#Liselotte and her one-sided love :( | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

defensivelee · 11 months ago

Text

Dona Dona: A Whole Day and Half a Night

The second chapter is a story about a boy and his very doomed friend. Please enjoy.

Here is the AO3 link! If anyone has anything they would like to say about it, I would appreciate comments said there rather than here on Tumblr. Nonetheless, please feel free to reblog :)

CW: abusive marriage, child abuse, forcing a child to commit crimes, cult-like setting, religious indoctrination, implied/referenced genocide, fantastic racism, ableist language, ableist slurs, torture, murder, terrorism, pedophilia, grooming, father/son incest, child sexual abuse, minimization and glorification of sexual assault (by the characters, not by me).

EXTRA WARNING PLEASE READ: there are a couple scenes where the boys "initiate" the sexual contact with the adults. This is NOT meant to show that kids are capable of consenting; this is the result of the specific mindset and religion they've been raised with as well as grooming. This goes without saying but any of this IRL is disgusting and I do not support it in any way.

“Happy birthday, William! Look what I got you!”

William blinked, sitting up on the grass. Liselotte was there, grinning at him with all her teeth. She’d gotten her stitches out a while back, but he wasn’t yet used to seeing her smile. Not that he was complaining; he kind of liked it.

“What?” he asked.

“It’s a knife,” she said matter-of-factly, swinging the dark blade around. “But it’s not just any knife, it’s a devil’s knife. So it’ll have extra protection and extra sharpness and extra love because I love youuuu!” She pulled him into an embrace, and he jumped slightly.

“Love me?”

“Yeah, you’re like my best friend!” Liselotte handed him the knife. “I stole it from the king, don’t tell.”

“You steal lots.”

“Well, you think I’m gonna politely ask to get something for my weird little Overlifer friend?” She snorted. “They’d literally execute me. And anyway, relax, this isn’t even the real one. You gotta summon me in the real world so I can actually give it to you.” She blinked at him hopefully. “So, what do you think?”

William turned the knife in his hands. It was very unique, he had to admit, with a shiny black blade and a glowing red line that ran all along its spine. The handle was a little lighter in color, but it was inscribed with scratches and stars that he could only guess was writing in Infernal, the original language of the devils.

“The blade is retractable,” Liselotte said proudly. “And look, can you read what it says?”

William shook his head.

“It says, for my very first and best friend in the entire world, William! I hope your six lives make you happy. I also kinda wanted you to have something to trace, ‘cause I know you like doing that.” She puffed out her fluffy chest. “Well?”

He truly didn’t know what to say. He knew he loved it very much and would be holding a lot in these coming days, but as to expressing that...he had no idea. She had known him for a long time now, though, and he knew she would understand whatever he wanted to say.

“Love it so much,” he blurted. “I love you.”

“Aww,” Liselotte said. “I knew you were a huge softie.” She lifted her tail and brought his head down, so that it was leaning on her shoulder. “What else did you get today?”

William paused. His mother had apologized for not being able to get him anything for his tenth birthday, said she hadn’t been able to catch his father in a good mood to ask. De Witt had given him a new book, he supposed, and shown him how to paint his nails. His father had only given him another mess to wipe off his sheets.

“A book,” he said simply, hiding his black nails in his fists.

“Wow.” Liselotte tilted her head to the side. “I mean, I guess I don’t get that much either. Is it a good book, though?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s good.”

“So tired.”

“You wanna sleep a little, then?”

William nodded. “Bring the knife.”

“Tomorrow!”

“Yes.”

She kept her promise. She gave him the knife the next day and told him to take good care of it.

“I will.”

“You better. I love you.”

“Love you too.”

As much as he wanted to take the knife out for a test run when his father took him to another torture session, he knew it wasn’t possible, unless he wanted to be found out and executed for treason. But it looked so delightfully sharp and deadly; he couldn’t wait to use it.

He had actually gotten good at these torture sessions, he liked to think. It was nice to see someone so afraid of him for once.

His father didn’t care, of course. The only praise he gave William was more directions.

Another Sunday came by, another ring of the phone sounded. William waited outside of his father’s door to hear the conversation, his tail twitching with excitement. Please let it be de Witt.

“William!” his father called. “Come down here!”

William waited a few seconds before opening the door. “Yes, sir?”

“De Witt’s taking you downtown to observe the beginnings of the Dwaallichtsdag ceremonies,” his father explained. “You know what that is? I’ve never told you about it.”

“No, sir.” Really, William did know, but how would he explain that?

His father scowled. “Alright, well, go get ready. He’ll be here in an hour. And you be wary out there.”

The reign of the Southern Kingdom was upon Altos Diablos, which meant that he had to put on more layers and pretend that they weren’t the worst thing that had ever touched his skin. As soon as he was out of his father’s sight, inside of de Witt’s car, he began unbuttoning his coat.

“Hey, no, William, stop that,” de Witt said, adjusting William’s scarf. “You have to keep that on. Do you want to get sick?”

“Hot in here,” William mumbled.

“I know, but we have to be safe,” de Witt said. “Just leave it on, we won’t be driving for so long.” He smiled. “How’s the little prince today?”

William couldn’t help but smile as well, though he turned away towards the window so de Witt couldn’t see it. “Fine.”

De Witt was right, they weren’t in the car for so long. Once they were in the city, standing in the biting air, de Witt tightened William’s scarf around his head again. “It’s either that or the mask,” he told him. “And the mask doesn’t keep you warm.”

“Fine.”

William had no idea what to expect from this event. He knew he was already kind of enjoying it when he realized that it was happening in a park. He hardly visited them, but he loved the endless paths and trees.

“We have a little bit before the event starts,” de Witt said, checking his watch. “So you can run off if you’d like. But can I trust you to go find me at the stage over there?” He pointed at the stage looming in the distance with its huge horns that imitated those of the devils. “In twenty minutes. Promise me you’ll come back when it’s time.”

“No watch.”

“Then take mine.” De Witt unclipped his watch from his wrist, handing it to William. “I have a phone, anyway. Please be safe. Don’t leave the park.”

William nodded, waiting for him to leave before he took off running through the grass. With every bound he heard dry leaves crunching under his feet, which was a strange delight.

Yes, know my wrath! Dirty devils, that’s all you are! He paused now and then to kick them in the air.

It wasn’t long, though, before he remembered one of the few things that he agreed on with his father. He hated the Southern Kingdom! For all that he was wearing he realized he was still trembling under his coat.

Sorry, Liselotte. He sat back on a bench in the playground to catch his breath, maybe warm himself up, and watched the families and their children play there. I just don’t know why you guys would choose to rule over such awful months. It wasn’t even that the actual Southern Kingdom was a bitterly cold, biting wasteland with dead leaves everywhere. Liselotte said she’d never even seen snow before.

There were a few children there that looked like descendants of that very kingdom, with their bright horns like radio antennae and their thick, fluffy tails. If they’d had sharper teeth, maybe more eyes and fur, he would have thought that they were related to Liselotte.

But he knew they weren’t, which made it easier to know that these kids were going to die once his father ruled the world. He didn’t know why they were supposed to hate the Southern Kingdom and its descendants— he just knew they did. It was part of the doctrine or something.

Well, I hate them too. See, he was loyal. Liselotte didn’t change anything.

He brushed his tail along the wood chips on the ground and immediately withdrew it; they felt like the scales upon a snake to him. He began to kick them away from the bench, growling under his breath. As he did so, he felt something heavy move in his pocket, and he shoved his hand in to stop it from bouncing when he realized that it was de Witt’s watch.

He took out the watch and checked the time. It looked like maybe twenty minutes had passed, after all? A little more? Less?

Ugh! Watches. He huffed and left the wood chips as they were, running through the grass again towards the stage in the distance. His eyes stung as the wind blew into them, and his chest seemed to close itself up around every breath he tried to take through his scarf. But he kept running until he was standing in front of the stage, looking up at its dark horns. He glared up at those horns, then began to cough, shudders running from his chest down to his tail.

Not now! He heard people murmuring behind him, and his face grew hot with shame. He’d kill them all one day!

“William? William!” De Witt’s voice called out behind him, and he turned around to see the man running at him, scooping him up in his arms. “Are you alright?”

William wiggled around, trying to slip out from under de Witt, but his coughing went on incessantly, and he could only grip onto the arms around him to keep himself standing.

“Alright, let’s get you your inhaler.” De Witt patted his back, leading him through the crowd and the cold folding chairs they sat on. He sat down on one in the third row, and William wondered if he’d just chosen it or if he had been waiting here the whole time.

De Witt sat him down on the chair right beside him, digging through the pockets in his coat and pulling out William’s inhaler. He slid the cap off and shook it a little, rubbing William’s back as he did so. “Do you want me to do it?”

William shook his head, snatching the inhaler from de Witt’s hand and batting his tail against his face. He pulled his scarf down and huffed out as much as he could, then held the inhaler up to his lips.

“Who taught you?” De Witt smiled.

Can’t you see I can’t talk right now?! William turned away from him resolutely. Besides, he didn’t have a good answer for that— he’d sort of just read the instructions. His doctors weren’t good for anything; they knew very well what his father was involved in and were terrified of saying anything wrong about his son, his heir. As far as they were concerned, he was perfectly healthy, just the way his father liked to see him.

“Oh, look,” de Witt said, nudging his shoulder. “I know you always like a chance to meet your enemies, so I’ve brought you to another one.” He pointed at the stage, and William looked up as he continued to puff from his inhaler.

A tall man with huge black and white horns curving inwards over his head and a long, bluish tail strolled onto the stage, his striking yellow eyes made even brighter still by the way his dark hair and gas mask obscured his face. He dangled a microphone from a wire on one finger, and William watched it swing back and forth.

“It’s a pleasure to be here again,” the stranger said in his muffled voice, tossing up the microphone and holding it to where his mouth should have been through the mask. “In windy, shitty New Amsterdam. It’s really a beautiful place, though, if you don’t think about it too hard. Maybe it was prettier when I was growing up here. I don’t remember. I really don’t.” He laughed, flicking his tail dismissively. The gold jewelry dangling from it clinked as he did so, and William wondered how he could stand the heavy metal on him. “Right! A pleasure! Hello, everyone!”

There were some awkward greetings on the part of the audience, and the man laughed again. “You sound half-drowned! That’s not at all the holiday spirit I was expecting! But I get it. Southern Kingdom’s not my favorite reign, either. I usually spend it in the beaches of Grand Cabaret, like maybe some of you do, but this year, and maybe for all the years after, I’d like to celebrate Dwaallichtsdag more traditionally. I’ve always considered the Berufungsachse Governorate my home, so I’m here to stay!” He paused, his gaze passing over William. “For those of you who don’t know, who were dragged here by your hardworking parents or relatives, you may call me Charles Stewart, philanthropist and the newest owner of FaciRonya, the largest producer of your vaccines.”

William slipped the inhaler out of his mouth and narrowed his eyes, his tail twitching fiercely. Charles Stewart! He wasn’t just any boring businessman, he was the most recent leader of the Disciples of Restoration, the only rivals of the Devils of Orange-Nassau, who were founded by descendants of the Eastern Kingdom. William had heard whispers about them often, mostly concerning his mother, but they hadn’t seemed to be much of a threat at all— his father had said they were in hiding after some interactions with invasive devils. Devils that could possess humans.

But it seemed they were back now, in the very city where their rivals roamed the streets. William knew instantly that everything that had just come out of Charles’ mouth was a lie. This whole stupid show was just him announcing to every enemy that he had returned to New Amsterdam to face them head-on.

Aside from the Allies, this was William’s worst enemy.

“We celebrate Dwaallichtsdag every year to thank the dwaallichten for creating our universe with the Nine Honors at the beginning of time,” Charles went on. “I’m sure I don’t have to tell that story, though. Out of the remaining powers of the dwaallichten came their remnants, creating billions upon billions of spirits made of their energies. Some remain even today! Yes, these spirits are very, very old.” He lashed his tail behind him, and as if it were a signal, out of the air bounded four little spaniel-like dogs, their eyes and markings glowing.

Gasps rose up all around William as the dogs ran around the stage, barking with their tails wagging rapidly behind them. Charles gestured to them with a hand, and they floated up beside him to rest on his shoulders and arms. They looked incredibly light to William.

“These are some of my spirits that I have tamed,” Charles announced proudly. “They’re just as loyal as any other dog.” He paused to scratch one of the dogs under its chin. “I’ll tell you right now, I don’t know why we see them as pests. They’re wonderful, curious little creatures. Some are malevolent, yes, but humans are like that, too. To kill them is to kill the only remnants we have of the forces that created our world! And what disrespect to do so! Truth be told, I think they’re just like us.” He kissed another dog on its nose, and the whispers around William continued.

That was something new. He’d never met anyone who viewed dwaallicht remnants with such admiration, and it was the last thing he’d expect of an Overlifer. Those were usually very strict on keeping with their ancient hierarchies. And his father, of course, only ever killed them, set traps for them, whenever he found some in the house.

Poor little things. Poor little babies. He watched the dogs nuzzle up beside Charles and couldn’t imagine ever slamming his foot down on their backs to kill them the way his father sometimes did.

“And you’re probably thinking, oh, he would say that,” Charles said. “His own son is a dwaallicht spirit!” He raised his hand, ribbons suddenly swirling all around his arm and shooting up in the sky, where a young boy with floppy ears as dark as his hair and a green cape flew up and grinned down at the audience that met him with polite applause.

“Hello, everyone!” he yelled, landing hard on the stage in front of Charles. William’s eyes widened as he watched the boy’s body move, his tail wagging so hard that he was wiggling just as much as the dogs. “I’m the Duke of Monmouth, from the Eastern Kingdom! Well, not actually, I was born some place far away from here, but that’s where I lived forever and ever until my papa found me!” He pointed at Charles, who watched him with shining eyes.

“Talking spirit,” William murmured.

“Yes,” de Witt said. “Not very common, but you’ll find them here and there. I have to say, though, I’ve never heard of anyone adopting them like this. Even just as pets.”

An Overlifer has a remnant son? William tilted his head to the side. Did that make Monmouth the heir of the Disciples of Restoration? Surely not, only humans could receive six lives!

“Happy Dwaallichtsdag!” Monmouth yapped out, and Charles laughed.

“No, my boy, it’s about a week into Northern Kingdom.”

“Close enough,” Monmouth said, sticking his tongue out, and this time there was laughter from everyone. William leaned back, blinking in astonishment. If he’d shown such insolence in front of his father, it would have been met with a sharp slap to the mouth.

“Take notes, William,” de Witt said.

Notes on what? William glanced up at him, then looked away, handing him back the inhaler. De Witt chuckled and adjusted the scarf back around his nose, much to William’s irritation. He was still finding it hard to pull air back in his lungs.

“It’s so good to be here in New Amsterdam with all my papa’s friends,” Monmouth said. “I can do so many things you guys can’t do!” He waved his arm, transforming into a crow and flying over Charles’ head. The audience let out delighted cries and whispers, and William snorted, starting to get up. He didn’t need to see this!

“William.” De Witt pulled him back by his shoulder. “Sit down. We’re not leaving yet.”

William pulled out de Witt’s watch and checked the time. He groaned when he saw that they’d be here for another hour.

“Just pay attention,” de Witt said. “Are you cold?”

“No.” That was only partially true, his tail and hands were freezing. He fiddled with the watch for a bit, feeling the metal that had warmed in his pocket slowly get colder, and then he reached out to take de Witt’s hand, starting to clip the watch back on.

“What?” He looked down, stifling a laugh. “You want to put it back on me?”

William nodded firmly.

“You can keep it, if you’d like,” de Witt said, pulling his hand away. “You need it more than I do.”

William cocked his head to the side, then shoved the watch back in his pocket before de Witt changed his mind.

But it wasn’t long before he took it out again just to hear it click and jingle in his hands. He wasn’t interested in what tricks an enemy Overlifer had taught his pet spirit. It was a lot of shapeshifting, a lot of flying and ribbons everywhere. Nothing that could be counted as a threat, though, so William found himself paying more attention to the watch he dangled over his legs. At one point he dropped it on the metal chair and it made a loud clanking noise, causing William to bounce back in surprise.

“Shh.” De Witt nudged him. “Don’t make so much noise.”

William pushed de Witt’s arm away, going back to dangling the watch in the air.

If anybody had asked him that night what had happened with Charles and Monmouth, he knew he would have been in trouble, because he had no idea what they were doing. Some holiday show it was, just an opportunity for an Overlifer to show off what his spirits could do! And yet everyone had eaten it all up. Where was the love for his father?

He asked that question after the event, when de Witt asked what William would like to eat and he had simply responded with Black&White. It was what his father always bought him after they were done torturing and interrogating hostages in the city, not as a reward, but because they were hungry and they just happened to be out and Black&White was always right there.

“Your father’s had it...somewhat difficult with the public, even with his own people,” de Witt explained while they waited for their food. “He doesn’t really make himself likable, which is a must if you’re going to be, you know, a wealthy businessman, probably the supreme ruler later on— you’ve got to win the hearts of the people, William. He never learned that lesson.” He paused. “Do you like him?”

William shook his head. He could believe in an Overlifer’s authority without liking him, that was easy. It was just politics, which was confusing, but the term seemed applicable here.

“See? If he can’t even win the heart of his son and wife, what hope does he have to make everyone love him? You’ve got to do it like Charles, William.”

“Say nothing and everything?”

De Witt frowned, then laughed. “I guess that’s one way to put it. Just don’t be as blunt and cruel to all the people below you as your father is, and I think you’ll be okay.”

William grunted, putting his head down on the table. The only thing he didn’t like about Black&White was that they didn’t have cats here.

It was because of de Witt that William was brought to his first council meeting of the Devils of Orange-Nassau, where his father said they’d forgotten to bring another chair for him, oops, guess you’ll have to sit on my lap. William wouldn’t have minded it if he was younger, and if his father wasn’t grabbing onto his waist and tail in a way that made his stomach churn.

“William here has finally seen our worst enemy in the flesh,” his father said, waving his cigarette as he spoke. William covered his mouth and nose to stifle his coughs, though he was afraid everyone could see how hard he was trying because his eyes were welling up with tears. “Tell us about him, William. What were your first observations?”

“T-Tall. Big horns.” Bigger than yours.

“Tell the boy to speak up,” said one of the men, and William shot bullets through him with his eyes.

“Speak up, William, get your hand away from your face.” His father twisted his tail under the table, and William bit his lip. Beside his father, he saw de Witt wince.

But he had no choice, he had to obey. So he brought his hand down, and as he opened his mouth to speak, his whole body was wracked with the coughs he’d been trying so desperately to hide. He looked up, trying to take a deep breath, but it only made him cough more.

“Sir,” de Witt said, standing up, “do you happen to have his inhaler with you? This looks like an attack to me.”

“What?” William heard his father growl. “Why ever would I bring it with me? It was up to him to remember.”

“Well, if you were planning to smoke beside him, I assumed—”

“Silence.” His father prodded him painfully in the side. “Did you bring it with you, William?”

William nodded, and his father pushed him off his lap, standing up behind him. “Excuse me, I’ll just deal with this real quick. Come on, William.”

De Witt said something else, and his father must have snapped back, but William couldn’t hear it over his wheezing anymore. He looked back with wide eyes at his father, who only took his hand and pulled him out of the room, slamming the door behind him with his tail.

“Listen here, William,” he said, his voice low. “You don’t get out of talking just by conveniently getting an asthma attack, of all things, during our meetings. One day you’ll be leading them.”

“S-Sir, I-”

“Shut up, shut up!” He raised his hand in a fist, and William scurried back, only for his father to bring his foot down on his tail and pull it towards him. William stumbled, and his father lifted him up by his shirt, still stepping on his tail.

“You don’t run from me,” he hissed. “You understand that, William? I’m only not going to beat the shit out of you because you gotta go back in there, but make it the last time this happens.”

William blinked, fighting to catch his breath. He could feel tears running down his face, his tail stinging fiercely where his father was stepping on it, at the base too where it was being tugged down. But he was pleased— he hadn’t even let out a squeak.

“Do whatever you need to do and come right back in.” His father took another puff of his cigarette, then blew the smoke out at his son’s face. He dropped William on the ground and walked back into the room, apologizing for the interruption.

Interruption. There was a word William couldn’t say yet.

Well, he wasn’t going back in to face them all now, even de Witt. At least, not so soon. So he took his inhaler out of the pockets in his coat and paced there in the hall as he taught his lungs to breathe again, all alone. He found himself wishing that de Witt was here to watch, to smile at him in that gentle way his father had never learned.

He was still wheezing when he put his inhaler away, and he could still smell his father’s cigarette smoke wafting in the air, so he decided to stop by the bathroom to wait until his father was done with that stick. He didn’t know what he’d do in there, but it was a valid excuse.

On his way there he passed by a large window where he could see all of New Amsterdam from the top of this building. Well, he should have been able to, but the smog reached its claws so far into the distance, and the only thing he really could see was how the city was covered in it. Even in his head he didn’t know the word, but he knew what he felt as he stared outside.

Disappointing. If he was in charge of this nation, he’d fix this all up in no time. All the righteous children with asthma deserved some peace.

He turned sharply and nearly collided with a boy far taller than himself. The boy yelped, stumbling back, and as he did so he stepped right onto William’s tail. William cried out, and the boy jumped off of it.

“Oh my Ferocity, I’m so sorry!” he said. “You just scared me, is all. You look like death!” He took William’s tail, rubbing at the spot where he had stepped on it. “I’m still very, very sorry, did I break anything? My father taught me some tricks to wrap up broken bones. If you have any, I mean.”

“What are you talking about?!” William pulled his tail away. “How dare you? You know who I am?”

The boy blinked, and it was then that William allowed himself to properly look at him. He was blonde, with many of his curls falling neatly over his face, and his eyes were blue, but not strikingly so. More fascinating to William, however, was how he had nothing that on him that could indicate he was a real descendant of the devils. No horns, no tail, not even differently-colored sclerae like William’s father.

“Oh- oh, wait, are you the Prince?” The stranger’s eyes widened. “You’re William Henry, aren’t you? Oh, those horns, you are the Prince!” He sprung back and dropped to one knee, taking William’s hand and kissing it fiercely. “I’m so sorry, sir, I didn’t mean to disrespect you, I was just on my way to see you but I didn’t know you’d be outside and everything, I’m so, so sorry.”

William’s first instinct was to pull away, but he’d often seen his father’s subordinates kiss the Overlifer’s hands with much the same reverence and submission. He thought it was fun, how everyone was so afraid of the wrath of the true authority. Even him, when he shouldn’t have been! He deserved to receive that worship as well!

And now here it was. He lashed his tail behind him and lifted his head proudly, at this featureless, Ally-wannabe boy.

“That hurt.”

“Y-Yes, I imagine. I didn’t mean it, I’m very, very sorry.”

“No forgiveness,” William said. “I’ll kill you.”

The boy’s eyes widened. “W-Wait, sir, I’ll do anything! I’m only eleven, do you know how much longer I have to live? It’s a lot. I mean, not as long as you, sir, of course, but I really don’t want to die now, please. I mean, I guess if you wanted to kill me, then-”

“I’M GONNA KILL YOU!” William shrieked, and he lunged at the boy, throwing him back against the ground. As swift as a viper, he took the knife Liselotte had given him and flicked the blade out. The boy cried out in shock and fear, and at that moment, they both heard the creak of a door behind them.

They looked back to see that William’s father stood in the doorway, glowering at them both, with one of his vassals behind him. Mijnheer Bentinck, William knew him as, and he knew in an instant that this boy was his son, judging by the matching color of their hair and how the father had no devil features, either.

“What are you doing, William?” His own father’s voice was dangerous.

“Hurt me.” William pointed at the boy lying before him, quietly putting his knife away. He hoped his father hadn’t seen it.

“What?” Bentinck glared down at his son. “Is this true, Hans?”

“N-No!” Hans protested. “I would never! Well, I may have stepped on his tail, but it was an accident, I swear!”

“And of course my son thought that for such an offense you deserve to die.” William’s father did not sound sarcastic; he actually sounded rather pleased. “William, get off of him. What these angels are worth keeping around for is for what they can do to serve you. It’s no good if you kill them right away, you have to make sure they never do it again. You have to teach this boy fear.” His rat-like tail ran under Hans’ chin, and he smiled back at William. “Have you taught him fear?”

“Yes.” William nodded rapidly.

“Good. If he does it again, then you can kill him.” His father ruffled Hans’ hair. “That was your first strike, little one.”

“Um- thank you for your mercy, sirs.” Hans tilted his head to the side, and his own father nodded.

“Very good, Hans,” he said. “This wasn’t how I intended for you to meet the prince, but I’m glad you did regardless. It seems he taught you a lesson.”

So that was what Hans was there for, apparently. To learn from William, to begin his training as a servant of the Devils of Orange-Nassau. When William heard that, he wondered why Hans hadn’t already begun, like he had when he was five. There was too much to learn, why start him off so late?

“Because, William,” his father told him, “his older siblings all started off at this age, too. I told this man not to wait so long for each of them or they wouldn’t have the stomach for war like you do. I suppose you still turned out a little stunted on that aspect, but can you imagine what it’s like for them? It’s pathetic to watch.”

“Not fair!” William cried.

“Hm, no, it isn’t. But we can make it fair, can’t we?”

“How?”

“Make the tests harder for little Hansi,” his father said, eyes flashing. “After all, the others are merely training as guards, as bombers, maybe assassins if they’re lucky. But he will train beside you, he will work for you, specifically— I chose him myself. It is only sensible that we hold him up to a higher standard.”

“Yes, sir!” William’s tail wagged fiercely at the tip. Only the bravest and strongest were worthy of serving him!

Hans did not at all react to the sight of blood on a hostage like how William expected, though. He didn’t cry, he didn’t vomit, only flinched on occasion— but it was as if he could not look away. He covered his ears at every gunshot, but still did not cry, and enthusiastically took up the gun at his first practice.

“Hold it with both hands or it’ll go flying,” William’s father told him.

William snorted. Even he had noticed that when he had first been allowed to use a gun.

Hans, he suspected, was not very stupid, as he knew when to bow, when respect was owed to his Overlifers, but he was also not very bright. There were things he should have been horrified by, William wanted to see him afraid like he had been on the day they met, and it annoyed him to no end that he had the most boring reactions to everything he learned.

“Alright, boys, let’s see how well you handle this one on your own,” his father said on the day that Hans first helped kill someone. “This one, we found out, was conspiring with the Disciples of Restoration. He didn’t get far before we found out, but what do we call this, hm?”

“Traitor!” Hans and William hissed in unison.

“Yes. And what penalty does that warrant?”

“Execution!”

“Correct. Execution. You two will execute him, and we will all watch, no interference. My only command is that William must be the one to land the last blow.” He looked down at his son. “All the blood that you spill is necessary.”

“Yes, sir.” William nodded firmly, and he and Hans looked at what they were working with. The traitor was rather unremarkable, the scarred horns and tail faintly reminiscent of the Eastern Kingdom. Of course someone like that would betray the Devils. They didn’t need to lift the blindfold from his eyes to see that he was afraid, but there wasn’t much he could do now— if he stood, he’d just be shot back down.

“Okay, follow me.” William glared at Hans. He didn’t want him to mess this up with his incredibly dull ideas of torture.

“Yes, sir.” Hans watched as William took a blade from the table, running a finger all along the side. It wasn’t as pretty as Liselotte’s, but it would do.

Liselotte...

He turned back to the table, feeling around until he found the weapon he was looking for: a sewing needle. There were a few of them here, all still covered in blood, which was probably dangerous, but William would make sure to throw this one away when he was done.

“Hans. String.”

“Yes, sir!” Hans looked around wildly, then gasped, kneeling down to pull out a loose string from his shoelace. “How long?”

“Very.” William raised an eyebrow. He hadn’t expected Hans to actually find one in the moment, really he just wanted the boy to mess up on something. And then his father would be furious, and finally, William would see Hans afraid again.

“Got it!” Hans sprung back up again. “It’s a little curly, but I think it’ll do. What do we need it for?”

William took the string. “Traitors run mouths. Don’t deserve to open it again.” He narrowed his eyes, pushing the string through the tiny hole. “So can’t scream when you die.”

“W-Wait, I thought an execution was just a bullet to the head,” Hans said. “Or a knife to the throat. This sounds unnecessarily painful.”

“Huh?” William glared at him. “You don’t care. Everything’s necessary.”

“I just thought there were ethics about it, like my father taught me,” Hans said nervously. “You only torture a guy you’re trying to get information out of, but that doesn’t even really work. So I guess it’s just because it scares people. Or maybe just because we like seeing others in pain. But, you know, at the end of the day there’s still people on the other end of it, so you- you have to only torture responsibly. Right?” He nodded once, as if he was pleased with himself.

William could only stare. How had Hans come to such a conclusion? How had he even survived it? If William thought that way, he would never be able to torture somebody who deserved it. He’d taught himself long ago that the people on the other end of this were not people, they had crossed his path for a reason and were therefore just tools, steps he could climb on to reach his glorious destiny! To think of them as human was frankly insulting.

And yet here Hans was, hurting them despite the way he viewed them as being exactly that.

“Monster,” William spat.

“W-What?”

“Not people. Enemies. Feels better. You get better.” He batted Hans’ shoulder with his tail. “Trust me.”

Hans’ eyes widened slightly, and he nodded again. “Yes. Enemies. That makes sense. Thank you, sir.”

For all of Hans’ faults, William couldn’t deny that he took everything said to him to heart, and that he was obedient like no one else he’d ever met before. Perhaps he could make a great servant one day, after all. Maybe not even one day, maybe right now, if he could do this.

“Hans.”

“Yes?”

“Be strong.” William handed him the needle.

Hans took a deep breath as he fiddled with the needle, raising it over the traitor’s lips. “It’s not going to hurt,” William heard him say to himself.

Their traitor would have probably begged to differ, and, William supposed, he did beg, or at least he did before Hans finished sewing the lips shut. By the time he was done, there was blood running down his arms, and he let the needle fall at his feet, his hands shaking.

William narrowed his eyes, the stench of blood in the air crawling down his throat. But he held his breath and stepped forward. “Hold his head.” He knew he wasn’t tall nor strong enough to hold it up by himself.

Hans obeyed, and William ran the knife across the traitor’s throat. Out of the corner of his eye he saw de Witt watching from the shadows, then turning away just as William stepped back, the unworthy traitor falling before him.

“C-Can I go wash my hands now?” Hans swallowed, and William turned to look at him. There were tears in his eyes, but he was clearly trying to stifle his gasps, holding his head up and smiling when William looked at him.

Somehow William realized he didn’t want to see this boy afraid anymore. Yet he couldn’t let him run off, either; his father always had the same thing to say when William himself made that request.

“Let it lie on you. You get used to it.” Then he did something his father had never done. He took Hans’ hands in his own, which were wetter and warmer than he thought, but he didn’t draw back only because his hands were worse. “Good job.”

His father walked up behind him, slapping him behind the head. “No praise, William.”

Later, when they were washing their hands in the bathroom, that was when Hans began to cry, and William looked over at him.

“I- I’m sorry, sir,” Hans said, clearing his throat. “I just- I tried what you said, and it’s so hard when they- they still look like they’re hurting. I didn’t wanna say anything in front of your dad, but- but how can you do this? I wasn’t one who came here to kill people, I- I just wanted to learn to fight. To serve you.”

William tilted his head to the side. “They’re not hurting.”

“W-What do you mean?” Hans looked down at the blood he was washing off his hands. “This is all real.”

“No.”

“No?”

“Not real. Tricks. Think that way. Dwaallicht spirit tricks.” William leaned forward, tapping a finger against Hans’ skull. “Helps me. Then you get strong. Still enemies, but not real.”

Hans turned off the water, blinking down at William. “It might take me a while.”

“That’s your fault.” William whisked out of the bathroom with a conclusive lash of his tail.

Later that night, when his father was lying beside him, he asked what he thought of Hans.

“Very good. He should stay.”

“He should stay?” His father narrowed his eyes. “Very well. He’ll work beside you for the rest of his life. But make sure he always knows his place under you, or I’ll make sure to remind him. And you make sure you know your place above him, too.”

“Yes, sir.”

Liselotte was quickly informed of this new boy, and, much to William’s surprise, she was actually delighted rather than jealous as he thought she would be. She wanted to know everything about him, and was happy enough with what William told her, except for what he said about their positions.

“He works for me.”

“What- don’t you want to be friends with him?” Liselotte asked. “Like you’re friends with me.”

“Just want you.”

“Aw, but you need friends in your world too!” She patted him between the horns. “What if one day we can’t talk?”

“Never happening.”

“You don’t know that. Look, just in case, William.” She turned to him, holding William’s hands in her own. “Make some friends out there! He sounds super nice. I’d want to be his friend, if I were you. Besides, I think he wants to be yours, too. So I think the first step to making him one is to tell him to stop callin’ you sir. You’re younger than him, that’s just dumb.”

“But- but I’m the power,” William protested. Liselotte merely waved her tail in the air, the jaws snapping beside his face.

“So what? It’s a sign that you think he’s better than everyone else!”

William hesitated. Technically it went against what his father had told him, to make sure Hans knew his place, but as long as he didn’t find out...that would be okay, he thought. And maybe it would show Hans that he did mean it, if he was willing to undermine his father’s orders.

“Fine.”

The next time he and Hans met at another training session, where they were just testing out their aim, William took him aside as soon as he had the chance. The only other adult there was de Witt, loading some more guns for his older master and the younger one, but William didn’t mind if he heard this.

“Hans. Stop calling me sir.”

“What?” Hans drew back in shock. “Why? You’re the prince! You’re gonna rule the world one day!”

“Not right now. I’m William.” He flicked his tail uncomfortably. “Just not when my father is here.”

“If you say so, sir. I- I mean, William. William!” Hans clapped his hands together. “Yes, William. Did you know that’s my other name? Hans William. Hans William Bentinck. They named me after your father.”

“I like it,” William said honestly.

De Witt looked up, meeting William’s eye for a second there. He gave him a firm nod, and William took that to mean that he’d made the right choice. But he would have to ask later to make sure.

He did get to ask when William’s father had to go do other business, deal with some stuff back home, and so de Witt took William and Hans to Black&White for dinner. When Hans went to the bathroom, William immediately let his whole body fall back on de Witt.

“We share the same name!”

“You and Hans?” De Witt nodded. “Yeah, you do. What you did back there was-”

“Good, right?” William looked up at him expectantly. “I like him.”

“It was very good, William.” De Witt smiled down at him, patting his shoulder. “A boy like you needs friends. There’s no use in driving a potential one away by enforcing the divide that your father wants you to. Remember, William, you can gain more respect by treating others like equals. I think Hans is someone you need.”

Someone I need? Surely not— he’d lived ten years just fine without him. If he had to live another ten without him, he’d be okay.

Hans learned quickly. His hands still shook when he was ordered to kill someone, when his father told him to use the guns he had practiced with on real people, scared and desperate sacrificial lambs. He still cried afterwards, and William was just glad that he’d been introduced to this world far earlier.

But at the very least, Hans had taken what William had taught him and ran ahead with it. After the very last time he had cried because he had killed someone, he’d simply stated that he hated the dwaallicht spirits. He hated them because their predecessors had created this world, and he hated them because he’d made the toys of the Overlifers bleed.

“I hate their stupid tricks.” Hans blew his nose, and William leant against his shoulder to remind him he was there. “They should have made our enemies faceless so we know who to kill and don’t accidentally kill someone who doesn’t deserve all that pain. You see how they scream, William?”

“If enemies were faceless...too easy. A challenge by the oldest Overlifers. Tests your mind and spirit.” William patted his hand. “You’re getting better. Strong Hanni.”

Hans laughed when he heard the name, and that was when William decided to keep it.

There was one night, when the Bentincks invited them over for dinner. William’s mother had actually come, for once, and William could not take his eyes off of her. He saw too little of her now, as she was always shut up in her room, or William was always out with de Witt or his father. And he certainly couldn’t go see her at night.

But her eyes were on her husband, which was the most annoying thing ever. They saw enough of him all the time!

“More peas, Prince?”

William jolted and looked up at Hans’ mother. She’d been offering all sorts of food for him to try, but she’d apparently caught on that the only thing he really liked here were the peas. He nodded, and she laughed, petting him between the horns as she pushed more onto his plate. He would have to remember to reward her family when he ruled the world.

“That’s all you’re gonna eat? Aren’t you hungry?” The oldest of Hans’ siblings, Henry, looked down at him, and William smiled nervously, scooting away from him on his chair.

“Leave him alone, he just likes peas,” Hans said.

“Why are you defending him?” one of the younger sisters, Isabella, piped up. “Do you like him, Hansi?” She gasped, tugging at his sleeve suddenly when she saw his blush. “Ooh, you do like him! Hansi’s in love with the Prince!”

“I’m literally NOT—”

“Isn’t that some form of heresy?” Eusebius asked.

“I just said I’m not! Shut up!” Hans covered his face, and his mother laughed.

“You have high standards, Hans,” she said.

William blinked, looking up at his father. Is this what he meant when he said that Hans would be beside him for the rest of his life? He knew that a marriage would be arranged for him once they had taken over the world, but was that the plan already?

Somehow he wasn’t averse to it. Hans would make a pretty funny, if somewhat lame, husband. At least he was rich, too.

But William’s father only growled low and lashed his tail. “I don’t care what little Hansi thinks about my son. I have other plans for him to serve us in the Devils of Orange-Nassau, whatever may happen.”

The whole family fell silent, and William saw Hans look down uncomfortably.

“Hans is, admittedly, a very beautiful young man,” his father began. “Those golden locks look as if they belong on the manes of devils. And he’s a very good listener, proud and obedient. It has been a great pleasure working with him.”

What? William’s eyes widened. His father never praised anyone! Why was he praising Hans? Did he think he was better?

He looked back down, wiping furiously at his eyes. He didn’t know why it upset him so much now. He thought he’d gotten used to it. Behind him, he could feel Hans’ mother rubbing soothingly at his horns, and he leaned into the touch, glaring at his father out of the corner of his eye.

“Thank you, sir!” Hans sat up taller. “I’ve liked working with you and your son, too.”

“Indeed. I think it is time I inform you and your family of what I have decided for you.” The Overlifer looked to Hans’ father, his eyes darkening. “As I said, your son is a lovely boy. He has no features of the devil ancestors, and I believe you have told me before that your family belongs to an unbroken line of purely human ancestors. The devils never touched your bloodline. That makes him eligible to become an Ally.”

William stifled a gasp. Surely not! The Allies were their enemies! And besides, Hans would have to fight a devil. He was skilled, but a devil was something different— he was not prepared for that just yet.

“Me?” Hans’ eyes shone. “You’re gonna choose me?”

“Yes.” William’s father nodded. “We need a powerful Ally at our side to lend legitimacy to our cause in the eyes of the public, and to shake off suspicion by the government. There are restrictions on who can become an Ally, but what can the Master do once we have one?” He shrugged. “He’s not going to question the divine authority of the old devils. And if he does, he knows the business he’s up against. Especially since we have you— Allies are incredibly powerful. They bring in money constantly. They can swallow bullets. They can survive fires. Anything I can do at my fourth life, really. Doesn’t that sound nice, Hans?”

Hans nodded rapidly. “Yes, sir!”

“You would make my son an Ally?” Hans’ father shook his head. “Absolutely not, sir! Those Allies are a bunch of frauds, and all their worshippers do is objectify and use them for the sake of divine arguments! Besides, he has to fight a devil— do you know how dangerous those are?”

“I know very well.” His leader’s eyes flashed. “I never said he would have to become one now. We’ll give him time to mature, to fill out all nicely so he looks a bit more presentable. Regardless, he will become an Ally, whatever you say. And if that’s a problem?” He flicked his tail ever so slightly at William, but he saw the signal and recognized it immediately.

There was a light clink, and then William stood behind Hans’ father, his tail coiled multiple times around his neck, holding Liselotte’s blade up to his throat. He realized it too late, but it was the first one he had taken in his pocket. He only hoped his own father didn’t notice.

“William—!” Hans cried out.

“That’s sir to you, young man!” William’s father snarled. He looked back at his subordinate. “As for you, Bentinck, if any of my divine orders are a problem for you, then we can make it real easy for you to follow them. My son knows all the same tricks yours does; if he wanted to change your mind, he would know how to.”

Hans’ father blinked in shock, his hand raised slightly towards William’s tail. Then he bowed his head. “Very well. Forgive me, sir.”

William slowly withdrew his blade, stuffing it in his pocket and sitting back down to eat his peas. He was aware of the whole family staring at him and his father.

“Thank you,” his father said pleasantly. “Hans, come here.”

Hans hesitated before standing up, and William’s father pulled him close, ruffling his hair affectionately. “You’ll make a fine Ally, boy. We’ll begin your training for fighting the devils right away.”

William swallowed. He didn’t like the way Hans’ eyes were shining as he looked up at his father, nor did he like the way his father was looking down at Hans. He saw his mother look at Hans’ mother, but neither of them said anything.

What they learned next was the existence of handler spells, which were necessary to know as William would be Hans’ Ally handler, to neutralize any unwanted power and to protect himself. These spells were usually written on slips of paper in Infernal, which was quite a complicated language to write, William quickly found out. But whereas he picked it up easily, Hans had more trouble figuring out the shapes.

“Can’t we just do them without the paper?” Hans asked once.

“You are only able to do handler spells freely in the realm of the devils,” de Witt explained. “You’ll have your own powers once you’re an Ally, though, so you probably won’t have to worry about them for long.”

That was good, because Hans was also bad at activating the spells. Well, supposedly he wasn’t bad, he was actually doing fine, considering that most of the demonstrations on the part of de Witt or William’s father didn’t really work either. They said the devils were on the other end of the spell, so it was up to them to decide whether or not they would make the spell go through, which was stupid, William thought, because why were the Overlifers using the inferior devils for their power?

“Do the devils know?” William asked. “Who’s using the spell? Is that why it doesn’t work for us?”

“Of course they don’t know,” his father snapped. “They’re just being difficult. They only respond to someone with great power, great influence, you must control them—”

Bullshit! William took out a slip of paper containing the hardest spell he could think of and slammed it down with his foot. “Louis le Grand, délivre-nous du tout mal!” he yelled as he did so, and in an instant the shadows all around the room sprung up and surrounded him in a giant, defensive circle.

He gasped. It was exactly what he had imagined it to be. He almost hadn’t expected it to work, though in hindsight, he supposed he should have, considering all the spells he had cast so far had worked out. Nothing like Hans’ attempts.

It was so quiet here. Maybe he would stay here forever. He sat down, staring up at the shadows, and then a hissing voice spoke from the shadows.

“Hello, Overlifer prince.”

William jolted, his tail twitching nervously. “Who said that?”

“Louis le Grand, or at least a reflection of me. I am the one you called for; I am delighted to be here. I’ve heard much about you, and- wait, what earring is it that you are wearing?”

William didn’t answer. It couldn’t be— the reason this spell was so difficult was because it called upon the ruler of the Southern Kingdom, and he never answered. But he came this time, and he was actually speaking to William. Liselotte’s king was speaking to him!

“William. Answer me.”

“No.” William twirled a finger in the air, and the shadows all crawled back slowly. He waited for Louis to speak again, but it seemed he had left.

He was met only with the stare of his father. His eyes seemed to be searching William’s own, their gaze snapping from him to the shadows and then back again. He looked...maybe angry, but William couldn’t pinpoint it, the unusual look he saw in his father’s eyes that somehow pleased him.

“What- what the fuck, William,” he blurted. “What the fuck was that?”

“Woah,” Hans breathed behind him. “You’re very powerful, sir.”

“Don’t call him that!” William’s father turned to hiss at him. “He is not. I- this training session is over! De Witt, take the boys back home, I’ve got work to do.” He left with a furious lash of his tail, leaving de Witt standing there with the most annoying smile William had ever seen.

“Very good. I’m proud of you, William.”

He knew it was bad to accept the praise, but he tilted his head up anyway, smiling over at Hans.

His father didn’t come into his room that night, which meant he had more time with Liselotte. She’d been keeping up with the spells he was learning, and was particularly fascinated by the one that involved her king. So when William told her, she was ecstatic.

“It actually worked? Like actually? What happened, what did he do?”

“Just the shadows,” he said. “He told me something, though.”

“What?” Liselotte gasped. “Seriously? No devil ever speaks when they send the spell out! How did he do that?”

“Don’t know. Just said he was a reflection of Louis.”

“A reflection shouldn’t talk!” She flicked her tail curiously and sat down beside him. “Well, what did he have to say?”

“Said he heard about me, I guess,” William said. “And then asked where I got the earring.” He narrowed his eyes accusingly at her. “I knew he was gonna notice. We’re so dead.”

“Excuse me, maybe you are so dead, but he doesn’t know I’m the one who gave it to you.” She batted her eyelashes. “As far as he’s concerned, you’re just a thief prince! And he’s gonna kill you when he meets you again, for sure.” She paused, taking his hand. “Serious talk, don’t cast that spell again. It might put you in danger.”

“It’s supposed to protect me.”

“The king’s not going to do that for the son of an Overlifer. He hates you and won’t stop now!”

The next night was just the same, with his father staying out. But this time it was de Witt who came in, and William shuffled back cautiously in case he had decided he wanted to do the same thing.

But de Witt only sat at William’s desk. “William, what you did yesterday was very impressive, calling upon Louis XIV like that. And you know something? It scared your father.”

“No, it didn’t. Nothing scares my father, he-” He paused, glaring at him. He wished it wasn’t true, but he’d figured it out long ago. “Nothing scares my father.”

“But this did,” de Witt insisted. “Did you see the way he looked at you? He’s finally scared, William, scared of you. Scared that you hold greater power than even he does.”

“Stop talking that way!” William cried. “There is nothing with greater power than an Overlifer!”

“Hush, William,” de Witt said, holding a finger up to William’s lips. “Please, just listen. Do you remember what I told you about William of the Western Kingdom? The Law of Honorable Succession is still in place!”

There it was, the famous old law that allowed heirs to kill their parents in order to succeed them themselves in whatever office they happened to hold. In Altos Diablos, it no longer served any purpose, but it was technically still legal.

“Are you telling me to kill my father?” he spat. “Are you crazy? Do you know how dangerous it is to even suggest that? That’s treason! I’ll take my place as the ruler when he dies-”

“But what if he doesn’t, William,” de Witt pleaded, taking William’s hand. “He’s on his fourth life and almost ninety, and you can’t even tell. He’s going to live forever if no one challenges him.”

“Remember that you’re trying to get me to kill your boss,” William huffed. “If he found out about this, you would die. And do you know who I am? I could tell him!”

“But you won’t.”

“Maybe I will!” William stood.

“You won’t because I’m right,” de Witt said firmly. “You don’t want to live like this forever. I’m not suggesting you kill him right now— you’re only a boy. But I’m telling you that your father is a monster and he has done nothing but hurt you. I wouldn’t even consider him your father at this point. You have every right to stand up for yourself.”

“So you disagree with his way of raising the future king of the world? That has never been up to you, and you’re not one to speak over it!” William’s tail lashed furiously. “You’re just jealous that your kids aren’t as powerful as I am! And that jealousy makes you a traitor of the worst kind!”

“Listen, William,” de Witt said. “I haven’t done anything yet. But I will tell you that your father’s insane. I realize that now, and I should have never joined him early on in his quest to bring the Devils to power. That was my mistake, but I don’t regret not leaving after you were born because it means I got to watch over you.”

“W-What are you-”

“I taught you to read, but I could never tell if my teaching was actually effective.” De Witt blinked, and William saw his eyes were oddly shiny now. “Because you didn’t speak. But I knew you understood most of what I was telling you, and I prayed to the Allies to protect you because I knew that that man had the potential to break you. Maybe it’s because you’ll one day be an Overlifer, but- but it seems that even then, nothing could have saved you.”

“You prayed to the Allies?” William whispered. “Oh, you are so going to die.”

“I don’t care what he does to me, William, I’m done,” de Witt said. “I’m not going to help him take over Altos Diablos and subject millions of innocent people to a genocide. I’m going to stop him, okay? And I don’t want you to be on the wrong side of this fight.”

William realized he was breathing heavily, his hand flying to his chest. “Y-You are a traitor.”

“And you’re brainwashed!” De Witt took William’s head in his hands, his hands gripping his horns tightly. “You’ve been raised in a cult, William! No child thinks that killing millions of people is okay! No child is raised to think that everyone owes them reverence, and certainly no child knows how to carry out murder! Do you understand, William? All of this is wrong, it’s not normal!”

“You’re wrong!” William was crying now, shaking his head out of de Witt’s grasp.”This is what our destiny has been for thousands of years! I’m not going to run from it now just because you feel bad for me! Maybe no other kid could handle what I’ve been through, but I can! ‘Cause when I grow up I’m gonna have it so much better than all of them! If they die, it’s gonna be because I said so!”

“Your destiny is inherently evil,” de Witt said. “And so is the way that you’ve been raised. You’ve been abused, beaten countless times; you’re scared of your father.”

“No! No, I’m not! All the pain’s gonna be worth it!” William was shrieking at him, and de Witt only stared helplessly down at him. “You just don’t know what it’s like!”

“Is that what you want to do? You want to kill people for the rest of your life just for disagreeing with you?”

“Yes, it’s- it’s what I- they- the old doctrine-” William couldn’t speak anymore, he thought he was going to faint. He stumbled forward, and de Witt caught him, holding him in his arms as he sobbed into his chest. He thought he heard the door open, footsteps enter, but he couldn’t tear himself away from de Witt.

“What is this?” That was his father’s low voice. “When I said you were excused, de Witt, I certainly did not mean you could come into my son’s room.”

“What have you been doing to him?!” That was his mother.

“Nothing like what you are suggesting, madam,” de Witt said. “I was only-”

“I- I had a bad dream,” William spoke up, finally looking over at his mother but refusing to let go of de Witt’s coat. “I called for you but- but none of you came. He did.”

His mother leaned back, her tail flicking from side to side, and her husband snarled, “Out, both of you. I want to speak to him alone.”

De Witt paused, and William looked up at him desperately. Don’t leave me alone with him!

But de Witt only smiled sadly down at him and pried his fingers off his coat. “Very well,” he said as he walked towards the door, meeting William’s gaze for a moment. “Good night, sirs.”

No, no, no. William’s eyes widened. Don’t go.

In turn, de Witt’s eyes narrowed, but he said nothing more. He turned and left, and William’s mother followed him out without a single protest, much to William’s disappointment. Maybe it would have been more acceptable to beg her to stay instead.

His father slammed the door behind him, locking the door with the narrow tip of his tail. “I thought you knew better than letting someone who isn’t me into your room.”

William swallowed. His tears hadn’t stopped; he knew what he was afraid of.

“Say something,” his father growled. “Anything, William. I’m tired of your silence.”

“I-I’m sorry-”

He didn’t have any time to finish that before his father pinned him back against his bed, and William attempted to cry out before his face was painfully forced down on its side, his father’s thumb in his mouth. Out of the corner of his eye he saw his father’s long tail hanging off the bed.

You’re too big to be here—!

His head was only freed when his father lifted it up to kiss his son’s lips, forcing his tongue in like he forced himself in a few seconds later. William fell back with a gasp, and his father kissed him again and again and again.

De Witt, come back in. Please, just open that door.

When that didn’t work, he turned to praying to the Allies, then to the devils when he remembered that apparently those hadn’t helped him either.

I’m sorry I want to kill you. Just make him stop. I’m sorry, I’m sorry.

Louis le Grand, délivre-nous du tout mal—!

It didn’t work, of course. Nothing worked, not until his father was satisfied. By then William was in agony like he’d never felt before, like all his organs were burning up inside of him. His lungs, too; every breath he tried to take seemed to shatter in his throat.

His father’s breath was shallow as well, warm against his cheek. “William,” he whispered. “You’re so much like your mother.”

William shut his eyes. He swore he was about to vomit. His body shook as he felt his father’s hands run over his chest.

He didn’t leave this time. He stayed, curling his hairless tail around his son and pressing his lips to William’s horns. William didn’t move, only focused on letting his breath back in. There was something dripping out from in between his legs, staining the fur on his tail. He wanted so badly to get up and wipe it off, maybe get his inhaler too, but his father held him tight.

It wasn’t until much later that night, after he’d fallen into a very unstable sleep where even Liselotte couldn’t reach him, that his father shook him awake. “William. Wake up.”

William blinked up at him. “H-Huh?” He felt all nauseous and sticky, and his head ached to the point that even looking outside at the moonlight was too much for him. He closed his eyes again.

“Get up. It smells in here.” His father nudged him to his feet, hastily dressing himself. He turned on the light, and William cried out, his tail flying to his face.

“Stop being dramatic.” His father twisted the tip of his tail, pulling it away from his face. He gripped William’s wrist tightly and led him out of the room, down to the bathroom where he ordered him to sit on the toilet as he set up a bath for him. William covered his eyes, trembling in the cold air. The only thing he wore was the earring Liselotte had given him.

“Come here, William.”

William stood, walking towards his father. The cool eyes looked him up and down as he nervously stepped inside the water.

“It’ll get better with time,” his father said. “It’s like everything else that you have learned.”

William nodded. He couldn’t form words even if he tried; even in his head they seemed to melt away as soon as he figured out what it was that he wanted to say. But in the back of his mind, he knew that there was dread because what his father said meant that this wouldn’t be the last time.

There wasn’t much spell training after that, at least not for William. Hans now went to these lessons himself, but luckily for William, he’d copy down the spells he’d learnt that day and would show them to William. Hans said they were hard to master, but William figured them out in no time, much to Hans’ admiration.

“You truly are destined to rule us all,” he breathed out. “Is that why your father doesn’t bring you around to train with me anymore? ‘Cause you’re better than him?”

“You really think that?” William asked, his heart twisting with both fear and hope.

“I- I, um-”

“I want to believe that I am better,” he went on, taking Hans’ hand. “But nobody else thinks that way except for de Witt. But I...don’t like him. I like you, Hans, and if you think I’m better I won’t tell.”

“Wait a second, did your daddy put you up to test me?” Hans cocked his head to the side.

“No! And even if he told me to, I wouldn’t do it.” William shook his head firmly. “That’s deceit and it sets you up to fail. I’m being for real here. Please tell me I’m better than him.” He winced; it sounded like a plea to him.

“You...you are,” Hans said. “Way better.”

“Thanks.” William curled his tail around Hans’ body. Now that he thought about it, why did his father care so much about how his son treated his subjects? He may have been an Overlifer, but William was the one destined to succeed him. Did he not deserve the same respect?

I can do whatever I like! He can’t tell me what to do when the oldest law there is says I can kill him!

I can kill him.

He often found himself staring at that old painting in his book that de Witt had showed him years ago now. He saw the hatred in the eyes of the first devil and hated her too.

Despite Hans’ reassuring words, he was as desperate as ever for the approval of his Overlifer, which was a stupid and impossible thing to want when William was right there. He always made sure to tell Hans how good he was doing, how much better he was getting at striking fear into the hearts of their enemies. And yet it was his father he looked to for praise, and his father was the one looking at him in a way William didn’t like.

You two keep away from each other!

“There will be times when you don’t have weapons on you,” he told them one night, throwing their hostage to the ground right in front of them. “Between the two of you, I don’t think you even need them.”

“Wait,” their prisoner cried, shuffling back with her tail held up protectively in front of her. “I- I don’t have any information, sir, you don’t-”

“If I wanted information from you then I would have asked,” he said, stepping forward. “I just want to see the blood of an Easterner tonight.”

“M-My father is descended from the Western Kingdom—”

“Vile!” He slammed his foot down on her neck, and she yelped, reaching out towards William, who instinctively reached for his knife. But his father glared at him, and William drew his hand away.

“We can turn this into another lesson,” his father said, landing a hard kick on his prisoner’s side. “The future of the Western Kingdom cannot rely on traitors that breed with their enemies. They rear worthless children!” He brought her up by her horn, just as she lunged for his other hand with her teeth. But he met it with a forceful punch to her jaw that sent her stumbling back, her horn still trapped in his fist.

“Yes, kill the dirty Easterner, sir!” Hans cheered.

Dirty Easterner? William tilted his head to the side. Of course, the Eastern Kingdom was their enemy, but there was something she said, something about her tail so much like that of William’s father...

They watched him corner her, they watched him drive her head into the wall and pummel her stomach mercilessly until blood poured from her lips, until she was crying and begging him to stop, just as the great Overlifer snapped her horn off with nothing but his divine strength.

“One day you will be able to do this, William,” he said, pointing the horn at his son. “But for now, strangling makes a good way to go.” He squeezed her fingers around her neck, and William swallowed. He’d seen this inflicted too often on his mother, and it remained his least favorite way to kill somebody.

“If you’re low on time, of course, there’s this old way my mother taught me, but it takes a bit of strength...” He took the remaining horn on her head, pausing before jerking it sharply to the side. There was a loud snap! heard, and William saw Hans shudder.

“The point is, boys,” William’s father went on, wiping the blood from his hostage’s face, “you don’t need a weapon to show the world exactly what comes of traitorous matches.” He held his bloodied fingers up to them. “Behold, the soiled blood of an Eastern-Western hybrid.”

Eastern-Western hybrid...that’s never been wrong, has it? De Witt had never taught William that it was.

He flicked his tail forward. “I thought Mama was a descendant of the Eastern Kingdom. Aren’t we the same?” He lifted a finger to the tip of his tail. “This isn’t a Western Kingdom tail.”

His father’s eyes narrowed. “What are you saying?”

“Wait, are you serious?” Hans looked William up and down. “You’ve got Eastern blood in you?”

“M-Mama’s line has never been broken, right?” William stepped back. “I thought those unions were fine. Some of the old Overlifers said it is because they, um, still bring about more Western or Northern blood. And I thought you were okay with it too, I mean, specifically Eastern and Western mixing because, um, of Mama...” He shrunk back as his father advanced.

“You were a mistake, William,” he spat. “You think I would have chosen an Easterner to marry if I had known you’d turn out to be a retarded, wheezing little runt? I chose your mother because I can choose, as an Overlifer. And love is-” He paused. “I’m greater than the doctrines. I can change them however I like.”

“So what’s the new one?”

“The new one is shut the fuck up!” He slapped William hard across the face, enough to make him stumble to the side but not fall. He bit his tongue, keeping his gaze fixed on the floor ahead of him where his head had turned.

“Further proof that you don’t need a weapon to silence your enemies, only words will do,” he heard his father say to Hans. There were footsteps, and William hardly had time to look up before his father’s tail came up to his chin. “As for you, William, you remember what I’ve told you here. An Overlifer cannot break rules and he cannot follow them, because he creates them.”

“Yes, sir,” William said faintly.

His father scowled. “You disappoint me.”

It wasn’t anything remarkable to William; that was all he had ever seemed to do to his father. He wasn’t sorry about that, though. He was just sorry that he only ever seemed to disappoint himself as well.

What was worse was that it was Hans who his father praised instead, his eyes like a Southern snake’s as he hissed out every prideful word. William didn’t even know why he did it; he didn’t look like he liked speaking to Hans. But he figured it out during another training session, after Hans finally managed to cast a particularly hard spell.

“Very good, Hans,” de Witt said. “You’ll make a natural Ally.”

“Thank you, sir,” Hans said absently. His eyes were all on William’s father, who was staring at him, leering, even, from the shadows. That was why William hated training anywhere that wasn’t their home— everywhere else seemed too dark, but his father loved it.

“Yes, you are very skilled, Hans,” he said slowly. “I think you deserve a gift from your Overlifer, don’t you think? The best thing I can offer you.”

“Oh? What is that, sir?” Hans cocked his head to the side.

What’s he getting at? William narrowed his eyes.

“Come here, Hans,” his father said. “Do you want to kiss your great leader?”

“Oh!” Hans nodded rapidly. “Yes, of course! It’d be an honor!” He ran over to his Overlifer, who bowed his head to kiss Hans on the lips. Hans was rather awkward with it, William noted distastefully; everyone knew you had to close your eyes during it, and you had to at least lean into it.

Nonetheless, Hans was happy, his eyes shining as he bounced back. William felt sick, and he heard de Witt murmuring in shock behind him.

“That’s- that is-”

“An honor,” William said bitterly. “An honor to kiss the greatest Overlifer.”

And what honor he received that night, indeed. William didn’t admit it out loud, but he almost preferred this than seeing Hans kiss his father. As long as no one knew and no one saw them. He didn’t know how Hans had even liked it; when his father kissed him again, he wanted to rip the Overlifer’s tongue out with his teeth.

The next morning William got up just to vomit, as he had been for a few days now, and then he went back to bed. He wished Liselotte stayed asleep for longer; he always wanted to see her one last time before the day began. With his father right there, their meetings were getting shorter and shorter.

“William.” De Witt had come to visit that day, mostly because his leader had ordered him to, along with a few others. But he came to William’s room and knocked softly on the door, and William’s heart jumped. He closed the book he was reading reluctantly.

“De Witt,” he said. “Come in.”

“William, I-” De Witt flung open the door, and William looked up at him with wide eyes. “Your- your mother tells me that you’ve been waking up sick these past few days. And you look so tired. I’ve had enough of seeing you like this, William, and after what happened yesterday with Hans I feel as if I have to ask you something.”

Oh, no. William swallowed.

“You know what kissing is,” de Witt said slowly. “And you know the connotations, right? You know what it means? You’ve read the devil legends.”

William nodded.

“Does your father kiss you?” De Witt bent down beside him, and William fixed the wall with a hard stare. He bit his tongue and then began to cry, nodding rapidly and leaping into de Witt’s arms. He knew he was in trouble now; his father had told him not to tell anyone!

What have I done?! He buried his head in de Witt’s shoulder, muffling his sobs and taking deep breaths until they began to run from him.

“Shh, William, it’s okay,” de Witt whispered. His voice was oddly shaky, which scared William even more. “It’s okay, I’m going to find a way out for you. You don’t deserve this. I’m so sorry I didn’t know.” He rubbed at William’s back.

William’s tail quivered, and he slowly sank to his knees, so that de Witt had to sit on the floor beside him. “Don’t- don’t tell anybody.”

“Of course I won’t.”

“If you do, I’ll kill you—!” William leaned back and glared at him.

“I know,” de Witt said. “I don’t doubt it.” He took William’s hands. “Listen, William, if you want to leave the Devils of Orange-Nassau, if you want to live a normal life, then you should start now. Whatever happens, I will be beside you, and I’ll help you out of here. But we have to do it before you’re older, so that everyone knows you weren’t complicit in this..”

“No.” William shook his head, standing up again. “N-No, I can’t go. I don’t want a normal life.”

“You cannot prefer this,” de Witt said, exasperated. “William, you deserve to be happy.”

“I’m happy,” William protested. He was starting to cry again, though, and he stumbled back, curling up in the corner of the room. His bed no longer felt welcoming enough to hold him in moments like these. “I am happy!”

De Witt started to walk towards him, but William glared at him. “Go away!”

“You-”

“That’s an order!” William cried, and de Witt winced. “You’re trying to make me leave!” He fell back, coughing hard. Out of the corner of his eye he saw de Witt hesitate, reaching out briefly before turning away with a twitch of his tail and leaving him alone.

William bit down on the urge to call out for him again. He covered his face with his hands, trying to slow his breathing, and he heard footsteps come from his doorway. Those weren’t de Witt’s.

“William.” It was his mother’s gentle, but firm voice. “What’s going on? De Witt said you were upset. Did he upset you?” He felt her presence over him, and she took his hands from his face. “You can tell me the truth, William.”

“Can I?” William asked. When he looked into her eyes, he felt the sting of them more than when he met his father’s gaze. He felt at times that she was no longer proud of the little prince she had raised— which was just great, neither of his parents cared for any of his gifts and the power he would hold as an Overlifer. Why was he here at all, then?

“Why don’t you love me anymore, Mama?” he whispered.

“What?” She leaned back in shock. “Of course I love you, William.”

“You leave me alone with my lord,” William went on. His chest was still heaving, and he rested a hand on it, trying to slow it down. “Y-You don’t come back. You’re never there when I cast a spell or kill someone. What am I doing wrong?”

“William...” Her eyes narrowed in a way that made him shudder. “You can’t seriously think I can be proud of raising a murderer and extremist.”

“I-It’s not extreme,” William said, looking away. “It’s the truth that nobody knows.”

His mother sighed. “Once I thought that way, too, William. I thought we were the heroes. That’s part of why I- I suppose you could say that I fell in love with your father.” She shook her head, glancing down. “But as time went on I saw it for what it really was.”

“And what is that?”

“I can’t say, can I? Or you’ll run off and tell him.” She stood up again, glaring down at him. “You should have never been born, William. I love what you could have been, but he ruined you. He ruined all of us, and now he will destroy the world!” She spat the last sentence out frantically. “I love you, William. But only because as a mother, that is what I should feel about you. Otherwise I would have drowned you before you could even take your first breath.” Without another word, she whisked out of the room, and William could only stare.

That night was one of the only times William told Liselotte of what happened in his world.

“My mother said she wishes she would have killed me.”

Liselotte didn’t seem very surprised. “Don’t you think maybe all mothers want to do that at some point?”

“I guess,” William said. “But they should keep it to themselves.”

“Yeah.” Liselotte shrugged like she didn’t care, but her tail snapped its jaws and shook with displeasure as if it had tasted something foul.

And maybe he would have gone on like that, with the knowledge that he’d just lost his mother too. He found it hard to blame her, though; having seen the suffering she had been subjected to because of one Overlifer, why wouldn’t she be suspicious of the next one that came along?

Still, it stung, and he no longer found solace in the presence of neither de Witt nor his mother. He was afraid, though not of them. He didn’t know what scared him so much. All he knew was that he wanted it to go back to the way things were— when the only reason that he was afraid was his father.

It was Hans who comforted him in the waking world, Hans who put all his faith in him now. And so it was Hans who he told about what his father had been doing to him. Then he asked if his father did the same.

“No,” Hans said simply. He looked more confused than anything. “He only kisses Mama. Not us, never like that. It sounds gross.”

“It is,” William said. “Every time. ‘Cause it hurts.”

“The kissing?”

“And...the other things,” William said. He took a breath. “It hurts really weird. Like, not the worst pain you’ve ever felt. But the strangest. You feel it inside of you for days after he’s carved you up. It’s like he’s looking for something, but I can’t give it to him.”

“Why don’t you ask?” Hans said.

“He doesn’t like it when I talk.” William looked down. He didn’t feel the same anguish he had felt upon telling de Witt; no, this was a strange, detached anger. “Only wants me to say what he likes to hear.” He looked up again, blinking away tears. “Don’t ever kiss him again, okay?”

“I find it a great honor,” Hans said, but William shook his head fiercely.

“It isn’t,” he said. “Don’t ever say that. It scares me and it hurts and it’s wrong. Didn’t it feel wrong to you?”

“Maybe a little? But it can’t be-”

“Ugh, Hans, I thought you’d get it!” William cried out suddenly. “I’m not some spirit you can just kidnap and do this to, I’m his heir! I’m gonna be an Overlifer! And I hate it, okay?”

“I’ve just read some things in the devil legends, like the ones with doomed lovers and conquered enemies and all that.” Hans shrugged. “They make it sound nice. I’m sorry that it’s so rough and mean.”

William didn’t know why Hans was so surprised. To him, the legends always sounded cruel, downright disgusting sometimes, especially when he read about a devil lord being conquered by another. He couldn’t read them without wondering if he was just a beaten enemy under his father, and yet of equal standing.

Maybe I am supposed to like it. Maybe that was what he had been getting wrong. If the devils could do it, surely he could do it better.

So when his father came into his room again, William bit back any protest and decided not to waste any time with their fake little greetings when they pretended that they cared about each other. Instead, before his father could say a word, he pushed him to the bed insistently, much to his father’s amusement, and was the one to crawl over him instead of the other way around.

“Excited already?” His father laughed, which was such a rare sound that it made William freeze. “Do you at last find me impressive?”

William agreed, though he really didn’t know what that meant. To shut his father up he kissed him on the lips. It didn’t feel any better than he thought it might have. As soon as he felt the tongue slip through he recoiled as if he had kissed fire, but his father pulled him back down by the horns.

If anything, he realized he had made a terrible mistake, that this was worse. There was still pain, awful pain and the feeling of the cold hands on his waist, but this time there was the knowledge too that he had asked for this. And he didn’t know why he would ever want it.

Whenever he thought his father would finally leave, he would have something else for William to do. It was the longest he had ever stayed here, and at some point William realized he was crying, once more held under his father like always. There was a frenzy behind his father’s movements, something that could not allow him to stop no matter what William said or did. And so it hurt like it never had before, like he was being torn apart over and over again, the fire in him rising to his lungs until he was choking on every gasp.

He was sure that this was when he would die. He thought he was going to. He closed his eyes and under his breath prayed to the devils like the first time, begged them to set him free. If he was going to die here, then kill him now, because he could not bear it any longer.

And when he was met with silence, he screamed as loud as he could, to reach their divine ears in their realm.

They answered his call, it seemed, but not by killing him. His father stopped his movements briefly, slapping William and hissing at him to shut up. William whimpered and tried to push him away.

“What? What is it, William?” His father took his hands and easily pinned them to the bed. “You want me to leave?”

William couldn’t say anything. He was still gasping for air. His father raised an eyebrow and leaned in to kiss him again.

“I’m not going anywhere,” he said. “And neither are you.”

“William.” A breathless voice came suddenly from behind them both, and William felt his heart stop. That was his mother’s voice. He had no idea which William she was talking to.

His father didn’t even turn around. He simply lifted his head and narrowed his eyes on the wall. “Mary.”

William could see her clearly if he lifted his head, standing in the doorway. Her eyes were wide, and her legs shook as if she wanted to turn and run. But she stayed.

“What- what is this?” she asked.

“You want to come in and help, Mary?” Her husband at last looked back at her, and she went pale.

“N-No,” she whispered. “Never.”

“Are you going to stay?”

“I-” She paused, looking down and shaking her head miserably. “No.”

“Then get out. If you tell anyone about this, it’ll be a bullet in you next.” He said it so firmly that William knew he was not lying at all. “By the way, Mary, our son is better at this than you are.” She began to step away, and William opened his mouth to tell her to please stay. To protect him. But he knew in his heart that there was nothing she could have done, nothing anybody could do. So he watched her leave him alone with her husband, his father.

#give me a break i haven't read this in like two weeks so some stuff might be ~scuffed~#i did revise and edit as soon as i was done #this chapter can best be described as ~kids in places where there should not be kids~#i kinda didn't want to add the disclaimer but. just in case #bc theres always crazy ppl out there #six lives won't make you happy #eugh this was hard to write. but fun nonetheless !!

5 notes · View notes

acrossthewavesoftime · 3 years ago

Text

“Tell me, please, who is this woman who has such a fierce nose?”

The woman who has such a fierce nose and her son. It's a family heirloom.

I think I have found my favourite story from Liselotte von der Pfalz's letters so far:

Little Liselotte unwittingly insults Mary, the Princess Royal, makes a young William of Orange laugh and has her aunt and grandmother in stitches:

To Caroline, Princess of Wales

St Cloud 26 November 1720

Ma tante, our dear Electress [Sophie von Hannover], didn’t visit the Princess Royal [Mary Stuart], but the Queen of Bohemia [Elizabeth Stuart, Elisabeth Charlotte’s grandmother] did, and took me with her. Ma tante said to me, “Take care, Lisette, don’t get lost as you usually do, so that no one can find you, but stay close to the Queen and don’t keep her waiting for you.” I said, “Oh, ma tante, you’ll see, I’ll be so good.” I had often played with the son [William of Orange], whom I found with his mother, only I didn’t know it was his mother, so after I had gazed at her for a long time I looked round for someone to tell me who this woman was. There was no one except the Prince of Orange, so I went up to him and said, “Dites-moi, je vous prie, qui est cette femme qui a un si furieux nez?” [Tell me, please, who is this woman who has such a fierce nose?”] He laughed and replied, “C’est la Princesse Royale, ma mère.” [“It’s the Princess Royal, my mother.”] I was so shocked that I was struck dumb, and to comfort me Mlle Hyde [Anne Hyde, future wife of James, Duke of York/James II] took me and the Prince into the Princess’ bedchamber, where we played all sorts of games. I had asked to be called when the Queen was ready to leave; we were just rolling about on a Turkish carpet when the summons came. I jumped up and ran into the audience-chamber, but the Queen had already reached the anteroom. I quickly pulled the Princess Royal back by her skirt, and making her a pretty curtsey, walked in front of her, following the Queen to the carriage. Everyone laughed, I didn’t know why. When we arrived home the Queen went to ma tante, and sitting on her bed, laughing so that she almost choked, said, “Lisette a fait un beau voyage” [“Lisette had a nice trip”], and told her what I had done. Our dear Electress laughed even harder than the Queen, called me, and said, “Lisette, you have done well, you have revenged us on the proud princess.”

From: Maria Kroll [Ed.], Letters from Liselotte, New York, McCall 1971, pp. 229-230. Information in brackets added by me.

To date this charming anecdote, a few details from the lives of the protagonists are rather helpful in narrowing down the time frame: Liselotte was sent to live with her aunt, with whom she visited the Netherlands a few times, in 1659, and by late September 1660, William's mother Mary had gone on her fateful last journey to England. With Mary alive and in the Netherlands, and Liselotte in the custody of Sophie von Hannover, a time frame of about a year between 1659 and September 1660 emerges; born 18 months apart, William would have been either 8 or 9, and Liselotte 7 or 8 years old.

Liselotte, as this letter written 18 years after William's death indicates, would ever remember her former playfellow fondly, even when her French marriage meant that they found themselves on opposing sides politically. She thought he was a good king (even when her son was wounded fighting William), not handsome, but all the more intelligent, and repeatedly explained why his rumoured homosexuality, something she deeply detested in her husband, was, if not to be endorsed, at least acceptable in the case of the man she had been "rolling about on a Turkish carpet" with when they had been children in The Hague. Most tellingly, she once referred to him in a letter utilising the old saying that "alte Lieb nicht rost"-- or, in English, "old love never rusts."

One wonders if William, too, recalled this anecdote-- and what his mother Mary, Princess Royal and dowager Princess of Orange, thought of her straightforward young relation.

Not exactly Stuart nose-less either: Elizabeth, Queen of Bohemia, Sophie von Hannover and Liselotte von der Pfalz.

#elizabeth charlotte #liselotte von der pfalz #french history #british history #sophie von hannover #elizabeth of bohemia #17th century #18th century #william iii #william of orange #mary princess royal #the hague

45 notes · View notes

hitsuyou-fukaketsu · 2 years ago

Note

hi shav can you tell me about some of your favorite villainess mangas with villainesses that go HO HO HO and do the hand pose and i will try to see if i can read them for free on the internet

HI AURELIA!!!!! OF COURSE I WILL (and even put the site where you can read them! <3)

I present to you my absolute favourite and the reason why i made that post: I favor the villainess!!

JUST LOOK LOOK AT HER LOVE OF MY LIFE <33333 CLAIREEE<3333 SHE HAS DE HOHOHO POSE SHE HAS THE BLOND HAIR AND SHE HAS THE RINGLETS

SO CUTE<3333 This one is about a reincarnated heroine that just loves the villainess and they are so cute and <3333 aaahhh!!!!! I love them so much their dynamic is everything!!! 'I loooovee you!!!' 'and I utterly hate you!!!' 'sure!! Hehehe'

Claire is very aware that her personality puts people off so she's very confused on what Rei sees on her. Little does she know that Rei is a tsundere expert!! I love them so much gfs for real

This one was a reccomendation from duckie my beloved!! THIS IS SUCH A GOOD MANGA!! RLY MADE ME INSANE. Endo and Kobayashi are two highschoolers that do live commentaries as a hobby! And one day, one character from the game they like, start to hear their commentary as if they were the gods from that game. It's a rly cute funny and VERYVERYVERY SHOUJOO. Similar to Claire, Lise is a tsundere! But she's more sweet and gets flustered more easily, she is more of a misunderstood villainess + self steem issues again, also she's super pretty

Some others that I recently read but are not really the hohoho villainess:

This one is a reincarnated villainess that is obsessed with farming exp, she became the strongest in the game so that they cant defeat her at the end, she is more of a kuudere with strange tastes and very passive personality but it was still a nice read <3 i love girls with black silky hair!

THIS ONE IS SOOOO PROMISING!!! THE PLOT IS EVERYTHING!!!!!! Reincarnated villainess again but at a very young age!! Very previous from the game's plot. She normally has nightmares about the kind of person she should be (totally evil, the villainess was Evil, cold and manipulative) so she, year by year surrounds herself of people that love her but that could take her life easily if given the chance. Its a rly heartwarming manga with a cool plot, every 5-6 chapters there's a little timeskip of the kids <33

Sadly it's on hiatus rn because of the artist's health :((

Also i know you said manga but you should check out the villainess anime of this season! 'I'm the villainess so I'm taming the final boss' It's a banger, one of my favourites for sure! It also has a manga but the manga only covers like the first 4-5 episodes of the anime

The anime is so good tho!! But the artstyle of the manga is pretty good too!

#ask #I LOVEEEEE THE VILLAINESS MANGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA #i feel like i said too much help #anyway hope you are entertained #i think everyone must know that Im obsessed with tsunderes #sorry i took so long in answering jshssh #i got your first ask dont worry!

9 notes · View notes

addictedtojmanga · 4 years ago

Text

Shoujo manga recommendations - otome game isekai

So, after 10+ years reading shoujo manga, I’ve read over 1k titles, admittedly, a reasonable amount is one-shot (or at least a collection of), but nonetheless, over time I had to expand my interests.

Lately, I’ve started reading the otome game isekai genre, and decided it’d be nice to share the ones I thought were best.

Most of them are pretty much the same, but the best ones usually have a twist, so...

! Warning: You’ll most likely want to beat up 1 or 2 characters from each one, but worry not, so do I and the other characters

1. Fiancée's Observation Log of the Self-proclaimed Villainess

Crown prince Cecil was so brilliant that everything in life was easy to the point of boring him, then one day, his fiancée Bertia suddenly said "Prince Cecil, I am a villainess!" Claiming that this world is the same as that of an "otome game" from her past life and that she is playing the role of the "villainess" in it, she aims to play her part well and have their engagement annulled. With that goal in mind, she sets about causing turmoil in Cecil's daily life.

This one definitely takes the gold for me. Super sweet and pretty funny.

2. My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!

Most people would prefer being the protagonist of a world full of adventure, be it in a game or in another world. But, unfortunately, a certain girl is not so lucky. Regaining the memories of her past life, she realizes that she was reborn in the world of Fortune Lover—one of the games she used to play. Unfortunately, the character she was reincarnated into—Katarina Claes—is the game's main antagonist, who faces utter doom in every ending. Using her extensive knowledge of the game, she takes it upon herself to escape from the chains of this accursed destiny. However, this will not be an easy feat, especially since she needs to be cautious as to not set off death flags that may speed up the impending doom she is trying to avoid. Even so, to make a change that will affect the lives of everyone around her, she strives—not as the heroine—but as the villainess.

This one takes 2nd place! It has a different result than others, and the FL is great - everyone is, to be fair.

3. Of Course I’ll Claim Palimony

"I'll annul our engagement!" My fiancé suddenly declared?! Apparently he's in love with the recently transferred count's daughter and is planning on making me the villain in order to annul the engagement. Although I have no lingering attachments about the engagement, I do have to claim a hefty consolation fee don't I?

This is sooo good. The FL is spectacular and manages to stand out - even if just a bit - from the rest of the genre.

4. I’m a Villainous Daughter, so I’m going to keep the Last Boss

Avoid the BAD END! That's the goal of the villainess in this plot-twisting story!! She has been reborn into the world of an otome game as the villainess, Irene. Using her memories of her former life, she recognizes flags indicating she's en-route to the bad end, so she makes a plan to conquer the last boss (the evil king Claude), make him her lover, and see if she can open up a new route!

Pretty funny, and the FL is bold. Also, the ML is a bishounen.

It’s one of the few mangas from this genre that has been completely translated, and since it only has 13 chapters, it’s a good way to start out.

5. The Plain & Unnoticeable Me is No More

Elaine Lana Norris, who was born at the top of the aristocratic daughter, was declared abandoned by her second fiancé at the school's founding party. Lana, who has been made a villain daughter, is driven out of her home by a strict grandfather. But there is a secret in Lana that everyone doesn't know about?

I don’t want to give out any spoilers, however, it suffices to say that she accepts her role as the villainess.

Ok, I think these 5 are my favorite, but the ones below have been selected as well, so they’re still pretty good and worth reading.

6. The Villiainess Is Adored by the Crown Prince of the Neighboring Kingdom

Tiararose was supposed to be disengaged and exiled from the country. “This was the Otome game I had played!” She realized on the day before the story’s ending??……. Shall I wait for the judgment? But, I did not do anything too cruel……. Thinking so, the ending continues. But, during the judgement??something that was not possible in the game happened. The neighboring crown prince courted the villainous daughter Tiararose.

ML: 10/10 FL: 8/10 (too insecure for my taste)

7. Endo and Kobayashi’s Live Commentary on the Villainess

She’s always putting on that grumpy face even though she’s not actually that upset! Oh, why can’t she just be honest with herself…!??? She is a tsundere, after all? When her embarrassment levels exceed a certain limit, she will explode into anger. However, the point that she’s suppressing under the surface is that she wouldn’t mind that sort of thing if it were in a less public place.? As Endo-kun passionately reacts to the antics of Lady Liselotte, the villainess of an otome game, Kobayashi-san provides a painstaking breakdown of her tsundere behaviour. Suddenly, one person could hear their voices; Liselotte’s fiancée, Prince Siegward. That is where this story begins.

8. I’m the Villainess, but the Capture Targets are too Abnormal

The villainess, Mystia, remembered her past life on her 10th birthday and has unwittingly turned the characters in the otome game "Kyun Kyun Love School" into yanderes! In order to avoid becoming the love rival of the "heroine" who will lead her to her downfall, she starts making every effort to break off her engagement with her "prince-like classmate"! That’s was what supposed to happen...But, because of her kind personality, her favorability increased instead!

It’s still in its beginning stages, but seems pretty solid.

9. Though I May Be a Villainess, I'll Show You I Can Obtain Happiness!

A collection of one shots.

Great way to start out, it has quite a few options, so if you don’t like one, give another one a try!

10. The Villainess, Cecilia Silvie, Doesn't Want to Die, So She Decided to Cross-dress!

I was reincarnated into the body Cecilia Silvie, the villainess of an otome game. According to the plot, what awaits me in the normal route is either a slow, painful death or an instantaneous one... Essentially, every route leads to my demise. Then I'll change my fate! And that's why I decided to become a man. However, I made a mistake during a certain event, and the story began to head down an unexpected path...?

I haven’t seen any other like this, and if you like gender bender, this one’s for you!

11. I’ll Become a Villainess That Will Go Down in History ― The More of a Villainess I Become, the More the Prince will Dote on Me

Alicia is the eldest daughter of the noble Williams family—a bloodline that excels in dark magic. Her jet-black hair and golden eyes command a powerful presence, but her most unique features are, without a doubt, her sharp tongue and malevolent nature. By all means, she is a villainess, but also a fictional character from an otome game!

12. I’m Not a Villainess!! Just Because I Can Control Darkness Doesn’t Mean I’m a Bad Person!

The novel The Saint Beloved by the Prince is set in the land of Lacia, where spirits control the elements, each of which is overseen by a "Spirit King." On rare occasions, these Spirit Kings may bless a single human, granting them immense magical control over their respective element. The heroine, Amelia Logan, and the villainess, Claudia Leitzya, are two sides of the same coin, blessed by the Light and Dark Spirit Kings respectively. However, while Amelia is beloved, Claudia is hated and rejected due to her dark skin, ebony locks, and aptitude for dark magic. After dying in modern-day Japan, Sakura is reborn as an infant Claudia. While difficult at first, Claudia tries to adjust to this new life, all the while accompanied by the Dark Spirit King Gerald. But even this task is far from easy; people fear her at first glance, no matter how she acts toward them. Still, Claudia is set on changing her fate from the novel, proving she is a good person and breaking free from the shackles of a "villainess."

13. Rebirth of the Villainess: The Life of Letizia after the Engagement Annulment

For some reason, the duke's daughter, Letizia, was plotting to break her engagement with the prince. Her plan succeeded and the prince, none the wiser. But shortly after the engagement was terminated... The King collapsed! In that moment, she recalled her memories of her past life as a nurse and she fully utilised her knowledge & experience as a nurse, to save the King's life. Thinking she had achieved what she wanted, she thought she could finally relax, drinking her favourite beverage and leisurely spend her time, she instead somehow keeps getting involved in incident after incident. The slow and peaceful life is now nothing but a dream!? Lazy daughter, busy seeking freedom and laziness!

14. I Won't Become a Villainess. I'm Just a "Normal" Duke's Daughter!

A Japanese person reincarnated into an otome game chock full of death flags for the villainess, Rosalind. "I'm going to live an enjoyable life in this world!" Making full use of the game knowledge to avoid death flags, for some reason events keep happening one after another?! Contracting with spirits, helping her father (the prime minister) with his work using her modern day knowledge, taking a walk with the holy beast... and on top of all that, even starting up the heroine's event...? Will Rosalind be able to smash through every unknown death flag that comes her way...?! And will she be able to be fluffy lovey-dovey with the supporting beastkin character she liked from her previous life?!

Cute. Has beasts.

15. Milady Just Wants to Relax

She worked herself to death in her past life, but then she was reborn in another world as the villainess Ronia! As expected, her engagement is broken and she's expelled from society, but now she takes that chance to live peacefully, and even opens a cafe with the help of her fairy comrades, which is becoming unexpectedly popular with beast-kin...?

Also cute. Also has beasts.

16. I Swear I Won’t Bother You Again!

Violette, a proud and beautiful daughter of a duke, commits a crime out of jealousy towards her half-sister. Convicted, Violet faces her own heart with sincerity in a prison cell and regrets her sin. Then time rewinds to a turning point—to her first meeting with Maryjun one year ago. Violette makes a decision. She will not make mistakes this time. Without committing a crime and bothering anyone, she will live an ordinary, plain and inconspicuous life...! However, incidents contrary to Violette's expectations occur one after another...?!

17. I Became a Villain Daughter

On her 15th birthday, Hinase Kaede, a young girl who was working as a part-timer, perished in a traffic accident. Upon her death, a self-proclaimed “God” appeared, declaring that Kaede would be brought back to life. However, Kaede’s happiness was short-lived and her soul was thrown into Erika, the villainess of an otome game! In the original game, Erika became a saint candidate alongside the heroine, committed evil deeds over the course of the candidacy, and ultimately faced condemnation. Thus, Kaede decides that she will not get close to the main characters of the game so as to avoid the bad end, but yet——?

#manga #shoujo #shojo #shoujo manga #shojo manga #manga cap #romance #otome game #isekai #mangacap #shoujo recommendation #bakarina #bertia #endo and kobayashi’s live commentary on the villainess #fiancée's observation log of the self-proclaimed villainess #villainess

113 notes · View notes

iasfuturekings · 5 years ago

Note

Hey could compare The Britannia Imperial Siblings with all the royals? Meaning like who is like this person and rivals.

It’s been years since I watched Code Geass in its entirety, which is weird bc I’ve been meaning to watch the recent movie, so I’m probably not all that accurate and I don’t remember a whole lot of the family aside from the main ones.

Diantha was directly inspired by Euphie from looks to personality. What probably makes her different is that she is the eldest sister of the family. I don’t know who in the family Xander and Marius would be like, although you can draw direct comparisons from Mars to Gino Weinberg if you’re really desperate. Xander is difficult to pin down because he isn’t complacent about his position like Odysseus was and he isn’t as cold and calculating as Schneizel is.

Jeremiah has most similarities to Lelouch because he lost his mother to political infighting and is the byronic hero of his own story, willing to do cruel things for survival but constantly grappling with the weight of his actions, ends up dying to achieve his final act of compassion/cruelty. Roswitha is more or less just Cornelia with a different coat of paint, a very strong minded patriot with military ambitions who struggles with empathy for the common person.

Damian is an odd one, because he has surface level similarities to Lelouch (commoner mother who died bc deadly politics and is the rebel of the family), but he isn’t as willing to be cruel to get what he wants. Comparing Camilla to Cornelia would be too easy, but all of them do like to dote on their younger siblings and are capable of being ruthless. In the end, they’d lean more into Lelouch’s camp simply because they didn’t have as easy upbringings as Cornelia did.

Liselotte is most similar to Carine, a young brat with an inclination for violence and bullying the weaker siblings. Thomas would be similar to Nunnally if only Liselotte actually had any sisterly love for him in the first place. Although Mila never grew up, I’d speculate they’d be like Clovis because they’d be a big, extravagant fashion icon.

I think many before have compared Leo to Lelouch, although I think he’s most like Schneizel because he has pragmatic literally in his official description and he would never stand up to Garon on behalf of his mother, who is hilariously named Marianne. Elise is most like Euphemia within the story because she has a hard time finding her place in the family beyond being the baby.

Anri’s dilemma is essentially Suzaku’s dilemma. The changes to Chapter 5 so that Anri would kill his mother instead of simply bringing a cursed sword that kills her probably were inspired by Suzaku’s arc of dealing with the guilt of killing his father while slowly doubling down on his “ends justify the means” mindset when his kindness starts getting tested. Before the events of the story, Anri is the Nunnally of the family. He’s kept in the castle on the pretense of health issues and is essentially the morality pet for his siblings. Also like Nunnally, he’s most determined to take advantage of whatever little political capital he has to end the war with minimal bloodshed but is easily swayed by his older siblings’ advice and motivations.

This AU’s Azura is a mix of C.C. and Lelouch, has mythological powers, is involved in a plot for revenge against the big evil king/dragon, makes calculating decisions to get what she wants at the expense of her family. Her conflict with Anri mirrors the conflict of ideals between Lelouch and Suzaku and she starts redeveloping her appreciation for normal man because of Anri and whichever family she follows Anri to.

As for the Hoshidan family, I’d say they’re more easy to find comparisons for. Hinoka and Ryoma’s characters are direct parallels to Cornelia, very patriotic, loses a beloved, maybe possessed sibling in a military conflict, and initially doesn’t have empathy for foreign nations. They branch off from there as Ryoma starts having reservations about the notion that Hoshido was in the right early on, and Hinoka gets nearly manipulated into going off the deep end before she starts questioning herself.

Takumi would not get along with Clovis at all, but they have similarities as they lean on the younger side of the royal family, start off as snobs with a disdain for anyone who isn’t Britannian/Hoshidan. What makes Takumi different is that he possess some self awareness to what he could be doing wrong and has room for change. Sakura is most similar to Euphemia mostly because like Elise, she struggles with getting taken seriously by her older siblings.

#long post #ask #dead royals #world #author #3dsfuriousgame

5 notes · View notes

shazzeaslightnovels · 5 years ago

Text

Honzuki no Gekokujou 1 Review

Author: Miya Kazuki

Illustrator: You Shiina

Label: TO Books

Release Date: 25 January 2015

An interesting first volume that fell a bit flat at times for me. I didn’t care for the parts that were about the Myne’s adventures in cooking but I did enjoy the parts about attempting to make books and there were a lot of little things that I found interesting, like how the protagonist sees herself as seperate from the “Myne” that came before her. Myne’s a relatable protagonist and the other characters are pretty good too. I do worry that future volumes will make the scale of the story larger than I want it to be but, for now, I enjoy reading about Myne’s adventures in book-making and I look forward to reading more of it in the future.

English Release:

J-Novel Club is currently releasing this series in English as Ascendance of a Bookworm so please pick it up if the series interests you.

Story:

Genre: isekai, books, fantasy setting

The story is about a girl who loved books who reincarnates into a world where books are rare and only the rich have access to them. Missing her precious books, she makes up her mind to obtain books at any cost, even if she has to make them herself.

I don’t particularly care for the isekai genre as a whole. I have my personal favorites, of course (Isekai Goumon Hime and Bakarina come to mind) but I find that they often end up not living up to their potential. Despite this, I was kind of excited to finally read Honzuki no Gekokujou due to it’s good reputation and the interesting premise. And it was a pretty good read overall. I did find some of the stuff boring, like all of the cooking stuff which felt really needless and I wish it explored the language aspect more but the book making itself was interesting and I enjoyed Myne’s relationship with her new family. I do find myself worrying about how things will progress in future volumes. I don’t really want the story to start involving things like war or anything like that. I enjoy that the story so far a relatively small scale one and I hope that it continues to focus on the book part of the story.

Character:

Myne’s a protagonist that will be relatable for most light novel fans and she’s also pretty interesting. I really liked that there were small touches to make her feel more human, like in the beginning how she thinks about her old mother who she’ll never see again or how she can’t do everything perfectly. As much as I didn’t like the cooking parts of the volume, I did like that she couldn’t cook by herself and had to get help a lot of the time. Myne’s narration is really fun to read as well. It’s got a lot of personality that makes it a joy to read. I also enjoyed her relationship with her new family. In particular, her relationship with Turi was sweet and I hope that her family does continue to make appearances in the later volumes of the series. As for the other side characters, they’re all fairly likeable and memorable in their own way but I have to say that I’m a bit worried about the potential for Myne to develop a romantic relationship with Lutz in future volumes. For now, she doesn’t have any romantic interest in him and I hope it stays that way.

Adaptation Notes:

The series has a few manga adaptations and each covers a different arc from the light novel. The one to adapt this volume is illustrated by Suzuka and is complete at 7 volumes. It’s pretty good and is faithful to the source material but it cuts out some of the narration and scenes which is a shame but it’s an understandable decision in a visual medium. I really appreciated the details added to the language of the world and there a lot of details in the backgrounds and the props in the story that really make the world feel alive. I really liked it.

An anime adaptation is currently airing. I haven’t seen it yet myself so I can’t comment on it.

Recommended for:

Fans of isekai series who are looking for something a little bit different, especially if you want to read something with a female protagonist.

I do plan to read the second volume eventually but the series is a bit on the expensive side so it’ll have to wait for a little bit. Next up is Tsundere Akuyaku Reijou Liselotte 2

#honzuki no gekokujou #ascendance of a bookworm #light novel #light novel review #Miya Kazuki #You Shiina #TO Books #November 2019

2 notes · View notes

filliteapot · 6 years ago

Note

Favorite characters that has a A+ character development? It can be from any media, movies, tv shows, anime, manga etc

Had to remember everyone when asked like this, so have a list of ‘characters who started either unlikable (imo), or like jerks (imo) or just with a room for improvement which was filled’:

Sarasa (though she was enjoyable since the beginning) and Shuri from Basara (hated him when reading Basara for the first time, fell in love while re-reading - it’s an A+++ development, to be honest.)

Natsu, Ango from 7 Seeds (and many other characters from this story tbh. I don’t rly like Ango but his storyline is so good).

Yuki and Kyo (and many other characters, also: one of the things I love about this series is that everyone changes a bit/a lot through the series and even side characters get considerable development) from Fruits Basket. But especially Yuki.

Alto from Liselotte to Majo no Mori

Fakir from Princess Tutu

Wirt from Over the Garden Wall

Edmund from The Chronicles of Narnia

Diana Wynne Jones’ protagonists, for example, in the Chrestomanci series

Zuko from Avatar (a classic example, yeah)

In case you’re wondering why there are so few female charcaters in this (incomplete) list, it’s because there is a pretty high chance that I was ok with her character since the very beginning and the further develpment wasn’t that striking as the examples I wrote, so they don’t really fit to the dumb title i gave to this list.

#replies #a hard question bc there are too many developments i find interesting

2 notes · View notes

ask-smutty-lucifer · 3 years ago

Note

“Steve, wait!” Liselotte rushes after Steve, causing him to pause and listen. “I… I think I should do that.” It’s embarrassing to say it out loud, but she misses him. His thin, young body against her plush one. The soft snores coming from his side of the bed and the unnatural amount of plain yogurt in her fridge. Even the gross smell of gas she would always complain about. || “Hey, hey, hey.” Soldat tries to calm her down as Lee steps back and watches her suspiciously. She was lucky that she’s Soldat’s. Otherwise, he would’ve taught her a lesson already. “What happened?” Her boyfriend wants to know.

Steve bites his lip, giving her a sad look. “Liselotte, you really shouldn’t. He’s no good for you. He hurt you so badly. I know it hurts not to have him in your life, but it’s for the better. His toxicity will only deep into your life more and more like a disease and pull you away from everything you love. I’m a coo, I’ve seen it happen over and over and over again to countless people.”

Bunny sniffles, starting to tear up. “Lizzy is-is bruised and bleeding and crying cause of this ASSHOLE!” She screams, trying to turn around to hit him again, hating being held back by Soldat. “No! Let me go!”

#daddy rp

0 notes

recentanimenews · 3 years ago

Text

Manga the Week of 11/17/21

SEAN: Hey, remember when I totally screwed up? And did all of Seven Seas’s release dates wrong? No? Well. So everything you saw in LAST week’s Manga the Week of should have been on THIS list. Go look at the post for 11/10 for those. I will backtrack and do stuff that should have been on that list for this one. Apologies to Seven Seas.

Airship, in print, has My Status as an Assassin Obviously Exceeds the Hero’s and Didn’t I Say to Make My Abilities Average in the Next Life?! Lily’s Miracle.

Digitally we see Failure Frame: I Became the Strongest and Annihilated Everything With Low-Level Spells 3.

Cross Infinite World has the 2nd volume of Apocalypse Bringer Mynoghra: World Conquest Starts with the Civilization of Ruin.

Ghost Ship already has out Double Your Pleasure – A Twin Yuri Anthology. Twincest: the manga. Yaaaaaay.

ASH: Goodness!

MELINDA: Oh dear.

SEAN: As well as the 8th and final volume of Destiny Lovers.

J-Novel Club debut a new title, Endo and Kobayashi Live! The Latest on Tsundere Villainess Lieselotte (Tsundere Akuyaku Reijou Liselotte to Jikkyou no Endo-kun to Kaisetsu no Kobayashi-san). Two guys playing a game with a villainess suddenly realize that her fiance can actually HEAR their commentary on the game! Can they change the outcome?

Also coming out next week: Are You Okay With a Slightly Older Girlfriend? 6, Ascendance of a Bookworm Fanbook 2, Demon Lord, Retry! 7, Min-Maxing My TRPG Build in Another World 2, the 2nd manga volume of My Instant Death Ability Is So Overpowered, No One in This Other World Stands a Chance Against Me! —AΩ—, Otherside Picnic 6, and the 2nd manga volume of Villainess: Reloaded! Blowing Away Bad Ends with Modern Weapons.

ASH: I’m certainly behind, but hooray for more Bookworm fun!

SEAN: Kodansha, in print, has Drifting Dragons 10 and Sweat & Soap 10.

ASH: I’m reading both those series right now, so this is a good Kodansha week for me.

SEAN: Digitally, the debut is Anyway, I’m Falling in Love with You. (Dose Koi Shite Shimaunda), a Nakayoshi title. From the author of I Fell in Love After School, this is straight-up reverse harem fun.

MICHELLE: I am easy to please and this cover is cute so I will check it out.

ANNA: I do enjoy reverse harem fun.

MELINDA: As do I.

SEAN: Also debuting is Arakawa Under the Bridge. It had come out print-only years ago, now enjoy the digital.

ASH: I enjoyed this series, so am glad that it’ll be more accessible to even more people now.

SEAN: And we get Blue Lock 9, Cells at Work: Platelets! 4 (the final volume), Medalist 3, Mr. Bride 4, and Quality Assurance in Another World 4.

One Peace has a 3rd volume of Farming Life in Another World.

Seven Seas has some debuts. That are already out, please see above.

THE EXO-DRIVE REINCARNATION GAMES: All-Japan Isekai Battle Tournament! (Chou Sekai Tensei Exo Drive: Gekito! Isekai Zen Nihon Taikaihen) is from Mag Garden’s MAGCOMI, and is a parody of the genre, as isekais have become bread and circus tournaments for spectators.

A Life Turned Upside Down: My Dad’s an Alcoholic (You to Bakemono ni naru Chichi ga tsurai) is an autobiographical essay manga from Champion Cross. It’s complete in one volume.

ASH: That’s certainly a tough subject, but I’ve heard good things about the manga.

MELINDA: I suspect this is an important story to tell.

SEAN: And there’s Bite Maker: The King’s Omega 3, The Girl From the Other Side: Siúil, a Rún 11 (the final volume), Karate Survivor in Another World 2, Species Domain 11, The Strange Adventure of a Broke Mercenary’s 2nd manga volume, and Time Stop Hero 2.

MICHELLE: I am several volumes behind on The Girl from the Other Side, but that just means I have a nice little chunk to read up until the end. I hope it’s happy but it’s hard to see how just now.

ANNA: I really liked the first few volumes but stalled out on this series. I’m curious to see what you think of the ending.

ASH: I’m a few volumes behind, too, but I really do love this series.

SEAN: Back to things actually coming out in the future, Square Enix has Wandering Witch’s 3rd manga.

SuBLime has a surprise non-2nd week of the month release with Sayonara Game. A one-shot from Shinshokan’s Dear+, it’s a baseball BL story?

MELINDA: I’m listening…

SEAN: Tokyopop has Ossan Idol! 5.

Udon has the 2nd omnibus of Steins;Gate 0.

Viz gives us BEASTARS 15, Children of the Whales 18, Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku 11, Urusei Yatsura 12, and Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead 4.

ASH: Whoops! BEASTARS has gotten away from me; I didn’t realize how much catching up I have to do!

SEAN: Yen On has Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody 15 and The Greatest Demon Lord Is Reborn as a Typical Nobody Side Story: The Wonderful Life of a Typical Nobody.

Yen Press debuts the manga version of Reign of the Seven Spellblades (Nanatsu no Maken ga Shihai suru), which runs in Shonen Ace. I love the novels, so the manga should also be great.

ANNA: I’m a little curious about this!

Also debuting… sort of… is Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? II, the sequel to the first manga, but let’s face it, it’s just a continuation with a different artist.

We also have Solo Leveling 3, Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun 11, and A Witch’s Printing Office 5.

ASH: I still need to read Solo Leveling, but I’m ready for more Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun!

So, as I try to forget this list and the previous one ever happened, what are you buying?

By: Sean Gaffney

#Anime #News #Manga Bookshelf

0 notes

artiegayberg · 8 years ago

Text

Chevalier de Lorraine: fact vs fiction

as requested (kind of) by @langedeversailles . Fair warning, this is something i’m super interested in, so it might be long

-The Chevalier dislikes war: fiction! Historical Chevs had been to war twice by the age of 16, at the Battle of Saint Gotthard he volunteered to face a Turkish soldier in a one-on-one battle of honour and won, and in 1667 he went off fighting with Philippe and was wounded (either his leg or his head). How exactly is kind of uncertain (Saint Simon thinks it was a romantic midnight trench adventure), but Philippe caused a scandal insisting on nursing him back to health in his own tent

-The Chevalier is Bad with money: fiction! Ol’ Chev kind of managed Philippe’s household for him, and even sat in on his weekly finance meetings on Philippe’s behalf

-The Chevalier would be poor without Philippe/has no credentials of his own: fiction! The Lorraine household, though not yet at its peak, was massively influential - they were related to the French and English royal families, as well as several other very important noble lines in France. As for wealth - besides the family fortune and his earning from war(?), Chevs has four abbeys of his own and at one point ran a powerful brokerage system at court with his brother Louis (even if its legality is somewhat dubious, as far as i’m aware). He was legally entitled to be referred to as ‘your Highness’ at court so. Yeah. He’s pretty high up there

-The Chevalier was exceptionally beautiful: fact! As far as i understand, after Guiche grew too old or was exiled (i’m not sure which cost him the status), Chezzz was considered the most beautiful man in France, and described even by his enemies as having the face of an angel

-The Chevalier came back from Italy with kidney stones: Fiction, but just about! He actually came back from Italy with chlamydia (as far as i understand), which he passed on to Philippe (and Liselotte in turn).

-The Chevalier was exiled: fact! He spent a month imprisoned in the truly awful Chateau d’If, and then went on to spent two years in Rome with his brother Charles. But it wasn’t for treason, from what I’ve gathered it was more for making an enemy of Henriette (and through her, king Charles of England)

-The Chevalier was gay: this is arguable - he was very definitely into men, so he certainly wasn’t straight, but he also slept around with women a bit and even had a child with one of his girlfriends. Although this was of his own free will i think it was usually to upset Philippe, and so without any solid evidence as to whether he had an affair with Marie Mancini it’s very difficult to know how much he was actually into girls and how much he was just being petty

-The Chevalier was a jealous man: fact, but he handled it differently to show Chevalier - actual Philippe de Lorraine was secure enough in his position that he slept around or, once, sulked off to one of his abbeys until Philippe paid proper attention to him again

-The Chevalier enjoyed court politics: fact! He was frequently involved in court politics. He was first involved in someone’s exile aged 19, and notably helped to bring down Philippe’s official favourite before him, the Comte de Guiche. He was also rumoured to have brought about Henriette’s poisoning (although the official autopsy decided she hadn’t been poisoned)

-The Chevalier used to frequently argue with Philippe: i’m actually not too sure on this one? i suspect that they argued much less than they do in the show, otherwise i think it would have been blown up way out of proportion by his enemies, and I’ve hardly seen any mention of their disagreements, other than a few over Philippe’s various mignons. Apparently their relationship declined in the 1690s, as Philippe and Liselotte grew closer, but i have no idea how much this was peaceful and how much of it was disagreements and fights

The Chevalier had a drug habit: probably?? i think most of the court used various potions and powders, but I think Versailles takes it far further than reality for dramatic effect

-The Chevalier was involved in all kinds of revelry and unspeakably naughty sexual acts: fact!! He had a reputation for being shameless, and for good reason. Dude told half the court about the more intimate details of his and Philippe’s sex life, deflowered one of the king’s sons, ran a gay sex club in Paris when he was in his fifties and was involved in an orgy the night before he died. Go hard or go home i guess.

-The Chevalier loved Philippe: this is very much open to interpretation - he was certainly attracted to Philippe’s money and status, but i will also say this for him: he never married; he came straight back to Philippe after his exile; he turned down the prospects of military careers, political careers and that of marrying into wealth in favour of staying at Philippe’s side. They were together as a couple for almost half a century, completely of their own free choice. Make of that what you will.

#chevalier de lorraine #if there's anything else anyone wants clarified let me know #i'll do my best #versailles tv #philippe d'orléans

275 notes · View notes

acrossthewavesoftime · 3 years ago

Note

🌹

Le laid Prince d’Orange Dans son lit est mené A hélé la Palatine Car il a fort toussé Que maudit soit sa peine Car il a fort toussé

Not exactly a sentence, but an alternative verse to a French song dating to the 16th century invented by a little German girl for her Dutch friend in 1660, who just so happens to be related to (but not quite as handsome as) the man the original song was written about.

I've recently dipped my toes into writing little scenes set in the 17th century, and the reasonably well-documented childhood friendship between Liselotte von der Pfalz, the future Duchesse d'Orléans, and William of Orange, later William III of England, fascinates me. I have so far written one scene, and hope to get to write more about them.

Thanks to Liselotte reminiscing about her childhood in later years and some hints dropped in her aunt's letters, it seems the days spent together in The Hague were the happiest days in the childhoods of these two very different, yet similarly isolated kids. Liselotte was as robust and outgoing as William was sickly and shy, but the two seem to have gotten on splendidly, to the point they were still teased about being in love with each other when they were in their 40s, married and on politically opposing sides.

#ask #ask game #ask reply #echo bleu #liselotte von der pfalz #william of orange #william iii #r writes #le prince d'orange (chanson)

20 notes · View notes

itsjulesharper · 8 years ago

Text

So here we are. The finale of Season 2. I hope you’re sitting down because there is A LOT to unpack in this ep. So let us get right to it without further ado.

We begin with Montespan in her rooms, in tears, topless and furiously scrubbing herself from a basin. It is clear she is frantic and upset, and on one hand I really really feel for her because we all know what it’s like to get in over your head and let emotions overrule common sense in love (we do….DON’T WE??) So it is pretty much over Red Rover for her. On the other hand… good God, woman. Did you seriously think you would stay in favour for ever? That Louis would love you above all others? Did creepy father Etienne not give you that weird ‘fuck no!’ gut feeling at all??

So then we flash to Agathe who is in her home and doing some kind of meditation/praying thing (her rooms are actually quite decent and I wonder at what level she’s at on the ladder of respectability). Cut to a scene of guards on horses riding and Marchal-to-the-rescue as they gallop through the fields. Obvs on their way to arrest the witch – yay! He shoves open the door and she remains seated, eyes closed, as if she hasn’t even heard them enter. The guards surround her chair and Marchal watches her closely, then turns the tarot card on the table. The Labyrinth we saw before. She opens her eyes, says, “I’ve been expecting you.” Marchal is unimpressed, asks if she can predict her own future, then orders the guards to search the room and that’s their cue to basically trash the place. They find a trunk, the box with the poisons, and a disc-thingy with a pentagram on it, which Marchal smashes. Then a notebook is discovered – her little black book of clients. As Marshal scans it, he sees Sophie’s name, swallows and looks a bit�� worried? Taken aback? Disappointed? Thoughtful? Hard to tell. But it does affect him. Agathe smirks: “found a friend of yours?” Unimpressed Marchal is unimpressed and he orders a guard to bind her.

I am SO Liselotte right now.

Now we are outside in the gardens of Versailles, with Thomas doing a reading of his prose to an audience and UGH I am really hating his smug little weasel face, knowing what he’s done with Philippe and knowing he didn’t do it because of any affection or need. *burns him in effigy*.

We see Philippe with Liselotte by his side, looking mighty unimpressed (sames, Madame. Sames). Louis looks back at Maintenon. Thomas finishes his blah-blah, they all clap and Marchal approaches. Louis praises Thomas and Thomas-the-weasel smiles his shitty little smug smile UGH *smashes his face*.

Look at him. That is one backpfeifengesicht if ever I saw one.

Louis is well pleased: “your love of detail and fidelity to the truth can only be applauded, Thomas.” Does Philippe agree with this awesomeness? “Makes French breasts burst with pride, brother.” And OMG that truly FILTHY look Liselotte gives Philippe. I just can’t even 😂 Louis finishes with, “one day soon, I shall reward you in full.” which sounds quite ominous and creepy and I wonder if on some level, Thomas kind of knows that his cover is blown. But still, he smiles and is all “thank you, Sire,” and then Louis looks to Marchal and we are back to secret spy business. The Queen glances at Maintenon and I am wondering if she knows about the garden snogging. Surely someone has told her by now? Louis, Marchal and Bontemps make a huddle under a really nice garden canopy and see CHAIRS WITH ARMS that should not be there but hold that thought because they’re now talking about Agathe. Potions have been found, plus satanic materials. Louis is all, “bring her to me,” and Marchal is “to the palace?”

Hell, yeah. Louis is all about never showing fear to the devil and I could spend pages making screen caps of Marchal’s expressions, so full of thought yet revealing nothing. Marchal hands over the client book and Louis looks taken aback. Agathe is the source of the poisons. “How many were involved?” Louis wants to know, but there are too many to count, which we see as Louis flicks through page after page of names and details….aaaaaand his gaze falls upon a familiar name. The Duc de Luxembourg. THEN….. there it is.

Marquise de Montespan. And Louis cannot quite believe it. He looks up from the book, across the gathered nobles, and watches Montespan in a subdued gown, standing on the edges as if already an outcast, looking from the outside in at all the favoured ones. You can see him thinking, going back through his memories to all the times she could have possibly snuck him something, got him to take drugs… all the opportunities she had. I think he’s a bit shook.

CUE INTRO MUSIC FOR THE LAST TIME THIS SEASON.

The guards bring Agathe into a private room with Marchal, Louis and Bontemps, and she offers a deep and mocking bow, to which Bontemps is offended. “You would be advised to show respect.” Yeah, nup. Agathe is all smirky and smug and hey, here’s another one whose face is in need of a slap. “You stand accused of witchcraft and sorcery,” Louis says tightly. Unsurprisingly. she pleads guilty on both counts. She is not a person to snivel and beg. She seems to me someone who would proudly claim all the deeds she is charged with. She claps back with, “to what do you stand accused? Tyranny? Arrogance? Vanity?” Louis ain’t biting, instead asking about Montespan. “Her hands are clean,” Agathe says. “She came to me for a love potion.” She laughs. “Don’t try and tell me it didn’t work?” Louis slowly circles her. “I would have expected more humility in your predicament.” Ah, but she already knows her fate. She laughs again: “They tell me Good Friday is an apt time for a sacrifice.” Louis is quite a bit offended that she is ridiculing her maker. But Agathe doesn’t care; she does not seek forgiveness: “I am not the sinner here. You and your Lord have no dominion in my world.” Which is quite a good comeback for people who want to push their religious beliefs upon those who do not follow that faith, but in 17th century France it is not really a smart idea to shun the church so publicly. Especially to Louis. “We are equals, you and I,” she goes on, almost pityingly. “You cannot choose to be born a king. Anymore than I choose to be a pauper.” That simply ENRAGES Louis and he yells back: “I am chosen by GOD!” Agathe raises her voice too: “Your Lord giveth and he will taketh away. History will record your fleeting moment in blood! A tide is coming that will SWEEP YOU AWAY!” (OMG this is so powerful, it gave me chills!) Louis studies her a moment then steps back, says calmly, “All of Versailles will see you burn for this.” Agathe gets a little ranty, says “I will not be vanquished while my agents are at large.” (oooh, Louis’ expression, knowing she has more people working for her…) She gets louder, saying how she has sewn the seeds of sedition and is going to turn everything into… I dunno what because Bontemps suddenly loses his shit, steps forward and does what we all want to do and slaps her across the face. As she’s dragged from the room, she yells, “A TIDE!” and then she’s gone and Louis looks at Marchal and says, “find who they are.” Then we cut to Agathe being led through the palace, through the salons, and everyone turns to watch this display, some with “OH SHIT” expressions, and she smirks at Gaston and Montespan as she gets hustled out. Gaston mumbles, “show a brave face. So there can be no suspicion.” But Montespan ain’t having that. Or him. She wants nothing more to do with him. It’s over and nothing can be proven. (RLY?) In time it will all be forgotten, apparently. (RLY????) Gaston disagrees. He moves off as everyone else is stuck in gossipy whispers.

Ah, and it is evening and we are with Cassel who is coughing up blood in his bed. Man, he looks really bad. I guess that’s what slowly being poisoned will do to you. Sophie steps to the bed, asking what he will have her do. “Water, please,” he rasps, looking all haggard and on his last legs. She serves him, helps him drink and it is clear she is quite upset about it. Poor thing. She looks torn, and I am really liking the depth of humanity she shows. She could have been written as cold and determined: considering what Cassel did to her, I would not have been surprised. But instead her character remains true to her heart and she is feeling remorse and conflict with her actions.

We are back in Louis’ bedchamber with Bontemps, Marchal and the little black book of Agathes’. Bontemps is frustrated – he says Hercules rid himself of the hydra by chopping off all its’ heads. Louis throws down the book in frustration and stomps out, and we next see Montespan asleep in her bed. Louis suddenly enters and she slowly sits up, cautious. His Majesty has come to the wrong room, perhaps? Louis says nup, it was def. you I came to see. And of course, Montespan is weirded out and wondering what he is up to. He leans in on the bed, staring at her. “It has been a long time.” Montespan replies: “Not since you have been with another woman.” Yeah, nup. She’s wrong – Louis has been occupied. “With Madame Scarron?” AHHHH, now SOMEONE notices! But apparently that is careless talk, and “She is Madame de Maintenon now.” OF COURSE SHE IS. Of course, everyone will think you are shagging her, now she has a fancy title and chateau and stuffs. Then Louis holds out his hand to Montespan, even smiles and wiggles his fingers as she hesitates. “What have you been up to?” He asks casually and OMG the look on her face….. She slowly rises from the bed. “Keeping a low profile. Waiting. Hoping.” Louis replies: “The waiting is over,” and the brief smile on Montespan’s face gives me a sad. “I hope so,” she says, then circles him slowly. “I knew it,” she finally adds, with an almost smug smile. (UGH. Not sad anymore) “I know you better than anyone. I knew it was a lie when you said you did not love me.” He steps behind her, gently brushes her shoulders. Apparently everyone lies sometimes. Oh, but she has never lied about her feelings for him. But in other things? asks Louis. She turns to face him and declares, “I have nothing to hide.” Louis replies with “There is sin in thought as well as deed,” and he is so giving her a chance to confess right here, but she is gonna brazen it out. She has nothing to confess, except that she loves him. As Louis removes her nightshift she says she will do anything to have him back. Louis replies, “For that, you must tell me the truth.” Fully nekkid, Montespan slides back onto the bed, obvs thinking she can win him over with nekkid boobage and her magic vajayjay, saying, “come to me, my king. I will show you I have no secrets.” He gives her a brief look up and down, then crawls onto the bed over her, kissing up from her belly, then strokes back her hair, murmurs, “finally. The scales fall from my eyes.” She moves in to kiss him, and they do, then he holds her back and the grip on her face looks pretty uncomfortable. She gasps as he gets out, “and you have betrayed me for the last time.” (Louis getting his Darth Vader on, lulz). Then he pushes her face back, then shoves her legs aside in contempt and walks out as she curls up naked on the bed and cries. OKAY, she is not very cluey, is she? How can she not think at least something was off when he chooses to see her and starts talking about secrets after she JUST SAW Agathe arrested the same day? Maybe a, “hmmm…. he has rejected me, told me he didn’t love me, then Agathe the witch gets arrested and now he’s asking me about what secrets I am holding onto?” SUSPICIOUS, MUCH?

Next day, and Louis meets the duc de Luxembourg, all smiles and hellos. Eh-up, there’s gonna be some major shit going down now. And what a lovely scene this is, with Louis’ intelligence and gift for words really coming out here when he says he needs the Duc’s help with ‘a dilemma’.

Louis: I am in two minds how to deal with my enemies. Do I educate them or punish them? Luxembourg: Depends what they’ve done, Sire. Louis: (casually) Well, if I came upon information incriminating someone I trusted…. how should I deal with that betrayal? Luxembourg: (clearly unaware) There is only one way to deal with a traitor, Sire. Louis: (gently laughs) Even if it was someone like you?

*CLANG* The penny drops for Luxembourg. He knows. They stare at each other and Louis’ smile slowly falls away. Luxembourg’s expression goes from disbelief to distress and he starts to cry as he hangs his head. Louis says calmly. “If you tell me the truth, you can leave through that door.” (such a beautiful door it is, too. Look. I would want to take it with me, not gonna lie.) “If you do not, you will leave through that door.” His other option is, of course, still a beautiful door, but flanked with the king’s guards, so obvs not the smart choice.

#gallery-0-13 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-13 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 50%; } #gallery-0-13 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-13 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */

Glorious door to freedom

Glorious door to jail

I’ll take door number one, thanks, Eddie.

So now we hear Luxembourg’s reasons: “My wife’s father was obstructing our investments. She wished him dead.” The in-laws. Dammit. Those bastards. He heard about Agathe supplying poison and invited dear ol’ Dad around for supper. Louis says he is deeply saddened Luxembourg didn’t come to him… “I am a reasonable man. I always help those loyal to the crown.” Luxembourg snaps back with, “I fear you would not listen unless it was part of your plan!” Look at the shock on Louis’ face…. LOOK AT IT!

“Because I frighten you?” Louis gets out. “Is that it? Because I am a tyrant?” Clearly, Agathe’s words have resonated. “You killed a nobleman in my palace.” Shit. Luxembourg cries, “I beg forgiveness, Sire! I will devote my life to your service without question.” Yeah….. Louis smiles at him, says he appreciates his honesty… “my friend.” Luxembourg thanks him, kisses Louis’ ring and steps to the unguarded door. Uh-uh. Not so fast. The doors open, the guards enter and yesssss….. Marchal enters too. Luxembourg is all WTAF??? but Louis says calmly, “do you really think I could let this go unpunished? After all I have given you? FRANCE. REWARDS. HER LOYAL SERVANTS. AND SHE PUNISHES THOSE WHO BETRAY HER!” You go, Louis, getting all aggro and yelly and I Am The GODDAMN KING. Luxembourg is removed and Louis says tightly to Marchal, “Strike now. Without mercy.” And the Marquise de Montespan? “Not yet.”

Now we have a fab montage of short scenes, with Marchal and guards (shout out to the lovely Cédric Vallet, who is Marchal’s Chief Musketeer), entering the rooms of nobles, dragging them from their beds and rounding them up from the salons. Women, men… all in chaos. We see a dude hurrying down a corridor, then locking himself in a salon, but the guards are inside and he gets grabbed and dragged away .. and can we stop for a moment to acknowledge Marchal casually sipping wine amidst all this arresting? LULZ. Montespan sees this, and Gaston slithers over, hisses, “They’re arresting half the court!” And she is all, “calm yourself. We two remain in the clear.” But for how much longer? He wants to make a tactical withdrawal but Montespan disagrees. She wants to “push ahead.” ……with what? Oh, I’m glad you asked. “There is one person who deserves punishment above all.” Gaston is freaked by another noble being dragged out, but Montespan, however, is so very cool.

New scene and urgent ominous music plays as we see a shot of the village and then Gaston in Agathe’s house, retrieving a bundle from a hidden hole in the roof. Then he’s back in his rooms at Versailles, brushes off Odile (?? Why is she grabbing him?) then opens the bundle, revealing bottles of poison. “What are going to do with them?” Odile asks. Gaston gets out: “Go get me something to drink.” She goes, but does not look happy.

We are now out in the gardens, on a pleasant stroll with Thomas (UGH) and Philippe. While the gardens are lovely, Thomas wants to know where they are going… somewhere private, away from prying eyes? Nah, Philippe is in more of a romantic mood, indicating a stone bench set against a row of hedges (which still looks fairly public, being in clear sight of strolling courtiers) and a valet with wine and noms. “What is life worth if you can’t bask in beauty? And talk about poetry? The words of love?” Thomas laments the fact that his words these days are military, all about the king’s ambitions. Ahhh, so here Philippe is planting the seed, because he still has to tell Thomas all that stuff Louis wanted him to, but without arousing Thomas’ suspicions. Philippe subtly flatters, saying Thomas is a poet, that he sees the reality behind the façade. He all-casual-like leans against Thomas as he launches into it: “take Versailles, for example. It is truly a triumph of style over substance. It has my brother written all over. Same goes for the war. He has you writing all that propaganda when the truth is, things are obviously in chaos.”

#gallery-0-14 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-14 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; } #gallery-0-14 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-14 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */

He charms and flirts and touches Thomas’ hair, making Thomas laugh. It’s a very good effort. “Why would you withdraw all of your troops from Holland, when we all know that is where the real war is won or lost?” Yeah, Thomas’ expression indicates he’s noticed that little clue being dropped. But I’m not sure he knows he has been played. Then Thomas places his glass down, turns to kiss Philippe, and as Philippe shifts to get into it, says “the king expects me back in court.” Philippe looks at him, smiles: “We could just have sex if you’d rather.” Huh. Thomas smiles back. “Maybe later.” (and GTFO WITH THAT SHIT. He’s just not that into you, Philippe. He is soooo not down with the man love AT ALL. UGH. Because the only legitimate excuse for denying a prince is going above his head, claiming the king needs him) Thomas leaves and Philippe’s expression is all uggggh, dammit. Failed again. I don’t think he’s annoyed with the cockblocking, tbh. More like, “I need to keep him here, to convince him of this fake war story.” We see Thomas stomp off with such a shitty look on his face and I think that maybe he has swallowed that little story of Philippes’.

Maybe….. Maybe not. Because we are back with Cassel on his deathbed… He rasps, “Is that you, my dear…” To which Thomas answers, “you must be losing your sight.” WTF Cassel has HIS EYES CLOSED. Cassel replies: “I can still detect a bad smell.” AHHH. Thomas is furious. “It was you, wasn’t it? You betrayed me to the king.” Cassel gets out: “Now why would you think that?” The Duc may be one step away from kicking the bucket, but is still sassy as hell.

So, Philippe’s jig is up. Totally. The spy was spied on and now he’s aware of the spy spying on him. But the second spy is still spying, thinking the original spy is still in spy-mode. Thomas says he knows because of a sudden enthusiasm for his company by a certain Monsieur and a “strong urge to divulge secrets of State.” I KNEW Philippe was coming on too strong! Thomas is quite angry, wants to know if Cassel betrayed him to the king, and I detect a certain outrage, and I am all a bit WTF, as if Cassel had any kind of loyalty to Thomas. Cassel starts to laugh and Thomas grabs him by the throat. “I warned you! Didn’t I?” And srsly, why would Cassel give one shit about Thomas blackmailing him when Cassel knows he is dying? I would totally do the same in Cassel’s shoes – snitching on the asshole who’s not only blackmailing him, but also shagging his wife. Although I’m not sure if he did it for the first reason more than the second. Whatever the reason, Thomas is going down and Cassel is pleased. Then we see Sophie approaching the rooms, and Thomas still chokes Cassel, then Sophie bursts in and shoves Thomas off him. She is teary… “I’m sorry,” she whispers to Cassel (oh, my heart!) and Cassel whispers, “Sophie…” touches her face and is gone. Meanwhile, Thomas is being a broody little shit behind them, giving her a look when she glances back at him.

Whew. And we are only 22 minutes into the ep!

We are now in Louis’ rooms with Philippe giving them all a debrief. And Philippe is all uuuugh: “I said you were making a mess of it by withdrawing the troops from Holland so you could focus on tackling the east. Then he left.” He was due to speak with Louis an hour ago. Bontemps asks if Thomas has seen through it. Philippe adds, “we were drinking. It was in the heat of passion.” …..Ummmm. It wasn’t really. Not much passion there, just a brief kiss from Thomas. Louis gives him a look, Philippe looks back at him. Philippe: That’s exactly what we agreed, wasn’t it? Louis: You took him for a fool. An error of judgement. And not for the last time. Philippe: That’s not fair! I’m the one selling his arse for France! Louis: Find him! Maybe it’s not too late to retrieve the situation. Philippe gives a mocking bow then leaves as Louis adds, “he must not leave the palace.”

Back in Sophie’s rooms, where she is demanding to know why Thomas would hurt a dying man. He grabs her hand: “There’s no time to explain. I must leave tonight and I want you to come with me.” Sophie is all confused and breathless and worried. “Why should I trust you?” Thomas replies: “If they catch me, they will kill me.” Okay, using Cassel’s death as an excuse. Which is a bit silly, considering everyone knew Cassel was dying and no one else knows Thomas strangled him. Sophie could just not say anything and Thomas would be in the clear. Yyeah, Sophie ain’t down with that shit: “Why? What have you done? What kind of outlaw are you?” YAY! uhhh…… No…. here we go. Thomas plays the blackmail card: “one who knows all about you. That you are a Protestant and that your mother conspired against the king for William of Orange.” The penny drops for Sophie now. GOOD GIRL. but UGH he plays that “yes, I am a spy too but then I fell in love with you, now are you coming with me or not?!” card and I am yelling at my screen going “NOOO SOPHIE DO NOT BE SO STUPID UGGGGH.” She is confused and he kisses her, tells her he’ll be at the stables at midnight, then swiftly leaves. And Sophie is looking distraught and I want her to go to Marchal for help because we all know HE WILL FIX IT.

Tbh, I thought I’d be more happy with Cassel’s death. He was a nasty piece of shit, sure. But he also had complexity and depth and he did something ultimately for the good of the king. And Louis, to his credit, did not throw him in jail when Cassel confessed to conspiracy. Pip Torrens was brilliant on the screen and I will miss his evilness.

Philippe returns to his rooms, tosses his coat on the bed and we see the Chevalier (FINALLY) in a chair, an empty glass and two more with wine on the table. “Where the fuck have you been?” He says softly yet angrily and I have to pause for a second. Did Philippe not tell him to GTFO in ep 9 after that attempted suicide stunt? “Here we go again,” murmurs Philippe and I am totally with him on that one. *sigh*

The Chevalier: You were with him, weren’t you? Philippe: (pours water into the empty wine glass) I’m not going to have this conversation with you. The Chevalier: Then I’m going ’round to your little sweetheart right now and I’m going to rip his throat out. Philippe: You’re not going to do anything of the kind because you’re a notorious coward and he’s not my sweetheart. The Chevalier: (gives him a look then gets to his feet) I’m a coward, am I? Do you really want to see how brave I can be? Philippe: Look, it’s not what you think! The Chevalier: (limp-stomps to the bed and grabs his coat) I think he’s a snivelling little bastard. And I’ll kill him.

Philippe gives him a look and I actually think that he believes the Chevalier will actually follow through. As the Chevalier heads to the doors, Philippe blurts out, “It’s a charade. Louis is using me to feed information to the Dutch. That’s why I’m flirting with him.” The Chevalier turns, snorts. “I’ve heard some lame excuses in my time..” then walks out. And I am WTAF he WANTED the truth and when he gets it, he doesn’t believe it???? SRSLY? What is so far-fetched with that scenario, given what happened in S1????

Right. We are in the gardens now, with Louis and Maintenon strolling, then taking a seat along a path. Louis comes here for sanctuary, apparently. Then he tells her he has a record of who is behind the poisonings. Hundreds of them. His friends. (and right now I am so reminded of the differences between how Louis is portrayed in the series, compared with Benoît Magimel’s version in the 2000 movie, Le Roi Danse. There is a magnificent scene between him and Lully, his court composer, where Lully says, “I thought we were friends, and Louis replies coolly, “I have no friends.” If you can find the English subtitled version, I urge you to watch. You can buy the French DVD from Amazon)

Anyway, back to Louis and Maintenon, and Louis says some of those friends are “close…. very close. One in particular.” Maintenon, with her calm voice of reason, replies, “then the betrayal is greater. An untreated wound can fester in the soul just as in the body.” Yes, Louis knows what he must do, and wonders why he hesitates, why he doubts himself. And Maintenon is all “Look into my eyes. I believe in you. You must trust yourself.” And Louis says, “you are perfect,” and they have a good ol’ snog. And OMG it JUST occurred to me that they killed off Jacques to make way for Maintenon! All his cryptic metaphors and calm advice, coming from a place of unselfishness, and borne of a desire to just help Louis rather than gain something in return. This is EXACTLY what Maintenon is doing. Even their tone of voice is similar. But now with Maintenon, you get the romantic element thrown in, plus the jealousy from Montespan (and likely the queen when she finds out they’re shagging). UUGGGGHHHH *MIND BLOWN* Anyways, Maintenon stops all the kissing and whispers about it being wrong, and lulz Louis plays the ‘how can it be when God has sent you to me?’ card and when she reminds him he is married, he is all “it is a marriage without love.” Ouch, queen. “And me?” Maintenon replies. “What would I be? Love without marriage?” UGH WOMAN. You overstep yourself just a bit to presume you know the king’s affections. She goes on: “Whatever exists between us is purer, stronger than the desires of the flesh.” Then totally gets up and leaves (WITHOUT HIS PERMISSION) and Louis is left sitting there quite a bit pissed off.

Right. I am so looking forward to Season 3 where they will hopefully show Louis with a stack more mistresses. Pleasepleaseplease….

Back in Montespan’s rooms now and she is looking determined about something. So Louis is under the impression that all she has done is ask Agathe for some love potions…? I think so. We see guards burst into another room, smash things up and find the pouch of poisons Gaston had retrieved previously. So, his rooms then. People stop by the door to gawp (car crash, 17th century version) and Gaston is there too, watching them as the Chief Musketeer claims, “one is missing,” and quite rightly decides it’s a smart idea to move along. He turns… ah-HA. Marchal stands behind him and it really looks like Gaston is about to wet himself. Still, he brazens it out with a cool “can I help you?” To which Marchal says just as coolly, “yes, I believe you can. Whether or not you are willing is another matter.” And the maid Odile is pulled forward by a guard. Gaston loses it… snarls out, “you TREACHEROUS BITCH!” and lunges forward, but Marchal.. OMG bless you, you wonderful man. Marchal grabs Gaston by the face and hurls him back into the guards. The poison pouch is shown, Gaston knows the jig is up, Marchal gives him a look then turns away. And Gaston is dragged, slo-mo-style, through the corridors for all to see, getting in Montespan’s face to give her a panicky stare-down, to which she does not bat an eyelash. His downfall is complete. Montespan quickly hurries off.

Marchal strides into his office/dungeon, Gaston behind, and they pass a bunch of locked-up nobles. Marchal shoves Gaston up against a cell, and a rough looking Agathe steps from the shadows, all messy and bloody about the face. Gaston gasps, “I have failed you. Forgive me.” But Agathe says nothing and he’s dragged away to a rat-cell. “You are defeated, witch,” Marchal says calmly. “where is your dark master now?” As he starts to walk away, Agathe replies: “In my head. just like he is in yours. We both know this is not over yet.” He gives her a cool, calculating look then walks away. And I am reminded of that scene in The Incredibles where Syndrome goes on about how stupid villains are when they go into a monologue about their plans and how the good guys won’t defeat them etc etc. AGATHE. WTF are you doing??? Has no one ever told you to, uhh…. like, NOT TELL THE GOOD GUYS THAT YOU’RE STILL DOING EVIL STUFFS?

We’re back in Sophie’s rooms, where she is cleaning up Cassel’s face, and Marchal is standing there and says what we are all thinking: “You have a very soft heart.” Sophie replies: “everybody deserves dignity in death.” Marchal wastes no time in telling her that he knows what she did, that her name was on a list. Oh, and LORDY how much do I LOOOOVE this man when he adds, “It has now been erased. You conscience should be clear.” Sophie abruptly stands, says tightly. “And what of your conscience? Is that clean?” Marchal: “I leave the past behind me. I hope you will do the same.” To which Sophie does a massive nose curl and strides to the dresser to retrieve a bag. WTF is she so angry with him??? Marchal issues a word of warning: “Your lover may not be the man you think he is.” well, DUH. We know this. Why can he not just forbid her to go? Even lock her up for her own good? Or maybe… tell her?? But no. She simply says to him, “everybody has their secrets,” then walks out the door.

Right, so we see Thomas enter his dark rooms, then rummage through a trunk. He jumps when Philippe casually asks from the bed, “where do you think you’re going?” and is all ‘what are you doing here?’ Philippe: “I like surprises,” and rises from the bed. “And I don’t like people walking out on me.” Thomas gets a bit grovelly: “I’m very sorry, I had urgent matters to attend to,” and Philippe is sorry too – for coming on a bit too strong (WAT. Thomas has already given him a blow job – I think the ‘coming on too strong’ is moot at this point) . And Philippe doesn’t at all sound sincere, especially when he says they could maybe try again. NOOO. THOMAS KNOWS. Okay, so there’s quite a bit of snogging then Philippe pushes Thomas back onto the bed, then more snogging. UGH. Then…. Philippe reaches for a dagger in his breeches, Thomas notices and is all, “That’s not very nice of you.”

And it is ON.

Thomas hurls Philippe from the bed and the knife slices through a window covering. Philippe slashes forward but Thomas leaps back every time. Thomas grabs a pot/vase and deflects a blow, before Philippe knocks it from his hand. Philippe lunges and they then wrestle for the knife, falling over a table and slamming into the floor. Philippe thrusts again, Thomas grabs his arm, Philippe punches Thomas in the face but it’s obviously not hard enough because Thomas punches back and Philippe goes down. As he lays there, dazed and prone, Thomas crawls onto him and just starts wailing into Philippe (OMG *CRIES*) punching him until his nose is all bloody. NOOOOOOOO. Why are there no guards rushing in for backup? Then Thomas picks up the dagger and FFS DOES this IDIOT not know how bad it would be to kill the king’s brother???

THEN OMG……. THE CHEVALIER TO THE RESCUE!!!!!!

I am pretty sure I screamed at this point. The fight scenes as so very well choreographed.

The Chevalier glances at prone Philippe in panic and horror, then leaps forward, yelling for the guards as Thomas runs to the window and leaps out into the night.

Now we have two simultaneous scenes – Thomas hurrying to the stables, and the guards rushing in and the Chevalier all trembly over Philippe, seeing all the blood and not seeing him move. The guards are NOT MOVING THEIR ASSES QUICK ENOUGH, no, they just look casually out the damn window, meanwhile Thomas watches Sophie standing with two horses and a stable dude, all out there on the grass and in the open. Thomas strides out, smiles as Sophie gives a little relieved gasp…. and then the Chevalier just seems to appear from the shadows behind him, with such a fucking badass look on his face. He slowly raises his musket and takes cool, calm aim.

And shoots Thomas.

ABOUT FUCKING TIME. YESSSSS! THIS IS WHAT THE CHEVALIER IS ALL ABOUT AND I AM TOTALLY ON BOARD THIS TRAIN!! WOOOOHOOOOO!!!!

Sophie screams, Thomas collapses, the horses rear, and the smoke wisps around the Chevalier like some awesome metaphor for dark vigilante justice and badassery. YES.

Sophie rushes over to Thomas, holds his head in her lap as he bleeds and goes through the motions of dying, then she kisses him and hurries over to mount her horse while the guards come a-running, Marchal in the lead. Marchal yells out, “STOP!” but Sophie wheels her horse around and gallops through the gates. The guards take aim but Marchal commands them all to hold their fire. “She is innocent,” he says, as the Chevalier stands there all casual-like with his musket pointed in the air. I love them both right now..

Whew. Well, we are back in the palace, in Louis’ rooms, and Philippe dabs at his bleeding nose while the Chevalier attempts to explain to Louis why he shot Thomas: “Believe me, Sire, I had no intention of causing trouble. I saw your brother in pain… My anger was too strong for me.” And I am just going NOOOOOO why does he have to ruin his Badass Shooting with a grovelling apology? This is what he should be doing after that little shit beat the crap out of THE BLOODY PRINCE OF FRANCE! He deserved to die and no one is going to judge the Chevalier for killing him. Hell, he would be celebrated for coming to Philippe’s defence. And yet, here we are, listening to him stutter and desperately justify his actions to Louis. And then Louis commands him to silence and says, “I have brought you here to express my gratitude. You have shown honour and valour in ridding the palace of a dangerous spy.” Stunned Chevalier is stunned. Louis continues: “And as a reward you will receive an annual stipend so you are no longer in debt, nor so reliant on my brother, and you will be given rooms in the east wing.” As the Chevalier can’t quite believe it, Louis issues a condition, that he start to “behave like a nobleman. Your predilection for alcohol and powders will cease if you wish to remain associated with my court.” Of course, the Chevalier is gushingly grateful, to which Louis repeats, “Will you shut up?” Okay, let me get this right. The Chevalier had thought that by killing Thomas (whom he did not believe was a spy even though Philippe told him so: we see his surprise when Louis confirms it) would mean punishment from Louis? Punishment for killing a man who was about to kill the Prince of France? FUCKSAKE. The Chevalier is a high-ranking noble (not that we see it here: his importance to the court seems to have either been ignored or glossed over in the telling) so he damn-well knows it would be his duty to kill weasel Thomas. And he would also know that Louis would be grateful for it and very likely reward him. So the Chevalier’s surprise when Louis not only thanks him but gives him monies is so very frustrating, because it’s not the way it would’ve happened.

So now Louis then goes over to Philippe. Louis: Brother. You are alive. Philippe: (quietly) No thanks to you. Louis: You were in the service of France. Philippe: It would’ve been good propaganda, wouldn’t it? Had I died. Your brother sacrifices himself. For you. Louis: Please, try to be reasonable- Philippe: What would you have written on my tombstone? (small snort) Gave his arse for France? (Slowly heads to the doors) Louis: Brother, please. (Philippe slowly turns) If you had died tonight I would have lost my closest friend. Philippe: (looking sad and forlorn) Why should I believe you? Louis: Because after all we have been through… After all the hurt I have caused you, you love me as I love you. (walks towards sad puppy face Philippe). If you walk out now, you walk out on that love.

And then, with Philippe all still bashed and bloody and SAD PUPPY EYES, Philippe is the one to lean in first and they embrace and the music swells and yes, I CRY because this is the one thing Philippe wanted from Louis and now he finally has it OMGGGG…. And then….. Louis says, “Tomorrow you will go to war. If that is what you wish.” Philippe cannot quite believe it, and he immediately glances over to the Chevalier who is watching their exchange, and I can see his face is sad but also kinda “yes, this is what you really want, I know.” Then Philippe says to Louis, “no sudden last-minute change of mind?” And Louis gives a small smile and replies: “I want you to go to Holland and destroy William of Orange. For me. For France. For you.” Philippe smiles, turns and walks out, and the Chevalier quickly follows, giving Louis a bow.

Wow. Okay. Nearly 20mins to go and I am EMOTIONALLY DRAINED. We are now moving through the dungeons, the camera shaky and rapid, with a creepy whisper in the air, and we get to Agathe’s cell where she paces and chants creepy-Satan things in (possibly) Latin. The guard outside looks worried and crosses himself, and we cut to Montespan in her room at a table, toying with a vial of poison. Agathe still whisper-chants, Montespan appears to be thinking.

Then we are back outside, daytime, seeing shots of the gardens before we watch Montespan enter the chapel in a subdued dress and vail. She is in confession with Bossuet and he does not look impressed. “I have done things. Evil things. I accuse myself of sins of the flesh. Of pride. And of wrath. And of other things I dare not mention.” Is she truly sorry, Bossuet asks? She is. Oh, then that’s okay because the Lord will forgive her if she says the act of contrition. And she does, and it is a VERY GOOD recital, with the correct inflection of emotion and tears. Bossuet looks forward to seeing her at communion, and is pleasantly surprised when Montespan asks permission to stay and pray. So she goes through the motions, kneeling and signing the cross, and Bossuet watches her and is well pleased and happy because he thinks she is all penitent and has found God. UGH. Yeah, the look she gives his retreating back tells us quite clearly she is still the same old Montespan and up to something.

Louis is going through his morning lever, looking not very happy, and then he and the queen walk into the chapel as holy music swells, then Philippe and a not-very-impressed Liselotte enter (the Chevalier immediately behind them) and Philippe says to Liselotte, “You did well to stay. Versailles is fun once you get used to it.” Liselotte replies: “Versailles will be fun when it gets used to me.” Everyone walks in, courtiers bow, and all take their place as the hymn continues. The Chevalier steps to Philippe’s side, but Philippe says and does nothing. Louis eyes Maintenon, who looks a bit heart-eyes and breathy. The queen is looking a bit.. stoic? Tight lipped? Maybe she has found out about the snogging? Then Louis and the queen kneel and the sermon begins. Meanwhile, Montespan walks in after everyone is focused on Bossuet: “It is only through the light can the long shadow of death be banished.” he says. Quite a subtext here, all about hope and resurrection and peace, and Montespan is struggling to hold it together.

#gallery-0-15 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-15 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 50%; } #gallery-0-15 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-15 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */

We are in Marchal’s dungeon now, and he is punching the crap out of Gaston, wanting to know who Agathe’s other agents are. Gaston is all panicky when Marchal prepares to break his pinky finger, quickly getting out, “I can save the king’s life! But not if you touch another hair on my head.” As Marchal slowly steps back, Gaston adds, “and in return you will give me full amnesty and safe passage to Bordeaux.” Marchal says that only the king can grant such a wish, and Gaston half-laughs and says something that sounds like, “the faster he’ll run or no wishes at all.” Then adds, “the ghosts of his victims are here for revenge.” Marchal is not impressed: “you will be freed only if the king survives.” Gaston swallows. “Can I trust you?” (LULWAT). And in answer, Marchal shoves him against the wooden post he’s chained to, grabs his shirt front and says, “if he dies, you die.” Then the church bells begin to chime, the hymns swell and we see Bossuet walking with the wine and wafers… Montespan starts to cry…. everyone lines up to receive the blessing as Bossuet reads from the bible in Latin…. then we are back with Gaston and Marchal and Gaston says, “Hmmm. Easter Sunday. A sermon. Prayers-” Marchal begins to think as Gaston adds, “Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.” And Marchal strides out. Cut back to the chapel, to the singing choir as Bossuet picks up a wafer and places it in Louis’ mouth… and Montespan is desperately trying to hold it together, tears now falling, her face torn with emotion. And damn, GO, MARCHAL!!!!! RUN LIKE THE WIND!!!! He races through the gates, across the courtyard, then pelts up the stairs, screaming, “DOORS!”

Back in the chapel, and the queen receives the wafer, then the wine is uncovered and poured, and Montespan is losing it now, in real distress. And the hymn still plays over the top of these scenes, giving them all a creepy, fatalistic ambiance. The wine is poured in slo-mo, and then the camera pans to the crowd – we see Louvois, Bontemps – and the wine just keeps going. Bossuet stops, Louis makes the sign on the cross… and we are running with Marchal, the camera all shaky, heading hell-for-leather straight to the chapel doors, and the guards quickly open them and then we see the choir still singing, all pure and ethereal as Louis takes the wine glass and brings it to his lips… Montespan wipes her tear-stained face, openly distraught, and Louis tilts the cup up and OMG THE TENSION IS KILLING MEEEEEEEE and JUST as he is about to take a sip, Marchal charges in and screams, “NOOOOOO!!!!!” and Louis stops, Marchal races up to him and takes the cup, murmurs breathlessly, “it is poison, Sire. De Foix confessed.” As everyone whispers, Louis and Bontemps look shocked, then Bontemps takes the wine jug and Louis says, “who else? He could not have done this alone.” And Marchal and Louis share a look, Marchal looking confused then thoughtful and they both slowly turn to look at the assembled crowd. Louis knows. He scans the faces… then he sees her, tears in her eyes and gasping. He knows. His expression is almost disbelieving for a second, then his face hardens as it sinks in. Montespan gasps, hand over her mouth, turns and walks out.

Next scene – we enter a private room of Louis’ and see Montespan in front of Louis, Maintenon standing near a window, a fire burning in the hearth. “Someone tried to poison me while I worshipped God,” Louis begins tightly. Montespan says she is innocent, but Louis does not believe it. “Innocent?” He holds out Agathe’s black book. “Yet you procured poison.” Ah, now she changes her story to “It was a mistake. I did not go through with it.” And what about the heretic priest? A satanic mass? The blood of a child spilled? Montespan is teary. “No, I could never do such a thing!” Yeah, Louis ain’t having none of that. “You went to see him! ADMIT IT!”

Her reply? “Everything I did, I did for you.” Oh, okaaaay, then. That makes it perfectly OKAY and TOTALLY NOT HER FAULT. Louis slowly circles her, his anger and disgust clear…. then slowly, almost as if against his better judgement, he reaches out and gently touches her bare neck, his fingers stroking. “I gave you my heart,” he whispers, almost disbelieving. “My soul. My love.” Then he looks across the room to where Maintenon stands at the open window, light streaming through, and the metaphor of Godly light is so very obvious. Louis’ gaze returns to the back of Montespan’s head, his expression firm. “That love has died.” Montespan is nothing but uber-determined as she whispers back, “it cannot die.” Louis slowly removes his hand from her as she gets out in a teary, breathy whisper. “I made you who you are. I made you complete and I cannot live without you. You cannot live without me.” Louis looks at her directly, replies almost gently: “That was true once. But not now.” She weeps as he adds, “without you, I am myself.” Montespan finally gets it now: “I will leave. If that is what you want. You will never hear from me again.” Louis glances to the still-silent Maintenon, then back to Montespan.

Ohhh, the look on his face. LOOK AT IT. Then he drops it: “No. You will remain here at Versailles. An anonymous noble without the king’s favour. That will be your punishment. Bear the guilt and shame forever. You will leave behind the life you once led. You will attend prayers and mass. You will neither drink, nor gamble. You will be known for your piety and your humility.” And oh, Montespan is in distress weepy tears mode (but still looking gorgeous, dammit) as she struggles out, “you condemn me to death!” But Louis is not swayed one bit. “The Marquise de Montespan,” he says, “who had the world and the king of France at her feet, no longer exists.” Montespan struggles to breathe as she cries, knows it is now truly over for her. Condemned to be a nobody, a nothing. Everything that she loathed and desperately tried not to be. Everything she spent her last waking moment trying to avoid. And finally, as she stands there in tears, Maintenon hurries over and embraces her, gives Louis a look, then leads the fallen-from-grace Montespan from the room. Maintenon then returns to a stoic Louis, puts a hand to his cheek, then whispers cryptically, “even the darkest night gives way to dawn.”

*Historical note: It was never suggested that Montespan ever tried to poison Louis, rather just put things in his wine and food to ‘increase his passion and love’ for her when she suspected her favour was falling. An ex-lover of Louis was, however, accused of wanting to poison him, a Claude de vin des Œillets, who was angry that Louis did not officially recognise her daughter as his. You can read all about her here.

Well. Nearly over now. We are in Philippe’s rooms and he is standing before a mirror, dressing in a golden sash and OMG I am expecting some more emotional shit to go down. Liselotte says, “but if you are killed, what of our son?” Philippe replies: “you will find someone else to take the role of the father.” They both glance across to the Chevalier who is standing by the window… WAT. AHAHAHAHAAAAAA NOPE. SO WRONG.

Anyways, Philippe takes Liselotte’s hand, says, “we will write to each other. Every day. I want a full report on your health and well being.” She nods with a smile. “And remember,” he says lightly, “this is Versailles. You should be happy.” They laugh softly, he kisses her cheek and then he takes a bolstering breath and walks to the Chevalier. “How do I look?” The Chevalier can barely glance at him, he’s so upset. “Passable.” Philippe is sad; “I thought you’d be pleased for me.” The Chevalier replies: “And I thought you’d be grateful to me.” Philippe’s eyes fill with tears as the Chevalier continues, moving to him: “Didn’t I save your life? So why risk it now? On a stupid battlefield?” UGH. Poor Philippe, you can see the emotion on his face and we know the Chevalier’s words are because he is hurting that he may lose Philippe again. Philippe looks at him, says calmly, “I will always love you. But there are things I must do before I can love you again.”

WAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!! *SOBS UNCONTROLLABLY*

The Chevalier’s gaze drops to the floor…. Philippe leans in and their foreheads touch, their eyes both gently close as the moment fills with emotion. “-as I wish,” Philippe finally whispers. “And you deserve.” They kiss, sweetly, tenderly and I am an absolute mess because this is what they need, an honest moment sharing what is in their hearts, a kiss that shows what they mean to each other. The Chevalier is shaking, they both smile through the tears, then the Chevalier finally whispers, “go.”

Philippe turns, looks at Liselotte, picks up his sword then strides to the doors, goes through them with his generals, the servants bowing. He glances back as he walks, and Liselotte and the Chevalier are framed in the doorway, Liselotte slowly taking the Chevalier’s hand in a show of solidarity and support… he turns back, gives a sigh, and then – as we all know this has been his dream all along – smiles to himself because he is FINALLY off to war.

No time to wipe those tears, people. We are here for the witch burning. We are in a courtyard and it has drawn a crowd. Burnings and hangings and other sorts of punishment were entertainment in those days: Tyburn Hill in London was like a regular day out for all, with refreshments being sold and nobles watching the hangings from the comfort of their carriages. Not only that, it was supposed to serve as a deterrent. Here we see the townsfolk gathered, and a royal box is set up to get full advantage of the spectacle. Agathe is led out, looking dirty and beaten, in chains and barefoot. The crowd yell at her, she remains silent with her head high. She is strapped to the pole. Then the camera cuts to the dungeons, to Gaston in chains as Marchal enters. Gaston smirks. He thinks he’s won his freedom…. nup. Marchal says, “take him to the pyre,” and his smug face falls. Back with Agathe as she is tied up, and a parade of people in dirty fancy clothing walk past her…. the nobles she supplied poison to? I think so. They are herded before the pyre, and Gaston is shoved forward. Witnesses to the burning. Punishment. Louis steps up to the royal observation platform with the queen, the rest of the royal court spread out, and there are chants of “long live the king.” He looks to the man holding the huge burning torch and the pyre is lit. Agathe is expressionless… until the smoke drifts up and her feet feel the heat.

#gallery-0-16 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-16 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; } #gallery-0-16 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-16 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */

We see reaction shots from the crowd – Montespan, a guard holding Luxembourg’s head so he is forced to watch. Peasants crossing themselves and glancing away. And the flames rise higher around Agathe. Louis reveals no emotion as he watches, stepping aside as the Dauphin walks up behind to watch (FINALLY we get to see him again! It’s been, like, eight whole eps in between). Agathe yells,”The Sun King! It is for his greed that you toil! For his vanity! You suffer! Rise up and fight! I URGE YOU! FIND YOUR POWER!” And the camera pans to the peasants but we cannot see any discontent, no nodding or whispering or agreeing with her. She’s two Louis too early. Still she screeches as the flames get higher, “Your days are numbered. Louis, King of France. You and your spawn!” Louis puts a hand on the Dauphin’s shoulder as Agathe keeps ranting, frothing at the mouth, spouting about how their flesh will be eaten by the worms of tyranny. It is a great monologue and, knowing what we do about French royal history, very prophetic. We see Maintenon looking a little distressed, Liselotte the same, the queen showing nothing and Louis with a ‘yeah, burn, you witch.’

And so she does, wailing like a banshee as the flames finally reach her. Marchal watches expressionless, Montespan glances away. Marchal’s guard struggles with Gaston, forcing his head up to watch Agathe burn. The camera pans over the royal platform, to all the expressions of horror while Agathe screams. Louis is still and silent, his gaze direct. And then, just the tiniest twitch of his lips in a smile.

THE END!!!! *Collapses*

So…. that is it until next year, when Season 3 hits our screens. No word yet as to a Season 4…. but did we all enjoy this series? What did you love? What did you hate? What/who do you want to see more of?

For me, the biggest drawcards by far are Fabien Marchal and his dark and broody brilliance as he prowls across my screen. The dialogue, which is always fabulous. The romantic moments between Philippe and the Chevalier. Sophie’s quietly growing strength and determination. Liselotte’s everything. The clothes, the jewellery. And the stunning visuals of Versailles, Vaux-le-Vicomte and the interiors. Stay tuned for another article on the smexy bits, plus what we can expect (and what I would love to see!) in Season 3. And merci beaucoup for reading along and your comments. You guys rock xxx ❤

Versailles season 2, episode 10 – deaths, downfalls and departures So here we are. The finale of Season 2. I hope you're sitting down because there is A LOT to unpack in this ep.

5 notes · View notes

lxprincipessx-blog · 8 years ago

Text

on our knees

😣 for beloved @ordinaryxgentleman

Her visit was not expected. It was supposed to be a surprise. She was hoping for a great one, after all, she hasn`t seen Athos for ages, centuries if she was exaggerating a little but those were her feelings. The excitement of finally seeing him made her speed up. Athos was never the biggest joy at parties, especially after what happened to HER but Liselotte always felt a strange platonic love for him and a bond that was inexplicable. She came to his mansion, still wonderful, he was a Comte and a Musketeer and it was odd that despite the fact that he wanted to hide his true identity he would never sell his home. She came in, without waiting to be let it, without waiting to be introduced, such familiarity was reserved only to close friends. Running the stairs in two, carrying the books she brought for him, she knocked three times. No answer. The last desperate knock. Nothing. She peeked into the room, careful not to disrupt. Now she regretted she did not ask the lady in the hall whether he wasn`t sleeping. A long night of saving the world? She came in. As silent as she could be when she wanted, she noticed a man leant on the side of his bed, sitting on the carpet, his fists clenched, his head down, one knee up, the other leg on the floor. She was sure he did not notice she was there. ‘Athos’ she whispered, kneeling down. ‘Athos, what has happened?’ She asked and repeated the question several times. What do you do in such times? What do you do when you see a man crumbling in front of you? What do you say? His face in a grimace, he was trying so hard, so hard he had been the man who everyone wanted, everyone needed. Was it because of her? Because of his profession? Because of war? She took his hand in hers. ‘I` ll be here. I`ll just stay and when you want to talk you can.’ She squeezed his hand, desperately trying to find strength to match his. If only she could change something. 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓸𝓷𝓵𝔂 𝓱𝓸𝓹𝓮 𝓲𝓼 𝓯𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓲𝓷 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱 𝔀𝓱𝓸 𝔀𝓮 𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝔀𝓮 𝔀𝓪𝓷𝓷𝓪 𝓭𝓸 𝓲𝓼 𝓲𝓽 𝓰𝓸𝓷𝓷𝓪 𝓫𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾, 𝓲𝓼 𝓲𝓽 𝓰𝓸𝓷𝓷𝓪 𝓫𝓮 𝓶𝓮 𝔀𝓮𝓵𝓵 ��𝓸𝓶𝓮𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰'𝓼 𝓰𝓸𝓽𝓽𝓪 𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓹𝓮𝓷 𝓸𝓻 𝔀𝓮'𝓵𝓵 𝓫𝓮 𝓸𝓷 𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓴𝓷𝓮𝓮𝓼

#ordinaryxgentleman #how you are spoiling me #thank you thank you and they are same age in this one? also i hope it is ok

16 notes · View notes

sanctus-rp-blog · 8 years ago

Photo

Anthony Goldstein | 22 | Unaffiliated

Bloodstatus: Halfblood

Wand: 12” Alder, Unicorn Hair

Career: Attorney (criminal: defense)

Patronus: Ibizan Hound

Boggart: A family member in a death eater’s robe

Previous House: Ravenclaw

Aesthetics–

Vintage camera, sitting cross legged reading a book, seeing your breath in the cold air, staring up at a glacier from a boat, hugging your grandma, sea water crashing over a rocky shore, tea stained newspaper, drinking coffee as the sun rises.

Biography–

In the mid to late 1800s, the Goldsteins were a household name in their origin nation of Austria. Their Ancestor, a powerful lord, married the Queen’s sister and was given the title as a high ranking military general, earning his family a title and wealth they would carry for generations, and they carried it gracefully. That is, until the end of World War One.

Horst Goldstein, a pure blooded wizard, was fed up with the way his beloved nation was left near the end of the war. Always basking in the idea of blood purity, he was quick to attach himself to a new quickly rising leader with fresh ideas. Much to his dismay, his children did not share his ideals. Wilheim, Liselotte, and Heinrich experienced first hand their father’s harsh ways of discipline, and grew up not trusting a single word he said. On the outside, they may have looked pampered with the newest clothes and shiny new toys, but not many knew of the hell they went through at home. So much so, that their mother abandoned them when the youngest, Heinrich, was four years old, which wasn’t heard of at the time.

Wilheim, at the age of 24, swore he was going to leave Austria to escape the anticipated bloodshed, and the pressure to join his father’s cause. 20 year old Liselotte and 18 year old Heinrich, always having followed their older brother, nodded in agreement. Thinking that his children were just as materialistic and selfish as he was, Horst swore they would never see another dime if they even spoke of turning their backs on him again, and would be stripped of their affiliations after being disowned. They took the offer, as it was exactly what they wanted to begin with, and set sail to a nation they had never been to but always wanted to be a part of: The United States of America. On their journey, they made a pit stop in Britain, it was the first place where people treated them as average citizens instead of someone they needed to impress. No suitors came to greet Liselotte at every possible moment, since they didn’t know what her family had to offer. They were complete chameleons, and they loved it.

The three spent a month in England, getting ready for the voyage across the Atlantic, but when the time came, Heinrich made the decision to stay. It was a shock to his siblings, but he confessed that he was not gambling when he was away, but that he’d met a Jewish witch his age and intended to marry her. With reluctance, the two agreed that this was the best decision. After all, they had fled Austria to find happiness, and it appeared their youngest had found it earlier than expected. They promised to write when they were settled in the US, and Heinrich escorted them to the docks where they waved their last goodbye.

Heinrich joined the Allied war efforts in World War Two, unknowingly beside his brother from the US, and later fought during the first Wizarding War and was the only Goldstein to participate in the Battle of Hogwarts at the ripe age of 79. He and his wife Anna had five children, all sorted into Ravenclaw house, just as their mother’s family line had been from before anyone could remember. That was where the second child, Trent Goldstein, met his wife Meghan. She became pregnant on their honeymoon with their first son Jackson, and then about two years later with Anthony.

From a young age, Anthony idolized his older brother and aimed to be just like him. He wanted to be that for someone else; he wanted to be an older brother. When he was three, he was granted his wish when his mother announced she was pregnant once more. Jackson couldn’t have cared less, but Anthony was ecstatic when Kole was born. However, that feeling didn’t last long.

Anthony and Jackson had always had a very average sibling relationship. There were arguments, of course, but they were readily resolved and they both knew that they would always support each other and be there when the other needed them most. Most days, it was like they were the best of friends. With Kole, it was never like that. While fearless and typically fun to hang around, it seemed as if he had it out for his siblings, always trying to make their lives miserable… especially Anthony.

Jackson told him it was because Anthony would be upset by Kole’s actions, while Jackson seemed to just brush them off. However, while his older brother seemingly was able to ignore the acts against him, Anthony couldn’t help but wear his heart on his sleeve when it came to family. He’d get put out by Kole’s attempts to ruin his bedroom or tear apart the projects he was almost finished with, even trying to get Anthony’s girlfriend to cheat on him with the more worthy Goldstein. He was always punished by their parents for what he said and done, but it didn’t seem to matter much. Jackson called him the Black Sheep of the family, being a Gryffindor instead of a Ravenclaw, and for the two times in was incarcerated in muggle prison. While they’ve had many fights, none were as bad as the time Kole came back from being detained the first time when he was sixteen, Anthony being nineteen.

Despite how awful he was to him, Anthony was worried about the kind of life his brother was living and confronted him about it. It escalated quickly in the family home, and before Jackson could even fathom what was going on in the kitchen below him, curses were being shot without hesitation. For the most part, Anthony was not used to conflict in his home, since he had never heard his parents fight, and he was not used to having to defend himself so suddenly, so it was no shock when the other blasted his wand away from his hand. It wasn’t until Kole cast a lethal curse at his wandless brother that Anthony let go of all restraint.

Not only were Jackson and Anthony older, they were also much stronger due to their more muscular builds, while Kole was tall and thin. Once Anthony physically smacked the wand out of his hand, Kole didn’t stand much of a chance. Within seconds, Anthony had him on the ground with his hands around his neck. He doesn’t remember the event, which he blames on nerves and adrenaline, but according to Jackson, he had to be pulled off Kole, who was struggling to get free. It is not something the family likes to talk about, but one of the boys will make a passing joke about it every once in awhile: how Anthony and Kole tried to kill each other. Anthony says he would never hurt anyone in such a way, especially his own blood, and though he doesn’t remember claims he would have stopped before any real damage could have been done. While Kole says the same, they aren’t sure how much he really means it. They might not be on best terms and Kole still doesn’t keep his comments to himself, but that was the last time Kole ever challenged Anthony so harshly.

Anthony’s relationship with his parents was never complicated. He was always close with his mother, since she had a less demanding job and was home more. She was the one he would go to for advice, and the one he trusted the most out of his entire family. He loved his dad too of course, it was just that sometimes he felt as if he didn’t have a dad since he was gone so much. He made sure to write, but for Anthony, it was almost like his father was a figment of his imagination on the other side of a piece of parchment. Trent always tried to bond with his boys when he was home by taking them to quidditch games and anything else he could think of for a father and sons to go do. Anthony appreciated it, but sometimes he felt as if it was forced. Jackson had that natural bond with his dad, the same one Anthony had with their mom, but sadly it was a bond Kole didn’t have with either of them. This is the reason Anthony suspects he is the way he is.

Anthony’s Hogwarts career was nothing short of impressive. He was sorted into Ravenclaw, just like his parents and older brother before him, for his undeniable wit and thirst for knowledge. It wasn’t uncommon to find him curled up in his family’s library reading textbooks for the next year over the summer. He found them interesting, and he lived to impress those he considered superior (teachers, parents). Anthony was always at the top of the class, teetering on the best with Gryffindor’s Hermione Granger. It sort of pissed him off at first, but then he grew to appreciate her challenge. His mother would push him to get together with friends instead, and sometimes he did, but what she didn’t understand was that though they were his friends, so much interaction would wear him out and he had to be in the mood. He always wrote letters however, as he felt as if those were a different tone, and he could write one while half asleep and the reader would hardly know the difference. Living in Cornwall, many of his friends were far away anyways.

He joined the Quidditch team his fourth year and obtained the position of beater, despite the fact that he tried out for chaser. They said he would have made a fair chaser, but his accuracy when hitting a bludger was too precise to pass up. He had a negative outlook on it at first, but grew to love the position, and was even made Quidditch captain his seventh year. In his fifth years he was a prefect, and then near the end of his sixth year was nominated for Head Boy. With all of the commotion he knew was coming with the death of Dumbledore and the hiring of the Carrows, Anthony declined the position. He stopped raising his hand in class and forming those bonds with professors. He did everything completely average, getting answers wrong on purpose to lower his grade so he didn’t stand out, because standing out was what got you noticed, and he did not want to be noticed by these people.

Being a halfblood with a notable pure blooded father, Anthony deemed it safe to go back to school. He would be damned if a few people kept him from his education and shot at success. In the beginning, Anthony wasn’t too worried. He felt that there was law, and the people wouldn’t allow those who enforced the law to let a school get away with such torment. However, he was wrong. There were teachers encouraging students to torture other students who didn’t obey by their outrageous rules. He was horrified. He was never the type to torture someone, he didn’t think he was capable of it. Anthony found himself manipulating his way through school, making sure to sit in the right spot during Dark Arts class so he wouldn’t be the first or last one seen to be called on. He always had an excuse to shy away from the torture lessons, as he knew he couldn’t witness it either without showing his true emotions toward the situation, which would only make him a target. He would offer to grade the professors’ papers or patrol the halls for any ‘misbehaving’ students during this time, and because he was a prefect, they would agree.

Anthony knew a battle was coming, he just didn’t know when or where. He anticipated it being at Hogwarts, and that was why he began scoping out the castle, making plans in the event he was correct. While Anthony used to be a part of the DA, he quit as a means of blending in and not being targeted. He still had the same values as them, he was just afraid to showcase them in fear of the punishment he might be forced to endure. Anthony had never been great in emergency situations, he just froze. He knew that if he didn’t have a plan for battle, he would be killed. He was aware that many people probably thought him a coward, and they were right, but he couldn’t help it. Not everyone was destined to be a warrior for some mighty cause. This was why he planned escape routes from every corner of the castle. He would take as many people as he could with him, but at the end of the day, he wasn’t going to stay for anyone. He just didn’t have it in him.

When the battle actually arrived, Anthony mentally coaxed himself into staying calm. He’d planned for this after all, everything just had to go according to plan. When the professors were arming the barriers against the Death Eaters, Anthony snuck off to one of the tunnels, telling as many people as he could to follow him. However, such a loud crowd did draw attention. One of the Carrows found the group and attempted to duel the lot of them. However, with several seventh years among their ranks, he was quickly defeated, even if Anthony didn’t cast as single spell, being far too ‘deer in the headlights’ with his sudden appearance to think about doing anything. The group of about thirty or so, members of all ages, were able to escape into Hogsmeade. That was where Anthony ran face first into Jackson, who’d come to fetch him. The last sound he heard was the barrier being broken and the victorious screams of Death Eaters as they charged forward. He looked back and played with the idea of going back to fight for his school and his friends, feeling as though the fact of war had sunk in enough for him to actively participate and make it out alive with his brother by his side. However, Jackson turned him around and told him that wasn’t his responsibility.

They didn’t know where to go to be safe, for the first time in almost a hundred years, the Goldstein family traveled back to Austria, and to the one place they knew, the home of the old and dying Horst Goldstein. The nurse let them in, as the man was not able to get out of bed and was always asleep. They waited in the downstairs bedroom, trying not to make any noise so that he wouldn’t know they were there. Anthony waited in turmoil, constantly turning the radio stations to get updates, deciphering the German he could understand to get a full picture of what was going on. The moment he heard the battle had been won, he insisted on going back to find what was left of his friends and to help as a healer. This resulted in a family feud, which was resolved by allowing him to go, but being accompanied by his mother for extra protection. Anthony stayed and helped some of the wounded and helped repair the castle over the next weeks. He felt too guilty about fleeing, and even to this day, feels guilty about not being brave enough to fight back.

He then went back to Hogwarts to redo his seventh year, as he struck a deal with Flitwick and explained his situation about how he purposely botched his grades the previous year and wanted them wiped off his record to be replaced with his true earnings. He even got the chance to accept the position of Head Boy that he’d turned down the year prior. As expected, without the fear of war in his shoulders, Anthony received Os across the board, and was accepted into the Ministry’s law program. He always wanted to be in law so he could assure everyone was legally protected, but he debated between being prosecution or defense. After everything that happened during the war, he felt as though the people of the Wizarding world needed someone to stand by them in times of turmoil, and that was why he chose defense. Though he loved being in the courtroom, Anthony had been a bit drained. The reason he chose to be on the defense was to defend those who were wrongly accused, however his young brain must have been deceived, since the overwhelming majority of his clients did the crime and are trying to get out of punishment. It really takes a toll on him, as knowing that their guilty yet trying to set them free goes against everything he believes in. That was why he decided to run for Minister of Magic at the young age of 22 when the position opened.

He figured he had a very successful law career and could do the job without trouble, he definitely thought he was smart enough. However, he lost by the largest margin in 200 years, and Anthony attributed it to the fact that he was so young and that he didn’t campaign well. He was fine with the loss, truthfully, but now he begins to wonder about the people who voted for the other candidate feel. Anthony isn’t as worried about the Death Eater affiliates being released as he is about the mass breakout of Azkaban and the words the new Minister is saying. It reminds him of the speeches Dolores Umbridge used to speel. He also is aware of the new group budding from the shadows, and fears them most of all. Voldemort had a pattern, and as crooked as it was he had his own law that he followed. He was predictable. These people, this new group, not only is it anonymous but they are reckless and uncoordinated. The past Death Eaters who Anthony has to defend that have been accused of working with them deny any involvement, and Anthony believes them. He knows that this group is going to slip up and that they will get caught. He’s just worried about the damage they will cause before they do.

Personality–

Ever since he was a kid, Anthony has always been honest. If he was caught doing something, he’d admit to it, and most likely without shame. There was no sense lying to risk more punishment when he’d already been caught. However, despite this, he will attempt nearly anything he can get away with as long as it benefits him in some way. For instance, he was never against cheating on exams during his school years. He loves to learn, as he aims to someday be one of the greatest minds in the wizarding world, and he is also a great strategist and plans nearly all of his interactions/movements in advance, because if he doesn’t, he tends to get stuck in some sort of a frozen like state.

He is generally serious, but can’t stand it when people mistake his seriousness for crotchetiness. While he likes to spend quite some time by himself, he likes to let go every once in awhile and can turn on the charm when he wants, he just has to plan it out plan what he’s going to say first. He doesn’t approach many people, and usually lets people some to him, the only exception to this is in the workplace, as he knows his success somewhat relies on his connections.. He’s much more of a listener than a talker, unless someone is asking him to tell them about something. In that case, he is very articulate and detailed. He also has a very strong, confident aura around him. Whenever he speaks, he makes sure he’s correct or willing to face the consequences of his opinions.

He was never very brave. He is self aware of this, but attempts to steer others’ attentions away from it. When it came to the war, while he silently supported Harry, he would adapt to any situation and learn to live in it without resistance. Due to his half-blood status, he knew he wasn’t being targeted and was too afraid of losing his life to stand up. This is why he ran off during the battle. He was hoping to do what he could without putting himself in immediate danger, then go into hiding. While he would never betray a loved one in normal, harmless circumstance, but under the effects of war he is not trustworthy because, as much as it would hurt him, he would sell out anyone to avoid pain or death.

Connections–

Marietta Edgecombe - old friend/confused by Isobel MacDougal - best friend Sue Li - first love Hermione Granger - classroom competitor

ANTHONY GOLDSTEIN IS TAKEN AND PORTRAYED BY CHRIS ZYLKA.

#harry potter rp #hp rpg #skeleton rp #lsrpg #anthony goldstein #chris zylka #takenun #takenm #taken

2 notes · View notes