#stcrmlcver

James had never cared much for the crush of the ballroom — not the gossip, nor the simpering introductions that came with every new season. But tonight, for reasons he refused to examine too closely, his gaze kept drifting toward her. The quiet young woman standing near the edge of the floor, looking as though she wished to melt into the wallpaper.

He excused himself from his mother’s side just in time to hear her murmur something to Lady Bridgerton — something about the letter Kate had discovered, the evidence that might return a stolen title to its rightful heir.

James froze. So it was true.

He cleared his throat softly and stepped forward before either woman noticed his eavesdropping.

“Forgive me,” he said, offering a polite bow first to his mother, then to the startled young lady. “But it seems I’ve interrupted something important.”

His gaze settled on her — warm, steady, not unkind.

“If you’ll allow me,” he continued, voice gentler than he intended, “I believe you and I have matters to discuss. And I’d be honored to guide you through whatever… reclaiming your place requires.”

Valentino stood just inside the doorway, shoulders squared and posture controlled, as the family formally introduced him as her new bodyguard. He looked younger than most people would expect for the role, closer to someone still proving himself than someone already established, but there was nothing uncertain about the way he held himself, the kind of quiet discipline that came from years of pushing hard for a chance like this. He had worked his ass off to get here, taking every shift, every training session, every difficult assignment without complaint, and he wasn’t about to let this opportunity slip through his fingers or let anyone question whether he deserved it. When his name was mentioned, he gave a firm nod in her direction, acknowledging her with steady eyes that didn’t linger too long but didn’t avoid her either. “I’ll be around you a lot,” he said sternly, his voice even and professional as he stepped slightly forward, setting the boundary of his role from the very beginning. “Just pretend I’m not there. It’s for your safety,” he added, not unkindly but with a seriousness that made it clear this wasn’t optional, his gaze already scanning the room as if the job had begun the moment he walked in.

❝mrs wilson says you are adjusting wonderfully here my dear, but I must confess I know very little of you, please do have a seat and tell me a little about yourself❞ violet liked to know her staff, and for them to feel comfortable around her home. Her own governess and then ladies maid had been such a comfort to her when her own mother had been cold. She liked to be someone people liked to work for, to honor her governess ❝do join me for tea❞

Alex had heard there was a new arrival joining the station, and as the unofficial welcome committee (self-appointed, thank you very much), he took it upon himself to make sure no one ever felt like the odd one out. The crew here was tight—like finish-each-other’s-sentences tight—and he knew how intimidating it could be to walk into a room full of seasoned firefighters who operated like a single, soot-covered organism. So when she stepped into the main area, duffel bag slung over one shoulder and eyes scanning the space with quiet curiosity, Alex felt his brain short-circuit for a second. She was stunning—like, unfairly so—and for a brief moment, he forgot how to use words. Professionalism. Yes. That was the goal. Be normal. Be welcoming. Don’t say anything weird.

@stcrmlcver // Lady Thinya xx Lord Ares // If They Had A Kid

Name: Lady Electra, Goddess of Storytelling

Gender: Cis woman

General Appearance: Lady Electra stands five feet and ten inches tall, resembling her mother and father both in her dark hair and incredibly light eyes. Her skin is fair, and her lips on the naturally plump side as if asking to be kissed.

Personality: Hot tempered when appropriate, Compassionate, Animal Lover, Strong Sense of Justice, Quick Thinker

Special Talents: Powers inspired by her father, Lord Ares, such as super strength. [List]

Who they like better: Lady Thinya

Who they take after more: Lady Thinya

Personal Head canon: Lady Electra has tattoos of her mother and father’s names combined as sigils on her inner left wrist. It can summon either/both of them with a specific enchantment cast.

Penelope had felt her whole chest tighten when she saw that someone recognized her. She had been so careful, or so she thought. Now because of a simple act of carelessness she would be exposed as lady whistledown. It was her one joy left in this world after losing Eloise and Colin hurting her. Now she would lose it all ❝alright, out with it, how much do you want?❞ she was trying to sound tough but she felt her heart breaking. They were in an ally way and she knew she was done for