#rather than sighing at the window like a princess awaiting her knight | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

2manyfandoms2count · 4 years ago

Text

I love you (not) - Chapter 6

Aaaand we're back on the main fic! I am very proud to announce that I managed to fit an AU in here without it being weird (I think). It was really fun to write! Feel free to ask me more about that universe if you feel like it :) Hope you enjoy!

@marichatmay

First | Previous | AO3 | Next

---

Chapter 6: In which we change worlds but it makes sense, I promise

“Princess!”

Marinette stirred in her sleep as she heard the call and the distinct sound of curtains opening. She felt the morning’s soft light warm her face and sighed contently.

“Princess Marinette, you need to wake up! Today’s the day!” The feminine voice called again, closer, this time.

Her eyes flew open and she sat up, feeling her heartbeat quicken with excitement.

“Oh Tikki, you won’t believe how well I slept!” She jumped out of her canopy bed, her white nightdress flowing in her wake as she rushed towards her handmaiden, who stared out of the window. “I really thought I wouldn’t sleep a wink, but really, the herbal tea you gave me worked wonders!"

“I’m glad to hear it! It worked well on Chat Noir, too, apparently. I ran into Plagg, his squire, in the kitchen earlier.”

“Good,” Marinette sighed with relief.

“Come on, now, we need to get you ready!” Tikki took her hand and led her to her dressing table. “How are you feeling about your engagement day?” She asked as she started brushing the princess’ hair.

“Very good. I’m very happy about the outcome of yesterday’s rounds - I know I’m not supposed to have favourites within the contestants but…” Marinette paused, hesitating to say anymore. It wasn’t a matter of trust (she’d known Tikki long enough that the two had become close friends, despite the rank difference); she was just unwilling to criticise the way things were too soon.

“You have every right to be, your Highness. The Joust of Valour explores your suitors’ ability to protect you, but there’s more to marriage than just that. It’s good that you feel comfortable with the two final contestants.” Her handmaiden smiled warmly, starting to braid her hair. “If I may, does your Highness have a soft spot for one contestant in particular? I could pass the message to the relevant people, maybe it would give him some extra luck for today…”

“I don’t, Tikki,” the young lady said firmly. It wasn’t a lie; she’d asked herself who she’d rather see emerge victorious of the tournament as she fell asleep the previous night, but she hadn’t reached a solid conclusion. It was better this way, really. Whatever the outcome, she wouldn’t be disappointed. “Anyway, you said Chat Noir was doing well?...”

Tikki repressed a smile, and told her what she knew.

---

Marinette proudly walked up to her place in the stands, her arm linked to her father’s.

For once, she would be the one sitting front and center of the Royal Balcony, relegating her parents, the King and Queen of the Croissant Kingdom, to the back of the stall with their guest. Neither King Tom or Queen Sabine seemed to mind, though; both were beaming as they waved to the crowd that had travelled for the event. Their cheers lifted the princess’ spirits so much that even the stern figure of King Gabriel of the Butterfly Kingdom failed to make her mood waver. Maybe this was what growing up felt like.

“Mesdames et Messieurs!” The voice of the announcer boomed over the ambient noise. “Welcome to the final round of the Joust of Valour! The joust will soon commence. Sparring for the heart of our beloved Princess Marinette, having victoriously arisen from all their duels, are Prince Adrien from the Butterfly Kingdom, and our local Knight Chat Noir!”

The crowd roared as the two men came forward, leading their horses.

Prince Adrien’s silver armour glistened in the sunlight, and so did his smile as his gaze met hers. Her heart skipped a beat. Her crush on him, which she’d developed during one of their first encounters as children, really hadn’t faded much over the years, despite what her friend, the Duchess Alya, had told her.

On the other hand, Chat Noir’s appearance was a lot starker. His whole armour was black, matte, the whole hint of colour being his forest green spear. There was something radiant about him, though, in the way his tousled blond hair danced in the breeze, in the way his green eyes sparkled with laughter and mischief as he approached the stands, that drew her to him. He’d been at her side for years, valiantly working with her when she’d been taken hostage by one of the Papillon’s sbires. They’d brilliantly defeated him, earning him his knighthood at the age of only fifteen, and a place in her personal guard. Despite her father’s warnings that Marinette shouldn’t meddle with the Papillon’s affairs, Chat Noir still managed to get her involved. They were a team.

“I hope I’ll be up to the challenge, dearest Marinette,” Adrien squeezed the hand she presented to him; she squeezed it back and smiled as she watched him head towards his noble steed.

“My Lady Princess,” Chat Noir bowed reverently before her, “please accept this rose as a token of my affection.” He pulled a pink rose out of seemingly thin air and presented it to her. The crowd gasped delightedly. Then, delicately taking her hand, he pressed a kiss to the back of it with a wink; Marinette felt herself blush.

“Thank you, Chat Noir,” she barely managed to enunciate.

He bowed again, and went to ready himself.

Marinette looked at the rose, and noticed there was a piece of paper wrapped around the stem, maintained by a thorn. She made the most of everybody’s attention on the contestants to unravel it.

My dearest Lady Princess,

I’m sorry.

Love you always, CN

“Princess Marinette will now announce the beginning of the joust!” The announcer declared, startling her as she tried to understand what Chat Noir had meant by his message. She rapidly shoved it in her pocket and stood up uneasily, hoping all the eyes trained on her wouldn’t detect her fluster.

“Best of luck, gentlemen! May the best man win!”

The two horses set off towards each other, spurred on by their riders. The contestants’ spears crashed against each other’s shield, unsettling them a little. Both knights trotted to the end of the track and prepared to set off again.

The crowd oohed and aahed during the next rounds, both men barely wavering at the other’s assaults. Marinette held her breath each time, anxiously awaiting the outcome, only to let out a relieved sigh when neither fell.

Then, as the two men were about to set off again for the thirteenth time, Marinette saw Chat Noir’s helmet turn briefly towards her, and she felt her stomach drop. She didn’t need to see his face to know what was about to happen. The rose slipped out from her fingers as she realised what the note had meant.

As the knight and the prince came up to each other at full speed, Prince Adrien’s jousting spear collided violently with Chat Noir’s chest, and the latter fell to the ground with a deafening clank .

The crowd erupted in clamour as Adrien started to tour the track at a low trot, a victorious smile on his lips. Finally reaching the royal stand, he elegantly jumped off and extended a hand towards her.

“I’m truly honoured to be your future husband, your Royal Highness.”

He kissed her hand before guiding her out of the stand and helped her up to ride his horse with him. She smiled the whole time, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

Those were looking for Chat Noir.

---

In the middle of the boisterous banquet, Marinette felt like she couldn’t breathe anymore. She had to get out of the hall, before her plastered smile broke, and she exposed her true feelings.

She excused herself, reassuring Prince Adrien that it must have been her prolonged time in the sun and her unusual mead consumption, and made her way to her quarters.

There, she rapidly grabbed a cloak from her trunk and sneaked out, head hung low until she’d exited the castle’s gates.

She started running. Her legs carried her as her mind raced, as her tear-ducts gave way to her tears.

She hadn’t thought the joust’s outcome would mean so much to her. She thought she’d be happy, whatever happened on the track. But as much as she’d dreamed of this match… It just didn’t feel right.

She tripped and fell to her knees, out of breath, and recognised her surroundings. The clearing had been where Chat and her had been taken hostage, and where Chat took her to practise fencing when he knew no one was looking.

A rustling sound startled her and she put her hands up defensively, although she didn’t feel like getting up.

“Hi, Princess,” Chat Noir emerged from the trees, carrying a bag. “I couldn’t find you in your room, but I figured you’d be here.”

“You had no right to sacrifice yourself like that,” she sobbed, her hands dropping to her knees.

“You know you’ll be much happier with Prince Adrien, Princess.” He smiled sadly. “You two are meant to be - you’d already be betrothed to him, were it not for the Kingdom’s Joust of Valour.”

“You don’t know what would make me happier,” she angrily wiped the tears from her eyes.

“You know I’d do anything for you, my Marinette.” He rushed to her side and cupped her cheek.

“Then run away with me.” She looked straight into his eyes.

“Why?” He whispered, his face inching closer to hers.

“Because Prince Adrien might have my hand…” She started, her breath hitching as she computed their proximity. “... But you have my heart.” Her eyes fluttered shut as she closed the distance between them and…

BIP-BIP-BIP-BIP

Marinette woke up with a start as her alarm clock started blaring. Her heart raced in her chest at the already fleeting memory of her dream. She caught her disappointment at not having witnessed the outcome, and covered her face with her hands. She felt like she was burning up.

She was so confused. The dream had been so out of place. So unexpected. What did it mean? She didn’t love Chat Noir! And she definitely didn’t want to run away with him. How absurd.

She only had a week to hold out for, she thought as she got dressed. It wouldn’t come soon enough.

She didn't know if her heart would survive another trick of her brain.

#i think i've just added a new wip to my pile rip #marichat may 2021 #marichat may #miraculous ladybug #the miraculous tales of ladybug and cat noir #ml #miraculous fanfiction #miraculous fanfic #marichat #marinette dupain-cheng #chat noir #day 8: princess and knight au #elle writes #love you (not)

28 notes · View notes

celestias-right-hoof-mas-au · 4 years ago

Photo

WARNING: Although this particular chapter does not depict violence or cursing, future installments will. As this story is based on an adult parody of MLP called The Mentally Advanced Series. I would encourage that if you had not watched it to do so to get a grasp of the world in which this takes place. Many of the jokes, lore, and otherwise are in reference to MAS, not just simply My Little Pony. I have also made a supercut that includes every reference and appearance of Celestia in the series. In case watching the entire MAS series maybe too time consuming. If you find Celestia, or other canon characters, used in crude and unpleasant depictions offensive, this is your warning. However, I would appreciate that you take a look anyway with an open mind.

Celestia Supercut Link

< Previous �� Next > ???

“And here’s your armor and weapons. You should be able to start working tomorrow, but take it easy when you can. Magic works wonders, but if you’re not careful you’ll black out from exhaustion.” The front desk nurse recommended sliding over Valiance her belongings.

“I will. Thank you, ma’am. It feels great to stretch my legs after being in bed all week.” Valiance chuckled as she quickly put her body armor on, hooking her helmet and weapon onto her side.

“I could only imagine.” the nurse smiled, “There’s a soldier waiting for you in the lobby. I’m sure it’s important, so I wish you luck.”

Just as the nurse had instructed, a soldier in royal guard uniform awaited for Valiance at the medical bay’s entrance.

“Valiance Ascalon?” he gruffly asked.

“Yes, sir.”

“Well come on, soldier. I’m here to take you to your quarters.” the soldier informed as he began leading away with Valiance in tow.

The walk was mostly quiet, but in time, Valiance noticed the regality of her surroundings. Banners and painted glass of the sisters’ various achievements adorned the halls with very little modesty. As they continued, one photo in particular caught Valiance’s attention enough to stop in her tracks. The photo contained Celestia wearing a suit with a leather overcoat hanging from her shoulders.

Valiance raised a brow dumbfoundedly. ‘Huh. Not the kind of attire I’d expect her to wear… but not bad at all.’ she thought to herself while gazing into the picture.

“Come on, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the scenery on your days off. Don’t fall behind!” the soldier called from further down the hall.

Snapping out of her trance, Valiance trotted back up to the soldier as they continued. Although, the scenery did spark some questions in her mind. After a moment, she finally decided to ask, “What does an acolyte do anyways?”

“That’s just a fancy name for a personal assistant. Though, judging by your particular skills, my guess would be being a personal bodyguard and just generally following her whim.” the soldier pondered as they approached a door and unlocked it.

Stepping into the room, Valiance softly muttered, “Wow, this is… lovely.” It was spacious with a large bed resting at its center, accompanied by a nightstand on each side. To the far left was a personal restroom along with a panoramic window with a beautiful view of Canterlot. To the right side of the bedroom rested her wardrobe and a bookshelf.

“I’d say I’m jealous of you, but in reality I can’t.” the soldier commented while handing the keys over.

“Why do you say that?”

“Acolyte’s are hard to come by. The last one that worked here was before I was old enough to get a job. Let’s just say he didn’t have the heart for it.”

Valiance was perplexed by the soldier’s warning. However, she knew that no matter the task, it would be done in Celestia’s name.

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

Back at the medical bay, a small pink pony with a satchel and large tight curled hair briskly made her way to the front desk. In a soft spoken voice the little mare asks the front desk clerk, “Hello, Nurse Flatline.”

“Hello, Mentee. Can I help you with something?”

“Um, do you know of a large pale mare who was committed here recently after the attack? She wore a purple and gold set of armor, not like the castle guards.”

“I'm sorry to say that the patient you're looking for was released earlier today.” The clerk replied, looking the pink horse up and down.

“Oh, well, can you tell me where she is then?”

“No Mentee, you know I’m not at liberty to release that information.”

Mentee groaned, “Pleeease, I really have to talk to her. She saved my life during the changeling attack, can’t you just give me a hint where she might be?”

The clerk pony pondered momentarily, letting out a deep sigh, before firmly answering, “If I give you a hint, you didn’t get it from me, is that clear?”

Mentee eagerly nodded with a small smile as she leaned in closer.

“She’s a castle employee as well, if you ask around you could probably find her.” Flatline whispered.

Mentee gasped and shouted, “Thank you so much, Flatline!” Only to be shushed and shooed away.

After asking around, Mentee had finally made her way to Valiance’s room. Her body began to rattle as she grew ever closer to the door. Closing her eyes to compose herself, she finally mustered up the courage to knock on the door… nothing. Maybe she just hadn’t heard the knock on the door. Mentee tried again, this time louder… still nothing. She pressed her ear up against the door only to find absolutely no noise on the other side.

“No one is in there, miss. She left for a walk.” a disapproving voice slated.

Mentee flinched and quickly spun around to see a blue coated maid sneering at her. Rather than attempt to explain herself, Mentee panicked and bolted.

Sweat gathered on Mentee’s brow as she came to rest in an empty corridor. Running a cloven hoof through her bangs she uttered to herself, “This is ridiculous, I just wanted to thank her for saving me.” She glanced down to the satchel dejectedly, “Maybe I can find her tomorrow once my shift is over… I need to get some air.”

The cool evening air was a blessing that gently kissed Mentee’s face. She had made her way to the castle courtyard and basked in its soft serenity. Plopping on a nearby bench next to a batch of daffodils, she gingerly took off her satchel to lean back and relax. Their light aroma invited Mentee into picking one and absentmindedly twirling it around. Taking a light whiff, she smiled and placed the flower in her hair. Stars twinkled in the strawberry sunset while a few ponies walked the courtyard to head home.

‘Oh well, there’s always tomorrow.’ Mentee thought, as she scanned her surroundings. Suddenly, a glint caught her eye. When she focused, she could swear her eyes were going to pop out of their sockets. Before her was her knight in shining armor, casually walking around the courtyard smelling flowers.

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

Valiance took comfort in the beauty of the flowered and marbled plaza, having spent the entire day getting to know the castle’s layout better and what would be her new home. The giant fountain gently ran in the center, soothing all who heard it. Giant hedge sculptures, vivid red roses, and yellow daffodils were all perfectly nurtured to be a sight for even the sorest eyes.

“E-excuse me.” a small yet eager voice called from behind. Valiance turned and was greeted by a small pink pony, with thick ringlets for hair, and spectacles. The mare shuffled slightly closer and gently continued, “Uh, h-hello. I don’t mean to disturb but… um, well, you probably don’t remember me but-”

“Oh! You’re the mare that was almost carried off during the attack!” Valiance blurted out with a smile.

The little unicorn blushed, surprised that Valiance had even remembered her at all, “Yes, that was me. M-my name is Mentee, Mentee Prim.”

Valiance’s face softened further, “It's a pleasure to meet you, Mentee. My name’s Valiance Ascalon.”

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

Valiance and Mentee were not alone, the God Princess, Celestia, too had wished to enjoy a stroll to revel over her recent success. True to her word, the Princess oversaw the remainder of the changeling hive eradicated and their maggots turned to fertilizer. With that, and the acquisition of a new acolyte, Celestia had almost considered relieving her favorite student of her friendship studies for the day. Almost.

Voices had tickled at Celestia’s ear from the courtyard. Since the sun had set, most ponies would have gone on their way to the dining halls, barracks, or home at that point so she had a small interest to inquire the purpose of the conversation.

It didn’t take long for Celestia to find the source of the whispers. She easily spotted her new acolyte talking to one of the castle’s library assistants, Mentee Prim. The conversation itself was harmless, with small talk abound and a few thanks sprinkled in. However, when Mentee pulled her gift out of her satchel, Celestia’s cold stare stabbed at Mentee’s glimmering eyes. Celestia scrutinized deep into Mentee’s heart, seeing through her feeble façade. This was no mere thanks, the pink mare’s soul pounded with infatuation. The way she kicked the dust and tugged at her hair all the while coyly glancing at Valiance left no doubt in the Princess’ mind; and it filled her with vile intrigue.

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

“I, uh, wanted to let you know how thankful I am for saving me. I really thought that I was gonna be a goner until you came along.” Mentee said, rubbing her neck. She tapped her hooves together in thought then reached for her satchel, “This isn’t much, b-but I hope you still enjoy it well enough.” Encased in periwinkle blue magic, Mentee unlatched her satchel to reveal a small pink box tied in a red laced ribbon.

“Oh! Well thank you, Mentee. You really didn’t have to do that.” Valiance assured, gently taking the gift.

“You know, I’ve been working at the castle for a while now. There've been plenty of acquaintances I’ve made… but no one to really call my friend. I was just wondering… if you would… maybe…” Mentee sheepishly stalled.

Valiance chuckled heartily, “Of course we can be friends. It’d be nice to have company with someone who knows their way around here, not to mention someone so sweet.”

Mentee’s stomach twisted into a knot, her already flushed face was now blistering red. In an act of feverish joy, Mentee sputtered, “T-t-thank y-you! Y-you too!” With nothing holding her back she sprinted away, nearly tripping over herself as she spun around a corner and out of sight.

Perplexity gripped Valiance’s thoughts, ‘I wonder where she ran off to, I hope I didn’t say anything stupid. That would be embarrassing.’ Turning her attention to the box, Valiance pulled the ribbon and peered inside. Her benign smile graced her lips again. Inside, were cookies in the shapes of flowers, hearts, and bunnies. Each one was carefully decorated in a shiny pastel colored frosting, some were adorned with cute smiles to top it off.

As Valiance innocently popped one in her mouth, a sudden chill ran up her spine when she felt the looming presence of some wicked soul behind her. “And what have we here?”

Valiance twisted around to see the owner staring down at her through biting amethyst eyes. The moon’s rays illuminated the roses in the garden, bathing Celestia in the color red. Although initially shocked, relief washed over Valiance as she sighed, “Oh, Princess Celestia, it’s you. This is just a little thank you gift from a friend I saved.” Valiance passed the gift box to her majesty to see personally.

The Princess shook the box slightly with a sneer, and with her magic, pulled out a heart shaped cookie. ��How sweet.” she hummed as she jaggedly pulled the cookie in half. Without giving Valiance time to think, Celestia jammed one of the halves into her acolyte’s mouth before turning and walking away.

Bewildered by Celestia’s actions, Valiance chewed her half and absentmindedly reached for another cookie, but was only met with air. It was then that she snapped back to her senses, realizing that Celestia had taken the entire box for herself. Conflicted, Valiance chose to keep her mouth shut. It was Celestia’s will, after all. But that doesn’t mean that I’m happy about it.’ Valiance huffed to herself, having really wanted to enjoy her gift. “Forget it.” Valiance groaned, throwing her hooves into the air, “I’m just gonna go to bed.”

18 notes · View notes

fandomsonrequests · 4 years ago

Text

𝖆𝖓𝖔𝖙𝖍𝖊𝖗 𝖘𝖊𝖑𝖊𝖈𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓..? [𝖕𝖆𝖗𝖙 5]

fandom: ATEEZ

characters: prince! park seonghwa

reader: fem! knight

word count: 2.2k+

summary: It was time for another Selection. No- not a Selection for a bride but rather a well-trained knight to keep Prince Seonghwa safe after a failed assassination attempt. You, a blacksmith’s daughter, manage to make it to the elite group of knights worthy and skilled enough to protect the crown prince after months and months of training. This alone catches Seonghwa’s eyes- in more ways than one

a/n: part 5 here we go! i’m sorry if its taking too long, school started so i dont have much time to write as often ;^; this is kind of unedited (im using grammarly sue me sujsk) so im sorry for any errors!

taglist: @iwanttohitmyself @barcelona-sergei @minihongjoong @i-purrple-u

↞previous ♛ next↠

The Capitol was certainly different from the quaint town of Trelark.

The Capitol was… colorful to put it simply. Several people milled about the streets, bustling around and going about their daily lives. What the city folk wore was flashier and livelier than the dull brown or grey tones of the clothes the townsfolk wore. It sparked some sort of insecurity within you, making you clutch at the fabric of your pants as you look out the carriage window, seeing young women your age float through the streets in bright yellow skirts or green pleated dresses.

The streets were wider and tiled with smooth stones compared to the rocky ground that rocked the carriages up in the village of Trelark. The shops were bigger and the smell- the smell of the place was better for some reason. Delicious aromas of freshly baked bread or roasted pig wafted through the air instead of some goat or horse dung. It made your stomach rumble. You had eaten your packed lunch and shared it with your friends in the carriage that brought you over to the Capitol.

Speaking of which-

“Oh my gods, look at that dress,” Siyeon says as she presses herself against the carriage window and points to a dress in the display window of a seamstress’s shop. It had a sweetheart neckline with bell sleeves in an elegant shade of red, a transparent lace on the hem. Despite how simple it looked, you only wondered how expensive it was.

“I’d give anything to wear that.” She continues and releases a small whine as she slumps back into her seat. “I wish this Selection was for a princess instead of a knight.”

Raviv, who was beside you, laughed at the young woman across you. “Maybe next time. You never know.” He says as he picks at the loose threads of his shirt again. “You can just drop out y’know?”

“And miss out living in the palace and bring shame to my family at the same time? Uh, no thanks. I’ll do my best until I give out.”

You roll your eyes and huff in amusement at the two as they continue to banter. You loved the two a lot- you really did. Siyeon was like the sister you never had and Raviv had a special place in your heart. But you on the other hand were firm in your resolve and promised to yourself that you’d try to outdo them without having to step on them.

You saw more of the city as the carriages pulled through the cobbled streets of the Capitol. Sure it had its fair share of beauty but not every place was perfect. You caught a glimpse of some street kids, covered in dirt from head to toe, in the alleyways between houses and shops. Some of them would be begging for some alms while others just went about and played.

Suppose it couldn’t be helped- the world was cruel like that. But it still breaks your heart every time. You didn’t have much yourself but you were happy and had a roof over your head. Maybe life for the unfortunate was a lot tougher here in the Capitol.

Eventually, the carriages that came from the village of Trelark finally reached the lavish gates of the castle. There was a drawbridge, just like you imagined, but what you didn’t anticipate was the lavish gate that lay behind it.

As soon as the drawbridge lowered, a rather beautiful gate greeted your eyes. There were pillars made of stone and marble running down the sides while gold figurines of horses decorated the top. Black iron bars with gold-tipped ends that pointed up into the sky lined the space between each pillar.

But the gate was nothing compared to the palace itself.

The three of you all looked out the window, eyes gleaming and mouth agape as you gawked at the sight that beheld you. The palace was surprisingly similar to the ones described in the books- pearly and white, tall with several towers striking out from each side, buttresses that supported the building, and a large flag bearing the current family’s crews right on top of the centermost tower. The palace was huge. You couldn’t even see where the walls ended on each side.

“You know,” Raviv starts out softly. “If we were ever supposed to go through this place, I think we’d get lost.”

“No kidding,” Siyeon says, just as quiet like him. “I think I’d be starving and thirsty the minute I find my way back to the entrance.”

“Or one of the undead.” You added, and lightly kicked at Siyeon’s foot.

She then proceeded to flop down against the seat and rise with her hands in front of her, making growling noises as she imitated a zombie, lunging at the both of you. The trio laughs at the antics and pushes her back onto her seat when she pretends to take a bite of your arm.

“Oi, behave in there!” Called out the driver and patted the side of the carriage, effectively hushing you and your companions.

You couldn’t help the giggle that escapes you though. “Whoops.”

“Seonghwa there you are!” The Queen exclaims when he arrives, lapels of his clothes properly pinned and his crown sitting on top of his soft locks.

Seonghwa greets his parents who were sitting upon their thrones, awaiting the delegates that were to arrive at any moment. He kisses each of their cheeks and sat on the right side of his father’s throne, back straight and head high- just as he was taught since the age of five.

A few servants ran around the throne room, sweeping up the linoleum floors and dusting the marble columns. The velvet rug that led from the entrance up to the elevated floor that held the thrones were freshly pressed and practically spotless. The King wanted to leave a good first impression on his people.

“How many do you think there will be, father?” Seonghwa asks, looking over to the man.

The King only straightened up and looked ahead. “Many,” He replies without turning his head to his son. “They come from all parts of our kingdom. I think half of this room may be filled.”

The prince manages to hold back a sigh. Instead, he exhales through his nose and curls his fingers around the armrests of his seat. He thought it was a bit of an overkill to have all these people train just to protect him. Despite the assassin coming from a different kingdom, he thought that bringing other people from within their kingdom imposed a risk as well- you never know if there could be traitors out there.

Nevertheless, he just learned to trust his father’s decision. He knew that his father was wise and well-aware of his decisions. He just hoped this method wouldn’t backfire…

“They’re all here already your highness,” A servant announces as they enter the throne room. “There’s quite more than a handful.”

With a nod and a wave of his hand, the king tells the servant to allow the delegates to enter. The servant gives a low bow and exits the door only to return a few moments later with the young adults. Quietly, they filed into the throne room, wearing different garments that fit with the place they came from.

People from the field lands wore hard, boots dried with mud and loose-fitting clothes to help them move around. Folks near the dock wore almost similar clothing but had more loose-fitting shoes and or sandals. The delegates from the mountain had already shed off their coats as the weather in the Capitol was much warmer. And finally, the folks from the city were more well-dressed, with button-ups, well-tailored pants, and sturdy boots.

You glance around as you shuffle in with your companions near the edge of the group. You hadn’t anticipated this many people to attend. It made your stomach churn with nervousness- there was big competition here. But you weren’t taught to quit this early- you were going to push on until you give out.

Others slinked away or flinched whenever a city-dweller looked over at them. It was a bit hard not to- they just radiated some sort of energy. An aura of power to be exact.

Seonghwa scans the faces of the delegates. They were all so different- in height, background, wear, and everything else. Many looked like they were reluctant to be there but many also had this look of determination in their eyes.

There was one gaze that caught his in particular. It belonged to a woman, maybe his age, standing near the back. He could tell from her garments, specifically the coat that hung over her arm, that she lived in one of the mountain villages.

Her lips were pursed together as she observed the palace around her. There were wonder and awe in them- but as soon as her gaze landed on him and his family, they steeled into something harder, one that read that it would take more than would think to take her down.

Seonghwa is pulled out of his thoughts by his father’s voice welcoming all the participants to the palace.

“Welcome to the Capitol,” The King booms, a warm smile on his face and his arms outstretched. “I’ll keep this brief, but I’d like to thank you for coming all this way. It means a lot to me, my wife, and of course- my son.”

All eyes shift over to the prince. It wasn’t the first time many sets of eyes were trained onto him but he felt nervous this particular time. Maybe it had to do with the fact that the circumstances were different, that they weren’t looking up at him while he stood beside his father during speeches or city celebrations or whenever he had to deliver the occasional speech. Yeah, that must be it.

The young man folded an arm over his torso and bowed a perfect ninety-degree angle. It was a silent gesture of his gratefulness for their efforts, eyes glistening as if all the stars were placed into them.

The King looked to his side and gave a nod. Two men came out from behind a pillar and stood at the foot of the elevated platform that held the thrones.

The first was a tall and burly man. A long white but faded scar ran from the top of his head and across his brow, just catching the edges of his eyelids. Because of the long healed injury- part of his injured eye had a milky-blue color to it, showing that he was partially blind. HIs muscled under his pressed dress suit flexed as he gave a bow and straightened up. He was the literal embodiment of tall, dark, and strong. Despite this though, he radiated a warm and inviting energy- especially with that soft smile of his.

The second was the man most people hated. It was the nobleman that went to the town of Trelark. He wore less warm clothing but his stupid purple feather plume hat remained. His silver beard seemed extra curled today and a shit-eating smirk was plastered across his lips.

The majority of the folk that came from the mountain villages had a sour look on their face when they saw the nobleman. They tried to mask it though to avoid any offense that it could bring to the king.

“This is Byron,” The King introduces the first man. “He shall be training all of you till one of you manages to succeed as the prince’s protector. And this is Duke Hae-seong, one of my royal advisers and a Duke of the kingdom. He shall help manage you and educate you around the protocols of the palace and the kingdom.”

“Yes, that’s right.” The Queen says softly, voice warm and gentle. “It is important not to only train the body but the mind as well. The prince’s protector needs to be knowledgeable of the kingdom’s laws and what his or her rights are as a protector.”

It was a very wise move on the royal family’s part and it made sense. They didn’t want the protector to overstep any boundaries, whether intentional or not or have any abuse in power on their part.

Many delegates didn’t seem pleased to learn that Hae-seong would be tutoring them though. He was impatient and very brash- he clearly was displeased with the way the king and queen took commoners into the palace without a single thought of doubt; he was just good at hiding it.

“Ladies, please follow Mina to your quarters. Gentlemen, Sir Byron will be the one to take you to yours. I hope you don’t mind sharing with others.” The King says and gestures to the crowd gathered in front of them. “And to show our gratitude, we shall be throwing you a feast tonight to commemorate your arrival.”

This seemed to brighten up the spirits of the young delegates. Energy fills them as the adrenaline of excitement rushes through their bodies. A few of them now their heads gratefully to the royal couple while the rest showed their appreciation through bright smiles.

“I thank you all once again for going through all this trouble. Now, freshen up. You’ll have a long day tomorrow.”

The group bows down to the family before them and separate into two groups to head over to their bunkers to rest and recuperate. You look back at the royal family again, seeing them step down from the throne and head to wherever they needed to be in this gigantic castle.

This was it. The game was on- and you were determined to win it.

#ateez #ateez x reader #park seonghwa #seonghwa x reader #royal au #royalty au #royal ateez #royalty ateez #prince park seonghwa #prince seonghwa #prince!seonghwa #fantasy au #fantasy ateez #kpop x reader #kpop fanfic #regiis #fandomsonrequests

64 notes · View notes

ton-e · 4 years ago

Text

Ooo small worldbuilding detail But!! On earth 513, on Asgard, it's not an uncommon reacurance for royalborns to be illiterate while the normal class receives mandatory education;

They, specifically princesses or general female personel, are thought general politics and basic history, yet the male population isn't educated in forms of writing and reading as they're just not seen as important. At best, they're thought at least high vocabulary but that's about it, because most of them end up involved or ruling over a heavily warfare influenced field.

"Our boys are going on a battlefield," Borr huffs mockingly as he drowns perhaps his 5th goblet of wine. The purple rain drips down from his frizzy beard and sticks long after he slams the gold down. "What are they going to do? Stab the enemy with a quill?"

Bestla sighs, resigned a close familiarity on her tongue, knowing it's a battle lost. Her eyes send a mute apology to three heads watching longingly from the tall windows of their chambers down at the chain of little feet thumping happily towards the schooling grounds, laughter walking closely in their step.

She teaches them in private, secretly away from cunning eyes and ears with more love for money than for their life. Bestla knows her husband well, better than he knows her, or else he'd know she doesn't leave any battle on her knees.

Hel and Allfather harbour a love for books and pretty words, pudgy little fingers following every line of charchol ink as if to gobble the world hiding in every letter, making her heart warm. Balder interests himself in academics, everything from the history of the titans to Njords first touch of water, he's knowledge about, and Bestla bursts with a pride as big as the staff for seeing them starving for a knowledge young and innocent.

Its a nice escape from a harsh reality.

Then, Balder finds his Godhood, and Borr ceases to care what he does.

The distaste is not spoken directly, but the angry screams bleeding from the marital chambers tell him enough. He's not permitted on any battleground touching even the tightest corner of their Kingdom and no one feels brave enough to point his absence out.

'It's because he cares, ' Allfather tries to convince himself, ignoring the presence of a hand, heavy and cruel, squeezing his heart when no celebration is in order for his brother. Balder was devious, harsh, and fickle, but he was his brother all the same. ' Father would hate for him to get hurt.' Even if he knows Balder doesn't hurt easily.

There was a knowledge of what Hel was, when he was born, the nothingness of sound as the cold body of a cryless infant was carried ringing like a death bell above everyone. Hel is born more ghost than boy. Many thought him death. Many think he still is

. But when the proof of his Godhood manifested in the form of a crow dusting in the wind for stealing Bestlas necklace, rumors become information. He holds his baby brother during the long cry of a sleepless bed like a man going to beheading for a terrible cry.

Borr, like countless others, lacks the courage to deny him anything after that.

The poetry slowly stops. What's the meaning of beauty if you can't share it with anyone?

Allfather and Bestla keep them the stash still.

Allfather dreads the day he will have to stop being a mortal, praying to the Norns to grant him as much time as possible. Blessings are granted to the needy, however, and without much surprise soon he presents too.

The greatest feast of all 9 Kingdoms is raised for his Godsake day, and all he wants is to hide. Hide from the tales of old soldiers wishing him good fortune, for the weaponsmaster pushing swords, daggers, axes and spears into his arms, from the young lords, too young and too naive for what awaits them, boosting about the terror they'll unleash in battle, and from his father's mead flavored breath .

" You're my last hope, my one true son," the King slurs, hand cradling Allfathers face in his gloved hand with an affection the blonde lad knows not what to do with it. "Your mother, she thinks I don't know those two aren't my blood. She doesn't know me, just as much as I don't her. But I trust that you will become the King this country needs, won't you? You'll be strong, and true, and worthy. "

He gulps his uncertinity as much as his fear. "... Yes."

"Good lad," Borr beams, eyes hunting for the maiden behind him. "I love you most, Odin."

Allfather locks his books away. He learns to handle a sword sooner than a pencil.

With times, his beloved stories lose their shine to the grime of battle, of war, of what he can't forget, can't give back. His mothers soft lullaby fades to the the screams of widowed women, mothers without husabnds or sons. He wonders, would the knights in his books look at him a hero, or slay him with the sharpest sword? Both possibilities make his chest ache.

But not every region is like that!! Nidavellier prizes wisdom best, tailored their legacy onto paper rather than in battleground; Therefore education is extremely important to them, knowledge crowned the true King among them. It makes no difference to them weather they teach a Prince or princess, stable boy or lord, squire or knight; Everyone is seen the same.

In Jotunheim, they can be considered brightest as they're the main providers if that makes sense! Even if they prefer the shred of reclusiceness in their own territory, a cinsierdable present of the country is seen as a merchant state; They supply almost all of Asgard with plenty of materials, foods, fabrics, you name it they got it, which indicates most of their educational system is a blend of everything.

But it's really important to keep in mind what regions values as "Education" to them! On Asgard it's politics, teaching them their roles as leaders and how to twist the coin so it lands in your favor; On Nidavellier, they encourage each person to aim for blacksmithing, therefore chemistry, physics, mathematics and the such is the most prominent pattern!

Jotunheim, in the same as many Northern regions that differentiate the North and South, possesses a knitclose kinship with spirituality and the unknown old practices, therefore their knowledge holds very close to nature and it's branches; Animals, biology, travelling, everything is an ecosisyetm of subjects but it boils down to being able to shape expert craftiness in wildlife!! Not only do their raise scholars, but also survivors.

The idea came from imagining Allfather being embarssed and feeling unworthy of being in the presence of two of the brightest minds in this generation; Frigg is a ball of energy with a mouth and brain that spills the most interesting sounding things. He doesn't understand them, but she could make floor scrubbing seem captivating if she really tried.

Farbauti has an elegant way with his words, carefully hand picked, complex sentences hosting even more complex thoughts that he can't feel are dumped down for him. They can hold lengthy conversations between the two of them, until the sun raises and falls, trading ideas that sound brilliant. He can't bear the humiliation when they turn to him for his piece and he stays silent, so most of the time, he just agrees without his own addition.

But it's not only that, it's him being very eager to listen to them reading, content to let his hair be played and caressed while resting On a comfortable lap of either harsh leather or soft silk. But he never reads with them. Everytime he tries letter blend into the other or mangle themselves to take form of either other dialect or even numbers.

They take note, because unlike him, they use their heads for something other than holding the rest of his body together.

Farbauti is a gentle man, mirroring the fierce beast in so many ballads and whispers about him. " If you... If you'd fancy some aid with reading, I'd be happy to help you. I know the hardness of being introduced to concepts that, perhaps, you weren't made familiar with. Really, I thought Shaggy dog would skin me for always forgetting a certain sign, he's been looking for a motive for a time, and,-" He stops, words halted and eyes wide when Allfather refuses to meet his gaze, hand wiping away shameful tears.

He's pulled to a strong chest, having to lean down due to their considerable size imbalance. "There is no shame in not knowing," he hums, lips moving gentle and loving in the crown of gold hair. "There is no shame around me, understand?"

The same story happens with Frigg, who brings him great comfort when her small figure sits on his knees and her autumn burned hair tickles the bridge of his nose as they read a book together, out loud, one gentle voice coaxing the other to say every line.

He didn't use to write much, not as much as he read, before. He was content with only drowning in a world far away from the one he couldn't escape, that he didn't dare to create something else.

He writes their names first and the envelope securing well wishes is salted with tears of happiness.

#worldbuilding #earth 513 #allfather #al odinson #balder borrison #hel hellison #bestla #Borr #farbauti fenrison #frigg eitrison #shaggydog #thunderfam

2 notes · View notes

midnightcindy · 6 years ago

Text

Fiery Visions

Byron Witch AU! Smut and it’s long! I’ve been writing this one for a while because I just wanted it to be perfect. Thanks for reading!

Byron awoke in a cold sweat. He ran his fingers through his hair, smoothing the wet strands back from his forehead, then dragging his nails down his face in frustration. He growled in the darkness, pressing his palm flat against his bare chest. He was burning up, and he didn't know why; or rather, he knew the reason, but it vexed him the more it occurred. It was the dream again.

Her hair, dark and swaying in the air like she was swimming. Her eyes met his, shimmering in the moonlight, each constellation reflecting in the dark irises. She moved her arms in circles around her, droplets of gold falling from her fingertips. She smiled at him, her long fingernails beckoning to him. He reached out, a fire alighting around her, blue flames engulfing them in a circle of power as he met her there. He leaned into her touch, dragging his fingers down her cheeks, as her back arched away from him. They were naked, writhing with one another as the flames grew, and the highs inside of them matched the swelling fire. She called Byron’s name over and over again, clawing into his shoulders, her hips moving viciously against his own. Byron tasted her neck, the sweat and tang of blood as visceral as if she were truly in his arms. She tightened around him, staring down into his eyes, and breathing the words, “My King…”

It was always at this moment that he would awaken, the dream dissolving around him into nothing, yet the passion coiling in his gut as real as the sweat on his brow. Byron sighed, staring at the golden ceiling and knowing that another sleepless night awaited him.

_____

I let my hair fall in front of my face as I toed the water’s edge. I breathed the scent of the morning woods in deeply, silently asking the trees and mud for energy. Another night of sleep had escaped me. I yawned, and slipped into the water up to my ankles.

From behind me, I could feel Nico’s cheery presence. “I thought I might find you here,” he laughed. “Are you all right?”

“Tired,” I said. “I thought I might be able to ask for some energy out here, but the Goddess is not as giving today.”

Nico pursed his lips. “Are you having those dreams again?”

“Yes,” I said, irritated. “And they're getting stronger, more… tangible.”

Nico removed his shoes and stepped into the water with me. He shivered. “Ah, too cold.”

I giggled. “Water is not your element, Nico.”

My butler chuckled, holding his hands together until a golden, pink glow formed. A tiny flame burst forth, and he played with it, tossing it between his palms. “No, it certainly is not.”

I shied away from the fire, sitting on the edge of the pond instead, not minding that my dress would dirty. I dipped my hands into the cool water. When I pulled my fingers upward, creating a nest by cupping my palms, the water followed suit. It weaved in and out of my fingertips, and I sighed. “Nico, I don’t think they’re dreams anymore.”

Nico let his fire dissipate, and turned toward me, brow arched. “You think they're visions?”

“Yes,” I said, almost afraid. The water shot out from my fingers and I let it rain out onto the pond’s surface.

“Well,” he said, drying his feet on the grass, “are they warnings, then? Does something bad happen in the dreams? You’ve never told me exactly what you see.”

I opened my mouth, but closed it quickly, my cheeks warm. “N-nothing bad happens, not really,” I tried, thoughts tripping over the images of a gorgeous man hovering over me, sucking on my neck.

“Oh,” Nico said, his tone playful. “Now I see why you’re shy to tell me.”

I covered my cheeks with my cold hands, trying to stifle a shiver. “Nico, please! It’s just not something I thought anyone needed to know.”

“It seems to be bothering you enough,” Nico said, flopping down next to me on the grass, his legs crossed under him. “Come on, you can tell me.”

I blew out a breath, asking the water for strength. “It begins with a ritual circle,” I began, my eyes growing distant as I recalled the visions. “I slit my palms, much like one would for a binding spell. When the blood falls onto the symbols at my feet, it burns blue. I start chanting, but I never remember exactly what I am saying in the dream. Then, he appears.”

“He?” Nico leaned forward.

I nodded. The words flowed out of me gently, dreamily. “This beautiful man. He looks so strong, so regal. I have never seen anyone like him. I reach out for him, and he takes my hand, and then we are inside a ring of cold, blue flames. Then… well, we touch, and he calls me, ‘My Queen.’ And that is when I wake up.”

Nico’s eyes were wide. “Princess… what if this is a vision of the one who is meant to be King?”

I bit my lip. “I have been having these dreams for months, and for the past week, it has been every night. I think… I think you’re right, Nico.”

Nico was suddenly excited, grasping my hands. “What did he look like? Did you recognize him? What if it’s someone we know?”

I giggled nervously. “I certainly don't know him, I would have recognized that face already. He was tall, pale, with black hair that fell over his face. And his eyes, they were so beautiful: silver, like the moon on a lake.”

Nico tensed, his grip tightening. Then, he shrugged away from me and feigned nonchalance, saying, “Well, it will all become apparent soon according to Goddess’ timing.” He then met my bright eyes with his own. “Princess,” he said, smirking knowingly to himself, “have you ever visited Stein?”

_____

“Your Majesty,” Albert called to Byron. “Nico has sent a letter.”

Byron turned slightly, his hands clasped firmly behind his back. The sun had just set, and twilight was settling in for the night. He breathed in, letting the energy of the night soak into his skin. Perhaps tonight he would be rid of the visions of the siren in blue fire. “Very well,” he said, opening his hand for Albert to place the envelope in his palm.

“I shall retire for the evening, if that is all.” Albert bowed formally, awaiting his command.

“That is all. Thank you, Al.” Byron watched Albert disappear into the castle once again, before alighting onto the railing before him. The wind swished in his cape, setting him gently on the stone’s edge as he intended. He walked along the raised rail, opening Nico’s letter and scanning the message.

I am writing to inform you that the Princess of Wysteria would like to meet you, formally. We have scheduled a visit to Stein in a week’s time.

Of course, she doesn't know this, but I’m doing this for you. After all, you’ve been seeing her, haven’t you? She’s been having the same dreams, the same visions.

You’re welcome.

Byron tucked the letter to his chest, all air suddenly leaving his body in a heavy gust that pushed him backward onto the balcony floor once again. He was panting, the pull in his chest that called for the woman from his dreams stronger than it had ever been. “Could it be?” Byron gazed up to the moon, asking the Great Goddess, “Have you really sent me My Queen?”

_____

“Nico, are you sure about this?” I adjusted the flowing sleeves of my dress, playing with the navy-blue lace as the carriage bumped along the road.

“I am confident he will love it,” Nico chimed, leaning his head toward the window, noting the passing scenery. “You have to make a good impression, right?”

“Sure,” I said, fiddling with my skirt, “but don’t you think wearing the king’s favorite color is a little forward for a casual acquaintance? I am just trying to get to know the neighboring countries better, like you suggested.”

“Exactly, and everyone else thought it was a brilliant idea to visit Stein,” Nico said, tugging on his gloves. “And don’t worry about the dress; even Giles approved of it. Besides, it really suits you.”

I smiled softly, lifting my shoulders as we approached the castle gates. I looked up at the towering castle in awe. “It’s magnificent,” I said. I peeked out the window, and the woodland air hit my face and comforted me. It smelled strongly of pine, but it was warm and welcoming just like my home in Wysteria. The castle was made of brown stone and thick towers, perfectly placed on the edge of a dark wood. I smiled, already feeling relaxed.

Nico caught my happy expression, and his own spirit felt content. This truly was meant to be,he thought.

When the carriage pulled up to the promenade, Nico quickly ducked out to escort me from the cabin. I took his hand, gently stepping down, and lifted my head proudly to the two men before me. But instead of maintaining the poise of royalty, my chest shook furiously when I met eyes with a man I knew all too well.

“Your Majesty, King Byron,” Nico said, bowing deeply, “may I present the Princess of Wysteria.”

I saw King Byron’s face stutter when we met eyes, and I feared that I had acted improperly in my shock; but he held his composure far better than I, and his eyes remained friendly. Stepping forward, he took my hand in his and lifted it to his lips. “Princess, it is an honor to finally meet you.” When he pressed a firm kiss to the back of my hand, I swore I felt the air caress me in a flash of a breeze, my hair swelling and falling in an instant.

I cleared my throat, curtsying as King Byron held my hand. “Your Majesty,” was all I could think to say.

King Byron’s eyes flashed white, and I almost gasped at the power I felt surge through me when he let go of my hand. The light was gone from his irises in only a moment, and he smiled, stepping back to gesture to the stern man at his side. “This is Captain Albert Burckhardt, my advisor and a knight of Stein.”

“Your Highness,” Captain Burckhardt said, bowing politely. “I do hope you will enjoy your stay.”

“Thank you, Captain,” I said, trying to remain formal. “I am sure I will find Stein quite to my liking, but the purpose of my visit is to better understand your country, and hopefully, to leave here with Stein and Wysteria having become friends.”

Captain Burckhardt raised a brow at my words, clearly unhappy with my casual speech, but King Byron’s eyes twinkled. “I am pleased to hear that,” he said, a small smile touching his lips. Then he surprised me by asking, “Would you allow me to escort you inside, Princess?”

I was unprepared for such an offer, and my face showed it. “Your Majesty, that is generous, but Nico is more than capable-”

“It would be my pleasure to show you my home, Princess,” he said smoothly, and offered me his elbow.

Staring into his silver eyes, which I had always imagined seeing outside of my dreams, I could hardly refuse such a request. “Very well,” I said, and hooked my fingers onto his arm. Once again, there was a gust of wind when we touched.

“I will take your things to your room,” Nico said. “So please, just enjoy yourself for the day.”

I smiled gratefully back at him, and King Byron and I walked forward into Stein Castle, arm in arm.

____

It was so strange, having her next to him in the flesh. From the moment she left the carriage, there was no doubt for Byron, that this was the woman from his dreams. He thought he had prepared himself for seeing her, but what struck him was the innocence in her face. When their eyes met, she was no longer the siren who haunted his nights, but an angel of light who warmed his heart with just a touch. Byron tried to remain neutral as they wandered the castle halls, not wanting to be too forward in his affections. They wasted time discussing the most mundane of topics, such as the conditions of her journey and the contents of his castle; but Byron was far more interested in hearing about her dreams. Had she truly seen the same things he had? If it was true, when would he know?

“King Byron, may I ask you a personal question?”

Byron paused in his steps, just as they reached the entrance to the gardens. “Please, by all means.”

She met his eyes, still holding onto his arm. “Are you a warlock?”

Byron chuckled. He had hoped it would be about the visions, but this was still a better topic than architecture. “Yes,” he said honestly. “You noticed.”

“I did,” she admitted, smiling sheepishly. “You have a strong energy. I can feel it when we touch-”

Byron turned toward her fully, their chests almost brushing. “Can you?” He asked her gently, daring to reach up and press a finger to her jawline. “How so?”

The princess swallowed, and shyly stepped away, beginning to walk toward the gardens. “The wind,” she said, tucking a strip of dark hair behind her ear. “It moves strangely around me when you’re near.”

“Ah,” Byron said as he clasped his hands behind his back. He needed to control himself if he wanted her to open up to him. “Air is one of my elements.”

At that, she seemed to brighten, and smiled happily. “That’s wonderful.”

“And what about you, little witch?” Byron asked, stepping to her side again. He liked the way her ears turned red when she blushed nervously.

“Oh, you could tell?” She ducked her head, almost embarrassed. “Ah, water,” she whispered.

“Why so shy?” Byron chuckled, wandering forward into the magnificent Stein gardens. The white flowers were in full bloom, soaking in the sunshine from above. “Water is a noble element. It is gentle, but strong. It is patient. It heals, and gives life. You should be proud to have such a natural gift.”

When Byron turned back, she had stopped walking with him, and stared at him, eyes wide and full of adoration. “K-King Byron, that is so kind…”

“Byron, please. If it is not too informal for you, princess,” Byron said warmly.

The princess grinned, walking forward to take his arm again. “Very well, Byron. I would like to call you that.”

His name sounded too natural on her lips, as he had heard it screamed in that same voice many times in his dreams. Byron hid his sudden arousal at the thought well enough, and together they walked along the hedges.

____

Nico was turning down my bed that evening when he asked me, “What do you think of King Byron?”

I braided my hair mindlessly, sighing as I twirled the strands. I smiled, thinking about our day spent together. We spent hours in the gardens, talking about anything at all. Byron was a perfect listener, which I found refreshing, as I was prone to rambling. “He’s wonderful,” I said too honestly.

“Wow, already in love, and it’s only day one,” Nico laughed, fluffing my pillow.

I blushed harshly. “Stop, Nico.”

Nico simply walked over to where I sat on the sofa, and collected what remained of my evening tea. “Good night, princess. Sweet dreams,” he said, with a wink.

I rolled my eyes at his obvious innuendo, but wished him good night all the same. When I was alone again, I stood to walk toward the only light in the room, coming from the candle at my bedside table. I blew the flames out, sighing in the night. Restless, I danced toward my balcony. The air was crisp and wet, and I relished in the humidity. Quickly, I ran back into my room, and gathered my materials. It was the perfect night to meditate.

In my nightgown and robe, I snuck out into the forest, bare feet singing with each step in the cool mud. The pines surrounding me smelled divine, and I thanked them for providing me with such a lovely atmosphere. The water called to me, and it wasn’t long before I found what I was looking for; a creek running through the woodland.

I smiled happily, and set my materials on the ground. I took a large stick and drew a circle in the mud, brushing aside pine needles as I did so. I drew a star, the top pointing toward the running water. At each point, I placed one of my tokens: a river stone to my right, a butterfly wing on my left, and behind me, a dried twig and a vessel of leaf ashes. I sat down in the center of the star. Before me, I placed the most important talisman. I lifted the pendant that I kept hidden in my bodice, and placed it gently on the earth. When my objects were aligned, the energy around me snapped into place, and I could feel the steady rhythm of the water cascading on the rocks. I sighed, content, and closed my eyes. It was these quiet moments where I could focus on my powers, pray to the Goddess, or listen to the conversations of nature as I sat politely. It was these moments where I could feel truly blessed.

But when I felt the wind swirl around me, the sudden gust broke my concentration. I could feel his energy before I even saw him. “Byron,” I called into the darkness.

I heard a faint chuckle, and the rasp of the pine needles on the ground. “I hope I didn’t startle you,” he said, coming into view.

“The wind gave you away,” I said, trying to twist my body to better see him. Only, his appearance was far more distracting than his simple wind trick had been.

He was clad in a pair of tight riding pants and boots, with a loose white shirt hanging off his body. It was unbuttoned enough that I could see the long chain hanging over his chest, a smooth, white stone bouncing against him. He too held a medley of objects in his hands. Byron smiled. “May I join you? I needed to meditate, and was on my way when I saw you heading into the woods as well.”

“Oh,” I stammered, “I see. No, I don’t mind at all.”

Byron shuffled on his feet, and I could tell by his shifting eyes that he wanted to ask me something more. “Do forgive me, princess, but I wonder if you would indulge me?”

My heart fluttered at his tone. “I-indulge? In what?”

Byron leaned down on his haunches to meet my eyes. “I have heard that sharing a meditation circle is an experience unlike any other. I feel that your powers and mine would be compatible for such an experiment. Would you… like to try?”

My chest was pounding now, and I was completely lost to the sincerity in his tone and the kind look in his shimmering moon eyes. I blushed as I said, “Yes.”

At that, he grinned, and set to work.

Byron placed each one of his tokens around the star, corresponding his own objects to mine. Then he stepped inside, and sat behind me, his arms and legs wrapped around me. He lifted his own pendant over his head, and placed it in my hands. I ran a finger over the smooth surface. “Moonstone,” Byron explained, his breath close to my ear. “Place it for me?”

I leaned forward, and sat it next to my pentacle. I gasped when I felt a force, unlike any I had experienced before, close me into the circle. I fell back, and crashed into Byron’s chest.

He too, was breathing heavily. “This is… new.”

“It is,” I agreed, shuddering when his arms rested on my knees.

Byron turned his palms upward, and rasped, “Place your hands on mine.”

I did as I was told, my palms flat against his. I straightened my back, inhaling to try and focus. I was painfully aware of my thin nightgown and robe, but I tried to brush it off, along with the feeling of Byron’s firm chest rising against my back. I cleared my mind, and felt myself slipping into a blissful state of sensation and clarity. I had never felt the air around me so vividly, the shifting colors above me like an aurora borealis in the night.

Behind me, Byron began to chuckle. “I can feel the stream,” he said in disbelief, “the water’s movement, its hue, its taste… it is all before me. This is…”

“…breathtaking,” I finished. My eyes fluttered open, and I turned slightly to see Byron staring at me with the same look of wonder.

“Princess,” he breathed, licking his lips. He was so close to me, I could feel his power like a current moving through me.

“Byron,” I said, leaning back into him.

His arms tightened around me, lacing our fingers together as he pulled me close. “I hope you will not think me too forward, but… I believe I have met you before, in a dream.”

My stomach dropped when I realized what he was implying. “You… you have them too, don't you?”

Byron nodded. “The visions…”

“I have them every night,” I explained, our noses brushing, “they… they frighten me.”

Byron suddenly looked concerned. He released one hand to loosely cup my cheek. “Why are you frightened, princess?”

“You… you seemed so powerful in my visions… as if you could devour me completely.”

Byron swallowed, a coy grin on his face. “You appeared to me as a siren, beckoning me into the abyss. I thought you would be the one to consume me.”

I laughed loudly at that. Me? A powerful siren? I was nothing more than a water witch, who practiced magic to calm her spirit and connect with the earth. “I can assure you, I am not that strong.”

“What if I disagree,” Byron said, resting his forehead on mine, “what if… you are so powerful, you have already enslaved my heart?”

My eyes stretched in shock when Byron pushed forward, his lips meeting mine in a slow, tentative kiss. When he began to move against me, I allowed a small, helpless moan to slip past my lips. Byron pulled back, eyes glowing bright. He felt so warm against me, and the light in his eyes had my head swimming with questions. “Byron?”

“Hm?” Byron hummed against my cheek as he placed a tiny, sweet kiss along the surface.

“You said air was one of your elements,” I began, brushing my nose affectionately against his for the second time. “What is the other?”

Pulling away, Byron smirked and raised a hand before my face. Suddenly, a ball of blue flames burst forth, illuminating my wide eyes and Byron’s sensuous smirk. “Fire.”

_____

Byron and I spent the next week at each other’s side. While Byron did spend the majority of his days tending to his duties in his office, I would often be disturbed by unnatural, impish drafts while reading in the parlor, which fluttered the pages of my book until I lost my place. During the evenings, Byron and I would eat dinner, and then stroll through the gardens in the twilight. White flowers had an odd habit of falling from the hedges and swirling in the air to land in my curls, decorating the tresses with flecks of satin petals. When I shot Byron a knowing glance, his eyes simply flashed silver, a tight grin on his closed lips all the answer he would give. We spent much of our time together walking about the grounds, or sitting in the courtyard. Byron grew fond of watching me play with the water of the fountain, making basic spirals in the air. It was an easy trick, one that required little power or skill, but Byron excitedly asked me to do it repeatedly, as if it were a profound display of witchcraft. As we both retired each night- far too late for propriety but too early for our liking- Byron would steal a peck on my cheek before leaving a lingering kiss on the back of my hand, bidding me good night. I would watch him go, my heart swelling with each step he took away from me, and I knew I had completely fallen in love with him.

On the final evening of my visit, Byron and I stood outside my quarters longer than usual. We chatted idly, not wanting the time to end. Byron leaned in at last, and pressed a long, but chaste kiss to my cheek. “Good night, princess. I wish this was not the last day you would be in Stein. Your company here has been refreshing.”

I blushed furiously when he held my hands between us, not letting go. “Byron, thank you for having me,” I chimed. “I have learned so much about your country, and believe me when I say that I have greatly enjoyed myself.”

Byron smiled tightly. “As have I. I wonder, could you promise that you will visit me again?”

I stared up at Byron with glee. “Yes, of course! I will see you again soon.”

Byron nodded, his hands squeezing mine before slowly letting go. “Very well. I will take my leave then.”

As Byron turned away, my heart started to deflate. Instead of joy bubbling inside of me, my chest was filled with longing. I stepped toward his retreating form. “B-Byron?”

He turned back too quickly. “Princess? Is something wrong?”

I couldn’t breathe. The words I wanted so desperately to say fell flat in my throat, and all I could think to do was reach out and pull Byron into a tight hug.

Byron stiffened in shock, but it dissolved quickly into a mutual embrace. He kissed my hair sweetly, his voice light as he said, “Why do you cling to me, so? You will see me again soon, Your Highness; certainly, in your dreams.”

I exhaled shakily, nodding. “I know… but the dreams aren’t enough anymore.”

I felt Byron pull away from me, still cradling me in his arms as he tilted my chin to look into his firm stare. His voice was surprisingly thin as he rasped, “You are not the only one who is no longer satisfied with dreams.” He swallowed thickly as he leaned forward, brushing his nose with mine. “Every night you have been here I have imagined feeling your flesh under me, finally hearing you call my name in a full voice, rather than the echoes of a hollow vision.”

I panted helplessly as I watched Byron’s lips close in on mine. My eyes fluttered at the kiss, my fingers tightening on his sleeves as I searched for a solid entity to keep me standing while the butterflies in my body lifted me up.

I tried to deepen the kiss, but Byron pulled away swiftly. “I have dreamed of taking you, and now I want those dreams to be a reality, more than you could possibly know; but,” he said, stepping back, our hands joined, “I also wish to respect you as a woman, and as royalty.”

I don't want to be respected, I thought wistfully, I want to be ravished.

Byron smiled, as if my thoughts were plain to see in my flushed, needy face. He brushed his lips over mine again, lighter this time, and nodded to himself. “So, I have made myself promise to court you, properly, until the time comes when I can propose a marriage to Wysteria.”

My eyes widened at that, chest leaping wildly. “You… want to propose a marriage?”

Byron tilted his head, almost chuckling. “Of course. I know you have only been here physically for one week’s time, but we have seen each other many times before. Don’t you see? The Goddess sent you to me, Princess. You are destined to be my queen.”

Hearing him say those words, the ones from my dream, strengthened my resolve. This was real, it was more than a fiery fantasy. Byron was no longer a figure that haunted me at night; he was a man who would stand by my side and love me throughout our lives. I grinned, and threw my arms around his neck tightly. “Byron,” I said, happy tears prickling my eyes, “Wysteria would like you to be its prince consort.”

Byron laughed, and a swell of wind burst around us as he hugged me warmly. “Stein will accept, gladly.”

____

Once Byron was officially named my prince consort (after being approved by the councils of Wysteria and Stein, and then announced to the public), we saw each other quite often. Of course, our nights apart were still plagued with the same dreams, our meeting apparently not having acquiesced the spirit sending us the passionate visions. In reality, we were both dragged away for work more often than not, but most weekends I would spend a day or two in Stein, and every few weeks, Byron would make the journey to Wysteria to stay with me for an extended visit. We spent a great deal of our days conversing on our strolls, as we enjoyed each other’s thoughts and ideas about anything from governing to gardening; however, the more time we spent in each other’s company, the more we enjoyed comfortable silence. We would often sit along the forest’s edge at dusk, silently thanking the Goddess for each other in the peace and quiet.

It was during one such evening, as Byron had once again come to see me in Wysteria, that we were silently sitting on the low wall that encircled the palace, and Byron asked of me, “Princess, would you like to meditate together again?”

I opened my eyes, forgetting that I had let them fall closed in my peaceful state, resting my head on his shoulder. I lifted myself to look at him, smiling curiously. “Why now? We haven’t meditated together in months, not since we first met. What brings this on?”

Byron snickered, pecking my forehead playfully as he stood to his feet. “Just come with me, please?”

I stared at his hand skeptically, but gathered my light skirt above my bare feet and took it with a smirk. “Fine, but I can feel your excitement, you imp.”

Byron grinned then, and pulled me along as we walked into the woods. The fireflies skipped about us, making the twilight feel like an ocean of fairy light. I caressed Byron’s hand as it held my own, giggling as we tripped along the branches in the path. I could smell the water as we closed in on the clearing, knowing my woods well enough to see where Byron was headed.

When we pushed past the last line of trees, the wet, open air embraced us happily. A steep cliff rose into the trees, just high enough to nearly brush the tallest pine. The river that ran through the woods fell in droves over the edge, spraying the air with a misty sheen before plummeting into a green pool where we stood. The roar of the small waterfall was loud enough to interrupt any kind of focused energy meditation that Byron would have planned on doing. “Byron,” I laughed. “This is beautiful, but it’s hardly a good place for a meditation circle.”

Byron nodded. “I admit, it is not ideal for energy meditation. It is, however, perfect for personal meditating.”

I raised a brow at that, crossing my arms. “What?”

Smiling almost shyly, Byron faced me. “This is a place to ponder life’s direction, to consider personal relationships and their meaning, and…” he said, his words faltering, “…to ask the Goddess for courage,” he added under his breath.

My heart pounded in my chest, noting how nervous Byron looked. “Byron, I don’t understand.”

“Your Highness,” Byron said, swallowing thickly, “I wanted to bring you to a place that would give us both strength; a place where our elements combined in harmony.”

It was then that I looked up to the waterfall, noting the moon rising just above its peak. I could feel the powerful rush of the water, and the steady drift as its tiniest particles flew into the night air, caressing my cheek. All at once, I could feel the water and the air living together, working to create this masterpiece of nature. I gasped when I turned back to Byron, and he was reaching into the pocket of his riding trousers, falling to his knees. He reached out for my hand, and placed something in my palm. When I unfurled my fingers, my eyes filled with tears. Byron had placed a ring there, a silver band adorned with sapphires and emeralds. I could feel the binding energy that pulsed inside of them. I smiled, laughing in disbelief when I saw Byron’s shimmering eyes.

“Princess, would you allow me to bind myself to you, and yourself to me?” Byron remained on his knees, staring up at me hopefully.

I grinned brightly, falling to meet him on the ground, running my free hand over his cheek and pressing my face to his. “Of course, My King.”

Byron laughed happily, reaching out to take the ring, and place it carefully on my left hand. When it sat snug on my finger, I felt the night air sing, as if the earth approved of the union. Byron must have felt it too, for he shivered when he pulled away. Grasping my face in his hands, he pressed a feverish kiss to my lips. “Oh, my love…”

My heart sang at those words. I returned his kiss with equal passion, wrapping him closer as I pulled him to the ground. With Byron’s weight on top of me, it felt natural to part my legs and invite him to rest between them. “Byron… I love you…”

“And I you,” he said hoarsely, groaning as his hips connected with mine. Almost hissing, Byron pulled away with a grimace. “But we cannot forget propriety, Princess. I am not yet your husband.”

“But you will be,” I tried, kissing along his jawline. I rolled my hips under his, hiking up my knee and letting my thin skirt fall well past my thigh.

Byron’s hand went straight for the exposed flesh, squeezing roughly as he gave himself a moment to press himself down into me. He kissed me again, opening his mouth to allow his tongue to slide along my bottom lip.

The feeling of it made me moan, and the sound was enough to snap Byron back to his senses. The normally kempt king was a blushing mess as he sat back on his knees, staring down at me. I sat up on my elbows, purposefully jutting out my shoulder to make my loose shirt fall down my arm. I threw Byron a seductive glare, biting my lip to make him come back to me.

Byron laughed, rubbing his face with both hands. “The siren finally appears,” he joked.

I sat up and ran my hands along his shirt buttons. “And she has been waiting for the powerful devil of her dreams to finally claim her as his own,” I answered, nipping at Byron’s earlobe.

He groaned, pushing lightly against my shoulders. “Do not make me do something we will both regret, Princess. We have not yet been spiritually bound.”

The seriousness of his voice made me retreat. I looked up into his eyes, knowing full well that he was barely controlling his urges at that moment. I sighed, pressing my face into his chest. “I want you so badly,” I grumbled.

“Words cannot express how difficult it is for me not to give in to your desires,” Byron choked, pulling me with him as he stood, “but as King, I will hold myself to a higher standard.”

I chewed on my lip, teasing, “And if you were not King?”

“If I were not King,” he said, running his hands along my sides, “you would already be cumming against that tree.”

I trembled, whimpering as my core burst from the image of Byron fucking me wildly in the forest. I covered my mouth to keep from openly moaning, and swallowed back any more teasing remarks. “I see,” I managed, clearing my throat. “Then as Princess of Wysteria, I shall also contain myself, until we are bound.”

Byron beamed, and suddenly pulled me into a kiss that was tender, sweet, and slow. I smiled around his lips, allowing his love for me to consume me instead of his carnal pleasure. “I am glad that we agree,” Byron chuckled.

I grinned, then finally looked down to the ring on my hand. “Oh Byron,” I sang. “It’s perfect.”

“Perfection is demanded for my future queen,” Byron replied. “I am glad you like it.”

Tightening my hands in his, I said, “I don’t know what to say. I love it, and I love you. I am yours, Byron.”

“Then say just that,” he said warmly, kissing my forehead, “and say you will marry me immediately.”

I looked up into his silvery eyes, glowing proudly beside the moon. I smiled. “I won’t rest until every preparation is made. We will be wed before the year’s end, My King.”

____

The snow fell steadily to the ground of the Wysterian forest. The light blue dress that hung off my hips was accented by rich white fur, bunched around my waist and wrapped warmly around my shoulders. I clutched a bouquet of dark red roses in my hands, smiling with matching ruby lips to the man at the end of the aisle.

Byron smiled proudly back, his chin raised, looking every bit the King of Stein in his white formal attire. A fur lined cape hung from his shoulders, swishing around excitedly at his feet. A gust of wind swept around my face, my hair flying back, and I giggled at the silver glimmer in Byron’s eyes. All around us were the aristocracy of Wysteria and Stein, along with our dear friends and family. As I reached the altar, Nico took my bouquet and returned to his seat in the front, allowing me to then take the hands of my fiancé. Byron’s grin didn’t fade when I squeezed his fingers, and he gently rubbed mine with his thumbs in return.

Giles smiled, saying, “Thank you all for gathering to witness a momentous and joyous union of two kingdoms. Today, the royal bloodlines of Wysteria and of Stein will be bonded…”

I couldn't stop staring at Byron. Even as Giles asked us to say our vows, it all was lost in the fog of Byron’s loving gaze. I sighed happily every time his grip tightened on my hands.

“Finally, the two shall be united first in blood, then in body, and in spirit. Your Majesty,” Giles asked, handing Byron the ceremonial knife, “take this blade, and repeat after me.”

Byron released my hands, and took the decorative knife, holding the blade to his palm. “I cut my flesh,” he repeated as Giles instructed, “only so that it may be yours. I give you my blood, so that it may be ours.” Byron slid the blade along his palm, making a light cut that burned red in the winter sun. “Bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh, and blood of my blood, all I have, I give to you.”

Giles then took the blade, and handed it to me, offering me the very same instructions. I slid the blade along my opposite palm, and a red line appeared that matched Byron’s. “I cut my flesh, only so that it may be yours. I give you my blood, so that it may be ours. Bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh, and blood of my blood,” I said, voice wavering. A tear slid down my cheek, and I glanced up to Byron while smiling brightly, finishing, “all I have, I give to you.”

Byron’s lips twitched into a smile, his eyes glistening as I handed Giles the ceremonial knife, and allowed him to take each of our wounded hands and clasp them together. As Giles covered our hands in a strip of cloth to fasten us together physically, Byron and I both felt a surge of energy swell within us and burst, and we laughed happily as we realized we had been bonded spiritually as well.

Giles stepped back, saying, “Let it be known that the ceremonial rites of marriage have been observed here today by this couple, who have now been bound. What has been crafted by the Goddess, let no one dare to come between.” Then, grinning, he said, “Please, Your Majesties, seal your bond with a kiss.”

Byron wasted little time before he was pulling me in for a kiss, wrapping his unfastened hand around my shoulders. I snuck my arm beneath the warmth of his cape, and we held tight to one another, smiling and laughing between kisses. Applause rose from the witnessing crowd, as people stood to congratulate their new King and Queen. A swell of wind surrounded us in a flurry, and we happily clung tighter, our powers joined as one with the wind and the ice.

_____

The festivities for the evening were nothing short of grandeur. Naturally, a union between two kingdoms would have been enough for a celebration, but the couple having magical talent meant even more cause for festivity. The nobles of the court in Wysteria had been asking for a marriage to strengthen magic in the royal blood, and a powerful warlock like Byron was far more than they had anticipated of me. So, the revelry went deep into the night. Drinking, dancing, food, and more had Byron and me exhausted. But of course, nothing could have distracted us from the heated gaze we both cast toward one another as we celebrated. As the evening progressed, Byron’s hands sank lower on my back, and my hips repeatedly brushed against his at an increasing rate.

We didn’t bother hiding the speed at which we retreated from the party and headed toward my chambers. I giggled when Byron snatched up my hand and pulled me behind him, racing down the halls. We both laughed as we ran, coated in a blue haze of a full moon night, the glowing snowflakes outside the windows like airy cotton drifting past our vision.

When we reached my chambers, Byron swept me into his arms, cradling me as a proper bride. He kicked in my doors, and I laughed loudly at his eagerness. He was already kissing me by the time the door shut behind us, my arms tight around his neck. I felt the mattress against my back and Byron’s comforting weight on top of me. I didn’t want him to pull away, but when I saw him hastily removing his dressings, I realized we both were wearing far too many clothes. I, too, sat up and unfastened my cape, throwing away the heavy furs and letting them slide across the marble floor to land in front of the fireplace. Byron’s coat hit the ground, and he leaned in to kiss me again, his mouth falling open and gasping desperately between each press of his lips. His fingers worked against his buttons just as mine pulled away the last of my corset. In only a thin slip, I pressed my hands flat against his warm chest, pushing his shirt from his shoulders. My mouth was watering, my eyes glazed as I finally saw his gorgeous body in the flesh.

Byron’s muscles tensed and shuddered in anticipation. His eyes, once bright and silver, were cloudy and dark with lust. I leapt into his arms, and he pulled me up into his chest. My legs naturally found their place around his waist, and I moaned when his hard member pressed into my core through his trousers. He practically growled, and backed away from the bed, nearly tripping over his coat and cape on the ground. I giggled when he stumbled with me in his arms toward the fireplace, and knelt on top of my discarded furs. Byron laid me back onto the plush cape, pausing to stare down at my heaving chest.

He reached forward, surprisingly ginger in his movements, and pulled at the neckline of my slip. I rested on my elbows, panting as Byron’s hands slid down my breasts, pushing the thin fabric away. He breathed heavily, shoulders shaking as he continued pulling it off, running his fingers along my naked sides, my bare thighs, and off my ankles. He continued staring at me, even when I was completely exposed.

I slowly parted my thighs, and made myself an offering to him. “My King,” I whispered.

Byron’s eyes snapped clear. He growled, reaching down to tear off the buttons of his trousers, freeing his strained erection at last. He smirked when he saw me bite my lip, watching his manhood twitch with as much excitement as I was feeling. “My Queen,” he replied, and leaned over me.

Our lips met instantly, moving with passion in our embrace. He kicked his pants fully off, his hips hovering over mine. I felt Byron’s cock move to my entrance, and begin to slip inside. I gasped, tossing my head back when I felt him stretch me for the first time. Byron kissed my jawline, and pressed his lips onto the side of my neck. His hips stuttered as they moved forward. He pressed his forehead into the crook of my neck, digging his fingers into the fur on the floor in tandem with my nails sinking into his shoulders. “Nngh,” Byron gasped, his voice strained as he continued to sink into me. “You’re so wet, my love.”

“Byron,” I breathed. The pressure in my core was almost too much to take. I was being stretched by a man who I felt I had laid with too many times to count; and yet this was the first time we were making love outside of our visions. I was too close to cumming from that thought alone, the months of anticipation practically all the foreplay I needed.

I could tell Byron felt the same way. He was panting heavily, his deep voice rumbling as his hips finally connected with mine. He relaxed on top of me, leaning back to brush the hair from my face. “You feel… amazing… Are you all right, love?”

I nodded, smiling blissfully. “Byron, take me, please!”

Byron’s hips thrust forward, and we both cried out from the feeling. A flash of light caught my eye, and I turned to see the fireplace burning with a small flame.

Byron grasped onto my hands, squeezing tightly against the bandage across my left palm with his right. His left hand cupped my cheek as he kissed me, and I could feel the same wrappings scratching me. I smiled, giggling as he kissed from my lips to my jaw, back to my ear, and down to my neck. His hips rolled against me as he did so, and when I felt him hit a particularly wonderful spot, I arched away from him in ecstasy.

The flames beside us grew brighter, and as Byron’s hips increased speed, the fire continued to grow. Orange light illuminated Byron’s face, showing me just how senseless I was making him. His eyes lulled back, eyelids fluttering and teeth grit. He licked his lips, letting his eyes shut as his mouth fell open in a thick moan.

I rolled my hips under his, letting my high take control of my body. I couldn’t fight how badly I needed to cum. “Byron, Byron please. Byron, I am so close, my love…”

“Yes, my love, I want to feel you clenching around me, finally, I want to feel it…” Byron’s hips snapped forward faster.

I couldn’t take it any longer. I shoved backward on Byron’s shoulders, catching him off guard. Wasting no time, I mounted him.

Byron’s eyes were wide, his hands resting by his head. “Oh… My Queen…”

I rode Byron’s cock until I was delirious, screaming his name. “Byron! Shit, yes, Byron!” I pressed my hands into his chest, bouncing down on his cock and feeling it graze the perfect spot inside of me, the place I wanted him most.

Byron’s eyes shut tight, his teeth sinking into his bottom lip. “M-My Queen, yes, I am going to fill you…” His hands settled on my hips, squeezing lightly.

I was crying out wildly, moaning for my King. “Yes, fill me Byron. I have waited too long to feel it inside of me…”

Two more thrusts of his hips upward, and Byron froze. He threw his head back, arching desperately into me. I could feel his body clenching, power surging through me as he granted me his seed. It warmed me to my core, until I realized that my skin was burning up too. The fireplace was blazing now, the bright orange now a vivid blue. I looked down to see my King in absolute bliss, his muscles etched with the fiery blue.

Seeing Byron’s face as he came inside of me was enough to send me over the edge. My vision went hazy at the edges, and I clenched tightly around Byron’s cock, locking my hips with his. I could see the same sapphire flames, even when I closed my eyes. My body sang with Byron’s blood in my veins, his seed in my womb, his sweat on my skin. I fell forward, panting into his heaving chest.

As we caught our breath, the flames died down in the fireplace, eventually dissipating and leaving us in the cool darkness again. Byron was the first to speak. “Did I burn you, my love?” He was running his warm palm against my arm.

I shook my head. “No, I feel wonderful, Byron.” I sat up on my knees, letting Byron’s cock slide out of me. I could still feel the remnants of our coupling inside of me, and I smiled. I fell to his side, curling up on the fur and nuzzling into his shoulder.

Byron lifted his arm, tucking me into his side. He pressed a lingering kiss to the top of my head, grinning. “Finally,” he breathed.

I giggled, nodding. “Thank the Goddess.”

“Mm,” Byron moaned in agreement, his eyes shut and expression sated.

As I looked up toward my husband and King, feeling his power and love pump inside my chest, I looked toward the full moon outside the window, and said a silent prayer. Thank you, indeed.

#8400 words #midnight cinderella #byron wagner #my king #daaaaamn'#witch au #midnightcindy #cindy writes for yall #smut #cute #they love each other awwww #soulmate

113 notes · View notes

rosegardentwilight · 6 years ago

Text

Steal My Heart Chapter 1

A03

Summary: Prince Plagg had waited for the day that he could meet his betrothed, but when he does, he is met with a different reaction than he expected. He becomes determined that despite her mistaken assumptions, he will woo and win the Princess's heart. Meanwhile, Prince Adrien finds himself thrust into an adventure after a brief encounter with a thief named Ladybug.

A.n.-

For TheNovelArtist.

Dedicated to: TheNovelArtist Happy Birthday, Alex!!!!!!!!!! This story is for you, I'm so thankful for our conversations and our friendship. Hope this next year is filled with laughter, joy and great company.

A.N.- So I might have gone a little overboard on this present, but I hope you all enjoy it anyway. This is technically a combination of 3 Au's (among others that I can think of) because my muses love to torture me. I hope you all enjoy. Updates will be once to twice weekly.

It wasn’t every day that you got to meet your future wife and Queen. Despite being told this arrangement had been in place since they were three, it didn’t make the prospect of seeing her for the first time any less frightening. What did her laugh sound like, was she as clumsy as he was when he came to dancing, what kind of Queen would she be for his kingdom. He was gifted a portrait of her when his parents told of the engagement at 15 years of age. Plagg found it curious that his request to visit with her was denied, but in the meantime, the painting had fueled so many questions. Until today, where he stood a couple of steps from the castle entrance. His future wife laid behind these walls. The second Plagg walked through the arch he was met with a plethora of sights and sounds very different from his kingdom in the mountains. These people seemed full of life and celebrating his arrival; he could only wish that their Princess held the same kind of excitement. By the time they reached the castle doors, he had decided quickly that his favorite thing about these people were how free they seemed. Children chased and played in the streets with their laughter lingering behind them. Women conversing at the well, one offered to water his men’s horses out of the goodness of her heart. Plagg wanted to visit the fair princess by himself, so he dismissed the knights traveling with him. His heart was beating wildly inside his chest climbing the stairs to the throne room. Would she be in there, how different would the three years make from when he received the painting? It barely registered that they announced his name and he hadn’t addressed the Queen adequately, a problem that he hoped a bow would fix.

“Your Majesty, I have awaited this day for a long time.” “As have I.” Plagg’s heart swelled, he thought he might die on the spot. The Queen of Luominen’s reputation preceded her, and if she was this joyous about their prospects together, then he doubted that little would stand in the way of the marriage. “Go and fetch Princess Tikki,” the Queen ordered a servant. Plagg couldn’t help but notice that the royal advisor turned and cringe. He didn’t, however, have much time to dwell on the fact, she would be here soon. What would he say when he saw her, first impressions were above all when it came like this. He wouldn’t want to be labeled a fool because of his lack of mastery of his tongue. He did come to woo after all. The time ticked by not being fragile with his patience. His heart rate increased with each passing moment, the anticipation building. Thoughts and questions swarmed his mind, and he couldn’t help but think this was taking too long. What if she was ill and couldn’t see him? Not that it mattered, he had set out to stay as long as he was welcomed to make the Princess more comfortable. The door creaked open, and Plagg couldn’t bring himself to turn fast enough. His heart sunk when he realized it was not his beloved. “Mother, you summoned me?” A calculated voice asked behind him once more. The second he spun and eyes landed on her; his chest leaped up into his throat. Plagg knew in that second that they should never use that painter again because he minimized the magnitude of the beauty before him.

“Look at him, reveling in the town’s celebration,” Tikki mumbled to herself, “like the whole thing was for him.”

“Is it not?” Tikki’s handmaiden asked as she finished gathering a new set of clothes.

“He doesn’t have to look too happy about it. This is nothing but a hostile takeover.” Her hand jolted the curtains back into place. “They see our kingdom is weak because of my father’s passing and want to pounce on the opportunity for their gain.” And now she was to meet her future husband and dreading every moment.

“He sure is handsome.”

Tikki turned to see Pollen at the window satisfying her own curiosity. “I bet he’s conceited,” she snorted, “and he’s not that handsome with his midnight hair and dashing smile.” Right on cue, Tikki watched him hand the reigns over to one of the servants, he flashed his charm and instantly rewarded with the servant turning away laughter on her lips. A flash of anger festered under her skin. Her future husband was a flirt, which only proved that this arranged marriage was nothing more than a means to an end, just as the kingdom was about to experience their biggest year of harvest. If her father were still alive, he wouldn’t have stood for such an offer. She barely had two months to grieve when her mother told her the news.

She was to be married off, form a union to save the kingdom, especially with the Schmetterling and Pavone kingdom that lay to the north starting to get restless. It would make sense that they would ally with someone to keep the prospect of war away with the strength in numbers. The logic behind their reasoning didn't change the fact that she wanted to marry for love.

"He is welcomed in my home, but if he thinks that I'll swoon over his presence, then he will live in a state of disappointment."

Pollen didn't respond, but rather, held up the dress to aid Tikki. It was not her place to say anything; she was just a servant after all. She could only hope that the Princess would keep an open mind about the interaction. She had friends that lived in the Tuho kingdom, and they seemed content in their life there. Pollen trusted them enough to know that if they weren't happy with Prince Plagg, then she would know about it.

A knock on the door gained both of their attention as moments later another servant stuck their head inside.

"A million pardons, your Highness, but the Queen requests your presence."

“And if I refuse?” She questioned with her eyebrow raised. She fully intended to follow her mother’s orders, but such a line of questioning would extend the period not in the Prince’s presence.

The servant stood there gaping at her words, and Tikki decided to take her out of the misery that was sure to be running through her head. "You can inform the Queen that I am on my way." Despite how much I detest this meeting, her mind added. She watched as the servant gave her a nod and disappeared as quickly as she came.

"Do you wish that I accompany you, your Highness?"

Tikki smiled towards Pollen; she couldn't have asked for a better handmaiden, she was loyal to a fault and one of the only people that she trusted completely. "There's no need for you to endure the same torture that is ahead of me. You can tend to me this evening, but until then, enjoy the rest of the day."

Pollen curtsied, "thank you, my Princess."

However, the second that her handmaiden left, her stomach started to knot in on itself. Tikki sighed, “let’s get this over with.” She made her way through the corridors that she knew like the back of her hand. In a matter of minutes, her feet had led her to the throne room. “Mother, you summoned me?”

"Yes, I did. May I introduce you to your betrothed, Prince Plagg of the Tuho nation." Tikki gritted her teeth trying to calm her heart; she hated to admit it, but the Prince was more handsome now that he stood before her. He stood about a head taller than her, his hair groomed back into a ponytail. He wore a charming smile that paired well with his vibrant green eyes. He was leaner than other men she had seen, but Tikki did not doubt that if they were put in a situation, that he would be able to protect both of them without any issues.

She cleared her head of the distracting thoughts that followed as she remembered him flirting with the servant girl. Even if it were too late to stop the union, she would drag her feet every step of the way.

She was breathtaking in every single way. The way that her dark hair cascaded over her shoulder, except for a small chunk tied up in a red ribbon. From that contrast, his eyes traveled to her striking blue eyes that captured his heart. Her lips looked kissable, and he wished nothing but to answer that call. The Princess wore a vibrant red gown that matched the ribbons in her hair and decorated with gold and black in various points along the dress. Plagg didn't know what it was about her, but she gave off this intoxicating air, he wanted to spend more time around her.

Plagg finally found the confidence to use his words and not look foolish, "My Lady, I have counted down the days until this meeting." He grabbed her hand, noticed her body stiffen, but raised her knuckles until they met his lips. The moment was brief and then slipped away as Princess Tikki took back her hand. So far this meeting wasn't going the way he expected at all, it was almost as if she wasn't delighted to see him.

The Queen cleared her throat, and Tikki knew what that meant. It was her cue that she was expected to respond in a way that would honor the kingdom. "I'm afraid that I had less notice of your arrival, but we welcome you to our home all the same." She bowed her head slightly to show him the respect of being a Prince even though he didn't deserve it for their blatant take over of her home. What worried her more was that her mother seemed all for this union.

"You are kind as you are beautiful; your people are lucky that they have such people in charge of their kingdom."

Tikki found herself taken back; it seemed like every time he opened his mouth another compliment for her poured out. He didn't know anything about her and how they ruled, and yet it was one of the first things that he mentioned. Her heart rate increased despite her anger towards the prospect of the union; he believed that she would be a great Queen. Tikki wouldn't let that go to her head; she would rise to the throne with grace and dignity with or without his approval because she loved her people and they loved her.

"And if I may be so bold, with our impending union, I look forward to my stay here so that I may get to know you the way that your people do. I know that we aren't well acquainted, but I hope that after some time, that you could learn to love me as your husband and your King."

Her cheeks heated under his stare, and she didn’t know how to react to his comment. She expected a smooth talker, but he sounded genuine with each one of his compliments. This didn’t make sense, if the marriage was already good as done, then why put so much effort in layering on the flattery. If he continued to act this way around her, it would be difficult to keep her defenses up. Especially when she had promises to keep, she could not fall for Prince Plagg. Tikki decided that she would not be so easily won over by cheap words; it was actions that matter.

"Excuse me; I must go." She retreated to the door and into the halls. Tikki did not doubt that her mother would be cross and have a word about the proper etiquette of a Princess, but at the moment, she didn't care. The whole experience of interacting with the Prince was overwhelming. She told herself it was because she was inexperienced, but now she knew better. To keep her word, she would have to watch the amount of time that she allowed to be around him, and never alone.

Once she reached the room, Tikki was grateful that Pollen wasn't there, although she doubted that would be the case for long. This world didn't allow her the privilege to be lost in her thoughts. True to form, not even a couple of minutes a knock echoed into her room.

What was he doing here? The Princess's actions made it very clear that she had no desire to see anyone, let alone him. Here he was standing in front of her door instead of lounging around in his room or exploring the grounds. This castle would be expanded to part of his Kingdom after the marriage was complete.

"Who is it?"

He heard her call through the door causing his nerves to tighten in his stomach. "It's me, Princess. I was hoping that you could open the door?" He was worried about the way that she ran away from the throne room. If he did anything to offend her, he would offer an apology on the spot. This couldn't be easy for her, but if she refused his help, then his hands were tied.

"I'd rather it remained closed. I'm sorry for my behavior, but I'm feeling under the weather. I prefer to be left alone."

Plagg's fists curled by his side, how was he supposed to get to know her if she kept herself locked in her room during his visit? He would feel more sympathetic if he believed that she was honest, but it was much more likely that he insulted her somewhere in their conversation. "Would you do me the honor of escorting me around the kingdom tomorrow?" Plagg found that the air sucked out of his lungs as he waited for an answer. He needed a splash of hope, anything that he could cling to.

"Tomorrow morning."

His heart flipped in his chest at the answer sending his mind among the clouds. She agreed, and that was all that mattered. Plagg placed his hand on the door, "until then, My Lady."

“Why so glum, Marinette? I scouted this tavern out myself; you have your pick of men not paying attention.” Alya gestured to their surroundings, but Marinette continued to stew over her drink. "What, not enough of a challenge for you?"

"It's not that; I only want to take from those who can afford to give a little. There would be no point to take from someone as needy so that we can buy medicine for your younger sisters."

"Well hello there, who is tall, blonde and handsome?"

Marinette would usually roll her eyes at Alya's flirty nature, but the second that she laid eyes on him, she couldn't tear her eyes away. Although the cloak covered most of his clothes, she could still see signs of wealth on his person. Her eyes narrowed in on her mark; he was perfect.

He had traveled a weeks' journey so he would have the opportunity to see Prince Plagg and his new Queen. However, he was protective of his childhood friend and came to see what the people thought of the royal family. He knew that Plagg would do the same for him, and besides he welcomed the distraction, it meant he didn't have to dwell on the decisions that he had to make once he returned home. His fingers were just as busy as his thoughts fiddling with a small black bag on the table in front of him.

“You look like you have too much on your mind for a place like this."

A dark-haired girl managed to bring him out of his thoughts. She was rather beautiful, piercing blue eyes and a kind smile. It made him question what she was doing in a tavern like this.

"I could say the same of you," he offered with a smile doing his best to be polite with the beautiful stranger.

"You could, but I have frequented this lovely establishment many times, whereas, this is your first."

Adrien winced, "Is it that obvious?" He had tried to blend in the best he could, and she could spot the difference almost immediately. For him to gain the information that he wanted, he needed to keep a low profile so they would answer honestly.

"I'm a great listener, you know."

"I'm sorry?"

"For whatever is on your mind," she continued. "Does it have to do with the contents of that bag?"

"My father requires something of me that I do not agree with. I am fearful of how he would react if I defy him." Adrien planned to be vague about his problems because the last thing he needed was for her to realize that a Prince sat before her. She didn't need to be troubled by his love life; it would only paint him as weak. There were certain things expected of him after all. He pushed the bag down into his pocket, so his reminder would be out of sight.

"I say that if you feel that strongly about it, then you should discuss the matter with your father. If he loves you, then I'm sure he would support you." Guilt panged through her as she leaned back on her hands on the bench. She lightly tapped her finger against the wood, her tell to Alya which pocket it was in. He seemed like a gentleman with problems of his own. The second her eyes landed on his hand; the feeling evaporated, it was the crest of the Schmetterling kingdom. Only those of royal blood would own such a ring; he wouldn't miss whatever was in that bag, he could replace it, especially if he was the Prince after all. She had to keep Alya's sick sisters in mind.

"Thank you for your generous advice, but I'm afraid that it's not that easy."

From behind the stranger, Alya gave her signal that the swap was complete. There was no going back now. "Well, I wish that you find the answer that you are looking for." She had to get out of there quickly; if he realized what had happened, then she would be caught.

"My burden is lighter just by our meeting," He flashed a boyish smiled.

Marinette bit her lip; she shouldn't feel guilty over what she had done, the poor sap would realize that she was nothing more than bad news soon enough. "I'm sorry," she blurted out before she could stop herself. Marinette's internal panic settled in and if she didn't explain her apology, then she might as well shout out that she had robbed him as well. "I must go." Her voice was shaky at best, but her best bet was to remove herself as quickly as possible and not to look back. Her emotions took over by the time she had reached the door, and she turned to give him one last glance. “I truly am sorry,” she whispered to herself before she slipped out the door. Adrien reached into his pocket and pulled out the bag that he had been fiddling with all night now that his company had disappeared. His blood froze when he saw the color; this wasn’t his bag. The color was all wrong; his stuff had been in a black one not red. When he dumped its contents on the table, his reward was a bunch of small rocks. His mother’s jewelry and ring, it was gone. The laugh from a nearby server caught his attention. “Kissed by Ladybug, I see.” His pulse raced as the room began to spin. “I beg your pardon?” His mother’s jewelry, he needed that otherwise, his father may as well have his head. She shrugged, “you’ve been robbed, mate,” she stated before turning back to her table. Adrien jumped up to his feet, “Why hasn’t anything been done about this?” Swift justice is what the thief deserved. He followed as she pointed to a wanted poster hung on the wall. It was incomplete at best with the main feature being the eyes. “By the time most people realize they’ve been robbed, they have talked to multiple women. That’s as close of a picture that we have of her.” His fingers sprawled on the parchment, allowing his gaze linger longer than it should, he only talked to one person tonight, the girl that approached him. She knew he had the jewelry, but so could anyone watching them interact. “I’m sorry.” Her words rang through his ears. He had thought it strange for her to apologize with such sincerity, especially after their meeting... It was her! Or at the very least she was caught up in the web of lies and manipulation that this Ladybug weaved. A warmth welled up in his chest. He needed to save her; whatever this thief held over her, he could help in some way; he was a Prince after all. “I need to find her,” He rushed back to collect his things, threw a couple of coins that weren’t stolen on the table to pay for the drinks and information and practically ran out the door.

"The honor should be yours," Alya tossed the bag in her direction. "You sweet talked that guy in circles. If I were just watching you two, I'd say you two were in love." Her teasing knew no bounds.

"Isn't that the point?" Marinette shot back. "He wasn't my type; he'd much prefer royal blood." The words left a bitter taste on her tongue. Even if they did have a special connection, there were only so many things that a Prince would want with a thief, and none of it would benefit her. She was left with the memories of their interaction and made a vow to herself that it wouldn't be a distraction. The bag was passed back between friends. "You should take it; it's for your sisters. Besides, I might have compromised myself; he hasn't seen you though so that it will be safer with you."

Alya cocked an eyebrow, "What do you mean compromised yourself?"

"The way he was looking at me, I think he realized who I was."

"And you didn't abort? How could you do something so foolish?"

"It was my call. Your sisters are important!" They had been friends for as long as she could remember, she wasn't willing to abort for a half-thought out instinct.

"So is my best friend; I'm not willing to watch you die in the quad!"

"Hey!"

The voice caused the two to stop their argument instantly as Marinette recognized the voice immediately; it was him. She whipped her head to her accomplice, "run; I'll distract him. Get help for your sisters."

"But what about?"

"That's an order, Alya." Marinette flipped up her cloak and darted off between the city's corridors.

Adrien had spent the last twenty minutes scouring the city. He vaguely remembered visits of when he was a boy, but nothing that stuck to his memory vividly. He had almost given up when he rounded the corner. In the shadows, he witnessed two girls arguing, one adorned in a red cloak. His gut jerked, she must be Ladybug, and if not, we would simply apologize for his behavior. “Hey!” At his shouts, the two girls turned and eyed his direction then bolted. Adrien’s feet tripped into a run. He couldn’t lose her, that meant he would lose the last thing that he owned that tied him to his dead mother. It only motivated him to run faster. He dashed down a corridor following his instinct if he could cut her off before she made it too far. As luck would have it, his shortcut put him hot on her heels. He reached out and grabbed hold of her forcing the cloaked figure to turn. He had done what no one in several kingdoms had caught Ladybug. The second he saw the familiar eyes his blood turned to ice. “It’s you!” Her captor stumbled back a few steps eyes blown wide. Marinette knew it was her best chance to escape into the night, but she couldn’t will herself to move. After all these years she had finally been caught. She knew she risked it with every theft, but she never imagined the sunshine Prince would be the one to catch her. “Where is it?” He grabbed hold of part of her cloak, making it impossible to run off. “I can help you escape from Ladybug.” “I don’t need any saving, especially not from myself.” She didn’t give him any explanation; it wasn’t as if he would understand anyway, he was a Prince. “You’re—you’re Ladybug?” Her smirk grew before she performed a mockery of a bow. “In the flesh, your Highness.” Her eyes memorized the look of shock befalling it. “And I don’t know where your precious jewelry is, probably on its way to a buyer.” Marinette was taken back when her body was pushed against the wall eliminating any space between their bodies his emerald eyes piercing through her and a knife against her throat. “Give me one good reason that I shouldn’t turn you in right now. It would be satisfying to see you at the gallows in the morning.” “If you do, you’ll never see your precious bag again.” “And I’m supposed to trust that you’re telling the truth?” He scoffed. “You don’t have a choice. I’m your only connection to it,” Marinette glowered as neither of them would remove their heated gaze because they knew, the one who won this gained control. The knife was lifted from her neck allowing to gasp for her breath that she didn’t realize she was holding. “Follow me,” he gripped her arm firmly enough to discourage escape, but not tight enough to hurt. “We leave at first light.” He was either a genius or a fool, and only time would tell.

#miraculous ladybug #miraculousladybug #miraculousfanfic #miraculousladybugfanfiction #cheesecake #plagg x tikki #adrienette #adrien x marinette #human kwami au

92 notes · View notes

fandomdragon20 · 6 years ago

Text

The Princess and The Pea-ist oFF PAPERBAG THATS WHAT (part 1)

While Black Hat ruled a "kingdom" per say,

Hint hint it's the kingdom of Hell

The Dark One went by a formal title of "Lord"

Dare anyone call him a Prince,

King seemed more of a fit, but the title was taken by a Scottish demon in Hell playing the Hokey Pokey with some "Winchester Brothers" like isn't that the name of a gun or something?? Not like Black Hat cared, he'd rather have a title to reminisce his, spine-tingling presence, like "Monster from Hell", "El chupacabra", "That Guy With the Long Ass Eyebrows" or "Edgy Mad Hatter".

Actually the last two were names spoken by two people only, both of which had not survived to spread the name.

Anyways, one Friday evening on the Thirteenth of The Cold Season,

The emperor of Darkness sat in his usual armchair at the dinner table, awaiting his scheduled supper. Unfortunately the cook ran away on horse back after pouring soup in Lord Black Hat's top hat, by accident apparently, and was reportedly never seen again, so it was the witch, Demencia's, turn to cook that night. The rain patterned against the window in a slow but mournful rhythm, losing the man in a top hat to his thoughts.

Suddenly Demencia's return was announced by kicking open the front entrance with a muddy sneaker and scrounging up her way to the dining hall,

"That's the last time I'm ever trusting delivery to find their way past the castle's fortresses" she said with a huff and she threw down the soggy pizza boxes, depicted with a cartoonish dragon devouring gooey cheese on the front. Ironically teasing the delivery man's fate with the dragon the witch and top hat had as their defenses.

"So anchovies or pineapple?" The demented witch asked,

Lord Black Hat held his head in his claws, "This isn't working, why isn't it?"

"I don't know, pizza is hard to deliver, it's depressing enough that their employees don't get enough tips!"

"I'm not talking about the idiotic pizza, you ignorant hybrid! I'm talking about the business," Black Hat shouted from across the table,

Demencia rolled her eyes and flopped on one of the dining room chairs, plucking a veggie and anchovy slice from one of the boxes, she never payed mind to the business or "network" Black Hat had under his name unless she was told to kill something. But other than that, she had no interest in these evening rants.

"So what's the problem this time?" She asked,

"It's the profits, we aren't selling enough," Black Hat explained,

"Well you don't really have much to sell, other than assassination services, ancient evil wisdom, kidnapping princesses-"

"And princes..." Black Hat added,

"Cause women can be heroic knights too," Demencia added to express their progressiveness,

"and the occasional merchandise." Demencia replied, stabbing her pizza slice with her fork.

"I know that! That's what I'm saying, what else do I need to make me the greatest ruler of the land? If not the world?" Black Hat shot back

"How should I know what people want from rulers? I just a measly wood witch that listens to K pop on weekend evenings," Demencia said,

"So that explains the nauseating sounds that 505 complains about," said Black Hat, "but that's not the point! What I'm trying to convey to you is necessary to my kingdom, I need to sell something that makes me feared by all of those pesky warriors and praised by the lesser evils of this land. Once I have my network at my fingertips,

I'll pull the strings and watch them all dance,"

the dark ruler said with a greedy smile, clutching his fist at invisible strans.

Demencia would of clapped at the dramatic performance, but she thought that scene was written a little weak, even if it was edited months later. Just then, Demencia thought of an idea,

"Weapons!" She exclaimed,

"People fear people with weapons! And people are always looking to throw their money away for even more weapons, what if we could sell that?" Demencia explained

"Precisely, but how would we find weapons to sell?" questioned the top hat,

"Couldn't you just manifest weapons out of nothing?" Demencia asked,

"My manifestations are only temporary and there's no way I'm selling my power away, that would defeat the whole purpose of this business," Black Hat said, "I'm going to need assistance." Black Hat looked at Demencia who dropped her iPhone in the cheesy mess of dinner while trying to take a picture for Instagram and then proceeded to eat the cheese off of her touch screen.

Black Hat cringed. Like the person reading this now.

"I'm going to need someone with unsurpassable intelligence, someone mad enough to recreate their darkest nightmares, someone one willing to perfect every plan in every detail," Black Hat said strangely specifically in thought, "someone whose imagination runs as dark as their blood,"

"And someone who can go to my guitar concerts!" Demencia said while strumming some air strings.

505, the the bright blue and lovable, man-eating, dragon came up to the window, now darkened with the on coming storm, making big exaggerated movements towards the sky

"Go away 505 I don't care what you have to say about the thunder, go hide under a rock or something,"

Said Black Hat with agitation and dismissal,

But 505 continued his frantic charade to warn his castle inhabitants,

"What is it boy?" Asked Dementcia, "Jimmy's stuck in a well??"

The dragon sighed, "What part of pointing at the sky means "Jimmy's stuck in a well," to you?" said the exasperated dragon,

"Fair point," Demencia said

Suddenly there came a thundering crash, too sudden and terror-some to come from nature, and the top hat who defies all of nature had nothing to do with it.

Black Hat noticed this odd disturbance, on guard and slightly interested,

"What was that?" He exclaimed, Demencia answered with disinterest,

"Tree I guess, or 505 could've fainted,"

"Go check it out,"

"Meh,"

"MEH??"

"If it's outside, it's 505's problem." Demencia explained texting away at her phone,

"You will do as I say, when I say it, even if you are incapable of doing so!" Black Hat threatened with his powerful fiery eyes and sharp teeth,

Demencia was about to shoot back a reply when something popped in her head,

"Aw crap! My enchanted skateboard!"

Next>>

11 notes · View notes

merryfortune · 6 years ago

Text

Vrains Rare Pair Week - Day 2

Day 2 / Dec 24 - Fairy Tales / Horror Stories

· Ship: Takeru/Aoi

Once upon a time, there was a young king. To call him egotistical would be improper but he was self-absorbed. The King was a man named Akira and he was a man of peace and mind. He did not war monger but, his life was not without strife. Though, much of it was self-imposed.

One way in which most his strife was self-impose can be best demonstrated by how, one day, he became intrigued by how much the women in his life loved him. Thus, he posed them a question.

He had his wife and sister heralded to his throne room where he welcomed them with the guise of a game. His wife, the mischievous Queen Ema, and his sister, the near hermitic Princess Aoi, awaited them. Both were eager to bond. It felt like their darling King never paid any attention to either of them due to his tenuous work as king.

Akira looked down upon them and then asked: “How much do you two love me?”

Such a question elicited a look between Ema and Aoi which was incredulous to say the least, but they relented. They played along nonetheless. Ema sighed and smiled.

“You are the apple of my eye, the love of my life.” she replied in due earnestness.

Aoi shifted. “I love you as much as the salt on my food…” she murmured.

Ema glanced at her sister-in-law and then unto her husband. She blinked. She smiled and was intrigued by such a statement.

King Akira, however, was not as benevolent in reaction. In fact, far from it. He was enraged by the response his sister had given him. His wife had doused him in fair praise, but his sister seemed to have little response. His brow knitted together.

“Ema, my love, for your reply, I want you to go find the royal seamstress immediately and have her make a new gown for you.” Akira said and then his sharp eyes fell over to Aoi. “However, Aoi, because of your response, I want you stripped of your privileges as princess for a whole year. In this year, I want you to live as a peasant. I have spoiled you too much if you feel it fit to bite the hand which feeds you. I want you to repent for your lack of love for me, your elder brother.”

Aoi attempted to protest but, as it was said – so it was done.

She was escorted out by one of the royal knights and taken to her chambers. She gathered what she could. She took a few of her finer dresses and some of her jewellery. Once she had made her selections of what possessions she would take with her in the big, wide world she had been spurned onto, she was then banished from the castle.

She was taken to the edge of the capital and told to live as she pleased so long as it was under the guise of being a common woman and not a princess. Aoi obeyed. She traded in some of her clothes and jewels for money. However, there was one thing Aoi would never sell and that was her signet ring with a four-leaf clover design. That ring was far too precious to ever go without. With that money, she purchased more common clothes as she realised someone might be more willing to take her as a board if she looked like she could do the hard yards.

So, for a few days, she flitted from building to building in search of work. Each day, the clothes she wore grew dirtier and dirtier despite her best efforts to keep clean. It was on the end of her second week as a supposed peasant girl that she found work. A cheery shepherd and his quiet son took her on as a watcher of their fields.

There, Aoi grew accustomed to her new life as a shepherdess. She was awkward, and they were awkward with her but soon, they grew. She came to understand them as people. Their names were Shoichi and Yusaku; Yusaku had a job in the town as a baker and thus, was no longer interested in taking shifts in the field with his assumed father. They were good people though. They didn’t pry and gave her the space she needed. They didn’t even ask why such an improvised girl as her would be in possession of such a marvellous signet ring as hers. Thus, it was a quiet household that was often without gossip or event. But, it was nice. Aoi preferred it that way, to be honest.

Time passed quicker than Aoi thought it would. Before she knew it, she had been working with Shoichi and Yusaku for about six months. Her days as a princess now seemed a life time away and yet, her days resuming as such seemed so close. After all, another six months and she would be permitted to re-joining her family at the castle.

But, it was at this mid-point that Aoi found herself nostalgic for the fine silks and makeup that she used to wear. She sighed. But, as she fell deeper into these feelings, she came to a conclusion. Yusaku was at work with the bakers and Shoichi had taken some stock to market to sell. She would have a few hours to herself and thus, her mind wandered, and ideas bloomed.

Rather than don the guise of the peasant girl, Aoi decided to bedeck herself in her decadent dresses. She chose the powdery blue one with white accents. She twirled around the house in it, content with herself. But, alas, she looked out the window and saw that the troublesome poddy lamb – Ai – had gotten loose again; likely in search of his favourite companion, Yusaku.

Without enough time to get changed, Aoi resolved to simply fulfil her duties in a ballgown rather than anything practical. So, she charged out – high heels and all – into the field. She dragged Ai by the scruff of his neck before he could get too far down the road and tied him up again.

Ai brayed at her, whining. Aoi stuck her tongue out back. Ai was full of personality. She then went inside and tried to fix Ai something to drink; some milk. She came back and fed him as is. Then, once she finished feeding Ai, she felt too exhausted to get changed again. So, she sighed and relented.

Today, she would simply wear what she desired for her work. So, for a few hours, she tended the fields in her stunning, powder blue dress with angelic motifs. It was kind of fun. More fun than wearing her drab brown uniform.

As Aoi tended the fields, she thought alone, she was completely unaware that someone had spotted her in her dress.

The young and vivacious Prince Takeru had come to visit. He and his carriage and all his men passed by the field in which Aoi tended, completely unaware. He had come on royal duties as he was from a seaside kingdom faraway, nothing like the landlocked capital of Sol Vrains, Den City. He wanted to discuss treaties with King Akira, among other things such as see the sights.

And the sights he saw! He never thought he would ever see such a beautiful shepherdess. He fell in love with the sight of her and all her sheep as they mowed around her and her gorgeous gown. Immediately, Prince Takeru was struck with the arrow of love.

However, being of the temperament he was – which was to say outlandish and ridiculous – his love burned so hard that it robbed him of his energy. He had always been of a peculiar constitution; sometimes, he was frail and other times he was seemingly indestructible. No one could ever predict his health, and no one could have predicted how the beautiful shepherdess he had fallen in love with had impacted him.

As he passed by and into the city, he grew sick with yearning and love for the girl he didn’t even know. He was ailed so harshly by this infatuation that his body grew weak and he failed to meet with Prince Akira at the time they had appointed for conversations of the princely and kingly duties.

His royal doctor, and childhood friend, Kiku attempted to heal him but none of her remedies worked. Thus, Takeru took her hand and smiled.

“Kiku, the only cure for my sickness is to eat a loaf of bread prepared by the beautiful shepherdess from the field.” he told her with a quivering voice.

Kiku sighed and realised that if his illness was emotional, then there was nothing she could do with herb and spell. She wished desperately that she could chastise her Prince for being so ridiculous but as his friend, she decided not to lest he become wounded. So, she relented. Kiku organised a search party. She and Takeru’s men scoured all of Den City in search of the shepherdess who tended her sheep in such an impractical yet gorgeous outfit.

They asked and asked but no one knew the girl they spoke of. But, with Takeru’s health growing dire, Kiku decided to resort to drastic measures. Instead, she returned to the farm that they had passed by – the one where they saw the girl.

“I come in the name of Prince Takeru,” she told Shoichi and Yusaku, “and our prince is gravely ill with love. Does a woman live here?”

“Yeah, we’ve got a girl boarding with us.” Shoichi replied.

“Does she know how to bake?” Kiku asked.

“Yeah.” Yusaku replied.

“Excellent. Now, is by any chance, you would be interested in what might constitute as treason? I desire to con my Prince into think he’s eating the bread made by his fictitious love. I mean, what sort of shepherdess wears a ball gown whilst with her sheep?”

“What?” Aoi piped up as she came down stairs to see what the fuss was. Her eyes widened.

“Regardless, I think that if Prince Takeru thinks that he’s eating bread made by such a woman, he will be cured of his ridiculous infatuation.” Kiku finished.

“Oh look, speak of the devil,” Shoichi said and he ushered Aoi closer, “here’s the girl you’re looking for. Our blue rose in this den of men.”

“You flatter me, Shoichi.” Aoi replied awkwardly.

“So, would you be willing? Just one loaf of bread.”

“Very well then…” Aoi murmured.

Kiku stayed a while. Aoi, in the meantime, baked the bread – with some input from Yusaku. He always found it strange that things as simple as baking bread sometimes seemed a touch beyond Aoi’s skill set. Regardless, come the eventide, Kiku was sent off with a warm loaf of bread.

And Aoi realised something awful. As she washed her hands, she realised that her signet ring – the one her parents gave her before their untimely demise – had disappeared. She tore apart the house in search of it but quickly came to a grim conclusion: she had accidentally baked it into the loaf of bread.

A conclusion that soon proved correct.

Kiku arrived at the castle and was quickly whisked up to Prince Takeru’s guest room. She handed over the bread, still warm, and Prince Takeru serenely unwound the cloth that covered it. He smiled. He broke off a piece and began eating it. Already his flushed cheeks paled, and his clammy complexion improved. Kiku smiled.

But then, Prince Takeru bit into the ring. He removed it from his mouth and his eyes widened. They glittered and Kiku’s heart dropped.

“The beautiful shepherdess,” he began breathlessly, “she must requite me. Hence why this is in the bread she gave me. Did you swear you to secrecy?”

Kiku, unable to respond, merely nodded.

Prince Takeru put aside the bread and forced himself to his feet. He was as unsteady as a foal. He grabbed his coat, a burning crimson, and he grinned.

“Take me to this girl at once, I want to be married to her!” he announced.

Kiku was flabbergasted and there was nothing she could do. Her Prince Takeru bore onwards and was soon, by demand, taken to the cottage at the edge of town – to the inelegant surprise of the men who lived there.

“I am Prince Takeru!” he said as he banged on the door. “And I wish to become the betrothed of the shepherdess who lives here!”

Ai cooed from his yard, intrigued.

Shoichi opened the door to Prince Takeru. “The girl who lives here doesn’t even know how to bake bread properly. You don’t want to marry her.”

“Fiend, you must want her for yourself.” Prince Takeru spat.

“I can assure you otherwise.” Shoichi countered.

He hazarded a look over his shoulder, “Yusaku, where’s Aoi?”

Yusaku shrugged.

“I’m here.” Aoi said.

And, again, she descended down the stairs of the two-tier cottage and all eyes widened. She wore a pastel blue dress with white, angel-themed decals.

“So, I hear you found my ring.” Aoi said.

Prince Takeru barged past Shoichi and Yusaku. It seemed there was little they could do to stop him. Though, Kiku apologised profusely in lieu of the prince.

Aoi stepped off the final ledge. “It’s good to meet you, Prince Takeru. I’ve heard of you. I’m Princess Aoi of Sol Vrains.”

“You’re WHO?” Shoichi yelled.

“I am the hermit princess, Aoi of Sol Vrains: my brother, Akira, is the king.” Princess Aoi said.

“It’s lovely to meet you, Princess Aoi.” Prince Takeru said.

“By the gods…” Kiku gasped.

“We had a princess living with us this whole goddamn time?” Shoichi snapped at Yusaku.

“Apparently.” Yusaku shrugged back.

“Now, Princess Aoi,” Prince Takeru said as he readied the four-leaf clover ring, “I would like to ask for your hand in marriage. As immediately as possible.”

“I accept. On two conditions.” Princess Aoi replied.

“Whatever you ask. No feat is too herculean.” Prince Takeru replied.

“The first of which is that I want my brother to be in attendance and to have a seat of honour. The second of my conditions is that I shall be the one to prepare your meal our wedding.” Princess Aoi said.

“…Huh?” Shoichi exclaimed; still too dazed by the whole situation to realise that two of royal blood had just gotten engaged under his roof.

“Easy.” Prince Takeru beamed. “I look forward to your cooking, Aoi.”

And thus, a wedding was held in Den City and what a grand wedding it was. Folks from all walks of life got together for it. From those held in esteem in the country Prince Takeru represented to the likes of Shoichi and Yusaku, as well as their poddy lamb Ai. With, of course, King Akira and Queen Ema in attendance.

The ceremony was grandiose and the kiss that sealed it was warm. The dinner party that ensued in the castle simmered. Plates upon plates of food. All of it was beautiful and well made. Everyone, bar Prince Takeru, was soon given something to eat and to say grace before.

As in accordance with her conditions, it was Princess Aoi who brought out the final plate. She held it closely. Compared to that of the professional chefs, it was meagre and even ugly looking but from afar, Prince Takeru eyed it with eagerness. Princess Aoi smiled. Her heart fluttered upon such a look.

“Here you go, my husband.” she said. “Now, you are not allowed to change a single thing about it. You will eat it as I have prepared it.”

“With pleasure, my wife.” Prince Takeru replied.

King Akira, sitting adjacent to such a lovey-dovey scene harrumphed to the amusement of his wife.

Princess Aoi took her seat beside her husband her brother.

“Thank you for this meal.” Prince Takeru exclaimed.

He then took arms against his food. He ate it with great vigour. Princess Aoi smiled but then, Prince Takeru placed his knife and fork down.

“It needs… salt.” Prince Takeru said.

“Like I said, you must eat it as I have prepared it. Even if it requires salt, like you believe.” Princess Aoi replied, very seriously.

“But its really, really good – I didn’t mean any offence.” Prince Takeru hastily added.

“I know, my love,” Prince Aoi glanced at her brother, “I know.”

And thus, in that moment, King Akira had a moment of thunderstruck disbelief. When he had asked his sister – in the game – how much did she love him? He had misunderstood.

#vrainsrarepairweeks #phoenixshipping #yugioh vrains #yugioh #vrains #aoi zaizen #takeru homura #writing tag #jin just does exist in this au #don't think too hard about it #and aoi was only supposed to snark about yusaku being like a son to kusanagi #but i'm too lazy to edit #long post

13 notes · View notes

marvelsmagic · 7 years ago

Text

Secrets- Tom Holland

Pairing : Prince!Tom x Princess!reader

Summary: Princess Y/N is 21 years of age this year. According to tradition, she must choose a suitor by the end of the year. When eight suitors show up to the palace, she must find the one to give her heart. Will she find love among all the politics and affairs of state?

Warnings: language maybe, love triangle oops, might be some sexual themes later on

Words: 2988

Song: Beethoven’s 5 Secrets - The Piano Guys

AN: I’m so overwhelmed by all the love and support I received on Light, my first ever fanfic. You guys really are the best. I’m thinking Secrets will be a series. If you want a second part, let me know!! I took inspiration from the Selection series, Reign, The Swan Princess, and a ton of other things, so I’m really proud of how all the ideas and concepts work together.

Disclaimer: Please do not copy my work! I worked hard on this and I really am proud of it. I own all of the original characters, but none of the real-life people who appear.

13 years ago - March

Spring was blooming all about the castle. Flowers decorated every available surface. Servants and guards scurried about, trying to finish up their assigned tasks before the celebration began. In the Great Hall, pastries were strewn across tables, every size and color. The windows were open wide with long flowing blue and silver drapery hanging from them. The palace seemed to take a breath of the fresh spring air.

A string quartet sat in the corner, practicing for the occasion. The sounds of laughter and music filled the air. The maids sat in the corner, sewing their ladies gowns and gossiping about the guards who were training outside in the courtyard.

It was the Spring Equinox Celebration, put on every year by King and Queen Y/L/N. It was meant to celebrate the end of a harsh winter and the promise of a fruitful harvest season. Each year, the King and Queen would invite all their friends and family to the grand event. All of the most eligible families in Westport would come, including the nobles and knights. Even royalty from other kingdoms would come to join in on the celebration.

This year, as in years past, the King and Queen invited the royal family from a small neighboring Kingdom called Mirea to come to the celebration. They hoped that an alliance could be formed, as well as specific trade regulations to benefit both kingdoms.

The leaders of Mirea were King and Queen Holland. Their entire family had been invited to the celebration. Queen Holland had stayed behind in Mirea, as she was with child and did not want to risk travel with a baby on the way. However, King Holland was attending and there were rumors floating throughout the castle saying he was bringing his three eldest sons along with him.

This was big news in the Kingdom, as young Princess Y/N had just turned 8. King Y/L/N had been searching for potential suitors for his daughter for a few years now, hoping that her marriage would provide stability in the country and ultimately bring peace throughout the land.

All he hoped was that his little girl would find love despite all the politics and affairs of state. Hopefully, she could find a way to have both.

Present Day - March

“I cannot... believe… you are…. forcing me to do.... this,” I spoke softly to my mother. She was pulling on the strings of my corset and it was getting difficult to breathe.

“Hold still, Y/N,” my mother scolded me gently, “I am almost done.”

That was enough to quiet me. It was hard to disobey a mother who was always the epitome of grace and elegance. Being regal came so easily to her. I had no such luck. My hair always stood up every which way. I hated wearing corsets. I would much rather be riding my horse than attending a banquet, anyways. I sometimes think I was never meant to be a princess.

“There,” she said, tying up the last piece of my corset. I turned to look at her.

“Y/N, I am not forcing you to do this,” my mother stated for the tenth time that day, “It is tradition that the princess meets all of her suitors on the day before the Spring Equinox celebration. You’re twenty one years of age this year. Tradition says you must choose your future husband before the year runs out.” She sighed at the end, clearly bored with having to repeat herself so much.

I already knew this information, but I hoped that if I kept complaining she would eventually change her mind. It was hopeless but I hoped regardless.

“But mother, I do not even know any of the suitors,” I complained, “How am I expected to find love with a complete stranger?” My mother gave me a quick look of disappointment.

“I found love with your father. You forget that we are not so different, Y/N,” my mother stated.

She turned me around so we were both facing the mirror. I studied her face carefully, and then my own. We had the same eyes, the same mouth curled up into a half smile. We were around the same height with a similar build. I had my father’s nose and eyes. “If your father and I found love, it is possible for you, too. Please tell me you will try. Please tell me that you will at least give it a chance,” my mother said. I could see the pleading in her eyes. This was important for her and my father, and for the kingdom.

I sighed. “I will try my best mother,” I said in a defeated tone. After seeing her look of sadness, I added a smile. It seemed to make her feel better.

My mother smirked, a facial expression that is far too rare on her in my opinion. She winked at me and said, “Besides, not all of the suitors are strangers. We cannot forget about our dear Prince Thomas from Mirea. The news of his departure is running rampant through the castle.” She was laughing at me.

My cheeks burned. I had not seen Prince Thomas in years. We had been childhood playmates. Every Spring Equinox for years, Thomas and his brothers had come to the castle during the celebration. Naturally, Thomas and I hit it off and became fast friends. We got into a fair amount of trouble. I remember the lecture I had received from my mother the year that Thomas and I ended up drenched in water and mud, when he dared me to hop in the fountain with him. I smiled at the memory. It had been so many years ago.

However, now that Thomas was heir and learning his trade from his father, his family had not been to the castle in years. He still wrote occasionally though.

“Mother, Thomas and I are friends, nothing more,” I stated while rolling my eyes. It was a habit that my mother was not fond of. It was un-lady-like or something according to my etiquette teacher, Ms. Catalia. I had never excelled in etiquette class, which did not surprise anyone who knew me well. “Besides, I would bet that he only is coming to be a suitor out of politeness or obligation, not love.”

My mother moved closer to me. She kissed me gently on the forehead.

“My dearest, you have much to learn,” my mom said with a smile, “I will send in Henrietta to assist you in getting ready for the Arrival Ceremony. Just remember, things have a funny way of working out. I am proud of you no matter what.”

“Thank you, mama. I love you,” I said. Tears were forming in my eyes against my will.

“I love you more, dear,” she said as she was leaving the room. I sighed when I heard the door close. I stood close to the mirror, examining myself one last time.

“You can do this,” I whispered to myself. I don’t think even my reflection believed me.

A knock sounded at the door just as Henrietta was helping me into my shoes. I despised the silver heels, but unfortunately it was mandatory in the princess handbook.

Henrietta opened the door and curtsied deeply as my mother and father walked into my room. I stood from my seat at the vanity and twirled, giving them a good look at Henrietta’s hard work. I was wearing a deep royal blue gown that shimmered in the light with long lace sleeves and a sweetheart neckline. My hair was in delicate curls down my back, and my makeup was fresh but still stunning. My tiara sparkled in the sunlight, casting prisms across the room. I could honestly say I had never felt prettier.

I could see my parents approved. It made me feel better to know that I wasn’t letting them down.

“It’s time,” my father said. He seemed nostalgic as he looked at my mother lovingly. I couldn’t help the touch of jealousy that I felt. How could two people be so lucky to find love in a world of policies and protocol?

As we walked to the entrance where my suitors awaited me, I could not contain my nervousness. My palms were sweating and my heart felt like it was going to explode. My stomach seemed to contain a thousand butterflies as I got closer and closer to the rest of my future.

We stepped in front of the great oak door. Just beyond this door was awaiting a variety of suitors, from the most eligible families in the entire land. Suitors who chose to be here. Suitors all waiting for me.

I visibly gulped. My mother, sensing my distress, came to my side.

“Now, there is nothing to be worried about,” she cooed while fixing the side of my dress, “You will stay here and the suitors will come through one by one. I believe they counted around eight. There were many more, but we decided to keep the number small for safety reasons. Keep each interaction fairly short, just a minute or two. Do not forget to thank them for being here and remember to smile. You are happy they are here, remember?” She nodded at me and made sure I understood what she was saying.

I nodded. Here we go.

The doors opened and my suitors approached.

My first suitor was Harold Direman, the son of a noble family from Northport. I had never met him but I had heard many stories. Nasty stories that should never be repeated. The maids would gossip about him and all of his nasty deeds. I prayed internally that my exposure to him during this experience would be limited.

“Your Highness,” he said as he took my hand and kissed it. His lips lingered on my hand far longer than necessary. The way he looked up and down my body was enough for me to know I would not be marrying Harold Direman. He seemed unable to meet my eye and much too focused on my chest.

Politely, I responded, “Thank you for coming, my Lord Duke. I hope that your travels were not too uncomfortable. I hope you can find comfort and rest in our home and enjoy all that Westport has to offer.”

I could see him eyeing me up and down, clearly undressing me in his head. This was making me so uncomfortable. He responded with a wink and a simple, “I plan on enjoying all that Westport has to offer, Your Highness.”

As he walked away, a shiver went up my spine. If all of the suitors acted this way, I would never stay sane. I caught my mother’s eye. She seemed uncomfortable, too. She sent an apologetic look my way.

The next suitors were rather nice though, which made me feel better about the whole experience. Duke Alex George from Kiere and Frederick Port from a noble family in Westport. Alex seemed nice enough, although shy. Frederick enjoyed riding, so at least we have that in common. I breathe in and out, trying to calm myself.

Three down, Five to go.

Prince Javan from Archania seemed kind and was quite handsome, although I had somewhat of a hard time understanding him through his accent. I would definitely have to read about Archanian culture. It seemed very interesting.

I was starting to feel dizzy with all of the pressure.

Another suitor walked up to me. A beautiful blonde boy with the bluest eyes you have ever seen. I had heard of him before. His name was Prince Michael Whitson from South Harbor. My mother said he had all the makings of a fine king.

I curtsied and addressed him formally, “Your majesty, thank you so much for making the trip. I hope it went well?”

“Very well, actually. I quite enjoyed the countryside. It’s my first time in Westport. I had no idea it was so beautiful,” he said. His voice was rather pleasant, almost as if he were singing. He chuckled lightly. My cheeks flushed red. His eyes pierced me as he looked directly in my eyes. My eyes seemed unable to focus on anything but those eyes.

“I’m glad you enjoyed,” I said warmly with a smile, “I will have to take you sightseeing sometime during your stay. We have many beautiful sights to pick from.”

“It seems to me that everything in Westport is beautiful,” Michael says softly looking directly at me. His blue eyes seem to look beyond me, almost into my soul, but strangely enough I am not uncomfortable. My stomach flutters as I blush and look away.

“Well, I hope that you enjoy the Celebration. Westport welcomes you,” I say, still blushing from his flirtatious words earlier.

“Thank you, my princess,” he says graciously as he walks away. I watch him as he goes. My heart is pounding. Maybe this suitor system isn’t as bad as it appears.

I sigh. 5 down, 3 to go.

Next up walks James Katton, an earl from a newer kingdom I have never even heard of, even from many years of geography lessons. I can tell that he spends a lot of time in the sun. His skin is the color of caramel, and his hair is a dusty brown. He seems nice enough and he enjoys reading. My mother always said I needed to marry a scholar, a man who could keep me in check.

I had an interesting interaction with Duke Cal Robertson of Mirea. He only spoke two words to me the entire time. He said a quick “Thank you” and walked through the door. I would be offended but I believe he may just be awkward by nature. I catch my mother’s eye and plead with my eyes. She chuckles into her fan and looks away quickly.

1 to go.

When I see the next suitor approaching, my heart nearly stops. Could this man be my Thomas from so many years ago?

He is much taller than me, and he has gotten strong. I can see the layer of muscle underneath his suit, which is fitted to his body perfectly. My breathing hitches in my throat. His jawline is very sharp, and the angles and bones on his face could not be more perfect. His hair has become curly, poking out in certain places despite all of the effort I’m sure went in to styling it. He looks at me with big warm brown eyes. Yes, that’s my Thomas. Suddenly, it is just him and I, and the rest of the world vanishes.

He walks up to me, a smile playing on the edge of his lips.

“Princess Y/N,” he addresses me with a deep bow. His voice has gotten so much deeper, and it sounds as though it has been dipped in honey. Suddenly, my ears have a new favorite sound. His eyes glint mischievously making me blush.

“Prince Thomas,” I reply with a smile and a curtsy. He takes a look at me, gazing at me in a way that makes my heart pound.

“Looks like I finally caught up to your height,” he said with a hint of a laugh. As children, I was always much taller than him. I would never let him hear the end of it.

“It quite suits you… although it took you long enough,” I added. We both laugh. His kind eyes have not changed. I take a moment to observe them fully. Yes, they are the same. They still have flecks of gold and green that change in the lighting and with the weather.

“Thank you for coming to be a suitor. It meant a lot to my parents,” I say quietly, while looking him in the eyes. He glances over to where my parents are and smiles at them. Turning back to me, he smirks.

“Just your parents?” he asks with a glint of humor in his eyes. The audacity of this boy. A smile is tugging on the corners of my mouth and I cannot hide it.

“And to me,” I add. I give him a warning look. This boy is driving me insane.

“I would not have missed it for the world, Princess,” Thomas says sincerely. My cheeks light on fire. While I knew that each of my suitors was here to win my hand in marriage, it never felt as real as it did in that moment.

I swallowed involuntarily. My hands were shaking, and my knees felt weak. I looked at Thomas once more.

“I hope you enjoy your stay. Westport welcomes you,” I state with a half smile. His brown eyes look into mine one last time. He seems reluctant to leave. I want him to stay, but I was instructed to keep the arrivals short.

As he walks away, I watch him go. My heart still fluttering from the interaction. He is so different from what I expected. Better than I expected. I smile to myself.

Right before he turns the corner out of eyesight, he turns to look at me again. He smiles at me. The sun hits his face just right. I smile back, fiddling with the material of my dress nervously. He chuckles silently and rounds the corner, now out of my sight.

I breathe in deeply. I did it. My parents walk over to me with warm smiles.

“Very well done, darling,” my father said,“that seemed to go very well.”

My mother nodded in agreement. “You are a natural,” she said, taking my hair into her hands and fixing the stray pieces. “And tomorrow, the real fun begins.”

My heart leaps. This is not what I asked for, but it’s what I have. I think of my eight suitors, all within the walls of the castle.

Let the games begin.

354 notes · View notes

texanredrose · 7 years ago

Text

Frost Fire (Frozen/Tangled AU)

Yang felt a smile curling her lips as she looked around, drinking in the sights of a new kingdom without the agonizing burden that her every move would be watched like a hawk. As heir apparent to the throne, the blonde had to worry about everything she did outside the castle walls- and even inside them- but now that she'd finally been reunited with her long lost sister, she didn't have to worry about the line of succession. Sure, it didn't sit well with the court, but they just hadn't acclimated to Ruby's unique style yet. And, honestly, Yang thought the monarchy could do with a little lightening up. She couldn't just do it because she didn't have royal blood, her only claim to the throne being through her father's marriage to the Queen.

"Welcome to Arendelle, Rubes!" She threw an arm out, indicating the castle beyond the town before them, with snow capped mountains on the horizon. "Sure, it's not Corona, but it's nice, yeah?"

"It's a lot warmer than I expected!" Her sister smiled, fiddling with the crown settled about her temples. "I thought the reigning Queen is supposed to be some sort of ice mage."

"I'm sure that's just rumors." Yang laughed, leading the way from the docks to the castle and waving when she could, smiling at how the sun shone off her armor. It felt so good to just be a knight as opposed to future ruler. "Besides, we're here for a wedding! It's gotta be good weather for that."

Ruby shot her a curious look. "Considering you have a magic arm, I'm not sure why you'd dismiss the idea of a magic queen so quickly."

"I'm with Yang." Sun announced, slipping up beside his fiancé's side and throwing an arm around her shoulders, though Ruby seemed rather pleased he'd gotten off the ship despite not wearing the suit she'd laid out for him. "A magic fake arm is one thing- the spell is written right there- but the stories go that the Queen of Arendelle can conjure a winter storm with just a look! Sounds fake to me."

As the couple continued to lightly argue about the veracity of the claims, Yang breathed in deep and looked around the town square, marveling at all the decorations. Not only was the kingdom's signature snowflake on display just about everywhere she looked but so too were pretty white flowers- edelweiss, a staple of the kingdom- and the people seemed beside themselves with joy, calling out to friends and travelers alike. Beyond the square, the blonde could see where the gates to the castle stood open.

"We should go introduce ourselves," she said, looking over her shoulder at Ruby and Sun. "Looks like we might be the first VIPs to arrive. It'd be polite to let our hosts know we're here."

"See, Yang, you're really good at this royalty thing!" Her sister sighed. "Why can't you be Queen instead?"

"Because it's your birthright and, honestly, I hated being 'Princess Yang’." She grimaced while leading the way, the couple and their small retinue of guards in tow. "It's all rules and being nice to people you'd rather throw through a window- you've already got more patience than I ever did."

"That's only because I've been dreaming of finding where I belong for years; I've got a lotta motivation to do this right!" Lightly, she knocked a fist against the back of Yang's chest plate. "If you had a carrot to motivate you, I bet you'd be a better Queen than me."

"Yeah, well, too late to place that bet, sis!" They crossed a stone bridge over a little moat around the castle, passing through the gates to the courtyard. "Besides, nothing could... possibly..."

Her words trailed off as her gaze fell on the other occupants of the courtyard, halfway decorated in preparation for the ceremony.

"I'm just saying, you should consider it." A woman just a little taller than Ruby with long white hair pulled up into an off center ponytail and a furrow to her brows directed her gaze to a cat eared Faunus, pushing off with her right foot and gliding, effortlessly, across a sheet of ice. "You're standing at the alter, awaiting your bride, and here I come, gliding down the aisle- how is that not romantic, Blake?"

"The part when you fall down and break an arm," Blake replied, rubbing at her temple. "Look, I do like the ice theme and everything but this is... a little much. What if you hurt yourself?"

"I've been skating since I was old enough to walk."

"Weiss-"

"And there's no possible way I could be injured. Watch." With that, Weiss intentionally tripped herself, only for wind, ice, and snow to combine, somehow catching her and returning her to her feet without even mussing her dress. "See? There's nothing to be worried about."

Yang noticed all that- saw and heard it- but that wasn't what captured her attention entirely. No, what had her completely enthralled was the taller woman standing off to the side, clad in a light blue dress that shimmered in the sun, flowing white locks cascading over her shoulders and a smile on her lips, even as snowflakes danced around her hands.

"I understand your concerns Blake but, really, you have me officiating the ceremony. Nothing will go wrong."

"Winter's right. Everything will be-" Weiss stopped short. "Oh, excuse me, I didn't realize we had company... who are you?"

"Weiss!" Blake sighed, offering an apologetic smile. "Forgive the Princess; she's a bit distracted by the wedding."

"Oh, that's fine! It looks like it's going to be a beautiful ceremony!" Ruby stepped up, offering a hand. "I'm from Corona! Princess Ruby at your..." she paused, lowering her voice and leaning towards Yang. "Wait, am I a Princess or a Queen?"

"Huh?" She shook her head, snapping out of her stupor. "Oh, uh, you're a Princess still. Dad's King until you feel ready to assume the throne; he's basically your placeholder."

"Great!" She laughed. "So, yeah, Princess Ruby at your service!"

She then tried to curtsy, though Sun had to grab her hips with his tail to keep her from falling over. "And I'm Sun. Just, uh, just Sun."

"Welcome Princess Ruby and Just Sun," Winter said, a twinkle in her eye that seemed to be shared in the ice crown around her temples. Then, her gaze landed on Yang, ice blue eyes somehow warm despite the chill that surrounded her. "You must be one of their knights."

"Uh... yeah." She nodded, dumbly, while trying to get her brain back on track. "And a Princess. Kinda."

That seemed to spark a bit of confusion in the Arendelle nobles. Luckily, Sun came to the rescue. "The normally articulate Yang here is Ruby's older half sister from a previous marriage; their dad is royal by marriage, making Ruby the blood heir to the throne."

"Ah, the intricacies of succession. How troublesome a headache," Winter said. "Welcome to Arendelle. We're glad Corona accepted the invitation; it's been far too long since our kingdoms have spoken." A shadow of concern passed over her expression. "I'll admit, some of that is my fault. I hope to do better in the years to come."

"You're beautiful," Yang said, not entirely sure if that's what she meant to blurt out but rolling with it. "I mean- this ceremony, it's beautiful, and you're in charge of it, so you can obviously do it, do it better- you're a very good. Great. Wonderful. Yes."

... the blonde stood there, blushing and trying not to fidget, while everyone else stared. But then, a slick smile spread across Sun's lips, and a cloud of dread descended on her.

"You know, Yang's actually reminded me- does Your Majesty have a date to the wedding?"

"I've only recently started talking to people outside the castle staff so, no, I'm afraid I haven't secured a date." Winter smirked, eyes narrowed slightly in suspicion. “Why?”

"Hmmm... well, that's gonna be a problem." He crossed his arms over his chest. "In Corona, we have a very old, very sacred tradition for weddings, and it's very important for us to impart good will on the wedding party by dancing with each member and their partner. But, if you don't have a date...” He sighed and shook his head. “That's just bad luck for the wedding, plain and simple."

Yang opened her mouth to loudly remind him that, no, they didn't have any such custom as that, but Ruby gasped and quickly intervened.

"That's right! The couples' dance is super important! Oh, Your Majesty, would you please consider taking a date to the wedding?"

"I'm not sure who I could find on such short notice," the Queen replied. "Unless you have a suggestion-"

"My sister!" Ruby slapped her pauldron. "Yang's still considered royalty in Corona and it would be a great gesture to the people, showing that we're committed to rebuilding the bond our kingdoms once shared, right?"

"That is a solid point." Winter took two steps back. "But, as I'm sure you're aware, we have our own customs to abide, and a trial must be faced before I can grant any such an honor." Then, she held out her hand and met Yang's gaze. "If you wish to be my date for the wedding, brave knight, you must take my hand before I count to five."

Yang blinked, her first thought being that it sounded too easy and her second being that she didn't really care, she was doing it. However, she'd been so distracted by the Queen's... everything that it just now occurred to her that her feet were rather cold, and a glance down told her why: blocks of ice had formed, almost half a foot thick encasing her shins and rooting her to the spot.

"One."

She tried to pull herself free but failed and even though she could feel the heat pouring off of her as Weiss and Blake stifled their amusement, it probably wasn't enough to melt ice like this, or do it quick enough.

"Two."

Thinking quickly, she reached up, tugging at the straps that secured her magic arm in place.

"Three."

Undoing the anchoring latch, she pulled it free from her body, slapping the limp hand into the Queen's with a triumphant smirk.

"F-..." Winter blinked, grabbing hold of the hand and twisting it left and right, until she could see the spellwork inscribed on the armor. "Well... that settles that." Her gaze shifted to Weiss. "It appears I have a date to your wedding, Sister."

"Indeed you do." More than a little suspicion infected the woman's tone but Blake seemed rather amused, and Ruby and Sun flashed her big smiles and thumbs up.

Honestly, the only thing going through Yang's mind was how much she did and didn't want to know what trials she'd face if she wanted a kiss.

And the former was winning out over the latter.

Yang reached up, adjusting her chestplate and handing off her empty champagne flute to a passing servant. The reception had started before sunset but now the moon has risen high over the fjord, and she couldn't help but step out onto the balcony to drink in the sight. After so many years releasing lanterns into an unforgiving night sky, she could finally appreciate the beauty of the moon's glow.

It still hadn't lost its appeal.

"Are you enjoying the festivities?"

"Yeah!" She winced at her too loud reply, coughing into one hand as her date for the night came to stand beside her. "I mean, it's a very nice reception. The ceremony was gorgeous."

"Thank you." Winter paused, in that deliberate way that meant she hadn't yet decided what she wanted to say. The knight probably shouldn't be able to tell that but... in the short few days she'd been in Arendelle, she'd paid its Queen an exorbitant amount of attention, and she'd picked up on a few things. "I'm surprised you didn't change."

"... huh?"

"Your armor- it must be stifling. You could've changed into something more comfortable for the reception." She smiled a bit wider. "Not that you don't look dashing in it, of course."

"Oh. Right." Forcing a chuckle, Yang looked away, tracing the outline of masts down at the docks. "It's just... safer."

Worry creased the woman's brow. "I apologize; I'd hoped I'd stationed enough of my guards-"

"No!" She quickly put her hands up, waving off the apology. "No, it's not; I don't wear armor to protect me. I wear it to protect everyone else." At the confusion and curiosity splayed on the Queen's face, she quickly continued, all the while working the straps of her left gauntlet. "I- I don't talk about it. It's... scary, and I get that, it scared me, too, but it's really for the best. But... I guess... maybe you-" sliding the gauntlet off her hand, revealing her bare flesh to another person for the first time in years, Yang closed her eyes and turned her head away, afraid of what she might find as a familiar warmth bloomed in her hand "-you might... understand."

She didn't dare look up, even as tongues of flame licked at her fingers. The armor helped smother the flames before they began but, bereft of that barrier, she could do nothing to keep the fire that coursed through her veins in check. It had never proven useful- hadn't helped her keep Ruby from being kidnapped- so she tried to just... forget about it most days.

But ever since arriving in Arendelle, she couldn't, the heat of her blush and being surrounded by ice a constant reminder of her own dark secret.

"It's beautiful."

"What?" She looked up, surprised by the sincerity in blue eyes. "Fire destroys- that's all it can do. I'm a danger-"

"I used to think that of myself," Winter said, her voice soft as newly fallen snow. "When we were young, I accidentally hurt Weiss. The scar across her left eye? I gave her that." Sadness infected her tone as she sighed. "It wasn't intentional; I was just scared. And for over a decade, I refused to so much as look at her, because all I could think of was the fear and the shame- I gave her a scar, turned her left eye completely white. Every time she looked at me, that was all I could think of, how scared I was that I might do it again." Then she reached out, slowly, lithe fingers drawing closer to the flame. "But this isn't something to fear; I learned that myself not too long ago. I doubt you'd ever hurt anyone intentionally with this gift. Not your sister or her fiancé. Or even me."

"Don't-"

"Hush." Despite Yang's worst fears and the flames feeding off that and growing larger, crawling up her wrist, the Queen merely threaded her fingers through the tongues of fire, steam rising up with a soft hiss. "Ice powers, remember? You won't hurt me."

Tears stung at her eyes as Winter kept going, until she was lightly holding the knight's hand, fire and steam rising in equal measure, though the former began to calm as the fear seeped away slowly. "I... don't... it doesn't hurt?"

"No. Fire can destroy, but it's also a light to show us the way. It cooks our food and keeps us warm." A chuckle left the woman's lips. "Honestly? I don't think I've ever felt this warm. It's rather nice."

Hesitantly, Yang closed her fingers around Winter's hand, unable to dispel the flames but amazed at the sensation of skin against hers. “It is, huh?”

“When was the last time you tried to hold someone’s hand?”

“I... really don’t remember.”

"I thought so. I was the same way. And, if it'll make you feel better," the Queen said, lowering her voice slightly. "I believe there's a custom somewhere that says a knight pledging loyalty to an allied kingdom strengthens political bonds, and I wouldn't mind having another knight around the castle."

Bolstered just a bit by the hand in hers, she said the first thing that came to mind. "Is Arendelle officially requesting the presence of a hot knight?"

"Only if she'll keep my bed warm." Yang's brows rose but the woman seemed intent on teasing rather than flirting. For now, anyway. "You do tend to put out a lot of heat when you blush."

"Well, too bad I don't do that very often." Winter raised a challenging brow before quickly leaning in, cupping the knight's jaw and planting a ghost of a kiss high on her cheek and, absently, Yang had to be grateful she was dealing with the woman now affectionately nicknamed "The Ice Queen", because the amount of figurative and literal heat that that simple action produced became rapidly apparent by the amount of steam now billowing off the balcony.

"I'm not sure if that will happen every time I kiss you... but I'm very tempted to find out." The Queen chuckled, waving a hand to fix the slight damage done to her wardrobe and turning to head back inside. "I do hope you'll stay, Yang. I'd like a little more time to warm up to you."

Yang stood in the courtyard, eyes closed as snowflakes caught in her hair and melted on her skin. While she'd gained more control in recent months, she still ran hotter than most people, and the natural snowfall in Arendelle couldn't quite stand up to it. But for the split second before they melted, she loved the feeling of them hitting her skin- her face, her bare arms, her shins. She probably looked crazy to someone who hadn't been in the castle for the past few months, standing there in nothing more than short cut trousers and a tunic, but she'd honestly never felt more alive.

"You look ridiculous," Weiss said, waddling out into the courtyard. "You could catch a cold, you know."

"I really can't," she replied, smirking. "Shouldn't you be resting? On top of eating for two, you should be sleeping for two."

"I wish it worked like that." The Princess laughed, resting a hand on her belly. "She knows it's snowing; she won't let me sleep."

"Think she might have powers too?" Without even thinking about it, her own hand drifted to her belly, and Yang had to adjust the line of her trousers to cover the motion. "Would be kinda cute. Lil kid running around, conjuring snowstorms."

Weiss looked at her then, in that way she did more and more in recent weeks, and shrugged. "I think my sister is more likely to pass on the powers. If she were to have kids, of course."

"Do you... do you think she'd want to?" Yang scratched at the back of her head. "I mean, hypothetically. Is that... something she'd want?"

She watched as the Princess smiled, sitting down on a snow covered bench and hissing as the cold soaked through her nightgown.

"She likes the cold, I think," she said, motioning towards her unborn child. "She’s not moving around as much now. It soothes her. And, to answer your question?" A sigh. "When we were kids, Winter firmly believed in soulmates. With our parents... she used to say that it's what happened when people married for station and not for love, that if we keep looking, we'll find our soulmates- the ones who balance us, complete us, harmonize with us." Apparently having her fill of the cold, Weiss got up. "I think, once she finds the person who balances her, Winter will go to the ends of the planet for that person's happiness. If they want kids, she will, too... but I also know my sister is old fashioned. Someone will have to make quite the grand gesture for her to consider them." A smile. "Goodnight, Yang."

As the Princess left, the knight's shoulders slumped. A grand gesture? What qualified as a grand gesture to a woman whose sister literally climbed a mountain in a blizzard just to apologize?

"I'm an idiot," she said, falling back and landing in the snow with a muffled thud. Steam billowed out around her and a frown tugged at her lips. Fire and ice didn't mix, didn't harmonize; they destroyed each other. "A complete idiot."

So... what? She should just give up? Go home, forget the last few months? Yang sat up, a new resolve solidifying in her mind. If Winter wasn't interested, that was one thing, but she refused to give up before she'd even tried. Lifting up her hands, she called forth the fire, watching as tongues licked at her forearms and the falling snowflakes. She couldn't create things the way Winter could.

... or, could she?

Lilac eyes rose to the castle's tallest tower.

"This is either brilliant or crazy," she said, pushing herself to her feet and not bothering heading inside first, a lifetime of walking around in full armor imbuing her with a lot of strength. Rather than risk getting caught by the guards patrolling the hallways, she hefted herself up, scaling the castle's structure with the tower as her goal. The wind whipped at her, cold seeping into the tips of her fingers that she shook off with a flare of her fire, Yang climbed up the side of the tower while planning out what she wanted to do. If she used tonight to practice, the weather might hold until tomorrow, and then she stood a chance-

"Yang, what are you doing?"

"Yah!" She clung to the side of the tower, turning her head to see a rather unimpressed Queen watching her. "Oh, uh, funny seeing you here, Winter. Couldn't sleep?"

"Watching my favorite guest scale the side of my castle in a snow storm does put a little kink in my nightly routine." A brow raised. "Now, what are you doing?"

"Wait, how did you get up here?" Blue eyes flicked down, to the icy platform supporting the woman. "Oh. Well, that makes sense-"

"Yang." The Queen sighed. "What are you doing?"

"I want to show you something." She lifted herself up higher. Welp, looked like she wouldn't have a chance to practice. "Follow me up."

"Why don't you just let me take you up?"

"Uh, I like the exercise?"

"Yang."

"Trust me?"

The Queen sighed. "Fine."

A few minutes later, they stood on the tower's balcony, and the knight took a steadying breath before picking out a spot on the slanted roof of the castle. "Now... watch."

Brow pinching in concentration, she pulled forth her flames and set them forth, melting away the snow in a specific pattern, writing out a message in far better penmanship than she could ever effect with her hand. The words "I love you" etched out in flowing script, though with the shifting of the fire it was impossible to read it. The moment she extinguished the flames, however, the remaining snow began to slide, brought down by gravity an the absence of the snow she'd melted away.

Yang's shoulders fell as she groaned, her plan backfiring. "Damnit."

"Has anyone ever told you your eyes turn red when you're fire's burning?"

"Huh?" She glanced at Winter, a blush heating her cheeks as it occurred to her that, even if she had seen it, the Queen would probably act like she hadn't to save the knight any embarrassment. "I mean, yeah. It's been mentioned before."

"Give me your hand." Winter held out hers, lacing their fingers together when presented the opportunity while calling forth her snow and ice to swirl around their hands. "Now, your flame."

"But-"

"Humor me." With a sigh, she did as asked, watching as red and orange tongues licked without burning, a soft heat shared between them in that moment. Her brows furrowed, however, as the ice began to form almost... around her fire, and then... somehow moving with it, creating a blue tinted flame.

No, not blue...

... purple.

"I think we go together rather well... don't you?" Winter smiled. "I love you too, Yang."

Her heart soared, a dopey smile on her lips, yet she couldn't just accept that, no, she needed more. "But, do you think I'm your soulmate?"

"Weiss mentioned that, did she?" The Queen chuckled. "As a matter of fact... I do." She squeezed Yang's hand. "Fire and ice... we're quite the pair. I'll admit, I hoped as much from the moment we met."

"You and me both." She cleared her throat. "Ya know... I'm pretty sure it's a custom for royal siblings to marry into allied kingdoms. Strengthen political bonds and such. Is that... something that might interest you?"

"Yang, are you asking me to marry you?"

"No." She laughed, squeezing the hand in hers. "I mean, not yet. I'm looking forward to courting you, honestly, but, ya know. If that's on the table..."

"It is."

"Good. That's- that's good." She swallowed, heart racing as possibilities exploded in her mind. "That's very ice to hear."

And with Winter's laughter- and the way she turned to hide her face in Yang's shoulder- the blonde felt that feeling from before. Being with Winter was like standing in a gentle snowfall. Being with Winter...

She felt alive.

#TRR writes #TRR and the discord shenanigans #Elderburn #Monochrome #And Arendelle was filled with snow puns forever more

41 notes · View notes

starlitsummermoon · 8 years ago

Text

Alyn X MC - Regret & Heartache

Alyn X MC …sorta. From Midnight Cinderella.

Giles pointed and ordered the staff of the castle in the ceremony hall. It was only moments away until the Princess was to officially announce her Prince Consort. Everything and everyone had a place, and it needed to be perfect!

“No, that needs to be placed here,” Giles demanded. “Yes, that looks good. Wait, where are we going to-”

“Sir Giles,” a servant approached hesitantly, “The Prince Consort has arrived and most of our guests are patiently waiting to be guided into the hall.”

“Excellent work,” Giles responded with a smile, “Sir Alyn should be escorting Her Highness shortly.”

Alyn was suiting up in his most elegant armor, only to be worn for royal ceremonies such as the one taking place tonight. He watched himself carefully in the mirror as he attached his flowing red cape and his captain’s sash. The polished armor glistened as the sunlight peeking through his window hit its metal, the light bouncing off the mirror and finding his ruby eyes.

“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” Alyn mumbled to himself as he secured his heavy sword to his hip, feeling his heart sink into his stomach. The very thought of the Princess being in the arms of another man made him feel ill. She did well at keeping her relationship with her soon-to-be Prince hidden, for until only a few weeks ago, he assumed her status had remained single. For so long, he believed he had time to build up the courage to give himself to her, but now those dreams were crumbling away.

His heart slipped into the void of despair the instant he was informed about the ceremony and the role he was assigned to play: to escort the Princess to the ceremony hall to announce her Prince Consort. Of all things he was tasked, giving away the woman he loved to another man was the lowest blow he could take, but he did not protest for he saw it as his last opportunity to be that close to her.

Trying to accomplish a debonair smile to hide the anguish he felt, the mirror he stood in front of could not perform miracles. Taking a deep breath to calm his nerves, he straightened his posture and puffed up his chest before exiting his room, heading towards the Princess’s chambers.

The clink-clank of his armor echoed through the barren halls as he approached the large ornate door. Beads of sweat formed at his brow, his hands balling into fists as his heart thumped against his rib cage. At this point, he’d rather go into battle than perform this heinous task.

“Get it together!” he muttered, bringing his fist up to eye level, gently rapping the door. “Princess, this is Sir Alyn. I’m here to escort you to the ceremony hall. Are you ready?” There was no response. With his heartbeat already racing, he tried not to panic. Waiting what seemed like minutes with no utter of a word on the other side, he reached for the door knob. Just as he was about to grasp it, it turned and the door swung open.

Standing before him was a beautiful young woman, her long hair tied back into a thick braid ornate with little jewels. The bows and ribbons of her pale blue gown swayed with each step. Alyn froze with wide eyes, absorbing the image of the angel as she advanced towards him with a sweet smile.

“Sir Alyn?” her voice broke through the silence, “Is everything alright?”

“Y-yes!” Alyn shook his head to snap back to reality, then gave the Princess a bow before offering his arm to her. “You look lovely.”

“Thank you,” her cheeks shone pink at his compliment. She tried her best to look as beautiful as she could for this day. Taking his arm, they began to make their way towards the ceremony hall where hundreds of people awaited their arrival.

Too nervous to make any type of conversation, the two remained silent for most of the journey. The Princess felt awkward as she felt how tense the knight was they turned corners and strode through halls. Unable to tolerate it any longer, she looked up at him, observing his stern expression, keeping his focused eyes forward.

“Alyn, what’s bothering you?” her concerning tone attracted his eyes to shift in her direction as her fingers tightened around his arm, making his heart beat harder against his chest.

They were completely alone, if only for a few minutes, compelling honesty and courage to take over anguish. Stopping in the middle of the hall, he glanced around to be sure no one else was around to witness anything.

“Can I take a bit of your time?” Alyn asked, turning towards her with serious eyes. Catching her off guard, she gazed at him with surprised eyes, the pit of worry she felt growing deeper as she hesitantly nodded. Returning her nod, he led her to a nearby empty room, quietly shutting the door behind them. He knew he had to make this brief before anyone decided to come searching for them due to their absence at the ceremony, but he found it difficult to look her in the eyes as his cheeks burned red. Taking her hands in his, he swallowed a hard lump in his throat.

“There’s something I really need to tell you,” he whispered, his hands trembling as they held her delicate fingers.

“You know you can tell me anything,” she responded, her smile shining brightly, the concern of being late to the ceremony hovering above her head, “but do you think it could wait until after-”

“No, it can’t!” Alyn’s booming statement startled her, sending her smile running. Goosebumps danced across her skin as she grew nervous, knowing this wasn’t normal for him to act like this. “I’m sorry, Princess...”

“I don’t understa-” her words were cut off by the soft kiss he pressed against her lips. A cold shock ran from her head to her toes, her eyes wide with surprise. Her mind struggled to comprehend what was happening as his hands gripped her shoulders and kept her in place.

‘This is the only thing I can think of,’ Alyn thought, happiness pounding in his ears as he finally felt her soft lips against his. Just as the room began to spin, he pulled away from her, examining her bewildered expression. Painful silence filled the room as he waited for her to say something, anything.

“I’m sorry,” he muttered, captured by her eyes, holding back the temptation to kiss her again, “I’m not the best with words.” Afraid she would run away, he slid his hands down the back of her arms and caught her hands once again, thinking it would decrease his threat level.

“Alyn, I-” her lips trembled as her expression changed from shock to sorrow. He felt his happiness fade faster than it had appeared, regret quickly filling up the hole in his chest. “I’m sorry...”

“I know this isn’t the best timing,” he scoffed, “in fact, it’s probably the worst.”

“It’s definitely up there.”

“I’m going to say it anyways.”

“Oh?”

“Princess, I know I can make you happy, I just need you to give me a chance... I should have told you a long time ago how I felt, but I didn’t- I wasn’t-”

“Alyn, this isn’t going to work. My heart belongs to-”

“Please don’t say his name,” he winced, hating hearing his name slip delicately from her tongue. Of course, he knew it wouldn’t work. He felt so foolish pulling a stunt like this. “I get it, you’re in love with him, but if-”

“Why now?” she cut him off abruptly, frustrated. She wanted answers, especially if his feelings for her were deeper than she presumed. If they were, arrangements would need to be made to avoid any more problems, but before she thought too far ahead, she pressed for more information. “Why wait, why didn’t you say anything sooner? You seemed to have known for quite some time how you felt about me, so why dwell on those feelings?”

“I saw how happy you were, knowing he would always be with you, be at your side. Don’t get me wrong, you two make a fine match-”

“Then leave it be!”

Alyn flinched at her demand. He didn’t have to ask her if she felt the same way, that said it all. It was clear that her feelings for the other man were unwavering, making him feel more like a fool. ‘Why would she choose someone like me over him?’

“Can I just ask one more thing?” only one thing was left on his mind, one more answer before he could even attempt to move on from this.

“Make it quick,” her face red with frustration, and rightfully so. She was happily in love with her Prince-to-be, but this interruption, this rock being thrown in the wheel, upset her. She had no desire for a “love triangle” or drama of any kind. Wanting to move passed this as soon as possible, she patiently waited for his answer.

“If I had said it long ago, when I first felt this way, would things be different? Would you even consider falling for me?”

Her fierce expression melted away at the sincerity in his voice. Taking a moment to gaze into his crimson eyes, probably the only chance she’ll ever get to do so, she took his feelings into consideration. Even though she didn’t feel that way for him, she didn’t want to make him feel any lower than he already had.

“I can’t say,” she sighed, “I care about you, Alyn, I really do, but I don’t think anyone but him could fill my heart the way he does. What we have together, it’s- it’s magical, and I’ve never felt this way about anyone before, not even for a moment... I’m sorry.” Her words were like spears, piercing through his metal armor. His face cringed, but he took in another deep breath as another large lump formed.

“I- I understand,” he acknowledged, releasing her hands from his before offering his arm again. “No matter what happens, I will always be your knight, protecting the future Queen... and her King.” A kind smile appeared across her lips as she once again took his arm. Leading her out of the room, she took deep breaths to calm down from the commotion, hoping the red in her face would vanish. Just as they were about to approach the ceremony hall, he slowed their pace.

“I, uh, hope you don’t mention this to him,” he cleared his throat as he felt his cheeks warm up, “I would hate for the future King of Wysteria’s first act to be my head on a silver platter.”

“Well,” the Princess contemplated as she considered her future husband’s protectiveness over her, realizing that Alyn’s joke could very likely become reality if he wasn’t careful. “As long as this never ever happens again, I’ll be sure to keep it to myself, but you can’t say anything either! You know gossip spreads like wildfire in this castle!”

“At your command, Your Highness,” Alyn felt relief flood over him just as they entered the hall. Applause erupted as the Princess walked down the carefully laid out carpet. As they reached the foot of the stairs, her hand slipped away from his arm. Bowing on his knee, she curtsied before she held up her skirts and climbed the marble stairs, her Prince Consort elegantly waiting for her at the top.

Unable to bear the sight of them together, Alyn remained on his knee.

THE END

#midnight cinderella #midcinfanfic #midcin #Alyn Crawford #heartbreak #unrequited love #regret #writing by starlit

41 notes · View notes

reader-insert · 8 years ago

Text

The Princess of Ophitis

The Beginning

It was a beautiful and peaceful day in kingdom of Ophitis but as for now, it is very busy as the people hurried to set up the streets with beautiful banners, lanterns painted in many colors, flowers lining the street where the royal princess will rid along side her father in a carriage, greeting and waving to their royal subjects. The servants rushed down the halls bumping into each other along their way. The reason why for all this hurry, it's because today is the day the princess will be crowned Queen of Ophitis. The door to my bedroom open than closed softly to be followed by light footsteps. A warm hand placed softly onto my shoulder starts to shake me. "Your highness, it's time to get up. Today you'll be crowned and you can not be late." A hush voice whispers to me but I only bury my face deeper into the lush pillow, ignoring the person. The hand removed from my shoulder before the owner of the voice spoke. "Now don't make me get you out of this bed." They warned in a teasing voice. Before anything can happen I snap my eyes open but to only quickly close them as the bright sunlight stung my eyes. Pushing myself up my eyes finally adjust to the lighting, opening I saw Zara ,shaking her head chuckling at me. Zara is my handmaiden who took care for me when my father couldn't, which was all the time. "Come on sleepyhead, we must get you dressed an presentable for the day." Zara said walking over to my closet, wrapping her flawless dark hands around the rosewood handles and pulled them open to revel my dresses. She reached in already picking out the one that was custom made for this day. The dress it's self is beautiful. The top front is Teal that curves under my breast to the side and intertwine in the front to the collar that was with silver vine lacing all around it. Around Apatite crystal in the middle where is held together by custom chain strung across my arms where it reached my back and in the middle of my back laid a crescent upside down moon and six Apatite crystals inside the moon. The middle part of the dress is purely, spotless white corset as well the peplums with the same lacing around the edges and tiny Apatite crystals in it and pearls, the waistband hand the same crescent moon, same crystals but on the ends of it are four long chains that has Teal pearls in them. And the bottom half is the same Teal but the end of the skirt embroidered and at the sides is a see through cloth that shine different colors in the light. I pulled the covers off of me swinging my legs to the side of the bed where my feet met with the cold wood floor. Raising my arm up above my head, stretching my tired muscles awake before standing up and walk towards Zara who helped me put the dress on. After I was dressed Zara helped me with makeup and hair. Nothing to fancy or overwhelming, just a little bit of makeup to seem as though I wasn't wearing any and my hair was done flawlessly into fitting along with my dress. I felt my heart beat faster and faster in my chest, my breathing getting heavier with each breath but I must remain calm. It's the Queens job to kept things calm, making sure that her kingdom is calm. Glancing to the side my e/c orbs caught sight of my tiara. The band is shining gold with small diamonds on the front, the top are sets of three crystals running along the band. 'This will be the last day I were it...' I thought. A hand rest on top of my shoulder causing me to snap out of my thought, looking up to see Zara with a soft smile on her face but her dark brown orbs glossy. "Zar-" I was cut off. "You'll make a perfect Queen your highness as we all know you'll be." Her voice slightly crack but she kept her emotions in check. I pushed myself off of my seat standing in front of her. Truth be told, Zara was more like a mother to me then a handmaiden. She help me grow up to be who I am and I'm thankful for her being in my life when my mother couldn't. My lips tugged into a sad smile laying both hand on her arms. "I'm sorry your highness for you to see me like but I just didn't think time would fly by so fast...I still remember the day I first held you as a tiny baby and now look. A beautiful eighteen year old.....Your mother would be so proud of you." Zara cried as the tears now flow free. "And it's all because of you Zara. You taught me how to be strong, caring, thoughtful and most importantly. How to become a proper princess. I wouldn't be here without you." I said with pride an joy in my voice but my eye betrayed me as tears rolls down my cheek. "That's why I-" Before I could finish a knock came from the door. "Your highness. We've have come to get you." The door open to reveal the two knights. They are wear heavy metal armor that covers them from head to toe. Their chest plates had two circles, one on each side that had a gold piece of chain that ran from one to the other. The edges on the armor are lined with gold all around. But their helmet have a slit in the middle running across the face an a slit from the bottom of the other until it reached the chin. Drape over their shoulders are the colors of out kingdom, Blue an gold that also goes under their chest plates and runs down the middle of their abdomen an attach to their waist is a sword, the other hands they held shields. Looking over my shoulder I gave a short nod before Zara voice replied back to them. "Alright gentlemen. Let me just fix her up." She grabs a small cloth from under her sleeve and used it to wipe away any ruin makeup. Reaching to the mirror stand she grabs my tiara. The band is pure gold and small diamonds running along the band making it look as if it was made with vines. On top of the band are sets of large crystals. She gently place it upon my head, her hands resting on my shoulders. "There we go....Alright now the princess is yours men. Hurry now, it's almost time and we can't keep everyone waiting." Zara placed a kiss on my cheek an I did the same, which is rare. The knights lead me out of the castle, out the halls and open a set of large double doors which lead outside the front of the castle. Waiting for me is a carriage. It looks like it was just once a simple carriage but now painted over with white all around and gold trimming the edges. I squint my eye to see a silhouette that I couldn't describe at first but once stepping closer I can saw unmistakable clothing. One guard grabs the handle of the door before opening for me, bowing at the waist he helps me in with his other hand and closed the door after me. Sitting in front of him my lips curled up into a grin. "Hello father. It's nice to see you and you look splendid in that, might I say." I said to my father, who wore a smile upon his face. His hair was starting to turn grey as well his beard, deep winkles lined his face from all the time of being that king. "My, look at you. You look just like your mother when we first got married. Breathtaking." He said in soft tone than rather his harsh leader one. Reaching with an arm he stroke a fallen piece of hair behind my ear before resting it on my cheek. "I know I haven't been in your life much and I'm sorry for that but do not worry. From no on, I promise to be with you everyday." He said before leaning back into his seat. The carriage jolts forward, cuing it's leave. We sat in complete silence, enjoying the peace before it get crazy with cheers, cries, laughing and crying. After some turns we finally made the edge of the village where people await us. I lean down slightly to look out the window seeing my people cheering and throwing flowers in the air. Raising my hand up I wave at the long rows of crowd. It was a overwhelming feeling. Happiness, joy, excitement and other feelings pump through my veins. My vision was block by brown fur. Scrunching my eyebrows together I look up seeing what was blocking my view. It was a horse that is in my way but it wasn't alone. On top of it was the knight commoner. "Your highness. I'm glad to see you made it on time than being late because you rather sleep up in your rooms." The knight commoner looks down at me, his voice ringing with a teasing tone. My cheeks warmed up and I turned my head to look inside. "That's funny because I once remember you getting yelled at by father for sleeping on the first day of your job...Am I right sir Aithlin?" I turn back towards him with a slight smirk. "That was one time and you know you." He replied back, a finger pointing at me. "Oh really?" I giggled. "Now you two it's not the time for this. You can argue like an old married couple once the crowning if over." My father laugh but his tone was serious. Me an Aithlin broth quite but before he should leave I stuck my tongue out at him. My father shaking his head at me. Then it was time. The carriage came to a stop and my father got out first to do his speech before he will call me to be crowned. Waiting I picked at my nails, chewing on my bottom lip as thoughts run through my brain. 'Will I be a good queen? Will I even be able to protect my people like my father had or will I fail them? I'm not even sure if I'm ready for this.' I thought to myself, a sigh pasting my lips. Casting my eye forward I hear the carriage door open beside me, Aithlin bowed at the waist, holding a hand out, father smiling proudly at me and held my crown in his hands. I slowly stepped out making sure my back is straight and tall, not a slight slouch in my shoulders, head held high an my face was straight as well. Once reaching near my father I got down on one knee and bowed my head. At this point everything seem to slow down for me. Fathers words barley reached my ears cause of the fast beating of my heart, it was until a horrific scream caused me to snap my head towards the sound but before I could see who scream, a strong heating force knocked me out. My body felt like it has been stumbled on by a thousand horses, opening my eyes I could feel a strong heat blow against my face. Widening my eyes I couldn't believe before me. The whole kingdom was on fire. Building were destroyed, fire quickly speared anything it touched, dead bodies laying in their own pool of blood from being crushed or arrows an other wounds caused by weapons or some are burn to a crisp, the others crying over their dead beloved ones, some running away from the fire an falling buildings but then I saw creatures of the other races chasing after them with weapons in their hands. Some carried battle axes, some carried spears, arrows, swords and shields as some fought against the kingdoms knights but there were to many of the creatures and they were cut down. My vision blurs from tears swelling up. Here I lay in in the dirt an rumbles, petrified with fear that I couldn't even move my own sore and weak limbs even as a orc made his way towards me. His green lips curl up into a devilish wicked grin and his bright organe eyes burned into mine. Dark crimson blood clung to his as well his beard an forearms. In one hand he held a wooden club with spikes pocking out of it. "Look at'ya! This human whore survived the cannon boys!" The orc said to the other once they spotted me. The blood soaked one steps closer to me and raised his leg backward to lunch it into my abdomen, a creaking sound came from the impacted and I let out a painful cry. I cradle my stomach but the pain in my arms was to powerful. "Asegrn, I think that is princess of humans." One of the orcs, much smaller then the rest said to the one whom assume is Asegrn. "Even betta'." Reaching a bulky arm out he grabs me by the hair an roughly snaps my neck up to face him. "Velethuil will pay a high price of ya' her head." Asegrn breath hit my face. I wanted to vomit but I couldn't from the fear. Keeping me in the same position another orc steps closer towards me, a long ragged sword in his hand. The orc raised the blade up, a grin on his face while he stares into my eyes. Closing them a few tears escape as I waited for my death. 'So this is how I'll die? By the hands of these creatures who hated my kind for so long...I'm sorry my kingdom. I'm sorry for those who were killed today, men, women and children...I'm sorry I couldn't protect you from danger.' My final words repeated in my head. But the blow never came. Instead a shrill shrike came. I open my eyes to see Cal standing in front of me, her trusty sword in her hands. and a orc with a half missing arm while black blood squirts out of the wound "You will pay for laying you're filthy hands on our highness you repulsive bastards" Cal hiss. "Cal..." My voice broke speaking. "Get her out of here Aithlin!" She snaps her head to watch as her older brother rushed over to the highness side. "Hold onto me your highness..." Aithlin whispered in a rush tone before he wraps an arm under my knees and the other around my torso. Turning around he spirits off, quickly dogging any incoming attacks, jumping over fallen beams. Everything was a blur to me. The colors of organe an yellow dance in my eyes. The one blue sky now black with smoke and the once beautiful stone streets covered with large wholes, fallen buildings, blood and dead bodies. "Y/n! Aithlin!" My father calls out to us, riding up to use on his horse. He looks at me with sad eye but they soon turn to pure rage. "Get my daughter out of here. Somewhere far away where he won't find her! Use my horse, he'll get you to wherever you need to be" He spoke in a harsh voice. "But sir wha-" Aithlin was cut off. "That's an order!" My father yelled. Stepping back he nods his head before rushing off into battle. Aithlin climbs onto the horse, I sitting in front of him but I tried to get away from him. I couldn't let my father die like this. He's the only family I have left. "Let me go!" I cried but I was to weak against the tall elf as he kicks the horse sides urging it to rush out of the gates. As we were about to exit the gates I turn my head over his shoulder but I wish I didn't. Everything seem to slow down. He was surrounded by the enemy. Parring a attack he didn't notice the one from behind him nor did block the blade as it slice through his chest, exiting from one end to the other. Tears start to cloud my eyes and I helplessly tried to reach out but I knew it was to late. The orc before, Asegrn took a sword from his men, steeping up to my father who fell to his knees and grabs him by his hair and then he brought his sword down cutting the human king head from his shoulders.

#mystory #reader insert #human princess #multiple romances #quotev #the princess of ophitis

0 notes