offierycrowns

[offierycrowns]

godlycrowns​:

                       Tatiana had decided to use her forced time in doors, thanks to the sudden rain that seemed to torment the french grounds and kept all the royals inside, to read as much as she could master about austria. if things were to fall into place and according to plan she would soon find herself calling the country her home, and she could not risk going there blinded, and although she was not completely ignorant about them there was much she would want to know before she even set food there. 

she had been thankful the place had been deserted upon arrival, she gave the credit to the fact that she had gotten there early, earlier than most would even be awake and by the fact that she was sure most people would look for social activities rather than the peaceful company of books, of which she preferred. tatia had been so consumed by the book in her hand, sitting by a window next to a pile of others she planned to read and had already gone through, she lifted her gaze in surprise as she heard the girls speak. A soft smile spreading on her lips in amusement. “they do have words, although it would be bold of us to assume this room is just as decorative as the roses outside, good to look and be full of pride but left alone on most days.” she mused back. 

Elizabeth smiled at the Russian Grand Princess, pleased with the observation, as it matched her own opinion of the ostentatiousness of this particular palace. “I suppose it does prove much about the company we keep that such a place of knowledge is left deserted on a rainy afternoon,” she said with a sigh. Shrugging, she continued, “Deserted but for the two of us, of course.” She looked over the other woman for a moment, before blurting out what had just crossed her mind. “I’m sorry, is the proper protocol for me to curtesy? I never quite grasped the difference between a Princess and a Grand Princess. All those titles, princess and duke and earl, there seems to be so little difference between them, other than who has to genuflect to whom.” Lizzie much preferred her philosophy and politics lessons to her etiquette ones, anyway. 

[offierycrowns]

freyavass​:

…

freya   had   been   moments   from   sleep   .   she   was   exhausted   ,   all   she   wished   for   was   to   close   her   eyes   and   keep   them   close   until   her   body   and   mind   were   recovered   .   her   daughter’s   birth   had   been   the   opposite   of   her   son’s   .   it   hadn’t   been   as   dramatic   and   it   was   far   quieter   .   but   that   was   the   different   though   when   one   was   pregnant   and   giving   birth   to   a   viscount’s   baby   to   a   king’s   .   the   king’s   were   of   national   and   even   international   news   .   she   had   been   given   a   letter   of   the   girl’s   birth   ,   she   wondered   now   if   those   letters   would   go   out   even   with   half   the   world   at   france   .   she   hoped   they   didn’t   ,   she   knew   this   was   a   happy   time   but   more   so   than   ever   she   was   wishing   for   privacy   .   

she   sat   up   in   her   bed   ,   smiling   at   the   other   .   “   this   is   an   honor   ,   ”   freya   said   automatically   .   it   seems   she   was   saying   that   every   hour   today   .   but   it   was   nice   for   freya   to   see   the   faces   of   other   women   in   the   court   ,   it   was   refreshing   to   see   smiles   and   not   frowns   .   freya’s   eyes   wondered   to   her   sons   ,   she   smiled   and   nodded   as   the   other   spoke   .   “   they   are   ,   ”   she   agreed   ,   thanking   every   lord   and   god   above   her   that   they   were   .   she   wasn’t   sure   either   her   or   alastair   could   take   that   blow   once   more   .   her   soul   hurt   just   thinking   about   it   .   she   looked   back   up   to   the   princess   .   she   was   speechless   at   the   words   .   she   opened   her   mouth   and   then   closed   it   ,   nothing   coming   to   her   mind   for   a   moment   .   “      your   highness   ,   i   am   truly   speechless   .   .   .      i   have   never   been   told   such   things   .   ”

With a stab of guilt, Elizabeth realized she was keeping the other woman from resting entirely, and she thought about making a quick retreat, but her own curiosity got the better of her and she couldn’t help but feign obliviousness and resolve to stay a little while. She wouldn’t be long, she told herself. 

She let out a little laugh at Freya’s description of their encounter. “I must say, I’m still getting used to people saying things like that to me. It’s rare at home for someone to call a visit from me an honor. They know me too well.” She winked at the bed-ridden woman to show that she was only joking, that she was more or less harmless, at least to an exhausted new mother. Lizzie took another look at the babes in their cradles and smiled. After what had happened to the Italian king, she figured they could all use a bit of happiness that was brought by two new births, two new royals at that, though any baby was a blessing in Elizabeth’s eyes, boy or girl, low-born or high. “You have truly given all of us something to rejoice for in these dark times,” she said, still looking at the children. Her eyes flew up to the other’s at her next word, though, and she raised an eyebrow. “No?” she asked incredulously. She did not think she had said anything exceptional. Surely it was no more or less than the new mother deserved. She narrowed her eyes as realization dawned. “People like to judge, Lady Freya, and for that they are to be pitied. They waste far too much time focused on others and too little on themselves. If anyone has offered you less than their utmost kindness and congratulations, then shame on them.” She sighed. “I hope you will take my offer to heart. I am an unorthodox princess, to be sure, but I am a loyal friend, and I’d like to extend my friendship to you, if you’ll have it.”

[offierycrowns]

@1642hqs-starters​      

Elizabeth + open

It was a miserable day outside, rain and wind pelting the sides of the palace without relent. Even Elizabeth, who normally had a high tolerance for bad weather, was forced to concede that there would be no enjoying the outdoors today, not unless she wished to catch her death out in the elements. 

That left her really one option for the day, if she wasn’t planning on going bored out of her mind. She typically hated being cooped up indoors, feeling a certain restlessness underneath her skin, a calling for the open sky and fresh air, but she’d long ago found her one solace when forced to be indoors for long periods of time. A library. Something about being surrounded by so many ideas and stories was freeing, as if she could make her escape if only she picked up the right tome.

She’d heard the library at the French palace was beautiful, but she hadn’t had the chance to visit it yet. As soon as she stepped foot in the doorway, she regretted that fact. It was easily the largest library she had ever seen, bigger even than the one in the palace back home (and curse her if her English pride didn’t smart at that, just a little bit), and she laughed in delight as she took in the massive shelves and books piled everywhere. As soon as the sound escaped her throat however, she realized she was not along, and turned to face the person who she’d intruded upon, unable to resist quipping, “And here I was led to believe the French had little time for more than the latest fashions and strong drink! They’ve proven to be much more erudite than I expected. That is, of course, assuming that these books have actual words in them.”

[offierycrowns]

Bess hated this part of politics; the parties and soirees where people were expected to make advantageous matches and alliances all the while saying nothing really at all. It was just her lot in life that this was the sort of talent that women were meant to cultivate. She mused that she would be much more use in treaty negotiations or something of that kind. She felt a familiar bubble of resentment well up inside of her. 

Elizabeth barked out a rather un-ladylike laugh at the words of the woman next to her. Turning to find herself sitting next to one of the Swedish princesses. Cecilia, if she was getting her faces right, which she knew she was. She’d made sure to study all the key players at court in the time that she’d been there and she was grateful for it now. “The thought had crossed my mind, yes,” she replied dryly. She wrinkled her nose in confusion. “Convenient? I would think barbaric to be a more accurate term. Surely more should go into the choosing of a marriage partner than in choosing livestock.”

@1642hqs-starters​

cecilia sipped the brandy in her glass, sat upon a lovely settee in some parlour room belong to some duke or count or someone important in the grand scheme of things. it all felt the same to her, but she couldn’t deny that it made for some interesting times once everyone was suitably drunk.

“do you ever think about how besides a political free for all, this summit is more of a cattle auction?” she swirls her glass. “every available steer looking for a pretty cow. hm. it is awfully convenient, though.”

[offierycrowns]

Elizabeth knew she probably shouldn’t be visiting the Scottish lady’s chambers, for propriety’s sake if for no other reason. But she’d never quite got a handle on denying her own flights of curiosity, so she found herself in the wing of the palace where the Scots were being housed, quickly let in by Freya’s ladies and inadvertently startling the woman herself. “Forgive me for intruding,” she said quickly, hoping to put the new mother at ease. “I am Princess Elizabeth of England, and I only wanted to express my felicitations to you on your sons’ births.” 

Lizzie had always loved babies and children, as they tended to share the same free spirits and disregard for propriety that she herself held. She moved over to the twin cradles near the bed, smiling. “They’re beautiful,” she said sincerely, turning back to their mother. “And strong too, it seems, thank God.” Lord knew that with everything that had happened the last five years and was happening now, they would need that strength if they were to survive the harsh world they were born into. Forcing that thought from her head, she smiled again. “How are you feeling? I’ve heard that childbirth is exhausting; I imagine even more so with twins. You must let me know if there’s anything you need to aid in your recovery.”

@1642hqs-starters​  ━━ freya + open ! 

there   was   still   pain   for   freya   ,   and   exhaustion   .   her   head   laid   back   as   she   looked   to   her   two   sons   .   no   wonder   she   had   been   so   sick   and   …   huge   during   the   months   she   carried   alasdair’s   children   .   it   had   come   at   a   surprise   when   the   pain   went   away   for   a   moment   and   then   the   pains   again   came   .   they   were   about   ten   minutes   apart   and   freya   had   been   sure   that   the   time   difference   would   hurt   the   younger   twin   ,   but   no   they   both   came   out   scream   and   a   head   full   of   dark   hair   .   

she   blinked   ,   hearing   the   door   open   .   “      hello   ?   ”   she   called   ,   sitting   up   in   bed   .   the   doctor   still   hadn’t   allowed   freya   the   freedom   of   her   legs   since   she   was   still   bleeding   from   the   birth   .   

[offierycrowns]

( sophie skelton, cisfemale, she/her, 24) ** ♔ announcing ELIZABETH WINDSOR, the PRINCESS OF ENGLAND ! in a recent portrait they seem to resemble SOPHIE SKELTON. it is a miracle that SHE survived the last five years, considering they are STUBBORN, HOT-TEMPERED, and INTELLIGENT. i hope the plague has not changed them. they are FOR working together with the other kingdoms (hayley, she/her, 21, cst)

Inspiration: Mary Tudor, Queen of France and Duchess of Suffolk; Queen Elizabeth I; Eleanor of Aquitaine; Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowden; Joan of Arc; Boudicca; Cleopatra; Elizabeth Bennet

Nicknames: Lizzie, Bess

Background: (tw: light misogyny)

The fourth child of the King and Queen of England, Elizabeth has always been a little bit...odd, for a lady of her station.

A mix of both bookish and wild, when she couldn’t be found running after (or ahead, in some cases) of her other siblings, she could inevitably be found in the library.

Possessing an agile mind and a keen intellect, her tutors often lamented the fact that she was born a girl, as they felt had she been a man she would have made a capable statesman or an even fiercer warrior.

As a child she was always running around the grounds of the palace, demanding her brothers and the other boys teach her to play swords and how to climb trees

As she got older, and the restraints of her sex started to tighten their hold around her, she began to resent the restrictions placed on her, and often rebelled, speaking out of turn, not bothering to look presentable, and generally just causing as much of a fuss to those who tried to tame her as possible.

Can be a handful, even to those she loves best, but is extremely loyal

Has a good mind for politics, but has a hard time keeping her temper and minding her tongue, which can get her into trouble

Family Members: Lizzie is devoted to her family above all, and as difficult as she can sometimes be, and loves them dearly. She looks out for the interests of those closest to her before all others, which could lead to an interesting dynamic given the rumors surrounding the death of her eldest brother. 

Friends: If you can handle her, she can be an excellent friend to have, lively and witty, though perhaps prone to getting you into trouble.

Potential Romance: Given her rebellious nature, I just think it would be hilarious if she fell for someone of noble birth and was just so done with it. Like wanting to have some sort of forbidden love with a commoner, only to fall for a nobleman and resenting him for it the whole way through

[offierycrowns]

𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐎 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐈                                 —  remember you will die

𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐎 𝐕𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐄                                 —   remember you have to live