#ofaphrcdite

      “ --- and how is my niece doing today ? ma chérie. ”

    words rolled off her tongue in her thick french accent, as she nattered away in her mother tongue, painted lips curved upward into a smile, though it was far from sweet as marguerite flounced into her sister-in-law’s chambers without an annoucement, not that the woman would ever need one. she was not somebody easily forgettable. 

      “ i saw the most darling little pink number today. it will be perfect for when she’s born, it almost makes me wish i had a baby. ” though bright eyes wavered on the blonde’s stomach, “ almost. ” unlike most of the french court, marguerite had been hoping for girl, there were enough males in the family and boys were far less enjoyable to dress up.

the greek siblings || leave one alive so that it can be lonely

M A D N E S S  slunk in through a chink in History. 

It only took a  M O M E N T .

     Tatyana had forced herself to push down and swallow her own emotions regarding the horrific attack to be there with her children. They needed her, she knew this, and being anything but strong for them, support and love them. Her state of mind and how it affected her to take a live wasn’t important at the moment, not to her. After being stitched up on her left shoulder, the cuts on her cheekbone and neck being tended to, and a feeble attempt at washing off the blood on her skin she went to see her children; she hadn’t had a chance to change out of her blood stained gown. Even her own dagger, the blade, was still stained but she’d clean it later. 

     She ignored everyone else trying to get her attention the moment she spotted her eldest child. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she took Anastasia’s hand and brough it to her lips to kiss its back. ❝ My sweet girl, were you injured? Are you hurt? ❞

          ‘ ana ? ’

     karina nodded her head in gratitude at one of her sister’s handmaidens who garnered her access to her chambers. she had been told that her sister would be here alone and she hoped that remained the case. running her fingers down her lavish blue skirt, the princess paused when she spotted her sister, smiling at the sight of the french queen before she bowed.

          ‘ may we talk ? ’

@ofaphrcdite

He had gone riding when it had still been dark; taking his stallion out for a gallop around the expansive grounds and finding a rare moment of solitude for himself as the morning sky lit up in shades of pink and blue and gold from behind the horizon. But it was midday by the time he found himself in the great hall, fresh clothes hastily pulled on and a wide smile plastered across his face, as his gaze roamed over the crowd: this was what he did best, wasn’t it? He smiled and he charmed and he always got his way. Well, almost always. Offering his greetings to a few familiar faces ( and a few unfamiliar ones ) he snaked his way through the room - only to catch sight of a very distinct, very annoying, very recognisable head of silver-blonde hair.

Oh, joy. Of course she was here, trying to do a job that she simply wasn’t made to do, and attempting to steal away the political connections he had spent over a decade trying to foster. Maybe he couldn’t be king, maybe he couldn’t have everything he wanted, maybe he just wasn’t meant for this. But once he got closer, he realised who she was talking to - who she was trying to make an ally of. And every inch of doubt fell away from his mind. 

“My God, Antoine - is that really you?” Demetrios called out loudly, a boisterous laugh on his lips. He walked up to where the Count stood talking to Megaira, offering the man a tight embrace and ignoring the woman altogether. “How are Marie and the children? Little Philippe must be - what, ten now? Is he still practising his scales? It’s so good to see you, old friend.” Finally looking over at Meg, his smile grew wider, amusement clear in his voice. “And I see you’ve met my little sister. If you don’t mind - could I just get a quick word alone with her?”

     karina could not help but be elated when her siblings agreed to come together for a picnic. even while being in the same country, politics and other matters did not allow them to spend as much time together as the princess so desired. a pout formed on her face as she eyed the treats that she had her handmaidens lay out, gaze lingering on the lemon cakes -- a particular favorite of hers. when she thought no one was looking, the blonde snuck a hand out to snatch one up, taking a polite nibble before the sound of footsteps alerted her of someone’s presence. karina swiftly dropped the cake back into the basket as she glanced up sheepishly.

          ‘ i was not starting without you ! ’