Stories Thread

[TheFlax]

Reflections

Imperial Palace, Constantinople, 1081

The banquet had ended nearly an hour ago and it was well into the fourth hour of the apodeipnon. A cool breeze sporadically made the many candles in room quiver. In that wavering light, Anna sat hunched on herself at the edge of her bed, her hands in her disheveled hair and her eyes red with tears. Her silken white nightrobe echoed each shudder as Verina tried to confort her. The book she had received the other night was sprawled on the floor, minor damage could already be seen in some places.

Reality had came crashing in tonight. The day before, messages from unknown admirers seemed surreal, as in a fantasy. It had been all a game for her, trying to discover their identities, yet always missing some crucial clue. A few hours, one of them had revealed himself as Ioannis Kantakouzinos, an acquaintance she had met several years ago. Not only had he toyed with her before revealing himself, but had prompty left her in a state of turmoil that had left her defenseless against the throng of suitors and sycophants who had jumped at the occasion.

She had thanked God for giving her the strength of keeping face until the end of the banquet. Rage, frustration and sadness had built up for the better part of the night and once the banquet was over she had rushed to her room and surrendered to them. She felt angry at herself, for being taken unware, and at Ioannis, for leaving her to the wolves without consideration. She felt frustrated at her powerlessness over this whole situation. She felt sadness because she could not give Ioannis want he wanted and because the revelation had shattered her foolish but conforting romantic dreams.

Rubbing her eyes, Anna turned to her confidante.

"What should I do?" She inquired in a desperate tone.

"About what?" Verina replied, moving to sit beside her.

"Ioannis Kantakouzinos." The name was spoken without a hint of emotion.

"He loves you, does he not?"

"He said as much."

"Then use him."

Anna's expression turned from grief to shock.

"I can't do that!" Outrage was creeping in her voice, yet Verina remained calm.

"Don't you frequently use other people's weakness to your advantage when dealing with them?"

Anna pondered the question, a bit too long for her own liking. Her reply was hesitant.

"It's... It's not exactly like that...I..."

"It's exactly the same thing." Verina pressed on as she felt Anna ceding ground.

"I guess so... but it feels wrong."

Yet Anna's hesitation was slowly slipping away. Verina felt Anna was about yield and delivered the final blow. "Didn't he hurt you Anna? Look at the state you are in!" In Anna's mind it made sense, would should she worry about how he felt after he clearly abandonned her, uncaring about her feelings? She let herself fully drop in the plush bed.

"You're right Verina. If needs be, I'll do it."

"What about the two Comes you have already met, Kosmas and Makedonios?"

Anna propped herself slightly on her elbows and locked her eyes with those of her confidante. "They aren't interested in me Verina, not in that way."

The older woman laughed softly. "Anna, every man is interested in you!"

Anna shock her head lightly. "Not them, they won't."

Verina became more insistent. "Anna! You have to use every advantage you have, you must..." In an instant Anna rose to a sitting position and scowled at Verina.

"Enough!"

Verina gave her an apologetic look. "But Anna..."

Anna cut her off as she rose. "Leave." Not looking back, she made her way to the room's balcony. Pushing the drapes aside she made her way into the darkness until she felt the balcony's railing. She propped herself on it and gazed at the sleeping city before her. Somewhere out there, Ioannis was thinking about her, not knowing how she felt. She silently apologized for what she was about to do.