#christina of lorraine

[famousborntoday]

Christina of Lorraine was a French noblewoman of the House of Lorraine who became a Grand Duchess of Tuscany by marriage. She served as Regent of Tuscany jointl...

Link: Christina of Lorraine

[tiny-librarian]

Maria Christina of Austria, Duchess of Teschen.

[comparativetarot]

The Magician. Art by Christina Correa, Lorenza Daprà & Lorraine Betta, from Secret Mxxn: Blvck Mvgic.

"Words of shadow, I command, Reality bends to my ghostly hand. Who weaves the night with a single strand?" Amid cryptic symbols, shadows deep, The Magician's secrets, he dares to keep. Where midnight and dawn do collide, His forbidden arts, menacingly reside.

[dreamconsumer]

Maria Anna and Maria Christina of Austria. By Antonio Bencini.

[triviareads]

Could you suggest any books where the heroine is a widow who discovers how good sex is with a new lover?

Her Protector's Pleasure by Grace Callaway: She's a lady, he's a cop; what's really great here (apart from Ambrose basically pouncing on Marianne like every 10 seconds) is that because Ambrose knows Marianne's husband was shitty and abusive towards her, he makes sure to check in with her during sex (specifically before a blowjob I believe, because Marianne's late husband forced her to perform them).

Pippa and the Prince of Secrets by Grace Callaway: Pippa's late husband was another shitty man who shamed her for seeking pleasure during sex, so when Pippa gets with Cull (The Prince of Larks lolol), she's finally able to be fearless in her sexuality (so fearless that they use the first sex swing ever invented... at least I'd like to think).

The Viper by Monica McCarty: Bella's husband dies midway though the book from what I remember, definitely after she's met the hero Lachlan. They don't get off to a good start; they both have immense trauma they're dealing with (Bella's husband was abusive and they had huge political differences) but when her and Lachlan do get together, it's probably some of the sex scenes in the Highland Guard series.

The Recruit by Monica McCarty: Mary is the widow of a philandering traitor when she comes across Kenneth (Kenneth! who knew a hero named Kenneth would do it for me!) having sex with another woman— truly one of the great historical romance voyeur scenes, and Ken has excellent follow-through with Mary too.

Wicked Again by Kathleen Ayers: Marissa has been widowed thrice and she's had lovers before the hero, but she chose purposefully dull "age-appropriate" men (she's 49) before the hero Haddon, who's 40 and fabulous in bed (the book starts with them having sex, which made me very happy).

An Island Princess Starts a Scandal by Adriana Herrera: Similar to Wicked Again, Cora has had relationships with other women since she was widowed, but sex with Manuela, who bargains with Cora to to take her to all the lesbian haunts in Paris in exchange for her land, is a *revelation*.

The Duchess in His Bed by Lorraine Heath: Aiden is the owner of a sex club and rumored to be a great lover, and Selena is 100% trying to take advantage of that... so she can get pregnant and pass the baby off as her recently-deceased husband's child. Classic bonkers Lorraine plot, and it WORKS.

Between the Devil and Desire by Lorraine Heath: Classic fire-meets-ice; Jack is a former street urchin turned gentlemen's club owner, and Olivia is a widowed duchess (her husband was much older) and Jack is named as Olivia's son's guardian so now they need to live together.

The Earl Takes All by Lorraine Heath: So uh, the heroine is not aware that the man she's sleeping with is not her husband, but rather, his identical twin as the husband died in a gorilla attack but, the sex has gotten way better since her "husband" came home, and he's a lot more jacked.

Lost in Your Arms by Christina Dodd: Another instance where her estranged "husband" is recovering from his injuries, and is suddenly giving wayyyy better sex than he ever did before, and is also way taller and jacked...

The Scandal of it All by Sophie Jordan: Graciela's first husband was a cheater and called her "cold" in bed, and now she finds herself inconveniently attracted to her step-son's best friend (who is younger! le gasp!). Colin's always had a crush on her and his vibe is very "I'm not a boy anymore; I'm a MAN".

Duchess by Day, Mistress by Night by Stacy Reid: Georgiana's first husband came to her "the third week of every month for three years" so Rhys is understandably a revelation for her sex-wise, being the bit o' rough hero that he is.

The Raven Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt: She's a widow and the hero's secretary, and decides to disguise herself as a prostitute to have sex with him. I'll never stop recommending this book because the sex scenes in this one are that great.

Thief of Shadows by Elizabeth Hoyt: This one has an older, more experienced widow and he's a virgin(!!!!!) so like, yes Isabel is surprised by how good the sex is (hell she cries at some point), but also, Winter is wayyyy more shook.

I know Scandalous Desires by Elizabeth Hoyt is another good widow romance but I've yet to get around to reading it (rereading it? honestly, 2020 is a fever dream).

Cold-Hearted Rake by Lisa Kleypas: Kathleen's (abusive alcoholic) husband of three days dies and the new heir to the earldom, Devon, arrives to take charge and they immediately antagonize one another even as as he's chasing after her and dragging her into carriages and stuff.

Devil's Daughter by Lisa Kleypas: Kind of the opposite of Cold-Hearted Rake; Phoebe's late husband was sweet but very ill all the time before he passed away, so a lot of the plot is Phoebe being afraid to move on, especially with a more unorthodox, forward-thinking, and comparatively vigorous man like West.

The Harlot Countess Joanna Shupe: Simon and Maggie kinda had a Thing back in the day, but then Maggie was compromised and forced to marry an older man and now the two of them have hella beef, BUT their chemistry is amazing and the voyeurism scene might be tied with the aforementioned Kenneth/Mary scene.

From the VIllian I'd Like To F... anthology:

Seven Sinful Nights by Nicola Davidson: Estelle is a recently widowed duchess who's sold off to Blake, a gambling hell owner, to pay off her BIL's debts and is thrown in the deep end of exhibitionism, voyeurism, and sex toys galore.

Lady Viper and the Bastard by Eva Leigh: This is a cusp rec for me because Violet has been widowed for a while and I think she's had good sex, BUT obviously none are on the level of the chemistry she shares with Ian (and their shared propensity for excellent roleplaying is unmatched).

I was gonna include The Conquering of Tate the Pius by Sierra Simone but I think Adelais has had fulfilling sex before she met Tate lol... but would absolutely recommend.

Erotic Romance:

His Countess by S.M. LaViolette: Another case of a prim and proper widow falling for her late husband's slutty disreputable heir; Gideon allows Alys to explore all her fantasies (bondage, having sex with other men, etc.) after their marriage of convenance.

Passion by Lisa Valdez: This book literally starts with Passion's post-mourning sexual awakening when she's groped by a stranger in the Crystal Palace, and they have lots and lots of cervix-hitting sex. Don't worry, it's better-written than the way I'm describing it.

Modern:

Wrong to Need You by Alisha Rai: He's her late husband's brother, and he's back in town and she nearly has sex with him without realizing who he is; a fabulous start and there's sooooo much guilt and angst.

Sin and Ink by Naima Simone: Another late-husband's-brother book, more angst and guilt with a side of stomach licking(?) and really good sex.

[emvidal]

[history-of-fashion]

1600-1625 Tiberio Titi - Christina of Lorraine Grand Duchess of Tuscany (probably as a widow)

(Palatine Gallery)

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Rachel Leingang at The Guardian:

An Arizona grand jury has charged 18 people involved in the scheme to create a slate of false electors for Donald Trump, including 11 people who served as those fake electors and seven Trump allies who aided the scheme. Kris Mayes, Arizona’s Democratic attorney general, announced the charges on Wednesday, and said the 11 fake electors had been charged with felonies for fraud, forgery and conspiracy. Beyond the fake electors themselves, high-profile Trump affiliates have been charged with aiding in the scheme: Mark Meadows, John Eastman, Boris Epshteyn, Rudy Giuliani, Jenna Ellis, Christina Bobb and Mike Roman.

Those charged over their roles as false electors include two sitting lawmakers, state senators Jake Hoffman and Anthony Kern. The former Arizona Republican party chair Kelli Ward and her husband, Michael Ward, have been charged, as has Tyler Bowyer, a Republican national committeeman and Turning Point USA executive, and Jim Lamon, who ran for US Senate in 2022. The others charged in the fake electors scheme are Nancy Cottle, Robert Montgomery, Samuel Moorhead, Lorraine Pellegrino and Gregory Safsten. The indictment says: “In Arizona, and the United States, the people elected Joseph Biden as president on November 3 2020. Unwilling to accept this fact, defendants and unindicted co-conspirators schemed to prevent the lawful transfer of the presidency to keep unindicted co-conspirator 1 in office against the will of Arizona’s voters. This scheme would have deprived Arizona voters of their right to vote and have their votes counted.”

Biden won Arizona by more than 10,000 votes, a close margin in the typically red state that immediately prompted allegations of voter fraud that persist to this day. The state has remained a hotbed of election denialism, despite losses for Republicans who embraced election-fraud lies at the state level. Trump has not been charged in the Arizona case. The indictment refers to Trump himself as “unindicted co-conspirator 1” throughout, noting how the former president schemed to keep himself in office, and how those around him, even those who believed he lost, aided this effort. Some involved have claimed they signed on as an alternate slate of electors in case court decisions came down in Trump’s favor, so they would have a backup group that could be certified by Congress should Trump prevail.

An Arizona grand jury handed down 18 indictments to those involved in the scheme to award 11 fake electors to give Donald Trump the state of Arizona in 2020, despite the fact that Joe Biden flipped the state in his narrow win. Donald Trump has been named unindicted co-conspirator #1.

The persons indicted for aiding and abetting efforts to help the fake electors: Jenna Ellis, Kenneth Chesebro, Christina Bobb, Rudy Giuliani, John Eastman, and Boris Epshteyn.

Some of the notable fake electors charged include: former AZGOP chair Kelli Ward, TPUSA employee Tyler Bowyer, and 2022 GOP US Senate candidate Jim Lamon.

[sirenjose]

Character Relations Thoughts/Theories

Part 1 - Character Relations

(Wrote everything down for reference from looking around, as I didn't have everything unlocked myself and had trouble finding images anywhere. Also, when I say "Unknown connection" that just is to symbolize the ? relations, not that we literally don't know, as we do know some answers to those, like Arthur Byer's connection to Hastur is likely them being the same person in a sense in game 6.)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Game 0

------------------------------------------------------------------------------Ada

Employee to Father Duke

“Colleagues” with Lorraine (who Emily “advised”)

Daughter to Dr. Mesmer

Cooperated with Orpheus

Couple with Emil

Unknown connection to Helena

Emil

Unknown connection to “Roy”

Couple with Ada

Helena

“Saved” Galatea, who has affection for Helana

Daughter to John Adams

Student to Sullivan, who hired by John Adams

Sullivan is “pen pals” with Orpheus

Unknown connection to “Roy” and Ada

Galatea

has “affection” for Helena

employed to Orpheus

Orpheus?

Unknown connection to Roy, who has an unknown connection to Emil

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Game 2

------------------------------------------------------------------------------Jack

Interviewed by Keigan

“Murdered” Keigan

Sheriff “doubts” him

Student of James Whistler

Philip

Siblings with Christina

“Mistook” Belinda as Christina

Christine and Belinda “replaced”?

“Appreciates” Jack

Keigan

“Interviewed” Jack who “murdered” her

Siblings with Harold Nicholas Keogh

Aunt and Niece to Bessie

“Murdered” Dr. Mesmer

Edmund Reed, Sheriff

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Game 3 (Andrew/Antonio/Sangria/Polun)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------Sangria

“Lady”

Andrew

“Buried” Sangria, Antonio, and Polun

“Employed” to Percy, who was “resurrected” by Burke

“Backstabbed” Mr. Marshall

Antonio

“Vigilant” of Sangria and Andrew, who “buried” Antonio

“Affection” for Polun

“Avoiding” Princess, who “confined” Antonio

“Fantasizing” about “Demon”

Polun

“Jealous” of “Catherine”

“Invited” by Max

Antonio has “affection” for Polun

“Buried” by Andrew

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Game 3 (Aesop/Victor/Annie/Ganji)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------Annie

Daughter to Wendy Lester

“Murdered” by Aesop

Aesop

“Foster son” to Jerry Carl

“Murdered” Annie and Ganji

“Targeted” Victor

Ganji

“Dominated” by Lord Elgin, who Ganji is “disgusted” with

“Murdered” by Aesop

Victor

“Acquaintances” with Wick

“Targeted” by Aesop

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Game 4

------------------------------------------------------------------------------Kreacher

He “betrayed” Emma, who “hates” him

He abused Robbie and Dolores

Worked for Father Duke

“Disapproves” Freddy, who “hates” Kreacher

“Despises” Emily

“Hates” Mr. Macallan

Emma

“Helped” by Orpheus

Daughter to Martha Remington and Leo

Sought help from Emily, who “sympathized” with Emma

“Hates” Father Duke, who “abused” her

“Hates” Freddy

“Hates” Kreacher, who “betrayed” her

Freddy

“Cooperated” with Dr. Mesmer

“Investigating” Emily

“Lovers” with Martha Remington

“Deceived” Leo, who “hates” him

Emma “hates” him

“Hostile” to Kreacher, who is “hostile” to him

Emily

Martha Remington was a “medical accident”

“Advised” Lorraine Miller

“Despises” Kreacher

“Sympathizes” with Emma, who “sought help” from her

“Investigated” by Freddy

Leo

Married Martha Remington, father to Emma

“Hates” Father Duke

“Hates” Freddy, who “deceived” him

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Game 5

------------------------------------------------------------------------------Vera

Sister to Vera Nair

“Influenced” Kevin

“Ex-collaborator” with Jose

“Vigilant” of Edgar

“Hostile” to Patricia, who “sacrificed” her

Kevin

“Mourning” Angelina, daughter of Cherokee Chietain

“Guilt” towards Cherokee Chieftan (about daughter and lying), who is “Friendly” to Kevin

“Influenced” by Vera and Jose

“Friendly” to Edgar

“Protective” of Patricia

Patricia

Foster daughter to Mary

“Sacrificed” Vera, who was “hostile” to Patricia

Jose, “ex-collaborator with Vera, is “hostile” to Patricia

“Sacrificed” Edgar

“Faith” in Papa Legba, who has “contracted” Patricia

“Protected” by Kevin

Edgar

“Friendly” to Kevin

Ella is his sibling

“Influenced by” Jose

Vera is “vigilant” with him

Sarai was his tutor, who he “murdered”

“Sacrificed” by Patricia

Jose

Son of “Old Baden”

Old Baden “traded” with Lord Melbourne

Lord Melbourne is the “sponsor” of Sam Bourbon

“Drinking buddies” with Sam Bourbon

“Searched” for Wu Chang (umbrella)

“Ex-collaborator” with Vera

“Influenced” Edgar

“Hostile” to Patricia

“Influenced” Kevin

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Game 6a

------------------------------------------------------------------------------Grace

Unknown connection to Arthur Byers and Fiona

Hastur

Unknown connection to Arthur Byers and Yidhra

Yidhra

Unknown connection to Darren, Fiona, and Hastur

Fiona

“Vigilant” of Arthur Byers, who “charmed” Fiona

Unknown connection to Yidhra

Commissioned by Volcker Berglund, brother of Darren Berglund

Investigating Luchino, who “deceived” Fiona

Unknown connection to Grace

Luchino

“Deceived” Fiona, who is investigating Luchino

Colleagues with Duquein Thompson

Unknown connection to Arthur Byers

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Game 6b

------------------------------------------------------------------------------Luchino

Eli “vigilant” of Luchino

Unknown connection to Demi

Demi

Unknown connection to Luchino

“Step siblings” to Sam Bourbon

Unknown connection to Eli

“Framed” Martha, who is “Scheming” against (?) Demi

Unknown connection To Miles, Spouse to Michiko, who Martha “deceived”

Michiko

Unknown connection to Eugene

Unknown connection to Martha, who “deceived” Miles

Miles’ “spouse”

Miles Donald

Martha Behamfil

Unknown connection to Michiko, who is the Spouse of Miles

“Deceived” Miles, who has an unknown connection to Demi

“Scheming” against (?) Demi, who “framed” Martha

Apprentice to Evelyn Mora

Eli

Unknown connection to Luchino

“Engaged” to Gertrude Vandergaw

Unknown connection to Demi

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Game 8

------------------------------------------------------------------------------Violetta

“Tolerates” Joker, who is “hostile” to Violetta

“Acquired” by Bernard

“Influenced” Margaretha

Murro and Mike “sympathize” with Violetta

Employed by Max

“Rescued” by Tracy

Margaretha

“Influenced” Violetta

Eugene Hayward and Marjorie Hayward are her Uncle and Aunt

“Fears” Mike, who is “disgusted” by Margaretha

Murro is “vigilant” of Margaretha

“Relies” on Sergi, who “controls” Margaretha

Joker “murdered” Sergi, who has an unknown connection/arrow to Joker

“Exploited” Joker, who “adores” Margaretha

Joker

“Adores” Margaretha, who “exploited” Joker

Arthur Russel “investigated” Margaretha and Joker

Arthur Russel “commissioned” Mike, who “doubts” Joker

“Hostile” to Violetta

Son of Gwynplaine and Thea

Mike

“Sympathizes” with Violetta

“Disgusted” by Margaretha, who “fears” Mike

“Adopted” by Bernard Morton Jr, Uncle of Murro Morton

“Assisted” in Murro’s escape

Arthur Russel is “pursuing” Murro, who “trusts” Mike

“Employed” by Arthur Russel

Arthur is “investigating” Joker

Murro

“Vigilant” of Joker and Margaretha

“Sympathizes” with Violetta

Nephew of Bernard Morton Jr., who “adopted” Mike

“Trusts” Mike, who “assisted in his escape”

Arthur Russel “commissioned” Mike and is Naib’s employer, who “murdered” Murro

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Game 9

------------------------------------------------------------------------------Servais

Apprentice to John who Servais “murdered”

“Doubted” by Kurt and Naib, who “murdered” Servais

“Searched” for Murro

William “witnessed” Servais murder John

William

“Witnessed” Servais murder John

Kurt showed William “kindness”

“Trusts” Naib, who “exploited” William

“Punished” by Bane

Bane

“Employed” by Mr. and Mrs. DeRoss

“Punished” Naib and William

“Colleague” with Burke

“Companion” to Black Nose

Kurt

“Doubted” Servais

“Murdered” by Naib

“Searched” for Murro

“Cared for” by Lorraine, employee of Father Duke, who “disapproved” of Kurt

“Kind” to WIlliam

Naib

Murdered Servais, Kurt, and Murro

“Doubted” by Servais

Employed to Arthur Russel

“Punished” by Bane

“Exploited” William, who “trusted” Naib

(Murro)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Game 10

------------------------------------------------------------------------------Luca

Son of Herman Balsa

“Malice” to Charles

“Alert” against Tracy, who is also “alert” with him

Student of Alva

Tracy

“Alert” against Luca, who is also “alert” with her

“Unusually trusted” by Charles

“Curious” of Bonbon

Being “surveyed” (watched) by Burke and Bonbon

Daughter of Irene Reznik and Mark Reznik, who is “curious” of Carl Taplin, who watched (surveillance) Mark

Charles (sorry I didn't have his character relations page)

Bonbon

“Invented” by Burke, who’s employed to Mr. and Mrs. DeRoss

Watching Tracy, who is “curious” of Bonbon

Burke

“Invented” Bonbon,

Employed by Mr. and Mrs. DeRoss

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Game ? (maybe 11?)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------Alva

“Close friends” with Herman Balsa, who was a student of Professor Kaiser with Alva

Herman is the father of Luca, who is Alva’s student

“Shares the same faith” as Ann

Luca (same as in Game 10)

Ann

“Shares the same faith” as Alva

Relative of Laura

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Final Game

------------------------------------------------------------------------------Orpheus

“Cautious” of Melly, who’s “cautious” of Orpheus

Unknown connection to Sam and Frederick

“Investigating” Alice, who “suspects” Orpehus

Unknown connection to Norton, Burke, and Bane

Mary

Unknown connection to Mary Kreiburg

Mary Kreiburg is a “distant relative” of Frederick

Amalia Kreiburg is the mother of Frederick, who is also a “distant relative” of Mary Kreiburg

Mary Kreiburg’s spouse is Manus de Capet

Frederick

Son of Amalia Kreiburg, who is distant relatives to Mary Kreiburg (as is Frederick)

Unknown connection to Orpheus

Alice “doubts” Frederick

Alice

“Suspects” Orpheus, who is “investigating” Alice

“Curious” about Melly, who is “curious” about Alice

“Defect” from(?) Lord Melbourne

“Vigilant” of Norton

Unknown connection to Burke, Bane, and Evelyn

“Doubts” Frederick

Melly

“Cautious” of Orpheus, who’s also cautious of Melly

“Curious” about Alice, who’s also curious of Melly

“Vigilant” of Norton

Unknown connection to Sam Bourbon

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Not Yet Confirmed (what game they're in)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------Qi Shiyi (maybe game 1, if she brings Wu's umbrella, it needs to be at the manor before Jose aka game 5)

“Close Friend” of Tang Si

Evelyn Mora

Mentor to Martha

Lily (maybe game 1 or a game close to final?)

Matthias

Florain

Robbie

Joseph (maybe Final Game?)

Brother to Claude

Percy

Employer to Andrew

Ithaqua (maybe game 6 with Fiona/Hastur?)

Ivy

Jeffrey (maybe game 3 with Antonio/Andrew?)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Part 2 - Points of Interest

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Roy", who is mentioned with the game 0 group and has some type of connections between them and Helena, Emil, and Orpheus/Novelist

Sullivan's "pen pal" is confirmed to be "Novelist" aka Orpheus

Philip involved in game 2

"Mistook" Belinda as Christina, and whatever is meant by "Replaced" (between Christina and Belinda)

Keigan "murdered" Dr. Mesmer (that name is listed in the relations as being Ada's father

Andrew "buried" Sangria, Antonio, and Polun

Polun's connection to "Max" who "invited" Polun

Emma was "helped" by Orpheus

Patricia "sacrificed" only Vera and Edgar

Jose was "drinking buddies" with Sam, who is "sponsored" by Lord Melbourne/Vilhelm

Grace and Yidhra are involved in game 6a with Hastur, Fiona, and Luchino

Luchino "deceived" Fiona

Demi "framed" Martha, who was "scheming" against Demi

Demi is "step siblings" with Sam (shared either a Father or Mother? Likely Mother?)

Demi is connected to Miles somehow

Martha "deceived" Miles

Joker is only listed as "hostile" to Violetta, doesn't mention "murder" unlike elsewhere when a character is killed (same about Norton)

Margaretha is "exploiting" Joker

Tracy “rescued” Violetta (likely being the mechanic who gave Violetta her prosthetics in Violetta’s backstory)

Melly has some connection to Sam

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Part 3 - Thoughts/Theories

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Roy” is not mentioned anywhere that I’m aware of (though a “Roy” is mentioned in Mary’s letters, but I think this is someone else?). I did wonder, even though we know “Orpheus” is apparently involved in game 0, if Roy could be 0-1-0 if it isn’t “Orpheus”. Helena’s 3rd letter, as most experiment letters, should be written by Orpheus as a record of his “experiments”, so it’d be odd if he’s talking about himself as 0-1-0. We know from Helena’s letter that No. 0-1-0 had "multiple tests" done on them before “interventions in stages” on Helena, as well as 0-1-0 is someone Helena considered an "ally".

I’m confused about it saying Philip “mistook” Belinda as Christina. Nowhere in his letters or deductions does he say the name, though it does in his relations page. Her name was first revealed in a Q&A, where they said Philip “forgot the name of the woman on his shoulder, he only knows that she is his sister”. Well, based on his 2nd letter, he does call her “Belinda”, unless he’d already forgotten and this was what he thought her name was. I assume that body is still “Christina” but he just forgot what her real name was, which… is really saying something about Philip if he doesn’t even remember his sibling’s name. I doubt that the body wasn’t actually Christina’s but instead someone else with the name “Belinda”, but this definitely leaves me more uncertain than I’d like. Or another possibility is the figure on his shoulder is just a wax creation (not actually his sister’s body) and his sister’s been gone long enough (and he’s traumatized enough) where he either repressed the memories of his sister or has forgotten, with the wax figure on his shoulder his constant reminder of simply the fact his sister was taken from him and he needs to avenge her. And due to his forgetting, he’s named the wax figure on his shoulder “Belinda”.

I’m assuming Keigan killed Dr. Mesmer sometime after her discussion with Bessie, her niece and had married to her brother Harold Nicholas Keogh. We learn Bessie was unsatisfied with the marriage, and he wasn’t even accompanying her to the doctor despite her pregnancy. Keigan learns due to Bessie that Harold has a substantially larger than normal savings account than he should have based on his monthly income. We further learn Harold was involved with Dr. Mesmer, who had paid Harold for helping “resolve baseless accusations” against him. Based on what we know of Keigan from her backstory, deductions, and trailer, it isn’t unreasonable to say she decided to deal with Dr. Mesmer similar to how she dealt with her brother due to the threat they posed to Bessie.

Antonio’s game has 5 people mentioned in the letters, but the relations page only shows 4. We know that 3-0-1 is Andrew and Antonio is 3-1-3. We know Antonio felt “affecton” for Polun, and Antonio’s 3rd letter mentions he showed “affability” to 3-?-2 and 3-1-5. We know from Polun’s letter that he was likely affected by drugs during their “feast” based on the mention of feeling “dizzy”, and Antonio’s 3rd letter mentions 3-?-2 felt the effects of the drugged wine (and Polun’s 2nd letter does mention wine). Therefore, Polun is likely 3-?-2. As for Sangria, we know he felt “vigilant” towards her.

As for 3-1-4 and 3-1-5:

we know 3-1-4 was:  “consistently polite” to Andrew, had a “shared attitude towards faith” with Andrew, had “superior communication and expressive abilities” but their past experiences hindered their ability to establish meaningful connections with others and were too “absorbed in their pursuit of friendship and salvation” causing a lack of awareness of their surroundings and made them be manipulated by 3-1-5 and utilized his familiarity with the mansion to start an arson under the stage and cause 3-1-4’s demise. Also, 3-1-4 was effected by the drugs with polun

while 3-1-5 was “adept at disguising their true intentions”, “skilled at sensing others’ emotions” which he used to form a “temporary alliance” with Andrew, “subtle manipulations” of 3-1-4, had hostile feelings towards Andrew, and “spun lies” praising Andrew’s work (façade via acting) and determined Andrew’s “fate” in the “temple”. Also, 3-1-5 was affable with Antonio

My best guess is 3-1-4 may be Sangria, who we know was “buried” by Andrew as well as Sangria is someone tied to a “stage” and “fire”. She would also fit as someone who would be “polite” and good at “communication” and interest in “faith” and “salvation. This would leave 3-1-5. Considering this game has a lot to do with “acting skills” and performance, I wonder if 3-1-5 could be the Goatman, Jeffrey (and with his connection to animals, I could see him being good at sensing others’ emotions and due to the performances he had to put on potentially good at hiding his “true intentions”).

Max “invited” Polun. I assume this was likely after they left St. Catherine’s theater. We have no knowledge of whether Polun spent any time at Max’s freakshow, but as they seemed focused on finding their parents and the wording of “invited”, I assume they declined the invitation.

I have no idea how Emma was helped by Orpheus. We still haven’t figured out the truth behind Emma’s 4th letter, which seems to happen after her game (with Freddy, Kreacher, and Emily). Her “new friends” are aware of their memories being tampered with and warn her to secretly keep a record of everything. It’s possible Orpheus “helped” her to reunite with Leo via that invitation with the Thistle. Or it’s possible he did something during her actual game. We aren’t sure.

Regarding Game 5, we seem to have confirmed the only 2 that were “sacrificed” were Edgar and Vera. We know Kevin drank the drug and as a result didn’t participate in the game at all. Jose, based on Wu Chang’s 3rd letter and the latter half of Jose’s 3rd letter did seem to participate in the game (especially with Jose’s letter implying the manor owner “treasured” the opportunity to use Jose in his experiment and thus wouldn’t want to miss out, thus why he was willing to stop the experiment if it looked like Jose wouldn’t make it). We have no knowledge then of Jose’s or Patricia’s fates. Jose mentions finding the umbrella in the garden, where it still is during the final game. This is seemingly after the game and Vera and Edgar, who he references in his 4th letter, are already gone and he seems to be getting ready to leave. Patricia’s 4th letter doesn’t leave us with any potential hints as to what happened, though the way Jose seems to have made it through the game, yet only mentions Edgar and Vera, I wonder if something happened to her during the game, potentially something caused by Wu Chang if Jose was influenced by him.

Sam being "drinking buddies" with Jose... The only place Sam is referenced is in Jose’s 2nd letter in reference to the signature on his father’s ledger of goods the day Joaquin Baden vanished. We know Jose was drank both to help him sleep (due to his trouble with panic attacks/night terrors) and other times that led to him “missing the tide” and not boarding the ship. We know from his background in the relations page that he was delayed at Liverpool the day his father vanished. It may not be true, but what if he was drinking with Sam that day in Liverpool, or something else with Sam? Especially if Sam signed off on the ledger of goods for that voyage. It’s also curious how it specifically states Jose was in Liverpool that day. If he was just drinking normally, they didn’t have to specify. He could just drink anywhere, but it gives a specific location. So there’s a good chance there’s a reason for it, and as Sam is tied to Joaquin’s disappearance, it's possible Sam could’ve been with Jose that day too. Maybe Sam was even the person Jose’s father asked in Jose’s deduction 8 to help fix Jose essentially, even if it meant Jose wouldn’t “remember how to be a good man”. I don’t know if Sam would’ve been the person to leave that “spiritual anchor” via deep hypnosis referenced in Jose’s 3rd letter, but we don’t know nearly enough about Sam to be completely certain.

It makes sense for Grace and Yidhra to appear in the game with the supernatural theme and taking place at Lakeside. So far, we know Fiona is 6-1-3, Luchino is 6-1-4, and Hastur aka Arthur Byers is likely 6-0-5. This leaves 6-1-1, 6-1-2, and 6-1-6. The only info we have is 6-1-2 lost their life in an “unfortunate accident” and was replaced by 6-1-6, as well as Luchino was the only one not to vanish after the game. So, there’s not enough info to argue that Grace and Yidhra aren’t possible. Though, as we know 6 individuals are involved in this experiment, that does mean there’s 1 other person we don’t know of in this game. My best guess at this time is that it could be Ithaqua. As for Luchino’s deceit against Fiona, I assume this ties to how her 3rd letter says she “missed a crucial piece of ‘divine insight’” to lose her chance to escape.

Regarding Martha “deceiving” Miles, we do know from Michiko’s 2nd letter that she supposedly was helping him find the “keepsake” of Michiko’s (likely the hatpin) he was looking for, and then in Michiko’s 3rd letter, he mentioned Martha should’ve arrived at the manor 3 days ago yet there has been no news of her. Miles does get the hatpin at the manor, so that leaves the question of how exactly she “deceived” him. It’s possible it had to do with he didn’t know who Martha actually was, or she potentially deceived him to lead him to the manor (possibly lying about the keepsake being auctioned off or something, I’m not sure).

I have 0 idea though how Demi is possibly connected to Miles, unless it’s because Miles may end up being in that game with her, Martha, Eli, and Luchino (though only 4 individuals are referenced in the letters for that game so far). We do know Miles is confirmed to be in some game due to Michiko’s 3rd letter, just not which one yet.

Demi “framing” Martha, I wonder if that could relate to why Luchino believed Martha was the “liar” that would cause the final “tragedy”. This is then what leads to a “tragedy” between her and Luchino, which could relate to Demi’s 3rd letter talking about not bothering to discern truth from lies (which is the issue with Martha in this game as she first lied than was truthful, leading to confusion about her) and instead decided to “destroy” truth and lies, aka Martha herself potentially. As for the scheming, it’s possible Martha schemed because of being “framed” by Demi, unless Martha was planning something before Demi “framed” her. There’s not enough info to be certain.

I have 0 idea how Sam may be connected to Melly. The 1 possibility is from Melly’s 3rd letter, which is an “investigation record”, yet it’s not written by Orpheus considering the author specifically references him (“From this, I learned she knew Mr. Orpheus for many years before coming to the manor and was full of praise toward him”). So the author is someone who knows Orpheus at least (as well as Norton based on the mention of him further in) and this person knows Melly came to Oletus Manor, so it’s potentially someone who could be at the manor during that time? Especially as they comment on Melly’s fear of Orpheus being even stronger than her fear of Norton. Which is curious as I wonder if that implies he’s somehow monitoring the Final Game.

[rillabrooke]

before today's installment of "how quickly can you get to the cleves fam via wikilinks", i would like to mention that i do this solely by using people. just names.

okay here we go. i will put the relation to the previous person in brackets. today's game starts with sophie of mecklenburg-güstrow (aka queen of denmark and norway):

sophie of mecklenburg-güstrow ⇾ elizabeth of denmark [mother] ⇾ frederick i of denmark [father] ⇾ christian ii of denmark [predecessor] ⇾ christina, duchess of milan [issue]

from christina, you can go two ways: ⇾ william, duke of cleves [once proposed to christina, was declined] ⇾ anne of cleves [was previously engaged to francis i, duke of lorraine, who later married christina]

either way, you win.

[tiny-librarian]

Miniature of Maria Christina of Austria, Duchess of Teschen.

[comparativetarot]

The Lovers. Art by Christina Correa, Lorenza Daprà & Lorraine Betta, from Secret Mxxn: Blvck Mvgic.

"In night's embrace, two souls converge, Bound or torn by lustful urge. Who pairs the destinies of despair?" Bound in death, under a star gone dim, The Lovers' fate, a mournful hymn. In their eternal embrace, shadows claim, Quenching forever love's enduring flame.

[palecleverdoll]

Ages of Medici Women at First Marriage

I have only included women whose birth dates and dates of marriage are known within at least 1-2 years, therefore, this is not a comprehensive list.

This list is composed of Medici women from 1386 to 1691 CE; 38 women in total.

Piccarda Bueria, wife of Giovanni di Bicci de’ Medici: age 18 when she married Giovanni in 1386 CE

Contessina de’ Bardi, wife of Cosimo de’ Medici: age 25 when she married Cosimo in 1415 CE

Lucrezia Tornabuoni, wife of Piero di Cosimo de’ Medici: age 17 when she married Piero in 1444 CE

Bianca de’ Medici, daughter of Piero di Cosimo de’ Medici: age 14 when she married Guglielmo de’ Pazzi in 1459 CE

Lucrezia de’ Medici, daughter of Piero di Cosimo de’ Medici: age 13 when she married Bernardo Rucellai in 1461 CE

Clarice Orsini, wife of Lorenzo de’ Medici: age 16 when she married Lorenzo in 1469 CE

Caterina Sforza, wife of Giovanni de' Medici il Popolano: age 10 when she married Girolamo Riario in 1473 CE

Semiramide Appiano, wife of Lorenzo di Pierfrancesco de' Medici: age 18 when she married Lorenzo in 1482 C

Lucrezia de’ Medici, daughter of Lorenzo de’ Medici: age 18 when she married Jacopo Salviati in 1488 CE

Alfonsina Orsini, wife of Piero di Lorenzo de’ Medici: age 16 when she married Piero in 1488 CE

Maddalena de’ Medici, daughter of Lorenzo de’ Medici: age 15 when she married Franceschetto Cybo in 1488 CE

Contessina de’ Medici, daughter of Lorenzo de’ Medici: age 16 when she married Piero Ridolfi in 1494 CE

Clarice de’ Medici, daughter of Piero di Lorenzo de’ Medici: age 19 when she married Filippo Strozzi the Younger in 1508 CE

Filberta of Savoy, wife of Giuliano de’ Medici: age 17 when she married Giuliano in 1515 CE

Madeleine de La Tour d’Auvergne, wife of Lorenzo II de’ Medici: age 20 when she married Lorenzo in 1518 CE

Catherine de’ Medici, daughter of Lorenzo II de’ Medici: age 14 when she married Henry II of France in 1533 CE

Margaret of Parma, wife of Alessandro de’ Medici: age 13 when she married Alessandro in 1536 CE

Eleanor of Toledo, wife of Cosimo I de’ Medici: age 17 when she married Cosimo in 1539 CE

Giulia de’ Medici, daughter of Alessandro de’ Medici: age 15 when she married Francesco Cantelmo in 1550 CE

Isabella de’ Medici, daughter of Cosimo I de’ Medici: age 16 when she married Paolo Giordano I Orsini in 1558 CE

Lucrezia de’ Medici, daughter of Cosimo I de’ Medici: age 13 when she married Alfonso II d’Este in 1558 CE

Bianca Cappello, wife of Francesco I de’ Medici: age 15 when she married Pietro Bonaventuri in 1563 CE

Joanna of Austria, wife of Francesco I de’ Medici: age 18 when she married Francesco in 1565 CE

Camilla Martelli, wife of Cosimo I de’ Medici: age 25 when she married Cosimo in 1570 CE

Eleanor de’ Medici, daughter of Francesco I de’ Medici: age 17 when she married Vincenzo I Gonzaga in 1584 CE

Virginia de’ Medici, daughter of Cosimo I de’ Medici: age 18 when she married Cesare d’Este in 1586 CE

Christina of Lorraine, wife of Ferdinando I de’ Medici: age 24 when she married Ferdinando in 1589 CE

Marie de’ Medici, daughter of Francesco I de’ Medici: age 25 when she married Henry IV of France in 1600 CE

Maria Maddalena of Austria, wife of Cosimo II de’ Medici: age 19 when she married Cosimo in 1608 CE

Caterina de’ Medici, daughter of Ferdinando I de’ Medici: age 24 when she married Ferdinando Gonzago in 1617 CE

Claudia de’ Medici, daughter of Ferdinando I de’ Medici: age 16 when she married Federico Ubaldo della Rovere in 1620 CE

Margherita de’ Medici, daughter of Cosimo II de’ Medici: age 16 when she married Odoardo Farnese in 1628 CE

Vittoria della Rovere, wife of Ferdinando II de’ Medici: age 12 when she married Ferdinando in 1634 CE

Anna de’ Medici, daughter of Cosimo II de’ Medici: age 30 when she married Ferdinand Charles of Austria in 1646 CE

Marguerite Louise d’Orleans, wife of Cosimo III de’ Medici: age 16 when she married Cosimo in 1661 CE

Violante Beatrice of Bavaria, wife of Ferdinando de’ Medici: age 16 when she married Ferdinando in 1689 CE

Anna Maria Franziska of Saxe-Lauenberg, wife of Gian Gastone de’ Medici: age 18 when she married Philipp Wilhelm of Neuberg in 1690 CE

Anna Maria Luisa de’ Medici, daughter of Cosimo III de’ Medici: age 24 when she married Johann Wilhelm, Elector Palatine in 1691 CE

The average age at first marriage among these women was 17 years old.

[natashaferguson7]

OSCARS _ FASHION 2025.

Ariana Grande's Red Oscars Dress Had 'Wizard of Oz' 

Photogropher - Unknown

Demi Moore - In Giorgio Armani Privé and Chopard.

"Her smile is everything!!! (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Photo. unknown _ Zendaya

Mike Coppola

Halle Berry - In Christian Siriano and Pomellato.

Mike Coppola

Margaret Qualley _In Chanel.

Mike Coppola

Lupita Nyong'o

In custom Chanel haute couture and high jewelry.

Meg Ryan Makes Rare Red Carpet Appearance at Oscars 2025

Arturo Holmes

Mindy Kaling - In Oscar de la Renta.

Coco Jones in a black evening gown at the 97th Oscars.

Mike Coppola

Monica Barbaro

Photo : Gregg DeGuire

the 97th Oscars.

.

Ariana is a real life princess!!!! (Christina House / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Ariana Grande _In custom Schiaparelli haute couture and De Beers.

Elle Fanning, left, and Ariana Grande arrive at the Oscars on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Photo : JC Olivera

Elle Fanning in a white ballgown at the 97th Oscars.

Photo : Gilbert Flores

Guy Pearce in a classic black tux at the 97th Oscars.

Monica Schipper

Raye _ In custom Vivienne Westwood and Lorraine Schwartz.

Photo : Gregg DeGuire

Keith Powers in a classic black tux at the 97th Oscars.

Mike Coppola

Zoe Saldaña _In custom Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello.

Photo : Gilbert Flores

Michelle Yeoh in a royal blue satin dress at the 97th Oscars.

Photo : Gregg DeGuire

Amy Poehler in strapless black gown at the 97th Oscars

Photo : JC Olivera

Samuel L. Jackson in a monochrome black suit at the 97th Oscars.

[royalty-nobility]

Empress Maria Theresa

Artist: Martin van Meytens the Younger (Swedish, 1695-1770)

Date: After 1742

Medium: Oil on canvas

Collection: National Gallery of Slovenia, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Description

Maria Theresa (Maria Theresia Walburga Amalia Christina; 13 May 1717 – 29 November 1780) was ruler of the Habsburg dominions from 1740 until her death in 1780, and the only woman to hold the position suo jure (in her own right). She was the sovereign of Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Bohemia, Transylvania, Slavonia, Mantua, Milan, Moravia, Galicia and Lodomeria, Dalmatia, the Austrian Netherlands, Carinthia, Carniola, Gorizia and Gradisca, Lusatia, Styria, Parma, etc. etc. By marriage, she was Duchess of Lorraine, Grand Duchess of Tuscany, and Holy Roman Empress.

In this painting the Empress Maria Theresa is clad in an opulent ceremonial robe, is standing beside a carved and gilded wooden table. In her left hand she holds an archduke’s crown, while in the background we see the crowns of Saint Stephen and Saint Wenceslas. This arrangement permits a dating of the painting to the time before Maria Theresa was crowned as queen of Hungary (1741) and of Bohemia (1743).