So it came to pass King Therakles and his young Princess were getting better acquainted as he introduced her to the sights of Sparta and her citizens who welcomed her joyfully with open hearts. Now the Emperor, meanwhile, gave Queen Sparta a grand tour of the massive floating palace, all of which she, herself, was greatly impressed. Next he led her to his private chamber located at the prow of the ship whereupon he called for more wine. Then, dismissing his servants so the two monarchs could get out of the heat of the sun, and be alone to speak openly away from the prying eyes and ears of his sailors, servants and slaves, Cyrillus spoke saying "Thank you for staying a little while longer." he paused sitting himself down on a large plush bed covered in purple silk and white linens with soft cushions as he entreated the young, beautiful Queen to sit next to him, offering up a glass of sweet red wine asking her "So tell me.., what do you think of my daughter and your brother engaging in marriage?"
"I believe she will make an excellent wife for him, and he a loving husband unto her. I am confident Gianna will be a noble Queen Consort and a wonderful mother to their royal children." here she smiled sipping her wine as the handsome and charming Emperor gazed deep into her emerald eyes.
"And you dearest Sparta.., have you any thoughts of your own marriage?" he inquired.
"Why dearest Cyrillus.., how could I ever marry, when you have already taken a wife." she laughed demurely.
"Oh Queen Sparta.., you should take care with the words of your mouth, for flattery will get you everywhere with me." he laughed giving her knee a little squeeze.
"No.., as for myself, I have no present desire to marry, nor carry a child in my womb so soon. It is better that my brother provide an heir to our father's throne. For I still have in me a deep longing to travel the world shedding the blood of our enemies." she spoke plainly.
"You are content with your brother establishing his bloodline in the succession of the Laconian Throne?"
"Better him than me." Queen Sparta explained adding "There is much left of the spirit of warfare inside of me and I must fulfill these needs before I settle down into the creature comforts of matrimony."
"I see, you are of a warrior breed, this is not an easy mentality to abstain from." here his thoughts turned in another direction as the happy look of mirth on his face transformed to one of great concern. "Tell me then.., what say of you of my brother-in-law?"
"General Cothos?"
"Yes." the Emperor nodded his head.
"Well.., I have only just met him.., however, being that I am a Royal Queen, I can afford the luxury of speaking my mind openly, and honestly, without fear of offense or retribution. So I will say truthfully.., I DO NOT like him at all."
"Why do you think that might be?" he asked inquisitively.
"I have no earthly idea.., there is just something about him that I do not like."
"This is good for me to hear, and you have caused me no offense." he said holding her hand.
"No, I have not offered up offense to your family?" she asked curiously.
"No, none. For I, myself, can no longer stand the sight of him." he sighed wringing his hands saying "In truth.., I loathe and despise him."
Here Queen Sparta was shocked to learn of this discord between them and so she asked of him "Then.., pray tell, great Emperor.., why then, is he even still alive?" she said in disbelief, her eyes wide.
"Therein lies a very sad and tragic story." he sighed sitting back with a heavy look of grief etched upon his face, so deep was this sadness in his heart Queen Sparta thought he might actually start to cry.
"Tell me then, my new found friend, and ally, what is it about him that troubles your mind so.., and why have you not cut him down to size?" she waited for him to speak and tell his tale of woe and anguish and she grew more and more anxious waiting for him to speak.
"I believe she will make an excellent wife for him, and he a loving husband unto her. I am confident Gianna will be a noble Queen Consort and a wonderful mother to their royal children." here she smiled sipping her wine as the handsome and charming Emperor gazed deep into her emerald eyes.
"And you dearest Sparta.., have you any thoughts of your own marriage?" he inquired.
"Why dearest Cyrillus.., how could I ever marry, when you have already taken a wife." she laughed demurely.
"Oh Queen Sparta.., you should take care with the words of your mouth, for flattery will get you everywhere with me." he laughed giving her knee a little squeeze.
"No.., as for myself, I have no present desire to marry, nor carry a child in my womb so soon. It is better that my brother provide an heir to our father's throne. For I still have in me a deep longing to travel the world shedding the blood of our enemies." she spoke plainly.
"You are content with your brother establishing his bloodline in the succession of the Laconian Throne?"
"Better him than me." Queen Sparta explained adding "There is much left of the spirit of warfare inside of me and I must fulfill these needs before I settle down into the creature comforts of matrimony."
"I see, you are of a warrior breed, this is not an easy mentality to abstain from." here his thoughts turned in another direction as the happy look of mirth on his face transformed to one of great concern. "Tell me then.., what say of you of my brother-in-law?"
"General Cothos?"
"Yes." the Emperor nodded his head.
"Well.., I have only just met him.., however, being that I am a Royal Queen, I can afford the luxury of speaking my mind openly, and honestly, without fear of offense or retribution. So I will say truthfully.., I DO NOT like him at all."
"Why do you think that might be?" he asked inquisitively.
"I have no earthly idea.., there is just something about him that I do not like."
"This is good for me to hear, and you have caused me no offense." he said holding her hand.
"No, I have not offered up offense to your family?" she asked curiously.
"No, none. For I, myself, can no longer stand the sight of him." he sighed wringing his hands saying "In truth.., I loathe and despise him."
Here Queen Sparta was shocked to learn of this discord between them and so she asked of him "Then.., pray tell, great Emperor.., why then, is he even still alive?" she said in disbelief, her eyes wide.
"Therein lies a very sad and tragic story." he sighed sitting back with a heavy look of grief etched upon his face, so deep was this sadness in his heart Queen Sparta thought he might actually start to cry.
"Tell me then, my new found friend, and ally, what is it about him that troubles your mind so.., and why have you not cut him down to size?" she waited for him to speak and tell his tale of woe and anguish and she grew more and more anxious waiting for him to speak.
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