#I adore that she went and hugged the servants and bowed to them

[yongbbokkie]

agshsjKnzkaJadfkg yeeessssss I neeeeddd moooooore!! I am so in love with this world already and the idea of the kingsguard and what they stand for!!! I can not wait for the rest!! but holy shit I am so scared for jisung!!! and felix! I hope he never gets found!! I need the king dead.

blossoming ; jisung x reader ; part 2/4

part one | part two | part three | final part

pairing: han jisung/reader author's note: all right i decided four parts, the rest this weekend. smut starts next chapter. for now i torture everyone with slow burn build up. yummy.

content info: reader is described with curly hair.

content warnings: previously established warnings from part one plus this chapter has an additional content warning for emetophobia.

word count: 5100 words.

<3

-

Morning dawns with a cool, clear light, but it fades as quickly, dissolving in the burning sunshine.  Every hand is at work, preparing the royal retinue for its return journey to the capital. 

You watch as the last of your trunks are loaded onto a wagon.  Each click and latch echoes inside you.  You stand helpless as your life is locked in iron. 

You walk to exert the worst of your nerves, fluttering inside you like a thousand frantic butterflies.  You lift your gaze to the sky, willing those butterflies to carry you away, but then you see your family waving from a balcony. 

You cannot let them see your pain.  It is too late to do anything about the marriage, even if your parents expressed some regret for the arrangement.  That regret was tentatively posed to avoid treasonous speech, but they were undoubtedly taken aback by the king’s poor behaviour.    

Your mother insisted on dressing you this morning.  She was teary-eyed the entire time, so you faked your best and brightest smile.  There was no sense in you both suffering. 

The child in you wants to fling yourself at your family.  The woman you are, the queen you have become, forces a smile and waves back. 

You continue your walk.  Your mother dressed you finely but comfortably, a long, loose gown with flowing sleeves, your curly hair pinned in a twisting up-do, a flower behind your ear in lieu of a crown. 

Heads turn towards you, for there are courtiers milling about.  Some are travelling with the king’s party while others will divert course to visit their own lands.  Judgemental eyes trail the sweep of your hem across the earthen path.  You feign indifference as you weave in-and-out of the bustling bodies.

The courtyard has never been so busy.  The clamour of trunks, the stomping of horses, and the din of busy chatter blend into cacophony. 

Distantly, you hear a guitar.  

Han Jisung.  The first name you associate with music. 

You are flushed with embarrassment, remembering last night’s sorry return to your room.  Jisung escorted you back, a silent trek that agitated your frayed anxiety at the time.  In the light of day, you realize just how much he did for you.  You would not have survived the journey, at least not in one piece, and if anyone else had caught you, your life would have been equally forfeit. 

He committed an offense against the crown, a sin in his faith, one that would have demanded a great deal of reconciliation.  You have heard stories of kingsguards self-flagellate in the pursuit of forgiveness for even meagre transgressions.  The fact Jisung understood your betrayal, the fact he forgave it, the fact he saved you, is not insubstantial. 

You wonder who this man is, to wear the cloth but help his friend first, to keep secrets for a woman he hardly knew because he sympathized with her pain.  To have a sword at his hip and a song on his lips. 

You follow the guitar.�� It leads you to the royal carriages and a circle of kingsguards in a hushed argument.  Jisung is playing a comically frantic tune while they debate. 

“What’s going on?” another kingsguard approaches.  It is the short and stocky one from the ceremony.  You learned the names of the all kingsguards at the evening festivities.  You recognize this one as Seo Changbin, an undoubted force of brute strength, striding up to his brethren with a hand on his sword hilt. 

“Felix disappeared,” Jisung trills, fingers dancing over the guitar strings, “and the kingsguard is afeared, because the king is not too dear—”

“What?” Changbin interrupts, looking at the others.  “Felix is gone?”

“Not just Felix,” a brown-haired guard, Lee Minho, says.  His brow is pinched.  “The king’s mistress is missing too.” 

Your eyes widen, your careful mask cracking under the assault of shock. 

The woman who ran off with Felix was the king’s mistress?   

It does not take much knowledge of the inner circle to deduce that does not bode well for anyone.  A kingsguard breaking his oath is one thing, a kingsguard running off with a woman is another still, but a kingsguard conducting an affair with the king’s mistress is a personal betrayal heaped on top of sin.  The only worse crime would be if he pursued the king’s wife. 

Jisung looks at you.  

He spots you across the crowd and strums a foul note, fingers clumsy with surprise.  The bad note draws attention to him, so the other guards follow his line of sight.   They all straighten when they see you, their strong shoulders tense with anxiety.

Minho and Changbin immediately duck into a bow.  The other two, Kim Seungmin and Yang Jeongin, exchange a glance before following suit.  Hwang Hyunjin, the preposterously beautiful one, bows but not before he grimaces with discomfort at their conversation being overheard by the queen.

Jisung is still staring, his eyes darting from your face to the flower behind your ear.  He meets your eyes and, for a long moment, sinks into your gaze where he loses himself.  The events of the previous evening seem to play in the space between you, every panicked whisper and solemn glance.

Then he abruptly notices the rest are bowing. With a yelp, he swings down into a bow. 

You take a breath to steady your voice. “What’s this about a missing person?” you ask. 

They straighten, one by one, sharing uncertain looks.  Minho and Jisung seem to have a mute conversation, Minho clenching his jaw and lifting his brows as if mutely scolding Jisung.  Jisung stares back with furrowed brows as if challenging it.

In the end, it’s the youngest one who speaks.  Jeongin is a shaggy-haired youth and his whole face is scrunched with worry. 

“A kingsguard is missing,” he blurts.  “But he’s not a bad guard,” he adds frantically, waving his hands around.  “Really.  We don’t know what happened.  It’s not like him.  And the king’s mistress is missing too, but that doesn’t make sense.  No, it doesn’t make any sense at all.  Felix wouldn’t do that.  It’s not like Felix.  It’s really very strange, your Majesty.  We don’t understand, Your Majesty.  Your Majesty.”  He dips into a bow every time he utters your title.

Seungmin kicks him. 

“Stop talking, dummy,” Seungmin says out of the side of his mouth. 

“Right, I’m sorry,” Jeongin says, bowing again.  “We’re all very loyal.  We’re the kingsguard.  You know that. Of course you do.”

As if anyone could mistake the cluster of black-robed soldiers, looking very austere among the courtiers and servants. 

You say nothing more, simply cast your gaze around the assembled soldiers, doing your utmost not to look at Jisung lest you betray too much secret knowledge. 

“There is no cause for concern,” Minho says, drawing your attention.  “Everyone is just… surprised.”

“Yeah,” Seungmin mutters, “Surprised it wasn’t Hyunjin.”   

Jeongin snorts, though he looks remorseful after.  Hyunjin whips around to glare at Seungmin who is now snickering to himself. 

“Excuse me,” Hyunjin says, catty in tone, “I let them look, but I don’t touch.”

“And what do they touch?” Seungmin retorts.  Jeongin laughs again and looks even more chagrined, covering his mouth and closing his eyes. 

“Yah, knock it off,” Changbin says, waving them apart. 

“We’ll fix it,” Minho says to you.  “You don’t need to concern yourself, your Majesty.”

You do not say that you are very concerned.  You worry the king’s attentions will return to you sooner than he threatened.  And if that was his conduct when he had a mistress for pleasure, you are loathe to imagine how he might behave in her absence.    

But that is not an admittance you can make to the holy order sworn to enforce the will of the gods-blessed crown.

The king is wearing that crown as he storms over.  He is already ranting and raving, barking at the leader of kingsguard.  Chan follows him, hand on the hilt of his sword, stoic face not betraying a hint of anxiety.  He nods patiently at the king’s ranting. 

When they reach the guards, a single look from Chan compels them all to stand in formation and bow before the king.

“I want them found!” the king hollers.  “I want their heads on pikes outside my window!  And if I find any conspirators in this fucking plot—”   He shoves a passing servant, a man in the wrong place at the wrong time.  The servant spills to the ground, cowering when the king looms over him.  “Then they too shall pay the price of treason.”   

The servant crawls into full obeisance, prostrate on the ground.  The king just snarls and steps over him. 

“Sire,” Chan says curtly, a vague acknowledgement before he helps the servant up and sends him on his way. 

The king has already moved on, still ranting to himself as he storms across the courtyard.  He starts shouting about his wife, evidently missing you in the crowd.  You swallow down the choking terror in your throat and follow him. 

“If that whore ran off too—” he starts, turning around and finally seeing you.  He snarls.  “It would have been preferable,” he says. 

You say nothing.  You dip into a respectful bow and keep your eyes down.  It conceals your fear, your frustration.  You hope it just looks submissive.   

“It is not necessary we overindulge in company,” he says.  “You will ride in the carriage behind mine.  The kingsguard will surround us.  You will not bother them.  You will not be a grievance to me.  You will be quiet.  You will be obedient.  You will do as told and move only when bid.”  He does not wait for a reply, turning to look at the guards.  “We depart.  Now.  I want to leave this disgusting territory behind me.”

He spits.  Ostensibly, it is just on the ground, a slight against the land, but it falls close to your feet.  It is abundantly obvious what he is actually spitting on. 

You take another steadying breath, staring at that spot on the ground.  When you find the strength to lift your gaze, the guards are staring at you.  Their expressions run the range of pity and malcontent.  You suppose they would be offended by the king slighting you so outright.  Though his blood is divine by birthright, they believe the gods control the fates of men, so if you are queen it is because the gods will it so.  You have also been chosen by the gods and it is not appropriate for the king to conduct himself thusly. 

They are visibly disgruntled, Chan most of all, his brow furrowed as he stares after the king.  The shake of his head is nearly imperceptible; you would have missed it if you were not looking at that precise moment. 

The king leaves an awkward silence in his retreat.  It is broken when Jisung strums a melodramatic chord on his guitar. 

Chan shoots him an unimpressed look.  Jisung giggles nervously.   

“Put it away,” Chan says.

“Heh, right,” Jisung says, spinning on his heel.  He putters towards his horse where he packs his guitar with his saddlebags. 

In spite of yourself, you feel the tug of a smile, very small but very real.  Your eyes follow Jisung until Chan steps forward, his hand over his heart as he bows politely.

“Your Majesty,” he says.  “I’ll escort you to the carriage.” 

You start to follow, casting a final glance back at your home.  When you do, you catch sight of something across the courtyard.  It roots you to the spot.  Your heart weighs you down like a lead weight. 

“Your Majesty?” Chan says, tilting his head.  He holds out his hand. 

“I’m sorry,” you say.  It comes out on a breath.  You clear your throat but your voice is still shaking when you say, “Can you give me just one more moment?  I’ll be fast.”

His squints, perplexed, but he nods. 

You gather your skirts so you can run quickly over the courtyard bricks.  You hurry to the cluster of household servants who are gathered in a teary-eyed throng by the palace.   When they see you coming, they all rush forward.  You meet them halfway, throwing your arms around the woman directly in your path. 

Your tears nearly escape, but you manage to restrain them, enveloped in the friendly embrace of the household that raised you.  You spent more time among these people than anyone else, always respectful of their important duties, cherishing their friendships as dearly as any noblesse. 

You know it is inappropriate as a queen, standing there hugging the servants one-by-one, but you suspect you will draw ire regardless.  So you hug and thank them, wiping a few teary faces as they wish you well. 

“You’ll come back and visit right?” a little girl asks, the daughter of a handmaiden your own age, a woman you consider a friend.  You spent many hours entertaining her daughter, helping with chores, giving gifts, seeing her grow. 

You crouch down to her level, holding back tears as you nod.  You know it’s not true, that the king will undoubtedly forbid it given his contempt for this place.  But you say, “Of course I will.  This is my home.  I’d miss you all too much.”

“We’ll miss you too,” her mother says, hugging you next.  When she does, she slips something into your hand, a small phial of a dark liquid.  “Sleeping draft,” she whispers in your ear.  “For the nights the king needs his rest so you may have yours.” 

You laugh through your tears, kiss her temple and a mouth a thank you as you withdraw.   You tuck the phial into a pocket pouch inside your gown. 

After a few more goodbyes, you stand before them and bow.  You offer a smile as they return it.  It carries a very different respect than the terrified cowering of the servant before the king. 

You are not the only one who thinks so.  When you turn, you find the guards all staring at you, their faces a wall of blinking surprise.  Jisung is the worst at hiding his thoughts, his brown eyes the widest.   Chan is the best, but even he cannot hide his contemplation.   

“I’m ready,” you say gently. 

You lift your hem and walk onward.  You do not look back.  You wait until the carriage door is closed behind you, then you bury your face in your hands and cry. 

-

Your sorrow passes, bleeding into frustration, then fury.   Alone in the carriage, you have time to stew in a myriad of emotions as you deliberate on your circumstances.  You resolve to stand firm before the king, to not crumple beneath his cruel sneers, to bear his wickedness with grace.  You will make him ridiculous in comparison to your obvious virtue. 

This commitment falters very quickly. 

For the first hour of travel, you are passing through your family’s property, then the village.  The roads are paved and the passage is smooth.  When you reach the forest path, it is a different matter entirely.  Though there is a road that cuts through the great woods, it is a trail of gravel and packed, uneven dirt.  The carriage jostles constantly, bouncing up and down at inconsistent intervals.

You last three hours.  By the end of that third hour, you are so queasy that the scarlet interior of the carriage turns to a murky green.  Your spotted vision swims through that grime even with your eyes closed.  You do everything you can to ease the discomfort, taking down your hair pin-by-pin until every curl is loose, the flower discarded because its scent was too strong.  You sit in every possible position, craning towards the window and fresh air, but the nausea only worsens as the trail gets bumpier. 

You try to distract yourself, listening to the aimless chatter and laughter from the kingsguards.  Their horses trot along at an unhurried canter, far smoother than the carriage wheels jumping over rocks and earth. 

After a particularly violent jostle, you give up.  You are going to be sick and you would rather not do it in the carriage. 

“Excuse me,” you say, waving to the first guard you see.  Minho is not far from the window.  “I’m sorry but I need to stop.  Right now.”  You want to elaborate but your stomach rolls and your voice catches. 

You must look sufficiently ill because Minho clicks his boots and quickens his pace, riding up to Chan near the king’s carriage.  You slump against your seat while they have a quick discussion.

Chan lifts a hand and the whole train comes to a halt. 

You do not wait for them to open the door.  You burst out of the carriage in a clumsy frenzy, running to the treeline where you fall to your knees and promptly empty the contents of your stomach. 

You feel hot and frantic, heaving as you struggle to hold your hair off your face.  You sputter, lips quivering as another wave rises inside you. 

Someone jumps off their horse and lands beside you.  You spare a brief glance up at Minho, his brow pinched with concern, but then the king shouts in aggravations and you throw yourself forward to vomit some more.

Minho helps, bending over you, gathering you hair as best he can and holding it out of the way.  The next closest soldier, Hyunjin, also dismounts and approaches. 

Vomiting is not exactly dignified.  It feels even worse to have every single person in the royal retinue watch you spew your breakfast over the forest floor.

You lift your head, turning to offer an apology but your voice is shot.  Minho still looms rather protectively, Hyunjin nearby.  You look around for Chan to address him, but your eyes find Jisung first.  He is the farthest away, perched on horseback, fidgeting with the reins.

The king shouts again.  It’s a block of noise to your ringing ears, but you suspect he is angry at the delay.  He told you not to be a grievance.

You try to stand but your knees wobble.  You use a rock for balance, then Minho when he takes your arm.   Hyunjin steps in and takes your other arm.  Together, they get you back on your feet. 

“I don’t think she can continue yet, sire,” Chan says, riding into view.  “Maybe we should rest here for a bit.”

“We are stopping to rest in an hour,” the king snaps.  “I will not be delayed so near to our schedule.”

“What made you sick?” Minho asks.

“The carriage,” you say, groaning as you wipe your mouth.  You are certain you make a ravaged sight.  At least your stomach is empty now, the worst of the nausea passed, but you cannot imagine climbing back inside that rattling monstrosity.  

You step forward, away from Minho and Hyunjin.  Your legs quiver but you steady yourself. 

“I’ve never ridden a carriage so far,” you say.  “I’m very sorry, I am.  The terrain is just so uneven.  I’ve only ever ventured to the village and back.”  Even then, you usually travelled on horseback.  Sometimes you would sit on the back on a wagon or two, but it never went farther than the ends of the property. 

“Why doesn’t she travel on horseback?”  That sounds like Seungmin, speaking somewhere behind you. 

“Can you ride a horse?” Hyunjin asks, to which you nod emphatically. 

“It might be less intense at this pace,” Minho agrees. 

They look at Chan.  You are certain there is something significant about the fact the guards always seek instructions from Chan and not the king, but you are too unsettled to contemplate anything too deeply. 

Chan is the one who looks at the king, lifting a questioning brow. 

“There’s no horses to spare,” the king says.  “If one of you wants to deal with the brat, then take her.” 

Hyunjin steps towards you. 

“Not you,” the king says. 

Hyunjin steps back again.

The king, who is still in his carriage, cranes his neck to look around the gathered guards.  He snaps his fingers. 

“Bard boy,” he calls.  “Take the queen.”

“Jisung,” Chan says, waving him forward.  “Come here.” 

You look at Jisung who is visibly startled at his selection.  His black hair is a bit windswept, the longer tufts curling up at his nape.  Wide, brown eyes find yours, slowly blinking to attention.  With a shake of his head, he picks up the reins and rides over to you. 

You step back, staring up at him on his perch.  He says nothing but extends his open hand, blinking those captivating eyes at you.  You are not sure why they ensnare you so, nor why your heart skips a beat when you delicately place your hand in his.  That beat pounds a quick stacatto when his sword-calloused fingers grip yours tightly. 

Minho and Hyunjin help you onto the horse.  You seat yourself side-saddle in front of Jisung, ramrod straight so you are not pressed against him.  His arms circle you to take the reins and you pointedly do not look at his hands.    

Despite the king’s presumption, you would have been less bothered by Hyunjin.  Yes, he is irrevocably handsome, his own black hair tied back, sleek and pristine, but it does not affect you.  A handsome face has never much moved you.  You always thought yourself logical, your heart oddly shaped next to others.

But now you are looking at Jisung’s dark-painted nails, his soldier’s hands on the reins; now you are feeling his breath at your nape, the warmth that emanates from his body, hot from wearing black in the summer sun; now you think of him helping his friend, helping you, and that makes him more than a handsome face.  it makes your stomach twist in a very different way than before. 

That feeling is exacerbated when he reaches into a saddlebag and retrieves a waterskin. 

“Here,” he says in a soft voice.  “Drink. Go on.”  He puts it in your hand. 

You take a deep drink, purging your mouth of the foul residue of sickness.  You thank him just as softly and hand the waterskin back.   

Once settled, the train resumes course.  Chan waves and everyone marches on.

Jisung spurs the horse into motion.  Despite your best effort, the movement knocks you into his chest.  Jisung sputters and you realize your undone hair is flying into face. 

“Oh, I’m sorry,” you say, desperately smoothing it down.  It does not work, but all your pins are in the carriage and you suspect the king will not be too enchanted if you stop the train to fetch them.

“It’s okay,” Jisung says.  “One second.”  He lays the reins down, his thigh muscles firm behind you as he squeezes to maintain leverage. 

Then you feel the brush of his fingertips on your bare neck.  It sends an immediate cascade of shivers shooting down your spine.  He gathers your hair carefully in his hands, guiding it over your shoulder, away from his face. 

Minho also pulled back your hair, but that was a very different sensation. 

This you… feel.

He takes up the reins again, arms circled around you.  You pull yourself upright as the horse moves along. 

You think this ride might be stiff and uncomfortable, but then he begins to hum to himself.  You find the gentle melody placates your nerves.  Your frantic energy simmers to a cooler calm. 

After a while, the conversations resume around you.  Jisung tells some jokes to the other guards and you smile, though it is weak.  Their camaraderie makes you miss your own friends already. 

Jisung hums again, almost like he can sense your discomfort.  It is most likely a coincidence, but you still find yourself sighing pleasantly. 

With the worst of your anxiety tempered, at least for now, you ask him, “Where did you learn to play?”

“Sorry?”  The question catches him off guard.

“Sorry,” you say.  “I don’t mean to pry.  I’m just curious.” 

Though there is often a bard-like character in the kingsguard, it is nonetheless an intriguing amalgamation of skills.  They do not let just anyone into the kingsguard service, even if they are willing to take the vow of chastity and surrender their earthly goods.  Jisung must be an exceptionally skilled swordsman to be admitted, an interesting background for such a talented musician.  Though he was joking with his music earlier, he is very capable of composing melodic poetry.

“Music and swordplay just seem an odd match,” you say.

“Maybe,” he replies.  “Maybe not.  They both require dedication.  Time.  Practice.” 

“You are a devout man, I suppose,” you say. 

“Of course,” he answers confidently.  “I am absolutely the most devout and most impressive one here—ow.”  Someone, probably Seungmin, chucks a coin at his head.  

You laugh, glancing at Jisung over your shoulder.  His eyes dart briefly to your mouth, his own face brightening at your smile.  He laughs back and nods. 

“Honestly, I grew up with music first,” he says.  “I didn’t, uh… I didn’t exactly grow up in a palace.  To say the least.  But, yeah, definitely palace-adjacent and not a hovel on a street in the capital,” he jokes.  As he talks, you picture a little boy with a guitar, strumming on the busy city streets.  “I used to write songs and sing for money.  Then I got older.  I was looking for work when the war started.  I got recruited like a lot of boys, but I was pretty disciplined and a fast learner.  After the war, I met Chan.  He put in a good word for me, so I was able to put myself forward during the new recruitment season.”

“So you haven’t been there long,” you say.  The war only ended a year ago. 

“Ten months,” he says cheerily.  “But it’s the best thing that ever happened to me.” 

“That’s commendable,” you say.  “It’s rewarding, I’m sure, but an intense order nonetheless.  I can’t imagine making so many sacrifices.”

“Can’t you?” 

The question is posed softly but lands heavily.  You suppose Jisung is correct; you have both made sacrifices to be where you are, though the journeys were very different, and your futures more so. 

“I’m sorry,” he says quickly.  “Fuck, that wasn’t my place.  Your Majesty.  Oh, fuck, I swore.  Fuck, sorry.  Ignore that.” 

You laugh in spite of yourself, catching the sound in your palm.  He laughs behind you.  Even with a sliver of distance between you, you can feel his chest shaking.

“Good thing foregoing curses is not one of your oaths,” you say.

“Oh, fuck, no, I’d fail that one for sure.  Sorry, ignore that too.” 

You are pretty sure he is being funny on purpose now, but you appreciate it, smiling as you move beneath a canopy of trees.  It is much cooler in the shade, alleviating the discomfort of the hot sun.  You exhale and let your posture slacken, just a bit, just enough your bodies touch on every downward canter. 

“Were you ever scared?” you ask.  The king’s carriage is ahead of you.  You watch the wheels turn and turn. 

“Yeah,” he says.  “A bit.  A lot.  Completely.  Not about the vows, though.  I was just scared I’d let everyone down.  Especially Chan.  He put his own reputation on the line when he stood for me.  I don’t know what he saw in me.  Gods only know no one else ever saw it.  Me included.”

He laughs at his self-deprecation but you do not.  You watch the shadows of the forest roll over the carriages.  You think of Jisung in that barn, risking everything for his friend.  Your cheek tingles, remembering where he wiped your tear during that lonely ceremony.  Your heart still races at the memory of him singing a springtime song, dedicated to you despite the antagonistic crowd.    

“I do,” you say.

“You do what?” he asks casually. 

“I see something good in you, Han Jisung.”   

“Ohh.”  He is stupefied for a moment.  You are not sure of his expression, too shy to look at him.   “Well, I don’t know about that,” he eventually says.  “I’m definitely the lowest ranked in the kingsguard.  Sorry for that, by the way.”

“Sorry?”  Now you look back, meeting his gaze.  “Why would you be sorry?”

“Well, uh…”  He looks away, to the road ahead, his voice strained with awkwardness.  “There’s a reason I was picked for proxy at the ceremony.  It’s not because I’m not the best swordsman, or the most pious priest.  I’m, uh, well… ‘bard boy’.  And the king – His Holy Majesty – he uh… well, I mean…  It had to be someone like a kingsguard but he didn’t want… I mean, that is…”

“It’s all right,” you say.  “You don’t have to say it. I understand.” 

he king was heaping insults on you and your family; of course he chose the lowest ranked kingsguard to stand in as proxy, just like he chose him now. 

Irritation creeps up your neck, heating your skin.  You glare at the carriage. 

You are not even annoyed for yourself.  Your insult has been established.  You angry that the king would make such a disrespectful insinuation for a member of the elite kingsguard.  The kingsguard service is as ancient as the regime.  They are a respectable, powerful order.  Admission to the order requires a great deal of work, more than simply being born in the right house.  The king has no right to insult a soldier like Jisung.  Just like he has no right to insult you. 

“So yeah,” Jisung says.  He clears his throat and tries to sound cheery as he says, “That’s why I’m sorry!  Anyway, it all worked out.  I’m sure I’m your favourite already, right?  I’m everyone’s favourite, obviously.” 

He is speaking jokingly but your heart skips a beat anyway.  You swallow, hard.   

In the next moment, the horse jumps, maneuvering around a ditch in the road.  You fall against his chest with a thump, throwing your hands out instinctively.  Your hand clasps his, your bodies pressed together. 

“Sorry,” you say in unison. 

“It’s all right,” he says.  “I got ya.”

It is spoken with nonchalance.   You still feel it.     

“I’m not sorry,” you say.  “I’m glad it was you, Jisung.” 

You turn, finding your lips close to his face.  He stares at you, as surprised as he is rivetted. 

Softly, so only he can hear, intimately, a breath away from him, you whisper, “I believe you saved my life even before you found me in that barn.  So yes.  I’m glad it was you.  I’m glad he chose you.  I would have chosen you too.”     

“Oh,” is all he says, moved to silence. 

You remain in his arms, leaning against his chest.  You pick up the melody he was humming and hum it yourself, making him laugh on an exhale.  You feel the tension leave his arms and his heartbeat skip then resume its normal cadence, steadying your own. 

[gemini-sensei]

Thoughts on Demetri and his kid/kids? Or his gf/wife? Anything really.

I've been thinking about him lately, underrated king

CW: sfw and nsfw, mentions of creampie kink, undertones of lactation kink, super cute overall though, I love these 😍 (unedited)

Demetri is taller than his wife, period. Lol, sorry, but he is. He has go bow his head to kiss her at least a little bit. He doesn't mind though. He actually loves it.

He plans on having kids a few years into their marriage, but his creampie kink may take things in a whole other direction if his wife isn't on birth control. He leaves it up to her to decide if she's on bc or not, and they discuss whether they use other forms of protection, too. He'll wear a condom when asked. However, over all, his wife gets pregnant before they have any in depth discussions about kids.

They've talked about having kids a little bit, but it was nothing more than agreeing that, yes, they'd like to have kids, though it's always followed by a someday. We'll, someday comes sooner than either expected, but neither of them are actually surprised.

Demetri doesn't think he's ready for a baby yet. He worries about everything all at once; money, their careers, their positions in life. He doesn't know if they're financially ready for a baby. He overthinks it out of nervousness and goes to his mom to ask her all sorts of questions. I'm not joking when I say he wrote down all his questions and went down the list with her.

He doesn't chill out until the first scan, when he sees the little blob on the screen that's their baby. After that, he just cuddles her belly and mumbles to the baby about how everything us for them now.

As comical, and chaotic, as it would be to say they have multiples, they have one baby. One little baby that becomes the star of Demetri's whole world (right beside his wife of course - he has two major stars in his life now). He's the kind of dad to leap the ultrasound pictures in his wallet, and later on as many pictures of his baby's smile in there too.

He becomes a fucking servant to his pregnant wife. He waits on her hand and foot, 24/7. He's so cautious and protective as well, always linking arms with her, even just to walk to the bathroom. It's more cute than anything, he rambles when he gets nervous and protective, which makes it less overbearing and annoying.

When his child is born, he has a little boy. Healthy little thing with a mop of black hair on his head. They had no idea what to Jame him when he was born, but as soon as Demetri held him for the first time, he knew. (My personal preference is Cyrus Elijah Alexopoulos, but you can choose whatever name you'd like.)

He loves to just hold his little family in his arms and curl up around them. He feels they are safest in his arms.

Even though he's just a baby, Demetri will read him science baby books. Little books about basic sciences like nature, but also about Einstein with pretty cartoon pictures of the scientist. He just wants to teach him everything he knows and loves 🥺

His son is so giggly. He's wide eyed and observant, hitting most of his milestones early. He says "dada" a couple of months before they were expecting and Demetri cries. He doesn't just tear up, he cries. And his son wipes away his tears as Dem hugs him close. He's a smart little guy.

His baby ends up needs baby glasses, which are so adorable I swear. They get him a dark blue pair that he looks so cute in and they match his hair. When he first put them on, his little mouth fell open and he stared at his mama and dada for a long time. When they asked him if he liked them, he just smiled and clapped his hands.

It is not long before his wife is pregnant again. Their baby boy is seven months old and babbling and toddling around. They're not surprised, again. Not when he's pounding her into the mattress and sucking on her tits at nights.

They go through a bit more difficulty with the second pregnancy because it's different than what they went through with their son. All of his wife's symptoms were mild with Baby Boy Alexopoulos, but this time it's cranked up to 110. She's severely morning sick, achy all over, and has a few headaches that keep her in bed. The first trimester is a nightmare.

And then they find out they're having twins. Identical twins.

They definitely had a little photoshoot where their baby boy was wearing one of those shirts that said "new big brother" or something like that. Something cute.

Of which, he's so happy to be a big brother. He hugs his mama's growing belly all the time and gives it little kisses. There are plenty of pictured where 1 year old Alexopoulos is kissing him mama's belly and videos of him talking to the babies. Again, Demetri cries over it.

They have identical twin girls and Demetri and his son are obsessed with them. Their little hands, their little noses. They looks more like their mama while Baby Boy obviously looks more like Demetri. They all get his eyes though.

(This is just me, ofc, but I want to call them Madison and Adelaide, Maddie and Addie for short)

His son like to take naps with his little sisters. Or if they are going to have a nap, then he likes to be nearby. He's like his dada, a little overprotective. He's a good big brother that way.

He also always tries to help whenever they cry. If mama asks him to get their pacifiers, he gets them. When mama or dada aren't right there, he tries to shush them like mama and dada do to sooth them. He pats their bellies gently and says "it's okay, it's okay." If they're just upset they calm down and he smiles at them.

Three baby stroller or two baby stroller and a single stroller for walks. As Baby Boy gets bigger, he wants to walk on his own a lot more, the extra seat for when he gets tuckered out. When the twins are walking, Dem and his wife switch to a wagon with seats and belts. The belts are important because at that point his daughter's love to just do whatever they want. They think they're invincible and can just stand up in a moving wagon.

I didn't know where to fit this in but UNCLE ELI! All his kids love Eli and always give him hugs when he comes around. He's the coolest uncle ever! They love his hair and his tattoos and his presence always makes them ask why dada doesn't have tattoos.

(Demetri does have a single tattoo but his kids are never going to see it ever. He'll be dead before they know it exists. Hell, Eli might not know about it 🤭)

○●○

That's all I have for this atm. Idk if this is apart of the Diaz Triplets/Terror Twins/Keene Daughter universe. Should it be @sensei-venus @miguelnation ? If so, that means Eli and Demetri have twins 🤣 and I love that for them

[ithinkinggenshin]

Are the requests open-? If they are can I request fem reader wearing a maid dress in front of (miko, ei, Jean, and ningguang)?

You've been maid

Fandom: Genshin Impact

Characters: Yae Miko, Ei, Jean, Ningguang

Pairings: Fem!Reader x all characters mentioned above

Warnings: swearing, master/servant scenario, teasing, horny pining (nothing explicit), not proof read

Word count: 1,691

Synopsis: UwU

Yae Miko: 

“Come here little one. I have a gift for you. A specially made outfit that’s very popular in Mondstat.” 

Maybe you really are a masochist. You feel so humiliated, face burning red and yet you voluntarily put the outfit on anyway. The “special” part was that the outfit was pink and white, instead of the normal black and white. Cute white stockings, adorable frills along the bottoms of the sleeves and on the straps of the apron, which itself is on top of a pastel, bubblegum pink dress, and finally some pink silk bows to tie it all off. 

You feel like a toy doll as Miko helps you into the costume, unnecessarily grabbing at you the entire time. It doesn’t help that the outfit is incredibly exposing and overtly sexual. Yae made sure to get the entire outfit custom made. Meaning she even went so far as to get some cute white panties with a big pink heart right on the front of them, and a pink and white lace, push up bra to match. She’s an evil genius. A malevolent mistress. 

"See? Do you look so pretty? And you fit the role so well. You're already serving some delicious treats."

You can see her lick her lips in the mirror, her canines growing, the animistic side of her rearing its head. Her tail sways slowly behind her. 

Your arms come up but Yae quickly grabs them. 

"Uh uh uh~ no hiding from me now. I deserve to see my gift in its complete form." 

You huff. You want to look away but you can't. The outfit is so simple yet it manages to convey so much. You wonder if Yae got the idea from one of her novelists. She probably commissioned a poor soul to draw it all out for her. The outfit fits you enough that you have room to breathe and move your arms easily. But the bottom of the skirt barely comes to your mid thigh and the dip in the neckline is a full on scoop that doesn't even manage to hide the top of your bra. She must've planned that because the bra manages to look like an accented part of the dress, rather than an unintentional flashing. The entire outfit hugs your ample body. You do feel kind of cute in the outfit, it does all come together quite nicely, but the way the top of your stockings squeeze your thighs and how the panties let your ass show. You shake your head. The devil is in the details. And the kitsune right behind you is reveling in said creations. 

Ei:

What. Is. That?

When she lets you into her mindscape, she was already aware that there would be something different. Her puppet had taken notice of your different attire and told her when she was letting her master know of your arrival. But still, she didn’t expect to see you in such an… odd outfit. Ruffles at the bottom of your sleeves and dress– which is absurdly short, by the way. A collar? Why in Teyvat is there such a low cut gap in the middle of the chest?! The entire outfit doesn’t seem very functional, why do you have it? Why are you wearing it? Who else saw you like this?

You didn’t expect such a shocked reaction from Ei. You could practically feel the ground shake as lighting must’ve struck outside with every question she bombarded you with. You want to laugh. She’s so adorably confused and jealous.

“Do you like it? Yae gave it to me. She told me I’d look cute in it.” You twirl around and the skirt flows with you only to show Ei how short your dress really is. You better not have done that in public. 

“That damned fox. You look… good in that outfit. But… it doesn’t seem very practical.”

Her poor attempt at hiding her feelings has you letting out that laugh. Perhaps you should tell her about all the people who stopped you on your way to the palace, who complimented and praised you. One girl even gave you some sweets from her stall. Ei would certainly give you a bigger reaction with this knowledge but… you don’t want lighting to strike the poor girl, she didn’t know after all. 

“I like it. It doesn’t restrain my movements very much and it feels great to wear in all the humidity.” You give her an innocent smile. She grits her teeth. 

“Hmph. Well. Perhaps I can change the weather to something more suitable. I don’t think wearing that often will be good for you.”

Oh Ei… you think to yourself. Such a sweet gesture, with such selfish intentions. You decide to throw her a bone. You’re not Miko, after all.

“That’s sweet of you, but there’s no need. I think I’ll only wear it when I see you. That’s what it’s for after all.” You wrap your arms around her neck and beam up at her. You can feel her relax with your words. You lean against her chest.

“Besides. I don’t want you to start another fire just because you’re jealous.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

You laugh and instinctively wrap your legs around her waist as she effortlessly picks you up. Stealing the box of candies from your hand behind her. She easily holds you up with one arm as she uses her free hand to pop one into her mouth and then feeds you another. You laugh as she forcefully shoves the treat past your lips and presses it onto your tongue to silence you. You’ll have to thank Yae for the outfit. You’re definitely going to wear it again. Especially if it means Ei will grip you as hard as she is now, her hand beneath you having made sure to make its way under your skirt in order to hold you up against her.  

Jean: 

To this day you had never bothered to mention to Jean that you worked at Good Hunters. At least, not until now. 

She doesn't look up as you step into her office, instead deeply focused on the paper she's writing on. You let out a soft sound of appreciation, the acting grand master looks so good in the glow of the setting sun. Immediately Jean's head snaps up. She's been eager to see you all day and she'd recognize that voice anywhere, even if it's in a small hum or tiny whisper. 

Your smile grows as you watch her eyes go wide, looking up and down your form. She blushes bright red but doesn't look away. Since when do you have a maid outfit?! 

You walk like a model, one foot crossing in front of the other, swaying your hips as you approach her desk. You love the way Jean looks at you, so pathetically longing. You put your hands on the desk and lean over. It’s cute how the little keyhole opening just beneath your collar barely gives anything away, yet Jean is staring at it as though doing so will allow her to see more.

You gently call her name, “Jean.”

“Hm?” She doesn’t look away. 

“My eyes are up here you know.”

Those words seem to snap her out of her stupor as her head whips up and her eyes meet yours in a wild and panicked state. You just laugh as she sputters out apologies and excuses. What she did was inappropriate, you love it when she looks at you like that. You’ll have to wear your uniform to see her more often. Maybe she’ll help you make a few adjustments to the outfit. Then again, you don’t think you’ll be able to explain to Sara why the little window has been torn open to expose more of your chest. But it might just be worth it if it means riling up your adorable girlfriend even more.

Ningguang:

Never bet against the banker. The house always wins. 

To be condemned to be a servant for the Tianqian feels like a worse punishment than death. To think such a tiny wager would curse you with such a fate. The damned woman must’ve rigged the match. She was ready with this outfit as soon as you lost. She knew this would happen. Everything fits you like a glove. She cheated! She must have. But it’s  no use. You couldn’t prove it, and now here you are on your knees in front of her, cleaning up the gold floors in the chamber she loves so dearly. 

The people below all say that Ningguang is immaculate, perfect in everything she does. If only they could see the number of “accidents” where she spilled her wine, scattered papers, and let cigarette ashes fall on her precious furniture. You swear she’s manipulated these incidents too. You can always feel her eyes on you as you bend down to pick up the papers or wipe up the floor. 

You once demanded to know why she did all of this? Made such a risky bet, got you a tailor made outfit, and now jeopardizes some of her most valuable documents because she just wants to see you bend for her. 

Instead of answering she just smiled and in that luscious voice of hers said, “How about another wager? If you win I’ll tell you everything you want to know. But if I win…

“You’ll become my personal maid.”

You can feel the blood inside of you rush to your cheeks. So that’s what she’s been after this whole time! You know what she’s insinuating with that title. Personal maid. You’re not looking to be at her mercy more than you already are. Plus, she’ll probably rig the game again like last time. You scornfully shake your head and go back to cleaning up the ashes she scattered on the floor. They smell like her, or maybe she smells like them. Either way, you spend the time trying to think of a way to get your freedom back. It’ll undoubtedly come down to another gamble, but this time your body will be on the line. But… so will your freedom. 

[cjsmalley]

Meet the Phantoms:

A/N: BACK TO CANON.

Carrie was nervous; she was meeting Royalty…she was just some street kid and now she herself was technically royalty, but she was meeting real royalty!

Damian sighed at her nerves but smiled softly, “You have no reason to worry, Carrie. They will adore you, as they have all their grandchildren.”

“But—I’m just a street kid,” she argued, fussing with her clothes. Damian had told her to dress as she would any other day but she did feel underdressed.

Royalty!

A portal opened in their living room; Carrie jumped but Damian took it in stride that a portal just opened in front of him.

He offered his daughter his hand, which she took tightly, and led her through.

Carrie’s first impression was of green. Just…green. All sorts of green.

Then there was that ginormous castle in front of her. It easily dwarfed Wayne Manor, which was her only point of comparison for how big something was. It looked like how she always imagined Hogwarts to look like, only grimmer. Pointier. Darker.

“Welcome to the Ghost King’s Palace, Carrie,” Damian led her up to the castle, the guards stepping aside at their approach and saluting.

The great double iron doors groaned open to allow them in.

Damian led Carrie surely through the Palace, greeting guards and servants alike as they walked.

All of them were ghosts.

The deeper they went into the palace, the homier it became.

They walked and walked, servants bustling past them, until they came to another set of iron double doors.

The guards outside these doors bowed and opened them to another ballroom turned lounge that was packed.

“Carrie!” a familiar voice called.

There was Bette, rushing to hug her before grabbing her free hand and dragging her forward. Damian followed.

Bette pulled Carrie through the mass of people—some who couldn’t be human or were partly not human—which parted to make way for them, up to three people.

One, a man, looked identical to Bette in her ghost form. Another was a gothic woman. The third was a dark-skinned man with glasses and a red hat.

“Grandpa Danny, Grandma Sam, Uncle Tucker,” Bette said brightly, “this’s my new cousin, Uncle Damian’s kid, Carrie. Carrie, our Grandpa Danny, Grandma Sam, and Uncle Tucker,” Bette pointed out each as she named them.

Carrie thought they looked too young to be grandparents; possibly catching this confusion, Danny chuckled, “We were teens when we got Damian and Liminals and ghosts visibly age slower anyways. Welcome home, kiddo.”

Carrie gaped at the easy acceptance.

Sam rose to hug her son, “Dami…well, at least you’re not a teenager.”

“I did not follow in your footsteps there,” Damian agreed softly, smirking as he looked to his eighteen-year-old brother, “unlike some of my siblings…Carrie, the man with white hair and canine ears is your uncle, InuYasha. The little boy by his side is his son, Shippo.”

InuYasha made himself even easier to spot by flipping Damian off.

Bette giggled when, for his behavior, her uncle got his head smacked lightly, saying in a stage-whisper to Carrie, “The woman who just hit him is our Aunt Kagome. They’re not married just yet. Beside her is Aunt Sango, Uncle Miroku, and Kirara.”

“What is he?” Carrie whispered back, trying not to stare at her new uncle.

“Oh, half Japanese dog spirit,” Bette whispered back, “his son’s a Japanese fox spirit. Kirara’s a Japanese cat spirit. And they can hear us whispering.”

Carrie flushed bright, “Oh my god, I’m so sorry.”

“No worries, kid,” InuYasha called.

Bette spun Carrie around and dragged her up to another ghost; a young woman who smiled softly, “Bette, you really should let her wander.”

“She’s nervous, Mom.” Bette defended, “and the family’s huge! Carrie, this’s my Mom, your aunt; Danielle Fenton-Manson.”

“Hiya, kiddo,” Danielle greeted.

“If you’re her mom and Jason’s her dad then why weren’t you with the Waynes?” Carrie asked curiously.

Danielle laughed softly, “’Cause I’m not a Wayne, Carrie. You’re closer to being one than I am.”

“Mom and Dad aren’t married,” Bette explained, “or even together. They’ve never been together. Ever. I’m a binary clone of them just like Mom is of Grandpa Danny and Grandma Sam. Dad’s with my Pops—Roy Harper, you met him.”

“The Court demanded I have at least one heir,” Danielle sighed, “I asked Jason to give his DNA. I couldn’t get pregnant, so we resorted to cloning. Jason again donated. We co-parent platonically. As per our agreement before we even started trying with IVF.”

“I was planned for years,” Bette said proudly, “and Pops adopted me as his too.”

Danielle laughed again, fondly, “Now, go on, kids. Lots of people to meet.”

It was another free-for-all as relatives swarmed Carrie.

Bette stayed by her side for every one of them.

“Hey!” Tucker finally broke up the crowd with a whistle, “Hey! Back up everyone! She’s a freaking street kid for Ancients’ sake!”

Indeed, Carrie looked ready to lash out in a panic at the crowding in crowd.

Damian waded through, “Catherine,” he used her full name to gain her attention, looking into her wide, panicked eyes, “do you need to retreat?”

Carrie gulped down air before shaking her head, “No…no. No. I’m good.”

Damian nodded, standing to give the family the stink-eye. Those old enough to know better had the decency to look ashamed.

A blonde woman made her way through the mass, kneeling; she blinked her grey eyes and said, “Hello, Carrie. My name is Luna Lovegood—”

“You mean the Luna Lovegood?” Carrie whispered, shocked, “Witch? Ravenclaw? Hogwarts? That Luna Lovegood?”

Luna chuckled, “Why, yes. I see you’ve read a certain book series. I daresay you know my partners then.”

“Partners?”

“Oh, I am romantically involved with both Harry Potter and Hermione Granger,” Luna spoke breezily, “and we’re friends with Neville Longbottom and Ronald Weasley…in fact, both Harry and Neville are now your uncles.”

Two men and a woman joined them and Carrie’s breath caught; that was definitely Harry Potter, Neville Longbottom, and Hermione Granger.

All three knelt, smiling gently.

“Hello, Carrie,” Harry took the lead.

“Hello, sir,” Carrie replied shyly.

“No need to call me Sir,” Harry chuckled, “just call me Uncle Harry.”

“You’re Damian’s brother?” Carrie gasped.

“Technically, me and Nev are more like his cousins. Uncle Danny, Aunt Sam, and Uncle Tucker treat us as nephews. Our parents weren’t killed or disabled. Uncle Danny, Aunt Sam, and Uncle Tucker helped with Voldemort.”

“Oh my god,” Carrie whispered.

“Oi, Harry!” another voice boomed, “Quit hogging her!”

“Dean,” yet another voice sighed, “be patient!”

Two giant men stepped forward and knelt; the one with green eyes—similar but not identical to Damian’s or the ghost Phantoms—smiled broadly, “Hey, squirt. I’m your Uncle Dean—Gigantor there is your Uncle Sam, Samuel Fenton-Manson. Complete coincidence he shares a nickname with Mom. We are actually Damian’s brothers.”

“Hello, Carrie,” Sam greeted, hunching slightly not to tower over her so badly.

And so it went, one-by-one-by-one people introduced themselves and their relation to Damian and her.

Again, Carrie’s head spun but she didn’t panic again.

As the introductions occurred, servants brought in a ridiculously long table and benches then platters of food and pitchers of drink.

“Huh—” Carrie said as she was led to the table and sat down.

“We always hold a feast for a new child in the family,” Damian explained, sitting beside her with Bette on her other side, “I do hope you do not mind that I forwarded your medical files to our medical staff. You will, of course, have an appointment with them soon. Likely tomorrow. The Kitchen has been briefed on your dietary restrictions.”

“It’s okay, Damian,” Carrie gaped at the food he plated for her; it was very plain but looked delicious despite that.

And so the Phantoms, now grown by one, feasted well into the night.

Wished Away 9

Tylers meet Phantoms:

“Christ, Mum,” Rose said as she took in how Jackie, Pete, and Tony were dressed, “we’re just meetin’—”

“Royalty!” Jackie squeaked. They were all done up like they were meeting the Queen at Buckingham Palace itself!

“Honestly, Mum, they don’t care,” Rose rolled her eyes, grabbing her mother’s wrist and tugging her through the console room and to the wardrobe room, “I told ya ta dress casually. Let’s just hope the Ol’ Girl has clothes fer ya.”

It took about an hour to get everyone redressed, in things much more casual but still nice, before Rose led them back to the console room.

Jackie was clearly anxious, “Are ya—”

“’m sure, Mum. Danny an’ Sam don’t do formal unless they have ta. Unless you’re an annoying subject or someone threatenin’ war, ya don’t even have ta call ‘em by their titles. They’re just Danny an’ Sam ta family.”

“Lookie what I found,” Jenny bounded from the innards of the TARDIS, holding a tiny bike helmet.

She went to her toddler uncle and put it on him, making sure it fit right, “Landings in the Realms are worse than normal ones. The TARDIS does Her best but the Realms give her…nausea? A headache? She just doesn’t do good.”

“Oh, goody,” Jackie said lowly, hugging a strut for dear life already.

“Let me protect Anthony,” Bad Wolf came out, holding out her arms; without hesitation, Pete handed his son over.

Bad Wolf settled Tony in her arms, against her chest and shoulder, and then spread her feet and crouched slightly, clearly bracing for impact; she stayed steady even as the TARDIS began Her flight.

Everyone else was thrown about the console room, the Doctor and Jenny barely holding on to work the console, but Bad Wolf and Tony did not move an inch.

The landing was rough, just as Jenny said it would be, throwing even the Time Lords to the grated floor before the TARDIS stopped quaking.

Jenny recovered first and stood up, rubbing her shoulder, to peek out the doors, “We’re in the Palace. Uncle Danny and Aunt Sam are waiting…”

Slowly, everyone picked themselves up and Rose reemerged, straightening with some popping from her knees.

Jenny led the procession out, racing to hug a man and a woman, “Uncle Danny, Aunt Sam! How’re you?”

Danny and Sam chuckled and hugged her as one, “Good, doing good. You?”

“Perfect!”

She let go of them to drag Jackie, who was hesitant, forward, “This’s my Gran, Jackie. Mum’s side, duh. Completely human. He’s my step-granddad, Pete, and Mum’s holding my uncle, Tony.”

“Yer Majesties,” Jackie tried to curtsy even though she was in trousers, “an honor ta—”

“Oh, enough,” Sam chuckled, “didn’t they tell you? We don’t do formalities with family.”

“Family?” Jackie’s eyes were wide, “I know Rose said—but—”

“We count Clockwork as family,” Danny explained, “and he’s claimed the Doctor as family. The Doctor and Jenny. Rose’s basically married in by this point. Common-law, you understand. That makes her family our family. Welcome to the Palace, your home in the Infinite Realms.”

“My god,” Pete muttered, somewhat disbelieving.

“Not a god, not yet anyways,” Danny winked.

“Where’s Dani?” Jenny burst out, “Is she still in school?”

Sam grinned, “With Anakin, in the nursery. We let her stay home today.”

“Oh, Gran! Can I introduce Tony to Anakin? Please!” Jenny nearly begged.

“Anakin’s our youngest,” Danny explained kindly, “around Tony’s age, actually. We also have a nanny looking after them, Nanny Clara. He’d be perfectly safe.”

“Well…” Jackie looked to her husband, who nodded, “if you’re sure.”

Jenny cheered and took Tony from Rose, dashing off with him deeper into the Palace.

“Jenny knows the Palace as well as anyone,” Sam assured, “and if she gets lost, she can flag down a servant for help. She’s heading directly for the nursery. It’s the most defensible part of the Palace.

Danny stood up, helping Sam, “C’mon, we can talk over food; stay close, Tylers. Doctor?”

“Rose and I can bring up the rear,” the Doctor agreed, taking Rose’s hand as they began walking.

The Palace was a gothic masterpiece, in a very literal sense, though even Sam had wearied of all the gloom and had sought artists and artwork to fill the halls, soft, plush carpets and tapestries to keep the warmth, glassworks to fill the once barred windows. Statues and busts dotted the hallways, some classical, some avant garde

Masters had given their masterpieces, their magnum opuses; they were paid handsomely of course, in either coin or material.

Oils, watercolors, acrylics, textiles, glass, all created for Her Majesty the Ghost Queen. For His Majesty the Ghost King.

It wasn’t yet a riot of color, nor would it ever be, but it was more alive.

Jackie gasped and the group stopped, turning as one to see what had captured her attention.

“When they said the family was huge…”

Ah, it was the most recent family portrait; all the children were gathered around Danny and Sam, all in formal wear.

“We…sometimes people sell the souls of children to me,” Danny started, causing her and Pete to whip around to him in horror, “I know, it’s horrible, isn’t it? But anyways, we adopt the kids. Only Dani—Danielle—isn’t adopted.”

He pointed out each child and gave their backstory.

“Good Lord, you were young!” Pete said at Damian’s story.

“Old enough to be king,” Danny shrugged helplessly, “it…it wasn’t easy, we had help, so much help, and we made mistakes…”

“All parents do,” Jackie told him softly.

“So we’ve been told,” Sam smiled just as softly, “and we’ve learned and made new ones with each kid.”

Danny coughed and continued to point out kids and tell stories, until all had been covered and then they moved on.

As they neared the dining room, Danielle and Jenny joined them with each holding a toddler.

“Oh my,” Jackie said, taking in the Anakin Skywalker; she knew who he grew up to be, or would have if he had not been adopted.

“We’re hungry, Dad,” Danielle said.

Danny waved them into the dining room where the smaller table was already set for a meal; there were two chairs with booster seats and Jenny and Danielle put Tony and Anakin in them before sitting beside them and helping them get food.

The group chatted over the meal, Jackie and Pete slowly relaxing at how easy going the Royals were, and generally had good cheer.

After the meal was done, Jenny asked, “Do we put their photo up on the family wall now? I know you’ve got me, Dad, and Mum…”

Danny chuckled, “We can, if they’re okay with it.”

“Family wall?” Pete questioned.

“We keep walls of pictures of the extended family,” Sam explained easily, “you know, like Rose, the Doctor, and Jenny. Harry’s and Neville’s parents. Damian’s paternal birth-family. The Royal Portrait is just the immediate royal family. The walls are for everyone and everything else.”

Danny and Sam led the group out of the dining room and down another hallway; the walls were plastered with photographs. Some were professional, most were candid and amateur.

A common camera sat on a small round table; a high-end camera but nothing too expensive or professional.

Danny picked it up, saying, “If Jackie, Pete, and Tony don’t mind—”

Jackie decided it would be a family photograph and dragged the Doctor in; Rose and Jenny came without complaint.

Danny took a set of pictures.

After that was done, it was decided it was time for the Tylers to leave, taking pity on the still disgruntled TARDIS.

They were, however, invited to the next family gathering.

[valdomarx]

“Geralt. My dearest friend. My closest companion. Light of my life, fire of my-”

Geralt narrows his eyes. “What do you want, Jaskier?”

“Seeing as how I’ve made you famous, and I flatter myself that this has eased you path somewhat, why, this very inn not only took us in but even offered us a discounted rate-”

“What do you want, Jaskier?” Testier this time.

“Ahh. Well. Let me put it plainly: I’m in need of a favour.”

Geralt raises one eyebrow, in an expression he knows speaks volumes.

“I need you to come with me to Lettenhove this winter and pose as my fiancé.”

Geralt nearly drops the sword he’s sharpening. A million thoughts whip through his mind, but one is most pressing: “Why, for Melitele’s sake?”

Jaskier waves a hand in a vague and non-descriptive gesture. “It’s a court thing, you know how families are, and my mother has made it abundantly clear that it’s time for me to settle down and this year I’m to return affianced or else she’ll select someone for me. And I can’t get hitched to some local lady, Geralt, I simply can’t, it’ll ruin my bardic appeal, not to mention my employment prospects, and of course I won’t be able to travel with you, and it’s-”

Geralt holds up a hand to ward off the wall of words. The idea of no longer travelling with Jaskier is unconscionable, not that he’d ever admit that out loud. And they spend so much time together they’re practically married anyway. How hard could it be to pretend for a few days?

“Fine,” he says gruffly.

“Oh, Geralt, you are wonderful.” Jaskier beams and throws his arms around Geralt’s neck. Geralt growls, but secretly, it’s actually rather nice.

-

“Mother, this is Geralt, my fiancé.”

Cold, clear eyes look him up and down, assessing him, and pinch into an expression suggesting he has been found wanting. Geralt decides against opening his mouth and further cementing that opinion.

“A witcher.” Her voice has the familiar twang of Jaskier’s, but with the flat, expressionless cadence he associates with the higher echelons of the aristocracy.

“A witcher!” Jaskier confirms in a cheery tone. “Isn’t that exciting?”

She sniffs in a manner which makes it clear that exciting would not be her first choice of word. “I see. He will be joining us for this year’s Yuletide?”

“He will.”

Her face draws back into the impassive mask of the well-bred. “Very well. You will stay in the east wing.”

“Thank you, mother.” Jaskier executes a stiff bow which Geralt copies and they beat a hasty retreat.

-

“That went rather well!”

Geralt blinks. “Jaskier, I’m fairly sure your mother means to have me killed in my sleep.”

“Oh, don’t mind her. She’s always like that. She’s actually softened up a lot since dear old dad died, gods rest the grumpy bastard.”

Geralt struggles to imagine how such staid, cold people could possibly have produced a son as bright and warm as Jaskier. They might as well be a different species.

Jaskier pushes open a door to a grand suite, all plush velvets and gold ornamentation, a thick woven rug underfoot. It’s the most opulent room Geralt has ever seen, but Jaskier pays it no mind and throws his bag casually on the bed.

“We’ll have to stay here together,” he says apologetically, not looking Geralt in the eye. “But the bed is plenty big, or I can sleep on the sofa if you’d rather -”

Geralt is still taking it all in: The space, the furnishings, the frankly enormous bed which looks divinely comfortable. And there, through the next room, that looks like-

“Is that a copper bathtub?” he asks, eyes wide. Such luxuries were a rarity indeed.

Jaskier grinned. “It is. Let me get some food sent up and I’ll wash your hair?”

Geralt grumbles, just for the effect, and decides that putting up with tedious aristocracy might have its benefits after all.

-

Yule festivities in Lettenhove are, mercifully, a mere matter of days. First there is the fitting for formal attire, which Geralt scowls through but Jaskier promises will be made up for with plenty of good food and wine. Then there are several deeply tedious aristocratic parties, which Jaskier sails through and Geralt spends mostly hiding in dark corners, as is his wont.

Occasionally, Jaskier will grab him by the hand and introduce him as, “Geralt, my husband-to-be,” and something funny will flip over in his stomach which will require several drinks to settle. When he returns to his dark corner he’ll find his heart pumping a little faster as his eyes track Jaskier flitting around the room. It’s probably just indigestion from all the rich food.

Then there is the formal family Yuletide dinner, a spectacularly awkward and singly unpleasant evening spent around a long, cold table with Jaskier’s mother and various cousins, who regard Geralt with expressions ranging from bland disinterest to active hostility. The food is heavy beyond measure and the conversation cruel and bland by turns.

They cover the need for raising taxes, the many failings of the servant class, and the petty squabbles over jewels and titles that seems to be the bread and butter of these people. With each hateful line, Geralt feels his blood rising. If it weren’t for Jaskier making pleading eyes at him, he’d take great pleasure in explaining some hard truths to them.

When a cousin begins expounding on useless lazy peasants in the estate, complaining that they can’t work because of plague, but we all know they’re simply idle, Geralt grits his teeth so hard that he swears the sound must be audible.

Beneath the table, Jaskier takes his hand and gives it a gentle squeeze. Staring down at their joined hands, Geralt detaches from these awful people and their awful conversation and focuses on the simple warmth of Jaskier’s fingers intertwined with his own.

-

They make their escape from dinner as soon as can be considered polite, and Geralt takes a second to lean against the door to their room, breathing deeply.

“You did well not to throttle anyone,” Jaskier says with a reassuring smile. “If we’d had to listen to cousin Edrick for a minute longer, I might have launched over the table with a carving knife myself.”

Geralt reaches for him without thinking, and once again Jaskier’s hand slips into his own. It’s grounding, to feel something genuine in this place surrounded by artifice.

“Come on,” Jaskier says. “Let’s get out of here.”

Geralt doesn’t even ask where they’re going before nodding.

-

They sneak away from the estate out of the servants’ door and follow a winding path toward a cluster of lights in the valley below. The path into Lettenhove town is quiet and calm, and as they walk the snow begins to fall in soft flurries, covering the ground in a peaceful white blanket.

The town looks picture perfect when they arrive, a charming jumble of thatched cottages and a small, cosy inn from which bright light spills out into the snowy night. When they enter the barmaid runs over to hug Jaskier and the proprietor slaps him on the back, and Jaskier has a kind word and a waved greeting for every person in there.

Geralt feels something unwind in his chest, something he hadn’t realised was tight and twisted until now. Seeing Jaskier in his element, among people who love him for who he is, instead of among that cold, hateful family, he feels right in a way he hasn’t for days.

Jaskier is already buying drinks and passing them around, and he excitedly waves Geralt over. “Bree, Geoffrey,” he addresses the couple behind the bar, “This is Geralt.” A shy smile sneaks over his face. “My fiancé.” The couple gasp in delight and congratulate Jaskier, then they’re embracing Geralt like old friends and pushing a drink into his hands.

“Come on, Geralt, join us!” Bree smiles warmly. “It’ll be the ten o’clock bells soon, and we must have Jaskier lead us in a song.”

The evening is a whirl of music and dance and loud, terrible singing, which the entire town seems to join in. For once there is no corner for Geralt to hide in, so he stays by Jaskier’s side, basking in the reflected glow of these people’s clear adoration of his bard.

-

When the midnight bell chimes and Geoffrey turns them all out for the night, the revelers wend their way home still singing and drinking. As the place empties out, Jaskier slides over to Bree to press a kiss to her cheek and a bulging purse into her hand. She tries to wave him off but Jaskier tucks the money behind the counter all the same, and Geralt watches, a deep wave of fondness sweeping through him.

The snow is still falling when they step out into the now-quiet street, soft, fat flakes drifting lazily from the sky and sticking in Jaskier’s hair. His cheeks are flushed pink and his hair falls in an messy sweep over his eyes; without thinking Geralt reaches out to brush it away behind his ear. Jaskier’s blush deepens as he does so, but he shivers in the cold.

“Here.” Geralt unclasps the thick cloak from around his neck and sweeps it over Jaskier’s shoulders. Jaskier’s mouth forms a little o of surprise and he looks up at Geralt, something tender in his eyes.

Geralt’s gaze is caught by the snow flakes settling on Jaskier’s lashes; he’s so focused that he almost jumps when Jaskier reaches out to take his hand. The sky seems to glow with a soft orange light as the clouds reflect the last few fires in the town below; everything is warm with Jaskier’s hand in his despite the chill in the air.

“Thank you,” Jaskier says softly. “For being here with me.” And leaning in, his breath caressing over Geralt’s face, he touches his lips to Geralt’s cheek in a ghost of a kiss.

Suddenly it occurs to Geralt that this will be it, tomorrow they’ll head back on the path like none of this ever happened, no more holding hands or being close, no more being introduced as Jaskier’s betrothed. And despite the hellish parts of this experience he really doesn’t want it to end. He likes being Jaskier’s person, and he likes Jaskier being his.

They are still standing close together, mere inches between them, and it’s no effort at all to lean in, slowly, cautiously, to find Jaskier’s lips with his own, to place a tentative kiss there. And then Jaskier’s hands are fisting in his shirt and tugging him closer still, and his arms go around his waist and Jaskier is kissing him back like he’s been waiting for it, their mouths slotting together like they were made to fit each other, and everything is blazingly bright like the white of the snow.

When they pull apart they stay with foreheads pressed together, breathing the same air, and Geralt can see a smile cracking wide over Jaskier’s face.

“I like being engaged to you,” Geralt says quietly, unable to keep it in.

Jaskier’s smile widens even further. “I like being engaged to you too,” he says. He kisses him again. “Fiancé.” Another kiss. “Husband to be.” And another. “Partner.” One more. “Beloved.”

“I like the sound of those.” He suspects he may be wearing the same dopey grin as Jaskier is.

“Then let’s make it official.” Jaskier bites his lip. “Marry me?”

Jaskier is a picture of perfection, eyes gleaming and cheeks ruddy, snowflakes in his hair. Geralt’s heart has always been right here.

“I’d be honoured.” He considers for a second. “But not in Lettenhove.”

Jaskier’s laugh sparkles with joy. “Anywhere but here.”

[alicanta77]

Finale: Glitter and Gold

Pairing: princess!y/n x prince!Chenle

Themes: royalty au, fluff, angst

Warnings: arranged marriage, violence, war, character death, injury, descriptions of injury and blood

Words: 11.5k

Inspiration: BTS - Blood, Sweat and Tears - orchestral cover

Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 - Finale

tag list: @hiqhkey @jaeshatshop @lebrookestore @honei-n @cheonsa1004 @haechans-sunflower @crispy-chan @rvse-hvvck @chezzontop​ 

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Note: This is it! The final chapter of Royal Blooded! I want to say a MASSIVE thank you to everyone who has read and supported this story. The first chapter of this story was published before I had 100 followers on here, and now, as we celebrate the finale, we have over 1500. I have grown so much throughout the 9 months of my life that I spent creating this world, and every word of support, every message, every ask about it means so much to me. I’m a little emotional that it’s ending because of how long I spent on it and how much I put into it, but I am so excited to look forwards at everything that’s coming next. Thank you for the love on this, and enjoy the finale!

Felix xox

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~ 6 months later ~

You held your head high as you walked towards the throne room. You had your main servant walking behind you and two guards escorting you on either side. Your shoes made small tapping noises on the stone floor with every step you took and your clothes and hair gently flowed in time to the repetitive movement. Your lady in waiting was smoothing out your dress as you moved, trying to make everything look perfect. You paused as she quickly adjusted one final piece of hair before giving you a loving smile and hug and wishing you well.

Your chest felt tight with nerves and you took a deep breath. Your dress was beautiful, the most expensive one you owned and you were made up to look more beautiful than you think you ever had before. Your mother had bought this dress for you and, as soon as you had seen it your jaw had dropped, the scarlet red colour complimented your skin tone perfectly and the gold details that swirled around to form the shape of dragons were captivating.

You knew that a dress like this would only be wearable on a day like today, the most important day of your life.

You approached the grand doors, nodding at the two knights guarding the entrance with a smile, both of whom bowed back before moving their spears and opening the grand doors for you.

The throne room appeared in all its glory. The metal chandelier hung from the ceiling, dangling above the engraved stone floors that were currently stood on by the entire court. The court and knights of your kingdom were all in neat rows on the left of the room, framed by the sculpted columns that ran up the walls, engraved with detailed patterns. On the right side of the great hall stood another court entirely. One which you had met once and had recently had the pleasure of getting to know better. Their red and gold emblems were proudly on display on their cloaks, letting everyone who saw them know that they were the court of the royal kingdom of Shanghai.

You remembered doing this over a year and a half ago, only then you had been meeting Chenle for the first time. If someone had told you just how much he would come to mean to you in such a short amount of time, you would never have believed them. You had thought it would take you years to fall for the boy you were arranged to marry, but life is funny like that. You look back now and you don’t see him as the boy you were arranged to love, but rather the boy you were destined to.

However, even with all this going on around you, you couldn’t take your eyes off the boy waiting for you at the end of the hall. He too was dressed in his finest clothes, the dark green and silver colours of your kingdom decorating his outfit. As you walked down the hall, dressed in the representative colours of Shanghai, his face split into the largest smile you had ever seen.

His eyes never left your face as you moved closer to him with every step, in fact, it took all of Chenle’s self restraint not to run towards you right there and then. You finally reached the front and Chenle offered a hand to help you up the few steps.

You accepted, your hands slotting together as if they were jigsaw pieces. You lifted your dress with your left hand, making sure not to step on it and accidentally rip it or, god forbid, face plant. You would never recover from the embarrassment if that happened.

Luckily you made it up the three stairs without any problems, but now you faced the challenge of speaking. You knew Chenle was going to speak first so you had time to mentally prepare yourself, but deep down you felt an overwhelming sense of serenity. You knew that you would be fine. You had been taking public speaking classes since you were young and you’d addressed more people than this in one go before. Just as with the stairs, you knew that nothing would happen, but your mind went to the worst case scenario. You just wanted this day to be perfect, after all, you were only doing it once.

You and Chenle tore your eyes away from each other as you turned your attention to the front, where your childhood tutor, now a well respected member of the court and keeper of the archives, was about to speak.

“We are gathered here today for the wedding and coronation of Prince Chenle and Princess y/n.”

~ flashback ~

“Will you marry me?”

The words left Chenle’s lips and it was as if they kick started your brain into action. You threw yourself at him, his arms catching you as the two of you hit the ground in a heap.

“Yes.” You cried repeatedly. “Yes, with all my heart.”

Chenle rolled the two of you over so that you were lying on top of him, the laughter that was emitting from the two of you radiated pure happiness. You sat up, kneeling next to Chenle as he gently grabbed your hand.

He held you so softly, his thumb gently caressing the back of your palm as he slipped the diamond onto your finger. A second passed in which the two of you stared at the jewel, the symbol of a silent promise to love each other until the end of time.

You looked up at him, eyes shining and his hands came up to cup your face. He pulled you in and you kissed him with everything you had.

You’d lost count of the amount of time you’d kissed Chenle, but this was different. This held so much more to it. It was as if it was a kiss that made all the other kisses on the planet seem pathetic. Love exploded between the two of you, your love, the kind of love that would last a lifetime.

You both pulled away, the need to breath breaking the captivating spell that Chenle had cast on you with that kiss. He leant down, resting his forehead on yours as you both closed your eyes and enjoyed being so close to the one you adored.

“I love you so much.” He whispered, afraid that if his words were any louder they would shatter the perfect moment.

“I love you more.” You whispered back, grinning as you heard Chenle chuckle quietly.

He pulled his forehead off yours only to replace it with his lips for a soft kiss.

“That’s not possible.”

~ flashback ends ~

The great hall was decorated with banners of both your kingdom and Shanghai. Ever since the engagement announcement, the castle had been in full on planning mode, preparing everything for this day to be perfect. There had been banquets, feasts and balls thrown in your honour, with gifts from kingdoms far and wide coming to the two of you in congratulations.

Word had been sent to Chenle’s family in Shanghai and they had announced that they would be coming to visit for the wedding. You had never felt happier than when you saw the smile on Chenle’s face when he was told he was going to see his family. His parents and three older brothers, Kun, Sicheng and Renjun, were all leaving Shanghai to attend, and they were planning on staying with you for a couple of days either side of the monumental event.

However, the good news about Chenle’s family came with bad news about yours. Your mother was frail, ill and barely eating anymore. She spent her days drowning herself in work so she didn’t have to focus on the cold empty space in her bed beside her. For the past 6 months she had worked diligently and done everything she could, but one night she came into your bedroom and quietly asked to speak to you and Chenle.

She told you that she didn’t think she could do it anymore, she didn’t think she could rule the kingdom. She explained that she had only managed to take on all the duties because she had had her husband, your father, by her side. But he wasn’t here anymore, and she couldn’t go on with the burden, it was simply too much for her to bear.

After a long and heavy conversation, your mother announced the next morning that she would soon be stepping down from ruling, and allowing you and Chenle to ascend to the thrones. She addressed her people, admitting to them that she was unfit to govern them and that she felt it was unfair to keep herself on the throne and deny them a better pair of rulers. She then proceeded to inform them that the wedding would be combined with the coronation so that you would be married and crowned on the same day.

You would be lying if you said that this hadn’t had an effect on you. You were already feeling the stress of your title, and you had been working closely with a group of advisors and your mother to introduce you to the world of being Queen. But, still, you were terrified. What if you weren’t a good ruler? What if you made a bad choice for your people? What if this affects your relationship with Chenle? You wouldn’t even get a chance to get used to being married before the role of King and Queen would be thrust upon you. But you forced yourself to ignore the growing voice in your head that filled your being with doubt. You had been preparing for this day your entire life, and now that it was here, you refused to let down those people who had helped you along the way. You would do your best, and make them proud.

So here you were. Standing next to the man you loved, about to promise your everything to him forever. Even though you had been filled to the brim with nerves before entering, as soon as you had locked eyes with Chenle, all of that had melted away. You knew that, as long as you had him by your side, the two of you could handle anything.

While the wedding was only attended to by family and members of the court, the celebrations ran throughout the entire kingdom, with all your people overjoyed at the beautiful ceremony.

You listened as the officiant went through the traditional wedding procedure, both you and Chenle replying with the rehearsed statements. His hand never left yours and you couldn’t express how relieved you were that it didn’t. The physical reassurance that he was there grounded you.

You turned to face each other, holding your joined hands out for the gold ribbon to be wrapped around them. The officiant continued to speak, his words about unity and strength reminding you of your father’s speech when Chenle first arrived with his family. So many things about this day were taking you back to the beginning, and the similarities were making you miss your father more than anything.

You felt a small squeeze on your hand and looked into Chenle’s soft brown eyes. He gave you a nod, one so minute that it would be unnoticeable to anyone who wasn’t you. You repeated the move to him, another reassurance that the two of you were there for each other, no matter what.

The officiant moved on to the vows, Chenle going first before you followed, saying the words you had recently memorised. Due to you both being royals, you couldn’t write personal vows and you had to stick to the scripture, but that didn’t mean that you didn’t mean every word. You meant it with your whole body when you promised to stand by him for as long as you lived, to look after him as best you could, and to support and love him no matter what. And from the look in your soon to be husband’s face, he meant every word he said too.

“Chenle, do you take y/n as your wife?”

“I do.” He spoke, sincerity strong in his voice and you didn’t bother to fight the smile that grew across your face at his certain words. The only thing you didn’t know, was that Chenle had never been so sure of anything in his life. 

“Y/n, do you take Chenle as your husband?”

“I do.” You repeated Chenle’s answer, your voice just as steady and sure as his had been, your mindset reflecting that as well.

You were still scared out of your mind at what was going to happen after today, but the thought of having Chenle by your side for the rest of your life, that didn’t scare you at all. No, that thought was the most comforting thing on the planet.

And that thought was just about to become your reality.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

Chenle wasted absolutely no time, moving forwards before the officiant had even finished speaking, gently grabbing your face and pulling you in for a kiss. You smiled into the kiss, your hands coming up to rest on his waist.

The kiss wasn’t long, the awareness that your families and courts were watching you not quite having left your mind. But it held everything, the past years that you had known each other, your entire journey together into who you were now was told in the few seconds that Chenle’s lips pressed against yours. The clapping and cheers brought the two of you fully back to reality as you pulled back. You leaned back in for an even shorter kiss, officially sealing the eternal bond between the two of you.

“I love you.” You whispered, Chenle chuckling.

“That was my line.” You opened your eyes to look at him and he smiled down at you. “But I love you too.”

You both pulled away, as the claps gradually died down and the ceremony began to progress. The two of you barely had time to register the giant step you had just taken before you were being instructed to kneel in front of the thrones and the crowns were held above your head.

You were sure that it had taken longer than you realised, but you were so wrapped up in the feeling of loving Chenle, and how much he loved you, that it felt as though not even thirty seconds had passed.

And yet, here you were, repeating yet another set of responses that you had been taught, promising to protect and fairly govern the people, vowing to follow the example set by those who ruled before you and do whatever you can to live according to the traditions and customs of your kingdom.

As the final vows left both your lips, you felt the gold crown land on your head, the heaviness of the metal it was made out of, and the title it represent, weighing you down already.

“I crown you King Chenle. I crown you Queen y/n.”

With those words, you pulled your legs underneath you and stood, turning around to face the people of your courts. Chenle reached for your hand once again, this time you interlinked your fingers, intertwining your hands as a physical sign of the link between your kingdoms.

The throne room erupted in cheers and clapping once again, this time to an almost deafening volume. You and Chenle began to walk back down the middle, waving and smiling at those closest to you as you passed. You walked all the way out of the throne room and straight onto the balcony, ready to greet your people as their official rulers.

---

You stood just outside the balcony together waiting for the words that would signal the two of you to step outside. You hadn’t spoken to anyone yet, just waiting for you final duties of the day so that you could celebrate with your friends and families.

“Did you feel as though that went really quickly?” Chenle asked out of nowhere, making you jump slightly at the sudden noise before your eyes widened in agreement.

“It did! Leading up to the ceremony felt like an eternity, but then as soon as the ceremony began, it went in a flash. I’m not sure I was even there for half of it.” You muttered the last part, but Chenle’s sharp hearing caught your words none the less and he chuckled whilst muttering out a softer reply.

“Me neither. It kind of feels as though it hasn’t happened yet.”

“Exactly.” You didn’t realise how nervous you had still been until the realisation that you were both feeling the same way. You both fell into silence, it was comfortable but it still felt as though there was a lot that the two of you were leaving unsaid.

“You know-” Chenle paused his words to swallow his nerves, he hadn’t been this nervous around since the two of you met. “I’m starting to remember why I was so nervous for this marriage when I met you.”

You looked at him, the short distance between you suddenly feeling like a million miles.

“Me too.” You admitted softly. “It doesn’t matter how long we’ve known each other, there’s still a pressure for this marriage to be successful and for our kingdom to flourish.”

Chenle whispered a quiet “Yeah”, showing you that he was feeling exactly the same way.

“Chenle?” His eyes shot up from his feet to yours and you could see the nerves bubbling in them. He was chewing on the inside of his cheek and you took a step forward to grab on of the hands that he had behind his back. “Listen to me, I thought you weren’t nervous at all. Honestly, I thought I was the only one freaking out.”

“Trust me you weren’t.” Chenle said dryly, moving slightly so that he was facing you full on.

“I know that now, but I didn’t when I really needed to.”

“What are you saying?” Chenle asked, his brows creasing with worry at your soft words. He knew you only spoke with this tone of voice when you had something important to say to him.

“I’m saying we need to communicate. We need to tell each other the truth, talk about how we feel, both the good things, and the bad. We’re in this together, and that means we don’t need to be perfect for each other. We just need to be there.”

Chenle nodded, a small smile finally making it’s way onto his face as he pulled you closer by the hand that was already in his. His arms came to wrap around your shoulders and you fell into his arms for a hug. You felt his scent overcome you and drown your senses and you let out a deep sigh, feeling some of your worries and concerns leaving you with it.

“You’re right. I know you are and I promise to tell you when I’m stressing out of my mind or nervous to the point where my knees are shaking, especially if I can’t tell anyone else. We’re married now so that means you’re stuck with me no matter what.” Chenle looked down at you, grinning that signature grin of his that you fell in love with until a look of shock suddenly shot across his face. “Holy shit, we’re married!”

You stared at him in confusion.

“What did you think the wedding ceremony meant?” You asked him as Chenle waved you off.

“No, no, I mean, I knew we were married but I guess it’s starting to sink in that we’re really married. Like I get to have you by my side forever...” Chenle trailed off, his eyes never leaving your face.

You leaned up to him, pressing your lips together softly, before pulling back slightly and whispering:

“Well you better get used to it, because it’s you and me for the rest of time now.”

A trumpet riff interrupted your moment, signalling that your time was almost upon you. You and Chenle got into position just as the doors in front of you opened and you prepared to greet your people.

You walked out into the sunlight, the sound of cheers and shouts overwhelming you as you waved to the citizens you had just promised to govern. Chenle’s hand found you once more, holding onto it tightly and pulling you slightly closer as he waved with his free hand. His grip remained tight, and you squeezed it reassuringly leaning in so that only he could hear before saying “I got you” and he seemed to relax. His grip loosened slightly and his smile faded into a genuine expression of joy and awe and you grinned, knowing that you loved him more than anything else on this planet.

The announcer lifted his hand, calling for momentary silence as he uttered the words that were followed by the largest cheer and celebration of them all.

“May I present, for the first time, the King and Queen of Ivairis!”

---

You laughed as Chenle twirled you around in time to the music, before pulling you back in and dipping you gently. You’d lost track of how long the celebrations had been going on for, but the music and lights had hypnotised you into staying longer and longer to enjoy the night. 

You’d had the pleasure of meeting Chenle’s brothers as well. Kun was first in line for the throne, he was also married and honestly was the epitome of a perfect heir. Sicheng was second in line for the throne and, before you had met you had been slightly intimidated by him. After meeting him, however you had learnt he was one of the nicest people and so easy to get along with. Family was everything to him, and he spent most of his time working with new recruits for the Shanghai army.

Renjun was closest in age to Chenle, with only a year and a half separating them, and it was clear that they were closest to each other. Chenle had previously confided in you that, since he had three brothers, he hadn’t had much attention from his parents when he was young, and it was Renjun who was there for him. It was Renjun who had essentially shown him how to learn to grow up. Their casual bickering provided you with huge amounts of entertainment, but it was clear that they cherished each other dearly, and Renjun was so proud of everything Chenle had accomplished here.

The most bittersweet moment however, came when Chenle’s father approached you and asked to dance. He had the same kind smile on his face that he always wore and you easily agreed. He led you out onto the dance floor, just as he did the day Chenle first arrived at Ivairis.

“You two have come a long way since the last time we met.” King Zhong commented, a twinkle in his eyes that made you smile.

“You gave me some good advice.” You admitted to him. “When you came here, and we danced you told me: don’t rush this. And that was the best piece of advice anyone has ever given me. I feel like I married my best friend.”

King Zhong smiled down at you, blinking twice as he tried to figure out the best way to say his next words.

“Y/n-” You looked up at him as he paused, before swallowing and continuing. “I know how much you must have wanted your father to be here, he was such a brilliant man and I’m so sorry he couldn’t be with us today.”

“Me too.” You whispered, just loud enough to be heard over the music and people chatting in the background.

“I know that no one else will say this to you, so I will.” You looked up once again, to see him looking down at you with an expression that reminded you so much of your own father that it brought tears to your eyes. “I’m proud of you.”

You felt even more tears gather rapidly in your eyes at that, and you blinked repeatedly to keep them at bay. Chenle’s father’s hands came up to rest on your shoulders and hugged you. You hugged him back, feeling the fatherly warmth from his hug calm you down slightly.

“Thank you.” You said as he pulled back and smiled at you. He nodded at you, patting you on the head gently before the two of you continued to dance. You couldn’t quite describe the comfort that his words had brought you. Deep down you knew your father would be proud of you and all you had accomplished, you just wish he had been here to see it happen.

The song that was playing came to a stop, and you stepped away to clap for the musicians. You and Chenle’s father smiled at each other, before you excused yourself to the sides, needing a short break. You stood quietly and just observed the scene in front of you. There were countless members of the courts of Shanghai and Ivairis dancing together, you saw Chenle’s parents dancing in the middle as well, Renjun was speaking to Jisung by the side, saying something that caused Jisung to stare at the older boy with his eyes wide in amazement. Over on the other side of the hall were Taeyong, Jaehyun, Sicheng and Kun, all immersed in deep conversation and you could see both Jaemin and Jeno heading over to join the conversation. In fact you could see everyone except for-

“Hi love.” You felt a soft kiss on your cheek as you turned to your left and saw how Chenle had snuck up on you without you noticing.

“Hi.” You replied, smiling up at him.

“I was thinking, do you remember the celebration when we came back from the battle against Odin’s kingdom?” You nodded at his words and he carried on. “Well, what would you say about going back into the town again? Not just us though, opening the doors to the palace and courtyard and bringing the musicians outside so that the court and citizens can all celebrate as one?”

“Chenle...” You breathed. “I think that’s an amazing idea.”

His face split into a wide grin at your words and you both immediately moved to put his plan into action. You split up to find different guards who were on the doors, and explain to them what you would like to do. They seemed slightly hesitant, as this had never been done before, but they couldn’t disagree with their new King and Queen so they did exactly as you asked. You walked back into the hall, finding Chenle there waiting for you and the door remained open after you had arrived. 

You slipped your hand into Chenle’s and he squeezed it gently, while signalling the musicians to stop playing. An air of confusion came over the room as every single pair of eyes came to rest on the two of you.

“Whenever we have a celebration, it seems to be split in two, with a chosen few celebrating in the castle, and the rest down in the town. The Queen and I would like to change this.”

“Indeed.” You took over from Chenle, your voice strong as you addressed the courts. “The whole emphasis of this marriage and alliance is on unity, and so, as we stand united in two different kingdoms, we will also stand united with all our people. We would like to invite you to join us as we go into the lower town for the rest of the night.”

There were a few murmurs amongst the crowd, but most people nodded and smiled in agreement, understanding your point on unity. You gestured for the musicians to come first, allowing them to be set up amongst the others playing in the lower towns before the rest of you began to move. You and Chenle were amongst the last people to leave, with only Jisung behind you.

He was grinning at the two of you like the Cheshire cat, shaking his head slightly as he chuckled.

“What is it?” Chenle asked his friend, rolling his eyes jokingly.

“Only the two of you would do something like this. In your first few hours as King and Queen, you break up an age-old tradition because of the separation and divide it causes. Only you would realise that and take the step to do something about it.” Jisung shrugged, brushing off his own words as if they were meaningless, but you knew he knew how much they meant to Chenle and yourself. If your marriage was supposed to bring unity, you had to make sure that you were making sure that it did. “Come on then, let’s go dance!”

He stepped in between the two of you, throwing his arms over each of your shoulders as the three of you burst out into laughter and headed into the lower town together, ready to dance the night away.

---

Both you and Chenle relied heavily on advisors during your first months of ruling. You mother stepped down and completely away from royal duties and, even though you felt as though you needed her guidance at times, you couldn’t ask her for help. She barely remembered who you were anymore, much less how to rule a kingdom. You visited her everyday, as did Chenle, and each time hurt more than the last. Watching the clouds pass over your mother’s mind as she struggles to place the face of the child who she cared for and loved all her life, was an indescribable pain.

She always remembered you eventually, something that you counted yourself very lucky for. You remember sitting by her bed, holding her hand as you spoke to her late one evening, telling her about a successful conclusion that you had come to during a council meeting that day.

“You’re doing so well my dear.” She spoke, her voice gravelly as if her throat was constantly dry.

“I’m trying.” You replied, forcing a smile on your face so that she wouldn’t see how tired you were. “I’ll make you proud.”

Your mother tightened her grip on your hand, encouraging you to look her in the eyes as she spoke again. 

“You already have.”

She passed away that night.

You were almost relieved that her suffering was over, but her loss hit both you and Chenle very hard. She had become a second mother to him, and you knew how much he loved her. The night you both lost her, you stayed together, hugging each other and crying, just allowing yourselves to be vulnerable before you had to put on another strong appearance for your people when you appeared for the funeral.

Her funeral was identical to your fathers. She was laid, in her best clothes, softly in a long boat, decorated with flowers and pushed down along the river. You held Chenle’s shaking hand in your own as you both whispered your goodbyes into the lanterns and let them fly off into the sky. Allowing your mother to finally be reunited with the man she loved.

You walked back into your shared room, breathing out a heavy sigh as the doors closed behind you and you could finally drop the act you’d been holding all day. Sitting in those meetings, talking with different noblemen of the court about petty details, you had never felt more alone.

You were struggling to come to terms with the fact that you held the entire responsibility of this kingdom on your shoulders, and you didn’t have your parents to show you how to do it anymore. You rested your back against your door, and allowed your knees to give out and for you to sink to the floor.

Once you softly hit the ground you just sat there. You didn’t cry, you didn’t speak, you didn’t move. You just sat there, listening to the sounds of the kingdom around you. You shut your eyes, allowing yourself to get lost in your mind as time passed you by.

A knock on your door forced you to open your eyes and pull yourself back into reality. You stood up and quickly opened your door, finding one of your main advisors there with the paperwork for tomorrow’s sessions. You thanked him, accepting the documents and closed the door once more.

You stepped further into your room, placing the papers down on the desk you had before turning around, planning to lie down on your bed, but your gaze was caught by a figure standing on your balcony.

He had his back to you and was leaning over, but you knew without needing to see his face that it was Chenle. From the way that he was hunched over the balcony to the way he rolled his scarred shoulder every so often to keep the injured muscle moving, you knew he was deep in thought. You debated whether you should go out to see him, wondering if it was best to just leave him thinking, and eventually you turned away, deciding to leave him to his thoughts.

You pulled off your shoes, removed your jewellery and combed through your hair with your fingers. You looked at the small pile of jewellery on your dresser,  before reaching down slowly and picking up the silver ring that bared the royal seal of Ivairis. Your bottom lip began to tremble as your mind was flooded with memories of your parents and your childhood. From your mother gently tying up your hair in the mornings, to your father bringing you along to meetings and you hiding behind his legs.

You dropped the ring, your head falling into your hands as you finally let the tears fall. Your breath shortened as you quietly sobbed into your hands, hiccuping as you tried to catch your breath. You needed to see Chenle. You stood up, whirling around to run out to the balcony, but instead you were greeted with him standing in front of you. He had come back inside, and you had been so lost in your sadness that you hadn’t realised. 

The two of you stood there, staring at each other, both having red eyes and countless tear tracks down your faces. Chenle said nothing, and instead just opened his arms and you ran into them, the force of your bodies colliding making him take a step back to steady the two of you, but it didn’t matter.

You completely broke down, sobbing into his shoulder as Chenle tried to console you. He gently stroked your head with one hand, the other resting comfortably on your waist as he whispered soft words of comfort into your ear. It didn’t seem to be helping as your crying wasn’t stopping at all.

Chenle’s voice broke more as he tried to talk and all it took was you tightening your grip on him for him to give up on trying to hold it together. He buried his face into your shoulder and let the grief overcome him, crying for the people who took him in and gave him a home.

You both held onto each other for dear life, as if the other would slip through your fingers if you let go for a second. It took a while for you to calm down, feeling as though you only stopped crying because you ran out of tears. You brought your hand up to the back of Chenle’s head, running your fingers through his hair and placing a feather light kiss to his temple.

Even after the two of you calmed down, the sadness was still there, drowning your every thought.

“I’m not ready to be Queen.” You admitted, your voice so quiet, as if you were scared for the words to come out. “I thought I’d have more time, I thought I’d be able to get used to the idea of doing it by myself but I’m not. I’m not ready for any of this, I don’t know what I’m doing.”

“I’m not ready either.” Chenle croaked back, his voice sore from the amount of crying he had done already that night. “My parents may still be alive, but they aren’t here, they aren’t close and I can’t contact them easily enough to ask for help when I need it. I just feel... isolated.” Chenle voice broke once again as he pushed his head further into your shoulder.

“Me too. I’ve never felt this alone.” You whispered, not trusting your voice to speak any louder.

This time Chenle didn’t reply, instead just silently nodding as he held you close. You both understood that you didn’t need advice, or a solution. At least, not yet, right now, all you needed, was to tell the other how you felt. Finally saying the words, admitting the overwhelming emotions that had been weighing you down for the past few months, had already made you feel lighter. 

He pulled his head out from your shoulder to rest his forehead on yours. You breathed out, leaning into him as he kept his comforting grip on you. Your eyes were closed, as your mind focused on the one fact that Chenle was standing right there with you, and he understood how you felt.

“I’m sorry.” His quiet whisper making you open your eyes in confusion.

“What for?” You asked and Chenle sighed, as if he was preparing to get something off his chest.

“For not telling you. We made a deal on our wedding day to always be honest with each other about how we were feeling, and I didn’t tell you, and now we’re both here breaking down...”

“Chenle... I’m sorry too. You weren’t the only one keeping things to yourself.” You swallowed, before finally pulling your forehead off his and losing at him straight on. “We aren’t used to this. And I don’t just mean being King and Queen, I mean all of it. We aren’t used to being married, we aren’t used to be sole rulers, we aren’t used to being alone. We had just got married when we then got crowned what felt like five minutes after.”

“We need to figure out who we are as a King and Queen, and who we are as husband and wife. And they don’t necessarily need to be the same people.” You nodded at Chenle’s words before adding onto them with your own.

“There’s so much pressure on this, and I think a lot of that is coming from us. We need to take a step back from being this groundbreaking alliance, and just be us. Chenle and y/n, just two people in love, not the King and Queen of Ivairis whose wedding united lands for generations to come. We don’t need to be our titles, we just need to be-”

“Us.” Chenle finished and you nodded. “And we need to mean it this time. We can’t just say that we’re going to be honest and open with each other and then keep things to ourselves. We’re a team. It’s you and me y/n, and nothing is going to change that.”

You leaned up, closing the small distance between the two of you and pressing your lips to his. He kissed you back, sighing into it slightly before you both pulled away. The kiss was short, but it was enough. It was a promise.

You weren’t just these young kids in love anymore, trying to figure out the best way to spend time with their crush. You were grown adults, married, ruling a kingdom, but no matter how far you went, or how much you grew, you knew that Chenle would always be by your side. You knew that now better than ever.

And for the first time in a long while, neither of you felt alone.

---

You and Chenle kept to your promise, coming to talk to each other, to trust the other to be vulnerable with the smallest of details. Whether it was a certain knight in training being a bit arrogant, or a trade deal you were unsure was worth you signing off on, you shared it with each other. Your close bond as husband and wife translated into your royal duties and you found yourselves settling into a good rhythm as King and Queen. 

But nothing good lasts forever.

You and Chenle stayed late after a particularly gruelling council session. The repairs to the outlying villages were almost complete, and the bandit attacks had decreased to them being almost non-existent. A few more supplies were being organised to be sent down, and Chenle was still keen on the idea of training some of the people in the outlying villagers so that, if a bandit attack does happen, they can defend themselves. However, a couple of council members were arguing that it would be a waste of resources to train them, which resulted in a lengthy discussion that lasted for much longer than planned.

With both you and Chenle in agreement however, there was not much that the council men could do against it once the decision had been made. They would send some knights down to the outlying villages to train the few they could, and then that knowledge would be passed down from generation to generation, with knights arriving every once in a while to help out and make sure the correct technique was being practiced.

You quickly instructed a messenger to deliver this note the following morning, thinking that nobody needs to be disturbed this late. The two of you were looking over the plans, deciding on the knights who would go when the doors to the great hall burst open and a scout of yours came running in.

“Mark, what’s wrong?” Chenle asked worriedly, noticing the look of panic on the older boy’s face.

“Fayre’s kingdom, your majesty. They heard of the Queen’s mother passing and that the two of you ascended to the throne and they think you’ll be weak. They’re planning to attack Ivairis with the full force of their army.” Mark relayed the bad news, breathing heavily as he tried to recover from his rush to the palace.

“Oh god.” You breathed, your hand coming to your face in shock. This was not good. Fayre was one of the strongest and bloodthirsty kings around, and if he wanted Ivairis, chances were he wouldn’t stop until he had it.

You and Chenle shared one look and knew that you had to act fast. Chenle called for the guards to bring in his closest knights, two scouts and a messenger, while you whirled on Mark to ask him more questions.

“When did their army leave?” 

“Three days ago, I rushed to get back here to warn you before them.”

“Thank you Mark, you may have saved us by doing that. If they left three days ago, they still have at least two before they reach us here, meaning we could send our army out to meet them somewhere we choose.” You thought out loud, Mark rapidly nodding his head next to you.

Chenle reappeared out of nowhere, you not even having noticed he’d left in your state of panic. His arms held a bunch of rolled up papers that depicted the maps of the surrounding lands.

“I’m way ahead of you.” He said, placing them all on the round table in front of you as you rolled them out and moved them into position.

You were lining up details to get a larger picture when the people Chenle had summoned began to arrive. Jisung came first, the head of the royal guard was always ready to be called for his job, with both Jeno and Taeyong close behind. The two scouts, Yangyang and Shotaro came next, with Jaemin close behind and Jaehyun and the other messenger Xiaojun arrived last.

You didn’t both to tell them to take a seat or to greet them, the stakes were simply too high. Instead you just told them the news straight away, not wasting time by sugarcoating it or easing into it at all.

“Fayre is planning to attack Ivairis.”

You heard a chorus of worried inhales of breath, signalling the panic that the rest of the group were feeling. You nodded at Mark, allowing him to explain the rest of the details.

“They left their kingdom three days ago and were travelling south, aiming to take this route here to avoid getting spotted by the Ivairis patrol. As far as I’m aware, this plan wasn’t changed, meaning that, as long as nothing disrupts their route, they should reach Ivairis by sunset in two days time and will likely attack the following morning.”

“Our best shot is heading out to meet them somewhere, like we did with Odin’s kingdom.” Jisung spoke first, the rest nodding in agreement. “I would place my bets on somewhere like here.” He reached forwards and circled a certain spot on the map. “It’s not sheltered, so there’s no chance for a surprise attack. While that limits our chances of coming up with one ourselves, Fayre destroys his enemies by drawing them in and then having a second plan up his sleeve.”

“Jisung’s right.” Taeyong said, all eyes flicking towards him as he spoke. “We can’t try to outsmart him by using his own tactics against him, that’s how people get killed. We need to force him into a situation where he has to fight us on our terms, that’s our best shot.”

“Xiaojun-” Chenle called out, the boy’s head shooting up at his king’s voice. “I need you to send word to Shanghai, tell them of the severity of the situation and that we need reinforcements as soon as possible.” Xiaojun nodded, quickly making a note of the battle location before disappearing.

You turned to the other two scouts.

“Yangyang, Shotaro, you need to scout the army. Get us a rough idea of numbers and see if there’s any weak spots. There won’t be enough time for you to report back to us here so you’ll need to tell the army when they arrive at the battle location, understand?” Both of the boys nodded at your words, before heading back out of the door to go do as you asked.

“What about me?” Mark asked, but you shook your head.

“You’ve done enough Mark.” You said, not allowing him to put himself in danger again.

“But they trust me, I could find out more insider information, I-”

“No, Mark.” Chenle cut him off. “Y/n’s right, you’ve done more than enough. Without you we would never stand a chance, that’s for sure. Plus as soon as we meet them they will know that we had a man on the inside, and it won’t take long for them to figure out it’s you. We can’t put you in that danger.”

Mark nodded, understanding your decision before you both thanked him again and allowed him to go for the night.

“What about us?” Jaehyun asked and Chenle turned to look at the remaining knights, his face grave.

“Be ready to prepare the troops in the morning. We’re going to war.”

---

One night. That was all it took for your world to be thrown upside down. In one night you had gone from council meetings and rebuilding the outlying villages to sending the man you loved off to war. You were standing in your joint room, watching as he finished getting dressed just as the first rays of light were appearing through the window. You walked towards him, silently taking the necklace out of his hands and fastening it yourself.

He turned around to face you but you didn’t take your gaze off the jewellery he was wearing. He wore it everyday, a simple necklace with two seals on it. One being the royal seal of Shanghai and the other being the royal seal of Ivairis. The symbol of his two nations. Chenle noticed you avoiding his gaze and brought his hands to your face, gently cupping your jaw and guiding you to look at him.

He leant in, placing a kiss on your forehead and your hand gripped at the fabric around his waist.

“If things aren’t going well-”

“Stop.” You said, not wanting to hear about what would happen if they lost this war. If they lost, Chenle would be dead, and you didn’t want to think about the possibility of that happening.

“Listen.” Chenle commanded softly. “If things aren’t going well, I’ll send a Shanghai messenger back here. You need to get as many of our people as you can, and take them with you to Shanghai. I made sure Xiaojun mentioned in the message the possibility of that happening and I know they would look after you. They reassured us we always have a home there, and I know that would apply to you if I don’t come back from this.” Your hands tightened their grip around his shirt at his words. “If anything happens to me... I need to know that you’ll be safe.”

You nodded silently and Chenle breathed a sigh of relief at your agreement, moving his hands from your face to around your shoulders to hug you close as you did the same around his waist. You buried your face in his chest, breathing in as much of him as you could before you had to let him go.

You walked with him through the castle, your hand held tightly in his as you both approached the main doors. You knew that beyond those doors stood your entire army, waiting for their king to lead them into battle. You suddenly stopped moving, causing Chenle to turn back in confusion.

You stared at him for a second, trying to find the right words to say before just throwing your arms around his neck and hugging him as tightly as you could. Chenle caught you, wrapping his own arms around your waist and squeezing his eyes shut as he tried to make this fleeting moment last forever.

“Come back to me.” You whispered.

“I promise.”

---

It had been a month.

An entire month and the only sign you’d had that they were still alive were the two letters from the Shanghai reinforcements sending word to you that they had arrived at the battlefield to help. The knowledge that they had extra men fighting with them was reassuring, but not hearing a single word from Chenle, not knowing if he was even alive, for a whole month was tearing you apart.

The entire kingdom had been in a state of fear. The outlying villages had been told to be prepared to move into the citadel in case the battle was lost so that they could barricade themselves in and be protected. Every citizen had their nerves on fire for the past month as they all waited for any kind of news.

You had been in the weekly review of the tax collection when the sound of horses hooves caught your attention. The entire table froze, knowing that, one way or another, the battle was over. The doors to the great hall burst open and Mark appeared, nodding at you, a relieved expression on his face.

“It’s them.”

You dropped the paper in your hand, standing up and running out of the hall. You ran down the corridors, Mark by your side and you didn’t stop for anything. Various other members of the court and servants in the castle joined you as they all were eager to welcome the knights home, but all you cared about was finding Chenle.

You burst out of the front doors just in time to see the last of the knights trickle back in. Your jaw dropped, nothing could have prepared you for the sight in front of you.

Out of all the knights who went to battle, only around a fifth of them made it back. Your eyes did a desperate scan of the faces of the live men. You saw Taeyong, who had his left arm in a makeshift sling, Jaehyun and Jaemin were carrying an unresponsive Jeno between them, the large red stain on Jeno’s shirt giving away that he was seriously injured, and Jisung was standing further down the steps in front of you.

You couldn’t see Chenle anywhere.

Jisung took a few steps towards you, limping heavily, and you rushed down to him, throwing your arms around him in a hug.

He caught you with a grunt and you tried to apologise but the words got stuck in your throat. You were shaking slightly in his hold but Jisung still hugged you tightly, relieved to be back home.

“We won.” He whispered, and you nodded slowly at his words before pulling back.

“At what cost?” You asked, too scared to directly voice the question that was plaguing your mind.

Did Chenle survive?

“He’s alive. The last I saw him, he was alive.” Jisung answered your unasked question, a small ounce of relief flooding your system, but it didn’t nothing to calm the furious fear at the fact that nobody knew where he was.

You took a couple of steps back to find all the knights looking at you for your words. You found that you didn’t even know what to say to them, how could you comfort someone who has been through the ordeal they have?

You cleared your throat before addressing the men in front of you.

“Our brave knights. There are no words to describe how thankful we are to you for everything you have done for us. You bravery and sacrifice will never be forgotten. Today, we will have our traditional victory procession, and I would like to add a moment at the end, for anyone to address anything they would wish to. And to speak to or about anyone they may have lost. Please go to the court physician and your people in Ivairis are eternally indebted to you.” Your voice broke slightly at the end and the knights all nodded at you in appreciation.

They each headed inside one by one, only Jisung, Jaehyun, Jaemin and Jeno remained. A few members of the medical team rushed out, taking Jeno’s limp body from Jaehyun and Jaemin and carrying him inside, shouting out various treatments. Jaehyun squeezed your shoulder as he went inside, the exhaustion clear on his face. Jaemin stepped up but paused for a minute and turned to face you.

“Thank you, for adding that opportunity at the end. We lost a lot of men out there and I know people will want to address it.”

With that he headed inside, leaving just you and Jisung standing there looking at each other. Jisung opened his mouth to speak but you got there first.

“Go to the court physician Jisung. Please get yourself checked out and your wounds treated first.”

He closed his mouth, nodding at you before moving past you and entering the castle. You turned you gaze on the now empty courtyard, the men having cleared out and the horses having been retrieved. You took a few shaky breaths, waiting a few extra seconds, staring wistfully at the gate, praying that by some miracle Chenle would come riding through. But he didn’t. So you shut your eyes, took a deep breath, and turned back into the castle, the doors closing behind you.

---

The victory procession was bittersweet. The knights were acknowledged for their hard work and struggles, and nobody tried to deny that this had been a heart wrenching battle. The celebrations were half hearted however, the entire kingdom feeling the loss of so many knights and the king that they were all missing. The toasts at the end brought tears to your eyes as the knight took it in turns to remember their fallen friends.

And through it all, anyone could tell that the entire kingdom was terrified that their king wouldn’t come back. The king who every citizen had grown to love and admire. The king who set an example for all future kings, who acted as a king should, the king who you were lucky enough to call your husband, your love.

You removed your final piece of jewellery, staring at yourself in the mirror as you tried to figure out the whirlpool of emotions in your head. The knock at your bedroom door made your head snap towards it as you called out for whoever it was to enter. Jisung’s head poked around the door, and you couldn’t help but feel slightly disappointed.

You had known Jisung almost your entire life, and you had never seen him look this broken. He took a couple of steps into your room before looking questioningly at your bed, asking silently for permission. You gestured for him to sit, moving over to join him yourself.

“I think I should tell you what I know.”

You nodded, not trusting yourself to speak quite yet.

“It was the final day. We knew it was coming to an end, we could all feel it. It’s hard to describe but there’s a difference in the air. On the final night, the king names someone he wants to be in charge of the army in case...” Jisung swallowed as he continued trying to get the words out. “In case he’s killed. Chenle chose me. The next morning, just before we went out, Chenle told me to do whatever I could to get this back to you.”

It was only then that you noticed Jisung had been holding something ever since he stepped foot into your room. He lifted up the object and you recognised it immediately. He placed it gently in your hands, watching as you turned it over in your fingers.

It was Chenle’s necklace.

“I didn’t see him after that.” Jisung’s voice brought you to tear your eyes away from the necklace in your lap and look back up at him. “I lost sight of him in battle. I know it sounds like he didn’t make it but- we scoured every inch of the battlefield after we won, there was no sign of Chenle among the bodies, nor was he taken captive by Fayre either because we searched their base. Aspen was missing too. Chenle is out there, alive and trying to make his way back here to you. And he will, he has to.”

You let your eyes flicker back down to Chenle’s necklace for a second before looking back up at Jisung.

“Thank you.” You whispered. “It’s been a long day, you should get some sleep.”

Jisung nodded, standing quickly and heading back out the same door he entered through. You didn’t from move your position, instead sitting in the same spot for the next few hours, turning the seals over and over in your fingers, wondering if Chenle would ever find his way back.

---

You were sat in the throne room, having just finished a meeting with the keeper of the archives to document the battle. Labelling Chenle as missing was something you had hoped you would never have to do, but there you were, drawing your signature on that very slip of paper. You really understood your mother’s words now when she said that she only felt as though she could rule when she had the person she loved by her side.

Because you didn’t just feel alone without Chenle, you felt completely and utterly lost.

A guard appears, telling you that there is a messenger for you, and you gesture for them to be let in. Yangyang strolls through the door, and you can’t help the small smile that appears on your face at sight of his much larger, contagious one.

“I have good news!” He announced, making you raise your eyebrows. “News of the victory travelled fast around kingdoms both close by and far away, and any thoughts off attacking Ivairis have been wiped off the map. Between the strength of our army and the alliance with Shanghai, the kingdom is almost invincible.”

You let out a breath of disbelief, smiling lightly at the boy in front of you as the news settled. Ivairis was safe. You asked Yangyang to spread the news around the kingdom, allow everyone to revel in the announcement and he gladly agreed before running out of the room so fast he left the door open.

You chuckled slightly at the sight of him, but the smile on your face faded quickly as the thought of Chenle travelled through your head. Another two weeks had passed but he was still missing. Nobody had heard a word from or about him since the final day in battle, and the fear that you were never going to see him again had become your natural state of mind.

You looked out of the window on your left, staring down at the rose buses and stone bench that sat there. You felt all the memories rush through your head of the times you and Chenle had sat on that very bench. You still remembered walking past it in the first few days of Chenle arriving, when you had given him a tour around the grounds. Though he would deny it within an inch of his life, Chenle had a soft spot for flowers and loved nothing more than spending a day surrounded with flowers of all different kinds.

You sighed out once more, closing your eyes to stop the tears that were threatening to fall.

“You promised you’d come back to me...” You spoke to the empty room, your voice wavering heavily.

You rested your head on the glass, lost in your own mind when a voice cut through. Your eyes shot open and you whirled around to be greeted with the person you thought you would never see again, the person you loved more than anything else in this world, more than life itself.

“Have I ever broken my promises?”

Chenle.

The world stopped when you saw him. You didn’t blink, didn’t move, didn’t even breathe, terrified that if you did, the image of him would disappear and you would be left with the reality that didn’t have him in it.

He took a step forward, standing in front of you and reaching up to tuck a stay piece of hair behind your ear. You lifted a shaky hand to his face, pressing your palm against his cheek and taking in the fact that he was stood in front of you.

“Chenle...” You whispered, trying to convince yourself that this was real life.

He nodded at your words, tears filling his eyes at the sight of you after so long. When it sunk in it hit you like a ton of bricks. You threw your arms around him and broke down, sobbing into his shoulder.

“Oh my god, Chenle. You made it back.” You cried, holding him tighter that you ever had before.

“Of course I did, I could never leave you like that.” He whispered, his quiet voice a stark contrast to your broken one.

His arms were securely around your waist, capturing you next to his being. You could feel that he was smaller, having lost weight when he was lost and trying to get back. He had dirt in his hair, and various bruises and other minor injuries that you could see, but he was here. He was here, in your arms, alive.

You pulled back, bringing one hand to rest on his cheek as you pressed your foreheads together.

“I love you so much.” You breathed, the tears still steadily falling down your cheeks.

“I love you more.” He replied, relaxing in the knowledge that he was home. He was standing in your arms, surrounded by his kingdom.

Chenle was home.

---

~ 10 years later ~

“So we are in agreement?” You asked the court, looking around the round table and seeing all the other heads of the men and women present nodding at your words. “Well in that case, we can call it a day here. Thank you for your input.”

You stood, smiling at the people in front of you as they all left the room.

“Ten years and council meetings are still as dull as the first one.” You muttered to yourself.

“I hear that.” A voice replied, making your eyes shoot up. You found yourself looking at your husband, who was leaning against the door with a cheeky grin on his face. “But if we want to set a good example, we should probably pretend they are.”

You shook your head, chuckling to yourself at his words. The sound of light footsteps running down the hall caused you and Chenle to send each other a knowing look.

The doors to the great hall opened once more and in ran two little children.

“Daddy, look I won!” You son yelled happily, grabbing Chenle’s hand and pointing towards the doorway where a panting Jisung stood, leaning on the door frame for support.

“Really Jisung? Two children under the age of 6 can outrun you?” Chenle asked, his eyebrows raised judgmentally.

“Look.” Jisung spat, pointing a finger accusingly at the two of you. “If the two of you hadn’t had twins with Chenle’s bluntness and y/n determination, I would be fine. But these two are like the mixture of you two, it’s terrifying.”

“Well, Jisung I hate to break it to you, but that is how children work. They tend to be a mixture of their parents.” You replied dryly, reaching down to hug your daughter as she held on to your leg, catching her breath.

“You know... we made a deal that we would have three.” Chenle reminded you, wiggling his eyebrows at you as you burst out into laughter at Jisung’s disgusted expression.

“Okay, that’s my cue to leave. Just remember, there are young children here.”

Jisung gestured to the twins that were standing close to you, before saying a quick goodbye, which your twins shouted back even louder, as he headed off to the next training session.

“Is everything sorted?” Chenle asked you, trying to stop your son from attempting to sit on the documents on the table.

“Yes, everything was agreed upon today. Starting from tomorrow, we are in an official peace treaty with all the surrounding lands. There are plans to share combat tactics, and resources if any kingdom needs it. We’re about to enter a new era.” You told him, the smile on your face growing at your words.

“That’s amazing, I’m so proud of you.” He breathed, his voice lowering for the last part as he grabbed your hand.

You intertwined your fingers with his. “I’m proud of us. We did this together.”

Chenle smiled at you, the signature smile of his that always took you back to the shy boy who you toured around the rose garden. You reach out with your other hand, your daughter grabbing it as Chenle took a hold of your son and together you walked out to stand on the battlements. Neither of your children were tall enough to see over the stone walls, so you both picked them up, allowing them to sit and see the view.

“One day, you’ll be the ones to rule this kingdom.” Chenle told them, watching as their eyes lit up in amazement. “And you’ll do it with a very special someone by your side.”

You smiled out at the view, the roofs of houses, the market stalls, the training grounds... you could see your entire kingdom from up here. Your entire home.

“Tell us the story again of how you and Mummy met?” Your daughter asked, looking up at her father with wide eyes.

Chenle began the tale, pointing out to the view as he did. He had got in the habit of telling them this story to put them to sleep, and since then they had asked for it constantly, the way he changed certain words to make it sound like a fairytale had made it their favourite.

He told the story of a magical land that became his home and the evil kings and dragons that he and Uncle Jisung had fought to protect it, all while his fairy queen, which was you, stood bravely behind the walls sheltering and looking after the people.

You listened to his calming voice tell the legendary tale and couldn’t stop the smile that spread across your face as you watched your family. You thought about how your life had turned out, all the ups and downs and challenges that you had faced, but you never faced them alone. Chenle was right there with you, ready to tackle any problem that the two of you may encounter. You turned your gaze out to your kingdom, the wealthy and prosperous civilisation that the two of you had grown together, yet it only meant everything it did because of the man you shared it with.

You remembered your conversation with Chenle before he proposed, the two of you talking about the life you could possibly have if you weren’t royals. You discussed all the things you would change, and how it would be different. But, standing here now, looking over your kingdom, with your family by your side, you knew one thing for certain.

You wouldn’t change a thing.

[filmsmakkari]

Take A Break

Wordcount- 1.1k

Hamilton!Tom Holland x Angelica!Reader

Tom Holland x Princess!Reader

I would recommend listening to the song here!

Full Series Masterlist

As time passed, you stayed in regular correspondence with Thomas. It pained you deeply for there to be such a large distance between the two of you. But, it perhaps hurt less than to be near him, but not have him completely. You were stuck in a loveless marriage in a foreign country, Thomas’s letters were your lifeline. You craved his words. He was incredibly witty and eloquent, with every letter, you felt yourself falling deeper and deeper.

You were sitting in your chambers, which you didn’t share with your husband, reading a tragedy by your favorite writer when a servant entered with a letter in her hand.

“It’s from the Duke of Saataun, your majesty,” she said with a curtsy.

“Evangeline, how many times must I ask you not to bow to me?” you asked with a smile, taking the letter from her hand, trying to hide your eagerness for Thomas’s words.

“As many more times as I have to ask you to call me Eva, your majesty.” She smiled at you, curtsying again and leaving the room.

You eagerly opened the letter, your eyes quickly running over his words.

The letter read;

My Dearest, (Y/N),

“Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow creeps in this petty pace from day to day”. I trust you’ll understand the reference to another Scottish tragedy without my having to name the play. They think me Macbeth. Ambition is my folly, I’m a polymath, a pain in the ass- a massive pain. Madison is Banquo, Jefferson is MacDuff, and Birnin Wood is parliament on its way to Dunsinane.

And there you are an ocean away. Must you be an ocean away? Thoughts of you subside, then I receive another letter from you, and I cannot put the notion away.

Adieu ma chere,

Thomas, Duke of Saataun

Your heart clenched and it felt like you had butterflies in your stomach as you read his words. “My Dearest, (Y/N)” he had written. Normally you wouldn’t have batted an eyelash at the phrase, but the comma after “dearest” changed the meaning. You had to know if it was intentional. You immediately rose, took a seat at your desk, dipped your quill in a bottle of ink, and got to writing.

My Dearest, Thomas,

You must get through to Jefferson. Simply sit down with him and compromise- don’t stop until you agree. Your favorite older sister, (Y/N), reminds you, there’s someone in your corner all the way across the sea.

In the letter I received from you today I noticed a comma in the middle of a   phrase. It changed the meaning. Did you intend this? One stroke and you’ve consumed my waking days. It says  “My dearest, (Y/N)” with a comma after”dearest”. You’ve written, “the person dearest to me, (Y/N)”.

Anyway, all this to say, I’m coming home this summer at my sister’s invitation. I’ll be there with your family should you make your way upstate. I know you are very busy, I know your work is important, but I’m crossing the ocean and I just can’t wait.

Then you won’t be an ocean away. You’ll only be a moment away.

Adieu, my dear friend,

Princess (Y/N) of Larione

Months later, you were on a ship Saataun bound. Saataun was the city Thomas and Eliza had been made Duke and Duchess of after their marriage. You would meet them in Saataun, and you would altogether go to Hasnaa and visit your father at the Fadar da Hasnaa where he was staying for the summer.

When you arrived at the Duke and Duchess’s home, you saw them all waiting outside for you, along with their lovely children. You laughed loudly, forgetting all the rules of being a princess, and ran towards them, wrapping your arms around your sister.

“(Y/N)!” Eliza exclaimed.

“Eliza!” you exclaimed back.

“Larione’s Princesses,” Thomas said, smiling at you both.

“Thomas,” you said, the longing clear in your voice.

“Hi,” he said bashfully.

You enveloped him in a tight hug. “It’s good to see your face.”

You released him from the hug and looked into those eyes you’d fantasized about at night for so long. They shone with the same ambition and intelligence you’d seen when you first looked into them in what felt like years ago. But something was different, they were slightly darkened by loss. You had heard that his dear friend Lieutenant Colonel Osterfield had been killed during a skirmish with Zarian forces. Still, they sparkled with cleverness and adoration. For you, for Eliza, and for his children.

Your eyes still lingered on him as Eliza began to speak. “(Y/N/N), tell this man Edmund Adams spends the summer with his family.”

You only tore your gaze from him as you all began to walk back into the manor, smiling at your nephew who had turned nine the previous day.

“(Y/N), tell my wife Edmund Adams doesn’t have a real job anyway,” Thomas snarkily replied back.

You stopped walking. “Wait, Thomas, you’re not joining us?”

“I’m afraid I cannot join you upstate,” he replied grimly.

“But Thomas, I came all this way!” you exclaimed sadly.

“She came all this way,” Eliza said, standing by your side. “Please, my love, take a break. Run away with us for the summer, we’ll all go stay with our father. There’s a lake I know in a nearby park where you and I can go when the night falls!”

You and Eliza grabbed his hands.

You nodded at your sister’s words before speaking. “And I know I’ll miss your face. ‘Screw your courage to the sticking place,” you quoted Lady Macbeth at him, knowing he’d understand the reference to your shared favorite Scottish Tragedy.

He did. He threw a gentle, knowing smile in your direction.

“My dear brother, if you take your time you will make your mark. Just close your eyes and dream. Take a break,” you said.

Thomas wiped the smile off his face, freeing his hands from your and Eliza’s grip.

“I have to get my plan through parliament. I can’t stop until I get this plan through parliament.” And with that, he was back up the stairs and into his office.

Eliza started to go after him, but you grabbed a hold of her, wrapped your arms around her, and ushered her into the common room where the children were.

You and your sister were unable to convince Thomas to join you upstate, so you left him in Saataun while you went to stay with your father, leaving him to make the first of a series of mistakes that would destroy the legacy he cared so much about.

[versegm]

It starts, as many things do, with a letter.

White paper, messy handwriting. Folded in half in a small envelope and slipped under her door.

Of course, the letter itself doesn’t matter so much as the words written on it.

“A love note?” Nitocris raises both eyebrows in surprise. “Who is it from?”

“It wasn’t signed.” Ereshkigal answers. “But it was, uh. Quite generous in compliments.”

“As it should be. You’re a queen, after all.” Nitocris nods to herself. Ereskigal wishes she had the same confidence as her-

“Hey, girls!” A preppy voice rises from the door. “How y’all doing?”

“Great! Just great!” Ereshkigal hurriedly answers. She turns around with a wild smile, eager to change the subject. She can’t let them know she can’t let them know “How about you, Astolfo?”

*

Ereshkigal doesn’t know who the writer of these letters are. She does know, however, who she’d like them to be.

Because the thing about Astolfo, is-

“You’re staring again. Do I have something on my face?”

they’re handsome. 

Pretty. Beautiful. Asu-shu-namir shaped Ereskigal’s taste in people for her whole life, sue her. She can’t help feeling weak before this smooth skin, this perfect hair, this high-pitched voice. She can’t help feeling weak before these strong arms, this broad chest, this sharp jaw. 

*

Because the thing about Astolfo is-

“The Underworld? Yeah, I’ve been there once! Not Kur, obviously. The one I went to was neat, though. It was fun.”

they’re soothing. 

There’s something about them, the unmistakable mark of the Underworld, just below their skin. Not like the undead. It’s much closer to her or Nitocris. Someone with ties to down there, even back when they were alive.

Ereshkigal loves the Overworld, and loves living beings. But she can’t deny that they’re a little… overwhelming. A bit of familiarity is, welcome.

(“Aw, thanks! You feel the same, actually! A fellow Moon-dweller.”

“I… never went there, though?”

“It might just be that you don’t remember. The Moon is where everything lost lies. People can end there too, when they’re lost or forgotten. It’s hard work getting them back down.”)

*

Because the thing about Astolfo is-

“Oh, do you need help with that? Here, let me!”

they’re kind. 

Overwhelmingly so. They get into trouble more often than not, and many think it’s because they love chaos, (which, to be fair, they do,) but Ereshkigal knows better. Astolfo cannot see someone and not help them. They’re very similar to the Master, in that way. A complete disregard for their own safety in the face of a troubled face.

*

Because the thing about Astolfo is-

“Ah, almost forgot myself here. Sorry!”

they’re so considerate. 

Ereshkigal isn’t… good, with touch. She’s working on it! But the sheer warmth- the pressure- the knowledge that someone is touching her, the queen of Kur, mistress of the dead, willingly touching her-

it’s. A Lot.

Astolfo is nothing but touch. Always hugging others, always patting a shoulder, holding a hand, elbowing rips. That’s their default way of showing affection. 

And you’d think it’d be a problem, you’d think there’d be friction, but-

Astolfo… doesn’t touch Ereshkigal.

Oh, they want to, that much is obvious. Often, they reach out for her. Often, they raise their hands, to pat or hold or pet.

But they always stop themself, inches away from her skin.

She knows it has to be really counterintuitive to them. And she knows it must be hard for them to remember not to touch her everytime. (It’s hard for Astolfo to remember a lot of things.) Yet they try. Yet they do. For her. For her comfort. And when they forget, they apologize, always, always.

It’s been a couple months, and Ereshkigal has now worked her way to simple touches. Yet Astolfo rarely ever initiates. They wait for her to touch them, and even then, she can see how much they scrutinize her when they reciprocate, ready to back down at the first hint of discomfort.

For her. All of this, they do it for her.

*

Because the thing about Astolfo is-

“Huh. I don’t really get it, but you’re welcome!”

they’re not scared.

Of anything, in general. But most importantly, of her. Ereshkigal, goddess of death. Ereshkigal, chaotic evil. Ereshkigal, ruler of mesopotamian Hell.

They’ve never even flinched. From the first day they’ve seen her.

*

Because the thing about Astolfo is-

“You… remembered what I said? You actually listen when I talk?”

they’re so, so deeply lonely.

Well. No. Lonely isn’t the right word. Astolfo has quite a lot of friends. They’re a social butterfly, always jumping from newcomer to veteran servant, chatting up even the Chaldea staff.

But there’s… something, like a gap, between Astolfo and others. It’s in the way they laugh Astolfo off as a naive idiot. It’s in the way they get frustrated when Astolfo forgets things.

And it makes Ereshkigal angry, so angry, that righteous fury that make gods tremble. 

Because they don’t get it. Because they don’t try to get it. Because sometimes Astolfo talks about one thing or another, and pauses, and then apologizes, as if their thoughts were a bother, as if they were a bother. Because whenever she mentions something Astolfo talked about in the past, they get surprised- always, always, without fail.

Because Astolfo is so good, so kind, a ray of sunshine barely dressed in flesh. Because Astolfo deserves so many things, because Astolfo is so important, and they’re convinced that they’re nothing but a side character.

*

Because the thing about Astolfo is-

“Hey, check out that new card game Nobu gave me! Wanna play?”

(Fingers trembling over the door frame. Stiff shoulders. Forced smile. It’s subtle, but it’s there. It’s subtle, but something’s wrong.)

they trust her.

She hadn’t known what to do, that night. Something had clearly been… off, about Astolfo. But she’s never been the social one; they were. The best she could do- the best she did- was humor them. Play, and talk, and fill in the silences. (Sometimes, she hears people joke about wishing Astolfo would speak a little less. She wonders if they know. How downright disturbing it is to witness Astolfo being quiet.)

Her bed is small, and touch is difficult, but she’d tried really, really hard, and their back had been burning hot and impossibly broad against her own, but for them she’d endured it. She’d wished she could have hugged them, back then.

Astolfo hadn’t complained. As she’d drifted off to sleep, she swears she’s heard the softest “thank you.”

The next day, they’d been back to normal.

(She’d checked the calendar, afterwards. That night had been a new moon.)

*

Because the thing about Astolfo is-

“Hey, look! I made you a plushie of Hippo-kun!”

“This nail polish looks SO good on you. Give me your other hand!”

“Hey! I found these flowers earlier, and I thought of you!”

they’re her friend. They’re her dear, important friend.

And Ereshkigal is in love with them.

(In her opinion, they’re an easy person to fall in love with.)

*

Because the thing about Astolfo is-

“Oh, hey! Great timing!”

that they’re standing right in front of her door.

“Here, take this!” They hand her something. “And I’m off. Have a nice day!”

A small envelope. It contains, Ereshkigal is sure, a white paper folded in half, filled with messy handwriting.

She can feel her face heating up.

“W-wait! You don’t get to just leave!”

“Huh? Why? Do you need me for something?” They tilt their head. Genuinely confused.

“This is a love letter!”

“Indeed it is!” They nod, pleased with themself. “I worked hard on these, I hope it shows.”

“... But why?”

And now they’re back to confused. “... Because I’m trying to court you? I thought it was pretty obvious.”

“...” Ereshkigal stands here. Dumbstruck. Because they just said it. Because Ereshkigal never, in a million years, thought this’d be a possibility. That anyone- yet alone the person she herself fancies- might actually reciprocate. Because they make it sound so simple. Because they make it sound so obvious. 

“I… the letters weren’t signed.” She says stupidly.

“...” Astolfo blinks. “Oh. It genuinely didn’t occur to me to.” They chuckle sheepishly. “My bad.”

My bad.

And it’s such an Astolfo thing to say, Ereshkigal can’t help but laugh, too.

“I should have known it was you.” (Couldn’t believe it could be them)”... Do you mean them? The things you wrote?”

There are a few seconds of silence. Astolfo looks at her, as if wondering how to best answer, and she can feel dread starting to gather in her throat and-

Astolfo suddenly gets on one knee, like a knight.

“Ereshkigal.” They sound solemn all the sudden, with that tone they use when they’re trying really hard to focus. They raise a hand, and, gently, seize just the tip of her fingers, and they’re so warm, warm, warm, “You’re one of the gentlest souls I’ve ever known. You’re pretty, and strong, and kind, and.” 

A pause.

Then, really quietly.

“You listen. People don’t usually listen.”

(That loneliness with no name, this gap with no words.)

Slowly, so that she can pull away at any time, Astolfo raises her hand, and softly kisses the back of her fingers. For a few seconds, Ereshkigal forgets to even breathe.

“So, yes. I meant everything I wrote. And if you’ll allow me, I have plenty more praises I’d like to write about you in the future.”

They tilt her hands on the side, and their lips are on her wrist, and their eyes are on her, and there’s a look on their face, something like adoration, something like worship. A knight bowing before their queen.

Love.

“So, will you?”

“What?” Her face feels so hot there must be steam coming out of her ears.

“Allow me to write more to you?” They run a thumb over her knuckles. “I will stop, if you want me to.”

(Always. Always. If you’re comfortable. If you want me to. An inch over her skin, begging to touch her, yet stopping for her sake.)

“You could be writing to me about rocks you found on the side of the road and I’d love it.” She blurts out. And it’s true.

Astolfo laughs, with that beautiful voice of theirs that gets her head spinning everytime. (Happiness is such a good look on them.)

(They still haven’t let go of her hand.)

“See? This, right there. This is why I love you.”

[hanniiesuckle17]

The Modern Wife

HAN JISUNG REGENCY AU

A/n: Literally I’ve been so obsessed with the idea of this I had to mess up my schedule and write this. Also, omg will you look at that edit job??? I have never used photoshop in my life and look at that!!! Also special shoutout to Celi @poeticallyspaghetti​ for helping me so much with this

See how many Austen quotes you can spot!

Warnings: Slight cursing, mention of violence

Word Count: 11.5k

Summary: Miss Y/n L/n is the talk of the town. She is one of four gorgeous sisters. Her father is a successful politician who travels frequently back and forth to London. She is beautiful, poised, and absolutely unobtainable. Every man in town had been asking for her hand, all except a certain Colonel. Things are turned upside down when Miss L/n is forced into an engagement.

Genre: history!au, enemies to lovers!au, regency!au, historical!au, pride, and prejudice!au

“OW! Not so tight, Harry!” I screamed holding onto my bedposts as my maid and friend, Harriet pulled the laces tight on my corset. “Harry, are you trying to kill me?” I said with a laugh. The small thin plank of wood in the boning pressed hard against my chest and pushed up my breasts as high as they would go for no reason other than to put them on display. 

Ironic that it was unseemly to show my ankle but my cleavage could parade about the world openly. For the next forty minutes, Harriet proceeded to help me get dressed. The pale yellow frock complimented my skin nicely. Harriet always knew what I looked best in. She sat me down at my vanity while she fixed my hair, untwisted the fabric that tied my curls. Before she could finish my eyes glimpsed movement outside my window. 

“Cecilia!”

Bolting up from the chair I ran down the hall, fabric billowing behind me. I rushed passed several servants as I made my way down the sunlit passageway. “Miss Y/n,” our butler, Mr. Carson, exclaimed as I nearly ran him over. Thankfully he did not drop the glassware on his tray. “I’m sorry, Carson!” “Don’t worry about it, my lady.”

With a bright smile, I burst through the large entryway doors and was met by a gracious morning breeze, A carriage had pulled up in the driveway and a woman a few years older than me was exiting the cab with the help of a footman.

“Cecilia! You’re home!” 

“Y/n!”

Wrapping my arms around my elder sister I gave her the biggest hug imaginable. The sound of our laughter could most likely be heard from anywhere on the grounds. I was once again reunited with my sister. She had not been gone but a few months since her last visit, but it felt like ages to me. 

“I should hope I get the same welcoming as my wife,” Turning away, I saw my sister’s husband stepping out of the carriage, a kind smile on his face. “Of course, Chan. I could never forget my brother in law.” He gently gave me a hug before returning me back to my sister. 

“Is father home?” I shook my head, leading my sister arm in arm into the house. “No, he has yet to return from London.” She scoffed and held my hand tighter. “But, it is the beginning of spring! How can he miss your birthday?” Carson greeted Cecilia and Chan with a warm welcome before we continued to the parlor. 

“Do not worry. Papa said he would return in the next few days in time for the ball on Saturday. Tomorrow we girls will simply have to celebrate my nineteenth birthday together.” Chan left us to talk while he helped tried to help Carson and the footmen with the bags, much to Carson’s displeasure. Chan never could really get used to having servants do things for him.

“Where are Charlotte and Emma?” Cecilia was referring to our two younger sisters. Charlotte had turned sixteen this year and little Emma was now ten. “They are in lessons right now. Papa is still positively adamant we are all educated to the highest degree.”  “Of course, he is.”

My sister filled me in on everything that had happened in Dover in the past few months. She and Chan had moved there after they got married, much against father’s will. “Oh, Chan got a letter before we left. He said the Colonel was in London and met up with father. He might come back to Surrey for the spring.” 

Cecilia laughed as disdain took over my face. “Wonderful. There go my hopes of a lovely spring.” “He isn’t that bad, Y/n.” The Colonel was around Cecilia’s age, in his very early twenties. He was the one who introduced Chan to Cecilia. Chan had served in his infantry and had grown quite close to the young officer. 

Father adored the Colonel. Anytime the Colonel returned to Surrey, Papa would insist on us inviting him to our residence. Everyone loved the Colonel. He was a brave man who had done his country proud in the war, taking over his father’s position in the midst of battle after he tragically perished. There was just something about him that made me hate him. He walked around like he was entitled to everything around him. 

“Does that mean he’ll be returning with father?” Cecilia nodded as her husband entered the room. “Who?” Chan asked sitting across from us. “Colonel Han,” Chan nodded with a soft smile on his face, adjusting his jacket. “I assume so. Miss Y/n why are you asking about him? If my memory serves me correctly, the last time he was here you called him ‘Death’s head on a broomstick’,” 

“Well, it was rightly deserved. I’m simply asking because I would like to know when to board up Whitewater so that he simply can’t get in.” 

Cecilia’s bright blue eyes crinkled as she laughed. Running footsteps could be heard coming down the hall. In raced two girls who practically jumped on Cecilia. “Cecilia, we missed you!” Emma sang in her soft voice. Charlotte went and gave Chan a gentle hug as well. 

The next day we celebrated my birthday. Chan and Cecilia got me a lovely gift, a gorgeous leather-bound sketchbook. I knew there was no way they could possibly afford something of such quality, but Cecilia insisted I take it. Carson and the staff celebrated with us making and sharing a beautiful cake. The next two days went by quickly. Chan worked on his music, the girls continued their studies, and Cecilia and I spent the time walking the grounds and gossiping about anything and everything, with Harriet often joining us

On Thursday afternoon, Charlotte and I were strolling near the banks of the creek, for which our estate was named. The clear water quickly rushed along making almost a soft song with the wind in the trees. Soon, we began to grow tired so we headed back to Whitewater.

As we reached the estate, my eyes were drawn to a carriage and a horse stationed outside. No one was expecting visitors so it must mean father was home. Charlotte and I raced into the house, grins filling our faces. 

“Papa! Are you home?” I called out. Charlotte heard voices in the parlor, so we both ventured into the sitting room. “There are the rest of my beautiful daughters!” He exclaimed, getting up and wrapping his arms around us. It felt so good to have my father’s arms wrapped around me again. His familiar smell of burning wood and lavender. 

He pulled away and kissed each of our cheeks. “Girls, you remember Colonel Han Jisung.” I tried to hide the grimace on my face but failed. Of course. That’s whose horse was out front. My eyes fell on the man standing near the window. He wore a dark navy overcoat and pristine black boots. While his somewhat smaller and shorter than some of the other military men I had met in the past, there was no doubt about the way he commanded the room.  His shaggy brown hair was tousled from the ride back to Surrey. 

His dark eyes were hidden as he bowed and took Charlotte’s hand. A proper way to greet a lady. “Yes, unfortunately, I do remember,” I said rolling my eyes. “Believe me, feelings are the same Miss L/n.” The Colonel said giving me a curt bow. Rolling my eyes, I sat down next to Cecilia, who nudged me, giving me a look. 

“Papa, how was London?” Charlotte asked happily. Father smiled and sat back down near the fireplace. Mr. Han remained standing near where Chan was sitting. “Perfectly fine. Everything is well. It seems Napoleon’s advances in England have stopped for the time being. Also, I met quite an intriguing man and invited him to have dinner with us this evening.” 

“Is he handsome, Father?” Charlotte asked. “Charlotte, do not ask such things.” Cecilia scolded, gently pushing our sister back in her seat. “I should think so. Colonel, you are welcome to join us for supper as well.” 

“I wouldn’t want to impose.”

“You do most days anyway,” I muttered under my breath.

Ignoring the look he sent my way I turned back to father. “Nonsense! You shall join us!” The hour seemed to drag on. Father and Mr.Han seemed to only talk about the war. Papa only paused to ask Cecilia and Chan about Dover and Chan’s music. To be fair he only asked because Cecilia forced him to be civil with Chan about his work.

Soon, The Colonel decided he should return to his estate and unpack his things. “Thank you for your time. The visit was lovely.” He said graciously. Giving everyone a short goodbye, he mounted his horse and made the travel to Ruxfield Manor a few miles to the west of Whitewater.

“That was an eventful visit,” Cecilia said wrapping her arm in mine.

“It was a delightful visit-perfect in being much too short.” 

She laughed at my comment as the two of us climbed the stairs to get ready for dinner in a few hours. Harriet helped me change for dinner and pinned up my hair leaving a few twisting strands loose framing my face. “Carson told me your father and his guests are already in the sitting room,” I sighed picking up a handheld mirror as she clasped a necklace around my neck.

“Well, then we should join them.” I stood up, smoothing the dark green fabric of the dress Harriet had picked out. As I exited my bedroom, the door next to me opened as well to reveal my sister and her husband dressed for dinner. As we approached the parlor, Carson opened the door and announced us.

“Miss Y/n and Mr. and Mrs. Bang.”

All heads turned towards us as we entered the room. Two men stood up at the announcement. One was the Colonel, purely out of respect for the women of the household. His eyes never even moved to the door. The other man wore a dark almost velvet-like coat and he carried himself with high prestige. 

He had deep brown eyes and sharp features. “My darling girls,” Father exclaimed before setting down his glass of sherry. He came and kissed both of our cheeks. “Father,” I said, latching onto his arm. He led us over to the men and our sisters. 

“Mr. Han,” I said trying not to roll my eyes. He gave me a curt nod and then returned to his seat. “Y/n play nice,” Papa said jokingly. “I am, Papa!” 

“Miss Y/n,” The other man said bowing before me. I couldn’t help but give him a questioning look as he took my hand and placed a soft and chaste kiss on my skin. “Oh, and to whom do I owe the pleasure?”

“Angel, this is Mr. Lee. He is a barrister in London. Minho, this is my second eldest daughter.” Mr. Lee stood up straight and looked me over with a gentle, but mischievous smile. “The pleasure is all mine. Your father has told me so much about you.” 

“Oh has he now! All good things I hope!”

“You can you tell the difference?” The Colonel mumbled, taking a sip of his drink. 

“Oh please, you are hardly agreeable yourself.”

“I do not wish people to be very agreeable, as it saves me the trouble of being forced into casual pleasantries.”

Thankfully, Carson entered the room, saving the Colonel and myself from getting into yet another altercation. “Dinner is ready to be served in the dining room.” Mr. Han scoffed when Minho bowed once again and offered me his arm. The eight of us ventured into the dining room where our new light bulbs brightened up the space from the ceiling. Father was obsessed with every new invention.

Papa took his place at the head of the table, the girls on either side of him. Cecilia sat across from her husband and the Colonel was seated next to her and across from me. Mr. Lee was seated at the other end of the table.  

Polite conversation was heard throughout dinner. The girls discussed their studies with father, who then bragged about our education to Mr. Lee. Dinner was lovely as always. Mr. Lee was beyond courteous and thanked Carson and the staff for the meal. We engaged in polite conversation. Mr. Lee seemed to pride himself in small talk because the conversation never got any bigger. “You know green is my favorite color. It is almost as if you wore that dress to see me smile.”

To be frank he was quite boring. He seemed no different than the other men I had met except for the fact he seemed fascinated by the cats on his estate. Cecilia sent me a pitiful glance and I did my best to hide my expression from Father. 

“Doori is just so mischievous. And Soongi! You would love Soongi!” Cecilia stifled a laugh as I downed the rest of the wine in my glass. I was too preoccupied forcing the alcohol down my throat that I didn’t notice Mr. Han’s soft laughter at my struggle with Mr. Lee. 

“Since we are all here and getting along so well, I would like to say something,” Father announced to the room. Carson ushered the footmen out of the room and back to the kitchen before turning back to Father at full attention. Every eye at the table was on Papa.

“After much discussion and thought, I have decided that it is time for Y/n to be married.” 

All eyes turned to me. I froze and looked around the table. Excuse me? When did my father talk to me about this? He was just marrying me off to some random noble?

“Mr. Lee and I have agreed. We would like to announce an engagement by the end of the summer.” 

This time all eyes turned to Mr. Lee at the other end of the table. “What?” Cecilia says breaking the silence that had lasted for much too long. I could do nothing but stare at the table. There were too many emotions flying around and none of them were particularly good let alone ladylike. Everyone, even the Colonel looked between my father and Mr. Lee with widened eyes. Chan watched his wife struggling to comprehend my fate. The girls stared at me looking for an answer. I felt the Colonel’s stare like a weight, when I looked up he was looking anywhere except my face. He let out a hefty sigh with an emotionless expression as he soon became fascinated with the chandelier.

“Did you think to ask me how I felt?” Papa looked at me, his eyebrows raised in curiosity. “I didn’t think you would much care,” All of my sisters seemed shocked at his words. Father had always been so set on us making our own decisions. He always wanted us to be happy, especially after our mother had passed.

“Just because Cecilia decided she did not want to marry a noble doesn’t mean you can pass this onto me!” Cecilia looked down at her plate. It was no secret that Papa was outraged at her marriage to Chan. “This has nothing to do with your sister.” 

“You are sending me away! Why not just make this punishment even worse? Send me off with the Colonel, make my life completely miserable!”

“Y/n L/n!” Father yelled standing up. 

“Father you are at fault here too,” Cecilia said standing up. She rushed over and led me out of the room and up the stairs. When Harriet saw us down the hall she rushed to us and opened the door to my bedroom. “Did you hear, Harry?” You looked at the girl who sadly nodded. Of course, she had heard. People in France had heard the argument between me and Papa. Cecilia helped Harriet calm me down and change before placing a kiss on my forehead and leaving to confer with her husband. Slowly I slipped into a deep sleep hoping to forget the events of this night.

The next afternoon my sister and I strolled through the lanes of Surrey on our way to the dress shop. Cecilia had convinced me to come out and get a new dress for the ball tomorrow night with her. Despite my protests, she and Harriet dragged me out of bed and helped slip by my father’s study and into town. 

I had to admit, I was thankful to be away from Whitewater. Walking into the dress shop with my sister on my arm felt freeing. Like I wasn’t about to be engaged to a man I had absolutely no interest in. 

Breathing in the smell of the wood and the fabrics put a smile on my face. Cecilia ran over to the rolls of blue fabric. I had missed coming to the seamstress with my older sister. In Dover Chan and Cecilia didn’t have enough money to get a new dress more than once or twice a year, so Cecilia was thrilled to come with me. 

“What color do you think you would like?” Cecilia shouted from over her shoulder, pulling out a dress with baby blue fabric and white lace. I shrugged and sorted through the different dresses. “I will wear anything but green. Minho would not stop talking about how I wore his favorite color at dinner.” Cecilia laughed as I brushed passed a light green ensemble without hesitation. 

“Why don’t we send you in black since it is going to be your funeral anyway,” Cecilia said throwing a black frock at me. I laughed and returned the dress to the seamstress. “Y/n, what about this?” She handed me a gorgeous red dress that was embroidered with pearls and gold thread. 

“I have not worn red since we were little girls. It’s absolutely gorgeous!” The seamstress helped us try on the dresses before we paid for them and changed back. Cecilia laughed as I recounted the conversation with Mr. Lee as we walked out of the shop. I felt uneasy. Like something was off. Looking around I saw several young men from the town walking about and standing near shops but they all seemed to be looking anywhere but me, which was very abnormal. 

“Do you think they heard about the engagement? It isn’t even official yet!” Cecilia said, reading my mind. An exasperated sigh left my chest. “Nor will it be. I will marry Lee Minho over my dead body.” 

“Oh, Miss Y/n!” a voice called out from across the street. 

Looking for the source of the deep voice I found Lee Felix, Colonel Han’s aide. And of course, next to him, was Colonel Han Jisung himself. My sister laughed as the Colonel and I both grimaced. Despite the second protests of the day, Cecilia dragged me over to greet the two soldiers. 

Han and Felix gave the two of us military level bows and Felix greeted us happily. “I see you two ladies are enjoying today’s fine weather.” Mr. Han said looking around at the scenery, his hands behind his back and his posture incredibly straight. “Yes, Y/n and I were out shopping for an ensemble for the ball tomorrow.” 

Felix’s grin grew three times larger. “I see that!” He said pointing to the folded dresses in our arms. “Oh Colonel, Miss Y/n picked out a red dress! What a coincidence!” Han spared me and the dress in my arms a glance before scoffing and looking at Felix. “What is a coincidence? Do tell,” I said, a smirk falling on my lips. “Jisung was just saying how gorgeous the red roses were at Ruxfield.” 

“Ow-” Cecilia nudged my stomach with an innocent grin on her sweet oval face. “Y/n just adores roses! She was sketching them in the garden, just the other day.” Cecilia’s blue eyes sparkled as she nudged me once again. What was she getting at? They were just flowers. 

The Colonel looked up at my words, his eyes slightly widening. He quickly recovered and trained his eyes on the ground. “Well, Felix and I have much to attend to. I am sure we shall meet again tomorrow night.” I rolled my eyes as Han mounted his horse, Felix following close behind. 

“Come, we must prepare for tomorrow night, given this new information!”

“Cecilia! What new information? Stop pulling on my arm!”

The carriage rumbled to a stop in front of the Hall. My father the girls and I were all in one cab, while Chan and Cecilia rode in a separate carriage. A footman opened the door and helped me down from the cab. He gently took each of my sisters’ hands as they exited as well. The music swelled as we entered the Hall with our father in front of us.

Emma quickly ran off to the table filled with sweets and hour devours, and Charlotte was towed away by her friends. “Miss L/n!” Turning, I saw Mr. Lee pushing his way through the crowd. Wonderful. The last person I wanted to see.  Like a leech, Mr. Lee latched himself onto my arm. “Are you quite good at dancing, Miss L/n? I fancy myself quite the dancer. They do all the latest court dances in London you see.”

“If you would excuse me, Mr. Lee, I am quite parched,” I said interrupting the never ending stream of words. “Yes, quite alright. I shall miss every second you are parted from me!” Minho said placing a kiss on my hand. Begrudgingly, I plastered a smile on my face and maneuvered my way through the crowd. 

Spotting my sister’s golden brown hair, I moved through the flood of people. Her beautiful baby blue dress stood out against the dark colored suits and dresses around her. She stood next to her husband and another man. “Cecilia, thank goodness.” I heaved out in a sigh. “My dear sister, you look ravishing! Don’t you think so, Mr. Han?” Turning I saw The Colonel dressed in fine navy blue. His eyes drunk me in with a disenchanted expression.

“She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me; I am in no humor at the present to give consequence to young ladies with such ‘modern’ attributes.” 

Only to uphold my social presence and reputation did I refrain from slapping him. How could he say something so ghastly right to my face. Before I could fire back Chan interrupted, questioning his friend. “Han, do you plan on joining in the festivities? I certainly plan on bringing my adoring Cecilia onto the dance floor tonight. There is absolutely nothing like dancing after all. It is one of the first refinements of a polished society.” He sighed, rolling his eyes and placing his hands behind his back in a seemingly military sense. 

“Certainly, sir; and it has the advantage also of being in vogue amongst the less polished societies of the world. Every savage can dance.” “Not every savage-” Cecilia ventured. “I assure you, Mrs. Bang. Every savage can. Even damn Napoleon, so no I do not think I shall partake in the such an adolescent event.” 

The urge to shove his head up his ass grew stronger within me by the second, but I don’t think anything would be able to move past the gargantuan log shoved up there already. “Well, my dearest, would you accompany me onto the dance floor.” Chan said with a bright smile, offering a hand to his wife. Her lace gloved hand slid into his with a smile. Just as they were leaving a voice called out over the sea of guests. 

“Miss L/n! Where are you my love? Miss Y/n?” My eyes widened as I saw Minho’s head bobbing through the crowd. “Ah! Miss Y/n! There you are!” He said pointing in my direction. 

“Oh lord help me. Quick!” Without thinking I grabbed the nearest coat sleeve and pulled the man out onto the dance floor, a new dance beginning. “What in all hell?” He exclaimed, eyes turning to saucers. 

A sigh of relief left my lips as Minho walked right passed my previous location, still looking for me. Music swelled and the couples around me started dancing so I joined in with my partner. My heart skipped a beat when my eyes fell on Mr. Han standing in front of me, gently holding my hand and bowing. I curtsied to him and focused on looking for Mr. Lee in the crowd. Hopefully he wasn’t too close. Absentmindedly I followed the steps of the dance, my palm pressing lightly against the Colonel’s as we moved through the steps and turns of the dance. 

Halfway through the song, my eyes followed Mr. Lee as he searched for me into another room. This time a sigh of relief escaped as my focus turned back to the dance. I then became very aware of Mr. Han’s hand on my waist. “Mr. Han, I didn’t realize you could dance.” I jested a smirk playing on my lips. His face remained the same but there was something about his eyes that was different. 

“Miss L/n, I said any savage can dance. I am not excluded.” 

I was left without a retort. I simply stared at him as he circled and came behind me, one hand on my waist, the other gently holding my outstretched hand. The feeling of his chest against my shoulder  was unfamiliar but somehow inviting. He smelled like gun powder and old books. My eyes couldn’t seem to break away from his as we turned and moved with the music. 

The entire world seemed to dissolve away and all I could see was how he was looking at me. How he was holding me gently and cautiously, as if I was a butterfly in his palm. He had a softness in his eyes I had never seen before. The kind that showed a tortured past. Had he always been this handsome? 

Somehow I had never noticed the smooth lines of his face. The soft curve of his lips. The sharp angle of his jaw and the color of his warm tan skin from being in the sun on the battlefield. I had been completely oblivious. I was too stubborn to see the honorable man in front of me. I was even unkind to him on so many occasions yet he looked at me with such a hidden admiration. 

Our movements came to a stop and the Colonel stayed by my side, my hand still resting gently over his. I couldn’t seem to tear my eyes away from his stare. 

“Miss Y/n,” A voice called. Everyone was looking at me. Looking at us. Confusion and suggestion plastered on their faces. Suddenly the Colonel’s hands removed themselves he moved a good distance away from me. 

“Next time you would like to hide from your fiancee, use someone else as a shield. I would much rather not be involved in the manner.”

With a sharp, curt bow the Colonel excused himself and rushed off, disappearing into the bustling and whispering crowd. The gossip seemed to stop when Emma ran up to me, her big bright eyes sparkling. Leaving the moment between myself and Mr. Han behind, I danced with my sisters the rest of the night and did my best to fend off my soon to be fiancee. 

Hours later the evening drew to a close. Emma was already asleep and had returned to Whitewater with father a few hours earlier in our carriage. Charlotte and I walked out of the Hall our arms linked and laughing about Lady Moss’s hair piece. “Can you believe it?” Lottie laughed out of breath.

A yell from the street pulled our attention. “Your master stepped over the line!” A huge crowd had surrounded two very young men near the road. A fight had broke out between two footmen. I winced seeing a blow land on the smaller one’s face and another to his cut. My eyes widened when I caught a glimpse of his face. It was Felix. Colonel Han’s aide. 

“Lottie, go find Chan and Cecilia.” Nodding, she ran back into the hall to find our sister. I pushed my way through the crowd trying to see what was going on. Felix was doing his best to hold his ground against the other boy. It looked like Minho’s steward, Seungmin. “I have no control over what the Colonel does. You’re crazy!” Felix said blocking another swing. 

“Hey! Break it up! Stop this juvenile combat!” A voice boomed. Han himself pushed through the crowd and plowed through Seungmin, a hand clutching the collar of the boys shirt. “You do not touch him. If your quarrel is with me then face me so. Do not be a coward and go after my aide.” There was a fire in his eyes and Seungmin looked terrified. The power Han exuded would frighten any man. 

Seungmin, regaining his composure, threw a punch at the Colonel, landing on his jaw. While he seemed mostly unaffected, Seungmin took the opportunity to wriggle out of Jisung’s tight grasp. Han scoffed, and threw of his coat, rolling up his sleeves as well. “You will certainly regret doing that.” The crowd cheered as Han took a strike. His slim form allowed him to move with agility and strike with force. It was clear that Seungmin was done for. 

Another person burst through the crowd as Han threw Seungmin off of him. Minho caught his steward, pulling him up by the arm. He took Seungmin’s cheek in his hand and examined the boy’s beaten face, before handing him off to another footman. His glare then targeted the Colonel who stood out of breath and dark brown hair tousled. 

“How dare you assault my boy?” Minho screamed, pointing a finger at Mr. Han. “Do not jump to assumptions, my friend. Your boy att-” “First you try to seduce my fiancee in front of the entire town- then you assault my aide!” Han let out a breathy laugh before pointing at himself. “Me? You think I would ever be interested in the a woman such as Miss L/n?” His finger moved to point at me, but my glare in his direction was ignored. 

“Your man attacked mine first! It is you who needs to apologize! I will not have my staff humiliated and beaten by scum like you or your servants.” Han said beginning to get an almost erratic look in his eyes. “That’s it,” Minho said throwing his coat onto the ground. Without hesitation he leaped into the fight. The crowd cheered them on as I watched in horror.

“Stop! Stop this right now!” I screamed, but no one listened. Mr. Lee’s fist connected with Han’s temple, making his eyes go dark for a moment, before returning. Mr. Lee took the opportunity to throw Han over his shoulder and onto the ground before my feet. 

“Mr. Lee, stop right this instant! Both of you! There is no use fighting over me! this is complete nonsense.” Mr. Han’s eyes rolled over to me as he sat up. He winced as he moved to stand up. It took all of my power not to break his stare. 

“Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn about you.”

Why did his words wound me? The hurt must have shown on my face for a brief moment because once again his eyes softened. Before he could say something Mr. Lee took a cheap shot, his fist flying across Han’s cheek. My eyes did not fail to miss the drops of blood that landed on the dirt. Han wasted no time in fighting back. 

“ENOUGH!” I screamed. Reputation be damned. I was finished. I had enough. Storming up, with all my strength I pushed the men apart. The two seemed insistent on continuing the brawl. The only thing stopping the Colonel from destroying Mr. Lee was my hands pushing against his shoulders. “You know nothing about me!” My loathsome future fiancee shouted.

“You are only trying to buy her from her father; like she is some prize!” Han sneered. “She is not some timepiece or your stupid pet!” Hearing a yell from Mr. Lee I turned to stop him only to feel a strike against my head. My vision started to blur and my head started to spin before I felt myself fall to the ground. 

Every person froze. Mr. Lee and the Colonel watched in horror as I collapsed to the ground barely conscious. Not a second later Chan burst through the crowd with Cecilia in tow, breaking up the fight. She gasped seeing my body on the ground. Quickly she rushed to my side and cradled my head in her lap. 

“Quick! Someone help!” Felix, still recovering from his beating, rushed over without hesitating. With some struggle, he got my partially limp body in his arms as Cecilia led him to where our carriage should have been. Han seemed to snap out of his shock, and he rushed to Felix’s side. “Mr. L/n took their carriage. Felix, we’ll go in ours.” Nodding, Felix turned and rushed to the Colonel’s cab and gently placed me on the seat. Cecilia placed my head in her lap as Han jumped into the cab with us, worry painted all over his face. 

Felix jumped up into the coach’s seat. Han pounded on the carriage wall and screamed for Felix to go. “Felix, hurry! To Whitewater. Take the back road it’s  faster!”  Han prayed that they could return to my estate fast enough to call a doctor. When the carriage pulled to a stop, the Colonel took me from Cecilia’s lap and held me in his arms, letting my head roll onto his chest. 

“Into the house! Carson! Carson, call the physician!”

Mr. Han carried me up the steps of the porch and impatiently yelled at Felix to hold the door. The poor boy rushed up and let Han carry me through the doorway. Han cautiously handed my semi-conscious body over to Carson. His brow furrowed, concern flooding his features as he watched my loving staff rush to my aid. Carson placed me gently on a sofa  and Cecilia carefully undid the tight curls in my hair so my head had somewhat less pain. 

 Han could do nothing but stand off to the side watching in distress. “Miss Bang...please let me offer my assistance-”

“You have done enough,”

Cecilia did not mean her words to come out as harsh as they did. He knew that. He scolded himself at his thoughts. ‘If only Y/n had not gotten in the way.’ ‘Lee Minho will pay for what he has done.’ A touch on his shoulder brought him back to reality. Turning he saw Felix, a frown on his face. “Sir, we should return to Ruxfield. I will be sure to inquire of Miss L/n’s health in the morning.” Almost as if he was giving him no choice, Felix guided the Colonel back to his carriage and the two departed. 

The next morning I awoke to find both Cecilia and Harriet sleeping beside me. Harriet even in her sleep was still holding cloth wrapped ice to my forehead. Sensing my movement, Harriet woke up and asked millions of questions about how I was feeling. 

Cecilia then woke up not long after. She recounted what happened  after the fight and then left to let me change for the day. The next week went by with no word from the Colonel. Felix came by the first morning to give his apologies at the Colonel’s request. Sadly, Mr. Lee visited almost daily. I had taken to sketching in the book gifted to me by my sister, hoping this would come as a distraction from remembering certain interactions from that night. 

The afternoon was perfect. A light rain had come in the morning, leaving droplets on the the flowers in the garden. Now the sun was out and shining, as I sat on a bench outside with my sketchbook amongst the flowers. “My lady you have a visitor.” Carson said from the stone walkway. The garden had somewhat of a keyhole stone path, with a fountain and stone circle at the center. Mr.Carson stood near the fountain. Through the water you could see the outline of a man’s over coat. “If it is Mr. Lee send him away. I am in no mood to entertain him today.”

“Mr. Lee is not the one asking for visitation,” A smooth deep voice spoke as its owner moved from behind the fountain. 

Colonel Han stood a little in front of Carson, looking at you with a serious expression. The same he wore every day of his entire life, except it his eyes. His eyes once again held that softness, as if it was a sight only you could bring out of him. “I’d have to jump off a bridge if I was that cat loving bigot.”  A hint of a smile slid onto his lips. 

He was correct. Mr. Han was nothing like Mr. Lee. Han was rough. He had edges. He never primped himself like Mr.Lee did. I couldn’t help but drink him in. His dark hair was shaggy and he only wore a simple shirt and the old navy overcoat he seemingly never took off. His boots were dirty and scuffed, but well taken care of. A sign of his daring acts but military discipline. A blush came over my cheeks as I remembered the feeling of dancing with him, his chest against my back.

“Jis- Colonel... to what do I owe the pleasure.” I closed my sketchbook and placed it beside me on the stone bench. “Papa is in London, but he should return by nightfall.” In all of my life I had never been nervous in front of a man other than my father. I believed a woman should be a strong and elegant vision, not simply standing behind a man but beside him if at all. So why could I not meet Mr. Han’s eyes. 

“I’m not here to see your father. I’m here to see you.”

My eyes widened at his words. Nothing was different about him. He still stood straight with his arms behind his back, keeping a respectable distance form me. His face remained stoic as if he was reading from a war plan. “Thank you, Carson. You may leave us,” 

It was Han’s turn to be flustered upon hearing my words. Being the respectful man he was he always adhered to the social protocol of a woman and man never being alone unless with a chaperone. Carson raised his brow in question, but complied, entering the house.

A moment of awkward silence followed. Then another. And another. It was almost like Mr. Han had lost the ability to function after being alone with me. Nervously, I played with the fabric of my dress. What could he possibly want to discuss with me. We have hardly had a pleasant conversation in our entire lives. “Miss Ln-” His words halted when I looked up at him. His eyes went immediately to my face. I knew exactly what he was looking at. The bruise from that night. It was lighter now, having had a week to heal, but still visible.

“Oh Y/n...” He reached out as if to touch my face, but thought better of it and pulled back. There was no longer a wide expanse between us. He now stood only a few feet away from where I sat.  “We are not even wed, and yet I have already forsaken you and broken a valiant code...” He muttered under an aggravated sigh.

He was grateful that I didn’t hear it. “If you are indeed here for me, please enlighten me of your purpose for I am in the dark.” I said pushing a strand of loose hair around my face. As he opened his mouth to speak a deep voice called his name. 

“Colonel Han!”

Felix came running out of Whitewater. He was out of breath and his hair and clothes were out of place, like he had just gotten off his horse. He handed on a sealed envelope and whispered something in Mr. Han’s ear.  Immediately, Han opened the letter with his long nimble fingers. His eyes quickly scanned the letter, leaving me in anxious silence. 

“What is it?” I asked on the edge of my seat. Han handed the letter back to Felix and whispered something back to him. Felix spared me a glance before leaving us alone. 

The Colonel raked a hand through his already slightly disheveled hair and turned his back to me. Something was compelling me to reach out to him. “Jisung,” He turned at the sound of his name. My mind had yet to register the fact this was the first time I had actually said his name. He on the other hand, did notice.

“What is the matter?” He sighed and looked back at the house. Felix was standing by the door, discussing something with Carson. “Napoleon has resumed his advances on the border.” It took me a moment for me to process the information. This was news that was not for me to hear. “Why-”

“They are calling me to the front line.”

I couldn’t speak.

“Felix gave me my orders just now. I leave in the morning.”

This meant so many things. This meant our country was once again at war with France. It meant Father would have to stay in London. It meant Mr. Han would be sent to the heat of the battle commanding easily a thousand men in combat. It meant Jisung...was being sent into battle that he might not come back from.

Why did I even care? I was in line to be engaged. Granted it was to a spinless snob I practically loathed. “I may be a bitter married woman when you returned. Then our arguments will be that much more interesting.” Another look flashed across his face. Almost like he was disappointed that was what I had chosen to say. Like he had wished I had asked him to stay.

“Let’s hope for the both of us that is not true when I return.”

Before I could understand his words Felix returned, this time with Carson behind him. He came to Mr. Han’s side and urgently whispered something in his ear. Han nodded and brushed him off before turning back to me, his eyes growing soft. Gently, he took my hand. All I could do was watch as he brought it up to his lips and softly kissed my knuckles. 

It was an action I had experienced many times from many men. All seeking for my hand in marriage. But this. This was different. This felt intimate. Like the kiss was burning itself into my skin as if to mark me for life. His eyes joined mine as he pulled away. 

“Colonel, we have to go.” Felix said breaking the silence. Han slid his hand from mine and he turned to follow Felix back to Ruxfield to prepare for is departure. My body could do nothing but watch him leave.

“You’re all grown up now, Miss Y/n.” Carson said. He had the kindest smile on his face as he came to sit on the bench, pulling me down with him. “What do you mean, Carson?” He sighed, taking my hand in his. Carson was nothing like my father. He and my mother were very close and Mr. Carson always seemed like a real father figure in my life. He was the one who taught me to dance, and what books I should read, and even how to play poker. 

“You are falling in love. I would know that look anywhere.” Love? With the Colonel. Impossible. I despised him. Right? “I am not in love. If I was in love I would be getting married.” He chuckled and patted my hand. “Aren’t you though?”

“Carson, do you see me voluntarily marrying that mess of a man?”

“Are you speaking of Lord Lee or Colonel Han?”

Blinking, the thought crossed my mind. Of course I was talking about Mr. Lee right. I was set to marry him. Was Carson saying I should marry Mr. Han? Marrying Colonel Han Jisung. The thought had never crossed my mind. Now that it did, why did my heart swell.

“Of course I’m speaking of Mr. Lee. Father would forbid anyone else.” Carson nodded, looking over the garden. “So, are you saying there is someone else?” He took my silence as an answer, smiling. 

“An unhappy alternative is before you, Y/n. From this day you must be a stranger to one of us. Your father will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Lee, and I would never see you again if you do.” 

A warm, fatherly smile filled his eyes. “Do you love him?” There was no question of who he was talking about. “While I have lost my heart, I shall not lose my self control. I will not become one of those silly girls running around with their heads in the clouds controlled by love.” Carson laughed and picked a flower near the bench.

“Silly things do cease to be silly if they are done by sensible people in an impudent way.” 

Before I could respond I was interrupted by what seemed like the fourth time today. “Y/’n! Y/n!” Cecilia ran out of the house a grin from ear to ear. Emma and Charlotte followed hot on her heels. Her light blue dress blew behind her as she ran over to us. “Y/n, I’m pregnant!” After blinking a few times I wrapped her up in a hug and cheered. Carson joined us and we all went inside to celebrate Cecilia’s news, leaving the conclusion of my conversation with Carson in the back of my mind.

Spring came and went. Soon came the long months of summer and with it came heavy summer storms. The Whitewater creek was filled to capacity and quite dangerous. Father had come home from London and the tensions had been high ever since he returned. Papa seemed hell bent on my marriage to Mr. Lee. 

Every chance he got he brought up the engagement. I was starting to think Carson may have been right. Every mention of Mr.Lee drove me further away from him and made me wonder about another man...far away. 

Another man who didn’t write. Not once. I found myself jumping to the door when Carson delivered our mail to our rooms. Weeks passed and still I heard no word from him. Weeks turned into months until it became the middle of summer. Still no word from the Colonel. Not even to my father about the war. I was beginning to worry something had happened. Certainly he wouldn’t forget about me after a goodbye like that? Why did I even care? I hated the man. Yes, I hated the man. I had all the right to hate him if he wasn’t going to send me even one letter. 

Another summer storm raged outside my window. “Miss you will have to leave your room sometime.” Harriet said, hanging up some of my laundry. “If Cecilia will not leave her room then I too shall not.” Harriet laughed as I watched the water pelt against the glass. “Miss Y/n, your sister is ordered by the doctor to bed rest. Chan is taking care of her. You are simply sulking over your engagement.” 

“I am not sulking over my engagement.”

“Then a certain Colonel perhaps? Maybe the lack of a letter?” 

Before I could correct my friend, Carson knocked on the door and entered. “My lady, your father wishes to speak to you in his study.” I sighed, turning back to the window. “Carson, I am in no mood to speak to Papa.” Harsh winds blew the trees in the forest just outside the estate. “My lady, he is leaving for London in an hour. He is insistent on speaking to you.”

Carson gave me a small smile. He was probably right. It was better to simply speak to him before he left than ignore him until he returned home. With a sigh, I got up from my window seat. Harriet straightened my dress and adjusted the loose but proper style she had done to my hair this morning. I knew exactly what awaited me behind the heavy wooden doors. My knuckles softly wrapped against the oak. 

“Enter,” 

The gruff voice of my father echoed as I opened the door. He sat at his desk writing a letter or some other important document. “Papa, you wanted to talk to me?” I said standing near one of the many bookshelves in his study. “Yes, about your marriage.” 

“Papa. I already told you I will not marry Mr. Lee-”

“The date has been set. You will marry Lee Minho in one month’s time.”

My jaw dropped in disbelief. “Father!” He didn’t even look up from his work. “Do not ‘Father’ me. You knew this was going to happen. You will marry Mr. Lee. You will do as your told. It is your duty as a woman of this household.” What? My what?

“My duty as woman?” 

“Yes.”

“Father, I have no duty as woman. Especially to you. I will not marry a man who I do not love. It is not my duty to obey your every command!” This was when he chose to look at me. His eyes turned cold. “Y/n L/n. You are my daughter. You will do as I say!” Rage filled every inch of my body. “No! I will control my own life! I will not marry him and that is final! Times are changing. It is time you changed with them, Father!” The sound of his chair screeching against the wood floor made me flinch. “We are a family of tradition! I will not let your silly misguided modern values change our family!”

His voice boomed loud enough for the entire estate to hear. “What would mother think of this! She would never-” “DO NOT BRING YOUR MOTHER INTO THIS!” A book  flew across the room. Never the less I stood  my ground, staring straight back at him even though tears threatened to spill over my eyes. 

“I wouldn’t have to if you would just be-” 

“If you are going to continue this kind of behavior then I want you out of Whitewater until you come to your senses!” 

A silence followed; the kind that hurt. The kind you could feel- like needles plunging into your skin. Rain continued to fall on the roof and windows like bullets. 

“So be it.” 

With word I stormed out of the study and towards the door. Shouts from the staff could be heard behind me as I burst through the doors and out into the rain. “My lady! Y/n!” Carson called. My feet carried me to the stables. Grabbing a saddle and mounting the closest horse I rode out into the storm.

Finally able to let tears flow away from any eyes, I screamed. Never had I felt so much agony. My own father was shunning me. The man I admired had abandoned me and was sent to war. The man I despised was forcing me into marriage. My skin burned as harsh rain pelted against it. The wind blew through my hair pulling it loose.

Even through all this pain it felt...freeing. It felt amazing to run through the forest outside of Whitewater, thunder rolling in the air and rain showering down. My heart still wretched in pain. I missed my family, despite our arguments. Most of all I missed Mr. Han, despite our many many differences.

A loud crack boomed through the sky and a flash of white burst in front of my horse. I screamed as the horse  reared, throwing me off its back onto the forest floor. I felt a pain against the back of my head upon impact. The horse sprinted away in fear leaving me stranded. 

“Help!” I screamed into the dark. My legs struggled to hold themselves up and my vision started to become blurry. It became indecipherable what was rain or tears on my cheeks.

The world started to spin as I walked forward. I must have been ‘walking’ for hours. The cold had started to set in and the rain showed no sign of stopping. By now I was miles away from Whitewater and the closest estate was fifteen miles east.

“Help me...” 

My dress was getting heavier and heavier despite the fabric being so light before. It clung to my skin and my hair hung in dark wet strands in front of my face.  Over the thundering storm I thought I heard hoof beats through the forest. I must have been hallucinating. Not being able to hold myself up anymore, I leaned against a tree.

“Y/n?” 

Definitely hallucinating. I was even hearing his voice now. How did I remember what his voice sounded like? Exhaustion started to set in, the pain and cold making my eyes droop and my body feel even heavier. 

“Y/n? Y/n, where are you?” 

Through my blurry vision I thought I saw the outline of a horse and rider wearing a dark navy coat. “Y/n!” My strength was wearing thin. Taking a chance, that it wasn’t my imagination I pushed myself off the tree and stumbled forward. “Oh god! Y/n stay where you are I’m coming!”

Hooves pounded against the ground growing closer. My head started ti spin even more as the rider jumped off his horse and rushed to me. Before I could fall, I was taken in a pair of strong arms. The edges of my vision started to blackout, my hearing came in and out, and my body shivered trying to keep itself warm. The person clutched me to their chest and pushed the wet pieces of hair away from my face, desperation in their deep voice. “Miss L/n? Y/n, can you hear me? I’ve got you now. I’m here.”

My throat felt dry. “The Colonel...he-he didn’t write to me. I’m...I’m still waiting for his letter. I can’t leave...” The rider sighed and I tried to make out his face. “Do you know Colonel Han? He told me not to get married...so I didn’t...” The words came out in slurs but they came out nonetheless. The rider clutched my head to their chest gently. 

“I know, darling, I’m sorry.” He gently laid me on the forest floor and took off his coat wrapping it around me. “I couldn’t even though I wanted to.” Gently he picked me up as if I weighed nothing and moved over to the horse. Through my haze I heard him curse. Even in my state I knew there was no way he could get myself and him on the horse safely. 

“Stay with me, darling.” I tried to focus on the rider’s words as he tried to figure out how to get me to safety. The exhaustion won out, leaving me in the darkness. 

Colonel Han kept his head. He couldn’t panic. Not even when he saw her eyes close shut. “Damn.” His dark hair clung to his forehead as he searched for a solution. She wouldn’t last much longer. Her body was already freezing in his arms. 

His horse was too high to lift her up and Ruxfield was too far to walk. Why was she outside of Whitewater in the first place? In a storm? Whitewater. Whitewater was no more than five miles away. He could make it there. Forgetting about his exhaustion from the ride back from the front line, Jisung adjusted the woman in his arms, resting her head against his chest and his arms under her legs, he began walking all the way back to Whitewater. 

His arms and legs burned as he climbed over the last hill. He couldn’t help but smile as he saw Whitewater in the distance through the rain. “We are almost there, darling. Hold on for me.” He just had to hold on long enough to reach Whitewater. To see Y/n was alright.

With his last burst of energy, Jisung burst through the front doors of Whitewater. “HELP! I need a physician! Someone help!” Several staff including Carson rushed up to him, seeing Y/n in his arms. “Quickly, upstairs!” he said, making a path for Jisung. She shivered in his arms as he carried her down the hall and up the stairs. 

“Harriet call the physician! Tell him it’s an emergency!” A girl he had scene with Y/n before nodded and rushed to call a doctor. “Y/n! Where is she! Y/n!” Cecilia called rushing to the Colonel. “Cecilia, love, move!” Chan said wrapping the woman in his arms. “Where is Father? He should be here!” She said as they moved passed her. “Your father left for London.” Carson said. 

Carson rushed to push open the door to the girl’s bedroom. The Colonel gently placed the girl on her bed and let the staff rush around the room to help her. All he could do was watch as the only woman he had thought about for the past four months lay helpless on her bed, shivering. 

A pair of strong hands pushed him softly out of the room and into the hall. He looked up to find Chan. “Han, you are freezing.” “I am fine,” He tried to get a look back into the room, but a maid closed the door. “You need to rest. You just returned on leave.” 

“Chan I will be fine!” 

Reluctantly, the man left Jisung alone in the hall. He watched as people walked in and out of the room, rushing with towels, blankets, wet clothes, new clothes, even hot kettles. Soon a physician arrived and entered her room. It felt like hours that Jisung had waited outside her door. Finally the girl, Harriet, walked out. She jumped when he grabbed her arm.

“Give me an occupation miss-or I shall go mad.”

Taking in the man’s tired state she handed him a towel. “The doctor says Ms. L/n hit her head and has a serious case of hypothermia.” She watched as Mr. Han sighed and ran a hand through his wet shaggy hair. “Please let me do something. Anything.” All she could offer was the smallest smile. 

“You’ve done all you can possibly do. Thank you for saving my mistress.” 

With a sorrowful nod he watched as she walked away. “We would be happy to set up a room for you, sir. We would be happy to keep you updated on how the lady is doing.” He gave Harriet a kind smile. “That would be very generous, Miss. I’ll only be staying for the two nights, if that is alright. I have orders to return to the line.” With a nod, Harriet went to prepare a room for the Colonel.

During those two days, Mr. Han never left her side. He stayed by her bedside helping Harriet and Cecilia with anything they asked. One the morning of his departure he gave Cecilia the name of his personal carrier. “If there is any change please let me know. The letter will go directly to me.” She nodded and took the piece of parchment watching the Colonel leave once again.

Sunlight streamed through my window. My head pounded and my body still felt cold.  Slowly I slipped out of my bed, feet placing themselves slowly on the cool wood floor. “You are awake!” Cecilia screamed. Rushing over she practically tackled me back onto my bed. “Cecilia, the baby!” “Oh I don’t care you are okay! Thank heavens you are okay!” 

I couldn’t help but smile as she hugged me. “Chan will kill you if you hurt his child before it’s even born.” “Shhhhhhhh! Not now. My sister has returned from the dead.” Laughing she hugged me even harder. 

“Oh! I almost forgot.” She pulled away and rushed to my dresser. When she returned she had a letter in her hands. “This came for you yesterday. You have been asleep for almost a week. You needed quite a lot of rest. I don’t blame you.” She handed me the envelope with a small smile. “Wait, where are you going?” I asked as she started to leave my room. “I think I should leave you alone with that.” Something about her smile made me laugh.

My shaking hands opened the letter with my name addressed on it in rough but elegant handwriting. When I opened it the familiar smell of gunpowder and old parchment reached my nose. The same handwriting greeted me as I read the letter.

“Miss Ln,

I have written this letter many times, but have been a coward to not send it. I had hoped I would be home to say this-but it seems Napoleon has different plans than I. 

Miss L/n, I would like to apologize from the bottom of my heart. There were a thousand times I wanted to write to you, but events on the front line prevented me. I would like to apologize for not getting to you sooner that day. I wish I had been there soon for you, my darling. 

I pray that by the time you get this letter you are not yet married to that insolent pitiful disgrace of a man. Though the timing may be off I have something to ask of you. Something to confess...

Miss L/n you have bewitched me- body and soul. To what time I fell so deeply under your spell, I cannot recall. I know not the hour or the spot or the words or even the look that lay the foundation. I was in the middle before I even began. What a proud fool I was. To think my stubbornness was the only thing keeping me from you.  In vain I have struggled, but it will not do. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and...love you.

It seems as if the only thing keeping me alive in this battle is the image of you smile. I would die a thousand deaths for that smile.

I have heard your father’s news of your wedding. I beg of you. Do not follow through. I hope that perhaps there is something I can offer. Miss L/n...should I return, I would like to humbly request for your hand. I know I have no right to you, nor should any man. You are the most strong woman I have ever had the pleasure and fortune of meeting, and to me it makes you the most beautiful woman to walk this earth. 

I hope to hear from you soon, my darling. Until then, I shall be fighting for the day that I do. I long for the day I am home. 

In hope,

Han Jisung”

I sat in disbelief. Colonel Han Jisung had written me a letter professing his love. He proposed... Leaving the letter on my  bed I walked to the window. The audacity. To ask me over a letter? A knock sounded at the door pausing my pacing. “Enter,” Harriet paused when she saw the look on my face. “Miss, what’s the matter.”

“Harry, I believe I have a serious decision to make.” 

 Months passed. Summer turning into mid fall. Father’s supposed wedding date for me had long passed. Each time Mr. Lee had visited Carson had turned him away. More letters from the Colonel had arrived, but they all said the same thing and soon they came to a stop. Cecilia had given birth not to long ago, to a beautiful baby boy. Chan and my sister had named the child Benjamin. 

News came that the war ended, England victorious. Soon I would be expecting a visitor. I sat in the garden with my sketchbook, drawing the few flowers that were left in the beds among other things. A certain face had popped up in the pages of my book several times. “Miss Y/n,” I looked up to see Carson walking down the pathway. 

“You have a visitor.”

A smirk fell across my lips. “Well, I believe I have been expecting him so let us not keep him waiting any longer.” With a smile, Carson returned into the house to fetch my guest. Patiently, I waited for the guest to come out and see me. I heard the sound of boots against the stone pathway and smiled.

“Good afternoon, Colonel.”

“Yes, indeed, Miss L/n.”

There was a nervous expression on his face. Once again he looked like he had just returned from active duty. His dark hair had grown a little longer and he wore the same navy overcoat again. His shirt underneath was covered in black powder and some of the buttons were undone to reveal his tan and slightly toned chest. Yes, definitely just returned. Returned with no time to change apparently. 

Quickly I brought my attention back to my sketchbook in hopes that it would hide the heat spreading on my cheeks. “Did...you receive my letters?” Self control regained, I turned my attention back to Mr. Han. “Why yes, Colonel Han, I did in fact receive several letters.”

“And you are not married...”

“No, I am not.”

The man stood perfectly still in military fashion, his hands clasped behind his back. “Well are you going to speak? You certainly did not come to Whitewater just to stare at me did you?” Shock crossed Han’s face. It was evident he had not expected me to speak to him like this. It was fun to see the stoic Colonel flustered. 

“I came to ask you response. You never wrote back to me.” I shrugged, getting off the bench. “Response? I don’t remember ever being properly asked a question.” He sighed running a hand through his hair, a habit that I had missed while he was away. “I do recall asking-” “No, Colonel Han. You requested. You, sir, never asked me anything. So why should I dignify you with a response.” 

Maybe it was the smile, or the slight twinkle in my eye, but he laughed. A sound that I had never heard from the man. It made me want to memorize every sound and feature of his face when he laughed. “Then, should I ask you properly, Miss L/n?” It was a genuine question, not of simple jest. “There is no harm in questions.” He took a deep breath and looked me in the eyes. 

“Miss L/n, will you please allow me the great honor of making you my wife?”

“No.”

“Excuse me?”

His eyes widened at my quick response. “I’m sorry Colonel, but I cannot promise to be any man’s wife who sits prettily in a corner and who is expected to obey every word he says. I won’t be expected to just sit around waiting for you-...him- to come home.” 

“Wherever you are is my home; my only home.”

There was sincerity in his eyes. Love. “Mr. Han,” He sighed taking my hands in his. Though his touch was still unfamiliar, it felt sure and safe. “Miss L/n, please let me speak.” He practically begged. I waited silent for him to continue.

“I am half in hope and half in agony. If your feelings are still what I assumed they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes are unchanged but one word from you will silence me on the subject forever.” He searched my eyes for an answer. 

“Miss L/n, I am in love with you more than you will ever know. I want nothing more than to be with you. To wake up to every morning- to fall asleep next to you every night. To stand next to me, not behind me. I am in love with your wit, and your charm, and how you always keep me on my toes more than any battle ever has. I am in love with your modern values and your spontaneity.” Han’s hands were rough against mine, his slender fingers ghosting over my skin.

“Y/n...Will you marry me, and do me the honor of letting me be your husband?”

Han’s dark eyes looked into mine- indeed half in agony and half in hope. He looked at me as if everything in the world that mattered to him was standing in front of him. The look in his eyes couldn’t help but make me smile. I was in love with Colonel Han Jisung and it couldn’t be helped.

“Yes,”

“Yes?”

“Yes.”

“Really?” He asked. “Of course.” He smiled and looked down at his hands still gently holding mine. “May I?” He asked softly, glancing between my eyes and my lips. It only took a small nod for him to act, pressing his lips softly onto mine. My head begin to feel dizzy in the best way. His fingers traveled up the bare skin of my arms and then down to rest on my waist, bringing me closer. Han smiled as my hands pressed against his chest, kissing him back. 

“I love you, Jisung. With all my heart.”

“It took you long enough to say it, my darling.”

El Fin

Requests are open my lovelies!

Masterlist

[thecardsimagine]

The Sun’s Happiness

Surprise! I was able to pinch hit for @fieldsofvesuvia and was allowed to write for @thermophilic-lizzy adorable MC Kachiri! I hope you enjoy this one-shot ♥

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Characters: Nadia Satrinava X Kachiri, Portia Genre: Fluff, Comfort

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“Look at you,” Nadia hummed, a smile playing over her lips. With her finger’s soft touch, she brushed through Kachiri’s hair, still damp from the bath the two had just taken. Kachi couldn’t deny that it felt heavenly to have Nadia tend to her. The occasional spoiling she’d allow the Countess was nothing less than exquisite every time it happened.

With a sideglance to the mattress around her, Kachi noticed the tiny lilac flowers falling down onto the sheets from above. They were dancing through the air and along the silky bathrobe she was wearing, some of them settling on her shoulders, while others fell all the way to her legs and hands, resting on top of Nadia’s enormous bed.

 “My little flower catcher,” Nadia chuckled, bringing her hand - filled with more flowers -  forward for Kachiri to see, making her smile too, as she heard the sweet nickname Nadia had given her.

“Do you believe me now that even for a bath as big as yours, that were just too many flowers?” Kachi teased, having noted this fact before when they were in the bath still. It had been quite a surprise when the servants brought in three big baskets full of flowers on Nadia’s order. Back then, Kachiri had already uttered some concerns about the amount, while also wondering just where in the world those flowers had come from. After all, Kachiri had to be pleaded with, since she wouldn’t usually let Nadia spoil her like this regularly, so there wasn’t much time to prepare that amount in advance. However, that Kachi’s hair had - unwillingly - become the net catching those delicate flowers, still amused her too.

“Never, Darling. Besides, only the best for you! And I believe you are quite fond of lilacs, considering you usually halt and admire them when we encounter their bushes on our walks.”

Responding with a confirming hum, Kachi couldn’t deny Nadia’s perceptiveness of her. With a blissful sigh, Kachiri let herself be tenderly persuaded, with a tug on her hair, into laying her head back, giving Nadia more playground and allowing her to inspect the top of her beloved’s head for more flowers. “They did smell amazing, Nadia,” she admitted, her nose still faintly making out the sweet scent of this particular flower. It really was no secret that a lilac bush could always invite Kachi for a minute of staying and wondering just how it could smell this good. Then again, this had been the first time she ever bathed in it, only knowing it as a remedy against fever and digestive problems until now.

However, the smell was barely able to take hold anywhere anymore, as Kachiri was more or less engulfed in Nadia’s very own lavender scent, coating the room into the calming smell. And that was much appreciated by Kachi, who - when she wasn’t talking with Nadia - was fighting the anxious bubbles in her stomach. It didn’t go unnoticed by the former princess sitting behind her, as always, Nadia being extremely perceptive of the people around her - especially someone so dear as Kachiri was to her.

“What’s wrong?” she asked. Kachi hesitated for a moment before telling her, unsure if she should even bring up the topic again. It was nothing new that the talks around the palace were something Kachi had gotten better with, yet, dreaded still as she simply couldn’t keep up with nobles. Nadia was a natural talent, paired with years of experience how to handle these people, but Kachi was only now learning, and that day again, had left her exhausted.

“I was just wondering if I might have angered the Duke who you introduced me to today? He didn’t seem too happy as he left for his afternoon rest.”

Nadia’s touches never ceased or changed as Kachiri opened up about her worries. In her heart, she knew, Nadia wouldn’t judge her for something like this, but still, it was hard to open up about her weaknesses to someone as great as the Countess. “You mean because of the fig-trees? When you said you’d prefer a field of sunflowers over a garden full of figs anytime?”

Nadia’s words were followed by a rare snort as she remembered Kachi’s words from that afternoon, soft laughs falling off her lips. “D-Don’t laugh!” Kachiri stuttered lightly, a bashful blush falling onto her cheeks. “What if that changes anything with the connections of his lands with Vesuvia?”

“Oh, Darling,” Nadia chuckled. She reached past Kachiri towards the brush she had taken with her into the bed, finding Kachi’s hair to finally be free of flowers and ready to get brushed by a tool instead of her fingers. “First of all, it’s my duty and responsibility to be liked by them, not yours. I have to represent Vesuvia, but you are free to speak as you want and see fit.”

“Secondly-” Carefully, Nadia began to brush through Kachi’s sensible hair, knowing it had the tendency to be quite hard to shape and get through despite the conditioner they had used on it beforehand. “Ah, there’s a knot,” Nadia warned, interrupting her own speech and using her fingers once more to untangle the strands of hair tied together. Kachiri had to wait for another breath or two before Nadia went back to her words, after she freed the hair, readying it to be brushed through now.

“Secondly, I like it much better when at least one person in court speaks her mind, instead of fifty others only nodding and bowing.”

Kachi knew it was a compliment, her lips curling briefly into a smile before reality pulled her back. Despite Nadia’s encouragement, Kachi still felt the responsibility on her shoulders to be liked, too, especially now that she and Nadia had grown closer more than ever. It meant she was going to stand by her side more, and as such, she wanted to support her partner as best as she could too.

“It’s just…” Kachiri let out a long sigh, shrugging lightly in frustration as she found it hard to put her thoughts into words. “I am not someone exceptional, or extraordinarily smart or pretty, and I feel like I need to do more to earn--”

Cutting herself right off before she could say anything more, Kachi bit her lip, trying to brush off the topic with a quick, yet awkward, laugh. “‘Your place’? Is that what you wanted to say?” Nadia caught her red-handed, even though she had yet to stop her brushing, remaining as calm as ever. Kachi sighed deeply as she felt busted by Nadia’s sharp wit. If anything, Nadia wasn’t a woman you could keep something hidden from easily, which was a pain whenever her birthday came around, and there were presents to hide.

Finally, the brush was set aside, as Kachi felt two hands on her shoulders, squeezing them lightly. “Kachi? Look at me, please.”

There was no reason for Kachiri not to follow Nadia’s request, despite finding herself unable to maintain eye contact with Nadia’s eyes, which were as purple as the lilac flowers. But before she could duck into herself like a child about to receive a scolding, Nadia pulled her into a sudden hug, giving her a tight squeeze, unlike the usual tender embraces Kachiri was used to from her.

“As long as you want, your place will always be here.” Raising some butterflies in Kachiri’s stomach, Nadia slowly let her go, but not without lifting her face by her chin so the two of them could face each other properly. “No matter what you do, things are not eaten as hot as they are cooked here, even if they seem to have a serious impact. And while I say it’s my responsibility to take care of anything that might occur, it helps me a lot to know I have you by my side to mend all the things that could come my way.”

She smiled as Kachi blushed over her words. Letting go of her chin, Nadia leaned forward to kiss her forehead, bringing her hands to Kachiri’s cheeks to tenderly caress them. “You’re perfect just as you are. And besides, you are the hero of Vesuvia! Don’t think I would let anyone who might take offense in something minor like your words, forget what you did for all of us.”

There wasn’t much Kachiri could return back at Nadia, the Countess having a way with her words that left Kachi with nothing but butterflies in her stomach. Sometimes, it could get really tough being the partner of someone so rational, yet kind. But hearing she had all this trust and respect from Nadia, who Kachi loved and idolized in many aspects of her life, certainly helped calm her.

“Also!” Nadia picked up, suddenly perking up and climbing off the bed. “Your words gave me such a good idea for tonight’s outfit!”

As if on cue, a knock echoed through the room, Nadia calling a tender, “Come in!” at the door, which opened to reveal Portia peeking her head in and grinning. “I got them, Milady!” Portia announced, door flying open widely to reveal another bucket full of flowers in her hands. The bright yellow, palm-sized flower heads were everything to Kachiri, immediately bringing a smile to her face, which Nadia perceived with a satisfied expression.

Portia didn’t waste time to bring over the sunflowers, setting them down next to the bed, before taking place at the edge of it herself. “Ready for some flowers in your hair?” she asked, expression turning into confusion when both Kachi and Nadia couldn’t help their voices rising in a laugh. “I am, apparently, a flower catcher, after all,” Kachiri chuckled, and Nadia agreed with a nod, climbing back behind her on the big bed.

It was a surprise that Nadia would arrange sunflowers for hair decoration, but Kachi was thankful she did. They were her favorite flowers after all, and it put her into the pleasure of having Nadia braid her hair loosely, whilst Portia handed her one flowerhead after the other. Nadia was well aware that anything too strict or a big up-do might be complicated once Kachiri’s hair dried. Then again, both of them enjoyed a more natural style anyway. Kachi sat back as she got pampered with some more soft touches, and tending to her, Portia giving away the reason for all of this.

“Nadia thought it would be grand to show the Duke just how much prettier sunflowers are after you mentioned them to him.”

“Nadia…” Kachiri gasped, surprised to find out that Nadia had thought this through way beyond sunflowers being Kachi’s favorite flowers. “That’s so sly!” she added, chuckling, and Nadia’s lips curled into a knowing smile, the three ladies falling into soft laughter. “Well, I believe he just has to appreciate your taste a little more, you know?”

Portia hummed loudly in agreement, leaving the room for the enclosed closet, gathering the evening clothes as Kachi presumed, while she and Nadia were left behind in silence.

“Thanks, Nadia,” Kachi eventually muttered sheepishly, slightly embarrassed.

For the first time, Nadia’s diligent fingers halted their movement, processing the words before continuing with their work. “For what, my Love?” she asked, voice soothing and calm, fitted to the situation. “Just…” Kachiri let out a short laugh, lifting her hand and gesturing from side to side aimlessly. “Everything.”

Blushing lightly, Kachiri fidgeted with the hem of her bathrobe, twirling it between her fingers. “Accepting me and fixing my mistakes… I’ll work even harder on myself in the future, I promise!”

Tender chuckles fell off Nadia’s lips as she finished braiding Kachi’s hair, pulling her fingers out of the artwork that was the big braid interlarded with the strongly shining, yellow flowers. Instead, her hand dropped to Kachiri’s, tugging her gently after Nadia off the bed and towards the large mirror in the corner of the room. “Look,” she pointed at Kachi’s reflection, wanting to show off how sweet she looked, with the soft braid from one side of her head to the other.

The golden gleam in her hair matched perfectly with the sunflowers decorating her now, together with the green of her eyes, which blended in as if they were stems. “I have a wonderful, beautiful partner. Every day I wake up with the rays of light, lucky to look at my personal sun sleeping next to me.” Nadia mused, hands on Kachi’s shoulders as she looked at her reflection in the mirror, standing behind her.

“I could never put into something as simple as words, how grateful I am, and what admiration I harbor for the strength you give me every day. So please, never feel less than deserving of everything that I can offer you, Kachiri. You made me the person I am today, and this person wants nothing more than to show you to the rest of the world, declaring you are the sunshine in my life.”

By now, it was impossible to hide the bright blush on Kachi’s face, especially when so exposed to her own reflection. All she could do is bring her hands up to her mouth, trying to shield it from revealing that huge, dorky grin on her lips. Though, Nadia had long seen it flash through the gaps in between Kachi’s fingers, a smile just as wide on her own face, proud and happy. “Let’s face the Duke and whoever comes afterwards - together, alright?”

“Okay,” Kachi agreed, turning around to face Nadia head-on for the first time. Their arms were quick to wrap around each other, lips finding the other like a perfect fit. After all, they were a well-attuned couple, knowing each other’s actions like their own. Through the affection and tender caress of her cheek, Kachi could feel Nadia’s strength and determination. Nadia was ahead of Kachiri already when it came to faith in herself and also in Kachi. Still, she’d be sure to take an example, wanting to give back exactly what Nadia offered her.

They only separated as they heard the shuffling of fabric, Portia returning from her scavenger hunt for evening clothes, laying them out on the bed. “What did I miss?” she asked chipperly, as she found the couple still united by their arms around each other. “Or… was I interrupting something?” she eventually figured, blushing lightly as the awkwardness hit her. Kachi and Nadia exchanged a quick glance before they started laughing, denying Portia’s worry, instead, opening up their arms for her to join them in a group hug.

“Careful now, we wouldn’t want the flowers to fall, would we?”

Laughing, Portia eased her heartful hug, and Kachiri chuckled. “We’ll show the Duke just how much better sunflowers are compared to figs!” she announced, now in agreement with the other two who were already doing their best to speak this into reality.

“You’re going to show him, Kachi!” Portia encouraged, and Nadia gave a sophisticated nod. “You can do it.”

Smiling from ear to ear, Kachiri let out a strong, “Yes!”, all the anxiety of the afternoon gone, as she knew that the people she could always count on, had her back. And in an instant, she was tightly smushed back between Nadia and Portia, their hug resuming as they all grinned widely.

And she wouldn’t have wanted to exchange the happiness she felt for anything in the world.

[supimjustwriting]

A Child’s Wish

Atalante (Archer) x Child Reader

Trigger Warnings: Child neglect

Summary: Young Y/N wanted nothing more than her parents’ love. So, joining the Holy Grail War was a no brainer for the young child. Without a catalyst, Y/N struck gold summoning a Greek Hero. The heroic spirit reminded the little one of their mother’s doll collection. So, perfect and adored by her mother at first sight. Can they be like that too? Author’s Note: My, my! Two Anon’s in a row. My gut tells me it’s the same person due to the similar themes but oh well! Requests are always welcome and big sister Atalanta is welcome to visit the garden as well. Maybe she should bring her master here to show them some beauty in life.

“Mommy, mommy! Look, I did it! She came! A hero really came! Ahh! She’s so pretty too,” Y/N gushed, rushing over to the hunter.

“Hold it right there Y/N. I want to take a good look at them first. Stand aside,” the excitement quickly faded causing the archer to grip her bow tightly. “Stunning. Absolutely stunning. You’ve done quite well Y/N. Come, you can give mother a hug.”

Rushing over to their mother. The young child nuzzled themselves against their leg only to be shaken off moments later. Y/N simply smiled brightly, giddy at the little praise they received.

‘Can?’ Each word the woman spoke caused her blood to boil but she shouldn’t draw her bow yet. She doesn’t have all the information and a child needs their mother. ‘It must be the tension of the Holy Grail War,’ she told herself.

~

Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.

“A battlefield is no place for a child. I shall continue to serve Y/N but I request that they stay here in the safety of this mansion. With our spirit connection and my ability of independent action. Such a feat is possible. So, please-”

“Nonsense! The closer master and servant are the more mana you have access to. We wouldn’t want you to be at a disadvantage, simply because of lack of magical energy.”

“Then why didn’t you join yourself?” Already knowing the answer, Atalanta gritted her teeth.

“You’re a smart girl. Why would I put myself in danger when I have a perfectly good pawn?” Y/N’s mother cackled at the sight of the beautiful servant straining her bow. “Now, now. We can’t do that. Can we? We wouldn’t want to hurt your master. Now run along. I’m sure they’re just dying to see you.”

Clicking her tongue. The archer went to her young master’s room.

~

Knock! Knock! Knock! “Y/N? I hope I didn’t disturb you,” her ears pricked upon hearing soft sobbing. Rushing to the child’s side. Green eyes met puffy red ones. “Child, why are you crying?” The archer ran her fingers through her master’s hair. “You and mommy were fighting again weren’t you? Please don’t hurt her. Ms. Kitty I’m begging you!” The young master clung onto Atalanta’s dress, face buried against her shoulder. “Please, please, please-” The blonde let out a soft sigh, wrapping her arms around the small human. “You have my word lady Y/N. How about we change the subject? The Holy Grail is a wish granting device. So, what do you wish for? Cake? Playing with your friends everyday? Oh! I know, I personally like foot races. So, maybe you wish to be the fastest.” Her tone was soft and playful.

“A doll,” Y/N sniffled, wiping their eyes.

“Oh! You want a doll? I bet they’re beautiful. Can you tell me more about it?” The simple shake of their master’s head caused the archer to tilt her head like a confused puppy.

“I want to be one of mommy’s dolls. I want to be taken care of and loved like they are,” the little one admitted, hugging their knees close to their chest. “Master… I’m sorry for asking such a painful question. Let’s retire for the night.” Y/N nodded weakly, scooting over to make room for their servant. “Goodnight Ms. Kitty,”

“Sweet dreams, master,” it wasn’t much but Atalanta wrapped her arms around the smaller form, pulling them close to her chest. She couldn’t save them from the torment they grew familiar with but hopefully they’ll remember the warmth of someone who cares for them.

For as long as fate allows. Atalanta took care of her master as if they were their little sister. Even teaching them how to wield a bow and playing with them while awaiting for their true master’s orders.

[grither55]

The Princess and the Peasant - (An Azula Epic) - Chapter 15 - Cherries and Foot Rubs

Elle stood in her new chamber that was situated just a short distance from her old one.

It was bigger, and that was not all.

Her simple cot was gone and in its place was a very lovely designer bed!

Her emotional eyes flickered about while turning to her new desk complete with a comfortable chair.

She now had a closet, which she was opening at this very moment with a look of astonishment in her amber eyes.

It was completely lined with only the finest of robes and countless blouses, and lovely dresses!

A lounge chair even sat in the corner of her room with her shopping bags and backpack resting neatly on the floor beside it.

And finally, there was even an artwork station.

Complete with a painting stand and a wide assortment of arts and crafts.

And resting upon the art stand was a lone sheet of paper with the princess's royal seal.

And at the bottom of the page the princess had even signed her name in elegant Chinese print.

Princess Azula.

A single tear of joy now streamed down her cheek as she stood gazing down at the royal woman's signature.

It was clear that her princess now knew about her hobby painting her royal image.

But she didn't care.

Because she was Azula-sama's girl now.

"She…likes me…Azula-sama…truly likes me." The blonde-haired girl murmured before falling onto her new bed with an overjoyed smile.

She has never been this happy!

Never, not even close.

Many hours later.

Elle walked with a large bowl of cherries in hand now wearing fine red robes along with her golden bow around her neckline.

She strode before coming to a stop before her princess's personal royal spa.

She timidly rapped on the door before she heard the woman's loud, yet silken voice as she called out to her.

"Come in Elle." Azula called out from where she sat in a large throne with her palms folded in her lap.

Her controlling eyes watched as the girl opened the spa door all the while glancing at her clock in approval.

Twenty minutes early.

"Such a punctual girl. Oh, don't be so timid. It's not like I am going to eat you." The princess taunted with her hair hanging freely behind her as she watched the red-faced teenager meekly step in.

The small blonde peered at the woman seated in her throne wearing elegant red robes with a golden trim, with a red sash wrapped around her lovely waistline.

And her dark hair flowing freely with a glistening gleam making it clear just how well cared for the princess's hair truly was.

"Y-yes Azula-sama. As you say…always as Her Highness orders." Elle answered bashfully while padding closer with Azula all the while observing her sighing.

"So…how do you like your new arrangements?" Azula pondered while glancing down at Elle with pleased eyes when the girl dropped into a bow before her bare feet.

The bowl of cherries was placed directly before her hand while she reached down with a smile before popping one in her mouth.

'This girl is just the best pet.' The princess thought while smiling down at her adorable handmaid when the girl leaned down to hug her knee.

"I-it is more than I deserve. T-thank you Azula-sama. I-I appreciate everything you do for me. I-I've never been this happy. Not o-once in my life." The blonde-haired girl stammered in a moved voice with the older woman staring down at her taken aback by her sudden show of emotion.

Azula swallowed the cherry with her lips pursed into a thin line before planting her palm in Elle's soft blonde hair.

She felt the girl fall face first into her thighs while sighing once more as she began to pet her in a rare show of compassion.

All the while listening to little whines from below.

"You've been abused a great deal. Haven't you servant?" The princess questioned in a stern voice while patting her handmaid's head just as she gazed down at her with dominant eyes.

"Y-yes princess. I-I have." Elle cried softly while Azula glanced down at her scowling with disapproval in her cold eyes.

"I am not going to abuse you. That time of your life is over now. You belong to me…now." Azula spoke while peering down at her pet with callous golden eyes all the while patting the sniffling girl's head.

"I-I belong to Master Azula now." The blonde-haired girl agreed while peering up at the woman's stony countenance with emotive little eyes.

"That you do…pet. There, there." The princess cooed while consuming another cherry with a sigh as she ran her fingers through her submissive girl's hair.

"Master Azula is home." Elle stated with a rising smile while peering up at the woman when her long fingers wiped her eyes.

"I am. Now no more tears. Be a good girl for me." Azula purred while staring down at her servant just as she reached into her bowl before lowering a cherry over Elle's blushing face.

"I-I am Princess Azula's good girl." The blonde-haired girl cheered with a sunny smile just as she opened her mouth to accept her treat.

Then she blushed an even deeper shade of red when the woman's palm pushed her face into her thigh patting her head all the while.

"You're a good pet. I'll take care of you." The princess sighed while gazing down at her sensitive pet with a stern stare that hid her fondness for the small girl.

"Arigatou gozaimasu Azula-sama." Elle spoke cheerily while laughing happily as she began to nuzzle Azula's thigh in a submissive manner.

"Hm. You are a sensitive little dear. But I feel as if we'll make a good fit for each other. You'd be lost without my strength." Azula commented while swallowing another cherry with a content sigh.

"That's so. I need your guidance master." The blonde-haired girl chimed while propping her head up on a shapely thigh with her eyes peering up at the towering woman's strict face.

"Oh, very well. I shall guide you Elle. Go fill my wash bowl, would you? Place it down when you are done and then kneel right here." The princess commanded while pointing at her feet with her domineering eyes peering down at the blushing handmaid's rapidly nodding face.

"Yes Azula-sama. I will do so right away!" Elle exclaimed as she arose before giving the seated woman a bow at the waist.

Azula glanced back at Elle with a smile of fondness on her red lips just as she watched the small girl scamper over to fulfill her order.

"You are an exceedingly well-mannered girl. The other servants around here could stand to learn a thing or to from you. Some of them don't even know how to bow properly." The princess complained while chewing on another cherry as she observed her favorite servant filling the wash bowl.

"It is kind of you to say so Azula-sama! But as you saw at the club last night a lot of people don't like me. Many people seem to think me mentally stunted because I smile so often. But that's alright! But I have you and my oneesans now." The blonde-haired girl chirped with her back to her frowning master's displeased visage.

It angered Azula greatly knowing that her future betrothed was so widely mocked.

And it irked her just as much that Elle was okay with such treatment.

"I will not permit whispering of my girl. In the palace…or otherwise. If I hear of any such talk…I will remedy it." Azula responded with her lips pursed in a tight scowl while Elle's face heated up as she knelt with water spilling into the bowl.

"A-Azula-sama's… g-girl." Elle stuttered out adorably with Azula peering over at her with her lovely lips curving upward.

Just a bit.

"Mhm. That's right. And don't you dare forget it girl." The princess spoke in a domineering voice while swallowing another cherry.

"H-how could I…Your highness?" The blonde-haired girl murmured with a genuine smile while staring into the flowing water.

"You truly delight in being mine…" Azula trailed off in a thoughtful tone while gazing at her pet with a stern golden gaze.

"I-it is so Azula-sama. You are…the princess I have always dreamed off. My princess right…" Elle announced sweetly with her words incurring a curious stare from the regal woman.

"Princess right? I like the sound of that." The princess commented in a supremely haughty voice while gulping down yet another cherry.

"D-does Her Highness know that I have painted her visage?" The blonde-haired girl requested shyly while swallowing nervously under the woman's prying gaze.

"I do." Azula answered with a sigh while feeling a sliver of remorse for accidently glimpsing at the tribute before it was completed.

"Oh. W-when did you see my art book?" Elle pondered with her heart racing rapidly as she stared down into the wash bowl.

"On your first morning here. I went to see if you were awake…I had planned to ask if you wanted to walk with me. I found you snoring…sprawled out like a little tiger monkey with your precious book on top of you…" The princess responded while popping another cherry in her mouth before consuming it with a smile.

"D-did Her Highness approve of her likeness?" The blonde-haired girl stammered while turning off the water when she heard a regal snort behind her.

"Is that a genuine question? Silly girl. Your skill is impeccable. Your work is fit to be on the walls of the palace." Azula declared with her callous eyes lingering on the back of her handmaid's head.

"R-really Azula-sama? I-it was that good?" Elle asked while turning with an adorably sunny smile on her young face.

"It was. When I become Fire Lord, I demand that you paint many works in my likeness. I will hang each one on the walls of my throne room." The princess explained with an unyielding stare of dominance that had her pet blushing wildly.

"Y-you honor me Azula-sama. But if that is your desire...then it will be done." The blonde-haired girl assured while smiling over her shoulder at the authoritative woman.

"Good. I am glad that you see things my way. Now come here servant." Azula commanded while snapping her fingers loudly with a spoiled demeanor about her.

"Yes princess. At once." Elle agreed meekly while she began to carry the bowl over all the while listening to the loud snapping of the woman's fingers.

"Bow. Right there!" The princess barked in a tone of absolute dominance while staring down at her quivering pet with smug golden eyes.

"Y-yes master. I will always bow before you and you alone." The blonde-haired girl squeaked while setting the bowl down before dropping down into a low bow on all fours.

She blushed with a warmth spreading across her cheeks when she found herself gazing face to face with the princess's bare feet.

The princess began to wiggle her toes while she observed just a light sheen of sweat on the woman's immaculate feet.

"Good pet." Azula purred in a silken voice while raising her foot in the air as she patted the flushing girl's head with her right foot.

Elle swallowed with her heart racing when the woman lightly stepped on her head in a dominant yet gentle manner.

"O-oh Master Azula." Elle stuttered while Azula peered down at her chewing on another cherry.

"Hm. You like that?" The princess cooed while pressing her bare toes into her submissive girl's blonde hair.

"Y-yes I-I do. I-I like it when you t-tell me what to do." The blonde-haired girl stammered while she listened to the towering woman gulp down her cherry.

"Oh, I know that. I was asking if you liked it when I dominated you with my feet." Azula remarked with absolute smugness while staring down at her precious servant with fond golden eyes.

"T-that as well Azula-sama." Elle murmured with heated cheeks when the foot slid down in her line of vision before resting atop her face.

"Hm. You like my feet. You're adorable Elle…do you know that?" The princess commented with her stern eyes peering down at the small blonde beneath her foot.

"Y-you and my oneesans keep saying that." The blonde-haired girl spoke in a muffled voice that amused the woman seated above her.

"We keep saying that…because you are." Azula snorted before removing her foot from the girl's head and setting it back on the floor.

Ordinarily she wouldn't plant her foot on her new girlfriend's head if it was unwashed…but she planned on bathing with the girl afterward anyhow.

The foot bath…was just a way to precursor to getting naked with her little admirer.

And…it was also an excuse to order the girl to massage her feet.

She's always enjoyed having her feet tended to.

"T-that means so much to me Azula-sama. Knowing that you find me…adorable." Elle stated with a shy smile before grasping at Azula's left foot while holding it carefully over the water.

"You truly are a naïve little thing. How could you not know that you are beautiful? Really…I should think that it should be obvious." The princess scoffed while folding her palms in her lap while the small girl began to scrub her foot down.

"I…am too short…my breasts are growing slowly…and my hips are small too…" The blonde-haired girl murmured in a voice of low-self esteem that Azula decided she did not approve of.

"Look up at me…Elle." Azula commanded with a stern countenance while snapping her fingers just as the petite girl peered up at her with hopeful amber eyes.

"A-am I…really beautiful Azula-sama?" Elle pondered with a twinge of pink to her cheeks while gazing up at Azula with the woman rolling her eyes in response.

"Very much so. You are still a growing girl…you are only thirteen. By sixteen…you'll fill in." The princess assured with a hand on her chin while staring down at her handmaid feeling strangely displeased by her low self-worth.

"What about my…height…" The blonde-haired girl trailed off in a voice that desperately sought the princess's guidance.

It was a trait that Azula has come to enjoy.

Having this lovely young girl look to her to answer each and every little curiosity that crosses her young mind.

"You'll likely always be petite. But that isn't a bad thing." Azula explained while waving her hand before her sighing all the while.

"It…isn't?" Elle questioned with a blush on her cheeks while submerging her protector's foot in the wash bowl.

"No. I like you just as you are. I prefer petite girl's anyhow." The princess spoke with a stare of dominance while leaning down to pat her innocent admirer's head.

"I-I like tall girl's…" The blonde-haired girl admitted bashfully while staring up at Azula's smirking lips.

"Splendid! I have always been a tall woman myself. I trust that I am tall enough for you?" Azula purred with a supremely confident demeanor while peering down at the small girl so lovingly scrubbing her foot.

"Oh, very much so Azula-sama…I confide that I enjoy gazing up at you." Elle answered with a sunny smile while glancing up at Azula's pleased visage with a look of adoration in her young eyes.

"Really? This is good. Considering that I will always be taller than you. See we're a good mix. I like small girl's and you like tall girl's…" The princess trailed off in a contemplative tone while smiling down at the younger girl in a refined manner.

"It would seem so Azula-sama!" The blonde-haired girl exclaimed with a cheerful giggle while Azula petted her head once more.

"Let's see what else is there? It goes without saying that I like submissive girls. And I know by now that you crave my dominance. Once more…it seems as if we're ideal for each other!" Azula remarked with her golden eyes staring down at Elle beaming up at her while scrubbing the underside of her sole.

"I am so overjoyed to hear you say that. I-I feel as if I fell for you the moment, I laid eyes upon you." Elle confessed with her eyes gazing down at the damp foot with Azula wiggling her toes in a seductive manner.

"At first sight huh? Well I suppose that makes sense. I am flawless after all…" The princess replied before reclining in her throne with her hands in her lap.

"T-this loyal servant thinks so as well. M-may I ask your age Azula-sama?" The blonde-haired girl stuttered with her master gazing down at her before popping a cherry in her mouth.

"I am twenty years old." Azula sighed in a prideful voice only for her lips to purse into a thin line when her handmaid peered down at her feet once more.

"Am…I too young princess?" Elle pondered while listening to Azula gulp down yet another cherry.

"No. You are not. I prefer younger girl's as well. Relax…I like you." The princess cooed while peering down at her lovely pet with a trace of affection in her cold stare.

"O-oh Azula-sama your approval is all that I need in this life…I am so glad that I am not too young!" The blonde-haired girl cried with sweet laughter following her words all the while staring up at the princess glancing down at her with a sliver of fondness.

"Hm. You are the sweetest servant that I have ever had. I see that I will have to keep a close eye over you…" Azula sighed with her fingers twirling her dark hair before reaching into the bowl for another cherry.

"A-am…I really Her Highness's sweetest?" Elle requested with joy so great in her little eyes while Azula sat gazing down at her with her elegant eyes rolling all the while.

"I am not even going to answer that. You'll just have to decipher the rolling of my eyes. Eat." The princess spoke haughtily just before thrusting the cherry before her young handmaid's beaming face.

While doing so she savored the sensation of the teenager's tender palms diligently scrubbing her foot with a desire to please that no other servant could match.

"I find Her Highness's rule quite satisfactory!" The blonde-haired girl chirped before happily accepting her reward while the princess watched her swallow it with a refined smile.

"As I knew you would. My rule is a divine right. While we're on the subject of age…you turn fourteen in two and a half months. Is that right?" Azula commented with her brows furrowing in a thoughtful manner while lowering another fruit before Elle's waiting mouth.

"Mhm! My birthday is on July 11th!" Elle answered cheerfully while chewing her treat while Azula glanced down at her with amusement in her stern eyes.

"July? That is the name of a month I presume? We'll have to translate that over to our calendar. I need to be certain that I have the correct date." The princess announced with her golden gaze peering down at her loyal pet while the girl beamed up at her with innocent eyes while she knelt before her foot.

"July is a month yes. Y-you wish to record my birthday Your Highness?" The blonde-haired girl pondered with excitement lining her voice while she smiled peering down at the woman's wiggling toes.

"Of course! I will not have it said that Princess Azula doesn't know her own girl's birthday." Azula responded while staring down at Elle's adorable face with an imposing stare all the while wiggling her toes before the blushing girl's eyes in a teasing manner.

"T-thank you for…for thinking of me Azula-sama." Elle mumbled with her heart beating at an abnormal rate just as the flawless foot was thrust before her reddened face.

"As I said…you're an adorable little thing. Hm. Kiss my foot pet." The princess purred with a wolfish grin now adorning her lips while hanging her damp foot before the quivering teenager's face.

"Y-yes Azula-sama. I-I am your good girl." The blonde-haired girl spoke in a bow while leaning upward to kiss the center of the princess's hovering foot.

Toes began to wiggle once more before curling over her blushing face just as the regal woman began to use her face as a footrest once more.

"I know you are. Hm. Do you enjoy that?" Azula pondered as she peered down at Elle while chewing on a cherry with her toes wiggling over the small girl's eyes.

"I-it is so. I-I don't know why but I like it." Elle admitted with a gulp as she remained prostrated with Azula's foot pressing into her eyes.

"Interesting…you truly do enjoy all aspects of my dominance. It would seem that despite your naivety regarding sexual pastimes that you have an inherent interest in dominant women. Is that right?" The princess remarked while swallowing another cherry all the while staring down at her pet's small face beneath her damp foot.

"Y-yes princess. I-I like assertive girls." The blonde-haired girl stammered while Azula glanced down at her with a pleased smile before grasping at her face with her curling toes.

"Marvelous! You will find no woman more assertive than me. I believe that I am the ideal woman for you. Kiss it, again would you?" Azula commanded with her hand waving lazily while biting down on another cherry smiling even wider when she felt little lips kiss the underside of her toes.

"O-oh Azula-sama…I like your feet." Elle confessed with a timid voice while Azula smirked just as she slowly slid her foot off the girl's face in a purposefully seductive manner.

"I can tell. You don't have to worry anymore Elle. I'll look after you from now on. You're my good girl." The princess cooed while staring down at the petite girl kneeling before her with a flicker of fondness in her strict eyes.

"I will not worry! I will trust in my protector!" The blonde-haired girl exclaimed with a joyful voice while the regal woman peered down at her sighing.

"Yes, Elle…your protector." Azula stated with her fingers twirling through her dark-hair with her cold eyes watching Elle move to her other foot.

She was coming to find herself enjoying how Elle looked to her for guidance on all matters in life.

It was…strangely rewarding.

"I am safe with Azula-sama…and my oneesans. This is my family." Elle declared with heartwarming emotion in her voice while Azula gazed down at her with marginally taken aback golden eyes.

There was a brief moment of pause while the princess seemed to mull over the girl's gentle hearted words.

"Oh, very well Elle…we will be your family if that is what you wish." The princess sighed while glancing off to the side before turning back to her young admirer when she reached up to grasp her hand.

"Arigatou gozaimasu Azula-sama." The blonde-haired girl spoke tenderly while the princess stared at her through the corner of her vision.

"Hm…I confide that I look forward to introducing you to Zuzu." Azula commented with a refined smirk gracing her crimson lips.

"I look forward to meeting your brother Azula-sama! Now I'll have a oniisan in addition to my oneesans!" Elle cheered with childish delight while Azula chewed on yet another cherry.

"I wouldn't get too excited about Zuko. He is a traitor to the Fire Nation. He has since joined forces with the Avatar…and as such he is the enemy." The princess explained while the young girl gazed up with a concerned amber eye.

She knew that her father will never see eye to eye on the matter of Elle.

But as far as she was concerned once she is Fire Lord she can do as she pleases.

She would have never thought the day would come when she would see marital value in a peasant girl.

After all of her failed efforts to find a suitable suitor it would be foolish to just toss such a lovely girl aside.

"I am sorry Azula-sama…" The blonde-haired girl trailed off in a more solemn voice while the princess peered down at her with her brows furrowing in a questioning manner.

"For what?" Azula pondered with her callous eyes gazing down at Elle at work on her foot with puzzlement in her gaze.

"Because you have to fight your own brother." Elle muttered with her young eyes gazing over the lovely foot while she dunked it in the warm water.

"Oh yes it's quite difficult for me. But I will just have to work through it…such is the burden that I must bear." The princess spoke with a dramatic sigh while chewing on another cherry in contentment with her handmaid rubbing her foot.

"You're so strong princess. I just know I'll be safe with you." The blonde-haired girl stated with a returning smile while the regal woman huffed haughtily.

"I am the strongest there is girl! You had best remember that." Azula barked while pointing a smug finger down at Elle while the girl nodded in a manner that pleased her.

"I-I shall never forget the strength of my princess charming! This loyal servant has ingrained it to memory." Elle chirped with a sunny smile while Azula's lips curved into a satisfied smile.

"Such a good girl…" The princess cooed with her backside sliding forward as she glanced down at her blushing pet so dutifully washing her foot.

"A-Azula-sama?" The blonde-haired girl stuttered in her usual endearing way that the princess had come to enjoy.

"Yes? What's going through that little mind of yours?" Azula purred just as she reached downward to brush her handmaid's hair from her amber eyes.

"I-I wrote you another…poem." Elle admitted with a nervous gulp as she averted her eyes from the regal woman's now surprised gaze in favor of continuing her labor.

Once more the princess found herself staring down at the young girl with her eyes expressing her brief surprise.

She was quick to recover though.

Azula leaned down over Elle with a charming smile on her crimson lips just as she continued to stroke her little admirer's hair.

"Another one hm? But you just gave me both a poem and a flower yesterday." The princess spoke in a silken tone just as she fiddled with her pet's hair while her young handmaid quivered so cutely.

"M-my princess is the keeper of my heart. Therefore, I will always write for you Azula-sama…once or twice will never be enough." The blonde-haired girl insisted while running the wash cloth over her princess's foot with a blush adorning her cheeks.

"My…. you are just precious. So…where is my poem?" Azula drawled in a seductive manner while staring down at Elle with her face propped up within the palm of her left hand.

"I-in my pocket princess." Elle answered meekly while shivering when she felt warm air sweep over her neck.

"In that case…I would like to hear you read my poem now." The princess remarked while sweeping her bangs from her eyes in a deliberately alluring manner.

"B-but what about my current task?" The blonde-haired girl blurted out with heated cheeks while she listened to the woman seated above her chuckle softly.

"So well behaved…. you may pause the washing of my feet. Briefly." Azula commented with her lips in a conceited smirk while she placed her palms in her lap.

"Yes Azula-sama! Your girl obeys." Elle cheered while sitting up with a smile as she began to dig into her pocket with wet fingers.

"Mhm…believe me I've noticed. I truly feel as if we're a prime fit for one another!" The princess exclaimed while lazily popping another cherry in her mouth with her eyes peering down at her pet in smug gratification.

"T-those words warm my heart as if they were your flames themselves. This is for you Azula-sama. It is called L-like the S-shining Sun.." The blonde-haired girl stammered with a flush as she held the poem in her shaky fingers while the royal woman sat in a moved silence.

The mighty princess said nothing in reply.

It was all she could do to gaze down at her servant with a rare spark of emotion now flashing in her cold golden eyes.

While her stern visage soon gave way to astonishment when the young girl's voice flowered into her ears once more.

"S-she's like the shining sun. Under her brilliant gaze I find myself unable to run. She burns bright just like a s-shimmering star. Under her burning rays her warmth is felt no matter how far." Elle read in a soft voice with an infatuated smile on her cheeks.

Azula could only gaze down with her golden gaze widening while she tried to resist the tiny blush that was now growing upon her regal cheeks.

She was so enthralled by her young servant's most recent tribute that she hadn't even realized that she had already swallowed her cherry.

"S-she protects me with her radiant flame. Under her guidance there is no need for shame. S-she rises and sets over me. Under her rule I am truly free. She…she is my most trusted friend. Under her watch…I will stay until the very end." The blonde-haired girl concluded in a bashful voice while she held a dainty hand against her cheek.

While the princess was so taken aback by the touching poem that she had been rendered speechless.

Then Azula turned her stunned golden gaze down to her skittish handmaid as she observed the girl with a fond eye.

Only to notice that her serving girl was twiddling her thumbs with her little worried amber eyes peering over at the wall of the royal spa.

"D-do…d-do you like it Azula-sama?" Elle pondered with baited breath while her heart began to beat like a roller coaster.

Until at long last she heard her princess clear her throat in a sophisticated manner.

"Elle." Azula called out while gazing down at her small pet with her lips now in a pleased smile.

While she continued to stare down at the girl with boundless approval in her hardened golden eyes.

"Y-yes p-princess?" The blonde-haired girl asked in a stutter as she gulped while she watched her master bend over through the corner of her eye.

"It was impeccably written. Your poetry…is truly something to be praised." The princess announced with her stern eyes peering down at her handmaid just as she set her palm in the girl's soft hair.

"R-really Azula-sama? You think my poetry is that…good?" Elle replied with her youthful cheeks overtaking a shade of crimson.

"Of course, I do! Silly girl. When I become Fire Lord, I shall see that your works receive the recognition that they deserve." Azula declared while patting Elle's head all the while allowing the small girl to fall face first into her thighs.

"Your recognition is all that I need in this life…" The blonde-haired girl trailed off sweetly while beaming under the princess's petting hand all the while burrowing into her curvaceous thigh.

"Hm. Well you'll receive no shortage of that. I shall rise and set above you for all of your days." The princess sighed with her fingers tenderly dancing through her young pet's hair while gulping down yet another cherry.

This was…just the best.

There were no words for how content she was right now.

Just none.

"G-good. I wouldn't be happy if you didn't." Elle murmured with her face buried in the princess's soft thigh all the while enjoying how she petted her with such care.

"Try not to fret so much…my pet. I am keeping you…I wouldn't cast aside such a good pet." Azula assured in a dominant voice while staring down at Elle all the while dropping another cherry in her mouth.

"O-oh Azula-sama…" The blonde-haired girl whined out in a muffled voice while listening to the pleasant sound of Azula gulping down her most recent cherry with her palm resting upon her head.

"Do you like that? When I pet you in my lap?" The princess inquired with her strict eyes peering down at the small girl clinging to her thigh once more.

"I-I do. I enjoy it when you pet me Azula-sama…" Elle trailed off in a needy voice while whining as she began to nudge Azula's thigh as if asking for more.

"Hm. You enjoy soft domination. I am not usually one for tenderness…but in your case I will make an exception." Azula commented just as she dropped another cherry in her mouth.

While she stared down at the girl in amusement as her servant continued to mewl for her attentions.

"I-I am Azula-sama's girl." The blonde-haired girl mewled with her hands grasping at the voluptuous thigh before her with a serene look in her eyes.

"Mhm. I have indeed decreed it so…open your mouth." The princess commanded just when her fingers dropped before the small girl's face with her little eyes peering upward.

The regal woman was dangling a cherry before her blushing face and she soon found her mouth opening upon command.

"Yes princess!" Elle chirped happily just as she began to chew the cherry with a radiant smile about her.

"Do you enjoy it when I feed you?" Azula pondered with her face resting in her other hand while smirking down at Elle's adorable face.

"I confess that I do!" The blonde-haired girl exclaimed sweetly with her cheeks as red as a tomato while staring up at Azula's elegant countenance.

"Then I shall continue to do so. Now…get back to work! My feet must be absolutely spotless!" The princess barked as she snaped her fingers in a supremely haughty manner.

While she delighted in how her admirer sat up in a trained panic.

"Y-yes Azula-sama! R-right away!" Elle stammered just as she sunk into yet another bow as she grasped at Azula's lovely foot.

While her amber eyes admired its smooth surface.

"Oh, and do be certain that you get between the toes. I simply will not stand poor foot hygiene!" Azula announced with her toes wiggling before Elle's face all the while the girl gulped in understanding.

"I will princess! I promise! Between the toes!" The blonde-haired girl cried out innocently as she began to wash the princess's long foot with a blush decorating her cheeks.

"Good girl." The princess purred before raising her one clean foot while she lightly patted the girl's head with her heel.

"I-I do my best Azula-sama. I hope you know that…" Elle trailed off in an emotional voice never bothered by the foot resting in her hair.

"I do Elle. I assure you that I do. You scrub so well…many of the servants don't even know how to properly wash my feet…" Azula complained with yet another heavy sigh while reclining in her plush throne.

"If Her Highness wishes…I would be happy to take up the task on a daily basis." The blonde-haired girl remarked in a naïve voice with her hands diligently running the cloth between her master's toes.

While the other foot remained propped up upon her hair.

Unbeknownst to the young girl the princess now sat above her with her regal lips curving into a beyond satisfied smile.

"Oh, very well dear. If you insist, I suppose I could fit it into your daily work schedule." The princess spoke with a smile while popping another cherry into her waiting lips all the while chewing on it in contentment.

"I will not let you down Azula-sama! I will ensure that your feet are sparkling each and every day!" Elle chimed with a bright smile while the foot upon her head retreated back to its rightful place beside the other.

"That's my girl. The only one worth keeping around." Azula stated with a regal smirk while gazing down at her small admirer happily continuing her labor.

About an hour later the princess sat surveying her feet with approval in her callous eyes before her gaze flickered down to the young blonde prostrated at the foot of her throne.

"How…did I do princess?" The blonde-haired girl requested in a nervous voice while Azula glanced down at her with her signature imposing stare that made all but her cower in fear.

"Passable…it will suffice." The princess replied in a taunting voice just as she stared down at her little handmaid all the while savoring how the adorable girl gazed up with panicked amber eyes.

"J-just passable? Is…there something I did wrong? W-would you like me to repeat it Azula-sama?" Elle pondered in a fretful voice with her hands now tugging on the amused princess's robes while the woman glanced down with an entertained gaze.

"Repeat it? You would repeat it if I stated that I was displeased?" Azula responded with her regal lips once more forming a delighted smile.

What a splendid little find this lovely girl is!

"I don't understand why you are asking master…I am your most loyal servant. There is nothing that I would not do for you. I would do it ten times over if that was what it took to please you! I will redo it for your princess!" The blonde-haired girl explained in a hurried manner before leaning down to grasp a foot only to blink in confusion when it slid out of reach.

Then a palm landed on her shoulder which prompted her to gaze up at the princess's strict visage just when the older girl stared down at her sighing under her breath.

"While it pleases me that you are so enthusiastic about repeating it ten times over…there is no need to do so Elle. I was just teasing you. You did very well." The princess announced with her backside sliding forward while she peered down at her now overjoyed pet.

"I-I did?" Elle asked in a hopeful voice just as a bright smile broke out on her lips when a strong palm patted her head once more.

"Yes, you did a fine job…as you do with all of your work." Azula spoke while patting Elle's head with her cold eyes gazing down at the blushing teenager.

Then a puzzling cry of joy emanated throughout the spa while the princess still gazed down at the small blonde with a sliver of fondness in her stare.

"I am so relieved Azula-sama! I was worried that I had displeased you!" The blonde-haired girl chirped happily just as she began to laugh warmly all the while grasping at the woman's knee as if begging for a hug.

"Hm. I am not concerned with you displeasing me. You are a good girl." The princess purred in a silken voice with her palm resting in the petite girl's hair all while her handmaid hugged her knee.

"Yay! I have pleased my princess! This is a moment to be proud of!" Elle cheered with childish glee while thrusting her fist above her.

Azula found that she couldn't resist the fond smirk that crept unto her lips upon hearing those joyful words.

"You have indeed pleased me. But don't you relax just yet…there is more work to be done." The princess remarked in a smug voice while peering down at her small admirer's joyful countenance.

"How else may I serve you Azula-sama? What can I do for you!" The blonde-haired girl questioned in an eager tone while gazing up at her gratified princess with a devoted demeanor.

That was when a freshly washed foot was shoved in her line of vision once more all the while she gazed at it with transfixed eyes.

While doing so the regal woman's palm continued to pat her head.

"You have only finished washing my feet. Now I demand a massage!" Azula barked just as she pointed a finger down at her submissive girl while snapping her fingers in a spoiled manner.

"O-of course princess! Right away!" Elle agreed while diligently grasping at the woman's nearest foot only to gaze up when her master pointed behind her.

"Get my foot lotion, it's on the shelf with my beauty supplies." The princess ordered with her hand waving in the air all the while gratified by how the girl leaped to her feet.

"Yes Azula-sama. If that is your will then it shall be done." The blonde-haired girl spoke while bowing courteously at the hip with Azula's callous eyes scanning her grudgingly recognizing her devotion.

"Good, Elle. Very good." Azula cooed with her palms now folded in her lap while watching as Elle hurried over to collect her lotion.

"Azula-sama? I have a question." Elle began in a joyful tone while fumbling through various lotions and shampoos.

"Oh? What does my favorite servant wish to ask me?" The princess inquired with her head tilting to glance at her pet's back with an amused golden gaze.

"W-will my princess charming…d-dance with me again?" The blonde-haired girl stuttered with her back turned to Azula's now wolfishly grinning face.

"You wish for your princess to lead you in a dance once more?" Azula asked with a noticeable purr while watching Elle begin to rush back to her side.

"T-that's so Your Highness." Elle mumbled as she came to a stop before the woman's throne before bending to curtsy her once more.

It was something that never escaped her observant princess's attention.

Every time she demonstrated her reverence Azula would gaze upon her with boundless approval that made her chest swell in pride.

"I must say Elle…your courtesy is highly admirable. You never fail to show me proper reverence." The princess announced with her arms resting on the sides of her throne while peering back at the bowing girl with a trace of affection in her stare.

"You are my master Azula-sama. You rescued me from the cold rain, and gave me a home. I…am thankful. So very grateful." The blonde-haired girl spoke in a bashful voice with her arms neatly at her sides while remaining bent in her bow.

"I can tell. Well…I will not have it said that Princess Azula does not recognize the loyal. So, I shall say it once more. I approve of you girl." Azula informed with a nod of recognition all the while staring back at Elle's innocent face with stern yet fond eyes.

"I-I have Princess Azula's approval!" Elle exclaimed before laughing happily while her master still gazed on with her strict eyes focusing on her face.

"That you do my pet. Now kneel! Right here." The princess commanded with a snap of her domineering fingers all the while smirking when the petite girl dropped to the floor once more.

"Her Highness's feet must be massaged! And I will see it done." The blonde-haired girl stated with a smile while bending over to begin work on the left foot.

That was when the princess's right foot arose into the air before the woman lazily slid it over her shoulder all the while making her blush when she began to curl her toes in her hair.

"I need a foot rest…you don't mind do you pet?" Azula pondered in a seductive voice all the while twirling her dark hair with her foot propped up on her handmaid's shoulder.

"Oh no! I don't mind at all Azula-sama. If it will make you happy then I will be a foot rest." Elle chirped with a sunny smile just as she began to rub her master's foot with lotion in her hands.

"Mhm. You truly are the best pet. So eager to please…and so lovely as well." The princess cooed with a charming smile while wiggling her toes in her young admirer's blonde hair.

"A-anything that will make you happy princess. Makes me happy!" The blonde-haired girl replied with a hum while dutifully rubbing Azula's foot with adoration in her innocent eyes.

"I confess that I find those words pleasing. Now…you desire to dance once more?" Azula questioned in a smooth voice that flowed through Elle's ears like honey upon the tongue.

"I-I do Azula-sama…that is. If you will have me. I-I know I can't…d-dance and you move so gracefully…" Elle muttered in a voice of noticeably low self-esteem.

"The reason I move so gracefully is because I am a prodigy firebender…firebending is much like dancing really. It's about precision…and form." The princess explained in a surprisingly genuine attempt at education while holding a finger up for emphasis before the young girl's awestruck face.

"I…didn't know that. That is so interesting." The blonde-haired girl responded with her fingers kneading the flawless foot while the other continued to grasp at her long locks of hair.

"I suppose so. But to answer your question. Yes, I will dance with you again…" Azula trailed off with her domineering eyes peering down at Elle's now overjoyed little face.

"A-arigatou gozaimasu Azula-sama…" Elle stammered with a happy sniffle while the regal woman gazed down at her with her toes clutching at her hair in a dominant manner.

"You belong to me." The princess hissed while skillfully pulling on her handmaid's gasping face with her toes alone.

"Y-yes princess. I-I belong to you." The blonde-haired girl agreed with her heart racing rapidly while her head was tugged on lightly by Azula's clenched toes.

"Good. Very good. I enjoy your submission Elle." Azula sighed with her fingers lazily flipping her hair from her eyes while reclining in her throne with her other hand resting over her belly.

"I-I am so honored that my princess deems me worthy…" Elle trailed off with her head bowed low while she rubbed the soft foot with a radiant smile.

"If you weren't Elle…I would let you know." The princess stated while gazing down at the small girl with her toes continuing to dig playfully into her pet's hair.

"M-may I ask why Her Highness has decided to consider a servant as a marital candidate? Surely a woman of your stature must have a long line of suitors!" The blonde-haired girl pondered with her eyes peering down at the foot while Azula's lips curled into a thin line.

It was a question that annoyed her ever so slightly.

But the girl meant no offense so she knew not to snap at her.

"You deduced correctly…I do indeed have a long line of suitors…" Azula spoke haughtily with her toes playing with Elle's hair when her words caused the girl to peer upward in a sudden panic.

"W- wakarimashita …" Elle mumbled lamely while the regal woman peered down at her sighing heavily.

For some reason Azula has decided that she disliked it when the girl offered her such a downcast wakarimashita.

"However, most men are too terrified to approach me. Rightfully so! The Great Princess Azula is not approached so tepidly…though they are cowards all the same." The princess declared icily with her eyes narrowing into her usual glare.

"Oh! I see! Your beauty intimidates them." The blonde-haired girl chimed while staring up at Azula with a returning smile to hear that her place is secure.

"Hm. That it does. I simply cannot respect a suitor that is too afraid to approach me." Azula stated with a scowl while pressing her foot into the back of Elle's quivering neck with her toes curling into the girl's skin.

"B-but surely you must have had a boy or two that caught your eye?" Elle asked in an effort to decipher just how secure her position was.

"Oh, there was one…or two. Not too long ago. There was a boy…that I met at a party. I…thought he was cute…though not as cute as you of course." The princess admitted with a sigh while leaning back in contentment with the small girl's hands trailing across her sole.

"This servant is overjoyed to hear that Her Highness deems me cute…" The blonde-haired girl mumbled timidly while blushing when the princess's toes wiggled against the side of her face.

"We shared a kiss…and then just when I proposed that we could be the strongest couple in this world he ran away like a little craven!" Azula exclaimed with her lips pursed in a glare of disapproval.

"Well! Then he wasn't worthy of Her Highness in the first place!" Elle assured with the woman staring down at her nodding in agreement.

"No Elle, no he was not. And as punishment for rejecting me…I burned his house down." The princess confessed with a sadistic smirk while the small girl peered up at her now sweatdropping.

She was beginning to see just why so many men were fearful of approaching her princess.

"I guess you showed him then." The blonde-haired girl piped happily while Azula glanced down at her with fondness in her stern eyes.

"I most certainly did." Azula commented with a confident nod all the while savoring the girl's hands laboring to please her.

About a forty-five minutes later…

The princess's feet swiftly changed positions with the right foot now lowering before the blonde's face while she continued to indulge herself with her cherries.

"The other now…" Azula trailed off with a relaxed sigh while Elle began to massage her other foot without delay.

"Of course, Azula-sama. May I ask if I am doing well?" Elle questioned in a hopeful voice while gazing up at the regal woman's sighing face.

"I confess that you have skilled hands…" The princess responded while staring down at her favored handmaid with the upmost approval in her eyes.

"I am glad to hear it!" The blonde-haired girl chirped while humming all the while as she continued to massage the foot before her.

Then finally after another forty-five minutes of intensive labor the princess receded her feet with a much happier expression than before her handmaid's labors.

"Mhm. You did well. Exceedingly well. I am very pleased with your service…Elle." Azula announced with her golden gaze peering down at her kneeling servant while she folded her palms in her lap.

"T-though I am but a young girl. I strive to please you Azula-sama. Hearing that I have makes me so happy…so very happy." Elle answered while peering up at Azula's stoic visage with a sunny smile.

"Hm. For your diligence I have decided to reward you with a privilege that no other servant has ever received..." The princess trailed off with an alluring voice while sighing heavily once more.

"R-really? What is my reward Azula-sama?" The blonde-haired girl blurted out joyfully while the regal woman stared down at her with pleased eyes.

"I am going to take a bath…and you…" Azula spoke just as she suddenly stood up while gazing down at Elle's bowing form with her lips curving into a smirk.

Elle was silent while staring up at Azula's captivating face with her heart racing all the while.

"Get to join me." The princess concluded with her clenched fists now upon her hips while glancing down at her servant's astonished face with smug eyes.

"B-bathe with you Azula-sama?" Elle questioned with her cheeks as red as a tomato all the while peering up at the princess's authoritative countenance.

"I will not repeat myself. Now come girl!" Azula ordered with smugness lacing her voice just as she loudly snapped her fingers all the while enjoying how Elle immediately sprang to her feet.

"Yes princess! I'll be good!" The blonde-haired girl cried out while she padded after Azula with the woman glancing back at her over her shoulder.

"After this we are going to have dinner together. The chefs will cook it. You will serve it to me…as a reward you may eat beside me." The princess stated sternly while peering down at the small girl's overjoyed face.

And then before Azula could react she was once more assaulted by a blonde blur that had promptly latched around her belly.

"Elle! Get off of me now or you will not be joining me…for either!" Azula bellowed with her eyes now glaring down at Elle's face buried in her belly.

"But I am so happy Azula-sama! I just have to hug you! You're the best friend I could ever ask for!" Elle exclaimed with a bright smile while pushing her face into the stiffening woman's stomach.

The princess couldn't help but roll her eyes down at the naïve girl for believing that they were 'best friends'.

But even so…despite her annoyance she was fond of the girl.

"The desire…isn't mutual. Now release me!" The princess barked as she trudged towards her bath with her eyes twitching in aggravation when her admirer clung to her side.

"But Azula-sama I just spent three hours servicing your feet…surely we can snuggle now." The blonde-haired girl sighed while swooning dreamily as she walked with her arm intertwined with the rigid woman's.

Azula now glanced down at Elle with deadpan golden eyes utterly taken aback by her childish desire to cuddle.

"There will be no snuggle! Your payment for serving my feet was having the honor of kneeling before them. Now…let go." Azula spoke with a slight growl while finally shaking the pouting Elle off her bicep.

"But I want to snuggle…" Elle whined out pitifully while padding behind Azula's tall form just as they entered the gigantic bath.

"Must I punish you?" The princess questioned with sadistic delight in her voice as she turned to peer down at her pouty pet with her arms folded over her breasts.

"N-no Azula-sama…I-I am sorry. I just love you so much that I want to hug you forever and ever…." The blonde-haired girl trailed off with a mewl while the regal woman gazed down at her rolling her lovely eyes.

"How touching. Just…be a good girl and…I will reward you as I see fit." Azula purred with her fingers now brushing her bangs aside while her imposing eyes stared down at her childish pet.

"Yes Azula-sama! I will be the best girl I can for you!" Elle cried out while beaming up at Azula's hardened visage.

"That's what I like to hear. Now…fill my bath." The princess ordered with her fingers pointing from her favored handmaid to the golden faucet.

"Right away princess!" The blonde-haired girl shouted while bowing once more at the hip before her master who now peered down at her smiling.

"Hm. I approve of your courtesy…I will admit that you are rather refined…for a peasant." Azula commented with her fingers curling beneath her chin all the while eying Elle's bent over with her head inclined in a show of reverence.

"I am happy that you think so Azula-sama. I shall go fill your bath now." Elle stated as she arose while adorably saluting the amused Azula before scampering off to fill the vast royal tub.

"Don't bother concerning yourself over the temperature…a firebender heats her own bath." The princess announced while glancing over her shoulder at her young companion's nodding face.

"Right. Her Highness warms the waters like the heat from the shining sun." The blonde-haired girl mumbled while gazing into the extravagant bath just as waters rapidly spilled into its confines.

All the while unaware that Azula was staring at her kneeling back with pleased golden eyes.

'Like the shining sun…the girl is a skilled poet…and an equally impressive painter. This one has her merits…of that I have no doubt.' Azula thought with small smirk while untying her sash just as her robes fell down to the floor at her bare feet.

"Is that high enough Azula-sama…eep!" Elle squeaked after turning around to find the tall princess now stood naked before the tub.

Her cheeks heated up with a warmth like no other while she gulped when her amber eyes briefly passed over Azula's simply astonishing body.

Her princess was everything that a girl hoped to grow into and more…so much more.

A refined facial shape, perfectly sized breasts, voluptuous hips and a beautiful, so very beautiful bottom.

Just as quick as her eyes had flickered over her princess's naked body, she averted her gaze now peering down into the waters while the woman gazed at her back in amusement.

"What's wrong? Haven't you ever seen another girl…or should I say a woman naked before?" The princess purred in a seductive voice while striding over with her hands at her sides.

All the while her breasts bounced ever so slightly now that they were free of their restraints.

"N-no master I-I haven't. O-only my own body." The blonde-haired girl stuttered with baited breath while the princess now loomed above her with her brows furrowing inquisitively.

"So, I am the first female that you've seen naked? That is pleasing to hear." Azula cooed with her hand underneath her chin while staring down at her pet adorably quivering under her gaze.

"Y-yes p-princess. I-is that enough?" Elle repeated in a stammer while gesturing to the mostly filled tub.

"It would appear so." The princess spoke just as she stepped past the small girl in a purposefully slow manner.

"O-okay A-Azula-sama…" The blonde-haired girl trailed off only to be stricken into silence when the statuesque woman's bare bottom entered her line of vision.

"It does seem adequate." Azula stated with a click of her tongue just as her backside almost pushed into Elle's blushing face.

"G-good." Elle blurted out lamely while gazing down at her feet with a reddened face when the princess's bare cheek pressed into the top of her head.

"Oh, my apologies servant. I didn't notice you back there." The princess taunted in a tone of feigned innocence with amusement in her eyes when her bare ass lightly brushed against the spellbound girl's face.

"P-please show m-mercy to me A-Azula-sama…I am new to this." The blonde-haired girl pleaded with a cute stammer while the princess smirked down at her.

"Show mercy? You are an amusing little pet. But very well…" Azula sighed just as she raised her foot to enter the huge tub.

Her body sank into its waters with her full backside facing the teenage girl who was trying her hardest not to look.

She slowly submerged herself within the now warming waters just when her bottom vanished beneath its depths.

And then her stomach as well before she regally seated herself in the far end of the tun all the while peering out at her little handmaid with expectant golden eyes.

"Well? Aren't you going to join me?" The princess pondered with her fingers lazily running through her hair while she stared at the hunched over girl with her red lips curving into a smile.

"I-I have never b-bathed with another person." Elle admitted as she sat fiddling her thumbs while swallowing nervously all along.

"I see. So, I am the first in that regard as well." Azula replied in a silken voice while adjusting her position with her firebending warming the waters to a controlled temperature.

"Y-yes." The blonde-haired girl mumbled while the princess's lovely sighed flowed into her ears.

"Don't be so skittish…you do want to bath with your princess, don't you? Come Elle, I promise I won't eat you." The princess called out in a charming voice while staring at the small girl's quivering back.

"Y-yes Azula-sama. A-as you say. Forever as you say." Elle finally agreed just as she stood up with her hands shakily untying her robes.

Though Azula would not say it aloud she found herself displeased by her handmaid's seeming worry that she would take her by force.

She could only gaze at her pet calmly when her robes were dropped to the floor revealing the young blonde's mostly naked form.

"T-this as well?" The blonde-haired girl whispered in a tone of low self-esteem while gesturing to her panties.

"It's rather pointless leaving them on don't you think? Calm yourself girl. It's just a bath." Azula sighed while turning in the splashing waters just when the girl slowly removed her underwear.

"I-I trust you Azula-sama…so I will share these waters with you." Elle spoke quietly with a small smile while padding forward just as she gingerly touched the water with her toes.

The princess's callous eyes surveyed her admirer while inwardly pondering if she made the water too hot.

But then the girl slipped into the tub with her hands adorably covering a growing blonde bush and her other over her developing chest.

"Just quit your cowering girl. It's not like I am going to do anything obscene to you." The princess snorted with her arms lazily reclining against the wall of the tub.

"I-I was never worried that you would. T-this is just new to me…where do I sit Azula-sama?" The blonde-haired girl stuttered while gazing about nervously in the direction of her amused master.

"With me. Come pet." Azula purred just as she wagged her fingers all the while watching as Elle waded over to her side like a devoted kitten.

"I-I would like to sit beside you master." Elle admitted shyly just as she happily made her way over to the naked woman's side with a blush overcoming her naïve cheeks.

"Then sit…right here." The princess commanded just as she patted her naked lap while the young girl turned even redder than before.

If that was possible.

"I-in your lap Azula-sama?" The blonde-haired girl requested with her heart beating rapidly while she peered timidly at the princess's flawless visage.

"In my lap. Don't you want me to pet you? If you sit in my lap, I'll pet you." Azula cooed in a honeyed voice with her fingers making a come-hither motion.

To her utter entertainment that was all it took to get the childish girl wading into her lap with an eager smile.

"I want to be petted by my master!" Elle cried out with a bashful smile before turning with her backside lowering into the waters before seating herself between the older woman's shapely thighs.

All the while leaning back with her cheeks a lovely shade of crimson when her head suddenly pushed into two damp breasts that dwarfed her own.

"Mhm. Such a good pet. I confide that I like you…" The princess trailed off in a purr with her palm now trailing through her quivering pet's hair.

"I-I like you too…A-Azula-sama." The blonde-haired girl stuttered with a bright smile while sinking back into soft breasts while the woman's hand patted her gently.

"Hm. You like being my pet…don't you?" Azula whispered in a domineering voice while she continued to stroke her handmaid's blushing head.

"I-it is so. I-I like being the princess's favorite girl." Elle whispered with a shy smile while the princess petted her in a soothing submission.

"I can see that…tell me what you like most about being my girl." The princess purred while snaking an arm around the much smaller girl as she pulled the red-faced girl into a dominant embrace.

"I…feel special…like I am valued under Her Highness's service. I feel safe…I know that my princess will protect me." The blonde-haired girl confessed in a passionate voice while the regal woman gazed over her shoulder now holding a finger to her chin.

"You are the first to seek my protection…it is a new notion to me. But pleasing all the same. So be it Elle…as promised. I will protect you." Azula spoke while pressing her face into Elle's blonde tresses with her warm breath tickling the trembling girl's neckline.

"O-oh Azula-sama…you are so dreamy…" Elle gushed with a hand on her cheek while Azula now peered down at her with an arrogant smirk adorning her lips.

"I know. I have an irresistible magnetic pull that is quite difficult to resist…" The princess trailed off with her fingers running through her young handmaid's lovely hair.

"Magnets princess? How did you get magnets in your body?" The blonde-haired girl pondered innocently as she craned her neck to peer up at the princess who was now scrunching her nose up in bafflement.

"No! I do not have magnets in my body…silly girl." Azula snorted while rolling her eyes down at her adorably confused admirer.

It was yet another reminder that she needed to get the girl up to speed in her education.

"But you're the one that said you did master. Not me." Elle stated with a childishly factual voice while chewing on her lip just as she listened to Azula groan above her.

"That was a figure of speech. You do know what that is…don't you?" The princess sighed all the while gazing down at the small girl leaning into her wet breasts.

"Um…kind of…" The blonde-haired girl muttered lamely while her shoulders slumped while listening to the woman snort above her.

"I'll take that as a no. Fortunately for you…I am here to school your little mind. Over the coming weeks I will arrange for you to begin lessons." Azula announced with her arm curling around Elle's naked chest while the petite girl gazed up at her with joyous little eyes.

"R-really Azula-sama? I get to return to school once more?" Elle questioned with a hopeful voice that amused Azula all the while turning around to cuddle into the woman's generous chest.

"Even better than school. I shall supervise your lessons personally." The princess answered in her usual stern voice while gazing down at her little admirer curling up in her lap.

"Arigatou gozaimasu Azula-sama!" The blonde-haired girl exclaimed with glee while laughing warmly before burying her face just below the woman's breasts.

All the while golden eyes peered down at Elle seemingly pleased with the girl's eagerness to explore her body.

"I will not have it said that Princess Azula does not value education. Most certainly not…with my girl." Azula purred once more with her arms clutching at Elle's small frame all the while peering down at the blushing girl beneath her breasts.

"Her Highness's girl…" Elle repeated in a swooning voice with her caretaker's strong arm wrapping around her while she reclined with her face against the woman's upper belly.

"This is a bit premature…to say the least. But I have decided to claim you. I own you now…Elle." The princess hissed with her backside sinking in the tub while she lowered her face into her quivering servant's neck.

"You own me…Azula-sama…and I wouldn't have it any other way." The blonde-haired girl agreed with a sunny smile while falling back into the naked woman's powerful embrace.

In that moment the flame lamps flickered blue with the lighting in the royal spa overtaking a tint of azure that had young Elle gazing on in awe.

All while Azula clutched her in a possessive hold with her golden eyes peering down at her shaking back in a truly imposing stare.

"And don't you ever forget it girl!" Azula hissed in an aggressive voice with her hot breath tickling Elle's fair skin.

All the while the small girl sat wide eyed with her face resting in between the regal woman's breasts.

While enrapturing blue flames continued to light as far as her inexperienced eyes could see.

"How could I ever forget my princess right? Oh Azula-sama…I will always remember that I belong to you." The blonde-haired spoke with ardor all while falling into her master's bust with an expression of belonging in her naïve eyes.

"What a good girl…" The princess trailed off in a marginally softer voice with her fingers fiddling with the young girl's blonde locks all the while gazing down at her little admirer with fond golden eyes.

"Princess…" Elle murmured with her hands grasping at the alluring woman's neck with wanting in her innocent gaze.

"You are such an adorable little pet…" Azula commented with her crimson lips curving into a content smirk when Elle began to nuzzle her breasts like a kitten pleading to be held.

"Y-you are all that I ever need Azula-sama…please protect me." The blonde-haired girl whispered with her voice briefly wavering as she sunk into the soothing waters while hiding in her master's flesh.

"Humph! Foolish little pet I already told you that I would. Do you doubt my strength already? You had better not!" The princess scoffed with a snide snort while glaring down at her quivering pet with her gaze reflecting her absolute dominance.

"N-no! O-of course not! My master is the strongest!" Elle cheered with a smile while pressing her face into a lovely breast before sighing blissfully.

"Hm. You say that…but I ponder if an even greater show of my dominance is necessary. It…may well be." Azula remarked with her hand waving before her callous face all the while holding Elle into her bare breasts.

"If you wish it so Azula-sama. You are the one who makes the decisions. I just follow my beautiful princess…" The blonde-haired girl whined while burrowing into soft breasts with her expression now a radiant one.

"Now…that's what I like to hear. Just be a good girl for me…always." The princess sighed with her fingers swiping the hair from her eyes while peering down at the pretty young girl in her arms.

"Yes Azula-sama…I will be a good girl for my alpha." Elle agreed in a timid voice while Azula gazed down at her with a pleased smirk.

"Mhm. Such a well-trained girl…" Azula stated in a tone of satisfaction while she began to pet her handmaid's head with her long fingers running through the girl's hair.

"D-does this mean that I am snuggable?" The blonde-haired girl requested timidly with a blush adorning her young cheeks while she clutched at the taller female's chest.

"That silly word again? Snuggable?" The princess snorted with her strict eyes all the while gazing down at the yawning girl in her arms.

"A-am I?" Elle pondered with a stutter once more just before yawning loudly once again.

"Elle, just shut up." Azula commanded while rolling her elegant eyes down at Elle's form curling up upon her lap.

"Yes Azula-sama. Always as Her Highness commands." The blonde-haired girl mumbled with yet another yawn before resting her head upon a comfortable breast.

"Now that is what I like to hear." The princess announced in a gratified voice while staring down at her clingy admirer with a possessive countenance.

Azula held onto Elle with the young girl continuing to yawn drowsily into her bare chest.

All the while musing that her little admirer was indeed worth keeping around.

The only one worth keeping around…

[officialleehadan]

Lessons for a Lady

Aliea wasn’t sure what to make of Her Ladyship Fer Roth.

The aging woman was still beautiful, lined face regal, her silver hair braided into a crown around her head, and held by jeweled pins. Her blue eyes were sharp and intelligent, and glimmered with the cunning that every courtier learned in the cradle.

She also, as she had made very clear, disliked Aliea immensely. Aliea understood. She was a nothing girl that the Duke, Her Ladyship’s eldest son, took in and raised up as the governess of his young sons. It was how plenty of scandals started.

This time, however, was different.

This time, when Aliea slid off her horse, clad in soft grey and meant to be subtle beside Misa’s radiant flame-red riding coat, the old woman’s eyes lingered on her, and there was something in her eyes, a flicker that was gone before Aliea had time to figure out what Her Ladyship could possibly be seeing.

“Hello grandmother,” Misa said gaily, either ignoring or unaware of Her Ladyship’s oddness. Lady Del Roch’s attention shifted, and she opened her arms to Misa. The young Lady embraced her grandmother fondly and kissed her cheek before stepping aside for Yorra to do the same. “How are you?”

Lady Del Roch leveled a grandmother’s gaze on her eldest grandson, and Aliea hid a smile. Yorra would be much easier to avoid the troublesome young Lord.

“Aliea!”

The cry came from Aliea’s young charges, Eukan and Wylind. At ages six and eight respectively, they were a handful, and Aliea adored them. The boys bolted past their disapproving grandmother and Aliea accepted hugs from both of them. They had grown during her weeks in the mountains. Eukan would be taller than she was in a year or less, although that didn’t say much.

“Is this how it is?” she asked them, stern but very fond. “You go away for a few weeks and forget all your manners? Show Her Ladyship the respect she deserves.”

Shamefaced, but still smiling, the boys turned to bow to their grandmother, who eyed both them and Aliea judgmentally. There was a spark of approval on the old dragon-lady’s face now. She might not like Aliea, but she didn’t dislike the manners Aliea was teaching the youngest of her grandchildren.

“Inside, and walk” Lady Del Roch said, although her lips twisted in what might be a ghost of a smile. She loved her grandchildren and guarded them carefully. Aliea could respect that much, at least. “You have lessons. Your governess will be inside later. Misa, Yorra, there are bathes drawn. I expect you scrubbed and smelling of soap when I see you next.”

They went, Misa flouncing, and Yorra sulking. He was angry at being sent out into the country, well away from his usual band of miscreants and friends. Misa, of course, would find a man to go walking with no matter where she was, but it was harder under her grandmother’s eye.

Aliea ducked to hide her own smile as she lifted her pack, with her crossbow hidden inside, from the back of her horse. Before she could go around towards the servant’s quarters, she was no lady and did not use the front door, Lady Del Roch stopped her.

“Walk with me,” she said sternly, and offered her arm. Aliea nearly stumbled over her own feet, but let one of the groomsmen take her pack before taking the old woman’s arm, lending quiet support over the unsteady ground. Lady Del Roch was steady on her feet, but a fall was a fall, and she was gowned in heavy silks that made stumbling easier. “I know you have been traveling, but you and I have things to discuss.”

“Of course,” Aliea agreed, at a loss for what the Lady could possibly want with her, but obedient as always. Saber’s pendant was warm against her skin, safely hidden under the modest neckline of her dress. “Anything I can do to help.”

“You will be joining Misa’s lessons on courtly behavior,” Lady Del Roch said strictly, her hand cool in the curve of Alisa’s arm. She was only a little shorter than Aliea herself, but carrier herself so proudly that she always seemed taller than she was. “They are conducted in High Imperial. Do you speak it?”

Aliea blessed her quiet weeks in the mountains. “I do.”

“Good. A seamstress will come o your rooms shortly. She has instructions to replace you wardrobe with something suitable to a lady of rank,” the Lady said, ad guided Aliea in through the front door. Aliea gazed around her warily. Here was something happening, and she wondered when an explanation would be forthcoming. If ever. “You may keep the dresses you brought with you, but they are for rough work and minding the children only. Am I clear?”

“Yes, Your Ladyship,” Aliea said obediently, mind whirling. “May I ask-“

“No, you may not,” Lady del Roch told her flatly. “Know only that you will be receiving a great deal of attention from those who would see you fail, and you must be flawless in their regard.”

Secrets within secrets. Aliea hated it already, but bowed her head when the Lady brought her to a much finer suit of rooms than she had stayed in the last time she was here.

“Bathe,” Lady del Roch instructed with a nod to the huge copper tub that was already steaming in a corner. “The seamstress will come when you are finished. After, you will join me in the parlor for tea, and courtly lessons.”

“Thank you,” Aliea said helplessly, and sank into a polite curtsey when Lady Del Roch released her. “I will not disappoint you.”

“I trust you won��t,” Lady Del Roch murmured, another odd glimmer in her eyes. “Bathe, girl, and do something with your hair. The time has come that you behave as a lady, and not as a foundling girl.”

+++

Trading Secrets:

Aliea is a governess in the house of a duke, who keeps a secret hidden under his roof.

Raise a Hand

River Sprite

Up the Cliffside (Free on Patreon!)

In the Mountains (Subscriber Only!)

Swamp Water Tea

A Breath of Rebellion

Whispers of War

Helpless No More (Free on Patreon!)

+++

More Stories!

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[starcrossedyanderes]

Yan Xavier Devorsky Valentine’s Date

ℕ𝕠𝕥𝕖 𝕗𝕣𝕠𝕞 𝕊𝕥𝕒𝕣: 𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕨𝕒𝕤 𝕞𝕠𝕤𝕥𝕝𝕪 𝕨𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕥𝕖𝕟 𝕒𝕥 𝕟𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 𝕨𝕙𝕚𝕝𝕤𝕥 𝕞𝕖 𝕓𝕖𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕪 𝕤𝕨𝕖𝕖𝕡𝕪. 𝕊𝕠 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕞𝕒𝕪 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕓𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕓𝕖𝕤𝕥 𝕓𝕦𝕥 𝕚𝕥 𝕚𝕤 𝕨𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕚𝕥 𝕚𝕤. 𝔸𝕝𝕤𝕠 𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕡𝕪 𝕍𝕒𝕝𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕖'𝕤 𝔻𝕒𝕪 𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕪𝕠𝕟𝕖!

You would be lying if you said you weren’t nervous for today.

Xavier has been quite.. direct with his affection lately, constantly hugging and demanding all your attention to be on him, or to suffer the consequences.

He just loved flaunting his power to you, threading to send a missile to this precious little country that you love so much. Every time his green eyes would just light up and his voice would become a bit more sultry yet still managed to be laced with unfathomable power.

It seemed he got a high as he started to corner you against a wall, your little frame just quivering as his towering bodyguards followed behind the prince, like the shadows that go bump in the night.

With all your might you hoped and prayed that in Colvakia they didn’t celebrate Valentine’s Day, or that he was completely oblivious to it all.

But the most worrying part was for (Y/n)’s dearest friend and crush, Christopher. Christopher just had to be the exchange student that traded places with Xavier, allowing the prince to come to America.

Who knew what was happening to him?! He could be dead and (Y/n) would be none the wiser.

But the part that worried her the most was what would result from her tapping on the Discord icon and clicking on Christopher’s profile picture. As her hands frequently tapped soon against the dark gray appeared white text.

“Happy Valentine’s Day, I’ve been missing you.”

That one sentence could lead to world war 3, if Xavier ever found out about the message that she had sent. The prince was a very possessive person, especially with her. In all honesty she wondered if the Dévorsky even realized that she was indeed a human being.

But the female’s thoughts were interrupted as a honk sounded from outside and with a quick pulling of curtains a long, black car could be seen in her driveway. An irritated sigh left your lips as the single hope of him just forgetting of your existence was crushed in front of your face.

With a quick swing your bag sat on your shoulders and you decided to head downstairs to face the dragon. Your parents pecked you on the forehead whilst whispering words of positive thoughts in your ear.

With one more drawn out sigh you tugged open the front door and stepped foot outside to meet your inevitable doom.

A tall man dressed in black was already standing by one of sleek doors that held back the small tornado that is Xavier. The guard's posture was perfectly straight as a ruler and his face was purely devoid of all emotion.

As your feet stepped forward you could already that on the other side of those tainted windows green eyes were burning into your figure. With a slight gulp and quiver you handed your bag over to the suited man. With a soft click the door opened up and the man finally showed a speck of emotion as he bowed down and let the words, “Your highness.” slip past his lips.

But without a second to spare a hand whipped out of the car, grabbed onto your sleeve, and pulled you inside the black hole of a car.

“Dahling!”

Lips were forced onto both of your cheeks with unceremonious “Mwahs!” in such a rapid pace that you didn’t even have time to process it. You only realized that you were inside the car as you were sat in Xavier’s lap as his head nuzzled into the crook of your neck.

“Uh-good morning?”

A small chuckle left the prince’s lips as he tilted his head so his lips would instead be pressing onto your neck instead before quickly pulling away.

“Quite so.”

Your body slightly shifted whilst on his lap before your voice meekly asked,

“Your majesty, could you please let me go..?”

Xavier’s grip on your hip only tightened a bit before he let out a sigh and released his death grip, allowing you to slid off him to sit on the other side of his body.

But even despite the lack of intimacy you soon felt his fingers tapping on your shoulder, crawling up towards your neck before harshly grabbing it and tugging it towards him. With a surprising amount of gentleness his placed his ever so soft lips onto the back of your neck as his eyelashes tickled you every time he blinked.

“I hope you like. Look down.”

You could feel the cool metal against your skin and upon looking down your body you could see that as he kissed your neck he somehow snuck a necklace onto your body.

On the roof of the limousine was small pieces of sporadic blue lights as the sun’s rays and the led lights reflected off the large piece of flawless sapphire that hung off of the most delicate gold chain know to man. Surrounding the heart cut sapphire were little diamonds meticulously placed around in it just to add more shine.

It was by far the most expensive stone you had seen, and this is coming from the person who went to the Smithsonian Natural History Museum.

“Oh-, it’s beautiful. You shouldn’t have bought this for me, my prince.”

Xavier let out a mix of a purr and a hum once hearing you say those 2 little words he just loved to come out your lips. His fingers absentmindedly played with a small piece of metal attached to the clasp of the necklace. His gaze bored into the small words inscribed onto the piece of metal as he nonchalantly responded to you.

“It vas nothing. I just vanted to give my princess something. Vesides, I have more things for you later.”

You practically choked on air upon hearing that last sentence.

“M-more-?”

This necklace surely cost 2 fortunes already and who knows how much his other gifts would cost. She doesn’t even want this stuff!

“Mmhm, more.”

The rest of the ride was in silence as you had learned to keep quiet unless spoken to with the prince and unlike usual Xavier was completely quiet today, as he was preoccupied with the little metal that had such a lovely inscription.

Attached to a little piece of silver the Devorsky family crest could  barely be seen.

~|~

So it turns out it’s nearly impossible to take notes whilst someone is watching you. Xavier had his emerald eyes trained on you the entire school day. With his head on his hand his long blonde hair would slightly hang in his eyes but that didn’t stop the soft smile that was on his face.

Even for today Xavier was acting fairly odd for Xavier. Usually he had his guards carry your bags but today he wouldn’t even let you go to your locker. There was also an oddly high number of guards today but just before first period the surplus just seemed to disappear.

But of course you wouldn’t know that Xavier had them come so they could watch your locker and make sure that no one slipped in any love note or confessions of their pure love. The prince absolutely refused on losing his princess, and especially today of all days. He would make sure his men would stop all advances and also make sure it would never happened again.

~|~

You knew the prince adored going over the top for dates but this was extreme even for him. The black limousine was currently parked right in front the tallest building in Crystal City, and it would seem that he planned on dining at the most expensive restaurant in D.C. area as well. 

As soon as you took a shaky step out of the vehicle his manicured hand gripped yours and started dragging walking towards the entrance with his always present guards right at your heels with suitcases in their arms.

A bellhop swung open the main doors for the two of you and you almost had a heart attack at the surge of rapidly flashing lights. Before you could even raise a hand to protect your eyes Xavier’s stern and powerful voice rang out clear as day,

“Enough.”

And just like God telling the red seas to part every single person obeyed the single command as cameras were placed down. Xavier leaned down more to your level with his blonde hair covering the two of your expressions from reporters as he spoke with a significantly softer voice,

“Are you okay? I’m sorry for forgetting such an important detail. They vill only be taking a few images at dinner for publicity reasons is all.”

And in practically millisecond his demeanor changed back to his regular tyrannical prince self as he walked you over to the elevator and had one of his servants press the button to the top floor.

With a small ‘ding’ the metal doors slid open to reveal that your previous hypothesis was correct. The royal had indeed booked a table at the most expensive restaurant in the D.C. area but it turns out he booked the entire floor, on Valentine’s Day.

Your jaw practically dropped to the floor at this realization but the Devorsky quickly pushed your jaw back up and took a large bouquet of blue roses that sat at the front of the restaurant and shoved it into your hands. In a daze you were easily led down to a seat and pushed down into a proper seating position before you could Xavier speaking once again.

“Did you know that blue iz the rarest form of rose. It just happens to be vun of my family’s colors as vell.”

“Ah, thank you.”

It’s official, your body had gone into shock and became numb to all that surrounded it.

“Now, let’s get some food, shall ve?”

~|~

It was finally the end of the meal and you knew that the ticket was going to be longer than your phone number. But that’s the good thing of being an absolute monarch of a country you suppose. And shockingly enough only a limited amount of pictures were taken of you. Xavier had made it perfectly apparent that only pictures on his terms and with his permission were allowed. 

“And for the rest of your gifts.”

With a quick snap of his fingers 2 guards dressed in suits walked over with tablets that held images and words of many different flowers and images of building.

“A simple bouquet of flowers isn’t enough for such a sveet thing as your self, so I decided to name one of the largest botanical gardens in Colvakia after you. I’ll make sure you’ll see it one day.”

After 10 seconds of fast clicking and blinding flashes they were put to a stop once again with a dismissive hand the 2 guards walked back into the shadows. With just another another guards walks seeming out of the shadows as well but this time with a briefcase in hand that soon opened to reveal a soft, plush, velvet cushion that housed an even more expensive piece of jewelry than the necklace wound on your neck.

The suited man bent down on one knee with the cushion raised in the air, allowing Xavier to pick up the tiara and place it on your head. But not before placing a light kiss on your forehead.

“For my princess.”

~|~

You were very glad that this night straight from h-e-double toothpicks was almost over as your house was coming into sight. As amazing as all the gifts were there was no one way you could take more subtle threats to your country. 

In fact as soon as the car came to a complete halt you walked out of the car without waiting for anyone to open the door for you. In fact you would’ve ran straight into your house if it wasn’t for this stopping you.

“Dahling, before you go..”

Willing yourself to turn around and have a fake smile pull at your lips you stared straight at the prince now in front of you. And with one slow motion he placed his ever so soft lips against your own, for the first time. 

With another quick snap as soon as you showed signs of struggle they were quickly snuffed out by the knife lightly poking at the back of your neck’s skin. Your motions immediately froze as you waited for Xavier to finish first.

“Ve should do that more often. Vut I suppose it is getting late. So, tatata.”

With a slight wave of his hand the prince walked back into his car with his henchmen leaving right with him.

[williamsilverwood]

The Banquet Part ll

(( This takes place post BFA and before Shadowlands. Because I’m lazy with writing. )) The embroidery was impressive, the highest quality silk one could get their hands on. A vest with the Silverwood house sigil on the chest and shoulders hugged against the young lord’s chest, fitting snugly against his body. He wore grey and dark pants that were of a similar fabric. To top off the outfit, a billowing cloak hung around his shoulders and down the rest of his back like a blanket. 

Will sat on the edge of his bed, tugging black shoes onto his feet. It had been sometime since he wore proper noble attire and even longer since he was in his human form to do so. His elongated ears twitched at someone approaching. He turned to look over at the grizzled complexion of his friend and trusted advisor, Thoros.

“Well, never thought I’d see much of you in your old body.”

“I thought perhaps it is time to get more acquainted with it. Though I’m unsure what the reactions of the other nobles will be.” He replied, murmuring out his last words.

Thoros’ bushy mustache twitched and he rolled a single shoulder in a shrug.

“I do not think they’ll make too much of a fuss about it. Besides, it is a face they remember after all.”

Will rose a brow. “Is it? I did leave home in my teens, and I doubt they remember what I looked like.” He rubbed at his face with both hands. “Even then it's still the face of the first born son of a prominent house who decided to abandon his duty to his family and live in the city.” He ran a few fingers through his long locks, looking up towards the older man.

“Can’t dwell too much on the past, lad. You came back, didn’t you? Established your right once more and have been fighting under the Gilnean banner for years now. Though, I’m sure Grymm’s Vale’s people would like their lord around more often. You’ve been fighting for quite some time.”

Will blew a strand of hair away from his face, peering towards Thoros. “Well, there’s always fighting to be done. Not my fault there are constant battles. The Legion, a bloody fourth war. Never seems to end. I just hope we’re given some time to finally relax.”

 “Agreed.” 

In the moment of silence between the two men, the sound of hurried footsteps could be heard along the spiral staircase that led to Will’s chamber. A teenage boy with the symbol of a Silver tree emblazoned on his tunic’s chest came hurrying into the room. He had a shock of messy red hair and wide cheeks.

“My lords..” He dipped his head and upper body into a brief bow. “The guests have arrived in the great hall. Shall I see them to their seats in the dining room? Or do you wish to make an address first, my lord?” His hurried eyes glanced towards the lord in question.

“Hm. What do you think?” Will eyed Thoros who was busy caressing his goatee. 

“Huh? Oh, you should greet them. Its the formal thing to do. It leaves a good impression, lad.”

Will nodded. “Right..” He brought himself up to his feet, brushing his pants off for a moment and passing Thoros with a good hearty slap to the shoulder. “C’mon old man, lets go address the peoples.”

“You are addressing them! Not me. Don’t be putting this on me like usual, boy.”

The young lord patted the teen on the shoulder, ushering him down the stairs as he turned his head to flash a grin to his old friend. Those prominent fangs sticking out as he did so. “I’m just messin’ with you, ya’ old bastard. I know what I gotta do. No sweat.” He waved a hand dismissively before following suit down the stairs. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The various lords, ladies and high ranking officials of the Grey Hand were present within the great hall of Silverwood manor. They intermingled with each other; mostly conversing about where they felt Gilneas and the Alliance as a whole was headed after the recent war.

Will had just arrived at the main floor with Thoros in tow. He looked around the room, watching as servants carried out large platters of food. Various meats, breads and other treats were placed upon the white tablecloth.

The dining area housed a long table with many chairs tucked neatly beneath it. The most prominent chair was at the front of the table, stark white in color with a large emblem of the noble house it represented on the back.

The Lord of the house sits there. Many times did William see his father sitting at the head of the table, usually stroking his beard and always looking grumpy. The forced dinners with other families were always the worst. Though William had a good feeling this one was to be different than all the rest. Hopefully.

Thoros slammed a heavy hand against the young Lord’s shoulder. “Ready to make that address, lad? Doesn’t have to be too long, just welcomin’ them in.”

Will’s brow twitched and he glanced over to Thoros. “Suppose so. I never did listen when my father did these things. I was always off in my own head, wanting to break out of these stone walls.”

“Ha, I know lad, I know.” Thoros replied.

With a soft sigh, Will began to move towards the banister that overlooked the main entrance where everyone was lingering. Before he could however, he heard small footsteps barreling towards him. His ears twitched and his head turned. Though he did not even need to look to know who it was rushing towards him. A wide smile was already present on his face as he knelt down to welcome the embrace of his only daughter.    

He hugged her against his chest, squeezing for a moment or so before letting her go. “You look adorable.” The young girl donned a dress. It was dark in color, various blacks and greys with intricate patterns of red roses running along the trim in typical Gilnean fashion.

Zoey beamed, moving away from her father to spin around in her dress. She seemed rather pleased with herself. “Its pretty!”

Will gave her a look. “I thought you didn’t want to wear a dress..” He murmured, a glint in his eye as he teased his daughter.

She puffed up a bit, cheeks tinged with crimson. “W-well… I…!”

Her father laughed, reaching down to comb a few thick fingers through her chestnut hair that was all done up in curls. “I’m teasing you, sweetie. You look very pretty.” His daughter’s smaller fingers tried to bat away his own as he touched her hair. 

“But daddy has to talk to all the lords and ladies. Carmen will take you to the other children. Play nice.” He pinched her cheek before kissing her forehead.

Zoey nodded quickly, prancing off to one of the caretakers that took her hand and led her to one of the tables. 

Will walked confidently towards the main bannister overlooking the conversing crowd that had gathered. Men were in fine linens and suits while most of the ladies wore expensive dresses.“Good evening!” Will stood at the bannister, gesturing with his hands out towards the

 crowd. He was using that billowing, loud voice of his. Instead of shouting over a battlefield, he was shouting over lords and ladies. He was certainly not in his element. Many heads turned to regard him, looking up at a lord they did not instantly recognize. 

Will was one who revered the embodiment of Goldrinn’s fury. It was a blessing to him. More often than not he was within his Worgen form. Tonight, he donned the body in which he used to frequent these very halls with. However, it was changed. He was beginning to slowly adopt more of his wolven features onto his human body. It was without a doubt because of his nearly incessant use of the blessing that was gifted to him. He did not mind the changes much but to the various aristocrats gathered in his great hall… that remained to be seen.

“I welcome you to Silverwood manor as it’s reigning lord.” One of his brows twitched. Usually he heard his father say those words and it was odd to hear them come out of his own mouth now. The thought of having a similarity with his father provided an unsettling feeling. 

“Tonight, we celebrate our victory in the fourth war. From Arathi Highlands to the distant shores of Kalimdor, the Alliance have claimed a resounding success against the Banshee Queen’s brutish Horde.” William paused for a long moment, looking across the crowd of faces that peered back at him.  

“She has descended into darkness once more and our hunt continues. But for now, drink, be merry and enjoy yourselves. Glory to Gilneas.” He ended to an applause from the guests. The tips of his ears twitching slightly and a smile forming on his lips as he offered a half bow. He turned on his foot to face Thoros who had been crossing his arms over his chest nearby.

“Brief but good. Nice job, kid.” He clasped a thick, calloused hand on Will’s shoulder, giving him a firm pat.

“I thought I started to sound like father. Almost lost my appetite.”

Thoros bellied out a loud chuckle. “At the start, a bit, but you’re not him. Don’t fret now. Try to enjoy yourself tonight. You’ve earned it.”

“Mm.” Will muttered, staying at the top of the stairs so he could greet each and every noble that walked up on either side. It was draining. He was a socialable person but this seemed like too much. Every lord and lady were greeted formally with slight small talk before he moved onto the next couple. It went on and on before he finally saw no one else coming up the stairs. He turned, eyeing everyone at their seats, conversing quietly. Will let out a small sigh, about to engulf himself within many more conversations before he felt a presence rush up behind him suddenly. 

Instinctively, he whipped his body around, right clawed hand ready to slash at whomever had decided to appear from the shadows. 

A raven haired woman in an equally as dark dress quickly ducked underneath his hand that was coming towards her. As soon as the young lord saw the ‘intruder’ was not really an intruder, he stopped his hand before it would even reach her.

“I didn’t see you treat the other guests like this..” Her voice was soft but carried a slightly huskier tone to it, one that made Will’s ears twitch in familiarity.

“... Caitlyn?” He asked, eyes widening to see the woman before him.

She stood close to him, a lavish and elegant vanilla scent surrounding her form. Her face was narrow with sharp features. Lips plump and painted in a daring red color. Her eyes were large and strikingly bright green, dark full lashes surrounding them, paired with smokey eyeshadow. They held a mischievous glint in them as they peered upwards to him.

The woman’s body was more on the skinnier side. But for some reason, she still looked like she could hold her own. Perhaps it was the aura of confidence she seemed to exude around her or the stance she took with her head held high and eyes forward.

“It has been some time, dear.” Will smiled softly towards her.

“That it has. And you’ve.. well… you’ve changed a lot, Will.” She reached out with long, thin fingers and took one of his hands, moving it up in between them so she could see those elongated, sharpened nails. “Gods, your’s are almost longer than mine. Such interesting changes.” Her own long nails pressed against his palm for a moment before withdrawing.

“Aye, it happened over a long period of time. I never really do come out of my other form.”

“You prefer it?” She perked a thin brow before upturning the corners of her lips into a grin. “That does not surprise me.”

Will could not help but to let out a small snicker at that. “I do, yes. Much more than this form. This body, this.. face, reminds me of my days back here. Being molded into the perfect first born son I was supposed to be.”

Caitlyn took a step back, getting a better look at him. She crossed her left arm over her chest, placing her right elbow into her palm and cupping her chin while an elongated nail tapped at her soft lips. “Well, aside from your wolvish features, I see much of that perfect first born son you were supposed to be right now.”  

Will’s brow furrowed, eyes glancing away from her.

“Or.. its just the clothes you’re wearing. Don’t think I’ve ever seen you in threads like those. Definitely not back in the city.” She winked at him, moving a few steps forward so she could place a gloved hand against his chest. “Now, don’t you have guests to attend to?”

Will looked down towards her with an amused gaze. She was just like he remembered. Bold. Confident. Alluring. There was much he learned from her from his time in Gilneas City, like how real people got their way. That certain kind of charm that became one of the young lord’s most strongest attributes. He had much to thank her for. Perhaps an invitation to his chambers to catch up would suffice.

“Unfortunately so. And you’ll have to tell me how you managed to get past my gates, my hounds and my guards without so much as a speck of mud on you.” He remarked.

Caitlyn slid away from his body, moving towards the large banquet hall. She stopped for a moment and looked over her right shoulder to simply wink at him before proceeding to walk confidently into the main hall as the various nobles conversed with each other at the table.

Will stood there, eyeing her as she left. The corners of his mouth upturned in a gentle grin. It seemed the distraction that was needed from this formal procedure had just arrived.

[imagine-loki]

Gifted

Title: Gifted (Sequel to Giftless)

CHAPTER NO./ONE SHOT: 34/?

AUTHOR: nekoamamori ORIGINAL IMAGINE: 

Imagine that you are Stark’s niece and you secretly share a strong relationship with Loki since he entered the crew. One day you get hurt so bad during a mission that you are about to die.  Loki knows a spell that will save you and share his immortality with you but you and he will be linked forever sharing thoughts, pain, emotions…

RATING: T NOTES/WARNINGS:  Also on AO3 click here

You spent the next two days researching in the library nearly nonstop. Frigga, Sif, and even Thor were with you and Loki as you poured endlessly through books. Thor wasn’t much help with research. His job was mostly to bring you food, carry books, and wrap blankets around people when they fell asleep at the big table you were all working at. You were the only one who didn’t dare fall asleep working, your practice of stubbornly staying awake for days during emergency season came in handy. At least it did until Frigga had enough of you not sleeping.  She summoned a vial of potion and poured it into your tea in front of you.  You couldn’t go against the queen’s wishes.

“We all need to get some rest,” Frigga announced. “Enjoy your last couple of days here,” she bid you with a familiar mischievous glint in her eyes when Loki caught you falling asleep at the table. She held up the vial of potion she had dumped in your tea. Loki chuckled at her mischief. “The scholars and I will continue researching while you are gone, but you must do your duty and leave the library and actually be seen by the people. The research will continue without you and I will personally send word when we find out something,” she promised. 

“Thank you, Mother,” Loki said. He helped you to your feet and wrapped an arm around you to keep you there. “Come along, darling. You have not slept in two days. Do not even pretend you think that I had not noticed,” he chuckled. He stopped a moment later. “Shit,” he murmured. You looked up at him confused.

“Language, darling,” Frigga scolded lightly, but had a laugh in her voice. You turned to face her where she was holding up a second empty vial.

“Mother…” Loki groaned exasperated, but you heard his laughter too.  Frigga wanted to make sure you all got sleep.  

Thor came over to you a moment later. He already had Sif draped over one of his shoulders, fast asleep. “Mother, you could have made this a bit easier,” Thor laughed. He wouldn’t be able to carry all three of you to bed. Frigga laughed again and a moment later a portal opened in front of you, leading directly to the family wing.

“I think you can make it that far, dear,” Frigga commented lightly. Thor looked between you and Loki. He picked up Loki under his free arm. Loki protested that he was perfectly fine to walk and that Thor should take care of you instead. “Your soulbond is perfectly fine,” Frigga told him gently. She had come up next to you and linked her arm with yours. She led you through the portal, dragging you with her. You stumbled, your brain foggy, but managed to stay on your feet, until you made it to your suite’s door. Thor set Loki on his feet next to you. “Get some sleep, children,” Frigga bid all of you.

There were mumbles of ‘Yes, Mother’ from everyone and a head nod from you. Somehow you and  Loki both managed to make it to bed before you passed out. 

You laughed the next morning when you realized you had passed out on top of the covers with the clothes you had been wearing for the last two days straight still on.

/I’m getting a shower/ you announced once you had detangled yourselves from the heap you had landed in the night before. /We haven’t left the library in two days and I know I’m gross…/ you headed straight for the bathroom without waiting for his reply.

When you came back from your shower, using magic to dry your hair as you reentered the bedroom, you saw a shy-looking woman sitting on your bed. It only took you a moment to recognize her as Loki. Loki could change into a woman at will as he was gender fluid. You had seen him do it before. But even female, she was still your Loki. She just had longer raven hair, a more shapely build, and of course breasts. You nearly laughed, but stopped just in time when you saw Loki’s nervous expression. She was unsure of your reaction. The last time she had done this when you had seen was on her birthday two years ago when she had swapped genders of everyone in the tower, except you and a couple others she held in high enough esteem not to prank. She had included herself that day because she said it sounded like fun.

So you gave her a smile. /Morning, love/ you leaned down to give her a kiss, which shocked her even more. /Need me to do your hair?/ you asked, like nothing had changed, because really, it hadn’t. Loki looked up at you, surprised by your reaction. You just summoned the hairbrush and sat next to her on the bed, so you could start brushing out her hair.

“You are not…put off… by this?” Loki asked. Her voice was more musical, lighter pitched, but still with the same sexy accent. 

You smiled. /Of course not. Don’t forget I’ve seen you like this before/ you reminded her.

“Yes, but that was a joke, a trick…”

/You’re still you/ was your reply. /Hold still. I have to be more careful with your hair this morning/ Loki’s longer hair did take more work, but you managed, and even highlighted the magenta-red streak in her hair by using it to frame that side of her face.

“Mother expects us at breakfast this morning,” Loki hedged around the question she really wanted to ask.

/Naturally/ you replied dryly.

“Do you want me to change back?” The words were hesitant, afraid.  She really couldn’t seem to accept that you loved her just the same, no matter what form she took.  You had a feeling that Odin was behind her fear, as per usual. 

/After all that time I spent on your hair?/ you replied indignantly, with laughter and fun in your telepathic voice. 

Loki finally laughed, finally relaxed. “How did I ever deserve you?” she asked, pulling you into a hug.

/I love you too/ you replied with a smile. /Am I going to have to be prepared to fight the court to defend your honor?/ you asked. You weren’t going to let them make fun of Loki for this. Not when she was obviously uncomfortable.  Not even if it was Odin trying to hurt her. 

She snorted. “Hardly. They are quite used to my antics,” she replied with a grin.

/So I’ve heard. Though this will make the ball more interesting tonight/ you laughed. You stood and offered Loki your hand and pulled her to her feet when she accepted. She was still taller than you, though a few inches shorter than usual. Asgardians ran tall, and Jotuns ran even taller. You had gotten used to the height difference. You linked your arm with hers and you walked to breakfast together. The servants greeted us as 'princesses’ when you passed. They really were used to Loki’s antics, or quirks. You didn’t think this really counted as an antic, more a part of who your Loki was.

Thor looked up when you entered. You stiffened at his initial glance, ready to fight him over Loki’s choice for the day. Instead, Thor jumped to his feet and jovially came over to you. He took your hand and bowed over it to kiss your knuckles, then did the same to Loki. “Good morning, Sisters,” he greeted you extra jovially. You smiled and relaxed. You should have known that Thor would be nothing but supportive. Thor offered each of you a hand in formal escort position. You both laughed when you placed our hands on his. He walked you to the table and pulled out your chairs for you. You saw the glimpse of pure joy in Loki’s eyes at being accepted.

You spent the morning training with daggers in the practice court with Sif and her warriors. If they were surprised to see Loki join them as a female, no one commented. After that, you caught an early showing of the theater troupe’s version of Superhero Musical. You weren’t going to be able to go to the showing that evening because of the ball, but Loki wanted the troupe to know that you appreciated their hard work, so you saw it again. Loki’s voice was fantastic when she sang along that day. It was a joy to hear her. 

You went to the spa that afternoon. Loki wanted to get her nails done and had been hesitant to go alone, even in female form. So you gladly went with her so she could get the experience.

Loki was getting nervous when you were getting ready for dinner that night. You figured Odin was not nearly as supportive as everyone else seemed to be and Loki was afraid of appearing before her adopted father. You didn’t blame her, but still wanted to stab Odin for upsetting your Loki. 

You were momentarily distracted by the gorgeous black and green dress Loki had summoned to wear that night. It easily outshown your own blue and gold dress. You didn’t mind.  She was the proper princess after all.  You helped her settled her tiara perfectly once she was dressed and her hair done.  She was absolutely stunning when she was completely ready. You didn’t mind taking a back burner to her at all.

Loki hesitated when you got to the hall for dinner. /Stand tall, darling/ you repeated Loki’s own words back to her. /They are just jealous/ Loki laughed, straightened her spine and gave you a small smile before the two of you entered the dining hall. You saw Odin’s scowl of disapproval, but if Loki saw it, you couldn’t tell. She didn’t give any indication that she had. Odin didn’t say anything, so you didn’t have to hurt him. This worked out well.   You really didn’t want to get smited for trying to kill him.  Thor was as adorable as ever and insisted on pulling out Loki’s chair for her. You stuck your tongue out at him when he realized you had seated yourself before he could seat you.

“You are incorrigible, little sister,” Thor grumbled at you and you laughed in reply. Dinner was bearable, though Odin wouldn’t look at you the entire night. That was fine. You had your own fun.

You were sad that the next day was your last day on Asgard. You had to get home before your birthday. Also Tony was sure to be worrying by then.  He was so going to kill you, when he learned how Balder had hurt you. That was a problem for another day.

After dinner came the ball. It was a huge event filled with formal dancing. You hung to the sidelines, letting Loki dance with the various men of the court. She was having so much fun and you didn’t want to ruin it for her. Even Thor danced, though he lacked Loki’s grace. Sif seemed to be having fun as well. A few brave men of the court asked you to dance and you accepted. You knew the court dances from Loki, and now knew why he had known the female as well as the male parts of the dances so well.

Loki came to you for the last dance of the evening and offered you a hand. “May I have this dance?” she asked. You raised a brow, but took her hand. She led you right out to the middle of the dance floor and took the male’s position for the waltz. You smiled and took your own position as per usual. 

/You don’t mind leading this one?/ you asked, concerned she wouldn’t be happy with the arrangement. 

“I would prefer to dance with my lady. I have had your fun tonight. Besides, it will entertain everyone,” she replied in a whisper in your ear. You grinned. Of course she would be concerned about being fun and mischievous. The music started and you twirled around the room in graceful steps, your dresses twirling around you, just adding to the grace and beauty of the moment. People around you stopped dancing just to watch. You should have been nervous, or embarrassed, but it was so much fun that you just didn’t care about anyone else’s opinion.

The entire room applauded for you when the dance ended.  You both curtsied deeply to them in reply, and in thanks for their applause and praise.

You walked back to your suite that night arm in arm, both giggling. Thor and Sif were right behind you. “Did you have a good day, little sister?” Thor asked Loki as you walked.

“I did,” Loki replied, only a little stiffly, as if still expecting Thor to tease her.

“Tomorrow is the last day of your visit, is it not?” Sif asked. 

We both nodded. “I must return Kathryn to her home before her birthday,” Loki explained. “Plus her family will be worrying by now. We had not anticipated being gone for so long,”

You bid them goodnight when you reached their suite and headed down the hall to your own. You found a vial of Frigga’s potion on the coffee table waiting for you. You sighed and glared at it. “Mother has found out that you do not like it when I spell you to sleep. She is willing to be the 'bad guy’ so you do not get upset with me,” Loki explained gently. You sighed and used magic to change into your pajamas before you took the potion. Your pajamas may or may not have been a tunic stolen from Loki’s closet. Both he and Frigga were right that you needed the potion. You needed to not dream. That didn’t make you like it any better.  But Balder could and would attack you if he could find his way into your dreams. 

Loki didn’t change back to male before you went to bed. You curled up with her anyway. Her heartbeat was the same in either form.  You settled to sleep, safe in your Loki’s arms. 

Loki was back to normal the next morning. “Thank you,” he greeted you once you had opened your eyes.

/For?/

“Yesterday. For being supportive,” he replied with a vulnerability you weren’t used to from him.

/I love you. All of you/ you reminded him gently. He kissed you thoroughly in reply.

That day was a lot more subdued. You spent the entire day with Thor, Sif, and Frigga. Neither of you really wanted to leave, but you didn’t have a choice. You said our goodbyes the following morning. Frigga promised to continue the research on how to strip this power from you as well as on finding out what Balder’s plans were. You promised you would be back to visit and reminded them that they were always welcome to come visit you too.

You and Loki opened the portal back home together and waved goodbye one last time before you left Asgard.