Ignored now by Romanos III, Zoe fell in love with Michael (IV), the attendant of the bedchamber, and began to cultivate Michael's eunuch brother, Ioannes the orphanotrophos. She would insert into irrelevant conversations suggestions that Michael should pluck up courage and visit her. Ioannes realised the opportunity, and told Michael to reciprocate to any advances from the empress. She gave Michael opportunities to show affection, which he did, with increasing skill and confidence, kising and embracing her. Both his initial modesty and later boldness attracted Zoe, and ended in lovemaking, in which she felt great passion, while he was fired more by ambition