✧ COSMIC. ✧

there was a pleasantry within the tone of the princess, & ana felt she should subdue her glance. the last thing she needed was to be called out for making a royal feel minuscule or  u n c o m f o r t a b l e . however, the words that the other brunette used made her gaze move back up to the princess’s countenance; a smile that only few had seen making it’s way onto her lips. “i am glad you think so, your grace.” ana stated, only to let out a small sigh. “would you like to walk a ways with me? or would you prefer if i were to leave you alone?” it was a simple question, but other royals would most likely just assume that a walk would be welcomed, ana instead wanted to pose a  c h o i c e. the last thing she wanted was for anyone, especially the woman before her, to feel as if she was forcing her company upon her. 

“ No… this is ridiculous, insane… ” Maximilian shook his head quickly, moving even closer to fire, as if could warm up his long frozen heart. When he was a young boy he lost himself in the woods, chasing one of the deers. It was winter, the snow covered everything under a white, cold blanket. He wandered through the forest, lost, slowly freezing to death. He could have died if one of father’s knights didn’t save him.He felt that way right now - panic pumped blood quickly through his veins, but  no one could save him from the cold he felt. No One but her. “ You are my blood, and my sister, you really think I can put you in such danger without blinking twice? I understand what you feel… I do feel that way too. I seek vengeance, I seek justice, for our mother’s sake, but I cannot loose you. ” If I loose Sabine, Bohemia doesn’t matter anymore, he said to himself, still staring into a fire, as if in his dancing, bloody flames was an answer to his prayers. The more he thought about this, the more reasonable Sabine’s plan seemed to be. Or maybe not reasonable… maybe ridiculous enough to actually work out. He was thinking about a  someone loyal enough to do everything he commands them to do… Of course, sir Balthazar.Maximilian discovered his affair with a young boy long ago, decided not to reveal his secret just to use poor, old man in a right moment. And he will be used now, if necessary. “ Yes, there is a knight watching us… Henry Cerny, father’s loyal men. He came with me… ” So they had to ruin his life as well? No, don’t think about it, other voice in his head shouted at him - you want crown or no? Your mother was murdered, and she was innocent, just like Cerny is. “ I will take care of the documents tommorow, and the poison… But one drop more than neccesery will get you killed; how can I allow that?” Maxmillian turned to finaly look at her.

“insane, yes, but it will work. father will be humiliated. we must chip away at his allies, you see?”  she sighed, “he is too strong, brother. we remove his supports and he will topple himself. first you illustrate him a madman, attempting to murder the only legitimate daughter he has after so much tragedy already,”  bile rose in he throat discussing it, but she forged on,  “and his allies will find it reprehensible, even after he has denounced the act. if you so heavily wish to find another way, i will not disobey you.” 

she sighed quietly, watching her brother’s face in the firelight. finally she nodded, setting her cup aside, as gracefully as she did anything.  “i have my suspicions about one of the servants in my household as well --  i had not seen him with my retinue in cyprus.”  she finally said, slowly. “i will have him away for this.”  she had her own leverage, if nothing else, in the fact that her brother would support her actions.

“ Worry not. I won’t rush you into marriage, but we both know you have to do it, for the wellbeing of Bohemia. Marriage with the right person, one I will try to find in time,might be beneficial for you, in a way.  ” She was a widdow now, soon a time will come for her to strip herself off a black cape, and it will be better for her to remarry than to live in a state of political uselessness till the end of her days. Furthermore, Maximillian knew maternity could also bring her joy. So now she challanged him to choose a man for her. And he agreed. That request was harmful as if she put a dagger in his hands and asked him to cut his throat. And he agreed.   Maximilian stood up, moving closer to his sister, still with his hand joined with hers. “ So we are rebels now, huh? ” a smirk grew on his lips, but faded quickly. “ Sabine, you’re the only one who always believed in me. I shall rule, and I wish to rule with noone else but you by my side. ” He regretted those words as soon as they left his lips; it would be better for him if he spared his sister those sweet nothings, but he couldn’t contain himself. “ We can’t do it with a dagger or a spear. You wish to do it with your own hands - fine, but let’s think for a moment here, sister. ” He moved pass her to stand next to the fireplace, gazing into the burning flames. “ It is our luck that we met in Rome. I’ve heard about some skilled medicians here. Dukes, jealous husbands and even Popes are using their medicinal potions… Some of them make you fall in peaceful, endless sleep, others make your throat tighten so hard as if an invisible ghost was strangling you. ” Invisible… They have to be invisible. “ Those medicians… One of them makes excellent elixirs, I have heard much of him.  My people will contact this man tommorow. Just wait for my call, I will give you said… ” he gave a short look at the doors, imagining who could stand behind them “… elixir. Sabine - ” his eyes found hers once again. “ Do you find yourself capable of doing that? ”  

Rebekka smiles politely then formally introduces herself, “I am Rebekka, crown princess of Norway, and it is a pleasure to meet you.” 

“ He wants to drag you into marriage again ? ” Waves of emotions clashed in his soul. One thing he was aware of right now - jealousy. Sabine was his precious sister, the one he would protect at any cost. The mere thought of her falling for someone else, being with someone else, developing trust and devotion for someone else, both scared and disgusted him. He would lock her in a monastery if he could, and he even thought about it. Sabine, bonded with sacred vows would belong to God only, and that would ease his mind a little. Yet that scenario was impossible to play out; Bohemia still wasn’t as strong as he hoped for it to be one day, therefore it needed alliances. Alliances are always best secured with marriage; Sabine had to marry, so did he. “ Maybe you have nothing to say on that matter but I most certainly do. I will start a war if your next husband would be unworthy of you, and our family ” He smiled a little, but that was not a joke. He really was capable of doing it. And even more. The prince was silent for a moment, watching the changing expression on her face, intrigued. She reminded him of some kind of greek goddess of war, even if he knew but little about pagan mythology. Once he heard her words Maximillian grabbed her by the hand, and squized it, gently, but firmly, not caring anymore if she wishes his touch or not. “ I do love you, sweet sister. And I wish him to go as well. ” From different reasons, however. Even if the loss of his mother hurt him to the core, He was impatient. And that impatiens grow with every day of his father’s weak and irresponsible reign. “ Whatever I do, I will do it only to avenge your mother, for good of my realm, and for you. For you, always. ” He squezed her hand a little more. He was whispering now, hoping that noone would hear his vow, noone but her.

Rebekka bites her lip, “Your title matters not to me, I still wish to treat you with the same respect I would wish to receive from you. May I ask where it is that you are from?” She gives Sabine a small smile.

“ Our mother ” he replied harshly  ’’ was accused of adultery and sentenced to death, publicly, therefore you have all Bohemia to convince that she was indeed innocent.“ He bit his tongue, but it was too late. His lungs were trembling, hellfire spread through his chest. He shouldn’t have said that, those were cruel words. But, again, he was a cruel man. He hoped Sabine won’t be surprised with his arrogance anymore. Aside of that, it was a true statement - father made sure that the nation and the history shall remember their mother as a whore. ” I am sorry “ he murmured quietly, taking a seat in his throne - like chair, near fireplace. ” I do not believe this, either. But it is due to God to judge her, and due to the Devil to punish those who judged her falsely. Our father has changed, since you’ve been gone. “ he added  and focused his eyes on her. He wasn’t the only one who changed. ” He acts like a mad dog now, sees enemies in every corner, even in his own shadow, and in me, obviously. He is no longer a king people would admire. In a matter of months they will turn their backs on him… “ Maximillian was waiting for her to finish his sentence, he knew that deep inside her wounded heart she desires revenge, and so did he. Violent one. ” Mad dogs should be taken down, or am I wrong ?“ He cleared his sore throat, curious about her reaction to those words.

Misery in her eyes was noticeable. She did not try to hide it, though. She wore her sorrow  like a golden cape, with dignity. He could only imagine what was going on in her mind… no, no, he can’t let himself imagine that. No… Otherwise her pain would burn his heart out, and the guilt would drown him in tears. He felt guilty now. He wasn’t by her side when she went by all of this, all by herself,  so many miles away on that damned island where people know no winter. He would let her cry on his shoulder every night, he would make a crib of his arms for her to sleep in, he would do everything to help her walk through it. But now…? It was too late, so how he could not feel guilty? “ I should have been by your side… I wish I was… by your side. ” Not in a brothel, not on the hunt, but with her. As she spoke again, Maximilian felt his throat tightening. “Is there anything in this world that wouldn’t make father furious at some point? Do not even let me start on the case of our poor mother…” he walked through the room, looking for a bottle of wine at the end of the chamber. “ One question never leaves my mind since… - “ he stopped for a moment and looked at his sister; clenching his fists. The simple memory of his mother made him feel as if he was an oak struck by a lightning, now slowly burning down. “ One question only… was she really quitlty of all that filthy, despicable sins? There are days when I wish to believe that, in others…  “

 Oh, Sabine… Sabine… All the voices in his head were repeating her name like a hymn, and he wasn’t sure if he didn’t whisper it himself out loud. “ Yes, indeed, it feels like ages now. The last time I saw you you were so… - “ joyful? naive ? childish? full of life - definetly. Something changed in her and he did not like that change. Her soul was clouded with worry and grief, Max saw that clearly through the windows of her eyes. “ Never mind. Come at once, we must talk. “ he opened the door to his chamber. “ You, stay and wait for your lady “ he commanded her guard. She needs no protection when she’s with me. Once they were alone behind closed doors Maximillian spoke: “ I’ve heard what happened to your husband… “ He tried his best to make his voice sound calming, delicate. Few long moments passed before he whispered: “ Not from you, of course “ - no, she stopped writting to him a while ago. “ Sabine, I am sorry. I am, truly, sorry. “ 

Another day of long walks and courteous conversations has just come to an end. Maximillian de Luxemburg was standing at the balcony, looking at the sleeping city. He never seen city quite like Rome - it was magnificent, great, dirty and full of beggars and thieves - yes, but he grew fond of it every single day. He promised himself the Prague will look just like Rome, somday. Someday, when he become a king. ‘’ And when exactly will that be? “ he asked himself, taking another sip of wine. Then he heard the steps. Maybe he can go out ? See streets of Rome in late night ? What a brilliant idea! He walked out of his chamber only to pass familiar figure. He turned to see his sister bowing before him. He stood there breathless, for a moment. “ Sabine…” he whispered, his lips sore. “ Sabine…sister dear…” he moved towards her, wanting to hug her, but not knowing if she would allow him to - since she left home he only held whores in his arms, not a woman he would cherish and respect. 

the smile that ana as able to receive sent butterflies throughout her body, her palms sweating slightly. if one woman’s small smile could have such a positive impact on her, she was doomed if she were to ever see the woman before her angered or perhaps  p a s s i o n a t e about something. instead of allowing what was going through her mind to show, ana took a step towards the brunette and began to analyze her features. not in a way that she was judging them, or could even be accused of judging them - simply taking her features in. the way her jaw line sloped, how the light reflected into the depths of her brown eyes, how her plump lips formed as she spoke. 

ana’s throat was dry. licking her lips, she glanced down at the marble floor & began to collect herself once more when the princess said something that caused a flush to make it’s way into her cheeks. “you were not foolish, your grace. i am sure you will find some sort of solitude whilst here, for if you could not it would truly be a shame.” the queen replied, offering her a more playful smile. wondering if the princess would reciprocate it. “i am glad however, that my presence is not as much of a nuisance as I had s u s p e c t e d.” 

For a moment, Amalia feared she had offended the woman; her stance had become defensive, tensed and bristling. Perhaps she had mistaken her encouragement for malice? It was something that she could not abide - not simply for diplomatic reasons, but for her sake. Amalia dreaded to leave someone with such a terrible impression of her; someone she did not know, but had hoped to make an ally of. Knitting her brows together, she nodded, looking away. “Every royal in Europe has arrived at the Pope’s doorstep, and I think we will all exhaust ourselves from pleasantries alone,” she replied - bluntly, instead of her practised, politician’s drawl. “Because what would court be without them? Just well-dressed strangers who are forced to smile at each other, yes?” A small laugh followed her words, her hands instinctively going to smooth her hair from her face.

Amalia had heard of the princess’ troubles; of her marriage to the late Cypriot king, of her father’s court, of a thousand other rumours she had grasped from her gossiping ladies. It was a childish habit - certainly an annoying one - but no court could survive without it. “I do not doubt it, Your Highness,” she offered sincerely. Sabine was young - too young - for this life, she quietly noted. She wasn’t given to the womanly notion of sympathy and heartfelt emotion, but Amalia could not help but wish her better. “Solitude is very tricky: sometimes, you do not realise how alone you truly are until you’re in a crowded room with nobody to call friend.” She paused, shrugging gracelessly. “And sometimes, solitude is the only friend you have.”

unbidden, and surprised by the honesty, sabine felt a pretty smile startle onto her face, and she ducked her head. so be it, then, they’d speak without platitudes. she got her expression under control, smoothing her dress one more time, and then cleared her throat. beneath the doe eyes and the plump lips, she had something of a sharp mind for noticing the subtleties of the court - while politics was still something she was learning through observation, she was learning quick.  “it is certainly exhausting to be at the mercy of ceremony’s every whim.”  she muttered; something about being alone with another woman who knew the same fears she had comforted her - fear of marriage, fear of being powerless, fear of a life amounting to nothing.  “ceremony sets us apart, i suppose. my mother would lecture me for my impertinence. — although i do pray for the day when a highborn man might say what he wants to, instead of what he thinks makes him look the most endowed.”  a terribly honest and awful statement for a pretty princess, but sabine caught the feeling of empathy off of the archduchess, which... she hoped to god wasn’t a fault of judgement.