His cream and silver spirited gelding shifted under him, nervous at the people milling around him as Irakles slowly rode him through the crowds of the Vasiliadon market. Aeneaus was a retired war horse, previously a stallion. Upon Irakles's retirement from being a general once he assumed the position of Head of House, he had also subsequently gelded Aeneus to make him easier to handle within the family stables. While it made him less prone to being skittish and dangerous to mankind, Aeneus was still a spirited one who did not respond when he was in a bad mood, unless it was his master's voice and touch.

As such, the decorated general of Taengea kept a firm hold of his steed's reins as he slowly directed Aeneus through the streets of the markets. As the people move on, he was intent on inspecting the area himself. Of course, this would put him in better light after all, and there was nothing Irakles did that was not carefully thought out in order to further his cause. He smiled as people greeted him, thanking him for the medical aid tent he had set up on the Mikaelidas' household courtyard upon the disaster that had struck. The people were grateful and thankful to the kindness of Prince Irakles.

Exactly what he wanted.

His temper had boiled upon hearing his nephew's marriage to that Leventi girl. Stephanos had, as usual, tossed all of his plans out of the window and into the fire. As he always did, with his wonton actions and never planned ideas. He was always a screw up, now more so then ever, and at the mere thought of his nephew, Irakles's blood boiled. Only when Aeneus snorted and yanked at the reins, did he realize he had pulled too hard. Murmuring soft words to calm his spirited gelding, the male urged him further on, his frown marring his forehead at the view of the hanged Creed swaying. Wondering how long his idiot nephew planned to keep them there (did he not know that getting the city back in a peaceful state was key? Not showing and hanging fear above them all?!), Irakles fought to keep the calm smile on his face as his vigilant eyes watched the bustling market area.

Fotios had told him to wait. Meena was already at work, and Irakles was happy to hear the whispers of doubt against Stephanos's character beginning to start - the list of Stephanos's lovers which Meena had exposed to court making its rounds like a ring of fire and slandering the new King's name even more. Irakles himself, was planning on meeting a few senator's of the Taengean court for lunch at their residence later in the day.

Everything was going according to plan. He just needed time. Patience.

Keeping a firm grip on his gelding's reins, Irakles deftly manovered his spirited retired warhorse through the streets and markets of people as his mind wandered to the plans he had. He had instructed his people to send a gift of an unbroken, fine-blooded mare to the Condos family, along with a missive inviting the family over for lunch. The pretext was that he intended to catch up with all the family of his and his brothers, especially after the disastrous showcase at the circus. Lord Nikolias had responded with agreement, and Irakles was due to return to his residence after his inspection today in Vasiliadon to prepare for the meal.

Having instructed Meena to be ready and to ensure both Tasia and Sara were ready as well, the house had been preparing for the simple family meal - a meal that Irakles intended to use for further plans.

As such, today's inspection was more cursory then it was usually. When a pair of familiar blue eyes landed on his though, a swirl of mild impatience was kicked up when he recognized his niece. Xene was... an odd anomaly. Unlike her eldest brother and dead father, the young princess had more ambition then Stephanos had previously shown. It was too bad she was female, for if not, Irakles would have thought she would make a fantastic heir, perhaps even someone he would've stood behind - not that it mattered now. Xene was a woman, and would never stand a chance at the throne.

"Uncle Irakles, Xene." the baritone was a warning - he would stand for no defiance, not even from his own sons. He definitely would not stand for it from his niece. He was her superior in everyway, from being a prince to being her elder relative, and that meant she was to address him appropriately. Reining Aeneus in to a stop, Irakles did not bother dismounting and instead spoke to Xene from where he sat in the saddle. "Yes, indeed I have. Tis all well and taken care of." his eyes flickered up, and the hardened glint in them solidified when he only spotted a slave. "Where are your guards, Xene? We've been through this. Do not wander without them." the crack in his voice was admonishing, his military precision shining through. Aeneus stomped on the floor, and Irakles tightened his grip on his restless steed. "I'm afraid my company will be short-lived - I have to return to my residences for an appointment." he paused, and then asked. "And how has your brother been faring?"

It wasn't as if Irakles didn't know. He visited the palace daily to assist in the duties of running a kingdom, tasks that his nephew simply had not caught up with yet. Just the other day he had walked in on Stephanos and his study as in absolute chaos, with ten or more items on a todo list that was just getting longer and not getting culled. But the gneral was just curious on what story he was cooking up to tell everyone else - that he's got it handled? Irakles doubted he has got anything handled, really.