Cleopatra let out a short laugh at his tease. But as they began to near the banquet hall again, she began to dread seeing the members of her court again. She wouldn't be able to look any of them in the eye…
No. She would. And she would do it with the proper authority she commanded. She was the thrice-crowned queen after all. In an instant, her nerves faded and were replaced with steely confidence. Her stride lengthened as if Cleopatra was drawn forward by her power alone.
Drawing a breath, she stepped back into the dining hall, her hand still captured in Corym's.
Corym allowed himself to smile a little at her laugh before they got too close to the banquet hall. It had been… surprisingly nice to spend time with Cleopatra despite everything. This time at least. Who knows what will happen next time…
He sighed softly as he resumed his typically neutral expression as they entered the room. Though he noticed when Cleopatra regained her usual attitude. It seemed like nothing had changed between them, were it not for the red marks on her neck and the fact that her hair was down. But nothing to imply anything improper had happened.
“Thank you all for your patience.” he greeted, casting a glance to his sister as he guided Cleopatra to her new seat beside him.
Cleopatra slipped her fingers out of Corym's before it became too noticeable. She didn't need to worry too much though. Each gaze in the room had snapped up at their arrival and every eye was now focused on her neck, trying to see the marks that Drâćos had left on her.
"Yes, thank you," she agreed with Corym, casting her newly healed voice for all to hear. "I hope you'll forgive the rude interruption and enjoy the banquet as you were promised." Her gaze suddenly sharpened as she looked to her court. They were all staring at her, wide-eyed and tight-lipped. "And should anyone get any similar ideas to the actions of my former courtier and be willing to act on them…" she paused to let her fingers curl into fists, "I will not be any more forgiving to them than I will be with the disgraced lord."
With that, she sunk into her seat, regal and queenly as ever.
Corym’s expression didn't change or take his seat until Cleopatra had taken hers. It wasn't a show of authority or anything, just something he had been taught as the act of a gentleman. After everything that happened, it seemed like the right thing to do.
Tetra didn't seem to mind the change of the seating arrangement, even giving Cleopatra a small smile as the queen sat beside her. “I’m glad to see you are alright.” she said softly. “I can tell my brother took good care of you.”
Cleopatra noticed the looks that some people were giving her. Mixtures of concern, awe, and fear. She ignored them all and turned to speak with Tetra instead. "I'm fine, thank you," she replied quietly, glancing over at Corym a moment before looking down to study the rings on her right hand intently. "He did."
Tetra, likewise, chose to ignore the looks. “I’m glad to hear that.” she smiled politely though her ear twitched thoughtfully as Cleopatra looked at her jewelry. “I have to admit I was worried you two would get into one of your usual arguments.” she said, casting a glance at her brother who was speaking calmly to one of the other guests as the banquet officially started. And doing a good job of acting as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
Cleopatra missed the ear twitch as she was too focused on the golden rings adorning her fingers. One, the ring around her pointer fingers, was inscribed with her regalia, and her eyes caught on it. After a moment, she lifted her gaze back up to Tetra and offered an amused smile in return.
"A properly considered worry," she remarked. "Though no, we didn't argue… at all, really." The queen followed Tetra's gaze for a moment, studying Corym before glancing away again. "It was a bit strange. I don't think we've ever occupied the same room at the same time before without clashing over something."
“Truly?” Tetra asked in amazement. “Well, that is a wonderful surprise. Though I have to agree that I don't remember hearing of such a thing happening between the two of you before.” she admitted with a smile.
Corym glanced toward his sister, catching the change in tone but went back to his current conversation easily.
Cleopatra grinned and laughed quietly. "Your surprise is flattering," she teased. "I suppose having a common enemy helped us avoid trivial fighting."
It was no secret that Princess Tetra was easily more socially amicable compared to her older brother’s naturally stoic demeanor so when she giggled at the tease, no one paid much attention. “I’m sorry that it took such a drastic situation to reach that realization.” she admitted sincerely. “Though I believe I know why you two fight so much normally.” she shrugged.
Cleopatra's typical 'fuck off' demeanor seemed to slowly melt off of her as she spoke so easily with Tetra. She'd never found it this easy to get along with someone aside from Charmion. "As am I," she agreed in equal measure. But the thrice-crowned queen blinked suddenly, surprised by the princess's words and unable to hide it. "Oh? And why is it that we normally fight so much?"
“The fact that you have so much in common, of course.” Tetra answered easily. “I mean no offense when I say this but… You are both quite stubborn. When you decide something, it may as well be carved in stone.” she explained politely. “Though you both view things differently and have your own approach on how to deal with things so, naturally when you challenge each other on those topics, you defend your reasons while trying to show the other why their plan or reasoning doesn't work.”
Cleopatra's lips parted, but she closed them quickly, realizing that Tetra was incredibly right. She thought the words over for a moment before a small smile graced her lips. "How wise you are, princess," she complimented simply. "When did you get to be so observant?"
Tetra blushed at the compliment, giggling softly. “It's easy enough when everyone looks at my brother and thinks I’m not even there.” she admitted with an air of unbothered nonchalance. “Don't worry, it doesn't offend me. I’m quite used to being seen as just a simple princess. Besides, it provides so many opportunities.” she smiled almost coyly.
Cleopatra pursed her lips and reached for her drink. Bringing her goblet to her lips, she eyed Tetra and sipped while listening to the princess talk. "Personally, I think you're much more than just a simple princess," she supplied, setting her goblet back down. Her eyebrows arched at the coy smile, and she smirked slightly as she asked, "Oh? Like what?"
“Thank you, your Majesty.” Tetra nodded gratefully. “Though I have to say that is another thing that you have in common with my brother.” she added with a smile before giggling at the question. “Opportunities that are beneficial to many but often overlooked, especially by men. I’m almost sure that you know a few of these opportunities as well.”
Cleopatra lifted her chin slightly and inhaled as she did. "Yes, I'm aware of such opportunities," she replied, her eyes scanning the room. Not many dared to meet her gaze for fear of evoking her wrath. And Petra Drâcoś was irrefutably avoiding the queen's stare.
Despite herself, Cleopatra spared a quick glance at the head of the table to her left before looking back and smiling briefly at Tetra. "I doubt your brother and I have any more similarities, so don't go holding onto some kind of hope, Your Highness."
Tetra’s ear twitched at Cleopatra’s reaction, hoping that she hadn't offended the thrice-crowned queen. That had not been her intention at all.
Though the Princess raised a brow at the denial and held back a giggle. “If you say so, Your Majesty.” she smiled as Corym caught her gaze but didn't do much more than give her a slight nod of acknowledgment.
Cleopatra didn't notice the ear twitch or the raised brow from Tetra. She was more focused on observing the members of her court who were either trying to sneak peeks at her when she wasn't looking or whispering amongst themselves.
The queen sighed quietly and lifted her goblet to her painted lips. "I do. We've never gotten along until today. I believe the suddenness of the moment got to both of us." She sipped her drink once she was finished speaking.
“Well, I will not argue with you on that fact.” the princess nodded, remembering all the times she had seen or overheard the two fighting. “But, if I may say so, I am glad that you both had even a moment where you did not disagree.” Tetra smiled softly.
Cleopatra looked over at Tetra with an arched eyebrow, but she didn't say anything more. Instead, she took another drink. "May I ask you something, Tetra?" the thrice-crowned queen said, lowering her voice just a touch.
“Of course, your Majesty.” Tetra nodded, curious what Cleopatra could possibly want to ask her about. Though a part of her suspected it might be about her brother.
Cleopatra hesitated a moment, then brushed a bit of her own hair out of her face. "Could you tell me more about the tradition associated with your festival? Your brother was explaining it a bit, but I was hoping for more detail."
“Oh. Of course.” Tetra giggled as she imagined the explanation her dear brother gave. “Well, the tradition is centuries old, some say as old as the kingdom, and I think it's actually quite romantic.” she explained. “One of our ancestors decided to hold a party for his people and allies and had written a song to share with them. As the musicians played, he danced. A performance that no one else knew and yet as it continued… someone took his hand and started dancing with him and they never missed a step.”
Cleopatra listened intently to the description Tetra gave. It actually intrigued her, and before she could stop it, a question burst from her lips. “And it’s actually real? Have you seen it happen before?”
