#glcsterdux

“i know that the king is the king, and that his word is law,” harry breathed, cocking his head to once more look down at the liveliness just beneath his somber suite. “but laws may be bended, and there are loopholes, and i have you ––– uncle, tell me, is there news from rome regarding richard’s legitimisation? truly, have i reason to fear that this trip abroad will strengthen my father’s chokehold upon the papacy in order to legitimize isabel’s brats? it is bad enough that i share a title with thomas, uncle, i could not bear it if i were asked to make room for a simpleton like dicky.”

“lord edmund,” irina greeted in a delightful tone, smiling as she took a bite from her strawberry (she was rather fond of them and was happy to find out that portugal was abundant with them too ) “it has been a while since we last met,” the grand duchess added. “i hope you are well? yes? —please, have a seat. join me.” she had ordered to her ladies to get the duke some wine in russian. she turned to the male in front of him once more, the smile still plastered on her face. “my ladies will bring you some wine. i would have asked them to bring you some russian vodka however i do not know how you would fair with such a strong beverage— not that i don’t doubt your ability to hold in your alcohol, you certainly look like you could take it— however, i would much rather have you clearheaded for what we have to discuss,” eye brow perked up as she took a sip from her own goblet. she was eager to hear news from english court.  “i have not written to you since my travel to lisbon. it was a rather arduous trip but i digress— do you have news for me? i hope the english still adore my sister especially after we have filled your coffers?”

karim has many flaws and most of them are fairly evident from the moment one starts up a conversation with him. he’s abrasive, irresponsible, venomous and entirely mercurial — smiles and sunshine one moment, sulking in a corner the next. the problem is, these are the flaws that he is completely aware of, and even proud of. he doesn’t care that people see the bad in him, doesn’t mind being the villian. the problems come in with the flaws that he can’t see, the fact that he’s incredibly flighty, closeted and hating himself for it, adverse to any form of authority over him. he wants power because he’s seen what it can give him, but he doesn’t understand that responsibility is the only way to hold on to that power.  

her time in france left more of a mark on her than she’d ever admit. at all times and moments she attempts to project strength and steadfastness, not a woman ruined, but a phoenix out of the ashes. but as hard as she tries, some of the people around her can see the distant sorrow in her eyes. after she fled france, caterina stayed in milan and only the people there knew how far into the depths of depression she fell. she fought her way out of it, and lisbon has been a rebirth of sorts, but the feelings she felt still haunt her to this day.

well,  following  the  events  of  florence  and  prior,  melek  is  what  i  would  consider  to  be  fragile,  so  it  likely  wouldn’t  take  much  to  completely  break  her.  her  constitution  has  always  been  quite  steely  and  she  has  been  through  a  lot  already (  being  widowed  young;  physicially  and  mentally  traumatised  by  the  riots  )  so  honestly,  i’m  kinda  surprised  she  already  completely  broken.  i  think  something  would  have  to  happen  to  her  son, erkan,  to  do  this  –––  i  honestly  don’t  see  how  she  could  come  back  from  that.