#Napoleon Grill Parts

[rabbitcruiser]

Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican victory at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, during the Franco-Mexican War. The day is a minor, regional holiday in Mexico, being mainly celebrated in the state of Puebla where the city of Puebla is the capital. Military parades, speeches, and reenactments of the battle are held there. It is also celebrated in Veracruz and Mexico City, but in many other places of Mexico, May 5th is no different than any other day.

It is more widely celebrated in the United States, where it commemorates the battle, and celebrates Mexican culture and heritage. It is most celebrated in areas with large Mexican-American populations. The day began gaining popularity in the 1940s, during the beginnings of the Chicano movement. Mexican immigrants used the day to show their pride in their Mexican heritage. Awareness of the holiday was further raised in the 1960s by Chicano activists. Today it is celebrated by many in the country, regardless of their ethnic background. Parades, parties, and festivals are part of the day. These events usually include mariachi music, Mexican folk dancing, and traditional Mexican foods. The largest festivals in the country are held in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston.

Some have been critical of the day, saying it didn't have more widespread demographic appeal until it began being linked to Mexican alcoholic drinks. Some have also been critical of the day by saying it sometimes perpetuates negative stereotypes of Mexican people. The day has sometimes also been confused with Mexican Independence Day, which commemorates the call to arms against the Spanish, that took place on Sept 16, 1810. That day began being celebrated years before Cinco de Mayo.

The story of the Battle of Puebla deals with Mexico's war with France. In 1861, Benito Juárez became president of Mexico, at a time when the country was in trouble economically. They had defaulted on debts to France, Britain, and Spain, and those countries sent naval forces to Veracruz, Mexico, in an effort to retrieve their money. Britain and Spain worked out an agreement and withdrew. But France stayed, in an effort to seize back their money, and to create a French Empire in Mexican territory. France also wanted to limit the influence of the United States in the region. Although, during this time, the United States was preoccupied with the Civil War, giving France more of an opportunity to do as it pleased.

In late 1861, French forces landed at Veracruz and put Juárez and his government on the run. 6,000 French troops, under General Charles Latrille de Lorencez, planned an attack at Puebla de Los Ángeles, a town 80 miles southeast of Mexico City, and were optimistic about its outcome. Juárez was stationed just north of there and sent 2,000 (by some accounts 4,000) men to Puebla. Poorly supplied and outnumbered, they were led by General Ignacio Zaragoza. They fortified the town and got ready for French.

On May 5, 1862, the French attacked the town, and the battle lasted from morning until night. They lost between 500 to 1,000 soldiers, while Mexico lost less than 100. After the battle ended, the French retreated to the Gulf Coast. It was not a strategic win for Mexico but was a symbolic victory and morale booster. General Zaragoza died a few months later, and the town was renamed Puebla de Zaragoza. France's leader, Napoleon III, the nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte, installed Austrian Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian as emperor of Mexico in 1864. He was executed by Juárez's forces in 1867. France withdrew from Mexico the same year.

How to Observe

One way to celebrate the day is to eat traditional Mexican foods, or foods associated with Mexico, such as tacos, burritos, sopes, enchiladas, grilled corn, chips with salsa verde or guacamole, or mole poblano, which is an important food in Puebla. You could wash it all down with some margaritas. Mexican mariachi music or other Mexican music could be listened to, or you could do some Mexican folk dancing. Food, music, and dancing will likely be a part of any Cinco de Mayo festival or event, so it may be best to attend one! You could attend Los Angeles's Festival de Fiesta Broadway, the largest Cinco de Mayo event in the world (note: this Cinco de Mayo celebration is held in late April). Chicago and Houston are also known for large events. San Diego has various events, including a battle reenactment. The Cinco de Mayo festival in Chandler, Arizona, is known for its Chihuahua parades, races, and pageants. There are many smaller events taking place in cities and towns across the United States. Check to see what is taking place near where you live. In Puebla, there is a museum dedicated to the battle, and the battlefield is a park. A reenactment, replete with rifle and cannon shots, takes place in Puebla on the day, and it ends with a sword fight between the Mexican and French generals. No matter how you celebrate the day, make sure you are being culturally sensitive if you are not of Mexican or Mexican-American descent.

Source

[khoicesbyk]

The Royal Romance.

Love Everlasting.

A/N: I had a different name and plot for this fic over a year ago. But after being in the RP community for more than a year, I've decided to write the current Royal Life of my favorite OTP.

Rated: Mature (at times can and will be Explicit. I'll be sure to change the rating when and if that happens). | Contains sexual content and strong language. (You know? The usual. Y'all should be used to this from me by now 😁) | Bolded and/or italicized words are conversations and thoughts of the characters. | Main Characters: King Marquise Rys (LI) and Queen Shanelle Miller-Rys (MC) | All Characters and names: (except MC and original characters created by me and/or other authors [their characters have been mentioned and/or used in the story with their permission] ) are property of Pixelberry.

Current Word Count: 19.8K words. (may be slightly more or may be slightly less. Look, I stop counting after editing and re-editing and driving myself insane. 🤷🏾‍♀️)

If you’d like to be added to my tag list. Just reblog or dm me and I will gladly add you! 😁😘

This series is rated Mature and/or Explicit. It is NOT reading material that is safe for those under 18. Reader discretion is STRONGLY advised!

Missing a chapter or want to read a chapter again? I got you covered! Click ——> Here!

We are STILL in King Liam Appreciation Week! 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳 I didn't have a specific day for this fic but that's okay. I'm still celebrating my FAVORITE Fictional King.

And this is Part 2 of Chapter 11! It picks up where Part 1 left off I hope you all enjoy it!

TW: murder/execution and blackmail. If you are sensitive to any of those topics do not read any further. if you choose to continue on: THIS WILL BE YOUR ONLY WARNING! READER DISCRETION IS STRONGLY ADVISED!

Tag List: @choicesficwriterscreations @kingliamappreciationweek

Chapter 11.) Fate. Part 2.

He stopped massaging her feet long enough to answer the knock at the door. Their lunch was being delivered. The attendant pushed in a cart with four covered plates. 2 large plates and 2 small dessert plates. 

"Thank you, Josef. That will be all." Marquise said to the attendant. The attendant smiled and bowed to them both before leaving. 

"Food! Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!" she squealed happily. 

"You are such a child."

"No, I'm childish now feed me Seymour!" 

Marquise shook his head with a smirk before uncovering the dishes. He was served a Grilled Shrimp Cobb Salad. While she was served a Cedar Plank Grilled Salmon fillet, French lentils in a warm mustard vinaigrette, with wilted Swiss Chard. And for dessert, they each were served a dark chocolate and strawberry Napoleon.

"Mmmmm! This food is always so damn good!" she said happily.

"I'm glad you're enjoying your lunch, my love. You know it pays to have a Michelin Starred chef on the payroll."

"No really it does. Chef Daniel never disappoints with his food. And Jenna has always excelled at her desserts."

"They make a great team. They run the kitchens as efficiently as we run the kingdom."

"Indeed they do."

Shanelle was in heaven. Everything was delicious.

"That had to be one of the best lunches we've ever had. I loved it."

"Good. I'm glad. I asked the kitchen to make sure you were served foods that were high in iron."

"Thank you, baby. You always take care of me."

"I always will. You know this," he replies as he clears their dishes. "And now I believe I owe you a continuation of an earlier foot massage." 

Shanelle squealed and clapped happily as she put her feet up on his shoulders with her dessert plate sitting on her stomach. 

"At least this bump is good for something."

Marquise shook his head with a smile as he began to massage her feet again. He listened to her moan and watched her eyes roll back as she enjoyed her dessert and her massage. 

"I hope your eyes rolling back is because of this foot massage."

"And this dessert! I never knew how much I could love chocolate and strawberry together."

Marquise snickered as he continued to massage her feet. Taking advantage of Shanelle's happy delirium, Marquise placed a soft kiss on the top of her right foot. Shanelle cocked an eyebrow at her husband while taking another bite of her dessert. 

"The King is being kinky again," she said to him.

"So what's your point?" he asked.

She hated it when he did this to her but she loves it as well. His massages were indeed good for her circulation but she knew that's not why he gave them to her. He did it for his own selfish reasons. 

"Sir if you don't stop...we won't make it back to the trial," she warned. 

He smirked at her. 

"Challenge accepted."

Shanelle was mid-bite when she felt him put a suckling bite on her left foot and damn near choked. She bopped him with her fork.

"Ow!" he said.

"That's what you get for nearly making me choke! Also, do that again."

Marquise shook his head.

"You could've just said that you liked it."

"I liked it. Now keep going."

Marquise smirked.

"As my Queen commands..."

He went back to sucking on her foot. Taking care to pay close attention to every sound she made. He watched her suck the last bit of chocolate cream off her finger. 

"Dang! My dessert is all gone." she pouted. 

He moved her plate out of the way when an idea hit him.

"Y'know I haven't even touched mine. Until now."

Shanelle looked at him.

"What are you about to do?" she asked.

Instead of answering, he took the cover off of his dessert and laid the plate next to her. He then took a small dab of the chocolate cream and swiped it on the sole of her right foot.

"What are you do—" was all she managed to say before he dragged his tongue up her sole, licking the cream off. He watched her squirm with a smirk on his face.

"You were saying?" he asked as he flexed his fingers. 

"No! No! No!" she said as she tried to pull away from him. 

"Stay still!" he commanded.

"No! Not if you're gonna do that!" she replied.

Marquise rolled his eyes.

"Calm down! I'm not going to tickle you."

"You promise?" she asked.

"Yes. I know how much you hate being tickled. Also, I like my teeth right where they are. Besides, I wouldn't do that to you. Now hold still and don't move." he replied.

She eyed him suspiciously but didn't move. He took a slice of strawberry that was covered in chocolate and dragged it from the heel of her right foot to the bottom of her toes and followed it with his tongue. He watched her shiver.

"It's okay to say you enjoy it, my love."

"I do. But not as much as you do."

Marquise went back to eating his dessert off her feet. Every time he looked up at her she had a look of pure ecstasy on her face. He licked, sucked, touched, and teased her toes and soles. When he got down to the last of his dessert, he held a strawberry that was covered in chocolate to her lips.

"Bite," he instructed. 

She took a bite of the strawberry savoring the sweet taste. She watched him finish the rest of the strawberry. 

"That was a damn good dessert."

"Hmm, are you talking about the food or my feet?" she asked.

"Both," he replied as he stood up.

"Well someone is happy to see me," she said as she tapped the bulge in his pants with her right foot.

Marquise snorted. 

"He's always happy to see you."

"That outfit looks a little stuffy."

"It's a part of wearing the regalia love."

"You should take it off."

"Nope."

"Why not?" she asked.

"Because as you said, we will never leave this room and we have a trial to preside over," he replied.

"But I can't leave you unsatisfied, my King."

"My satisfaction comes from pleasing you."

She rubbed her foot across his bulge and watched him groan with his eyes closed.

"You are going to be the death of me."

"That's the point."

"That's not the point."

She continued to tease him.

"Shanelle..."

"Hmm?"

"Stop. Now."

"Nope."

"You're being a brat," he muttered. 

"And you like it," she said as she tapped her foot on his bulge. "Now open up. You know you want to."

He looked at her with just his left eye open before sighing and unbuckling his belt and pants. He freed himself with a sigh.

"See? Now don't you feel better?" she asked.

"Not yet. But I will in a minute," he replied.

She rubbed the insides of her feet along his shaft. Causing him to take a sharp breath in. 

"I reiterate you are going to be the death of me."

She continued to rub her feet along his shaft and listened to his breathing begin to become shallow. 

"God yes..." he breathed out.

She loved making him curse under his breath.

"Shit..."

He wrapped his hands around her ankles to hold her feet in place and started to thrust his hips. 

"Fuck! This feels so good..." he said as his voice got raspier. "You have no idea the power you have over me."

Shanelle bit her bottom lip.

"I am your vexation, my King."

"Yes, you are my love. Now I don't know how much longer I can last like this."

He let out a shuddering breath. 

"If word of you loving footjobs ever got out..."

Marquise scoffed. 

"Let it. The world would have to prove it," he said before gesturing downward. "Now if you don't mind."

"Very well."

Shanelle moved her feet so she could slide to the floor. She wrapped a hand around his very hard shaft and began to stroke him. 

"Shit...yes that's it. Like that." he moaned.

She swirled her tongue around the swollen tip before taking him into her mouth. 

"I could literally die right now." he breathed out. 

She was determined to go slow and torture him but he had other plans. He wrapped a hand around the back of her neck and one under her chin and started to thrust his hips forward fucking her face. 

"God, you feel so damn good." he breathed out.

He loved the feeling of her tongue sliding across his dick. It sent his orgasm soaring higher. He dug his nails into the skin of her neck as he used her mouth and throat.

"Oh fuck! Shit! That's it, baby. Suck this dick! You know you love it."

Shanelle chuckled to herself as she sucked him off. She could always tell whenever he was close. He always became a lot more vocal as his pleasure began to hit its peak. 

"Don't stop love. Please don't stop," he said through gritted teeth. 

She closed her eyes and breathed through her nose as she took him deep in her mouth and stayed like that. It sent him into a deliciously happy tailspin. His grip tightened, and he went rigid as he exploded in her mouth. He stayed still for a moment before pulling out of her mouth. After adjusting himself, he helped her up before collapsing onto the couch next to her. 

"Well, that was fun," he said as he caught his breath.

She snuggled against him.

"I'll say." she agreed. 

Marquise looked at his Apple Watch and sighed.

"We still have another 30 or so minutes before the trial resumes."

"Good. That means we have to go explore the garden here."

Marquise scoffed. 

"I am not leaving this couch until I get my strength back so you'll have to settle for hearing the history of the garden."

"Fineeee!" she pouted.

"You'll live. Now what would you like to know?" he asked.

"How long has it been here?" she replied.

"It was a wedding gift to Queen Maja. She married King Fabian's oldest son Simon. It was from her homeland of Denmark." 

"Denmark?!" she asked.

"Yup. She was the Crown Princess of Denmark. Her Father King Fredrik and King Fabian matched their children together. It's how we gained land close to the border with Ardona." he replied.

"Geez! What is it with you Rys men and marrying outsiders?" she asked.

Marquise snickered.

"The heart knows what it wants," he replied.

"Even though they were matched together?" she asked.

"Yes. Just like we were. And just like us, Simon and Maja eventually fell in love and continued the line." he replied. 

"What kind of flowers are in the garden?" she asked. 

"Tulips. They were always her favorite," he replied. 

"Are you sure we can't go see them?" she asked.

"I'm not getting up!" he replied.

She pouted with her lower lip poked out. Marquise groaned. 

"Fine! Let's go."

"Yay!" she cheered.

"I don't know why I constantly let you and your daughter take advantage of me."

"Because you're a simp for me and a pushover for your daughter," Shanelle said matter-of-factly.

"True."

The couple got up and walked out to the garden. Shanelle was in awe of the rows and rows of orange, yellow, white, and red tulips.

"They're beautiful. I can't believe I didn't know about this garden."

"We hardly come to this part of the palace. But I keep up this garden because it's a family tradition."

"Wait until your daughter sees it."

"No..."

"Yes, Marquise. We can't keep this from her. It's bad enough that you kept it from me."

Marquise made a face.

"Fine. We'll bring her after the trial is over." 

"I accept your terms, sir." 

Marquise chuckled before checking his Apple Watch.

"We're due back now."

"Okay. Lead the way, Your Majesty."

After locking the French doors and freshening up in the adjoining bathroom, the couple left the room and returned to the courtroom. When they walked back in, many in the room were eager to see who Giancarlo would call as his next witness. Marquise cleared his throat before speaking. 

"I trust that everyone had a wonderful break for lunch, now then the trial may continue. Giancarlo, you may call your next witness." 

"I call Lord Tariq's former assistant, Sir Harold Jenkins," Giancarlo replied. 

Marquise nodded as a primly dressed man walked up to face the King and Queen.

"Good afternoon Sir Jenkins. Thank you for joining us today. Now you were Lord Tariq's assistant, yes?" Giancarlo asked.

"Yes sir I was." Sir Jenkins replies.

"Tell us how you got that job," Giancarlo said to him.

Sir Jenkins smiled fondly.

"Lord Tariq and I had known each other for years. We grew up together. When he took over his family's Duchy and estate after his father retired, he hired me as his assistant. I helped him to run the day-to-day operations of the Sauvageon estate." 

"Can you describe your relationship with the deceased?" Giancarlo asked. 

"We were like brothers. Always sneaking out of class together. Might as well say we were thick as thieves." Sir Jenkins replied.

"Since you ran the day-to-day at the estate then you must've known about the marriage to Princess Naya," Giancarlo said to him.

"Yes, I knew about it. I also know that they didn't always get along. But Lord Tariq would never harm her." Sir Jenkins replied.

"Is it true their marriage was a political one?" Giancarlo asked.

"Yes. A political and financial marriage. Many noble marriages are. They were matched by their fathers King Elgin and Lord Gerard." Sir Jenkins replied.

"Financial?" Giancarlo asked.

"Yes. King Elgin owed a debt to King Constantine. And matching his daughter to Tariq would secure his family's financial future." Sir Jenkins replied. 

"So what's with the line of questions?" Shanelle whispered to Marquise.

"To establish what Tariq and Naya's marriage was like," Marquise replied. 

"Tell me, Sir Jenkins, was their marriage ever contentious?" Giancarlo asked.

"Not in the way you may think. They attended events at court together but when they were home they barely spoke to each other. They didn't even sleep in the same room." Sir Jenkins replied.

"They had separate rooms?" Giancarlo asked.

"Yes. At Princess Naya's request." Sir Jenkins replied.

"Tell me, do you know anything about Princess Naya wanting a divorce from the former Lord?" Marquise asked.

"Yes. She did ask." Sir Jenkins replied. 

"And he declined to get one?" Marquise asked.

"Yes. But please let me explain. He told her to wait until after his final business transaction had been completed." Sir Jenkins replies.

"What business transaction?" Marquise asked.

"Lord Tariq had acquired a very lucrative contract with DuPont Shipping and Exports. They are one of the biggest Exporting Companies in Europe." Sir Jenkins replies.

"When was this transaction completed?" Marquise asked.

"Two weeks before Lord Tariq died." Sir Jenkins replied.

"How much was the deal worth?" Marquise asked.

"£200,000,000.00." Sir Jenkins replies. 

"Which means she stood to inherit a fortune big enough to pay off the rest of her father's debt," Shanelle whispered to her husband. 

"And she failed to mention the deal to me," Marquise whispered back. 

Marquise nodded. 

"Thank you, Sir Jenkins. That will be all for now. You will be interviewed by the defense next so please make plans to return." Marquise said to him. 

When Marquise glanced in Naya's direction she had her head down. 

"She's not making eye contact," Marquise whispered to his wife.

"Probably because she knows she is guilty or maybe because she's pregnant it could be nausea," Shanelle replies.

"Let's find out."

Marquise cleared his throat.

"I'd like to call the Princess to the stand," Marquise announced. 

Naya's head snapped up and she had a look of horror on her face.

"That got her attention," Shanelle whispered.

"No, Your Majesty, please," she begged. 

"Now Princess," Marquise commanded.

Everyone watched as Naya gingerly made her way to sit in front of the King and Queen. She looked up to see Marquise looking directly at her.

"Now everyone here knows that you and I have a long and complicated history. We were once a couple in love. And there is a part of me that wishes I didn't have to do this but you have left me no choice. So tell me in your own words, what happened? How did we get here?" Marquise asked. 

Just as Naya got ready to speak, she suddenly grabbed her stomach while a hand flew to her mouth. Shanelle knew she was nauseous and about to throw up.

"Get her a trash can now!" Shanelle ordered. 

An attendant had just gotten to Naya as she threw up. Edwin rushed to her side to assist her. 

"Are you sick Princess?" Marquise asked.

"No she's not sick you imbecile! She's terrified thanks to this trumped-up murder charge from you and my so-called cousin!" Edwin replied with a growl.

"Watch your tongue, Your Highness!" Marquise hissed. 

Edwin stood up straighter.

"Or what? We both know your threats are hollow as you are!" Edwin snapped at Marquise.

"Don't you ever speak to him like that!" Shanelle spat at her cousin. 

Edwin scoffed.

"You know it's a shame. Our simp of a grandfather handed you a kingdom that should be mine."

Shanelle shrugged. 

"Well that's too bad Eddy. Maybe if your father had been married with a child before I was born you'd be a King, not some just lowly Prince. But hey! That's what happens when you're the firstborn heir."

Edwin's blood boiled.

"You good for nothing bitch!" Edwin hissed.

That's when Marquise had heard enough. 

"That is enough!" Marquise's voice boomed, silencing all in the room. "Edwin if you ever disrespect my wife again I will have your head displayed on a spike!" 

Edwin seethed as he stared at the King and Queen.

"And for the record, Your Highness, your wife isn't scared. She's pregnant." Shanelle announced.

Edwin's face went from angry to confused. 

"What are you babbling about Shanelle?" Edwin asked.

"That's Your Majesty, you dipshit! And it's as I said, your wife isn't scared she's pregnant. That's why she threw up. It's also why she's had her head down this entire time. She's been nauseous. Which is a symptom of morning sickness." Shanelle replies.

Edwin's brow furrowed.

"No. There's no way she's pregnant!" Edwin protested. 

"Very well. Since you're so convinced that Naya isn't pregnant, how do you explain this?" Marquise asked as he handed the results of Naya's pregnancy test to the attendant next to him. "Give this to Prince Edwin."

"No! Wait, please!" Naya blurted out.

It was too late. The attendant handed the results to Edwin. As he read the document his face went from shock to confusion to anger.

"You're pregnant?!" Edwin asked Naya. 

Naya looked at Edwin. And Marquise took in the look on her face. 

"He didn't know," he whispered to his wife.

"Well, that's obvious. But why does he look like he is about to blow a gasket at her?" Shanelle asked.

"Answer me!" Edwin demanded. 

"Give her space Edwin."

"Oh fuck off Marquise!" Edwin snapped at him.

Naya shook her head sadly.

"Yes. Yes, I'm pregnant." Naya replies.

"There. Are you happy now, Your Highness?" Marquise asked.

Edwin looked at Naya and then back at the results.

"This...this...this is impossible! Naya can't be pregnant." Edwin said.

"What are you talking about Edwin?" Marquise asked.

"That baby is not mine!" Edwin replied.

"You're her husband Edwin. What do you mean that the baby isn't yours?" Shanelle asked.

"Because..." Edwin replied.

"Because what?" Shanelle asked.

"Because I can't have children!" Edwin replies.

Everyone was stunned. 

"Your Highness, what do you mean you can't have children?" Marquise asked.

Edwin sighed heavily.

"I had a vasectomy done 11 months ago. And it's too early to reverse it. Which means I can't have children!" Edwin replied. 

Shanelle and Marquise just looked at each other in shock.

"That means..." Shanelle trailed off.

"Yes. That means my wife is a no-good cheating whore!" Edwin seethed.

"Fuck you, Edwin!" Naya snapped at him. 

"If Edwin isn't the father then who is Naya?" Marquise asked.

Naya looked at Marquise.

"That was a question that requires an answer, Princess." 

Naya swallowed.

"It was one time. We were drunk. It shouldn't have happened." Naya teared up.

"Who is this child's father Naya?" Marquise asked.

"...King Edward," Naya replied.

The courtroom went deathly silent at the revelation. Edwin looked shell-shocked. And Shanelle had to hide her face while peeking like the Marge Simpson GIF.

(Shanelle's reaction) 

"YOU SLEPT WITH MY FATHER?!" Edwin yelled. 

All eyes turned to the former King sitting in attendance. 

"Fuck you!" Naya sneered.

"You filthy dirty disgusting! I don't even know why I married you!" Edwin snapped at Naya. 

"You married me for my money because you and your family are still dead broke."

Edwin took a menacing step toward Naya.

"Also we got married because your mother had hoped that you, being married to a woman, would stop you from sleeping with your sister's husband!" Naya hissed.

Marquise's jaw dropped and Shanelle covered her mouth with a hand. When Shanelle looked out into the crowd she saw the look of sheer horror on her cousin Princess Giavana's face as she sat next to her husband. 

"Oh! My! God!" Shanelle whispered. 

"But unfortunately for your poor mother and your now shocked sister, you are still sleeping with Duke Pascal!" Naya spat at Edwin. 

Edwin stepped back in shock.

"You God awful bitch!" Edwin sneered at Naya.

And soon the two were in a shouting match for all in the room to see.

"This is a disaster!" Marquise groaned.

"What are you talking about? This is great!" Shanelle said while cackling. 

Marquise shot her a look that stopped her laughter.

"Enough!" his voice boomed as he stood up. "Have some kind of decorum for God's sake! This is a murder trial, not a place to air personal, private, and petty grievances!"

Marquise sat back down and took a deep breath to regain his composure.

"Now that this child's paternity has been established—" Marquise started to say before Edwin cut him off, "Your Majesty, I am formally requesting that my marriage to this whore be terminated effective immediately!"

Marquise let out an exasperated sigh.

"Your Highness, unfortunately, I can't grant you a divorce. Based on the fact that you and Naya are the Heads Of State for Comery Isle. So unless you want to renounce your title, you will remain married. Now. Sit. Down!"

Marquise watched Edwin storm out of the room without a second look back.

"That's not actually a law on the books is it?" Shanelle whispered. 

"Quiet!" Marquise replied before clearing his throat. 

"As for you, Naya. You have more questions to answer. Fortunately for you, you'll answer them tomorrow because I for one have had enough of this circus!" Marquise said to Naya before addressing her attorney, "Lady Hellstrom, you are to have your client ready and presentable for questioning tomorrow at 8:00 AM. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Your Majesty." Lady Hellstrom replied.

"As for the Parliament, each member of the Parliament will also be here at 8:00 AM when we reconvene," Marquise announced before standing up and helping Shanelle to her feet. 

All stood as the King and Queen made their exit. 

Later that night, after putting their daughter to bed, Shanelle was in her closet getting ready for bed. But something was bothering her. Marquise had been acting weird and she wanted to know why. 

When they got back to the residence it was like he was on autopilot. Yes, he was present and happy as always to see his smiling and giggling baby girl. Even when he and Khari had their nightly debate about what to have for dinner. 

"Okay, mon petit amour. What's for dinner?" Marquise asked. 

"Chicken nuggies and French fries!" Khari replies.

Marquise made a face. 

"What? I like chicken nuggies Daddy." 

"I know you do my love but we've had that for 3 nights in a row now. It's time to pick something else."

"Awww."

Khari pouted. 

"Khari," he said firmly. 

"Mommy?" Khari pleaded with her mother. 

"Your Daddy has a point. There are more things to eat for dinner than chicken nuggets and French fries." Shanelle told their daughter.

"Okay..." Khari said dejectedly.

Khari thought for a moment.

"Can we have lasagna Daddy?" Khari asked.

"Sure. And what goes best with lasagna?" Marquise asked.

"Cheesy garlic bread!" Khari replies.

"That's right. We'll have lasagna and cheesy garlic bread for dinner."

"And we can make lasagna sandwiches!" Khari quipped. 

"A girl after my own stomach," Marquise said as he took his daughter's hand and they walked to the main dining room. 

"Daddy, do you think the twins will like lasagna when they're born?" Khari asked.

"Not until they're older. When they're babies they don't have teeth." Marquise replies. 

"Ohhh! I didn't know that."

"Now you do my love."

Later that night after putting Khari to bed. Shanelle was in her closet picking out her outfit for the next day when he walked in. What started out as him wrapping his arms around her and nuzzling her neck turned into him picking her up and carrying her back to their bed and eating her out before blowing her back out. 

He knew her body was hypersensitive to his touch and he took advantage of it. He didn't want to stop and he wouldn't have if not for her literally tapping out and begging him to.

"Okay! Okay! Okay! Marquise! Baby! Enough! Enough! Please! I can't anymore! I can't!" she pleaded. 

When he finally let her go she just laid there exhausted and trying to catch her breath. She was in this delirious haze and felt numb from the waist down. Marquise curled up with her, pulling her tight to his body. He moved her hair out of her face and kissed the side of her forehead. 

"Thank you for that baby. I needed it. And so did you." he whispered in her ear. 

She whimpered in response.

"I know. I know. I was a little rough. I'm sorry." he said to her. 

He placed his right hand on her belly and rubbed his thumb in small circles.

"Forgive me?" he whispered in her ear, making her shiver.

She looked at him through her eyelids.

"Demon," she whispered.

He chuckled.

"Better than being the devil."

"Fine," she said in a voice barely above a whisper.

He kissed just below her right ear.

"Can't feel my legs." she managed to say.

He winced.

"Sorry about that."

"I don't know what pissed you off but don't ever do that again."

"Promise."

He held her as they both drifted off to sleep.

The next day dawned bright and early and all were back in the courtroom. Waiting and ready to hear Naya's side of the story. 

"Thank you all for coming this morning. Today we will hear from Princess Naya." Marquise announced to everyone in the room. "Giancarlo, you may now ask your first question."

Giancarlo nodded before turning to face Naya.

"Princess, is it true that you attacked Her Majesty not once but twice?" Giancarlo asked.

Naya blinked at him.

"I don't know what you are talking about," Naya replied.

Giancarlo presented her with a report.

"Perhaps I can jog your memory. What does this report say?" he asked.

Naya read the report and suddenly looked scared.

"It says that I tried to kill her. That's not true!" Naya replies. 

"Then perhaps you can clear this up."

"I was merely expressing my disappointment in His Majesty's lackluster choice of a spouse," Naya replied looking into Shanelle's direction. 

Shanelle rolled her eyes. 

"With a knife Your Highness?" Giancarlo asked.

"That was a lapse in judgment," Naya replied.

Shanelle could feel her blood pressure rise.

"You spent a night in the dungeons did you not?" Giancarlo asked.

"Yes. It was a mere overreaction to the situation."  Naya replied.

"This bitch..." Shanelle muttered.

"I'm sorry Your Majesty. Did you say something?" Naya asked.

"Yeah, I did. I said This. Bitch." Shanelle replied.

"Princess, was this attack provoked?" Giancarlo asked.

"Yes. I shared the same sentiment as the rest of the court at the time, Shanelle doesn't belong here." Naya replied.

"And yet here I sit. at His Majesty's side, a ring on my finger, and his last name." Shanelle sneered at Naya.

Naya scoffed.

"And no idea what the proper temperament of a Queen is." she sneered at Shanelle. 

"You know what? You're right, I don't know what the proper temperament of a Queen is. But I know one thing: I'm not carrying a baby that isn't my husband's!" Shanelle sneered. 

Naya's face turned ugly.

"By the way Princess, how is my cousin? Still shocked I'm sure. Have you talked to him at all? What about Genevieve? I'm sure she loved hearing the news that her husband fathered your baby. Matter of fact since I don't see him here, have you heard from your baby father-in-law since yesterday?" Shanelle asked. 

"FUCK YOU!" Naya screamed. 

"Looks like I hit a nerve."

"Enough both of you!" Marquise said to them both.

Shanelle scoffed. 

"And to think I was nice enough to make sure you were comfortable today. No one but your counsel, us, members of the Parliament, Giancarlo, and the attendants were allowed to be here today." Shanelle said.

"Gee, thanks for your consideration bitch!" Naya spat at Shanelle.

"Last warning!" Marquise warned. 

"Yes. We're getting off track here." Giancarlo agreed.

 Both women silently glared at each other. 

"Now Princess Naya, based on the findings of the autopsy that His Majesty had done, your husband was killed by Cantarella poisoning. How did that happen?" Giancarlo asked.

Naya went quiet.

"Answer the question Naya," Marquise said to her. 

"I can't," she replied quietly. 

"What do you mean you can't?" Giancarlo asked.

"I can't say anything about the Cantarella. I'm forbidden to." Naya replied.

"Forbidden? By who?" Giancarlo asked. 

"By the King," Naya replied.

All eyes looked at Marquise.

"Not him. Constantine. He forbade me from ever speaking on the matter." Naya said. 

That's when her legal counsel spoke.

"Your Majesty, may I have a moment with my client?" Lady Hellstrom asked.

"Granted. In the meantime, Carlo, you're with us." Marquise replied.

Marquise helped Shanelle up and then met Carlo outside.

"What in the world is she talking about?" Shanelle asked.

Carlo and Marquise looked at each other. Then it dawned on them both.

"Sonuvabitch!" Marquise hissed.

"He didn't." 

"Yes Carlo, he did."

"Somebody wanna clue me in?" Shanelle asked.

"We know why he forbade her from speaking about the Cantarella," Marquise replied.

"Why?" Shanelle asked.

"Because he's the one that gave it to her," Marquise replied.

Shanelle's eyebrows shot up.

"How can you be sure?" she asked.

"Because he must've found Fabian's hidden sample," Marquise replied.

Marquise closed his eyes.

"Carlo, I want every document, decree, declaration, proclamation, warrant, and NDA he ever signed."

"That will take all day, Your Majesty!" 

"I don't care! I'll issue a continuance until tomorrow, just get me those documents!" 

Carlo nodded. 

"Yes, at once Your Majesty." 

Carlo went back inside to gather his things before going to the Archives. Marquise leaned his head against the door with his eyes closed. Shanelle rubbed his arm. 

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"If she's telling the truth, I can promise you that I won't be," Marquise replied. 

"That's gonna be a lot of reading through."

"I'll get it done somehow."

"We Marquise. We will get it done."

"Shanelle—" he began to say before she cut him off, "do not argue with me. I am as much invested in justice being served as you are. So we will get it done."

Marquise knew he couldn't fight her. So he just took a deep breath and nodded.

"Fine. But we need to get to my office now."

"Let's go."  

The couple made their way to his office where boxes were already outside. 

"Oh, my God! This will take forever!" Shanelle said as she looked at the boxes.

"Then we better get started," Marquise replied.

Over the next 3 ½ hours the couple poured over everything they could find bearing Connie's seal and signature as more documents and boxes came in. They found answers to the many questions and rumors about His former Majesty but nothing yet about Cantarella or anything about it. 

"Ugh! We need a break! My brain hurts and these two are hungry." Shanelle said with a sigh.

"You go get something to eat. I can't stop right now."

"Marquise—" she began to say before he cut her off, "Go Shanelle. I'll be fine. I'll get something later." 

"Okay. Promise me you won't be at this all day." 

"I can't promise you that. But I can say that I will never miss our family time."

Shanelle sighed. 

"I guess that'll have to do. I'm going to get something to eat." Shanelle said before kissing her husband on the cheek and leaving his office. 

Over the next few hours, fueled by alcohol, protein bars, and determination, Marquise was going to find out what Naya meant. He knew that whatever it was it couldn't have been good. He was nose deep in paperwork that he didn't hear Margo come in.

"Goodness! You've been at this for hours son." 

"I know but I can't stop."

"Have you eaten?" Margo asked.

Marquise gestures to the trash bin full of protein bar wrappers.

"That's not food Marquise," she said as she set a sandwich in front of him.

"Mom, I'm busy right now."

"I can tell. Now eat."

"I'm not about to argue with you."

Margo squared her shoulders.

"Very well Your Majesty. Have it your way."

Marquise knew that tone in her voice all too well. 

"I was sent here by Her Majesty to make sure that you had at least eaten since you've been here for hours. And to remind you that my granddaughter will be home in an hour and she will be expecting her father to greet her. I would hate for her to be disappointed." 

Marquise looked at the time on his Apple Watch and sighed.

"Alright. Alright. You win. I'll eat and then be there."

"See that you are."

Marquise shook his head as he watched Margo leave. While he didn't want to stop, Margo was right. He needed to eat. And the turkey club she brought him was starting to smell amazing and after one bite he realized how hungry he actually was. Once his sandwich was done he was out the door. 

After spending time with his family, Marquise was back at it. Searching for answers well into the night. It was 1 am and he was going through all the death warrants Constantine ever signed off on. He had just started going through them when Shanelle knocked on the door.

"You're still at it?" Shanelle asked.

"Yes. But I think I'm finally onto something," he replies as she sat down across from him.

"Is this everything?" she asked.

"No. Not even a ⅓ of it," he replied.

"What are you looking at?" she asked.

"Copies of every death warrant that my father ever signed," he replies.

"Why would you be looking at those?" 

"Because everything else that I've looked at has been a dead end."

"Want some help?" she asked. 

"You should be asleep," he replied.

"So should you. But since you're up I'm helping." 

"Fine. Start with the pile of folders to your left."

The two spent the next hour combing through death warrants dating back to when Connie first took the crown. 

"All these people..." Shanelle trailed off.

"Some of them were justified executions."

"Yeah. But look at all the ones he signed off on after your mother was killed. Most of these are for real petty reasons."

"I knew some of those people very well. They were good people. Most of these executions were of people who were friends of my mother."

Marquise just shook his head. 

"This was the demon I was never trying to face," he said quietly. 

Shanelle looked at her husband before gingerly taking his hands in hers.

"If this is bothering you, babe we can stop. I don't want you to torture yourself."

"I have to do this Shanelle. None of this makes any sense. I have to find out why. So if that means facing down the demon that Constantine Rys turned into then so be it." 

Shanelle nodded before going back to searching. She finally found something that startled her. 

"Marquise, take a look at this."

Marquise peered at the warrant in her hands. It was a signed death warrant for Tariq.

"Why the hell would he sign a death warrant for the Cordonian Ambassador to Ethiopia?" Shanelle asked.

Marquise took the warrant out of her hands.

"My guess is to get back at his cousin," Marquise replies.

"Huh?" Shanelle asked.

"Tariq's father Lord Gerard is my father's first cousin. His mother Estelle was my grandfather's sister." Marquise replies. 

"Whoa!"

"Estelle fell in love with a man named Claudio. She wanted to marry him but my grandfather forbade her from doing so." 

"Why?" she asked.

"Because he was from Rutherland. And at that time all members of the Royal Family were forbidden from marrying outside of other Cordonian Nobility," he replied.

"So it wasn't just you Rys men who married outsiders?" she asked. 

Marquise snorted.

"Yes. They eloped and when my grandfather found out he was ready to strip her of her title but then he found out she was pregnant with Lord Gerard. So he allowed his sister to keep her title but he banned her husband from Cordonia and forced her to raise Gerard on by herself." he replied. 

Shanelle winced.

"Harsh much?" 

Marquise nodded.

"I never said I agreed with it, my love."

"I know. But that doesn't explain why Connie would want Tariq dead."

Marquise sighed.

"Gerard and my father never really got along as children and their relationship all but soured after Sebastian died. My mother tried to mend fences between them and was making progress but when she was killed it all went to shit. And when Tariq came to court my father got his hooks in him. And was doing well or so I thought. You see Tariq was adopted as a baby from an orphanage in Ethiopia because his mother Hilda couldn't have children."

"Wow..."

"Tariq was a shrewd businessman but he was also anal about his station. He always believed in elevating his station. Once he began to get noticed on the court my father named him as the Ambassador to Ethiopia. He secured four military bases from the Ethiopian Government."

"I never knew that about him."

"I did. He never let anyone who knew him forget it." 

"This is all very informative but it still doesn't explain why Connie would kill him?" she asked.

Marquise looked down at the death warrant and his brow furrowed.

"What is it?" she asked.

"I don't know why my father signed this warrant but I know who to ask. Take a look at the additional signatures."

Shanelle looked at the additional signatures and gasped.

"No way."

"Yeah. Now it's way past your bedtime love. Let's get some sleep."

Shanelle nodded before getting up and walking out. 

Skipping a day the trial resumed. 

"Thank you, everyone. I apologize for delaying the trial for two days. Now I have four witnesses that I have questions for." Marquise said before nodding to the guards at the door. When the doors opened former Queen Regina was walked in as well as former Duke Of Karlington Godfrey Amaranth and the former Lord Barthelemy Beaumont and Bastien the former Head of the King's Guard.

"Why are they here?" Shanelle asked Marquise.

"You're about to find out," he replies.

Marquise cleared his throat before addressing the four individuals.

"Good morning to the four of you. I thank you all for coming today."

Regina scoffed.

"It's not like we had a choice not to come, Your Majesty. You summoned me and dragged them from their cells."

"Yea well, I couldn't expect the four of you to willingly show up so I did what I had to do as King. Now to the matter at hand. The four of you are here to clarify something for me."

"What is that?" Godfrey asked.

"I want each of you to take a look at this document," Marquise said as he handed it to an attendant who handed it to Regina.

"It's a signed death warrant," Regina said before passing the document to Bastien and the others. 

"Yes. It's a signed death warrant for one Tariq Sauvageon. My question to each of you is simple, why would my father issue a death warrant for someone so lucrative to Cordonia?" Marquise asked.

"Why would we help you?" Barthelemy asked. 

"You mean besides the fact that the four of you really have nothing better to do with your lives?" Marquise replied. 

"I have plenty to do with my life, thank you very much!" Regina snapped at Marquise. 

"Yes yes. Sitting on your ass twiddling your thumbs doing nothing while you live off the Monarchy's dime is very important work, Regina." Marquise said dismissively. 

Shanelle snorted. 

"I don't have to stand for this!" Regina seethed.

"You do and you will. Now answer the question." 

All remained quiet. 

"I'll kindly remind each of you that testing my patience is a mistake." Marquise warned. 

Barthelemy scoffed.

"Oh please! You don't scare me, Marquise. If you were even half the King your father was then I would be terrified. But you're not. You're weak, hollow, and sorry. As a matter of fact, I'll be so bold as to say you're still the same sad pathetic 11-year-old boy still pining after his dead no-good mother that you have always been. So you want my help, Your Majesty, here's my answer: no! Since you're the King, you can figure this out on your own." Barthelemy sneered. 

"Is that your final answer Barthelemy?" Marquise asked calmly.

"Yes!" Barthelemy answered defiantly.

Marquise steepled his fingers together and nodded.

"Very well. Have it your way, Barthelemy." 

Marquise nodded subtly to the guard standing behind Barthelemy, who produced a long knife. With deadly grace, precision, and efficiency, the guard slit Barthelemy's throat open from end to end while a horrified Shanelle and others looked on. Splattering his blood everywhere and ending his life. Shanelle thought she would be sick.

"Break now!" Shanelle hissed.

"Per Her Majesty's wishes, we will take a 2-hour break so this mess," Marquise said as he gestured to a now very dead Barthelemy, "can be cleaned up. Now, if the remaining three of you don't want to suffer the same fate as Lord Barthelemy, I suggest one of you starts talking when we return."

Shanelle couldn't run out of that room fast enough. She got halfway down the hall before Marquise caught up with her. 

"Will you slow down?" he asked.

That's when she stopped and rounded on him.

"No, I will not slow down! Need I remind you that YOU JUST KILLED A MAN IN FRONT OF ME AND MORE THAN A DOZEN PEOPLE?!" Shanelle exclaimed.

"Calm! Down! And let me explain. A.) I signed Barthelemy's death warrant months ago. Which means B.) All I did was expedite his execution."

Shanelle looked at Marquise like he had lost his mind. 

"Was that supposed to fucking make me feel better?! Because it doesn't!" she snapped at him, "I feel like I'm gonna be sick."

"Here come sit down."

He gingerly led her to a sitting room where he helped her sit down. Once she was seated she took deep calming breaths. And when she was calm enough to speak she let him have it.

"What in the entire hell were you thinking?!" she asked.

"Are you seriously upset that Barthelemy is dead?" he replies.

"No! As far as I'm concerned he earned his death. I'm upset you had to traumatize me, your VERY pregnant wife, and a room of people by killing him!"

Shanelle closed her eyes as a way to compose herself. She heard Marquise speak in French to an attendant and when she opened her eyes there was a cup of apple tea waiting for her. 

"For you My Queen." the attendant said as he offered her a cup of tea.

"Thank you," she replies before taking a sip, "be sure that Naya gets a cup of tea if you don't mind."

The attendant bowed.

"At once Your Majesty."

As the attendant left Giancarlo walked in.

"Well that's one way to get your point across Marquise," Giancarlo said sarcastically. 

Marquise rolled his eyes. 

"What in the hell was that?" Giancarlo asked.

"I already asked that question," Shanelle replies.

"Are you two done ganging up on me?" Marquise asked.

"Well actually cousin..." Giancarlo replies.

"NO!" Shanelle snapped at her husband.

Giancarlo snickered.

"Tell me how did you find that death warrant and why is it so important?" Giancarlo asked. 

"I didn't find it, she did. And it's important because I need to know why your uncle issued it."

Giancarlo nodded.

"And you think one of the four you summoned knows the answer?" Giancarlo asked.

"I know one of them does. They just needed to be reminded of what happens when someone decides to openly defy me." Marquise replies.

"In my defense, your wife and I openly defy you all the time. Are you saying we deserve death?" Giancarlo asks.

Marquise snorts.

"Now that you mentioned it..." Marquise replied.

Shanelle gave her husband a death stare and he backed down. 

"I'm so glad she's on my side," Giancarlo said.

"Yeah yeah."

"For now I have to go prepare for questions and look into this death warrant more," Giancarlo said before taking his leave. 

Marquise turned his attention back to his slightly less agitated wife.

"Still mad at me?" he asked.

"Yup, but I guess I can see why you would kill him. I just wish you hadn't done it in front of me."

"I'm sorry."

"Are you?" she asked.

"I honest to God didn't think you'd be so upset. And when you ran out the way you did I knew I had fucked up." he replies.

Shanelle shook her head.

"Sadly I believe you."

"How is your tea?" he asked. 

"It's good. I can see why your mother swore by it when she was pregnant. Speaking of which I hope you won't let what Barthelemy said in his final minutes get to you."

"Never. I'm not that little boy anymore."

"You never were that little boy."

"Sometimes it feels like I am."

"Well, I say you're not. And what I say goes,  I am the Queen."

Marquise smiled at his bride. He was thankful she wasn't too mad at him. Once the two hours were up they returned to the courtroom and the trial resumed. Marquise cleared his throat before speaking.

"Thank you, everyone, for returning so we could resume this trial. And let me apologize for the sudden yet valid execution of Lord Barthelemy. Now to the three individuals in front of me, I do hope you took the time to consider how you will act for the remainder of the trial and what answers you will have."

All three stood still as they looked at Marquise.

"Now I believe Carlo has a few questions for the three of you." 

All eyes went to Giancarlo as he stood up.

"My first question is for Princess Naya actually. Princess, did you know about this death warrant?" Giancarlo asked. 

"And if I may, before you answer, do keep in mind that lying is always the wrong answer." Marquise quipped.

Naya nodded and then swallowed. 

"Yes, I knew about it. I found out about it after it was signed." Naya replies.

"And how did you find out?" Giancarlo asked.

"I attended a charity gala where Queen Regina informed me of the warrant," Naya replies. 

Giancarlo nodded. 

"Now for Queen Regina. You were King Constantine's closest confidant. So I'm sure you can answer this question better than anyone, why would King Constantine sign a death warrant for Tariq?" Giancarlo asked.

Regina looked at him before looking at Shanelle and Marquise who tapped the face of his watch.

"A week after the Princess came to us asking for a divorce, my husband had an audience with Lord Gerard, Tariq's father, about him not paying his Duchy's taxes. Constantine told him that he had an outstanding tax balance that had to be paid before it became a permanent debt to the Monarchy. Rather than agree to pay the taxes, Lord Gerard just laughed in my husband's face and said he would not be paying anything more to a selfish self-centered King. Cousin or not. So Constantine decided to teach Lord Gerard a lesson for disrespecting his King." Regina replies.

"And that's when he issued the death warrant for Tariq?" Giancarlo asked.

"Yes," Regina replies.

Giancarlo nodded.

"Duke Godfrey, as his third in command, can you confirm this?" Giancarlo asked.

"Yes. I can confirm this." Godfrey replies.

Shanelle shook her head. 

"Petty," she whispered.

"How did Princess Naya get the Cantarella?" Giancarlo asked. 

All three went quiet before Bastien awkwardly cleared his throat. 

"In 2011 while renovations were being done to the palace grounds, a secret compartment was found in a wall. In that compartment was the sample of Cantrella that Fabian had hidden. His former Majesty had it tested and when it was confirmed to be the same sample, he had a lab begin to quietly produce more of it. No one but myself, Queen Regina, Duke Godfrey, and Lord Barthelemy knew King Constantine had the poison produced. He only used it on those he sentenced to death." Bastien replies. 

Giancarlo nodded.

"And how is it administered?" Giancarlo asked.

"I can answer that," Marquise replies.

"You can?" Shanelle replies.

"Yes. Cantarella is given in six doses. Three small and three large. The three small doses are given to slowly build up the poison in the bloodstream. And as for three larger doses, two of them maintain the poison, and the final dose is the lethal one." Marquise explained. 

Bastien nodded. 

"Yes sir. And those were the instructions that I gave Princess Naya when I delivered the Cantarella to her." 

"So to get back at Lord Gerard he decided to kill his only son?" Giancarlo asked.

"Yes. He literally killed two birds with one stone. He got his revenge on Gerard and Princess Naya got out of her marriage." Regina replies.

"One more question then I will be through. Can either one of you tell me when this death warrant was signed?" Giancarlo asked.

"July 21st, 2015," Regina replied.

"Why does that date sound so familiar?" Shanelle asked.

"Because that was two days before you and I took control of the kingdom," Marquise replies.

"Yes, it was. Your father signed that warrant as an act of defiance to the new King and his wife." Regina quipped.

Marquise got a look on his face. 

"What is it?" Shanelle asked.

"Regina, I need you to clarify something for me. A death warrant would only be valid as long as your husband was alive, yes?" Marquise replies.

"Yes, that's right. As long as my husband was alive, the death warrant was active." Regina replied.

Marquise nodded before turning his attention to Naya.

"Naya, when did your husband die?" Marquise asked.

Naya went pale.

"Princess..." Marquise warned.

"September 12th, 2021" Naya replied.

"That's six years after the warrant was originally signed." Shanelle piped up. 

"And the former King died August 14th, 2016." Marquise added. 

"This means the death warrant was no longer valid when Tariq died." Shanelle said.

Marquise nodded. 

"Which means Princess Naya killed an innocent man." Giancarlo piped up.

"Indeed."

"My King. I believe I will now rest my case." Giancarlo announced.

"Very well. Now the defense may begin its case." Marquise announced. 

Shanelle snickered.

"Lady Hellstrom doesn't have a case. You do know that right?" Shanelle whispered to her husband.

"Still have to let her present one even if it is weak and nonexistent," Marquise replies.

It took Lady Hellstrom two days to present her case before she rested and Marquise ended the trial.

"Now that the trial has come to an end, it is time for members of the Parliament to vote. Now be sure to be sure to keep in mind all of the witness testimony and evidence that has been presented. A vote of majority must be reached either to convict or acquit. You may now convene to vote on the matter." Marquise instructed.

It took the Parliament a day to reach a vote.

"Has a vote been reached?" Marquise asked.

"Yes, my King. A vote has been reached," Bertrand replied.

"What say the Parliament, Duke Ramsford?" Marquise asked.

"The Parliament has voted 11-9...to convict Princess Naya Laurent-Sauvageon-Miller of murdering her former husband."

Marquise looked at Naya to see the color in her face drain out.

"The Parliament has voted on the matter. So shall it be. In addition to the verdict, Naya you hereby have been stripped of your titles and lands."

That's when Naya broke and became hysterical.

"No! Please! I didn't mean it! Please don't do this! I don't deserve this!" Naya cried. 

"Guards! Take her away." Marquise commanded.

Everyone watched as a screaming and crying Naya was taken out of the courtroom before Marquise turned to the Parliament. 

"On behalf of your kingdom, I thank you all for your service. Go and be well." Marquise said.

A few weeks later, His Majesty was in his office sitting in front of the fireplace, having just nursed a glass of bourbon. When there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," he said to the door.

Guards entered leading Naya who was in chains. When Marquise looked at her he could tell she had been crying. 

"Those won't be necessary," Marquise said gesturing to the chains she was in.

Once the chains were removed, the guards left the room.

"Sit," he said to her sternly.

As Naya sat down, Marquise poured himself another drink.

"I'd offer you a drink but given your current situation," Marquise said, gesturing to her growing belly, "it's for the best I'm sure."

"Why am I here?" Naya asked.

"You're here because I have a proposition for you," Marquise replies before taking a sip of his drink.

"What proposition?" she asked.

"The same one my father offered your mother before she died," Marquise replies. 

Naya looked at him confused. 

"What are you talking about?" she asked.

"Did you know your mother was sleeping with my father?" he replies. 

"What?! That's not true! My mother would never!" 

"Oh, but she did."

"You have no proof!" Naya sneered. 

"That's where you're wrong love. You see I had a conversation with your father after I found a contract my father had drawn up between him and your mother and Elgin confirmed to me that your mother was indeed sleeping with her King."

Naya looked at him in disbelief.

"No. That's not true. She loved my father."

"You're right. She did. According to your father, your mother thought sleeping with my father would get him to forgive your family's debt. And it might've worked if she had signed the agreement my father had drawn up."

"What agreement?" she asked.

"As I said, your mother and my father shared many a night in bed together. This went on for months from what I know. So much so that my father had this agreement drawn up." Marquise said as he produced the document, "I'll spare myself the gory details and just give you a summary. Basically, this is an agreement for your mother to become the property of the Monarchy."

"What does that even mean?" she asked.

"It meant that your mother was to be the King's whore. She was to be at his beck and call at all times. Sometimes for days and weeks if my father so chose. And she was to be available to whoever he decided to pass her off to." Marquise replies.

"You're lying Marquise!" 

Marquise took a sip of his drink before showing her the document.

"See for yourself."

Naya read the contract with a look of sheer horror on her face. 

"My God." 

"Unfortunately your mother's refusal led to my father sending these to yours."

Marquise handed her photos of her mother and Connie in bed together. Looking at them made her sick. 

"Do you believe me now?" Marquise asked.

"Mother, why would you?" Naya replied in shock.

"For the love of her family apparently. According to your father, it's what they were arguing about the night she died."

"That's why she stormed out of our home drunk. She was humiliated by your father."

Marquise shrugged.

"Why would you show me all of this?" she asked.

“As I said, I’m prepared to make you a deal,” he replies.

“What deal?” she asked. 

“The deal where you are to be exiled forever,” he replies.

“Why the hell would I ever agree to something like that?” she asked in a disgusted tone.

Marquise cocked an eyebrow at her before showing her the death warrant with her name on it.

“Because it beats the alternative. All this death warrant needs is my seal and signature and you and your unborn child are as good as dead,” he replies. 

Naya stared at the death warrant with tears of fear in her eyes.

“No Marquise. No. You can't.”

“King. So yes I can and I will. Unless you take the deal that I’m offering you.”

“What about my father?” Naya asked.

“He will continue to receive his medical care and his monthly stipend,” he replies.

“What about Edwin?” she asked.

Marquise scoffed. 

“He's furious with you. Because not only did you expose him but, you cost him his brand-new title as the Head Of State Of Comery Isle. At the same time, he has his own shit to deal with. His mother has all but disowned him and his father and his sister is out for blood.” Marquise replies.

“You stripped him of his title?” she asked.

“No. Your scandal forced him out. New elections will begin in November after my sons are born.” he replies.

“And what about our marriage?” she asked.

“Annulled,” he replies.

“What of my family’s debt?” she asked.

He shrugged.

“This will be how you pay it off,” he replies.

Naya took a shaky breath.

“I'll do anything to stay alive but how is this beneficial to me?” she asks.

“This is beneficial to you because I find myself in a position where you are of more use to me alive than you are dead. You made the conscious decision to kill a man. That can't be overlooked. Your murder conviction is the consequence of your own action. I am giving you a chance to live and eventually raise your child as you see fit.” he replies.

“By forcing me into exile?” she asks.

He shrugged.

“Maybe if you hadn't killed Tariq we wouldn't even have to be having this conversation,” he replies.

“You're blackmailing me into exile!”

He gave an almost bored look. 

“As I said, beats the alternative.”

“What the hell has happened to you? You used to have compassion. Morals. Principles. But this? This isn't you. This isn't who you are. This is who your father was.”

Marquise’s face contorted into an ugly sneer.

“You know what I’m done being nice. You have a choice to make Naya. You can either take the deal I offered you or I can make the decision for you, and you and your unborn child die. You have 30 seconds. Tick tock!” he sneered. 

Naya stared at him before finally relenting.

“Okay. Okay. I'll take the deal.” 

“Smart girl.”

Marquise handed her the contract he had drawn up as well as a pen.

“Sign. Now,” he instructed. 

Just as Naya went to sign she noticed an extra signature on the contract. 

“Your wife knows about this?!”

“Yes, she does. It was her idea after reading the original contract. That's why her signature is on this one. Now sign!”

With a shaking hand, Naya signed the contract on the dotted line. She handed it back to Marquise where he signed and sealed it. 

“As of this moment, you are now the property of the Monarchy, you will spend the rest of your life in exile and service. If you ever defy me at any point, you will be executed without question. Is that clear?” he asked.

“Yes. I understand,” she replied.

“Good girl.”

“What about my child? What will happen to them?” she asks.

“You both will live in obscurity. You will not have contact with anyone here in Cordonia. Not your father. Not the press. Not even Edwin. No one is to ever know that you and your baby are alive outside of me and my wife. How you raise that child is up to you. Also, a guard will be present at all times.” he replies.

“When does my servitude start?” she asks.

“It started the moment you signed the contract but I'll be generous and let it start after you give birth,” he replies.

Naya nodded.

“So what happens now?” she asks.

“Guard!” Marquise called out.

The guards reentered the room.

“Take her to the safehouse in Applewood. Make sure she and her baby are as comfortable as possible.” he ordered.

“Yes, Your Majesty.” a guard replies.

Marquise looked at Naya. 

“I have an audience in Applewood in three days. You will be ready to leave when I get there. Understood?” he asks.

“Yes,” she replies.

“Yes?” he asks.

“Yes, my King. I will be ready,” she replies.

“Good.”

He nodded to the guards who led Naya out of his office. Once she was gone, Marquise shook his head and finished his drink before leaving his office. 

[lambroschristoforou]

A Comprehensive Guide to Kypros

Kypros, commonly known as Cyprus, is a Mediterranean paradise that offers a blend of rich history, diverse culture, and stunning natural beauty. Whether you are drawn to its ancient ruins, picturesque landscapes, or vibrant local life, Cyprus has something for everyone. This comprehensive guide will explore the best of what Kypros has to offer, including must-visit attractions, local cuisine, and unique experiences. We'll also delve into specific topics like the importance of "tzakia kypros" (fireplaces in Cyprus) and the popularity of "NAPOLEON grills Cyprus."

Discovering the Rich History of Cyprus

Cyprus is a land steeped in history, with a heritage that dates back thousands of years. The island has been influenced by various civilizations, including the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans. Each of these cultures has left its mark, creating a tapestry of historical sites that are a testament to the island’s diverse past.

Ancient Ruins and Archaeological Sites

One of the most notable historical sites is the ancient city of Kourion. Located on the southern coast of Cyprus, Kourion is home to impressive Greco-Roman ruins, including a well-preserved theater and stunning mosaics. Another must-visit is the Tombs of the Kings in Paphos, a UNESCO World Heritage site. These underground tombs date back to the 4th century BC and offer a fascinating glimpse into the burial practices of ancient Cypriots.

Medieval Castles and Byzantine Churches

Cyprus is also known for its medieval castles and Byzantine churches. The Kolossi Castle, a former Crusader stronghold, offers insight into the island's medieval history. Meanwhile, the Church of Saint Lazarus in Larnaca, a stunning example of Byzantine architecture, is a site of pilgrimage and historical significance.

Exploring the Natural Beauty of Cyprus

Beyond its historical treasures, Cyprus boasts a diverse natural landscape that ranges from sandy beaches to rugged mountains. The island’s climate is characterized by hot, dry summers and mild winters, making it an ideal destination year-round.

Pristine Beaches and Coastal Areas

The beaches of Cyprus are among the most beautiful in the Mediterranean. Ayia Napa and Protaras are renowned for their crystal-clear waters and golden sands, attracting sun-seekers and water sports enthusiasts. For a more secluded experience, head to the Akamas Peninsula, where you can explore hidden coves and pristine beaches.

The Troodos Mountains

For those who prefer cooler temperatures and scenic landscapes, the Troodos Mountains offer a refreshing escape. The mountains are dotted with charming villages, ancient monasteries, and scenic hiking trails. In winter, the higher elevations even offer opportunities for skiing and snowboarding.

Experiencing Cypriot Culture

Cypriot culture is a blend of Greek, Turkish, and Middle Eastern influences, resulting in a unique and vibrant local life. The island’s culture is reflected in its festivals, traditions, and, most importantly, its cuisine.

Traditional Festivals and Events

Cyprus hosts numerous festivals throughout the year, celebrating everything from religious holidays to local traditions. The Limassol Carnival, one of the island's most famous events, features parades, music, and dance. The Kataklysmos Festival, or Festival of the Flood, is another major event celebrated with water-based activities and cultural performances.

Culinary Delights

Cypriot cuisine is a delicious fusion of flavors, heavily influenced by Greek and Middle Eastern culinary traditions. Must-try dishes include souvla (large chunks of meat cooked on a spit), halloumi cheese, and moussaka. Additionally, the island is known for its meze, a selection of small dishes that offer a variety of tastes and textures.

Tzakia Kypros: Embracing the Warmth of Cypriot Fireplaces

In Cyprus, "tzakia" (fireplaces) are more than just a source of warmth; they are an integral part of the island's cultural heritage. Traditionally, Cypriot homes featured large, open fireplaces that served as the heart of the household. These fireplaces were used not only for heating but also for cooking and socializing.

The Evolution of Tzakia Kypros

Today, while modern heating systems have largely replaced traditional fireplaces, the charm and functionality of tzakia remain popular. Many homes and restaurants in Cyprus still feature these fireplaces, providing a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Whether it’s a chilly winter evening or a festive gathering, the fireplace continues to play a central role in Cypriot life.

Types of Fireplaces in Cyprus

There are various types of fireplaces found in Cyprus, ranging from traditional wood-burning ones to modern gas and electric options. Each type offers its own unique benefits, catering to different preferences and needs. Traditional wood-burning fireplaces are cherished for their authentic charm and the comforting crackle of burning wood, while gas and electric fireplaces provide convenience and efficiency.

NAPOLEON Grills Cyprus: A Culinary Revolution

Outdoor grilling is a beloved pastime in Cyprus, and NAPOLEON grills have become a popular choice for those who take their barbecuing seriously. Known for their high-quality construction and innovative features, NAPOLEON grills offer a superior grilling experience that has won over many Cypriot households.

Why Choose NAPOLEON Grills?

NAPOLEON grills are renowned for their durability, performance, and versatility. Made from premium materials, these grills are designed to withstand the elements and provide consistent results. Features like infrared burners, rotisserie kits, and precise temperature controls allow for a wide range of cooking techniques, making them ideal for both novice and experienced grillers.

Enhancing Outdoor Gatherings

In Cyprus, outdoor gatherings are a way of life, and NAPOLEON grills have elevated these social occasions. Whether it’s a family barbecue, a festive celebration, or a casual get-together with friends, these grills ensure that the food is always a highlight. From perfectly seared steaks to juicy kebabs, NAPOLEON grills cyprus deliver exceptional flavor and texture.

Top Attractions and Activities in Cyprus

There is no shortage of things to see and do in Cyprus. From historical landmarks and natural wonders to vibrant cities and charming villages, the island offers a diverse array of attractions and activities.

Exploring the Capital: Nicosia

Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus, is a city of contrasts where ancient history meets modern urban life. The city is divided into two parts: the Greek Cypriot south and the Turkish Cypriot north. A visit to Nicosia offers the unique experience of crossing the Green Line, the UN buffer zone that separates the two sides.

The Enchanting Town of Paphos

Paphos, located on the southwestern coast, is a treasure trove of archaeological sites and natural beauty. The Paphos Archaeological Park is home to impressive ruins, including the House of Dionysus with its stunning mosaics. Nearby, the scenic Aphrodite’s Rock is said to be the birthplace of the goddess of love.

The Village of Lefkara

Lefkara, a picturesque village in the foothills of the Troodos Mountains, is famous for its intricate lacework and silverware. Wandering through its narrow streets, you can watch local artisans at work and purchase handmade souvenirs. The village is also known for its traditional architecture and charming atmosphere.

Practical Tips for Visiting Cyprus

To make the most of your trip to Cyprus, here are some practical tips to keep in mind:

Best Time to Visit

Cyprus enjoys a Mediterranean climate, making it a year-round destination. However, the best time to visit is during the spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) when the weather is pleasant and the crowds are smaller.

Getting Around

Cyprus has a well-developed transportation network, including buses, taxis, and rental cars. While public transportation is available, renting a car is recommended for exploring the island at your own pace. Keep in mind that driving is on the left side of the road.

Language and Currency

The official languages of Cyprus are Greek and Turkish, but English is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas. The currency used in the Republic of Cyprus is the Euro, while the Turkish Lira is used in the northern part of the island.

Conclusion

Cyprus is a destination that offers something for everyone. Its rich history, diverse culture, and stunning natural beauty make it an ideal place to explore and enjoy. Whether you are captivated by ancient ruins, enchanted by picturesque landscapes, or delighted by local cuisine, Cyprus promises an unforgettable experience. Embrace the warmth of "tzakia kypros" and elevate your culinary adventures with "NAPOLEON grills Cyprus" as you discover all that this Mediterranean gem has to offer.

[biking-the-erie-canal]

Hearts a-beating

Google Maps said it was an 17 minute bike ride from the apartment to the Albany-Rensselaer Amtrak station. Yesterday, half-joking, half-serious, I asked Rob whether we should checkout the ride to the station. We didn’t, but this morning I was wishing we had.

Our train departure was scheduled for 6:55am from Albany. Our plan was to leave the AirBnb between 5:30 and 5:45. We were up and out by 5:30, so all good from that perspective. It was dark, cool, and the streets were pretty empty. We were retracing part our walking tour on bikes….down State Street - the Capitol on the left, The Egg and other government buildings on the right. With the night glow of the buildings, it was quite pretty, and it felt like a nice ending.

We followed the navigation on down to the bike trail on the Hudson River, but soon realized something was wrong. We were below the bridge we needed to be on to across the Hudson. We went south on the bike trail a bit more thinking there might be another entrance to the bridge system from the south. Nope. We went back around to try again. It’s still dark, but this time we saw where the on-ramp was blocked and the signs for the Rensselaer bike detour. We went left this time until we got to the on-ramp which took us up this narrow, makeshift bike lane going against traffic. We have not been biking too many hills this past week, and my legs are burning. Rob is in front of me yelling once in a while to just see if I am still behind him. It was nerve racking!

We started on the blue line and finished on the red.

Our first segment from Albany to NYC was on time, and we did make it with time to spare. Even time to buy coffee, the essential ingredient of Rob’s morning.

Leaving Penn at Moynihan Hall was a bit delayed. I still love that we could see this beautiful glass roof from our apartment rooftop back in the day. That building is now behind the left tower that you can barely see through the glass. We are at least pretty relaxed now!

We had a chance to reflect on some of the most memorial parts of the trip. If they are not written down now, they are lost forever.

Favorite meal: Cindy - Chicken Parmesan at Tres Pines Restaurant in Canastota. Rob - Hamburger at B L’s Tavern in Schenectady.

Favorite local beer: Cindy - Utica Club at Saranac Biergarten and B L’s Tavern. Rob - Old Klaverack October Fest bought at Lark Tavern in Albany. (The brewery is south of Albany.)

Favorite riding segment: Loved them all, but Lockport to Holley (wind at our back and smooth riding) and Utica to Canajoharie (smooth trails in the Mohawk Valley) were standouts.

Favorite diversions: Could not narrow this down, so here goes - Watching boats go through the locks. Cahoes Falls was pretty spectacular too. Friendly Bake Shop in Frankfort. Skaneateles Lake (Oh man, that reminds me of the Tuna Napoleon salad at Blue Water Grill. That was fantastic too.)

What we did right: We did well on packing light with the right amount of cloths for 2 weeks. Going to the laundry mat every three days worked out well. Laundry detergent sheets are the bomb for light packing. I think I only had one pair of leggings that I didn’t wear which was packed for cooler weather.

What we would do different: Would prefer to book lodging as we go after better understanding our pace. Originally I was just going to book the first few days but got nervous when so many of the B&B had closed during COVID. I could have relied more on AirBnb if needed. Also, staying in a room in a house worked well and that helps keep the cost lower when you don’t need a whole multi-bedroom house. Also - and a big one - we should have checked the distance and elevation between the trail and the lodging more closely.

Most grateful for: Meeting some great people along the way - on the trails and in the towns (read bars). You know who you are! Also, we are also happy about the great weather and zero flat tires! On the last day heading to Albany, we had a few drops of rain but that was all while on the trail.

What’s next?: Not sure, but a new idea got planted this trip - NYC to Montreal. It is about the same amount of miles. It goes straight up the Hudson Valley, and we heard a few rave reviews. We will see.

[murfpersonalblog]

☝️All of this. Cycles of abuse have to start somewhere. We really need to see Gabrielle in action, both pre/post turning, cuz it's going to put an awful lot into perspective when it comes to understanding why Lestat's the way he is. Magnus and Nicky and Akasha were just the icing on the cake. Claudia was an inevitability--Lestat was nowhere near in the right headspace to do right by either her or Louis, especially not in the books, when he didn't even have 100+ years to process any of his trauma.

I seriously wanna know what Lestat did during those years, cuz I'm convinced he either must've slept in Marius's house the majority of the time (recuperating from Armand vs Lestat Part 1); or he was a total degenerate who drowned his sorrows and blacked out for a couple decades not processing ANYTHING at all. Cuz why were his clothes from the 19th century when he arrived in NOLA? Even Europe would've updated their clothes for the 1900s, but it's like he literally RIP van Winkled his way from his coffin after Napoleon lost or something. 🤔

I think I heard somewhere that even once they get to the other books, they'll still call the series IWTV. Which implies that Lestat, Armand, Marius, Quinn, etc will be interviewed too? I hope that they introduce David & the Talamasca to interview them. Like, Louis' book would of course attract angry vamps, but I'd expect the Talamasca to come knocking too, like wtf is going on here? And I hope Daniel is made a Talamasca member, which would give him clearance to talk to the other vampires--especially Lestat. He's the only one with enough context to really grill him for details and sensitive info, and not be all star struck and softball the questions.

I'm more excited for S3 than S2 tbh. I need answers, Sway!

I personally don't think season 3 will or should be Lestat writing his own book. First of all, because of the abuse, I sincerely think any Lestat POV also needs another party present to call him out and not just let the audience assume his side is the truth, otherwise it will seem like the show is implicitly taking the abuser's side of the story (especially after how it framed Daniel's role in digging through Louis's story). Either he will show up to the penthouse and continue the "interview" framing or he will tell his story to Louis so both can be there to hash out what happened between them or something of that sort.

A straight up Lestat POV where he gets to paint himself as the victim would be pretty gross after what we've seen him do honestly and honestly why would the audience take anything he has to say seriously?

Okay I'm gonna be really honest here, unless Louis and Lestat's reunion has already happened and/or he's in a coma in the basement, I have no idea how people expect him to crash the interview at this point. Like it just does not make sense to me that he would just magically appear like that.

Honestly, I would much prefer that Lestat skips the memoir part and becomes a famous rockstar after reading Louis' interview and asks Louis to meet him with his song lyrics/media exposure so he can tell Louis his story himself before the San Francisco concert because that means we get maximum Louis. If Daniel is there to call him out on his bullshit, all the better, but I do want the story from Lestat's lips because the comedy of his narration is just too good to pass up. I've waited 15 years to hear Lestat describe himself with his own clown mouth and I hope season 3 doesn't disappoint.

Also, I just want to mention this because I feel like when people talk about Lestat there's a tendency to think about Lestat discussing his trauma as him painting himself as the victim and it really grates on me because two things can be true at once. Like, Lestat isn't the victim in his relationships with Louis and Claudia, obviously, but he absolutely was a victim. He was horrifically abused and neglected by his family his entire life growing up and was abandoned by every person he ever loved, even his own mother after he saved her life by making her a vampire bc she never wanted to be his mom (or a mom at all) in the first place. He is profoundly fucked up because of these traumatic events and they have a direct relationship to why he was so abusive to Louis and Claudia. Like he's probably got every trauma-induced personality disorder in the DSM-5 and literally cannot regulate his emotions or make himself stop being terrible until Louis hits his hard factory reset button and gives him an intervention by making him rot in the dump for a while so he's forced to think about what he's done.

Does that excuse any of his horrific behavior? No.

Does that mean he shouldn't have to atone for his bad decisions and the pain he's inflicted on other people? No.

Does that mean we should take every word he says as gospel and cast suspicion on Louis and Claudia's narratives? No.

But that doesn't mean every word out of his mouth is a lie either, and honestly, it's not like Lestat ever says "actually, every bad thing Louis and Claudia said I did was a lie because they're liars and I was a perfect father and husband and they tried to kill me for no reason." He fully admits that Claudia was right to kill him and that it's the kind of thing he would have done himself.

And like, in order for there to be a cycle of abuse, one has to first be abused. That's just how it works. And I don't really get why people are so set on erasing Lestat's traumatic history or viewing it as an either/or situation where only one of them is allowed to have been a victim of abuse and that if Lestat is allowed to talk about his abuse in season 3 he's by definition excusing his actions and challenging Louis' narrative.

I feel like part of the point of Anne Rice's work is that these vampires are, all of them, extremely monstrous AND deeply traumatized. They are both victims AND victimizers. It's what makes them so compelling and nuanced. I don't understand why some people want Lestat to be a cartoon villain with no redeeming qualities or path to redemption, and I also don't know why people seem to think that a season 3 from Lestat's perspective can only mean that the audience will not be asked to question or interrogate his perspective the way they've been asked to with Louis and Claudia in season 1.

Like, after everything they made Lestat do in season 1, if you're genuinely worrying that the writers are going to say "none of Louis or Claudia's trauma happened at all and actually Lestat was a perfect, sad angel the whole time who was unjustly wronged by Louis and Claudia and this is something you, the audience, are meant to uncritically believe because Lestat bat his eyelashes while he said it," I literally don't know what to say. It sounds ridiculous because it is.

There's just no way they're doing that and I think everyone should take a breath and stop stressing over it.

[grillpartshub-blog]

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[bbqtek]

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[graegrape]

ranking every single tf2 ship name. you know how it is. full ranking under cut

DISCLAIMER: i don't actually like some of these pairings too much because of personal comforts, but still ranked 'em based on name. also i left out the gross icky stuff like sp*scout for obvious reasons

35. heavyneer (heavy/engie) - did we even try. 0/10

34. fruit scones (medic/soldier) - is there something i'm missing here. what do either of them have to do with fruit scones. what 0/10

33. haggis sandvich (demo/heavy) - So Long and has no pop factor at all. where is the excitement. the cute wordplay. this is just slapping two things that relate to each other vaguely together. 0/10

32. vegemite sandvich (sniper/heavy) - even longer than demoheavy but this is a down under (the song) reference so. i guess. 1/10 points for consistency

31. gentle surgery (spy/medic) - i get where both parts are from but this is just random words mashed together. what the hell is a gentle surgery and where do i get one 1/10

30. spyper / hide and seek / bloody suit (sniper/spy) - does anyone actually use anything other than sniperspy in this context. just saying i understand because these names barely relate to these two. 1/10 at least hide and seek is there

29. spoovy (spy/heavy) - points for sheer hilarity 1/10

28. heavymedic / red oktoberfest (heavy/medic) - you dont know how much it pains me to put this so low. i just dont see it im so sorry 2/10

27. bear grill (pyro/heavy) - why. points for the mental image tho 2/10

26. swordvan / piss drunk (demo/sniper) - ok. ok. i know i complained about demoheavy earlier for smashing random words against each other but whoever came up with PISSDRUNK is fucking hilarious so i have to put it higher 2/10

25. battling helmet (scout/soldier) - i get the helmet part. but what about scout screams battle to you. he is not that much of a warrior 2/10

24. american aviators (sniper/soldier) - dont get this one entirely but at least it has a nice ring to it :-) 3/10

23. trucks n' vans (sniper/engie) - sniper my boy we have got to get you some better ship names... i guess it's sort of clever but it will never be what it clearly wants to be (boots n bombs) 3/10

22. texas two step (engie/scout) - 3/10 (not commenting on this for personal reasons)

21. speeding bullet (sniper/scout) - i guess man. kind of lame but checks out 4/10

20. cold war (heavy/soldier) - kinda lame as well but on all technical levels its perfectly servicable 4/10 i can only imagine what results this will yield on google images. "tf2 cold war" heavy and soldier fought in the yaoi war.

19. heavy hitters (heavy/scout) - ok. 4/10

18. 4th of july (soldier/pyro) - a little funny 5/10

17. molotov (pyro/demo) - i see it. perfectly fine... just missing that zing factor 5/10

16. napoleon complex / practical espionage (spy/engie) - this one would rank lower if it were just called practical engineering but because its not... well... its higher :-). napoleon complex is hilarious as a ship name 5/10

15. science party (medic/engie) - i myself am a science party enjoyer but we all have to admit it's a bit lazy to just call your ship (subject they both engage in) (party). come on now... i think its still pretty cute tho 5/10

14. helmet party (soldier/engie) - where science party goes helmet party follows. i enjoy this one just a tad more because at least i get a silly mental image with this 5/10

13. jaegerbombs (demo/medic) - kind of owns but has too little to do with medic imo. the part w/ bombs and the fact that it's an alcoholic beverage rules 6/10

12. french toast (spy/pyro) - clever. i like it. subtracting points for just using spy's nationality tho 6/10

11. texas toast (engie/pyro) - slightly above the previous because it has the same first letter and a nicer ring to it 7/10

8. bush medicine (medic/sniper) - best sniper ship name 100%. so good. bush medicine. medicine out in the wild. bush because of bushman. who came up with this i need to kiss them 7/10

10. hot shots / campfire (pyro/sniper) - first ship with multiple names to have both of them be fairly good. hot shots sounds kickass and campfire is cozy. :-). good! 7/10

9. burn ward (pyro/medic) - not too big on pyro ships in general but i wont lie. this rules. also im fairly sure this is the name of a pyro achievement in tf2 7/10

7. bomb voyage (spy/demo) - first off. incredibles reference. immediately pushes it way up and also the wordplay is so fun and silly fuckin bomb voyage. yes. you get it. reblog 8/10

6. flash fire (scout/pyro) - this one kind of rules. very nice ring to it AND it's a pun? awesome as hell 8/10

5. quick fix (medic/scout) - not my thing but this name is so good. quick fix... 9/10

4. boots n bombs (soldier/demo) - how can i not like this one!!! it doesn't have a clever pun name but it's so cute and charming. boots and bombs that's their thing! and it's so satisfying to say. giggling and kicking my feet. 9/10

3. short fuse (demo/engie) - i know i'm like biased and stuff but let's be honest here this one is just a banger. short because engie height moment. fuse because demo. shortfuse. it just works. owns 10/10

2. freedom fries (spy/soldier) - naming ships after food is always a hit or miss situation and im SO glad this one works as well as it does. youve got the wordplay. the two related things. the two same first letters. fucking rules 10/10

1. hop scotch (demo/scout) - i'll be honest this pairing itself is not my cup of tea at all but i mean this entirely genuinely this name is genius. hop is scout. scotch is demo. hop scotch as in The Game?! it's so good. why can't every name be this good man... 10/10

annnd that's it. additionally, feel free to suggest some other names for the ships that in your opinion have shitty names <\3 especially heavyneer come ON you guys. thanks for reading + have a nice day/night :-)

(additionally please don't comment on any ones i didn't really comment on that much. personal stuff <3 thank uu)

[whatdoesshedotothem]

Monday 16 September 1833

7 ¾

11 ¾

fine morning F63° at 9 at which hour breakfast - no! had my valet de place up for 20 minutes and then breakfast in 25 minutes - out at 10 20 - to the cathedral founded by Henry the Lion with the collar and cross-between the horns that he took when he shot the beautiful deer that Charles the great (Charlemagne?) adorned with such costly decorations on account of its great beauty and then turned loose ordering no one to shoot it – two finely carved dormitories (the little side chapels turned into private mausolea) by Quellinus who did the altar at St. Mary  - handsome carving about the chaire and a grille of very curious iron-work looking exactly like tar-band tied up in boughs, and given in 155, by some iron-company – In the chancel beautiful brass recumbent whole length figure of Henry Bockholt evêque de Lübeck, ob. 1530 – Napoleon wished to take this to Paris but not solid and would not bear moving – bullet-hole in it that the French made to try its solidity – the precious stone in each eye, and the large one in the left hand gone long since – the clock I noticed the other day, but did not observe that the female figures strikes the quarters, and Death with a club in his right hand (2 time-glasses in the left) the hours – the globe at the top shews the phases and ages of the moon – In the chapel de Greverode so called because given by him, is the famous picture finished in 1471 of the passion and death of J. Xst, by Jean Hemling, a disciple of Albert Durer – the tears on the virgins face very good – the worst part of the picture is the body of notre saviour when taken from the X – is too flexible – too little like death – then to St. Marys’ church (one of the handsomest I ever saw) to see the famous Danse macare or Danse des morts par Holbein, in the sacristy – singular picture – very good – each Death in a different attitude and one between each pair of people – In one of the side chapels, a descent from the cross and on the inside of the door that shuts before it? a St. Olaff [Olaf] (the 1st Xtian king of the north) between 2 other figures both by Perugino – (not by Holbein or Lucas de Leide as Reichard says in the book I bought at Hamburg) – very good – the altar very fine by Quellinus of Antwerp and given by Friedhagen the burgomaster in 1709 whose bust in white marble is on the right of the altar a little back – the last supper in white marble (taken from Leonard da Vinci) is beautifully sculptured – and the 4 large – as life figures Religion Hope etc, are good – on the right, too, of the altar stands a tall Gothic crocketed fonte (brass) of 1472, very beautiful – weighing 6000 lbs. – the French wished to have taken it to Paris – In the chapel behind the altar and and opposite the astronomical clock is a very good picture (the entrance of our saviour into Jerusalem) in the Rafael style given lately by Overbeck an artist of Lubeck and now living in Rome – the sycamore tree into which -------- climbed is represented as a palm – the head and neck of the ass admirable; but the feet (white!) are those of a horse – the clock struck at 12 and 7 apostles instead of 12 came out at one door and went in at another having turned and bowed ridiculously to the virgin and child in passing – the other 5 apostles lost or out of order -  then went up to the great bell (cloche) of St. Marys’ (265 steps) for the view – amply repaid – nothing gives one such a good idea of a place – It is the Wackenitz [Wakenitz] whence runs to Ratzeburg and the Steckenitz, a canal, which falls into the Elbe at Lanenburg [Laufenburg] and into the Trave 2 lieues from the Baltic a little south of Lübeck – good town – 3?main streets and the streets striking down from them and thro’ them to the river – the old brick porte de Holstein very handsome reminds me much of the porte noire à Trêves – the front towards the town in quite in that style and has 2 towers, too, but with pointed flêches springing from them – the porte de Travemünd[e] is an old brick square tower with 5 or 6 tiers of Gothic windows such as in the porte de Holstein – Looking down on the roof of the church saw it partly green – it is Swedish copper at 22 schellings a lb. – the plates about seem about 2ft. English by 1ft. and cost 3 ½ marks each, but are less heavy and costly and last better than lead – the green is verdigrease – caused by the moisture of the air – the guide (Ritter) assured me the cathedral was

vid. p. 214 line 18.

also roofed with copper – no wood outside – my eyes deceived me much (vid. Saturday 214 line 18) – then to Friedhagens’ house near St. Marys’ church (vid. last p. line 21) – a wine merchant now lives there – went thro’ the great entrance room to the room so beautifully carved in oak – Napoleon ordered an artist to take a model of it – or too difficult to move it – impossible – moving would destroy it – 10 good pictures round the top – for these and all the ciselure en bois an Englishman said my valet de place offered £10,000! a small poor box fixed to the door, for strangers to put something into – Off from there at 12 55 for Israeldorf [Israelsdorf] village and forest of, the Bois de Boulogne of the good people of Lübeck – pass thro’ the porte de Travemünde turn left to the rampart, now grassy pleasure ground where are buried the 20,000 French and Prussians that fell before the town in 1806 – Blucher commanded 40,000 Prussians so broken down by their retreat from Jena could hardly stand – the cavalry not able to make a charge – the people of Lubeck hate Blucher for entering their free town, and thus causing all the carnage and ruin – no rich person here ever since – the battle lasted 3 or 4 days – Blicher was sitting at table in the very house in the Breitenstrasse where I bought the Danse of death this morning when the French entered by the Travemünde gate – just went down to the ferry across the Trave, and then returned to the Travemund [Travemünde] road a fine avenue of good limes all the way and gardens or forest almost all the way to Israeldorf [Israelsdorf]a little distance to the left of the T- road – the Russian consul has a country house and garden there, for which gave 10,000 marks – from this house to porte de T- in Lübeck walked sharply in 42 minutes .:. think the distance about 2 ½ English miles – a farm house near the forest where people get their coffee warmed and then take it in the wood – seats and tables there – a round peristyle white painted wood temple just looking over the river and in another a straw-thatched shed for shelter – long allies (no carriages roads) and nice walks in the wood and all the people come out here in fine weather – my guide had the cholera last June or July – twice – 1st time 3 days – 3nd 6 – was seized at midnight with violent cramps in his legs (calves) and arms and in ½ hour could not stand straight – oppression at the chest – could scarce breathe – perpetual thirst – just about the tops of his nails blue but nowhere else – got out of bed – took hot thé de Tilleul directly – and, after the 3rd drink, a little rhum and sugar in it – at last this [?] him into a perspiration and did him good – the smell of the perspiration intolerable – like the worst putridity – in the morning put on dry linen, and got out of bed – thinks this saved him, this and not being afraid – but for 4 months after the pains returned every night at midnight when he was in bed – afraid to lie down – not so bad when up – but the pains were gradually less and less – when once recovered, felt lighter and better than he was before – did not eat anything for some time – and when he did begin to eat felt unwell after it at first – [?] with something soft (flannel) is the best thing – does not believe it infectious – it is the air – yet it was a stranger that was the 1st victim here – died in an hour – he seems to believe there are some cases of it in the town now – 1600 died of it here – all buried in the cemetery we passed a little way out of the town – cholera patients to be buried in 24 hours but to have a hand cut off 1st to see if dead – some of the dead blue, some not – knows nothing of the marble coldness of the tongue – but the corpse instead of being stiff as in common cases is quite mou (soft) – the eyes sunk (lost) in the head in the course of an hour – the smell of the clothes

SH:7/ML/E/16/0114

during the perspiration quite horrible – ditto the smell of the excrements but the moment after death the perspiration being stopt, the perspiration ceases – fright is generally fatal – went to a very good bookseller shop (near the top of the Breitenstrasse) – a poste map (large) of Europe published at Berlin, 23 marks, mounted on calico had not Reichard’s Itineraries complete - had nothing knew of nothing on Denmark or Norway - bought Willmans’ livre de poste de l’Europe - went about the steam packet chez M.D.G. Witte - very civil - gave me the 2 quittances for myself and Miss F- and to pay him and  send the passports this evening or in the morning - a Russian from Reval not far from St Petersburg - said I might go quite well by Stockholm and Lapland to St Petersburg, on traineau, in 9br. 10br. January or February - to go to St P- myself and maid and valet de Place for £20 - said I should like to go merely to Lapland - might do it in 6 weeks - should take a person who knew well the language and country the Laplanders sauvages but bons sauvages - said I had better arrange my plans at Stockholm where everybody would know what was best to be done - the Leipzig Paques fair would be in April I might come over for it - could not go to Norway till June – he could send anything for me to England - or do anything for me here – home at 6 – dinner at 6 ¼ in 35 minutes then till 10 10 wrote the whole of today – very fine day – F66° now at 1 10 pm on my writing desk close to the candle – but it was warm this afternoon

Before Napoleon came, Lubeck divided into 2 governments noble and bourgeois. the cathedral belonged to the former St. Marys’ was cathedral to the latter – there was sanctuary in the noble part for offenders in the bourgeois part of the town – Napoleon put an end to this – would not have 2 governments

[northernmariette]

Countess Potocka actually enjoys herself

Here we have our Countess attending a splendiferous celebration of Napoleon and Marie-Louise’s marriage. Most unusually, she enjoys herself. This celebration was designed by Pauline Bonaparte, and what an entertainment it was! 

The Countess refrains from further comments about Pauline’s virtue or lack thereof, but she can’t resist a couple of potshots at Marie-Louise.

La princesse Pauline fut la première à célébrer l'illustre couple. On était au mois de mai. Neuilly, où elle habitait, semblait s'être couronné de fleurs pour accueillir la foule brillante accourue de tous les coins du globe afin d'assister à toutes ces merveilles.

Dès la grille du parc, les voitures eurent l'ordre de s'arrêter devant une salle de spectacle improvisée par les fées. Des galeries transparentes et légères, des gradins de gazon ornés de plantes exotiques, des loges décorées de guirlandes de fleurs et occupées par de jolies femmes, un ciel étoilé, tout cet ensemble poétique et imprévu faisait penser aux jardins d'Armide. La jeune impératrice, qui en général n'admirait rien, ne put réprimer une légère exclamation en entrant dans cette salle où elle était attendue.

L'Empereur, avec plus de grâce et d'abandon, témoigna sa surprise et son contentement; il remercia tendrement sa soeur.

[...]

Le spectacle terminé, Pauline s'empara du bras de sa soeur [Marie-Louise], et le royal cortège, que nous suivîmes, s'achemina vers la salle de bal, en traversant le parc éclairé au moyen de milliers de lampions dissimulés par des haies de fleurs dont le parfum embaumait l'air.

Plusieurs orchestres distribués avec un art infini se répondaient successivement, imitant l'écho des montagnes; cette harmonie d'un genre nouveau produisit un effet délicieux.

Nous allâmes ainsi de merveilles en merveilles. Tantôt c'était un temple élégant où l'Amour s'éveillait surpris par les Grâces; tantôt un ermitage d'un aspect sévère: - des pèlerins revenant de Palestine y demandaient l'hospitalité; l'ermite ouvrait la petite porte grillée de sa rustique chapelle, et les chants commençaient. Tous les talents se trouvaient conviés à cette fête. Les Grâces arrivaient de l'Opéra, et les pèlerins, du Conservatoire.

Les chants et les danses n'avaient d'autre but que de vanter les perfections de la jeune souveraine, et de célébrer de toutes les manières la joie que faisait naître son arrivée. L'Amour lui offrit une couronne de roses dérobée aux Grâces, et les troubadours chantèrent des romances remplies de louanges et de voeux.

Insensiblement le sentier se rétrécit, le bocage devient plus sombre, les sons harmonieux s'évanouissent, et la fée qui avait préparé tous ces enchantements affecte un grand déplaisir; elle prétend s'être égarée, et nous fait parcourir des chemins agrestes.

Nous passons sur un pont suspendu, au dessous duquel l'eau formait une cascade si habilement éclairée qu'elle semblait en feu.

Au milieu du silence la voix de l'Empereur se fait entendre; il se plaint de l'obscurité et a l'air de croire que sa soeur s'est réellement trompée de chemin, lorsque subitement, au détour d'un labyrinthe, on se trouve sans transition sur une pelouse inondée d'une lumière si vive qu'on l'eût dite dérobée au soleil. Au bout de la pelouse s'élevait le château de Schoenbrunn avec sa vaste cour, ses fontaines, ses portiques, et, en outre, avec le mouvement et la vie qui manquent à cette somptueuse résidence. C'était les apprêts d'une fête: des équipages, des bandes de promeneurs, de modestes laitières avec le bonnet d'or traditionnel, des valets empressés aux livrées impériales, des groupes de Tyroliens s'avançaient au son des cornemuses et dansaient la valse nationale. L'art avec lequel on avait reproduit dans l'éloignement les proportions de ce vaste château, les effets de lumière et d'ombre savamment ménagés, tout trompait si bien l'oeil qu'il était permis de croire à la magie; et ceux qui, comme moi, connaissaient Schoenbrunn purent s'imaginer qu'ils se trouvaient en ce royal séjour.

Les courtisans affirmèrent qu'à cette vue l'Impératrice avait fondu en larmes! Cela eût été fort naturel; les souvenirs de son enfance auraient dû lui arracher quelques larmes, mais j'atteste que son émotion, si toute fois elle en eut, fut bien passagère, car à l'instant où je la regardai je n'aperçus aucune trace d'attendrissement sur sa froide et immobile figure. Quant à l'Empereur, il remercia sa soeur à plusieurs reprises et lui sut un gré infini des soins qu'elle avait apportés aux préparatifs de cette fête, la première et la plus belle de toutes celles qui eurent lieu en 'honneur de Marie-Louise.

Princess Pauline was the first to celebrate the illustrious couple. It was the month of May. Neuilly, where she lived, seemed to be crowned with flowers to welcome the brilliant crowd that had come from all over the world to witness all these marvels.

As soon as they reached the gate of the park [meaning Pauline’s estate, which was rather large it seems], the coaches were ordered to stop in front of a performance hall improvised by the fairies. Transparent and light galleries, terraces of grass decorated with exotic plants, loges decorated with garlands of flowers and occupied by pretty women, a starry sky, all this poetic and unforeseen set was reminiscent of the gardens of Armide. The young empress, who generally admired nothing, could not repress a slight exclamation when she entered this room where she was expected. The Emperor, with more grace and abandon, showed his surprise and his contentment; he thanked tenderly his sister.

[Here the Countess describes how nobody paid attention to the performance, without explaining why. I skipped this part, it made no sense to me]

When the performance was over, Pauline took the arm of her sister [Marie-Louise], and the royal procession, which we followed, made its way to the ballroom through the park, which was lit by thousands of lanterns hidden in hedges of flowers whose fragrance perfumed the air.

Several orchestras, which had been situated at intervals with infinite care, answered each other successively, imitating the echo of the mountains; this novel harmony created a delightful effect.

Thus we went from wonder to wonder. Sometimes it was an elegant temple where Love awoke surprised by the Graces; sometimes a hermitage of austere aspect: - pilgrims returning from Palestine asking for hospitality; the hermit opening the small door of his rustic chapel, and then the songs began. All the best talents were summoned to this celebration. The Graces arrived from the Opera, and the pilgrims from the Conservatory.

The sole purpose of these songs and dances was to praise the perfections of the young sovereign, and to celebrate in all manners the joy to which her arrival gave rise. The god of Love offered her a crown of roses stolen from the Graces, and the troubadours sang romances filled with praises and good wishes.

Imperceptibly, the path narrows, the grove becomes darker, the harmonious sounds fade away, and the fairy who had prepared all these enchantments [Pauline] seems very displeased; she claims to have lost her way, leading us through wilder paths.

We pass over a suspended bridge, below which the water formed a cascade so skillfully lit that it seemed to be on fire.

In this silence, the voice of the Emperor is heard; he complains about the darkness and seems to believe that his sister has really gone the wrong way, when suddenly, at the bend of a maze, we find ourselves, without transition, on a lawn flooded with a light so bright that one might have said it was stolen from the sun.

At the end of the lawn stood Schoenbrunn Palace with its vast courtyard, its fountains, its porticoes, and, moreover, with the movement and life of which this sumptuous residence is devoid. It was like the preparations for a festival: carriages, bands of strollers, unpretentious milkmaids with their traditional golden cap, hurrying footmen in imperial livery, groups of Tyrolers advancing to the sound of the bagpipes and dancing the national waltz. The skill with which the proportions of this vast castle had been reproduced in the distance, the skilful arrangement of light and shade, all created such an effect that it was permissible to believe in magic; and those who, like me, knew Schoenbrunn could imagine that they were at this royal residence.

The courtiers claimed that at this sight, the Empress had burst into tears! This would have been quite natural; memories of her childhood might have drawn some tears from her, but I attest that her emotion, if she had any, was very fleeting, because at the moment when I looked at her I did not see any trace of softening on her cold and motionless face. As for the Emperor, he thanked his sister several times and was infinitely grateful for the care she had taken in the preparations for this celebration, the first and most beautiful of all those that took place in honour of Marie-Louise.

[rabbitcruiser]

Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican victory at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, during the Franco-Mexican War. The day is a minor, regional holiday in Mexico, being mainly celebrated in the state of Puebla where the city of Puebla is the capital. Military parades, speeches, and reenactments of the battle are held there. It is also celebrated in Veracruz and Mexico City, but in many other places of Mexico, May 5th is no different than any other day.

It is more widely celebrated in the United States, where it commemorates the battle, and celebrates Mexican culture and heritage. It is most celebrated in areas with large Mexican-American populations. The day began gaining popularity in the 1940s, during the beginnings of the Chicano movement. Mexican immigrants used the day to show their pride in their Mexican heritage. Awareness of the holiday was further raised in the 1960s by Chicano activists. Today it is celebrated by many in the country, regardless of their ethnic background. Parades, parties, and festivals are part of the day. These events usually include mariachi music, Mexican folk dancing, and traditional Mexican foods. The largest festivals in the country are held in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston.

Some have been critical of the day, saying it didn’t have more widespread demographic appeal until it began being linked to Mexican alcoholic drinks. Some have also been critical of the day by saying it sometimes perpetuates negative stereotypes of Mexican people. The day has sometimes also been confused with Mexican Independence Day, which commemorates the call to arms against the Spanish, that took place on Sept 16, 1810. That day began being celebrated years before Cinco de Mayo.

The story of the Battle of Puebla deals with Mexico’s war with France. In 1861, Benito Juárez became president of Mexico, at a time when the country was in trouble economically. They had defaulted on debts to France, Britain, and Spain, and those countries sent naval forces to Veracruz, Mexico, in an effort to retrieve their money. Britain and Spain worked out an agreement and withdrew. But France stayed, in an effort to seize back their money, and to create a French Empire in Mexican territory. France also wanted to limit the influence of the United States in the region. Although, during this time, the United States was preoccupied with the Civil War, giving France more of an opportunity to do as it pleased.

In late 1861, French forces landed at Veracruz and put Juárez and his government on the run. 6,000 French troops, under General Charles Latrille de Lorencez, planned an attack at Puebla de Los Ángeles, a town 80 miles southeast of Mexico City, and were optimistic about its outcome. Juárez was stationed just north of there and sent 2,000 (by some accounts 4,000) men to Puebla. Poorly supplied and outnumbered, they were led by General Ignacio Zaragoza. They fortified the town and got ready for French.

On May 5, 1862, the French attacked the town, and the battle lasted from morning until night. They lost between 500 to 1,000 soldiers, while Mexico lost less than 100. After the battle ended, the French retreated to the Gulf Coast. It was not a strategic win for Mexico but was a symbolic victory and morale booster. General Zaragoza died a few months later, and the town was renamed Puebla de Zaragoza. France’s leader, Napoleon III, the nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte, installed Austrian Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian as emperor of Mexico in 1864. He was executed by Juárez’s forces in 1867. France withdrew from Mexico the same year.

How to Observe

One way to celebrate the day is to eat traditional Mexican foods, or foods associated with Mexico, such as tacos, burritos, sopes, enchiladas, grilled corn, chips with salsa verde or guacamole, or mole poblano, which is an important food in Puebla. You could wash it all down with some margaritas. Mexican mariachi music or other Mexican music could be listened to, or you could do some Mexican folk dancing. Food, music, and dancing will likely be a part of any Cinco de Mayo festival or event, so it may be best to attend one! You could attend Los Angeles’s Festival de Fiesta Broadway, the largest Cinco de Mayo event in the world (note: this Cinco de Mayo celebration is held in late April). Chicago and Houston are also known for large events. San Diego has various events, including a battle reenactment. The Cinco de Mayo festival in Chandler, Arizona, is known for its Chihuahua parades, races, and pageants. There are many smaller events taking place in cities and towns across the United States. Check to see what is taking place near where you live. In Puebla, there is a museum dedicated to the battle, and the battlefield is a park. A reenactment, replete with rifle and cannon shots, takes place in Puebla on the day, and it ends with a sword fight between the Mexican and French generals. No matter how you celebrate the day, make sure you are being culturally sensitive if you are not of Mexican or Mexican-American descent.

Source

[lambroschristoforou]

A Comprehensive Guide to Kypros

Kypros, commonly known as Cyprus, is a Mediterranean paradise that offers a blend of rich history, diverse culture, and stunning natural beauty. Whether you are drawn to its ancient ruins, picturesque landscapes, or vibrant local life, Cyprus has something for everyone. This comprehensive guide will explore the best of what Kypros has to offer, including must-visit attractions, local cuisine, and unique experiences. We'll also delve into specific topics like the importance of "tzakia kypros" (fireplaces in Cyprus) and the popularity of "NAPOLEON grills Cyprus."

Discovering the Rich History of Cyprus

Cyprus is a land steeped in history, with a heritage that dates back thousands of years. The island has been influenced by various civilizations, including the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans. Each of these cultures has left its mark, creating a tapestry of historical sites that are a testament to the island’s diverse past.

Ancient Ruins and Archaeological Sites

One of the most notable historical sites is the ancient city of Kourion. Located on the southern coast of Cyprus, Kourion is home to impressive Greco-Roman ruins, including a well-preserved theater and stunning mosaics. Another must-visit is the Tombs of the Kings in Paphos, a UNESCO World Heritage site. These underground tombs date back to the 4th century BC and offer a fascinating glimpse into the burial practices of ancient Cypriots.

Medieval Castles and Byzantine Churches

Cyprus is also known for its medieval castles and Byzantine churches. The Kolossi Castle, a former Crusader stronghold, offers insight into the island's medieval history. Meanwhile, the Church of Saint Lazarus in Larnaca, a stunning example of Byzantine architecture, is a site of pilgrimage and historical significance.

Exploring the Natural Beauty of Cyprus

Beyond its historical treasures, Cyprus boasts a diverse natural landscape that ranges from sandy beaches to rugged mountains. The island’s climate is characterized by hot, dry summers and mild winters, making it an ideal destination year-round.

Pristine Beaches and Coastal Areas

The beaches of Cyprus are among the most beautiful in the Mediterranean. Ayia Napa and Protaras are renowned for their crystal-clear waters and golden sands, attracting sun-seekers and water sports enthusiasts. For a more secluded experience, head to the Akamas Peninsula, where you can explore hidden coves and pristine beaches.

The Troodos Mountains

For those who prefer cooler temperatures and scenic landscapes, the Troodos Mountains offer a refreshing escape. The mountains are dotted with charming villages, ancient monasteries, and scenic hiking trails. In winter, the higher elevations even offer opportunities for skiing and snowboarding.

Experiencing Cypriot Culture

Cypriot culture is a blend of Greek, Turkish, and Middle Eastern influences, resulting in a unique and vibrant local life. The island’s culture is reflected in its festivals, traditions, and, most importantly, its cuisine.

Traditional Festivals and Events

Cyprus hosts numerous festivals throughout the year, celebrating everything from religious holidays to local traditions. The Limassol Carnival, one of the island's most famous events, features parades, music, and dance. The Kataklysmos Festival, or Festival of the Flood, is another major event celebrated with water-based activities and cultural performances.

Culinary Delights

Cypriot cuisine is a delicious fusion of flavors, heavily influenced by Greek and Middle Eastern culinary traditions. Must-try dishes include souvla (large chunks of meat cooked on a spit), halloumi cheese, and moussaka. Additionally, the island is known for its meze, a selection of small dishes that offer a variety of tastes and textures.

Tzakia Kypros: Embracing the Warmth of Cypriot Fireplaces

In Cyprus, "tzakia" (fireplaces) are more than just a source of warmth; they are an integral part of the island's cultural heritage. Traditionally, Cypriot homes featured large, open fireplaces that served as the heart of the household. These fireplaces were used not only for heating but also for cooking and socializing.

The Evolution of Tzakia Kypros

Today, while modern heating systems have largely replaced traditional fireplaces, the charm and functionality of tzakia remain popular. Many homes and restaurants in Cyprus still feature these fireplaces, providing a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Whether it’s a chilly winter evening or a festive gathering, the fireplace continues to play a central role in Cypriot life.

Types of Fireplaces in Cyprus

There are various types of fireplaces found in Cyprus, ranging from traditional wood-burning ones to modern gas and electric options. Each type offers its own unique benefits, catering to different preferences and needs. Traditional wood-burning fireplaces are cherished for their authentic charm and the comforting crackle of burning wood, while gas and electric fireplaces provide convenience and efficiency.

NAPOLEON Grills Cyprus: A Culinary Revolution

Outdoor grilling is a beloved pastime in Cyprus, and NAPOLEON grills have become a popular choice for those who take their barbecuing seriously. Known for their high-quality construction and innovative features, NAPOLEON grills offer a superior grilling experience that has won over many Cypriot households.

Why Choose NAPOLEON Grills?

NAPOLEON grills are renowned for their durability, performance, and versatility. Made from premium materials, these grills are designed to withstand the elements and provide consistent results. Features like infrared burners, rotisserie kits, and precise temperature controls allow for a wide range of cooking techniques, making them ideal for both novice and experienced grillers.

Enhancing Outdoor Gatherings

In Cyprus, outdoor gatherings are a way of life, and NAPOLEON grills have elevated these social occasions. Whether it’s a family barbecue, a festive celebration, or a casual get-together with friends, these grills ensure that the food is always a highlight. From perfectly seared steaks to juicy kebabs, NAPOLEON grills cyprus deliver exceptional flavor and texture.

Top Attractions and Activities in Cyprus

There is no shortage of things to see and do in Cyprus. From historical landmarks and natural wonders to vibrant cities and charming villages, the island offers a diverse array of attractions and activities.

Exploring the Capital: Nicosia

Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus, is a city of contrasts where ancient history meets modern urban life. The city is divided into two parts: the Greek Cypriot south and the Turkish Cypriot north. A visit to Nicosia offers the unique experience of crossing the Green Line, the UN buffer zone that separates the two sides.

The Enchanting Town of Paphos

Paphos, located on the southwestern coast, is a treasure trove of archaeological sites and natural beauty. The Paphos Archaeological Park is home to impressive ruins, including the House of Dionysus with its stunning mosaics. Nearby, the scenic Aphrodite’s Rock is said to be the birthplace of the goddess of love.

The Village of Lefkara

Lefkara, a picturesque village in the foothills of the Troodos Mountains, is famous for its intricate lacework and silverware. Wandering through its narrow streets, you can watch local artisans at work and purchase handmade souvenirs. The village is also known for its traditional architecture and charming atmosphere.

Practical Tips for Visiting Cyprus

To make the most of your trip to Cyprus, here are some practical tips to keep in mind:

Best Time to Visit

Cyprus enjoys a Mediterranean climate, making it a year-round destination. However, the best time to visit is during the spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) when the weather is pleasant and the crowds are smaller.

Getting Around

Cyprus has a well-developed transportation network, including buses, taxis, and rental cars. While public transportation is available, renting a car is recommended for exploring the island at your own pace. Keep in mind that driving is on the left side of the road.

Language and Currency

The official languages of Cyprus are Greek and Turkish, but English is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas. The currency used in the Republic of Cyprus is the Euro, while the Turkish Lira is used in the northern part of the island.

Conclusion

Cyprus is a destination that offers something for everyone. Its rich history, diverse culture, and stunning natural beauty make it an ideal place to explore and enjoy. Whether you are captivated by ancient ruins, enchanted by picturesque landscapes, or delighted by local cuisine, Cyprus promises an unforgettable experience. Embrace the warmth of "tzakia kypros" and elevate your culinary adventures with "NAPOLEON grills Cyprus" as you discover all that this Mediterranean gem has to offer.

[rustandruin]

The ideal Man from U.N.C.L.E. sequel would basically be an ode to “The Suburbia Affair” episode where after a year of missions and risking their lives and borderline flirting, Napoleon and Illya are forced to live together in a house in the suburbs as they surveillance their neighbours in search of an in-hiding scientist who holds the plans for a deadly weapon that can threaten world peace. Only with Gabby there, there is only one bed and, oh look, guess they have to share.

It’s an hour and a half of Illya and Napoleon bickering over things like Napoleon bringing home food or eating while at “work” when Illya — who claimed he was the better, more observant spy and thus deserved this assignment — spends all day having to cook and clean and run errands just to fit in with everyone else. He’s a deadly machine that could kill someone in their sleep, but here he is, being forced to make small talk about Mrs. Novak’s dog Mitzi, and being chided over his lawn watering technique by Bernard, a retired music teacher. (Do assassins try and attack? Of course. But he dispatches them effortlessly, while also pretending to wash his barely driven car.)

We see them have to throw a barbecue for all the neighbours to get to know them, and maybe while they’re forced to entertain and keep everyone distracted, Gabby breaks into different houses trying to look for clues. Napoleon keeps everyone topped up, charming them with stories about “work” and demuring when Mrs. Halifax offers to set him up with her newly-divorced niece. (“I don’t think that would suit me,” he tells her, staring at Illya the whole time as he fights the urge to stab Bernard with his grill fork. He smiles and looks back at her. “I’m married to my work, I’m afraid.”)

They eventually work out that the scientist is Bernard, and that the niece Mrs. Halifax kept trying to set Napoleon up with is a member of T.H.R.U.S.H. She’s been trying to investigate them, or at least learn what they knew by planting a bug. Unfortunately, her plans were foiled when Illya spilled wine on the bug in a fit of jealousy over Napoleon going out with her after all. Sure, he claims that Napoleon gets all the more interesting parts of the mission, but Napoleon’s sardonic joke about how he at least doesn’t have to always be a honeypot strikes deep because a) he would be an excellent honeypot if allowed the chance. He was always the best in his class. Napoleon’s seen his file. He knows that. b) and well, there is no b. He just knows he doesn’t like it and it’s a bad idea, just like all the other ones the dumb American has. (It had nothing to do with his dumb smile and the stray curl that falls on his face, or the way he reads the paper at breakfast. It has nothing to do with the way he’s asked Illya how he’s looked before he headed downstairs, almost daring Illya to comment on his poorly knotted tie and complete lack of knowledge of fashion. And it certainly has nothing to do with the fact that they were supposed to play a game of chess, like they’d been saying they would all week, their mutual taunts growing and building.)

[whattolearntoday]

April 12th is...

Grilled Cheese Day -  Grilled Cheese, as society now knows it, is considered to be an American tradition that can be traced back as far as the early 1920s.

Hamster Day -  It’s estimated that hamsters have been around for at least 15 million years, but they weren’t domesticated until the 20th century. This exciting development started when the zoologist Israel Aharoni went on an expedition to look for Syrian hamsters in a cornfield on April 12th, 1930. The 13 captured critters were then bred to produce the first domesticated hamsters, with the entire population of pet Syrian hamsters (also known as golden hamsters) actually descendants of this original group.

Library Workers Day - Aims to show appreciation for the work that librarians do for the people in their communities

Licorice Day - Licorice is extracted from the licorice plant and can be used for making candy, to flavor a drink (licorice tea is a popular example), and it also has some special medicinal purposes. Ancient Egyptians would use licorice as a healing pharmaceutical. In fact, a great deal of it was found in the tomb of King Tut and hieroglyphics have been found that show it was enjoyed as a drink. Further along the line, Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar and Napoleon Bonaparte were both recorded as using licorice for their health benefits. It wasn’t until the 17th century that records indicate licorice was made into candy in Holland. From there, sailors eventually shared this treat with people from other countries in Europe and, eventually, all over the world.

Walk On Your WiId Side Day -  The world often tells us that we need to live according to some form of social contract, that the rules are there to keep everyone safe, and that any variance from the norm is deviance. Throughout the entirety of history, it has been those that rode high on the wave of innovation, uniqueness, and creativity that have left the most lasting legacies. Walk On Your Wild Side Day is a call to your inner champion, the part of you that sees the world as no one else can.