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seancekitsch · 16 days ago

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The Sword and the Quill: Chapter Three

Pairing: Gwayne Hightower x Reader

In the weeks leading up to little Daeron's departure to Oldtown, Queen Alicent finds herself trying to entertain the unmarried ladies of court. As one of her ladies in waiting, you agree to an anonymous penpal in one of the men at court, and end up spilling your heart to him. He is your perfect match, your equal. The only issue? The Queen's brother Gwayne Hightower will not stop teasing you as you try to uncover who responds to your letters.

My Daring Unfamiliar,

Quite coy of me to evade you? And what of your clever ways of evading me? I find myself no closer to figuring out your identity, though I feel more drawn to you than before. I too am glad you are not betrothed, as a vibrant woman such as yourself you should not find yourself shackled to one of the stuffy men of King’s Landing probably twice your age. It does seem to be their proclivity, as loathsome as it is. I am glad for your friendship, even if I do not know who you are. Even if I feel I will waste away and die without knowing who you are. To think, am I on your list? Are you on mine? I will admit I have my list narrowed down to six women, those that I think daring and smart enough to be you. Perhaps after this letter I will narrow it down even farther. I find I will be searching for your frazzled hair and short temper now that I know what to look for in this humidity. Of course I only jest. I am certain that what you think is unkempt is only marred because one is always critical of the face in the mirror, I am certain such wit and a sharp mind is accompanied by beauty to match.

How is it that a lady of noble birth would ever want to visit a place like Lys? Do you not know of its reputation? Of the pleasure gardens and pillow houses? Of the pirates that lurk there from the triarchy? I have not been there myself, but I do have a few of their coin, of which were taken off of a triarchy pirate. A gift, for you, is one of them I have sealed with this letter. You are an even bigger mystery to me now, knowing that a place such as Lys piques your interest so. But to answer your other questions, I have been to Dorne and Oldtown. Dorne is interesting, some parts a vast desert and others a beautiful oasis. Their wines and silks are the loveliest in all of Westeros, their people far less concerned with the pretenses that we are. Can you believe that I was asked to dance with a man’s wife openly? Such things could never occur here, although I will say that I did very much enjoy that everyone spoke plainly of their intentions and emotions. It was freeing to have that, and the courts proved all too constricting to me every day after. These letters to you are the closest I have had to that feeling since my travel there, and I appreciate you doubly for it. I am glad that I have found someone that I may converse openly with, ignoring status or titles or circumstances.

I will also say that the Queen is correct, Oldtown is maybe the most beautiful city in the kingdoms united. There is nothing more lush than its gardens, more splendid than its chateaus filled with artifacts and scrolls dating back to the conqueror, nothing more breathtaking than the flame at the top of the citadel.

I fear that you will find me boring, if I now admit my love of tourneys. I find the spectacle magnificent, and the skill and prowess on display to be a display of the strength of our shared kingdoms and crown. Perhaps I will find you and make it all the less boring for you. I do hope that my eyes will find yours amidst the crowd, and your countenance will make itself known to me immediately through some supernatural knowing. I will be searching for you in every row of the stands, praying to the seven that it will be easy. More importantly, tell me your favorite song, and I shall learn to play it for you. Or even, you may tell me your favorite poem and I shall transcribe it to song for you, a new creation of art for my Unfamiliar.

I do hope that I have discovered you by the next feast, so that I can ask you to dance properly, and that we may converse without the guise of the quills. So that I may grasp your hand to know that you are real. I assure you that I will be a spoiled man if I am to watch you dance circles around me, and a man utterly ruined if I get to steal more than one dance.

Your letters have cooled a part of me too warm, warmed a part of me too cool.

Truly,

Your Unfamiliar.

You look down at the golden ribbon tied into your sleeves for the day, your mind thinking only of the fact that he had underlined Your in his signing off. He considers himself yours. More, you think of the Lyseni coin that he had tucked into the parchment, a golden oval with the portrait of a naked woman engraved into it. An obscene gift for a lady of the court, but one you cherish because it is from your unfamiliar. Yours yours yours. It now lies in your jewelry box, a dingy coin amongst your finest of necklaces and rings. You have narrowed your list down. It is for certain not Darklyn or Beesbury. The names left are Lord Rowan, Ser Loras Florent, Ser Gwayne Hightower. You have picked out these ribbons for Lord Rowan, as a subtle sign of acknowledgment of his house colors, strikingly different from your own. You do not exactly wish it to be any of the men on your list, however. Lord Rowan is a complete stranger to you, Ser Loras you know to frequent married women’s beds, and Ser Gwayne… infuriates you. All of these men handsome and on parchment suitable matches, yet picturing any of them on the other side of the quill feels wrong. So you are hedging your bets in the days leading up to the tourney by attempting to garner the attention of the complete stranger. Maybe he is well traveled and sharp and charming like your unfamiliar.

Although you admit, the first day you did not see Lord Rowan anywhere within the Red Keep. Nor the day after that or yesterday. And now, the morning of the tourney, you hope that whatever hole he has crawled into he has emerged from so you can look into his eyes and figure out if he is yours. It’s silly, to think that you could tell, but maybe you can? Maybe this is like one of the fairytales you were told when you were young.

Only, it’s not Lord Rowan that you find in the hallways.

“Oh, please don’t tell me this is a new look for you,” Gwayne’s voice calls from the other end of the hall. How is it that the Red Keep is so large, yet Gwayne Hightower is inescapable?

“And if it is?” you call back. Gwayne closes the distance between you, his armor clanking the entire time. He is dressed and ready for his tilt in the tourney already.

“I’d say Lord Rowan is remiss for ignoring your efforts, but I’d also say you are wasting your time,” Gwayne smiles widely. He knows something. Your fingers start to fiddle with one of the ribbons, knowing you could easily pull them all out. It’s horrible, that for as rude you and Gwayne may be to each other sometimes, you can see that he’s not trying to humiliate you right now.

“Why?” you ask, pouting in frustration.

“Because he found out that he’s been writing to Lady Caswell, and now they are courting.”

Oh. That is a very good reason, indeed. You yank at the ribbon you’d been toying with, then the next one and the next one until your hands are full of the little ribbons, and hastily you look for somewhere to toss them, but there is none.

“Thank you for informing me,” you say, trying to steady your voice as much as possible.

“It seems you are no closer to finding out who writes you than I am.”

“I keep a list of his qualities to try to narrow it down.”

“As do I with my lady.”

“May I see your list?”

“Would you tell me who is on your list, if I did?”

“No.”

“Then my answer is the same.”

You are once again at an impasse with Gwayne Hightower, two immovable objects in the tide.

“I hope you find your woman without the issue I face, I guess,” you offer, not exactly meaning it but not trying to be mean. If this is as trying for you, it has to be for every unwed person in the castle too. As much as your love for the Hightower family finds its limits at the brother, you still wish to carry on the tenants of this experiment for at least your friend.

“Then I shall see upon you at the tourney,” Gwayne says, and then tilts his head “Though I rather see you in different colors.”

“And what colors would you wish?” you ask, though you regret the words as they die on your tongue. He looks you up and down, and then scoffs.

“Wouldn’t you like to know.”

Hours later, at the tourney, you are sat three seats away from Queen Alicent Hightower. You are dressed in the deep burgundy and blue color of your house and idly snapping your fingers closed on each of the elder Targaryen children’s hands; your fake predator of a hand keeping little Aegon, Aemond, and Helaena preoccupied for now. You wish that games like these could entertain you equally, but instead all runs through your mind is your Unfamiliar. Is he here, indeed? You hate that you have to be here, but yet you find your head almost whipping around in search. You told your Unfamiliar that you’d be searching for him; and you are. But with every turn of your head you seem to recognize and be bored of everyone. Bringing a favor to this event even feels silly at this point. You do not feel the spark you had hoped for. In fact, nothing draws anything besides boredom from you until late in the day.

That is when Gwayne Hightower atop a horse galavants across the royal box and back again. Despite your ebbing annoyance from him earlier, you find yourself tensing in your seat. If not on your own, then on his sister’s behalf. You remember what she told you about the last tourney that Gwayne had attended in King’s Landing. To be almost killed by Daemon Targaryen himself, maybe the only person in all of Westeros you found truly and deeply loathsome and terrifying, is a memory that clearly stains the Queen’s outlook on this tourney. You tense and worry and stop your little game with the children in rapt attention, for her.

His armor glimmers in the sunlight, blight enough to blind. His smile, though obscured by the helm, is similarly blinding. You’re certain he remembers his brush with death at the hands of the Rogue Prince, but his demeanor would say otherwise. He is the definition of confident bravado. This man looks foreign to the uncertain and studious man you spoke with the other day in the library.

Lord Manderly has his horse trot and dance as he crosses the pitch, not yet a knight but clearly already presenting the same qualities as any of the rest of them. Soon, you are certain, he will be laughing and chasing women around with the rest of them. The northern stoicism does not seem to carry to this man, as he laughs and points into the crowd, at friends and serving people and women he may ask for favor.

Both men cross back and forth, searching the crowds, their jousting lances upturned to the heavens as they circle, the crowd growing ever the more excited.

You clutch your favor, unwilling to let it leave your grasp as a pit forms in your stomach every time Gwayne passes by the royal box. You look down the row of chairs to Alicent, who is already looking at you; her hands frustratedly pick at one another, her nails already rimmed with crimson. You offer her a weak smile, hoping it is enough to reassure her as the thought dawns on you: she has not seen her brother fight since that day. Sparring and training were nothing like this. And though Lord Manderly is no Daemon Targaryen, Alicent is really and truly afraid. You reach your free hand over the children’s heads, and her fingertips copy the gesture to brush against yours, your comfort not lost on her. It is moments like this where you feel truly wanted and needed here, and you could not imagine yourself traveling anywhere else. The love and friendship of the queen is almost enough.

But her eyes snap away from your gaze, and your attention follows.

There, resting at the railing, is Ser Gwayne Hightower’s jousting lance pointed at you.

Shit.

Does he mean to humiliate you? A jape for your attitude towards him earlier? A way to twist and soil your efforts to find your letter writer?

You grimace at him, unsure of what to say as little Aegon fiddles with one of the ribbons on your favor.

“My Lady, may your favor give me some of that fiery personality of yours. Perhaps your boldness will inspire the courage to win,” His smile is wide as he talks, as if he is holding back a laugh. You wish to snarl at him, hurl insult after insult, but his sister watches with rapt attention.

“Perhaps you are already too bold, Ser,” you retort, but Aegon tugs harder on your favor.

“My Lady, I will name you Queen of Love and Beauty if I win,” he presses, eyes darting to his sister before back to yours. It feels conspiratorial.

“You wish me to have a line of suitors? How kind, Ser Gwayne.”

“I wish to repay a favor you’ve given me,” he explains, and begrudgingly you pull the favor from the little prince’s grasp to wrap it around the lance, the wine red and blue ribbons with embroidered grape leaves easily sliding down to where the base flares out, cementing itself on his weapon. The entire act feels intimate and strange, your handmade favor never having been given, and your eyes never truly meeting his for this long at once. Even from a distance, you can see the shining hazel.

“You’d better win, I worked hard on that embroidery,” is all you offer, but anything else would feel far too tender, far too genial for the tense at best relationship between you.

With that, Gwayne winks at you and has his horse trot off, proudly lifting his lance with your favor up to the entire crowd. The pit in your stomach deepens, realizing that if your Unfamiliar is truly here today, you now appear unavailable to him all because of Gwayne Hightower. You could hate him for this.

But all you can do is sigh as you lean back into your chair, now completely ruined for the entire event. You chew your bottom lip as the dread settles in you, your hopes for the day dashed and taken away by your dearest friend’s brother.

“Why do you look sour?” Aegon, who now has nothing to keep him idle, asks, “I’d name you Love and Beauty too.”

You roll your eyes as you give the prince a cheeky smile.

“I’m too old for you, little princeling. Move along.”

He sneers at you, but there’s no malice in the little boys face, and he turns back to his siblings to talk to them. Alicent looks over their heads at you, a curious and accusatory look on her face. You’d called her brother a brute, a ruffian, every rude name in the book but here you were giving him your favor with little protest as he talks of naming you Queen of Love and Beauty. Surely, she knows of her brother’s reputation, but you are the big question mark in this situation.

“When did your loathing of my brother subside?” She asks, finally no longer picking at her hands as this now occupies her.

“It did not,” you explain, “I merely helped him find a book the other day. He thinks this will repay me for my efforts.”

Alicent’s lips turn upward, a ghost of a laugh in the form of a sigh leaves her. She shakes her head, and finally her gaze breaks yours, casting her eyes to her brother on the field below.

“Whatever he was looking for must have been very important,” The Queen mutters, and that ends the conversation.

Gwayne and Lord Manderly line up, opposite sides of their tilt barrier on opposite sides of the list. Otto Hightower speaks, as Viserys’ voice does not find him lately. The King is weakening, today a rare public outing. You are certain that sooner rather than later, Alicent will take the reins and you will be her unofficial hand.

“Let the final tilt begin!”

Needing no further encouragement, the men urge their horses forward, lances tilted forward and favors blowing in the wind. Gwayne’s lance finds purchase, easily shattering the wooden shield of Lord Manderly, the force of it pushing the northern lord backwards off his horse. However, this is the gruesome part. The moment Lord Manderly hits the ground, a squire brings forth his sword. Gwayne slows his horse, and jumps from the saddle with ease. He passes his shield and lance to his own squire, and reaches for his own sword. The two men run towards each other and finally you find yourself cringing in your seat. The memories of the Hightower Knight covered in blood flash through your mind as if they were yesterday. You grab the material of your skirt, white-knuckling the fabric to the point that you’re certain you’re ruining it.

You worry for Alicent, worry for the outcome of the tourney, worry for the fate of the favor you spent time making, and finally you let yourself admit that you do indeed worry for Gwayne Hightower. As much as he vexes you, you do not want him harmed. Being pompous is not a crime punishable by cracked ribs or bloodied eyes. Damning yourself and your superstitions, you allow yourself to pretend that your favor grants him some kind of protection spell.

Gwayne’s sword clashes loudly against Lord Manderly’s, sparks flying as metals meet. He dodges and parries easily, and it becomes clear to you that he is the stronger fighter. It calms you, but only slightly. One wrong move could still give Manderly an advantage. But he disarms Manderly at the last moment, the sword flying through the air as Gwayne kicks the man down, his own blade pointed towards the mans face.

He wins. Gwayne wins.

You let out a breath, loud and relieved, no longer really caring about your appearances. Alicent too, untended her shoulders, and ushers for wine to be brought from your serving girl. The girls pour into both of your goblets seconds later, and both of you drink deeply. You look over to Alicent, whose other hand holds her seven pointed star in silent prayer, a torn up thumb rubbing meaningful circles across the points.

“This fear does not become thee,” you remark playfully, smiling at her, “He is fine, you may celebrate.”

“And you may…” but her words die on her lips, now forming into a bigger smile than before as her attention drifts from you. Gwayne rides towards your box, lance back in hand as well as a crown of flowers.

He stops just ahead of you, his horse’s shoulder just against the box. You rise, and lean over to the edge of the railing, to the winning knight.

“I chose the flowers, I do hope they bring joy to you even if I may not,” he tells you, and you cannot sense a jape in his voice.

“Thank you, Ser Gwayne, I will wear them with honor,” you tell him, and duck your head down so he may place the ring of flowers, with a trail of flowers downward in the back, onto your head gracefully. His fingers, though gloved, are gentle against your head, his touch soft and careful.

You rise up, the smile on your face not exactly facetious. As a child you did once dream of this very thing; maybe with a different circumstance, but you did wish this. That is, before you knew how much you disliked tourneys in practice.

“My Queen of Love and Beauty!” He cries out, and the entire stadium cheers.

It’s hours later that you finally get to return to your chambers and remove the crown to inspect it further. The ring itself is Mountain Larkspur, a fully poisonous plant. The thought makes you laugh, that Gwayne would pick such a toxic bloom for his Queen of Love and Beauty. But it is to be said that the Larkspur signify lightheartedness, humor, and an open heart. The trail of flowers that rested on the back of your head are Grape Hyacinths, which based on your family, should be a compliment to their legacy. But these flowers signify sincerity, and you’ve been to enough weddings to recognize them. They are more a mauve than a blue like the Larkspur, and those wealthy in the knowledge of bouquet language would know that they symbolize a desire for forgiveness.

Curious, you think, that Gwayne would go out of his way to mention that he had chosen these flowers. Were they truly and truce between you? Was he trying to tell you something without saying it?

You push through thoughts from your mind, deciding not to dwell on them, lest they give you a headache.

The quill in your hand touches the paper, releases, touches again.

It’s quickly that you realize you will not get any writing done, even here at your library desk. You sigh as you push yourself up from your chair, hastily packing everything into your bag as if it pains you to do so.

It is quick, the trip back to your chambers to change into your simplest dress and cloak, and back out into the hallways, and into the labyrinth of Maegor’s tunnels you had found years ago when Aemond was still just a wish. You pull the cloak closer to you by the strap of your bag, wrapping yourself in a bundle by candlelight as you walk the barely worn path, your candle the only light as you navigate past each stone. It took turning and and faith to get you towards the edge, and for the last twenty feet you blew out the candle for fear of getting caught, but finally the moonlight would hit your face. The tunnels set you out at a district of King’s Landing littered with taverns and food stalls. The food stalls you never saw, for you only come here when you need to write and use some ale in your belly to make the words move more easily. Sure, you could ask a serving girl to fetch you a flagon, but for some reason that did not work the way that writing in a dingy corner with the smallfolk does. Perhaps it is their songs, their open way of speaking, their camaraderie that inspires and spurs you on.

You enter The Roost, the favorite of these taverns for you.

“Girlie!” the barkeep calls as you enter, and you shush him as you rush towards the bar to order. As far as the owners of this tavern know, you are a well paying woman attempting to cover up an affair. While they are discreet, they do not hide their fondness of you or your coin.

“Keep the ale flowing,” you tell the burly man, fatherly and kind, “I’ll be at my back booth.”

“Will do, girlie,” he responds, and you move to the other room behind the bar, a room with two long tables and six small alcoves each dotted with wooden half circle booths. The tavern is busy, but you move through the crowd deftly, easily reaching your little bench and placing your belonging down. You settle in easily, your parchments and your quill and ink easily spread out across the table and one of the barmaids brings you a large flagon of ale.

You tip the rim of the drink into your lips and drink heartily, careful not to tip your head back too far or else your hood will tip off from your hair and expose you.

Your quill hits the parchment more easily now.

My Dearest Unfamiliar,

How dramatic! To think that you will die if you do not know my identity. Though I will not ease your pain, I will give no name in this letter. I find myself narrowing the list of who you may be: an unmarried man, a sensitive yet playful man, well traveled and well read, the best of all things. With words that compliment me, flattery flushing my own face as I read your letters. There are far and few men in the Red Keep that match that distraction. There are three men now on my list after this tourney, and I do hope that I have determined you right. Are you searching for a wife from these letters, I wonder? an a man not yet betrothed, it cannot be distant from your mind. I will have you know that I did not see you during the tourney, or at least I do not think I did. I tried hard to look for you, I looked at every man, but I was not sure what countenance to look for. I will say myself, I am not certain I want a courtship from this, but I do find myself more interested in the idea and the affection that comes from it with each of your letters. You are warming a heart usually icy, My Unfamiliar. Is it too forward to say that when and if I find your identity, I wish to kiss you? It will not be my first kiss, I admit, but I would want to bestow one upon you. Even if you did not want to court me, if only just to thank you for being a just and honest companion for me. I am not saying that I am hoping, but I am hopeful.

I will have you know, My Unfamiliar, that I have read A Caution for Young Girls by the Corinne Wylde, and read it well. The legends of Lys will not make me balk or shy away. I am, as I have said, interested in seeing the world warts and all. I want to see everything that the world can show me. I will say, I do appreciate your gift of the Lysine coin. It is exhilarating to hold something of value to a life so far from my own, to treasure it as if I would a jewel.

Would that I should thrive in a place like Dorne? To speak freely and open tongued. You make it sound such a lively place compared to this. How I wish to experience their wines in a setting where I can speak like the Dornish. Perhaps though, and most likely, if I may be granted leave from court, I will see how grand and lovely Oldtown is. I would love to spend an afternoon perusing the scrolls or reading inscriptions on artifacts just as much as I would enjoy any grand view or adventure.

I will tell you that I do not find you boring for enjoying tourneys, especially because I did not find myself as bored as usual at this one. Though I will say my amusement came from looking for you, I guess I can admire what a tourney is supposed to represent.I am saddened, though, that I could not recognize you immediately. I was hoping some sort of spell could overtake me and cast mine eyes only to yours. I however, just saw many faces in the crowd, and narrowed my list no further.

I find though, that I would appreciate any piece of art you would offer. I am a lover of the arts and a purveyor of understanding them. Jenny of Oldstones is a song I find myself drifting towards often, the lyrics catching me. How beautiful, a woman dancing with the ghosts of the past? How often do we all do the same? Is our love fated by stars, written into the histories? Or is love as fleeting as a ghost on the wind?

For the next feast, I shall try to come up with some coded word. Something we shall say to each other so we will know who we are. I fear giving a dance to just anyone, lest they try to court me and take me away from whatever is between us.

Yours as well;

Your Unfamiliar

The letter is, plainly, too forward. You do not care, though, as you finish off your ale and motion for another one. It’s only now that you look upon the tavern’s rooms, surveying the guests and all their revelry. Your eyes scan, casual and unassuming, until you fall upon a crop of auburn hair. Could it be? You look the the hazel eyes attached, surely, it’s him. But is it? No, it cannot be. The man makes no move towards you, no stern recognition in his gaze, just a simple gaze upon you as you stare back. And the spell is broken as another ale is set before you.

It cannot be him, you think to yourself.

#gwayne hightower x reader #gwayne x reader

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royaltysimblr · 1 month ago

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Ophelia of Lausanne, Queen of Windenburg (1620-1673) - Part 2 - Marriage

Ophelia grew up to become a beautiful princess, one of the most desirable brides on the continent. It was proposed that Ophelia be a bride to her cousin, Victor Emmanuel, Crown Prince of Tartosa, or Prince Louis, Duke of Vendome. King Louis IX wanted Ophelia to marry his grandson, Prince Louis Duke of Vendome, however, Prince Louis wanted to marry an Infanta of Almeria. The Grand Duke of Sienna courted Ophelia in 1634, however marriage negotiations fell through over disagreements about her dowry.

In 1634, James, Prince of the Isle, heir to Windenburg, visited Lausanne on his way back from Tartosa. James had desired the hand of Princess Anna of Tartosa, however, the marriage negotiations failed. Windenburg had desired peace with the Jacoban Kingdoms after fighting against them for the last thirty years, with the peace being cemented through marriage. After the rejection of the Tartosan marriage, James suggested a Magnolian match in order to forge a new alliance with Magnolia. James stayed at Chateau Moren for three nights on his journey back Windenburg. James had traveled incognito under the name "The Earl of Ely" and was invited by Ophelia's father. James met Ophelia and was instantly enchanted with her grace and beauty. James and Ophelia were only one year apart in age and were smitten with one another. James immediately wrote to his father, the King of Windenburg, asking for his approval, which he relented. On his way back to Windenburg, James stopped in Magnolia to negotiate with King Louis IX of Magnolia and Ophelia's father, Prince Louis Henri for her hand in marriage. King Louis gave Ophelia a dowry of 1.8 million livres along with a trousseau of 150 garments. Ophelia brought an entourage of 40 servants, 12 ladies in waiting, 4 clergymen, and 10 noblemen. James returned to Windenburg, while Ophelia married James by proxy in Magnolia on January 5th, 1635. Ophelia traveled to Windenburg where the official ceremony took place at St.Michael’s Cathedral on February 16th. A private Jacoban service was officiated in the Salon of Diane at Windslar Palace.

Elaborate celebrations followed the marriage of James and Ophelia. Later that night, a lavish banquet was held at the Great Hall of Windslar Palace. A medieval costume ball was held the next day followed by a firework display in the gardens. A festival honoring Ophelia and her entourage was hosted the day afterward which featured ballerinas and dancing animals in the gardens of Windslar. A play depicting the love of Cupid and Psyche was performed in the gardens. A jousting tourney was held at Verdun Palace on the third day of celebrations. Several more banquets were held throughout the capital hosted by multiple nobles including the Duke of St.Germaine and the Earl of Warwick.

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mako-neexu · 8 months ago

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going insane over dantes and ordeal call chapter 2 post #234098 the way he says his flames burn hotter/more poisonous than in his normal Saint Graph and you literally remember he made a new Spirit Origin for guda and his NPs are literally ABOUT guda, the color choice in the 3rd ascension with blue accents on his stars and eyes said to be the color of guda's SOUL time and time again,　

and he also literally looks like goetia because "MY DESTINY" (istfg im going CRAZY. im going crazy!!! my desiny??? MY DESTINY!!?!?!?!?) and both him and dantes had that one on one to guda, goetia also made a hilariously BAD set up against himself so like dantes and guda became partners in crime in prison tower like goetia unintentionally played MATCHMAKER and created the worst duo ever im shitting tears. the probable reason as well why he looks like that in the 3rd ascension is because dantes viewed goetia as "an ultimate enemy guda overcame" which he positioned himself in as well so he could be defeated which was his goal in the first place i think im going to break from so much info bro. theres also the fact that prison tower and pseudo-tokyo are basically the same (that also required huge amount of mana) -> guda was dropped into prison tower, (directly/indirectly) helped by gankutsuou, stuck in chateau d'lf/becoming an Avenger by giving into temptation->bad end || overcoming the trials each floor/understanding the Avenger class, overcoming the flames-> return to chaldea. dantes positioning himself once more as both that tiny light of hope and that enemy who has guda fall into a trap likei am so. n.lromnal. I think i hauve covid

and thinking about. "my destiny" "my radiant one" "my one good thing" "my star" like- to be loved is to be changed. man. to be loved is to be!!!changed!!! and the blue and pink-purple flames that symbolize GUDA having been so special to him in this life that it changed him, BECAME SO SPECIAL TO HIM!!! (you can literally see it in his EYES??? his 4th aascension art where his flame is BLUE AS WELL??????????)

that he is still Avenger, Count of Monte Cristo, he who enacted vengeance and the greatest seeker of it, he who continues to hate and burn eternally yet chooses to love!!!!!!!!!!!!! becoming that tiny light of hope to an innocent soul and now here they stand, that tiny light he continued to protect now shines more radiant than anything else, and because of that love, his flames burn much much more fiercely than his previous saint graph and like he has you stay away bc you might evaporate to nothing and he explicitly says theyre stronger in his Monte Cristo alt!! while hes also trying to distance himself from you again bc he must still hold guilt in his heart for making you go through the Avenger ordeal and as well as the fact that you literally need to leave the flames/Avengers behind due to their conflicting nature with the wall bc being attached would be sooo hard to let go and especially considering what you and dantes went through together like what is this?? its like a giant slap of I LOVE YOU SO MUCH against my face????????? theres literally nothihg left of my remains????????????

dantes is also basically so stupidly even more overpowered here have you seen his skills??? Count of Monte Cristo Mythologie became a skill along with the fourteen relics/14 jewels and he can jUST cassually!???? activate that!?!?!?????? meanwhile WHAT HE CONSIDER AS HIS NOBLE PHANTASM IN THIS SAINT GRAPH IS O STAR/O YOU WHO, CONQUER THAT BRILLIANT PATH??? THAT VERY ONE ABOUT GUDA???? IS THIS REAL????? his NP dmg and effects are so crazy too???? LITERALLY POWERED BY LOVE AND BACKED UP BY AGE OF GODS LEVEL FUCK YOU ENERGY ?? im plagued by dantes and OC2 thoughts since last month someone free me ajdkfgk

#fgo #fate grand order #why whyyyyyy whyyyy did they have to make this chapterrrr #MOOTS JUST IGNORE ME OKAY??#edmond dantes #MAN WHAT IS WRONG WITH MEEEEEEEE #guda

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failing-to-write-again · 27 days ago

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Bloody Gift Exchange 2024

Hi @cakeemoji I hope you like the fic. I chose Shu from your list of liked characters as I felt I could do my best with him. I tried to blend some of the trends of the audio cds and games when Shu has his softer moments.

Thanks to @diabolik-lovers-weekly for organising the exchange. It feels good for the fandom to come together for things like this.

The autumnal chill in the air had me adjusting the sleeves of my jumper, the carriage constantly jostling slightly from the bumps and dips in the road ahead. Crowds were gathered on either side of the winding streets en route to the Chateau de Vampire King. Pulling the curtains shut I sunk back against the plush seating, pushing myself as far into the corner as possible. What on Earth had I gotten myself into, agreeing to come was a complete mistake as far as I was concerned. The events from three months ago replayed in my mind like a mocking joke.

“What clothes do you want packed for a week? Tell the familiars by tomorrow”

“What?”

Shu had sighed, as if the mere act of explaining was the most unbearable chore in existence. He had dropped next to me on the bed, holding his head up as his earphones dangled around his neck.

“I have a festival to attend for the October full moon, meaning you have to attend as well. So, choose what you want packed, and tomorrow you have to meet the tailor to be measured. This whole thing is such a pain.”

A silence stretched between us as I sat agape across from him, eyebrows knotted in complete disbelief. The blank stare returned to me did little to ease the confusion. Shu sighed again, reaching his free hand out to tap the necklace he had put around my neck almost a year ago.

“This means you signed up for it. You don’t get to take it back now, you’re mine, woman. So don’t be so much of a pain as to make me go a week while desperate debutantes throw themselves at me.”

My cheeks warmed, the sincere look in his eyes never failing to catch me off guard. I let my hand weave its way into his, squeezing it slightly.

“But we can’t even spend time together at those balls, I just have to watch you dance.”

Shu didn’t have much to say to that, his eyes focused on some far off spot. I had learnt some time ago that when Shu looked like he wasn’t listening it was when he was listening the most. He loosened his hand from mine, wrapping it around my waist and pulling me close.

“You should come to this one anyway. It’s like I said you have to be there if I have to.”

That had been that and now the very same necklace was being spun between my fingers, sat alone in this carriage, trapped by the crowds unaware of your existence while Shu was somewhere in the same procession. No doubt the crowds were full of hopeful nobles with single daughters. Ridiculous protocols demanded the heir had to travel alone, unless married, and the lack of his brothers meant nobody was around to share the space with you. Karl Heinz was likely either in a carriage along the same road or already at the castle. The risk of having multiple important members of the royal line in one place probably meant he was already waiting in his study for our arrival. While I was still an Eve and therefore a completely acceptable choice in his eyes, the man still gave me the creeps. Stories of his treatment of the Sakamakis and his mysterious behaviour made it clear the man was not to be trusted.

The noise outside was slowly dimming, until a loud gate groaned and screeched slowly then a moment later slammed shut. This cycle repeated twice more before I felt the carriage shake as the sounds of cobblestone shifted to a smoother ride along the flatter road of the castle courtyard. The final slam sealing of my fate for the next week.

================================================

I would be lying if I said the castle wasn’t impressive, but its oppressive atmosphere and the constant feeling that someone is watching you was definitely a deal breaker. However, my original plan of hiding away in my room until Shu appeared was beginning to feel impossible with the blonde haired vampire not appearing at his usual nap time. Leaving me to wander the halls in search of him. Looming portraits and lifeless familiars had the hairs on the back of my neck standing up and goosebumps littering my arms uncaring of the thick cardigan wrapped around me. Shu’s cardigan to be specific, borrowed without permission from his room the morning of our departure, the worn but soft material was coated in the scent of his cologne and the toasty undertone that could only be described as... well Shu. The last visit to the castle had been so very different, I had just been marked as an ‘Eve’ with my link to Shu newly forming. Shu had been near stuck to me when we weren’t around vampires, paired with the amount of vampires present had made the more eerie parts of the castle less noticeable.

Nearing the door, I recognised as Shu’s general room of choice, I gently knocked waiting for his quiet beckoning to enter. Yet it never came, the room was completely stark, without any sign of his bags or him. I was left back where I began once more. Venturing through the curving halls and winding staircases of the castle was daunting but the idea of returning to my room felt worse.

After an hour of wandering and an embarrassing number of unread texts I was close to giving up. He must have been pulled to some prince linked task, or had fallen asleep somewhere I couldn’t find. I had explored so absent mindedly I completely missed I had taken myself right to his father’s study, the large mahogany doors threatening to swing open and leave me alone with a man that even made Shu nervous. Turning I start briskly walking away, aiming to avoid any potential vampires waiting to meet with the man and go to my room to lick my wounds. Yet whatever power may be decided that was the perfect time for the doors to creak open behind me. Bracing myself to curtsey and keep my mouth as shut as possible to hopefully avoid any confrontation I turn. My head quickly bowed as taught by Reiji, I dropped my knee as practiced.

“I’m so sorry I didn’t realise I had walked all the way here. I’ll be out of your way now.”

“That desperate to stay away? What a bothersome woman.” My head flew up, greeted with blue rather than golden eyes. Shu’s teasing smirk lifting the stress from my shoulders. I rose quickly, wringing my hands together.

“I was looking for you, if I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were the one trying to stay away from me.” He chuckled at that, reaching out a hand to brush against mine.

“But you do know better apparently?” He teased, leaning down and speaking in a voice so soft as if he was sharing a secret.

“You missed your nap.” I whispered back slipping my hand properly into his. Suddenly returned to my room. Shu slowly shuffled back, keeping me close until he was laid back in bed with me hovering over him. He pulled me close, a hand wrapping around the back of my head to hold me close to his chest, his other arm wrapping around my back. The bed was warm, and the gentle rise and fall of Shu’s chest was already lulling me to sleep.

“My pillow knows me well I see. Well, since I’m feeling nice I’ll take my nap now or else you’ll be bothersome and cranky,” an earphone hung by my ear, the distant sound of Chopin covering the drafty whispers of the castle halls.

“Hey...Shu?”

“mhm”

“Why were you in your father’s study?” I felt Shu’s sigh before I heard it, his face hidden from view as he held me to his chest.

“Don’t concern yourself with silly things woman, just go to sleep.”

================================================

I woke to a cold side of the bed and the ringing of a bell just outside. Scanning the room, it was clear Shu had vanished some time ago, the ringing continuing incessantly. Calling out, I’m greeted by the voice of a woman.

“Excuse me ma’am, may we enter? We have your breakfast and instruction to prepare you for the ball.” Swinging my legs off the bed and opening the door I welcome the maids inside. A tray is placed atop the ornate vanity sitting in the moonlight streaming through the tall, ornate windows. The concoction somewhat resembling toast and oatmeal wasn’t the worst food I’d eaten but it was glaringly clear the chefs had no idea what foods from the demon realm were safe for me to eat. Around me the maids were setting up a range of tools and products, garment bags hung from a set of hooks nearby, and jewellery boxes were neatly stacked on a table. I could hear water being ran in the connected ensuite, filling the claw foot tub. It was raining outside, the subtle patter against the windowpanes a shallow comfort, my mind swinging between Shu’s distant behaviour and the ball ahead. The ball was surely going to be a trial; barely concealed distain from the vampires in attendance, dances so stiff and strictly rehearsed with a misstep being a point of mockery, and the fact I’ll be put in a plainer uncomfortable dress and told to stay to myself and far away from Shu. The same Shu who was here one minute and gone the next, he hadn’t been like this since solidifying your relationship and especially not before a ball he was going to have to spend apart from me.

“Ma’am we’re ready for you.”

Snapped out of my thoughts, the tap no longer running and the scent of roses wafting through the air. Thus, began over an hour of scrubbing and styling, a long bath where every inch of me was cleaned thoroughly. My skincare and other routines followed and improved upon by a team of servants. Leading to now, as I stood in front of a mirror as a sparkling blue gown was tightened and adjusted. It was beautiful, royal blue cascading down, flattering me perfectly. Sleeves of blue lace with golden flowers, and a neckline coming together with a brooch of the Sakamaki crest. It was unlike anything I had ever been dressed in before.

“Are...are you sure this is meant to be mine? I don’t normally get put in this stuff...” my voice was quiet almost scared to acknowledge the image in front of me. As if another person seeing me would wake me up to some plain black dress like I expected.

“Of course, ma’am, the Crown Prince himself requested it. The tailor was thrilled to be able to design it for you.” The woman barely looked up, opening boxes and laying them out. She held up a sapphire necklace, laying it against me.

“This was the late Queen’s ma’am; do you think it suits the dress-”

“No!” I blurt out without thinking. “I mean, I think Shu would prefer something different. He probably has seen it plenty.” The woman has a knowing look in her eye, nodding ever so slightly and quickly moving away a number of boxes. A silver moon caught my eye, a small crescent with a sapphire pendant hanging in its open space. Lifting it from the box I let it hang in the light.

“A wonderful choice ma’am, it’s part of a matching set. Shall I fetch the matching earrings and tiara?”

“Tiara?” My questioning tone goes unanswered, as the woman collects two more boxes clasping the necklace and slipping on the earrings. Finally, a sparkling tiara is placed on my head, each silver peak flanked by phases of the moon.

“I really think this might be a mistake; I’m meant to blend in...I’m definitely not meant to be wearing a tiara.” The maid looked at me confused. But before she could speak a knock on the door interrupted. Slowly opening, Shu stepped inside. He was dressed in a blue suit, the golden tassels of his epaulettes further broadening his shoulders. A crown sat on his head, golden and proud. Reaching up with sharp, ray like peaks resembling sunbeams. His normal white gloves missing and in its place a signet ring matching the crest currently sat at my bust. He stood still as the servants bowed and made their exit, once gone he nodded to someone outside before closing the door. Walking toward me, I wrung my hands together anxiety gnawing at my stomach.

“Shu, what’s happening.” My concern evident as the absurdity of the situation settled on me further and further. However, he didn’t respond instead lifting my hand in his. He gestured for me to step down from the tailor’s step riser used to make final adjustments to the gown. Walking me over to the windows he pulled open the curtain ever so slightly, peaking out before prompting me to follow. Outside guests were streaming into the atrium across the courtyard, however a group of people dressed in suits with notepads and cameras stood gathered on the courtside nearest to the window. Journalists? Most likely trying to get pictures of Shu, but this side of the castle is for guests not family. A man pointed suddenly, shouting something while raising a camera before a barrage of flashes assaulted my eyes. Pulling away the curtains sway shut once more, doing little to dim the shouting. Shu chuckled, moving his hand to settle on my waist.

“You’re not doing a good job being discrete, as should be expected though. If you were subtle, I would be listening to Bach instead of stuck here about to be forced through a ball.” His comment had me pouting, and increasingly irked by the lack of answers to the situation unfolding.

“Shu, you’d still be here I didn’t force you to go I don’t exactly enjoy these either. More importantly why are they outside my room and why am I dressed like this.” My finger poked his chest in punctuation, exasperation filled me. Only to once again be greeted with Shu’s laughter as his hand wrapped around my wrist to pull me even closer still. Leaning down he whispered.

“We’re only here because of you, the October full moon festival is a glorified carnival I’m meant to sit and watch later this week. This ball is for you and me alone. A fact you made abundantly clear by wearing that,” he taps the centre moon on the tiara, pulling back to look me in the eye as he continues, “A tiara made to match my crown. I have to say I expected you to be less bold, generally our wedding would be where you debut yourself in the future Queen’s set.” A blush rose to my cheeks, hands quickly raising to lift the suddenly heavy metal off my head. Shu’s hands reached up to stop me.

“Shu! I didn’t know, they tried to put me in your mother’s stuff. I’ll take it off nobody told me.” My whispers sounding far shriller than I would prefer.

“Nobody told you because it was part of the collection put together of options for you, by me. I had a feeling it would catch your eye; I didn’t think they would have put it on you without reason. But the only reason you’re wearing it is because you don’t want to wear her things, not because you like it?” He teased, his thumbs rubbing soft circles into my wrist flustering me further.

“I mean of course I like it, it’s pretty...but I don’t want to wear her things. It feels like a bad luck charm to wear that. Why is the ball for us though? Why did you choose my dress and jewellery, this all feels like a lot more effort than you’re known for.” Staring up at him, I see his gaze soften as his eyes slowly move taking in my appearance.

“You have had to watch irritating dull women attempt to steal me away countless times, and have never gotten to dance or wear something that actually suits you. So, I’m fixing it, it’s a bother... but it’s one I’m ok with this once. You’re going to enter with me, announced as my choice. This ball is to celebrate me choosing a future Queen.” His pointer finger and thumb play with the tiara, adjusting it slightly.

“I feel a bit like I’m way too dressed up, I don’t know if it suits me, I look like a princess from some fairytale.” Looking down at the dress in disbelief.

“You are a princess.”

“What.” The face I pulled was evidently the most hilarious thing Shu had seen, he actually laughed at last. He mocked a bow with his head, lifting his hand held out to me palm up.

“We are about to enter the ballroom, after him, announced together, and you will be anointed a princess. Then we’ll be stuck there for hours receiving congratulations and presents. Probably will be stuck dancing. Really, we should just leave now avoid the bother all together.” Shu said all of this so nonchalantly, and you didn’t doubt he would have you both leaving as soon as possible.

“No, I think we can manage. Just stay close, ok?” His hand wrapped back around my waist, turning us away from the windows and starting towards the door.

“I’ll be with you the entire night; it would be a pain to have to deal with someone stealing you away.”

I didn’t notice how the curtains had been pulled apart as he turned. To focused on my prince to see the photos being taken of the two of you walking away beginning your walk to the Royal balcony.

================================================

The night so far had mostly been a blur. From the second the doors opened everything felt as if it was in slow motion and being fast forwarded at the same time. It began with our entry with every vampire family of note watching the two of us descend the stairs of the royal entrance. There were certainly some glares as we were announced, which only worsened when Shu’s father approached happily asking for a dance later in the night. However, with Shu virtually glued to my side and no clear reason for him to leave there wasn’t room for it to go further. Up until this point we had mostly been greeting guests and sampling food, but the music had begun picking up and Karl Heinz was approaching.

“I think it is time we have our dance, no?” His smile elusive as always, the man was unsettling there was no way around it. Shu’s hand didn’t move from my waist, if anything it tightened.

“I’m pretty sure the first dance is meant to be mine.” The man only chuckled in response, lifting his hand up making it obvious that unless Shu was about to make a scene there was no avoiding this. Reluctantly taking his hand we moved towards the centre of the room as the space cleared. A basic waltz began as we stayed silent. Nobody else was dancing either, so I had been left with someone I had only ever been told was incredibly dangerous. While desperately avoiding eye contact, I hear him start to speak.

“I won’t take too much of your time, your first dance is important after all.” He spins me out gently before continuing, “however, I feel I must thank you.”

“Thank...me?” I replied incredulously, he chuckled at that, but it didn’t reach his eyes. He was looking at me like I knew something, as though I was a valuable ally or enemy.

“The boy is now becoming a man, something I have failed at while you succeeded Miss Eve. I do hope your relationship is long and prosperous, Eden needs a strong successor.” He stopped suddenly, bowing to kiss my hand. “I hope you can appreciate your role in this.” He straightened and turned towards an approaching Shu, passing my hand to his. Sharing tense pleasantries before he walked away, likely to mingle with his advisors. Shu took his place in front of me, the music changing to something more melodic and slower.

“What did he say to you?” Pulling me closer as we gently fell into step. The lights around us dimming.

“He thanked me.” I couldn’t help but think how undeserving of thanks I was, Shu was bound to behave when he found someone he wanted to behave for. The fact that was me wasn’t special, and I didn’t tell him to do any of this. Yet here I stood in a dress fit for a princess, which I now apparently am. Surrounded by noble vampires while being the same species they prey upon, dancing with one of the strongest vampires who was also a prince and also somehow mine. Moonlight was streaming down from above, bathing us as those around us faded into shadows. The jewels in his crown sparkled, mine likely matching. His eyes focused on mine as we turn, spin, and dip through the steps taught to me months ago.

“So, the old man messed with the planned dance just to thank you and steal the spotlight, typical.” He rolled his eyes, hidden somewhat by his curls. Reaching up I brush them away, slowing, his eyes locked on mine. The light around beginning to change, a subtle reddish pink replacing the silvery beams. Whispers began but I could barely hear them while in the moment.

“You don’t know about this moon, do you? I don’t know why I would expect any different you are a simple woman,” he spoke to himself as the light slowly intensifies as the music grows gentler. “When an heir finds a match, there’s a special moon which has a much stronger effect on them. If they’re in Eden they’re bathed in red light, some people say its to show support for the match, that’s a ridiculous wife tale, however. The truth is that it makes the bond between them stronger physically.” His fingers lace with mine before he continued quietly. His voice a melodic hum able to sooth my soul in a way that is equal parts scary and comforting.

“I feel your presence, your scent, you blood more than before. You must as well, even if you aren’t able to pinpoint it like I can. I won’t let you escape from now on, and nothing will take you from me.” The sentiment fills me with a warmth, and I can’t seem to wipe the grin off my face.

“Good, you’re stuck with me whether you like it or not.” Smiling back at me, the only thing in his eyes I can see is me, in full radiant focus.

#diabolik lovers #shu sakamaki #shu sakamaki x reader #bloody gift exchange #diabolik boys

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angelasscribbles · 10 months ago

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What Once Was

Fandom: Vying for Versailles (Romance Club)

Rating: Teen

Warnings: none

Summary: Renee married someone else. But what happens when Alexandre comes back into her life?

“Madame, you have a visitor.”

Renée looked up from her writing desk curiously. She hadn’t been expecting anyone. “Who is it, Beatrice?”

Beatrice had served Renee since she had first set foot in Versailles all those years ago. She had risen from lady’s maid to maîtresse d'hôtel. Her duties now involved overseeing all the other household servants at Chateau de Marly.

“It’s Monsieur Bontemps, Madame.”

The door to the study swung wide as the mistress of house backed away, revealing Alexandre, his fingers twisting nervously at the hat clasped in his hands.

Renee rose from her desk with surprised delight and swept across the room to greet him with a hug. “Alexandre! This is a pleasant surprise! Wait….” She drew back with a worried crease across her brow, “Is all well? The king—”

“The king is fine, Madame.”

Her good mood faltered as her eyes tracked his face noting the agitation in his stance. Very little rattled the king’s spymaster. “Then why are you here?”

“I was hoping we could have a private conversation.” His eyes darted around the room. “May I come in?”

“Certainly, but I think we would be more comfortable in the small sitting room.” She stepped out of the study and led him down the hallway to the smallest of the sitting rooms. It was cozy, plush, and private.

She gave Beatrice instructions to send a maid in with tea service then she shut the door. Turning back to him, she crossed her arms and studied him closely.

He was fidgety, clearly wound up about something, which was completely out of character for him. She couldn’t help the smile that crawled across her face as she took in his agitation. “Do I still make you nervous, Alexandre?”

“You do have a way of knocking my equilibrium off balance, Madame.” He gave her a small smile.

The affection and heat in his gaze sent butterflies exploding through her stomach. “That is good to know, Monsieur.”

He arched an eyebrow skeptically, “You think me indifferent to you?”

“Perhaps.”

“I could never be indifferent to you.” The pure, undisguised longing on his face sent shivers cascading down her spine.

There was a brief lull in their conversation as the tea was served. Renee watched the maid retreat as she stirred her tea. With her eyes focused on the cup in her hand, she softly said, “You should have stayed.”

“Renee…I couldn’t stay in close proximity to you knowing I could never touch you again.”

She glanced up at him and her tone was sharp as she told him, “Those were the choices you made.”

He sighed as he carefully sat his cup on the table. It was the same argument they’d had before he had left for Geneva to serve the king’s interest in Switzerland. “You didn’t choose me.”

“I did. I simply didn’t choose only you,” she reminded him. “And it’s not like you were ever going to marry me anyway.”

“A spymaster—”

“I know. Believe me, I remember all your excuses.”

“They weren’t excuses.”

“Weren’t they?”

He didn’t answer. He had told her that they could never be a couple. He hadn’t had a noble title back then and his work made it almost impossible to conduct a love affair. But when she had accepted a proposal from the Prince du Sang, it had felt like a knife plunged into his heart.

He drew in a deep breath and decided to tell her the truth. “There’s something you don’t know, Renee. I did approach Louis about a possible match. The king had been offering to ennoble me for years. I thought, maybe…”

Renee jerked in surprise, nearly spilling her tea in the process, “What?”

“My request was rejected out of hand and when Philippe got down on one knee in front of the entire court a mere day later, I understood why.”

Louis loved him like a brother. But Philippe was his brother. And he had probably asked first. The prince was a better match for her anyway. He knew that.

Renee quickly sat her cup down and tried to quell the shaking in her hands. “Alexandre…why didn’t you tell me?”

“After witnessing firsthand your pure joy at accepting another man’s proposal? What would have been the point?” He had, instead, determined to keep his distance from her.

And yet when their paths crossed, he had found that he still could not resist her. “Do you remember that night in Paris, right before your wedding?”

Madame de France, princess, duchess, and marquise did not blush easily, but her cheeks colored at the reminder. “Of course I do. But why are you bringing that up? Why are you bringing any of it up now?”

“Pardon?”

“Why discuss these things now? After all this time?”

“Ah, yes.” And here was the reason for his visit. “Do you remember when you told me that you would recognize me anywhere?”

“Yes. And you said the same. What does that have to do with why you’re here?”

“Only that I by chance saw you last time I was in Paris on the king’s business. I only saw your profile as you climbed into your carriage, but I knew it was you.”

“And you didn’t think to say hello?”

“I started to but then I saw your son.”

“Louis-Philippe?”

“Yes. One of the servants handed him up into the carriage to you and I got a clear view of his face, Renee.”

Her heart stopped. “And?”

“And he favors neither the prince nor a certain count that you are overly fond of.”

She ignored his reference to Armand as her heart started to thump even harder. She knew exactly who the child favored but she wasn’t going to make this easy on him. Her hands and her voice were steady as she looked him directly in the eye. “What are you asking me, Alexandre?”

“Is he….is he mine?”

She jumped up from her seat and stalked across the room to stare out the window. After a long pause, she replied, “You are not a father in the way that Philippe is. You do not tuck him into bed at night nor ease his fears when the thunder booms. He does not know you.”

He stood and followed her across the room, resting a hand on her shoulder. “That’s not what I’m asking, and you know it.”

Without turning to look at him, she whispered, “Yes, he was conceived that night in Paris.”

Alexandre’s world tilted on its axis. He had known, of course, the moment he had seen the child’s face. But to have confirmation…. He dropped his hand and stepped away from her. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Anger flared through her as she spun to face him and flung his own words back at him. “What would have been the point? You ran away from me fast enough the moment you didn’t like my choices.”

“But a child, Renee!”

“By the time I knew I was with child, I was already married! What would you have had me do? Put it in a letter so your enemies could use it against us both? You well know how easy it is to intercept correspondence.”

He nodded in acquiescence. He could not fault her logic. “And the Prince du Sang... does he….”

“Philippe knows. He does not care.”

“I find that hard to believe, Madame.”

“Did you think we were cuckolding him every time we were together?”

“Well…”

“I told you, before he even proposed, what our arrangement was!”

“Yes, but I—”

“You what? You thought I was lying?” She stepped closer. So close she could smell the vanilla and cardamom scent that always clung to him. So close that she could feel the heat radiating from him, sense the tension in his body, “I may lie to everyone else in service to my king and my country, but I have never lied to you nor him! I do not lie to the people that I love.”

Alexandre froze, shock, pleasure, and disbelief coursing through him at her words. She loved him?

Oblivious to his reaction to her unintentional confession, she plowed on. “And your assertation that I would have divided loyalties was preposterous! My loyalty to my husband would never put me at cross purposes with you, Alexandre and you know it! Philippe loves his brother and is loyal to him. Furthermore, I do not tell him everything that I know or that I do. He understands and respects the need for discretion when it comes to my duties as a spymaster! He would never ask me to betray—”

“Alright! Alright!” He held both hands up in surrender with a bemused chuckle.

“It’s not funny, Alexandre!” She stood in the middle of the room, just inches from him, cheeks red and chest heaving with emotion.

He was struck nearly speechless by her beauty. She was even more breathtaking when she was angry. How was that possible? He took an involuntary step toward her.

She froze, her eyes trained on him, but she didn’t back away.

He took another step toward her, this one purposeful.

They stood, unmoving, staring into each other’s eyes; two hearts pounding in anticipation. He lifted a hand and reached out for her just as the sitting room door banged open.

“There you are, my love! I—oh! I didn’t realize we had company.” The prince stopped short, causing the chevalier who had been hot on his heels to collide into his backside.

Alexandre jerked his hand back and stepped away awkwardly. “My prince! I…” he executed a low bow. “So lovely to see you again.”

Philippe’s eyes took in the valet’s flushed and guilty expression and then his wife’s stoic demeanor. Renee had not backed away when he entered the room. She had stood her ground. Her ire was evident and he smothered a smile. He understood everything. “It’s always a pleasure to see you, Alexandre, but let’s not pretend you came here for me.”

“I….” For the first time in his life, Alexandre was struck completely speechless.

Renee finally moved, closing the distance to greet her husband with a hug and a quick peck on the cheek. She murmured in his ear, “He knows about Louie.”

“Hm,” he hugged her back, but his gaze was trained on his brother’s spymaster.

Renee moved around her husband to greet the chevalier with the same hug and kiss she had just given her husband. “How was grouse hunting?”

“As usual, we didn’t find a single grouse but at least we didn’t end up drunk in a fountain again.” The chevalier laughed at his own joke as he returned her hug. Not a day passed that he didn’t count his blessings.

There had been a time when the king had been adamant that Philippe make a political marriage, likely to some English noblewoman who would expect fidelity from him. He would forever be grateful that Louis had allowed the prince to marry Renee and that Renee had never blinked at the relationship between the two men. Now he practically lived at Chateau de Marly and was both a godfather and cherished uncle to their son. They functioned very well as a threesome and while his whole heart belonged to the prince, he wasn’t completely indifferent to Renee.

He also liked the life they had built together very much so he glared suspiciously at the intruder. “Why are you here, Monsieur Bontemps?”

Finally recovering, Alexander stiffly replied, “I had some…business to discuss with the duchess.”

Renee snorted. “Business? Is that what this is, Alexandre?”

He flushed scarlet which caused the other two men in the room to laugh.

The prince spoke first. “Let’s drop the pretense, shall we? Renee and I have no secrets from each other nor do I keep secrets from the chevalier. His discretion is not in question. You may speak freely. Everyone in this room knows that Louis is your son. So why are you really here?”

“Do you wish to challenge me to a duel, Monsieur?” Alexandre asked carefully.

Philippe looked at him askance. “Why would I do that?”

Alexandre shook his head slowly. “Most men in your position would.” It was dawning on him that Renee had been telling the full truth of the matter. Philippe showed no signs of rage or jealousy.

Of course, it was an open secret at court that his affair with the chevalier never ended, but for most men indulging their own desires did not mean they were tolerant of their wives doing the same.

Philippe’s face broke into a wide smile. “When have you ever known me to be like most men? Come now, stay for dinner and we can discuss everything.”

“As tempting as that sounds…I have some urgent business matters I must attend to tonight. However….”

“Yes?”

“With your leave, I would like to visit the child. As a family friend, of course. I would never disclose the true nature of our relationship to him.”

“You want a relationship with our son?” Renee asked so quietly he almost missed it.

Turning to face her with beseeching eyes he answered her. “If it pleases you, then yes.”

Renee closed her eyes briefly as she fought against the onslaught of conflicting emotions that collided inside her at the thought. When she opened them again, she blinked up at him. “I think I would like that very much.”

Profound relief swirled through him at her answer. He had not known what to expect when he knocked on her door, but things had gone better than he could have imagined. Turning his attention back to Philippe, he asked, “And this is alright with you?”

“It is. You’ll find Louie is a capricious and wild little hellion who delights in his friendships with children and adults alike. I think he’ll be good for you.”

Alexandre barked out a surprised laugh. “He’ll be good for me?”

“Yes….” Philippe drawled out with a mischievous grin. “I think you need to loosen up and he’s just the person to help you do it.”

The king’s valet turned to go but an idea had taken root in his mind and he could not let it go. Turning back he asked, “And your wife?”

“What about her?”

“May I have permission to resume our….friendship?”

“Oh, he wants to court your wife!” The chevalier chortled out loud.

“Monsieur,” Philippe shook his head. “You disappoint me. I thought you understood. You do not need my permission. You need hers.”

Alexandre turned slowly, his heart thudding in his chest. “Madame. I would be most grateful if you would agree to indulge me in a conversation soon. I think we have many things to discuss.”

“For how long?”

“I’m sorry?”

“How long will these discussions go on? When do you leave again?”

He nodded in understanding. “Given today's revelations, and assuming you will continue to welcome me as a visitor in your home, I will start making the preparations to return to my house in Paris immediately and permanently.”

“Just like that?”

“Just like that.”

She regarded him thoughtfully for a moment and then she nodded. “I would like you to get to know our son and I would be open to you and I having a conversation about where we go from there.”

He couldn’t help the smile that crawled across his face. He left the chateau with a spring in his step.

The truth was, he had not been happy since he’d left court shortly after her wedding. He hadn’t thought he could share her, open relationship with her husband or not. But an even larger concern had been his fear of openly loving her, thereby making her a target for his enemies, which were many.

He would never be comfortable being physically affectionate with her in front of others, he was more private than that, but if there was still a relationship to be had with her, there couldn’t be a more perfect cover than her marriage. No one ever had to know what she meant to him, or that he had a child. They could therefore never be used against him.

The thought of rekindling what they once had made him feel something he hadn’t felt in a long time….happiness.

It was entirely possible that things had worked out for him after all.

#vying for versailles #rc vying for versailles #rc vfv #rc alexandre #rc renée #fanfiction #fanfic #romance club #vfv

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justawaysposts · 1 year ago

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choice wisely your tsundere Song Ryang Ha 😆😏

Koroshi ai chapter 59.5

#koroshi ai #chateau noble #song rhang ha

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theroyalthornoliachronicles · 4 months ago

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Chateau de Clèrisseau: 31 Mai 1850, 18:00

Mademoiselle Eleanor: I know it's around here some-

Mademoiselle Eleanor: -where...

"You made the wrong choice, Mademoiselle. Your days are numbered."

[Eleanor Drops the Letter]

[Eleanor Runs Right Into Ernest]

Marquis de Clèrisseau: Eleanor! Watch where you're...

Marquis de Clèrisseau: Eleanor?

Mademoiselle Eleanor: Let go.

Marquis de Clèrisseau: Eleanor, what's happened?

Mademoiselle Eleanor: I have to leave. I have to- I have to...let go, Ernest!

Marquis de Clèrisseau: Go where?

Mademoiselle Eleanor: Je ne sais pas....A ride!

Marquis de Clèrisseau: A ride? It's pouring outside, Nelie. You're not making any sense!

Mademoiselle Eleanor: No! I have to leave! Get off!

Marquis de Clèrisseau: Eleanor, stop!

Marquis de Clèrisseau: Eleanor!

Marquis de Clèrisseau: Nellie! Arrêtez!

Marquis de Clèrisseau: You. Follow me.

Footmen: Monsieur?

Marquis de Clèrisseau: I need you to send a message. As fast as a horse can carry you. Think you can manage that?

Footmen: I....Monsieur?

Marquis de Clèrisseau: Can you do this or not?

Footmen: I...Oui, Monsieur. Where should I deliever your message?

Marquis de Clèrisseau: Straight into the hands of Monseigneur L'Épin.

Previous | Beginning | Next

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iraprince · 1 year ago

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Absolutely love the Infodump on Cookie she's so good. however!! I remember you made a trio of characters for this game and were torn about which one to play, then decided the other two could be his attendants.

How are those two, what are they up to?? Have you done much with them in the game so far? (And even if not, wanna give us some tastey information about 'em?)

💜

oooh yes! those two are sir velvet the unsmiling (it/she), and damned-if-i-do/dandy (he/they). let's pull up their art (esp now that i have crispy clean new scans!!! i think i have only ever posted this art as shitty phone pics prior to this)

ANYWAY. it turns out that even though attendants are a built-in part of the noble sweetheart playbook (cookie's title) and you're SUPPOSED to be using them... for me in practice, when i'm actually playing the game, i just keep totally forgetting lmfao!!!! :') rping with my other party members and chasing quests and stuff is so engaging that my brain is totally booked with just being cookie, let alone two additional npcs, so sadly dandy and velvet have not gotten a ton of screentime in the current campaign

BUT that really just makes me eager to one day play them properly in a different campaign, whether that's them each taking their turn as player characters like was originally intended, or when i'm GMing a campaign of my own (i'm trying to write up something for my friends, but i have no idea when it's actually gonna happen bc i'm so busy rip... but when i do, cookie and her attendants will def be npcs)

i honestly don't have MUCH i can say abt them, bc since i haven't played them much i also havent developed them much... i suppose i can give summaries tho!

in terms of vibes velvet is very much like, "guy who is brooding so hard that it stops being mysterious or having any gravity at all and is mostly just making people wonder if she's like? okay?????" like there is only so long you can spend with your back to the rest of the group clenching your fist and muttering to yourself before people just start kind of glossing over it and being like "oh haha that's CLASSIC sir velvet the unsmiling!!!"... mix this with a heady dose of "[nasal voice] UM, you forgot to collect the homework" and somehow you have created a creature ideal for wrangling cookie's effusive elaborate scatterbrained whims, somehow, most of the time. velvet is really similar to a different Brooding Goth Knight character i have wherein my formula is "make a character who looks extremely fucking sicknasty badass, then never ever ever stop making fun of them ever"

dandy is cookie's quartermaster, and so unlike velvet (who's usually assumed to be traveling around with cookie, even if i am constantly forgetting to roleplay that it's doing that) he mostly chills at chateau gorgeous looking after his liege's affairs and making sure the ppl who live there are fed + sheltered + generally taken care of. they are pretty much velvet's exact opposite in terms of temperament; EVERYTHING gets velvet's hackles up, NOTHING phases dandy. i need to be careful bc i am starting to arbitrarily ship them just from typing this. anyway, dandy is largely non-verbal; they're able to speak if really necessary, but they would just rather not, and if there's really no way around it they'd rather just sidle over to cookie and whisper it to her, and then let her communicate whatever they want to say to the rest of the group on their behalf; if cookie's not around, you're just gonna have to figure out how to communicate w him otherwise. which always works out fine bc dandy is very patient and used to getting along in silence!

that's about all i've got rn... i will def post it here if i come up with or draw anything else that's fun tho :) ty for the ask!

#my art #my ocs #sapphicworld #nonsexual nudity #cooking with gorgeous #sir velvet #dandy

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mzannthropy · 3 months ago

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The Count of Monte Cristo 2024

I said I was going to make a post on this, so *gestures here*.

As a film it is truly amazing, beautiful cinematography, it's worth watching just for how pretty it is. Nice costumes, and the musical score is good too. Pierre Niney is brilliant as the titular hero. As an adaptation, though, it doesn't quite deliver. Much better than the 2002 film, but that means the total sum of pick any number times zero.

Spoilers under the cut.

The whole film takes place in France (Marseille and Paris), and apart from Edmond finding the treasure on the Monte Cristo island, we don't set a foot in Italy. (Side note, he throws a torch into a hole, which, upon landing, reveals the treasure, but it's never shown how he actually managed to get down there to obtain it.)

Fernand is once again Edmond's friend. He is de Morcerf from birth and lives in a nice mansion; old Dantes is employed as a servant. This makes Mercedes noble too.

There's no Noirtier, instead Villefort has a Bonapartist sister, Angele. And you know what, I actually liked this change. In the scene where she comes to Villefort's house, she looks really badass, a bit like Anne Bonny, the pirate queen. Villefort is not getting married, but he has a mistress, whose name is Victoria and who is pregnant (and who later becomes Madame Danglars).

At the beginning of the film, Edmond saves Angele from drowning. Angele has the compromising letter on her, which is seized by Danglars, at this time the captain of the ship. When Morrel hears Danglars would have let a woman drown, the strips him of captaincy and appoints Edmond as a captain. It's the only scene we see Morrel in, and we see a little Maximilien, who is his grandson here, however, Maximilien never shows up again. It would have been better had they not bothered with him in the first place, it's more upsetting to see him wasted than not to see him at all.

Pierfrancesco Favino is so good as abbe Faria. It was neat of them to cast an actual Italian to play the role. He looks the part, also he's the right type of mad (after so many years at Chateau d'If, though I think Faria was always a bit mad, in a mad scholar way). The scene where they first meet, Edmond falls into his arms, laughing and crying at the same time and it's honestly so emotional. Brilliant acting.

Faria, like in the 2002 film, dies in a cave in, but I think that's actually a better choice for a film, easier to do than a lengthy explaining of an obscure illness.

After his escape, Edmond simply walks onto a dry land, stealing a shirt from a washing line in the process. The smugglers don't appear in the film. Neither do the brigands, for that matter. (In fact, no Italian characters made it.)

I will say this in favour of the film, all three antagonists are well developed. Villefort seems to have married later, but his wife takes no part in the story. One of the best scenes was the dinner party at the house in Auteil, where the count tells the story of the buried baby. Poor Madame Danglars is close to breaking down and Villefort is sweating from head to toe. It feels truly gothic.

Caderousse is in the film, he was the quartermaster of the ship. Edmond goes to him first and gives him the gem; later he is shown to lead a group of bandits? or robbers?, but nothing more is shown of him and I'm not sure what the writers were trying to do with him.

Eugenie appears very little only, but she does appear and is a lesbian (though her gf is called Suzanne, not Louise).

They worked in the count's disguises; abbe Busoni appears, so does Lord Halifax, who I take is supposed to be Lord Wilmore. (The scene with Lord Halifax is really funny.) The count uses actual masks for his disguises. (He uses a mask for his Monte Cristo persona as well. I wish he didn't.)

Lord Halifax publishes a tabloid in France, reporting the fake news of Danglars's ships being lost, which is how he eventually gets him.

The above mentioned Angele is the one who digs up and saves Villefort and Victoria's baby. This was a change I also liked, personally, it avoids some of the coincidences from the book. Poor Angele doesn't meet a nice end, but the count visits her on the death bed where she tells him the story. He then goes and gets the baby, now a young man named Andre and takes him under his wing. (This is the scene from the trailer, where Andre asks "who are you" and the count, answers "I am the count of Monte Cristo", it's the first time we hear him use this title.) Andre is to help the count carry out his revenge, adopting the identity of Andrea Cavalcanti.

Haydee and Andrea plot together with the count, in a heist-like fashion. It's cool and all that, however it's too major of a change for me to be able to just accept it. Over the years, I have become more relaxed about book to screen adaptations, but there are limits. This is one of them. It goes against everything the count is. It's like Jacopo in the 2002 movie, fun to watch, but the count doesn't do friends. He works on his own and doesn't rely on anyone else. That's one thing.

Another thing is: Albert. I hated the casting choice. Nothing against the actor, he was just not a good pick for Albert. He looks like a "softboi" if I get the label right, tall and thin and has blond angelic curls and looks like he would get knocked down by a stronger wind. That's not Albert. Nothing about him screams hold-my-beer-while-I-do-something-stupid himbo. They may as well have cast Timothee Chalamet (I mean, he's part French, isn't he? And at least has dark hair.) Then--and I knew this from the reviews so thankfully was prepared--the count makes Haydee seduce Albert, which she does, and then she falls for him for real. Like, okay, I think it's an idea worth exploring (falling in love with a son of the man who betrayed your father, which resulted in you being sold into slavery), but it needs proper time and effort to develop. It's got to either be another story of its own, or be a part of limited series. It looks like the screenwriters, giving Maximilien and Valentine the chop, still wanted their star-crossed lovers, so they did Haydee x Albert instead. I think some of Albert's lines were taken from Maximilien in the book. And we're just expected to believe that Haydee has fallen in love with Fernand's son, without her showing any conflict over her feelings. A walking dry white slice of bread of a man, who do you think Haydee is, Katniss fucking Everdeen? I'd sooner buy that she was in love with Andrea. She is certainly fond of him and is devastated by his death--he gets shot after stabbing Villefort.

Haydee is also angry at Edmond when Albert challenges him to a duel. Why, I can't answer--it was Albert who threw the glove. The duel does go ahead, though the night before, Mercedes comes to Edmond to plead for her son's life, and says the same line as in the book ("Edmond, you will not kill my son."). Edmond shoots away from Albert on purpose, then Albert raises his gun and stars crying. It was not shown exactly whether he fired or not, but obvs they both survived. The real Albert would not hesitate to shoot. Like I said, a complete milksop.

So anyway, Haydee and Albert run away together, with the count's blessing, Mercedes leaves Fernand and Fernand comes to confront Edmond and they have a sword fight. Haydee doesn't even get to accuse him!

The film ends with Edmond sailing away on his own, and Mercedes reading his letter. Although the letter includes the words "wait and hope", it doesn't quite land the same. The phrase was never used in the film previously.

It's open to interpretation whether they get together later or not.

I wonder if they made Mercedes a noblewoman bc they wanted to give her a nicer ending. She has a stronger network to fall back on after everything goes down. But idk, honestly, I might be wrong. I don't really care, tbh. I care more about the fact that abbe Faria was completely forgotten after Edmond found the treasure.

One last tidbit: there is a guard? a butler? working for the count, who looks a bit sinister (in a good way!) and I thought it was maybe their version of Ali. (I think he may have been of North African origin, though I might have got it wrong and will get in trouble now.) But the count called him Jacopo.

So yeah, that is that.

#the count of monte cristo #tcomc 2024 #pierre niney monte cristo #films #mypost

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vacantgodling · 6 months ago

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a guide to: amon

we're back with another one. special shout out to annika for giving me the DRIVE to finish this lmao

transposed under the cut!

SLIDE 1: A GUIDE TO: AMON -- a man with literally no fucking chill. another monstrosity by yours truly @vacantgodling

SLIDE 2: BASIC INFORMATION pt. 1

FULL NAME: AMON

in GALERE those who are not of nobility literally do not have surnames. they’re not considered important enough to have them.

ie: erecia, terian, asahel, tamhas, vira, miss. shanin, knox, etc. none of these characters have surnames

HOWEVER, amon has a secret identity — or could’ve had one, its complicated — that many of these non-noble characters don’t know about:

OCCASIONALLY KNOWN AS: CORIANDRUM FARRAH

after amon was attacked by the gang THE KEYS and his mother was killed, he was found and saved by a noble family: lord and lady farrah. unable to have children themselves, the two wanted to adopt the young boy, despite his many scars from the attack, to serve as their heir.

there are 2 alternate universe aus where amon does stay with the farrah’s and becomes their heir ⟶ the role swap au & the fiance au.

however, in canon, amon runs away from them after he heals at about 12 years old and returns to the slums of halifax, which are his home.

SLIDE 3: BASIC INFORMATION PT. 2

AGE: 29

BIRTHDAY: JANUARY 29TH

GENDER: CIS MAN

SEXUALITY: GAY. EXTREMELY KINKY. WE WILL GET TO THIS LATER.

OCCUPATION: MANSERVANT AT THE CHATEAU AUX AISLES D’OR

however, amon is also a member of the slum-gang THE LOCKS, who are in direct opposition to THE KEYS. THE LOCKS are run underneath the leadership of knox, a man who is also amon’s father figure.

despite their closeness, the two still butt heads.

knox wants to focus lock efforts on keeping the slums safe for everyone who lives there. however, amon knows that they will never be safe if the keys continue to stalk their streets at night. he wants to cut the head off of the proverbial snake—and take out their leader once and for all!

the only problem? well.

the leader of the keys is THE KEEPER.

SLIDE 4: KINKY DETOUR✨PLEASE IGNORE IF Y’AIN’T LIKE SEX✨

a non-exhaustive list of amon’s kinks

impact play (actual fisticuffs turn him on), being restrained, orgasm play in any capacity, breath play (he has a huge oral fixation & choking on dick is his favorite pastime), cock worship/rimming, rough sex to the point of dubcon, anything “primal” (ie: wrestling, biting, scratching, growling, etc), blood play, degradation/humiliation—he is a BRAT, skin sensation or temperature play (such as ice/wax), exhibitionism/voyeurism… and he’s generally experimental. you get the picture.

the man is insatiable.

SLIDE 5: GENERAL APPEARANCE:

HEIGHT: 6’2” (~187cm)

EYE COLOR: light brown; almost hazel

HAIR: dark black; short and choppy. his hair is actually naturally curly but he straightens it to appear more “dignified” as part of his act.

BUILD: tall and lean; upside down triangle lookin’ ass. he doesn’t find himself particularly handsome.

there are 2 photos of amon to display how he looks. the first is a close up shot of amon--he has short cropped hair in a messy style, and sweeps on the left side over his brow bone. he has a few pinkish colored scars that criss cross his neck and he is making a smarmy expression. the second photo is a full body (sans feet) shot of amon bloodied and covered in bandages. the scars are revealed to cover most of his upper torso and one of his eyes is blackened.

SLIDE 6: SCARS

as a child, amon and his mother were attacked by keys; leaving him both an orphan and on the brink of death. miraculously (and with medical intervention) amon survived, but the attack left a mark on him—mentally and physically.

to this day, amon hasn’t said what exactly the keys did to him to leave such marks. but nearly every available surface of his skin, including his genitals has some form of scarring. the worst scars are on his back.

he is somewhat self conscious about them only because people can become uncomfortable about them.

there is a photo of the backside of amon that showcases the scars on his back. the largest is one at the near center that goes from the top of his shoulder blades crossing diagonally down to his tailbone.

SLIDE 7: IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIPS

KNOX ⟶ as mentioned, knox is like a father figure to amon and he was the one who took him in once he returned to the slums after the brief period he lived with the farrah’s. while knox is wise and caring, he is critical of amon’s fight now, questions later approach, and tends to reproach him for causing ‘unnecessary drama’. despite this, he knows amon has the slums and the gang’s best interest at heart, and the two of them never stay mad at each other for long. knox is also willing to help in SOME of amon’s exploits (not all)

ERECIA ⟶ amon’s best friend and right hand man, the two have known each other since they were extremely small, and rekindled their friendship after they both experienced personal tragedy (erecia lost her father, and amon lost his mother/almost died/left the slums/came back). while amon is more verbally affectionate and likes to deflect his inner mind, erecia is someone who (to his chagrin) knows him very, very well. to the point that she is genuinely surprised at how enraptured amon has become with hya. she worries about him.

SLIDE 8: EXPLAINING THE OBSESSION WITH HYACINTHUS SHRAPNEL

this is extremely difficult to explain because in a number of ways, amon doesn’t really understand it either. he didn’t think much of hya at first; and at first, definitely only saw him as a means (the wife of the keeper) to an end (killing the keeper).

its the perfect storm of fucking around and finding out—not that i can blame him. he’s fucked hundreds of people without catching feelings; why should a pompous little lord be different?

it’s more than just the fact that he can get a rise out of hya as amon can get a rise out of most people if he tries hard enough. it’s more than the fact that he thinks hya is attractive (and he does, immensely so) — somehow, hya is the perfect storm of a stubborn ass prick that fires all of amon’s dog-like synapses.

he’s extremely lucky that hya feels the same about him tbh, even if its unsaid. idk. they’re made for each other.

SLIDE 9: ASSOCIATIONS

alcoholic drink: fireball shot

food: opera cake (or any sweet really)

colors: black & red

flower: coriander

animal: vulture

zodiac: aquarius

tarot: king of wands

song: king for a day — pierce the veil

#will add the taglist later lol #paramour profiles #character intros #s: paramour

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matchagator · 29 days ago

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TXT/SKZ | Regal Affairs | Ch. 1

When the kingdom of Solaris faces threats from a neighboring land, The princess must rely on alliances formed during her youth to not only save herself, but her people. What will happen when alliances shift and matters of the heart cause nothing but trouble?

Next Chapter

{Main Pairings:} Choi Yeonjun x Original Female Character, Kang Taehyun x Original Female Character, Lee Minho (Leeknow) x Original Female Character

{Rating:} 18+

{Genre:} Royals

{Warnings:} Arranged Marriage, Flirting, Forbidden Romance, Drama, Family Dynamics, Future Smut

A tranquil morning glow was cast upon the towering turrets of the Choi chateau, illuminating the courtyard in a serene glimmer as the light reflected against the droplets of morning dew. The extravagant castle stood proudly beside a magnificent lake, offering up a breathtaking view of the neighboring village within the lands of Meiryn as they proudly overlooked the home of their leaders.

A small crowd of nobles formed near the gateway of the castle, gathering to welcome the arrival of Princess Aurelia of Solaris, a strong withstanding ally to their nation. In her youth, her family promised her in marriage to secure an alliance with the Choi line, desperate to obtain a powerful ally as their nation grew in size. The young royal had come of age, ready to secure their alliance through a marital bond, given her scheduled visit to Choi court.

The two youngest Choi’s were amongst the first to arrive on the scene, gathering alongside the nobles who eagerly awaited the arrival of the princess. Beomgyu and Reina were close in age, conceived but a year apart, allowing them ample opportunities to bond as the often forgotten siblings to their elder brothers. They frequently sought out mischief, their playful demeanors bored of everyday lessons and responsibilities as they lived in their brother’s shadows.

Soobin was the next Choi to arrive, the second oldest being the perfect example of any young prince. He held himself as the exemplary model of a royal-born child, following orders promptly and taking pride in his knowledge of foreign affairs. He moved to hover close to his brother and sister, standing properly by one of the columns while Beomgyu leaned back against the pillar with his arms crossed.

The arrival of the eldest and future king, Yeonjun, stirred his siblings as they examined the displeasure plaguing his features. After all, he would be the one meeting the woman he had been engaged to since he was ten, dreading the inevitable marriage to the young princess simply to secure their kingdom's alliance. The stoic male approached his siblings as they gathered just beyond the gateway, his one and only sister meeting his irritated gaze with every intention of causing him more discontent.

“My dear brother, how does it feel to be getting married?” Reina’s voice was laced with mischievous intent, taking joy in Yeonjun’s hardened expression as a scoff escaped his lips. She hummed happily, peering over to Beomgyu as if seeking his assistance in her personal attacks.

Beomgyu was quick to join the mockery, enjoying Yeonjun’s misfortune all too much as he pushed off the column. “I wonder what she’ll look like, big brother?” Beomgyu dramatically pinched his chin between his fingers as he pondered the appearance of his brother's arranged marriage. “For your sake, I do hope she isn’t grotesque.” A deep chuckle escaped Beomgyu’s chest as Reina’s soft voice giggled from beside him.

“I heard rumors that she resembles a mule…short and furry,” Reina added, holding back her laughter as she sensed the annoyance radiating from Yeonjun’s posture. The eldest shifted uncomfortably as he imagined marrying and being intimate with a short hairy woman. As if his expression couldn't be hardened anymore, a look of disgust ghosted over his features as he looked past his siblings towards the slowly approaching carriage.

A shiver coursed through his limbs as he turned back towards his family, smacking his lips in annoyance. “Laugh all you’d like, it’s just a matter of time before mother and father sell you both off just the same.” He snapped, a low growl accompanying his voice as he visually watched both Reina and Beomgyu silence their laughter at the recollection of truth behind his words.

Soobin rolled his eyes from behind them, accustomed to their familial banter. Of course, the double trouble of the family would choose to ruffle their eldest brother’s feathers just moments before his fiance’s arrival. Soobin shook his head, only feeling the animosity building between them.

Reina glanced down towards the marbled flooring beneath her feet, refusing to imagine her future decided for her by anyone but herself, despite the chilling reality that royals had no say in their fates. She peered back up towards Yeonjun, refusing to allow him the final say in the matter. “You are to be wed on your twenty-first birthday, isn’t that just days away?” She allowed her lips to pull into a smirk as she glanced back out towards the king’s road, leading the carriage directly toward the gateway of the palace. “Seems like we’ll be enjoying our freedom quite a while longer.”

Yeonjun turned to snap at his little sister, “Not if I have any say in it.”

Before Reina could respond, their mother's sharp voice echoed from behind them. “That’s enough, all of you.” The cluster of siblings turned to address the queen as she also arrived to welcome the visiting royal. “She’s here to wed the next king of Meiryn. Her stay is indefinite.” The queen smiled at Soobin, appreciating his proper demeanor before turning to scold her other three children, her sights set on Yeonjun. “You of all people should know the journey here can be taxing.” She gave him a knowing glance, recalling the numerous times Yeonjun accompanied his father on business in other nations before shifting her attention to her two youngest. “I trust you’ll be very welcoming towards your brother’s fiancé.”

Yeonjun bowed his head ever so slightly, submitting to his mother’s request as Reina and Beomgyu followed suit. The queen beamed proudly from her success at taming her unruly children, moving to stand beside the king at the threshold of the gateway, the sound of carriage wheels tapping against the stone path echoing through the soaring pillars.

The chatter amongst the nobles seemed to cease as a footman approached the carriage, the crowd's attention adhered to the looming curiosity that was still camouflaged behind the carriage door. No one had laid eyes on the princess since her last visit to court, more than ten years ago. Only a select few nobles had traveled to her kingdom, graced with her presence. Luckily, the wait came to a close as the carriage door opened to reveal the woman hidden within.

Beomgyu and Reina took a few steps forward, their eyes examining the young woman who cautiously stepped out from within the coach. Reina’s eyes widened as Aurelia’s identity was finally revealed, her petite frame beautifully adorned with an elegant lightly colored gown. The coloration of her dress and fair skin contrasted the dark locks that hung from the top of her head, a thin crown tucked atop her head. A rose-colored cloak hung from her shoulders, swaying behind her as she was assisted down from the cart.

“Now that’s a woman”, Beomgyu howled quietly, enough to receive a glare of annoyance from his sister and a glance of agreement from Yeonjun. If the princess was anything, she was at least easy on the eyes.

Soobin stepped up to join them, offering Reina a challenging stare. “What was it you said about her being short and furry?” He teased, leaning his arm against Yeonjun’s shoulder as he tapped his hand against his chest. “Looks like the rumors aren’t true after all, big brother.”

Despite how badly Reina wanted to continue teasing Yeonjun, she figured she’d take her loss, admiring the styling of the new woman in court. “It would appear so. Luckily for you, she’s pretty.” Reina continued the conversation in hushed tones as Aurelia began her walk to meet the king and queen. “And I love her dress.”

Yeonjun took the opportunity to study Aurelia’s figure, raking his eyes up and down her body as he imagined her being the woman he’d be forced to marry and reproduce with. She was visually appealing, passing the initial test of determining if he’d even be physically attracted to her. Yeonjun straightened his posture as she approached his parents, observing the way she held herself like a perfectly obedient daughter.

“She’s not grotesque, however, she looks as dull as a wall.” He sneered, imagining himself with someone who offered him no mystery, no challenge, and no spontaneity whatsoever. He wasn’t in the mindset of settling down and falling in love. He only thought about himself and his responsibilities.

The Choi siblings observed as she approached their mother and father, graciously bowing as she introduced herself to the court.

“Princess Aurelia, I trust the journey was well.” The king addressed her first, watching as she straightened her posture to bow her head in agreement.

“Yes, Your Majesty, very. Thank you, for the gracious invitation to stay in Choi court.” Aurelia offered an endearing smile of gratitude.

The queen moved to escort the young royal towards the main entrance of the palace. “Nonsense, you are always welcome here.”

Yeonjun narrowed his stare as he watched Aurelia willingly comply with the queen's guidance, her sweet demeanor instantly causing him to glance back toward his sister. “Worse, she’s a sheep.” He commented underneath his breath. He recognized that Aurelia was just like Soobin, another royal raised to follow the rules and be the ideal example of perfection, an easy target for manipulation. He hoped for a woman that would enrich his time, not one that would be a complete bore.

“These are my children, Reina, Beomgyu, and Soobin…” The queen began introducing, as the trio of siblings exchanged bows and curtseys with the female royal.

Aurelia stood from her display of respect, finding the gaze of another man standing amongst the siblings that had just been introduced. She vaguely recalled his features from paintings she’d come across of the Choi family, placing him as her fiance and soon-to-be husband. Her eyes flickered over his appearance, noticing he was undeniably handsome with an heir of mystery surrounding his presence.

“Your Highness,” Aurelia spoke softly out of respect as the engaged pair bowed to one another, exchanging glances as they observed the individual they would soon be bound to by marriage. Silence fell over them as the queen resumed her introductions, turning towards some of the most well-known nobles of court.

—

The excitement of Aurelia’s arrival diminished as the day proceeded, the Choi family returning to resume their daily responsibilities as the newest arrival rested in her assigned chambers from her tiresome journey. Reina spent the majority of her evening in her language studies, uninterested in the dull lessons, but eager to return to more exciting matters such as her eldest brother’s fiance.

As the early evening approached, the only Choi female waltzed through the castle corridors, the train of her gown elegantly draped behind her as she sought out the north wing of the palace. The glow of the evening sun cast a radiant glimmer through the large stained glass windows, illuminating her path as she strolled through various winding staircases and stretched-out hallways.

A familiar painting of her family hung proudly above the staircase that led to the north wing, indicating her approach to the foreigners' chambers as she sought out a more personal introduction. She paused in her stride as she noticed a man standing attentively at Aurelia’s door, introducing himself as one of the many servants who would be at her beckoning call.

Reina retreated momentarily, allowing them to finish their conversation as the young man bowed to dismiss himself, turning to make his exit back towards the servant's quarters. His ashe-toned strands hung just above his large irises that effortlessly reflected his emotions, the structure of his jaw aiding in his appeal as he cradled a basket of various cloth within his arms. Reina paused, tucking her bottom lip between her teeth as her eyes drank up the vision of his muscular frame peeking from beneath the white peasant shirt adorning his abdomen. He wore one of the servant’s vests atop the white fabric, sporting the royal tones of the Choi family as he peered forward to meet Reina’s gaze.

There was a moment of unspoken unity plaguing the pair as they stood discerning each other, Taehyun soon realizing that he failed to address his princess accordingly. He pulled the basket from beneath his arm, placing it down before him as he bowed at a respectful 90-degree angle, tilting his gaze to find the trim of her dress floating just above the stone flooring.

“Pardon me, Your Highness.” He spoke confidently, before lifting his torso back to his upright standing position.

Reina couldn’t fight back the smile that crept over her plush lips as she watched his fluid movements, drinking in the sight of the undeniably handsome servant that occupied the castle. They crossed paths multiple times before, subtle hints of flirtatious intent making itself known as they both desperately tried to maintain a sense of status with one another.

“You don’t need to bow each time you see me, Taehyun.” Reina huffed with a grin, popping out her hip as she watched him lean forward to pick up the basket once again. “I thought I made that clear.” She continued only to melt at the charmingly soft smile that stretched across his features. She couldn’t understand why she found this man to be so beautifully enchanting.

Taehyun bowed his head once again, unable to hide the joy seeping from his demeanor as Reina addressed him as an equal, despite him being a servant. “I must bow, for you are my princess, Miss Reina.” He took a step forward, arching a brow as he narrowed his eyes in her direction. “Shouldn’t I show respect within your presence?”

Reina sucked in a breath as his large innocent eyes ensnared her in a trance, finding herself lost in the depth of his dark irises. If she wasn’t cautious, his charm alone could have her wrapped around his finger, a dangerous relationship threatening to form between two individuals of vastly different worlds. Taehyun served them for years, taking over for his mother once she was no longer able to work due to falling ill. He was known throughout the palace as the most kind-hearted individual, probably one of the best servants within these stone walls.

“Ah yes…” Reina cleared her throat once she finally snapped out of her enchantment, recalling that above all things, she was his princess and formalities would need to be upheld especially in the presence of others. She glanced past the handsome servant toward Aurelia’s chambers hoping to move on to a different matter. “I see you’ve introduced yourself to the princess, what was she like?”

Taehyun glanced back over his shoulder to follow Reina’s gaze, observing the wooden structure of the door before turning back to find her curious eyes. “She was kind and quite beautiful,” He spoke, smirking once he saw Reina’s eyes widen slightly at his comment. She couldn’t help but feel jealousy fester deep within her at hearing his description of another woman. “Like another princess I know.” He added boldly, nervously watching Reina as she digested her jealousy and accepted his compliment. She felt the blood rush to her cheeks, flushed from the growing heat beneath her skin. She was never one to be so flustered yet somehow this charming young man with no title could elicit such reactions. How was it that a mere servant sent her heart rate soaring as if she was floating amongst clouds?

Her thoughts were interrupted as Taehyun recognized his blatant flirting was wildly inappropriate given her status. “Pardon me, Your Highness. I really should be on my way.” He brushed past her as he turned the corridor towards the south wing, taking quick strides to avoid any more conversations with his princess.

Reina blinked away her surprise at his sudden departure, turning to watch him leave with urgency plaguing each of his steps. She exhaled the breath that seemed trapped within her since his kind compliment, turning to pursue an audience with Aurelia as she fought off the blushing of her cheeks.

The guards posted outside of Aurelia’s door made quick work of announcing Reina’s arrival, allowing the two princesses the opportunity to finally meet face-to-face without the looming presence of her siblings. Reina entered the large spacious guest suite, her eyes settling upon the brunette beauty waltzing towards the door to welcome her.

“To what do I owe this pleasure?” Aurelia’s voice was soft as Reina observed the dainty woman elegantly dressed in the same attire from her earlier arrival. Reina admired the gown, before peering up to meet Aurelia’s friendly gaze.

“Have you settled in nicely?” Reina inquired, glancing around to see a few trunks laid about the space as Aurelia and her servants unpacked to settle in for the duration of her stay.

“Yes, I have. Thank you.”

Reina nodded, excited about the arrival of another woman in the castle to ease the rambunctious atmosphere her brothers created. She looked forward to bonding with her brother's fiancé, knowing she would now be seeing a lot more of her given their approaching union.

“Wonderful. We would be honored if you’d join us for dinner this evening.” Reina proceeded, turning to examine the contents laid out along the desk tucked beside the door.

Aurelia hummed happily, “I’d be delighted.” Reina chuckled to herself, pleased by Aurelia’s answer as she thought about her brothers and their usual unruly behavior. It would be quite the entertaining feast.

—

Aurelia sat patiently in the dining room, watching as the servants ready the table for that evening's dinner, roasted lamb served with potatoes and a vegetable medley. She admired the shine of their brass dinnerware beaming from the center of the table that reflected the flickers of the candelabras. The intimidating king was perched at the end of the long table, staring ominously at his children as his queen smiled upon their new arrival from beside him.

“I hope the room is to your liking.” She offered towards her eldest’s fiance with her hands folded daintily within her lap.

Aurelia turned her head towards the queen, bowing her head slightly in gratitude. “Yes, it is very lovely. Thank you.” She heard a soft sigh from her left, where Yeonjun sat quietly as if he were completely disregarding her presence.

The queen noticed the subtle roll of her son’s eyes from the polite response of his future bride but decided to ignore it as she engaged their guest in conversation. While she adored how close her children were, she found they lacked the skills to entertain others outside of the family. “So tell me…” She leaned forward, curiosity dancing behind her gaze. “Did you see anything of worth during your travels? It has been so long since I visited your kingdom.”

Aurelia was delighted by the distraction, feeling uncomfortable by the silence that weighed heavily within the dining room until the queen’s gentle voice broke through the atmosphere. “Oh, there is plenty to see between our lands.” She began before describing some of the views she caught during her carriage ride. While the princess was politely answering to the queen’s inquiry, making sure to allow Her Majesty to lead the conversation, Taehyun moved from the kitchen with a platter of vegetables and a bottle of wine.

Reina kept her head still, her gaze following his every motion as he delicately placed the platter in the center of the table in front of her place setting. She was crestfallen when his eyes lingered downward, hoping they would drift up to meet her own. The candlelight illuminated his features handsomely and she wanted to see the flames burning from his irises.

“Don’t you think having lamb is in poor taste?” Beomgyu whispered in his sister’s ear. She broke her focus from Taehyun as she arched her brow at her younger brother, making a noise in her throat to indicate she didn’t hear him. “Having lamb in front of the princess? Seems barbaric to eat her own kind.”

Reina choked back the giggle that threatened to disrupt the quiet ambiance of dinner. She heard a throat clear from the other side of her and glanced over to see Soobin peering at them from the corner of his eye. He slowly lifted a finger to his lips, slightly puckering the flesh to silence their behavior. Reina turned back towards Beomgyu and copied Soobin’s gesture with a subtle smirk beneath her finger.

Beomgyu laughed quietly, covering his mouth with his hand as he disguised the sound as a cough. “Here is some wine, your highness.” Taehyun produced a full goblet to the youngest prince, keeping his gaze down out of respect. The prince happily took the goblet, stealing a sip to settle himself down from his own humor.

He reached to grab Reina’s empty goblet, glancing towards the rest of the royal family to see them enamored with Aurelia. He seized his opportunity as he leaned forward to place the cup back on the tablecloth, letting his hand brush her shoulder when he brought it to his side. She shivered from his touch and peered at him to find his soft smile with a hint of mischief twinkling in his gaze. “My apologies, Princess.” Her cheeks burned from his charming mannerisms as she returned his smile. He bowed politely before breaking away to retreat from the dining room, leaving her yearning for his presence.

“Dinner is served.” One of the other servants announced, allowing the royal family to indulge in the delicious feast laid before them. The declaration had the king turn his attention towards his children with expectation as Reina quickly ducked her head to hide the abnormally flush smile on her face.

The long table bustled with noise as the brass and porcelain dinner collection clinked together as the party dove into their feast laid before them. Aurelia watched with wide eyes as Beomgyu wolved down a cut of lamb, tearing his teeth into the meat aggressively before chewing the lean muscle. Reina noticed the pale complexion of their guest and not-so-gently dug her elbow into her brother’s side. “Where are your manners? In the woods, where you were raised?”

Beomgyu paused mid-chew, his mouth agape as he fixated his stare towards his sister. He blinked then proceeded to chew his food at a slower pace, making a face of mockery. “Where are your manners? In the woods?” He mimicked, distorting his voice to sound like a shrill mutter.

Aurelia bit the inside of her cheek, keeping in the giggle that threatened to escape. Dinner was for eating and polite conversation, not tomfoolery. She peered at Yeonjun to see him invested in the pieces of lamb and vegetables on his plate, seeming offended by their presence as they stared back at him. She wasn’t sure what to make of his behavior but wore a smile regardless as the union was important for her people.

As she brought a piece of potato to her lips, she noticed the king staring at her. She timidly bit down on the cooked morsel, wondering why he was watching her so intently. Was there something wrong? She broke eye contact as she swallowed the piece of food down her throat, the potato scorching the roof of her mouth from the heat. “How is your father?” The king finally asked, her demeanor becoming much more relaxed as he sunk into his chair.

Aurelia placed her utensil down, making sure to address his majesty. “Not well actually. He is very ill and the physician fears the worst of his condition.” The Choi family grew gravely quiet from the news as they listened to the princess of Solaris speak. “That’s why it is so important for my people that we be married. I’m afraid what will happen to my kingdom without your alliance.” It was no secret that the King of Solaris would soon meet his end, and with the spread of his impending death, came the attention of neighboring rulers looking to stake claim of the land.

“Do not worry. You will be wed to our son on his birthday in a few days.” King Choi reassured the princess, glowering at his son, who seemed oddly mute that evening.

Aurelia bowed her head slightly, “Thank you, your majesty.” She smiled towards the king, letting her gaze flicker towards his other children sitting across the table, who returned the favor. She admired the divots in Soobin’s cheeks, partially wishing her fiance was just as hospitable as his younger brother.

The queen could see the tension in her eldest son’s jaw as they discussed his union with the princess and felt compelled to meddle in their affairs. “Yeonjun, why don’t you show her the castle tomorrow?” She beamed with intention, lifting her chalice up from the table. “Get her familiar with the grounds…it is her home now, after all.” She tipped the cup towards her as she stole a sip of her wine, staring at the frown across her son’s face. He kept his gaze towards the table, trying to ignore the impending marriage and avoid the torture of being the princess’s guide.

“Yeonjun…” The king addressed him sternly, his voice rumbling low and startling the other patrons of the dining table.

The eldest son snapped his eyes towards his father, hiding the frown from the sight of the king. “Yes, of course.” He switched his focus on his mother, nodding in understanding. “I would be honored.” While his words seemed polite and charming, his tone was anything but.

Aurelia picked up on the grit in his voice as he forced himself to comply with their demands. She knew their union wouldn’t be perfect, but she hoped that some time alone would diminish some of the hostility he held towards her and they could start learning to love one another.

{Tag List:} @luv4gyuuu

#txt fanfic #choi soobin #choi yeonjun #kang taehyun #heuningkai #tomorrow x together #txt smut #choi beomgyu #stray kids fanfic #txt imagines #lee know

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