1. Concession

"I believe it is customary for me to meet with the next heir." You begin softly, regarding the group solemnly. "I should like to do so as soon as is appropriate." They nod in affirmation and let you know it will be arranged. Before you leave, one of the men hangs back for a moment. "Empress, you should know, you have already met the next in line." He informs you kindly then goes on to clarify. "At your wedding, I'm sure the Emperor would have introduced you to his cousin, Nikias." The name doesn't conjure any memories, however, a majority of the event had been a blur. After thanking the man, you return to your home and consider the option you've chosen. There's no guarantee Nikias will be unmarried, let alone that he will be interested in you. However, it's logically the most secure way to maintain your title and status. Without any other connections in the world, leaving your current life is not a welcomed option. Thankfully, your meeting will likely be postponed until shortly before or after a funeral ceremony. This will allow you some time to prepare and attempt to come up with a solid strategy. Unfortunately, the day of the funeral arrives far quicker than you had anticipated. A series of thoughts and ideas cloud your thoughts as you enter the large mausoleum. You recognize it to be the same one used to honor Alexius' father.

The detail hardly registers as you mindlessly interact with those who have come to mourn. Your distant gaze and halfhearted responses are easily dismissed as signs of a grieving widow. After a while, the crowd rather quickly disperses as you're approached by a tall man. Light brown curls frame his slightly familiar broad, tan, face. Though his expression appears neutral, there's a somewhat serious look in his hazel brown eyes. "Kora." He greets you less formally than you would have expected. "My condolences." Nodding hesitantly, you thank the man and surmise he must be Nikias. "I apologize we have not seen each other since your wedding." He comments, confirming your suspicions, then continues, "It's a shame our meeting is under these circumstances." You inwardly echo his sentiment as you were foolishly unprepared to see him today. "It is unfortunate." You state soberly while trying to get a better read of the man. "Though I must admit, I'm afraid I find myself struggling to recall our first meeting." Nikias seems somewhat caught off by your admittance and his expression softens slightly. "Your honesty is as refreshing as your beauty." He remarks courteously as he seems to continue to relax. "Perhaps my own confession will shed some light on your confusion. We were not formally introduced, I simply assumed you met too many people that day to remember."

Your brow furrows for a moment and you wonder whether you should probe further or not. Nikias seems to notice the perplexed look on your face and goes on to clarify, "My cousin and I haven't always gotten along. His lack of introduction was merely another jab at me." It hardly surprises you to hear Alexius may have held a grudge against the next in line to the throne. Nodding curtly, you find yourself sardonically quipping, "Well, if Alexius had a vendetta against you, I'm sure it was quite reasonably and logically founded." Nikias pauses for a moment while regarding you then stifles a small laugh. "I'm beginning to see why the people hold you in such high regard." His response is unexpected but welcomed given how often you're used to being dismissed. Before you can reply, the beginning of the ceremony is signaled and you're **** to part ways. A small feeling of hope begins forming inside you as the funeral begins. A new series of thoughts begin forming in your mind as the rituals are conducted. Once they are finished, Nikias begins the first eulogy in honor of Alexius. A twinge of frustration momentarily takes over your emotions when you realize you're likely unable to do the same. Though you're tempted to go up and make your speech, you ultimately decide it's not worth causing a scene. Staying on Nikias' good side is your best strategy at the moment. Unfortunately, he ends up leaving shortly after finishing his tribute. Opting to stay until the last speaker has finished, you end up following the procession back through the city.

The next week passes by slowly and filled with mild anxiety. Though your first meeting with Nikias appeared to fare well, an official audience has been scheduled for the following weekend. In that time, you've at least gathered enough information to confirm his eligibility. This information is only slightly reassuring as you're still unsure of his potential willingness to accept you as a viable option. On the day of your meeting you're quite thankful to have the aid of your servants to assist you in preparing. Attempting not to appear **** or provocative, you opt for a more refined look. The modest stola covers the majority of your body but is in a color that compliments your complexion. It feels slightly out of place for you to be fussing over your looks this much. However, you're not unaware of the advantage your beauty can afford you. Once you're finished, you quickly set off to the basilica where your audience will take place. Though you're technically hosting Nikias for the visit, the realization this will all soon be his isn't lost on you. When you arrive in the designated area, you're slightly dismayed to see he has already arrived. Masking your let down, you instead approach Nikias and politely greet him. Now that you're in a less somber setting, he responds in kind before giving you a customary kiss. Though you've become rather desensitized to this practice, you note he lingers just a moment longer than is necessary.

Taking this as a good omen, you relax slightly as you take a seat near him. A few guards are stationed in the room but obligingly retreat at Nikias' command. It bothers you how quickly they acquiesce to him before he's officially gained his title. Dismissing this, you turn your attention to the future Emperor. You watch him pour two goblets full of wine before placing one in front of you. "These matters are always too formal in my opinion." He states offhandedly then takes a drink from his cup. You observe him briefly before taking a sip as well. "What is it you wished to see me about?" He asks after setting his now half empty cup down. His question catches you off guard and you find yourself unprepared to answer. "I thought it was tradition to do so." You finally confess and quickly look away from his gaze. You can feel his eyes taking you in for a moment before his voice is heard again. "If it is your place you're worried about, fear not. I would not think to turn you out of your home." Though his words are reassuring, they're far from what you had hoped to hear. There was a time where simply allowing you to stay would have been sufficient. However, the more time passes, the less you feel willing to abdicate your title. Forcing yourself to smile, you speak evenly as you say, "That is most gracious of you, I'm sure." Nikias regards you for a moment and refills his goblet.

"Your beauty and wit do not fail to captivate me." He comments in an almost apologetic tone. "However, I am promised to another." Stifling your surprise, you feel the majority of your plans crumble in your mind. "When we pray for rain, the gods send floods." You muse under your breath before taking a deep drink from your cup. "Which clever philosopher is responsible for that observation?" Nikias asks after refilling the now slightly empty goblet. You hadn't meant for him to hear your sarcastic quip and blush lightly. "That one can be attributed to me." You admit hesitantly, inwardly blaming the wine for your lack of censorship. A thoughtful look comes over Nikias' face briefly but is quickly replaced with a torn expression. "It's rather a shame." He remarks absentmindedly, as if speaking to himself. Feeling as if there is little left to lose, you don't stop yourself from asking him, "What do you mean by that?" He frowns slightly, then raises his goblet and quickly downs its contents again. "I will not lie, after our meeting I inquired into any possibility of getting out of my predetermined arrangement." His voice is curt but does little to hide the undertone of annoyance in it. "It seems, unfortunately, my hands are currently tied." Though you find this information frustrating, it does at least grant you the knowledge that Nikias isn't opposed to the idea.

"I am quite familiar with the practice of doing what one must." You reply in a sympathetic tone, though apathy is far from your desired effect with your comment. Nikias visibly stiffens slightly at your words and quickly retorts, "I am doing the honorable thing, not what is commanded of me." His reaction is exactly what you had hoped for but you're smart enough not to prod further. "I did not mean to imply otherwise." You remark in as composed of a manner as you can muster. "I meant, I know what it is like to need to do what is necessary." His posture appears to relax slightly and he offers you a slight smile. "I am glad you understand." You feel marginally guilty when you nod your head in agreement. While typically you would be more **** to attempt breaking up an alliance, **** times call for **** measures. After thanking Nikias for his time, you part ways and return to your chambers. While the meeting had not gone according to your desires, you still have some hope for the future. The knowledge that the future Emperor is already betrothed was unexpected yet not insurmountable. Sighing deeply, you slowly sit at your desk and contemplate your potential future. Though you're unsure of when your next run in with Nikias will be, you will make sure to be fully prepared this time. Pushing aside any feelings of guilt you might have, you begin planning your next encounter.