Cicero? Emilia cocked her head when Hector mentioned that name, yet it was only but a little familiar to her. Being one who had never put much attention on politics or the ways of the court, the names Emilia knew the most were of the handsomest men in the lands, or of the women who gossiped the most regarding her and her loved ones. Her lack of attention however, sure as Hades was coming to bite her in the behind now. Half of Emilia wondered if her old tutors would laugh their way to the library if they heard of the predicament the young princess they had as their errant student was now in. She had made many a tutor quit afterall.

"My sister remains missing, Lord Alehandros." Emilia grounded out, a tight tone in which not many had heard from Emilia at all. But it wasn't the 'missing' part that had her throat tight. Rather, it was the unspoken part - that Emilia had lived in fear over the last few months that Persephone would be dead. Her sister was the last living relative she had, and if her sister was gone... where did that leave her? She was not fit to run a kingdom, cowered at the mere idea of it.

And the idea that Elias used her? Alehandros' words were hard, yet despite how much denial Emilia was in, she couldn't deny this, not when a guard, a lord, and a Master Informer stood unblinkingly in front of her. For surely if there was treachery in the words of the Antonis lord, one of them would have called him out for it?

That she had allowed herself to be used brought a metallic taste to the back of Emilia's tongue... but it was true, was it not? People had always called her naive, easily bought over. Was it not one of the things Danae had called her? She should've suspected something when her cousin and aunt was suddenly so accomodating to her. Were people laughing at her stupidity now? The pledge of Alehandros should be reassuring, and had it been any other time, it would have been. Emilia knew in theory, what she needed to know. She could almost see in her mind's eye, what Persephone would do. Her sister would be firm, thank Lord Alehandros, and then proceeded to quickly agree and form a plan to free Athenia from the grasp and plans of Elias.

But this was Emilia we spoke of.

Emilia, who trusted too easily, spoke too freely, loved with her whole heart. A follower of Aphrodite, even despite Alehandros so clearly against Elias, a sense of mistrust hovered around her mind. Afterall, Elias had swooped in like a knight in shining armor, had promised her security. No matter how much trouble he had caused, and even if Lesley had told her otherwise... Emilia doubted. She had been given the most golden face of Athenia's most handsome lord afterall, and for a child who was a romantic at heart, it was hard to pull the blinds of her eyes apart.

"I am well, Master Cicero. The physician is unnecessary." Elias had said she should be indoors away from harm. She had believed him, but now even as she watched the physician being brought away (the poor man made such a long journey for nothing, really), her forehead marred with a frown. Subconsciously, Emilia had taken a few steps closer to where Lesley had parked himself, but as Cicero spoke, Emilia could almost see from a corner of her eye, the minute sensations of Lesley moving. Her bodyguard, a dear as he may be to Emilia over the last few months, could not stand still, and it was a habit Emilia had noticed of him, only because she spent such an extended time with him.

"I have heard of you, Master Cicero, even if I am not familiar." she had heard Persephone mention him, however briefly, in her discussions with their father while Emilia quietly had her soup usually. "But you must know, I am unfamiliar with much of the work my sister undertakes. Discussions with me might take... longer, then just the morning. Perhaps..." she paused, and then took a look at Alehandros as if considering his words. The silence stretched for a little, before Emilia turned to murmur at Lesley, "Could you bring the men to my sister's study, Lesley? I'll be along shortly."

Discussions in her night gown were hardly appropriate afterall, so once the men had left, Emilia turned to her wardrobe, the lone servant girl Elias had left to assist her coming in. But instead of going to her own wardrobe, Emilia shook her head, the brown curls bouncing as she turned and took the door that connected her chamber's with her sister's.

Much of Persephone's wardrobe had been crafted and designed by Emilia herself. They were unlike Emilia's own style, which was of short chiton's, sweet colors, and playful, flirtatious styles. Persephone's wardrobe consisted of far more serious colors, with regal patterns in them. Yet today, Emilia felt as if she needed them.

Picking out a royal red chiton made of silk, one which was bound at her waist, clasped with a golden fibulae in the shape of a swans wing over both her shoulders, before the remaining material fell down her back to sweep the floors. Forgoing her shorter styles, Emilia instructed the slave to pin her brunette curls up, putting on the bangles of Athenian royalty, before finalling clicking her tongue for Labros to follow at her heels as she entered the room. Far different then the usual vivacious, bright princess, Emilia wore a look that was more thoughtful then friendly as she stopped at the arch of the entrance, and then turned to ask Alehandros, praying that perhaps dressing in her sister's outfits would lend her the courage she so lacked.

"What makes you say Lord Elias is the sole cause of the Athenian bloodshed, my lord? It is a heavy accusation, and the punishment is not light."