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angelasscribbles · 10 months ago

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Unexpected Chapter 12: The Beginning

Series: Unexpected

Fandom: The Royal Romance

Pairings: Maxwell x Riley x Liam x Hana

Rating: MA

Warnings: None for this chapter

Word Count: 2,351

A/N: This is it, the final chapter. But there will likely be at least one follow-up because there's still so much to explore in this universe. I might even do a spin-off series at some point. We'll see. If anyone has requests/questions for this series, please send them.

My other stuff: Master List.

“I choose….. Lady Hana Lee!”

Surprised murmurs broke out through the crowd, followed swiftly by applause.

Riley watched happily from the audience as her girlfriend climbed the stage to get engaged to the new king. She ignored the whispers and sidelong glances of the rest of the court.

Everyone had expected it to be her. In the last week, she and Liam had done very little to hide their relationship. They had been spotted coming out of the hedge maze hand in hand earlier that very night, leaves in their hair, faces flushed.

She smiled as she slid her arm through Max’s. Her gaze darted around the ballroom until she found Bertrand. He looked like he’d been slapped as he stood with his glass of champagne, mouth hanging open, eyes wide, and face pale. She felt a ping of sharp satisfaction as she watched his face slowly go from white to red with indignation.

“Come.” She tugged on Max’s arm. “Let’s go congratulate the happy couple.”

When it was their turn in the receiving line, Riley hugged the new king and queen tightly, happily, kissing each one quickly on the lips, and delighting in the shocked gasps from onlookers.

Liam entwined his hand with Hana’s as they watched her walk away and whispered to his new partner in crime, “What are we going to do with her, my queen?”

Hana shivered slightly. “Unspeakable things, I hope.”

Hana had been heartbroken when Riley first told her about her relationship with Liam and Max. But when the object of her affection had proposed a unique solution that positioned her as queen and gave her full access to exploring a relationship with both the woman she loved and the man at her side, a man she liked, respected, and was attracted to, she had for once in her life chosen the path of the unknown, of adventure, of jumping off the cliff with blind faith that things would work out. She had jumped, and it was exhilarating. The public assumed her flushed face and sparkling eyes were because of Liam. Let them. That was according to plan.

Riley’s appointment as Duchess of Valtoria would be announced within the week.

Liam had been clear with all involved that he would not hide his relationship with Riley. Royal marriages were political and there was no reason to pretend otherwise. He had promised Hana that he would treat her with dignity and respect. He would not publicize their agreement, but he also refused to treat Riley as a dirty secret. They would be reasonably discreet, but if they were photographed together, there would be no denials. A simple no comment would be the only response.

The engagement tour was scheduled, the wedding day was chosen, and the honeymoon would be at an undisclosed location due to security concerns.

The undisclosed location would be Valtoria. The press would be sent on a wild goose chase to Aruba.

A full investigation had been opened into the sabotage scheme and Bertrand’s name had been removed from consideration for the vacant council seat.

Riley and Max made their way through the crowd, only to be intercepted by Bertrand. He was livid. “What just happened?”

Riley tightened her grip on Max’s arms as she smiled serenely. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, two days ago your things were moved from Ramsford and your room at the palace into the suite next to Liam’s! What changed since then?”

“Nothing.” She grabbed a champagne flute from a passing server.

“Then why aren’t you engaged?”

“Oh, I am.” Her smile turned malicious as she held her left hand up for inspection. An enormous pear-cut diamond surrounded by a cluster of smaller diamonds sparkled on her ring finger. “I’m going to be your sister-in-law. You should congratulate us.”

Bertrand’s face darkened. “I warned you what would happen if your little dalliance with my brother ruined our chances at the crown. I will disinherit him, and I will personally ensure that your visitor’s visa is revoked!”

“You’ll do no such thing.”

Bertrand spun toward the voice. “Your Majesty! I was just—”

“I know what you were doing.” Liam’s face betrayed no hint of emotion as he reached his hand out toward Riley. She took it and stepped up to his side. “And while I can’t stop you from disinheriting your brother, I can promise you that Duchess Riley’s citizenship has been fast-tracked and cannot be revoked by anyone other than myself.”

Bertrand blanched. “Duchess Riley?”

“Oh, I meant to tell you!” Riley said with exaggerated sweetness. “Liam gave me Valtoria. So once Max and I are married, he’ll be a duke like you! He doesn’t need your money anymore and neither do I. Hm. Maybe I’ll talk to Liam about giving him that council seat you wanted.”

Bertrand paled even more as he tracked Liam’s face for some sign she was lying and found none.

Without removing his eyes from Bertrand, Liam handed the woman at his side back to Max. “Why don’t you take your fiancée to dance? I’ll be there shortly to cut in.”

Riley blew a kiss to Bertrand as she followed Max to the dance floor. “Ta!”

Liam fixed Bertrand with a steely glare. “I understand you’re disappointed that House Beaumont’s sponsee wasn’t chosen as queen, but the same can be said of every other noble house here tonight. Regardless of official titles, the duchess remains very dear to me. Slights to her will not be tolerated. Any offense against her is an offense against the crown as far as I am concerned. I hope that clarifies things for you.”

“I understand Your Majesty. I apologize. I mean no offense.”

Liam gave him a curt nod before striding out onto the dance floor.

“Are you okay?” Riley asked Max as she watched Liam approach.

“I will be. I just…need a word with my brother.”

“Good luck.”

Riley went from her fiancée’s arms to her lover. She grinned up at him. “Aren’t you worried that dancing with another woman thirty minutes after getting engaged will cause a scandal?”

He returned her grin. “Let it.”

“Oh, reckless! Are you a bad boy now?”

“Hardly!” He laughed. “You know there’s no way in hell I can give Max a council seat with his very questionable background, right?”

“Good Lord, no!” She tilted her head back and joined his laughter. “He would be terrible at it! I was just fucking with Bert.”

Liam pulled her closer to him with a chuckle. “I’ll bet he loves it when you call him that.”

“Why do you think I do it?”

While Liam twirled Riley around the dance floor, Max approached his brother with a storm raging in his eyes. “I can’t believe you want to disinherit me.”

“Oh, what difference does it make?” Bertrand scowled at him. “Valtoria is one of the wealthiest duchies in the country. You’ll be fine.”

“It’s not about the money!” Max cried in distress. “Don’t you want to be my brother anymore? Don’t you love me?”

“You think I don’t love you?” Bertrand spluttered. “Why else do you think I’ve bailed you out of your messes time after time?”

“I don’t know. To protect the family name, I assume.”

“That’s what you think of me?”

Max gave him a baleful look. “You knew Riley liked me and you didn’t tell me. You yell at me all the time. You care more about your reputation than my happiness.”

Bertrand straightened his suit jacket with a sharp tug. “One of us has to consider our reputation. Heaven knows it’s not you.”

Max scuffed the toe of his shoe on the ballroom floor as he considered that. “You know what? You’re right. I’ve done a lot of stupid shit in the past, and you’ve always come along and cleaned up behind me.”

“What are you getting at?” Bertrand sneered.

Max’s trademark devil-may-care smile replaced the gloomy expression he’d started with. He clapped his brother on the back. “You’ve always been there for me before. I forgive you for trying to keep me and Riley apart.”

Bertrand gaped at him. “You forgive me?!”

“Yeah. I forgive you. All’s well that ends well, right?”

After all, he had ended up with the girl. He, Maxwell Beaumont, had gotten the girl. And not just any girl. The girl. The most perfect woman he’d ever met.

His competition had been a literal prince and somehow, inexplicably, that was his ring on her finger. He didn’t pretend to understand how it had all happened. He had just paid for the ring like she told him to.

Bertrand shook his head as his eyes tracked from Riley and Liam canoodling on the dance floor, back to the sappy grin on Maxwell’s face. “Are you stupid? You’re really going to marry her and just look the other way while she continues to fuck the king?”

Much to Bertrand’s astonishment, Max’s smile got even bigger. “Oh, I’m hoping to watch. Maybe even join.”

He’d do whatever, and whoever, she instructed him to. Her, Hana, Liam. He just wanted to be included.

“I…. that…. You know what? The two of you degenerates deserve each other!”

Max, who was also watching Liam and Riley on the dance floor, heaved a dreamy sigh. “I know. Thank you.”

Bertrand went to find his driver. Max was Riley’s problem now.

Riley stayed occupied most of the night between Liam, Max, and Hana, but the moment she was alone at the refreshment table, Madeleine swooped in on her. “How does it feel to be tossed over for your little bestie?”

Riley turned slowly to take in the other woman’s haughty expression. She repaid the jab with a shrug. “No one was tossed over, Mads. And if you’re asking how I feel about Hana being queen, the answer is great! She’ll be good at it. She’s smart, charming, and diplomatic.”

The blonde’s brows drew together in confusion. “It doesn’t bother you that he’s marrying someone else?”

“No.”

“No?”

Riley shook her head emphatically. “I never cared about being queen, Madeleine. Unlike you, my interest in Liam is personal, not political.”

“Yes. But he just got engaged to another woman!” Madeleine was becoming increasingly annoyed at her failure to get a rise out of the strumpet who had been the bane of her existence for the last three months.

Riley followed Madeleine’s eyes to where Liam was chatting with his parents, his arm wrapped around Hana. Her face brightened as she stepped closer to Madeleine and lowered her voice. “And what a woman she is, right?”

Madeleine blinked. “What?”

“Come on,” Riley smirked. “I’ve seen how you look at her.”

Madeleine’s face mottled as red blotches marred the milky whiteness of her complexion. “I have no idea what you’re babbling about.”

“Sure you don’t.” Riley stepped away with a smile. Turning her back, she plucked a strawberry from a serving platter. “You know, you sycophants all treat the crown like some sort of prize.”

“What else would it be?”

Riley lifted the fruit to her lips as she turned back to face the countess. “The crown, and all its obligations, have been nothing but an anchor around Liam’s neck. He’d be happier without it.”

“You’re so naïve.”

Riley slowly finished chewing as she eyed Madeleine up and down with a smirk. “Right. I’m the naïve one.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

With a sparkle in her eye, Riley leaned in close and purred, “It means that I got every damn thing that I wanted and none of the crap that I didn’t. I started the summer as a waitress. I finished it with a duchy, my own money, Liam, Hana, and Max. What did you get, again?”

“I…”

“Exactly.” Riley turned and walked away while Madeleine was still trying to form a coherent response.

She made it four steps before Max was next to her. Together, they found Liam and Hana as the festivities wound down and the guests began to trail out of the ballroom.

Liam turned to the other three. “Shall we retire to the royal wing?”

“And do what?” Hana felt both apprehension and excitement punch her in the stomach.

“Not that,” Liam assured her. Then, with a wicked grin, “Unless you want to.”

Hana’s eyes widened and her breath hitched a little. “I…”

Liam grasped her hand and gave it a little squeeze. “We have our entire lives to get comfortable with each other. We can go at whatever pace you’re comfortable with.”

“Just for the record,” Max interrupted, “I am comfortable with whatever pace you like, Your Majesty.”

Liam gave him a questioning look.

Max flushed. “I know about you and Carson. I’m not wrong that you like boys too, am I?”

Curiosity and interest flickered through Liam’s eyes at the offer. With a quick glance at Riley, he told Max, “We’ll take that slow as well.”

If he had to marry someone other than Riley, he couldn’t have done better than Hana. The burgeoning relationship between the two women circumvented all the awkwardness and anxiety Riley had understandably had about his marriage to another woman. And Hana would make a good queen. He was confident of that.

Max’s offer was intriguing, and the idea of sex with Hana wasn’t exactly off-putting. But Riley was the one who had his heart. With four people in the mix, there were a lot of moving parts and he wanted to proceed at a pace that would ensure plenty of time for everyone to process things as they went and minimize fallout from any potential landmines they hadn’t foreseen.

With a lot of intentional relationship-building and a little luck, they could make this unconventional arrangement work. Not just work but thrive. He was sure of it.

As the four of them made their way toward the royal wing, Max grasped Riley’s hand. Riley placed her other hand in Liam’s, and he, in turn, took Hana’s. He gave his new queen a reassuring smile then turned his gaze to Riley and Max as he told them all, “This is only the beginning, loves.”

~Fin

#Liam x Riley #unexpected #liam rys #trr au #maxwell beaumont #riley brooks #maxwell x mc #max x riley #trr #the royal romance fanfic #angelasscribbles #the royal romance #choices fic writers creations #cfwc fics of the week #choices #drake walker #choices stories you play

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4townie · 8 months ago

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Road to 4☆TOWN

part 1…part 10…part 20…part 30…part 40

“So…” T prompted quietly.

“So what?” Z glanced at him. “Are you up to something or just asking about a midnight snack?”

“I’m not—” T paused. “I’ll get back to you about that snack. But I’m not up to anything. At least not anything bad.”

“Oh no.” Z groaned. “Why do I get the feeling I’m not gonna like this?”

“Calm down, you’ve been begging for this.” T waved a hand casually. “Your parents get back from Aruba tomorrow evening, right? Now would be the perfect time to tell Tae about Olivia.”

“What?!” Z looked him up and down in confusion. “You told me to leave it alone. I could’ve been all over him this whole time?”

“Don’t you dare go all watchdog scary on my little brother.” T glared at his boyfriend. “I’ve had this little plan in the works. The whole week she’s here, she’d be seeing him all the time since he likes hiding from his parents, and it’d get really awkward if he rejected her at the beginning of the week. But now that she’ll be going back home tomorrow—”

“It’ll be the perfect time to let her down gently.” Z’s eyes widened in realization. “She won’t have to see him again until she’s gotten over him.” He grinned at T. “My boyfriend is such a genius.”

“Yeah, well,” T shrugged with a prideful smile, “I kinda treated this whole situation like a math equation. There were a lot of ways to resolve it, but there was a quick and efficient solution. It was super easy, barely an inconvenience.”

“You know, you’re really hot when you get all nerdy and smart.” Z said with a flirty smirk. “Maybe you can put on those glasses and tutor me somet—”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah whatever.” T pushed his boyfriend’s face away. “Gimme a sec to talk to him.” He approached the window where Taeyoung was staring out, seemingly deep in thought. “Hey, Tae-Tae. Can we talk?”

Taeyoung was quiet for a moment. “Huh? Oh, yeah sure.” He laughed. “Don’t mind me, I was having an existential crisis.”

“Okay, so these past few—you were having a what?” T paused.

“These past few what?” Taeyoung redirected the conversation. “You were trying to tell me something.”

“Oh right. These past few weeks, Olivia’s been hanging around here more often.” T started calmly. “I bet you noticed she was especially clingy to you this week while she was over.”

“Well duh.” Taeyoung shrugged with a mischievous grin. “I’m the cool older kid, the professional trickster, the master to her apprentice. She’s eager to learn which is great cuz I’ve been trying to teach her to head-butt for years.”

“Yeah that’s actually not the entire reason she’s paying so much attention to you.” T averted eye contact. “What Z and I have noticed that you haven’t is that this whole time she’s been…flirting with you.”

Taeyoung’s eyes widened. “She wha?”

“Olivia has a crush on you.”

Taeyoung’s entire face turned red as his body tensed up. He slowly started sinking to the floor.

“Oh, oh no.” T knelt beside him. “Tae-Tae? Speak to me, is everything okay?”

“What’s happening?” Z watched in confusion.

“I think he’s overheating in shock.” T started fanning Taeyoung. “Get an ice pack or he might melt through the floor.”

“좆됐어.” Taeyoung groaned to himself.

“Hey, watch your language.” T crossed his arms. “I have no idea what you just said.”

“I said I cannot believe I’m in the absolute worst possible situation in the universe.” Taeyoung refused to look at T. “I mean, that’s not what I said, but it’s still true.”

“It’s not all that bad.” Z sat on the floor and put the ice pack on his forehead. “You’ll let her down easy tomorrow and then she’ll go back to my parents’ house. You’ll hardly have to see her after that.”

“Yeah, well…that’s part of the problem.” Taeyoung sighed. “Aside from our little rivalry, I’ve always thought your sister was pretty cool. And lately we’ve been hanging out more and bonding and it’s been a lot of fun.” He frowned. “I’m really afraid my rejection could ruin that.”

“Awww, Tae—”

“What the hell, T?” Z interrupted. “You told me he’s good with this stuff.”

“Yeah, he is. At least I thought so.” T shrugged. “He told me about how he turns people down left and right at school when they confess.”

“I don’t care about those people.” Taeyoung whined. “I can reject them easily cuz I don’t know them so there’s no relationship at stake. Also because I’m incredibly charming, but that’s not the point!”

“I’m sorry, Tae, but we’ve gotta put an end to this now.” T nodded sympathetically. “She’s had her fun, but now you have to tell her it’s just not happening. I’m sure she’ll understand.”

“Yeah, man, even before the crush she would talk about you all the time.” Z smiled softly. “I know you guys didn’t see each other often, but I could tell she wanted to change that. She always went on and on about how she missed hanging out and she wanted to play more tricks with you.” He paused. “Maybe that wasn’t before the crush…”

“Not helping.” T shot daggers at him. “The point is, crush or no crush, Olivia values your friendship, too. It’ll take a little recovery time, but I bet she wouldn’t want this to come between you anymore than you do. She’s pretty mature for her age.”

“You really think so?” Taeyoung looked up hopefully.

“I mean, probably.” Z shrugged. “She’s got plenty of school friends, but she doesn’t get along with most of them very well. They’re kind of fake cuz they know I’m her brother.”

“UGH!” Taeyoung groaned. “Not only is my own relationship with her on the line, now one of her only good friendships is at risk, too. Brilliant.”

“How are you so bad at this?” T asked his boyfriend. “Y’know what? Just go make us some s’mores. S’mores make everything better. I’ll handle this.”

“Yeah, that’s probably best.” Z got up and headed back towards the kitchen.

“You know what else makes everything better?” Taeyoung asked with a small smile. “Your hugs.”

“Awwww, Tae-Tae.” T opened his arms, and Taeyoung sat up to hug him. “I’ll help you figure out what you’re gonna say to her. We’ll stay up all night if we have to.”

“I was hoping you’d say that.” Taeyoung said quietly. “I really am just hopeless without you.”

“Awww.” T said again as they pulled apart. “You kind of are.”

———

좆됐어 pretty much means I’m fucked😅

#4town headcanons #4town fanfic #4town taeyoung #4town aaron t #4town z #4town robaire #4town jesse #turning red #turning red 4town #4town #4townie

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artsyjesseblue · 1 year ago

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Lotura Week, Day 3: "Beach Day Bliss”

The trip to Earth had been smooth and fast, since Pidge had worked with her Garrison fellows on stabilizing the wormhole technology.

Aruba welcomed them with many, many smiles: at the airport, at the hotel, in the restaurants, and, of course, as soon as their toes sank into the smooth sands of their luxury resort beach.

“Oh, Lifegivers, this is so beautiful!” she gasped, admiring the azure water and the pristine sand.

Lotor’s eyes glimmered with awe. He’d seen such marvelous places on other planets, but he rarely had the chance to actually relax and enjoy the wonderful gifts of the universe. His father’s endless conquers always loomed large over everything. One way or another, each of these immaculate gems would soon fall under his Komar plunders.

But not anymore.

He inhaled with renewed vitality, smelling the salty air and the warm ocean breeze.

“Allura, we did it,” he turned to her, and, as if reading his mind, she smiled back.

“We did it together,” she took his hand, ignoring the curious peeps of the humans lounging on the beach.

Their tote bags thudded into the sand, and without waiting a second longer, they peeled their clothes off, revealing their newly purchased swimsuits, glinting in the summer sunlight of the Caribbeans. Allura wore a blue and emerald two-piece bathing suit, the cool colors complementing the warmth of her amber skin. Lotor’s khaki swimming trunks made a nice contrast to his lavender skin, which, despite its reputation for being awfully sensitive to sunlight, was actually quite resistant due to his Altean genes.

“Come!” she rushed him towards the water, without hesitation. “Let’s swim!”

Their white tresses billowed behind them in the wind, as they splashed their way into the gentle waves, like children ready for a new day of aquatic adventures.

“Let’s see who swims longer underwater!” she giggled and disappeared under a wave.

“Challenge accepted!” he followed her after a deep breath, then he dove under.

A few paparazzi peeked their heads from behind some cliffs in the distance. “Where did they go?”

A couple of minutes passed and no sign of the two royals.

“Alteans can go a long time under water,” said a green-skinned Dalterian.

“Galrans even longer,” replied a Taujeerian. “I think I see something. Over there.”

Allura poked her head out of the waves, for a quick breath, then dove back inside. The freedom she felt was exhilarating. Where was he? Maybe ahead of her? Maybe behind? Curiosity pulled her out again, thinking he got tired just like her.

“Aah!” she released a sharp cry, as a powerful grip tugged at her hips, and she found herself submerging into the azure waves again. His large hands conquered her waist, and she playfully wrestled with him underwater.

“You monster!” she emerged after a minute, giggling, splashing and kicking into his wide chest.

“Sea monster, haha!” he tightened his grip, watching her with unbridled pleasure as she continued to pretend to want to escape his arms.

“You scared me!” she whined with the most enticing voice.

“I was trying hard not to,” he pouted slyly, “but I just can’t help being the monster I am.”

“My monster,” she wrapped her arms around his neck, and the connection in their gazes grew with each second.

She closed her eyes…

“Yess… Kiss, babies, kiss…” the Dalterian cheered as he snapped many, many shots. “That’s right, perfect, juust… perrfect. Blissful.”

@loturaweek2023

#lotura #loturaweek2023 #lotor #allura #voltron legendary defender #voltron #vld #hehe they’re wearing the swimsuits they bought at the mall on day 1 #except you can't see their bathing suits oops #jesseblue draws

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eclipsedcrystalstar · 8 months ago

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Lady Lunar is the only Starholder that Draconis has killed. The others he all tries to help become better people, although he did threaten that he will kill then if they continue their shitty behavior. Let’s go by stars

Draconis first star - No previous holder. Given to Draconis

Draconis second star - Lord Bloodmoon, alive, still in intense therapy after having the bloodlust removed. KC, Sun, and Lunar are the ones that talk to him most often.

Draconis third star - Lady Earth, alive, doing better now, no longer in therapy. Her family is still in contact with her, although she’s completely taken out of family therapist role which is more healthy for all of them

Draconis fourth star (left eye) - Lord Old Moon, dead, while Draconis pushed him in the direction of getting better, the universe’s Sun killed him after so long of abuse

Draconis fifth star (right eye) - Lord Eclipse, alive, doing much better now, not accepted into the daycare family but Bloodmoon and him get along well enough to be family again

Tyl’s star - Lady Lunar, dead, killed by Draconis after he could tell she would never change.

Alwaid’s star - Lord New Moon, alive, still recovering from his behaviors. Sun isnt in contact with him but Earth and Fornax visit him often. Lunar visits occasionally but tends to stay with Sun and refuses to give any messages to him

Asuia’s star - Lord Sun, alive, still in therapy and recovery. All his family still talk to him

The star from Alruba’s universe - No original starholder, kept in storage until Aruba has been taught to properly use it

#Draconis au #Star thief au #Sun and moon show #sun and moon show au

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victorysp · 2 years ago

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Visit to The Caribbean part of Kingdom - Day 3

In the afternoon, the royal party visits the University of Aruba. They are attending a lecture on the characteristics of Caribbean law. Then they participate in a quiz on this theme. They also speak with students and teachers. Jan. 31, 2023.

📷 Royal House of The Netherlands

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20052016 · 6 months ago

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signature✍🏾

Today was the day I received my internship assessment and had to sign my certificate. It was so special I cannot explain the feeling I got from this because such a thing means a lot to me. My hands were shaking with surprise. My internship supervisor gave me excellent on everything because she found I am special and did everything perfectly. I got emotional but kept myself strong. She told me that I have a lot of potential and there is a lot in me that I don't show. I am happy that I got to do my internship in the best department at the University of Aruba! I will never forget these people and will definitely come back in a few years! The people of the Caribbean will forever have a special place in my heart.

#aruba #internship #forever in my heart #best people ever

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conandaily2022 · 1 year ago

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Karol Croes biography: 13 things about Miss Universe Aruba 2023

Karol Croes is an Aruban beauty queen. Here are 13 more things about her:

youtube

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#Aruban beauty queens #Karol Croes #Miss Universe Aruba #Youtube

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nonasuch · 2 years ago

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The 2022 Miss Universe pageant was last night!

Which means: the National Costumes are here.

Yes, there is video. It’s worth watching if you want to see how some of these look in motion, but I’m warning you in advance that the emcees keep doing these shitty little rhyming couplets, and they will make you want to strangle them with one of the many available voluminous gown trains. So I’m suffering on your behalf, and liveblogging.

First up: Albania.

Sparkly flag-inspired bodysuit with train is the voting “present” of the Miss Universe National Costume Competition.

Angola. She did a fun dance on her way to center stage, which would probably not have been possible in her original costume, which was “tree-inspired” and too big to ship to New Orleans.

Argentina. This is where the video does come in handy, because without it I would not be able to award her First Contestant To Visibly Struggle Under The Weight Of Her Outfit. It’s a waterfall. The rainbow crotch area was certainly a design choice.

Armenia. I would like to see what’s going on with the bodice behind the... shield thing? but she never put it down.

Also, it turns out that when one contestant has a costume dedicated to solemn remembrance of the Armenian genocide, and the contestant immediately after her has a costume that’s about beach parties, there is kind of an uncomfortably abrupt tonal shift that happens onstage.

Aruba. Like I said: weird tonal shift! She did a little shimmy dance at Miss Armenia as they passed each other and it was clearly awkward for both of them. This is made of recycled materials leftover from Carnival, which is cool? I guess?

Australia. This is a prom dress. Boo.

Bahrain. A rare pants look! There’s a lot of detail in the headdress and bodice that’s kind of getting lost, but it looks cool in motion. Also the theme is apparently “Bahrain is rich as fuck,” so congrats I guess?

Belgium. Okay so the theme of this costume, my hand to g-d, is “the window on the International Space Station that Belgium built.” Why does this requires a shit-ton of leftover Christmas tinsel and some very awkward-to-wear angel wings? I do not know.

Belize. This is fun! It’s a good “lesser-known Batman villainess” kind of look. Like if Ivy and Catwoman co-mentored someone. The actual theme is “the world’s only jaguar reserve, which is in Belize,” but I think it’s also kind of implying that she might be a were-jaguar. Which, again, is fun!

Bhutan. This goes in the “just an actual regional/folk costume” category, which is also kind of like voting Present, but it looks like the fabrics are nice.

Bolivia. She has an entire Andean condor on her head so I’m already on board. This photo only shows the cloak, which is covered in silver spangles in honor of Bolivia’s silver mines, and is also why her condor is perched on a miner’s helmet. The dress underneath is entirely made of swags of sparkly gold beads, so the visual effect is actually pretty nice in motion.

Brazil. The construction details on this are actually quite lovely! Lots of intricate beading and rhinestone work. Unfortunately that doesn’t convey well at any distance, and also that white fin peplum thing flaps around really awkwardly when she walks. Oh, wait, she can flip it up to be a clamshell thing behind her head!

That looks much better.

British Virgin Islands. First giant flower of the year!

Bulgaria. Apparently this is made of neoprene? So with that and the rainbow stripes, the effect ends up being kind of “what if Midsommar, but at a rave.”

Cambodia. It feels weird to say “yep, standard Miss Universe warrior goddess costume” but basically that’s what this is. I do like the green-and-gold color palette, though.

Cameroon. “The baskets represent the nation’s agricultural movement.” Okay! I like how it’s giving “Valkyrie, but make it Global South,” though I’m not sure three entire country-shaped cutouts were necessary.

Canada. Another fine Miss Universe tradition: contestant who knows how to dance en pointe so she’s going to goddamn wear a costume that goes with pointe shoes, Or Else. Some nice beadwork! I would let her be the third, secret red swan in Swan Lake if that were a thing.

Cayman Islands. Sexy Blue Iguana is a fun concept! There’s a tail in back of the cape.

Chile. Sexy Atacama Desert is kind of abstract, as these things go, but I respect her choice to wear something she could walk in.

China. Hilariously, the announcer was like “This look... does not match the bio we were given, so I’m gonna wing it!” The fabrics are nice -- the satin drapes and moves well -- but the embellishments are kind of meh compared to some of the Miss China looks I’ve seen.

Colombia. This is a legit great Sexy Phoenix, but I need you all to know that her crown got turned a little sideways while she walked to the stage and she clearly knew it and just as clearly could do nothing about it, and I feel bad for laughing but it was funny.

Costa Rica. Sexy hummingbird! I think I’ve identified a recurring theme for this year. Corset and wings are made of recycled materials, which is nice, and they look well-made -- a lot of wing-based costumes tend to flop around or go crooked in motion, but not these.

Croatia. Oh, honey. This has big “my mom helped me make this the night before it was due” energy, unfortunately.

Curacao. “Meet the Fisherman’s Wife, a woman with a key role in Curacao’s fishing industry.” Okay? Honestly you could have left off the basket and said “this costume represents the beautiful marine life of Curacao” and I would have been like “yep, checks out” but now I have many follow-up questions.

Czech Republic. This is meant to be a Mucha-inspired look but uh. Mostly it’s just. beige. I’m starting to feel like all the other Slavic countries saw advance photos of Miss Ukraine and were like “let’s just phone it in this year, girls, there’s no point.”

Dominican Republic. “This costume recognizes the importance of birds in Dominican culture.” They did make it with silk feathers, which I appreciate, because it would have been very weird to use real ones with that mission statement. Also I like her headdress, and the giant feather fans are a good way to nod in the direction of wings without the hassle of actually wearing wings.

Ecuador. This looks good in motion! She did some dancing onstage that worked well, and there’s a great sculpted Inca head scowling on the back of her headdress. This is still only a few notches above voting Present, though.

El Salvador. “History of Currency,” which is definitely a concept! The Bitcoin wizard staff is sure something.

Equatorial Guinea. A perfectly nice entry in the “actual regional costume” category, but on the video I was like “oh, yikes, her headdress is really wobbly” and then it FELL OFF and I felt so bad for her.

Finland. “Spirit of the Forest”? Fuck off, that’s a prom dress. Boo.

I’m going to pause here so this readmore doesn’t get completely out of control. Shit, there are 50 more of these? Well, I have only myself to blame.

#miss universe #miss universe national costume

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