If one became Apollo's priestess, every morning when the sun rose, aside from dancing around the temple, there was another important task: keeping Delphi's sacred flame from ever going out.
According to historical records, the Pythias should have gathered laurel rather than olive branches. The Pythian Games were also held at Delphi every year, and the victors wore laurel crowns.
Olives should have been Athena's symbol, but olive trees were not uncommon in the Mediterranean. They were an important cash crop.
"No."
When Georgiana put on an Etruscan-style necklace, Polina said.
"I think it looks quite nice." Georgiana looked at her elaborately dressed reflection in the mirror. This was the result of two hours of work. All she lacked now was a necklace, and she could attend the party.
Polina still shook her head.
Given the aesthetic standards of "Europa's greatest beauty," Georgiana reluctantly put the necklace back.
"I'll lend you one," Polina said. "You don't have any decent jewelry at all."
Georgiana felt utterly helpless, because Polina was right.
Then Polina had a maid fetch her jewelry box.
"You should consider yourself fortunate. The Visconti branch coming today is from Rome," Polina said lightly. "The last time I went to the Visconti house in Milan, she kept asking about you."
Polina did not say who "she" was, but Georgiana knew perfectly well.
Otherwise, why would she have returned to the Murat residence at three in the afternoon?
As it turned out, she had been mistaken. The Visconti family of Milan was simply too famous. This Roman branch was entirely made up of archaeologists, and their accomplishments were mediocre. They did not even have as much juicy gossip as Cicognara.
His wife was not an aristocrat—or rather, she was an aristocrat from some tiny village. Before becoming Countess Cicognara, she