Text
another soft laugh . what danya called boldness a fact that may knew in valanya and those in both armies had seen first hand . ❛ there is no kingdom without its people . our lives are touched by the commonfolk each day , more oft , for the better . it's unfortunate that i feel we can't always say the same . ❜ targa lune's people lunala knew - met with them often , indulged in drink and play on the sun kissed beaches . the capital was unlike what she was used to where its commonfolk seemed confused to see the royalty , the few that she'd seen whilst walking about the marketplace with vlad looking to be in awe at their presence . she wasn't royal , didn't know the reasonings behind the separation but she knew it wasn't a state she hoped to endure . ❛ and if you do not tell anyone , i'll let you in on a secret - i've come to prefer their company to most . ❜
──── . ݁₊ danya eyes the newly crowned princess carefully, something comforting about her presence here on the field of crops thriving under the glow of divine power. they appreciate vlad dragova, they appreciate that princess lunala too is a fitting replacement for the king of valanya. this kingdom needs something resembling kindness, for danya has witnessed their suffering during those late night trips into the capital in which she causes suffering of her own. she tells herself that it must be done, that they will die anyway, that they somehow deserve it. though it is not even herself that she fools with these lies. “that's a nice way to see it, i suppose,” they arch a brow, moving to brush the silken curtain of their hair across their slight shoulders, clad in black as they always are. it helps to make danya feel invisible, to hide even from the gods in their terrible deeds. “you seem to care for them, your highness. forgive me for speaking so boldly, but it is a nice change.”
8 notes
·
View notes
Text
the child's eyes going wide the first indication of someone with a more intimidating presence behind her , but she'd assumed it to be her guard . the limb around her and affection alerted her to vlad's presence ; the beginnings of a smile forming upon her lips that grew quickly . ❛ a little fan , is all . already far better than me at bending the light . ❜ her tone kept light , holding the same softness so that his presence wouldn't spook them . straightening as she watched the encounter with a soft smile - hand resting lightly in the middle of vlad's back yet aware eyes cutting to the parents approaching too quickly for her tastes . the edges of her smile tightened momentarily , knowing the slight peace she'd found was gone . ❛ i believe your parents wish for you to return to them , little one . you may show them this . ❜ princess leaned in slowly as she molded the light still resting in her palm into the shape of a bird - sending it fluttering towards the figures stopped a few paces away while the small child chased after it with a laugh . ❛ i worked hard to put a smile on your face this morning . i don't appreciate my work going to waste . ❜ eyes remained on the child until she was sure they were safe before she placed one hand onto his chest , the other finding its place onto his cheek . ❛ can you plot regicide later while we enjoy our last day together before we never find peace again ? ❜ voice lowered as she speaks so no passerby could hear nor read her lips , gaze imploring . she'd never thought that a few days of honeymoon would spoil her , but already there was tension around them . she could feel gazes prickling her skin , even more so with the pair of them standing together . ❛ i wish to go to the marketplace and peruse the wares before it gets too crowded and everything has been rifled through . would you like to accompany me ? ❜
Vlad cannot believe it was only days ago that the common folk of Coňstanja have clamored for his and Luna’s attention when they came down to their markets to celebrate their marriage, and now, most can’t even meet his eyes. Including faces he recognizes as having been eager to speak to him, hear whatever heroic bullshit he’s chosen to spew about the war that time, hanging on to every word. And now Stefan is back and looking healthier than ever, and people are steering well clear of his son, barely muttering hasty well wishes for the king as they pass by. As if he gives a shit.
Yet he nods and smiles mildly regardless, feigning gratitude as fury broils under his skin. Cowards. It’s been a good long while since people have so evidently found cause to avoid him, but the thought doesn’t calm as much as it should, if anything it only angers him further to see how easily, how fast, Stefan can undo everything he’s worked decades to build.
He fiddles with the wreath he’s made from fallen grain stalks all around, as his gaze finds Luna, a little distance away. Well. At least she won’t treat him as if he’s a plague carrier, and he makes his way towards her, desperate for a reprieve. He catches sight of the child she’s entertaining next, but by then it’s already obvious he was coming her way, and really newlyweds entertaining children is usually a good sight, is it not? It doesn’t matter that Vlad has no clue what to do with them. Or much interest in finding out.
“Never,” he smiles, one arm sliding softly around her waist as he tilts his head to place a kiss on her temple. “Who’s your new friend?” whatever joy Luna pulled out of them before he got here is gone now, muted under a blanket of shyness, and he bends down, resting on his haunches to get closer to their level, mostly because he has no other idea what to do. “Would you like a wreath?” he dangles it in front of them, hoping they’re too young to have an opinion on the quality (or lack thereof). Out of the corner of his eye he catches movement, but the person is stopped before coming any closer. The child’s parents, no doubt. He glances at Luna as he straightens, and gives a barely noticeable shake of his head. He's out of tricks for entertaining children, now.
3 notes
·
View notes
Text
❛ if i did , it is not you i would confide such information in . ❜ a habit for delivering truths in off hand fashion , but there is never room where those that become acquainted them have to guess on . the spies under their protection and care would have the information they needed and could handle without the arduous task of not spilling between loose lips - but this . a secret she would have shared with select few , those also upon the council for them to have capitalized and acted . anamaria could take the information as she wished as cassandre took another long draw of the wine , offering a hum of acknowledgement . ❛ there are those that have loose lips from a drop of anything stronger than water . the nobility - we need to know what they think of this appearance from the king , and their thoughts of the marriage . ❜ the uncanny ability she held to look a wide eyed doe with no knowledge of the world and its inner workings served the vulpe well ; this task given to her due to cass's confidence in her .
──── . ݁₊ her smile flattens, the poise which anamaria carries with her into every interaction fades until she is the person she keeps from the world. cassandre knows her, and there's discomfort in that fact. of course, they have to know her, it's their job after all. to see so clearly past anamaria's girlish smile, those fluttering lashes which earn her so many secrets, all handed back over to the master of spies for safekeeping. how dangerous a court they are, the court of spies who know all. “hm, i thought you might know more.” she admits, the tenderhearted softness she normally accents her voice with fading to something deeper, flatter. anamaria is an eager thing, wanting to know every last detail, to unwind the mystery of king stefan and steep herself in its waters. “there's better stuff in the kitchens. stronger. i think they want their guests on their best behaviour.”
10 notes
·
View notes
Text
drawn out sigh meets her words , honeyed gaze rolling briefly to the sky as smile fake as plastic finds its way back onto her lips . she'd been spoiled in targa lune whose court was filled with familiar faces and laughter . the coldness of bran keep had little to do with the passing winter , rather , a king that cared only for himself and the tricks he employed . hearing his voice enough for internal cringe as she knew what little solace she'd found in the castle would be gone . return would be to an irate husband she could do nothing to calm and sense of dread that there would be even more eyes upon them ready to report to the king about their whereabouts and on goings . ❛ we could be home , watching the waves crash upon the sand collecting shells , ❜ she sighs wistfully , following behind intira before her grin turns wicked . ❛ we would sooner find gowns that require no corset than for you to expect us to remain presentable . you must not leave us to our own devices , tira . i'm afraid i will choose for him to loosen everything if the choice remains between that and parading about as we have been . ❜
she doesn't like the way that the princess' expression dropped upon seeing the king , the fun teasing they'd been having before he'd arrived upon the dais stopping quickly . " nala , you must maintain your face . " intira spoke quietly as she grasped the arm of her friend and turned from the crowd . she knew it would be hard for someone usually so free with her emotions to contain them in the capital , but she also hoped that her own presence could be a balm . " let's take some time away from the crowd to have a rest , that you may have a break and i can fix this awful attempt of re - tying your corset . if you and vlad are to undo my handy work , one of you will have to remember how to place them back . "
closed starter : @lenismortem
1 note
·
View note
Text
he could never claim to be the most attuned to any behaviors aside from those of the little prince - yet the discomfort was clearer than the aided light which blessed the crops . none of his business as he steps to one side for her to continue her path , but he wasn't just brute no empathy nor brain . ❛ i'm not offended . i'm not going to hurt you . ❜ fear may not have been the emotion , either , yet he's yet to have met anyone seemingly so uncomfortable in his presence with so few words traded between them .

sun-kissed skin turns somewhat more red in her cheeks at the notion of her own foolishness and it leaves a bitter taste in dragavei's mouth. " yes, you are very right. " the jealousy she felt lingers within her words still and there is the need to escape the crowded field without further embarrasment and yet she stumbles into one of the few which made heads turn. the personal guard of the youngest prince none the less so of course eyes are upon them. lifting her gaze she finds the guard and tries her best to conceal her emotions. " i will make sure it does not happen again. "
6 notes
·
View notes
Text
if not for their presence a constant in the city , cassandre would not be there . attendance of nuptials for a family they cared nothing of , a king she wished had found himself in coffin with rites sung rather than this charade . ❛ i know not of which lord you speak of . there are many that i find myself unwilling to acquaint myself with . ❜ spun easily from her lips despite it's both truth and falsehood - necessity kept her abreast of the kingdom's ongoings and the nobility that lay within it , but it wasn't of free will that she made herself knowledgeable of them . curious , though , that he had chosen to willingly bind himself to another , the way in which his words hit the space between them sounding less than pleased . ❛ i suppose a congratulations would be in order , then . if he's looked for a betrothed and you already follow him why not offer yourself up for such a coveted role ? it's not as if you do not have titles . ❜ attentions stray from rohan to the guests around them , before impassive gaze returns . ❛ is that what i said ? ❜ she would allow everyone , including family , to draw their own conclusions whether accurate or otherwise .

the lack of interest in beautiful things suits his sibling well. when had they ever shared emotions on a level where either one understood one another enough to pin-point what they felt ? a small smile appears upon the false zamfir and he wonders if they ever thought about him all of these years ? if he was ever a brother to them ? eyes turn to them and for a split second he feels something in his chest ache for being abandoned. " why ? " frame turns fully to them and his question even as simple as it is lingers as true. " my lord is here, so of course I follow where ever he goes ⸻ in fact it seems we are to stay here now, as his parents which to find him a betrothed. " he hates the word, yet it is the truth of the vlada ruling lords intentions. " do you not want me here, sister ? "
8 notes
·
View notes
Text
❛ is that supposed to be a bad thing ? ❜ her patience for it all dwindled as the evening passed , finding solace in the outskirts of the feast . if a few too many goblets of wine past her lips , so be it . aware enough of all that happened around her , alert to watch each person's countenance that ventured close to speak while maintaining a close eye on her husband and family . she hadn't felt surrounded by an enemy as acutely as she did now , stuck with faces unknown and unwilling to put forth the efforts to bring about familiarity . what little she knew about the council she knew needed to grow , and perhaps the hand of the king would be a good first step . though surely he had kept the news of the king's health under wraps from the all , prompting her placid smile . ❛ i do jest , of course . an indulgence in wine wouldn't keep me from missing the celebrations . i hadn't had a chance to thank you , lord hand , for your generous wedding gift . it's beautiful . ❜
open starter : gabriel arslan & open ( accepting 4 replies ) location : the great hall of bran castle _________________________________
the whispers were rife. stefan was healthy and strong, and none of them knew? if he weren’t a man with many masks, it would’ve been clear that the hand to the king was u p s e t. not only had he been unaware of the king’s recovery, he also didn’t know what was the reason behind the miracle — despite his extensive network of covert information. the cherry on top was that the bastard had decided to reveal himself just when gabriel had taken the dais to address the people of coňstanja. only gabriel knew the struggle he had been through to contain his shock, and appear unaffected—as if he had known about this surprise.
as he milled about the gathering with a pleasant look of calm upon his features, drinking from his goblet of rose sharbat, he remarked to his companion, “if you continue at that pace, i don’t think you’ll be able to be there in time to witness the blessing of the crops in the morning.”
1 note
·
View note
Text
open starter , near the blessing of the crops ( 4 / 5 )
the demonstration's end found lunala lingering - both listening to the commonfolk's wonderment and watching as children toddled along , a pleased and soft smile on her features . ❛ be careful , little one . you're moving so fast you'll fall , ❜ she chuckled as one of the children looking to be barely four years of age came closer . a little hand held up as if to mimic what she and the other solarui had done mere minutes before with the princess mirroring the image before she turned her hand with palm out to allow for her powers to manifest in the form of a soft light . ❛ no . you can't touch , but you may look for as long as you'd like to . do you know where your parents are ? ❜ asks , hoping both that they're nearby but will allow her to continue speaking with the child . though she could barely make out the words being spoken back to her , smile remained firmly on her lips until the sound of footsteps hit her ears . ❛ apologies . are we in your way ? ❜
3 notes
·
View notes
Text
caspian steadied himself , gaze slipping from his charge for a moment down to the scholar . ❛ you'll continue to find yourself bumping into people if you continue to look to your feet rather than what's in front of you . ❜ meaning it as a jest rather than anything malicious . he cut an intimidating figure , added his position in the castle though caspian knew there were many that also looked to him as a glorified babysitter .
open starter for : devika dragavei & open ( accepting 4 replies ) location : the blessing of the crops

something swirls uncomfortably within the dragavei at the vision of the solarui demonstrating their powers and how they give to the people of constanja. clenched fist watches and eyes fixated upon the control and demeanor they all hold wonder if she would ever be able to perform half as well as them. however, struck with jealousy the scholar decides to take her leave. however, as she is about to leave the field she bumps into another onlooker and eyes fall down quickly. " forgive me, my mind wandered so i did not watch where i stepped. "
6 notes
·
View notes
Text
their presence is one for show - to station the king's council in sight for the realm but one for cassandre to position their spies as they saw fit through the crowd . a chance encounter between she and kin not sought out , yet there's a curiousness . those of the zamfir house gone unspoken to over the years as they established their own foothold in the capital . ❛ not particularly . ❜ she only saw the hope for promises of prayers that would go unanswered , any hopes of enjoying the festival tainted by the king's seemingly glorious return to health . ❛ i'm surprised to see you here . ❜
open starter for : rohan agarwal zamfir & open ( accepting 4 replies ) location: the lantern release

like rising stars the lanterns float through the air of the capital of valanya. a sight given to it's people. so raven haired trickster stands amongst unknown weak and feeble beings of a country betraying their own gods. how many times had he not watched the divine perform their miracles and disasters ? they were an abomination created from darkness, forbidden, horrid and yet. " they are beautiful to look at. " he murmurs to himself, eyes reflecting the fire of the lanterns before turning to companion. " do you not think so ? "
8 notes
·
View notes
Text
his presence was a testament to his commitment to the youngest dragova . a child still possessing a wonderlike innocence where caspian couldn't remember the last time he'd felt anything as simple as being happy about lanterns against a darkened sky . stubborn as the royals he encountered , though , a family trait passed down ; caspian knew that until he released his own lit lantern into the perceived heavens they wouldn't leave . ❛ more the desires of a child i'd be remiss to upset over something so simple . ❜ comes honest answer as arms guide the lantern up to help set it on its path , staring at its illumination for a moment . ❛ but it is rather nice , i'll admit . ❜
the lantern release, day two, at the edge of the river roudina — open
There were not many things the oldest daughter of house verkon truly care for when it came to the capital, the lantern release tradition every year to come was perhaps one of the very few. there was something almost ethereal in the view, how the lanterns flickered and reflected all around the faithful and hopeful. the good wishes of the people all being sent to a higher divinity, or at least the hope that someone would listen to one or any of them. the crone maiden holds her own lantern by her fingertips, the orange light reflecting off her fair skin and silver hues. she smiles as she senses another close enough to her, she lets go of the lantern and watches it float away with contentment. "have you release your own in good faith to the gods?" she asks without taking her gaze from the floating light.
9 notes
·
View notes
Text
she released a quiet laugh , one she hopes is swallowed with the crowd though the newly crowned princess can't bring herself to mind either way . those that had been in the army knew well of lunala's malicious compliance and affinity for doing things her own way ; the demonstration another example . a lending of her power , sure , yet the arches and dancing figures in the sky a subtle show of her own defiance of it all . it would look worse , after all , for her have not gone at all . ❛ i enjoy the reaction . it's not often that our powers are used in ways that they can see and not feel threatened . ❜ she remembers clearly the first realizations of her power still a child in targa lune , and the fear that had crossed the expressions of those unknowing of what it looked like . ❛ aside from that , it makes them happy . even if it doesn't later for long there's something to look back fondly on . ❜
open to everyone location — the blessing of the crops ( day two ) . ( 0 / 4 )
──── . ݁₊ “i hate the demonstration,” they admit, their palms still warm as they join the crowd heading back into the city from the sprawling crops, the power of the solarui golden in the mild spring breeze. it's a pleasant day, but danya is already bored of the celebrations and whatever it is the royalty are hiding behind it all. “always feels cheap. like we have nothing else we should be doing.” perhaps it's their bad mood causing them to speak so brazenly, though it was a late night spent trailing a dead end into the pits of the city and an early start to the day which left them feeling so irritable.
8 notes
·
View notes
Text
❛ your façade is wasted on me , anamaria. believe whatever pleases you . ❜ for what else is there ? none , not any of the spies nor assassins – those meant to be abreast of every ongoing , had been aware . the king's sudden fervor met with mixed reactions , as to be expected , and though cassandre clapped along with others ; lips parted in summation of a pleased smile that could pass for knowing and pure , the master of spies still seethed . information unknown not a realm they were able to sit and allow pass by idle yet neither could it look like she , who was to hold answers to the questions of the realm's shadows . as it was , they'd been in search of drink and little conversation of the family that vexed them . ❛ i've yet to see anything aside from sweet wines being poured . it must be preferred over ale . ❜
open to everyone location — the great hall ( 1 / 4 )
──── . ݁₊ she isn't hungry, but it isn't food which anamaria craves anyway as she slinks into the grand feast hall of bran castle. her dark eyes swallow the room whole before taking a seat amongst a small crowd, far from her family but remaining thickly in the middle of the commotion, for it would be dire to miss a single detail. “there are so many rumours," she sighs, her voice a soft glow in the candlelight, smiling to the cupbearer who fills her goblet with the rich wine offered by the newly healed king stefan. her eyebrows raise to them sat before her, long lashes fluttering in her doe eyed innocence. such an easy facade to wear for one as dainty, as soft spoken as she. “i don't know what to believe.”
10 notes
·
View notes
Text
zendaya by luxurylaw on instagram
3K notes
·
View notes
Text
ZENDAYA via Instagram — March 29, 2024
2K notes
·
View notes
Text
𖥻 introduction: ( zendaya . cis woman . she + her . ) wasn’t that lunala argese walking the cobbled roads of coňstanja ? it’s nice to see the lady of house argese out and about on such a fine day as this. i’ve heard from the court spies that they are notoriously opinionated, whilst also managing to be quite adventurous. the twenty nine year old is eager to explore bran keep. i heard that they themselves are divine ( solarui ). it’s funny, whenever i think of them, i think of smelling of sunlight and honey, internal flames that forces matching fire with fire, curiosity that would shave lives off of a cat.
﹟ basic information
full name: princess lunala dragova nee argese. personal monikers: lu, lulu, nala, luna. age: 29. date of birth: may 23rd. birthplace: keep argese, targa lune. gender: cis woman. pronouns: she + her. orientation: bisexual. height: five feet, nine inches. known moniker: the chaotic sun / targa lune's sun. status: wedded to prince vlad dragova.
﹟ personal aspects
parallels: ty lee ( atla ), minako aino ( sailor moon ), eloise bridgerton ( bridgerton ), bonnie bennett ( the vampire diaries ) abilities: solarui, hand to hand, archery, painting temperament: choleric station: lady of house argese, princess of valanya loyalties: house argese, targa lune, her husband ( vlad dragova )
﹟ tidibits
light isn't meant to be contained, especially not the sun. her parents will say that from childhood she was prone to bursts of explosive energy, always moving and never settling unless it was time for sleep. she could be seen combing through the grounds matching her footsteps to the sun, and if it was a cloudy day, luna would make it everyone's problem. her parents had hoped that her time in the academy and the army wouldn't change her but would, at the very least, help her to become more refined. it did much the opposite. the academy made luna feel that people thought too small and for matters unimportant. sure, the crops needed to grow but why stop there ?
she became known for her malicious compliance ⸺ followed orders to the letter, and not an inch more. academy turned a fun way for her to test the boundaries of instructors' patience, and her service in the army little better. her six years served, and a seventh of pure spite before she returned to targa lune.
luna's outlook upon the royal family is one that breeds indifference, and one that her family has tried hard to shift in the time since she returned home, and the announcement of the wedding.
﹟ wanted connections
tbd.
4 notes
·
View notes