#Courting Royalty

[datshitrandom]

“Courting Royalty” by @thnxforknowingme

Rachel Berry of Lima, OH and Blaine Anderson of Westerville, OH have been identified as the mysterious royal twins. These two average American teenagers have grown up completely unaware that they might one day rule a small nation on another continent. 

This is a Klaine 3-2-1 Prompt Bang Fic with a really beautiful art by @quizasvivamos

[klaineccfanficlibrary]

Courting Royalty

Author:  @thnxforknowingme |  hundredindecisions

Rating:  T

Status:  Completed in July 2022

Word Count: 12,723

Summary:  During Kurt’s senior year, his friend Rachel gets some surprising news: she’s the princess of a tiny European country, and she has a twin brother to share the throne with. The summer after graduation, Kurt visits his newly-royal friend in the country she’s heir to before they head to New York for college. Staying in a castle and rubbing shoulders with European nobility is pretty overwhelming, but the most remarkable part is meeting Rachel’s brother Blaine, the new prince who Kurt instantly begins crushing on. This summer is either going to be a fairy tale come true, or result in multiple diplomatic catastrophes.

Tropes/Genre:  Prince!Blaine, Anderberry, romance, AU, Princess Diaries AU

Lynne’s review:  This is all sorts of adorable. Loved it.

Read at:  AO3

[moodboard-d]

[inky-duchess]

Fantasy Guide to Ambassadors

How do different kingdoms negotiate when there aren't any phones or Microsoft Teams available? How can one government let another government how they feel? How can one monarch deliver an insult or compliment to another? Ambassadors, of course.

The Role of Ambassadors

Ambassadors are representatives of a government or monarchy who live in another country and communicates with their host nation on behalf of their own country. Ambassadors are there to make sure that their country's needs are met and that their host nation remains a friend - or at least they are there to remind the host nation of why it's a good idea to be friends.

Ambassadors tend to act as eyes and ears of their government/monarch, reporting back on all the goings on in the country they have been assigned. They can tell their boss the local tea, what the political climate of their host nation, who meets with the head of state and who doesn't. The Ambassador is there to pass on messages from their master and receive messages directly from the opposing head of state.

How to Ambassador Successfully & Not Start a War

The Ambassador must at all times be respectful toward their host nation. They must abide by their customs, behave themselves, act always in a professional manner and guard the information they handle with care and their lives. Ambassadors are welcomed into the country with a private audience with the head of state, wherein their references are accepted and their role is formally acknowledged. After this, they may only approach the government or monarch by appointment or after being summoned. Their boss would communicate their wishes and words to them and it would be up to the Ambassador to pass these things along, albeit more skillfully and more diplomatically.

The Perks of Being an Ambassador

Ambassadors can live at an official residence called an embassy like today or they can reside at court. They can take their families with them if they choose and are usually paid to establish a good sized household. Ambassadors are usually rewarded with honours and titles, if they are successful in their post or after a long posting. Ambassadors can also be awarded orders and honours by their host, along with places of honour for their family if they reside within them.

Ambassadors are usually welcomed and treated with great respect (if their country is an enemy, they are still treated well in hopes that things don't esculate). Ambassadors are invited to most important gatherings, included in the celebrations at court and spend much of their time at society events (i.e. intelligence gathering). Ambassadors can also get rich on their work, they could sell out their country's secrets to their host nation or even accept bribes to pass on false information to the boss.

The Downsides of Being an Ambassador

Ambassadors do have to leave their homeland for their job, this can mean a long posting away from family and from their own people. Ambassadors can be blamed for rifts or bungled international relations. They may even be accused of taking bribes or being corrupted. Ambassadors could also face being spied on, particularly in a nation that is hostile to their nation. Ambassadors can also be the target of violence from their country's enemies or the focus of emnity by the host nation itself. Very often in times of war of political turmoil, an Ambassador can be expelled from the country. When you're the symbol of a nation and you're in reach of enemies, you are in considerable danger (though it's not recommended to kill an ambassador, it's sort of against the rules).

Who can be an Ambassador?

Ambassadors are usually found amongst the nobility or within government. They are usually chosen by:

Pedigree: The better kind of person you send would mean a bigger compliment to the people the country want to make an ally. Sending a Duke would be a great compliment while sending a simple government official might be seen as an insult. To offer somebody high-ranking is to signal you trust the nation.

Skills: Communication skills are key. Knowledge of the languages and customs of the nation are required. Any ability for espionage, good social skills and a likeabilty would be recommended too.

Political Affiliation: Ambassadors are mouthpieces for their masters. It is generally smart to chose somebody who shares or endorses your view on politics. For example, you wouldn't send an Ambassador hungry for war to a nation you want to make peace with.

Loyalty and Uncorruptability: If you're picking somebody to speak for you and handle very sensitive information, you will chose somebody loyal to you and somebody you trust not to be led astray by the other nation or spies.

[jestroer]

Day two of @mcyt-yuri-week - Royalty/Knight! :D

Forbidenn romance between a fairy Queen and her Knight..... or something

[paradoxolotl]

Katelyn being listed as Aaron’s queen has healed my soul in ways I cannot describe

[clairebearsparkles]

Been playing around with the idea of a royalty au with Strawberry Shortcake, so here’s the princess herself and some of her court! I will post the other 4 members another time

For reference this is the roles of everyone:

Strawberry Shortcake: Princess of Strawberryland Blueberry Muffin: Princess Shortcake's lady-in-waiting and Apple Dumplin's caretaker Apple Dumplin': Cousin to Princess Shortcake Raspberry Tart: Princess Shortcake's other lady-in-waiting Plum Puddin': Advisor and tutor to the royal family Lime Chiffon: Court fool/jester Angel Cake: Court mage Huckleberry Pie: Royal servant

There are other royal courts, so other characters like Lemon Meringue and Orange Blossom will not appear as members of Court Shortcake.

[illustratus]

Francis I in Benvenuto Cellini's Studio by Alexandre Évariste Fragonard

[peeptheaesthetic]

I keep forgetting to add captions I feel so goofy.

[empress-alexandra]

Queen Mary of the United Kingdom, consort of Kind George V, when she was Princess of Wales, on the occasion of King Edward VII's coronation, 1902.

[lotusinjadewell]

Phượng bào, Nguyễn dynasty’s princess court attire. Credit to Great Vietnam.

[la-belle-histoire]

Portrait of Empress Maria Feodorovna, Ivan Kramskoj. 1881.

[theroyalhouseofwindenburg]

The Ambush

As the first rays of dawn painted the horizon, a member of the Landgraab family's staff diligently patrolled the island's coast, a routine task he performed each morning. Spotting a ship on the horizon, he hastened to inform Lord Lorus without delay. Upon the ship's arrival at the beach, Lorus stood ready with two of his guards, observing the men disembark. Recognizing them as emissaries sent directly by the King, Lorus couldn't help but feel a surge of nervous apprehension.

Accompanied by two of the King's guards, the men approached him. Sir Paul Thomas, an advisor to the King, retrieved a scroll and proceeded to read aloud from it. "By the Watchers Will, Edward, King of Windenburg, to all whom these presents shall come, greetings. Know ye that we command and direct our loyal subjects, the bearers of this writ, to enter and search the premises of Castle Landgraab for items, persons, or documents pertinent to the investigation into the disappearance of Queen Cordelia. This authority is granted to Sir Walter Arnold and his retinue, empowered to search all dwellings, buildings, and grounds within the aforesaid castle, using necessary force. Let it be known that any obstruction to this search shall be met with the full weight of our royal justice. All within Castle Landgraab must render full assistance to Sir Walter Arnold and his men. Given under our hand and seal at Windenburg Castle on the fourth day of Summer, in the year of Our Lord 1354."

Lorus directed a glare at the men, his voice seething with anger. "What is the meaning of this outrage? How dare you suspect me, the Lord of Aarbyville, of such a heinous crime? This is a grievous affront to my honor and an insult beyond measure." Sir Walter, meeting Lorus's gaze, calmly responded, "My Lord, your indignation is noted, but the gravity of the situation demands thorough scrutiny. The disappearance of the Queen Mother is a matter of utmost importance, and no person, regardless of rank, is above suspicion. We act under the King's command and seek only to uncover the truth. Cooperate, and your innocence shall be proven in due course." Lorus remained silent, his arms folded, clearly agitated as the men proceeded towards the castle.

After hours of meticulous searching, the men stumbled upon a concealed doorway tucked away within a locked room. Sir Walter wasted no time, instructing one of the King's guards to forcefully break down the door. As the heavy barrier gave way, revealing a hidden chamber, the scene that unfolded within left him stunned. There, amidst the dusty stones and dim light, sat a figure that once epitomized grace and royalty. Cordelia, once vibrant and regal, now appeared pale, frail, and dirtied by her ordeal. Her eyes widened in fear as the intruders entered, a mixture of disbelief and hope flickering in her gaze. the guard, recognizing the queen's dire state, swiftly moved to comfort her. However, the shock of their sudden appearance proved too much for Cordelia to bear. Overwhelmed, she succumbed to unconsciousness, her fragile form collapsing. The King's guard, quick to act, gently lifted her unconscious body, cradling her with utmost care.

The sight of Cordelia in such a pitiful condition struck a chord of sadness and remorse in everyone present. Here was a queen fallen from her pedestal, a poignant reminder of the harsh realities that lurked beneath the surface of royalty. As the chaos unfolded, Lorus, witnessing the scene, felt the weight of his actions crashing down upon him. In a desperate attempt to escape the impending repercussions, he made a futile dash towards the beach. But fate intervened swiftly as a vigilant King's guard intercepted him, bringing him crashing to the ground. Cecelia, Lorus's wife, stood witness to the tumultuous events unfolding before her. The shock and uncertainty mirrored in her eyes, amplified by the presence of their two children, Beatrice and Arthur. Their once-secure world unraveling before them, leaving behind a trail of shattered dreams and shattered trust.

The men led Lorus back to the awaiting ship, where he would be transported to the dungeons of Windenburg Castle pending further decisions by the King. Cecelia's gaze lingered on her departing husband, her hopes and dreams trailing after him into the distance.

Later that afternoon, within the grand courtyard of Windenburg Castle, the trial for the Jacoban Clergy unfolded. All implicated men, excluding Lord Richard, were paraded before the King enclosed in hanging iron cages, a stark spectacle that exposed their inner turmoil to the entire court. Edward's countenance transformed into a mask of fury and disappointment as he addressed the accused.

"I stand before you burdened by anger and profound disappointment," Edward's voice thundered through the courtyard, each word heavy with accusation. "You, who were entrusted with the spiritual guidance of our kingdom, have betrayed that sacred trust. The disappearance of my mother has cast a shadow over Windenburg, and your involvement in this vile act has brought shame upon us all."

The weight of Edward's words hung heavily in the air, reflected in the shame etched on the faces of the accused men, a visible testament to the gravity of their actions.

"Your actions are a crime against the crown, a sin against the Watcher, and a betrayal of the people of Windenburg," Edward's voice resounded with authority, condemning the accused before him. "No longer will your false piety shield you. Your titles, positions, and honor have been revoked. You will face justice, not by my hand but by the Proxy of the Jacoban Church in Tartosa. There, you will answer for your sins. May the Watcher have mercy on your souls, for the realm shall not."

Following the resolute verdict, Edward's expression shifted to one of disappointment and frustration, his gaze cast downward in contemplation. As Lorus was escorted to the castle, the weight of his actions bore heavily upon him. Stripped of his regal attire, he was cast into the cold, dark dungeon, where solitude became his only companion, leaving him to grapple with the consequences that not only befell him but also his family.

As the sun cast its final rays over Windenburg, Edward proceeded toward his mother's chambers, only to be halted by one of Cordelia's ladies-in-waiting. "Your Grace, please tread gently," she implored, her voice carrying a note of concern. "The Queen is in a fragile state, deeply traumatized by her ordeal. She remains disoriented and has retreated into herself, unable to recognize those around her. She needs time and delicate care to heal. Your presence may bring her comfort, but approach her with the utmost tenderness and patience. We are doing all we can to soothe her troubled mind."

With those words, the lady guided Edward into the room, where a scene of shock and disbelief unfolded before him.

"We've attempted to assist her into bed, Your Majesty, but she resists all efforts. It's as though the shadows of her captivity still haunt her, and she cannot bear the confines of the chamber," she continued with a tone of concern. "Leave us," Edward stated with a monotone gaze, acknowledging the delicate situation at hand.

Approaching Cordelia with careful steps, Edward crouched to her level, his voice filled with reassurance. "Wilhelm, please, I beg of you, do not come any closer. The darkness, the chains, they still bind me. I cannot bear to see you like this, a ghost of the past haunting me. Leave me be, I beg of you!" Cordelia cried out, her anguish palpable.

"Mother, it's me, Edward. Your son, not Wilhelm. You are safe now, away from the darkness and chains. I am here to protect you, to bring you back to the light. Please, trust me, and let me help you," the king stated softly, extending his hand to her. After a moment of hesitation, Cordelia finally allowed Edward to guide her to bed. As he walked away, a single tear glistened in his eye, bearing witness to the inner turmoil and doubt that lingered within the walls of Windenburg Castle.

[moodboard-d]

[mccoyquialisms]

Man I do wish we had gotten to know wtf Wannessa’s whole deal was

[coutureducoeur]

Elie Saab Fall 2003 Couture Fashion Show