Holy Mother, Empress Dowager{ AP }

Fire to my ice. Ice to my fever.

Happiness was something that seemed beyond his grasp now. When had Thomas last been truly happy? When Liz and Anne and Grace and Wolsey were alive. But there was no one who could bring them back. He could not have his family be whole again. He does not want to tell her no. But what can she do for him? He would not use such a question for petty ambition, like titles or a position. In another time, he would have done so. But he is too tired now. Too tired of life. “Your company makes me happy,” he confessed, and it felt bold to say so. He’s flattered monarchs with ease, but these soft words feel treacherous. “If you do not forsake me, than I will continue to be happy.” He had no one but her here.

|| Delicately, as if afraid she’d frighten him with her touch, she took his hands in hers. His hands were rough, the hands of a man who had worked hard in life, a soldier. How different from the hands of those around her, soft as silk and paler than milk. Even her own hands, as worn as they had become, were gentle in comparison.

“You are far from home.” She said softly, eyes watching his face. His confession soothed her. He was happy, happy with her. Still she hoped to find some way to bring him a more familiar sense of peace so far from home. “Your son... he could come here. “

                                                  _____  . { 👑 } .  _____

『♛❞ ——    ❝ Have you ?     I suppose it is to be expected of a lover of birds to possess a fondness for music as well !     I would love to hear you play a tune ! ❞      Although the Prince too had taken an interest in a variety of musical instruments throughout his years at the palace,  the sound of a zither was not something he’d been familiarized with.  Swiftly he moved to free her hands from the peacock occupying them,  instead tucking the proud creature under his arm as he took his seat   —   its long,  blue neck craning with a confused squawk as it fumbled to adjust to yet another strange turn of events. 

                    ❝ And I believe he is equally excited ! ❞

|| Huan motioned for a servant to bring her zither forward and another to bring a table and a seat. She took care to remove her nail guards and rings, setting the golden talons off to the side. She brushed her fingers along the strings, taking a moment to admire the craftsmanship. She had played it a thousand times, yet she still found herself enraptured by it’s design.

She plucked the strings gently as she worked the tune from the instrument, her hands gliding across the zither in swift, elegant motions. She gave the prince another smile as she played, hoping her audience was pleased with her playiing.

he is doing his best and we are all very proud of him and his artistic achievements