#vincent foredale

[storyofmychoices]

SpreadJoy #834: spreading positivity with quotes and @playchoices characters.

Quote by Roy T Bennett

#Vincent Foredale #desire and decorm #earl of edgewater #choices #playchoices #choices game #choices spreadjoy #spreadjoy #roy t bennett

[princess-geek]

Vincent Foredale, Earl of Edgewater - The man behind the title

Vincent Rupert Alexander August Foredale is the only son of Dominique Margaret (granddaughter of the Duke of Fydelia and daughter of his second-born son, the Cordonian ambassador to England) and the Earl of Edgewater, Rupert Archibald Foredale. He was named after an ancestor who was known for spying for both sides during the Wars of the Roses. 

Despite Rupert's reluctance to break the tradition, due to Dominique's previous complications, he was born at the City of London Maternity Hospital on April 25, 1968. Vincent was the first Foredale baby not to be born on the Edgewater or at the family London Estate. In August of the same year, he was baptised at Moorefield Church. Queen Elizabeth II and his son, the Prince of Wales, were their godparents. 

Contradicting the fears of breaking the tradition, Vincent was a healthy and playful baby.  

Until the age of five, Vincent spent his days between the nursery and the gardens, playing with his neighbour and best friend, Matthew Sinclaire. Together, the two boys spent countless hours doing all kinds of mischief: scaring the swans of Edgewater Lake (and running away from them), playing with the hunting dogs (something Rupert had prohibited), playing pranks on the employees of both estates or simply eating mud like all the children do (yes, rich children eat mud too). 

Determined to make his son a man in his image, Rupert hired a strict tutor who imposed on the boy a rigid study schedule, to which the Earl added even more rules. 

Encouraged by his mother, Vincent did his best to meet his father's high expectations. Nevertheless, before his son's achievements, the Earl reacted with indifference or sharp criticism.  Feeling that his best was never enough made Vincent grow apart from his father through the years. 

For that reason, going to Eton at the age of thirteen was almost a liberation for him. Although the young viscount often chose books and chess, Vincent, along with Matthew and other companions, lived the typical young boys' adventures. 

One of the things he learned during that time was how to ride a motorcycle. A colleague who lived in the city taught him and the other boys in an open field near the college.

The exception was Miss Campbell (code name among Vincent's friends, 'Miss Candy Eyes'), the young man's first love. The girl worked after school at her parents' candy store in Windsor. Despite Matthew being the first to try to ask her out, the girl preferred to take out the quiet young Vincent. After those rendezvouses at Windsor, Vincent came back to Eton covered in sugar and cheap lipstick. 

Still at Eton, Vincent discovered another passion – writing. Writing had become an escape for the teenage Vincent to deal with the turbulence of the adventure of growing up. His first experiences were some cheesy poems dedicated to Miss Campbell and a small Shakespearean-inspired play written for a literature class project. He tried to write a short novel but became too frustrated with its and his imperfections to continue the story. 

After finishing his studies at Eton, and again following the old family tradition, he continued his studies at the University of Cambridge. There, he studied History and Political Science.  

After a couple of years' break, Vincent ventured again into the universe of writing.  

Inspired by the Cambridge atmosphere, Vincent drafted many stories, wrote several poems, and finished his first novel, a romance between an English spy and a French prostitute during the Napoleonic Wars. It had some flaws, but an editor showed interest in the story.  

Unsurprisingly, Rupert did not allow the negotiations to move forward because "It was a waste of time, and being a writer was not a dignified occupation for a future Earl, especially a quixotic run-of-the-mill writer like you."  

Feeling discouraged, he quit writing for years. 

Despite Vincent having graduated with distinction, Rupert did not let him help with the family business or get a steady regular job. And God knows how Vincent tried. He knew his duty and knew he was capable of doing it.  

At the same time, his mother was trying to force him on every high-society girl he came across. Dominique insisted that getting married and having children would give him a purpose in life until he became an earl. To make her point, she didn't tire of talking in the case of his best friend, Matthew Sinclaire. The master of Ledford Park, once an epic rake, had fallen in love, and now it was an example of the wonders conjugal happiness brings to a man. In fact, Lydia Sinclaire herself had confirmed she was finally expecting. 

He dated some of those women to please his mother, but never felt a connection with any of them. Furthermore, he did not wish to drag anyone into a relationship or marriage of convenience. 

Frustrated and somewhat out of spite, Vincent allowed himself to get lost in the bohemian life of London's high society for some time. However, that only made his heart feel emptier. Fearing for his friend's sanity, Matthew helped him find a suitable job at the British Museum that not even Rupert could raise objections to.  

In the meantime, Theodore and Matthew joined the countess on the mission to find him a girlfriend. The viscount was exasperated with the matchmakers. 

One night, the Sinclaires threw a party at the Trafalgar St. James. As usual, he had spent the night running away from potential suitors and making small talk. Fed up with the fancy party, Vincent was considering leaving when he heard a voice that filled the imposing ballroom. It was the most beautiful thing he had ever witnessed. His heart stopped, but Vincent had never felt so alive.  

Bewitched, he didn’t mind exposing himself to shame in front of the hundreds of illustrious guests to get a chance to see her again. Even if nervous, Vincent played and sang with all his heart, hoping to reach her heart. To this day, some of the party guests still remember his surprising performance. 

Maybe Mary couldn't be considered extraordinarily beautiful by most people, but there was something unique about her that made him want to look at her for the rest of his life – Would be her bright eyes? Her sweet smile with a mischievous promise on her lips? The unruly waves of her chocolate hair? 

If her voice and beauty had amazed him, her soul entranced him. Mary was different from any other woman Vincent had encountered.  

Although, in her words, she was "poor, but the queen of herself," Mary had no problems opening her heart, talking about her dreams, the wounds she carried, the flaws she had... Mary was completely genuine in everything she said and did. 

That night, he knew he was hopelessly, deeply, and wholeheartedly in love with her. When Mary fell asleep on his chest, Vincent thought he would die of happiness. Kissing her was as natural as breathing. It was the meeting of two souls. 

For almost two years, Vincent lived in seventh heaven. He never felt so happy as he was with Mary. Whether it was a weekend away or a Sunday afternoon spent playing card games on the floor of Mary's flat (she was a very good player), all the moments together were sublime, the pinnacle of freedom and happiness. He was finally discovering his true self. 

However, there was a shadow between them.  

Outside their love bubble, his world was complicated and hard-hearted. He wanted to protect Mary from the weight of his duties, even if it involved some lies and omissions. Mary herself was in no hurry to enter this world. Although the world had changed, she was aware that Vincent would need some time. 

Still and all, Vincent proposed to Mary, and she said yes. He still didn't know exactly how or when, but the queen of his heart would also be the queen of everything that was his.  

In his dreams, Vincent would have offered her the family engagement ring. However, for now, the discreet diamond would have to be enough to witness their love. 

But life tricked the young viscount. Weeks later they got engaged, Vincent found out his father had made some ruinous investments. After years of spending on pomp and pageantry, the family had no funds available. They were at risk of losing their properties and possessions. Matthew was working with him to find a solution, however, the more they dug, the more problems they found.  

His heart was torn between his duty and Mary. 

When his father proposed a marriage with Henrietta Marlcaster (widow of the fat cat Mr. Marlcaster), Vincent seriously considered eloping with Mary, but after some reflection, he decided to pretend to accept the arrangement to buy some more time. 

The plan seemed to work for a while until, on one fateful February Sunday morning, his dreams shattered. The Sunday Times pompously announced to the world that the Viscount Vincent Foredale and the esteemed Lady Henrietta Marlcaster were engaged to be married. He didn't have time to break the news to Mary. She found out while waiting in line to buy bread for their Sunday breakfast. 

Seeing Mary devastated because of him was the worst pain he had ever experienced. Even though she refused to see him, and wedding preparations had been hurried, Vincent kept fighting to get out of the engagement.  

For the first time in his life, Vincent faced his father. Mary was worth a war with a battalion of enraged Rupert's. 

Obviously, for his parents, giving up on the marriage with Henrietta was off the table. They needed her money to stay afloat. Besides, it would be a scandal.  

The young viscount threatened them that he would give up everything to marry Mary. Rupert laughed disdainfully in his face. 

“If she was, rich or had a title, maybe something could be done. But a singer coming from nowhere... that would be the final nail in our coffin.” Dominique appealed to her son. 

After this argument, Vincent left home for a few weeks. 

He looked for Mary everywhere. It seemed as if she had simply vanished into thin air. Vincent was desperate. 

As the weeks passed, the creditors increased the pressure. His mother has started selling things. Every time he came home, something was missing. One day, on one of the rare occasions he was at Edgewater during that period, Vincent found his mother talking to an auctioneer. He was appraising the bust of Venus, a piece he knew that meant a lot to her. It was part of her dowry and one of her last connections to her homeland. 

Seeing the sadness in her mother’s eyes made him feel guilty and selfish. Their family legacy was dying piece by piece. 

"We mean more than ourselves. We are our legacy."  Vincent had grown up under that mantra. That idea haunted his thoughts day and night. 

 During those troubled days, Vincent made the most difficult decision of his life. Since he had failed in love, he was determined not to fail in his duty. Even if that duty was making him deny his heart and principles. 

So, on the 2nd of May 1994, he married Henrietta Marlcaster at Moorefield Church, in a sumptuous ceremony paid for by the bride. 

As agreed, after the wedding, the new viscountess paid off half of the family's debts. The other half would only be paid when she had a child in her arms, her security for the rest of her life. 

Pressured by the urgency of the situation, Vincent tried his best. His herculean effort paid off and shortly after, Henrietta got pregnant, and Harry was born on March 30 of 1995. 

The duty was fulfilled: the debts were paid, Edgewater was rising from the ashes, and there was a new heir. 

Satisfied that everything went as he had planned, Rupert changed his attitude towards Vincent, treating him like a "prodigal son." Unfortunately, the late redemption was not enough to heal their relationship. Vincent could not forget or forgive what had happened in his childhood, nor forced marriage, much less Mary's disappearance. Although he had no proof, Vincent had always suspected that it had been his father's work. 

When Rupert Foredale died at the turn of the millennium, Vincent did not cry for his father's death. 

He worked hard, but within a few years, Vincent had returned every penny to his wife. 

Though, that didn't heal his heart. To ease his pain, he focused on his new family. Although the marriage started out as a nightmare, Vincent built a (most of the days) cordial relationship with his wife, maintaining a peaceful coexistence.  

On the other hand, Edmund (Henrietta's son from her first marriage) and Harry were the centre of his world. Initially, Edmund did not react well to either the marriage or his brother's birth. After almost a year of attempts to get closer to the boy and a lot of tantrums, Edmund let Vincent into his life. The Earl was determined to learn from his father's mistakes and give his children the love and support he never felt. 

At the same time, the new Earl resurrected the family's patronising and charitable spirit. The region's inhabitants noticed the difference in attitude between father and son. Vincent was approachable and kind-hearted, therefore, everyone felt free to come to him. 

In all those years, there wasn't a single day that Vincent didn't think about Mary. He had never stopped loving her. He wondered where she was, if she had got married, if she had children, if she had moved to the USA... Every day he missed her more and regretted letting her go. Sometimes, he thought to look for her, but the more time passed, the more ashamed he felt about his actions. The last thing he wanted was to hurt her again with his ghost. 

On an unusually sunny morning in December 2004, life had the biggest surprises in store for him. 

When the friendly Mrs. Daly told him she was a friend of Mary's, Vincent almost fell out of his chair. It filled his heart with hope, just to be broken by the fatal news: Mary was dead. Vincent felt the cold taking over his body. For a few seconds, he couldn’t breathe. The pain in his heart spread throughout his body. Vincent thought he was going to die right then and there. 

While he was still lost in the wave of pain and despair, Mrs. Daly revealed another plot twist: Mary had a child. He had a daughter. Their daughter.  If only he had known that Mary was pregnant... How would their daughter be like? Would she be happy to meet him? There was a whirlwind of emotions in his heart. Vincent had never felt so sad and so happy in his life. 

When Mrs. Daly told him the girl's name was Beatrice, his heart skipped a beat. Several times during their long pillow talks, they had talked that if they had a daughter, it would be Beatrice, "like the Dante's muse." 

He was amazed. Vincent felt his heart melting in love as he saw the pictures of Beatrice.  Tears fell uncontrollably down his cheeks, despite the wide smile on his face.  

She was his second chance to love Mary, and he wouldn’t let his love down again.  

Since day one, Beatrice was the light of his life, not only because of the love she represented but also because of the girl she was and became through the years. Father and daughter had a strong bond, which sometimes caused some misunderstandings between the children. 

After Beatrice came into his life, Vincent felt like he was reborn. If life had given him that second chance, maybe it was time to pursue other dreams. Mainly encouraged by his daughter, Vincent came back to writing, and his "run-of-the-mill writing" won over the English and success beyond borders, as Mary had always predicted. 

Matthew's death threatened to tear him apart. A part of himself had also been reduced to ashes in that fire, but now Vincent had a new responsibility - taking care of the legacy of his best friend and of his most precious treasure - Ernest. And Vincent did it with all of his heart. 

Unfortunately, he continued to be haunted by the shadows for the rest of his days. 

This is Vincent Foredale. A man who suffered as much as he loved. A man who fought for his dreams, silencing the mockers. A man who rebuilt his home from the ashes. A man who sacrificed himself for those he loved. A man who genuinely sought to help the disadvantaged. A man who never allowed the bitterness of life to harden his heart. 

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#desire and decorum #unspoken desires #vincent foredale #earl of edgewater

[missameliep]

Second Chances - Chapter Twenty Three: Racing Hearts

Book: Desire and Decorum – Modern AU  Pairing: Prince Hamid x Elizabeth (OC) Rating: Teen and Up (there are some swearing) Word count: ~10K

Summary: Hearts are racing faster than the horses at Edgewater. The new day begins and is more eventful than Elizabeth and her friends could have anticipated.

Characters: Elizabeth Foredale (OC); Prince Hamid; Briar Daly; Edmund Marlcaster, Annabelle Parsons; Luke Harper; Vincent Foredale; Theresa Sutton.

Notes:  * All characters belong to Pixelberry, except OC. * I want to thank @princess-geek and @noesapphic for being my betas in this chapter. Thank you, girls, you're awesome! * Non-English words at the notes in the end. * Your eyes do not deceive you, after a year without updates, a new chapter dropped. Sorry about the lack of updates, I hope to finish editing the next chapter in the next days. * This is my submission to @choicesjanuarychallenge day 8: Clear | Stormy | Travel.

“Are you telling Hamid?” Briar asked, glancing at Elizabeth lying beside her and staring unblinking at the ceiling.

“I guess that’s not something you just... say...”

“What then? Will you text him?”

“How would I even start a conversation like that through text?”

“Nudes proved to be extremely effective icebreakers.”

Nervously, Elizabeth giggled; not entirely sure her friend was joking.

“I don’t know... If it feels... right, I’ll try to be more assertive next time we’re together...”

“Assertive?” Briar laughed and rolled over to her side, throwing her black hair back and propping her cheek in one hand. “You must flirt back. Be seductive.”

“I have no idea how to do any of that. I’ll embarrass myself if I try.”

“I can teach you.”

“Believe me. I’m unteachable when it comes to these sorts of things,” Elizabeth laughed, remembering her friend Renata’s attempts to get her out of her shell and make a move on one of her first crushes.

“Trust me. My techniques are infallible!” she nudged her friend.

“You sound like a cartoon villain!” she giggled.

“I didn’t hear a no.”

“It’s late. Time to sleep.”

“Can I stay?" Briar curled like a cat nestling over the duvet with her arms around her torso. "I’m so comfortable right now...”

“Sure. But my alarm clock will ring in –” Elizabeth reached the mobile over the nightstand and squinted her eyes to see the time. “– 4 hours.”

“Why?”

“I have to check the horses and the preparations for our picnic before breakfast.”

“Nope... I’m heading out –” Briar rolled out of the bed, put on the slippers and walked to the door. “– But good luck with all of that. Sleep tight.”

“You too.” Elizabeth smiled, going under the duvet while the other closed the door quietly.

As the antique pendulum floor clock at the foyer chimed when the small hand reaches eleven, the soles of the riding boots clicked sharply against the wood when Elizabeth ran down the stairs two steps at a time. Luckily, Lady Dominique was nowhere around to chastise her for such an improper behaviour and remind the rules inside the manor.

The apparent misbehave has a reason: the weather forecast changed, and rainstorms are expected sooner than previous announcements. They must hurry and leave now if they want to go out for a horse ride, have a picnic like planned and be back safely and dry at the manor.

Nevertheless, getting everybody ready is a nearly impossible task. The schedule got delayed by an hour because her friends would not get up at the agreed hour or stop debating in the group chat whether they should or should not go to the pub at Moorfield this evening; even Edmund joined their discussions. Only Hamid remained silent; nobody heard from him since they retreated to their rooms the night before and he vanished from his room early in the morning.

“He will be back in time. Don’t worry, Lizzy,” Briar texted her back, but she can’t help it but worrying.

She wished he had told anyone where he went by himself. The property has many paths through the woods, which can be confusing to those not used to them, and Hamid is the impulsive kind of guy to get too far and lost. Not to mention the boars. If he’s hurt nobody would even know where to start looking for him...

Why am I thinking of all these horrible scenarios?

“That’s ridiculous,” she tells herself. “The universe is not working against me. Right?”

Another message from the group: no news from Hamid, but they are talking about second-breakfast and elevenses now. She deletes the angry cat emoji she was about to send; they are probably messing with her, and she won’t give them the satisfaction.

Finally, she understands why Lady Dominique is so strict about punctuality and is on the verge of forgetting manners and leaving behind whomever is not ready in fifteen minutes… Evidently, she would never be that rude, but the thought crosses her mind anyway.

Dashing into the ground floor while texting Edmund about Hamid’s whereabouts, she collided with a side table on the hallway. Nimbly, she lounged forward; her hands balanced it, and she thanked heavens the white statuette didn’t collapse to the ground. Her grandmother’s wrath is the last thing she needs right now.

“Why so many side tables, grandma? Those are a menace!” she muttered under her breath, tucking the mobile on the coat pocket. Judging by the familiar chuckle, the scene must have been amusing.

“There is a reason your grandmother forbids running inside.”

Whirling around, she met her father standing a few metres away on the hallway coming from the library, a wide teasing grin on his face.

To her surprise, right beside him was Hamid. The sight of him and his ridiculously beautiful face stole her breath and words for a second. Averting her gaze, she focused on her father and what she was supposed to say.

“Would you tell her?” she asked, tilting her head a little bit, and forcing an offended expression.

“It will be our secret,” Vincent stage-whispered. “Mother is yet to forget the incident with the Cordonian crystal apple... It was an irreplaceable gift from late Queen Eleanor.”

“That was not my fault!”

Her father tsked. “Harry used to say the same...”

Smiling, the trio met half-way and she hugged her father, who kissed the top of her head and complimented her elegance sporting the riding attire in navy blue and hair manhandled in one long braid. He looked proud at the sight of Edgewater’s gold crest on her jacket.

Without meeting Hamid’s gaze, she returned his wishes of a good morning and admitted in an almost inaudible tone, “I’ve been looking for you.”

“I didn’t know,” he said entirely too pleased.

“You would, if you’ve read my texts...”

Right hand over his chest, he apologised, “Sorry, Liz. The battery died and I didn’t bring the charger...”

“Why didn’t you say so?” she said, taking the mobile from the pocket. “I could’ve lent you my spare one. I’ll text Melinda and ask her to take it to your room.”

Vincent looked amused between them and joined the conversation.

“Do not be mad at him. It is entirely my fault, Eliza. We met by chance, and I insisted he joined me for breakfast. There were some matters I wanted Hamid’s opinions about.”

Her gaze darted from the mobile to her father’s face. “Were you working?”

Hamid laughed at her reproving tone, or possibly at the absurd notion of him working in his free time. “For two seconds. Nothing related to work can compete with more interesting topics of conversation.”

“Poetry and love,” Vincent added, with a grin, trying to appease the curiosity in her eyes. “I wanted to show Hamid a particular book from our collection. It belonged to his namesake.”

“A very interesting tome. I wouldn’t mind taking another look some other time.”

“You are always welcome in our library.”

Observing the exchanges between them and their smiling faces, a warm feeling spread inside of her chest. Her father is always gentle mannered and friendly, mostly due to his personality than his upbringing and lessons to fulfil his duties as the Earl of Edgewater, but there is an undeniable sense of pleasure when he is around Hamid.

“I am glad you were enjoying yourselves...”

“How anyone could not? It’s a privilege to have your father sharing his wise words...”

“Likewise. Our conversations are delightful,” Vincent said and patted Hamid on the shoulder. The other returned the compliment with a sincere smile. “However, I believe I kept you away from your young peers far too long. I am certain Eliza misses your company and will show you a far better time...”

Her cheeks reddened at the words and the knowing smile he directed at her; however, Hamid chose not to acknowledge either with a look or cheeky comment, keeping his attention at the lord, which she was truly grateful for.

“Will you not join us, sir?”

“The last thing you need is some old folk like me following you around and ruining the fun…”

“You would not bother us, dad.”

“You are too kind, my dear. But I have a busy day ahead.”

“It’s Saturday! You promised you’d rest.”

He chuckled at her remark, and it reminded him of when she was much younger and pouted whenever he needed to work during their time together.

“Later,” he said patting her arm. “Now, I am expected at Ledford Park. Enjoy your day and be careful about the rain. The paths become too slippery for the horses.”

“We’ll return before the rain.’’

Using both hands, he cupped her cheek affectionately and kissed the top of her head again.

As soon as the taps of shoe soles faded in the distance, and it was only the two of them, Hamid stepped closer.

“You look gorgeous,” he purred while his hand reached the side of her face, gently curling a long lose curl around his fingers, before tucking it behind her ear. The backs of his fingers softly brushed her skin, causing a hundred butterflies to flutter in her stomach, and moved away. “I told myself you would never look more beautiful than yesterday and yet... You outdid yourself.”

Unnecessary to see her own reflection to know redness was blooming in her face. How she wished to keep her emotions to herself! But a mere touch or a sweet word of his and the rosy of her cheeks give away her emotions, and she hates that about herself. Hamid on the other hand admires exactly that about her: her tongue may not say the words, but the truth emerges each time she blushes. And he dared assume it was not sheer embarrassment of being complimented that pinks her cheeks, but something else entirely.

“Were you actually running after me?” he asked softly, lips stretched in a grin that showed his perfectly lined teeth, expectation glinting in his eyes. “In spite of your grandmother’s prohibition?”

“Actually, I was on my way to check on the others.”

He pouted and his entire face fell in mocking disappointment, and she stuttered.

“Did – Did I say something wrong?”

Smiling, he clicked his tongue and raised his chin in negative, like she learned from the series they watched together is customary in his country and not simply a cute thing he does.

“Your honesty keeps me humble.”

“Oh!” Averting her gaze, she looked downward at her fingers fidgeting with one golden button of her jacket. Before the moment seemed completely over, she forced herself to mumble a simple question, “What if I were?”

“That would heal my wounded ego, and I might say that among many other things, I’d happily take the blame for any bibelot you break. Or, better yet, hide any evidence of its previous existence... Which knowing your grandmother is probably a safer choice.”

She chuckled and looked back at him and how cute he looked with a silly little smile. Perhaps she should’ve let Briar give her a few pointers on being flirty.

“Can you spare a few minutes?” he asked in his most appealing tone, “I was hoping we –”

Before he finished his sentence, voices of their friends echoed from the other hallway and in the blink of an eye they were surrounded by them. Everyone talking at the same time and over each other, inquiring about the picnic and if Briar could ride wearing those high hell boots or not.

“It’s not safe!” Edmund and Annabelle said at once.

“The horse will do the walking, not me,” she insisted.

“Maybe after the picnic?” Hamid whispered into Elizabeth’s ear, one of his warm smiles illuminating his features when she faced him.

“Sure,” she sighed, knowing that between their friends and her family, there wouldn’t be many free moments during the day. Hooking her arm with his, she pleaded, “Now, come and help me. I need to borrow your skills to get everybody out of the house.”

Through the narrowest part of the unpaved path, hooves clopped rhythmically while the horses carried the group onward. With every gust of wind blowing through the crowds of the trees, rained leaves that danced in the air for a beautiful moment before sinking to join the crunchy sunset-coloured blanket covering the ground.

The further they were from the manor, the more the conversations were punctuated by the chirping of birds and more often than not by Briar’s worried remarks.

What started as a little distress at being around horses turned into a quarrel against the animals. Narrowing her eyes at the brown mare Annabelle was riding, Briar’s arms wrapped tightly around Edmund’s waist, clinging to him as if he were her lifeline.

“Look at that evil eye!” Briar’s nasal voice resounded from the back of the line, and two of the horses snorted in sequence, swishing their tails. “That beast hates me already… and is telling the others about it!”

Hamid’s silvery voice followed, insisting on explaining the amiable nature of the majestic creatures to no avail.

Smiling, Elizabeth considered how sympathetic he has been with their friend and her fear of horses, despite Briar’s previous threats to kick him in the chin or in a more painful place if a horse bites her.

“I have been around horses long enough to know they can’t talk or plot against you,” Annabelle added, her voice ringing with laughter.

“Wouldn't it be amazing if they could talk?” Hamid mused a recurrent desire of his: since he was a boy, he wished animals could talk to humans, or at least could communicate with him particularly. “I wonder what they would say…”

“Probably they’d complain about ungrateful humans they must carry around on their backs...” Annabelle picked on Briar and this remark earned a formidable string of complaints about her insensitivity...

Luke held a chuckle and gazed at the woman riding by his side on the back of a tan coated thoroughbred mare called Clover, that became her trusted companion in many summer days since she started her equitation lessons at the age of 8, like she told him earlier at the stables.

Today, Elizabeth was quieter than usual, not displeased by the company or the ongoing conversation rather than enraptured by the activity and by seeing the countryside after five long years; besides, like many introverts, she greatly prefers to be surrounded by talkative people who do most of the talking, sparing her the obligation of preventing awkward silences.

“Horses were always my favourites,” he spoke loud enough to be heard by Elizabeth, drawing her attention, “I feel I can understand them...”

She contemplated him for a second and the wide smile curling his full lips, and asked with the most serious tone she could muster, “Luke, are you going to confirm the horses are secretly scheming against Briar?”

Her joke prompted him to chuckle, a soft sound rambling from his chest, and she smiled.

“Hey! Not so loud,” he whispered, failing to keep a serious face. “I sworn secrecy!”

They let out wholehearted laughs, and Elizabeth complimented his riding skills, curious of how a boy raised in a very urban city in the United States could be such an expert around horses.

“Once you spend so much time around horses, you learn a thing or two…”

“How much time are we talking about?”

The question was the cue to Luke tell her about his training in equitation growing up and the prizes earned when he participated in competitions as a teenager that helped him earn a place at the polo team at university.

“Impressive!” she observed. “Maybe we should put your skills to test one of these days… Edgewater breeds some of the finest racehorses in the country.”

He beamed one of those shiny open smiles that crinkle the corners of his green eyes. The suggestion of riding together some other time and of a friendly race was promptly acquiesced, and he was clearly happy.

“A race?” Hamid asked already galloping to approach the two at the front of the group. “That sounds fun!”

“FUN?” Briar cried. “Only if your idea of fun is getting trampled to death by these awful beasts!”

“Don’t worry! Nobody is racing today,” Elizabeth reassured her to no avail. “But we can take the longer path to the ruins and enjoy just a little longer…” She described the track that crossed the meadows in which she used to ride with her brothers and their friends.

The proposition was eagerly accepted by everyone other than Briar. To please her, Edmund suggested they followed the plan and take the shorter route through the woods.

Briar raised a finger to Edmund and said seriously, “Promise me you will not let it dash like a maniac and trample over me!”

The blonde nodded, promising he’d take care of her, and it was enough to appease her. A barely perceptible smirk curled his thin lips when Briar buried her head on his back, hiding her face.

The group eventually parted and after a few minutes, a clearing provided the first glimpse of the ruins standing beyond the meadows peppered by wildflowers.

Hamid’s enthusiastic remarks stole Elizabeth’s attention for a moment. Even though he often says everything is the most beautiful and most extraordinary he’s ever seen, his words were not far from the truth. Despite the grey clouds looming, the countryside could not be more idyllic, and the ruins were impressive. Even considering all the missing parts, like the long-gone stained glasses and fallen tower, their imaginations could rebuild the greatness of the ancient stone building when it was standing tall centuries ago. And for a long moment, that's what they did, while conjecturing about the former inhabitants.

“Some say it’s a magical place...” Annabelle confided, and Hamid couldn’t contain his excitement to learn more about the place while she shared details of an old tale Earl Vincent has told his children countless times.

When a resumed version of the tale reached its end, the horses galloped towards the ruins meandering a field peppered by tiny yellow and white flowers. The hooves clapped against the dirt path, the gentle clip-clop punctuating their conversations, while Elizabeth led the way and Luke remained close, both sharing their tales on equitation classes. Annabelle fell behind, eyes lost in contemplation; and Hamid’s were suddenly inundated by mischief.

The tranquillity of the ride didn’t last long. The sharp sound of hooves resonated when Hamid’s horse trotted increasingly faster past them. The horse’s mane and tail undulated with the wind while they distanced. A flock of birds flew away not without sharp piercing noises that sounded like reprimands against the rude behaviour of the four-legged beast and the noisy human on its back, disturbing the peace in their haven.

Dark hair tousled by the wind and grinning, he announced he’d be the first to arrive at the ruins and defied his friends to join him.

“Come on!” he cried over his shoulders, “It’s fun!”

Annabelle was quick in following his invitation and trotted past Luke and Elizabeth, who smiled at their merriment. When she considered joining them, a loud gasp escaped her mouth. In shock, she watched the scene unfolding. Less experienced and unfamiliar with the route, Hamid misled the horse, missing a curve many metres ahead. His body swayed in the saddle, almost slipping, and her heart skipped a beat. At full speed, the horse galloped, crossing the tall grass, and reaching another path at the opposite direction that would take them back to the woods.

All the previous feelings that troubled her mind came racing back. At that speed, either Hamid, the horse or both would get injured due to the many obstacles, like roots and ditches.

Swiftly, Luke guided his horse to the same direction, quickly gaining speed; and a moment after Elizabeth and Annabelle followed his lead.

Horse and its rider disappeared for a moment, and the next time Elizabeth had a glimpse of them, Luke was getting closer. Despite the adrenaline, his words to Hamid seemed calm. Parts of the instructions to slow the horse echoed in the field.

Thrill running through her veins, Elizabeth’s heart raced at the same rhythm of Clover’s hooves hitting the ground while she followed them. The horses left a cloud of dusty in their awake and Elizabeth bowed and squinted her eyes, trusting Clover would find the way to Hamid.

When her eyes opened again, Luke had managed to slow Hamid’s horse before reaching too deep into the woods. Anxiously, she dismounted Clover. Adrenaline high in her system, she ran the remaining metres to where the horses had stopped, and Luke was helping Hamid dismount.

“Is he...?” Elizabeth breathlessly asked Luke, and he nodded.

“He’s fine.”

Her eyes inspected Hamid from the top of his head to his feet, as if still trying to convince herself he was perfectly fine. She inhaled deeply and tried to calm herself.

Growing up, she got used to the thrill of races through this fields and woods and all sorts of shenanigans with her brothers and their friends, pretending to be part of the group of heroes that fought the Shadow Court; somehow, this right now felt completely different. Maybe she was way more out of practice than she thought, considering the last time she rode a horse. Maybe the years made her fearful and cured her of the past recklessness. Maybe she has grown into one of those nagging adults that spoiled everybody’s fun.

“This time you can’t deny it!” Hamid grinned and said out of breath, “You were running after me!”

“You joke?!”

“I see you are alright!” Annabelle laughed behind Elizabeth, having dismounted the horse, and joined the group of riders, under an immense oak tree.

“Have you seen how fast I was?” he directed his question to her, too excited.

“I certainly did. And I imagine how sore you’ll be later.”

“It’s not as... comfortable as my Suzuki... I admit. But it was so fast! This horse is... extraordinary!” he panted. His enthusiasm cut by loud exhales and breathed laughs.

Relief had washed over her companions at the sight of the unharmed Hamid, however, Elizabeth’s jaw tightened and her whole body shivered.

“If you haven’t noticed, we were running to prevent you from hurting yourself! There’s nothing funny about it!”

“My heroes.”

The smile he flashed, didn’t ease her frown.

How could he not take his own safety seriously?

“You said you knew how to ride...”

“I may have overestimated my skills... it seems... and perhaps my expertise with a different kind of horsepower was not immediately transferred…” he said, and this could be a reference to any of the vehicles and dangerous activities he enjoys in his free time. Leaning against the trunk of the oak tree, he tried to catch his breath, and failed to plaster a more relaxed expression. “But I’m a fast learner. Give me one more minute, and I’m ready to try again. I challenge you all to another race to the ruins.”

Heart thumping in her ears and knees risking buckling, Elizabeth crossed the remaining distance to him, who steadied himself against the trunk with an arm, pretending it was just to look cooler, which nobody would buy by now, not even her.

“Seriously?” she fumed. “You could get seriously hurt!” 

“I didn’t.”

His unconcerned manners remained undeterred by reason, and she let out an exasperated sigh.

In a voice as sweet as possible considering his current shortness of breath, he called her name, and leaned forward.

Raising one index finger, she stopped the predictable move of his hand before it touched her inflamed cheek.

“Dude, you couldn’t control the horse... if not for Luke...” Elizabeth trailed off, not daring say the alternatives out loud. All at once, it dawned on her the warnings the adults uttered back when she was a kid. That same uneasiness stormed, and her stomach was churning at the thought of any of those horrible things happening to Hamid.

Judging by the quizzical look in Hamid’s face, he couldn’t understand the distress in her voice nor why she was taking the incident this seriously. Nothing happened after all, which he regretted telling her once her eyes were alight like his mother’s whenever he does the opposite of what she expects from him – but he refrained from saying that.

“Liz,” he asked softly, trying his best to sound less confused than he was, “was it any different from the stories you and Edmund shared? You seemed amused sharing your shenanigans...”

“Yes, it’s completely different! First, we were kids and... –” didn’t know any better what this kind of absence felt like! “– Second, we knew these paths like the backs of our hands. Third, we had advanced lessons! Unlike you!” The emotions bubbling inside caused her voice to raise to a higher pitch and waver like the crowns of the trees dancing with the breeze. “Your self-confidence can get you hurt. Or killed. Just look what this kind of stuff does to people much more skilled than you! You must be responsible for your safety! What if Luke couldn’t reach you? Think about the people you’ll hurt... God!” She let out an exasperated sigh and covered her face with her hands; bowing his head, Hamid stepped back, trying to collect his thoughts after her outburst.

Annabelle’s footsteps on the dirty were loud enough not to be ignored. When she approached and stood between them, her presence interrupted whatever would follow this exchange.

“Fortunately, nobody got hurt, and we’re halfway to the ruins. So, can we get going? I’m starving!”

“Of course.” Elizabeth dusted off her clothes and adjusted the jacket, returning to the composed self everybody is used to, at least in the outside.

Walking away with Annabelle, she didn’t look back, but she felt Hamid's stare following her.

With a sympathetic smile, Luke patted Hamid on the back and asked if he was sure he could go on, and he nodded, still looking confused by Elizabeth’s reaction. Apparently the only one who didn't anticipate the coming storm.

When the group reached the ruins, the cloud in Elizabeth’s eyes had dissipated, but she couldn’t shy away the dreadful thoughts racing in her mind. Therefore, she welcomed the interruption when a middle-aged man with a pristine white uniform and the emblem of Edgewater walked in her direction, addressing her with the due ceremony and respect reserved to noblewomen like herself. For once, she felt too tired to oppose the ritual and kindly asked him to lead the way to the picnic setting.

In a clearing beside the ruins, four large picnic blankets had been settled over the grass with at least a dozen matching throw pillows; from two picnic baskets peeked bottles of lemonade and other colourful beverages, and exquisite food had been arranged all over the blankets, ranging from apple pie to different kinds of pastries, fresh fruits, jam, and sandwiches. The sight made her mouth water.

With the conformation everything was perfectly assembled, and settled the time of their return to disassemble the setting, the man left, making his way to a black van where another employee was waiting.

The four friends gathered around the food – and inevitably talked about the absent two.

“Should we text them?” Elizabeth asked, “See if they are alright?”

“They’re probably more than alright, and that’s the matter,” Annabelle muttered under her breath, and started typing in her mobile. “I’m texting we’ll start eating without them. That will get Briar’s attention.”

No reply came to this or any of the texts and pictures of the picnic, and the group comfortably settled down. Elizabeth watched Hamid stretching before easing into one of the large pillows on her left; she averted her eyes when he noticed the attention, focused on cleaning her hand with a wet wipe.

Several minutes later, a clip-clop announced the last horse’s arrival. Something that looked too much like disappointment was evident in Briar’s face. One hour ago, not a soul would expect her to wish to extend any stroll that involved the company of horses.

Annabelle and Elizabeth shared a knowing look, and no words were necessary to convey what they thought of that.

Edmund’s hands wrapped around Briar’s waist tentatively, and with a swift motion he brought her to the ground safe and sound; she thanked him with a lingering kiss on his cheek, that turned his skin as red as the colour of her lipstick, and reluctantly they parted. Edmund clucked his tongue and guided the horse to a tree next to the others, while Briar walked in the opposite direction, throwing glances over her shoulder.

Once the party was complete, it was time to truly enjoy the picnic. The sight of the food and setting was enough to rekindle Briar's cheerfulness.

“I remember this place from the series,” Briar pointed out. “The duel was shot right there, wasn’t it?”

Beside her, Edmund confirmed, indicating a small totem like the ones seen at museums, that contains the story of the building, and pointed at the place where the Ottoman Prince was shot.

“So romantic!” she sighed, lying on her side over a few cushions. “That scene left me breathless. Can you imagine having someone loving you that much? Risking their own life for you?” Theatrically, the back of one hand pressed against her forehead and she let out a dramatic sigh.

“Aside the fact the duel was based on misogynistic premises and claims over a fully-grown and rational human being, I won’t deny that it must have been exciting to see it all unfold!”

“It would’ve been perfect if the prince didn’t miss the shot.”

“Don’t forget the pistol had been tampered,” Edmund said, a little bit too enthusiastic to share his knowledge about the matter. “He didn’t stand a chance and was truly lucky the duke was such a bad shot and let him walk out with such a minor injury.”

“A duel is such a stupid stupid idea,” Elizabeth muttered under her breath and shoved the remaining of the sandwich inside her mouth.

The others looked at her with a mix of amusement and surprise.

“Don’t you find the idea of going to a secluded place with your nemesis and shooting them dead at dawn appealing?” Annabelle teased, “Of all people, I thought you would have the longest list of candidates...”

“God, no! Violence is not the answer to everything!”

“Sometimes it’s necessary,” Annabelle retorted. “Nonviolent resistance is poetic, but pointless when your enemy is determined to crush you or has a literal gun pointed at you... for instance, you don’t fight fascists with flowers or hugs.”

“I can see your point... But in their case, the entire thing was pointless! The prince was shot for nothing! The engagement went on for weeks after the duel and he could have died,” Elizabeth stressed the last word. “There were no antibiotics back then! If he died... she’d be alone... and Clara had just lost her mother and father... Can you imagine how scared and lonely she must have felt? The uncertainty?” her last words were barely audible, strained by the tightness in her throat and chest.

Breaking the silence, Luke remarked, “I thought you never watched the series.”

“I got curious...”

“I told you it was amazing!” Briar cried, pulling herself back to a sitting position. “We should watch together!”

“I agree violence rarely solves anything and usually brings more trouble,” Hamid mused, possibly referring to his own line of work. “But human nature is complex and even the best of us can make bad decisions moved by less than noble feelings.”

“Can you imagine how absolutely mad at that wanker the prince should’ve been at that point?” Annabelle asked, “The man was known for being a pacifist –”

“Not very pacifist, considering he was cool with putting a bullet through that other guy’s head,” Luke added.

“As if you wouldn’t!” Briar taunted.

“I don’t think I would! That’s not one of the cases violence would be justified...”

“I think you all would,” Briar pointed at each of her friends, “if you were in the prince’s shoes... even you, Lizzy, if that meant you could save someone you loved.”

“There are other options... More civilized.”

“Maybe there weren’t!”

“They could have eloped. Or left together to the Ottoman Empire or anywhere else...”

“Fleeing?” Briar grimaced. “Countess Clara was a strong woman; she would never run away without fighting!”

“That’s true. And you need to remember it was a different world back then,” Edmund re-joined the conversation, “they didn’t have games to settle their differences by blowing each other’s heads off safely... which is much healthier in my opinion. However, if you read Countess Clara’s journal, you’ll understand their reasons and the importance of the duel and how it sealed their bond...”

“That sounds romantic!” Briar clapped her hands and scooted closer. “Tell me more!”

Soon, the conversation changed and new topics more and less controversial followed.

At some point, Annabelle had grabbed a pencil and her sketchbook from her bag and sat over a boulder, looking pensive at the group and their simultaneous conversations.

Noticing it, Elizabeth excused herself and sat beside her.

“What are you drawing?”

“Just sketching...” Annabelle handed the sketchbook to her, who examined the various partial sketches of faces of their group, including herself.

A wistful smile replaced the blank expression in Annabelle’s face, and she sighed. 

“I used to come here with Harry all the time... and the twins. That tree was Juliette’s balcony. Harry fell on his bottoms trying to climb it after me and got furious because I couldn’t stop laughing... He blamed me for not taking my role seriously and that Juliette would never laugh at Romeo – which made me laugh even harder.”

“That sounds just like him...”

A strained laugh that turned into a sob escaped Annabelle's mouth, and she used the back of her hands to wipe some tears pooling in her hazel eyes.

“Sorry... If I knew what this place meant to you, I’d have picked some place else…” Elizabeth apologised, but the other smiled.

“Hey! Don’t you worry. I need new happy memories. And I can always use some practice.”

They sat in silence, while Annabelle resumed sketching the tower.

“I wish I could draw like that...”

“I can teach you, if you like,” Annabelle nudged her.

“I’ll take you up on that someday...” Elizabeth smiled, looking at the way she focused on the architectural details. “How long does it take you to paint someone’s portrait?”

“It depends on size, complexity of pose and background, things like that...” Excitedly, she practically bounced in place. “Do you wish me to paint yours? I already have so many ideas! Two words: flower crown!”

“Actually, I had someone else’s portrait in mind...”

Judging by the way she smiled, Annabelle already knew the answer to the question, but she asked anyway, “Whose portrait?”

Elizabeth fidgeted with one gold button of her jacket, and said softly, “Hamid’s birthday is in December… I was thinking he would enjoy an original Parsons...”

“It’s perfectly doable.”

“Do you think it’s too much to gift a friend?”

Annabelle shook her head, her ponytail moving from side to side. “There’s no such a thing. Art is a thoughtful gift, and you are a thoughtful person.” She paused and looked back at her friend. “And you care about him. That’s why you were so worked up before, right?”

Elizabeth crossed her arms in front of her chest and bit the inside of her cheek, and sighed, “Why is he such a… frigging reckless idiot?”

Annabelle laughed, “I think the polite word is ‘spontaneous’.”

“You know what I mean. It’s stupid to put himself in danger like that…”

“Where you see danger, some people see exciting opportunities to experience life. This kind of thrill can be good to the soul.” 

“Do you think I’m being unreasonable?” the pitch of her voice raised slightly in the last word, conveying the outrage at the self-accusation.

“What if you were? Is that a bad thing? Nobody can be reasonable all the time. That’s how feelings work, isn’t it?” Annabelle nudged her side, and she caved, “I guess…”

Looking away at the horizon where leaden-coloured clouds in their endless swirls engulfed the hills, she fidgeted with one golden button. “Do you think I messed things up?”

“I’m not the one you should ask that question.” Annabelle tilted her head and raised her eyebrows indicating where Hamid and Luke were standing and engaged in an animated conversation.

For the first time in hours, she didn’t avert her gaze when Hamid noticed it, which seemed to encourage him to walk in their direction followed by Luke, both still talking enthusiastically. Their voices growing closer. When they arrived, Elizabeth’s shoulders tensed, and she only listened while Annabelle and Hamid talked about art.

Inspired by the light and wind, Annabelle asked Luke to pose mounting one of the horses, and she took many pictures with the mobile.

“For reference,” she explained to Hamid, who was curious about the concept.

A few moments later, the employees from Edgewater returned and Elizabeth exchanged a few words with them. With everyone minding their own businesses, Briar and Edmund took the opportunity to slip together to explore the ruins and Elizabeth decided to take a walk by herself, working on the lines of a possible dialogue with Hamid later.

A gentle tap on her shoulder caught her attention. A familiar presence standing behind her.

“Can we talk or are you still mad at me?” Hamid asked when she turned around to face him.

“I was not mad!”

Tilting his head, he simply smiled and gave her a knowing look. That look she’s so familiar by now and means he’s not buying it.

Crossing her arms in front of her chest, she didn’t back down, “I was reasonably explaining why you can’t do this sort of risky thing!”

“Then if you’re not mad, why are you still making that face every time you look at me?” He mockingly imitated her expression, narrowing his deep brown eyes and pressing his lips together in a thin line that curled downward in the edges.

“I don’t look like that!” she huffed, trying to keep a serious expression, too self-conscious of the way lines had definitely been creasing the area between her eyebrows.

“Of course not. Yours is angrier, but cuter. Like the angriest tiny kitten that you should fear but want to cuddle...”

She huffed again, “I don’t like when you do that.”

“Compliment your cuteness?”

“Say I’m tiny...” she snorted, “It’s rude!”

“Seriously? That’s what you’ve chosen to pick on what I said, Liz?” he asked getting cautiously closer. “Am I upsetting you? Do you want me to leave?”

“No...” she mumbled and dared look him in the eye. Biting the inside of one cheek, she was feeling too embarrassed and uncomfortable with this exchange. It was the opposite of what she had been rehearsing in her mind.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude. Or overstep. You’re a grown man and you can do whatever... risky and stupid thing you want… But... as your friend… I needed to warn you and –”

“You worry about me,” Hamid interrupted, saying the words she couldn’t. Welcomed by the way he smiled so openly, not a hint of judgement in his eyes, she nodded.

“I get it, and I appreciate it. I’m not used to people outside my family worrying about me.”

“Are we... okay?”

“Always.”

Smiling, he bent the arm closer to her, and with a flourish offered the crook of his elbow. “May I join your walk, my lady?”

“Are you back to your prince’s character?”

Gazing at her eyes, he said softly, “Today, I prefer that we simply be Hamid and Elizabeth, if you don’t mind.”

The butterflies in her stomach fluttered and tried to escape through her mouth, and she could barely answer him with a soft “Not at all.”

She linked her arm with his, and he took her hand and adjusted it in the crook of his elbow. Even after it was right in place, his hand remained over hers. Elizabeth had no intention in addressing the matter or ask him to remove it, on the contrary. The warmness of his hand spread and reached her chest and cheeks. It was always wonderful to enjoy the feeling of his soft and warm skin against hers, and his face transpired a similar enjoyment.

In comfortable silence they walked down a path framed by ancient oaks, distancing from the ruins and the place everyone else was. It was easy to forget the world in moments like these.

The wind blowing more insistently kept sweeping his hair until his hair products gave up, and she smiled at how messy and cute it became.

“Look at that!” he laughed, pointing at a flock of magpies in one of the trees.

Slowing their pace, they recited the nursery rhyme together pointing at each bird on the branches.

“And seven for a secret, never to be told,” she said looking at him, the lilt of her laughter and a smile crinkling the corners of her eyes.

“Nine! There’s definitely nine!”

“Really?”

“You missed two that flew away.” Hamid pointed at the grey skies and recited the remaining verses like she taught him in the park, “Eight for a wish and nine for a kiss. How fortunate!”

“So, there will be a kiss in your future...”

“Our future,” he stressed the word.

“You saw nine,” she corrected with humour, “I did not...”

“Oh! In this case I must share my good fortune with you.”

He winked for good measure and red bloomed in her cheeks.  

“Oh! How kind of you!” she teased but looked away, when he chuckled. Her heart thumping louder and faster against its cage. Forcing herself to look back at him and meet his gaze and amused grin, she saw an opportunity; her next words slipped from her lips in a lower but steady voice, “I wonder why you would be so kind to me...”

His lips uncurled and there was no laughter this time. Positioning himself in front of her, Hamid took both her hands in his, not minding how cold and moist they were.

“Do I really need to explain myself?” Bowing his head, he smiled; and she looked up. His dark brown eyes sparkled despite the sunlight barely succeeding in breaking through a sea of dark clouds. “I wanted to kiss you since we met. The only question is: do you want me to or not?”

To be honest, she has wanted to kiss him for most of the time they have known each other, and not in a friendly way.

With anticipation, her lips rolled inside her mouth and her tongue moistened them, like it did other times. His hooded eyes stared at her lips, making her heart race. However, her doubts glued her in place, preventing her from closing that gap that decreased with each short intake of breath.

Her throat became as dry as when she walked through the Atacama that vacation long ago. She could drink an entire bottle now, or maybe it was time to simply get drunk of him, ignoring that little voice inside of her head that sounds too much like her grandmother these days and let her future self worry about everything else. 

Alas that was a thing she could do...

Taking a deep breath, she straightened her shoulders and focused on the soothing motion of his thumbs stroking the backs of her hands.

“After what you said... at your flat... I... I was under the impression you would rather kiss someone else...”

His lips parted while he tried to recall the conversation she mentioned. “Someone else?” Hamid asked, his confusion frowning his brow. “I wonder what I could’ve possibly said that has led you to this conclusion, Liz...”

While she collected her thoughts, a sharp cry cut the air and a noisy flock of birds flew away, startling them. A wail impossible to ignore irrupted from the ruins.

They looked at each other and mumbled at the same time, “Briar.”

This was the cue for them to run. Holding hands, they sprinted to the entrance of the collapsed building just as a wide-eyed Edmund exited carrying Briar bride-style.

“What happened?”

“She fell. I – I think she sprained an ankle,” Edmund cried, and Luke examined the bare foot.

“It hurts.” Briar moaned and pressed the black heeled boot she was holding tight against her chest.

“I’ll take her home and call Dr. Collins.”

“The van,” Elizabeth cried and pointed at the vehicle, “It’s faster.”

Edmund nodded and changed direction, dashing to the vehicle in a surprising speed.

“What if she broke a bone?” Annabelle asked.

“Maybe she should go to the hospital...” Hamid pondered, and they all agreed.

“There’s not enough room for everyone...” Luke inspected the back of the van filled with items from the picnic and no seats available.

“Who will go with her?” Hamid said, looking between Briar and Elizabeth for directions, but the first wasn’t looking at him and the latter didn’t answer. Elizabeth’s entire body stiffened, the hospital was the last place she could go now, and she hoped Annabelle or Luke would offer to go instead.

While easing Briar into the passenger seat, Edmund didn’t wait for the deliberation and said he’d go. “As soon as we have news, I’ll call you.”

Leaning against the passenger window, Annabelle looked seriously at Briar. “I will refrain from telling you now heels were a terrible decision until we know how serious your injury is!”

Despite the pain, Briar snorted and hugged Annabelle.

“Don’t have too much fun while I’m gone!”

Edmund took a seat beside her and, immediately, her head leaned on his shoulder, and he encircled her with one arm.

As the man in white closed the door and started the engine, Elizabeth stared at the van moving away, wondering if she should’ve suggested that someone else accompanied Briar instead of Edmund. Moorfield is a small city and a visit to the hospital from a member of one of the most illustrious families in the region with a woman who is not his fianceé might cause a fuss.

“Don’t worry, Liz.” Hamid placed a comforting hand on her back, meeting her eyes with an encouraging smile. “Briar will be alright.”

“Will she really?” Elizabeth murmured still observing the van disappearing beside the trees.

“What do you mean?”

“Sorry, I'm just thinking out loud...”

He leaned closer and whispered, “He likes her.”

Of course, he knows. It shouldn’t surprise her. Besides, Briar and Edmund were not discreet or concerned in hiding their mutual interest this weekend.

“It’s easy to recognize the look on the face of a man in love...” 

“Love?” Elizabeth echoed with a grimace, her eyes darting to his face. “They've seen each other a handful of times!”

“Don’t give me that look!” He chuckled and one of his fingers gently tapped the tip of her nose. Her nose and eyes scrunched, and she made one of the adorable faces he never gets tired.

“There’s no rule. Some people need time, others simply know...”

“Oh, please! It’s not always about love,” she protested, knowing that there are several other feelings that could be involved.

His shoulders raised almost to his ears, and he let them drop with a wistful smile. “What can I say, canım benim[1]? I’m a romantic.”

“You and Briar are the same,” she snorted, “Throwing the L-word around… saying people who barely know each other are in love…” 

“Who else Briar thinks is in love and barely know each other?”

She gasped, “I never said that!”

Turning around, Elizabeth fished her mobile inside her pocket and pretended to read some “urgent notification”, like she told him, staring at the screen for a long moment until the faint smell of the first drops quenching the soil somewhere near the horizon reached her nostrils and reminded her of the incoming rainstorm.

A quarter after 3pm, the five horses and the four riders arrived safe and dry at the stables. The animals were left at the care of Mr. Walton and his industrious hands, and the four friends walked out cheering but were beaten by the storm in their race back to the manor.

The wind slammed a door, threatened to flip inside out the umbrellas Elizabeth and Luke carried and roused the crowns of trees at the main pathway, inviting them to an eerie dance.

The grey skies tumbled, afternoon turning into night. Cascading cold water washed over and the temperature dropped several degrees, or so it felt after every gush of wind.

The cold, however, didn’t deter the two who declined the umbrellas offered. Laughing and kicking and splashing the water running like a river at their feet, tilting their faces up and sticking their tongues out, they welcomed the drops as the most precious gift of nature.

Elizabeth will never question the benefits of rain. However, given the option she’ll always pick warm sunny days over rainy ones whenever she’s outside and the umbrella cannot protect her against the lashing cold drops.

The longer they stay outside, the more her pants got drenched and her lips quivered; fortunately, the terrace’s steps came to view. Just a few more metres. When she got to dry land with Luke, she dared looking back at the others.

In the pouring rain, arms stretched to the fullest, Hamid and Annabelle held each other’s hands swirling and laughing like it was the first time they were seeing rain.

Her ponytail was stuck to the neck, while locks of his black hair were glued to the forehead and sides of his face.

“I can’t remember the last time I played in the rain!” Annabelle cried, speaking louder than the pitter-patter of the rain against the roof, when they came running to the terrace laughing.

Elizabeth cannot remember either. The last she voluntarily stayed outside in the rain must have been when she was a kid and definitely before her mother got sick. After that, she became increasingly cautious about her own health: eating fruits and vegetables, taking vitamins, avoiding rain and dangerous activities and, most important, she’d do everything possible not to get sick, because she couldn’t afford being unwell and burden her mother. Later, whenever her mother’s health decreased and she needed to be cared, Elizabeth couldn’t bare the idea of doing something stupid and selfish and letting her down... That was the main reason she rarely travelled by herself for longer than a few days; or why she avoided drinking entirely. Except for that one time at seventeen when the prognostic was bad and her mother stayed over a month at the hospital, and she got so utterly sloshed with cheap wine with her friend Renata, she barely remembers anything that happened that weekend and how they came back home from the clubs; even the hangover that lasted an entire day and caused her to miss school at Monday was welcomed. It was good to feel something other than despondent for a change, even if it were the queasiness in her stomach and the obnoxious headache that pounded like a tambourine inside of her head.

Hamid asked something, interrupting her thoughts.

Her brain barely processed the question, and she looked at his eyes closer than anticipated, trying to find out if she missed a long bit of a conversation. Luke and Annabelle were not around anymore.

How long was she silently staring at the rain?

“Are you alright?” The neutral tone didn’t match the concern in his eyes.

How long was she silently staring at the rain?

“Just cold.” To be more convincing, she hugged herself tighter to keep warm, and a tight-lipped smile curled the corners of her lips without reaching her eyes.

“Beautiful, isn’t it? The rain makes everything more poetic.”

“Does it?” she asked. “I can think of a million ways the rain makes everything worse: traffic gets slower, drives us out of the beach during summer, turns everything sad and grey and wet and cold… and makes people sick. And I have a tight schedule. I can’t get sick! So, no, I don’t think it’s poetic.”

“Again, you are being too pragmatic.”

“Or are you being too much of a romantic?”

“I can’t deny that.”

A bright smile in his face, he leaned closer, making sure the wet coat hanging from his arm didn’t drip all over her. Despite the coat being impermeable, the rain had seeped through the collar and darkened his blue jumper, and her eyes followed the droplets still dripping from his hair, running down his face and soaking the fabric.

“But what about how beautiful the world looks? The way puddles reflect the light and façades of buildings? Or the thrill of dancing in the rain?”

“Dancing?” She shook her head. “It only works in movies...”

Slinging his arm over Elizabeth’s shoulders, droplets of water from his hair dripped and ran down his face and peppered her jacket. Too close to her ear, Hamid said, “If you’d give it a try, it’d change your mind. It’s the kind of refreshing experience that reminds how amazing it is to be alive! I’ll happily join you if you wish to try...”

“You know what would truly make me feel amazing right now?” she asked looking up at his face and meeting his eyes.

“Please do tell,” he purred, “especially if it’s something I can provide.”

“Dry clothes and warm chocolate.”

Briar returned from the hospital in time to have one mug of hot chocolate before the two-thermos bottles were completely emptied. A minor injury that resulted in zero broken bones, she told them, but ruined her plans to go out tonight.

“The bad news is I can’t go out with you, guys tonight…” she lamented, “It’s so unfair! I brought the cutest costume to wear tonight.”

To make her feel better, Edmund was catering to her every need, which included an icebag for her ankle, pain medication, a raspberry scone, and the first volume of the published journals of Countess Clara.

“We should stay in, anyway,” Annabelle suggested, “Anything we would do there, we can do here.”

“And in better company,” Hamid added with a charming smile.

While Elizabeth, Annabelle, Hamid, and Luke played another round of Just Dance, Briar had skipped most of the entries of the journal and went straight to the ones about the duel. Reading the most interesting parts aloud, she often stole the competitors' concentration... and was influencing the scores – whether it was on purpose or not, one could only suppose.

“Oh, my God!” Briar gasped. “This is sooo good!”

When nobody asked a follow-up question, she teased some more in a louder sing-a-song voice.

“I know why Lady Clara was so fond of the ruins!”

“You got to that part?” Edmund asked without raising his eyes, too focused on the task of rubbing anti-inflammatory gel on her injured foot.

“Which part?” Elizabeth asked, missing precious points while Hamid nailed all the moves.

“The saucy part!” Briar giggled. “The prince was smooth! Using that last night on earth line on her… Girl dropped her panties like that!” Briar snapped her fingers, then flipped a page. “Listen to this: ‘The moonlight illuminated Hamid’s features while he slowly removed his cape, then his kaftan. My gaze devoured every bit of skin uncovered, and my hand ached to touch him…’ Is it hot in here?” She fanned herself dramatically and Edmund handed her a glass of water.

The game couldn’t compete with the curiosity stirred by the descriptive details of the prince’s physique that followed and after forty-five minutes of uninterrupted dance, some of the players needed a break.

“That lady got dicked down good!” Briar let Hamid read over her shoulder the next paragraphs. “Outdoors pre-marital sex with a hot guy she was not engaged to in 1816: lady was living the life! I stan!”

When she finished reading the parts aloud, Luke, who had plopped in an armchair closer to the windows and observed the rain, asked, “Can we play something else?”

“Why?” Hamid asked. “This is so fun!”

“Only because you don’t suck at it...” Annabelle teased, nudging his side.

“Don’t come at me if you can’t keep up with my moves,” he retorted pulling an intricate combination of steps, she rolled her eyes and they laughed good-naturedly.

“I could use a break...” Elizabeth admitted taking a seat.

“Maybe another round of CoD?” Edmund suggested, and Briar looked puzzled.

“Call of Duty? The combat game?”

“Yes, please,” Briar said, “I don’t know how to play, but I want to kill zombies too!”

“Of course, darling. Hamid can sit this one out, he sucks anyway!”

“Hey,” Hamid protested. “I’m a pacifist. I don’t see the point on blowing anyone’s head off…”

“They’re zombies! Stop making poor excuses,” Annabelle teased.

“Why don’t we play the real zombie game!” Elizabeth said already fumbling inside the box. “Wake the Dead is so good! In the multiplayer we can kill all sorts of zombies.”

While they were preparing for the next game, Annabelle excused herself to go to the lavatory, and Elizabeth heard voices in the corridor.

“Did you hear that?”

“I didn’t hear a thing...” Luke shrugged, while texting.

“It sounded like Theresa’s laugh.”

“Very funny,” Edmund retorted, throwing his stepsister a dirty look.

“I’m not joking.”

“There’s someone outside,” Hamid said, and as if on cue, Theresa’s nasal voice was unmistakable heard through the walls. Instantly, Briar pulled her legs and Edmund bolted upright from his spot on the sofa.

“What’s she doing here?” he asked in a low tone, while rubbing his menthol-scented hands against his trousers, and Elizabeth shrugged.

“Your fiancee, dude... If anybody should know...”

Muttered a string of swearing under his breath, Edmund picked his mobile from a side table and there were seven missed calls from Theresa and an even larger number of messages that he ignored the entire day.

“Bullocks.”

An employee brought a tray with refreshments and announced Theresa’s arrival. The woman could no longer be ignored.

She politely greeted everyone with air kisses.

“Are you happy I came, Edmund?” Theresa asked with a wide smile. Edmund’s eyes squinted when she kissed the corner of his mouth, leaving a lipstick mark that she wiped with her thumb. “Your mother said you would!”

“Did she?”

“Oh! She did! She said: ‘Theresa, go to Edgewater immediately.’” She tried to mimic the countess’ voice, but it was just a lower-pitched version of her own voice. “I asked why and she said ‘because Edmund needs you by his side’ but I said I was busy with Felicity and I was going to do my hair... but she insisted, 'Pack your things now or don’t even bother coming anymore!’ The Countess is funny, I think. But I don’t get her humour sometimes…” She shook her head and grinned at the group. “What are you doing?”

“Playing video-games,” Elizabeth said lifting the controller in her hand. “Do you want to play?”

Clapping her hands, she squealed, “Yes! I do! Edmund never lets me play... Can I?” She looked at him pleadingly and he sighed. Before he could give up his controller, Elizabeth offered hers.

“Here, Theresa. You can play, I'll sit this one out.”

“That’s so kind of you, Elizabeth. Thank you.”

“You’re letting him play with his fiancé and Briar?” Hamid whispered, looking at the women sitting at both of his sides. “You’re devious.”

“I’m not!” She elbowed him. “And I’m not responsible for this situation…”

“It’ll be interesting to watch how it unfolds…”

“Indeed.” Annabelle slung her arms around Hamid and Elizabeth’s shoulders. “And you know what could make it even more interesting?” she asked, but it was simply rhetoric. “Drinking games!”

“I love drinking games!” Theresa and Briar cheered from their places at the sofa, and Annabelle couldn’t be more pleased with herself.

“Correction,” Hamid glanced at her with a sly smile, “you’re the devious one.”

----------------------------------------------

Notes:

[1] canım benim – Turkish expression equivalent to “my dear/my darling” and meaning literally “my soul”.

#desire and decorum fanfic #desire and decorum modern au! #prince hamid #prince hamid x oc #oc: elizabeth foredale #briar daly #edmund marlcaster #edmund marlcaster x briar daly #theresa sutton #annabelle parsons #luke harper #vincent foredale #second chances series #choicesjanuary23 #choicesjanuary2023

[zahrafilms]

DESIRE & DECORUM DREAMCAST !!

Some time ago, me and my friend were talking about how can we use some characters to choose a real one just to edit and other things, and now i'm in a growing ( and not recent ) obsession with d&d choices, missing all the lis and the storyline itself. So, he we are with my fancast ( you can disagree with me, and if you have other options, i would absolutely like to see them !! )

Lex Scott Davis as Countess Zahra Liliana Foredale from Edgwater.

Simone Ashley as Miss Briar Daly from Edgewater.

Calahan Skogman as Mister Edmund Marlcaster from Edgewater.

Anya Cholatra as Miss Annabelle Parsons From Hazelvale.

Mena Massoud as Prince Hamid from Ottoman Empire.

Robert Pattison as Mister Ernest Sinclaire from Ledford Park.

John Boyega as Sir Luke Harper from Harperland.

#choices stories you play #choices #pixelberry #playchoices #desire & decorum #desire and decorum choices #edmund marlcaster #briar daly #teresa sutton #harry foredale #vincent foredale #ernest sinclaire #annabelle parsons #prince hamid #luke harper #*oc: zahra foredale

[choicesficwriterscreations]

CFWC F/AotW - Oct 1-7, 2023

✒️= Fanfic | 📱= Text Fics/Edits | 🎨= Fanart Ⓜ️ = Mature Content 18+ | 🔥 = Explicit/NSFW 18+ 🌺= Hispanic Heritage Month | 🦄= Bisexuality Awareness Week 🏳️‍🌈= LGBTQIA

BLADES OF LIGHT AND SHADOW

CRIMES OF PASSION

DESIRE & DECORUM

Vincent Foredale, Earl of Edgewater – The man behind the title  ✒️ - @princess-geek

THE ELEMENTALISTS

Griffin x MC x Beckett Fanart 🎨🏳️‍🌈 by @oh-so-youre-a-nerd

ENDLESS SUMMER

Estela x Taylor Montoya and Familiy 🎨🏳️‍🌈 by @marmolady 🌺Estela Montoya

Quinn x MC Fanart 🎨by @oh-so-youre-a-nerd

IT LIVES IN THE WOODS

Ava Cunningham Fanart 🎨 by @myautumnrose

Connor x MC Fanart 🎨🏳️‍🌈by @oh-so-youre-a-nerd

The Blade (Part 1) ✒️| ILITW M!MC - @korgbelmont The Blade (Part 2)

IT LIVES WITHIN

Amalia De Leon x F!MC Fanart 🎨🏳️‍🌈 🌺by @professor-abeloved

NIGHTBOUND

When Hunters Become Prey (Series) ✒️🏳️‍🌈 | Nightbound F!MC - @ladylamrian Chapter 22: Bound With Mother Nature

OPEN HEART

PERFECT MATCH

Harvest Moon ✒️| f!Hayden Young x M!MC, Sloane Washington x M!MC - @lizzybeth1986

THE ROYAL ROMANCE

8 Ball, Corner Pocket ✒️Ⓜ️🔥| Drake Walker x MC - @georgiesgirl1223

Black Silk (Series) ✒️Ⓜ️| Liam Rys x mc, Drake Walker x mc - @ausiegurl1234 Chapter 19: The Truth ✒️

Cordonian Kareoke (Series) ✒️| LIam Rys, Drake Walker - @angelasscribbles Leo Take 2

Ghosted (Series) ✒️Ⓜ️| Liam Rys x MC - @kristinamae093 Chapter 9: One Step Forward

Marry Me ✒️| Drake Walker x MC - @georgiesgirl1223

Never Have I Ever (Series) ✒️Ⓜ️| Bertrand Beaumont x MC - @harleybeaumont Chapter 21: Let's Just Forget the World

Royal Surprise ✒️| Liam Rys x MC - @eadanga

...Sometimes Not (Series) ✒️| Liam Rys x F!OC - @ao719 Part 11: All I've Ever Known

#choices fanfic #blades of light and shadow #crimes of passion #desire & decorum #the elementalists #endless summer #it lives in the woods #it lives within #nightbound #open heart #perfect match #the royal romance #playchoices #playchoices fanfic #choices the stories you play #choices fic writers creations #cfwc fics of the week #cfwc art fo the week

[lorirwritesfanfic]

Berk Atan as Prince Hamid Osmanoğlu

Disclaimer: this character profile was created specifically to fit Prince Hamid on Meant To Be universe . I unfortunately don't own the character, I don't assume to know everything about him and I have no intention to affirm this is exactly who he is and how other people should write him. I'm merely a hardcore enthusiast of this lovely character and I do my best to keep his essence while adding a few headcanons of my own.

Name: Hamid Osmanoğlu

Nationality: Turkish

Birthdate: December 3, 1991.

Hometown: Istanbul, Türkiye

Current Residence: Ithaca, NY, USA

Occupation: Envoy of Türkiye in the United States of America, graduate student of MBA Economics and Management at Cornell University

Talents/Skills: public speaking, a knack for languages, charm, cooking, self-defense and combat skills.

Parents: Murat Osmanoğlu and Raisa Doğan-Osmanoğlu

Siblings: Nesrin Osmanoğlu-Aksoy, Malak Osmanoğlu, Sevim Osmanoğlu.

Closest relatives: Ahmet and Halime Osmanoğlu (uncle and aunt), Osman Osmanoğlu (grandfather - deceased), Kaan Aksoy (brother in-law).

Background: First born of Ambassador of Türkiye in Australia Murat Osmanoğlu and prosecutor Raisa Doğan-Osmanoğlu, Hamid is easy going, perceptive and polite, has the ability to make friends everywhere he goes and charms everyone with his sense of humor and kind heart. With an impressive wit and knack for languages, he's fluent in seven languages (Arabic, English, French, German, Hindi, Mandarin and Spanish) aside from his native tongue. He fell in love with International Relations when he was nine and studied Economics and Finance at Bahcesehir University (2008-2011), hoping to follow his father's footsteps and become a diplomat.

To please his mother, he studied Law in Cambridge (2012-2015), worked with her for six months and quit to spent a month traveling with his father. He returned to Cambridge to get a Msc in International Relations and Politics (2016-2018), getting his first job at UK Parliament, where he worked with Earl Vincent Foredale.

He enrolled in MBA Economics and Management at Cornell University (2018-2021) and now works as an envoy of Türkiye in the USA, taking a job as legal advisor right after that.

What's his family like?

The Osmanoğlu family (on his father side) is composed by direct descentants from the House of Osman. When the Ottoman Empire fell, his grandfather Sehzade Osman was exiled in the UK with his family, then moved to the United States, where he married and lived most of his life. Most of his relatives live in Germany, UK or USA, but they still gather every year for festivities. All Osmanoğlu members follow Muslim traditions, but living in western countries made them inclined to a modern lifestyle.

The Doğan family (on his mother side), however, is more traditional. Mostly composed by women, they live in the same neighborhood and gather around at least twice per month. Filthy rich, pragmatic and meddlesome, they often interfere on younger relatives career choices, friendships and relationships, calling family meetings and interventions whenever they see fit. Though Hamid loves his mother and aunts dearly, their intrusive habits are among the reasons why he moved out of his family's house and doesn't have plans to live permanently in Turkiye again.

Favourite childhood memory: sailing with his father, grandfather and uncle.

Nicknames: Aslan (among the men in his family), Osman (among friends at school/university because of the name on his football jersey), Hamidciğim (most women in his family call him that, but according to him, this petname sounds more endearing to him when Daphne calls)

Astrology sign: Sagittarius sun, Aquarius rising, Cancer moon

Hobbies: Driving, fishing, reading, cooking, MMORPG

Relationship status: In a relationship with Daphne Wang

Top 5 songs:

Burcu Güneş - Sen Benimsin, Ben Seninim

Emre Aydın - Hoşçakal

Paul McCartney - My Love

Coldplay - A Message

Norah Jones - Come Away With Me

Favourite books:

The Twenty-One Balloons by Pene du Bois

The Museum of Innocence by Orhan Pamuk

Poems of Nâzım Hikmet (1986 edition)

Favourite movies:

Psycho (1960)

Spirited Away (2001)

Sonbahar (2008)

Favourite TV shows:

He likes most cooking TV shows, but his favourite is Masterchef Kids (he is amazed by talented children). From Netflix, his favourites are Sex Education, Aşk 101 and The Crown. But his all time favourites are period dramas (Magnificent Century, Magnificent Century: Kösem, The Great Seljuks: Guardians of Justice, Kuruluş Osman, Reign, The Tudors, The Spanish Princess...), He is also into K-Drama and Chinese drama because of Daphne and his sisters, but he only watches with them.

Biggest guilty pleasure:

watching Daphne's trashy TV reality shows while eating greasy food. He's not entirely ashamed of the greasy food and says it motivates him to exercise more in the next day, but will blantantly deny liking Love Island, Love is Blind and Say Yes To The Dress.

Sweet or savoury?

Normally he says both, but when push comes to shove, he'll choose savoury.

Favourite food:

Menemen, kofte burger, ramen, baklava

Favourite drinks:

Non-alcoholic - Turkish coffee, cappucino, Turkish tea, pomegranate juice, strawberry daiquiri mocktail

Alcoholic - Irish coffee, rakı, wine

Most treasured possessions:

A Ducati Panigale V4R and A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Zeitzone watch with his initials engraved in the back.

Close Friends:

Sevim Osmanoğlu (OC), Yusuf Konevi, Ali Koveni (OC), Sanem Konevi (OC), Veronica Dantas (OC), Bartholomew Chambers.

Goals for the future:

Travel to Sub-Saharan Africa, take Daphne to travel with him more often, buying an apartment in London.

Dog lover or cat lover?

Both (don't expect him to choose)

Early bird or night owl?

Early bird (unless he's jetlagged)

How does he relax after a bad day?

When he's alone, he goes jogging or driving to clear his head then finds something to eat. When he's with Daphne, he stays home with her, preferably resting his head on her lap as they watch movies.

Personality: ENFP-A (Assertive Campaigner)

Campaigners (ENFPs) are true free spirits – outgoing, openhearted, and open-minded. With their lively, upbeat approach to life, they stand out in any crowd. But even though they can be the life of the party, Campaigners don’t just care about having a good time. These personality types run deep – as does their longing for meaningful, emotional connections with other people.

One random headcanon:

During his teenhood, he used to play MMORPG with then Prince Liam of Cordonia and Drake Walker during late nights. He's not as close to the King of Cordonia as he used be, but they're still good friends. He attended the King's coronation, the King's engagement parties to Lady Madeleine and Lady Jade, the bachelor party in Paris and wedding to Queen Jade. He was also invited to the bachelor + bachelorette party in Vegas, but politely declined because he was preparing himself for the interviews for the MBA at Cornell University.

#character profiles #choices fanfic #desire and decorum fanfic #desire & decorum modern day au #prince hamid #hamid osmanoğlu #meant to be au #lorirwritesfanfic #lorircreates

[myautumnrose]

Happy Valentine’s Day

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Sorry that I haven’t posted new art in a while but my inspiration sucks and I can’t draw without it! I’m happy I was able to get this done though.

I wanted to draw Vincent Foredale and my version of Mary from Desire and Decorum for Valentine’s Day! I thought it would be nice to draw their younger versions of themselves. I also tried to make it look like it was raining peonies. I hope you like it.

#blackart #artists on tumblr #myart #art #blackartist #digital art #playchoices #choices stories you play #playchoices art #playchoices fanart #choices fanart #choicesgame #choices: stories you play #choices art #desire and decorum #vincent foredale

[squid-princess-teach-swallow]

I love the way Emma and Ernest tease and challenge each other ❤️

Aw, he's sad that Emma's not gonna be in London 🥺

Also can I just say I love the fact that Emma's father approves their relationship, and is amused by them? 😂

#edgewaterbookclub #choices #choices stories you play #playchoices #choicesgame #choices stories you play fandom #choices desire and decorum #choices d&d #desire & decorum #desire and decorum #ernest sinclaire #mr sinclaire #vincent foredale #earl of edgewater

[storyofmychoices]

SpreadJoy #352: spreading positivity with quotes and @playchoices characters. Quote in edit by Jess Rachel Sharp

#vincent foredale #vincent choices #desire and decorum #playchoices #choices #earl of edgewater #spreadjoy #jess rachel sharp #you are worthy #hard days #challenging times

[choicesmonthlychallenge]

day twenty-seven: thunder

[August Prompt List]  || [August Daily Masterlists]

⟢Desire & Decorum:⟢

Who is afraid of Thunder? [D&D MC, Harry, Vincent ] by @princess-geek​

⟢Open Heart:⟢

Magic [Ethan x MC] by @starrystarrytrouble​

#choices fan fiction #playchoices #choices #desire & decorum #open heart #desire and decorum #d&d #oh #harry foredale #vincent foredale #ethan ramsey #ethan ramsey x mc #daily post #daily masterlist #august daily masterlist

[choicesjanuarychallenge2021]

day eleven: dancing

❄️January Prompt List ☃️

❄️Desire and Decorum☃️

Dancing is, in a way, like a sword fight by @princess-geek​

❄️Red Carpet Diaries / Hollywood U☃️

Alex and Thomas Hunt Sketch by @theartoflovingthomashunt​

#choices january challenge 2021 #choices monthly challenge #day eleven #dancing #desire and decorum #dominique foredale #beatrice foredale #vincent foredale #red carper diaries #rcd #hollywood u #thomas hunt x mc #thomas hunt rcd #thomas hunt hwu #choices fanfiction #choices fanart

[choicesficwriterscreations]

CFWC F/AotW - Dec 17-23,2023

✒️= Fanfic | 📱= Text Fics/Edits | 🎨= Fanart Ⓜ️ = Mature Content 18+ | 🔥 = Explicit/NSFW 18+ 🏳️‍🌈 = LGBTQIA | 🌟= Holidays 2023

BLADES OF LIGHT AND SHADOW

BLOODBOUND

Adrian Raines x F!MC 🎨🌟 by @bayleedraws-sometimesx

Jax Matuso x F!MC 🎨🌟by @bayleedraws-sometimesx

CRIMES OF PASSION

Cheers!🎨| Trystan Thorne x F!MC - @inlocusmads

Kissing the Devil🎨🏳️‍🌈| Astrid Thorne x F!MC - @cassie-thorne

Trystan Thorne Fanart 🎨 by @/febriana_syam (IG) (C: @farizrz)

Turpentine ✒️🌟| Trystan Thorne x F!MC - @moominofthevalley

DESIRE & DECORUM

But I must admit…I can’t wait…to see your mother… 🎨| Vincent Foredale, F!MC - @oh-so-youre-a-nerd

Clara Slaying Richards 🎨 Ⓜ️| Duke Richards, Briar Daly, F!MC by @oh-so-youre-a-nerd (C: @lilyoffandoms)

THE ELEMENTALISTS

Beckett Harrington x MC Fanart 🎨🏳️‍🌈by @artbyalz

THE FRESHMAN

A Very Merry Christmas ✒️🌟| Chris Powell x MC - @eadanga

IT LIVES IN THE WOODS

Banner Drabble ✒️🏳️‍🌈| Dan Pierce, Noah Marshall, etc. - @aallotarenunelma

LAWS OF ATTRACTION

It’ll have to wait til I’m off the clock 🎨| Joaquin Morales x MC - @oh-so-youre-a-nerd

OPEN HEART

THE ROYAL ROMANCE

A Cup of Comfort (Series) ✒️| TRR MC, Friends - @silvermillenniumqueenneptune Chapter 1

Christmas in New York ✒️🌟| Liam Rys x MC - @eadanga

Side by Side (Series) ✒️| Liam Rys x MC - @ownworldresident Chapter 3: Legitimate | Chapter 4: Resolve

The Best Mistake He Never Had (Series) ✒️| Drake Walker x MC - @camillemontespan Part 3

Turning the Page (Serires) ✒️| Liam Rys x F!OC - @tessa-liam Chapter 8: Home is Where the Heart Is

THE UNEXPECTED HEIRESS

John Somerset x F!MC Fanart 🎨by @cpt-indigo

#choices fanfic #choices fanart #blades of light and shadow #bloodbound #crimes of passion #desire and decorum #the elementalists #the freshman series #it lives in the woods #laws of attraction #open heart #the royal romance #the unexpected heiress #playchoices #choices the stories you play #playchoices fanfic #playchoices fanart

[lorirwritesfanfic]

Minefields And Battle Scars - Part 2

Author's note: Leading characters are owned by Pixelberry Studios and original characters are creations of the author. Book: Desire & Decorum (modern day AU) Pairing: Prince Hamid x MC (Daphne) Rating: T Word count: 4833 Reading time: ~19min Summary: Daphne’s visit to the queen will bring changes she can’t foresee.

Istanbul, January 7th 2019

Daphne finished arranging tempura, sashimis, tofu and donburi on the tray when Hamid's laughter echoed through the walls. After a moment of frustration during the visit to his orthopedist, to hear him laughing was a relief. It was rare to see him so upset and she didn't realise until then how much his sadness could affect her. But hopefully, good food and wholesome entertainment would help cheer him up.

Taking the plates to the lounge, she grinned at the sight of him still laughing at a scene of a series recommended by Malak. "You watched the scene with Ceycey hiding behind the plant, didn't you?"

"It was the dumbest scene I've ever watched, but it's so good," he replied, taking his time to catch his breath.

"Malak was so right. This series is addictive."

"Don't tell her that or she'll flood your phone with gifs and gossip about the actors and the series."

"Noted." The lady beamed and placed down the tray on the coffee table as she sat on the sofa.

Hamid glanced at the dishes with a curious look. "I thought you wanted to try islak burgers¹."

"Yes, but I saw the look in your eyes when we passed by your favorite Japanese restaurant here after we left Dr. Delin's office and I ordered our lunch from there. Now I understand why you wanted it."

"That's the best Japanese restaurant here. Their dishes remind me of my trip to Kyoto after I graduated at Bahcesehir²." His lips curled upwards softly. "I had already been accepted in Cambridge, but I wanted to spend summer away from everyone and go somewhere unknown. I wanted to have time to see the city and enjoy every new thing I learned there." A wistful look crossed his features.

"Seems like I made the right choice for lunch then," she added, placing her hand atop his.

"You did." A wider grin spread on his lips. "I would've been perfectly content with a kiss and a hug from my girlfriend, but I'm not complaining..."

"Is that so?" Daphne smirked, leaning in to kiss his cheek.

Cupping her face, he kissed her forehead, the tip of her nose and her lips. "Thank you for this. I promise one day we'll have lunch in Kyoto and stroll around the city."

"I'll hold you to that. Now then, let's dig in."

"Great idea."

The couple sat on the carpet and arranged the coffee table to have their lunch. Between bites and a conversation that flowed easily, the sound of something falling called their attention. Looking from the corner of an eye, Daphne grimaced as she spotted her mobile on the floor, screen facing down the floor while Hamid's cat jumped from the sideboard to play with it.

"Allah, allah..." He narrowed his eyes at the cat then looked at his girlfriend. "I'm sorry, aşkım."

"It's fine..." she gave her shoulders, trying not to look annoyed. "I wanted a new phone anyway..."

"Didn't you buy that one two months ago?"

"I did?" She forced a smile.

"Daphne, I'm not going to be mad if you're upset about it. I know Maya can be a handful sometimes."

"I'm not going to make a fuss about it. Maya is just a tiny kitten with a lot of energy. Many baby animals go through this phase."

"Are you sure it's fine?"

"It's just a phone. It's easily replaceable. Drake was way worse when his teeth were growing. Do you have any idea of how many shoes and bags he ruined until I found a good dog trainer?"

The two of them chuckled.

Hamid reached for her hand and lifted to his lips to kiss it. "Let's finish eating. We'll check on the damage later and purchase a new phone if you want."

As soon as they continued to eat, Daphne's phone buzzed again.

"Seems like it survived the fall," Hamid commented.

"That's a good sign," she added and continued to eat.

The phone buzzed again. Maya jumped back, puffing up her fur and hissing at the phone.

"Aren't you going to pick it up?"

"And bleed until next week when her sharp claws and teeth sink into my skin? No, thank you."

"She's not that aggressive..." He scoffed.

"Easy for you to say, babağim³," she retorted.

He chortled. "Fine... I got it." With one arm, Hamid reached for a food container and grabbed a cat treat. Before he called Maya, she was already sitting beside him with her big pleading yellow eyes waiting for the snack she was going to get.

Whilst her boyfriend distracted the car with a treat, Daphne picked up her phone from the floor and smiled at the sight of the barely scratched screen. She then proceeded to open the messages she received and made a face.

"How bad does it look?"

"Well, my phone is fine. But my grandmother sent me her suggestions of outfits for me and I don't know what to make of them."

"Didn't you say you two have similar preferences in fashion?"

"We usually do. But not today..." she said, handing him her phone and grinned as he twisted his nose at the outfit.

"Is she suggesting you wear an outfit I can only imagine Queen Elizabeth wearing because of last week's gossip about you?" He arched an eyebrow.

"I'm afraid so..."

"But It wasn't that bad. You didn't hit anyone with a tennis ball or ended up in jail this time," he teased.

"What happened to Theresa was an accident! And that guy who tried to grope me had it coming." Her lips twisted in a scowl.

"I know..." He chuckled. "All I'm saying is we can barely call what happened last week a scandal."

"There's no reason why she should bother with this. It's not like I'm going to be countess." Daphne gave her shoulders and began to poke the food on her plate.

"I suppose you're right." Hamid studied her face. "You mentioned you only agreed to attend this meeting with the queen to please your grandmother. But I was wondering if this truly the only way you can make amends with Lady Dominique."

"It's the most effective one."

"I'm still failing to understand how it'd help. I hardly believe you would wish to settle your differences with your grandmother in front of the queen."

The lady glanced at him and looked down at her food again.

"Daphne, why did you agree to this meeting?"

"Because grandmother is right. The queen is an example of a powerful woman with many years of experience. She faced wars, unsuccessful alliances, and unscrupulous people. Maybe I could learn something with her."

"Hm..." He placed his elbow on the table and supported his chin with one hand. "A diplomatic and vague answer that would work so well with other people. Smart..."

The lady frowned and moved closer to him. "How do you do that?"

"It takes a charmer to know other," he replied, wrapping an arm around her waist.

Daphne snorted, but soon her brows knitted together in a frown. "I don't think I was born to be a politician. But my grandmother and he had faith in me that I started to believe it."

"Do you regret sending the letter to the queen?"

"A little..." She sighed. "But it was for the best."

"To whom?"

The lady pulled away from her boyfriend and narrowed her eyes. "Hamid, you've worked with my father. You know the members of the Parliament. Do you honestly think any of them wouldn't belittle me?"

"No. But I also think you're not the kind of person who walks in and out of any place without leaving your mark. Do you have any idea of the impact you could cause there? How much hope you could bring not just for your family, but to the Asian community, immigrants in general, women, artists?"

Staring wide eyed at Hamid, she slowly tried to process what he said.

"You don't have to become a politician if you don't want to. But you have a power, a voice that shouldn't be silenced by anyone. Don't forget it."

Still unsure of what to say, Daphne simply stared blankly at him.

Certain she would take his words under careful consideration, Hamid smiled proudly. "I see the idea still demands some time to be absorbed, but in the meantime, how about we finish our lunch?"

Daphne nodded, but remained quiet, still lost in deep thought when a large hand holding chopsticks captured the last of her salmon nigiri. "Hey!" She scowled.

"You snooze, you lose," he winked.

"Oh, you're going to regret that, Osmanoğlu," She threatened, using her chopsticks to steal all the tuna sashimis. And just like that, the couple began a playful chopsticks fight that ended up into feeding each other until all the food was over.

County of Edgewater, three days later

Daphne placed one last pin between her dark strands of hair, finishing her low braided bun. Checking her hair to see everything else in place, she applied a dry hair spray when she heard a knock.

"Daphne?" The earl called.

"Come in, dad!" She answered, smiling as he walked holding a small box in his hand.

"You look as stunning as ever, my dear."

"Here you go, sweetheart."

She grabbed the box and opened it. Her eyes landed on her family heirloom, a sapphire and gold brooch with Edgewater crest engraved in the blue gemstone. "It's so regal..." She said, admiring the details of the accessory.

"Did I tell you it belonged to one of your namesakes?"

"Which one? But don't tell me this belonged to Stormholt or Cordonian queens because I won't believe it. I'm not twelve anymore, dad."

"I may have stretched the truth a little, my stories were good, weren't they?"

"Yes." She pursed her lips, but still smiled.

"Thank you." Vincent chuckled. "This one is from my father's side of the family."

"So no queens flying on blue dragons or crown shields with magical powers."

"No. Even though Cornodians are extra careful with their most prized possessions, I highly doubt they still have crown jewels from the late Middle Ages when the kingdom was still divided in five distinct lands. This brooch belonged to Countess Daphne Foredale of Edgewater."

"There was a Countess Daphne Foredale before?"

"Yes, during the Regency period."

Curiosity sparkled within her eyes. "How was she?"

"She was smart, beautiful, polite, just and very popular among gentry folk."

"She sounds fascinating." Daphne said, eyes glancing at her accessories and choosing the necklace her boyfriend gave her.

"She was." He smiled to himself watching his daughter's fingers open the locket for a moment before closing it and putting on the necklace.

"I don't remember seeing her portrait on the wall of our ancestors."

"She didn't rule Edgewater for long."

"Oh?"

"I can tell you her story later. Now then, how are you feeling, my dear?" He asked, taking a seat on the chair nearby.

"Like I can't wait for this brunch to be over." She grimaced.

"You've met the queen before. There's nothing to worry about."

"But it's been over a year since the last time I met her. A lot has happened since then. What if she looks down on me?" Daphne frowned.

"Well, Her Majesty can be a judgemental woman just like everyone else. The royal family has never been a model of decorum within closed doors. But in my humble opinion, everyone deserves respect. And you, my dear." The earl reached for his daughter's hand and squeezed it gently. "You're the most honourable young lady in UK and she’d be a fool to misjudge you."

"Honourable enough to still become a countess?"

"Is it what you want, Daphne?"

"I'm not sure. But I've been thinking about it..." She looked down, fiddling with the hem of her dress.

"I don't know about the queen's opinion, but if it's only up to me and if it's what you want, you'll be the second Countess Daphne Foredale. And I'll make sure your portrait will stay on the wall of our ancestors for many years."

"But what about Eddie and Harry?"

"What about them?" He joked.

"Daaad..." She whined.

"Nothing is set in stone, my dear. I'm still alive and well and I hope to have many years ahead of me. Which gives me plenty of time to decide between them if my first choice maintains her decision."

A thin line took shape between her eyebrows as Daphne looked down at her hands.

"I'm not pressuring you, sweetheart. All I want is for you to be happy whether you wish to follow my footsteps or not," he said, placing the brooch on her vanity dresser.

Her eyes landed on the brooch and mixed feelings rose inside her. Was she ready to be back in another minefield again? "I know..."

"Take your time. Whenever you have a definite answer, I'll be here."

"Thank you."

"You're most welcome, my dear." The earl kissed the top of her head and left the room.

Daphne picked up the brooch and pressed it against her chest to figure out where it would go. For a moment she wondered what it would mean to her grandmother and the queen if she wore a family heirloom.

The arrival of the Foredale ladies to Buckingham palace didn't go unnoticed by the paparazzi. To respect the distance stipulated by the court to avoid lawsuits, they only took pictures of her whenever she was close to the Queen. Much to their delight, she was constantly close to Queen Elizabeth walking through the gardens with her pug. They even managed to snap two or three pictures of her Royal Majesty smiling at the viscountess's dog. The moment they walked inside the palace, things were bound to change.

"Thank you." Daphne smiled at a servant who gave Drake a bowl with treats.

"You have a very well behaved dog for a pug. His breed isn't known for its obedience." The queen pointed out.

"Oh, I know. His trainer did wonders. Hopefully, he will continue to behave now that I'm taking him with me to the States."

The queen nodded as her eyes eventually darted to the brooch with Edgewater crest. "I assume your grandmother didn't leave us here to get a recipe with my personal chef for nothing."

"You're correct, ma'am. Lady grandmother always has a strategy."

"What is it that you want to talk about, Lady Foredale?"

Daphne shifted on her seat in discomfort and cleared her throat. "Ma'am, you became sovereign in your late twenties, you were many times the only female politician in a room full of men who think they know it all. How do you handle criticism?"

The queen placed her teacup back on the coffee table and began to speak. "Criticism is part of existing in human society. One cannot expect to please everybody and it was never my job to do so. I do hear what others have to say, but I can't allow it to cloud my judgement. My duty to this country, to the Commonwealth comes before everything else."

"I see." Daphne replied with a grim smile.

"Do you regret your decision of stepping down from public activities as a noblewoman?"

The young lady averted her gaze as she searched for the right words.

"It's a simple answer, Lady Foredale." The queen affirmed, taking the opportunity to scrutinize the viscountess.

"It seems easy to say yes or no. But each answer comes with consequences that will affect not just me or my family. I can't forget the people whose lives might be affected by this choice."

As she glanced at the queen, she noticed something different about how the sovereign looked at her.

"I wasn't raised among nobility, as you must know. When I came to the UK to live with my father, I didn't know he wanted to pass his title to me. I thought he'd give it to Harry. He was the obvious choice. But he told me he saw something in me that made him believe I look after the County of Edgewater. After a while, I started to believe it too."

"Did you stop believing it after the succession of scandals you were involved in?"

"No."

The queen's forehead creased in surprise.

"I never stopped believing it, ma'am. I was just..." Daphne took a moment to choose her words. "I was mentally or emotionally exhausted at the time I wrote you that letter. I thought it was the right decision for me, for my family's legacy, for Edgewater."

"May I ask what caused that change of heart?"

"I was discussing the purpose of this meeting with someone very dear to me and he reminded me of all the reasons I started to believe I could do it. Even if my voice feels little at times because of my humble origins, my gender, my race or what I did in the past, I still can make an impact if I'm there."

"Yet the life you have now in another country, away from the scrutiny of paparazzi and gossip feels safe, does it?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Lady Foredale, you've always had my approval. I wouldn't have wasted my time attending a ceremony to bestow you a courtesy title if I didn't."

Daphne stared at the queen in shock. "You wouldn't?! I thought you attended the ceremony because of your friendship with Lady grandmother. Or because King Liam was there."

"Please... I could've simply sent somebody in place to give you the title of viscountess." The queen waved her hand dismissively. "I have to admit your family connections do give an advantage. But as you reminded me, you were born with noble blood, but weren't raised to be one. What you accomplished in so little time was remarkable. And my opinion didn't change. If you do wish to take your place as the rightful heir, I won't oppose."

Daphne nodded, doing her best to wrap her mind about it. "I can't say I was expecting that."

"I can see that," The queen said as a ghost of a smile played on her lips. "But take your time to think about it. After all, you were right. This is a decision that comes with consequences that will affect more than just you or your family."

"Thank you, ma'am."

Just then, the door flew open and Lady Dominique walked in folding a piece of paper.

"Forgive me for my absence, Your Majesty. I saw the chef preparing biscuits and I had to stay and watch his marvelous work." Dominique said, taking a seat next to her granddaughter. "I hope the conversation you two were having was pleasant."

"Yes, Lady Dominique. It was." The queen answered as she poured herself more tea.

Glancing at her granddaughter, Lady Dominique gave Daphne a discreet nod and a smile in approval.

Daphne, however, wasn't sure what to make of it. All she knew was that regardless of her choice, that informal meeting would change everything.

"Thank you, Carmindy." Daphne smiled as she gave her coat to her maid and took a seat by her vanity dresser.

"Should I take Drake for a walk by the lake, ma'am?" The maid asked.

"No, it's fine. He had a walk at the palace. I don't want to tire him out."

"Of course." Carmindy then proceeded to organise Daphne's belongings. "Ms. Daly, Ms. Parsons and Mr. Osmanoğlu called while you were in London. They seemed excited about the pictures."

"Pictures?" Daphne held her makeup remover cloth midair and glanced at her maid.

"Yes. The ones posted on the tabloids with the Queen."

Things did start changing."Um... Okay. I guess..." Daphne said and continued to remove her makeup. "Did they say anything else?"

"They're all waiting for you to return the calls. Ms. Daly said you should make a conference call to her and Ms. Parsons first."

"Please tell me she didn't justify it with 'chicks before dicks'." She made a face.

"You asked me not to hide things from you, ma'am." Carmindy fought back a smile.

"Oh, Briar..." Daphne sighed, shaking her head.

"Mr. Osmanoğlu said he knew Ms. Daly would use that excuse and he insisted you should call him first because he has boyfriend privileges and, unlike your friends, he isn't a twenty minutes drive away from you. Also, he said he misses you the most."

Daphne couldn't help but giggle as she stood up. "Thank you, Carmindy. I'll send them a message and call later. Right now, we have to finish packing."

The maid gave her a polite nod. "As you wish, ma'am."

On the opposite side of Edgewater estate, Henrietta glanced out the window, frantically bouncing her left foot as she waited for more details about the visit to the Queen. It was obvious that Daphne didn't simply accompany Lady Dominique on a informal brunch. The Dowager countess and the Queen were old friends and Daphne has always been her favourite grandchild. But above all else, Dominique was a great strategist who wouldn't simply accept defeat.

"Finally!" She exclaimed as Theresa walked into the room.

"Sorry, ma'am. It wasn't easy to hear Lady Dominique's conversation with Lord Vincent. The staff is constantly watching us."

Henrietta's lips twisted in a scowl. The staff in Edgewater hasn't been cooperative with her ever since Daphne's former maid was fired because of her involvement with the scandal. Although no one outside the family knew for sure, most people believed it was the countess's doing, the only member of the Foredales who never had a good relationship with the young viscountess. "What did you find out?"

"As far I know, Daphne hasn’t decided yet," Theresa explained as she sat down. "Lady Dominique said Daphne has the Queen's approval to return to her activities as a noblewoman, but she said Daphne should think about it."

"Did they say why?"

"The earl thinks she is conflicted. It can be about her not wanting to jeopardize her relationship with Harry and Edmund, but he's also not sure she wants to be in the spotlight again."

"Hmm... I guess I underestimated the potential of her bond with my sons..." Henrietta seemed lost in thought for a moment, then spoke again. "What did you hear from Daphne's bedroom?"

"Nothing special. Just that her friends saw the pictures in the tabloids and they wanted to know what happened. She didn't give any details to Carmindy though."

"Of course she didn't. She's not stupid. She no longer fully trusts any of the servants." Henrietta stood up and paced around. "Anything else?"

"No. She's just packing her stuff with Carmindy to travel back to the States."

"I still have to keep an eye on her then. I can't have her changing her mind about it after all I did to give back to my sons what had always been theirs." Henrietta turned to Theresa. "Are your bags packed?"

"No, ma'am. I thought—"

"You thought?!" Henrietta pinched the bridge of her nose and inhaled sharply before she glared at the young woman. "I did not use my connections and made you look vaguely smart to the Dean for you to stay here and do nothing! You'll go back tomorrow in the same flight Daphne will leave."

"But ma'am, Eddie and I—"

"Why are you still questioning me? Go!" Henrietta hissed, pointing to the door.

"Yes, ma'am." Theresa then stood up and quietly left the room.

"Argh!!!" Felicity threw a glass against the wall, making the hair stylist blow drying her long sandy blond hair flinch in response.

"Miss Holloway, please, be calm," begged a servant taking the tablet away from her view.

"Calm?! How can you expect me to be calm when my fiancé dismissed me as if I was nothing?!" She yelled.

"Mr. Sinclaire warned you this would be a busy week for him, miss. And you did tell him that the dinner meeting you went to last night was one of the most boring dinners of your life. Maybe he just doesn't want you to be bored," the servant tried to reason.

"I don't care! He's my fiancé!" Felicity spat. "If I'm not there, people will talk!"

"And given what the tabloids said about Daphne and him..." Donna implied, looking at her friend from the corner of an eye as her finger tapped the phone screen idly.

"Call him again!" Felicity ordered.

The servant pressed a number, put the call on speaker and waited only for them to hear his voice message.

"Miss, Mr. Sinclaire doesn—'"

"I know! I'm not deaf! Keep calling him!" She yelled and closed her eyes, trying to control her anger. "Distract me, Donna. Tell me the hottest gossip on the tabloids today."

Donna looked down at her phone then glanced at her friend as if scared of her reaction.

"What?" Felicity glared at her minion.

"I don't think you want to know about it..."

"Why? What's trending?"

"Um..." Donna scratched the back of her head.

"Oh, for the love of god, just give me that!" She hissed, snatching the mobile away from Donna's hand.

As she read the news on the most popular tabloid of the UK, she scowled. On the main page, a large picture of Daphne with her grandmother and Queen Elizabeth was displayed with the headline 'Back In The Queen's Good Graces'. Inside the post, more pictures showed the viscountess walking beside the queen while they strolled in the lawn with their dogs and even a picture of the queen smiling. On social media, there were several pictures of Daphne's hairstyle, outfit and even makeup tutorials to copy her look.

"Why the hell are there pictures of that loser all over the internet?!" She growled.

"Well, Stella McCartney did post a picture on pictogram where she was adjusting the coat made exclusively for Daphne and Queen Elizabeth was smiling..." Donna tried to explain only to earn a glare from her friend.

"She can't become relevant again. She can't," she mumbled, throwing the phone back to Donna. "Where is Theresa? Did she find anything at the Foredales'?"

"Nothing important. The countess thinks Daphne is trying to become the heir again but right now it's mere speculation."

"After the queen had clearly regretted giving that bastard a title?!"

"Actually, that's a rumor. Daphne is the one who sent a letter to the queen in October asking to step down," Donna corrected.

"It was a rhetorical question, you git⁴." Felicity hissed, shooting daggers at her minion. "What about that gossip blog in Turkey?'

"Nobody knows a thing about Daphne and Hamid."

"Excuse me?! What about the tips we sent?"

"The owner of the blog said there's no real proof they're together and he wasted his time sending that post about Ernest and Daphne to Hamid."

"Excuse me?!"

"Felicity, we can't say he's wrong. If you think about it, Hamid and Daphne are very discreet. They're rarely seen without their friends, they don't go out much, their interactions on social media are friendly and they have never been caught on PDA. They only kissed in public once, but no one has any evidence that ever happened. As far as everybody knows, they're just friends." Donna shrugged.

"What?!" Felicity's head snapped to the side to look at her friend. "But she was in Istanbul with him. Twice!"

"But there's no real evidence. No pictures, no one has seen them together since they flew back to Europe during winter break. Because of her restraining order against the paparazzi, that picture of her at the train station was taken down the next day and no one in Turkey knows who she is. And that means there's no reason why anyone in Turkey would take a picture of her there."

Felicity's brows furrowed in confusion.

"I know, right?" Donna gave her friend a knowing look.

"There's something really strange about all of this. And I won’t rest until I figure it out," she said glaring at the pictures on her phone screen.

____

¹ "Wet burger": burger made with ground beef, garlic and buttery tomato sauce.

² University in Istanbul

³ Dear daddy

⁴ British slur for moron

#choices fanfic #desire and decorum fanfic #prince hamid #hamid x mc #dominique foredale #vincent foredale #lorirwritesfanfic #lorircreates #desire & decorum modern day au #meant to be au

[maxwell-pls]

Viscount Harry: *ruins MC’s engagement party*

voice from the heavens: stop being a twat to your siiiiiiisssteerr...

#playchocies #desire and decorum #desire & decorum #viscount harry #choices #earl of edgewater #vincent foredale