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euterpessi · 3 years

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Romance Manhwa/Manga Recommendations:

Historical Manhwa/Manga:

Death Is The Only Ending For The Villainess

I’ve reincarnated as the reverse harem game’s villainess, the one and only adopted daughter of the ducal Eckart family.

But the difficulty just has to be the worst!

Everything I do will only lead me to death.

I must be paired with one of the main male characters from the heroine’s harem before the ‘real daughter’ of the duke family appears!

Two older brothers who always pick a fight with me on every little thing.

The insane crown prince whose route will always lead to my death.

‘I only see the heroine and no one else’s wizard, and also her loyal slave knight, too!

‘First, let’s take some of them which I see no hope in, out of the list!’

“I didn’t know my place up until now. From now on, I’ll live as quiet as a mouse so you wouldn’t care the slightest bit!

But why do their interests in me keep on rising every time I draw the line?!

The Villainess is a Marionette

Cayena, the Imperial Princess, was known as the most beautiful woman in the Empire. She was a woman who knew nothing but evil and luxury.

However, she was destined for ruin: she would be used as a chess piece by her younger brother to secure his throne and killed by her crazy husband.

“I’ll make you the Emperor.”

“… Sister, are you referring to me?”

“In exchange, give me freedom.”

She had to change things before she became that Cayena.

The Reason Why Raeliana Ended Up At The Duke’S Mansion

Poisoned to death by her own betrothed?! Eunha didn’t wake up in a novel’s story just to get killed off again as an unfortunate extra! To change her story she needs a cover… 6 months pretending to be the fake fiancée of the novel’s male protagonist, Duke Noah Wynknight. But will this cold-hearted, angel-faced demon of a man really help her avoid another ill-fated ending?!

Your Throne / I Want to Be You, Just For A Day

The story follows main characters Medea Solon and Psyche Callista, who become archenemies after competing for the position of crown princess of the Vasilios Empire. On the day of the Yearly Prayer, Medea and Psyche accidentally switch bodies.

The Remarried Empress

Navier was the perfect empress, however, the Emperor wanted a wife, not a colleague. And so, the Emperor abandoned Empress Navier and placed an enslaved girl beside him. That was fine until Navier heard the Emperor promise the slave the Empress’ position. After many ups and downs, Navier decided she would accept being the Queen of the neighbouring country and remarry.

Kill The Villainess

Eris Mizerian was the villainess of a novel. The only daughter of a marquis, she got executed after scheming against the pure and lovely protagonist, Helena. My only goal, after possessing her, is simply to leave this world and go home. I am prepared to face even death, but the laws of this world keep stopping me.

A changed Eris begins to draw the attention of three men who once loathed her; the Crown Prince, the High Priest, and the Knight.

"It doesn't matter. I will never be able to love this world."

Even if the only way out is death,

even if the only way out is make a deal with a witch...

I will absolutely leave this world!

This is the story of the villainess who defies fate, Eris, and her escape from this world!

The Way To Protect The Female Lead's Older Brother

I accidentally took possession of someone in a 19+ reverse harem novel.

The problem is that I became Roxana Agriche, the older sister of the sub-villain. My damn father kidnapped the heroine’s brother. Now, is the only thing left to meet a terrible end from the vengeance of the heroine?

But what if I can avoid that horrible development?

“I’m also interested in this toy.”

“I’ll protect you until you can get out of here safely.”

The heroine’s brother, Cassis Pedalian, will definitely be able to pay me back later.

Shadow Queen

“Can you be my daughter for me?”

By his offer, Elena became Duke of Franceschi’s fake daughter.

She became the queen and gave birth to Crown Prince’s son.

Then suddenly, Princess Veronica who was assumed dead came back.

She was only just a toy.

But eventually, Elena gets her son taken and is murdered.

However, she went back to the past.

“I’ll destroy all of you.”

I’ll never live as a toy again.

Elena decides to seeks revenge.

Under the Oak Tree

The daughter of a duke, the stuttering Maximilian, married a knight of lowly status at her father’s coercion.

After their first night, her husband departed for an expedition without another word.

He comes back three years later, this time as a famous knight in the whole continent.

How would Maximilian face him on his return?

"The more I think of you, the more lonely and lonely I become. I don't know why I can't quit even though it's so painful."

I'm Stanning The Prince

Angela’s fanfic became such a sensation that it even reached the Imperial Family, leading her to get arrested on charges of treason. Nevertheless, her fanfic improved the First Prince’s image, and his sister, the Princess, decides to take political advantage of this and keep Angela by their side.

The heroine who can now fangirl to her heart’s content, and the Prince who doesn’t know how to act around her. As they bicker back and forth, they start growing closer…

Miss Not-So Sidekick

Hyejung loved to read to escape her daily stress. But that’s before she woke up inside the bizarre world of her favorite novel! Instead of the main heroine who courts three eligible men, she is now Latte Ectrie – a minor villain that everyone hates?! One way or another, it’s a chance to live out her most beloved storyline, with popcorn in hand to watch all the drama! Taking charge of the narrative takes on a whole new meaning!

Even Though I’M The Villainess, I’ll Become The Heroine!

I wasn’t able to overcome the harassment and took my life, but I was reincarnated with the perpetrator? The perpetrator is the heroine, Florre, and I am the villainess, Dahlia, who’s going to die horribly.

“They said you are a villain with neither blood nor tears, but unlike the rumors, you often shed tears.”

“Your Highness must believe all the nonsense the idiots are talking about, huh?”

Grand Duke of Cervian, the half brother of the Male lead and who will be punished for treason afterwards. He approached me. I can’t lose the man who will be my greatest ally.

“Your Highness, would you marry me?”

“Now…… what did you say?”

“And take revenge together.”

A similar situation, a fixed ending. The heroine is not the only one who knows the ending of the novel. I took a long and arduous path of revenge.

Who Made Me A Princess

The beautiful Athanasia was killed at the hands of her own biological father, Claude de Alger Obelia, the cold-blooded emperor! It’s just a silly bedtime story… until one woman wakes up to suddenly find she’s become that unfortunate princess! She needs a plan to survive her doomed fate, and time is running out. Will she go with Plan A, live as quietly as possible without being noticed by the infamous emperor? Plan B, collect enough money to escape the palace? Or will she be stuck with Plan C, sweet-talking her way into her father’s good graces?!

The Villainess Reverses the Hourglass

With the marriage of her prostitute mother to the Count, Aria’s status in society skyrocketed immediately. After leading a life of luxury, Aria unfairly meets death because of her sister Mielle’s schemes. And right before she dies, she sees an hourglass fall as if it were a fantasy. And just like that, she was miraculously brought back to the past.

“I want to become a very elegant person, just like my sister, Mielle.”

In order to face the villainess, she must become an even more wicked villainess. This was the new path Aria chose to take revenge on Mielle who murdered both her and her mother.

The Evil Lady's Hero

Junipe Magnolia, a villainess friend of the heroine in this novel called Rael Cania.

The Junipe inside the novel has always loved the male lead, Iseed. To the point where she harassed Rael out of jealousy because she's loved by Iseed.

And thus, Junipe is destinied to die in the hands of the male lead of this novel.

But one day.

"Why did I become Junipe?!"

But let's think about it, it's still one year away from the time Junipe is going to get killed by Iseed. So, I have to meet Iseed and Rael first, I'll be able to find a way out of my death if I do so.

Yeah, let's meet them first!

But, this man is just so tender-hearted and kind. Would Junipe be able to escape from this man?!

I Tamed a Tyrant and Ran Away

God gave me a chance to relive my life. Before the rebirth, I had been used for the past 400 years as the empire's sword. And so, I swore to destroy the empire. I found the young prince of the country and became his teacher. I taught him how to become a tyrant and asked for the country.

"I will do the lady's will."

He conquered the whole empire for me, and I ran away.

"I came to take you, Charlize Ronan." Dylan became a perfect tyrant and searched the entire empire for me.

"You tamed me, so why did you run away?"

Untouchable Lady

“Please, Hilise. Please die in place of Gabrielle.” My always dignified brother begged me for the first time. He wants me to die for our stepsister, whom we don't even share a drop of blood with. “For the first and last time, I ask you this.” I've always been miserable, and there is no exception this time. The seventh time that I was betrayed and killed, I was completely free of lingering feelings. “I'm glad that you're a scumbag until the end.” I won't be swayed by love anymore. It's my turn to abandon them first.

I’ll Live On As A Villainess

I reincarnated as the villainess in a book!

The one who dared to commit attempted murder on the heroine is the owner of this body?

Let's just live in a quiet place where we have fun and eat! That's what I thought for a while.

It was so, so, so cold here in the north, where I was kicked out as a punishment.

Before I froze to death, I called the Great Demon of Fire and set fire to the fireplace but...

Why isn't he going back? If you've done the job, shouldn't you go back?!

I was flustered to find out that I had signed a life contract with a demon just to start a fire but to think that I'd be responsible for relieving his desires!

The bickering romance between a big puppy demon and a small villainess lady!

It Looks Like I’Ve Fallen Into The World Of A Reverse Harem Game

When I opened my eyes, I was in a different world. I had become the game’s villainous princess who was feared by all. Not to mention… Completely naked men I didn’t even know were approaching me left and right! “Are you cold? Shall I warm you up with a hug?” “Oh? Have you not had enough yet?” Seriously, what’s up with this situation? And just how the hell am I going to get out of this freaking game?!

Father, I Don't Want to Get Married!

I’m Jubelian? The daughter of the duke and the villainess of this novel?

I managed to avoid my death with some previous knowledge about my life, as this was my second time at it. Now, I should be able to live a peaceful life!

“I’m not going to marry a man unless he has everything. I want the most wealthy, famous, and competent man there is.”

I dreamt of a glamorous life as the daughter of the duke, but my father tells me the Crown Prince who is known to be a lunatic is to be my husband! As an extraordinary measure, I couldn’t help but start a contract relationship. That is, with a handsome side character that looks better than the main one.

“Why are you trying to avoid being engaged to the prince?”

“He’s scary. I heard that he even kills his own entourage if he doesn’t like them.”

A few days later, the prince sent a terrible letter to me.

“I will not kill you.”

Oh no, did I set up another death trap for myself?

Like A Wind On A Dry Branch

"Hi, You."

Count Casarius fell victim to a plague and died suddenly, leaving behind a will stating that Rietta, his beautiful young widow of the manor, whom he tried to use as a concubine, be buried alive alongside him. Just before Rietta is buried, Archduke Axias, rumored to be a cruel tyrant, arrives at the funeral to collect the enormous debt Count Casarius still owes him.

“Everyone here seems to feel sorry for her, and I still have a debt to collect from Casarius… If I take her instead of debt, I think all of you here should be happy," he smiled.

"Hello, Temptress."

Everything was a Mistake

Roa Valrose reincarnated as villainess in the book. In order to avoid the fate of being burned at the stake, she approaches the hero, Nocton Edgar.

It hurts every time she gets closer to him. Nevertheless, for her survival, she does everything he wants her to do.

“Come again, Valrose.”

The mysterious Nocton unexpectedly sought her out every day.

Then one day, her friend for 10 years says something unknown to her.

“Actually, I have a dream. The Duke of Edgar is a terrible villain!”

He is not the hero, but the villain?

As soon as she realized that she had misinterpreted the role, she decided to get away from Nocton.

“Let’s not meet anymore.”

But the villain’s reaction was strange.

“Don’t go. You’ve always been special to me.”

She was suspicious of his sudden change of attitude.

Will she able to get rid of Nocton safely?

I Became the Tyrant's Secretary

I became the secretary of a tyrant in place of my clumsy brother to survive.

But I have so much potential for it. I’m so darn good at my job. Because I served the tyrant so well, ‘Everyone has a happy ending’.

Well then, shall I quit being a secretary and live a leisurely life now?

“Rosaline, tell me what you want.” He asked as he stepped down from his chair.

“I want to quit.”

His eyebrows twitched slightly.

“Do you want to die?”

Your highness, you never hold on to people who want to leave, so why’re you being like this to me?

Seduce the Villainess Father

After being in a bus crash, I woke up to the world of my favourite web novel.

Not only that, It was before the protagonists were born, to their parents’ world!

To stop the incoming multiple bad events.

I tried to prevent the kidnapping of the sister who is pregnant with the female lead!

But I got kidnapped instead?!

It's depressing to be kidnapped, but my body couldn't handle the mana and became a sunfish-like state

But... if I am next to the emperor who kidnapped me, my body becomes normal!

Right! The way to save that man from marrying a witch and getting killed by his son, and for someone who is vulnerable to mana such as myself to live, is for us to get married!

The Villains Savior

Set on a path to tragedy and misfortune from a young age, Aseph Randell is doomed to die a villain. That is, until the mysterious Elzay Tiathe appears in his life with a promise: "I can save you." After having vivid visions of him for so long, can Elzay untangle the twisted fate tied to Aseph... or will they both be dragged down together?

Contemporary Manhwa/Manga:

Night Crying Crow

This woman; who is she?

If something was action, it'd be action. If something was romance, it’d be romance. The A-list actor Cheon Woo Kang, who's great at every (genre), had his heart stolen away by an unknown woman who’d broken into his house!

“We'll meet again.~"

Woo Kang contracted an over imaginative illness as he drew the woman, whose name he didn't even know. In front of Woo Kang, she reappeared as the police officer Park Tae... Could the shadow of the crisis that appeared in front of them be a coincidence?

Raise wa Tanin ga Ii

Yoshino Somei would have been a normal high-schooler if not for the fact that she is the granddaughter of the leader of the Osaka-based Somei Group, the Kansai region's largest yakuza organization. One day, Yoshino hurries home after hearing of the news about the unification of Kansai and Kanto's biggest syndicates, the Somei and the Miyama groups. This, according to the article, will result in a marriage of the leaders' grandchildren—one of whom is Yoshino herself! Despite her best efforts to annul the arrangement, Yoshino has to go to Tokyo to visit her fiancé, Kirishima Miyama, who is unexpectedly nice and charming.

During their first meeting, Yoshino is swept up in various events and becomes unable to refuse moving to Tokyo, which is why, half a year later, she now lives with the Miyama group. At school, she soon realizes that Kirishima is very popular, so her relationship with him garners the hate of his fangirls and subsequently results in bullying. To make matters worse, Kirishima could not be further away from her prince charming since he, after all, was born to be a yakuza member.

Raise wa Tanin ga Ii follows Yoshino and her new life in Tokyo that is filled with nothing but troubles connected to the underworld. However, though she wishes to be as far from it as possible, this isn't Yoshino's first time dealing with the world of the Yakuza...

Positively Yours

To Hee-won’s dismay, the BFF she crushed on and her other BFF are now dating! Seriously bummed, Hee-won decides to go wild just one time, and find solace with a handsome stranger. A very satisfying one night affair has now turned into more — she’s pregnant! Fate brings them together again, and now the regimented Doo-joon is determined to do the right thing and marry her. But they’re basically strangers! Except... their bodies have been very intimately acquainted. What’s this mother-to-be to do?

True Beauty

After binge-watching beauty videos online, a shy comic book fan masters the art of makeup and sees her social standing skyrocket as she becomes her school’s prettiest pretty girl overnight. But will her elite status be short-lived? How long can she keep her real self a secret? And what about that cute boy who knows her secret?

Cheese In the Trap

Hong Sul is a ordinary college student. Yoo Jung is the school's most popular upperclass man. He's good looking, rich, smart, and even nice. However, Hong Sul thinks there's more to Yoo Jung than what meets the eye…

SPY x FAMILY

The master spy codenamed has spent his days on undercover missions, all for the dream of a better world. But one day, he receives a particularly difficult new order from command. For his mission, he must form a temporary family and start a new life?! A Spy/Action/Comedy about a one-of-a-kind family!

Doppio Senso (18+)

“What are you thinking about?”

“I’m thinking about a guy.”

KyungHyun stopped in the middle of a deep kiss and sighed. His lips began to form a smile, but his fierce glare said otherwise. Possessiveness and jealousy spread across his sculpted face.

“Will you tell me his name?”

His easygoing and languid voice reached her ears.

“Why?”

“So that I can shoot him down.”

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ajbwasntwriting · 4 years

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Daughter!Reader X Negan, Reader x Daryl: Chapter 1. Darling Princess

After the sneak peak tested well I decided to post the first chapter. I have many more already written and in the making but I’ll only post them if this gets a good reaction so please if you enjoy this please heart it, reblog it, and/or reply to it. Interaction inspires.

Sucking on another cigarette the stale tobacco burned your throat in a way you would’ve been disgusted by years ago. You looked out your window down at the gate, walkers pulling at it to try and get in. It had been a couple of years since Negan took power and more than long enough for you to feel trapped. You held the smoke in your lungs, a small part of your brain wishing it would ignite inside you and let you combust, before letting it out slow and smooth. Luxuries like this were meant to last. Another luxury was the leather loveseat you were sitting on, and the black and blue mosaic coffee table your feet and ashtray were on, and the acoustic gibson on your lap.

You placed the smoke between your lips to free your hand so you could strum the strings. You were playing an old rock balled your old man had taught you what felt like a life-time ago. He didn’t teach you to play guitar but when you came back from scouts playing campfire songs he insisted on teaching you some real music. You thought back on how many of his guitar strings you broke before that Christmas he bought you your own Washburn. The strings seemed to break less when the instrument was more your size. Those memories felt so distant now. As if they belonged to another person or were part of a movie you watched. The lyrics of the tune you were playing were on the cusp of coming back to you when your door opened violently somewhere behind you.

“My dearest daughter” Negan spoke as he entered your private room. You likened his new way of talking to that of a TV presenter. Always having to keep people on their toes. You used to think it funny when you were a kid but it wasn’t part of his personality then. “What are you doing here? Dinner was half an hour ago.”

“I’m not hungry” you shot back not even turning to face him, which would have been easy since the chair sat with its side to the window, but the walkers chewing on the fence were far more interesting.

“Y/N, don’t lie to me. You said the same at breakfast.” He sauntered over. Out of the corner of your eye, you noticed Lucille wasn’t with him.

“Food I didn’t earn doesn’t sate my appetite” you shot back, leaning forward to put out your smoke in the ashtray. That must have stirred something within him because the next thing you know you were grabbed by your arm and dragged out of your room, the guitar hitting the ground with a sorry sound. You let him drag you without protest, knowing better.

You were pulled into a plush dining room, immaculately furnished with white cushioned chair and a long oak table, set with silver cutlery. There were five sets in total for you, your father, and three of his ‘wives’. You figured this was some sort of ‘happy family’ play he’d act out but you didn’t know who the viewer was. You? The wives? The men? Or maybe knowing you didn’t want to be here was entertainment enough.

You were shoved into a chair next to the head of the table across from Frankie. She looked comfortable while nursing her drink but you reckoned that wasn’t her first. In front of her sat a bottle of vodka, distilled on-site by worker number 12. Fat Joey was filling the bowls with soup when your father shoved your chair in. He plopped himself into the chair next to you at the head of the table.

“Now isn’t this nice. A big happy family dinner before your old man takes off tomorrow.” You didn’t dignify him with a reply, instead motioning to the bottle of vodka in front of you.

“May I have some, Frankie?” she looked at the bottle then smiled at you

“Go ahead, Princess”. You picked up the bottle and filled your glass half-way to spite her for that nickname.

“Thank you” you tried to be civil, as badly as you wanted to just walk off with the bottle, you sipped your glass instead.

You silently started the soup. The veggies were cut into large pieces. Perfect, chewing gave you a reason not to talk to the dickhead to your left. Your eyes were too buried in your soup to see the other two wives staring at you and your father who was boring holes into your head with his eyes.

“How was your day, Y/N?” Tanya perked up

“Same as yours” you replied with a mouth full of carrot and potato

Silence

“Where are you going tomorrow Negan?” Nicolle added.

“Ladies.” Your father spoke out, his tone showing his distinct lack of patience. “I’m not an idiot. I can tell that our darling daughter doesn’t want to share our company.”

“I made that obvious in my room.” Your spoon fell gracelessly into your bowl. “Why am I here?!”

He reached over and rubbed your cheek affectionately. “Because I love you. And!” he punctuated the final word by raising a finger in front of your face, a silent cue to wait. He stood up from his chair and took off out of the room and down the hall. You took this moment to talk to his wives.

“You don’t have to be nice to me,” you said before starting to shovel soup into your mouth.

“Like hell, we don't.” Frankie retorted, earning a short child from one of the others. You chuckled and swallowed the food in your mouth. You picked up your glass and gestured it at Frankie

“Take notes, Ladies. Frankie doesn’t try bullshit on me” Frankie gestured her glass back. You guessed she’d been in a similar situation, forced to get along with people because it was easier. She didn’t try to be your friend because you knew you wouldn’t appreciate it, which in a weird turn of events you appreciated.

Your father arrived back. It was now you noticed he was a lot cleaner than usual, even the signature leather jacket had left him. Now you were alarmed. In his hands was a pink box with a purple bow. He placed it in front of you and kissed the top of your head. “Happy Birthday, Y/N.”

“Is it my birthday?” you asked, not quite sure. Time had become a blur since the end of the world. You pushed your bowl away to bring the box in front of you.

“Give or take a few months. I know I’ve missed a couple what with...everything...so this will count for at least one of them.” He placed a hand on your shoulder giving it a little squeeze, your own hand finding its way on top “There’s a lot more gifts coming for my princess, don't you worry.” You couldn’t help the smile that came to you, giggling slightly. You looked up at him, seeing nothing but unconditional love being sent back your way

“Dad, it’s alright.” You smiled and turned back to your gift. The wives were now watching, captivated by this little bit of humanity at the end of it all. You gingerly opened the bow and lifted the lid off.

Inside lay a military knife, clearly hand-made on-site with a beautiful leather handle and your name carved into the side in cursive. You released a breath you didn’t realize you had been holding. You picked it up, finding it fits in your hand perfectly.

“It’s beautiful” you near-whispered, watching as the candle lights hit against the metal. In a moment it was lodged in the table a mere inch from Tanya’s hand. You kicked back your chair, making your father step back, and grabbed the vodka bottle in one motion. “Now if only I had a reason to fucking use it” you spat as you stormed out of the room.

Back in your room, you sat in the corner with your head against the cold-glass window, looking down at the dead, only illuminated by the moon. You had killed so many of them before arriving at Sanctuary. Hell, you’d say you saved your old man’s ass more than he saved you...but he was a people’s person. Ruthless. But a people’s person. ‘Let me do my thing and I’ll have these assholes sucking my dick in days’.

That was a different age. Back when your father was a teacher. Back when your mother was sick. Back when your father cheated on her with anything with a pulse and she took it out on you. Back when your mother’s treatment and your father’s lifestyle drained your college fund and you had to enlist. Back when she’d attack you, both emotionally and physically, and you took it cause you knew she was in pain. Back when you had come home from a 16-month mission because her condition had worsened. Back when the world went to shit. Back when you had to put her down because your sleazeball of a father wasn’t man enough to do it. You looked down at the dead and thought, if you reached your hands through the wires...you could be back with your mom.

Your door opened slowly, heavy footsteps coming your way. There was no need to look. Only one person would enter your room without knocking. “You scared Tanya back there, Princess.” your father spoke in a low voice.

“She can take it” you croaked, a clear sign you had been crying. He kneeled down beside you. In the reflection of the window, you could see him holding out the knife.

“Please take it.” You turned around, your back now pressed to the window.

“Why?”

“You need to be able to protect yourself”

“Give me a gun then”

“No.”

“Why? Scared I’d leave.” You took a swig of your drink.

“I see you’re upset-”

“Do you?! Do you really?” you cut him short, stumbling to your feet using the window to push yourself up. “Why am I upset? Because I eat food I don’t deserve? Because you make people die for me? Because you have me trapped in a fucking tower like Repunzel or some shit!?” That earned a chuckle from him, which only served to piss you off. “I should be down there earning my bit just like everyone else.”

“Do we have to go over this again?” He sighed dramatically. He cupped your face, the knife now dangerously close to you. “You're my daughter Y/N. My darling baby girl. My precious princess”

“I was twenty-six when this shit hit, dad” you mumbled through your squished cheeks. He gave them a little loving slap.

“You're valuable to me, which means some people might want to hurt you. You eat to stay alive, people die because they’re stupid, and you live in this room on this floor so you can be kept safe.” you blew him off with a wave of your hand and an angry sigh. You pushed passed him to your bed, twirling to sit on it and start taking off your combat boots. He walked over and lodged the knife in your headboard before kneeling down to look up at you. “I have to go out for a while. Find this Rick Grimes asshole and get some payback for the fifteen men he killed at our outpost.”

A chill went up your spine “The one near the hilltop settlement” you whispered.

“That’s right.” You looked him in the eye, not noticing how your lip quivered.

“You don’t have too.” you didn’t know if it was the booze or genuine worry for human life but you found yourself begging. “We have more than enough peo-” he shushed you soothingly, his hand coming up to your cheek, rubbing soothing circles.

“Oh but you know I have too, and while I’m gone I don’t want anyone to get ideas on what they can do to you so” he nodded towards the knife. You pulled it out of the wall, looking it over before nodding, mouthing ‘okay’ and depositing it in your nightstand table. He kissed your forehead before leaving, wishing you a good night. Once again alone you took two large gulps of your drink and laid down.

Edit: For creative reasons Y/N is now 26 at the beginning of the apocalypse instead of the original 24

#daughter x negan #daughter reader #daughter reader x negan #twd negan #the walking dead negan #the walking dead #twd #twd reader insert #twd imagine #twd y/n #the walking dead fanfic #the walking dead fanfiction #twd fanfic #twd fanfiction #the walking dead tv #twd tv #slowburn #AJ's Negan's Daughter AU

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shintorikhazumi · 3 years

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English!AU (2): Has To Be.

A/N: Yey. I don’t know smack about what I’m writing. So warning. Badly written. Rip. Might suck.

Hannah solo chap. Next chap two idiots and their chaperones are coming along.

Enjoy?

~ShintoriKhazumi

She wanted to cross her arms and show just how irritated she was by all of this.

But she couldn’t.

The tea was getting cold from her ignoring it, hands folded on her lap, unwilling to take up the cup and allow it to serve its purpose of providing her refreshment.

Like anything could refresh her for what was about to go down.

“After all that effort to create as much distance as possible... and here you are.” Hannah hated that condescending chuckle. “Sorry and without freedom. Simply under father's mercy."

She grit her teeth, fingers twitching. She needed to keep it all in. Control. Control. She could do it. She had long since been trained on ways to hold her composure, not that she'd ever found the need to use this skill back in Luna Nova.

Ah, Luna Nova. How she missed it. She had the freedom of expression, she could voice out her every opinion. Well, yes, she could be a little bitchy at times. She was working on that bit. ‘Sorry Akko.’

Here, however, she could not allow herself to lash out. She had to be composed, elegant, dignified. Bottled up and choking on all the expectations she had been trying to escape.

And yet, here she was. Back in their clutches.

“What a sad, sad girl.”

The voice was incredibly irritating. Hannah would love to shove a sock in it.

"Pathetic really."

'Shut it.'

“I bet you’re planning something. Conniving as you always were.”

Hannah released a sigh, shutting her eyes to avoid looking at the sore sight of her current companion.

"I'm not here because I want to fight you... Jared."

'I'd rather murder you right now without needing to. Annoying little prick.'

"Right. No fighting. And yet you came back." Jared sneered. "That in itself is already a declaration of war, my dear, dear sister.

“Listen.” Hannah growled, finally looking him in those similar-colored eyes that reminded her that she really shared the same blood as this terror of a family. “I’m not here because I want to be.”

“Then why are you here?”

“Well that’s because-”

“The Prince of Wales, Harold Windsor, enters.”

Hannah whipped her head about, eyes wide, unable to mask her emotions this time around. And it seemed like her the new arrival was unable to as well.

"Why... Are you here." It was a question that didn’t really sound like one. It felt more like a statement whose true meaning actually translated to, ‘I don’t want you here.’.

Hannah agreed with that sentiment. 'Does it look like I want to be?' She sighed internally, preparing her mind for the onslaught of either words or actions about to befall her.

Calmly, she responded. "Grandfather called for me."

"What?!" Harold marched forward, brows furrowed deeply, gaze burning hot. “He did not! I heard nothing of the sort!”

Hannah barely flinched. She needed to keep up her facade, afraid as she was. She could not show weakness nor fear. No. Not in front of this man.

Not in front of the man she once called Father.

“I suppose he did not feel the obligation to inform you, sire.” She replied, voice level.

“And why would he not? I am rightfully the next in line! I must know these things!”

‘Do you now?’

“How should I know? If you don’t know, your majesty, what makes you think a lowly servant such as I would?”

A flash of indignance crossed the man’s face as his hand quickly raised, ready to come down on Hannah, swift and solid.

She cursed her body, frozen with a familiar fear, cultivated since long ago. It was coming.

It was coming.

Her eyes were the only ones to react, shut tight just as she was about to receive the hit.

The strike never came.

Opening her eyes, Hannah was surprised to see Jared. His arm stretched out in front of her, as if to shield her from that man.

In front of them both was her bodyguard who had caught Harold’s hand in a tight grip.

“How dare you interrupt me-”

“I am simply carrying out the work assigned to me. To protect the first princess, Hannah Windsor, until the end of the selection.” The bespectacled man stated firmly, releasing Harold’s hand.

Turning to his charge, he directed her to the door, remaining close to the current heir apparent should he plan something else.

“It’s time for your audience with His Majesty, the King, Miss Hannah.” He said, far more gently than his cold voice from earlier.

“...y-yes. Yes, thank you. Sir Mark. I... I shall go.”

She left the room quickly, unable to bear the atmosphere any longer. Once out the door, she had found herself accompanied by two guardians, leading her to the room she knew was her grandfather’s.

She could only hope things would not get worse.

“Why am I here.”

“Why must everyone ask the same boring questions.” The old man replied, stroking his chin. “Isn’t the answer obvious?”

“Your Majesty-”

“Hannah.”

“G-Grandfather.” She heard a pleased hum. “I thought we had an agreement.”

“Well, I thought so too.”

“What is that supposed to mean?!” Hannah slammed her fist into the bedpost, feeling her held back fury escaping. “I told you I wanted to be a witch!”

“And I’ve told you that witches are not to be part of the royal family.” He replied calmly.

“Exactly! So why?!” Hannah interrogated, clearly exasperated at these events. “You told me I could not be. But if I truly wanted you to let me go, I would manage Cielton for three years, raise their industry economic value, earn it publicity and recognition on the map, and I did all of that!” Her voice raised higher.

She should be frightened, screaming at the monarch of their country; but when it was just the two of them, no guards, no other people around, there was only Hannah and her grandfather. Two members of a family.

“We had a deal.” She said, voice breaking.

“I’m sorry.”

“I wanted no part in this.” She angrily wiped the tears away on her sleeve, huffing away her crying. “Didn’t you already announce that I’ve stepped down from the selection years ago?”

“...”

“Grandfather!”

The man remained silent. This only fueled Hannah’s pain and feelings of betrayal. Her grandfather was the only family she had left that she believed she could actually trust, yet he wasn’t even listening!

“The moment the time limit you gave was up, I would leave for my life as a witch. I would turn my back to the family. Just like you and father told me to. That was the deal. You would take care of the announcements, the excuses. All of it. You said so because if it was found out that I was leaving to be a witch, the backlash would be too strong.”

Hannah sighed, sitting on one of the lounge chairs, burying her face in her hands.

“You didn’t hold up your end of the bargain!”

“Neither did you.”

“What!?”

“I know of you commuting to Luna Nova during those three years. You didn’t enter two years ago. You’ve been there for five.” He revealed. “I also know the Young Cavendish head is your friend.”

Hannah suddenly stood up, realizing she’d been found out. “Grandfather, I-”

“Thus, you didn’t hold up your end completely either. You went behind my back.”

“That was!”

“And so, our deal is invalid. I did not announce your backing off from succession either. So consider things fair.”

All her statements died in her mouth as Hannah slumped back into the chair.

“...Why does it have to be me?”

“Why not?”

“I’m serious.”

“I am too.” The old King chuckled mirthlessly. “Hannah, dear. You were thirteen. And your father was sneaking out in town creating one too many scandals for me to keep up with.”

“I have two older brothers.”

“And none of them did as well as you did. One doesn’t want the throne-”

“I don’t either!”

“-for good reasons.”

“...”

“I do not trust Devon with this land, Hannah. The way he looks at the crown, drinking in the sight of its power as though it were intoxicating wine... He will destroy this country, Hannah.”

“Jared-”

“Is incompetent. We both know this.”

Hannah couldn’t reply to that.

Time ticked by in uncomfortable silence. Only emotional breaths, and the rustles of sheets were heard.

Hannah felt the stinging of restrained tears at the back of her throat. Her eyes burned, her head throbbed. Her nails dug deep into her palms as she considered all of this.

It wasn’t fair. It truly wasn’t.

“...does it have to be me?”

“There’s no one else.” The King said sadly. “It has to be.”

#english! au #lwa #Little Witch Academia #hannah england #fanfic #lookit all them OCs holy-#rip

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fanficflaneuse · 4 years

Text

Princess Charming And The Gentleman in Distress

Index

A/N: I wrote this for my beautiful friend @the-hufflefluffwriter who loves Lucissa and helped me explore this ship. I loved writing this and I hope you like it as well <3

Lucius x Narcissa

Word count: 1530

Summary: Narcissa asks Lucius on a date.

Ever since he had gotten to Hogwarts, Lucius Malfoy walked about the school grounds like a dandy. He was handsome and intelligent, qualities he knew he possessed and was not afraid to flaunt them in and out of class. He kept mostly to himself and talked to a very selected few. This rubbed most students the wrong way, as they assumed the was just another stuck up, entitled pureblood.

Which he was, to an extent.

Lucius was raised to be the perfect heir of a long line of (mostly) pure blooded wizards and witches, after all. He behaved with the propriety and decorum he was expected to, but that was not the reason why he wouldn’t engage with most people.

In reality, he knew he wasn’t half as charming as he imagined himself to be. He could get really dorky about things he was passionate about, like potion making or reading. He was an expert in lots of random things. He knew the events of the XVI century’s witch hunts and Anne Boleyn’s biography by heart. He loved animals, especially peacocks and learned every fact about them. He was kind-hearted, sensitive and open to new ideas, characteristics his father scorned.

Through the years, Lucius had curated an image of perfection he wasn’t willing to lose. And he wasn’t going to let anyone use his true colours against him like his father did.

So, as he walked to the prefects’ carriage, his shiny new badge pinned to his robes, he procured to maintain his composure. Nobody could’ve guessed how proud and excited he was about his new position. His mask of poise fell for a minute when he saw who the other Slytherin prefect was.

Narcissa Black was probably the most popular girl in their year. She was beautiful and dignified, with the aristocratic flair that accompanied her last name. She was also brilliant and had a way with people that made her the centre of attention wherever she went. She was a beater and the star of the Slytherin quidditch team. Narcissa laughed and the world stopped to listen. She was everything Lucius tried to convey and wasn’t.

They had never talked to each other. Narcissa had a lot of suitors, but the only two boys she really talked to apart from her teammates were Rodolphus and Rabastan Lestrange, who dated her older sisters.

As he sat next to her, one single thought crossed his mind: Salazar, this is going to be very, very awkward.

…

“So, are you really thinking about filling your manor with albino peacocks?” she asked, laughter in her voice.

“Of course! They are beautiful, noble creatures. Once I’m the owner, I’ll have them everywhere,” he answered humorously and yet dead serious.

“What a joy to whoever marries you, Malfoy.”

As the months went by, Narcissa and Lucius struck up a very particular friendship. Little by little, he opened up to her. She was endeared by every arbitrary piece of knowledge he had to share with her. She loved how he listened intently to whatever she had to say and he’d ask real questions without ever being nosy. Narcissa found someone who understood her insecurities, someone who not only valued her wittiness but always had a perfect comeback for her. They were overly dramatic together, balancing the etiquette demanded by their families with playfulness.

Their nightly rounds suddenly became the highlight of their weeks. Every day, Lucius would try to find more creative ways to flirt. As the friendship grew, so did his attraction for Narcissa and he was dying to ask her out.

“That could be you, you know?” he said smugly.

Narcissa looked at him, an eyebrow raised. She knew Lucius liked her; he wasn’t subtle at all. And she liked him back, but she knew better than to show him that. Her sisters had taught her well.

“Oh, I know that approach too well, Malfoy. My mother warned me about guys like you.” She crossed her arms playfully.

“Oh, really? So, she warned you about handsome, intelligent and absolutely talented guys like me?” he shot back.

Narcissa laughed, a full-blown laugh that left her breathless. Lucius felt satisfied.

“No, you fool. She told me about those men, too eager to get a proper lady for a wife and a line of mistresses and bastards on the side,” she said dramatically.

It was Lucius’ turn to look at her as though she had gone mad. “And I am one of those?”

“Definitely.”

“Cissa, I can count with one hand the amount of people I talk to. If anything, you are the one who might be searching for a proper gentleman for a husband and a line of lovers on the side,” he countered.

“Not going to lie, I definitely like that idea. The swap of gender roles sounds refreshing,” she beamed back.

He shook his head as a smile played on his lips. “You’re going to be the death of me, Narcissa Black.”

Narcissa smiled. They were already walking back to the Slytherin common room. She knew everything her sisters had told her about not showing too much interest. Andromeda was particularly adamant about this; she had shown the slightest bit of interest for Rabastan and he acted smug for months before asking her out. But she wondered how long she’d have to wait before Lucius made a move. Narcissa didn’t know many more nights of playful banter she could take. Patience wasn’t her forte, as much as her father told her it was the most important quality to cultivate.

Her heart was beating fast on her chest when they arrived to their common room. She decided to get over with it already.

“Cissa.”

“Take me to Hogsmeade next weekend,” she blurted out. Her tone was demanding, not allowing the least beat of doubt to show on her features.

Lucius nodded slowly, not able to disguise his surprise at her bravery.

…

Lucius offered his arm to Narcissa, who linked it with hers. They were very close to each other, enough for her to notice how her date was shivering. It was snowing as they walk to Hogsmeade. Narcissa took the necessary precautions when she chose her garments for the day. She looked beautiful, as always, but she was also properly dressed for the weather. Lucius, on the other hand, had sacrificed comfort for style and now he was freezing to the bone and pretending like everything was fine.

Narcissa could tell he couldn’t wait to arrive at Madam Puddifoot’s and get his hands on steaming cup of tea. She decided it was her moment to act gallantly; she had asked him out, after all. She took off her green scarf and put it around his neck. Once again, Lucius was taken aback by her attitude, but he couldn’t deny the scarf made a big difference.

They smiled at each other sweetly, but she knew she couldn’t let this opportunity pass. She was loving the whole “princess charming and gentleman in distress” situation.

“You know, Malfoy? I love seeing you in my clothes.”

Lucius’ face was already too red from the cold for Narcissa to notice the blush, so he decided to play along with her. “You’ve seen nothing, Black. I’d look fabulous in one of your skirts.”

She giggled. “That confidence makes me think it wouldn’t be the first time you wear someone’s skirt.”

“It would be,” he said, “I’m just so handsome I can pull anything off.”

Narcissa rolled her eyes playfully.

“Your confidence, on the other hand, makes me think it isn’t the first time a guy uses your clothes,” he retaliated.

“Oh, it’s definitely not the first time,” she said offhandedly, noticing how Lucius’ confident smile vanished from his beautiful face. “My cousin Sirius looks so pretty in my dresses. You have no idea!”

Lucius snorted. He pushed the door to Madam Puddifoot’s. A tinkle announced their arrival. The place was tacky and over the top, with ribbons and frills in every possible pastel colour. It was, anyhow, classier than the Three Broomsticks and Lucius had wanted to take her on the very best date possible.

As they sat down, Lucius inched forward and whispered something that could’ve probably scandalized any other proper lady he knew: “You’d look great in my clothes, Black.”

“Oh, Malfoy,” she retorted, her smile hinting an incredibly witty response, “you’ll have to go to hell and back before I wear your clothes.”

…

Lucius woke up to an empty bed. He sat up, scanning the room in search of his wife. He noticed sounds coming from the bathroom and laid back, waiting for Mrs. Malfoy to emerge. Narcissa came back to their bed wearing Lucius’ robe. He smiled at the sight and open his arms for her. She gladly complied and snuggled to her husband.

“You know, Cissa?” whispered Lucius, never missing the chance to mess with his wife.

“Yes?”

“Going to hell and back wasn’t half as bad as I thought it would be,” he teased.

Narcissa filled the room with the wholehearted chortles only reserved for her husband and Lucius couldn’t feel any happier.

#lucissa #lucius malfoy #lucius malfoy x narcissa malfoy #narcissa malfoy #narcissa black #narcissa #lucius #lucius malfoy x narcissa black #lucius x narcissa #lucissa fic #lucissa fanfiction #lucissa fanfic #narcissa malfoy fluff #harry potter fluff #harry potter fanfiction #harry potter fanfics

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yakocchi · 4 years

Photo

Be My Princess Social // Yakov Chernenkov, Season 1, Episodes 2&3

The Job of the Exclusive Designer // Prince Yakov’s Dance Partner

1・2/3・

yeahhh boi 2 eps in one post, trying to do the zoomies with progress so i can get to the better parts in terms of being less judged by ikemen elsa sorry for potentially clogging the tag with this stuff. i’ll see if i can do larger chunks as this goes along to prevent that... but i also don’t really want to make these posts too large tho... i’m noticing with the new dash it just extends the post on the dash directly when you click the read more break, which...........huh

on an unrelated note - tbh there’s not that... much “actual” content going on in the other otome mobage i’m playing rn so i’m more inclined to move this along. sorry for those who follow me for other stuff, but we’re at the boring july lull where it’s just swimsuit/beach stuff. zzz maybe in a week or two i can wake up

Image-heavy!! Please credit if you take any of it, thenk u (･ω･*)

blog link of this post here, if you’d rather read this on my blog directly than on dash. otherwise:

Episode 2 // The Job of the Exclusive Designer

➤ as an aside, i’m going to start using italics on dialogue for emphasis more often. takes less brain power than having to restructure the sentence and the like just to utilize emphasis based on word use and/or adding words or phrases........ i’m not a trained editor ok orz i’ll try not to overkill with it tho.... otherwise it’ll be italics overkill with the (internal thoughts italics)

I had received an invitation from Lord Nobel himself to become the exclusive designer of Sanct Sybil― And earlier, I wholeheartedly decided to accept that offer.

However, I know for sure that the Prince is someone I’ve encountered before. (I would’ve never considered that these two were the prince and steward of Sanct Sybil...) The Prince takes a seat on the couch, and Zain presents a few documents to him.

[Zain]: “Here is Miss Kara’s resume, along with her past design sketches.” [Prince Yakov]: “...I shall take a look.” Taking the documents, he sets the design sketches aside on the table. The face and overall mood the Prince wears as he scans the papers are unreadable. (Ahh...I’m so nervous...) I shift my eyes away from the Prince, breathing out a soft sigh. In doing so, my line of sight stops right at the butler standing next to him. (If I’m remembering correctly, I’m pretty sure his name is Yuri.) (Prince Yakov certainly is terrifying, with an intimidating aura to boot – but... This guy’s scary in a whole different way.) With a sidelong glance at Yuri, the smile he’s been wearing this whole time doesn’t even crack in the slightest. Though it was visually the same smile as the one he wore while pinning down that man in the courtyard, the Yuri before my eyes only has the vibe of a mild-mannered steward today. (Neither of them have said anything out loud regarding that past incident... but, without a doubt, they definitely remember me from that time.)

My body buckled down thinking about it when Prince Yakov then looked up from the papers in his hands. [Prince Yakov]: "I understand that she hails from the offices of the famed Jean Pierre.” [Prince Yakov]: “However... from these documents, it appears that there are no records of previous accolades of any kind – but?” His brows cross slightly as he inquires Lord Nobel about it. With a nod, His Grace turns his gaze to the design sketches on the tabletop.

[Nobel]: “It’s true that given her very brief time under those offices, she has yet to gain any formal accolades for herself.” [Nobel]: “But, you should take a look at these designs. Surely then you can notice her capabilities.” [Prince Yakov]: “...I see.” Paying no heed to the design sketches, the Prince places the resume over the table.

(The work of a designer with no actual accomplishments – it’s something he’d have no interest for, I would think.) (Even though the likes of Lord Nobel and Jean Pierre have especially recommended me... I’m pretty sure I’m going to get rejected.) Feeling uneasy as I look over his expression, the Prince slowly exhales. As if contemplating something, he makes a bit of a troubled face while meeting Lord Nobel’s gaze. [Prince Yakov]: “―If someone like Your Grace is sponsoring her, I suppose that the lack of past achievements will not be a problem.”

[Prince Yakov]: “I shall invite her to be the exclusive designer of Sanct Sybil castle.” (Huh...?) [Nobel]: “I see. Well, when can Kara come to Sanct Sybil?” [Prince Yakov]: “About that... As soon as the formalities have been taken care of, we shall arrange to let her live in the castle at once.” [Prince Yakov]: “―Yuri, proceed with the proper formalities.” [Yuri]: “Understood.” [Yuri]: “With that, Miss Kara, here are the documents detailing the contents of the position.” Yuri, disregarding my surprised state, hands me some papers. (Without looking at even a single one of my designs, he’s decided to accept me as the castle’s designer...) (Is this really okay?)

With my apprehensive thoughts, I...

➢ Question Prince Yakov. ❆ ➢ Question Yuri.

➢ Question Prince Yakov. [Kara]: “P-Please wait...!” I call out to the Prince, who looked like he was about to take his leave. [Kara]: “Um... is this really all right?” [Prince Yakov]: “What of it?” [Kara]: "Without even reviewing my designs, you’ve accepted me as the castle’s designer.” Questioning the Prince, his eyebrows slightly knit. [Prince Yakov]: “The appointment of high-level positions has been entrusted to me by the King himself. There is no problem.” [Prince Yakov]: “―This discussion is over for now. Finish looking over those documents as soon as possible.” ➼

➢ Question Yuri. Seeing at the Prince engaged in conversation with Lord Nobel, I look at Yuri next to me. [Kara]: “Um... Yuri. Am I really the right one for the job?” (Even if Jean Pierre and Lord Nobel have recommended me, this still seems like too much for a fresh newcomer...) [Yuri]: “His Highness made his decision, so there is no need to worry.” With a smile etched over his face, he presses the documents towards me once more. ➼

➼ [Yuri]: “Thus, please do review these documents.” [Yuri]: “First– On the contract, can you sign here?” [Yuri]: “If His Highness ends up also signing this, your position will become official.” [Kara]: “...Understood.” Dissatisfaction wallowing within me, I receive the papers.

Kara, visibly perplexed about something, proceeds with the contract formalities. Lord Nobel, who watched this state of affairs from a distance, then turns to face Yakov.

[Nobel]: “Kara, make no mistake, will be an essential figure for Sanct Sybil.” [Nobel]: “And then I believe that the day you, Prince Yakov, will become a great power will surely come.” [Prince Yakov]: “...Your Grace, you hold her in high regard.” [Nobel]: “I sense this great enthusiasm and potential within her.” Lord Nobel beams, and speaks as if to emphasize its importance. [Nobel]: “I’m earnestly entrusting her with you, all right?” [Prince Yakov]: “...Duly noted, Your Grace.” The Prince nods at Lord Nobel’s words, his expression unchanging.

➤ ok from this moment forward i’m only labeling him as [Yakov] bc i don’t like how it doesn’t line up with the other names when it’s long. the prince title is still there and all ye

(At long last, I've come...) Stepping out of the arranged car, I stop in my tracks and look up at Sybil Castle. The castle differed from that of Nobel Castle in that I was quite overwhelmed by its solemn appearance― When Yakov’s personal steward, Yuri, greets me with a smile on his face.

[Yuri]: “―Miss Kara, we have been awaiting your arrival. Welcome to Sanct Sybil.” [Kara]: “Thank you for everything so far.” While exchanging fellow greetings, I shiver from the chilly air. Yuri then guides me towards the entrance of the castle. [Yuri]: “Your luggage will be brought in by personnel. Over here, come in.” [Kara]: “Ah-...Thank you.” Nervous, I follow Yuri and head into the castle.

[Yuri]: “The climate of Sanct Sybil and Charles are significantly different from each other. It must have given you quite the shock.” [Kara]: “Yes. ...I’m glad that you told me about it in advance.” On those work documents I had received in Nobel Castle, it included an explanation that informed me of the country’s climate. [Kara]: “But I didn’t think it would be this cold.” [Kara]: “If I hadn’t been told, I would’ve came here without preparing for anything like it.” [Yuri]: “It is because we are expecting snowfall very soon around here.” [Yuri]: “Everyone who comes to this country for the first time always is astonished by the cold, too.” Smiling, he urges me to walk ahead of him. [Yuri]: “So to start off, I shall show you around the castle.” [Yuri]: “We will stop by the studio first and then Our Lady’s room right after.” [Kara]: “...Thank you very much.” [Kara]: “Um, Yuri. As we’re both just employees working under the same castle, I’d like it if you didn’t call me ‘Miss’, but...” Expressing my thoughts, Yuri nods, smiling. [Yuri]: “Understood.” [Yuri]: “Then, Kara, let us head to the studio.” [Kara]: “Okay.” (A studio, huh... I wonder what kind of place it is.)

[Yuri]: “This here will be your personal studio.” [Yuri]: “You can use anything in here to produce to your heart’s desire.” [Yuri]: “If you ever need more of anything, I can make the proper arrangements for you – So please, tell me when that is the case.” [Kara]: “Y-Yes...” (...You wouldn’t expect anything less from the castle of a royal family; the facilities here are just superb.) Surveying the studio, I sigh in admiration of the room. I had been also shown the more important areas of the castle– and the dignified atmosphere of it all just easily overpowered me entirely. (With this level of equipment prepared, it’ll be even more inappropriate to make anything half-baked.) Feeling the pressure once more, Yuri then grins. [Yuri]: “There’s no need to be so anxious.” [Yuri]: “–I suppose it would have been better if I had handed these to you beforehand.” Yuri pulls out a stack of papers from the studio shelves. [Kara]: “And this is...?” [Yuri]: “These are the documents that you will be taking up from the previous designer.” Accepting the documents, I flip through the pages. (This, is...) On the sheets were essential notes regarding designs used for Prince Yakov in terms of public business, ceremonies and similar matters, along with a compilation of things like patterns that had been used in the past. [Yuri]: “His Highness is not the type to fuss over design details and the like,” [Yuri]: “so it will not be necessary to make any major alterations on the designs we have used so far.” [Yuri]: "Since you just have to follow these references to produce the garments, I do not think it is a difficult task.” (That’s... something that doesn’t require my capability as a designer...) [Kara]: “Um... These documents passed down to me – the previous designer was the one who drew them up, right?” [Yuri]: “Indeed. Because of the replacements we have made nowadays, they have already been forced to resign from this castle, but.” [Kara]: “Uh... Why did that happen?” (If I’m being made to produce solely based on their previous work, the past designer must have been at least recognized for their skill.) (So, given that, why would they be made to retire...?) Thinking how strange that was, I ask Yuri and he gives further explanation. [Yuri]: "It was so they could be replaced with the fresh, new talent that you yourself are included in.” [Yuri]: "Various departments in this castle have undergone massive layoffs.” [Yuri]: "And because of that, several individuals in the castle right now, including yourself, are newly hired.” [Kara]: “Layoffs...” As far as I can see with these old documents, it looks like the previous designer was definitely competent. So, with that– why would they think it was necessary to go out of their way and replace them? (Not only that, but replacing the majority of the castle faculty as well...) Completely stunned by the reality of this place, Yuri clarifies this in an indifferent tone. [Yuri]: ”Those who had been laid off were simply the type of talent the Sybil of today is not looking for.”

[Yuri]: ”...I had been thinking that you were going to learn about such things sooner or later.” He said this to me with that unbreakable smile of his, and I was at a loss for words.

[Yuri]: “―Kara, this will be your room.” [Yuri]: "As soon as His Highness’s conference concludes, I will be coming back to pick you up. Until then, please feel free to spend your time however you wish.” [Kara]: “Got it.” (For now, I might as well unpack...) When Yuri took his leave, I began to organize my luggage; but with my grim mood, it was considerably hard to make any progress with it. [Kara]: “Make the clothes according to the provided diagrams, huh...” Don’t “design”― In other words I was practically told to be a designer, but not to actually work as a designer for the most part. (Something like that is going to be my real job here in this castle...) The documents that had detailed the job read the same as any other designer position, but the actual work ended up being completely different than from what I had initially pictured. (And to think, both Pierre and Lord Nobel took effort to recommend me for this...)

(Well, if they were truly willing to hire someone with no experience... anyone would’ve sufficed, then.) I hung my head with a sigh, when my hand slips and drops the bag I was holding. [Kara]: “Ah-...” My work tools and design sketches scatter all over the floor. (Jeez... What am I doing...) Gathering up my sketches in a fluster, one of the designs then incidentally catches my eye.

It was a sheet of one of the most particularly memorable designs I had made since I became a part of the Jean Pierre offices. (This... Pierre scolded me about it, and then I reworked it several times...) [Kara]: “...Takes me back a bit.” (The first time I received praise for my work, I was so happy that I even forwarded the message to my parents too, I recall.) Going through page by page of my saved designs, they were filled with my personal tender thoughts from those times. The shabbier designs too― every single one was a precious treasure to me. (If I make designs by just following those old documents to a T, I’m certain... that the resulting designs wouldn’t make me feel this same way.) (Besides...)

[Jean Pierre]: “From your designs, I feel this power to them.” [Jean Pierre]: “There are some parts that are rough around the edges, but there’s this energy, one that can completely transform people, hidden within!” [Jean Pierre]: “Lord Nobel definitely sensed that too, I bet.” [Jean Pierre]: “Please believe in yourself.” [Jean Pierre]: “I, as well as His Grace, would never recommend someone who we’d feel couldn’t do the job.” [Jean Pierre]: “I believe in your potential, ma petite.”

(That’s right – I’ve... been recommended by the likes of Jean Pierre and Lord Nobel.) (I want to do work – work that can actually be called that of a designer!) Determined, I hastily round up the design sketches.

[Yuri]: “ ―Pardon me.” [Yuri]: “I have brought the designer, Kara.” At Yuri’s cue, I come into the office and see Prince Yakov surrounded by a great mass of documents. One after another, he scans through each page before giving it his signature – and while in surprise at his current state, I bow my head.

[Kara]: “Starting today, I, Kara Go, will be at your service. ―Pleased to work with you.” [Yakov]: “Mhm.” His eyes continued to focus on the documents as he replied, never looking away.

[Yakov]: “Getting straight to the point― I am calling on you to produce apparel for a party that we are hosting two weeks from now.” [Yakov]: “As it has been planned that you will also attend this party as the castle’s designer, make sure to prepare your own dress.” (Two weeks from now... that sudden?) [Kara]: “Um... Do you have any requests regarding the garments themselves?” [Kara]: “I’d like to hear if you have any preferences concerning things like design, color, material, but...” [Yakov]: “You can design your own dress however you want – however,” [Yakov]: “provided that you do not make anything disgraceful as the exclusive designer of this castle.” Along with these severe demands, he somehow has even more to say. [Yakov]: ”Regarding my own attire, you may refer to the prior templates.” [Yakov]: “After this, you will have to produce clothing meant for official business; but as long as you do not deviate from those templates, that will be adequate.” [Yakov]: “―That is all to be discussed, so you may leave now.” Without looking in my direction, he declared these matters bluntly. Apparently consenting to his demands, Yuri bows with that same perpetual smile. [Yuri]: “Then, please excuse us. Let us depart, Kara.” [Kara]: “...” [Yuri]: “...Kara?” When Yuri had turned to the door to leave, he then tilts his head as he saw me still frozen in place. (If I back down now, I won’t be able to show my face to Jean Pierre and the others who bothered to recommend me...) With that in mind, I...

➢ "I can’t do that.” ➢ “Give me some more of your time.” ❆

➢ "I can’t do that.” [Kara]: “...I cannot.” [Yuri]: “Kara, what are you saying?” [Kara]: “I cannot... produce clothing according to the prior templates.” ➼

➢ “Give me some more of your time.” I take a single step toward the Prince and say this directly to him― [Kara]: “I must deeply apologize for such, but I would like some more of your time.” [Kara]: “There are some things that I would like Your Highness to take a look at.” [Yakov]: “But I do believe that I had said that this discussion is over?” [Kara]: “There are still things I’d like to hear from you about. Please, just give me a little more of your time...!” ➼

➼ With these words, I put the file I was holding onto over his office desk. [Kara]: “These here are some of my best designs.” Opening the file, I spread the design sketches over the desk space. They were a variety of designs I’ve drawn so far. [Kara]: "I’m still lacking a bit, but I shall study more starting today. With that, I'll be able to create a great multitude of clothing.” [Kara]: “So, given that – please tell me about the types of designs that Your Highness likes.” [Yakov]: “...Did you not hear what I had just said?” [Yakov]: “My own preferences are irrelevant. As I said before, you may use a design from the notes of the previous designer.” He finally takes his eyes off the documents and looks at me for the first time. Though I felt like cowering beneath that chilly gaze, I attempt to convey my intentions to him. [Kara]: “So as to not destroy the current image of Sanct Sybil, I will also refer to the previous notes at times.” [Kara]: ”However, I’m thinking that Your Highness would just prefer to continue wearing the designs that have been used until now.” [Kara]: “Is that your preferred fashion style, sir?”

[Yakov]: “...What is your point?” [Kara]: “If that’s indeed the case, then as a designer I will make such designs accordingly.” [Kara]: “But if I’ve gotten the wrong idea, can you please tell me what you actually prefer?” [Kara]: “From now on, rather than to simply just make clothes for Your Highness – I want to know what types of designs you like.” [Kara]: “I’m a designer, so my job is to make clothes that people actually want to wear...!” [Yakov]: “...” At the end of my explanation, the office was greeted by silence. The tension engulfs my body, the prickly sensation almost piercing my skin, when the Prince rises from his chair and approaches me. [Yakov]: “...Giving my opinion here―“

[Yakov]: “In terms of that encounter back at Nobel Castle, and of now… You’re quite the spirited woman.” [Kara]: “Ah…” (As I had previously suspected – he did remember me from the actual first time we met.)

[Yakov]: “To start, I will say this to you.” [Yakov]: “I only desire one, and just one thing from you.” [Yakov]: “―It is the very fact that you are a designer that Lord Nobel himself has recommended, and that is all there is to it.” [Kara]: “...So, concerning myself– anything other than that fact is of no value to you, is what you’re saying?” [Yakov]: “Correct. It would have been better if you had prior achievements, but I shall compromise on that.” He takes yet another step closer and levels a sharp gaze at me. [Yakov]: “Of course, you are not the only one under these circumstances. In this castle, all of the human capital assembled here are renowned in their respective fields...” [Yakov]: “By hiring these types of individuals, the reputation of Sanct Sybil will increase dramatically.”

(I was called to this castle for such a reason…) (And this must be why the previous designer, as well as some other employees, had been laid off.)

➤ haha did u think this was gonna be a route where she actually got hired out of genuine appreciation of her work

While I was struck silent in shock, Prince Yakov extends his hand towards me. Tucking his fingers under my chin, he lifts my head so I directly face him.

[Yakov]: “―There is also one more thing.”

[Yakov]: “If you wish to hear of my tastes - you will have to ask me more alluringly.” His blue irises, like brilliant sapphires - narrowed mockingly. Being stared at such a close range made my cheeks flare in an instant. [Kara]: “Th-That’s not what I had meant, so… please excuse me!” (How mortifying... He’s just totally messing with me...!) I swiftly detach from him before hurriedly bowing my head and rushing out of the office.

[Yakov]: “Kara Go, hm…?” With a low murmur, he turns through the pages of design sketches over his office desk. A moment later, having finished looking through them, the memory of his conversation with Lord Nobel a few days ago drifts into his head.

[Nobel]: “Kara, make no mistake, will be an essential figure for Sanct Sybil.” [Nobel]: “And I believe that the day you, Prince Yakov, will become a great power will surely come.” [Prince Yakov]: “...Your Grace, you hold her in high regard.” [Nobel]: “I sense this great enthusiasm and potential within her.”

[Yakov]: “...Someone based on Lord Nobel’s hopes alone is like this, hm?”

Having observed his master’s countenance, Yuri speaks his inner thoughts. [Yuri]: ”When I had first met her, I had thought that she appeared to be the timid type with no self-confidence – but...” [Yuri]: “She seems like quite the intriguing individual, instead.” [Yuri]: “I did not think that she would have that sort of conviction to her character.” [Yakov]: “…” Not responding to Yuri’s comments, Yakov signs a single sheet from the pile of documents on his desk. [Yakov]: “I have finished confirming this. Take it away.” [Yuri]: “Of course.” When Yuri removed the sheet, atop the stack of remaining sheets sat Kara’s official employment documents. On it, was the Prince’s signature of approval―

To be continued...

(Letter)

From: Yuri Title: The Unexpected

You appear to be quite firm in your own beliefs. We do not often come across those who are able to plainly express their own opinions in front of His Highness. ...I am, just a touch, interested to see what comes in the future. From here on out– I look forward to working with you.

Episode 3 // Prince Yakov’s Dance Partner

Two weeks after coming to Sanct Sybil to serve as the royal castle’s exclusive designer― Coming to the party hall, I’m overwhelmed by its extravagance and grand scale. (Such a massive amount of people have gathered here tonight...)

[Guest A]: “It seems that Sanct Sybil has finally started to seriously put their plan to join the Alliance of the Six Kingdoms in motion.” [Guest B]: “Mhm. This time, it looks like they’re holding this party for the announcement, but... famous figures around the world have come here to see.” (Really?... This is a spectacular party, huh.) Along with famous figures from every country, several media outlets have come as well, and once again I sense the sheer level of attention focused on this country right now. (Ah-... If I’m not mistaken, that person’s a famous pâtissier.) In this party, those who had been brought here for this castle, like me, have also been chosen to attend. Within that group of those serving under this castle, several of them are internationally renowned, and each of them respond to the media reporters and journalists in kind. As I watched the crowds at a distance, I overhear them talking about having been hired at around the same time frame as me. [Guest A]: “Since that pastry chef over there was the sole winner of that championship, it’s no surprise they’re getting a lot of attention from the press.” [Guest B]: “Same as the rest of us, the main task they have here is to respond to the media.” [Guest B]: “Well, if I do my work exactly the way the documents told me to, that’s good enough.” [Guest B]: “The rest is just 'fun’ work where we just have to smile in front of the cameras.” (Like I thought, others in the castle have been made to work in the same fashion as I had been directed.) (It’s been the same for me, too... Ever since I came to this castle, I’ve been receiving a lot of media coverage about me.)

It had been decided that my position as Sybil Castle’s designer is to be permanent, and in the studio I promptly flip open my sketchbook. (The deadline is in two weeks... There’s not that much time for me to think up ideas for my own dress.) For the party they’re hosting two weeks from now, I must make both a uniform for Prince Yakov and a dress for myself. Just as I immediately began to start on my designs, Yuri appeared.

[Yuri]: “Please excuse me. Kara, can you come into another room as soon as possible?” [Kara]: “Um... Is there something?” [Yuri]: “Starting today, those who have been brought to this castle are to receive the presence of news reporters and similar outlets.” [Kara]: “News reporters...?” [Yuri]: “Yes. His Highness had also told you about it the other day, I recall.” [Yuri]: “Those appointed to work here as a result of the immense scale of the layoffs have been brought here for the purpose of attracting the media’s attention and to increase our reputation.” (Since that’s yet another part of this job that I was specifically sought out to do, I don’t have a choice here...) [Kara]: ”...I understand.” [Yuri]: "It will be all right. As most of the media’s questions have been chosen in advance, we have also prepared answers for you to use.” And so during the days preceding the party, I had countless interviews with the press.

(With stuff like this, I can’t really call myself a designer, now can I?...) I did somehow manage to sew together the requested garments in-between interviews, but other than that, for the most part, I haven’t done anything that can be considered the work of a designer. Letting a sigh leave me as I stood in the corner of the party hall, the press took notice of this and began to come over in my direction. (...Must be another interview, huh.) I think over the words I had decided on for these sort of media interactions in my head, when Prince Yakov then appeared atop the stage platform. That was enough for the eyes of the everyone in the venue to then gather over in his direction.

[Yakov]: “―Today, I would like to make an announcement to those who have congregated here.” [Yakov]: “Sanctis, Sybil, Versurk...” [Yakov]: “From the unification of these three lands, they were reborn as a brand new nation, the country of Sanct Sybil. [Yakov]: "Of course, not much time has passed since our new country has been founded. However, as of recently, this country has assembled a great number of talented people with promising futures.” The figure of the Prince as he surveyed the large crowd of guests was so gallant and majestic that I was completely entranced.

However, seeing the Prince clad in a uniform that strictly followed the templates that the previous designer had left behind stabbed my chest with a dull pain. (I wanted to make a design that was based on the Prince’s preferred colors and designs, after all.) Since his formal request, I didn’t have much time until the party to begin with, and then there were other things like those interviews― So ultimately, I ended up producing a uniform according to those old notes from the previous designer. (...It’s clothing that I made, but it doesn’t have that sort of feeling to it at all.)

[Yakov]: "Henceforth, Sanct Sybil will now direct its attention towards the early stages of joining the Nobel Michel Alliance.” [Yakov]: "As one nation united, we shall surely endeavor to accomplish joining the Alliance.” Thunderous applause erupts from the crowd of guests. (I have no real connection to this... It’s like I’m listening to a speech for the events occurring in a faraway country...) While further applause was granted to the Prince, the reporters from before begin to move closer again. (I’m not confident that I’ll put out a good interview right now...) As if to escape from this place, I head to the balcony.

(Like you’d think – Even with a dress made for winter, it’s cold out here...) Even wearing a dress and capelet made of thick fabric, the Sybil night still carries a chill of stinging cold. While shivering, I gaze up at the sky above, and there were stars twinkling over the clear horizon. (Prince Yakov’s speech was absolutely magnificent.) (But...) A little before that speech, I realized that I don’t truly feel like I’m the designer of Sanct Sybil Castle. [Kara]: “...With the way things are now, I wonder if the day I can be honestly called the exclusive designer of this castle will actually come,” I murmured as I vacantly stared deep into the sky, when―

[Yakov]: “―It appears that the party is not to your liking.”

(Huh…?) Turning my head at hearing a voice behind me, I see Prince Yakov walking over in my direction. [Kara]: “Your Highness…” [Kara]: “Is it all right for an honored prince to sneak out of the party?” [Yakov]: “This is merely a small break. I cannot endure such things without at least resting for a moment.” Replying with an indignant look on his face, he comes up to my side. Leaning against the railing to gaze over the courtyard, a small sigh escapes him. [Yakov]: “Every time I pass by someone, I get asked the same things, and then I’m made to answer with the same things over and over again like some sort of cockatoo.” [Kara]: “That... I feel the same about that.” [Kara]: “Every time I have an interview I get asked the same things, and then I just answer with the replies Yuri had prepared for me, over and over again.” Looking over the courtyard like the Prince was, I think back to the things that have happened since I’ve come to this castle. Even though I should be called a “designer”, it’s just pitiful that I can’t receive the essential work for it. [Kara]: “But... that’s the sort of thing I was brought here to do.” [Yakov]: “Are you contempt with that?” [Kara]: “Ah―“

At the Prince’s question, I reply with...

➢ “It’s more a feeling of helplessness.” ❆ ➢ “It’s frustrating, yes.”

➤ for some reason i don’t have the text for the latter choice, rip. maybe i can try coming across it (and the other missing answers) on my bmp2 alt later idk

➢ “It’s more a feeling of helplessness.” ❆

[Kara]: “Rather than feeling contempt... it’s more that I feel helpless about it.” [Yakov]: “’Helpless’?” [Kara]: “Yes. I can’t express anything in my own words― and while it doesn’t mean I haven’t accomplished absolutely anything here...” [Kara]: “At the very least, if I was able to accomplish just one thing by myself, that’d be all right... but I can’t even manage that and I’m just useless.” [Yakov]: “...I see.” I heard a sense of immediate realization in his voice. (I say all of this, but you didn’t ask for such things.) (After all, you said if Lord Nobel was the one recommending me, then that would be enough...)

Thinking such things, I stay silent, when the Prince gives a trace of a wry smile.

[Yakov]: “Certainly... considering someone like yourself, that is simply absurdity.” (Huh...?) With his unexpected reply, I instinctively turn my head in his direction. Meeting my eyes, the Prince continues to speak in a tone... where I could not tell if it was of admiration or of exasperation.

[Yakov]: “I realized it from before when we had conversed in the office―” [Yakov]: “You are the type of person who thinks for oneself, and acts according to their own beliefs and convictions.” [Yakov]: “You do not intend to gain recognition as a designer by adopting someone else’s brilliance and being a mere imitation of them.” [Kara]: “Th-That’s...” The Prince saw right through the misery I’ve been harboring ever since I came to Sybil, and my eyes widen in surprise. His eyebrows knit in apparent suspicion as he stares straight at me.

[Yakov]: “You look as if you want to say something.” [Kara]: “N-No... Your response was just different from what I had expected, so I was surprised.” (―As I didn’t realize that His Highness, in reality, actually understood me a lot...) [Yakov]: “...It is not like I have been at peace with things either.”

[Yakov]: “As the prince of a country, I believe that I have a good judge of character.” [Yakov]: “From your words and actions up to this point... and also from looking at your designs, anyone would have a firm grasp of your character.” [Kara]: “The design sketches... you looked at them?” [Yakov]: “Incidentally, while confirming your documents.” Asserting haughtily, the Prince’s blue irises subtly glint.

[Yakov]: “I know what must be going on in your head. However, even recognizing that – I cannot afford to end this farce.” [Kara]: “Why... is that so?” [Yakov]: “...Things are not limited to only when the country’s desires and my own thoughts are similar.” (That’s...) Opening my mouth, I was about to ask him what he meant by that― But before I could, a voice speaks up from behind me.

[???]: “―Yakov. So you were over here, in a place like this.” [Yakov]: “The King...” (Eh-...the King?!) Turning around, standing over there was the King and Queen. Prince Yakov’s face stiffens and he suddenly bows his head. I follow his lead and bow as well when the Prince’s voice resounds with a rigid tone. [Yakov]: “My sincere apologies. I was getting a bit of fresh air.” [King]: “Is that right...” The King’s direct line of sight casually falls onto me. The Prince takes note of this and he gives a brief introduction. [Yakov]: “The subject before you is the designer I had hired recently.” [King]: “Ah, the one recommended by Lord Nobel, is it?” [King]: “Having secured a connection with Nobel Castle, we are making more and more progress in opening the path towards becoming an ally.” [Yakov]: “...Yes.” At the Prince’s answer, as if remembering something the King continues to speak. [King]: “By the way, what of the new Minister of Foreign Affairs? I heard that the previous Minister on that seat showed considerable resistance upon the notion of dismissal, but...” [Yakov]: “The newly-appointed Minister is doing a favorable job.” [Yakov]: “As he is well-known in other countries, he performs all according to plan.” [Yakov]: “There is no need for concern.” [King]: “I see. Strive to maintain these conditions.” [Yakov]: “Understood.” Satisfied with the Prince’s words, the King takes his leave with the Queen. (...Even though they’re father and son, it’s much more like a chief and his subordinate.) (The life of royalty is like that, huh...?) From the beginning to the end of their businesslike conversation, the Prince and King did not smile at each other. As I recall the uncomfortable feeling that hung over their entire exchange, Prince Yakov speaks with derision towards some part of himself.

[Yakov]: “...Right now, what this country needs is status – One could also call it ‘brand power’.” [Kara]: “’Brand power’...” [Yakov]: “For this country of mine, a country that only recently came into existence, to be on par with a developed country,” [Yakov]: “brand power that can be boasted among the other countries is necessary... That is the current way of thinking for Sanct Sybil.” (But, it doesn’t seem that His Highness himself wants that...) The “farce” he had mentioned earlier, along with the unspoken words he had purposefully left out, appeared to be of Prince Yakov’s true opinions on the matter. (But... Given his position as a prince, I wonder if he just can’t set things in motion based on his true feelings alone?)

➤ ok i get that it’s supposed to be his future job and all but why does it feel like yakov is doing all the legwork for this alliance while the king is sitting in the back eating some doritos. excuse me u seem pretty alive and well portraitless king what are u doing with everyones taxpayer money

Pondering these complicated thoughts, I look up at the Prince – and noticing me, the corners of his lips quirk up.

[Yakov]: “What’s the discontent face for?” [Yakov]: “If I rejoin the party, bringing in a woman that’s sulking like that – I’ll be quite troubled.” [Kara]: “It’s not that... I’m sulking, precisely...” I was about to refute his statement when he takes my hand to cut me off. [Kara]: “P...Prince Yakov...?” [Yakov]: “The piece has changed.” ➤ musical piece fyi [Yakov]: “Let’s go.” [Kara]: “Huh....?!”

Prince Yakov returns to the party venue, and makes his way to the center of the dance hall. [Guest A]: “My, it seems that Prince Yakov is going to dance!” [Guest B]: “I’m so envious of his partner~!”

➤ mmm idk about that one friend really ot but thinking abt it... i shouldve used that one dance cg as the one for this header bc spoilers, there’s no more formal dancing after this....... fuc i assure u this is very important bc there’s only like negative 7 yakov cgs i can use that aren’t riddled with unrelated clothing (weird knight uniform, yukata, apron, no clothes at all, etc.)

(We’re attracting a significant amount of attention... with me, someone who can’t dance at all...) Feeling under pressure from the eyes of the crowd, I inadvertently hang my head. In doing so, Prince Yakov whispers to me at a volume that the surrounding guests would be unable to hear.

[Yakov]: “Even if it is just for this moment – As my partner, you must face up.” [Kara]: “’Partner’…” [Kara]: “I can’t really dance for the most part... Surely, I will humiliate Your Highness.” Even at this point, I want him to stop. I was about to call for his sympathy when I lifted my head up at him, and unexpectedly see his face so close to mine. (Ah…) Illuminated by the glittering chandelier above, Prince Yakov was the most captivating figure out of everyone in the entire hall. His dignified appearance, along with an expression that was brimming with self-confidence― easily stole away my gaze from looking anywhere, anything else.

[Yakov]: “I already know that you cannot dance and the like.” [Yakov]: “Without thinking about unnecessary matters― if you simply look only at me, and leave your body to me – you will be fine.”

[Yakov]: “―So, do not resist me?” Taking my hand, he drops a kiss along my fingertips. His eyes gazed provocatively up at me, and my heart skipped a beat. [Yakov]: “Your face is red, you know.” [Kara]: “Th-That’s, Prince Yakov’s…” [Yakov]: “With that attitude, it shall be all right.”

The piece began to play, and Prince Yakov pulls my waist towards him before slowly stepping in time to the rhythm. In contrast to his high-handed words and demeanor, he leads me gently. (Amazing… even though I honestly believed that I couldn’t dance…) Just by entrusting myself to him, I’ve somehow transformed into the visage of a dancer. (Something about this is really fun…) Having fun at this party for the very first time tonight, a smile begins to naturally bloom on my face, and I nearly tread on Prince Yakov’s foot. However, the Prince elegantly evades my step before knitting his brows, muttering in a low voice.

[Yakov]: “…You truly cannot dance whatsoever.” [Kara]: “D-Didn’t I tell you that before?” [Yakov]: “But, you have the feel for it.” [Yakov]: “After tonight, be sure to practice your dancing.” [Yakov]: “―As there will be more parties akin to this one from this point forward.” (“From this point forward”…?)

At the prince’s words, I…

➢ “I must refuse.” ➢ “Understood.” ❆

➢ “I must refuse.” [Kara]: “I must refuse.” [Kara]: “The level of anxiety I just experienced was already too much to handle.” [Yakov]: “While dancing with me, the look on your face seemed to be as if you were enjoying yourself– so I am not so convinced.” (Ugh... I definitely was having fun dancing with him, thinking about it...) [Yakov]: “Besides- it has also been a long time for me too, enjoying myself while dancing.” ➼

➢ “Understood.” [Kara]: “…Understood. In-between design work, I’ll be sure to practice.” [Kara]: “Dancing is unexpectedly pretty fun.” We conversed quietly as we danced, and it somehow became even more enjoyable like that. The Prince smiles, and pulls me closer with a single sweep. [Yakov]: “Glad to hear that.” [Yakov]: “If you continued sulking about, there would be no point in you taking the time to dress up beautifully.” ➼

➼ (Huh…?) I was surprised by his unexpected words when the piece concluded. With the end of the dance, a large applause was bestowed to the Prince. (I didn’t mishear what he just said, right...?) As I feel my cheeks heating up, the Prince leaves the dance floor. At that same moment, as if on cue – all of the princes of the other nations come and approach me.

[Roberto]: “Your dancing was soo cute!” [Keith]: “Well, for a commoner it was pretty good, huh?” [Keith]: “But if you took a better look, you could see that Prince Yakov taking the lead salvaged the entire thing.” [Edward]: “Not only the dancing - but the dress is quite stunning too.” [Edward]: “It was just as if a snow fairy came to descend from the clouds.” [Kara]: “Th…Thank you.” The Princes of the Six Kingdoms line side-by-side around me, and the atmosphere becomes especially cheerful. (Everyone– for you to treat me, someone who is just barely associated with you all, so kindly and warmly... I’m happy.) Cherishing this joy of getting to meet with the Princes again, Prince Wilfred then raises his voice.

[Wilfred]: “Now, I only heard this... But apparently, you officially became the exclusive designer for Sanct Sybil Castle.” [Glenn]: “Even though you’re still a rookie, to be suddenly put in a position like that of an exclusive designer– You’re amazing, you know.” [Wilfred]: “I think there will be things that you won’t be familiar with, but I’ll be cheering you on. Do your best.” [Kara]: “…Okay!” (There’s someone out there who’s supporting me like this...)

➤ i love.... wilfred...... this is why wil used to be numba won. his POWER so strong they had to create claude to ruin his love life. to weaken that perfection!!

(Let’s do our best while doing things you can manage, bit by bit, in this country.) The Princes spoke to me warmly, and I strengthen my resolve once more. Prince Roberto then strikes up a conversation with Prince Yakov. [Roberto]: “By the way, I heard that Sanct Sybil will be joining the Alliance, hmm?” [Roberto]: “The Alliance hasn’t had any later additions until now, so I’m really looking forward to it.” [Yakov]: “…Mhm. I think the day Sanct Sybil will be on par with your fellow countries is soon approaching.” With Prince Yakov’s statement, the other Princes show their excitement. [Keith]: “If that happens, we’ll definitely have to celebrate, yeah?” [Roberto]: “We’re suuuper happy that we’re gaining new companions.” [Yakov]: “I am grateful for such words, but the first step is going through the discussion regarding the deliberation.” Prince Yakov’s face hardens. Seeing this, Prince Glenn then brings up something he seemed to have remembered. [Glenn]: “Speaking of which, being a member of the Alliance has all sorts of conditions to meet, right?”

[Joshua]: “That’s right.” [Joshua]: “The terms - like the stability of the economy and of public safety - are fully detailed in the treaty.”

➤ i was this close to just not giving joshua his screencap time bc this boi.... bloody useless this episode- we still stan u riceball king.... but still

[Wilfred]: “First, the most important requisite is that the country must be stable; if a major incident or form of discord comes up, it seems that one will lose their qualification to join.” [Wilfred]: “Well, there hasn’t been a case like that so far, but.” [Joshua]: “I would think that things along the lines of an ‘incident’, and prominent matters that arise, just do not happen, alas.” (Joining the Alliance is a difficult thing, huh...) I think for that reason alone, Prince Yakov thus has no choice but to act in accordance with the country’s policies. I think about that, when I hear Prince Roberto pipe up in a bright tone. [Roberto]: “Well, regardless~ I was really surprised by the cold of Sanct Sybil, but…” [Roberto]: “I was also surprised by how lively the town by this castle was.” [Joshua]: “He’s right. You can feel the passion of the country from it.” [Glenn]: “I think it might be because it hasn’t been that much time since the country unified, but it has an ambiance to it that the other six countries don’t have.” [Keith]: “The people working in this castle too only consist of those who’ve made a name for themselves. It’s to the point where I want that sorta thing for my place.” [Edward]: “I’m looking forward to the day Sanct Sybil joins us.” [Yakov]: “…Mhm.” Prince Yakov nods, and the other Princes encourage him with their smiles. Then, Prince Roberto, looking out the window, cries loudly.

[Roberto]: “Snow…! Everyone, look! There’s snow falling.” (Huh…?) Spurred on by Prince Roberto I shift my eyes to look out the window, and within the darkness, I see snowflakes fluttering about in their descent. [Wilfred]: “I think it only makes sense that it would get this cold. It seems Sanct Sybil has the earliest winter season out of all the other countries.” [Roberto]: “It’ll pile up ‘til tomorrow, right? If so, I wanna have a snowball fight~!” [Glenn]: “I’m not a child, so…”

While the Princes get noisy in their lively chatter – Coming over to my side, Prince Yakov smiles with a light huff. [Yakov]: “As one would expect, it will not accumulate up until tomorrow, but over the next few days, it will all become a snowy landscape.” [Kara]: “How pretty…” [Yakov]: “I am used to such a sight, so I do not feel particularly moved by it in any way.” [Yakov]: “As you live in this country, soon you too will get used to seeing it.” [Kara]: “Is that right… I think I’ll definitely get used to it, soon enough.” (When I had listened to Prince Yakov’s speech, I felt that I was listening to the words regarding a faraway country, but...) Listening to the princes’ conversations and words of encouragement, I now truly feel that I am indeed here to be the designer of Sanct Sybil. Smiling at Prince Yakov, I get to enjoy the first snow with the Princes for this brief moment―

To be continued...

(Letter)

From: Yakov Title: Go Practice

While dancing, I was astonished when it seemed very likely that my feet were going to be trampled on– but you appear to have some sort of potential. Dancing with you was not bad, no. Additionally... your dress was also not too bad. As the designer of Sybil Castle... you have passed.

―Yakov

Next Episode...

“But, why are you in a place like this?”

....how does yuri bother to dye those brows red every time. dedication to the craft i suppose

lol sorry about this one. i feel that ep 3 is even shoddier than what i usually put out, but when i finished ep 2 i already had a good chunk of ep 3 done so i wanted to get it over with bc this ep is mostly bad/awkward vibes ehehe

i think the next chunk will maybe be just ep 4 + special story 1. i want to include each ver of the special story (so 3 versions) so........ might take a good minute to do but idk we’ll see tbh i wanted to put ep 4 in this chunk so special story 1 could be by itself but i figured some of u would prefer to have more frequent updates. it’s been over a week since the last one so i felt like that was a bit long of a wait after just episode 1

Again, thanks for reading!

#bmpYCS1 #bmp #be my princess #yakov chernenkov

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the-omni-princess · 5 years

Text

Frozen Heart [Chapter 6]

Author: @the-omni-princess

Summary: After the war against Hydra, King Bucky comes home to take what has been promised to him since he was young, you. But he is not the same person as the young boy that you grew up with. Can she break through his tough shell and bring back the young man she once fell in love with? Or will she be forced to marry the monster everyone thinks he’s become?

Word Count: 3.7K

Pairing: King!Bucky x Fem!Reader (Royalty Au!)

Warnings: language, reader is a badass, bit of blood, violence, bit of fluff

A/N:

Small cliffhanger, but I’m leaving on vacation on Wednesday with no wifi, so I’m determined to write this chapter today and post it asap!! Was gonna add it to this chapter but it was getting wordy so… it was also like 2 am when I’m rereading/posting this so be nice, please.

[Series Masterlist] [Masterlist]

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The ride to the Northern Kingdom was faster than you remembered from your childhood, though you attributed that to the fact it was snowing the last time you were there. Though it was still summer, the Northern climate differed greatly from where you grew up. You knew as the months pressed on you would find yourself buried in blankets, sitting beside the fire, drinking hot cocoa, perhaps snuggled up alongside Bucky. The thought made you smile, your head currently pressed against Bucky’s shoulder, looking out the window towards the passing scenery.

“Penny for your thoughts, my Love? You’ve been quiet most of the way out of the South, and we are nearing more villages of the North.” Bucky whispered softly, his free hand was rubbing circles against your thigh, as you clung to his other arm.

You shrugged lazily, not wanting to move too far away from his body heat, “Thinking of the future, mostly how cold I’m going to be once the winter’s storms hit.”

He chuckled, the vibrations sending warmth throughout your body. “Don’t worry, doll, I’ll keep you nice and toasty, bundled up in the thickest furs and wools I can find.” He kissed the top of your head tenderly. “You should have seen the first winter during the war, Stevie would not shut up, he was convinced he would get hypothermia despite all of the Howlies giving him their furs.” You looked up towards him, leaning towards him to hear more. He was smiling fondly, his eyes looking off in the distance as he reminisced of the few and fleeting joyful moments during the war. His attention, however, was caught by the flags waving in the distance as the limo closed into the town.

As you drove through the community, you couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at your lips. It was certainly different from the villages in your kingdom, most of these houses were reinforced for snow and ice, and they had the added feature of chimneys. Flags of the country seal adorned taverns and shop windows as the limo leisurely moved along the street. Wolves were a common theme around the kingdom, as were the kingdom colors, greys, blues, and silvers were the usual colors you saw in most signs.

“Bucky? I want you to teach me everything about your kingdom, I want to know your people, please,” you murmured softly, enchanted by the circle of dancers, merrily dancing with the people. It was late in the morning, closing in on high noon, one of the times you were aware was a powerful time for healers, who believed in the connections between the heavens and the humans below.

Bucky was grinning like an idiot beside you, and although you didn’t know it, he was only looking at your awed expression, determined to memorize your features. “Well, let’s start now,” he pointed towards the dancers, “it’s almost high noon, so those healers are dancing to the sun god to pray for healing. The summer solstice is almost upon us, so they are going through a physical and spiritual test as a sacrifice to the gods. The bigger circles are most likely family members and friends, dancing in support and for fun, while the smaller circle are the actual healers.” He pushed a stray hair behind your ear delicately as he spoke. Your breath caught in your throat meekly, you looked over your shoulder towards him, unconsciously looking up at him through your eyelashes as you gave him a bright smile. He felt his heart stutter, blushing as he continued. “We should switch to the horses soon, My Love. It’ll give you the chance to be up close and personal with the people if you want.” Your responding smile made his entire chest feel fuzzy with a feeling he couldn’t quite place, one that had been happening more frequently around you.

“I’d love that, Bucky, when can we make the switch? Poor Dermot is probably bored sick being pent-up.” You sat up straighter, excited to go riding again, grateful you decided on denim pants and an elegant blouse for the ride to the North.

“Dermot?” Bucky’s eyebrows furrowed, sending you into a fit of giggles.

“Dermot! My horse! His name comes from a hero in my kingdom’s mythology, it means Freedom. Riding was one of the few times I was allowed outside the castle walls, so that horse quickly became my freedom, plus it helps that he has a wild personality. The horse keeper says I’m the only rider he won’t kick-off.” His heart sunk at your words, despite your giddy smile. While an apt name indeed, its implications were that you were reduced to be some princess in the castle waiting for the war to end despite the advancements for equality in your kingdom.

He quickly recovered, determination to show you a newfound freedom building in his heart. “Well, doll, in the North, we can ride whenever your heart desires,” he promised, kissing your temple, not noticing the look of pure wonder you gave him at his words.

“Can we switch to the horse now? Please? I know we aren’t too far from the palace grounds, and you can show me all your favorite riding spots once we get there, if the sun allows it!” Your excitement was bubbling over, making Bucky laugh in amusement.

“Of course, my Queen. Whatever your heart desires, it shall be my pleasure to give you.” He vowed, the two of you wearing matching grins. He tapped on the tinted window separating the drivers from the two of you. As the window slipped down, you saw Scott and Sam were in the front, no doubt joking around, evident by the smirk on Sam’s face. “Scott, pull over at the next clearing, the Princess and I will be switching to the horses.”

“Certainly, Your Majesty,” Scott replied, shooting you a smile through the rearview mirror, Sam already sending someone texts on his security issued phone as the window rolled back up.

A few minutes later the village clear way to a thick forest, which lead to a meadow clearing. The limo stopped, and Bucky was quick to step out, already offering you his hand before you could speak. You smiled warmly, taking his assistance to your feet. He noticed the way you lit up as Dermot was taken out of the travel stable, running towards your horse, who was already saddled and getting antsy. Sam mildly nudged Bucky’s shoulder, the two having become friendly since Bucky had the tendency to gravitate towards you while staying in the South, and Sam was your personal guard. “You should hurry up, she’s gonna leave you in the dust,” Sam goaded, sending you a wave which you happily returned before you jumped up into the saddle like a pro.

Bucky rolled his eyes, not dignifying the man with a response and heading towards his own horse, Nova, who was also saddled. With a small huff, he was in the saddle, smiling shyly towards you. “Shall I lead the way, my Love?”

You quickly nodded, mocking a bow while taking hold of Dermot’s reigns, “Why of course, my King,” You teased.

The two of you rode through a few more villages as high noon came and went, taking a few short breaks for the horses’ sake. On one such break, you and Bucky were leaning against a tavern wall, the royal guards doing a decent job of turning unaware citizen to leave you two alone while the horses had water and snacks behind the tavern in a nearby stable. The two of you weren’t talking about much, Bucky was currently telling you of his plans to show you the entire castle grounds.

“Of course, as Queen, you’ll be allowed anywhere in the palace, as it’ll be your home with a little bit of time,” he expressed, sending small smiles towards you. You were about to respond when something out of the corner of your eyeline caught your attention. Always one to trust your instincts, you looked towards the flash. A young woman was cornered, two young men, no doubt only slightly older than her, were tugging at her purse as she cried out. They were pretty well hidden in the small alleyway, but it was broad daylight, and yet they were still robbing her.

Bucky had noticed your silence, quickly following your eyesight to the scene, anger filling his body. The crime rate of the kingdom had gone down significantly since he began his rule, but it was your first day and you were already witnessing the dark parts of the country. No one was making a move to help the poor girl, another thought that sent more rage through Bucky. Yet, as he was about to take a step towards the three, determined to end the scene, he was stunned to see you already stomping your way across the street to defend the woman. His eyes followed you, momentarily too dumbfounded to follow you.

As you approached, you could hear the insults the men were using, degrading the woman as she struggled against them for her purse, it only fueled your fury. “Hey!” you seethed, venom dripping from the single word. The men glanced towards you, both a bit shocked to see a woman fuming at them. The woman looked towards her savior, jumping slightly as the men laughed, clearly not taking you seriously.

“Aw! What are you going to do, little one? You should scram before your father sees you, or worse!” One of the men sneered, their attentions diverting from the woman, who had fallen to the ground.

“Yeah! We wouldn’t want your daddy to find you curled up on the street like a bitch,” the other man snickered. That is what cleared Bucky’s momentary paralysis, now heading towards you, though he was a moment too slow.

You growled lowly at the back of your throat and lunged for one of the men, pulling him off the woman before snapping your fist back, straight into his nose. Pain radiated up your knuckles, but it was dulled as the adrenaline started to kick in, making your moves slower. You spun on your heel, your elbow hitting the other man square in the jaw. One swift quick to the crotch and both men were falling to the ground, clutching either their face or their groins. A satisfied smirk on your face, you quickly turned to the woman who looked awestruck up at you. You offered her your unbloodied hand, “Are you hurt?” you quickly asked as you helped her to her feet. She quickly shook her head, still too shocked to speak. “Deep breaths then, it’ll calm the shock down.”

Someone whistled at the corner of the alleyway behind you, you quickly spun, already placing yourself between the sound and the woman before relaxing. Bucky, Sam, and Scott were standing there, watching you with matching smirks. Sam, who knew of your skill, was incredibly proud, “Damn y/n, we were gone for a few minutes,” you shrugged, a small grin on your face.

Bucky grinned up towards you, sparing a second glance at the two men still laying on the ground, both had bloody faces. “I’m both incredibly impressed and terribly aroused,” he muttered, locked onto your eyes as you blushed.

“It was nothing, Nat’s been teaching me. You didn’t think those assassins were taken down by Sam, did you? Nat and I took ‘em down,” you grinned proudly, excitedly showing off, Bucky gave you a childish grin in response, though Sam sent you a playful glare.

The woman behind you squeaked as she saw Bucky, recognizing him as he stepped closer to you. “Y-your Majesty!” She tried to curtsy but almost tumbled, and you caught her with a small smile. Bucky motioned for Sam and Scott to grab the two men, who gladly grabbed them.

“Don’t worry about it, are you alright?” He asked, true concern for the unknown woman.

She quickly nodded, “Thanks to her, Your Majesty!” she averted her eyes from him, trying to show respect as she clung to you for support

“That would be y/n, my fiancé, and your future Queen,” you shot him a glare, he was teasing the poor woman, who was still recovering from shock. She yelped, trying to pull from your arms to try to curtsy again, mortified she was treating her future queen with such disrespect.

You gripped onto the woman, determined not to let her fall on her face, “Now, now, no need for all of that. Are you truly alright? What was your name?” You still shot Bucky a disapproving glare at his antics, he just grinned, responding with a playful smirk.

“Y-yes, Your Highness. My name’s So-Sophia,” She rushed out, still terrified.

You gently soothed her, brushing the dirt off her dress, “It’s alright Sophia, I’m a princess but I’m still human, no need to go senseless on me. Now, where you going when you were attacked.”

“The market, Your Highness,” Sophia didn’t drop the title, but she was in shock, so you let it go.

“Perfect, I’ll send one of the guards to accompany you there then back home, until you’re safe, alright Sophia?” You gently fixed her cloak, still smiling supportively towards her.

She shook her head, “It’s alright, milady, I’ll be fine. Thank you so much for your generosity, and for saving me.” She looked a bit more stable, the shock most likely dying down.

“Of course, my job isn’t just to lead the people, it’s to protect them. I am only doing what is right. If that’s all, and you’re sure you would be fine alone again, then I wish you safe travels and a wonderful rest of your day.” You let your hands drop from her sides, done fixing her up.

Sophia grinned and nodded quickly, “Of course, Your Highness, you as well, gods bless you,” she walked past Bucky, quickly curtsying with a “Your Majesty,” before disappearing into the crowds.

Bucky whistled again in awe, a cheeky grin on his face, “You’re a natural, and that right hook! Gods you’re perfect,” he said in wonder. You hissed softly, pain radiating from your knuckles now that the adrenaline was wearing off. He quickly came closer, picking up your hand delicately. Your knuckles were bloody, a small cut on them but most of the blood was from the men, and the beginning of a bruise was discoloring the skin. He pressed a soft kiss to your palm, “Let’s get you cleaned up and go home,” he led you back out the alley, holding your hand to his chest protectively.

“Bucky, my hand is fine, should be more worried about that guy’s face, I hit him with the royal ring without realizing it.” He looked again towards your hand, sure enough, your golden ring was splattered with a bit of blood.

He chuckled, “Gods you’re absolutely amazing,” he mumbled, kissing your wrist. He glanced towards your left hand, which only had a simple golden ring on your thumb, a gift from Steve when you were younger. Your ring finger was noticeably empty, but he didn’t say a word about it, already tugging you back towards the horses.

A few short hours later, you arrived at the castle grounds. The sun was setting, lighting up the surrounding mountain tops with beautiful shades of pink and purple. You dismounted Dermot, fixing your blouse after handing the reigns to one of the stable keepers, as it was clear you couldn’t ride with the night falling. Bucky did the same, before offering his hand to you. “We’re home, My Queen,” he kissed your temple as you took his hand, happily following him inside.

The guards and maids were lined up, quick to bow to you both, though you noticed they were mostly bowing towards you. You blushed, not used to all the attention, as you were usually just someone who might be on the throne, yet here you were someone who was going to be on the throne. “Please see to it that all of Princess Y/n’s personal belongings are in the Queen’s chambers,” Bucky said to one of the maids, who curtsied with a responded “Your Majesty” before rushing off. He then turned to you, “Would you like to do anything tonight, My Love?” You were too busy taking in the castle, it had been years since you had been here, and it was lovelier than you remembered, but it felt so cold. Not in the literal temperature sense, as it was still summer, but the entire castle walls felt void of something. It took you a few minutes before you realized it, Love.

Turning towards Bucky, you gave him a small smile, “I thought we could get settled in, just relax,” you laced your hands together over your stomach, a habit formed from wearing tight corsets.

Bucky nodded, “Of course.” He offered you his arm, smiling as you took it, following him, arm in arm. “Would you mind sleeping in my bed tonight, doll? I’m dreadfully sorry, but your chambers aren’t ready yet,” he was blushing, bashful.

You giggled, tightening your grip on his arm, “I’d love that.” As Bucky led you through the castle towards his chambers, you noticed how the feeling of dread from the foyer seemed to be a running trend. These walls were simply shelter, not a home. You wanted to change that. Caught up in taking in the empty halls, you didn’t notice you were already at the doors to the king’s chamber. It looked similar to your chambers back home, only these chambers style was darker and much bigger. The size of the room made you felt small, and the fact that there seemed to be minimal decorating made it feel more like a guest room than a permanent residence. The bed was lined with slightly thicker furs than the bed back home. No.you corrected yourself. The bed back in the South. This bed was a navy blue, intricate designs embedded in silver.

You sat on the edge of the bed, Bucky stepping away from you for a moment as you took in the room. Everything in the room screamed of pure ice, sending a small chill down your spine. Determination started to set in your head, you were most definitely changing the pure feeling of dread these palace walls held. The balcony is what caught your attention next, the view outside the windows was of the valley in between the mountains, a lake in the middle, the setting sun reflecting oranges and pinks into the water.

“Y/n/n?” Bucky called out, you turned your head, caught up in the view. He was kneeling on one knee in front of you, gently taking your hand and cleaning the blood off your knuckle from earlier. “The view is beautiful isn’t it?”

“Definitely different than I’m used to, but in a good way. I like it, I’m more of a sunset then sunrise person myself,” you nodded, sending him a small smile.

He grinned, “I’d thought you would like it. Just wait until you see the stars in a few hours.” He finished cleaning off your hand, tossing the towel towards the wastebasket.

“I noticed you didn’t change the castle much since we were younger,” you spoke just above a whisper, wanting to address the distantness the entire place felt like, knowing kings tended to renovate and redecorate the castle once they took the throne.

He lost his smile, sighing softly. “Yeah, it didn’t feel right. I was… a little emotionally distant when I got back.”

“A little?” you teased, making him smile faintly.

“Okay, a lot. Bad headspace, and bad coping mechanisms.” He shrugged, not meeting your eyes as he bit his lip. “I think I should tell you what happened now. All of it.”

You gently took his hands in yours, “Like I said earlier, you don’t have to, and if you do, I’ll be right here for you, My Love.” You spoke firmly, making sure he could hear your conviction.

“Get ready for bed, doll, then I will tell you as much as I can,” he stood, kissing your head lightly before going towards a drawer to change himself. He froze, sighing softly, his hands rubbing his face as he thought aloud, “Your clothes aren’t here yet, are they?”

You laughed, jumping up to stand beside him. “I can borrow some sleepwear, Bucky, relax.” You grabbed one of his shirts, and his pajama pants, already heading towards the bathroom to change. You quickly changed, and after a second of hesitation, decided to take your bra and undergarments off as well. Now, only in panties and Bucky’s oversized shirt, you tried pulling on his pajama pants. You groaned, no matter how tight you pulled the strings, it wouldn’t fit and kept falling. You gave up, folding them and placing them on top of the rest of your clothes. “Hope you're decent!” you called out before walking out of the bathroom, tugging the oversized shirt down. It hit your midthigh, but you felt exposed, especially as Bucky, now in pajamas as well, looked you up and down, his eyes going dark as he chuckled.

“Pants didn’t fit, huh?” You shook your head with a small shrug. You placed the clothes on the desk in the large room before joining Bucky on the bed. He wrapped a blanket around your shoulders, smiling softly as you nuzzled into the furs. “Before I start to tell you, I just want to warn you. It’s not pretty, and I respect you and don’t want to lie to you or sugar coat it. I’m not sure how much either of us can take before I’ll need to stop, but if it becomes too much, please, let me know?” He gave you a sad smile, holding onto your hands tenderly.

“Bucky, I’m not a child, I can handle it. I promise but promise yourself the same thing, don’t push yourself too far.” You squeezed his hands lightly, giving him your full support and attention.

He nodded, sighing softly as his gaze dropped to your interwoven hands, already putting himself into the headspace needed to tell you the truth. “Then let’s begin, all the way at the beginning.”

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Frozen Heart Tags:

@jsmith509

@lumar014

@littlemissporter

@kaylaphantomhive

@damnbuckyishot

@aveatquevale-

@booksbeforebois

@marvelgirl7

@minetticatinwonderland

Bucky Tags:

@cassandras-musings

For a tag, just reply/comment, if I don’t see it, just message me. Tell me what you think! Literally, any comment makes me happy! Like, comment, reblog, interact <3

I will be going on vacation for 10 days with no wifi so if I Don't see your comment, MESSAGE ME!!

#bucky x reader #james buchanan barnes x reader #bucky barnes #royalty au #frozen heart #King!Bucky #Princess!reader #badass!reader

380 notes · View notes

vvirgils · 4 years

Text

Chronicles of Straith #2-The Witch’s Dragon:Chapter 7

Chronicles of Straith #1-Fate’s Door///Chapter 6/Chapter 8//Masterpost

Roman’s second day in Canea passed completely normally. They slept in, woke up, and got dressed in the first clothes they saw, making sure to put on their mother’s scarf. Jessie delivered breakfast to their room, and told Roman there was someone who wanted to spend the day with them. Besides their day already being planned, it was normal.

Abnormally, it had been months, maybe years since Roman had a day like this. They’d spent their whole life under Epos’s thumb, and then under the completely different pressures of being king. It was impossible to feel guilty about leaving Straith when the sensation of being relaxed was this pleasant.

Eyes still foggy, Roman followed Jessie’s instructions and walked to the library, not knowing why this mystery person wanted to meet there. Truth be told, they’d started to zone out when Jessie explained who this person was. Absentmindedly, Roman walked around the library, admiring the books. It was two, if not three times bigger than the library in Straith’s castle.

A few volumes on sorcery caught Roman’s eye, and they were just prying a book from the shelf when someone asked, “excuse me, are you Roman?” The voice wasn’t familiar, but when Roman turned around, the woman’s warm brown eyes and easygoing yet dignified disposition set them at ease.

“Yeah, that’s me,” Roman replied. This was clearly the person Jessie told them to meet, judging by her professional attitude and that she knew their name. She had long black hair flowing down her back, complementing her brown skin and dark suit. Old enough to be their mother.

She smiled. “I’m Lilly, nice to meet you.” Lilly shook their hand, something glinting in her eyes that Roman couldn’t place. Almost recognition.

Roman’s head felt like it had been stuffed with cotton, probably from sleep deprivation. They weren’t really sure what was going on. “Nice to meet you too. You must be the person I’m supposed to um, spend the day with.”

“Yes, that’s me. Normally, I’d be advising Mark, but I’ve never met you and…I was a close friend of your mother’s. I’ve been wanting to meet her son since the day you were born. We all miss Madeline very much. You really look like her, it’s bittersweet.” Lilly smiled, the sadness reaching her eyes.

“Thank you, I guess,” Roman said, a complicated blur of emotions rising inside them. “I never knew much about her, I’ve barely seen a painting of her face. Hopefully you can tell me more about her.”

“Right. Your father was secretive in his own way,” Lilly said, “I have lots of stories to tell you. It’s sad that you’ve never really known anything about her until now. Let’s go for a walk, I have some places I want to show you.”

Excitement rose in Roman’s chest, and they practically skipped after Lilly. She didn’t say anything as they walked, but after a few minutes they emerged into a small courtyard. Snow was already gracing the ground, falling in soft flakes. Lilly sat on a stone bench, sweeping away the dusting of snow so that Roman could sit next to her.

“This was one of her favorite places,” she said, looking around. Roman took in the flowers that were in full bloom despite the snow falling around them. Irises and crocuses, tulips and daffodils. Spring flowers, and even though Roman was shivering without a cloak, they made the air seem warmer. It was a circular courtyard, filled with flowers except for the path and the bench.

“It’s beautiful,” Roman said, not sure what else to say. It was hard to imagine their mother sitting there—hard to imagine her at all, really. They paused, hoping Lilly would have something to say.

She looked down at the bench and sighed. “She used to come here all the time to think. When something big happened, or even when something little happened. Madeline would sit right where you are, and we’d just sit and be silent there. Together. I miss that silence.” Her voice choked up, and Roman wanted to hug her, to say something, to comfort her for the loss of their own mother.

“How long have the flowers been blooming?” they asked, letting a long silence pass before trying to clear the cold air. It was a question that did not need to be answered, but Roman was curious.

“As long as anyone can remember. It’s the courtyard of eternal spring, or something fancy like that. There’s one for the other three seasons, but this one was her favorite. It’s the smallest one, like a little cubbyhole for her to curl up in,” Lilly said, letting a few tears fall down her face.

“How did you know her?” Roman asked, tucking the story inside of them to keep. It was incredibly sad, in that moment, that this was Roman’s mother, but Roman didn’t have any memories of her. Lilly had to fill in the gaps.

“We met when she was still in school. It was a big college, but everyone was nervous about approaching the princess. I didn’t even recognize her, I just complimented her shirt and said she looked familiar. It turned out we had a class together, and we just started talking. I came to the palace with her one winter, and hit it off with her family. I’ve kind of been an honorary member ever since. Hence, being the king’s chief advisor.” She smiled at the memory, happiness soaking into her face for the first time since they’d entered the courtyard.

Roman smiled too. “That’s wonderful. Do—do you have any other stories? I’d love to hear them all, if you’ve got the time.” They ran their fingers over the red scarf, wanting to know more.

“Of course, I have loads. She was a lot of fun, your mother. I’ve never met anybody quite like her”

They passed their time in the courtyard that way, Lilly reminiscing and Roman listening. She painted a picture of Roman’s mother, of an intelligent, brave woman who saw being queen as a service to her people. As they talked, Roman wondered what it would be like if they met her. Would they get along? What would she think of what they’d done?

Lilly had an answer for that question too. When their conversation turned to discussing Roman’s life, she reassured them that their mother would be proud.

“You’ve done a lot for your country,” Lilly said, reaching over to ruffle Roman’s hair. “More than she ever thought could be done.”

Something about her words seemed to hint at something more, but Roman was more preoccupied with going inside to see Madeline’s other favorite places than questioning her further. It was getting cold, and Roman wanted to find out everything they could about their mother while they were still in Canea. They felt guilty being away for more than a week and only leaving a note on their desk.

It was lunch time, so they ate. Afterwards, they had a few hours to kill until dinner. With a big smile on her face, Lilly told them that King Mark would be there this evening. Roman couldn’t wait to meet him, and hoped that the dinner would go well. They didn’t mind waiting, though, jealously hoarding the information about their mother like a dragon. Lilly almost showed them Madeline’s private quarters, but decided it would be up to the king whether Roman could go in there or not.

She shared some of her favorite memories of Roman’s mother in the palace—every other hallway seemed to hold a moment in Madeline Elthren’s life. Before long, it was time for dinner, so Jessie came to bring Roman to their room.

“How’s Lilly?” she asked, leading Roman through a throng of ministers trying to get out of the palace.

“She’s nice. We got to talk about my mother,” Roman said, not sure what to say. “I can’t wait to meet the king, though. If Lilly, his chief advisor, is any indication, he should be a good king.” And, hopefully, uncle.

“Are you nervous? I was nervous.” Jessie whispered something under her breath, and a door opened in the wall. She pulled Roman through it, startling them.

“A little. Wait, are you a sorcerer?” Roman asked. They were now in an entirely different corridor.

“Not at all. Most people aren’t, there’s just the few who are born with the true gift. Canea just happens to highly value sorcery, so it’s used almost everywhere. Sorcerers are rarely out of work. But the door unlocks with a passcode that only the staff knows,” Jessie explained, walking a little faster. “Let’s hurry, I don’t want you to be late.”

“That’s interesting. So it works the same as in Straith.”

“Basically. It’s not like the water makes people magical or something. We’re almost to the dining hall,” Jessie said, laughing a little at her own joke.

Roman fell silent after that, trying to prepare themself for meeting the king. While they were also a king, this was not Roman’s kingdom. And they’d never met Markus before.

“Should I be worried?” Roman asked Jessie when they reached the door. They played with the end of their mother’s scarf.

“No, not really. You’ll be fine, trust me. He’s nice to everyone, and he can’t wait to meet you.”

She pushed open the door for Roman, and they walked in, not sure of the etiquette. In Straith, there would have been some sort of presentation, a herald announcing their title before Roman sat down at the table.

Instead, the scene was casual. The king sat at the head of the table, his crown perched on top of his head offhandedly, like he’d just thrown it on for dinner. The other twenty or so people looked to be either the king’s family, or dear friends. Lilly gave Roman a wave.

They closed the door behind them, and Roman decided to just make their way to their seat and hope nothing went wrong. There was one empty seat, so Roman took it. The food was already on the table, so Roman took some, hoping that eating something would calm their nerves.

“Ah, Roman! So happy you could come, really.” Roman looked up from their plate to see King Markus, Ruler of Canea and Lover of Dogs giving them a warm smile.

For whatever reason, Roman had worried that Mark would turn out similar to Epos, another ruler whose heart was hardened by the throne. But from the way everyone around them was saying hello, the scattered “you look like your mother”s, and the smiles on people’s faces, Roman decided that the King of Canea was someone he could trust.

“I’m happy to be here. It’s great to meet you, King Mark,” Roman said, returning his warm expression. “The food is great, by the way.”

“Well, I’m happy you’re enjoying it. It’s a special occasion, after all, the return of our dear Madeline’s son. I made sure we had some of our special dishes, including a few magical ones. Oh, and you can just call me Uncle Mark while we’re here. I’m not terribly attached to my title,” Mark said, passing Roman a plate with small sugar fairies flitting around.

“You can call me, um, Roman,” they said, transfixed by the tiny creatures. They sparkled under the chandelier lights, rainbows spilling onto the tablecloth. Although they moved independently of one another, they never left the plate or flew more than a foot above it.

“Pretty, aren’t they?” one man said. “Don’t worry, I was hypnotized when I first saw them too.” He ran a hand through his curly brown hair sheepishly. “Which was about fifteen minutes ago. Hi, I’m Dan. Nice to meet you.” He chuckled, a little insecure, but Roman didn’t see why. It was rather funny, when he put it that way.

They laughed in response, and the dinner was off to a promising start. It was, to put it simply, the complete opposite of the stiff, formal dinners they put up with in Straith. There were almost no politics at this table, besides a few joking comments. Jokes and laughter abounded, and Roman could barely find the time to eat when they were trying to listen to the stories being told around them.

Mark insisted they eat a sugar fairy, even though Roman felt bad about eating something that looked and felt so living. But the fairy froze the second it made contact with Roman’s hand, and it tasted delicious.

“We’ve got an amazing sorcerer for a chef,” Lilly said, plucking two fairies from the plate. “These are her specialty, but she’s got some other wonderful creations. She made these tarts that were tiny volcanoes once, and they were delicious.”

Roman of course, had to ask her about all of the other confections, and other people chimed in. The conversation switched topics over and over, but Roman found themself keeping up and laughing along. Eventually, the meal came to an end, but even as the dishes were cleared away, nobody left the table.

“I hope you all enjoyed your meal, compliments of our wonderful cooking staff, and the wonderful chef Ro, because I do have some evening entertainment for you all tonight,” the king said, and the curtain behind him swung open to reveal a theatre troupe, all set up for a performance.

It was a very familiar theatre troupe, or at least one person was. Roman couldn’t believe that Thomas was actually here. They hadn’t seen him since Epos’s reign, when the king had invited the small-town troupe to stay at the castle for a few months to provide entertainment for the royal family. Roman had grown close with all of them, and gave a small wave to Valerie from the audience.

She winked back, and the show began. It was a silly tale about vampires, and everyone enjoyed it. Roman couldn’t wipe the smile off their face if they tried; it was a great show. Seeing everyone again was almost as awesome, Roman couldn’t help but miss getting to spend time with them during their stay in Straith.

After the final curtain, Roman was itching for the chance to get out of their seat and talk to everyone. They wanted to congratulate all of them on the performance, and talk to them a bit. Roman hadn’t gotten the chance to see how they were in ages, and wanted to know everything about their adventures.

The actors walked down from the stage. Roman wondered why at first, but then they all greeted the king. Perhaps that’s the custom here, Roman thought, but hopefully Thomas can still say-

“Roman!” It was Thomas, walking towards them. “How are you?”

He gave Roman a hug, not giving the startled kid a chance to respond. “I’m doing pretty well, thank you for asking,” Roman said, once the hug had ended. “But what about you? Where have you been?”

“Oh, everywhere. We haven’t been to Straith in a while, unfortunately, but traveling Canea is wonderful. There’s so much to see! I am sad that I missed your coronation, though,” Thomas replied, sitting down next to Roman. Lilly had gotten up to talk with someone else. In fact, there were lots of empty chairs. It was becoming more like a party, everyone talking around them.

“It wasn’t anything special,” Roman said, really not wanting to elaborate. Their coronation was probably the last thing they wanted to discuss with Thomas, of all people. As Roman waffled, trying to think of something to say, they remembered Logan, how he always had something to say.

Their friends. Of course, Thomas didn’t know about them. Roman could feel their excitement already growing just thinking about them. “But I did make some friends. Three, actually. And I told them, my um, my secret.” Roman added the last part in an undertone, not wanting someone to overhear. Even here in their mother’s kingdom, the paranoia of Straith still stuck with the young king.

“Really? Roman, I’m so proud of you.” He hugged Roman again, and Roman smiled against his shoulder. “Tell me about them, they must be really special. I’m happy you found people, you couldn’t hang around with us for forever.”

“Ok, ok. There’s three of them. Virgil, Patton, and Logan. We met up because of this crazy prophecy thing that eventually led to me becoming king. I met Virgil first, and she’s kind of my best friend? Like, it’s understood that we would both take each others company over anyone else’s.”

“Even me?” Thomas joked, beaming with pride.

“Yeah, even you.” Thomas pretended to be offended. “Um, she’s got long blond hair, and she’s always wearing a cloak. I mean, she’s the Apprentice Sorcerer now and we had to put a cloak in the uniform or she wouldn’t do it. She can be really funny sometimes, and she’s just as freaked out by life as I am, which is nice. I have someone to sympathize with, it’s great.”

“That’s amazing for you. What about Logan and Patton? I actually know a Logan who lives in Straith, I think. And I’m so glad that Straith is embracing sorcery more, now. I used to get really paranoid about it when I was there,” Thomas said, absentmindedly letting tiny strings of light wind themselves around the hand he rested on the table.

Roman looked at the strands, feeling a little bit dumb. “I didn’t know you were a sorcerer.”

“It’s not like I was going to keep it a secret, believe me,” Thomas said, ducking his head a little. “I wish I could have told you I was a, well, light sorcerer, but you were the prince of Straith, and that’s a risk I couldn’t take.”

“I understand,” Roman said, wishing they didn’t understand so well. “I wouldn’t want you to be banned from Straith forever. But…could you maybe help out the very new Department of Sorcery in Straith? Rafaela—long story—and Virgil are both dark sorcerers, but we’re finding people who aren’t, and it’s really hard to train them when nobody’s actually a light sorcerer.”

“Roman, I wish I could help you out, but I chose acting over sorcery a long time ago. I couldn’t leave the troupe for very long to train people, and I’m not very good at it anyways. I stopped trying to get better when I was like, thirteen. I’m a level fifteen, or something like that.” Thomas paused, then shrugged. “It is what it is. So, Logan and Patton, right?”

“Yeah, they’re dating. They’re really cute, believe me, and they kind of run the bookstore together. I mean, Logan runs the bookstore with his parents, and Patton helps out at the orphanage because he’s such a dad, but one of them is always there. Patton lives there with Logan and his family because even with some generous federal grants, it’s still the same place and he doesn’t want to live there if he doesn’t have to. He checks up on the kids there a lot, though, it’s really sweet,” Roman said, looking off into the distance. They’d love to have a relationship like that some day, really.

“Logan runs the bookstore with his parents? I think I know them, they’re,” Thomas said, snapping his fingers, trying to think. “Corbin and Sloane! They’re the best, my goodness. I could talk with them all day, they invited me over for tea and I just loved them.”

“I know, they’re amazing. They’ve offered to adopt me on more than one occasion.” They made Thomas laugh, and the two kept talking. Roman was amazed at everything new that had happened in their life in the months since talking with Thomas. Not much had changed for Thomas, by the looks of it, but Roman suspected that Thomas cared more about their life than his own.

How far they’d come, since being so scared to tell the one person they trusted their identity, to running a kingdom with true friends at their back. Thomas had been the first person who looked at Roman and saw a person, a kid like any other, and he was the mentor and father figure that Epos never was. Roman made him promise to come visit Straith soon.

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allwillbeone · 5 years

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Me, a comic reader vs ABC’s “Marvel’s Inhumans” show ep 1 & 2, a live blogging at Discord(revised version)

Me, watching the cursed Inhumans show in few minutes and Triton got shot while Black Bolt and Medusa are having sexy time: I can't, I can't keep up with the show anymore

This is bad, I can tell the show is bad in these few minutes No I'll finish it in spite

[Under the cut because it’s a long post with a bunch of nonsense, tldr: The X-Men didn’t suffer for this]

And Medusa ignored the important call because they are having sex I can understand why the audience rooted for Maximus at first

Now for 4 minutes? The sexy time is ended but I got really cheap CGI cityscape The show is worse than I expected

The city of Attilan is uglier than any brutalist apartment And the lunascape scene looks like a Play Station 2 game, not even 3, PS2 Maximus' first appearance looks so... basic, if I didn't know he's Max I thought him one of the citizens

I really feel sorry for those actors, they are doing their job amazingly but the writing and costumes and setting and CGI and props are bad, so bad, stupidly bad

The X-Men and the Royal family didn't suffer for this

8 minutes and here we go, eugenics shit against one of their family members? And were you expecting I'm going to root for the royal family, writers?? It's really bad... I'm watching the show only 10 minutes and it already makes me hate the show

I mean, it was 2017? and this shit is worse than in 60s comics

Yeah they can't keep romani people and asian people's ethnicity but keep slavery and eugenics shits I even don't understand why MCU so much loves those facial hairs on non facial hair characters

Gorgon: let's destroy the moon rover Karnak: Wow, how mature Humans: Oh no it looks like a hoof that crushed our rover Medusa and Max: shit... BB: Okay do nothing

Umm... is this why Max thought he has to be in charge...?

Medusa, you ignored a really important call and stopped your husband to answer the call because you gave your priority to sexy time, and now you act like you are a dignified queen with authority This show makes my eyes roll hard

Suddenly Karnak starts bubbling on some nihilistic nonsense in the middle of the terrigenesis ceremony and Gorgon being a eugenicist shit against a family member again. And they'll wonder why one of them revolt against them? I also wonder why...

The scene of Lockjaw's first appearance is something off... he moves like a bad animatronics Ummm, why Crystal has to cover her hand with a cloth if they just grab terrigen crystal with the bare hand from a box?

I'm not sure I can finish the show... this is worse than what I heard...

Well, no one sans Max willing to engage the boy that seems gets nothing from terrigenesis, even the boy suddenly collapsing and having a seizure on the floor... wow, so cold. While Crystal is fawning over that cheep CGI butterfly wing girl, you are so basic, Crys

They've lost my respect one by one Only Triton and Max keep me have some respect as characters but I'm sure the writing will also screw them Poor Triton

And Triton's makeup is also... bad

The actor of Maximus really had the charisma and the charm in his acting, alas the plot and the writing are so bad

Oh Max starts his "revolution" as a pep talk to lower caste people, and he's smol, smoler than the boy, so smol, they got the actor that could represent him perfectly but Marvel was stupid so they gave him that boring superhero movie black leather and ugly facial hairs instead of iconic Jack Kirby armors or evil mad scientist lab coat

In dinner or lunch or idk, Karnak is being rude and gross out of nowhere to a female servant, and I can't understand what did the showrunner want to describe by the scene

He and Gorgon are dicks to people without any reason

Yeah, and only asian man being a dick to a white lady out of nowhere.... it seems really... a red flag And only black man being an extremely eugenics scum to his family member is... also... a big red flag

Now Max reveals Triton's death and apparently the mission was secret to even Karnak so BB is getting accused at the dinner table. And BB's excuse is "Oh no you never know he really dead" lmao And he thought it's good to invite nuhumans to the moon because "They are family" while treating your moon people with useless/no power as slaves because of the limitation of the resource? Oh yeah, you go Max, you notice the obvious problem

And BB's answer is "Not now, trust me" Oh yeah, maybe going to Earth is "not now", but "getting nuhumans from earth because they are our family uwu" is also not now imo

It's still over 20 minutes and I can't believe I can find those stupidness from the show easily

I need to eat mushrooms to survive this

Maximus: -Calling out his big bro's BS and storming out of the dining- Karnak: Maximus is dangerous, but I'm loyal to you, trust me

Karnak, it's not a good way to gain people's trust

BB takes a big gun out of Gorgon's hand. Gorgon... a gun... Crystal's dress looks like nipples are showing throw the fabric It's just a fold on the fabric apparently but uh...

Medusa: You can't trust Maximus, we can discuss that BB: -signing, apparently he doesn't want to discuss this-

Oh at least he loves his lil bro to some degree

Everything in the show looks fake af, but yes Medusa's hair is the worst

Oh no I didn't notice the scene is switching to the flashback scene because the switching sequence is bad, and it means oh no that scene

[Flashback scene: BB and Medusa first meeting] aaaaaaaaaa Um, not yet... just a short "first contact" scene...

I'm afraid Max starts wooing Medusa out of nowhere, um...

To be honest it doesn't make any sense in the narrative of the show so far but anything didn't make sense in the show so I can let it go

It's kinda ironic that Max was the one who got precognition power in comics, while he saw the chance in the boy with precog power in the show

Umm, this Iso look-like character is... Auran...?

And Auran got killed by Max(with BB's power) in comics, wow ironic

Attilan in comics: Sci-fi city with a bunch of weird spires and alien buildings Attilan in the show: Are these... maximum-security prisons???

The scene is supposed to be in the rooftop garden on the palace, but it looks like a patio in a prison.

An old guy from the genetic council: It's treason, Auran arrest him, I'm really sorry things become like this Auran: -beat the old man til death-

idk why but it feels kinda comedic...

Then the scene is Oahu island because maybe Triton is there? Wow, nice vacation Triton

While Karnak is playing with a moon rover and guarding people are like "Hey, king Maximus' order, bitch!" and Karnak is like "king Maximus? ... oh shit" lmao

Wow, Max, you are the one who made those humans shoot Triton? And now you are trying to kill Gorgon? ... well, this Gorgon has been an extremely eugenicist scum to you and never stop being a dick, I can't blame you about Gorgon in the narrative, go ahead

And those henchmen are really incompetent, where are the suspense and drama

Karnak: Maximus betrayed us and the royal guards with him Gorgon: wtf I'm the head of the royal guards Wow Gorgon, apparently you have no popularity with them...

Now the royal guards are trying to get Medusa and a fight scene begin... the CGI on her hair is soooo hideous, it's almost comedic And playing "Paint It Black"? Seriously???

Finally someone in the royal guard uses their power to take down the target instead of attacking people like humans that they are disregarding

Max, holding a hair clipper: I have no choice Medusa: If you do this I never forgive you Max: (Surprised Pikachu face meme)

TBH Medusa's line here sounds really... stupid... he's committing a coup against your husband, do you think he would mind of your feelings about your hair??? But apparently, he would mind because idk whatever reason And why they just leave her, at least confine her or do something, you are committing a coup!

youtube

Oh no THAT SCENE!!! [Flashback scene: BB killed their parents with "WHY"]

wait, is the man in the left is... younger Max? He looks like an adult man here and much older than younger BB

(No apparently it's the present BB watching his younger self, it's really confusing and I have mild prosopagnosia)

So now, royals get Hawaii vacation, congrats

And BB makes a scene in the middle of Honolulu, and Lockjaw just disappeared before things got into a big mess, bad dog

Medusa: I have to find Black Bolt -riding a bus with tourists- Karnak: I have to find my king -trying to go down a cliff and fall-

Wow, Max is talking Crys about her privilege and propagandas Crys: You make me sick, you are just a human Wow, this Crys is worse than comic Crys

not because of his personality or something, but because he has no power??? Oh yes, she needs a mediocre human's dick even she can be a eugenicist scum to her own family member The show is really bad

They only keep the bad parts of comic canon in the show

It's already over 50 minutes so far, and I can't find any good part in the show... other than those unfortunate actors' acting skills

Gorgon is walking into the sea and battling with crashing waves in vain because he feels emo for Triton

And nice surfers rescue him because... apparently... he can't swim...? And those surfers are too nice and chill, they knew Inhumans already because of plot or something like that and just listening Gorgon's story while sharing beers. They are too nice

Crys can contact Medusa because Auran just dropped her comlink and leave it? Those people are supposed to be elite guards but they are so incompetent, even can't hold their childish princess Oh apparently it was Auran's plot to catch Medusa, much better

Gorgon: You should leave Surfers: Why we have to leave our beach Gorgon: because I challenged my cousin and here will be the battleground

Umm... in that case who has to leave the beach is you, Gorgon...

Oh Eldrac was in the show, I wonder how's he now Max wants to kill BB and Gorgon especially, and not mention to Karnak, he's fine with Karnak being alive... while he's not with Gorgon, lol

[Eldrac, looks like Doh the boss character of a retro video game Arkanoid] ...is this... Eldrac...? What they have done to you, you are boring here

BB feels awkward with his outfit and tries to change to norm clothes is definitely funny, finally I can find a good intentional comedy in the show... And he steals those outfit and hurts security guy, wow

[BB is getting arrested by Honolulu cops] Definitely they should make the show as a superhuman sitcom Like make Max a fabulous mad scientist and let him commit a coup in every week, and BB and co overthrow him and take back the throne at the end of the show. In Every Week.

[BB is running away from the cops and police cruisers] This is definitely a comedy material Marvel, are you telling me this is not a comedy show?

Police officer: Taser! Taser! -shoot taser- BB: Oof -destroying a police car accident because he can't hold his voice-

This BB is a weakass, comic BB has endured far worse, how could you have sexy time with your wife if mere human taser let you lost your control!?

[Police officers are beating the shit out of BB] Wow, be nice to an alien robber, honolulu police officers

Max grabbing his hand makes the boy see those visions, but putting an assuring hand on the boy's shoulder causes nothing and they are just okay...? Hmmm...

[Auran snaps a bus driver's neck] Auran you shouldn't kill a human just because they are trying to stop you entering a bus, people will be suspicious

Auran: -finding Medusa's broken comlink in the empty bus- Me: Oh yeah, Medusa ditched the comlink to hide her whereabouts and went to search BB Medusa: -appears behind the bus and attacking Auran and starts catfighting- Me: wtf

Medusa stubbed Auran with a pocket knife... isn't she supposed to be an elite royal guard!? Why everyone is stupid and weakass Medusa takes a comlink from Auran and tells BB she'll find him and kill Max, with tearful eyes, but I even don't feel any sympathy toward those slave owners... especially to that king who tried to invite more people while many people under his rule are already suffering the overpopulation...

And the mine scene... they are supposed to be a civilization with highly advanced tech, but they have to use their own bare hands and simple tool for mining? What about letting them use more safe and effective machines? Is it too much to ask?

Oh yes, they have no tech guy other than Maximus, apparently. This was why they depend on his technology for their city defense even he'd use it for his future coup(and show!Max is not a tech guy here, so they don't have any tech guy apparently)

Okay, I can see what they wanted to do. Jenkins and Lee's Inhumans second series and Hines' Silent War. I can see many references from those comics. But they couldn't make any coherent plot and story from them.

The showrunner thought their version was "more complicated, more real, and more compelling version" than comic Max and miserably failed because they wanted to do Inhumans vol.2 and Silent War and the very core part of the story is "Max has a point but his twisted mind and impulsiveness made his execution totally bad" It's sad that Once and Future Kings haven't written before their production This is why you are the worst showrunner in the MCU, mister Buck

So... this Auran has healing factor... she doesn't have anything that makes her Auran but okay...

I finished Episode 1 & 2, it feels like eternity

#Inhumans #silly artifact insect here

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ice-cream-beat · 5 years

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Title: Calling

Author: マサラ Circle: うたかた日和。

Series: Tales of Zestiria Main characters: Sorey, Alisha, Mikleo, Rose, Edna Ships: Sorey/Alisha; Mikleo/Alisha; Mikleo/Edna (these are the author’s listed ships, but they’re all super light and can be taken platonically)

Summary:

This one’s actually made up of five short stories! Separated by ships, basically, so I’ll also break up the summary accordingly.

Story #1: Calling

This is set right after Alisha first becomes Sorey’s Squire, as she finds herself too tired to sleep after all the excitement that’s happened. She gets up for a drink of water, reflecting on how eerily quiet the inn is, when she’s suddenly grabbed from behind and screams.

Skip ahead a couple minutes and Sorey’s laughing at having spooked her, but he quickly apologizes when she acts miffed and admits he didn’t think he’d scare her that badly. Alisha, being Alisha, feels ashamed as a knight for scaring so easily and admits as much, but Sorey admits that he likes seeing a different side of her--a side that’s more relaxed, a “normal girl” instead of the Dignified Princess behavior he’s used to. She gets a bit flustered and starts to say that she’s concerned about her dignity as a knight, but Sorey interrupts and tells her “It’s not about dignity--because I know that who you are as a knight and princess has no bearing on the Alisha I want to know as a normal girl.”

She’s surprised at being thought of as a “normal girl.” Sorey suggests that, even if it’s just in front of himself and the others, she might enjoy letting her guard down more often. He mentions that he previously had a similar serious mindset, and once said out loud that he needs “to act more like a Shepherd,” which only made Mikleo angry. Alisha’s amused by the thought since it’s easy to picture.

Sorey asks her what she thinks of Mikleo and Lailah, since she saw them for the first time today. She fawns over them quite a bit, saying they’re as beautiful as she imagined, like angels, just like the tales she heard as a child depicted them... She really goes on and on about it, lol. Even Sorey finally cuts her off (”That’s too much praise, Alisha”).

She asks if all seraphim are as lovely as those two, to which he says no and explains that Gramps is an old man. They start talking about Elysia and Alisha’s surprised to learn that there were a lot of seraphim whom she couldn’t see. As honored as she feels to have been to their village, she also feels guilty for disrespecting them with the way she “ignored” them at the time. Sorey assures her that his family took no offense, and then offers that they go there together again one day so she can meet them all properly, as his Squire.

“And this time, I can introduce you to Gramps!”

She says she’s afraid of being a nuisance, but he promises that he and Mikleo will vouch for her.

And then they promise to return together via another pinky-swear, right in my feels, thanks

Story #2: Dreaming Girl

Alisha confronts Sorey and admits that she’s been wanting to try on his Shepherd’s mantle just once. She apologizes for being so selfish, since it is his gift and all, but he of course agrees and tells her she can wear it as much as she wants. She’s excited and grateful and promises to clean it after she’s done, but he tells her not to worry about it.

She tries it on, asking if she looks like a Shepherd now, and he tells her she looks fantastic and that it suits her--but he also points out that it’s pretty baggy on her, and can’t help laughing at the way the back drags on the ground. When it makes her self-conscious, Sorey just points out that she’s small and dainty--which makes her more self-conscious, and she tries to argue that she does in fact have some muscle on her. Sorey humors her and asks to see, so she lets him feel her arms while the two of them sit on his bed (in an aside comment, he’s impressed by how toned her arms are lol).

Naturally, that’s right when Mikleo walks in. He of course gets the wrong idea and starts yelling at Sorey, Alisha tries to explain that this was all her fault, and Sorey finally realizes what he’s implying and everyone’s just yelling and embarrassed.

"You’ve got it wrong, Mikleo!”

Story #3: Show some more!

Mikleo and Alisha are in a library, wondering when Sorey and the others will return from shopping, when she catches a glimpse of his circlet through his bangs. He explains that he’s always worn it since he was little, and when she asks if it’s a memento, he admits he doesn’t know since Gramps never told him anything about it. He just knows it’s important, so he always keeps it close. Alisha likens it to her armor, and they both agree they would like to know the truth one day.

She wonders why he always hides it behind his bangs, especially since it’s so pretty, and Mikleo admits that, as a guy, he thinks he’d be laughed at for wearing something girly. (whispers also his blush is the cutest thing)

“Important or not, you don’t think I’d be laughed at for wearing something made for a woman?”

Alisha decides to try and cheer him up by asking to see it, but he refuses, and they go back and forth a bit until she finally pushes his hair back herself to look at it. There’s an awkward pause as they both blush now, with Alisha realizing how much she’s encroached on his personal space--although he’s puzzled as to why she’s embarrassed.

Story #4: 3:00 snack for you

Edna pokes Mikleo and tells him to go make her some snacks since he’s not doing anything else.

“That’s not how you use an umbrella!”

He yells at her for half a page, ultimately telling her to go make it herself, but she says it’s too much trouble and that her cooking efforts aren’t super great, anyway. That surprises Mikleo, who points out that she just admitted in a rather roundabout way that his cooking is good--which annoys her, and she barks at him not to keep a lady waiting. He gives in, but not before sarcastically addressing her in an obnoxiously formal manner, which gets him smacked again.

Cut to later and he sets a dessert in front of her. She’s surprised that he can make something other than ice cream (he tells her it’s bad to have cold snacks all the time) and that it’s marron glacé. Mikleo awkwardly explains that he figured he should make her favorite dish to be sure she would actually eat it. Edna admits that it was a (surprisingly) clever idea and tries it--and tells him that even though he has a ways to go before he can compare with Eizen’s cooking, it’s still really good.

Mikleo: “As honest as ever, huh.” Edna: “Aren’t we both?”

Story #5: Wonder

Alisha bursts into Rose’s room and asks if she’s seen a notebook anywhere. Rose gets curious and wonders why she’s so distressed over it, and teases her by asking if there might be a picture of the person she likes in there. (Alisha’s hilarious response is just “Oh, be quiet! It’s nothing like that!”)

Alisha leaves and runs into Sorey, who happened to pick the book up earlier. Before Alisha can feel too relieved, Rose pops up and takes it from him, wondering again what’s inside it and admitting that she knows that Alisha’s been writing in it every night. After some curious-but-respectful prodding from Sorey, Alisha finally admits that she’s been keeping a diary of the party’s journey, and that she thought it would be embarrassing if someone read it.

But Sorey is excited and proudly shows her his Celestial Record, which he’s also been using as a diary on their journey.

“Here’s mine, too!”

Rose proposes that instead of Alisha writing about everyone else on her own, they all pitch in on the writing effort and eventually exchange diaries. She starts thinking of good titles that would sell (”A Record of the Lord Shepherd and His Party”), and Sorey points out that she’s going to make Mikleo mad again. (the “again” made me laugh, ngl)

This cheers Alisha up and she thanks them both, saying she’s looking forward to seeing everyone’s diary after the journey’s over. Rose teases her some more, saying she’ll want to sneak peeks at her diary from now on; when Sorey says that he will, too, Alisha objects and confuses him, while Rose seems to catch on to something she isn’t saying.

Impressions:

I love this art style!! It’s so clean and pretty and expressive! And looks better than some of the official artwork if I’m being totally honest, lol. The stories are super cute, and even though it’s SorAli focused, I really like the screentime that other characters/relationships get. The way each ship is kept pretty light so you can take them as either shippy or platonic is pretty neat, too.

The first story is adorable with Sorey being his usual supportive self, + yassss more Elysia family talk, even if it makes me sad for several reasons :C

The second story is so cute I could die. It’s just so wholesome and precious and happy and I love?? these two?? so much??? I would take a bullet for their relationship it’s so pure

I wish the Mikleo/Alisha one had been longer!! I do have what few MikAli doujinshi exist, sans the lone R18 one which appears to have been lost to time, so I can’t really complain BUT STILL Also I am 110% accepting the headcanon that he hides his circlet because he’s embarrassed by it. (first impressions: he wore it openly as a kid because he didn’t realize/care it was “girly,” and then cared as a teenager because Awkward Years, and then got over it after meeting Muse 👀 )

The Mikleo/Edna one is cute! I don’t actively ship it, but I can get behind it, albeit more so as an epilogue thing. (I do have a few doujinshi for them, since they’re more back-and-forth tsundere humor than real “romance,” which I can definitely appreciate.) Otherwise their grudging friendship is ridiculously cute and I love it.

Sorey and Alisha stood out the most in the fifth story, imo. (ngl I am really hard-pressed in finding accurate fan depictions of Rose; I’ve seen some good ones in gen-based and Rose/Dezel doujinshi, but in Sorey/Alisha and even the few Sorey/Rose ones I’ve come across, she tends to be... ehhhnotsogood.) It was still a cute three-way friendship to show off, though! gimme those double Squire AUs pls

#jay reviews doujinshi #LONG ONE #tales of zestiria #sorali #nerd otp #mikali #abandon(ed) ship #sorey #alisha diphda #mikleo #edna #rose #mikuedo #lol idk the english version of this ship name #mikedna #??#doesn't flow as well rip

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eternalsshipsandfics · 5 years

Text

In Cold Blood: Chapter 9

Summary: The illustrious Kuran family is thrown into disarray when the crown princess disappears under suspicious circumstances. Will she ever be found?

The crowd was booing and hissing Zero's appearance; plenty of voices screaming out to kill him. The roar grew as a large man holding an axe stepped onto the stand.

What could she do? She hadn't expected him to come back into her life in this way! She was about to witness something that she really didn't want to witness. The world around her went quiet. Time seemed to slow to a snail's pace as the two guards forced Zero down over the block. Why wasn't he fighting? He could easily overpower them, so why wasn't he? Those ropes were tight, but they were flimsy. Was she expecting too much from him?

A cold sweat broke out as the axe was risen high above his head to the growing roar of the crowd. How could her uncle do this to her? He had heard her pleas for him not to hurt Zero; the least he could do was perform these cruel acts away from her.

What was she thinking? She didn't want him to be killed in some dank cell where she would never know his fate. She wanted him alive!

In front of the eager crowd, the axe cruelly descended. She forced herself into action, flinging herself down between the axe and Zero. She heard a panicked gasp and felt the blade of the axe come to a stop just above her neck.

She clung desperately to the body beneath her despite Kaname's and Rido's angry yells. The crowd was like a frenzied animal whose prey had managed to escape. She turned to her remaining family members with tears threatening to spill from her eyes.

"You can't do this!"

"Why not? This man is a wanted criminal." Yuuki felt Kaname's hand on her shoulder, gently attempting to remove her from the confused man underneath her. She refused to be moved. Now, if she knew her uncle…

"Isn't it too kind? After what he did to me and father, wouldn't you want him to suffer?" She swallowed, displeased with her own cruel words. "What better way to make him suffer than to make him our personal slave?"

"Humiliation, eh? I knew you would come around, Yuuki." Yuuki sensed a wave of bile rise in her throat. She felt dirty. She felt a subtle motion from the body under her that told her he felt the same way. "Alright."

She didn't allow herself to be moved until he had confirmed the new arrangement to the crowd. He attempted to calm the disappointed, angry crowd as Zero was brought to his feet. Yuuki gave the command to the nearby guards to take the restrained Zero to her room. She silently apologised to him. She would untie him later.

She could almost feel the angry look she was getting from Kaname, who was thankfully keeping silent. Refusing to look at him, she began to follow after the guards and Zero.

"You'd best be sure you know what you're doing, Yuuki." She heard from Rido. She didn't dignify him with a response. The crowds seemed to be focused on Rido; she hadn't received any comments as she had expected.

Now that her newly acquired servant was safe, at least for the moment, she allowed herself to revel in his familiar scent. He reminded her of herself in his cleanliness, or lack thereof, when she had first been locked in that small room. That seemed like a lifetime ago. Zero himself seemed like a lifetime ago; her constant thirst becoming a permanent part of her.

That eager prickle in her throat intensified. She could hear the soft whisper of her vampire instincts as though she were a separate being in front of her. He belongs to you now, she whispered temptingly, you can drink as much blood as you please…

She paused a moment outside her door, reigning herself in as she took in the strong, comforting presence of the man she had fallen unexpectedly in love with. A couple of deep breaths later, she felt as in control of herself as she could be. His head turned in her direction as the door squeaked open. He was wary, like a cornered animal, as she came to a stop in front of him.

That temptation was back in her mind again, but she ignored it as she untied his hands. He removed the rest of his bonds effortlessly, rubbing his aching wrists as the blood began to circulate freely once more. Then he fixed a fierce glare on her.

"What exactly were you thinking? Putting yourself in danger like that?"

"I couldn't just let you die!"

"You're too reckless, Yuuki!"

"You shouldn't have let yourself get caught!"

He was on his feet now, towering over her. She returned his angry glare; the first to see his expression soften before she found herself in his embrace for the first time in over a year. She missed her opportunity to hold him back; too shocked by the sudden closeness and the way he squeezed her, one hand lightly gripping her hair.

"Think of yourself for once, would you?"

"In my first act of selfishness, you need a bath!" She retorted. She didn't know how to react to Zero's sincerity. That he cared that deeply about her made her happy, but she had to remind herself once more that she had decided to forget him. She would find a way to free him, and then he would be gone again. Maybe she could ask Aido to recreate the pendant that was currently in Yui's possession.

He chuckled so lowly that she almost missed it. She lead him into the ensuite and subsequently caught him eyeing the room in an impressed manner before he noticed that she was watching. It was endearing to see a man who seemed so unaffected by everything almost becoming the wide eyed child she imagined he was before.

"I'll be in here if you need me." She pointed back to her room, earning his signature nod in return. The soft click of the door was followed by the sound of water running. She rested against the hard wood, listening to the sounds of activity in the other room.

As he allowed the worries of his world to melt away for a time, Yuuki made a move to gather new clothes for him to change into. She knew that they had a spare butlers uniform laying unworn in a store room five doors down from hers, left over when a former butler met a rather unfortunate demise. It looked like it would have fit Zero as she had known him before; however, she thought, it may hang loose on him until she could return him to a healthy weight.

She knocked lightly on the door upon her return, smiling a soft smile at the sleepy "yes?" she received.

"I brought you a change of clothes. May I come in?"

"It's your house." Was the reply. She ensured to cover her eyes before she stepped inside, placing the uniform down on the corner table. She considered 'accidentally' taking a peek, if only to gauge his current condition now that the filthy rags were off him. Speaking of, she grabbed the offending garments before she exited, disposing of them quickly.

Her task completed, she collapsed listlessly on her bed. The pure adrenaline that had been coursing through her veins had prevented her from feeling the raw exhaustion that had risen since her uncle's announcement. She glanced over at the clock. It had only been six hours since she and her brother had set foot outside the house. It had felt like an eternity.

"Hey, Zero…How was everyone doing when you left?" She called through the door, hearing the slosh of water as he adjusted his position.

"Those who weren't with me were alright."

"I'm sorry…"

"Don't. It's not your fault, Yuuki."

Her exhaustion overwhelmed her and she lapsed into sleep. Through her dreams, she could have sworn that she heard Zero promising to protect her.

~Z~

Yuuki spent the next few weeks in a better mood than she had been in for months, reaching a level of euphoria she had only dreamed possible before. Her thirst, still, was never far from her mind, but his close proximity made it worth it. He had performed his assigned tasks admirably well, which had Rido deeply suspicious. Yuuki had been doing a good enough job of protecting him during his stay, however; she, at the very least, was able to distract him whenever he began to look too deeply into Zero's activities.

Kaname had made himself scarce, though Yuuki didn't know why. She wondered if it had anything to do with Zero. She had caught some odd looks from Kaname that Zero didn't seem to notice. She had held herself back from commenting on it in case she had broken the wary peace between the Kurans and Zero. She needn't have gone the route of tact, it seemed.

In light of this, she was amazed that Hanabusa accepted her random invitation. She considered the two of them friends, but he was more likely to accept Kaname than her. She had an inkling that Yori had more say than Hanabusa would like to admit. She had kept the letter vague. She wanted Yori to be surprised when she saw her (surprisingly submissive) childhood friend once more.

Rido had made his excuses and left, much as Yuuki had expected. He deemed himself too important now to deal with lesser nobles. It made Yuuki's life easier; she no longer had to protect her human friend from his unwarranted verbal assaults. She had done enough of that for Zero. She had also had to spend a good deal of time scolding him; he had an acidic tongue when it came to Rido. Her personal (and secret) favourite had been an insult involving a horse and butternut squash.

"What is it?" She hadn't realised that she had been smiling dreamily at him as she remembered that particularly amusing fight.

"Nothing. I was just thinking."

"That must hurt."

"Impossible. Yuuki is incapable of thought."

She spun on her heel at the new voice, an annoyed pout on her face. Why did everyone always seem to gang up on her?

"That's funny, Aido. I got the same impression about you!"

"Please. Unlike you, Yuuki, I am a genius."

"Yeah, yeah." Yuuki waved a hand dismissively. A couple of servants that Yuuki didn't recognise hurried past with his cases, meeting with her own to reach Aido's usual room. She peered behind him. Hadn't he brought Yori with him?

"So that was Zero Kiryuu, huh?"

"Was?" She turned to the spot that Zero had been occupying just a minute before. He was gone. She assumed that he had disappeared to do his assigned tasks, but she wished he would have stayed long enough for her to introduce them. And for Yori to appear. She so badly wanted to see their reunion.

"Oh. Wait, you know who he is?" Yuuki continued. He arched a brow at her, subtly reminding her of Zero.

"Who doesn't know who he is? Mainly due to your disappearance. It's your fault, really."

"Well, I'm sorry that I got taken away!"

"As long as you admit it."

"Next time, I'll get them to take you!" She poked a playful tongue out at the blond vampire, who affected a slightly exaggerated look of offence, complete with a shocked hand to mouth. It wasn't often that he was in the mood to play around with her.

"Lord Aido, may we borrow you for a moment?" A young female servant called from behind him.

"I'll talk to you later."

"M-hm." Yuuki took the opportunity to slip out the back into the grounds. Aido often gave Yori the freedom to roam the grounds for at least one hour during the day. He had told her once that she was happier after she had been amongst the lush, beautiful scenery.

She remembered the many early mornings that the two of them had spent just sat talking under the shady willow; accompanied by the view of the meandering river that wound through the grounds. Those had been more innocent days.

"I thought I might find you here." Yori's soft voice pulled her out of her quiet reminiscing.

"Yori, you did come!" She beamed at her best friend as she sat next to her, her quiet warmth a comforting sensation.

"I had to tend to the horses. Good to know you missed me." She teased.

"I always miss you."

"Like you miss Zero?" Yuuki treasured her mischievous smile.

"Oh! Wait here, I'll be right back!" She clambered clumsily to her feet, leaving a confused Yori under the willow as she retreated. If she knew anything about Zero (and she liked to think that she did), he would be slacking off from his duties in the stables. He had taken a liking to their 'demon horse', White Lily. White Lily had instantly taken to him too. Yuuki was a little jealous. She had tried for years to simply approach the beautiful white horse.

"Zero!" She hadn't been wrong. A warning snort from the protective horse prevented her from approaching him. "Come with me, I need to show you something."

"Can't it wait?" He mumbled lazily, reaching up a hand that White Lily playfully butted with her head.

"No. Up, now!" She demanded in her most commanding voice. She knew that it wasn't very commanding when he just gave her a disbelieving look, but he did sigh in defeat and get to his feet. It was a small victory, but she would take it.

"You have no charisma."

"Just do what I say!" Yuuki looped an arm around Zero's (only once he had moved far enough from White Lily that she wouldn't get kicked) in order to drag him along with her. A roll of the eyes that Yuuki didn't see was her answer.

They probably appeared as two lovers to any uninitiated servants, Yuuki mused. The more vampiric side of her enjoyed the thought, it would warn off any other suitors to her Zero. Unconsciously, she tightened her grip.

"I'm not going to run away." Zero snorted. With a startled noise, Yuuki let go. As an apology (yes, Yuuki, cutting off his circulation is the way to go, she scolded herself silently), she gently rubbed his arm. She earned his laughter, laced with affection.

"Zero?" Unknown to Yuuki, Yori had grown bored of waiting. She wasn't too far from the willow, which meant that she had only just decided to follow. If she hadn't been too shocked to see Zero himself, she would have made time to throw a teasing comment Yuuki's way. Zero appeared just as shocked, though he covered the expression much faster than Yori.

Yuuki's jealousy rose in an angry flash as Yori threw herself at her childhood friend, even though she had been expecting such an action. Her fists clenched at her side, the newly formed crescent shaped openings hidden inside.

"Yori… You're safe…" Yuuki had never felt more like a vampire than she had in that moment. The intensity of her jealousy scared her. She had to remind herself that he wasn't hers. He never would be. Someone like Yori would be better suited to him. At least a human wouldn't kill him with her desire.

"Did Lord Haruka save you too?" Yori's soft voice penetrated her inner turmoil as surely as if a bomb had been detonated. Zero's equally soft 'yeah' sent her mind in a million directions at once.

"What did you just say about my father?"

"Oh, that's right! I didn't have time to tell you!" Yori remembered, "Lord Haruka was the one who saved us after our town was destroyed. He put me under the Aido family's protection."

"He saved you too?" Yuuki asked.

"He did."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Yuuki asked. He had to have known that she was Haruka's daughter. There was only one Kuran royal family, after all. Yet, not once did he mention that he owed his life to her father.

"He didn't want me to tell you. He wanted to protect you."

"Tell me everything." Yuuki's voice had an edge to it that Zero hadn't heard before. He shuffled a little on his feet, glancing down at Yori before making up his mind.

"It's time you knew." Yuuki watched him decide upon a starting point.

~Z~

All that Zero knew was pain. Sharp, throbbing pain all over his body which made it increasingly harder to breathe. He had long since lost the energy to move. If he could, he would have moved away from the strong stench of blood that smothered his senses. Instead, the hazy blur of dark ceiling above him occupied his unmoving sight.

He could hear footsteps, but he had lost too much blood to care. If that vampire came back, then all she could do was end his suffering. Even in his young age, he knew that she wouldn't do that. Perhaps she would simply watch. He couldn't remember her leaving. He knew that there was something that he should remember. But it didn't matter now. He'd be dead soon, whether it was that vampire or a surviving human.

A new face filled his blurry vision. He made out a combination of dark hair and dark eyes. He felt tired. What did it matter who this stranger was? He spared one last look at the newcomer, who was currently glancing quickly around the blood spattered room, before he allowed himself to lapse into unconsciousness.

When he awoke, he was in a completely new room. This room was white, not red. He wondered if he had died. He had heard stories told about places people went after they died. He was amazed that he had the ability to lift himself up under the power of his own arms. He glanced down at said arms, catching sight of an angry red scar running down one while a needle was steadily replacing his lost blood. He reached over to pull the needle out. It didn't look right, and he did not like it there.

"Ah ah, leave that alone." A much larger hand pushed his away from the tube. He hadn't noticed anyone else enter the room. The dark hair and eyes that he had seen before he fell unconscious met his lighter features. Then the same scent that the vampire woman had carried assaulted his senses, and he whipped his hand away which was quickly followed by his body.

The man put his hands up in an 'I mean no harm' gesture. Zero silently watched him; he felt like a mouse in a trap. Any second now, this cat would stop toying with him.

"You don't need to be afraid of me." He comforted in a quiet, gentle voice. He kept his movements slow, steady; he didn't want to make any motions that would panic the recovering youngster. Zero kept his eyes fixed on the vampire as he checked the drip.

"Haruka, stop scaring the child!" An upbeat, playful voice followed. A man with long blond hair entered the white room, giving it more colour than it had before. Said child tensed, unable to focus on both of the strangers at once.

"You're more likely to scare him than me." The gentler man sighed. He came down to Zero's level, a hand reaching towards his forehead. "I just need to check your temperature. May I?" The one name Haruka asked as the child pulled away.

He waited patiently for the affirmative nod before gently pressing his cool hand against the child's warm forehead. Zero was reminded of his mother, who had performed much the same action when he had fallen ill before. He pressed his own hands to his eyes as the thought brought forward the harsh realisation that his mother, father and brother were dead.

The stoic boy was reduced to the newly orphaned child he was by the comforting embrace of a caring adult. He was desperately clinging to the same man he had been avoiding a mere moment before, revelling in the security he needed.

"I'm sorry. You didn't deserve this." He heard murmured into his hair, a hand winding soothingly through the silver threads.

From that moment, Zero would refuse to admit that he looked forward to the older male's visits. He would be staying with the blond man, Kaien Cross, who was the weirdest person he had ever met. He found it difficult to bond with the often silly man, but he had already formed a solid bond with Haruka. He had adopted him as an honorary father figure.

He learnt that Haruka had a girl about his age. He also learnt that he hadn't been able to spend as much time with her as he had wanted to, his duties becoming more demanding. The young Zero realised that he probably counted as a duty too, but he didn't let it bring him down. He had enough to bring him down.

The more he heard about said girl, the more curious he became about her. From what he had been told, she was a warm and kind-hearted girl. She was already well loved by those around her. He knew it was unlikely that he would ever meet her. It didn't stop him from hoping.

~Z~

At the time Zero reached the age of eighteen, he had left the odd man who had taken care of him, having formed a fairly large colony of humans and hunters to feel safe in. He still regularly met the king vampire, though he kept it a firm secret. No one needed to know his affiliation with the head of the vampire royal family.

This time was different.

"I need a favour." Zero was told one fateful meeting. "I think someone's out to hurt Yuuki."

"Who?" Zero asked curiously.

"I'm not sure. I'm looking into it." Haruka looked far more harried and stressed than Zero had ever seen him.

"So what do you want me to do?"

"I'll be sending Yuuki out on a visit soon. I'm certain that she'll be attacked once she arrives, so I want you to intercept her and take her to safety before that happens."

"And what do I do with her once she's safe?"

"I fear she won't be safe at home. I want you to keep her with you. But she doesn't need to know why."

"You want me to kidnap her?"

"In a sense. If you don't hear from me regarding her release… Well, I trust your judgement, Zero."

~Z~

"You… were protecting me all along?" Yuuki asked incredulously. Now she knew why the aura's she had sensed that fateful day were so wrong to her. They had been the auras of vampires, not hunters. Zero nodded.

"It wasn't easy keeping it secret from everyone. You saw how Kaito was acting."

"And our meeting… It wasn't a coincidence…"

"No… It was planned." Zero took a step towards Yuuki, who moved her confused gaze from the unforgiving ground to his eyes. "The reason I told you this, Yuuki, is because I made a mistake. I thought the danger had passed, but I was wrong."

"What do you mean?"

"There was an attempt on your life only a week ago…" She heard Yori gasp. "Don't worry, I stopped it. Do you still have the knife I gave you?"

"Yes. I keep it on me at all times."

"Good. Make sure it stays that way." His expression was more serious than usual. "And what I told you stays between us. Act normally."

Yuuki saw Yori nod obediently before she did the same. She needed time to think things over. Her heart twisted as the thought that Zero was possibly only acting out of obligation rather than affection for her crossed her mind. She left the two to catch up, her mind a blurry concoction of inter-connecting thoughts.

~Z~

Yuuki felt that she'd managed to compartmentalise her thoughts when her uncle approached her with some news.

"I received a letter. Your mother has called for you."

"Mother has?" She had not seen her mother for over two years. She couldn't contain her excitement at the simple thought that she'd see Juuri again. The part of her that found it odd that she'd request her presence through Rido was quickly squashed by the desperate girl aching for the gentle touch of her mother.

She received a simple nod in response.

"You're to be ready to leave as soon as possible."

Yuuki felt a pang of worry about Zero. Would he be alright if she left him behind with the pureblood who hated him the most? He was capable of taking care of himself, she answered herself. She had witnessed him defend himself against Rido plenty of times. He would be fine.

"I'll get ready now."

~Z~

Zero was surprised that Yuuki seemed to have forgotten what he had said to her so soon. In her excitement, she had neglected to keep the blade close to her. He had had to forcefully remind her that she may have to protect herself. She was a pureblood, yes, but she was still young and didn't necessarily know how to control herself. And if she needed to keep a low profile, it would be better for her to use a hunter weapon than the pureblood powers that sent an imprint of their aura pulsing through the air.

He didn't like the fact that she would be away from him for however long this visit took. He felt a very strong urge to protect her, but she wouldn't let him go with her. He swallowed down his reservations. If Yuuki ordered him to stay behind, then it would be suspicious for him to disobey that order. It could alert the assassin to their knowledge and make him or her act more dangerously.

He couldn't blame her for being so thrilled, however. He no longer had the ability to speak to his mother. At least she still could. He dismissed her concerns about his behaviour easily.

He waved her off privately. He felt no need to make a big show of it to an expectant audience. The big manor house felt lonelier with her gone, he had to admit. It also felt more hostile. He was aware that many in the manor disliked him. He felt that it was probably because he had more leisure time.

As such, he was more annoyed than surprised when he felt a firm grip on his arm. It was painful, and he knew instantly who had gripped him. The deranged sense in his aura put Zero's senses on high alert.

"Is there something I can help you with?" Zero kept his tone light with a faint hint of threat. The pureblood smirked back, silent for a moment. There was a deadly tension between them.

"You still don't remember, do you?"

"What do you mean?" Something had been tugging at the edges of his memory for days. He had kept the information back from Yuuki lest he worry her. She had enough to worry about, and he didn't think that she'd appreciate anymore negativity about her relative. Especially if his faint suspicions proved false.

"The day my dear fiancée Shizuka butchered your family…" He trailed off. Zero caught the faint glint of his pearly white fang. His eyes widened in realisation…

"You were there…" The missing fragment of his memory snapped back into place. Shizuka Hio was dead. She had been dead for as long as he had been orphaned. Rido Kuran had killed her before sealing a section of the severely injured Zero's memory. This man had taunted him ruthlessly about how he had convinced Shizuka to toy with his family and him. He had asked him why in a weak, wavery breath, and the answer had chilled him. "To instil hatred in you, of course."

"Well done." Rido seemed pleased that it had only taken a single push to bring his memories back to the surface.

"Why would you kill your own fiancée?"

"She was in the way." Rido shrugged callously.

"And what about Haruka Kuran?"

"Well, that is a story for another day. Right now, I'm more interested in you." Rido pulled something from his pocket. Zero growled in anger when he saw what it was.

The item dangling in front of his face was Yui's pendant.

"I thought you might recognise this. And if you want him to remain in the realm of the living, you'll do as I say."

"What do you want?" Zero spat. He couldn't risk any harm coming to Yui. He didn't deserve to be thrust back into the hell that he had been freed from.

"To put it simply? I need to quash those hunter bug's spirits. They've become more…rebellious since you've come here."

"You want to kill me."

"Very astute."

"Did Juuri really send for Yuuki?"

"That's neither here nor there, is it? If you don't want any harm to come to the boy, you'll wait in the dungeons like a good dog."

Zero's first instinct was to fight back against this monster, but the flash of blue that swung in his peripheral vision prevented him. It seemed like Rido was going to attempt a similar thing as before. If he was going to be put in the dungeons, it meant that Rido was likely to make a spectacle of this. At least he would have time to think of a way out.

"…Fine." He growled begrudgingly, drawing a feral smirk from the demonic pureblood.

"Good boy."

#vampire knight #zeki #eternal zeki #radiant zeki #fanfiction #archive

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leahazel · 5 years

Note

Verity & Allegra: ♥ - family headcanon☮ - friendship headcanon

oh W O W where do I start even

okay let’s try this:

♥ - Allegra

I think I mentioned several times that Allegra’s mother and grandmother never got along. In fact, they detested each other. Katherine had Big Plans for all her children and her Plan for Oswald did not include him falling in love with a pretty, flighty thing like Flora, however charming she was. She wanted him to marry a sensible woman who would steady his flights of fancy and his impulsivity, and bring out the best in him. But Oswald, like his older sister before him, went and inconveniently fell in love, and was utterly adamant that he could wed no one else. You know the rest: too many children and too much spending and way too many unsound financial decisions. He nearly lost them the family estate, more than once. And Flora in no way curbed his wilder impulses, so it’s not as though Katherine’s feelings towards her were unreasonable.

There’s another side to the story, though. When the coup happened, they were forewarned because Oswald’s brother Victor is an officer and he had prior knowledge. That allowed Katherine the time and space to put in place the machinations that allied them with the new regime, and protected them from reprisals. The Chases of Arrowfield are an old blood family. They (claim to) trace their ancestry back some five hundred years, back to the old empire. So Katherine was willing to do just about anything to protect the family by cosying up to the new royals, and distancing themselves from anyone who could compromise them. That included Flora’s parents and brothers. Despite her personal frivolity, Flora came from two dignified, long-lined old blood families, Witherwend and Taryn, the latter of which even had (distant) family ties to Katyia’s line.

As far as Katherine was concerned, any contact with them had to be forsaken, and in this matter, Oswald completely sided with her. Flora hasn’t actually spoken with or written to anyone in her family in almost twenty years. They may have suffered reprisals, she doesn’t know. Information of that nature doesn’t spread very well outside of the immediate neighborhood. When it does, it’s mostly in the form of rumor, gossip, and propaganda scare tactics. The worst of it? Part of cutting off her family entirely meant that she was forced to be absent from her mother, Eleanor’s funeral. So, she also has extremely sound reasons to resent Katherine, even other than the fact that she never made her feel welcome in the family. And Flora is a forgiving person by nature, but she’ll never forgive this.

The other big secret is that at least one person from Flora’s family is still alive, and they may show up later on in Allegra’s story. No promises.

♥ - Verity

Verity? I have developed her family, at this point, almost as extensively as Allegra’s, but some of the best secrets in that backstory remain spoilery, so I lean away from them in my stories. This one, though, is free: in “Masters of the Hunt”, Verity tells Kavita that she and Constance are half-sisters. This version of Constance is completely different from Felicity’s Constance. She’s ten years older than Verity and Dion, and she’s the daughter of her father’s first queen. Her mother passed trying to deliver a baby boy when she was about eight. Less than two years later, she was already dealing with a young stepmother and two squealing infant half-siblings -- one of whom, by virtue of having been born a boy, was automatically the new favorite.

Constance strongly favors their father in looks, dark-skinned and slender with long, straight dark hair. Verity and Dion favor their mother, plumper and curly-haired. Although Verity’s particular dark blonde shade of hair is a peculiarity, since both of her parents are dark-haired. And I think I told you (although I didn’t post it publicly) that, although Verity is very attached to Constance, Dion barely knows her.

There is also something about the twins’ mother Agnes, and her father and his second marriage, but that veers awfully close to spoilers. It’s an interesting story, although the family ties are incredibly convoluted, and I haven’t named all the characters. It’s worth noting though that the only one of her grandparents that Verity ever really got on with is Agnes’s stepmother, Primula. When she mentions learning Onvu from her grandmother, that’s who she’s talking about.

☮ - Allegra

Prior to the summit, Allegra really didn’t have that many friends. Many acquaintances, and contacts, and invitations. And, you could say, assets. And she had Leonie, who is just about as close to a friend as she ever had in the capital, but Leonie is more like half-friend, half-rival. And she definitely thinks Allegra is a spy, but I won’t get into why that is.

After the summit... Well, it hurt her to leave so many people behind, not knowing when or if they might meet in person again. But that is part of the uncertainty that’s native to their style of life, and she’s never known anything else so she doesn’t expect anything else. And I believe I mentioned once, Allegra is a very good correspondent. How well she keeps in contact with people is entirely dependent on how diligent they are at answering her letters. So it breaks down something like this: Cordelia, Penelope, Lyon and Avalie write frequent, long letters. Lisle often doesn’t have time to write and always feels guilty about it, but Penny sends updates from him. Emmett’s letters are disorganized and sporadic, but always heartfelt. Zarad’s letters aren’t frequent, but they’re long and juicy and extremely filled with gossip. Hamin is not much of a letter writer but he somehow finds other ways to keep her updated, and certainly knows way more than he has any business to about what she’s up to. Jasper writes... once or twice. Anaele... honestly, I think she might be the only one Allegra completely loses contact with. And Ria is a special case.

☮ - Verity

So many spoilers, just so many. I’m... actually working on a story from Nerissa’s POV right now, and it’s been an interesting journey for me.

Both Kavita and Nerissa are less sincere friends than Verity chooses to see them as... to start with. Kavita is very fond of Verity, but she has a job to do as the ambassador’s wife and she has a whole life and web of connections back in Corval that she never speaks with her about. But for the sake of her connection with Constance, she’s tried to keep an eye on the Princess, to make sure she’s as clever as she thinks she is. That’s part of why she directed Petra her way. Petra is more of an ally than a friend, but she’s trust-worthy, and there’s a lot yet to happen that will change the way she and Verity interact.

Nerissa is a complicated case. She’s a widow and she has all the ambitious widow’s weaknesses, and in many ways she’s even worse than Allegra at treating people like assets instead of friends. But at least she has a reasonably good excuse. For Nissa, people can be family or they can be strangers, but her mentality has no category for “friend”.

Gisette is much the same way. She has genuine affection for Verity, who is after all always surprising her by being smarter and more competent than she initially appeared to be. But as the immortal quote goes, love is never any better than the lover. Gisette is cold, cruel, and selfish, and her love for Verity is much the same. She is also unwavering, but that’s already edging into spoiler territory. Violetta is much the same: she’s a moody, inconstant narcissist, so her love for Verity as a daughter-in-law, while certainly as genuine as she is capable of being, is capricious and self-serving.

Of all the supporting characters I have introduced so far, I think the only ones who approach Verity without any sort of self-serving agenda are Desmond and Una, and maybe the guardsman Alek. I haven’t really gotten around to developing them properly, though.

#asks #faejilly #memes #allegra the invincible #train wreck verity #headcanons #7kpp #7kpp spam #death tw

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professor-abeloved · 7 years

Text

(Un)Spoken For [A MC/Maxwell Fanfic]

Title: (Un)spoken For

Summary: “I think I’m falling for someone else.” These words would haunt them for the rest of their days, plunging them both in daydreams and fantasies of ‘what if’s and ‘what-will-never-be’s.

A retelling of chapter 13 where one Eliza Wong tries to confess her feelings for one Maxwell Beaumont.

Ships: MC/Maxwell Beaumont

Notes: Warnings for vague, two-sentence references to abuse (particularly from a stepmother), racism, transphobia and acephobia (although the last two are extremely vague).

Cross-posted at archiveofourown.

Part I – Ruined Dreams

The ruins are quiet.

Save for the sound of rocks lightly skimming the water’s edge, you can barely hear anything. Perhaps if you concentrate hard enough, you could hear the faint echo of footsteps or some faraway birdsong �� but for now, all your attention has gone to the man in front of you.

You stare at the way Maxwell moves his arm back as he tosses another rock, the movement quick and fluid, displaying the same kind of seamless grace he has when dancing. You watch his face: Maxwell’s expression is thoughtful as he gazes out into the distance; his glazed eyes are fixed on the sinking stone yet, at the same time, a million miles away.

Sometimes, when he thinks no one is looking, he gets that look on his face. It’s such a stark contrast to his usual cheerful grin.

You’re dying to know what he’s thinking. You wonder if Maxwell is worrying about the state of House Beaumont or if he’s planning his outfit for the next event (you’re willing to bet that he’ll be wearing another black button-up)…

Or if Maxwell is thinking about someone the way you’re not supposed to think about him.

You try not to sigh. When it comes down to it, you don’t really know much about Maxwell. This bothers you way more than it should.

You approach him, hoping that your grin doesn’t look as strained as it feels. “Not a bad toss,” you say, referring to the rock he had skipped.

Maxwell turns to you with a smile that’s brighter than sunshine. The sight of it fills you with such indescribable warmth. You want to look away, but you’re entranced by the way the sunlight cascades on him, shining on his dark brown hair and playing across the features of his flawless face.

You realize that you’ve been staring and feel a slight blush coming on. This has been happening way too often lately.

Thankfully, Maxwell has turned back to the river so he probably didn’t see the way you looked at him.

At least, you hope so.

“Five skips is my record. It’s not much, but it’s respectable.” He gives a light shrug. “Though there was probably some kid who lived here who could skip a stone over ten times.”

You frown. Maxwell downplaying himself has also been happening far too often. You’re about to say something when he holds out a rock to you. “Want to give it a try?”

“Sure,” you say, resolving to find another way, another moment, to tell Maxwell how wonderful he is.

You reach out to take the rock, holding onto his hand for longer than necessary.

“The trick is to clear your mind and become one with the rock. It is an extension of your will,” he says in a serious, gravelly voice.

You can’t help but snort at that, Maxwell’s humor causing your lips to curve in a genuine smile.

You skip the rock and fall into easy conversation with Maxwell. You marvel at how easy, how freeing it is to talk to him.

Nowadays, you’re always on your guard when people talk to you. It’s a familiar kind of cautiousness and inhibition, one that has accompanied you throughout childhood. Back then, each conversation was a minefield; the wrong word or expression could easily set your stepmother off. You had to be the perfect child she wanted… not that she treated you like she did her own daughter.

It was bad enough that you had to act like something you weren’t – you had to perfect the role as well. And even when you did everything they wanted, you were still mocked and scorned for looking like the servant they had set you up to be.

Although it got better when you became an adult, the feeling still surfaces in certain situations. People call you a trap, a fake, a liar for wearing the things you could have only dreamed of as a child. Some say you look too Chinese or not Chinese enough. They hear about your sexuality and tell you you’re confused or you’ll grow out of that “phase” one day.

It still continues here when they say you’re not worthy to compete for Prince Liam’s hand.

You have always set out to prove them wrong: you are valid, you are worthy, you are true to you. That’s so much more than what some people can say. You are proud of yourself and what you’ve accomplished. You take pride in the calm and dignified way you stand up for yourself, but sometimes it’s… too much.

It’s suffocating, having to constantly put up a pretense of calmness and modesty in situations where your very person is being disrespected. Having to watch your every step and make sure your every move is the right one so you don’t get degraded further.

This is an act you’re accustomed to, and as much as you loathe to admit it, your upbringing has helped you in the competition, where each word you say matters whether you’re talking to the Queen, the press or one ill-tempered Olivia Nevrakis.

Talking to Maxwell is a breath of fresh hair. Of course, you’re more at ease around all your friends here in Cordonia, but it’s different with him. With him, you feel like you can be yourself. Maybe it’s his endearing, affable aura or the way his smile causes all your worries to vanish. Whatever it is, you’re grateful that you have the chance to spend time with him.

You hope that he’s comfortable around you as you are around him.

“You know, I don’t really know all that much about you,” you tell him, unable to let that thought go.

“There’s not really much to know.”

You disagree. Lately, you find yourself wanting to know everything about him. His talents, his quirks, his hobbies… But you never get the chance to ask. There’s always some new event or Cordonian tradition to discuss.

You think this is your opportunity to get to know him more.

“Really, now?” You nudge him in the shoulder. “I’ve seen you talk about yourself for hours at our social events.”

He shakes his head lightly. “That’s just, y’know, small talk. Nothing real.”

“Tell me something real.” You look him in the eye.

Maxwell holds your gaze. “What do you want to know?”

You ask him about his past, how his life was like, and how his brother was like. It never ceases to amaze you how much he cares about Bertrand - despite the way Bertrand’s been treating him lately.

You admire the strength he possesses in being able to grin and make jokes despite his financial and familial situation. It drains you to merely stay calm in the face of Olivia’s childish taunts and Madeleine’s veiled insults, but even in the midst of turmoil, Maxwell always manages to smile and make everyone feel better with his antics.

Standing next to him and seeing the pain in his eyes as he talks about Bertrand… it makes your heart ache. You hate seeing him like this. If you could do something to keep that wonderful smile on his face, you’d do it in a heartbeat.

“I’m so sorry, Max.” Unable to help yourself, you wrap your arms around him, taking him by surprise; but it only takes him less than a second to hug you back.

“It’s okay. I have faith that it’ll all work out.” He leans back a bit to give you a soft smile. “All because of you, Eliza.”

Despite the warmth of his arms around you, you feel your blood run cold. You instinctively step away from him.

“Maxwell, I… ” The words die in your throat as you look up into Maxwell’s bright eyes. You’re stuck by the sudden urge to tell him the truth: that you’re not sure you can go through with the competition because you’re falling in love with him.

You admit that you were lured here by the prospect of making your childhood dreams come true. You had always wanted to escape your household, which you did eventually, but you had dreamed of going to a faraway kingdom and not some run-down apartment in New York. You dreamt of dancing with Prince Charming in a shiny tiara and a beautiful ballgown; not serving tables 9-to-5 in a dingy bar under a horrible boss.

You saw this dream come true when you looked into Liam’s eyes, when you took Maxwell’s invitation to Cordonia, and when you first laid eyes on this fairytale of a land.

Now, you’re seeing your dream change as reality tears through the cracks and fissures of your childhood fantasy.

There are so many things, rules and traditions that came with the role of princess-to-be. There are caveats you didn’t know about, additional responsibilities and troubles that your childhood self didn’t take into consideration.

You’ve managed to come out on top in most of the events, but lately you feel like you’ve just gotten lucky. And if you’re having trouble with just the competition, you’re worried about how you’re going to make it if you’re chosen as the queen of Cordonia.

You knew it wasn’t going to be easy, and for a while you were willing to work hard for your fairytale ending… but recently, you’re starting to think that’s not what you want at all.

A large part of that, you think, has to do with Maxwell.

You like hanging out with Maxwell. In fact, just talking with him makes you so happy, happier than you’ve been in a long time. You figured that living in the castle of your dreams would make you ecstatic, but you didn’t expect to feel such unbridled joy from simply being around Maxwell. Every time you’re tired from impressing the people of Cordonia or dealing with Olivia or Madeleine, Maxwell is always there to cheer you up.

You suppose you should have seen this coming. You’re not the type to fall for someone unless you already have an emotional connection with them. While Liam was cute and charming, the lack of opportunities to spend time alone with him didn’t exactly bode well for your relationship.

This, coupled with the fact that you’re always with Maxwell, could explain how you’ve unexpectedly fallen for the endearing lord of Ramsford instead of the prince of your dreams.

You’ve figured this out only recently, but you couldn’t stop thinking of what to do next. Should you continue to vie for Liam’s hand or should you go after your heart’s true desires?

You ponder this question as you look into Maxwell’s eyes. Suddenly, you’re stricken by how close he is, yet at the same time, so heart-achingly far away. You’re stricken by how much you want to hug him again, how much you want to kiss him, how much you just want to be with him.

You’re not an impulsive person by nature, but you’ve always gone after what you wanted. Your decision to leave your stepfamily, your decision to change your name and be true to yourself, and finally, your decision to come to Cordonia… these are all choices that you don’t think you’ll ever regret.

These choices changed your life for the better, all because you took a chance. You made your life better because you chose to do so, despite the inherent risks.

Telling Maxwell how you feel is a huge risk, but you don’t think you can lie anymore, not to him, not to Liam, and most importantly, not to yourself.

Besides, there’s something about Maxwell that makes you feel like everything is going to work out. It’s that same feeling you got when he first invited you to Cordonia and asked you to be his House’s suitor.

The unknown doesn’t seem to be as terrifying and insurmountable as long as Maxwell’s with you. After all, you’ve made it this far with each other’s help. No matter what the future holds, you think that the both of you can make it together.

“Maxwell, I have to tell you something.” Your voice comes out strong and steady, but you feel your heart start to race as you say the words. This is it, Wong. Just tell him how you feel.

He looks at you with an encouraging smile. “You can tell me anything, Liza.” His hand comes up to lightly touch your arm, to give you further reassurance.

Emboldened, you take a deep breath. “I… I don’t know if I can go through with the competition anymore. I think I’m falling for someone else.”

Silence.

The ruins are quiet.

Save for the sound of your thundering heartbeat, you can barely hear anything. Perhaps if you concentrate hard enough, you could hear the faint echo of footsteps or some faraway birdsong – but for now, all your attention has gone to the man in front of you.

You stare at the way Maxwell’s eyes widen, how he freezes on the spot. You watch as a myriad of complicated emotions flit across his face: shock, confusion, and – your heart does a somersault in your chest as you see it – hope.

You rush to get your words out, “Max, I’ve fallen for y–”

“No.”

It’s like someone pushed you into the icy river because all you can feel is a cold numbness spreading throughout your body.

“…No?” Your voice comes out small, feeble, and confused.

“Eliza, please.” His voice cracks on the second syllable of your name. Maxwell’s eyes are desperate, pleading, as they bore into yours. “You can’t… you can’t say that. Please don’t say that.”

You step back, shaking your head disbelievingly. “Maxwell, I don’t understand–”

“You’re confused.” He gently puts his hands on your shoulders, perhaps to give you reassurance. It doesn’t work. “The social season is a confusing time. It’s easy to bond really quickly with people here throughout the activities…You can’t trust how you might be feeling right now.”

Tears start to well up in your eyes. “But, Maxwell, I…”

He remains resolute. “Even if you’re having doubts, you’re here for the Prince.”

Why are you saying this?

You blink away the tears so you can see him better. Maxwell looks worse than how you feel. You can see him fight to keep a stony expression on his face, but the piercing sadness in his eyes gives him away.

Why? You want to ask, but the words remain lodged in your rapidly tightening throat. You have no right to look like that, like all of your dreams have just been crushed –

Except he does.

The realization hits you like lightning.

If you fell for someone else, if you decide to leave the competition, House Beaumont will fall into ruin. Maxwell’s life, as well as his relationship with his brother, will never be the same.

And it would’ve been all your fault.

You swallow the lump in your throat and manage a watery smile. “Y… you’re right. I don’t know what I was thinking. Th-the social season’s really… Messing with my head. F-forget everything I said.”

You’re trying to hold it together, but you think you’re coming apart the way your words are.

You pull yourself out of Maxwell’s hold and turn your back on him. You aren’t going to let him see you cry. You know he’ll be sad if he sees you like this.

You won’t do this to him. You’ve already done enough.

“Eliza…”

“I… I think I see Liam up ahead. I should go.”

You hear Maxwell call your name once more, but you don’t dare look back.

#mc x maxwell #maxwell beaumont #the royal romance #playchoices #trr #trr fanfic #maxwell x eliza #maxeliza #eliza wong #trr mc #ngl i am so proud of this!!#hope yall cry with me because i cried a lot while writing this haha #gotta love that angst angst baby!!#el writes

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ganymedesclock · 7 years

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Character Analysis: Allura

[ Shiro ] [ Lance ] [ Hunk ] [ Pidge ] [ Keith ] [ Coran ]

Since we went a little out of this world with Keith, it’s only fitting that our next contender is when things really go to space, Allura, princess of Altea (and Lion Goddess, at least according to the Arusians.

Since Allura is from a different planet entirely, and one whose culture we do not have anything approaching a comprehensive study of, there are a lot of influences on her history that we don’t know for sure.

That said, it would seem that Allura is an only child. Her recollections feature her father heavily, suggesting he was an incredibly close personal presence in her life- but at the same time, barely a whisper is given of Allura’s mother, suggesting that it’s very possible that Allura and the queen of Altea were simply not that close.

Allura comments that the gladiator robot has settings appropriate for a child. This tells us that, very likely, Allura has had combat training since childhood, and considers this a very normal way to do business.

That the language program on the ship is also something that demands physically of its students would suggest that at least in high society for the Alteans, athleticism and martial prowess were considered important things to cultivate.

It’s also worth mentioning that as an only child, Allura is the crown princess of Altea, and considering Alfor’s passing, has every right to succeed him as queen at this point. Though, considering her entire civilization and species outside of a few scattered individuals seem to be long gone, it makes sense she’s holding off on her coronation a bit.

The Weight of the Crown

Much like Shiro and Pidge, Allura has lived her life from a very young age with high expectations. Quite literally- with the exception of her as seemingly a near-infant, we see young Allura with braids in her hair and a circlet on her head, all the time. While this sets her as a contrast to Alfor, whose clothes tend towards the modest and practical and who wears his hair in a simple ponytail most of the time- we also see Allura’s memories overwhelmingly showing grass, flowers, and open meadows.

It suggests that despite her formal trappings, suitable of a princess, young Allura was the type to run and play outside, not sit demurely at attention. Quite possibly, she was more than a little rough-and-tumble at that age considering we also see memories of her getting scraped up and seeking comfort from Alfor.

This athleticism and drive is a major thing that sticks with Allura- the weapon she wields, a staff, relies on movement and the strength of her arm. As someone who’s used a staff myself, using quick snappy movements with one will often result in bruising yourself- since bringing one end of it through a target often means bringing the other end just as quickly in to rest against your body. It’s also the Gladiator’s weapon of choice, suggesting it may be a traditional Altean weapon.

Allura is a very high energy person, and when this doesn’t have an outlet, she’s inclined to restlessness. When she didn’t come along with the rest of the team during Space Mall, she suggested that she’d immediately fall to worrying the entire time until the mice distracted her.

At the same time, Allura is not merely the princess of an entire planet- she’s the daughter of Alfor, who was one of the first paladins and the creator of Voltron, as well as someone who fought alongside his fellow paladins in some kind of impressive conflict. Basically, Allura is the daughter of a legend and a hero, someone who would be very widely renown. Expectations for Allura would be very high indeed.

Like Shiro, we see that Allura carries herself with a determination to put her best foot forwards- to live up to these high expectations. Vulnerability and weakness is something expressed cautiously, and in Allura’s case, often done behind people’s backs, or re-routed to other people that she feels closer with.

Vulnerability

Allura as crown princess, as a driven, competitive, sporty person who has lived her life under the expectation of greatness- contrasts highly with Allura as someone dealing with a life that has come apart at the seams in every conceivable way. The war between Altea and the Galra wasn’t merely a conflict that ripped Altea to pieces- it was a falling out of the highest order between species that had been, not exaggerating, practically the best of bosom buddies.

We’ve considered that Zarkon was the Black Paladin, but, look at the implications here. Alfor may not have had too much of a say in the matter considering Black may have already chose Zarkon, but when creating absurdly strong weapons, better than anything the galaxy had ever seen before- Alfor personally gave Zarkon the best and brightest, the flagship of Voltron. We see galra and alteans thronging together on the galra home planet.

Allura grew up, quite likely, in a time of stability and peace brought on by the original paladins’ heroism. By Voltron. And that stability rapidly crumbled with Zarkon turning against Altea itself.

While Allura’s loss technically happened ten thousand years ago- that time was a literal eyeblink to her. Much like Shiro, Allura comes from her loss very fresh, with no time to process, and only even realizes the extent of it after waking up. And then, of course, she’s immediately accosted by an agent of Zarkon coming after Voltron and the castle.

She’s heartbroken. And she’s terrified. And neither of those have any easy outlets because the expectation has always been that she is the dignified and capable princess.

I’ve mentioned on my Hunk analysis and in other posts that I think it’s basically inarguable that Alfor was the prior Yellow Paladin- someone whose virtues are support, protecting and nurturing the team. I think, then, it’s very noteworthy that the main thing Alfor’s AI offers Allura is a flower field like the ones she seems to have spent most of her childhood in- an opportunity to engage in softness. To let down her high expectations and the ever-pressing needs of the war she finds herself thrown into and just take care of Allura for a while.

Because as athletic and competitive as Allura is, a lot of her restless energy seems based in a case of anxiety.

Now, Allura loses Alfor’s AI. Rather- the unyielding expectations of her position and the reality of her situation force her to give up even that comfort. But, something very heartening in season 2 is that we see Allura is starting to gain other potential avenues to soften.

She’s able to be honest with Shiro that she can’t sleep because she’s worried about Zarkon hunting them down- and be reassured that even if that is the case, she still needs to take time for herself. And in Space Mall, she isn’t left alone to worry the entire time- the mice are diligent at staying with her, accompanying and talking to her.

This is very significant, because Allura’s main line of defense against anyone she doesn’t trust or views as an enemy is that she refuses to let them see her flinch. When brought in handcuffs before Zarkon, her response is to try and attack him. If Allura feels threatend by someone, she turns a defensive cold front over her much more vulnerable self- she won’t give them the satisfaction of knowing they’ve made her bleed.

A Fear of Betrayal

There’s a lot of discussion of how Allura responded to the revelation of Keith’s heritage. Something I think has gone overlooked, but is very noteworthy- is that Allura, while cautious, is willing to trust Kolivan and Antok. She’s willing to see off the entire rest of the team, including Coran- leaving herself in what she points out to Coran is an intensely vulnerable situation with two armed and armored galra warriors at her back.

Simply- that is not the behavior of someone who does not at least consider them allies. And it’s a far cry from, as I mentioned, her defensive front, which we see in full swing towards Ulaz.

So why does she respond to Keith as strongly as she does? Ironically, it’s because of her trust in Keith.

We see that at a particularly vulnerable point, Allura tries to leave the team to make sure she’s not holding them back- and Keith accompanies her at that time, being able to relate to her insecurities. They’re able to be very open with each other, and Allura implicitly puts her safety in Keith’s hands.

Then it feels like Keith was hiding something from her. He had that weapon, the entire time, and didn’t bring it up to the team- and smuggled it onto a base looking for answers.

Just like Keith uniquely exploded at Pidge for leaving the team- Allura is uniquely mortified at the implication that the faith she put in Keith didn’t go both ways. Sure- Keith has an immaculate record of being trustworthy, sure he was chosen by a Lion, sure, he’s saved her life- but all of those things could very well apply to Allura’s history with Zarkon.

People have accused Allura’s resolution with Keith as being very abrupt, and I would agree with that quite a bit. After all, what’s happening isn’t that Allura has been able to seriously process the entire war and loss of Altea- that’s a herculean task to undertake in any kind of timely manner. But her fear of potentially being betrayed was supplanted by a deeper fear- of losing Keith. Because as much as the others, I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that Allura does see the paladins as a family in some regards. So she went from the nightmare scenario of potentially letting another Zarkon into her life to the nightmare scenario of losing someone the way she had to destroy the last memory of her father.

Softness and social neediness

Developmentally, I would place Allura at a similar age to Shiro, older than the rest of the paladins. Official statements have identified her as “a teenager”, and my compromise has been to place her at age nineteen or an analogy thereof- but, much like Shiro, Allura’s consciousness of the leadership role she holds, and the high expectations placed on her often belie how Allura is really not a seasoned middle-aged soldier.

In some senses, Allura is used to being acknowledged and heard. As a leader of the team she voices her opinions quickly and clearly, and when she makes decisions for her own behalf, she makes it clear they are not negotiable (“Excuse me? I do not need your permission.”)

In others, Allura is actually inclined to downplay herself a bit. She’s aghast more than anything else at the Arusians treating her as some kind of higher being- despite the potent role Voltron stands to play in diplomacy, she’s adamant that Voltron should be here to help, not here as a motion of the grandness and strength of her team.

It’s also very likely, as the princess of a diplomatic race, Allura is used to new places and people- she’s not the biggest fan of being alone, and early on in her interactions with the team, she leaps at the opportunity to connect closer with Pidge. Especially with how much she’s lost- entirely outside of the trauma of it, she feels very alone with just her and Coran and the mice, and I fully expect to see her flourishing more now that Voltron is starting to gain solid, consistent allies. In particular Allura is quick to connect with people if she feels like there’s some kind of similarity to perspective- she takes to the mice rapidly because they’re wayward survivors of Altea, upon learning she and Pidge had something in common her response was to try and use it to strike a conversation, and, as mentioned- her closeness to Keith seems to have been brought on partially by time they spent together with very similar concerns.

(She also opens up quite a bit to Shiro, the other leader and the other traumatized high-stress prodigy on the team)

While we also see that Allura rolls her eyes at Lance’s antics sometimes, she doesn’t exactly hate him since she does pick up very enthusiastically at the prospect of “...but I’d love something sparkly.”

As much as Allura feels the need to present herself as an unconquerable bastion of a leader- she deeply enjoys being pampered a little, and there’s a bit of conflict in her as a character that her pride and the desire to seem strong in the face of adversity can make it difficult for her to really ask for that.

Messianic

A certain part of Allura has reached a point of determination. She’s able to personally understand so much of what’s overtaken the universe- loss of security, of home, isolation and fear and feeling trapped- and she’s come out of it with the determination this can’t go on any longer. While both she and Shrio repeat the idea that Voltron is the universe’s only hope- I think that in some ways Allura embodies that sense of being a guiding light to the universe.

Allura is driven by a motivation to heal, both within herself, and outside with the universe. She’s personally marked by the same loss that the larger universe has felt- and again, she connects easily over similarities. This lets her generalize quite a bit, such as to her relationship with the Balmerans.

I think there’s something very significant to the fact that while Allura is not a paladin, she’s associated closely with the Castle- which contains, transports, and protects the Lions. It’s the aerie that they return to, and where all the paladins live.

Several times, we see Allura tap into some kind of force beyond her own understanding- and these empowered moments connect closely to when she’s at her strongest. Much as Shiro is thematically matched against Zarkon, Allura is thematically matched against Haggar- Haggar, who is able to siphon the life out of entire planets and who is heavily associated with a kind of seething magical darkness.

In contrast- Allura, with her white suit, predominantly white dress, and giant white castle, appears to be associated powerfully with light. Her grand moments of power both feature her becoming a shining beacon. This continuity in particular has given her the longest hair, and is the first to make it not blonde but a beautiful silver color.

This suggests that Allura’s associated element may well be light itself- a potent symbol since quintessence and magic in this setting overwhelmingly manifest as colored light. We also see that Allura’s able to inspire hope in others (her speech to the Balmerans) and illuminate situations (see through Haggar’s illusions).

In Summary

Allura is both powerful, and precious. Much like Shiro, she balances a similar divide of a very vulnerable person, while also someone born under high expectations and with an incredible strength of will. Sporty, driven, competitive, but also sociable, and both struggling to move beyond the massive loss she’s felt while using that loss to motivate her towards a higher sense of purpose.

#voltron legendary defender #vld #Allura #Voltron character study #readmore

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krissysbookshelf · 7 years

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Enjoy An Exclusive Sneek Peek Of: Dividing Eden by Joelle Charbonneau!

Twins Carys and Andreus were never destined to rule Eden. With their older brother next in line to inherit the throne. But when Eden's king and crown prince are killed by assassins, Carys and Andreus are faced with only one option—to take part in a Trial of Succession that will determine which one of them is worthy of ruling the kingdom. As sister and brother, Carys and Andreus have always kept each other safe, but the Trial of Succession will test the bonds of trust and family. How long before the thirst for power leads to the ultimate betrayal?

LEARN MORE

Freedom was a myth.

Carys’s brother Andreus didn’t think so. He said a person could feel free even when walls surrounded him.

Carys loved her twin, but he was wrong. Freedom was a mirage. It taunted and promised a great deal as it hung just out of reach.

Back when they were young, her brother loved pointing out the women carrying trays of bread through one of the city’s squares— or the commoners’ children chasing each other, laughter echoing through the narrow alleys. They were all surrounded by walls, and yet they were happy. The walls kept them safe. The walls made them feel strong and secure. That, he argued, was freedom.

As they sat on the battlements he would sketch designs for a new windmill while she watched the guards practice, picking up tips on how to help Andreus improve his skill in combat.

Those who lived in the town below the Palace of Winds didn’t understand that danger came in many guises. Not only in the form of darkness, or winter, or the Xhelozi that hunted during the cold months. Those were dangers that could be seen. Anticipated. Defeated. The massive gray stones erected at the perimeter of the town kept those dangers at bay. The white stones that bordered the castle grounds high above on the plateau doubly secured the powerful and those under their protection. But the walls were a double-edged sword. Even as they pushed back outside dangers, they kept in the things that made Carys wish for some other kind of life. One that didn’t require she hide everything she was.

Carys placed her hand on the trunk of the Tree of Virtues and bowed her head, pretending to ask it for some blessing or other, as girls did when they wanted a husband or a baby or a pretty ribbon for their hair.

Foolish girls. They thought the tree, like the walls, was a sign of safety and blessing. How anything planted in the middle of town to commemorate the slaughter of an entire royal family symbolized anything positive was beyond Carys. Of course, in Eden, it was only Carys’s family who need worry about that fate. Perspective was everything.

Duty to simpering femininity done, Carys turned toward the royal guards. “Let’s go.”

She kept her eyes on their backs as she walked, not looking left or right. Not meeting the eyes of those who fell into bows or curtsies as they noticed her.

The streets beneath her feet were soon to be paved white to match the castle walls. It had been her father’s order. He said the white would show the city dwellers were as virtuous as those who lived above. He insisted the work would begin once the war was over. Carys supposed the Council of Elders would figure out how to keep the horses from mucking up the white of those stones. A fitting job for people as virtuous as animal droppings.

She caught sight of her destination and hurried her steps toward the tailor’s shop on the far western square. “Stay outside,” she ordered the guards as she walked to the door.

“How long will you be, Your Highness?” the freckle-faced guard asked.

Carys turned and stared at him for a long moment. She watched as his face turned red, making his freckles almost pop off his skin. Carys had that effect on people. It would amuse her, if their discomfort weren’t so clear.

When the hand at her guard’s side began to tremble she answered, “I shall be exactly the amount of time I require and not a second longer. And if you question me again, I shall see to it that your commanding officer teaches you the value of holding your tongue.”

“Of course, Your Highness.” The guard swallowed hard and looked down at the ground. “I apologize for any offense, Highness.”

The apology was a start. If she were her mother, it would also be his end. But she wasn’t her mother. She could only hope he’d remember this moment. If he learned from embarrassment, he might have a chance to survive behind the white walls. If not, he had only himself to blame.

Gathering her skirts, Carys stepped out of the last rays of sunlight, into the tailor’s shop, and shut the door. As soon as the latch clicked, Carys heard a familiar voice. “Welcome, Princess Carys. We’ve been expecting you.”

Carys smiled. She felt herself relax in the warmth of the greeting and of the fire crackling in the hearth on the opposite side of the stone room. A large mass of tawny fur was curled into a ball close to the fire. The fur ball opened its eyes, blinked twice, and then went back to sleep. No bows or curtsying from felines. They had no enemies to avenge, power to amass, or familial interests to protect, so they had little need to curry favor. How did cats get so lucky?

She nodded to the reed-thin man, who, straightened to his full height, barely reached the tip of her nose. The lines etched into his face were deeper than they had been the last time she saw him. Life had gotten harder in Garden City with the war. “Goodman Marcus,” she said with fondness. “Thank you for accommodating my request so quickly.”

They both turned at the sound of footsteps pounding the stairs. Carys barely had time to brace herself before Larkin threw her arms around her and hugged her tight.

“Daughter.” Goodman Marcus’s voice was sharp. “You forget yourself. The two of you are no longer children.”

“Pity, since we both were so adorable when we were small. Weren’t we, Your Highness?” Larkin stepped back, tossed her mass of long, frizzy dark curls, and laughed the way Carys so often wished she could.

“Royalty always strives for dignity,” Carys replied with mock sincerity, “which means we are far too controlled to ever be called adorable.”

“I’m certain you looked very dignified the day you fell into that pile of horse manure, Your Highness,” Larkin said with a deep curtsy.

Carys laughed. How could she not? “I wouldn’t have fallen if you hadn’t pushed me.”

“I didn’t push you,” Larkin said. “I was giving Prince Andreus a well-deserved shove. You, Princess, simply obstructed my path.”

Goodman Marcus’s eye twitched at his daughter’s antics. Carys remembered that look well from the days when he would bring Larkin to the palace to help with the court’s dress fittings. She was too enthusiastic and filled with energy to carefully pin hems and display bolts of silk. Typically, Larkin ended up feeling her father’s hand before being put in a corner to wait until his work was complete. A corner was where Andreus found and rescued her.

At first, Carys didn’t talk to the sniffling girl with the tear streaked cheeks. Even at five, Carys had been told time and again that she was to avoid strangers, to protect her brother from anyone who might get close enough to learn what must be hidden. Even then she understood her duty—to quiet the whispers in the Hall of Virtues and stymie those who would do anything to remove her family from power.

But Andreus never paid attention to the rules, and he could never ignore a child in distress. Not now. Not then, either. And he refused to leave the dimpled, dark-haired girl weeping in a crook of the castle. No amount of arguing made Andreus relent in his quest to free Larkin from her punishment. That was the beginning of the friendship. It was the first time Carys trusted anyone besides her twin. It was also the last.

For the next several months, the Queen frowned whenever she spotted Larkin giggling in the castle halls, but their mother never said anything pointed about the dangers of outsiders when Andreus was around. She saved that for the moments she and Carys were alone. She assured Carys that Larkin would be used against them. Maybe even hurt by others who wished to do the King and his family harm. Carys was ordered to let the friendship die. By the time winter came, Andreus had found a new friend to rescue and had forgotten about Larkin. Carys swore to do the same.

She lied. It was a minor fabrication compared to all the others, but it had always felt like a victory to her. And even small victories were significant in the middle of a lifelong war.

“Larkin,” Carys said smoothly, “perhaps we should focus on my order instead of worrying your father over events long past.”

“Of course, Highness,” Larkin sang out with a hastily bobbed curtsy. “This way.”

Larkin bounced up the stone steps leading to the second floor. As Carys followed, Goodman Marcus cleared his throat and said, “I apologize for my daughter, Your Highness.”

Carys stopped at the top of the stone steps. She looked back down at Larkin’s father as he twisted a length of hemp between his hands. A man who loved his daughter. A man who lived life with a virtue none in the castle could ever understand. “You have nothing to apologize for, Goodman.”

Carys walked through the doorway at the top of the stairs. Larkin closed the door, turned, and perched her hands upon her hips with a frown. “Now that we have Father convinced we are still giggling children with nary a true thought in our heads, tell me what’s wrong. You’re troubled.”

“Don’t you know it is not acceptable to tell a lady she looks out of sorts?”

“You have never been a traditional lady.”

And wasn’t that the heart of her problem? “My mother would have you locked in the tower for saying that.”

“Compliments come in many forms, Highness. Especially outside the white castle walls. Ladies are boring. Every move in every situation already prescribed. Gods, they’re barely even people.” Larkin walked over to a large wardrobe and opened the doors to reveal several gowns. “I sewed through the last several nights to complete the special accommodations you asked for. Try them on.”

Larkin selected the most important dress first.

Ignoring the questions in Larkin’s eyes, Carys allowed her friend to pull the corset tight, as if willing curves out of thin air. But as much as Larkin tried, Carys was never going to be soft and curvy. Her edges were hard, inside and out. Still, the dress fit like a glove. Her mother would appreciate that.

Carys cared more about what she’d asked Larkin to add to the dress. The compartments were hidden in the seams, impossible to spot even for one who knew they existed. Larkin was both cunning and skilled.

Carys slid her hands into the pockets and smiled.

“Extra deep, lined with leather, each with a built-in sheath, just as requested.” Larkin paused, staring at Carys for several long seconds. Carys knew her friend was waiting for her to explain. But Carys said nothing and Larkin understood her well enough to simply nod before walking to the table near the window. When she turned she was holding an iron stiletto. “For my lady’s inspection.”

“Where did you get that?” Carys hissed, looking toward the door.

“Never fear, Your Highness.” Larkin smiled again. “It belongs to Father. He hasn’t used it in years, and I doubt he even knows where he last saw it. I did, however, and felt a royal request was a proper enough reason to borrow it. I’ll return it to its very dusty chest after you leave.”

The handle was less intricate and the blade inferior to the ones Carys had asked her twin to commission two years ago. No princess could commission the castle blacksmith to make weapons. Not unless she wanted the rest of the court and the Council to find out and start asking questions. Questions were the last thing Carys or her brother needed.

Carys felt inside the pocket for the sheath opening, then practiced sliding the blade into the concealed carrier and drawing it again. The first three draws caught on the fabric. The fourth came free without incident. With an hour of practice she would be able to draw and brandish the weapon with both speed and ease. Knowing that made the knot of anxiety wedged deep in her stomach ease a bit. It had been growing there for weeks as if trying to warn her of—something. When she’d mentioned her unease to Andreus, he’d told her she was just jumping at shadows, that she shouldn’t look for problems where there were none.

Perhaps she was being paranoid, but she liked having her blades near. With so little she could control, it was good to have command over this and to know that no one, not even her brother, was aware of the secret. To survive in the castle, a girl needed all the secrets she could get.

Out of the corner of her eye, Carys spotted Larkin poking a stick into the small fireplace. Once the end was ablaze, she began lighting candles throughout the room to chase away the lengthening shadows.

“Is there a reason you’re not using the overhead lights?” Carys asked. Every business in the town was allotted a share of the power harnessed by the windmills atop the castle towers. Seven massive windmills to represent the seven virtues of the kingdom and the power that those who lived by those virtues wielded.

Power. It came in many forms. Running the lights. Operating the water. Raising people above their stations. Ordering people to their deaths. In Eden, he who controlled the wind had the power.

“Candlelight is not as harsh as the overhead glow.” Larkin glanced at the window, then finished lighting the last candle before placing the burning stick into the fire. “Shall we move on to the next garment, Your Highness?”

“Larkin, what do I not know?” Carys asked as her friend busied herself at the wardrobe. Larkin always changed the subject when she was hiding something. When she looked away the trouble was even greater, and right now Larkin was keeping Carys at her back. “Larkin, tell me. Is there something wrong with the lights?”

Her friend turned with a sigh. “People are saying the wind has not blown as strong as it should in recent weeks, Highness, and that’s why there isn’t as much power. The shortage has caused some . . . tension.”

Tension was never a good word when it referred to the King’s subjects. When there was tension, trouble followed.

Carys moved to the window and looked up at the palace windmills. The massive structures loomed above the white walls and cut through the backdrop of a darkening sky. The sound of their churning was the accompaniment to life in Garden City. Carys could hear their pulsing hum now, but could the blades be moving less speedily than in the past? Andreus would be able to tell. He’d made studying the windmills and the power they created his life’s work. The orb— the light that sat high atop the tallest tower of the palace—used his design. The light was supposed to welcome all who wished to add their talents to strengthen the kingdom and promised safety in its glow, because the things that hid in the darkness could never triumph when there was a light powered by virtue pushing them back.

Her twin had helped build the newest light, but even he had known that the brightest orb would never banish the darkness completely—no matter how big it got or how hard the windmills turned.

Andreus would know if there were a problem with power production. Without her brother’s knowledge, all Carys could say was that the hallways and great rooms in the palace were still illuminated just as brightly by the wind-powered light. Not that it mattered. Lack of power in the palace would cause little inconvenience; down here in the city, it would lead to much larger problems.

“Where is the tension greatest?” The gown rustled as Carys turned her back to the window.

“A few of the millers have expressed some upset, but Father has given them some of our wind power allotment. That has helped quiet the loudest of the complaints.” Larkin helped Carys out of the formal gown and into the next dress. “But there are still whispers, and those whispers are getting louder with every day.”

“What do the whispers say, Larkin?”

Larkin bit her lip and sighed. “The whispers say the cold is coming. The days are getting shorter and the Xhelozi will be waking to hunt if they haven’t come out of slumber already. People are making offerings at the old shrine to keep the winds blowing—especially now that we have so few guardsmen to keep the walls safe if there is an attack.”

“I thought most people avoided the shrine.” The first of Eden’s seers had ordered it constructed to give citizens a place to appeal directly to the Gods in times of struggle—and they had, until five years ago. A cyclone had appeared above the castle, and though the seer drove the wind tunnel back into the mountains, he warned that the deadly winds had been an answer to a careless request made at the sacred site. After that, the common people stayed away. Only the most troubled were driven to visit the grove on the edge of the city.

“They did, Highness.” Larkin sighed. “But that was before, when the old seer was alive and there was enough wind power in the city. The new seer is lovely, but they wonder how someone who looks as if she can be blown over by the wind can possibly have the power to control it. Those who visit the shrine say they are trying to send her strength.”

“And those who aren’t visiting the shrine? What are they saying?”

“They say your family and the Council have put us all in danger by installing Lady Imogen as Eden’s seer. They are wondering if your family truly wishes to keep Eden safe.”

Carys stiffened. “Do they speak of the Bastians?”

“Not where I can hear them,” Larkin assured her. “A new seer is bound to make people nervous, especially as the first cold season approaches, but those I have talked to trust Prince Micah to keep the kingdom safe. They know he would not be planning to wed Lady Imogen if he wasn’t convinced of her skills. Once they are wed and the warm months return, things will settle down.”

Carys forced a smile. “I’m sure you’re right. I value your thoughts on this.”

Larkin looked at Carys. “But if you don’t mind me asking, Highness, what are your thoughts of our seer? All anyone in town knows for sure is that she is young and lovely.”

In the shifting shadows cast by the candlelight, Carys stepped into the next garment. Careful not to meet Larkin’s gaze, Carys pictured the dark-eyed oracle who moved through the castle as quiet as a ghost but seemed to be everywhere and see everything.

“She’s . . . smart,” Carys offered. It was no lie. On the rare occasion Imogen spoke of matters other than the wind and the stars, her future sister showed vast knowledge of the kingdom’s history and the inner workings of the castle.

“And she’s dedicated,” Carys added. In the six months since the seer had been summoned from the Guild to court, Imogen had spent several hours of each day on the battlements, either in meditation with the stars or in consultation with the Masters in charge of the windmills.

“My father and the Council believe Lady Imogen has great power.”

“I didn’t ask what they thought, Highness.” Larkin pulled the laces of the white-and-rust dress tight. “I asked about you.”

Carys shrugged and turned again to the looking glass. Her long pale hair glowed almost silver in the shifting light. “I have not spent enough time alone with Imogen to know her well.” Or to trust her.

“Has Andreus spent much time with her?”

Carys looked hard at her friend. “Why do you ask about Andreus? Have there been whispers in the city about the two of them?”

Her brother’s study of the windmills was almost as well known to the people of the kingdom as his other hobby.

Larkin took a step back. “I meant no offense, Highness. There has been no gossip about Lord Andreus and Lady Imogen. Only about how quickly she charmed Prince Micah.”

Carys let out a breath in relief. Her twin wasn’t known to have many boundaries when it came to attractive women, and many of the women he encountered seemed to have even fewer than he did. While she did her best to stand by her brother, there were some things she couldn’t protect him from: first and foremost, himself.

Larkin looked as if she wanted to say something more, but then she shook her head and asked instead about the details of the upcoming wedding. Carys was happy to switch the conversation to talk of the ceremonies and balls and tournaments that would be held in the royal couple’s honor in the glow of Eden’s orb. With the cold coming and the expense of the war looming, the Council of Elders had suggested the festivities stay within the castle walls. Her father had agreed with the Council, but Micah refused to accept their decision since everyone in the kingdom would hear of the lack of typical amusements. They would speculate about the depth of the Council’s support for the Crown Prince and his betrothed, or whether the descendants of the exiled House of Bastian might be the Elders’ true choice for the throne.

Carys understood her elder brother’s concerns. Rumors alone could be enough to spur another contest for the crown, especially with a war depleting their guards. So she’d bided her time until she found her brother alone in his rooms, then laid out her plans for expanding the celebrations.

“You must tell Father you’ve been approached by people who are certain the lack of festivities means that we are losing the war. Have some of your friends say they’ve heard from their fathers that a smaller than normal wedding celebration is the signal to the highest lords to flee the city.”

“You want people to think we’re losing the war?”

“No.” People thought that anyway. “I want Father to believe his lukewarm support for your wedding confirms for our people that Eden is losing the war. He and the Council will be forced to make the celebration the grandest seen in centuries to prove their confidence in victory. And once the people witness the generosity you show at your wedding tournament, they will look forward to your reign. You will make them feel safe in their homes and gain their loyalty all in one sweep.”

It only took a day for Carys to hear the rumors about what the dearth of pomp and circumstance meant for the realm, and a day more for the proclamation of a celebratory tournament, street fair, and ball to be held in honor of the nuptials. The construction of the tournament challenges had begun almost immediately on the contest field a league from Garden City’s walls. They were supposed to be done by the time Micah and Father returned from their review of the battlefields to the south.

The sun had set by the time the last dress had been fitted. Carys walked to the window and studied the sky as Larkin tucked the garments away. “The days are so much shorter now that autumn is coming to a close.”

“The planters all believe there will be more snow than usual this year. If so, people will be doubly grateful for the memory of the wedding festivities. They will have stories to tell on days too bitter and dangerous to venture outside.” Larkin closed the wardrobe doors and turned. “I only wish I could be here to see it all.”

“The wedding is in five weeks,” Carys said. “Surely you and your father will be in town. Will it not be too late in the season for you to go out on commission trips by then?” Goodman Marcus’s skills were often sought by lords and ladies throughout the strongholds of Eden, and Larkin, now equally skilled, accompanied him. Carys envied their closeness and their freedom to do as they wished without always having to be on their guard. But Goodman Marcus was careful to stay close to Garden City in the winter months. He was wise to do so. The Xhelozi, growing in number every year, were fierce, and winter was their hunting season.

Larkin smiled. “It is late in the season to travel for work, but not too late to travel to my new home.”

Everything inside Carys went still.

“New . . . home?”

Larkin looked down at her hands. “I didn’t know how to tell you. I met someone. His name is Zylan—a furrier whose family lives in Acetia in the shadow of the Citadel. And, well . . . ” She looked up with a shy smile. “I’m betrothed.”

“Betrothed. You are moving away?” Other than Andreus, Larkin was her only true friend. And now she was going to Acetia—the district of Eden farthest from the palace’s orb—in order to get married and live a life of her own. A life with responsibilities she chose instead of ones pressed upon her through schemes or circumstances of birth. A life no longer filled with those thirsting for power.

“Is this what you wish to do?” Everything inside her churned. The candles and hearth fire flickered. “If your father is insisting you marry, I could intercede on your behalf. Explain that you are still young and wish to wait.”

“I’m four months older than you, Highness. Zylan is a good man. He said he knew the moment we met that we would wed. He cares for me.”

“Of course he does.” Carys blinked back the sting of tears. Crying was a weakness she couldn’t afford. Not even for a friend. “You are one of the best people I have ever met. He would not be worth marrying if he didn’t see that. When do you plan to wed?”

“On Winter Solstice. I will live with Zylan’s sister’s family until then. Father believes we should travel as soon as possible since the days are getting shorter. He says it will be good for Zylan and me to have several weeks to get to know each other better before the ceremony. I think he’s hoping I’ll change my mind so he doesn’t have to cook for himself.”

“But you won’t.” Once Larkin’s mind was made up, she rarely changed it. And once her steadfast heart was given, it never was taken back. She’d proven that time and again over the years.

Larkin placed a hand on Carys’s arm. “I know when you meet him you will understand why I have to go. You will love him, too.”

Perhaps. But Carys would also hate him for taking her friend.

She never wished anything so much as that she, too, could go to Acetia, at least to attend Larkin’s marriage. But it could never be. People would talk if Carys left the city. They’d realize how important Larkin was to her. Carys’s wedding gift to Larkin would have to be the gift of letting her go without the threat of the darkness following her. Maybe then Larkin could be free for the both of them.

“I shall hope for strong winds to guide your steps, but I will miss you dearly.” Carys wrapped her arms around her friend, wishing she could be happy. Instead, there was emptiness.

“If only you could be with me,” Larkin suggested with a laugh that didn’t cover her tears. “Think of the trouble we could cause.”

For a minute, Carys let herself think of it—of finally being able to be herself and use her skills without anyone passing judgment. What would it be like to finally do something she wanted to do without using schemes or deceit? Who would she be then?

More than anything she wanted to find out. Instead, she said, “I do not think the world is ready for the problems the two of us would create.”

Larkin gave her a wistful smile. “Well, maybe someday. You never know how the winds will blow, Your Highness.”

“Maybe,” she said, even though she did know.

Her lofty, much-admired life was right here in Garden City. As long as Andreus needed her to guard his secrets and keep them all from harm, someday would never be.

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