#crown princess katherine

[duchessofvastergotland]

16th June 2024 // Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel joined friends and family for Queen Silvia's belated 80th birthday celebrations, including an event on the Royal Yacht Norge, hosted by the visiting King Harald and Queen Sonja, and a lunch at the orangery at Ulriksdal Palace.

[royal-hair]

Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia at the Coronation Reception for overseas heads of state and government at Buckingham Palace, UK - 05.05.23

[royaltyworldblog]

#NEW Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia as well as Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia have arrived at the Great Britain Hotel in Athens ahead of King Constantine Funeral tomorrow 🇬🇷

[heretoomuch]

Pov: you grew up reading weird fantasy in the early 2000s

[alessiamalfoyzabini]

To Love You

Pairing | wanted!Jimin x princess!Reader

Word Count | 16,1k

Warnings | +18, angst, smut, Jimin is a wanted outlaw, mention of dead parents and conspiracy, the new king is a slimy being, mention of hatred, painful feelings and abandonment, many tears, Jimin is allergic to romantic feelings 💀, murders (sword, poison, torture…), attempted rape, lots of kissing and touching, breast worship, love marks, talks about having a baby, impregnation kink, sex in the woods, virginity loss, unprotected sex, vaginal sex, licking pussy, forcing orgasm, mild fantasy!AU toward the end, this is not for minors.

⤷ Summary | You have been separated from your beloved and your kingdom is under the rule of a heartless man, but all is not lost.

➢ Author's Note | I wrote this story because after Dark Moon I found it hard to part with Jimin, and at the same time I wanted to bring some sweetness to heal my heart a little, I hope you enjoy this story ❤️

ps: all images used for the banner belong exclusively to me!

Permanent Taglist: @katherine-kookie @btsuga-d @reallygenerouskoala @velvet-stardust2002, @takemeaway5402 @angelicsmilesworld @pantara @ke1k029 @btssimpjaneth

⋆｡ ﾟ ︎｡ ⋆｡ ﾟ ﾟ ｡ ⋆ ⋆｡ ﾟ ︎｡ ⋆｡ ﾟ ﾟ ｡ ⋆⋆｡ ﾟ ︎｡ ⋆｡ ﾟ ﾟ ｡

"The multi-murderer Park Jimin here, the rebel leader who has been sowing terror in our lands for years, stealing from our families and killing our children, is sentenced to capital punishment, tomorrow at dawn the gallows will await his head."

A buzz rises in the room, all the attention of those present is focused on the commander of His Majesty's Royal Guards, the man is reading an official communiqué, with every word your heart receives a painful, deafening stinging.

Your eyes are steady on the blond-haired boy, kneeling in the middle of the hall, his mischievous gaze on the king, your uncle.

"The condemned man will be escorted immediately to his cell, where he will remain until the following morning, in the hope that he will repent of his deplorable deeds and ask God for forgiveness."

The boy’s grin deepens, in his ice-colored eyes that contributed to his fame, shines an amused spark, you know what it means… it’s that attitude of his that made you fall in love with him, your Jimin.

"Deplorable is forgetting the poor people you have killed for your own interests, mine was only justice, my lords...there should be someone else in my place, you all know that," the barb aimed directly at the king makes everyone present hold their breath. including you.

To address a tyrant ruler like your uncle in that way is simply insane, by your side you see the man in question clenching his fists and narrowing his gaze, but he dare not go on a rampage, not in front of his subjects, at least.

"Take him to his cell, that's where such a beast deserves to be," the king hisses, and when the guards badly pull Jimin to his feet, he finally looks at you-it's only an instant, but it's enough for you to notice his expression change from mischievous to wistful.

You barely hold back the tears as they take him away, unable to say or do anything, you promised him, you promised him you would do nothing foolish or dangerous, but your heart clenched in a painful grip calls out to him and longs to feel his embrace again, but yours is a secret that must be kept silent and hidden.

You feel a hand wrap itself around your shoulders and you shudder, watching your uncle's dark eyes stare at you suspiciously, the crown jewels shining wickedly on his head, as if mocking you, a princess forgotten by her people.

"Is there something you would like to say, my niece?" his words creep disgustingly down your spine, you want to spit in his face, but you hold back.

You clutch your robes in your hands, imprinting your best smile on your lips.

"No, Your Highness, I am calmer now, finally that outlaw has been caught" uttering those words kills you inside, it is before you the real outlaw, the one who plotted against your father to usurp his throne, you are alive only because you are a sweet and important pawn in your uncle's game, if you want to conquer a new country without shedding blood, you need a precious bargaining chip, no?

And in your veins runs the pure blood of a princess, an opportunity too tempting for your uncle who is already itching to give you away in marriage to who knows what spoiled, deadbeat prince.

You sense a gentler hand pulling you away, it is your wet nurse, sweet old Harun, she curtseys to your uncle and when he turns his attention to the other nobles in the room, the woman finally speaks, "Come, my lady, you must rest now" you let yourself be dragged away from her like a shattered rag doll, once this woman could patch you up, now you doubt that playing another of her games to cheer you up will have the desired effect, the love of your life will be executed tomorrow.

"It's over, Harun," you say with a sob stuck in your throat, "It's really over..." Harun stares at you with tears in her eyes.

After all, she witnessed your love; before he was an outlaw, Jimin was the son of a knight of the king, one of your father's best friends, you grew up together, you watched him practicing with his sword in the imperial gardens, hidden among the hedges as a princess should not have done, he loved practicing with you during dance lessons, you were very close and Harun had never dared to push you away, aware of the importance of a young love like yours.

After your uncle killed the king, Jimin's father rebelled by not accepting the new ruler and found death awaiting him, his family was stripped of its noble title and robbed of all wealth, throwing Jimin into a spiral of hatred and revenge.

He found ways to stir up trouble for the new king and his court by looting their homes or killing important members of their families, you on your side knew he was alive because of the whispers coming from the servants, with regret you realize that you saw his handsome face again as he was kneeling at the new king's feet and it will probably be the last time as well.

Harun gives you time to enter your bedroom, "My lady, Jimin never blamed you for what happened to him."

You smile softly, "I know, he... he is good, Harun, Jimin is good."

The elderly woman nods understandingly, it is when you sit on the bed that you notice something. Before you leave, Harun deliberately lets something slip among your things; it's a key.

"I hope you can both be happy, princess," she says before closing the door behind her.

With slow, tentative steps you reach for the key, you look around fearfully, almost expecting your uncle to pop out from somewhere, ready to accuse you of treachery, but when you grab the key to the castle dungeons nothing of what you imagined happens, you look out your window, the moon in the sky is high and motherly, almost inviting you to follow your heart, and with a salty smile you clutch the key to your chest.

Just for the thoughts invading your mind you deserve condemnation, but what do you have to lose now? If the love of your life dies tomorrow at dawn, then you will stand by his side, not among cruel people looking down on him.

Take a last look at your room, you spent a wonderful childhood within those walls; on the bed wrapped in tulle and silk you embroidered with your mother, on the carpet with your family crest you played while Harun braided your hair, good-naturedly reprimanding you if you spoke a little too loudly and smiling sweetly you remember at the window a young and cunning Jimin climbing a tree to join you in your rooms, that's how your first and only kiss happened, it was a light and chaste touch, but it was enough to leave you with your heart wrapped in joy.

Then it was all over, no more games, laughter or shy hugs at every corner of the castle. The new king ruined everything.

The night welcomes you and slips with you as you move like a shadow within the castle walls, after years of dancing your step is so light that the heels of your shoes do not make the slightest noise, you clutch the light shawl you have carried with you over your shoulders, shivering at the draught that penetrates through the draughts of the dungeons, you have found no guards as you pass, they are all focused on protecting the king and his apartments, the fear of possible revenge from Jimin's men is too vivid for them.

You descend the stone steps covering your nose with your shawl, the smell of mold is strong and makes your eyes water, drops of water whose origin is unknown to you fall from the ceiling, it is so dark that you are forced to take a torch from the wall and use it to light your way, the flame dances sinuously with your every movement and you finally access the last part of the long and winding corridor. A sickening smell of urine overtakes you as you approach the filthy cells, Jimin is locked up in such a place, another wicked way of trying to humiliate him.

There are five cells in all, in front of them you notice a wooden table with two chairs, that's where you immediately go, take the bottle of wine and swallow, you have to.

It's something you've always thought of reserving for your uncle someday, but Jimin's life is more important, so you firmly detach the thin chain you've been wearing around your neck since your father's death from your neck, you look one last time at the silver pendant with your family crest, then you open it with a small click and its contents are revealed, you throw a few pieces of the wolfsbane root into the wine, hoping that the guards will drink it before they realize what had been done, and with a shuddering breath you hide the necklace in the pockets of your dress.

Then, as if you hadn't just poisoned the bottle, you slowly make your way to the dirty rooms enclosed by old iron bars, you illuminate the cramped space of each cell by the torchlight flame, you notice beds of dirty, old straw and dark stains on the wall, you don't even want to imagine what it could be.

You notice a soft humming, it is gentle and sweet, you swallow recognizing the melody, he is there.

You approach the last cell with your heart in your throat, you haven't seen him in years, you don't know exactly how he will react to your presence, you repeat Harun's words in your head as you use the key she gave you to open the cell, the noise is creepy as you open the rusted iron door, the shadows inside are even more so.

You take a step in there, your feet meet more straw, it is so dark that you can only rely on the torch you clutch in your hand and the moonlight filtering through a tiny barred window, you try to look around but suddenly the flame goes out, the loss of light provokes in you the instinct to scream, but one hand rushes to close your mouth while another grabs you by the side, holding you to a warm body you didn't think you could touch again.

You shudder when the tip of his nose lightly brushes your neck, and you are inflamed to realize that he is inhaling your fragrance. You feel him smile against your skin before leaving a kiss on it that makes you lose several beats and your hair stand up pleasantly.

"What's a princess like you doing in a place like this... with someone like me?" he whispers in your ear as the tempting devil would, you'd be lying if you said he had no effect on you, your mind and body are hopelessly drawn to him.

His hand releases your mouth and reaches down to your neck, tightening it in a deliberately weak grip, you lick your lips before responding.

"I'm here to set you free, Jimin," you say softly, this makes him snort in amusement.

"Set me free? Oh, Y/N... I'm not afraid to die" you tremble when he says your name and turn in his arms, you try to look into his eyes but the only thing you catch is the dangerous glint in them.

"I do, I am afraid! I don't want you to die, Jimin..." you whisper in a broken voice and finally allow yourself to embrace him, rest your head on his warm chest and although he doesn't reciprocate, he does nothing to stop you.

It's a strange feeling you feel, he left you he was a skinny little boy full of rage, now he is a man facing death head on, but you are not ready to let him go one more time.

"And I don't want you to be here when the guards come back, this is high treason to the crown, Y/N," he growls looking at the open cell door and clutching your shoulders, he wants you to leave, you know.

"Do you think I care? No, Jimin... I stopped being a princess when my father and mother died, when you were forced to leave and left me alone" you say the last word bitterly, "If I die saving you, I will accept my fate."

He slowly pushes you back, each step brings you closer to the light filtering through the small window, and when you end up with your back to the wall, you can finally see clearly the face of the man he has become and your breath catches, his peculiar eyes hold a torment that does not shine through in his brazen voice, you raise a hand to his face and shyly brush the line of his jaw, his golden locks shine under the moonlight glow, it is shocking.

"You don't even know what you're saying, you're a silly princess who's read too many books and now thinks she can save an outlaw" he laughs softly shaking his head, "Go back to your room, Y/N and forget me" when he turns away from you and you lose the little hold you have on him, the world comes crashing down on you.

Forget him? He has no idea how many years you spent waiting for him, hoping he would take you away from your uncle's clutches, he never came to get you and yet you never stopped hoping, you shake your head looking at him sorrowfully. It is easy for him to say such a thing, after all, he has already left you in his past, a past he has turned his back on.

"You're probably right, I'm a silly princess who has read too many books and now wants to save an outlaw, but I won't forget you," you hiss feeling a sudden surge of anger, because if you gave in to the sadness that now clutches your heart you would find yourself crying on your knees and he doesn't deserve that, "It may have been very easy for you to make me disappear from your mind and heart, but don't think we're the same in this."

He does not answer you, you know he is gritting his teeth by the rhythmic click of his jaw, you thought you had found him and instead you are looking at a stranger.

"You've grown ... and you've changed," you whisper before turning toward the exit with a chill in your body, "The cell is open and the guards are focused on protecting the king, you pretty much have the coast clear."

Before you can leave, his voice stops you.

"What will happen to you? Every action has a repercussion, princess."

You smile without amusement; it's ridiculous how he avoids facing your feelings by pretending they don't exist.

"Don't waste your time on me and go, it's not even certain that they will find out," you sigh with one last look at the man who stole your heart and soul before freezing you, he now has his hands clasped around the bars of the window, as if he refuses to look at you. It is stupid what you are about to do, but you need one last test.

You let your shawl slide to the ground; if it is still in the straw tomorrow, you will be condemned in Jimin's place; if, on the other hand, the guards do not find it, it means the boy has taken it with him. You know you are being selfish, but you wish a part of you would stay with him, even though he would probably like not to think of you again.

"Jimin!" one of his friends notices him, and relief is immediate in the group.

They welcome him with open arms as he collapses to the ground, tired but happy to still have his head attached to his neck.

"We were already prepared to intervene during the public trial, but this changes everything! How did you escape?" Hoseok asks him with wide eyes, Jimin brings a hand to his damp and dirty hair, seriously in need of a bath after spending a night running through dirty streets and dirt.

"I was helped ... by a friend, let's say," he replies through clenched teeth, gratefully taking the water bottle Yoongi is handing him.

"A friend? Some servant girl you've had fun with in the past?" asks Taehyung smoothly, receiving a blow on the head from Namjoon.

It is Seokjin who notices the shawl that Jimin has tied around his waist, masterfully takes it before the boy can even notice and ignores the latter's protests.

"I'd say a princess," he says with a smile, spreading the fabric and displaying the royal family crest under the sunlight, "I knew it, she-"

"Stop. I know what you are going to say and I urge you to go no further," Jimin growls taking back your shawl, "She belongs in that castle."

"Kidnapping a princess is easy, so what's your problem?" in a not at all gentle way, Jungkook voices the question that has always crossed everyone's mind.

"Her place is not in that castle, everyone in the kingdom knows that ever since Cobra killed his brother and sister-in-law, he wants to use his niece as a bargaining chip with all countries provided with an heir" Namjoon looks at him sternly, but Jimin sighs.

"She is a princess, that is her duty."

He clutches your shawl tightly before getting up from the ground and heading to his tent, your place is not by his side, you are safer in that castle, whoever went against that foolish new king met his death, he will never forget the life in his father's eyes that faded away, nor the flames that burned his house and the king's guards that captured his mother and brothers, you will not end up the same way because of his selfishness, if leaving you by your uncle's side will preserve your life, then he will give up on you.

He clutches tightly at the fabric that still carries your sweet scent of vanilla and cookies, it was devastating to have had you next to him again without being able to hold you as he would have liked, for a moment the memories of childhood lulled him tenderly, but you are two different people now, he is different and must let you go, it is for your own good he thinks as he ties your shawl around his duffle bag, trying not to think back to the pain in your voice as you left the cell.

Someday, when you have a family of your own, you will understand the reason behind his every action.

The walls tremble at the king's shouts, he is furious.

Everyone in the hall looks at each other nervously, you keep your vacant and tired gaze, it has been three days since Park Jimin's escape and your uncle shows no sign of ending his fury, he has executed five guards and two nobles of his court suspected of helping Jimin with the escape. The reason is the poison found in the wine that killed the sentries who were on guard that night; it is a plant found only in the royal gardens and only the king and the nobles of his court have access to it.

"Who dared to betray the king?" is the question circulating among those in the hall as you crinkle the skirt of your gown with nervous fingers, not regretting helping Jimin, but breathing the heavy air of these days is not easy.

"Who do you think could have done it, my niece?" when your uncle whispers the question in your ear you stiffen.

"I don't have enough evidence to accuse anyone, Your Majesty, the only thing I can say is that it must have been a fool with no conscience," you reply in as firm a tone as possible, your uncle scrutinizing you from head to toe before nodding.

"Yeah, a fool..." he hisses shifting his gaze to his nobles, out of the corner of your eye you notice Harun looking at you from the front door with sadness.

She expected Jimin to take you away with him, and truthfully you had hoped for that at first too, but you can't force a person to love you, it's a good thing things turned out this way, you can finally stop chasing a ghost and wishing for something you will never have.

When that day's reunion ends, you can finally be free to wander around the castle, what you don't expect is to find the king in your safe place, your mother's private little garden.

"Sire..." you whisper strangely, the king never dared to enter there, everything about those lush plants and flowers carries the memory of your mother, a beautiful and sensitive woman, but also very strong. She did not shy away from her brother-in-law's sword when he pointed it at her chest.

"Y/N, you are doing a very good job here," he nods in the direction of the white lilies in the height of their bloom, you do nothing to approach the man, you have always discreetly driven away his presence, but it is one thing to leave his halls, another to leave a place you consider your own, this may make him too suspicious.

He, however, seems not to notice your lack of response, too busy studying the many plants in the small garden.

"Go ahead and sit down and read one of your books, nephew...I'm just here to find some peace...I confess, Park Jimin's escape troubles me," he casts you a little glance and you clear your throat.

"You are the king, he cannot harm you in here, Sire."

The man nods weakly, but still looks tense.

"Oh, I know I am the king, my dear niece, but the idea that a traitor could live within the walls of my castle does not let me sleep at night."

You grit your teeth.

His castle? The castle he forcibly wrested from you and your family?

This is another humiliation to which you cannot respond as you actually want to, you swallow the knot in your throat.

"Precisely why I'm so disappointed... in you" you squint, possible...  "Y/N, I kept you alive when I took the throne years ago, you were such a pretty and malleable child, but maybe not enough" he continues before shaking off the dark cloak and pulling out something that locks your breath in your lungs.

In his fist he clutches your necklace, the one that contained the poison and that you thought you had hidden in the sewn folds of your dress, you don't know what to say, so you try to pretend.

"Oh! You found it, I've been looking for it for days," you exclaim in the most surprised tone you can imitate, but the man doesn't seem to be playing along with you.

"Don't lie to me, Y/N, this necklace was found inside the cell where Park Jimin was locked up, I had heard rumors about your childish feelings for that outlaw, but to go that far? To go so far as to betray me? I spared your life, I never denied you and your title of princess! I raised you as if you were my own daughter!" he shouts, violently pulling off a wolfsbane root hidden among the lilies.

Something snaps inside you at his insinuations, an anger you've been hatching for years that has never found an outlet.

"Raised as a daughter? You killed my father and mother for a crown! You put power and wealth first, you deprived me of a family, you did the same to Jimin and claim to pass as a victim now! You are a vile monster!"

Your uncle is quick to draw the same sword with which he had remorselessly severed your father's head, he points it at your throat and it is so close that you feel the blade press against your skin enough to scratch it, you inhale deeply trying to block the fear that makes your heart gallop against your rib cage.

"I am the king, I don't allow a foolish girl to judge my actions, I realize I was wrong to spare you that night...but what should I do with you now? Should I kill you now or..." a mad light flashes in his eyes, "Of course... a condemned will be there, you will take the place of your beloved Jimin," he hisses in your face, a slow smile makes room on your cheeks contrary to what the man expected.

He expected you to burst into tears and fall to your knees begging him to spare you, but you will not, you will honor your mother's memory.

"You're just a coward," you whisper amused, at which the man's face turns red with fury.

"Guards! Guards!" he shouts at that point, six men enter by breaking through the glass door from which you enter to reach your mother's garden, shards of glass surround you along with the soldiers, you have no escape and so you merely chill the king with your gaze, "Lock her up in the highest and most isolated tower of the castle, I sentence the princess to death for helping the dangerous fugitive Park Jimin escape from my prisons!"

"Your day will come, too, Uncle," you hiss furiously, "And when you find him before your eyes, you will fall to your knees begging him to spare your life, but he will not be so merciful," you announce proudly, not needing to utter Jimin's name to alert your uncle, the way he suddenly whitens is already an answer for you, you keep smiling as an austere-looking man tugs you badly, forgetting that he has a princess on his hands, or maybe they don't care, it's the king who matters to them.

As you are thrown to the floor inside what will be your final chamber, darkness engulfs you once the door is closed.

You cough hard involuntarily inhaling the air thick with dust and dirt, your eyes burn and you do not know whether from tears or from the irritants in the room, the only thing you are sure of is that tomorrow your entire kingdom will know of your death sentence.

They will probably learn of that news with indifference, wondering why the king did not kill you earlier, along with the rest of your family.

You often ask yourself that too, if he had killed you then, you would have died basking in the thought that Jimin loved you and would remember you forever.

"Let's move, we need to refuel in town before we leave," says Seokjin starting to saddle his horse, Namjoon on the other hand is busy cataloging all their stuff to avoid losing anything after yet another move.

"Taehyung's not back yet?" complains Hoseok snortingly, picking up the "stupid guy's" bag, Jungkook shrugs in response.

They sent Taehyung to check the situation in town, moving in a group would have been dangerous; it's always better to check one at a time that the coast is clear.

"Strange, he should be here already," Jimin whispers as he squints, their momentary safe place in the heart of the forest is now almost completely clear, only Taehyung is missing.

"Maybe he's found something interesting," murmurs Yoongi crossing his arms and staring at an unspecified point toward the horizon, everyone staring at him in confusion before hearing Taehyung's voice.

"Jimin!" exclaimed Taehyung coming galloping in a breathless gallop, Hoseok cursing.

"I hope no one saw you running and screaming like that, you asshole," he growls, but Taehyung overtakes him with wide eyes and a paper clutched in his hand.

"Jimin, it's about the princess!" silence instantly replaces the protests of the others, Jimin stiffens as he stares guardedly at the paper Taehyung is clutching so desperately, "That fool of a king-" is interrupted by his friend who snatches the flyer from his hands to read it himself.

A boulder falls into his stomach and the ground is as if shaking beneath his feet, the king has sentenced you to death, you will end up hanging with a noose around your neck for helping him escape, he clutches the piece of paper tightly, shaking with fury.

You should not have helped him, you should not have risked your life for someone like him, when he thinks of how he treated you before you left he feels only immense shame.

"We should have kidnapped her when I proposed it," Jungkook sighs before saddling his horse as well.

"Saving her is the more appropriate term," Yoongi corrects him, adjusting his leather vest before turning to Jimin, "What do you want to do now?"

Jimin lets out a laugh full of malice, his adamantine eyes shining as he observes the king's seal in the communiqué.

"Are you still convinced that leaving her in that castle is the only way to keep her safe?" asks Namjoon sarcastically, Jimin shakes his head.

"In light of the new events, I would say no," he sighs reluctantly, handing the communiqué to Hoseok.

"The execution is in two days, we have to find a way to get into the castle and find her."

"He probably locked her up in the most isolated tower, he did the same with her mother before he killed her, it's as if he enjoys seeing them wallowing in fear," the blond man forcefully clutches a twig picked from the ground before snapping it in two, wishing he had the king's neck in his hands.

"Now with all those guards circling her it will be harder to kidnap a princess, but nothing is impossible for us," sneers Jungkook, but Jimin doesn't seem thrilled at the idea of having you back by his side, filling him with unease and remorse, reminding him of all the years he was absent and didn't really care how you might feel sitting side by side with the monster who killed your parents.

Someone squeezes his shoulder in comfort, it is Jin who is looking at him with a smile, "Hey, if you explain everything to her she will understand, from what you told me, she seems like a smart and intelligent girl."

Jimin grins slightly and nods.

"She is."

You look out the small tower window with tears in your eyes, you don't know how many hours you have been crying now, what your uncle did was deplorable and cruel.

You were allowed to sleep with your sweet old Harun beside you, you had to imagine that behind that concession was the cruel promise of a snake.

‘With the princess dead, there is no need for a wet nurse anymore’ is what the king said before ordering the guards to carry Harun away to the outside, exactly in the direction of your window, before they began to slaughter her amidst the screams of both of you, you shook the bars at the window of the hope of breaking them and reaching her, but it had all been in vain, Harun died almost immediately, she preferred not to withstand the blows to spare you the suffering of watching her fight like an animal for who knows how long.

Your throat burns as you sob, her body is still there, no one has gone to cover her, they are simply waiting for the ravens to arrive.

You slowly fall to your knees letting go of your grip on the bars, your hands are encrusted with blood and your nails are broken, you clutch your hands to your chest remembering your wet nurse who apologized to you the night before for encouraging you to free Jimin, repeating numerous times that she firmly believed you would run away together.

You feel guilty, perhaps if you had not requested Harun's presence, she would not have come into the king's sights, you find yourself wishing the hours would pass quickly, you do not want to be alone with your thoughts, they are too scary, death in comparison seems like a sweet promise.

Suddenly you hear the creak of the old door opening, for a moment - your despite yourself - you brighten up, believing you'll find Jimin ready to help you, but the dream soon shatters once again, it's not Jimin, it's one of the guards, and then you frown, what is he doing here? The king has expressly ordered that no one should speak to you again.

"What do you want, sir?" you ask with a strange feeling in your stomach, the guard sneers.

"A change of room, the king has ordered it," you stare at the open door, then back at the guard, it's a boy who looks familiar to you, he has black hair and droopy eyes.

You don't ask any further questions, you get up from the floor and shaking off the dust you let him grab you by the arm, though you grit your teeth in anger you dare not say anything, it's still better than having chains on your wrists and ankles.

He takes you outside urgently, you don't see the other guards and it makes you suspicious, you remember there were at least three outside the door, what is going on?

It is when you get to the fourth flight of stairs that you feel a violent grip on your shoulder before you are forced into a small, dark room, perhaps a closet used by the servants to store items, you scream with all your might, but the man's slimy mouth immediately covers yours, it is disgusting as you try to force his tongue between your lips and with a firm conk in your throat you bite it off with all your might.

This makes him flinch away with a yelp, it's dark and you can't see anything, you can only imagine him probing his tongue with his fingers to make sure it's still attached, you spit out his blood shuddering.

"You know..." he begins panting, "I've never been with a princess, I must say you are much better than servants," he laughs like a maniac returning again to his intent, trying to lift your dress skirts, but every time he tries to sneak his hand in, he always finds a kick to hit it badly.

With your heart engaged in a mad rush, you try to defend yourself as best you can, you've never been in a situation like this, but you won't let this happen, ever.

You desperately grope for something behind you, his wine-smelling breath twisting your guts and when he comes to lick your neck you manage to hold on to something cold and spiky, you don't even need to ask for forgiveness for what you are about to do, you don't even feel a hint of guilt as you start hitting him viciously wherever you can, with a snarl he tries to block your hands but you manage to knock him unconscious with one last blow.

You open the door to the small room to escape and the man's body collapses to the floor, you finally recognize him, he is the son of the guards' captain, and a rush of satisfaction fills your chest as you think back to what they did to Harun, then you suddenly realize you are free.

You don't know exactly where you're going to go, but you have a chance to escape and you're not going to miss a golden opportunity like that.

To enter the castle they used an old and dense series of underground tunnels leading to every corner of the palace, to be on the safe side Jimin chose the one that would lead them to the kitchens populated only by servants at certain times.

"Well, we're in," Hoseok snorts, shaking cobwebs from his clothes in disgust, "Now what?"

"We should split up and check every single tower, just in case," proposes Seokjin nabbing an apple from the basket in the large kitchen, Jimin looks around wistfully, brushing against the massive old wooden table he remembers all the afternoons spent with you stealing cookies with the complicity of Harun and the cook, with the old housekeeper always at your heels repeating to you to go back to the lessons with the riding teacher.

"Be careful, the castle is swarming with soldiers," the blond warns them before going on his way, refusing to take anyone else with him.

He moves through the shadows of the palace, making sure to avoid every corner illuminated by the light of the flashlights hanging on the walls of almost every corridor, his stride is light despite the leather boots he is wearing, he is getting closer and closer to the throne room and he shouldn't, he is there to save you, but... if he kills the king you will ascend to the throne.

He tries to calm his breathing, the idea of coming face to face again with the man responsible for his downfall is too much for him, it would be delightful to sever the head from his neck and proclaim a new ruler, one man's death would be enough to end both of their nightmares.

Before he can even really realize it, he has reached the vicinity of the throne room, hidden behind a secluded corner he watches the guards lurking at each corner of the door.

Opening his palm he slowly slides a dagger down his arm to his wrist, grasps the handle foretasting the moment when he will plunge the blade into the living flesh of the two soldiers in the king's service, one of them yawns sonorously and keeps his eyes almost completely closed, receiving a shove from the other.

"Hey, I'm going for a check-up, try not to fall asleep as usual, you boar," he growls before putting his hand on the sword hilt and walking away looking around.

Jimin sneers as he licks his lower lip, drops his cloak hood and calmly approaches the displeased man.

"Why do I always have to stay on guard?" he hears him mutter, "That prick really turns my-" the words stop in the middle of his throat while Jimin is cutting it, it is such a smooth movement his that it now seems remarkably natural.

The man doesn't resist, he moans in a hushed voice as he collapses to the ground accompanied by the blond man who doesn't mind the blood smeared on his cloak, the stench of alcohol the soldier exudes, he can swear he was too drunk to try to react in any other way, everything seems to be going in his favor and he can't help but bask in the pleasure of what is about to take place.

When he enters the great throne room, he cannot help but think of the time when he found himself kneeling before the king in a humiliating position, but that night everything will be reversed.

The young man remembers the walls finished in gold and silver, but the frescoes proclaiming King Cobra as the victor are new, depicting hunting scenes and valiant battles to feed the man's narcissistic side, but they are all lies, Jimin knows and so does Cobra himself.

The king's back is turned and he is holding his hands behind his back, he is carefully watching something from the high windows of the throne room, perhaps he does not sense the presence creeping behind him or simply ignores it, the fact is that when Jimin points his sword at his back, the man does not move an inch, he remains ice cold.

"I knew you would come back for her, Jimin," there is an amused note in his voice, Jimin thins his gaze.

"For her? I came back to kill you," the boy growls, pressing the gleaming blade harder.

"Um..." the man brings a hand to his face to smooth his long beard, "So you don't care about Y/N or what might happen to her at this very moment."

A trace of insecurity quickly passes through Jimin's icy eyes, he grits his teeth before uttering the words he would not want left his lips, "Exactly, I'm just here to settle a score."

"Oh, well ... then, before you settle this unfinished score, why don't you enjoy the show with me?" the sardonic question awakens Jimin's sixth sense, as he lifts his gaze over the king's shoulder and toward the stained glass windows, just outside the garden that would later lead inside the bramble forest.

Immediately he feels the blood freeze in his veins, he rolls his eyes and tries to keep his calm demeanor, but inside he is dying.

You are there.

You're running toward the forest with a soldier behind you gaining more and more ground, you're too tired and petite to outrun him, you won't make it.

"So what? Will you take my life and satisfy your revenge or will you run to save the princess in danger?" chuckles Cobra, Jimin hisses strengthening his grip and tearing at the king's gaudy robes with the tip of his blade, he knows what he has to do, the answer is so obvious, but letting go of such a being is unthinkable for him, unbearable.

With a snarl he pushes the king away, who rolls badly to the ground, and before he can even comprehend what has just happened, Jimin puts his sword to his throat, the blade shining under the dim light of the candles and longing for the young man to go forward, to pierce the flesh of that worm and sever his head from the rest of his body, but all that does not happen.

Jimin's eyes are now as dark as darkness, he uncovers his teeth like a snarling wolf, "I will return, Your Majesty... and when you see me again, you will pray for God to save you, for I will have no mercy on your dark soul," he hisses, hurling a slash toward the king, then heading quickly and in a blind fury toward the exit of the hall.

Cobra with wide eyes grazes his own face, slowly a wound opens under his left eye and blood stains his hands.

You hiss in pain with every thorn that sticks in your legs, your dress is torn in several places and you try to catch your breath as you pray that the soldier will not find you.

You have ended up in the bramble forest so feared in your kingdom and every movement of the wild plants that inhabit it makes you tremble with terror, everything is dark and cold, you can only hear the cry of the owls that watch your silent struggle mocking you.

You manage to crawl painfully behind a large and imposing tree, lift your skirt and observe the pitiful condition of your legs, bite your lower lip with tears in your eyes, your skin is full of scratches and blood, but you can still run.

You try to pick yourself up, but noises of broken branches block your every movement, you stand with bated breath as someone wanders through the trees.

"Come here, little flower... let's go back to your room," you hear him humming with amusement, "I don't know how you got out, but you won't be punished, you're still a princess after all."

You tremble with cold and fear, it is obvious that the man is not telling the truth, you have seen your uncle's men act before and you know they know no kindness or mercy.

"Our sweet..." you frown as you follow the man's footsteps with your ears, you can't make out which direction he is coming from, "Princess..." you see something moving quickly out of the corner of your eye to your right, you spontaneously throw yourself to the left to avoid it, believing it to be the guard, but to your horror you realize it is a small fox, "... Y/N! " you scream with all your might when hands yank you away, you manage to free yourself only because the man's grip is weak, at which point you run away again.

"Run, princess, run! I'll find you again anyway!" he laughs excitedly at the idea of hunting after months locked in the castle protecting the king's life.

You are tired, your eyesight is getting more and more fatigued, you just want everything to be over as soon as possible. You don't even know where you might go in case you escape the man, you will always be hunted down by the king and his array of soldiers, the idea of giving up everything and accepting the end you will make crosses your mind, even if it means saying goodbye to Jimin for good.

Bramble bushes once again block your way, they stick to your skin and dress, they seem to be on the side of your assailant, you can no longer escape, it's over.

"Gotcha, princess" you feel his heavy breath on your neck, his arms grip you tightly before he lifts you up by weight and throws you into the shaggy, dry grass, "Look at you... actually you don't look like a princess anymore, you look like a dirty peasant girl" he chuckles, kneeling down in front of you, he touches your hair and you glower at him.

"Don't touch me, you dirty mangy dog" you growl, slapping his hand, the man's expression changes, it is no longer cheerful, now he looks resentful.

"You have such peasant language, your mother didn't live long enough to teach you manners, but I'll teach you a good lesson," he says before lifting a hand, ready to slap you in the face.

As your wide eyes stare at the man's heavy hand, your ears feel something move across the grass and stomp on it, then the sound of a slash lashing the air and suddenly you are free, the man falls to the side holding his neck but desperately reaching for the dagger hidden in his leather belt amid curses and expletives.

"Jimin..." you whisper as you see a golden flash in the darkness of the forest, the shadow falls hard on your assailant and you find yourself forcefully closing your eyes to avoid looking at that gruesome spectacle, you listen in disgust to the intense barks of the dying man.

Then everything falls silent.

You feel Jimin's presence approaching your huddled figure on the ground and you don't know how to act.

He has certainly saved your life, but he has just killed a man and you are the granddaughter of the king who took everything away from him; he is no longer the Jimin of when you were an innocent child.

"Are you all right?" he kneels at your side with a certain formality and coldness in his tone of voice, as if trying to keep his distance, hurting you.

You slowly rise up avoiding looking him in the eye, "I'm alive, so yeah... I'm fine," you whisper dimly, hissing when you try to stand up and your legs resume burning painfully, you clench your flayed fingers into small fists and when he notices them he cannot forbid himself a barely concealed dry breath.

"One moment, let me see," he offers, already grabbing a flap of your torn dress, instantly freezing when he meets your eyes wide with embarrassment.

What he was about to do is disgraceful as well as incredibly intimate.

"It's nothing, I can still walk... can you help me reach the village? I might find someone willing to let me board by ship," you ask gritting your teeth, the forest finally gains some light and you can make out the young man's surprised expression.

Your gaze falls on his black robes, although it is not very clear you understand that the darker stains correspond to the blood of the man he has just killed and to whom you dare not even cast a glance, you swallow wondering why apart from your disgust at the blood, it does not bother you at all.

"I am here to save you, princess," he murmurs decisively, "Going to the village is not safe, you can only trust me," at his words you tighten your lips into a tight line.

"If you really want to save me, then stop talking to me in that tone, we grew up together as friends, stop pulling away from me" you whisper sadly, the boy shows a flash of displeasure as your words sink into his heart, behind him several men on their horses begin to approach, one of whom is unridden.

"Jimin, more guards are coming!" exclaims a boy with hair as dark as a raven's feathers and tenacious eyes, and tossing him the reins of the riderless horse, the animal is magnificent, its coat as white as milk and its mane shining like the most precious gold.

Orobel.

With tears in your eyes you recognize the foal your father gave Jimin for his 12th birthday. He is much bigger and more majestic now, a force of nature in every way.

"You must come with us if you want to save your life, princess," says another, his shoulders broad and posture proud, he looks like the leader of the group, a large bow protrudes from his back.

You send down a knot in your throat when Jimin extends a hand toward you encouragingly, "We must go, don't be afraid of them, they are my trusted comrades, Y/N."

Your name uttered by his sweet lips shakes you to the core, he may not be aware of the effect he still has on you and you want to cry like a little girl when he helps you up from the muddy ground and hoist you onto Orobel, if he somehow notices your glazed eyes, he says nothing, probably blaming the wounds on your legs.

You really wish it were that way.

Jimin is chopping wood with an axe, he is shirtless and you watch from a distance, sitting on the grass and wrapped in a clean, heavy cloak, it is the only thing the boys have found suitable for you to protect you from the evening wind.

You notice a few drops of sweat sliding down his neck and then down to his muscular chest as he flexes his arms to strike yet another wooden stump, you swallow with a slight blush dusted on your cheeks, you didn't remember his physique being so grown up, it's all new to you as well as incredibly embarrassing.

Out of the corner of your eye you notice Yoongi picking some herbs not far from you, it makes you feel uncomfortable to have to live with so many men; when your uncle took you into custody, he didn't allow any boys to get close to you, he wanted to keep you pure for his plans. Thinking back to the man who didn't think twice about sentencing you to death paralyzes you. You have to hold on until you find your own place to stay, you doubt that Jimin will ever want you by his side; therefore, you have to think personally about your future, even if it is painful to think about.

Being with them, you get a little insight into everyone's roles within the group.

Seokjin is certainly the leader as well as an experienced archer. You have observed him several times taking aim and hitting his intended target accurately, plus he has an aura around him that inspires confidence and trust. On the other hand, Taehyung looks a bit like the jester of the situation, but you have seen him wielding daggers to catch various animals and never wished to take their place, it is clear that behind that sunny smile he hides a soul as dark as the others.

Namjoon would rather observe and devise traps than take part in an actual confrontation, but it is clear that he would never back down in the face of a real threat, just as Yoongi, who plays the role of doctor in the group, helped you bandage your fingers and legs when you arrived at their camp and was incredibly quiet, not that you felt like talking still upset after the events of the night.

Then there are Hoseok and Jungkook, both of whom are the hunters, their job is to find and kill all possible threats in the surroundings, lest their lair be found and besieged by the king's men.

Also, you found out that Jimin is a master of swords.

He masters his steel blade so lightly and sinuously that it seems to dance when he moves and lashes the air.

You are in the midst of wolves, but it doesn't scare you too much, you know they won't hurt you, or so you assume after those five days spent in their company.

You feel a figure stop behind you, you raise your head and have to squint to avoid being blinded by the sun's rays, slowly you make out the form of Yoongi who bends respectfully at your height. His feline-cut eyes seem to invite you to listen to him.

"I can see you are tired, princess, and I know you haven't slept well since you've been here," he begins with a thoughtful look, "Taehyung has managed to find suitable clothes for you and there is a safe lake nearby, I invite you to freshen up and put on something clean before resting, you will surely feel better," he says with a small reassuring smile.

You frown, undecided about what to do, the idea of a bath tantalizes you almost overbearingly, but the embarrassment if one of them were to see you naked would be too much to bear, and Yoongi seems to understand that.

"The lake is far enough away from the camp, none of us here are planning to go to that area at the moment, it is completely safe and isolated, you need not fear anything," he hastens to specify, "I will just accompany you, I will be back here immediately."

"I... thank you, Yoongi" you smile gratefully, finally trusting the boy.

"I'll go get you those clothes, wait here for a moment," you nod, sighing slightly; you turn back to Jimin, but find to your disappointment that he has disappeared.

Yoongi leaves you by the lake, the path back to the camp is not difficult; so, you assure the man that you will have no trouble. He leaves you with a shadow of doubt etched on his face, but you pay no attention to it; you walk to the lakeshore and breathe in the air at the top of your lungs, enjoying the blue sky and the fluffy clouds that sail across it like ships.

When you finally reach the lake, you feed on the sight of the crystal-clear water, the temptation to undress is very strong, but tightening your lips into a line you look around suspiciously.

Stripping off completely would be too much, so you decide to stay in your petticoat, shivering at the breeze rattling the tree foliage, you hang your clothes from the branch of an old felled log nearby.

You turn toward the shore and treading over the small stones and grass you finally slowly begin to enter the water, sighing at the almost freezing temperature.

As the water reaches your belly you hear something emerge noisily from the lake, widening your eyes you find yourself screaming and covering your chest as best you can, wordlessly you see Jimin with his eyes closed bringing back his blond, golden-strand-like hair, the movement is magnetic, and you are practically naked. No, both of you are naked.

You flinch down with the water now up to your chin and your heart in your throat, peering warily at the boy who notices you only at that moment and stares at you wordlessly at first, you notice his jaw snap rigidly and his clear eyes darken, before turning away.

"I'm done, I'm leaving right now," he says raising his voice slightly to be heard, "I just needed to get the sweat off of me," he looks uncomfortable as he tries hard not to let his eyes slide to you.

A squeeze in your stomach is all you get from his words.

"Jimin..." you call out to him as he begins to swim toward the shore, the bitter feeling like gall at seeing him move further and further away from you once again has become unbearable, "So that's it? You don't want me?" his bare shoulders tremble slightly, and you don't know whether from the cold of the water or from your words.

You don't really expect to see him coming back toward you, but that's exactly what he does by moving at an extraordinary speed, he almost looks like a water creature, then he is in front of you in his full height, water droplets glide along his perfect skin and you swallow trying not to look at his bare chest or even lower, suddenly feeling like a little girl under the icy depths of his eyes.

"You're going to get sick, Y/N... Look, your lips are already purple," he whispers, brushing your lower lip with his thumb, stroking it gently, and you feel yourself suddenly go on fire.

"Can't you just answer me to end this suffering?" you beg him with moist eyes, Jimin sighs before shaking his head, reaching up to brush your hair.

"I am not suitable for you, Y/N," he mutters it almost angrily, wishing to put an end to this.

"Or am I not suitable for you, maybe that's what you think" you smile sadly and bitterly, "I'm sorry to still be a bother to you."

"You are not a bother" he almost growls those words and you sigh shaking your head.

"Then I will be soon, you will meet a beautiful woman, marry her and have your own family, that same woman will then wonder when I will disappear from your life forever and at that point there will be no place for me even in your memories," you say shakily, "That is, if there are still memories of me in your heart."

You follow the movement of his neck as he tilts to let his eyes peer deep into your soul, his serious, thoughtful expression leaving you interjected.

He doesn't seem to want to deny but not even admit your words; it's as if he, too, is as confused as you are.

His gaze moves further down, there where your thin robe has stuck to your body because of the water, you realize with shame that it has become transparent and revealing, but you decide not to cover yourself.

You want him to look at you, to see that you are no longer a child, that you have grown up and that your body is that of a girl in her prime.

"My real problem, Y/N ... is that I'm sure I've met that woman before, but I don't feel worthy to be around her, not when I abandoned her in a castle to pursue my revenge," he whispers, the sky-blue color of his eyes seems to become more watery, "I can't forgive myself for putting her on the back burner, that's the truth," you hear the pain in his voice, the one that was missing that night in the cell when you freed him.

The need to hug him and hold him to you suddenly becomes more suffocating, with a sob you throw yourself into his arms and this time he doesn't stay stiff as marble, his arms wrap around you like a silk blanket and you find refuge in his chest.

His skin is warm against your cheek and it's a feeling you didn't think you would experience again, the boy sinks his face into your hair and leaves a kiss on your temple, before brushing the tip of his nose against you and smiling softly.

"There will never be a woman who will make me forget you," despite his words, you feel sad, still incomplete.

You sigh against his neck and close your eyes, you have gotten used to the temperature of the water and its warmth helps to relax you.

"But there will be a woman who will take you away from me" you point out in a colorless voice, when he doesn't respond you decide to loosen your sudden embrace, "I'm tired of waiting for you, Jimin" you let go of the ripples in the water, swimming back to the shore without taking your eyes off the boy who still seems to be in doubt, then a small, amused smile stretches across your face, "I'll have to find a real man who knows what it means to love a woman," you taunt him, reaching down to a shallow spot in the lake bottom, wanting to give him a taste of his own medicine.

You begin to lower the straps of your now useless robe, abandoning all symptoms of shame, you want him to react or get angry in some way, you want a reaction from him and you get it, "Maybe Yoongi? I have to admit, he's very charming and he certainly knows what he wants, he could give me-" before you can even finish speaking, Jimin pulls you toward him grabbing you by the wrist, you only have time to make a surprised sound before his lips manage to cover yours in an impetuous, possession-filled kiss.

You hear your heart beating at a rapid pace in your ears, you did not expect your second kiss to happen this way, he seems exasperated as he presses himself against your mouth for more direct and intimate contact, you open your mouth slightly when his tongue dabs roughly on your lower lip.

It is a man who is kissing you, no longer the kid of your memories, and he seems more than willing to let you know it when one of his hands comes down to tenderly squeeze your throbbing neck, he smiles against your lips when he realizes that your heart seems to want to leave your chest and he separates himself from you with one last caress of his softest petals.

"I haven't even kissed you properly and your heart is already exploding," he chuckles with a spark of mischief in his clear eyes, "And who would you like to give such purity to, Yoongi?" he shakes his head hissing those words like an angry snake ready to attack.

You clench the hand that is still wrapped around your neck and strengthen his grip, wishing that the feel of his fingers on your skin would stay with you, "I've always wanted it to be yours, Jimin," you say softly, tilting your head at the slow descent of his hand.

"I'm very different from the nobles you grew up with, Y/N.... Don't expect me to catch you with a petticoat on," he continues by caressing a thin strap, lifting the fabric just a little, "Or for me to look away while you undress," he leans down to kiss the corner of your lips, reaches down to your chin and continues along the entire line of your neck, as water you adapt to the touch of him until he reaches your breast, your nipples turgid from the temperature of the water and his attentions are raised against the transparent fabric, the man can practically see their shape and color, he cups one breast as he pushes his head against your chest, kissing the soft, tantalizing flesh.

He adores you with his mouth and your sighs make him feel like a lion in a cage, his golden hair captures the last light of dawn as he pushes you against the shore and gets between your legs, studding you with kisses and caresses, returns to your mouth and finally with his tongue captures yours, inviting you to follow him.

You encircle his neck with your arms, trembling with excitement at the way he lets you touch him and the way he touches you, takes you by the hips and holds you against his massive, secure body.

"Jimin" you whisper in his ear as you feel something heavy and stiff against your inviolate intimacy, he mumbles something unintelligible, he seems lost in his bubble continuing to lick and kiss your neck, you tremble feeling incredibly hot, an unknown force urges you to rock against him and cling to his back with your fingernails, groaning suddenly.

This seems to awaken him and the spell is broken.

He flinches away, staring at you with agitation, in his gaze remorse is the one thing you don't want to read, but it's there.

"You need to get dressed," he warns you dangerously and with difficulty before pulling away from you completely, hurting you.

"H-Have I done something I shouldn't have done?" you ask bewildered, still with chills in your body from what his hands were capable of doing to you, this version of Jimin completely opposite from the boy who was kissing you only seconds ago is like a punch to the stomach.

"I said get dressed, Y/N! " he abruptly blurts out, "And stay away from Yoongi, I don't want to see you flirting with him, you're not a village woman," he runs a hand through his damp hair nervously, before stepping out of the water without caring about his nakedness, you turn your head away from him, the feeling of shame has returned to invade your limbs, and with a stone in your heart you bring your arms to your chest, stepping out of the water and groping for the dry clothes that Taehyung and Yoongi kindly gave you.

You don't see Jimin move away from you, clenching his fists and hitting the trunk of a tree until his knuckles are mangled, finding himself staring at the blood rushing to the grass with resentment, trying hard to forget your mouth begging his to be taken or the softness of your body that has enslaved him at an embarrassing speed.

You are worse than a circle of hell for him.

When you return to camp with your face pulled into an indecipherable expression, the boys study you in confusion noting also the strange attitude of Jimin who walks a few steps ahead of you.

The two of you seem farther apart than before and this certainly does not go unnoticed by the others, Yoongi tightens his lips as he reaches for the blond man who is walking back into the forest in search of more wood.

"Hey!" he exclaims behind his friend, "What happened at the lake?" he asks, Jimin snaps an eyebrow up.

"So you knew I was there?" he curls his upper lip over his teeth appearing menacing, but Yoongi's hard gaze doesn't lower.

"She's crazy about you, so it's clear that the fight stemmed from you, am I right?"

This simply rattles the blond more, "I didn't do anything at all, don't play cupid, man, because it won't stick with me."

"Or maybe it was a one-way conversation and you didn't even give her a chance to talk, you're such an asshole! She doesn't deserve a bastard like you, a guy who doesn't grab a chance like that when he has it at his fingertips," Yoongi blurts out, starting to turn back, but those words turn on a red flag in the younger boy who grabs the older one by the leather vest.

"And what would you like to do, Yoongi? Seize the opportunity yourself? I've seen how you watch her pretend to gather herbs for your infusions," at which point Yoongi chuckles wryly, his black eyes twinkling.

"I won't lie, I like her. But I also know to whom her heart belongs, and as a doctor I can well say that if you continue to keep her on the edge like you're doing now, that heart will get sick," he sighs, flinching, "Don't make me punch you, Jimin... you're no fool."

"I'm a criminal and she's a princess," he says without emotion on his handsome face, Yoongi snorts as he rolls his eyes.

"You are her hero, the crown wants her dead and you saved her, now she's a woman like any other and nothing forbids you to be with her," clarifies the older man with a raised eyebrow, as he walks away Jimin remains frozen in place.

‘She's a woman like any other.’

No, you are not like all the others, you are his princess and will remain so forever, which is precisely why he cannot allow another man to lay his hands on you.

Abandoning himself against the bark of an old tree he wonders if being with you would be worth it as a form of protection, he would never hurt you and would ensure you protection for life, the very idea of giving you his love has always terrified him, anyone who ever loved him is dead and he wouldn't want anything horrible to happen to you because of him, but now things have changed, you need him and he... needs you.

He finds you sitting in front of the fire, you're focused on the crackling flames, and if you notice his presence, you don't show it at all, you pull the blanket tighter over your shoulders.

Your thoughtful, melancholy expression suggests to him that you are still remembering the events of a few hours ago, recognizing that he was a real jerk for the way he treated you earlier, kissing you like a lover and then rejecting you like a cheap whore. He still feels ashamed and makes sure that each of his friends is asleep in their own tent before sitting silently next to you.

He hears you wince a little and out of the corner of his eye notices you turn your head away, refusing to acknowledge his presence. He smiles slightly, even as a child when you were offended by something you would puff up your cheeks and turn your head to the side, just as you are doing now.

Yes, you are still his lovely princess.

"I'm sorry," he murmurs, moving a few millimeters closer to you, "I shouldn't have spoken to you and I especially shouldn't have touched you like that."

You frown in annoyance, snorting slightly through your nose.

"I don't object to the way you touched me, but you should keep quiet a little more," you mutter venomously, "You have the hands of an angel, but the tongue of a devil," you say casting a glance at his hands, you see the wounds and your heart sinks, you want to kiss them and curse that thought.

Those words trigger two completely different reactions in Jimin, on the one hand they help make him feel guilty, on the other he finds himself smiling internally, because you really don't know how devilish his tongue can be, if used in the right way.

"And you a mermaid's lips," he says taking your chin between two fingers, staring at you with such intensity that you feel naked.

He mirrors himself in your glossy irises and sighs, "Forgive me, after so many years of believing I'm not right for you, I forgot the most important thing."

"The most important thing?"

"Yes, you."

You gasp in surprise, registering his words only after a few moments of unbearable silence.

"You're saying that..."

"I am saying that I want to stay by your side, to be your protector and also your lover, if you will still allow me to be, Y/N."

His irises as clear as the waters of the lake gently brush against you, you feel your eyes tingling, and before he can see the tears streaming down your face you rush toward him, embracing him as if your life depended on it.

In a way it does, because without Jimin, your last piece of happiness that endures from childhood and which you have finally found again, you would have wandered in the void of loneliness for who knows how long.

You think back to your parents, to Harun, to all that you have lost and come to the conclusion that you were not yet ready to lose Jimin too, but he is here. You smile, pulling up with your nose before resting your lips on the boy's soft ones, who more than willingly accepts to surrender himself in your arms that are as small as they are warm and that scream familiarity.

"So you haven't forgotten me," you whisper, pulling away slightly, the blond shakes his head, snorting.

"Never, I tried to protect you by keeping you away from me, the king wants me dangling on a rope ... or at least it was until you made the mistake of saving me" he utters the last words with a note of reproach in his voice, staring at you sternly for the way you put yourself in danger.

But you don't lower your gaze, you won't feel guilty for saving the man you love.

"Now the two of us are here, together, do you want to blame me so much?" you murmur softly and his heart melts like snow in the sun.

He shakes his head, no, he cannot blame you. He, too, for love has made foolish and terrible decisions, and he will not let go of the chance to make up for all the pain he has caused you.

"I could never," he hisses almost painfully, closing his eyes as your fingers graze his hair and his lips reach for you, snapping another kiss.

You let him embrace you and he hold the back of your neck with one hand as he tries to deepen your contact, making it more intimate and slower than the more feverish kisses the two of you exchanged at the lake.

Your heart vibrates like the wings of a hummingbird, happy to give yourself in that way to the one man you have always loved and whom you know for certain you will love all your life. You would never have agreed to an arranged marriage; you hoped with all your heart that your uncle would never find a suitable suitor for you, and fortunately it did.

A commotion from one of the seven tents surprises you both suddenly, you separate slightly and cast a glance toward Namjoon's tent.

"He must have dropped one of his swords," Jimin mutters irritably, you, on the other hand, are traveling with your imagination, imagining sharing the tent with Jimin for the first time and blushing, since you were rescued the boys have taken turns to stand guard and let you have their little station, although strangely enough Jimin's guard duty was lasting for too many days, and as a result you have always used his bed made of furs and straw. Not quite like the one in your room at the palace, but by now you were well used to it,  considering the tower where your uncle locked you up.

"Come with me," he offers you his hand and you stare at it for a few moments, before extending yours and linking your fingers in a secure grip, "I know a place a little more... peaceful" the word slips between his teeth persuasively, you don't know what will happen tonight, but if he asked you to throw yourself off a mountain, you would do it as long as he stayed by your side at all times.

"Is it far?" you ask raising your skirt slightly, trying not to trip over tree roots and stones.

The blond looks ahead without letting go of your hand, "Just a little bit" he turns to you with his laughing eyes and you are enchanted at their color, he is lighter and more affectionate, he almost looks like that child Jimin you have missed so much.

You walk just enough to reach the thick, lumpy roots of a large tree, its branches entirely covering the night sky that until moments before was towering over you with its stars.

"Jimin... is ..." you try to say, but there is really no doubt.

The man nods.

"We are inside the lovers' forest, Y/N... this is the tree where according to legend their marriage was celebrated."

You look around, almost hoping to see the blooming arch where the first king and queen of your kingdom were married, eventually giving birth to your dynasty, but you see none of it, disappointed to realize that it is just a clearing of grass and flowers that seems to bow its head to the great tree that towers above it all.

"That's not how the stories described the place," you mumble slightly, your mother and Harun's stories spoke of magical creatures as spectators, flowers of every color and every shade decorating the lawn and the guests' walnut chairs, not to mention precisely the large archway on which roses and climbing plants had grown in honor of the two newlyweds.

You hear Jimin chuckle behind you, his hands encircle your hips and your back rests against his chest, you feel his warm breath on your neck, and goose bumps cause you to shiver.

"I never believed those stories and you know it," he says in a clear, amused tone, "But as I grew older I realized that something really happened here," he whispers in your ear.

With an elegant hand he lifts your chin slightly, bringing your gaze to the trunk of the large tree, you sharpen your vision and finally notice them.

"Runes?"

"Runes," the boy confirms, "This is the Lignum Vitae, the tree of life according to the legends, little princess," he chuckles as he turns away, his leather boots hardly audible among the uncultivated grass and damp earth.

"You don't believe that either?" you snort with a smile, you know you've always been the one to believe in everything your country's legends have handed down, but you would expect some cooperation from him, after all, he was the one who brought you here.

"I don't believe in magic, but I believe that lovers gathered here to bring offspring into the world, relying precisely on this tree," he explains with a shrug.

In fact, talking about a marriage in the stories was much easier if you wanted to tell something about the origin of the royal family to innocent children.

"They succeeded, didn't they? Look at me!" you laugh, pointing with a little bow, and Jimin does, looking at you with an affection and love that until morning he jealously kept to himself.

He walks to the tree and touches the runic symbols gently, in his mind an idea takes an increasingly clear and tantalizing shape.

"If magic really existed and we strengthened our ties to the tree, would everything fall back into place?" he wonders softly with furrowed brows, not wincing when you hug him from behind, as if expecting your closeness.

"We cannot get back what was taken from us, Jimin... even magic is useless in the face of death," your hands are intertwined over his heart, you feel it beating hard and fast, like a free and powerful horse.

"Life is what interests me," he admits, turning toward you.

He takes a few steps forward and you are forced to take as many steps backward, you don't see one of the raised roots of the tree and fall back with a little yelp, Jimin is quick to catch you before you can hit your head, and you both square off with wide-eyed stares.

"If I asked you to give me the gift of a child, here and now, what would your answer be?" he asks seriously.

You don't think about it for a single moment.

"I would answer that it is one of the desires that bind me to you, Jimin."

Another kiss comes, followed by another and another, his mouth demanding yours with such need that it seems almost savage, as if he wants to feed on you after all the years spent lusting after you in the shadows, fleeing like a wanted man of the worst kind.

He accompanies you on the damp grass and reacquaints himself with your neck, using the softness of his rosy lips to tease your tender skin, with the tips of his pearly teeth biting it lightly, and this causes an outcropping of dark, purple stains along the column of your throat, amused at imagining how others might react the next day once they set their gaze on you.

You don't even care, his attentions are a novelty, you welcome his mouth and tongue on your body as a blessing, you wouldn't turn him away from you for anything in the world, let them accuse you of being a prostitute, you and Jimin know the truth, which is that your body and soul have always belonged to the blond and no one has ever touched you as he is doing.

When he gets to the modest bodice of your dress you do something that must be strange to him, or at least you sense this from his gaze when you lift your skirt and stand helpless in his hands, like one of the wooden logs he cuts daily.

"What are you doing?" he asks with a furrowed brow.

Agitation clouds your cheeks, what's wrong?

"You said you want a baby," you say almost shyly, perhaps you misunderstood? But no, he had made it clear earlier....

"I did say that, but I don't understand why you just lifted up your skirt without responding to my caresses and now you stand still" his doubtful expression embarrasses you, that's how educators told you to do it, "Forgive me, my request was too bold."

"No!" you immediately exclaim, "I want to, only I was told to do it this way."

You see his nostrils flare to snort with irritation.

"Right...you've been locked in a castle full of soulless puppets" he shakes his head, "But that's not how I want to take you, Y/N, I prefer you receptive" he whispers persuasively, "Just like today at the lake" he continues, stroking the bare skin of your legs, pushing into your soft inner thighs, you feel your belly tighten heatedly.

"Let's leave certain unnecessary distances to those old nobles," he goes on, kissing you behind your ear, a tremor shakes you when his lips wrap around your earlobe, licking it with the tip of his tongue, "Take off your bodice, love, show me what a good girl you are, hmm?"

You nod without a drop of saliva in your mouth, Jimin's tongue hisses like a snake and you are drawn to his drawling words, you are his forbidden fruit and he can't wait to bite you and find out how sweet you can be and how deliciously you can bleed.

Each button that leaves a buttonhole is a soft kiss from him over the light blouse that still holds your breasts, mentally moaning the blond curses himself for not enjoying your eager body sooner and perfect for his fingers.

He would like to tear off your clothes instantly, but he restrains himself, how would you return to others without instigating some desire in them?. No, he is gentle when even the last garment leaves you and he can finally quiver at the sight of your naked body shivering under the icy night air, or perhaps it is his eyes that make you tremble?

He lifts himself off your body and tosses his tunic to the side, your eyes drink in the sight of his hard chest and the slight hair that descends to his private parts, which you did not see that morning, but you distinctly felt on your warm intimacy, and the air escapes your lungs when you notice something that in the sunlight has strangely escaped you, perhaps because you have tried not to stare at him too much, his chest is studded with small, shiny white lines, they are thin and almost intangible, but they are there.

You brush those lines with a tentative finger, feeling the reliefs with a question mark in mind, and in doing so his skin twitches, "What are these?" you ask gently, Jimin gives a small smile and kisses the knuckles of your hand.

"Every day spent without you," he pronounces solemnly, the wind rattles the leaves of the large tree and for a few moments it is as if you feel it voice whispering over the blond man's words. You chase away the feeling and embrace the boy once more with a tear running down your cheek. You were a fool to believe that he had abandoned you when all he had done was think about you.

You have a feeling that the air is warmer now that his head is buried in the hollow of your breasts, his moist tongue playing with the tip of a nipple initially causing a strange tickle in the center of your chest before a glowing sensation slips between your legs, making you blaze with desire, it's all more direct without your petticoat and you love every second of it.

You bite your lower lip, holding back a moan louder than your sighs, you don't want it to go away again, but it's stronger than you when the delicious sting of a bite makes your thighs tremble around his bare hips, you feel the length of his cock twitch against your skin, it's heavy and it arouses you to know that you have that effect on him, at that thought the wetness descends between your thighs against your will and you try to hide, but Jimin can read a woman's body and you are still too inexperienced to go unnoticed by a hunter like him.

"It's normal" he breathes on your lips imparting another deep kiss, "It means you like it" the tip of his nose rubs against yours trying to soothe you, your eyes fly to his cock when he lifts a little to settle himself better and all the blood rushes to your head, you don't know whether from the shame of seeing a naked man or from the incredible wave of pleasure that washes over you at noticing how thick and needy he looks, there is white liquid at the tip, dripping thickly down his veiny length that seems to contract under your curious and hungry eyes.

Then a thought alarms you, "Does it all have to go in there?" you point to your intimacy, though you don't know for sure, your educators had been vague and you never touched yourself, sometimes you felt the need as you imagined what an adult Jimin might look like, but you never dared to break the imposed rules.

A princess does not do such things as a street woman.

Yet, that's exactly where Jimin caresses you, his fingers dance over your moist folds with mastery and you block the instinct to close your legs, as you might when with his thumb he rolls over a spot that gives you particularly intense and wonderful sensations, "Jimin!" you grab his wrist trying to slow down his devilish circles, but your pelvis continues to chase pleasure against your will, you throw your head back and Jimin kisses the line of your jaw as if it is impossible for him to stop kissing you in any way.

"This is called the clit, love," you hear him smile, "And this is where I'm going to go all in...my cock will go into your sweet little pussy, Y/N," he hums moving his fingers to your needy slit, entering lightly with his light fingertips, you gasp at his sudden dirty language but find that you like it, it makes you feel desired.

You feel his fingers move inside you as his thumb continues to caress your clit, your lower abdomen trembles and stutters in despair with each jolt of pleasure, your teary eyes are lost in the immensity of the tree that seems to silently observe what is happening.

Jimin never goes beyond the elastic barrier he senses beyond your entrance, he merely teases you within inches of your entrance and it is amazing how liquid and copious your pleasure flows past his wrist until it drips onto the grass. His instincts are stronger than he is, he must have a taste of your sweetness and you abruptly hold your breath when his tongue catches another wave of your honeyed essence, you are devastating to his taste buds and he wants more, you find yourself crying and contracting your hips as you try to escape his mouth, he devours you by insisting on your scarlet pearl and when more drops of pleasure come he runs to lick them away from your slit, he seems to be going crazy or maybe he is.

"Stop, Jimin... Stop-oh!" you stiffen instantly when a firmer lick shakes your body and makes you explode in such pleasure that you squint and cry.

"Ssssh, princess" you feel Jimin's lips gathering your tears before placing a kiss at the corner of your stammering mouth; his lips are wet and glossy; he is the embodiment of sin.

He is still breathing down your neck as the thickness of his cock begins to furrow your folds to gather as much moisture as possible, the thick, shiny tip of his cock swirls around your slit and you reflexively contract your pussy muscles, it is almost funny how despite the pleasure that has shocked you, your pussy still tries to invite him inside her.

"It's going to hurt, my love" he warns you with a sharp breath, you nod immediately, this part has been repeated to you many times by those women whose job it was to instruct you in your duties as a wife, though none of them had ever told you that you could experience such pleasure that you would be left gasping for breath.

"I know," you smile, but Jimin seems a little anxious.

"It will be short-lived, I'll be gentle and-" you caress his face affectionately, you know that too, he would never intentionally hurt you.

"And I will have your baby," your heart warms every time you think about it, a baby with the same cheeks and eyes as Jimin? You would love him infinitely, Jimin melts into a real smile.

"Ours."

He intertwines a hand with yours as he prepares to enter and the next thrust makes your eyes widen, he is incredibly slow and gentle, but you have never had anything inside you before and you feel all too clearly his length piercing and widening your inner walls at his will, Jimin is breathing shallowly with sweat beading on his forehead in an attempt to keep calm, you hold him deliciously and you are extraordinarily beautiful as you stare at him with your eyes lost and your lips half-closed and swollen from his kisses.

"I-It doesn't hurt, don't worry, my love," you manage to murmur with a smile, that's right, it doesn't hurt.

It's just a strange sensation, the stretch stings and tingles, but it's nothing unbearable or terrible as you've been led to believe all your life.

Or maybe Jimin is a very good lover, whispers a little voice in your head.

Even so, you feel something warm dripping from your slit after a more direct lunge, running down one of your thighs and ending up on the damp grass; it is your blood, but you pay no attention to it, just as you pay no attention to the quick absorption of the earth near the tree roots.

The blond man nods, but he reaches down again to take a nipple in your mouth, massaging your breast as if he expects milk to come out of it already, your clitoris twitching pleasantly and his cock sliding more sinuously, now you can feel it tapping deeper and deeper, you can almost feel it in your belly and you accompany his thrusts by moving against him, you cling to his back with your fingernails, you hear him moan loudly and that sound excites you, you wonder if...

Before you even think, your hand slides over his chest and you rotate your thumb around one of his smaller, darker nipples, he stiffens with a hoarse sound in his throat and the intensity of his thrusts increases, he clings desperately to you as you tease him again, encircling his hips with your legs.

In the clearing the obscene sounds of your relationship are lost in the wind, the leaves of the tree moving gently almost as if blessing your union.

You kiss him once more and let his tongue take over your mouth, abandoning his deep sighs in you, your walls begin to vibrate ecstatically each time his cock repeatedly plows through them, your belly heats up and you squeeze his swollen length into your pussy, preventing him from leaving at all, Jimin increases his jet speed, now sure of the pleasure that envelops you like a bubble and crushes you against his body, he rides the waves of lust like a stallion, your lungs run out of breath and the world swirls around you.

"We're going to have a baby," he growls decisively, his once ice-blue eyes now a deep electric blue, "And I'm going to bring your uncle's head to you, love," he announces, repeatedly pounding into you at a more assertive and rough pace, his pleasure is snaking incandescently, he can't wait to cum inside you and fill you to the last drop, you will surely accept him as a good wife should.

You tremble with panting and his fierce lunges, praying that he will never leave you, your core is on fire, your walls wrap around him with desperation, and your clit is ready again to let you go in a spiral of enjoyment. You want it all, you yearn for it, you need it, you would kill for it all.

Making love with Jimin.

Yes.

Carrying his child.

Yes.

Having your uncle's head on a silver platter.

Yes.

You hold him in your arms as the first hot jet is shot inside you, he is still buried between your legs as he continues to come, you whimper and at yet another strand of his seed you stiffen, you open your mouth wide in a mute sound as you come with no more strength.

Your body is shaken, unable to recover and you don't understand why, you try to escape when Jimin comes out of your sweet depths, but he blocks you with his weight.

You stare at him shocked when he returns with his hand to your pussy, repeatedly rubbing your perky, still rigid pearl, you shake your head.

"No, it's too much!" you cry clutching your legs, but he continues fearlessly, "I can't do it," you gasp pleadingly.

"It's what you need, honey" he murmurs in your ear, "You're so sensitive you don't realize you need another orgasm to soothe your body, I should have fed you earlier like this, sweet little thing" he sighs with his wrist locked between your thighs, bliss finally comes in little spurts of pleasure that make you gasp and Jimin's thumb stops torturing you, you sag against him without strength, feeling nothing but the vibrations of your intimacy still reliving the intensity and strength of his presence.

"Thank you," you say turning a little toward him, who stares at you with all the love he has for you, "For everything."

But the blond man shakes his head, "You did it all, my princess, I just waited for you" you hear regret in his tone of voice and you're sorry, you don't want him to think back to all the time that kept you apart, now you're together and that's all that matters.

"We will be fine now," you nod.

"When I regain the kingdom" a kiss, "Our baby will be born" another kiss, "And I'll have the king's head to make you a gift" he snaps an even more intense kiss, "We'll be even better, to love you this and more, Y/N" he stares at you with devotion and you lose a beat.

"And I want it, I want it all, Jimin" you let yourself be cradled in your love's embrace and you notice a flash of lightning in passing, you widen your eyes and turn toward the big tree.

It was only an instant, but you swear you saw the runic symbols glow gold.

You kiss Jimin's neck with a smile, foretasting a flood of sweet happenings for both of you, you feel your lap throb gently and you know, a new dynasty is about to be brought into the world.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

© 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐟𝐨𝐲𝐙𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐢 -  𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐝. || 𝐔𝐧𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝/𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐮𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐡𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝.

[recycledmoviecostumes]

This lovely crown was most likely made for Henry V in 1989, where it was was worn by Emma Thompson as Princess Katherine de Valois.

In 1992, it was used in Carry On Columbus by Holly Aird as Maria, though it is hard to clearly distinguish it with the additional adornment that it is worn with. 

It appeared a third time in the 1998 film Ever After, worn by Drew Barrymore as Danielle de Barbarac.

It has since been sold through Propstore, which described the piece as follows:

This crown is made from a metal band with repeating fleur-de- lis style pieces, all of which have been covered in a light brown fabric. The interior of the band is lined with a suede-like fabric for comfort purposes and the inside of the floral pieces has been finished in a metallic faux-gold. The exterior of the crown is heavily decorated with faux-gold trimmings, metallic floral shaped beads, faux-pearls and pink coloured beads, matching her elaborate pink gown. Two small clips have been attached either side allowing the crown to be securely attached to the actresses’ head and a small label reading “F” is located on the inside of the crown, indicating the side that should be worn at the front of the head.

The metallic faux-gold has worn away on the inside of some of the fleur-de-lis pieces and wear to the finish of some of the decoration. However, in spite of this wear, the crown remains in very good condition and is a beautifully ornate piece.

[a-small-writer-in-a-big-world]

Gossip: knight!price x princess!reader

The joust had been such a horrible mistake and you were paying the consequences, even if it was your mother’s idea.

The fact that your mother had started up another round of trying to find you a suitor added to a growing anxiety that hadn’t left you since you turned of age to get married. It made everything harder; your studies, your mood and everything else suffered and on top of it the joust added more to it.

You didn’t care for any of the lords who had competed that day, especially the one who had practically begged you for a gift that you felt pressured into it. Neither of them were particularly good men, you knew how much they jumped around from woman to woman from your ladies in waiting, and they only sought after you because you were a princess.

They didn’t like anything about you, saw you only as a pet or a prize to win to make themselves look better because they didn’t know you.

They would never know you so they would much rather beat on each other in the name of winning you over, when you would never watch it willingly.

“The captain is back to training today.” You heard your ladies in waiting behind you and you frowned. “I havent seen him in action yet.”

That was another reason why the joust had caused issues.

For the past week Sir John Price had been the talk of the court. He was the best knight in the kingdom, everyone knew it, but he had never performed in front of others, only fought in battles. His performance brought an uproar of affection towards him but you couldn’t see it.

What good was senseless violence? Especially in the name to impress you, as if you wanted to see people hurt each other for your entertainment.

You wanted to be impressed but you just couldn’t. It looked bad on him, the violence for sport rather than need, it was beneath him in your opinion.

He was much more refined than that. Much more chivalrous and mature, which is why you couldn’t hold your tongue.

Barbaric may have been a little harsh but you didn’t like to see him act in such a manner.

For some reason you didn’t want him to be like everyone else, you wanted him to be different.

“He trains the other knights so well.” Another lady swooned and you rolled your eyes.

You couldn’t escape him, not when you wanted to leave the castle to find alone time and now when he was gone. It was like he was tormenting you without him being here.

“And he’s incredibly disciplined.” One do your ladies in waiting, Katherine, said and you clenched your jaw.

Katherine was one of your closest friends so you knew that she was fond of your knight for a couple months now. She was beautiful and very high in nobility but she was well within the range that Sir John could marry her if he was interested in that.

They could be wed as soon as they both deemed it the right time, if he showed interest, and they’d be the most beautiful couple in the court.

The thought made your chest oddly tighten.

“Katherine, if Sir John were to propose to you tomorrow, would you accept?” You wondered and she immediately became flustered.

“Well…I think I’d ask him to court me first but I wouldn’t say no.” She explained and you hummed.

Would she say that if she knew him as well as you did? If she spent so many hours of her day with him as he stubbornly refused to give you space or become irritated when you teased him too much?

It shouldn’t matter to you. If they wanted to be together, they should be together. It wasn’t like you could marry a knight and it wasn’t like you wanted Sir John Price specifically.

Yet the thought…the thought hurt.

“You should speak to him soon, then.” You suggested with poise.

“Your highness, you flatter me.” She laughed and you smiled. “He’s married to his sword and his oath to you, to get in the way of that would be a disservice to the crown.”

“I implore you to please take him off my hands.”

You all laughed together and tried your best to ignore the rest of the conversation about him until you parted ways with the ladies.

For once you managed to get into the garden by yourself and though the idea of running into the nearby forest crossed your mind you didn’t moved from your spot in front of the pond.

Your mind was plagued with problems. The Queen’s pressure for you to get married, the countless suitors who treated you like an object, your lack of freedom, the weight of the crown and the country on your shoulders, the fact that your mother had told you she was the one going to choose your next suitor with or without your input.

Your life had never been in your hands but now it was being played with by everyone else.

And now the added grief of Sir John Price being married? Why did it bother you so much…?

“Should I be worried you’re still here?” Price’s voice caught your attention.

“Worry if you must, I’m just thinking.” You told him absentmindedly without looking at him.

He was worried. He had noticed the entire week that you had been more quiet and reflective than usual. He noticed the way your brow was constantly knitted and the way, despite the many years of practiced etiquette, you digested with your hands.

You were anxious and stressed, and while you were able to hide it from everyone else, he saw it. He had a few thoughts about what it may be but he never voiced it.

“You and Lady Katherine,” you said and he raised an eyebrow.

“What about her?” He wondered and you eyed him carefully.

“Tell me what you think of her.”

Price have you a confused look. He didn’t think about her, not really. Of course he was polite to her and had spoken to her on many occasions but it was never anything he would call personal.

Was she becoming an issue? Did he need to step in on behalf of the crown?

“Not much.” He said truthfully and regretfully that gave you some relief. “Is everything alright between the two of you, your highness?”

“Oh yes, everything’s fine.”

You hoped that your friend would find a better man to pine over, one that would be interested in her and treat her fairly.

It cleared your mind a little mc the fact that he wasn’t interested and you were able to focus yourself better. You took a deep breath and composed yourself.

“I won’t be needing you much for the rest of the day, I’ll be in library.” You told him and he gave you a look.

“Do you expect me to believe that?” He shot back and your eyes narrowed.

“I am not in the mood for your scrutiny, take it elsewhere.”

You walked away from him without letting him argue further because you were going to spend the rest of your day in the library.

Who would ever see anything in a man like him?

A/n: had to balance it out with jealous reader lol

@deadbranch @makayla-666

[imfoive]

Crystal Bird - Chapter 3

Crown Prince! Chan x Princess (fem.) Genre: Royal au! Angst, Romance, Historical, hidden identity, slow-burn Warnings: mentions of blood, war, death, cursing, parental abuse, somewhat proofread WC: 5.4k A/N: Finally time skip! Based on a dream. Feedback is always welcome, enjoy! ── MASTERLIST

Synopsis: The Crown Prince is saved by the Princess of a rival kingdom, and he swears his second life to his savior. A forbidden friendship no one knew of, grows deeper with every secret meeting. As the two are kept apart, memories of their sunset playdates by the serene river, begin blossoming into something beautiful. Cheeks blushed, stomach butterflies fluttered at the thought of each other. Years of yearning and imagining had only made them crave a sweeter reunion. And finally meeting at a Royal banquet, he could only stare at the now grown Princess, taken by her beauty, while she only watches as he gives his heart to the wrong princess.

Missed a chapter? - Prologue / Chapter 1 / Chapter 2

CHAPTER 3 ───────────────────

The West Wing Palace, assigned to the King’s mistress, hummed with activity as servants and housekeepers prepared for the imminent return of their second princess. Y/N, once a timid but curious little girl, had blossomed into a confident young woman, meeting her mother’s aspirations despite her lower status within the rungs of the royal family. 

Years of tedious lessons, etiquette, politics, piano forte, dancing, had shaped both Princesses, forging a bond between the sisters that only grew stronger with time. And being close to the first princess brought attention to the second princess who not many knew existed, a fact that pleased Lady Katherine immensely.

The Royal carriage returning from Melgarde Estate passed the familiar path that led to the palace. Sienna noticed Y/N’s distant demeanor as they rolled past the majestic Grand Forest. The latter’s eyes followed through the crack of the carriage curtains, even until the greenery of the forest was no longer in view.

   “Is everything quite well, Y/N?” Sienna’s voice was gentle, pulling Y/N out of her thoughts with a small, forced smile.

   “I’m fine, Sister. It just…feels surreal being back home after such a long time.” Y/N replied wistfully.

Sienna peered out from behind the curtains, excitement evident on her face. 

   “It’s been even longer for me. I’m nervous but also eager to hear about our childhood spent here.” She grinned widely, excitement bubbling in her eyes.

Y/N returned a smile, though it failed to reach her eyes.

Back in Melgarde, Y/N often found herself lost in thoughts of the Grand Forest, thoughts of Chan, her childhood friend who had vanished from her life. Without saying any goodbyes, without meeting one last time like he promised. She used to visit their old meeting spots during those final days of that summer, had returned on last time even, a couple years ago. Hoping against hope to catch a glimpse of him and his trademark smile. However Chan never returned, and her mind weighed down by unanswered questions and a persistent longing. 

She wondered if he ever thought of her as she did of him.

But thought was an understatement.

Chris dreamt of her.

In the solitude of the Northern White Mountains, Chris’ thoughts often drifted to his Princess.

The Princess who’s name he didn’t know. Curse his foolish younger self.

He cherished memories of laughter, secrets, and dreams of a meeting openly. His fingers would unconsciously clutch the crystal bird around his neck, a constant reminder. It was the only thing that kept him sane in the harsh conditions he endured, a link to that childish part of him that he swore not to lose.

Life in the north was grueling, far from the pampered existence he had known. Yet oddly, Chris found solace in the transformation he underwent, shedding his former weaknesses and embracing the resilience demanded by his new life. 

The Crown Prince was anything but a scrawny young boy.

He grew stronger, both physically and emotionally, driven by the hope that one day he would return to his role as crown prince. Return to his Princess’ side even. 

How can such a short friendship take over such a large part of his thoughts?

But Chris knew, somewhere along the way, his dreams of his Princess evolved from just fond reminiscence into a deep yearning and longing that he could only describe as love. In the quiet moments beneath the northern skies, Chris acknowledged that what he felt for his Princess transcended mere friendship. 

Chris often wondered if his Princess felt the same pull, if she harbored feelings for him beyond their childhood friendship. He imagined their reunion, envisioning the moment he would see her again. Hoping that his transformation into a resilient and capable man would earn her admiration and affection. Unaware the two of them were two sides of the same coin.

Chris sighed softly. Here he was, thinking about her again.

Still, his gaze followed the white hare that distracted him, darting through the snowy forest. There’s a twinkle in his eyes as memories of the critters of the Grand Forest flooded his mind.

The snap of a branch jolted him back to the present, refocusing his attention on the task at hand.

The winters of the White Mountains were always the worst. The weather had always been cold, snow never a new thing for the inhabitants who lived by the Northern borders. But the winters were a whole different story. The harsh season brought stinging snowstorms. When everything froze over, supplies ran low, people began getting sick, and attacks from both wild creatures and bandits increased. The warriors of the north, stood up to protect.

In these harsh conditions, where survival depended on resourcefulness and endurance, the villages nestled among the peaks and valleys thrived in their own way. Known across the kingdom for their expertise in herbal lore, they harvest rare medicinal plants that flourished in the icy mountains and snow-ridden forests. Potions and remedies, crafted with meticulous care with those rare herbs, were lifelines during the long, bitter months when illness and scarcity loomed large. Chris’ days were marked by rigorous training, mastering warrior tactics under the strict watch of Commander Seo. And the study of herbalism, under the tutelage of village elders with wisdom passed down through generations. 

But this snowy, rugged and unforgiving terrain was also the place the warrior prince despised. In the center of the snow-ridden region, the Prince spent his formative years training, growing, pining.

Sharp eyes, sharp as the winter’s chill, scanned the tranquil forest, the twinkle from spotting the white hare, long gone. His face partly obscured by a wool mask, shielding him from the biting wind that swept through the towering pines. In his hands, a long bow was held with practiced ease, an arrow nocked and ready, poised for action. But the familiar tranquility of the landscape was broken by the voice of his loyal guard, Han, cutting through the stillness. The snow crunched loudly, his voice even louder.

   “Did you find it, Chris?”

The guard’s voice echoes in the silence of the snow-ridden forest, startling a nearby caribou into flight.

   “Yeah, there it goes.” Chris grunted, turning to fix a stern gaze on Han.

Han chuckled sheepishly, pulling down his own mask to reveal a face that had matured into a striking countenance, handsome and framed by a boyish smile. Despite the passage of time, his eyes still retained a youthful curiosity, wide with wonder at the natural world around them.

The sound of snow crunching under Prince Christopher’s boots echoed softly in the crisp air, his fur-lined cape trailing behind him. The snowfall had eased since the fierce blizzard of the previous night, allowing him to resume his archery practice undisturbed.

   “Well, spit it out already.” Chris remarked tersely, his focus unwavering on the bow and arrow in his hands, knowing full well that Han hadn’t come all this way in the snow to just chase away his game.

   “A letter from the castle has arrived. From the King.” Han responded cautiously, the playful smile no longer evident on his face.

Chris’ eyes narrowed slightly at the mention of his father’s message. 

   “They want you to return.” Han reiterated solemnly, observing his prince’s stoic demeanor.

Finally, Chris thought.

The call to fulfill his royal duties was always anticipated. He would have returned to take his seat one day or another. Yet his thoughts wandered to the verdant embrace of the Grand Forest, its lush greenery a stark contrast to the snow-covered landscape that surrounded him. Amidst the thoughts of duty and homecoming, one image shone brightest in his mind—his Princess. He instinctively touched the crystal bird pendant hanging from his neck. Yet again. The night enveloped the training hall with a brisk chill, yet within its confines, the warmth of brotherhood among warriors lit up a small room. Commander Seo’s youngest son, Changbin, broke the quietude with a hearty laugh, reminiscing about their youth.

   “It feels like just yesterday you arrived here, barely able to swing a sword.” Changbin’s laughter echoed through the cabin.

   “It’s been ten years, believe me.” Han groaned, hurriedly packing his meager belongings.

Changbin lounged on a cot, eyeing the packed trunk of Han and the still-empty one belonging to Chris. 

   “Will you even have space for all that?” He quipped, nodding toward the corner where a haphazard pile of gifts lay. A testament to Chris’ popularity among the village women, though the man never paid them any attention.

Chris, still focused on the letter from the King, seemed distant. Changbin glanced at him curiously before remarking, “Has he swore an oath of abstinence, or does he not fancy women?”

Chris’ ears perk at the ridiculous conversation happening between his friends.

   “I'm not sure about abstinence. But he’s only got one lady who runs on his mind most hours of the day.” Han, ever the mediator, interjected.

   “It’s as if I’m not sitting right here.” Chris’ voice cut through the room, drawing attention back to him.

Turning away from the letter in his hand, Chris faced the warriors with a wry smile, the two stifling their laughter.

   “I haven’t sworn off women, if you must know.” His brow raised.

Changbin’s laughter filled the air once more as Han rummaged through the gifts, checking for any edible treats that both he and Changbin might have overlooked.

Setting aside his letter, Chris began packing his belongings into the trunk, his movements purposeful and efficient. 

   “Are you joining us?” He inquired, as Changbin took a swig of ale.

   “Not yet. I’ll follow shortly.” Changbin replied casually, wiping his lips with the back of his sleeve.

Chris nodded thoughtfully, leaning back against his desk. 

   “It would’ve been nice to travel together. I wanted to show you the places I ventured out to as a child.”

Changbin’s eyebrows raised mischievously. “Including your special lady?”

Chris’ hand unconsciously gripped the crystal bird around his neck. Han intervened with a grin. 

   “I’m sure even he would like to meet her. You’ll have to wait.”

Changbin rolled his eyes playfully, settling back into the cot. 

   “Once I secure my place as the next commander, I’ll make my journey. You’ll have Han and Minho to keep you entertained on the way back.”

   “You say that like Minho talks.” Han retorted, crossing his arms.

   “Well, you’ll fill his silence. You’re a chatterbox anyways.” Changbin teased, catching an empty gift box thrown his way by Han.

   “I’m sure he’s listening in on us right now.” Changbin mused, watching as Han’s head darted around the doors and windows of the cabin.

   “Knock three times if you’re listening in.” Han addressed the air, a mischievous glint in his eye, before both warriors broke into hearty laughter

Chris smiled softly, observing the banter between his friends with fondness. Despite all the dislike he had for the cold mountains, he had formed deep bonds and cherished memories during his time in the village. As he prepared to leave, he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of nostalgia for the experiences that had shaped him in unexpected ways. 

Yet, anticipation thrummed within him looking forward to his journey back to the castle that held memories of both grief and newfound love. Initially marked by sorrow after his mother’s death, the castle had later become a place of hope upon meeting his princess. Now, he feels ready to reclaim his position and the responsibilities that came with it. 

Prince Christopher stood with both his hands. Han, his unwavering personal guard and closest confidant, beside him, and Minho, the silent leader of Chris’ Midnight Order, behind him.

The night air held a bittersweet quality. ─────────────────────── The journey back felt shorter than he remembered, with Chris traveling almost non-stop through the cold airs of the North. Finally returning to his once home, the castle where he was born and raised. Chris found himself surrounded by familiar corridors he once ran through, often chased by his mother. Memories flooded back, vivid and poignant. The garden where he sought solace after his mother’s passing stood unchanged, its blooms and foliage a testament to time’s gentle, yet relentless passage.

As Chris entered the castle that had been his world once upon a time, he couldn’t help but notice that despite the passage of years, not much had changed. While there were unfamiliar faces among the maids and servants, the essence of the castle remained unchanged. His thoughts were interrupted by the joyful voice of his younger cousin, calling out to him from the training grounds.

   “Chris!” Prince Felix’s voice carries with the morning air, brimming with a blend of joy as he spots his elder cousin. 

The younger prince jogs over, his actions garnishes attention from the maids and servants that had been passing through.

Chris turns swiftly, a broad smile spreading across his face as Felix approaches. He reaches out, affectionately tousling Felix’s hair. 

   “You’ve grown.” He remarks warmly, his eyes sparkling at the happiness in Felix’s gaze.

The last time Felix had managed to convince his father to send him to the White Mountains for training had been three years ago. It was a short visit, but also a means for the king to gauge his son’s progress in the demanding environment of elite warriors in the North.

   “I have! But so have you.” Felix remarks, casting an appreciative glance over Chris’ toned physique, his training attire emphasizing his stature.

Then his eyes glance over at his cousin’s personal guard.

   “How is it that you haven’t grown a single inch?” Felix queries with teasing curiosity, raising an eyebrow in playful concern.

Han, accustomed to Felix’s spirited nature, releases a slow, measured breath. While Prince Felix often appeared as a carefree young man, those who observed closely understood his latent potential. He trained rigorously, and was destined to lead the king’s guards one day, overshadowing even Captain Elliot in his keen-eyed determination. Despite his young age, Felix was a formidable training partner and an even stricter teacher. Had his father not remained a strong and determined warrior, Felix might have already ascended to the position of captain of the Solar Guards.

   “Unfortunately, that is out of my control, your highness.” Han replies evenly, not entertaining Felix’s teasing. Though there is a smile lingering on his lips.

   “Nightshade warriors don’t tend to grow very tall, I suppose.” Felix muses casually, his eyes flicking up to humorously assess his own height.

Chris laughs, the sound rich with affection and familiarity. He had missed Felix’s spirited presence and playful banter. It felt good to be back amidst the familiarity of the castle grounds.

But before they can delve further into their reunion, an attendant approaches the trio with a sense of urgency, interrupting the moment.

   “The King has called for you Prince Christopher.” The attendant announces solemnly.

Ten years had passed since King Bahng had sent his son to the harsh Northern borders. Whispers of Chris’ return preceded him through the echoing corridors of the castle, where the very air seemed to hum with anticipation. Even before he reached the threshold of the King’s study, the murmurs of his arrival had spread like wildfire.

Back in the North, the young maidens had blushed at the mere mention of his name, their cheeks turning a delicate shade of pink whenever he passed. And such reactions followed here, mirrored by the young court ladies upon his arrival, their eyes betraying a mix of admiration and curiosity.

When the door creaked open, the Crown Prince entered to find the King scurrying over to him in excitement, a look similar to the one Felix had in his eyes. Despite the warmth in his father’s gaze, Chris couldn’t help but feel a clench in his heart at the flood of memories.

He masked his emotions well, standing tall as he approached the king’s desk, casting brief glances between the king, his advisor, and a maid who lingered nearby, tray in hand. The last time he stood in this exact spot, he had been on his knees, the weighty decisions that led to his exile to the White Mountains made in the heat of anger and concern. Though he harbored no resentment toward his father, Chris couldn’t quite bring himself to return the king’s embrace as the older man warmly wrapped his arms around him. He was certain that King Bahng noticed his stiffness, despite the outward appearance of cordiality.

   “Welcome back, Prince Christopher!” King Bahng greeted warmly, his voice filled with paternal pride that momentarily eased the tension in the room.

The King’s hands gripped firmly at Chris’ muscular arms, a paternal gesture that conveyed both pride and concern. His fatherly gaze swept over Chris, taking in the man he had become during their time apart. A striking young man, a formidable Nightshade Warrior.

The prince dipped his head respectfully and withdrew slightly from the embrace.

   “Thank you, Your Majesty.” He replied evenly, maintaining a polite distance.

The King sighed softly, feeling the weight of unspoken tensions between himself and his now-grown son. He cleared his throat and gestured to a servant girl who had been momentarily captivated by Chris’ presence, prompting her to swiftly withdraw after leaving a tray of snacks.

   “You’ve definitely inherited your mother’s beauty.” The burly king chuckled fondly as he settled behind his desk, his expression softening.

   “Indeed. Prince Felix finally has someone to rival him in beauty.” The King’s advisor chimed in lightly, breaking the tension with a jest.

Chris glanced between the two older men, his attention focusing back on his father. The passage of a decade had marked King Bahng with gray hair and new wrinkles that Chris hadn’t noticed before, a reminder of the years spent apart.

   “Is there a task you have for me, Your Majes—” Chris began, only to be swiftly corrected by his father.

   “Father,” King Bahng interjected firmly.

   “...Father.” The son echoed, blinking in confusion but adjusting to the correction.

King Bahng leaned back in his seat, his advisor presenting an unsealed envelope.

   “As I mentioned in my letter, there is unusual activity in the Elysium Kingdom.” The king explained, his tone becoming more serious.

Chris raised a curious brow. “What unusual activity?”

   “A royal banquet.” The King revealed, prompting his aide to hand Chris the invitation.

   “It’s the first time in decades we’ve received such an invitation.” King Bahng continued, while Chris read through the details.

   “It’s going to be a grand affair, attended not only by aristocrats from all over the nation but also by foreign dignitaries from neighboring kingdoms—like us. The revelry will last for weeks apparently, celebrating god knows what.” King Bahng groaned, his skepticism evident.

Chris narrowed his gaze, sensing underlying motives behind the invitation.

   “The celebrations are supposedly a gesture of goodwill and diplomacy.” King Bahng continued, “but knowing that sly Elysium King, there is surely something up his sleeve.”

   “I want you, our Crown Prince, to go—”

   “Yes, I’ll go.” Chris interrupted almost eagerly, surprising both his father and the aide.

The King shared a glance with his aid before he cleared his throat, momentarily taken aback by his son’s sudden enthusiasm.

   “...Now that we’ve settled, you’ll join the envoy. I want you to uncover any underlying tensions.”

   “I will follow your instructions, Your Maj—Father.” Prince Christopher affirmed with a nod.

   “Prepare for your first official royal excursion. Remain vigilant, but remember your title of Crown Prince.”

Chris stood tall, yet his heart raced with anticipation. Upon his return, he pondered how he might encounter his princess, now fate had presented him with an opportunity to visit openly. Amidst the complexity of courtly life and royal duties, Chris was planning a separate quest, finally fulfilling a promise of a sweet, overdue reunion. ───────────────────────    “You’ve spent even more time at Melgarde Estate this time around, My lady.” The young maid brushed through Princess Y/N’s hair, her touch gentle and methodical.

Y/N, gazing at her reflection in the dresser mirror, offered a soft smile. “It will be Princess Sienna’s first official public appearance. The preparations for the upcoming events have been in the making for a long time.”

The maid, still fairly new to Y/N’s service, furrowed her brows as she worked through the princess’s hair. 

   “Isn’t it your first public appearance as well, Princess?” She asked, her fingers deftly plaiting Y/N’s hair.

Y/N blinked, realizing the truth in the maid’s observation. Despite assisting Sienna for months, she had hardly considered her own debut. 

   “You have also been preparing for this moment even before I was assigned to your side, my lady.” She added.

This young girl, who looked no older than sixteen or seventeen, spoke her words mindlessly, one of the reasons the second princess enjoyed keeping her to her side.

   “That’s true, but it isn’t about me, Anna. After so long, our kingdom is finally hosting neighboring realms. Surely, it’s more than just our court debut.” As always, the sharp second princess was able to read between the lines.

   “Of course.” Anna beamed, setting down the comb after settling the hair. “But there’s so much to celebrate.”

Indeed, there were festivities planned for the kingdom’s founding anniversary, the Crown Prince’s upcoming wedding, and even their own birthdays—a significant step into society for both sisters.

For the first time, Y/N’s upcoming birthday felt consequential. When her mother had sent word that the king planned to celebrate both princesses, she thought she had read wrong, or that her mother had miswritten. But once the preparations began, getting a better understanding of these upcoming festivities, she realized why she was also included.

It was all for show.

A show of unity to foreign envoys—a testament to the royal family’s close-knit bond. 

Truly, her father was a king through and through to have even such details orchestrated meticulously. But Lady Katherine, reveled in the attention, basking in the limelight that her daughter’s impending debut brought, while her daughter Y/N prepared endlessly for the past year. 

The sudden attention was unfamiliar to Y/N, who had never sought the spotlight. Now surrounded by attendants, a flurry of maids, and a personal knight who trailed behind her on her outings, standing at her door at night. As if she would be in any danger. Letters and invitations poured in from Melgarde and the Capital, young ladies eager to forge connections with her.

Sienna would watch her younger sister’s bewilderment as she stared at the letters addressed to her in confusion, giggling in amusement and teasing remarks, unaware of the diplomatic strategies the king played. But of course once Y/N learned of why she was suddenly receiving this special treatment, it squashed any misunderstandings, and despite her reservations, the second princess played her role dutifully. Although she could never get used to the constant presence of maidservants and attendants.

As Anna prepared Y/N’s bed for the night, Y/N watched her through the mirror with fondness. The young maid’s sincerity reminded her of the kitchen maids she had encountered during her escapades at Melgarde Estate. Their words were unfiltered, opinions laced as they expressed their thoughts.

   “I’ll do some reading before turning in.” Y/N announced, rising from her stool and selecting a book from a stack on her writing table.

   “My lady, you have an early morning ahead. Do you truly have time for leisurely reading tonight?” Anna asked, her arms crossed.

Y/N chuckled softly. “I’m not reading love stories.” She reassured Anna, picking up a book on foreign affairs.

   “Just some last-minute studying.”

With an exasperated sigh, Anna conceded defeat and bid Y/N goodnight, nodding at the knight stationed outside the heavy doors. Alone at last, Y/N shed her night robe, trading the book on foreign affairs for a story that ignited a blush on her cheeks.

These books, introduced to her by a kitchen maid during one of her nights at Melgarde, fascinated Y/N. Initially skeptical, she found herself drawn to tales of forbidden love, secret rendezvous, and impassioned declarations. They stirred memories of a certain someone—a faceless figure from her past who lingered in her thoughts more often than she cared to admit.

The last time Y/N had returned briefly from Melgarde was after Sienna’s carriage accident, which had thrown the entire kingdom into turmoil a few years ago. While Sienna recuperated in the serene countryside of the Melgarde Estate, Y/N found herself back in the palace she had reluctantly left behind. This time, however, she was truly alone. The West Palace hummed with its usual activity, yet Y/N felt isolated in her grief.

The Grand Forest greeted her just as she remembered, tranquil and unchanged. The river murmured softly as it flowed, carrying memories of her happiest moments spent in its company. There were no signs of recent visitors. No sign that anyone had been there at all. And after she was called back to Sienna’s side, she did not return to the place that place by the river, truly abandoned.

   “Chan…”

She often whispered his name in those rare moments of solitude, when the weight of her responsibilities threatened to overwhelm her. Alone in her chambers, as the bustle of courtly life beyond closed doors died down, Y/N found solace in memories of him. His warm hand holding hers, a gesture that once offered comfort and reassurance, now existed only in the recesses of her mind. 

These days, her thoughts were consumed by the sudden duties and expectations that accompanied her newfound importance within the royal family. Yet, on nights like these, when she finally retreated to the sanctuary of her chambers, Y/N sought refuge in her books, her love-stories. 

Stories of forbidden love, clandestine meetings, and unspoken desires. Stories that made her think of Chan.

Seated by the dim glow of her bedside lamp, Y/N traced the lines of the romantic narratives that made her stomach tingle. Words of longing and passion evoked vivid memories of Chan, whose image in her mind was shaped more by his essence than his appearance. Had he grown into the handsome young man he had promised to become that one time? She couldn’t say for certain, but the thought of him alone was enough to stir emotions and memories of stolen glances and whispered confidences beneath the shade of trees.

In the quiet of her chambers, surrounded by the scent of parchment of her novels, she allowed herself to dream of a future where their paths might cross once more. Then she would decide if he had indeed grown to be as handsome as he claimed he would.  As the young maid had forewarned, the next morning unfolded with a flurry of activity in the royal chambers. The two princesses, Sienna and Y/N, hurried through their morning routines—breakfast was swift, followed by dance lessons and dress fittings, until they finally stood in the presence of the formidable Queen herself.

Sienna, ever effervescent, hastened to her mother’s side with a bright smile, while the second princess, who was not the queen’s daughter, stood more reservedly, her eyes cast downward in deference, awaiting acknowledgment.

Sienna’s gaze darted between her mother and Y/N, sensing the weight of the Queen’s scrutiny filling the room. The Queen took her time, setting down her cup of cooling tea before turning her attention to Princess Y/N. But like always, the timid first princess ignored the uneasy feeling that erupted in her heart.

   “You may be at ease.” The Queen gestured graciously, prompting Y/N to straighten from her bow.

   “Thank you, your majesty.” Y/N replied softly, her voice steady despite the nervous flutter in her stomach.

Sienna rushed over to pull Y/N into a nearby chair, bridging the gap between them and trying to dispel the tension that hung heavy in the Queen’s parlor.

   “We heard you had important instructions for us regarding the upcoming celebrations.” Sienna interjected eagerly, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

The Queen’s maids busied themselves pouring tea for the young princesses as the Queen began to speak.

   “As you know, we are hosting important guests—guests who are traveling long journeys from neighboring nations. It is very important that we maintain the good reputation of Elysium. Your role will be to ensure they have no cause for complaint.” The Queen stated calmly, her tone unchanged from the moment they entered, though her eyes fixed intently on Y/N.

   “Of course, mother! Leave it to us. We will not let you down. Right, Y/N?” Sienna affirmed confidently, turning to her younger sister.

But Y/N could feel the weight of the Queen’s gaze on her, understanding that this task was meant for her alone to fulfill.

   “We will not let you down, your majesty.” Y/N responded humbly, meeting the Queen’s eyes with quiet resolve.

In that moment, Y/N grasped the weight of expectations as a lesser princess, reminded sharply of her place in the royal hierarchy. The Queen’s assignment underscored the fleeting nature of her newfound importance, a subtle reminder that her elevated role was temporary. The Queen had put her in her place. 

Despite the weight of her position and the reminders of her status, Y/N diligently fulfilled her duty. She meticulously oversaw preparations, ensuring that every detail was attended to—from the readiness of the rooms to the assignment of attendants and servants to aid the envoys. Y/N even ensured that separate quarters were prepared for the guards and knights who accompanied the foreign guests.

Lady Katherine was furious upon hearing about the responsibilities thrust upon Y/N, the responsibilities given to a princess. How can a princess plan for the arrival of foreign delegations, it was beneath her. But of course, the Mistress could never voice out these concerns since it was the Queen herself that had made the decision. Lady Katherine’s frustration bubbled over as she paced the opulent chamber, her discontent echoing in the shattering of a teacup against the marble floor. Y/N, accustomed to her mother’s outbursts, remained composed despite the inner turmoil stirred by Katherine’s tantrums. However recently, Lady Katherine’s outbursts had grown more aggressive. There were times when she had even struck Y/N, though she would always return a few hours later, contrite and apologetic. Despite these incidents, Y/N, sharp yet understanding, always forgave her mother.

   “How can you happily do these duties meant for an aide? A planner? Why is the first princess not taking on some of these responsibilities as well, she too was told to fulfill them diligently.” Katherine exclaimed, her voice laced with exasperation and reproach. 

Y/N sighed softly, her gaze following the maids who hurried to clean up the mess her mother made during her outburst.

  “Princess Sienna has been fulfilling her role. She chose the decorations for both the Emerald Hall—”

   “Choosing decorations and colors is nothing compared to what you’ve been doing.” Katherine interjected, her frustration unabated. 

   “You have not even made your debut, yet you’re running around meeting outsiders.”

Y/N recognized the underlying disappointment in her mother’s words, the stark contrast between herself and Sienna becoming painfully clear once more. While Katherine had grown accustomed to Y/N being treated as a true princess in recent years, this new directive from the queen threatened to overturn that delicate balance. 

   “You seem so unbothered by all this. How long do you truly wish to see everything handed off to Princess Sienna, while you have to work so hard for even crumbs?” Katherine’s voice dripped with resentment.

Y/N met her mother’s gaze evenly, her composure unwavering.

   “I am simply fulfilling what her majesty has tasked me with. Should I fail, it reflects poorly on your upbringing of me as well.”

Unable to argue with Y/N’s calm rationale, Lady Katherine seethed silently, grappling with the harsh reality of her daughter’s words. Yet, she did not like the tone in Y/N’s words, the way she spoke to her. Reminding her that her daughter was no longer a child, slipping from her control. 

And soon the day of the foreign delegation’s arrival was here. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ to be continued.

── ask to be tagged! - @stayceebs97, @palindrome969, @tsunderelino, @solandiszale, @fixation-dump, @ellelabelle

[starlightandmusings]

newsies fic recs (from an english major):

no hate to those who like the 5+1 and just one bed tropes, but they're just not my cup of tea. (i have been called a hater.) instead, here are my favorite ao3 newsies fics, ones with intense originality, lyrical prose, and in-depth character studies. (;

canon era:

among the roses green by TheBarkeep. a jatherine retelling of the ballad of tam lin, featuring a gentle davey, tumultuous katherine, and poignantly-drawn jack. and, of course, whump, always. word count 66k.

Sacrifice by Efstitt. this fic is my roman empire. mayer jacobs and jack kelly have a history riddled with pain, and jack has to battle his demons to let himself be loved. oh, and the refuge has a fight club. word count 15k.

keep the earth below my feet by scarlettroses. i'm a sucker for race & jack friendship, and here, race is a prizefighter. jack is there to drag him out of trouble, forever. word count 2.6k.

tryin' to talk with a fist in ya mouth by Somanywords. jack kelly's full backstory, chronicling his grief, his darkness. featuring intense PTSD, art as a form of therapy, and emotionally charged prose. word count 15.5k.

Jack's Self Portrait in Apologies by Em_313. a different angle on jack's backstory, captured in snapshots of regret. meticulous period research in this one, as well as a whole lot of bloodstains and death. word count 3k.

cardboard crown (jack kelly, a life) by stars_and_sunflowers. this is my own take on jack's story. featuring a fight club, a debt-riddled race, and irish catholicism. in-progress, current word count 16k.

Escapes by Efstitt. jack has just broken out of sing sing, and he lands smack dab in the middle of the pulitzers' summer estate. cue savagery, a pretty heiress, and a compassionate spot conlon. word count 30k.

On the Road by Efstitt. sequel to escapes! ever more whump, this time in the context of a road trip. jatherine is endgame, and the plot is dazzlingly engaging. and, as always, brilliant characterizations. word count 56k.

Just Hold On Kid by flyinghome21. another jack kelly backstory (do you see a pattern?) flashes of years gone by; i was really captured by the way the plot moved, the highlights of what made jack tick. word count 27k.

melt your headaches, call it home by floodlights. latino jack kelly. jatherine. classism/racism, violence, startlingly lyrical prose. do i even need to SAY more. i want to eat this fic. one of my all time faves. word count almost 5k.

Best Laid Plans by TheBarkeep. ashkenazi jewish jacobs family rep! this one features a soft davey jacobs falling in love with a sex worker, jatherine sweetness, and teenagers bearing the weight of the world. word count 128k.

Jack and the Baby by tuppenny. cute one-shot told in jack's vividly unique, endearing voice -- he steals a baby in the summer of 1891. carefully researched, wonderfully executed. word count 5.6k.

of cowboys and princesses by TheBarkeep. little jack and charlie meet each other in an orphan asylum. jack is a fierce protector, charlie a wistful dreamer. this one made me cry. word count almost 3k.

honorable mention: for you are my fate, my sweet by TheBarkeep. cupid & psyche retelling featuring organized crime, meticulous period piece research, and a villain more horrific than snyder. this is one of my favorites, but i skimmed so much of it because it gets very dark. word count 149k.

(now would be a good time to get up, stretch, drink some water. will i ever stop yapping? eventually.)

modern au

No Way by Efstitt. this and the sequel have my brain in a stranglehold. foster care au ft a severely traumatized jack, charlie and jack gorilla glue familial love, stunning plot twists, horrific whump, mayer jacobs for king of the universe now and forever. this one made me cry like a baby.

Just Hold On, Kid by Efstitt. the sequel. i am getting these two as bound books by the end of the year. davey is doing an investigative report on the refuge just as jack gets sent back, and mayer won't let something like trauma or distance stop him from loving his boys. in-progress. current word count 56k.

Medda Crusade by sunkissedstar. this series is the perfect blend of fluff and angst, focusing on baby jack and his trauma in foster care, and medda showering him with mother love. series word count is 10k.

to be updated! i am currently reading Hell Is a Sober Crawl by glitter_ink, rereading for you are my fate, my sweet (TheBarkeep), and beginning Five (stress), all of which came highly recommended. thanks for coming to my ted talk enjoy <3

[warwickroyals]

Sunderland's Royal Jewel Vault (31/∞) ♛

↬ The Sinai Turquoise Tiara

As is the case with most tiaras in the royal vault, this turquoise tiara found its beginning with Queen Anne. At some point during her time as queen consort, Anne purchased a parure featuring turquoises sourced from the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. Through her mother, Anne already had her own turquoise tiara, and she was never seen wearing this new suite, which featured a tiara, a necklace, a brooch, and earrings. In 1943, the King and Queen gifted this parure to their new daughter-in-law, Lady Katherine Rothman. The tiara was a hefty kokoshnik, but it could be adjusted to be worn as a more manageable bandeau, perfect for the inexperienced Katherine. At the time, Katherine wore the tiara but it never was her favourite sparkler. On Christmas Day 1981, Queen Katherine gifted the entire parure to her daughter-in-law Phyllis, Duchess of Keele as a 30th birthday present. After the Déléage, this tiara became the largest in Phyllis’s collection. For the next thirty-nine years, she wore the tiara in its various forms, including in its fully glory and as a headband in the 1980s. In 2005, Phyllis’s fifteen-year-old daughter, Princess Jillian of Keele, was seen wearing the tiara’s base during the Ruby Jubilee celebrations of King Louis V. The Duke and Duchess of Keele retired from public duties in 2019. Following this (and the prompt media fallout) the couple moved to Sunderland’s western coast. It is unclear if Phyllis still has the tiara in her possession or if it was returned to the vault. Some have speculated that it was given to one of her daughters-in-law or Princess Jillian, all of whom still represent the Crown on a part-time basis. We can’t be certain of the tiara’s whereabouts until it’s worn in public again, but when or if that will happen remains a mystery.

[celepom]

For Transgender Day of Visibility, here’s several books about Gender that I haven’t recommended before (I Think)!

Fine: A Comic About Gender

By Rhea Ewing

As graphic artist Rhea Ewing neared college graduation in 2012, they became consumed by the question: What is gender? This obsession sparked a quest in which they eagerly approached both friends and strangers in their quiet Midwest town for interviews to turn into comics. A decade later, this project exploded into a sweeping portrait of the intricacies of gender expression with interviewees from all over the country. Questions such as “How do you Identify” produced fiercely honest stories of dealing with adolescence, taking hormones, changing pronouns—and how these experiences can differ, often drastically, depending on culture, race, and religion. Amidst beautifully rendered scenes emerges Ewing’s own story of growing up in rural Kentucky, grappling with their identity as a teenager, and ultimately finding themself through art—and by creating something this very fine. Tender and wise, inclusive and inviting, Fine is an indispensable account for anyone eager to define gender in their own terms. 

Galaxy: The Prettiest Star 

By Jadzia Axelrod & Jess Taylor (Illustrator)

It takes strength to live as your true self, and one alien princess disguised as a human boy is about to test her power. A vibrant story about gender identity, romance, and shining as bright as the stars. Taylor Barzelay has the perfect life. Good looks, good grades, a starting position on the basketball team, a loving family, even an adorable corgi. Every day in Taylor’s life is perfect. And every day is torture. Taylor is actually the Galaxy Crowned, an alien princess from the planet Cyandii, and one of the few survivors of an intergalactic war. For six long, painful years, Taylor has accepted her duty to remain in hiding as a boy on Earth. That all changes when Taylor meets Metropolis girl Katherine “call me Kat” Silverberg, whose confidence is electrifying. Suddenly, Taylor no longer wants to hide, even if exposing her true identity could attract her greatest enemies. From the charming and brilliant mind behind the popular podcast The Voice of Free Planet X, Jadzia Axelrod, and with stunningly colorful artwork by Jess Taylor comes the story of a girl in hiding who must face her fears to see herself as others see her: the prettiest star.

To Strip the Flesh

By Oto Toda

A moving collection of six short stories that explores what must be stripped away to find the truth and celebrates the beauty of embracing who you are. Chiaki Ogawa has never doubted that he is a boy, although the rest of the world has not been as kind. Bound by his mother’s dying wish, Chiaki tries to be a good daughter to his ailing father. When the burden becomes too great, Chiaki sets out to remake himself in his own image and discovers more than just personal freedom with his transition—he finds understanding from the people who matter most.

Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston 

By Esme Symes-Smith

In a magical medieval world filled with dragons, shape-shifters, and witches, a twelve-year-old hero will search for their place as an impending war threatens. A thrilling middle-grade series opener that stars a nonbinary tween and explores identity and gender amid sword fights. My name is Callie, and I'm not a girl. I am here as Papa's squire, and I want to train as a knight. In a world where girls learn magic and boys train as knights, twelve-year-old nonbinary Callie doesn't fit in anywhere. And you know what? That's just fine. Callie has always known exactly what they want to be, and they're not about to let a silly thing like gender rules stand in their way. When their ex-hero dad is summoned back to the royal capital of Helston to train a hopeless crown prince as war looms, Callie lunges at the opportunity to finally prove themself worthy to Helston's great and powerful. Except the intolerant great and powerful look at Callie and only see girl. Trapped in Helston's rigid hierarchy, Callie discovers they aren't alone--there's Elowen, the chancellor's brilliant daughter, whose unparalleled power is being stifled; Edwyn, Elowen's twin brother, locked in a desperate fight to win his father's approval; and Willow, the crown prince who was never meant to be king. In this start to an epic series packed with action, humor, and heart, Callie and their new friends quickly find themselves embedded in an ancient war--the only hope to defeat the dragons and witches outside the kingdom lies in first defeating the bigotry within.

I Think I Turned My Childhood Friend Into a Girl 

By Azusa Banjo

It's a familiar story: a popular high school student gives their plain friend a makeover and transforms their life. But this time, the path to a new life isn't quite so straight and narrow. Kenshirou Midou has loved cosmetics all his life, keeping his obsession secret from almost everyone except for his childhood friend Hiura Mihate. One day, Kenshirou gets permission to practice applying makeup on Hiura, and the results are earth-shattering: Hiura's appearance transforms from a plain, undersized boy to a pretty, petite girl, and Kenshirou discovers just how freeing it is to apply his passion! Yet he's not the only one who finds the process liberating. Hiura likes the makeup, and the subsequent dress-up in feminine clothes, and decides to start wearing the girls' uniform to school. Kenshirou doesn't understand if he's unlocked something in Hiura, or if he's simply seeing a new side to his childhood buddy that he never noticed before. What are these feelings bubbling between them now--is this attraction truly new?

My Androgynous Boyfriend 

By Tamekou Wako and her androgynous boyfriend don't exactly have the most traditional of relationships. She spends her days working hard in the world of publishing, while he spends his time obsessing over fashion and makeup--all with the goal of making himself beautiful just for her. This romantic slice-of-life story is about love, relationships, and breaking with tradition!

[asoiaf-fancasts]

Rhaenyra Targaryen - Fancasts

Age: 07 - 33

08 [Mother’s Death]

14 [Tourney]

17 [Marriage to Laenor]

23 [Marriage to Daemon]

32 - 33 [Civil War]

Appearance: She is beautiful with the Valyrian look and small lips. After her first 3 children she retained the weight from their pregnancies having a thick waist. She is dressed richly and is often wearing rings.

Character: Elizabeth Murray [Younger]

Actress: Cara Jenkins

Movie: Belle [2013]

[She was 8/9 during filming so good for Rhaenyra when her mother dies and she is declared heir to when her father marries Alicent. She is pretty with pale skin, blonde hair and small lips.She wears mid 18th century clothes ish.]

Character: Katherine Woodville

Actress: Elsa Houben

Show: The White Queen [2013]

[Unknown age, looks to be around 8 - 10 years old so good for when Rhaenyra is declared heir till her first half brother is born. She is pretty with fair skin, blonde hair and a small mouth. She unfortunately is only shown in one scene clearly. She wears a 15th century ish dress.]

Character: Violetta Giurgiu

Actress: Anamaria Vartolomei

Movie: My Little Princess [2011]

[She was 11 during the filming of this movie so good for a year before he sweet half sister was born. She is pretty with blonde hair, pale skin and small lips. She wears modern clothes that are still good for close ups.]

Character: White Queen [Younger]

Actress: Amelia Crouch

Movie: Alice Through the Looking Glass [2016]

[She was between the ages of 10 - 12 during the filming of this movie. So, good for when her half brother and sister were born. She has light blonde hair, has small lips and is pretty. She wears fantasy clothes.]

Character: Lucrecia Borgia

Actress: María Valverde

Movie: Los Borgia [2006]

[She was 18 - 19 during this movie so the right age for Rhaenyra when she’s married to Laenor. She’s pretty and has small lips and blonde hair that is a bit too golden. She unfortunately has brown eyes and is not “thick of waist”. She wears 15th century Italian ish clothes.]

Actress: Catherine Howard

Actress: Tamzin Merchant

Show: The Tudors [2007] [Season 3 & 4]

[She was 22 - 23 during this show so good for her during the start of her marriage to Daemon although she does have a love interest that more suits Harwin and is playing a character of an age with Rhaenyra when she was with Harwin. She’s pretty. She has lighter blonde but golden hair and small lips. Unfortunately she is quite skinny and not thick of waist. She wears Tudor ish clothes.]

Character: Queen Jadwiga of Poland

Actress: Dagmara Bryzek

Show: The Crown of the Kings [2018]

[She’s 22 - 25 during this show so a good age for Rhaenyra during her marriage to Daemon. Her hair is brown and obviously not correct for Rhaenyra but with some editing I do think this fancast could be really good. She has pale skin, a rounder face and small ish lips. She isn’t plus sized but she is “thick of waist” compared to the other actresses. She wears 14th century polish clothes.]

Character(s): Lucrecia Borgia & Constance Chatterly

Actress: Holliday Grainger

Show: The Borgias [2011]

Movie: Lady Chatterley’s Lover [2015]

[She was 22 - 25 during the show and was 26 - 27 in the movie so good for during her marriage to Daemon. She is blonde although a bit more golden than I imagined her hair and has relatively smaller lips. She has a rounder face in the movie but is unfortunately skinny in both. She wears 15th century Italian clothes in the show and in the movie she wears late 1920’s clothing.]

Character: Catherine the Great

Actress: Yuliya Snigir

Show: Catherine the Great [2015]

[Suggested by: ???]

[She was 31/32 during this movie to the right age for her at the start of the war. She wears a silver wig, has a round ish face and small lips but unfortunately isn’t really “thick of waist”. She wears 18th century clothes.]

[royal-hair]

Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia at former King Constantine's funeral at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Athens, Greece - 16.01.23

[mysticalmallard]

Katherine Luann Morrow

☆★-> // SOA Masterlist// <-★☆

All posts where Katherine appears:

(each can be read as a stand alone or as a series, and I will do my best to keep them listed here in chronological order)

♡ Fun and Responsibility

♡ Princess Band-aids Can Fix Broken Hearts

♡ Muffin Dragon and Blue Bunny (new)

♡ Hopscotch Headache

♡ Too Young For Boys

♡ Freedom and Florals

♡ Boxes and Orange Juice

♡ Flower Crowns

♡ Flower Crowns Pt.2

Daughter to Clay and Gemma

There is a 14 year age gap between her and Jax she was born a year after JT died 👀

Works as an assistant to the town florist Mrs Miller she is very stern and disapproving of the club and their activities.

Mrs Miller and the florists v

Her parents, Jax, and all of the club are very protective of her she doesn't hang around the club house much outside of lockdowns and charity events.

She has her own apartment on the quieter side of town, which she has turned into her own cosy sanctuary, and occasionally used as a place for an outer chartermember to lay their head, wash their clothes, catch a shower and some food as they only have 2 dorm rooms at the club.

(As I think that's what the family members of the club would do its just expected of them I think, and as she is the daughter of a founding member and the president anyone who stays are very respectful)

Her apartment inspo:

Chibbs, Bobby, Tig, Otto, and Piney are like her Uncles as they watched her grow up from a baby and often watched her when her parents asked.

Out of all the other club members, excluding her dad and brother, she is closer to Juice as when he was prospecting he was told to help her move out into her apartment and whenever the florists had a big order she'd often borrow the club van and he'd be the one to drop it off and stay for a chat.

If you have any questions or want to request a scenario about Katherine, feel free to put them in my ask box. I'll do my best to answer them as quickly as I can.

[isadomna]

Jane Seymour & Mary Tudor

Jane Seymour made all the efforts she could muster to convince Henry VIII to reinstate Mary to the succession and invite her to court, but he wanted Mary to accept that she was his illegitimate daughter first. The King was a vain man who hated the idea of a political party clustering around his widely popular twenty-year-old daughter, whom many perceived as his rightful heiress. He was bent on forcing Mary to accept that his marriage to her mother was invalid. Mary could hardly believe this. She knew that Jane Seymour had initiated the process of reconciliation, and in a letter to the new Queen, she described herself as her “most humble and obedient daughter and handmaid”.

Chapuys and Mary’s other supporters were glad to hear of Jane’s pleas and the ambassador commented that ‘such a wish on the part of the said lady is very commendable indeed’. News of Jane’s affection for Mary was well known and word even reached Mary’s cousin, the Empress Isabella, that Jane was virtuous, kindly, and well disposed to Mary, in whose favour she had spoken.

Jane’s efforts on Mary’s behalf always irritated the King, who once called his wife a fool for trying to speak up in favour of Mary’s reinstation to the succession. She should, he warned her, think about the exaltation of their future offspring and not any other children. Jane tactfully replied that she spoke in Mary’s favour to seek “the rest and tranquillity of the King, herself, her future children, and the whole realm; for, without that, neither your Majesty nor his people would ever be content”.

Mary, threatened by the arrests of her supporters and frightened by the possibility of losing her head, signed the document acknowledging that her parents’ marriage was invalid, thus rendering herself the King’s illegitimate daughter. She also accepted the King as the Supreme Head of the Church in England and repudiated “the pretended authority of the bishop of Rome”. Everything she and Katherine of Aragon had fought for with such vehemence over the past three years vanished with one stroke of the pen. Mary’s spirits were also raised somewhat when Chapuys promised to procure a secret dispensation from the pope for her actions.

Once Mary had been forgiven by Henry, Jane was able to safely intercede for her again and she set about persuading Henry to meet with his daughter. Early in the morning of 6 July 1536, Jane and Henry set out with a small retinue to visit Mary. The visit was intended to be a private one and, upon their arrival, Jane embraced Mary, kissed her and took her by the hand. Jane had not seen her since 1531, but she had very fond memories of the princess from her time in the household of Queen Katherine. Jane was only around eight years older than Mary, but was prepared to be a mother and friend to Henry’s eldest daughter. Henry gave his daughter his blessing with tears in his eyes before saying ‘my daughter, she who did you so much harm, and prevented me from seeing you for so long, has paid the penalty’.

The first visit of Henry and Jane to Mary was a great success and they stayed until the evening of the second day, spending the time in private conversation. Jane gave Mary a fine diamond ring as a token of her affection and Henry presented his daughter with 1000 crowns for her to spend on small pleasures, telling her that she never need worry about money again. For both Jane and Mary, the meeting was everything that they could have hoped and, as Henry and Jane prepared to leave, the king promised his daughter that he would reinstate her household and that she would soon return to court.

The date of Mary’s return to court is not recorded, but it must have been some time during the early autumn of 1536. Jane would have been quietly encouraging Henry to invite his daughter back to court and, whilst she had not dared press the king, she made it plain that she desired it. Henry also desired to see his daughter again and he may also have had good reason to want to please Jane as there is some evidence that she might have thought herself pregnant at the time of Mary’s visit.

Jane was pleased at how the reconciliation between Mary and Henry had gone. It was the realisation of one of her dearest hopes to have Mary with her at court, and she kept her stepdaughter often in her company, walking with her hand in hand. Jane and Mary developed a deep and lasting friendship and Jane always ensured that Mary was treated with respect. In October 1536, the French ambassador recorded that Mary was “now the first after the Queen” and played a ceremonial role at the royal table, passing the napkin for washing hands to the King and Queen. Yet neither Mary’s legitimacy nor her position as heir was restored. For Jane and Henry, the hope that she had been pregnant in the autumn of 1536 proved to be false.

Jane Seymour’s generosity towards Mary often overshadows her relationship with Anne Boleyn’s daughter, but it is clear that although she had a closer relationship with Mary due to their respective ages and religious views, she was not indifferent towards Elizabeth. A Book of the Queen’s Jewels—an inventory of valuables owned by Queen Jane and given as gifts to her favourites—reveals that she often presented both Mary and Elizabeth with valuable trinkets such as beads, pomanders and girdles. Further accounts of the Queen’s wardrobe reveal that she provided Elizabeth with items of clothing, such as Scottish bonnets and linen. She also paid for Elizabeth’s New Year’s gift in 1537 and gave money to Elizabeth Cavendish, who served in Elizabeth’s household.

in June 1537, a new Imperial ambassador arrived to treat for a marriage between Mary and the brother of the king of Portugal, Jane was allowed to meet with the ambassador and discuss the negotiations for the match. Jane promised him that she would do everything she could to promote the match and even informed him that she had tried to persuade Henry to break his alliance with France in favour of the emperor.

Throughout her pregnancy, Jane had a craving for quails and other delicacies. Knowing this, Mary provided Jane with quails and cucumbers from her own gardens. On 12 October, after two days and three nights in labour, Jane was finally delivered of a son, the future Edward VI. Three days after the birth, Mary stood as godmother at the font in the newly decorated Chapel Royal at Hampton Court as Thomas Cranmer, archbishop of Canterbury, performed the rites of baptism over the infant prince.

On 24 October, Jane Seymour died after suffering severe internal bleeding, probably caused by a placenta that failed to detach properly after her son’s birth. Mary, as chief mourner, carried out a prominent role in all the ceremonies surrounding Jane’s burial. For the religious services on 1 November the young princess was apparently too grief-stricken to attend, her place instead taken by her friend the Marchioness of Exeter. A solemn vigil was once again kept over Jane in the chapel and, the following day, more religious services were held, this time with Mary in attendance. Mary took her role seriously and, in spite of her grief, she forced herself to be present and to ensure that Jane, who had become her greatest friend, was honourably treated. Mary gave presents of money to the Queen’s three chamberers, her page, footman and gardener. She also gave offerings during the Masses for the Queen’s soul. Mary was so depressed after Jane’s funeral that the late Queen’s sister-in-law, Anne, Viscountess Beauchamp, sent her daughter accompanied by a nurse to lift Mary’s spirits.

Sources:

Elizabeth Norton, Jane Seymour: Henry VIII's True Love

Sylvia Barbara Soberton, Rival Sisters: Mary & Elizabeth Tudor

Sylvia Barbara Soberton, The Forgotten Tudor Women: Gertrude Courtenay. Wife and Mother of the last Plantagenets

[lilareviewsbooks]

4 SFF Books For (Humanities) Nerds

Hey guys! I know I promised this like, last year, but life got in the way :( But now I can finally present to you - my list of books for humanities nerds!

To put it simply, these are books I think broach topics that are close to the humanities nerds' interests - sociology, history, art, anthropology, political sciences... And sure, they could be considered "boring", but if you're into the humanities - you'll have a ball with them! (and, of course, anyone can enjoy these!)

The Goblin Emperor, by Katherine Addison

5 stars | 446 pages | standalone, but there are spin-offs | queer side character

This is the book that spurred this list, so, if you want a longer review, I have it on my blog. But suffice it to say that The Goblin Emperor is a fairly long and detailed account of what happens in the court of a country of elves when the youngest, unfavoured and half-goblin son of the king ascends the throne. This book is masterful. It seemlessly weaves in personal and political concerns as we follow Maia, the newly crowned emperor. The writing style is slow - we follow the emperor's every day life. We are with him when he rises in the morning until when he wakes up. It waits for something to happen, and is quiet and slow. It's absolutely delightful: despite his politicking, Maia is mostly and more ardently concerned with kindness. He wants to treat people fairly. This not only makes for a sweet main character, it also means the book is a fascinating character study, as well as an incredible feat of world-building. I think nerds will enjoy its slow and traquil pace, its dedication to politics, language and customs of this world and its charming main character.

A Memory Called Empire, by Arkady Martine

5 stars | 462 pages | completed duology | queer main characters

For a sci-fi twist, I think A Memory Called Empire is the way to go. The duology follows Mahit, a citizen of a small satellite of the Teixcalaan Empire, who is chosen as the next ambassador for her home. She must journey to the capital with a very important mission - find out why her predecessor mysteriously disappeared. Again, what there is to enjoy here is lush, expansive world-building. The Teixcalaani feel so, so real. Every little detail was thought of, from their language to their smiles. It's truly impressive, and the prose, I remember, is also beautiful, making these details pop out even more. This is also incredibly political, as Mahit descends into the belly of the beast, so to speak, in search of answers. But it is framed by a pretty straight-foward murder mystery, which might be fun for people used to mystery stories. And the second book broaches first contact! - it's just so much fun! I also have a longer review for this series, if you would like more details! Nerds will be drawn to the expansive world-building, attention to detail, and reflections on empire, memory and legacy.

Elder Race, by Adrian Tchaikovsky

4 stars | 201 pages | standalone | no one's queer, I don't think :(

This one might be a good pick for veterans of SFF - it has a fun gimmick! You must've heard the phrase "any science advanced enough in undistinguishable from magic", attributed to Arthur C. Clarke. This book takes that concept and runs with it. For Lynesse, a princess in a medieval society, Elder Nyr's "giant tower" is magical, and he, a magician. For Elder Nyr, an anthropologist come from a different planet, his interests are scientific, and his "tower", a spaceship. The fun of the novella is that we flip-flop between these two people's perspectives, so that half the story is a sci-fi, and the other half, a fantasy. I found this story to be unique, and to understand its place in the speculative genre quite well. It defies expectations and conventions in a creative way that I think nerds familiar with them will enjoy!

The Traitor Baru Cormorant, by Seth Dickinson

5 stars | 399 pages | uncompleted series | queer main characteres

Another good bet is The Traitor Baru Cormorant, the first installment in the Masquerade Series, which is not finished yet. It follows Baru, who, as a child, watches her country be colonized by the Masquerade Empire. She vows revenge, and to destroy the empire from the inside out. In this installment, she is finally trusted to be sent as an Imperial Accountant to Aurdwynn, a famously ungovernable territory... This one is very, very brain-y. It's dense political fantasy, and I admit I had some trouble following the economics, sometimes - that was never my strong suit!! The tapestry of betrayals, alliances and twists is rich, intricate and realistic. People have diverse interests, are multi-faceted individuals, and yet have a reason to be acting they way they are acting. This makes for satisfying plot lines, and incredible twists. I still haven't recovered from what the first book did to me, to be honest. Nerds, if you want to be dazzled and made to work for it, pick this one up. The Traitor Baru Corumorant will have you scratching your chin, thinking hard and having a lot of fun with (yay!) economics and accounting!

I have a couple more of these if anyone is interested :) And as always, if you need a book rec, feel free to send me an ask!