#but no masquerade ball to attend and meet my prince | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

cyn-write · 4 months

Text

“The Sun Caught in her Raven Hair”

Note - My first request!! Thank you @fellowhonesttwst, I really enjoyed writing this! If anyone else has request please read my rules and send them to my ask box!

Prompt: Rollo has been eyeing you since your arrival, seeing you as the diamond amongst coals. At the Ball, he corners you into a dance, but your BF is not going to let this slide...

Pairing: F!reader x Leona, Floyd, and Vil (Separate)

Warnings: Possessive behavior, suggestive, manipulation and obsessive (Rollo); established relationship, romantic, swearing (Leona and Floyd's parts); violence (Floyd)

Notes: This is part of my Glorious Masquerade series! So if you want to read the other parts of this series staring different characters click the links below:

“She Blazes Me Beyond All Control” - Azul, Idia, and Mallues

“I Feel her, I See Her” - Riddle, Deuce, Ruggie, and Jamil

“Her Smoldering Eyes Still Scorch My Soul” - Rook, Epel, Silver, and Sebek

“Heaven’s Light” - Rollo

Prologue

"Who might you be miss?"

Y/n gave a kind smile and nodded her head in greeting "I'm y/n, it's nice to meet you," she stayed next to Trein as she was there as his assistant.

"Yuu is our magicless perfect of Ramshackle. She will be working as my assistant throughout the trip," Trein added.

She felt Rollo's eyes scan her and, unlike his greetings to the rest, he held out a hand. Being polite, she offered her hand as well, and he lifted it to his lips, grazing her knuckles quickly. "It is a pleasure to meet you, y/n. I understand it must be difficult, being surrounded by mages every second of the day. I hope you get a chance to relax this trip."

Y/n blushed at the motion and bit her lower lip. All the while, she could feel her boyfriend glaring daggers at her and Rollo.

"I-I'll do my best..." Y/n replied.

Throughout the entire trip, Rollo seemed to gravitate towards y/n and used every excuse to isolate her from the group. They chatted about her difficulties at NRC and of the festival. Due to her being Trein's assistant and the constant reminders to behave, she and her boyfriend had little time together.

This all accumulated at the Masquerade. Rollo had given Y/n a proper dress for the occasion instead of the attire his counsel had chosen. The (color) fabric decadently adorned her figure and stunned the NRC boys with her beauty. But before her boyfriend could ask for a dance, Rollo stole y/n away. He whisked her to the dance floor, and they started chatting.

At this point, Y/N's boyfriend has had enough of the student council president, but what sends him over the edge is when he takes you to the balcony and dares suggest the worst:

"Y/n, stay here with me." Y/n turned quickly on her heels to look at Rollo in shock and confusion, "Those fools at NRC do not deserve your purity. You belong here. with me." He has her pinned against the balcony, "This is your sanctuary."

Y/n pushed Rollo away slightly and spoke up, "Thank you for the offer, but I have no intention of leaving NRC. It is difficult at times but I wouldn't have it any other way. Now if you excuse me, I want to go back to the ball."

Rollo grabbed y/n's wrist and pulled her against him. "It's because of him, isn't it? He has bewitched you!" He pinned her between the balcony wall and him. "Those fiends have enchanted you, but I will free you from those chains and show you salvation! No matter the cost!"

Leona Kingscholar

“Get your filthy mitts off her.” Leona growled.

Rollo turned from his cornered prey to the hungry beast. Leona was already pissed that he had to attend the ball in princely clothes, but the sight of his herbivore pinned by a knock-off, overly righteous Riddle made his mood darken even more. With a few lazy strides, Leona was now cornering Rollo. He pulled his herbivore out from under the bastard. Once she was safe behind him. Leona leaned in close to the righteous ass.

"You listen close, 'cause I'm only going to say this once." He snarled. He could smell the fear on Rollo as he physically overpowered the man. "When she says no. You listen. You don't. You deal with me."

Leona leaned back and offered Rollo an exit. "Scram. While I'm feelings nice."

Rollo did not hesitate to leave, straightening up his clothes as he did. And he did not dare look back.

Once Rollo vacated the premise, Leona turned to the perfect and enveloped her in his warm arms. He was a beacon of warmth in the bitter night wind.

Leona didn't say anything, the way his arms gently enveloped y/n close to his body, as close as two bodies could be, and the relief in his shoulders spoke for him. He was so scared that she would say yes. That something would happen. That she would be hurt. All those fears released into the hug.

Y/n also releases all her anxieties into the hug. The fear of Rollo doing something to her to keep her there. The fear no one would get to her in time. All the what ifs... but Leona washes away all the what it's with an embrace. She was safe.

After a moment, Leona leaned back and caressed y/n's soft cheek, "What am I gonna do with ya Herbivore?"

Y/n shook her head and replied, "Such eloquent words from a handsome prince."

Leona chuckled and stepped back, "Don't remind me... but if I'm a prince, I guess that makes you my princess?"

Y/n nodded and said, "Guess so.."

Leona looked back to the ball and heard the others calling their names, "Well then, Will the Princess Dance with her Handsome Prince?" He offered his arm to the y/n with the suggestion of grins.

Y/n nodded and laced her arms in his, "Of course, your highness."

Floyd Leech

“Ya really wanna die. don’t ya Hammerhead.”

Floyd loomed over Rollo. Neither knew how he got there without notice, but both Rollo and y/n nearly pissed themselves at his appearance.

Floyd grabbed Rollo by the collar of his uniform and pushed him against the balcony. Face out, looking over the railing at the concrete road underneath. Floyd held onto Rollo's collar with a death grip as he pushed him against the edge.

"LEECH! WHAT IN THE SEVENS NAME ARE YOU DOING!?" Rollo yelled in fear as he looked down death.

"FOLYD!" Y/n called and tried to snap him out of this.

"You’ve been leerin’ at her all week. You’ve been taken away my shrimps time. Ya hog her durn’ the dance. Then ya try ‘n take her from me. Permanently." Floyd was seeing red. He forced Rollo against the balcony and could push him over at any minute, “What’s worse. Ya hurt her. No. One. Hurts. MY. Shrimpy.”

Rollo was sweating. Floyd was mad. And Y/n was trying to snap him out of it. “Floyd! He didn’t hurt me! I’m Okay! I promise! He won’t steal you from me, no one can!”

Floyd looked over at y/n at this. He saw the look in her beautiful (e/c) eyes. They were full of worry, but unwavering. “Please let him go. If you push him over then we will be separated. You did what you needed to, I’m safe, I’m here, and I’m with you. Please let him go and we can go dance together, please…”

Floyd looked back and forth between y/n and Rollo. The adrenaline subsided and he stepped back, letting Rollo go. Once release, Rollo took a few deep breaths and clutched his chest. Shrimpy ran into Floyd’s arms and the two embraced. He gave her a big squeeze and held her close. She was okay.

“You-“ Rollo caught his breath, “You’re going to pay for that. I will have you expelled from Night Raven and destroy you and everyone at NRC-“

“I would beg to differ,” From the door, the smooth voice of Azul broke the building tension, “Before we do anything rash, I think we need to chat.”

At Azul’s side was Jade with his unnerving smile looking Rollo up and down like a tuna. Azul walked to Rollo and nodded to Floyd and y/n, “They band is play lovely music, you two enjoy the ball, dance, we will be down in a minute.” Underneath the business smile, Azul was fuming, “we will talk later.”

Understanding the message, Floyd looked down at his Shrimpy and picked her up princess style, “Let’s go shrimpy, this is boring.”

Y/n nodded and wrapped her arms around his neck. As they walked out of the balcony, Jade closed the door behind them with a menacing grin, “Have fun~”

Y/n didn’t want to think of what was happening outside, she didn’t want to think of Rollo. His words haunted her mind, “…you belong here, with me. This is your sanctuary.” Floyd did not go to the ballroom, instead he found an alcove and sat down with y/n in his lap. He took her arms off his neck n’s inspected her wrist with such delicacy. There were slight purple marks where Rollo held her.

He brushed his thumb over the marks and brought them to his lips, kissing the bruise softly. Dispute his rough exterior, Floyd was incredibly gentle when it came to those he loves. “Did he hurt you anywhere else?”

Y/n shook her head and leaned against his large chest, “…thank you…” she said softly, “I have no clue what would’ve happened if you didn’t intervene.”

Floyd held shrimpy closer and looked thoughtful for a moment, “I wasn’t going to kill him… just scare him…”

“I know,” She replied and curled closer.

“I was just…” he couldn’t find the word to describe what he was feeling, what he felt when he saw Rollo so close to her, when he made her the offer, when he pinned her. It was a mixture of rage and terror that he couldn’t contain. Then he saw y/n look at him with those pleading eyes and realized she felt the same.

“You wanted to protect me,” she said and kissed his cheek, “you where my knight in shinning armor, and saved me from the wicked student counsel president.”

Floyd smiled and leaned his head against her’s “I guess I am…” then he chuckled and smiled, “Guess that makes you Lady Shrimpy~”

Y/n giggled as well, “Guess so,”

For a quiet moment, the two cuddled. Enjoying the others embrace. Then the orchestra played a familiar tune and the couple looked at each other with the same idea. Floyd stood up and gently put shrimpy on the ground. He then bowed dramatically and held out a hand, mirroring a storybook painting.

“Lady Shrimpy, may I have I have this dance?”

Vil Schoenheit

Vil had seen this scene a million times on stage, screen, and page. The monologue was almost word for word one of his own; and Vil hates nothing more than a thief.

Vil clapped and grabbed the villain and princess’ attention. He walked forward in his purple and maroon masquerade garb. His mask in place made him look like a classic movie hero like Zorro, Dread Pirate Robert, or the Musketeers of old. “How clique, the high-rank Nobel, in a delusion of lust, corner’s the damsel and forces himself on to her, making her choose between him or another preverbal prison.”

Vil was a few mere steps from Rollo, and with the aid of his heels, loomed over Rollo with head held high, “I guess that makes me the masked, debonair hero. Stopping the villain just in time for the final duel.” He draped his magic pen and held it like a sword ready to parre, “Now, shall we duel or discuss this like civil beings?”

Rollo release y/n from his grip and held his hands up in defeat, “There is no need for the hostility, I am a civil man.”

Once release, the perfect slid away from her captor and rushed to Vil’s side. Once there, Vil placed an arm around her waist and held her close. To outsider’s the couple looked like a movie poster. He sheathed his magic pen and turned to look at his dearest. He caressed her cheek and quickly checked her for injury. Other than a small bruise around her wrist, she seemed fine. He looked back at Roll and glared at the incompetent villain who dare thought he could steal his beloved.

“A civil man would not threaten a lady in such a manner. He would also have the common sense not to go after a taken women, or maybe that was not clear enough.” Vil retorted, “Perhaps I need to make a more gallent effort in displaying my affection.”

Suddenly, Vil spun y/n into a deep dip and kissed her passionately in front of Rollo. He spun her up again and held her close, wrapping both arms around her and holding her close. “There, that should do it~”

The perfect was out of breath from the sudden, deep, passionate kiss. Rollo curled his lip in disgust. He took out his handkerchief and held it against his mouth. “No need. I get the message.” He started to walk back to the main doors, “I’ll take my leave. Y/n if you change your mind, Nobel Bell’s doors are always open to you.” He smiled at y/n one last time before leaving as if nothing had transpired.

Once Rollo left, Vil loosened his grip and run his thumb underneath y/n’s lip. “Are you alright?”

Y/n nodded and smiled, “Thank you, I know you’re not a fan of public displays of affection but it means a lot.”

“All that matters is your safety.” He said and fished two lipstick out of his pocket. He held her face as he fixed the smudging on his dearest lips, “Besides, it was nice to play the hero for once.”

After he finished, he admired his work and her lips as she said, “You will always be a hero in my eyes.”

He smiled and kissed his dearest again, softly this time. “and you will always be my dearest princess,” he said, his voice full of earnest.

The music inside swelled and an idea brewed in Vil’s mind. In the same manner as classic bandit heroes, Vil flourished his cape, kneeled before y/n, grasped her hand and asked, “My Lady, will you be my princess for this night?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Note: Please Like, Reblog, and Follow for more! If you are interested in seeing more characters in this scenario or these characters in different scenarios, please let me know! (Do not Steal)

471 notes · View notes

eternityracha · 24 days

Text

MOONLIGHT ⋆˙ hwang hyunjin.

— fem reader insert.

“you could hold moonlight in your hands. ‘til the night i held you. you are my moonlight.”

— enemies to lovers. secret identity. fake dating.

— historical romance

—

many people wanted to be him, while others wanted him.

hyunjin, first son and the prince of the hwang family, has always disliked his popularity. attending balls was pointless. he didn’t want to become king.

y/n’s family focused on their royal duties, working for different families around their town.

she wanted to be independent and follow her own dreams. her family believes that her dreams are unrealistic, but she wants to prove them wrong.

they both had one thing in common.

wanting to truly be themselves.

— ꨄ —

CHAPTER ONE

“do i have to go?”

your mother admired the long pink-satin dress you wore in front of the mirror. as much as you loved the dress, you weren’t excited for tonight’s ball.

“yes, dear. your aunt spent a lot of time making this dress for you.”

the ends of your hair was curled and your makeup was done, as you applied an extra amount of blush.

as you looked at the time, the ball was starting soon. your mother took you to these events every month. you hated them.

at these balls, several attendees had the opportunity to potentially meet their future spouse.

you currently weren’t interested in being in a relationship.

i wish this day was over with already.

—

walking into the familiar setting, the ballroom was filled with new and previous attendees. the room had a scent of citrus and was covered in beautiful decor.

immediately, you found your bestfriend sitting at the nearest table. after saying hi to him, you sat down, watching the attendees dance to the jazz music playing.

you noticed that most of the girls in the room wore sky blue dresses and had their hair pinned up in a bun or ponytail.

“was the dress code today blue and no one told me?” you joked, turning to face your bestfriend, felix.

“prince hyunjin is here. there’s a lot of attendees who want to marry him, so they’re wearing his favorite color.. to impress him, i guess.” felix shrugged.

you knew about the hwang family, but didn’t have interest in them. the family only attends the balls three times a year, which isn’t much considering the fact that the balls are monthly.

prince hyunjin was tall, handsome, and good at everything. families wanted their sons to be like him. girls wanted to marry him and become queen.

however, even with hundreds of girls wanting to marry him, he still hasn’t found a wife.

“really?! that’s ridiculous.”

the dancing in the room stopped as the crowd formed groups. the families stood on the right and left side while all of the first daughters stood in the middle.

you knew your parents were looking for you, as they wanted you to also marry prince hyunjin. you weren’t interested.

you were able to avoid this for the past two balls, making this one the third.

“you’re sneaking out from the ball again?” felix asked, as he finished his appetizer.

you nodded, “yeah, don’t tell anyone you saw me.” showing you a thumbs up, felix kept his word.

luckily, the crowd was focused on the hwang family, as the king, made a speech and thanked the attendees for attending the ball.

8:00PM

outside, there was a balcony that had a perfect view of the stars. usually, you stayed there until the ball was over.

felix used to come on the balcony with you, until both of your families noticed that you and him weren’t at the ball.

your families were upset about it and talked about it non-stop for days. since then, you and felix stopped going to the balcony together.

a few minutes later, someone comes on the balcony and stands next to you. looking over, the guy had long blonde hair with a masquerade mask covering his face.

you’ve never seen him before, odd. there was awkward tension in the air, so you decided to start a conversation.

“so.. what’s your name?”

he ignored you.

okay fine, maybe he doesn’t want to talk.

“aren’t you supposed to be inside, preparing for proposals?”

you turned to him, glaring at him in disbelief. you couldn’t believe he just asked that! you crossed your arms and rolled your eyes at him.

“why do you even care?”

and why is he hiding his face?

“why else would you be at this ball?”

i had no choice.

“look, i don’t know who you are but i’m not here to become queen, get married, or whatever. i’m just here with my family.”

before he could turn away, one of the assistants from the hwang family appears on the balcony. the woman had a low bun and an all black uniform. there was worry on her face.

“excuse me, my apologies for interrupting your conversation. the hwang family doesn’t know where prince hyunjin is and has pushed back the proposals for tomorrow. if you’ve seen him, please contact us.” she shows a warm smile, not even waiting for our responses, and walks away.

prince hyunjin wasn’t at the ball?

all of a sudden, the guy is standing much closer to you. “can i trust you?”

“how could i? i’ve only known you for five minutes.”

“okay, so i know you won’t care then and tell people about this.”

what’s he talking about?

the guy lifts up his mask, revealing his entire face. you gasped, surprised at who you see. you weren’t expecting this at all.

he’s prince hyunjin!

— ꨄ —

author’s note

~ hi, i decided to make this a chapter au, so there’s a storyline to follow.

~ this au is inspired by bridgerton, which is one of my favorite shows!

~ romance will happen soon. this story starts with the enemies to lovers trope.

chapter 2

188 notes · View notes

the-travelling-witch · 2 months

Text

summary: i'm back on my "'i have more knowledge on x topic than all your advisers together, i just couldn’t progress through the ranks for one reason or another, so you should definitely make me your concubine, so i can gossip about your minister of finance’s stupid proposal while wearing expensive shit and fine dining and then we slowly fall in love' royal au" bs again, so have some rambles because there are a lot of possible constellations here

characters: shouto :: kenma :: inui/koko :: al-haitham/kaveh x gn! reader

general masterlist

𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐎

You could practically feel the daggers being glared into your skull. This entire meeting so far, the prince’s closest adviser had narrowed his eyes at you, a gesture which you only returned with a coy smile.

Really, just because it wasn’t common for a royal concubine to attend a meeting concerning safety measures at the upcoming masquerade ball, there was no need for such hostility.

Then again, maybe the adviser was so foul-tempered because of the physical position you found yourself in. But it wasn’t your fault they hadn’t prepared another seat for you or that Shouto was notoriously unbothered with social etiquette. So, if the prince ordered his concubine to sit on his lap instead, who were you to argue?

You doubted he glared at you because he was aware you had been investigating him or that you knew he and his fellow spies were planning an assassination attempt on the royal whose arm was currently lazily curled around your waist.

Surely, “concubine” was not exactly the title you had had in mind when agreeing to work as an intelligence agent on the Todoroki court but considering the former crown prince Touya had basically gone up in smoke after an attempt on his life, placing yourself right next to the prince where an enemy wouldn’t expect might not be a bad idea.

Besides, since you had taken the prince up on his offer, you had been able to enjoy many luxuries you could previously not even dream of. Delicacies practically melted on your tongue, the material of your clothes was of a quality so fine it was like dressing in air and the library held rare books you normally couldn’t get your hands on just like that.

You also had to admit, pretending to be Shouto’s lover wasn’t exactly torture either. Not only was he as handsome as they come but he was also very well-mannered towards you even in private. The clumsy side only few got to see when he let his guard down was also quite adorable.

So, to say you were quite comfortable where you were and had no intention of giving up your spot any time soon was an understatement.

“Your Highness is it really necessary to bring,” the adviser paused momentarily as he gestured at you, “this person to a meeting such as this? How can we be sure they are not working for an opposing kingdom, relaying our security measures to the enemy?”

You caught yourself before a snort escaped you. Seriously, how was nobody onto this guy before you came around?

“I have no doubt about their loyalty to me and the kingdom,” Shouto said, tone even as always, yet his hand around your waist tightened. “Besides, their safety might be compromised just like mine, so this information should be shared with them as well.”

“That’s right,” you goated, a sharp grin on your lips as you reached backwards over your shoulder to run your fingers down Shouto‘s neck as you held eye contact with the adviser. “I’ve shown my devotion to the prince in ways you never could.”

Soon you’d watch the light drain from his eyes as you ended his miserable life but for now you’d find amusement in how they widened in indignation.

𝐊𝐄𝐍𝐌𝐀

“Your Highness! I must ask you to stay in the medic’s quarters!” Said medic was fussing around you as you pulled the outer layer of your clothes back on. “I dressed the wound and used a minor healing spell but you need to rest! A-and your medicine—“

“I can rest in my quarters too,” you sighed, already halfway out of the door. “Someone will come pick up the treatment later.”

The medic was still stammering long after you already set out towards your room, trying not to put too much pressure on your side. You didn’t think it’d be that big of a deal but apparently the monster’s claws that had grazed your skin were laced in some sort of venom, the pain of which left you wheezing when you received another blow to the stomach.

Half stumbling, half falling into your room, you reckoned whatever spell the medic had cast hadn’t done much to rid your body of the poison, especially if you remembered how he had floundered once you first drudged into the infirmary. No wonder you had gone behind your parents’ backs to employ someone who actually understood his craft.

“Whoa what happened to you?” Kenma lifted his head from his magic-driven game board at the sound of the door opening. His sharp amber eyes studied you from head to toe, taking in the ripped clothes and collection of bruises and scratches. “You look like death chewed you up and spit you back out.”

“Thanks,” you retorted just as sarcastically, working to rid yourself of the rest of your armour, wincing when you strained the area around your ribs. “Must be the poison.”

“Poison?” Immediately, Kenma had perked up, already rounding the table, his game forgotten. “What poison? And where? And why didn’t you lead with that?”

Usually, the guy tried to make himself as small as possible, hoping to blend into the background. But whenever you dragged in yet another weird and wonderful ailment from out in the wild, your shy healer found himself in the habit of becoming a little bossy. Other royals might take offence if their concubines used that kind of tone but you had to admit you didn’t really mind.

“Well, it’s not like you gave me much of a chance to explain,” you laughed, pulling your shirt off and letting it pile up with the rest of your things, then wriggled your eyebrows at the blond. “So, where do you want me?”

“You are the worst, even when you’re dying,” Kenma rolled his eyes before a warm hand settled on your bare back and nudged you towards the bed. “For now, just lie down. And tell me exactly what the hell happened to you.”

Without any resistance, you settled down and watched as Kenma got to work. It was fascinating each time, even if you didn’t understand much of it and you were the one having to be treated. Whenever he focused on something, he adopted this no-nonsense expression, lips tightened into a line and eyebrows drawn together. You didn’t even want to start thinking about the way your skin tingled where his fingers touched you, well aware that the reason for it wasn’t the magic Kenma used.

“I told the doc someone would pick up my medicine later,” you spoke up once your healer had finished his work and both of you were just lingering within the same space.

As always when you told Kenma something he didn’t want to hear, he made one of the most expressive faces of disgust a human could muster.

“I’ll make sure to trip on the way,” he shrugged and you were aware he might actually do it too. “I didn’t spend all this time healing you just so that idiot can poison you again with whatever concoction he came up with this time.”

“Just what would I do without you?” Brushing a stray strand of hair out of his eyes, you didn’t miss how Kenma, the guy who used to flinch at people coming near him, leaned slightly into your touch.

𝐈𝐍𝐔𝐈 / 𝐊𝐎𝐊𝐎

The golden light of the sinking sun illuminated the balcony as birds chirped their last songs of the day. In the midst of the flowers blooming across the railing and the castle walls, three people sat around a table filled with fruits, cheese and many other delicious foods, eating and laughing together.

“But to come back to your Minister of Finance’s proposal,” Koko, who seemingly hadn’t taken his eyes off the kingdom’s budget sheet, spoke up. Splitting off a few of the coins from the stack in front of him to visualise the share he was thinking about, he offered his insight. “I think we should use a cut of the newly allocated funds to strengthen the army’s equipment. The knights could do with new armour, especially considering the neighbouring kingdom has been less than friendly lately.”

“What new funds are we talking about?” You inquired, not having been privy to the meeting prior this day.

“The party we sent out recently was more successful than we expected them to be,” Inui clued you in with a small smile as he studied what Koko proposed.

“Ah, the expedition that was my idea and that I equipped with the right tools. In that case,” you said, a mischievous glint in your eyes, before you made the stack of coins levitate over your outstretched palm, “I think we should use it to build a magic tower. It would help more with defence than equipping the knights, considering what fun things I could do with one.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Koko scolded, reaching over the table to snatch the coins back. “How should we justify the King’s concubine wishing for a magic tower?”

While you shrugged, Seishu took your hand and answered much gentler than the black haired man.

“I have to agree with Koko. Not because I doubt you could do a lot of great things with such a tower but because we already had a lot of trouble explaining why the lightning only struck the enemy’s side in the last battle,” he sighed, giving you an understanding look he knew had you giving in already. “The public doesn’t know we have a magic user on our side and word of construction would spread fast. Don’t forget why you went into hiding in the first place.”

“Yeah yeah, I understand, no magic tower. But, how about,” you leant back in your chair, tossing a coin you had hidden up your sleeve before Koko could retrieve it, “one or the other magic tome? Nobody would even notice. Just say it’s for a new necklace or whatever else concubines usually get.”

“Are you suggesting we commit fraud?” Koko levelled his accusatory gaze at you.

“I don’t know, am I?” You innocently asked, batting your eyelashes at him. “It would be for the good of the people, after all.”

“How is you getting a new toy good for the people?”

“I could make the grains grow faster or whatever the people usually pray for,” you shrugged. “I’m at least granting their wishes.”

“I thought you were interested in necromancy recently,” Seishu laughed knowingly. “I’m no expert in the field but how is that helping with making the crops grow?”

“I’m sure a walking dead body or two would scare off the crows,” you said as seriously as you could. “It might also scare off thieves, now that I think about it.”

Koko just looked at you, horrified, while Seishu laughed at your nonchalance. When the former regained his senses, he reprimanded you again.

“We are not using tax money, so you can experiment with the undead and unleash them on the public!”

“Eh, it was worth a try,” you relented before popping another grape in your mouth.

𝐀𝐋-𝐇𝐀𝐈𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐌 / 𝐊𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐇

You were well aware of the whispers that filled the halls of the castle when you weren’t present.

Kaveh was probably a more conventional concubine to take, considering his innate kindness and striking beauty. Clearly, when he waltzed into the room beside you, it was like the sun was rising before everyone’s eyes. Yeah, he was probably an expected choice.

Al-Haitham, on the other hand…

It wasn’t exactly his physique which raised people’s questions. Moreso it was his gruff temper and apparent boredom with most topics, burying his nose in a book and brushing people off with less than a single word at times, that made your staff shake their heads at your appointment.

Not that it mattered much what other people thought.

What did matter, however, was that your country’s infrastructure had improved significantly since you made your peculiar choice of companions. After most critical meetings concerning upcoming construction, your subordinates believed your return to your chambers meant you just had to relieve some pent-up stress. Yet, those “steamy” nights were spent hunched over maps and graphs of your nation, pointing out the flaws in your advisers’ proposals and redoing blueprints of planned buildings.

Perhaps nobody else in the castle was aware of it, but Al- Haitham and Kaveh were a genius strategist and brilliant architect respectively, responsible for the projects the public praised you most for. And that had been the nature of your relationship in the beginning. They patched out your advisers’ proposals and you made sure they were compensated accordingly, unconventional as the methods may be.

Though, you supposed, after working together for a while, the titles you had given them may not be so wrong anymore. Long nights spent agonising over the ideal location for a new project had turned into quiet evenings lounging around your quarters, enjoying fine wine and lingering touches. Having the two around had become a great sense of comfort to you and running into them between meetings and stacks of paperworks waiting for you made a spark of fondness flutter in your chest.

However, running into both of them at the same time also meant the unlikely pair were probably bickering. This time, you could actually hear them before you rounded the corner.

“I’m telling you, if we use this type of wood-”

“It would rot under the environmental influences faster than you could complete construction.”

“Why, you…!”

Pinching the bridge of your nose, you exhaled ready to calm down the situation somehow. Then, you came face to face with them and had an entirely new idea on how to mediate. Haitham had his arms crossed as he regarded the blond with an unimpressed expression, the pose accentuating the way his biceps and triceps flexed. With Kaveh turned away from you, you had a clear view of his back, as always exposed by the flowy robes he wore.

Sure, they might not be the most usual concubines you could’ve chosen, but that didn’t matter.

“Strategy meeting in my quarters, now. Royal orders.”

if you like my content, reblogs, comments and asks are always much appreciated ♡

➺ send in an ask to be added to or removed from my tag list

i think @ryuryuryuyurboat was interested in the idea? have some incoherent rambles then jsjsh

183 notes · View notes

futurecorps3 · 1 year

Note

okay but imagine meeting nikolai at a masquerade ball :00

𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞

Masterlist<3

Summary: A pleasant surprise in the masquerade's ball. Pairing: Nikolai Lantsov x fem!reader Warnings: None I think!! Word Count: 1.4K Requested: Yes

A/N: THE ROMANCE THAT MASQUERADES CARRY HAS ME ON A CHOKEHOLD SINCE I SAW THIS REQUEST TYSM NONNIE! hope u like it and don't mind it's a bit short. <3

˚ · • . ° .

The corset was far too tight. She didn't get to wear her favorite color. The heels were killing her. More than two men had already approached her with terrible openers and she just wanted to go home. Y/N was really trying not to be selfish. She truly was; this night was very special for her father, as the masquerade ball was the first royal event her family could attend.

After years of bad luck with her parents' work, somehow, with savings and a recent escalade of people needing construction materials from all over the continent, they developed a small fortune into a big family-owned business that produced lots of money, meaning they went from being a middle-class family in Os Alta to making business with nobles on behalf of the king.

Word got around, and long-story short, his youngest daughter was forced to attend this ball with her parents. Looking around the room, there was no way they fit in here, but it was a dream of her father's, so she opted to get a tad tipsy with champagne and dance a little before she could go home. The room smelt like booze, expensive perfume, and laughter could be heard from every corner.

What did they find so amusing? From her point of view, the things she now had to get used to were pointless, boring and merely there to make positive appearances with the royal family, who wouldn't bat an eye at them, scarcely noticing their attempts. The girl sighed, watching some other boy in a fancy suit and golden mask approach her from the front, ready to reject him "nicely" as her father had suggested.

Then, a voice.

"This is all incredibly stupid." Simple.

Y/N turned around, finding a blonde head of hair with a blue mask staring at her. He was sporting a uniform like jacket with some medals over it and golden details all over... a general's son, surely. She wasn't sure if he was speaking to her or just wondering out loud since he was sweaty and short of breath, probably from dancing. However, he seemed to have read her mind, and that was enough to start a conversation.

"It is, people trying to impress people who won't even look at them directly in the eye." She chuckled, sinking into her glass of champagne, to which the boy gave a surprised stare. "You seem to have it against the royal family". Oh no. This was in no way a good start, or the setting to voice her complaints about the general injustice lived in her country.

"No! Not at all! I just-" "It's okay. I get it. They think they're too good for anyone, even though all these people are the backbone of their country, not the institution they represent. Ravka would be nothing without its people". A sigh of relief. Did this mystery man get it? He surely wasn't poor or looked like he could care less about social injustice and unfair judgments.

"How would you know?" She questioned, and he was amused, very amused. "Well, let's say I've done my own research over this land, contrary to my family's wishes". His family's wishes? Military men and women came from usually underprivileged areas. Maybe he was the son of some snobbish general who didn't want his precious boy to hang around peasants, but he decided against it.

Suddenly, he enveloped her hand in his, kissing the back of it while looking into her eyes. "Nikolai Lantsov", he introduced himself, lowering it back next to a seemingly limp body.

Oh.

People said he'd show up, but no one really believed it after many failed reunions who promised the prince's attendance. She should bow, her mom told her that she should if she ran into some member of the royal family. Her body reacted to her thoughts, grabbing a fistful of fabric around her and bending her knees in a polite bow. "Moi tsarevich... I'm so sorry, you must know I don't think sorely of our king and queen, it was merely an observation. Apologies".

Nikolai was awfully quiet. Y/N's head was down and all she could see were his shoes and people passing by. Then he laughed. He laughed. "Come on, dear, get up" he offered her his hand and stood straight once again, red in her cheeks. "First of all, call me Nikolai-" "Y/N" "-call me Nikolai, Y/N. Second, no need to apologize as I do think sorely of my family's ruling over the country. And third, that's not how I wanted to make you blush so please calm down, it's okay".

How could that ever be okay? Yes, the younger prince was greatly known for having major discrepancies with his parents and the model of government that was being followed, but it was only okay if HE said it. Not some random girl who just showed up and ran her mouth over the literal king and queen of her nation. She always found a way of fucking up.

"I always talk too much, I'm really sorry moi tsa-" "Nikolai". It felt wrong in her mouth, to be on first-name terms with such an important figure. She said it anyway, that charming smile of his making her weak on the knees and forgetting any kind of stupid hierarchy she was supposed to follow. "Nikolai".

"Why do you assume that's a bad thing?" he said, taking two glasses of whiskey from a waiter who was passing by, downing one and giving her the other "Hm?". She didn't quite hear the question, too focused on how his hands looked with so many pretty rings to the way his eyebrows furrowed briefly at the burning liquid. "Why do you assume talking too much is a bad thing?"

Well, that was new. This entire exchange was, really.

"Well I-" no words. She didn't know. He laughed. "You've been told it is, and I think it to be awfully human, therefore awfully lovely. We like being heard, and there is no reason why we shouldn't be". Another blush crept up her cheeks. Was he always like this? Y/N found, years later, that he had a certain fixation on questioning anything and everything around him.

He questioned limits, pre-impossed ideas, authority, words and virtually anything those beautiful blue eyes laid. Nikolai was that kind of special you find once in your life. "Do you uhm... want to get out of here?" she spat, not really thinking anymore. She wanted more of that. Whatever spell his charm casted upon her was doing wonders. "To where, exactly, darling?" he said, raising his left eyebrow slightly.

Teasingly.

"No, no! By no means am I suggesting something of such nature... I just want to talk to you" "We already are, love" "I'm aware, love. I mean, away from the noise and all these creepily masked people". Silence for a tiny moment. Then he offered his arm out to her, placing the glass he was holding previously on a table and directing his new acquaintance to the back exit.

When they got to the garden, the moon was up and she was the only witness to such an enchanting night for the young prince and the girl. At the time, their lifes didn't fit at all. Two opposites. But oh did their souls knew how to dance. Nikolai found himself at peace, away from the facade he kept around and the appearances to be kept long forgotten as he laughed with Y/N.

"You talk like a book," he said, smiling as they sat near one of the many fountains. You could hear the water streaming down cobblestones and some noises coming from the bushes, the noise from the party becoming merely a background behind their chat. Y/n couldn't help but laugh. "What is that supposed to mean?". Their thighs were touching and she could feel Nikolai tense up a little.

"You do! There are some... things you say that seem taken out of a poetry book." "Like what?" Her cheeks warmed at that, waiting eagerly for an answer to one of the most creative observations someone had made about her. "You said that if love isn't passionate and extraordinary, then it's a waste of time because there are too many mediocre things in life and love shouldn't be one of them" "It's just what I think" she shyly replied, fidgeting with her mask, long gone since they started their walk.

"Then that pretty little mind of yours must be a thrill to discover" "Would you?" "What?" "Like to discover it" "I'd love to, dear" Nikolai smiled sweetly, blue orbs swimming in hers. It was the night the fox found shelter. The night they fell in love.

#nikolai lantsov x reader #nikolai lantsov fluff #nikolai lantsov ff #nikolai lantsov imagines #nikolai lantsov smut #nikolai lantsov #paddy gibson #paddy gibson x reader #shadow and bone season 2 #shadow and bone imagines #shadow and bone imagine

526 notes · View notes

oliwrites · 11 months

Text

Asgard

relationship: loki x fem!reader

genre: fluff and smut

summary: you’re the princess of alfheim, who is visiting asgard for thor’s inauguration of becoming the new king of asgard. whenever loki approaches you and asks if you’d join him in a walk in frigga’s garden…

warnings: 18+ (minors and pearl clutchers, do not interact, i will fight you), oral (f!receiving), piv sex, multiple orgasms (literally just 2), i think that’s all (lmk if there’s more!!)

word count: 2.5k

You didn’t visit Asgard very often. You were a native to Alfheim, but you’ve spent the past couple of years on Midgard for your personal interests in humanity and how a mortal’s body works. When you did visit Asgard, it was very briefly, commonly a meeting with Queen Frigga, or even a favor for Thor.

Which is why you were caught by surprise when you got an invitation to an Asgardian ceremony for Thor to usurp the throne was found on your doorstep at your Midgardian apartment. You obviously were going to go to support your friend, but it still surprised you nonetheless.

Which explains why you are now standing in front of the Asgardian palace. Vines weaving through your curled and braided half-up-half-down hairstyle, a beautiful, golden leaf necklace with a silk green dress with a vine covered top that cascades down the dress, while two vine strands wrap up and around one shoulder to keep the gorgeous dress from slipping down while you dance in the crowd. There was a single slit in the skirt of the dress that revealed your right leg and your gorgeous gold heels with emerald green accents. You had a gold leaf forehead crown that had emeralds spotting around the leaf designs.

You felt absolutely gorgeous. This felt like your Cinderella moment. Of course, you’ve attended a lot of balls and masquerade parties, but they all didn’t feel like the way you feel now.

“Princess! You look breathtaking!” You heard a booming voice behind you. It would take an idiot to not recognize Thor’s cheery voice.

“Thor!” You squealed as you whipped around to see Thor jogging up to you, he’s wearing his royal armor, the one he only wears during his princely duties (and now kingly duties). You wasted no time wrapping your arms around the muscular god as he returns the embrace, squeezing the breath out of your lungs. You’ve grown up with Thor, so you’re used to the [literal] breathtaking embraces Thor had to share.

“I’d be careful brother, if you keep her for any longer, you might have a fainting princess in your arms” You heard that silky and soothing voice come from behind Thor’s body. The voice was confident, leaking out eloquence. That voice could belong to one person, and one person only.

Loki.

Thor sheepishly released you from his tight embrace, flashing you an apologetic smile whilst rubbing the back of his neck. You smiled back at him before averting your eyes to the dark Prince. He still looked as beautiful as ever. He was a sin on legs. He always found a way to catch you off guard and make you blush, which is one of the many qualities you hate about him, but something about the God of Mischief always made you want more of him.

“Princess,” Loki purred, giving you a devilish smile as he began to stride towards you.

“Loki,” you replied, sticking your chin up a little higher, feigning confidence as he approached you.

“For once, I agree with my brother. You do look breathtaking. Ravishing, if you will,” Loki stated, taking your hand and pushing his lips to your knuckles. His green eyes never left yours, secretly relishing in the blush that crept up on your cheeks.

“I see you’re just as bold as the last time I visited,” You quipped back, raising a brow, trying to hide the enjoyment of feeling his lips pressed to your hand.

“Oh love, I’m only bold towards you, because I know I get to see that beautiful pink across your cheeks,” He taunted, brushing his fingers across your cheeks, you unintentionally leaned into his touch slightly, causing him to chuckle, “but, alas, this visit isn’t about me, so I suppose I won’t be seeing it as much” Loki continued, moving his hand away from your cheek, smiling at your slight pout.

“We all know you’ll come running back to me, asking for my hand for a dance. It has occurred every other visit. Including the ones when we were kids,” You quipped back, watching as a soft blush raised up on the prince’s cheeks, “Ah, perhaps this time I’ll be the one making you blush constantly,” You winked, brushing past him as you kept your chin up high.

The inauguration of Thor becoming King of Asgard was rather boring. The nobles from other countries and worlds became a repetitive pattern of absolute desperation to have one night with the Princess of Alfheim. Now, you’re sitting at a table, drinking a rich Asgardian wine, watching as the crowd swooshed past in a dance.

“You seem lonely,” You heard a silky voice state from behind you. You couldn’t help but smile into your cup when the voice hit your ears.

“Perhaps I am. However, you seem just as lonely for you approach me. Are you here to ask me for a dance?” You smiled, turning towards the dark prince.

“My feet are too tired to dance, I was simply wondering if you’d accompany me for a walk in Allmother’s Garden,” Loki replied with a slight smirk.

“This is a new approach, and I am slightly interested in it,” You pretended to ponder about his offer. You both knew you’d accept it. You just enjoyed keeping him on his toes, “Why not, it’s not like Thor is going to get re-crowned while we’re gone,” You took his hand and stood up.

The walk was mostly silent, the only sounds that were around were the clanking and thumping of yours and Loki’s shoes, the waterfall running into a smaller stream that wrapped around Frigga’s garden, and muffled songs coming from the inside of the palace.

“Princess,” Loki started, you looked at him as you both stopped in front of a stone bench that sat in front of a trimmed hedge and a rose bush, “I have something I wish to tell you,” Loki started.

Your heart was in your throat. Was he going to say what you thought he was going to say? You knew you had feelings for Loki, however you never thought he could reciprocate those same feelings. He was just a tease and you figured that’s all what would happen between the two of you.

“What is it?” You asked simply, not wanting to assume wrong. You sat down on the bench, beckoning Loki to do the same. He listened and sat down beside you.

“I… uhm… well…” Loki started off. You were rendered speechless. This is the first time you’ve ever seen Loki, the God of Mischief, nervous about something. Normally he was straight up with what he wanted to say, so what’s so different now? “I like someone, I have for a while too,” Loki stated quickly.

“Tell me more about them? Are they a princess? Or perhaps they are prince?” You questioned, you cocked your eyebrow while looking at Loki.

“They’re a princess. She’s been in my life since I can remember,” Loki started once again, “It’s just, she’s got this beautiful smile, and she plays along with my jokes a lot, sometimes even rendering me speechless. She has this charm to her that can make any man, any god swoon for her. She enjoys gardening, and dancing, she even enjoys baking and cooking. Her and I have snuck off to the palace kitchens at night and baked together while dancing, we told each other stories, and opened up to each other more than anyone ever could before.”

You stopped for a moment, you remembered the time when You and Loki snuck off to the palace kitchens at the dead of night and baked a 2-layer chocolate cake with dark green frosting and golden accents. While the cake was baking, the two of you listened to Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John on repeat while dancing and making the frosting. After the cake was done, you guys had a deep conversation about each other. That was the night you discovered Loki was a Frost Giant.

“She found out about my true origin and accepted it. She stole my heart that night, and the weird thing is: I'm glad she did. I let her have it and I have let her own it for centuries without her knowing. Why? I haven’t had a clue, it just… feels right,” Loki continued. You noticed a smile plastering on his face. Not one of mischief, but of adoration for the woman he was describing.

“Is she here tonight?” You asked, observing the god beside you.

“Yes, she’s here tonight. She’s wearing the most beautiful green dress that’s wrapped in vines. She’s wearing her hair up, with a couple of vines weaving through her beautiful hair. She’s adorning the most breathtaking golden necklace, the gold really compliments her eyes really well. She’s wearing matching golden heels and a golden forehead tiara with emerald accents,” He described, not even looking at you.

A smile crept up on your lips as he described your outfit to almost perfection, all without even looking at you.

“Oh yeah? Where is she now? I’d love to meet her,” You asked, the smile on your face is plastered there, it’s impossible to move it at this point.

“She’s here. In Frigga’s Garden, sitting on a bench that’s in front of a hedge and next to a rose bush. She’s sitting next to me,” Loki replied, looking toward you for the first time after you guys sat down. He spoke your name, barely in a whisper, “I love you,”

“I love you too,” You replied, speaking it like it was a natural habit. You leaned in towards Loki and captured his lips. He instantly responded, gently cupping your cheeks and kissing you back.

The kiss quickly turned more passionate and more fierce. You ended up straddling Loki, gripping onto his hair as he peppered kisses down the column of your throat.

“Are you okay with this?” Loki asked, looking up at you. All you could do was nod. You verbally could not speak from the amount of arousal that was coursing through your veins.

Loki shimmied your dress up to your hips as he continued to attack your neck and collarbones with kisses (and occasional love bites), and you froze for a moment.

“Wait, Loki,” You spoke up, causing his affections to stop immediately. He looked at you with slight concern.

“Did I hurt you?” Loki asked, worry hinted in his voice.

“No, no it’s not that,” You started, instantly calming him down, “however, what if someone walks over and sees us? Besides, I always wanted my first time with you to be special, not in your mother’s garden,” You explained, brushing away some of his black curls out of his face.

“Apologies, Princess, I got ahead of myself,” Loki smiled sheepishly, before teleporting the two of you into his chambers, “Is this better, min kjære?”

“Yes, thank you,” You smiled, kissing him on the lips again. He gently laid you down on your back, slightly tugging on your dress, silently asking to take it off. You nodded into him, giving him all the permission he needed to proceed.

You felt a ticklish feeling going down your body as Loki’s seiðr undressed you down to your bra and panties. Loki looked at you in awe as he scanned your almost naked body.

“I don’t know where to put my mouth first, you are truly divine,” Loki said, almost breathless. You guided him towards your lips as a starting place. He quickly got the message and began kissing down your body. You arched your back slightly, just enough to unclip your bra, and continue his trail down your body.

“My prince, I need you,” You whined out as you weaved your fingers into his dark locks. He smiled against your skin and peeled your panties down your legs, “Oh gods—” you moaned out as he licked a firm line up your cunt.

He wasted no time on pleasuring you, he began lapping up the sweet juices from you. He groaned in pleasure at the taste of you, which sent vibrations up your core. You arched your back at his tongue pleasuring you, gripping onto his hair for dear life.

He sucked on your clit as he brought two fingers up to your glistening sex. He slowly pushed them in, causing you to let out a guttural moan. He began to pump his fingers in and out of you as you bucked down onto him.

“That’s it, prinsesse, dance for me,” Loki mumbled out, before continuing to suckle on your clit. You continued to fuck yourself down on his fingers as you felt your orgasm quickly approaching. You almost began screaming as your thighs began to shake.

“Loki— I…” You moaned out. Loki looked up at you with a smirk.

“Cum for me, my sweet, show me how much I pleasure you,” Loki replied, curling his fingers up into you.

You let out a soundless scream and you came. Loki rode you out through your high. Once you came down from it, Loki removed his fingers from you and sucked them clean.

“Loki, min prins, I want to see you,” You begged, placing your two hands on his leather-clad pectorals.

“As my darling wishes,” Loki replied, as his seiðr wrapped around his body, removing every article of clothing from his body.

“You’re beautiful,” You said, almost breathless.

“So are you,” Loki replied sweetly, pressing a sweet kiss to your lips.

“Please, Loki…” You began, growing impatient and just wanting him inside of you. You wanted all of those years of flirting and teasing to just end, and clearly Loki wanted to continue with them.

Loki, however, grew impatient himself and began nudging himself into you, as you both let out a groan of pleasure. He stretched you out deliciously and you knew you would never get tired of him.

“Gods— You’re so… tight…” Loki groaned into your neck, as he began to thrust into you, you moaned out, wrapping your arms around his neck. He pressed his lips to yours as he groaned into your mouth.

“More…” You begged, as you wrapped your legs around his hips, making him thrust deeper into you. A hand that was placed on your hip moved down to your clit, as he frantically circled it.

You quickly felt your second orgasm approaching as well as Loki’s, as his cock twitched inside of you.

“Where should I—” Loki started

“Inside! Please, I need you…” You moaned out, raking your nails down his back.

“Cum with me,” He demanded, “Please…” He added on. You nodded at his request as his thrusts became sloppier as he almost peaked his own orgasm.

With one final thrust, he released himself inside you. You followed him not even 30 seconds after him. He bucked into your hips as he rode out both of your highs. He bit down on your neck as you moaned out toward the high ceilings.

After a few minutes, he finally pulled out of you, letting his seed drip out from your used cunt. You looked at each other before kissing each other once again.

“You actually love me back, right?” Loki asked, slightly concerned that you just used him for pleasure rather than actual love.

“Min prins, du mener så mye for meg,” You started, “I love you more than all of the Nine Realms combined” You smiled, before kissing him once more.

***

I hope y’all enjoyed that as much as I enjoyed writing that! Yes, this is my first post on here, but I hope it’s still good enough to impress you all! Please REBLOG if you see this so you can spread this story!!

min kjære- my beloved

prinsesse - princess

min prins - my prince

min prins, du mener så mye for meg - my prince, you mean so much to me.

#loki #loki fanfic #loki laufeyson #loki marvel #loki x reader #loki x y/n #loki x you #loki smut #loki fluff #mcu loki #loki series #loki friggason

382 notes · View notes

persnicketypomelo · 11 months

Note

Hello! I love your writing and I was wondering what your take would be on Erik attending a masquerade ball with the reader. Hope you aren’t too fed up by the poto fandom, we easily get addicted to good writers :D

(accidentally sent a draft of my this ask, it was almost done but I want to make sure I didn’t forget anything hehe)

No problem at all! And, well, if you call me a good writer you could flatter me into writing many things lol. I could never get fed up with any people providing me such sweet feedback!

obsession, implied kidnap

Attending a Masquerade Ball

Even under disguise, Erik still has a noticeable flair for the ostentatious

His costume of choice would be something theatrical, metaphorical

He has dressed as Poe's "Red Death" before, come to bring deliverance to the wealthy patrons of the opera house

Only a costume of equal messaging and grandeur would fit his tastes

How ironic, in comparison, to be donning a simple white domino as his partner--light linking arms with death

The moment he enters, people are wary of the his death's head mask

I'd say that the only reason he would attend such a gathering is to send a message or to accompany you

Though, I don't think you would derive much enjoyment in socialising with Erik trailing your every step, unnerving any companion

The Phantom has long learned that if he will never be loved, than he can at least be feared

Even if he has a good relationship with you, old habits die hard, and he does enjoy getting a scare out of frightened ballet girls and superstitious guests alike

Group dances are a normal and enjoyable part of any ball, but no such thing will happen with the frightening presence of death and his living companion

When the two of you dance, not one person dares to join in the activity

In the event that you used the cover of a masquerade to slip from him among the crowds...only then will you know true horror

Red death stalking and pushing through the crowd, and then he meets your gaze

Lurid, yellow cat eyes that burn to your core

In that moment, you truly understand how even Prince Prospero, isolated in his gilded castle, could not escape the Red Death

#yandere #x reader #reader insert #phantom of the opera #erik destler #erik phantom #gaston leroux #phantom of the opera x reader #obsessive #headcanons #erik poto

287 notes · View notes

aurumacadicus · 1 year

Text

For @winterironmonth

SFW Sunday: Word, Dialogue

I’ve always wanted to try a fic entirely from an outsider point of view 🤔 Lemme know if it went well. Look out for under the cut!

Steve took a deep breath, then let it out again slowly. “You know I’m not good at lying.”

“You only say that because you don’t want to believe it. You’re incredibly good at lying,” Bucky said flatly. “Do we have a deal or not?”

Steve scowled, shuffling his feet as Bucky finished tying his tie for him. “I guess I should say I’m not good at lying to Howard.”

“So don’t talk to Howard,” Bucky said, shrugging, as if it was that simple.

Steve sighed, rolling his eyes. He didn’t really have the option not to talk to Howard—he and his wife were the hosts of the costume ball he was attending. He had to thank them for the invitation. Howard was somehow good at recognizing him even in disguise, which was annoying when he was undercover for the Crown. And Howard knew something was up, so he’d be extra perceptive. It was why he’d specifically disallowed Bucky from attending.

“All I need you to do is give Tony the note telling him to meet me in the garden,” Bucky said, letting go of his tie with a flourish.

Steve frowned down at the note Bucky had slapped into his hand, because ‘Tony will recognize my handwriting.’ “It just says ‘you know where to find me.’ It doesn’t say anything about the garden.”

“It’s our place,” Bucky explained, as if he was a child. “We always sneak off to the garden to—”

“I know what you do,” Steve cut in hastily, stepping away from him to take a look at himself in the mirror. He’d walked in on them hiding in pantries and closets enough to know exactly what they were going to get up to. He tried to comb his hair into his usual style, then stopped himself—it was a masquerade ball. He wasn’t supposed to be his usual self. “How are you even going to get into the garden? Howard said you weren’t allowed on the property. He was paying for extra security.”

“It’s best you don’t know,” Bucky said.

Steve turned to look at him, opening his mouth to tell him it was his neck on the line if Howard figured out he was working together with him to get Tony away from the party (even though Bucky was his best friend, so Howard really should have expected it). Then he shook his head, thinking better of it. It was best he didn’t know. He wouldn’t have to lie as much, then. “And I only have to give him this note?” he asked dubiously, looking at the note again.

“Yes,” Bucky assured with a nod. “He’ll know what to do after.”

“Alright,” Steve sighed, picking up his mask and frowning at it.

“—And maybe distract Howard for a little bit,” Bucky added thoughtfully.

Steve spun toward him, spluttering, “That wasn’t part of the deal!”

Bucky clasped his hands together, pleading. “Please, Steve! Just if he notices Tony’s gone. Then he’ll have more time to get back to the party!”

“I’m giving him the note only!” Steve shouted, waving a fist at him. “I’m a bad liar especially to Howard and if his wife even glances at me askance, I will cry!”

“Alright,” Bucky agreed hastily, and Steve wanted to think it was because he was intimidating, but he knew it was mostly because they were all scared of Maria Stark. The only people who weren’t were Howard and Tony. Steve still had no idea how. Maria Stark had once been so annoyed by one of the princes at a royal function that she’d gotten an apology from the Crown written personally by the queen.

.-.

Steve realized, as soon as he stepped into the ballroom, that he should have asked Bucky what Tony would be wearing. Everyone looked opulent. Precious gems dripped from every neck and ear he could see. Clothes were made out of satins and silks. Masks were hand-embroidered and covered in delicate lace. Even those armed had gems glittering in the hilts of their swords. He felt underdressed. He almost turned right back around and left.

But the note from Bucky was still in his pocket, and Tony was expecting to receive it. Steve could understand Howard being cautious (before Tony, Bucky had been a pretty infamous cad), but to separate them so completely that he was willing to risk public ridicule by barring Bucky from his property, it was so unfair. Maybe he was lucky, that way—he’d seen firsthand how Bucky had fallen head over heels for Tony, going from a smarmy philanderer to a smitten suitor.

Gifts assured to quickly lead to sex had turned into thoughtful gifts that he hoped Tony might enjoy. Expensive carriage rides about town to show each other off had turned into long walks where they could find a moment of privacy. Bragging about his exploits had turned into lovelorn sighs about Tony’s achievements. Anniversaries were met with nervous excitement, not surprise that they could stand each other that long. Bucky had fallen head over heels, and as annoyed as Steve was to have to play the middle man sometimes, he was also honored to see it happening. Tony was good for him. And Bucky was good for Tony, too.

“Steve,” someone said, and Steve about jumped out of his skin.

He turned sharply. There was a man standing behind him, dressed in red and black velvets. There was golden embroidery along the edges, rubies and garnets sewn into glittering flowers, and his mask was a cold, contrasting blue with sapphires dotting the corners. “Tony?” he asked hopefully.

The man rolled his eyes in the exact same way that Tony did. “Obviously.”

“If you’re not nice to me, I’m not giving you the note,” Steve said.

The haughtiness in Tony’s body language disappeared, eyes going wide and sad behind his mask in fear that Steve actually would fuck off without giving him the note. “I’ll be nice.”

Steve immediately felt bad for teasing him. Tony knew as well as he did that Bucky was banned from the property and this would be his only chance to see him when his father was trying his best to make him see other suitors. Of course he wouldn’t want to take chances. And Steve was technically supposed to be loyal to Howard in this, just because he was higher in station, so of course Tony would be anxious about it. “Can you promise this note won’t be found by anyone else?”

“I’ll eat it,” Tony answered.

Steve laughed, realized Tony wasn’t laughing with him, and stopped. “Don’t fucking eat it!”

“You said—” Tony began indignantly.

Steve scowled at him. “I just don’t want to get in trouble with the Crown, Tony, I actually don’t care if anyone sees it as long as they don’t know I gave it to you.”

“Oh,” Tony said, and then, “Well. No one knows who you are except me I think, because I had Jan tell me what she made for your costume. I like your tie.”

Steve looked down at his tie, unable to help the warmth of pride in his chest that Tony approved. “It’s not too much?”

“It’s perfect,” Tony assured, reaching out to smooth it down his chest.

Steve lifted his hand to brush Tony’s away, pushing the note into his palm. “Tony, if your dad thinks you’re flirting with me, he’s going to be insufferable about trying to pair us up.”

“Ew,” Tony exclaimed, nose wrinkling under his mask.

Steve scowled again. “You could at least pretend you don’t think the idea is disgusting, you know.”

“Imagine me naked,” Tony said flatly, and when Steve wrinkled his nose at the idea, he let out a triumphant, “Ha!”

“Yeah, okay,” Steve sighed, amused. He glanced further into the ballroom. “Well, here I go. Wish me luck.”

“Careful,” Tony warned, voice full of mirth as he began into the room. “Some of the ladies are desperate for a ring and you’re fresh meat.”

Steve sighed, not looking forward to it at all. “Thanks, Tony.” He glanced over his shoulder. Tony had turned his back to the room, opening the note to peek at it. Not very discreet. Still, it brought a smile to his lips at how obviously happy even a few words on a scrap of paper could make Tony, knowing that Bucky had written them.

.-.

Steve burst out of the doors leading to the garden and sprinted into the maze. “BUCKY!” He heard a startled noise and, forgoing any logistic nonsense, simply clawed through the hedges. “HOWARD KNOWS WE NEED TO LEAVE RIGHT NOW IMMEDIATELY THIS INSTANT.”

Tony and Bucky appeared around a corner, looking disheveled. Bucky looked harried. “Can’t you stay and get him off my tail?!”

Steve caught him by the shoulders and shook him. “You know I’m a horrible liar and Howard caught me halfway around the ballroom and weaseled it out of me we have to go now he is trying to kill me!”

“He can’t kill you. The Crown will be mad,” Tony said, sounding so reasonable that Steve almost calmed down.

Then he remembered the absolute fury on Howard’s face when he realized Tony wasn’t in the ballroom and the terror took over. “Maria Stark didn’t stop him,” he told Bucky solemnly.

“Oh my god,” Bucky squeaked, then turned, cupping Tony’s cheeks to smack a quick kiss to his lips. “Goodbye.”

“My mom’s not that bad,” Tony sighed, but Steve was grabbing Bucky’s arm and dragging him away before he could finish.

Bucky didn’t struggle, so he figured that he was agreeing with him.

#aurumacadicus writes #winterironmonth #winteriron

56 notes · View notes

firstdraft · 9 months

Text

— FIRST DRAFT writeblr reintroduction

ABOUT ME Hello! I'm Evan, also known as firstdraft or evancetera. As it's been over two years since my last introduction, and my pinned post is woefully out of date, I thought I'd write a new one. I'm also coming off a writeblr hiatus of sorts, and I'm very glad to be back!

So, about me! I'm 32 years old, non-binary, bi & aro/acespec, and my pronouns are they/them or he/him. I'm currently a part-time undergrad student, tentatively majoring in computer science, and I live in Michigan with my family and my cat. I have adhd, depression, and social anxiety, and I get chronic migraines.

LINKS twitter // wattpad // instagram

WORKS IN PROGRESS under the cut

CINDERWITCH Elisabeth Pryce is a witch, a dangerous thing in the kingdom of Vendyer, where magic users are conscripted to join the King’s army. Ell, however, is determined to keep her magic a secret, like her mother did before her untimely death. But when her father remarries, her new stepmother is quick to discover her secret.

The new lady of the house gives Elisabeth a choice. Use her magic for the benefit of her and her daughters, or be turned into the authorities. With her stepmother’s threat hanging over her head, Ell has no choice but to obey. After all, witches who ignore the king’s edict have burned — or worse.

When king holds a masquerade, intending to find a suitable wife for his only son, Ella’s instructions are simple. Attend the ball, dance with the prince, and cast a spell so powerful that he’ll fall in lover one of her stepsisters, making her his bride.

Do this, and Elspeth will be free of her stepmother forever.

All is not well in Llendyr, however, and Elspeth’s task will send her deep into a rebellious conspiracy, where romance is the last thing on her mind. Finally, her powers might be used for good — but at what cost?

BEAUTY'S THORN (working title) It’s been years since Belle managed to escape the monstrous Beast and his enchanted castle, sneaking off into the forest and finding her way home. She’s returned to her sisters and father, but the nightmares have remained, despite doing all she can to make sure that her and her family are now safe.

But when she hears that another girl from her village has gone missing, taken by the Beast, she knows that she has no choice but to save her, returning to stage a daring rescue. But how will she succeed, when the missing girl doesn’t wish to be rescued? Has Belle been wrong about the Beast and his castle the whole time? Or Is there something more sinister than even she imagined, tying them all to the cursed castle?

ICHORBORN One of many apprentice engineers in Londonium, Thaddeus Elliston spends his days elbow deep in engines and gears, and goes home to the boarding house at night too exhausted to enjoy the many pleasures of the city. Unlike his fellow students, Thaddeus has no family or sponsor to pay for his education. If he falls behind, he will be cast out, and his chance at a better life will be gone. Fortunately, he is at the top of his cohort, and one of the most brilliant gearworkers the headmistress has ever seen.

But skill means nothing when compared to wealth. And so, when his jealous classmates start a fight, it is Thaddeus who is expelled.

He believes his life is over until he receives a letter from Dr. Bartholomew Hughes, a reclusive alchemist responsible for the invention of Ichor, the new fuel that runs most modern machinery. With no other options, he agrees to meet Dr. Hughes at his country estate.

What he finds there will change his life forever.

ARTEMIS RISING Captain Artemis Holt has been in charge of the U.N.I.S. Icarus for the past five years. In orbit over Mars, she’s overseen the transport of scientists and engineers to and from her home planet, and leads the first line of defense for Earth. Not that there are any aliens, or at least, living ones. But the evidence discovered on Mars is irrefutable — alien lifeforms exist. Or at least, they did. All that humanity has found are dead bodies and an untranslatable archive.

But, as the Daedalus Project is about to be shelved, the knowledge there too advanced for humanity to understand, the impossible happens. Millennia-old computers suddenly power up, and the archives are accessible once more.

And ships appear in the sky.

What they discover will shake the galaxy to its core. Someone has been hiding the Earth’s civilization from the rest of the universe, thus ensuring that Earth remained separate. But who is behind it? After all, the Vraekel have been dead for over a millennia.

#writeblr #writeblr intro #writeblr introduction #writers on tumblr #writers of tumblr #writing community #wip introduction #wip intro #mine.#my intro.#my wip.

20 notes · View notes

thekatebridgerton · 1 year

Note

Please give us more of the Twisted Fairy Tale AU's! Like you know Anthony's siblings agreed to help him overthrow their mother to go after their respective love interests. I'm curious as to what fairy tale would suit Benedict and Sophie with Cinderella being out of the way. I can the Little Mermaid (the Hans Christian Anderson One) going along with Penelope or Lucy's story.

Well since you asked. here's a continuation of my twisted Farytales au. for Benophie, Polin and Philoise. hit the keep reading button if youre interested

find the original post with the kanthony twisted fairytale here

Benophie:

You see, Kate’s twisted Cinderella story wasn't supposed to end that way, everyone knows the story, nice girl evil stepsister, meets a fairy gets a dress, goes to the ball, dances with the Prince. Voila happy ending. so then what happened? why did the Prince get distracted by the evil stepsister and not by Cinderedwina?.

Well it might have been the silver fairy’s fault. To be fair, Sophie wasn't supposed to be there. Fairy Genevieve who was Edwina's actual godmother, had a problem with her wings and couldn't make it so someone had to fill in for her and neither Posy or Rosamund wanted to. Sophie herself, was just one of the three fairies of fortune currently raising Princess Hermione in the woods. But a friend asked for a favor so there she was making sure that everything went according to the plan in the Bridgerton Ball and attending the masquerade ball with a little bit of magic

And okay maybe the reason some fairies became fairies was because they never got a happy ending so Sophie indulged herself with one little dance with the second Prince to sate her curiosity of what could have been. He did have a rule that he’d only marry a girl who could feel a pea under a thousand mattresses, so dancing with him was a safe bet. Later she would just magically make him forget her when she went back home to the other fairies anyway. What was love at first sight for a guy who believed in hiding peas under matresses? Really, Love at first sight was just a myth told by humans to other humans. Besides she’s messed up Cinderedwina’s fairytale by not being vigilant enough on who was dancing with Prince Anthony in the first place. The Silver fairy needed to do some damage control asap.

Prince Benedict and his attractiveness could stuff it, there were more important things in the world than being his mistress (She’s a fairy!! Fairies don’t fall into bed with humans!! Let alone have dalliances with them in beds of a thousand mattresses with peas hidden in them), Sophie needed to fix her mess and help Kate escape Prince (now King) Anthony and get the Cinderedwina story back on track, She just didn’t count on the Bridgerton royal family being one of those weirdos blessed by the Queen of the Fairies who went a bit crazy if they couldn’t be with their true love. But what’s a second prince to do when he falls inlove with one sleeping beauty’s 3 fairy Godmothers. Well, make war with the fae until they give up her location of course.

Oh Forget Kate!!!, now Prince Benedict has started a fairy hunt of his own and Sophie is running/flying for her life. What’s that about the troll castle that’s supposed to be East of the Sun and West of the moon? Do you think that’s far enough to get away from this family of maniacs?

Polin because why not:

Penelope the magic-less daughter of a beauty obsessed witch (literally, her mother mixes beauty potions for fun and occasionally curses people). Always knew her life wasn’t destined for tales. Raised at court, nursing a little (big) crush on the third prince she resigned herself to spinsterhood, it’s okay that prince Colin never saw her as more than a friend, she could still dance at balls, and write her funny columns for fun. One day she’d be the lady in waiting to princess Eloise anyway, when her friend finished finding true love that is.

And then Colin washes up ashore after a shipwreck and claims Penelope… rescued him and now he wants to marry her?? Oh no, no, no no, Penelope Featherington is the daughter of a witch and she knows there’s only one type of creature that rescues handsome men at sea, and Penelope is not a mermaid, neither is she keen on inviting the wrath of one into her door just because Colin was at the verge of death and hallucinated with her face!! Penelope doesn’t even like the beach, she doesn’t even sing.

Whoever the siren that did this to him is, they better snap Colin out of his besottedness with her!! Which definitely looks like a mermaid love song gone wrong. She demands a recount. So she takes the next ship out of the kingdom and goes on an adventure to track down Mermaid island and find whoever that mermaid was (Meanwhile poor dear mermaid Marina would simply like to clarify to Penelope that her love spell didn’t work because the guy was already inlove with someone else, and that it only made the man realize his feelings)

And Colin, well he always knew that traveling so much and leaving Penelope alone would make her easy to seduce by other men, he just thought he’d be safe from that with his brothers watching over her. Clearly he was wrong, it’s sea creatures he should be wary of, surely Penelope has rejected him because she’s gone to look for her merman lover. And Anthony is already taking over the kingdom, and Benedict is hunting down a fairies, what’s wrong with him starting a war with the sea creatures too in the meantime? Nobody is going to steal his Penelope away from him

Phillip and Eloise

You know when you’re the father of this Generation’s Hansel and Gretel and you live in a Kingdom where the newly crowned King is certifiably crazy, and in love with a recently initiated witch (who knew Lady Kate would turn to the dark arts to escape that tyrant). You just don’t around advertising that you just helped Lady Kate hightail out to your brother’s estate in the neighbor kingdom, or that the Silver Fairy happened to pass by and gave your family some very impressive gifts as thanks for giving her food. Or that your kids murdered a witch in an oven and are now a little too bloodthirsty for your taste.

You as a sensible man, especially don’t mention that detail of your life to the pretty dark haired stranger who showed up at your door seeking shelter after the 7 dwarves kicked her out of their cottage for being incredibly bossy. And while discretion was a virtue of his, Phillip’s great flaw in life was that he was too trusting. And lived in the woods, while the royal family was making war on every magical species available to hunt.

So what if he just thought that Miss “Louise” was one of those ladies running away from obsessive men (he already met two, three if you counted Miss Penelope whom he gave directions towards Mermaid island when he went to the bay to trade). He never thought that Louise was anything but a person in need. Was miss Louise very prone to attracting witches with poisoned apples? Yes, but Phillip ran a plant apothecary, he was great at detoxifying, and he loved to feel useful by doing whatever she wanted.

Phillip wanted a normal life in his apothecary with his plants and his witch killing kids, how was he to know the woman he fell in love was a scary princess on a mission to help her brothers hunt down their true loves. Now Eloise wants her cute plant man to come live with her at the palace with their kids (they’re hers now too, she loves them, they’re going to kill so many witches together until Anthony finds Kate). And Phillip just wants to cry at the mess he's gotten into.

Especially because he knows exactly where Kate, Sophie and Penelope are!!

#twisted fairytale au #polin #philoise #benophie #colin bridgerton #benedict bridgerton #eloise bridgerton #penelope featherington #phillip crane #sophie beckett

59 notes · View notes

bastetwastaken · 6 months

Note

"Original story thing" got me curious :3c

Oooohhhhh you have opened up a whole can of worms here my friend, and you may regret it xD

So, I'm currently writing a Puzzleshipping fanfic but it was originally intended to be an original story and it will be once again! It's called A Tale of Two Kingdoms and it's about the sons of two kings of rival kingdoms who are not on very good terms with each other who were never meant to meet, meeting and falling in love.

Cliche? You bet.

So I created a whole world called Miotas, which is inspired by a mixture of various mythologies, but lends a lot from Irish folklore. There are four regions within Miotas, but the two which are the centre of the story are Tuath Dé, the home of a god-like race called the Deorum and Luceras, the home of the Light Elves.

Something happened between these kingdoms centuries ago, and whilst not many people actually know what happened, the two kings and their most trusted advisors keep this secret. The kings haven't even told their sons what happened all those years ago.

The prince of Luceras is curious for an Elf, and he desires to know more about Miotas and specifically, Tuath Dé. He wants to know more about this god-like race everyone seems to respect (or is the right word fear?). So when he hears about a festival and masquerade ball happening in Tuath Dé, he just has to go. He enjoys his time in this new city, he takes everything in with joy and when the ball comes around, he's beyond excited to finally attend. He's never been to one of these things before and it's wonderful.

Whilst he's there, he gains the attention of another attendee of the ball. He has no idea who this man is, but he likes the way he's dressed, the way he speaks and when he asks him to dance, he just has to accept.

Well anyway, it comes to pass that this mysterious man who has captured more than just his attention is the Deorum prince. The one person he's always been warned against meeting and taught to hate...yet he can't quite believe that this is the same man he's been told would hurt him if given the chance, a cruel ruler with unimaginable power. The Deorum prince wants to meet him again, and since this man has no idea who he actually is, the Elven prince accepts. He wants to get to know this man better after all.

What follows is a tale of them meeting in secret, finding out more about each other, and eventually falling for one another. Neither of them know what this feud is about but they don't understand why their kingdoms can't just get along. They decide to find out what happened and if possible, fix it so they can reveal their secret relationship and be together properly.

-I'm going to stop myself here because you really did not ask for all of this and I could honestly go on for hours. But yeah, basically I'm working on a cliche romance story which I hope to one day put out as original fiction.

Thank you friend <3 <3

(If anyone ever wants to know more about this I am beyond happy to talk about it)

#bastet is talking shit again #but I love this story so much already

8 notes · View notes

ittostan · 2 years

Text

“May I have this dance?“

Pt.2

Diluc x male reader

DNI FEMALE READERS (FEM IDENTIFYING READERS)

THIS IS A SHORT PART!!!!!!!!!

Warnings: Swearing and terrible writing 😁

When the reader is on his way to the library and isn't paying attention, he runs into Diluc, who is on his way to the bakery for some sweets. After that day, Diluc can’t get the reader’s handsome face out of his mind and, since his father is hosting a winter masquerade ball for the first time, he makes it his goal to find the librarian, but is met with a sudden arranged marriage, ruining his chance to ever have a relationship..that is until he does find the librarian and the two meet for a dance out in the garden... and you’ll see what happens next!

The day of the masquerade ball had finally approached, and after helping all morning and noon with preparations, Diluc had time to get dressed, hoping maybe he’d get the chance to see the bed head he'd run into a few days ago. Masquerade balls were usually attended while wearing masks in the hopes that no one noticed who you were, but with his red hair, it would be difficult not to be recognized, making it less interesting. Just then, his thoughts were interrupted by one of the servants—

"Master Diluc, the Princess has arrived."

"Princess? Who and why?"

Your apologies for not being specific, sir—the Princess you’re going to marry." Your father wants to speak to you about tonight’s announcement as well.

I’ll be there right away, just give me a moment.."

Diluc finished putting on his black button-up with a sort of red vest (I don’t know the name) and making sure his clothes were alright while thinking about how and why the hell his father did this! So much for ‘I’m happy with whoever you choose to rule with’ bullshit. Walking down the silent halls with just the sound of his shoes echoing throughout, he tried to think of ways to escape meeting the woman. Jump out of a window and into a bush? No, the thorns would rip his clothing. Sneak out the door? No, the guards would see him. Oh, no! He should sneak through the garden! He (and the gardener) are the only people who go there. "Diluc

What’s taking you so long?

Crepus said from the open door just a few steps away, catching him before he could go through the back. "Dammit

..." he muttered, walking over the wooden door slamming shut behind him.

"It’s so nice to finally meet you, my prince." Jean Gunnhildr said, as she gave a curtsy in her beautiful blue and white dress. Back in

the village, the young librarian boy was out at a shop looking for any masks that would match his outfit. He was trying on some different ones that could match, like maybe a gold or a black or white, but none looked good. He slowly walked over to the owner, "Do you have any masks that have like royal blue and gold?" He asked with a warm smile, then, being led to one,

"This is the last one, I’m afraid."

"This one’s perfect, thank you."

He went over to a window where he could see his reflection and placed the mask on his face, tilting his head slightly up to keep it there and reaching behind his head to tie it, taking the trouble of avoiding getting some of his hair in the knot, then heading to the counter and placing his money down. "Thank you, have a good day," the happy (colored) male said softly, then walked out of the shop, attracting the attention of a few females. Hearing their whispers He thought to himself, brushing his hair back.

Soon, getting to his small home, he opened the door, going in and closing it behind him to see how much time he had left. "Alright, an hour." I should pass some time with reading, maybe? I already got my reading done at work! He went off to his office, sitting on his wooden chair in front of his wooden desk. "I can’t write in this darkness." he asked himself in a mutter, searching through his drawers, pulling out a small red box to open it and pull out a stick, doing what he did to get fire on it. He looked at it for a few seconds with his beautiful eyes, remembering how the prince made him feel like a spark or fire in his stomach because of how happy he was always near him, and reaching for the white candle, he placed the orange-ish red-ish fire near the tip of the candle to give it fire and light up a bit of the room enough for him to see his paper.

After a few minutes, he had the paper halfway finished, and it wasn’t just any plain ol' letter. It was a love letter, and it was to, you guessed it! The Prince!

——————

𝑀𝓎 𝒹𝑒𝒶𝓇𝑒𝓈𝓉 𝓅𝓇𝒾𝓃𝒸𝑒,

𝒴𝑜𝓊 𝓂𝒶𝓎 𝓃𝑜𝓉 𝓀𝓃𝑜𝓌 𝓌𝒽𝑜 𝐼 𝒶𝓂, 𝒷𝓊𝓉 𝓌𝑒’𝓋𝑒 𝒶𝒸𝓉𝓊𝒶𝓁𝓁𝓎 𝓇𝓊𝓃 𝒾𝓃𝓉𝑜 𝑒𝒶𝒸𝒽 𝑜𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝒶 𝒻𝑒𝓌 𝓉𝒾𝓂𝑒𝓈 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓃 𝒶𝒻𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒷𝑒𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒶 𝒷𝒾𝓉 𝓇𝓊𝒹𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝓎𝑜𝓊, 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓌𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎 𝓀𝒾𝓃𝒹 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓅𝓇𝑜𝒷𝒶𝒷𝓁𝓎 𝓃𝒾𝒸𝑒𝓇 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓃 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓈𝒽𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝒷𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝓈𝑜𝓂𝑒𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝓌𝒽𝑜 𝓇𝒶𝓃 𝒾𝓃𝓉𝑜 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒷𝓁𝒶𝓂𝑒𝒹 𝒾𝓉 𝑜𝓃 𝓎𝑜𝓊. 𝒩𝑜𝓌 𝐼’𝓂 𝒶𝓉𝓉𝑒𝓃𝒹𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓂𝒶𝓈𝓆𝓊𝑒𝓇𝒶𝒹𝑒 𝒷𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓃𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝐼 𝒹𝑜 𝒽𝑜𝓅𝑒 𝐼 𝑔𝑒𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒸𝒽𝒶𝓃𝒸𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝓂𝑒𝑒𝓉 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓂𝒶𝓎𝒷𝑒 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓃 𝑔𝑒𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒸𝒽𝒶𝓃𝒸𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝒶𝓈𝓀 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝒽𝒶𝓃𝒹. 𝒯𝑜 𝒹𝒶𝓃𝒸𝑒, 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒾𝓈, 𝑜𝒻 𝒸𝑜𝓊𝓇𝓈𝑒. 𝐼 𝒸𝒶𝓃𝓃𝑜𝓉 𝑔𝒾𝓋𝑒 𝒶 𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎 𝒹𝑒𝓈𝒸𝓇𝒾𝓅𝓉𝒾𝓋𝑒 𝒹𝑒𝓈𝒸𝓇𝒾𝓅𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃 𝑜𝒻 𝓂𝓎𝓈𝑒𝓁𝒻, 𝒷𝓊𝓉 𝐼 𝓌𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝒷𝑒 𝓌𝑒𝒶𝓇𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒶 𝓈𝑜𝓇𝓉 𝑜𝒻 𝓇𝑜𝓎𝒶𝓁 𝒷𝓁𝓊𝑒 𝑜𝓃 𝓂𝓎 𝒸𝓁𝑜𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒶 𝒷𝓁𝓊𝑒 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝑔𝑜𝓁𝒹 𝓂𝒶𝓈𝓀 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝓂𝓎 𝒽𝒶𝒾𝓇 (𝒶𝓃𝓎 𝒽𝒶𝒾𝓇 𝓈𝓉𝓎𝓁𝑒). 𝒴𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝒽𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓃𝑒𝓈𝓈, 𝐼 𝒽𝑜𝓅𝑒 𝓌𝑒 𝒸𝒶𝓃 𝓂𝑒𝑒𝓉 𝓈𝑜𝑜𝓃.

-(𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓌𝒶𝓃𝓉 𝓉𝑜 𝓈𝒾𝑔𝓃 𝒾𝓉 𝒶𝓈)

————————

(If you can’t read: My dearest prince,

You may not know who I am, but we’ve actually run into each other a few times, and even after I was a bit rude to you, you were very kind and probably nicer than you should be to someone who ran into you and blamed it on you. I’m attending the masquerade ball this evening, and I do hope I get the chance to meet you and maybe even get the chance to ask for your hand. To dance, that is, of course. I cannot give a very descriptive description of myself, but I will be wearing a sort of royal blue on my clothing and a blue and gold mask with my hair (any hair style). Your highness, I hope we can meet soon.

-(Whatever you want to sign it as.)

You fold it two or three times before sliding it into the envelope, sealing wax going onto it, and then put it into your bag and head off to the Ragnvinder hall, waiting for the sort of crowd of people to get into the doors that would have music heard through them.

PART TWO IS FINALLY FINISHED!!! IM SO SORRY FOR TAKING SO LONG-

THIS IS THE OUTFITS FOR DILUC AND THE READER (Readers is the blue and diluc’s is the red ofc) I WILL MAKE ANOTHER PART AND TRY TI GET IT OUT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!! THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING!!!!

#diluc x male reader #male reader #genshin x male reader #x male reader #genshin impact #genshin impact x reader #x reader #male reader insert #diluc x you #diluc ragnvindr

65 notes · View notes

lovelykhaleesiii · 1 year

Note

💗💗💗💗 (going to just place it into your askbox bc my blog is blank and im just a lurker, forgive me 😭😂)

AnYwAys- I hope you like it and it will cheer you up 💗😘

Also, if you get a certain reference to a netflix show, you're amazing 🤚

Warnings; uh, cussing? Soft!Aegon and maybe a little o.o.c aegon too, and there is a creepy guy but he doesn't get far!

Your mother pulls off your covers and you scramble to put them back on. It was unnaturally cold and you had been cold all night and were finally getting warm.

"Get up! Today's the day!" You mother said, chipper.

You attempt to rub some of the sleep out of your eye. "What? What is today?"

"The ball!"

Oh.

In truth, you had forgot all about it. But of course you couldn't tell her that. After all your family was one of the most important - well second important after Targaryen family - and it was your family's responsibility to throw the yearly ball. And to discourage the Targaryen family from attending.

You see, your mother and father never really told you exactly why they hated them. Your guess was something happened between them a long time ago and had been forgotten but to cause even more chaos in the seven realms, they choose to just go with it. While you never hated the entire family, you hated one of them in particular. Aegon Targaryen. The now crowned king was spoiled and had an even worse attitude then most spoiled princes you had met. You much preferred his brother Aemond. You wouldn't admit you liked any of them though, your mother mother would probably exile you if she ever found out.

Later that day, to being getting ready for the ball - with it being a masquerade - you bathed and as you dunked under the water, you could hear both your maid and your mother shouting your name. Irritated, you get out of the tub, grabbing a robe.

"Mother I am here, what is your will?"

Both of them look at you in horror before pulling you back into your room.

"Aren't you going to get dressed?" Mother asked.

You nod. "I figured I could bathe first, mother."

She then sits next to you. "This ball could be your chance to-"

You groan, knowing what she were to say next. Your chance to meet a suitor. Suitor Ugh, seven hells, even thinking of that word made you sick.

While you wanted to be married, you never wanted to just be known to just give birth. You made sure you made your opinion loud and clear after your aunt had died in childbirth birthing your uncle's one and only child.

You keep your mouth shut, not wanting to spoil the day for your mother and you just nod along and once she leaves, you begin to get ready. For the ball, you choose a off the shoulder dress with lace wrapped around and completed the look with feathers made to resemble angel wings with the maid pulling your hair in halo like braid to complete the angel like look.

Aegon smirked as he grabbed the masquerade mask and placed it on. He had always wanted to attend your family's famous parties. He had dressed up as a knight for the costume themed party. He swipes some milk of the poppy from a servers plate and begins drinking it, look at the people in front of him as he does so. He places the empty cup on another servers plate and begins to ascend down the elegant stair case and up to the massive fish tank, adjourned in golden specks. And as he looks through the glass at the fish, something shiny catches his eye. A silver braided chain and on it a silver pendent of your house's sigils - a phoenix with its wing spread - he then leans his head up and sure enough there you were.

"Why am I surprised to see you here," you say, crossing your arms.

"I could ask you the same." He looks you up and down, trying to size you up. "Angel"

"Fuck off."

He snickers as you walk off, swiping another drink as you do.

Looking back on it, it probably wasn't a good idea to slip out to the gardens. As this particular prince your mother had personally invited didn't want to take the hint of you not being interested but wouldn't leave you alone.

"My lady," the prince tries to grab your wrist but you slap his hand away.

"Leave me alone."

He tries to grab you again - this time your face.

"Leave me alone!" You then punch him, knocking him right on his ass.

To your luck, Aegon had just so happened to had noticed the sleazy prince and decided to make sure he didn't try anything. But he was too late. When he ran up be saw you, in pain, holding your hand, and the prince knocked out.

"I guess you didn't need my help?"

"Of course not, prat."

Aegon scuffs. "I am king, you can't treat me like that. I've been training to fight since I was born!"

You simply roll your eyes. "Sorry, what I meant to say was, how long have you been training to be a prat," you then mockingly bow, "my lord." And to get the last word, you walk away, smirking in victory. What you didn't know was that Aegon was also smirking.

The next morning, Alicent had ripped the covers off Aegon's sleeping form. "Do you want to tell me why Jace had told me you snuck out and went to their ball last night?"

Aegon groans, grabbing the blanket from his mother before saying, "I just went to have fun, nobody knew I was there, mother, we had masks."

Alicent rips off the covers again. "That doesn't matter! They are our greatest enemy! You cannot even be near them!"

"What is the matter? You said you wish to see my with someone and acting how a ruler should."

"Aegon..." Silence. "Just...get dressed."

Your mother had greeted you for breakfast and told you, to your horror, you were to visit the Targaryens to extend and olive branch later that day, which meant you had to see the brat king himself. Again. As if you didn't have enough problems, tour hand was sore and bruised and it hurt like hell and you also fought like hell to not let your mother know what you had done. And the fact, in the silence of your room that night, you couldn't stop thinking about how Aegon called you angel. A sarcastic way, of course, as you were wearing literal angel wings, but that didn't change the fact your stomach felt weird and filled with butterflies when he called you that...

Again, to your horror, your mother informed you, just as you arrived to the Targaryen castle, you and your family would all be staying as guests for a couple days.

That night, you couldn't sleep so you slipped past the guards and into the gardens and to the big pond. But what you didn't notice that in the dark was Aegon also at the pond and he also couldn't sleep that night due to also thinking about his and yours interacting at the party.

As you ran your fingers on the surface of the water of the pond, Aemond began to tip toe away from his hiding spot. Before he could though, he bumped into you, making you scream and trip into the unusually large and deep pond...also taking Aemond with you.

Coming up to the surface, you push him. "You scared me!"

He puts his hands up in surrender as he laughs. Genuinely laughs. A light blush makes it away up to your face and prayed to all the gods that he couldn't tell with how dark it was. An comfortable silence comes between you both and you don't know why but you had the sudden urge to...kiss him. And he had the same idea and before you both knew it, both of you were leaning forward.

Your lips touched his and he thought they were the softest and as you did too. And just as he runs his hands through your hair, two guards rush over, hearing you scream, and you both break apart just in time.

The final days of your visit went bye quicker, quicker then you like. Aemond personally had shown you hidden ways to sneak in and out of the large castle and to his own chambers which normally ended in you both "intentionally" cuddling after nights events.

Aemond didn't want to admit it. He didn't want to admit it that he was or already had been falling for you literally and figurative. He lies awake at night, in the dark, staring at the ceiling. He knew you deserved better. He hadn't been the perfect son. He visit(ed) brothels, was violent, and was begining to become a drunk. He wasn't perfect, far from it. Compared to him, you were an angel, even his own mother thought so. Even his brother questioned why he hadn't gone to any brothels in the few weeks you had came and gone. The best answer he could come up with is that he didn't need too.

He couldn't be falling for you though! You were the daughter of his family's greatest enemy! A rival for the throne! He couldn't have...

After little over a month you had left, he was still thinking about the shared kiss. It felt...right. And maybe, for the first time in his life, he could have something good. He figured fuck it and threw his covers off and scrambled to get dressed just by the moon light.

Due to your families basically living right next door, it was easy for him to visit. All he really had to do was slip from the guards and make a run for it.

As like the other time and like Aemon, you also couldn't sleep either. You couldn't think of a thing to shut your mind off so you thanked the gods when you heard rustling under your window. Getting out of bed, you opened your window you come face to face with Aegon. Climbing onto the surprisingly tough vines that grew around the castle. You couldn't help but smile as you help him through the window and into the room.

Unlike before, it was now an uncomfortable silence that flows between you and Aegon.

"I..." He clears his throat. "I missed you."

"I missed you too." You then gasp as you remember that it had been Ageon's name day just a week prior and you had got him a gift. You tell him to wait for a second and you grab the small gift from under your pillow and hand it to him.

To say Aegon is shocked would be an understatement. While he had received his fair amount of expensive and elegant gifts from lots of people, he never once got one he actually loved or even liked.

You send him a smile. "Open it."

He carefully tears off the paper and opens the box. The gift in question was a silver ring, made from valyrian steel, with the Targaryen sigil stamped on it. He runs his fingers over the design and he puts it on, it fitting perfectly on his index finger.

"D...do you like it?" You quietly ask.

"I love it."

He again genuinely smiles and he brings you in for another kiss.

Aegon decided to stay the night and the morning after, your maid had surprise you by, no fault of her own, bursting in without knocking. She gasps as Aegon rushes - and by extension falling off the bed to the floor - to dress himself and as you cover your self with the covers, hiding your laughter.

The maid closes the door quickly. "My lady, your mother is coming to your chambers!"

Your eyes widen and you grab your robe, quickly dressing. You lead Aegon to the window, giving him a quick kiss before he starts to climb out the window. Your mother, not being the patient woman she is, bursts in just as you have to push Aegon right out the window with him landing right in the waters below. You manage to bite the inside of your cheek to hide your smiling as you turn to your mother.

You have lots of thinking (and explaining) to do if this ever got out.

OMG THANK YOU FOR SENDING THIS IN!!!! this was so adorable 🥺🥺🥺💖

think you swapped the brother’s names around but THATS OKAY, I got you!!!!

is it wrong that I want this? ugh the angst and the secret sex would be *chefs kiss* !!!

thank you for taking the time to write and send this nonnie xx

#aegon ii targaryen #aegon ii targaryen asks #Aegon ii targaryen Romeo & Juliet AU

4 notes · View notes

luminetti · 3 months

Text

Baldur’s Gate Regency AU HCs

༘⋆Notes: had the sudden desire to write blurbs for the rest of the companions that won’t appear in my gale x tav regency au series. If you'd like to read the series, go here! I was only able to fit four companions so if people enjoy it I’d happily do the rest! Also note that these allude to companion x Tav/the reader, so if anyone likes it enough to warrant its own one shot or series, I’d love to know.

Gale:

Couldn’t help but add my favorite boy even though I’m giving him a whole ass series.

Without a doubt, Gale is a Viscount of Waterdeep. Trained in the arcane by the Dowager Duchess Mystra herself, he happily tends to her requests in good faith.

Gale rarely partakes in the social gatherings of the Ton, much rather preferring the quiet atmosphere of his estate.

Despite his reclusiveness, Her Grace, the Dowager Duchess always seems to have space for Gale to visit the palace and frequently calls upon him for banquets and events.

Due to his lack of social attending, Gale often forgets ballroom and courting etiquette. From leaving ballroom dances midway through the set to unchaperoned meetings with suitresses, it’s a miracle Gale has been omitted from the daily papers.

The Ton is known for being quite unforgiving, and disregarding transgressions is usually a privilege reserved for royalty.

Reserved for royalty, like a Duchess, perhaps.

Gale may be socially obtuse, but he’s certainly not unmindful. Recently he has begun to suspect royal interference when it comes to the press.

As the Dowager Duchess calls upon him more and more frequently, Gale has to decide whether her intentions are benign, or if he needs to reconsider his faith in an act of apostasy.

(wink wink)

Astarion:

A Baron of Baldur’s Gate, obviously.

Or at least, that’s what he claims to be.

King Cazador Szarr is a man of high expectations and an even higher reputation. Despite rumors of being merely the Prince Regent of Baldur’s Gate, his highness insists on being titled as King. With a coronation every few years, King Szarr has five deceased wives and is on the hunt for a sixth.

As luck would have it, King Szarr has Astarion, his favorite servant to dress up and send into unassuming balls.

Only appearing at masquerades, Astarion takes on the role of a lovesick Baron seeking out equally yearning suitresses.

After a month of courting, Astarion reports his findings about the women he has encountered, describing their appearance and preferences in great detail.

As the King desires, the poor woman is swept from her estate and brought to the palace, because who can deny a direct request from the King?

Haunted by the beheadings of the last two late Queens, Astarion has vowed to end the line of ex-wives by finding the perfect suitress to be the King’s sixth, and final wife.

It’s a flawless plan. All Astarion has to do is not fall in love with the suitress.

Karlach:

From birth, Karlach was destined to become a Knight.

Trained with the intent to become a personal Knight of the Duke of Baldur's Gate, Enver Gortash, Karlach had come to terms with—and found solace in—her duties.

However, once news of war within the Queendom of Avernus reached Baldur’s Gate, Duke Gortash swiftly sold Karlach to Queen Zariel for a pretty penny.

Karlach served in the war for many years until finally breaking free and fleeing to the Kingdom of Sword Coast where she lived as a fugitive and stole rations from street vendors to survive.

Empathizing with the struggles of the poor and mistreated, Karlach vowed to steal from the wealthy and redistribute to the needy, making her the silent hero of the lower class and the bane of the Ton.

Due to unfortunate timing and pure misfortune, Karlach was spotted stealing several loaves of bread from a bakery by the Marquess of Sword Coast, Wyll Ravengard.

Thus began the long game of cat and mouse, or rather cat, cat, and mouse.

Despite the hoards of Avernus soldiers plus Wyll Ravengard on her tail, Karlach has managed to fend them off with a smile on her face.

Eventually hearing word of Karlach’s hidden base, Avernus soldiers force her to relocate.

Out of time and options, Karlach finds herself on a noble’s doorstep hoping a kind stranger will harbor a fugitive.

Wyll:

Son of the Grand Duke Ulder Ravengard, Wyll grew up as a proud Marquess, astounded by everything his father had accomplished.

As he grew older he enthusiastically learned everything Duke Ravengard would teach, learning swordsmanship and attending important gatherings.

Feeling a sense of responsibility for the Sword Coast and Baldur’s Gate, Wyll began to crave more.

Despite his father’s warnings, Wyll began to observe mages and the arcane in awe of its vast potential and power.

Against his own better judgment, Wyll became fascinated with the world of mages, researching the intricacies of the weave and seeking out mages to show him what it was like.

One mage in particular caught Wyll’s eye, enticing him to investigate further. Perhaps if he had powers of his own he could court them instead of admiring from afar.

Worried that Wyll was straying too far from his duties to the Kingdom, Duke Ravengard forbade him from ever making contact with magic or mages again.

Devastated, Wyll ran to the outskirts of the city to clear his mind. To his surprise, a dark mage was waiting for him.

The mage Mizora offered him the ideal solution: servitude to Mizora to assist in protecting Sword Coast from evil doers in exchange for the powers he so desperately desired.

Without question Wyll accepts the powers, but that doesn’t mean he knows how to use them, nor does it mean his courting will be reciprocated.

176 notes · View notes

iliveiloveiwrite · 3 years

Text

Meeting the Family // Anthony Bridgerton

Request: Hello there, could I please request Anthony bridgerton and reader fic where hes introducing the reader to his family for the first time and shes really nervous but the family ends up loving her more than him? Thanks, I absolutely love your work!! Please dont overwork yourself darling❤ - @lespaceboi

A/N: Thank you so much for requesting! I had so much fun with this request, I love it so so much. I only hope you do too! Lowkey posting this early bc I’m watching the euros final tonight and I won’t have time.

Warnings: she/her pronouns, female reader, light angst, some worries, lots of fluff, family fluff, Anthony being cute, dialogue heavy, declarations of love.

Word count: 3.6k

Her hands shake uncontrollably as the carriage clatters through London. Taking calming breaths, (Y/N) does her best to stop her shaking hands by gripping her shawl tightly. Her maid, Jayne, looks over at her in concern. “We can always turn back, my lady,” Jayne whispers, “I’m sure Viscount Bridgerton won’t mind postponing to another day.”

(Y/N) smiles warmly at her maid; grateful for the care in her voice. However, she shakes her head. “I’m afraid it can’t wait any longer, Jayne. Anthony’s sister and her husband have travelled all the way from Scotland.”

Jayne sits back against the carriage bench, nodding her head understandingly. “I’m sure it’s going to be fine,” She offers in comfort.

“I can only hope,” (Y/N) whispers, casting her gaze out of window and into the London streets.

She had met Anthony Bridgerton when shopping for ribbons. An unusual time and place to meet anyone, but Anthony had strolled into the shop and asked to see the best ribbons in the place as nothing would be better than the absolute best for his nieces. (Y/N) had giggled at the tone of his voice; unused to seeing such a powerful figure in such intimate settings. Her laughter had drawn his attention to which a conversation began. By the end of the Viscount’s visit to the ribbon shop, he had asked to see her again.

The visits continued in secrecy, or in as much secrecy as one could afford when holding a peerage. The relationship blossomed; what was once considered a friendship was turning romantic, and (Y/N) could not help her feelings for the Viscount. He had captured her, body and soul. She counted every blessing that Anthony felt the same.

The first glimpse of Bridgerton House steals her breath away. The red brick stands out amongst the paler buildings; Anthony’s wealth already obvious but further personified by the sheer scale of his home. The sweet scent of the violet hyacinths perfume (Y/N)’s carriage; their aroma bringing a small smile to her face as she remembers a masquerade party in Chiswick, a balcony and Anthony’s hands on her waist.

Her carriage rolls to a natural stop; (Y/N)’s heart in her throat as she tears her inquiring gaze from Bridgerton House to Jayne. Jayne smiles and squeezes her lady’s hand, a silent offer of support for the afternoon.

“They’re going to love you,” Jayne whispers, bolstering (Y/N) as best she could as the door to the carriage is opened by (Y/N)’s footman.

Now closer, Bridgerton House is much grander. The deep green iron gates pronounce the family’s wealth further. (Y/N) gulps as she takes step after step down the path to already open front door. Her steps falter slightly as she catches sight of Anthony waiting in the entrance; his hair the usual untameable mess that endears her so.

“You came,” Anthony breathes in greeting; his eyes wide with barely concealed surprise as he takes in the sight of her on his doorstep.

“I came,” (Y/N) answers just as breathlessly. Even the sight of him was enough to leave her gasping for breath; there were moments in their prolonged courtship that she couldn’t quite believe he had chosen her, that he wanted her. As Anthony stands there, his white shirt unbuttoned from the collar with his waistcoat undone, she realises that this is the most casual she had ever seen him. His outfit wasn’t proper, but she doesn’t want it to be. She wants to see him from every angle; she wants to know every Anthony there is. So far, she had found herself besotted with each and every one.

Both remain silent as Anthony offers his arm to her. (Y/N) uses the silence to quash the nerves rioting in her gut; she had never been this nervous, not when she was presented in front of the monarch for her season, and not when she danced with the Prince of Wales at his birthday celebrations two years ago. Now, however, her nerves were beginning to get the better of her.

Anthony pauses their journey. “Are you okay?” He asks, a note of concern in his voice.

“I’m nervous,” (Y/N) confesses bashfully, “What if they don’t like me? What if they hate me so much that you end things? I’m having so much fun with you, Anthony. I don’t want this to end.”

“Hey,” Anthony whispers, taking her face in his hands, urging her to look at him, “You’re going to be fine. They’re going to love you, I know it. I’ve spoken about you so much they feel they already know you.”

“You talk about me?” (Y/N) asks, her voice small.

Anthony presses a kiss to her forehead. “Constantly. I’m surprised they haven’t kicked me out with how much I talk about you.”

“You’re really very sweet.”

“Only because of you,” He flirts, pushing his luck by kissing her quickly.

(Y/N) laughs softly against his mouth. “You’re incorrigible.”

Anthony laughs gently, pulling away from her lips but keeping hold of her hands. “I’m as nervous as you,” He confesses, “But I have you by my side to help me get through just as you have me through this too. Any time you want to go, let me know and I’ll call your carriage back round.”

“Thank you,” She whispers before Anthony continues on down the hall, his hand squeezing hers tightly.

“Are you sure you still want to do this?” Anthony asks, double checking, voice wavering as they stand outside the door to the drawing room. “My family can be a bit much to meet all at once.”

“We’re nothing of the sort!” A masculine voice shouts from behind the door.

A surprised laugh leaves (Y/N) lips. She covers her mouth to bring back the mask of perfect decorum, not wanting to insult a member of Anthony’s family. “I’m ready when you are,” She whispers, smiling at the eldest Bridgerton.

“Sooner rather than later,” Anthony whispers before opening the door, giving her the first glimpse at his family.

The Bridgerton brood sit around the large drawing room. Sisters and brothers, husbands and wives – they all mix together as they wait for Anthony and his new beau. Each all fall silent as Anthony and (Y/N) enters the room; their first glimpse of her, their first conversation with her. Anthony had spoken about her constantly but refused to let any family meet her until they were both ready.

Now that moment had arrived.

“Mother,” Anthony introduces to the silent room, “This is Miss (Y/N) (Y/L/N).”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” (Y/N) exclaims, smiling at the Bridgerton matriarch. “I’ve heard so much about you all,” She continues, casting her gaze around the room.

“It’s a pleasure for us too, dear (Y/N),” Violet announces, “Anthony has been nothing but a ball of nerves since he announced you would be joining us.”

(Y/N) nods at the matriarch, feeling herself become speechless as she takes in the sheer size of Anthony’s family. It isn’t hard to tell who the Bridgertons are among the group are; they each have the same eyes and smile. “It’s lovely to meet you all,” (Y/N) announces, repeating her earlier words, unable to keep the nerves from entering her voice this time.

“I’m Benedict,” The second eldest introduces, jumping up from his seat on the couch, holding his hand out for her to take.

“The artist!” (Y/N) gasps, “I’ve seen some of your work. You’re exceptionally talented.”

“Thank you,” Benedict blushes, excusing himself with a pat to Anthony’s shoulder, a silent sign that Benedict already approves.

“Help yourself to some tea,” A younger woman exclaims in the brief silence between conversations, “I’d get up to greet you, but it would take twice as long as the conversation itself.”

“Please don’t strain yourself,” (Y/N) offers graciously, “Congratulations on your pregnancy.”

“Thank you, dear. I’m Daphne, and this is my husband, Simon.” Daphne introduces, her hand landing on the thigh of a handsome man.

“It’s lovely to meet you both,” (Y/N) greets, making her way to an empty seat at a nearby table. There she pours two cups of tea, one for her and one for Anthony, knowing he would be dropping by in a minute or two. The tea steeps as (Y/N) helps herself to one of the many biscuits, taking a small bite of the buttery concoction before reaching for the milk and sugar. This is a routine she has practiced many times before, knowing exactly how long to stir her tea so it wouldn’t burn the tip of her tongue with every sip.

It’s takes less than two minutes for someone to join her at the table. (Y/N) offers the young woman a polite smile, “I’m (Y/N).”

“Eloise Bridgerton,” introduces the young woman.

“A pleasure to meet you,” (Y/N) repeats, feeling herself already grow tired of the words.

“Are you educated, (Y/N)?” Eloise enquires; her keen blue gaze dancing over the young woman.

(Y/N) finishes her sip of tea before nodding at Anthony’s younger sister. “I am,” She answers, “I studied under a very thorough governess, and I am fluent in French and Latin, but I’ve also been fortunate enough to sit in on some lectures at Oxford and Edinburgh.”

“How?” Eloise all but demands, ignoring the stern stare of her mother as she leans forward, elbows on the table. “You must teach me your ways.”

(Y/N) represses an amused smile at Eloise’s antics. “My favourite cousin, Sylvester, was a student at both. I often annoyed him into letting me attend in secret whenever I visited.”

“Did you attend any interesting lectures?”

(Y/N) nods, happy to further indulge the brunette. “Sylvester was a student of medicine, beginning his education at Oxford before continuing on to Edinburgh where he lives now. I’ve attended a few medical lectures, but I pressured him into letting me attend a philosophical debate surrounding Wollstonecraft’s Vindication of the Rights of Woman.” (Y/N) shakes her head, amused at the memory, “Sylvester didn’t find that one nearly as thrilling as his medical lectures.”

“Anthony!” Eloise calls, gathering the attention of all her brothers, “I’m keeping (Y/N) for myself. You’re going to have to find a new beau, I’m afraid.”

Anthony chuckles, leaving his brothers to their own conversation. “Pray,” He begins, “Just what are the two of you talking about.”

“(Y/N)’s education. Did you know she’s sat in lectures at both Oxford and Edinburgh? I daresay I might attend a few myself.”

Anthony’s hand lands on your shoulder; a warm squeeze has you turning to meet his stare. His smile is fond; his eyes are bright with happiness. “Are you inciting further rebellion in my little sister?”

“Of course not,” (Y/N) playfully scoffs, “Just letting her know that should she want to attend any lectures, I have a connection for her.”

A laugh leaves Anthony’s lips as he catches sight of Eloise’s excited wiggle in her chair. “I’m glad you’re getting along,” He murmurs to (Y/N) quietly, dropping an unexpected kiss to her hair before entering a debate with Eloise, explaining why she cannot go about interrupting lectures at prestigious universities.

Leaving the siblings to their bickering, (Y/N) stands from table, wanting to stretch her legs and discover more to the drawing room. By this point in the afternoon, the appeal of company has worn off. The large family now broken off into their own conversations; Francesca and Michael remain sat close together on the couch under the window, Lady Violet remains sat by her eldest daughter – the matriarch keeping a weather eye on her pregnant daughter.

(Y/N) smiles fondly at the scene before turning to one of the many fixed bookshelves in the room; leather bound volumes line the shelves. There wasn’t much for light reading, she thinks to herself as she reads the spines. Much about the War of the Roses and the subsequent Tudor reign, not much in the way of Miss Butterworth and the Mad Baron.

“You’re very pretty,” A young girl announces from behind (Y/N). She turns to find two girls, both no older than four or five, their hair matching pigtails, curled into ringlets.

(Y/N) kneels to their height, ignoring the pinching of her corset as she smiles at the young children. “Why thank you,” She states gratefully, “But you know what I would really like?”

“What?” The eldest of the two asks, leaning forward in anticipation.

“Gorgeous pigtails like yours,” (Y/N) smiles, gesturing to their hair.

Both girls break into wide smiles, already won over. “What are your names?” (Y/N) asks.

“I’m Amelia,” The eldest states proudly, “I’m five and a half.”

“I’m Belinda,” The second girl introduces, “I’m four.”

“Well it is lovely to meet you both,” (Y/N) compliments, “My name is (Y/N).”

“We know,” Belinda chimes. “Uncle Tony talks about you all the time.”

“He does, does he?” She murmurs amused; catching sight of the brunette doing his best not to intervene on the conversation taking place with his nieces.

Amelia nods. “All the time!” She cries happily. “He talks about your hair, your eyes, your smile.” She breaks off, leaning towards (Y/N) to whisper in her ear. “I think he’s in love with you.”

“Do you think?” (Y/N) questions, unable to keep the eager hope from her voice.

“I know,” Amelia nods sagely, “I heard Uncle Tony tell Mama and Papa.”

(Y/N) presses her lips together to keep the wide smile from growing across her face. She had known that Anthony felt very deeply for her though he had never uttered a word. With a quick glance in Anthony’s direction, she gestures for the two girls to come closer. “Can you keep a secret?”

Amelia and Belinda nod silently; too excited to hear what (Y/N) has to say. “It just so happens,” (Y/N) whispers to the two girls, “That I also love your Uncle Tony.”

“You do?” Belinda squeaks.

“I do,” (Y/N) nods seriously, “I love him very much.”

“Are you going to tell him?” Amelia asks; her blue eyes wide with burning curiosity.

“I think on some level he already knows, but I plan on telling him very soon.”

Both girls squeal in happiness, leaving (Y/N) behind as they run towards their parents. Daphne and Simon greet their children with open arms, wide eyed at their level of noise as they demand their voices to be heard over the hubbub of the rest of the family.

“I don’t suppose you’d enlighten me to this particular conversation,” A warm voice sounds from behind her. The way his arm slips around her waist, as if it were his home, tells (Y/N) that Anthony has found her once more.

“A secret for another day,” (Y/N) teases, turning to face the man that had captured her heart so wholly.

“Will you tell me later?” He asks, pushing out his bottom lip in a pout that has her giggling.

“Perhaps,” She whispers, leaning ever closer to the Bridgerton. “Only if you promise me something.”

“Anything,” He whispers seriously, “I’d give you the world if I could.”

“I know you would,” She murmurs, “But all I’m asking for is for you to not pester your nieces over what I told them.”

“How did you know?” Anthony asks, voice glum.

(Y/N) brings a gloved hand to his cheek, her thumb brushing his cheekbone. “Because I know you, my dear.”

Anthony leans into the touch, turning his face slightly to press a kiss to her wrist. “I like being your dear.”

“I like being yours too,” She replies earnestly. “Now, I’ve spoken to most of your siblings. Do me the honour of introducing me to Francesca, she came all the way from Scotland, it’s rude that I’ve neglected her.”

“Yes, my darling,” Anthony responds, taking her hand and leading her to the couch where Francesca sits with her husband, Michael.

The day continues in a similar fashion. Bridgerton House had never been quiet when the whole family was in attendance; raucous laughter and loving bickering filled its many corners with noise. The life and laughter of the family bringing the house to life.

As the grandfather clock ticks closer and closer to the evening, (Y/N) finds herself lamenting the fact that she must leave the Bridgerton family so soon.

“I must take my leave,” She announces to sad cries to Amelia and Belinda, already so attached.

“So soon?” Benedict asks, frowning as he wonders when he’ll get to continues his conversation with her. So few wanted to talk about art nowadays.

(Y/N) meets Anthony’s gaze, hating how sad he looks. “I’m having dinner with my parents and their friends. An occasion I simply cannot miss, I’m afraid.”

“Do we know them?” Violet asks in an attempt to delay the inevitable. She had grown fond of the young woman over the course of the afternoon, seeing how perfectly she fit amongst her family, how she brought out the best in her eldest son.

“The St. Clair’s?” (Y/N) enquires, drawing her shawl around her shoulders. “My father has worked with Lady Danbury’s family for a long time. Gareth and I are old friends.”

“Have a wonderful time,” Violet announces, “But please visit us soon.”

“I would love to,” (Y/N) smiles, crossing the room to be by Anthony’s side.

Offering her goodbyes to the large family, (Y/N) takes Anthony’s offered arm, hooking hers through his as they descend the grand marble staircase to the foyer. “Your family are lovely,” (Y/N) compliments as she takes care not to trip over her skirts on the stairs. “You all care for each so much, it’s clear the moment you enter the room.”

“My mother and siblings are the best people I know,” Anthony murmurs, walking beside (Y/N) at a steady pace in order to delay her departure by a minute.

“I can only hope they liked me,” She worries, her teeth biting into her bottom lip in a way that has Anthony restraining himself by gripping her arm tighter.

“You were wonderful,” Anthony murmurs, pressing a lingering kiss to her cheekbone before helping her into her carriage.

“Thank you for today,” (Y/N) calls, sticking her hand from the window to prolong the contact between Anthony and herself. She wasn’t quite ready to say goodbye; wasn’t quite ready to leave him.

“Thank you for coming,” Anthony answers, kissing her hand before tucking it back through the window of her carriage. If they didn’t say goodbye now, they wouldn’t say goodbye at all. If she didn’t leave, he would most likely offer marriage on the pavement than somewhere proper.

Nodding to her footman, Anthony watches her carriage leave. He stands on the doorstep to Bridgerton House until her carriage is no longer in sight. Only then does he let himself release the breath he didn’t know he was holding.

Weariness washes over him as he turns to face his childhood home. Inside, in his mother’s drawing room, await his family. Each one ready to give their verdict on the woman he has had the good fortune to fall in love with.

Sighing, he kicks at the ground, knowing he cannot delay this any longer.

His mother and siblings are where he left them; his mother’s drawing room. They fall silent at the sight of him; each clearly unwilling to make the leap and be the first to broach the elephant in the room.

“What do you think of (Y/N)?” Anthony asks; voice loud in the ever so silent room. He meets the eyes of each of his siblings, not missing the way Daphne leans into Simon or the way Michael reaches for Francesca’s hand. They’ve all found their love matches; it was now Anthony’s turn.

Colin takes the fall for his family, standing to face his eldest brother and titled peer. He clears his throat, fidgeting on the spot before he eventually pauses all movement, breaking into a smile to declare, “We all loved her!”

“You do?” Anthony asks, falling onto a nearby couch in shock.

Violet smiles at her eldest son. “We do. (Y/N) is a sweetheart and looks to be just as taken with you as you are with her.”

Blush begins to paint Anthony’s cheeks. “I can only hope, dear mother.”

“It’s true,” Amelia chimes, her young face bright with joy. “She told Belinda and I.”

“You have found your love match, my darling boy,” Violet states warmly.

“It does help that (Y/N) is a trifle more tolerable than you, dear brother,” Benedict teases, laughter bright in his Bridgerton blue eyes.

“And so educated!” Eloise gasps, “We had an enlightening conversation about Wollstonecraft’s Vindication on the Rights of Women.”

“She was wonderful with Amelia and Belinda,” Daphne murmurs, her hand falling protectively over her pregnant stomach.

“Why do I get the feeling that you prefer (Y/N) to me?” Anthony murmurs, mischief bright in his eyes and evident in his voice.

“That’s exactly what we’re saying,” Gregory points out, “I only hope (Y/N) can keep up with your obsession with Pall Mall.”

“A worthy obsession,” Anthony argues, mind wandering to the games he could play with (Y/N).

“She’s wonderful,” Violet interrupts, a large smile on her face as she takes the final say.

Anthony smiles widely at his mother; constantly grateful for her love and care throughout his life. She had been lost after the death of his father, as had Anthony, but Anthony had never truly understood what it would feel like to lose someone you love as wholeheartedly as his mother loved his father.

Until now, that is. The mere thought of losing her sends a lance of pain through his chest, cutting short his breath and increasing his panic. Anthony shakes his head to rid himself of such thoughts and feelings.

Calm enough, he faces his family once more. “I plan on proposing to (Y/N),” He announces, showing his family the ring box that has been sitting heavily in his trouser pocket all day.

“Thank goodness,” Francesca murmurs, smiling indulgently at her big brother. “I cannot wait to call her sister.”

“Indeed,” Anthony murmurs, a loving smile on his face, “I cannot wait to call her my wife.”

******

Bridgerton taglist: @heloisedaphnebrightmore @dreaming-about-fanfictions @now-its-time-for-a-breakdown @janelongxox @sexysirius @wallwriterstuff @magicalxdaydream @darkestbeforethedawn16 @gryffindors-weasley @spideysz @iammirrorball @writeroutoftime @joyfullymulti @nuttytani @multifandomfix @freyathehuntress @lespaceboi

Taglists are open! Drop me an ask if you would like to be added!

#anthony bridgerton x reader #anthony x reader #anthony bridgerton #anthony bridgerton imagines #anthony bridgerton fanfiction #anthony bridgerton fanfic #Bridgerton #bridgerton fanfiction #bridgerton fanfic #anthony bridgerton fluff

2K notes · View notes

sailxrmxrs · 2 years

Note

Could you do a prompt like that one royal arranged marriage with nightowl?? Please??

yet another royalty au from yours truly but this time it's with nightowl! i wanted to make sure i could do the request justice without it being too similar to my arranged marriage xyx one so i took a little extra time to think of how to go about writing it and hopefully that paid off! the idea for this one actually struck me at like half 4 in the morning where i hurriedly typed out some very incoherent and sleepy notes for future me to string together into something half readable. for this fic we've got star crossed lovers who met years ago and are reunited once more AND at a masquerade ball no less. also nightowl being his charming self, as per usual. enjoy.

Evening settled across the kingdom, its skies a gradient of shades blending into one another to form an artist's masterpiece above the palace grounds. The sun was starting to retreat beyond the horizon, its golden light the last remaining remnants of the day before night would befall the land. Until then, all one could do was admire the warm orange hues bleed into shades of deep blue and purple, light puffy clouds stained in similar blotches of colour as they would soon fade into their backdrop come nightfall. It was rather picturesque, you had to admit as you leaned on the iron railing of your balcony. Tonight, there was a masquerade ball to be held in honour of your birthday, as was the tradition each year since you'd come of age. You didn't hate attending such events, but every time they came and went, you couldn't help but be reminded of that first masquerade ball held for you in celebration of coming of age. Nor the mysterious noble you'd met under the light of the stars right at the very balcony you stood upon in that same moment. He hadn't appeared at another ball since, and you'd lost all hope at ever meeting him again. Especially since the news had broken that you were betrothed to the prince of a neighbouring kingdom. You'd been told of the prince's name but didn't care to listen or retain the information, considering your affections still resided in that one night those few years ago.

Five years had passed since coming of age at twenty years, the night just as beautifully scenic and perfect in preparation for the ostentatious event. You were dressed head to toe in finery of the most exceptional quality—silk and tulle of a pale blue colour with hints of seafoam green hidden in small accents about your person, commissioned and designed for this specific evening. Sitting atop your face was a mask of midnight blue, tying your ensemble together. Truly the image of a young elite royal about to make their debut into society. Admittedly, you were excited to be a guest of honour even if it signalled taking on more royal duties in preparation for your future rule. To spend one night indulging in the more excitable aspects of royal life was certainly no privilege to turn one's nose up at. And you intended to make it a truly unforgettable night. Even now, as you waited to make your official entrance down the ornate marble steps, you could feel your blood humming in anticipation for the night that awaited you. A distant chorus of violins and low cellos sounded through the closed doors before you, the sound of a harpsichord muffled as it played along with the heavenly strings.

The ballroom was alive with infectious energy—a blur of colours dancing about the room. You'd joined the fray of dancers, various nobles offering up their hand to the guest of honour. The entrance had been spectacular, polite applause from your onlookers as they welcomed your arrival. There had been a small procession to announce and make your debut official. Thus began the airs and graces of high society, careful glances and innocent touches as you danced with a new partner as each closing note faded, another song rising shortly after. Even taking the strict rules of the regency into account, it still felt like a breath of fresh air flushing your entire body in a rejuvenated energy. Chest heaving and breathing laboured from the exertion of dancing, you took your leave from the centre of the ballroom in search of a quiet moment to yourself. Being thrown into the fray was, after all, a tiring endeavour for someone making their debut into society.

Night air kissed your skin, cooling the growing warmth from the interior festivities. Clouds concealed the twinkling stars embedded in the vast depths of the sky, only a few smatterings of bright light shining in the darkness. The moon was a solitary figure positioned far off to the right, sitting above the forest behind the palace grounds. Beneath the balcony upon which you stood was a wall of ivy and a stone bench decorated with dahlias and peonies of white and pink. Stepping stones led a trail beside a small pond lined with rectangular stone bricks. With the overhead lanterns hanging from the balcony and the light of the moon, it looked an idealist corner of peace and quiet, entirely far removed from the buzzing energy throughout the remainder of the palace grounds. You'd lost count at this point the number of times you'd felt yourself nearly falling asleep under the warm sun while sitting in the private alcove.

"Lost in thought there, my liege?" A mysterious voice called, emerging from the pathway leading to little slice of relaxation. The voice belonged to a noble looking man about your age, adorned in a white muslin shirt tucked into a pair of dark brown trousers and underneath a burgundy waistcoat, a matching velvet jacket folded over his forearm. His tentative smile was visible beneath the pink and lilac mask he wore as he slowly approached so as not to startle you. "Apologies for the intrusion, but you looked as though you could use some company."

"Oh. I just needed some fresh air," you replied, hands absentmindedly tracing lines on the balcony railing. The stranger nodded, making to leave as though he'd been a disturbance. Noticing his intended direction, you held out a hand, calling to him. "Wait! I don't mind the company. If you're still offering it, that is."

A warm smile grew on Nightowl's face as he paused, eyes trailing up your figure in amusement at your panicked concern. "It would be my pleasure, my liege."

"If you're going to stay, then at least grant me the courtesy of dropping the manners and honorifics. I've heard far too much of it for one night already."

"Gladly. Though you should probably get used to it. There's no end to the tiring politeness and rules of royal life. Trust me." Nightowl took a seat at the stone bench, his jacket now draped over the backrest while he lounged. There was something relaxed about the way he sat, no sign of the eloquence you'd become accustomed with from the other guests at the ball. He was an enigma of a human, and one you were determined to solve. At some point you climbed down from the balcony to sit beside him, so engrossed in the exhilarating energy that encapsulated you both. He told stories of his own kingdom, revealing his own royal status too. To be able to connect with someone so easily, so fast, and for that person to understand the life you'd been born into to... Something about Nightowl made your heart beat a little bit faster, skin flaring with warmth at each gentle brush of his arm against yours. And as he rose from his seat, pulling on the jacket he'd left laying over the stone bench, he offered out a hand.

"I couldn't live with myself if I kept tonight's guest of honour all to myself." His smile was warm, eyes illuminated by the light of the moon.

"Do we have to? I like being out here with you." Despite your reluctance, you accepted his hand and stood with him.

"And I like having you all to myself, too. But who said we have to say goodbye? Surely you wouldn't deny me the pleasure of one dance, would you, cutie?" Nightowl punctuated his offer with a wink, raising your hand to press a soft kiss to the back of your hand. "So? Will you allow me the joy of a single dance?"

"All of my dances tonight are yours," came your response, fingers interlocking with his as he manoeuvred his arm into a more appropriate offering. Stern looks of disproval would be inevitable if it were known that you'd been alone together without a chaperone. But, naturally, the two of you devised a plan to enter separately and magically gravitate towards one another across the ballroom, easily falling into the dancing as though it were as natural as breathing. The music swelled around you both, igniting something wild and uncontained. Hushed whispers spread across the ballroom as they watched the two of you dance as though the music was made for you and you alone. As one song died down, allowing the next to flourish with life, your dance continued. The dance didn't cease, propriety and modesty a far distant thought with each synchronised step. You were both deeply aware of exactly what message you were silently sharing in your repeated dances, but the bond that had formed so quickly was too potent to cast aside in the sake of public opinion. Let them believe you were courting. Let them all believe in your intentions for one another. As far as you were concerned, there was nothing but sheer truth and honesty beneath the graceful dance of entwined souls. Only a few mere hours had passed and yet you felt as though you'd never known another person so profoundly nor cared for them so intently.

Eventually there had to be an end to the dances, the watchful eyes of your parents reminding you just how public the display had been. But that didn't mean the wonder of the evening had to end.

"Meet me at our spot in an hour? I'd like one last moment alone before the night is over, cutie." There had been no time to reply nor acknowledge the nickname he'd assigned you, whisked away by your mother as you sent a secret smile in his direction, knowing he understood your acceptance. There would be time to reunite and enjoy the other's presence without prying eyes later. For now, you'd let the other nobles of the ball take your attention, though a spare thought always lingered elsewhere. Every now and then you'd feel a pair of eyes on you as you were pulled into conversation with some foreign dignitary and every time you'd glance and find your gaze met with those familiar eyes hidden behind the pink and lilac mask. At some point in the evening, those glances had ceased but you didn't think much of it, assuming Nightowl had gotten lost amongst the dense crowd of bodies and heavy layers of fabric moving about the ballroom.

Once the hour has passed you managed to sneak away, feigning a headache. After all, the balcony was located right by your private quarters so who had to know exactly where you were heading? But, unlike the fairy tales and stories of romance, this one did not have the same happy ending. Even now as you reminisced on that night it still brought a pang of stinging pain to think of the empty sight you'd been greeted with. You'd waited a little while, hoping he might have just been held up in conversation that he couldn't escape, but too much time passed for that to be true. So you'd returned to your bedchambers, downtrodden and fighting tears, to collapse in your bed still fully clothed. The following morning at breakfast you'd heard no end of chastising comments for fraternising so publicly with a foreign prince at your coming of age ball. Barely listening, you played with a loose thread as words of propriety and appropriateness flew straight over your head. And now there was no way for you to contact him, find him, let yourself fall even deeper into your affections for him.

Sighing as you gazed out at the setting sun, a member of the palace staff called out your name to inform you of tonight' balls beginning. Tonight you were dressed in a deep shade of burgundy, the similarities to Nightowl's attire all too familiar. But there was no way you could explain the ache in your chest to anyone. It had been made abundantly clear that he was not an option for you; there was no future that promised he would be in it too. Over time that realisation had gotten less painful, but all those memories dredged themselves back up again each year another of these balls was held. And especially given the news you'd received recently that you were to be engaged and wed in order to secure the kingdom's power and alliances. Politics and kingdom treaties were barely topics of interest, yet so much of your life, past, present and future, relied on them. Donning your mask, this time a matching burgundy lined with rich gold thread, you prepared yourself for the evening ahead. The noble to which you were supposed to be married was apparently a guest for the evening, though you'd barely been listening to his name nor country of origin. Not when your thoughts were already so clouded by another.

The ballroom was erupting with life, so full of wonder and hope as prospective couples danced under the candlelit chandeliers. Music played as elegantly as always, the notes dancing their way through your entire body. And yet, your heart was simply not there. You'd been pulled into dances with unfamiliar nobles, allowing them to dictate your moves simply because you did not care to fight for yourself. Besides, as guest of honour, you couldn't possibly cause a scene. The lesson had been made crystal clear that you were to be a model member of the royal family—to believe you could live a life of love and freedom was a hopeless thought you'd banished long ago. At least, you'd tried to. It was far easier said than done. While your thoughts were distracted, you barely registered the song reaching its conclusive notes. The noble with which you'd danced bowed and took his leave while you hurried a matching gesture. Though, thanks to the evening's busy atmosphere, it appeared no one noticed your distracted mishap. Or so you thought.

"You don't seem as poised as I remember." A voice called from behind you. A voice that, despite the five years that had passed, you knew you remembered. Turning, you were met with those eyes. Those deep brown eyes that, even when hidden behind the shadows of a mask, were just as mesmerising as always.

"It's you. You're here. How?"

Nightowl bowed, careful not to bump into the waltzing bodies surrounding you both. "You didn't think I'd pass up such an opportunity as this, did you?" He stepped closer, hands falling into place as they'd done all those years ago. A moment of hesitation stuttered your movements, though you lowered those defences and let your hands find their home with him.

"Well, what would you have me believe? Our parting words were a promise to meet alone and yet when I ventured to our meeting place I was met with just the shadows and moonlight. No intentions to court or make your affections known."

"That is where you are wrong, my dear. I had every intention of declaring my every thought and feeling known. But, my reputation, as it once stood, did not," he explained, eyes struggling to meet yours as his cheeks flushed with shame. "I was in not state to rule nor take up a spouse—a fact that your father made very apparent that night."

"My father?"

"Yes, he cornered me after we danced. Which, if you must know, was the most wonderful memory I have. Though I do believe you look even more radiant now than you did then. A true achievement, you must know."

This time it was your turn to flush warm under his gaze. Nightowl led you in the dance, gently spinning you around before his hand returned to your waist once more.

"Your father expressed a disliking toward me. Though dislike may be wording it too lightly. He believed I had set out to tarnish your reputation so as to benefit my own kingdom somehow. Entirely false, I might add." Nightowl gently caressed a thumb on your cheek as an absentminded smile stretched across his face.

"And what about now? Have your intentions toward me changed or is this simply another single night of whirlwind romance for you to lock away and steal back to your kingdom? If there is no future for us, why torture me further?"

Nightowl paused, the song still cascading around you both. His expression turned serious, the lazy grin falling away and the sparkle in his eyes turning dark. "My intentions with you have not shifted since I first laid eyes on you five years ago. Not a single day has passed where I haven't thought of you. I intend to have you in every way possible as determined by law and politics. But, more importantly, I intend to spend my every waking moment etching every piece of your being into my soul. I wish to gaze upon your face, the stars that dwell in your eyes and commit every minute detail to memory. Yours is a beauty both inside and out that I have dreamt of for five years. Eternity is but a fraction of the time I wish to have with you, but I intend to spend each second of that eternity loving you in every way imaginable. If you will have me, that is."

You stared up at him, mouth agape at the confession. There was no telling what honeyed words had been about to spill from his lips, and yet you'd never expected such a declaration of love. "But, I am betrothed. Promised to another we could never—"

A finger softly placed itself on your lips. "Ah, wrong again, cutie. That night taught me a valuable lesson to cherish that which I hold dear, and so I endeavoured to ensure I could reunite with you once more as the eligible man I am today. Though, if it is not your will, I will leave and never return."

"Don't speak such dreadful horrors," you replied, this time placing your own finger to his lips. "If you ever doubt my own intentions I will seek to make your life hell."

Nightowl laughed, the sound musical and melodic—far more enchanting than a thousand orchestras could ever be. "Noted, your highness."

"Would you perhaps care to take a moonlit stroll under a certain balcony?" You asked, fingers dancing on the fabric of his sleeves as you admired every inch of his face.

"There is nothing I could want more, my love."

#blooming panic #blooming panic nightowl #blooming panic x reader #blooming panic fanfic #blooming panic nightowl x reader #blooming panic nightowl fanfic #more royalty au awooo #this will be the third one actually #which means i should probably write a quest one too #but do i even know enough about royalty to do that???#maybe enemies to lovers royalty quest au ?? idk bro my brain too small and tired rn #anyway i'm just happy to have another excuse to write for bb nightowl #fun fact the idea for this one came to me at approximately 4:30am while listening to love story (taylor's version)#also definitely did not look up screencaps from romeo + juliet (1996) for some aesthetic influences #ask #anna writes

76 notes · View notes