closed starter for @tcmpestas [rivka & divya]

“then you failed to do your research, sweet sister.” soft hands reached forward to clasp rivka’s in her own, giving them a gentle shake as if to inject some enthusiasm into her sister. she looked out of the window again and tilted her head in mock contemplation. “see that tree with dark green foliage over there? that one is my favourite tree so far.” a solemn proclamation before giggles streamed freely from her lips. for a long time, divya had lost her smile, know for her cheerful nature and lilting laughter that would usually echo in her wake. grief had taken so much from the ghazis. for many months following the deaths of their siblings and her mother, divya had felt as if her very soul had been carried away with them. it had begun to be easier, though, day by day. at least when her guilt for being allowed to live and enjoy things such as the glistening waters and bustling ports of portugal didn’t get in the way of healing. “certainly, once we finally get to see the portuguese coast with our own eyes. i do not know how much longer that will be, but i fear it the answer would frustrate you too much.” she teased, knowing fully well it would frustrate her all the same.

☆ﾟ*·ﾟWHILE STOPPED FOR a break, Julian checked in with his Queen before stepping off towards the water for a small refresher. He knew she'd be okay, as he'd entrusted her safety with another guard. Stretching his legs, he leaned forward, reaching for some water, splashing water all over his face. Turning to face the voice next to him he smiled softly at the sight of Amara. "She's quite alright, Miss. I've entrusted her protection with another guard. I can see her from here as well," Julian explained, taking a small glance back towards Caroline just to ensure her safety. "A little water splash was needed." His eyes drifted down towards the little princess in her arms. "If there's anything I can do for her, please do let me know." Julian tried his best to keep his face straight, and not make any faces about the heat. "Yes miss, from Norway. I came with the Queen," he explained, before continuing. "I think I'm more equipped for the cold and I do miss the snow. These uniforms do not always do well in the heat, but I will be quite alright." He quite enjoyed the ability to get to know the rest of the family in a calming environment. "Are you ready to see a new country?"

This is what I want: I want to grab my brother's hand and run back through time, losing years like coats falling from our shoulders.

CLOSED STARTER - henryk & marius. @tcmpestas

he had waited until layla was asleep to let go of her hand and slip out of her tent, but he felt like a coward for even daring to leave her sickbed. it wasn’t far from his tent, and his feet would fly into action the moment she was awake again. strange to think that a few days ago, this arrangement had been a tantalising source of vexation. neither could slip into the other’s makeshift sleeping quarters unnoticed as much as they wanted to and yet when he lay awake thinking of the soft, silky feel of her hair or the way her pillows had taken on her scent back in the ottoman wing of the swiss palace, he relished the way butterflies in his stomach rendered him restless. the first crack of light that sent the birds a-singing and henryk was giddy to seize the day with her.

the duke hadn't expected amara to trust him enough to handle her daughter in truth, he could only imagine how difficult it might be to have her leave her arms but he considered it a great privilege. " there will be no need for that will there, little princess? " letting her settle in his arms as he watched looking for any sign of distress. he'd held very few babies and certainly never considered himself a natural, but she brought a smile to his face despite the tension he felt inside him. he gently stroked the back of the childs hand in an attempt to sooth her, his eyes drifting back to his friend when he sensed the distress in her voice. " amara, breathe. take deep breaths. the duchess will be fine, she is strong and while i do not know her well i'm sure she would not want you to worry so much. " he realised it was easier said than done, in fact he knew, he had lost his own father to the plague, he'd watched him suffer and he'd never had his chance to say goodbye. the plague had robbed him of the only family he'd had left. now he watched friends suffer the same, but he hoped not the same fate.

it was true, amara trusted only a chosen few with aurelia. she was extremely attached to her daughter and felt a surge of anxiety rise up at the mere thought of her babe being held by people she didn’t trust completely. royal mother she may be, but she had also been a terrified mother for many months, unsure of their future before her secret wedding took place. two months had passed since her birthing ordeal and amara was beginning to accept that no one would ever truly understand what she had endured, not even maxim, not in its entirety and that was alright. there was life after suffering and fear and narrowly avoided tragedy, a brighter life in which new friendships could be formed and trust could be built.

lachlan   wasn’t   half   as   bothered   by   the   journey   as   most   of   the   people   were   .   in   fact   ,   he   was   almost   relieved   that   they   were   moving   on   .   glad   for   a   change   of   scenery   ,   even   gladder   to   have   …   a   task   .   something   that   would   occupy   his   mind   beyond   the   situation   with   mei-ling   .   their   last   conversation   still   lingered   on   his   mind   and   had   almost   felt   as   if   they   had   taken   back   a   step   ,   moved   from   cloud   nine   that   he   usually   felt   around   her   to   perhaps   cloud   eight   .   half   helpless   hanging   in   the   air   between   will   they   and   won’t   they   .   so   ,   focussing   on   the   trip   provided   some   distraction   over   trying   to   figure   out   where   he   had   gone   wrong   and   what   could   be   done   differently   should   they   meet   again   .

When one questioned where Zosia had learned to be so stealthy beyond crediting an existence with a neglectful father who either found her a being that could not be cared for beyond the nuisance to him her existence was - Henryk was her reason. An elder twin, a little girl only longed so deeply to make herself a little ghost and a tiny shadow to follow behind them to see the world often denied to her hiding in places a small body could fit to spy and such Henryk was that inspiration. He was fiendishly good at it once often sneaking sweet things for little heathen children nuns often shouted at to stop giggling in mass - a girl idolized him. She idolized both older brothers in the same way she loved her own twin, always watching and observing a little sister protectively. Zosia because of the currently frazzled and overraught individual knew how to keep hidden. Frankly, Zosia if she wanted, could've stood beside her brother for the longest while with barely a breath and he would never know as if she could command the light to hide shadows and bend around her. Henryk only knew and became aware of her presence because she had dropped her careful gate and chose no longer to be a specter hanging on the edge of this reality they were forced to live with.

“i’m not breaking!” he bellowed out, a little too quickly, a little too desperate to be believed. he hadn’t meant to yell at his sister whom he loved and adored enough to have given his own life for her ten times over when they had stood on the same battlefield, but it was too late now, wasn’t it? he couldn’t shoulder guilt atop of everything else that was already weighing him down. it would be sure to crush him. “i’m not breaking. why should i be breaking? there is nothing wrong with me, i’m not even showing symptoms. layla is and she needs me.”

he had always admired lena, but to think she was travelling with a small child for the second time now, an unfaltering source of comfort for judyta despite the difficult days and nights, left him in awe of her strength even more. henryk should hope he and layla could leave peace summits behind them once they welcomed their first child into the world, but he knew deep down it was unlikely. he was no king, but a crown prince had duties, too, and their world was far from peaceful. “i should be asking you that question.” he smiled, listening to her gentle croon. “would you like me to hold her for a bit? i don’t doubt anyone knows better how to soothe her than her mother, but i thought you might like a moment to yourself. a bite to eat.” henryk offered. “are you excited for portugal?” he wouldn’t blame her if she would rather return to poland. their destination was exciting for some, and full of uncertainty for others. “it’s been a while since i last travelled to southern europe. i always liked it. good music, good food, good weather. even if the sun has never liked me very much.”

@tcmpestas

though nathaniel had never been in any kind of rush to have a family of his own, aurelia's cries were perhaps enough to put him off for some time. with that being said the object of his affections now made it even more unlikely for the duke. though the screams were justified when she was stuck in carriage with so many people. he couldn't help but feel sympathy towards the little family, his eyes locking with amara's on occasion to give her a small smile in return. " you're more than welcome. " he rested his head back, a silent laugh leaving his lips as he watched the small princess kick away the blanket in question. " she may, this carriage should stop immediately. " he grinned as he paused, his next words spoken cautiously. " i do not wish to overstep but if you need a rest be it here or when take a break and i am happy to stay close by and take care of her. i promise she will be safe. "

“she will come to appreciate the gift too, once it is no longer so stifling hot. —we have a sea breeze to look forward to, my darling.” a hand smoothed over aurelia’s blonde hair. the humidity had made it curlier. “it appears the king of france forgot to invite us in his urgency to depart.” an attempted jest, but her words held no levity. constant unease buzzed in her head; worried about her daughter’s safety, nilani’s health, the wrath of sick, hungry villagers. the dark circles under her eyes spoke for themselves. “you aren’t overstepping. yes, you may hold her in the crook of your arm, or on your shoulder. if she fusses again, there is also the colic hold, as prince kristijan, my sister philippa’s betrothed, taught me. but we shall assume there will be no need.” carefully, she entrusted aurelia into his arms. a moment of silence rested between them as she reached for a snack. amara nibbled on dried fruit and looked out of the window, but moments later, she found herself swallowing thickly, too distraught to eat. “it is difficult to think of anything but the duchess of york.” the confession spilled from her lips as she brought a hand to her chest, inhaling deeply. her bodice was loose enough to allow for quick feedings and to not add to her discomfort on the road, but it felt too constricting now. she was no stranger to this sudden rush of panic, had experienced it often during her pregnancy. she knew to breathe through it, but god, it was the most wretched feeling every time. “i had it. the plague, when it scourged switzerland and eventually found its way into the palace. i’m told this isn’t the same, but i remember… i pray she isn’t in too much pain and recovers swiftly.”

"Two months, that's right. It must have slipped my mind how soon after your marriage was announced she was born." They did not think they could ever forgive the announcement- the brushing under the rug of the pain her family had suffered within the Swiss palace. As if cutting the head off a hydra was what killed it. Find the hand but not the head. The weapon but not the one who wielded it. An assassin but not the purse that hired him. Your sister is gone but look, a ball, a wedding and a child! All is well. "When my daughter was the age of yours she was at home, in her nursery. She was not dragged around the continent until months later." Dagmar had not wished to remain in Denmark alone- and there was no chance she would have left her daughter behind. "It was only for the betterment of our kingdom that we made our way to your home- and now we move again." She wondered if Portugal would be up to the task Switzerland had failed- as unlikely as it seemed. This mess seemed to continue with no end in sight.

amara rarely reflected upon the night her marriage was announced. in that ballroom, she may as well have been stripped naked. her vulnerability, the child in her womb she had hidden away under skirts and in private chambers for months, exposed for all the world to see. in spite of those who would shame and mock her, she had found her strength in motherhood, and the danish queen pointing out the obvious drew no ire from her. why should it? she and aurelia were rightful princesses of england; no snide remark would change that. but if it was an apology the danish thought amara might issue, they were sorely mistaken. amara had nothing to be sorry for. she hadn’t asked for a public announcement, or for her pregnant belly to command more attention than their dead sister. not even for the sake of diplomacy would she show someone kindness who openly displayed nothing but resentment and derision towards her. “i doubt anything slips your mind, your majesty, but allow me to jog your memory. her birth also coincided with miss falk joining the english court.” she said with a wry smile. “we all have obligations. my husband and i are to attend the portuguese summit as royals, but as parents, our daughter is under our constant watch. and with all due respect, i did not invite you into my home. i did not decree that the summit shall take place elsewhere. i wear no crown and make no such decisions.”