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The funeral was hours gone and Stephanos stumbled down the palace steps into the courtyard. One fist clutched an almost empty skein of wine. The other held a box containing Zacharias’s letters. They were all from their father; written instructions on how to deal with certain political situations. Most were criticisms of Zacharias himself on how he did or did not conduct himself while in the throne room. Even though the contents of the letters were unpleasant, Stephanos had been reading them all afternoon, imagining with longing the heated arguments his father and brother must have gotten into over these words.
From where he’d been, drinking on his balcony, he could see Xene moving through the courtyard toward the gardens. Her hair shimmered under the stars, almost white in the dark. Without waiting to see exactly where she was going, he’d immediately left his room, intent on finding his sibling.
The walk through the palace was long and by the time he made it to the flagstones of the courtyard, she’d disappeared into the green gardens beyond. He took another swig of wine and wandered after her. Potted trees stood sentry, guarding the entrance to the gardens. The scent of lemons and oranges hung in the air, familiar, normal.
At last he spotted her beside a fountain. A statue of Apollo looked down at her. Stephanos ambled toward her, his path weaving a little. Without a word he sank down beside her and tossed the box of letters into her lap. He drank again.
“Take a look at that,” he said, gesturing to the box. “Father’s criticisms. It’s a waste now.” A hard lump formed in his throat. Words refused to form on his tongue. It physically hurt to think of Zacharias, sitting there stoically, listening to their father instruct him on exactly what to do, what to say, how to say it, when to say it, how to look and act - all of it designed to make him the king he would never be.
And to himself? His father would simply give him a nod or sometimes squeeze his shoulder when he’d done something really stupid and say nothing at all about it. No one had curbed his own behavior and until today, he’d never given a single thought to needed to try. He had his military campaigns but those were few and far between; nothing to make him the general his uncle was.
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The funeral was hours gone and Stephanos stumbled down the palace steps into the courtyard. One fist clutched an almost empty skein of wine. The other held a box containing Zacharias’s letters. They were all from their father; written instructions on how to deal with certain political situations. Most were criticisms of Zacharias himself on how he did or did not conduct himself while in the throne room. Even though the contents of the letters were unpleasant, Stephanos had been reading them all afternoon, imagining with longing the heated arguments his father and brother must have gotten into over these words.
From where he’d been, drinking on his balcony, he could see Xene moving through the courtyard toward the gardens. Her hair shimmered under the stars, almost white in the dark. Without waiting to see exactly where she was going, he’d immediately left his room, intent on finding his sibling.
The walk through the palace was long and by the time he made it to the flagstones of the courtyard, she’d disappeared into the green gardens beyond. He took another swig of wine and wandered after her. Potted trees stood sentry, guarding the entrance to the gardens. The scent of lemons and oranges hung in the air, familiar, normal.
At last he spotted her beside a fountain. A statue of Apollo looked down at her. Stephanos ambled toward her, his path weaving a little. Without a word he sank down beside her and tossed the box of letters into her lap. He drank again.
“Take a look at that,” he said, gesturing to the box. “Father’s criticisms. It’s a waste now.” A hard lump formed in his throat. Words refused to form on his tongue. It physically hurt to think of Zacharias, sitting there stoically, listening to their father instruct him on exactly what to do, what to say, how to say it, when to say it, how to look and act - all of it designed to make him the king he would never be.
And to himself? His father would simply give him a nod or sometimes squeeze his shoulder when he’d done something really stupid and say nothing at all about it. No one had curbed his own behavior and until today, he’d never given a single thought to needed to try. He had his military campaigns but those were few and far between; nothing to make him the general his uncle was.
The funeral was hours gone and Stephanos stumbled down the palace steps into the courtyard. One fist clutched an almost empty skein of wine. The other held a box containing Zacharias’s letters. They were all from their father; written instructions on how to deal with certain political situations. Most were criticisms of Zacharias himself on how he did or did not conduct himself while in the throne room. Even though the contents of the letters were unpleasant, Stephanos had been reading them all afternoon, imagining with longing the heated arguments his father and brother must have gotten into over these words.
From where he’d been, drinking on his balcony, he could see Xene moving through the courtyard toward the gardens. Her hair shimmered under the stars, almost white in the dark. Without waiting to see exactly where she was going, he’d immediately left his room, intent on finding his sibling.
The walk through the palace was long and by the time he made it to the flagstones of the courtyard, she’d disappeared into the green gardens beyond. He took another swig of wine and wandered after her. Potted trees stood sentry, guarding the entrance to the gardens. The scent of lemons and oranges hung in the air, familiar, normal.
At last he spotted her beside a fountain. A statue of Apollo looked down at her. Stephanos ambled toward her, his path weaving a little. Without a word he sank down beside her and tossed the box of letters into her lap. He drank again.
“Take a look at that,” he said, gesturing to the box. “Father’s criticisms. It’s a waste now.” A hard lump formed in his throat. Words refused to form on his tongue. It physically hurt to think of Zacharias, sitting there stoically, listening to their father instruct him on exactly what to do, what to say, how to say it, when to say it, how to look and act - all of it designed to make him the king he would never be.
And to himself? His father would simply give him a nod or sometimes squeeze his shoulder when he’d done something really stupid and say nothing at all about it. No one had curbed his own behavior and until today, he’d never given a single thought to needed to try. He had his military campaigns but those were few and far between; nothing to make him the general his uncle was.
Xene had found it far too difficult to breathe in the solitude of her room. Even Agathe's gentle purring didn't act as its usual balm to her heart. There had already been too many tears shed, too many of her things broken in her rage. She hadn't been there to witness her father's or her brother's death. Apparently, no one had. But the mere knowledge that they had been taken right out from under her nose? Under her ever watchful eye? It had infuriated her. Gutted her to her core. Made her ache in her very bones.
And now that their father was buried, she simply felt empty. On edge.
The walls of the palace constantly felt like they were closing in on her.
It needed to stop.
Rushing out of her room as if she couldn't find the air to sit there any longer, Xene made her way out of the palace and into the gardens, swallowing sharply. Her shoulders slumped the further and further she found herself from the palace, the perfect mask broken. Shattered by the grief that had yet to be released.
Had she not screamed enough? Had she not cursed the very skies, the oceans, the land she walked on?
Agathe followed closely behind, mewing soft little sounds as if to point out that she was still there. Xene found herself settling silently at the fountain, the orange tabby jumping up beside her and pressing into her thigh with a purr. The princess had hardly a moment to think before her brother, apparently drunk, dropped a box of missives between their father and brother into her lap. Freezing, Xene swallowed hard as she stared at the box.
Delicate fingers pulled a few of the letters from the box, trying not to think too hard about the elegant lettering of their father's handwriting. Xene only reached up and snatched the skein of wine from her brother, taking a long hard swig as she let her blue eyes scan the words in the first letter. Harsh, but necessary. Necessary because Zacharias was always going to be in the public eye. Every step he took would have been documented by friend and foe alike. Anything said or done would reach the borders of other kingdoms and even across the endless waves of oceans.
There had been much pressure to make Zach as untouchable as possible.
Folding the first letter back up, Xene set the box aside, unsure if she would be able to stomach to read another one. Instead, she drank until she emptied her brothers skein of its wine and then pushed it back into his chest as she rose to her feet. "You could learn something from those, Stephanos," Xene pointed out, looking her brother straight in the eye. "You could learn from what father wrote to Zach. You are to be king now. You haven't had the proper training and you will become a target. Be bitter, but learn," she challenged sharply, turning her head to gaze at the fountain.
She found herself swallowing sharply, chewing on her bottom lip. It was hard not to find herself breaking in front of her brother. Xene told Stephanos everything, and Xene liked to think that the man did the same with her. "It bothers me that he died while I was right here," Xene said softly, brow furrowed as she stared into the water.
"And it terrifies me that it could have been me, too."
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Xene had found it far too difficult to breathe in the solitude of her room. Even Agathe's gentle purring didn't act as its usual balm to her heart. There had already been too many tears shed, too many of her things broken in her rage. She hadn't been there to witness her father's or her brother's death. Apparently, no one had. But the mere knowledge that they had been taken right out from under her nose? Under her ever watchful eye? It had infuriated her. Gutted her to her core. Made her ache in her very bones.
And now that their father was buried, she simply felt empty. On edge.
The walls of the palace constantly felt like they were closing in on her.
It needed to stop.
Rushing out of her room as if she couldn't find the air to sit there any longer, Xene made her way out of the palace and into the gardens, swallowing sharply. Her shoulders slumped the further and further she found herself from the palace, the perfect mask broken. Shattered by the grief that had yet to be released.
Had she not screamed enough? Had she not cursed the very skies, the oceans, the land she walked on?
Agathe followed closely behind, mewing soft little sounds as if to point out that she was still there. Xene found herself settling silently at the fountain, the orange tabby jumping up beside her and pressing into her thigh with a purr. The princess had hardly a moment to think before her brother, apparently drunk, dropped a box of missives between their father and brother into her lap. Freezing, Xene swallowed hard as she stared at the box.
Delicate fingers pulled a few of the letters from the box, trying not to think too hard about the elegant lettering of their father's handwriting. Xene only reached up and snatched the skein of wine from her brother, taking a long hard swig as she let her blue eyes scan the words in the first letter. Harsh, but necessary. Necessary because Zacharias was always going to be in the public eye. Every step he took would have been documented by friend and foe alike. Anything said or done would reach the borders of other kingdoms and even across the endless waves of oceans.
There had been much pressure to make Zach as untouchable as possible.
Folding the first letter back up, Xene set the box aside, unsure if she would be able to stomach to read another one. Instead, she drank until she emptied her brothers skein of its wine and then pushed it back into his chest as she rose to her feet. "You could learn something from those, Stephanos," Xene pointed out, looking her brother straight in the eye. "You could learn from what father wrote to Zach. You are to be king now. You haven't had the proper training and you will become a target. Be bitter, but learn," she challenged sharply, turning her head to gaze at the fountain.
She found herself swallowing sharply, chewing on her bottom lip. It was hard not to find herself breaking in front of her brother. Xene told Stephanos everything, and Xene liked to think that the man did the same with her. "It bothers me that he died while I was right here," Xene said softly, brow furrowed as she stared into the water.
"And it terrifies me that it could have been me, too."
Xene had found it far too difficult to breathe in the solitude of her room. Even Agathe's gentle purring didn't act as its usual balm to her heart. There had already been too many tears shed, too many of her things broken in her rage. She hadn't been there to witness her father's or her brother's death. Apparently, no one had. But the mere knowledge that they had been taken right out from under her nose? Under her ever watchful eye? It had infuriated her. Gutted her to her core. Made her ache in her very bones.
And now that their father was buried, she simply felt empty. On edge.
The walls of the palace constantly felt like they were closing in on her.
It needed to stop.
Rushing out of her room as if she couldn't find the air to sit there any longer, Xene made her way out of the palace and into the gardens, swallowing sharply. Her shoulders slumped the further and further she found herself from the palace, the perfect mask broken. Shattered by the grief that had yet to be released.
Had she not screamed enough? Had she not cursed the very skies, the oceans, the land she walked on?
Agathe followed closely behind, mewing soft little sounds as if to point out that she was still there. Xene found herself settling silently at the fountain, the orange tabby jumping up beside her and pressing into her thigh with a purr. The princess had hardly a moment to think before her brother, apparently drunk, dropped a box of missives between their father and brother into her lap. Freezing, Xene swallowed hard as she stared at the box.
Delicate fingers pulled a few of the letters from the box, trying not to think too hard about the elegant lettering of their father's handwriting. Xene only reached up and snatched the skein of wine from her brother, taking a long hard swig as she let her blue eyes scan the words in the first letter. Harsh, but necessary. Necessary because Zacharias was always going to be in the public eye. Every step he took would have been documented by friend and foe alike. Anything said or done would reach the borders of other kingdoms and even across the endless waves of oceans.
There had been much pressure to make Zach as untouchable as possible.
Folding the first letter back up, Xene set the box aside, unsure if she would be able to stomach to read another one. Instead, she drank until she emptied her brothers skein of its wine and then pushed it back into his chest as she rose to her feet. "You could learn something from those, Stephanos," Xene pointed out, looking her brother straight in the eye. "You could learn from what father wrote to Zach. You are to be king now. You haven't had the proper training and you will become a target. Be bitter, but learn," she challenged sharply, turning her head to gaze at the fountain.
She found herself swallowing sharply, chewing on her bottom lip. It was hard not to find herself breaking in front of her brother. Xene told Stephanos everything, and Xene liked to think that the man did the same with her. "It bothers me that he died while I was right here," Xene said softly, brow furrowed as she stared into the water.
"And it terrifies me that it could have been me, too."
"You could learn something from those, Stephanos. You could learn from what father wrote to Zach. You are to be king now. You haven't had the proper training and you will become a target. Be bitter, but learn."
He squeezed the empty wine skein she’d slung against his chest, watching her. If he was honest, he hadn’t pursued her on a whim. He’d wanted to get yelled at. It was what she did; boss him, cajole him into action. This was familiar and normal, though the topic wasn’t. Her cat padded across to him, standing up on its hind legs with one paw on his shoulder and the other batting at his face. A shameless plea for attention.
“What do you think I’ve been doing?” he asked irritably. “I’ve been reading these ever since we got back.” Truthfully he’d read only a few before he’d wanted a cup of wine. The cup turned into two, and before he knew it, he was holding the skein. She turned her golden head, eyes on the still water behind them.
He had to lean closer to her to make out what she was saying, how she couldn’t believe that their father had been taken and killed right from here, probably not far from where they now sat. The same lump formed in his throat again. “I uh,” he coughed and looked down at his hands. “There was nothing we could have done.” The words were out. Pointless platitudes.
“Maybe if I’d gotten up to meet Zach earlier? Like I should have?” He swiped the back of his hand across his eyes. His breath came out in shaky little streams as he fought for control. “I was so hungover.” A bitter laugh slipped out. “I’m always hungover.” With a shrug, “I’ll be hungover tomorrow.”
While he’d slept the morning away, his brother had probably gotten up early, as usual, and dressed to make his way down to the circus. Had he reached it? The chariot had been ready for him at the race but no one had seen him. Or was he attacked on his way? How had no one seen? Were he and their father together at the time?
Stephanos would have liked to believe that both men had fought bravely but he knew better. They were probably caught unawares and taken down easily. The only reason he was still alive was because he had been late, and the creed member hadn’t been able to finish him in the circus. Obviously the Creed hadn’t counted on Prince Vangelis being there. Or, more to the point, perhaps Irakles hadn’t considered it.
Instead of going down that dark road, he glanced over at Xene. “I need to tell you something. Do you remember Lady Olympia? Of the Leventi family?” Maybe she would, maybe she wouldn’t. It wasn’t as if his relationship with the woman was common knowledge but he hadn’t made it a huge secret either. He and Olympia had been sleeping together for months but to him, it was a fling. A passing fancy that he was by no means faithful to.
“She’s pregnant.”
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"You could learn something from those, Stephanos. You could learn from what father wrote to Zach. You are to be king now. You haven't had the proper training and you will become a target. Be bitter, but learn."
He squeezed the empty wine skein she’d slung against his chest, watching her. If he was honest, he hadn’t pursued her on a whim. He’d wanted to get yelled at. It was what she did; boss him, cajole him into action. This was familiar and normal, though the topic wasn’t. Her cat padded across to him, standing up on its hind legs with one paw on his shoulder and the other batting at his face. A shameless plea for attention.
“What do you think I’ve been doing?” he asked irritably. “I’ve been reading these ever since we got back.” Truthfully he’d read only a few before he’d wanted a cup of wine. The cup turned into two, and before he knew it, he was holding the skein. She turned her golden head, eyes on the still water behind them.
He had to lean closer to her to make out what she was saying, how she couldn’t believe that their father had been taken and killed right from here, probably not far from where they now sat. The same lump formed in his throat again. “I uh,” he coughed and looked down at his hands. “There was nothing we could have done.” The words were out. Pointless platitudes.
“Maybe if I’d gotten up to meet Zach earlier? Like I should have?” He swiped the back of his hand across his eyes. His breath came out in shaky little streams as he fought for control. “I was so hungover.” A bitter laugh slipped out. “I’m always hungover.” With a shrug, “I’ll be hungover tomorrow.”
While he’d slept the morning away, his brother had probably gotten up early, as usual, and dressed to make his way down to the circus. Had he reached it? The chariot had been ready for him at the race but no one had seen him. Or was he attacked on his way? How had no one seen? Were he and their father together at the time?
Stephanos would have liked to believe that both men had fought bravely but he knew better. They were probably caught unawares and taken down easily. The only reason he was still alive was because he had been late, and the creed member hadn’t been able to finish him in the circus. Obviously the Creed hadn’t counted on Prince Vangelis being there. Or, more to the point, perhaps Irakles hadn’t considered it.
Instead of going down that dark road, he glanced over at Xene. “I need to tell you something. Do you remember Lady Olympia? Of the Leventi family?” Maybe she would, maybe she wouldn’t. It wasn’t as if his relationship with the woman was common knowledge but he hadn’t made it a huge secret either. He and Olympia had been sleeping together for months but to him, it was a fling. A passing fancy that he was by no means faithful to.
“She’s pregnant.”
"You could learn something from those, Stephanos. You could learn from what father wrote to Zach. You are to be king now. You haven't had the proper training and you will become a target. Be bitter, but learn."
He squeezed the empty wine skein she’d slung against his chest, watching her. If he was honest, he hadn’t pursued her on a whim. He’d wanted to get yelled at. It was what she did; boss him, cajole him into action. This was familiar and normal, though the topic wasn’t. Her cat padded across to him, standing up on its hind legs with one paw on his shoulder and the other batting at his face. A shameless plea for attention.
“What do you think I’ve been doing?” he asked irritably. “I’ve been reading these ever since we got back.” Truthfully he’d read only a few before he’d wanted a cup of wine. The cup turned into two, and before he knew it, he was holding the skein. She turned her golden head, eyes on the still water behind them.
He had to lean closer to her to make out what she was saying, how she couldn’t believe that their father had been taken and killed right from here, probably not far from where they now sat. The same lump formed in his throat again. “I uh,” he coughed and looked down at his hands. “There was nothing we could have done.” The words were out. Pointless platitudes.
“Maybe if I’d gotten up to meet Zach earlier? Like I should have?” He swiped the back of his hand across his eyes. His breath came out in shaky little streams as he fought for control. “I was so hungover.” A bitter laugh slipped out. “I’m always hungover.” With a shrug, “I’ll be hungover tomorrow.”
While he’d slept the morning away, his brother had probably gotten up early, as usual, and dressed to make his way down to the circus. Had he reached it? The chariot had been ready for him at the race but no one had seen him. Or was he attacked on his way? How had no one seen? Were he and their father together at the time?
Stephanos would have liked to believe that both men had fought bravely but he knew better. They were probably caught unawares and taken down easily. The only reason he was still alive was because he had been late, and the creed member hadn’t been able to finish him in the circus. Obviously the Creed hadn’t counted on Prince Vangelis being there. Or, more to the point, perhaps Irakles hadn’t considered it.
Instead of going down that dark road, he glanced over at Xene. “I need to tell you something. Do you remember Lady Olympia? Of the Leventi family?” Maybe she would, maybe she wouldn’t. It wasn’t as if his relationship with the woman was common knowledge but he hadn’t made it a huge secret either. He and Olympia had been sleeping together for months but to him, it was a fling. A passing fancy that he was by no means faithful to.
“She’s pregnant.”
Xene didn't believe that. She would never believe that there was nothing that could have been done to save their family members. Xene blamed herself for never hearing a sound the way that a hunter would blame themselves for losing prey in the middle of the winter. There was always something that could have been different. There was always going to be something that should have been done differently. Stephanos should have gotten out of bed early as their father had always chided him for. Xene shouldn't have deigned to keep to her rooms, not wanting to attend the games but instead work on her performance.
Something could have been done.
Xene would always believe that. Never would she speak it out loud, however.
But there was still that moment of uncertainty. Could she have ended up dead like her father and brother if she had stepped in? Would Stephanos ended up dead, leaving no heir but their Uncle? Frowning, she dropped her gaze back to the water for a brief moment, pleading with herself to keep her composure. She found herself reaching for Stephanos' hand once she noted that he was struggling just as she was.
"Maybe its time you take a step back from the wine," Xene said softly, brow furrowing in concern. Wine was a part of their daily lives. If he was drinking enough of it to constantly be hungover the next day, surely it was too much? "For the sake of your Kingdom. For your family. Maybe wine shouldn't be the only thing you lean on anymore. You have me, Stephanos. I am not going anywhere. Not if I have a choice. Not if you decide to marry me off to the highest bidder. I am your sister. And I shall remain."
It was only when he brought up the Lady Olympia that Xene pulled her hand away. News like this was always unexpected. Or, in Stephanos' case, very much expected.
And the announcement of the lady's pregnancy. Xene felt a flash of anger and frustration. Anger that this was happening now. Frustrated that her brother couldn't keep his manhood in his pants for long enough to find a proper wife to marry. Too many bastards had already been born of Stephanos. Another one. One of royalty?
Xene was going to kill him. She was going to drown him in the fountain and go to her death with no regrets whatsoever. For a moment, she glanced around for something to beat him with. Anything. Then she noted the skein of wine that was still in his hands. Gritting her teeth, she reached forward, ripping it from his grasp and in the very same movement...
She struck him with it. Multiple times.
"Are you absolutely deranged, Stephanos? Why now?" she hissed at him, bringing her hand back again as if she were rearing up to hit him again. Her grip on the skein was tight. If she wouldn't be hung for murder, she might have pulled the dagger that was carefully hidden under her chiton. Instead, Xene hissed at her brother once more. "Have you never had anything better to do than bed women you don't belong touching?" she snapped at him. "Another child? Another child? Another illegitimate child?"
There was a pause.
"I hope that you have a plan to make this right, Stephanos. You are a King. You cannot afford this gossip and rumor right now. So what are you going to do about it?"
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Xene didn't believe that. She would never believe that there was nothing that could have been done to save their family members. Xene blamed herself for never hearing a sound the way that a hunter would blame themselves for losing prey in the middle of the winter. There was always something that could have been different. There was always going to be something that should have been done differently. Stephanos should have gotten out of bed early as their father had always chided him for. Xene shouldn't have deigned to keep to her rooms, not wanting to attend the games but instead work on her performance.
Something could have been done.
Xene would always believe that. Never would she speak it out loud, however.
But there was still that moment of uncertainty. Could she have ended up dead like her father and brother if she had stepped in? Would Stephanos ended up dead, leaving no heir but their Uncle? Frowning, she dropped her gaze back to the water for a brief moment, pleading with herself to keep her composure. She found herself reaching for Stephanos' hand once she noted that he was struggling just as she was.
"Maybe its time you take a step back from the wine," Xene said softly, brow furrowing in concern. Wine was a part of their daily lives. If he was drinking enough of it to constantly be hungover the next day, surely it was too much? "For the sake of your Kingdom. For your family. Maybe wine shouldn't be the only thing you lean on anymore. You have me, Stephanos. I am not going anywhere. Not if I have a choice. Not if you decide to marry me off to the highest bidder. I am your sister. And I shall remain."
It was only when he brought up the Lady Olympia that Xene pulled her hand away. News like this was always unexpected. Or, in Stephanos' case, very much expected.
And the announcement of the lady's pregnancy. Xene felt a flash of anger and frustration. Anger that this was happening now. Frustrated that her brother couldn't keep his manhood in his pants for long enough to find a proper wife to marry. Too many bastards had already been born of Stephanos. Another one. One of royalty?
Xene was going to kill him. She was going to drown him in the fountain and go to her death with no regrets whatsoever. For a moment, she glanced around for something to beat him with. Anything. Then she noted the skein of wine that was still in his hands. Gritting her teeth, she reached forward, ripping it from his grasp and in the very same movement...
She struck him with it. Multiple times.
"Are you absolutely deranged, Stephanos? Why now?" she hissed at him, bringing her hand back again as if she were rearing up to hit him again. Her grip on the skein was tight. If she wouldn't be hung for murder, she might have pulled the dagger that was carefully hidden under her chiton. Instead, Xene hissed at her brother once more. "Have you never had anything better to do than bed women you don't belong touching?" she snapped at him. "Another child? Another child? Another illegitimate child?"
There was a pause.
"I hope that you have a plan to make this right, Stephanos. You are a King. You cannot afford this gossip and rumor right now. So what are you going to do about it?"
Xene didn't believe that. She would never believe that there was nothing that could have been done to save their family members. Xene blamed herself for never hearing a sound the way that a hunter would blame themselves for losing prey in the middle of the winter. There was always something that could have been different. There was always going to be something that should have been done differently. Stephanos should have gotten out of bed early as their father had always chided him for. Xene shouldn't have deigned to keep to her rooms, not wanting to attend the games but instead work on her performance.
Something could have been done.
Xene would always believe that. Never would she speak it out loud, however.
But there was still that moment of uncertainty. Could she have ended up dead like her father and brother if she had stepped in? Would Stephanos ended up dead, leaving no heir but their Uncle? Frowning, she dropped her gaze back to the water for a brief moment, pleading with herself to keep her composure. She found herself reaching for Stephanos' hand once she noted that he was struggling just as she was.
"Maybe its time you take a step back from the wine," Xene said softly, brow furrowing in concern. Wine was a part of their daily lives. If he was drinking enough of it to constantly be hungover the next day, surely it was too much? "For the sake of your Kingdom. For your family. Maybe wine shouldn't be the only thing you lean on anymore. You have me, Stephanos. I am not going anywhere. Not if I have a choice. Not if you decide to marry me off to the highest bidder. I am your sister. And I shall remain."
It was only when he brought up the Lady Olympia that Xene pulled her hand away. News like this was always unexpected. Or, in Stephanos' case, very much expected.
And the announcement of the lady's pregnancy. Xene felt a flash of anger and frustration. Anger that this was happening now. Frustrated that her brother couldn't keep his manhood in his pants for long enough to find a proper wife to marry. Too many bastards had already been born of Stephanos. Another one. One of royalty?
Xene was going to kill him. She was going to drown him in the fountain and go to her death with no regrets whatsoever. For a moment, she glanced around for something to beat him with. Anything. Then she noted the skein of wine that was still in his hands. Gritting her teeth, she reached forward, ripping it from his grasp and in the very same movement...
She struck him with it. Multiple times.
"Are you absolutely deranged, Stephanos? Why now?" she hissed at him, bringing her hand back again as if she were rearing up to hit him again. Her grip on the skein was tight. If she wouldn't be hung for murder, she might have pulled the dagger that was carefully hidden under her chiton. Instead, Xene hissed at her brother once more. "Have you never had anything better to do than bed women you don't belong touching?" she snapped at him. "Another child? Another child? Another illegitimate child?"
There was a pause.
"I hope that you have a plan to make this right, Stephanos. You are a King. You cannot afford this gossip and rumor right now. So what are you going to do about it?"
If he’d been sober, the contortion of her features would have been warning enough. He watched her with a dull expression as she cast about, looking for something. The night was pleasantly warm with a soft breeze fluttering every now and again. His sluggish thoughts settled on the idea that, at last, he’d found a modicum of peace.
All at once, soggy leather smacked against his shoulder. Droplets of wine splattered his face and hair. He raised his elbow only to be struck again. Wine ran down his arm. Another smack and he leaned away, finally finding the ability to move.
Xene demanded to know if he was deranged, and, why now?
Stephanos stumbled up from the fountain. Xene reared back to hit him again but he was on his feet now, ready to catch her wrist if she tried.
"Have you never had anything better to do than bed women you don't belong touching?"
He laughed as she chided him. “They aren’t forced,” he reminded her. “And the bastards are taken care of. Several are growing up to be barons.” This was true. Usually the girls, once found to be with child, were married off quickly and the blonde, blue eyed children of Prince Stephanos were raised by someone else. Someone else who pretended not to see and knew better than to want retribution or take it out on the child or the wife.
“I already have made it right,” he glared at her as she demanded he rectify the situation. “You’ll call Lady Olympia sister, soon. I don’t need another bastard. I need an heir.” It was the same thing he’d told Pia the very same night that they got back from the circus when his father and brother were killed. An odd night to propose but he’d been thinking on his feet, needing to shore up loose ends.
Holding out his arms, he looked up at the sky, as though appealing to Zeus and said, “I am all that’s left. Our father’s line dies with me if I’m killed before the marriage takes place.” For a long moment, he stared upward, almost wanting the head of olympus to strike him down. When that did not happen, he lowered his arms and looked at Xene. Stepping over to her, he ripped the wineskin from her hand and swatted her with it.
“How does that feel, Miss Perfect?” he wacked her with it again. Wine spewed over them both. “How do you like it? Not always right, are you?”
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If he’d been sober, the contortion of her features would have been warning enough. He watched her with a dull expression as she cast about, looking for something. The night was pleasantly warm with a soft breeze fluttering every now and again. His sluggish thoughts settled on the idea that, at last, he’d found a modicum of peace.
All at once, soggy leather smacked against his shoulder. Droplets of wine splattered his face and hair. He raised his elbow only to be struck again. Wine ran down his arm. Another smack and he leaned away, finally finding the ability to move.
Xene demanded to know if he was deranged, and, why now?
Stephanos stumbled up from the fountain. Xene reared back to hit him again but he was on his feet now, ready to catch her wrist if she tried.
"Have you never had anything better to do than bed women you don't belong touching?"
He laughed as she chided him. “They aren’t forced,” he reminded her. “And the bastards are taken care of. Several are growing up to be barons.” This was true. Usually the girls, once found to be with child, were married off quickly and the blonde, blue eyed children of Prince Stephanos were raised by someone else. Someone else who pretended not to see and knew better than to want retribution or take it out on the child or the wife.
“I already have made it right,” he glared at her as she demanded he rectify the situation. “You’ll call Lady Olympia sister, soon. I don’t need another bastard. I need an heir.” It was the same thing he’d told Pia the very same night that they got back from the circus when his father and brother were killed. An odd night to propose but he’d been thinking on his feet, needing to shore up loose ends.
Holding out his arms, he looked up at the sky, as though appealing to Zeus and said, “I am all that’s left. Our father’s line dies with me if I’m killed before the marriage takes place.” For a long moment, he stared upward, almost wanting the head of olympus to strike him down. When that did not happen, he lowered his arms and looked at Xene. Stepping over to her, he ripped the wineskin from her hand and swatted her with it.
“How does that feel, Miss Perfect?” he wacked her with it again. Wine spewed over them both. “How do you like it? Not always right, are you?”
If he’d been sober, the contortion of her features would have been warning enough. He watched her with a dull expression as she cast about, looking for something. The night was pleasantly warm with a soft breeze fluttering every now and again. His sluggish thoughts settled on the idea that, at last, he’d found a modicum of peace.
All at once, soggy leather smacked against his shoulder. Droplets of wine splattered his face and hair. He raised his elbow only to be struck again. Wine ran down his arm. Another smack and he leaned away, finally finding the ability to move.
Xene demanded to know if he was deranged, and, why now?
Stephanos stumbled up from the fountain. Xene reared back to hit him again but he was on his feet now, ready to catch her wrist if she tried.
"Have you never had anything better to do than bed women you don't belong touching?"
He laughed as she chided him. “They aren’t forced,” he reminded her. “And the bastards are taken care of. Several are growing up to be barons.” This was true. Usually the girls, once found to be with child, were married off quickly and the blonde, blue eyed children of Prince Stephanos were raised by someone else. Someone else who pretended not to see and knew better than to want retribution or take it out on the child or the wife.
“I already have made it right,” he glared at her as she demanded he rectify the situation. “You’ll call Lady Olympia sister, soon. I don’t need another bastard. I need an heir.” It was the same thing he’d told Pia the very same night that they got back from the circus when his father and brother were killed. An odd night to propose but he’d been thinking on his feet, needing to shore up loose ends.
Holding out his arms, he looked up at the sky, as though appealing to Zeus and said, “I am all that’s left. Our father’s line dies with me if I’m killed before the marriage takes place.” For a long moment, he stared upward, almost wanting the head of olympus to strike him down. When that did not happen, he lowered his arms and looked at Xene. Stepping over to her, he ripped the wineskin from her hand and swatted her with it.
“How does that feel, Miss Perfect?” he wacked her with it again. Wine spewed over them both. “How do you like it? Not always right, are you?”
Witnessing Stephanos protecting himself from his own sister's blows was almost comical. With a mind addled with alcohol stolen from this very skein, Xene had to resist the urge to burst into laughter at the very sight of the red wine splattered all over Stephanos. Instead, she quelled the urge to laugh at her brother's misfortune.
Their misfortune, really.
Another child reared by the new King was not at all a good thing unless-
"Come again?" Xene questioned as soon as Stephanos mentioned Olympia becoming her sister. "You can't be serious," the princess frowned at her brother for a long moment. "Is that truly something you want to put a wife through, Stephanos?" Crossing her arms over her chest, she eyed her brother with a suspicious expression. "You have a serious case of wandering cock and it would not at all do to bring that shame upon the Lady Leventi, regardless of whether or not she is carrying your child," Xene commented.
Not that she was against it. On the contrary, Xene was momentarily elated that her brother seemed to be thinking with his head for once.
The head on top of his body; not the head between his legs.
"Our father's line dies unless I or Gianna take a commoner husband," Xene corrected. Though, she had no intention of doing any such thing. She very much intended to marry a noble. There were no other options for the princess.
Call her shallow, but she still wanted the chance at an advantageous match.
And then Stephanos made a big mistake. He struck her back, tossing wine all over her chiton. Staining the light fabric. Xene glanced down at herself, frowning at the drops of wine on her clothes. "Stephanos," she warned suddenly. "You've made a big, big mistake," her expression suddenly turned playful. "I am not a perfect princess," the woman commented sharply.
Reaching forward, she ripped the skein back from him, throwing it into the lawn beside them. Taking a step forward, "I am still your sister," Xene pointed out, "Your younger sister... and my goal in life will always be to make your life a living hell. Just like when we were children," she growled, a smirk toying on her lips.
Striking suddenly, Xene lashed out, pushing both arms sharply against Stephanos' shoulders... shoving him straight into the fountain behind them. She stumbled just slightly, catching herself before she followed him in. Hands resting on the edge of the fountain, she stared down at her brother with fire in her eyes. "Perfect princesses don't shove their Kings into fountains," she commented with a grin.
"I'm not always right, but I will always win."
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Witnessing Stephanos protecting himself from his own sister's blows was almost comical. With a mind addled with alcohol stolen from this very skein, Xene had to resist the urge to burst into laughter at the very sight of the red wine splattered all over Stephanos. Instead, she quelled the urge to laugh at her brother's misfortune.
Their misfortune, really.
Another child reared by the new King was not at all a good thing unless-
"Come again?" Xene questioned as soon as Stephanos mentioned Olympia becoming her sister. "You can't be serious," the princess frowned at her brother for a long moment. "Is that truly something you want to put a wife through, Stephanos?" Crossing her arms over her chest, she eyed her brother with a suspicious expression. "You have a serious case of wandering cock and it would not at all do to bring that shame upon the Lady Leventi, regardless of whether or not she is carrying your child," Xene commented.
Not that she was against it. On the contrary, Xene was momentarily elated that her brother seemed to be thinking with his head for once.
The head on top of his body; not the head between his legs.
"Our father's line dies unless I or Gianna take a commoner husband," Xene corrected. Though, she had no intention of doing any such thing. She very much intended to marry a noble. There were no other options for the princess.
Call her shallow, but she still wanted the chance at an advantageous match.
And then Stephanos made a big mistake. He struck her back, tossing wine all over her chiton. Staining the light fabric. Xene glanced down at herself, frowning at the drops of wine on her clothes. "Stephanos," she warned suddenly. "You've made a big, big mistake," her expression suddenly turned playful. "I am not a perfect princess," the woman commented sharply.
Reaching forward, she ripped the skein back from him, throwing it into the lawn beside them. Taking a step forward, "I am still your sister," Xene pointed out, "Your younger sister... and my goal in life will always be to make your life a living hell. Just like when we were children," she growled, a smirk toying on her lips.
Striking suddenly, Xene lashed out, pushing both arms sharply against Stephanos' shoulders... shoving him straight into the fountain behind them. She stumbled just slightly, catching herself before she followed him in. Hands resting on the edge of the fountain, she stared down at her brother with fire in her eyes. "Perfect princesses don't shove their Kings into fountains," she commented with a grin.
"I'm not always right, but I will always win."
Witnessing Stephanos protecting himself from his own sister's blows was almost comical. With a mind addled with alcohol stolen from this very skein, Xene had to resist the urge to burst into laughter at the very sight of the red wine splattered all over Stephanos. Instead, she quelled the urge to laugh at her brother's misfortune.
Their misfortune, really.
Another child reared by the new King was not at all a good thing unless-
"Come again?" Xene questioned as soon as Stephanos mentioned Olympia becoming her sister. "You can't be serious," the princess frowned at her brother for a long moment. "Is that truly something you want to put a wife through, Stephanos?" Crossing her arms over her chest, she eyed her brother with a suspicious expression. "You have a serious case of wandering cock and it would not at all do to bring that shame upon the Lady Leventi, regardless of whether or not she is carrying your child," Xene commented.
Not that she was against it. On the contrary, Xene was momentarily elated that her brother seemed to be thinking with his head for once.
The head on top of his body; not the head between his legs.
"Our father's line dies unless I or Gianna take a commoner husband," Xene corrected. Though, she had no intention of doing any such thing. She very much intended to marry a noble. There were no other options for the princess.
Call her shallow, but she still wanted the chance at an advantageous match.
And then Stephanos made a big mistake. He struck her back, tossing wine all over her chiton. Staining the light fabric. Xene glanced down at herself, frowning at the drops of wine on her clothes. "Stephanos," she warned suddenly. "You've made a big, big mistake," her expression suddenly turned playful. "I am not a perfect princess," the woman commented sharply.
Reaching forward, she ripped the skein back from him, throwing it into the lawn beside them. Taking a step forward, "I am still your sister," Xene pointed out, "Your younger sister... and my goal in life will always be to make your life a living hell. Just like when we were children," she growled, a smirk toying on her lips.
Striking suddenly, Xene lashed out, pushing both arms sharply against Stephanos' shoulders... shoving him straight into the fountain behind them. She stumbled just slightly, catching herself before she followed him in. Hands resting on the edge of the fountain, she stared down at her brother with fire in her eyes. "Perfect princesses don't shove their Kings into fountains," she commented with a grin.
"I'm not always right, but I will always win."
He laughed when she warned him he’d made a mistake. He wasn’t afraid of her. Wine splattered over them both and when she’d had enough of the beating, she jerked the skein out of his hands. For a moment he was confused as to how she’d done it so easily but he stumbled forward and that was proof enough that he was a little more far gone than he’d realized.
While she told him that her goal in life was to make his life hell, he shook his head. “You do that on a daily basis,” he reminded her. He’d been half turning away from her, intent on going back inside to wash off the wine when she lunged at him, shoving him by the shoulders backward. Arms wheeling, he very nearly caught himself but Xene was bound and determined that into the fountain he would go.
A magnificent splash and a moment of water surging against his ears and nose obliterated everything else. After a second, he came up, spluttering and wicking water out of his eyes. He blinked up at Xene, eyebrows raised as she glared at him and reminded him again that she wasn’t perfect.
And then came her fatal mistake; her boast that she would always win.
“Is that so?” a wicked smile crossed his face. The shock of the cold water freed the haze of his mind for the moment. Lightning quick, he reached up and clamped down on both her wrists. Getting up in her face, he said, “How about a tie?” And jerked her forward against him, sending them both tumbling back into the water.
As soon as she was submerged, he shoved away from her and came up to the surface, hooting with laughter. “Pretty, pretty princess!” he splashed her. “Perfect, pretty princess!” His voice came in a sing song, mocking her abilities with music. “Sopping wet princess. At least the wine will come out,” he said, pointing to her chiton.
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He laughed when she warned him he’d made a mistake. He wasn’t afraid of her. Wine splattered over them both and when she’d had enough of the beating, she jerked the skein out of his hands. For a moment he was confused as to how she’d done it so easily but he stumbled forward and that was proof enough that he was a little more far gone than he’d realized.
While she told him that her goal in life was to make his life hell, he shook his head. “You do that on a daily basis,” he reminded her. He’d been half turning away from her, intent on going back inside to wash off the wine when she lunged at him, shoving him by the shoulders backward. Arms wheeling, he very nearly caught himself but Xene was bound and determined that into the fountain he would go.
A magnificent splash and a moment of water surging against his ears and nose obliterated everything else. After a second, he came up, spluttering and wicking water out of his eyes. He blinked up at Xene, eyebrows raised as she glared at him and reminded him again that she wasn’t perfect.
And then came her fatal mistake; her boast that she would always win.
“Is that so?” a wicked smile crossed his face. The shock of the cold water freed the haze of his mind for the moment. Lightning quick, he reached up and clamped down on both her wrists. Getting up in her face, he said, “How about a tie?” And jerked her forward against him, sending them both tumbling back into the water.
As soon as she was submerged, he shoved away from her and came up to the surface, hooting with laughter. “Pretty, pretty princess!” he splashed her. “Perfect, pretty princess!” His voice came in a sing song, mocking her abilities with music. “Sopping wet princess. At least the wine will come out,” he said, pointing to her chiton.
He laughed when she warned him he’d made a mistake. He wasn’t afraid of her. Wine splattered over them both and when she’d had enough of the beating, she jerked the skein out of his hands. For a moment he was confused as to how she’d done it so easily but he stumbled forward and that was proof enough that he was a little more far gone than he’d realized.
While she told him that her goal in life was to make his life hell, he shook his head. “You do that on a daily basis,” he reminded her. He’d been half turning away from her, intent on going back inside to wash off the wine when she lunged at him, shoving him by the shoulders backward. Arms wheeling, he very nearly caught himself but Xene was bound and determined that into the fountain he would go.
A magnificent splash and a moment of water surging against his ears and nose obliterated everything else. After a second, he came up, spluttering and wicking water out of his eyes. He blinked up at Xene, eyebrows raised as she glared at him and reminded him again that she wasn’t perfect.
And then came her fatal mistake; her boast that she would always win.
“Is that so?” a wicked smile crossed his face. The shock of the cold water freed the haze of his mind for the moment. Lightning quick, he reached up and clamped down on both her wrists. Getting up in her face, he said, “How about a tie?” And jerked her forward against him, sending them both tumbling back into the water.
As soon as she was submerged, he shoved away from her and came up to the surface, hooting with laughter. “Pretty, pretty princess!” he splashed her. “Perfect, pretty princess!” His voice came in a sing song, mocking her abilities with music. “Sopping wet princess. At least the wine will come out,” he said, pointing to her chiton.
The haze of alcohol had made the entire ordeal that much more humorous to the princess. Seeing her brother splash down into the water only served to make her laughter more pronounced. But she’d made her own mistake in the process. Leaning over the fountain, she stared Stephanos down with a playful expression. Xene was quite aware that she already made her brother’s life hell.
If she were honest, sometimes she lived for nagging him or pointing out the idiotic things that he did. That was honestly what siblings were for sometimes, and she and Stephanos had been closest to one another. It had been like this for years, and Xene refused to feel sorry about it.
When Stephanos lifted himself out of the water, grabbing her arms, Xene’s breath caught. “You wouldn’t dare,” she commented briefly, gaze alight with fire. But she didn’t get that much of a grace period before her brother was pulling her into the fountain with him, soaking her from head to toe. Sputtering up to the surface, she coughed a bit, shoving some of the water in Stephanos’ direction while he chided her.
“You absolute ass!” Xene huffed at him, unable to stop the laughter that tinged her words. The princess settled for sitting in the water, laughing too hard to manage to stand on her own just yet. “Yes, yes, I’m pretty,” Xene shook her wet hair, pressing the long locks out of her face as she paused to stare at him.
“Father would have come running out here to scold us,” she pointed out with a sad smile. “He never liked us playing in the fountain,” a slight tilt of her head brought her gaze toward the sky. For some reason, the laughter felt better, though the sadness and grief of the last few days still settled sharply on her shoulders. Pushing herself slowly to her feet, the princess offered her hand to her brother. “I think we should sneak inside before mother sees us. Or Uncle Irakles,” she smirked a little.
“Wouldn’t want the new King to look a fool already, would we?”
When she’d helped haul him up and had stepped out of the fountain, she focused on trying to wring some of the water from her clothes. There was a long period of silence before Xene loosed a slow breath. “Stephanos? Don’t mistake my frustration for unhappiness. If marrying Olympia is what will make you happy. If having an heir is what will make you happy… then I’m happy for you.”
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The haze of alcohol had made the entire ordeal that much more humorous to the princess. Seeing her brother splash down into the water only served to make her laughter more pronounced. But she’d made her own mistake in the process. Leaning over the fountain, she stared Stephanos down with a playful expression. Xene was quite aware that she already made her brother’s life hell.
If she were honest, sometimes she lived for nagging him or pointing out the idiotic things that he did. That was honestly what siblings were for sometimes, and she and Stephanos had been closest to one another. It had been like this for years, and Xene refused to feel sorry about it.
When Stephanos lifted himself out of the water, grabbing her arms, Xene’s breath caught. “You wouldn’t dare,” she commented briefly, gaze alight with fire. But she didn’t get that much of a grace period before her brother was pulling her into the fountain with him, soaking her from head to toe. Sputtering up to the surface, she coughed a bit, shoving some of the water in Stephanos’ direction while he chided her.
“You absolute ass!” Xene huffed at him, unable to stop the laughter that tinged her words. The princess settled for sitting in the water, laughing too hard to manage to stand on her own just yet. “Yes, yes, I’m pretty,” Xene shook her wet hair, pressing the long locks out of her face as she paused to stare at him.
“Father would have come running out here to scold us,” she pointed out with a sad smile. “He never liked us playing in the fountain,” a slight tilt of her head brought her gaze toward the sky. For some reason, the laughter felt better, though the sadness and grief of the last few days still settled sharply on her shoulders. Pushing herself slowly to her feet, the princess offered her hand to her brother. “I think we should sneak inside before mother sees us. Or Uncle Irakles,” she smirked a little.
“Wouldn’t want the new King to look a fool already, would we?”
When she’d helped haul him up and had stepped out of the fountain, she focused on trying to wring some of the water from her clothes. There was a long period of silence before Xene loosed a slow breath. “Stephanos? Don’t mistake my frustration for unhappiness. If marrying Olympia is what will make you happy. If having an heir is what will make you happy… then I’m happy for you.”
The haze of alcohol had made the entire ordeal that much more humorous to the princess. Seeing her brother splash down into the water only served to make her laughter more pronounced. But she’d made her own mistake in the process. Leaning over the fountain, she stared Stephanos down with a playful expression. Xene was quite aware that she already made her brother’s life hell.
If she were honest, sometimes she lived for nagging him or pointing out the idiotic things that he did. That was honestly what siblings were for sometimes, and she and Stephanos had been closest to one another. It had been like this for years, and Xene refused to feel sorry about it.
When Stephanos lifted himself out of the water, grabbing her arms, Xene’s breath caught. “You wouldn’t dare,” she commented briefly, gaze alight with fire. But she didn’t get that much of a grace period before her brother was pulling her into the fountain with him, soaking her from head to toe. Sputtering up to the surface, she coughed a bit, shoving some of the water in Stephanos’ direction while he chided her.
“You absolute ass!” Xene huffed at him, unable to stop the laughter that tinged her words. The princess settled for sitting in the water, laughing too hard to manage to stand on her own just yet. “Yes, yes, I’m pretty,” Xene shook her wet hair, pressing the long locks out of her face as she paused to stare at him.
“Father would have come running out here to scold us,” she pointed out with a sad smile. “He never liked us playing in the fountain,” a slight tilt of her head brought her gaze toward the sky. For some reason, the laughter felt better, though the sadness and grief of the last few days still settled sharply on her shoulders. Pushing herself slowly to her feet, the princess offered her hand to her brother. “I think we should sneak inside before mother sees us. Or Uncle Irakles,” she smirked a little.
“Wouldn’t want the new King to look a fool already, would we?”
When she’d helped haul him up and had stepped out of the fountain, she focused on trying to wring some of the water from her clothes. There was a long period of silence before Xene loosed a slow breath. “Stephanos? Don’t mistake my frustration for unhappiness. If marrying Olympia is what will make you happy. If having an heir is what will make you happy… then I’m happy for you.”
