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Once the city had calmed down...when the blood had been cleaned off the cobblestones and the funeral for the king and his son was performed, life in Taengea was starting to return to normal. Well. About as normal as it could after so much tragedy. Theo stared at the letter she'd received From Irakles laying out the plan of her engagement and their upcoming tour of the temples with Achilleas with a lead weight in her stomach. There was no way she could do this. To approach the temple of each God and ask for their blessing when she was in love with someone else? She could never be faithful to Achilleas.. at least not fully. She'd already given herself heart and soul to Emilios. It wasn't fair to any of them for her to go through with this wedding. No one benefitted in the end.
She'd crumpled up the parchment and thrown it away twice before uncrinkling it and rolling it back up. Finally, when she knew her father was in his rooms, and the whole of the house was quiet without distractions or threats of fires or beheaded kings, she snatched it up and went downstairs to speak to him.
There was no one she could speak to like her father. Georgios had a bit of a soft heart for his daughters and while her mother was skilled at manipulating him into agreeing with her arrangements, ultimately he deferred to his girls. If they didn't want something, it wouldn't be done. And if she could find just cause as to not marry Achilleas, Georgios would ensure that the arrangement was voided.... no matter what the fallout.
And there was no more just a cause than this.
But.. she'd have to be honest with him. And that's what had her heart racing. There was no way she'd be able to back out of the arrangement by simply telling him she wasn't interested in Achilleas. He'd need to know the whole truth. How long she'd been seeing Emilios. Their entire relationship. And while she took no great pleasure in crushing her father's ideals of her, she had to emphasize why it was so important that she not marry Achilleas.
Hurrying to the main level where his quarters were, she stopped in front of the large door that was closed against entry. She stared at it's heavy dark weight for a long moment before taking a deep breath and squaring her shoulders. She lifted her hand and knocked confidently on the door before pushing her way through; never having a need to be told to wait before. "Father, I hate to interrupt, but I'd like to speak to you about-" She stopped as her Uncle turned to look at her as well as her father. Immediately her heart went into her stomach and she faltered over her words. Her Uncle was far less forgiving than her father... far less understanding and literally the last person on earth she'd want to talk about this with. Even Achilleas, truth be told.
Stumbling a bit, her mouth fell open and she tried to think of a way to backtrack. "Oh! Uncle.. I wasn't aware you'd come to visit. I can come back later..." She took a step back; beginning to close the door as she thrust the parchment behind her skirts. Georgios stood and leaned on the table towards her. "Theodora.. don't be silly.. come in.. Fotios won't mind your interruption, will you brother?"
Theo's eyes widened and she stared at her father, then at Fotios. "Oh... No father.. it's nothing important... It can wait.." One more step. One more step out the door and she could close it behind her and run. Abort this foolhardy mission. At least for now. ...But that one step may have been a chasm. There was no way Fotios would let her go now.
JD
Staff Team
JD
Staff Team
This post was created by our staff team.
Please contact us with your queries and questions.
Once the city had calmed down...when the blood had been cleaned off the cobblestones and the funeral for the king and his son was performed, life in Taengea was starting to return to normal. Well. About as normal as it could after so much tragedy. Theo stared at the letter she'd received From Irakles laying out the plan of her engagement and their upcoming tour of the temples with Achilleas with a lead weight in her stomach. There was no way she could do this. To approach the temple of each God and ask for their blessing when she was in love with someone else? She could never be faithful to Achilleas.. at least not fully. She'd already given herself heart and soul to Emilios. It wasn't fair to any of them for her to go through with this wedding. No one benefitted in the end.
She'd crumpled up the parchment and thrown it away twice before uncrinkling it and rolling it back up. Finally, when she knew her father was in his rooms, and the whole of the house was quiet without distractions or threats of fires or beheaded kings, she snatched it up and went downstairs to speak to him.
There was no one she could speak to like her father. Georgios had a bit of a soft heart for his daughters and while her mother was skilled at manipulating him into agreeing with her arrangements, ultimately he deferred to his girls. If they didn't want something, it wouldn't be done. And if she could find just cause as to not marry Achilleas, Georgios would ensure that the arrangement was voided.... no matter what the fallout.
And there was no more just a cause than this.
But.. she'd have to be honest with him. And that's what had her heart racing. There was no way she'd be able to back out of the arrangement by simply telling him she wasn't interested in Achilleas. He'd need to know the whole truth. How long she'd been seeing Emilios. Their entire relationship. And while she took no great pleasure in crushing her father's ideals of her, she had to emphasize why it was so important that she not marry Achilleas.
Hurrying to the main level where his quarters were, she stopped in front of the large door that was closed against entry. She stared at it's heavy dark weight for a long moment before taking a deep breath and squaring her shoulders. She lifted her hand and knocked confidently on the door before pushing her way through; never having a need to be told to wait before. "Father, I hate to interrupt, but I'd like to speak to you about-" She stopped as her Uncle turned to look at her as well as her father. Immediately her heart went into her stomach and she faltered over her words. Her Uncle was far less forgiving than her father... far less understanding and literally the last person on earth she'd want to talk about this with. Even Achilleas, truth be told.
Stumbling a bit, her mouth fell open and she tried to think of a way to backtrack. "Oh! Uncle.. I wasn't aware you'd come to visit. I can come back later..." She took a step back; beginning to close the door as she thrust the parchment behind her skirts. Georgios stood and leaned on the table towards her. "Theodora.. don't be silly.. come in.. Fotios won't mind your interruption, will you brother?"
Theo's eyes widened and she stared at her father, then at Fotios. "Oh... No father.. it's nothing important... It can wait.." One more step. One more step out the door and she could close it behind her and run. Abort this foolhardy mission. At least for now. ...But that one step may have been a chasm. There was no way Fotios would let her go now.
Once the city had calmed down...when the blood had been cleaned off the cobblestones and the funeral for the king and his son was performed, life in Taengea was starting to return to normal. Well. About as normal as it could after so much tragedy. Theo stared at the letter she'd received From Irakles laying out the plan of her engagement and their upcoming tour of the temples with Achilleas with a lead weight in her stomach. There was no way she could do this. To approach the temple of each God and ask for their blessing when she was in love with someone else? She could never be faithful to Achilleas.. at least not fully. She'd already given herself heart and soul to Emilios. It wasn't fair to any of them for her to go through with this wedding. No one benefitted in the end.
She'd crumpled up the parchment and thrown it away twice before uncrinkling it and rolling it back up. Finally, when she knew her father was in his rooms, and the whole of the house was quiet without distractions or threats of fires or beheaded kings, she snatched it up and went downstairs to speak to him.
There was no one she could speak to like her father. Georgios had a bit of a soft heart for his daughters and while her mother was skilled at manipulating him into agreeing with her arrangements, ultimately he deferred to his girls. If they didn't want something, it wouldn't be done. And if she could find just cause as to not marry Achilleas, Georgios would ensure that the arrangement was voided.... no matter what the fallout.
And there was no more just a cause than this.
But.. she'd have to be honest with him. And that's what had her heart racing. There was no way she'd be able to back out of the arrangement by simply telling him she wasn't interested in Achilleas. He'd need to know the whole truth. How long she'd been seeing Emilios. Their entire relationship. And while she took no great pleasure in crushing her father's ideals of her, she had to emphasize why it was so important that she not marry Achilleas.
Hurrying to the main level where his quarters were, she stopped in front of the large door that was closed against entry. She stared at it's heavy dark weight for a long moment before taking a deep breath and squaring her shoulders. She lifted her hand and knocked confidently on the door before pushing her way through; never having a need to be told to wait before. "Father, I hate to interrupt, but I'd like to speak to you about-" She stopped as her Uncle turned to look at her as well as her father. Immediately her heart went into her stomach and she faltered over her words. Her Uncle was far less forgiving than her father... far less understanding and literally the last person on earth she'd want to talk about this with. Even Achilleas, truth be told.
Stumbling a bit, her mouth fell open and she tried to think of a way to backtrack. "Oh! Uncle.. I wasn't aware you'd come to visit. I can come back later..." She took a step back; beginning to close the door as she thrust the parchment behind her skirts. Georgios stood and leaned on the table towards her. "Theodora.. don't be silly.. come in.. Fotios won't mind your interruption, will you brother?"
Theo's eyes widened and she stared at her father, then at Fotios. "Oh... No father.. it's nothing important... It can wait.." One more step. One more step out the door and she could close it behind her and run. Abort this foolhardy mission. At least for now. ...But that one step may have been a chasm. There was no way Fotios would let her go now.
"I'm not interested in what some idiot on the far docks claimed, Georgios." Fotios chastised his younger brother as they were discussing an issue that had arisen with the last shipment of mares to be delivered to the southern lands in Africa. "If we mess with this shipment, we will-"
His words were cut off at the sound of a knock at the door.
Looking over his shoulder, Fotios was irritated by the interruption but not about to instruct the interloper to go away; he liked to know what was going on in his house - in any house - and was curious as to the disturbance.
He and his brother had been talking business for the last few hours, Georgios seated behind his desk, leaning back and at ease, and Fotios standing beside him, his rear braced on the edge of the table, analysing the paperwork he held in his hand. As the door was opened, Fotios remained looking over his shoulder, but stood and twisted so that his body was in line with his gaze. He closed the leather binder that held his paperwork and set it in the desk before taking two steps away from his brother and feigning interest in the book shelves his brother kept in the room.
While this manor was in fact Fotios' property, Georgios was the brother to use it the most as Konstanos preferred to stay in his own manner. To reach Macendia, a boat had to be taken for half a day's travel so it made sense of Georgios' side of the family to remain in the guest manor in Fotios' property for large periods of time. And with all the terror, matrimony and betrothals going on with the family, it was unlikely they would be heading back to Macendia any time soon.
When the second daughter of his brother entered the room, it was clear she had not intended to do so had she known her uncle was within. And Fotios narrowed his eyes at the behaviour, secretly pleased by the nervousness he encouraged just from his presence. As Head of his House it was an appropriate reaction that he inwardly luxuriated in and outwardly ignored.
Selecting a book from the shelf with false curiosity, Fotios opened the cover and glanced over the inner page. He had read this one. In three different languages. So, he was not concerned with its contents. Instead, he listened to the conversation that happened around him, as the girl halted in the door way and seemed uncertain of how to proceed.
When the girl commented on his "visit", he was tempted to mention that it was his own home and they were in fact that visitors but that seemed childish and low-brow so he remained quiet until his brother indicated that she was not interrupting them in their discussions and was most welcome. Fotios nodded his agreement and gave a muttered "of course..."
When Theodora attempted to back out of the room, Fotios didn't look up from the little book he held but his tone was clearly one to not be ignored.
"Theodora your father instructed you to stay." He stated, flicking over one of the pages to assess the opening paragraph of the first chapter. "It is impolite to refuse a man's instruction." He added, when she continued to hesitate.
Closing the book, Fotios used it to the gesture to the chair across the desk from his brother and gave her an uncompromising look. "Sit." He instructed, before turning to place the book back on the shelf in its appropriate place.
"What can I do for you Theo?" Fotios heard his brother ask, as the girl came into the room. Fotios allowed them the semblance of privacy as he scoured the other shelves before him, intent on listening and only making comment when such a thing was necessary.
For whatever it was was clearly significant enough for Theodora to be so determined to speak with her father, only to make an obvious change of mind in her enthusiasm the second she had been made aware of his presence... Curious...
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"I'm not interested in what some idiot on the far docks claimed, Georgios." Fotios chastised his younger brother as they were discussing an issue that had arisen with the last shipment of mares to be delivered to the southern lands in Africa. "If we mess with this shipment, we will-"
His words were cut off at the sound of a knock at the door.
Looking over his shoulder, Fotios was irritated by the interruption but not about to instruct the interloper to go away; he liked to know what was going on in his house - in any house - and was curious as to the disturbance.
He and his brother had been talking business for the last few hours, Georgios seated behind his desk, leaning back and at ease, and Fotios standing beside him, his rear braced on the edge of the table, analysing the paperwork he held in his hand. As the door was opened, Fotios remained looking over his shoulder, but stood and twisted so that his body was in line with his gaze. He closed the leather binder that held his paperwork and set it in the desk before taking two steps away from his brother and feigning interest in the book shelves his brother kept in the room.
While this manor was in fact Fotios' property, Georgios was the brother to use it the most as Konstanos preferred to stay in his own manner. To reach Macendia, a boat had to be taken for half a day's travel so it made sense of Georgios' side of the family to remain in the guest manor in Fotios' property for large periods of time. And with all the terror, matrimony and betrothals going on with the family, it was unlikely they would be heading back to Macendia any time soon.
When the second daughter of his brother entered the room, it was clear she had not intended to do so had she known her uncle was within. And Fotios narrowed his eyes at the behaviour, secretly pleased by the nervousness he encouraged just from his presence. As Head of his House it was an appropriate reaction that he inwardly luxuriated in and outwardly ignored.
Selecting a book from the shelf with false curiosity, Fotios opened the cover and glanced over the inner page. He had read this one. In three different languages. So, he was not concerned with its contents. Instead, he listened to the conversation that happened around him, as the girl halted in the door way and seemed uncertain of how to proceed.
When the girl commented on his "visit", he was tempted to mention that it was his own home and they were in fact that visitors but that seemed childish and low-brow so he remained quiet until his brother indicated that she was not interrupting them in their discussions and was most welcome. Fotios nodded his agreement and gave a muttered "of course..."
When Theodora attempted to back out of the room, Fotios didn't look up from the little book he held but his tone was clearly one to not be ignored.
"Theodora your father instructed you to stay." He stated, flicking over one of the pages to assess the opening paragraph of the first chapter. "It is impolite to refuse a man's instruction." He added, when she continued to hesitate.
Closing the book, Fotios used it to the gesture to the chair across the desk from his brother and gave her an uncompromising look. "Sit." He instructed, before turning to place the book back on the shelf in its appropriate place.
"What can I do for you Theo?" Fotios heard his brother ask, as the girl came into the room. Fotios allowed them the semblance of privacy as he scoured the other shelves before him, intent on listening and only making comment when such a thing was necessary.
For whatever it was was clearly significant enough for Theodora to be so determined to speak with her father, only to make an obvious change of mind in her enthusiasm the second she had been made aware of his presence... Curious...
"I'm not interested in what some idiot on the far docks claimed, Georgios." Fotios chastised his younger brother as they were discussing an issue that had arisen with the last shipment of mares to be delivered to the southern lands in Africa. "If we mess with this shipment, we will-"
His words were cut off at the sound of a knock at the door.
Looking over his shoulder, Fotios was irritated by the interruption but not about to instruct the interloper to go away; he liked to know what was going on in his house - in any house - and was curious as to the disturbance.
He and his brother had been talking business for the last few hours, Georgios seated behind his desk, leaning back and at ease, and Fotios standing beside him, his rear braced on the edge of the table, analysing the paperwork he held in his hand. As the door was opened, Fotios remained looking over his shoulder, but stood and twisted so that his body was in line with his gaze. He closed the leather binder that held his paperwork and set it in the desk before taking two steps away from his brother and feigning interest in the book shelves his brother kept in the room.
While this manor was in fact Fotios' property, Georgios was the brother to use it the most as Konstanos preferred to stay in his own manner. To reach Macendia, a boat had to be taken for half a day's travel so it made sense of Georgios' side of the family to remain in the guest manor in Fotios' property for large periods of time. And with all the terror, matrimony and betrothals going on with the family, it was unlikely they would be heading back to Macendia any time soon.
When the second daughter of his brother entered the room, it was clear she had not intended to do so had she known her uncle was within. And Fotios narrowed his eyes at the behaviour, secretly pleased by the nervousness he encouraged just from his presence. As Head of his House it was an appropriate reaction that he inwardly luxuriated in and outwardly ignored.
Selecting a book from the shelf with false curiosity, Fotios opened the cover and glanced over the inner page. He had read this one. In three different languages. So, he was not concerned with its contents. Instead, he listened to the conversation that happened around him, as the girl halted in the door way and seemed uncertain of how to proceed.
When the girl commented on his "visit", he was tempted to mention that it was his own home and they were in fact that visitors but that seemed childish and low-brow so he remained quiet until his brother indicated that she was not interrupting them in their discussions and was most welcome. Fotios nodded his agreement and gave a muttered "of course..."
When Theodora attempted to back out of the room, Fotios didn't look up from the little book he held but his tone was clearly one to not be ignored.
"Theodora your father instructed you to stay." He stated, flicking over one of the pages to assess the opening paragraph of the first chapter. "It is impolite to refuse a man's instruction." He added, when she continued to hesitate.
Closing the book, Fotios used it to the gesture to the chair across the desk from his brother and gave her an uncompromising look. "Sit." He instructed, before turning to place the book back on the shelf in its appropriate place.
"What can I do for you Theo?" Fotios heard his brother ask, as the girl came into the room. Fotios allowed them the semblance of privacy as he scoured the other shelves before him, intent on listening and only making comment when such a thing was necessary.
For whatever it was was clearly significant enough for Theodora to be so determined to speak with her father, only to make an obvious change of mind in her enthusiasm the second she had been made aware of his presence... Curious...
The door stopped it's backward progression and Theo looked back up at Fotios who didn't even bother to look at her as he spoke. Her cheeks flushed and she felt like a child again; admonished by the foreboding head of the family who rarely said anything more to her than to correct her for her wrongdoings and tell her what was expected of her.
Lovely how nothing seemed to change.
Her gaze turned to her father and he gave a bit of an apologetic shrug as Fotios motioned to the chair in front of the desk. As if driving a nail into the coffin, her uncle ordered her to sit and so, after a moment's hesitation, she stepped silently back into the room and closed the door slowly behind her; turning her back to them as she tried to think of a reasonable excuse to make up for being there aside from dissolving the engagement.
The mechanism clicked between her fingertips and she turned back to the desk and the two men; padding to the chair with her chin down. This wasn't how she'd planned on this going. With her father, she was a strong, confident woman. He allowed her to be. He listened to her and took her ideas and concerns to heart. She could have a conversation with him and he didn't make her feel inferior.
That wasn't the case at all with her uncle who always seemed to point out her place instead of listening to what she thought.
She sat down in the chair and remained quiet for a long time until Georgios leaned forward and looked at her. "Theodora...?" Theo looked up at him; searching for the first thing she could speak to him about in front of Fotios. "I...wished to ask... About Stephanos. How is he managing his new position?"
Georgios stared at his daughter for a long moment before answering. "I think he's managing as well as to be expected for a man who never considered he'd be king... He has a lot on his shoulders. ...But that isn't what you came to speak to me about, is it? What are you holding?" Theo glanced down at her hand where she gripped the letter she'd received from Irakles and shoved it beneath the folds of her skirts. "Oh.. just a letter from Selene.." Georgios furrowed his brow. "Are you often in the habit of carrying around your sister's letters?" Curious now, he held out his hand. "The letter, Theodora.." Theo looked at him and then at Fotios and closed her eyes; resigning herself to what this was. She handed the well-read letter over to her father who unrolled it and glanced over. "This is from Irakles.. laying out the terms of your engagement and your temple tours to ask for blessings.... " He looked up at his daughter and raised a brow. "Why is this concerning you enough to bring it to my attention?"
Theo sighed and folded her hands in her skirts. There was clearly no way she was getting out of this conversation. Her father had decided to have it here and now with his brother there. So she squared her shoulders and looked up at him; ignoring her uncle. "I can't marry Achilleas." Georgios stared at her for a long moment before raising a brow and leaning back in his chair. "....When you came to me the night the engagement was announced you made it quite clear there was nothing more on earth you desired but to be married to him. I'm inclined to believe this is just a case of cold feet; especially after all that's happened in the last week." Theo shook her head and broke in as soon as he finished. "No.. it's not cold feet, father. ...Achilleas..." She closed her eyes and focused on her words. "When I came to you that night I'd spoken to Achilleas beforehand and I was lead to believe that he was there on behalf of his brother, Emilios. ....I can't marry Achilleas because... I'm in love with Emilios." Somehow telling her father AND uncle about her torrid affair with the younger Mikaelidas seemed quite out of her control. It was bad enough to tell him, there was no way she was telling Fotios.
JD
Staff Team
JD
Staff Team
This post was created by our staff team.
Please contact us with your queries and questions.
The door stopped it's backward progression and Theo looked back up at Fotios who didn't even bother to look at her as he spoke. Her cheeks flushed and she felt like a child again; admonished by the foreboding head of the family who rarely said anything more to her than to correct her for her wrongdoings and tell her what was expected of her.
Lovely how nothing seemed to change.
Her gaze turned to her father and he gave a bit of an apologetic shrug as Fotios motioned to the chair in front of the desk. As if driving a nail into the coffin, her uncle ordered her to sit and so, after a moment's hesitation, she stepped silently back into the room and closed the door slowly behind her; turning her back to them as she tried to think of a reasonable excuse to make up for being there aside from dissolving the engagement.
The mechanism clicked between her fingertips and she turned back to the desk and the two men; padding to the chair with her chin down. This wasn't how she'd planned on this going. With her father, she was a strong, confident woman. He allowed her to be. He listened to her and took her ideas and concerns to heart. She could have a conversation with him and he didn't make her feel inferior.
That wasn't the case at all with her uncle who always seemed to point out her place instead of listening to what she thought.
She sat down in the chair and remained quiet for a long time until Georgios leaned forward and looked at her. "Theodora...?" Theo looked up at him; searching for the first thing she could speak to him about in front of Fotios. "I...wished to ask... About Stephanos. How is he managing his new position?"
Georgios stared at his daughter for a long moment before answering. "I think he's managing as well as to be expected for a man who never considered he'd be king... He has a lot on his shoulders. ...But that isn't what you came to speak to me about, is it? What are you holding?" Theo glanced down at her hand where she gripped the letter she'd received from Irakles and shoved it beneath the folds of her skirts. "Oh.. just a letter from Selene.." Georgios furrowed his brow. "Are you often in the habit of carrying around your sister's letters?" Curious now, he held out his hand. "The letter, Theodora.." Theo looked at him and then at Fotios and closed her eyes; resigning herself to what this was. She handed the well-read letter over to her father who unrolled it and glanced over. "This is from Irakles.. laying out the terms of your engagement and your temple tours to ask for blessings.... " He looked up at his daughter and raised a brow. "Why is this concerning you enough to bring it to my attention?"
Theo sighed and folded her hands in her skirts. There was clearly no way she was getting out of this conversation. Her father had decided to have it here and now with his brother there. So she squared her shoulders and looked up at him; ignoring her uncle. "I can't marry Achilleas." Georgios stared at her for a long moment before raising a brow and leaning back in his chair. "....When you came to me the night the engagement was announced you made it quite clear there was nothing more on earth you desired but to be married to him. I'm inclined to believe this is just a case of cold feet; especially after all that's happened in the last week." Theo shook her head and broke in as soon as he finished. "No.. it's not cold feet, father. ...Achilleas..." She closed her eyes and focused on her words. "When I came to you that night I'd spoken to Achilleas beforehand and I was lead to believe that he was there on behalf of his brother, Emilios. ....I can't marry Achilleas because... I'm in love with Emilios." Somehow telling her father AND uncle about her torrid affair with the younger Mikaelidas seemed quite out of her control. It was bad enough to tell him, there was no way she was telling Fotios.
The door stopped it's backward progression and Theo looked back up at Fotios who didn't even bother to look at her as he spoke. Her cheeks flushed and she felt like a child again; admonished by the foreboding head of the family who rarely said anything more to her than to correct her for her wrongdoings and tell her what was expected of her.
Lovely how nothing seemed to change.
Her gaze turned to her father and he gave a bit of an apologetic shrug as Fotios motioned to the chair in front of the desk. As if driving a nail into the coffin, her uncle ordered her to sit and so, after a moment's hesitation, she stepped silently back into the room and closed the door slowly behind her; turning her back to them as she tried to think of a reasonable excuse to make up for being there aside from dissolving the engagement.
The mechanism clicked between her fingertips and she turned back to the desk and the two men; padding to the chair with her chin down. This wasn't how she'd planned on this going. With her father, she was a strong, confident woman. He allowed her to be. He listened to her and took her ideas and concerns to heart. She could have a conversation with him and he didn't make her feel inferior.
That wasn't the case at all with her uncle who always seemed to point out her place instead of listening to what she thought.
She sat down in the chair and remained quiet for a long time until Georgios leaned forward and looked at her. "Theodora...?" Theo looked up at him; searching for the first thing she could speak to him about in front of Fotios. "I...wished to ask... About Stephanos. How is he managing his new position?"
Georgios stared at his daughter for a long moment before answering. "I think he's managing as well as to be expected for a man who never considered he'd be king... He has a lot on his shoulders. ...But that isn't what you came to speak to me about, is it? What are you holding?" Theo glanced down at her hand where she gripped the letter she'd received from Irakles and shoved it beneath the folds of her skirts. "Oh.. just a letter from Selene.." Georgios furrowed his brow. "Are you often in the habit of carrying around your sister's letters?" Curious now, he held out his hand. "The letter, Theodora.." Theo looked at him and then at Fotios and closed her eyes; resigning herself to what this was. She handed the well-read letter over to her father who unrolled it and glanced over. "This is from Irakles.. laying out the terms of your engagement and your temple tours to ask for blessings.... " He looked up at his daughter and raised a brow. "Why is this concerning you enough to bring it to my attention?"
Theo sighed and folded her hands in her skirts. There was clearly no way she was getting out of this conversation. Her father had decided to have it here and now with his brother there. So she squared her shoulders and looked up at him; ignoring her uncle. "I can't marry Achilleas." Georgios stared at her for a long moment before raising a brow and leaning back in his chair. "....When you came to me the night the engagement was announced you made it quite clear there was nothing more on earth you desired but to be married to him. I'm inclined to believe this is just a case of cold feet; especially after all that's happened in the last week." Theo shook her head and broke in as soon as he finished. "No.. it's not cold feet, father. ...Achilleas..." She closed her eyes and focused on her words. "When I came to you that night I'd spoken to Achilleas beforehand and I was lead to believe that he was there on behalf of his brother, Emilios. ....I can't marry Achilleas because... I'm in love with Emilios." Somehow telling her father AND uncle about her torrid affair with the younger Mikaelidas seemed quite out of her control. It was bad enough to tell him, there was no way she was telling Fotios.
While the casual set of his shoulders and the ease stance in bracing his weight more onto his left leg than his right, Fotios gave the clear impression of unhurried languidness as he mosied between the bookcases, occasionally leaning in closer so that the tip of his straight nose hovered over a particular title or two.
He gave no response as Georgios discussed Stephanos with his daughter for all words on that subject were moot as far as Fotios was concerned. Then there was the nonsense of carrying around Selene's letters that even his brother - who had never been particularly skilled at espionage or deflection - was able to recognised for the deception it was.
It was only when there was a rustling noise in which the letter was exchanged hands that Fotios turned to become a physical part of the conversation once more and his shrewd gaze picked up on the crumpled or worn condition of the parchment his brother now held. Such repeated attentions to a single letter told him everything he needed to know before Georgios even spoke. For there were things regarding his second niece that he had known for some days now. And he could assume that the content of that letter was in fact -
His brother confirmed his thoughts before they could finish, assessing the letter as one of Irakles'. A letter Fotios had fully expected and been encouraging of. The city was hurting and the best way to wash away blood was with wine. A wedding into the royal bloodline was just the way to do such a thing and with the Lady Olympia's tie to the new King needing to be kept private the second connection between Mikaelidas and Leventi was highly significant.
When Theodora spoke of her love for the wrong brother, Fotios shook his head a little and gave a sharp bark of laughter at her confession - a confession that clearly gave her either great fright or great embarrassment, given how desperately she had tried to hide it.
His brother immediately looked his way, distracted from answering Theodora's admittance. Fotios raised an eyebrow at the confused look on the man's face.
"Come now, brother." He said with the innocent spreading of his hands. "You cannot allow me this moment of dark humour?" He turned his gaze onto Theodora. "This is no simple trifle of feelings your daughter is confessing here." He raised his hands and shoulders in a shrug that indicated his lack of responsibility in the subject. "Such dread at your reaction clearly indicates a physical relationship."
Fotios preened internally at the look of consternation and discomfort on his brother's face. Oh ho, so the man thought his daughters all pure. He was having that foolish concept knocked out of his head on a regular basis this month. First with the already pregnant Olympia and now with Theodora - the one who had slept with her brother's fiancé.
For a moment, Fotios was glad that none of his daughters were attractive enough to claim a mate. At least he did not have such complications to attend to. Complications to outstanding plans were the bane of Fotios' existence. Then again, there was some that could be made use of...
Fotios placed his hands on his hips and leaned slightly forwards, his toe coming up. His manner was one of both amusement and chastisement as he looked at Theodora in the way an elder would discipline a child. Or a dog.
"Fear not, Theodora..." He said in a calming manner, his words finally for his niece. "There are ways of convincing a husband of your purity on the night in question, should that be your concern." He told her. "Though given his half-sister to be Tasia, I cannot assume the name to be so naive as to think you have not taken a lover before him."
"Now!" The word was illustrated with him straightening back up as Fotios turned back to his brother and picking up the ledger he had placed onto the side of his desk. "Now that we have that settled, you need to explain to me Georgios where this addition 48 Drachmae has gone, because I see no record of it in either the-" He paused in his words as the two of them were clearly looking at one another and not moving on with words.
"Oh please, you cannot both consider this to be an issue of import, surely?"
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While the casual set of his shoulders and the ease stance in bracing his weight more onto his left leg than his right, Fotios gave the clear impression of unhurried languidness as he mosied between the bookcases, occasionally leaning in closer so that the tip of his straight nose hovered over a particular title or two.
He gave no response as Georgios discussed Stephanos with his daughter for all words on that subject were moot as far as Fotios was concerned. Then there was the nonsense of carrying around Selene's letters that even his brother - who had never been particularly skilled at espionage or deflection - was able to recognised for the deception it was.
It was only when there was a rustling noise in which the letter was exchanged hands that Fotios turned to become a physical part of the conversation once more and his shrewd gaze picked up on the crumpled or worn condition of the parchment his brother now held. Such repeated attentions to a single letter told him everything he needed to know before Georgios even spoke. For there were things regarding his second niece that he had known for some days now. And he could assume that the content of that letter was in fact -
His brother confirmed his thoughts before they could finish, assessing the letter as one of Irakles'. A letter Fotios had fully expected and been encouraging of. The city was hurting and the best way to wash away blood was with wine. A wedding into the royal bloodline was just the way to do such a thing and with the Lady Olympia's tie to the new King needing to be kept private the second connection between Mikaelidas and Leventi was highly significant.
When Theodora spoke of her love for the wrong brother, Fotios shook his head a little and gave a sharp bark of laughter at her confession - a confession that clearly gave her either great fright or great embarrassment, given how desperately she had tried to hide it.
His brother immediately looked his way, distracted from answering Theodora's admittance. Fotios raised an eyebrow at the confused look on the man's face.
"Come now, brother." He said with the innocent spreading of his hands. "You cannot allow me this moment of dark humour?" He turned his gaze onto Theodora. "This is no simple trifle of feelings your daughter is confessing here." He raised his hands and shoulders in a shrug that indicated his lack of responsibility in the subject. "Such dread at your reaction clearly indicates a physical relationship."
Fotios preened internally at the look of consternation and discomfort on his brother's face. Oh ho, so the man thought his daughters all pure. He was having that foolish concept knocked out of his head on a regular basis this month. First with the already pregnant Olympia and now with Theodora - the one who had slept with her brother's fiancé.
For a moment, Fotios was glad that none of his daughters were attractive enough to claim a mate. At least he did not have such complications to attend to. Complications to outstanding plans were the bane of Fotios' existence. Then again, there was some that could be made use of...
Fotios placed his hands on his hips and leaned slightly forwards, his toe coming up. His manner was one of both amusement and chastisement as he looked at Theodora in the way an elder would discipline a child. Or a dog.
"Fear not, Theodora..." He said in a calming manner, his words finally for his niece. "There are ways of convincing a husband of your purity on the night in question, should that be your concern." He told her. "Though given his half-sister to be Tasia, I cannot assume the name to be so naive as to think you have not taken a lover before him."
"Now!" The word was illustrated with him straightening back up as Fotios turned back to his brother and picking up the ledger he had placed onto the side of his desk. "Now that we have that settled, you need to explain to me Georgios where this addition 48 Drachmae has gone, because I see no record of it in either the-" He paused in his words as the two of them were clearly looking at one another and not moving on with words.
"Oh please, you cannot both consider this to be an issue of import, surely?"
While the casual set of his shoulders and the ease stance in bracing his weight more onto his left leg than his right, Fotios gave the clear impression of unhurried languidness as he mosied between the bookcases, occasionally leaning in closer so that the tip of his straight nose hovered over a particular title or two.
He gave no response as Georgios discussed Stephanos with his daughter for all words on that subject were moot as far as Fotios was concerned. Then there was the nonsense of carrying around Selene's letters that even his brother - who had never been particularly skilled at espionage or deflection - was able to recognised for the deception it was.
It was only when there was a rustling noise in which the letter was exchanged hands that Fotios turned to become a physical part of the conversation once more and his shrewd gaze picked up on the crumpled or worn condition of the parchment his brother now held. Such repeated attentions to a single letter told him everything he needed to know before Georgios even spoke. For there were things regarding his second niece that he had known for some days now. And he could assume that the content of that letter was in fact -
His brother confirmed his thoughts before they could finish, assessing the letter as one of Irakles'. A letter Fotios had fully expected and been encouraging of. The city was hurting and the best way to wash away blood was with wine. A wedding into the royal bloodline was just the way to do such a thing and with the Lady Olympia's tie to the new King needing to be kept private the second connection between Mikaelidas and Leventi was highly significant.
When Theodora spoke of her love for the wrong brother, Fotios shook his head a little and gave a sharp bark of laughter at her confession - a confession that clearly gave her either great fright or great embarrassment, given how desperately she had tried to hide it.
His brother immediately looked his way, distracted from answering Theodora's admittance. Fotios raised an eyebrow at the confused look on the man's face.
"Come now, brother." He said with the innocent spreading of his hands. "You cannot allow me this moment of dark humour?" He turned his gaze onto Theodora. "This is no simple trifle of feelings your daughter is confessing here." He raised his hands and shoulders in a shrug that indicated his lack of responsibility in the subject. "Such dread at your reaction clearly indicates a physical relationship."
Fotios preened internally at the look of consternation and discomfort on his brother's face. Oh ho, so the man thought his daughters all pure. He was having that foolish concept knocked out of his head on a regular basis this month. First with the already pregnant Olympia and now with Theodora - the one who had slept with her brother's fiancé.
For a moment, Fotios was glad that none of his daughters were attractive enough to claim a mate. At least he did not have such complications to attend to. Complications to outstanding plans were the bane of Fotios' existence. Then again, there was some that could be made use of...
Fotios placed his hands on his hips and leaned slightly forwards, his toe coming up. His manner was one of both amusement and chastisement as he looked at Theodora in the way an elder would discipline a child. Or a dog.
"Fear not, Theodora..." He said in a calming manner, his words finally for his niece. "There are ways of convincing a husband of your purity on the night in question, should that be your concern." He told her. "Though given his half-sister to be Tasia, I cannot assume the name to be so naive as to think you have not taken a lover before him."
"Now!" The word was illustrated with him straightening back up as Fotios turned back to his brother and picking up the ledger he had placed onto the side of his desk. "Now that we have that settled, you need to explain to me Georgios where this addition 48 Drachmae has gone, because I see no record of it in either the-" He paused in his words as the two of them were clearly looking at one another and not moving on with words.
"Oh please, you cannot both consider this to be an issue of import, surely?"
With his barking laugh, Theo’s gaze turned sharply to her uncle as her face flamed. In embarrassment? No. In irritation. Her reluctance in speaking to her father stemmed from him being present. She’d never been terribly close with her uncle. He was a hard, calculating man. He had little sympathy and even less for his nieces, if he had any at all. And this situation required a great amount of sympathy. Theo was aware of what she was asking. She knew what was on the line.
Immediately her hand moved to push her off the chair to leave. It was clearly not the right time for this and she had no desire to speak to the two of them. But her father stayed her with a raise of his hand before looking back at Fotios. Theo grit her teeth. As a middle child and female, she’d grown quite accustomed to biting her tongue. She had a sharp mouth and a quick wit. It’d been an attractive quality to Emilios, but she suppressed it when with her parents, Aunt, and Uncle. Even, to an extent, with her sisters.
But Fotios wasn’t done. Undeterred by her fathers look, he continued on with his assertion. When he mentioned the apparent physical relationship, Theo couldn’t help but groan and look away. The man had absolutely no tact. No degree of restraint. Georgios shook his head; his own face growing red with annoyance to mirror his daughters. “That’s enough, Fotios..”
Georgios turned his attention to his second daughter; the closest thing he had to a son, though even she was a far cry from. When had she grown up? This freckle-faced urchin who was impossible to clothe until she was close to 7. Her collection of whittled war horses lined one of the shelves Fotios stood near. His face paled and he seemed to age several years then as he leaned back in the chair. Dropping the parchment on his desk, he squeezed the bridge of his nose and shook his head; clearly disappointed with her.. With this whole situation. Theo frowned and lowered her gaze. She wasn’t used to that look. Not when dealing with her. And that it was all witnessed by the head of the Leventi family. It was a rotten outcome.
“Theo.. Now is not the time to upset the Mikaelidas family. We have an alliance with them and now Stephanos is king.. Olympia his wife… We can’t afford to disrupt what’s already in place. You’ll marry Achilleas. The contracts have been signed and Irakles has already made arrangements.” Theo looked up at him; her eyes mirroring the disappointment his did. “But...Selene..” Georgios shook his head. “Your mother has further ambitions for your sister. ….And it’s not Selene who Achilleas requested as his bride.” Theo furrowed her brows. He’d requested her? ...But why?
Fotios took that moment to cut in and her attention turned back to him. Her features hardened as he crassly made the assumption her only concern was hiding her lack of purity from Achilleas. The thought hadn’t crossed her mind.
At least...it hadn’t until then.
Theo leaned back in her chair; clearly taken aback as Fotios launched into the finances again and Georgios stared at him as if he’d grown a second head. With his glance up at them and dismissal of their concern, Theo grit her teeth and stood up. She wasn’t going to stand there and be subjected to his special brand of cruelty. Georgios stood as well as Theo gave a short curtsy. “My apologies for interrupting you.”
It was all she could choke out. She’d come in with every intention of fighting for Emilios; for them and with Fotios there…. He’d reduced it to a childish crush. She stepped around the chair before her father called to her and she looked back at him hopefully. Georgios lifted the letter to hand it back to her; his features stern and settled as she pleaded with him silently. “...Let it go, Theodora. You are a Leventi.” Theo locked eyes with the man and her lower lip trembled but she didn’t say anything. Instead, she nodded and took the page from him; knowing exactly what he implied. It was what she believed up until she’d met Emilios. They were bigger than love.. Bigger than affairs of the heart. Their purpose was to further the Leventi name and as they had no claim to lands or Baronies, that had to be done through marriage. She’d had it drilled into her head since she was a pre-teen. She’d looked passed Emilios because of it; pushed him away for so long and denied her attraction for him due to it. ...But love was more important than legacy.. He’d shown her that.
Unfortunately, she was the only one here that believed it.
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With his barking laugh, Theo’s gaze turned sharply to her uncle as her face flamed. In embarrassment? No. In irritation. Her reluctance in speaking to her father stemmed from him being present. She’d never been terribly close with her uncle. He was a hard, calculating man. He had little sympathy and even less for his nieces, if he had any at all. And this situation required a great amount of sympathy. Theo was aware of what she was asking. She knew what was on the line.
Immediately her hand moved to push her off the chair to leave. It was clearly not the right time for this and she had no desire to speak to the two of them. But her father stayed her with a raise of his hand before looking back at Fotios. Theo grit her teeth. As a middle child and female, she’d grown quite accustomed to biting her tongue. She had a sharp mouth and a quick wit. It’d been an attractive quality to Emilios, but she suppressed it when with her parents, Aunt, and Uncle. Even, to an extent, with her sisters.
But Fotios wasn’t done. Undeterred by her fathers look, he continued on with his assertion. When he mentioned the apparent physical relationship, Theo couldn’t help but groan and look away. The man had absolutely no tact. No degree of restraint. Georgios shook his head; his own face growing red with annoyance to mirror his daughters. “That’s enough, Fotios..”
Georgios turned his attention to his second daughter; the closest thing he had to a son, though even she was a far cry from. When had she grown up? This freckle-faced urchin who was impossible to clothe until she was close to 7. Her collection of whittled war horses lined one of the shelves Fotios stood near. His face paled and he seemed to age several years then as he leaned back in the chair. Dropping the parchment on his desk, he squeezed the bridge of his nose and shook his head; clearly disappointed with her.. With this whole situation. Theo frowned and lowered her gaze. She wasn’t used to that look. Not when dealing with her. And that it was all witnessed by the head of the Leventi family. It was a rotten outcome.
“Theo.. Now is not the time to upset the Mikaelidas family. We have an alliance with them and now Stephanos is king.. Olympia his wife… We can’t afford to disrupt what’s already in place. You’ll marry Achilleas. The contracts have been signed and Irakles has already made arrangements.” Theo looked up at him; her eyes mirroring the disappointment his did. “But...Selene..” Georgios shook his head. “Your mother has further ambitions for your sister. ….And it’s not Selene who Achilleas requested as his bride.” Theo furrowed her brows. He’d requested her? ...But why?
Fotios took that moment to cut in and her attention turned back to him. Her features hardened as he crassly made the assumption her only concern was hiding her lack of purity from Achilleas. The thought hadn’t crossed her mind.
At least...it hadn’t until then.
Theo leaned back in her chair; clearly taken aback as Fotios launched into the finances again and Georgios stared at him as if he’d grown a second head. With his glance up at them and dismissal of their concern, Theo grit her teeth and stood up. She wasn’t going to stand there and be subjected to his special brand of cruelty. Georgios stood as well as Theo gave a short curtsy. “My apologies for interrupting you.”
It was all she could choke out. She’d come in with every intention of fighting for Emilios; for them and with Fotios there…. He’d reduced it to a childish crush. She stepped around the chair before her father called to her and she looked back at him hopefully. Georgios lifted the letter to hand it back to her; his features stern and settled as she pleaded with him silently. “...Let it go, Theodora. You are a Leventi.” Theo locked eyes with the man and her lower lip trembled but she didn’t say anything. Instead, she nodded and took the page from him; knowing exactly what he implied. It was what she believed up until she’d met Emilios. They were bigger than love.. Bigger than affairs of the heart. Their purpose was to further the Leventi name and as they had no claim to lands or Baronies, that had to be done through marriage. She’d had it drilled into her head since she was a pre-teen. She’d looked passed Emilios because of it; pushed him away for so long and denied her attraction for him due to it. ...But love was more important than legacy.. He’d shown her that.
Unfortunately, she was the only one here that believed it.
With his barking laugh, Theo’s gaze turned sharply to her uncle as her face flamed. In embarrassment? No. In irritation. Her reluctance in speaking to her father stemmed from him being present. She’d never been terribly close with her uncle. He was a hard, calculating man. He had little sympathy and even less for his nieces, if he had any at all. And this situation required a great amount of sympathy. Theo was aware of what she was asking. She knew what was on the line.
Immediately her hand moved to push her off the chair to leave. It was clearly not the right time for this and she had no desire to speak to the two of them. But her father stayed her with a raise of his hand before looking back at Fotios. Theo grit her teeth. As a middle child and female, she’d grown quite accustomed to biting her tongue. She had a sharp mouth and a quick wit. It’d been an attractive quality to Emilios, but she suppressed it when with her parents, Aunt, and Uncle. Even, to an extent, with her sisters.
But Fotios wasn’t done. Undeterred by her fathers look, he continued on with his assertion. When he mentioned the apparent physical relationship, Theo couldn’t help but groan and look away. The man had absolutely no tact. No degree of restraint. Georgios shook his head; his own face growing red with annoyance to mirror his daughters. “That’s enough, Fotios..”
Georgios turned his attention to his second daughter; the closest thing he had to a son, though even she was a far cry from. When had she grown up? This freckle-faced urchin who was impossible to clothe until she was close to 7. Her collection of whittled war horses lined one of the shelves Fotios stood near. His face paled and he seemed to age several years then as he leaned back in the chair. Dropping the parchment on his desk, he squeezed the bridge of his nose and shook his head; clearly disappointed with her.. With this whole situation. Theo frowned and lowered her gaze. She wasn’t used to that look. Not when dealing with her. And that it was all witnessed by the head of the Leventi family. It was a rotten outcome.
“Theo.. Now is not the time to upset the Mikaelidas family. We have an alliance with them and now Stephanos is king.. Olympia his wife… We can’t afford to disrupt what’s already in place. You’ll marry Achilleas. The contracts have been signed and Irakles has already made arrangements.” Theo looked up at him; her eyes mirroring the disappointment his did. “But...Selene..” Georgios shook his head. “Your mother has further ambitions for your sister. ….And it’s not Selene who Achilleas requested as his bride.” Theo furrowed her brows. He’d requested her? ...But why?
Fotios took that moment to cut in and her attention turned back to him. Her features hardened as he crassly made the assumption her only concern was hiding her lack of purity from Achilleas. The thought hadn’t crossed her mind.
At least...it hadn’t until then.
Theo leaned back in her chair; clearly taken aback as Fotios launched into the finances again and Georgios stared at him as if he’d grown a second head. With his glance up at them and dismissal of their concern, Theo grit her teeth and stood up. She wasn’t going to stand there and be subjected to his special brand of cruelty. Georgios stood as well as Theo gave a short curtsy. “My apologies for interrupting you.”
It was all she could choke out. She’d come in with every intention of fighting for Emilios; for them and with Fotios there…. He’d reduced it to a childish crush. She stepped around the chair before her father called to her and she looked back at him hopefully. Georgios lifted the letter to hand it back to her; his features stern and settled as she pleaded with him silently. “...Let it go, Theodora. You are a Leventi.” Theo locked eyes with the man and her lower lip trembled but she didn’t say anything. Instead, she nodded and took the page from him; knowing exactly what he implied. It was what she believed up until she’d met Emilios. They were bigger than love.. Bigger than affairs of the heart. Their purpose was to further the Leventi name and as they had no claim to lands or Baronies, that had to be done through marriage. She’d had it drilled into her head since she was a pre-teen. She’d looked passed Emilios because of it; pushed him away for so long and denied her attraction for him due to it. ...But love was more important than legacy.. He’d shown her that.
Unfortunately, she was the only one here that believed it.
Fotios felt fury bubble under the surface at the way his brother attempted to silence him on the matter but he allowed it nonetheless.
As soon as Georgios agreed with him and settled upon Theodora that the betrothal was unbreakable and that their relationship with the Mikaelidas family was too delicate and important to risk, Fotios simply nodded.
"Your father is correct, Theodora." He said in a tone of authority but also one of nonchalance as he was clearly beginning to lack interest in the topic. "Since your sister decided to make it seem like the Leventi House have trapped our newest king into marriage, it is important that we maintain this one with all the appropriate contracts and agreements in place. Your father is right. Leventis do not go back on their word."
As Theodora stood up, clearly hurt and upset at this turn of events, she seemed ready to leave the room, her exit clearly planned on being an undignified display of female emotion that Fotios held little value or interest in.
When she apologised for interrupting the men, Fotios waved away the words, pretending not to notice the grinding frustrating layered beneath her tone.
"It was no interruption." Fotios said in the same sickly calming manner he had assured her of there being ways to convince her husband of her virginity. "Though next time you might wait for a response to your knock prior to entering a room, Theodora. Then you can be assured of not walking in on a conversation."
And with that, Fotios turned back to Georgios, his hip against the desk and his back to his niece as she left the room. His brother looked at him sharply and Fotios feigned innocence.
"What?" He insisted, his hands out. "Oh come now, Georgios. You remember what it was like when your marriage was arranged. You went back and forth on your convicting more times than the sun rose. Weddings are insipid things that play with our emotions. She'll be fine."
And with that he turned their attention back to the ledger he held, frustrated that he was sure he only had half of Georgios' attention for the rest of the meeting.
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Fotios felt fury bubble under the surface at the way his brother attempted to silence him on the matter but he allowed it nonetheless.
As soon as Georgios agreed with him and settled upon Theodora that the betrothal was unbreakable and that their relationship with the Mikaelidas family was too delicate and important to risk, Fotios simply nodded.
"Your father is correct, Theodora." He said in a tone of authority but also one of nonchalance as he was clearly beginning to lack interest in the topic. "Since your sister decided to make it seem like the Leventi House have trapped our newest king into marriage, it is important that we maintain this one with all the appropriate contracts and agreements in place. Your father is right. Leventis do not go back on their word."
As Theodora stood up, clearly hurt and upset at this turn of events, she seemed ready to leave the room, her exit clearly planned on being an undignified display of female emotion that Fotios held little value or interest in.
When she apologised for interrupting the men, Fotios waved away the words, pretending not to notice the grinding frustrating layered beneath her tone.
"It was no interruption." Fotios said in the same sickly calming manner he had assured her of there being ways to convince her husband of her virginity. "Though next time you might wait for a response to your knock prior to entering a room, Theodora. Then you can be assured of not walking in on a conversation."
And with that, Fotios turned back to Georgios, his hip against the desk and his back to his niece as she left the room. His brother looked at him sharply and Fotios feigned innocence.
"What?" He insisted, his hands out. "Oh come now, Georgios. You remember what it was like when your marriage was arranged. You went back and forth on your convicting more times than the sun rose. Weddings are insipid things that play with our emotions. She'll be fine."
And with that he turned their attention back to the ledger he held, frustrated that he was sure he only had half of Georgios' attention for the rest of the meeting.
Fotios felt fury bubble under the surface at the way his brother attempted to silence him on the matter but he allowed it nonetheless.
As soon as Georgios agreed with him and settled upon Theodora that the betrothal was unbreakable and that their relationship with the Mikaelidas family was too delicate and important to risk, Fotios simply nodded.
"Your father is correct, Theodora." He said in a tone of authority but also one of nonchalance as he was clearly beginning to lack interest in the topic. "Since your sister decided to make it seem like the Leventi House have trapped our newest king into marriage, it is important that we maintain this one with all the appropriate contracts and agreements in place. Your father is right. Leventis do not go back on their word."
As Theodora stood up, clearly hurt and upset at this turn of events, she seemed ready to leave the room, her exit clearly planned on being an undignified display of female emotion that Fotios held little value or interest in.
When she apologised for interrupting the men, Fotios waved away the words, pretending not to notice the grinding frustrating layered beneath her tone.
"It was no interruption." Fotios said in the same sickly calming manner he had assured her of there being ways to convince her husband of her virginity. "Though next time you might wait for a response to your knock prior to entering a room, Theodora. Then you can be assured of not walking in on a conversation."
And with that, Fotios turned back to Georgios, his hip against the desk and his back to his niece as she left the room. His brother looked at him sharply and Fotios feigned innocence.
"What?" He insisted, his hands out. "Oh come now, Georgios. You remember what it was like when your marriage was arranged. You went back and forth on your convicting more times than the sun rose. Weddings are insipid things that play with our emotions. She'll be fine."
And with that he turned their attention back to the ledger he held, frustrated that he was sure he only had half of Georgios' attention for the rest of the meeting.
