#Dupont Legacy

[alwayssimmin-alwaysrantin]

Not them mourning themselves???

[reveliostars]

my mc, angie, again <3

happy new year!! i ate my 12 grapes and then got straight to drawing this on procreate😭

[sweet-vanilla-sims]

Year 1688

TW/CW: Child Death

In Tartosa, the year the Morosini family had lived in their new home had made them finally feel established in the islands as permanent residents though the thought of finding a proper wife so that his girls could have a mother was starting to cross Giovanni Cesare's mind though he was content with his relationship with Nesta so the thought was just that.

In Tartosa, Benetta was coming to terms with the fact that she was likely expecting again which scared her as she couldn't help but remember that she had lost her first pregnancy. So while she hoped for good news the worry clawed at her stomach which did not help the sickness that came from carrying a child.

But as the year continued on, Benetta was not the only one with child as Nesta learned that she was as well but while she still had no clue of Francis's paternity this one she knew was Giovanni Cesare's child though when she informed her husband of the new addition she didn't let him know that he was not the child's father and simply let him continue to assume that he was.

Young Francis grew into a boy with a rather rambunctious streak as he followed after his mother and sister eagerly.

On September 3rd, despite her fears of another loss, Benetta delivered her son Angelo safely and the boy was healthy.

Young Victor Dupont also grew into a happy boy with his aunt and sister lavishing their attentions on the youngest member of their home.

In October on the 13th, Chanel delivered a newborn daughter they called Vendramina.

November came and Nesta was once again faced with labor pains as she anticipated the arrival of her fourth child.

By midday on the 23rd of November, Nesta had delivered a second son she named Cesare after his father which her husband didn't think much of since Giovanni Cesare had been going by Giovanni for the past few years since he had arrived on the islands so it was more of an inside secret that the boy was named after his true father.

In Tartosa, the young Angelo grew into his features more and at least in his infancy to his mother's secret delight, took more after her.

Though tragedy was around the corner as Francis's adventurous nature led to the boy falling down a ledge near the cliffs the Carlisle home was nestled in and on December 15, the announcement came into town of the child's passing. With that news, the Morosini family returned from the funeral deciding to try and give the grieving family time to themselves since they decided not to take visitors for at least the rest of the year. Elisabetta kind of understood, at least enough to not push it, but Paola needed more answers as to why she wasn't going to be playing with her friend Kathy for a while.

[nayziiz]

Witness | CL16

Summary: In the shadowy world of Monaco's elite, the Leclerc family reigns supreme. Charles Leclerc, the charming middle son, maintains their pristine public image—until one rainy night, during a fit of rage, Charles does the unthinkable. A young woman witnesses his actions, and her terrified eyes haunt him. Consumed by guilt and fear of exposure, Charles embarks on a desperate search to find her before she can destroy his family’s legacy. As he delves deeper into Monaco's underbelly, Charles must confront his own darkness and the lengths he will go to protect his family.

Pairing: Charles Leclerc x OC (Marie)

Warnings: Violence, blood, angst

Masterlist

Chapter 5

It took a week of surveillance around the old town for Charles’ men to find Marie. He had men stationed everywhere from her apartment block to the casino. They managed to get her shift schedule and full address from her manager, who was reluctant to share the information, but when he heard Charles was the one asking, he handed them a full copy of her personnel file with all of her information included in it.

Marie was a lot of things, but she wasn’t daft. She saw the same men at similar spots over the course of the week. They tried to disguise themselves and pretend to be occupied with things around them, but she knew what was happening. She didn’t bother with hiding or deviating from her usual schedule anymore. She knew if Charles wanted to find her, he would.

What she didn’t expect was finding him outside her apartment door when she returned from her late Thursday night shift.

“Mr Leclerc,” she greeted him as she turned the corner and spotted him.

“Ms Dupont,” he greeted her back.

“Did your men tell you I took an extra shift tonight and you felt you needed to check in on me?” She unexpectedly retorted at him as she unlocked her apartment door.

Charles was taken aback by her abruptness. He didn’t think she would notice his men.

“You might need to relook your surveillance team, they’re not very discreet,” she added as she beckoned for him to enter her apartment and he did.

“Noted,” he nodded as he took a look around her apartment while she placed her handbag on the kitchen counter.

“Mr Leclerc, if you’re here to harass me about that night, there is no need. I still have nightmares about it,” she pointed out.

“Not here to harass you, Ms Dupont. Simply here to explain myself,” Charles responded, turning around to face her.

“Explain, then,” she said, her voice firm. Charles took a deep breath, trying to find the right words.

“I know you have no reason to trust me, but I want you to know that what happened that night was... an accident. I lost control, and I've regretted it every day since. I'm not a monster, and I never wanted you, or anyone for that matter, to see me like that.” He started. She listened, her expression unreadable.

“Why should I believe you?” She wondered.

“Because I have nothing to gain from lying to you,” he replied. “If you go to the police, my life as I know it is over. My family’s reputation will be tarnished. But more than that, I don't want you to live in fear because of me. I just... I need you to know the truth.”

Silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken fears and questions. She could see the anguish in his eyes, and for a moment, she felt a flicker of sympathy. But she couldn't forget what she had witnessed.

“Witnessing a murder isn't something I can just... move past,” she finally responded.

“I understand. Just know that I'm truly sorry.” Charles nodded, relief and sadness mingling in his expression.

“But, wait. You haven’t actually told me why you did it,”  Marie reminded him, her voice steady despite the underlying tension.

Charles looked at her, the weight of her question pressing down on him. He hadn't planned on explaining himself tonight, but he knew he owed her some kind of answer. He took a deep breath, trying to find the right words.

“I... I was protecting myself,” he began slowly, his eyes searching hers for any sign of understanding. “That night, in the alley, the man tried to rob me. It wasn't supposed to go that far, but he was... aggressive. I didn't mean to... it just happened so fast.”

Marie listened, her expression a mix of scepticism and curiosity. She had seen the brutality in his actions, the uncontrolled rage.

“Protecting yourself?” she echoed, her voice tinged with disbelief. “You beat him to death, Mr Leclerc. That wasn’t just self-defence.”

Charles flinched at her words, the truth of them cutting deep.

“I know. Something snapped in me. I've never... I’m not like that. But at that moment, I lost control,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. 

Marie studied him, searching for any sign of deception. She wanted to believe him, to find some sense in what she had witnessed. But the fear and the horror of that night were still too fresh in her mind.

“Why should I believe you?” she asked, her tone more accusatory now. “You could be saying anything to get me to keep quiet.”

Charles sighed, running a hand through his hair.

“I know it’s hard to believe. But I’m telling you the truth. I’ve been trying to find you, to explain, because I don’t want you to think I’m some monster. I’m not,” he said. Marie’s gaze softened slightly, though her guard remained up.

“Why did you even bother looking for me? Why not just hope I never show up again?” she asked, genuinely curious.

“Because I can’t live with the thought of you out there, terrified of me, thinking the worst. I don’t want you to live in fear. I want to make it right, somehow,” Charles replied earnestly.

Marie didn’t know what to say. Part of her wanted to trust him, to believe that he was more than the violent image seared into her memory. But the other part of her, the part that had been running and hiding, couldn’t shake the fear.

“I would like for you to leave, please,” Marie's voice was firm, though a tremor of lingering fear was evident. “And, you can have your guard dogs rest. I won’t be telling anyone about what you did.”

Charles felt a pang of guilt as he registered her words. He hadn’t realised just how much his presence, and the unspoken threat of his family's power, had weighed on her. He nodded slowly, accepting her decision.

“Alright,” he said softly. “I understand. I’ll leave.”

He turned to go, but hesitated at the door, glancing back at her one last time.

“Marie, I’m truly sorry for what you’ve been through. I know my words don’t mean much right now, but I hope someday you'll see that I’m not just the man you saw that night,” he added, almost defeated in a way.

She stood silently, her arms crossed defensively over her chest.

“Good evening, Mr Leclerc,” she nodded.

“Please, call me Charles,” he insisted. She didn’t respond, but her eyes held a mixture of relief and exhaustion.

Charles took that as his cue to leave. He stepped out of her apartment, closing the door quietly behind him. The weight of the encounter settled heavily on his shoulders as he made his way to the car. He signalled to his driver and the guard waiting by the car, waving them off with a tired gesture.

“No need to follow her anymore,” he told them. “She’s not a threat.”

The driver nodded and got into the car, while the guard looked momentarily confused before complying with Charles' instructions. Charles watched as they drove away, feeling a strange mix of relief and unease. He knew this wasn’t the end of his troubles, but it was a step towards resolving them.

Marie, inside her apartment, leaned against the door, her heart pounding. She had stood her ground, but the encounter had shaken her deeply. She knew she couldn’t trust Charles fully, not yet, but there was a small part of her that wanted to believe he was sincere.

She sighed, pushing herself away from the door and heading to her bedroom. She needed rest, and more than that, she needed to think. The days ahead were uncertain, but for the first time since that horrific night, she felt a glimmer of control over her own fate. As she lay down, her thoughts were a chaotic swirl, but amidst the turmoil, there was a faint hope that maybe, just maybe, things could change for the better.

---------------------------

Taglist: @headinthecloudssblog

[ratchet-decades-challenge]

Burdick Legacy 1898 | PART 2

The Burdick kids all made friends with the neighboring children. Frederick, to Tabitha’s disapproval, spent a good chunk of time with Anna Thomas and Juliette Dupont. She was troubled that he’d turn into a scoundrel just like his uncle. Bridget and Rudy didn’t seem to take issue with it. Their generation was doomed.

Elsie had a harder time clicking with Anna and Juliette. Arthur Norwood, who’s sister Bertha had grown close with Henrietta, was always nice to her. They were shy around each other, but enjoyed sitting together sometimes.

Henrietta and Bertha spent their time talking about the animals on their farms and watching the clouds. 

Henrietta had much more fun messing with the more serious Arthur and trying to make him laugh. He began to give into her silliness and found himself enjoying goofing off a bit.

1898 | [PART 1 | ONTO 1899]

[fancytacopaper]

Hi. After hesitating/planning for gods know how long I started to write my first ever ABO AU about a month ago, called Bound by Fates . Here's the plot of the story:

'Spencer Griffiths is a rather shy and reserved daughter of Athena.

What happens when she realizes her alignment as an Omega ,not wanting to be 'tied down by a bond with gods know which Alpha ' , only to realize that hers is one of the more popular, outgoing boys , Louis Dupont,a son of Apollo?

How will they navigate the bond and the challenges between the two worlds they live in? Will their families find out the truth about their relationship?'

Like the title says, I need some OCs for the story besides the ones I already have.

There will be more info about the alignments after the forms.

If you are interested in getting your OC(s) to the story , comment below the following:

For demigods/legacies:

Name:

Gender:

Appearance:

Age ( at the start of the story):

Pantheon: (Greek? Roman?)

Godly parent/what god they are legacy of?:

Alignment: ( For demigods only):

Powers/abilities:

Weapon(s):

Personality:

What kind of role do you want them to have in the story?: ( Rival/friend, just a background character?)

Backstory: (2-5+ sentences)

For mortals:

Name:

Gender:

Appearance:

Age (At the start of the story):

Do they have a Clear Sight/ Do they know about the monsters and myths being real?:

Are they related to a demigod/legacy?:

Personality:

What kind of role do you want them to have in the story?:

Backstory: (2-5+ sentences)

You may be wondering 'what the Hades this story is about. ' The simple answer is that I have been toying with an idea for an ABO story based around PJO for a while now and finally plucked up the courage to start it.

For those unaware of what ABO means , it's an abbreviation for Alpha Beta Omega AKA 3 most common 'aligments' you see in stories like this, though there can be more than 3 like this story will have,there will be 6 different ones in total.

Here are the most common personalities for each but you have to remember that not every Omega for example will act like mentioned below:

The 3 'main ones : These 3 will be more powerful than the others. Alpha can form a bond only with an Omega while Beta can form one with either another Beta or one of the minor alignments.

1. Alpha:

Traits: Dominant, natural leaders, possessive, and often physically stronger.

Role: Alphas typically protect and guide those around them, especially Omegas. They can sometimes come off as aggressive, but they are also fiercely loyal and protective of those close to them, especially their Omega's.

2. Beta:

Traits: Balanced, more neutral between Alphas and Omegas, with the ability to fit into most situations.

Role: Betas are the peacekeepers, often mediating between the other alignments. They don't have strong biological drives like Alphas and Omegas but are still essential for maintaining balance.

3. Omega:

Traits: Sensitive, nurturing, and often more submissive but highly valued for their empathy and insight.

Role: Omegas, while physically weaker than Alphas, often possess heightened emotional intelligence. They are deeply intuitive, often understanding the unspoken needs of others, and can be very strategic.

The 3 'minor' ones: These 3 won't be as powerful as the main ones but will be necessary for everything to work between the alignments.

1. Gamma:

Traits: Intelligent, strategic, and highly analytical. Gammas are problem-solvers who think quickly on their feet.

Role: Known for their intelligence and sharp minds, Gammas are often advisors or tacticians in battle or conflict.

2. Theta:

Traits: Empathetic, intuitive, and deeply in touch with their emotions and those of others.

Role: They can sense or manipulate emotions, acting as empaths or spiritual guides.

3. Delta:

Traits: Resilient, patient, and adaptable. They are resourceful and often overlooked due to their quieter presence but are essential in stressful situations.

Role: They thrive under pressure and can persevere through tough conditions, making them excellent supporters in crises.

The alignments above are meant only for demigods meaning that a legacy ,mortal,satyr,nymph ,etc can not be one of them, even though nymphs and satyrs will know the truth while only those mortals with Clear Sight can know the true nature of the alignments and bonds between them. .

Also ,those demigods that are at least 17 years old and have found their mate (but not necessarily have mated with them yet) can shapeshift into a wolf form .

[kwebtv]

Mark Goddard (born Charles Harvey Goddard; July 24, 1936 – October 10, 2023) Film and television actor who starred in a number of television programs. He is probably best known for portraying Major Don West in the CBS series Lost in Space (1965–1968). He also played Detective Sgt. Chris Ballard, in The Detectives, starring Robert Taylor.

In 1959, after just three weeks in Hollywood, he landed a role in the CBS Four Star Television series Johnny Ringo, having played the character of Cully, the deputy to Don Durant's character of Ringo. At this time, he changed his name to Mark Goddard at the suggestion of his friend and mentor Chuck Connors of The Rifleman. Goddard appeared as Norman Tabor in the 1960 episode "Surprise Party" of the CBS anthology series The DuPont Show with June Allyson. He was cast as Sheldon Hollingsworth in the 1960 episode "To See the Elephant" of the ABC Western series The Rebel, starring Nick Adams. He played Tod Rowland in the 1960 episode "The Mormons" on Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre. Goddard also appeared in The Rifleman as Marty Blair in 1962 in the episode “Mark’s Rifle.”

The Detectives, another production of Four Star Television, was a hit series which ran on ABC and NBC from 1958 to 1961; Goddard was signed for a role lasting three years (64 episodes). In 1963, Goddard appeared as Roy Mooney on the Perry Mason episode "The Case of the Potted Planter". In 1964 Goddard appeared as Richard on The Virginian in the episode titled "The Secret of Brynmar Hall." That same year he guest starred as a wild killer named “Boyd” in the episode “Journey For Three” on the TV Western series Gunsmoke (S9E36).

Goddard's next role was Major Don West on Lost in Space (1965–1968). A blossoming romance initially existed between West and Judy, the elder daughter of the Robinson family, but by the middle of the second season, West maintained an adversarial relationship with the hapless, sociopathic Dr. Zachary Smith

Goddard guest-starred on three ABC series, The Fugitive, The Mod Squad, and The Fall Guy and for a while, moonlighted as a Hollywood agent. In 1970, Goddard co-starred with Kent McCord and Martin Milner in an episode of Adam-12, in which he plays a friend of Pete Malloy (Milner), who is killed in the line of duty. The episode was titled "Elegy for a Pig" (so titled and announced by Jack Webb himself). Mark Goddard also played Ellie May's beau on the Beverly Hillbillies. Goddard played a supporting role in a 1974 episode ("Dark Legacy") of CBS's Barnaby Jones.

In 1979, Goddard starred as Ted Clayton on One Life to Live and as Lt. Paul Reed on The Doctors. Later, he starred as Derek Barrington on General Hospital. (Wikipedia)

IMDb Listing

[artzychic27]

I love Ever After High AU!

What would the events be like? Like The Masked Ball, the Spring event, Adventures in Wonderland, The Dragon Games and Winter's Day?

Welcome to Ever After High

It’s a new year at Ever After High, a magical school where the next generation of fairytale characters go to hone their powers, learn more about their tales, and train to follow in their parents footsteps

One of the new students is Nathaniel Hearts, son of the Queen of Hearts and a former resident Wonderland… Also, not exactly the most popular person due to his mom’s love for beheading people and also the fact she’s the reason no one can enter or exit Wonderland

Already, students avoid him like the plague and only see him as his mother. The only ones who see past that are his best friend and fellow Wonderland native, Alix Wonder, Nino Grant, and Adrien Briar

Alix doesn’t care about their mom’s rivalries and actually likes Nathaniel… It’s Marinette that had a problem

Fa-Li Marinette is adamant on everyone following their destinies, because if even one fairy strays, every story will end. (She just only cares about her own) and keeps pushing Nathaniel to be a deranged, power hungry lunatic like his mom

It only gets worse when they prepare for Legacy Day, where students take the pledge to follow their parents footsteps. Nathaniel questions Mme. Bustier and M. Damocles what will happen if he doesn’t sign the Storybook of Legends

And of course, they gaslight him using Marinette’s excuse. If he doesn’t sign, then it’s the end for everyone

Nino calls bullshit and pulls Nathaniel along to look for answers from Madame Mendeleiv Yagga, one of the smart teachers at DuPont

She explains that nothing will happen to anyone’s stories, they’re just take a different turn. It’ll break tradition, but it wont end up a catastrophe

So, the night of Legacy Day, Nathaniel makes his choice… He does, but then Marinette gaslights him again. Apparently, she followed him and Nino and asks if he’s really going to trust some “old witch”

“If you want your so-called friends happily ever after a to cease to exist. Fine. At least you’ve shown how much like your mother you are.”

So now, when it’s the Wonderland Kids turn to sign the book, and Nathaniel steps up… He hesitates. He sees his future in the mirror: Him beheading hundreds of his subjects with a mad look in his eyes, sending his card guards to hunt down Alix and the other Wonderland kids, and painting white roses red using his card guards blood.

Nathaniel: … I am Nathaniel Hearts, son of the Queen of Hearts… AND I PLEDGE TO FOLLOW MY OWN DESTINY! *Snaps the quill in half… Nothing happens*

Royals: *Horrified gasps*

Rebels: *Cheering*

Nathaniel: N-nothing happened… *Points to Damocles and Mme. Bustier* YOU LIED TO ME!

When the crowd gets too hostile, Adrien wishes for Nino to freeze everyone except for the two of them*

Adrien: I can’t believe that… That we can just do that.

Nino: Yeah… I’m not sure I want to be stuck in that lamp.

The next day, things are tense between the newly dubbed Royals and Rebels. Marinette tries to rally more to her side, that destinies are meant to be followed, but students kind of want to hear Nathaniel’s reasoning

The one who seems most intrigued by Nathaniel accidental revolution, is Marc Grimhilde, son of the Evil Queen and someone who’s reluctant to sign the Storybook of Legends and end up trapped in the mirror realm like his mother

Rumors start to spread that Nathaniel only wants to spread madness like his mother and prevent anyone from having their happily ever after while Marinette wants to send the Rebels to a reform school built to straighten them out

Mme. Bustier is doing nothing to help, only making things worse by blaming the rebels for causing tensions and doing nothing to discipline the royals. (Same bitch as canon)

As a protest, a Rebel student runs against Marinette for student body President. That student? Aurore Amzy, daughter of Yzma

In the end, they end up as reluctant co-presidents and constantly try to undermine each other

As another protest, the Rebel students host True Hearts Day, a long forgotten school tradition banned by Mr. Damocles since it got students to stray from their destinies

So, they throw it in secret. And to their surprise, some Royal students want to help because while they’re may disagree with the Rebels, they aren’t too fond of Mme. Bustier and M. Damoclesand want to spite them

The party’s a success, and some new couples end up forming

Nathaniel turns down most of his admirers since they’re more in love with his status of leaders of the Rebels. He ends up asking Marc for a dance after the two accidentally bump into each other right under a spotlight

The following week, Nathaniel gets called into the principal’s office where Marinette, Alix, Max, and Denise are waiting as well. Apparently, Mme. Bustier was “concerned” about the Rebels’ Revolution and believed Nathaniel needed positive reinforcement

Marinette: Nathaniel cut the buds off my roses.

Nathaniel: That was on accident! And I apologized!

Marinette: Exactly! You’re supposed to be evil and not apologize!

Alix: Well, I think Nath’s fine just the way he is. Plus, I’d rather not get beheaded, so-

Damocles: Moving on!

Max: I don’t know what role I play here, but my mother strayed from the path her father had her on, so if anything, aren’t I meant to be a Rebel? Because if I follow my mother’s path by not sailing, I did what she did by disobeying her father, but/

Damocles: Enough! We haven’t heard from Denise Facilier, yet.

Denise: The shadows all say… Nathaniel’s awesome and should write his own destiny.

Marinette: They did not!

Denise: Well, how do you know?!

It is now the week of Thronecoming, and the students are looking to pick their King and Queen and get ready for the parade and bookball game

Nino, who was in between the royals and rebels debate finally picks a side when he misses his date with Alya because he got stuck in his lamp, making him realize the horrible truth about his destiny

The Thronecoming Fair goes off well- Austin A and Q rented Captain Hook’s ship and got a ton of pixie dust to let people go on rides in the air, Myléne’s hair styling station was earning a lot of money for charity, Denise did card readings, and Cosette was able to sell some of their faux fur jackets. It went great up until float building

Marinette is still pushing Nathaniel to stop being “selfish” and accept his fate, but in the end, Nathaniel’s the one to call her out on her bullshit along with Bustier and Damocles since they’re just standing right there

Nathaniel: You know, I may be “The Prince of Madness,” but I’m sane enough to see that you’re the one being selfish. I’m out.

Ismael: Heh. That’s my boy.

Cosette: But he’s not even your son.

Ismael: Don’t remind me!

As a school trip, Madame Mendeleiv takes the students to the Hall of Legends, a time capsule building where their parents left relics for them to find: Myléne gets a magic hairbrush, Rose gets a sword, Cosette gets a Diamond-studded choker necklace, Denise gets a vintage deck of tarot cards, Nino gets lamp polish, Lila gets truth revealing glasses, Marinette gets a sword, Zoé and Chloé get new heels, Austin A gets a magic compass, Austin B gets a crossbow, etc.

Nathaniel only finds a coin, planted there by M. Damocles in place of the ruby studded crown his mom left him

Nathaniel then heads to the wishing well in the woods, tosses in the coin, and wishes to know what happens if he doesn’t sign the Storybook of Legends

Mme. Bustier casts an illusion spell that shows a horrific future, scaring Nathaniel into signing

So they have a Legacy Day do-over, and none of the Rebels are too happy about it. The students suspect something’s up, and their suspicions are confirmed when Denise’s tarot cards reveal the Storybook of Legends is a fake

When Damocles denies the accusations, Marc asks Lila to use her truth-telling glasses. And when she lies and says she doesn’t have them, Aurore uses a truth-telling potion on her and Lila is forced to hand them over

They also reveal the Storybook of Legends is a fake, and of course, Damocles blames Nathaniel… Only to go into his office and confront the Queen of Hearts, via magic mirror

Nathaniel still wants to sign, but to do that, he needs to find the real Storybook of Legends. Marc, Adrien, Nino, Alix, Cosette, Zoé, and Denise also tag along and through a series of weird riddles, they enter a secret room in the library and come across Jean-Pierre Monlataing, a teacher who went missing long ago and speaks only riddlish, which Wonderland natives understand

M. Monlataing: A chapter for all, to live and survive, with a page of the the answer, and come out alive

Nathaniel: Ah, of course.

Alix: Obviously.

Cosette: Uh… Translation?

They conclude the Storybook of Legends must be in the Hall of Legends. But they end up getting pulled into different stories, have to find some pages, blah blah blah. Long-story short, the pages they find form a spell that breaks the Riddlish spell over M. Monlataing

And he reveals that Mme. Bustier put the Riddlish spell on him because he believed in the Rebels’ side of things

Nathaniel: … You know, cutting heads off doesn’t sound bad.

The night of the Thronecoming dance, the students decide to have one night of fun and not care about the Royals and Rebels bullshit

And performing tonight is the one and only Luka Piper, son of the Pied Piper and half brother of Juleka

Then Nino notices something when a slideshow of old photos reveals the Queen of Hearts lived in his dorm before, and hid something in a secret compartment under his carpet. Borrowing Lila’s glasses and a bobby pin from Juleka, he unlocks the secret compartment and finds the Real Storybook of legends… And then throws it away in the Well of Wonder, making it end up in Wonderland

Spring Unsprung

It’s the day of the Spring Faire, a day to commemorate the beginning of the spring season

But meanwhile in Wonderland…

Xavier (My SB&IB version) Blanc, Fei Cheshire, and Félix Hatter have run into some trouble with the Queen of Hearts when they try to look for a way out of Wonderland

But, the threat of decapitation doesn’t keep them from looking around until they come across the Storybook of Legends Nino threw down the well

Wanting to return it back to Ever After, they go through the well… And end up getting lost until they come across Fei’s dad, the Cheshire Cat, who gives them some complicated instructions while swapping out the book for another

What the Cheshire Cat doesn’t know is that someone was watching him in the act

Also, while Cosette was walking through the forest to get some Wonderland Well water for the Spring Faire baking competition, they fell through the well because the water was being a little shit

And at the same time, Félix, Xavier, and Rei arrived in Ever After, followed by the Cheshire Cat

The Wonderland Kids arrive and are given a warm welcome by Nathaniel and Alix

Nathaniel: GUYS! Why’d you abandon me?! Your Prince was all alone here!

Alix: You son of a bitch.

When the Bitchy Duo (Damocles and Bustier) harass them for somehow getting to Ever After when they sealed every entry and exit closed, Félix pulls his trump card by showing the “Storybook of Legends”

… Only for Marinette to reveal it’s only a book of riddles and calls them frauds

Nathaniel, Alix, Adrien, Marc, Zoé, and Nino are the only ones to believe them

Still holding the book, Marinette reads a page and accidentally casts a opposite-personality spell, making her much less judgmental, but she passes it along to other students and most become not as polite

Meanwhile in Wonderland, Cosette ends up in the Mad Hatter’s kitchen where they meet the White Knight. Long story short, they realize a Wonderland dessert is how they can warn the others that the Cheshire Cat stole the Storybook of Legends and replaced it with the cursed riddle book

Also, while Marinette is less judgmental, she wants to destroy the fairytale world instead of preserving it. So, she concocts a plan to plug up the Well of Wonder

The Austins, noticing something is seriously wrong with everyone, follow Austin A’s compass to the source of it all, Marinette, who’s about to plug up the Well of Wonder with help from Max and Sabrina who have also been affected by the spell. But they’re too late, and all of the wondrous elements start to fade away

Meanwhile, Nathaniel, Alix, Adrien, Marc, Zoé, Nino, Xavier, Fei, and Félix try to figure out a way to get the book back from Wonderland as the Well of Wonder is always hard to find

… That’s when Denise comes in

Denise: COSETTE BAKED A PIE MESSAGE! A SHADOW TOLD ME!

They head to a bakery and look through every single pie… Until they come across the only one that’s glowing

Félix: Let’s see what we have here. *Slices the pie*

Cosette, through the pie: Okay, so do I just start talking? Alright, so hey guys! I’m in Wonderland. Crazy, I know. Anyway, Ever After is in danger, the Cheshire Cat swapped out the Storybook of Legends for a riddle book, and it’s cursed!… Now do I just… That’s it? Okay.

They look for the book using Lila, who had the book last. And because she’s honest now, she tells them where she put it

But when they find it, it’s too late. The world and everyone in it is drained except for the Wonderland Kids

Fei: I’m putting and end to this! Dad! Show yourself!

*His grin appears*

Fei: All of you.

The Cheshire Cat, after some prompting, offers to tell them how to reverse the curse… If they beat him at a game. They just need to reach him on the other side of the puzzle floor

Alix: I’ll make this quick and easy. *Walks around the puzzle and reaches the Cheshire Cat* Boom. How’s that for a ditz?

To reverse the curse, they just need to say the last riddle on the book backwards. And it works… But now there’s just the matter of the plug in the Well of Wonder. An easy fix with some of Austin Q’s pixie dust

Also, Cosette makes it back to Ever After when the well gets unplugged and the White Knight is actually-

Way to Wonderland

It’s breakfast time at Ever After High, and Alya and Aurore make the following announcement-

Alya: As editors of our school paper, The Griffin, Aurore and I are pleased to announce that we will be doing a special feature!

Aurore: The theme is, A Time of Wonder! It will feature stories about Wonderland and the students native to the land!

Marinette: Of course! And who can forget how Nathaniel mom, the Queen of Hearts, is the reason they’re all stuck here in the first place?

Alya: Girl. Can we go one minute?

Marinette: Well, it is all because Nath’s mom decided to go total wacko screwball infinity one day, make it even madder than usual, run her own son out of the castle, and behead more people for no valid reason-

Marc: *Shoves a poison apple in her mouth, making Marinette pass out* That’s enough out of you.

Damocles and Bustier try to silence this by stating how Wonderland is dangerous which is why they sealed it up, but no one’s going to listen to them

Meanwhile, Nathaniel’s upset, not because of what Marinette said, but because it’s his mom’s birthday and he wants to be there with her despite… Everything.

Marc offers some help in the spells department to open up an entrance to Wonderland when Denise barges in on their conversation

Marc: If you want, maybe there’s a spell my mom made to-

Denise: Shadows are speaking again! They say Nath’s mom is in danger, and it will be off with her head!

Félix: … Is she always like this?

Marc: They, and yes. And they’re always right about these sort of things.

So now, the Wonderland Kids, Marc, Denise, and Nino are trying to figure out a way to Wonderland. To the Library!

While researching, the Wonderland Kids reminisce a bit and assure Nathaniel they don’t blame his mother. Rather, they believe another element is at play that made her do what she did… They just don’t know what

Suddenly, a book falls off the shelf and opens to a specific page. Weird, right? Wonder what that was about.

Marc picks up the book and skims until he finds a shocking illustration of…

Marc: MOM?!

Nino: Say what?

Fèlix: Did someone say “plot twist?”

Alix: But, this book is about Wonderland. What the hell is the Evil Queen doing in it?

Denise: … You don’t think?

Fei: What? No… No, that’s… No.

Marc: … She would.

Xavier: Oh, she would.

So now they suspect the Evil Queen had a part to play in Wonderland being sealed off. Looking at the illustration of the Evil Queen, they see a spell scroll in her hand- some sort of curse reversion spell to undo…

Marc: ‘The Spell of Utter Madness’?… Yep, she did it.

Alix: Well, I guess that’s why she’s in the mirror real.

So, Marc decides to make things right by undoing his mom’s madness curse over the Queen of Hearts and hopefully unseal Wonderland

But, while casting the spell, there’s a fluke, and the students disappear. All except Xavier and Alix

Nathaniel, Marc, Nino, Denise, Félix, and Fei all end up down a rabbit hole that leads straight to Wonderland. And upon arrival, they get new Wonderland-looking outfits

Also, much to their disappointment, Marinette is there with them because she was in the same room as them. So now, they’re stuck with her

Although, Marc didn’t remove the curse. But that doesn’t deter the group from going to save the Queen… Well, they would if they hadn’t been stopped by Jess Redd, the Red Knight who takes them to Wonderland High. And they can’t leave until they graduate after one day

*The kids all get dragged to the school*

Denise: No! I don’t even go here!

Félix: But I graduated early! I don’t need to go anymore!

Nathaniel: My mom is the Queen, and I can skip whenever I feel like it!

The White Rabbit, Xavier’s uncle because his dad sucks, leads the group to class while also informing them off a plot against the Queen of Hearts and once again confirming that it was the Evil Queen who cursed her

When the Evil Queen was out spreading chaos among the Fairytale realms, she started with Wonderland and placed the Madness Curse on the Queen to make her even more deranged. She turned Wonderland into a prison in just a short week, preventing anyone from getting in or getting out, and sought to expand her kingdom. Nathaniel, Alix, and her dad were lucky enough to escape years prior to the first chapter. Damocles and Bustier of course, blamed the Queen of Hearts until they discovered the Evil Queen was at fault, sealed her in the mirror realm and sealed off any gateways leading to Wonderland so the Queen of Hearts can’t attack. Still, they never corrected anyone on who was at fault

Marinette: I… Didn’t know that.

Nino: Neither did we. But you didn’t hear us bashing the Queen.

With that information, they decide to get through their classes so they can leave and save the Queen. Unfortunately, Wonderland classes make no sense, but they figure it out… Eventually

Lunch Time

While in the cafeteria, the Wonderland Kids come across an old face, Iris Jest, daughter of the court jester, and Student Body President who has the audacity to make a threat towards Nathaniel

After such a lovely meeting, they head to their classes, which have become more difficult. Fortunately, the White Knight Cosette met last chapter is there to help, but each class just keeps getting harder and harder until-

Nathaniel: THAT’S IT! I’m using the royalty card and getting our classes changed! Where’s the vice principal?!

Marc: He’s hot when he’s all fired up.

Nino: What?

Marc: What?

But, to their surprise, the vice principal is Iris! She challenges Nathaniel’s own authority, uses Wonderland logic to make time go backwards so they can never leave, and makes a threat toward the Queen of Hearts while revealing she’s all for overthrowing her

Félix: Why… It’s as if you almost want the plan to overthrow Nathaniel’s mother to succeed!

Iris: … OF COURSE, I DO!

But, Iris gives Nathaniel a choice. He just has to sign a contract, relinquishing his rights as heir to the Queen of Heart’s throne to her. If he signs, then they’re all free while he stays in school forever

Marinette: Nath! Don’t do this!

Nathaniel: Anyone else, please?

Félix: You always said you never wanted to be like your mom! But look at what we’ve learned! She was cursed! Remember when she chased you around the gardens and showed you how to play croquet with your first flamingo? That’s the Queen of Hearts Fei, Alix, Xavier and I remember and the version of her we know you want to be!

Nathaniel: … You’re right. *Snaps the quill in half… Again*

Enraged, Iris sends them to detention… But not before an unfair trial where they’re charged as guilty

Also, Alix and Xavier are still looking for the others, and the Evil Queen arms Iris with an evil book of spells right before she heads out to overthrow the queen and sign her name in the Storybook of Legends when Fei accidentally reveals its whereabouts

One minute in detention, and the group is already going insane. Marc and Nino can’t use their magic, and it’s almost time for the Queen’s birthday party

Soon, Félix gets an idea

Fèlix: My dad always got detention! He used to tell me dozens of his get-in stories! Denise, have your shadow friends send a message to the other side!

Denise: Okay, which other side?

Back in Ever After, the shadows communicate with Alix and Xavier by opening some books to certain pages and telling them that they’re in detention and they need to ask Alim for instructions on how to get out since he helped with some of the Mad Hatter’s best escapes. And his best on is-

Denise: Tiddlywinks? Like the game?

Félix: Like the game, he said.

This grabs the teacher in charge of detention’s attention… But, since the acting vice principal while Iris is out is Jess, then they will be dueling with swords in exchange for their freedom

Fortunately, the White Knight is fighting for them and gives them a chance to head to the palace while Fei goes to find her dad and get the Storybook of Legends

Iris arrives at the palace first, and uses an illusion spell to get past the guards while posing as Nathaniel

Guard: All hail the Queen of Hearts! Or else! And make sure to hand deliver to her your presents… Or else!

Aya: Yes! It is MY birthday party! And keep in mind, any present smaller than the palm of my hand shall result in your execution. That is all.

Iris is about to get executed until she poses as Nathaniel and her “son’s” presence actually manages to calm her down, much to the kingdom’s relief

Fei discovers from her dad that he gifted the Storybook of Legends to the Queen of Hearts, and Fei is thrilled at first… Until she finds the massive present room

Once Iris discovers from the Queen where the book is, she leaves, but not before starting an opposite game for when Nathaniel finds his mother

Anyway, the group arrives, and Fei goes to deliver the bad news about the Storybook of Legends, but Nathaniel’s too distracted by seeing his mother for the first time in years

Nathaniel: Mom! *Hugs her* I’m so happy to see you! I… In spite of everything, I missed you so much and I love you!

Aya: … You love me?! How dare you?!

Nino: … Dude. Cold.

Nathaniel: Wh-what?

Aya: You heard me! And by the way, you look horrid.

Nathaniel: *Starts crying*

Marc: So, can I commit regicide now?

Nathaniel: Mom, you’re not making any sense! I’ve been missing you for years, and I thought you still loved me! After I found out about your curse-

Aya: “Curse?” I’m under a curse? Whoops! Did I just lost the game?

Nathaniel: What are you- Wait. Is this an opposite game?

Aya; *Giggles* Nope.

Nathaniel: *Hugs her* Then, let the game start.

Aya: Oh, thank God! Of course I love you, Nathaniel.

Marinette: … These are some fucked up games.

They find Iris in the present room, and she’s about to sign the Storybook of Legends in Nathaniel’s place, but Marc uses his powers to teleport to her just in time and take the book

He tries to fend off against her attacks, but since Iris is armed with his mom’s spellbook, he doesn’t stand a chance… Unless…

Marc signs his name and inherits his mother’s dark powers, which corrupt him as he goes on a power trip until Iris yields or dies… Whichever comes first

The latter option would’ve been first if not for Marinette coming between them and saying he’s not his mother while apologizing for acting the way she did

This snaps Marc out of if, right as the Queen of Hearts arrives looking enraged even with Nathaniel trying to calm her down

Now with the Evil Queen’s powers, he lifts the curse off of the Queen of Hearts, making her sane… ish, and he breaks Mme. Bustier’s seal on Wonderland, merging the two worlds again

Also, The Queen decides to have a little chat with Mme. Bustier and Damocles, but as Nathaniel is the future King, she figures this will be good practice.

Nathaniel: You lied to the public for years and deemed my mother a warmongering lunatic when you knew all along that the Evil Queen was behind it all? And to make matters worse, rather than help her, you separated my friend and I from our home?!

Damocles: W-well, you see-

Mme. Bustier: We just-

Nathaniel: OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!

Now Mme. Mendeleiv and M. Monlataing are Principal and Vice Principal

Also, for anyone wondering, the white knight was actually Aeon Charming the entire time. How did she end up in Wonderland?… We’ll go over that later

All I’ll write for now

[saintsaensreads]

Beaux-livres of 2024

"Beaux livres" is an expression I couldn't find any equivalency for in English. You'll come across it often in French bookshops, with especially attractive books, usually larger than others, or heavier to handle, printed on fine paper with great care applied to their design, typography, visuals etc. They're usually made for their visuals rather than their textual content. They are also known for being quite expensive compared to other books.

I don't usually buy any beaux-livres, maybe because until very recently I didn't have any nice location to put them in (nor any library shelves for that matter...). This year, however, through my travels, I came across a few which have been mesmerizing me ever since I bought them, and I thought it would be nice to share two of them with you (and maybe mesmerize you too!)

The World of Ornament, David Batterham (2006)

Discover a world of decorative ideas with this compendium of history's most elegant patterns and ornamental designs.The World of Ornament brings together the two greatest encyclopedic collections of ornament of the 19th century: Auguste Racinet's L'Ornement polychrome Volumes I and II (1875-1888) and Auguste Dupont-Auberville's L'Ornement des tissus (1877) to provide one lavish source book spanning jewelry, tile, stained glass, illuminated manuscript, textile, and ceramic ornament. Encompassing classical, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Asian and Middle Eastern, as well as European designs from medieval times through the 19th century, this compilation of cultures and aesthetics offers a primary reference for artists, historians, designers, and patternmakers, and anyone engaged in decorative design and impact.

I happened on this book by pure chance : it's quite small (although heavy) and is filled with fascinating decorative styles, listing their historical and artistic specificity, as well as providing many examples for each style mentioned. The explanations are as interesting as the visuals, and I can spend easily an hour just browsing through it.

How Zoologists Organize Things: The Art of Classification, David Bainbridge (2020)

Humankind's fascination with the animal kingdom began as a matter of survival - differentiating the edible from the toxic, the ferocious from the tractable. Since then, our compulsion to catalogue wildlife has played a key role in growing our understanding of the planet and ourselves, inspiring religious beliefs and evolving scientific theories. This human quest to classify living beings has left us with a rich artistic legacy, from the folklore and religiosity of the ancient and Medieval world through the naturalistic cataloging of the Enlightenment to the modern, computer-generated classificatory labyrinth. This book tells the fascinating, visual story of this process. The wonderful zoological charts reflect prevailing artistic trends and scientific discoveries, as well as telling us as much about ourselves as they do about the creatures depicted.

I had been looking for quite some time for a history of classification regarding animals. I finally broke down and bought this book in early december, and I am absolutely in love with the visuals involved. They are fascinating. I'm less taken in by the text, explaining the logics behind such classifications and artworks. It's very much european centered, and has many shortcuts which made me jump when explaining historical periods. Nonetheless, it's main goal (introducing the visual classification of animals and its evolution throughout time) is fulfilled. And it's really inspiring.

[alwayssimmin-alwaysrantin]

*wears a swimsuit in the snow*

*dies from laughter*

[imsparky2002]

Creepsters AU - The Creepsters

This is a spin-off AU of my Halloween Fun AU, only this time, the Creepsters are actually real. They all live together in a dark and spooky castle, and these creepy teens have grand old time scaring and killing people with their ghostly teacher, terrorizing the city of Paris.

Count Marcula - A bloodsucking creature of the night, Count Marcula hails from Transylvania and happens to be the teenaged ancestor of Marc Anciel. Loves writing terrifying tales and feasting on necks. A flamboyant, theatrical and villainous teen, compared to his more shy and kindhearted descendant. As the technically oldest teen of the group, being centuries old, he shares with them wonderfully wicked tales of his experiences. He and his best friend Phantom have a love of silks and capes, clearing dressing as elegantly as possible. Marcula wishes to turn his descendant to be a vampire like him, and to continue the Anciel vampiric legacy.

The Phantom of DuPont - A theatrical, dramatic, and terrifying phantom who haunts his old school of DuPont. Jacques Duparc was a bright young actor, clearly destined for greatness. Each of his performances in a school play were given a standing ovation. However, not everything was happy in his life. He was tormented and harassed for being in a relationship with his beloved Austine Tomassian, who just so happened to be a man. He was thankfully protected by Miss Boostier and Ghouselle, but tragedy struck when one night during a performance, Jacques and his two favorite teachers were killed by a fire, with the young actor receving horrible scars on his face as he died. When he became a ghost, he and his maternal figures decided to give into their previous love of scares, and haunted the school, with Jacques now known as the Phantom of the Opera. He mainly lives in the castle, but has a second home in DuPont, lurking in the sewers, playing the pipe organ, and striking fear into the hearts of students, including Jean, his ancestor. He looks after the theater, making sure what goes on inside the building is to his liking. It’s a good thing his beloved Austine is still with him as a ghost.

GhostRose - A sadistic killer who was obsessed with emulating everything about her sister, Thorn, and was sent to a “counseling camp” after stabbing a bunch of her classmates to death. Rose managed to escape, meeting her lovely JV along the way, and they spread carnage wherever they went. She’s known for her long dark robe, ghoulish white mask, and long sharp knife. Loves scary movies, and calling her victims on the phone. She and JV were happy when the other Creepsters found a spell to make the two of them immortal like themselves. Now they can haunt and murder for all of eternity. Hates it when people break the rules of her deadly games, and when you hang up on her.

JV - A childish serial killer, known for her hockey mask and machete. Juleka Voorhees and her twin brother Luka were troubled children. JV had shown signs of psychopathy from a young age. A love of murder that started with small animals and made it’s way to people. Luka had shown a devotion to the occult, and had begun murdering in the name of Satan. Eventually, Anarka Voorhees sent her children to Camp Healing Hands, leaving them behind to never return. They disappeared immediately, with JV becoming feared throughout the camp as a hockey-mask wearing maniac who brutally killed campers who came to her abandoned cabin near the lake. She was overjoyed to meet GhostRose when they were both 12, and they began a lovely relationship. Now that they’ve met their other creepsters, and became immortal, they’ll be able to spread carnage for all of eternity. What’s more romantic than that?

Austine - The ghostly lover of the Phantom. Compared to the others spectres, he looks just the same as he did when he was alive, and prefers not to spook people. Not out of the kindness of his heart, but because he’d rather just assist the Phantom on his scares. Shares a love of the theatre with Jacques, and students can still hear Austine singing opera pieces on stage at times. Was bullied by other boys for wearing dresses, but he got the last laugh, as they would face an early demise at the hands of the Phantom.

Nathfield - A mad artist who was turned into a vampire by his beloved Count Marcula. He’s been with his boyfriend for centuries, loving every second of immortality, as he always gets to create horrific artistic masterpieces, using the blood of his victims as paint. His favorite food to eat are bugs, and Marcula loves to feed him cockroaches that crawl in the dungeon. He is the ancestor of Nathaniel Kurtzberg, and as with Marcula, is trying to get the artistic boy to become a vampire like him.

Miss Boostier - The spooky spectre that happily teaches her creepsters about ways to scare and kill people. Her and Ghouselle help the Phantom to haunt DuPont. Caline Bustier’s ancestor who served as a teacher of history, poetry, and English at DuPont, with Jacques being her favorite student. Unlike The Phantom, her ghostly appearance is similar to a bedsheet. She and Ghouselle always moan and groan when they talk.

Ghouselle - The giggling ghoulish wife of Miss Boostier. She was the science teacher of DuPont, and Jacques saw her and Boostier as his maternal figures. She and Boostier died trying to save him from the fire. Now the couple happily look after the creepsters, with her teaching them all about scientific ways of spooking. Known for her chilling laugh, ghoulish grin, eerie green robe, and rustling chains. Her and Miss Boostier love to frighten the creepsters, who enjoy to be scared. They are also very soft with each other, happily wooing to each other and cuddling while out on a nice roam of the school.

Maestro - JV’s twin brother. A gifted yet sinister musician who was infatuated with the Devil and all things occult. He killed and sacrificed dozens to the Dark Lord of Satan. At 13, he made a deal with Satan to become a demon in exchange for his soul (not that he had much of one to begin with). Now he happily serves his master as a demonic maestro, shredding on the guitar and making music to control his army of darkness. Loves his twin sister dearly, and always assists her in kills. Marinette can’t find herself attracted to blue-haired teen demon, lurking in the shadows with his hooded black cloak, and asking for her soul.

And there you have these terrifying teens and their spooky teachers ready to haunt Paris. Let me know what you think in the replies, asks, posts, and reblogs, because the characters will be similar to the Haunted House AU, in which it’s all a performance. @artzychic27​ @msweebyness​ 

[sweet-vanilla-sims]

Year 1687

TW/CW: Child Death

In Tartosa, Giuliano celebrated his 35th birthday though his age showed more from years in the sun and the losses he faced.

As the year began, Giovanni Cesare and his daughters were given a plot of land. The land used to belong to a local family but after a storm came by and flooded some of the buildings and the previous owner passed, it was put for auction and now for Giovanni Cesare's service it was his land.

The girls adjusted quickly while Giovanni Cesare set about planting though he was never all that invested in crops like his family back in Tartosa were, he figured he could do the work for a few years until his girls were big enough that he could work back on the docks that he adored so much.

Orelia's daughter, Orsetta became a teenager and during Giovanni Cesare's frequent meetings with his sister learned that his niece was spending time with a local boy on the islands which made Orelia have mixed feelings about her daughter growing up and Juliette was annoyed having to play chaperone more often.

In Tartosa, Katherine's son Luca celebrated his sixth birthday looking more like his mother each day.

Despite the loss of her older son the previous summer, on March 18th, Luisa delivered her second son who was very clearly a lot stronger and named the boy Victor.

At the Carlisle home, Francis grew into a delightful young boy who took after his mother in that he was going to grow into his merfolk features in time much to his mother's pleasure.

Between the farming and his illicit visits to the Carlisle home, Giovanni Cesare enjoyed spending some of his time fishing when he could.

But unfortunately the joy wasn't to last as Nesta arrived in early June in tears as her young daughter Susana had passed away on the the 30th of May.

Orelia's younger daughter celebrated her sixth birthday a few short months after her older sister's thirteenth.

While the Carlisle home reeled from their loss the Dupont family was happy to see their daughter Marie grow into a sweet little girl while their son Victor grew into a stronger child.

The year came to a close as back in Tartosa, Giovanni Cesare's namesake grew out of his infancy as his parent's sighed in relief watching their son grow stronger.

(The lot that Giovanni Cesare is living on was also made by @greatbritishsimchallenge)

[nayziiz]

Witness | CL16

Summary: In the shadowy world of Monaco's elite, the Leclerc family reigns supreme. Charles Leclerc, the charming middle son, maintains their pristine public image—until one rainy night, during a fit of rage, Charles does the unthinkable. A young woman witnesses his actions, and her terrified eyes haunt him. Consumed by guilt and fear of exposure, Charles embarks on a desperate search to find her before she can destroy his family’s legacy. As he delves deeper into Monaco's underbelly, Charles must confront his own darkness and the lengths he will go to protect his family.

Pairing: Charles Leclerc x OC (Marie)

Warnings: Violence, blood, angst

Author's Note: This is a slow burn fic, so please be patient - the good stuff is coming.

Masterlist

Chapter 8

Pierre Gasly, a French diplomat and lifelong friend of Charles, could not keep his eyes off the brunette wearing the scarlet red satin gown. He hadn’t noticed anyone else or paid much attention to any conversation as his eyes remained glued on the woman who seemed very out of place among the billionaires, politicians, and diplomats. She moved gracefully, yet there was a certain hesitancy in her movements, a slight awkwardness that set her apart from the confident, practised elegance of the gala’s usual attendees.

The woman in red was with Charles, a detail Pierre didn’t miss. The way Charles stayed close to her since they arrived, guiding her through introductions and ensuring she felt comfortable, spoke volumes about their connection. It was rare to see Charles so attentive, and it piqued Pierre’s curiosity even more. Marie had received a glass of champagne shortly after Charles wandered off to find Lorenzo. She didn’t know anyone and felt brutally uncomfortable floating among the esteemed guests. She knew everyone was important, but she didn’t care much about politics or finance to engage in conversation above her weight class.

She took a small sip of her champagne, letting the bubbles tickle her throat as she scanned the room. The grand ballroom was filled with elegantly dressed men and women, their conversations blending into a symphony of polite laughter and subdued chatter. Crystal chandeliers cast a warm, golden glow over the room, and the air was perfumed with the scent of expensive cologne and fresh flowers. Marie felt out of place in her scarlet red satin gown, though she looked stunning - a fact Charles made every effort to remind her of since he picked her up in his Ferrari.

When Pierre casually strolled over and pretended to bump into her, Marie immediately knew he was going to try to flirt. She had encountered this countless times during her waitressing days and even occasionally at the casino. She braced herself, ready to deflect his advances with practised ease.

“My apologies,” Pierre spoke with a charming smile as he removed her champagne flute from her hand and helped her wipe down the split droplets from her hand. She let him flirt to spare him the embarrassment. “I didn’t realise you were behind me.”

“It’s quite alright,” Marie replied, her voice polite but guarded. “Accidents happen.”

“I’m just glad I didn’t mess anything on your dress. I must say, it is quite captivating,” Pierre continued, his tone light and conversational.

“Thank you,” Marie responded, taking a small sip of her champagne. She was used to compliments, and while they were flattering, she knew not to let them affect her too much.

“Pierre Gasly,” he finally introduced himself, holding his hand out for her to shake, which she hesitantly did.

“Marie Dupont,” Marie responded with a nod in recognition of his name, even though it didn’t ring any bells.

“These galas have always been so boring. Meeting you has been the highlight of my evening by far,” Pierre admitted. She couldn’t help but laugh softly at his unabashed compliment.

“You’re quite the charmer, Mr Gasly,” Marie observed. He grinned, clearly pleased with himself.

“I try. But in all seriousness, I would love to get to know you better. Perhaps over a glass of wine sometime?” Pierre suggested. Marie appreciated his directness, even if she wasn’t entirely comfortable with it.

“That’s a lovely offer, Pierre, but I’m not sure it’s the best idea at the moment,” she politely declined. Pierre’s expression softened, and he raised his hands slightly in a gesture of peace.

“No pressure, of course. I just think it would be nice to have a friend in this world of politics and power. Someone who understands what it’s like to feel out of place,” he continued to elaborate.

“Perhaps,” she said noncommittally, spotting Charles approaching them. “We’ll see.”

His eyes flicked between Marie and Pierre, a hint of curiosity in his gaze.

“I see you’ve met Pierre,” he said, his tone light.

“Yes, he’s been very welcoming,” Marie replied, giving Pierre a small nod of thanks.

“Pierre. It’s been a while,” Charles greeted him, shaking his hand firmly.

“It has,” Pierre agreed, taking a large sip of his champagne. As he did, Charles smoothly moved to slot in beside Marie, his hand resting comfortably on the small of her back. He knew Pierre well enough after all these years to see what he was doing, and Charles wanted to make sure Pierre knew his place around Marie.

“Trust you to show up with the prettiest brunette,” Pierre scoffed, a teasing glint in his eye.

“Well, you know me, Pierre. Always aiming to make an entrance,” Charles chuckled, his hand moving to grip her waist in a protective gesture. 

Marie blushed at the compliment, feeling the heat rise to her cheeks. She appreciated Charles’s subtle support, grounding her in this unfamiliar setting.

“I’m sure Charles has been the perfect host,” Pierre nodded, his smile warm but calculated.

“Oh, he has,” Marie said, playing to Charles’ attitude by wrapping her arm around his midriff, glancing up at him in the process. “He’s been very kind.”

Charles met her gaze, a silent reassurance passing between them. Pierre took another sip of his champagne, his eyes still lingering on Marie.

“Well, if you ever need a break from Charles, I’m always around,” he joked, though the offer seemed genuine.

“I’m sure she will be just fine with me, Pierre,” Charles’s smile remained, but there was a slight edge to his voice. 

“Of course, I wouldn’t dream of interfering,” Pierre laughed, raising his glass in a mock toast. 

Marie felt a wave of relief as Pierre’s attention shifted away from her. She took a sip of her own champagne, trying to regain her composure.

“Shall we take a walk, Marie?” Charles suggested, sensing her unease. “The terrace has a lovely view.”

“That sounds nice,” she agreed, grateful for the escape.

“Enjoy your evening, Pierre,” Charles said, his tone polite but final as he guided Marie away.

As they walked towards the terrace, Marie felt Charles’s hand remain gently on her back, a silent promise of support and protection. He guided her through the elegantly decorated halls and out onto a terrace that overlooked the city. The cool night air was a welcome relief from the warmth of the ballroom. They stood in comfortable silence for a moment, gazing at the twinkling lights below. Marie took a deep breath, savouring the quiet. Charles turned to her, his expression softening.

“Are you holding up alright?” he asked, his concern evident. Marie nodded, offering a small smile.

“Yes, thank you. Just a bit overwhelmed with Pierre there for a moment,” she admitted, the blush refusing to leave her cheeks.

“He can be a bit much, but you handled it well. He’s harmless, just likes to test boundaries,” Charles chuckled softly, his hand still resting on her back.

“I could tell,” she replied, taking a deep breath. “I just wasn’t expecting all this attention.”

“You deserve it. You look stunning tonight, and anyone would be lucky to have your company. Especially me,” Charles said, his voice sincere. Marie’s blush deepened at his words and laughed softly, shaking her head.

“You’re quite the charmer yourself, you know,” she teased.

“Only when it’s true,” he replied, his eyes twinkling.

“How does your brother think we met?” Marie wondered, recalling Lorenzo passing by shortly after Charles joined her and Pierre. Surely Charles had not told his brother everything.

“Lorenzo thinks we met through mutual friends. It’s not entirely untrue, just...simplified,” Charles chuckled softly, glancing at her. 

“Simplified, huh?” Marie raised an eyebrow. 

“I didn’t think he needed to know all the details. Besides, it’s not something that’s easy to explain at a gala when his wife is heavily pregnant at home,” he continued, a faint smile playing on his lips. 

“I just don’t want to be the reason for any complications,” Marie admitted, turning her gaze back to the city lights.

“You’re not,” Charles assured her, his tone firm. “Lorenzo understands the importance of discretion. He won’t pry.”

“I suppose that’s for the best,” Marie sighed, feeling a bit more at ease. “So, I’m guessing you invited me here tonight because the person threatening you is here as well and you want to show a united front of some kind?”

“Correct, Ms. Dupont. I’m wondering if I should let you guess who they are,” Charles suggested, causing Marie to chuckle.

“I already have a suspicion,” she confessed, causing Charles to halt their leisurely stroll back into the opulent ballroom.

“You do?” he wondered, a mix of curiosity and intrigue in his voice. “Go on.”

“It’s one of three people. First, Pierre. I know he’s quite the flirt, but there’s something about his eyes that seem untrustworthy, no offence, of course. Second, I suspect the Dutchman, Verstappen, I think it was. He’s very quiet, observes more than he engages, and he followed you when you went looking for your brother and returned back to the hall shortly after you. And third… the Canadian, Stroll. He’s just giving me a funny feeling,” Marie explained.

“Keen observations, Ms. Dupont,” Charles smiled as they continued walking.

“So?” Marie urged him, her curiosity piqued.

“You’re right about one of them. It’s Max Verstappen,” Charles glanced around the room, then leaned in slightly with a lowered voice.Marie’s eyes widened slightly.

“I had a feeling. He’s been lurking in the shadows all evening,” she added. Charles nodded, his expression serious.

“Max has been trying to undermine me for a while. He’s meticulous, calculative. I’ve known him a very long time too and we’ve always competed in the same business markets as families, so I wouldn’t be surprised if this was his attempt to railroad my family once and for all. He's subtle, but dangerous. I wanted him to see that I’m not intimidated,” Charles explained.

“And you thought bringing me would help with that?” Marie asked, a mixture of scepticism and intrigue in her voice.

“Precisely,” Charles replied. “You being here shows that I have allies, people who trust me and stand by my side. It’s a power move.”

“Well, I’m glad I could help with your strategy,” Marie chuckled softly.

“You’ve been more helpful than you know, Marie,” Charles smiled, his eyes twinkling with gratitude.

“Do you have a plan to stop him?” Marie asked, her voice low and serious.

“I’ll be honest, Marie, no. I have no idea how to manage this,” Charles admitted, stopping their stroll through the gala once more. Marie nodded thoughtfully, her brow furrowed with concern.

“If we think logically, he would have made copies of the video. If you paid him and he deleted the file on his phone, he could have copies saved on various other platforms. That gives him an opportunity to leak it at a later stage or run back to you for more money,” she added.

“You’re right. I’ve been weighing the risks, but it’s a precarious situation,” Charles sighed, running a hand through his hair. 

“How much can we trust him to uphold his word?” Marie pressed, her gaze steady.

“He wouldn’t think twice to stab me in the back when it profits him,” Charles informed her, his tone grave.

“Great, this sounds like a wonderful problem to have,” Marie sighed, a touch of sarcasm in her voice. She looped her arm into his, a gesture of solidarity in the face of uncertainty.

The pair sighed together hopelessly before Charles turned to face her with a small, wry smile, “Shall we dance, Ms. Dupont?”

“Mr. Leclerc, I have two left feet and not nearly enough alcohol in my system for that. But, on this not so lovely occasion, why not?” she countered with a playful glint in her eye, following him onto the dancefloor.

They moved together in silence, the music enveloping them in its soft embrace. Charles’s hands rested perfectly on her hips, guiding her with a surprising grace despite Marie’s earlier protestations about her dancing skills. After a few moments, Charles glanced down at Marie, noticing her scanning the faces of the people around them. He could sense her unease, the weight of their conversation still lingering between them. His hand rested leisurely on her hip, his thumb rubbing small circles against her dress in an attempt to ease her anxiety.

“Why stay in Monaco?” Charles asked abruptly, his voice low as he tried to distract her from the fuss around them.

“Well, it… Diana and I ran out of money here and needed to find work to get back on our feet. Why I stayed for as long as I have, I don’t know,” Marie began, her voice tinged with introspection. “I suppose it’s familiar now. Going back home would be such a shift, I don’t think I would enjoy it as much as I do here.”

“What about your parents’ apartment?” Charles inquired gently, his curiosity genuine.

“I’m frightened by how much you know about my life,” Marie scoffed lightly, a hint of vulnerability in her tone. “But to answer your question,I’ve thought about going back to pack it up and move everything into storage, maybe rent it out as an Airbnb because I could never sell it.”

“I can help with that,” Charles’s expression softened, understanding in his eyes. 

“What?” Marie replied, genuinely surprised by his offer.

“I can have my people go and do all the packing and moving. You wouldn’t have to go if you don’t want to,” he explained earnestly.

“I couldn’t expect you to do that,” Marie shook her head, touched by his gesture.

“Let me do this for you, please,” Charles insisted, his voice quiet but determined. “If I can’t buy you clothes or give you any financial help, at least let me help with this. I know what it feels like losing a parent, but losing both... I can’t imagine the pain.”

Marie looked up at him, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. She felt a wave of gratitude wash over her, mingled with a newfound sense of trust.

“Thank you, Charles. I... I would appreciate that,” she conceded, a sudden pressure lifting from her shoulders.

They continued to sway to the music, finding a quiet comfort in each other’s presence amidst the swirling uncertainty of their circumstances. One thing Marie knew, Charles was a good man who did a bad thing and was trying his best to deal with that in his own way.

---------------------------

Taglist: @headinthecloudssblog

[annabelvallie]

The Regime of Gluttony and Starvation

Word count: 1.9k

I wonder if they know. Do they sip the golden bubbled concoction and think of every throat that spit cannot even comfort? If they pull seared flesh from polished forks, do they imagine the gnashing, desperate teeth of children who claw desperately at what they call “dog food”?

They call this city Eden. In school, we’re taught that we are safe from disease, agony, and sadness. Something everyone at this grotesquely overdecorated table knows nothing of. How can the pleasured know they are joyous when they have never been pained? How can the glutted know themselves satisfied if they have never been hungry? Eden was built on gluttony. We are told the outside world is sick. A type of illness that doesn't forgive but punishes. I wouldn’t call it sick—morbid maybe. I had learned that word from one of the novels we read in Lyceum education; the book ‘A Dark Hour’ was written some 500 years ago. The author called the country “hell on earth,” a place where filth and evil are magnified. Our city’s teachers reference beyond the walls as desolate nothingness, birthed from a war that was far worse than in the story. 

Rusted oranges and browns made the outside world. Kicked-up dirt filtered the air with a thick haze; irritating eyes that would never know tears; water was too precious to be wasted on emotion. The heavy sound of moans and comfortless cries carried with no destination, as did the smell of waste, constantly assaulting the hairs in your nose. Hot air thickened my throat, making it hard to breathe. Bodies discarded like statues haunted the breathing, similar to those on paper that piled into sunken earth. Every movement was strained as if they had to fight for the ability to take a step. Through the swarm of people, there was no end.

Barbed wire snatched a handful of skin from my thigh, making me wince. Before the sultry air could oxidise the gash, flies were frenzying on the crimson. 

I had never known suffocation until the day of Matia.

“Joseph, pass the grapes please.” A short man whose jaw seemed to rest slack held out his hand, motioning to the silver bowl that harboured bulbs of green and purple. Passing it to him, I watched as he pierced the skin of a grape with pearly teeth. All I could think of was the people beyond the wall who would fight one another for a cluster of what he would consume in a short moment, not out of hunger but boredom, before the main course arrived.

Praefectus Cain, the man sitting at the head of the table with a Navy Blue suit, held up his glass, motioning for silence. “Welcome, Abigail Dupont, Elijah Fournier, and Joseph Martin.” He hovered his glass in the direction of the girl on my left and the boy on my right. “We thank you for taking your position in the Imperium. We trust that after Matia today your eyes have been opened and you will continue Eden’s legacy and keep our people safe and at peace.” 

The values of Eden surround love, whether that means the effort and care of a pastry or the simple act of clearing a guest’s plate. Gratitude is more important than the act itself. The way your fork and knife lie after a meal is communication and appreciation on its own. The meal was delicious if the handles were south with their blade and prongs pointed east. Lust, the overwhelming desire of another, is praised almost as highly as a perfectly smooth-shelled macaroon. Devotion is embroidered into liquor that makes your brain twist as if it were inside a dough mixer. 

Here, to love is to feed, eat, indulge, and blur gluttony and greed into the same idea. Seared beef, vanilla sponge cake, caramel, strawberries that dribble at the corners of your mouth, thick shakes with colour dye, the peel of a mandarin, wishbones, salted butter, sherbert, pineapple that burns your tongue, appetisers, and hors d’oeuvres. The table shrank as plates piled from the kitchen-what used to be a pristine cotton tablecloth now plates of every meal imaginable. It is a special day, of course. As people began to feast, I felt as though my body had conformed to a jelly-like substance, unable to move on its own, only able to react to the drunken movement surrounding it. 

The next day I found myself focused on every passing person on my way to work. Specifically, I stared at how their mouths curled into smiles and eyes creased with joy. Stupidity and negligence are bliss. If they knew what was outside, they too would be burdened and distraught. 

A woman with blonde hair that moved like ripples around her head caught my attention. Her cheeks and lips looked to be stained with cherry juice, and she took her time letting her heels click on and drag with every step she took. At that moment I thought of how she laughed—if it was quiet and withdrawn or louder. How did she prefer her eggs—scrambled, poached, fried, or boiled? I thought about a lifetime in a minute, and during that time, I forgot about what was beyond the walls. Possibly, I could remain this way. If I mocked what everyone around me did, I might find the joy that they experienced. If I married and partied and ate, would that sickening feeling I have held with me since Matia dissipate? 

The Imperium was stationed north of Eden, just past a row of oak trees that signified the end of the orchid plantation. I would park in the furthest spot from the entrance, press through a swing door that moves awfully slowly to accommodate those who wobble more than walk, and make my way through the hallway that runs through the city wall. Even though I pass through five days out of seven, I cannot help but stare out the wall’s windows every chance I have. The small slits in the hallway that allowed tainted auburn light to flow through and the large painting-like glass in the central office reminded everyone of what we shield from our citizens. At lunch for an hour, we sat at a stretched table overlooking Eden’s farmland and feasted on whatever specials the chef had plotted, yesterday was a honeyed duck. “I don’t know what is wrong with you, Joseph; this is one of the best ducks I’ve had this year and you refuse to eat more than an appetiser,” Abigaile exclaimed after finishing off the meat. 

I replied softly, knowing more than one ear was listening. “My appetite isn’t as strong as it used to be. Thank you for your consideration” It was an uncommon phenomenon, a refusal of food. Not eating is the equivalent of vetoing oxygen. “I’m just going to use the bathroom, excuse me.” I stand, placing the folded unstained napkin on the cushioned chair. Taking a last glance at the quantity of people and the view of my city I continue down one of the hallways. Even though my stomach growled, the idea of eating repulsed me. During the day my mouth would salivate in the hope of relief, by night when all I wanted was to binge I would finally make myself something.  Tonight I may have the oysters my father brought round this morning. He works at a lease and every time I crack salt over my plate I think of him, how his skin smelt like the unfiltered water and his hands that were callus and coarse from cutting open their shells. 

Taking each step I find myself mimicking the women I see most days on my way here. Click, drag. Click, drag… and just as I do with every window, discarding the bathroom where I was headed, my eyes wander to the clear surface overlooking the apocalyptic world a mere twenty metres away from our utopia. Instead of continuing further, my body lurches to a frozen halt. Apparently, on the other side, they can’t see through the glass. To them, it looks like the stone pattern remains unbroken. I don’t believe that. Staring through the glass, I am met with another man mirroring myself. His eyes are tired but focused and unwavering from mine. His nose has a crease at the bridge as if it were broken, and his teeth are jagged with gums receding so highly that they could have been finger bones. What scared me the most was how hollow his cheeks were. As if scooped with a soup spoon. His face resembles somewhat of Edvard Munch’s ‘The Scream’. 

Instead of taking a step forward in concern or back in retreat, I simply stared. When I felt someone lock their knees next to me, my gaze remained on the window in a competition-like fashion.

Praefectus Cain’s firm voice began, “Joseph, is something upsetting you? Are you hungry?” 

Pulling my head back, feeling the muscles tense around every vertebra in a rehearsed sequence like piano keys in a glissando. I looked at him—at his round stomach, at his creased forehead, at his thin blond hair, at his tie bar with the words ‘Ab ovo usque ad mala’ engraved into the silver—before staring back at the window like a child and a cartoon film. I felt nauseated like I had just drunk vomitorium, a tiny ounce glass filled with yellow liquid that made you sick so you could go on eating. They usually have them at balls and galas. “I’m fine, thank you… Do…” My voice crackled as if a teaspoon of honey sat on my windpipe. “Do you ever think of helping them, the people out there?”

He thought, not about the answer but how to word it. “Yes, when I was your age.”

“I can’t think of how to describe it. I feel bad, sorry.

“Guilt.” The word was spoken as if he had been waiting to use it. 

The word was alien: “I’m sorry, sir, I don’t know what that means.”

We remain facing forward, “It means you have morals, something only a few here hold. Knowledge is the heaviest of all burdens, even if it carries no weight.  

“We have food to spare.” By then the man on the other side of the wall had walked off, his feet kicking up more loose orange powder-like dirt.

“How could you choose who receives a bounty? Every living thing is bound by fate. The people of Eden are safe from hunger because they are lucky. If we were to open our resources, what would happen? They are animals, Joseph. Unlike us, their world does not have a drop of civilisation.” Through the window, two boys ran towards a bird that had fallen to the ground. With desperate efforts, the taller one had proved victorious in the feathered corpse, and the shorter one crouched over the ground, echoing the fallen animal. “Tell me, Joseph, would they eat, or would they devour? The flesh of our loved ones would be torn from their bones and they would drink like we do red wine. These animals do not know amity, love, or kindness; we are survivors, that is what separates us.”

With a sigh, I could feel the pads of my fingers tingle with anticipation of cold sweat and unease. “Then, if being inhumane constitutes our difference, are we not the same?”

[lizzybeth1986]

Petals and Thornes - Side Stories

As a series, Petals and Thornes focuses on the friendship - and later, love - blossoming between Hana Lee and Kiara Thorne during the engagement tour of the newly-crowned King Liam and Countess Madeleine.

The story is largely canon-compliant in some of the story beats, but I make significant changes to accommodate questions I've had about canon itself. Some of the times, those changes include or explore the stories of other characters in the series, but including them in the series proper would mean taking the story away from Hana and Kiara. So this is the space where I explore those characters and their side-stories, through one-shots and miniseries.

Right now only Liam and Esther have side stories, but I have a few plans for Drake and Maxwell in the P&T series too.

Esther

Keychains: Esther | Liam

In the aftermath of the Coronation, and the scandal that robbed Liam and Esther of their chance to be together, what do the two lovers cling to in their time of grief?

Masks

Dressing for Cordonia's first event of the social season - the Masquerade Ball - has Esther walking down memory lane. Set in Chapter 2 of TRR1.

When the Sun Kisses the Sea

Esther and Liam spend a magical evening at the beach. Set after the Forgotten Falls scene and before Constantine talks to Liam at the end of Ch 10 of TRR1

Three and a Half Weeks (miniseries)

Esther DuPont has three and a half weeks in Ramsford. Three and a half weeks to prepare for her return to court, three and a half weeks to get over the man she thought she was going to marry, the friends she thought would be at her side.

Three and a half weeks...to make peace with the way she left.

(Coming soon!)

Headcanons

Esther Noelle DuPont: Character Sheet

Liam

Eleanor's Kitchen (series)

Join little Prince Liam as he watches his mother, and her friends, experience the foods that remind them the most of their homes...as he enjoys the delights of good food and great friendships.

Bedtime Baklava

In her first few months as Queen, Regina Amaranth bonds with her youngest stepson over an unlikely sweet.

Cordonian Waltz

Box step, reverse, spin, twirl. A mere arrangement of dance steps. Until you came along, that was all Liam ever imagined the Cordonian Waltz to be.

Our Sword of Damocles

Barely seconds after becoming king, Liam faces his first ever crisis in court - a scandal that results in his chosen bride being disgraced and thrown out. Is his final decision a wise one that will protect her, or an act of cowardice? A former monarch helps him find the answer.

That Old Grape Juice: Cabernet Franc | Chardonnay

As Liam and Olivia renew their friendship during his social season, how do they deal with the changes they see in each other? Set in the Lythikos chapters of TRR1.

Legacies (miniseries): The Statues | The Queens

In the aftermath of his father's death, Liam struggles with the lionizing of Constantine's rule, and wonders at the legacy he wants to leave behind. Answers emerge from an unlikely source.

(To be updated soon!)

Headcanons

Coping Strategies, Food and Fashion HCs

The Children of the House of Rys

[dgaftilwedie]

IT'Z TIMEEEEE!!!!! dis is christophe dupont and im pretty he's like, everyone's favorite xD (picrew was made by mosssygator btdubz!!!)

statz: FRENCH HE IS VERY FRENCH I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH, he/him bi :3 (will fuck anything that moves and consents tho), metalhead, looks a million times less sophisticated than this picrew makes him xD

likez: smoking, getting laid, journalism and photography, knife-throwing, having slightly more money than everyone else, baking, old emo music (he's a former emo), bourbon, musicals (his guilty pleasure), the binding of isaac

dislikez: the binding of isaac (average tboi fan), stupid idiots, chick-fil-a, airpods, metal elitists, a lot of things actually... he's a proud hater

background: french, born n raised baby B) well, kind of. his parents were self-proclaimed adventurers. christophe wasn't exactly planned but his parents refused to let that get in the way of their exploits. he spent a majority of his time with his grandparents. his grandpa was a photographer who helped the local newspaper and his grandma was a baker who was well-known for giving out treats to little kids for free. when he was 9, his parents left for their biggest expedition ever. jokes on them though because it was also their last. christophe didn't really care though. he got to move in with his awesome grandparents and help them with their awesome jobs!! unfortunately, his grandpa passed away when he was 16 and his grandma later at 18. he made a promise to carry on their legacy as best as he could. he didn't want to abandon the bakery so he entrusted it to one of his closest friends before moving the the US for a fresh start. he started attending college (sort of) (okay not actually) (he showed up on campus and followed some random dude to all his classes completely undetected) and he bumped into sera, who was on campus selling brochures for... actually, he didn't know what. sera introduced him to her friends and the group became super close. the only good thing his parents ever did was give him all of their money after they died, and he used it to buy an apartment. yippee!!!!!!