“Emilio… how am I supposed to behave like a princess?” Petra bemoaned after talking to Brandon.
“I do no think Brandon expects you to behave as anything other than what you are, Miss.” he replied.
She huffed, resting her head on one hand as she thought about this. She didn’t like the image that was often conjured up when someone used the term, though she was aware that there had been some badass ones, but it was the idea of being seen as helpless that bothered her the most. Her reputation these days however, was less likely to conjure that image. While she could probably come to terms with it, she still didn’t like being called one.
“Is something on your mind, Miss?” Emilio asked, after she’d been staring off for several minutes.
“Yes. Emilio…can you…or will you, when you can…help me remember something?” she asked.
“Of course, miss. What is it you are looking for?” he responded.
“I just learned that Jon is a distant descendant, though not directly. Something had always bugged me about why he seemed sort of familiar, and now I have a better idea. The problem is that I don’t know what relative he looks like.” she stated.
“And you’re quite curious to know.” Emilio finished.
“Exactly.” she confirmed. “So can you help?”
Emilio thought about it a moment, then nodded. “Is tomorrow alright? I should be full strength by then.”
“The guys are coming over for some gaming.” she said. “But after that it should be fine.”
“Very well, miss.” he replied. “Will there be anything else?” he asked.
“No. Go be with your fiancée.” she said with a smile.
After he left, the penthouse was fairly quiet. Brandon was doing whatever it was he did while in his office, and was secluded there. Emilio was in his little corner of the suite, spending time with Kida. Petra took the time to head over to the small gym set up in the suite, pushing the equipment away enough to dance for a while, before relaxing in her room with a book before going to sleep for the night.
The next day was another fun one, with Jon continuing to be a great storyteller with the game, which was followed by a couple of movies, and some fun with karaoke. One by one, people left or were picking up, with Jon being the last one left.
“Did you need a ride?” Petra asked, working on cleaning up so that Emilio didn’t have to.
Jon pitched in to help. “My Dad’s just running late. He’ll be along as soon as he can to get me. That’s okay, right?” he said, looking up at her.
“Well, yeah. It’s not an issue.” she said.
Jon nodded, saying nothing further. After cleaning up, they went back to watching movies, so they were mid-movie when Emilio cleared his throat and informed her that Jon’s ride was there. “You want to meet my Dad?” Jon asked, a bit tentative.
“Sure, why not?” she said, still in a good mood. They got up, and headed to the foyer. Jon’s dad was turned away from her, studying some art, when Jon came up to him, speaking briefly. Upon turning around, Petra sucked in a breath, too stunned to speak.
“K…Kore?” John’s father stammered out in the old Greek.
“Xanthe?” she whispered in kind.
“How are you alive? Prokopios said you had died.” he said, still speaking Greek.
She scowled at hearing the name. “For all that goes, how are you still alive?” she said, avoiding the topic of her ex-husband.
“Prokopios helping me out of some hard times – gave me a gift.”
“I’m guessing vitae.” she said, ignoring the fact that Jon looked annoyed at them for conversing entirely in Greek, as he was clueless. “What clan in their right mind would have turned Prokopios?”
“Don’t talk like that. Prokopios was a great man, and he still is.” Xanthe said.
“Well of course you would say so, you’re bound to him.” she said.
“That’s ridiculous. I’ve thought so since before then.” he scoffed.
Petra rolled her eyes. “Everyone did. How could I forget.” she deadpanned.
“You’re lucky to be married to him.” he countered.
“I was lucky to be abused?” she shook her head. “You know what? Get out. You aren’t welcome here.”
“This is hardly your house. Shouldn’t your Master be the one to throw me out?” he said, again with an air of superiority.
“You know nothing of my domitor, nor what kind of autonomy he allows me. I will only tell you one more time – get out.” she said, glaring.
“You were always difficult.” he said, still acting above her – nothing new there.
“Emilio!” she called, noting the butler appear just out of sight.
“Yes miss?” he asked.
“Escort this man out. He is no longer welcome.” she said. This time, Jon could understand her.
“Wait…what? Why? What’s going on?” Jon asked.
“Your father is being disrespectful, that’s all.” she explained simply.
“Come along, Jonathan.” Xanthe stated.
“But..” he began to protest.
“Now.” Xanthe said, and Job meekly followed. When his father’s back was turned, he gave Petra the ‘call me’ gesture and she nodded slightly as she watched the be escorted out.
“May I ask what the trouble was, Miss?” Emilio inquired once they were gone.
“The trouble is my brother’s an asshole.” she grumbled.
“That was your brother?” he asked.
She nodded. “It;s like…now that I’m finally happy, I was given a reprieve of, like…two months and then… bam!” she said, smacking her other hand. “The universe decided that I need to be put in my place and dredged up shitty reminders from my past.”
“Ah. And how do you see it that way, Miss?” he asked out of curiosity.
Petra ticked off each item on her fingers as she listed them. “My brother to counter having friends, my ex-domitor to counter giving in to my feelings for Brandon, and my ex-husband to counter Vince.”
“Surely it can’t be all that bad, Miss?” Emilio asked, trying to inject some optimism.
“My brother is a huge asshole – always has been. That whole ‘men are superior to women’ thing. My ex-husband was always domineering and always disappointed in me because I couldn’t give him what he wanted. Alaric has always hated Brandon, and seeing me in Brandon’s service is an extra blow to his ego. It’s a wonder they aren’t working together.” she grumbled, again.
“I see Miss. Why don’t you take the evening off? I’m well enough to take care of things, and Kida needs to be taught as well in any case.” he said.
“Are you sure?” she asked.
“Quite sure, Miss.” he replied.
“Alright. Thank you, Emilio.” she said, giving him a vague smile before heading to her room.
After the door had closed behind her, Emilio did as he said he would, and began teaching his fiancée about how the household were run. What he did not plan to do, however, was stay silent. He had every intention of notifying Brandon of this development, but explain that Petra was unaware Emilio was informing him.