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Achilleas had barely seen his father since his brief appearance at dinner some days ago. It was probably for the best, for no good seemed to have come of their recent interactions, indeed, there had been almost a steady decline in relations since the Senate meet ,with the elder of Irakles’ two sons only worsening things when he had dared question the man after Theodora’s entreaty. It had gained him nothing other than his father’s ire, if anything only pushing him further from being taken into the man’s confidence.
Achilleas had been glad of the breathing space, if he were honest. It was rare that he found himself in direct opposition to his father, and he did not enjoy it. Nor did he enjoy the whispers that still circulated regarding the disgraced King. His last attempts to visit with his cousin had been most dissatisfying, he had gotten nowhere, and it was difficult to stop his mind from replaying Theodora’s frantic words of Olympia’s fears. She had feared for their lives, enough to have asked her sister for help, and his betrothed had reached out to him in turn.
And much as he wanted to be able to dismiss the notion as hormonal hysterics, there was too much mud in the waters for him to see clearly, and trying to speak to his father hadn’t helped. Not had his conversation with his cousin Xene, who if anything had only added to the aspersions already cast upon the man he waited to see now.
It had not been a difficult decision to adopt a more genteel approach than he had the last time he had been in the Palati hoping for an audience with his father. His lack of decorum then had no doubt contributed to the direction that conversation had taken, and Achilleas was determined that he would keep his cool this time. There was too much at stake not to. So he waited as bid by the palace servant - thankfully not the same one he had barged past last time- and as he waited, the Lord considered what it was he wanted to say.
He had questions about Stephanos, a controversial topic but one that needed to be discussed nevertheless. And then there was the matter of his barony and how long his father intended to keep up with this sham of an arrangement. Both topics that he didn’t relish tabling, but that needed to be addressed. Beyond that, and playing on his mind even amongst all the rest, was the lingering shadow of the Egyptian embassy’s visit, and the conversation he’d had with Commander Alexios. If he could avoid this audience devolving into argument and not get marched out of the palati, then were perhaps gains both men could take away from it.
Pulled from his thoughts by the entrance of his father’s scribe, Achilleas gave the familiar man a nod. “Ujarak” he greeted. “How is his mood today?” He had seem almost as much of the servant as he had his father growing up, and so there existed a degree of cordiality between them. Achilleas followed the man down the long hallway of the palati to his father’s rooms there, straightened his shoulders and walked through the door as it was held open.
“Thank you for seeing me” The Lord offered a bow, intending to start things off on the right foot, and then stood, passed a gaze over the Prince Regent, gauging what he could from his expression and demeanour before he sat in the chair opposite the large table that stood between them. “You have been well?” His father looked anything but, though Achilleas kept that thought to himself as he waited for the man to acknowledge his presence and therefore give him permission to go on.
@irakles
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Achilleas had barely seen his father since his brief appearance at dinner some days ago. It was probably for the best, for no good seemed to have come of their recent interactions, indeed, there had been almost a steady decline in relations since the Senate meet ,with the elder of Irakles’ two sons only worsening things when he had dared question the man after Theodora’s entreaty. It had gained him nothing other than his father’s ire, if anything only pushing him further from being taken into the man’s confidence.
Achilleas had been glad of the breathing space, if he were honest. It was rare that he found himself in direct opposition to his father, and he did not enjoy it. Nor did he enjoy the whispers that still circulated regarding the disgraced King. His last attempts to visit with his cousin had been most dissatisfying, he had gotten nowhere, and it was difficult to stop his mind from replaying Theodora’s frantic words of Olympia’s fears. She had feared for their lives, enough to have asked her sister for help, and his betrothed had reached out to him in turn.
And much as he wanted to be able to dismiss the notion as hormonal hysterics, there was too much mud in the waters for him to see clearly, and trying to speak to his father hadn’t helped. Not had his conversation with his cousin Xene, who if anything had only added to the aspersions already cast upon the man he waited to see now.
It had not been a difficult decision to adopt a more genteel approach than he had the last time he had been in the Palati hoping for an audience with his father. His lack of decorum then had no doubt contributed to the direction that conversation had taken, and Achilleas was determined that he would keep his cool this time. There was too much at stake not to. So he waited as bid by the palace servant - thankfully not the same one he had barged past last time- and as he waited, the Lord considered what it was he wanted to say.
He had questions about Stephanos, a controversial topic but one that needed to be discussed nevertheless. And then there was the matter of his barony and how long his father intended to keep up with this sham of an arrangement. Both topics that he didn’t relish tabling, but that needed to be addressed. Beyond that, and playing on his mind even amongst all the rest, was the lingering shadow of the Egyptian embassy’s visit, and the conversation he’d had with Commander Alexios. If he could avoid this audience devolving into argument and not get marched out of the palati, then were perhaps gains both men could take away from it.
Pulled from his thoughts by the entrance of his father’s scribe, Achilleas gave the familiar man a nod. “Ujarak” he greeted. “How is his mood today?” He had seem almost as much of the servant as he had his father growing up, and so there existed a degree of cordiality between them. Achilleas followed the man down the long hallway of the palati to his father’s rooms there, straightened his shoulders and walked through the door as it was held open.
“Thank you for seeing me” The Lord offered a bow, intending to start things off on the right foot, and then stood, passed a gaze over the Prince Regent, gauging what he could from his expression and demeanour before he sat in the chair opposite the large table that stood between them. “You have been well?” His father looked anything but, though Achilleas kept that thought to himself as he waited for the man to acknowledge his presence and therefore give him permission to go on.
@irakles
Achilleas had barely seen his father since his brief appearance at dinner some days ago. It was probably for the best, for no good seemed to have come of their recent interactions, indeed, there had been almost a steady decline in relations since the Senate meet ,with the elder of Irakles’ two sons only worsening things when he had dared question the man after Theodora’s entreaty. It had gained him nothing other than his father’s ire, if anything only pushing him further from being taken into the man’s confidence.
Achilleas had been glad of the breathing space, if he were honest. It was rare that he found himself in direct opposition to his father, and he did not enjoy it. Nor did he enjoy the whispers that still circulated regarding the disgraced King. His last attempts to visit with his cousin had been most dissatisfying, he had gotten nowhere, and it was difficult to stop his mind from replaying Theodora’s frantic words of Olympia’s fears. She had feared for their lives, enough to have asked her sister for help, and his betrothed had reached out to him in turn.
And much as he wanted to be able to dismiss the notion as hormonal hysterics, there was too much mud in the waters for him to see clearly, and trying to speak to his father hadn’t helped. Not had his conversation with his cousin Xene, who if anything had only added to the aspersions already cast upon the man he waited to see now.
It had not been a difficult decision to adopt a more genteel approach than he had the last time he had been in the Palati hoping for an audience with his father. His lack of decorum then had no doubt contributed to the direction that conversation had taken, and Achilleas was determined that he would keep his cool this time. There was too much at stake not to. So he waited as bid by the palace servant - thankfully not the same one he had barged past last time- and as he waited, the Lord considered what it was he wanted to say.
He had questions about Stephanos, a controversial topic but one that needed to be discussed nevertheless. And then there was the matter of his barony and how long his father intended to keep up with this sham of an arrangement. Both topics that he didn’t relish tabling, but that needed to be addressed. Beyond that, and playing on his mind even amongst all the rest, was the lingering shadow of the Egyptian embassy’s visit, and the conversation he’d had with Commander Alexios. If he could avoid this audience devolving into argument and not get marched out of the palati, then were perhaps gains both men could take away from it.
Pulled from his thoughts by the entrance of his father’s scribe, Achilleas gave the familiar man a nod. “Ujarak” he greeted. “How is his mood today?” He had seem almost as much of the servant as he had his father growing up, and so there existed a degree of cordiality between them. Achilleas followed the man down the long hallway of the palati to his father’s rooms there, straightened his shoulders and walked through the door as it was held open.
“Thank you for seeing me” The Lord offered a bow, intending to start things off on the right foot, and then stood, passed a gaze over the Prince Regent, gauging what he could from his expression and demeanour before he sat in the chair opposite the large table that stood between them. “You have been well?” His father looked anything but, though Achilleas kept that thought to himself as he waited for the man to acknowledge his presence and therefore give him permission to go on.
@irakles
The days following the disappearance of his nephew had been a whirldwind of duties and meetings as he tried to figure out their next plan of action - of course, preferably one that got him what he had started the whole convoluted plan for, but he'd settle for the start of the end. Having called all the royal Heads of the Taengean Dynasteia's for a meeting the other day, the conclusion of the meeting had been favorable for him, written in black and white on parchment. Preferring to keep it low-key for now as - he explained to the remaining of the lords - it would be in bad form to uproot his son's wedding yet again for a third time, Irakles had simply requested for his coronation to be held after the wedding of Achilleas and Theodora.
But there was no refuting that with Stephanos's fleeing, Irakles was now reigning King of Taengea.
Perfect.
He knew better then to allow his smile to be easily seen in public however. Only Meena saw the satisfied grin he wore the evening after he had returned to their chambers bearing the news that he was all but the reigning monarch of the kingdom now. To the public, Irakles merely wore a chagrined smile that was a mix of apologetic, tired and resigned as he did his duties. The news of Stephanos's dissapearance was beginning to seep out now, but the current shadow King of Taengea had different plans.
In his efforts of keeping his image as it had been, instead of announcing it, Irakles had instead hired people to quietly disseminate the news in the most high traffic places within the capitol, and relied on word of mouth to get the news of his nephew's fleeing the kingdom. That Stephanos had been accused was old news, and it was now compounded with the added tidbit of information that his fleeing implicated him as guilty, causing even more shade casted upon his name and person. The people of Vasiliadon's dislike for the previous young King grew with the minute, and Irakles could not be more delighted.
The wedding was soon however, and securing Achilleas's union with a daughter to a prestigious royal house was imperative at this point. He would not have his son start up a reputation as unsavory as Stephanos's had been.
And now, it seemed as if Achilleas could read his very own mind.
His manservant announced his son's arrival, and Irakles considered for a moment, before nodding for Ujarak to bring him in. Achilleas had many matters to seek him out for lately, it seemed. That he seemed to be growing a mind of his own annoyed Irakles, for his eldest had always quietly listened to his instructions. Be that as it may however, he merely needed the younger one to get himself hitched to the lovely Lady Theodora, and as long as that happened, for now, Irakles would have no complaints.
Looking up from the parchment of tax reforms he had been studying when the grand wooden doors to his study opened, he waved off his old scribe, rubbing his chest a little at the familiar dull ache that seemed to have taken a permanent residence in his chest cavity, and then casted a questioning gaze to Achilleas. "As well as I could be, with all the duties that now await me." he replied cordially, waving a hand at the various scattered pieces of parchments waiting for his signature, and even more scrolls requiring his attention. "What is it you seek me for, Achilleas? I trust preparations are well underway." It was an offhanded way in which he spoke, generally waving for his son to take a seat as his eyes returned to perusing the scrawled words of the baron in Thesdiki. He had been checking in via missives with Myrto, and as far as he knew, there was nothing amiss with the wedding so far.
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The days following the disappearance of his nephew had been a whirldwind of duties and meetings as he tried to figure out their next plan of action - of course, preferably one that got him what he had started the whole convoluted plan for, but he'd settle for the start of the end. Having called all the royal Heads of the Taengean Dynasteia's for a meeting the other day, the conclusion of the meeting had been favorable for him, written in black and white on parchment. Preferring to keep it low-key for now as - he explained to the remaining of the lords - it would be in bad form to uproot his son's wedding yet again for a third time, Irakles had simply requested for his coronation to be held after the wedding of Achilleas and Theodora.
But there was no refuting that with Stephanos's fleeing, Irakles was now reigning King of Taengea.
Perfect.
He knew better then to allow his smile to be easily seen in public however. Only Meena saw the satisfied grin he wore the evening after he had returned to their chambers bearing the news that he was all but the reigning monarch of the kingdom now. To the public, Irakles merely wore a chagrined smile that was a mix of apologetic, tired and resigned as he did his duties. The news of Stephanos's dissapearance was beginning to seep out now, but the current shadow King of Taengea had different plans.
In his efforts of keeping his image as it had been, instead of announcing it, Irakles had instead hired people to quietly disseminate the news in the most high traffic places within the capitol, and relied on word of mouth to get the news of his nephew's fleeing the kingdom. That Stephanos had been accused was old news, and it was now compounded with the added tidbit of information that his fleeing implicated him as guilty, causing even more shade casted upon his name and person. The people of Vasiliadon's dislike for the previous young King grew with the minute, and Irakles could not be more delighted.
The wedding was soon however, and securing Achilleas's union with a daughter to a prestigious royal house was imperative at this point. He would not have his son start up a reputation as unsavory as Stephanos's had been.
And now, it seemed as if Achilleas could read his very own mind.
His manservant announced his son's arrival, and Irakles considered for a moment, before nodding for Ujarak to bring him in. Achilleas had many matters to seek him out for lately, it seemed. That he seemed to be growing a mind of his own annoyed Irakles, for his eldest had always quietly listened to his instructions. Be that as it may however, he merely needed the younger one to get himself hitched to the lovely Lady Theodora, and as long as that happened, for now, Irakles would have no complaints.
Looking up from the parchment of tax reforms he had been studying when the grand wooden doors to his study opened, he waved off his old scribe, rubbing his chest a little at the familiar dull ache that seemed to have taken a permanent residence in his chest cavity, and then casted a questioning gaze to Achilleas. "As well as I could be, with all the duties that now await me." he replied cordially, waving a hand at the various scattered pieces of parchments waiting for his signature, and even more scrolls requiring his attention. "What is it you seek me for, Achilleas? I trust preparations are well underway." It was an offhanded way in which he spoke, generally waving for his son to take a seat as his eyes returned to perusing the scrawled words of the baron in Thesdiki. He had been checking in via missives with Myrto, and as far as he knew, there was nothing amiss with the wedding so far.
The days following the disappearance of his nephew had been a whirldwind of duties and meetings as he tried to figure out their next plan of action - of course, preferably one that got him what he had started the whole convoluted plan for, but he'd settle for the start of the end. Having called all the royal Heads of the Taengean Dynasteia's for a meeting the other day, the conclusion of the meeting had been favorable for him, written in black and white on parchment. Preferring to keep it low-key for now as - he explained to the remaining of the lords - it would be in bad form to uproot his son's wedding yet again for a third time, Irakles had simply requested for his coronation to be held after the wedding of Achilleas and Theodora.
But there was no refuting that with Stephanos's fleeing, Irakles was now reigning King of Taengea.
Perfect.
He knew better then to allow his smile to be easily seen in public however. Only Meena saw the satisfied grin he wore the evening after he had returned to their chambers bearing the news that he was all but the reigning monarch of the kingdom now. To the public, Irakles merely wore a chagrined smile that was a mix of apologetic, tired and resigned as he did his duties. The news of Stephanos's dissapearance was beginning to seep out now, but the current shadow King of Taengea had different plans.
In his efforts of keeping his image as it had been, instead of announcing it, Irakles had instead hired people to quietly disseminate the news in the most high traffic places within the capitol, and relied on word of mouth to get the news of his nephew's fleeing the kingdom. That Stephanos had been accused was old news, and it was now compounded with the added tidbit of information that his fleeing implicated him as guilty, causing even more shade casted upon his name and person. The people of Vasiliadon's dislike for the previous young King grew with the minute, and Irakles could not be more delighted.
The wedding was soon however, and securing Achilleas's union with a daughter to a prestigious royal house was imperative at this point. He would not have his son start up a reputation as unsavory as Stephanos's had been.
And now, it seemed as if Achilleas could read his very own mind.
His manservant announced his son's arrival, and Irakles considered for a moment, before nodding for Ujarak to bring him in. Achilleas had many matters to seek him out for lately, it seemed. That he seemed to be growing a mind of his own annoyed Irakles, for his eldest had always quietly listened to his instructions. Be that as it may however, he merely needed the younger one to get himself hitched to the lovely Lady Theodora, and as long as that happened, for now, Irakles would have no complaints.
Looking up from the parchment of tax reforms he had been studying when the grand wooden doors to his study opened, he waved off his old scribe, rubbing his chest a little at the familiar dull ache that seemed to have taken a permanent residence in his chest cavity, and then casted a questioning gaze to Achilleas. "As well as I could be, with all the duties that now await me." he replied cordially, waving a hand at the various scattered pieces of parchments waiting for his signature, and even more scrolls requiring his attention. "What is it you seek me for, Achilleas? I trust preparations are well underway." It was an offhanded way in which he spoke, generally waving for his son to take a seat as his eyes returned to perusing the scrawled words of the baron in Thesdiki. He had been checking in via missives with Myrto, and as far as he knew, there was nothing amiss with the wedding so far.
The lord’s gaze dropped to where his father rubbbed at his chest but Achilleas was quick to avert his eyes when Irakles looked up, and the man’s son merely nodded his understanding. He thought perhaps he might use those words to his advantage later, but he would see.
“Yes” Achilleas sought to assure his father firstly all that there was no threat to the imminent wedding. It had been made clear enough to him the import being placed upon everything going off smoothly and as planned. “I do not believe there can be much more to be done”
Not if the non stop messengers running between the Mikaelidas manor and Archontiko Leventi were anything to go by. Everytime he heard one of them arrive Achilleas’ would freeze, wait to see if his Mother’s voice would summon him to give an opinion of one of the many things he did not care a jot for. Even the thought of it was enough to make him feel harassed.
His father was blunt in asking the reason for his son’s visit, but it was not unexpected. They did not share the closeness that would make for a purely social visit, and so Achilleas was as direct in his answer. “We have not spoken in a while and there are things I would know, others I thought you should know.” He led with what he thought might be the sweetener to this meeting.
“I met with a Commander Alexios the other day. He leads the regiment stationed in Judea. With our recent visitors I thought it might be prudent to establish the lie of the land there”
Achilleas went on to explain what he had learnt from the Commander, and how he thought such information could be best employed by them to strengthen their position, not just in Judea, but beyond. Whatever his current issues with his father, there was no denying the respect Achilleas had for all the man had achieved in his military career. And that meant that with threat of Egypt suddenly playing on his mind again, there was no one else he would rather have counselled with. Achilleas shrugged as he finished up.
“I see no harm in bolstering his ranks there,If nothing else.” The younger man paused and looked across at the retired General “Do you know what prompted the visit we had from the Egyptians? It seems odd to me, the timing of the excursion”
He might have asked the morning of the reception had their conversation not turned ill, and Achilleas was being very careful in his wording so as not to set them on a similar course. So he sat back and gave his father space to answer before it led into his next question.
“I would have asked Stephanos the same only the guards told me I could not see him. And now there are stories that he has fled, vanished. Is it true? Is that the way of it?”
He made no mention of his visit to the Princess Xene, or to the things Theodora had spoken to him of, but instead waited on Irakles to speak, keeping his expression devoid of any indication as to his own thoughts, a task he always found difficult when in front of his father. But perhaps he was growing more practiced.
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The lord’s gaze dropped to where his father rubbbed at his chest but Achilleas was quick to avert his eyes when Irakles looked up, and the man’s son merely nodded his understanding. He thought perhaps he might use those words to his advantage later, but he would see.
“Yes” Achilleas sought to assure his father firstly all that there was no threat to the imminent wedding. It had been made clear enough to him the import being placed upon everything going off smoothly and as planned. “I do not believe there can be much more to be done”
Not if the non stop messengers running between the Mikaelidas manor and Archontiko Leventi were anything to go by. Everytime he heard one of them arrive Achilleas’ would freeze, wait to see if his Mother’s voice would summon him to give an opinion of one of the many things he did not care a jot for. Even the thought of it was enough to make him feel harassed.
His father was blunt in asking the reason for his son’s visit, but it was not unexpected. They did not share the closeness that would make for a purely social visit, and so Achilleas was as direct in his answer. “We have not spoken in a while and there are things I would know, others I thought you should know.” He led with what he thought might be the sweetener to this meeting.
“I met with a Commander Alexios the other day. He leads the regiment stationed in Judea. With our recent visitors I thought it might be prudent to establish the lie of the land there”
Achilleas went on to explain what he had learnt from the Commander, and how he thought such information could be best employed by them to strengthen their position, not just in Judea, but beyond. Whatever his current issues with his father, there was no denying the respect Achilleas had for all the man had achieved in his military career. And that meant that with threat of Egypt suddenly playing on his mind again, there was no one else he would rather have counselled with. Achilleas shrugged as he finished up.
“I see no harm in bolstering his ranks there,If nothing else.” The younger man paused and looked across at the retired General “Do you know what prompted the visit we had from the Egyptians? It seems odd to me, the timing of the excursion”
He might have asked the morning of the reception had their conversation not turned ill, and Achilleas was being very careful in his wording so as not to set them on a similar course. So he sat back and gave his father space to answer before it led into his next question.
“I would have asked Stephanos the same only the guards told me I could not see him. And now there are stories that he has fled, vanished. Is it true? Is that the way of it?”
He made no mention of his visit to the Princess Xene, or to the things Theodora had spoken to him of, but instead waited on Irakles to speak, keeping his expression devoid of any indication as to his own thoughts, a task he always found difficult when in front of his father. But perhaps he was growing more practiced.
The lord’s gaze dropped to where his father rubbbed at his chest but Achilleas was quick to avert his eyes when Irakles looked up, and the man’s son merely nodded his understanding. He thought perhaps he might use those words to his advantage later, but he would see.
“Yes” Achilleas sought to assure his father firstly all that there was no threat to the imminent wedding. It had been made clear enough to him the import being placed upon everything going off smoothly and as planned. “I do not believe there can be much more to be done”
Not if the non stop messengers running between the Mikaelidas manor and Archontiko Leventi were anything to go by. Everytime he heard one of them arrive Achilleas’ would freeze, wait to see if his Mother’s voice would summon him to give an opinion of one of the many things he did not care a jot for. Even the thought of it was enough to make him feel harassed.
His father was blunt in asking the reason for his son’s visit, but it was not unexpected. They did not share the closeness that would make for a purely social visit, and so Achilleas was as direct in his answer. “We have not spoken in a while and there are things I would know, others I thought you should know.” He led with what he thought might be the sweetener to this meeting.
“I met with a Commander Alexios the other day. He leads the regiment stationed in Judea. With our recent visitors I thought it might be prudent to establish the lie of the land there”
Achilleas went on to explain what he had learnt from the Commander, and how he thought such information could be best employed by them to strengthen their position, not just in Judea, but beyond. Whatever his current issues with his father, there was no denying the respect Achilleas had for all the man had achieved in his military career. And that meant that with threat of Egypt suddenly playing on his mind again, there was no one else he would rather have counselled with. Achilleas shrugged as he finished up.
“I see no harm in bolstering his ranks there,If nothing else.” The younger man paused and looked across at the retired General “Do you know what prompted the visit we had from the Egyptians? It seems odd to me, the timing of the excursion”
He might have asked the morning of the reception had their conversation not turned ill, and Achilleas was being very careful in his wording so as not to set them on a similar course. So he sat back and gave his father space to answer before it led into his next question.
“I would have asked Stephanos the same only the guards told me I could not see him. And now there are stories that he has fled, vanished. Is it true? Is that the way of it?”
He made no mention of his visit to the Princess Xene, or to the things Theodora had spoken to him of, but instead waited on Irakles to speak, keeping his expression devoid of any indication as to his own thoughts, a task he always found difficult when in front of his father. But perhaps he was growing more practiced.
There shouldn't be much, and for that Irakles took Achilleas's word for it. Afterall, this was the second time now that the ceremony and wedding had been delayed, and whatever major preparation had been done a long time ago. Whatever that was left, he trusted in the Lady Evelli to handle it. In his brief missives with the Leventi matriarch, he concluded that she was as eager to marry her daughter off, and he doubted she would allow any mishap to come to past. With his wife and the Leventi lady on the arrangements, Irakles had little to worry off other then his wayward son doing something silly to scare off his bride.
But with Irakles being Irakles, he ran his daily checks without fail, if only to keep up to date on everything that was happening within the household, and now within the kingdom. Ujarak's workload has increased immeasurably, that the old general was now considering hiring an assistant for his assistant at this point.
Looking up from his reports at the eldest Mikaelidas's words, the older one raised a brow in curiosity. Was there something else he should know of, that he didn't already know? There was a thick chance of that happening, but Irakles had to come to terms with the fact that he had been impossibly busy lately, especially with Stephanos's dissapearance from the kingdom.
Waving at Achilleas to take a seat, the man listened with nary a word at his eldest son's whole explanation regarding this Commander Alexios and the regiment and situation in Judea, his brows knitting as Achilleas went on. They had long since called a truce with Egypt, an uneasy one that it was. It had not been Irakles's choice, but his damnably peace-loving brother's choice, and Irakles had tried to fight against Zenon's words, but had ultimately failed. The man had bitterly called his troops back, but the bad taste from the day lingered on, even until now.
But his brother was no more. And neither was Stephanos.
In his drawer of his study was the parchment upon which held the signatures of himself, and the Head's of the other royal houses which agreed to his being monarch of the kingdom. He had managed to delay a coronation for he did not wish to delay his family's union with one of the biggest Taengean royal houses any longer, but after that.... ah, he could almost taste the flavor of victory.
Laying the parchment he had been studying down, Irakles had sat up by then, considering his words before replying. "As far as I heard, Stephanos had been the one to send a missive asking for a visitation and a meeting with them. Due to your cousin being indisposed, I had met the Egyptian embassy on his behalf. I see your point, and I do not think it'd be a bad idea. I shall discuss further with the Master of War before pursuing the matter." he murmured in return, with another brief, inconsequential glance at Achilleas. His son's behavior at the Senate had led Irakles to second-guess the younger male's every decision. To his disappointment, Achilleas had none of the drive he had, and simply turned out to have inherited his mother's peace-loving nature and eagerness to believe the better in everyone. Not the best qualities for someone who needs to lead a kingdom with an iron fist.
Leaning back, the old general had just been about to pick up the paper again, when Achilleas's next words had him looking over at the younger one again. Could he be trusted with such information? For a moment, Irakles turned the consideration over in his mind, before he finally answered.
"He is, indeed, gone. To do so in the face of such accusation and before a trial has been done... it could only mean very little things, Achilleas. And I'm sure I do not have to spell it out for you." His tone was dry and wry as he spoke, looking at his son with a pointed gaze. Surely Achilleas would not still be so hopeful as to believe his cousin was innocent? not in the face of such blatant escapism.
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There shouldn't be much, and for that Irakles took Achilleas's word for it. Afterall, this was the second time now that the ceremony and wedding had been delayed, and whatever major preparation had been done a long time ago. Whatever that was left, he trusted in the Lady Evelli to handle it. In his brief missives with the Leventi matriarch, he concluded that she was as eager to marry her daughter off, and he doubted she would allow any mishap to come to past. With his wife and the Leventi lady on the arrangements, Irakles had little to worry off other then his wayward son doing something silly to scare off his bride.
But with Irakles being Irakles, he ran his daily checks without fail, if only to keep up to date on everything that was happening within the household, and now within the kingdom. Ujarak's workload has increased immeasurably, that the old general was now considering hiring an assistant for his assistant at this point.
Looking up from his reports at the eldest Mikaelidas's words, the older one raised a brow in curiosity. Was there something else he should know of, that he didn't already know? There was a thick chance of that happening, but Irakles had to come to terms with the fact that he had been impossibly busy lately, especially with Stephanos's dissapearance from the kingdom.
Waving at Achilleas to take a seat, the man listened with nary a word at his eldest son's whole explanation regarding this Commander Alexios and the regiment and situation in Judea, his brows knitting as Achilleas went on. They had long since called a truce with Egypt, an uneasy one that it was. It had not been Irakles's choice, but his damnably peace-loving brother's choice, and Irakles had tried to fight against Zenon's words, but had ultimately failed. The man had bitterly called his troops back, but the bad taste from the day lingered on, even until now.
But his brother was no more. And neither was Stephanos.
In his drawer of his study was the parchment upon which held the signatures of himself, and the Head's of the other royal houses which agreed to his being monarch of the kingdom. He had managed to delay a coronation for he did not wish to delay his family's union with one of the biggest Taengean royal houses any longer, but after that.... ah, he could almost taste the flavor of victory.
Laying the parchment he had been studying down, Irakles had sat up by then, considering his words before replying. "As far as I heard, Stephanos had been the one to send a missive asking for a visitation and a meeting with them. Due to your cousin being indisposed, I had met the Egyptian embassy on his behalf. I see your point, and I do not think it'd be a bad idea. I shall discuss further with the Master of War before pursuing the matter." he murmured in return, with another brief, inconsequential glance at Achilleas. His son's behavior at the Senate had led Irakles to second-guess the younger male's every decision. To his disappointment, Achilleas had none of the drive he had, and simply turned out to have inherited his mother's peace-loving nature and eagerness to believe the better in everyone. Not the best qualities for someone who needs to lead a kingdom with an iron fist.
Leaning back, the old general had just been about to pick up the paper again, when Achilleas's next words had him looking over at the younger one again. Could he be trusted with such information? For a moment, Irakles turned the consideration over in his mind, before he finally answered.
"He is, indeed, gone. To do so in the face of such accusation and before a trial has been done... it could only mean very little things, Achilleas. And I'm sure I do not have to spell it out for you." His tone was dry and wry as he spoke, looking at his son with a pointed gaze. Surely Achilleas would not still be so hopeful as to believe his cousin was innocent? not in the face of such blatant escapism.
There shouldn't be much, and for that Irakles took Achilleas's word for it. Afterall, this was the second time now that the ceremony and wedding had been delayed, and whatever major preparation had been done a long time ago. Whatever that was left, he trusted in the Lady Evelli to handle it. In his brief missives with the Leventi matriarch, he concluded that she was as eager to marry her daughter off, and he doubted she would allow any mishap to come to past. With his wife and the Leventi lady on the arrangements, Irakles had little to worry off other then his wayward son doing something silly to scare off his bride.
But with Irakles being Irakles, he ran his daily checks without fail, if only to keep up to date on everything that was happening within the household, and now within the kingdom. Ujarak's workload has increased immeasurably, that the old general was now considering hiring an assistant for his assistant at this point.
Looking up from his reports at the eldest Mikaelidas's words, the older one raised a brow in curiosity. Was there something else he should know of, that he didn't already know? There was a thick chance of that happening, but Irakles had to come to terms with the fact that he had been impossibly busy lately, especially with Stephanos's dissapearance from the kingdom.
Waving at Achilleas to take a seat, the man listened with nary a word at his eldest son's whole explanation regarding this Commander Alexios and the regiment and situation in Judea, his brows knitting as Achilleas went on. They had long since called a truce with Egypt, an uneasy one that it was. It had not been Irakles's choice, but his damnably peace-loving brother's choice, and Irakles had tried to fight against Zenon's words, but had ultimately failed. The man had bitterly called his troops back, but the bad taste from the day lingered on, even until now.
But his brother was no more. And neither was Stephanos.
In his drawer of his study was the parchment upon which held the signatures of himself, and the Head's of the other royal houses which agreed to his being monarch of the kingdom. He had managed to delay a coronation for he did not wish to delay his family's union with one of the biggest Taengean royal houses any longer, but after that.... ah, he could almost taste the flavor of victory.
Laying the parchment he had been studying down, Irakles had sat up by then, considering his words before replying. "As far as I heard, Stephanos had been the one to send a missive asking for a visitation and a meeting with them. Due to your cousin being indisposed, I had met the Egyptian embassy on his behalf. I see your point, and I do not think it'd be a bad idea. I shall discuss further with the Master of War before pursuing the matter." he murmured in return, with another brief, inconsequential glance at Achilleas. His son's behavior at the Senate had led Irakles to second-guess the younger male's every decision. To his disappointment, Achilleas had none of the drive he had, and simply turned out to have inherited his mother's peace-loving nature and eagerness to believe the better in everyone. Not the best qualities for someone who needs to lead a kingdom with an iron fist.
Leaning back, the old general had just been about to pick up the paper again, when Achilleas's next words had him looking over at the younger one again. Could he be trusted with such information? For a moment, Irakles turned the consideration over in his mind, before he finally answered.
"He is, indeed, gone. To do so in the face of such accusation and before a trial has been done... it could only mean very little things, Achilleas. And I'm sure I do not have to spell it out for you." His tone was dry and wry as he spoke, looking at his son with a pointed gaze. Surely Achilleas would not still be so hopeful as to believe his cousin was innocent? not in the face of such blatant escapism.
Achilleas’ gaze flitted over the documents that littered the table before his father, and if he felt a twinge of irritation that the man could not even give him his full attention for a moment, he bit down on it and waited patiently, launching into one of the reasons for his call when he was bid.
He had hoped the Prince Regent would find some merit in his suggestion, and would shed some light upon the Egyptian visit, and in at least one of those he was not disappointed. News that it had been hic cousin who had summoned their visitors was no surprise, but it at least confirmed his suspicions, and whilst his father made a point of being non-commital about his suggestion to bolster their presence in Judea, he did not dismiss it out of hand. Achilleas would have to content himself with that, and so he nodded, accepting the man’s word and letting the subject rest. Almost.
“And you have no suspicions as to why he invited them here?” It was just his own curiosity prompting the enquiry, for Achilleas could not think of what would have driven Stephanos to suddenly decide to become friendly with their old enemies. He looked at his father expectantly, for he could not believe the man had not formed his own opinions on the matter.
Talk of Stephanos was more contentious, and so the younger man tried to navigate it carefully, half expecting the Prince to stonewall him and give him nothing. Irakles’ confirmation of the words that had been circulating around Vasiliadon had his son pause, and Achilleas dropped his gaze away from the rather self congratulatory expression that his father wore. For a moment he was silent, as he considered what this meant, arranged it with everything else he had learnt, all of the conclusions he had been trying not to draw over the past days. Did Xene and Gianna know? he wondered, thinking they must surely have been told.
The King had been scared for his life, the life of his wife and his unborn child. That he would take the opportunity to flee if it arose could not be considered a surprise. Achilleas tried to keep his expression still as he considered briefly that such was not the case. What if fleeing was just a convenient way to explain away a different sort of disappearance? He did not want to even think it, but there it was, sliding through his other thoughts like a snake and coiling itself around what he thought he knew.
A matter of weeks ago, the lord would never have even entertained the idea, but there were too many sources that drip fed the same poison, making him wonder how well he knew the man before him. It was discomfiting to say the least. And then as aware his silence was telling, Achilleas swallowed, glanced back at him and spoke carefully. “You do not need to spell anything out. It is not the first time I have misjudged a person, and I am certain it will not be the last”
It was as close to admitting that he had been wrong as the lord could choke out and still hope to sound earnest. And in that moment, he was mostly certain that he was lying. He still believed Stephanos innocent of what he’d been accused of. Achilleas shifted and followed up with a question. “Do you know where he has gone? I presume then, you were content for the news to spread like whispers rather than addressing it directly?”
He knew his father well enough to know that were that not the case, there would have been measures taken to stop the gossip that spread like wildfire through the city.
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Achilleas’ gaze flitted over the documents that littered the table before his father, and if he felt a twinge of irritation that the man could not even give him his full attention for a moment, he bit down on it and waited patiently, launching into one of the reasons for his call when he was bid.
He had hoped the Prince Regent would find some merit in his suggestion, and would shed some light upon the Egyptian visit, and in at least one of those he was not disappointed. News that it had been hic cousin who had summoned their visitors was no surprise, but it at least confirmed his suspicions, and whilst his father made a point of being non-commital about his suggestion to bolster their presence in Judea, he did not dismiss it out of hand. Achilleas would have to content himself with that, and so he nodded, accepting the man’s word and letting the subject rest. Almost.
“And you have no suspicions as to why he invited them here?” It was just his own curiosity prompting the enquiry, for Achilleas could not think of what would have driven Stephanos to suddenly decide to become friendly with their old enemies. He looked at his father expectantly, for he could not believe the man had not formed his own opinions on the matter.
Talk of Stephanos was more contentious, and so the younger man tried to navigate it carefully, half expecting the Prince to stonewall him and give him nothing. Irakles’ confirmation of the words that had been circulating around Vasiliadon had his son pause, and Achilleas dropped his gaze away from the rather self congratulatory expression that his father wore. For a moment he was silent, as he considered what this meant, arranged it with everything else he had learnt, all of the conclusions he had been trying not to draw over the past days. Did Xene and Gianna know? he wondered, thinking they must surely have been told.
The King had been scared for his life, the life of his wife and his unborn child. That he would take the opportunity to flee if it arose could not be considered a surprise. Achilleas tried to keep his expression still as he considered briefly that such was not the case. What if fleeing was just a convenient way to explain away a different sort of disappearance? He did not want to even think it, but there it was, sliding through his other thoughts like a snake and coiling itself around what he thought he knew.
A matter of weeks ago, the lord would never have even entertained the idea, but there were too many sources that drip fed the same poison, making him wonder how well he knew the man before him. It was discomfiting to say the least. And then as aware his silence was telling, Achilleas swallowed, glanced back at him and spoke carefully. “You do not need to spell anything out. It is not the first time I have misjudged a person, and I am certain it will not be the last”
It was as close to admitting that he had been wrong as the lord could choke out and still hope to sound earnest. And in that moment, he was mostly certain that he was lying. He still believed Stephanos innocent of what he’d been accused of. Achilleas shifted and followed up with a question. “Do you know where he has gone? I presume then, you were content for the news to spread like whispers rather than addressing it directly?”
He knew his father well enough to know that were that not the case, there would have been measures taken to stop the gossip that spread like wildfire through the city.
Achilleas’ gaze flitted over the documents that littered the table before his father, and if he felt a twinge of irritation that the man could not even give him his full attention for a moment, he bit down on it and waited patiently, launching into one of the reasons for his call when he was bid.
He had hoped the Prince Regent would find some merit in his suggestion, and would shed some light upon the Egyptian visit, and in at least one of those he was not disappointed. News that it had been hic cousin who had summoned their visitors was no surprise, but it at least confirmed his suspicions, and whilst his father made a point of being non-commital about his suggestion to bolster their presence in Judea, he did not dismiss it out of hand. Achilleas would have to content himself with that, and so he nodded, accepting the man’s word and letting the subject rest. Almost.
“And you have no suspicions as to why he invited them here?” It was just his own curiosity prompting the enquiry, for Achilleas could not think of what would have driven Stephanos to suddenly decide to become friendly with their old enemies. He looked at his father expectantly, for he could not believe the man had not formed his own opinions on the matter.
Talk of Stephanos was more contentious, and so the younger man tried to navigate it carefully, half expecting the Prince to stonewall him and give him nothing. Irakles’ confirmation of the words that had been circulating around Vasiliadon had his son pause, and Achilleas dropped his gaze away from the rather self congratulatory expression that his father wore. For a moment he was silent, as he considered what this meant, arranged it with everything else he had learnt, all of the conclusions he had been trying not to draw over the past days. Did Xene and Gianna know? he wondered, thinking they must surely have been told.
The King had been scared for his life, the life of his wife and his unborn child. That he would take the opportunity to flee if it arose could not be considered a surprise. Achilleas tried to keep his expression still as he considered briefly that such was not the case. What if fleeing was just a convenient way to explain away a different sort of disappearance? He did not want to even think it, but there it was, sliding through his other thoughts like a snake and coiling itself around what he thought he knew.
A matter of weeks ago, the lord would never have even entertained the idea, but there were too many sources that drip fed the same poison, making him wonder how well he knew the man before him. It was discomfiting to say the least. And then as aware his silence was telling, Achilleas swallowed, glanced back at him and spoke carefully. “You do not need to spell anything out. It is not the first time I have misjudged a person, and I am certain it will not be the last”
It was as close to admitting that he had been wrong as the lord could choke out and still hope to sound earnest. And in that moment, he was mostly certain that he was lying. He still believed Stephanos innocent of what he’d been accused of. Achilleas shifted and followed up with a question. “Do you know where he has gone? I presume then, you were content for the news to spread like whispers rather than addressing it directly?”
He knew his father well enough to know that were that not the case, there would have been measures taken to stop the gossip that spread like wildfire through the city.
His whole life had been centered around cultivating the skill of multi-tasking. None of his children, son or daughter alike had ever gotten his full attention. Perhaps the only one whose ever been on the receiving end of such a blessing had been his mistress, but even so, he did not make it explicit to Meena, even if she enjoyed and reaped most of its benefits. Fact of the matter was that he was a busy man, one who juggled many identities and duties, and as such simply could not afford to allow all his attention to zero in on one person.
That Achilleas wanted such attention flew past his head as he flickered his gaze up to him, and then gave a small shrug at his son's questions. "My duty here is not to entertain suspicions, but to find answers. And any time I have to find answers are whittled the more time you require of me, Achilleas." His tone was one that was flat and matter-of-fact, never one to entertain emotions more then necessary. He was a man of facts and figures... and of course, some careful planning.
Of course, he would take the benefit of Stephanos's timely fleeing from Taengea in a way that could be twisted to explain the story he weaved. Irakles was nothing if not someone who knew how to take opportunities as they arise.
Deciding to not comment on how Achilleas could misjudge someone - for he was not about to refute such a statement - he merely nodded slowly as his gaze returned to his document to peruse the words scrawled upon there by the baron Thesdiki. Picking up a quill to give his signature of approval to the suggested amendments to tax rates to the province, he placed the parchment to a side so runners could have it delivered come the next morning, before leaning back in his chair to reply Achilleas.
"Again, I amnot here to entertain suspicions or assumptions, Achilleas. Assumptions kill clarity, and I need now, more then ever, clarity to deal with the ever-present feelings of discontent within the Senate and the kingdom - feelings, may I add, created by the brash actions of your cousin, which I now have to pick up the pieces of." Pursing his lips, he steepled his hands over his thighs, clearing his throat a little before continuing. "Whether the news spreads or not is of little concern to me - I am here to address larger things, and the gossips of little ladies and gossips should not concern us, when we are needed to do bigger tasks. I should think you were above gossips and unfounded whispers, Achilleas?"
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His whole life had been centered around cultivating the skill of multi-tasking. None of his children, son or daughter alike had ever gotten his full attention. Perhaps the only one whose ever been on the receiving end of such a blessing had been his mistress, but even so, he did not make it explicit to Meena, even if she enjoyed and reaped most of its benefits. Fact of the matter was that he was a busy man, one who juggled many identities and duties, and as such simply could not afford to allow all his attention to zero in on one person.
That Achilleas wanted such attention flew past his head as he flickered his gaze up to him, and then gave a small shrug at his son's questions. "My duty here is not to entertain suspicions, but to find answers. And any time I have to find answers are whittled the more time you require of me, Achilleas." His tone was one that was flat and matter-of-fact, never one to entertain emotions more then necessary. He was a man of facts and figures... and of course, some careful planning.
Of course, he would take the benefit of Stephanos's timely fleeing from Taengea in a way that could be twisted to explain the story he weaved. Irakles was nothing if not someone who knew how to take opportunities as they arise.
Deciding to not comment on how Achilleas could misjudge someone - for he was not about to refute such a statement - he merely nodded slowly as his gaze returned to his document to peruse the words scrawled upon there by the baron Thesdiki. Picking up a quill to give his signature of approval to the suggested amendments to tax rates to the province, he placed the parchment to a side so runners could have it delivered come the next morning, before leaning back in his chair to reply Achilleas.
"Again, I amnot here to entertain suspicions or assumptions, Achilleas. Assumptions kill clarity, and I need now, more then ever, clarity to deal with the ever-present feelings of discontent within the Senate and the kingdom - feelings, may I add, created by the brash actions of your cousin, which I now have to pick up the pieces of." Pursing his lips, he steepled his hands over his thighs, clearing his throat a little before continuing. "Whether the news spreads or not is of little concern to me - I am here to address larger things, and the gossips of little ladies and gossips should not concern us, when we are needed to do bigger tasks. I should think you were above gossips and unfounded whispers, Achilleas?"
His whole life had been centered around cultivating the skill of multi-tasking. None of his children, son or daughter alike had ever gotten his full attention. Perhaps the only one whose ever been on the receiving end of such a blessing had been his mistress, but even so, he did not make it explicit to Meena, even if she enjoyed and reaped most of its benefits. Fact of the matter was that he was a busy man, one who juggled many identities and duties, and as such simply could not afford to allow all his attention to zero in on one person.
That Achilleas wanted such attention flew past his head as he flickered his gaze up to him, and then gave a small shrug at his son's questions. "My duty here is not to entertain suspicions, but to find answers. And any time I have to find answers are whittled the more time you require of me, Achilleas." His tone was one that was flat and matter-of-fact, never one to entertain emotions more then necessary. He was a man of facts and figures... and of course, some careful planning.
Of course, he would take the benefit of Stephanos's timely fleeing from Taengea in a way that could be twisted to explain the story he weaved. Irakles was nothing if not someone who knew how to take opportunities as they arise.
Deciding to not comment on how Achilleas could misjudge someone - for he was not about to refute such a statement - he merely nodded slowly as his gaze returned to his document to peruse the words scrawled upon there by the baron Thesdiki. Picking up a quill to give his signature of approval to the suggested amendments to tax rates to the province, he placed the parchment to a side so runners could have it delivered come the next morning, before leaning back in his chair to reply Achilleas.
"Again, I amnot here to entertain suspicions or assumptions, Achilleas. Assumptions kill clarity, and I need now, more then ever, clarity to deal with the ever-present feelings of discontent within the Senate and the kingdom - feelings, may I add, created by the brash actions of your cousin, which I now have to pick up the pieces of." Pursing his lips, he steepled his hands over his thighs, clearing his throat a little before continuing. "Whether the news spreads or not is of little concern to me - I am here to address larger things, and the gossips of little ladies and gossips should not concern us, when we are needed to do bigger tasks. I should think you were above gossips and unfounded whispers, Achilleas?"
Achilleas’ expression remained still, but that did not mean he did not the register the mild rebuke in the Prince’s words: that his son was wasting his time. Not an unfamiliar suggestion, the lord had learned from a young age that the man’s attention was a hard won commodity, given sparingly and usually only if he had managed to achieve something of note. So even though it was not surprising, it was a far cry from what he might have hoped, for the man to actually share some of his thinking with him regarding the Egyptian envoy, but Achilleas reminded himself that he was treading carefully, and so he did not push it any further.
There was no reaction to his careful acknowledgement of how his cousin’s flight painted a picture save a nod from his father, and the son could at least be glad of that. He wasn’t certain he would have been able to react with convincing repentance had the matter of his vote in the senate been raised directly. Achilleas folded his hands in his lap, his fingers tangling together as he ventured yet another question as to his cousin’s whereabouts and the rumours than ran unchecked through the city. Not that he supposed they would be in any way distressing to the man before him. Rather it seemed that Stephanos’ disappearance had only confirmed his guilt to many, and that was...worrying. With no one here to take to trial, would he be convicted of those crimes he stood accused of? And then what?
Finally setting down his work, his father revealed little in his reply, save for a sly dig at the disgraced King and to take the opportunity to suggest Achilleas was wrong in paying any heed to such rudimentary sources of information. At this, the younger man could not help but bristle.
“Oh that I could afford to ignore such unfavourable sources, father. But I am not taken into your confidence so how else am I supposed to learn of such matters?” His tone was mild and the lord gave a deferential dip of his head but his words stood all the same. Had he not had force an audience with the man before him several times over the past weeks? Achilleas knew that in part it was his father expressing his displeasure at that contrary action in the senate, but also, he wondered if the man really noticed how little he gave away to his own son, to his heir and blood. It was frustrating beyond measure to learn matters of state at the same time as the peasants selling flowers in the Agora, and hard not to think of it as another way for the man to slight him. Achilleas steeled himself, and went on, eager not to let this be another point of conflict but to turn into something useful instead.
“I understand, you are busy, that is plain to see.” he said diplomatically. “But, why do you carry such burdens alone, sir? You have Emilios and me both who would help you, if you had but ask.” The elder of Irakles’ sons looked at his father expectantly. “What with everything you are having to do as acting regent, why not let us be of some use?”
The matter of Euttica sat at the tip of his tongue, but Achilleas bit back on it for now. In truth he appeared every inch the obliging son Irakles was more used to, perhaps wanting to make amends for their previous dissonance.
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Achilleas’ expression remained still, but that did not mean he did not the register the mild rebuke in the Prince’s words: that his son was wasting his time. Not an unfamiliar suggestion, the lord had learned from a young age that the man’s attention was a hard won commodity, given sparingly and usually only if he had managed to achieve something of note. So even though it was not surprising, it was a far cry from what he might have hoped, for the man to actually share some of his thinking with him regarding the Egyptian envoy, but Achilleas reminded himself that he was treading carefully, and so he did not push it any further.
There was no reaction to his careful acknowledgement of how his cousin’s flight painted a picture save a nod from his father, and the son could at least be glad of that. He wasn’t certain he would have been able to react with convincing repentance had the matter of his vote in the senate been raised directly. Achilleas folded his hands in his lap, his fingers tangling together as he ventured yet another question as to his cousin’s whereabouts and the rumours than ran unchecked through the city. Not that he supposed they would be in any way distressing to the man before him. Rather it seemed that Stephanos’ disappearance had only confirmed his guilt to many, and that was...worrying. With no one here to take to trial, would he be convicted of those crimes he stood accused of? And then what?
Finally setting down his work, his father revealed little in his reply, save for a sly dig at the disgraced King and to take the opportunity to suggest Achilleas was wrong in paying any heed to such rudimentary sources of information. At this, the younger man could not help but bristle.
“Oh that I could afford to ignore such unfavourable sources, father. But I am not taken into your confidence so how else am I supposed to learn of such matters?” His tone was mild and the lord gave a deferential dip of his head but his words stood all the same. Had he not had force an audience with the man before him several times over the past weeks? Achilleas knew that in part it was his father expressing his displeasure at that contrary action in the senate, but also, he wondered if the man really noticed how little he gave away to his own son, to his heir and blood. It was frustrating beyond measure to learn matters of state at the same time as the peasants selling flowers in the Agora, and hard not to think of it as another way for the man to slight him. Achilleas steeled himself, and went on, eager not to let this be another point of conflict but to turn into something useful instead.
“I understand, you are busy, that is plain to see.” he said diplomatically. “But, why do you carry such burdens alone, sir? You have Emilios and me both who would help you, if you had but ask.” The elder of Irakles’ sons looked at his father expectantly. “What with everything you are having to do as acting regent, why not let us be of some use?”
The matter of Euttica sat at the tip of his tongue, but Achilleas bit back on it for now. In truth he appeared every inch the obliging son Irakles was more used to, perhaps wanting to make amends for their previous dissonance.
Achilleas’ expression remained still, but that did not mean he did not the register the mild rebuke in the Prince’s words: that his son was wasting his time. Not an unfamiliar suggestion, the lord had learned from a young age that the man’s attention was a hard won commodity, given sparingly and usually only if he had managed to achieve something of note. So even though it was not surprising, it was a far cry from what he might have hoped, for the man to actually share some of his thinking with him regarding the Egyptian envoy, but Achilleas reminded himself that he was treading carefully, and so he did not push it any further.
There was no reaction to his careful acknowledgement of how his cousin’s flight painted a picture save a nod from his father, and the son could at least be glad of that. He wasn’t certain he would have been able to react with convincing repentance had the matter of his vote in the senate been raised directly. Achilleas folded his hands in his lap, his fingers tangling together as he ventured yet another question as to his cousin’s whereabouts and the rumours than ran unchecked through the city. Not that he supposed they would be in any way distressing to the man before him. Rather it seemed that Stephanos’ disappearance had only confirmed his guilt to many, and that was...worrying. With no one here to take to trial, would he be convicted of those crimes he stood accused of? And then what?
Finally setting down his work, his father revealed little in his reply, save for a sly dig at the disgraced King and to take the opportunity to suggest Achilleas was wrong in paying any heed to such rudimentary sources of information. At this, the younger man could not help but bristle.
“Oh that I could afford to ignore such unfavourable sources, father. But I am not taken into your confidence so how else am I supposed to learn of such matters?” His tone was mild and the lord gave a deferential dip of his head but his words stood all the same. Had he not had force an audience with the man before him several times over the past weeks? Achilleas knew that in part it was his father expressing his displeasure at that contrary action in the senate, but also, he wondered if the man really noticed how little he gave away to his own son, to his heir and blood. It was frustrating beyond measure to learn matters of state at the same time as the peasants selling flowers in the Agora, and hard not to think of it as another way for the man to slight him. Achilleas steeled himself, and went on, eager not to let this be another point of conflict but to turn into something useful instead.
“I understand, you are busy, that is plain to see.” he said diplomatically. “But, why do you carry such burdens alone, sir? You have Emilios and me both who would help you, if you had but ask.” The elder of Irakles’ sons looked at his father expectantly. “What with everything you are having to do as acting regent, why not let us be of some use?”
The matter of Euttica sat at the tip of his tongue, but Achilleas bit back on it for now. In truth he appeared every inch the obliging son Irakles was more used to, perhaps wanting to make amends for their previous dissonance.
His son was emotional, and perhaps Irakles should understand for the man was still young - but was he? For a man of his age, about to be married in scarcely a few weeks, young should no longer be a word that applied to Achilleas. That Irakles had to sit here right now lisening to him basically wail that he was not given enough attention by his father was mildly irritating to the man who now had way more then he ever had on his plate.
Of course, Irakles was not about to complain regarding the workload, for he had worked long and hard to achieve what he wanted to achieve today. But that he had to handle Achilleas's controlled but clear sign of lashing out was what irked the man. His eyes flashed a warning at his son, the kind he was sure Achilleas had seen many times growing up, when Myrto failed to shush their temper tantrums as children. "That you are not taken into my confidence should be feedback enough for you. Have you not questioned before, why do I not do so?" the man's tone was clipped and sharp. "But I expect you to conduct yourself in the manner of the lord that you are, and not assume truth of any gossip you hear off the streets. Perhaps if you surround yourself with the proper company, you would hear news from its proper sources rather then gossip mongers in the Agora."
Allowing his gaze to flicker downwards towards the many scattered papers across his desk, he shook his head at his son, concluding that Achilleas simply did not have the brevity nor maturity of a man that he wished his son would've grown into. Certainly not the ambition of others he found more favorable.
"Burdens they are not. They are my responsibility and duty, and I will see to them as such. It is my lot, born to a King." There was no weariness in the man's tone, even if he looked so upon his visage. It was clear to anyone who heard that the man, graying hair he may have, held a sense of responsibility and duty to the highest esteem. "These matters are not for you nor Emilios to concern with. Emilios will handle matters of the House. You get married. After which, perhaps we will speak further."
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His son was emotional, and perhaps Irakles should understand for the man was still young - but was he? For a man of his age, about to be married in scarcely a few weeks, young should no longer be a word that applied to Achilleas. That Irakles had to sit here right now lisening to him basically wail that he was not given enough attention by his father was mildly irritating to the man who now had way more then he ever had on his plate.
Of course, Irakles was not about to complain regarding the workload, for he had worked long and hard to achieve what he wanted to achieve today. But that he had to handle Achilleas's controlled but clear sign of lashing out was what irked the man. His eyes flashed a warning at his son, the kind he was sure Achilleas had seen many times growing up, when Myrto failed to shush their temper tantrums as children. "That you are not taken into my confidence should be feedback enough for you. Have you not questioned before, why do I not do so?" the man's tone was clipped and sharp. "But I expect you to conduct yourself in the manner of the lord that you are, and not assume truth of any gossip you hear off the streets. Perhaps if you surround yourself with the proper company, you would hear news from its proper sources rather then gossip mongers in the Agora."
Allowing his gaze to flicker downwards towards the many scattered papers across his desk, he shook his head at his son, concluding that Achilleas simply did not have the brevity nor maturity of a man that he wished his son would've grown into. Certainly not the ambition of others he found more favorable.
"Burdens they are not. They are my responsibility and duty, and I will see to them as such. It is my lot, born to a King." There was no weariness in the man's tone, even if he looked so upon his visage. It was clear to anyone who heard that the man, graying hair he may have, held a sense of responsibility and duty to the highest esteem. "These matters are not for you nor Emilios to concern with. Emilios will handle matters of the House. You get married. After which, perhaps we will speak further."
His son was emotional, and perhaps Irakles should understand for the man was still young - but was he? For a man of his age, about to be married in scarcely a few weeks, young should no longer be a word that applied to Achilleas. That Irakles had to sit here right now lisening to him basically wail that he was not given enough attention by his father was mildly irritating to the man who now had way more then he ever had on his plate.
Of course, Irakles was not about to complain regarding the workload, for he had worked long and hard to achieve what he wanted to achieve today. But that he had to handle Achilleas's controlled but clear sign of lashing out was what irked the man. His eyes flashed a warning at his son, the kind he was sure Achilleas had seen many times growing up, when Myrto failed to shush their temper tantrums as children. "That you are not taken into my confidence should be feedback enough for you. Have you not questioned before, why do I not do so?" the man's tone was clipped and sharp. "But I expect you to conduct yourself in the manner of the lord that you are, and not assume truth of any gossip you hear off the streets. Perhaps if you surround yourself with the proper company, you would hear news from its proper sources rather then gossip mongers in the Agora."
Allowing his gaze to flicker downwards towards the many scattered papers across his desk, he shook his head at his son, concluding that Achilleas simply did not have the brevity nor maturity of a man that he wished his son would've grown into. Certainly not the ambition of others he found more favorable.
"Burdens they are not. They are my responsibility and duty, and I will see to them as such. It is my lot, born to a King." There was no weariness in the man's tone, even if he looked so upon his visage. It was clear to anyone who heard that the man, graying hair he may have, held a sense of responsibility and duty to the highest esteem. "These matters are not for you nor Emilios to concern with. Emilios will handle matters of the House. You get married. After which, perhaps we will speak further."
Achilleas did not know what he would have to do to prove himself to the man before him. He has forged a military career that at least showed promise to be as illustrious as that of his father, he had managed Euttica well enough over the years. He had done everything that had been expected of him, done it to the best of his ability. And yet again he found himself on the receipt of the sharp end of the man’s tongue, dropping his gaze to his folded hands when his father’s gaze had hardened into that all too familiar expression that conveyed his displeasure sure enough.
There was the slightest lift of the younger man’s brows at the question - as if Achilleas was not painfully aware of the fact that he did not have his father’s favour. He did not shake his head as he wanted to, but there was the press of his lips as he had to stifle some remark as to who, precisely, Irakles considered ‘proper company’. Nikos of Condos? With his weaselling attempts to ingratiate himself and lack of martial skill? Oh the man had ambition, but it was for his own gain, not for the bettering of Taengea which the man before him said again and again should be the motivating factor in all of his choices.
And it were not as if he even had many he would call friend. His focus had ever been elsewhere, in doing what he could to appease the same one who admonished him now for not having surrounded himself with ‘proper’ people. Achilleas lifted his gaze in time to catch the shake of the head, and it was that small gesture, that sign of disappointment that had him narrow his gaze momentarily, set his jaw. And when even his overture towards being helpful was thrown aside with the not so subtle reminder of the responsibility Irakles had taken away from him, he wondered why he bothered.
Slowly but surely, each interaction they had was chipping away at whatever loyalty the son had towards the father, small seams of uncertainty widening into undeniable chasms of doubt that made Achilleas question everything he thought he knew.He had been a fool perhaps not to have seen it sooner, too wrapped up in his own desire to please his father to see the man clearly. And it was a painful process to go through now, made the indifference somehow harder to swallow.
Even so, Achilleas needed to tow the line, to keep up the image of dutiful son if he wanted to avoid being shut out completely. And he did want to avoid that because the lord knew that forewarned was forearmed. And he realised with a jolt that he was actually considering working directly against the man, a thing that would seemed unconscionable only weeks ago. He felt his stomach twist.
“Whatever you think best, then.” Achilleas managed to deliver the words in a respectful tone, and he had risen from his seat and bowed before looking to his father once more.
“My apologies for disturbing you. If you could let me know the outcome of your conversation with the Master of War I would appreciate it”.
They were done here, clearly and Achilleas had no wish to sit around and invite further disapproval, so he left the man to his papers. With his only task apparently to get wed, he had some time to think.
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Achilleas did not know what he would have to do to prove himself to the man before him. He has forged a military career that at least showed promise to be as illustrious as that of his father, he had managed Euttica well enough over the years. He had done everything that had been expected of him, done it to the best of his ability. And yet again he found himself on the receipt of the sharp end of the man’s tongue, dropping his gaze to his folded hands when his father’s gaze had hardened into that all too familiar expression that conveyed his displeasure sure enough.
There was the slightest lift of the younger man’s brows at the question - as if Achilleas was not painfully aware of the fact that he did not have his father’s favour. He did not shake his head as he wanted to, but there was the press of his lips as he had to stifle some remark as to who, precisely, Irakles considered ‘proper company’. Nikos of Condos? With his weaselling attempts to ingratiate himself and lack of martial skill? Oh the man had ambition, but it was for his own gain, not for the bettering of Taengea which the man before him said again and again should be the motivating factor in all of his choices.
And it were not as if he even had many he would call friend. His focus had ever been elsewhere, in doing what he could to appease the same one who admonished him now for not having surrounded himself with ‘proper’ people. Achilleas lifted his gaze in time to catch the shake of the head, and it was that small gesture, that sign of disappointment that had him narrow his gaze momentarily, set his jaw. And when even his overture towards being helpful was thrown aside with the not so subtle reminder of the responsibility Irakles had taken away from him, he wondered why he bothered.
Slowly but surely, each interaction they had was chipping away at whatever loyalty the son had towards the father, small seams of uncertainty widening into undeniable chasms of doubt that made Achilleas question everything he thought he knew.He had been a fool perhaps not to have seen it sooner, too wrapped up in his own desire to please his father to see the man clearly. And it was a painful process to go through now, made the indifference somehow harder to swallow.
Even so, Achilleas needed to tow the line, to keep up the image of dutiful son if he wanted to avoid being shut out completely. And he did want to avoid that because the lord knew that forewarned was forearmed. And he realised with a jolt that he was actually considering working directly against the man, a thing that would seemed unconscionable only weeks ago. He felt his stomach twist.
“Whatever you think best, then.” Achilleas managed to deliver the words in a respectful tone, and he had risen from his seat and bowed before looking to his father once more.
“My apologies for disturbing you. If you could let me know the outcome of your conversation with the Master of War I would appreciate it”.
They were done here, clearly and Achilleas had no wish to sit around and invite further disapproval, so he left the man to his papers. With his only task apparently to get wed, he had some time to think.
Achilleas did not know what he would have to do to prove himself to the man before him. He has forged a military career that at least showed promise to be as illustrious as that of his father, he had managed Euttica well enough over the years. He had done everything that had been expected of him, done it to the best of his ability. And yet again he found himself on the receipt of the sharp end of the man’s tongue, dropping his gaze to his folded hands when his father’s gaze had hardened into that all too familiar expression that conveyed his displeasure sure enough.
There was the slightest lift of the younger man’s brows at the question - as if Achilleas was not painfully aware of the fact that he did not have his father’s favour. He did not shake his head as he wanted to, but there was the press of his lips as he had to stifle some remark as to who, precisely, Irakles considered ‘proper company’. Nikos of Condos? With his weaselling attempts to ingratiate himself and lack of martial skill? Oh the man had ambition, but it was for his own gain, not for the bettering of Taengea which the man before him said again and again should be the motivating factor in all of his choices.
And it were not as if he even had many he would call friend. His focus had ever been elsewhere, in doing what he could to appease the same one who admonished him now for not having surrounded himself with ‘proper’ people. Achilleas lifted his gaze in time to catch the shake of the head, and it was that small gesture, that sign of disappointment that had him narrow his gaze momentarily, set his jaw. And when even his overture towards being helpful was thrown aside with the not so subtle reminder of the responsibility Irakles had taken away from him, he wondered why he bothered.
Slowly but surely, each interaction they had was chipping away at whatever loyalty the son had towards the father, small seams of uncertainty widening into undeniable chasms of doubt that made Achilleas question everything he thought he knew.He had been a fool perhaps not to have seen it sooner, too wrapped up in his own desire to please his father to see the man clearly. And it was a painful process to go through now, made the indifference somehow harder to swallow.
Even so, Achilleas needed to tow the line, to keep up the image of dutiful son if he wanted to avoid being shut out completely. And he did want to avoid that because the lord knew that forewarned was forearmed. And he realised with a jolt that he was actually considering working directly against the man, a thing that would seemed unconscionable only weeks ago. He felt his stomach twist.
“Whatever you think best, then.” Achilleas managed to deliver the words in a respectful tone, and he had risen from his seat and bowed before looking to his father once more.
“My apologies for disturbing you. If you could let me know the outcome of your conversation with the Master of War I would appreciate it”.
They were done here, clearly and Achilleas had no wish to sit around and invite further disapproval, so he left the man to his papers. With his only task apparently to get wed, he had some time to think.