#pippa does speaking

[to-watch-it-all-burn]

27 PERCENT OF PHINEAS AND FERB FANFICTION ON AO3 IS PERRY/DOOFENSHMIRTZ

27

[mermaidsirennikita]

ARC REVIEW: One Kiss to Desire by Grace Callaway

4.5/5. Releases 9/19/24.

The Vibes:

—true blue grumpy/sunshine

—dirty talk dirty talk dirty talk

—GHOOOOSTS

—messy sibling drama (complimentary)

Heat Index: 8/10

The Basics:

Xenia has made a reputation for herself as Sirena, telling dirty tales for patrons of a high-end brothel—while on the other side of a curtain. Temporarily out of a job and seeking shelter, she takes on the persona of your typical housekeeper, taking a post at a gloomy mansion with a gloomier boss. Ethan is hiding away from the world after a tragedy that changed his life; and he has no time for the perky, mousy girl who can't even seem to cook. But as danger lurks beyond the walls (and maybe within) they're forced to work together... among other things.

The Review:

If there's one thing Grace Callaway knows how to do, it's write a ROMP. This is her take on a Gothic historical romance a la Northanger Abbey (which is to say, kind of a loving spoof of Gothic romance with a real, warm love story at the center). Arguably, other Grace books have actually been a little heavier on the Gothic; I'd actually call this one of her lighter outings. But you get spooky stories, you get terrified servants, you get creepy things that go bump in the night and also non-creepy things that go bump in the night by which I mean OUR LEADS.

Speaking of, if you're a fun of grumpy/sunshine, this is about as Grumpy/Sunshine prime as I think you'll ever get. Ethan's not an asshole, exactly. I mean, he kind of is, but in a sympathetic way that really doesn't get that heavy. He's not mean, he's grumpy. And with good reason, even though he needs to straighten up (and does). Xenia is sunshine personified, sweet and perky and funny in a way that Callaway writes so well. It's no wonder he's charmed by her. You, the reader, are charmed by her from the jump.

Ethan and Xenia have both been through it. As someone who enjoyed The Lady Who Came in from The Cold, Ethan's parents' book (would recommend) I was a little worried about what would have him so torn up as this novel opens. Fortunately, it did nothing to ruin the general Blackwood HEA (and I should have figured as much). But it is a very valid issue, and I really liked both the classic Gothic drama of it all and Ethan's very real insecurities and loss of identity.

Xenia... has quite a backstory. I can't give any of it away, but BOY was the climax of this novel (besides the other climaxes) crazy. Which is what I want from a Grace Callaway book. I want sexy, I want funny, I want feelings-y, I want... yeah! A little zany! In part because of the removal from the hub of London (we're squarely in Chudleigh Bottoms, from whence one of Callaway's favorite historical romance families hails) and in part because of the madcap Gothic plot, this one reads a bit more "adventurous" to me, whereas Grace's previous series had more of a mystery/potboiler vibe.

You get some secret identity shenanigans, which I'm personally into—but if that isn't your thing, don't worry. It isn't dragged beyond its logical conclusion, and honestly? Once these two are really on the same page, they're rather adorable together. They have this fun, sexy relationship, and Ethan clearly cares about making sure Xenia feels respected. There's something kind of doting about the way he cares for her, and I'm personally about it.

In all, I'd say that though there is pain and a satisfying emotional arc, this is one of Grace's less angsty installments compared to a book like Pippa and the Prince of Secrets or Regarding the Duke. There's angst, but it's definitely more on the fun and sweet side.

The Sex:

OKAY.

Grace Callaway sex scenes always stand out, but this one really goes to a different place with it. Because yeah. Xenia is a virgin. But she certainly has a filthy mind, and she put its to good use weaving erotic stories for her clients. And yes. Ethan does get in on that action.

The way it's written, especially in the scene where they... do the full nine yards with it... is both hot and fun. It's over the top in the most self-aware, delightful way possible. I was kicking my feet all the way through it.

And the more "standard" sex scenes are of course, a lot of fun as well. Callaway simply writes sex scenes like she actually enjoys writing them, which I appreciate.

I noticed more attention paid to the safety aspects surrounding sex in this one, which I also appreciated. Definitely seems to be a trend I'm seeing more of in historicals recently, and it's done here in a way that fuels the tension rather than taking away from it.

It's adventurous, it's light, it's got a bit of an autumnal thing going with the Gothic of it all. And it's kicking off a new series, with fabulous teases for the next siblings. (One of those brothers is going to destroy someone's heart. I just know it.) I am MORE than game.

Thanks to Grace Callaway for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[felixravinstills]

i’m late but i’m still going to send this

🔥 persephone price

ask game

hmmm, what even is an unpopular pippa opinion that I have?

Okay, Lily, here it is. My unpopular opinion is that Persephone Price is as much a non-character as Felix Ravinstill. What do we know about Pippa? She's nice, pretty, and a cannibal. What does that really tell us? Next to nothing.

Theoretically speaking, we don't know if she likes Festus back, we don't know how sympathetic/empathetic she was with Mizzen, and we don't know if she knows about the cannibalism.

I do think that landing on "yes" to liking Festus, being empathetic to Mizzen, and knowing about the cannibalism is the most interesting answers and the most probable ones (which isn't controversial).

But I do think there's something to be explored with landing on "no."

Anyway, don't kill me for comparing Pippa to my beloved Felix (but we are the Persephone blog and the Felix blog so how could I resist?)! Honestly, I think that's the true sin here, but it is fun of us to have picked two mentors and just breathe so much life into them!

[persephoneprice]

Hi I was thinking about your mags and mizzen as siblings headcanon and I was wondering if Mags and Persephone knew each other? Like pippa knows who mags is because she’s a public figure but does mags know Persephone? Does she know that Persephone was Mizzen’s mentor? And lastly do you have thoughts on what their relationship (if it exists) would be like in the future?

Apologies if you’ve answered this before <3

omg i’m so happy that you asked this!!! i love thinking about the mags/mizzen/persephone lore (that i completely made up).

i’ve touched on how i think their relationship is just a little bit in my post about finnick & persephone meeting for the first time-

persephone shifts uncomfortably, she typically avoids mags at all costs. mags has never been hostile towards her, but there’s always a hint of accusation in her eyes when she looks at persephone. persephone knows she deserves it.

and realistically, i think that would be the extent of their relationship for the majority of the years. but i would love the chance to expand on that a little bit and talk about the first time they met!

→ persephone doesn’t watch the 11th hunger games. in fact, she’s an anxious mess the entire time she knows they’re going on. she doesn’t tell anyone else because everyone else seems to have moved on and aren’t affected by it.

→ because she was avoiding everything hunger games related- she doesn’t find out that mags is mizzen’s older sister until after the 11th hunger games. interestingly, it’s coriolanus snow that tells her at a dinner their ‘friend group’ is having.

→ she wants to talk to mags but it’s too late by the point. she doesn’t have the chance to speak to mags until her victory tour brings her back to the capitol.

→ persephone seeks out mags at the victor party. she’s a mess when she does it because she’s had a few glasses of posca by this point to work up her nerve.

→ and mags sees the drunk, crying capitol girl in front of her babbling on about her precious little brother and she’s furious. she’s fucking furious.

→ but mags is also smart and she knows better than to tell off this stupid capitol girl- because it would only lead to her own punishment. so mags just gives persephone a tight nod and walks away.

i think persephone will always feel guilty when she’s around mags but i think eventually, once mags starts mentoring herself, she forgives persephone.

but mags herself never has the chance to tell persephone that. i like to think once persephone begins relaying information to finnick that he tells her that mags doesn’t hold mizzen’s death against.

maybe that’s when persephone finally begins to forgive herself.

[houseofbrat]

12 JULY 2024: William plays polo at a charity match. Kate and the children do not attend.

William confirms he will attend the Euro final on Sunday, 14 July 2024.

13 JULY 2024: Kate confirms she will attend the men's final at Wimbledon.

14 JULY 2024: Kate attends the Wimbledon men's final with Charlotte and Pippa.

William attends the Euro final with George to watch England lose to Spain.

15 JULY 2024: Katie Nicholl, Vanity Fair, "Kate Middleton Is Now “On Summer Break” After Wimbledon Appearance" [archive link]

Kate Middleton’s appearance at Wimbledon on Sunday delighted tennis and royal fans, but it may be some time before we see Kate in public again. According to royal sources, Prince William and Princess Kate are planning to spend most of the summer “below the radar” at their Norfolk bolthole now that Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are out of school and Kate continues her course of preventative chemotherapy. While Kensington Palace would not give details on the family’s plans for the summer, a royal source confirmed that the Wales family are now “on summer break.” Sources close to the family say that although they will not be traveling abroad this summer while Kate undergoes treatment, they are excited to visit King Charles and Queen Camilla in Scotland next month. Sunday’s appearance at Wimbledon is likely to be Kate’s last official engagement until later this year.

16 JULY 2024: Will & Kate are looking to hire a new Assistant Private Secretary that can speak "conversational Welsh." [archive link]

Although the new hire would be responsible for Prince William and Catherine's public engagements in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the future King and Queen want their new Assistant Private Secretary to specifically focus on Wales and believe it is "essential" that they speak conversational Welsh. [...] Almost two years after taking on their Wales titles, and after a testing year so far with The Princess' major abdominal surgery and cancer diagnosis, it appears Prince William and Catherine are driving forward with their plans, seeking "specific expertise on Welsh communities, affairs, government, and business". Handled by the largest executive search firm in the United Kingdom, Odgers Berndtson has posted a job advert for an Assistant Private Secretary ("APS"), Wales & UK on behalf of Kensington Palace.

18 JULY 2024: The attempted Donald Trump assassin had searched for images of Kate according to investigation.

23 JULY 2024: William announces more patronages. Kate does not announce any new patronages.

24 JULY 2024: Victoria Ward, The Telegraph, "Prince William refuses to reveal how much tax he pays." [archive link]

The Prince of Wales has chosen not to reveal how much tax he pays on the private income he receives from his vast property portfolio, marking a notable change in approach from when his father was heir to the throne. Prince William’s Duchy of Cornwall estate, the billion-pound business empire he inherited on the death of his grandmother, Elizabeth II, generated profits of £23.6 million in the last financial year. He is understood to pay income tax on the full amount, less household costs, which have also not been disclosed.

26 JULY 2024: Robert Jobson's book excerpt in The Daily Mail, "How the Queen and Charles clashed with William after he refused to stop flying his young family around Britain in his helicopter." [archive link]

One courtier explained: 'The King's relationship with both his sons has been difficult over the years. Even now he is King, with the Prince of Wales, there can be differences of opinion and tensions. Of course, they love each other, but they clash, and sometimes William needs handling with kid gloves.' Another courtier confirmed: 'You have to check first which way the wind is blowing with the prince. They don't see eye to eye on several issues, but why should they? [Prince William's] moment in the top job will come — perhaps he would do well to remember it is not yet. This is His Majesty's time.' When he loses his temper, William is a bit of a shouter — and his father tends to give as good as he gets. The difference these days is that their arguments usually blow over quite quickly. One recent source of disagreement is William's stubborn refusal to take his father's advice on safeguarding the succession. Earlier this year, the King had raised concerns with his son about the wisdom of William using his helicopter to fly his entire family around the country.

27 JULY 2024: People magazine (US), "Prince William and King Charles Clashed Over Use of Helicopter for Kate Middleton and Their Children, New Book Claims". [archive link]

According to Robert Jobson's soon-to-be-released biography, Catherine, The Princess of Wales, the King, 75, “raised concerns” with William, 42, over his helicopter use with Kate Middleton and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, that sparked a tense disagreement between the pair.  In an excerpt from Jobson’s book, per The Daily Mail, King Charles brought up his worries on the matter after coming to terms with his mortality following his cancer diagnosis, which was announced in February. The King even presented experienced pilot William with “a formal document acknowledging the risks involved and taking full responsibility for his actions” amid their dispute, the new book claims.   Charles’ concerns echoed that of his late mother Queen Elizabeth, who previously requested William not fly with his family on a helicopter from Kensington Palace to his former residence of Anmer Hall in Norfolk, which is a 115-mile journey, according to Robson.  [...] It is also understood that the palace has fully evaluated the risk of the family flying together, compared with implementing a policy where separate travel assets are provided for one or more members of The Prince and Princess of Wales’ family.

30 JULY 2024: The Prince's Trust announces the date for its annual Christmas Carol concert, 09 December 2024.

Hilary Rose, The Times, posts an article about William van Cutsem, friend of Prince William and recently appointed as an adviser to the Duchy of Cornwall. [archive link]

The Earthshot Prize tweets about their third annual Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit, which mentions no commitment by William to attend.

03 AUGUST 2024: Daily Mail's Natasha Livingstone

07 AUGUST 2024: Tom Sykes, The Daily Beast, "Princess Kate Will Focus on Her Kids After ‘Brush With Mortality’: Sources" [archive link]

It is thought the smaller Wales family are unlikely to travel this year to Tresco, a small island off the coast of Cornwall, where they have often spent summer holidays. However, The Daily Beast has been told that the couple are aiming to be in Balmoral either for the opening of the grouse-shooting season on Aug. 12 or shortly thereafter. William and Kate both shoot. One friend of the couple told The Daily Beast: “Kate has been exceptionally open and honest about her health. Making two appearances before the summer break, at Wimbledon and Trooping the Colour, was a clear signal that she is doing well. That is what we are hearing privately as well—it’s not over but there is lots of optimism, lots of positivity.” [...] Another source, a Buckingham Palace insider, said they understood there was no sense that Kate was expected to be back on duty for the traditionally busy period of royal engagements that kicks off in the first week of September and runs through to Christmas.

11 AUGUST 2024: William & Kate appear for less than ten seconds in a video message for Team GB with multiple celebrity appearances, after the end of the Olympics.

13 AUGUST 2024: Lucie Heath writes about the Duchy of Cornwall.

The Duchy of Cornwall’s largest single landholding is 27,300 hectares on Dartmoor, which accounts for approximately one third of the National Park. Last year the Government published an independent review of Dartmoor, which concluded the landscape was “not in a good state”. Dr Alexander Lees, a biodiversity expert at Manchester Metropolitan University, said the Duchy of Cornwall has a big part to play in turning things around at Dartmoor and other sites it owns. “As one of Britain’s biggest landowners, the Duchy of Cornwall is in a position of strength to combat the entwined biodiversity and climate crises. However, massive additional investment in conservation is needed across these landholdings,” he said. Dr Lee said: “clearly there is a need to generate income to leverage restoration and rewilding across the estate”, but added it is “questionable” that some of this income comes from a car dealership when the Duchy has promoted reduced car use through its flagship Poundbury housing estate in Dorset.

14 AUGUST 2024: Rebecca English, Daily Mail, "Why Kate's year has been tougher than anyone realises - and why she's starting to glow again." [archive link]

What most will not appreciate is that Catherine had actually been unwell for some time in the run up to her initial abdominal surgery in January (further details of which have not been made public yet by Kensington Palace). It was only after that ‘planned’ operation, of course, which left her in hospital for two weeks, that her cancer was discovered.

The Daily Beast rehashes the "exclusives" from the Daily Mail.

16 AUGUST 2024: Dan Wootton reiterates that Kate may "NEVER" return to full-time royal duties.

Tusk Trust CEO says William wants to introduce his children to Africa.

"He is very knowledgeable and passionate about conservation and the environment,” Mayhew said. “He has a particular love for Africa. He has been incredibly supportive as our patron and proactive in supporting us. We find ourselves incredibly lucky.” Mayhew plans to meet up with Prince William in Cape Town, South Africa, when the Prince of Wales hosts the fourth annual Earthshot Prize Awards there in November. Soon enough, the Prince of Wales will want to introduce his three children — Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis — to the continent, Mayhew said. “I think it won’t be long before, you know, he will want to introduce them to Africa,” he said.

17 AUGUST 2024: Natasha Anderson, Daily Mail, reports on how Will, Kate, George, Charlotte, and Louis, spent the day at a large Nerf battle. [archive link]

The Royal family had a bit of a rumble last weekend as the Prince and Princess of Wales faced off against their children in a Nerf battle. Prince George, 11, Princes Charlotte, nine, and six-year-old Prince Louis joined in the festivities at the Gone Wild Festival at Holkham Hall, Norfolk for a high-intensity Nerf war with toy guns and smoke bombs. Excitable and 'unforgettable' Louis ran around yelling 'Nerf or nothing, let's do this!', according to Norfolk Nerf Parties boss Georgina Barron. The Princess of Wales, who has been battling cancer, even 'grabbed a Nerf gun, ran around, and played stuck in the mud with her kids', Ms Barron added, noting that hosting the family was the 'biggest honour' and 'unforgettable'. Ms Barron said the royals, who were not photographed at the event, had wanted to enjoy a 'wholesome family day like any other normal family'. Kensington Palace has been approached for comment. 

19 AUGUST 2024: People magazine (US), story about who's who in the Middleton family.

The Mirror, "Kate Middleton's 'tough' side and unlikely inspiration for 'ambitious' plans" [archive link]

The Princess of Wales has rapidly ascended the Royal ranks, becoming a favourite among the Royal Family due to her sense of humour and evident respect for her role. Even during her cancer treatment, she has displayed nothing but strength and determination. Kate, once shy and reserved, has transformed into a confident, playful, and occasionally assertive figure, commanding as much public respect as King Charles or Prince William could ever wish for. This trust that the King places in his "darling daughter-in-law" reportedly leads to her frequently being asked for her opinion due to her relatability.

20 AUGUST 2024: "Princess Charlotte, Lady Louise and the Duchess of Edinburgh go on special trip" [archive link]

Princess Charlotte, Lady Louise and Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh went on a special shopping trip in London, according to a source. Charlotte has a good relationship with her great-aunt and the two royals were joined by Sophie's daughter Louise during a trip to Chelsea. The royals headed to the Peter Jones store on King's Road which is said to be one of Charlotte's favourite stores. A source told The Sun: "There is a really warm connection between Sophie and her great-niece, which is very touching."

21 AUGUST 2024: Tom Sykes, The Daily Beast, "Princes William and Harry May Only Reunite at King Charles’ Funeral: Source" [archive link]

Asked about the reports that Harry would not be invited to William’s coronation, the source said: “I believe it 100 percent. Why would William and Kate want all the distraction and circus that his presence would bring? I suspect that William will see Harry one more time in his life in the flesh—at their father’s funeral.” A former Buckingham Palace staffer told The Daily Beast: “Planning for William’s coronation is well underway, and as I understand it there are no plans to invite Harry. It’s hardly surprising when you look at how poisoned the well has become.”

US Weekly (USA) has cover story on William & Camilla, with sourcing from Christopher Andersen's book.

23 AUGUST 2024: People magazine (US), "Prince William's Return to Work Plans Revealed After Summer Break with Kate Middleton and Their Kids" [archive link]

On Aug. 22, Kensington Palace announced that the Prince of Wales, 42, will visit the Homelessness: Reframed exhibit at the Saatchi Gallery in London on Sept. 5. The display highlights the complexities of homelessness across the U.K. and offers the public an opportunity to better understand the stories of individuals who have been affected. Homelessness: Reframed is a collaboration between Prince William's Homewards program, which he launched with the Royal Foundation in June 2023 to help end homelessness for good, the Saatchi Gallery and the Eleven Eleven Foundation. The presentation opened on Aug. 7, and Prince William will visit before it closes on Sept. 20.

25 AUGUST 2024: Kate seen in a car on the way to church 'at Crathie Kirk, Balmoral, Scotland.

Daily Mail, "Inside Kate's slow and steady return to public life: How the Princess of Wales has won over the nation's hearts with appearances at Trooping the Colour, Wimbledon and Crathie Kirk following cancer diagnosis" [archive link]

Her appearance had been in doubt after she missed the final Trooping rehearsal the weekend prior to the celebration, with confirmation that she would attend only given at 6pm the evening before.  [...] And now, Kate has been seen in public for the third time since revealing that she has cancer - just two weeks after her video message praising Team GB.  The royal appeared in high spirits as she was pictured arriving for Sunday service with her husband William at Crathie Kirk today.  William drove the car, smiling as he chatted with his wife and opting for a navy blue suit for the occasion.  The Princess sported the same hat she donned last year for a Sunday church service, when she donned a beige tartan Marlborough trench coat from Holland Cooper with  dark brown wool felt fedora with feathers.

28 AUGUST 2024: The Daily Mail's royal editor, Rebecca English, confirms that William "never planned to" attend the Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit in September 2024.

29 AUGUST 2024: Matt Wilkinson, The Sun, reports that both William and Harry attended their uncle's funeral in Norfolk, "Warring Prince William and Harry REUNITE at their uncle’s funeral after Duke of Sussex makes secret dash to UK" [archive link]

The Duke of Sussex, 39, flew from his US home to join his brother, 42, at the service for Lord Robert Fellowes. A local in Snettisham, Norfolk, said: “We never saw them speak to each other and they kept their distance.” The princes both “discreetly” attended the funeral for Lord Fellowes — who was their mother Diana’s brother-in-law. They were said to have kept their distance from each other and sat at the back of the church. Sources close to US-based Harry had previously claimed he would not attend. But a close family friend said they were “very happy to confirm both princes were there”. Another source told how they only saw them at the end of the service at St Mary’s Church. They said: “I didn’t know they were there. They arrived very discreetly.” One local said: “William and Harry were both there but we never saw them speak to each other and they were keeping their distance.”

TIMELINE:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

[strawberette]

OPHELIA WOODHOUSE .

"i don't want to wake up on my own anymore. don't feel bad for me, i want you to know, deep in the cell of my heart, i really want to go. sing me to sleep, sing me to sleep. there is another world, there is a better world, well, there must be." ─ asleep, emily browning

IDENTIFICATION .

full name : ophelia jane woodhouse .

nickname : phea , pippa , effie , lia .

gender : cis woman .

pronouns : she / her .

sexuality : bisexual .

age : twenty seven .

date of birth : september 30th .

status : visitor / slightly .

class : virtue .

hierarchy : pawn .

occupation : florist .

FAMILY .

adopted father : open .

father : gary woodhouse .

mother : rosemary woodhouse .

siblings : siblings ( older ) .

significant others : none .

REFLECTION .

face claim : havana rose liu .

height : 5 ' 5 "

hair color : brunette .

eye color : green .

PSYCHOLOGICAL .

zodiac  sign : pisces .

meyer - briggs : infp : the mediator .

positive  traits :  charismatic , protective , persuasive

negative  traits : selfish , avoidant , stubborn .

character  parallels :  luna lovegood ( harry potter ) , bubbles ( powerpuff girls ) , belle ( disney ) , babydoll ( suckerpunch ) , jane doe ( ride the cyclone ) , ophelia ( shakespearean ) .

TLDR .

Ophelia was the youngest in a large family, often overlooked. She found comfort in nature, her camera, and her journal. At ten, a charismatic man befriended her, teaching her birdwatching and making her feel special. Their meetings were a secret—until the day he lured her away.

She was held captive for six years by a cult, enduring horrors she couldn’t speak of. Other girls came and went. She comforted them, braided their hair, and hoped they made it home when they all inevitably left. Then, one day, she was found.

Thrust into the spotlight, she struggled with fear, trauma, and the expectations of survival. The garden became her solace—until, on the day of her court case, she opened a door in a panic and stepped into another world. Here, she wasn’t a news story. She was just a girl.

A quiet man was chosen to take her in. She feared him at first, but his patience won her trust. He became the father she never had. Over time, she healed, found work as a florist, and chose Virtue. But an accident left her as Slightly—forgetful, spacey, always daydreaming.

Now, at 25, she’s trying to reclaim her life by living with a roommate. But through it all, she still wears the gold cross no matter what. Some habits never fade .

FULL STORY .

The youngest of a large family, Ophelia struggled to stand out. So, eventually, she stopped trying. She found solace in quiet places—her camera, her notebooks, the soft rustle of creatures in the park. She loved watching birds, pressing flowers between the pages of her journal, and writing beautiful words about the world around her. The outside was beautiful. Safe.

When she was ten, a man began meeting her in the park. He taught her how to properly birdwatch and how to listen for the different calls. He was kind, charismatic—he gave her attention. He told her she was special, different from her siblings, and she believed him. She told him everything. She had so much unreleased energy. She loved to talk.

One day, he gifted her a small gold cross necklace. A token, he said, to remind her she was protected. Their meetings were a secret. Just for them. He said she shouldn’t have to share everything with her family. These meetings were hers and hers alone. 

Then, one day, he forgot his journal at home. He asked if she would walk with him to retrieve it.

She never made it home that day.

She spent six years in his shed, held captive, subjected to horrors she couldn’t speak about. It wasn’t just him. There were others—a cult, a following. They spoke in strange tongues, performed rituals she didn’t understand. He told her never to take off her cross. It was the only thing still keeping her safe.

Other girls came and went. Some stayed longer than others. They were kind. Beautiful. Scared. She would braid their hair to calm them, whispering soft reassurances. She never knew why they left. She hoped they made it home. She hoped they felt loved while they were with her.

When she was good, calm, and quiet, she was given books and notebooks. They became her escape. Romance, fairytales—her favorite princess was Rapunzel.

Then, one day, unceremoniously, it ended. The police found her.

She was a ghost of herself. Selectively mute. Trembling. Afraid to leave the shed that had become her world. Her face was everywhere—newspapers, milk cartons, TV screens. She didn’t even know how to be a person anymore, and yet, everyone seemed to be expecting some heroic story of survival.

She took to spending time in the garden. The open sky helped when the walls started to close in. Her journal became her second sanctuary—a place to trap the dark thoughts that threatened to consume her.

Then came the trial. The flashing cameras. The weight of a thousand eyes pressing down on her. Her hands trembled again. Panic set in. She ran to the restroom to breathe—

And instead, she found herself somewhere else entirely.

The air was different. Pure. The world around her was sharp and vibrant. People passed by without recognition. No cameras. No reporters. She was just another girl here. The more she learned, the more she wanted to stay—to heal.

However, staying meant she would be housed with someone. A sponsor. She was still underage… Just barely, but she was. Few were willing to take on such a fragile case. Only one man agreed.

She was terrified of him. Weeks passed before she could be in the same room without flinching. Even longer before she could speak. But he was patient. Gentle. He took her to public places and let her set the pace. Slowly, she started to trust him. Sometimes, he’d make a face or wink at her, and she would stare, fascinated. She didn’t understand him yet, but she wanted to.

On her 18th birthday, he threw her a small party—just them, with dancing, movies, and cake. She had never had a whole party before. It was perfect. When the academy asked her privately if she wanted to move into the dorms, she surprised herself by saying no. That afternoon, he welcomed her home with a teddy bear and a little garden out back for her flowers. 

At that moment, he became a father to her.

With tutoring and therapy, she began to heal. Words returned, slow but steady. It was everything she had ever wanted from the outside world.

At 21, she made her choice: Virtue. Her adopted Father needed her as much as she needed him. Slowly but surely, she earned her degree, found a job as a florist at Apples of Eden, and even took more classes to expand her skills.

But then something happened.

She was walking home when a loud noise shattered the air. The next thing she knew, she was in a hospital bed.

“She’s slightly,” they said. “Something will always be a little off. We can’t tell what yet.” She felt spacey. Daydreamed too much. Forgot things that should’ve been second nature. Headaches pounded behind her eyes constantly. Some memories felt wrong—like they didn’t belong to her.

To this day, she still doesn’t know what happened.

Either way, she had to postpone her studies. She couldn’t keep up anymore. But she was still loved. Especially as a florist. The people at Apples of Eden kept her job for her… It was kind, even if some of them stared at her.  Her adopted father became more protective than ever, pouring credits into medicine (Clear Skies). She tried to help, but he almost never let her.

At 25, she decided it was time to move out. She learned how to ration her medicine and how to take care of herself again. She even got a roommate—someone to check in on her.

Now, she’s starting to head back to class again… Or trying to, at the very least. It’s a challenge, but she wanted to try. Someone there was willing to help her. Normal life—friendships, relationships—are difficult. They always were, but especially now. However, when she loves, she loves deeply. Fully. She shows affection in small ways: handwritten poetry, soft touches, photographs, and tiny thoughtful gifts.

Though, even after everything, one thing constantly remained… The small gold cross necklace given to her when she was 10. She wears it constantly and hates to take it off .

Old habits die hard.

WANTED CONNECTIONS .

1 . adopted father : They're incredibly close, and he's incredibly worried about her. Getting her the tonics she needs is expensive, but it's more than worth it. Luckily, he's relatively well off and can handle it, but even if he couldn',t he'd still do anything to protect his daughter .

2 . friends : She's Slightly now, but they don't mind. Not much changed about her anyway. They're sure to take care of her, make sure she doesn't forget things— But they don't treat her like a baby... She appreciates it .

3 . mother figure : She loves her adopted father with all her heart, but she desperately needs a motherly figure to look after her and comfort her. Teach her. She's always been that for others, so it would be different reversed .

[imagine-that-one-thing]

Chapter 12 "Veil of Deception"

Word count: 11,384

Harry x Anastasia || Fanfic series

Master Link || Chat with me

Harry’s pov

In the back of the car, raindrops trace delicate patterns on the windowpane as we drive through the streets of London. It appears it hasn’t stopped raining since I got back from my small trip. When it rains it truly does pour.. The soft glow of the streetlights reflects off the wet pavement, casting a dreamy ambience. Anna sits beside me, her thoughts swirling in the depths of her mind. With a cup of coffee in my hand and a glass of champagne in hers, we find ourselves in a tense silence, both aware of the distance that hangs between us. Since she came back from seeing Pippa, she hasn’t been the same. I left almost instantly to catch a flight after the lovemaking in a darkened room we stumbled into. The lovemaking didn’t make things easier. She’s still pissed with me.

The atmosphere is charged with anticipation, as Anna musters the courage to ask a question that lingers on her lips. This can’t be good. I’m not naive.

I glance down at my phone vibrating, message after message coming through— someone’s pissed. I clear my throat and look towards Anna who is not paying attention and take the moment to read the messages.

Unknown Number

New detail coming in soon, confirm text.

New detail coming in soon, confirm text.

New detail coming in soon, confirm

Your reads are on, I can see you reading the text messages.

Don't make me fly out there.

I heavily sigh and tap my fingers against my screen. “Confirm…. You just can’t leave me alone, can you?”

“It’s my job to not leave you alone… I need the ID Code.”

“No.” I type back, a smile forming on my lips, as the little text bubble appears and disappears.

“If you don’t cooperate I will move your flight and you will be jetting off in an hour. Your schedule shows you’re currently busy, and your location shows you’re in the car. So, which is it, deep cover?”

I roll my eyes at the text and send my ID, watching a file send through as Anna looks over towards me. I lock my phone, deciding to read the details in a moment.

“So,” Anna begins, “When did you plan to tell me you slept with Pippa?” Anna asks me, and I can’t help but choke on my coffee, “Or did you plan to keep it a secret?”

I clear my throat and take another sip of my coffee before speaking, “Let me preface this by saying this happened before you and I started dating.”

“What made you think it would be a good idea to sleep with my prime minister?”

“To be fair, she wasn’t your prime minister at the time,” I respond.

“When was it?”

“I don’t think this is fair or appropriate right now.”

I can feel Anna's determination as she firmly shakes her head and says, "Tell the driver to take another lap around the block. I'm not stepping out of this car until I get the answers I need." Her resolve is unwavering, and I can sense the intensity in her voice. Despite my reluctance, I do as I’m told.

The car continues its journey, circling the block as Anna adjusts the length of her dress. “Tell me,” Anna demands.

“I don’t ask about the people you’ve slept with and I know I’m not the only one.”

Anna shakes her head, “who I’ve slept with don’t help run a country and don’t pop up to be destructive.”

“Fucking aye, okay. Do you want to know about the night it happened? Fine. It was the night she was elected and won the polls.” I mutter, taking a breath before beginning to tell Anna the details.

*** Flash Back ***

I lean against the bar, straight whiskey in my drink as I allow the strong liquid to rush down my throat burning all feelings and emotions. It has been a rough few days, I haven’t slept, the King has had me running all over London, and here I am at an event I don’t want to be at.

As the crowd's anticipation reaches its peak, the room becomes electric with excitement. The air is thick with the scent of ambition and power, mingling with the clinking of glasses and the murmur of conversations.

Lost in my thoughts, I watch Anna gracefully navigate through the crowd, her presence captivating and radiant. The whiskey in my glass offers a temporary respite from the whirlwind of emotions swirling within me. It's in moments like these when the world is focused on the grand stage of politics, that I find myself captivated by the subtle nuances of Anna's every move. But for now, I'll keep my feelings hidden, content to observe from the sidelines as the new prime minister is elected.

I sigh, reminding myself that Anna's attention lies elsewhere. She moves through the crowd with confidence, her eyes fixed on the important figures in the room. Her focus is on the political affairs of the evening, not on any personal connections. I understand that she isn't interested in me, and I respect that. How could she ever want someone like me?

A commoner.

I take another swig of the whiskey, feeling its warmth spreading through my veins. The room spins slightly as I try to steady myself, my vision blurred by the alcohol.

Pippa saunters over to me, a mischievous glint in her eyes. She suggests we escape to a hotel room upstairs, her voice laced with temptation. “Come on,” she flicks her head, her eyes following my drunken gaze that is on Anna. “Oh, you poor thing, she’ll never see you for anything more than what you are, security,” Pippa responds with a sarcastic remark, her words dripping with disdain. Pippa leans closer, pressing her lips to my ear, “Upstairs, darling,” she whispers, her hand tugging on my tie. The tension between us is palpable, fueled by the alcohol coursing through my veins.

Pippa's voice drips with seduction as she leans in, her eyes locked with mine. "You know, Harry," she purrs, "I've always wondered what it would be like to see you without your clothes and under my body,” Her words send a shiver down my spine, igniting a fire within me.

“Oh?” I cock my head to the side, “You sure you didn’t say that to the last guy you tried to fuck?”

Pippa giggles and throws her head back as her hands press to my hips, “Maybe, but does that matter?”

In my drunken state, I struggle to resist her advances, my mind clouded by the alcohol. The room spins around us as I weigh the consequences of my actions, torn between the allure of the forbidden and the desire I have for Anna.

Pippa takes my hand, her touch warm and inviting, as she guides me through the dimly lit hallway, leaving the party behind us. The soft glow of the sconces casts a gold ambience, intensifying the fluttering in my chest. We stumble into the elegant elevator, its mirrored walls reflecting our dishevelled appearances. Pippa's laughter fills the small space, intertwining with the muffled sound of our drunken comments. With each floor we ascend, the anticipation builds, and I can't help but take bold possession of the moment, pushing her against the mirror and kissing her deeply, wanting nothing more than drunken sex. “This means nothing,” I murmur against her lips, her fingers tugging my shirt out of my pants.

“No strings. Just fuck me,” she demands, unbuttoning my shirt as the elevator numbers rise.

She pushes on me, breaking our kiss as the elevator doors open, revealing a corridor adorned with plush carpeting and tasteful artwork, we stumble together towards a hotel room, the air thick with drunken desires.

Pippa and I stumble into the hotel room, our bodies pressed close together, struggling to keep our hands off each other. The air crackles with electricity as our laughter fades into breathless anticipation. Every touch, every glance, fuels the fire burning between us. We're lost in the moment, unable to resist the temptation. It's all just a game, a fleeting moment of pleasure. We both know there's no deeper connection, no emotional bond. We indulge in the physical, knowing it means nothing in the grand scheme of things.

The room becomes a blur as we give in to the alcohol, clothes scattering to the floor before our bodies hit the soft bed. Our bodies intertwined in a tangle of limbs. Our hands roam freely, exploring each other's bodies with a hunger that can't be denied.

She's undeniably attractive, and there's no denying I like the physical touch of us. But even in my drunken state, I see through her conniving ways, her immoral actions driven by her political ambitions. She may be skilled in the art of manipulation, but I can't let myself be fooled by her facade. Our physical connection may be intense, but I can't ignore the fact that she's a politician, always playing games for her gain.

I throw the covers over her, breathless from our passionate encounter. "You need to leave now," I tell her firmly.

Pippa laughs, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, come on. I'm not expecting cuddles and sweet nothings in the morning."

"Good, because you won't get it," I respond, my tone serious as reality sets in. Yes, she's attractive, but she's Pippa.

Pippa sits up, the sheet draped over her body, her blonde hair cascading over her shoulders. Her eyes smoulder with desire. "It's Anna, isn't it?" she says, her voice filled with knowing.

"What?" I ask, scrambling to find my pants.

She shrugs, her expression nonchalant. "We just had meaningless sex. You wished it was Anna lying here."

"We just slept together and you want to talk about another woman?" I retort, frustration evident in my voice.

"Well, it was just physical," she says dismissively.

I pause, feeling a mix of guilt and frustration. I frantically fumble with the buttons on my shirt, my hands trembling with agitation. I avoid Pippa's gaze, my jaw clenched tightly. With a frustrated sigh, I grab Pippa's dress and toss it towards her, my actions filled with an air of dismissiveness. It's evident that I want to avoid any conversation about Anna, shutting down any potential discussion before it even begins.

Pippa sighs and holds her dress in her hands, “I guess I have an election to win. Wish me luck?” She softly asks as she stands in front of me, completely naked. Fuck.

I bite my lip and lock eyes with her, “No. This ends here, no seduction.”

“You’re more fun with your clothes off,” she sighs, beginning to pull her dress over her body.

*** End Flashback ***

I lock eyes with Anna, a wave of self-loathing washing over me for my drunken mistake with Pippa. "I didn't know you'd ever give me a chance," I blurt out, desperately trying to defend myself.

Anna's expression remains unyielding. "That doesn't excuse what you did," she retorts sharply.

I take a deep breath, frustration and regret mingling within me. "It was a meaningless, one-time thing, Anna. If I wanted Pippa, I wouldn't have been with you," I say, my voice filled with conviction.

Anna rolls her eyes, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Wow, what a compelling argument you're making," she says, clearly unimpressed.

Anna's anger simmers beneath the surface as she glares at me, her frustration palpable. "You think being with me makes it all okay?" she seethes, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Well, congratulations on your noble sacrifice."

I wince at her biting words, realizing the depth of her resentment. "No, Anna, that's not what I meant," I stammer, desperately trying to find the right words to salvage the situation.

Pippa was nothing but a drunken mistake.

She scoffs, her eyes filled with disappointment. "Save it, Harry. I don't want to hear any more excuses," she snaps, turning away from me, her body language radiating anger and hurt.

“Anastasia,” I begin, “Look, I can’t change that it happened, and I can’t change how you found out. This is what she wanted, to piss you off and it’s working.” … “Baby,” I reach for her hand and she surprisingly allows me to hold it. “She’s a snake, this is what she does.”

“I’m irritated you hid it from me. That’s an important thing to tell the future fucking Queen.”

“I didn't think she would stoop so low as to use a drunken night against me. Just because you are a future queen doesn’t mean I have to divulge my whole prior life," I say, shaking my head in disappointment.

"Anyone else I need to be aware of that you messed around with?" Anna asks, her voice filled with a mix of curiosity and concern.

"None that have any impact on the monarchy," I assure her, hoping to alleviate the worries she may have over the damn monarchy.

Anna presses for more details, asking, "Who are they?" I let out a heavy sigh, feeling the weight of the conversation.

"Anna... there were a couple of models," I reluctantly admit, my tone filled with regret.

"A couple? More than one?" Anna questions, clearly taken aback by the revelation.

I nod solemnly, acknowledging the truth. "Yes, a few. But not all of them were drunken encounters."

Her next question cuts through the tension, "Did you just sleep around with everyone?"

"No, Anna," I respond firmly, my voice tinged with remorse. "It wasn't like that. I made mistakes.”

“Who? Are they well known?”

"Surprisingly, they are quite well-known in the fashion industry," I respond, raising an eyebrow as she gawks at me wanting more information.

Anna leans in, her curiosity piqued. "Wait, are they going to be at the fashion show tomorrow?"

I nod, a hint of reluctance in my expression. "Yes, one of them should be walking the runway tomorrow."

She raises an eyebrow, a smirk playing on her lips. "And is that why you didn't want to go?"

I shake my head, a mix of frustration and honesty in my voice. "No, it's not just about that. It's about keeping our relationship under wraps for now."

Anna scoffs, clearly not convinced. "I call bullshit."

Feeling the tension rise, I decide it's best to change the subject. "Alright, we've arrived. Let's get out of the car and enjoy the evening, shall we?"

“You slept with models. And nobody knew?”

“I keep my relationships private,” I respond. “There’s a lot people do not know about me,” I mutter.

I’m far from an open book, if I were an open book, I’d be in quite a lot of trouble. “And it isn’t like you haven’t slept with anyone before me… Don’t act like you haven’t slept with Niall.”

“It was a drunken night,” Anna instantly responds. “How’d you even know?”

“I have my ways. If you can hide drunken sex before our relationship, so can I.”

“I want a name,” Anna responds bitterly.

I shake my head, “No.” I firmly respond, forcing the car door open to end the conversation.

Anna's eyes burn with determination as she steps out of the car, her heels clicking against the pavement. Pippa stands before her, a sly smirk playing on her lips. "Well, well, Anna," Pippa taunts, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You finally show up and only a few minutes late,” Pippa rolls her eyes, “And I see you bought your attack dog,” Pippa looks towards me with a smile, “hmm, still attractive,” Pippa gleams.

Here we go. I should have stayed home.

Anna's jaw tightens, and the tension between them crackles in the air as they lock gazes, both refusing to back down. Anna’s voice fills with a mix of anger and defiance, “The best thing for you to do, is to stay out of my way.”

“Ohh, the icy Queen is finally biting back. I like it.”

I glare towards Pippa, “Anna, let’s go,” I mutter, taking a breath and guiding Anna away, hoping to defuse the raging anger inside Anna.

Anna gracefully walks the red carpet, her smile radiant as the flashing cameras capture her every move. The voices clamour for her attention, eager to capture her photo and be a part of her world. She embraces the chaos with poise, acting like nothing happened a few moments ago in the car. The world would never know.

As I stand, watching the crowd, it is impossible to ignore the way everyone sought Anna's attention. People flock to her, their eyes filled with admiration and longing. I can’t blame them, for Anna possesses a magnetic charm that draws people in. It is both a blessing and a curse, knowing that she is the centre of attention wherever she goes. But deep down, I can’t help but feel a twinge of possessiveness, wanting her attention for myself above all others.

I hate events, I hate attending them as her unknown partner and I hate attending them as security. Genuinely hate large events that bring attention to everybody. They’re also tedious and fucking boring. I turn to Niall and heavily sigh, “I would rather poke needles in my eyes than stand here for another minute and listen to half these conversations about utter bullshit.”

Niall chuckles and takes a sip of his drink, “That is why I stand by the bar and drink.”

“I’m not allowed to drink,” I mutter.

“I never said I was allowed to. But who’s going to stop me?” Niall asks, “It sure as fuck isn’t going to be you. I’m not high enough on the royal chain for anyone to care.”

“Why are you here then?” I curiously ask.

Niall lifts his shoulders into a shrug. “You cancelled poker night.”

“I’m fucking working,” I laugh, “Oh, fuck here’s Pippa,” I mutter.

“That’s my queue to go be a prince,” Niall waves himself off, leaving me to face Pippa alone.

Pippa can’t help but let out a snarky comment as she looks at me. "Oh, Harry, you've outdone yourself this time, haven't you? Quite the charmer, aren't you? I must say, Anna's reaction is simply priceless." Her words drip with sarcasm, as she takes pleasure in the discomfort she has caused.

“This is your doing.”

“Takes two to tango.” Pippa remarks, “We could tango again?”

I shake my head, leaning against the wall with my arms crossed over my chest, “I’m taken.”

Pippa lifts her shoulders into a shrug, not caring. “You’re taken by default. What does she have that I don’t?”

“Morals, integrity, just to name a few… I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before you leak our relationship.”

Pippa chuckles, “I thought about it. I’ll let your sister release that one. I ran into her today.”

I glare towards Pippa, “Do not bait my sister.”

Anna forces a smile, though her eyes betray the cold fury simmering beneath the surface as she walks closer to us. Fuck. “Pippa," she begins, her voice light but with an edge sharp enough to cut, "it’s always so... delightful to see you take such an interest in our lives.”

Pippa tilts her head slightly, her smirk widening. “Oh, you know me, Anna. I just can't resist a little excitement now and then.” She glances at me, her eyes lingering for just a moment too long before flicking back to Anna.

Anna’s grip on her handbag tightens ever so slightly, knuckles whitening as she takes a step closer to me. "Excitement is one thing," she says evenly, "but there's a fine line between excitement and intrusion, don't you think?"

Pippa laughs softly, the sound grating on Anna’s nerves. “Intrusion?” Pippa echoes, feigning surprise. "I didn't realize enjoying the company of an old friend was such a crime. Or is it only a problem when that friend is Harry?"

Anna swallows the biting retort on the tip of her tongue. She’s not going to give Pippa the satisfaction of seeing her riled up. Instead, she smiles tightly. "You know very well what you're doing, Pippa." Her tone is calm, and measured. "But if you think you can drive a wedge between us with these little games, you're going to be disappointed."

Pippa raises an eyebrow, clearly unfazed. "Oh, Anna, dear, you really should relax. All this tension can't be good for you." She reaches out as if to touch me again, but Anna steps forward, subtly interposing herself between us. Thank the heavens.

"Don't," Anna says softly, her voice so low only Pippa can hear. It’s not a threat—it's a warning.

Pippa hesitates for the briefest moment, then drops her hand, her smirk never wavering. "Very well," she murmurs, her eyes flicking to me with a challenge still burning in them. "But remember, Anna, I always get what I want. In the end."

Anna holds her gaze, her own eyes hard and unyielding. "We'll see about that." Her voice is polite, her smile even more so, but there's an unmistakable promise of battle in every word.

I shift on my feet, acutely aware of the photographers pressing in around us. The flashing lights are relentless, capturing every tense second between Anna and Pippa. This was supposed to be a straightforward event, but now it's spiralling into a spectacle, and I’m right at the centre of it. My stomach knots. This isn't what I signed up for.

"Look, maybe we should just—" I try to say something, anything, to diffuse the situation, but the words get lost as another camera flash blinds me. I can practically hear the headlines forming:

I take a deep breath, trying to assess the situation with a clear head despite the chaos around us. The cameras are clicking like mad, every flash searing this moment into a permanent record. If I’m not careful, this could spiral into a tabloid frenzy. I have to handle this right. Quickly, I slip into the mindset of the role I'm supposed to play—security, not the man caught between them.

With deliberate calm, I place my arm around Anna, my touch light but firm. I guide her away from Pippa, my movements are measured and professional. To anyone watching, it should look like I’m just doing my job, ensuring Anna’s safety and steering her out of an uncomfortable situation. Not as a friend or anything more. Just security detail maintaining control.

"Let’s go," I murmur, keeping my voice low and businesslike. I steer Anna toward the entrance, making sure my expression remains neutral, eyes scanning our path. I can feel her tense beside me, her body rigid under my hand.

As we finally step inside, out of the photographer's line of sight, I feel Anna exhale, her shoulders sagging slightly as the tension starts to drain away. I drop my arm from around her, glancing at her face, trying to gauge where she’s at. But her expression remains composed, a mask firmly in place.

Anna’s pov

As we sit here, the murmurs of the crowd and the soft music of the event fading into the background, it becomes harder to maintain the pretence. Our fingers are linked, hidden in the shadows between our seats, and every gentle squeeze from him sends a jolt through me. It’s impossible to ignore the swirling feelings inside of me. The thrill of possibly being caught heightens everything. One wrong move and our relationship is on display for the world. I don’t care anymore.

I can feel my chest rise and fall with each careful breath I take, my composure wavering just enough for me to feel the struggle underneath. I’m trying so hard to keep it together, to stay poised.

I shift slightly in my seat, leaning toward him as if discussing something related to the event. The scent of his cologne, delicate and familiar, fills the space between us, and I have to close my eyes for a moment to steady myself. When I open them, he’s already looking at me, his eyes softer than I’ve seen all evening, filled with something raw and unguarded. He’s finally calm.

My lips part, just the faintest bit, and he knows I’m about to say something, something real, but I catch myself, glancing around us at the room full of people. I want him to know I want him. So instead, I offer him a small smile. His fingers breaking away from mine and moving to sit on my thigh.

I exhale shakily, my eyes flicking back to his. The mask is crumbling, and I can feel everything—fear, longing, and a love so intense it almost makes me forget where we are. I tilt my head slightly, my eyes locked on his, silently pleading with him to take this further.

His thumb moves, tracing a gentle circle across my thigh. I shiver at the contact, my eyes fluttering closed for a second before I open them again. "Harry," I whisper, barely audible over the low hum of the room, but the way I say his name is enough to convey what I want—soft, intimate, and achingly familiar.

I lean in, my lips just inches from his ear, our faces turned away from the room. "Harry," I murmur, my voice thick with everything I can’t say aloud. I let my breath linger against his skin. My heart pounds in my chest, each beat urging me to forget the world outside this bubble we've created.

I feel his hand squeeze my thigh and I feel every defence break. I inhale sharply, my eyes fluttering shut as I lean into the touch, his hand tightening around my thigh with a desperate grip. He wants more—I can feel it, the same as I do—but then he pulls back, just a fraction.

"We can’t," I breathe, my voice a strained whisper meant only for him. But even as I say it, I don't move. Instead, I cling to it like it's the only thing keeping me steady, his thumb stroking against my thigh, trembling motions. It’s a contradiction, a push and pull between what we’re supposed to do and what we desperately want.

I can hardly breathe. Every time Harry’s hand moves against me, every brush of his thumb against my skin, it sends a shiver through me that I can't hide. I tell myself to stay calm and to keep my face composed, but inside, I’m a storm of emotions. I know I shouldn’t be doing this—none of this—but my heart doesn't care about what's right or wrong. It only knows what it wants.

Minutes tick by in agonizing silence. The event continues around us, but I can't focus on a single word. All I feel is the heat of Harry beside me, the intensity of his gaze every time he glances my way. It’s too much. I thought I could sit here and endure it, pretend that this feeling wasn't clawing at me, but I was wrong.

Finally, I turn to him, catching his eye. My heart is pounding so loudly I'm sure he can hear it. "Harry," I whisper, my voice trembling. He leans in, his eyes locked on mine, concern mingling with something deeper. For a second, I almost lose my nerve, but then I steel myself. “Meet me in the hallway,” I say, my voice barely audible, but the urgency is clear. I have to do this. I need to feel close to him, even if just for a fleeting moment.

I stand, murmuring a polite excuse to the others nearby, something about needing fresh air. They nod, barely paying attention, and I move quickly, my legs carrying me toward the door with more speed than elegance.

The hallway outside is cool and dimly lit, a welcome contrast to the overheated room behind me. I walk a few paces down the corridor, away from the door, my heart hammering in my chest. I can hear my breathing, fast and shallow, as I try to calm the storm inside me.

I lean against the wall, closing my eyes for a moment, trying to collect myself. The silence of the hallway wraps around me, offering a brief moment of clarity. Then I hear the door open, and soft footsteps approaching, and I know it’s him. I don’t open my eyes right away.

I turn around, and the sight of him, standing there with that look in his eyes—so much concern, so much need—breaks down the last of my resolve. I cross the distance between us in a few quick strides and grab his jacket, yanking him toward me. Before he can say anything, before I can think, my lips crash against his.

I kiss him like I’ve been starving for it because I have. All night—hell, for longer than I care to admit—I’ve been holding back, pretending, playing the part. But here, right now, there’s no one watching, no cameras, no expectations. Just Harry and me. And it’s everything I need.

He staggers slightly from the force of my kiss, but then his hands find my waist, anchoring me against him, and he kisses me back just as fiercely. It’s almost desperate like we’re trying to make up for all the times we’ve had to keep this hidden, all the moments we’ve had to pull away before someone saw too much. His mouth is warm and insistent against mine, and I let out a shaky breath through my nose as his hands slide up to cradle my face, tilting my head back to deepen the kiss.

“Baby,” he breathes, suddenly coming to his senses, my fingers gripping his shirt, “Let’s move.” He insists,

I nod, feeling the weight of our decision as Harry takes my hand, his grip steady and reassuring. We move quickly down the hallway, the tension still thick between us, but there’s an exhilarating rush in knowing that we’re finally allowing ourselves to be honest.

When we reach the elevators, I step inside, my heart racing as he follows, the doors sliding shut behind us. The small space feels intimate, charged with the energy we’ve been holding back. I watch him as he pushes the button for a floor, his expression bright with yearning and something deeper, something almost desperate.

As the elevator ascends, he turns to face me, stepping closer. My back hits the wall, and I can feel the heat radiating off his body, the intensity of his gaze locking me in place. I can barely breathe, the air thick with anticipation.

Without warning, he closes the distance, his lips crashing against mine in a kiss that feels like it’s been building for ages. It’s bold and possessive, igniting every nerve ending in my body. I melt against the wall, losing myself in him, the world outside fading into oblivion.

Every worry, every fear about being seen or caught slips away as I lean into the kiss, my hands moving up to his shoulders, anchoring myself to him. I can feel his warmth enveloping me, the taste of him igniting a fire within me that I have truly missed.

“Harry,” I murmur, my voice a blend of longing and apprehension. “We can’t stay here.”

He pauses, his forehead resting against mine, both of us panting softly, our breaths mingling. “I know,” he replies, his voice low and husky. But he doesn’t step back; instead, he grips my waist gently, holding me against him as if he’s afraid to let go.

“We should—” I begin, but the words die on my lips as he leans in again, capturing my mouth with his in another searing kiss, his hands moving up my dress.

“Shhh,” he whispers against my lips, my body relaxing into his feeling his fingers at the lace of my underwear. I pull away from his kiss and take a deep breath, my leg wrapping around his body, keeping me up.

He doesn’t tease his fingers against me or waste time, he takes control and slides his fingers inside me, my head falling back in pleasure with each enthralling motion he grants me.

I let out a moan, the crashing waves threatening to break my resistance with every moment, my fingers digging into his shirt, begging for more. But the elevator chimes and the doors slide open, pulling me back to reality. Panic flashes through me as I glance outside, knowing we’re still in a public space. “Harry, we need to—”

He cuts me off with another quick kiss, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Just a few more seconds,” he whispers against my lips, and I can’t help but smile despite the urgency.

With one last deep breath, I nod, surrendering to the moment. The thrill of being caught, the danger of being seen, only adds to the intensity. His kiss deepens and the grip around my body tightens as I pull away from the kiss, “Don’t stop,” I beg, the captivating sensation I’ve been longing for so close.

He smirks as my body falls into him, heavy breaths evident. “Come on,” he whispers, hitting the open button on the doors before leading us down a dimly lit hallway.

“Someone gets off on the idea of being caught,” Harry muses, opening a hotel door with the swipe of a card before allowing me in.

“Someone preplanned a hotel room,” I raise a brow, watching him close the door and lock it before he faces me.

He lifts his shoulders into a shrug, stepping closer to me, “You had the same idea, you started this,” he gestures towards me, and I chuckle.

I throw my arms around his shoulders, kissing him lightly, “I’ve missed this,” I whisper with a small smile. I’ve missed the playfulness and the sneaking around, the private time and not always having people around.

We haven’t had the chance to be alone lately, we haven’t had privacy and it has been horrible. I’ve been thrown into a world where I’m always watched and constantly worried that my world will destroy Harry and I’s relationship.

“Me too, baby,” he whispers, carefully kissing my neck. No more talking,” he instructs, his hands dancing to the back of my dress. He carefully finds the zip and pulls it down. My dress falls to the floor, and my hands glide to his shirt, unbuttoning it with ease as we stumble our way through the hotel room and to the bed.

***

Harry’s pov

Anna left for the fashion show before I did. This morning, I heard her walking around the hotel room, stumbling in the dark to find her attire. A small smile found its way to my lips as it settled in that this is my life—waking up to her, even if it’s still a secret.

I lean against the wall, feeling the weight of the long night settling on my shoulders. With a sigh, I close my eyes for a moment, trying to find some relief from the ache. I’m tired and I know that is the main issue I am facing at the moment— a lack of sleep. I dipped out of the hotel room during the night and came back before Anna woke up.

I read through the documents last night that were sent over text. I’m expected to take intel on Alaric. There’s no way around it. If Anna finds out, she will be pissed.

Willow's voice breaks through my thoughts, and I open my eyes, adjusting my posture. “Most security personnel keep their eyes open.”

"Most Queens don't drink vodka at events," I tease, catching a whiff of the strong scent from her glass.

She shrugs her shoulders, curiosity in her eyes. "What's wrong with you?"

I hesitate for a moment, unsure if I should share my discomfort. "If I tell you, you’ll get me kicked off security."

A mischievous smile tugs at the corners of her lips. "Oh, come on, I don't have that much power." She cackles— she knows she does.

I chuckle, appreciating her lightheartedness. "You have more power than you let on, Willow. My shoulder is aching a little."

She raises an eyebrow, seeing right through my attempt to downplay the pain. "You're lying. It hurts a lot. I've never seen you leaning against a wall with your eyes closed like this. It’s not your nature. Leaning against walls is not protocol."

I can't help but smile at her perceptiveness. Leaning against the wall is a no-go in the field I used to work in. "Well, you don't usually see me,” I point out.

She hums in agreement, concern evident in her voice. "Just go home."

I playfully protest, not quite ready to give up my duties. "Are you dismissing me from your service?"

She nods, a hint of seriousness in her eyes. "Sure, I am. Your well-being is more important.”

“You just want to drink vodka in peace.”

Willow shrugs her shoulders, “You always let me drink in peace, it’s the others who don’t.”

“Oh,” I hum, “So you requested my service because I allow you to drink?” I ask.

“Precisely,” she responds with a chuckle, holding her drink up before taking a sip. “If you need to leave my service, you can. You’ll be receiving a call soon, so I’d relax while you can.”

What call? I’m meant to be on a flight in a few hours.

“Thanks, Willow,” I nod my head. "Sometimes I can't help but wonder why someone like her is involved in politics," I comment as Pippa struts past, flaunting her stunning black and white ensemble. Her sleek black dress with intricate white patterns accentuates her long legs, and her choice of black stiletto heels and a chic black clutch adds to her sophisticated look. With her hair styled in a sleek updo, smoky eye makeup, and a bold red lip, Pippa commands attention wherever she goes.

Willow, sensing my curiosity, mutters, "Maybe it's because in politics she can get away with anything, even fucking people."

I give Willow a side-eye, shaking my head. "I don't think it's just about that," I reply.

Willow smirks, handing me her glass. "She's been fucking around with what is mine, so trust me, there's some truth to it," she says, chuckling.

My eyes widen in surprise as I take a moment to process the revelation. "Hmm," I utter, trying to compose myself.

"You seem surprised," Willow observes.

I stumble over my words, unsure of how to respond. "I...uh...I think I need to step away for a moment," I finally manage to say.

Willow laughs and takes her drink back. "Don't worry," she reassures me, "I won’t tell anyone she slept with you, too.”

I raise an eyebrow, my curiosity piqued. "You seem to know a lot," I say, a hint of scepticism in my voice. "What's going on with your husband? And why do you think I'll be getting a call?"

Willow leans in closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Let's just say I have my ways of finding things out. Just like you do," she says cryptically, giving me a small wink. This woman always seems to be a step ahead of everything, even though she’s considered the quiet one that’s overlooked. "I know about you, Harry.”

I nod slowly, a mix of apprehension and intrigue swirling inside me. "Alright," I reply cautiously, “Not sure what that entails.”

“Mhm,” she hums with a small wink.

If she knows what I think she knows, I might be fucked. Then again, if she knows, why is she so calm?

As I walk away, I notice Pippa approaching, her eyes filled with a mischievous glint, but I pay her no mind. She tries to capture my attention, but I continue to ignore her. She’s going to do everything to destroy Anna and to seduce anyone with some sort of power. She seemingly thinks I have power and she wants it.

Finally, I spot Anna sitting by the catwalk, her presence a calming balm amidst the chaos. I make my way towards her, my steps heavy with the weight of our recent argument and the information she found out last night.

"Anna," I say, my voice tinged with regret. "May I?"

She looks up at me and offers a soft smile, nodding her head. I take a seat beside her, my gaze fixed on her face. “Still mad?”

Anna shrugs, “I'm tired, Harry," she admits, her voice barely above a whisper. "Tired of the secrets."

"I know, Anna.” … “I have some dirt on Pippa that’ll make you feel better.”

A small smile graces her lips, a flicker of hope in her eyes. "It better be juicy,” Anna chuckles.

I reach out, gently placing my hand on her shoulder, leaning closer. "Wanna sneak away?”

Her smile widens, and she leans into my touch, “No, I’m trying to figure out which model you slept with,” Anna whispers with a grin, her eyes flicking towards me before flicking back towards the runway.

“I’m not releasing names.”

“That’s not fair,” Anna says.

I lean back in my chair, my gaze fixed on the parade of models gliding down the runway. Among them, the fourth one caught my attention. Her eyes lock with mine, and in that split second, I can sense a flicker of recognition. Anna looks at me and grins as I place my head in my hands. Anna nudges me, an indication she knows which model I slept with, adding an unexpected twist to the fashion show.

Anna playfully nudges me and raises an eyebrow. "So, Harry, are you and the model still friends?" she asks, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

I chuckle, shaking my head. "Yes, we are," I reply, a hint of amusement in my voice. "We had a fun fling, then we dated for a minute. We decided to remain friends and keep things light when we parted."

Anna raises an eyebrow and smirks. "So, spill the tea, Harry. How good of friends are we talking here?" she asks, a playful tone in her voice.

I pause for a moment, contemplating my response. "Well, Anna," I begin, "We catch up occasionally, grab a coffee, that sort of thing." … “I’m joking,” I assure her, “I’d appreciate it if we stopped the questions though—“

Just as I'm about to continue, I feel my phone buzzing in my pocket. "Hold on," I say, excusing myself from the seat. I quickly answer the call, making my way out of the floor seats, trying not to disturb too many people as I navigate through the crowd.

I weave my way through the throng of people, determined to find a quiet sanctuary to take the call from Prince Louis. “Excuse me, excuse me,” I murmur, gently nudging past the crowd, my eyes scanning the surroundings for a secluded spot. Finally, I spot a door slightly ajar, leading to a serene room. I slip inside, closing the door behind me, and answer the phone call, grateful for the moment of solitude amidst the chaos.

My heart skips a beat as Louis urgently says, "I need you now."

"What's going on?" I ask, my voice filled with worry.

"It's Alaric," Louis responds, his tone urgent. "He's about to play poker in an hour."

My mind races, trying to understand the situation. "Why do you need me for that?" I question a mix of confusion and concern in my voice. “This isn’t my line of work.”

“We are in another country, playing Poker in an underground and secluded area. What about this sounds good?”

“Louis…” I begin, running my hands through my hair with a heavy sigh. “He wasn’t meant to go for a few more hours.”

“Well, he decided to leave early for his royal meeting.”

I know exactly where this is leading. I’m intelligent enough to be aware that I need to intervene, but I’m also intelligent enough to know that I need more details before I jump. This wasn’t the original plan.

“Political tensions, secret deals, or even a high-stakes bet that could jeopardize diplomatic relations is a situation that calls for caution and careful monitoring.” … “Something that’s in your pay grade.”

“You want me to fly out and sit in on a poker game because you’re not man enough to handle it?” I heavily sigh, “I’ll fly to Belgium, but this better be worth it.” I warn him. He can’t know I already had plans to fly out after the show.

“Not like you have anything else better to do.”

"Goodbye, Louis," I say, hanging up the phone and slipping it into my pocket. As I look up, I see Willow and Matthew entering the room, their presence catching me off guard.

I raise an eyebrow, curiosity bubbling up inside me. "What brings you two here?" I ask, my voice laced with intrigue.

Willow chuckles softly, her eyes gleaming mischievously. "I told you that you'd receive a call," she says, a playful smile dancing on her lips.

My curiosity intensifies, and I press further, "So, this has something to do with that call, doesn't it?" Willow nods, her expression confirming my suspicions.

A mix of frustration and amusement washes over me, and I can't help but tease, "Do you all just conspire to ruin my day, or is it just a happy coincidence?"

"A happy coincidence," Matthew replies with a grin.

“Can I come? I love poker.” Willow questions with a devilish grin. For someone who should be concerned that her husband is playing poker in an underground area in a different country, she’s very cheery and grinning.

“Willow, this one's just for Matthew and me,” I shake my head, narrowing my eyes down on her, watching her expressions.

Willow pouts, feigning disappointment. "Aw, come on!" she says with a mischievous twinkle in her eye, the same one Anna gets when she wants her way. Matthew and I exchange knowing glances before simultaneously shaking our heads. "Nice try, Willow, but we can't risk it," I say.

“Risk what, exactly?” Willow questions.

“Putting you in a compromised position,” I instantly respond, unsure of why she is fixated on attending. I don’t know if she’s busting my balls or if she’s genuinely wanting to attend. Either way, I don’t need her assistance— I wasn’t supposed to have anyone’s assistance, it was supposed to just be me. Damnit

***

The plane ride was cold, short but still cold, and the drive had become longer than I expected for the time frame I was on.

I’m navigating the dark back roads of Belgium at night. The air is chilly, and a thick fog hangs in the air, making visibility a challenge. The road twists and turns, taking me through hilly areas that seem to disappear into the mist. It's a thrilling and slightly eerie experience. I heavily sigh and look at the navigation, noticing I’m still twenty minutes out from the destination. Part of me wants to turn back around, hop on a plane and go back home.

“Why were you called to Belgium?” Anna asks on her end of the phone. “Or is it privileged information?” She’s snarky with her final question— she’s well aware I don’t divulge information when I don’t know the extent of what I’m walking into— I also don’t divulge once I’m done.

“I can’t discuss it with you, sweetheart.”

“Fair enough,” Anna responds, “I don’t have anything to talk about, I just wanted to let you know I’m back at the Palace.”

“You say it with such enthusiasm,” I chuckle.

“It’s like being a caged bird,” Anna responds. “Always on a tight lockdown.”

“It’s for your own good,” I remind her.

“Mhm, will you let me know when you’re on your way home?”

“Yes, I will,” I agree, “It might be a while, so don’t wait up,” I inform her, aware that this will take an hour or even five. I'm not sure what I’m walking into.

“I’m about to arrive, I have to go, Anna,” I politely end our call, not wanting to be distracted as I pull in. I don’t know what I’m about to drive into— it could be a minor poker game— it could be a lion's den, I don’t know.

I park the car next to Matthew, his figure already standing by his car with his arms crossed and waiting on me. I step out of the vehicle, grabbing my pistol from under my seat.

Matthew makes his way to me, eyeing me up and down without speaking. He hands me another pistol and I place it in my waistband.

I huff as Matthew walks around me, making sure none of my weapons are showing. “And if they pet me down? We have no plan.”

I don’t like flying by the seat of my pants. I like to have precise planning and thorough execution.

“They won’t,” he responds, handing me my sling, “you’re suddenly crippled again, nobody suspects a cripple.”

“I would.” I point out.

Nobody is ever off my radar, no matter what their health may appear. Trust nobody is the golden rule of suspects, and always be vigilant.

“You have an uncanny ability to navigate all sorts of situations. It’s poker, let’s hope it stays that way” … “Does Anna know where you are?” Matthew softly questions.

I nod my head, “She knows I’m in Belgium, that’s all. More than she needs to know.”

Matthew hands me a stack of cash, shoving it into my jacket pocket with force, “Easy my shoulder is still tender.”

“Ought to get it looked at again.”

“Ought to do a lot of things,” I mutter unhappily. Ought to find a new job but here I am.

As we make our way down the dark and chilly gravel path, a shiver runs down my spine. The darkness envelops us, adding an air of mystery and anticipation to our night. The cold air bites at our skin, making us pull our coats tighter around us. The dimly lit path casts eerie shadows, and the silence is only broken by the crunching of gravel beneath our feet. It feels as if we're venturing into the unknown, into a world where secrets and high-stakes games await us.

The men give Matthew and me a thorough look-over, their eyes filled with curiosity and suspicion. The atmosphere grows tense as we exchange glances.

As we enter, I can't help but notice the dimly lit room, adorned with only a small bar tucked in the corner and a grand poker table at the centre. The air is thick with the scent of fine cigars and the lingering aroma of expensive liquor. It's a scene straight out of a classic movie, with Louis enjoying his cigar and the King savouring his drink with an air of nonchalance.

What nobody else in this room is aware of, is the fact that I know the two men who are here with the diplomat. They’re both on a classified blacklist for espionage. Both of them are very intelligent and fell down a rabbit hole a few years ago— I can only imagine they fell under the wing of this diplomat to continue weaving in and out of countries with political power backing them. They are likely the ones leaking information to the diplomat, forcing his power to increase. For the moment, I don’t care for what political power they have granted the diplomat, what I care about is what Alaric is doing in a room with them. Anything said in this room with those two men, will be used against all of us in some way— if we make it out alive.

The blue-eyed man walks closer to me with a glass in his hand and a cigar hanging from his mouth. As the drink is offered to me, I feel a twinge of discomfort. I politely decline, putting on a small smile. "Thanks, but I can’t drink.” I lie. “Recovering alcoholic.”

My mother would smack me if she could hear me lie about such a thing. My uncle is a recovering Alcoholic. I know better than to make jokes about it, but for right now, I needed a good reason as to why I couldn’t accept the drink. I don’t like to drink under these sorts of circumstances. I’m not sure this will stay just a poker game.

“The cigars are great,” Louis smiles, “You love cigars.”

As Louis gestures towards the cart of cigars, he leans over and hands me one. Annoyed, I mutter under my breath, "Do you ever shut up?" Reluctantly, I take the cigar and light it, trying to hide my frustration. The rich aroma fills the air, with a hint of vanilla and bourbon. I can tell these cigars are expensive. A little too expensive. I lean closer to Louis, “Watch what you say, they’re like parrots,” I inform him subtly, my eyes looking towards the two black-listed men. Louis gives me an odd look before nodding his head, shrugging me off.

I take a long drag from the cigar, and I savour the taste of the smoke on my tongue. It's been a few days since I've indulged in one, and I can't help but enjoy this forbidden pleasure. Blowing out the smoke, I sigh heavily, aware that this night is going to turn to shit. Once I finish my cigar, the games of poker begin.

“So, what happens if your daughter decides to abolish the monarchy? Rumour has it that’s her plan. Where does that leave the rest of us?” The dignitary questions, causing me to raise a brow.

The King sighs and shakes his head, “She can’t abolish, even if she wants to.”

My interest is piqued.

“How is that possible? Anyone can abolish once reigning.”

Alaric again shakes his head, “The kingdom has a long-standing tradition that states the monarch cannot be abolished unless the queen gives birth to a legitimate heir,” Alaric explains nonchalantly, something he hasn’t told Anna. Something I wasn’t aware of was being held to the current monarch.

Fuck

Louis’s eyes grow wide, “You’re upholding the tradition?” Louis interjects.

“The tradition is upheld by a powerful ancient prophecy that foretells the downfall of the kingdom if the bloodline of the ruling family is severed.” The king replies.

“What does it matter? The monarch would be abolished so a downfall would be evident.” Louis continues, asking questions I’m not allowed to ask myself.

“She can’t abolish, Louis, leave it alone,” Alaric mutters, not wanting to continue the conversation, ensuring the dignitary that Anna won’t be abolishing. He doesn’t want her to abolish it. Nobody does. Louis shakes his head disappointingly before folding his cards. Louis eyes me, and I subtly shake my head, allowing him to drop the conversation at hand.

I stand here, observing the intense poker game, but I'm not in the mood to join in. I have a better advantage watching the men than I do playing Poker. It’s a game of strategy, and I prefer to always stay one step ahead.

As I keep a close eye on the diplomat, I can't help but notice his disinterest in playing for money. The way he casually lights up the expensive cigars and sips on the finest liquor tells me that he's not here to win big. It is clear that his true motive is not just the game, but his interest lies in Anna herself. It's like he's playing a different kind of game, one that involves intrigue and personal connections.

Suddenly, my phone starts ringing, breaking the silence and drawing everyone's attention towards me. I quickly decline the call, feeling a bit flustered, and slip my phone back into my pocket. However, it rings again, and I bite my lip, realizing that all eyes are still on me. With a sigh, I excuse myself from the men and step outside into the chilly air to answer the call. "Yes, Anna?" I respond, my irritation evident in my voice.

“Never mind, I’ll handle it,” Anna murmurs, noticing my tone of voice. I don’t like turning my back to this underground world, but I’ll put her above all else.

“Are you okay?” I instantly ask.

“Yes, I’m sorry I know you’re busy.”

"If you need me, darling, I'll hop on a plane and be there in a heartbeat. Just let me know what's going on."

If I hop on a plane right now in the middle of this monstrosity, it better be for a good reason.

Anna grows quiet for a moment before confidently responding, “No. I’ll handle it.”

“Okay, if you’re fine, I need to go.”

“Wait,” Anna’s voice on the other end of the line stops me and I heavily sigh.

“Yes?”

“I have a bad feeling about you being there.”

“I can’t base events off your feelings, Anna.”

Anna grows withdrawn for a moment, “You’re right, I am sorry for calling.”

“Hey,” I lower my tone of voice, “Call if you need me, okay? I will be home soon.” I turn on my heel and politely end the call, not wanting or needing to leave Matthew and Louis by themselves.

I walk back into the room, noticing the King appearing frazzled.

"Harry, hand me that ring," Alaric instructs, eyeing me expectantly. Confusion washes over me as I glance down at my hand, unsure of which ring he's referring to. "The one you're wearing," he mutters, tossing his watch onto the poker table with a hint of desperation.

I shake my head, a mix of disbelief and frustration bubbling up inside me. "I can't believe it's come to this," I mutter under my breath. The tension in the room rises as one of the men chimes in, demanding my participation or departure. Feeling a surge of determination, I settle down beside Louis, pulling out a stack of cash and tossing it onto the table. "Consider that my buy-in, and his debt paid," I say firmly, locking eyes with the man in front of me. There is no way I am throwing my gold band onto the table for the King’s misfortune and stupidity.

I watch the poker round play out, my heart sinking as I lose my hand. There goes my paycheck. But it's not just the loss that captures my attention. My eyes are drawn to the other men at the table, their expressions filled with a mix of secrecy and determination. It's as if they have a plan, a hidden agenda that they're not revealing yet. I can sense it in the way they exchange glances, the subtle gestures that pass between them—, a feeling of unease settling in. I can't help but wonder what they're up to, what they're plotting against the king. If they were here for information, they’d be talking more. They weren’t here just to ask about Anna taking the throne. There's something bigger at play here. The diplomat has been around Anna many times before— he plays on the corrupt side of politics and the two parrots, well, I already know enough about them. I’ve crossed paths with them before, in Spain to be precise. I don’t think they remember me, thankfully.

The tension in the room reaches its peak as the king places a hefty bet on the poker table. The other man, fueled by confidence or perhaps something more sinister, goes all in. My heart skips a beat as I realize what's at stake.

"Bet your kingdom and your daughter," the diplomat declares, his voice laced with determination. The room falls into a stunned silence as the weight of his words sinks in. I exchange a worried glance with Matthew, knowing that the outcome of this high-stakes game could change our lives forever.

Anna's power and influence as a queen would extend beyond just her own country. Other political leaders want to gain control over her to leverage her position and use it to their advantage on the international stage. It's like having a powerful chess piece that can shape alliances, negotiate treaties, and sway global politics. She is more powerful than she is aware.

“Sir,” the man beside the diplomat nudges him, “Too far,” he murmurs, stepping out of line. Blue eyes does have somewhat of a conscience. Interesting.

The king, with a hint of hesitation, glances at me unsure of his own decision.

"You're forgetting I'm still in the game," I comment, a mischievous grin playing on my lips. With a subtle flick of my wrist, I reveal the cards in my hand, ready to play the final hand. Matthew, Louis and the other two men folded last round.

“I’m not worried about you, one armed with a button missing from your jacket, you have no money.” Bold assumption that I have no money.

I raise a brow, “I would be if I were you.”

“And why is that? You’re just a little fish playing in a pond you don’t belong in.”

"I wouldn't underestimate me if I were you," I reply, my voice dripping with confidence.

“This has nothing to do with you, you have no power.”

I hum, sitting back in my chair. If only he knew the leverage I do have over everyone in this room. The room holds its breath, the tension thick in the air, as we await Alaric’s next move. All of this over power.

If the king were to bet his kingdom and daughter, it would be a gamble of epic proportions. The other diplomat would be driven by a thirst for power and control, as winning the game would grant them dominion over the entire kingdom and the future Queen. It's a tantalizing prospect for anyone hungry for authority and influence. The outcome of this high-stakes game could shape the destiny of not just the kingdom, but also the lives of those entangled in its web. And I’m somehow caught in this fucking web— but I can’t blow my cover.

“All in.”

"You're betting your kingdom and Anna?" I glare at the King, my voice filled with concern. This high-stakes bet could jeopardize diplomatic relations and everything we hold dear. "No intricacies? No plan?" I question, hoping for some reassurance.

"Harry, sh," the King huffs, clearly feeling the weight of the situation.

But Louis, always the voice of reason, interrupts, "Sir, you can't bet without stipulations, listen to him."

Curiosity burning within me, I press further, "What happens if he wins?" I ask the diplomat, bartering for the King.

The man chuckles, leaning on the table, his confidence unwavering, "He won't win."

My determination grows, and I challenge him, "What if I win? What do I get?"

“What does the little fish want?” … “You’re getting on my nerves.”

Likewise, asshole.

"If I win, I want a significant political alliance or a trade agreement that benefits the kingdom,” I graciously smile, aware he’s underestimating the cards in my hand.

If I secure a trade agreement that brings economic prosperity to the kingdom, such as a lucrative partnership with a foreign nation for the exchange of goods or resources. This could boost the kingdom's economy, create job opportunities, and enhance its standing in the global market. Also known as saving the King's ass. If I lose, he takes my whole heart.

The diplomat shakes his head. “Okay,” I sigh, I knew there was no way he would go for my offer, “If I win, I want a political alliance and for the King to be cleared of any wrongdoing, his slate is wiped clean. Anna is off the table... If I lose, you take the king.”

“You’re betting on me?” The King interruptes with wide eyes, aware these men will likely kill him.

I shrug my shoulders, “You bet Anna,” I mutter, kicking him under the table in an attempt for him to shut up. “We are now involved in a covert agreement. If the King wins, which we all doubt, the negotiations between the king and you will ensure that the transfer of power is done discreetly.” I begin to explain. Without a covert agreement, they might devise a plan to manipulate the political landscape or orchestrate a series of events that would ultimately result in the other diplomat taking control of the kingdom without the people realizing the true nature of the bet. It would require careful manoeuvring, deception, and the ability to wield power behind the scenes.

The fate of the kingdom and its unsuspecting citizens would hang in the balance.

“Why do you care,” the diplomat asks, “I just want the Kingdom and the future Queen.”

“I may be a little fish in this grand pond, but remember, you're betting for my wife." I reveal to the table, “Show me your hand.” I demand.

The diplomat, feeling quite cocky, wears a smug grin on his face as he slowly turns over his cards. With a flourish, he reveals a magnificent straight flush - a hand that seems to scream victory— in most cases. The other players around the table gasp, their eyes widening at the sight of an impressive hand. They think he has won a kingdom and my wife. I rub my shoulder, signalling for Matthew to be prepared for what’s next.

The diplomat leans back in his chair, a cocky grin still plastered on his face, as he asks, "What do you have?"

The king confidently shows his hand, revealing his four-of-a-kind, and I, able to contain my expressions, silently turn my cards over, revealing a royal flush. The room falls silent as the diplomat's confidence crumbles, his smugness replaced with disbelief. My victory is undeniable, and the diplomat's ego takes a humbling blow. I warned him not to underestimate me.

My eyes narrow with a glint of intensity as I lock my gaze on the diplomat, a silent warning that reverberates with my dominance and power. The room grows tense as the realization dawns on everyone present that the diplomat had dared to bet for my heart, Anna. Nobody knew until a few moments ago. The element of surprise never fails.

The air crackles with an unspoken understanding that crossing my boundaries will not be tolerated. The diplomat's confidence wavers under my unwavering glare. I stand to my feet, leaning onto the table and grabbing the king's watch, sliding it to him. “Don’t you ever demand anything of my wife or attempt to bet her in a game of poker.” I look towards the diplomat. “I don’t give a fuck about the ties between you and the King, I don’t give a fuck about royal or political protocol or your catfight with the King. Don't you ever use Anastasia as a playing chip,” I growl towards the diplomat, releasing the anger I’ve been holding in since I was told to sit down and play at the table.

The diplomat smirks, his arrogance undeterred by my outburst. "You think you can intimidate me? You're just a lowly commoner who lucked into marrying a princess," he sneers. "But let me make something clear to you, mate. I have connections and power that you can't even fathom. So, back off before you find yourself in a world of trouble. Anna maybe your wife, but she's still a pawn in this game." His words hang in the air, a thinly veiled threat meant to overpower me and assert his dominance.“I’ll do what I fucking want, you don’t scare me. She is owed to me.”

My heart pounds in my chest as I gather my courage, my eyes flicking towards Matthew and Louis. With a determined grip, I swiftly retrieve my pistol from its hidden spot within my sling. The cold metal feels reassuring in my hand as I raise it, my aim steady and unwavering, directly at the diplomat. I can see the shock and fear in his widened eyes, his men scrambling to react, but they're too slow. Matthew and Louis have already taken control, their guns trained on them. The room becomes a tense battleground, the air thick with anticipation and the balance of power shifting in our favour. The diplomat's voice trembles as he begs for his life, realizing the gravity of the situation.

“Not such a little fish, huh?” I question. Maybe the diplomat saw an opportunity to expand their influence and gain more power but he chose a battle with the wrong person. “You two,” I gesture towards the other two men. The men stare at me blankly, unable to utter words as they swallow hard. You’d think as two men who are blacklisted and highly intelligent, they would have at least carried a weapon of some sort for defence. You can’t always rely on your own intelligence to defend you. “I know blue eyes over there has a little girl, and another on the way, and blondie just got married, so I’ll be nice and take you somewhere a little nicer than this shithole. You’ll both come with me.” I mutter. “YOU” I gesture back to the diplomat.

“You placed a bet on the wrong man’s wife.”

My final words before I pull the trigger. 

[luckyjak]

2, 12 and 22 from the fifty rook questions if you’re doin em!

Here are my rooks if anyone has any specific questions for them! Otherwise I'll answer for all.

2. How did Rook get the nickname? What do they think of it?

Joan: Doesn't mind it! Considering she started life as a slave, she's fine with the nickname.

Dust: Honestly his name is Dust anything else is preferable

Hissrah: Well, it's better than "Qunari" or "Warden" she supposes.

Kith: Assassins don't have names.

All of them got the nickname from Varric, and it stuck.

12. Does Rook have any family? Do they keep in touch?

Joan: Has an 8-year old son that she's a bad mom to.

Dust: Has an older sister, Pippa (They aren't blood related, but they are both dwarven crypt babies, so they are basically brother and sister)

Hissrah: No family to speak of other than her fellow Grey Wardens

Kith: Viago is his reluctant father figure.

22. Most embarrassing memory as a teenager:

Joan: Doesn't have a lot of memories from that time, as again, she was a Tevinter slave at that point. Hard to be embarrassed about much when she was too worried about being a blood sacrifice.

Dust: One time, he and Pippa pulled a horrifying prank on some of the older necromancers in the Mourn Watch. It, uh, didn't end well.

Hissrah: the horrifying ordeal of having a crush

Kith: the horrifying ordeal of having a crush, on Teia.

[nouvxllev]

For when you feel bored and want some pop thoughts…honestly your pip thoughts give me life. What do you personally think about pip and how she would react to someone flirting with her girlfriend? Like straight up not even caring that reader is not interested?

a hammer to the head.

im kidding, but realistically speaking, it would be like that for pip (in her mind ofc) i do think pip is very protective, nonchalant at cases since she knows reader can handle herself. but often times shes the jealous and sometimes insecure type.

(assuming her and readers rs is way past agad) she has done shit in the past, had far too many enemies, depraved of own herself and became the most secretive person she knows to the point she didn't even know who she was at her peak, it's almost astonishing for her that someone like reader could ever love her the way she hoped she would soon love herself after everything

so if someone gets in her way or much rather her own thoughts, they'd be hoping death would treat them nicer because holy shit pippa fitz fucking amobi can take someone down just by her energy alone.

she knows she has the capability of practically tearing someones head off then disposing of the body and her traces, so she learns some self-restraint, but the moment someone really persists in courting reader its just basically looks can kill at that point.

she'd cling to reader more than she ever does, be like a personal bodyguard for her, maybe going the extra mile of calling her pet names or making out with her just in front of everybody. once that someone hurries off by her passive-aggressive comments or just borderline threats, she'd take reader out and basically showers her with every love language there is.

if she wants something, she will get it, and if she wants something gone, it's very so much certain it'll be gone in a matter of minutes. and that rule just basically amplifies itself when it comes to reader

[to-watch-it-all-burn]

100 follower event :)

actually im at 160 but shhhhhhhh

you can send me asks such as…

☆ draw me. this must be phrased as a demand. i will give you a (very bad) drawing of what i think u look like

☆ shlurp. i will tell you what drink u are. no explanation.

☆ the toys…. u will get to see one (1) of my toys and hear their backstory and lore

☆ holy media batman . ill tell u a book u should read/ show to watch

☆ send me a random emoji. see what i do with it it’ll be fun i promise

☆ or just tell me smth to do and ill do it!! (within reason ofc)

have fun!!

(if ur not my moot and want to participate BECOME MY MOOT I DEMAND THIS OF YOU)

this event is gonna go till i feel like stopping it :)

(divider credit to @/thecutestgrotto)

intro post here

[mermaidsirennikita]

Hi! I've been following your blog for a couple years since loving DiW and really enjoy your recs so I was wondering do you know any historical romances where the male lead has personality similar to Erik/the phantom from poto or is disfigured / wears a mask etc? Thank you!

Thank you so much, first off!

BOY. DO. I.

So the first one I'm going to recommend is not a strict historical romance... Like it is, and it isn't, but I'm going to strongly recommend you check it out because the entire series is amazing and if you're a POTO fan I think you may be able to get behind some BATTINESS.

It's Firelight by Kristen Callihan, the first in her fabulous Darkest London series. Which is absolutely set in the Victorian London we know and love... just with like. Supernatural creatures running around. The average people don't know about it, it really isn't Steampunk despite what people will tell you. It is a historical romance series. But with magic. It reads VERY similar to the 1999 Mummy, tonally speaking.

So, why I'm recommending it: Our heroine, Miranda, secretly has these fire powers. She's accidentally burned shit down in the past, her dad SUUUCKS and has had her pick pockets for him before, etc. But basically, hard times are hitting, and I think her dad owes the hero something... and the hero is like cool you can square up by giving me YOUR DAUGHTERRRR. But the hero, Archer, wears like, a full mask. Like a porcelain mask. And won't let her see his face at all. And is OBSESSED with her.

Features one of my favorite moments in a long time, where he gets stabbed in one of his mysterious evening excursions (TM) and refuses to let her help him medically, so she basically just follows him as he manfully bleeds out in their palatial estate until he's about to lose consciousness and is like "FINE MIRANDA YOU CAN HELP".

Ummm my favorite Grace Callaway book, Pippa and The Prince of Secrets, is a fun option. Pippa is a widow, and Cull is the guy who gave her her first kiss before they were separated. He now runs a band of CHILD THIEVES!!! and wears a mask because half of his face has been horribly scarred. The scene where he first lets her view his face without the mask is SO. EMOTIONAL. I got choked up.

Also they use a sex swing at one point. Cull FUCKS. But he also skulks and yearns.

She Tempts the Duke by Lorraine Heath has a hero who's scarred on one side of his face is very angsty about it (he doesn't wear a mask, but he does wear an eyepatch). The heroine knew him as a kid, they were falling in love (in a childish way) and he had to run away with his brothers because their uncle was trying to kill them. He comes back years later, scarred and self-loathing and very much a brooder, and she's about to get engaged to another man. Cue the angst!

The Taming of a Highlander by Elisa Braden. In this one, the hero was wrongfully detained for something he didn't do, and was very brutally treated and scarred on one half of his face as a result. (Another "no to mask, yes to eyepatch" book.) The heroine is this very sweet girl and ends up having to marry him in order to avoid testifying against him. It's very much a "he hates himself, she helps him heal" book and it's soooo good. Especially if you like a "it'll never fit" moment. Which.

To Beguile a Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt has a hero who's scarred, and again, eyepatch--and he's been hiding up in his big Scottish lair/castle, when the heroine comes to act as his housekeeper with her two kids in tow. What he doesn't know is that she's on the run from her kids' father, as she was his mistress and he was horrible. The hero does a lot of "I'M A MONSTER" stuff but he also bends her over his desk and fucks her soooo.

To a lesser extent, Hoyt's The Raven Prince may also give you this vibe. The hero is scarred, but this time from smallpox--he's still very dramatic about it. (In many ways, this book is Jane Eyre but with fucking and without a kid.) The heroine is his secretary, and they get into this tension-filled situation.

[shinestarhwaa]

QUERENCIA - DONNA'S INTRODUCTION

The Members:

Dorm arrangement:

Room 1: Iris & Mila

Room 2: Lynn & Zora

Room 3: Hwayoung & Gayoung

Official colours: Dark blue, silver, black

Fandom Name: Starlight

Debut date: February 13th 2023

Their style is refreshing and they pull off every concept they do

(truly like their seniors Ateez) ♡

Their full profiles:

Stage Name: Iris

Birth Name: Choi Iseul (I-Seul)

Nickname: Izzy, Dewy (I-Seul means morning dew)

Position: Leader, lead vocalist, visual

Birthday: January 20th 2001

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Nationality: Korean

Hometown: Incheon, South Korea

Height: 168cm

Blood Type: B

MBTI: INFJ

Some facts:

She has 1 older sister (1999-line)

She is afraid of heights

Her role model is BoA

She auditioned with the song Halo by Beyoncé

She enjoys watching anime

She is allergic to kiwi

She and her sister own a dog called Pippa (the dog lives with her sister

She lost her parents when she was 18

Speaks Korean, English and Japanese

She loves knitting and crafting

She trained for 2 years

Stage Name: Lynn

Birth Name: Evelyn Park

Nickname: Eve, Evi, Blondie

Position: Main rapper, lead dancer

Birthday: August 3rd 2002

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Nationality: Korean-American

Hometown: New York, USA

Height: 164cm

Blood Type: A

MBTI: ESFJ

Some facts:

She has no siblings

She is afraid of birds

She is good at songwriting and composing

Plays guitar and piano

She has a fine line tattoo of a flower on her hip

She loves binge watching series

She is a big fan of Girls Generation

She auditioned with the song Black Widow by Iggy Azalea & Rita Ora

Speaks Korean and English

She loves cats and has a family cat who lives with her parents (Mimi)

She has trained for 1 year

Stage Name: Zora

Birth Name: Zora Anurak

Nickname: Zozo

Position: Lead rapper, main dancer

Birthday: August 31st 2002

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Nationality: Thai

Hometown: Bangkok, Thailand

Height: 170cm

Blood Type: A

MBTI: ISFJ

Some facts:

She has 2 twin-brothers (2000 line)

She dislikes coffee and matcha

She is a big fan of GOT7

She loves going to concerts

She auditioned with the song Kiss Me More by Doja Cat

Plays piano and violin

She is very strong physically

Her mother taught her how to dance when she was young

Speaks Korean, Thai and English

She loves fruit and cakes

She has trained for 1 year

Stage Name: Mila

Birth Name: Park Minji

Nickname: Minnie, Minmin

Position: Main vocalist, dancer

Birthday: May 1st 2003

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Nationality: Korean

Hometown: Seoul, South Korea

Height: 165cm

Blood Type: O

MBTI: INTJ

Some facts:

She has 1 younger sister (2006 line)

She is afraid of bugs and spiders

Her role model is Ariana Grande

She auditioned with the song Breathin' by Ariana Grande

She has been singing since she was 6

Speaks Korean, English and Japanese

She loves collecting jewelry and perfumes

She is left handed

She has her drivers license

She loves make-up and does eyeliner tutorials on Tiktok

She has trained for 2 years

Stage Name: Hwayoung

Birth Name: Kim Hwayoung (Hwa-Young)

Nickname: Bloom, Kkochi (Flower)

Position: Lead vocalist, main dancer

Birthday: July 11th 2003

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Nationality: Korean

Hometown: Seoul, South Korea

Height: 169cm

Blood Type: AB

MBTI: ISFJ

Some facts:

She has 1 older sister (2000 line)

She is afraid of heights

She is a fan of BTS

She auditioned with the song Butter by BTS

She comes from a wealthy family

Speaks Korean and English

She wants to be an actor too

She loves K-Drama's and her favourite actor is Rowoon

Loves gold and silver

She can whistle really well

She has trained for 2 years

Stage Name: Gayoung

Birth Name: Song Gayoung (Ga-Young)

Nickname: Ducky, Gaya

Position: Main vocalist, dancer, maknae

Birthday: October 14th 2003

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Nationality: Korean

Hometown: Daejeon, South Korea

Height: 167cm

Blood Type: B

MBTI: ENTP

Some facts:

She has 2 older brothers (1998&2001 line)

She lost her younger sister (2007 line) to illness when she was 13

She has a black belt in Taekwondo

Her role model is Little Mix

She auditioned with the song Black Magic by Little Mix

She often plays animal crossing

She likes to read books and poetry

Speaks Korean, English and Mandarin

She is very interested in fashion

She loves to work out and walk in nature

She has trained for 2 years

For more info/questions about Donna's members don't be afraid to reach out to me and ask!! :) (or comment below!!!)

[persephoneprice]

hey Lily I hope you’re having a great day! I’d love to hear your Persephone and festus thoughts! Were they close before the 10th games? Did that experience change their relationship going forward?

Anyway feel free to answer some or all of these questions, I just want to hear your thoughts <3

eeeee i always get so excited when you’re in my ask box 🩷

so, for anyone who doesn’t know my lore for these two is…sad. i sort of have this love-triangle type thing going on with persephone-festus-felix. i think festus’s heart is with felix but ultimately due to family pressures he ends up with persephone. that’s not to say that i don’t think festus had any feelings for her at all- just not the same way he loved felix.

anyway! i sort of have this capitol friend group in my mind that i’ve created with the ‘popular kids’. so livia, vipsania, persephone, arachne, festus, pup, & (maybe?) felix. so i think persephone and festus have been friends for a long time, pretty much their entire childhood.

i do think they were close before the games! i think persephone would consider festus to be one of her best friends (that she happens to harbor a major crush on). festus, despite his loud-mouth and questionable interests, is one of persephone’s biggest supports. and persephone really levels out festus’s chaos.

i think their relationship took a major turn during the 10th games. it both nearly ended their friendship and then sparked their romantic relationship.

festus has a mouth on him and has a bad habit of speaking before he thinks. when they were discussing strategy before the games, festus suggests going all in on coral because he doesn’t think mizzen can win it. he suggests that her and persephone convince coral to betray mizzen and then split the prize between them. this, of course, deeply hurts persephone because she grew to care a lot about mizzen. it doesn’t take long before festus realizes’s how badly he fucked up and tries hard to remedy it. he stops trying to talk coral into ditching mizzen and even brings both tributes a slice of cake at the zoo.

persephone is a forgiving person so she does accept festus’s apology- on the condition that he tries to help mizzen, too.

neither of their tributes win and this unsurprising devastates pippa. however, surprisingly it also really hurts festus. i think they end up bonding a lot of the loss of their tributes and it strengthens their trust in each other.

it’s around this time that festus’s family is pressuring him to settle into an acceptable relationship and persephone is the obvious choice.

persephone isn’t stupid- she knows she’s not the first choice- but she loves him and her father is also pressuring her into thinking about marriage.

thank you so much for asking!!! i love talking about my beloved mentors <3

[yorkshire-rockchick]

Please can we know about your OCs, I've seen the odd mention to them in your fics on AO3

Oh, I love my OCs and can say so much about them.

THE PLAYERS;

Harry Winters - Goal keeper who moves up from the academy team at 16. Good frieds with Noah and Drew, boyfriend of Chloe.

Ezekiel Noah Gordon - Goes by Noah because he hates his first name. Came up from the academy. Plays as a right back defender. Good friends with Harry and Drew

Andrew "Drew" Cameron - A Scottish trans player who also went to the AFC Richmond academy. Plays as a striker and looks up to Jamie and Dani. Unofficially adopted by Paul and Tom.

THE FAMILY MEMBERS

Isabella "Izzy" Rosenfeldt - Anders girlfriend, later wife. They've been together since they were 15. You know the woman who hugs Anders at the end of the last episode when Richmond wins? This is her, I just made her interesting. She's half Spanish, half American. Her dad works for the US Government which is how she ended up in London.

Erin Reynolds - Paul Reynolds wife. They met at church and are the only Richmond couple to get married in a church due to both of them having a Catholic upbringing. Erin speaks Irish as a first language and didn't learn English until she was 16 when she decided she wanted to go to law school.

Olivia Catherine "Liv" Reynolds - Paul and Erin's eldest child. Named after her godparents. She is smarter than most children her age, likes hanging out with the team and calls them all her uncles. Based on the line "You told my daughter..." in series 2 when everyone has a go at Jamie

Emily Grace Reynolds -Erin and Paul's youngest daughter. Based on the line "What about sonograms?" when everyone has to delete photos off their phones.

Sophie O'Brien - Tom O'Briens wife. They met when Tom accidentally crashed his car into Sophie's. They get married after 6 months because they both like each other and they think it is a good idea. Sophie has a masters degree in chemistry and teaches at a private all girls school. She eventually gives up her job to focus on her PhD.

Pippa Kukoč (nee Edwards) - Sasha Kukoč's girlfriend, later wife. She is a nursing student who has a placement in the local Accident and Emergency department which means she sees a lot of the Richmond players. She is Jeff Goodmans cousin so he disapproved of her relationship at times.

Elizabeth - the fabulous creation of @orbitalpirate, she is a curvy goddess who is loved by Thierry Zoreaux.

Chloe Morgan - Harry's girlfriend. Knows nothing about football beyond what colours Richmond play in. Grew up in care so had a rough start in life. Rebecca offers her a job working for Richmond as a means to support herself and she loves it.

THE PETS

Spagetti the Corgi - Arlo Dixon's corgi. Occasionally looked after by Olivia Reynolds. Spagetti is a rescue dog, so everyone jokes Arlo is a rescue human after he moved in with Jeff.

Alfred Bumbercatch - Moe's cat. Alfred turned up one day and that was that. He is a Sphynx cat so Moe knits him a lot of jumpers.

Arthur the Rabbit - Tommy Winchester's rabbit. Arthur is spoiled and has free run of the house. Decan claims not to like him, this is a lie. Jamie laughs every time he hears the name.

Marshamallow McAdoo-Bumbercatch - Isaac and Moe's Pomeranian puppy that they get when they get married. Pretends not to like Alfred. Isaac treats her like a princess and it shows at times.

Cleo the cat - Jamie and Colin's maine coon cat. She is stubborn and only likes Jamie and Colin. She has been known to poop in the shoes of people she does not like.

Rocky the horse - Izzy's horse, brought for her by Anders after they found out they couldn't have children. Izzy swaps horse tips with Rebecca after Rebecca also gets a horse.

There are more OCs to be added, both human and pets but they are still in development.

[jdeko]

well there goes the Camelot x Pippa fitness arc, as well as The Fish lightening the fuck up and letting talent interact with people like Camelot, Metokur, and Rekieta. Their collab stream was so wholesome and endearing, like a big brother letting his sister beat up on him for comedic effect but Camelot is profoundly stupid, evidenced by every time he speaks, and thus does exceptional individual shit like this that proves Fishman right. i guess he’s going live to talk to Lofti Pixels about it, but Lofti is such an insufferable chuuni egotist i feel like i’d need an entire bottle of Everclear to sit through that. hopefully someone who doesn’t make me want to french kiss my 7mm rem mag will sum up the interview, like Kirsche.

[awaylaughing]

do you have backstories of your 7kpp ocs posted somewhere else on tumblr? seems like the links in the mc directory lead to nowhere

Oh, thanks for the heads up, changed my URL a while ago and the fix I had seems to have stopped working at some point. I've deleted the directory in the face of that, I have my character page now which is less over all comprehensive but does link to almost anything and everything published about them. It was missing because I forgot to add it when I was cleaning up my theme earlier, but it's there now. If you don't use desktop, searching by name is probably your best best. Their tags in use are, in order of the ones with a tag to speak of;

aurora of namaire michi of holt noa of hise pippa of corval yaen of jiyel My poor princesses don't get a lot of reblogging, but they're also a bit in flux as characters so prone to huge changes (like...becoming a Countess lol) Outside of that, there's my written works all on AO3, they're majority about Pippa but I think everyone listed has something, but again that pops up in their tags.