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Persephone was at a loss in so many ways. Not because she couldn't comprehend the situation in which she found herself in. That, was easy enough for her to witness, assess and understand. The situation in Athenia was complex to many, with a thousand facets and opinions from every angle of every family, but with Persephone's training in political tactics and the ways of power play, she understood the threads that wove together into the tangled mess of discord.
She knew how the Stravos would play the scenario to taint any good faith that the Xanthos name still held across the land. She might not have liked the family but she wasn't naive. She knew the Lord Keikelius and her aunt Circenia. Even Elias to a certain extent. They were selfish and self-centred but they were not stupid. Their intelligence was greatly appreciated and admired in the political circles of Athenia and rightly so. They would be fools not to use the circumstances that her leave-taking had given them. Then there were the other families of Athenia - royal and noble alike - and how they might side on the different opinions of valid rule. Did they side with the legal ruler - one who was absent from their land entirely? Or with the man who would have been their leader had her father not stepped in and tried to alter the course of history? She knew of her personal liaisons as well. She knew of Iason's thoughts and feelings of the life he wished to have with her, away in Taengea where they could live in relative peace. Then there were her friends that had offered their names and lives to a cause that she would be walking away from.
It wasn't the situation that had Persephone confused. It was the choices that she would have to make. Should she stay? Fight and see a nation that she cared for so greatly fall into conflict and violence? Should she admit that her father's hubris and misguided good will had brought them to this and it was her duty to bow out gracefully, allowing history to remain where it would have been carried? Or was it the duty of all those of intelligence and good heart to direct history itself? To see that it went the way that would benefit most people?
One of the hardest things across it all was having no-one to speak to that was entirely objective. She could not discuss the issue or her choices with anyone that was close to her for they all had their own personal stake in the matter. The closer they were, the more bias they were. Yet the further from her confidence that they were, the less she could say to them.
In her heart and mind, Persephone had come to one name that she felt she could have some kind of open honesty. Aimias was a man who was as in the middle of everything as she but he was also a politician. He understood the ways of things on a higher level than others and she knew that he had a compassionate heart that was not led by ego or personal benefit. As much as she cared for Iason, the life that they each wanted hovered over both of their heads too strongly for such a conversation. It was to Aimias whom she went for such advice...
Finding him in a room that was primarily used as some form of library, Persephone knocked on the door that was left standing half open, unsure if she was disturbing him. She had returned from the harvest festival yesterday, informed Aimias and Iris that she had been seen and her presence in Athenia now likely known far and wide. But she had put off discussing the matter with them under the plea of sleep. It had been late at night and they had permitted her to go. Now, she was due to make good on her promise.
"Am I disturbing?" Persephone asked, unused to having to request such an audience...
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Persephone was at a loss in so many ways. Not because she couldn't comprehend the situation in which she found herself in. That, was easy enough for her to witness, assess and understand. The situation in Athenia was complex to many, with a thousand facets and opinions from every angle of every family, but with Persephone's training in political tactics and the ways of power play, she understood the threads that wove together into the tangled mess of discord.
She knew how the Stravos would play the scenario to taint any good faith that the Xanthos name still held across the land. She might not have liked the family but she wasn't naive. She knew the Lord Keikelius and her aunt Circenia. Even Elias to a certain extent. They were selfish and self-centred but they were not stupid. Their intelligence was greatly appreciated and admired in the political circles of Athenia and rightly so. They would be fools not to use the circumstances that her leave-taking had given them. Then there were the other families of Athenia - royal and noble alike - and how they might side on the different opinions of valid rule. Did they side with the legal ruler - one who was absent from their land entirely? Or with the man who would have been their leader had her father not stepped in and tried to alter the course of history? She knew of her personal liaisons as well. She knew of Iason's thoughts and feelings of the life he wished to have with her, away in Taengea where they could live in relative peace. Then there were her friends that had offered their names and lives to a cause that she would be walking away from.
It wasn't the situation that had Persephone confused. It was the choices that she would have to make. Should she stay? Fight and see a nation that she cared for so greatly fall into conflict and violence? Should she admit that her father's hubris and misguided good will had brought them to this and it was her duty to bow out gracefully, allowing history to remain where it would have been carried? Or was it the duty of all those of intelligence and good heart to direct history itself? To see that it went the way that would benefit most people?
One of the hardest things across it all was having no-one to speak to that was entirely objective. She could not discuss the issue or her choices with anyone that was close to her for they all had their own personal stake in the matter. The closer they were, the more bias they were. Yet the further from her confidence that they were, the less she could say to them.
In her heart and mind, Persephone had come to one name that she felt she could have some kind of open honesty. Aimias was a man who was as in the middle of everything as she but he was also a politician. He understood the ways of things on a higher level than others and she knew that he had a compassionate heart that was not led by ego or personal benefit. As much as she cared for Iason, the life that they each wanted hovered over both of their heads too strongly for such a conversation. It was to Aimias whom she went for such advice...
Finding him in a room that was primarily used as some form of library, Persephone knocked on the door that was left standing half open, unsure if she was disturbing him. She had returned from the harvest festival yesterday, informed Aimias and Iris that she had been seen and her presence in Athenia now likely known far and wide. But she had put off discussing the matter with them under the plea of sleep. It had been late at night and they had permitted her to go. Now, she was due to make good on her promise.
"Am I disturbing?" Persephone asked, unused to having to request such an audience...
Persephone was at a loss in so many ways. Not because she couldn't comprehend the situation in which she found herself in. That, was easy enough for her to witness, assess and understand. The situation in Athenia was complex to many, with a thousand facets and opinions from every angle of every family, but with Persephone's training in political tactics and the ways of power play, she understood the threads that wove together into the tangled mess of discord.
She knew how the Stravos would play the scenario to taint any good faith that the Xanthos name still held across the land. She might not have liked the family but she wasn't naive. She knew the Lord Keikelius and her aunt Circenia. Even Elias to a certain extent. They were selfish and self-centred but they were not stupid. Their intelligence was greatly appreciated and admired in the political circles of Athenia and rightly so. They would be fools not to use the circumstances that her leave-taking had given them. Then there were the other families of Athenia - royal and noble alike - and how they might side on the different opinions of valid rule. Did they side with the legal ruler - one who was absent from their land entirely? Or with the man who would have been their leader had her father not stepped in and tried to alter the course of history? She knew of her personal liaisons as well. She knew of Iason's thoughts and feelings of the life he wished to have with her, away in Taengea where they could live in relative peace. Then there were her friends that had offered their names and lives to a cause that she would be walking away from.
It wasn't the situation that had Persephone confused. It was the choices that she would have to make. Should she stay? Fight and see a nation that she cared for so greatly fall into conflict and violence? Should she admit that her father's hubris and misguided good will had brought them to this and it was her duty to bow out gracefully, allowing history to remain where it would have been carried? Or was it the duty of all those of intelligence and good heart to direct history itself? To see that it went the way that would benefit most people?
One of the hardest things across it all was having no-one to speak to that was entirely objective. She could not discuss the issue or her choices with anyone that was close to her for they all had their own personal stake in the matter. The closer they were, the more bias they were. Yet the further from her confidence that they were, the less she could say to them.
In her heart and mind, Persephone had come to one name that she felt she could have some kind of open honesty. Aimias was a man who was as in the middle of everything as she but he was also a politician. He understood the ways of things on a higher level than others and she knew that he had a compassionate heart that was not led by ego or personal benefit. As much as she cared for Iason, the life that they each wanted hovered over both of their heads too strongly for such a conversation. It was to Aimias whom she went for such advice...
Finding him in a room that was primarily used as some form of library, Persephone knocked on the door that was left standing half open, unsure if she was disturbing him. She had returned from the harvest festival yesterday, informed Aimias and Iris that she had been seen and her presence in Athenia now likely known far and wide. But she had put off discussing the matter with them under the plea of sleep. It had been late at night and they had permitted her to go. Now, she was due to make good on her promise.
"Am I disturbing?" Persephone asked, unused to having to request such an audience...
He had hoped he would feel lighter after telling his wife everything. After all, it had been the one thing that had been weighing on his mind the most since their marriage. Everything started off well, and then Elias had come in and changed everything. And he was not a man who could stand his ground, and was well aware of the shortcoming that came with that. It had made him push her away, had forced her to practically beg for any sort of affection from her husband.
And that was simply not the man he was.
There was no denying how openly affectionate he had been with his wife. While he was a man who didn’t understand social cues, he also was one who enjoyed the way she smiled when his hand slipped into hers, or the surprise when he would press a kiss to her cheek in front of others. He was not very good around people, but his first wife had been good with him, kind and patient. And he had wanted to be the same with Iris, for he didn’t know any other way to be a husband. In his experience, love was shown, regardless of the situation. Affection was delivered at any chance, his father had once instructed him, because time was always so brief.
So pushed her away had been too far outside his comfort zone, and it had made her think that he didn’t care about it. When in fact, the opposite was true. And now, she knew exactly why he had been that way. And he’d vowed to stop acting as if he didn’t care. He had confessed himself to her and she had accepted what he had done.
Now, he just had to tell Persephone the truth.
He was unsure how she would take it. His actions had been one of a weak man, one who knew the limitations of his own persons and was unable to match the threats made by a man hellbent on keeping his power. What he had told Persephone that first night was true-- none of them would be safe with Elias in power. And while she may have thought him being dramatic, he needed to tell her just how far he was truly willing to go. And what her former advisor had done to save those he loved.
It felt odd to be clean-shaven again, thanks to his wife. But sitting in the library he had favored, he was starting to feel like himself. Instead of the normal chiton he preferred, he chose pants and a loose tunic, hoping to ride with his wife later to further rekindle what had been started the night before. With a cup of hot tea in hand, he was starting to absorb what it meant to be a Baron. No longer did he just wish to let his wife do her own thing-- he wanted to be her partner, to support her in every way.
The knock on the door was light, which made him think it was his wife entering the room. But the dark head of hair that came into sight was that of the Queen. And while he knew he had to confess his sins to her and let her pass judgment, that did nothing to lessen the relief in knowing that she was currently safe within his home. So the knot in his stomach was present, but it was not enough to stop him from standing from his seat, setting the drink down on the table to greet her properly. They’d had almost no time alone, and it was impossible to not be happy to see her. This girl was like a sister to him, and while he had done his part to create the chaos, he had to hope that she would understand why he did what he had done.
“Of course not. Just reviewing the crop yields from the summer. Figuring out how much we are going to have to supplement the tenants. Iris is planning a hunt to gather meat to help-- perhaps Iason might join in.” He gave her a bow first, as always. Then, his arms opened and he pulled her in for a hug. While she was not an affectionate person, he was. And there was a social boundary that he didn’t care about when they were alone. He hugged her, glad that she was safe after the ill-planned adventure to the festival. “Are you alright? You seem as if you have a lot on your mind, My Queen.”
Letting go, he moved from the desk more towards the sitting area, motioning for her to relax. “I had been hoping you would seek me out alone.” He said simply, waiting for her to take her seat before occupying the one across from her.
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He had hoped he would feel lighter after telling his wife everything. After all, it had been the one thing that had been weighing on his mind the most since their marriage. Everything started off well, and then Elias had come in and changed everything. And he was not a man who could stand his ground, and was well aware of the shortcoming that came with that. It had made him push her away, had forced her to practically beg for any sort of affection from her husband.
And that was simply not the man he was.
There was no denying how openly affectionate he had been with his wife. While he was a man who didn’t understand social cues, he also was one who enjoyed the way she smiled when his hand slipped into hers, or the surprise when he would press a kiss to her cheek in front of others. He was not very good around people, but his first wife had been good with him, kind and patient. And he had wanted to be the same with Iris, for he didn’t know any other way to be a husband. In his experience, love was shown, regardless of the situation. Affection was delivered at any chance, his father had once instructed him, because time was always so brief.
So pushed her away had been too far outside his comfort zone, and it had made her think that he didn’t care about it. When in fact, the opposite was true. And now, she knew exactly why he had been that way. And he’d vowed to stop acting as if he didn’t care. He had confessed himself to her and she had accepted what he had done.
Now, he just had to tell Persephone the truth.
He was unsure how she would take it. His actions had been one of a weak man, one who knew the limitations of his own persons and was unable to match the threats made by a man hellbent on keeping his power. What he had told Persephone that first night was true-- none of them would be safe with Elias in power. And while she may have thought him being dramatic, he needed to tell her just how far he was truly willing to go. And what her former advisor had done to save those he loved.
It felt odd to be clean-shaven again, thanks to his wife. But sitting in the library he had favored, he was starting to feel like himself. Instead of the normal chiton he preferred, he chose pants and a loose tunic, hoping to ride with his wife later to further rekindle what had been started the night before. With a cup of hot tea in hand, he was starting to absorb what it meant to be a Baron. No longer did he just wish to let his wife do her own thing-- he wanted to be her partner, to support her in every way.
The knock on the door was light, which made him think it was his wife entering the room. But the dark head of hair that came into sight was that of the Queen. And while he knew he had to confess his sins to her and let her pass judgment, that did nothing to lessen the relief in knowing that she was currently safe within his home. So the knot in his stomach was present, but it was not enough to stop him from standing from his seat, setting the drink down on the table to greet her properly. They’d had almost no time alone, and it was impossible to not be happy to see her. This girl was like a sister to him, and while he had done his part to create the chaos, he had to hope that she would understand why he did what he had done.
“Of course not. Just reviewing the crop yields from the summer. Figuring out how much we are going to have to supplement the tenants. Iris is planning a hunt to gather meat to help-- perhaps Iason might join in.” He gave her a bow first, as always. Then, his arms opened and he pulled her in for a hug. While she was not an affectionate person, he was. And there was a social boundary that he didn’t care about when they were alone. He hugged her, glad that she was safe after the ill-planned adventure to the festival. “Are you alright? You seem as if you have a lot on your mind, My Queen.”
Letting go, he moved from the desk more towards the sitting area, motioning for her to relax. “I had been hoping you would seek me out alone.” He said simply, waiting for her to take her seat before occupying the one across from her.
He had hoped he would feel lighter after telling his wife everything. After all, it had been the one thing that had been weighing on his mind the most since their marriage. Everything started off well, and then Elias had come in and changed everything. And he was not a man who could stand his ground, and was well aware of the shortcoming that came with that. It had made him push her away, had forced her to practically beg for any sort of affection from her husband.
And that was simply not the man he was.
There was no denying how openly affectionate he had been with his wife. While he was a man who didn’t understand social cues, he also was one who enjoyed the way she smiled when his hand slipped into hers, or the surprise when he would press a kiss to her cheek in front of others. He was not very good around people, but his first wife had been good with him, kind and patient. And he had wanted to be the same with Iris, for he didn’t know any other way to be a husband. In his experience, love was shown, regardless of the situation. Affection was delivered at any chance, his father had once instructed him, because time was always so brief.
So pushed her away had been too far outside his comfort zone, and it had made her think that he didn’t care about it. When in fact, the opposite was true. And now, she knew exactly why he had been that way. And he’d vowed to stop acting as if he didn’t care. He had confessed himself to her and she had accepted what he had done.
Now, he just had to tell Persephone the truth.
He was unsure how she would take it. His actions had been one of a weak man, one who knew the limitations of his own persons and was unable to match the threats made by a man hellbent on keeping his power. What he had told Persephone that first night was true-- none of them would be safe with Elias in power. And while she may have thought him being dramatic, he needed to tell her just how far he was truly willing to go. And what her former advisor had done to save those he loved.
It felt odd to be clean-shaven again, thanks to his wife. But sitting in the library he had favored, he was starting to feel like himself. Instead of the normal chiton he preferred, he chose pants and a loose tunic, hoping to ride with his wife later to further rekindle what had been started the night before. With a cup of hot tea in hand, he was starting to absorb what it meant to be a Baron. No longer did he just wish to let his wife do her own thing-- he wanted to be her partner, to support her in every way.
The knock on the door was light, which made him think it was his wife entering the room. But the dark head of hair that came into sight was that of the Queen. And while he knew he had to confess his sins to her and let her pass judgment, that did nothing to lessen the relief in knowing that she was currently safe within his home. So the knot in his stomach was present, but it was not enough to stop him from standing from his seat, setting the drink down on the table to greet her properly. They’d had almost no time alone, and it was impossible to not be happy to see her. This girl was like a sister to him, and while he had done his part to create the chaos, he had to hope that she would understand why he did what he had done.
“Of course not. Just reviewing the crop yields from the summer. Figuring out how much we are going to have to supplement the tenants. Iris is planning a hunt to gather meat to help-- perhaps Iason might join in.” He gave her a bow first, as always. Then, his arms opened and he pulled her in for a hug. While she was not an affectionate person, he was. And there was a social boundary that he didn’t care about when they were alone. He hugged her, glad that she was safe after the ill-planned adventure to the festival. “Are you alright? You seem as if you have a lot on your mind, My Queen.”
Letting go, he moved from the desk more towards the sitting area, motioning for her to relax. “I had been hoping you would seek me out alone.” He said simply, waiting for her to take her seat before occupying the one across from her.
As Persephone entered the room, she noted the changes in Aimias's appearance with pleasure. The beard was gone, and his hair had been trimmed around his ears and face. His clothing had become less of the role of a baron and more the sort he might have worn during his early years as a scribe and student of the scholeio. Despite the years that had brought wisdom to his eyes and the stiffness of human experience to his gait, Aimias appeared as he so often did in the memories of her childhood. And Persephone felt a soft warmth of nostalgia break through her chest at the sight of him. A possessive sort of familial love that was reminded of her claim over him, where Iris' still held the legal and romantic bonds.
When he offered her to come in and rose from his desk, Persephone took a few steps forward, the soft mint green of her skirts brushing over the rugs. She had been intending to tell him not to rise, to not trouble himself with the formalities of greeting her. But it was too late. Aimias was quick to his feet and even smoother to his bow, used to addressing her as the princess and now queen that she was. She hardly had time to open her mouth, let alone insist that he desist with it.
The formality of his bow, however, was offset by the embrace he offered her. Arms outstretched and drawing her in, Persephone glided into his hold with grace and elegance. As Aimias rightfully knew, she was not the most affectionate of people. Living a life where people stared at you, as if from behind glass, took its toll on a person's ability to break the boundaries of personal space. But Aimias was one of the few individuals who was able to cross that line with her, and she was open in raising her arms to gently press against his back and return his embrace. She smiled, her cheek against his chest.
When they pulled apart, Aimias encouraged her towards a pair of loungers that offered a sitting and reading area within the study that was, otherwise, so decidedly masculine. Persephone assumed the room to have once belonged to Iris' father and had likely been his haven or sanctuary within the house. Now, it appeared, that Aimias had taken over the haunting of such a chamber.
As he suggested a hunt, Persephone nodded a little, commented that she would makes the suggestion to Iason and see if he wished for such a thing. The man had been dogging her steps like a second shadow over the last few weeks, she thought it likely that a ride out, to hide from his own worries and thoughts for a time might be beneficial for his help, Whether he took up the opportunity and left Persephone at the estate without his personal protection was another question entirely and only one that he could answer.
After such simple pleasantries, Aimias was quick to turn the conversation around onto her own dilemmas and thoughts. It was of no surprise to Persephone that Aimias could read her concern on her features - for her had always been astute as to her thoughts and feelings. Instead of feeling insulted that he had been able to read her face - a face so carefully trained to give nothing away to the audiences she so often had to tend to in her royal duties - it was sweet and wholesome to feel a connection with someone who saw through all of that. Whilst she cared for Iason greatly... whilst she had admitted that her feelings for him had perhaps progressed to that of love, they had not yet known one another long enough to be able to claim that same tendency for mind-reading that she and Aimias shared. It was something that could only grow with time.
As he mentioned that he was glad she had sought him out to speak with in private, Persephone naturally misinterpreted his words. Having no reason to doubt Aimias's own loyalties or that he might be holding secrets from her, she assumed that the man meant that he was glad she had come to him to discuss the matter at large; that he wished to help her in the obvious choices that lay at her feet. She considered this to be a perfectly natural intention for Aimias - a man who had been a compassionate brother to her for so many years.
She smiled.
"I am content enough as I can be." She told him. "Better still with the knowledge that my sister is alive. I did not know how much my heart had not been brave enough to trust your message until I saw her in the flesh yesterday." She felt that heart in question squeeze inside her chest just at the memory. She then swallowed. "But I need your aid, Aimias."
Sitting upon the chaise that he directed her towards, Persephone found her perch, her gown drifting out around her person and her spine leaning so that she was bent forwards just a little, her arm finding the edge of the lounger.
"I have such a choice before me and no objective opinion to court." Her eyes narrowed as she asked for his truthful opinion. "Be honest with me... you think me foolish for considering leaving Athenia to her choice of monarch and taking Emilia to Taengea?"
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Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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As Persephone entered the room, she noted the changes in Aimias's appearance with pleasure. The beard was gone, and his hair had been trimmed around his ears and face. His clothing had become less of the role of a baron and more the sort he might have worn during his early years as a scribe and student of the scholeio. Despite the years that had brought wisdom to his eyes and the stiffness of human experience to his gait, Aimias appeared as he so often did in the memories of her childhood. And Persephone felt a soft warmth of nostalgia break through her chest at the sight of him. A possessive sort of familial love that was reminded of her claim over him, where Iris' still held the legal and romantic bonds.
When he offered her to come in and rose from his desk, Persephone took a few steps forward, the soft mint green of her skirts brushing over the rugs. She had been intending to tell him not to rise, to not trouble himself with the formalities of greeting her. But it was too late. Aimias was quick to his feet and even smoother to his bow, used to addressing her as the princess and now queen that she was. She hardly had time to open her mouth, let alone insist that he desist with it.
The formality of his bow, however, was offset by the embrace he offered her. Arms outstretched and drawing her in, Persephone glided into his hold with grace and elegance. As Aimias rightfully knew, she was not the most affectionate of people. Living a life where people stared at you, as if from behind glass, took its toll on a person's ability to break the boundaries of personal space. But Aimias was one of the few individuals who was able to cross that line with her, and she was open in raising her arms to gently press against his back and return his embrace. She smiled, her cheek against his chest.
When they pulled apart, Aimias encouraged her towards a pair of loungers that offered a sitting and reading area within the study that was, otherwise, so decidedly masculine. Persephone assumed the room to have once belonged to Iris' father and had likely been his haven or sanctuary within the house. Now, it appeared, that Aimias had taken over the haunting of such a chamber.
As he suggested a hunt, Persephone nodded a little, commented that she would makes the suggestion to Iason and see if he wished for such a thing. The man had been dogging her steps like a second shadow over the last few weeks, she thought it likely that a ride out, to hide from his own worries and thoughts for a time might be beneficial for his help, Whether he took up the opportunity and left Persephone at the estate without his personal protection was another question entirely and only one that he could answer.
After such simple pleasantries, Aimias was quick to turn the conversation around onto her own dilemmas and thoughts. It was of no surprise to Persephone that Aimias could read her concern on her features - for her had always been astute as to her thoughts and feelings. Instead of feeling insulted that he had been able to read her face - a face so carefully trained to give nothing away to the audiences she so often had to tend to in her royal duties - it was sweet and wholesome to feel a connection with someone who saw through all of that. Whilst she cared for Iason greatly... whilst she had admitted that her feelings for him had perhaps progressed to that of love, they had not yet known one another long enough to be able to claim that same tendency for mind-reading that she and Aimias shared. It was something that could only grow with time.
As he mentioned that he was glad she had sought him out to speak with in private, Persephone naturally misinterpreted his words. Having no reason to doubt Aimias's own loyalties or that he might be holding secrets from her, she assumed that the man meant that he was glad she had come to him to discuss the matter at large; that he wished to help her in the obvious choices that lay at her feet. She considered this to be a perfectly natural intention for Aimias - a man who had been a compassionate brother to her for so many years.
She smiled.
"I am content enough as I can be." She told him. "Better still with the knowledge that my sister is alive. I did not know how much my heart had not been brave enough to trust your message until I saw her in the flesh yesterday." She felt that heart in question squeeze inside her chest just at the memory. She then swallowed. "But I need your aid, Aimias."
Sitting upon the chaise that he directed her towards, Persephone found her perch, her gown drifting out around her person and her spine leaning so that she was bent forwards just a little, her arm finding the edge of the lounger.
"I have such a choice before me and no objective opinion to court." Her eyes narrowed as she asked for his truthful opinion. "Be honest with me... you think me foolish for considering leaving Athenia to her choice of monarch and taking Emilia to Taengea?"
As Persephone entered the room, she noted the changes in Aimias's appearance with pleasure. The beard was gone, and his hair had been trimmed around his ears and face. His clothing had become less of the role of a baron and more the sort he might have worn during his early years as a scribe and student of the scholeio. Despite the years that had brought wisdom to his eyes and the stiffness of human experience to his gait, Aimias appeared as he so often did in the memories of her childhood. And Persephone felt a soft warmth of nostalgia break through her chest at the sight of him. A possessive sort of familial love that was reminded of her claim over him, where Iris' still held the legal and romantic bonds.
When he offered her to come in and rose from his desk, Persephone took a few steps forward, the soft mint green of her skirts brushing over the rugs. She had been intending to tell him not to rise, to not trouble himself with the formalities of greeting her. But it was too late. Aimias was quick to his feet and even smoother to his bow, used to addressing her as the princess and now queen that she was. She hardly had time to open her mouth, let alone insist that he desist with it.
The formality of his bow, however, was offset by the embrace he offered her. Arms outstretched and drawing her in, Persephone glided into his hold with grace and elegance. As Aimias rightfully knew, she was not the most affectionate of people. Living a life where people stared at you, as if from behind glass, took its toll on a person's ability to break the boundaries of personal space. But Aimias was one of the few individuals who was able to cross that line with her, and she was open in raising her arms to gently press against his back and return his embrace. She smiled, her cheek against his chest.
When they pulled apart, Aimias encouraged her towards a pair of loungers that offered a sitting and reading area within the study that was, otherwise, so decidedly masculine. Persephone assumed the room to have once belonged to Iris' father and had likely been his haven or sanctuary within the house. Now, it appeared, that Aimias had taken over the haunting of such a chamber.
As he suggested a hunt, Persephone nodded a little, commented that she would makes the suggestion to Iason and see if he wished for such a thing. The man had been dogging her steps like a second shadow over the last few weeks, she thought it likely that a ride out, to hide from his own worries and thoughts for a time might be beneficial for his help, Whether he took up the opportunity and left Persephone at the estate without his personal protection was another question entirely and only one that he could answer.
After such simple pleasantries, Aimias was quick to turn the conversation around onto her own dilemmas and thoughts. It was of no surprise to Persephone that Aimias could read her concern on her features - for her had always been astute as to her thoughts and feelings. Instead of feeling insulted that he had been able to read her face - a face so carefully trained to give nothing away to the audiences she so often had to tend to in her royal duties - it was sweet and wholesome to feel a connection with someone who saw through all of that. Whilst she cared for Iason greatly... whilst she had admitted that her feelings for him had perhaps progressed to that of love, they had not yet known one another long enough to be able to claim that same tendency for mind-reading that she and Aimias shared. It was something that could only grow with time.
As he mentioned that he was glad she had sought him out to speak with in private, Persephone naturally misinterpreted his words. Having no reason to doubt Aimias's own loyalties or that he might be holding secrets from her, she assumed that the man meant that he was glad she had come to him to discuss the matter at large; that he wished to help her in the obvious choices that lay at her feet. She considered this to be a perfectly natural intention for Aimias - a man who had been a compassionate brother to her for so many years.
She smiled.
"I am content enough as I can be." She told him. "Better still with the knowledge that my sister is alive. I did not know how much my heart had not been brave enough to trust your message until I saw her in the flesh yesterday." She felt that heart in question squeeze inside her chest just at the memory. She then swallowed. "But I need your aid, Aimias."
Sitting upon the chaise that he directed her towards, Persephone found her perch, her gown drifting out around her person and her spine leaning so that she was bent forwards just a little, her arm finding the edge of the lounger.
"I have such a choice before me and no objective opinion to court." Her eyes narrowed as she asked for his truthful opinion. "Be honest with me... you think me foolish for considering leaving Athenia to her choice of monarch and taking Emilia to Taengea?"
It was impossible for him not to realize this conversation was going to change the relationship between the two of them. He had always been like a big brother, had always felt like they were family. He thought he was pretty objective to the family, but all it took for him to fold under the pressure of Elias was the threat of injury to those he cared for. That was all it took for him to lose objectivity and to be more concerned on keeping them safe, no matter what. And he just hoped that she would understand exactly why he had done what he had done.
She was a just ruler, one with a calm head. And Elias-- well, he was after power and everything that it brought. But he was truly torn in how to proceed from there.
And the only way was with everything out on the line.
So he settled into the seat, glad that she had come to him.
It seemed fitting that she asked for his honesty, because he was nearly desperate to give it now. Listening to her, Aimias could see where she was torn. And he had always been a source of objectivity. “I feel as though you are not wrong in your desires, my Queen.” He said quietly, hoping that it was enough of a reason for her to understand what he had done. “It is impossible not to allow yourself the human desire to protect those you love. And in the hands of Elias, I am afraid she would not be the same girl.” He didn’t dare tell her of what he had stopped, unsure if it had done much in the way of truly protecting her from his advances.
“Lord Elias cares for himself, which is not a trait that would make a good ruler. And he will do whatever it takes, regardless of the cost. Iris’s statement was true, my Queen. More so than you know. He manipulates, uses scare tactics.” With a deep breath, he ran a hand through his hair. There was no way he could hide it anymore. “Persephone,” he started, breaking down the barriers of title to focus on the root of their relationship. “You know me better than most, have come to know me at my lowest, as I have you. I once considered myself completely unbiased, but Elias has proven that to be false.”
He shifted, “I have failed you.” His head hung a bit in shame, “He confronted me after you left.” His voice was thick, unable to lose courage now, “His first threat was to Emilia, with a promise to make her life hells. I would have called his bluff, but he had lured her to the wine cellar. It was apparent that he would have done more, had I not found her alone with him. I could not let anything happen to her” He was unsure of what to say next. “I could not take his threats against her, or Phillipa, or Iris, as idle.” He sighed, letting his head fall into his hands, braced on his knees.
He took a moment, trying to gather his thoughts as he had the night before. “He made it clear that he was serious in his words. That he would remove Philipa from my care and marry her off in a few years without my consent. That he would taint Emilia so that no one else could marry her, to kill her if he had to. That he would find joy in raping Iris, taunting me that she would enjoy it as she once had…” He was ashamed of himself, “He demanded that I spread word against you, use my position to spread doubt, else I would lose everything I have ever cared about.”
He knew he had betrayed her, but that the discourse was not wholly his fault. “I cannot say for sure who would have been swayed by my words, but I do know that the line is where we knew it would be from the beginning.” He wasn’t sure if anyone took his words as truth, but there was little that could be done now. “It seems as if Phillipa’s sickness was sent by the Gods, to prevent any further damage of my presence in court.”
His sigh again, his hands knitting again and again. “I tell you this to beg your apology. But moreso, I tell you this so you can grasp how desperate he is to keep the throne by any means necessary. The Senate, even with my ‘discouragement’, is in no hurry to change the laws without confirmation.” Aimias hoped that she understood where he was going with it. “He will do whatever it takes. His current approach is to let Athenia burn and appear a savior. He does not care about the condition of the people, nor the way in which he becomes the victor.”
Did she understand now? “He will not allow Emilia out of his grasp, not now that he’s announced his engagement. And then, once he’s crowned, who knows what he will do with the power he will gain.”
He settled back into his chair, “You should run.” He said earnestly, “If we can take Emilia, running is the safety thing for you and her. Run and don’t look back.” Aimias was frustrated and relieved that it was out. “You have always been a Queen. You were destined to rule. He does not know his ass from his elbow, does not have a political bone in his body. The kingdom will crumble in his hands. But that does not have to be your problem if you do not want it to be. I did what I did for the same reason you wish to run-- to protect those you love most. I would not fault you for your actions, just as I hope you will forgive me for mine.”
He let out a little laugh, “As objective as I have always tried to be, you and your sister mean more to me than anything in his world. You have to protect what means the most to you, as best you can. You deserve happiness, You deserve to be content in life. You just have to ask yourself-- will you be content to walk the other way? Can you see yourself settled into his home, sister with you, knowing what is going on here?” He gave her a moment to think. “If you can find peace there, then I will do everything in my power to make sure you get there. I helped put you in this position, between the charges and the lies, you are here because of me.” He was realizing just how right she was to blame him. “But you can leave and never look back. Iris and I will fight for the people, as we always have. We will do what we can to ensure the kingdom does not fall.”
Pulling a piece of parchment out from under her tomes, he handed it to her. “This is a list of all those loyal to you, who will provide soldiers and their name alongside yours. I may have blackened my name, but I still have my connections. And we have a mutual friend who knows the truth as well,” He said, hinting at Hector. “The people want you, Persephone. These men are willing to die for you, to regain your claim fully. You are the only one who can decide which regret you can live with.”
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It was impossible for him not to realize this conversation was going to change the relationship between the two of them. He had always been like a big brother, had always felt like they were family. He thought he was pretty objective to the family, but all it took for him to fold under the pressure of Elias was the threat of injury to those he cared for. That was all it took for him to lose objectivity and to be more concerned on keeping them safe, no matter what. And he just hoped that she would understand exactly why he had done what he had done.
She was a just ruler, one with a calm head. And Elias-- well, he was after power and everything that it brought. But he was truly torn in how to proceed from there.
And the only way was with everything out on the line.
So he settled into the seat, glad that she had come to him.
It seemed fitting that she asked for his honesty, because he was nearly desperate to give it now. Listening to her, Aimias could see where she was torn. And he had always been a source of objectivity. “I feel as though you are not wrong in your desires, my Queen.” He said quietly, hoping that it was enough of a reason for her to understand what he had done. “It is impossible not to allow yourself the human desire to protect those you love. And in the hands of Elias, I am afraid she would not be the same girl.” He didn’t dare tell her of what he had stopped, unsure if it had done much in the way of truly protecting her from his advances.
“Lord Elias cares for himself, which is not a trait that would make a good ruler. And he will do whatever it takes, regardless of the cost. Iris’s statement was true, my Queen. More so than you know. He manipulates, uses scare tactics.” With a deep breath, he ran a hand through his hair. There was no way he could hide it anymore. “Persephone,” he started, breaking down the barriers of title to focus on the root of their relationship. “You know me better than most, have come to know me at my lowest, as I have you. I once considered myself completely unbiased, but Elias has proven that to be false.”
He shifted, “I have failed you.” His head hung a bit in shame, “He confronted me after you left.” His voice was thick, unable to lose courage now, “His first threat was to Emilia, with a promise to make her life hells. I would have called his bluff, but he had lured her to the wine cellar. It was apparent that he would have done more, had I not found her alone with him. I could not let anything happen to her” He was unsure of what to say next. “I could not take his threats against her, or Phillipa, or Iris, as idle.” He sighed, letting his head fall into his hands, braced on his knees.
He took a moment, trying to gather his thoughts as he had the night before. “He made it clear that he was serious in his words. That he would remove Philipa from my care and marry her off in a few years without my consent. That he would taint Emilia so that no one else could marry her, to kill her if he had to. That he would find joy in raping Iris, taunting me that she would enjoy it as she once had…” He was ashamed of himself, “He demanded that I spread word against you, use my position to spread doubt, else I would lose everything I have ever cared about.”
He knew he had betrayed her, but that the discourse was not wholly his fault. “I cannot say for sure who would have been swayed by my words, but I do know that the line is where we knew it would be from the beginning.” He wasn’t sure if anyone took his words as truth, but there was little that could be done now. “It seems as if Phillipa’s sickness was sent by the Gods, to prevent any further damage of my presence in court.”
His sigh again, his hands knitting again and again. “I tell you this to beg your apology. But moreso, I tell you this so you can grasp how desperate he is to keep the throne by any means necessary. The Senate, even with my ‘discouragement’, is in no hurry to change the laws without confirmation.” Aimias hoped that she understood where he was going with it. “He will do whatever it takes. His current approach is to let Athenia burn and appear a savior. He does not care about the condition of the people, nor the way in which he becomes the victor.”
Did she understand now? “He will not allow Emilia out of his grasp, not now that he’s announced his engagement. And then, once he’s crowned, who knows what he will do with the power he will gain.”
He settled back into his chair, “You should run.” He said earnestly, “If we can take Emilia, running is the safety thing for you and her. Run and don’t look back.” Aimias was frustrated and relieved that it was out. “You have always been a Queen. You were destined to rule. He does not know his ass from his elbow, does not have a political bone in his body. The kingdom will crumble in his hands. But that does not have to be your problem if you do not want it to be. I did what I did for the same reason you wish to run-- to protect those you love most. I would not fault you for your actions, just as I hope you will forgive me for mine.”
He let out a little laugh, “As objective as I have always tried to be, you and your sister mean more to me than anything in his world. You have to protect what means the most to you, as best you can. You deserve happiness, You deserve to be content in life. You just have to ask yourself-- will you be content to walk the other way? Can you see yourself settled into his home, sister with you, knowing what is going on here?” He gave her a moment to think. “If you can find peace there, then I will do everything in my power to make sure you get there. I helped put you in this position, between the charges and the lies, you are here because of me.” He was realizing just how right she was to blame him. “But you can leave and never look back. Iris and I will fight for the people, as we always have. We will do what we can to ensure the kingdom does not fall.”
Pulling a piece of parchment out from under her tomes, he handed it to her. “This is a list of all those loyal to you, who will provide soldiers and their name alongside yours. I may have blackened my name, but I still have my connections. And we have a mutual friend who knows the truth as well,” He said, hinting at Hector. “The people want you, Persephone. These men are willing to die for you, to regain your claim fully. You are the only one who can decide which regret you can live with.”
It was impossible for him not to realize this conversation was going to change the relationship between the two of them. He had always been like a big brother, had always felt like they were family. He thought he was pretty objective to the family, but all it took for him to fold under the pressure of Elias was the threat of injury to those he cared for. That was all it took for him to lose objectivity and to be more concerned on keeping them safe, no matter what. And he just hoped that she would understand exactly why he had done what he had done.
She was a just ruler, one with a calm head. And Elias-- well, he was after power and everything that it brought. But he was truly torn in how to proceed from there.
And the only way was with everything out on the line.
So he settled into the seat, glad that she had come to him.
It seemed fitting that she asked for his honesty, because he was nearly desperate to give it now. Listening to her, Aimias could see where she was torn. And he had always been a source of objectivity. “I feel as though you are not wrong in your desires, my Queen.” He said quietly, hoping that it was enough of a reason for her to understand what he had done. “It is impossible not to allow yourself the human desire to protect those you love. And in the hands of Elias, I am afraid she would not be the same girl.” He didn’t dare tell her of what he had stopped, unsure if it had done much in the way of truly protecting her from his advances.
“Lord Elias cares for himself, which is not a trait that would make a good ruler. And he will do whatever it takes, regardless of the cost. Iris’s statement was true, my Queen. More so than you know. He manipulates, uses scare tactics.” With a deep breath, he ran a hand through his hair. There was no way he could hide it anymore. “Persephone,” he started, breaking down the barriers of title to focus on the root of their relationship. “You know me better than most, have come to know me at my lowest, as I have you. I once considered myself completely unbiased, but Elias has proven that to be false.”
He shifted, “I have failed you.” His head hung a bit in shame, “He confronted me after you left.” His voice was thick, unable to lose courage now, “His first threat was to Emilia, with a promise to make her life hells. I would have called his bluff, but he had lured her to the wine cellar. It was apparent that he would have done more, had I not found her alone with him. I could not let anything happen to her” He was unsure of what to say next. “I could not take his threats against her, or Phillipa, or Iris, as idle.” He sighed, letting his head fall into his hands, braced on his knees.
He took a moment, trying to gather his thoughts as he had the night before. “He made it clear that he was serious in his words. That he would remove Philipa from my care and marry her off in a few years without my consent. That he would taint Emilia so that no one else could marry her, to kill her if he had to. That he would find joy in raping Iris, taunting me that she would enjoy it as she once had…” He was ashamed of himself, “He demanded that I spread word against you, use my position to spread doubt, else I would lose everything I have ever cared about.”
He knew he had betrayed her, but that the discourse was not wholly his fault. “I cannot say for sure who would have been swayed by my words, but I do know that the line is where we knew it would be from the beginning.” He wasn’t sure if anyone took his words as truth, but there was little that could be done now. “It seems as if Phillipa’s sickness was sent by the Gods, to prevent any further damage of my presence in court.”
His sigh again, his hands knitting again and again. “I tell you this to beg your apology. But moreso, I tell you this so you can grasp how desperate he is to keep the throne by any means necessary. The Senate, even with my ‘discouragement’, is in no hurry to change the laws without confirmation.” Aimias hoped that she understood where he was going with it. “He will do whatever it takes. His current approach is to let Athenia burn and appear a savior. He does not care about the condition of the people, nor the way in which he becomes the victor.”
Did she understand now? “He will not allow Emilia out of his grasp, not now that he’s announced his engagement. And then, once he’s crowned, who knows what he will do with the power he will gain.”
He settled back into his chair, “You should run.” He said earnestly, “If we can take Emilia, running is the safety thing for you and her. Run and don’t look back.” Aimias was frustrated and relieved that it was out. “You have always been a Queen. You were destined to rule. He does not know his ass from his elbow, does not have a political bone in his body. The kingdom will crumble in his hands. But that does not have to be your problem if you do not want it to be. I did what I did for the same reason you wish to run-- to protect those you love most. I would not fault you for your actions, just as I hope you will forgive me for mine.”
He let out a little laugh, “As objective as I have always tried to be, you and your sister mean more to me than anything in his world. You have to protect what means the most to you, as best you can. You deserve happiness, You deserve to be content in life. You just have to ask yourself-- will you be content to walk the other way? Can you see yourself settled into his home, sister with you, knowing what is going on here?” He gave her a moment to think. “If you can find peace there, then I will do everything in my power to make sure you get there. I helped put you in this position, between the charges and the lies, you are here because of me.” He was realizing just how right she was to blame him. “But you can leave and never look back. Iris and I will fight for the people, as we always have. We will do what we can to ensure the kingdom does not fall.”
Pulling a piece of parchment out from under her tomes, he handed it to her. “This is a list of all those loyal to you, who will provide soldiers and their name alongside yours. I may have blackened my name, but I still have my connections. And we have a mutual friend who knows the truth as well,” He said, hinting at Hector. “The people want you, Persephone. These men are willing to die for you, to regain your claim fully. You are the only one who can decide which regret you can live with.”
Persephone said nothing throughout Aimias' confession. She listened as he detailed the way that Athenia had fallen into the disrepair manipulated by Elias. She heard the recount of the threats that Elias had made upon her friend - to brave Iris, sweet Phillipa and to her own innocent sister. The subject of rape and of Emilia being taken into a private space with only he and the shadows to play witness had her social mask breaking a little. The hint of a wince was seen as the words were spoken into the stale air between them.
In all other ways and for the rest of his discourse, she remained silent, poised in her position of grand elegance and good posture, waiting for him to say all that he wished to. The sheer volume of his words told Persephone that he had been holding onto such confessions, to such sins, for some time. That he had been desperate to explain his disloyalty to her name and cause, likely, from the moment she had entered his house. There was a moment of natural sympathy that she felt for the man as his admittance clearly caused anguish in his heart. He was still Aimias and she still cared for him and any pain he encountered was not something that Persephone could accept or relish.
He spoke of apology, of begging for forgiveness.
Of that, Persephone was not yet certain. It was so much information at once - so many twists of a tale she had thought herself aware of - that she could not wholly digest everything that she was hearing. Which meant that she could not simply reach out with tender hands and tell the man that he was forgiven, that his actions were under duress and that she could no more hate him than she could herself - that he was family.
Perhaps that was what part of her felt, but it was not the whole or dominant portion of her mind. The majority of her thoughts were too cluttered to be clear at all.
Sorting through what he had told her, Persephone thought quickly, her agile mind taking hold of every individual concept and revelation and recognising it for what it was.
Part of the disruption to Athenia - the harshities of its new reality - came from Elias' ability to simply waltz into the royal palati and claim Emilia as his betrothed. No-one in the noble circles and Senate had stopped him because there was no clear majority of preference for Persephone's rule. A situation that had no doubt been altered by Aimias's contributions to public opinion. What assurances must Aimias have made in the minds of others; the absent Queens' most trusted advisor, turning away from his loyalty to her?
The damage done and the minds swayed had to be numerous, leading to the break of majority which in turn powered the powerless state of the men of influence in the kingdom. It was that weakened confusion that Elias had taken advantage of and began to take control.
Persephone tried to think upon her own feelings over it. How Aimias's revealed betrayal settled in her heart. In many ways she was not angry. Her own name and her family's honour were something that she had accepted in giving up in her months in Taengea. The idea of them being tainted and blackened by one of her nearest and dearest was a far lesser sting than she might have suspected. Where her anger was most apparent was in Aimias's lack of confidence in himself, in the supporters of the Queen's name - regardless of whether that was her name or not.
Instead of fighting for a way to protect his loved ones in a manner that stood against Elias, Aimias had capitulated. He had bowed his head and accepted the options given to him as the only possible routes.
He had, in many ways, been a coward.
Then, a part of her mind spoke up in the defence of the man she loved as a brother. It said that Aimias was no soldier. That he was not a man of great power or land or people, that he had not the ability to stand against the armies of the Stravos. That playing civil and accepting his role as traitor had been the only option to him. If he wanted to keep his family - and hers - safe.
Persephone took a long and slow inhale of breath, finding a calm within herself as such thoughts jangled together in her head and tried to find purchase on a concrete idea.
In her moment of quiet, Aimias offered her a piece of parchment that she took from him and unfolded in her hands. The list of supporters to her name was short but several were rather powerful. On top of that, Aimias would have had limited chances to move with such circles as the outer baronies and there was a large chance that such a list might double with a little travel and the right conversations.
Not to mention the potential for loyal supporters that Aimias had turned with his words, coming back to the fold.
Persephone read down the list, mentally tallying the lands and men that each baron held in his possession. There was at least a third of the kingdom across these names. And the list was not yet complete...
And yet, Aimias had said that she should leave. That she and Emilia going to Taengea was the best way to protect her family and her loved ones. That she could take her sister and return to the safe forests and meadows of the Chaoedia, blind herself to the discord that ran riot in Athenia and live in peace.
Persephone's jaw clicked one way and then the other as she looked down the document before her. She still had yet to say anything upon Aimias's confession of betrayal, even as he vowed that he and Iris would remain in Athenia regardless, to protect the people. The people he had already injured under Elias' thumb.
"My father..." Persephone murmured almost to herself. "His last words to me were that I didn't have to be Queen. That such a life was mine to choose only if I wished it."
Aimias was only the second person she had ever admitted that to.
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Persephone said nothing throughout Aimias' confession. She listened as he detailed the way that Athenia had fallen into the disrepair manipulated by Elias. She heard the recount of the threats that Elias had made upon her friend - to brave Iris, sweet Phillipa and to her own innocent sister. The subject of rape and of Emilia being taken into a private space with only he and the shadows to play witness had her social mask breaking a little. The hint of a wince was seen as the words were spoken into the stale air between them.
In all other ways and for the rest of his discourse, she remained silent, poised in her position of grand elegance and good posture, waiting for him to say all that he wished to. The sheer volume of his words told Persephone that he had been holding onto such confessions, to such sins, for some time. That he had been desperate to explain his disloyalty to her name and cause, likely, from the moment she had entered his house. There was a moment of natural sympathy that she felt for the man as his admittance clearly caused anguish in his heart. He was still Aimias and she still cared for him and any pain he encountered was not something that Persephone could accept or relish.
He spoke of apology, of begging for forgiveness.
Of that, Persephone was not yet certain. It was so much information at once - so many twists of a tale she had thought herself aware of - that she could not wholly digest everything that she was hearing. Which meant that she could not simply reach out with tender hands and tell the man that he was forgiven, that his actions were under duress and that she could no more hate him than she could herself - that he was family.
Perhaps that was what part of her felt, but it was not the whole or dominant portion of her mind. The majority of her thoughts were too cluttered to be clear at all.
Sorting through what he had told her, Persephone thought quickly, her agile mind taking hold of every individual concept and revelation and recognising it for what it was.
Part of the disruption to Athenia - the harshities of its new reality - came from Elias' ability to simply waltz into the royal palati and claim Emilia as his betrothed. No-one in the noble circles and Senate had stopped him because there was no clear majority of preference for Persephone's rule. A situation that had no doubt been altered by Aimias's contributions to public opinion. What assurances must Aimias have made in the minds of others; the absent Queens' most trusted advisor, turning away from his loyalty to her?
The damage done and the minds swayed had to be numerous, leading to the break of majority which in turn powered the powerless state of the men of influence in the kingdom. It was that weakened confusion that Elias had taken advantage of and began to take control.
Persephone tried to think upon her own feelings over it. How Aimias's revealed betrayal settled in her heart. In many ways she was not angry. Her own name and her family's honour were something that she had accepted in giving up in her months in Taengea. The idea of them being tainted and blackened by one of her nearest and dearest was a far lesser sting than she might have suspected. Where her anger was most apparent was in Aimias's lack of confidence in himself, in the supporters of the Queen's name - regardless of whether that was her name or not.
Instead of fighting for a way to protect his loved ones in a manner that stood against Elias, Aimias had capitulated. He had bowed his head and accepted the options given to him as the only possible routes.
He had, in many ways, been a coward.
Then, a part of her mind spoke up in the defence of the man she loved as a brother. It said that Aimias was no soldier. That he was not a man of great power or land or people, that he had not the ability to stand against the armies of the Stravos. That playing civil and accepting his role as traitor had been the only option to him. If he wanted to keep his family - and hers - safe.
Persephone took a long and slow inhale of breath, finding a calm within herself as such thoughts jangled together in her head and tried to find purchase on a concrete idea.
In her moment of quiet, Aimias offered her a piece of parchment that she took from him and unfolded in her hands. The list of supporters to her name was short but several were rather powerful. On top of that, Aimias would have had limited chances to move with such circles as the outer baronies and there was a large chance that such a list might double with a little travel and the right conversations.
Not to mention the potential for loyal supporters that Aimias had turned with his words, coming back to the fold.
Persephone read down the list, mentally tallying the lands and men that each baron held in his possession. There was at least a third of the kingdom across these names. And the list was not yet complete...
And yet, Aimias had said that she should leave. That she and Emilia going to Taengea was the best way to protect her family and her loved ones. That she could take her sister and return to the safe forests and meadows of the Chaoedia, blind herself to the discord that ran riot in Athenia and live in peace.
Persephone's jaw clicked one way and then the other as she looked down the document before her. She still had yet to say anything upon Aimias's confession of betrayal, even as he vowed that he and Iris would remain in Athenia regardless, to protect the people. The people he had already injured under Elias' thumb.
"My father..." Persephone murmured almost to herself. "His last words to me were that I didn't have to be Queen. That such a life was mine to choose only if I wished it."
Aimias was only the second person she had ever admitted that to.
Persephone said nothing throughout Aimias' confession. She listened as he detailed the way that Athenia had fallen into the disrepair manipulated by Elias. She heard the recount of the threats that Elias had made upon her friend - to brave Iris, sweet Phillipa and to her own innocent sister. The subject of rape and of Emilia being taken into a private space with only he and the shadows to play witness had her social mask breaking a little. The hint of a wince was seen as the words were spoken into the stale air between them.
In all other ways and for the rest of his discourse, she remained silent, poised in her position of grand elegance and good posture, waiting for him to say all that he wished to. The sheer volume of his words told Persephone that he had been holding onto such confessions, to such sins, for some time. That he had been desperate to explain his disloyalty to her name and cause, likely, from the moment she had entered his house. There was a moment of natural sympathy that she felt for the man as his admittance clearly caused anguish in his heart. He was still Aimias and she still cared for him and any pain he encountered was not something that Persephone could accept or relish.
He spoke of apology, of begging for forgiveness.
Of that, Persephone was not yet certain. It was so much information at once - so many twists of a tale she had thought herself aware of - that she could not wholly digest everything that she was hearing. Which meant that she could not simply reach out with tender hands and tell the man that he was forgiven, that his actions were under duress and that she could no more hate him than she could herself - that he was family.
Perhaps that was what part of her felt, but it was not the whole or dominant portion of her mind. The majority of her thoughts were too cluttered to be clear at all.
Sorting through what he had told her, Persephone thought quickly, her agile mind taking hold of every individual concept and revelation and recognising it for what it was.
Part of the disruption to Athenia - the harshities of its new reality - came from Elias' ability to simply waltz into the royal palati and claim Emilia as his betrothed. No-one in the noble circles and Senate had stopped him because there was no clear majority of preference for Persephone's rule. A situation that had no doubt been altered by Aimias's contributions to public opinion. What assurances must Aimias have made in the minds of others; the absent Queens' most trusted advisor, turning away from his loyalty to her?
The damage done and the minds swayed had to be numerous, leading to the break of majority which in turn powered the powerless state of the men of influence in the kingdom. It was that weakened confusion that Elias had taken advantage of and began to take control.
Persephone tried to think upon her own feelings over it. How Aimias's revealed betrayal settled in her heart. In many ways she was not angry. Her own name and her family's honour were something that she had accepted in giving up in her months in Taengea. The idea of them being tainted and blackened by one of her nearest and dearest was a far lesser sting than she might have suspected. Where her anger was most apparent was in Aimias's lack of confidence in himself, in the supporters of the Queen's name - regardless of whether that was her name or not.
Instead of fighting for a way to protect his loved ones in a manner that stood against Elias, Aimias had capitulated. He had bowed his head and accepted the options given to him as the only possible routes.
He had, in many ways, been a coward.
Then, a part of her mind spoke up in the defence of the man she loved as a brother. It said that Aimias was no soldier. That he was not a man of great power or land or people, that he had not the ability to stand against the armies of the Stravos. That playing civil and accepting his role as traitor had been the only option to him. If he wanted to keep his family - and hers - safe.
Persephone took a long and slow inhale of breath, finding a calm within herself as such thoughts jangled together in her head and tried to find purchase on a concrete idea.
In her moment of quiet, Aimias offered her a piece of parchment that she took from him and unfolded in her hands. The list of supporters to her name was short but several were rather powerful. On top of that, Aimias would have had limited chances to move with such circles as the outer baronies and there was a large chance that such a list might double with a little travel and the right conversations.
Not to mention the potential for loyal supporters that Aimias had turned with his words, coming back to the fold.
Persephone read down the list, mentally tallying the lands and men that each baron held in his possession. There was at least a third of the kingdom across these names. And the list was not yet complete...
And yet, Aimias had said that she should leave. That she and Emilia going to Taengea was the best way to protect her family and her loved ones. That she could take her sister and return to the safe forests and meadows of the Chaoedia, blind herself to the discord that ran riot in Athenia and live in peace.
Persephone's jaw clicked one way and then the other as she looked down the document before her. She still had yet to say anything upon Aimias's confession of betrayal, even as he vowed that he and Iris would remain in Athenia regardless, to protect the people. The people he had already injured under Elias' thumb.
"My father..." Persephone murmured almost to herself. "His last words to me were that I didn't have to be Queen. That such a life was mine to choose only if I wished it."
Aimias was only the second person she had ever admitted that to.
There was a bitterness in his chest, as he knew the depth of what he had done. It was not a minor betrayal. And it was not as if he was simply another advisor. He had been a family friend, someone who had developed a close relationship with, who had been allowed into the close knit circle. And that circle had been used against him to manipulate him. Aimias had wished for something else, for any other alternatives that would have made it easy for him to refuse.
He had been giving a losing hand.
And what made it worse was that Elias knew it from the beginning. He knew that he would have no option, wouldn’t be able to say no. He knew what to say, and how to say it. He played on every good intention and ideal and used it against him. Elias had counted on his connection with Persephone, with Iris, with Emilia-- he knew that a man like him would have absolutely no resources to be able to act against him. He was weak in that respect, and men of power used whatever means necessary to get their desired outcome.
His hands were tied.
But he had to stop lying. That had been why he had told Iris the night before. And why he was telling her now. He needed her to know, to pass judgment on him. And he would accept whatever punishment she gave. Her silence was telling, and both nerve wracking and appreciated. There was an appreciation for the time and consideration she took in what he was telling her. She was never one to make quick decisions, was one to think with as much thought and reason as possible.
He hoped that it was something that she had learned from him.
Aimias watched her, unable to deny just how much she reminded him of her father. And there was no denying that she was born to be a Queen. A level head and a mind for the politics. There was a reason he thought she would be perfect for the throne. And why he would continue to support her, whatever that decision may be.
He listened to her quietly, knowing the weight of what she was telling him. And he knew she was telling the truth, and was being honest with him when he didn’t deserve her honesty. There was a trust there, even after everything he had just told her. And he was almost certain she wouldn’t tell anyone again. He took her news as he took everything else-- with a quiet understanding. The relevance of what she said was not lost on him.
For one more moment, he let them hang between them. “And that remains true. You have the chance, here and now, to decide whether or not you want to be Queen.” He didn’t want to echo her father’s sentiments, but rather give her another voice of support. Even if it didn’t seem like he was truly supportive of her. “You have a future elsewhere, should you wish it. You could leave a quiet, happy life as the Lady of Dimitrou. Your presence is but rumors. And they would fade with time.”
He brought his hands together, bringing them to his lips in thought. “We could attempt another letter to your sister, though now that you are suspected here, it would prove a bit more challenging. Not impossible, but not easy either. Elias already believes me to be under his control— it would be easy to subject myself to his command, so to protect Emilia to the best of my ability from within.” He didn’t know how much it was truly worth, but he knew that he would die to protect her. “You could leave, knowing that she was being cared for by a man who loves her as a brother. I could counsel, alongside Iris— she would be alright here.”
He gave a gentle smile. “You must do what is best for you.” His face morphed into a look a bit like the one she had worn previous. “Your father once told me that ‘Every decision I make, I do for my daughters. And you will do the same for your children. But at the end of the day, you have to hope that you have taught them everything they need to know to stand up for themselves. To fight for what they want and believe in.’” He swallowed the lump in his throat, missing Minas more in this moment than ever.
“Fight, Persephone.” He left her title out of it. “Fight for what you want most. Fight for what is yours— be it the throne or a quiet life. But do not give up at the cusp of the battle.”
He let his hand fall back into his lap. “I know there is little reason to trust me, but my loyalty, now and always, has been to your family. Elias was certainly right about one thing— I can pretend that I care more about the kingdom, but at the end of the day I will do whatever it takes to protect you. You and Emilia.” He laughed bitterly, a realization coming over him. “Perhaps that’s why I caved so easily, so you could have a way out that would carry no blame on your own shoulders. If I laid the groundwork, you could have a life of your choosing.” His head shook again, “Whatever reason, I support you, Persephone. If that is as my Queen, or if that is simply as a friend and sister.”
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There was a bitterness in his chest, as he knew the depth of what he had done. It was not a minor betrayal. And it was not as if he was simply another advisor. He had been a family friend, someone who had developed a close relationship with, who had been allowed into the close knit circle. And that circle had been used against him to manipulate him. Aimias had wished for something else, for any other alternatives that would have made it easy for him to refuse.
He had been giving a losing hand.
And what made it worse was that Elias knew it from the beginning. He knew that he would have no option, wouldn’t be able to say no. He knew what to say, and how to say it. He played on every good intention and ideal and used it against him. Elias had counted on his connection with Persephone, with Iris, with Emilia-- he knew that a man like him would have absolutely no resources to be able to act against him. He was weak in that respect, and men of power used whatever means necessary to get their desired outcome.
His hands were tied.
But he had to stop lying. That had been why he had told Iris the night before. And why he was telling her now. He needed her to know, to pass judgment on him. And he would accept whatever punishment she gave. Her silence was telling, and both nerve wracking and appreciated. There was an appreciation for the time and consideration she took in what he was telling her. She was never one to make quick decisions, was one to think with as much thought and reason as possible.
He hoped that it was something that she had learned from him.
Aimias watched her, unable to deny just how much she reminded him of her father. And there was no denying that she was born to be a Queen. A level head and a mind for the politics. There was a reason he thought she would be perfect for the throne. And why he would continue to support her, whatever that decision may be.
He listened to her quietly, knowing the weight of what she was telling him. And he knew she was telling the truth, and was being honest with him when he didn’t deserve her honesty. There was a trust there, even after everything he had just told her. And he was almost certain she wouldn’t tell anyone again. He took her news as he took everything else-- with a quiet understanding. The relevance of what she said was not lost on him.
For one more moment, he let them hang between them. “And that remains true. You have the chance, here and now, to decide whether or not you want to be Queen.” He didn’t want to echo her father’s sentiments, but rather give her another voice of support. Even if it didn’t seem like he was truly supportive of her. “You have a future elsewhere, should you wish it. You could leave a quiet, happy life as the Lady of Dimitrou. Your presence is but rumors. And they would fade with time.”
He brought his hands together, bringing them to his lips in thought. “We could attempt another letter to your sister, though now that you are suspected here, it would prove a bit more challenging. Not impossible, but not easy either. Elias already believes me to be under his control— it would be easy to subject myself to his command, so to protect Emilia to the best of my ability from within.” He didn’t know how much it was truly worth, but he knew that he would die to protect her. “You could leave, knowing that she was being cared for by a man who loves her as a brother. I could counsel, alongside Iris— she would be alright here.”
He gave a gentle smile. “You must do what is best for you.” His face morphed into a look a bit like the one she had worn previous. “Your father once told me that ‘Every decision I make, I do for my daughters. And you will do the same for your children. But at the end of the day, you have to hope that you have taught them everything they need to know to stand up for themselves. To fight for what they want and believe in.’” He swallowed the lump in his throat, missing Minas more in this moment than ever.
“Fight, Persephone.” He left her title out of it. “Fight for what you want most. Fight for what is yours— be it the throne or a quiet life. But do not give up at the cusp of the battle.”
He let his hand fall back into his lap. “I know there is little reason to trust me, but my loyalty, now and always, has been to your family. Elias was certainly right about one thing— I can pretend that I care more about the kingdom, but at the end of the day I will do whatever it takes to protect you. You and Emilia.” He laughed bitterly, a realization coming over him. “Perhaps that’s why I caved so easily, so you could have a way out that would carry no blame on your own shoulders. If I laid the groundwork, you could have a life of your choosing.” His head shook again, “Whatever reason, I support you, Persephone. If that is as my Queen, or if that is simply as a friend and sister.”
There was a bitterness in his chest, as he knew the depth of what he had done. It was not a minor betrayal. And it was not as if he was simply another advisor. He had been a family friend, someone who had developed a close relationship with, who had been allowed into the close knit circle. And that circle had been used against him to manipulate him. Aimias had wished for something else, for any other alternatives that would have made it easy for him to refuse.
He had been giving a losing hand.
And what made it worse was that Elias knew it from the beginning. He knew that he would have no option, wouldn’t be able to say no. He knew what to say, and how to say it. He played on every good intention and ideal and used it against him. Elias had counted on his connection with Persephone, with Iris, with Emilia-- he knew that a man like him would have absolutely no resources to be able to act against him. He was weak in that respect, and men of power used whatever means necessary to get their desired outcome.
His hands were tied.
But he had to stop lying. That had been why he had told Iris the night before. And why he was telling her now. He needed her to know, to pass judgment on him. And he would accept whatever punishment she gave. Her silence was telling, and both nerve wracking and appreciated. There was an appreciation for the time and consideration she took in what he was telling her. She was never one to make quick decisions, was one to think with as much thought and reason as possible.
He hoped that it was something that she had learned from him.
Aimias watched her, unable to deny just how much she reminded him of her father. And there was no denying that she was born to be a Queen. A level head and a mind for the politics. There was a reason he thought she would be perfect for the throne. And why he would continue to support her, whatever that decision may be.
He listened to her quietly, knowing the weight of what she was telling him. And he knew she was telling the truth, and was being honest with him when he didn’t deserve her honesty. There was a trust there, even after everything he had just told her. And he was almost certain she wouldn’t tell anyone again. He took her news as he took everything else-- with a quiet understanding. The relevance of what she said was not lost on him.
For one more moment, he let them hang between them. “And that remains true. You have the chance, here and now, to decide whether or not you want to be Queen.” He didn’t want to echo her father’s sentiments, but rather give her another voice of support. Even if it didn’t seem like he was truly supportive of her. “You have a future elsewhere, should you wish it. You could leave a quiet, happy life as the Lady of Dimitrou. Your presence is but rumors. And they would fade with time.”
He brought his hands together, bringing them to his lips in thought. “We could attempt another letter to your sister, though now that you are suspected here, it would prove a bit more challenging. Not impossible, but not easy either. Elias already believes me to be under his control— it would be easy to subject myself to his command, so to protect Emilia to the best of my ability from within.” He didn’t know how much it was truly worth, but he knew that he would die to protect her. “You could leave, knowing that she was being cared for by a man who loves her as a brother. I could counsel, alongside Iris— she would be alright here.”
He gave a gentle smile. “You must do what is best for you.” His face morphed into a look a bit like the one she had worn previous. “Your father once told me that ‘Every decision I make, I do for my daughters. And you will do the same for your children. But at the end of the day, you have to hope that you have taught them everything they need to know to stand up for themselves. To fight for what they want and believe in.’” He swallowed the lump in his throat, missing Minas more in this moment than ever.
“Fight, Persephone.” He left her title out of it. “Fight for what you want most. Fight for what is yours— be it the throne or a quiet life. But do not give up at the cusp of the battle.”
He let his hand fall back into his lap. “I know there is little reason to trust me, but my loyalty, now and always, has been to your family. Elias was certainly right about one thing— I can pretend that I care more about the kingdom, but at the end of the day I will do whatever it takes to protect you. You and Emilia.” He laughed bitterly, a realization coming over him. “Perhaps that’s why I caved so easily, so you could have a way out that would carry no blame on your own shoulders. If I laid the groundwork, you could have a life of your choosing.” His head shook again, “Whatever reason, I support you, Persephone. If that is as my Queen, or if that is simply as a friend and sister.”