royal blessing

ASYA BARIS, HANIMSULTAN OF THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE ↳  intro — answers  —  headcanons  —  inspo  —  reflection  —  starters

ABEL JASEN, KING OF THE NETHERLANDS ↳  intro — answers  —  headcanons  —  inspo  —  reflection  —  starters

-

“This is true. I do like to think I’m the reason they’re still alive,” He says, leaning back against his chair as he plays with his fingers absentmindedly. The tsar and his family owed Cristo their lives many times over - and most especially because he hasn’t slipped them his blade. Yet. He mimics the other with his own chuckle before he slaps his thighs and rises to his feet. “Unfortunately the grand duke isn’t seeing anyone today. What business did you have with him? If it is important enough I’d be more than happy to pass on a message.” In order for his plan to work, he needed to know the thoughts and ambitions of as many royals as he possibly could. He didn’t know what the Ming Dynasty had staked in all of this, but if they were willing to work with Russia, he was curious to know why.

.

It was tempting to smile at the man's arrogance, but Jianyu resisted the urge with a skill born of a lifetime of practice. It was his job to ensure the family was safe, yes, but there was more to keeping a family safe than simply being competent, there was the matter of being loyal. "What a shame. Ah, but at least I can trust you'll be able to get word to the Grand Duke." There was a funny thing about messages, about their ability to change and hold their shape about as well as water cupped in palms. If you delivered a message, you could never know to how many people it would be passed to, or in what form. It could be good practice to slip information to individuals in court and see just who leaked, if anyone was that foolish. "We're neighbors, so I'm reaching out on behalf of the Emperor. It's thought that private talks might be more..." A false pause, as if needing to ponder his words. "Productive, let's say."

open

“leana, darling, 跟紧,” the queen called, bidding her daughter to stay close as the two year old walked ahead with uneasy steps. she would have preferred to have ahold of her hand or have her settled on her hip, but the princess was acting as stubborn as her father and threw a fit until she got her way. was her oldest this headstrong at this age ? she hardly had the time to reminisce now with how much leana consumed her thoughts nowadays. indeed, within those few seconds, lianhua had realized she had let her daughter out of her sight. she began calling her daughter’s name, looking to see if she had possibly hidden herself amongst the decorations of the hall, until she rounded a corner and finally spotted her.

“lea-” she stopped in her tracks, quite shocked to see her daughter hugging someone’s legs. without a second thought she made haste to them. “i must apologize, her governess is with her older sister and i only looked away for a moment.” lianhua scooped her daughter up in an instant, despite the girl’s initial protests. as unsteady as the young princess was, she was fast on her feet and seemingly undeterred from whatever came in her path. “i hope she did not disturb you.”

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With all the unfortunate events that surrounded her time in France, there was a simple, subtle pleasure to be found in ordinary things and Asya attempted to find moments that she could appreciate that hadn't been ruined by the Phantoms that lurked in the shadows, teaming like termites. Sometimes it was the sound of an instrument playing, or a day when the weather seemed unusually nice, but in this case, it was the simple, unexpected presence of a child that wasn't crying and didn't seem to be running in fear.

Glancing around in surprise, she didn't see anyone chasing down the child, but if she was lost, she didn't appear to be scared. "Hello, little one." English and not her native tongue, as Asya thought there might be more chance of the young girl understanding her. Would it be unwise to kneel down and return her hug, or perhaps pet her hair? "Do you need help?" A noise caught Asya's attention and she turned, finding a woman rushing towards them and something inside Asya loosened, realizing it must be the mother.

"How could a hug from a little angel be a disturbance?" Asya reassured her as she curtsied, although the woman might not necessarily think the child was an angel after running away. "I was only getting air. Too much time cooped inside weaving can grow tiresome."

Fighting the urge to raise her eyebrows at William’s strong words, Ursula filed away the clear strength of his morals for another day. That would be something that Beau and Cristo would be interested in hearing. She doubted they would be happier with a royal who seemed to give a shit on the throne, but playing the brothers against each other might be advantageous.

”A few days, it should be. You may experience some peeling, and when you get back into practicing you may need to take it slow to let any calluses re-form.” Ursula watched as the prince gingerly tested his own palms. “I can mix up a salve for you, if Your Highness wishes. You can apply it at night and wear gloves to bed, to prevent mass peeling.”

A burn was different from a cut and while logically William knew this, it was different to see it and feel it, some inane part of him wanting to pick at the damaged skin. It was irrational to be annoyed at the idea of needing to reform callouses, better to focus his dislike on those that were responsible for the fire in the first place.

"No, that's fine." Shaking his head, William dropped his palms and curled them gingerly, jaw clenching. It wasn't as though he'd lost his hands and she wasn't his personal physician, caring for him wasn't her job. "I'm sure you're going to be a very busy woman dealing with the injured. Best to put your focus on those with more severe injuries, but thank you for your offer."

.

esmeray was more than happy to sip wine and thoroughly ignore her betrothed. she’d rather feign blissful ignorance than seek him out, lest her anger rise. the mere thought of the engagement caused her blood to boil. she could see how the news of the french dauphin and the italian queen mirrored their own union. the sake of alliances… it was all a con. 

the princess turned as she was met with the english prince. she sneered up at him, not bothering to soften her features for this sake. “no please, i encourage you do so. ill-humor is still humor, after all.” she tilted her head to the side, sipping her glass. “i would be a lot better if you weren’t here. or if your whole family weren’t, actually. really, the sight of your face physically brings me down, your highness.” 

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"What a coincidence, as your existence is an irritant to mine." William remarked without hesitation, having no hesitation about sharing his feelings on their betrothal with the woman in question since she clearly didn't, either. He didn't know what his brother was thinking when he arranged this union, but an alliance with a family known for being mad wasn't likely to encourage anyone to offer aid or to instill confidence in their rule.

"I doubt the pair of us will ever agree on much, but I believe it's safe to say that neither of us want this or to be around each other. True to my word, I'll leave you be and tell anyone that asks that you were feeling ill when we spoke. Perhaps I'll get lucky and my brother will decide your constitution is too weak." William didn't believe that for a moment, but oh, it was good to hope.

she had come out to look over the rubble, to see what was left of the stables. dressed in her riding boots with the thick soles, and a dress that allowed for easy movement- made of dark fabrics, so her ladies wouldn’t be able to scold her over stains. 

at the sound of a voice, her head turned to look at the man. hedwig carolina hadn’t thought she would see him again, but none the less there he stood. “jianyu.” she held her head tall as she took him in. “we are fine. any missing horses can be replaced, and i am sure the french shall rebuild.” she didn;t care what the french did, and it was up to her brother and sister-in-law to make sure their things were together.

“and you haven’t changed a bit.” he was older of course, it had been years- but his station was still the same. “have you come alone, or has your brother brought you along?”

.

"All told, it doesn't seem the devastating night the Phantoms were hoping for. Everyone seems to have been blessed." Or the phantoms weren't actually trying to harm anyone, just scare them. A single fire in the stables, really? Oh, certainly, there was a fair chance of it growing unchecked, but it wasn't much of a physical blow. An emotional blow, one to remind the royals they were unsafe? That was different.

Tilting his head slightly at Hedwig Carolina, his eyes narrowed as if in amusement, as if she'd offered a compliment, but Jianyu didn't think the woman capable of such a thing. "The Emperor brought myself and several other siblings. It's a valuable learning experience for us all."

Although what they learned was up to the sibling in question. For Jianyu, he considered it a grand exercise in learning just what sort of weaknesses everyone held in person, and how best he could exploit them for his own sake.

CLOSED STARTER FOR @eminencies​ where: training room

why did i agree to this? why did i agree to this?

that was the only thing going through ishir’s mind as he wielded one of the fake swords in the training room, one suitable for a child. he stood opposite the crown prince of england, william windsor, and knew this was going to be a suitable mess of a training session. if his father were to sit in and watch, ishir could only imagine the embarrassment and the talk he would surely get after the fact.

it was no secret that ishir was better well versed in his wits when it came to a fight, but anyone can argue that a smart mind could come of little use on a battlefield. so there he stood, wondering if he even made a logical decision in agreeing to spar with the prince.

regardless of how he felt on the inside, there was no sign of it on the outside. he seemed as cool and collected and ready for this fight as he was on any other given day. “are you ready, your highness?”

.

Self defense was key to William and while perhaps there were some that would say he shouldn't be aiding the defense of anyone outside his family, his kingdom, he wasn't in a rush to agree. While he didn't necessarily trust the idea of working together, he did understand the concept of allies and favors (which weren't always honored) and this, at least, was a small gesture that would cost them nothing but his time.

Besides, in a world with the phantoms and others that would wish harm on ruling royals, you needed to be able to defend yourself (Or, as originally inspired William, to be able to defend your home and family, but one thing at a time).

"Perfectly so. One doesn't always have the privilege of time to prepare before a fight." If anything, William was more prepare than Ishir.

"We're going to be working on your footwork and positioning. Don't worry if you begin to feel an ache, that's normal." He wasn't trying to call the man out of shape, but there wasn't any point in denying that he might not have the proper muscles built up for this. "Follow along with me first so I can see what you know and how quickly you pick it up. I'm not swinging a sword for your head yet."

Just as he had claimed, the Prince’s lungs sounded clear and healthy. His skin was clammy with sweat even through his shirt, but it did not burn with fever. Though his palms were reddened, they were not at risk of blistering or forming festering, open wounds. In all ways, he was the picture of health.

“A noble thing to do, your Highness. Leading by example often produces good results.” There was no mockery in her voice - Ursula truly felt that leading by example was the correct way to rule. If more of William’s peers had done so during the past five years - if they had rationed and shared their food stores, if they had provided medical care for the sick, the needy, if they had simply followed the teachings of the Christ they claimed to worship - perhaps Ursula would not now b soothing the hurts she had helped cause.

“If I may give you advice, however, it would be to avoid swordwork or anything that could abrade your palms. They must rest until they no longer feel tender. You may notice some peeling, but it should not be a very serious matter.”

"I see no reason for people to follow leaders that aren't willing to lead." There were occasions when William felt the need to take care with his words beyond the usual caution, usually when he was aware they could reflect badly on his brother's rule and undermine the control of his family, but this was a remark he stood by, damn what others may think. "Why stay and support the rule of those that think you expendable?"

The five years prior had revealed the worst of people, but William chose to believe that it also showed their best in certain situations as an inability to focus on anything but the bad wouldn't bode well for anyone. That was the cause for the attacks, wasn't it? That, and the selfish greed that motivated so many without the understanding that they couldn't be kings without people to fill their kingdoms.

ishir must have been sitting stagnant for a much longer time than he felt he had as the unfamiliar man approached him, his stare breaking away from the sky and to the man he now recognized as the king of the netherlands. it was hard to recall who everyone was, especially when his mind was still (literally) clouded with other things at that moment, but he did know the names of every king and queen he passed.

with every ounce of strength he could muster to seem as though he was his normal self and shook his head. “no, no, i’m okay, your highness,” he assured, bowing his head a bit. even in the midst of a royal crisis, his father’s voice rang in the forefront of his mind, be respectful of royalty. ishir wiped off his forehead with the back of his hand as if to make himself look decent in the company of a king, but in reality he just smeared the dirt across his skin. “are you all right?”

.

"Yes, yes, I'm perfectly fine." More concerned with the state of his siblings than himself, but with none of them present, it was remarkably easy for him to turn his worry and confusion onto this young man. It was a second nature at this point to look out for people and with the smell of smoke thick in the air, it was undeniable that someone needed to do something for those that were at a loss.

"Come on, young man, can you stand? Let's get you somewhere else." It was said gently, his question sincere. Those that were in a state of shock sometimes could find they'd held one position for too long and their limbs were stiff and uncooperative, tingles stealing through their body until it didn't want to answer, and those freshly wounded didn't always feel the true severity of their injuries until time has passed. He was hardly a medic, but even Abel knew those misleading truths.

…

The Jasen prince turned around at the sound of his brother’s voice, an instant smile growing on his lips at the greeting “ Abel ” He greeted back while giving his brother his full attention, long forgotten the task he had been doing previously. Laughter rumbled on his chest at his oldest siblings words, he knew him and his spirit far too well yet contary to his parents he never judged his impulsive reactions yet he embraced completely what he was, how he was. “ None that are important ” He shrugged at his words, completely pushing away the ones that instantly appeared on his mind at the question. “ Would you believe me if I said I am in my best behavior?” A tricky question, and the playful smile on his lips foreshadowed the mischievous intention

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"I'd believe that you are now that I have my eye on you." Another laugh, no harm truly meant in his words. While Abel didn't think his siblings were saints by any measure, he also trusted in all of them to not intentionally do anything to make things difficult for him and he appreciated the sacrifices on their part that came about as a requirement for ensuring the success of their family. It was enough to make Abel question if he was doing enough for his family, but it was a question he didn't have the time to ponder, pushing it out of his mind in favor of pretending things were well. "Tell me, what new trouble will I hearing about later? Just to make sure I know what you're rightly guilty of and what you aren't, it can be hard to guess." It was said in jest, but with all the things going wrong in France, it would be good to have an idea of what his brother might have touched upon, even though Abel doubted that his sibling was capable of doing anything truly born from ill will.

-

Cristo was busy picking at his fingernails with his blade when he was approached by the prince. He didn’t bother looking up, at first, or rising from his chair. The only nobles he had show some flattery to were the Russians - and they hated flattery. “I am,” he says, placing the blade down before intertwining his hands together on the table, finally looking up at the other male. The other’s last comment made him smirk, but it was in no way welcoming. “Well I guess that begs the question then,” He tells him, small amusement in his eyes. “Do you believe I’m doing my job effectively, sir? Do you believe my aid is vital?”

.

Normally Jianyu would keep track of those that were disrespectful to him and made sure that they learned a lesson in payment for not showing their better their due, but this was something else entirely. It wasn't rudeness for the sake of it, it was someone catching onto his honeyed words and testing to see if they held water and Jianyu was amused by the show of intelligence, something that was likely necessary for the man's job as you didn't want to be guarded by someone who could be bought by a handful of words appealing to their sense of self importance. "Well, none of the Russian family has died as far as I know," Jianyu pointed out, chuckling despite knowing the humor was dark. "So yes, very effectively. If you're vital personally is up to those you guard, I suspect."

                Eleanor couldn’t help but smile, yes she would missed him terribly as well, just as she had missed him all those years. in fact she could not entirely think how she survived such exile, however she was glad she did. “understanding our duty does not mean we shall allow to be treated like candle, if italy thought me anything it was that much. we are windsor’s for gods sake, i shouldn’t have settled for a marriage below my station if i was not in love with the man, and you shall not marry madness regardless. there is other countries we could use far much as allies and could benefit in return as well.” she nodded. “some strong unions have already been made, and yes you are correct it seems creating matches and alliances might be the only good thing of coming to this parade of misfortunes. which makes me think if we could perhaps find you a better match than that of poland perhaps brother could be inclined to switch the option, don’t you agree?” 

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Letting out a quick huff, there was something very satisfying in hearing his sister's family pride ringing through in her voice, something that reassured him that while the event of the last half decade had been harsh and there were decisions made that not everyone disagreed with, it wasn't enough to make her disavow her family entirely. "You are correct in every regard," William agreed, fondness coating his voice. "If you're expecting an argument, then it won't come from me, but I do give you my congratulations on phrasing the argument better than I do. Perhaps I'm too emotional about it." Not diplomatic enough, too determined to push through due to force of will instead of negotiating for his end, it was a benefit to have logical heads like Eleanor on his side. "Is this the part where I ask you if you have a better match in mind?" He wasn't completely unreasonable, willing to consider it if Eleanor could give him a better name, but it wasn't ultimately his opinion of the name that would matter.

"If you could come up with an excuse for why I no longer need to be here, I would be utterly in your debt," William muttered, honest and irritable in a way that it felt safe to be around Sebastian. Truly, it seemed as thought there was little about him that Sebastian didn't know and that sort of comradery was always valuable, especially when one was in a bad temper and needed to vent. "I'm beginning to think that I might be completely put off wedding ceremonies for the foreseeable future. Unless, of course, it's your own, then I will be very happy for you." 

While ordinarily William didn't care about the political matches taking place around him, the issue of his betrothal and his sister's future spouse were exceptions, and while William was aware and somewhat resigned to doing his duty for England (although dear god, how about to someone that was actually good for England's reputation?), he was firmly pushing for his sister to be happy after everything.

Asya was not, in general, an awkward or retiring person, but she was prone to being demanding, particularly when it came to answers. When someone asked her if she thought her wedding would be next, she wasn't certain of the truth, said that she couldn't predict them whims of others, but her wedding would be a blessed day no matter when it arrived, but it wasn't the connection that bothered her so much as what it made her think of. Nikolai had said something about rushing the marriage, bundling both her and Fedya to Russia, and despite Asya's own strong stance on the matter, she wasn't sure how Fedya thought about it.

Considering they were meant to be married, perhaps sparing a thought for their feelings might be a wise habit to build, and so Asya made it her quest to weave through the gathered people in order to find her betrothed. As she fit into the space at his side, it occurred to Asya that she was spending more time with the Russians than with her own family, something bittersweet as she knew that would be her fate in the future. "Did you know that your brother suggested hastening our wedding and bundling us off to Russia for safety?" She murmured quietly, intent that no one else would hear. "I told him no."

Three separate people had asked about her so far over the course of the evening, and William grit his teeth about it each time, not appreciating the reminder of her existence as he offered tight-lipped smiles and non-answers. While he would prefer to avoid her if possible, there would come a time when, eventually, he would have to talk with her. And perhaps use her name, instead of simply thinking ‘her’. 

While he hadn’t been looking for her, he did catch sight of the princess somewhere around his second or third drink and, certain it was a doomed effort to begin with, approached her. “People keep asking after your health and since telling them the phantoms haven’t reached you yet would be in ill-humor, tell me how you’re enjoying your night and I’ll leave you be.”

—

nikolai was beginning to find the entire affair exhausting. he’d held hope that he might be of assistance in stabilizing the romanov rule through alliance ( and his own marriage ) but given all that had happened since the world’s royalty and converged at the french court, he was beginning to question how successful his efforts truly were. it was why the sight of the approaching crown prince of the ming dynasty made him release an internal sigh before his lips pulled into a returning smile. “is that what they are referring to it as; a show?” he asked, eyebrow arching as if the words amused him when in truth they did nothing but light a small spark of irritation. “i had hoped i’d offered some sort of help. in my experience rulers and their families need to lead by example. an unwillingness to assist in something seemingly as little as a fire is rather poor politics.” 

—

"What else could they call it that wouldn't help destabilize faith even more? A tragedy? People have had enough of those, or else none of us would be here." They could call it an assault, perhaps, but that still only highlighted how weak France was, so easily harmed by a rogue group of commoners. Oh, perhaps there were a few nobles involved, but not many - the people in power tended to like the way things were and only wished to change things in a way that cleared a path for them to possess more power. "Each attack lessens their credibility and after the past few years, no one wishes to feel weak again, wouldn't you agree?" A tilt of his head. "But I think that's a very noble viewpoint to have, one that not everyone possesses."

While Abel didn't like to think about any of his siblings being away from him or out of his sight for too long where he couldn't check on them, he knew that eventually they would part ways, that they would be wed and it was best if those weddings were to the advantage of the Netherlands. It was impossible not to think about considering the circumstances and while certain countries would make better allies for his kingdom, Abel was also aware that some matches worked better than others. With all the royals gathered together, there had never been a better chance to begin considering spouses for his siblings, and it seemed wise to get to know not only the royals, but those who served them closely. "Ah, tell me, young lady, are you enjoying yourself?" He couldn't be certain, but he thought she was a lady in waiting from England. "Your country has their own royal wedding to plan soon, don't they?"