#written.

       it  was  only  until  matt's  words  that  anna-marie  noticed  the  deep  crease  between  her  brows.  and  instead  of  softening,  her  frown  only  intensified  at  his  remark.  like  a  stick  poking  the  bee’s  nest,  it  irritated  her  profoundly.  she  meant  to  ignore  it,  meant  to  pay  no  mind  to  his  words.  however,  as  the  second  passed  the  annoyance  settled  into  her  stomach.  why  was  it  that  this  is  how  he  decided  to  greet  her,  first  thing  in  the  morning?  she  didn’t  mean  to  ponder  on  it,  as  there  wasn’t  a  actual  reason  to  her  irritation,  at  least  she  didn't  think  there  was.  but  having  matt  comment  on  it  was  like  noticing  a  cut  on  your  finger,  it  only  really  starts  burning  once  you  realize  it’s  there.

the rose of her beret is clutched by sharpened claws as she lowers her figure to lean against the stone balcony. eyes trace from wednesday to the midnight sky, a sigh of neglect is traipsed through perfected glossy lips. doesn't she get it? it's something that comes naturally to enid, but clearly a trait has not been shared with her roommate. care, understanding, what were these things if not a gateway to enid's soul . . . she is the embodiment of all things good, and wednesday is what seems to be the opposite. where enid lacks in monotony, wednesday excels in her painfully deceptive self awareness. maybe opposites attract, or maybe opposites are simply stuffed awkwardly in the same box of a dorm room. regardless, enid finds a reason to object to wednesday's ideology, now matching the lack of energy in her voice. she secretly hopes the raven-haired connoisseur will ask her what's bugging her, if she gets around to spitting out what she's been thinking.

One last glance at the mirror reflected the sight of a prestigious man with no softness etched onto his face. Instead, hard lines were evident, and shadows danced beneath his eyes. However, none of that mattered since the Empress called for him. The attendant that had come along to deliver the message looked pensive, beads of sweat appearing on his forehead. He was about to open his mouth, but Joseph raised a hand. The move alone made the man turn silent. Joseph had no time as the crown prince to waste, so he trudged along. He was already in a sour mood because of his wife’s nagging. So he could only wonder what the woman who gave birth to him had to say.

Those attending Joseph knew better than to think of him as cruel. In all realities, he was a good prince worthy of his achievements. However, his deep-set rage left a relatively low image on him. Thankfully, they wouldn’t have to deal with him much longer. They escorted him to the Empress, walking along with the palace that remained etched with Italian history. Exquisite art hung the walls, and the floors shined. The maids that were assigned here kept their distance, knowing better than to make the royals angry. In a matter of minutes, they reached the room that held his mother; Joseph took one last breath. His palms smoothed over his clothes before he straightened his posture. The guard outside the door waited before announcing the arrival of the crown prince. 

“Archduke Joseph, the Crown Prince of Anhalt, has arrived, Your Majesty.”

The doors opened and revealed a room that befitted the glory of the Empress. Luxurious furniture and goods all seemed to pale as Joseph noticed his mother, the Empress watched him, and he could only deduce that her gaze felt cold. But he never let their lack of familial attachment affect him. Instead, he placed a hand on his chest and expressed his respect. Joseph had learned at a young age; the Empress expected proper decorum from him more than anyone else.

“Greetings, Your Majesty.” He bowed his head, lifting his head after a few seconds. Straightening his posture, he gave a glare towards the attendants, expecting them to leave. And slowly, they each did until only the supposed mother and son were left alone. “I’ve received your invitation. Did you want me to escort you to the carnival?”