Marco De Savoia

Marie took his arm gently and lead him down the familiar flower lined path she had been so used to wandering around in her whole life. She thought for a moment about his question as they walked and nodded. “It’s been such a joy. I just wish my father would have been able to see the chateau during such a prosperous time. Maybe he would have changed his mind about the outside world.” She answered honestly. “My siblings and I had never had the chance to experience this before and it’s really been life-changing. Have you enjoyed your time here so far?”

The prince’s eyes navigated the path, taking in the french springtime. There were such small differences in it, slightly cooler air, less sweet and more crisp, and of course the french court at this time was teeming with people. Marco’s blue eyes returned to the princess as he nodded, barely able to imagine what it must have been like to live in an isolationist country. “I have, your highness. It’s been a shame that such a wonderful country with such beautiful people has been hidden away so long”, he smiled down at her.

When he laughed, she blushed even more and ducked her head. “It just…it wasn’t something that I would usually say to a stranger, to someone to whom I am not acquainted,” She stuttered out, though she could feel her blush begin to subside for the moment. “Were you at least enjoying your foolish thoughts?” She asked, tucking her hair behind her ear.

If propriety was the only reason she regretted saying it, then so be it. But she wanted to keep walking and pretend like she hadn’t said something of the sort. “You’re a recent arrival, aren’t you?” She asked, her head tilting to the side curiously.

Marco smiled and decided not to torture the poor flame-headed woman any further on the matter. “If only I had been” he half laughed, his thoughts had been less optimistic, insightful, or romantic than those that usually were wandering his mind while he was by himself and he’d rather been without them. 

“Ah, you wear it well, my dear,” Joséphine said, opening and shutting her fan with a snap. “The world loves its fools well. Come and take a turn with me. I am very curious to hear about such a place as Italy. You know, I’ve never had the occasion to leave France? Not even once? It’s a tedious life, here at the chateau. Every day is a struggle to find something novel to amuse one’s self.”

Marco smiled up at her before standing, accepting her offer for company immediately. If not just for the fact that she had occupied a throne like he would in the near future, then because he found something interesting in her honesty. “What about Italy interests you?” He asked. The prince could hardly imagine never having travelled, he had memories from an age as young as four or five of playing with noble children in castles he visited. “Today I will have to do my best to lesson the burden of your task .”

Raisa loved the gardens, she did, but she thought that she preferred the warmth of the sun on her skin more than the sights and smells of the flowers themselves. Often traipsing through the many pathways on her own, or with one of the attendants that had joined her from Sweden to Russia and now here. On this day, she was alone.

“I’m sorry?” She asked, looking to the man who had spoken. She hadn’t realized he was there. There were many times that those in attendance often gathered on the many stone benches throughout the gardens, so she’d accepted it and moved along. “I don’t think that anything could look foolish on your face,” She said without a thought before blushing darkly, her eyes widening. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

Marie smiled at the gentleman before her. She was quite taken by his presence and blushed as he spoke. His voice was as smooth as silk to her ears and she found herself nodding at his invitation. “I would be honored to walk with you.” The princess said softly. “The flowers are beginning to blossom and I was just headed there to take a look.” For a moment she wondered if she was allowed to walk alone with him. Surely, it wouldn’t be a problem to circle the gardens together? 

The prince noted her blush and did his best not to show his knowledge in the form of a too wide smile. “All the better. You can show me the way, princess”, he smiled as he offered her his arm. Marco’s eyes scanned the gardens a moment before returning to the pale headed Marie, “have you enjoyed having so much company?”

“i would have thought you bored.” she spoke freely, one eyebrow cocked at the young man curiously. “truthfully, its the face i’ve been wearing since i arrived.” and that was the first bit of honest to god truth she had spoken since she had been here. being a queen had called for calculated, well thought out words but now, she couldn’t find it in her to actually formulate them. 

Marie had been wandering around the castle when she noticed a handsome man staring blankly in the distance, he looked to be deep in thought about something. It was still strangely exciting to see new faces around the chateau, for years the young princess wondered about the world around her and suddenly people of all walks of life were there filling every corner of her home. 

The princess approached him with an amused look on her face before dipping her head in a low curtsy. “I was beginning to wonder if you were alright.” She said softly. “My mother and Queen Charlotte would be disappointed if our guest was in distress and I did nothing but stand by. Is there something I can do for you, your highness?” 

The prince recognized the pale head of hair and brought a wide smile to his face at the sight of the young princess. “Alright, only lost in my thoughts princess”, he bowed again but lower this time. His personality as a diplomatic, the one trained into him from boyhood, had emerged and he was entirely charm. “I am far from distressed here in the royal gardens, though I would be pleased to have your company for a walk if you would care for one your highness?”

as cold as the english queen seemed to be, it only made sense that she spent the majority of her time away from all living things in france.. instead, choosing to spend her time roaming the gardens and courtyard, daydreaming of when she would get to return to her own home. 

elizabeth hadn’t meant to stumble upon anyone, in fact she had hoped she wouldn’t… and yet, here she was, approaching a man she assumed not much younger than her, his scowl seeming to match one she had worn since arriving here as well. “blank? that was the last thing i had thought it to be…” she spoke, tone absent of all typical formalities for the moment. 

the prince’s head tilted to the side at her comment, of course he should be far from surprised by a woman who did not shy away from contradicting him and he wasn’t. he was more surprised by the observance it required. he smirked slightly, intrigued, “then what had you thought it to be?” he wondered. 

The prince was considering all of these things while staring across the gardens when he realized someone had come to stand in the line of his eyes. He bowed his head, smiling slightly, “It seems you have interrupted what must have been a foolishly blank look on my face.”