Proof (Emilian/Artemisios/Adara)

[Emilian Sota]

Emilian sat, keeping his eyes towards the man in front of him. He listened silently, respectfully, though simmering deep down at how this man, her father, spoke of Adara. He paused once the question was posed before speaking, "Yes, Herr Snow. I know the work that goes in to producing a daughter such as yours, it would be a disaster for it to be put to waste." If the man had implied Emilian was the one that would ruin his efforts, Emilian didn't consider, he would speak as though he were certain the man would accept him for Adara.

[Artemisios Snow]

"You do not know the work," Artemisios said sharply. "You, a boy of less than twenty years yourself, cannot presume to know such things." Artemisios was silent for one long moment, letting his words stretch and penetrate. Then he leaned slightly forward over his hands, eyes shrewdly observing the boy. "Tell me, junge, what is the nature of your relationship with my fair daughter?" He silently called upon the boy's assertion that he had nothing to hide, and he watched, waiting for any sign that that was not so.

[Emilian Sota]

Emilian knew that it was most certainly not a good idea to tell him the specifics of what they did, though Snow's harsh words very nearly made him tell. "We are good friends, we share pleasant conversation." He didn't like the man calling him a boy, or trying to act like he didn't know anything, but he remained silent on that subject. He wasn't sure what Adara had told him about their relationship, and didn't think it his place to tell details, so he tried to keep it simple. "We enjoy each other's company," he said, careful to not let his lips curve.

[Artemisios Snow]

Artemisios narrowed his eyes at the boy, a hunch telling him that there was more, though he could find no solid proof. Still, he looked, searched, deliberately intimidating. Several long moments passed before his face eased, and Artemisios eased back into his chair. "If that is all, then you will be pleased to hear that my daughter faces a highly advantageous match in the near future."

Despite the cordial nature of the words, his tone was no more friendly than it had been when he had asked the boy his question. Artemisios went on, still looking for a reaction as he spoke. "A neighbor to my estate has offered for Adara's hand. Not only will the marriage bring the family added respect, but it will increase the size of the estate and keep my daughter near to home." Artemisios meant the words to be incensing. He would learn the truth, one way or another.

[Emilian Sota]

Despite the control Emilian was managing to keep over his actions, he couldn't help his hand tensing slightly over the edge of the arm of the chair. It took him a second longer than necessary to answer, but he had to make sure he didn't say anything incriminating. "I'm sure that such a match would be rather beneficial to you. Have papers been signed yet?" he asked, forcing his fingers to uncurl from around the edge of the armrest. Unconsciously he added just the slightest emphasis on to you, barely enough to notice, the match wouldn't benefit Adara in the slightest.

[Artemisios Snow]

The boy was beginning to respond. Artemisios had expected it, but had held out hope that he was mistaken. He did not immediately answer the boy, his silence a declaration that he was under no obligation to answer any questions. This was not his interview.

"No," Artemisios answered at last. "I needed first to determine my daughter's state, whether her exposure to such worldly things as boarding school had benefitted her or been detrimental. While I have yet to come to a firm decision, things appear to be progressing as desired." He chose not to acknowledge the boy's insinuations. Yes, the marriage would benefit him, but only through the family, which would, in turn, benefit his daughter.

Artemisios had been generous long enough. He did not speak further on the subject, but returned to his own line of questioning. "Tell me, junge, do you have many female friends?" From what he had read, the answer was a resounding no. Artemisios had no problems with men who used and discarded women; it was the way of things in powerful circles. It was, however, another issue entirely when one of the females in question was his daughter.

[Emilian Sota]

"I wouldn't say that I have many, though there are one or two that I consider friends." Emilian had considered Pandora a friend for quite a while, and Lucretia for the last few months. He felt relief go through him that nothing was set in stone, though he had assumed as much from Adara, it was different hearing it straight from the man's mouth. "None of which I see very often, other than your daughter." He was careful to not say Adara's name, somehow knowing that if he did then her father would know the depths of his feelings for her.

[Artemisios Snow]

Artemisios was silent again. The boy had not risen to his bait. It appeared that his most thorough sources of information would not involve Sota himself. Even so, he would continue, just for now, and see if the boy slipped up. "If you will indulge me, Mr. Sota," Artemisios said, "Tell me of your plans for the future. Surely shopkeeping is not, in its entirety, a suitable effort for the child of one of the Old Families." The rest he left unspoken; had his family withdrawn support due to his unsavory behavior?

[Emilian Sota]

Emilian didn't exactly have plans for the future, he had always been one to just go with whatever was happening. "I am happy where I am at the moment. And even though my inheritance has been cut slightly," he said, acknowledging that his parents, while still supportive, hadn't been pleased with his actions. "I stand to inherit quite a bit. I have grown to like my shop, I may continue in the business and expand," he said, thinking on it for a moment. "And, of course," he added, "I do plan to marry." Your daughter, even if I have to run away with her, he added silently.

[Artemisios Snow]

The older man's interest returned at that last. Or, rather, his sense of warning. He had no information regarding Mr. Sota's net worth, but if the boy's declaration was what it seemed, it was worth looking into. For curiosity's sake.

Artemisios waved one hand lightly, as though brushing the boy's words off. "You are young. Another ten, fifteen years or more will give you the time and experience you will need in order to sort your priorities." For example, the desire to perform manual labor, versus building an empire of his own.

[Emilian Sota]

Emilian watched the man for a few long moments, it seemed as though he continually played down Emilian's age. He knew he still had much to learn about the world, but it wasn't like he didn't have some idea. "I'm sure," he said, to avoid remaining silent for too long. "Is this neighbor's offer the first you have gotten for her?" He realized, once the question was out, that it would be more revealing than he wanted, but the whole point of the meeting was to try and get his foot in the door, wasn't it?

[Artemisios Snow]

Artemisios leaned forward again, his dark gaze piercing. Yes, the question was revealing, but perhaps he would indulge the boy, if only to coax him into revealing more. "It is not," he replied. "However, it is by far the most advantageous for all parties involved. Including my daughter," Artemisios added. He was under no obligation to explain further. "But, I am certain, as her friend, you will support that which benefits her and trust that the man who made her what she is knows best in those regards."

[Emilian Sota]

"As her friend," Emilian said, the fingers of his hand curling again. "I want her to be happy. She should benefit emotionally just as much as, if not more than, she benefits through wealth and power." He knew that Adara would never be happy married unwillingly to some man she felt nothing for. He also knew that he was headed into dangerous waters and needed to step carefully. He went back over his words in his mind, second-guessing the wisdom of them.

[Artemisios Snow]

"Idealistic child," Artemisios said. "Marriage is about power, and connections. It is about establishing the future, through combining houses and properties. If, in five or ten years, her husband passes on, she may do with her widowhood as she wishes. Her duty, which she has been raised for, does not involve selfish wants. She knows the honor in giving herself for the greater good, a lesson you would be wise to learn." The boy was perilously close to insolence, something which Artemisios had little patience with.

[Emilian Sota]

That was what Emilian had believed of marriage until meeting Adara. He was a second from accusing the man of not knowing because he had never been in love, but it would only have cemented his idea of Emilian as an idealistic child, so he swallowed the desire. "You would rather her be unhappy and wealthy than-" he stopped himself, averting his eyes and taking a breath to calm himself. So soon after telling himself to be careful he had momentarily lost control. "What if she could have both?" he asked when he looked back up, though he already knew that it was hopeless.