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The Lord looked sharply at Evangelina, trying to judge if she were teasing with all the threats - for it felt like being threatened- of further swatches and wedding related confections. He had borne the selecting and fitting of his attire, had listened to his mother prattle on about musicians and wine and flowers and every other thing possible. There could be no more, surely?
There was a genuinely pained expression upon his face as he asked “ I don’t know you well enough yet to tell if you speak in jest. Please tell me you jest?”
There was a suspect twitch of her lips before she turned away that gave him hope, thought Achilleas vowed he would spend the rest of day sparring with his men to avoid being cornered for wedding purposes.
Later, when she flashed him an unconvincing smile after he attempted to explain himself and the day that he had wronged her so, the lord was quick to disavow her of any notion it had been her he targeted. Even at the expense of his own pride. “I can promise you it was entirely my poor aim, and absolutely nothing but that” he assured. And when Evangelina looked back to Amyntas, Achilleas pressed on, realising he had not truly offered an apology even now. He cleared his throat, waited until he had her attention before he spoke.
“It is only nine years too late, but Lady Evangelina, please accept my apologies. I truly did not intend for you to get caught in the crossfire of a childish prank, and it was remiss of me not to see that you were ok there and then. Perhaps we can consider this a..new start or something”
His curiosity was piqued about her mention of Condos - he and Nikos had never been close, but more recently, Achilleas had begun to see him as more of an annoyance. And he did not trust him. He hoped what sounded like a childish crush had not grown into anything more, because Evangelina seemed far too good for the sly Condos lord. But they were not well acquainted enough for him to ask after such a thing and so instead he made some sweeping statement about being glad that she had come and watched as she moved away from the stallion to lean against the bole of one of the old trees that dotted the estate.
She was tinyhe thought, shorter even that Briseis, who he had been scared of breaking at times. And then he pushed those thoughts away, for it was hardly a proper comparison to make, and nor should he be thinking on Briseis at all, though it made it difficult living under his father’s roof. Another thing that would be easier once he were back in Euttica.
He nodded, conceding her point, and then a thought occurred to him. “Will you be remaining in the Capital a while then, my lady?” He knew Konstanos kept an estate in Acharist, had never been there himself, but he doubted Evangelina would hear much of interest out there. And then he thought the same about his long yearned for escape back to Euttica. He would be out of the loop there, and even if he returned for the weekly senate meet there would be much that he missed.
It was not a welcome realisation. Not now, when he felt he needed to be close to things. Achilleas could have cursed the timing of it all, when the promise of returning to Euttica with Theo had been his goal for so many months now. He would need to reevaluate things.
“You can write to me if you need” he said, suddenly realising he had grown distracted. “I do not *think* things have gotten so bad that my father intercepts my letters just yet”
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The Lord looked sharply at Evangelina, trying to judge if she were teasing with all the threats - for it felt like being threatened- of further swatches and wedding related confections. He had borne the selecting and fitting of his attire, had listened to his mother prattle on about musicians and wine and flowers and every other thing possible. There could be no more, surely?
There was a genuinely pained expression upon his face as he asked “ I don’t know you well enough yet to tell if you speak in jest. Please tell me you jest?”
There was a suspect twitch of her lips before she turned away that gave him hope, thought Achilleas vowed he would spend the rest of day sparring with his men to avoid being cornered for wedding purposes.
Later, when she flashed him an unconvincing smile after he attempted to explain himself and the day that he had wronged her so, the lord was quick to disavow her of any notion it had been her he targeted. Even at the expense of his own pride. “I can promise you it was entirely my poor aim, and absolutely nothing but that” he assured. And when Evangelina looked back to Amyntas, Achilleas pressed on, realising he had not truly offered an apology even now. He cleared his throat, waited until he had her attention before he spoke.
“It is only nine years too late, but Lady Evangelina, please accept my apologies. I truly did not intend for you to get caught in the crossfire of a childish prank, and it was remiss of me not to see that you were ok there and then. Perhaps we can consider this a..new start or something”
His curiosity was piqued about her mention of Condos - he and Nikos had never been close, but more recently, Achilleas had begun to see him as more of an annoyance. And he did not trust him. He hoped what sounded like a childish crush had not grown into anything more, because Evangelina seemed far too good for the sly Condos lord. But they were not well acquainted enough for him to ask after such a thing and so instead he made some sweeping statement about being glad that she had come and watched as she moved away from the stallion to lean against the bole of one of the old trees that dotted the estate.
She was tinyhe thought, shorter even that Briseis, who he had been scared of breaking at times. And then he pushed those thoughts away, for it was hardly a proper comparison to make, and nor should he be thinking on Briseis at all, though it made it difficult living under his father’s roof. Another thing that would be easier once he were back in Euttica.
He nodded, conceding her point, and then a thought occurred to him. “Will you be remaining in the Capital a while then, my lady?” He knew Konstanos kept an estate in Acharist, had never been there himself, but he doubted Evangelina would hear much of interest out there. And then he thought the same about his long yearned for escape back to Euttica. He would be out of the loop there, and even if he returned for the weekly senate meet there would be much that he missed.
It was not a welcome realisation. Not now, when he felt he needed to be close to things. Achilleas could have cursed the timing of it all, when the promise of returning to Euttica with Theo had been his goal for so many months now. He would need to reevaluate things.
“You can write to me if you need” he said, suddenly realising he had grown distracted. “I do not *think* things have gotten so bad that my father intercepts my letters just yet”
The Lord looked sharply at Evangelina, trying to judge if she were teasing with all the threats - for it felt like being threatened- of further swatches and wedding related confections. He had borne the selecting and fitting of his attire, had listened to his mother prattle on about musicians and wine and flowers and every other thing possible. There could be no more, surely?
There was a genuinely pained expression upon his face as he asked “ I don’t know you well enough yet to tell if you speak in jest. Please tell me you jest?”
There was a suspect twitch of her lips before she turned away that gave him hope, thought Achilleas vowed he would spend the rest of day sparring with his men to avoid being cornered for wedding purposes.
Later, when she flashed him an unconvincing smile after he attempted to explain himself and the day that he had wronged her so, the lord was quick to disavow her of any notion it had been her he targeted. Even at the expense of his own pride. “I can promise you it was entirely my poor aim, and absolutely nothing but that” he assured. And when Evangelina looked back to Amyntas, Achilleas pressed on, realising he had not truly offered an apology even now. He cleared his throat, waited until he had her attention before he spoke.
“It is only nine years too late, but Lady Evangelina, please accept my apologies. I truly did not intend for you to get caught in the crossfire of a childish prank, and it was remiss of me not to see that you were ok there and then. Perhaps we can consider this a..new start or something”
His curiosity was piqued about her mention of Condos - he and Nikos had never been close, but more recently, Achilleas had begun to see him as more of an annoyance. And he did not trust him. He hoped what sounded like a childish crush had not grown into anything more, because Evangelina seemed far too good for the sly Condos lord. But they were not well acquainted enough for him to ask after such a thing and so instead he made some sweeping statement about being glad that she had come and watched as she moved away from the stallion to lean against the bole of one of the old trees that dotted the estate.
She was tinyhe thought, shorter even that Briseis, who he had been scared of breaking at times. And then he pushed those thoughts away, for it was hardly a proper comparison to make, and nor should he be thinking on Briseis at all, though it made it difficult living under his father’s roof. Another thing that would be easier once he were back in Euttica.
He nodded, conceding her point, and then a thought occurred to him. “Will you be remaining in the Capital a while then, my lady?” He knew Konstanos kept an estate in Acharist, had never been there himself, but he doubted Evangelina would hear much of interest out there. And then he thought the same about his long yearned for escape back to Euttica. He would be out of the loop there, and even if he returned for the weekly senate meet there would be much that he missed.
It was not a welcome realisation. Not now, when he felt he needed to be close to things. Achilleas could have cursed the timing of it all, when the promise of returning to Euttica with Theo had been his goal for so many months now. He would need to reevaluate things.
“You can write to me if you need” he said, suddenly realising he had grown distracted. “I do not *think* things have gotten so bad that my father intercepts my letters just yet”
Friendships were not… easy for her. Evangelina knew she wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Possibly because she was a Leventi, yet she was an entirely different breed than her cousins. Evangelina was wild tousled hair on the ocean breeze, overlooked ripped hems, all-consuming lofty grins, a little broken but desperately trying to be a good person. She was lily of the valley muddled with horses, leather, and orange blossoms. She was stubborn, arrogant, and more than just a little impatient. Chaos in a bottle.
It could have been that unmistakable tortured look on his face at her teasing. His glacial blue eyes fixedly stared at her, sizing her up. Good luck with that. ‘I don’t know you well enough yet to tell if you speak in jest. Please tell me you jest?’ Her earthy puckish eyes slanted sideways raising an eyebrow questioningly at him, was I? Saying nothing was far better than teasing him on that subject. Instead, she was content with sharing just enough to leave him wondering what was in store for him.
As their conversation roused to the topic of the past, she dropped her head as he spoke assuring her that she’d never been who he’d intended to hit. ‘I can promise you it was entirely my poor aim, and absolutely nothing but that.’ Her mind traveled back to that day and the incredible amount of humiliation she’d felt. She wasn’t touched by Aphrodite, or any of the other Gods, like Lene or Theo. Growing up in Acharist, compared to her cousins and if you’d asked Fotios, she was permitted too much freedom. The end result had left her completely out of sorts with herself in those years she wasn’t allowed to play with the boys anymore and not refined or beautiful to garner the attention of the other girls. For a perfectionist, constant failure made everything so much more sensitive. That day so long ago, her girlhood crush had finally seen her, and he’d seen her take a rock to the side of the face like some sort of village idiot.
Achilleas must have noted her quietness because he cleared his throat and apologized. ‘It is only nine years too late, but Lady Evangelina, please accept my apologies. I truly did not intend for you to get caught in the crossfire of a childish prank, and it was remiss of me not to see that you were ok there and then. Perhaps we can consider this a..new start or something.’ Her lips softened but she didn’t immediately say anything, her face searched his determining he was truly sorry for the pain he caused her. After a long moment, she extended her right hand to him, waiting for him to take it before she dipped in a curtsy.
“Lady Evangelina of Leventi pleased to meet you.” She rose back up carefully, “I don’t hold it against you, really, I don’t. We all do things that we regret, you are forgiven in my books.”
Moving to the giant tree, she let herself sink softly back against the jagged bark of the oak. Her hands softly tucked behind her, she tilted her head to study him. What was he thinking about? Was that curiosity floating off of him? Holding his gaze for a moment, she decided not to be nosy and ask what he was thinking about. She dropped it to stare at her feet, then glanced sideways at him as he spoke. ‘Will you be remaining in the Capital a while then, my lady?’ Blinking in surprise at the curious question before her gaze dropped again, the toe of one of her sandals dug into the dirt.
“Yes.” It was said quietly. “As long as I am unattached I’ll be here. I’d like to return to Acharist. I miss it but potential husbands do not exactly travel that way often enough.” She sighed and shrugged. What else was she to say to that? Her teeth found their way to her bottom lip again. An uncomfortable silence seemed to filter in between them as they each became lost in their own thoughts. He broke the silence after a moment.
‘You can write to me if you need,’ Her head jerked up and she looked at him with uncertainty, ‘I do not think things have gotten so bad that my father intercepts my letters just yet.’ Evangelina shifted, one of her hands came out to rub her lips softly in thought before disappearing back behind her again.
“And what of my uncle?” Her smile was a bit sad, maybe his father didn’t intercept his letters yet, but nothing got Fotios off faster than reading private letters. Slanting a soft look at him, “Do you not think it’d look suspicious you sending letters who wasn’t your sisters or your wife?” It was a nice sentiment but… “What in the world would Theo say? They could be perfectly innocent letters but I somehow don’t believe my cousin would be okay with that. It’s a nice thought though.”
Looking past him, she lost herself in a moment of thought before looking directly at him, “Letters might be suspicious considering our lack of recent communication but I’d definitely not say no to your friendship.” Evangelina held his gaze and continued, “But if we are to be friends I’ll expect you to be entirely frank with me and please try not to be too shocked when I am the same way in return. I have the special ability to curl nose hairs with my opinions and questions…” The corner of her lip lifted a little showing off a hidden dimple, and she shrugged nonchalantly at him, “Or so I am told.”
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Friendships were not… easy for her. Evangelina knew she wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Possibly because she was a Leventi, yet she was an entirely different breed than her cousins. Evangelina was wild tousled hair on the ocean breeze, overlooked ripped hems, all-consuming lofty grins, a little broken but desperately trying to be a good person. She was lily of the valley muddled with horses, leather, and orange blossoms. She was stubborn, arrogant, and more than just a little impatient. Chaos in a bottle.
It could have been that unmistakable tortured look on his face at her teasing. His glacial blue eyes fixedly stared at her, sizing her up. Good luck with that. ‘I don’t know you well enough yet to tell if you speak in jest. Please tell me you jest?’ Her earthy puckish eyes slanted sideways raising an eyebrow questioningly at him, was I? Saying nothing was far better than teasing him on that subject. Instead, she was content with sharing just enough to leave him wondering what was in store for him.
As their conversation roused to the topic of the past, she dropped her head as he spoke assuring her that she’d never been who he’d intended to hit. ‘I can promise you it was entirely my poor aim, and absolutely nothing but that.’ Her mind traveled back to that day and the incredible amount of humiliation she’d felt. She wasn’t touched by Aphrodite, or any of the other Gods, like Lene or Theo. Growing up in Acharist, compared to her cousins and if you’d asked Fotios, she was permitted too much freedom. The end result had left her completely out of sorts with herself in those years she wasn’t allowed to play with the boys anymore and not refined or beautiful to garner the attention of the other girls. For a perfectionist, constant failure made everything so much more sensitive. That day so long ago, her girlhood crush had finally seen her, and he’d seen her take a rock to the side of the face like some sort of village idiot.
Achilleas must have noted her quietness because he cleared his throat and apologized. ‘It is only nine years too late, but Lady Evangelina, please accept my apologies. I truly did not intend for you to get caught in the crossfire of a childish prank, and it was remiss of me not to see that you were ok there and then. Perhaps we can consider this a..new start or something.’ Her lips softened but she didn’t immediately say anything, her face searched his determining he was truly sorry for the pain he caused her. After a long moment, she extended her right hand to him, waiting for him to take it before she dipped in a curtsy.
“Lady Evangelina of Leventi pleased to meet you.” She rose back up carefully, “I don’t hold it against you, really, I don’t. We all do things that we regret, you are forgiven in my books.”
Moving to the giant tree, she let herself sink softly back against the jagged bark of the oak. Her hands softly tucked behind her, she tilted her head to study him. What was he thinking about? Was that curiosity floating off of him? Holding his gaze for a moment, she decided not to be nosy and ask what he was thinking about. She dropped it to stare at her feet, then glanced sideways at him as he spoke. ‘Will you be remaining in the Capital a while then, my lady?’ Blinking in surprise at the curious question before her gaze dropped again, the toe of one of her sandals dug into the dirt.
“Yes.” It was said quietly. “As long as I am unattached I’ll be here. I’d like to return to Acharist. I miss it but potential husbands do not exactly travel that way often enough.” She sighed and shrugged. What else was she to say to that? Her teeth found their way to her bottom lip again. An uncomfortable silence seemed to filter in between them as they each became lost in their own thoughts. He broke the silence after a moment.
‘You can write to me if you need,’ Her head jerked up and she looked at him with uncertainty, ‘I do not think things have gotten so bad that my father intercepts my letters just yet.’ Evangelina shifted, one of her hands came out to rub her lips softly in thought before disappearing back behind her again.
“And what of my uncle?” Her smile was a bit sad, maybe his father didn’t intercept his letters yet, but nothing got Fotios off faster than reading private letters. Slanting a soft look at him, “Do you not think it’d look suspicious you sending letters who wasn’t your sisters or your wife?” It was a nice sentiment but… “What in the world would Theo say? They could be perfectly innocent letters but I somehow don’t believe my cousin would be okay with that. It’s a nice thought though.”
Looking past him, she lost herself in a moment of thought before looking directly at him, “Letters might be suspicious considering our lack of recent communication but I’d definitely not say no to your friendship.” Evangelina held his gaze and continued, “But if we are to be friends I’ll expect you to be entirely frank with me and please try not to be too shocked when I am the same way in return. I have the special ability to curl nose hairs with my opinions and questions…” The corner of her lip lifted a little showing off a hidden dimple, and she shrugged nonchalantly at him, “Or so I am told.”
Friendships were not… easy for her. Evangelina knew she wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Possibly because she was a Leventi, yet she was an entirely different breed than her cousins. Evangelina was wild tousled hair on the ocean breeze, overlooked ripped hems, all-consuming lofty grins, a little broken but desperately trying to be a good person. She was lily of the valley muddled with horses, leather, and orange blossoms. She was stubborn, arrogant, and more than just a little impatient. Chaos in a bottle.
It could have been that unmistakable tortured look on his face at her teasing. His glacial blue eyes fixedly stared at her, sizing her up. Good luck with that. ‘I don’t know you well enough yet to tell if you speak in jest. Please tell me you jest?’ Her earthy puckish eyes slanted sideways raising an eyebrow questioningly at him, was I? Saying nothing was far better than teasing him on that subject. Instead, she was content with sharing just enough to leave him wondering what was in store for him.
As their conversation roused to the topic of the past, she dropped her head as he spoke assuring her that she’d never been who he’d intended to hit. ‘I can promise you it was entirely my poor aim, and absolutely nothing but that.’ Her mind traveled back to that day and the incredible amount of humiliation she’d felt. She wasn’t touched by Aphrodite, or any of the other Gods, like Lene or Theo. Growing up in Acharist, compared to her cousins and if you’d asked Fotios, she was permitted too much freedom. The end result had left her completely out of sorts with herself in those years she wasn’t allowed to play with the boys anymore and not refined or beautiful to garner the attention of the other girls. For a perfectionist, constant failure made everything so much more sensitive. That day so long ago, her girlhood crush had finally seen her, and he’d seen her take a rock to the side of the face like some sort of village idiot.
Achilleas must have noted her quietness because he cleared his throat and apologized. ‘It is only nine years too late, but Lady Evangelina, please accept my apologies. I truly did not intend for you to get caught in the crossfire of a childish prank, and it was remiss of me not to see that you were ok there and then. Perhaps we can consider this a..new start or something.’ Her lips softened but she didn’t immediately say anything, her face searched his determining he was truly sorry for the pain he caused her. After a long moment, she extended her right hand to him, waiting for him to take it before she dipped in a curtsy.
“Lady Evangelina of Leventi pleased to meet you.” She rose back up carefully, “I don’t hold it against you, really, I don’t. We all do things that we regret, you are forgiven in my books.”
Moving to the giant tree, she let herself sink softly back against the jagged bark of the oak. Her hands softly tucked behind her, she tilted her head to study him. What was he thinking about? Was that curiosity floating off of him? Holding his gaze for a moment, she decided not to be nosy and ask what he was thinking about. She dropped it to stare at her feet, then glanced sideways at him as he spoke. ‘Will you be remaining in the Capital a while then, my lady?’ Blinking in surprise at the curious question before her gaze dropped again, the toe of one of her sandals dug into the dirt.
“Yes.” It was said quietly. “As long as I am unattached I’ll be here. I’d like to return to Acharist. I miss it but potential husbands do not exactly travel that way often enough.” She sighed and shrugged. What else was she to say to that? Her teeth found their way to her bottom lip again. An uncomfortable silence seemed to filter in between them as they each became lost in their own thoughts. He broke the silence after a moment.
‘You can write to me if you need,’ Her head jerked up and she looked at him with uncertainty, ‘I do not think things have gotten so bad that my father intercepts my letters just yet.’ Evangelina shifted, one of her hands came out to rub her lips softly in thought before disappearing back behind her again.
“And what of my uncle?” Her smile was a bit sad, maybe his father didn’t intercept his letters yet, but nothing got Fotios off faster than reading private letters. Slanting a soft look at him, “Do you not think it’d look suspicious you sending letters who wasn’t your sisters or your wife?” It was a nice sentiment but… “What in the world would Theo say? They could be perfectly innocent letters but I somehow don’t believe my cousin would be okay with that. It’s a nice thought though.”
Looking past him, she lost herself in a moment of thought before looking directly at him, “Letters might be suspicious considering our lack of recent communication but I’d definitely not say no to your friendship.” Evangelina held his gaze and continued, “But if we are to be friends I’ll expect you to be entirely frank with me and please try not to be too shocked when I am the same way in return. I have the special ability to curl nose hairs with my opinions and questions…” The corner of her lip lifted a little showing off a hidden dimple, and she shrugged nonchalantly at him, “Or so I am told.”
Achilleas felt better for having said he was sorry - he had never been comfortable knowing he’d upset others. It was one of the things he and his father quarrelled about most. That he was too soft, too concerned with how people felt about things. Irakles saw emotion as weakness, and so Achilleas had learned to try and stifle his own, but it was harder to quell the instinct to make allowances for others. So he was glad to take Evangelina’s hand, smiling as she made a show of starting over and feeling relieved that she was willing to overlook his earlier idiocy. Which he mostly blamed Stephanos for
“Perhaps you should consider the company you keep at social gatherings.” he said lightly. “I would say standing next to Nikos of Condos makes one significantly more likely to be hit by rocks” It was a subtle way of following up on his earlier curiosity as to the nature of Evangelina’s relationship with the man. Much as it would dismay him, the fact of the matter was, Achilleas would find it difficult to trust the young woman if she were somehow entangled with that conniving excuse for a baron.
The Lord had turned to face her still as Evie placed the tree at her back, leaning back against the fence behind him, though he somehow managed to avoid looking idle. Achilleas rarely looked idle, even when he was being. So many years spent being drilled on how he must present himself to others had it an unconscious ability now. His head tilted to the side a fraction as Evangelina spoke quietly of her remaining in Vasiliadon, and he wondered how he had blundered so insensitively into that. Women could be funny about marriage, though he hardly thought the girl before him had to cause to worry just yet - she could only be twenty or so.
Still, he deemed it safer not to comment, even as his thoughts turned towards his brother, who was still unattached. He tried to envision the two of them together and did not find it entirely displeasing. Perhaps he would mention it to Emilios, if nothing else, he could pay her some attention at the wedding.
“It is probably better you are here anyway” Achilleas resolved after a moment. “Things will be a little unsettled in your family with Selene and Olympia’s departure. I am sure your cousins will be glad of your presence” That both he and Theodora had been a little dismissive of Evangeline at the reception for the Egyptians had not entirely escaped his notice - Achilleas had been tetchy anyway after the day he'd had and then thrown off by the presence of that bard, who he had not been anticipating seeing. He wondered if there was something else that prompted Theo’s sharp tongue though, and thought he might ask her about it, whenever they next got a moment. Though there were other, more pressing things he wanted to talk to her of, too.
He looked uncomfortable when she spoke of Lord Fotios again, and even more so when she suggested it would be seen as inappropriate for him to write to her. “Of course I would not hide anything from Theodora. She would have no reason to be troubled.” he defended, hasty to establish his loyalty in that regard. Evangelina seemed resolved in her decision though, and he paused when she fixed him with a look, waiting to hear what she had to say.
The expectant look shifted into a softly pleased one, and Achilleas found himself smiling. He did not count many as friends - his cousins, Krysto - and though it was tentative at this stage, he was warming to this cousin of his betrothed.
So much so that he laughed a little at her proclamation, wondering how seriously he was supposed to take this forewarning. And then he considered her earlier observation of his mannerisms and his face settled into a more serious mien. “I will be as open with you as I am able” he said, looking at her carefully. “And will prepare myself for whatever you might offer in return. I much prefer being direct than speaking in circles anyway”
It was honest, but then perhaps Achilleas had not yet been exposed to Evangelina’s unique brand of ‘direct’ enough to know what he was agreeing to. He opened his mouth as if he might say more, but then closed it again and frowned slightly, eyes lifting to beyond her, and his expression shifted into something more guarded.
“Yes?” It was clear enough that the lord was no longer addressing Evie, and sure enough when she turned her head she could see the servant who had drawn Achilleas’ attention away from her. The man looked between the Mikaelidas lord and the noblewoman for a moment, and then spoke,, almost apologetically as if he knew his news would not be welcomed.
“The Lady Myrto requests your attendance, my Lord. I didn’t know you had company. I can tell her..”
Achilleas held up a hand, and gave a resigned sort of sigh. His escape had been short-lived it would seem. “No” he said “ I will come. Lady Evangelina here was just delivering some..” for a moment his mind went blank as to what on earth the swatches he held were for, but then it came back to him and he answered smoothly “ table covers. Take these to my mother and tell her I shall be along shortly” He held the gathered fabric squares out to the man to take, and when the servant had bowed to both Achilleas and Evangelina, he retreated to the manor and left them alone once more.
The Lord Mikaelidas gave a small shake of his head. “I’m sorry. In spite of having more of it than I am used to, it seems my time is not my own at the moment.” He offered his arm to escort Evangelina back to the house, looking sideways at her as he did so. “Of course, if you would like to join us I’m certain my Mother would be delighted to have a woman’s opinion on whatever she has to ask me. She seems frustrated by my input most of the time”
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Achilleas felt better for having said he was sorry - he had never been comfortable knowing he’d upset others. It was one of the things he and his father quarrelled about most. That he was too soft, too concerned with how people felt about things. Irakles saw emotion as weakness, and so Achilleas had learned to try and stifle his own, but it was harder to quell the instinct to make allowances for others. So he was glad to take Evangelina’s hand, smiling as she made a show of starting over and feeling relieved that she was willing to overlook his earlier idiocy. Which he mostly blamed Stephanos for
“Perhaps you should consider the company you keep at social gatherings.” he said lightly. “I would say standing next to Nikos of Condos makes one significantly more likely to be hit by rocks” It was a subtle way of following up on his earlier curiosity as to the nature of Evangelina’s relationship with the man. Much as it would dismay him, the fact of the matter was, Achilleas would find it difficult to trust the young woman if she were somehow entangled with that conniving excuse for a baron.
The Lord had turned to face her still as Evie placed the tree at her back, leaning back against the fence behind him, though he somehow managed to avoid looking idle. Achilleas rarely looked idle, even when he was being. So many years spent being drilled on how he must present himself to others had it an unconscious ability now. His head tilted to the side a fraction as Evangelina spoke quietly of her remaining in Vasiliadon, and he wondered how he had blundered so insensitively into that. Women could be funny about marriage, though he hardly thought the girl before him had to cause to worry just yet - she could only be twenty or so.
Still, he deemed it safer not to comment, even as his thoughts turned towards his brother, who was still unattached. He tried to envision the two of them together and did not find it entirely displeasing. Perhaps he would mention it to Emilios, if nothing else, he could pay her some attention at the wedding.
“It is probably better you are here anyway” Achilleas resolved after a moment. “Things will be a little unsettled in your family with Selene and Olympia’s departure. I am sure your cousins will be glad of your presence” That both he and Theodora had been a little dismissive of Evangeline at the reception for the Egyptians had not entirely escaped his notice - Achilleas had been tetchy anyway after the day he'd had and then thrown off by the presence of that bard, who he had not been anticipating seeing. He wondered if there was something else that prompted Theo’s sharp tongue though, and thought he might ask her about it, whenever they next got a moment. Though there were other, more pressing things he wanted to talk to her of, too.
He looked uncomfortable when she spoke of Lord Fotios again, and even more so when she suggested it would be seen as inappropriate for him to write to her. “Of course I would not hide anything from Theodora. She would have no reason to be troubled.” he defended, hasty to establish his loyalty in that regard. Evangelina seemed resolved in her decision though, and he paused when she fixed him with a look, waiting to hear what she had to say.
The expectant look shifted into a softly pleased one, and Achilleas found himself smiling. He did not count many as friends - his cousins, Krysto - and though it was tentative at this stage, he was warming to this cousin of his betrothed.
So much so that he laughed a little at her proclamation, wondering how seriously he was supposed to take this forewarning. And then he considered her earlier observation of his mannerisms and his face settled into a more serious mien. “I will be as open with you as I am able” he said, looking at her carefully. “And will prepare myself for whatever you might offer in return. I much prefer being direct than speaking in circles anyway”
It was honest, but then perhaps Achilleas had not yet been exposed to Evangelina’s unique brand of ‘direct’ enough to know what he was agreeing to. He opened his mouth as if he might say more, but then closed it again and frowned slightly, eyes lifting to beyond her, and his expression shifted into something more guarded.
“Yes?” It was clear enough that the lord was no longer addressing Evie, and sure enough when she turned her head she could see the servant who had drawn Achilleas’ attention away from her. The man looked between the Mikaelidas lord and the noblewoman for a moment, and then spoke,, almost apologetically as if he knew his news would not be welcomed.
“The Lady Myrto requests your attendance, my Lord. I didn’t know you had company. I can tell her..”
Achilleas held up a hand, and gave a resigned sort of sigh. His escape had been short-lived it would seem. “No” he said “ I will come. Lady Evangelina here was just delivering some..” for a moment his mind went blank as to what on earth the swatches he held were for, but then it came back to him and he answered smoothly “ table covers. Take these to my mother and tell her I shall be along shortly” He held the gathered fabric squares out to the man to take, and when the servant had bowed to both Achilleas and Evangelina, he retreated to the manor and left them alone once more.
The Lord Mikaelidas gave a small shake of his head. “I’m sorry. In spite of having more of it than I am used to, it seems my time is not my own at the moment.” He offered his arm to escort Evangelina back to the house, looking sideways at her as he did so. “Of course, if you would like to join us I’m certain my Mother would be delighted to have a woman’s opinion on whatever she has to ask me. She seems frustrated by my input most of the time”
Achilleas felt better for having said he was sorry - he had never been comfortable knowing he’d upset others. It was one of the things he and his father quarrelled about most. That he was too soft, too concerned with how people felt about things. Irakles saw emotion as weakness, and so Achilleas had learned to try and stifle his own, but it was harder to quell the instinct to make allowances for others. So he was glad to take Evangelina’s hand, smiling as she made a show of starting over and feeling relieved that she was willing to overlook his earlier idiocy. Which he mostly blamed Stephanos for
“Perhaps you should consider the company you keep at social gatherings.” he said lightly. “I would say standing next to Nikos of Condos makes one significantly more likely to be hit by rocks” It was a subtle way of following up on his earlier curiosity as to the nature of Evangelina’s relationship with the man. Much as it would dismay him, the fact of the matter was, Achilleas would find it difficult to trust the young woman if she were somehow entangled with that conniving excuse for a baron.
The Lord had turned to face her still as Evie placed the tree at her back, leaning back against the fence behind him, though he somehow managed to avoid looking idle. Achilleas rarely looked idle, even when he was being. So many years spent being drilled on how he must present himself to others had it an unconscious ability now. His head tilted to the side a fraction as Evangelina spoke quietly of her remaining in Vasiliadon, and he wondered how he had blundered so insensitively into that. Women could be funny about marriage, though he hardly thought the girl before him had to cause to worry just yet - she could only be twenty or so.
Still, he deemed it safer not to comment, even as his thoughts turned towards his brother, who was still unattached. He tried to envision the two of them together and did not find it entirely displeasing. Perhaps he would mention it to Emilios, if nothing else, he could pay her some attention at the wedding.
“It is probably better you are here anyway” Achilleas resolved after a moment. “Things will be a little unsettled in your family with Selene and Olympia’s departure. I am sure your cousins will be glad of your presence” That both he and Theodora had been a little dismissive of Evangeline at the reception for the Egyptians had not entirely escaped his notice - Achilleas had been tetchy anyway after the day he'd had and then thrown off by the presence of that bard, who he had not been anticipating seeing. He wondered if there was something else that prompted Theo’s sharp tongue though, and thought he might ask her about it, whenever they next got a moment. Though there were other, more pressing things he wanted to talk to her of, too.
He looked uncomfortable when she spoke of Lord Fotios again, and even more so when she suggested it would be seen as inappropriate for him to write to her. “Of course I would not hide anything from Theodora. She would have no reason to be troubled.” he defended, hasty to establish his loyalty in that regard. Evangelina seemed resolved in her decision though, and he paused when she fixed him with a look, waiting to hear what she had to say.
The expectant look shifted into a softly pleased one, and Achilleas found himself smiling. He did not count many as friends - his cousins, Krysto - and though it was tentative at this stage, he was warming to this cousin of his betrothed.
So much so that he laughed a little at her proclamation, wondering how seriously he was supposed to take this forewarning. And then he considered her earlier observation of his mannerisms and his face settled into a more serious mien. “I will be as open with you as I am able” he said, looking at her carefully. “And will prepare myself for whatever you might offer in return. I much prefer being direct than speaking in circles anyway”
It was honest, but then perhaps Achilleas had not yet been exposed to Evangelina’s unique brand of ‘direct’ enough to know what he was agreeing to. He opened his mouth as if he might say more, but then closed it again and frowned slightly, eyes lifting to beyond her, and his expression shifted into something more guarded.
“Yes?” It was clear enough that the lord was no longer addressing Evie, and sure enough when she turned her head she could see the servant who had drawn Achilleas’ attention away from her. The man looked between the Mikaelidas lord and the noblewoman for a moment, and then spoke,, almost apologetically as if he knew his news would not be welcomed.
“The Lady Myrto requests your attendance, my Lord. I didn’t know you had company. I can tell her..”
Achilleas held up a hand, and gave a resigned sort of sigh. His escape had been short-lived it would seem. “No” he said “ I will come. Lady Evangelina here was just delivering some..” for a moment his mind went blank as to what on earth the swatches he held were for, but then it came back to him and he answered smoothly “ table covers. Take these to my mother and tell her I shall be along shortly” He held the gathered fabric squares out to the man to take, and when the servant had bowed to both Achilleas and Evangelina, he retreated to the manor and left them alone once more.
The Lord Mikaelidas gave a small shake of his head. “I’m sorry. In spite of having more of it than I am used to, it seems my time is not my own at the moment.” He offered his arm to escort Evangelina back to the house, looking sideways at her as he did so. “Of course, if you would like to join us I’m certain my Mother would be delighted to have a woman’s opinion on whatever she has to ask me. She seems frustrated by my input most of the time”
It’d been almost a decade ago, she’d all but forgotten the hurt, the reason she’d cried, and who’d caused her pain. How was she supposed to hold onto an anger, pain, and a grudge that was all but forgotten? She wasn’t a petty person by nature, perhaps proud and he’d injured that, but she could and would put it all behind her.
‘Perhaps you should consider the company you keep at social gatherings.’ She paused for a moment, her dark eyes blinking carefully as she studied him. His words were said flippantly but there was something underlying with his choice of phrases. ‘I would say standing next to Nikos of Condos makes one significantly more likely to be hit by rocks.’ Evangelina’s delicately arched eyebrows inched upwards. Was that a warning about the company she kept?
Biting back her own curiosities, she looked away, focusing off into the distance. The urge to tell him that, perhaps he should consider minding his own business, was swallowed. Pasting on a patient look, she glanced at Achilleas again, “Only if the rock throwers weren’t truly sorry. Once was a mistake, anything more than once and it becomes a behavior.” She smiled, a touch of sharpness lingering there. She didn’t really appreciate being warned about the company she kept. Especially with word games. “Mistakes are forgivable… behaviors are not as easily forgotten, nor forgiven.”
Shifting her weight under her, she slanted her head and continued to study him for a long moment before more gently adding her own thoughts, “Nikos was a friend before he was an adversary, and he is a perfect example of behaviors versus mistakes.” Inhaling a bitter breath, she held onto it before softly, slowly letting it out again, “I made a mistake of letting him in and trusting him, and he showed me with his behavior what an error I had made in trusting him.” The pint-sized Leventi pinned the larger General with a look and sighed, “Maybe that is harsh of me, but I don’t particularly like being wrong about people.”
Evangelina was a perfectionist at heart. Competitive to a fault. Every step she made towards her goal wasn’t one she celebrated. She didn’t celebrate things that were expected. She held herself to rigorous expectations. It was okay for other people to fail, so long as their failures didn’t make her fail. Putting trust into someone and then having it broken, that was a failure on her behalf. Failure of judgment. Failure of not seeing something that she should have seen in them. You were only as strong as your weakest link and failure wasn’t an option in the Leventi family. Maybe that made her a little jaded, but she thought it also made her cautious about who truly got past her walls. She could count on one hand the sheer number of people who truly knew her. Knew her as more than the girl who tripped over her hems, or the girl who liked horses better than people. There were only a couple of people who knew the deeper, darker layers hidden and guarded. And that was just the way she intended to keep it. People could hurt you if they knew too much about you. If they knew what you cared about, loved, what the things you cherished were.
Their conversation drifted to whether or not she’d remain in Vasiliadon. Did she want to remain here? No. Did she know that this would be where the hub of activity would be? Yes. It was when he said, ‘Things will be a little unsettled in your family with Selene and Olympia’s departure. I am sure your cousins will be glad of your presence’, that she smiled and looked at the ground again. “We are a rather independent lot. We all learned to self-soothe very early on. But being here is still probably better than being in Acharist as long as there is so much discord among us, I’ll give you that.”
She bit her lip and watched as he grew uncomfortable regarding what she said about the letters. He really had a rather poor understanding of women it would seem. How did someone look like he looked and had yet to understand the basic functions of a woman’s mind? Especially hopefully a woman who would soon be pregnant. Letters however innocent they were, weren’t something that was easily overlooked. Theo would never be worried, she was secure enough in her own looks not to be bothered by what Evangelina did or didn’t do, but people could and would talk about why Evangelina was writing to the Lord Achilleas rather than her own cousin. And that talking would bother Theo.
‘Of course, I would not hide anything from Theodora. She would have no reason to be troubled.’ He’d grown a little defensive in his reply, and it only caused Evangelina to raise her eyebrows a little at him. She smiled secretively and shook her head before looking to the ground. “Oh my friend, you just have shown me how much you do not know about women…” Glancing sideways at him, her chin still pointed down as she did so, she smirked, “No. Theo doesn’t have anything to worry about, I wasn’t implying that. But being in a new house, new surroundings she might be a bit more sensitive to servants and their gossip, even if it is entirely unfounded. She’ll be a new bride. Any spare attention you have ought to be spent on her,” A soft chuckle bubbled out of the smaller Leventi, “Not answering letters to her little cousin. Do you see what I am saying?”
She nodded her head, she couldn’t ask for anything more then he was able to give. But if he’d make an honest effort with her then they were off to a good start. Her lips twitched and she rolled her shoulders. “Then I think we shall get along very well… I can’t stand word games either. I’d much rather have it all laid out in front of me. Then I do with it what I may.”
Her words died as his mouth opened to reply, but his eyes glanced away. Evangelina didn’t immediately follow his gaze, she wanted it to seem like they were discussing nothing of interest. Like it was no bother for them to be interrupted. After he spoke to the servant, she gently glanced around the tree to see him looking rather apologetic. She offered the servant a small smile of welcoming when he glanced her way.
‘The Lady Myrto requests your attendance, my Lord. I didn’t know you had company. I can tell her…’
Achilleas held his hand up cutting the servant off and explained her presence. Evangelina shrugged a little at the mention of the table cover samples. The Lord handed the samples over to the servant and said he’d be with his mother shortly. Straightening from the tree, as the servant left them again.
‘I’m sorry. In spite of having more of it than I am used to, it seems my time is not my own at the moment.’
A genuine smile of understanding formed and she nodded her head, “I can understand that very well, there is no need to apologize. I’d better be returning anyway.” She took his offered arm, ‘Of course if you would like to join us I’m certain my mother would be delighted to have a woman’s opinion on whatever she has to ask me. She seems frustrated by my input most of the time.’ Her eyes crinkled a little at the corners and she laughed with an openness, “You are quite funny if you think I am going to willingly subject myself that that particular brand of torture. My life the past few weeks have been nothing but table fabrics, table cover colors, dresses, flowers, and what food should be served. Do I strike you as caring about the difference in color between lilac and lavender?”
She bumped her hip against his side gently and chuckled some more, “You are all on your own there.”
They were almost back up to where the pair would depart when from the shadow of a tree a boy of about eight appeared. He stepped boldly up in front of them and looked the man up and down, ‘Lord Achilleas.’ Evangelina’s laughter died and she glanced from the boy to her companion and back to the boy who’d yet to glance even her way. Such a focused young man. She wondered what he wanted. She didn’t have to wait long as the boy stuck his chin out stubbornly, ‘You’re my father.’
Evangelina dropped Achilleas's arm and wondered if this would be a good time for her to just slink back to the shadows. It was a rather awkward situation. She bit her lip and looked around and glanced at Achilleas, what do you want me to do?
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It’d been almost a decade ago, she’d all but forgotten the hurt, the reason she’d cried, and who’d caused her pain. How was she supposed to hold onto an anger, pain, and a grudge that was all but forgotten? She wasn’t a petty person by nature, perhaps proud and he’d injured that, but she could and would put it all behind her.
‘Perhaps you should consider the company you keep at social gatherings.’ She paused for a moment, her dark eyes blinking carefully as she studied him. His words were said flippantly but there was something underlying with his choice of phrases. ‘I would say standing next to Nikos of Condos makes one significantly more likely to be hit by rocks.’ Evangelina’s delicately arched eyebrows inched upwards. Was that a warning about the company she kept?
Biting back her own curiosities, she looked away, focusing off into the distance. The urge to tell him that, perhaps he should consider minding his own business, was swallowed. Pasting on a patient look, she glanced at Achilleas again, “Only if the rock throwers weren’t truly sorry. Once was a mistake, anything more than once and it becomes a behavior.” She smiled, a touch of sharpness lingering there. She didn’t really appreciate being warned about the company she kept. Especially with word games. “Mistakes are forgivable… behaviors are not as easily forgotten, nor forgiven.”
Shifting her weight under her, she slanted her head and continued to study him for a long moment before more gently adding her own thoughts, “Nikos was a friend before he was an adversary, and he is a perfect example of behaviors versus mistakes.” Inhaling a bitter breath, she held onto it before softly, slowly letting it out again, “I made a mistake of letting him in and trusting him, and he showed me with his behavior what an error I had made in trusting him.” The pint-sized Leventi pinned the larger General with a look and sighed, “Maybe that is harsh of me, but I don’t particularly like being wrong about people.”
Evangelina was a perfectionist at heart. Competitive to a fault. Every step she made towards her goal wasn’t one she celebrated. She didn’t celebrate things that were expected. She held herself to rigorous expectations. It was okay for other people to fail, so long as their failures didn’t make her fail. Putting trust into someone and then having it broken, that was a failure on her behalf. Failure of judgment. Failure of not seeing something that she should have seen in them. You were only as strong as your weakest link and failure wasn’t an option in the Leventi family. Maybe that made her a little jaded, but she thought it also made her cautious about who truly got past her walls. She could count on one hand the sheer number of people who truly knew her. Knew her as more than the girl who tripped over her hems, or the girl who liked horses better than people. There were only a couple of people who knew the deeper, darker layers hidden and guarded. And that was just the way she intended to keep it. People could hurt you if they knew too much about you. If they knew what you cared about, loved, what the things you cherished were.
Their conversation drifted to whether or not she’d remain in Vasiliadon. Did she want to remain here? No. Did she know that this would be where the hub of activity would be? Yes. It was when he said, ‘Things will be a little unsettled in your family with Selene and Olympia’s departure. I am sure your cousins will be glad of your presence’, that she smiled and looked at the ground again. “We are a rather independent lot. We all learned to self-soothe very early on. But being here is still probably better than being in Acharist as long as there is so much discord among us, I’ll give you that.”
She bit her lip and watched as he grew uncomfortable regarding what she said about the letters. He really had a rather poor understanding of women it would seem. How did someone look like he looked and had yet to understand the basic functions of a woman’s mind? Especially hopefully a woman who would soon be pregnant. Letters however innocent they were, weren’t something that was easily overlooked. Theo would never be worried, she was secure enough in her own looks not to be bothered by what Evangelina did or didn’t do, but people could and would talk about why Evangelina was writing to the Lord Achilleas rather than her own cousin. And that talking would bother Theo.
‘Of course, I would not hide anything from Theodora. She would have no reason to be troubled.’ He’d grown a little defensive in his reply, and it only caused Evangelina to raise her eyebrows a little at him. She smiled secretively and shook her head before looking to the ground. “Oh my friend, you just have shown me how much you do not know about women…” Glancing sideways at him, her chin still pointed down as she did so, she smirked, “No. Theo doesn’t have anything to worry about, I wasn’t implying that. But being in a new house, new surroundings she might be a bit more sensitive to servants and their gossip, even if it is entirely unfounded. She’ll be a new bride. Any spare attention you have ought to be spent on her,” A soft chuckle bubbled out of the smaller Leventi, “Not answering letters to her little cousin. Do you see what I am saying?”
She nodded her head, she couldn’t ask for anything more then he was able to give. But if he’d make an honest effort with her then they were off to a good start. Her lips twitched and she rolled her shoulders. “Then I think we shall get along very well… I can’t stand word games either. I’d much rather have it all laid out in front of me. Then I do with it what I may.”
Her words died as his mouth opened to reply, but his eyes glanced away. Evangelina didn’t immediately follow his gaze, she wanted it to seem like they were discussing nothing of interest. Like it was no bother for them to be interrupted. After he spoke to the servant, she gently glanced around the tree to see him looking rather apologetic. She offered the servant a small smile of welcoming when he glanced her way.
‘The Lady Myrto requests your attendance, my Lord. I didn’t know you had company. I can tell her…’
Achilleas held his hand up cutting the servant off and explained her presence. Evangelina shrugged a little at the mention of the table cover samples. The Lord handed the samples over to the servant and said he’d be with his mother shortly. Straightening from the tree, as the servant left them again.
‘I’m sorry. In spite of having more of it than I am used to, it seems my time is not my own at the moment.’
A genuine smile of understanding formed and she nodded her head, “I can understand that very well, there is no need to apologize. I’d better be returning anyway.” She took his offered arm, ‘Of course if you would like to join us I’m certain my mother would be delighted to have a woman’s opinion on whatever she has to ask me. She seems frustrated by my input most of the time.’ Her eyes crinkled a little at the corners and she laughed with an openness, “You are quite funny if you think I am going to willingly subject myself that that particular brand of torture. My life the past few weeks have been nothing but table fabrics, table cover colors, dresses, flowers, and what food should be served. Do I strike you as caring about the difference in color between lilac and lavender?”
She bumped her hip against his side gently and chuckled some more, “You are all on your own there.”
They were almost back up to where the pair would depart when from the shadow of a tree a boy of about eight appeared. He stepped boldly up in front of them and looked the man up and down, ‘Lord Achilleas.’ Evangelina’s laughter died and she glanced from the boy to her companion and back to the boy who’d yet to glance even her way. Such a focused young man. She wondered what he wanted. She didn’t have to wait long as the boy stuck his chin out stubbornly, ‘You’re my father.’
Evangelina dropped Achilleas's arm and wondered if this would be a good time for her to just slink back to the shadows. It was a rather awkward situation. She bit her lip and looked around and glanced at Achilleas, what do you want me to do?
It’d been almost a decade ago, she’d all but forgotten the hurt, the reason she’d cried, and who’d caused her pain. How was she supposed to hold onto an anger, pain, and a grudge that was all but forgotten? She wasn’t a petty person by nature, perhaps proud and he’d injured that, but she could and would put it all behind her.
‘Perhaps you should consider the company you keep at social gatherings.’ She paused for a moment, her dark eyes blinking carefully as she studied him. His words were said flippantly but there was something underlying with his choice of phrases. ‘I would say standing next to Nikos of Condos makes one significantly more likely to be hit by rocks.’ Evangelina’s delicately arched eyebrows inched upwards. Was that a warning about the company she kept?
Biting back her own curiosities, she looked away, focusing off into the distance. The urge to tell him that, perhaps he should consider minding his own business, was swallowed. Pasting on a patient look, she glanced at Achilleas again, “Only if the rock throwers weren’t truly sorry. Once was a mistake, anything more than once and it becomes a behavior.” She smiled, a touch of sharpness lingering there. She didn’t really appreciate being warned about the company she kept. Especially with word games. “Mistakes are forgivable… behaviors are not as easily forgotten, nor forgiven.”
Shifting her weight under her, she slanted her head and continued to study him for a long moment before more gently adding her own thoughts, “Nikos was a friend before he was an adversary, and he is a perfect example of behaviors versus mistakes.” Inhaling a bitter breath, she held onto it before softly, slowly letting it out again, “I made a mistake of letting him in and trusting him, and he showed me with his behavior what an error I had made in trusting him.” The pint-sized Leventi pinned the larger General with a look and sighed, “Maybe that is harsh of me, but I don’t particularly like being wrong about people.”
Evangelina was a perfectionist at heart. Competitive to a fault. Every step she made towards her goal wasn’t one she celebrated. She didn’t celebrate things that were expected. She held herself to rigorous expectations. It was okay for other people to fail, so long as their failures didn’t make her fail. Putting trust into someone and then having it broken, that was a failure on her behalf. Failure of judgment. Failure of not seeing something that she should have seen in them. You were only as strong as your weakest link and failure wasn’t an option in the Leventi family. Maybe that made her a little jaded, but she thought it also made her cautious about who truly got past her walls. She could count on one hand the sheer number of people who truly knew her. Knew her as more than the girl who tripped over her hems, or the girl who liked horses better than people. There were only a couple of people who knew the deeper, darker layers hidden and guarded. And that was just the way she intended to keep it. People could hurt you if they knew too much about you. If they knew what you cared about, loved, what the things you cherished were.
Their conversation drifted to whether or not she’d remain in Vasiliadon. Did she want to remain here? No. Did she know that this would be where the hub of activity would be? Yes. It was when he said, ‘Things will be a little unsettled in your family with Selene and Olympia’s departure. I am sure your cousins will be glad of your presence’, that she smiled and looked at the ground again. “We are a rather independent lot. We all learned to self-soothe very early on. But being here is still probably better than being in Acharist as long as there is so much discord among us, I’ll give you that.”
She bit her lip and watched as he grew uncomfortable regarding what she said about the letters. He really had a rather poor understanding of women it would seem. How did someone look like he looked and had yet to understand the basic functions of a woman’s mind? Especially hopefully a woman who would soon be pregnant. Letters however innocent they were, weren’t something that was easily overlooked. Theo would never be worried, she was secure enough in her own looks not to be bothered by what Evangelina did or didn’t do, but people could and would talk about why Evangelina was writing to the Lord Achilleas rather than her own cousin. And that talking would bother Theo.
‘Of course, I would not hide anything from Theodora. She would have no reason to be troubled.’ He’d grown a little defensive in his reply, and it only caused Evangelina to raise her eyebrows a little at him. She smiled secretively and shook her head before looking to the ground. “Oh my friend, you just have shown me how much you do not know about women…” Glancing sideways at him, her chin still pointed down as she did so, she smirked, “No. Theo doesn’t have anything to worry about, I wasn’t implying that. But being in a new house, new surroundings she might be a bit more sensitive to servants and their gossip, even if it is entirely unfounded. She’ll be a new bride. Any spare attention you have ought to be spent on her,” A soft chuckle bubbled out of the smaller Leventi, “Not answering letters to her little cousin. Do you see what I am saying?”
She nodded her head, she couldn’t ask for anything more then he was able to give. But if he’d make an honest effort with her then they were off to a good start. Her lips twitched and she rolled her shoulders. “Then I think we shall get along very well… I can’t stand word games either. I’d much rather have it all laid out in front of me. Then I do with it what I may.”
Her words died as his mouth opened to reply, but his eyes glanced away. Evangelina didn’t immediately follow his gaze, she wanted it to seem like they were discussing nothing of interest. Like it was no bother for them to be interrupted. After he spoke to the servant, she gently glanced around the tree to see him looking rather apologetic. She offered the servant a small smile of welcoming when he glanced her way.
‘The Lady Myrto requests your attendance, my Lord. I didn’t know you had company. I can tell her…’
Achilleas held his hand up cutting the servant off and explained her presence. Evangelina shrugged a little at the mention of the table cover samples. The Lord handed the samples over to the servant and said he’d be with his mother shortly. Straightening from the tree, as the servant left them again.
‘I’m sorry. In spite of having more of it than I am used to, it seems my time is not my own at the moment.’
A genuine smile of understanding formed and she nodded her head, “I can understand that very well, there is no need to apologize. I’d better be returning anyway.” She took his offered arm, ‘Of course if you would like to join us I’m certain my mother would be delighted to have a woman’s opinion on whatever she has to ask me. She seems frustrated by my input most of the time.’ Her eyes crinkled a little at the corners and she laughed with an openness, “You are quite funny if you think I am going to willingly subject myself that that particular brand of torture. My life the past few weeks have been nothing but table fabrics, table cover colors, dresses, flowers, and what food should be served. Do I strike you as caring about the difference in color between lilac and lavender?”
She bumped her hip against his side gently and chuckled some more, “You are all on your own there.”
They were almost back up to where the pair would depart when from the shadow of a tree a boy of about eight appeared. He stepped boldly up in front of them and looked the man up and down, ‘Lord Achilleas.’ Evangelina’s laughter died and she glanced from the boy to her companion and back to the boy who’d yet to glance even her way. Such a focused young man. She wondered what he wanted. She didn’t have to wait long as the boy stuck his chin out stubbornly, ‘You’re my father.’
Evangelina dropped Achilleas's arm and wondered if this would be a good time for her to just slink back to the shadows. It was a rather awkward situation. She bit her lip and looked around and glanced at Achilleas, what do you want me to do?
The lord dropped his head and looked just a little abashed at her words, but Achilleas very nearly said that he was sorry for hitting Evie, not Condos. He was not perfect, no matter how he strived for it, and the subtle dislike for Nikos had burgeoned into something more over recent weeks.
A moment later he was glad he had not though, as Evangelina went on and he realised that something had gone on between her and the Condos heir. He was silent, not wanting to pry now he realised it was something rather than nothing, though he looked back at her steadily and after a moment, opened his mouth to say “It’s not harsh. And I can be entirely confident in declaring that it is his loss”. It was much as he would say on the subject, thought he though he might ask Emilios if he knew what had gone on there. Achilleas tended to be the last to hear gossip, for he was not one to be found in the taverns, nor did he have well planted little spies to report back to him, such as he was coming to learn some others in his circle did.
In fact, as their conversation went on, Achilleas begun to get the impression that he was remiss in knowing about many things. The fact that Evangelina did not expect to find comfort in being close to her family in such a time. His apparent ignorance in understanding the female mindset. The lord did not hide his frown as his guest made her observations, all the while smiling a little smile that left him in no doubt to her amusement.
“I didn’t mean that Theodora wouldn’t have my attention” he protested. “But she is hardly so unreasonable as to begrudge me sending a letter. And my staff know better than to gossip”. He had not thought of it from that perspective though, and there was a little twinge of worry. Whilst this marriage was much awaited, Achilleas had been surprised at how many things he and Theo had found to disagree on in the scant time they'd had together. It gave Evangelina’s claim of his failings a little more weight. What if she was right? He knew he had misjudged some of Theo’s moods before, but that was just a case of familiarity surely? Achilleas worried at the inside of his cheek with his teeth as he looked at Evie, his expression giving away his consternation at the idea.
She was gracious at the intrusion of the servant into their conversation, and took his invitation to stay with good humour. He was smiling down at her as they approached the house, even through the knowledge that his afternoon would no doubt be taking a downward turn once she had left. “Well if you find out the difference, please be sure to let me…”
Achilleas’ words petered out, and he drew them both to a halt, looking in some surprise at the child that had appeared as if from nowhere. Instincively, his gaze lifted to find the adult responsible for said child when the boy spoke his name rather boldly, and drew the Lord’s attention back to him.
“Yes, that is me” Achilleas was curious, and he glanced at Evangelina and gave the tiniest of shrugs to let her know this was not an expected visitor. He had settled an almost indulgent smile upon his face, but it was not there for long, the boys next words sounding impossibly loud to the Lord Mikaelidas, who recoiled a little upon hearing them.
“You’re my father”
He might have laughed, were it not for the absolute certainty in the child’s voice, and Achilleas made no sign of noticing that Evangelina had dropped his arm. He was too busy gaping at the boy. There was a rapid fire guess at the boy’s age and then Achilleas was frantically scrolling through any encounters he had that would lend any kind of credence to such an outlandish claim. It was not that taxing, for he was usually tidy with his affairs. It did not take that many fingers to count the lovers he’d had, a fact he knew was not true for some other Taengean nobles, his brother and cousin included.
“ I…..think you have been misinformed” Achilleas managed to get out after a moment, after assuring himself as best he could of his innocence. Which was not terrible reassuring for such things had to be taken on trust upon occasion. But he had always tried to be careful. He knew better than to do anything different.
He spared a brief glance for the Lady Evangelina, a look that let her know in no uncertain terms that any comment would not be welcome at that time, and then addressed the boy again.
“Who has told you such a thing?” Achilleas looked intently at the child, trying to measure his tone so it fell somewhere between commanding and tolerant and not all as frantic as he felt. Was it hot? He felt hot.
The boy did not seem much daunted by the Lord towering over him, nor much dissuaded by the immediate denial. Looking uncertain for the barest of moments, his eyes darted between the two nobles before he piped up again. “She told me you’d say that. And said that it don’t make it any less true”.
Achilleas pressed his lips together, displeased and no more illuminated as to what in Hades was going on. “Who said that?” he repeated, a little more briskly, folding his hands into the small of his back and trying not to think about the fact that it was Theo’s cousin standing by and bearing witness to this little scenario. He glanced around them to be sure she was the only witness too. There needed to be no word of this getting anywhere until he could discredit it. Somehow.
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The lord dropped his head and looked just a little abashed at her words, but Achilleas very nearly said that he was sorry for hitting Evie, not Condos. He was not perfect, no matter how he strived for it, and the subtle dislike for Nikos had burgeoned into something more over recent weeks.
A moment later he was glad he had not though, as Evangelina went on and he realised that something had gone on between her and the Condos heir. He was silent, not wanting to pry now he realised it was something rather than nothing, though he looked back at her steadily and after a moment, opened his mouth to say “It’s not harsh. And I can be entirely confident in declaring that it is his loss”. It was much as he would say on the subject, thought he though he might ask Emilios if he knew what had gone on there. Achilleas tended to be the last to hear gossip, for he was not one to be found in the taverns, nor did he have well planted little spies to report back to him, such as he was coming to learn some others in his circle did.
In fact, as their conversation went on, Achilleas begun to get the impression that he was remiss in knowing about many things. The fact that Evangelina did not expect to find comfort in being close to her family in such a time. His apparent ignorance in understanding the female mindset. The lord did not hide his frown as his guest made her observations, all the while smiling a little smile that left him in no doubt to her amusement.
“I didn’t mean that Theodora wouldn’t have my attention” he protested. “But she is hardly so unreasonable as to begrudge me sending a letter. And my staff know better than to gossip”. He had not thought of it from that perspective though, and there was a little twinge of worry. Whilst this marriage was much awaited, Achilleas had been surprised at how many things he and Theo had found to disagree on in the scant time they'd had together. It gave Evangelina’s claim of his failings a little more weight. What if she was right? He knew he had misjudged some of Theo’s moods before, but that was just a case of familiarity surely? Achilleas worried at the inside of his cheek with his teeth as he looked at Evie, his expression giving away his consternation at the idea.
She was gracious at the intrusion of the servant into their conversation, and took his invitation to stay with good humour. He was smiling down at her as they approached the house, even through the knowledge that his afternoon would no doubt be taking a downward turn once she had left. “Well if you find out the difference, please be sure to let me…”
Achilleas’ words petered out, and he drew them both to a halt, looking in some surprise at the child that had appeared as if from nowhere. Instincively, his gaze lifted to find the adult responsible for said child when the boy spoke his name rather boldly, and drew the Lord’s attention back to him.
“Yes, that is me” Achilleas was curious, and he glanced at Evangelina and gave the tiniest of shrugs to let her know this was not an expected visitor. He had settled an almost indulgent smile upon his face, but it was not there for long, the boys next words sounding impossibly loud to the Lord Mikaelidas, who recoiled a little upon hearing them.
“You’re my father”
He might have laughed, were it not for the absolute certainty in the child’s voice, and Achilleas made no sign of noticing that Evangelina had dropped his arm. He was too busy gaping at the boy. There was a rapid fire guess at the boy’s age and then Achilleas was frantically scrolling through any encounters he had that would lend any kind of credence to such an outlandish claim. It was not that taxing, for he was usually tidy with his affairs. It did not take that many fingers to count the lovers he’d had, a fact he knew was not true for some other Taengean nobles, his brother and cousin included.
“ I…..think you have been misinformed” Achilleas managed to get out after a moment, after assuring himself as best he could of his innocence. Which was not terrible reassuring for such things had to be taken on trust upon occasion. But he had always tried to be careful. He knew better than to do anything different.
He spared a brief glance for the Lady Evangelina, a look that let her know in no uncertain terms that any comment would not be welcome at that time, and then addressed the boy again.
“Who has told you such a thing?” Achilleas looked intently at the child, trying to measure his tone so it fell somewhere between commanding and tolerant and not all as frantic as he felt. Was it hot? He felt hot.
The boy did not seem much daunted by the Lord towering over him, nor much dissuaded by the immediate denial. Looking uncertain for the barest of moments, his eyes darted between the two nobles before he piped up again. “She told me you’d say that. And said that it don’t make it any less true”.
Achilleas pressed his lips together, displeased and no more illuminated as to what in Hades was going on. “Who said that?” he repeated, a little more briskly, folding his hands into the small of his back and trying not to think about the fact that it was Theo’s cousin standing by and bearing witness to this little scenario. He glanced around them to be sure she was the only witness too. There needed to be no word of this getting anywhere until he could discredit it. Somehow.
The lord dropped his head and looked just a little abashed at her words, but Achilleas very nearly said that he was sorry for hitting Evie, not Condos. He was not perfect, no matter how he strived for it, and the subtle dislike for Nikos had burgeoned into something more over recent weeks.
A moment later he was glad he had not though, as Evangelina went on and he realised that something had gone on between her and the Condos heir. He was silent, not wanting to pry now he realised it was something rather than nothing, though he looked back at her steadily and after a moment, opened his mouth to say “It’s not harsh. And I can be entirely confident in declaring that it is his loss”. It was much as he would say on the subject, thought he though he might ask Emilios if he knew what had gone on there. Achilleas tended to be the last to hear gossip, for he was not one to be found in the taverns, nor did he have well planted little spies to report back to him, such as he was coming to learn some others in his circle did.
In fact, as their conversation went on, Achilleas begun to get the impression that he was remiss in knowing about many things. The fact that Evangelina did not expect to find comfort in being close to her family in such a time. His apparent ignorance in understanding the female mindset. The lord did not hide his frown as his guest made her observations, all the while smiling a little smile that left him in no doubt to her amusement.
“I didn’t mean that Theodora wouldn’t have my attention” he protested. “But she is hardly so unreasonable as to begrudge me sending a letter. And my staff know better than to gossip”. He had not thought of it from that perspective though, and there was a little twinge of worry. Whilst this marriage was much awaited, Achilleas had been surprised at how many things he and Theo had found to disagree on in the scant time they'd had together. It gave Evangelina’s claim of his failings a little more weight. What if she was right? He knew he had misjudged some of Theo’s moods before, but that was just a case of familiarity surely? Achilleas worried at the inside of his cheek with his teeth as he looked at Evie, his expression giving away his consternation at the idea.
She was gracious at the intrusion of the servant into their conversation, and took his invitation to stay with good humour. He was smiling down at her as they approached the house, even through the knowledge that his afternoon would no doubt be taking a downward turn once she had left. “Well if you find out the difference, please be sure to let me…”
Achilleas’ words petered out, and he drew them both to a halt, looking in some surprise at the child that had appeared as if from nowhere. Instincively, his gaze lifted to find the adult responsible for said child when the boy spoke his name rather boldly, and drew the Lord’s attention back to him.
“Yes, that is me” Achilleas was curious, and he glanced at Evangelina and gave the tiniest of shrugs to let her know this was not an expected visitor. He had settled an almost indulgent smile upon his face, but it was not there for long, the boys next words sounding impossibly loud to the Lord Mikaelidas, who recoiled a little upon hearing them.
“You’re my father”
He might have laughed, were it not for the absolute certainty in the child’s voice, and Achilleas made no sign of noticing that Evangelina had dropped his arm. He was too busy gaping at the boy. There was a rapid fire guess at the boy’s age and then Achilleas was frantically scrolling through any encounters he had that would lend any kind of credence to such an outlandish claim. It was not that taxing, for he was usually tidy with his affairs. It did not take that many fingers to count the lovers he’d had, a fact he knew was not true for some other Taengean nobles, his brother and cousin included.
“ I…..think you have been misinformed” Achilleas managed to get out after a moment, after assuring himself as best he could of his innocence. Which was not terrible reassuring for such things had to be taken on trust upon occasion. But he had always tried to be careful. He knew better than to do anything different.
He spared a brief glance for the Lady Evangelina, a look that let her know in no uncertain terms that any comment would not be welcome at that time, and then addressed the boy again.
“Who has told you such a thing?” Achilleas looked intently at the child, trying to measure his tone so it fell somewhere between commanding and tolerant and not all as frantic as he felt. Was it hot? He felt hot.
The boy did not seem much daunted by the Lord towering over him, nor much dissuaded by the immediate denial. Looking uncertain for the barest of moments, his eyes darted between the two nobles before he piped up again. “She told me you’d say that. And said that it don’t make it any less true”.
Achilleas pressed his lips together, displeased and no more illuminated as to what in Hades was going on. “Who said that?” he repeated, a little more briskly, folding his hands into the small of his back and trying not to think about the fact that it was Theo’s cousin standing by and bearing witness to this little scenario. He glanced around them to be sure she was the only witness too. There needed to be no word of this getting anywhere until he could discredit it. Somehow.
“Of course it’s his loss.” The corner of her lip lifted cheekily up, and she shrugged indifferently, “I am a jewel.” After the damage Niko had done, it was a wonder she had mastered the bravado needed to say that. Maybe if she kept saying it one of these days she’d actually believe it. She’d come out of that fiasco with him smarter. He’d taught her that sometimes you had to walk away from a dream, from infatuation, from someone who didn’t understand you, from people who wouldn’t meet you even halfway. He taught her not to chase after things that shine.
Those were not things she told the man next to her though. No one needed to know how broke and cracked she was inside. No one needed to know where she was weakest. So she smiled confidently and left it just as it was. It was Niko’s loss. The girl she’d been would have done anything for him. She’d been besotted with him. And he ruined that.
‘I didn’t mean that Theodora wouldn’t have my attention.’ She didn’t say anything, just raised an eyebrow at his protest. He continued with, ‘But she is hardly so unreasonable as to begrudge me sending a letter. And my staff know better than to gossip.’ Her eyebrow inched a little higher upwards. The more he protested the less she believed him. And it seemed the more he spoke of it, the less he even believed it. She could see the questions that were now in his mind. Not that she was going to tell him, but the fact that those questions were rotating through his mind… This was a doomed marriage.
The more she stared at Achilleas the more she saw her self and Nikos. Achilleas was besotted. Did he even really know Theo? Did he know what made her laugh? Her gaze flickered over his face as he was quiet. Evangelina knew he’d always been there vying for Theo’s attention along with so many others but he’d been constant it seemed. It wasn’t her job to try and talk him out of the marriage, not that he’d listen to her anyway. She’d learned too long ago that people had to learn to make their own decisions. Interference would not be wanted, nor welcomed.
Together they walked in an easy banter back towards the Palati, until his words died off and the boy stepped out. She disengaged herself from him without notice and let her curious gaze shift back and forth between the boy and Achilleas. Her face remaining neutral. It wasn’t entirely an unrealistic thought that he had a son, it wasn’t as if she thought he lived a rather chaste life. Money. Power. Looks. Any one of those was enough to procure temptation and if you combined all three of them…
The boy did resemble Achilleas. A similar shade of dark hair and a cleft in his chin. The boy’s eyes were a startling shade of green though rather than blue, but perhaps the boy’s mother had green eyes. His clothes were ragged, having seen better days several years ago but they seemed clean for his circumstances.
‘I…..think you have been misinformed.’
Catching Achilleas glance, she shrugged as if she didn’t know what this was all about. What was she supposed to say? Achilleas continued as if he was speaking to his troops. Evie blinked and looked to the child worried it might have bothered the boy, but he seemed stubbornly set. ‘Who has told you such a thing?’
The boy’s eyes darted from her to Achilleas with a suspicious glint. He’s a smart boy. ‘She told me you’d say that. And said that it don’t make it any less true.’ It wasn’t the answer that the General had wanted, ‘Who said that?’ The briskness in Achilleas' tone didn’t seem to deter him though, he jutted his chin out and nodded towards Evangelina. ‘Is this the Leventi you are marrying? Everyone is lying. She’s not as pretty as my mother.’
Evangelina’s eyes widened, she almost laughed but covered it up as a cough. Meeting Achilleas' gaze with amusement, “I like him.” Looking back to the boy, she squatted down, as Achilleas looked around no doubt worried someone, anyone, would see them and rumors would start. Getting to eye level with the boy, she pursed her lips and shook her head, “No. I am afraid I am not Lady Theodora. I am just her cousin, Lady Evangelina.” She extended her hand out to the boy, “Who might you be?” Glancing up at Achilleas, this needed to be moved somewhere more private.
“Lord Achilleas, is your office unoccupied?” It was a soft question, but he should still be capable of realizing what direction she was headed with it. “I think this young man would like to discuss some business matters with you.” Cutting her dark eyes back to the boy she offered a smile, “Perhaps, I can arrange some honeyed figs or apples. You didn’t come all the way here to not take the opportunity to speak to Lord Achilleas properly, correct?”
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“Of course it’s his loss.” The corner of her lip lifted cheekily up, and she shrugged indifferently, “I am a jewel.” After the damage Niko had done, it was a wonder she had mastered the bravado needed to say that. Maybe if she kept saying it one of these days she’d actually believe it. She’d come out of that fiasco with him smarter. He’d taught her that sometimes you had to walk away from a dream, from infatuation, from someone who didn’t understand you, from people who wouldn’t meet you even halfway. He taught her not to chase after things that shine.
Those were not things she told the man next to her though. No one needed to know how broke and cracked she was inside. No one needed to know where she was weakest. So she smiled confidently and left it just as it was. It was Niko’s loss. The girl she’d been would have done anything for him. She’d been besotted with him. And he ruined that.
‘I didn’t mean that Theodora wouldn’t have my attention.’ She didn’t say anything, just raised an eyebrow at his protest. He continued with, ‘But she is hardly so unreasonable as to begrudge me sending a letter. And my staff know better than to gossip.’ Her eyebrow inched a little higher upwards. The more he protested the less she believed him. And it seemed the more he spoke of it, the less he even believed it. She could see the questions that were now in his mind. Not that she was going to tell him, but the fact that those questions were rotating through his mind… This was a doomed marriage.
The more she stared at Achilleas the more she saw her self and Nikos. Achilleas was besotted. Did he even really know Theo? Did he know what made her laugh? Her gaze flickered over his face as he was quiet. Evangelina knew he’d always been there vying for Theo’s attention along with so many others but he’d been constant it seemed. It wasn’t her job to try and talk him out of the marriage, not that he’d listen to her anyway. She’d learned too long ago that people had to learn to make their own decisions. Interference would not be wanted, nor welcomed.
Together they walked in an easy banter back towards the Palati, until his words died off and the boy stepped out. She disengaged herself from him without notice and let her curious gaze shift back and forth between the boy and Achilleas. Her face remaining neutral. It wasn’t entirely an unrealistic thought that he had a son, it wasn’t as if she thought he lived a rather chaste life. Money. Power. Looks. Any one of those was enough to procure temptation and if you combined all three of them…
The boy did resemble Achilleas. A similar shade of dark hair and a cleft in his chin. The boy’s eyes were a startling shade of green though rather than blue, but perhaps the boy’s mother had green eyes. His clothes were ragged, having seen better days several years ago but they seemed clean for his circumstances.
‘I…..think you have been misinformed.’
Catching Achilleas glance, she shrugged as if she didn’t know what this was all about. What was she supposed to say? Achilleas continued as if he was speaking to his troops. Evie blinked and looked to the child worried it might have bothered the boy, but he seemed stubbornly set. ‘Who has told you such a thing?’
The boy’s eyes darted from her to Achilleas with a suspicious glint. He’s a smart boy. ‘She told me you’d say that. And said that it don’t make it any less true.’ It wasn’t the answer that the General had wanted, ‘Who said that?’ The briskness in Achilleas' tone didn’t seem to deter him though, he jutted his chin out and nodded towards Evangelina. ‘Is this the Leventi you are marrying? Everyone is lying. She’s not as pretty as my mother.’
Evangelina’s eyes widened, she almost laughed but covered it up as a cough. Meeting Achilleas' gaze with amusement, “I like him.” Looking back to the boy, she squatted down, as Achilleas looked around no doubt worried someone, anyone, would see them and rumors would start. Getting to eye level with the boy, she pursed her lips and shook her head, “No. I am afraid I am not Lady Theodora. I am just her cousin, Lady Evangelina.” She extended her hand out to the boy, “Who might you be?” Glancing up at Achilleas, this needed to be moved somewhere more private.
“Lord Achilleas, is your office unoccupied?” It was a soft question, but he should still be capable of realizing what direction she was headed with it. “I think this young man would like to discuss some business matters with you.” Cutting her dark eyes back to the boy she offered a smile, “Perhaps, I can arrange some honeyed figs or apples. You didn’t come all the way here to not take the opportunity to speak to Lord Achilleas properly, correct?”
“Of course it’s his loss.” The corner of her lip lifted cheekily up, and she shrugged indifferently, “I am a jewel.” After the damage Niko had done, it was a wonder she had mastered the bravado needed to say that. Maybe if she kept saying it one of these days she’d actually believe it. She’d come out of that fiasco with him smarter. He’d taught her that sometimes you had to walk away from a dream, from infatuation, from someone who didn’t understand you, from people who wouldn’t meet you even halfway. He taught her not to chase after things that shine.
Those were not things she told the man next to her though. No one needed to know how broke and cracked she was inside. No one needed to know where she was weakest. So she smiled confidently and left it just as it was. It was Niko’s loss. The girl she’d been would have done anything for him. She’d been besotted with him. And he ruined that.
‘I didn’t mean that Theodora wouldn’t have my attention.’ She didn’t say anything, just raised an eyebrow at his protest. He continued with, ‘But she is hardly so unreasonable as to begrudge me sending a letter. And my staff know better than to gossip.’ Her eyebrow inched a little higher upwards. The more he protested the less she believed him. And it seemed the more he spoke of it, the less he even believed it. She could see the questions that were now in his mind. Not that she was going to tell him, but the fact that those questions were rotating through his mind… This was a doomed marriage.
The more she stared at Achilleas the more she saw her self and Nikos. Achilleas was besotted. Did he even really know Theo? Did he know what made her laugh? Her gaze flickered over his face as he was quiet. Evangelina knew he’d always been there vying for Theo’s attention along with so many others but he’d been constant it seemed. It wasn’t her job to try and talk him out of the marriage, not that he’d listen to her anyway. She’d learned too long ago that people had to learn to make their own decisions. Interference would not be wanted, nor welcomed.
Together they walked in an easy banter back towards the Palati, until his words died off and the boy stepped out. She disengaged herself from him without notice and let her curious gaze shift back and forth between the boy and Achilleas. Her face remaining neutral. It wasn’t entirely an unrealistic thought that he had a son, it wasn’t as if she thought he lived a rather chaste life. Money. Power. Looks. Any one of those was enough to procure temptation and if you combined all three of them…
The boy did resemble Achilleas. A similar shade of dark hair and a cleft in his chin. The boy’s eyes were a startling shade of green though rather than blue, but perhaps the boy’s mother had green eyes. His clothes were ragged, having seen better days several years ago but they seemed clean for his circumstances.
‘I…..think you have been misinformed.’
Catching Achilleas glance, she shrugged as if she didn’t know what this was all about. What was she supposed to say? Achilleas continued as if he was speaking to his troops. Evie blinked and looked to the child worried it might have bothered the boy, but he seemed stubbornly set. ‘Who has told you such a thing?’
The boy’s eyes darted from her to Achilleas with a suspicious glint. He’s a smart boy. ‘She told me you’d say that. And said that it don’t make it any less true.’ It wasn’t the answer that the General had wanted, ‘Who said that?’ The briskness in Achilleas' tone didn’t seem to deter him though, he jutted his chin out and nodded towards Evangelina. ‘Is this the Leventi you are marrying? Everyone is lying. She’s not as pretty as my mother.’
Evangelina’s eyes widened, she almost laughed but covered it up as a cough. Meeting Achilleas' gaze with amusement, “I like him.” Looking back to the boy, she squatted down, as Achilleas looked around no doubt worried someone, anyone, would see them and rumors would start. Getting to eye level with the boy, she pursed her lips and shook her head, “No. I am afraid I am not Lady Theodora. I am just her cousin, Lady Evangelina.” She extended her hand out to the boy, “Who might you be?” Glancing up at Achilleas, this needed to be moved somewhere more private.
“Lord Achilleas, is your office unoccupied?” It was a soft question, but he should still be capable of realizing what direction she was headed with it. “I think this young man would like to discuss some business matters with you.” Cutting her dark eyes back to the boy she offered a smile, “Perhaps, I can arrange some honeyed figs or apples. You didn’t come all the way here to not take the opportunity to speak to Lord Achilleas properly, correct?”
She was a good enough liar that Achilleas did not think to look beyond her smile and simple agreement. Nor did he read the subtle thread of concern that ran through her mind as he tried to defend his relationship with Theo, and it would likely not have brought him comfort to know his own doubts were so easily seen.
Such things became irrelevant a few moments later anyway, faced with the precocious child who-much to his dismay- even Achilleas could credit with a passing resemblance to the Mikaelidas lord. The child gave him nothing useful in response to his questions, and Achilleas found himself growing less patient, frowning at the boys words. “That is impolite” he said, gaze flickering to Evangelina only to find humour in her gaze. And then when she suggested that he might like to move this...whatever it was to a more discreet location, the lord blinked, seemed to shake himself from the initial shock and he stared at Evie.
“Right. Yes. Come this way.” He was looking around them again, his features set, carved stone that masked the flurry of thoughts beneath. Had anyone seen this child arrive? Achilleas paused long enough for Evie to regain her feet and then turned abruptly and began walking towards the manor, clearly expecting both Evangelina and the child to fall in behind him.
As he walked down the outside of the building, the man was considering his options. His father was absent, he was sure of it, but he didn’t know where Emilios was, and his mother was waiting for him this very moment. If he could deposit the child in his study with Evangelina, then he could excuse himself and fend off Lady Myrto for a few moments.
And then what? Achilleas was quite sure the interrogation methods he had been taught would not be considered appropriate in this situation, but he needed answers.The timing could not have been much worse, and he kept hearing his father’s words about keeping his reputation clean. A bastard child appearing three days before his wedding was not exactly clean.
He led the child and Evangelina through the house at a smart pace, not wanting to encounter anyone on the way to his study, and once he had ushered them in, Achilleas shut the door with a firm click and leant back against it for a moment.
If anyone asked he would say the child was with Evangelina.. The Lord looked at the boy again for a long moment before he pushed off the door and moved to stand behind the oak table that dominated the space.
“Can you just..manage this for a moment?” he directed towards Evangelina, eyes beseeching, whilst his hand picked up a paperweight from the desk and set it down again, absently pressed together a bundle of papers so the edges were more aligned. He realised he was fidgeting and drew back. “I must just stave off my mother. She’s expecting me and I don’t want her to seek me out” His glance fell to the boy, obviously the reason for his reluctance in having the Lady Myrto descend upon his study. “I will not be long”
From being barely acquainted with Evangelina to her suddenly being witness to this rather personal development was not a situation Achilleas was pleased to find himself in, but he had little choice but to throw himself on her mercy and was already moving toward the door again “Perhaps you might find out how old our young friend is” he said, not saying the ‘sorry’ that was clear on his face as he edged away.
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She was a good enough liar that Achilleas did not think to look beyond her smile and simple agreement. Nor did he read the subtle thread of concern that ran through her mind as he tried to defend his relationship with Theo, and it would likely not have brought him comfort to know his own doubts were so easily seen.
Such things became irrelevant a few moments later anyway, faced with the precocious child who-much to his dismay- even Achilleas could credit with a passing resemblance to the Mikaelidas lord. The child gave him nothing useful in response to his questions, and Achilleas found himself growing less patient, frowning at the boys words. “That is impolite” he said, gaze flickering to Evangelina only to find humour in her gaze. And then when she suggested that he might like to move this...whatever it was to a more discreet location, the lord blinked, seemed to shake himself from the initial shock and he stared at Evie.
“Right. Yes. Come this way.” He was looking around them again, his features set, carved stone that masked the flurry of thoughts beneath. Had anyone seen this child arrive? Achilleas paused long enough for Evie to regain her feet and then turned abruptly and began walking towards the manor, clearly expecting both Evangelina and the child to fall in behind him.
As he walked down the outside of the building, the man was considering his options. His father was absent, he was sure of it, but he didn’t know where Emilios was, and his mother was waiting for him this very moment. If he could deposit the child in his study with Evangelina, then he could excuse himself and fend off Lady Myrto for a few moments.
And then what? Achilleas was quite sure the interrogation methods he had been taught would not be considered appropriate in this situation, but he needed answers.The timing could not have been much worse, and he kept hearing his father’s words about keeping his reputation clean. A bastard child appearing three days before his wedding was not exactly clean.
He led the child and Evangelina through the house at a smart pace, not wanting to encounter anyone on the way to his study, and once he had ushered them in, Achilleas shut the door with a firm click and leant back against it for a moment.
If anyone asked he would say the child was with Evangelina.. The Lord looked at the boy again for a long moment before he pushed off the door and moved to stand behind the oak table that dominated the space.
“Can you just..manage this for a moment?” he directed towards Evangelina, eyes beseeching, whilst his hand picked up a paperweight from the desk and set it down again, absently pressed together a bundle of papers so the edges were more aligned. He realised he was fidgeting and drew back. “I must just stave off my mother. She’s expecting me and I don’t want her to seek me out” His glance fell to the boy, obviously the reason for his reluctance in having the Lady Myrto descend upon his study. “I will not be long”
From being barely acquainted with Evangelina to her suddenly being witness to this rather personal development was not a situation Achilleas was pleased to find himself in, but he had little choice but to throw himself on her mercy and was already moving toward the door again “Perhaps you might find out how old our young friend is” he said, not saying the ‘sorry’ that was clear on his face as he edged away.
She was a good enough liar that Achilleas did not think to look beyond her smile and simple agreement. Nor did he read the subtle thread of concern that ran through her mind as he tried to defend his relationship with Theo, and it would likely not have brought him comfort to know his own doubts were so easily seen.
Such things became irrelevant a few moments later anyway, faced with the precocious child who-much to his dismay- even Achilleas could credit with a passing resemblance to the Mikaelidas lord. The child gave him nothing useful in response to his questions, and Achilleas found himself growing less patient, frowning at the boys words. “That is impolite” he said, gaze flickering to Evangelina only to find humour in her gaze. And then when she suggested that he might like to move this...whatever it was to a more discreet location, the lord blinked, seemed to shake himself from the initial shock and he stared at Evie.
“Right. Yes. Come this way.” He was looking around them again, his features set, carved stone that masked the flurry of thoughts beneath. Had anyone seen this child arrive? Achilleas paused long enough for Evie to regain her feet and then turned abruptly and began walking towards the manor, clearly expecting both Evangelina and the child to fall in behind him.
As he walked down the outside of the building, the man was considering his options. His father was absent, he was sure of it, but he didn’t know where Emilios was, and his mother was waiting for him this very moment. If he could deposit the child in his study with Evangelina, then he could excuse himself and fend off Lady Myrto for a few moments.
And then what? Achilleas was quite sure the interrogation methods he had been taught would not be considered appropriate in this situation, but he needed answers.The timing could not have been much worse, and he kept hearing his father’s words about keeping his reputation clean. A bastard child appearing three days before his wedding was not exactly clean.
He led the child and Evangelina through the house at a smart pace, not wanting to encounter anyone on the way to his study, and once he had ushered them in, Achilleas shut the door with a firm click and leant back against it for a moment.
If anyone asked he would say the child was with Evangelina.. The Lord looked at the boy again for a long moment before he pushed off the door and moved to stand behind the oak table that dominated the space.
“Can you just..manage this for a moment?” he directed towards Evangelina, eyes beseeching, whilst his hand picked up a paperweight from the desk and set it down again, absently pressed together a bundle of papers so the edges were more aligned. He realised he was fidgeting and drew back. “I must just stave off my mother. She’s expecting me and I don’t want her to seek me out” His glance fell to the boy, obviously the reason for his reluctance in having the Lady Myrto descend upon his study. “I will not be long”
From being barely acquainted with Evangelina to her suddenly being witness to this rather personal development was not a situation Achilleas was pleased to find himself in, but he had little choice but to throw himself on her mercy and was already moving toward the door again “Perhaps you might find out how old our young friend is” he said, not saying the ‘sorry’ that was clear on his face as he edged away.
Life had a way of catching us with little surprises. Achilleas was still in shock, as he should be. If it turned out to be true, she hoped the shock would wear off and he’d realize that there was some good mixed in with the bad. He had the opportunity to make a difference in the boy’s life. She was a tiny bit envious of that idea.
‘That is impolite.’ That all too blue gaze flicked over to her, checking on her feelings. She gave a subtle shake of her head, she was fine. He’d not said anything to her that she’d not heard before. Her thin was thick enough to handle the blow.
At the mention that they take this somewhere more discreet, she simply softened her gaze at Achilleas. He looked like a strong wind might knock him over. She wanted to wave and snap her fingers in front of him. The boy’s eyes flickered and she thought she saw him lick his lips at the mention of the honeyed figs. It was an urge she resisted, instead, she gave him the moment he needed to digest her request. The light of recognition somewhat clicked back on as he looked around. ‘Right. Yes. Come this way.’ Waving her hand softly for the boy to follow along behind Achilleas, she let him take precedence and she’d just keep an eye on the little rascal from behind.
She followed in silence, using the opportunity to study both the child and Lord Achilleas. Once inside the house, Lord Achilleas seemed to decide he wanted an unannounced foot race. While she didn’t want to doddle, neither her nor the child had the length of leg or stride that the General had. Living in Vasiliadon had made her a little soft, almost trotting behind the Lord, she felt her side starting to cramp. This was positively ridiculous… she knew he didn’t want to be seen with the child or her, but racing through the halls at this speed was just… cruel to her.
At his study, he opened the door, ushered them inside like she was a dirty mistress he didn’t want his wife to know about. Arching a brow at him, calm down… only you and I know what the boy said to you. Her hand softly touched her side to poke at the cramp that was no plaguing her from her exercise. She was going to have to remedy this… lazing about all her days was just… not going to work. The door clicked shut firmly and she glanced over her shoulder at him as he walked past to step to his desk.
‘Can you just..manage this for a moment?’ Her eyes blinked. What did he just ask? She blinked again and this time glanced from him to the child and back. Something in the look on his face got to her, and she sighed and nodded. Yes. She could manage this. He fiddled with the papers on his desk nervously. Gods above! Was he about to have a meltdown? A quick glance at the boy and she saw him looking in awe at all of the things in the office. ‘I must just stave off my mother. She’s expecting me and I don’t want her to seek me out.’ She looked back to Achilleas and nodded her head slowly. ‘I will not be long.’
She watched his gaze on the boy for a few moments and stepped over and touched his arm again, “Go...I’ll take care of this. Speak with your mother and while you are at it send some honeyed figs and perhaps some juice.” Her tone was soft but there was a firmness and direction there that surprised her. She suddenly sounded like her mother… That was a scary thought. When had that happened? Leaning in just a little her voice dropped, “Come back when you are calmer, we’ll be fine until then.”
Evangelina took a step to the door with him, ‘Perhaps you might find out how old our young friend is.’ She smiled gently and nodded her head. “Just don’t forget the honeyed figs and juice.” Pushing him softly out of the door, she leaned her back against the door for a moment still watching the boy. An idea hit her and she smiled.
Walking over to Lord Achilleas chair behind his desk she flopped down and let her legs hang over the side of the armrests in a completely unladylike fashion. “So…” She started, pausing to bit her bottom lip and glanced toward the door. “It may be a little while before the honeyed figs get here but they are well worth the wait.” The boy cast a sideways glance at her and paused at the way she was sitting. It obviously surprised him. She smiled and continued, “While we wait for Lord Achilleas to bring us those treats do you want to play a bit of dice? You look like a seasoned player.”
The boy snorted, ‘Girls don’t play dice.’ Her smile widened, “Maybe, but I do. Do you want to play or not?” His gaze still stared at her in disbelief. Evangelina shrugged, “It’s okay if you don’t… I mean. It would be kind of embarrassing to get beat by a girl…” She didn’t get to finish that sentence before he was marching over and sat down in a chair across from the desk and leaned his elbows on the desk. ‘I didn’t say I wouldn’t play and what makes you think I’d lose,’ He huffed.
Feigning narrowing her eyes at him, she dropped her feet off the armrest of the chair and sat forward, resting her arms on the table. “I’ll tell you what…If you beat me, I’ll make sure you get as many honeyed figs as you want.” His eyes lit up at that, so she leaned in a little closer to him and glanced at the door and then back at the boy, “But if I win… you have to answer a question for me.” The boy sat back then becoming a bit more guarded. Oh, he was a smart little rascal, wasn’t he… If Achilleas didn’t claim him, she would.‘All the honeyed figs I want…’ Evangelina’s puckish smile formed, “All of the honeyed figs you want.”
‘Fine.’ The child suddenly spit in his hand and held it out to her. Her eyes widened a moment but the smile on her face was positively enchanted. How disgusting! I love it! Tilting her head back, she spit into her palm and shook the boy’s hand. Twisting, she reached into the pocket of her dress and fished around until she pulled a couple of pairs of dice out and set them on the table.
She wasn’t sure how long she and the boy had played dice. Currently, she’d learned that his name was Griffen, but everyone just called him Fen. And he was 9 years old, which he was a little sensitive about considering he was on the small side for 9. She also owed him 3 platters of figs. He rolled the dice again and they counted out his number before the dice were passed back to her roll. The heavy footsteps at the door, caused her to pause. Her hands hiding the dice she’d been playing with. Her dark eyes watching the door waiting to see if it were Achilleas returning or the Gods forbid someone else about to catch her playing dice with some little street scamp.
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Life had a way of catching us with little surprises. Achilleas was still in shock, as he should be. If it turned out to be true, she hoped the shock would wear off and he’d realize that there was some good mixed in with the bad. He had the opportunity to make a difference in the boy’s life. She was a tiny bit envious of that idea.
‘That is impolite.’ That all too blue gaze flicked over to her, checking on her feelings. She gave a subtle shake of her head, she was fine. He’d not said anything to her that she’d not heard before. Her thin was thick enough to handle the blow.
At the mention that they take this somewhere more discreet, she simply softened her gaze at Achilleas. He looked like a strong wind might knock him over. She wanted to wave and snap her fingers in front of him. The boy’s eyes flickered and she thought she saw him lick his lips at the mention of the honeyed figs. It was an urge she resisted, instead, she gave him the moment he needed to digest her request. The light of recognition somewhat clicked back on as he looked around. ‘Right. Yes. Come this way.’ Waving her hand softly for the boy to follow along behind Achilleas, she let him take precedence and she’d just keep an eye on the little rascal from behind.
She followed in silence, using the opportunity to study both the child and Lord Achilleas. Once inside the house, Lord Achilleas seemed to decide he wanted an unannounced foot race. While she didn’t want to doddle, neither her nor the child had the length of leg or stride that the General had. Living in Vasiliadon had made her a little soft, almost trotting behind the Lord, she felt her side starting to cramp. This was positively ridiculous… she knew he didn’t want to be seen with the child or her, but racing through the halls at this speed was just… cruel to her.
At his study, he opened the door, ushered them inside like she was a dirty mistress he didn’t want his wife to know about. Arching a brow at him, calm down… only you and I know what the boy said to you. Her hand softly touched her side to poke at the cramp that was no plaguing her from her exercise. She was going to have to remedy this… lazing about all her days was just… not going to work. The door clicked shut firmly and she glanced over her shoulder at him as he walked past to step to his desk.
‘Can you just..manage this for a moment?’ Her eyes blinked. What did he just ask? She blinked again and this time glanced from him to the child and back. Something in the look on his face got to her, and she sighed and nodded. Yes. She could manage this. He fiddled with the papers on his desk nervously. Gods above! Was he about to have a meltdown? A quick glance at the boy and she saw him looking in awe at all of the things in the office. ‘I must just stave off my mother. She’s expecting me and I don’t want her to seek me out.’ She looked back to Achilleas and nodded her head slowly. ‘I will not be long.’
She watched his gaze on the boy for a few moments and stepped over and touched his arm again, “Go...I’ll take care of this. Speak with your mother and while you are at it send some honeyed figs and perhaps some juice.” Her tone was soft but there was a firmness and direction there that surprised her. She suddenly sounded like her mother… That was a scary thought. When had that happened? Leaning in just a little her voice dropped, “Come back when you are calmer, we’ll be fine until then.”
Evangelina took a step to the door with him, ‘Perhaps you might find out how old our young friend is.’ She smiled gently and nodded her head. “Just don’t forget the honeyed figs and juice.” Pushing him softly out of the door, she leaned her back against the door for a moment still watching the boy. An idea hit her and she smiled.
Walking over to Lord Achilleas chair behind his desk she flopped down and let her legs hang over the side of the armrests in a completely unladylike fashion. “So…” She started, pausing to bit her bottom lip and glanced toward the door. “It may be a little while before the honeyed figs get here but they are well worth the wait.” The boy cast a sideways glance at her and paused at the way she was sitting. It obviously surprised him. She smiled and continued, “While we wait for Lord Achilleas to bring us those treats do you want to play a bit of dice? You look like a seasoned player.”
The boy snorted, ‘Girls don’t play dice.’ Her smile widened, “Maybe, but I do. Do you want to play or not?” His gaze still stared at her in disbelief. Evangelina shrugged, “It’s okay if you don’t… I mean. It would be kind of embarrassing to get beat by a girl…” She didn’t get to finish that sentence before he was marching over and sat down in a chair across from the desk and leaned his elbows on the desk. ‘I didn’t say I wouldn’t play and what makes you think I’d lose,’ He huffed.
Feigning narrowing her eyes at him, she dropped her feet off the armrest of the chair and sat forward, resting her arms on the table. “I’ll tell you what…If you beat me, I’ll make sure you get as many honeyed figs as you want.” His eyes lit up at that, so she leaned in a little closer to him and glanced at the door and then back at the boy, “But if I win… you have to answer a question for me.” The boy sat back then becoming a bit more guarded. Oh, he was a smart little rascal, wasn’t he… If Achilleas didn’t claim him, she would.‘All the honeyed figs I want…’ Evangelina’s puckish smile formed, “All of the honeyed figs you want.”
‘Fine.’ The child suddenly spit in his hand and held it out to her. Her eyes widened a moment but the smile on her face was positively enchanted. How disgusting! I love it! Tilting her head back, she spit into her palm and shook the boy’s hand. Twisting, she reached into the pocket of her dress and fished around until she pulled a couple of pairs of dice out and set them on the table.
She wasn’t sure how long she and the boy had played dice. Currently, she’d learned that his name was Griffen, but everyone just called him Fen. And he was 9 years old, which he was a little sensitive about considering he was on the small side for 9. She also owed him 3 platters of figs. He rolled the dice again and they counted out his number before the dice were passed back to her roll. The heavy footsteps at the door, caused her to pause. Her hands hiding the dice she’d been playing with. Her dark eyes watching the door waiting to see if it were Achilleas returning or the Gods forbid someone else about to catch her playing dice with some little street scamp.
Life had a way of catching us with little surprises. Achilleas was still in shock, as he should be. If it turned out to be true, she hoped the shock would wear off and he’d realize that there was some good mixed in with the bad. He had the opportunity to make a difference in the boy’s life. She was a tiny bit envious of that idea.
‘That is impolite.’ That all too blue gaze flicked over to her, checking on her feelings. She gave a subtle shake of her head, she was fine. He’d not said anything to her that she’d not heard before. Her thin was thick enough to handle the blow.
At the mention that they take this somewhere more discreet, she simply softened her gaze at Achilleas. He looked like a strong wind might knock him over. She wanted to wave and snap her fingers in front of him. The boy’s eyes flickered and she thought she saw him lick his lips at the mention of the honeyed figs. It was an urge she resisted, instead, she gave him the moment he needed to digest her request. The light of recognition somewhat clicked back on as he looked around. ‘Right. Yes. Come this way.’ Waving her hand softly for the boy to follow along behind Achilleas, she let him take precedence and she’d just keep an eye on the little rascal from behind.
She followed in silence, using the opportunity to study both the child and Lord Achilleas. Once inside the house, Lord Achilleas seemed to decide he wanted an unannounced foot race. While she didn’t want to doddle, neither her nor the child had the length of leg or stride that the General had. Living in Vasiliadon had made her a little soft, almost trotting behind the Lord, she felt her side starting to cramp. This was positively ridiculous… she knew he didn’t want to be seen with the child or her, but racing through the halls at this speed was just… cruel to her.
At his study, he opened the door, ushered them inside like she was a dirty mistress he didn’t want his wife to know about. Arching a brow at him, calm down… only you and I know what the boy said to you. Her hand softly touched her side to poke at the cramp that was no plaguing her from her exercise. She was going to have to remedy this… lazing about all her days was just… not going to work. The door clicked shut firmly and she glanced over her shoulder at him as he walked past to step to his desk.
‘Can you just..manage this for a moment?’ Her eyes blinked. What did he just ask? She blinked again and this time glanced from him to the child and back. Something in the look on his face got to her, and she sighed and nodded. Yes. She could manage this. He fiddled with the papers on his desk nervously. Gods above! Was he about to have a meltdown? A quick glance at the boy and she saw him looking in awe at all of the things in the office. ‘I must just stave off my mother. She’s expecting me and I don’t want her to seek me out.’ She looked back to Achilleas and nodded her head slowly. ‘I will not be long.’
She watched his gaze on the boy for a few moments and stepped over and touched his arm again, “Go...I’ll take care of this. Speak with your mother and while you are at it send some honeyed figs and perhaps some juice.” Her tone was soft but there was a firmness and direction there that surprised her. She suddenly sounded like her mother… That was a scary thought. When had that happened? Leaning in just a little her voice dropped, “Come back when you are calmer, we’ll be fine until then.”
Evangelina took a step to the door with him, ‘Perhaps you might find out how old our young friend is.’ She smiled gently and nodded her head. “Just don’t forget the honeyed figs and juice.” Pushing him softly out of the door, she leaned her back against the door for a moment still watching the boy. An idea hit her and she smiled.
Walking over to Lord Achilleas chair behind his desk she flopped down and let her legs hang over the side of the armrests in a completely unladylike fashion. “So…” She started, pausing to bit her bottom lip and glanced toward the door. “It may be a little while before the honeyed figs get here but they are well worth the wait.” The boy cast a sideways glance at her and paused at the way she was sitting. It obviously surprised him. She smiled and continued, “While we wait for Lord Achilleas to bring us those treats do you want to play a bit of dice? You look like a seasoned player.”
The boy snorted, ‘Girls don’t play dice.’ Her smile widened, “Maybe, but I do. Do you want to play or not?” His gaze still stared at her in disbelief. Evangelina shrugged, “It’s okay if you don’t… I mean. It would be kind of embarrassing to get beat by a girl…” She didn’t get to finish that sentence before he was marching over and sat down in a chair across from the desk and leaned his elbows on the desk. ‘I didn’t say I wouldn’t play and what makes you think I’d lose,’ He huffed.
Feigning narrowing her eyes at him, she dropped her feet off the armrest of the chair and sat forward, resting her arms on the table. “I’ll tell you what…If you beat me, I’ll make sure you get as many honeyed figs as you want.” His eyes lit up at that, so she leaned in a little closer to him and glanced at the door and then back at the boy, “But if I win… you have to answer a question for me.” The boy sat back then becoming a bit more guarded. Oh, he was a smart little rascal, wasn’t he… If Achilleas didn’t claim him, she would.‘All the honeyed figs I want…’ Evangelina’s puckish smile formed, “All of the honeyed figs you want.”
‘Fine.’ The child suddenly spit in his hand and held it out to her. Her eyes widened a moment but the smile on her face was positively enchanted. How disgusting! I love it! Tilting her head back, she spit into her palm and shook the boy’s hand. Twisting, she reached into the pocket of her dress and fished around until she pulled a couple of pairs of dice out and set them on the table.
She wasn’t sure how long she and the boy had played dice. Currently, she’d learned that his name was Griffen, but everyone just called him Fen. And he was 9 years old, which he was a little sensitive about considering he was on the small side for 9. She also owed him 3 platters of figs. He rolled the dice again and they counted out his number before the dice were passed back to her roll. The heavy footsteps at the door, caused her to pause. Her hands hiding the dice she’d been playing with. Her dark eyes watching the door waiting to see if it were Achilleas returning or the Gods forbid someone else about to catch her playing dice with some little street scamp.
In the hallway, Achilleas stopped and took a deep breath. Turning to glance at the door that he’d just closed behind him he took the moment’s privacy to be as stunned as he felt.
Just some mix up
But ,whilst no bedhopper like his brother, Achilleas was not an innocent. He’d taken his pleasure with enough courtesans that he could not immediately discredit the claim that had fallen from the child’s mouth, and that was enough to make him feel sick to his stomach.
Consequences, his father had said. If he did anything to bring his name into disrepute. Surely he could not be held to account for something so out of his control though? Realising that his train of thought was not helping him calm down, nor had he taken one step towards finding his mother , Achilleas straightened his shoulders and strode down towards the room that Myrto has commandeered for all things wedding related. It was awkward and unpleasant seeing the way she had to skirt around Meena’s presence, and he would have said that he looked forward to the day when she would return to Euttica, but he didn’t even know if that would happen now. She was officially Queen he supposed.
He stopped on his way to collar one of the slaves, asking for a platter of honeyed figs and some juice to be set out in the solar, and then with a brief knock, entered the chamber where his mother waited.
“ You needed me?” He asked lightly, doing his best to appear as unruffled as he was able. Darting his eyes about to see what she could want him for, he was relieved not to find a tailor or florist or anyone else in her presence that would signify the unlikeliness of a quick escape.
Myrto smiled at him. ‘Aah, Achilleas. I just wanted to glean your opinion on some musicians, dear boy. I had secured some of those who play at court regularly but then after the….”
“Mother”
“...reception at the palati I rather thought..”
“Mother. I’m terribly sorry to be so brusque, but I must get this missive sent out. I have absolute faith in your judgement, and am confident that it outshines mine, so please go ahead and book whomever you choose”. Achilleas delivered it all in one breath so that Myrto could not interrupt him, and then had stepped forward to drop a kiss on her cheek before she could protest. “If you will excuse me. You can tell me about it at dinner?”
His mother looked mildly surprised, it was not like her eldest to be so dismissive, but then she had got the distinct impression that he was tiring of wedding related duties over the past days. So she relented and smiled, patting his arm as she waved him off. “Of course,off you go then”
And Achilleas did not need to be told twice. He hurried back to his study, only to remember half way there that he was supposed to be bringing figs and juice, so he stopped off by the solar and snagged the platter and pitcher himself. Nevermind that everyone would think he had developed a sudden sweet tooth. He paused outside the door to his study, scolded himself because it was ridiculous to be so thrown off by some youngster taking a chance on making a few coin. If it came to it hed give the boy a pocketful just to get out of here. And then Achilleas was forced into awkwardly shouldering the door open because his hands were full of the things that Evangelina had promised the child.
When he looked up to find said noblewoman sprawled across his chair, and both her and the boy looking guiltily at the door, the lord frowned. Looking to Evie for some explanation, it was only a few short steps to cross the room and set both figs and juice down upon the table. “Is all well?” He asked, glancing between his soon to be cousin and this young boy who claimed to be something more.
Achilleas did not sit, but stood at one end of the oaken table. His was no small physical presence and he used it to good effect when he needed to. Folding his arms across his chest, he raised an eyebrow at the boy.
“Well then? I hope you are ready to fill in some of the detail of your story young man so we might find out exactly where you have fallen to your decision that we are of the same blood”
Fen, as the boy had made himself known to Evie as, frowned right back at Achilleas. He’d been having fun with the lady who wasn’t Theodora, and now he felt all tense about making sure he said the right thing again. He looked to his new friend Evie for some support. “You promised me three platters of figs! He’s only brought one!”
That had Achilleas turn that same raised brow upon the noblewoman, wondering what on earth she had told the boy. “ Is that so” he murmured quietly before looking back to the child.
“Look boy - does he have a name?- I don’t have time to play games. What’s your mother’s name? Where is she from?” Achilleas voice was calm but insistent. Here was a man more used to having people obey him than not, and perhaps less experienced in catering to the whims of children than his new friend, still percent jauntily on his chair. Still, the lord reached out to push the plate of honeyed figs towards the kid. “ You can eat whilst you tell us”
This character is currently a work in progress.
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This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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In the hallway, Achilleas stopped and took a deep breath. Turning to glance at the door that he’d just closed behind him he took the moment’s privacy to be as stunned as he felt.
Just some mix up
But ,whilst no bedhopper like his brother, Achilleas was not an innocent. He’d taken his pleasure with enough courtesans that he could not immediately discredit the claim that had fallen from the child’s mouth, and that was enough to make him feel sick to his stomach.
Consequences, his father had said. If he did anything to bring his name into disrepute. Surely he could not be held to account for something so out of his control though? Realising that his train of thought was not helping him calm down, nor had he taken one step towards finding his mother , Achilleas straightened his shoulders and strode down towards the room that Myrto has commandeered for all things wedding related. It was awkward and unpleasant seeing the way she had to skirt around Meena’s presence, and he would have said that he looked forward to the day when she would return to Euttica, but he didn’t even know if that would happen now. She was officially Queen he supposed.
He stopped on his way to collar one of the slaves, asking for a platter of honeyed figs and some juice to be set out in the solar, and then with a brief knock, entered the chamber where his mother waited.
“ You needed me?” He asked lightly, doing his best to appear as unruffled as he was able. Darting his eyes about to see what she could want him for, he was relieved not to find a tailor or florist or anyone else in her presence that would signify the unlikeliness of a quick escape.
Myrto smiled at him. ‘Aah, Achilleas. I just wanted to glean your opinion on some musicians, dear boy. I had secured some of those who play at court regularly but then after the….”
“Mother”
“...reception at the palati I rather thought..”
“Mother. I’m terribly sorry to be so brusque, but I must get this missive sent out. I have absolute faith in your judgement, and am confident that it outshines mine, so please go ahead and book whomever you choose”. Achilleas delivered it all in one breath so that Myrto could not interrupt him, and then had stepped forward to drop a kiss on her cheek before she could protest. “If you will excuse me. You can tell me about it at dinner?”
His mother looked mildly surprised, it was not like her eldest to be so dismissive, but then she had got the distinct impression that he was tiring of wedding related duties over the past days. So she relented and smiled, patting his arm as she waved him off. “Of course,off you go then”
And Achilleas did not need to be told twice. He hurried back to his study, only to remember half way there that he was supposed to be bringing figs and juice, so he stopped off by the solar and snagged the platter and pitcher himself. Nevermind that everyone would think he had developed a sudden sweet tooth. He paused outside the door to his study, scolded himself because it was ridiculous to be so thrown off by some youngster taking a chance on making a few coin. If it came to it hed give the boy a pocketful just to get out of here. And then Achilleas was forced into awkwardly shouldering the door open because his hands were full of the things that Evangelina had promised the child.
When he looked up to find said noblewoman sprawled across his chair, and both her and the boy looking guiltily at the door, the lord frowned. Looking to Evie for some explanation, it was only a few short steps to cross the room and set both figs and juice down upon the table. “Is all well?” He asked, glancing between his soon to be cousin and this young boy who claimed to be something more.
Achilleas did not sit, but stood at one end of the oaken table. His was no small physical presence and he used it to good effect when he needed to. Folding his arms across his chest, he raised an eyebrow at the boy.
“Well then? I hope you are ready to fill in some of the detail of your story young man so we might find out exactly where you have fallen to your decision that we are of the same blood”
Fen, as the boy had made himself known to Evie as, frowned right back at Achilleas. He’d been having fun with the lady who wasn’t Theodora, and now he felt all tense about making sure he said the right thing again. He looked to his new friend Evie for some support. “You promised me three platters of figs! He’s only brought one!”
That had Achilleas turn that same raised brow upon the noblewoman, wondering what on earth she had told the boy. “ Is that so” he murmured quietly before looking back to the child.
“Look boy - does he have a name?- I don’t have time to play games. What’s your mother’s name? Where is she from?” Achilleas voice was calm but insistent. Here was a man more used to having people obey him than not, and perhaps less experienced in catering to the whims of children than his new friend, still percent jauntily on his chair. Still, the lord reached out to push the plate of honeyed figs towards the kid. “ You can eat whilst you tell us”
In the hallway, Achilleas stopped and took a deep breath. Turning to glance at the door that he’d just closed behind him he took the moment’s privacy to be as stunned as he felt.
Just some mix up
But ,whilst no bedhopper like his brother, Achilleas was not an innocent. He’d taken his pleasure with enough courtesans that he could not immediately discredit the claim that had fallen from the child’s mouth, and that was enough to make him feel sick to his stomach.
Consequences, his father had said. If he did anything to bring his name into disrepute. Surely he could not be held to account for something so out of his control though? Realising that his train of thought was not helping him calm down, nor had he taken one step towards finding his mother , Achilleas straightened his shoulders and strode down towards the room that Myrto has commandeered for all things wedding related. It was awkward and unpleasant seeing the way she had to skirt around Meena’s presence, and he would have said that he looked forward to the day when she would return to Euttica, but he didn’t even know if that would happen now. She was officially Queen he supposed.
He stopped on his way to collar one of the slaves, asking for a platter of honeyed figs and some juice to be set out in the solar, and then with a brief knock, entered the chamber where his mother waited.
“ You needed me?” He asked lightly, doing his best to appear as unruffled as he was able. Darting his eyes about to see what she could want him for, he was relieved not to find a tailor or florist or anyone else in her presence that would signify the unlikeliness of a quick escape.
Myrto smiled at him. ‘Aah, Achilleas. I just wanted to glean your opinion on some musicians, dear boy. I had secured some of those who play at court regularly but then after the….”
“Mother”
“...reception at the palati I rather thought..”
“Mother. I’m terribly sorry to be so brusque, but I must get this missive sent out. I have absolute faith in your judgement, and am confident that it outshines mine, so please go ahead and book whomever you choose”. Achilleas delivered it all in one breath so that Myrto could not interrupt him, and then had stepped forward to drop a kiss on her cheek before she could protest. “If you will excuse me. You can tell me about it at dinner?”
His mother looked mildly surprised, it was not like her eldest to be so dismissive, but then she had got the distinct impression that he was tiring of wedding related duties over the past days. So she relented and smiled, patting his arm as she waved him off. “Of course,off you go then”
And Achilleas did not need to be told twice. He hurried back to his study, only to remember half way there that he was supposed to be bringing figs and juice, so he stopped off by the solar and snagged the platter and pitcher himself. Nevermind that everyone would think he had developed a sudden sweet tooth. He paused outside the door to his study, scolded himself because it was ridiculous to be so thrown off by some youngster taking a chance on making a few coin. If it came to it hed give the boy a pocketful just to get out of here. And then Achilleas was forced into awkwardly shouldering the door open because his hands were full of the things that Evangelina had promised the child.
When he looked up to find said noblewoman sprawled across his chair, and both her and the boy looking guiltily at the door, the lord frowned. Looking to Evie for some explanation, it was only a few short steps to cross the room and set both figs and juice down upon the table. “Is all well?” He asked, glancing between his soon to be cousin and this young boy who claimed to be something more.
Achilleas did not sit, but stood at one end of the oaken table. His was no small physical presence and he used it to good effect when he needed to. Folding his arms across his chest, he raised an eyebrow at the boy.
“Well then? I hope you are ready to fill in some of the detail of your story young man so we might find out exactly where you have fallen to your decision that we are of the same blood”
Fen, as the boy had made himself known to Evie as, frowned right back at Achilleas. He’d been having fun with the lady who wasn’t Theodora, and now he felt all tense about making sure he said the right thing again. He looked to his new friend Evie for some support. “You promised me three platters of figs! He’s only brought one!”
That had Achilleas turn that same raised brow upon the noblewoman, wondering what on earth she had told the boy. “ Is that so” he murmured quietly before looking back to the child.
“Look boy - does he have a name?- I don’t have time to play games. What’s your mother’s name? Where is she from?” Achilleas voice was calm but insistent. Here was a man more used to having people obey him than not, and perhaps less experienced in catering to the whims of children than his new friend, still percent jauntily on his chair. Still, the lord reached out to push the plate of honeyed figs towards the kid. “ You can eat whilst you tell us”
The noise at the door sounded like a bear trying to crash through the smooth old wood of the door. Achilleas would find himself being stared at by Evangelina like he’d grown a second head. Why was he carrying the platter and juice? Was he that concerned about the appearance of her and the child in his study? Raising her eyebrow at him, she didn’t immediately straighten herself up.
‘Is all well?’ Was that a bit of sarcasm in his voice? She offered him a curious smile, “Well enough.” Standing up she reached out to offer help, “Here hand those here.” Honestly, she wasn’t exactly ready to be named Hostess of the year but with his nerves on edge, she figured she’d still be better than he was.
Achilleas stood with his arms crossed over his chest glaring down at the boy. Pausing in her pouring a glass of juice to the boy, she frowned at Achilleas. It was obvious he didn’t have much experience in dealing with children. Handing the goblet of juice to the boy and passing him the platter of honeyed figs towards him. Stealing one for herself, poking it into her mouth and licking the honey off of her fingers.
‘Well then? I hope you are ready to fill in some of the detail of your story young man so we might find out exactly where you have fallen to your decision that we are of the same blood.’ Slanting another look at Achilleas, this time she raised an eyebrow at him. Was he serious? The boy was not a solider here to report the enemy's movements to him.
She caught the boy’s glance at her and she offered him a small smile, he needn’t worry. At his words, she rolled her eyes, her hands sliding off the dice she’d been hiding on his table. ‘You promised me three platters of figs! He’s only brought one!’
“Eat the one in front of you first before they get soggy.” She wanted to wince again, her mother’s voice had just come out of her again. It had to stop doing that. Working up the courage she glanced at Achilleas and softly coughed before looking away guiltily. ‘Is that so?’
‘Look boy - does he have a name?- I don’t have time to play games. What’s your mother’s name? Where is she from?’ Achilleas pushed the honeyed figs closer to the boy, ‘You can eat whilst you tell us.’
Evangelina moved towards the window to lean her small but softly curved hips against the frame of it, allowing Achilleas his seat back at his desk. Crossing her arms over her chest, she tilted her head and looked at Achilleas. “Fen, meet Lord Achilleas. Lord Achilleas met Griffen, though he much prefers Fen.” Behind the boy, where he couldn’t see what she did, her arms uncrossed and she held up nine fingers to indicate his age.
She sighed and crossed her arms again, “Other than that… the little scamp cheats at dice. I just haven’t figured out how he’s doing it…” That had the boy glancing over at her with his mouth full, ‘I don’t cheat, Lady Evie. You’re just a sore loser.’ That earned him an indignant snort as he turned back around to focus on his figs. She smiled at him, her gaze dragging over to Achilleas.
Turning she walked over to look at the scrolls that lined his wall. Did the General have anything worth borrowing to read? She quietly nosed through them, looking at the various war texts. If she were lucky, Achilleas would meander over and she could tell him about the smell of the boy. He radiated a smell of grapes. Wasn’t it harvest time in the vineyards? She bit her lip, letting her eyes scan over one of the scrolls. She was going to borrow this one. Glancing over her should at Achilleas, she cleared her throat and motioned for him to join her.
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The noise at the door sounded like a bear trying to crash through the smooth old wood of the door. Achilleas would find himself being stared at by Evangelina like he’d grown a second head. Why was he carrying the platter and juice? Was he that concerned about the appearance of her and the child in his study? Raising her eyebrow at him, she didn’t immediately straighten herself up.
‘Is all well?’ Was that a bit of sarcasm in his voice? She offered him a curious smile, “Well enough.” Standing up she reached out to offer help, “Here hand those here.” Honestly, she wasn’t exactly ready to be named Hostess of the year but with his nerves on edge, she figured she’d still be better than he was.
Achilleas stood with his arms crossed over his chest glaring down at the boy. Pausing in her pouring a glass of juice to the boy, she frowned at Achilleas. It was obvious he didn’t have much experience in dealing with children. Handing the goblet of juice to the boy and passing him the platter of honeyed figs towards him. Stealing one for herself, poking it into her mouth and licking the honey off of her fingers.
‘Well then? I hope you are ready to fill in some of the detail of your story young man so we might find out exactly where you have fallen to your decision that we are of the same blood.’ Slanting another look at Achilleas, this time she raised an eyebrow at him. Was he serious? The boy was not a solider here to report the enemy's movements to him.
She caught the boy’s glance at her and she offered him a small smile, he needn’t worry. At his words, she rolled her eyes, her hands sliding off the dice she’d been hiding on his table. ‘You promised me three platters of figs! He’s only brought one!’
“Eat the one in front of you first before they get soggy.” She wanted to wince again, her mother’s voice had just come out of her again. It had to stop doing that. Working up the courage she glanced at Achilleas and softly coughed before looking away guiltily. ‘Is that so?’
‘Look boy - does he have a name?- I don’t have time to play games. What’s your mother’s name? Where is she from?’ Achilleas pushed the honeyed figs closer to the boy, ‘You can eat whilst you tell us.’
Evangelina moved towards the window to lean her small but softly curved hips against the frame of it, allowing Achilleas his seat back at his desk. Crossing her arms over her chest, she tilted her head and looked at Achilleas. “Fen, meet Lord Achilleas. Lord Achilleas met Griffen, though he much prefers Fen.” Behind the boy, where he couldn’t see what she did, her arms uncrossed and she held up nine fingers to indicate his age.
She sighed and crossed her arms again, “Other than that… the little scamp cheats at dice. I just haven’t figured out how he’s doing it…” That had the boy glancing over at her with his mouth full, ‘I don’t cheat, Lady Evie. You’re just a sore loser.’ That earned him an indignant snort as he turned back around to focus on his figs. She smiled at him, her gaze dragging over to Achilleas.
Turning she walked over to look at the scrolls that lined his wall. Did the General have anything worth borrowing to read? She quietly nosed through them, looking at the various war texts. If she were lucky, Achilleas would meander over and she could tell him about the smell of the boy. He radiated a smell of grapes. Wasn’t it harvest time in the vineyards? She bit her lip, letting her eyes scan over one of the scrolls. She was going to borrow this one. Glancing over her should at Achilleas, she cleared her throat and motioned for him to join her.
The noise at the door sounded like a bear trying to crash through the smooth old wood of the door. Achilleas would find himself being stared at by Evangelina like he’d grown a second head. Why was he carrying the platter and juice? Was he that concerned about the appearance of her and the child in his study? Raising her eyebrow at him, she didn’t immediately straighten herself up.
‘Is all well?’ Was that a bit of sarcasm in his voice? She offered him a curious smile, “Well enough.” Standing up she reached out to offer help, “Here hand those here.” Honestly, she wasn’t exactly ready to be named Hostess of the year but with his nerves on edge, she figured she’d still be better than he was.
Achilleas stood with his arms crossed over his chest glaring down at the boy. Pausing in her pouring a glass of juice to the boy, she frowned at Achilleas. It was obvious he didn’t have much experience in dealing with children. Handing the goblet of juice to the boy and passing him the platter of honeyed figs towards him. Stealing one for herself, poking it into her mouth and licking the honey off of her fingers.
‘Well then? I hope you are ready to fill in some of the detail of your story young man so we might find out exactly where you have fallen to your decision that we are of the same blood.’ Slanting another look at Achilleas, this time she raised an eyebrow at him. Was he serious? The boy was not a solider here to report the enemy's movements to him.
She caught the boy’s glance at her and she offered him a small smile, he needn’t worry. At his words, she rolled her eyes, her hands sliding off the dice she’d been hiding on his table. ‘You promised me three platters of figs! He’s only brought one!’
“Eat the one in front of you first before they get soggy.” She wanted to wince again, her mother’s voice had just come out of her again. It had to stop doing that. Working up the courage she glanced at Achilleas and softly coughed before looking away guiltily. ‘Is that so?’
‘Look boy - does he have a name?- I don’t have time to play games. What’s your mother’s name? Where is she from?’ Achilleas pushed the honeyed figs closer to the boy, ‘You can eat whilst you tell us.’
Evangelina moved towards the window to lean her small but softly curved hips against the frame of it, allowing Achilleas his seat back at his desk. Crossing her arms over her chest, she tilted her head and looked at Achilleas. “Fen, meet Lord Achilleas. Lord Achilleas met Griffen, though he much prefers Fen.” Behind the boy, where he couldn’t see what she did, her arms uncrossed and she held up nine fingers to indicate his age.
She sighed and crossed her arms again, “Other than that… the little scamp cheats at dice. I just haven’t figured out how he’s doing it…” That had the boy glancing over at her with his mouth full, ‘I don’t cheat, Lady Evie. You’re just a sore loser.’ That earned him an indignant snort as he turned back around to focus on his figs. She smiled at him, her gaze dragging over to Achilleas.
Turning she walked over to look at the scrolls that lined his wall. Did the General have anything worth borrowing to read? She quietly nosed through them, looking at the various war texts. If she were lucky, Achilleas would meander over and she could tell him about the smell of the boy. He radiated a smell of grapes. Wasn’t it harvest time in the vineyards? She bit her lip, letting her eyes scan over one of the scrolls. She was going to borrow this one. Glancing over her should at Achilleas, she cleared her throat and motioned for him to join her.
Achilleas had not wanted to explain the presence of a small, scruffy boy and the Lady Evangelina in his study, though he had perhaps neglected how he then might have to explain the reason for him carrying crockery around the manor. Either way, he relinquished them to Evie and was then ready for some answers. Returning the frown she directed at him, Achilleas nevertheless tried to soften his demeanor as he waited for some response from the child, especially when the woman arched a brow in his direction.
Why was this so difficult?
Not that the boy seemed at all intimidated by the Lord’s efforts, he noticed irritably as Evangelina introduced the child as Griffen. Fen. Achilleas’ gaze shifted beyond him for a moment and he counted off the fingers that the Leventi woman held up. Nine? He turned away from them both as he tried to recall what and where he’d been nine years ago, ten perhaps. It was impossible. He could think of a couple of encounters, maybe, but not that he could have foreseen resulting in this. Not if people had done what they said they would do, at least.
For a moment, he entertained the idea that it might be true. What if the boy was his? Throwing money at the situation might make it go away long enough for the wedding to be out of the way, but the lord couldn't help but feel that it was too well-timed. As if it had been designed to come at a time where he would be even less keen at such a thing coming to light. And he looked more closely at the boy, scrutinising him. Who would even send a child with such news to tell?
Evangelina was speaking again though, and Achilleas turned to her, looking mildly reproachful as she admitted to have been playing dice with the child, and then scrubbing his hand over his face at the boy’s retort. It was as if no one else was taking this at all seriously. Try again.
“Fen, is it? I would really like to know a little bit more about you. And your mother.” Achilleas kept his tone deliberately light this time, glancing at Evangelina to see if it passed muster and blinking as she made some strange gurgling noise and summoned him over. He came to stand behind her, following her gaze to the scrolls she had been expecting and reaching out to pick one out. He turned so his back was to the boy who was still happily devouring figs and looked to the noblewoman, assuming she was going to criticise for his lack of subtlety.
Perhaps she did not think it such a big deal. There were plenty of noblemen leaving bastard children dotted about the place after all. But not Achilleas. He had been so careful, always. It would seem a cruel trick of the Gods if he were the one to end up explaining this away whilst Emilios, who had no such reservations in his romantic pursuits, remained blemish free. No. He would not apologise for pressing the issue.
“What?” he asked in an undertone. “I need to know!”
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Achilleas had not wanted to explain the presence of a small, scruffy boy and the Lady Evangelina in his study, though he had perhaps neglected how he then might have to explain the reason for him carrying crockery around the manor. Either way, he relinquished them to Evie and was then ready for some answers. Returning the frown she directed at him, Achilleas nevertheless tried to soften his demeanor as he waited for some response from the child, especially when the woman arched a brow in his direction.
Why was this so difficult?
Not that the boy seemed at all intimidated by the Lord’s efforts, he noticed irritably as Evangelina introduced the child as Griffen. Fen. Achilleas’ gaze shifted beyond him for a moment and he counted off the fingers that the Leventi woman held up. Nine? He turned away from them both as he tried to recall what and where he’d been nine years ago, ten perhaps. It was impossible. He could think of a couple of encounters, maybe, but not that he could have foreseen resulting in this. Not if people had done what they said they would do, at least.
For a moment, he entertained the idea that it might be true. What if the boy was his? Throwing money at the situation might make it go away long enough for the wedding to be out of the way, but the lord couldn't help but feel that it was too well-timed. As if it had been designed to come at a time where he would be even less keen at such a thing coming to light. And he looked more closely at the boy, scrutinising him. Who would even send a child with such news to tell?
Evangelina was speaking again though, and Achilleas turned to her, looking mildly reproachful as she admitted to have been playing dice with the child, and then scrubbing his hand over his face at the boy’s retort. It was as if no one else was taking this at all seriously. Try again.
“Fen, is it? I would really like to know a little bit more about you. And your mother.” Achilleas kept his tone deliberately light this time, glancing at Evangelina to see if it passed muster and blinking as she made some strange gurgling noise and summoned him over. He came to stand behind her, following her gaze to the scrolls she had been expecting and reaching out to pick one out. He turned so his back was to the boy who was still happily devouring figs and looked to the noblewoman, assuming she was going to criticise for his lack of subtlety.
Perhaps she did not think it such a big deal. There were plenty of noblemen leaving bastard children dotted about the place after all. But not Achilleas. He had been so careful, always. It would seem a cruel trick of the Gods if he were the one to end up explaining this away whilst Emilios, who had no such reservations in his romantic pursuits, remained blemish free. No. He would not apologise for pressing the issue.
“What?” he asked in an undertone. “I need to know!”
Achilleas had not wanted to explain the presence of a small, scruffy boy and the Lady Evangelina in his study, though he had perhaps neglected how he then might have to explain the reason for him carrying crockery around the manor. Either way, he relinquished them to Evie and was then ready for some answers. Returning the frown she directed at him, Achilleas nevertheless tried to soften his demeanor as he waited for some response from the child, especially when the woman arched a brow in his direction.
Why was this so difficult?
Not that the boy seemed at all intimidated by the Lord’s efforts, he noticed irritably as Evangelina introduced the child as Griffen. Fen. Achilleas’ gaze shifted beyond him for a moment and he counted off the fingers that the Leventi woman held up. Nine? He turned away from them both as he tried to recall what and where he’d been nine years ago, ten perhaps. It was impossible. He could think of a couple of encounters, maybe, but not that he could have foreseen resulting in this. Not if people had done what they said they would do, at least.
For a moment, he entertained the idea that it might be true. What if the boy was his? Throwing money at the situation might make it go away long enough for the wedding to be out of the way, but the lord couldn't help but feel that it was too well-timed. As if it had been designed to come at a time where he would be even less keen at such a thing coming to light. And he looked more closely at the boy, scrutinising him. Who would even send a child with such news to tell?
Evangelina was speaking again though, and Achilleas turned to her, looking mildly reproachful as she admitted to have been playing dice with the child, and then scrubbing his hand over his face at the boy’s retort. It was as if no one else was taking this at all seriously. Try again.
“Fen, is it? I would really like to know a little bit more about you. And your mother.” Achilleas kept his tone deliberately light this time, glancing at Evangelina to see if it passed muster and blinking as she made some strange gurgling noise and summoned him over. He came to stand behind her, following her gaze to the scrolls she had been expecting and reaching out to pick one out. He turned so his back was to the boy who was still happily devouring figs and looked to the noblewoman, assuming she was going to criticise for his lack of subtlety.
Perhaps she did not think it such a big deal. There were plenty of noblemen leaving bastard children dotted about the place after all. But not Achilleas. He had been so careful, always. It would seem a cruel trick of the Gods if he were the one to end up explaining this away whilst Emilios, who had no such reservations in his romantic pursuits, remained blemish free. No. He would not apologise for pressing the issue.
“What?” he asked in an undertone. “I need to know!”
It wasn’t hard to let herself simply fade into the background, after all, she had twenty-one years of practice. His study said a lot about him. There was an almost militaristic organization to it. Glancing over her shoulder to see Lord Achilleas attempting a slightly softer approach with the boy. She could see what made him such a good soldier but he was a rather poor diplomat. Turning back to the shelf, she couldn’t stop herself from ruining the organization just a little as she moved a tiny statue to a different shelf and a decorative bowl to where the statue had been.
Intelligence was the ability to adapt to a situation. How adaptable was Lord Achilleas? Now that Stephanos had retreated it wouldn’t be long before Irakles stepped up and where he went his sons would follow. Turning so a shoulder was pointed towards his desk, with a scroll in her hand, she alternated from skimming it half-heartedly and keeping an eye on the two. Could the man in front of her make the change from solider to diplomat? She bit her bottom lip as a heaviness started to weigh upon her with that. If Irakles took the throne, didn’t he know this child wouldn’t even be a drop in the bucket compared to the scenarios he’d be sorting out as a Prince?
She offered the bit about playing dice with the boy hoping he’d realize that his tactics weren’t working with the boy. This wasn’t something he could beat out of him or interrogate him like some sort of criminal. The boy may be a fake and a fraud and quite possibly tiny criminal but he was after everything was said and done, he was still only nine years old. She watched as Achilleas rubbed his face. He wasn’t understanding. ‘Fen, is it? I would really like to know a little bit more about you. And your mother.’ Taking a deep breath, the pint-sized Leventi set the scroll back where she’d not gotten it and motioned for Lord Achilleas over.
Crossing her arms over her chest, she tilted her head, fixing him with a stare that had destroyed lesser men. She was a hair away from reaching up and grabbing him by the lobe of the ear to lower the giant down to her level when he took his crotchety tone with her. Evangelina didn’t realize her feet were shoulder-width apart and prepared for a battle with him.
“What is wrong with you?” She hissed crankily at him. “He’s nine. He’s not one of your soldiers. Interrogating him will not work.” She said the last part very slowly to him. Pursing her lips, she glanced over to make sure that Fen was still occupied, a silent sigh escaped and she looked back at Achilleas. “Have you ever tried to catch flies with vinegar? It doesn’t work. Try using honey. What things motivated you at nine years old?” She winced and shook her head, “Never mind don’t answer that because one look at your shelf tells me you were weird. Listen, you have a problem… and I am fixing to start helping you fix it, right now. With Stephanos gone, your father will take the throne sooner rather than later which means you will be a prince. You need to learn to be a diplomat.”
Sweeping her eyelashes upwards, she looked up at him a little softer, “This is a negotiation, not an interrogation. Stop approaching this as a solider and start approaching it like a diplomat. He obviously wants something, why else would he seek you out?” Holding her stare for a moment, before she looked back at the boy and motioned for Achilleas to take a look at the boy, a real look at him. He hadn’t been raised as they had been. He was having to grow up faster, become smarter, faster, better because everything he had wasn’t given to him. Her rich, warm eyes slanted sideways at Achilleas, watching him for a moment.
Taking a deep breath, she leaned in a little, “This is serious and if you want any answers you are going to have to adapt to the situation.” Turning her body back to the shelf, she scooted a vase over a tiny bit with her index finger. “He smells like grapes, and look how dark he is, he’s been outside quite a lot. I believe there are about six vineyards around Vasilidon, did you have any dalliances with a daughter of someone who owned a vineyard or maybe worked in a vineyard?”
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It wasn’t hard to let herself simply fade into the background, after all, she had twenty-one years of practice. His study said a lot about him. There was an almost militaristic organization to it. Glancing over her shoulder to see Lord Achilleas attempting a slightly softer approach with the boy. She could see what made him such a good soldier but he was a rather poor diplomat. Turning back to the shelf, she couldn’t stop herself from ruining the organization just a little as she moved a tiny statue to a different shelf and a decorative bowl to where the statue had been.
Intelligence was the ability to adapt to a situation. How adaptable was Lord Achilleas? Now that Stephanos had retreated it wouldn’t be long before Irakles stepped up and where he went his sons would follow. Turning so a shoulder was pointed towards his desk, with a scroll in her hand, she alternated from skimming it half-heartedly and keeping an eye on the two. Could the man in front of her make the change from solider to diplomat? She bit her bottom lip as a heaviness started to weigh upon her with that. If Irakles took the throne, didn’t he know this child wouldn’t even be a drop in the bucket compared to the scenarios he’d be sorting out as a Prince?
She offered the bit about playing dice with the boy hoping he’d realize that his tactics weren’t working with the boy. This wasn’t something he could beat out of him or interrogate him like some sort of criminal. The boy may be a fake and a fraud and quite possibly tiny criminal but he was after everything was said and done, he was still only nine years old. She watched as Achilleas rubbed his face. He wasn’t understanding. ‘Fen, is it? I would really like to know a little bit more about you. And your mother.’ Taking a deep breath, the pint-sized Leventi set the scroll back where she’d not gotten it and motioned for Lord Achilleas over.
Crossing her arms over her chest, she tilted her head, fixing him with a stare that had destroyed lesser men. She was a hair away from reaching up and grabbing him by the lobe of the ear to lower the giant down to her level when he took his crotchety tone with her. Evangelina didn’t realize her feet were shoulder-width apart and prepared for a battle with him.
“What is wrong with you?” She hissed crankily at him. “He’s nine. He’s not one of your soldiers. Interrogating him will not work.” She said the last part very slowly to him. Pursing her lips, she glanced over to make sure that Fen was still occupied, a silent sigh escaped and she looked back at Achilleas. “Have you ever tried to catch flies with vinegar? It doesn’t work. Try using honey. What things motivated you at nine years old?” She winced and shook her head, “Never mind don’t answer that because one look at your shelf tells me you were weird. Listen, you have a problem… and I am fixing to start helping you fix it, right now. With Stephanos gone, your father will take the throne sooner rather than later which means you will be a prince. You need to learn to be a diplomat.”
Sweeping her eyelashes upwards, she looked up at him a little softer, “This is a negotiation, not an interrogation. Stop approaching this as a solider and start approaching it like a diplomat. He obviously wants something, why else would he seek you out?” Holding her stare for a moment, before she looked back at the boy and motioned for Achilleas to take a look at the boy, a real look at him. He hadn’t been raised as they had been. He was having to grow up faster, become smarter, faster, better because everything he had wasn’t given to him. Her rich, warm eyes slanted sideways at Achilleas, watching him for a moment.
Taking a deep breath, she leaned in a little, “This is serious and if you want any answers you are going to have to adapt to the situation.” Turning her body back to the shelf, she scooted a vase over a tiny bit with her index finger. “He smells like grapes, and look how dark he is, he’s been outside quite a lot. I believe there are about six vineyards around Vasilidon, did you have any dalliances with a daughter of someone who owned a vineyard or maybe worked in a vineyard?”
It wasn’t hard to let herself simply fade into the background, after all, she had twenty-one years of practice. His study said a lot about him. There was an almost militaristic organization to it. Glancing over her shoulder to see Lord Achilleas attempting a slightly softer approach with the boy. She could see what made him such a good soldier but he was a rather poor diplomat. Turning back to the shelf, she couldn’t stop herself from ruining the organization just a little as she moved a tiny statue to a different shelf and a decorative bowl to where the statue had been.
Intelligence was the ability to adapt to a situation. How adaptable was Lord Achilleas? Now that Stephanos had retreated it wouldn’t be long before Irakles stepped up and where he went his sons would follow. Turning so a shoulder was pointed towards his desk, with a scroll in her hand, she alternated from skimming it half-heartedly and keeping an eye on the two. Could the man in front of her make the change from solider to diplomat? She bit her bottom lip as a heaviness started to weigh upon her with that. If Irakles took the throne, didn’t he know this child wouldn’t even be a drop in the bucket compared to the scenarios he’d be sorting out as a Prince?
She offered the bit about playing dice with the boy hoping he’d realize that his tactics weren’t working with the boy. This wasn’t something he could beat out of him or interrogate him like some sort of criminal. The boy may be a fake and a fraud and quite possibly tiny criminal but he was after everything was said and done, he was still only nine years old. She watched as Achilleas rubbed his face. He wasn’t understanding. ‘Fen, is it? I would really like to know a little bit more about you. And your mother.’ Taking a deep breath, the pint-sized Leventi set the scroll back where she’d not gotten it and motioned for Lord Achilleas over.
Crossing her arms over her chest, she tilted her head, fixing him with a stare that had destroyed lesser men. She was a hair away from reaching up and grabbing him by the lobe of the ear to lower the giant down to her level when he took his crotchety tone with her. Evangelina didn’t realize her feet were shoulder-width apart and prepared for a battle with him.
“What is wrong with you?” She hissed crankily at him. “He’s nine. He’s not one of your soldiers. Interrogating him will not work.” She said the last part very slowly to him. Pursing her lips, she glanced over to make sure that Fen was still occupied, a silent sigh escaped and she looked back at Achilleas. “Have you ever tried to catch flies with vinegar? It doesn’t work. Try using honey. What things motivated you at nine years old?” She winced and shook her head, “Never mind don’t answer that because one look at your shelf tells me you were weird. Listen, you have a problem… and I am fixing to start helping you fix it, right now. With Stephanos gone, your father will take the throne sooner rather than later which means you will be a prince. You need to learn to be a diplomat.”
Sweeping her eyelashes upwards, she looked up at him a little softer, “This is a negotiation, not an interrogation. Stop approaching this as a solider and start approaching it like a diplomat. He obviously wants something, why else would he seek you out?” Holding her stare for a moment, before she looked back at the boy and motioned for Achilleas to take a look at the boy, a real look at him. He hadn’t been raised as they had been. He was having to grow up faster, become smarter, faster, better because everything he had wasn’t given to him. Her rich, warm eyes slanted sideways at Achilleas, watching him for a moment.
Taking a deep breath, she leaned in a little, “This is serious and if you want any answers you are going to have to adapt to the situation.” Turning her body back to the shelf, she scooted a vase over a tiny bit with her index finger. “He smells like grapes, and look how dark he is, he’s been outside quite a lot. I believe there are about six vineyards around Vasilidon, did you have any dalliances with a daughter of someone who owned a vineyard or maybe worked in a vineyard?”
Achilleas looked down at the Lady Evangelina, not missing the combative posture she had adopted but righteous enough in his need to get to the bottom of this that he did not back down. Rather he raised a brow and stared back at her, before looking away and very deliberately returning the statue and bowl to their respective places. His expression was mild as she spoke, but his shoulders had grown tense, and when he turned back her his own whisper was quick and agitated.
“I’m not *interrogating* him” he replied with a scowl. “I asked nicely! I fed him!” To his annoyance though, he could hardly argue with the vinegar and honey comment. It was just difficult to find honey when his nerves were being so trampled upon by the whole idea. That softening towards Evie’s argument faded in the next though, and Achilleas found himself looking at the shelves as if he might identify what, precisely, had so offended his guest. He opened his mouth to reply, but the miniature Leventi woman was still talking and so he shut it again, looking at her with an offended expression.
It did not stay in place for long. Achilleas sighed, knowing that his lack of objectivity in this particular incident had compromised his self control. But he had been a baron for 16 years, and to be schooled in diplomacy by this slip of a girl was a little galling. Searching for his patience and telling himself that she was looking to be helpful, Achilleas nodded curtly. And though it irked him to be bossed like that, he did turn to look upon the boy, tried to push away his impatience, his own investment in this and see him dispassionately.
The child was choking down figs like he had barely been fed, and he was wiry, lean like a whipcord. No pampered princeling, but a boy who wanted something badly enough that he would walk up to a man such as he, bold as brass, despite the risk of a thrashing. Achilleas had shown his hand too early, his desire for knowledge,but then had not offered anything in return. Barring a plate of figs which Evangelina had called for. It was not exactly high level diplomacy, and the lord’s jaw worked as he readily identified his own mistakes. It did not please him.
When she leaned into him, Achilleas was frowning, for himself not for her, and he nodded again,accepting her rebuke. But when her hand lifted toward the shelf, the lord was wicked fast in reaching out to encircle her wrist with his fingers, cutting his eyes sideways to her. He would accept some things, not all things it would seem.
Letting go of Evie with a rueful glare, Achilleas had glanced back to Fen, noting her observation as to the tan of his skin, but it was her question that had him gape at her a moment. “Did I…?" he scowled. “No I did not.” The answer came quick and sharp, and he only had to pause a moment to confirm his confidence in it. And before the Lady Evangelina could put any more such impertinent questions to him, he strode away, rounding the desk to fold himself into his chair.
Fen, who had been been straining to here whatever whispers were going on behind him, had a rather large mouthful of fig, which he chewed slowly as he gazed across at the man across from him. Achilleas, who was doing his best to channel his inner nine year old, smiled briefly, lifted his brows.
“So. My friend has run up a debt with you it seems. And we have a problem, because I know for a fact that those are the last figs in the manor. So, Fen. Why don’t you tell me what else you’re wanting. We can do better than figs I’m sure?”
He sat back, folded his arms loosely on his knees and left space for the child to speak. It was better. A little.
Fin though was wary of this sudden shift, and he took a big gulp of juice and wet his lips with his tongue, darting a look at Evie before he spoke. “...I want…” and when he had stopped hesitating, he recited as if from rote. “I want you to formally acknowledge me as your son and heir”.
There was a long silence, in which Achilleas’ blinked fast for quite a long time. “I see” he said carefully. “Well that is...quite a lot better than figs” he muttered, lifting his gaze helplessly to Evie. This was why he did not negotiate with terrorists.
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Achilleas looked down at the Lady Evangelina, not missing the combative posture she had adopted but righteous enough in his need to get to the bottom of this that he did not back down. Rather he raised a brow and stared back at her, before looking away and very deliberately returning the statue and bowl to their respective places. His expression was mild as she spoke, but his shoulders had grown tense, and when he turned back her his own whisper was quick and agitated.
“I’m not *interrogating* him” he replied with a scowl. “I asked nicely! I fed him!” To his annoyance though, he could hardly argue with the vinegar and honey comment. It was just difficult to find honey when his nerves were being so trampled upon by the whole idea. That softening towards Evie’s argument faded in the next though, and Achilleas found himself looking at the shelves as if he might identify what, precisely, had so offended his guest. He opened his mouth to reply, but the miniature Leventi woman was still talking and so he shut it again, looking at her with an offended expression.
It did not stay in place for long. Achilleas sighed, knowing that his lack of objectivity in this particular incident had compromised his self control. But he had been a baron for 16 years, and to be schooled in diplomacy by this slip of a girl was a little galling. Searching for his patience and telling himself that she was looking to be helpful, Achilleas nodded curtly. And though it irked him to be bossed like that, he did turn to look upon the boy, tried to push away his impatience, his own investment in this and see him dispassionately.
The child was choking down figs like he had barely been fed, and he was wiry, lean like a whipcord. No pampered princeling, but a boy who wanted something badly enough that he would walk up to a man such as he, bold as brass, despite the risk of a thrashing. Achilleas had shown his hand too early, his desire for knowledge,but then had not offered anything in return. Barring a plate of figs which Evangelina had called for. It was not exactly high level diplomacy, and the lord’s jaw worked as he readily identified his own mistakes. It did not please him.
When she leaned into him, Achilleas was frowning, for himself not for her, and he nodded again,accepting her rebuke. But when her hand lifted toward the shelf, the lord was wicked fast in reaching out to encircle her wrist with his fingers, cutting his eyes sideways to her. He would accept some things, not all things it would seem.
Letting go of Evie with a rueful glare, Achilleas had glanced back to Fen, noting her observation as to the tan of his skin, but it was her question that had him gape at her a moment. “Did I…?" he scowled. “No I did not.” The answer came quick and sharp, and he only had to pause a moment to confirm his confidence in it. And before the Lady Evangelina could put any more such impertinent questions to him, he strode away, rounding the desk to fold himself into his chair.
Fen, who had been been straining to here whatever whispers were going on behind him, had a rather large mouthful of fig, which he chewed slowly as he gazed across at the man across from him. Achilleas, who was doing his best to channel his inner nine year old, smiled briefly, lifted his brows.
“So. My friend has run up a debt with you it seems. And we have a problem, because I know for a fact that those are the last figs in the manor. So, Fen. Why don’t you tell me what else you’re wanting. We can do better than figs I’m sure?”
He sat back, folded his arms loosely on his knees and left space for the child to speak. It was better. A little.
Fin though was wary of this sudden shift, and he took a big gulp of juice and wet his lips with his tongue, darting a look at Evie before he spoke. “...I want…” and when he had stopped hesitating, he recited as if from rote. “I want you to formally acknowledge me as your son and heir”.
There was a long silence, in which Achilleas’ blinked fast for quite a long time. “I see” he said carefully. “Well that is...quite a lot better than figs” he muttered, lifting his gaze helplessly to Evie. This was why he did not negotiate with terrorists.
Achilleas looked down at the Lady Evangelina, not missing the combative posture she had adopted but righteous enough in his need to get to the bottom of this that he did not back down. Rather he raised a brow and stared back at her, before looking away and very deliberately returning the statue and bowl to their respective places. His expression was mild as she spoke, but his shoulders had grown tense, and when he turned back her his own whisper was quick and agitated.
“I’m not *interrogating* him” he replied with a scowl. “I asked nicely! I fed him!” To his annoyance though, he could hardly argue with the vinegar and honey comment. It was just difficult to find honey when his nerves were being so trampled upon by the whole idea. That softening towards Evie’s argument faded in the next though, and Achilleas found himself looking at the shelves as if he might identify what, precisely, had so offended his guest. He opened his mouth to reply, but the miniature Leventi woman was still talking and so he shut it again, looking at her with an offended expression.
It did not stay in place for long. Achilleas sighed, knowing that his lack of objectivity in this particular incident had compromised his self control. But he had been a baron for 16 years, and to be schooled in diplomacy by this slip of a girl was a little galling. Searching for his patience and telling himself that she was looking to be helpful, Achilleas nodded curtly. And though it irked him to be bossed like that, he did turn to look upon the boy, tried to push away his impatience, his own investment in this and see him dispassionately.
The child was choking down figs like he had barely been fed, and he was wiry, lean like a whipcord. No pampered princeling, but a boy who wanted something badly enough that he would walk up to a man such as he, bold as brass, despite the risk of a thrashing. Achilleas had shown his hand too early, his desire for knowledge,but then had not offered anything in return. Barring a plate of figs which Evangelina had called for. It was not exactly high level diplomacy, and the lord’s jaw worked as he readily identified his own mistakes. It did not please him.
When she leaned into him, Achilleas was frowning, for himself not for her, and he nodded again,accepting her rebuke. But when her hand lifted toward the shelf, the lord was wicked fast in reaching out to encircle her wrist with his fingers, cutting his eyes sideways to her. He would accept some things, not all things it would seem.
Letting go of Evie with a rueful glare, Achilleas had glanced back to Fen, noting her observation as to the tan of his skin, but it was her question that had him gape at her a moment. “Did I…?" he scowled. “No I did not.” The answer came quick and sharp, and he only had to pause a moment to confirm his confidence in it. And before the Lady Evangelina could put any more such impertinent questions to him, he strode away, rounding the desk to fold himself into his chair.
Fen, who had been been straining to here whatever whispers were going on behind him, had a rather large mouthful of fig, which he chewed slowly as he gazed across at the man across from him. Achilleas, who was doing his best to channel his inner nine year old, smiled briefly, lifted his brows.
“So. My friend has run up a debt with you it seems. And we have a problem, because I know for a fact that those are the last figs in the manor. So, Fen. Why don’t you tell me what else you’re wanting. We can do better than figs I’m sure?”
He sat back, folded his arms loosely on his knees and left space for the child to speak. It was better. A little.
Fin though was wary of this sudden shift, and he took a big gulp of juice and wet his lips with his tongue, darting a look at Evie before he spoke. “...I want…” and when he had stopped hesitating, he recited as if from rote. “I want you to formally acknowledge me as your son and heir”.
There was a long silence, in which Achilleas’ blinked fast for quite a long time. “I see” he said carefully. “Well that is...quite a lot better than figs” he muttered, lifting his gaze helplessly to Evie. This was why he did not negotiate with terrorists.
Oh, someone didn’t like it when they couldn’t bully others about. He was quite the spoiled brat. It appeared he was rather hot-tempered too and seemed to have a gift at issuing orders. There was nothing the petitely built firecracker enjoyed more though than balking against orders. It wasn’t that she couldn’t follow them. She would if it were a matter of life or death but otherwise… she wasn’t anyone’s pet monkey to jump when someone barked at her.
‘I’m not interrogating him,’ Her lips spread into a slow-burning grin. He was not happy with her. ‘I asked nicely! I fed him!’ Tilting her head back she looked impudently up at him, stifling a snicker. “Remind me to never see you ask someone something rudely than,” She teased quietly. Watching the expressions change on his face, his almost softening and then noticing things were different on his shelf setting fire to whatever agitation he’d had moments earlier. He opened his mouth but she was determined not to give him any room to speak. She kept talking and like a good boy, he closed his mouth and just glared at her.
He was a man who’d never hit rock bottom. She’d have gambled her soul against Hades on that fact. He was too bright and shiny. Oh, she was sure he’d seen things at war or felt the pain of disappointment before in his life but he’d never been broken. He reminded her a bit of his stallion in those regards. Arrogant and demanding. Love me but obey me, or else. Her nose wrinkled a little as she watched him move the statue and the bowl back to their places. Such organization.
It made her wonder all the more if he’d be able to adapt to any new roles that were thrust upon him. Organization wasn’t a bad thing but he would need to learn how to rise above it and to deal with chaos. Maybe that first step was learning how to deal with Evangelina… She was a bit of walking chaos in this world. Biting her bottom lip again, she grinned as she reached to move something with her index finger. His hands shot out and grabbed her by the wrists, slanting her dark cat eyes up at him she smirked… maybe he hadn’t realized it yet but she was playing cat and mouse with him at that moment and enjoying herself way too much.
He let go of her with a glare and her smirk turned into a dimpled smile as she slowly turned her attention back to the boy. At the question, she’d asked, she couldn’t believe he sputtered. A friend of Stephanos’ and he was embarrassed with such a question. With a roll of her eyes at him, she growled lowly at him as he scowled at her, “Oh, don’t look at me like that… I’m not Theo. I don’t give a rat’s ass who you’ve slept with or who you haven’t slept with.” A sigh escaped her, he wasn’t going to like it one bit when she told him he needed to compile a list of names that he remembered, he needed to check them out and see where they were or if any of them worked near a vineyard.
She didn’t get a chance to tell him that though before he stalked back over to the desk, effectively cutting off their conversation. The smirk formed again on her lips, and she turned around and move the statue and the bowl once more while his back was turned. Take that, you overgrown brat.
‘So. My friend has run up a debt with you it seems. And we have a problem, because I know for a fact that those are the last figs in the manor. So, Fen. Why don’t you tell me what else you’re wanting. We can do better than figs I’m sure?’
When Fen glanced at her, she gave a soft shrug and a nod of her head for him to start negotiating with Lord Achilleas. Stepping back to the window, she leaned her frame against the side of the wall content for the moment to simply be a piece of furniture in this conversation.
‘...I want…’ Fen seemed to pause and then it came, ‘I want you to formally acknowledge me as your son and heir.’ Tilting her head a little she studied the situation. It wasn’t unthinkable that the child had come up with that himself, though he obviously lived from hand to mouth, this seemed to be reaching past what the boy would have wanted. Was this his attempt at starting the negotiation high and then dropping down to get what he really wanted?
Her eyes darted to Achilleas who sat their blinking fast. Oh no! Was he having some sort of fit?‘I see.’ He replied and a small sigh escaped, at least it hadn’t touched him in the brain if it was some sort of fit. ‘Well that is...quite a lot better than figs.’ Achilleas looked to her then, and she slowly pushed herself away from the wall and walked over to stand next to the desk and look down at the boy.
“I am afraid Lord Achilleas will need more information before he can formally acknowledge you… you understand he has to have to make it legitimate don’t you?” Her words were soft, but there was a hardness wrapped in that softness. Damn it, she sounded like her mother again. Leaning her hip against the oak desk, she crossed her arms and stared down at the boy. “We aren’t saying we don’t believe you but you seem like a smart boy, you understand the way politics work,” The boy would have had no clue how politics worked but she was playing upon the boy’s pride. “We wouldn’t want to announce you and then have it all just yanked away because we’d skipped a few details?” Her voice was a soft purr and she didn’t bother glancing at Achilleas. For the moment, Fen needed to believe he was important… that he was the only one in this room that mattered and Evangelina was doing just that.
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This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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Oh, someone didn’t like it when they couldn’t bully others about. He was quite the spoiled brat. It appeared he was rather hot-tempered too and seemed to have a gift at issuing orders. There was nothing the petitely built firecracker enjoyed more though than balking against orders. It wasn’t that she couldn’t follow them. She would if it were a matter of life or death but otherwise… she wasn’t anyone’s pet monkey to jump when someone barked at her.
‘I’m not interrogating him,’ Her lips spread into a slow-burning grin. He was not happy with her. ‘I asked nicely! I fed him!’ Tilting her head back she looked impudently up at him, stifling a snicker. “Remind me to never see you ask someone something rudely than,” She teased quietly. Watching the expressions change on his face, his almost softening and then noticing things were different on his shelf setting fire to whatever agitation he’d had moments earlier. He opened his mouth but she was determined not to give him any room to speak. She kept talking and like a good boy, he closed his mouth and just glared at her.
He was a man who’d never hit rock bottom. She’d have gambled her soul against Hades on that fact. He was too bright and shiny. Oh, she was sure he’d seen things at war or felt the pain of disappointment before in his life but he’d never been broken. He reminded her a bit of his stallion in those regards. Arrogant and demanding. Love me but obey me, or else. Her nose wrinkled a little as she watched him move the statue and the bowl back to their places. Such organization.
It made her wonder all the more if he’d be able to adapt to any new roles that were thrust upon him. Organization wasn’t a bad thing but he would need to learn how to rise above it and to deal with chaos. Maybe that first step was learning how to deal with Evangelina… She was a bit of walking chaos in this world. Biting her bottom lip again, she grinned as she reached to move something with her index finger. His hands shot out and grabbed her by the wrists, slanting her dark cat eyes up at him she smirked… maybe he hadn’t realized it yet but she was playing cat and mouse with him at that moment and enjoying herself way too much.
He let go of her with a glare and her smirk turned into a dimpled smile as she slowly turned her attention back to the boy. At the question, she’d asked, she couldn’t believe he sputtered. A friend of Stephanos’ and he was embarrassed with such a question. With a roll of her eyes at him, she growled lowly at him as he scowled at her, “Oh, don’t look at me like that… I’m not Theo. I don’t give a rat’s ass who you’ve slept with or who you haven’t slept with.” A sigh escaped her, he wasn’t going to like it one bit when she told him he needed to compile a list of names that he remembered, he needed to check them out and see where they were or if any of them worked near a vineyard.
She didn’t get a chance to tell him that though before he stalked back over to the desk, effectively cutting off their conversation. The smirk formed again on her lips, and she turned around and move the statue and the bowl once more while his back was turned. Take that, you overgrown brat.
‘So. My friend has run up a debt with you it seems. And we have a problem, because I know for a fact that those are the last figs in the manor. So, Fen. Why don’t you tell me what else you’re wanting. We can do better than figs I’m sure?’
When Fen glanced at her, she gave a soft shrug and a nod of her head for him to start negotiating with Lord Achilleas. Stepping back to the window, she leaned her frame against the side of the wall content for the moment to simply be a piece of furniture in this conversation.
‘...I want…’ Fen seemed to pause and then it came, ‘I want you to formally acknowledge me as your son and heir.’ Tilting her head a little she studied the situation. It wasn’t unthinkable that the child had come up with that himself, though he obviously lived from hand to mouth, this seemed to be reaching past what the boy would have wanted. Was this his attempt at starting the negotiation high and then dropping down to get what he really wanted?
Her eyes darted to Achilleas who sat their blinking fast. Oh no! Was he having some sort of fit?‘I see.’ He replied and a small sigh escaped, at least it hadn’t touched him in the brain if it was some sort of fit. ‘Well that is...quite a lot better than figs.’ Achilleas looked to her then, and she slowly pushed herself away from the wall and walked over to stand next to the desk and look down at the boy.
“I am afraid Lord Achilleas will need more information before he can formally acknowledge you… you understand he has to have to make it legitimate don’t you?” Her words were soft, but there was a hardness wrapped in that softness. Damn it, she sounded like her mother again. Leaning her hip against the oak desk, she crossed her arms and stared down at the boy. “We aren’t saying we don’t believe you but you seem like a smart boy, you understand the way politics work,” The boy would have had no clue how politics worked but she was playing upon the boy’s pride. “We wouldn’t want to announce you and then have it all just yanked away because we’d skipped a few details?” Her voice was a soft purr and she didn’t bother glancing at Achilleas. For the moment, Fen needed to believe he was important… that he was the only one in this room that mattered and Evangelina was doing just that.
Oh, someone didn’t like it when they couldn’t bully others about. He was quite the spoiled brat. It appeared he was rather hot-tempered too and seemed to have a gift at issuing orders. There was nothing the petitely built firecracker enjoyed more though than balking against orders. It wasn’t that she couldn’t follow them. She would if it were a matter of life or death but otherwise… she wasn’t anyone’s pet monkey to jump when someone barked at her.
‘I’m not interrogating him,’ Her lips spread into a slow-burning grin. He was not happy with her. ‘I asked nicely! I fed him!’ Tilting her head back she looked impudently up at him, stifling a snicker. “Remind me to never see you ask someone something rudely than,” She teased quietly. Watching the expressions change on his face, his almost softening and then noticing things were different on his shelf setting fire to whatever agitation he’d had moments earlier. He opened his mouth but she was determined not to give him any room to speak. She kept talking and like a good boy, he closed his mouth and just glared at her.
He was a man who’d never hit rock bottom. She’d have gambled her soul against Hades on that fact. He was too bright and shiny. Oh, she was sure he’d seen things at war or felt the pain of disappointment before in his life but he’d never been broken. He reminded her a bit of his stallion in those regards. Arrogant and demanding. Love me but obey me, or else. Her nose wrinkled a little as she watched him move the statue and the bowl back to their places. Such organization.
It made her wonder all the more if he’d be able to adapt to any new roles that were thrust upon him. Organization wasn’t a bad thing but he would need to learn how to rise above it and to deal with chaos. Maybe that first step was learning how to deal with Evangelina… She was a bit of walking chaos in this world. Biting her bottom lip again, she grinned as she reached to move something with her index finger. His hands shot out and grabbed her by the wrists, slanting her dark cat eyes up at him she smirked… maybe he hadn’t realized it yet but she was playing cat and mouse with him at that moment and enjoying herself way too much.
He let go of her with a glare and her smirk turned into a dimpled smile as she slowly turned her attention back to the boy. At the question, she’d asked, she couldn’t believe he sputtered. A friend of Stephanos’ and he was embarrassed with such a question. With a roll of her eyes at him, she growled lowly at him as he scowled at her, “Oh, don’t look at me like that… I’m not Theo. I don’t give a rat’s ass who you’ve slept with or who you haven’t slept with.” A sigh escaped her, he wasn’t going to like it one bit when she told him he needed to compile a list of names that he remembered, he needed to check them out and see where they were or if any of them worked near a vineyard.
She didn’t get a chance to tell him that though before he stalked back over to the desk, effectively cutting off their conversation. The smirk formed again on her lips, and she turned around and move the statue and the bowl once more while his back was turned. Take that, you overgrown brat.
‘So. My friend has run up a debt with you it seems. And we have a problem, because I know for a fact that those are the last figs in the manor. So, Fen. Why don’t you tell me what else you’re wanting. We can do better than figs I’m sure?’
When Fen glanced at her, she gave a soft shrug and a nod of her head for him to start negotiating with Lord Achilleas. Stepping back to the window, she leaned her frame against the side of the wall content for the moment to simply be a piece of furniture in this conversation.
‘...I want…’ Fen seemed to pause and then it came, ‘I want you to formally acknowledge me as your son and heir.’ Tilting her head a little she studied the situation. It wasn’t unthinkable that the child had come up with that himself, though he obviously lived from hand to mouth, this seemed to be reaching past what the boy would have wanted. Was this his attempt at starting the negotiation high and then dropping down to get what he really wanted?
Her eyes darted to Achilleas who sat their blinking fast. Oh no! Was he having some sort of fit?‘I see.’ He replied and a small sigh escaped, at least it hadn’t touched him in the brain if it was some sort of fit. ‘Well that is...quite a lot better than figs.’ Achilleas looked to her then, and she slowly pushed herself away from the wall and walked over to stand next to the desk and look down at the boy.
“I am afraid Lord Achilleas will need more information before he can formally acknowledge you… you understand he has to have to make it legitimate don’t you?” Her words were soft, but there was a hardness wrapped in that softness. Damn it, she sounded like her mother again. Leaning her hip against the oak desk, she crossed her arms and stared down at the boy. “We aren’t saying we don’t believe you but you seem like a smart boy, you understand the way politics work,” The boy would have had no clue how politics worked but she was playing upon the boy’s pride. “We wouldn’t want to announce you and then have it all just yanked away because we’d skipped a few details?” Her voice was a soft purr and she didn’t bother glancing at Achilleas. For the moment, Fen needed to believe he was important… that he was the only one in this room that mattered and Evangelina was doing just that.
It was true that Achilleas was in possession of the famed Mikaelidas temper. His was usually slow to kindle though, and perhaps it was a sign of the Lord’s current state of mind that he seemed to be so easily riled. He was walking on broken glass, the knowledge that he had spoken of his suspicions towards his father ever present at the back of his mind. It was done, and could not be undone,and though Achilleas still felt it had been right, he had not prepared himself for the guilt that had wrapped itself about him since. Either that, or Evangelina had found an easy way to get under his skin. Perhaps it was both.
His jaw worked as he bit down on the sharp words that presented themselves, her teasing only reminding him that he had failed in keeping his emotions out of the situation, a imperfection that he had been pulled up on before. It was hard having it so highlighted here. The strangeness of discussing his ..personal exploits with the young woman only served to further throw him off his stride, Achilleas frowning at Evie’s blase response, and his tactical retreat was no accident. Wedding preparations suddenly seemed a more pleasant way to spend his afternoon.
Still, the lord had some measure of calm and even a little warmth as he engaged with the child again, though his words were characteristically direct. Achilleas’ strength did not lie in carefully constructed webs, but rather in the fact that his honest way of approaching things tended to inspire trust in others. It was a trait that did not appear to translate too well in interactions with street scamps though.
Fen’s response, when it came was exactly what the Lord did not wish to hear. That was no handful of silver to be on his way and not speak such nonsense again. That was the child doubling down on his claim, and expecting public admission and the thought made him cold. Why now?
Glad then that Evangelina stepped in when she did, Achilleas ran a thumb over the shadow of stubble that darkened the line of his jaw, kept his gaze fixed on the boy as Fen frowned up at the noblewoman. Something was off about the way the child had made his request. It was practiced certainly, and the Lord Mikaelidas wondered if he had been drilled by his mother. Why would a woman not come herself if it were true? He didn’t buy it.
For his part, Fen twisted so he could better look at Evangelina, looking absurdly small in the chair he sat in, his swinging feet rather undermining his very serious countenance. There was a pause and the boy stuck his tongue into his cheek as he appeared to consider the woman’s words. He had been given various things to say but the tricky part was choosing which bit fitted with which, and he was struggling a little now. He seemed to come to a decision then, for his expression of concentration dissipated and he sat up straight. “It has to be all done proper” he said firmly. “My mother said that was important. Because I am illegitimate and that means than he” he broke of here to look at Achilleas who raised his eyebrows “has to tell everyone that he’s my father before it counts”.
Achilleas had pressed his lips together to prevent him snapping that there was little to no chance of that, and instead he tried to echo Evangelina’s message. “The Lady Evangelina is right” he began, sending a silent plea to the Gods to grant him patience “I can’t tell anyone anything Fen, until I know who you are, and where you come from. That is what I will be asked, you see”. It was not a lie. He could well imagine Theo asking exactly who the boy was, could almost feel the scorch of his father’s glare as he enquired as to where his eldest son had acquired this child. Neither of which were visions he wished to see realised.
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It was true that Achilleas was in possession of the famed Mikaelidas temper. His was usually slow to kindle though, and perhaps it was a sign of the Lord’s current state of mind that he seemed to be so easily riled. He was walking on broken glass, the knowledge that he had spoken of his suspicions towards his father ever present at the back of his mind. It was done, and could not be undone,and though Achilleas still felt it had been right, he had not prepared himself for the guilt that had wrapped itself about him since. Either that, or Evangelina had found an easy way to get under his skin. Perhaps it was both.
His jaw worked as he bit down on the sharp words that presented themselves, her teasing only reminding him that he had failed in keeping his emotions out of the situation, a imperfection that he had been pulled up on before. It was hard having it so highlighted here. The strangeness of discussing his ..personal exploits with the young woman only served to further throw him off his stride, Achilleas frowning at Evie’s blase response, and his tactical retreat was no accident. Wedding preparations suddenly seemed a more pleasant way to spend his afternoon.
Still, the lord had some measure of calm and even a little warmth as he engaged with the child again, though his words were characteristically direct. Achilleas’ strength did not lie in carefully constructed webs, but rather in the fact that his honest way of approaching things tended to inspire trust in others. It was a trait that did not appear to translate too well in interactions with street scamps though.
Fen’s response, when it came was exactly what the Lord did not wish to hear. That was no handful of silver to be on his way and not speak such nonsense again. That was the child doubling down on his claim, and expecting public admission and the thought made him cold. Why now?
Glad then that Evangelina stepped in when she did, Achilleas ran a thumb over the shadow of stubble that darkened the line of his jaw, kept his gaze fixed on the boy as Fen frowned up at the noblewoman. Something was off about the way the child had made his request. It was practiced certainly, and the Lord Mikaelidas wondered if he had been drilled by his mother. Why would a woman not come herself if it were true? He didn’t buy it.
For his part, Fen twisted so he could better look at Evangelina, looking absurdly small in the chair he sat in, his swinging feet rather undermining his very serious countenance. There was a pause and the boy stuck his tongue into his cheek as he appeared to consider the woman’s words. He had been given various things to say but the tricky part was choosing which bit fitted with which, and he was struggling a little now. He seemed to come to a decision then, for his expression of concentration dissipated and he sat up straight. “It has to be all done proper” he said firmly. “My mother said that was important. Because I am illegitimate and that means than he” he broke of here to look at Achilleas who raised his eyebrows “has to tell everyone that he’s my father before it counts”.
Achilleas had pressed his lips together to prevent him snapping that there was little to no chance of that, and instead he tried to echo Evangelina’s message. “The Lady Evangelina is right” he began, sending a silent plea to the Gods to grant him patience “I can’t tell anyone anything Fen, until I know who you are, and where you come from. That is what I will be asked, you see”. It was not a lie. He could well imagine Theo asking exactly who the boy was, could almost feel the scorch of his father’s glare as he enquired as to where his eldest son had acquired this child. Neither of which were visions he wished to see realised.
It was true that Achilleas was in possession of the famed Mikaelidas temper. His was usually slow to kindle though, and perhaps it was a sign of the Lord’s current state of mind that he seemed to be so easily riled. He was walking on broken glass, the knowledge that he had spoken of his suspicions towards his father ever present at the back of his mind. It was done, and could not be undone,and though Achilleas still felt it had been right, he had not prepared himself for the guilt that had wrapped itself about him since. Either that, or Evangelina had found an easy way to get under his skin. Perhaps it was both.
His jaw worked as he bit down on the sharp words that presented themselves, her teasing only reminding him that he had failed in keeping his emotions out of the situation, a imperfection that he had been pulled up on before. It was hard having it so highlighted here. The strangeness of discussing his ..personal exploits with the young woman only served to further throw him off his stride, Achilleas frowning at Evie’s blase response, and his tactical retreat was no accident. Wedding preparations suddenly seemed a more pleasant way to spend his afternoon.
Still, the lord had some measure of calm and even a little warmth as he engaged with the child again, though his words were characteristically direct. Achilleas’ strength did not lie in carefully constructed webs, but rather in the fact that his honest way of approaching things tended to inspire trust in others. It was a trait that did not appear to translate too well in interactions with street scamps though.
Fen’s response, when it came was exactly what the Lord did not wish to hear. That was no handful of silver to be on his way and not speak such nonsense again. That was the child doubling down on his claim, and expecting public admission and the thought made him cold. Why now?
Glad then that Evangelina stepped in when she did, Achilleas ran a thumb over the shadow of stubble that darkened the line of his jaw, kept his gaze fixed on the boy as Fen frowned up at the noblewoman. Something was off about the way the child had made his request. It was practiced certainly, and the Lord Mikaelidas wondered if he had been drilled by his mother. Why would a woman not come herself if it were true? He didn’t buy it.
For his part, Fen twisted so he could better look at Evangelina, looking absurdly small in the chair he sat in, his swinging feet rather undermining his very serious countenance. There was a pause and the boy stuck his tongue into his cheek as he appeared to consider the woman’s words. He had been given various things to say but the tricky part was choosing which bit fitted with which, and he was struggling a little now. He seemed to come to a decision then, for his expression of concentration dissipated and he sat up straight. “It has to be all done proper” he said firmly. “My mother said that was important. Because I am illegitimate and that means than he” he broke of here to look at Achilleas who raised his eyebrows “has to tell everyone that he’s my father before it counts”.
Achilleas had pressed his lips together to prevent him snapping that there was little to no chance of that, and instead he tried to echo Evangelina’s message. “The Lady Evangelina is right” he began, sending a silent plea to the Gods to grant him patience “I can’t tell anyone anything Fen, until I know who you are, and where you come from. That is what I will be asked, you see”. It was not a lie. He could well imagine Theo asking exactly who the boy was, could almost feel the scorch of his father’s glare as he enquired as to where his eldest son had acquired this child. Neither of which were visions he wished to see realised.