(Ev-yen-is) held the cup up to her mouth and drank the rest of the black muck until there was only enough to line the porcelain walls with sandy grounds.

"Here." Septa Senos said gently, taking the cup in her hand and holding it into the candle light of the window. "Ah," She began. "A long road. It appears that your father's journey is favoured by the gods."

Ev̱gení̱s took Septa Senos' hand and looked at the cup held inside her fingers. The lines looked like the waves of soap that floated across a full tub of water. Only now, they were brown and still. Her fortune fixed with it. She could see the long, uninterrupted line clearly.

She raised an eyebrow and dropped her hand back to her side."There's always a journey." She noted unimpressed, as she took a turn about the room.

"I also see a small bird my lady."

"Good news." Ev̱gení̱s interupted. She saw through the corner of her eye that her septa was pleased by her knowledge.

"That's right." She began. "And here, what do you think this is?" She asked, leaning forward and smiling, showing you the bottom of your cup. Ev̱gení̱s walked close to her once more, and took the cup back into her hands.

"A circle?" Ev̱gení̱s said flatly, her eyebrows raised.

"A bracelet." Her septa added.

Ev̱gení̱s did not look at her. She remained fixated on the cup. "An impending marriage." She said, in almost a whisper.

"Yes, child!" Septa Senos rose from her chair and took the cup from her. "The grinds say what they say, and we know them to be true." She placed her hands on Ev̱gení̱s shoulders. "Perhaps when you return from Westeros, there will be a suitor waiting for you."

Ev̱gení̱s placed her hand over her Septa's. "We will see. There have been so many disappointments."

The septa shook off her ill response. "A beautiful, noble such as you should have no troubles."

"And what of my impairment?"

Septa Senos was quiet for a moment, her mouth a thin line while her eyes cast down to the floor. "Oh nonsense!" She blurted out suddenly. "If you do not bare sons then your fortune and title will pass to your husband's kin. Marriage is not all about children-"

"To get a husband, you must first be capable of giving him sons!" Ev̱gení̱s' voice began to rise in frustration. She then took in a breath and lifted her hand to move hair away from her face, She did not want to yell.

Septa Senos took in a deep breath through the nose. "Then you must work harder than anyone else."

"I already do. I can sing, draw, speak many tongues eloquently! I know how to dress, how to speak and act in polite society. I work harder than anyone!"

"And you've a prettier face." She interrupted. "But those are only tools child! You must do what so many aspire to do. You must be better than all the others and you will have to find someone who truly cares for you. It won't be about anything else but you and him."

Ev̱gení̱s starred at her with furrowed brows for a few moments.

"The grinds have spoken." Septa Senos finished as she rose from the ground. She ushered Ev̱gení̱s to her vanity where she began to undo her many braids.

The very next morning, Ev̱gení̱s woke at the crack of dawn. She wore a new dress of deep green silk, and lace. The sleeves were long and tight to her arms, and her collar was made up of thick black fur. When she viewed herself in the looking glass she watched the material shine as the morning sun reflected off of it. The vibrant green suited her.

It was heavy and warm, but as quick as she could, she moved down the stairs to break fast with mother and father before the journey. She noted how loud the house was, even at this early hour. The house was always loud, and visiting nobles had always made note of it. The Myrish are a loud people. It was known.

She dreamt of the cup last night and all its omens. She wondered if it was worth mentioning any of it to mother.

"Best not mention your cup to your mother, child." Septa Senos said with a smile and a nod as she turned the corner and headed to the kitchens. Her question had already received an answer.

Soon, I won't need to look at grinds for answers to my questions. She thought as she entered the dining room.

Mother and father sat at the large oak table waiting as the servants bustled around them.

"Daughter." mother began. Ev̱gení̱s winced at her voice, certain that it would ruin the meal before it began. "Do you know what time it is?" She asked rhetorically, for just as Ev̱gení̱s was about to answer, she began again, "I suppose you don't. You are late and you are making your father late. I hope you won't dawdle when it comes to meals at Winterfell. I won't have you ruining this House's name." She finished sternly while buttering a bun.

"I won't mother." Ev̱gení̱s answered disdainfully. Father looking at her and smiling ever so slightly. He raised her spirits some.

"Look how lovely you look in your new green dress. You're dressed like a real Northern Lady now. The Starks will be pleased." Mother said staring at her. Daughters of Myr were always elegantly dressed. Fine materials being a main export. Ev̱gení̱s didn't like when her mother gave her compliments because it always meant that there was something more to follow. "And don't you dare allow Septa Senos to pack you anything other than green. This is a social affair. The royal family will be there, and with the good standing I have with the Queen of Westeros, I would like to keep it that way."

"Yes mother. I've packed only green. Though I don't know why. No one knows about our customs in Westeros."

"Well, if they don't know about our customs then they shall be the savages. Not us. The first born of House Kyría wears green at court and social functions. That is how its always been. If your sisters were going, Krisi would wear blue to signify the second born, and Anagénnisi would wear red to signify the third. This is how the nobles identify your rank."

"So they don't have to talk to us." Ev̱gení̱s grumbled.

"Well, exactly." Mother said as though it was the most obvious thing on earth.

"But must it be so heavy... and warm..."

"It may be warm here daughter," Father began, "But the North of Westeros is a bitter cold place. You will be glad that you dressed for the journey. And the Northerners will not think you ridiculous in your southern clothes." He winked and Ev̱gení̱s smiled. Father had always been ruthless when it came to business. This was likely why he was as wealthy as he was. But when it came to his children, he was kind and true.

"Your father and yourself are guests of Winterfell by request of the Queen herself." Mother began again. She could get through no meal in her life without bringing about some talk of work, and spoiling everyones appetite. "She has ordered a number of fine silks and lace trims for House Stark, as gifts for allowing the Starks to receive the Royal family. I don't need to tell you that our goods are known throughout realm as the most prized."

Ev̱gení̱s sucked her teeth immediately. She knew that of course. Myrish finished exports was the key to many a Myrish fortune, including Father's. Mother gave her a dangerous look. Ladies weren't supposed to suck their teeth. Ever. She continued to speak, unimpressed.

"As the Lady guest representing this House, you will present the goods to Lady Stark on behalf of the Queen upon your arrival. You will also give some to the Queen herself when the time comes. This will be our gift to her. Be sure that they are lighter fabrics. The Queen lives in the South after all."

Ev̱gení̱s finished her plate as quickly as she could without raising her mother's suspicions. The faster they left, the sooner she wouldn't have to hear her voice. She wondered about the cup of grinds and whether or not it would ring true. Would their be a suitor waiting for her once she returned. It was a slim chance. It seemed as though she had met every suitor in Myr and though many had been initially taken by her charms and beauty, none could get past the wicked rumours. It was a terrible thing, to be a woman, void of the only thing that held her value. Her ability to bear children.

Suddenly, she thought of the famous Myrish nesting dolls. An odd thought for a woman grown. In her youth, she played with the dolls. They were meant to teach children that beauty was on the inside. For what is a nested doll without its inner parts? But it taught everything but. It taught her and so many others that your outer shell was what got you chosen. But the outer shell was not her trouble. She felt like an empty nested doll without all of its pieces. The outer most doll, with all the beautiful details and colours. But it didn't matter how beautiful she was, without its inner parts, it was just a painted face.

Ev̱gení̱s knew what her role in life was. To get married and bare children. She heard tales of women across the narrow sea who would forsake all they knew and became women of their own. Free from children and husbands. She wondered if they shared the same misfortune as her.

In some ways Ev̱gení̱s was envied by so many. Rich, beautiful and a powerful Father.

Her younger sisters had both bled before her now, and if they or any other woman in the realm knew that it was their moon blood that she envied more than all wealth of Essos, she might die of shame.

"Come daughter." Father said. "We must take our leave."

Ev̱gení̱s blinked and looked to her father who had already stood. She kissed her mother cooly on the cheek and rose with all the grace that she could muster. "Don't slouch." Mother whispered. She wouldn't see her for months now and that was her last word. She slid through the doorway sideways as her dress had so many more layers than she was used to. She was no fool, Mother had considered her useless for years. Only through helping her father could she earn her keep now.