“Forgive me, my lords.” the Kidemónas said through his helmet after Endymion’s armored gaze swung toward him in an unspoken reprimand. “I couldn’t help it. Arthur—ah, Ser Magellan—has a way of making even these formal situations oddly entertaining.”

“No apology necessary, Kidemónas Andino.” Menelaus said before anyone else could speak. “I, too, found his comments most amusing. I suppose I am also the last person left from whom you need introductions, Ser Athur, though it seems rather pointless now.”

Arthur smiled back at the Duke with a feeling of genuine relief at his subtle rescue of Perseus, and inclined his head in recognition of the other man’s point.

“You are aware of our needs, I take it, from my wife’s explanations?” Menelaus asked with a casual shift of his weight.

“I am aware of the need for a House Leos Hetairoi to remind the Ascendancy of your bloodline’s honor and capability, your grace.” Arthur confirmed while carefully choosing his words—especially with Circe’s jade eyes fixed on him intently. “And while I understand both you and your lady daughter to be more than capable of filling the role with success and prestige, I also understand the importance your lives hold for the future of House Leos.”

“Hm. You truly are a careful man, aren’t you?” Menelaus asked with a wry smile. “Managing to dance around my shame while simultaneously building up mine and my daughter’s capability, as if you yourself did not make us look like ungifted mundanes by comparison.”

“My lord—” Daphne began grimly, only to be silenced by a lift of Menelaus’ hand.

“No, Daphne. He meant no insult, and I will not have him punished for being honest—especially in a time when such courage is distressingly absent among many who would call themselves Knights.” Menelaus then lowered his hand and stepped forward, his gaze fixed on Arthur’s while he continued. “My failure and arrogance led to my sterilization and invalidity as a pilot of worth, and forced my daughter into an untenable situation. My House, ancient and prestigious as Hellas itself, is encircled by its enemies on all sides.”

Arthur remained silent and attentive when Menelaus reached out and placed a surprisingly warm palm on his shoulder, and squeezed with a strength that spoke of decades of martial practice. For all his gentle demeanor, the long-haired Lord of Leos truly was as powerful as the lion he emblazoned upon his breast.

“You are hope, Arthur Magellan. Hope sent by my beloved wife under the guard of my oldest friend, and to the aid of my beset family and dwindling allies. You are the vindication of our resilience. I am not so foolish as to presume your loyalty, nor your care for our plight. Not yet, after so many mercenaries have failed us in the past.” The patrician smiled apologetically before he continued. “But I recognize your resolve, and the commitment you have made to learn. If nothing else, that and the fact your self-interest aligns with ours is something I trust that more than declaration of fealty absent foundation or basis.”

Arthur felt himself relax at Menelaus’ words, and inclined his head in acceptance.

“I can’t deny the unvarnished truth of your words, my lord.” he said while feeling the more elegant speech Zacaris had wielded like a blade coming to the fore. “I will confess to some measure of desire to act on your daughter and wife’s behalf, for the simple fact that both have shown me both a kindness and ferocity that has merited my respect and appreciation—and in Circe’s case, my genuine and purely companionable fondness.”

He saw Circe’s eyes widen and watched her look up in slight panic at his words, and for all that he worried at her reaction, he couldn’t help but feel amused by the girlish nature of the otherwise indomitable heiress’ reaction. The nature of her reaction, despite him having clarified the acceptably platonic nature of his fondness for her, inspired a surge of further endearment.

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“I believe I will fight for you, my lord.” Arthur continued in a way that felt right. “Not because of romantic notions of honor and duty, but because I need you, and you need me—and together, I believe we can achieve a mutual satisfaction that will see both our desires met.”

He looked over the assembled others, and then refocused on Menelaus. “The fact that my admittedly brief exposure to House Leos has already started to reveal a place of true honor, with bonds of loyalty and fidelity between a Duke and his subordinates; only serves to reaffirm my faith in Duchess Cassandra.”

“So you have made your decision even without my blessing?” Menelaus asked.

“On a preliminary scale, my lord.” Arthur confirmed boldly. “Whether or not that is an insult enough to turn you away from me, I have. House Leos continues to impress, and I see no reason to obfuscate and pretend otherwise. I will fight for you, I believe, and in the act I will realize my own ambitions in turn.”

Menelaus regarded him in silence for a moment, and then laughed quietly.

“Gods of Olympus!” Menelaus declared with a genuine smile. “They truly have no idea what a monster is coming for them. If your skills in an Eidolon are half as prodigious as your charisma and way with words, Arthur Magellan; you are going to bring our enemies, both foreign and domestic, to their knees.”

Arthur’s reply was given in the form of a genuine smile of his own.

Menelaus Leos was a man that understood, and that alone was enough.

“That, my lord Menelaus, is exactly my intention.”

“Then let us tarry no longer in this fugue of formality.” Menelaus declared with a clap of his hand on Arthur’s shoulder, and a turn of his gaze toward Stephanos. “The facilities are indeed ready for viewing?”

“They are, my lord.” the shrewd-but-jolly Seneschal replied cheerfully.

“Very well. Let us be off, then. We have a tour to conduct, and if my instincts are correct, the celebratory feast for a newly sworn Hetairoi to plan for in the coming week. Will you see to those arrangements, Stephanos?”

“It will be my pleasure, my lord.” The Seneschal replied with a bow, and a prompt access of the omni-comp on his wrist.

“Will you be joining us, Lord Atreus?” Menelaus asked with a glance at the taller man.

“Of course. It is my duty to ensure Arthur abides by the codices of respect while he is here. If he’s lacking, I’ll have an excuse to end him, and I would hate to miss that.”

A moment of awkward silence followed the casual pronunciation of potential murder, right up until Circe broke it with a snort.

“If you suspected him of being a buffoon, nonós, he would already be dead.”

“She has you there, old friend.” Menelaus said calmly.

“Hmph.” Atreus grunted. “You’re too cheeky for your own good, girl.”

“As my godfather, you bear much of the blame for that, I should think.”

The revelation of the relationship surprised Arthur, though apparently he was the only one. Menelaus simply smiled, Daphne and Stephanos exchanged knowing looks, and the Kidemónes behind him seemed unbothered by the reveal.

“That makes a few things click together.” Arthur said with a sigh and a wry look at Atreus. “No wonder you were so quick to answer the Duchess’ call.”

“It is hardly my fault you failed to properly investigate my relationship with House Leos on our trip here, boy.” Atreus said flatly. “Your error was assuming anything at all.”

“I’ll be sure to learn from that.” Arthur responded with a grimace.

“Good.” Atreus said with a nod. “Now let us be off in truth, before we get bogged down by another pointless conversation that none of us wish to have. This tour has been put off enough, and the watching gods are likely as frustrated by the lack as I am. Lead the way, Menelaus.”

“As you wish, my lord Myrmidón.” the Duke said with a twinkle of amusement in his eyes.

Circe’s gaze shifted to meet Arthur’s, and the smile she sent him was approving.

Without even thinking, he sent a matching one right back.