#Duke sterling

[demisexualnathanvuornos]

Lucas Bryant +throwing

Nathan Wuornos in Haven 1x3 Harmony/ 1x12 Resurfacing (2010)

Duke Sterling in Country at Heart/Love Song (2020)

[clock-of-the-leaf]

Rewritting of Bridgertons

First of I want to say that it is in no way me bashing Julia Quinn. She has wrote a popular book series that she managed to put on the screen and for that she deserves alot of respect.

BUT

The books are a hot messes for many, many, many reasons, the three last one are ok but still quite questionable.

(I am obviously in no way claiming to be a better writter or that what I'll do will be good but I decided to rewrite and change what I didn't like and what I think could do better. )

Important information about this rewrite :

As I had hard time with honestly any of the love interest, ESPECIALLY, the boys one (with the exception of my boy Gregory, you were boring but cute) and that I felt like the women character had honestly a waste of potential I will change all of them a LOT. I will also rant about why I didn't like them in the first place.

As the books are so messy I also consider the series as canon and I have a lot of confusion about the way the society and great experiments was done ?! Like honestly WASTED potential.

This will NOT be historically accurate my dear friends purely fictional as I'll state multiple time.

[mrsterlingusa]

Christmas Place Setting

[camyfilms]

BLACK PANTHER 2018

You're a good man with a good heart. And it's hard for a good man to be king.

[ozu-teapot]

Me, Natalie | Fred Coe | 1969

Patty Duke, Nancy Marchand, Philip Sterling

[littlemuoi]

Prince Richard, later Duke of Gloucester picking flowers - Sterling Henry Nahum 'Baron' Gelatin silver print  16.1 x 10.6 cm

[wondereads]

Sapphic Book Recs for Pride 2024

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

Adult, high fantasy, 4.28 star average (my rating: 5 stars)

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

Adult, sci-fantasy, 4.29 star average (my rating: 5 stars)

The Winter Duke by Claire Eliza Bartlett

Young Adult, high fantasy, 3.55 star average (my rating: 5 stars)

Ace of Spades by Faridah Abike-Iyimide

Young Adult, thriller, 4.27 star average (my rating: 5 stars)

Crier's War by Nina Varela

Young Adult, high fantasy, 4.11 star average (my rating: 4.5 stars)

Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire

New Adult, low fantasy, 4.18 star average (my rating: 4.5 stars)

Seven Devils by L. R. Lam and Elizabeth May

Adult, space opera, 4.03 star average (my rating: 4.5 stars)

Malice by Heather Walter

Adult, fantasy romance, 3.97 star average (my rating: 4.5 stars)

Beguiled by Cyla Panin

Young Adult, high fantasy, 3.48 star average (my rating: 4 stars)

The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri

Adult, high fantasy, 4.21 star average (my rating: 3.5 stars)

Ash by Malinda Lo

Young Adult, fantasy romance, 3.57 star average (my rating: 3.5 stars)

We Ate the Dark by Mallory Pearson

New Adult, horror fantasy, 3.04 star average (my rating: 3 stars)

The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo

Adult, historical fantasy, 3.66 star average

The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow

Adult, historical fantasy, 4.13 star average

Flip the Script by Lyla Lee

Young Adult, contemporary romance, 3.64 star average

The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart

Adult, high fantasy, 4.07 star average

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan

Adult, historical fantasy, 4 star average

This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron

Young Adult, contemporary fantasy, 4.17 star average

Tink and Wendy by Kelly Ann Jacobson

Young Adult, low fantasy, 3.4 star average

The Tiger's Daughter by K. Arsenault Rivera

Adult, high fantasy, 3.84 star average

Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon

Adult, horror sci-fi, 4.04 star average

Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron

Young Adult, high fantasy, 3.65 star average

The Goddess of Nothing at All by Cat Rector

Adult, high fantasy, 4.23 star average

Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

Young Adult, historical romance, 4.28 star average

Gearbreakers by Zoe Hana Mikuta

Young Adult, dystopian sci-fi, 3.92 star average

The City of Dusk by Tara Sim

Adult, high fantasy, 3.72 star average

Foolish Hearts by Emma Mills

Young Adult, contemporary fiction, 4.25 star average

The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi

Adult, gothic fantasy, 3.83 star average

A Dowry of Blood by S. T. Gibson

Adult, gothic fantasy, 4.12 star average

Seven Faceless Saints by M. K. Lobb

Young Adult, high fantasy, 3.5 star average

Darker by Four by June CL Tan

Young Adult, contemporary fantasy, 4.11 star average

The Coldest Touch by Isabel Sterling

Young Adult, paranormal romance, 3.64 star average

Portrait of a Thief by Grace D. Lin

Adult, mystery thriller, 3.63 star average

Once & Future by Cory McCarthy and A. R. Capetta

Young Adult, sci-fantasy, 3.57 star average

The Traitor Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson

Adult, high fantasy, 4.1 star average

Wilder Girls by Rory Power

Young Adult, sci-fi horror, 3.48 star average

Afterworlds by Scott Westerfled

Young Adult, contemporary fiction/low fantasy, 3.69 star average

[orcboxer]

I'm duke sterling everything. I'm his knight. his vassal. his silly guard dog

[theroyalsims]

ROYAL WEDDING UPDATE: FAMILIAR FACES ARRIVE AT BRINDLETON ABBEY

It's most definitely a ROYAL wedding!

Guests have started to arrive for Gus and Anya's big day and some of them are quite familiar, especially to long-term royal fans!

Among the first to arrive were Prince Liam and Princess Marisse of Glimmerbrook. The couple happen to be good friends with The Crown Princess, and the latter was there during their wedding a few years ago.

The King and Queen of Sulani also graced the red carpet. Queen Marguerite paid homage to Brindleton by rocking a bright blue coat dress and matching accessories. Her Majesty has struck quite a friendship with The Crown Princess when the latter made her first official overseas tour to Sulani about a decade ago.

A pregnant Princess and a pregnant Queen were also photographed arriving at the Abbey. Princess Katrine, accompanied by her new husband, was blooming in violet. Her Royal Highness is pregnant with their first child, and is said to be in her first trimester. Princess Katrine, who used to date Prince Alistair, is good friends with both the Crown Princess and Princess Ingrid.

Selvadorada's Queen Julia, meanwhile, is in her second trimester. Her Majesty is expecting her third child with King Ishmael. Crown Princess Anya is actually the godmother of their eldest child, Princess Amara.

Speaking of "Selvadorada," King Ishmael's younger brother, Prince Alfonso (a.k.a Prince Fonsi), arrived separately. The handsome Prince and Crown Princess Anya go way back, first meeting as university students in Rennaux. The two were also romantically linked for years, but neither confirmed the rumours.

Interestingly enough, tennis superstar Sir Sterling Guildford was next to arrive. Sir Sterling, like Prince Fonsi, was also rumoured to have dated The Crown Princess. The stories, however, were never confirmed to be true.

Al-Simhara's teen monarch, King Hakim surprised royal watchers everywhere when he arrived at the Abbey. Relations between the Al-Simharan Royal Family and the Brindleton Royal Family are said to be "strained," which can be traced back to then Crown Princess Emilia's broken engagement (once upon a time, our Queen was engaged to King Hakim's father, the late King Phillip), all the way to the drama that surrounded Eleanore and Ibrahim's two engagements and subsequent marriage. However, a certain degree of civility appears to be maintained, at least for official occasions. Crown Princess Anya represented Brindleton during the late King's funeral. For what it's worth, the young King Hakim seems to have nothing against Anya and the other Brindleton royals. The same probably can't be said about his brother Ibrahim and his sister-in-law, Eleanore, though.

The Crown Princess Gianna of Tartosa, and her husband, Prince Armando, were also present for the occasion. Her Royal Highness recently gave birth to their first child a few months ago. The Tartosan royal couple, especially the Crown Princess, is great friends with Crown Princess Anya. Anya has credited Gianna for being the "matchmaker" that brought her back together with Gus.

Rennaux was also well-represented. The Rennauxi Queen, Josephine, accompanied by her Prince Consort and her daughter, Crown Princess Theodora, also walked the red carpet after arriving via one of the state limousines. Queen Josephine is Prince Jacques' eldest sister, which makes her the bride's paternal aunt.

The "royal cousins" were also in full force! The usually elusive Holm brothers showed up to support Anya. Luke was accompanied by his wife, Penny. Leon was also joined by his wife, Lady Chloe. Luke's son is a page boy, while Leon's daughter is one of Anya's bridesmaids.

Empress Alice's daughters from her first marriage were also present. First to arrive was Olivia Dorsey-Chegeya, along with her husband, PM Khari of Zauvuria. The Duke and Duchess of Fjord (Emily and Garrett) followed close by. Olivia and Khari's son is one of the page boys, while Emily and Garrett's daughter is a bridesmaid.

Last but definitely not the least, Empress Alice and Emperor Kenji also walked down the red carpet. They were joined by the Emperor's daughter from his first marriage, Hanna, Princess Royal. The wedding marks Princess Hanna's first big international event. The lovely young lady looked beautiful in a blue maxi dress, which she accessorised with a bejewelled fascinator.

Stay tuned for more royal wedding updates and arrivals!

[sloanesallow]

january reads

Here's everything I read (or continued to read) in January. Please note I work from home, have no social life, and pretty much no hobbies other than reading and writing....so I have a lot of free time.

Consider this one big fan-fic reading recommendation list.

Ongoing stories:

Can I Make It Any More Obvious? by @morelikeravenbore

How to Make a Villain by @morelikeravenbore

Secrets of the Silent Stars by @anomalyaly

Where the Stars Wait For Us by @sunsetplums

Where the Moon Is Blue by @totomoowrites

The Forsaken Keeper: Memories Unraveled

Sebastian Sallow Fucking Sucks by @bookie-bookdust

Arm's Length by @whizzing-fizzbee

The Shape of Your Body is Blue by @endless-starlight-legacy

Before If Felt Like a Sin by @myokk

this hell we create by @galaxiasgreen

Completed Stories:

If I Didn't Exist by @endless-starlight-legacy

Fading Light by @sunsetplums

Note Taking by @myokk

My New Dream by @anomalyaly

Death By a Thousand Freckles by @whizzing-fizzbee

Looking for some book recs? Here are all the books I read and audiobooks I listed to in January:

📚Physical Books:

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Interesting Facts About Space by Emily Austin ⭐⭐

The Wedding Witch by Erin Sterling ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Iona Iverson's Rules For Commuting by Clare Pooley ⭐DNF

Never Met a Duke Like You by Amalie Howard ⭐⭐⭐⭐

🎧Audiobooks:

The Opposite of Butterfly Hunting by Evanna Lynch ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Dinner For Vampires by Bethany Joy Lenz ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Rural Diaries by Hilarie Burton Morgan ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[the-jewel-catalogue]

Gifts from Poland

The then Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were presented with gifts, to remember their time in Poland. 

Amber Cufflinks for Prince William, designed by art professor Sławomir Fijalkowski of Gdańsk, were handcrafted using sterling silver and cherry amber, whilst Princess Kate was gifted a statement necklace featuring 14-carat-gold and a spherical butterscotch amber stone.

[gvfgal]

How to Fall in Love in Ten Days

*New Series*

18+ Series

A/n: The people have spoken!! Here’s day 2. 🥰 Let me know if you’d like to be added to the taglist!

Content Warnings: A bit of arguing but that’s all!

Word Count: 5.1k

Day Two: The Dinner

The soft murmur of whispers roused you from your heavy slumber. You lay still, feigning sleep, to discern what was being said.

"What do you think could’ve happened?" one voice asked in hushed tones.

"Maybe the Duke and the Duchess got a bit carried away last night," another giggled.

"Well, I think she threw it at his head. Can’t blame her if she did," a third voice interjected.

You recalled then the shattered remnants of the porcelain vase you had hurled at the door the previous night. Your lady’s maids must have discovered the fragments upon entering to dress you for the morning. You could hardly fault them for their curiosity; you would likely have felt the same in their position.

"That’s enough gossiping, you three," Roslyn’s authoritative voice joined the chorus, instantly silencing the others. "Mildred, go fetch someone to clean up this mess," she commanded, the sound of light footsteps hurrying out of the room following her words. "And as for the two of you, straighten up. We must remain professional for the new lady of the house. Keep all your wonderings to yourselves."

At that moment, you decided to rouse yourself, saving your remaining maids from further mortification. You stretched languidly and let your eyes flutter open, as though just emerging from sleep.

Roslyn smiled at you pleasantly, masking the stern reprimand she had issued to the maids moments ago.

"Good morning, Your Grace. How was your rest?"

You caught one of your lady’s maids casting a furtive glance at the broken vase on the floor before she quickly resumed her duties.

"I slept well," you replied with a tired grin, though it was a falsehood. The majority of the night had been spent tossing and turning, your mind riddled with turmoil and an unsatisfied yearning. "Thank you for asking."

"Breakfast is being prepared. Shall we ready you for the day so that you may join His Grace in the breakfast parlor?"

The mere mention of Daniel elicited a flicker of an expression on your face—an echo of the confusing emotions that had filled your chamber the previous night. Though you swiftly concealed it, you knew Roslyn had noticed.

Throwing back the thick comforter, you nodded to the women awaiting your command. "Let us proceed," you declared with a semblance of resolve.

Preparations took considerably less time than you had anticipated, leaving you somewhat crestfallen. You had Roslyn pin and unpin your hair thrice, feigning dissatisfaction with each arrangement. In truth, the style had been impeccable from the first, but you were merely stalling, reluctant to face the Duke after the night’s disconcerting events—or rather, the night that had failed to transpire.

Roslyn, ever perceptive, understood your ploy. Her skill in coiffure was beyond reproach, and she knew it. Yet, she indulged your delaying tactics with patience.

When you could delay no longer, you descended to the breakfast parlor, where Daniel had already commenced his meal. He was engrossed in a newspaper, which you suspected was not so pressing as to warrant his attention at breakfast.

The staff of Sterling House were stationed about the room, dutiful as ever. Among them stood Sebastian, who, despite his welcoming demeanor, you knew was awaiting an opportunity to discuss pressing matters.

"Good morning, your Grace," he greeted, prompting Daniel to glance up briefly from his paper in your direction.

Daniel’s gaze was heavy and fleeting, his attention swiftly returning to his reading material.

A servant assisted you into your chair, and another emerged from the kitchen to present your plate. The atmosphere was thick with unspoken tension, each movement in the room accentuating the silence that loomed between you and the Duke.

When Sebastian perceived the silent chasm between you and Daniel, he cleared his throat and proceeded, somewhat awkwardly.

“Now that both your Graces are present, there are a few matters I should like to discuss regarding your forthcoming schedule as newlyweds.”

Newlyweds. The word evoked images of blissful beginnings, yet it felt hollow and mockingly incongruous with the reality of your union.

“As you are both undoubtedly aware,” Sebastian continued, “these initial days of your marriage are designated as your honeymoon. We shall still honor this period of repose. However, it is imperative that we also begin to reintegrate the Duke into society, not merely as a name, but as a visible presence.”

Daniel’s eyes rolled subtly at the mention of the honeymoon, a gesture that did not escape your notice. You bit your tongue, refraining from voicing the retort that hovered on the tip of it, and instead, you picked up your fork, methodically beginning your meal in silence.

"As for today, we have left your schedules free to fill with whatever activities you please. However, on the morrow, the two of you are to visit the Duchy, where the Duchess shall acquaint herself with the land, and the villagers may have the pleasure of meeting their new mistress. The following day, you are both expected to attend Lord and Lady Billingly’s annual end-of-spring ball, held in your honor this year."

Sebastian continued his discourse, much of which you found difficult to follow. Every so often, Daniel would steal glances at you across the modestly sized table. Though you did not always catch his eye, you could invariably feel the weight of his gaze.

His stare elicited a physical response within you, prompting you to shift in your seat when it became overwhelming. Resisting the urge to meet his eyes was a considerable effort.

Daniel was impeccably dressed and groomed, reminding you of how striking he had appeared in your chambers the previous night, stirring those same tumultuous feelings within you.

When your gazes finally met, it was clear he too was reflecting on the previous evening, though it was difficult to discern which particulars occupied his thoughts.

You averted your eyes, casting them down to your plate as you endeavored to finish your meal.

"And finally, the ball to be held here at Sterling House a week hence. This will be your final public display of true companionship before you resume your many duties as Duke and Duchess."

Sebastian glanced between you and Daniel, noting the palpable tension that lingered still.

"Any questions?"

Daniel's chair scraped loudly against the floor as he rose from the table, wiping his mouth with a napkin before seizing his paper.

"No questions. Thank you, Sebastian," he answered for both of you, his tone cordial yet clipped. "Should you need me, I shall be in my study."

He made his exit, the eyes of everyone in the room, including your own, following his departure. A toxic silence filled the room again, laden with concealed looks of confusion and curiosity. A few even appeared to pity you.

Roslyn, who had been quietly occupied across the room, approached you with a gentle air, offering a sense of rescue.

"Your Grace," she spoke softly, "once you have finished your meal, I thought it best to give you an official tour of Sterling House and its grounds."

When you had envisioned this tour, you had imagined your new husband by your side, sharing the stories and memories the home held from his own perspective.

Part of you still wished this were true. You desired Daniel’s company, hoping for an opportunity to be near him longer. But another, stronger, resolute part of you was relieved that you need not share his space or gaze upon him, no matter how handsome he was. You did not think you could endure any more of his attitude without revealing a side of yourself better kept hidden.

"That sounds lovely, Roslyn," you agreed, "I should like that very much."

Sebastian, who had been eyeing you cautiously, offered a courteous nod, though his expression bore a worry that you could tell was on your behalf.

He exited the room in the direction Daniel had taken, leaving you to finish the remainder of your meal in an uncomfortable silence.

Roslyn conducted the tour with meticulous care, guiding you through Sterling House with an abundance of information and stories at every turn.

First, the Drawing Room, where Daniel's parents had once hosted gatherings for their intimate circle with nearly weekly regularity. It had been fifteen years since such lively assemblies had filled the space.

Next, the Parlor, adorned by Daniel’s late mother and preserved precisely as she had arranged it. You entertained the hope that, one day, you might retreat there with your own friends, seeking refuge from the Duke’s company.

The Library followed, an expansive repository of knowledge that far surpassed the collection at your former home. Here, you lingered, browsing the myriad titles and mentally cataloging which books you would devour first, anticipating ample leisure time.

“Does the Duke ever read any of these?” you mused aloud, letting your fingers glide over the spines of the volumes.

“He was once an avid reader,” Roslyn replied with a soft chuckle. “Nowadays, his reading is confined mostly to ledgers and correspondence. Yet, there are nights when I notice light seeping from beneath the door late into the evening, suggesting that his inquisitive nature remains.”

You tried to envision the Duke, ensconced in one of the plush velvet chairs near the fireplace on a cold night, absorbed in tales of fiction and adventure. The image seemed almost incongruous, a man like him indulging in anything other than his relentless work.

Next was the music room, where an extensive collection of various instruments adorned the perimeter. The large grand piano immediately caught your eye.

“Do you play?” Roslyn inquired, her tone gentle.

“I haven’t in years,” you replied with a touch of melancholy. “Not since my father passed. He was the one who enjoyed my playing the most.”

Roslyn offered a sympathetic look, keenly aware that this was not the moment to delve deeper into such personal sorrow.

“His Grace has quite the knack for music as well. He has mastered nearly every instrument in this room, though he too hasn't touched any of them in some time.”

You found it difficult to picture, yet the thought was intriguing. How you wished in vain that he might display his musical talents for you one day.

Roslyn then led you through the ballroom, now devoid of the large crowd from your wedding. Standing at its center, you looked up towards the high ceilings, feeling a sense of smallness at its heart.

Next were the many bedrooms. One, with grand doors, she identified as Daniel’s. She did not take you inside, leaving you to conjure daydreams of its interior. You imagined the Duke wandering through it, dressed in attire meant only for his private moments.

You thought of him lying in his large bed, perhaps wearing even less...

Quickly, you withdrew from such fantasies before your mind could wander too far. Clearing your throat, you smiled at Roslyn. “Shall we continue?”

Down the hall, you paused by another set of double doors.

"His Grace's study," Roslyn whispered, careful not to disturb him. "Inside, it can expand into a much larger office for holding meetings."

You nodded, hesitant to speak lest he hear you lurking in the corridor.

"You probably won’t spend much time there," Roslyn continued, "you have your own private study for when you officially assume your duties as Duchess." She gestured further down the expansive hallway. "Let me show it to you."

From the study, you proceeded to the gentleman's room, designated for Daniel's gatherings with other men of rank, though Roslyn noted it was seldom used. That revelation did not surprise you.

Next, she led you through the servants' quarters, the kitchen, the gallery filled with dozens of one-of-a-kind pieces, the wine cellar stocked to the brim, and finally to the conservatory, where an array of plants stretched in every direction.

"The late Duchess adored having tea in here," Roslyn remarked. The allure was unmistakable, and you could easily envision partaking in that ritual one day.

At last, the interior tour concluded, and Roslyn escorted you out of the conservatory into the courtyard that led to the garden.

You had eagerly anticipated this part of the tour all morning, and it did not disappoint.

Beautiful was an understatement. The multitude of flora and greenery left you in awe. While you had greatly admired your garden back home, the grandeur of the Sterling House garden far surpassed it.

“His Grace takes great pride in this garden, employing gardeners year-round to ensure it meets his exacting standards.”

You wandered through the garden, taking in each unique flower and noting the meticulous care evident in every detail. Roslyn trailed behind, allowing you to explore at your leisure while she herself enjoyed a rare moment of quiet appreciation.

As you turned a corner, an opening revealed a large window leading to Daniel’s study. The curtains were drawn, offering you an unobstructed view of Daniel at his desk, a focused frown etched onto his face as his quill moved swiftly across the paper.

You watched him for a while, lost in thought, until you felt Roslyn’s presence beside you.

“Hard at work, I suppose?” Her tone was light, almost teasing, as she too glanced at the Duke.

“Is he always this way?” you asked, eyes still fixed on him.

“In what way, miss?” Roslyn’s feigned ignorance was transparent, yet she maintained her professional demeanor.

“So rigid. So brooding.”

Roslyn smiled, a hint of sadness in her expression. She took a moment before responding, and you listened intently.

“I have had the pleasure of serving His Grace since he was a mere babe in swaddle cloth,” she began with a soft chuckle. “He was a happy child—curious, a bit silly at times. But all of that seemed to fade once he took on the title. It was a tremendous responsibility for one so young, and on top of that, he was newly orphaned and alone. Yes, he had Sebastian and me, along with the rest of his staff, but no matter how long we’ve known him, we are still just that—his staff. Nothing more.”

For the first time, you felt a pang of sadness for the Duke. You had never considered his past in such a light, yet it still did not explain why he treated you so coldly now.

“I say all of this to impart,” she continued, “His Grace is unaccustomed to companionship. This is all very new to him. There has been no one else in this house other than us for fifteen years, and such solitude can be quite an adjustment. Those fifteen years have been filled with nothing but work; it is all he knows now. It is difficult to break such ingrained habits and learn to enjoy life again. But, miss,” she caught your attention, and you finally broke your gaze from the window to look at her, “please do not give up on him. He has chosen a wonderful bride without even realizing it. I’d hate for him to miss out on the joy I know you could bring to his life because you both gave up before giving this marriage a fighting chance.”

You both looked back at the window. “In time, I believe the walls he has built around himself will crumble, and we shall see the return of the boy we once knew.”

At that moment, Daniel glanced outside. Seeing you and Roslyn watching him, his frown deepened. He rose from his desk and marched to the window, snatching the curtains shut and leaving you both in the dark.

You could only roll your eyes. Roslyn’s hopeful words seemed like mere wishful thinking. If that wall were ever to crumble, it certainly wouldn’t be today.

Feigning indifference to Daniel’s brusque action, you turned to Roslyn with a smile. “I think I’d like to visit the library again.”

You spent the remainder of your afternoon in the library, perusing the stack of books you had collected. Though the atmosphere was quiet and comfortable, a restlessness lingered within you.

Periodically, you glanced toward the door, hoping against hope that Daniel might appear. It maddened you how conflicted your feelings were towards him. On one hand, you could scarcely tolerate your new husband. His presence was a constant source of irritation; each interaction with him had proven futile, his loathsome attitude only kindling your anger.

Yet, you could not deny the attraction. Perhaps it was the enigma that surrounded him—the not knowing. Beyond the bare facts of his title and the burden of his duties from a young age after being orphaned, you knew nothing of him. And he, nothing of you.

Perhaps, if he were to finally let his guard down, you might glimpse a husband worth your patience. Or, perhaps, you would confirm that he is indeed as cold as he portrays himself to be. At least then, you would know how to proceed.

However, such revelations would remain elusive if he continued to ignore your presence and barely speak a word to you.

And then, there was the matter of the previous night. You could still feel the trace of his fingers across your skin, the intensity in his eyes as he beheld you in your nightgown. The memory of it caused you to shift uncomfortably in your seat, your attempts to focus on your book proving futile.

You wondered if, had things unfolded as they were meant to that night, the present might be different. Yet, you were glad you had resisted. If he intended to play games, then so would you.

It did not occur to you how long you had been nestled away in the library until the door creaked open behind you.

You turned swiftly, half expecting to be met by the dashing visage of the Duke. But when Roslyn appeared in the doorway, your shoulders slouched in disappointment. Roslyn noticed but chose to remain silent.

“The cooks are almost done preparing dinner, your Grace. Shall we get you freshened up?”

You managed a smile before setting aside the book you had been engrossed in. “Yes, I was just beginning to feel hungry.”

Roslyn admired your resolve. It was one of the many qualities she saw in you that made you the perfect wife for the Duke and an exemplary Duchess.

She ushered you upstairs to your chambers, where the maids from earlier were already waiting to attend to their duties.

Thirty minutes later, Roslyn escorted you back down to the dining room. It was lit solely by candlelight, and the expansive dining table was ornately decorated, as if for a special occasion, though you knew this was not the Duke’s doing.

The staff were stationed around the room as usual, and Daniel, of course, was already seated at the far end of the table, partaking in his meal.

You paused at the threshold, observing the way the candlelight danced across his features. Yet, it did not evoke the feelings you had anticipated.

Instead, you were perturbed by his refusal to wait for your presence before commencing his meal. It was another slight, another affront. And still, he refused to acknowledge your arrival, not even granting you a cursory glance.

Determined not to enter meekly as you had at breakfast, you made sure that the sound of your heels on the floor was pronounced as you walked to your seat. Yet, he did not look up.

One of the men approached to assist you into your chair, but you stopped him, pulling out your own chair and seating yourself with a pointed flourish.

A few eyes in the room shifted, but no one dared comment on the scene unfolding before them.

Daniel’s own presence was marked solely by the faint scrape of utensils against his plate. His gaze resolutely avoided yours, fixed intently on anything but you, as he consumed his meal with an unnecessary haste.

You gave your own plate a once over.

Duck. You detested duck, truly loathed it.

But, of course, that was the least of Daniel’s concerns. He hadn’t even taken the time to discern your preferences. And this, was the final straw.

“I’m sorry,” you laughed, though there was no mirth in it, “but this is utterly ridiculous.”

The Duke’s eyes flicked up, instantly annoyed, but you couldn’t have cared less. His gaze was cold, his jaw clenched, and the light tapping of his foot reverberated through the icy room.

“What, pray tell, is it you’re referring to?”

You scowled at him. “It is you I am referring to,” you spat, “behaving like a petulant child.”

“I beg your pardon?” His attention was finally yours, albeit for all the wrong reasons. You pressed on, using his irritation to fuel your own resolve.

“Are we truly to spend the rest of our days like this? You hiding away in your office all day, ignoring me at every meal, acknowledging my presence solely when the matter of an heir arises? Surely, that cannot be the entirety of this marriage.”

The Duke let his fork fall to the table with a clatter that made everyone in the room start.

“For heaven’s sake, what more do you require of me?” His voice thundered in the room, “I have made you a duchess, placed you in the grandest house in the land, provided you with the finest staff, and ensured that your every whim is catered to. What else could you possibly desire?”

Your voice rose as you retorted, “do you truly believe that is all it takes for a happy marriage?”

“For a content one, yes!”

Your ire grew with each passing moment, and you stood abruptly from the table. “This cannot be what contentment looks like to you, Daniel.”

Matching your movement, Daniel rose as well, his chair crashing to the ground with a resounding thud.

“I have endured this existence for over fifteen years, while you were lost in the dreams of girlhood, weaving fantasies of love.”

“Oh, and so you deem it your right to shatter those dreams and drag me into your wretched world of loneliness?”

Daniel fell silent, his retort dying on his lips. You knew you had bested him in this exchange, yet the victory brought you no solace, your heart too heavy with sorrow.

Tears brimming in your eyes, you turned to exit the dining hall, leaving your untouched meal behind, your footsteps echoing in the oppressive silence. All you desired was to put as much distance between you and Daniel as possible.

But before you could make your exit, you turned back to him with a venomous stare, “And if you had taken the time to consider anything about me, your wife, you’d know that I find duck repulsive. But quite frankly, not as repulsive as I find you in this moment.”

Daniel stared in the direction you had fled, your words haunting him. His gaze fell upon your untouched plate, and his frustration reignited.

“Dinner is over. Clean this, please,” he commanded to the staff, his voice tinged with a bitterness he could not shake. Turning, he retreated in the opposite direction, seeking to widen the chasm between you both.

One of the maids from earlier, who had the misfortune of passing through the dining room at the moment of the outburst, paused beside Roslyn before proceeding to the kitchen. "I told you, she hurled the vase at his head," she whispered.

Daniel remained ensconced in his office as the grand clock struck midnight, diligently attending to his work. In truth, the task could have awaited the morrow, but the Duke found himself unusually productive when fueled by anger. Since your union, he had ample fury to sustain his labors.

He could not fathom why you had such a profound effect on him, how you could evoke such intense emotions, but he resented it. It was the reason he endeavored to spend so much time away from you. He was unaccustomed to anyone being so close, even if he kept you at arm's length.

When he decided to take a wife, he had expected it to be a matter akin to any other business transaction, especially given his motivations. Yet, he quickly realized he had underestimated the complexity of the arrangement. He had assumed that providing a life of luxury would suffice, but he was mistaken.

Least of all had he anticipated a wife so strong-willed, slightly ill-tempered, yet devastatingly beautiful. Your presence was disconcerting, compounding the difficulty of adjusting to companionship.

Throughout the day, his mind was plagued by visions of you in your bedchamber, a haunting reminder of the desires he had not fulfilled before things had soured further.

Now you found him repulsive; those were your own words. Yet, his hardened spirit refused to let those words alter his approach. He resolved to carry on with business as usual, with or without your cooperation.

There came a knock at his door then, and Daniel half-expected you to enter, perhaps with an apology for your outburst at dinner, though he knew that was unlikely.

Instead, it was Sebastian who entered quietly, lingering by the door after shutting it behind him.

“Sebastian,” the Duke called out without looking up from his work, “if you are here to deliver a lecture on my deficiencies as a husband, I assure you I am not inclined to hear it.”

“Oh no, Your Grace, it is not my place to comment on the sort of husband you are.”

Daniel waited, knowing that more words would surely follow.

“It is just that... you do realize that when the decision was made for you to marry, it was not merely to mend your societal image, but also to afford you the opportunity to begin anew as a man.”

Daniel sighed in frustration, running a hand through his hair. He would have preferred a reprimand about his inadequacies as a husband.

“And why, pray tell, would I need to start anew, Sebastian?” Daniel purposely avoided the obvious point his private secretary was making. “I have been perfectly fine thus far; I see no need for change.”

Sebastian, accustomed to such discourse with the Duke, was undeterred by his abrasiveness.

“Your work has consumed you these past years, stealing much of your happiness. But sir, you have a chance at genuine, true happiness within your grasp. Yet it seems you are intent on sabotaging it. It appears you would rather condemn both her and yourself to a lifetime of dissatisfaction than step out of your comfort zone to ensure the success of your union.” Sebastian’s tone was firm but respectful, his words coming from a place of genuine concern.

“It is not that, Sebastian,” Daniel retorted in frustration, “it is just... I do not know her.”

Sebastian folded his hands in front of him and nodded, “Exactly, Your Grace. You do not know her. And you may never get the chance to know her if you continue on this path.”

"She is nothing but a distraction, Sebastian. A distraction from the work I have endeavored tirelessly to master. I cannot simply alter all that I have established over the years merely because she finds herself dissatisfied with our arrangement."

Silence enveloped the room as Sebastian allowed Daniel's words to settle in the air, giving him a moment for reflection.

"Well, if that is how you truly feel, then there is little I can do to sway you. I only implore you to consider the essence of what I have said tonight." With that, Sebastian turned to make his silent exit. Once he was gone, the Duke finally relaxed in his chair, though not without a sense of lingering unease.

He pondered deeply, his thoughts churning like a tempest. Yet, the more he ruminated, the more confusion clouded his mind. Attempting to resume his work proved futile, his focus shattered. Noticing the hour had crept far past midnight, he decided to call it a night and retire to his chambers.

As he extinguished the lights scattered about his office, he made his way to the third level. Passing by your bedroom, he saw light spilling from beneath the door, casting a soft glow into the hallway. The illumination signaled to him that you were still awake.

He hesitated, his hand hovering near the door, deliberating whether to knock. If you answered, he was uncertain of what he would say, what he would do. The prospect of a confrontation, of further complicating the tenuous peace, weighed heavily upon him.

For several moments, his fist lingered in mid-air before he willed himself to withdraw. He reasoned that you would not wish to be disturbed at such a late hour, least of all by the man who had become the source of your anguish. Though causing you distress was never his intention, he knew any assurances he offered would likely fall on deaf ears.

The Duke had already dug himself into a profound chasm with you, and he feared it might indeed be too late to extricate himself from it.

Taglist: @jakekiszkashangnail08 @freyjalw @josh-iamyour-mama

[butterfingersgutterball]

I never want DS9 to be rebooted but a fun thought experiment is casting it if it was so here’s my picks (I want to hear yours in the comments)

1. Benjamin Sisko: Mahershala Ali

2. Kira Nerys: Amber Midthunder

3. Odo: Elliot Page

4. Jadzia Dax: Janelle Monae

5. Julian Bashir: Joel Kim Booster

6. Quark: Elijah Wood

7. Miles & Keiko O’Brien: Andrew Scott & Sonoya Mizuno

8. Jake Sisko: Kedar Williams-Sterling

9. Worf: Winston Duke

BONUS

10. Garak: Miguel Ángel Silvestre

11. Kasidy Yates: Octavia Spencer

12. Kai Winn: Olivia Coleman

13. Ezri Dax: Dua Saleh

14. Rom: Charlie Day

15. Leeta: Aimee Lou Wood

[robyese3]

K. I'm writing this into the void but I have nobody to talk bridgerton to. I blow the dust off my Tumblr to rant. Season 3. Here we go

PT. 1

Trash. All four episodes could have honestly been condensed to one, maaaaybe two to compensate for all the side plots. It did nothing to redeem Penelope.

It did however make me love Cressida, and further convinced me Eloise is queer. That said - Claudia Jessie so far has had chemistry with every single person (Benedict, Penelope, Cressida, Theo). Maybe it's just her. Philip was cardboard though so... We'll see if she can rescue that.

Why would the wig department do my boy Colin like that? Dirtyyy.

Francesca is GORGEOUS. She does look older than Daphne and Eloise, but I don't even care. Stunning. And John is a button.

Where did Luke and Nicola's chemistry go?!

KANTHONY. Only redeeming factor, and not enough of them.

What happened to Debling? Why wouldn't they just have HIM marry Cressida???? Like...?? It would have been perfect.

I love the Mondrich's story line - why is everyone hating? I do agree that it would have been a great way to reintroduce the Duke into the story though. Kinda mentor them through it. I get Rege-Jean wanted out but like... Recast it?

PT 2

Ahhh there is their chemistry. Found it.

I am HERE for mama Featherignton's redemption arc. Only works because she seems genuinely remorseful.

Incredibly disappointed with the Cressida storyline. Just wrecked a really dynamic story. Ruined Eloise's character growth (which she desperately needs) and just undid the awesome set up from pt 1. Felt so wasteful, unnecessary, and sad.

Most of the sex scenes were hot as hell but there was one (I don't remember which) was kinda awkward getting off the ground. They were like... Talking too much? Haha

Daphne not being there for Colin NOR Francesca's wedding? Yeah right. Get your casting contracts figured out bridgerton! This family can't be this close and just be missing major events. Would never happen. Lock them actors in from day 1.

I felt like Colin's arc from finding out to supporting her was really vulnerable, realistic, and well done. He was hurt and angry, but never stopped loving her. Just needed to process and he defended her tooth and nail despite knowing she didn't want to quit it. Good job kiddo.

Ok does Benedict do ANYTHING else but fvck? So grateful they finally admitted he's queer. And I wish they would have gotten to that part of his development in pt 1 so we could see him navigating it more.

When Colin said he had to talk to Benedict about getting the money, and implying that Benedict has some responsibility in the family with Anthony's absence - that was the biggest character development for him outside of his sexuality.

Philippa has NOT gotten enough screentime during this series. How are we just seeing how delightful she is now?!

Part 2 did such a better job at redeeming Penelope. I drank the Kool aid, back on team Penelope. Wrecked Eloise though. Sorry girl. Be better.

Michaela Sterling. Was kinda digging the "soft" love, and autistic thing that was circling the Internet so I was a little disappointed to see that all it was is that she's actually not attracted to him (knew the second they kissed haha). BUT the actress is stunning and I'm intrigued on how they'll develop Francesca's yearning for children with the queer storyline.

I would have loved for another King George cameo. Or just an update on his health, idk. Anything.

All in all, this show could do with adding another episode or two to it's roster and figuring out their pacing earlier on ESPECIALLY if you're going to be splitting the season. And even more so, if you're going to be juggling 82 different storylines.

If we're slowly shifting back to traditional tv practices (weekly releases episodes, commercials, etc), let the next thing be a full episode count. Done with this single digit amount episode. Order at least 10-12 episodes!

[problematic-faves-appreciation]

TWs: Abuse, ableism mention, miscarriage mention, suicide mention, stalking, revenge porn mention, child death mention, non-consensual somnophilia mention

I decided to take this reblog and make it into its own post. The list shall keep growing!

Problematic Millionaire/Billionaire/CEO/Tycoon Romance Male Leads Who Make Hades (Lore Olympus) Look Like Perfection Incarnate!

I ranked these guys differently here, color-wise, than I did on a certain list of mine.

The billionaire MMC (male main character) is a problematic romance hero known for generally being an asshole to his lover — Hades stands as THE ultimate exception to that rule — so I chose characters that stand out from the others regarding their douchebaggery towards the FMCs.

Cesare Falcone and his lover — The manga adaptation left out a lot of stuff, but it sure visually captured his jerkass energy perfectly. Don't let his orange status 🟠 fool you into thinking he's less of a cruel hero. This dude, not even a dark romance MMC, told his wife he would kill her if she cheated on him. Maybe he was bluffing, but still... yikes.

Billionaires are the dukes of contemporary romance, and vice versa (historical romance).

All of these guys got a HEA. Or will get one, in James Roth's case.

Top = Most Problematique

⚫ Richard Payne (Dark Obsession series by Zoe Blake)

Known for gaslighting his object of obsession into believing she was "actually" in the 19th century.

⚫ Gage Channing (The Devil's Kiss series by Gemma James)

Blackmailed the heroine to become his slave, or else he would have turned her over to the police and not paid for her sickly daughter's cancer treatment if she hadn't given in to his demands.

⚫️ Drew Kelley (The Underestimated series by Jettie Woodruff)

Abused his wife for 6 years over something that wasn't her fault.

⚫ Tony Rawlings (Consequences series by Aleatha Romig)

The man was a woman's worst nightmare.

He influenced the course of FMC's life for years, since she was a college sophomore (about 19 years old). His plans led to her abduction at the age of 26.

⚫ Joshua Smith (Tamara, Taken by Ginger Talbot)

A sadistic, billionaire/serial killer.

⚫ Quincy "Q" Mercer (Monsters in the Dark series by Pepper Winters)

🔴 Calvin Cutler (Descent by Sam Marino)

Abducted her cat.

🔴 Jesse Ward (This Man series by Jodi Ellen Malpas)

🔴 Nicholas Challoner (The Guarded Heart by Robyn Donald)

A proto-dark romance MMC?

Blackmailed the heroine into marrying him/ becoming his brood mare.

🔴 Nikolas Constantinos (All That Glitters by Linda Howard)

Also something of a proto-dark romance MMC. And the word "no" doesn't exist in his dictionary. FMC tried to escape him, but he caught her; "I would have had you back within two days at the most."

🔴 Gray Rutherford (Kiss From A Rose by Maya Alden)

Emotionally abused and neglected his wife to the point where she became suicidal. He treated her poorly for 20 years.

🔴 James Roth (Singed series by Mia Knight)

Blackmailed his ex-wife into remarrying him. He treats her like she's his possession.

🔴 Malachi Sterling (Shameless Vows by Katherine L. Evans)

The duke MMC caused his wife's miscarriage when he dragged her down a flight of stairs. He impregnated FMC with the main intention of taking their child away from her, and keeping them apart for the rest of her life.

🔴 Milo Sinclair (Quarantine series by Drethi Anis)

A parental figure/legal guardian–dependant relationship mixed with romance and addiction. Makes for a very toxic dynamic.

🔴 Sebastian Everett (Virtue & Vanity by Astrid Jane Ray)

His wife was completely terrified of him — and not in a fun, she-secretly-digs-that kind of way.

🔴 Callum McCord (Liars Like Us by J.T. Geissinger)

Manipulated FMC's life for five years, creating her dire financial situation to make her accept his marriage of convenience proposal. As if that wasn't bad enough, he recorded their marriage in Vatican City — trapping her! Divorce is illegal there.

🔴 Grayson Maxwell (Notice by K. Webster)

Makes Edward "watches Bella sleep at night" Cullen look normal.

Boss/employee; This guy snuck into FMC's apartment, did things to her while she was asleep, and hid/slept under her bed numerous times.

🟠 Miles Osborne (Everything for Her by Alexa Riley)

Started orchestrating the heroine's life after meeting her as a high schooler. He was five years older than her.

🟠 Lucio Masterton (At the Spaniard's Convenience by Margaret Mayo)

Destroyed FMC's small company — her life work that she ran for about 15 years — to make her dependent on him. He won.

🟠 Mark Walker (Faithless Duet by Skyler Mason)

Cheated on his wife for 15 years out of spite.

🟠 Zack King (The Land Where Sinners Atone by V.F. Mason)

Had the FMC beaten to a pulp in prison, and stole her baby. He never apologized for the latter. Did not grovel.

🟠 Scott Blackstone (You Can Have Manhattan by P. Dangelico)

This man's the only MMC here that I hate. A lot. I'm still upset about the crappy cabin, and his public slandering of FMC. >:c

🟠 Noah Carter (Best Served Cold by Maya Alden)

Made a sex tape with FMC — without her knowledge — to blackmail her father. As a result, he ruined her life, and she lost her home.

🟠 Cesare Falcone (A Savage Betrayal by Lynne Graham)

Harlequin Presents sure loves its vengeful, Mediterranean billionaire heroes!

Isolated FMC at his castle home in Sicily, which was several miles away from the nearest village.

🟠 Killian Spencer (A Vow of Hate by Lylah James)

Repeatedly called the scarred heroine "beasty".

🟠 Christian Grey (Fifty Shades)

Many of the guys on this list make Grey look tame.

🟠 Preston Parker (Two Weeks Notice by Whitney G.)

FMC, who was also Preston's executive assistant, tried quitting her job on account of his bosshole ways — but she couldn't, since he had her sign a contract with an "indefinite employment term" fine-print clause written in white ink. What's more, every bonus she accepted added an additional year to the contract.

🟡 Hudson James (Say You Love Me by Sabre Rose)

Blamed his wife for their baby's death (as if he hadn't played a part in it), making her miserable. This couple's problems were solved with... cuckolding.

🟡 Sandro De Lucci (The Unwanted Wife by Natasha Anders)

The heroine attacked him, and he totally deserved it. Why did she do it? He blamed her for her miscarriage.

🟡 Bryce Palmer (A Husband's Regret by Natasha Anders)

Told his wife that he "never really loved her". He said it to hurt her.

🟡 Bram Gage (Going Nowhere Fast by Kati Wilde)

Considered FMC a bad influence on his sister. He was such an asshole about it.

🟡 Aristide Kourous (The Greek's Christmas Baby by Lucy Monroe)

Wouldn't believe his wife! >:c

Bottom = Least Problematique

[trentonsimblr]

AN: Thank you to @funkyllama for the future Emmett fluff post suggestion and to everyone that voted for Jocelyn in the poll! Some of these characters have appeared in a few posts but I'll list who's who below the cut!

Dorian and Finnigan Carmichael - Twins, best friends of Emmett, 3rd cousins to Emmett and Payton. I believe they were on a random magazine cover last year. Their grandfather is the Duke of Lisby.

Adelyn Kincaid - She's the mean gymnast that was in the scene with Payton and Juliette. Her father is The Viscount Sterling and she has an older brother.

Jocelyn Chapman - New student to Em and Pay's school. Her family is from Wain and her father is the newly appointed Wain Ambassador to Trenton. Her future is....tbd ;)

Kostas "Niko" Nikolaou - He's a fellow gymnast, he was originally going to be introduced around the time of the posts I did with Payton and Juliette but the scene(s) got cut. He's also the grandson of The Marquess Tartos. He's second in line to the title after his father.

Paige Ross - One of Payton's best friends and gymnastics teammate.