&ROYALTY.

Sibusio toyed with the carrot in his hand before putting it back, shrugging and putting an easy-going smile. “Yeah, yeah, pr- Amara!” His eyes widened as he corrected himself promptly, clearing his throat a few times before he continued, “You’re right, Amara. I can’t help but worry and itching for home. When we left, Ayanda told me she’s pregnant with another child.” Happiness was painfully clear in his face, in the way his eyes shone so brightly and his smile seemed to grew bigger. But then a wan color shadowed over it. “Well.” He said shortly, “I know we’re here for a bigger things. I’m sure she’ll understand and I’ve handles myself about the matter too.” It’s never about homesickness or poor treatment on Sibusio’s case. He just wanted to see his daughter and wife –– and perhaps be there for the labor like he had been before.

“Stupid meeting? I thought you liked going there? Be included in them and all? Unless he doesn’t allow you to speak? But even then, most of the european ladies aren’t even allowed inside the meeting so I’d say we have a bit more luck on our side.”

Her eyes wide with shock. “Pregnant?!” she looked at her friend with a smile. “Congratulations! I can’t believe it! You and your wife are so lucky. And more children on the way... Oh I hope you do get the chance to go back home soon. You must take care of her and all your children. I hope this doesn’t last too long,” she said with a smile, excitement clear on her face. Although she had never really thought about having her own children before, she couldn’t help but be proud and happy for her best friend. 

“The lake is beautiful, especially with the weather being so warm as of late.” The Italian promised, nodding her head. “Whilst I do not swim, I have heard good things about the clearness of the water. Even if it is a touch more chilly than most are used to.”

yet another meeting in the name of alliances and peace had been conducted in a room filled with far too many people for augustus’ liking. discussions of a potential match between himself and karina romanov of russia had begun; it was an alliance that his advisors were strongly in favor of, due to the close proximity of the nations and russia’s sheer strength. and augustus saw the sense in it too– saw what it could do for his people. karina was kind and beautiful, too, a friend, he would say, but– selfishly, he sought another arrangement, allowed himself to hope to hold the hand of another. iris. 

he exited the chambers where he had been meeting with them all ( the swarm of swedish and russian advisors following him in his exit ) at precisely 5 o’clock in the evening, when he had arranged to meet the princess of swaziland in the main hall via letters sent through their couriers the day before. augustus had planned to have a basket of food sent ahead to the stables. he thought, perhaps, the two enjoy a leisurely ride together and dine on the shores of the clear blue lake not too far away. it was much easier to feel himself with her, and especially easy when away from the confines of the castle walls. 

the king prayed he was not being too forward, even after their last exchange. at the sight of iris, he moved forward to greet her, a quiet smile on his lips. 

“good evening, your grace,” augustus said, maintaining formalities in such a public space. “i’m quite grateful you could spare some time to pass with me.” he waved away his advisors, moving to walk with her to the doors, and leaving the castle. “i– i had some ideas for how we might spend the evening?” he began. “would you be alright with a ride and to dine by the lake, my– iris?” he caught himself on the formality, attaching her name to his question instead. “if not, just say the word and it will be forgotten.” @irisodoemene

Augustus had been notably absent in the recent days. Iris, fortunately, was drowning in meetings with foreign dignitaries. She had managed to weasel herself inside of high stakes discussion, getting an up close and personal look into the possible future of her country. Her father was a brilliant man and she couldn’t hide her glee. He had clearly not put everything into the possible marriage agreement and had continuously planned their future. She couldn’t help, however, thinking that some of her own suggestions would be better. But her mouth was not to be opened, and she remained silent and pretty as she was asked. It was terrifying, having so much knowledge and unable to dispatch it. 

When times got hard, however, she found herself wishing she could see Augustus. They had been in contact through letters, but she did miss his physical presence. There was something calming and terrifying about being around him. Like she was both content and equally unable to contain herself. She smiled at the very thought of their meeting, knowing they would finally see one another soon. She waited outside of the room at the time he had requested, smiling when he finally came into view. Whispers of the meeting and its contents reached her ears and she found her smile dropping.

“it is our pleasure to have you here with us, iris,” the queen said, her ladies nodding in agreement as her gaze remained trained on the princess. “i am sadiye – daughter of arslan sultan, and queen of portugal.” it was the sound of small footsteps running across the floor of the library that caught her attention; sadiye turned to face a child, a daughter of one of her ladies – only four years old. she skipped over to the queen with a certain unawareness of standing and propriety that one could have only in childhood. “evet canım?” the queen asked of the girl, two hands reaching out to cup her face tenderly as she held up a purple flower – asking what it was called. that was when she turned to iris once more. “do you know anything of the tulips?”

“You are welcome,” she replied earnestly, once again enraptured by the beauty of the other’s outfit, but working to pull herself out of her admiration nonetheless. Rosalind’s eyes widened, a smile even brighter than previous forming in response to the paid compliment. “Thank you! And I do know what you mean – very much so, for I feel the same way.” Her smile widened, blue eyes scanning their surroundings while she thought. “We shall.” Rosalind confirmed, offering her arm to link with the Swazi princess’. “I have been here a fortnight and I’ve yet to explore very much. You might be considered an expert in my presence alone.”

“and where is home, for you?” she questioned, tearing her gaze from the books to glance at the young woman. if there was one thing sofia had found here in bern, so many people in one place… no one could ever be certain about origins. “i imagine it is far, if such a weather change would be extreme. most of europe has similar weather.” she paused. “except the russians. their winters are brutal.”

she had wanted to explore the villages surrounding since she had heard of the trip. there was no point in visiting a place and getting no sense of what it was truthfully like. adelaide contemplated this. “do we not look too..dressed up for that? i fear it may be unsafe.” she was all for exploring, but in moderation. they would have to disguise themselves first, as some people despised royalty. “there is nothing wrong with being from a place so far away. if anything, it opens up more possibility for adventure and learning, non?”

Iris had seen death before. It was the dark face of despair as a mother lost her child to the colonisers, it was the scream of a young man of barely fourteen calling out for help- it was the bloodshed of the war her country had drowned in. She had never seen death like this, quiet and waiting for something to happen, with people and their hawk-like eyes waiting for justice to prevail. She had never seen death’s parade before. 

the square was crowded. people were actually clammering to get a good view of an EXECUTION —- and she felt physically ill. young women should not see such things, said the advisors in court. adelaide hadn’t wanted to see it anyway, not another death, but her curiosity got the better of her. she did not condone this, the ( massacre ) deaths of  ( human beings ) criminals, but knew there was not much she could do to stop it. anybody who murdered a murderer was just as bad as the villain. it would turn her usually positive exterior into one of bitterness, anger and sadness.

“i — i need to get out.” she murmured, the hood of her cloak wrapped neatly around her head as she turned swiftly to leave the swarm of people, desperate for air instead of the seeming suffocation. her eyes met someone who seemed to be peering at her. “i feel sick.”

The execution was eating her up alive. She was no stranger to seeing something as gruesome as death, but seeing it so up close, seeing it so slow, seeing at as a spectacle was something different entirely. Iris couldn’t believe the people clamouring to get a good look at the body, to see what was to come of the criminals who had killed royals and hurt countless others. It was terrifying. The parade they made around the deaths made her stomach churn and if she had managed to convince her father that she did not need to make an appearance, she knew she would be happier for it.

there was a part of her that wanted to be in the crowds, facing down the five people that murdered her brother. there was a part of her that wanted to look them in the eyes, show them what they had done to his family. ( there was even a part of her that wanted to storm onto the platform and swing the axe herself. ) but she knew that if she were to stand in that crowd; the chances of her breaking down were far too great.

instead, lina comforted herself with watching from a balcony that directly overlooked the area the execution was to take place. she wouldn’t move from this spot, not till she was sure the five were dead and gone. if her siblings wanted her, they could wait or seek her out. for now, she needed to know this was to happen. “para você, irmão.” lina murmured as if the three words were prayer. “para você.”

Iris looked at the other, a girl who was always so timid and kind, and couldn’t imagine the pure distress she must have been feeling. She never knew what it was like to lose a brother but she knew what it was like to lose a family member. But to have lost them to murder- that was something Iris did not dare imagine. She stood with the other, wanting to be of any help. 

executions were normal to a man who had seen so much death, and he silently wondered how many more people would have to die in the name of “peace”. war seemed to be raging on, and whether the war between countries ended, he feared there would soon be a war between the countries and monarchs.

he did not mind witnessing the hanging, for if anything the crowd would give him an idea of the general mood of the city —- if the people thought the criminals deserved death or not —- and would give him something to report back to the crown. “well, i will most definitely need a DRINK after this.” he hummed, looking to the person on his left.

The execution was a painful reminder of what was at stake. Iris scolded herself a little, wondering how she could be so cheery and light in such a place. It may have been a place of peace, but war was close behind it. The news had burst the bubble of tranquility she was in, and she found herself both upset and uncertain about what was to come.

“Oh?” His ears perked at the mention of the exotic nation from which the princess originated. Ulrik had always wanted to explore other regions of the world, not just europe. “It does not get too warm in Denmark, I suppose not as warm as you would be used to in your own home. Sometimes I am surprised by the heat that surrounds us, but it doesn’t linger long.” He turned to face her, interest spread across his features. “Please, would you care to tell me more of your home? I’ve always held such interest.”

Faline noticed the not so subtle swerve of conversation, but knew it was none of her business to push for an answer. The blush was telling enough as it is. “I’ve still yet to see most of the castle, so exploring sounds like a wonderful idea.” The Italian woman smiled, nodding toward the door. “Where would you like to start?”

The princess looked contemplative and Katarzyna gazed curiously at her. “I’m certain he would love anything I gave him. Even that leaf.” She gestured with an inclination of her head to a leaf rolling about on the ground. “I could teach you?” Kasia offered with a raised brow, “I have developed quite a skill for knitting, it is less complicated than it seems. I’m sure we will all be in need of a sweater or two should we remain in Switzerland much longer.”

        “ we’re almost there- “ he said quickly, just as an assurance that he was not, in fact, leading the princess to places he himself did not entirely know. after what had seemed like half a mile of corridor, it was relieving to walk through some rooms, anything with some furnishing and colour- a final stepping stone to the wide expanse of the rest of the world. 

     “ it is cold, yes. we have had to start stocking extra coats, in case foreign visitors underestimate its power. “ after the few cases of. frostbite drove people up the wall, it was much to his chagrin that the russians had to provide assistance themselves, regardless of the possible hundreds of legends surrounding that bitter time of year. 

    vasiliy couldn’t help a sigh at her remark. he had already begun to miss home, but that feeling seemed so foolish before her; a visitor of another continent, practically a world away. he couldn’t bear the thought of this place when even the simplest of the everyday routine was new. “ they might give us a day to do. so, the king and queen. let us hope. ”

Her curiosity caused her to look up again, glad to be reaching their destination. The castle felt like a jungle of gold and marble, making it difficult for her to seen every inch of it. With every corner, there lay another secret and another mystery. Iris’s eyes never rested around the castle, always curious to what would come next. She turns to her guide and smiles, appreciating his company.

“I hope so,” she said with a small voice, somewhat fearful that her remark felt childish, like a little girl who missed the easy comforts of home. She was certain many royals were used to travelling, but it was so new and scary to her that she wasn’t quite sure how to handle it. Looking ahead, she can only imagine what life in Europe as a permanent resident was like.

Rosalind had always found herself drawn to larger crowds, perhaps it was because she was less used to them – Liechtenstein had its court which was impressive in its own right ( and she adored it to no end ) but she had only ever imagined congregations as large as the numbers at Bern. It was, however, a great relief to the young princess to find someone in the room closer to her own age, and after several moments of hesitation, Rosalind was extremely glad to find the Swazi princess had addressed her first. “It most certainly is,” she agreed warmly. “And, might I add that you look simply stunning to match. Those colours are far beyond vibrant.”