𝓸𝓯𝔁𝓭𝔂𝓷𝔁𝓼𝓽𝓲𝓮𝓼

@versailleshqstarters / james baker & open

location: the village market

hand resting firmly on the sword dangling from his hip, james trailed after the giggling four year old before him as she darted between one stall and the next ( each bright and shiny object seeming to catch her attention more than the last ). they’d stopped once or twice to make a purchase ( and while he was certain the little girl wouldn’t recall their time in france, james was determined she would have some sort of memento from their time there — the start of a new chapter for them both ).

when the little one ran into someone’s legs and toppled over, james found himself expelling a breath as he moved forward to scope the girl up from the ground before dark orbs flickered up to the person who’d been all but charged. “apologies. seems she is overly eager to get to the next best thing.” flashing a smile as he straightened, james couldn’t help but release a small chuckle. “the market is certainly lively but i don’t believe anyone finds it as wonderous as a child— though perhaps i’m wrong.”

---

The markets had always truly held a wild sort of wonder for Alistair. Those in his home country appeared vastly different, though he supposed that at their core, they were similar. In a way, he used the location to quell a bit of his own homesickness, closing his eyes as he breathed in the scents and took in the sounds, The world moved around him, as it was known to do, though for one brief moment, Alistair could convince himself that perhaps the world could still enough to allow him to believe that he’d found his way back home. The Prince was roused from his thoughts at the sound of small footsteps, running rapidly towards him. Smiling, he opened his eyes, gazing down at the child before him. “Well hello!” Alistair beamed, offering the girl his hand. “My name is Alistair! What’s yours?”

Glancing up at the approaching man, he nodded, chuckling a bit. “Please, rescind your apologies! She has done nothing deserving of them!” The Prince shook his head, glancing down at her once more. “This truly is a wonderous place, you know. And,” Alistair feigned a gasp, lowering himself to a comfortable squat to level his gaze with the child’s. “If one cares to look close enough, places with such energy, so alive as the markets are, often possess a simple sort of magic.” Standing once more, Alistair shifted a hand behind his back, plucking a flower from a nearby stall to produce quickly magically in front of the girl’s eyes. “See? Magic.” Tucking the flower behind her ear, the Crown Prince slipped a hand into his pocket, producing a gold coin which he tossed to the stall owner with a grin. “My apologies for not formally introducing myself, Good Sir. I am Alistair Stewart. With whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?”

they ought to have a chaperon ( if his mother were alive, this was the exact thing he could hear her ranting about ). but given all that had occurred, aleksander found being parted from the woman he was betrothed to was difficult ( she was, after all, a light in a very dark time ). anyone who dared whisper gossip about the possibility of compromise would need to speak with him directly.

situated across from her, aleksander drew his gaze from the fireplace to offer nadira his full attention as she spoke. the weddings had certainly started well enough the second time around, but the rumors that swirled following the union of some of the couples had sent many skittering about in additional fear ( the idea of wedding a stranger even more unsatisfying ). he sat in stunned silence for several long seconds following her question before propelling himself up and out of the chair to kneel at her side. plucking one of her hands to cradle within his own, aleksander looked up at the woman with a small smile. “the only thing i have had second thoughts over is the length of time we are being made to wait. i have half a mind to walk up to the sun king and insist we be among the next group who are fortunate enough to wed.” pressing a kiss to the back of her hand, he continued, “though if i am far too eager or you feel rushed— you only need say the word and i will try my best to correct this.”

---

Nadira could feel Alek’s eyes upon her, his gaze bearing into her though not in any particularly harsh or unwelcome manner. She felt comfortable under his gaze- protected, and understood. Things between them had turned serious quickly- a state which was to be expected, given the circumstances and the fact that they were to be wed, unquestioningly. Those facts, however, hadn’t ever mattered to Nadira, and would continue to not. From the moment she laid eyes upon Aleksander, his eyes wide and kind, his demeanor inviting and pleasant, the energy surrounding him providing everything she’d seemed to both need and want...The Princess had known the Sun King had chosen her fate more than well, he care for her betrothed already flourishing.

The silence which followed left Nadira’s heart beating faster than she’d thought possible; her heart felt as though it had jumped directly to her throat, a fact she worked actively to conceal from the man before her. For a moment, she worried she might have struck a nerve, or worse uncovered a truth, though before those could have been fully formed thoughts in her mind, Aleksander was by her side, kneeling, taking her hand within his own as he spoke words so genuine and sweet Nadira could take them as nothing other than truth. Tears sprung behind her eyes, though she forced herself to swallow them, bowing her head for a moment as she collected herself. “Oh, my love. My darling Aleksander. You are the most precious man this world has to offer, I still struggle to fathom how I managed to be so blessed.” The Princess’ eyes met his once more, gazing upon him softly as she brought her free hand to rest against his cheek. “My sweet, sweet man. There is no galaxy, no world, no universe in which I could ever think that of you. If I had my way...” Pausing, Nadira leaned forward, pressing a slow and gentle kiss to Alek’s forehead, followed by his cheek, before brushing her lips boldly to the shell of his ear. “...We would wed tonight. I do not wish to wait, my love. Not one moment longer. Not with the way near-everything has unfolded...I am already yours, Aleksander. We need only to make things official.”

When she had arrived with her beloved king in the palace, Alexandra was remembered of her first time moving into the royal residences back in England; unfamiliar and out of place, she needed to stay on her toes. By now, exchanging pleasantries at the side of the king with the royalties from the other countries was nothing new to her and she did her best to try to establish some connections that might be useful to them. Alexandra barely left the king’s side but later that night, she felt the urge to get some fresh air after waking up from a rather bothersome dream and she made sure not wake her beloved up as she exited the chamber. The night air relaxed her as she made her way through the gardens, taking another deep breath while holding onto the warm cloak for comfort until a voice nearly made her jump on the spot before realizing who the source was, she made a curtsey, smiling back at the Crown Prince.

“It is lovely indeed and the gardens here are almost magical-like, your Royal highness”, Alexandra agreed with a hum, sparing a glance back at him before looking up to the night sky once more. ”I was just.. feeling restless, too many thoughts that kept me awake. If I may ask, what is your reason?“

---

Alistair recognized the English King’s Mistress immediately, his head nodding as he bent briefly at the waist, bowing respectfully before righting himself once more. Glancing around, Alistair inhaled deeply as he continued to appreciate the beauty occurring around him. “They are, you are most assuredly correct about that. While I have always loved the gardens in my home country, I must say that these provide an exquisite substitute.” The Crown Prince quieted for a moment, pondering what his next sentiments might be. 

The woman’s admission of her restlessness was one Alistair could relate to. Sleep had seemed to evade him since his arrival in France, and though he’d found many a reason to explain it away, tension grew within him time passed further. “My apologies, Madame.” Alistair offered with a frown. “Admittedly, I find myself in a similar situation. Perhaps it is the unfamiliar bed, or unfamiliar landscape- though, after so many weeks one would assume I might be acquainted with them both by now.” A slight shrug rolled from his shoulders. “If I may ask, Miss, what is it that troubles you so? Please understand, your response if far from a requirement. I am simply...Curious.” 

The french gardens were much more breath-taking than people described it to her and Josephine couldn’t help but take her time to admire each flower as she passed by them, even though she was sure that her presence would be highly appreciated by the side of her betrothed whom she had met a bit earlier that day. Suddenly the thought of her late mother crossed her mind when she stopped by a certain flower bed, peonies, which were her and Josie’s favorites and it brought a small smile to her features, remembering how she used to run through their own garden that were filled with the flowers. The voice of her father brought her back to the present and she turned her head, smile faltering for a split second but she managed to keep it up. 

“Vater.. My apologies for concerning you”, Josephine spoke up, straightening her back as she kept her hands folded in front of her and nodded slowly her head. “So far, it’s lovely. I may have already a favorite place here to spend some of my time at whenever time would allow me to.” The young princess shifted her gaze back over the flower bed, obviously meaning the gardens and the movement was also to hide the flicker of displeasure that she still held since it was partly his doing that she found herself in her position. Her younger, childish self would have rebelled against his decision but after losing her mother, she had learned to be more mature and had to do what was benefiting for her and her country. “I had the pleasure to meet finally my betrothed earlier before he was whisked away to attend to some matter that needed his attention.. How about you, dear father?”

---

The displeasure of his children at their presence in France was not lost upon Oskar. Quite the opposite, in fact, though the knowledge was one he would not share with another, kept tucked away in the back of his own mind. Of course, there were many reasons he himself had been less-than-certain about attending the summit. When the invitation had come, the Emperor had spent several agonizing days thinking and re-thinking his decision before bringing himself to tell anyone else of its existence. The decision to allow the hands of another to choose whom his beloved children would be betrothed to was not one Oskar relished- in fact, it was one which he detested quite heavily, though again those were considerations which he refused to speak aloud. Ultimately, accepting the Sun King’s offer had been the only truly logical choice, when the Shadow Emperor had taken a step back to observe the picture of things as it was. While declining the invitation had certainly crossed his mind, Oskar knew that doing so would ultimately bring nothing but anguish upon himself, his family, and his country. Declining an invitation to the summit would have surely indicated to the world that the Austrian Court was against progress, against change, and most of all, against peace. The targets such a decision would have placed upon his children’s backs, and the backs of his subjects, was more than Oskar could bear. He’d made the best decision he could have, at the time. Though, despite his pleasant demeanor and appearance of complete elation, the Emperor remained keenly aware of his surroundings, guard heightened immensely, especially following everything which had already occurred. 

Oskar knew instantly why the Gardens had become Josephine’s favorite, solidified by the scent of the peonies as they wafted towards him. Inhaling deeply, his eyes fluttered closed for a moment as he took it in, the familiar pang within his heart rearing its head. “Yes, this is...Such a lovely place, you are correct Josephine.” Nodding, he shifted, moving to lower himself slowly upon a nearby bench. The Shadow Emperor’s ears perked at the mention of her betrothed. “Is that so, darling? Pray tell, how was your meeting? Do you find him...” Oskar’s words trailed as he searched and yet failed to produce the appropriate verbiage. “Ah, yes, well, as I am certain I need not remind you, duties must always be attended to promptly. Dedication to his work and title are both excellent indications.” He said more to himself than to her “Tell me, when shall you two meet again?” Josephine's question about his own feelings came, and Oskar nodded slowly, the ghost of a smile coming to his lips. "Things are well, my darling. My bride-to-be is stunning. I could not have asked for a better position in which to be."

Despite that many may have considered Nadira’s meeting with Alek within her private quarters to be inappropriate prior to their wedding, after the events that had taken place, away from her betrothed was not a place the Princess found herself eager to be. With the most recent round of weddings having occurred- not without a hitch, though their passing most certainly did come- she’d found herself more lost in thoughts of what was to come more than ever before. 

“My darling,” Nadira began, smiling fondly at Aleksander from her position near her fireplace. “The weddings...They were beautiful, no?” Turning slowly, she faced the fire for a moment, considering her next words before she chose to speak them. “We all saw...We all saw the results of some of the...” Bowing her head sadly, her voice cracked slightly. The weight of the realizations some had come to placed a weight upon her which she hadn’t been expecting to feel, one that she couldn’t seem to fight off, regardless of her greatest efforts. The question she dreaded asking was poised upon her lips, and with a deep breath and a final thought, Nadira allowed it to tumble forth in a wave of emotion which she was not accustomed to sharing so easily. “Have you had...Have you had second thoughts, my love?” The Princess’ eyes fluttered closed at her question, her heart not ready to see the response which might accompany such a question, more so when she’d already positioned herself to hear it. 

manon never really felt the desire to escape the french court, it had given her a home, a family ever since she had lost her own. yet, with the king’s decision to open their mysteries up to the public and to spare princess hel, there was nothing more that she wanted to do than simply run until her legs could no longer carry her and feel the earth beneath her feet. the gardens had always been lovely but now were beginning to become one of her favorite places and usually, she was alone. the duchess realized this time would be different as she stared at an unfamiliar back. “erm- yes. quite.” manon nodded. with all these new individuals walking the halls, she couldn’t lie: she had been getting a tad overwhelmed. in a way, it made her more awkward than usual. regardless, she had remained kind and civil to all she had met. “i believe the stars are beautiful everywhere.. i haven’t had the pleasure of leaving france’s boarders i’m afraid.” then she realized: scotland. the place that she was to become aligned to upon her marriage to the earl. “peace has been a luxury the past days, has it not? looking out at the world before me..” her thoughts trailed off for a moment before she angled herself to face him a bit more. the wind whipped through her deep brown locks as she spoke. “i feel free.”

it was a little awkward that her new son’s wedding was the same day as her own, but she was glad to have her marriage to oskar done. she could tell he would make a fine partner, her nerves were quieted as soon as he’d fought beside her. his sense of humor, his desire for battle, she could tell they’d have quite the marriage together. ❝ i understand. it is different…now. ❞ she wasn’t the young stubborn girl she’d been when she was married the first time. no, she was a hard-headed woman that had raised wonderful children and strong warriors. his words made her smile and she nuzzled her cheek against his hand. ❝ ye took the words out of my mouth, love. no matter what battles or hardships come, i will be with ye through all of it. ye and yer children are as much my family as my own, ❞ she murmured, her hand coming up to press to the back of his. as much as she wanted to discuss what would happen next, she didn’t have the chance. 

his arms supporting her was something she’d be grateful for later. he was quick to act even if he didn’t know what was happening to her. ailith pressed her hands to his chest as she looked up at his face, her chest rising and falling quickly as she panted. the sudden transformation took a lot out of her and she felt exhaustion weighing on her. all she could do was nod in agreement. that wasn’t how she wanted her new husband to get her into bed, but it would work. for now. ❝ with yer assistance, ❞ she replied, clinging to his arms. she had a suspicion that he might know what was happening to her, but she didn’t have the energy to accuse him. when they made it back to their shared room, she kicked her shoes off and climbed into bed. it was a shame they couldn’t take advantage of her dress, but she doubted that he was in a mood after what had happened. she was more worried about what exactly was happening to her right then. ❝ do ye know a doctor who could explain what happened? ❞

---

Gazing upon Ailith, Scotland’s reigning Queen, and now his gorgeous bride, left Oskar feeling as though he were floating. His relationship with his wife, Austria’s Queen and the mother of his children, had been one of bliss which the Emperor had believed to be unmatched. The love they’d shared had been honest and pure, though one that was determined and bred far before their own births. Still, it had been one which worked, a rare occurrence under the ways long observed by those in power. Her passing had taken something from him which he feared he might never regain, and which for the longest he’d actively fought against giving the slightest of chances to. The years had been kind to him, however, and in his time alone he had learned that while the love he felt for his former Queen had been precisely what he’d needed during the time which he possessed it, the avenues down which he seemed to be heading called for something more than fond memories and a fear of what might become of him under the touch of another. “I give you my word, My Queen, that I shall grant you the same. What is yours by blood shall now become mine by marriage, though I vow to treat them as though no difference ever existed.” Taking hold of Ailith’s hand, Oskar brought her palm to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to her warm, comforting flesh. 

ofxdynxsties· / ece kanuni & alistair stewart

following the weddings it had seemed many were flocking to the more social areas, set on watching the newly weds and their movements ( to see how they handled marriage and the apparent new talent or rumored curse they may have been given ). and while ece found herself curious, she was far more eager for a bit of quiet in hopes of settling her own scattered thoughts. it was what had led her to flee to the library, and upon finding the room empty, she’d released a sigh of relief. 

she’d pursued the shelves silently for a time, finger tips brushing over the spines of books before plucking one on the histories of shared talents. the words held her attention for several pages before ece found her brow furrowing and the text somewhat swimming before her as thoughts wandered toward the predicament she found herself in ( weighing how viable it would be to petition the sun king to rearrange her betrothal— assuming albert was still favorable to the idea ).

the clearing of a throat had her visibly startling, and after a moment her head turned to take in the rooms latest occupant. “you aren’t a disturbance. it seems i am far too lost in my thoughts to truly focus on the words before me.” tucking the book against her chest, she turned to face the man and briefly tapped the cover. “more a particular subject than title. talents. i wondered if the french might have something on a marriage of varying talents might entail. i— i thought it best to familiarize myself with what i might expect.”

---

Despite his most valiant attempts, it was apparent that Alistair had succeeded in startling the woman. A small frown formed on his lips, and he took a cautious step forward, closing a slight of distance between them. “My sincerest apologies, Your Highness.” The Crown Prince nodded, bowing slightly as he approached. Her comment did not escape him, though for a moment Alistair debated addressing it. His curiosity had been piqued, certainly, though perhaps his concern was slightly influenced by his incessant nosiness. Though the Scot was not known for his participation in gossip or the like- in fact, activities such as those were ones Alistair quite purposely avoided. However, there was no denying that the Prince enjoyed knowing things, most especially things he likely should not have known. “Are you well, Miss?” He asked, brows furrowing as he studied her face. “Should you wish to speak to someone about those thoughts, please know I may make myself available.”

Alistair nodded as his eyes fell to the book’s title, lips forming a small, circular ‘O’ as an understanding dawned upon him slowly. “That most certainly provides a clearer answer to my initial question.” Giving a soft chuckle, Alistair stepped further forward, reaching forward to connect his fingertips with a few nearby books. “It is never a bad thing, research. There are surely far worse activities one might choose to participate in.” A sad smile crossed the Prince’s lips as he turned back to the other royal. “I might say there exists no real reason for concern, though I believe the both of us to know not to be true.” After a slightly lengthy pause, he continued. “Forgive me for prying, though I feel the need to ask- Are you dissatisfied with your pairing?”

ofxdynxsties· / anton habsburg & oskar habsburg

anton felt an immediate flare of irritation when someone all but plowed through his doors without so much of a warning prior to entry ( his fingers curling around the shadow blade at his side )— but upon seeing the familiar face of his father, the man had huffed a breath and relaxed back into the seat of the desk he’d claimed as his own. “yes, do come in father.” he murmured sarcastically. “do you want my honest opinion on the matter, or the opinion i’ve been dishing out to the masses?” there was, of course, the chance the walls had ears, but given his fathers presence, he trusted the chance of anyone hearing anything they weren’t meant to would be all but impossible ( they would hear only what might be allowed of them ). “color me shocked that the sun king believes it important to push forward with these marriages as if nothing has transpired recently. though i suppose the fact that i am still to wed should prove that my bride will not be sentenced to death over the chaos she caused.”

---

Oskar beamed at the sight of his eldest, grin reaching his ears as he observed his son’s demeanor shifting before his eyes. The sarcasm reached his ears, though he couldn’t be bothered with responding, nor did he allow it to impact him further. Nodding, Oskar swept further into the room, spotting an empty chair and making haste towards it. Once settled, he turned his attention back to Anton. A booming laugh escaped him, head tilting back to reveal the slightest beginnings of stubble around his bottom jaw. “Which do you think?” The Emperor asked, eyeing his son. “The truth, my boy, is the only thing I shall ever truly require of you.” Crossing his legs, Oskar leaned in slightly, indicating he was listening intently. It had taken nearly no time at all for Oskar to learn the true cause of the war that seemed to have broken out during the previous festivities, and once he had, he’d found himself conflicted. As a royal, and as a King, he had a political zero-tolerance policy for behavior such as what had occurred. Though, as  a man, he couldn’t say he didn’t house a sort of admiration for the woman’s willingness to defend, protect, and stand up for her beliefs, and her lineage. “That does appear to be the case, yes.” Oskar nodded his agreement. “If I may ask, my Son, what is it you believe should be done? What is it you would do, were you in the shoes of the Sun King?” The curiosity in his voice was evident. The Shadow Emperor hadn’t ever been one to enforce his own beliefs upon his children. His desire for their independence and free-thinking had always driven him in every facet of their educations. So, while he was more than aware of his own thoughts on the matter, it was apparent he was not seeking a specific nor identical answer from his son.

Alistair had always found a certain comfort in surrounding himself with nature of any kind. Something about the freshness of it all, about being surrounded by life in its simplest and purest form, had always allowed the Crown Prince somewhat of a peace he hadn’t seemed to find elsewhere. When the world got too loud, the expectations of his station too much, or the uncertainty of the future too prominent, the Scot found himself seeking the tranquility only nature could provide. Despite the chill of the night air, the Prince had risen from his bed, unable to sleep and determined to clear his seemingly unsettled soul. For the better part of half an hour he’d been wandering the palace grounds, searching for the gardens he’d heard so much about. Having reached his destination, Alistair found himself footing lightly through the darkened paths, the moonlight and glimmering stars above his only sliver of light. The rustle of leaves and the sound of approaching footsteps drew him from his peace, though he displayed no irritation as he turned slowly, smiling at the other. “Lovely night, is it not?” He asked, tipping his head to take in the sight of the stars. “It was always my foolish belief that the most beautiful of the stars hung above Scotland. Now, however, I have been forced to rethink such a stance.” Alistair returned his gaze to his companion. “If I may be so bold, what has brought you to the gardens at such an hour?:” @versailleshqstarters​

ofxdynxsties· / aleksander morozov & nadira babur 

the more she looked at him— or even spoke to him, the greater his appreciation for the sun king’s plan became ( even if he didn’t entirely appreciate the lack of foresight when it came to certain matters ). “we will have plenty of time.” he agreed.

in truth, it was a question he’d been avoiding himself. he was admittedly torn— part of him wishing to stay at his betrothed’s side to ensure her safety, while another urged him to seek out the romanov’s ( people he’d admittedly come to look at as close friends or perhaps even family ). it took him several moments to answer, his brow furrowing as he did so. “once we’ve delivered you to your family and have ensured your safety i will return to find the tsar and his family.” it was a worrisome thought, and he could only hope the russian royals had found themselves out of the thick of the fighting and somewhere safe. “i’m afraid i won’t be able to return to your side immediately. the tsar was injured in the fighting— that much i do know. i will need to stay at his side until things calm.”

---

Aleksander’s words surrounded Nadira, wrapping her in a specific sort of comfort- one which she hadn’t experienced previous, though one she took note of near immediately. Nodding, she smiled softly up at her betrothed, taking a small step forward to place a gentle hand to his chest. “Plenty.”

Naturally, the Princess understood the necessity of Aleksander’s duties. Their titles and stations in life were both a blessing and a curse, one she grappled to understand within herself as well. Despite her struggle to reconcile the expectations set forth for them, Nadira respected his duties, as well as she respected her own. She nodded her understanding, giving his hand a small squeeze. “Of course, you must ensure his safety and wellbeing. That of his family members as well. I would hope for nothing more.” Nadira slowed as they neared the apartments housing her family, eyes bouncing from door to door as she attempted to determine where the others might be. At the news that the tsar had been injured, Nadira’s eyes widened. She turned swiftly to face Alek, concern evident on her features. “Oh, my love, no! You must go to him! Though I shall miss your presence, you must ensure his health, it takes priority.” Her eyes fell momentarily. “If I may, I shall inform my family of his injuries. I shall direct my ladies to prepare an offering for him, to indicate our wish for his hasty recovery.”

Although he hadn’t given much thought to whether or not he was actually hungry, Alistair had been drawn into the dining room by the rich and enchanting scent of the day’s most freshly prepared meal. His hands remained clasped behind his back as he surveyed the offerings, head nodding approval at the dishes he recognized while taking a closer look at those he did not. 

Visiting France had been quite the whirlwind,, even more so in the culinary sense. The Prince enjoyed the attempts made at including the various cultures and local cuisines of those in attendance, and truly was pleased at the thought of sampling dishes he wouldn’t have had the chance to, otherwise. 

Spotting another royal seated nearby, Alistair made his way over. “Your Highness.’ He said with a bow and a smile. “Would I be intruding if I took this particular seat?” Nodding towards the empty space beside he, he smiled as he awaited her reply. 

Quiet was something Alistair often craved, and had since childhood. Despite his clear understanding of his duties and position, and his willingness to fulfill each, the Scotsman couldn’t shut off the part of himself that craved a bit of solitude. It always seemed as though his life was one event after another- appearances, meetings, greetings, politics...For the entirety of his life, Alistair had felt as though his life were too loud. Moments of solitude, of quiet, provided him the time he required to recharge. After giving so much of himself to his name, he needed something for himself. 

Early in his youth, Alistair had sought solace in books, falling in love with the journeys, the characters, and the stories they’d provided. Within books, he found friends, he found places, and he found lives he might never have found within his own. And so, upon arriving in France, one of the first locations the Crown Prince had sought out was the palace Library. It had been more than a week since that time, and he had found himself visiting the location more and more frequently. 

Stepping into the room now brought more peace than he’d felt all day, and he took in the deepest breath he could muster, allowing himself to take it all in. Alistair’s eyes fell upon a figure across the room. Not wishing to disturb her, the Prince cleared his throat, offering a tight-lipped smile as he stepped further in. “My apologies, Your Highness, I certainly do not wish to disturb. Are you seeking a particular title, or merely browsing?”

Spotting Josephine’s figure on the near-horizon, Oskar sped his step, a smile crossing his tired features. The Shadow Emperor’s love for his children knew no bounds, though his heart had always seemed just a bit softer when it came to his daughter. Looking upon her reminded him of looking upon her mother, his late wife’s features plain within Josephine’s own. “Meine Tochter!” Oskar called out, announcing his presence. Upon reaching his daughter, the Emperor placed a gentle hand upon her shoulder, eyes studying her as he closed the distance between them. “I have been searching for you, Josephine. I was concerned. How are you finding your time here, my darling?” Though he kept his tone light, his expression told a different story. Of course he’d been concerned for how their venture here might turn out, though he’d done his best to keep his concerns veiled. It tormented Oskar at night, however, the knowledge that one of his children might find themselves caught within a marriage which failed to suit them, or their desires. The Habsburg presence in France signified an agreement, a vow, one that would not easily be broken. It was not the form of pressure he wished to place upon his children. “Have you had the opportunity to seek your betrothed?

“Mein Sohn!” Oskar beamed, bursting carelessly through his eldest son’s door, cape flapping behind him. Since arriving in France, the Shadow Emperor had maintained a close and watchful eye on his children. Though it had been said they had entered the summit under a promise of peace and unity, trust simply wasn’t given easily. And, most especially, when the situation involved the presence of so many others. Ensuring the safety of his children was Oskar’s primary priority, their happiness second, and he would have preferred to be damned before allowing anything less to occur. The realization that he and the Crown Prince were to be wed on the same day had been shocking, though he wouldn’t bring himself to publicly question the Sun King’s choices. “How are you feeling? It is a joyous day, is it not?” Personal reservations aside, Oskar refused to allow himself to appear unhappy or uncertain in the presence of his children. As luck would have it, the Emperor himself was in fact happy, his match with the Queen of Scotland had been a dream; he couldn’t have chosen better for himself. 

@versailleshqstarters· // OPEN STARTER. 

manon could hear her heartbeat in her ears as she ran through the halls, aching for the sight of someone who might even be remotely safe. her dress seemed to flutter behind her in a manner that if not during the hight of an attack, it might have been almost beautiful. for now, every step caused a shooting pain to crawl over her skin, coming to a stop when she had discovered a moment of quiet. 

at least, the duchess thought she had. 

the sound of someone approaching caused the brunette to cling to the dagger she had picked up even harder than before, grasping on for dear life. there was nowhere for her to hide and deep down, she knew she had to be ready to face them. even if she couldn’t stop shaking. she had sustained a minor injury to her side as she tried to escape from the combat, but she had some form of protection now too. in a way, she saw it as worth it. 

“who goes there?” she called out, holding the dagger in front of her even if she knew she could never engage in such combat. as intimidating as she was trying to look, she needed a friend. the young woman couldn’t handle an enemy at the moment. 

The battle had taken a lot from Alana, leaving her body shaken and her mind even worse. Naturally, her father had always attempted to prepare her for situations such as this. As a royal, even as a Duchess, her childhood and young adulthood had consisted of training sessions, focusing on various forms of combat and weapons wielding. Even so, when the time had come to put her training to use, she’d frozen completely, unable to do much of anything besides run.

The Duchess’ guard was up as she made her way through the palace halls, head on a swivel as she attempted to locate anything that seemed remotely like a safe space. Though, now that all-out war had broken out on palace grounds, it occurred to her that perhaps such a place no longer existed. Or, given the rapidity with which such an incident had occurred, perhaps it never had. 

ofxdynxsties· / aleksander morozov & nadria babur

“we were given life altering information— and while arranged marriages are not unfamiliar given our standing, the entire circumstance we find ourselves in is foreign. the worlds nobility brought together in hopes of peace with the possibility of those wed exchanging talents? it was… overwhelming and all consuming to hear. in some ways i am fortunate. i did not need to worry after siblings or parents like others— only my own future, and perhaps the future of my royal family. i cannot fault you for not knowing something about me. we’ve hardly been granted any time to learn of one another. it will come with time.” he reassured.

trailing after the woman almost blindly, aleksander anchored himself to the feel of her hand within his as he turned a majority of his attention to watching the halls around them ( eyes narrowing every so often as they passed another intersecting hall, his heart rate increasing ever so slightly until they’d made it safely onward ). the question, however, drew his attention and focus back to her entirely. “of course darling. i will answer whatever you may ask to the best of my ability.”

Nadira gazed up at Aleksander as he spoke, her eyes scanning his own, as well as his expression. The kindness behind them was apparent, something that had attracted the Princess to him instantly upon their meeting. Loneliness, however, proved to be kindness’ companion, just as apparent as the other. As the Duke spoke, Nadira raised a hand, pressing her palm gently to his cheek. Her fingertips rested upon his cheekbone, touch soft as she looked upon him. “Your words are kind, Aleksander. You are kind. Perhaps you believe no one has noticed, but I wish for you to understand that is not the truth. And, you are correct. There will be plenty of time for us to learn one another. Many, many years in fact.” 

As they moved, Nadira could feel the tension radiating from her beloved’s body, his eyes darting each time she looked back upon him. Slowing her pace, she allowed her shoulder to brush his, wishing to be nearer to him. When his answer came, she smiled, mind turning as she considered how she might pose her question. “When is it you plan to seek the Russian royals? I understand you wish to deliver me safely to my family, a consideration which I so appreciate. Though, what is to become of your evening after?