Além, sempre além

about*~*rules

For a moment there is a heavy tension in the air and the confident-looking Prince just KNOWS that he’s messed up in his address somehow. His blood grows cold with dread. Thankfully the feeling doesn’t last long. The doors open and out walks the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen. That’s the princess?? She looks even better than the paintings! Is he blushing right now? That never happens… This is going to be his WIFE? Was he lucky or wh—!! Ah—

She introduces the princess behind her and the way he was staring at her thankfully carries over to the actual Princess while his brain catches up. She’s beautiful too, of course but… something within him feels terrible for mixing the two up. Maybe there’s also a guilty feeling of… disappointment?? A-anyway he bows to her properly, quickly kneeling down and offering his hand out. If she takes it he will kiss it as is tradition. “Your highness… it’s my great pleasure to finally meet you.” What a series of fuckups this has been so far (two whole fuckups)… he is slowly feeling more and more nervous. 

The princess is clearly pleased, offering her hand courteously and expressing how honoured the entire kingdom is to receive such a guest. As this goes on, Leonor takes the chance to discretely give the prince a once-over. From his toes to his head, the entire thing is practically out of a fairytale book: diamond-patterned fabric that undoubtedly cost months of servant wages, exquisitely embroidered gold thread that sparkles in the light, and to top it all (quite literally) a beautiful diamond-encrusted circlet. She finally dares to look at his face, and of course the moment she does so she encounters a pair of bright green eyes looking back at her.

Leonor glances down immediately, aware she’s just been caught staring and trying her hardest not to show her internal panic. Despite her faux pas, it all goes relatively well after that. She resolutely keeps her eyes on the ground, even after the Prince and his entourage leave the Throne Room to go to their rooms. The banquet would only be held later on, and they would surely appreciate the chance to rest after such a long trip.

CARDVERSE AU | Plotted starter for @carnationsails

Today is finally the day! The day that the townspeople have all been talking about for months! The crown prince of the Diamond Kingdom, Antonio, has arrived on royal dragonback and is passing through what they call the “Sun Gate” of the Spade Kingdom capital’s outer walls. For a Diamond royal, this was a long-standing tradition. This huge, beautiful gate, inlaid with intricate mosaic and stained glass designs, was built to commemorate the close bonds between the two kingdoms. Even though the Diamond Kingdom and Spade Kingdom were neighbors, it was still such a long journey for the royals if they wanted to visit each other. After riding for far too long, the crown prince is tired but still keeping up his regal appearance at least until they get past this crowd of people, smiling and waving away. There are quite a lot of women screaming about him, complimenting him and welcoming him with overwhelming excitement. Antonio can overhear his men walking behind him laughing about it and can hardly resist whipping around to yell at them in front of everyone… but as the crown prince, he must persevere. This was a very important trip for him. Antonio was here to meet and possibly also marry the Spade Kingdom’s princess. It was another tradition… but not one Antonio could say he was ever fond of. Knowing that he was just going to be married off against his will, he’s spent his time, well, sleeping around with just about anyone he wants. This was something his Father suggested he do. ‘To get experience’, he had said. A young Antonio wasn’t going to argue with that. As they make it to the royal stables, he carefully climbs down from his dragon and hands him off to the attendant. “Goodbye Soler! Be a good boy, okay?” The dragon huffs and turns away, going with the stablehand obediently. Antonio, though tired and stiff, is abundantly excited to finally BE here and down on the ground again. The air feels great. There’s a cool breeze here in Sky Harbour. He stretches as he waits for the rest of his party to catch up so they can head to the castle. Soon enough, they are all walking in to the grand Throne Room together. Prince Antonio can’t help craning his neck upwards to admire the intricate and symbolic details hiding in every corner of the architecture. Of course, he had been here before, but only a few times and when he was much younger. It’s time to pay attention, though, and he steps up to bow before and address the royal family. “King and Queen of Spade Kingdom, I Crown Prince Antonio of the Diamond Kingdom, have arrived. I humbly thank you for your hospitality.” It’s just what his Father told him to say. He hopes he hasn’t messed anything up but you can’t tell he’s worried by the confident expression on his face, visible when he stands back up straight.

Leonor pauses for a moment to watch the colourful spectacle below from one of the Crescent tower’s windows. The welcome party for the prince of Diamonds had been in the works for months and it’s no secret that the King expects everyone to be on their best behaviour - townspeople included. Even with that in mind, it’s clear that the man on the copper dragon is proving quite popular already.

Hearing her name called, she looks away to rejoin the other ladies-in-waiting who are busy preparing Princess Celeste to meet the newcomer. Celeste looks up at her, careful not to move her head too much lest it ruin the complicated braid currently being created out of her long dark hair. “What news do you have for me?”

“Their dragons are different, your Highness.”

The princess giggles then, rolling her eyes. “I am not marrying a dragon, Leonor.”

Leonor smiles then, voice fond as she skilfully drapes the azure silk around the princess’ shoulders. “I’m afraid I could not see him from here.” 

To say the princess is excited to meet her husband-to-be would be an understatement. She (and the entirety of the palace) had heard all manner of good things about Crown Prince Antonio from messengers and courtiers who’d visited to open up marriage talks with the neighbouring kingdom. Judging by the loud compliments from outside, it can at least be surmised that they hadn’t lied about their prince’s appearance.

Finally the princess is ready, and it doesn’t take long for her and her entourage to make their way to the Throne Room. Stopping just outside of the carved doors, the ladies-in-waiting take their positions behind the princess, except Leonor who has the task of announcing her arrival. As they wait for the right moment, they hear the Diamonds prince introduce himself. A good voice, no doubt, but everyone outside the door shares a silent glance as they realise that Antonio hasn’t addressed their monarchs properly. Everyone except the princess, whose excitement seems to be growing the closer she is to meeting the prince in person.

“Oh, yes, yes.” Francis waves his hand. “Ah, no. Emergency meeting and then I figured I would just stay.” He shrugs, taking another sip before sighing dramatically with a silly smile at Leonor.

Before she can coax him to the living room, Francis grabs at her hips and pulls her closer, chuckling. He leans in and buries his face into her shoulder. “I am sorry for not telling you bébé…… I wanted to surprise you!” He is very obviously drunk.

“An emergency meeting? At this point in the year?” She shakes her head, this is a time for relaxing. No wonder he’d gotten drunk, then. 

Francis was too drunk to notice that anything was off. Instead he's in her kitchen, fixing himself another glass of wine. He mildly hears the crash outside the house and it makes him pause for a second, but he just resumes pouring and is in the middle of a huge gulp of wine when she reappears. "Ohhhhhh no darling...... I am fine, thank you." He takes another huge sip!

Sweetheart! I wasn't expecting a visit! [She looks a little frazzled as she stands in the doorway.] Uhm... come in, come in, I'll be with you in a second!

I love the present but come on… Why are you telling people I’m a furry? You KNOW it’s furby!! NOT furry.

LEONOR.... WAS THIS ALL A SETUP TO RUIN ME????

Ughhh fineeee. [groans and moves away from her, sitting up only slightly to reach for the water. She takes a sip but spills some onto the bed…] Aw man… ah well, it’s just water. [time to go back to hugging Leonor but now with a wet shirt!!]

[whines in response and rolls to hug onto her.] That water has been sitting there all night! It’s old now… :(

[she just woke up from a nap and she’s smacking her lips…] Thirsty….

Oh, but arson can be so fun. [Spoken like a true revolutionary. He stands up and finds their food, handing one box to her with a boop to her nose.]

I made you fried rice, dear. Pan-seared over a fire. And I did not light your place on fire, I promise. [A wink!]

If all else fails, I’ll ask for your arson expertise. [A smile finally appears when he boops her and she opens the box, ready to dig in]

[He quirks his eyebrows with a silly little smirk.] Well, first you could gaslight him so that he tells you how much money he actually has. You know- “Oh, I do not believe you, no that is not true-” You know? And then you see his real amount, and start mocking him for it. That would probably make him peacock even more. [He ponders, humming.] I do not know. That could work.

[He pauses.]

There is always arson? Pfft- [He waves his hand up nonchalantly.]

[She’s listening intently, arms crossed as well while weighing his words.] Hm, I wasn’t sure about this since he isn’t the brightest guy, but he’s definitely proud... That could really hit him where it hurts... Arson? 

[Francis is the local sitting off to the side, visiting her midday with her lunch as she works her shift. He’s relaxed and his arms are crossed.]

Well, it sounds like he has bigger fish to fry, no? Perhaps he is mentally compensating for something, calling you a gold digger. Man does tend to peacock like that, he does. You should have asked him for proof that he has this money! And then psychologically manipulated him about it. 

[Francis slowly leans back down, his sleepy eyelids slightly closing.] Do you want to tell me about it? [He furrows his brows at her last statement.] Was your dream about me? Why would you be thinking about these things? [His voice was barely audible through the exhaustion in his voice.] Lanana- what is wrong?