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masked-alien-lesbian · 10 days

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HLAW Day 3: AU

Build-A-Bear Date

Pairing: Hana Lee x Raelyn (nonbinary OC)

AU Summary: A boarding school student Hana Lee x public school child of the staff Raelyn. A rich girl Hana x poor kid Raelyn story. Being from a rich family, Hana isn't really suppose to become friends with a "staffie" a kid of a staff member. All staff members and their families can live on campus but the kids have to attend a local public school and is discouraged to interact with the boarding school students. Will that stop a friendship from forming between Hana and Raelyn? Or will something else form between the 2 teenagers?

Hana stops at the sight of the brightly colored yellow and red store, the entrance flanked by plastic teddy bears.

"Uh, Rae? Are you sure this is right? I think this store is only for children." Hana asks nervously, Raelyn grins excitedly.

"Nah, Build-A-Bear is for all ages. No one is too old for a stuffed friend. Do you trust me?" Raelyn asks holding a hand out to Hana prompting a memory of the first day they met.

"Hah, what an embarrassment! The social climber actually thinks she can sit with us?" A beautiful but snobby blonde says snidely, causing her lackeys to giggle mean laughs. Tears welled up in Hana's eyes and she crys out when a smirking redhead knocks her textbooks out of her hands, causing her papers to scatter all over the floor.

Mercifully the bullies walked off as Hana tearfully bends down to pick up her papers. Suddenly ripped jeans and scuffed up converses appeared next to her and the owner of the outfit, that was in violation of the school's dress code, bends down to join Hana and help her gather her papers.

"Don't pay them girls any mind, their parents obviously don't love them so they take it out on you. I'm Raelyn." Hana gape at the kind eyes of her helper that's handing her papers back to her, smiling warmly.

"I-I'm Hana. T-thank you." Hana shyly says. Raelyn seems to light up even more and they offer their hand to Hana who takes it.

Ever since then Hana's life has never been the same.

Hana smiles and takes Raelyn's hand, "of course I trust you." Raelyn grins and leads Hana into the brightly colored whimsical store.

"I remember you said your parents wouldn't let you have a toy growing up, now is your chance to make yourself a friend!" Raelyn fans out their hand towards the wall of stuff animal options.

"Aren't you my friend?" Hana asks playfully.

"Of course! But this friend is allowed in your dorms at night. This one you can hug and squeeze when I'm not around."

Hana blushes and look away at the wall, her eyes sweeping across all the options.

"I'm not sure where to start."

"It's okay! Take your time. Pick the one that speaks the loudest to you, the one that grabs your attention the most." Raelyn says.

Looking across the options, Hana's eyes keep coming back to a frog.

"Maybe that one?" Hana asks pointing to the frog on the wall. Raelyn smiles and pulls an unstuffed frog plushie out of the bin.

"This one look cute enough for you?" Raelyn asks waving the froggie's face towards Hana. Hana bites her lip at how cute Raelyn looks peering back at her and nods before her brow furrows.

"Yes but...it's a little...limp?" Hana says unsure, Raelyn grins.

"Right this minute yeah, but now we stuff him or her or them." Raelyn says, leading Hana to a machine with a worker standing there smiling.

"Ready?" The worker asks and at Raelyn nod, takes the frog, fixes the hole in the back of the frog to a pipe sticking out of the strange machine, and with a press of a pedal begins to fill the frog up with stuffing. Suddenly the worker stops.

"Now if you one of you could pick a heart out and give it a kiss, I can finish stuffing your friend."

Raelyn points at a basket of little fabric hearts attached to the side of the machine and Hana reaches in and grabs one. Hana kisses the heart and hands it to Raelyn. Raelyn kisses the heart on the same side of Hana's kiss,looking straight into her eyes. Hana's gasp is lost in the sound of the worker finishing the stuffing process.

Soon the frog is stuffed and sewn up and in Hana's arms. Raelyn leads Hana to the wall and racks of little clothes, hats and shoes.

"Oh wow! We can dress him up?" Hana asks excitedly. Raelyn nods.

"You bet! Whatever outfit you want."

Eventually the two decide on cute little overalls and after printing off his birth certificate, they head to the cash register.

"Wait, you don't want to make one for yourself?" Hana asks.

"Nah, my other stuffed buddies would get jealous." Leaving out that they couldn't afford to buy Hana's and a second one, but Raelyn didn't mind. They were just happy to be able to give Hana this experience.

Later as they were walking through the mall, Hana sighs heavily.

"My parents won't let me keep him though." Hana says sadly.

"Then he can stay with me when you go home on break."

"Really? You don't mind?" Hana asks hopefully.

"Of course not! Besides he's kinda my son too, right?" Raelyn says a blush darkening their cheeks, Hana blushes too and nods, nervously giggling, before shyly grasping one of Raelyn's hands. Raelyn twines their fingers together and both teenagers' hearts fluttered in their chest.

Hours later after eating supper at a food truck, another first for Hana, Raelyn takes Hana back to her dorms. They're lightly swinging their joined hands when they come to a stop at the side of Hana's dorms. Neither are in a rush to let go though.

"I had fun today, Raelyn."

"Really? You're not just being nice are you?" Raelyn asks bashful. Hana giggles.

"Of course not! I really had fun today! I always have fun when I'm with you. You're always showing me new things but you never make fun of me or think less of me because I'm inexperienced at them." Hana says.

"I'm glad you had a good day. Next time we'll go to the arcade!" Hana giggles.

"I'm sure it'll be fun too, whatever that is." The two stand there smiling at each other for a moment before Raelyn breaks the silence.

"Hana?" Their voice cracks in nervousness. "Uh, can I...maybe kiss you?" Hana's lips part in surprise but she eagerly nods. Raelyn slowly leans toward Hana, giving her time to change her mind but Hana tilts her head and meets Raelyn's lips with her own.

They're both still for a moment, unsure and inexperienced but slowly they begin to shift. Noses bump but then they find their rhythm and the kiss is sweet and perfect. Perfect for a first kiss. They pull back, matching blushing cheeks and excited smiles.

"I'll uh let you go before you're late for curfew, but that was amazing." Raelyn says looking at Hana hopefully. Hana nods her eyes shining like stars.

"Yes! That was...that was everything." Hana says breathlessly. Hana walks to the door of the building and looks back at Raelyn.

"Sweet dreams Rae." Hana says warmly to the still blushing teen.

"Good night Hana."

Hana walks into her room and pulls out Jaime the frog. She looks at him for a second before squealing giddy and hugging him tight. Not knowing that across the campus, Raelyn was just as giddy dancing a little happy jig around a light pole on their back to their own room.

@hanaleeappreciationweek

@sazanes

@lizzybeth1986

#choices #pixelberry #playchoices #Finally wrote this!#This has been floating in my head for #At least a year now #hlaw 2024 #hlaw #Hlaw day 3 #Hlaw day 3: AU #Hana lee #Trr #The royal romance #First love #Puppy love #Love between social class #Boarding school x public school romance #Rich Hana x poor kid romance

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shreyamistry · 8 months

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Hey There! I saw this, and I couldn't agree more! Nothing says I love you more than "I'm willing to try this for you." And this works for all kinds of relationships: romance, friends, and family, too.

Would you be able to create something showing this for one of your characters or pairings? It could be a drabble, fic, edit, art - anything at all!

NO PRESSURE AT ALL - only if you want to, but I'd love to see what you could come up with!

Pairing: Hana x MC

Prompt: “I’m willing to try this for you.”

Word Count: 1900+

Summary: Nicole invites Hana to a rock concert when the pair visit New York. Nicole relives the nostalgia of living in New York while Hana lives vicariously through the life of a New Yorker.

A/N: Thank you for the ask! I hope this fits (I was trying to rack my brain very hard to find something that makes sense and this is the conclusion my brain came to). I hope you like it 🩷!! Requests are open if anyone is interested !!

Thank you for reading! I hope you like it!

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Hana dotes on her dress, her slim fingers smoothing down the fabric trying her best to make it look as sleek as she would prefer. The peach colored gown made her feel almost out of place compared to the other outfits she saw - even compared to Nicole she felt like an outcast. She glances around nervously, picking at a stray piece of lint that lingers on her dress. The fabric soft to the touch, cooling and calming - it helped Hana stay grounded despite her nerves.

“Hana!”

She turns her attention to Nicole who smiles brightly, she draws Hana into a quick hug pulling away to hold her at arm’s length. The pair had decided to meet up at the venue as Hana needed to meet with aspiring young men her parents would try to set her up with if King Liam didn’t work out; and Nicole wanted to meet up with her old co-workers. The thought of Nicole as a waitress intrigued Hana, she often wondered what it would feel and be like to be a true New Yorker without a royal background.

“Nicole! I’m so pleased to see you.”

She smiles brightly as Nicole pulls her in to place a kiss on her cheeks, quick and chaste. She sighs to herself happily, the short interaction enough to make her heart flutter in her chest and her mind race with thoughts. Nicole offers her a cup with a weird array of scents coming off of it giving her a puzzled look.

“It’s a concoction of every soda,” Nicole laughs at the concern written across Hana’s features. “Trust me, it sounds gross but it’s - well kind of gross, but that’s half the fun. It’s a New Yorker thing, I guess.”

Hana laughs gently before taking the drink to her lips. She breathes out deeply before taking a sip from the straw, her face scrunching up in disgust before settling into a look of distress. Every polished part of her screams this is nasty and undignified, but most of her is excited. She goes for a second sip getting a squeal of excitement from Nicole.

“I told you!” Nicole laughs, “it sounds gross, tastes gross, but you can’t stop yourself from going back for seconds!”

“I never realized how exciting being a New Yorker could be,” she replies, “you lived such an exciting life before coming to the courts of Cordonia.”

“It wasn’t all glamor, you should’ve seen the giant rat I called my roommate back at my old place.”

“A giant rat? In your home?!” Hana gasps.

“Mhm,” Nicole nods, she leads Hana by the hand further into the stadium they were at. The sound of music grew louder and louder as they weaved through people, Nicole taking lead to make sure she and Hana could get through the crowd quickly. “I named him Derek, I can’t explain it but he looked like a Derek. Though, I think I was influenced by watching Grey’s Anatomy with him.”

Hana shakes her head in disbelief, letting a giggle leave her lips as Nicole pulls her to a stop the both of them watching each other as people talk excitedly around them the overwhelming sound of music and voices nearly drowning them out from hearing one another.

“I’ve never seen Grey’s Anatomy,” Hana whispers, “Is it good?”

“Hmm, think Open Heart with more drama.” Nicole smiles.

“I love Open Heart.”

“You’re welcome for letting you onto it,” Nicole grins, “I have season 3 on DVD we can watch sometime, though be warned it’s not as good as the first season.”

Hana smiles sweetly, her cheeks flushing crimson red thinking back to her marathons with Nicole watching the first and second season. She remembers the warmth of Nicole’s body next to her, the taste of unhealthy American snacks, and the fun they had laughing and crying over fictional characters and what would become of their medical careers. It was different for Hana, before then she’d never even truly seen a film; her family found it a waste of time. A distraction from her studies and her duties as a woman of the Lee family, she only ever recalls watching a single movie in her youth and that being the Titanic because her mother was fascinated by the concept and Leonardo DiCaprio.

She adored this part of life, the contrast different from growing up in New York versus that of growing up in the courts as she did. The fun she felt with Nicole only grew, she made her branch out and try things she never would’ve even considered or thought to be to be done. The sheer amount of American media from film to music to television excited every part of Hana’s brain. There was so much to learn and notate, even media meant for fun consumption Hana found there was something to learn from it. She never thought she’d find herself at a concert in this way — sure she’d been to classical concerts but they paled in comparison to the excited energy around them.

Hana’s pulled out of her thoughts as she gazes onto the stage in the middle of the stadium where a band takes the stage excitedly talking to the crowd.

“Thank you for coming Hana, I’m glad I can share so much of my life with you. I know this is overwhelming, but you’re handling it like a champ!”

Hana grins, “it does hurt my ears a bit, but I’m happy I came. I’m willing to try this for you.” Nicole squeezes Hana’s hand in return, failing to hide a grin in her attempt to be seen as nonchalant. She’s about to reply when the band speaks up, turning their attention away from each other to the front stage.

“Are you ready to rock New York?!”

“WOOOOO!” The crowd cheers, it’s nearly deafening to Hana, as she tries her best to not show it seeing the smile on Nicole’s face.

Before long the concert is in full swing, people mosh and dance around her with excitement. Hana herself is clinging to Nicole’s arm to not get swept away into the craziness of New York’s crowds, enjoying the feeling of holding Nicole’s hand. This is not something she would’ve done herself, she wouldn’t have even considered coming to a rock concert a mere two months ago. There was something about Nicole that made her feel emboldened and brave; it made her a better person.

The bravery she felt with Nicole; it instilled upon her that she could be her own person and face the world with all of her strength and prove herself to her family and friends alike. She studies Nicole, the excitement on her face as she screams lyrics to a song that Hana can barely understand. Hana couldn’t explain it, but despite being unfamiliar and not all that interested with the event, she still felt engaged and she enjoyed herself even. The smile on Nicole’s face was the most important thing to her in this moment; seeing Nicole happy made Hana happy.

Thinking back on this night, Hana would regard this night as the night she truly full heartedly had fallen in love with Nicole Brooks.

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Nicole hunkers down with Hana’s head in her lap, the two of them sitting in the back of a limousine on the way back to the airport. Their four day excursion to New York came to a conclusion, though Nicole almost wishes she and Hana could stay forever and show her all the wonders of New York. Nicole felt comfortable here, it wasn’t all high end glamor and royalty, it was her eating a giant $2 slice of pizza with Derek watching hoping Nicole would drop a few crumbs for him to scurry by and eat.

Nicole longs to be back in New York as much as she won’t express it, so much has changed that she knew she couldn’t just return to New York and pretend she was Nicole Brooks, not Lady Nicole. She wouldn’t know how to settle back into being a waitress with shitty customers, shitty pay, and dull outfits, houses, and friends.

Going to Cordonia reminded Nicole she truly didn’t have many friends or much family to keep up with, she texted a few people in the time she left but none all that important, none that pulled her back to New York. She truly only missed the rock scene, it was her saving grace from her day-to-day life. Long night shifts spent sucking up to rich people for a half decent tip to be able to go see her favorite bands live, to feel a part of a group. Her rock friends being the only few people that would hit her up to see what concerts she’d be at so they could meet up and party together.

She sighs to herself, she wonders what would happen if she’s unable to convince Liam to take her hand in marriage — truthfully, she didn’t know if she even wanted him that much. After everything that happened, everything she’s been through, all the ups and lows, the only constant through it all was Hana. The shoulder for her to rest on and vice versa. She knows she shouldn’t and she knows the possibility is limited; but she often found herself wishing it were Hana’s hand in marriage she was chasing. She shakes the thoughts of her head, Hana and her may have kissed once, but she shouldn’t lose focus now.

She brushes her fingers absently through Hana’s hair, a lingering smile plastered on her features. She hums in appreciation as her fingers glide effortlessly through the strands of Hana’s hair, enjoying the comfort of another person. Her heart giddy in her chest, she never had someone in her life that cares about her happiness like Hana does. Nicole’s many exes would refuse to go on a spontaneous trip or even to a free rock concert.

She remembers the excited, nervous energy bustling through the crowd as they hoisted Hana up to crowd surf. Nicole’s ex would’ve never been caught dead letting herself get crowd surfed, even her ex-boyfriends didn’t appreciate the rock scene as she did. Hana however was different though, she did things Nicole loved without hesitation and Nicole would do the same. She knew her and Hana were more than friends despite the mental turmoil she went through, in the short time she’s known her competing for Prince Liam’s hand in marriage she’s learned more and spent more time with Hana than she did the crowned prince.

She wasn’t sure if Hana returned the feelings, she would be happy just being friends even if they both knew their connection was deeper. She would do anything to keep Hana in her life; she wanted to spend the rest of her life learning about Hana and her interests — as friends or lovers. She wanted to return the favor of doing what Hana loves as Hana does for her.

Nicole leans down to place a kiss to Hana’s temple, whose lips curve into a smile in her sleepy state snuggling in closer to the New Yorker. She strokes Hana’s cheek with the back of her hand; feeling the exhaustion of the night starting to hit her. She herself could also use a nap. Nicole leans back in her seat, her fingers never leaving Hana’s hair as she lets her eyes close hoping her dreams would keep this feeling in her chest alive.

She didn’t know at the time, but this was the moment she truly fell in love with Hana Lee.

#hana lee #hana x mc #the royal romance #trr #choices #choices fanfic #ask #answered #jerzwriter <3 #ty for the ask I do hope it does your prompt Justice 🫶🏻#it’s been soooo long since I wrote for Hana #I miss her so much #she’s my baby #I kith her

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karahalloway · 1 year

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A Leviathan Surprise

Fandom: TRR

Series: None - this is a one-shot

Pairings: Maxwell Beamont x Bertrand Beaumont (nothing sexual - just brotherly love)

Synopsis: Maxwell unveils a larger than life surprise for Bertrand's birthday

Word count: 1,200

Warnings: Posh British swearing, using the Lord's name in vain, oversized squid

A/N1: This is my off-the-cuff submission for Day 4: Friends and Family of the inaugural Maxwell Beaumont Appreciation Week, hosted by @maxwell-beaumont-appreciation.

A/N2: The idea for this one-shot was actually born back in December when @maxwell-beaumont-appreciation reblogged this post by @fictionangyl featuring the cover photo and the question 'Think Bertrand would approve of a little redecorating at Ramsford? 🤔' and the general consensus was 'no' 🤣 But I got inspired by the pic and the comments and decided that I had to immortalise this visual in a fic, because it was too perfect to pass up!

A/N3: I know I normally write in first person POV, but this drabble came to me in third person, so here we are 😇

A/N4: Since Bertrand is 33 at the start of (Un)Common Attraction, I guess that means that this fic takes place 3 years before the start of the social season.

A Leviathan Surprise

Maxwell was giddy with excitement.

Scratch that.

He was positively bursting with anticipation!

Bertrand was going to be home any minute now, and the young Beaumont could not wait to surprise his older brother with his... Well, surprise.

It was Bertrand's birthday, after all...

And even though Bertrand hadn't wanted a fuss made, much less a party thrown — because, let's face it, they were broke — when one of his thousands of Insta followers had tagged him in a post featuring this jewel of divine inspiration, Maxwell had known: THIS was it... the perfect birthday present for his brother.

The fact that it had cost the better part of an arm and a leg and had required several hundred dedicated man-hours to accomplish was besides the point.

Bertrand was going to love it!

And that's all that mattered.

Because this year — of all years — Bertrand deserved to be treated. And a bit of financial bother was not going to stop Lord Breakdance from properly commemorating his brother's epic milestone.

The big 3-0.

Bertrand was now officially (and irreconcilably) a grown-up.

So what better way to celebrate (or commiserate?) than by killing two birds with one stone?

The painting gallery had always held a special place in the Beaumont brothers' hearts. In large part because it was where their mother's portrait hung — young, beautiful, full of life, she beamed out at the viewer even though it was against the conventions of formal portraiture.

But then, their mother had never been a stickler for the rules...

...probably why everyone said Maxwell took after her.

But a dreadful summer thunderstorm last year had sent a 100-year old oak tree crashing through the roof of the wing of the House that the gallery sat in, leaving an unsightly hole in the ceiling. Which — even though it had been patched — had never been completely made new.

We have more important things to allocate our meagre funds on, Bertrand kept reminding him every time the subject was raised.

Well, no longer!

Maxwell had taken matters into his own hands — raising a chunk of the money through livestreamed charity breakdance-offs with prominent YouTubers, and receiving the shortfall via a last-minute cheque made out by a well-heeled benefactor — to not only bring the painting gallery back to its former glory, but to improve it!

Bertrand was going to love it.

He was sure of it.

In fact, he had never been more sure of anything in his life!

...apart from the time he had bought an entire ostentation of peacocks so he could perform a peacock wedding.

Because what better way to celebrate the fact that these beautiful birds mated for life?

...or was the swans...?

It didn't matter. The point was that Maxwell had become ordained so he could perform the ceremony of the two fowl becoming one with the necessary sanctity and gravitas.

And his brother deserved the same level of commitment and dedication to detail as those beautiful birds had gotten through the course of the two-and-a-half hour long marriage affair.

Just with a lot less poop.

"Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Maxwell!" cried Bertrand, storming into the picture gallery. "What in the blazes is so urgent that it couldn't—? Oh, good God...!"

The elder Beaumont froze as he laud eyes on the centre-piece of the newly renovated space — the gargantuan papermaché kraken that sat suspended upside-down from the ceiling like some nefarious, overgrown bat, waiting to pounce (or fall?) on its unsuspecting victims.

The ominous creaking of the wires that held in in place didn't help matters either.

"Happy birthday, Bertrand!" exclaimed Maxwell, rushing up to crush his big brother in a celebratory hug. "May your—"

Bertrand deftly sidestepped the ill-timed PDA to thrust his finger accusingly at the ceiling. "What... in the name of all that is holy... is THAT?!"

"Your birthday present!" grinned Maxwell, completely unfazed by his brother's rapidly twitching eyelid. "Do you like it?"

Bertrand was visibly trembling. "It's... it’s..."

"Gorgeous?" prompted Maxwell. "Glorious? Utterly res—?"

"IT'S AN ABOMINATION!"

Maxwell's face fell. "Oh."

"What in the devil possessed you to conceive of, let alone spend money — money which we do not have, might I add! — on such a massive piece of macabre monstrousness!"

"I thought you'd like it..." Maxwell muttered sheepishly.

"Like it?" Bertrand spluttered incredulously. "I’d like to clobber you over the head with it! I'd—!"

A lone sniffle escaped the younger Beaumont...

...and Bertrand's shoulders fell.

"Oh, bugger..." he muttered under his breath.

Stepping up to what was left of his family, he laid a consolatory hand on his sibling's shoulder. "My apologies, brother. That was crass of me. I shouldn't have—"

"You hate it," lamented Maxwell, wiping the tears from his eyes.

"No, no!" objected Bertrand quickly. "I... I was simply caught off guard. It's not everyday that you see a giant cephalopod dangling from the ceiling."

"It's okay if you hate it..." whispered Max. "I... I'll just get it taken down and—"

"You will do no such thing!" admonished the elder Beaumont. "You've already frittered away God-knows how many hundreds of guilders on—"

"Thousands," corrected Maxwell.

"Thousands?" squeaked Bertrand, going deathly pale. "Oh, dear Lord in Heaven...!"

"2,375.97 to be exact," clarified Maxwell. "And that was just the materials."

Bertrand wheezed asthmatically.

"But it was all funded by charitable donations."

Bertrand snapped his head up. "Charitable? Donations? Who in their right mind would—?"

"Fund the creation of a one-of-a-kind avant-garde art installation?" asked Leo, stepping out from behind a neo-Greek pillar.

"And spend hundreds of man-hours elbows-deep in papermaché and glue?" added Chris, emerging from behind a curtain.

"Not to mention risk life and limb trying to attach the damn thing to the ceiling..." grumbled Drake.

"You?!" demanded Bertrand with wide eyes. "You were behind this?"

"We... may have contributed our respective skills-sets," admitted Leo with a sly smile.

"If by 'contribute' you mean 'got press ganged'..." muttered Drake.

"But it was all Maxwell's idea," added Chris. "He organised the fundraising, the equipment, the workmen, even the tea and biscuits."

"Those were good biscuits..." agreed Leo with a far-away look.

Bertrand turned back to his brother. "You... you project managed this shambles? By yourself?"

Maxwell shrugged. "I had to keep it a surprise."

"Oh, you silly muppet," sighed Bertrand as he wrapped his brother into an uncommon embrace. "There's hope for you after all..."

"So... does that mean you like it?" asked Maxwell, hope sparking in his baby-blue eyes.

"I... I think it may be a somewhat of an acquired taste..." admitted Bertrand with a shudder. "But I'm proud of you, brother. You finally showed me that you have what it takes to be a true Beaumont."

"A hereditary obsession with squid?"

"Pluck," smiled Bertrand, clapping his younger sibling on the shoulder affectionately. "And that is the best birthday present a brother can ask for."

Permas:

@twinkleallnight @lovingchoices14 @kingliam2019 @petiteboheme @aussiegurl1234 @queen-arabella-of-cordonia @tessa-liam @alyshak92 @secretaryunpaid @princessleac1 @walkerdrakewalker @angelasscribbles @nestledonthaveone @tinkie1973 @twinkle-320 @knaussal @nikkis1983 @lunaseasblog @ficloverevie @indiana-jr @differenttyphoonwerewolf @xpandass420x @eversoaringqueen12 @peonierose @3pawandme @alexabeta @veebug8 @fangirling12566 @queenmiarys @lancelotsimp @coco-lina-s @lolablackwrites @ivyflowers13 @persephone13 @hollygirl1269 @adri-ja-96 @harleybeaumont @katedrakeohd @uneravine @choicesficwriterscreations

#maxwell beaumont appreciation week #a leviathan surprise #maxwell beaumont #bertrand beaumont #the big 3-0 #trr fanfic #the royal romance #choices fic writers creations #cfwc fics of the week

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solarishashernoseinabook · 1 year

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[Image ID: a green notebook with a large gold fairy on the cover. A smaller fairy riding a bat is in the lower right corner. /end]

[Image ID: the notebook open to the first page. It's got writing in black ink, and a pen is lying across the page. /end]

pov you're writing the sequel to the royal ranger by solarishashernoseinabook

#ra #rangers apprentice #my writing #trr fanfic #notebook courtesy of angel <3 #so excited to get to use it darling

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sfb123 · 2 years

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I was lucky enough to win a commission by the wonderful @/artbyainna for @ao719’s Tumblrversary giveaway, and I am absolutely FLOORED!

LOOK AT MY BABIES! This is Liam and Riley from a pivotal scene in my series Sapere Aude. I was going to post a snippet, but it's completely loaded with major spoilers, so iykyk. If you don’t, check out the series master here. If you don’t want to read the whole thing, and want the spoilers of this scene, it’s from chapter 8.

Thank you so much to Anitah for your generosity (and congrats again on that Tumblrversary), and to Ainna for using your incredible talent to help me bring one of my silly stories to life yet again.

Permatag:

@3pawandme @busywoman @charlotteg234 @choiceskatie @cordonia-gothqueen @cordoniaqueensworld @emkay512 @foreverethereal123 @gryffindordaughterofathena @hopelessromanticmonie @iaminlovewithtrr @i-am-only-here-for-sims-cc @kat-tia801 @khoicesbyk @kingliam2019 @mom2000aggie @neotericthemis @nestledonthaveone @nikirennie87 @princessleac1 @queen-arabella-of-cordonia @secretaryunpaid @sincerelyella @theroyalheirshadowhunter @tessa-liam @twinkleallnight @txemrn

TRR:

@21-wishes @ao719 @belencha77 @burnsoslow @lovingchoices14 @ofpixelsandscribbles @queenrileyrose @the0afnan @tinkie1973

Liam:

@amandablink @cordonianprincess @custaroonie @jared2612 @xpandass420x @yourmajesty09 @zaffrenotes

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griffinsabina · 7 months

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#playchoices #my choices #the royal romance 3 #trr mc #hana lee #lily snow

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twinkleallnight · 1 year

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Around the (stamping)world

Book: TRR AU

Characters: Rashad x Kiara, Noah their son.

Word count: 1938

Disclaimer: All characters belong to pixelberry.

Rating: Mature

Warning: Fluff

A/N: Rashad came up with writing little notes of love for Kiara in Loving a polyglot . They got their happily ever after with their son Noah in OUAT here . This following fic happens when a young lad Noah tries to learn more from his mother.

Prompt:

Day 3: around the world for @kiaratheronappreciationweek

Handwritten letters for @choicesmonthlychallenge

"Noah! Stop! Non!" Kiara screamed.

Noah was giggling and running away with a folder tucked under his arm.

"Noah, you can't take that." Kiara warned him again.

"Na na na na na." Noah sang an annoying tone, finding a safe distance from his mother.

At ten, he was almost touching Kiara's height. He sported a hair style the same as his father with his wavy black hair that Kiara loved so much. His dusky skin resembled that of Kiara and as Rashad would proudly say, he took after his mother where the gray matter was concerned.

Kiara saw an opening and dived to catch Noah but missed it. Noah ran to his father, trying to take shelter.

Rashad was sitting in his chair in the study when Noah barged in, "Pappy, help! Save this from Maman."

But Kiara was trailing right behind. "Rashad, don't!"

Rashad was sandwiched between both of them. He was twisted and twirled in his rolling chair, left and right, by the push given by the mother and the son. Kiara failed in her attempt to get hold of Noah.

"Guys, guys, guys…" he kept saying but between Kiara's shrieks and Noah's laughter he was hardly heard. As if he didn't exist. He decided to get up, pushing his chair away with a jerk. His long arms went one across each of them. With his large frame,he had both of them in his grip. He then asked, "What's the matter? What is driving both of you crazy?"

Kiara quickly filled in, "Rashad, he has my travelogue."

"So?"

She rolled her eyes, swatting his arm that curled around her waist, holding her tight. "It has the notes. Your notes!" She tried to remind him in code words.

"Oh!" As if lightning struck him, he let go of Kiara and picked up Noah with much ease.

"You little guy. Hand it over." Rashad tickled him. Noah started throwing his legs in the air but he held the folder snuggly to his chest, as firm as Rashad's grip was around his waist. Rashad sent him into a hysterical laughter till he retrieved the folder.

"Not fair, not fair!" Cried Noah.

Rashad handed the folder to Kiara, hugging her, and addressing Noah, " They say everythings fair in love and war, my child."

Then he groaned in Kiara's ear,"Don't remind me of those notes." He gave her a peck.

Kiara giggled and pushed him away.

Noah just scrunched his nose, "Eww!"

Rashad straightened his tee shirt and cleared his throat.

"Oh! No." Noah anticipated the lecture he was going to get, just with that gesture from his father.

"Why did you steal that folder, Noah?"

Noah hung his head in defeat and mumbled."And the hearing begins."

"Noah!" Rashad said in a stiff tone. Kiara hooked her hand around Rashad's arm to try to lighten the situation. Rashad patted on her hand to let her know that he wasn't going too harsh with this.

"Noah?" Rashad called again.

Noah made a whining sound before continuing,"Mom had told me she has a huge collection of stamps in her travelog folder. I was just trying to see those stamps for my school project but she started acting funny when I took her folder."

"Did you take her permission before taking that folder?"

Noah lowered his eyes and shook his head. His lips pouted in a cute manner.

"That's your first mistake. Never touch anything that doesn't belong to you, without the owner's approval."

Noah nodded in agreement.

"And you, Kiki." He turned to Kiara. "Why are my notes in your travelog?"

Kiara's eyes widened. Rashad turned his back to Noah and gave her a pleading look to just play along.

Kiara snickered but then replied, " I was planning to give them to you today. After all, they are such important documents." She fanned her hands and raised her brows dramatically.

Rashad rolled his eyes. Kiara was such a tease.But her next words threw him in panic mode. "In fact, Noah? Why don't I leave this folder with you and your father. He can take care of his important papers and give you details of those stamps too." Noah's eyes lit up.

"Won't you, Rashad?" Kiara batted her eyelashes.

Rashad would always surrender when it came to giving lessons to Noah. He took a quick U- turn from his stance. " You can give my notes to me and I will leave you two for Noah's project."

Kiara narrowed her eyes at him. He rubbed the back of his neck, "I think you are the best to do that job. You know, explaining things to Noah.

Kiara placed the folder on the table to open it, maintaining her eye contact with Rashad. She had a serious look on her face trying to control her laughter at Rashad's tense look. He was worried about their child finding out all the romantic letters he had written for Kiara, the ones she was referring to as 'notes'.

The folder opened and like a rainfall, came out all the colourful envelopes that carried Rashad's emotions in them. He quickly went on his knees to collect them. Noah like a good boy, stepped ahead to help his father

" No need! I will manage, I will manage." Rashad called on the top of his voice.

Noah looked at his mother in confusion. She shrugged her shoulders but kept giving a mischievous smile.

'What's so special in these envelopes?' The whole drama and his father over reacting, made Noah more curious. But he thought of asking his mother later.

Rashad nodded when he was done collecting his belongings. Kiara mouthed, "Poor baby!" Rashad bent forward to whisper in her ear, " I am going to read each of these as you go through the related stamps. And I am sitting right here in this room, looking at you."

Kiara blushed at the thought of the messages he used to leave for her in those envelopes. He occupied the couch in the corner and waved to them to continue their work. Kiara sat facing Rashad while Noah was seated with his back to his father.

Kiara asked, "Sais tu, Noah, why did I enjoy collecting these stamps?"

"Let me guess. Grandpa has a coin collection. So, did you want your own kind of collection?"

Kiara chuckled, "Non silly. It is because it gives so much knowledge in history, geography, cultures, beliefs, and possibly a greater understanding of other languages."

"How?"

She opened the first page of the stamp album that had 5 stamps and each had a profile picture of some person.

She pointed to the first one that depicted a queen. "This was the first adhesive stamp. It is called 'penny black' showing Queen Victoria of Britain."

Noah, as inquisitive as he was, questioned, "If this is the first, how were they sending letters before this? Pigeons? Or owls like in Harry Potter?"

Kiara laughed, "Non. It was normal for the recipient to pay postage on delivery, charged by the sheet and on distance travelled. But the costs were very high. Cher. This prepaid stamp made it like a flat rate for upto half an ounce of letters regardless of distance."

She pointed to the next ones in line, "This is the first one from France of Goddess Ceres, this is our neighbour Greece's that shows Large Hermes' head, these are from the United States the five cent one has Benjamin Franklin's and the ten cent has George Washington's image."

She then pointed at the corner most, "And this one here is the first Cordonian stamp. Can you guess who it is?"

Noah looked carefully at the perforated edges, trying to read the name but he didn't recognise the script. "Must be ancient greek." He murmured to himself.

Kiara watched him keenly as he went into the details and peered at the image of a warrior's profile laced in armour.

He continued,"Looks like a lady. A lady, who fought wars for Cordonia." He jumped in his chair. "It's Queen Kenna Rhys, right?"

"Atta boy!" Rashad chimed in. Kiara stared at him.

Rashad complained, "What? I can sit in a corner and listen, can't I?"

She shook her head, concealing her smile. Noah was looking at the piece of white envelope stuck on the page with a red seal waffer image on it. It had a tiny heart engraved. "Maman? What is this?"

Kiara looked at it , then at Rashad and said, "The Scinde Dawk, first of Asia's. I never had a real one but your father gifted me this rare lithography of the original one."

"In one of those envelopes?" Noah whispered.

Rashad overheard the conversation and shifted uneasily in his place. 'Why is this little guy so smart?' he grumbled and tried to hide his face behind the envelopes he was holding. To add to his embarassment, Kiara chortled at Noah's remark.

"Okay look at these," she flipped the page to show Noah a page full of stamps showing mountains. "Try figuring these."

Noah read the first one, "Helve…. Helvetia? Where is that?"

"It's an old name of the country you know as Switzerland. The official Latin name is still Confederatio Helvetica."

"Ooooh!"

He read a few others- Lourdes of France, Mount Everest of Nepal, Rocky stamp of Canada, Norge of Norway, Abanthus-Lythikos of Cordonia. Besides the cordonian stamp he noticed a blue tag. He sheepishly looked at his father who was fidgeting with a similar colour blue envelope. "Pappy? I think a piece of your envelope got stuck in here"

Rashad hurriedly checked the envelope for a missing part. He looked back at his son, shaking his head, "No that's not possible."

Kiara took pity over Rashad's flustered state and came up with a plan. "Noah? Now that Pappy has taken what he needs, why not carry this folder to your room and study it for yourself. We can discuss it tomorrow."

"The whole thing? I take it?" Noah asked excitedly.

"Oui. You can."

"Thank you Maman." He kissed her and left with the folder.

Kiara smiled at Rashad,"Si? How many did you read?"

Rashad patted the seat next to him. "It's no fun to read them alone. Makes me think of things we should do together."

"Like…?" Kiara asked while snuggling next to him.

Rashad kept the envelopes aside and let his fingers slip through her straight tresses, "Like play with your beautiful black hair." He cupped her face, "keep looking at your bright eyes." He placed a tender kiss on the top of her nose and was about to say something when there was a knock at the door.

He straightened and called out the intruder. "What do you want now, Noah?"

Noah stumbled and peeped into the room. "Pappy, this looks like your handwriting…"

"What is it?"

"Oh I found something in here and it says,..."

"Noah, you can't!" Rashad scrambled, trying to get up but Noah had already started reciting.

"To hold you close, to have you near

To Have My Breath Against Your Ear"

Rashad interjected, "Why you little guy! Stop, I said."

But Noah continued,

"Whispering the words I long to say

Being able to show you my passion in that special way…."

Rashad leapt after him and Noah was running away, reading the words aloud from the page in his hand.

"To hold you close, to have you near

To have my breath against your ear

Whispering the words I long to say

Being able to show you my passion in that special way…"

Kiara doubled up laughing as she heard Rashad shouting, "Noah! Stop! No!"

Tags: @3pawandme @alj4890 @angelasscribbles @bascmve01 @bebepac @busywoman @choicesficwriterscreations @dcbbw @delmissesryan @gkittylove99 @harleybeaumont @iaminlovewithtrr @karahalloway @kingliam2019 @lizzybeth1986 @lovingchoices14 @nestledonthaveone @neotericthemis @mom2000aggie @phoenixrising0308 @princess-geek @riseandshinelittleblossom @sazanes @secretaryunpaid @sfb123 @sillydg @tessa-liam @tinkie1973 @txemrn @walkerdrakewalker @yourmajesty09

#kiaratheronappreciationweek #ktaw #ktaw day 3 #choices fic writers creations #choices monthly challenge #pixelberry #playchoices #the royal romance #trr fandom #trr #twinkleallnight #kiara theron #choices fanfic

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robotchooses · 2 years

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#trr #trr 3 #trr mc #liam #liam x mc

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resetmypatientviolence · 9 months

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From what I hear, it’s a fucking travesty that PB murdered TRR in the end. Literally everybody else’s headcanons are better and I’ll resort to fanfic as canon.

#the royal romance #TRR #playchoices #choices #pixelberry #like poor Liam #should have been an option to fuck off from Cordonia esp if not with Liam ESP AFTER THEY TRIED TO TAKE YOUR BABY FROM #YOU #OR NOT FORCE YOUR KID TO BE AN HEIR???#tho I guess the ending of deciding if you and your li want another kid is cute #and I just found out the nature preserve thing with drakes ending #but otherwise yeah #the first 3 books were solid #and even the first one of TRH #but after that #pb murdered them and lost originality between the LI’s

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humblemediagenius · 3 months

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nvm I'll write an essay now but in the tags because i like writing that way

#look its just like. theyre those characters that are meant to be friends no matter where or what #basically destined to be friends #I keep thinking about the episode where ruff tries finding the 'perfect home' for blossom and that perfect home is his doghouse #and they play it off as a joke in the episode but like. did the show realize what it just said?!?#its why she comes back in season 3 and stays around #shes never seen to leave again which leads me to believe she just permanently is staying there with ruff and thats so important to me #when I was watching the show season 1 at first felt fine w/o blossom but going back and rewatching it feels so empty #and honestly ruff wouldn't get his character development w/o blossom there either #and THEN they're still friends in the spinoffs too like ruff is living with blossom in trrs #even in completely different circumstances they're still together #idk why but this friendship is so important to me. even though it looks like theyre always at odds they really aren't #still thinking about that entry in hmg. ill post the screenshot later maybe but they clearly value each other's company #arrgggghhhh. oupy and kity best friends forever #fwrr #seaspeak

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masked-alien-lesbian · 3 days

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HLAW Day 3: AU

Hana Lee as the ranch owner's daughter x OC (Raelyn) ranch hand

Inspired by Taylor Swift's song But Daddy, I Love Him

I just learn these people only raise you to cage you...

Now I'm running with my dress unbuttoned

Screaming "But Daddy I love them!"

I'm having their baby

No I'm not, but you should see your faces

I'm telling them to floor it through the fences

No I'm not coming to my senses

I know they're crazy but they're the one I want

Dutiful daughter, all my plans were laid...

Soon enough the elders had convened....

"Stay away from her"

The saboteurs protested too much

Lord knows the words we never heard

Just screeching tires and true love...

I'll tell you something about my good name

Its mine alone to disgrace

I thought I was finished with HLAW 2024 but I heard this song and it was so Hana x Raelyn coded, I just had to make one more edit.

@hanaleeappreciationweek

@sazanes

@lizzybeth1986

#choices #pixelberry #playchoices #hlaw 2024 #hlaw day 3 #Hlaw day 3 AU #hana lee #hanaleeappreciationweek #Hana x Oc #Hana lee x OC #Hana lee x Raelyn #trr #the royal romance #Ranch owner daughter x ranch hand romance #This song makes more sense gay than straight #And ppl out in the boonies #Wouldn't approve of a poor nonbinary person #That is feminine presenting #To be with a rich man's daughter

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dcbbw · 2 years

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Hidden Agenda

This story is my (late af) submission for #kiaratheronappreciationweek, utilizing Day #3 (diplomat/polyglot) and Day #5 (relationships/friendships). This is also an answer to an ask: @twinkleallnight requested a portrayal of Kiara’s diplomatic skills.

@ao719 requested a fun/goofy side of Liara (Liam x Kiara) which I will have to answer in another story.

The story takes place within my Liara Arrangement AU; if you wish to catch up/re-read, it can be found on my Masterlist under Liam x Kiara. (It’s incomplete but should be updating soon)

This flashback chapter takes place before the story start, when Kiara realizes that she’s in love with Liam.

I also attempted to utilize Prompt #3 from @choicesflashfics: “I have a perfectly reasonable explanation for this.” Which I did, but word count … so I’m borrowing it instead.

THANK YOU to all who read this over and assure me it makes sense, and not-so-subtly reminded me I need to return to this series. Your feedback, as always, is invaluable.

THANK YOU to all who will read this story. Your likes, comments, and/or reblogs are appreciated more than you know.

Please excuse any and all typos, missing/extraneous words, and/or grammatical errors. MS Editor rates this story as 98% error-free.

Rating is T for Teen.

All characters belong to Pixelberry

Song Inspiration: Lay Your Cards Out, POLICA

Word Count: 4,127

The Royal Council was in recess, its members milling about the Palace’s East Wing Grand Conference Room partaking of refreshments as they grouped off to discuss the meeting’s progress thus far.

The room was an opulent mix of burnished wood furnishings, brass accents, and marble flooring. Cushions and curtains were a rich, plush burgundy. The Cordonia seal took prominence above the dais, and the country’s flag was strategically placed in corners throughout the space.

Lady Kiara Theron was praised for the effective forward movement of her plan to have Castelsarreillan Wineries, LLC purchase the Ramsford Vineyards. The Lady of House Theron successfully argued that wine export comprised only 12% of Duchy Ramsford’s total revenue, whereas it was 73% of Duchy Castelsarreillan’s.

One wine to represent Cordonia, with grapes picked from various regions throughout the country, would make the libation more exclusive, thus promoting a better demand for it while keeping workers employed and creating new jobs.

Lord Neville Vancouer was only slightly satisfied. While the Council agreed to his request for more allocations to Cormery Isle, they included the friendly amendment that upon completion of a second golf course to accommodate the increase in tourism, Cormery Isle would be subject to a tax increase up to but not to exceed eight percent of its current rate.

The Duchess of Lythikos was in discussion with A. Justin Severus, the Royal Communications and Marketing Director, about promoting her duchy as a year-round ski destination. “May as well make use of constant snowfall,” she pointed out as she sipped lemon tonic water.

Mr. Severus was in complete agreement and offered to set up an appointment to meet within the next two days.

The Queen prattled to Ana De Luca and her press team of the progress she and the King were making as they worked to unify Cordonia across race, political, and class lines.

The King was across the room, talking quietly with Rashad Domvallier, his personal legal counsel, and the country’s Comptroller regarding the upcoming closed session portion of the meeting.

“Are you certain Lady Theron is the correct person to lead the discussion?” Rashad asked, his brows furrowed slightly.

“It’s neither a legal nor a financial matter at this time. Preliminary hearing at best, which requires someone who will best represent and protect Cordonian interests in a sensitive, tactful manner. It requires a … diplomatic touch.”

The King’s eyes surveyed the room as he let his comrades process his explanation. They lit up at seeing Kiara, alone at the buffet table.

“Gentlemen, if you’ll excuse me,” he murmured as he began making his way to his lover.

It was the night before Coronation; Liam and Kiara were in the hedge maze, standing beneath a large tree that held a lone wooden swing. Liam’s back was leaned into the tree bark, his hands shoved into his pant pockets. He studied the ground as he spoke.

“Tomorrow night, I’ll choose the Countess to be my bride and Queen,” he muttered in a broken voice.

Kiara’s palm cupped his cheek; it was damp with quietly shed tears. Her heart twisted at the feel; she wasn’t in love with Liam, but she did care deeply for him.

“Ne pleure pas, mon doux Liam,” she whispered. Don’t cry, my sweet Liam. “It’s for the best. I care for you and immensely enjoy our time together, but I’m not ready for duty and tradition. Madeleine is.” Kiara stared at her shoes before speaking again. “Et je suis désolé, mais je ne rends pas tes sentiments.”

And I’m sorry, but I don’t return your feelings.

Liam lifted his head, transferring his gaze upon Kiara. “I don’t care you aren’t in love with me! If I’m marrying for duty, why can’t it be YOU?” he questioned angrily.

There was the slightest impatience in her voice when she replied. “THAT is a question for your father and Duke Karlington! Frankly, I’m GLAD! I want a career, a chance to be free from titles and Court, to see the world and put my skills to uses that DO NOT involve pouring tea and kissing ass!”

“Are you referring to me, or to Court?” he asked tightly as his jaw jumped slightly.

“COURT, LIAM! I’m not HAPPY we’ll be broken apart, but I swear to you … I’m not Queen material at this point in time.” Her arms and hands raised in supplication. “There’s too much I want to do while I’m still young enough to do it.”

The lovers stared at each other, both breathing heavily from the intense emotions flowing through their blood. Liam’s gaze grew thoughtful as he pondered Madeleine’s offer the night before. He held out an arm, entreating Kiara into his embrace.

A pout on her lips, she relented; she inhaled his scent deeply when her head lay on his chest.

“If you’re agreeable, there may be a way for you to have what you want, and still be a part of my life.”

Kiara was a vision: Her long, straight dark hair had ringlet curls at the ends; her dress was an ankle-length black pinstriped affair with a skinny black belt buckled at her waist. A black slub cardigan covered the ensemble; gray snake-skin stilettos were on her stockinged feet.

“Hi,” Liam greeted bashfully when he was beside her.

Kiara was reaching for a plate when she glanced up. Her breath caught in her throat, and her heart beat a tad faster.

It’s ridiculous how handsome this man is, she thought.

She returned her attention back to the brunch selections offered, debating between citrus-glazed salmon, beef wellington, and grilled duck.

“Ahem! HI! Say it back.”

The future Duchess giggled at the irritation in her King’s voice. “You are so rude!” She lifted her eyes to meet his.

“You’re the one ignoring me,” Liam grumbled.

“Bonjour, monsieur,” she cooed sweetly.

He leaned in closer to her, his lips at the shell of her ear; Kiara repressed a shiver at his nearness. A smile curved her lips as she listened to his sweet nothings. She felt butterflies in her tummy and a giddiness overtake her.

Kiara Theron was in love. With the King of Cordonia. The married King of Cordonia. She wasn’t sure when it happened, or how. But ever since their return from America last month, Kiara found herself … dissatisfied with their arrangement.

Kiara’s first inclination was to turn down the offer. While Cordonian arrangements were commonplace, they were typically between a couple married to other people. As a single woman in an arrangement with the King no less, the Lady would be branded a gold digger which could bring a certain notoriety upon House Theron.

Liam promised her the utmost discretion; only four people knew of the agreement: Liam, Kiara, Madeleine, and Rashad. The Queen and the Counselor had both signed non-disclosure agreements. The contract drawn up offered something to all parties involved:

Kiara was appointed to the Cordonian Office of Ministries as the Diplomatic Liaison for Governmental Relations and given a Junior Ambassadorship representing Cordonia within the UN’s Alliance of Small Island States. Because her work would keep her in the Capital, a gorgeous three-bedroom, three- bathroom townhouse was purchased through one of the Crown’s many foundations for her in nearby Stormholt. In addition to her salaries, which were determined by the government pay sale, she received a robust monthly stipend for her availability and discretion.

Liam received three overnights a week with his lover; business trips abroad with Kiara where diplomatic services were deemed necessary, or the Queen’s presence was not required; daytime luncheons with the caveat that the couple remain businesslike while in public to avoid rumors and gossip.

The King modified his will so that Kiara would be taken care of in the event of his passing. It wasn’t a requirement of the arrangement, but something he wanted to do.

Madeleine was given the freedom to take a lover, or lovers, of her choosing excluding members of House Theron. The Queen would relinquish such lovers once the monarchs began in earnest to provide the country with heirs to secure the Rys line of succession. She was gifted Duchy Valtoria.

The couple agreed to use contraceptives to prevent pregnancy, and to not bring their romance inside of the Palace, or any of the Queen’s properties.

The day the contract was executed, notarized, and attested, the Queen met with a lawyer outside of Court circles to add codicils that no one else needed to know about.

Liam bought Kiara a black Jaguar XF to celebrate.

It had been a satisfactory arrangement so far for Kiara: She had a career doing what she loved, downtime when she needed it, a gorgeous house, and an attentive lover. But between the overnights, trips to countries she’d never visited, and once-a-month trips to New York City where Liam spoiled her with carriage rides in Central Park, dinners at Michelin-starred restaurants, and shopping sprees … Kiara found herself wanting more.

With Liam.

Only Liam.

She was in love with her lover.

But when to tell him?

“Are you prepared for closed session?” Liam asked as he partook heartily of a western omelet.

He and Kiara were seated at a small round table on the veranda. The King rose when he saw his Queen approach them, a plate of fruit and toast in her hand. He guided Madeleine to the table before pulling out her chair and placing her meal on the wrought-iron tabletop.

“What are we discussing?” Madeleine asked, her emerald-colored eyes darting between her husband and his lover.

Normally the Queen of Cordonia would not care what her husband and his plaything were discussing, but given that there was still more meeting to be had, she felt it best to see if there was any information they were willing to share.

“Auvernal,” Liam replied as he lifted his coffee cup to his lips.

“My research was quite informative,” Kiara offered in answer to Liam’s question before they were interrupted. “I must admit to some … curiosité as to why this task landed in my lap.”

She looked uncertainly between the two monarchs.

Liam’s fork speared another slice of egg, meat, vegetables, and cheese. “Auvernal has approached the Queen and I with an alliance; while they have not outright said it was a marital union they seek, one can only presume that is their agenda.”

“But there are no heirs yet, are there?” Kiara hoped she was hiding the dismay she felt at the thought of Madeleine being pregnant.

“Arrangements and alliances are formed decades, scores … even centuries in advance. The very makeup of today’s Court, the laws we abide by … all formulated by the politics of our ancestors. Personally, I have nothing against an alliance with our neighbors to the east,” Madeleine said in a tone that suggested she was speaking to a small child.

Kiara’s eyes cut to Liam, who shook his head slightly, silently telling Kiara to ignore Madeleine’s tone. He placed his palm atop the back of her hand. “You’ll do wonderfully, Lady Kiara. Consider this a fact-finding mission, so that all parties have the information needed to make the best decision for Cordonia.”

A bell rang, three times. Madeleine rose. “The meeting is convening.” Her dress swished about her calves as she hurried back inside.

“You’ll do wonderfully.” Liam’s lips lingered on Kiara’s cheek. “I’ll see you this evening at the townhouse?”

Kiara nodded, motioning Liam ahead as she struggled to collect her thoughts, torn between hating him and loving him. Why would he ask HER to research Auvernal for a marital alliance between the Cordonian heir and Auvernal’s?

Why wouldn’t he?

Liam thought he was the only one in love.

She was his diplomat. He asked her to do her job.

Now that her duty was done, when would he begin his?

FUUUUUCCCKKKKK.

The thought made her almost physically ill.

When Kiara entered the conference room, she took in the surroundings: Councilmembers seated on the dais, conferring quietly amongst themselves, palms covering microphones. Kiara wondered why no one bothered to simply turn the devices off.

The monarchs were seated at the conference table: Liam and Madeleine sat beside each other on one side, Bradshaw and Isabella on the other, a seat separating them.

Rashad and the Comptroller sat along the wall, notepads and ink pens in hand.

Taking in a deep breath and plastering a smile on her face, Kiara took her seat at the head of the table. “Good afternoon, everyone.”

Head nods and murmured greetings in response.

Kiara shuffled through papers. “I am Lady Kiara Theron of House Theron, Duchy Castelsarreillan. I will be facilitating today’s discussion regarding a potential alliance between Cordonia and Auvernal, item G.1 on the agenda.”

She looked up, her gaze trained on the Auvernese rulers. “What exactly is your proposal? There’s nothing in writing, and the monarchs have not received any information.”

Kiara noted that Bradshaw was handsome in a feeble way. His body was lithe and held muscle definition, but his chin was weak, and his eyes beady.

“I am of the belief that one gets it in writing, not puts it in writing,” Bradshaw quipped, though there was no humor in his tone.

Kiara arched an eyebrow in surprise.

Beneath the table, Isabella kicked her husband sharply in his shin. Bradshaw winced before glowering at his Queen. Isabella was oblivious as she smiled brightly at both monarchs and the diplomat.

“What my … husband is attempting to say, in an extremely crass manner, is that we wish to have a verbal discussion first before drawing up a proper alliance. We don’t wish for either party to be short-changed in what we hope will be a mutually beneficial exchange.”

“King Bradshaw, how long have you been sovereign of Auvernal?” Kiara asked as she placed her palms flat against the table’s surface.

Bradshaw frowned. “Five years.”

Kiara nodded. “And how long have you and Queen Isabella been married?”

All the monarchs were frowning; the Councilmembers leaned forward ever so slightly in their seats. What the hell was Joelle’s daughter doing, and where was this line of questioning leading?

“Five years. Why?”

“July 26, 2017, to be precise, correct? One week after Isabella’s coronation as Queen of Auvernal following her father, King Renaldo, stepping down due to declining health. A wedding not one member of Cordonian Court received an invitation to.”

Everyone’s attention was focused on the Auvernese monarchs.

“What are you implying, Miss Theron?” Bradshaw growled.

“I am saying that you are not the ruling monarch of Auvernal; the Queen is. You are nothing more than Prince Consort.”

Liam’s eyes, which had narrowed at Bradshaw’s deliberate slight, widened at the revelation although he shouldn’t have been surprised. He recalled sporadic visits to Auvernal in his youth and meeting with Isabella, but never Bradshaw.

He cursed himself for the oversight.

“His title in no way invalidates his power nor his ability to speak for us as a couple,” Isabella interjected coolly.

Kiara offered a conciliatory smile. “I’m not saying it does. I’m merely getting the facts straight, so Cordonia knows who holds the power within your dynamic.”

“Bradshaw holds every authority,” Isabella affirmed.

“So again, what is the proposal you wish to present?” Kiara sipped from a glass of water.

“We wish to set forth a marital alliance between our children and the Cordonian heir. We have fraternal twins, a boy and a girl. Preferably, Cordonia will provide its country with more than one child, and an agreement can be placed for both our children.”

“Where would they rule?” Kiara inquired.

Blank stares from Bradshaw and Isabella; interested looks from the Council, Rashad, and the Comptroller.

The question was an excellent one.

In the modern age, a dual monarchy was a rare occurrence, happening only when two separate kingdoms were ruled by the same monarch, followed the same foreign policy, existed in a customs union with each other, and had a combined military but are otherwise self-governing.

That was not the case with either country.

Silence while the visiting rulers struggled to supply an answer. Kiara took the opportunity to gauge the room. Looks of begrudging admiration from the Council, a huge smile from Rashad. The Lady’s eyes met the King’s; he gave her a covert thumbs up. The Queen stared stoically at Bradshaw and Isabella.

“That would be a discussion to be had at such time we actually enter into an alliance,” Isabella responded slowly.

“This alliance you are offering has been paraded before other countries, no? Hidar, Monterisso, Vallenheim just to name a few. Why is Cordonia only now in your sight lines? Surely you are both aware the King has familial ties to your country, and that we have been neighbors since the unification of the Five Kingdoms. A unification Auvernal resisted.”

Bradshaw drummed his fingertips against the highly polished, massive table. “Precisely the reason we chose alternate avenues; despite our shared history and proximity, Auvernal and Cordonia are merely neutral at best. We have no trade agreements in place, no treaties … we exist peacefully, yet uneasily. When talks stalled between other countries, Isabella and I agreed to extend this olive branch in an effort to at least become allies.”

Kiara settled back in her chair, crossing one leg over her knee. Her foot swung rhythmically.

Liam felt his manhood rise in his pants.

“And what exactly are you offering, Your Majesty?” Kiara put sarcastic emphasis on the moniker.

“In exchange for the marital alliance of at least the firstborns of both countries, and an annual monetary gift of $1 billion US dollars until the desired marriage comes to fruition, Cordonia has unrestricted access to the Auvernese military, free reign and use of our ports, and we will provide you with border protection.”

Liam flushed red, disbelief and anger marring his features. “ONE BILLION US DOLLARS? A YEAR?” he repeated in a voice that bellowed throughout the room.

Madeleine leaned over to whisper in his ear.

The Council watched with wide eyes. The Comptroller began patting his vest pockets for his heart medication. Kiara looked at her monarch with concerned eyes.

“King Liam, do you need to be excused?”

He shook his head. “My apologies for the outburst. The amount took me by surprise.” He glared at Bradshaw. “What the hell do you need with that amount of money?”

“It would be a sign of good faith,” Isabella clarified.

“For far less than that amount, we could assemble our own military, which we are in the process of doing. We plan to have a fully functional army, navy, and air command within the next five years,” Madeleine pointed out.

“Cordonia is prospering at a rapid rate. With prosperity comes growth. And enmity, both within and outside of your borders. A five-year plan is good, but a lot can happen in that time. Should your country be breached, it’s simply a matter of time before your foes are at our door. The use of our military is a preventive measure, albeit a bit self-serving,” Bradshaw explained.

Kiara followed the exchange carefully. “So, you are asking for the monarch’s firstborn at the very least, an estimated $21 billion dollars, and in exchange we get your military not only infiltrating, but surrounding Cordonia as well?”

Bradshaw nodded in conformation.

Kiara smirked mirthlessly. “Most countries would call that a takeover. Just ask Rivala.”

“It wasn’t like that with Rivala, and it wouldn’t be that way with Cordonia!” Isabella contradicted, her tan complexion paling at the mention of the country.

Kiara uncrossed her legs and pulled her chair back to the table. “Let’s discuss the children, shall we? How old are they?”

“Their names are Isaac and Lyra; they’re four years of age,” Bradshaw replied proudly.

“And yet, there are no medical records in Auvernal or any of your neighboring provinces to corroborate Queen Isabella’s pregnancy or hospital stay. I did find birth certificates for the twins; Bradshaw Achilles is listed as the father, but the mother has the same name as the children’s nanny.”

“Lady Theron, what exactly are you saying here?” Duchess Adelaide demanded.

Kiara kept her gaze trained on the Auvernese monarchs.

“My research has uncovered that Bradshaw’s children are not of royal or even noble lineage. Bradshaw Achilles is a decorated war hero who has never seen combat, and a commoner whose wealth bought him a seat on the Auvernese throne.”

Gasps and the buzzing of muffled conversations erupted within the chamber. Madeleine’s eyes were slits as she glowered at her guests. Kiara calmly sipped her water.

“I have a perfectly reasonable explanation for this,” Isabella’s calm tone cut through the cacophony.

“Please, explain to us how you expect to marry off commoner children to the future offspring of our King and Queen, whose noble lineage goes back centuries?” Bertrand questioned as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

Isabella’s lower lip quivered; she was making the most of the attention paid to her in this moment. “What I am about to say is very private and personal between myself and my husband. I trust that it stays in this room.” She looked around, seeing the nods of affirmation from the Cordonian Court.

“Bradshaw and I tried to conceive, but it just … wasn’t working. We decided to attempt with a surrogate. The procedure was performed quietly, with outside personnel. Neither of us could risk the gossip and scandal. The children share my blood; they simply did not share my body.”

Liam and Kiara met eyes. She shook her head, indicating Isabella was lying.

The Comptroller cleared his throat. “May I inquire what became of King Achilles’ fortune? It is my understanding that the country’s coffers are not as full as they could be, confirmed by the financial assistance Auvernal seeks.”

“I spent my money building the mightiest military in the Mediterranean. Being prepared is expensive,” Bradshaw replied, his eyes shooting daggers at Kiara.

Drake Walker looked around the dais. “I think I speak for all of Council when I say we will not approve an alliance proposal at this time, or any time from Auvernal. It’s simply not advantageous to Cordonia, and quite possibly a threat to our national security.”

Murmurs of agreement from the dais.

Madeleine spoke. “I am willing to consider an alliance, given there are certain … modifications.”

Heads turned and spun in her direction. Madeleine looked around, a scowl on her face.

“WHAT? The King and I have a duty to this country to produce heirs, which we will begin trying later this month to do. It is UNHEARD of to have royal heirs not affianced by birth. Find us another alliance, and I am willing to review their terms. Until then, a revised proposal from Auvernal is welcome.”

Shocked silence as the Queen stalked from the conference room.

The meeting was adjourned.

Liam came to Kiara’s side as Council members gossiped amongst themselves. “Love, I had NO idea …”

Kiara stared up at him, her eyes threatening to spill tears. “You’re going to start a family …”

It was neither question nor answer. It was a realization.

Liam shook his head. “No, no, no …”

Kiara briefly shut her eyes. She had planned to tell Liam tonight that she was in love with him. But she couldn’t. The timing was too suspicious; the day the Queen announces that they were trying for a family, the King’s mistress tells him she loves him?

No.

Appearances were everything.

Her eyes opened and she began gathering her papers. “I don’t want company tonight. I’ll be busy summarizing this research for Rashad to review.”

Liam’s expression was stricken, his eyes wide. “Kiara, don’t!”

“You still have two nights this week,” she answered coolly.

It was breaking her heart, but she had to remember her place in this Court, in Liam’s life.

An arrangement. Strange how it never bothered her before.

Madeleine was his wife. Kiara knew they slept together on rare occasions, but that was just sex. A spousal duty. But now, children would be involved. It was now Cordonian duty.

Even stranger how much that hurt her very soul.

“Lady Kiara!” Rashad called out as he approached the couple.

She looked up, a false smile on her face. “Lord Domvallier! Walk me to my car? We can discuss what you’ll need from me.”

Liam slumped in a chair, watching the woman he loved walk away, upset by the rantings of a tantrum-throwing Queen. Not even Queen; Queen Consort. He would find Madeleine and have a talk with her to remind her she held no political power, and her title was merely a formality.

A thought struck him as he ran his palms down his face. Was it possible Kiara could actually return his feelings?

No. She would have told him.

Elsewhere in the Palace, Madeleine was escorting Bradshaw and Isabella to the side portico where their car was waiting. She spoke in low tones; although unseen, guards were always around.

“I meant what I said. Provide me with a modified alliance proposal with far less money, and no military subversion and I will review it carefully, but I will have … needs of my own that will need to be incorporated.”

“Such as?” Bradshaw demanded curiously.

Madeleine’s green eyes bore into Isabella’s brown ones. “For starters, how did you fake your pregnancy?”

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