persephone had only been allowed to ascend to the throne because of Elias’ arrest and the Stravos loss of lands. She had had a lot of time to ruminate over what had happened in Athenia over the recent months. And the more she thought about it, the more she believed that even if Elias hadn’t paid the pirates to attack and ransack ships within Athenian waters, the crown would have found a way to blame him for something anyway.
It was she only way she could have had the law passed through the vote. There was more going on behind the scenes than Evi knew. And now with the palace attacked and Queen Persephone’s fate unknown… briefly Evi entertained the idea that Elias had been responsible for that. ‘potential for more…’ What could he possibly mean by that? Or was this all just another ploy on the side of the crown to discredit Elias even further. She refused to ask the blunt question, unwilling to face the truth of it, if Elias did admit to such a thing again.
Evi didn’t want to believe that the Stravos Lord could do such a thing. He couldn’t be capable of it, surely.
The kiss that followed her hand was one steeped in a passion that ignites. It was the promise of realness, the promise that every moment shared between them had not been a dream. In a moment she pressed my lips against his, and Evi felt his body loosen as her arms touched his shoulders, moving closer to be against him. Then they hovered right there, quite soundless for so long, simply feeling each other's presence.
“So Emilia is not to rule? Surely if the law has changed, she is next in line to take the throne?” It was a strange thought. Emilia and Evi were of the same age, and Evi couldn’t imagine herself to be on the throne at her age. Evi didn’t know Emilia that well, but what she did know what a giggly little teenager who was too spoilt with attention for her own good. How could someone so young sit on the throne? It was a good thing, perhaps, that Elias had taken the regency, though she did not understand how that was possible.
But Elias seemed thrilled by the prospect, so there, again, must be more to it than Evi currently understood. In some ways, she wished it was not so. If Elias were not to be King, if he were just to remain a Lord in his own lands, Evi might have the chance to marry him. She could make him happy, she thought… and she knew that he would make her happy. However, seeing Elias as happy as he was when he talked about the regency, Evi knew in her heart that the man would never rest unless he secured the throne for himself.
“Sneak away?” Evi repeated his words, somewhat incredulously. “Sneak away where? I mean… yes, of course I can, but you have responsibilities. Surely they are not less important than spending time with me?” It was a fairly self-depreciating comment. She still didn’t know how Elias felt about her, if he felt anything at all. They had been intimate together, sure, but Elias had been intimate with a number of women who he had then cast aside. So far, it didn’t seem like he had grown bored of her… yes, he had said the word 'love', but what did that mean in the grand scheme of things, especially when it happened whilst in the throes of carnal embrace? Did he love her? Truly? Or was it just something he had said in the heat of the moment?
“Perfect timing all things considered.” The Antonis daughter replied with a sigh, “However it would have been better if no ‘return’ was needed at all.” she referred, of course, to the fact that Persephone had only been allowed to ascend to the throne because of Elias’ arrest and the Stravos loss of lands. She had had a lot of time to ruminate over what had happened in Athenia over the recent months. And the more she thought about it, the more she believed that even if Elias hadn’t paid the pirates to attack and ransack ships within Athenian waters, the crown would have found a way to blame him for something anyway.
It was she only way she could have had the law passed through the vote. There was more going on behind the scenes than Evi knew. And now with the palace attacked and Queen Persephone’s fate unknown… briefly Evi entertained the idea that Elias had been responsible for that. ‘potential for more…’ What could he possibly mean by that? Or was this all just another ploy on the side of the crown to discredit Elias even further. She refused to ask the blunt question, unwilling to face the truth of it, if Elias did admit to such a thing again.
Evi didn’t want to believe that the Stravos Lord could do such a thing. He couldn’t be capable of it, surely.
The kiss that followed her hand was one steeped in a passion that ignites. It was the promise of realness, the promise that every moment shared between them had not been a dream. In a moment she pressed my lips against his, and Evi felt his body loosen as her arms touched his shoulders, moving closer to be against him. Then they hovered right there, quite soundless for so long, simply feeling each other's presence.
“So Emilia is not to rule? Surely if the law has changed, she is next in line to take the throne?” It was a strange thought. Emilia and Evi were of the same age, and Evi couldn’t imagine herself to be on the throne at her age. Evi didn’t know Emilia that well, but what she did know what a giggly little teenager who was too spoilt with attention for her own good. How could someone so young sit on the throne? It was a good thing, perhaps, that Elias had taken the regency, though she did not understand how that was possible.
But Elias seemed thrilled by the prospect, so there, again, must be more to it than Evi currently understood. In some ways, she wished it was not so. If Elias were not to be King, if he were just to remain a Lord in his own lands, Evi might have the chance to marry him. She could make him happy, she thought… and she knew that he would make her happy. However, seeing Elias as happy as he was when he talked about the regency, Evi knew in her heart that the man would never rest unless he secured the throne for himself.
“Sneak away?” Evi repeated his words, somewhat incredulously. “Sneak away where? I mean… yes, of course I can, but you have responsibilities. Surely they are not less important than spending time with me?” It was a fairly self-depreciating comment. She still didn’t know how Elias felt about her, if he felt anything at all. They had been intimate together, sure, but Elias had been intimate with a number of women who he had then cast aside. So far, it didn’t seem like he had grown bored of her… yes, he had said the word 'love', but what did that mean in the grand scheme of things, especially when it happened whilst in the throes of carnal embrace? Did he love her? Truly? Or was it just something he had said in the heat of the moment?
Evi of Antonis was wise beyond her years. Surely, it was not so much of a stretch given the knowledge she was given by him to infer that he'd been responsible for the supposed death of the queen. However, where Elias of Stravos had decided to be honest, here he had no inclination to share that truth with her. Better not to besmirch her impressions of him, to give her dangerous certain knowledge that could render her a target of scrutiny. Just as he sought to protect her elder sister, Marietta, he sought to protect the younger. The reasons were different, but the desire was the same and he found it fitting. He wondered, at times, if it was the amusing game of the Gods that Elias fell in with the daughters of the man who would've once abdicated the throne of Athenia to him.
Only for that sentiment to fall away by his own foolishness. Everything that he did in the past few months undid the very machinations of the Gods that deemed him fit to rule. He fell for the wicked machinations of a man who could never bear an heir to take his place... He let the thought wilt away as well, intent upon savouring the stolen moments with Evi of Antonis. Her question was a valid one, but Elias of Stravos wondered if there was cause for her to ask it. Emilia of Xanthos was, unlike Evi who was scarcely older thna her, a fool. She shared the vanity and materialism that gave Elias his hungry ambition, but with none of the fire of spirit or intelligence to give it validity. Even as he licked the wounds of his foolishness, Elias knew within himself the wisdom that power required.
"Emilia has no idea what to do with that position. The princess' fate, and with her, the crown of Athenia itself, is unknown," he started, a truth that he was an exception to. Elias did not directly lie to Evi, but giving her that necessary buffer of the facts made it all the easier to keep the secrets he needed kept. Athenia needed the fate of its ruler unknown until it was so tightly wound in his fist that there was no difference between himself and the country he needed to rule.
"The ambiguity of Athenia's fate is getting to everyone. Emilia cannot take her 'rightful' place," he emphasized, quite taken aback at the need to even say such blasphemy, "As queen."
While Elias of Stravos hoped to have the queen's corpse for all of Athenia to see and mourn before giving the crown to Emilia... this position was perhaps better still for the moment. He could not secure Emilia's hand without competition if she was crowned. Now? He could bide his time and ensure the queen was dead before that marriage was secured. The Headlord of Stravos played Emilia like a puppet, and he relished in the crushing her spirit beneath his sandalled feet. House arrest gave Elias the resentment he needed to become heartless, and he steeled himself to the reality of the obstacles ahead. But, the world stood still for Evi of Antonis. Busy as Elias was, he'd dedicated much longer to impress upon General Lacides the need for Athenian ships. The remainder? He'd give to Evi and much more than that if he wished it.
"It is the prerogative of a monarch to delegate responsibilities to others that are more suited to such tasks. I've done my part today, Evi. I deserve to be stolen away, even for a little while," he teased her. Fingertips played along the woman's jawline, intent upon lifting her features to meet his before, perhaps even scandalously, he claimed a kiss from her. He drew her closer to him, a breath taken in as the moment ended far too soon for his liking. When he pulled away, a grin caught upon his lips, and he tilted his head. The gardens were like a maze, and while the Headlord knew the way home from this place, he didn't know how to get back to his carriage. He'd be more embarrassed if he wasn't so pleased with the circumstances of it all.
"I'd bring you to the palace, if you were inclined. Although, archontiko Stravos might be a safer destination. As a precaution," he mused, pulling the himation from his shoulders and giving it to the woman to wrap about hers. He had her escort him out of the gardens, but before he separated from her, he whispered in her ear,
"I'll go to my carriage and ready it for departure. Obscure yourself with that himation and approach the carriage at your leisure. If it helps, change into something less noticeable?" Elias took the needed precautions to keep their dalliances a secret, but as he was more and more under the watch of the world, he needed to increase the measures further still. Rumours weren't the most dangerous thing to be wary of in these times. He pursed his lips, considering his demands before he turned away from her.
"Perhaps I ask too much of you, my lady. You need not join me if you don't wish to. I'll wait in my carriage for fifteen minutes," he added before he left her company.
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Evi of Antonis was wise beyond her years. Surely, it was not so much of a stretch given the knowledge she was given by him to infer that he'd been responsible for the supposed death of the queen. However, where Elias of Stravos had decided to be honest, here he had no inclination to share that truth with her. Better not to besmirch her impressions of him, to give her dangerous certain knowledge that could render her a target of scrutiny. Just as he sought to protect her elder sister, Marietta, he sought to protect the younger. The reasons were different, but the desire was the same and he found it fitting. He wondered, at times, if it was the amusing game of the Gods that Elias fell in with the daughters of the man who would've once abdicated the throne of Athenia to him.
Only for that sentiment to fall away by his own foolishness. Everything that he did in the past few months undid the very machinations of the Gods that deemed him fit to rule. He fell for the wicked machinations of a man who could never bear an heir to take his place... He let the thought wilt away as well, intent upon savouring the stolen moments with Evi of Antonis. Her question was a valid one, but Elias of Stravos wondered if there was cause for her to ask it. Emilia of Xanthos was, unlike Evi who was scarcely older thna her, a fool. She shared the vanity and materialism that gave Elias his hungry ambition, but with none of the fire of spirit or intelligence to give it validity. Even as he licked the wounds of his foolishness, Elias knew within himself the wisdom that power required.
"Emilia has no idea what to do with that position. The princess' fate, and with her, the crown of Athenia itself, is unknown," he started, a truth that he was an exception to. Elias did not directly lie to Evi, but giving her that necessary buffer of the facts made it all the easier to keep the secrets he needed kept. Athenia needed the fate of its ruler unknown until it was so tightly wound in his fist that there was no difference between himself and the country he needed to rule.
"The ambiguity of Athenia's fate is getting to everyone. Emilia cannot take her 'rightful' place," he emphasized, quite taken aback at the need to even say such blasphemy, "As queen."
While Elias of Stravos hoped to have the queen's corpse for all of Athenia to see and mourn before giving the crown to Emilia... this position was perhaps better still for the moment. He could not secure Emilia's hand without competition if she was crowned. Now? He could bide his time and ensure the queen was dead before that marriage was secured. The Headlord of Stravos played Emilia like a puppet, and he relished in the crushing her spirit beneath his sandalled feet. House arrest gave Elias the resentment he needed to become heartless, and he steeled himself to the reality of the obstacles ahead. But, the world stood still for Evi of Antonis. Busy as Elias was, he'd dedicated much longer to impress upon General Lacides the need for Athenian ships. The remainder? He'd give to Evi and much more than that if he wished it.
"It is the prerogative of a monarch to delegate responsibilities to others that are more suited to such tasks. I've done my part today, Evi. I deserve to be stolen away, even for a little while," he teased her. Fingertips played along the woman's jawline, intent upon lifting her features to meet his before, perhaps even scandalously, he claimed a kiss from her. He drew her closer to him, a breath taken in as the moment ended far too soon for his liking. When he pulled away, a grin caught upon his lips, and he tilted his head. The gardens were like a maze, and while the Headlord knew the way home from this place, he didn't know how to get back to his carriage. He'd be more embarrassed if he wasn't so pleased with the circumstances of it all.
"I'd bring you to the palace, if you were inclined. Although, archontiko Stravos might be a safer destination. As a precaution," he mused, pulling the himation from his shoulders and giving it to the woman to wrap about hers. He had her escort him out of the gardens, but before he separated from her, he whispered in her ear,
"I'll go to my carriage and ready it for departure. Obscure yourself with that himation and approach the carriage at your leisure. If it helps, change into something less noticeable?" Elias took the needed precautions to keep their dalliances a secret, but as he was more and more under the watch of the world, he needed to increase the measures further still. Rumours weren't the most dangerous thing to be wary of in these times. He pursed his lips, considering his demands before he turned away from her.
"Perhaps I ask too much of you, my lady. You need not join me if you don't wish to. I'll wait in my carriage for fifteen minutes," he added before he left her company.
Evi of Antonis was wise beyond her years. Surely, it was not so much of a stretch given the knowledge she was given by him to infer that he'd been responsible for the supposed death of the queen. However, where Elias of Stravos had decided to be honest, here he had no inclination to share that truth with her. Better not to besmirch her impressions of him, to give her dangerous certain knowledge that could render her a target of scrutiny. Just as he sought to protect her elder sister, Marietta, he sought to protect the younger. The reasons were different, but the desire was the same and he found it fitting. He wondered, at times, if it was the amusing game of the Gods that Elias fell in with the daughters of the man who would've once abdicated the throne of Athenia to him.
Only for that sentiment to fall away by his own foolishness. Everything that he did in the past few months undid the very machinations of the Gods that deemed him fit to rule. He fell for the wicked machinations of a man who could never bear an heir to take his place... He let the thought wilt away as well, intent upon savouring the stolen moments with Evi of Antonis. Her question was a valid one, but Elias of Stravos wondered if there was cause for her to ask it. Emilia of Xanthos was, unlike Evi who was scarcely older thna her, a fool. She shared the vanity and materialism that gave Elias his hungry ambition, but with none of the fire of spirit or intelligence to give it validity. Even as he licked the wounds of his foolishness, Elias knew within himself the wisdom that power required.
"Emilia has no idea what to do with that position. The princess' fate, and with her, the crown of Athenia itself, is unknown," he started, a truth that he was an exception to. Elias did not directly lie to Evi, but giving her that necessary buffer of the facts made it all the easier to keep the secrets he needed kept. Athenia needed the fate of its ruler unknown until it was so tightly wound in his fist that there was no difference between himself and the country he needed to rule.
"The ambiguity of Athenia's fate is getting to everyone. Emilia cannot take her 'rightful' place," he emphasized, quite taken aback at the need to even say such blasphemy, "As queen."
While Elias of Stravos hoped to have the queen's corpse for all of Athenia to see and mourn before giving the crown to Emilia... this position was perhaps better still for the moment. He could not secure Emilia's hand without competition if she was crowned. Now? He could bide his time and ensure the queen was dead before that marriage was secured. The Headlord of Stravos played Emilia like a puppet, and he relished in the crushing her spirit beneath his sandalled feet. House arrest gave Elias the resentment he needed to become heartless, and he steeled himself to the reality of the obstacles ahead. But, the world stood still for Evi of Antonis. Busy as Elias was, he'd dedicated much longer to impress upon General Lacides the need for Athenian ships. The remainder? He'd give to Evi and much more than that if he wished it.
"It is the prerogative of a monarch to delegate responsibilities to others that are more suited to such tasks. I've done my part today, Evi. I deserve to be stolen away, even for a little while," he teased her. Fingertips played along the woman's jawline, intent upon lifting her features to meet his before, perhaps even scandalously, he claimed a kiss from her. He drew her closer to him, a breath taken in as the moment ended far too soon for his liking. When he pulled away, a grin caught upon his lips, and he tilted his head. The gardens were like a maze, and while the Headlord knew the way home from this place, he didn't know how to get back to his carriage. He'd be more embarrassed if he wasn't so pleased with the circumstances of it all.
"I'd bring you to the palace, if you were inclined. Although, archontiko Stravos might be a safer destination. As a precaution," he mused, pulling the himation from his shoulders and giving it to the woman to wrap about hers. He had her escort him out of the gardens, but before he separated from her, he whispered in her ear,
"I'll go to my carriage and ready it for departure. Obscure yourself with that himation and approach the carriage at your leisure. If it helps, change into something less noticeable?" Elias took the needed precautions to keep their dalliances a secret, but as he was more and more under the watch of the world, he needed to increase the measures further still. Rumours weren't the most dangerous thing to be wary of in these times. He pursed his lips, considering his demands before he turned away from her.
"Perhaps I ask too much of you, my lady. You need not join me if you don't wish to. I'll wait in my carriage for fifteen minutes," he added before he left her company.
“The thing is, Elias…” Evi began, ruminating over what she wanted to say as she said it, “Princess Emilia may be young, but she is the next in line to the throne, according to Athenia’s new laws. If Queen Persephone isn’t found… if she really is… uh… dead. Well the law is quite clear. I don’t understand why you say Emilia cannot take her place as Queen.” She wondered if she was missing something.
She was young and most of her worldly knowledge was from books rather than life experience. Evi, like the rest of Athenia, had no idea what had happened to the Queen, whether she was dead or alive, in the city or somewhere else. There was so much unrest in the city as a result of the attack on the palace. There came a time when ‘pushing' one's ideas that could save the world they lived in became morally the right thing to do. “She may be inexperienced, but she is the same age as me. With the proper guidance, she could be a great ruler.”
The way Elias talked was as if he still expected to gain the crown for himself. And it wasn’t that she didn’t want Elias to be King. She did want him to be King. She wanted him to be King because he wanted it. But… truth be told, Evi didn’t understand why the law didn’t originally allow women to take the throne anyway. Women could be just as good as men, it made no sense to her. In some ways, she had been excited that Persephone was to take the throne and become Queen.
“Is it possible? Sure. Is it certain? No. Speculating about who should rule is a time-honoured academic tradition but it’s very woolly and not a hill I’d plan to die on. Most of the time we just don’t know, and you should be very suspicious of anyone who claims to.” There were so many people who were set in their ways, yet there were others who were ready for something new. The transition needed a new way to ease that in; it was always going to need to blend in, to flow, evolution not revolution.
A nation in which spurned women in positions of power had no right to claim they have achieved civilisation.
Her thoughts were lost on her as Elias tilted her chin up and claimed her lips for a kiss. It was so easy to let the world fall away when she was near Elias. She wanted nothing more that for this to be her life forever. In his arms, where she felt most at home. It was too easy to forget everything else that was going on in favour of drinking in Elias’ presence. She wasn’t sure why Elias would invite her to the palace. Was he living there now? She almost didn’t want to ask the question. Why was the Stravos home ‘safer’? The girl bit her lip, remaining silent and keeping her questions to herself.
Evi guided her lover back through the garden to the front of arckontikó Antonis, where they could see Elias; carriage waiting. When he told her to change and join him in the carriage in fifteen minutes, the girl nodded, still biting her lower lip. She reached up to kiss him before she let him go. Then, acting on instinct, she reached out and grabbed his am, “Elias wait.”
When he stopped and looked back at her, she swallowed her doubts and misgivings. Because it nagged at her, pulled at her attention like a splinter in her finger that was too small to find. “Why do you speak as if the palace is your home?”
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“The thing is, Elias…” Evi began, ruminating over what she wanted to say as she said it, “Princess Emilia may be young, but she is the next in line to the throne, according to Athenia’s new laws. If Queen Persephone isn’t found… if she really is… uh… dead. Well the law is quite clear. I don’t understand why you say Emilia cannot take her place as Queen.” She wondered if she was missing something.
She was young and most of her worldly knowledge was from books rather than life experience. Evi, like the rest of Athenia, had no idea what had happened to the Queen, whether she was dead or alive, in the city or somewhere else. There was so much unrest in the city as a result of the attack on the palace. There came a time when ‘pushing' one's ideas that could save the world they lived in became morally the right thing to do. “She may be inexperienced, but she is the same age as me. With the proper guidance, she could be a great ruler.”
The way Elias talked was as if he still expected to gain the crown for himself. And it wasn’t that she didn’t want Elias to be King. She did want him to be King. She wanted him to be King because he wanted it. But… truth be told, Evi didn’t understand why the law didn’t originally allow women to take the throne anyway. Women could be just as good as men, it made no sense to her. In some ways, she had been excited that Persephone was to take the throne and become Queen.
“Is it possible? Sure. Is it certain? No. Speculating about who should rule is a time-honoured academic tradition but it’s very woolly and not a hill I’d plan to die on. Most of the time we just don’t know, and you should be very suspicious of anyone who claims to.” There were so many people who were set in their ways, yet there were others who were ready for something new. The transition needed a new way to ease that in; it was always going to need to blend in, to flow, evolution not revolution.
A nation in which spurned women in positions of power had no right to claim they have achieved civilisation.
Her thoughts were lost on her as Elias tilted her chin up and claimed her lips for a kiss. It was so easy to let the world fall away when she was near Elias. She wanted nothing more that for this to be her life forever. In his arms, where she felt most at home. It was too easy to forget everything else that was going on in favour of drinking in Elias’ presence. She wasn’t sure why Elias would invite her to the palace. Was he living there now? She almost didn’t want to ask the question. Why was the Stravos home ‘safer’? The girl bit her lip, remaining silent and keeping her questions to herself.
Evi guided her lover back through the garden to the front of arckontikó Antonis, where they could see Elias; carriage waiting. When he told her to change and join him in the carriage in fifteen minutes, the girl nodded, still biting her lower lip. She reached up to kiss him before she let him go. Then, acting on instinct, she reached out and grabbed his am, “Elias wait.”
When he stopped and looked back at her, she swallowed her doubts and misgivings. Because it nagged at her, pulled at her attention like a splinter in her finger that was too small to find. “Why do you speak as if the palace is your home?”
“The thing is, Elias…” Evi began, ruminating over what she wanted to say as she said it, “Princess Emilia may be young, but she is the next in line to the throne, according to Athenia’s new laws. If Queen Persephone isn’t found… if she really is… uh… dead. Well the law is quite clear. I don’t understand why you say Emilia cannot take her place as Queen.” She wondered if she was missing something.
She was young and most of her worldly knowledge was from books rather than life experience. Evi, like the rest of Athenia, had no idea what had happened to the Queen, whether she was dead or alive, in the city or somewhere else. There was so much unrest in the city as a result of the attack on the palace. There came a time when ‘pushing' one's ideas that could save the world they lived in became morally the right thing to do. “She may be inexperienced, but she is the same age as me. With the proper guidance, she could be a great ruler.”
The way Elias talked was as if he still expected to gain the crown for himself. And it wasn’t that she didn’t want Elias to be King. She did want him to be King. She wanted him to be King because he wanted it. But… truth be told, Evi didn’t understand why the law didn’t originally allow women to take the throne anyway. Women could be just as good as men, it made no sense to her. In some ways, she had been excited that Persephone was to take the throne and become Queen.
“Is it possible? Sure. Is it certain? No. Speculating about who should rule is a time-honoured academic tradition but it’s very woolly and not a hill I’d plan to die on. Most of the time we just don’t know, and you should be very suspicious of anyone who claims to.” There were so many people who were set in their ways, yet there were others who were ready for something new. The transition needed a new way to ease that in; it was always going to need to blend in, to flow, evolution not revolution.
A nation in which spurned women in positions of power had no right to claim they have achieved civilisation.
Her thoughts were lost on her as Elias tilted her chin up and claimed her lips for a kiss. It was so easy to let the world fall away when she was near Elias. She wanted nothing more that for this to be her life forever. In his arms, where she felt most at home. It was too easy to forget everything else that was going on in favour of drinking in Elias’ presence. She wasn’t sure why Elias would invite her to the palace. Was he living there now? She almost didn’t want to ask the question. Why was the Stravos home ‘safer’? The girl bit her lip, remaining silent and keeping her questions to herself.
Evi guided her lover back through the garden to the front of arckontikó Antonis, where they could see Elias; carriage waiting. When he told her to change and join him in the carriage in fifteen minutes, the girl nodded, still biting her lower lip. She reached up to kiss him before she let him go. Then, acting on instinct, she reached out and grabbed his am, “Elias wait.”
When he stopped and looked back at her, she swallowed her doubts and misgivings. Because it nagged at her, pulled at her attention like a splinter in her finger that was too small to find. “Why do you speak as if the palace is your home?”
Elias didn't care for the technicalities of ascension to the throne. Already, there was enough in his way with the fact that the laws had been changed, ousting him out of the line of succession almost altogether. Following it up with the fact that the next of kin to the unmarried Queen Persephone was her grossly incompetent sister infuriated him more than anything else. It made it impossible to brute force his way to power, and while it wasn't his tactic, per say, if the line put him back to power after Persephone, he could orchestrate enough bedlam for the people themselves to demand the queen's head or her abdication.
But the way things stood, the Marikas was next in line to gain the throne, and with Pavlos in particular... Elias had never liked Rafail's brother. He was a prat, but a prat with lovely daughters that he'd gone away with more than once in his time as a baron aimlessly seeking whatever good time he could find. Things were somewhat different now, with his time far more occupied and the priorities of finding the right women to spend his time with rather than whichever one might cross themselves off of his list. The Headlord of Stravos thought on this for not a moment longer, because Evi went on about Princess Emilia quite possibly being a great ruler.
She can be great... A great queen under the thumb of the true ruler of Athenia.
Of course, Elias knew that his mother was orchestrating the manipulation of the princess. She was amorphous clay to be given shape by the great sculptors. Princess Circenia of Stravos, more than anyone else in the royal courts, knew what it was to be subtle. To jab at the hearts of women and demoralize them. It was the perfect stew in which Elias' own charms could fester and mould the princess into the vehicle of his designs. With the queen gone and the Senate unable to meet, it was the perfect way forward. With a husband, the princess could become a Queen even without the crown and her sister's confirmed death.
"As long as the new laws stand, you are right. And with the way things are going... they don't look to be reverting any time soon. The Queen is not confirmed dead, but the people will not wait forever for a monarch to bring balance to the chaos overtaking Athenia."
Chaos for which, of course, Elias himself was mostly responsible. Chaos that would suit his purposes in this position of rising from disgrace. Elias had no reason to bring an end to it all, to intervene too greatly. A subtle hand, the hand his mother could teach him to have, was enough for him to secure the future where his rule would stand above the dust that settled. Elias considered how best to keep the detail of the truth away from the Lady of Antonis house. The cracks that began to form within Elias' facade, and decided that distraction was the ideal. He'd taken her in a kiss and was pleased by the success of it all. She stopped going on about the future of the crown, and instead, she asked an altogether different question after she kissed him again.
"The palace has always been meant to be my home, Lady Evi. Archontiko Stravos and Lyncestia are, too. But, the palace is my destiny."
He insisted on it... he was certain of it. Despite all of the pitfalls, all of the bedlam... Despite the fall from grace that nearly tore him asunder, the fact of his destiny remained. Now, he wanted it more than ever.
"Come back to me soon, my love," he said to her, offering the woman a smile before he left her company in earnest, intent upon waiting for the allocated time. He didn't wish to discuss the notions of the crown with her any longer, and sought instead to placate her with the words she might've wanted otherwise. Elias was certain of how Evi felt about him, and while he could not reciprocate it properly, he was growing more and more certain that he felt the same.
Keep her out of this. Distance yourself accordingly. This liaison is a poor idea in the midst of thi--
Yes, it is. But, I don't care, he assured himself.
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Elias didn't care for the technicalities of ascension to the throne. Already, there was enough in his way with the fact that the laws had been changed, ousting him out of the line of succession almost altogether. Following it up with the fact that the next of kin to the unmarried Queen Persephone was her grossly incompetent sister infuriated him more than anything else. It made it impossible to brute force his way to power, and while it wasn't his tactic, per say, if the line put him back to power after Persephone, he could orchestrate enough bedlam for the people themselves to demand the queen's head or her abdication.
But the way things stood, the Marikas was next in line to gain the throne, and with Pavlos in particular... Elias had never liked Rafail's brother. He was a prat, but a prat with lovely daughters that he'd gone away with more than once in his time as a baron aimlessly seeking whatever good time he could find. Things were somewhat different now, with his time far more occupied and the priorities of finding the right women to spend his time with rather than whichever one might cross themselves off of his list. The Headlord of Stravos thought on this for not a moment longer, because Evi went on about Princess Emilia quite possibly being a great ruler.
She can be great... A great queen under the thumb of the true ruler of Athenia.
Of course, Elias knew that his mother was orchestrating the manipulation of the princess. She was amorphous clay to be given shape by the great sculptors. Princess Circenia of Stravos, more than anyone else in the royal courts, knew what it was to be subtle. To jab at the hearts of women and demoralize them. It was the perfect stew in which Elias' own charms could fester and mould the princess into the vehicle of his designs. With the queen gone and the Senate unable to meet, it was the perfect way forward. With a husband, the princess could become a Queen even without the crown and her sister's confirmed death.
"As long as the new laws stand, you are right. And with the way things are going... they don't look to be reverting any time soon. The Queen is not confirmed dead, but the people will not wait forever for a monarch to bring balance to the chaos overtaking Athenia."
Chaos for which, of course, Elias himself was mostly responsible. Chaos that would suit his purposes in this position of rising from disgrace. Elias had no reason to bring an end to it all, to intervene too greatly. A subtle hand, the hand his mother could teach him to have, was enough for him to secure the future where his rule would stand above the dust that settled. Elias considered how best to keep the detail of the truth away from the Lady of Antonis house. The cracks that began to form within Elias' facade, and decided that distraction was the ideal. He'd taken her in a kiss and was pleased by the success of it all. She stopped going on about the future of the crown, and instead, she asked an altogether different question after she kissed him again.
"The palace has always been meant to be my home, Lady Evi. Archontiko Stravos and Lyncestia are, too. But, the palace is my destiny."
He insisted on it... he was certain of it. Despite all of the pitfalls, all of the bedlam... Despite the fall from grace that nearly tore him asunder, the fact of his destiny remained. Now, he wanted it more than ever.
"Come back to me soon, my love," he said to her, offering the woman a smile before he left her company in earnest, intent upon waiting for the allocated time. He didn't wish to discuss the notions of the crown with her any longer, and sought instead to placate her with the words she might've wanted otherwise. Elias was certain of how Evi felt about him, and while he could not reciprocate it properly, he was growing more and more certain that he felt the same.
Keep her out of this. Distance yourself accordingly. This liaison is a poor idea in the midst of thi--
Yes, it is. But, I don't care, he assured himself.
Elias didn't care for the technicalities of ascension to the throne. Already, there was enough in his way with the fact that the laws had been changed, ousting him out of the line of succession almost altogether. Following it up with the fact that the next of kin to the unmarried Queen Persephone was her grossly incompetent sister infuriated him more than anything else. It made it impossible to brute force his way to power, and while it wasn't his tactic, per say, if the line put him back to power after Persephone, he could orchestrate enough bedlam for the people themselves to demand the queen's head or her abdication.
But the way things stood, the Marikas was next in line to gain the throne, and with Pavlos in particular... Elias had never liked Rafail's brother. He was a prat, but a prat with lovely daughters that he'd gone away with more than once in his time as a baron aimlessly seeking whatever good time he could find. Things were somewhat different now, with his time far more occupied and the priorities of finding the right women to spend his time with rather than whichever one might cross themselves off of his list. The Headlord of Stravos thought on this for not a moment longer, because Evi went on about Princess Emilia quite possibly being a great ruler.
She can be great... A great queen under the thumb of the true ruler of Athenia.
Of course, Elias knew that his mother was orchestrating the manipulation of the princess. She was amorphous clay to be given shape by the great sculptors. Princess Circenia of Stravos, more than anyone else in the royal courts, knew what it was to be subtle. To jab at the hearts of women and demoralize them. It was the perfect stew in which Elias' own charms could fester and mould the princess into the vehicle of his designs. With the queen gone and the Senate unable to meet, it was the perfect way forward. With a husband, the princess could become a Queen even without the crown and her sister's confirmed death.
"As long as the new laws stand, you are right. And with the way things are going... they don't look to be reverting any time soon. The Queen is not confirmed dead, but the people will not wait forever for a monarch to bring balance to the chaos overtaking Athenia."
Chaos for which, of course, Elias himself was mostly responsible. Chaos that would suit his purposes in this position of rising from disgrace. Elias had no reason to bring an end to it all, to intervene too greatly. A subtle hand, the hand his mother could teach him to have, was enough for him to secure the future where his rule would stand above the dust that settled. Elias considered how best to keep the detail of the truth away from the Lady of Antonis house. The cracks that began to form within Elias' facade, and decided that distraction was the ideal. He'd taken her in a kiss and was pleased by the success of it all. She stopped going on about the future of the crown, and instead, she asked an altogether different question after she kissed him again.
"The palace has always been meant to be my home, Lady Evi. Archontiko Stravos and Lyncestia are, too. But, the palace is my destiny."
He insisted on it... he was certain of it. Despite all of the pitfalls, all of the bedlam... Despite the fall from grace that nearly tore him asunder, the fact of his destiny remained. Now, he wanted it more than ever.
"Come back to me soon, my love," he said to her, offering the woman a smile before he left her company in earnest, intent upon waiting for the allocated time. He didn't wish to discuss the notions of the crown with her any longer, and sought instead to placate her with the words she might've wanted otherwise. Elias was certain of how Evi felt about him, and while he could not reciprocate it properly, he was growing more and more certain that he felt the same.
Keep her out of this. Distance yourself accordingly. This liaison is a poor idea in the midst of thi--
Yes, it is. But, I don't care, he assured himself.
He didn’t really answer her question. Well he did, but it was a wooly answer at best: ‘the palace is my destiny.’ It didn’t really explain why Elias had moved into the palace at all. With the laws changed, Elias had no claim on the throne currently, and Emilia was next in line. She wondered why he took such a liberty to move in. Was he making motions towards the younger of the royal sisters? Evi shook her head, pushing the thought aside. It wasn’t a question she wanted answered, because she feared what she might hear.
She knew that she would never be an appropriate match for the Stravos Headlord: he would marry royalty, whether it be from this kingdom or another, as befitted his station. Evi would marry well also, just not him. No matter how much she wanted it to be the case. She doubted anyone of worth would look on their relationship in a positive light. Even Evi’s sister, one of her closest confidantes, someone who always supported Evi in whatever she wanted, couldn’t agree to their relationship.
The man left, his eyes instructing her to do as he had previously asked and meet him in his carriage. The girl’s heart fluttered at the mention of ‘my love’, her cheeks growing rosey and her stomach somersaulting. More and more often, he used that word when speaking to her. She was beginning to believe that he really did are for her, for no one could keep up a ruse and be so genuine for as long and as often as Elias had. Evi liked to think of herself as a fair judge of character, too. She was adept at moving through social circles and making meaningful conversation with nigh complete strangers as well as dear friends - she had developed a knack for seeing past the words spoken, right into the soul of the speaker. Yes, she knew in her heart that Elias’ feelings for her were more than just a platonic gesture or, worse, a flighty fancy.
Evi moved back into the archontikó, moving quickly enough to make Elias’ deadline, but not so fast that she would attract attention. Once in her room, she sought out a navy blue himation and hastily changed from her chiton into the himation. The material was rich not only in colour but also in fabrics. It wasn’t the same one she had worn to visit Elias when he had been under house arrest, as she often preferred wearing finer garments. It wasn’t so garish, though, that she would make herself stand out too much. Besides, even Evi had heard the rumours about their affair circulating around the city. She was now a known companion of the ousted would-be-King.
Better to appear like they had nothing to hide, rather than be seen skulking about as it there was something improper about their relationship.
Returning outside, Evi passed no one, so did not inform anyone in the household of her departure, save a servant who was laying out the table for a lunch platter to be served. She would not be back for lunch and the servant could inform her family of this. She made her way down to the still waiting carriage, where another servant, one of Elias’, offered his arm to help the lady up into the carriage. She thankfully accepted and ascended gracefully into the carriage where Elias was seated, waiting for her. The carriage started moving away from archontikó Antonis.
“What did you have in mind, My Lord?” Evi returned to addressing him properly while they were definitely around the public, where any prying ear might learn a tidbit or two about them. She bit her lower lip. Now that she was in the carriage and leaving her home, she wanted nothing more than to investigate further into what the Stravos Lord meant by staying in the palace. It didn't make sense to her; she had no idea what he hoped to gain by the move. But she could tell Elias had had enough of talking about it, so remained silent.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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He didn’t really answer her question. Well he did, but it was a wooly answer at best: ‘the palace is my destiny.’ It didn’t really explain why Elias had moved into the palace at all. With the laws changed, Elias had no claim on the throne currently, and Emilia was next in line. She wondered why he took such a liberty to move in. Was he making motions towards the younger of the royal sisters? Evi shook her head, pushing the thought aside. It wasn’t a question she wanted answered, because she feared what she might hear.
She knew that she would never be an appropriate match for the Stravos Headlord: he would marry royalty, whether it be from this kingdom or another, as befitted his station. Evi would marry well also, just not him. No matter how much she wanted it to be the case. She doubted anyone of worth would look on their relationship in a positive light. Even Evi’s sister, one of her closest confidantes, someone who always supported Evi in whatever she wanted, couldn’t agree to their relationship.
The man left, his eyes instructing her to do as he had previously asked and meet him in his carriage. The girl’s heart fluttered at the mention of ‘my love’, her cheeks growing rosey and her stomach somersaulting. More and more often, he used that word when speaking to her. She was beginning to believe that he really did are for her, for no one could keep up a ruse and be so genuine for as long and as often as Elias had. Evi liked to think of herself as a fair judge of character, too. She was adept at moving through social circles and making meaningful conversation with nigh complete strangers as well as dear friends - she had developed a knack for seeing past the words spoken, right into the soul of the speaker. Yes, she knew in her heart that Elias’ feelings for her were more than just a platonic gesture or, worse, a flighty fancy.
Evi moved back into the archontikó, moving quickly enough to make Elias’ deadline, but not so fast that she would attract attention. Once in her room, she sought out a navy blue himation and hastily changed from her chiton into the himation. The material was rich not only in colour but also in fabrics. It wasn’t the same one she had worn to visit Elias when he had been under house arrest, as she often preferred wearing finer garments. It wasn’t so garish, though, that she would make herself stand out too much. Besides, even Evi had heard the rumours about their affair circulating around the city. She was now a known companion of the ousted would-be-King.
Better to appear like they had nothing to hide, rather than be seen skulking about as it there was something improper about their relationship.
Returning outside, Evi passed no one, so did not inform anyone in the household of her departure, save a servant who was laying out the table for a lunch platter to be served. She would not be back for lunch and the servant could inform her family of this. She made her way down to the still waiting carriage, where another servant, one of Elias’, offered his arm to help the lady up into the carriage. She thankfully accepted and ascended gracefully into the carriage where Elias was seated, waiting for her. The carriage started moving away from archontikó Antonis.
“What did you have in mind, My Lord?” Evi returned to addressing him properly while they were definitely around the public, where any prying ear might learn a tidbit or two about them. She bit her lower lip. Now that she was in the carriage and leaving her home, she wanted nothing more than to investigate further into what the Stravos Lord meant by staying in the palace. It didn't make sense to her; she had no idea what he hoped to gain by the move. But she could tell Elias had had enough of talking about it, so remained silent.
He didn’t really answer her question. Well he did, but it was a wooly answer at best: ‘the palace is my destiny.’ It didn’t really explain why Elias had moved into the palace at all. With the laws changed, Elias had no claim on the throne currently, and Emilia was next in line. She wondered why he took such a liberty to move in. Was he making motions towards the younger of the royal sisters? Evi shook her head, pushing the thought aside. It wasn’t a question she wanted answered, because she feared what she might hear.
She knew that she would never be an appropriate match for the Stravos Headlord: he would marry royalty, whether it be from this kingdom or another, as befitted his station. Evi would marry well also, just not him. No matter how much she wanted it to be the case. She doubted anyone of worth would look on their relationship in a positive light. Even Evi’s sister, one of her closest confidantes, someone who always supported Evi in whatever she wanted, couldn’t agree to their relationship.
The man left, his eyes instructing her to do as he had previously asked and meet him in his carriage. The girl’s heart fluttered at the mention of ‘my love’, her cheeks growing rosey and her stomach somersaulting. More and more often, he used that word when speaking to her. She was beginning to believe that he really did are for her, for no one could keep up a ruse and be so genuine for as long and as often as Elias had. Evi liked to think of herself as a fair judge of character, too. She was adept at moving through social circles and making meaningful conversation with nigh complete strangers as well as dear friends - she had developed a knack for seeing past the words spoken, right into the soul of the speaker. Yes, she knew in her heart that Elias’ feelings for her were more than just a platonic gesture or, worse, a flighty fancy.
Evi moved back into the archontikó, moving quickly enough to make Elias’ deadline, but not so fast that she would attract attention. Once in her room, she sought out a navy blue himation and hastily changed from her chiton into the himation. The material was rich not only in colour but also in fabrics. It wasn’t the same one she had worn to visit Elias when he had been under house arrest, as she often preferred wearing finer garments. It wasn’t so garish, though, that she would make herself stand out too much. Besides, even Evi had heard the rumours about their affair circulating around the city. She was now a known companion of the ousted would-be-King.
Better to appear like they had nothing to hide, rather than be seen skulking about as it there was something improper about their relationship.
Returning outside, Evi passed no one, so did not inform anyone in the household of her departure, save a servant who was laying out the table for a lunch platter to be served. She would not be back for lunch and the servant could inform her family of this. She made her way down to the still waiting carriage, where another servant, one of Elias’, offered his arm to help the lady up into the carriage. She thankfully accepted and ascended gracefully into the carriage where Elias was seated, waiting for her. The carriage started moving away from archontikó Antonis.
“What did you have in mind, My Lord?” Evi returned to addressing him properly while they were definitely around the public, where any prying ear might learn a tidbit or two about them. She bit her lower lip. Now that she was in the carriage and leaving her home, she wanted nothing more than to investigate further into what the Stravos Lord meant by staying in the palace. It didn't make sense to her; she had no idea what he hoped to gain by the move. But she could tell Elias had had enough of talking about it, so remained silent.