the devil had the right idea

@hrhalexandra​

“Darling. Do tell your father you’d like to end the engagement, hm? To stand the very sight of you is becoming more unbearable.” 

Her head tilted with sympathy. The duke underestimated his power and what he represented through this union. He had shown nothing but kindness and humility to the queen. Granted, that could be to earn her favor, but there had been no signs of him being as ambitious and cruel as her daughter claimed, except for that alleged incident with that dancer girl.

“You are far too humble, sir.” She gave him a small smile. “Power is important, and my sons will marry princesses or noble women for other countries to secure those alliances. But this union is important as well. There is power in fostering relationships with your own people. By Alexandra marrying you, we show our people that we know international power is nothing without the love and respect of our own people. Your marriage is a symbol that we still care about them enough to choose one of our own nobles to wed a princess.”

She appreciated his concern, and he was assuming the best in Alexandra. “I don’t believe she is truly refusing this marriage out of the love her country. I think it is an excuse she uses to appear less selfish. It is the possibility of being queen that she wants, which his why she envies her brother so. She forgets that I was once a noble like yourself and married the crowned prince because her grandfather saw the benefit in marrying in your own country.

“You are very modest. I appreciate your concern for my family’s happiness, but my daughter needs to learn her responsibilities as a royal. She blames me for this arrangement, but it is her father’s decision more than it is mine.”

@morethanatitle​

“No one cares for a prideful man,” the duke responded easily, a deep settled unrest feeding quickly on the rare appearance of panic in his heart. How painfully persistent this error in judgement was turning out to be. Hands flexing quickly in annoyance, Vindcent cast his memory back. He’d first read the missive months past, sent from the king’s secretary and had laughed for a good fifteen minutes, crowing about his workshop at the good joke. 

The cadaver he’d been playing with was an excellent audience to his mocking re-reading.

Then the dread had set in, after confirming the seriousness of the request and honor he’d been bestowed. 

With that bitter memory swirling, Vindcent took a small step away from his queen, bowing slightly at the waist and wishing that he might throttle the entire royal family for interrupting his quiet life. “I will waste no more of your day, Majesty, and instead broach the subject with the king, as you have suggested.” He straightened his spine and offered Elizabeth a thankful smile. “Though I thank you for your words, they are are indeed kind.” 

At the duke’s comment, she let out a half-hearted chuckle. “You may say so because it is true. My daughter inherited my sharp tongue but has not accepted when to bite it when appropriate. It only displeases me that she refuses to show decorum and manners even though she wants power.” She sighed. “Forgive me. I love my daughter deeply, but it is times like this that she does cause issues at times.”

“I wish it was that simple. Perhaps if you were simple townsfolk that would be possible, but dissolving an engagement with one of our own dukes will not be taken kindly by the people. They will think our family is obsessed with power and only agreed to this engagement until we could find something better. They could accuse us of not truly caring about our relationship with our own people and only on those in other countries.” She shook her head. “I hope in time my daughter will concede to the marriage and have a better understanding of the stakes as time goes on, but I am afraid destroying this engagement would need more than ‘the princess wants to marry a foreign royal’ as an excuse.”

@morethanatitle​

When she laughed, (an exhausted sort of exhale, one born of exasperation rather than actual humor), he did as well, quietly mocking the sound. “Is it not, Majesty?” he pressed, wondering who in Heaven’s good name in England would give two shits about him, the hermit-like duke, marrying a princess of the realm. Clearly, he had not done a good enough job at being anti-social.

“Granted, I do not know the opinions of the people as well as you may, but in this time of great upheaval, isn’t more power something to be desired? I have assumed this is why Alexandra protests so, since she cares so deeply for her country and to be fair, I am hardly a catch for a spirited woman, as distracted as my books as I am.”

Dear Lord, please let the seed of his inadequacy as a groom be planted deeply in the queen’s mind, to fest and grow. Ruffling a hand through his hair with a small grunt of frustration, Vindcent took a moment to think upon her words, aching mind reaching for a solution.

What on Earth would shatter such an engagement? The revelation of an affair might simply push the matter to conclude sooner, for what better way to hide such an indiscretion than hasty marriage? At least, for her. He had little recourse to call for an end to the engagement as it was something the king requested himself, but!

Surely if he proved to be an unworthy match, the queen, who loved her daughter so, would convince the king he was unsuited. “I think only of your family’s happiness, my Queen, and fear you’ve put far too much faith in me.” 

“Very well,” she replied, following his guidance to the spot of his choosing. “Feel free to speak what concerns you.”

Her face and head fell at the mention of his wedding. “Lord Vincident, you have been more than patient waiting upon our ability to set a date. I assure you that it has not gone unnoticed by the king or myself.” She shook her head. “I am afraid my attempts at reasoning with my daughter have fallen on deaf ears. You are marrying a very headstrong and stubborn woman. With everything that has occurred recently with the plague, it has caused Alexandra’s cousin to rise to become queen. My daughter has this notion that she will only be satisfied if she marries to someone who will make her a queen. I can try to speak with the king about him interceding. It is often my children listen and understand him more than me.”

@morethanatitle​

In truth, he was fishing. 

The Duke of Kent had very little reason to make conversation, even when there were matters to be discussed, but at this time, it was imperative. The world was rushing along into something dangerous, and he abhorred deadlines. 

“I am well aware of Princess Alexandra’s...protests. If it does not displease Her Majesty, may I say that your daughter has a sharp tongue indeed?”

He gave the queen a look full of weary resignation. His hand gave another small squeeze to her arm, an attempt to comfort. “It is disheartening indeed to hear that a child does not follow the sage advice of her mother, especially in the matter of marriage. Surely she must know you want the best for her? It is the reason I’ve come to you, Majesty. As loathe as I am to say, perhaps the king was incorrect in his decision for us to join? I wish no harm to your daughter and if she is so unhappy, perhaps it is best to let the matter disperse?”

Then, perhaps, he might find a woman less of a bitchy shrew to have his children. Vindcent offered his monarch an imploring look, which oddly enough, held true intent. He did not want Alexandra. 

She was curious what her future son-in-law would have her talk about. He looked like it was something dangerous. What did Alexandra do? “Of course. Would you prefer to speak privately or simply talk here?”

@morethanatitle

Touch, gentle and genuine helped bolster trust; Vindcent gently took the queen’s elbow, a mockery of a dance move on some ballroom floor as he turned them away from the open hall. His voice was soft as he returned, “Here is quite acceptable, Your Majesty. There is no great secret in what I am to say.”

Especially if, perhaps, over the next few moments, he ‘forgot’ to whisper, and his words attached themselves to any passing servant. 

“I did wish to speak to you about Princess Alexandra and our...nuptials.” The duke paused for a moment, letting the silence swell with anxiety. “Majesty, your daughter has made it quite clear she has no wish to marry my humble self, and I thought - would Her Majesty be willing to intercede? I like to think I am not such a horrid man and would quite dislike a wife shamed into marriage. I believe such a thing would reflect poorly on your house and would of course, want no such thing.” 

open starter.

Time was closing in. Vindcent could feel it on the air, the tension in the world, the great sword about to drop. Things were not improving. 

Therefore, he’d chosen his perch carefully, chewed at the inside of his cheek to help spring the beginnings of tears and made a grand picture of ‘attempting’ to hide his distress. 

Alexandra and he were not yet married, and she was dragging her feet so slowly he began to doubt they ever would be. Not that he cared, the princess was a troublesome woman he’d love to cut the tongue out of, but a legitimate heir. Was such a thing too grand to ask?

Apparently. 

So, it was time for him to cast lures and see what he could catch. The hallway was often used as a shortcut to other areas of the castle, though rarely traveled by crowds. A perfect place for chance meetings. 

Footsteps echoed and he snapped his head up, eyes large, surprise written across his face. “Shit, I didn’t - um.” He scrubbed at his eyes. 

“Your Majesty, if I might have a word?” He approached from the side, making an obvious show of approach. “I would discuss something with you, should you deign to spare me your time.” 

her mouth was pressed into a line thinking about her issue when something happened. 

copernicus started twitching, mewing and chirping. that usually meant that something was wrong. but he usually knew what she was up to, and she felt fine, other than usual frustration. maybe she was overreacting, and maybe the cat had seen a little squirrel. nothing to bother about really. 

that was until she head the man speak behind her. and copernicus hissed and tree branches snapped to break her peace. 

her head had swiveled around to follow the movement. jumping back a little bit before realizing it was just a normal person. maybe a little cold, or bold. she swallowed and looked at the man. 

“it’s a stirring device,” she said. “it just doesn’t work right yet.”

@crwnsown​

The cat was dismissed easily for Vindcent had far sharper claws than any domesticated animal and as he circled the tame beast’s mistress, his eyes bore a trail across the line of her shoulders. He stilled. How lovely to be met with wide, startled eyes! 

Relaxing his posture, he gave the woman a smile, leaning just to the side to further glimpse the prize in her hand. “And what, pray tell, would you need one of those for? Surely you don’t mean to put a hard-working servant out of a job?” Crouching, he marveled at the delicateness of the work, unable to resist poking a finger into the side of one arm. “I daresay perhaps a simpler motion may be better to test first; perhaps a throw? I’m well-acquainted with medicine, might I offer my assistance in an improved joint?”

the water bubbled in the vat in front of her as she watched slowly. she was not sure what to do with the new issue that had arose with her little toy. it was supposed to be a tiny chef stirring a pot, just a little thing. the joints in the wrists were working perfectly and she had gotten too cocky. she thought it would be cute if it was a tool to make soup. and instead it was jumping and spitting and she just had to frown. “damn,” she muttered under her breath. poking the figure with the toe of her boot, glad that she was outside and not in her lab. 

@crwnsown​

It was the flash of red, that caught his attention. 

Though no, he should not stoop to the utterly boring and inaccurate description most heaped unfairly upon red hair. It was truly orange, bright as an ember, contrasted heavily against the blue sky. 

Vindcent’s eyes followed the woman the moment he’d seen her turn a corner, every other activity forgotten. She moved; he followed.

It was no matter at all to trail her, quietly as a shadow, and watch as she set about some sort of tinkering. Hours passed, his legs beginning to ache from inactivity, but he was too curious to find some other form of entertainment. 

He was ultimately rewarded when the thing, some horrible likeness of a small person, failed and displeasure twisted her face. Vindcent let himself appear from the corner, coming up behind the lady (from Scotland if he heard the lilt in her voice correctly). 

“And what in Heaven’s name,” he asked lazily. “Is that?”

“I would be lucky if you were accidentally impaled whilst on a hunting trip,” Alexandra spat back. Before she could react he was forcing her gaze she stared at him unblinking as he spoke. Her face turned to stone. “There are plenty of unmarried heirs. My father lacks the boldness to seek anything England deserves. I would happily be anywhere you arent.” When he released her she did her best to shove him before taking a step back to gather herself and stand tall. “But you had to accept because you need me” she laughed a little at her realization. “If you have any intention of keeping your family’s estate in order you need an heir. And after your first marriage proved fruitless what other choice do you have? Unless, of course, it’s you who are incapable of performing the marital duties.” 

@hrhalexandra​

A scoff dropped off his tongue. 

“If that is the best idea you’ve come up with to murder me, I do implore you to work your little brain and try harder. ‘Implaed whilst on a hunting trip.’ How obvious and cliche.” 

It wasn’t happiness, per say, or joy, that tickled at him when she gave him a shove, but it was something satisfying. So many women were easily offended, delicate, and frankly, a right pain in the ass. Alexandra was thankfully, only one of these things. Vindcent wondered how hard he could push until she broke. He suspected it would be far harder than the normal rabble he dealt with. 

What a lovely challenge. 

“A wonderful argument, and if I were a baser man, I should prove right here the fault does not lie with me. However, I think I’d rather just show you how disposable you are. Interested, my darling, in such a game?” 

When he responded with such uncaring and vengeful tone, she scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Your judgement of character means nothing. No one deserves the kind of company you keep it is vile and burdensome to say the least.”

She heard him move closer, so she tried to act quickly. Her hands grabbed her skirts so she could move up with ease. By the time she stood completely, he grabbed her arm. “Let me go! How dare you?” she screamed.

As he picked her up, she wailed at the top of her lungs as he threw her into the waters. She saw where he was heading, so she tried to prepare herself by tucking her head into her chest and bending her knees. As she tried to fall on her back, the positioning of the shallow waters caused her shoulder to fall straight onto a raised rock. She let out a cry as a shot of sharp pain went up her entire arm.

The raven haired woman got herself above water to breathe and moved to where she could stand. As she tried to get up, her arm was in immense pain. “Why on earth would you do such a thing? Was another human being in your presence so horrible? I am injured now. Are you happy?”

@morethanatitle​

This singular moment of indulgence could very well cost him. It was a gamble. Vindcent did not know how cared for this screeching woman was, but in his weakness and anger, he did not think on it much. 

It was an easy thing to stop dressing, dropping all but his britches back to the sand, splashing into the surf again. “Shut up,” he cried with venom. “I am not happy for I have failed to silence you. That means I will simply have to try again.”

Her first dip left her unsteady, which worked to his advantage and Vindcent’s reaching hands took hold of her hair and shoulders, shoving downwards until her face was in the water once more.

He held her there.

And lingered. 

And lingered still. 

It was not until he was sure she could scare hold to consciousness that he took her back up, hissing into her ear. “When your better gives you an order, follow it. Lest you need another lesson.” With a jerk, his hands were off as she splashed forward, stalking to his clothes once more and snapping them from the ground.

Anger boiled but delight thrummed along with it, calling for him to spin again, hold her further. But no. He had things to do, and such a risk was unwise, no matter how pleased it made him.

E s t i e n n e ’ s blood boiled at the insinuation that he should prefer to have a woman around with such … lewd insinuations. Moreso to be called an unimpressive fool by a noble–and an Englishman no less! Well, if that wasn’t the pot calling the kettle black… “You insult me, monseigneur, and expect me to accept your help graciously nonetheless? Dis-donc! Il me semble que vous êtes le vrai fou ici-bas,” the physician responded. “Mais bon, seeing as you have reason that I am rather in need of help, I shall consider your offer under 2 conditions: the first, that you show me respect and earn mine; the second that you prove your capabilities. Both of these must be met before you are coming anywhere near my patients. C’est bien clair?” 

@estienne-le-medecin​

Holding his palms loosely in front of himself, Vindcent gave a little smack of his lips. “I speak bluntly, sir, to assure myself of your dedication. Pretty nursemaids have been a distraction for a great many physicians and in such a time of crisis, I did worry. I apologize for the offense you’ve taken.”

Displeasure ticked away in his mind as his face remained neutral, his lips wanting to curl and bear the teeth hidden behind them. 

Thankfully, he was far more controlled than he was as a youth, when such an action might slip to his features. “I am not the most socially graceful, so forgive my bluntness once again; I will not be ground beneath your heel, sir, so I shall offer you civility to start. That is all that is needed to work together. The rest will come in time, I am sure. You are,” Agonizing. “Skilled and capable.”

“You didn’t even give my company a chance. You judged me from a glance. Your judgement of the situation is not worth much since you do not even observe your situation.” It was foolish, but his comment practically calling her a whore made her blood boil. “I am willing to place my life on it. I have travelled all over the civilized world and have studied the names and portraits of the kings or emperors in each land. You might be a noble or a bastard of a rich man, but you are not a royal.” She defiantly moved away from him but still where he could see her. “The King I serve is King Roberto. I was invited here by him and am in his good graces. If you would like to bring this up with them, then by all means go ahead and pull him away from his party. I shall wait right here.” Esmeralda sat on the beach and looked out onto the sea, staying aware in case he approached her.

@morethanatitle​

“I need little more than a glance to suss you out, woman,” he bit, drawing closer, ever so slowly to the shore. “And clearly I was correct for you are a cantankerous shrew, not fit for any company, least of all mine.”

The rest of her off putting, impassioned words (God, were women nothing but a mess of feeling contained in breasts?) he ignored. 

Vindcent crossed the remaining stretch of water easily, salt and sand clinging to his pale skin as he hefted himself up the beach. Giving himself a hard shake, the duke grabbed at his breeches, quickly tugging them on before whirling back to the insipid snake, still hissing. 

“Oh, but upon the beach, you cow?” Long limbs made little work of the distance between them and hands, far stronger than many assumed, caught onto her arm. “The water is far more enjoyable.” 

With a heft of leverage, he scooped her from her feet and tossed her towards the shallows, uncaring to see where she fell. It was time to gather the rest of his things and leave. His disdain for the island grew. 

She looked at the man in disbelief. Did he honestly think he was able to just be extremely rude to her. “Annoying? I walked into you on accident. You act like I’m stumbling around yelling like a drunkard.” She crossed her arms and looked at him. “I am going to stay right here and not say a word. You are not King Roberto, so you do not own this beach. You cannot command me to leave.”

@morethanatitle​

“You might as well be, for all the joy your company brings,” he bites back from the water, muscles tense underneath the blanket of aquatic shadow. “I may not be King Roberto, but are you willing to bet your life I am no king at all? I would wager mine that you are far from a lady. You look too whorish. I do believe, either way, my station supersedes yours so, I say again, begone.”

E s t i e n n e pursed his lips. He was quite sure that the Englishman was trying to be sincere and helpful, but all he heard was judgement and that distinct tone of superiority that every single one of those insular fools had, despite their profound and obvious inferiority. “Well, as you have so astutely pointed out, I am exceedingly busy, monseigneur, and as I am the seul physician at this court where so many have fallen ill, I think it would be rather negligent of me to continue to give you my undivided attention because you have boredom,” the Frenchman said in a clear, cutting tone. “If you really wish to aid me, you can make space for a patient who is actually suffering.”

@estienne-le-medecin​

“Indeed you are,” Vindcent agreed, briskly rising and taking a few strides back and forth inside of the chambers. “Though I did not take you for a prideful fool to toss away a set of helping hands when they are so obviously needed. Perhaps it is because I am not a pretty young lady, whose diminutive, soft hands are only good for rolling bandages? Or shall you just continue until you drop, subject to the tender ministrations of the untrained?”

He held his arms out. 

“I am capable, and willing, so I must assume the only reason you refuse me is spite and ego. Which, really, makes you far less impressive than I thought...”