cresting wave

@cresting-wave asked: ❝ were you just…speaking to your own reflection there? ❞

Her eyes widened at the question, though there was no judgement in her expression, only surprise.

"You've never had hot chocolate before?" she exclaimed before she could stop herself, "Oh! We need to fix this immediately, you simply haven't lived until you've tried some!" Her expression softened.

"It's this drink you make with hot milk, some grated dark chocolate, sugar, sour cream, and I personally like to add some cinnamon. Come on, I will show you!" Anna grabbed her hand as she started to pull her towards the kitchen.

You think you're so much better than me, don't you?

Stop looking at me like that.

We're on the same side now, whether you like it or not.

I'd rather die than work with you.

You're the last person I wanted to see today.

Don't you dare act like you care about me now.

I know what you did. I know everything.

You've always been my enemy, but you've never been my equal.

Why does it feel like you're the only one who actually sees me?

I don't trust you. I'll never trust you.

You're insufferable, you know that?

We can't keep doing this—pretending we don't feel it.

I've spent half my life trying to destroy you.

God, I want to hate you so badly right now.

You make me want to scream.

I didn't save you because I like you. I saved you because I had to.

We're not friends. We'll never be friends.

You don't get to be vulnerable with me now, not after everything.

I've imagined killing you a thousand different ways.

Why do you always have to be right?

I hate how much space you take up in my head.

You're my rival, not my—whatever the hell this is.

Don't touch me. Don't you fucking dare.

I know you better than anyone, and that's the worst part.

You've ruined me for anyone else, and I hate you for it.

I'd burn the world down before I let you win.

You look at me like I'm the villain, but you're no hero either.

I can't do this. I can't want you and hate you at the same time.

You're the only person who's ever challenged me.

Stop pretending you don't feel this too.

I've never wanted to throttle someone and hold them this badly before.

We're going to regret this in the morning.

You think you know me? You don't know anything.

I didn't mean to fall for you. This is a mistake.

You make me feel like I'm losing a battle I didn't even know I was fighting.

I swore I'd never let you get close to me.

Why does fighting with you feel better than being happy with anyone else?

You're dangerous. To me. To everything I've built.

I hate that you're the only one who makes me feel alive.

This thing between us—it's toxic. We're toxic.

You've always been the thorn in my side. Now you're under my skin.

You betrayed me once. How do I know you won't do it again?

I've spent years building walls to keep you out.

We're playing with fire here, and we both know it.

You're my competition, my nemesis, my—fuck, I don't even know anymore.

I was born to inherit this. From my first breath, it was meant to be mine.

You are not the heir my father chose, whatever claim you may believe yourself to possess.

The council shall convene at dawn, and there decide what is to become of me.

I have been schooled since infancy to sit that throne. No one thought to teach me how lonely it would be.

You are but a second son. By rights, that ought to mean little. Here, it means all.

The succession runs in my blood, heedless of my wishes. I have never once been granted a choice in any of it.

I would surrender my claim for you. 

You look upon that throne as though it were a cage. Of late, I have begun to see the bars as well.

The court has already begun to choose its banners. I must know beneath which one you mean to stand.

You possess the better claim to this crown, and we both know it, though the court may choke upon the truth.

The regency ends when I come of age next spring. I cannot say whether I am prepared for what follows.

My sister gathers allies in the north and calls men to her banners. I do not think she means to wait for the old king to die in his own bed.

I would trade this birthright for a single year lived as any common soul might live. 

The council would have me wed before autumn’s end, that the succession might be secured. Not one among them has thought to ask whom I would choose.

I watched my father die with his fingers still closed around a power he no longer possessed the strength to wield.

You would rule with greater kindness than any of us.

The crown has passed over me and settled upon my cousin’s brow. I have spent my whole life preparing for a future that is mine no longer.

I do not desire the throne. I desire only the right to refuse it, and even that has been denied me.

You were raised in exile, waiting upon a claim that might never ripen. I do not know how the waiting has not broken you.

I have inherited a war I did not begin and a crown I am not certain I have earned.

You would burn the realm to ash before you saw it fall into unworthy hands. I have begun to wonder whether mine are such hands.

The laws of succession favor the eldest son. I had the ill fortune to be born a daughter, and thus wrongly born in the eyes of the crown.

You ask whether I desire this. No one has asked me such a thing in all my life. I find I do not know how to answer.

The realm requires a strong hand upon the throne. I do not know that mine is strong enough. Tell me that it is, even should you have to lie.

You would have made a good queen. I think upon that more often than I should, now that the crown has fallen to me instead.

The ancient laws decree that the crown must pass through blood alone. I fear that law has destroyed far more of this family than it ever preserved.

You stood beside me at my coronation when half the court wished you cast out. I shall remember it until my dying day.

This quarrel over the succession has already claimed two lives. I fear it has not yet taken its full due.

I never wished to rule. I wished only to be free. No one born to this house has ever been permitted both.

You would surrender everything for me. I begin to understand that you count your claim among those sacrifices.

I have worn this crown for but a single day, and already I understand how it broke my father.

You are the rightful heir, and every soul in this chamber knows it, even those who would rather bite out their tongues than confess it.

The throne was never meant to be mine. Perhaps that is the very thing that might set me free of it.

You once told me that power is not inherited, but seized. I did not understand you until I watched my brother reach for mine.

The council fears the ruler I may yet become. On certain days, I find that I fear them as well.

I would sooner lay down my crown than become the sort of monarch my father was.

You've been seen. We've been seen. Do you understand what that means?

I cannot marry you. My father has already promised me to someone else.

The ton is calling you ruined. What were you thinking, being alone with them?

You dance beautifully. Pity this will be the only waltz society allows us.

I saw you in the garden with Lord/Lady [Name]. Does your betrothed know?

Take off your gloves. Let me see your hands properly, just once.

The wedding banns have already been read. It's too late to change your mind now.

You've been compromised. I'm afraid I must insist on doing the honorable thing.

Mama says I'm not to speak with you anymore. She says you're a rake/ruined.

How dare you show your face here after what you did to my family's name.

I received your letter. I burned it, as I should have burned all the others.

The Queen has struck you from her list. You'll never receive a royal invitation again.

You think a country dance means I've forgiven you? How naive.

I don't care what the marriage contract says. I will never share your bed.

Your reputation precedes you. They say you've left a trail of broken hearts.

I saw the way you looked at them during the musicale. You're not as subtle as you think.

My dowry has been withdrawn. I bring nothing to this marriage now but scandal.

You were supposed to be my friend. Instead, you told everyone my secret.

The modiste sent your measurements to the wrong household. The entire club is laughing.

I cannot be seen arriving with you. Meet me by the rose garden in one hour.

Your brother challenged mine to a duel. Over me. What have we done?

I am with child. Unmarried. Do you comprehend the gravity of this?

They're calling me a fortune hunter in the scandal sheets.

You must marry someone suitable. I am neither titled nor wealthy enough for your family.

I heard the whispers. They think we're having an affair.

The settlement papers are drawn. Sign them and this farce of a betrothal ends.

You've had three seasons and not one acceptable proposal. Mama is beside herself.

I saw you leaving the library together. Was the door locked?

Your name is attached to mine in today's Whistledown. We're ruined.

I don't love you. I don't even particularly like you. But I need your name.

The Duke/Duchess has withdrawn their support of your debut. You're finished.

You kissed me in front of the entire garden party. What were you thinking?

I will not be your mistress, no matter how persuasive your arguments.

My chaperone fell asleep. We have perhaps ten minutes before she wakes.

You've been courting my sister while writing me poetry. Which of us do you actually want?

The marriage mart is closed to you now. No respectable family will receive you.

I found your love letters. Hidden in a book of sermons, of all places.

You're engaged to be married in a fortnight. Why are you in my chambers?

The scandal has reached the Queen. She's demanding an audience.

I cannot give you an heir. The physician confirmed it this morning.

Your gambling debts have bankrupted the estate. We've lost everything.

I saw you at that club. The one respectable gentlemen/ladies don't speak of.

You must choose—your family's approval or your heart's desire.

The wedding is tomorrow. Tell me now if you're going to flee.

I heard you refused three proposals this season. Are you waiting for someone?

Your mourning period isn't even over and already you're entertaining suitors.

The settlement requires an heir within two years. That's all this marriage is.

I found the annulment papers in your desk. You've been planning this all along.

They're saying you bought your title. That your wealth comes from trade.