#phaidros

Noor is a busy grandma with 16 grandchildren, and she tries to help out where she is needed the most. At the moment it's in her son Phaidros' household, where they have a newborn son, in addition to the three girls they had from before.

There is always something to do at home as well. For little Timόtheos his grandmother is the favorite go to for comfort and hugs.

Noor and Eira still enjoys going to the Agorá to meet up. Their respective homes are always filled up by children, daughter-in-laws and family problems, so this is the place where they can discuss more freely.

Well, not too freely, because the Agorá is full of all kinds of people. Some with bigger ears than others.

This could, of course, be turned to one's advantage: it is the best way to spread juicy gossip should you want to.

There is always a lot to talk about. Marriages and funerals. Fights and romances. And politics of course. Although, this is a peaceful time in Manthos. No wars, no scandals, no threats from neither inside nor outside.

Even at the palace there seemes to be harmony. The young king, Radhamanthos II, is still learning, and doesn't express his own opinions and purposes to any particular extent. Manthos is in practice ruled by the king's mother, Queen Euthalia, and she is doing a good job in the opinion of most people.

The Manthos River flowed quietly and peacefully past the marketplace and the town this evening, and little did people know about the drama that was unfolding not far away, and which would soon turn everyone's lives upside down.

Zen ve Motosiklet Bakım Sanatı

-Sokrates

Phaidros and his brother got a good laugh when Noor told them about Myrto's plan.

- You can reassure Myrto that there is no plan of marriage just yet, Phaidros smiled.

- I'm glad to here that son.

- That girl is so pretty, Teo teased him, I really don't understand what she sees in you!

- It's my charming personality, Phaidros answered back, some of us happen to have one!

- So, so, you boys, Noor interjected, no fighting please! Phaidre, I'm actually happy to hear that you like each other. She is such a sweet girl. I hear she is a good athlete too?

- Yes, she is training for the Kretan footraces now. And she has been picked to perform for the king too. She is a great dancer.

- Ah, is she now. And her father has approved of that?

- I assume so.

- All right. Anyway. Why don't you ask her to visit us? It will be interesting to hear about the Kretan games. And other plans for the future of course.

A few days later Omera came visiting. She and Noor had some tea and a chat about nice memories from the two families.

- I hear you are going to give a performance at the palace.

- I am! I'm very excited about it!

- Did your father tell you that I had a performance many years ago and that's how I got to know him?

- No, I didn't know that. Actually I haven't told my parents yet. Just Phaidros.

- I really think you should tell them as soon as possible. It's very important for your security.

- My security?

- Like I said, I have experience from this, as has many young girls from our area. Maybe the current king is different, but his father and grandfather were known to exploit young girls in the most terrible way imaginable. I would hate to see something like that happening to you. A few years back we were able to stop it happening to your sister Ikadera.

- Kyria Noor, I had no idea about this. I'm so sorry that happened to you!

- Don't think about it. It's many years ago now, and I've come to terms with it. But not everybody were so lucky. Some women even died.

- That's horrible! Did the king kill them?

- Not directly. But for sure some were shattered after what happened to them, and unable to return to a normal life.

- I don't know what to say. I don't know if I want to go now.

- I don't believe you can say no to the king, it would be an insult to majesty. That's why your father needs to know, so he can take precautions. Maybe he can find a plausible excuse? He still has good connections in the palace and knows who to talk with. And like I said earlier, they say this king is different. But it's better to be on the safe side.

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Later the speculations about Khará's crush reached Eira's ears.

- I don't know if it's true or not, but if you have feelings for each other...

- I wouldn't go that far, I like him, that's all. He is different from the men I usually meet here in Manthos. It's exciting I guess.

- I see. But even so, I will ask you to thread carefully. Kyria Figaleía is obviously very ill, and if she dies, Samuel and Yousif, eh.. I mean Kyrios Eláïom will probably leave Manthos shortly after.

- I know mother. I do think about that. I would miss him if he left, that’s true. So I hope he will stay for a while. And I think you would like them to stay too? Kyrios Eláïom is very ravishing, isn't he?

- Pff! I have no interest in that kind of thing, Khará! I'm too old for such things.

- Yeah right... Mother I know you. You are not fooling me!

Eira's silence probably said it all.

And it seemed that Eros was very busy in Manthos this spring, because he was aiming at even more sweethearts. One of them was Noor's son Phaidros and the young Omera, Sura and Usa's daughter.

There were no use in denying it, because they had already been observed. Not that they were particularly discreet, they were probably too much in love to care.

- Mother! Mother! Myrto shouted excited. I saw Phaidros kiss Omera at the Agorá!

- Did you now!

- Yes, yes! Mother, is he getting married and will move out now, just like Areth did?

- Maybe one day, Myrto, but you know Omera is very pretty and there are probably many boys wanting to marry her. I wouldn't put all my eggs in that basket just yet.

- I don't like her! And I really wish she would stay away from my brother! I don't want him to marry anyone!

- But Myrto, he's bound to get married and move out some day, right?

- Why? Did they put it in the law?

- Well, Noor smiled, maybe not the law, but when we grow up this is what we do.

- Do I have to get married too?

- You don't have to, but I'm quite sure you will want to. One day.

- Never!! I will never! And if I absolutely have to, I will only marry Phaidros, because he is my favorite brother. And then we can live here with you forever, mother.

- I appreciate that darling, but let's just take one day at a time. Nobody will move out tomorrow, okay my little honey-bee?

- Hmmph.

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