#henry is not royalty

[starkbarnes-lovechild]

Might post this on AO3 at some point. Maybe. I feel like I need to. Lol.

Anyway, enjoy another Firstprince fic. :*

<3

Let yourself smile more. When you do, the world becomes brighter. At least mine does.

Henry bites his lower lip, trying to contain his smile despite what the note said. He can feel his cheeks warming up as he rereads the words.

He's been receiving these random notes for the past three months and the giddy feeling in his belly hasn't disappeared. Pez has been teasing him that this secret admirer may help him get over his little crush on Alex. It seemed unlikely at first but the more he receives these notes, the more hopeful he gets.

"Hey, Mr. Darcy!" Speak of the devil, Henry rolls his eyes, shoving the note into his pocket in the process. When he turns, he's bombarded with Alex's smile. His heart stutters at the sight, then mentally curses the stupid organ. How the fuck does the other teen still have this effect on him? "We're still on for Friday, right?"

"Yes, Alex. Our standing study session will still happen." He replies drily, his lips lifting on one side. In his periphery, he sees some of Alex's usual entourage frown in confusion.

"Cool. See you, Friday, Wilde." The asshole winks as he walks backward, likely on his way to lacrosse practice. Henry shakes his head in exasperation, watching as Alex and his clique turn the corner.

He pulls out the note from his pocket, smoothing out the paper. As he rereads the words, he can't help but smile at the short note.

<3

Sometimes I dream about kissing that mole on your upper lip. Is that creepy? Whatever. I love looking at those beauty marks. I want to trace them with my mouth and find out how you would react to my kisses.

Henry lays his palm on his chest, right over his widely beating heart. He's not sure if his secret admirer meant it to sound as sensual as it did but Henry's brain blue-screened. He has a lot of moles scattered all over his body and the idea of this person's mouth exploring his body is... doing things to his randy teenage brain.

He hears someone laugh and his eyes immediately find Alex, head thrown back with pure joy. The image of a faceless boy in his head turns into Alex's mischievous smirk as he explores Henry's body.

He doesn't know how he's still torn between painfully straight Alex and the secret admirer who clearly wants him.

<3

The way you tilt your chin up when you're trying to look tough makes me feel brave, too. I don't think you know just how inspiring you can be, sweetheart.

Henry can feel a sting in his eyes and he's not even sure why. His secret admirer didn't really say something that profound but at the same time, he did. Like any teen, Henry has a habit of comparing himself to his peers. Pez, his own best mate, has a way of lifting people up when they're down. Bea, when she was still attending the high school, formed a support group for teens turning to substance to cope. Alex got the lacrosse team to help prevent bullying by standing up for other people.

Henry does what he can, but he feels like he'll never leave a positive impact in the world. Knowing at least one person finds him inspiring is quite humbling.

<3

I love watching your face when you read Austen. You have the most beautiful expressions when you read about two people falling in love. Sometimes I wonder what your face will look like when you realize just how in love I am with you. PS. Meet me at the music room after class?

Henry swallows thickly, hands shaking as he rereads the note a few more times. The postscript is still the same. His secret admirer wants to meet him and Henry's not sure what he should do.

Part of him wants to meet this secret admirer after months of receiving these sweet notes. But another part of him is scared. What if he's wrong and the secret admirer is actually a girl? He knows most of the school is aware he's gay but some think they can turn him straight, while others are just painfully unaware.

But what if it's a boy and not he imagined him? What if he's disappointed his secret admirer isn't how he pictured? Does that make him shallow? He hates to admit it but even without trying, he's imagining Alex leaving him these little notes. It's a daft fantasy but he can't really help who he falls for.

The day crawls and Henry's patience is running thin. There's at least fifteen more minutes until the school day is over. It's the longest fifteen minutes of his life.

When the bell finally rings, Henry rushes out of his seat he's practically leaving dust in his wake. He knows the music room will be empty today. Clearly, his admirer knows it, too.

When he gets to the music room, the door is closed but he can hear someone strumming the guitar. He wonders if it's his secret admirer or someone else.

He takes a deep, fortifying breath and slowly releases it. When he enters, he doesn't immediately see who's occupying the room. The click of the door shutting behind him sounds loud in the sudden silence.

Henry doesn't move, just leans down against the closed door in case the other room occupant is not his secret admirer. He can hear the clock ticking, counting along with it; eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve. When he reaches thirteen, Alex's timid voice makes him flinch, "Hi."

"I'm supposed to meet someone here," Henry doesn't dare hope that Alex is the someone he's supposed to meet. It's simply not possible that the boy he's been halfway in love with may feel the same. But then Alex stands and makes his way to him, his brows raised in surprise. Henry can feel his heart pounding in his chest and he wonders if Alex can hear his heartbeat.

"Yeah," the other boy enunciates slowly, "me. You were meeting me."

"But..." Henry tries to grasp at words that would make a coherent sentence. "You're straight?"

"Henry," Alex says with exasperation. The smile on his face softens the blow, though. "I dated Liam for like, a month, maybe a bit longer." He's sure the younger boy is laughing at him.

"Oh." He certainly never knew that. "When?" His voice is hesitant, uncertain. He truly does not remember Alex and Liam ever dating. It had always been Liam and Spencer.

Alex's lips twitch, as if he's fighting a smile, "Fall of freshman year. We broke up because we both realized we wanted someone else."

Alex is now standing in front of him, just a foot or so of distance between them. If he raises his arm, he can take hold of the shorter man's waist. If wants, he can pull Alex into his arms and give in to the desire to kiss the other boy.

Then again, Alex is Alex and beats him to the punch.

Alex cups Henry's face, his touch is so gentle yet firm. He nuzzles the other boy's palm, swaying forward. It's hard not to get pulled in by Alex's gravity.

Henry sees the question in those brown orbs. He looks down at Alex's lips, then back to his eyes. A silent request.

When their lips finally meet, Henry finally understands what people mean when their world narrows down to a single person.

<3

Got my acceptance letter from NYU. We're moving to New York, baby! -XOXO Alex

[illustratus]

John Dee performing an experiment before Queen Elizabeth I by Henry Gillard Glindoni

[world-of-wales]

The Prince of Wales chats with Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg during the official re-opening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris | 7 DECEMBER 2024

[binogirlatx]

The Paris Love Scene❤️🥰

[empiredesimparte]

Photograph taken at the Château de Fontainebleau, François I Gallery. From left to right: Princess Napoleon Olympia, Imperial Prince Henri, Empress Charlotte, Emperor Napoleon V, Madame Mère Marie-Joséphine, Princess Armance.

His Imperial Majesty Emperor Napoleon V shared a photograph and the following message with the people of Francesim via social media:

As this year comes to a close, marked by profound challenges and transformations both in our personal lives and in the affairs of the State, let us also remember and celebrate the moments of light, progress, and fraternity that have united us. These moments remind us that, despite hardships, the greatness and soul of Francesim continue to shine brightly in the heart of every citizen. May this new year be a source of renewal, peace, and courage for all. Let us continue to build a nation worthy of its history, strong in its ambitions, and united by a love for the fatherland. May the inspiration of our forebears and the values that have shaped our empire guide us in our endeavors, granting us the perseverance to serve the common good. May Notre-Dame, Saint Louis, and Saint Joan of Arc watch over Francesim and its people! Happy New Year to all, Napoleon V, Emperor of the French.

Photographie prise au château de Fontainebleau, Galerie François Ier. De gauche à droite : la Princesse-Napoléon Olympia, le Prince impérial Henri, l'Impératrice Charlotte, l'Empereur Napoléon V, Madame Mère Marie-Joséphine, la Princesse Armance.

Un peu avant l’heure de minuit, Sa Majesté Impériale l'Empereur Napoléon V a publié sur les réseaux sociaux une photographie et le message suivant à l’adresse des Français :

En cette fin d’année marquée par des défis et des transformations profondes, tant dans nos vies personnelles que dans les affaires de l’État, sachons également reconnaître les instants de lumière, de progrès, et de fraternité qui nous ont unis. Ces moments nous rappellent que, malgré les épreuves, la grandeur et l’âme de la Francesim brillent toujours au cœur de chacun de ses citoyens. Que cette année 2025 soit pour tous une source de renouveau, de paix et de courage. Puissions-nous continuer à bâtir une nation digne de son histoire, forte de ses ambitions et unie par l’amour de la patrie. Que l’inspiration de nos aînés, et les valeurs qui ont forgé notre empire, nous guident dans nos projets et nous insufflent la persévérance pour servir le bien commun. Que Notre-Dame, saint Louis et sainte Jeanne d’Arc veillent sur la Francesim et les Français ! Bonne année à tous et à toutes, Napoléon V, Empereur des Français

[sieglinde-freud]

let it be known that i love prince inigo with my whole soul. however sometimes it is SO much fun to think about owain and his two most loyal-est knights you ever seen: worst guy in the world #1 and worst guy in the world #2. i love retainer inigo and severa so much. retainers who bully you and make fun of you and trash on you but they’d leave behind everyone and everything they ever knew to follow you and protect you in a whole new universe. they love you so much that they’d swear allegiance to total strangers but that loyalty pales in comparison to what they’d do for you. and they were all lovers!!!!!!!

[thedemonofcat]

The last thing Jaskier remembered before being knocked unconscious was the chaos of the raid at Bleobheris—the clash of swords, the whistling of arrows. Amidst the turmoil, someone addressed him as "Your Highness" and dragged him to safety, but not before a poisoned arrow found its mark in his chest.

The arrow didn’t kill him, but it plunged Jaskier into a coma that lasted several months. When he finally awoke, he learned that his survival was thanks to the elven blood running through his veins.

Jaskier discovered that he was the last living descendant of an ancient elven royal line, a bloodline that remained purely elven regardless of human intermingling.

For his protection, the world was led to believe that Jaskier had died during his coma—a loss that Geralt had been silently mourning.

[annabolinas]

May 19, 1536 - Anne Boleyn is Beheaded

"Good Christian people, I have come here to die. For according to the law, and by the law, I am judged to die and therefore, I will speak nothing against it. I am come hither to accuse no man, nor to speak of that whereof I am accused and condemned to die. But I pray God save the King and send him long to reign over you, for a gentler nor a more merciful prince was there never. And to me he was ever a good, a gentle, and sovereign lord. And if any person will meddle of my cause, I require them to judge the best. And thus I take my leave of the world and of you all, and I heartily desire you all to pray for me. O Lord, have mercy on me. To God, I commend my soul.' And then she knelt down, saying, 'To Christ I commend my soul, Jesu receive my soul', divers times, till that her head was stricken off with the sword.” - Anne's execution, as reported in Hall's Chronicle (1548)

""On a scaffold made there for the said execution, the said Queen Anne said thus: 'Masters, I here humbly submit me to the law, as the law hath judged me. And as for mine offenses, I here accuse no man; God knoweth them. I remit them to God, beseeching him to have mercy on my soul. And I beseech Jesu, save my sovereign and master, the King - the most godly, noble, and gentle prince that is, and long to reign over you.' Which words were spoken with a goodly smiling countenance. And this done, she knelt down on her knees and said: "To Jesu Christ, I commend my soul'. And suddenly, the hangman smote off her head at a stroke with a sword." - Anne's execution, as reported in Wriothesley's Chronicle (1559)

"And so she went to the place of her ordeal

To obey the will of justice,

Still showing a serene countenance,

As if she did not grieve for this world in any way;

For her coloring and face were such

That never before did she seem so beautiful ...

There was no one who does not have firm hope

That her spirit will not be in agony,

Given her great faith and wise patience,

Which rose above womanly courage.

Everyone, on the basis of her mightily steady end,

Judges her life to have been prudent

And believes they have committed a great offense

In having thought so ill of her." - Lancelot de Carle's The Story of the Fall of Anne Boleyn (1536, trans. Joann Dellaneva)

"Anne, the late Queen, suffered with sword this day within the Tower upon a new scaffold and died boldly. Jesu take them [i.e. Anne and the five men] to His mercy if it be His will." - John Husee to Lord Lisle, May 19, 1536

[empress-alexandra]

Grand Duke Louis IV of Hesse with his surviving children: Princess Victoria of Battenberg, Marchioness of Milford-Haven, Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna of Russia, Princess Irene of Prussia, Empress Alexandra Feodorovna of Russia and Grand Duke Ernest Louis of Hesse, 1884.

[trentonsimblr]

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@ardeney-sims @officalroyalsofpierreland

[bethanydelleman]

Talking to a friend today about how long polygamy lasted in China and I thought, "Huh, that seems like a really long time" (not officially ended until 1940s) but then I had a second thought, "Marriage was really locked in for a long time in England/most of Europe" and maybe that is the stranger thing. Divorce was nearly impossible and polygamy was illegal for a very long time, meaning that death was the only release from marriage. And I guess a lot of people died early, but that still seems wild. Make one decision in your early twenties and then you have to live with it essentially forever.

Then I started thinking to myself, alternative history where polygamy was normal and Henry VIII married all his wives at once. Would that make things better or worse?

[illustratus]

Katherine of Aragon Denounced Before King Henry VIII and His Council

by Laslett John Pott

[world-of-wales]

The Prince of Wales with (L-R) Prince Albert of Monaco, Queen Mathilde & King Philippe of Belgium and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa & Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg as he attends the official re-opening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris | 7 DECEMBER 2024

[heatherfield]

You will always be by my side? Always.

Elizabeth of York and Henry VII, The White Princess (2017)

[empiredesimparte]

⚜ Le Cabinet Noir | N°28 | Francesim, Palais des Tuileries, Paris, 13 Fructidor An 230

Emperor Napoleon V and Empress Charlotte have announced the joyous news of the upcoming arrival of their first child, the future heir to the throne of Francesim. This is a momentous occasion for the imperial couple and the entire nation, which eagerly awaits the birth of this child. While the baby’s gender and name remain closely guarded secrets, anticipation is already palpable among the people, who are preparing to celebrate this new addition to the imperial lineage with great enthusiasm.

As Francesim rejoices at the news of the imperial couple’s first child, a pressing question fills public conversations and speculations: will Emperor Napoleon V be at his wife’s side in the coming months? This question is especially pertinent given the Regency, which allows the Empress to govern in the Emperor’s absence as he pursues military training.

In this unprecedented situation, observers wonder if the sovereign, already far from the palace, might set aside his ambitions temporarily to support Charlotte through this crucial period. The answer to this question could well shape the coming months and further endear the young imperial family to the French people.

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⚜ Traduction française

L’Empereur Napoléon V et l’Impératrice Charlotte ont révélé l’heureuse nouvelle de l’arrivée prochaine de leur premier enfant, futur héritier du trône de Francesim. C'est un événement marquant pour le couple impérial, mais aussi pour toute la nation, qui se réjouit d'accueillir ce bébé. Si le sexe et le prénom de l'enfant restent encore des secrets bien gardés, l'attente est déjà palpable au sein du peuple, qui se prépare à célébrer avec ferveur cet héritier de la lignée impériale.

Alors que la Francesim célèbre l'annonce du premier enfant du couple impérial, une question brûlante anime les conversations et les spéculations. De nombreux Français s'interrogent : l'Empereur Napoléon V sera-t-il aux côtés de son épouse, l'Impératrice Charlotte, durant ces prochains mois ? Cette interrogation prend tout son sens dans le contexte de la Régence, mise en place pour permettre à l'Impératrice de gouverner en l'absence de son époux, parti parfaire sa formation militaire.

Avec cette situation inédite, les observateurs se demandent si le souverain, déjà engagé loin du palais, pourra s'accorder une pause dans ses ambitions pour soutenir Charlotte durant cette période cruciale. Une question dont la réponse pourrait bien influencer le cours des prochains mois et nourrir encore davantage l'attachement des Français pour leur jeune famille impériale.

[warwickroyals]

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You have no fucking idea the amount of work that went into this one. Y'all better give this five million notes.

@thegrimalldis for Mina mention <3

[TRANSCRIPT]