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#ch: ruby rose
coredrill · 11 months
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something something love can change forms and pass between people and be unrecognizable when it’s all said and done but it is never never never lost
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n1blakelover · 1 year
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crwby keeps warning us about next week’s episode and i am absolutely petrified
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rwbyfan1999 · 11 months
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Ruby meeting her past self again (tribute)
“I am not perfect, I am not my mother, and I am not the hero in the books, I am myself and no one else I am Ruby Rose and I am a huntress!”
I just wanted to make this in honor of Ruby’s growth and triumphant return. This volume has spoke with me the most with the Alice in wonderland theme and Ruby’s growth as a character as someone who’s struggled to find himself in the real world and now I’m at a point where I’m happy with who I am and it brings me so much joy to see Ruby, a character I legitimately look up to as a person, finally become her true self.
I love you Ruby Rose your the best main character in any show ever! Can’t wait to listen to Guide my Way when the full soundtrack drops.
This will likely be my favorite volume for a long time.
Stay awesome forever my girl who’s also a gun.
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travellingarmy · 9 months
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✦❘༻𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝙼𝚢 𝙷𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚝༺❘✦
Ch. 4 - Here Comes the Red Prince
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Malleus Draconia x fem! reader
Chapter list + Summary [Previous] [Next]
Do not steal/copy + paste my works and upload it anywhere else.
⊰♤⊱⊰◇⊱⊰♡⊱⊰☆⊱⊰♧⊱⊰♤⊱⊰◇⊱⊰♡⊱⊰☆⊱⊰♧⊱
“Wife, do you want the garnet or sapphire?” It was a peaceful afternoon where you indulge yourself in embroidery moments before Malleus had decided to join you in the drawing room. After the birthday banquet of Marquis Hagen’s wife, Malleus could be found everywhere you looked. He had even started to join you for dinner. It was as if he’d been glued to your side and could not separate from you. It was honestly terrifying to have the fae’s looming build stare at you all day every day, watching every step you took and every air you breathe in. ‘His eyes are terrifying..’
You have also come to learn that he has indeed found a.. Nickname, you guess. It is just a title but it’s a bit better than the last.   
He wanted to do some bonding time with you, you assume, but when you try to initiate conversation at times to keep him entertained, the words would die on your tongue as soon as you make eye contact with him. 
He inspects the gems that are lined up neatly in rows on the table with the jeweller having stood at the side for some time and turned his head slightly to look at you. So far, you haven't shown any reactions to any, probably because you’re mainly caught up in the swirl of anxiety simply being near Malleus, too scared to move your arms that are laid stiffly on your lap. But you had to say something, otherwise nobody could leave this room. “Hm.. Oh!” A particular gem’s gleam caught the attention of your eyes amongst many of the other shiny accessories. Your hand reaches out for the small box containing the jewellery which was a necklace made of gold with two small ruby gems and a single, slightly larger one in the middle all carved to look like roses. If you had to choose a necklace, you guessed that this one would be most fitting. 
“Ah, Princess! You have quite the discerning eyes for true beauty!” The jeweller’s eyes lit up and began rubbing his hands together. “The gem has been the highest rarity ever seen of its own kind; it has been recently mined and brought to our craftsman!” 
Malleus, seeing the satisfied look you had on your face whilst staring at the necklace, nodded towards the jeweller. No words weren’t needed to be exchanged and the jeweller started packing the rest of the jewellery, readying himself to leave soon afterwards. “Are you sure that that is the only one you want, chil— ahem— wife?” He asks, taking a sip of his drink and looking at your form from the corner of his eyes to which you hummed in reassurance that you were indeed satisfied with just having one necklace at the moment. He had assumed that all ladies liked jewellery so he had made sure to have the fae bring in all of their best stocks, no matter the price. “Thank you, Your Highness.” Still, you had agreed to his idea to have the jeweller come in. Surely, he thinks, that this will satisfy the old fae who he knows isn’t too far that had been pestering him to not leave a “weeping princess alone,” or so he said. 
Just outside the door, hurried footsteps could be heard coming towards the room before stopping short right outside and then knocking on the door with composure so as to not offend the person on the other side. Once Malleus beckons them in, an air of urgency filled the room that both of you could sense. “Speak.” Malleus crosses both his legs and his arms and looks on with a serious look— and possibly with a pout, if your eyes aren’t deceiving you. “Your Highness, a human whom calls himself the prince of the Rose Kingdom is asking for your attendance..” Your two eyebrows shot up at the mention of the prince. A hand makes a loose fist on your chest as your heartbeat increases slightly. There was a moment of pause as Malleus stood up, readying to see the prince, and the messenger quickly took a glance past his shoulders and made direct eye contact at you. “Err, and the princess as well.” Both of your curiosity were piqued now. Hearing that the prince of your homeland was here is surprising enough, but to want to see you..? You were curious to why a royal would come all this way unannounced and to see you who has no power in this kingdom but title. If he’s here for something, then surely it is something that you cannot grant.
Nevertheless, you both went to the entrance of the castle. There, a boy with hair red as roses stood, tapping his foot impatiently and idly, careful eyes inspecting what he could and the servant faes who stood quietly on both sides. There was an air of distrust and it laid thickly in the air. “Rosehearts,” Malleus speaks as the both of you entered the scene. You walked behind him but the moment you entered, the red-head had averted his full attention to you. He was silent for a while, grey eyes just staring intently into your own.
Malleus noticed how his eyes weren’t focused on him and looked to where the prince was looking. His eyes narrow for a brief moment and this is not taken to notice by the fellow royal blood. “Tell me, Crown Prince of the Rose Kingdom, what reason did you come here rather unannounced?” Malleus got straight to the point, snapping the prince out of his daze and diverting his attention away. “I heard that you came alone on horseback.” 
The red-head covers his mouth with a fist and clears his throat before facing the fae who stood at a stark difference in height compared to himself. “If I were to bring them along, they’d only slow me down. Besides, it’s nearly impossible for magicless carriages to traverse these lands.” He puts into careful words to which you could agree. When you came here, it took the entire day on normal carriages that took the long— yet safe— route to get to the castle. “Hm. Then I apologize for the arduous journey,” Malleus says with a rather bored tone and crosses his arm. “I would have offered you tea by now and a rest, but I presume that you did not come here for idle chat.” For an unknown reason, he was becoming more restless, his foot tapping just how the rose prince in front of him once did before they entered. There was a tone in his voice that was rather telling; telling the short male to spit it out already and get out of here. 
“.. I will be in charge of the peace treaty from henceforth and wish to discuss certain agreements listed that could be misunderstood.. ” He explains. His eyes wander to you for a brief moment before returning them to stare at Malleus with a certain look as if asking him to a challenge. “Afterwards, I would like to have a conversation with [Name].. Alone.” At his words, Malleus’ pupils retracted into two, thin slits, though this went unnoticed by the both of you. The draconic fae glances at you, wondering how exactly close you were to him. To know of the prince is nothing to boast about since you were once a citizen of the kingdom but the look either of you gave and how you reacted earlier to when that servant said that the prince wanted to see you too suggests that you knew each other on a more intimate level. 
“I’m afraid I can’t allow that.” Malleus does not have any personal grudges against him, don’t get it wrong. In fact, he venerated the prince; he is a human with great prowess and strong affinity towards magic and whilst he has all this, he shows all the best qualities found in man. He is a perfect example of a leader— a future king. However, he will not allow another man to have a conversation with you in private. Who knows what could happen without his supervision? You were naive compared to anybody in the room, this he believes, so there is no doubt in his mind that you do not know the consequences.. A consequence from the rumours that’ll spread. An unmarried man and a married woman, alone in a room. No husband, no servants.. 
“I believe I have the right to see how my people are faring in an unfamiliar place,” Riddle shoots back. Malleus’ jaws tighten and you are sweating buckets at the stiff air that continues to build up. “I sincerely apologize for my rather.. Blunt correction, but she isn’t a person belonging to the Rose Kingdom anymore; she is now the princess of the Valley of Thorns and the creatures here are her future subjects,” Malleus corrected facts in an eerily calm paced tone, his right palm raised in the air while doing so in an open gesture saying to understand where he is coming from. Riddle’s hands turned into fists and his face warped into an ugly look, his eyebrows furrowing as low as it could. 
You have heard of this infamous look the red prince would have whenever something does not go his way and it greatly upsets him. When you look around, the faes in the vicinity— that included the servants as well— could sense hostility and were ready to attack should anything happen to their prince. If this continues, another long war might break out and you definitely do not want that.. “A-ah.. Your Highness..” You look towards the dark prince with a nervous gaze. Malleus turns his head at your call. “It would really make me happy to talk to somebody from my homeland..
“If we can’t have a private conversation, then would one at the garden be alright with you?” You spill out each word rather slowly and softly in hopes he’d relax a bit. You have secretly wanted to also have a chat with the prince so maybe if you persist, he’ll relent. 
His eyes look thoughtful and take your words into careful suggestions. “I’ll allow it..” He sighs and you couldn’t help but smile excitedly. He raises an eyebrow, his silent question is now bubbling up into many more unanswered questions. The look you have really does suggest that there is something more than meets the eye with the two. “But on one condition.” Ah. You should have seen it coming. But surely, it can’t be that bad so you nodded. “One of the guards will be on standby..
“Is that alright with you, Rosehearts?” He looks again towards the short male. “You must understand, it is not that I do not trust you; in the case something happens to my wife, another century of discord might ignite, and let’s not even begin to think of a future between the kingdoms should anything happen to the Rose Kingdom’s only prince..” 
Silver eyes bore deeply into luminescent green ones. He was thinking, but not about his words; rather, he was seeing if he could form more words that would allow the situation to go his way. The prince sighs, knowing that this may be the better condition and probably the only chance to speak with you. 
You have always felt that time was a lot slower in the Valley. Even back home, if you just stare outside the window of any of the higher floors, you’d see many citizens walking about and soldiers under the command of the resident baron doing their best to ensure the safety of the people whilst on the land he governs. In the Valley, the faes had all the time a human could ever want and more than not everything needs to be done by a certain date. It makes you feel as if you were the only one in a state of frantic of the little time you have left.
“Are you alright, [Name]?” A voice softly brings you back from your thoughts; you had been staring at your tea this whole time. “Oh, yes! Sorry, I was just thinking of some stuff..” You raise your chin up to meet grey orbs staring into your own. They weren’t any sort of warm colour such as brown, but you nevertheless found tranquillity when staring into them. As of this moment, you feel as if the time you chase so much while being in this place isn’t so important; that you did not mind how faes had time begging for them and were just happy to be there especially now that a familiar face has come to join you. 
“Um, you didn’t say anything important just now, did you, Riddle?” You felt a cold sweat run down the back of your neck and an awkward, lopsided smile was aimed towards him. “Hm..” He narrows his eyes just a bit, carefully taking note of the weird look on your face, an eyebrow raised higher than the other. 
Seeing as he just continues to stare at you in silence, you begin to get nervous and look everywhere else but his eyes and squirm in your seat. It wasn’t long until you heard the soft exhale of a breath and you lifted your head back up carefully. He is leaning back on his seat and crosses his legs over the other. You watch as his complexion relaxes. He closed his eyes and kept quiet for a bit. 
You sat there with a tight-lipped smile, clearly it was forced. “Did.. Did you say something important..?” You say softly and carefully. It really only takes one wrong step before you’d be ensuring his wrath.  His eyelashes flutter slowly like a feather when he opens his eyes to reveal those grey orbs once more. 
“Riddle?” He repeats, crossing his arm and looks at you judgmentally. It took you a while until it clicked. “Ah.. S-sorry! I meant Your Highness!” Your eyes become wide as you correct yourself quickly; your hands flail in front of you. You had started to miss the life you had before deeply. So, when you saw a familiar face from that not-so distant past, it made you think that even for a brief second, you could return to that dream where you’ll be allowed to let down formalities. But, you did not take into account that Riddle would always be someone of higher status than you and that even then, you addressed him with respect.
 He shakes his head, a small smile on his lips that you could not catch. Despite being in a foreign country, Riddle sees that you do not seem to be stricken with the look of fatigue and longing for home and that alone makes him feel much more at ease, knowing that you are okay. “Please, continue to call me Riddle,” his eyes speak of words, but unfortunately, it could not be read. “We have been intimate friends since our youth so I believe it is only right that you address me intimately, [Name].” He had always said your name without adding any title while you couldn’t, so having the opportunity to.. You feel your heart squeeze and a smile of your own comes to form and open your mouth to speak, “I.. Oh, but..” There then comes a realization that another, different rule now stops you. “I can’t..
“I am now a princess of another kingdom.. They will find it suspicious if I address you too casually and rumours might start..” You look over your shoulder to the guard stationed nearby, just as agreed with between him and Malleus.  
Riddle’s eyes directs to the same direction you were looking at. And, with a stern look on his face when your eyes meet, he speaks, “Isn’t the purpose to unite the two kingdoms is for the people to become friends? As friends, I don’t believe formalities are needed.” He made a really good point and you found no fault in that. You nod and smile again. “You’re right, Riddle.” 
His eyes widened. Even though this was something he asked for, he did not quite think of the consequences it would have on him. “Oh..! Did I make you angry?” You panicked, seeing his face turn the colour of red (the same colour when he gets angry). 
No, he isn’t angry. Quite the opposite, but he couldn’t say. The prince was never one to hide his wrath so it is no surprise to see his face also reflecting his flustered mind; a hand flies to his face as if it could hide the ever deepening red colour. 
Seeing you panicking and regretting ever being born, he quickly calms his raising heart. “No..” He coughs into his fist. “Sorry, I was just.. Nevermind.” He dissuades from continuing the topic. His posture corrected itself once more, but his face was still hiding behind his hand and his eyes looked off to the side.
“Anyway, I’m sorry if I have made you wait long.. I’ve been meaning to end the talks with Malleus quickly.” He explains. “No, it’s alright. I hope the meeting went well,” you shook your head, holding your cup between your hands. 
“Oh, right, what did you want to talk to me about?” You asked. He did say that he wanted to speak to you alone. He hums and looks at you dumbfounded briefly but caught up with you in the end. “Ah, I.. When I got back from the academy, I was told that the peace talks were over and then came the agreement, but it wasn’t until later in the castle that I was informed that a baron’s daughter was to be married to..” His eyes tried hard to continue staring at you, but failed; there felt a suffocating feeling in his chest which dried his throat. The thought that he couldn’t be there to stop you from going to the Valley of Thorns was unbearable for him. “That you were the one who..”
The air suddenly became too thick for him and although it did not feel like that for you, the pitiful look on his face made you feel regretful that you did not tell him. You were about to comfort him when a hand slams down on the table along the screeching sound of a chair being pulled back. “Tell me!” Riddle looks at you with eyes that could only say so much about how hurt he is. “You.. Why did you accept? Why didn’t you reject the Queen? Why did you get married to him!?” At every word he says out loud, the louder his voice becomes and all you could do was stare in trepidation. 
However, you know you could not allow this to escalate. You look at the guard stationed nearby and see he was ready to subdue Riddle the moment he crosses that invisible line between you two. 
“Riddle, please calm down..!” You raise your own voice (something that you believe you have never done before) and look crossed at him. He has to calm down otherwise, at this rate, you might never be allowed to talk to him like this again. Luckily, he was quick to see his wrongdoings and the colour on his face returned to normal. He sits down yet does not look at you; he looks at his hands that are laid on his lap. “I’m.. I’m sorry, [Name].” 
You huff a breath. “It’s oka—“ “No, it’s not okay!” His head shots up to look at you and realize once again that he is acting out again. “Please.. Let me apologize sincerely before you say anything.
“I’m sorry for raising my voice at you. It wasn’t right and I take full responsibility for my actions,” he words out carefully. 
The wind was slightly cooler than what it was this morning. You look up to stare at the clouds. Now that you think about it, the skies are a lot darker than it was before Riddle came. It looked like the sky itself was having internal conflict. It appears that it was battling itself to not have a downpour right at this moment. It’s funny, you think, the clouds at that moment seem alive and having split thoughts about what weather they’ll cast. It made you almost chuckle at a made-up thought that a sorcerer could be doing this because they were in a similar state as well.. Maybe it was Riddles’ doing, but he does not have the ability to freely change the weather and you knew that well. 
Tearing your eyes away from the sky, you return to reality at hand and speak with a gentle voice like a mother speaking to her child, “Riddle, look at me.” You would not continue speaking until he looks at you. There was a brief look of hesitation that you could see under the darkness of his bangs. He gulps down a growing lump in his throat before looking at you properly. “There was no other choice; I had to get married—“ “No choice?” He sounded broken when he repeated your words. You bit the bottom of your lips. It’s a long story and you are honestly too tired to tell it.. That fae.. The Queen.. What happened in that throne room finalized your fate. 
You nod your head and outstretch your hand to hold his. You had never held his hands before until today and to no one’s surprise, they were warm. “I had no choice but listen, if it’s to make two kingdoms stop fighting a pointless battle, then I’m happy being the beginning of that newly established peace.”
Riddle looks long at both of your hands. With a look of resolve, he squeezes your hands and meets your eyes with seriousness. “I’ll find a way..” He says and you thought he’d continue on from there but he didn’t. Instead, he lets go of your hands and starts looking for something inside his welted chest pockets. “I have a letter from my mother meant for you; it’s an invitation.” 
Invitation? That’s surely a surprise, you think, taking the closed envelope into your hands and looking at the fancy markings alongside the single red seal of a rose. You open in and read its contents carefully. “Is there anything else mentioned in there..?” Riddle asks curiously. You shook your head. “She just wants to invite me back to join her for tea someday.” 
He hums agreeingly with the letter. “I think you should accept. Think of it as a meeting between a queen and a future queen; I believe it’ll benefit you.” 
Seeing it that way, you nod agreeingly and look at the letter, finding no faults inside it. “Then, I’ll ask His Highness..” You say almost subconsciously. Riddle raises his eyebrows. “His Highness? Is that how you address him?” He crosses his arms over his chest. You nod, “Mhm.. I mean, I don’t think it’d be appropriate to address him as anything but.” 
Unbeknownst to you, a smile was threatening to let slip but he fought it back. “I see.. Then I’ll definitely come for you..” He mutters cryptically. Before you could ask since he had said something similar twice now, he stood up from his seat. “I’m sorry, but I should leave now. I promised my mother I will be back in the castle before the moon rises,” he said. You smiled understandingly and entered back inside the castle to see him off.
“Thank you for allowing me to speak with you, [Name].” He puts a hand over his heart, his back facing the door to the castle. You shook your head and said, “No, I should be thanking you.. It was so good to see you again. I really missed talking to you, Riddle.” 
During you twos parting chatter while waiting for Malleus to see him off, the draconic-fae enters the room. His first sight was you hardly trying to cover a wide smile. He had thought you weren’t capable of a radiant smile like that and a look of perplexity crossed his face as he approached you two. There was no point in trying to be sneaky when his shoes sounded with every step he took. 
“Rosehearts.” You two stopped talking and looked behind you. He was still upset from earlier but he does not show it on his stoic face. You scooted away from Riddle and took your place beside Malleus. “I hope your stay here was alright,” he continues speaking. 
Riddle hums. “It was. [Name] here has been a wonderful host.” He looks at you and you couldn’t help but smile, albeit a small one from trying to hide it. Malleus gives a low, prolonged hum; eyes darting to and fro between you two. “I see.. Then, I'm at ease.” 
The words exchanged between the two were very short and before you knew it, Riddle had gone home. It was thought that it would be that and Malleus was already on his heels to leave the hall. You look off to the direction Riddle took off on his horse just for a second and leave as well. You thought it best to bring up the invitation to Malleus later over dinner.
In the meantime, as you let out a soft sigh, you let your muscle relax. Most of the mornings and part of the afternoon were spent entertaining Malleus and Riddle for the rest; you are determined to have some time for yourself just until dinner. 
Still.. It was the most wonderful visit that you’ve ever received. Seeing Riddle again made you feel as if you’ve gained the strength to continue on with this duty of being wedded to the Valley’s prince.
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roguelov · 7 months
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Crimson Stained Petals (Ch. 3)
Summary: Set in the 1880s, rumors and mysteries swirled around a quaint town, mostly about a lord tucked far into the woods. Arriving in town, you could not deny your curiosities, but you were not here to stay. Or so you thought. Low on funds, and a job for a live-in servant advertised in the paper, you now found yourself in the home of Lord Morpheus - the source of all rumors. Passions and tensions will grow. Questions will be answered, but may come at a hefty price. And a promise may be broken. But, is Lord Morpheus, and those few residents, truly as scary as they seem?
Words Count: ~4.7k
Reader: Neutral (unspecified now, however fem leaning)
Warnings: Minor angst (nightmare/hints of trouble past), mutual pinning, fluff
Chapter 2 and future chapters to come!
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Strangely, time slipped by so easily. You were astounded when a week passed, then another. You never grew bored, you never glanced at the clock praying for Father Time to move faster. No, never. You truly found joy in your job, and with every day your curiosity for the manor grew.
You supposed your curiosity devoured away at your boredom. Questions and speculations ran rampant. Question you will have your answers to. You did not stay because the job was fairly easy and the pay was good. No, you stayed because something in your gut said to - and it only intensified when you first met Lord Morpheus.
For now, you pushed down such hunger.
Today, you only wished to relax.
Outside, on one of your days off, you lounged on the wooden bench under the willow tree on the backside of the property. Looking ahead, the rose maze stood and beyond that the dense, somewhat eerie forest. To the left was the greenhouse with an abundance of vegetables, and peering through the stained windows was a small cabin nestled into the woods - Mervyn’s cabin. But, as you stared at the greenhouse, movement caught your attention. A wide brimmed straw hat bounced around inside. It was Mervyn. At this distance, you couldn’t see his face, only the hat. You had yet to introduce yourself, and you wanted to do so. However, given Morpheus’s warning you didn’t wish to bother the poor man. You watched as the man watered and tended to the plants, but soon you turned your attention away letting the man work in peace.
A book laid in your lap, untouched. You had taken one out of the library - with permission of course - but suddenly had no interest in reading. Instead, you lost yourself in the outside world: the rustling of leaves, the excited chirps of birds and scampering squirrels, the breeze blowing across your cheeks, the faint aroma of roses which always hovered over the estate, and the flapping of wings from a crow - or a raven, you weren’t sure - over head.
You closed your eyes, inhaling deeply.
“Enjoying yourself?”
Your eyes shot open and whipped your head around. Morpheus pushed through the willow’s thick curtain of branches, stepping into this oasis. He walked towards you with elegance: arms behind his back with the usual perfection and prestige. The sunlight streamed in through the branches and brushed over his cheekbones. His ruby - always pinned to his tie, no matter the outfit - glittered and glowed brightly like a treasure of old.
“May I?” He pointed to the empty space beside you.
“Oh, yes, please do.”
“Thank you.” He sat down next to you. His eyes flickered over, taking you in. You were such radiating warmth. No matter the time or day you were a light - a beacon in this dreary place. His breath was stolen time and time again. “Have you been enjoying your stay so far?”
You smiled, one that could melt any heart. “I have.”
“Hopefully, it hasn’t been too messy for you.”
You chuckled. “No, it’s only been dust.”
“That’s good to hear.” He nodded, pleased you were happy. His eyes soon fell to the book in your lap. “Did you not like it?”
“What? Oh, uh, no - I mean, I haven’t started it. I actually forgot I had it.”
“Did you?” His tone was one of amusement.
You glanced away, somewhat embarrassed. “It’s just so beautiful out here. I got a little distracted.”
“Distracted?” He glanced out to all the lush greenery. “No, not distracted, but admiring.”
You smiled to yourself. The manor was truly a dream, a wondrous dream filled with mystery and vibrancy. “I suppose I am,” you whispered. Your eyes slid through the willow’s branches to the rose maze. “Can I ask a question?”
“You may.”
“Why roses?” You turned to him.
“Do you not like roses?” He asked with a slight tease in his voice; a tease to hide the swell of pain.
“No, I do in fact they are the most beautiful roses I have ever seen. I suppose my question comes from the fact they are everywhere on the property. Why is that? Why roses specifically?”
He breathed out, slowly. His eyes locked onto the rose maze. “Someone showed me the beauty of flowers, but most of all the beauty of roses.”
You nodded.
“A home - wherever I go - never feels whole without their petals whether it be white, pink, or yellow. However, I grew particularly fond of red.”
Your eyes instantly dropped down to his ruby pin.
“This -“ he said, touching the gem after feeling your gaze - “was a gift from a different friend, and before the roses. I guess he saw my ruby and knew red roses would be a perfect match for me.”
He?
The mystery somehow unfolded, but tangled more intricately. Morpheus was a complicated person who held his emotions close to his chest. In over a month, you had not seen many emotions from him other than content on his stoic features. But, now, a flicker of something deeply profound flashed in his eyes.
You wanted to unravel the secrets. “Can I -“
Morpheus abruptly stood up, stepping a few feet from you. All you saw now was his backside. “If you ever have an interest I suggest you take a stroll into the maze. The roses in there are otherworldly.”
His tone was absolute and the message was clear: no more discussing the flowers.
“One day,” you replied. “But, I cannot lie and say I’m not a little afraid of getting lost in the hedges, sir.”
“Then perhaps one day I can show you.” He peered back over his shoulders to you. “If you so wish.”
Your eyes locked with his. Neutrality and ease was his mask, but his mask did not cover his eyes. The slight shine, the glaze of tears, were so clearly evident to you. He was hiding something, keeping something close to his chest. It pained him greatly, and you understood such pains.
“I would,” you answered softly.
He nodded once, “Then seek me out when you wish to do so.”
“Thank you.” You sighed as the sense of familiar pain - heartache - reminded you of something. “I need to ask you something, sir. Something unrelated to the conversation.”
He turned, finally able to face you directly again. He silently gestured for you to continue.
“I know it may be late to ask for this, but can I request the day off this coming Friday?”
Morpheus raised an eyebrow. Not out of malice, but out of genuine curiosity. “Can I inquire why?”
“To go into town for the day. I have a few things I need to do.”
You could ask Lucienne of what you needed, you both know of this. However, solitude was not for everyone. Morpheus understood this. “You may.”
“Thank you.”
“And please if you need to take off, ask. I will do anything to accommodate you.”
“Thank you.” Smiling, you stood up with the book in your hands. You approached him and lifted up the unread book. “I hope you don’t mind if I hold onto this a little longer.”
Morpheus smiled - small and almost unnoticed. “Please, take all the time you need.”
“And do give Mervyn my praise, he is doing a marvelous job.”
His smile grew as his eyes softened. “I will do so, I assure you he will be pleased to hear it.”
“Good, I’m glad to hear that.” Staring at him, in the streaming sunlight as he smiled, he appeared so young and innocent for a brief moment. As if you peeled back the torments of life to see his true self. He was beautiful. Beautiful in a way the moons and stars are beautiful: ethereal and impossible to have. You smiled, “Good day, sir.”
“Good day to you.”
You walked away with the feeling of his eyes on you. A feeling that sent your heart into a tizzy.
Once you were out of sight - and the click of the back door confirmed it - Morpheus sighed, dropping his shoulders. Oh, he wanted you. The line, however, between wanting to taste the wine in your veins and to hold you dearly was getting blurred.
But, it was always like that. To feed was intimate and desires clashed.
When was the last time he fed from a mortal? Or taken a lover -
Oh.
Morpheus’s eyes darted to the rose maze.
He shook his head. Mortals wither and die, why tangle himself with another? Even if his heart walked first before his mind. He buried such thoughts and feelings, for now there was work to be done. Work always distracted his mind.
“Matthew?” Morpheus called out. The raven - which had been flying in dizzying circles above - swooped down into the willow tree. Morpheus had spotted the raven earlier, and knew Matthew’s curiosity would keep him close by.
Matthew settled onto a branch above Morpheus with a sheepish look. “Yes, boss?”
“Can you inform Mervyn that he has a new admirer of his work?” Morpheus peered up at the bird.
Matthew had not expected this. “Oh, uh, okay, boss.”
Before Matthew flew away, Morpheus spoke up, “And do keep in mind I do not need you always watching over me.”
Matthew laughed nervously. “Uh, yeah, got it.”
Matthew flapped his wings and soared the short distance to Mervyn’s cabin. Morpheus watched for a moment, but soon turned away to head back inside. His fingers reached up, and gently caressed the oddly warm ruby. Even with the charm, sunlight still caused some minor discomfort.
The week came and went, Friday was here in a blink. But, the day did not start as hopeful as you wanted. You stirred awake, a muffled pained whimper rumbled in the back of your throat. You inhaled sharply as a cold wave of fear washed over you. Instantly, you rolled over in bed now wide awake as whatever dream plagued you vanished in the morning sun. You couldn’t remember what you experienced, but it’s effect lingered behind.
You swung your legs, letting them dangle off the bed. You pressed a hand to your chest, feeling your racing heart. We’re safe. We will survive this. Exhaling slowly, you hopped out of bed to start the busy day you had planned.
You got dressed, and grabbed a bag for possibly any goods you intended on buying. You also made sure to slip your letter into your bag. Soon, you called for a carriage, one to take you to town and back.
As you waited, a voice called out. “Have fun today.”
You peered up the stairs to Morpheus at the top of them. “Thank you.”
Morpheus nodded, and walked away probably to his study.
The carriage arrived minutes after that, and took you into town. The town was quaint and had all the essentials with an addition of a few extra businesses. Carriages with horses trotted down the worn down street, people roamed about with to-do lists in mind. The bakery with its sweets and fresh bread wafted in the air, produce stands poked out on the sidewalk showing off all the delicious fruits and vegetables, and signs of all sorts advertised shops and their wares.
You finally spotted the post office by its flag waving in the wind by the front door. You immediately veered in, and thankfully no one else was here. There was a single worker behind the counter. The young gentleman glanced over and greeted you, “Morning.”
“Morning,” you replied and approached the counter.
He leaned forward on the counter. He squinted faintly at you, almost as if recognition, but he couldn’t decipher where he saw you before. “What can I do for you?”
You pulled out a letter from your bag. “I just need this letter sent, please.”
He nodded, taking the letter. You were about to leave when the worker spoke up, now having remembered you. “You live at that manor up on the hill, don’t you?”
You were the newcomer who found themself in the - unfortunate in the eyes of some - care of the lord on the outskirts of town.
You calmly replied, “I do.”
The worker shuffled around, digging into baskets before producing a letter. “For the lord, your boss. It’ll save me a trip.”
And trouble.
You plucked the letter from the man’s grasp. It was addressed to Lord Morpheus, and sent from Sir Robert Gadling. You safely tucked the letter into your bag. “Thank you, and have a good day.”
“Good day to you.”
The worker watched you leave. A few thoughts crossed his mind: why did you go work at the manor, why did the supposed lord lock himself away, and why was the town scared of a recluse anyway? He brushed all those thoughts away, why dwell on an old man anyway?
The next on your to-do list was to visit the bookshop. It was easy to spot, and it surprised you to see a few people - with books in hand - walking out despite being this early in the day. Stepping inside, the bell chimed, altering the now empty space.
“Give me a minute, and I will assist you shortly!” A voice shouted from the back.
You smiled at the familiar voice. “Take your time.”
The bookshop was long and narrow with a checkout counter upfront by the door. Bookshelves lined the walls up to the ceiling and each wall had a ladder on a tram. In the middle, there was another shelf with an abundance of books. You walked forward, being dragged in.
All the books were neatly aligned with not a speck of dust, and the spines were all in perfect condition. Your fingers gently traced over the spines as you strolled back. The only sunlight came from the frosted glass by the front entrance, both sides were hugged tightly by other buildings and shops. Yet, a warmth radiated. It reminded you of the library at the manor: cozy and filled with endless possibilities.
When you reached the end of the store, a door was cracked leading to a backroom. Before you could possibly take a peak, Lucienne came out and shut the door behind her. Her eyes swiveled around and landed on you. Surprise crossed her features.
“Oh, (Y/N), I wasn’t expecting you,” she said.
“I know, but I had a few things I wanted to do in town and I wanted to stop by the shop to see what it was like.”
She smiled. “And what do you think?”
“Wonderful and cozy.” You glanced over, taking it all in again. “And perfectly clean.”
She chuckled, “Thank you.”
You roamed around the bookshop. “Maybe I should visit more often.”
“It would be nice to see a kind familiar face.”
“And if you want I could see if I can lend a hand here. I have no doubt you are doing a tremendous job, but if you want I’ll be happy to help.”
Lucienne smiled. “Thank you, I might do that.”
“Please do.” You leaned towards her and joked, “I can only dust the same spot over and over before getting rather bored.”
She laughed, shaking her head. “Is that so?”
“Just don’t tell Lord Morpheus,” you winked.
“Never.”
You laughed. You spoke with Lucienne somewhat frequently since your stay, but not as often as you wished. She was always stuck here, while you were in the manor. And when the weekend came she was by Morpheus’s side discussing business or in her room. If you did cross paths, you chatted as if you were long childhood friends. Lucienne was easy to get along with and you adored her. She was a friend everyone should have.
“Please, if there are other things you wish to do in town, you may go,” she said. “I do not want to hold you up.”
You smiled teasingly, “I do believe you are kicking me out.”
She matched your smile and jokingly replied, “Maybe. I may have my own list I need to complete before the end of the day.”
You laughed, “Then I will leave you to it, I will see you later.”
“Good day, and have fun.”
“I will, thank you.”
After leaving the bookshop, you wandered town for a while. You popped into a few shops, bought a few things, but mainly took your time out to stretch your legs. But, as the sun began to dip again, you decided it was best to return back.
After the short carriage ride, you finally stepped back inside the manor after almost all day away. You breathed it in, and oddly felt at home. You nearly went straight to bed, but the letter for Morpheus weighed in your bag. It would be best to give it to him now. Changing trajectory, you walked up the stairs, and knocked on the study room.
Yet, no reply came.
“Sir? Lord Morpheus?” You called out.
“(Y/N)?”
You spun around to the other side of the hall. Morpheus stood in the doorway of his bedroom - a room you had only entered once before.
With a bucket of cleaning supplies in hand, you hesitantly opened the bedroom door. It was only your first week, but you decided to finally tackle his room first this morning. Stepping inside, you were immediately taken back.
It was extravagant.
To the left, there was a large king sized bed with an ornate canopy and curtains tied to posts. It was draped in a velvet black with embroidered silver patterns as well as tassels. The sheets appeared to be silk and dozens of pillows filled the bed. Stepping in further, another door was to the left which was for the bathroom. To the right, you opened yet another door. It was a massive closet filled with the finest, up to fashion clothes.
You swiftly shut the door and scanned the room.
Two large floor to ceiling windows shone with the morning light. A fireplace - wide mouth with a pile of ash left behind - was placed perfectly between the two windows. Two couches and a table surrounded the fireplace along with a gorgeous soft rug. Art and tapestry hung on the walls and any free space, but you noted oddly no bookshelves or a desk.
A man who clearly separated his work, or a man who hardly rested.
It was a room for royalty. A room made in Morpheus’s image. His style permeated throughout. Inhaling, it smelled of him: paper and ink with hints of roses.
It was him.
Morpheus, standing in his bedroom doorway, was wrapped in a black robe. He tugged on the belt, tightening it. “You called for me?”
“Right, yes, I did.” You shook yourself out of your thoughts. You walked forward, and realized his hair was slicked back and wet. Water droplets still clung to his face. He had just gotten out of the bath. A heat rose to your cheeks. “I’m so sorry, sir. I didn’t mean to -“
“Please, you called and I wanted to answer. If you need something, please ask,” he stated calmly.
You looked away from him to your bag. Fishing around, you produced the letter. “While in town, I stopped by the post office and there was a letter for you.”
“A letter? From who?”
“From Sir Robert Gadling.”
That stirred a reaction from him. He perked up. “May I see the letter?”
“Of course.” You passed it over.
Morpheus swiftly opened the envelope, and read the contents within it. You stayed put during all of this. Internally, you said you stayed because your lord did not dismiss you, but curiosity was far more powerful.
He scoffed, a light hearted laugh.
“Can I ask what it is about?” You tentatively stepped forward.
Formalities were forgotten.
Morpheus rolled his eyes at the letter, shaking his head. Droplets of water rained out of his hair. “My dear old friend has invited me to a party.”
You cocked your head.
“And he included I should bring a date or and I quote ‘someone besides your wonderful assistant and friend, Lucienne’.”
You snickered under your breath.
A smile twitched on his lips at the sound of your laughter. Shaking away the stirring of emotions, he tucked the letter back into the envelope.
“So will you go?” You asked, genuinely curious.
“Perhaps, if my schedule allows it.”
“Or if you feel you are up to such dull gatherings.” Morpheus enjoyed his work, but you knew when work was an excuse for something else. You told yourself those same lies, and still do.
Morpheus looked at you. A spark, akin to respect and awe, twinkled in his eyes. He admired your honesty and forthrightness. Most, besides Lucienne, never dared to speak so plainly to him. He loved it, loved your courage. You always seemed to surprise him, and the longer you stayed the more your true self shone.
“I suppose that too,” he hummed with a smirk ghosting his lips.
You chuckled. “I’m sorry if I was overstepping -“
“No, no, I told you to be honest with me.”
You smiled softly. “I will let you go, sir. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
You walked away with a giddy childlike smile, even as you crawled into bed the smile stayed.
For the next few days, you lived in joyous serenity. You worked, and frequently chatted with Morpheus and Lucienne. You were happy in your new role.
However, happiness and peace was always short-lived.
You were hiddened.
They couldn’t - shouldn’t - find you, right? Oh, but maybe they could hear you?
Yes, they could.
You couldn’t seem to catch your breath as you constantly gasped your air. With each chaotic pump of your heart, air became less and less as your lungs squeezed it all out. A whimper escaped your lips. You tucked yourself into the corner of the claustrophobic space. Your hands covered your ears as you desperately tried to focus on calming your breathing, and not on their screams and pleas.
It was all so loud.
Make it stop, you begged. Please, make it stop. Make it stop, make it stop -
A footstep - a thunderous stomp - thudded.
Your breath hitched, the last of your precious air taken.
The footsteps echoed and shook the foundation with every slow crawl towards you.
Go away. Please, I want -
You gasped, lurching up in bed. You clutched the front of your nightshirt, feeling your heavy pounding heartbeat. You gulped for air and tried to calm your screaming nerves.
It was just a dream.
You closed your eyes, letting out a shaky sigh. Your whole body buzzed with adrenaline. It was taut like a coiled snake. A gust of wind blew over the manor, causing a chorus of groans and high pitched creaks. You jolted. You cursed under your breath. A walk and a drink may help. Throwing off the sheets, you stepped out of your room to the kitchen on the other side of the manor.
Morpheus quietly shut the door to the basement behind him and locked it. He sighed, exhaustion was evident in his slouched stance. However, before he could turn to head to you, you shuffled by. Your footsteps were eerily silent as you glided by. The only noise he heard was your erratic heartbeat, the only presence he sensed was how your blood rushed violently through your veins.
He was instantly overwhelmed by you, by your fear.
It prickled across his skin like needles. His throat constricted. He nearly clamped his hand over his mouth and plugged his nose to block out the scent of you.
As you shuffled by the double doors, moving through the dining room to get to the kitchen, you paused - frozen like a caught deer. You whipped your head, looking directly at Morpheus hidden in the darkness. “Lord Morpheus?” You asked, your voice barely above a whisper. “What are you doing up?”
He cleared his throat, pushing down such carnal and painful hunger. “I was about to ask you the same.”
“Oh, right.” You sighed, heavily. “I need a drink.”
“And so do I.”
Why was he lying? Well, not entirely. He didn’t need a drink, but given the chance he would happily drink from you.
A forced lopsided smile crossed your lips, “Care to join me?”
“Lead the way.”
You laughed once, short and strained, and followed the hall to the massive kitchen. Without being asked, you prepared yourself and Morpheus a drink - a cup of cold water. You passed it over to him, and leaned against the large cutting table in the center of the room. Sipping on the water, the bitter coldness sent a reset to your overalert system.
Morpheus watched you, entranced by something, something you were not sure of. His eyes always seemed to break you down to your barest components. Yet, you did not look away. You met his eyes in a silent challenge.
A small smile twitched on his lips. He hid it by sipping his water. “So, can I ask why you are up so late?”
“To get a drink as I told you.”
“I don’t quite believe that.”
Your heart leapt in your throat, and your muscles were still unbelievably tense. Was it so obvious? You glanced away. In an instance, you regressed. You were a child again, a frightened child.
Say something, don’t say anything.
Your face momentarily scrunched up in frustration then sighed loudly and admitted, “I … I had a nightmare.”
Morpheus frowned. He set the cup down and approached you. “There is no shame in having a nightmare.”
You tightened your grip on your cup. It did. You had gotten over these pesky nightmares, they hadn’t plagued you in a few years. But, you are here in a new and strange place. “I know.”
Hands reached out, tender and soft. He carefully removed the cup from your hands, and placed it on the table behind you. He took your hands in his with your palms up. His thumbs gently grazed over your lifelines. In a few strokes, your body fell under his calming hypnotic touch. The tension immediately melted away.
“Nightmares make us face our truest fears in order to grow and make changes.” Morpheus’s voice was so soothing and spellbinding. His eyes flickered up, connecting with yours. “And sometimes the fear can be too overwhelming that it will cause more damage. But, others - family, friends, loved ones - can lend a hand to help. Is there anyone who you can call on?”
“No,” you breathed out. His thumbs continued to rub your palm, sending sparks of electricity over your skin. “Well, my uncle but we only communicate by letter and he lives far away, at least a few days' journey.”
Morpheus nodded. Oh my, having you in his grasp was dizzying. All of his senses were filled with you. You were so close. He could taste you, kiss you, devour you. However, right now, he would settle on calming your heart and for you to sleep peacefully tonight.
“What can I do for you?” He asked genuinely.
Your eyes widened. “Oh, uh, nothing sir - I … I -“ What were you trying to say? What were you feeling?
“If you need anything, do not be afraid to ask.”
You struggled to answer, struggled to understand. “I’m sorry.” You yanked your hands away from him. “I think I just need to go to bed. Thank you for your help, but I have taken enough time from you already.”
You slipped away.
Morpheus opened his mouth to call out, but a name was lodged in his throat. It wasn’t your name. Stunned, he silently watched as you darted out of the kitchen leaving him alone.
Him, the fading remnants of you, and the ever looming ghost.
He sighed, clenching his hands. He knew better, and yet it was as if he forgot, as if he didn’t already deal with such devastating heartbreak, as if he didn’t care about the pain and let himself be drawn into you.
You rushed into your room just as breathless as you left. Your skin still held his memory. You can’t be doing this, you cannot be doing this. You paced your room, confused and conflicted. You knew better, yet lines were getting warped and pushed. Lines you never dared to cross, but the world decidedly had other plans.
No.
I cannot do this.
You darted over to your dresser and pulled out the small bag. Reaching inside and pushing aside other items, you pulled out a small folded picture. You unfolded it seeing a picture of a couple with a child - your parents and yourself. You pressed the worn photo, with its yellowed edges, to your chest. A wave of reassurance and ease washed over you, like an actual hug from them.
You promised them.
And you wouldn’t forget.
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rosanna-writer · 8 months
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we said hello and your eyes look like coming home (8/?)
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Summary: A canon-divergent AU where the bond snaps for Rhys on Calanmai, Feyre unwittingly accepts it, and Fire Night magic proves to be more transformative than anyone bargained for. Feyre drags a mate she hardly knows out from Under the Mountain, then puts him back together as war with Hybern approaches. Warnings: dubious consent, canon-typical sexual violence, canon-typical violence Rating: Explicit Chapter Word Count: ~3.6k
I'll be honest, I'm gunning for the most heart-wrenching soup scene in the Feysand tag with this one :)
Note that a couple lines are taken directly from ACOTAR book one.
Read on AO3 or you can find the eighth chapter below the readmore.
ch. 1 - the altar is my hips | ch 2. - an arrowhead leading us home | ch. 3 - by the way, i just may like some explanations | ch. 4 - can't not think of all the cost | ch. 5 - honey i rose up from the dead | ch. 6 - this mad, mad love makes you come running | ch. 7 - therein lies the issue, friends don't try to trick you | ch. 8 - it's not his price to pay
Rhys didn't stay long—we needed him upstairs, observing reactions to Lucien helping me and swaying Amarantha if it came to that. A quick clasping of hands and a whispered "stay safe," and he was gone.
I devoured another meal of stale bread and water and estimated a few hours passed before a pair of guards appeared to drag me to the throne room. I let them, not bothering to waste energy on struggling. Instead, I reached down the bond for Rhys.
She's making a point, and she wants you here to witness it. Stay as unassuming as possible.
That's all he said before his mind retreated again. I kept a crack open in my shields for him, and he didn't close his off completely, either.
When a guard threw open the doors to the throne room, I resisted the urge to look around for Rhys, even though I could sense that he was nearby. The room was crowded, but no strange music was playing. A gathering, then, but not whatever passed for a party Under the Mountain.
The guards threw me down at the foot of the dais, right in front of Amarantha. So much for remaining unassuming.
The rubies on her gown glittered in the torchlight, a perfect contrast to the rags I was still wearing. Even the servants here wore fine clothes. I'd looked pitiful scrubbing the floor, but here in this room, it was more than that. I'd never been more obviously a lone human surrounded by faeries, not even in the Spring Court.
"Rhysand was right. You do look dreadful," Amarantha said.
I ignored her. Tamlin was seated next to her, and I watched him for a reaction. It only occurred to me then that I hadn't even thought to ask Rhys what Tamlin had made of me disappearing for weeks, only to appear again and declare myself his champion.
Beyond not wanting him near me again, I hadn't thought of Tamlin at all.
From his vacant expression, I supposed he hadn't thought much of me, either. Other than the initial shock of seeing me alive, he'd barely even looked at me. Perhaps I was nothing more than a tool for him, to be used and discarded when the curse was broken.
"It's come to my attention," Amarantha said, crossing her legs and leaning against the arm of her throne, "that you had some assistance with the first of the chores you were assigned."
Maybe Rhys had been wrong and she meant to punish me, too. I pushed that thought aside before it spiraled into panic. "No one said I couldn't. Unless you're looking to re-negotiate our bargain?" I said with much more confidence than I felt. But still, I'd succeeded in bargaining with her once, and if she was inclined to do it again, I might win another advantage.
Down the bond, Rhys said, Be careful.
I am.
He went quiet again, probably to avoid distracting me. His mind hovered at the periphery of mine.
Amarantha laughed and turned to Tamlin. "Mouthy and difficult. She must have been such a headache for you," she crooned, clearly trying to get a reaction. Tamlin said nothing. I didn't, either. It's not as if I hadn't been called worse. "But no, I'm perfectly satisfied with our terms. The bargain didn't include a deadline to share the riddle I promised you, so in light of your recent behavior, I've decided to keep it to myself. We'll see if my mind changes before your first task."
She was letting me off with a warning—Rhys must have convinced her to. I wouldn't grovel, but I inclined my head slightly in recognition of what she'd done. "I understand," I said evenly.
Some of my fear drained away. There was still a path forward without the riddle, and it seemed I'd escape torture again today.
"There are still members of my court who have to answer for their behavior," Amarantha said, pointing at someone behind me and snapping her fingers.
I whirled around to see Lucien thrashing against the Attor as it tugged him forward by the collar of his tunic. I expected this, but my heart still sank as the Attor forced Lucien to his knees next to me. It smiled as it released him, and I felt sick.
Four red-haired males pushed their way to the front of the crowd. Lucien's fox mask made it impossible to know if they had similar features, but it was obvious enough that these were his brothers. Unlike him, they were all clad in the red and gold of the Autumn Court. They moved as a unit, a pack of wolves out for blood.
"Rhysand," Amarantha said, an obvious summons. Rhys strolled through the crowd, and I tried not to look at him as came to stand beside me and bowed at the waist for Amarantha. It was harder to be afraid with him so close, even as Amarantha flicked a finger in Lucien's direction and commanded, "Hold his mind, but don't crush it. I don't want to end this too quickly."
Mother above—there was a very good chance I was about to stand inches from Rhys as he shattered someone's mind. I understood he could do it, but that wasn't the same as watching it happen.
He didn't seal off the crack in his shields, which was a relief. I wouldn't let him do this alone. The blood will be on her hands. Whatever she makes you do isn't your fault.
There was nothing in response beyond a faint tug back. I dug my nails into my palms to curb the instinct to take his hand. The wild, irrational part of me ruled by the mating bond railed at any distance between us, even just a few inches.
"Yes, my queen," Rhys said, somehow sounding smug and deferential at the same time. A courtier through and through.
Lucien squared his shoulders and closed his eyes, clearly bracing for something. I let the dread show on my face.
Rhys cocked his head and narrowed his eyes, the only indication that he'd done anything. Having felt his talons in my mind, I suspected the movement was just showmanship, that all it would take was a half-hearted swipe and Lucien would be nothing more than an empty shell, even with only a scrap of Rhys's power available to him.
But the performance was clearly working. The crowd quieted as Lucien's entire body went stiff.
Sweat beaded on his forehead. He let out a groan. His brothers' smiles widened.
And then Tamlin—Tamlin—cried out, "Spare him. Please."
It was massively unfair of me, all things considered, but I couldn't help but feel a stab of betrayal at the sight of Tamlin pleading for Lucien's life when my running into danger for him hadn't gotten a thank you. Ruse or not, it was just a reminder that my growing feelings for him had been a one-sided means to an end. Thank the Cauldron I'd found Rhys when I did.
Through the bond, I felt the tiniest flicker of a distinctly fae, territorial satisfaction that could only have come from a mated male. Right. The crack in my shields. Rhys had heard my thoughts, and of course once they'd turned to him, he'd have an opinion.
I half-listened to Tamlin beg and used the opportunity to observe the reactions from the rest of the room. There were fewer horrified looks than I'd initially expected—Rhys crushing minds on Amarantha's orders must be routine here. If anything, the crowd looked bored, save Lucien's four bloodthirsty brothers.
The begging escalated to Tamlin kneeling at Amarantha's feet, and I caught a glimmer of lust in her eyes. If I'd noticed it from a distance, Tamlin must have picked up on it. But he didn't seem to see it for the opportunity it was.
I don't understand. Why doesn't he just hold his nose and fuck her, Rhys? His court might be safer that way.
Tamlin still has an intact sense of self-worth.
I understood the implications of that—Rhys had spent the last fifty years doing what Tamlin refused to because Rhys considered himself worthless enough to sacrifice. Ultimately, the Night Court was safer because of it. A sense of pragmatism does more good than a sense of self-worth. And you're a pragmatist.
Rhys didn't answer with words, just a pulse down the bond of something bittersweet I didn't quite understand.
The sound of Amarantha's voice dragged my attention back to her. "Because you asked so nicely," she said, every word dripping with a sadistic sort of delight, "I'll spare him as long as you're the one dealing his punishment."
"I'll do anything," Tamlin said. With his back to me, I couldn't be sure, but he sounded like he might be crying, or at least fighting off tears.
"Twenty lashes should do," Amarantha said with a shrug, so casual she might as well have been discussing the weather over tea.
That could be enough to kill a human; I wasn't sure if it would do the same to a faerie. Perhaps that was her plan all along—promise to spare Lucien, then have Tamlin mete out a punishment severe enough to kill him anyway. Then she could twist the knife and tell Tamlin that if he'd just controlled his strength better, it wouldn't have happened.
And worse, if I hadn't asked for help, this wouldn't have happened.
As Amarantha used her magic to produce a whip from thin air, Rhys's talons brushed my mind softly. This isn't your fault.
It was so much easier to believe that when I was the one saying it to him. The shame was deep enough to drown me. If only I'd seen this coming, figured something else out…
Tamlin took the whip and stepped down from the dais. Lucien dropped to his knees so abruptly that I suspected Rhys had forced him down. With a gentle hand, Tamlin brushed Lucien's hair over one shoulder and exposed his back. He murmured something to Lucien, probably an apology.
Before I was even sure what I was doing, I blurted out, "I'll do it instead. Don't force Tamlin."
Amarantha looked at me like I'd just given her a gift. And maybe I had.
The bond snapped taut, crackling with Rhys's fear as the crowd's attention shifted back to me. His worry was no surprise after he'd told me to stay unassuming when I'd first walked in. But as a human, my arms were weaker than Tamlin's—I'd injure Lucien less.
I think I owed Lucien that much.
"It's adorable how devoted she is to you, Tamlin," Amarantha said. "It's a shame there won't be anything left when I'm done with her. She'd make an excellent pet after a bit of breaking in."
At that, the anger I felt on Rhys's side of the bond was enough to bring down a mountain, but I couldn't turn and look at him. All I could do was trust his mask wouldn't slip.
Tamlin didn't come to my defense or even look me in the eye, just wordlessly handed the whip to me. Now that I was closer, I noticed shards of something white poking out from the rope, embedded right in the fibers.
Bone.
Amarantha had once served a king who sat on a throne of human bones—of course she'd use the same material to make lashings more painful. Taking a deep breath, I prayed my hands wouldn't shake.
I accepted the whip with my left hand instead of my right. With any luck, no one would have paid enough attention to know it was my weaker side. Using it might spare Lucien further pain.
Then there was nothing to do but grit my teeth and get to it.
Lucien didn't scream or cry out once, even as I made enough welts to crisscross his entire back. Instead, the only sound was Amarantha's gleeful laughter in between the numbers she made Tamlin count out. Somewhere in the distance, a woman sobbed.
I did my best to move my arm as weakly as I could without Amarantha deciding she was dissatisfied and adding more lashes. By the end, I wasn't sure it mattered—there was no exposed, unblemished skin left. Lucien's back was nothing but ribbons of torn skin running with blood. And all by my hand.
I was too numb for tears when I brought the whip down one final time. As I let it fall to the floor, I stared Amarantha down. Amarantha stared back.
"A human with ice in her heart indeed," she said, almost pensive but still loud enough for the whole room to hear. "You've already killed one of our kind, so perhaps this wasn't a difficult task for you."
That was when I truly understood there was no winning Under the Mountain. If she broke me, I was uninteresting enough to discard; if anything came too easily to me, she'd find some new, worse horror for me to endure. The riddle had been my best bet, and I doubted she'd offer it now.
With a wave of her hand, Amarantha dismissed me. I hardly registered it as the guards brought me back to my cell, and when the door slammed behind me, I expected tears to come. My eyes stayed dry.
I sat on the floor, not even bothering to move over to the pallet of hay, and stared at a spot on the wall. I hardly noticed the cold seeping into me from the stone floor. I barely felt anything at all.
Rhys arrived at some point, minutes or hours later. He held a bowl of soup, and it had been long enough since I'd smelled anything appetizing that for a moment, I thought I might be hallucinating it.
"Eat," he said, crouching to place it on the floor next to me.
"I'm not hungry," I said, though it wasn't quite true. I was hungry, but there was no food that seemed the least bit appealing. I had no desire to force myself to eat.
The darkness rippled around him, something I was learning was a sign he was angry. His voice went sharp as he said, "You do realize I can feel your pain through the bond, don't you? That includes your hunger pangs. Eat."
I narrowed my eyes at him and didn't touch the food. If he was here to give me a dressing-down for not keeping quiet in the throne room, I wished he'd just get to the point. "Why are you here?"
Rhys sighed and attempted to make himself comfortable on the pallet of hay. Dressed as immaculately as ever, he looked completely out of place as he crossed and uncrossed his legs. I waited for an answer.
"Because when you stared Amarantha down, your eyes looked hollow. Forgive me for being concerned."
My own irritation rose to meet his. It was hardly pleasant, but in a perverse way, I was glad to feel something. "And soup is supposed to fix that?" I snapped.
I was fully prepared for this to escalate into a full-blown fight, but the wind seemed to go out of Rhys's sails. The darkness around him faded. "I'd bring you hot food more consistently if it wouldn't make the kitchen staff wonder why I was suddenly eating double portions. I can manage this once without arousing suspicion, and you clearly need it tonight."
My own aggravation faded quickly, too. Perhaps it was another effect of the mating bond, but it was just as difficult to keep snapping at him as it was to let him go. I picked up the spoon, stirring the soup but not bringing a mouthful to my lips. I wanted to eat, but the thought of it also made me feel faintly sick. If I took a bite, I suspected it would just taste like ash.
When I didn't say anything, Rhys continued, "One of the more insidious things about this place is how we're all wasting away down here. I haven't wondered where my next meal would come from for the last fifty years, but my wings are so deconditioned from lack of use that I'm not sure I can fly anymore. Don't make the process any faster than it has to be. Eat. I'd rather not make you."
It was obvious he'd feed me himself if that's what it took, and I certainly didn't relish the thought of him jamming the spoon into my mouth. I forced down a few mouthfuls. Although it was well-spiced, the best I could say was that it was warm. I should have been delighted to finally taste a vegetable after days of nothing but bread and water, but I was still feeling too empty to enjoy anything.
Rhys watched me with a single-minded intensity that made the silence become oppressive. "You can give me your speech about how reckless I was," I said, just to break it. "I know you're dying to."
"There is no speech."
"No?" I said, raising my brows.
"I heard your thoughts and understand why you did it. Your choices are your own."
I double-checked that my shields were up and considered that as I ate. The ferocity in Rhys's voice told me he'd meant what he said. I just didn't know what that looked like in practice, not with the way the mating bond had shifted our worlds to revolve around each other.
One more thing to discuss later, then.
Perhaps it wasn't the time, but curiosity was getting the better of me. I changed the subject. "Do you normally take your meals with Amarantha?"
"Sometimes," he said nonchalantly. I still couldn't read him well enough to tell if he was putting up a front or if sharing meals was just such a small thing in light of torture and murder. Both could be true. "Just often enough to convince her that I enjoy her company. Tonight she's dining with Tamlin, and I'll be there to warm her bed when he inevitably rejects her advances."
It really shouldn't have surprised me anymore, but I nearly choked on the piece of carrot in my mouth. It made sense he'd go back to her tonight, though. "Don't run yourself ragged taking care of me when you have a long night ahead of you."
"Bringing you food is hardly a strenuous activity," he said, idly picking at a piece of hay sticking out of the pallet. His voice went softer as he added, "And it makes being her whore easier to bear."
I blinked. "It does?" I didn't see why it would—I'd felt his revulsion for myself. The mating bond made the act feel like a betrayal to me on top of being a violation. If anything, I'd thought it would be more difficult now.
"Knowing I've done something for you…it almost makes me believe I don't deserve what she does to me."
It might have been the most honest he'd ever been with me. I reached for him, but Rhys moved away faster than I could follow. He cast a significant look at the half-finished bowl of soup, a clear wordless order for me to finish before it got cold. I shot him a glare but didn't push, just continued eating.
We went quiet again, and I tried not to think about what it meant that we were communicating silently without even needing the bond.
Instead, I focused on finishing the soup as quickly as possible, so that Rhys would stop watching me as if there were nothing more important in the world. I didn't know how to handle it.
Not when it was a reflection of what I felt, too.
When I finished, I pushed the bowl aside but didn't approach him, as much as I wanted to. I wasn't sure it would be welcome. And more importantly, we might not have much time before he had to leave again. I spoke slowly and tried to choose my words carefully as I said, "If she doesn't expect you to stay long after it's over, come back down here. Wake me up if you need to. Or use the bond. You shouldn't be alone."
That was the worst part of being confined down here—Rhys could winnow in and help me on occasion, but I was trapped. More than ever, I understood just how his family felt about being unable to leave Velaris. I held onto that rage and frustration and hoped it would be enough to keep me from feeling empty again.
"I'll try," Rhys said, and it was the best I could hope for.
He waved a hand, making the empty bowl disappear, and stood. I got to my feet, understanding this was goodbye again. He couldn't linger when the role he played demanded that he'd be ready, waiting, and eager for Amarantha. I got to my feet.
Before I could say anything, he pulled me to him. Crushed against his chest, I felt his breath hitch. Being this close was like untangling a knot in the string connecting us. I hugged him back tightly.
But it couldn't last forever, and he stepped away all too soon. There was nothing to say, just an understanding that passed between us before he winnowed away. I managed to hold back my tears until he was gone.
And then I finally cried, and Rhys was the reason I was able to feel enough to do it.
I drifted off at some point, an attempt to get some rest before the inevitable nightmare ripped me from sleep. But it was a frantic pull on the bond that had me jerking awake and clutching my chest. Rhys's voice was in my head before I could ask what was wrong.
Change of plans. I'll explain later. In the meantime, do not drink anything unless it's been handed to you by me personally. And Feyre…I am so, so sorry.
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jerzwriter · 8 months
Text
Objections: Reunited? (3/3)
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Book:                   Crimes of Passion (Book 2)
Pairing:                Trystan Thorne x F!MC (Carolina Rose)
Category: Chapter Rewrite - Ch. 4
Rating:                 Teen
Series:   After reading Chapter 4, I felt one scene could have been expanded on, one should have been added, and one could have been better. So, I took a stab at it (pun intended ).
Part Three: After a couple of emotionally grueling days, Trystan and Carolina finally get a moment alone, but it doesn't go as either expected.
Words: 1,750
A/N: I was disappointed with the final scene between Trystan x MC. While I absolutely feel they could have snapped at each other under the circumstances they were in, I don't think the scene captured the closeness, respect, or concern that was always present in Book 1. While I didn't change the scene drastically, I changed the dialogue and some elements that brought it closer to how I imagined it would go. I hope you enjoy it.
SERIES MASTERLIST | COP MASERLIST | FULL MASTERLIST
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Carolina anxiously looked at her watch. It was just shy of 7:00 PM, and her wandering mind was getting the better of her. It had been nearly ten hours since she last saw Trystan, and she was sure she hadn’t gone this long without hearing from him since the day she barged into his life. Not even at the beginning when she sometimes desperately needed a reprieve from the man... Trystan always managed to find a way to be... there.
Curled up in a chair in the palace’s library, she tried to pinpoint when everything changed. When his omnipresence went from an annoyance, to a reality and, finally, to what it was now, cherished. Something she relied upon more than she even knew, though she knew she never wanted to do without it again. In reality, they hadn’t known each other very long, but what is time when you meet someone that makes you feel as if your souls have been intertwined forever.
She placed the only English language book she could find down on an end table. A dusty old tome about Drakovian war history wasn’t about to hold her attention today. She spent most of it holed up in her suite. With the exception of Marguerite, everyone made it abundantly clear that her presence was not welcomed, and her room felt like the safest place to wait.
Luke and Ruby attempted to take her sightseeing, knowing it would be best to keep her mind occupied. But they knew she’d never leave without ensuring Trystan was all right first. Jetlagged, and with the emotion of recent days catching up to her, she couldn’t stop her mind from wandering, and wherever it traveled, it left her more anxious than before.  
All this had her off her game because she had never heard the footsteps coming up from behind. Her first indication that he was near was two warm hands covering her eyes, and for once, her visceral reaction was not to take the perpetrator out.
“Guess who, gorgeous?”
Her body slumped against his, her tension visibly released with just three words from his lips. The castle suddenly felt smaller; she was no longer alone.
“I don’t know? Is it my new Drakovian boyfriend, Milosh? Or perhaps someone more sinister.”
“Milosh, huh?” Trystan’s hands dropped to her waist, and he pulled her close. “I never liked that guy. I’m going to have him fired at once.”
“Is that all? That’s pretty mild. I thought a guillotine might be involved here in Drakovia.”
Trystan smiled softly as he spun her around to face him. “You’re not wrong. That’s the least of what would befall anyone who dared to steal you from me.”
Her arms looped around his neck, and they lost themselves in a tender kiss. A moment’s pleasure in a sea of turmoil.
“No one is stealing you from me,” she insisted. 
“Good,” Trystan smiled, the relief in his eyes more than Carolina had expected to see as he gently tugged her toward a nearby sofa. He let out a loud yawn as he settled down.
“It has been a long day,” she smiled.
“Long days,” he corrected. “And this one was quite unexpected.”
“What happened after I left? What happened with your parents?”
“Well,” he ran a hand down his weary face. “They weren’t joking when they said ‘effective immediately.’ I think I’ve met with no fewer than five foreign dignitaries, sat through two lectures, and had one very long lunch where I was to prove I still know how to behave at the table. Oh, and I knighted a snake.”
“A snake?”
“It wasn’t any old snake, dear. It did rescue its owner – a marchioness – from the wolf that got onto her property.”
“Hmmm, and all I’ve done is save a Drakovian princess from a serial killer.”
“You make an excellent point. I suppose the realm owes you a tap on the shoulder with a sword. I’ll see if I can get to it after the hundred other things I have on my plate.”
“A damehood is nothing I’ve ever aspired to, so allow me to take that off your list of things to do. But, these other hundred things... what exactly do you need to do?”
“Well,” he sighed. His fingers curled tightly around her hand, but for once, words seemed to fail him. Carolina felt her blood growing colder with every second of silence that fell between them.
“We have a flight out tomorrow afternoon...is that still happening?”  
“About that,” Trystan whispered. “I was hoping I might convince you to stay.”
“Stay? I’ve been afraid to eat my food with the way I’ve been treated here... why would you think I... wait... you want to stay?”  
“I...I’m not sure.”
“Trystan,” she gasped, clutching his hand tighter. “Did you think this was a possibility?”
“To be reinstated as heir,” he replied, eyes wide. “No... I never expected to be found innocent, much less be called upon to be the next in line once again.”
“So, then tell them no. After all they’ve put you through... You don’t want this... do you?”
“Carolina, I don’t know what I want. I need time to get my head around what happened today.”
“What’s there to get around? I saw the look on your face when your father made the announcement – you don’t want this! I know you don’t!”
Trystan’s eyes flashed with surprise and hurt as he pulled his hand from hers.
“I don’t appreciate that tone!” He huffed. “It’s amazing that you know what I want when I don’t know that myself!”
“You don’t appreciate my tone? Trystan, I put my whole damn life on hold to come here and be with you, and I...”
“I didn’t ask you to!”
“You didn’t have to! Don’t you understand how much you mean to me? Do you think I’d leave you to face bullshit murder charges alone?”
“No! But I didn’t think you’d leave me to face this on my own either!”
“That’s not fair! I’m not some exiled princess with a bottomless trust fund, Trystan! I’m a private investigator who lives above a bar. People like me don’t just get to put their lives on hold without consequences.”
“If money’s the problem, I can help you.”
“What? I don’t want your money! And that’s far from my only concern! My life is in New York! And I’m not wanted here. I’m not so sure you are, either. Think about it! They abandoned you and were willing to put you away for life just yesterday! It took Luke and me one afternoon to find proof that you were innocent! They had eight freaking years and more resources than we could imagine, and they didn’t do it? And you’re going to trust them?”
“It’s not all about them, Carolina! You’re right, I don’t know what it’s like to live your life, but you don’t know what it’s like to live mine! My obligations are to more than just my family! There is a country... a country full of people who deserve to have a leader who cares about them! A leader that would turn Drakovia into the country Juliana and I envisioned!”
Carolina stepped back, her face softening as realization began to wash over her.
“Wait,” she whispered as she began moving back toward him. “Juliana... is that why? Trystan,” she whispered, taking his hand back in hers. “I understand you want to honor her, to fight for what she believed in, but I think Juliana would want you to be happy.”
“You didn’t know her,” he shot back. “How could you know what she’d want?”
“I... I didn’t know her... so... perhaps you’re right. But I know what it feels like to care about you this much, and I know I’d only want you to be happy... from what you’ve told me about Juliana... I can’t imagine she’d feel differently.”
Trystan turned to Carolina; his tear-filled eyes were heavy with exhaustion.
“Don’t you want me to be happy now?” He asked.
“Yes. Of course, I do...” Her voice cracked with emotion, and Trystan pulled her into his arms, holding her close with all his might.
“And I would be the entitled, selfish ass my family believes me to be if I expected you to care about my happiness while I didn’t care about yours. I’m ashamed to say it, but there was a time when I’d be comfortable doing such a thing to someone I cared for so deeply. Believing my needs mattered more than all others. But that’s not who I am anymore, and I don’t want to return to being that way.”
Carolina burrowed her face into Trystan’s shoulder, allowing his jacket to absorb the few tears she couldn’t hold at bay.
“So, what does that mean for us?” she cried. “If what you need, and what I need to be happy... are a world away?”
“I don’t know,” he muttered. “But I know I don’t want to lose you.”
“It sounds like you’ve made up your mind, then.”
Trystan extended his arms, holding Carolina by the shoulders as he looked into her eyes.
“I haven’t. I’d tell you if I did. I’m sorry, Carolina. The past few days have been grueling, and this probably wasn’t the best time for me to bring this up with you.”
“It’s all right. I’m not in the best place to have this conversation, either.”
Trystan placed a kiss on the top of her head, gently stroking her hair as her arms encircled him.
“Luckily for us, we don’t have to have all the answers tonight,” he whispered. “We should probably get some sleep.”
“That’s probably the smartest thing you’ve said all night,” Carolina teased.
“Agree,” he chuckled. “But if I’m going to sleep, I’d like to do it with you in my arms.”
“I’m not supposed to be in your room.”
“Really? That didn’t stop you last night,” Trystan smirked. “Please. I need you.”
“I need you, too,” Carolina replied with a kiss. Trystan extended his hand.
“Come with me. If I see that we’re being watched along the way, I’ll devise another plan.”
“I like that,” she smiled. “You take over the private eye duties for the night.”
Carolina nuzzled her head into his shoulder, his presence making an unwelcoming place feel more like home. But the detective in Carolina never rested, and as they approached Trystan’s room, something felt wrong. She lifted her head from his shoulder just as he reached for the door. 
“Trystan, that smell... do you...”
“Oh, no!”
~~~
Yeah, another day, another dead body. lol Let's see what PB has planned for us in Chapter 5.
@choicesficwriterscreations @choicesbookclub
Other tags in Reblog.
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sweetestofchaos · 10 months
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Blackthorn Ch 7 | M.YG
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Pairing: Crown Prince Dragon!Yoongi x Crown Princess Impundulu!Keena Genre: Soulmate AU | Arranged Marriage AU | Fantasy AU | Fluff | Angst Word Count: 7K Warnings: Arranged Marriage | Crying/Breakdown | Feelings of Betrayal | Light Depictions of Anxiety Rating: PG16
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The Announcement - As the Princess' envoy leaves the Min Empire, the young royal is blindsided with shocking news.
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a/n: As always thanks to @sailoryooons for betaing (you're fucking awesome for doing this so last minute) and making the banner. Credit to @colormepurplex2 for making the Namjoon edit.
Taglist: @thickemadame
Series Masterlist | Masterlist
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Previous | Next
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The night before the warriors and the rest of the Princess’s envoy were to travel back to Escistan, Ceyeh knew that the Princess’ cycle was over and she coaxed the sleeping soul to come to the forefront and take control. When Byulyi entered the Princess’ chambers to wake her the next morning, she gasped in surprise to see that Princess Keena was wide awake, perched on the windowsill to watch the sunrise. Wheein quickly told the other handmaidens about the Princess’ awakening and Yongsun was quick to send word to the Empress. 
“It is good to have you back, Princess!” The handmaidens all gushed as they rushed around to get the Princess dressed for the day. Since the Princess was seeing a part of her heart off, Yongsun thought it best to dress the Princess in the traditional Iro ati Buba. The colors were bold and the material was a mix of soft satin, cotton and textured brocade. A deep red buba with coral pink and ruby red hexagonal designs started the outfit while a simple burgundy wrapper was tied around the Princess’ waist. The pele around her hips was the same coral pink from the buba and the iborun -  the scarf that was draped over the Princess’ left shoulder - was soft and delicate pink that tied everything together. 
As Hyejin braided the Princess’ hair, she wrapped it into a tight bun that sat a few inches from the base of the Princess’ neck and carefully situated the soft pink gele - the head piece - on top of her head. Byulyi started on the Princess’ makeup when Hyejin was finished and focused on the Princess’ eyes. Red, pink and gold was patted and swiped on the eyes with a thin line of black to pull it all together. The Princess’ lips were painted a glossy red while golden dust kissed her cheekbones.
Ropes of pink baroque pearls hung from around the Princess’ neck in different lengths, matching elongated golden earrings with pink pearls dangled from her ears while thick golden cuffs with red and pink diamonds sat on the Princesss’ wrists. The ring finger of her right hand was adorned in two rings with thin gold bands and three white scolecite gems on each - the Prince’s gift - while simple chunky gold rings covered the other fingers on her left hand. She was a vision of strength and grace, both soft and powerful as the red embraced the pink.
Yongsun led the Princess to the main door of her room and knocked three times. The door opened and Princess Kenna was greeted by Aga’s wide eyes as he took in her appearance.
“Princess-” Aga cleared his throat and bowed with his arms crossed over his chest, “It is good to see you again.”
Princess Keena eyed Aga as he rose to his full height and clicked her tongue. "Li bon wè ou, Aga." Princess Keena inclined her head as she crossed her arms over her chest and Aga fought the twitch in his lips. “Her Majesty is waiting, lead the way.” 
Mingi, Minho, Chan and Jooheon all bowed to the Princess and welcomed her back with smiles. Princess Keena bowed her head in thanks and fell in step with Aga beside her while Mingi and Minho took up the rear.
“How are you feeling, Princess?” Mingi questioned and Princess Keena kept her eyes forward as she spoke.
“I feel as though I have just woken from a very short sleep. My mind is at ease yet my heart is heavy. I do not wish to see my family leave me so soon.”
“You are with a new family now, Princess,” Minho offered and Mingi glared at him.
The Princess’ lips twisted into a sad smile, “Yes…I suppose I am.”
Aga cleared his throat once again and spoke clearly, “I will remain by your side, Princess.”
Princess Keena turned her head and looked at Aga’s profile. He was starting behind? “And what of Izaso? Is she okay with this arrangement?” 
Aga grunted and clasped his hands behind his back as he thought of what best to say. “Kèy rayisab yo se renouvèlman lanmou."
Princess Keena smiled softly at Aga’s words. The quarrel of lovers is the renewal of love, it was another saying that her parents often spoke of. Izaso would be hurt but she would take this next chapter in stride. 
“The time apart will pass quickly, I am sure. We will not be here for much longer once everyone leaves.”
Again Aga grunted and his hands tightened around each other at the Princess’ words. The rest of the walk to the Empress’ outdoor chambers was silent. Princess Keena took in the sights around her that she missed while Ceyeh protected her. Dark herringbone wooden floors led to the Empress’ outdoor chambers where she was seated with three other women, two of which were very familiar to the Princess. Aga, Mingi and Minho all bowed before they took their leave and blended in with the other guards. Princess Keena bowed before the Empress, like she had learned in her etiquette class and the women all smiled. 
“It is wonderful timing on your part to join us, my dear. Are you feeling better?” Empress Eunkyung stared at the Princess and took in her colorful outfit. The Empress wore a plum colored seukan chima with two thick gold bands wrapped around the skirt from the center and the hem. A cyan dangui with dark yellow ribbons and trim completed the outfit as golden dragons rested stitched onto the shoulders. 
“I apologize for my sudden absence and I am better now. Thank you, Your Majesty.” 
“Join us for breakfast, dear.” The Empress smiled up at the Princess and motioned for her to sit beside her.
Princess Keena bowed her head and carefully walked over to the table and sat beside the Empress. 
“I am sure you remember your tutors? However, you have not been introduced to one of these ladies before you.” 
The Empress motioned to a woman with taupe colored skin with a pale pink overlay that seemed to shimmer even when she sat still. Her eyes were round and large like a horse. Lined by thick, dark eyelashes that made the purple, green and pink specks shine brightly in her black galaxy eyes. She had a wide and long face, with plush lips framed by deep laugh lines. Pink hair was twisted into many braids and wrapped into two elongated buns on each side of her head. Eight braids from each bun hung free from the center and grazed the woman’s shoulders while square cut bangs hid her forehead and eyebrows. 
Princess Keena bowed her head after the woman bowed her head, “I am Saina and I will teach you civics once your lessons resume. ” Saina raised her head and the Princess noticed that in the center of Saina’s forehead hidden behind her bangs, a two inch circle peaked out. Saina noticed where the Princess’ eyes went and she touched the smooth circle.
“Have you ever seen a unicorn, Princess Keena?” Saina’s question shocked the Princess. A unicorn? Princess Keena remembered reading in a book that the unicorns were slaughtered in ancient times for the power that they held within their horns. She didn’t remember if the book said they were extinct.
“I am one of the few survivors from the Sovurika tribe. We are but a few hundred in numbers and mostly keep to ourselves. Some, like myself, left home for a new life.”
“I am honored to accept your knowledge.” Princess Keena smiled and Saina grinned with a closed mouth. 
With introductions out of the way, Princess Keena took a moment to take in Saina’s outfit. It was nothing that she had seen in her time spent in the Min Empire and she wondered if it was from the south or north. Saina wore a silk sky blue jacket that was mixed with cream and gold brocade fabric and had long, wide sleeves that reached just past her knuckles. A wide leather golden band was wrapped around her waist with a sky blue velvet belt and gold buckle over it. The skirt was the same shade of sky blue silk that pooled around her ankles with cream colored lace overlay. It was a fun outfit and the Princess admired it very much.
“Now then, let us eat before the meal gets too cold.” The Empress motioned for breakfast to be served and conversation was light as the morning meal was set out.
The Princess laughed and enjoyed her time with the women before her. Zarrin, Ellarian and Saina were a joy to interact with. They had different opinions and their jokes were different. They were all older and filled with priceless stories of their past. Princess Keena listened to their words and etched them into her memories, she would remember this day always. As breakfast started to be wrapped up, the Empress rose to her feet and the other ladies followed.
“Thank you all for joining me this morning, it was a simple pleasure that I tend to miss.” The Empress bowed her head as she spoke again, “Please enjoy the rest of your day. Princess Keena, it is time for us to depart and say farewell to your envoy.”
Princess said her goodbyes to her instructors and followed a step behind Empress Eunkyung as they made their way to the main courtyard in front of the palace. Servants and warriors alike were lined up to leave for Escistan and the Princess noticed her five handmaids closer to the back. As Empress Eunkyung stood beside Emperor Chungho, who wore his red and gold gonryongpo, on a raised platform. Princess Keena noticed Prince Yoongi as he stood off to the right of his parents. She took in his appearance and her heart beat excitedly in her chest. Prince Yoongi wasn’t dressed in his gangsapo or gonryongpo like she thought he would be. 
Prince Yoongi wore black hakamam - wide legged pants - with a black fitted blouse and on top he chose to wear the red and gold silk kenta that the Princess had gifted him. The fabric wrapped around his right shoulder and hung loosely like a toga. It looked wonderful on him and the Princess smiled. 
The Prince had his hair piled high on his head, the sangtu replaced with a sleek ponytail that reached just below his shoulder blades. The black manggeon around the Prince’s forehead kept any flyaway hairs from his face as he stared at the people below him. Hoseok walked over to the Princess and motioned for her to follow him as he led her to stand beside the Prince on the platform. Prince Yoongi turned his head toward the Princess at her arrival and bowed his head while the Princess copied his action. 
“You should wear Escistan garb more often, it’s very becoming of you.”
Prince Yoongi’s ears flushed red but he gave nothing away of his embarrassment on his face as he stared at the Princess. The smile on the Princess’ face started to fade the more Prince Yoongi looked at her silently and she raised an eyebrow.
“Do you not like it, my Prince?” 
Prince Yoongi shook his head. “I like it very much, Princess. Thank you again, for such a thoughtful gift.” Prince Yoongi’s eyes softened as he gazed at the Princess and he licked his lips. “...I have missed you.” His voice was rough, softened by the meaning of his words and Princess Keena looked down at the ground. The Prince’s fingers twitched as he fought the urge to lift her face and force the Princess to look into his eyes. “You look beautiful, Princess.”
Hoseok cleared his throat from behind the two young royals and the Prince turned his attention to the men and women who were bowing before him. Princess Keena crossed her arms over her chest and as she started to bow, from the corner of her eyes she noticed Prince Yoongi had followed her movement. Emperor and Empress Min watched from the corner of their eyes as the Prince and Princess together with their arms crossed over their chest bowed to those lower in rank. Prince Yoongi waited for the Princess to rise before he followed her movements once again and stood tall by her side.
Princess Keena felt her eyes burn as she watched her envoy shift row by row into their bird forms. Those who were not of the Escistan army started to climb into sixteen men litters carried on the backs of giant flying turtles. Aga left his post and the Princess watched as he cupped Izaso’s face between his large hands. Tears were spilling down Izaso's face as they said their goodbyes. Aga kissed her tears away but it was no use as more and more kept falling. The sky started to twist from blue and yellow to many shades of gray as the Princess tried not to cry. They were really leaving and she would have only Aga by her side. The Princess flinched when fingers brushed against her own and she bit the inside of her cheek when Prince Yoongi grabbed her fingers with his own. 
They stood by each other, side by side, holding hands as they gave each other silent support. The sky slowly melted into a dull blue with faded white clouds as Prince Yoongi squeezed Princess Keena’s hand every once in a while. Aga stepped away from Izaso and she shifted into an openbill stork. Princess Keena held her head a little higher and as silver bled into the brown, she started to chirp loudly. Aga’s pale yellow eyes burned bright as he answered the Princess’ call and those in her envoy joined in. The air was filled with a heavy promise of hope as the bird song subsided and they took off into the air.
Aga shielded his eyes as he watched them depart into the sunny sky. He brought his hands down to his mouth and shouted loudly, “Zèklè a pral frape!”
“Princess…” Prince Yoongi ran his thumb over the rings on Princess Keena’s fingers and smiled faintly knowing that she continued to wear his gifts. He turned to face her and licked his lips; the Princess’ eyes were slowly shifting back to their warm brown. “Would you like to see one of my favorite places in the palace?”
Princess Keena nodded her head and Prince Yoongi noticed his parents as they watched him from over the Princess’ shoulder. Emperor Chungho waved his hand for the Prince and Prince Yoongi sighed. He started to remove his hand from the Princess and his father shook his head which made the Prince eyebrows pinch together. Princess Keena giggled and poked at his protruding bottom lip without a second thought. Prince Yoongi turned his attention back on the Princess and narrowed his eyes.
“Pallas!” 
The smile on the Princess’ face was worth it and Prince Yoongi shook his head. He hadn’t even realized that he had started to pout. “We are being summoned by the Emperor.”
Princess Keena nodded her head and Prince Yoongi tightened his hold on her hand as she turned to stand by his side. Together they walked over to Emperor Chungho and Empress Eunkyung who was at his side.
“Would you hatchlings care to join us at the lotus pond?” Emperor Chungho glanced down at the young royals’ connected hands and held out his own hand for his wife to take. Yoongi stared at his parents confused. 
“A new brood of lemming ducklings have hatched and they have made their home in the pond,” Empress Eunkyung further explained as she noticed the confusion and weariness on her son’s face while the Princess’ face lit up. Lemming ducks were only of the Min Empire and she wanted to see if they were as cute as everyone had said. Prince Yoongi looked between his parents and ran his tongue behind his teeth. They were hiding something and he wasn’t sure what it could be. He looked to his side and Princess Keena’s eyes were wide as she silently begged for him to come with.
Prince Yoongi scratched his nose with his thumb and index finger and squared his shoulders, before he motioned with his free hand. “After you, your Majesties.” 
The Prince and Princess kept a few steps behind the Emperor and Empress as they followed them farther away from the main entrance of the palace. The lotus pond was located in the northwest section, it was part of the Gildows lake that the Empress had requested to be blocked off.  The lotus pond was also part of the fourth garden, better known as the wisdom garden, which housed a botanical garden and one out of three of Namjoon’s arboretums.
Stone pathways were laid out to create an intricate maze in between iris, daylilies, yarrow and cornflower among many other flowers. Five, seven foot arch ways, bloomed with vivid apricot and pink mandevilla and bright white wisteria with deep pink bleed heart flowers tucked along at the bottom, that led to the small peninsula that had the lotus pond at its edge.
Princess Keena's eyes grew brighter and wider as the colors and floral scents around her came together. It was breathtaking, the seamless harmony of the garden around her. Soft quacks caught the Princess’ attention and Prince Yoongi chuckled as he felt the quicken of the Princess’ pulse. 
“Come on,” Prince Yoongi tugged at the Princess’ hand and hurried past his parents. Princess Keena easily kept up and once at the water’s edge she squatted down to get a better look at the small creatures in the stone pond. Four lemming ducklings wadded in the water while their momma rested on one of the falter stones. They were tiny, only a little bigger than a tangerine with tan and black fuzzy bodies and cute rounded ears; that’s what made them lemming ducks afterall. 
“Oh, they are so sweet!” Princess Keena leaned into the Prince’s side as he squatted beside her and continued to gush about their cuteness. 
“Would you like to feed them?” Prince Yoongi offered and the Princess’ smile grew ten times in size. The Prince stood and eyed the Princess as he started to back away but her attention was right back on the ducklings. He turned on his heels and noticed that his parents were sitting in the gazebo enjoying the shade. He clicked his tongue but kept his thoughts to himself as he walked over to the feeding box. It was a four-by-four box that was attached to a wooden post in the ground that held special feed just for lemming ducks. The Prince grabbed the wooden spoon and poured two scoops into his hand before he headed back to the Princess. 
“Here you are, Princess.” 
Prince Yoongi squatted back by the Princess’ side and motioned for her to hold out her hands. The Princess cupped her hands together and the Prince smiled. Were the Princess’ hands always so small? 
“Be careful,” Prince Yoongi spoke softly as he instructed the Princess on how to hold out her hands. Princess Keena did as told and allowed for the Prince to support her cupped hands in his free one and watched as Prince Yoongi closed his fist and started to funnel some of the bird feed into her hand. 
Hearing the soft tinkle of the dried fruit, flowers, oats and seeds the lemming ducklings started to paddle towards shore as quickly as their feet would take them. They started to crowd the Princess and she laughed that chime-like giggle that carried on the breeze as one of the ducklings waddled on to her skirt.
Another duckling settled on Prince Yoongi’s shoe and he dropped backwards onto his butt with his knees bent. Together the young royals started to feed the ducklings. They laid down the feed and Princess Keena couldn’t stop smiling as another of the ducklings nipped at her fingers. At some point, Prince Yoongi lowered his knees and stretched out his legs, the duckling on his foot moseyed along farther up his leg until it was tucked away in the folds of his kente.
 Carefully, Princess Keena scooped up the duckling that had nipped at her finger and held it up to her face. The duckling stared at her, tiny ink black eyes, unchanging and the Princess smiled once again.
“Hello, sweetheart. Have I upset you?” Princess Keena questioned the hatchling softly and it quacked quickly, its wings flapping at its side as the tiny baby stomped in her hands. 
“Can you understand him?”
“Her,” the Princess corrected the Prince softly as she nuzzled her nose on top of the ducklings head before she kissed its beak. 
“How do you know it is a female?”
Prince Keena glanced at the Prince and softly jerked her head in the ducklings direction. “She told me.”
The Prince’s eyes widened and Princess Keena laughed. “I can understand all birds, it is the gift of the impundulu; in turn they can understand me as well.”
“That’s-” Yoongi stared down at the duckling in his lap and stroked the top of its head, “Incredible, simply incredible.”
A loud quack filled the air and the ducklings all responded with their own smaller quacks. “Time to go sweetheart. Be good for your mother, all of you.”
The Princess lowered her hands and the duckling toddled off back into the water. She looked beside her and the duckling in the Prince’s lap was sound asleep. Prince Yoongi looked at the Princess unsure of what to do, so she reached out and scratched the top of the ducklings head to wake it up.
“Your family is waiting for you. Hurry along,” she whispered as the duckling shook out its feathers. The tiny thing looked confused and quacked in alarm before it nuzzled its beak into the Prince’s thigh and hurried off into the water as the Princess watched. When the Princess turned around with a smile on her face she startled at the sight of Prince Yoongi staring at her with the softest of smiles. “Why are you staring at me like that?” 
The tips of the Prince’s ears heated as he cleared his throat, “Come on, I can feel my parents watching us.”
Prince Yoongi jumped to his feet and held out his hand to help the Princess off the ground. They dusted themself off and again the Prince offered his hand. Princess Keena gently placed her hand into the Prince’s and both of them felt their faces heat from the neck up. Prince Yoongi cleared his throat once more and started to tease the corner of his lips with his tongue as he led the way to the gazebo where the Emperor and Empress waited.
Inside the gazebo, two zabuton mats were on the wooden floor in front of the Emperor and Empress with enough space between them to fit a small table. Empress Min smiled at the young royals and extended her hand towards the seats.
“It looked like you two enjoyed yourselves. Come sit, tell me all about it.”
Emperor Min looked off in the distance and clicked his tongue, the refreshments he had requested were arriving. Prince Yoongi helped the Princess sit first before he took his place beside her and sat with one leg tucked under his thigh while the other was bent. He frowned as the Princess sat with both legs folded underneath her butt. 
“You can relax my dear,” Empress Min cooed softly as she reached out and placed her hand over top of the Princess’. Princess Keena bowed her head in thanks and shifted so that her feet were no longer under her but folded off to the side at a slight angle. “I saw you both made some new friends.”
“I think his Highness made a new friend,” Princess Keena teased and Prince Yoongi rolled his eyes. “The duckling went right to sleep in his lap.”
“Oh my!” Empress Min covered her mouth with her hand while Emperor Min smiled. “I knew they would take a liking to you, my son. I was surprised their mother didn’t come say hello.”
“She sensed the impundulu,” Princess Kenna started to explain, “Most birds know I am not a threat to them and those around me are the same unless I say otherwise.”
“What a useful skill to have. Is that due to your bloodline?” Emperor Min questioned and the Princess nodded her head.
“Those with the blood of the impundulu have an affinity with birds of all kinds. It is useful while traveling long distances. The wild birds around us tend to help protect us and warn of any unseen dangers that are around.”
Emperor Min hummed as he clasped his hands together and sat up a little straighter. “It truly is a blessing from those above to have you with us, Princess Keena. We are forever honored by your presence.” 
Empress Min copied her husband’s posture and they both bowed forward lightly with their heads lowered. Princess Keena sat frozen while Prince Yoongi’s eyes widened. His parents bowed to no one but the ancient dragons before them. 
Before Princess Keena had the chance to recover from her shock, Emperor and Empress Min both sat upright with little to no emotion on their faces. Prince Yoongi heard the footfalls of the servants and he waited to see what would be placed in front of them. He sat with a frown on his lips and it only seemed to deepen once the food was placed in front of everyone.
Matcha cookies, purin, mooncakes, agar agar jelly, candied dates, and other fine desserts were laid out on beautiful hand painted dishes with golden dragons. Four white plates were passed around and the Prince’s brows pulled together as he stared at the Peruvian fire lily that was painted on the plates. The words of the Empress echoed loudly in the Prince’s mind as he watched his parents speak and joke with the Princess. They smiled and laughed, leaned into each other in a way that he had never seen after he turned of age. The sweets in front of him were colorful and perfect, too perfect. 
More dishes came out. A bowl of chestnuts and freshly made pear blossom wine caught the Prince’s attention and he raised an eyebrow as he watched his father, the Emperor pour some into four small bowls that had gold and blue fish painted on them. Princess Keena laughed into her hand and turned to face the Prince with a smile on her face but it dropped quickly when she saw the dazed look in his eyes.
“Your Highness?” Princess Keena carefully placed her hand on the Prince’s arm and gave him a light squeeze. The laughter at the table died down and Princess Keena tried again just as softly, “Prince Yoongi?”
The Prince flinched and shook his head as he tried to clear the thoughts in his mind. His mother’s words echoed loudly again in his ears as he looked at everything in front of him. It was used to celebrate one's engagement. 
Warmth from the Princess’ hand seeped through the material of the blouse he wore and burned him. His skin started to overheat and sweat collected underneath the headband around his head. His tongue felt a million times too big for his mouth and made of lead. Slowly he forced himself to gaze upon his parents and he saw the way their faces were blank, expressions schooled to not show what they were thinking. True royalty at its finest. 
“You are trembling, my Prince. Do you feel unwell?” 
The endearment of the Prince’s title wasn’t missed by the Emperor or Empress. Prince Yoongi gulped, his throat dry and scratchy as his parents stared at him with unforgiving eyes.
“When the time comes, I will fulfill my duty to the throne. You do not have to worry yourself with that thought.”
“Promise me Yoongi.”
“Pardon?” Yoongi stares at his mother confused. Promise her?
“When the time comes, you must promise me here and now that you will fulfill your duty to the throne.”
Prince Yoongi carefully situated his legs underneath himself and sat up straight. He turned his head to the Princess and offered her a hand as he forced his lips to curve upward into a tight smile that didn’t reach his eyes. 
“I am fine, Princess. However, I do believe my parents wish to discuss an important matter.”
Princess Keena placed her hand into the Prince’s open palm and she turned her attention back to the Emperor and Empress who were now looking at their son with the same emotion she saw in her parent’s eyes before she left Escistan. She hadn’t been able to discern that look and even now she still could not. Emperor Min turned his gaze to the Princess and he spoke with power and poise.
“The war with the west has started. Our forces will join those on the battlefield soon enough. We have faith that this will be a victory, however for the sake of Escistan’s future, we formed an alliance with your parents, the King and Queen as you know.” Emperor Min folded his hands inside of his sleeves and continued. “During negotiations your parents stressed that it was of the utmost importance to ensure the survival of the impundulu’s bloodline.”
Princess Keena understood the Emperor’s words, it made sense that her parents had wanted the impundulu bloodline to thrive and survive. Princess Keena did not understand why the Emperor felt the need to discuss it at greater length. Princess Keena glanced over at the Prince and he looked ill. What little color he had to him was replaced with a pale gray green hue. The Princess rubbed her thumb across Prince Yoongi’s knuckles and he squeezed her hand lightly.
“As agreed upon by the Escistan Kingdom and the Min empire,” Empress Min spoke for the first time in a while and her eyes were now golden which put the Princess on edge. Whatever was to be said was important. “First Princess Keena and First Prince Yoongi are to be wed-”
Princess Keena’s body stiffened up while the Prince felt all the air leave his body. Both the Empress and Emperor spoke but their words fell on deaf ears. Suddenly the weight of the Prince’s hand in her own didn’t feel right to the Princess and she pulled her hand into her lap. Prince Yoongi’s hand hit the floor and the priceless rings on his fingers smacked into the wood. The thump was so loud that it cut through the words of the Emperor as well as the Empress and echoed in the air. The warmth of the Princess’ touch had faded the moment she let the Prince’s hand go and goosebumps rose on his skin from head to toe.
The Princess folded in on herself and bowed her head. “Forgive me your Majesties…I am feeling...I-I need-” the Princess didn’t know what she needed but she couldn’t stand to be in the presence of the royal family any longer. She rose to her feet, bowed once more and hurried out of the gazebo. 
“Aga!” The Princess’ voice was aghast; it quivered with an unheard of tone full of alarm and disbelief. 
Aga rushed to her side having noticed the heavy storm clouds that were formed over the gazebo. He fought every fiber of his being to not pull the Princess into his arms like she were a mere child and hide her away from the world. He longed to ease her mind and see a smile on her face but he knew that would take time. He knew what the royals had spoken about, it had been planned this way before they came to the Min Empire. Princess Keena was betrothed to the First Prince of the Min Empire, Prince Yoongi; it had been this way for over three years since talks of war had first come about. It was a horrible secret that Aga swore to protect until the very last moments when it all was revealed. 
“Come Princess, let us head back inside.” Aga waited for the Princess to move forward and when she wouldn’t, Aga picked her up in his arms and carried her into the palace with Mingi and Minho behind him.
Small tremors made the Prince grit his teeth as he pulled his hands into his lap and glared at the sweet treats before him. His parents had yet to speak after the Princess walked off and he wasn’t sure if he wanted them to. He had questions, so many questions but he knew that now was not the time. He was not in the right state of mind and needed to leave before he said or did something he would come to regret later on. 
Prince Yoongi forced himself to his feet and bowed his head before he left the gazebo without a glance back at his parents. Hoseok was by his side and remained silent because he had heard everything. The storm above the gazebo was gone but the Prince smelt the lingering scent of heavy rain. A storm would come at some point to answer the impundulu’s call.
“Spar with me.” 
It was a sudden request that Hoseok wouldn’t refuse and once they reached the training grounds, he looked at the weapons rack.
“Hand-to-hand?” Hoseok had offered and Prince Yoongi grunted as his eyes started to shift from black to gold. Hoseok’s blood started to heat and his amber eyes blazed as striking carmine red flecks moved around. Prince Yoongi would attack with his all, Agust was just below the surface and Hoseok knew better than to mess around. This was going to be a brutal match for however long it lasted and he was ready. He was there for his friend no matter what.
On the way to the palace, Aga was intercepted by Hyejin who led everyone to the butterfly house. Namjoon was waiting outside of the gate, his dimples on full display and they disappeared when he saw the Princess in Aga’s arms. A guard opened the gate for Aga and Minho followed while Mingi stayed behind and explained to Namjoon that the Princess had been feeling unwell. Namjoon understood and hid his disappointment well behind a kind smile. He could always show the Princess around her new home later on when she felt better. For now he spoke with the royal doctor Hyunwon about visiting the Princess and had a soothing tea delivered to the butterfly house right away.
As the Princess’ main pillar of support, Aga took it upon himself to inform those within the butterfly house of the Princess’ engagement to Prince Yoongi. Yongsun had already known since Empress Min had briefed her on everything before the Princess arrived. Everyone else was shocked but they kept their thoughts to themselves. 
Misty blue skies shifted into a whirl of orange, yellow and pink before light faded and the night enveloped the sky in a bleak, black blanket filled with tiny diamonds of despair as on and off rain soaked the ground. Princess Keena sat on the wooden engawa outside of her open window. Her hair was down and braided all together into a single braid that rested against her back and brushed against the floor. The iro ati buba from the morning was replaced by a simple lavender silk nightgown with darker purple lace trimming along the bottom hem that covered the Princess’ toes. She wore a matching iridescent silk robe over the nightgown that had tiny dark colored flowers stitched along the shoulders with wide butterfly sleeves and a two foot train that trailed behind her. 
It was a cool night as the Princess leaned against one of the support posts and stared up at the moon. Her eyes were puffy and burned, each blink sent a slow tear sliding down her face. The Princess had swore that she had no more tears to cry but her eyes seemed to prove her wrong as every conversation with the Prince played in her mind. Their friendship that had meant the world to her was brought into question at the forefront of the Princess’ mind. Did the Prince know about the engagement? Had he played his role this whole time to ensure that the Princess wouldn’t fight the announcement?
Princess Keena’s low lip trembled as she pulled her knees up to her chest and buried her face in her knees. Her cries were muffled as her body shook. She never thought that Prince Yoongi would ever be the cause of her tears and that realization caused the Princess’ heart to pinch painfully. She inhaled sharply and choked on the snot that had caught in the back of her throat. She coughed harshly and slapped at her chest as she fought to breathe clearly. Each inhale pierced her heart and burned the lungs.
The weight of the betrothal was crushing, an unrelenting force that kept pushing and pushing at the Princess’ mind; determined to shatter all the happy memories that she had created with the Prince. The implications were very real, yet the Princess fought with herself internally as she shifted through the last couple of days.
She had been lied to before, not on this grand of a scale but a lie was a lie. The Prince's eyes were shimmering mirrors of his soul; a warmth so soft and soothing it melted away the icy fear that locked around the Princess’ mind. That gummy smile that made the Prince’s age unknown, childlike and free. His words had supported the Princess long before his hands…could she still lean on them? Could she face the Prince after tonight? 
The guards all tried their best to ignore the Princess’ cries as it wasn’t in their nature to abandon someone in need. Mingi chewed at the skin of his thumb as he hid in the shadows closest to the Princess. Minho was on the south side of the hanok, Aga who couldn’t stand to hear the Princess’ cries switched posts with Chan, and Chan was on the east side of the hanok while Jooheon stood guard with Aga at the front inner entrance to the hanok. The Princess’ handmaids were all wide awake in their room, waiting for the moment that the Princess called for them.
Mingi refused to watch any longer as the Princess started to slip into a deeper and darker hole. He emerged from the shadows and his green eyes gleamed in the starlight of the night. His movements were silent as he walked over to the Princess and sat beside her. The warmth from his body broke the chill in the air and the Princess shivered as goosebumps appeared on her skin. Sniffling, the Princess lifted her head and before she could wipe the snot and tears from her face, Mingi held out a yellow handkerchief while he stared off into the distance. Princess Keena took the handkerchief and carefully wiped her face. She winced as the soft fabric touched the raw and tender skin under her eyes and nose.
Mingi chewed at his lower lip in thought before he spoke up, “Sometimes it is better to speak what’s on your mind while another is near. My mother used to say that another body is better than air when you are upset or have a lot on your mind.” Mingi toed at the grass below him and scratched the back of his neck. “She also said that not everybody needs to speak, they only need to listen.”
Princess Keena slumped against the support beam and turned her body more to face Mingi. The brown of her eyes were lined in a thick silver ring that seemed to slowly ebb away little by little. Mingi pushed his damp hair from his face and glanced at the Princess who stared at his profile silently. The Princess’ lips twitched and she clicked her tongue before she kicked out her legs and dug her bare toes under the meat of Mingi’s right thigh. Mingi grunted from the icy chill that seeped through the fabric of his trousers but he kept motionless.
“I don’t want to hate the Prince…” Princess Keena’s words were soft and scratchy as she spoke, “He’s my best friend and I-I would like for us to remain that way.” The Princess wrapped her arms around her stomach and sunk within herself as she continued to speak her mind.
“How does anyone expect me to wed the Prince? Once his parents step down from the throne, the Prince will become the Emperor and that would make me the Empress. I know nothing of this empire. I am not fit to rule beside the Prince nor shall I bear him a proper heir.”
Princess Keena fell silent and Mingi glanced over her way once again. The Princess had a hand over her stomach and a frown was set deep on her face. “I have never heard of two such powerful beings producing such a creature.”
Mingi winced at the thought of the Princess’ situation and licked his lips. “If I may Princess-” Mingi carefully untucked the Princess’ toes from under his thigh and rested them on his hands to spread more of his body heat. “I have known the Prince for a long time. I have seen him defend the weakest of creatures without a second thought.” Mingi started to twist his wrists a little to create some friction between his hands and the Princess giggled as her toes started to warm.
“I truly believe that you and the Prince alike are victims to your titles. I cannot imagine His Highness would ever try to deceive you to gain power, yet alone force himself upon you for the rest of your lives.” Mingi spoke true and sure as he kept his gaze on the tree in front of him. Princess Keena rolled her eyes with a sigh and pulled her feet free from Mingi’s hands.
“...Thank you, Mingi. Your mother was a wise woman and taught you well.” Princess Keena rose to her feet and bowed her head with a soft smile. “Goodnight, Mingi.”
Mingi scrambled to his feet and bowed deeply. “G-Goodnight, Princess!”
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the-beast-tamer · 3 months
Text
Yves Kloss - Act 2 Ch. 11 - Dramatic Summary
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Fan translation only. Not 100% accurate. Please expect grammatical errors. Cybird owns everything. Feel free to re-blog, but please do NOT post my translations elsewhere. Also, feel free to ignore my random commentary. I know this Master List is delayed, but eh, it was my first translation project, and I had no idea of what I was doing.
Please note: Only his common route and Dramatic route are translated/summarized.
Alt translations are marked as ///
T/L notes are notated at the bottom of the post with***
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???: “Since you have sublimated into a rose that will not wither then you must’ve known a very strong love”.***
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???: “But love is a curse that drives people crazy. The stronger it is the more it becomes a poison that eats away at you.”
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???: “Jealousy, possessiveness, fear, madness, love is never just a beautiful emotion.”
Emma (inner thoughts): I suddenly remember the words someone uttered to me in a dream. I understand their meaning, but when I met Yves I learned so much about love, and I would protect him with my life. I don’t think this love is a curse for me, and I can’t imagine being unhappy with this love. 
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Emma returns to obsidian palace without incident and reports to the princes what happened. Leon -the ever valiant hero- decides to go get Yves. He says that Chev can remain at the palace as the ambassador in the meantime. 
Chev chimes in and says that he isn’t going to be told what to do. Ragna then offers to show Leon the way to Yves. Emma asks Leon to let her come. She’s been taught how to defend herself and doesn’t want to sit still and look pretty. 
Leon agrees so long as she promises not to do anything brash. Since they can’t leave a right then and there he tells her go change. As she’s getting ready she notices how terrible she looks, and as soon she starts feeling down she holds the earring again. She chants to herself that they are going to save Yves and after slapping her cheeks, she leaves the room. 
In the corridor the sound of her footsteps are met with a resounding “CLUNK”. 
Gil: Good evening, little rabbit.
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*FLASHBACK*
After Yves and Emma split from each other Yves drove a separate carriage alone to intercept Horst at an abandoned  village he usually stops by on his way back home. He touches the plait Emma braided for him to have courage. He stops the carriage when he notices how eerily silent the peddlers street that he’s traveling down is. Soon the carriage is shot at by flying arrows and a swarm of men carrying weapons emerge from the shadows of the buildings. When Yves tries to escape with the carriage, there is a huge flash of light. 
*FLASH BACK ENDS*
Gil asks Emma if she’s going out. Emma has many questions for him, but chooses to make Yves priority. She says yes and excuses herself. As she walks past him he gently picks up her hair to look at her earring. He asks her if she has anything she wants to ask him.
Though perturbed by his ability to seemingly read her thoughts, she makes up her mind to ask if he has anything to do with Horst and company’s actions? Gil asks her what she thinks. 
She says at first she thought so, but Horst’s actions were that to assassinate them. However, now that Tanzanite, Achroite and Ruby are forming an alliance Gilbert wants to avoid as much trouble as possible. Killing Yves though he hates him wouldn’t make any sense. Gil says that if she knows that much, then why ask?
Emma recalls Gil’s words when he hurled his cane to Yves neck - “I don’t do favors for people I don’t like”. Em wonders what triggered him to say those words. Gil seems to read her mind again. He says that it wasn’t intentional just that he let his words slip because her king put him in a bad mood. 
Emma reason’s within herself that Gilbert did speak those words intentionally because he didn’t want to take the trouble to kill Yves himself, so he incited Horst to do it with those words. He is determined to kill the last member of the Kloss family without directly doing so. 
Gil: Shouldn’t you hurry?
He asks her while smiling.
Emma: “What?”
Gil: “If they didn’t get him the first time, they’ll get him the second time. I hope you make it.” 
She leaves him running.
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***Sublimated- to change form, but not essence. It is another term for sublime. Azel is stating that because she has achieved the highest sense of her love, it’s like a rose that won’t wither.
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coredrill · 1 year
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jaune kept crescent rose safe that WHOLE TIME and protected it until he could give it back to ruby. this is fine i’m fine everything is FINE i 😭😭
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beardedmrbean · 7 months
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Ruby Franke, the Utah mom behind the now-defunct family YouTube channel "8 Passengers," was arrested Wednesday on child abuse charges after authorities found a malnourished minor with open wounds and duct tape on their extremities, officials announced.
Franke's business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, was also arrested on the same charges. The two regularly collaborate on relationship and parenting advice videos for Hildebrandt's life counseling service ConneXions. ConneXions has been criticized in the past for its teachings about parenting, including prioritizing the organization's "principles of truth" over a person's children.
The Santa Clara-Ivins Public Safety Department said in a press release Thursday that it received a report about a juvenile in need of help at 10:50 a.m. Wednesday morning.
The juvenile was described as "emaciated and malnourished, with open wounds and duct tape around the extremities."
"The condition of the juvenile was so severe that they were seen by Santa Clara-Ivins EMS and transported to a local area hospital," the press release said.
Evidence led officers to a nearby home where another juvenile was found in similar condition and taken to a local hospital for treatment, the release said. Four minors were taken into the care of the Department of Child and Family Services following a search of the home where the emaciated juveniles were found.
Franke and Hildebrandt were then arrested in connection with the incident, the release said. The two are still in custody, according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Department.
Representatives for Franke and Hildebrandt did not immediately respond to NBC News requests for comment. The Santa Clara-Ivins Public Safety Department and Washington County Sheriff’s Department also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Franke rose to prominence in 2015 through the 8 Passengers YouTube channel, which featured her husband Kevin and six children. The channel had a following of nearly 2.3 million subscribers before it was taken down earlier this year. It’s unclear why the channel was removed from YouTube.
The Frankes' strict parenting style has led some viewers to report them to authorities. In June 2020, some viewers called local child protective services on the parents after their then-15-year-old son Chad said in a video that he had slept on a beanbag for seven months, according to Insider. Ruby Franke told the outlet at the time that the sleeping arrangement was Chad's "choice" after being removed from his shared room with his younger brother for behavioral issues.
Ruby Franke has also faced backlash for videos in which she refused to bring her then-6-year-old lunch after the child forgot to pack food and threatened to throw away her children's prized possessions.
Eldest daughter Shari Franke, 20, posted about her mother's arrest to her Instagram Story on Wednesday night. Shari Franke, who previously posted that she was not in contact with her immediate family, shared an image of police officers with the caption, "Finally."
In another Instagram Story post, Shari Franke wrote, “Hi all. Today has been a big day. Me and my family are so glad justice is being served. We’ve been trying to tell the police and CPS for years about this, and so glad they finally decided to step up."
"Kids are safe, but there's a long road ahead," she continued in her post. "Please keep them in your prayers and also respect their privacy."
She also posted a request to her followers to share "any questionable or concerning ConneXions or 8Passengers videos" with her on Thursday. Shari Franke did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Elle Mechem, Julie Griffiths Deru and Bonnie Hoellein, three women who say they are Ruby Franke’s sisters and who are also family influencers, shared a joint Instagram post saying her arrest “needed to happen.”
“For the past 3 years, we have kept quiet on the subject of our sister Ruby Franke for the sake of her children,” the post read. “Behind the public scene we have done everything we could to try and make sure the kids were safe.” 
Mechem, Deru and Hoellein did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
In Utah, aggravated child abuse is defined as an act that "inflicts upon a child serious physical injury" or "causes or permits another to inflict serious physical injury upon a child."
CORRECTION (Aug. 31, 2023, 3:45 p.m. ET): A previous version of this article misstated the name of an agency. It is the Santa Clara-Ivins Public Safety Department, not Santa Clara-Ivans Public Safety Department. _________________
Finally, now to go after the rest of the people doing this crap
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rwbyfan1999 · 11 months
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Well her we are at the end of V9 and yeah that was awesome, summer left with Raven on a secret mission without telling Tai what a twist, Ruby chose to remain herself Hell Yeah! Red like roses part 3 baby!!!! And wow quite a lot of lore on the brothers, the curious cat, and the Jabawalker. Jaune is finally young again and yes bro you did in fact sound like that. Vacuo!!!!!
No end credit scene just an ad for the first Justice league X RWBY movie but I’ll take it.
See you all again for the movie and hopefully anything for V10, volume 9 was one hell of journey and I’m glad I was part of the ride.
Stay awesome!
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jj-lives · 1 year
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Weapons. They're an extension of ourselves. They're a part of us. ~Ruby, Vol1 Ch 2
Crescent Rose represents a lot of things to Ruby. It represents the creativity of the dreamer she once was as she designed and forged it. It represents the trust and hero worship she held for the older generation of Hunters (she designed it after Qrow's weapon after all). It represents the hope and naivety she viewed the world with and her convictions on how she was going to change the world. It represents a dream of becoming a warrior, saving lives and protecting those that could not protect themselves. She was going to forge a path of her own, using a weapon forged with love and hope by her own hands.
But it also represents the loss of all of those things. She carried it into battle time and time again, only to fail, only to lose innocents, family and friends. It represents the loss of her childhood, loss of the trust that the older generation of Hunters had the answers, and the loss of the girl she once was.
The person that used to carry Crescent Rose with pride is no longer the same woman she is now, and it's a bitter pill to swallow.
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duckdoeswords · 9 months
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To Earn Ones Favor Ch.1 - For Your Favor
Summary: Weiss was suffocating in her life as royalty. Suffocating to the point where she could barely breathe. So, when the chance to leave, to run away from her duties, from her Father who wants to marry her off, she takes it. Leaving with two silver-eyed women her life changes but whether for the better or not, well, only time will tell.
Words: 3,057
Main Relationship: Weiss Schnee/Ruby Rose/Maria Calavera
Rating: T
Notes: A commission for @powertaco to write a Deaths WhiteRose AU. Hope other people enjoy it as much as they do!
Fic:
The capital city of Atlas was a hive of activity as the birthday celebration for the King’s youngest daughter was in full swing and all were excitedly enjoying the festivities. All except for the youngest daughter whose celebration this was in honor of. She sat in the shade of a tent near the front of the tournament grounds watching as the servants set up for the main draw of the day. 
Weiss leaned into her hand, letting out a heavy sigh. “Is something wrong, Your Highness?��� Klein spoke as he poured tea from a porcelain pot into a matching cup. “Are you not enjoying your birthday celebration?” 
“Did anyone even think to ask me if this was something I wanted?” Weiss grumbled as she took the tea, bringing it to her lips she took a deep breath of the black tea before taking a small sip. “Did anyone think to ask if this was how I wanted my 21st birthday to be celebrated?” 
Klein was silent nodding as he returned to standing at attention. “Well,” He spoke slowly. “Perhaps you can try and find something to enjoy? Even just something small maybe?” The butler smiled, eyes crinkling with the action. 
“Maybe.” Weiss sighed as she set her cup back on the table, watching as the servant continued to put up the tournament brackets. Standing up she moved to look at the finalized brackets. A lot of men had signed up. Of course, they had. After all, this was a chance to show off and earn a favor from the King and Queen. It didn’t make Weiss feel any better about what she was being forced to endure. Not much to enjoy when her birthday was being used as a way to try and find a suitor. 
As Weiss dragged her eyes over the names, two suddenly jumped out at her because they were women's names. Ruby and Maria. Maybe this would be a little less of a sausage fest than she originally thought. ‘Interesting. This will be…interesting.’ She thought as she returned to the shade of the tent, collapsing back into the wooden seat. She reached for her tea, watching as people moved back and forth past the opening, putting the finishing touches on the tournament grounds. Erecting the stands where spectators would sit observing the combatants and a stage where the announcements would be made. 
Speaking of announcements, as the preparations finished the announcer climbed on the stage and spoke into a cone, voice echoing through the grounds. “Will all combatants please make their way to the tournament grounds!” 
“Shall we?” Klein spoke leaning forward, smiling brightly.
Continued on Ao3
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leyleythecannibal · 4 months
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Ch. 2 | A Day Outside School [OC]
*Rose wakes up to her alarm blaring in the morning. She turns it off and turns around in her bed to see Ruby peacefully sleeping. She looks at her face and runs her hand through her sister's hair, wishing she could do this forever. She catches herself and sits up. Despite not wanting to, she gently wakes up her sister*
Ruby: Mhh... Just five more minutes please...
Rose: Come on, just get up.
Ruby: I don't wanna go. I just wanna lay in your bed all day. Can't I just call in sick for today..?
Rose: So you'll leave me alone the whole day?
Ruby: Mmm... Maybe...
Rose: Come on, if you get up, we can hold hands on the way.
Ruby: Really? Okay okay! I'm up!
Rose: Thanks, sis.
*Ruby sits up and hugs her sister. Rose kisses the tip of her nose and hugs her back*
Rose: Morning sleepyhead.
Ruby: Good morning, Rose.
Rose: Not really, I couldn't sleep well because you wouldn't stop squeezing me in your sleep. I'm not letting you sleep in my bed again, go sleep on your own.
Ruby: Sorry, sorry! I promise I won't do it again! Please don't kick me out...
Rose: Okay fine, maybe I won't, I'll have to think about it. Now let's get up. And also put on some pants, please. How do you not get sick sleeping in your underwear?
*They get up, change out of their pajamas together and Ruby goes to the bathroom to do her hair and makeup. When Rose is ready, she goes to check up on her sister and sees her almost done*
Rose: Are you gonna wear your lenses again?
Ruby: Yeah, as always. Why?
Rose: It's just... What's wrong with your pink eyes, do you not like them?
Ruby: No no, I do, and they really suit you well. I just want us to be kinda differentiable, you know?
Rose: Our hairs are already different, you don't need to have green eyes too. And plus, I really like your eyes.
Ruby: I know, but it's also kinda cliché, isn't it? My name is literally Ruby.
Rose: Well my name is Rose, do you think that's also bad? Come on, please don't wear them today...
*They look at each other in silence for a bit before she takes off her green lenses. Rose walks towards her sister and holds her hands*
Rose: You know I don't mean anything hurtful, right? I love you...
Ruby: I know, sis, don't worry. I love you too... Now let's go before we're late.
*They take their bags and leave the house holding hands*
**AFTER SCHOOL**
*Ruby gets in the house first and throws herself on the living room couch. Rose comes in after her, carrying both of their bags*
Rose: Oh please don't bother helping!
Ruby: Well I already wasn't, but if you say so~
Rose: Ugh, you're so annoying sometimes. I'll cook something, what do you want?
Ruby: Nothing, just cook for yourself.
Rose: Right... Sure...
*Rose goes in the kitchen to make lunch. After a while, Ruby gets bored and goes to see what she's doing. She approaches her and hugs her from behind, resting her head on Rose's shoulder*
Rose: Hi there.
Ruby: Just checking in on you.
Rose: You secretly want some food, don't you?
Ruby: As hard as it is to resist your cooking, no.
Rose: Well, suit yourself. You can play with my Switch if you're bored.
Ruby: Thanks, sis. You really are the best.
*Rose turns her head and kisses her before she leaves the kitchen. When she finishes cooking, she sits next to Ruby on the floor between the couch and the short coffee table to watch her game*
Rose: Whatcha doin'?
Ruby: Just Zelda.
Rose: You still haven't finished it?
Ruby: Nah, I don't play too often.
*Rose silently eats her food while watching her play. Then she takes some of the food on her fork, blows on it and brings it to Ruby's lips*
Rose: Open up.
Ruby: Oh no, I won't--
Rose: I said open. Please.
Ruby: But...
Rose: Are you really gonna refuse your sister trying to feed you? Please Ruby, it's been long enough.
*Ruby looks at her sister's worrying eyes and sighs. She takes the bite and Rose cleans the corner of her mouth with her finger and smiles. Ruby puts down the Switch and moves closer to her. Rose hugs her with one arm and feeds her with the other. She takes a bite, and feeds her a bite until they finish the plate*
Rose: You like it?
Ruby: I do, but you made me break my diet.
Rose: Ruby just... Please look at yourself. *Lifts her shirt* Look at how skinny you are. This isn't healthy.
Ruby: ...I guess you're right... I'm sorry for making you worried. But why did you decide to make me eat today, and not any sooner?
Rose: I was just going to leave you be to be honest. But when you came to the kitchen and kissed me... I didn't know starvation had a taste until today... I don't think that disturbing taste will ever leave my mind.
*Ruby tears up and hugs her, planting her face in Rose's shoulder, apologizing over and over until Rose grabs her by the shoulders and pulls her away to look in her eyes*
Rose: You don't have to apologize, Ruby. All I ask from you, is to never make me taste that horrid taste again. Can you do that for me?
*Ruby smiles while crying and nodes, causing Rose to pull her in, kiss her forehead and hug her. Ruby hugs her back and silently sobs on her shoulder as Rose runs her hand through her sister's hair while whispering in her hear that it's okay*
Rose: There, there. Don't get me wrong please, I love you and will always love you however you are, I'm not mad, I'm just worried about your health.
Ruby: I know, sis, I know. I'm sorry...
Rose: Shh, it's alright. Let's go watch a movie to get your mind off this.
*They go put on a movie and they snuggle on the couch. As they're watching the movie, they both slowly drift into sleep*
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Dil Na Jaaneya ~ The Heart Doesn't Know
Book : Open Heart Book 1 (Set between ch. 10 & 11)
Pairing : Dr. Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Dr. Meera Bose)
Summary : Tensions run high between Ethan and Meera as a Valentine's Day Compatibility Quiz bring their feelings to the surface.
Category : Fluffy Angst
Warnings : None
Rating : General
Word Count : 3808 (this is longer than I wanted it to be but it'll be worth it I promise)
Trope : Valentine's Day, Pining
A/N 1 : Valentine's fic in September who am I? 😂 This is a request from dearest Ruby @starrystarrytrouble from this prompt list, still accepting requests if y'all want to send some in. Thank you so much for sending it, the prompt will appear in bold. ❤️
A/N 2 : This fic is inspired by Never Have I Ever season 3 episode 3, if you have watched it you know exactly what I am talking about. This is also my late submission for @choices-september-challenge-blog Day 2 : Cliffhanger Ending. Buckle up and get ready for the Angst, Happy Reading! 💜
Song inspo for title :
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Out of all the things in the world Meera certainly did not expect the burst of pink, red, glitter, roses and balloons all over the hospital lobby when she stepped into it for a twelve hour shift. It was too early for all the cheer of celebrating a consumerist and frankly stupid holiday and she didn't need the reminder of being single. Well not exactly single, after the Miami conference but it was complicated to say the least.
Pushing all such thoughts away, Meera mentally prepared herself for a long shift because such holidays tend to bring out the stupidity in people and the hospitals have a field day, also being an intern she didn't have the luxury of staying in bed all day and finishing three pints of ice-cream like she would very much have liked to.
Putting on her best pre-coffee smile Meera approached the nurses' station to log in for the day. Marlene handed her several case files and a glittery pink envelope with a heart in the center and her name printed in bold elegant letters.
"What's this?" Meera asked, intrigued.
"Oh! You remember that HR evaluation sheet everybody had to fill out a couple of weeks back?" Marlene said clearly excited.
"Uh-huh."
"Well, it wasn't actually for HR. It was a compatibility test to see who you are most compatible with among the entire EB staff!"
"Wow!" Meera put on a fake smile clearly not being able to understand the enthusiasm behind this.
"I know! Right? The nurses organized it, I mean we all work so hard we should get the opportunity to play as hard right? Listen," Marlene leaned in conspiratorially, "just let me know, who you got there and I'll give him your number. You gotta loosen up girl! Go out, have some fun!"
"Thanks Marlene, I'll be sure to let you know," Meera smiled back, moving away from the nurses' station and heaving a sigh of relief as soon as she turned away.
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"So now we are getting scammed at work?" Meera walked into the locker room, clearly frustrated.
"Yup, the day isn't far when they'll make us sign bonds for our organs in the name of HR evaluations," Jackie scoffed while tying her shoes.
"Exactly! I mean please let just agree that this quiz is stupid and it's like a bunch of high school crap."
"I think it's sweet," Sienna said, "Look who I got!" she said excitedly, passing the card to Meera.
Your Perfect Match is : DANNY CARDINAL (78% compatible)
"OMG Si! Way to go!" Meera enveloped her fellow dolphin in a hug.
"Hey Sienna," Danny's voice makes them break apart. "I got you too!" he said smiling from ear to ear.
"Really?" Sienna managed to say, as colours rose to her cheeks.
"Aww, look at you two!" Meera was so happy for her friend.
"Whatever, dude," Jackie rolled her eyes. "I still think it's stupid."
"Actually, it's quite scientific, this quiz was made on the basis of a study conducted by MIT researchers on human behavior and psychology," Danny informed.
"I don't think it's stupid," Landry now joined in the conversation. "See, who I got," he held up his card for everyone to see :
Your Perfect Match is : ETHAN RAMSEY (53% compatible)
Meera's eyes went wide and she could not help but feel a pang of jealousy hammer against her heart. The others in the locker room also went still with shock.
"I mean he is my medical idol, and I think he'll appreciate the scientific compatibility that is between the two of us," Landry rambled on alone.
"You know what, I think I'll show this to him today and maybe ask…" suddenly conscious of the silent locker room and everyone's eyes on him, Landry shoved the card inside his scrub pocket and awkwardly left the room.
"Wow, that was a surprise," Sienna broke the silence with a concerned look at Meera.
"Yeah, he actually rigged the test," Danny said.
"He did what?" the jealousy in Meera's heart slowly dying down.
"He actually bribed one of the nurses to get into Dr. Ramsey's answers and tried to match it up," Danny informed once again.
"See another reason why this is dumb," Jackie bit into her apple.
"Anyways, Si, if you are free tonight, maybe…" Danny paused clearly looking nervous, "we can get drinks?"
Meera could see the happiness in Sienna's eyes.
"Sorry Danny, I have plans with Wayne tonight," Sienna answered, unable to look at him directly. "But let's reschedule? First round on me!"
"Sure, of course," Danny smiled, "I'll get back to work."
"You okay, Si?" Meera asked as she plopped on the bench.
After taking a few deep breaths Sienna answered, "yeah, but enough about me, tell me who you got?"
"Me? Si that's not necessary."
"Yes Bose, I want to know too," Jackie smirked.
"It's no one… I don't even know him…"
"Now you are making me even more intrigued."
Jackie's words seemed to corner Meera as she desperately searched her brain for an answer.
"Hey, hey, what's up everybody?" Bryce's jovial voice, seemed to dissipate the tension.
"Ugh, how many times do I have to tell you this is a no scalpel jockey zone," Jackie rolled her eyes.
"Jokes on you because I am not alone today, meet my friend Lucas."
Meera looked upto see a pair of chocolate brown eyes looking deep into hers. On eye contact Lucas looked down shyly, that’s when Meera took in the man’s physique. Well built, almost at the same height as Bryce and brown locks adorning the forehead.
“Go on buddy,” Bryce patted his back encouragingly.
Lucas approached Meera and handed her the now familiar envelope. Confused, Meera opened it to reveal :
Your Perfect Match is : MEERA BOSE (85% compatible)
“Just a heads up, Lucas here has had a crush on you since the beginning, but never got the courage to approach you, and you know with the impersonation of cupid that I am, I couldn’t sit with my arms folded,”Bryce gloated.
Lucas looked up hopefully at her. Suddenly aware of all the eyes boring into her, Meera did the only thing her brain could come up with.
“Lucas!!” Meera put on the biggest smile she possibly could. “You know, I got you too,” she turned to look at Jackie. “What a coincidence.”
“Really?” Lucas’s smile could light up a village, “Listen, if it’s okay with you… would you… like…” Lucas gulpped “like… to… go out with me… tonight?“
Oh shit! Meera thought, what else was she expecting? Come on brain think of something. Just as she was about to open her mouth Lucas’ pager went off.
“Sorry!” he hurriedly looked at it. “I need to go,” he smiled leaving the rest of the interns.
“So? What do you think Bose? Did I do a good job?” Bryce winked.
“Sure,” Jackie answered instead, “he looked like he would suffer an aneurysm, if Meera said no. I just don’t see how they are compatible, again more proof that this whole thing is stupid.”
“Its not stupid, and I am going to prove it to you,” Bryce handed his card to Jackie.
Jackie skimmed over it and handed it over to Meera with a dry laugh. “Good luck meathead, you’re gonna need it.”
Your Perfect Match is : INES DELAROSA (69% compatible)
“But Ines is… “ Sienna tried to warn Bryce but Jackie’s one look made her stop.
Ines poked her head into the locker room, “guys rounds in ten.”
“Hey, Ines,” Bryce leaned against the door frame. "I know, I should start with Dr. Delarosa but let's just skip beating round the bush. So you know this little compatibility test going around the hospital?" Bryce handed her his card and a very shocked Ines accepted it. "What do you say to a little wine and dine tonight?" Bryce completes with a bow.
"Wow!" Ines is still a little dumbfounded. "I am going to try to make this as gentle as possible, Dr. Lahela I hate to break it to you I am gay."
"Wh-what?"
"And even if I wasn't, you wouldn't be my type," Ines handed him his card back and left with a polite smile.
"Damn!" Sienna said.
"He certainly did not expect that," Meera laughed as Bryce still could not comprehend what had just happened.
"She is joking right? Playing hard to get?"
"No, meathead," Jackie hit his arm playfully. "That's why I said this whole thing is just stupid."
Bryce watched Jackie intently. "Who did you get Varma?"
"How is that relevant?" Jackie became defensive at once.
"You have been against this quiz the whole time and it makes me very intrigued to know who is on your card."
"So what? Bose thinks it is stupid too."
"Yeah but we know her perfect match, yours though remains a mystery."
"And that's the way it'll stay," Jackie tries to make a run for it but Bryce easily blocks her and plucks the card out from her white coat pocket.
"Hey! Give that back!" as Jackie protested, Bryce tossed the card towards Meera who opened it at once :
Your Perfect Match is : HARPER EMERY (77% compatible)
"Jackie! This is good," Meera exclaimed. "She is smart, intelligent, attractive and totally your type why are you hiding this?"
"Yeah but she is Harper Emery," Jackie plucked the card out of Meera's hand. "Like the Harper Emery, chief of medicine, our boss. Do you think it's ever going to work out?"
Meera knew that was a rhetorical question but boy did it hit home.
"Yeah she is smart, intelligent and attractive but I don't even know if she likes women? And I am not about to embarrass myself like Lahela here," Jackie rolled her eyes.
"Aww, Jackie!" Sienna started approaching her.
"Don't try to hug me Trinh," Jackie warned. "Let's just get to work and get over with today."
As the interns slowly emptied the locker room. Meera could not help but look at her own envelope. Intrigued, she had opened it on the elevator itself and the name on it had left her speechless. With a deep breath she opened it once again :
Your Perfect Match is : ETHAN RAMSEY (98% compatible)
She moved her fingers over his name as memories of Miami seeped back in. She dried off the single tear that escaped, before securely putting the envelope in her locker and putting on her white coat.
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As the day moved on the cheer of Valentine's Day didn't seem to die down. Patients had caught onto the compatibility quiz and pestered to know the answer for every doctor they met. The gossip and rumor mill was actively running with all sorts of news.
Meera had just finished a consult and was discussing the case with Sienna when she spotted him. Standing at the nurses' station, frustration clearly marked all over his face, trying to make quick work of the charts he is signing. But what happened next kept the entire hospital reeling.
"Dr. Ramsey…" Landry approached Ethan.
"Yes?" he said without looking up from his chart.
"So… you must have heard about the compatibility test going around the hospital today?" Obtaining no reaction from Ethan whatsoever Landry continued, "you know it's developed by MIT researchers and… it's highly scientific." Landry stopped to inhale, "and I know how much you… love… scientific analysis, so…" he then tried to open his envelope and takeout his card but dropped it and another couple of charts instead.
After muttering a curse under his breath he stooped down to pick it up. When he finally stood again, he saw Ethan's blue eyes staring into his, expression unreadable as always.
"So…" Landry extended his card with shaking hands, "I just wanted… to… let you know… scientifically you and… I… are compatible," he stopped to see if there was any change in expression, but it remained the same.
"And if you… umm you… you…" as Landry grasped for his next words, Ethan Ramsey cleared his throat.
"Are you done with this? Dr…" his heavy baritone voice making the entire hospital silent.
"Olsen," Landry completed in a timid voice, handing him his card.
"I can take this off your hands," Ethan takes the card and rips it off in half and that half in another half until nothing but pieces of paper remain scattered on the floor. "Your hands were so full with that you seemed to have lost track of your actual duty, what you are paid to do," he said handing atleast two dozen case files to Landry. "These are your assigned cases for the day, I want them all done before you leave the hospital premises today, get back to work Dr…"
"Olsen," Landry's voice now so small he himself couldn't hear it.
"Yes, Olsen, get back to work, you have a long day ahead."
With that Ethan Ramsey made his way towards the elevator leaving behind a shocked, silent audience of hospital staffs. But not before he stole a glance at the familiar brown eyes, and curly hair. Before his eyes could wander further down her body, he schooled his features and left.
Ethan walked into his office. The heavy glass doors cutting off the hospital noises and providing him respite from the horrendous holiday being celebrated all over. He sighed at the sight of the pink envelope peeking from the middle of his stack of paperwork.
He wanted to throw it away, tear it even but he found his heart betraying his brain as he reached for the envelope and put it securely on his inner left coat pocket. The envelope now rested over his heart, ironically mocking the person he is slowly growing to be.
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He could hear her infectious laughter, echoing from the walls of the abandoned new wing of the hospital. Ethan stopped at the threshold of Naveen's cabin, drawing in a breath, he put on a professional face.
"Keep it down Naveen, you are going to give away our secret hiding spot."
"I can't," Naveen doubled down with laughter, "you have to listen to what this Lahela guy did today!"
As Naveen and Meera share another laugh, Ethan rolled his eyes. "Any new updates, Dr. Bose?"
"Yes!" Meera quickly goes back to her game face, "the oxygen level seems to improve and so does the sodium-potassium levels, I think we should stick to this treatment plan for a few more days."
"Boring!" Naveen comments as Meera hands over the tablet for Ethan to review. "Give me more details Meera, who did the others get on their compatibility test?"
"You seem interested enough," Ethan says nonchalantly.
"Ofcourse I am! I might be in the hospital but I miss all the shenanigans and gossip! You know, Meera if I was still there, I bet I would have atleast a dozen matches!"
"Sure Dr. Banerji," Meera chuckled, "I am sure you have a lot of game."
"Yes I do! And I believe to pass some of it onto my mentee as well but he seems to not enjoy it. Please tell me Ethan, I'm fortunate enough to know who is on your card?"
"No."
"You are no fun! Meera here is gonna share with us. Won't you dear?"
Meera's heart skipped a beat, she nervously sneeked a glance at Ethan. He seemed engrossed in the chart but she could swear he looked up to meet her eyes for a split second.
"Come on! Don't deprive an old sick man of gossip," Naveen's voice cut through Meera's train of thoughts.
"Lucas Whitlock," Meera said, keeping a close eye on Ethan out of the corner of her eyes.
"Who?" Ethan shouted in his head as Naveen actually said it.
"He a surgical intern and one of Bryce's friends."
"So how is this Lucas? Is he handsome? Did he ask you out?" as Naveen launched into a string of questions Ethan adjusted the dosages of the medicines and quickly took his leave.
No matter how much he tried convincing himself, his heart still wasn't ready to handle the image of her with someone else.
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Meera sat on one of the benches in the locker room giving her joints a much needed massage. She looked at the red bodycon dress hanging in her locker and didn't know why her heart sank at the thought of getting ready to go out with Lucas. She was very much tempted to go home and spend the night with ice-cream like she had originally planned.
A soft sob drawed Meera's attention towards the bathroom. A decked up Sienna made her way out and Meera jumped to her feet to help her sit down.
"Hey, hey, hey Si. What happened?"
"Wayne…" Sienna dabbed at her eyeliner stained cheek, "he can't make it… again!"
"Oh Si!" Meera pulled her in an embrace as she emptied her heart out. "It's okay, he doesn't deserve you."
As the tears dried up Meera helped Sienna clean up her makeup. "You know what we should do? Let's get the biggest pint of ice-cream and put on a sappy movie! The best way to celebrate Valentine's Day!" Meera tried making her friend smile.
"No! I can't do that to you. You have been through so much lately you deserve to have fun!"
"We will have fun Si! We don't need no man! And you out of all people know that I can't go out with Lucas." Meera sighed a distant look on her face.
"Don't do this to yourself Meera," Sienna reached for her hands. "I know what's going on in your heart, but that shouldn't stop you from having fun. Go out, enjoy yourself! It doesn't have to mean anything."
"Okay," taking in a deep breath Meera said. "but on one condition, you will have to go out with Danny."
"Meera! It's not the same."
"Take your own advice Si. Just go out and have fun, it doesn't have to mean anything."
The dolphins shared a long look and after some more encouragement from Meera, Sienna agreed.
"Yay!" Meera squealed. "Let's fix your make up."
Sienna chuckled as the two of them got ready.
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Meera stood at the hospital lobby, waiting for her "date". It felt weird even if she didn't say it out loud. She looked around, the compatible test had actually helped a lot of people get into the Valentines spirit.
"Wow!" a voice caught her attention. Dressed in jeans and a blazer Lucas could easily blend in with the crowd but once you meet those brown orbs he is hard to be missed. "You look…"
"very appropriate" the voice in her head completed.
"amazing!" Lucas said.
"You look great too," Meera manages a smile.
"You ready to go?" he extends his hand.
Meera nods, avoiding his extended hand. As the two stepped towards the exit Meera looks back at the hospital one last time for that night only to find the pair of Miami blue eyes on her from the balcony on the second floor. Her world seemed to stop as she sensed regret in those eyes but it was all gone too soon. He carefully looked at her one last time as if memorising each and every detail before moving out of her vision.
"Hey, you okay?" Lucas asked concerned since she hadn't moved in the past two minutes.
Meera gives a small nod and heads out of the hospital with long strides not looking back to see if Lucas was following her.
The night seemed to be going well? If by well it meant trying to stay sober even after having too many drinks. Lucas was great, they had pleasant conversation and he was great company but yet all Meera could think about was her boss' face and the look in his eyes. Yeah boss she'd drink to that Meera smiled to herself picking up her glass and bringing to her lips.
"Earth to Meera!" Lucas' voice broke Meera out of her trance not for the first time that night.
"I'm sorry!" Meera felt really guilty, "I am just a little distracted."
"Yeah a little," Lucas shifted in his seat uncomfortably.
Damn! You make even the nicest of people loose their calm. What an awful person are you?
"Wanna dance?" Meera offered.
"Sure. Why not," she was relieved to see the smile back on Lucas' face.
Meera took his hand this time and made her way to the dance floor. Their rhythm was out of beat sometimes but Meera was starting to have fun. After a few songs the music in the bar shifted to a slow romantic one and Lucas pulled her close in an embrace.
Suddenly it wasn't fun anymore, Meera felt her throat closing up, but before she could protest, she found Lucas leaning in waiting for her to meet him halfway.
I'm beginning to realize… there are some things that are worth any risk.
"I'm sorry," she uttered.
"What?"
"I'm sorry I have to go," Meera untangles herself.
"Meera, wait! Did I make a mistake? We can work it out, I promise."
She nods negatively, unable to look at him, "I made a mistake and I'll have to rectify it." She rushes out of the bar as tears break free from her eyes.
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On the other side of Boston, Ethan Ramsey entered his dark, lonely alcove. Not feeling the need to turn the lights on he stood in front of the floor to ceiling window which illuminated a magical picture of the Boston skyline but prevented the Valentine cheer to enter the soulless apartment.
He closed his eyes desperately trying to remove the scandalous image of one doey-eyed intern clad in luxurious red, hugging and amplifying each of her curves and the things he could do to her if… if he allowed himself to.
Shaking his head he headed into the kitchen, he needed a stiff drink or even two if he wanted to survive the night. He rolled up his sleeves, loosened his tie and settled down to nurture a glass of his favorite scotch, when the familiar pink envelope caught his eye.
He had no one to hide from here, he was all alone, with that thought he swiftly opened it. His heart hurt for the umpteenth time that day as he read the word imprinted over and over again.
Your Perfect Match is : MEERA BOSE (97% compatible)
Just as he was about to pour himself another glass to drown in his sorrow, a knock on his door made him stop. Surprised and confused he opened the door and was met with Meera.
Her eyes now red to match her dress, hair all over her face and heels on one hand.
"Hi," she said in a shaking voice.
"You shouldn't be here," it took every ounce of strength for him to utter those four words.
"I know. But I have nowhere else to go."
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If you don't know, Harper and Jackie end up together in my universe. 😇
Thank you so much if you have read till here, it means the world to me. Hope to see you go on other different adventures with me, Ethan and Meera, till then sending love and hugs your way! ❤️
Perma : @starrystarrytrouble @quixoticdreamer16 @coffeeheartaddict2 @liaromancewriter @tessa-liam @gryffindordaughterofathena @crazy-loca-blog @zahrachoices @bex-la-get @potionsprefect @schnitzelbutterfingers @a-crepusculo @custaroonie @aishwarya26
Ethan x Meera : @jerzwriter @wanderingamongthewildflowers @takemyopenheart
+ @openheartfanfics, @choicesficwriterscreations, @choices-september-challenge-blog
Please let me know if you want to be added or removed. 💜
P.S. : I know I am a little behind on my reading but I promise to catch up on it during the weekend. 💕
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