#seven marriges

[mote-historie]

Farrah Fawcett as Barbara Hutton: Poor Little Rich Girl: The Barbara Hutton Story (1987).

The true story of one of the richest women in America - heiress to the Woolworth fortune. She had vast wealth and seven husbands, but never found lasting love.

IMDb 6,9

[ladyoftheblades]

HEIR APPARENT

jacaerys velaryon x aegonstwin!reader

synopsis: the realm worships firstborns, seconborn children however, especially girls, need to make their own way in the world

words: 11k (bear with me)

a/n: i realised this after i finished and was too bored to correct it, imagine rhanenyra didnt have time to propose marrige beyween reader and jacaerys due to driftmark. ALSO i havent watched the dinner scene in 2 years and i cannot find it on the sites so excuse any unorthodoxy. ENGLISH IS NOT MY FIRST LANGUAGE im also dyslexic :) !!!!! this was heavil inspired by the lovely @myladysapphire 's fic "seduction" which you should go read warnings: some gaslighting, dry humping, fingering, heavy petting, making out, intoxication

the birth of a child is a joyus occasion for any ordinary family, for the royal house targaryen ... not always.

it was a sunny summer day when the queen alicent went into labour, the sun shined its golden rays upon the keep making its redstone material even more beautifull. while the festivities of the tourney in the babes honor roared outside, the noise and cheers and laughter penetrated the keeps walls, filling the rooms with the joy of the celebration. all rooms but one.

alicent screamed and whrithed with the unimaginable pain of labour. viserys walked up the stairs with a newfound excitement, yet, as he reached the door of his wifes rooms he stopped. the weight of his pursuit of an heir, the one than killed his first wife hit him like an angry wave. cold sweat ran across his forhead. no, his beloved aemmas life was not in vain, rhaenyra would sit the throne, he rationalized. straightening his posture, he oppened the door.

every minute felt like eons for viserys. by the grace of the gods the babe arrived quickly. "a son, your grace" said the maester. music to viserys ears. a midwife handed him the swaddled babe. "welcome to the family aegon"said the king. enamoured by his son, it took a second before he heard his wife groaning again. "another babe !" exclaimed the maester. "another blessing" chimed in the midwife. and thus, a girl was born.

that was how the princess came into the world. a little surprise for her family. a little unwanted surprise.

as the princess grew up that was the word that defined her existance, unwanted. not abused,no, but she was not the first boy, not the heir, not even the spare. just another girl.

she came to understand her position very well, quiet and demure, refusing to cause any fuss around her existance for no one else did.

especially not her older sister rhaenyra. despite the little girls admiration for her, rhaenyra never spared her a second glance.she did not mistreat her younger sister by any means, just too busy being heir and having children of her own. she had no time for a child that was unwanted in the first place.

Her father on the other hand, downright ignored her. the excitement of having a son consumed him in those first years after their birth. there was no love left for her. soon, even that ran out and it was as if her and her brother never existed.

it did not matter though, she found solace in her other family. the queen alicent loved her daughter dearly, not absolved of ignoring her at times in favour of her brother, but it was ok, she did far more than any other. attached by the hip to aegon,they did everyting together, it was only natural, the realm viewed her as nothing but an extension of him anyway.

by the time her twelfth nameday came to be, it was widely accepted she would be married to her twin. though young she understood the implications of such a proposal. aegon, her fathers long awaited male heir, would be king and she his queen. the idea rooted in her mind. queen of the realm. the most influential woman of the seven kingdoms. it rooted and festered untill her rambition consumed her everymost descision. to her, it was only fair. all the attention she was denyed in her childhood would be atoned for. she would finaly get what she deserved.

the gods had other plans though. more like, otto hightower had other plans. rhaenyra proposed a betrothal between helaena, alicents secondborn and jacaerys her firstborn. to alicent it was an insult, one that had to be prevented by any means.

it was not difficult for otto to get the king to agree to marry helaena and aegon instead. to the king it made no difference, the affairs of his daughters whose name were not rhaenyra did not matter.

:readmore:

the news reached the princess on her way to driftmark for her aunt laenas funeral. ser otto hightower, upon the queens incistance, was tasked with breaking the news.

"that is not fair!" she shouted toward her grandsire, franticaly moving around, her erratic movements exaderated by those of the ship. "oh hush child, you know better than anyone nothing is promised in this life" he responded, calm, collected, slightly irritated.

"but i heard it, mother and lord larys, saying the marrige would sway the kind toward changing the succesion". Suddently otto rose from his seat. the princess was throwing a tantrum, a dangerous one. if word were to reach the king about their scheming to strip rhaenyra of her heritage, it could cost both his and his daughters heads. "now how did you hear such a thing?". the air had shifted, the calmnes in his voice replaced by more irritation and something new. fear, perhaps ?

"it... it matters not how i came upon the information it matters that i now know. so please explain to me why i ought to be cast aside in this way. i am a princess !"

"so is your sister. you love your sister, do you not?" "i do... but i was promided something and i plan to see it realised" diplomatic words for a child, otto thought.

"it does not matter though does it ? you understand rhaenyra is heir, yes ?" she nodded. "and your goal, as i understand, is to be queen, yes ?" he had now moved from where he was standing and was sitting next to her on the sette. she nodded again.

"you know of the favouritism your father shows rhaenyra, as he sees it she is his only child, therefore his only heir"

"but-but father wanted a son, he should be the heir" startled by ottos movements, her initial anger turned to silent disapointment, her little face pouting. "do not go around running your mouth saying such things" he responded hurriedly "you may be a princess but your neck is in as much danger as anyones" he turned to look into her eyes

"we understand the way things are, your father however is blinded by his grief. aegon is not heir, his wife will not be queen. you would not acquire the power you seek either way."

"i understand...".

Satisfied with himself for having stiffled his granddaughters tantrum, he turned away once again. "now you are free to take a husband of your choise, to seek love, is that not what all young maidens dream of ?" her pouting face remained. "love is nothing in the absence of power" otto chuckled, if only his daughter had shared that same mindset. the dragon was more hightower than he thought. "in what book did you read that now".

Before she could answer a knock sounded at the door. the queen entered, sir criston in toe. "we are to dock soon, return to your siblings at once little one" said alicent, somewhat taken aback by the sight of her dughter and father side by side. "yes your grace" said the little girl before quickly exiting.

alicent turned to her father. "i trust you were not corrupting her with any of your sheming" she stated, matter-of-factly. "trust me daughter, i did not need to... be more careful when speaking with the small council from now on, the walls have eyes in the red keep"

after docking the little princess was going through the motions of royal protocol as if possesed, certainly lacking the sort of queenly air shed carried herself with up untill that point. it no longer mattered. her dreams were shattered, all she ever wanted, all she ever hoped for, gone, in a single boat trip.

vaemond spoke yet none of his words reached her. she looked to her sister rhaenyra from across the procession. the vision of a queen, long silver hair braided in the fashions of the queen rhaenys. hugging her children close to her arms, arms meant to hold her.

no matter how much she attempted to push these feelings down, to pretend, her sisters indifference hurt, now more than ever. the longer she studied rhaenyra and the longer rhaenyra refused to spare her a single glance, she got more and more depressed. so much so she did not notice a pair of big brown eyes next to rhaenyra staring right at her.

after the procession was completed the guests started mingling, lords discussing deals, families exchanging condolances and such. as a princess of the realm she was excpected to offer her condolances to the family of the deceased, she walked forth to greet her cousins, baela and rhaena, the dragon twins. normally it would be a chance to excersise her queenly grace, now it was but another motion. "im sorry for your mother, my condolances." she spat out. "thank you, cousin" replied baela. rhaena was solemn, only looking at her shoes. her nephews standing next to her, she could not care less.

having fulfilled her duty she left without a word. no one would pay attention to the thorn of house targaryen anyway. and none did. except for those same brown eyes from earlier.

as she walked further and further away from the crowd she was greeted by the salty driftmark air. the rough cliffs and architecture were opposite of the red keeps. but it was a welcome change, the red keep was a place of lies and dissapointment.

eventually she reached a small nook amongs the salty castle walls. finally some respite. she sat on the ground and took a deep breath.silence. yet peace did not last long. soon footsteps sounded, coming toward her, untill they stopped.

she looked up. a young boy of dark eyes and darker hair. jacerys velaryon. the firstborn of her firstborn sister. his features struck her even more from up close. she knew the rumors. alicent spoke of them constantly when she thought she was not listening. she may have perpatuated some of them herself, on those bad days her sisters rejection particularly stung. she never thought of jacerys, never spoke to him, as far as she was concerned he was only an extension of her sister.

"what do you want ?" she spat courtly. "i dunno"replied jacaerys.

"its your aunts funeral you should be with your mother and siblings" "dont want to."

cautiously, he sat next to her. they stayed there a while, siletly staring at the wild waves ahead. it was...strangely comfortable. jacerys was born a few years after her and despite their both growing up in the red keep togerher, they rarely spoke. he knew nothing of his familys distaste for her, a stranger to the sins surrounding her name, ther girl doubted his mother spoke of her. to him she was practicaly a stranger.

after a while sitting in this comfortable silence, he dared speak up. "should we head back ?". "you should, i doubt anyone noted my absence"

"why ?" his voice rung with something unfamiliar to her, something akin to...concern. "you cannot note the absence of something you took no notice of in the first place" replied she solemnly. the emotion in her voice surprised even herself, something about this boy moved her. the princess did not like it. "i took notice, i mean, i followed you here" she felt his eyes on the side of her face yet did not dare return his gaze. "...thank you jacerys. why did you follow me ?"

"i thought you looked lonely" if shed turned her head sideways the princess would note him blushing. the comfortable silence returned.

prince jacerys knew not of this feeling bubbling in his chest. he had noticed his aunt during the funeral. he always took notice of her. walking around the keep, catching glimpses of her in the library after finishing her studies. his favourite part of training was gazing upon her form, framed by helaenas window, the yard had a perfect view. he always noticed her, always saw her, even when she looked elswere. his mother never bothered formally introducing them, rarely ever spoke of her. neither did his grandsire. he never went out of his way to greet her either, out of fear or nerves he did not know.

today was his window of opportunity. rhaenyra had sent him to comfort his cousins yet he could not take his mind off of his aunt. when she came and greeted baela, walking away right after, it was perfect. quickly, he dismissed himself and slipped away from everyone. the vision of her walking the tumoltous balconies of driftmark, silver hair blowing in the wind, she looked like a vision, calling him to her side. and now here he was.

neither of them knew how long they sat like that. they only knew of the feelings flowing between them. a strange sense of comfort. eventually though they had to return. she stood up first. "come on, we must head back, your mother is worried about you"

heading back they were greeted by no rhaenyra and no daemon. before jacerys could speak a word to the princess she vanished. he joined his cousins once again, they spoke to him yet he heard none of it, silently staring at the direction she dissapeared.

the princess awoke the next morning, having slept soundly that night, a certain strong face haunting her dreams. she arose from her bed and went to call for her handmaidens, yet stepping outside the room, no guard was present, confused and still foggy from sleep she put on a robe and began walking toward her good-sister helaenas room, not far from her own. stepping inside she found her sister blankly staring out of the window, not unusual for helaena. what was unusual was her complete unacnoledgment of her. cautiously she approached the window. "helaena, sister, what has happened ?" "he closed an eye.." her sister was always a bit odd, most brushed her strange words off, but the princess understood the importance of her strange visions

"helaena, please speak it to me plainly, who closed an eye ?" helaena tore her gaze from the scenery outside, vast uneasy brown eyes staring into her sisters

"aemond claimed vhagar late last night, lucerys took his eye in return"

years passed since that fateful night in driftmark. the night the house of the dragon official split in two. the two factions came to be known as the greens and the blacks.

she had grown, childhood long gone -if it ever existed-, now matured into a young woman. what never left was her feelings of betrayal. aegon and helaenas wedding took place not long after driftmark, and though she loved her sister deeply, jealousy ran deep. helaena was a fool who was handed an opportunity she could not comprehend. it took her some time to get over that day but she did, she had to.

despite ottos words on the boat, she knew better. after driftmark the greens scheming became more obvious. though she wasnt privy to all information, she knew their plans. stupid stupid otto hightower. he told her it did not matter, he told her all the things she wanted to hear, needed to hear. she hated herself for falling for his honeyed words. she was only a girl of two and ten but still. she ought to have known better. maybe, if she had put more pressure onto alicent she would have won. her resentment grew into a monster, wild and untameable, feeding on her want for the throne.

there was one other consequence of that day, she never got to see jacerys again. she never thought it would bother her before, but it did. that day, the words he spoke to her, his tone, the genuine concern laced in every sentance haunted her dreams. she dared not think about him while awake, fearful of what conclusions she may reach.

fate is funny in its ways. the uncertain parentage of rhaenyras children officialy came into question.

her sisters reckless behaviour came to bite her in the rear, the spoiled firstborn finally was to get a taste of consequences. not only that, the petitions for driftmark would require the entire family be present,including jacerys. not that she cared, no.

the view of dragons and ships approaching kings landing was perfect from the princesses window. syrax and caraxes landed near the dock, soon the family ship followed. the rest of the way they made by carrige. the lack of reception for the heir and her husband was the princesses own idea. a small revenge.

she dared not venture to the courtyard for she knew her nephews would be there. waiting instead to face them officially in the throne room.

not many are privy to the red keeps secret passageways, she was one of the lucky few. in order to avoid the courtyard she followed one such secret hall to cut through the godswood and immedietly into the throne room.

fate, as stated before, is very humorous.walking through the godswood she was greeted by her most favourite guest, rhaenyra. as her sister stood in the courtyard, for the first time in her life the princess saw her for what she was, a scared mother, a woman who knew she had a mess of her own making to clean up. there was no need for approval from such a pathetic creature.

"sister" greeted the young princess. rhaenyra turned to face her. "ah, dear sister, how are you fairing ?" dear, wow the gaul

"i am...well, it is nice of you to ask, even if for the first time." the sarcasm did not go unnoticed by rhaenyra. "times change sweet sister, attitudes are as moveable as the tides, especially within family" the tone those words were spoken in dripped with false sweetness, if it were another day she would have lapped it up, not today. today, she understood they came not from a genuine place but from a need of support.

"when family comes into question, the tides of opportunity roar, i see" surprised by her sisters words, rhaenyra stepped closer.

"i fear the circumstances of our reunion, of my arrival, are unfortunate, that does not mean we need be hostile to eachother" the younger scoffed

"the only times we reunite are under unfortunate circumatsnces. last we spoke i cannot remember, i actually cannot recall a time you struck up a conversation with me. only now, concerned with your sons succesion, when you require my help, we speak"

rhaenyra was surprised, more surprised than shed been in her life. she thought her relationship with her sister was what it had to be, what was required, the rift between their family was much vaster than shed realised.

"i am sorry for any pain i have caused you, please, let us discuss this in a manner befiting of family, i promise i am not what these people have told you" she reached for her sisters hand, immedietly the younger pulled away.

"these people are my family, more my family than you have ever been. do not worry sister i would not concern you with anything beneath what befits you. we need only talk if it concerns the crown.please, do not pretend to care for me as family again, ypur idifference hurts but false concern is a pain i cannot manage" rhaenyra opened her mouth to speak but could not find the words.

"goodbye, dear sister. i look forward to hearing your petition." and with those words she left, fighting the urge to turn back and look at the face of the one who hurt her the most every step of the way.

jacaerys stepped off the carrige and into the ground of the red keep with a goal, to see his aunt again. he had grown into a capable and gracious young man in their time apart. she haunted his thoughts and steps toward adulthood in a way he could not describe. it was not love, he atleast did not think so, more like a strange hunger to see her again.

it scared him to think about. why was this longing so deeply rooted in his chest ?

with lucerys by his side they stepped forward into the familiar courtyard. immediently he gazed upon that same window he knew he may catch a glipse of her in. yet no one was there. it was silly to think someone would. why was his mind like this ?

lucerys must have noticed his wandering glances, nudging his side. "what ?" replied jacaerys. "are you ill brother ?". he had never spoken a word to anyone, not about that day in driftmark, the events of that night far too heavy to bring up,certainly not of his confusing feelings for the princess.

"im fine lucerys, are you feeling well ? it is a difficult day we have ahead of us, for you most of all" "im fine."

he was not fine, but it was best not to press on. lucerys had to deal with his emotions on his own,as did he.

the throne room had not changed since last he visited. he and his family stood on one side while the other slowly filled with hightowers and green supporters.

suddently, there she was.

the princess targaryen. her blueish green gown only exagerated her beautyful fratures, long silver hair shining, adorned by intricate braids and golden jewlery. she looked like she hung the sun in the sky. his eyes were trained on her form, not moving an inch, commiting every detail to memory, afraid shed disapear again and take the light with her. and then, against all odds, she returned his gaze.

it was like seeing the deep blue waves of the ocean again after years in the desert. jacerys vlaryon, in all his glory. looking back at her. she dared not tear her eyes away from his familiar brown ones. they stood there, surrounded by people yet alone locked in time.

eventually, otto hightower announced the start of the pettitions, and jacerys had to tear his gaze away. it was not a bad thing though, it allowed the princess to study his features more closely. despite his dark brown locks and eyes there was something uniquely targaryen about the boy, fair skin and aqualine valyrian nose betraying his heritage. he looked like the carbon of his mother. it scared her, it scared her because his resemblance did not deter her emotions at all, if anything it made her heart soften toward her sister. no man should hold such power over her.

the petitions went on and on but she heard few words far and in between,eyes focused on her nephew. periodicaly he returned her gaze studying her with equal intensity, alternating between commiting her to memory and comforting his brother.

for the fist time in her life she allowed herself to think of him in detail. she imagined how he would look speaking to her, hearing his voice, changed by the years, matured, deep, rich, manly. she though of his and when she tired she thought of them together. strolling through the gardens, flying on their dragons, sitting together... waking up next to him, walking the altar toward him.

and for the fist time it hit her.

all these years and yet her father had not changed his mind about the succesion once. not once did his resolve to put rhaenyra on the throne falter. aegon would never be king, helaena never queen, so long as the current kings will persevered. but it did not have to signal the end of her queenly ambition. jacaerys was rhaenyras firstborn, her first son and therefore heir. as far as the princess knew, he was unmarried and yet to be betrothed to anyone.

the window of opportunity so violently closed by otto on their was to driftmark suddently was wide open again. she could marry jacaerys and finally be queen, finally get what she wanted. ofcourse it would mean she would have to support her sister. every end had its means. so be it.

making up with her sister would be difficult, yet something about their conversation earlier told her it might not be impossible. the answer to her ambitions was infront of her all these years, jacaerys was the key.

euphoria filled her limbs making her mind hazy. floating on a bed of feathers, gears already turning in her mind paving the path that would lead her to jacarys. but good things never last.

princess rhaenys was speaking her peace when suddently

"the princess rhaenyra has informed me of her intentions to wed her son jacaerys and lucerys, to my granddaughters baela and rhaena, a proposad to which i wholeheartedly agree."

what. what. jacaerys and ... baela. she looked upon the ceiling of the throne room as if seeking the heavens, vying for the attention of the seven, whty did fate punish her so ?. ofcourse, why would she get what she wanted ?

she looked toward baela, a look of confidence and satisfaction gracing her features, eyes trained on jacaerys. she dared not look at him, she wanted not to know how he felt of this arrangement.

did he know ? had he agreed to it beforehand ? she could have sworn those looks he gave her earlier meant something. but this was now more than just her feeling toward him. this was about her gtting what she wanted, getting her throne.

jacaerys and baela ? no, that would not do. she was no longer that wide eyed girl, easily dettered by words of her elders, easily manipulated into complying with others wishes. one betrothal was torn away from her, not again. she would wed jacaerys she decited then and there, using any means necessary.

jacaerys heard his grandmothers words the same as his aunt. he was somewhat aware of their plans to betroth him to baela, but hearing them, actually hearing them, spoken in the presance of the king, it was another thing entirely.

he briefly looked to baela. she seemed very content with the arrangemend. the same could not be said about him. his aunt had been the sole person to hold his affections thus far. as much affection as a stranger across the bay could, atleast.

why was he so dissapointed ? was he even dissapointed ? did he really think there was any merrit to his feelings for the princess ? they shared one conversation all those years ago. whereas he and baela had a solid relatioship, a friendship, one that could be built upon. hed thought about the betrothal in the past, he could find some semblances of feeling in his heart for his cousin.

yet everytime hed thought of baela, another crossed his mind.

no, that would not do. his aunt was beautifull, yes, maybe it was just that, her beauty that bewitched him, the air of mystery around her. it was pointless to assign any meaning to it, he descited. he was a prince of the realm. he would preform his duty to baela and to his mother as best he could. childish fancy would have to be put to sleep.

a targaryen event without atleast one murder is considered a dull afair. thankfully they had daemon to provide entertainment.

the king had once again shamelessly supported his firstborn. for a rotting corpse, he sure was determined. the death of vaemond velarion signaled the end of the pettitions. lucerys would inherit driftmark along with his cousin rhaena.

rhaenyra would inherit the throne and in turn jacarys along with baela. not if she had a say.

with the first lord to step foot outside of the throne room her plan was set into motion. the alegiance between the blacks and the velaryons was strong, but not unbreakable. her sister was an honorable woman, a good mother, but a less than conscious politician. logic and aliances would not sway her, love however would.

the princess knew rhaenyra would reside in her chambers untill the family dinner planned for that night. a little snooping, more like a little talk with her ladies maid, told her daemon would join his old friends in the gold cloaks for the afternoon. after their talk, the princess and her handmaiden were to each take their leave. "oh, alia, i requre your help with one more thing" the maid turned "anything for you m'lady"

"i need you to place a rumor.."

with no warning, no knock, the young princess stepped into her sisters chambers. to say rhaenyra was surprised was an understatement.

"sister, what- what brings you here ?" the younger stepped further into the room. "i understand our talk earlier was not to your liking" she began, looking to her sisters eyes graced by an unreadable excpression.

"well, you made your wishes clear, i thought you would not wish to see me unless it was necessary. it gladens me you here though, please, take a seat" ever so polite. the sisters sat across from eachother on the chambers table, for the first time together of their own volition.

"do not misunderstand me, i would not have come here unless it was of the utmost urgency. as it stands matters of the crown plague me" rhaenyra looked concerned, what matters could the crown possibly have than were not directly concerning her ?

rhaenyra remained quiet, waiting to for the younger to show her hand before she revealed hers. "i heard today the proposal you offered princess rhaenys, to be frank, it is foolish." rhaenyra was yet to understand the road her sister was going down on, she remained quiet.

"keeping aliances strong is of upmost importance if you wish to secure your claim, however quality cannot completely trump quantity..."

"what are you saying, sister ?" sister finally,without the dear, bold. yet the younger remained quiet, pouring herself a cup of the wine placed upon the table. she was bold but her plan bolder, it required taming of the nerves. the longer the silence stretched on the uneasier the elder became.

"what do you want ?' asked rhaenyra finally.

"i want what you want, what we all want" rhaenyra understood finally.

"you wish to sit the iron throne then ? is it the reason behind your questioning my alliances ?" she grew irritated of the youngers antics, tired of the years being used soely for her birthright, her confusion twisting now into anger.

"you would think so, but no" she took a big swig of her wine "i want a family, my family, united. you saw the lords today, you saw my grandsire. you may think fathers support is sufficient, but he will to be around for long. there will come a time, sooner than latter, when you will be without your biggest ally, and the house of the dragon will be torn apart once and for all"

rhaenyra shook her head "i am the rightfull heir, the lords of the realm know who they swore an oath to. i have no need of you false concern."

"attitides are as moveable as the tides, the lords will rally behind whomever they believe benefits them most, oaths be damned. our family will be in shambles, you must prevent that, we must prevent that" she moved now, a mix of wine and sudden confidence moving her legs from her initial seat to the one next to her sister.

"wed me to jacaerys" rhaenyras confusion returned. she poured herself a cup and downed it in one go. "and why would i do that ? your void threats ?" "i can support you and your efforts best. rhaenyra looked toward the fireplace, turning her body opposite of her sisters. "moonfyre is a formidable dragon, and my mother may yet be swayed if we work together"

"i tried once, to ally myself with the green counsil, they refused. besides , it will be an insult to the house velaryon, an insult to my daughter."

"i am not the green counsil, i am your sister." mirroring rhaenyras earlier movements in the godswood, she took her sisters hands into hers. only unlike earlier, her sister did not move. "i know you have cast me aside, since i first came into the world. yet as a girl i wished every night with every prayer for you to see me, finally see me." rhaenyras eyes as if possesed found her own. an understanding started to bloom.

"i have longed to be by both you and jacaerys from afar all these years, let us not be enemies, do justice by our targaryen name. if not for an aliance for all you feel toward me as you sister. i have thought of everything, you need only say yes."

rhanyra ture her gaze and hands away once again, pouring them both another cup of wine, hoping her eyes would not betray her inner conflict. the sisters took their respective cups, drinking in silence.

"i knew not of these.. feelings you describe and for that im sorry." rhaenyra dared speak up. "i cannot give you the yes you seek but if truly your plans are as solid as you describe them, i have no way of stopping you" not a victory but not a defeat. "thank you, dear sister"

rumors have a way of spreading in the red keep. a phenomenon unlike any other. you could take your carridge for a visit to the great sept a maiden and return a whore. what a sinnfull and dishonorable thing. but what a usefull one to those who know to utilise it.

the queen alicent was enjoying a quiet evening after the very eventfull petitions. helaena on her left, embroidering a spider on one of the childrens tunics, said children on the floor playing with their toys, and her, reading "seven histories of seven prayers" all was at peace.

alicent finished her book and made a moved to acqure another, the library was near, she could go and be back in less than a feather sweep. excusing herself from the company of her family, she moved to do just that. the halls of the keep were never to the queens liking, much prefering those of her home, alas she navigated them, low sound of chatter radiating off of each room. gossiping was a sin, one the queen refused to indulge in but the day had other plans.

passing through her eldest daughters chambers she caught wind of words that shocked her. cautiously she moved closer to the door, hoping her ears were playing tricks.

"i mean can you believe it ? what a sandal, our princess and rhaenyras son ? oh the insult" said one of her daughters ladysmaids "alia, i am yet to understand, how could our lady fraternise with that family, they have not seen them in years" replied another "im not saying now, maya, back then, at driftmark"

"i heard it was the reason for the princes fight, prince aemond attacked jacarys for dishonoring his sister, thats how he lost his eye" replied another.

"and what of todays betrothal ? the queen would never allow such dishonor befall her daughter" "thats the fun part maya, the queen knows none of it, as for the princess baela, she has recently received proposals from the north, house tully and house stark, however, princess rhaenyra forced her hand to prevent herself allying with the greens" replied the voice of alia.

"i believe none of it, how could you come upon such information ?"replied the unnamed voice again "the cook, told me he overheard an exchange between the young prince and his betrothed.."

the queen stepped back, her breathing laboured. they were way off mark for driftmark, that was certain. but what if there was truth behind their words ? it would not be unheard of. most rumors around the keep stemmed from some truth

still, the queen had faith in her daughter. aegon was a rake, sure, but he inherited all of the rebelion in the woumb, her daughter was as pure as freshly fallen snow. seeking lord larys council would be an option but the queen feared what he would ask for in return. no. she was no fool, she would seek for herself the truth.

the dinner was an idiotic idea. alas, the head that defies the king does not stay attatched to its body for long. the young princess sat at the head of the table along with aemond, already nursing her third cup of wine. it burned going down but not more than her mothers gaze did. she knew.

her mothers gaze threatened to melt her face off but it was not what hurt most. jacaerys and baela sat next to eachother, exchanging laughs and pleasantries. if the wine did not cause her to vomit, they would. just a little bit longer, a little more patience, she would get jacaerys and the throne and baela the door.

the night went on oddly calmly. until the speeches began.

king viserrys took the lead. "we have a cause of celebration it seems. jace and luke will be married to their cousins,baela and rhaena, further strengthening the bond between our houses"

if the princesses eyes rolled any further back into her head she would see her brain. she looked to jacaerys, his eyes on her, only to immedietly be torn away once she looked back.

the king continued with his heartfelt speech, somewhere among the words of uniting the house of the dragon, rhaenyra and her sister locked eyes, the understanding between them having bloomed into a garden. her fathers worlds were certainly the missing piece to convincing rhaenyra of the betrothal.

rhaenyra took her turn followed by alicent, heartfelt words betraying the affections the two still shared. jacaerys was next. despite him talking about aegon and aemond his eyes fell on her periodically, never too long though. as if looking at her too long would turn him to stone. his fear was evident, but was it brought about by alicents menacing stare, or .... his own emotions ?

it was better not to mangle matters of the heart with those of the crown, she had to remind herself, despite her chest thumping with every glance. helaena gave her speech, toasting the happy couple yet again. her words on marrige brought about a sense of uneasines to everyone. rhaena, bless her heart, made an attempt to mend the situation "it leaves you, cousin. have you any suitors ?".

rhaenyra tensed, alicent even more so but most of all jacaerys. his stiffness caused baelas concern, who nudged him lightly. her movement laboured no reaction from the prince, she turned instead to find the object of his gaze, none other than his aunt.

"n-no, not of yet im afraid..." she gave her best semblance of a calm reply. rhaenyra, feeling bad and still mindfull of their earlier conversations, took the liberty of replying "it is best not to worry about these things, you may yet find your affection in unlikely places"

alicent gave a blank stare, she moved her mouth to speak but was interrupted, by none other than daemon. "best not to wait though, my dear, a young lady may fall to her charms only for so long..." his words earned him hateful looks and one of firm diaproval from his wife. his eyes however, gleamed playfully, ever the provocatour. daemon knew.

she could not hold back her emotions if she wanted. opting to give a small, sad smile, for an answer would surely betray her tears. she looked to jacaerys. this time his eyes unapologeticaly on her, looking to her form with raw pitty. helaena took her hand and aemond gave her a small pat on the arm. alicents anger was on the brink of overflowing.

before the queens wrath could be unleashed upon demon, the king groaned in pain, immedietly he was escorted away by the guards. the family was left in shambles, once again. yet the evening was far from over. rhaenyra ordered for music to be played, more courses arriving at the table. the princess cared for none of it, the plan was working, yet daemons words stung all the same.

a hand appeared next to her, asking to dance. looking up to find the owner, she found none other than jacaerys velaryon. she stood up quickly, ignoring her mothers gaze, taking it into hers.

the unwanted child of house targaryen, she was unused to being shown attention, most of all the sole attention of her beloved. a familiar melody sounded in the backround, years of observing others on the dancefloor yet never joining left her entirely unprepared for the dance that was to come. jacaerys noticed her nerves.

"do you know the stepps ?" she shook her head no. the reaction brought a smile to his face, genuine and warm. "not to worry, it is not a difficult one, you only need a capable lead"

arriving finally to the dancefloor, the music picked up. jacaerys hands led her to stand infront of him. since he noticed her uneasined, his eyes had not left hers once.

he began the dance, jumping left and right, she soon joined his pace. it felt like ascending the skies on her dragon for the first time, each little jump leading her further and furhter away from the ground, away from the drama of her house and into the heavens.

his pace changed, stepping forth to take her hand into his. the toutch was electrifying, gentle yet firm, he brought their joined hands to eye level, gaze forever steady on her form, like the eternal rocks beneath the tumoltous sea, somewhat grounding her. they began to turn around eachother. slowly at first, he began to hasten his turns, having now to hold on tighter, keeping eachother in orbit.

jace took a step back moving their joint limbs above her head, intending to spin her around herself, his other hand gently on her waist, as to keep her steady. the wine was taking effect for before she could turn to face him again she stumbled, slightly falling forward, straight into his arms.

he did not let her fall however, the hand on her waist immedietly snaking around her fully, the one above her head going to hold the side of her face, preventing it from coliding with his. by the time she gained her balance, the position between them was highly innapropriate. the warmth of his hand on her cheeck made all skin receptors go haywire. his lips had slightly parted and she could feel his breath on her own, if she leaned a little forward she could even....

"THAT IS ENOUGH !" queen alicents booming voice sounded. their moment of tenderness so rudely interrupted, the princess pulled away from her nephew, he complied, taking a half-step back, his hand previously on her waist however moved to hold hers once again.

" do you take me for a fool ? sharing words of support and love to my family, while your son has corrupted my sweet daughter, laughing now in our faces, i will have it no longer !"

everyone was shocked, rhaenyra held onto her husband, who moved to stand up, aegon and aemond shared a look equal parts amusement and comradery, while rhaena and lucerys held hands. the only one to keep his composure was the queens father. ooto knew. baelas legs were bouncing up and down furiously. everyone was in dissaray.

"what are you implying your grace ?"sounded daemon full of rage and malice. "i am implying nothing i am up and stating it since your family is playing the fool. your son has corrupted my daughter tainted her virtue and has now come to flaunt his debauchery infront of everyone! " jacaerys remained quiet, his hand unmoving.

like fish to bait, the princess thought. she anticipated the queens reaction, what surprised her was how public it was. a new variable. no matter, she had come this far, no way in the seven hells would she quit now. her eyes searched for and found rhaenyras, her beautifull face painted one sentance, i hope you know what youre doing.

"daughter, please regain your composure." otto attempted to calm his queens nerves. one public outburst escaping the family was bad, two would be ruinous. rhaenyras eyes remained locked with her sisters, the two communicating simply from eye contact. the younger sent a pleading look. not wishing to anihilate the little pieces of reconciliation the dinner had acheived, the heir sprung into action.

"please, your grace, it has been an eventfull evening, let us not end the night in animosity. the hour is late, we ought to all retire and discuss this with the light of the new day." daemon went to express his rage his atempted outburst swiftly sqashed by rhaenyra holding his arm. lucerys and rhaena immedietly stood up, followed by helaena, exiting at once, not wishing to partake in the conflict.

alicent attempted to voice her dissagreement, rage and adrenaline pulsing in her veins, but could not, the hand of her sworn shield along with her fathers stern gaze bringing her to reality.

aemond stood, approaching the still-frozen couple. his imposing frame cornered that of jacaerys "carefull nephew, should i find any truth to these accusations, i will ensure you pay the price this time" and with that, he pulled his sister away. she turned to look to her beloved, for the final time time of the evening, their eyes locked, a silent promise to speak again.

the events of the night were all blurry in the young princes head. whithin less than a day he reunited with his aunt, was btrothed to baela, descited to put aside his feelings for his aunt, witnessed a beheading, had his feelings for his aunt reignited and was now accused of deflowering her.

after she was so rudely torn away from him, the prince was faced with the fury of his betrothed. baelas face twisted in a way he had only previously seen on daemon, it petrified him. "is it true ?" asked the girl. "what ? i dont-"

"it is a simple question jacaerys, are alicents words true ?" "ofcourse not ! i would never do such a thing" tension was rising with each exchange of words "what was this buisness today then ?" "the princess fell, what was i to do ? allow her to fall ?"

"she is the enemy jace, you cannot trust these people" the words coming out of baelas mouth filled him with rage never before experienced "the enemy ? are you being serious ? you know nothing about the princess-" "neither do you."

they were almost yelling, daemon started to advance toward them. afraid of his stepfather he attempted to deescelate the situation."i do apologise for any discomfort i have caused you, baela, but i will not stand to hear such nonsense."

baela scoffed "if you are unable to see past the intentions of those who only mean to use you, i hold in my heart not discomfort but pity for you, my prince. goodnight. " and with that, she exited. by this time deamon hat taken the place of his daughter "come, we have much to discuss" looking behind him one final time to see his mother and queen alicent speaking quietly, he followed his stepfather.

they walked the halls of the keep solemnly, daemons calm demeanor betrayed none of his emotions, it only irritated jacaerys more and more as time went on. each torturous step made his mind race, from the dance to the fight to the princess to her hands to his betrothed to daemon to his aunt again, her lips, her smile, her body against his... it all was far too overwhelming.

the salvation from his torture came with their arival at his chambers. "come" daemon instructed, oppening the door, he could only follow instructions with the reverance of a septon executing the gods will, afraid of arousing his uncles rage. "sit" he sat, his uncle soon occupying the chair next to him.

"so, did you do it ?"

if one more person asked him that question jace swore he would throw himself from the tallest window of the keep. "no, i would never" daemon chuckled. "tis alright boy, the flame of youth roars with unparalleled passion, in this family especially, i would not have blamed you if you had." jace swallowed, a weight lifted from his chest.

"alas what i believe matters not, only what the queen does and as it stands, she thinks you deflowered her most favourite daughter. how do you plan to answer these accusations ?"

"i.....i do not know. i would not go back on my promise to baela sir. i swear it" daemons hand reached his sons shoulder. "i know. worry not about baela. we must understand what possesed the greens to spread such a rumor, they are coming for your inheritance boy, the same as your mothers."

heavens give me strength, the young prince thought. "with all due respect, you know nothing of who spread such a rumor. the princess would never soil her reputation in such a way. "

"damn right she would not, the princess is far from cunning enough" jacaeys hands turned to fists "it is certainly the work of her grandsire" he had had enough. "you only see the events of today as an excuse to express your violence"

"such are the tactics of war. we can not be seen as weak at this time, jace. they mean to take yours and your mothers birthright, to start the war and tear our forces apart-"

"i see finally, you care not for me nor baela, only for supporting the efforts of a war yet to materialise, if it even is to materialise. you only seek glory for yourself- " "myself ?" daemon interrupted "all i do, i do in support of you and your mother"

"then allow us to counsil my mother before you jump straight to actions which might soil her name" daemon gave no answer. his wife was his weakness, jacaerys knew it very well. and though he was prone to brash violet actions, he did so in servitude of his family.

daemon stood up sudently, still not having said a word. the young prince knew he had not quelled his bloodlust but the seeds of doubt planted in his mind would keep him occupied long enough. and so daemon exited.

before jacaerys was allowed a moment of respite, not a few seconds after his fathers exit, the painting near his window opened from behind.

emerging from the shadows, none other than the princess. jacaerys was left speechless, the night kept becoming stranger and stranger. "what-the...what, h-how did you get here ?" he chocked out.

"i found a sort of map of the red keeps passageways when i was young. one of them leads from my chambers to these" replied the princess shyly. "have i disturbed you....i should leave, my apologies-"

"no !" exclaimed jacaerys. the day had taken a toll on him, daemon and baelas words giving him a lot to proces. one thing had not changed though, he still longed to see her.

turning around from her attempt to exit, the princesses face became illuminated by the candelight showcasing her hopefull expression. a beat of silence pased, neither one of them knowing how to approach the other. the princess stepped forward, fully entering the room.

he could now see her dress in detail, a pure white nightgown, flowing gently, encasing her form. she looked like an angel sent from the heavens.

"my mother is very protective of me, you must excuse her earlier actions, she only meant to do good. i-i came to apologise for what went down at dinner" by now she was standing but a step away from him. the prince remained frozen, afraid if he let his body move, he would no longer remain a gentleman.

his silence caused the princesses face to fall slightly a disapointed expression threatening to take over, the same one from earlier that night. he wished not to ever see her that way ever again "is that all you came here to do ?" he spoke up at last.

a small smile played at the side of her mouth "if i may excpress myself freely, my lord ?" the pang of excpectancy in his chest rattled his body "jace, and please do."

"jace" she began, the familiarity of the petname causing him to grow bolder. "i must say, though these rumours are heinous i- i was ashamed not of my soiled reputation, but for the fact they included you" the woman infront of him was a witch, jace descited, she was bewitching him with every word from her soft lips, and he was oh so willing to fall for her spell.

"truth be told i have not forgotten of the time we shared at driftmark, it may seem silly but since that day, i have longed to see you again."she continued "i know not of love ...or lust but these feelings lay in my chest for so long i fear they may drown me"

her eyes looked to his through her lashes, longing, excpecting. once again he was left without words. "jace ? you instructed me to speak freely, have i made you uncomfortable ?" her hand flew forward from her side, softly brushing his knuckles, sending chills to his body, threatening to take his hand into her own but hesitating.

"are, are you cross at me because of the rumors ?" the last bits of his composure were starting to crumble, egged on by both her words and feathelike toutches.

"i could never. i would never hold over you something you have no control over" he replied, unable to take her teasing toutches any longer, taking his hand away in favour of toutching her elbow bringing her closer, so much closer, her other hand flew to toutch his chest.

mirroring his actions at the diner, he placed his hand upon her cheek. "oh, im so glad" she said in a breathless whisper.

"you had no play in spreading the rumors, yes ?" her mouth oppened and closed, eyes and body growing uneasy "y-yes, how could i do something like that ? to you of all people" jace sucked in a hurried breath, cursing himself for almost ruining the moment.

he brought her closer, hand moving once again from elbow to back, possesive and supportive. his thumb began to caress her cheek, seeking retribution for his previous words. "ofcourse, ofcourse, you spilled your heart to me and i have gone and accused you."

"no, i understand." their faces were now only centimeters away, heavy breaths in tandem with eachother "there are many forces at play intending to keep us apart" jace continued. the words of daemon now but a whisper in his head, caution having flown from the window the moment she toutched him.

"do you give them any thought ?"

"i could not if i wanted to. you say you have longed for me since driftmark, my longing dates even further back. this force is pulling me toward you like the morning pulls the sun from its hiding and i fear if you were to be taken from me now, i would never see the light again"

and with that the water tipped over, his lips clashed against her. all the emotions pent up over the years releasing in a dance of mouths and tongue. her hands flew to his his hair, trying to express all of the things words could not.

slowly the princes pushed her leg between his, casuing him to step back, slowly tracing a path toward the bed. when he felt the foot of the bed on the back of his knees, he did not hesitate, hands snaking to her thigh, he lifted her slightly and fell back, ever so carefull to not hurt her or to break the kiss.

her nightgown did little to hide her form, now slowly falling off her shoulder, exposing her chest. his mouth left hers for the first time, only to trace a path down her neck. her hands pushing his face further into her, hungry for more.

his hands on her thighs moved further and further up, skirts riding up with them. her core now bare on his trousers, right where he needed her most, soft skin brushing up against hard fabric, sending pleasured pulses to both her bodies.

she started moving her hips shyly back and forth, head falling back, the mewls escaping her lips music to his ears. by now the arousal in his pants was evident, the friction from her movements doing little to aleviate his tension.

desperation was fogging his mind, movements going from passinate to hungry. sloppy open-mouthed kisses on her neck moving lower and lower, a silent prayer of devotion on her breast, all he could think hear and feel was her.

lost in eachother and the new sensations, they hearn naught og the comotion outside the rooms door.

without warning rhaenyra acompanied by the queen entered the room. the lovers were caught, once and for all, now bound together by duty. alicent began her scolding, rhaenyra agreeing with her and joining. jacaerys took no time in taking a protective stance, shielding the princesses face in his shoulder, raising her nightgown back on her shoulder, trying to maintain whatever semblance of was left to her name.

the princess awoke, in her own chambers sadly, the events of last night still ringing in her head. she could still feel the heat of jaces body on her face, waist and lower... she knew she ought to be ashamed, to order a carridge to the sept straight away and beg on her knees for forgiveness. yet she found no desire to do do.

satifaction filled her lungs with every breath. after alicent and rhaenyra had caught them, jace was dragged away by his mother, yet he accepted the consequences with a stiff lip and an air of pride. alicent still was clinging to her daughters innocence, refusing to accept the situation as anything but her poor daughter being manipulated.

when aemond heard of the news he attemptet to take some form of retribution, going as far as to propose a duel with jace in her honor. aegon had never looked so amused in his life, he only congradulated his twin saying "atleast you sampled the mount before you commited". her grandsire was, once again, the most composed figure of the evening, out of satisfaction of securing his blood on the throne, she thought. helaena had yet to learn of anything.

they had barely goten any sleep, counseling all night in search of an answer to the situation. only one was viable. after the green and black council debated, a clear course of action was set.

given the fact there was no chance of the princess being with child, they would release a statement announcing the betrothal of the crown prince jacaerys to the secondborn daughter of the king, reuniting the realm stated as the reason. the date of the wedding would be set in thee moons time, as not to arouse any suspicion. as for princess baela, negotiations for herbetrothal to lord cregan stark were already underway.

she walked to her vanity, lazily brushing her hair. the smile on the woman in the mirror looking back at her she had not seen in years. each movement of her wrist was excecuted with queenly grace. life had meaning once again.

she stayed there a while, pampering herself for she was a victor, when a certain tapestry on her wall came out of place.

in stepped none other than jacaerys velaryon. jace. her jace. her future husband.

"jace" she said, standing up. "you look... satisfied" began the prince, all shyness from the night before gone. "should i not be ?" teased she. jace remained silent, somewhat sullen, looking to her form, the morning light revealing to him just how transparent her nightgown was.

"i spoke with my mother last night, she revealed to me some new information" the princess tensed, afraid she was caught in her lies, afraid all of her effort was for naught. his composure as he advanced toward her did nothing to sooth her nerves. he began to circle her form, patiently awaiting an answer. "wh-what would that be, my prince ?"

he stopped behind her. was it the formality of the title that caused his pause ? or was it anger ? "she said, you wenr to her yesterday to plead your case for our betrothal. she said you almost begged, to be perscise"

he had not corrected her calling him her prince, leading her to the natural conclusion he was angry. "i-i apologise for not making you aware of such a fact last night. i hadnt the time to you see..." she craned her face back to look at him. begging with her eyes for some sort of reaction.

he looked down to her, something dark behind his brown eyes. "how do you explain such an action ?" he said, voice low and grainy.

there was little room of escape. she had to play her hand just right. "as i said, i hadnt the time to fully explain myself to you. it is true, i looked to rhaenyra to ask for your hand and.... the rumors were really not the reason but the excuse for my actions. i meant to... approach you, from before" he remained silent.

she made an attemt to turn around and face him, only to be prevented by his pressing himself to her back. "baela is of the oppinion wish to use me. both her and daemon said you mean to steal my mothers throne, to take from me what you want only to betray me. tell me it is not true." finally his true colors came to light. the darkness in his eyes was not born of malice but of desperation, of fear.

"please, you most not misunderstand my actions, i only meant to be with you, i have not lied, i woud never. my family knew nothing of it. i understand how this must come across but please, believe me, you must." her joice unashamedly betrayed her desperation to please him, he remained silent still only holding onto her tighter.

"what must i do to make you believe me ? i will beg on my knees if it please you just trust me..." his body relaxed just slightly, hands remaining on her stomach, clinging to her dress. he gave a long exhale.

"i believe you" it was her turn to sigh, runing her hands on his arms tracing lines over his toned forearms. "i believe, you are a cunning spider, who pounced on the opportunity to claim me for yourself." his hand ascended her stomach reaching the space just under her chest, playing with the ribbon tying adorning her gown. "i also believe your intelect to be so infatuating i cannot help but want you more..."

he pulled the end of the ribbon, her dres becoming looser. "tell the truth, did you stop to consider the possible consequences of your reckless actions once ?" his hand went higher, unbuttoning the top of her dress, torturously slow.

"i only thought of you, every step of the way." he continued his pursuit of unbuttoning her gown. "does this mean you accept my apology ?"

"yes my darling, you need beg no longer... besides, i would much prefer to see you on your knees for other purposes" with that, he spun her around, putting their lips together once again. only this time the kiss was less passionate and more possesive. they knew they were bound together forever.

her gown was barely hanging onto her body, jace shruged the sleeves off her shoulders, the gown pooling on her feet. he took a step back, breaking the kiss to look at her. look at her whole. he drank in the sight of her body like the sweetest of wines. "perfect" he muttered under his breath, but before the princess had a chance to reply, he took her into his arms, mouths clashing once again.

effortlessly he carried her to the bed, gently placing her head on the pillows, climbing on soon after. her hands reached to toutch his chest, tugging on his tunic, begging to have it removed. he complied, hastily unbuttoning it. the morning light illuminated his porcelain skin, showcasing his toned arms and chest.

his mouth descended upon her, continuing his previous actions. one leg on her side, the other nudged her legs apart, knee pressing onto her core. she moaned upon the contact earning a chuckle from jace. "you, are magnificent" he said innetween kisses. "my cunning girl"

the fabric on his knee got wetter by the second, dampness reaching the skin underneath. his hand traced a path from her side down to her navel, to her pelvis, finally to where she needed him most. he began his ministrations on her pearl, tracing slow circles, each one sending waves of ecstasy along her body, they reached her throat leading her to release a pleasured moan. "please keep quiet darling, i would hate to be interrupted yet again"

his fingers on her core went lower, seperating her slit, pressing onto her. "wh-what-" she whispered, trying desperately to hold back her moans "shhh, worry not my dear, i only mean to please"

"all i do, i do to please you, my love" with that his fingers penetrated her. sensing her incoming moan, jaces hand flew to her mouth, muffling her sounds, only for him to hear. his fingers began to move, setting a slow rythm, allowing her to get used to the foreign sensation.

it was as if he had studied her body for years, the reverance with which he treated her left a burning sensation in both her heart and core. he continued, slowly picking up his pace, settling into a new rythm, his thumb took to restarting the ministrations on her pearl. she felt a knot forming in her stomach, tesion on her chest becoming more and more and more...untill she felt she could go on no longer.

"j-jace..." she chocked out, "i know, i know darling..." he placed a tender kiss upon her forhead, "let go, its ok..." with that, the tension in her stomach exploded, pleasure enveloping her body, settling into her limbs. "thats my girl.."

how long she spent lost in the throws of ecstasy, she knew not, a fog of pleasure clouding her mind, leaving her to think only of jace. once she started to come out of it a bit, he slowly removed his fingers, earning him a whine at the loss of contact. he only chuckled.

she went to remove her lovers trousers but he prevented her movements, taking her hands and giving each of them a kiss instead.

"allow us to keep something to look forward to on the wedding night." he said, positioning himself next to her on the bed, placing her head to his chest, playing with her long silver hair. they stayed like that a while, simply enjoying the company of one another.

the princess spoke up, "what is on you your mind, my prince ?" he made an insulted face, placing a hand of his heart " do not call me that again, lest you want me to be cross with you." she chuckled, her happiness causing his heart to swell with pride, he was the reason behind her laugh "i am simply admiring my future wife"

she raised her torso to kiss him again, all soppy and sweet. "i do have one last question to ask." she fully raised her body, legs across his lap and head neeling on his shoulder. "please do, future husband"

"last i spoke with daemon, he was ready to go to war in the name of preventing our betrothal. yet this morning, he was all smiles and agreement, i know it was not the efforts of my mother alone. what did you do ?"

"i fear if i answer that, you may turn to cast me aside" she said, begining to leave little kisses and kitten licks onto his neck. he took her jaw into his hand, seperating it from his neck, moving her to look into his eyes "we are in this together now, fully, my love. i wish to know of my wifes nature for i know i will come to love it, i already have."

"well, if you insist... my ladys maid worked under the lord stark, her father is a steward, tasked with writting many of his lords official letters. she learned to writte in her fathers handwritting and well... a certain letter arrived, late last night, detailing the request of the lady baelas hand for his son cregan"

jacaerys gave a hearty laugh " and it really took affect ?"

"ofcourse it did. the lord of winterfell will not question the crowns words, they know better than to refuse an alliance with our house. by the time the source of the betrothal comes into question, we will be on our honeymoon and alia settled with her own lover in braavos"

she looked to his eyes attempting to find any disgust, anything that would show her she was unwanted by him aswell, yet jace only looked to her with love and admiration. "you truly are a marvel, my spider" he kissed her forhead one again, then her brow, her nose, finally her lips.

"i hate to be taken away from you, however...." he began, tearing his body from hers, seeking his discarded tunic. "we have a scheduled, promenade soon. your mother is taking all the steps necessary in making us look like a prim and proper couple" he began puting his tunic back on, the sight of his back muscles flexing giving the princess another rush of arousal.

she chuckled and changed her possition on the bed, stretching her body, intending to entice her lover back into joining her. he turned around to face her once last time, the heavenly sight of her bare body making him question just how important appearances actually were. "do not play games with me girl, i should hate to disapoint the queen again"

"i said nothing..."she teased. "you neednt say anything. one day you will be queen and you may torture our children in such a way, or any way you see fit" he added. she smiled so wide it illuminated every corner of the room. "whatever you say, my king" he looked back once again, on his attempt to exit.

"treasonous girl. goodbye, my queen"

[ladybyakuya]

| WHITE DRESS + JING YUAN.

+cw. — f!reader, established relationship, arrange marrige, fluff, pining, banter, teasing, suggestive content , mention of feixiao :D

+wc. — 1k

+syn.— a peek in general Jing Yuan's married life with you.

+notes. —can be read as stand-alone but if you wish to read the other parts can be found in my masterlists | redirect to blog navigation.

Jing Yuan had a very mundane morning routine before you walked into his life. That’s how he used to keep his sanity at bay. Being the General of Xianzhou Alliance's Cloud Knights for centuries, fighting and protecting his people he had rather grown comfortable in it. He is just too used to zone uproars and war turbulence but it has been peaceful for a while. He likes that. That’s why he is taking it easy. But when you came into his life he was on edge again. He has something to protect, something belonging only to him. It was like walking on a wire again. Surprisingly, you filled the boring gaps in his mundane morning routine.

Jing Yuan wakes up at seven o’clock in the morning, like he usually does but he is naked under sheets ever since he got you as a wife but that is not the case on all days. But often he wakes up to an empty bed running his hands on your side of the bed with a soft smile over his face that has a warmth of morning dews because he gets to spend the whole night with you after work. It’s not easy to have this abundance of mundanity for a man of such power, wealth, status, and responsibilities. He is more happy than he was before. He waters the plants, sinks in the lap that nature has to offer, and then gets ready for work— and that is when he first sees you. He used to wear his armor all alone before he married you, thinking that if he died people would mourn him, people would miss him, people would remember him but that is all they will do for the rest of the generals too. He is not something special. But with you in his life, he feels special. He has someone to come home to, someone who would be too devastated to live if he died on the battlefield. He does not do anything except coordinate his movements so that you can easily put on his suit but there are days when he throws tantrums. The whole corridor gets filled with giggles on days like that, your giggles especially.

“Wait,” Jing Yuan grabs you pulling you into his body. His hands immediately lock you in an embrace. “Let me take a good look at my wife.” This. This few minutes where there are no lingering staffs or any sort if interruption is an absolute bliss for him. He touches his forehead with yours as you refuse to look at him, playing with the brooch on his collar. He knows you feel shy at first. He always have to get you a little worked up to be comfortable but that denotes him off because it might be just a kiss to you but he is going to think of it for the rest of his day, wide awake— no dull moment in his life. You are the cure to his boredom. Despite such yeaning agony swelling in his heart, his lips wrap around yours. It's wet, coated with longing. One of your palms moves under his jaw and he knows his time is up. He pulls away with a groan. 

“I’ll set the table, yeah?” you mumble unlocking his hands easily now. If you hadn’t given in so easily like how you used to he would have ended up having you cave in to his cravings before he goes to work. Yeah! That’s how he is. You leave him in the room to get to work as thinks back to one of his most fond memories of you. Ever since he caught you having a midnight snack alone in the kitchen after few months of marriage,he demands to eat the food cooked by you. It was one hell of a night. It wasn’t the sex that set this night apart from others. Sex was good, of course, but amongst those dim lights, when you were busy stuffing your mouth with the food you freshly cooked as he stood beside you holding the plate for you, all he wanted was to protect you, your happiness, and your sadness — everything related to you.  

Jing Yuan sits to dine as the staff sets the table while you stand aside keeping rapt attention if anything is amiss. “Wait! you forgot something. he calls you out. You tilt your head and wait as he adds, “a kiss!” You immediately look around to see if any of the staff heard your husband or not but now they are all gone. They know better than you. Did he really forgot what happened in the dressing room? You saunter towards the table thinking its better just to give in rather resist; as you stand by his side, and lean to place a dry kiss on his cheek and then you turn on your heel to walk away.

“Just on my cheek?” Jing Yuan enquires with surprise in his tone as he stops you by grabbing your hand. Finally, you chuckle— ah! what a time to be alive. 

“Feixiao is waiting. I got her message.” You sit on his lap encapsulating your free arm around his shoulder while he refuses to let to of your other hand. “I have already made her favorites. Your too, love— He kisses your hand as you keep going on— and it's packed. I do have a lot to do today. The staff are getting lazy. . . ” Ah! He remembers how you were so silent during the first few months of marriage. Not that he is complaining but he is just. . .blessed to see this side of you. He does not particularly fancy sweets yet is but he feels nauseous at this point since you are too sweet for him. Oh! How can he ever deny you? He can deny sweets but not you.

You feel the gaps of your fingers being filled by his fingers. “can we stay like this a while longer?” Jing Yuan asked as he kisses the back of your hand. 

“You know we can’t.” You watch him pout a bit so you are compelled to add, “Come home soon.”

[dimmadoome]

What if I wrote a Baldurs Gate Game Of Thrones AU? One where Astarion Targaryen is forced to marry Gale Hightower for political reasons.(Astarion is FTM trans and his family wants to send him off to the "proper and religious" house to either sweep him under the rug or get at least SOME heirs they can marry back into the main line.)

Gale and Astarion kind of hate eachother but after a while, grow to be friends. After a year of marriage, they get word of wights at the wall. So they ride (on dragonback because of course I'm giving Astarion a dragon. Maybe caraxes because I think he would be a good rider for him.) up to the wall with their cousins Wyll Tyrell and Karlach Baratheon. While they are on their journey they find Jenevelle Blackwood (Shadowheart) and her lover Lae'zel Sand (Martell bastard) running away from Shadowheart's home because lesbians.

Gale and Astarion recruit them to their cause. When they get to Winterfell to speak to the warden of the north, Jaheria Stark, they meet and subsequently recruit some of her fiercest bannermen, Halsin Mormont and Minsc Umber.

As the days get colder and the nights grow longer, Gale and Astarion fall in love with eachother and the fierce heir to bear island. Since Astarion is a Targaryen, he says fuck it, I can have two husbands and they seal their marrige with Halsin in the godswood. After a good amount of time and hella politics with Lorroakin Tully, Ketheric Lannister, Orin Bolton (and Gortash Baelish being hella problematic in the background.) All seven of the companion crew band together, fight against the night king (Minthara) and win the battle for the dawn. (Astarion is the prince who was promised and is completely pissed about it.)

[malka-lisitsa]

katherine, tell us, which mikaelson is the scariest?

"Oooooooh I bet you expect me to say Klaus, or maybe Elijah when he cuts loose, but honestly I'd say its the mother for spawning a seemingly

E N D L E S S

Stream of completely deplorable psycopathic blemishes on existence. It's like she lets a new plague crawl out of her every seven years to remind the world that there are worse things out there than same sex marriges. Fucking

T E R R I F Y I N G."

[vvarvvon]

jace's mortal family

first up—they’re blended & multi-racial! they’ve got irish, latine, italian, black, & korean. their family portraits look like seven random people if one doesn’t look close. school pickups were a nightmare.

second up—they’re from roswell. conspiracy theory central. none of them are truthers, but i feel that it’s important to note that they are from new mexico. the first time any of them experienced a real winter was a sight to behold.

let’s start with the matriarchs, catalina doe & alessandra valencia.

catalina is a black woman who, despite what her surname may suggest, was not abandoned. her family just has an unfortunate name. she is a graphic designer. alessandra is latina & italian. she is an elementary school secretary. the two met one jace’s first day of kindergarten & later married.

bennett kerrigan is alessandra’s ex-boyfriend.

the two were never married, but were together all throughout high school and college. he is the father of her two bio children. the two broke up amicably after realizing that they weren’t the people they were when they fell in love. bennett helped raise the girls, not one to abandon family. however, upon alessandra & catalina’s marrige, he revoked his own parental rights, giving them to catalina. this doesn’t mean he isn’t around! he has father-daughter days and is always available (even to jace & eun). he only gave up legal parental rights, not moral ones.

the eldest & younger middle children are alessandra’s from her relationship with bennett.

the elder is mia kerrigan. she is three years older than jace. she works as a family attorney. mia feels that she brings an understanding to clients, especially clients with kids, due to her background. the younger middle is alessandra’s second daughter, maeve kerrigan. maeve is four years younger than her sister. she works as a reporter, doing both op-eds and research pieces. her career started before high school even ended, as she worked for her school newspaper. the local paper saw the articles she wrote and offered a job directly after graduation.

the older middle is jace valencia himself!

he is the son of catalina & the god mercury from their short relationship. while he did have catalina’s last name for a while, when alessandra offered adoption so custody would be secure should something happen, he asked to take her name as his own. catalina loved that her son adored his second mother enough to do it and alessandra was honored. no hard feelings about the name change exist between mother and son.

the youngest child is eun doe.

unlike the other three, eun isn’t biologically related to either wife. he was adopted from the system at twelve, changing his last name. he took catalina’s to contrast against jace having alessandra’s & the girls having their father’s. eun is a community college student.

now let’s talk extended family. there’s really only one worth mentioning—rachele valencia. also known as “nonna.”

alessandra’s mother, a widow who moved from her native santa fe to roswell to be closer to her daughter, her only living relative. rachele is in her golden years and knows she doesn’t have much longer left, so she spends her days trying to pass her culture to her grandchildren. she enjoys the blending of it with their own, especially when it comes to food.

[marriageguides]

INDIAN WEDDING RITUALS

Indian wedding ceremonies are wealthy in way of life, lifestyle, and ritual, reflecting the various and colourful background of India. While customs can range notably throughout areas, religions, and groups, there are several not unusual rituals which can be extensively observed in Indian weddings. Let's Celebreate your marrige at Arya Samaj mandir in Noida.

PRE-WEDDING RITUALS

Roka/Engagement Ceremony: The formal statement of the couple’s intention to marry. Families alternate presents and benefits.

Mehndi Ceremony: The bride’s palms and ft are adorned with elaborate henna designs. This ceremony is regularly observed through song and dance.

Sangeet: A musical night time in which households come collectively to celebrate with tune and dance. It’s a joyous pre-wedding ceremony occasion.

Haldi Ceremony: A turmeric paste is carried out to the bride and groom’s body. This ritual is believed to purify and bless the couple before their marriage.

WEDDING DAY RITUALS

Ganesh Puja: Before the bridal ceremony starts, a prayer is obtainable to Lord Ganesha, the remover of boundaries.

Baraat: The groom’s procession to the bride’s house or wedding ceremony venue. The groom arrives on a embellished horse or automobile, accompanied through own family and buddies dancing to active tune.

Jaimala/Varmala: The trade of garlands between the bride and groom, signifying their popularity of every different.

Kanyadaan: The bride’s father gives her away to the groom, symbolizing the bride’s transition from her father’s own family to her husband’s own family.

Phere/Mangal Pheras: The couple takes seven rounds round a sacred fire, every round symbolizing a vow they make to each different, inclusive of dedication, appreciate, and love.

Sindoor and Mangalsutra: The groom applies sindoor (vermilion) at the bride’s brow and ties a mangalsutra (sacred necklace) around her neck, signifying her marital popularity.

Saptapadi: The couple takes seven steps together, every step representing a vow they make to every other. This is regularly taken into consideration the most critical a part of the Hindu wedding ceremony.

Let's do wedding ceremony at Arya Samaj marriage in Delhi.

POST-WEDDING RITUALS

Vidaai: The bride bids farewell to her own family and leaves for her husband’s home. This emotional ritual signifies her departure from her parental home.

Griha Pravesh: The bride is welcomed into her new domestic. She steps in along with her right foot first, symbolizing excellent luck and prosperity.

Reception: A submit-wedding birthday celebration hosted by the groom’s family to introduce the bride to their prolonged family and pals.

Pag Phera: A go to via the newlywed couple to the bride’s parental domestic, usually an afternoon or  after the wedding. The bride’s own family welcomes the couple and offers them gifts.

VARIATIONS ACROSS REGIONS AND RELIGIONS

North Indian Weddings: Known for their elaborate baraat processions and the importance of the pheras across the sacred fire.

South Indian Weddings: Often feature the tying of the mangalsutra and rituals like Kashi Yatra, where the groom pretends to depart for pilgrimage and is stopped with the aid of the bride’s family.

East Indian Weddings: Highlight rituals like the blowing of conch shells and ululations via women.

West Indian Weddings: Include ceremonies like Griha Shanti and traditional dances like Garba and Dandiya.

Muslim Weddings: Feature the Nikah ceremony where the marriage settlement is signed, and the groom gives Mehr (a obligatory present) to the bride.

Christian Weddings: Include the change of jewelry and the solemnization of marriage in a church, accompanied through a reception.

CONCLUSION

Indian wedding ceremonies are a tapestry of colourful customs and age-antique traditions. They aren't just a union of  people but a celebration of affection, own family, and lifestyle. Each ritual contains deep symbolic meaning and displays the wealthy cultural range of India.

ALSO READ:

PROCEDURE FOR ARYA SAMAJ MARRIAGE

STEP BY STEP COURT MARRIAGE PROCEDURE

[rcdiostcrs]

let’s talk about jace’s family—the valencias! also known as the does and the kerrigans. (this post will be neglecting the paternal part of the tree, since that’s mercury & tbh i don’t wanna talk about godly relations).

first up—they’re blended & multi-racial! they’ve got irish, latine, italian, black, & korean. their family portraits look like seven random people if one doesn’t look close. school pickups were a nightmare.

second up—they’re from roswell. conspiracy theory central. none of them are truthers, but i feel that it’s important to note that they are from new mexico. the first time any of them experienced a real winter was a sight to behold.

let’s start with the matriarchs, catalina doe & alessandra valencia. catalina is a black woman who, despite what her surname may suggest, was not abandoned. her family just has an unfortunate name. alessandra is latina & italian. the two were married in massachusetts in 2004, a year after the state affirmed gay marriage. they had been together for two years at that point, but were plenty sure the other was the one.

bennett kerrigan is alessandra’s ex-boyfriend. the two were never married, but were together all throughout high school and college. he is the father of her two bio children. the two broke up amicably after realizing that they weren’t the people they were when they fell in love. bennett helped raise the girls, not one to abandon family. however, upon alessandra & catalina’s marrige, he revoked his own parental rights, giving them to catalina. this doesn’t mean he isn’t around! he has father-daughter days and is always available (even to jace & eun, who aren’t even related to him). he only gave up legal parental rights, not moral ones.

the eldest & younger middle children are alessandra’s from her previous relationship with bennett. the elder is mia kerrigan. she is twenty-eight and works as a family attorney. mia feels that she brings an understanding to clients, especially clients with kids, from her background.

the older middle is jace himself! he is the son of catalina & the god mercury from their short relationship. while he did have catalina’s last name for a while, when alessandra offered adoption so custody would be secure should something happen, he asked to take her name as his own. catalina loved that her son adored his second mother enough to do it and alessandra was honored. no hard feelings about the name change exist between mother and son.

the younger middle is alessandra’s second daughter, maeve kerrigan. maeve is twenty-four. she works as a reporter, doing both op-eds and research pieces. her career started before high school even ended, as she worked for her school newspaper. the local paper saw the articles she wrote and offered a job directly after graduation.

the youngest child is eun doe. unlike the other three, eun isn’t biologically related to either wife. he was adopted from the system at twelve, changing his last name. he took catalina’s to contrast against jace having alessandra’s & the girls having their father’s. currently twenty-one, eun is a community college student.

now let’s talk extended family. there’s really only one worth mentioning—rachele valencia. also known as “nonna.” alessandra’s mother, a widow who moved from her native santa fe to roswell to be closer to her daughter, her only living relative. rachele is in her golden years and knows she doesn’t have much longer left, so she spends her days trying to pass her culture to her grandchildren. she enjoys the blending of it with their own, especially when it comes to food.

[confused--motherfucker]

neither can i

between these walls where i so often sit and cry,

hide in the corners, from the world and the issues in my family i never face, and indstead just hope to disapear and die.

the fighting, abuse, lack of sanity, loss, war, death and trauma this house have witnessed, in it's 400 years of simply existing....

witnessed people being killed, hung, suffered, hungered, depressions marrige, being comfirmised!..

.. named and welcomed multible lifes.

im told to leave, run before i myself witnessed will be.

because they don't get it or notice the love i myself see.

and yes it's horrible and filled toxicity.

yet it's still my house, where i grew up and within it is my Family.

i get it, i myself want to leave, but if it was a country in war, i the prinsess and my parents king and queen,

it's not possible to leave, simply forget and never be seen.

we would have to fight and work hard to make it a great empire, with the great king and queen.

the war will follow, theres still the people living within the country that is left behind,

they won't simply disapear, and neither can i.

…

i wanna explain the meaning of this poem, my house is very old and during wars and stuff many people have died burried alive, a family was once hung in the sealing in my livingroom, there's still marks on the timberbeams from the ropes. even in my room a girl starved to death, in a fkn oven bc she was hiding from someone and got stuck, while the house was abandoned.

and then my family is fucked, my dad is mentally abusive, alltho he is my dad and i love him, we used to be way closer. and He's sad im growing up, then let's it out with anger, which he apoligised for yesterday after randomly running to my room, yells and then leaves me there shaking and crying for ab 30 minutes.

also my mom, who i was taken away from when i was six/seven because shes a sociopath. because of all this my dad was stressed and depressed, he was left alone with 3 girls at 12, 8 and 6 years old, me being the youngest (atm i have 4 siblings on my dads side now)

ik i should leave and get away, but my younger siblings need me, and i still love my dad, he's done so many good things, some og them being him protecting us from our mom, working 9-5 everyday, cooking and taking care of us. so the last i want is to leave, even tho i need it so so so much.

[cuttlefish-cabin]

"I-?? I- WE WERENT THAT CLOSE !!!! " blushing mess " And I do love you squiddo but the future where we can all be happy and not as hatey and maybe marrige again after seven failed divorces TLDR I love you but Team future is cooler!"'

What grand fest team are you on Craig?

"grandfest theme grandfest theme ?...." Murmering " OH ! You mean the big fancy splatfest everyone has every two years?! well I'm team FUTURE! for a future where we all.... stop trying to kill each other ^_^"

[goldengoddess]

hi i have a kaz x reader request!! can you do one where kaz proposes to the reader?? that seems so cute tbh

will you marry me - kaz brekker

pairing: kaz brekker x reader

a/n: i listened to helpless from the hamilton musical while writing this so do with that what you will,,,, kaz would definitely do this just so u know (idk if kaz would consider marrige but if he did this is how it would go)

warnings: nothing ?? proposals ? kaz it a tiny bit more touchy :)

kaz brekker was not one for romantic gestures, frankly he it quite the opposite. every confession of love was silent, hidden, usually given in the privacy of his room.

but he knew you.

and he knew that proposals were meant to be romantic gestures. they were meant to represent the start of a different era of love. he’d heard you tell nina about a hundred times how romantic your parents proposal had been. he’d seen the dreamy look in your eyes the time a public proposal had happened in front of the two of you.

so he was dead set on making sure his proposal to you was everything you wanted it to be. and if there was one thing dirty hands was good at, it was making a solid plan. and a couple solid back up plans.

so he was very annoyed to see your annoyed face on the morning he was going to propose to you. 

you grumbled as you walked across the room to the kitchen where you could finally get some coffee. over her own mug, nina chuckled at your state. “looks like someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed” she giggled and took a sip of what was probably hot chocolate. 

you mumbled a quick ‘fuck you’ and made your way closer to kaz. you quickly planted a good morning kiss on his cheek like you always did. it was part of your routine, that way he knew it was coming and was never surprised or taken aback by the act. your grumpy mood chipped away a little at the way that kaz’s lips quirked upwards as you pulled away. 

you shuffled over to the coffee pitcher just as jesper made his way into the room. he was humming something under his breath and you leaned your head closer so you could listen.

you furrowed your brows in confusion, “jesper? why are you humming the wedding song?”

he stopped in his tracks and shared a quick look with nina and then kaz. he turned to you and grinned, “no reason! just in a good mood, excited for our job later today.”

you huffed and shook your head, “at least one of us is.”

the rest of the day went by the way they always do before a big heist: slowly. it consisted of jesper running around the slat pumped up with too much adrenaline. inej taking out all of her smaller knives from their hiding spots (who knew she kept three under the couch cushions) and strapping them to her sides. wylan drawing out the outline of the mercher house one more time. matthias grumbling about the legality and necessity of what they were doing. nina sitting on his lap so he would shut up. 

and kaz, your sweet kaz, going over the plan in his head while observing you. 

later on, as you were all in your respective positions for the job, you couldn’t help but wonder why kaz had paired the two of you together. when the two of you had started dating, he had told you that he couldn’t trust his own instincts around you. and for that reason, you were always paired with another crow and he usually worked with jesper of inej. but not tonight. 

“kaz?” you questioned, “why are you and i working together tonight?”

you didn’t notice the way his hands hesitated on the lock that he was currently trying to pick. he turned to you and your breath caught in your throat, like you were seeing him for the first time again. it was midnight, there was little light anywhere. but somehow the moonlight illuminated kaz’s face perfectly. he looked beautiful. 

he shrugged and went back to his lock, “just thought it could be interesting to switch things up. this job is simple enough, nothing will go wrong.”

his words set you off slightly. your kaz would never take a chance like that. it wasn’t his style. kaz tended to ignore the odds, but never when it came to you. he’d promised a long time ago to not let his own grudges or greed put you in harms way. what was different about tonight?

before you could ask him, the lock clicked open and kaz swung the door to the hallway open. he extended his arm in invitation, “after you.”

you narrowed your eyes at him but stepped into the room. you took a deep breath and felt yourself relax at the oddly familiar scent of roses. you scanned the room and felt a smile slip into your face at the sight of yellow roses. waking closer to them, you ghosted your hands over the petals. 

you looked over at kaz with a small smile, and found he was already smiling at you. “your favorite flower” he said, stepping right next to you. 

you nodded your head in awe, you hadn’t seen yellow roses in a very long time. kaz dipped his hand into the vase and snapped the step of one of the flowers. he turned to you and handed you a single rose. you grinned and took the flower from him, tucking it gently into your backpack. “thank you honey” you giggled and then quietly moved down the hall. 

kaz stopped you in front of a room with a golden and elaborately decorated door. he motioned for you to open the door and you nodded your head, following his instruction. when you walked in the room was practically empty. the only thing inside was a glass case at the center of the room. you tip toed closer and found a tiny jewelry box. you slowly opened the glass casing and grabbed the small jewelry box, assuming this was the ‘big prize’ kaz had claimed they would find during this job. 

“open it” you heard kaz say from behind you. 

so without looking at him, you opened the tiny black box. what was inside, took the air out of your lungs. it was a tiny silver ring with a shiny black stone at the center. without realizing, you let out a little gasp. 

you started turning your body to face kaz, “kaz what is-”

but before you could say anything you found kaz kneeling on one knee, firmly holding onto his cane for the balance. you let out yet another gasp and nearly dropped the likely expensive ring in your hand. 

“angel” he started speaking

“kaz,” you interrupted him breathlessly, “what are you doing?”

he gave you his favorite mischievous smile, the smile that didn’t quiet reach his eyes but shined playfully in his eyes. “i’m doing my best to propose darling.”

another gasp on your part. 

he chuckled, “i have spent a lot of my life closing off my heart. making it impossible to reach. but then you came along and broke down my walls brick by brick. and impossibly, my heart became yours forever. so i thought it was only appropriate to put a much deserved ring on your finger. so, what do you say angel? will you marry me?”

you let out a small sniffle, happy tears falling down your cheeks. “yes! i want to marry you, i do!” you laughed happily and rushed over to kaz.

you helped him to his feet and he smiled, “excited are we? you’re not supposed to say ‘i do’ just yet darling.”

you lightly punched his shoulder. you moved your eyes to his lips and then back to his eyes, asking for permission. his grin and the quick nod of his head told you everything and you surged forward to kiss him. 

after a few seconds you pulled back and you know that you’ve never smiled as brightly as you are in that moment, “you never fail to surprise me brekker. can’t believe you pulled off a fake heist just for me.”

“i’d do anything for you” he answered quickly. 

“even marry me?”

“especially marry you.” 

taglist;

@vintagebitc @obiwansjedi @thegirlwiththeimpala @hybrid-in-progress @mrs-brekker15 @mrsbrekkers @simplyluvzuko @ode-to-joy @gallysonegoodlung @sixofshadowandbone @castielcouldbeasecretdentist @meiitanoia @caaarstairs @itisroe @the-jess-life @xsamsharons @heavenlymidnight @wtfrae @dreamer-writer-fangirl @bookishcrows @tulipsxbooks @thehighladyofday @seven-halfbloods

if your name is in bold it means i couldn’t tag you!

[sag-dab-sar]

Nergal & Ereškigal's Marriage

🔹And old debunk post that I'm turning into its own post🔹

"Nergal, sumerian god of war, disease and destructive sun"

No, not at all. By the end of both myths he absolutely wanted his marriage. Here is me gushing over the myth.

He tries to hide in both versions of the myth which one could assume means he didn’t want the marrige but had no choice; thats a false conclusion based on one section of each myth rather than examining the whole. In the first version he was sure he would be killed if he went down so tried to hide. In the second version he goes down but when he comes back up to heaven the Gods decide to hide him so he doesn’t have to return. In essence, he really was not in the mood to deal with the consequences of his actions when he chose not to bow to Namtar, Ereškigal’s son and Sukkal.

If Nergal did not want to be her husband he would have killed her— it's that simple.

🌹Longer Later Version of the Myth🌹

In the longer version he goes down, makes love to Ereškigal for six days; he then tricks her by making a false promise of returning. She allows him to return to heaven without sounding the alarm. Anu, Enlil, and Ea all know that Ereškigal will seek to bring him back down so they disguise him. (Why is he called son of Ištar? No idea.)

Ereškigal asks her father to send Nergal down to be her husband. When he is not returned to her she threatens Anu by saying she will send up the dead.

(Opinion on the Irkalla usage)

Namtar finally finds him; he gives a long speech about traveling back down. Nergal “takes the speech to heart” and follows instructions so that he doesn’t have to removing clothing as he goes down; he gives objects instead.

In the broken text, we see that Nergal is speaking [Footnote 98], the following line we do not know who is talking but Nergal is threatened with death to become a permanent resident of Kur [Footnote 99].

When he finally gets past all seven gates, he laughs. He goes directly to the throne and drags the Queen of the realm he just entered to him by her hair. Importantly, Ereškigal is described as the love of his heart. They embrace and make love for 6 days. On the 7th day Anu makes the verdict that Nergal will dwell with Ereškigal for the rest of his days.

In the passage that contains footnote 99, someone threatened to kill Nergal, the translator clarifies it would be to make him a permanent resident of Kur. So Anu made him a permanent resident of Kur— without him having to be killed.

🌹Earlier Version of the Myth🌹

"But, this shows it wasn’t his choice?"

No, he acceptes Anu’s decision. Ereškigal the love of his heart, as we've seen, if she wasn't he would have killed her if he did not agree with Anu’s decision. The earlier version of this myth proves that.

In the earlier myth, when he does not bow to Namtar, Ereškigal demands he comes to Kur, not to apologize, but in order to kill him. Nergal initially hides but when he is found out he becomes fearful and wheeps for he is certain he will die. However, Ea sends with him some troops in order to abate the fear.

When he finally gets through the 7 gates his fear has vanished. He goes to Ereškigal, forces her onto the ground, and is about to cut her head off.

However, Ereškigal cries out and asks to speak which he allows. She offers to be his wife. With that offer he becomes gentle. The love that will develop between them as husband and wife is bluntly showcased by a kiss and him wiping her tears away.

🌹His Choice🌹

In the earlier version Nergal accepts Ereškigal’s proposal. In the later version, if he did not approve of Anu’s decision, he could have killed her just as he nearly did in the first one.

In the later version he would not even need any form of troops or help from Ea to kill her. Because:

A.) He is not afraid of dying.

B.) Ereškigal is deeply in love with him, she weeps profusely when his trick is revealed, when she realizes she was lied to. She begs, laments, pleads, and eventually threatens her father.

C.) When he returns he asserts a level of dominance by pulling her from her throne into an embrace— she is not his captor, she is his lover.

🌹Conclusion🌹

Tl;DR-ish

The love that shall bloom between the two is evident in both versions of the myth. The “Love of his heart,” and becoming gentle by kissing her and wiping her tears— as one would comfort their wife.

Nergal wanted his marriage ❤️

🌹Sources🌹

▪️Earlier version: “New Readings in the Amarna Versions of Adapa and Nergal and Ereshkigal” by Shlomo Izre'el. http://www.academia.edu/3538014/New_Readings_in_the_Amarna_Versions_of_Adapa_and_Nergal_and_Ereshkigal

▪️About the Armana letters in which the early version is found: https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/amlet/hd_amlet.htm

▪️Later version: The Ancient Near East: An Anthology of Texts and Pictures edited by James A. Pritchard

▪️About the Sultantepe Tablets where the later version is found: https://biaa.ac.uk/research/item/name/study-of-the-sultantepe-tablets Link broke

🌹

Originally written 2019, edited/added to 2022

[highlnderbrn]

the beginning of the regency era verse ! @leighiche​

     Brian Fraser once, a long time ago, told his son ( sounding as wise as one could for a lad at age of seven years old ) that when the right woman, the one that would hold his heart and soul for the rest of his days and bear his children, came into his life he would just know. Of course the young bairn he was at the time had to win every argument by saying the man should chose his wife even when his mother, Ellen, said he would one day be chosen by one lucky lass. And now that he found himself pouring his heart out to her, Jamie Fraser was silent begging for the almight to allow her to accept him.

His deep blue hues were focused on memorazing the woman standing so close in front of him, as if she’d disappear from there when he blinked. His fingers were nervous beating against his thigh, and he found himself nearly forgetting how to breath properly. ❝ To have the privilege of yer hand in marrige, of course.❞

[tsarcvichs]

✧ ━━ the courts of switzerland present YURI IVANOVICH RURIK of RUSSIA, the TSAREVICH of THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE. the THIRTY-ONE year old had been CONFIDENT and PATRIOTIC before the break of war but have now become IMPULSIVE and CRUEL. HE is often remembered by their likeness to REEVE CARNEY and A SMOOTH CURSE BEING HEARD IN A CROWDED ROOM, THE CONTRAST OF CRIMSON DROPLETS ON SNOW & A ROSARY DRENCHED IN BLOOD. the rumor mills of europe claim that his allegiance lies with HIMSELF & THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE and that he is for WAR.

lmao under the cut i present you the personification of don’t lose your head by six the musical:

HEADCANONS.

ONE. many considered the tsaritsa to be cursed — she only have had one son, and while the court was happy to have an heir, who could be sure that the boy would survive the russian winters ? they wanted more. and after seven years they got what they wanted — another healthy heir. yuri was born amidst chaos and cries. his mother was in labour almost a day before his uprising, screaming and cursing the baby. the russian physicians were worried the tsarista would have another unborn child — their head would roll, in the in the simplest scenario. but when the baby cried for the first time it was like god himself blessed russia. and when yuri heard the stories he couldn’t deny: he did what he wanted in the time he wanted. his labour wouldn’t be different, would it ?

TWO. growing up in the shadow of his older brother was a difficult thing. everyone expect yuri to be like dmitry. responsible, calm, a good child — but he never wanted to be like that. yuri loved to be the center of attention, for the good or the bad. his mother didn’t care for what he did, protecting him from the tsar’s beatings and screams. yuri was her blessed child. he never liked his father; the tsar was cold and a ruthless man, criticizing yuri for everything he did. what could he do if yuri aren’t so interessed in sword fighting ? he would much preffer the academics, the arts — speading time with the small group of painters & sculptors of the russian court were his delight as a children.

THREE. the indifference towards his father transformed itself in hatred after what he did to yelena. yuri was ( and still is ) very protective of his sisters — after all, alonside the tsaritsa, they were the first women in his life. he tried to discuss with his father why he was doing that — but that day, yuri realised his father was a monster in his eyes. a turning point on his life, really. he started to not care about his father’s words and tried to do everything to demoralize him. drinking excessively, having affairs with married women and men of court, missing important events only to be found into a lover’s arms. yuri simple did not care for what his father nor his court would think. they were all monsters — how could they agree with imprison a young girl on her chambers because she was beautiful ? however, he started to love this lifestyle. he was the soul of every party terem palace had and would not think to stop. untill he noticed irina trubetskaya.

FOUR. yuri couldn’t say it was love at first sight — no, it was far from it. irina had grown whithin his sisters, being the same age as his youngest. he was aware of her existence but he only saw irina for the first time when simeon went to war. he loved the belskyi prince; it was a childhood love that persisted for many years, but yuri wasn’t a man of just one — and that’s when irina appeared. he didn’t love her at first, yuri just thought that would be like the other court affairs he had. however, irina stayed. it was the first person in his life that stayed at his side no matter what he did. he couldn’t help himself and fall in love with her — but his notion of love was a twisted one. yuri only knew love alongside material things and when he catch himself thinking about irina when looking with silks with sophia that he realized how screwed he was.

FIVE. his marriage to nagasani wasn’t something he wanted. yuri didn’t want to be like dmitry and take a foreign wife — with twisted view of patriotism, yuri was even more upset when his wife didn’t accepted his culture with open arms. in his thoughts, the only thing nagasani did of good for him was giving him a daughter. however, he would much preffer living as friends than as lovers with his wife — he wouldn’t mind nagasani having lovers and would treat her children like they were his, only if she did the same with him. yuri loves his children — the little tsarevna and irinei. he tries to be a better father than his were to him doing everything for them. and now with pyotr death’s, he plans to legitimize his son to protect him — from the russian court and simeon. the tsarevich was quite surprised when the belskyi soldier returned from the dead — afterall, his mourning was for nothing. but now, older and more mature ( or he likes to think that ) yuri can’t let danger come to his offspring and their mothers.

PLOT POINTS.

ONE. simeon belskyi. one yuri’s first love, now a stranger he doesn’t recognize. he doesn’t now what the soldier wants — but how he can’t seek revenge ? yuri would seek that too, if he was in his childhood love position. but how could yuri not move on when he heard of simeon’s death ? everyone knew that he couldn’t stay with just one person for too long. simeon knew that too — but the tsarevich fears for irina and irinei. however, he cried over his death. more than he ever cried on the deathbed of his mother — it was the first time he lost a lover in such a tragic way, but he recovered. he had to. yuri was a rurik, a man shaped by the russian winters. one day, he’ll confront simeon about what he wants and give his side of the history, but now, he have more urgent matters to look after than a once dead man wishes.

TWO. irinei pyotrvich belskyi. his son. yuri would be happier if he was irinei yurievich rurik and the tsarevich is planning to do that. he knows that his marrige will be almost fruitless — he and nagasani aren’t lovers and probably won’t be, and even if she have bastards, yuri’s pride won’t let them inherit his glories. and by russian law, a woman can’t be a heir. legitimize irinei is the best thing to do, especially now that the prince of bely is dead. yuri knows he’ll succeed on this. dmitry will have to accept that his only heir is irinei — and not his dear little tsarevna, but yuri have great plans for his daughter, too.

WANTED CONNECTIONS. 

MOMS AND DADS GROUP. yuri isn’t the best dad in the world ( but he tries ) and he’s seeking a greater future for his kids, and he’ll try to find the perfect match for both irinei and his little tsarevna. 

OLD FLAMES. someone that had been yuri’s lovers when he was on his emo phase, but it ended ( probably on bad terms ) and now he’s ‘ hi lmao ‘.

NEW FRIENDS. yuri don’t have many friends back in russia, so it’ll be interesting to see him have one without romantic feelings for once. 

[marte14n2-blog]

T2: GOOD OMES

Ok ok ok.

I know, the show is over and there is a book (I haven’t finish it for now so I will refere only to the show)

But this is a really interesting theory and we will never have a respond to this question.

Let’s start!

Before the Fall was Crowley the Archangel Raphael???

let’s give some explanation first...

Who is Raphael?

God have seven a archengel but there are only three of them appear in the Bible Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.

Raphael means “God health”, he is the archengel of the love whit marrige and health.

The first two appear show but we never hear of Raphael, why?

Why shouldn’t appaer or at least nominate one of the most important archangel at the level of Gabriel and Michael?

One that could maybe help our favorite angel and demon? Why I think he could help them? Because Gabriel and Michael are the power of God (the first is “Who is like God?” and the second is “God is powerful”) we see this trait in the episode, they aren’t kind to the human, they think they are inferior. While Raphael is a protector of the humanity, he show the kindness and the mercy of God.

It’s could be really cool if Raphael was one who help the stop the End.

But maybe he is helping under another form.

Maybe under the name of Crowley.

We don’t know from the show if there is some kind of curse that make forgot then period before a angel Fall.

But we know the fallen ones remember the Heaven and, probably, who they were.

If Raphael is fallen this curse would explain why we don’t hear about him.

Ok. Why should he be Crowley?

SNAKE: In Greece mitology we have Hermes, who have a simbol, this:

Today, this is simbol of medecine even if the true simbol of medecine is from another God, Ascelpio, but this too have a snake.

We can say Those two are the Greece version of Raphael.

Even Raphael is present whit snake as simbol.

As we see here.

In the show we have Crowley, who is a snake!

HE CARE: Even if he a demon he loves living things.

He loves plants, he was worried for the children in the period of Noè, he wants to save the world from the End.

HE IS REALLY POWERFUL: Ok. Idk how the power thing work but it last episodes when Lucifer was coming and Crowley couldn’t stand up, but he manage to like... stop time and toke Aziraphel, Adam and himself on another place of existance?

If I am right.

Anyway. What if when a Angel fall his power remain strong as before?

This would explain how Crowley did that incredible thing!

It could be even because the fact he have Immagination... Mmmh... No it could be, he can convince hisself of somenthing and distorce his reality but I doubit he could to it to the maind of a Angel and the fricking Anti Christ!

For now it’s all.

Maybe I will add some details or points.

This is another theory very famous but I thought “Why not?”, the points I think them by myself, I didn’t look at any other theory while I was writing this.

Love ya, tell me what you think!

Bye!

[marriageguides]

PROCEDURE FOR ARYA SAMAJ MARRIAGE

In the colourful tapestry of Indian traditions, Arya Samaj marriages preserve a special vicinity, embodying simplicity and religious sanctity. If you’re considering an Arya Samaj marriage, here’s a concise manual to navigate the sacred technique or Visit the arya samaj mandir in noida.

Preliminary Documentation: Arya Samaj Marriage Documents

Begin by using collecting important documents, including age evidence, residence evidence, identity proof, and passport-sized images of both companions. Ensure that every one documents are with a purpose to streamline the process. 

Affidavit of Solemnization:

Visit the local notary to get an affidavit of solemnization of marriage prepared. This criminal report attests that the marriage could be performed underneath Arya Samaj rituals.

Visit the Arya Samaj Mandir:

Choose a nearby Arya Samaj Mandir Burari for your wedding ceremony.  the Mandir ahead to understand their particular necessities and techniques. Most Arya Samaj Mandirs follow a comparable protocol. Contact to Arya Samaj mandir Jaipur to marrige at arya Samaj.

Meeting with the Priest:

Meet with the Arya Samaj priest (Harveer Shastri) to speak about the wedding ceremony details. The priest will guide you via the Vedic rituals and provide insights into the significance of each step.

Yajna (Sacred Fire Ritual): Havan Kund

The Yajna, or sacred fire ritual, is principal to Arya Samaj weddings. It symbolizes purity and serves as a witness to the marriage vows. The couple takes vows in the presence of the fire, pledging commitment and loyalty to every other.

Arya samaj marriage procedure 

Exchange of Vows:

The bride and groom change Vedic verses as a symbolic expression of their guarantees and commitment. The priest publications them thru each mantra, elucidating its spiritual which means.

Kanyadaan and Saptapadi:

In a poignant second, the bride’s own family performs the ‘Kanyadaan,’ symbolizing the giving away in their daughter. The couple then takes seven steps together, representing the seven vows of marriage (Saptapadi), promising mutual support and companionship.

Issuance of Marriage Certificate:

Post the rite, the Arya Samaj Mandir provides a wedding certificates. This certificate holds legal validity and is important for respectable documentation. We provide marriage certificates simply after the marriage to marriad couple

Registration of Marriage: Arya Samaj Marriage

To legalize the wedding, sign up it with the correct authorities. Submit the wedding certificates along with the specified documents at the neighborhood municipal workplace or marriage registrar.

Post-Wedding Rituals:

Participate in any publish-wedding rituals suggested with the aid of the priest. These may additionally consist of benefits, aarti, or similarly ceremonies to conclude the auspicious event.

Embarking on the journey of Arya Samaj marriage is a profound enjoy that blends subculture, spirituality, and dedication. By understanding the processes and following the rituals with reverence, couples can ensure a harmonious and blessed union. May your Arya Samaj wedding be a party of affection and shared values.

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