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themotherofblood · 2 years ago

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Prologue . 2 | RIVER OF FIRE | The Heir | D.T x READER x R.T

series masterlist | main masterlist | chapter 1

tw: child birth, death.

a/n: thank you to @inlovewithhisblueeyes for beta reading this!!

~ will we ever learn, we’ve been here before. it’s just what we know ~

“I refuse, I refuse to have a child, ever. No lord husbands nor knights shall put a babe in me. She is gone, just as my mother did. Septa Marlow went on about what a joyous thing it was to be with child. She is a septa, what the hell does she know about having a child? What joy! death by childbirth. Though I suppose Viserys had his son for mere moments, Rhaenyra is torn. Asleep in my bed after Maester Mellos gave her tea with Nightshade. I sang to her, the very song Aemma did to me. She is gone, I just don’t believe it yet.

“If I give you this, you promise you’ll win?” you raised your hand to show Daemon the crown you were weaving. Made of blue crystal hibiscuses, mint leaves and gold threads. Already dressed in yet another blue gown and hair braided into a neat crown to match Rhaenyra; you sat making your favours instead of worrying for Aemma. You and Rhaenyra wanted to be with her, but it wasn’t proper nor was it a comely place for young girls to be.

Instead Viserys had Daemon steer away the two of you to make your favours for the Heir’s tourney, he had been particularly worried. Now with a boy likely on the way, Daemon would have to find another damned position at court to remain at King’s Landing rather than return to his lady wife in the Vale. So sitting here with young - impressionable princesses and watching them prattle on about fabrics and knights at court was a far better outcome than Daemon had hoped for. “Is that a deal you wish to make? A victory for a crown of- blue flowers?” he folded his legs together to sit on the carpet with you. Watching as your fingers worked the threads to lace the crown together. “What if I had hoped for another lady’s favour?”

You looked at him, offended and lips parted as you clutched your crown. “I- should have you-“ your frown deepened “I have made this, by hand, with my gold threads. From Lys!” you said, jutting out word after word “it has blue hibiscuses, not roses like all the other ladies you wish to woo have,” Daemon raised his palms in surrender, already feeling the warmth of aggravation bubbling from being barred from visiting Aemma before her labours began.

“You get the champion's purse, you help me buy a dagger,” you lowered your voice to relay your plan of sheer mastery to Daemon.

“What use do you have for a dagger,” he whispered back, equal parts amused and confused. He couldn’t picture something so small and dear wielding a blade - to what? Use as decoration? “am I to be an accomplice for homicide- princess I am the Lord Commander of the City Watch,”

“And you are Daemon, perhaps it is you I shall stab first,” you scowled at him once more before pulling yourself up to answer the knock at your door.

Rhaenyra returned from her chambers, dressed in a red gown and hair done like yours with her favour of red calla lilies, “Why is she scowling?” Rhaenyra asked her uncle, fully aware that Daemon might have found another quirk to tease out of you. Nyra, having been the witness of many such rage-fuelled rants, looked at you confused as you stood with your hands on your hips and cheeks full.

“She plans a homicide, niece,” Daemon coughed to hold in his chuckle. The twitch in your eye made him highly aware of the many objects to your reach that you could hurl at him. “Who is your victim, sweetling? Marsha Tarly?”

“What-?” Rhaenyra looks between her uncle and you, she wouldn’t put you in the category of homicidal people but she wouldn’t put it past your defensive nature.

“I just want a dagger, and now I’m being framed a murder by your- sweet uncle,” you hurled your doll at Daemon. “You should worry about winning the tourney first? We have a deal?” you motioned to the doors of your bedchamber. Daemon chuckled one more, placing the doll on his lap on the chaise before taking his leave.

“Is it so odd that a girl must want a dagger?” you turned to Rhaenyra, exasperated at Daemon's teasing, “merely want one, that’s all.” Your lips pouted as you reached up to kiss Rhaenyra on the lips. A quick peck that she entertained and returned.

“How are you, truly?” you asked her, the goosebumps of anxiety still littering her skin as she worried for her mother.

“It will be Visenya, I know it.” she replied, pulling you down to sit with her on the chaise. Her blonde brows furrowed to a line and you wished to soothe away whatever discomfort she was feeling. . Albeit, she would never show it on her face. You embrace her tightly and let your head rest in the crook on her neck. The only way you could show her that you would be here, you would be with her always.

“Should we head to the tourney grounds? Let your people set their eyes upon the Realm’s Delight?” you kissed her cheek as she blushed, and swatted your shoulder at the mention of her title. You knew she loved it even if she pretended not to.

“We should give you a title too,” Rhaenyra said as she pulled you up, “Oh let’s see, how about….Pain In My Arse.” She giggled as she watched your curious smile turn to yet another scowl before you shoved her back.

“Rhaenyra,” you whined, sensing as if she had joined in her uncle’s torment of you, “Must you poke me too?”

“Ah, forgive me duck,” she held your face to press a kiss on your nose before dragging you out of your bedchambers.

The festivities had already begun as the muffled announcements of Viserys echoed from the balcony. The two of you hiked your skirts up and sprinted to race to make it to your seats first. Rhaenyra kissed her father’s cheek as you smiled at him before taking your seats. Plenty of nobles filled every seat in the Game Grounds, all the houses you were forced to remember with their sigils and words. Baratheons fought Tarlys while low-born knights fought nobility with one in particular standing out, Ser Criston Cole.

The man, unhorsing man after man as his opponents tested his mettle. Rhaenyra looked curious for this could be another knight for the two to fawn over. You had situated yourself in between and Alicent as you chatted about courtly gossip yet again. Men fought and fell and all you could think of were the poor horses being harmed by the jousting. You would rather they participate in a Contest of Arms.

The knights lined up once more to present themselves on the whims of the Prince of the City. Daemon rode in on his black stallion that Rhaenyra had named Alastor for him for he was tall and dark. Had he not been so particularly annoying at times, your childish heart might have fluttered at the thought of him. However, he was far from the gentile knights in your books, a knight surely - aye, an arrogant but pretty one.

“The Prince cannot be allowed to act with such unchecked impunity,”

Impunity my arse

The Maester had timed Aemma’s labours perfectly to the week of the Heir’s Tourney. Daemon worried for his good sister though the fallout of mourning he couldn't handle. He had occasionally wondered if he were to have another dead niece or nephew that he would help name and bury. Then Otto Cunttower found his perfect opportunity to yet again wedge himself between the brothers.Daemon pitied Visery forhe could stare at the blasted throne for hours and still not find the shred of tolerance Viserys had for the Hand’s nonsense.

He was sure to put Otto’s impunity in check by planning to have the cunt’s own son tossed from his horse, talk about my impunity then.

That and he had truly hoped to win the champion’s purse for Mysaria even though he made a fruitless bet that he regretted, for you the small princess that begged him for a dagger. Therein lay the truth, you wouldn’t stab Marsha Tarly of two and twenty, but your eyes may still try to bore daggers into the dim witted girl’s head.

As he rode to the Painted Bird to visit Mysaria, he mind did wander to daggers that would be appropriate for you and perhaps even is niece. . Could a fucking swordsmith even weld pompels of delicate flowers and kittens? His head toiled on such things as he drank some more. Having won multiple of his brother’s tourney before, a match would be of little challenge. The blood and violence sang to his animalistic desires as he entered the brothel full of gold cloaks.

“The Prince has arrived!” Tarbyk? - Torbk exclaimed, buried deep in a common whore of brown hair. Daemon looked for Mysaria with a smirk on his face.

“Ready to prepare for yet another victory, my prince,” she kissed his neck, offering him a cup of ale, “shall we drink! For the Heir’s Tourney!”

Another round of hoots and hollers followed as Daemon revelled in the disarray of it all, the smell of cunt, ale and incense upon the thick day air in the house. Mysaria settled herself on his lap,preening through and through. Mostly Daemon admired her swan-like neck, spending hours just marking her up with his lips and suckling away at the sweet almond oil rubbed on her skin.

“Do you truly wish to make your Bronze Bitch, Queen?” Mysaria whispered as she nipped at his lobe.

“Should I have you be my queen instead,” he wryly asked, his purple eyes fixated on her brown ones.

She cackled, full bellied before burying her head in his shoulder “I’d rather be gelded my prince,”

Daemon’s eyes held a yearning sense of mischief, unable to sexually satisfy himself let alone his gorgeous paramour in white. He planned to make a present of unyielding peaks tonight to her, fucking away the truth that come morrow he would yet again have to fight for his place to remain at court, by his brother, in his home and with his family.

As he arrived at the Tourney grounds, the smell of victory and coppery blood already lingered in the heir. His prized stallion Alastor awaited another pleasant win for he was to remain uncontested at the jousting fields. You are a dragon, you are fire. He closed his eyes, whispering the words his mother once said to him before pushing his reins to ride forth as the Game Master announced his titles.

Shrill screams of women and based shouts of men echoed, muffled under Daemon's helmet as a knowing smirk crept up onto his lip, this was home, this was his kingdom. A place where he was far better than his brother, he looked to the balcony where his brother sat, proud and crowned. Heir’s Tourney, he was sure to give the people of King’s Landing a spectacle to remember.

Daemon trotted down the line up of knights, Baratheon, Tully, Stark, Mooton, Serret, Hightower- Hightower. He pointed his lance at Gywane Hightower, wishing it was Otto’s head instead as he picked his opponent. The Game Master yet again announced his choice as both men rode for the balconies, what he expected was to have his lance decorated in the blue crown you made.

The girls all huddled to the iron bar, leaning down to look at the knights, unaware which one was to give their favour to who. Though appeared prepared as you walked to position yourself in front of Daemon. The deal you had struck with him seemed to have been taken very seriously by you. The Hightower born instead opened his mouth as he called for you.

“I would humbly ask for the favour of the Princess of Dorne,” he projected, the tip of his lance resting by where you stood.

Why this cunt-

He would lose, you knew it, Rhaenyra knew it and Daemon knew it. Your straightened shoulders slumped in defeat but the polite smile on your face never faded as you slid the crown down his lance. “I wish good fortune to you, Ser Gywane,” you said, looking at Daemon apprehensively.

Though he knew the sweet thing you were, you’d never ask him to lose, though win or lose. It wouldn’t matter for your wish of a dagger would be diffused regardless. Daemon rebuttals with the only other thing he could as he looks to Alicent peeling away at her fingers.

“Now…” he trotted forward to where Alicent stood. “I’m fairly certain I could win these games Lady Alicent. Your favour would all but assure it” strike of gold as the young lady turned to look at her father before flinging down her favour at Daemon. Who knew he would get to maim Gywane Hightower with his own sister’s blessing. “I shall keep my promise,” he said to you before viciously eyeing the blue crystal- blue flowers upon Hightower’s jousting pole.

Daemon thereafter rode to his end of line, he stretched out his neck one and then twice, you are fire, he looked to his side, crowd murmuring in anticipation, the ladies enthusiastically leaning over the bars. Daemon took another breath before nudging Alastor to attention and charging forward. He tested the green knight once, feeling the jousting pole gash against his armour as he traced the other end.

Daemon quickly drifted around, reaching for another pole before charging yet again, come to me motherfucker, his dirty trick of aiming for the horse’s legs sent Gywane Hightower landing on his face. Dirt covered and no doubt bleeding, a broken nose mayhaps?

He looked up to the stands once more, seeing the disdained glare decorate Otto Hightower’s face. Satiating Daemon’s monstrous hunger as he trotted away to prepare for the next round.

You looked away, the second you heard the horse screech and topple over, poor thing. Alicent silently gasped, watching her brother fall over as both you and Rhaenyra grabbed one hand each to comfort her. She had bitten away at her skin with blood pooling around her fingers, you couldn’t watch either being sure that you’d grow sick from hearing another horse cry.

“Come with me,” you whispered in her ear, pulling her up with you as you exited the stand while rubbing your belly to soothe it. You both ventured to the Godswood instead, Ser Darklyn followed at your heel until you sat with Alicent under the Weirwood tree.

“I’m sorry about your brother,” you gave her a sympathetic smile “only the gods will know what joy men find in these cruel games.”

“He will be fine, I think.” Alicent mindlessly traced her fingers on the lace of her light blue dress. “We match today,” she pointed out.

You looked at your dress and then hers “I suppose we do, blue is a wonderous colour.”

“You are to have your hems dropped soon, any chances of your dressing turning mustard?” she asked with a knowing look to her eye, a question you had been asked multiple times before.

“Maybe..?” you groaned before laying against a section between the roots “if I visit Dorne for the Voyage Day festivities, I am sure my brother would send me home with a crate of mustard and orange dresses.”

You, in a childish rage, had sworn off the mustard the moment you arrived on the Blackwater shores as ward, when Aemma took to acquiring things for you to appeal to your spirits. You had all your mustard gowns donated for shades of blue, the ones that reminded you of the beaches at Old Palace. There even is a galant vessel named after you, docked at the Blackwater ports in Dragonstone. She sails on every one of your name days, though the Blackwater is far too murky to swim unlike The Sunset Sea.

“You ought to stop doing that, you won’t have fingers anymore,” you gestured at her fingers as she shyly hid away.

“I can’t seem to stop…” Alicent mumbled, averting her eyes elsewhere.

“Maybe twirl you twist your rings instead?” you suggested, they often worked to soothe the anxiety in your chest whenever you visited court or in this case had to sit through brutal games. She nodded, looking at her own rings. You both thereafter sat in silence, it was comforting, it was home as your companionship remained true even years after.

The muffled shouts from the Game Grounds still reached your ears as you basked in the sun, the slow wind lulling you to a slumber as you had risen far too early today for your liking, you could sleep all day if it were allowed. However today brought on a different exhaustion, in the back of your mind all you could think of Aemma labouring. Toiling if Rhaenyra, Alicent, Laena and you had decorated yet another crib to mourn a child. The egg that awaited this child at the nursery’s hearth, mayhaps it would have a rider.

“Did you know Lady Marband is hiding a belly?” Alicent spoke up after a while.

You giggled, nodding to agree. “Oberya told me, here I thought she was getting fat.”

“She is already fat,” Alicent sniggered as you giggled once more.

“She does look beautiful though, the motherhood glow I suppose,” you looked up at her “do you know who?”

“My pin money is on Lord Massey’s eldest,” she shrugged.

“No…no?” you laughed, unable to imagine a whore monger like him being wed, the stories of the women in his bedchamber was well known by every brick upon the Red Keep. “Are we sure it’s not the younger one?”

“Have you ever seen him not look purple whenever a lady speaks to him?” Alicent raised a brow making you giggle once more. “He nearly fainted when Rhaenyra spoke to him once.”

Rhaenyra sat within the merriments of the stands with her family, Laena now sitting next to her as they gushed about the games. Though every now and then a commoner or squire would wave at the young princess, to which she would politely smile back. Daemon had torn through the lot of the combatants, and as was expected. Having nearly slain two knights, and broken bones of many others as he kept up with his eccentric tricks on the field.

All of whom were left was him and Ser Criston Cole, this might have been one of the most exacting moments. Perhaps her dear uncle would finally meet his match.

“Ser Criston Cole will now tilt against Ser Daemon Targaryen, the Prince of the City.”

Ser Criston lifted his visor as he approached the stands, lifting his lance at Rhaenyra “I was hoping to ask for the Princess’s favour,” he huffed breathlessly.

Rhaenyra smirked at Daemon before obliging and slotting her favour down Criston’s lance “I wish you luck, Ser Criston.”

She was far to enthralled by the fighting as the men wasted away two jousting poles before Criston unhorsed Daemon, the fighting continued by hand and while she felt a sting of guilt for favouring against her uncle, it would be an amusing thing to witness Daemon Targaryen finally be bested.

The ruckus behind her was completely forgotten as first Otto Hightower left and then her father King Viserys. In her excitement, she cheered by the bars, clapping along and hooting with Laenor by her side. Blow after blow and still the tension was amiss to her. The Small Council dispersed after, following behind the whispers of the servants.

Aemma’s screams had long stopped echoing from Maegor’s Holdfast, merely an interchange of midwives carrying towels and basins of water. You had noticed the shuffling down the corridors first, the cheers from the games were still far too loud for the attendant to be filling the halls already. You frowned at Alicent before standing up, your curious mind begging you to follow.

“I shall return in a moment,” you told her with a confused expression covering your features, she nodded before you could leave.

As the servant girls began running up the stairs to the Holdfast, excitement grew in your belly. Perhaps the new babe was here, mayhaps a girl to add to your flock. Just as you turned the hallway, your eyes found servants with bloodied towels and sheets in their hands. Basins of pink water covered in pulp like mess, you froze, this was so much blood. It stained the cream of their tunics as they carried these sheets away in a hurry.

You would have rushed up the stairs to Aemma’s bedchambers, instead you were met with distraught Rhaenyra being pulled out of the stairway by Ser Westerling, he passed a knowing look to Ser Darklyn who was prepared to catch you from running up those stairs.

“Rhaenyra?” you questioned, you held onto her shoulder but she just kept sobbing.

“Princess perhaps you might resume to your chambers,” Ser Darklyn requested from behind you. You followed Rhaenyra all the way to your shared quarters.

“She is dead,” Rhaenyra cried in your arms as you hugged her on the divan, the tears that should have been coating your face too seemed to have disappeared entirely. You just held onto Rhaenyra, that’s all you could do. Alicent did all the consoling, cooing and talking Rhaenyra through her grief.

Your tongue felt heavy, you had known loss before but this was raw. You had seen her just last night, she laid a kiss upon your cheek before bed. She wasn’t your mother, but she was more, she was Aemma. You would have thought that Viserys would have come to visit but he never did, even as the glaring moon graced her skies.

The Archmaester himself brought along a tea with Nightshade to help Rhaenyra sleep, her crying found no end until the tea was coaxed into her. Rhaenys visited once, as you succumbed to a slight doze when she grazed her hand upon Rhaenyra’s head. You had awoken to her shushing you back to sleep and squeezing Alicent’s hand.

You awoke within the early hours of day, the servants filling out to light the candles, your own handmaiden along with Alicent and Rhaenyra’s awaited in the receiving chambers, in your bed chambers a black gown awaited you.

“Do I have to?” You looked to Sona, she softened her eyes, holding the gown up.

“It is proper, highness,” she shrugged.

You emerged from your bed chambers to the dining hall, though it was slowly being filled with food. Not a soul loomed in the room, you sat in your chair, frowning hard as you pulled your feet onto the chair. Finding no use of appropriate posture in an empty room.

“Princess,” Daemon snapped you out of your dazed thoughts.

“Daemon.” You acknowledged as your frown softened, you pushed your feet off the chair to resume a more ladylike stance. He too dressed in black.

“How do you feel?” he asked, his own voice hoarse from the games yesterday.

You hadn’t given much thought to how you felt, in truth you weren’t sure if the sensations with you even realized you had truly lost someone. “I- I don’t know.” You shook your head. “You?”

Daemon grunted rather than replying. It was only then it dawned you to ask the question.

“Is it a son?” you asked, unsure if this was an inappropriate time.

“Was a son,” he replied before looking away. Having not more of an answer to give to you. “Rhaenyra?”

“Asleep, Mellos gave her Nightshade,” you said as a matter of fact. Yet again silence graced the room as you tried to nibble away at some melons. A son, was a son. What was the point? Then you felt it, the harder you thought the bile began to rise to the back of your throat. You were sure your palms were growing hot.

“I know what I feel…” you whispered, making Daemon look at you. “Angry, I feel angry.” At two and ten, you lost yet another mother. All so a man would have an heir (heirs) your eyes watered in the rage you felt.

“I have to go help Rhaenyra dress.”

on ao3 : https://archiveofourown.org/works/47686021/chapters/120437398

taglist (comment/asks/dm to be added) 🩵

#daemon targaryen x reader #daemon targaryen x reader x rhaenyra targaryen #daemon targaryen x rhaenyra targaryen #desiblr #river of fire #rhaenyra targaryen x reader #got x reader #yandere house of the dragon #house targaryen #house of the dragon fanfic #house of the dragon smut #house of the dragon fanfiction #hotd smut #hotd fic #hotd fanfiction #young alicent #alicent x reader #river of fire series

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theangelcatalogue · 1 month ago

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If you guys haven't seen my RTC Wonderland production idea, it is NOT a real production, just something I brainstormed in the middle of the night.

First Part

Second Part

(Under the cut for the people who can't access the link or just want to read about it in this post)

(Also there is a Gif of Anne Hathaway as White Queen, just warning cause why not)

FIRST PART

I already talked about this with a friend by I modified some things:

Jane with the Queen of hearts design, and her performance would be like:

When she says " Or it is lost somewhere with my head? " the choir does the ' off with your head ' sign in the background, and she touches her neck, like if they said she would lose her head.

And the flight part where she would like fall trying to search for something to grab and stop herself of falling, like Alice falls from the rabbit role, also the choir members holding white roses but dirty with red, since I read somewhere that the Queen of hearts uses the blood of the people she decapitated to paint the roses, so they used Jane's blood to pain the Roses or something like that.

But her performance wouldn't be Queen of hearts related, more like she was a card that was decapitated by the Queen, but who would have a queen related performance? Ocean cause why not, Ocean would even use a little crown during What the world needs, and everyone has a card, but Jane's card is different because Ocean doesn't see and admit Jane as a member of their choir they forgot about (a personal hc of mine)

Then Noel represents the caterpillar, the Monique outfit having some blue details, and she would be smoking whatever that caterpillar smokes

Misha represents the mad hatter, the This song is awesome performance would be like a crazy tea party, and in Talia things get calmer, and it has some flowers, representing the Wonderland's flowers but also Mad Hatter's more gentleman side, since he is not that crazy.

Ricky is the Cheshire cat, he's performance is a bit more mysterious, mixing space and purple tones, and maybe some special effects smoke when he appears in the Space Age Bachelor man suit

The birthday song is like a mini tea party for Jane

Constance is the white rabbit, and it has some broken clocks, like if the Rabbit had missed the time but doesn't give a damn about it

The portal to go back to life is a rabbit hole, in the end of It's not a game/It's just a ride they all go in, 2016 off-Broadway vibes, and when they go in Penny's shadow appears, dressed as Alice, reveling she wasn't just a card but yet an important part, she was the Alice of their Wonderland.

So… I'm back but this time I want to talk about Karnak and the opening of the musical, and other extra details that I don't know if i include or not:

Karnak is the march here, that is the craziest in the Wonderland if you think well, Mad Hatter is crazy, but he has a gentle side, the march hare is crazy and messy, which would be ironic for Karnak, his name could be " Karnak, the amazing hare . ", but he prefers " the amazing Karnak. " Karnak could also be interactive and change a bit on the songs, he could close his curtains while telling the choir's stories and when he opens up again. My idea is:

He uses a " Vote for Ocean " pin that Ocean herself made the choir members use in What the world needs

a beret during Noel's Lament

sunglasses during TSIA and a flower crown during Talia

A little cat ear during SABM, not the mask, just the ears

His curtain would be closed during TBOJD, since he says he never read her fortune

Some confetti during Sugar Cloud

Virgil could be dressed like mad hatter and the hare, or maybe he could be a rat with another details inspired by the jabberwocky

The opening would depend on which song to use, but i like to think of the use of simple effects that could represent the choir died and now are in the limbo, a little changing of lighting and props maybe? My idea is that the choir falls in the floor when they finish singing the opening, like they just fell from the surface and ended up in wonderland

Jane's design, I imagine her makeup being like Lizzie's heart from Ever After high, her hair could be totally black, and her doll would be dressed like a queen, my idea is that she also has a little crown in her hair, that Ocean takes it off during WTWN, Jane would try to search for it, but Ricky stops her, but after Ocean finishes her song, he takes the crown off and gives it to Jane (idk if i include this or no)

Some background bonding scenes with Misha and Jane, since the Mad Hatter is found of Alice in the movies (I'm mixing the book and the movies a bit) and really implied Spacedolls

Thanks for hearing and sorry if i'm bothering, i'm thinking of writing a script for this specific production because why not?

YES I COPYPASTED IT DON'T JUDGE ME

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threewaysdivided · 6 months ago

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Feyli's Fancy Florals

More Dan Jones & Dragons? More Dan Jones & Dragons.

Bringing the number up to four with Feyli, the Flower Crown's born-again Dhampir Druid and sole wielder of feminine wiles (played by the talented NicholeGoodnight), all dolled up for a night of lying her butt off, stealing from rich people and smuggling small woodland creatures into upper-class venues.

More Flower Crowns Gala Outfits: Morenthal | Gelnek | Hobson

Design talk and also some bonus art under the cut:

Gotta say, Feyli's outfit was definitely the most tricky out of the set so far. Nichole gave quite a specific description of the details in Feyli's dress (a blood-red gown with black roses around the top, black rose-vines trailing down the body and a dark lace cape) so a lot of it was figuring out how to translate those elements in a way that felt nice and balanced, then adding some complementary embellishments for fun. Each Flower Crown has been pushing me to learn more program tricks and Feyli certainly gave me some fun new challenges to figure out.

For the dress itself, I ended up going with an off-the-shoulder mermaid-skirt gown in attempt to find something that would look nice on Feyli's body-shape and show off the roses without utterly destroying the line mileage if I wanted to draw her in it again later. (Still ended up doing the skirt-embriodery by hand so task failed successfully).

Accessory-wise I thought it would be fun to crank the "roses" theme up to 11, since Feyli really leaned into that with her alias and cover stories, so I threw in some rose-embroidery finishing to the edges of her lace cape (shout out to ClipStudio users rainbowgrimart and 얀얀씨 for their ornate lace and jewellery brushes, which were an absolute lifesaver for the detailing) and also traded up her usual hair-wildflowers to match.

Whether Feyli canonically wore her antlers to the ball is a mystery, but since she can change those now and Nichole did mention her keeping the hair-flowers I thought it would be neat to give her a smaller but more formal set of sparkly silvered deer-horns to fit the dress-code. I also had some fun playing around with her hair and make-up since it was a black tie nobles event and I figured Lady Infiltration might go the extra mile to style herself for the evening. She's the only party member with long hair, I had to.

The jewellery was mostly just goofing. I really wanted to give her a version of Tante Padva's "slit throat" ruby choker necklace from Erin Morgenstern's The Night Circus since I felt like Feyli's backstory and Nichole's description of the dress would vibe with that aesthetic. For the rest, I figured silver would be a cute way to have her be matchy with Coil and contrasting to fellow-infiltrator Morenthal. Plus I thought it would be funny to give her a bunch of rings and loop-bangles since she's such an incorrigible fantasy-gachapon girlie.

Once I realised that Feyli had somehow managed to bring a bag with her rescue-rat companion, Soli, and recently-acquired copper dragonscale lizard through the cloak-room weapons check, I knew I had to find a way of including them as well. They're hard to see in the main drawing but I had so much fun with them that I decided to do a bonus sketch:

(Also feat. Pocket, the Party's new intrusive thoughts generator fairy friend.)

Double-bonus detail crop because I quite like how Feyli's expression-work and hair turned out:

#Dan Jones and Dragons #DJ&D #Feyli #Feyli (Rose)#The Flower Crowns of E'lythia #A Party to forget #my art #fanart #3WD #(yes there are EVEN MORE RINGS in the bag in her purse. Feyli has so many of those)#In this episode of 3WD-teaches-herself-ClipStudio: multiply layers and custom pattern brushes 🎉#I will admit I had a self-imposed semi-hard-mode in effect on this one #As an enjoyer of the bad-comic-art blog and recent escapee from another fandom that went downhill due to misogynistic writing #I have an ongoing stick up my backside about oversexualising/objectifying/disempowering female characters in male-gaze-y ways #And since I try to hold myself to the same standards that I've previously criticized things from #the constant background mental chant of ohgodohgodPLEASEdon'tobjectifytheonlywomanintheParty was... *interesting* to deal with #Believe me when I say I tried SO HARD to make sure I was capturing her character in the picture as well as making her pretty #(maybe ironic that a cis-ace woman was worried about accidentally evoking male-gaze fanservice but her tiddies had me in FEAR)#Anyway I hope I have done the Flower Lady justice #She's a nature-girl. a frequent single-braincell holder. a lying liar who lies. a disaster drunk with Sophie Deveraux energy. I love her.#DnD #D&D #Dhampir

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lostuntothisworld · 7 months ago

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Who's ready for another shitpost spaghetti theory based off the popular fan theory that's been going around where Felix and Adrien were swapped at birth

(Also what's the deal with these recordings and why does Gabe want them gone so bad, other than the obvious?)

Okay here's where the crack theory comes in:

Adrien is his own twin sister, and that's why he has two amoks.

When Emilie is talking about Adrien being free in the recordings, she's not talking about Adrien, she's talking about Adrienne, the baby girl Adrien was named after, who only exists in strands of DNA within Adrien. When Gabemoth talks about how "they" can all be together again, he's talking about how the four of them can be a family.

Whichever Princess twin that had Adrien, couldn't bear the fact that the baby girl was no longer there, and passed the boy baby and her empire to her twin's family.

Maybe that's why Amelie (a name that means acts like the curious princess (the princess that ends up marrying Gabemoth), whereas Emilie (a name that means Rival) acts like the wise princess (the princess that ends up marrying Colt).

I'm not sure how it'll play out or what twin swap did (or even didn't actually, but was planned to) occurred. But something is fishy.

Maybe Gabriel and Emilie are Felix's real parents while

Maybe Colt and Amilie are Adrien's real parents, and Gabriel and Emelie are Felix's?

Maybe even Colt and Emilie are Adrien's parents, and Gabriel and Amelie are Felix's?

All of this ties into my theory that the show is just a giant 15 year timeloop.

Here's what Kagami right before the play in Representation:

Kagami: But that's the only possible explanation. Argos: (off-screen) Do you think she can be trusted? Kagami: She's my friend. We don't have a choice. (holds hands with Argos) My mother and Gabriel Agreste will never allow us to love each other freely. Only Ladybug can help us.

That is to say, Kagami came up with the story from whatever limited information she has using her logic. Felix is either going along with it for his own purposes, or he actually believes her. Even Tikki calls it a sad story, and Marinette insists it's a real thing that occurred.

I think instead of looking at the play, we should look at what happens directly before it, Marinette chasing a disguised Felix around while trying to act happy even though she's crying and trying to find Adrien.

First she's handed a crown from Rose, and a bouquet of flowers with a dark striped ribbon by a thankful Caline who says she would never have been able to run for mayor without her. A bouquet that is the same exact one as the bouquet Marinette gifts her mother for a belated Mother's day (using her mother's money, too!). I know the show likes to reuse models, but that's kind of suspect in my opinion, especially considering the next scene:

Miss Bustier: I never would've had the courage to run for Mayor! Marinette: Oh! You're welcome, Miss Bustier! We've always been an inspiration to you— I-I mean, the opposite! (bumps on Ivan) Ivan: She took up our ecological proposals in her program! (gives Marinette a tight hug) Mylène: (gives Marinette a small piece of log with a ribbon) Thanks to you, if Miss Bustier is elected, there will be more trees, less cars — the planet will breathe! Marinette: (walks away backwards from Ivan and Mylène) I'm happy that the planet gets to breathe. But right now, I'm the one who can't breathe!��(runs) Adrien! (Marinette hurriedly runs through the crowd, bumping into numerous people along the way.) Mylène: Are you sure you're okay, Marinette? Kim: You don't look too good right now! Marinette: (skittishly) Me? Not looking too good? What are you talking about? I'm here, totally here! I've got a bouquet, a crown, a log, and I'm dancing! Woohoo! Oh wow, speaking of which, why don't I go try out that trampoline? Hop-hop! See ya!

They sure did chuck a baby boy log at her while she's hyperventilating. I wonder what this could possibly represent :)

She runs into an old flame who is redeemed and genuinely concerned for her. She tells him that she's great and how could she not if she has a bouquet, a log, and a crown.

Anyway, she says she wants to "hop hop hop" on the trampoline but Mr. Damacles (and Jean Duparc is there too...) (Is Mr Damacles a time traveler?)

Then she bumps into Zoe, the person who decided to put her in the spotlight without thinking of her feelings on the matter, searches around for "Adrien" and spots his orange butterfly branded shoes.

She accidentally interrupts a pair of lovebirds while chasing "Adrien", and promptly "Adrien". Her back turned from the telescope behind her, she tries to call him but there's no answer.

A blue firework with a pink core explodes behind her. All she had to do was look through the telescope.

Alya and Nino go comfort her.

Alya: Marinette, stop. You're just hurting yourself. You know he's in London. Marinette: What if he's come home? What if he disobeyed his father to come... (voice breaks) and find me? Nino: London isn't that far! We'll find a way to go and visit him. Alya: You have the right to be sad, Marinette. This is anything but the ending we expected.

And then Marinette does this:

She passes the three very specific objects to Alya and Nino, and runs away to find Adrien(ne)

Or, you know, Adrien and Felix were swapped at birth and/or Emilie and Amelie were swapped at their weddings. But that's a little predictable haha

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loosesodamarble · 22 days ago

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For the couples ask game can you give an answer 12,11 for our Ice princess and Chameleon prince .

An anon that has found and is indulging my love of Cinderella Phenomenon. Let's picnic in a flower field and we can discuss how beautiful the game and its story is. How about it~?

Okay okay okay. But onto the questions you asked. And sorry about the wait. Hopefully my answers make up for it.

11) [Couple] has just stumbled into a fairy ring, and they've forgotten they ever knew each other! What happens now?

Well first off, Parfait is gonna have some explaining to do./j

Since the ask game is about couples, I'm thinking about how Lucette post-character development in Klaude's route specifically would react. And they've only forgotten meeting each other not everything that's happened since meeting.

Both of them being royalty, Klaude and Lucette would regard each other cordially. Klaude is the more affable of the two but Lucette is still open to Klaude. As far as she's aware, they're the two crown royals of their respective kingdoms and she wants to start making good first impressions with new people.

Klaude wouldn't treat Lucette with nearly as much affection as he usually would. Not only because he doesn't remember knowing Lucette, but also because he thinks that there's someone else waiting for him. He's remembers his curse breaking but cannot recall who. So he'd be distracted thinking about the person who he fell in love with to break his curse. And as far as he knows, the curse had to have broken in a natural way rather than having the Tenebrarum Bearer lift the curse because he has no recollection of knowing Lucette, the present Bearer. So in Klaude's amnesiac mind, there has to be someone waiting for him. He's not outright panicked but he's perplexed by the gap in his memory.

As for Lucette's part, she's probably a little lost in her thoughts too. She's not nearly as worried as Klaude but she is wondering where her skills with a sword came from. She recalls training with Jurien and Garlan but who was their teacher? What were the kind deeds that broke her curse? She's left with these questions and can tell that Klaude might help answer them because he too is having trouble recalling the circumstances around his curse being broken.

It'd be a misadventure of piecing Lucette and Klaude "introducting" themselves to each other and piecing together their memories while all their friends act like they should be far more affectionate with each other. There'd be a moment of miscommunication where they're falling in love again but Klaude pushes Lucette away because OF COURSE HE WOULD! Saying "There can't be anything between us, Princess. I already have someone waiting," and then touching the rose locket as his proof that his "someone else" lover exists.

They'd be so stupid and it'd be great! GAAAAAH!

Great. I accidentally wrote a summary to a fic that I probably will never write.

12) [Couple] has just found an interdimensional portal, and one of them just walked in! Does the other go after them?

No doubt about it. Whether it's Lucette going in to investigate or Klaude entering the portal out of simple intrigue, the other is going in after their beloved! Lucette and Klaude know that the other is capable! But it always feels better to be right beside each other, supporting and protecting one another.

It's like the situation with the Marchen crew infiltrating the castle to rescue the royal family. There are unknown risks and I'm sure Klaude would prefer it if Lucette stayed where it was safe, but she's too stubborn to back down and leave Klaude to fend for himself. And it'd be similar in the reverse. Lucette feels protective of Klaude despite his abilities and he'd stubbornly refuse to sit pretty while his wife is in an unknown situation through a portal.

I just don't see either of them being okay with waiting for the other to come home from a dangerous situation. It's something that I love about them and would love in any couple really!

#questions from the ask box #soda asides #awesome anons #ask game #cinderella phenomenon #klaude aidric renaldi mattheus almonte #lucette riella britton #klaude x lucette

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waterloggedsoliloquy · 1 year ago

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2 & 9 for opal!

2. What's something about your OC that people wouldn't expect just from looking at them?

He knows what he's doing. Not all of it can be chalked up to dumb boy who doesn't know better.

9. Do you have a specific lyric or quote which you associate with your OC?

I like this question. Here is his playlist! And attached favorite lyrics like the 8tracks days. I can't say who he's referring to in every song, but maybe you might have some ideas?

Well, I'm just a kid of ill repute / But the skin I wear's my only suit / And you, you're just a substitute / For the one that I hold dear

2. The blocking characters are plotting new disloyalty / But sensing their irrelevance, they're frowning and displeased / The car chased through the mini-mall, amaryllis on the hood

3. All these things I've tried, boy, be cute, be dumb, be wise, be young

4. I'M SCARED! THAT I! WON'T E! VER CHANGE! I THINK! ABOUT! HER E! VERY DAY! I CAN'T! LET GO! I CAN'T! GO ON! I'M NOT! OKAY! AT ALL!

5. Hey there Mr. Blue! We're so pleased to be with you!

6. 'Cuz my heart is my keep! / And yo-u-u-u-u-u are threatening me!

7. The ache of a decade / the cure is overdue / for this brand-new kind of blue

8. You told me I'm hard to live with, but you said it out of spite! / I may put you through some suffering but I'll never prove you right! / It's a chapter that you're stuck on, but you'd rather read alone / I'm an uninspiring ending, but the best you've ever known!

9. Once I was the King of Spain / now I eat humble pie / A palatial palace, that was my home / now I eat humble pie

10. All My Friends Are Falling In Love / I know that if I was to set you free / You'd let them take you away from me

11. The sleeping beauty of the wasteland / Carry the milk or pierce the body with swords / machine guns, flowers, and peacock feathers

12. You got a reaction / You got a reaction, didn't you? / You took a white orchid / You took a white orchid turned it blue

13. 'Cuz what if I become my mother's / sole reputation? / and with no hesitation / i just burn all night

14. You are an unfit rival / By spirits taught to sing / But a tune so twisted now / Like all that's sweet's gone sour

15. I hug myself hard / How come there's peacocks in the front yard?

16. One girl's not so loud, like a convert she believes / She's always been looking for wires / But now she knows none are required / It's magic

17. I can see now you've stepped into the light / You've got those bright kind of eyes that I like / I kinda lie and I can't find a way through / I've obscured my own view / Well I'd do anything to make you mine

18. I just want to know what your feathers are made out of / Is it bruises or roses or cradles or coffins? (It's all those!) / Which peacock is beast? Which peacock is priest? / If your friends are all cripple, all wither, all wilt / I know, I know, I know

19. My name should be trouble / my name should be woe! / 'cuz trouble heartache / is all that I know! / Lonely lonely blue boy / is my name!

20. Don't occupy my throne, give me the crown I own / Lived like you told me how, look at me now

21. Swear to shake it up, if you swear to listen / Oh, we're still so young, desperate for attention / I aim to be your eyes, trophy boys, trophy wives

22. [no lyrics]

23. Misjudged your limits / Pushed you too far / Took you for granted / I thought that you needed me more, more, more

24. Poor little rich boy, all the couples have gone / You wish that they hadn't, you don't wanna be alone / But they wanna kiss and they got homes of their own

25. What she asked of me at the end of the day/ Caligula would have blushed!

26. [no lyrics]

27. Today I am / A small blue thing / Like a marble / Or an eye / With my knees against my mouth

28. Will you come a little closer now and tell me I'm a / Scrawny mother fucker with a cool hairstyle?

29. Hello again / Not much has changed / I'm still the same / Just a bit older / Where have you been? / How do you like it? / I'm still the same / Just a bit bolder

#cecil drawls #opal schiller #carousel waltz #blazednarancia

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limpfisted · 1 year ago

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sometimes i feel like there's a hole inside of me, an emptiness that at times seems to burn. OH OKAY

"Then fill it. And let me help." He shrugs his shoulders, gently takes his hands. "You are so much more than your pain, or any kind of lack in you. I see the man you are, the struggle, the hunger in your eyes, and yet the way you beg not for your own redemption, not for an unearned bandage on your own guilt---but just to help people, to lay gentle hands on the cuts you've torn, to mend hearts and minds... even when your own trembles so in fear of just your self. Perhaps you do not see it. Perhaps you do not have memories, and so you assume we have no memories of you. But I do. I see the way you stand between us and any danger. You--You defended me from Mizora. You tried to break my pact. And even more than that--you stood between us, twice. And for some reason, perhaps your strength in battle, perhaps that you had always done right by me---I believed you. I believed you could keep me safe, from a DEVIL that has tormented me for seven years, with no one to-...." He almost drops their hands, and after he almost pulls away, he squeezes them, tighter. "I felt safe behind you, like a black sheep cowering behind a lion."

"You push down your feelings, and yet, you are the bravest person I know with them. I have never heard someone say such mean, sarcastic things with so much joy," he chides, with a smile, teasing. "I have never heard such mean things be so funny. Even in your anger, there is an... honesty. An intimacy. Even when you suppress your feelings, shake and gasp and sweat with grief. That terrible struggle---it's one I understand, now, if only from when my soul was dragged through Hell. I see you fighting, the most noble, honorable fight---and I can not think of a warrior stronger. Your will is sharper than any blade, a tongue and muscles that tie and melt themselves hotter than a dragon's forge---and yet, even as I weep for you and wish you did not have to. I find myself admiring your skill for self-control."

"I have so many memories of you. And yet, if you have none of yourself---we shall make more."

"More memories than you can hold. More memories, every day, until you tire of me, until your teeth rot with sweet tales you can rock yourself to sleep with, a lullaby i give to you and you alone. No devil can stop me until you've gotten your fill of happiness and all the splendors of the Sword Coast. And Baldur's Gate. We are so close."

" I will take you to eat fish at the harbour, and we shall watch the sun set, though the yellows, orange, reds, I once thought were so perfect through the thick of the mist could never match the perfect warmth and darkness of your skin. I'll take you to the stables---and together, we'll ride gorgeous horses all around the Outer City. I'll show you the peacocks and the hawks---I'll teach you all I know about holding them and feeding them. My own trusty steed and feathered friend would have loved you---Prince and Charming, respectively, of course. We can go fishing, though I suppose my Father always said I was not the best at that. We can go gambling at the races, and watch the drunken Tymoran priests race even faster around the stadium, chased by unlucky gamblers."

" I'll take you to meet my Mother--and place flowers on her grave. Red roses. She was a bard, she told me to always remember the classics, the cliches are often based on beautiful truth, to bend and shape into gorgeous wreaths and braids and crowns. She would have loved your sharp tongue. She had one of your own, you see. You could both make fun of me and my Father's puns." What a fantasy. Wyll loves to roleplay, and loves still more to forget.

"We can see the fountains in the Upper City. The water is clean enough to drink and there's spouts for children to dance in. So beautiful, at night they gleam every color rainbow with alchemcy and candlelight. All the gorgeous shrines, so much history, so many cultures, all standing after more than two hundred years as one. The Wide! Oh, you must see the statue of Minsc, and Boo, my favorite heroes in all of history. The little hamster is so very darling, I begged my Father to get me one and then tried to run away from home and hunt one down when he said no. I'll tell you all about Minsc and Boo's adventures, and then we can watch a puppet show, and grown men and silly drunken teenagers whimper and cry as they get tattoos. We can buy more perfumes and lotions, and gifts for all our friends, and the swords. My Gods, by Balduran's bollocks, enough to make a man swoon with envy. The thought of an expensive rapier in your hand makes me swoon harder still."

" We can pick up dinner, on the way home. We'll use an old Ravengard family recipe--pot roast and veggies, and fry the fish to boot. Mm. And then we'll go to the park, together, where I used to play so many games of pretend, and we'll talk of all our legendary adventures, and all the legendary adventures to come."

"You deserve to feel more than sadness, mourning, grief. There is labour in atonement, yes. There is hard work in good."

"And yet, you deserve happiness, and joy, and rest, and perhaps love, if you are so kind as to want it from someone else. And if you like, if you are willing. You can find it here, in me."

Wyll takes Daemos's hands and places them on his too-warm beating chest. "If you do not have a heart, if you do not have memories, take my heart, and let us make new memories. Let us make new dawns, and dreams. I want you to wake up in the morning--and know that there is a world outside you."

"It wants you. It aches for you. It sings for you. The world, just as you, is not whole without you in it."

#hm hm hm hm hm #not entirely happy with this but thats how it is on this bitch of an earth #betraal

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apollos-boyfriend · 2 years ago

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I dunno if you've done a post on this, but do you want to explain any of your design choices for hannah/ the origin of her scars?

i don’t think i have! i may have explained her scars in some tags but those are LONG lost so! official icarus’ channah explanation post (under read more bc i think about her SO much)

(channah for reference)

first, the design choices i gave because i Have to have cbedwars be matching at all times or i WILL die:

pointed ears! hannah’s ears are long and point upwards to match the more contemporary fairies/elves. (purpled’s ears are short and point upwards; boomer’s are short and point downwards)

freckles! i think hannah would be out in the sun a lot, so she has the Lightest amounts of freckling around her entire body, but mostly her cheeks. (purpled has white freckles in the same area, while boomer’s are green)

dyed hair! i cannot remember WHY i started giving her pink wisps, but it happened somewhere between may and june of 2022. she dyes them herself, and has been for years now, to the point where most people have never known her without them. (purpled has purple sections in his bangs—those are natural; boomer dyes their side strands green daily to fit in)

turtleneck! this design first appeared in my first Big cbedwars drawing, and i think at some point i genuinely Forgot hannah’s skin didn’t include it. (purpled wears a long-sleeved one that doubles as fingerless gloves; boomer wears a turtleneck sweater)

piercings! hannah has both ears pierced, although i do Not keep them consistent at all between drawings. the only real constant are the two lobe piercings that most people have, everything else i kind of make up on the spot. (purpled has only his left ear pierced; boomer only has his right)

and for non-bedwars designs:

sharp, angled eyes! initially, i wanted to give her and tina the semicircle and semicircle but upside-down duality, but i found the upside-down semicircles didn’t fit her in any instance outside of eggpire!hannah. so i compromised, keeping her lashes to only her lower waterline and using more angled edges (that you can’t actually see in that drawing rip) to keep that sharp edge to her

her hairstyle is meant to match more closely to cc!hannah’s signature wisps! i also felt as if someone who’s used to the battlefield and acting on her feet wouldn’t want her hair flying all over the place all the time, so i put it up into a side braid. not only does it help to keep it out of her eyes, it’s harder to grab onto mid-battle than a ponytail, giving her additional protection.

a singular rose! i got tired of drawing her flower crown all the time. consequently, i got tired of drawing her arm roses all the time, to the point where i Forgot she even had them in the first place. whoops.

lipstick! i first drew her lips with bright-red lipstick for my pride month tinarose drawing, and i’m still kind of obsessed with that piece. i just think the princess peach-type circular lips suit her really well :]

as for her scars! hannah has died by heat/fire twice: once when she lost her wings, and another when she was pushed into lava during the final egg stream. i personally choose to believe the wing incident was a canon death, and therefore, she could’ve gotten her scars from it, much like tubbo got his from the fireworks, but i’ve also made them work if we strictly want to stick to canon. i think hannah either died before she was fully submerged or was never fully submerged in the first place, having tried to fight back and claw her way out, leaving only half of her body scarred. since that one IS an in-universe canon death, the scars carried over when she respawned.

#muse talk #it-elvie-innit #icarus hcs #i think that’s all of my major design choices!!#as i said. i think about her. a Lot #i have entire essays explaining all of my cbedwars designs. it’s an. issue

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bwritesbooks · 4 months ago

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Emerging from my cage to give you a snippet from my novel. For context, Taka is a half-orc with black hair, violet eyes, and grey skin. Isolda is a halfling with tan skin, shaved black hair, and black eyes. They have recently been at a party thrown by a group of elven nomads. Before this, they were on a quest. They had to pause for spoiler reasons.

As the night wore on Isolda and Taka spun and swayed. Drank and talked. Neither of them had ever cared less about the time that was passing or what the people around them were doing. Though they had known each other for two weeks they both felt as though they were meeting eachother for the first time. Taka discovered that Isolda loved animals and that she was fascinated by all of the new ones she had seen since leaving her family’s boat. Isolda learned that Taka had a fondness for pastries and was determined to learn to cook them even though most of her attempts had ended in failure. In those hours, the world narrowed to a single point that only the two of them lived within. Eventually, giddy with drink and freedom from care, Isolda took Taka’s hand and led her off towards the woods.

“Wait, where are we going?” Taka asked, less because she actually cared and more because it felt like something she should say.

“You’ll see,” Isolda replied, laughing lightly and tugging Taka’s hand to make her go faster.

It felt like it had been years since she had been this happy. It almost felt inappropriate in the face of everything that had happened and all that was yet to come, but, for once, Isolda did not care. She did not feel the pressures of duty creeping up behind her nor does she fear what her parents will say when she returns to them. Right now, nothing matters, but Taka’s hand in hers. She leads Taka to a grove filled with glowing flowers. Once it was a pet project of the previous clan leader’s, but since his passing it has taken on a new life as a sanctuary to the scant few people who still know it is there. By day it looks like nothing more than a particularly lush piece of the woods. Beautiful, but unassuming. By night, it is like a different world.

Taka spun around in a slow circle, taking it all in. Her mouth was open in wonder and Isolda’s heart soared knowing that she was the one who put that smile on her face.

“This is beautiful,” Taka exclaimed. “How did you find this?”

“I couldn’t sleep a few nights ago and I decided to take a walk. I honestly did not want to leave,” she said with a laugh.

“I don’t blame you,” Taka replied. “I would not want to leave either.”

Isolda smiled.

“It is beautiful isn’t it?” she said, but she was not looking at the flowers.

Instead, she stared at Taka’s smile. That smile is such a rare and beautiful thing, she thought to herself. I would give all my gold to keep that smile on her face. A blush rose to Isolda’s cheeks at the thought. The logical part of her brain knew this was a bad idea. She was not to pursue anyone her parents had not already approved and Taka had definitely not been approved. It would only cause trouble if she went against them even more than she already had. Isolda’s heart did not care and it pushed her forward.

“Taka?” she asked.

Taka turned and the light from the flowers caught in her hair like a crown. She directed her smile at Isolda and Isolda felt nervous for perhaps the first time in her life. She stepped closer and took Taka’s hands in hers.

“May I kiss you?” She asked.

Taka’s eyes went wide. If you had asked her two seconds ago what her answer to this question would be she would have said yes, absolutely. Perhaps she would not have answered and simply kissed Isolda as an answer. But now, faced with the chance to actually follow through, all Taka feels is afraid.

“Uh…I…um..” she stuttered her brain short circeting and freezing any answer she could give.

To Isolda, who was already afraid that this was a bad idea, it is as good as a no. Her mind latches onto the hesitation and immediately tells her to back off. This was a bad idea. It was too fast. For the gods’ sake, she and Taka were hardly even friends yesterday. Suddenly all of the peace and joy she had been feeling was replaced with anger. Anger at herself for even trying this. Anger at Taka for being so pretty. Anger at the world for not being fair.

“I..I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m going too fast. I shouldn’t have…”

Isolda looked uo to see that Taka was already gone. So overwhelmed that she had fled the woods like a monster was on her tail.

“Taka wait!” Isolda shoughted at her retreating back.

But Taka was already gone.

“Minska!” Isolda cursed.

Then she slid down with her back to a tree and began to cry.

#my writing #writblr #realm of the wishmakers #writblr comunity #taka #isolda #about my writing

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glapplebloom · 5 months ago

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If any Princess needs more meat, it's Cadance... (No pictures)

The Annual Hearts and Hooves Day Heartsong is today but things aren't going as planned. Instead of a big crowd, a case of the Pony Sniffles made a large number of ponies bedridden. To make matters worse, this was after Flurry Heart broke the crystal so this was to make sure the Crystal Heart was fully charged before the Cold North could take over again. Then they have lyrics to a song with no music.

But it seems the Heartsong was more than enough despite the less people around. After all, the others may be sick at home but they can still send their love. But before they can go back home, it seems a group of ponies want to meet Cadance. So she sends Shining and Flurry home to meet these ponies. One of them is Lilac Quartz, who talks and talks and talks.

Cadance remembers her since she prides herself in remembering the name of everyone she met, including the pony who runs the Crystal Crown Cafe. The others are Rose Water (who seems to have a thing for Shining), Olivine Jewel (who is now at the most dreadful age: a teenager), and Olivine's friends. So you can guess Olivine is a moody Teenager who thinks everything sucks and all that. And totally a coincidence, the Crystal Heart is dying.

So before we continue, Chapter 2 reveals two things: 1- Cadance has a tendency to see the future every once in a while. Not on demand, but enough to give her pause when she gets one. And today she got two, one of them is a grassy garden in the Crystal Empire during the Spring. The other, and most important thing: Cadance is sloppy and tends to leave things around. No, she doesn’t expect other ponies to pick them up, she’s just messy.

After a quick charge, regrouping with Shining and another vision, Cadance got a game plan: if the first vision is showing her the Crystal Heart dimming, she has to make sure the second vision, where it's a bright and sunny spring, does happen. So she’s going to do something that will make sure ponies in the Empire are so filled with love and light they would never have to worry about the Crystal Heart again.

It’s Heartsong 2.0, only bigger and better! She was hoping for Shining Armor’s help, but Princess Celestia requests for Shining Armor to host the Royal Guard Recruitment Trials early. So he hopes that Cadance can get help because he knows how much she likes to do things on her own. Which would explain why Twilight is like how she is. And it gets worse when she sees the Garden in her vision turn out to be a mess in reality.

She thinks she could handle this, but hours later, she realizes she doesn’t have much experience in landscaping or gardening. She needs help. So when a tour group of Teenagers arrived, it reminded her of her Canterlot days where she led the same type of people and they only got excited when they did something. So two and two together and you got the solution to both issues, right?

Well, the students were excited. Except Olivine: who didn’t want to help, thinks they should get professionals to help, and is ignored. Totally a coincidence the Heart is dying. And Cadance was also helping when she could, but being royalty means you have other duties to attend to. And this gets Olivine’s attention. She thinks they’re being forced to do something that’s fruitless. Because she thinks it would never be as good as it was before Sombra.

To prove to two ponies, she takes them to her Grandpa’s house to show them what it was like. One of them, Star Seed, read a book while Olivine was looking for her evidence. They read about a flower called a Lazilily, which supposedly filled ponies with lethargy. If that ain’t a foreshadow I don’t know what is. What Olivine wanted to get was some seeds. They’re gonna plant it in the garden, which makes me think the book and the seeds are related.

How could they do that? Well, Cadance is allowing creative freedom, so they could do what they want as long as it fits the criteria. So they could plant whatever they want or make the bush animals anything they want. And it seems this is working. While Shining is worried it may be too much, between the students having fun in the garden and the parade float the ponies spirits are being uplifted. While the real Crystal Heart is still weakening, this had to work.

But things aren't all cozy and grand. Petal Shine has a case of the giggles and she's been like it for hours. Luckily Cadance can cure that (meaning she could reverse Joker Toxin). But this was something she needed to solve, so after hearing Petal's last memories, she decided to investigate the matter. While she does that, Shining Armor is giving the would-be guards an endurance test of Simon Says. The last pony still following commands wins.

I say this because after that, Cadance was there to talk to her husband. Back to the Garden, it seems to be working as despite the actual Celebration being a few days away, the ponies of the Crystal Empire wanted to see how it looked now. But it seems something is off as the ponies seem to be humming like bees. Olivine’s plants were the culprit as she did it to get back at Princess Cadance for making them do the work.

Since nobody was giving answers, Cadance was able to put two and two together and figured out Olivine was behind this. The Princess blames herself and goes to talk with the Teenager about it. Too bad things are getting worse and even the spell Cadance used before was not working now. So the vision she had before? It was about this: the giggling she thought was good was because it was out of control.

Trying to find Olivine led to the Cafe, where we find out Olivine’s mother’s friends are the parents of Olivine’s two friends who helped her with this mess. Eventually they led to the Grandpa who knew they were at his house but didn’t think they took anything important. Too bad they did and they were dangerous flowers. And because he’s so old, he doesn’t remember how to solve the problem. So Cadance has to find Olivine and friends and hopefully stop this before the Cold North takes them all for good...

And that’s where we’ll end the recap. Except for the fact that during this time Sunburst was visiting Starlight Glimmer. This was over a year before Uncommon Bound, which was the only episode that had him visiting her. So while this was happening, he was setting up for the Pillars to come back. Overall, while not as good as Celestia’s book, it is nice to see Cadance get some stuff to herself.

Her memorization of all the citizens of the Crystal Empire (which was used in the IDW Book), the future visions which works just as well as Garnet’s (for better and worse), her being able to figure out what was happening thanks to that photogenic memory of hers. While Celestia still had the best of the three Princesses, at least Cadance got something to call her own.

#green lantern apple bloom #mlp review #mlp revisit #book

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jillknight09 · 6 months ago

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Princess's Servant

CHAPTER 2: MEETING

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Lanver stare at Mr. Briwoods in shock while Mr. Briwoods just smile at him “W-wait, it’s not that I’m opposing you Mr. Briwood but Lanver is still young and is not familiar with all the rich party” Ashfordell said making Mr. Briwood look at him

“Then that’s good he can learn from this experience”

“B-but you see Lanver doesn’t know how to act or behave sir he’s sometimes reckless, I think as the owner of this shop I should represent him”

Mr. Briwoods look at Lanver directly and asked “Lanver, will you make me regret my decision?” Lanver glance Mr. Ashfordell and can sense that he wants him to decline the offer, Lanver take a deep breath before staring back to Mr. Briwoods and answer “I won’t make you regret sir” He said with full confidence making Mr. Briwoods smile and stand up “That’s all the answer I need, I shall get going now” Mr. Briwoods said “Have a safe trip Mr. Briwoods” Lanver said bowing at him as Mr. Briwoods exit the room.

Lanver smiled at the opportunity he got but it quickly vanished when Ashfordell call out to him, Lanver turn around only to see Mr. Ashfordell frowning at him “I don’t know what Mr. Briwoods see in you but you better do a good job or else you’ll bring my company’s name to the ground” Ashfordell said and Lanver nod.

“If you ever do embarrassed our name expect that you won’t have a job the next day after the party” Ashfordell said “I won’t disappoint you sir” Lanver said and Ashfordell motion his hand to Lanver signaling it to leave the room.

A few hours passed by after that meeting, Lanver went home and quickly opened his closet, going through every single clothes searching for a formal clothes but it was just no use “I give up I can’t go to the party wearing something like this, maybe I should just tell Mr. Briwoods that I can’t go” Lanver mumble feeling a bit disappointed.

Lanver turn around and saw his cabinet and by instinct he go to his cabinet and took out the money he was saving “I should just try to look for cheap one” Lanver said and went out of his house.

The next day at the royal kingdom, all the maids was running around to fix everything and prepare for the party, the courtroom was full of people surrounding King Caelum Everglen and Queen Isabella Everglen

“Your Majesty, would you like some flowers on the decoration?”

“That would be lovely”

“Which rose should we use your majesty? Pink Rose or Red rose”

“The Red rose please”

King Caelum sigh in exhaustion making his wife look at him “Are you ok Caelum?” She asked and Caelum nod “You know I don’t like hosting parties much” he said making making Queen Isabella nod “We have to do this Caelum it’s for us to know more about the people here” she said making caelum sigh until something caught his attention on the side.

On the side he saw his youngest daughter peeking at them through the door making King Caelum chuckle at his daughter and call one of the maids “make the princess some ice cream and also ask 2 maids to check on the crown princess and the 2nd Princess” the maid nod and walked towards the 3rd princess “Princess Amara your father King Caelum asked me to get some ice cream for you” Amara look at king Caelum and Caelum nod.

The maid called out 2 girls to tell them king caelum ordered and the 2 maid nod before walking away and amara and the maid went to the kitchen to get some food.

"Princess Jessalyn? Where are you?" Lila Said, looking for princess Jessalyn Everglen the 2nd princess, Lila has been searching everywhere for Jessalyn, in her room, in the garden and in the dining room. Lila Sigh from exhaustion and thought for a sec "for a few days of me serving her and being her personal maid, where could she possibly go" Lila thought for a second until he finally clicked her fingers and thought of something.

"Of course, I forgot about that room" Lila mumbled and started walking. Lila opened the door of the library and walked inside only to see the 2nd princess at the center, books were flying everywhere as the 2nd princess type at the machine.

"Princess Jessalyn, I have been looking for you" Lila said making Jessalyn turn around to see her personal maid "oh, Lila I didn't know you were looking for me, I was here exploring this (machine name) it's very interesting" Jessalyn said turning to the (machine name) again typing a title of a book that she likes to read and came flying to her.

"Yes it is indeed a very fascinating work princess, king caelum asked us to check on you" Lila said "I see, is that all?" "Yes your majesty, and we should really choose your outfit for the royal party" Lila said as Jessalyn walked towards the chair holding a book in her hand.

Jessalyn sat down and smile at Lila

"We shall go buy some later Lila, do you know anywhere we can buy some?"

"Yes princess, there are plenty of nice stores that we can buy from"

"I'll be counting on you then Lila"

Lila nodded and sat beside Jessalyn as she read.

After a few hours Jessalyn was walking through the corridors with Lila by her side trying to get permission to go to the market “This is my fathers office right?” Jessalyn asked lila and lila nod “Yes your majesty, your father must be inside” Lila Replied.

Jessalyn knocked in the office and wait for a respond, the door open revealing Hector, King Caelum personal assistant “oh Good afternoon Princess Jessalyn” Hector bow slightly at Jessalyn “Good afternoon Hector may I speak to my father?” “Yes of course” Hector opened the door for Jessalyn and Jessalyn walked inside to see his father sitting in his office with a ton of paper work.

Caelum look up and see his 2nd daughter making him smile “Jessalyn, what brings you here” Caelum asked and Jessalyn slightly bow at her father “Good afternoon father, I am here to ask for your permission for me to go to the market to buy new dresses” Jessalyn said and caelum smiled “Of course! You should explore our country just bring some guards with you” Caelum said and making Jessalyn smile

“Thank you father, I shall be going now”

“Have a safe trip”

Jessalyn and Lila went out of the room and went straight to Jessalyn room “Lila, please get my dress ready and call selena to make my bath ready” Jessalyn said “Right away your majesty” Lila replied and walk towards the side to pull a rope ringing the bell to call the other maids.

The door opened revealing Selena with Ruby and Delaney, the 3 of them bow to Jessalyn “Good afternoon your majesty, what can we do for you?” Selena asked and Lila told them what to do and quickly got to work assisting Jessalyn.

“Princess your bath is ready” Ruby said and Jessalyn stood up to go take a bath, a few minutes later Jessalyn got out of the bathroom and saw a dress with white top and a green and dark green skirt.

Lila helped Jessalyn to get dressed and Selena, Ruby and Delaney did her makeup and hair. "You have a very beautiful dark hair princess" ruby said as she comb Jessalyn hair "Thank you ruby" Jessalyn said and the three of them took a step back.

"We're finish princess Jessalyn, you look absolutely stunning" Selena said and Jessalyn stand up "Thank you for your help" Jessalyn said and a knock can be heard at the door "princess your cart is ready" Lila said and Jessalyn stand up "Alright let's go" Jessalyn said and went out of her room.

Jessalyn got out of the palace and saw a white cart with one guard standing on the side of the door, the guard opened the door of the cart and helped Jessalyn to get inside Lila followed inside the cart and sat across from Jessalyn, soon the cart moved to go to the market.

“Where are we going Lila?” Jessalyn asked while looking out of the window “Well I told the guard to bring us to Valoria Princess” “Is it beautiful there?” Lila nodded while having a small smile “Yes princess, it is one of the pride here in our country and many nobles like to go to Valoria” Lila said.

A few minutes later the cart stopped and the guard opened the door helping Jessalyn to get down, Jessalyn look around and saw plenty brand store and a nobles shopping around the place “Follow me princess, Zephyr is the most famous store for clothing here” Jessalyn and Lila walk towards the store while the guard was following them from behind.

Jessalyn looks around the place finding it interesting but soon enough notice the glances of some nobles “Is that the 2nd princess?” “What’s her name again” “I think Jessalyn” Whispers were going around them but Jessalyn kept her head up and didn’t pay attention to them.

“We’re here your Princess” Lila said Jessalyn looked at the door and saw the sign saying ‘closed’ “Lila they’re close?” “Ah, I called the owner earlier princess, the store is close for the other nobles for you to shop freely” Lila said and opened the door making the bell ring, getting the attention of the workers and was surprised to see Jessalyn at the door

“Pri-Princess!” one of the employees shouted and immediately bowed to Jessalyn, soon the other employee bowed to Jessalyn “W-welcome to Zephyr Princess, we’re sorry for one of our employee's sudden shout” the manager said, still bowing to Jessalyn.

“It’s alright, all of you can raise your head now” Jessalyn said and the employees slowly stood up straight “so any of you have any suggestions?” Jessalyn asked and all of them smiled and got to work.

A few hours later, Jessalyn got out of the store and stretch out her arms “That was tiring” Jessalyn look up and was shock the sun was already going down “It will be night time soon already” Jessalyn said look back when the door of the store opened and Lila walked out “Your clothes will be delivered at the palace your majesty” Lila said and Jessalyn nod “Alright, let’s go home now Lila before it gets too dark” Jessalyn said and Lila nod and start walking towards their cart.

Jessalyn stopped and turned to her side when heard music and followed where it was coming from “Ah Princess! We should really be going home now” Lila said following Jessalyn “Just a peak Lila I want to know more about the place we will rule” Jessalyn said and stopped when she saw lights and stalls around with a lot of people smiling and dancing.

“What’s this? Festival?” Jessalyn said and walk towards the crowd, Jessalyn look around the stalls making sure her hat is covering half of her face so people won’t immediately notice her “Wait, princess don’t go to far please, you can get easily get lost in…here” Lila look around the place and lose sight of Jessalyn “oh no.. Leo! The princess is missing search for her!” The guard nods and quickly runs around to look for Jessalyn.

Jessalyn look around the place and can easily identify which one is a commoner and a noble, she reach the middle of the festival and saw a band playing their instruments and people dancing at their song “Lila this is amazing” Jessalyn said and look behind her and was shock that Lila wasn’t behind her.

“Oh no” Jessalyn mumble and start looking for Lila as well and for the guard too, but there was just too many people around the festival making it hard for her, Jessalyn walk around and saw a fountain, there wasn’t much people around and it was outside where the festival was but the fountain’s water was beautiful under the moonlight.

Jessalyn walk towards the fountain and look at her reflection at the water “the moonlight is reflects the water beautifully” Jessalyn mumble to herself “I agree” Jessalyn flinch and scream and slap the person behind her making the person yelp ow

Jessalyn was shock to see a guy with dark hair and dark brown eyes and look a same age as her “W-who are you?!” Jessalyn said the guy groans in pain “I’m sorry I didn’t want to scare you, I’m Lanver Radcliffe” Lanver said look at Jessalyn who is still eyeing him up and down.

“Look whatever your thinking bad I’m not going to do it” Lanver said “And you expect me to believe a stranger words?” “Of course not, I'm just telling you” “Why are you here?” Lanver look around and look back to Jessalyn “Am I not allowed?” Jessalyn sighs and looks the other way clearly not interested in talking to other people she doesn’t know.

“Look I'm just here to know if you’re ok I saw you walking here and you were kinda wobbling so I thought you were sick” Lanver said “I’m fine, my feet just hurt” Jessalyn said and Lanver look down at her heels “I see, you’re lost aren’t you” Jessalyn was shock and look at Lanver terrified.

“Stalker”

“I’m not! You were all over the place ok and was practically searching around”

“But you are looking at me, and even follow me here, that’s stalking”

“I’m not!”

Lanver sigh in frustration and look at Jessalyn “Look I’m just here to check if you’re ok and it seems to me you don’t need my help so I’ll be going now” Lanver turn around and was about to walk away when a hand grab his wrist, Lanver look around and saw Jessalyn covering her face “I’m lost, please help me” Jessalyn said making Lanver sigh “That wasn’t to hard right? Let’s go it's dangerous for a lady to be walking around”

Lanver walk and Jessaly walk beside him and start searching, A few minutes later, Lila was out of breath and was still panicking Leo showed up and was also panthing and shook his head side by side making Lila panic more “What are we going to do, what if she have been kidnap or been robbed or got lost somewhere?” Lila said

“You overthink too much Lila” a voice said and Lila glared at Leo “The princess is missing Leo! A lot can happen to her!” Lila shouts at Leo and Leo blink at her “I didn’t say anything!” Leo said and pointed behind her only to see Jessalyn and Lanver together “Princess!” Lila run towards Jessalyn ang hug her “I was so worried about you, please don’t go around on your own its to dangerous out here” “Yes Lila It won’t happen again”

Jessalyn said and Lila look at Lanver and bow at him “Thank you for keeping the princess safe please take this as a thank you” Lila reach out for a pouch full of gold coins which lanver was shock “no no it’s ok, I was only trying to help” “Please take it sir” Lila keep insisting making Lanver give up and take the pouch

“Thank you for your help again sir but we must be going the princess needs to get back to the palace” Lila said and Lanver bowed “I understand and Princess, I’m very sorry for my rudeness earlier” Lanver said and Jessalyn smiled at him “It’s alright, Thank you for your help Lanver, I’ll make it up to you next time” Jessalyn said and turn around and leave leaving Lanver at his spot.

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#romance #fiction #historical #novel

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cruelprincae · 2 years ago

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@little-miss-buffy sent from 🐝 * ― 𝑾𝑨𝑳𝑲 𝑫𝑶𝑾𝑵 𝑴𝑬𝑴𝑶𝑹𝒀 𝑳𝑨𝑵𝑬.

🌼 ― a happy memory.

The hoovesbeat of his steed are barely audible as they step upon the leaf-covered path, painted in the colours of molten gold and auburn orange. The roads are convoluted with merchandisers and tradesmen carrying cargos of flowers and fabrics, collections of animated objects and living beings such as sprites and woodland creatures and, as he passes by mounted upon his deer-like steed, he's met with the pointed, curious glares of both Seelie and Unseelie Folk alike. A glance is all that they spare him before they turn to attend their business, deeming him not important enough to waste a second more upon the stranger unless he showed clear interest in whatever merchandise they have to sell.

Cardan can't fault them; to hide is the reason why he has obsured his features and attire with the poorly stitched woolen cloak even though the rough material has been irritating his skin for quite some time now. Even so, he'd take the irritation over recognisition, for he is now threading through the Low Courts who are rumoured for their cruelty to children who are of little importance; if he gets caught, he highly doubts his father will even lift a finger to retreive him from the claws of the Unseelie Folk. No attention is for the best until he has returned to the safety of the High Court's grounds.

Despite its trickster occupants, all to eager to make bargains with desperate Folk, the Mandrake Market looks unearthly beautiful at the misty hours of dawn ― the only hours in the day that it is open, when the rest of Elfhame is sound asleep in their feather-soft beddings. Buildings of stone and wood rise tall in the sky, with their hanging signs that have the store's name written in cursive leters swaying in the morning breeze; faerie lights made of little sprites trapped in small glass containers hang in the air, illuminating the path bellow as they connect from one leafy lamp post to the other.

Aside form the built stores, stalls and cargos litter the convuluted road and, from the corner of his eyes, Cardan can spot a hag welcoming the Folk to admire a merperson she has cagged within a small tank, a love-talker with flower crowns in her hair, a vivid red lipstick and complexion in the shade of lavender pink urging people to try her steam-emitting potions and a glaisting, half human and half goat screaming over the top of her lungs of the sharpies she sells, that if you trace over the soles of your heels it will be impossible to get lost even in the most difficult of mazes. As the colour of dawn reaches the misty ground. As the rays of the misty dawn reach its grounds, the Mandrake Market is painted in the vibrant colours of Autumn, giving off a false sense of security that is impossible not to fall victim to. It is as dangerous as it is endearing and beautiful.

A fair distance in, Cardan leads his steed to store made of wooden panels, adorned with a glass showcase balcony filled with books, some resting upon feather pillows whilst others are laid upon their backs or open by their side. Vines with roses of all colours engulf the balcony and doors, seemingly sparkling beneath the morning sun, their petals swaying in the breeze in a way that makes it look almost as if they're alive and watching him. But then again, every time he has visited, this particular bookstore always looked as though it was alive, sometimes in more ways than one.

The steed shakes her silver mane as the young Prince ties her reigns to the store's enclosed parking space, meant specifically for animal trasports and takes out an apple from the leather bag strapped to the steed's flank. He gently strokes her hair between her thin ears and the deer, with a small body of palest grey, huffs her approval before diving into her lunch, trapping it between her teeth and then lowering it upon the empty tray before her filled with hay and greenery. Granted, he could have easily left her to feast on the hay and the greenery, but she has been his most loyal companion since he can remember himself. She was but a small foal when he would sleep at the stables whenever Asha kicked him out of their rooms, curled up by her side. Heart, he had named her and later on, when they were both bigger, she was accompanying him in journeys and quests of his every whim without a single complain; the least he can do is let her enjoy her favourite snack.

Unbuckling the leather bag from Heart's flank, Cardan wraps its leather wrap across a shoulder before moving to enter the store by pushing open its gigantic, wooden door. A chirpy bell rings a melody upon his arrival and no sooner than a moment later, an elderly hob with ears as big and elogated as a goblin's makes her way to the front of the shop. Her skin is green and wrinkly, her eyes ― all sclera, irises and pupils ― are black as the darkest of ink and her hair hang in loose, grey strands as she studies him with sly, curious eyes. It isn't until the young boy pushes back the hood of his cloak, revealing black eyes adorned with gold, pointed ears with several sets of earrings and a golden circlet that rests just above his brow that her eyes widen with realisation and she takes a curtsy so low that her big, pointed nose nearly brushes the wooden floor.

❛ My Prince, ❜ She greets in awe. A dismissive wave of his hand, and the hob rises from her bow, standing in attention with her hands folded before her stomach. ❛ How may Aldrarg assist you today ? ❜

❛ I want to see your latest patch of books from the mortal lands. I trust that, last time we talk, you mentioned you'd bring new ones today. ❜

For a short moment, Cardan can swear he sees panic flashes in the inky sea of her eyes but it soon vanishes as realisation hits her. ❛ Yes, your highness, of course, your highness. ❜ Stutters Aldrarg the Hob as she hurriedly makes her way to the bookcase that takes up nearly all the space of the left wall of the shop, leaving behind the young prince feeling smug. Getting things done quickly and quietly has been a welcome benefit of being rumoured to wear cruelty as a glove, and Cardan, at the prime age of eleven, could do little more than enjoy it.

Arranged in collumns, each bears a tag upon its top shelf that reads the section its books are supposed to belong to. Aldrarg's clawed hands spin upon the handle located onto the far side of the wall closest to them, and Cardan stares in wonder as each collumn of the bookcase spins in and out of sight, revealing far more collumns than a library could physically hold. It's enchanted, he concludes, enchanted to hold collumn after collumn filled to the brim with thousands of books. In the haste of their spin, he can make out several labels that don't appear quite as blury as the rest of them; herbology, botanica, law and Folklore until its spins gradually come to a stop, until the large lebel over the row after row of collumns reads 'human literature'.

In awe, the young Prince approaches the bookshelves and runs his fingertips across the spines as though intimidated by their mere presence. Amongst their numbers, he recognises books he has read before such as Frankenstein, the Lord of the Rings, the Little Prince, Don Quixote and Alice in Wonderland but, what draws his attention, are a series of small, hardpaper books that stand short before the others. Their pages are a yellowish white, indicating that they have sat there for a good while, unused and unloved; even their spine is slightly dented, their pages wrinkled at the edges.

❛ What are those ? ❜ Cardan asks.

Aldrarg's curious gaze meets the young Prince's, following it to where he was pointing. ❛ Oh, these. ❜ She huffs a hoarse laugh. ❛ I earned those in a human bargain. They're supposed to be of sentimental value to the person they belonged to. They're annotated too. ❜ She squints, as though trying to make out the writing upon their dented spine. ❛ A Series Of Unfortunate Events, written by someone called Lemony Snicket. ❜ Then, a snicker. ❛ Unfortunate indeed, considerating how their previous owner ended. ❜

He stares at them for a long moment. Reaching out to take the first book within his hands, he turns it over so that he can read its summary; all humans books have sumaries, he recalls. Black eyes skim over the lines, dark brows arching once he reaches the end. From all he has gathered, it is dark, mysterious and, as the title promises, quite unfortunate indeed ― all the things he likes in the books he reads. A reflection of himself, perhaps.

❛ I'll take them. ❜ He decides, his chin rising with pride to meet the hungry gaze of the Hob. ❛ All thirteen of them. ❜

❛ All thirteen ? ❜ She muses as a clawed digits drums against her pointy chin. It leaves scratches across her wrinkled skin, but she doesn't look like she notices any of them. After a minute of thought, she turns back to the prince, her lips curling into a sly grin that he finds is quite disturbing. ❛ That will be four roses from the royal garden then, your Highness. ❜

A frown plasters itself upon his forehead as he opens the leather bag and takes out the single, sparkling red rose he carries. ❛ Last time we called, you didn't mention the price would be more than one rose. ❜

❛ You didn't mention you'd be taking more than one book. And those weren't as aquired as easily as the others you've taken. ❜

She's right, he realises, feeling remarkably stupid for not opting to take more roses out of the patches of the royal gardan. Now all those hours he risked to travel through the Lower Court would have been for nothing. His lips purse and he moves towards the large oak door, but Aldrarg interrupts him before he can reach it.

❛ Or, we could make a bargain. ❜

Cardan stills, body stiff and turns to cast the Hob a suspicious glare. Growing up in Elfhame and being a Fae himself, he was familiar with the risk that came with making deals with his kind; one could ask for money and the Faerie bargainer would ask in return for a bucket full of human meat a day ― one that would result being their own since human meat didn't come as easily, until there was barely anything of the bargainee left, or, more commonly, an eternity of being in the bargainer's service. Granted, mortals are in a far graver position than Faes when making a deal, that doesn't mean it is any less dangerous for them; and since they can live for thousands upon thousands of years, it makes their end of the bargain all the more binding. Besides, what does he, a young Prince who is in ill favours with their High King father, have to offer to her that she doesn't already possess ?

❛ What kind of bargain ? ❜ He asks, hoping that his voice conveys just how little he trusts her. She can't trick him.

Aldrarg smiles, revealing a set of teeth sharp enough to cut through flesh. Perhaps she's a former habitat of the Court of Teeth, perhaps, or the Court of Moths. Regardless of her citizenship, the sight of her teethy smile makes him uncomfortable. ❛ You get your books, ❜ She says, pointing a sharp claw towards the bookcase's shelf. ❛ And I get the pretty rose you carry. And when you become High King, I'll come to you for a favour and you mustn't turn me away. ❜

It is evidence of how well practiced his self-strain is, for even the sound of himself being High King make Cardan want to burst out laughing. Amongst the remaining five children of Eldred, all of whom far more favoured than he is, it would be impossible for the crown to fall upon the young Prince's head. Dain had made sure of that when he put the blame of Eldred's senechal's lover's death on him. His father could hardly even bring himself to look at his youngest son, let alone crown him King of Elfhame. And if that isn't enough reason to disqualify him from ever getting the throne, then the ill-fated prophecy that has been his sole companion since the day he was born had certainly sealed the deal. Not that he minds that he'll probably never be King; He finds politics to be boring and meaningless. wrecking havoc and drinking and getting scowled by the rest of his family are far more entertaining. All of Elfhame knows that ― surely, Aldrarg must as well.

If she wants to make a fruitless bargain, then Cardan will most certainly oblige. After all, he's the winner of this arrangement; he will get free books.

❛ It would be unwise to bet an entire collection on books on the mere possibility of me becoming High King. ❜ He says, but overall hands over the shimmering rose. Aldrarg takes it, staring down at the beautiful wonder before placing it upon the vine with the rest. Cardan watches in surprise as the vibe greedily aborbes it within its roots. Before he can ask what was the reason of that, he notices that the vines start to bloom with many little shimmering roses, nearly identical to the one he just gave the Hob.

❛ Let me worry about my bargain. ❜ States the Hob with a growing smile as she starts to wrap up all thirteen of the books that Cardan chose. When the package is ready, wrapped in thin paper that feels like silk beneath his grasp, she takes a low curtsy, similar to the one she made when he first saw her. ❛ It was my pleasure doing bussiness with you, your Highness. ❜

He offers little other than a nod as he takes his package and exits the shop. Heart is still there, munching on the remainings of the apple he gave her just before enterting the shop and she huffs in disdain over the newly gained weight as he places the package upon his leather bag that he then straps to the flank of her body. Giving her head another, gentle pat, he pushes the hood the wooden cloak over his head and mounts his deer-like steed, leading her back out, into the slightly less convuluted street. Heads turn as he passes by the Folk, but for yet once, no one wastes a second glance at him as he makes his way out of Mandrake Market and into the Crooked Forest.

He stops when he reaches the lake that lays near the Hollow Hall estate and lets Heart munch on some grass there as he unwraps the books from their silky paper cover and starts reading them one by one. Although they are small in volume, Cardan can't help but notice that the sun is nearly setting when he is done reading all thirteen of the books and that he, for once again, spend an entire day lost in a book. He doesn't regret it; not since the fantastical world the books belonged to is far better than the one he's currently living in.

And when Balekin burns them at last, at least Cardan finds comfort in the fact that he has, in fact, read them. And for a while, he was happy.

#little-miss-buffy #( 𝐈 𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 ┊ headcanons )#i hurt myself writing this but oh well lmao

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click-to-tweet · 2 years ago

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Flower pics before spring ends

1-Syringa vulgaris

2- Prunus sp. (likely Prunus domestica)

3- Prunus sp. (likely Prunus domestica L.)

4- Serpias sp.

5- Prunus sp. (likely Prunus amygdalus var. dulcis)

6- thats a bee (Apis mellifica)

7- Malvae sylvesteis

8- Prunus amygdalus (var. dulcis)

Coolest thing university has given me is the ability to identify plants and i feel like a witch each time i look at a plant and go "Oh yes, Malva sylvestris!"

All these plants are common around where I live. They have been embedded into our culture, idioms, cusine, they have created our idea of beauty, what we can create with these plants we have considered delicious, the soil these flowers bloomed we have considered sacred, we have given them names and then named our children after them. We made up stories about them and believed in those stories. They happened our lives, and our lives revolved around them, us, as a tiny society in the seaside, became one with those plants. They were our food and we were theirs.

They have taught us of love and we have lived up to that. We tried to live up to that.

They have taught us how to live, in harsh conditions, starving of food, love, thirsty and unwelcome, they have taught us of how to love and strive. They became our food when we had none. Our shade when we were burning, our fire when we were freezing, our stories when we were bored.

They were how we learned not to fall or to get up, how we learned sharing, wisdom, patience. They were our greatest, most selfless teachers. Their scent filled up forests, pastures, even cities. They were there during the most important times of our lives, the scent of flowers was there for our birth and death, and when we graduated and married and laughed and cried. My city, it smells of lilacs.

Malvae Sylvestris was "İlmik" for me, when i was growing up. It grew during the rainy season, it made delicious börek filling and also was great with a side of youghurt. It is "ebegümeci" for some people still, which derives from "ebe gömeci (midwife's burier)", for its use in abortions before healthcare was as easy to reach. To some, this is medicine for the stinging nettle, or burns.

Prunus amygdalus is, well, almond, it is food to say the least. Almonds, "çağla" before almonds mature, and if fruits did not exist we would gnaw on the dried liquid dripping from the bark. The inedible variation, Prunus amygdalus var. amaratus, contains some amount of arsenic. The scent reminds me of thr bitter almond cookies, delicious really, to Gabriel Garcia Marquez it apparently inevitably reminded of thr fate of unrequited love. "Love in the Times of Cholera" smells like bitter almonds, the story, the whole story does.

Not a picture of them here, but here, stories about Morus nigra and Laurus nobilis and Rosa damascena and Galanthus sp.

You must know Apollon and Daphne, and how the poor girl was absolutely hating this god because of Apollo's cockiness and ego, how she begged the gods to be forgiven for a fault she did not commit. How, just as she was about to give up, she was turned into a tree, a laurel. How her body, still alive, now as a tree, had not found peace as Apollo made crowns out of her leaves, oh just because he loved her so much. This is a warped, horrible story about love, and about how we can sometimes do nothing or anything can be forgiven when they are out of love, no matter how badly we hurt others. This is glorifying being blind- as was Apollo. A beautiful story regardless.

Rosa damascena is again from greek mythology, and is a prettier, kinder, more gentle story- or as pretty and kind and gentle as Greek mythology goes. This is how Aphrodite's blood colored the all white roses red, as she was rushing to reach her dying lover. This is what she did for the one she truly loved, she was hurt and she did not care. This is what we think of true love. The lover died regardless. Red roses smell like blood to me, since then.

And do you want to hear yet another story? This is a regional story for snowdrop. Legend says that snowdrop was a delicate flower. So delicate yet so brave, so brave yet so in love. It was in love with the sun itself, and each day as it waited under the soil to bloom, the more the longing in its heart grew. The flower, in cold weather, imagined the gentle rays of the sun, pretty days of the spring. Each time it tried to repress its longing, it grew inside of the flower a little bit more. Each time the flower dreamt of beautiful, warm days of the spring, the cold felt colder. The snowdrop, being the brave little soul it is, then decided to bloom right that moment. The poor flower though, was gentle. Other flowers shouted, and the wind whispered to the seed, "do not bloom." "If you bloom now, the cold will kill you. If you bloom now, the snow will freeze you." It kniewz the snowdrop knew very well that the cold would kill it, and the snow would freeze it. One day, the flower waited for the snow to melt. Two days, for the air to get warm. Three days, the snowdrop was impatient. It longed for the sun more strongly than anyone had ever wished for something. The snowdrop turned its head away from other plants waiting under the soil, and started growing. It grew, grew, grew... But it was impatient, and the snow was still resting on the soil. The snowdrop did not care, and reached up, until it could finally see the sun. The already delicate flower was weakened already, and the cold was too much for it. Yet soon, the morning came and the sun was up. The sun rays were as warm and as gentle as the snowdrop had imagined, and the light was as beautiful. The sun smiled upon the snowdrop, and the snowdrop had seen the sun which it had missed for so long. It had touched the light for as much as it could... But the cold, the cold and the snow was too much, and the snowdrop was the only flower around. There died the poor flower, right that night, having seen the sun at the expense of its own life.

And yeah, mulberry. Would love to tell the story myself, but no. Just read, directly, from the source.

#biology #random though of the day #i dont know what im saying #read my stories while youre at it #culture

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just-come-baek · 2 years ago

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under the rose

Pairing: Joshua Hong x female!reader

Themes: 18+ smut | fluff | childhood frenemies to lovers!au | kinda historical!au (no specific time, but it’s not modern, like idk maybe 1950?)

Word count: 6k

Summary: You’ve known Joshua your entire life, and it has always irked you when he got praised for the same things you were scolded for. You hate these societal double standards thrown upon you almost as much as people who judge you for it. Thankfully, you have Joshua, who just gets you.

in other words...

They fuck on the blanket by the lake.

A/N idk what got into me

Although summer was officially gone, Mother Nature still spoilt people with sunny days and warm nights. Plants and trees all over the area were still in full bloom, letting the locals and tourists admire the beautiful landscapes.

The windows of your bedroom were facing the east. The bright rays of sunshine woke you up as soon as the sun rose over the crown of trees. With a smile, you stretched your limbs, happy to start your day.

Quickly, you opened the window, letting fresh air into your bedroom.

Enjoying the slight breeze, you walked over to your massive closet. You had no plans for today, nor you knew what to wear to celebrate this beautiful day. Too bad you weren’t allowed to leave the house in your satin sleeping gown. It was the most comfortable thing you owned. You didn’t give a fuck that men could find it scandalous or indecent.

You were always told not to provoke men as if it was your fault they couldn’t control themselves. It was incorrect reasoning, but for your mother’s sake, you decided not to speak your mind as openly as your heart desired. After all, these men weren’t ready to hear what the root of the problem was.

You tapped your chin in thought as you skimmed through your outfit choices, ultimately deciding to put on a cute summer dress that should appease your conservative mother. It was an A-frame white dress with little yellow flowers embroiled into the fabric. (Your mother insisted they were yellow roses, but to you, they looked more like daffodils.) It had cute tulip sleeves and a bodice – it didn’t offer a lot of support for your breasts, but at least it covered your nipples and fooled your mother into thinking you were wearing a bra underneath it. Carefully, you did the half-shank buttons that trailed up your sternum and tied a golden ribbon around your waist to accentuate your figure.

You looked like a prude, but despite all of that, you felt pretty.

Maybe a little bit of blush and lipstick could spice up your cute but upright look, you wondered as you rummaged through the drawer of your vanity. As it was officially autumn, so you decided to go with an orange palette, trying to match shades with your complexion.

Admittedly, it added a sexy edge to your overall look. Now, you only hoped your mother wouldn’t tell you to wash it off as it was inappropriate for such a virtuous young lady she thought you were.

You didn’t put much effort into your hair; you brushed out all of the tangles and put on a headband. That was it. The wind would ruin your hair anyway if you tried properly styling it.

“Good morning,” you said to your mother as you walked downstairs for breakfast. She was drinking her morning tea as she glanced at you, trying to find flaws in your appearance and expurgate them.

When she didn’t say anything to put you down, you figured you passed her censorship test today. Good, because you didn’t even try to anger her, you just wanted to enjoy yourself outside.

“Good morning, honey,” she said as you sat down by the table opposite of her. Smiling, you reached for the bread and spread raspberry jam over it. “Joshua came by earlier. He’s such a nice boy. He asked you to meet him by the lake. Of course, I said you’d join him,” she announced, and you nearly dropped your knife upon hearing his name.

Joshua Hong was your mother’s best friend’s son, and your mom sometimes (always) acted as if she loved him more than she did you. Whenever you had guests over, she would go out of her way to brief them on his whereabouts and eulogize him at every given chance.

Joshua always accompanies his mother to church. Joshua graduated at the top of his class. Joshua rescued a dozen of puppies from drowning.

You were sick and tired of her Joshua this, Joshua that. If only she knew what he was like when mothers couldn’t see him... You were basically the same age, so you hung out with him quite often throughout your childhood and adolescence. Although unwillingly, you knew him inside out, and he most definitely did not fit your mother’s description.

“Thank you,” you finally said, offering her an unconvincing smile. “I’m dying to see him. It’s been too long,” you added, your voice full of sarcasm (which your mother thankfully did not pick up on). Smiling, you stuffed your mouth with the toast as you wanted to be done with breakfast quickly. You could only stop yourself from giving mean comments for just a while, and you didn’t want to upset your mother with your point of view on Joshua’s behavior.

“It’s nice to see you so eager to see him,” she beamed, incorrectly reading your intentions.

“Right…” you said, pouring juice down your throat. “I should get going. It would be rude of me to keep him waiting,” you added with a fake smile spread across your face. Your mother must’ve found your considering tone a bit strange, but she ultimately decided to believe that you grew up.

“Joshua is such a gentleman. There are so few of them nowadays,” she carried on, and you rolled your eyes at her comment. Your mother could read people like a book, and you still didn’t know how Joshua managed to fool her.

Having sat on the bottom of the stairs, you put on your shoes, carefully tying the shoelaces.

“Wear the nice ones,” your mother commented as she picked up your everyday muddy shoe and threw them back onto the shoe rack. You didn’t want to argue with her, so you listened to her, knowing your feet were going to hate you in the evening. Maybe the pumps were pretty, but it wasn’t the footwear of your choice. It was impractical. Joshua was waiting for you by the lake. That’s about thirty minutes away on foot from your house.

“I shall be back for dinner,” you said, even though you were going to return much sooner. Even if Joshua wanted to see you and talk to you, it was one-sided. You’d just go there and tell him to go home and stop bothering you.

You loved being outside. As soon as you set foot on the porch, rays of sunshine hit your face, making you smile in content. Despite Joshua’s short visit and request, it was going to be a beautiful day.

Slowly, you strolled towards the lake, humming to yourself as you mentally tried to plan the rest of the day. You could pick some flowers for the vase that was sitting on your nightstand as the old bouquet of white camellias started to wither. Then, maybe you could go to the swing set and watch the sunset.

It sounded like a good idea.

You felt pain in your heels. Cursing under your breath, you hoped you didn’t get blisters.

Finally, you reached the lake. Joshua was waiting for you by the pier, holding a paddle. As much as you hated to admit it, he looked hot in his white shirt. Three top buttons were undone, showing a lot of his neck, collarbones and chest, while his sleeves were rolled up all the way to his elbows. His light brown trousers, black shoes, and matching suspenders looked great on him.

“Took you long enough, love,” Joshua greeted you, sending you a bright, genuine smile. “Don’t you look beautiful today,” he added, carefully studying you from head to toe. His sight was definitely better than your mother’s – Joshua instantly picked up on the absence of your bra, what made him shamelessly smirk.

“What do you want, Jisoo?” You asked, cocking up your eyebrow. You hated when he referred to you per love, so you also decided to rile him up by using his Korean name. You were the only one who had the balls to call him that – ever since childhood he hated it when people did that. “Your early visit got my mom unreasonably excited. I wouldn’t be too surprised if she already started planning our wedding,” you deadpanned.

“You should be happy. I’m quite a catch,” Joshua replied, smugly smiling at you.

“Ew,” you commented, turning your face in disgust. “You better talk to my mother and undo it. I wouldn’t marry you even if you were the last man on Earth,” you demanded, hating the way Joshua’s insignificant actions had huge impact on your life. You weren’t going to suffer the consequences of his shenanigans.

Instead of giving you a reply, Joshua sighed and shrugged his shoulders, tilting his head to the side.

“I meant no harm. I just wanted to ask you to come here and boat with me,” Joshua said, pointing at the small wooden boat tied to the post on the pier. “We used to do it a lot when we were children.”

You hummed, reminiscing. It really was your tradition. Every summer you could come here and have a lot of fun. Usually, one of you ended up in water, almost drowning. (Nine out of ten times it was you, since Joshua was a sore loser and didn’t know how to treat you like a lady.)

“Fine, but if you try to push me into water, I’m dragging you down with me,” you warned him before you marched past him in a straight lane to the pier.

“Ladies first,” Joshua replied with a wide grin as he tried to catch up with you.

Carefully, you got on the boat and took a seat at the front. You figured if it was Joshua’s idea, he would sit at the back and do all the paddling. After all, you were a lady, and everyone would frown upon seeing you do such a manly labor…

Smiling at you, Joshua rowed the boat to the middle of the lake.

When he had his mouth shut, it was rather peaceful. You could feel the sun and wind on your cheeks as you close your eyes, allowing yourself to enjoy the last bits of warm weather. The sound of water and faint chips of birds echoed in your ears. Admittedly, the little boat trip felt nice – until Joshua decided to interrupt the soothing silence with his annoying voice.

“Why do you hate me so much? Is it something I have done?” Joshua asked as he tossed the paddles to the side beside your legs.

“I just do,” you replied, having no intention to elaborate. It’s just the way you felt – you didn’t owe him any explanation. Joshua needed to understand it and leave you alone.

“We both know it’s not true,” Joshua egged you on, and you rolled your eyes, regretting meeting him today. Too bad Joshua began that topic only when you were stranded on a boat with him in the middle of the lake.

Maybe it was a lie, but you were never going to admit it. You didn’t hate him – you hated that he got praised and applauded for things you always ended up getting reprimanded for. No matter what you did – you were always judged and put down. And if Joshua did it – he was a noble gentleman.

“Come on, love,” he urged you, nudging your knee with his. “Talk to me. Let me fix everything.”

Although you knew he meant no harm, his words riled you up even more.

“That’s the problem,” you sighed, looking away. “I don’t want you to do anything. Even if you tried, you would make everything worse,” you concluded, realizing no matter how charming Joshua could get, he had no power to solve the societal problems you often fell victim to.

You remembered the one time you went hunting with Joshua and Jeonghan. At first, your mom hated the idea, but Joshua somehow convinced her it was safe for you to accompany them. Needless to say, you shot down three pheasants while Joshua and Jeonghan none. You had no experience, yet you turned out to be better than them.

However, the real cherry on top was when you returned come for supper. Your and Joshua’s moms were ecstatic when you brought so much food home. Unfortunately, happiness turned into disappointment when you told her it was you who had hunted them. That night, not only you got scolded for engaging in a typically male activity, but also for disobeying Joshua.

Just the thought about that day made your blood boil in your veins.

Joshua seemed concerned. Whatever made you feel that way, he wanted to change it.

“Is it about Sooyoung? I’ve already told you that I don’t like her like that,” Joshua wondered out loud, even though he suspected his guess was incorrect.

“What? No! It’s not about her,” you confirmed, your voice getting louder. “I never understood you. Sooyoung is literally perfect. Every man wants to marry her,” you started, but Joshua quickly interjected you.

“I don’t,” he admitted with no hesitation in his tone. “Even if she’s perfect, she’s not you.”

Joshua’s words made you gasp in shock.

“What? Did you want me to come here to mess with me?” You asked as you stood up to lean in and flick his forehead. You were somewhat friends – such love confessions were way out of line!

“Of course not,” Joshua quickly reassured you as he grabbed your wrist, stopping you from inflicting any pain. (You have flicked Joshua’s forehead so many times throughout your friendship his skull was impenetrable at this point.) “I mean it. I love you as a friend and as a woman. Can’t you see it?” Joshua asked, staring into your soul. His lips were twisted into a genuine smile as he waited for your reaction.

Joshua Hong loved you.

His confession left you speechless. There were some signs along the way, but you decided to ignore them. It was easier that way. Even if you cared about Joshua as much as he cared about you, you still couldn’t marry him.

Everybody always told you it’s a wife’s duty to submit to her husband, yet you adamantly refused to give into that mindset. Since early childhood you were taught how to serve a man, and you hated every second of it.

If anyone ever gave you a chance, you could prove you were equal, or better than a man. Too bad no one ever treated you seriously.

Despite your feelings for Joshua, you had to reject him. As long as society considered women as lesser than men, you had no interest in marriage.

“Do you have feelings for me, too? Or am I an idiot?” Joshua continued as he pulled your wrists down gently, so you’d lean forward a bit. You were bent in an uncomfortable position as you stared into Joshua’s eyes, wondering how to phrase your rejection.

“That’s not important,” you said, and Joshua frowned, not liking the tone you set for the conversation.

“Of course, it’s important! That’s literally the only thing that matters,” Joshua argued, massaging your wrists with his thumb, hoping his gentle moves could soothe you.

“I can’t be with you. You deserve much, much more.”

“I don’t want more. I want you.”

“I can’t,” you said, your voice breaking.

“Why?”

You dreaded that question. Joshua wouldn’t understand. He’s a man, and you doubted he could see the issue from your point of view. Fuck, even your female friends didn’t get your reasoning.

“I hate it. I hate all of it,” you confessed, letting your bottled up frustrations out. “I hate the idea of marriage. I hate taking orders from people. I hate being judged for everything I do. I hate being perceived as less worthy. I’d rather become a spinster than marry. You have to understand it.”

Joshua knew you better than anyone, and he completely understood where you were coming from. He could see the despair in your eyes whenever someone made an unfair comparison to you. He could see the change in your mood when someone suggested you shouldn’t do something.

“I should be offended. I had no idea you think so lowly of me,” Joshua spoke up, his eyes avoiding you as he tried to properly word the rest of his speech. “I know you. I know you hate these things. I’d never treat you like that. I love you the way you are. You’re stubborn, independent, and fierce. There’s not a single thing I’d change about you.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really. I want you to challenge me. I want you to correct me when I’m wrong. I want you by my side wherever I go. I’ve always treated you as equal, marriage won’t change it,” Joshua said, pressing a chaste kiss against your knuckles.

His affectionate gesture shocked you. Instinctively, you yanked your hands out of his grasp and took a step back. Unfortunately, you failed to coordinate your swift movements. Due to a sudden change of weight, the boat wobbled to the sides, making you lose your footing.

You put your hands in the air, trying to find your balance, but when Joshua stood up to steady you, you tipped off the edge and fell into the cold water with a shriek.

After a few seconds, you resurfaced and coughed out water that accidentally got into your mouth and nose.

“Hong Jisoo! I hate you,” you yelled, kicking your feet in a feeble attempt to stay on the surface. Although you knew how to swim, the cold water seemed to slow down your reflexes.

“Here,” Joshua shouted as he stretched his arm, hovering over the edge to hoist you up. “Grab my hand,” he ordered, laughing at you.

“I’m going to murder you someday, Jisoo,” you warned him as you grabbed his hand and pulled him into water with you. “Maybe sooner than later,” you added when Joshua swam up to the surface and shook his head to the side, trying to get his wet hair out of his eyes.

“You little–

Joshua tried to catch you and make you regret, but you were a faster swimmer.

“Come back here,” he shouted after you, but you just laughed as you tried to distance yourself from his wrath. “I’m not kidding,” he carried on, sending a plethora of threats your way. You, on the other hand, were ignoring him as one of your legs was already hooked over the boat’s edge.

Giggling at Joshua’s antics, you waited for him to swim closer to the boat before you helped him out.

“You’ll be the death of me,” Joshua muttered, giving up the stink eye. “Let’s get back to the shore. I left there some towels and blankets.”

“You planned this, didn’t you?”

“What do you mean? I’ve known you my entire life. Every time we’re here someone ends up in the water,” Joshua concluded as he sat up and put the paddles in the hooks.

“Let me help you,” you said as you sat down beside him, yanking one paddle out of his grip. You weren’t a damsel in distress – you could prove yourself useful. Besides, you needed something to keep you warm, and paddling seemed a perfect solution to your problem.

“Your mother would kill me if she knew I let you do that,” Joshua commented as the both of you put your muscles to a good use. Quickly, you paddled to the short in great synchronization.

“You better get used to it because I intent to live my life how I want it,” you replied, laughing. “Besides, she loves you. If she had to kill any of us, it would be me.”

“Hopefully, we’ll never find out.”

As soon as Joshua tied the boat to the post, you ran uphill where he left the picnic basket under an old oak tree. Initially, he thought it would be nice to enjoy a meal after the boat ride.

Quickly, you wrapped a towel around your frame, trying to dry yourself.

“Come here,” Joshua said as he tossed his towel on your head, aggressively drying your hair.

“Stop it,” you hollered as you rolled your towel and smacked Joshua’s butt with it.

“Truce. Truce. Truce,” Joshua shouted, trying to block your attacks. “Are you still cold?” Joshua asked, staring at you fondly. You nodded, and Joshua wrapped his arms around you in a tight hug before he began rubbing your limbs, hoping friction could help you warm up.

“I hate you,” you muttered as Joshua pulled you against his chest and kissed the top of your head.

“Good girls don’t lie,” Joshua pointed out, and you rolled your eyes at his comment.

“Have I ever been good?”

“Fair enough,” Joshua chuckled, tightening his grip around your frame. “But you don’t hate me. In fact, I think you love me.”

“Thinking has never been your strong suit,” you teased, poking his chest with your forefinger.

“Doesn’t matter because you still love me,” Joshua proudly remarked, ignoring your jab.

“Jisoo–” you started, but you choked on your breath when Joshua’s hand slapped your butt. It took you by surprise – you didn’t expect Joshua to do that as well as you didn’t imagine you’d like the stinging sensation. “But you’re right. I love you, Jisoo,” you added, earning another spank on the other butt cheek. This time, Joshua applied a little bit more strength, making you stumble forward and press against his crotch.

“Hopefully, after we get married, you’ll call me by my name,” Joshua said with a sigh. Gently, he massaged your butt, holding you in your place, so you could rub yourself against his cock.

“You can try and make me,” you carelessly answered, adjusting the wet collar of his shirt. “Joshua. Joshua. Josh. Shua. Joshie,” you tried different variants, but there was something lacking in the way it rolled of your tongue. No matter how many times Joshua tried to correct you, he’d always be Jisoo to you. “See? It sounds weird. I don’t like it.”

“You’ll get used to it,” Joshua winked at you, leaning down to kiss the tip of your nose. “Are you hungry? I’ve brought some sandwiches,” he asked, pointing his head at the basket.

“Not really,” you admitted, giggling under your breath. You had a lot of fun and all the happy hormones that were cursing through your veins made you forget about hunger. Though you you’d never admit it out loud, you’d rather cuddle and kiss him.

Smiling at each other like idiots, you sat down on the blanket. Joshua had his back pressed against the tree, while you sneaked your way onto his laps.

“We’re gonna be in so much trouble if someone catches us,” Joshua commented as he looked around, hoping to not see any prying eyes.

“Worried about your gentleman reputation?” You teased as you squirmed on his laps, pressing yourself against his crotch again. Getting caught with you must’ve excited him, and you could feel the hard evidence trapped in his pants.

“Not one bit,” Joshua admitted, smirking at you. “You’re here with me, so I don’t mind.”

“Good to know,” you innocently replied, batting your eyelashes at him. “So… I’m guessing you wouldn’t mind if I did that,” you carried on as you lowered your hand and cupped his erection, stroking it gently through the fabric.

“I’ve been dreaming about it for years, love. I’m shameless, and I don’t care,” Joshua confessed, and you shied away by his straight-forward statement. “I want you to touch it and do much, much more,” he added as he placed his hand over yours to help you properly feel all of it.

“You’re a devil, Hong Jisoo,” you concluded as you leaned in, letting your breath tickle his full lips. You were maybe an inch away, waiting for him to close the distance and finally kiss you.

Staring into your eyes, Joshua cupped your cheeks and pressed his lips against yours, kissing you gently. His soft nibbles were driving you insane. Your heart was pounding against your ribcage quickly as you shut your eyes close and kissed him back, letting yourself get lost in delight.

Joshua put his hand in your hair, holding you close as he deepened the kiss, pushing your lips apart with his tongue, making you moan into his mouth. For him, it was the most sinful sound he had ever heard, and it instantly made his blood rush down to his throbbing cock.

Suddenly, Joshua flipped you both, so you were lying flat on your back on the blanket with him on top of you, trailing wet kisses down your neck, careful not to leave any marks. If your mother found them, she would kill the both of you despite your honest intentions.

“I will never get enough of you,” Joshua muttered as his mouth slowly moved towards your cleavage. “I still can’t believe your mother let you leave the house without a bra. What was she thinking?” He carried on as he glanced at your breasts, your nipples peeking through the soaked fabric.

“Can we stop talking about her? I’m sick and tired of that woman,” you snapped, feeling angry. She was your mother, but she didn’t even try to understand you. The only she could do was to punish you for your disobedience. Thankfully, you’d move out soon, giving her enough space to reflect.

“Sorry, I was just –

“It’s okay,” you smiled as you ran your hands across his chest and wrapped your legs around him. Smirking, you pushed Joshua to the side and climbed on top of him. Joshua knew you were feisty, but he never expected you to try to dominate him. Now, when he was under you, he didn’t mind you taking the lead. Admittedly, you were incredibly sexing doing so.

Staring down at him, you slowly undid the buttons of your bodice, letting your breasts fall out of it due to the lack of support. Joshua’s eyes were on you, biting his lips as he watched you in admiration.

“Every inch of you is just… breathtaking,” Joshua confessed, shamelessly staring at your breasts. They slightly bounced whenever you inhaled and exhaled, but when you grabbed and kneaded them in front of his face, he almost came in his pants. You were astoundingly erotic, and Joshua had to fight his inner urges to remain in his place.

When Joshua’s brain malfunctioned at the sight of your bare breasts, you roamed your hands across his chest and shoulders, undoing the buttons of his shirt and pushing his suspenders off his shoulders. Who knew it was that easy to shut him up and keep him busy.

Taking your sweet time, you peppered his chest with delicate kisses while your hands disappeared under the hem of his trousers. Joshua hissed the moment your hand grabbed his erection and gave it a few cautious pumps, spreading the precum across all of it.

“Do you like it when I touch you like that?” You asked, smirking at him.

“More than you can imagine,” he admitted, gently thrusting his hips upwards, needing more attention than you were currently giving him. Dreams and sexual frustration that he had accumulated through the years were making him act desperate.

“Then pull your pants down, okay?” You asked him, and Joshua eagerly raised his hips and freed his hard cock. “You’re so big,” you admitted with a gulp, wondering if he was going to fit.

“Don’t worry, love,” Joshua smiled, reassuring his dick wouldn’t break you in half no matter how hard he was to fuck you. “I’ll prepare you for it,” he added before his hand slipped under your dress. Carefully, his fingers pulled your panties to the side, allowing him access to your clit.

“Oh my,” you whispered, tilting your head to the back when you felt a pulse of electricity run through you thanks to Joshua’s fingers. The pads of his digits gently rubbed your clit and smeared your juices across your folds. “Please,” you moaned as Joshua pushed one of his fingers inside of you, curling it.

Your breaths were uneven, your back was arched as Joshua scissored you. In no time, his entire hand was drenched in your dripping essence, and it required Joshua to flick his long fingers inside of you a few times.

“Jisoo,” you breathed out, ready to welcome the pleasure that was building up in the pit of your stomach.

“That’s not what you should call me, love,” Joshua spoke, pulling his fingers away, leaving you frustrated. “Come on, it’s not that difficult,” he urged you, hoping you’d cave. After all, he wanted to finish the job and see you come on his fingers. “You can do it.”

“I seriously hate you right now, Hong Jisoo,” you stubbornly said to which Joshua decided to raise his knees, making you stumble forward against his chest. Thanks to your quick reflexes, you didn’t hit you face against Joshua’s chest.

“Do you want me to get mad?”

“Depends,” you stated with a giggle. “Do we still make love if you’re mad?”

“You’re impossible,” Joshua huffed, thinking what he should do with you.

Was it even that big of a deal? Everyone called him Joshua. You weren’t everyone – you were special. And Joshua was special to you.

“Don’t be mad,” you cooed, drawing swirly shapes on his bare chest. You knew he couldn’t resist you; it was only a matter of time for him to forgive you for the relentless teasing. “Please,” you begged as you rocked your hips, rubbing your clothed sex against Joshua’s painful erection.

“I’ll let it go just this one time,” Joshua said before he harshly pulled you down to give you a rough kiss. “You’re just asking to be punished, but I’ll let it slide for now,” he added, and you trembled. His tone was stern and domineering, you had no doubts he meant what he said.

“I want you inside of me,” you confessed as grinding against him wasn’t enough.

“Take off your dress first,” Joshua ordered as he grabbed the hem, willing to help you pull it over your head. “So you can act like a good girl… you just refuse to,” Joshua concluded as he tossed your dress on the grass next to the basket.

“I’m a good girl when I want something, and right now, I want you to fuck me,” you shamelessly admitted, not even trying to sound like a lady. You were aroused, and with Joshua’s hard cock under you, you paid no mind to proper manners.

“I should’ve figured this one out,” Joshua said under his breath as he hooked his fingers under the hem of your panties and tore them apart, getting rid of the annoying fabric that was in the way. “Since you’re so eager, why don’t you fuck yourself on me, huh?”

Joshua’s sinful words rang in your ears, making you dizzy. It was an order you were more than willing to listen.

Tentatively, you wrapped your hand around Joshua’s cock and aligned it with your entrance.

“Just like that, love,” Joshua whispered, urging you to keep going.

Stress was eating you from inside. You had no experience in sex – you just heard a few detailed stories from your married friends. Sometimes it hurt. Given Joshua’s impressive size, it was going to apply lots of pain.

“Take it slow, love. You’re going to be alright,” Joshua reassured you, reading you as if you were an open book. “There’s no rush,” he added, and you nodded, cautiously rubbing the tip of his cock across your folds.

“Oh my god,” you panted as you slowly sunk on his pulsating length.

“That’s it,” Joshua cooed, trying his best not to thrust from beneath until your walls stretched around him. Your teeth were clenched as you slowly got used to every inch of his impressive erection.

Frankly, you expected it to hurt more. You had period cramps worse than this.

“It feels nice,” you mindlessly said, feeling his cock throb inside of you.

“Only nice?” Joshua teased as he grabbed your butt and gave it a few squeezes.

“I want to ride the hell out of you,” you confessed as you started to rock your hips up and down his cock. Your rhythm was uneven, but you didn’t care. You were chasing your release, and you needed to figure out the speed and angle to make yourself come around him.

“Just like that, love. Keep going,” Joshua moaned, giving you lots of compliments to encourage you to let go and give into your primal urges. The harder you bounced on his cock, the less you could hear him say. “Fuck,” Joshua cursed as your walls began tightening around his erection as if trying to squeeze all of his release.

“I can’t, I can’t,” you groaned as the upcoming pleasure started to overwhelm you. You didn’t think you could feel this good, and your orgasm was yet to come.

“You can, and you will,” Joshua ordered as he grabbed you by your hips, holding you steady, thrusting from beneath you. You were slowly losing your stamina, and Joshua needed to help you. After all, it was your first time – it needed to be magical.

“Josh-

“That’s right, love. Come,” Joshua egged you on, smug about the slip of your tongue. You absentmindedly almost called him by his full name, and Joshua was going to remind you about all the time. (While also hoping such happy mistakes could happen more often.)

“Oh my god, Joshie, I’m coming,” you moaned at the top of your voice, knowing it was so loud people on the other side of the lake must’ve heard you. “Fuck,” you cursed as you arched your back, letting the pleasure consume you.

The way you were spasming around him pushed Joshua over the edge almost at the same time. Screaming your name, he thrust all the way in, emptying his load deep inside of you.

“I love you,” you murmured against his skin as you collapsed on his firm chest. Your mind was still a bit cloudy after reaching your peak. Gently, you drew random shapes on Joshua’s chest, trying to focus on breathing.

“I love you, too,” Joshua confessed for the nth time today, casually kissing your temple. “I could lie here all day,” he added as he pressed you closer.

“Let’s not push our luck here,” you jested as you propped on your elbow to look into his eyes. “It’s a miracle no one has caught us yet,” you carried on, looking around and hoping you and Joshua were here alone. However, you felt so blessed right now – getting caught would be definitely worth it.

“We should make ourselves look decent,” Joshua said as he sat up, pulling out his flaccid cock out of you. His release began to ooze out of you, so he scooped it with his fingers and pushed it back inside.

“Define decent,” you challenged as you reached for your dress and threw it over your head, trying to quickly cover yourself. As long as your breasts were in his line of vision, he didn’t make any effort to cover himself. Too bad you weren’t in his bedroom. He could make love to you for hours.

“Do you have any plans for the evening?” Joshua asked when he came back to his senses.

“Why?”

Joshua just couldn’t get enough of you.

“Do you want to sneak out tonight? We could hang out or something,” Joshua offered, and you smirked, a few ideas crossing your mind. “Or maybe you want me to sneak into your bedroom? That sounds just as fun.”

“Sorry, I have plans,” you deadpanned, bursting out laughing a second later after seeing Joshua’s pouty reaction. “Just kidding. Wait in front of my house at 10. My mother should be asleep by then,” you instructed him before you jumped to your feet and ran away.

“I can’t wait!” Joshua hollered, already counting time until your next meeting.

“Me, too!” You yelled as you put your hands in the air, waving at him in excitement. “Don’t be late!”

#joshua smut #seventeen smut #kvanity #joshua fluff #seventeen fluff #joshua #joshua hong #hong jisoo smut #hong jisoo

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katsukikitten · 4 years ago

Text

Just some general warnings and disclaimers, this is an aged up Victorian era AU that I did a sort of collab with @bakugotrashpanda, so please check out BTP’s work as well. We had so much fun discussing this idea and breathing life into it, we would love to hear how these stories made you feel. Please also note that the woman in the banner is NOT the set skin tone for reader so please feel free to have that match your own skin tone! Also this is one of my bigger works coming in at a little over 14,000 words! (maybe a part two idk) but enjoy~

The room ebbs in the low light of flickering candles, people gather in clusters like lost geese as they honk their gossip at one another causing you to sigh. It would be another long night of mental games as your cold eyes fail to warm from the eccentric sights. Silk dresses, long gloves, shimmering gems, and endless drink and food.

Yet you hated how little power you had over your choice of being here or not.

Countless eyes rake over your long dress, always choosing a color so deep in hue it is often mistaken for black. They often murmur curiosities as they ponder over what exactly you are mourning.

Little do they know it is your freedom.

Tonight you are in blood red with matching gloves to your elbows, diamonds, garnets and rubies drip from your throat and ears. A sight to be seen in your bold dark colors that are often frowned upon during the bright season of spring and summer.

A bold male approaches and yet the closer he gets to your stunning form the more meek he becomes. He nods his head and reaches for your hand, pressing his lips to your gloved knuckles.

"May I have your first dance?" He peers up at you as you stare down with an icy glare. Removing your hand with deadly precision from a man you know of but could not care less about.

"You may not." You say simply and all he can do is stew in his rejection, affirming your wishes with a small nod. Another male in a smooth storm grey suit approaches. His large hand grasping onto your fingers, bringing your knuckles to his lips.

"You look exquisite my dear. Would you honor me with your first dance?"

"I shall not." Another subtle yet swift removal of your hand from his, wishing you had worn two pairs of gloves for this sniveling little asshole. Not everyone knew his secret love for abusing women but you did. He would never get the pleasure of dancing with you and in the two years since your introduction into the market you've made sure he had no one to wed. Using the power and respect people had towards your Father's name, towards you for guidance, ultimately steering them away from this pathetic sack of bones.

And with your power you were dubbed the icy hot debutante of Alryne, fierce as a flame so hot, it felt cold.

You wear a neutral face, but you do not smile, making yourself a touch unapproachable. This already weeds out the weak men who want nothing more than to suck the blood and money from your father's estate.

But it wasn't as if the neutral face was easy to achieve, oftentimes you had to fight a scowl. For two years you've hated every second of every ball, party, or soiree since the Queen smiled in your favor during your first debut. She often praised, as did your mother, your cold precision, quick wit, and intelligent political decisions that were so well disguised that men just thought you modest.

When in actuality you were playing the game, and since you were being forced to play by your father then by Hell's flames you would win it all.

The first half of the ball drags in stupor of tedious repetition as you idly chat with women of various titles to gather any information you could without revealing your own hand.

Besides all of the pestering gnats, everyone knows that your first dance is always reserved for important males, to never approach until after the two of your six stamps have already been taken. Even then there was a high chance of rejection, as there were no men of value to be seen.

At least not yet. For as long as you could remember the higher ranked males arrived a touch late, "fashionably late" they claim. Abhorrently annoying is what you call it.

Fashionably late men such as Lord Bakugou, son to the Duke of Summer or his distant cousin Lord Kirishima, son to the Duke of Spring.

Bakugou arrives first, his grin wolfish as he scans the crowd, women flock to his arrogance in troves, although he ignores them. He has one woman in his sights yet it is not the woman he stands before. You give a small courtesy as you speak.

"My Lord." Offering your hand gently.

"My Starlight." He presses his lips to your silky glove for a long moment unable to keep his cocky smirk off of his face, "May I take your first dance?"

Fighting to keep the delighted smile off of your face you offer a flutter of your lashes. He kisses your knuckles once more as if you needed convincing but the two of you know what you are doing.

"You may." And with that his wolfish grin returns as he sweeps you onto the dance floor, showcasing your abilities as he shows off his own. Not to mention the dance floor is a great place to talk in private. His hand lingers just above your lower back, firm in his grip as his other hand holds yours almost delicately.

"We match tonight, my Starlight. A brilliant touch." He guides you along the floor with ease, his eyes gesturing towards his vest and tie.

"I only took an educated guess as to what you would wear, my Lord."

"Do not sell yourself short. I know how sharp that mind is." Another wolfish grin, his eyes never leaving yours while feeling the court gaze upon the two of you. You give him a knowing smile before asking.

"Any luck with her majesty, the prized diamond?" You ask, eyes blazing with curiosity. He smirks again, only his eyes revealing his true scoff as he twirls you in your jeweled slippers.

"I did as you instructed and went with my father to that dreaded stay at the countryside Manor, how did you know her Majesty and Princess Amila would be close by."

"I took an educated guess." A blatant lie that has him grinning from ear to ear. He leans closer, pulling the attention of the ladies especially as his ember eyes burn into you.

"Far more than an educated guess." He spins you again and you fight the tightness in your gut. Enjoying the dance as he parades you around the room as if to say look at what I have that you could never.

Even if the two of you agreed you would never be his. The two of you having struck up an arrangement of sorts on your first dance. He was forced by his Grace to ask at least one woman to dance and he had only chosen you with hopes that you would say no.

But you loved the honest, irritated look that lingered in his eyes and on his lips. So of course you said yes as misery loves company. It was then he told you not to fall for him as he had his eyes set on the Crown, you laughed loudly and said "As if I would ever fall for an arrogant pig such as yourself, my Lord." His smile was wild as he enjoyed your insult, it was then you told him you would help him with the Crown, only if he made you his first and last dance of the evening at every event.

Back then he had hesitantly agreed, now he can see how far your scheming mind went. Saw the numerous callers and suitors who loitered in your parlor, the extravagant flowers that they sent in excess. The rings they bestowed to you as they dropped to one knee, bold enough to peacock the large diamonds in front of other callers.

And all after Bakugou had done as you asked for only three parties. He got a front row seat to rejection every single time, which in turn started the talk, the gossip, that this city loved. You were desired because of how you painted yourself and in turn made Lord Bakugou desired as well. Talked about, all because he was the only male who had your approval.

He loved your scheming mind so much he could kiss you, but alas you did not wear a crown. Although you often had a braid of jewels atop your head, sadly you were not kin to royalty, only a Baron's daughter after all.

Bakugou wonders what you could have done as a queen. He would think you an empress.

"Is that all the detail I get? Just a confirmation that I was correct about their holiday?" He spins the two of you in step, hand guiding you although you did not need it. Having memorized every step to every dance there was since before your debut.

"She saw me."

"And?!" You can hardly keep up the façade of calm collection as you wait.

"And she flushed. Her cheeks were as red as any rose, Starlight, she was a rare red diamond sparkling by the lake. She must already be in love with me." You snort, unable to stop the smile on your lips.

"I've never heard you so poetic before. Normally you leave that to Lord Kirishima. How many times did you run into her? Not more than three I hope."

"Oi, I am a well versed student and I listened to my teacher. I made her wait for the fourth and denied it. Left her in wonder and hope as you said." He rolls his eyes, fingers sliding up to your dress line touching your bare skin with his beneath your guise of hair. The sensation of his warm fingers against your cool skin does not go unnoticed.

"Are you practicing for your dance with the 'rare red diamond' now?" You taunt, earning that chest tightening wolf grin.

"I'm only doing as my teacher has instructed."

"Well the Princess will fall for you the moment you kiss her hand."

"One can only hope. Her official debut is less than a month away. I want it to be perfect." His eyes shimmer with plotting mischief as does yours.

"So it shall."

The music flows and ebbs to the end of the song as Bakugou deposits you right back where he got you. Bringing your hand to his lips, kissing your knuckles as he holds your gaze once more.

"My Starlight." When he straightens you curtsy.

"My Grace." With that he leaves, heading towards the table of sweets and beverages, you were sure he would be ordering bourbon. Your mother clears her throat from her chair, the out of season silk blanket over her thick skirts pulls at your heart. She sits on that plush chair as if it were her throne.

"You dance with Lord Bakugou often." An observation.

"Indeed." A dry retort.

"I am sure Lord Kirishima will be your next dance, correct?"

"One can only hope."

"So you have an eye for a Duke's son?"

"I am happy to dance with those deserving, Mother." Your mother keeps her eyes on the turning bodies on the hardwood floor, Kirishima makes his way through the crowd once he spies you. Your mother turns to face you as she says

"Is the Duke of Winter's son deserving?"

"Hmm, he has three sons, mother." You keep your eyes away from her until she finally looks back into the crowd.

"Ah yes but only one is ever at these events." You follow your mother's gaze and they fall upon the Lord, he is the third son, he opted to chase after the world of medicine rather than women. Earning his doctorate much faster than his peers, he only just returned to conduct his practice in Alryne.

Pity he returned at all.

He catches your eye and you make a point to turn your cheek, unable to stomach his heterochromatic, condensing gaze. Your turned cheek was as close to fuck you as you could ever say to the high and mighty Lord. Still the words burned on your tongue as if you swallowed acid.

"It is not as if he ever dances mother. Therefore, how can I give him my attention? As you taught me a woman must wait to be asked as it is every woman's dream to be wed to a handsome, skilled dancer." Out of the corner of your eye you can feel her displeased look before she straightens.

"At least do not string along Lord Kirishima, that boy is not as zealous as his cousin." She says just as the large man slips through the last throng of the crowd.

"My shining gem." He smiles with sharp teeth before he places a chaste kiss atop your hand.

"My Lord." A curtsy before he asks.

"May I have this dance?" His smile is plastered on his face as he knows your answer.

"You may." Kirishima sweeps you across the floor in a different manner than Bakugou. Lord Kirishima is more flirtatious in the way that he guides you. Always choosing more of the upbeat dances as opposed to his cousin's serious selection. You do not hesitate to go in for the kill.

"So when do you plan to ask Lady Mina for her hand?" He blushes at your words. Biting the inside of his lip subtly, a habit you could only notice from being up close.

"Have you even attempted to court her? What fear plagues you, Lord?" Confusion dots your features as a sad smile paints his soft lips.

"I am not sure she would- That we would be an ideal fit." Kirishima admits, turning you gracefully, pulling you close to his body. Scandalous some would say had the two of you been an inch closer.

"Well my Lord, I believe, had you actually talked to her while the two of you danced, as I suggested, then you would come to find out that she is lovely. Pure hearted as she is honest in this game seeking love. Most women here are making attempts to move up in position, my Lord. As a Duke's first son the title of Grace is yours to master. She is a delight and air is not the only thing between her ears as some of these…"You survey the room as everyone watches with greedy eyes, "Vultures."

He laughs never used to your own unwavering honesty. He knows you are not participating by your own free will, he knows because you are helping himself and his cousin when he was sure you could have had anyone in this room.

If the Majesty's nephew, Prince of the Yarrow were to attend even one ball this season, Kirishima was sure you would have his attention too.

He twirls your body away from his and brings you back to the safety of his sturdy form. Your eyes are molten determination as you all but hiss

"Ask her to dance next. You know the host prefers the set to be serious, flirtatious, and then a slow dance. It will be the perfect time to talk."

Lord Kirishima sighs, squeezing your hand as he guides the two of you closer to your mother so he can leave you in her company.

"You could turn any dull man into something more. Whoever wins your hand is getting a precious gem indeed." He kisses your hand as the music begins to change into something slower as you had predicted.

"One shall only hope." You curtsy as he takes his flushed neck towards a certain Countess. Your mother gives you a knowing look and you offer her a cat smirk. She shakes her head but even she cannot hide her own satisfied smile.

A blonde male approaches, as he does every third ball after he ensures your first two dances have been taken. The flamboyant male has not once asked for a dance first, trying to be just as calculating as you. Although he is much more obvious.

You suppose it was not half bad for a male.

"My lady." He bends lower than he should for his station in life, but he is obviously copying the cousins before him having seen how it makes you smile.

Lavender eyes shine up at you as the Viscount brings his lips to your gloved hand. You debate if you should say yes tonight. Having left him in the dark as your desire to dance with him solely depended on your mood.

"May I show the room the grace in which steals the breath from my lungs?" Your eyes smirk as your lips form a small smile. It seems flattery would earn him a dance tonight.

"You may."

The Viscount smiles with delight as he gently takes you to the dance floor, holding you to him as he takes you across the hardwood. The candle lights play along your features as Monoma's face grows soft. Had he been anyone else his gaze might have brought a flush about you. The two of you shared a few dances before, he has sat in your parlor in the time he has attempted to court you and the flowers he sends are always the most expensive.

He has even brought you chocolate from a month's long trip. Even you had to admit that was thoughtful, not too many people knew of your Achilles heel. A small part of you thought that if no one else would do, at least this man would bring you luxurious chocolates.

"No trips this season?" You smile politely, he blinks as he seems to come to.

"Only if I can take you with me." He smiles, a hint. You pretend yourself modest and look away to fight the roll of your eyes.

Maybe chocolate would not be enough to sate you.

His eyes flicker to your mother as a question forms on his lips.

"Neither your brothers nor the Baron attended tonight?"

"Ah unfortunately no. My mother is my chaperone tonight." You say tilting your head, he turns so you can face her, stepping slowly as the song lulls on.

"I am elated she is well enough to attend." He smiles, you cannot tell if it reaches his eyes so instead you offer

"As am I."

The rest of the night is filled with rejection tumbling from your rouged lips as champagne flutes seem to find their way into your hand.

"Not too much of that dear or you will not be able to enjoy the company of your suitors."

"Truly a pity." You say taking another from a passing waiter. Eyes trained on Lord Iida and the lovely dancer in his hands, a blue dress sweeping across the floor and a white carnation nestled in her hair.

A beautiful touch and it pays homage to their first dance before they were even wed.

The love that embraced the couple could turn anyone in the room green with envy.

You down your flute as you reach for another.

Night brightens into morning much too soon as curtains are ripped open in your room.

"My lady callers will be here soon." Rose, your handmaiden says softly, "I have a bath waiting for you."

You groan in response having not had enough sleep after pouring over your drafts for your book until your candle snuffed itself out.

"Turn them all away Rose." You growl turning away from the irritating light, could it not have rained this morning to delay the suitors as it always did in this forsaken town?

"She will do no such thing." Your mother says as she walks into your room with her cane, her hand gripping onto the golden beak of a bird.

"Mother, why not marry off Hendrix or Hideki?"

"Hendrix must apprentice under your Father for a period of time while Hideki can do as he pleases for now. He is only 20, besides he makes an excellent chaperone does he not? He isn't too nosy nor does he neglect his duties to intimidate pushy men." She pushes some of your hair back as she sighs, "Although I doubt you need help in that manor."

"I deserve a strong bloodline, so I will do what I must to ensure that. Even if my face has to be scary at times." You and your mother share a laugh before she adds.

"Your face is far from scary my dear." She touches your cheek softly rising from the bed to allow you to get ready, "The suitors shall arrive within the hour. Make haste."

"Yes mother." You half groan rising to wash. Enjoying the warm water that Rose has so kindly added aromatic flora and citrus to. Once you enter your bedroom Rose has a dress picked out for you, waiting for your final approval. You nod allowing Rose to assist you with your corset and strings of your dress before you pick out jewelry to match your silver finery. You choose a silver bracelet with little diamonds as stars that Lord Bakugou had given you for your birthday this past year, smiling down at the small thing before assessing yourself in the mirror.

"What do you think Rose, should I add some rouge to my lips?" She gives you a smile of delight.

"And your cheeks too, my Lady."

Breakfast is served in the parlor as it consists mostly of fruits and finger pastries that will be served to the other guests. Hideki comes down in a fine and deep sapphire suit.

“Sister.” He gives a smirk to which you nod.

“Brother.”

“And what trouble will you get into today?” He stage whispers, causing you to cut him a glare as your father comes around to loom in the arch way of the parlor.

“Remember, you need to pick a husband this season or I will pick for you. It is disgraceful to have gone through two seasons at your age.”

“I am only twenty four, dearest Father..”

“That just proves my point. You have a month before I extend an offer to the Duke's-.” He takes in a sharp breath to chide you further only for his Grace to swoop in and save the day.

“Baron.” Bakugou says, his eyes challenging as your father bows his head. As Bakugou makes his way towards the delicate foods. Father cuts you a knowing glare. As if to say I know your games child.

You offer a sweet smile as you make your way towards your small writing desk, fighting off the urge to groan outwardly. You just wanted to work on your manuscript or read for that matter. Instead you would have to entertain men who cared not what you thought only what your pretty mouth would not say. They would swarm you, demanding attention as you waved them off gently, half you had never even spoken too. Bakugou gives you a wicked smile from beside you as if he could read your thoughts. At least he always sat closest to you, saving you in a way although you never instructed him to sit close.

He just always had.

"Do you not want to play the piano today, my shining Gem?" Kirishima asks from the door.

"Ah I am not sure I am in the mood for it, my Lord."

"Easier to avoid people as the bench is only meant for one." Bakugou gives a devilish smirk, Kirishima almost pouts, his sullen expression does not go unnoticed by his cousin.

"It has been an eon since you last played for us." Bakugou adds.

"Am I to be your song bird today?" You cut a glare at him.

"Yes, Starlight I believe you are." It seems it had no effect. Sighing you stand, collecting your skirts as your wrist twinkles in the morning sun. Garnet eyes bore into the delicate wristlet. Your fingers pluck a key here or there until you begin to play. Losing yourself in the music as you sing ballads from ages ago, melding them into songs you've written until it all sounds like a cohesive piece. Each old song is lost in transition to the new one, time ticks on but you do not notice the string of men who come and go from your parlor. Resting your voice for the time being as your fingers fly across the keys to something you composed while thinking of your father and his ever pushing hand towards a Duke's son you had great distaste for. The notes are sharp, almost jarring at times yet still the piece is stunning. In that time you had not noticed the lavender eyed man who sat closest to you, right in front of the piano in the corner of the couch. The finger cramping song ends on a somber, harsh note.

"What a beautifully charged song." Monoma says breathlessly.

“Well I was thinking of my enemies when I composed it.” You smile at the sunshine blonde with a devilish grin, he feels unsettled by it but says nothing nonetheless. His lavender eyes glance over to the wolves at the back of your den. Hideki gives him a small nod, Kirishima a soft smile but Bakugou gives him a glare that feels like Monoma is gripping needles.

He swallows thickly, adjusting himself on the plushed silk of the couch before your small piano.

“Ah before I forget.” He smiles pulling out a box setting it atop the polished wood. Gifts were a natural part of courtship or so your mother said. You offer a smile, grabbing for the box with poised eagerness and yet not overly so.

Not that you were excited but you had to pretend to be. You unbox the obvious jewelry and fight back the distaste as you stare down at a gaudy, overly large necklace. The colors are a soft green and yellow, colors you avoid for many reasons.

“Thank you.” You think to add a chord or two to your unnamed song in honor of Monoma. Bakugou laughs loudly from the back of the room, feeling how much you hate the gift, you look over your shoulder to send him a glare that he can only smile at.

After hours of trepid and boring conversation Monoma takes his leave.

“Another evening my Lady.” He smiles softly and you return it half heartedly.

“Another evening.” Lavender looks over your shoulder before Monoma clears his throat

“Your Grace and your Grace.” He bows his head, the ash blonde and redhead nod in unison.

"Shall we go and drink my high friends?" Hideki asks, hoping for an excuse to leave the stuff house. He was more than over bearing witness to gag worthy stares and compliments some of these men gave you.

"An excellent idea!" Kirishima exclaims, standing before stopping by you. He takes your gloveless hand with a sharp, flirtatious smile.

"My shining gem." He presses his lips to your skin and you return his smile.

"My Lord." He nods and takes his leave, Hideki at his heels as Bakugou approaches. He does an exaggerated sigh unable to hide his smirk.

"Little songbird how will I ever get through the night without my Starlight?" He holds your hand, lowering his upper half as did his cousin before him.

"I suppose you will fumble in the dark."

"If only I had the pleasure." He purrs as he presses his lips to your bare skin. Suddenly his fingers are too warm as he holds your gaze, he looks as if he could devour you.

Lest he forget he is staring down a panther himself.

"Have fun fumbling in the dark by yourself, my Lord." You remove your hand and look out of the corner of your eye at him. He backs towards the door of the room.

"I should hope to have thoughts of Starlight." He calls before he disappears into the hall. You tap a key as your mind wanders before you rise, famished and ready for dinner before you would take a long night of writing.

A month passes by faster than you'd like and you find yourself outside of the ballroom in the grand hall of the castle. Soft music filters in through the doors as your Father insisted the family be a bit late this evening.

For he wanted to make a statement and one at your expense.

"If Duke Enji's son asks you for a dance you will oblige." Your father hisses, his large hand curling around your bicep. You bare your teeth, stepping out of his grip as you collect yourself.

"He has three." Acid drips from your tongue as sure as morning dew.

"The doctor. Not the failure first born and not the inadequate second. The third. Shoto. Think of your ailing mother...would you abandon her for such vile, pointless ambitions?"

"I think you will not weaponize her. So do as I please and decline." You hold his burning glare as you add, "If the Duke's family is as bad off as you make it seem."

"Oh I think you shall accept his dance. Or so help me God I will burn every book your ill, grief stricken mother ever shoved into your scrubby little hands." He leans closer, a nasty smile forming as his lips, "And if that is not enough I will throw your manuscript into the fire for fodder."

Your eyes blaze with a rage that ignites beneath your skin, burning your blood as your eyes make unspoken promises. When I am through with you

You part your lips to retort but your eye catches Hendrix and Hideki, their eyes filled with pity before your mother slowly approaches.

Father chose his battleground well, knowing you would be unable to react as you pleased and with Bakugou already at the party there was no other male to save you. You bite your tongue until you taste blood.

"Is everything alright?" Mother asks tentatively, fussing with your hair, "Darling you must mind your face, my love."

You swat her away, breathing through your nose as if you were a dragon. Heat still dancing in your veins as you allow your feet to move on their own.

"Announce me. Only me. And do not announce another soul until I am beyond the last step." You hiss to the harbinger whose eyes grow wide before he nods. His voice booms over the murmurers of the crowd and once eyes begin to land on you they are silenced.

Your eyes are set hard and as cold as stone as you look over the crowd, slowly descending the steps in your deep ombre gown. Starless night black from the bodice before it lightens gradually into a charcoal grey, glittering crystals sewn into the material shine in the candle light like miniature stars. Your gloves followed the same gradual pattern except it seemed as if each finger was dipped in glittering silver and atop your wrist was your favorite piece, diamonds winking in the low light set into silver pointed stars. Woven in your hair were diamonds and pale citrine alike forming a crown in its own nature.

Had Her Royal Highness not have already been announced and seated it would be easy to mistake you for the Crown. Considering how you commanded attention and held yourself, eyes looking at no one but seeing all.

The envy, the awe, the lust.

A pivotal moment was coming, the last three stairs is where a woman would normally hold out their hand, expecting their favorite suitor to take action but you did not hold out your hand. Keeping one firmly on the dark wood of the banister while the other was eloquently posed beside you. Even if you had held out your hand the men in the room were too stunned to step up to help you. This allowed a soft, devilish smile to form on your painted lips as they performed exactly as you had planned. Finally your gem encrusted slipper touched the hardwood, parting the crowd before the spell was broken by the announcement of the rest of your family. The room let out a collective breath and instantly erupted in hot gossip. All of it falling on deaf ears as you grabbed onto a flute of trusted champaign.

From across the room you felt burning garnet eyes on you, you met them briefly before sipping at your bubbly beverage. He begins to cross the sea of bodies when a large man steps into your view.

His eyes are cold as they bore into you, a shining sapphire paired with a smokey quartz. Distaste curdles your stomach as you fight to keep your face neutral and your eyes trained on him. Fans block painted lips as they spread more gossip about the man before you.

"Is she ensnaring another Duke's son?"

"She is becoming too haughty for a Baron's daughter."

"Do you think she insulted the Crown with her entrance?"

"Would you allow me your first dance?" His deep voice cuts through the vultures' cries pulling you back to him. He has your glittering left hand in his. Brining the dazzling glove to his lips in greeting, there is no joy in his gemstone gaze.

The hot rage bears its teeth again as it surges through your blood like liquid fire, burning so hot it felt cold as it licked at your bones. Your lip barely twitches, No poised on your tongue as your father's grating voice echoes in your head.

"Think of your ailing mother...would you abandon her for such vile, pointless ambitions?"

And so your mouth finally forms the words.

"You may." He looks surprised, surrounding faces mirror his own before he fully takes your hand. Guiding you to the floor during one of your favorite songs that you always sat out as no dance partner ever dared the secret, advanced steps. You were steeling yourself for disappointment

Shoto's grip on your body is tight but not uncomfortable as he sweeps you across the dance floor, twirling you, guiding you as he holds your gaze. His stare is heavy and intense in a different manner from Bakugou's with a hint of something that could be mistaken as flirtatious. But you saw it for what it was, discontent.

As the song pushed on the discontent seemed to change into something new entirely as he showcased your skill while hiding his own. Allowing you to twirl away from him in several rotations that would make even the most skillful dancer fearful of misstep and yet you breathed in the music as if it were precious air. Neither of you notice how the other dancers give you room, allowing for more twirls and advanced steps as the two of you are becoming lost to the music. His fingers brush your bare skin as he pulls you back to him for guided, sharp steps as the music heightens. His skin brushes yours again, electricity thrums beneath the pads of his fingers before he sends you into another dizzying rotation but to you it was nothing. Briefly you wonder if this were a test until you see the soft smile on his lips when you return to his arms safely for the final set of guided steps before the music were to abruptly end, just as the dance was intended. His eyes were glued to yours the entirety of the dance, softening with each step.

Both of you stop in beat with the last soaring note panting as the movement seems to catch up with the two of you. Neither of you realize how quiet the room is until clapping comes from the royal dais high above the room, the rest of the crowd follows suit. Shock melts into a smile as your eyes return to his. A sharp pain rings out in his chest.

"Not bad for a Baron's daughter." Disgust settles on your face faster than you can stop it spewing from your lips.

"Not bad for a recluse of a Duke's son." You tilt your head up, fighting the snarl of your lip as his face becomes so mind numbingly neutral while his eyes darken. Shoto drops you off by your mother only for Bakugou to approach, swiftly bringing you to the floor for a slow song.

"Starlight. How did I not know you could dance like that?" He is astonished by your skill, "I've never seen you so happy. Maybe the Duke of Winter's third son will do you justice yet."

You scoff but all Bakugou can do is offer you a deadly smile.

"Enough about my dead end dancing." Your eyes glance towards the dias, the Princess cannot look away from the two of you, "This should be enough for the Princess to want to dance soon."

It is Bakugou's turn to scoff.

"Are you sure she is even going to have the opportunity to dance? No one is even allowed on the stairs to their enclave."

"Ah but this is her debut. The Queen will allow it, besides the princess cannot keep her gaze off of a certain ash blonde."

"How could she ever?" Your laugh rings out, it warms even the coldest hearts as Bakugou pulls you closer to him. Heat radiates from his body in a calming manner, your fingers squeeze his.

"Arrogant as ever." You smile, thinking how you will miss dancing with him or even having him at the back of your parlor to laugh with over sad attempts at your hand, "Remember once you take her one dance for the night, she must be your first and last dance of the night in the future, if not your only."

Bakugou cannot hide the dejection in his eyes even as he feigns cockiness.

"I am a well versed student, remember?" His fingers brush over your skin, his middle finger tracing a small circle.

"The best student I could ask for." The music comes to a close on more than just the song as Bakugou returns you to your family. He presses a long kiss to your glittering glove.

"Until we meet again, my Starlight." He holds your stare.

"Until then my Grace." With that the night sets into motion as you turn down dances left and right. Eyeing a ruby haired man who twirls a certain countess in his hands. As the music ends the Queen stands earning a hushed crowd.

"My daughter, the Royal Princess shall take the dance floor, she will only allow one dance on the night of her debut." It is not a shock that she is allowed so little but there is no worry on Bakugou's face. The princess straightens at the top of the stairs, trying to exude the same commanding energy you did. She falls short in power but outshines you in other wordly innocence and grace. As if she were a lily that only bloomed for the moon, her beauty unmatched in her pale pink dress. Carefully she guides the layers of it down the steps as diamonds and pearls drip from her hair and throat. She tries to keep her eyes from sticking to a broad shouldered man and yet at the same time from wandering, as she stares at the back wall of the room.

As she nears the third step Bakugou struts towards his prize with the ease of a relaxed swagger, glaring at men as he passes before he reaches the bottom of the steps. Extending his hand to the Princess just as she hits the third step from the bottom. She cannot keep the smile off of her face as her gloved hand claps onto his bare fingers. He bows deeply, raising her hand above him to look from beneath long lashes before he brings his lips to the silk.

"Your Royal Highness, my shining diamond. You are truly the envy of the night." A flush gives the Princess' lack of experience away, "May I have this dance?"

"You may." It is a breathy answer before Bakugou sweeps her off of her feet. Charming her with each calculated step and arrogant quip. The princess smiles wide and almost pouts once the music begins to ebb. Bakugou returns her to the stairs, supporting her hand as long as he can before she rises out of reach.

But to Bakugou she never was and never will be unattainable.

Before the night is over an envelope is pressed into your hands with the Crown's seal pressed into the wax. You quirk your brow, tucking it away to be read at home.

"I am so elated you came." Her voice is like honey as the butler opens the doors to a parlor so large it could hold your entire home. She guides you towards a small table and fights with the layers of her silk dress before sitting.

"How could I reject a personal invitation from her majesty?" You sit across from her, eyes going over the deck of cards and a set of tea.

"Well, believe it or not, I do not have the pleasure of friends, so please call me Amila."

"Everyone would desire to be a friend of the Crown, your Royal Highness." You counter, quickly she points her fan towards you, tapping your side of the small ornate card table.

"Ah but you do not have the desire to befriend the Crown, so I have high hopes that you will befriend me for me." She smiles, a certain gleam to her eye before she says, "Now let's talk about handsome Bakugou and how well you played me."

Your face gives nothing away as you look up from the cards you've been dealt. Your mind rushes down all possible avenues but you know to avoid the one of playing dumb. It is obvious that the Princess has a keen eye.

"Surely you'll reveal to me what gave us away."

"After that dance Bakugou had with me, had I been anyone else he would have returned to you. He either has his only dance with you or his last dance with you. I figured him or Lord Kirishima to be heavily interested in you. You are a sparkling gem amongst the coal down there so I know you have many callers and suitors. But the last to leave are always Lord Bakugou and Lord Kirishima. That is what has thrown me off the scent." You laugh at her honesty of the knowledge she has obviously collected about you or was tactful enough to guess.

"This is what we do, your Royal Highness." Your gloved hand gestures to the table, "I take them for all that they are worth." An honest giggle leaves Amilia's lips.

"For that I am grateful and some would dare say I am in your debt."

"A brazen statement." Your eyes return to your cards, "I would not state it as a debt although I am happy to receive your gratitude. Especially since it is in the form of cards and cake."

A laugh falls from her lips as a smile settles on yours. The round of cards continues. You win the first few rounds and then Amelia has a lucky hand. Winning the last white tea macaron.

"Did you allow me to best you?"

"Lady Luck just happened to take favor of the Crown."

"Or maybe she took pity. " She smiles, fingers fidgeting nervously, "Would you care to admire the art? Mother allows me to have this as my own personal parlor so I decorate it as I wish."

"I would love to admire some of these lovely paintings. Starting with the one behind you." You stand, heading to the large piece you had been eyeing for some time during the games. You could tell by the stroke of the brush that the artist was newer to painting but they were quite talented, the strokes almost went unnoticed even by your sharp eye.

Most importantly were the emotions the work of art evoked from the viewer.

Silently the two of you drank in the large oil painting. The canvas colored in deep pinks, reds and oranges as the sun laid to rest to allow its lover the full scope of the sky. Shadows stretched far and towards the viewer and if one paid close attention they would notice the black cat in the corner with two large moon eyes.

You especially liked this painting, the ease it made you feel even earning a small smile.

"I can already tell this one is by far my favorite, your Royal Highness you have a fine eye for art." She blushes at your compliment, twisting some of her low hanging hair. You keep your amusement of her flustering to yourself, eyes trained on the swirling colors of the rippling blue mirror of the sky, looking for a signature.

Odd, there isn't a looping set of initials in the corner like most have. As if reading it on your face she speaks.

"I- I am the artist…" It is shy and soft, unlike the Princess and you realize the weight of the truth. That she had not heard one genuine compliment of anything that she had ever done.

All she would ever receive is flattery and only for the hopes of kindness from the Crown. Finally time swallows up her sudden meekness as she blurts out.

"Are you sure Lord Bakugou is not in love with you? I know you fancy Lord Todoroki, Doctor Shoto."

"I do not fancy the Doctor, he simply is the most logical option I have currently, he would make a fine partner and husband. The seasons have not brought anyone new and my days of spring are limited." You idly move to the next painting as you speak, "As far as Lord Bakugou, he and I are too much alike. Too ambitious for our own good, we'd either explode or implode I'm afraid. Like some tragic star in the vast galaxy."

"You would not marry for love?"

"It is best to marry for a strong partnership, love is a possible byproduct, however it proves to be a rarity. Love comes with time, your Royal Highness, a luxury us women do not have." You glance her way, "Not even a Princess is immune to this unfortunate condition from which all women suffer."

"But he looks at you with intense burning, with...love."

A quiet moment passes between the two of you before you offer your honesty.

"He would learn to look at you that way, more than he would see the Crown. Especially with your mind and artistic skill. He would be a fool not to fall for you." Her eyes water at your response, "Come, let me teach you how to best Bakugou at his favorite card game, Amelia."

When you return home later that afternoon Bakugou is fidgeting outside of the manor causing your brow to furrow. Then it dawns on you that one of your brother's has a big mouth and told his Grace where you would be.

"My Lord."

"Starlight." He offers you a strong arm and you take it as he guides you up the stairs and into the parlor just off the foyer.

"Are you here to gossip?" You trust Bakugou enough to go without a chaperone, besides the doors to the parlor are wide open. You sink into your writing chair as he takes his normal seat by your side. The plush cushions do not ease his twitching fingers before you give him a playful shove.

"Out with it then!" You giggle, the sound pulls a devilish smirk from the blonde seemingly easing whatever troubled his mind. He leans back into the cushions.

"So, how much did her Highness speak of me? Endless compliments no doubt." His teeth flash white as you roll your eyes.

"And here I thought you had a pressing matter." You move to turn away from him to focus on writing but he grabs onto your knee. Giving it a gentle squeeze as his face gives him away. The tips of his ears burn before he clears his throat.

"I have to show you something and I need your honest opinion." Silence is his answer as you patiently wait for him to produce the mystery item. Slowly he reaches into his pocket, a black velvet box is in his hands. A smile blooms on your lips as you anticipate the ring he must have picked for the princess. He opens the box and your heart free falls into your stomach.

It is a pear shaped black diamond flanked by silvery diamonds that wink in the afternoon sun. At the top of the circle of diamonds was a deep red garnet that looked like a drop of blood. The ring felt powerful if it could make one feel such a thing. You fist your skirts as you collect yourself. He watches your face contort as you look over the ring, his jaw ticking with worry as you assess what is essentially both his ego and pride.

But the ring is breathtaking, perfect really.

"Katsuki, it is a gorgeous ring…" Your voice trails as you admire it, "But I believe the princess to have less...moody tastes. She does not normally wear dark colors."

A small silence stretches between the two of you, almost as if he expects something else, quickly he snaps the box shut.

"This is why I ask you things, my stunning Starlight." He pulls out a red velvet box popping it open. This ring is beautiful as well but does not have your heart as much as the first.

It is a stunning and giant marquise cut white diamond. Blinding in the light with a halo of pale pink diamonds. It is vibrant, radiant like the princess. Katsuki always did pick out the perfect jewelry to match a woman's tastes. Bakugou watches your face carefully, the sad smile that pulls your lips upward causes a deep ache in his chest. His jaw ticks again but you answer before he can even think to lash out.

"Your Grace, this will surely win her heart." He looks you in your eyes, a flash of an emotion you cannot quite catch before his arrogance returns.

"Indeed it shall. We can discuss the best date to ask another time." He closes the box and tucks them both away, he grabs your left hand, fingers ghosting over the bracelet he gave you, "You seem tired, you should get some rest."

"I believe that to be a grand idea." You say softly as he kisses each knuckle. He squeezes your fingers.

"My life would be dark without you my Starlight." You fight to keep the bitterness out of your voice as you reply.

"Soon you will have a shining diamond to light up your life."

"Only thanks to you." With that he takes his leave.

With burning eyes you add to your manuscript, foolishly writing a love story as your other novels have been completed. The candle dwindles as the hours pass before your hunched shoulders ache from the poor posture and lack of movement. You stretch, yawning as you do before you decide to head to bed.

Expecting an empty foyer you are surprised to see your father looming in the hall, your mother standing solemn by his side. Her fingers clutch at her pearls as your eyes catch sight of bags at their feet. It is not unusual for them to leave in the middle of the night in order to keep the severity of your mother's health from the limelight.

"Is there troubling news?" Anxiety twitches in your fingers as you clasp them together. Although your father's next words make your fingers want to wrap around his thick neck.

"We have been invited for an extended stay at Duke Enji's manner in the countryside in hopes the two of you will court one another."

"Father that is scandalous in itself."

"Not if an engagement comes of it. Which one will, whether you fall for him or not, young lady. The matter has been decided among the men." His words sting like a slap in the face. Where most would cry you lash out.

"Oh, I get it. Per usual the men can think with nothing more than what hangs between their legs, fearful that theirs is not long enough. So the men do all that they can to control everything but their own fragility." You step towards your father and he takes a step back, "Or is it more gruesome than that? One blackmailing the other? I just cannot imagine the ambitious Duke wanting a Baron's daughter for his son. Unless his family is so far in decline he must place the weight on his new heir and bride."

His eyes widen unnaturally before he is frothing at the mouth.

"YOU WILL NOT SPEAK OUT OF TURN. YOU WILL LEARN YOUR DAMN PLACE. " He slaps you, causing a hush to fall over your family. Your eyes are wide with animalistic rage as you lunge only for Hendrix and Hideki to hold you back. Both strong men begin dragging you away.

"Forgive her, Father." Hendrix starts before Hideki finishes, "You know how the heat gives women a touch of hysteria."

"We will help her pack her bags."

All the while your mother looks at her husband in horror. The sight falls beneath the stairs before you are shoved onto your bed.

"Sister!" Hendrix roars while the youngest brother looks flustered, worried, "What were you thinking? You know how closed minded father is."

Hideki cuts the eldest a look before he adds.

"We are just worried. Normally you keep your wrath at bay."

"As much as it may come as a surprise. I am only human." You rise from the bed asking Rose to prepare you a trunk. To pack anything, that you did not care as you sat at your desk furiously writing. Your bothers watch you with curious eyes as the tension seems to subside before they take their leave.

Minutes tick by before you're standing in the foyer. Father and mother were already sitting in the carriage that waited outside under the cover of misty rain. Hendrix and Hideki stand awkwardly by the round table in the middle of the foyer. Pretending to fuss over lavish flowers Lord Bakugou had sent that morning. A beautiful arrangement of roses and hydrangeas, two of your favorites, the Lord knew of them through observation alone. You wait patiently until one brother makes eye contact with you. Hideki breaks first, guilt shining in his eyes as it threatens to spill over. It is obvious he does not want you to leave the house, his normally crooked smile falters. You cup his cheek, smiling up at your sentimental younger brother, he acts as if you will never come back.

Maybe there is some truth in that.

"Cry not, for I have an iron will while father's is but made of glass." You swipe the tear, before pressing two letters into his chest, "Besides I have an important task for you."

"Is it your scheming?" Hendrix chides and you laugh in answer before continuing.

"These are for Lord Bakugou and Lord Kirishima, it is imperative you deliver these letters." The paper contained important instructions for not only a successful proposal but a marriage as well.

You'd be damned if all three of you would turn out miserable.

"I'll put them in the post."

"No hand deliver them." Your eyes turn icy causing both brothers to go rigid, "And should I find out the seal has been broken before their arrival I shall take the family jewels from between your legs."

"Is that any way for a lady to talk, my dearest sister?" A jest in an attempt to lighten your souring mood.

"Yes, it is."

"They will be in their hands by this evening. We are wagering on a fight tonight. Enjoy your stay." Hideki leans in close with a tease but his voice almost cracks, "Make sure the rock is huge."

"Indeed." Hendrix agrees with an almost sad look in his eye, leaving you to wonder what it is that they know and you do not.

Well, you do know why they have such long faces, you just do not care to admit. You wave to them and their eyes catch on the silvery reflection of diamonds on your wrist.

The manner is stifling to say the least. The large, grand thing is as your trunk is set in your room that overlooks a small garden and the long sweeping hill that leads home. You pace your room before a knock comes at your door.

Hoping to ignore it, having not the desire to speak to a soul, your feet quiet. You listen for them to retreat but instead a louder knock sounds out. Before his grating voice floats from beneath the door and through the keyhole.

"I know you are in there, my lady."

Ugh, that stupid doctor stood on the other side of the door. Still you ignore him.

"It is rude to ignore your host." It ignites something in your stomach before you rip the door open. Eyes ablaze as Todoroki stands perfectly still in his onyx black suit sans jacket. White sleeves rolled up showcasing his strong forearms.

"Surely, a good host would not force his guests to his estate?"

"A good host would not mention how unwanted their guest is." His smile is sickeningly polite, eyes as cold as yours. It is hard to keep your composure as you breathe in deeply through your nose, eyes widening before you slam the door in his face.

Only once you hear his footfalls retreat and the moon shines long on your floor boards do you finally make your way towards the door. A woman on a mission as you yank the door open, uncaring that you were not in much but a thick white nightgown that could be mistaken for a dress. You rush for the stairs and through the door just off their back parlor, having memorized it from the long winded tour both your father and his Grace Enji insisted the small party take of the grounds.

A cool summer breeze whips your hair this way and that as it dries the sweat that sits at your nape. Normally people would describe this feeling as miserable, that even the breeze had a bit of heat to it, but you.

You lived for it. Twirling in the moonlight you allow yourself a moment for vulnerability you often cannot afford before you go deeper on the grounds, closer to the woods that lie just beyond the manor.

Once you are at the edge you give the grand home a glare with your back towards the woods. The creatures of the night sing their symphonies well into the late hour. A twig snaps behind you cause you to turn about face, your eyes meet with lavender framed beneath light lashes.

Ice runs through your blood as you faintly recall him speaking of these trees by his own countryside manor. He often went to these grounds to hunt.

So why was he standing on the Todoroki grounds?

"So it is true?" Monoma chokes out an ugly sound. It is between defeat and a snarl. He takes a step closer, "Whisked away in the night. Did Todoroki steal your maiden head from me?"

Your eyes widen at his scandalous accusation and it is then you see how truly disheveled he is. Hair plastered to his forehead, his canary suit stained green from foliage. The fabric even darkening beneath his armpits and at his collar, it sends a sort of frantic look to his eye. He steps forward and for once in your life you yield, stepping back.

"That is a damning accusation." You fight to keep the cracking rage from your voice, the small fear that blooms in your belly like poison nightshade. Swallowing thickly he steps forward.

"He, he can't take what's mine. I- I was going to propose today. But that damn Bakugou is always lingering around like toxic gas. Poisoning your mind with his….ambitions." It is then you see red.

How dare anyone thing you were so fucking fragile and innocent some young blonde could corrupt you. Your palm strikes his cheek with enough force that he is facing away from you. You strike again and then as you rear up your fist he pulls you to him. Pressing his whisky soaked lips to yours as he swallows you whole. Mouth extended over your lips, sloppily engulfing you as he makes sounds that make you want to retch. His tongue slides past your lips and you bite.

Not enough that he loses it, although you wish you could afford to do such a thing. But you still lived in a society where a man's word was far more valuable than that of a "whore." Shaking you pull back, so much rage that you do not see the flash of light until it is too late.

"Fucking bitch!" He slashes at your nightgown, cutting the fabric away as you think you've doged, he goes to slash again, "God damn whore!"

His voice echoes through the trees and that scares you more than the knife in his hand, his sloppy demnor creates an opening as you kick him so hard between his legs he falls to the ground, puking up his belly full of liquor onto the moss floor.

Suddenly the summer night is too hot, the frogs and crickets too loud as an owl calls deep within the wood. Thunder roars overhead before the clouds become too heavy. Panic slicks your skin before the pounding rain as you turn to run, hopping you kicked hard enough to rupture something in this cowardly man.

If you lived in any other world, you would have tried your best to seize that knife and plunge it into his chest.

But you didn't, so you ran. Vision blurring as the pain finally catches up to you. Hand instinctively flying to your stomach only to come up wet.

"It's the rain, it's just the rain." You gasp out rushing into the house and shutting the glass paned door as quickly and quietly as you can. Fumbling for a lock before you give up all together, arms outstretched in the dim room looking for a candle or a mirror. Shaking fingers find a match that you light using the wallpaper, uncaring of the risks as you frantically look for a stick of wax. Lighting the wick once you've found one and taking it to the mirror above a small runner table. You set the wax down, close to the glass, thunder shakes the windows and the house as you pull the fabric from your torso. It reveals an angry red slash that weeps crimson, a choked gasp leaves your lips as lightning flashes illuminating the whole room. Still you do not see the reflection of the man in the mirror.

"What happened?" It sounds animalistic as it comes from the corner. Your whirl to face him, pulling the cloth back down to cover your decency. A lie falls from your lips as easy as breath.

"Nothing." Your rasp, feigning embarrassment, "My-my courses have come early. Your Grace this is not something you should witness."

"Do you take me for a fool?" He steps closer, eyes burning in the candle light, "I may not be an expert of female anatomy but I know the basics."

You swallow thickly, trying to jest.

"Then my Lord you are far more experienced than myself. I am bashful to be in the presence of a skilled womanizer. This truly is nothing." He closes the distance, wrapping his deadly hand around your small wrist. Pulling it away from your body.

"That laceration does not look like 'nothing'." He mocks, "I will not ask again."

Silence engulfs you as the storm rages on, it competes with the roaring in your head. Your knees slowly buckle as Shoto keeps you up right. His winter's night by the hearth scent floods your senses.

"I feel a bit faint." Your voice sounds so small, so far away that it stirs something in Todoroki. In the year that he has watched you, he has not once seen your falter or become meek. He makes way to scoop you into your arms and is a mixed of relieved and agitated as you swat him away.

"I-I can walk." You straighten your back, smoothing the reddening fabric over your bodess and for once you're thankful the blasted nightgown is so thick. He gently guides you to your room.

Once there he prepares a basin as you try to sit on the plush bed.

"Aht!" He whispers harshly, "Change."

You relax into the foot of the bed anyway, unable to hold yourself up right any longer. He sucks his teeth, bringing the supplies to the bedside table before searching through your trunk.

"A Lady's things should not just be rummaged through."

"Hmm is that so?" He finds another night gown before he hovers over you, face pinched as he asks, "Can you undress yourself, truthfully?"

Moments pass before you admit that you are not sure that you can with a shake of your head. Slowly he eases you out of the damp fabric, dabbing at your wet skin with a towel. He avoids looking at your breasts and as much as he would love to stare a weeping wound commands his attention. He places the gown just enough to hide your breasts before he lies you down on your back.

"From beginning to end, tell me what happened." When you do not answer he forces your chin to face him, "Tell me, now."

And your name slips off his lips like poisoned honey, a truth serum you swallow whole. You retell the quick exchange, including the damning kiss as you watch rage blister across Shoto's handsome features as he silently begins to work.

"We must prosecute him."

"We must not!" You exclaim as he dabs antiseptic at your wound. He gives your an exasperated

"What would have happened if he had nicked an internal organ?"

"I suppose I would be free of this wretched world." A nonchalant shrug as best as you can manage.a glare cuts your way as his roar turns soft.

"Why would you say such a thing? Do you think no one would mourn the loss of you? Do you think he would not weep at your service?" Shoto touches the bracelet of dancing stars and you pull your wrist back. Tears burning your eyes, you do not allow them to fall.

"He is not up for discussion!" It's a loud whisper before you grip Shoto's jaw with enough force it grinds, "I am more than capable of taking care of myself, Lord. You can take your leave as I do not need a soul."

He melts as he watches the pain flutter in your eyes, a long sigh escapes him as he melts into your touch. His fingers feathering over your forearm.

"Pride is a deadly sin. Allow me to help. I will be quick." Slowly you drop your arm away from him. He digs around in his bag before you change your mind. He disinfects the sutures before he sends the needle through tender flesh, your tears dry as you allow your mind to retreat. Shoto takes quick notice.

"You do that a lot…" He comments softly, pulling the suture through your skin, you glance his way, "You seem to disassociate."

"Well, feelings hurt so it is better to not feel at all." You grind your teeth as he pulls the widest part of your wound together.

"Is that why you push him away so often?" He holds your gaze before returning to his work.

"Did I not tell you that he is not up for discussion. No matter, I do not have feelings for Lord Bakugou." He scoffs at your lie.

"Ah so then it was not you who suggested the Princess in the form of flattery? Lord Bakugou is a smart man but you played into his blind spot, stroking his ego and enticing his ambition." Your gritted teeth say it all.

"And how pray tell would you even guess at such grandor things when you are not in attendance at even half of these events?"

"I am privy to this knowledge because I too keep everyone and everything at arm's length. It is much easier to see the moves when one is far enough away from the board." He dabs at your abdomen, "And you my Lady are by far the best player."

"Flattery does not go far with me." You sigh softly, fingers idly playing with the wrinkles in the sheets, "Father wants me to set a final round."

"Mine wishes for me to begin and end in the same turn." He slowly places your nightgown down, "Which is why we should make an effort to at least get to know one another. With your wound I suggest staying an extra week or two to ensure it closes properly. I can convince our Wardens that the extension is for an attempt to win your hand."

He leans back in his chair, sweat on his brow from fusing with your wound, from worry as it furrows. Your chest tightens and suddenly the urge to be in control sinks its teeth into your skin. Quickly you unclasp the birthday present Lord Katsuki had given you, setting it on the nightstand beside Shoto with dramatic flare. His eyes widen as he reads between the lines, the silent vow of "I will make an effort...for now". The promise seems to pierce his heart.

"Fine. I enjoy picnics, I suggest we do that on the grounds so that we may be chaperoned from afar and yet have privacy. My expectation is unbashful honesty from both parties." You turn over to give him your back as you pull the fine blankets to your shoulders, "Furthermore you must come up with some sort of endearment for me. Anyone who has ever tried to seriously court me has. I have come quite fond of them as titles bore me. Something lovely so give it thought."

Shoto is stunned into silence for a moment before he lets out a dark laugh.

"I see, this is still your game"

"Precisely." You say, he stands, lingering in the doorway before shutting the heavy oak.

It was difficult to sleep to say the least. Still you were grateful to have risen before Rose. Dressing yourself before she could see your wound. More grateful still when Rose set down some tea claiming Lord Shoto sent it.

You downed the scalding liquid in three swallows, surprising Rose, before she passes you a folded note.

Meet me in the back garden for lunch.

-Shoto

A muscle ticks in your jaw as pain blooms across your stomach as you stare at his lovely script.

Shoto hates to admit that the first thing he looks for is that bracelet on your wrist, when he does not see it he lets out his held breath. Drinking in your deep, sapphire dress. It sparkles as if covered in stardust, his heart clenches. He looks towards your stomach, worry etched on his features.

"How are your stitches? No corset right?" He asks, gently guiding you to the plush pillows on the ground. Maybe he should have asked the butler to bring out chairs instead.

"I feel naked without it." You admit, he sees a bit of nervousness you have normally schooled away.

"You look lovely." His eyes are gentle, lips formed in a soft, genuine smile. Your heart tried to skip a beat. It's the heat you tell yourself.

"Flattery will not get you far remember?"

"I'm only being honest, my sweet petunia." You give him a puzzled look, was this going to be his nickname for you? You were not a delicate thing.

"A flower?" You give him a look but his smile does not falter.

"Ah would you rather I say my dew kissed rose? My begonia?"

You both laugh at his last suggestion.

"My sunflower." Your heart stutters, you glance away for just a moment and he takes notice.

"Ah so you approve," He collects a strand of your hair between his fingertips, "Sunflower?"

Heat rushes your cheeks as you fight the smile on your lips. You lose as he kisses your hair. Maybe you could be a delicate thing.

"Did you know sunflowers can remediate soil? It is why they are planted after tobacco is harvested in hopes to use the fields once more." He is quiet as he waits for your admission.

"It is my favorite flower, it is in season now. Alas not one suitor has sent them. Roses and hydrangeas are my favorites too but nothing quite says summer like a sunflower." You sigh, looking over the manicured bushes and flowers in the garden.

"Is that your favorite season?" He is perceptive, you take a moment to breathe in the sweltering breeze with closed eyes. Humming your answer.

"Indeed." You kick off your shoes and place your feet into the grass, leaning back to allow your face in the sun. Not many women would be so open to sitting on only a blanket and with no umbrella or covering. And yet here you were soaking up the sun like a lazy cat. Heat rushes Shoto's cheeks as he realizes just how perfect his name for you is.

"Have you ever had intercourse with a woman?" You ask, eyes still closed as Shoto flushes further. His cheeks are as red as part of his hair.

"Sunflower." He gasps but you giggle.

"Unbashful honesty, remember?" He lets small silence stretch between the two of you before he answers.

"I have. My brother convinced me it was a good idea." His eyes look sad, it makes your gut clench as you look away for a moment. Question burning on your tongue.

"What if I were to say my maiden head was taken?"

"Who am I to judge after I have slept with another. Sadly I know some are stolen." He answers without hesitation.

"This is true. Mine is still intact, I am grateful Monoma had only stolen a kiss." You sigh.

"You'd never kissed anyone?" His tone is curious although his eyes are dark with anger for you.

"I tried to be a proper lady. More so because I do not like to touch people or feel their skin. Touching them makes them real, you know? And when someone is real they can have power over your heart." Shoto mulls over your words and realizes how much he relates. He places his hands near your fingers but does not touch them. You notice the gesture and scoff without the pretension you skillfully lace his fingers with his. Delighted to see the burning blush on his cheeks.

Maybe life with Shoto would not be half bad, if only he gave you more moments like this.

Moments like this last over the two weeks that drag into three. Days are spent beneath the summer sun with exchanged and often heated, intellectual debates. Both of you feeling mentally stimulated for the first time as each of you allowed a few walls to come down, pulling each other closer than arm's length. While a few hours of the night are spent beneath the moon. His gem stone eyes raking over your abdomen in worry but nothing more than his checking on your wound as he was ever the gentlemen.

On Monday of the second week Shoto has come fond of his summer sunflower, so much so he brings a large black box to the next picnic, tucked away in his pocket is a matching, much smaller box. He presents to you the medium sized box as you giggle in delight.

"My Lord, my shining Shoto. What could this be?" Your cheeks hurt from the width of your smile as he opens the box for you to see. Your face flutters into shock before joy returns as you hold out your wrist. Shoto takes the delicate golden bracelet that has several round onyx surrounded by citrine in the shape of petals. Sunflowers dance on your wrist as you twist it this way and that, unable to school your features into your normal distaste for guadry gifts from suitors. But this gift was far from gaudy, only one man before Shoto had earned this reaction. You bring your parasol to hide your face and his from the prying eyes of the manor as you gently press your lips to Shoto's cheeks.

"I love it." You admit. It gives him enough courage to commit to ask you on Friday, the bigger question.

Having you walk for "therapy" through the grounds, pointing over your shoulder to point out phantom ducks on the lake as he nervously sinks to one knee.

"Shoto, love I do not see-" You turn to face him and see his loving eyes, wavering smile and shaking fingers holding open the box that reveals a giant oval ruby surrounded by diamonds. He clears his throat.

"My sunflower," You fling your arms around him, making him fall off balance as you land on top of him. Peppering his face with uncharacteristic kisses as excitement, for once, rushes through your veins like a second blood. He laughs lifting you by your ribs, careful of your slowly closing wound as he spins you before setting you on your feet. He fumbles for the momentarily forgotten ring before he slips it onto your ring finger. He presses a kiss to your cheek, smiling warmly. It reaches his eyes in such a way your gut clenches.

And for a moment you forgot you were ever anyone's starlight.

For one returning to the manor seems almost dreadful and not because of waiting suitors but because you would be without your own. He insisted the two of you be seperate as your mother and his, prepared to arrange the wedding, as you demanded the ceremony to be small. Despite your desire for to keep the engagement quiet for just a week or so, your mother and father took it upon themselves to spread word back home before you could even arrive.

You exit the carriage as the house looks quiet, earning a soft smile. Your ring catches your eye and you remind yourself that this truly was the best possible outcome.

The foyer is covered in flowers, from congratulations to a giant trove of sunflowers on the center table.

You smile at the flowers Shoto must have sent this morning, they sit in a glass globe of a vase, their usually tall stems cut short. Their flower heads are large and vibrant even in the ambient candle light. You finger a petal as you reminisce over the past few weeks, your stomach hardly protesting as you stand on tip toe to look at them all. Relishing the moment of silence before you realize you are most likely home alone. Your brothers lost in some fighting match while your parents took their leave from the Todoroki manor to busy themselves with venues. You figured a change of clothes would do you nicely before you settled down over your much neglected work.

A black nightgown and almost sheer robe clung to your frame as you stepped down the grand staircase, smiling once more at the flowers before slipping into your parlor. Lighting only one other candle by the door before taking yours to your desk. With deft hands you pull out one of your manuscripts and tap along the top with a manicured nail. A sigh leaves your lips, you finger with your bracelet, with the ring on your finger before a fresh page is found on your desk. You write furiously.

About something as trivial as love.

Still the quil seems to move on its own as if enchanted as words dot the parchment in ink. Suddenly your work is disturbed by someone entering your parlor. You assume it is a brother who has come home, glancing up you see locks of ash blonde causing you to grip at your robe to close it tighter. The moment you realize it is just Bakugou your grip on the fabric loosens.

"I wasn't expecting you at this hour." Fear of needing a chaperone barely crosses your mind since it was Lord Bakugou who was your company. You relax into your seat as he crosses the room to sit in his normal seat, on the corner of the couch, closest to you. His posture is poor as he leans his forearms on thick thighs, garnet eyes cast downward, he grips at his own hands as his knuckles turn white. You wonder if he did not heed your letter.

"How did the proposal go with Princess Amelia?" Your voice sounds out over the silence of the room, still he remains quiet. It is unnerving how solemn and silent the normally wolfish man is. Something pulls at the strings of your heart. His eyes seem misty. He keeps them to the ground or so you think, as they rake over the ring on your finger, on the bracelet on your wrist. The onyx and citrine dance in the low light of your burning candle. Bakugou feels a sheen of sweat coat his hands, bile rising in his throat that he has to swallow down.

You think the worst, you think the Princess rejected him but that didn't make sense either. She was so obviously in love with the ambitious man, you heard while away that she even turned down a dance with a forgein prince.

"What's wrong, Katsuki?" The way your voice forms around his name, the way your eyes look with unbiased worry causes Katsuki's limbs to act on their own. In one swift motion he cups your face in his broad hands, bringing his lips to yours so softly. Once the plush of your lips touch his he cannot stop as his hunger for you comes to the forefront. He kisses you with a fervor unmatched as his lips move yours, his hand moves to the back of your neck. Tilting your head so he may deepen the kiss, tongue sliding over yours as the world falls from beneath your feet.

But as quickly as it fell it returns, pushing him away while turning to face away from him. You keep your head held high as he pants on the couch beside you. He grabs your thigh, desperate for touch, for anything but rejection.

"Starlight." His voice is deep, rough from what might be disuse as it cracks on the second syllable. A question runs rampid in your mind. How long had he felt like this?

"Please, my starlight." He squeezes your smooth thigh and you look towards him. Watch his force contort with pain, as if you held his beating heart in his hands and crushed it.

Really it is what he had done to you, as you look down at him with hot tears.

He is the first and only soul to see you cry in decades. It seemingly tears him about but he brought this among himself.

The kiss is answer enough as to why he is here.

It should not be this tempting to throw it all away.

"Get. Out." You seethe, fat droplets catching on your sheer robe, falling down your cheeks as if you were an actress going through a tragic scene. He does not move, does not breathe as he hopes your temper will cool.

Instead it heats.

"Get out, Get OUT. GET OUT GET OUT!!" More composure lost with each increase of volume before you completely lose it, "FUCKING GET OUT!"

He hardly moves and the ruckus calls alarm for your brothers who were home, who let Bakugou in at such a late hour. They come from the office across the hall in hurried steps, expecting to see an assailant, hoping that Bakugou could fight them off.

They silently determine what they see is far worse. Bakugou gripping at your thighs with this pleading look while your face is now firmly buried in your hands. A sob racks through your body setting your brothers ablaze.

Hendrix speaks first.

"What did you do?!" His eyes are flaming as he sets them on Bakugou, who ignores the two men. Hideki begins to close the distance and his eldest brother follows suit.

"What have you done to make my lovely sister cry?" Hideki's voice is full of hurt, disappointment and when they receive no answer they decide it is time to remove your true assailant.

Both grab at Bakugou, pulling him away from the couch as you wet your palms with years worth of tears.

Everything in your life, no matter how hard you tried to conduct it, was truly wrong wasn't it?

The fresh swirling ink on the pages answered you enough, the love story you did not know you needed with a protagonist with soft ash blonde hair.

"Please. Do not make me BEG!" He yells as your brothers' sad attempt at forcing him from the room topples furniture and the like.

Still you weep your self pity away.

His next words are deafening as your heart finally cleaves apart, the pieces falling to the floor before shattering like glass at your feet. He brandishes the black velvet box with the black diamond ring tucked inside as you finally look up to him.

"IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN YOU, STARLIGHT!"

#bakugou x reader #todoroki x reader #bnha historical au #bnha imagine #bnha x reader

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