╳ Virulent

Prinzessin Annelise She wears darkness as a queen wears a crown: proud, confident, beautiful and above all meant only for her.

[astarandcrescent-deactivated201]

confitimini edits 3/♛ virulent // annelise of germany

@annclise

[switches to mother tongue to talk shit about you]

[hanxxwelk-blog]

“The Kingdom of Rome, the warm skin tickles my skin and thaws my icy heart. I have been so far away from my people… but those who reside in Rome, their kindness reminds me of my people. Someday, I shall go back and rejoice with them, as for now… I would certainly care for a drink.”

[annclise]

     “Wine is abundant in this city. Like the rain it falls directly from the sky. You need only to extend your goblet and your request is filled.” Annelise teased, lifting her own chalice to her lips and gesturing for the servant to fill the queen’s. “I am certain that your people eagerly await the return of their queen. It pleases me to hear that you have been enjoying your time here in Rome.” Truthfully It didn’t matter to her one way or the other if the woman was enjoying herself. However, she knew it would be wise to adorn her words with kindness for the sake of the woman’s rank.

[ofnimbleness-blog]

The room was loud and was filled with joyous people, plenty enough of wine, fruits, and dancers. Hulya being one of them. “Come in and dance with us. This room is the most energic room there has been since my arrival. Dance with us!”

[annclise]

         Oh how she hated to be interrupted, especially when her concentration had been so deeply connected to pages in her lap. Turning her head towards the doorway, Annelise watched the woman with careful eyes. Like a newly bloomed flower she was the host of many insects. Courtiers, men and women all bathed in wine and swaddled in music. Annelise would join if only to watch the insects flutter and fall with kind eyes. “I suppose a few minutes would be fine. Tell me, have you orchestrated this all on your own?” Annelise questioned, a spoonful of interest baked within her tone.

[copperyfaustina-deactivated2016]

          “Planning on getting lost?” piped Faustina from a corner. Her small knife sliced through an apple, flashing in the now-candlelight. It wasn’t one of Faustina’s regular haunts; rather, one she used to hide in when she wanted a little peace and quiet. As solely as that was. But the beautiful dark-eyed woman that had wandered just into sight looked lost, and tired too. “Beggin’ your pardon, lady, but it’s a bit hard to find your way through these thrilling little caverns, unless you know them by heart?”

[annclise]

      Her eyelids seemed to carry the weight of the world and yet they mustered up enough energy to rest on the woman. Even in a state of fatigue, Annelise would never exhibit anything less than her best. “I can assure you, I’ve memorized every granular detail. Quite frankly, there is very little that I have been known to forget about, my lady.” Her naked lips gradually curled into a smile, it was sufficient enough given the late hour. “My lady, would you happen to know where these tunnels lead? They are quickly becoming a new obsession of mine.”

[annclise]

      Each turn promised a new hall just waiting to be explored. Taking full advantage of her status as an honored guest in the palace, Annelise decided to indulge in a few of her growing curiosities about her current host. It was an adventure that Annelise repeatedly postponed until she could finally slip away without any unwanted company.  Due to the late hour, her eyelids felt heavier than stones which desperately urged her to surrender to her exhaustion. In an attempt to appease her body’s weariness, she decided that her next turn would simply have to conclude her escapade. 

[iiskender-blog1]

Iskender’s grip on the scimitar relaxed, and his hands moved to rest by his sides. There was no point in distressing the girl when she merely stood and offered conversation. His stance relaxed ever so slightly, and his expression mirrored the disgust on her visage ( he preferred a clear mind to one marred by wine ). 

“Peace is attainable, but ephemeral like the fleeting wind.” He replied, watching the inebriated group lumber off, their dark silhouettes merging with the distance. Iskender turned his gaze to her. “Have you been able to find solitude in Rome, my lady? It seems that commotion resides in every turn of this city.” 

[annclise]

     “It is true, you needn’t a specific eye to find commotion brewing within Rome.” Lithe fingers strayed from their place within her shawl — a signal that her comfort was slowly returning in his presence. She could so easily recall a ruckus fueled by wine that almost ruined her winning streak in chess a few nights prior. The indecencies and merriment aside, Annelise could never bring herself to leave. 

     “I suppose if it was solitude that I was interested in then I should have saved myself the trouble of embarking on such an extensive journey and maintained my place at home.” Annelise teased, offering only that as an acceptable answer. Rome proved to be a place of many things, but never of solitude. “Perhaps a nunnery would suit me well. Surely it would provide both peace and solitude.” The thought of continuing her life as a nun seemed completely laughable. A jewel as precious as she should never be wasted on the church even if she would be unfortunate enough to reach spinsterhood.

[astarandcrescent-deactivated201]

        Hatice chuckled again. Her fingers flickered over the pieces, then pushed foreward a rook. She lifted her finger off decisively; those were the rules, once you took your finger off a piece, you could not move it back. Hatice loved it; its similarities in real life. Even though the game was simpler— a player could see all the moves at once. Not so in the waking world. “Her name is Havva. Her brother —  I had triplets, you see, nine years ago — Devrim they beat each other as often as they can find the time for it. And then there is Iskender. Wild as a storm.” Hatice looked up, a slight softening in her features. “I do not see why that could not be arranged. I dine with no company tonight, but that can be changed.”

[annclise]

      “Then it is settled. It would be an honor to dine with you and I look forward to meeting your family.” The topic of siblings was never foreign to Annelise as she was raised alongside her own but definitely not as an equal. She would refrain from uttering his name for fear of suffering the rest of their game with a horrid and familiar taste lingering upon her tongue. She had been allowed to be disgusted by him in secret, but found very few opportunities to vocalize her true feelings. 

      Annelise scanned the board with eyes only to be rivaled by those of a hawk. She would refuse to exhibit any signs of hesitance and instead chose her next move carefully before reaching forward and advancing her next piece. Straightening her posture for what would be the final time, Annelise withdrew her eyes from the battle field before her and connected them with Hatice’s. Their game resulted in neither a stunning defeat nor a glorious victory. “It seems that we have reached the end. Personally I am amazed at the results.”

[alonesomes]

why is it always the woman who has to see past the beast in the man? why does she always have to clean his wounds, even after he has damaged her beyond repair? why is it always the man who is worthy of forgiveness for being a monster? I want to see the beast in the beauty. the half smile, half snarl. the unapologetic anger. I would like to see the man forgive the monster. to see her, blood and all, and love her anyway.

beauty and the beast | Caitlyn S. (via alonesomes)

[annclise]

♕ Closed starter for @daughterofnaples

      Annelise had truly been a white apple carefully hidden beneath her crimson counterparts. Clad in a dress far too plain for a woman of her rank, Annelise strode through the surprisingly empty gardens. It was indeed a rarity to find the princess totally absent of the many jewels that normally emblazoned her neck and earlobes. Upon waking in the morning, She requested that her handmaids refrain from intricately styling her obsidian mane and instead settled for a more demure braid. Everything had been so easily set in place for a distinct reason: Annelise would venture out completely nameless, but not alone. 

      It was a concept that Annelise could only wish that she invented all on her own, but instead it was borrowed from a dear friend that would soon take part in her own creation. Escaping her title for a few hours in exchange for the opportunity to dabble in the brains of various nobles seemed like a more than fair trade. Very few people in Rome could say that they have ever set their eyes on the princess, making it much easier to carry a sense of anonymity.

      Passing through the floral paths lined colors more vibrant than the ones clinging to her svelte figure, Annelise paused and plucked a single rose from its resting place. Standing in the very same agreed upon location, Annelise applied her unwavering patience while individually plucking red petals from the southern flower. Surely the other half of chaos would be making her appearance shortly, granting the nobles at court a few more moments of peace.

[fatedqueen]

        Catalina sauntered through the court, nobles parting like the red sea and she was their messiah - it never failed to amaze the Lancastrian born just how far she had climbed since her youth at Kanresborough castle. Her purposeful steps however were interrupted in their stride as beryl iris’ fell upon a unfamiliar countenance, “ You there…I do not believe we have be acquainted.”  

open starter.

[annclise]

    It seemed as though as the moment the other opened their mouth Annelise had begun scouring the Earth for a reason to end their one sided conversation. There was nothing more tedious than a story concerning lands, more specifically vineyards. At the sound of the unfamiliar voice calling towards her direction, Annelise eagerly removed her attention from the courtier mid sentence and offered it to the lady currently approaching her. “We have not, my lady. I am Princess Annelise of Germany.” Annelise announced, sealing her words with a well rehearsed curtsy. “ Surely this woman would prove to be much better company than the proud lord beside her. “With whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?”

[iiskender-blog1]

Celestial bodies roamed above, the night air carrying the same sense of excitement as day did. Iskender stood on the bridge, watching reflections ripple across the river. The sound of laughter and merry chatter was carried over by the breeze, and the city was alive with light and colours in the lingering shadow of the papal celebration.  

Out of habit his hand grasped the handle of his scimitar as he felt another’s presence nearby. Off duty or not, he could not just shrug off the habits trained into him. 

“Even the night knows no peace,” he spoke as a group reeking of alcohol stumbled by, laughing at their own drunken antics. “& wine flows like water in this city. I wouldn’t be surprised if the river was dark red.” 

[annclise]

     “A rather obnoxious sight, isn’t it?” Annelise uttered, finding her place beside the man who commented on the lack sobriety flowing through the Roman streets. At the sight of the blade clutched within his palm, Annelise pulled her shawl further above her arms to express her growing discomfort. Perhaps those that were normally in his company were of a more threatening nature than she. Nevertheless, Annelise decided that it was best to simply ignore the blade altogether and direct her attention to the scenery ahead and above. 

     A look of disgust promptly fell on those foolish enough to swallow copious amounts of wine. The coronation of the pope had given many of the roman citizens quite a bit to drink to, however it left to those that chose to bear a more sober mind to deal with the drunken carelessness of the rest. “Perhaps the only peace that is available can only be found in solitude.”

[astarandcrescent-deactivated201]

                “Though they are blissful in their ignorance, those creatures.” Hatice acknowledged.  “Sometimes I pity them, but never do I envy them.” Hatice squinted at the board for only a moment before pushing another pawn forward. “Though I am glad at seeing my daughter not become such a young woman.” It was her right as a mother to brag about her children, though Hatice spoke the truth. Havva always kept a level head; only her brother Iskender could provoke her to fits of passion. “She may grow to be that very needle-like mind, and plays at the chess just as well as I do. And believe me, princess, that I do not brag as a mother, but speak as her teacher.”

[annclise]

     Though she would fail to admit it, Annelise did feel a sense of comfort being in the presence of a mother especially after her own had been so quickly ripped away from her. Naturally, Hatice kept her watchful eye on her daughter, something Annelise could never blame her for. God willing, Annelise would soon reach motherhood herself, and she would certainly follow a similar regime. “I am pleased to hear that she is evading the stupidity that envelops most ladies.” Annelise added while noting Hatice’s next move and moved forward a pawn of her own. “As an accomplished woman you are well within your right to brag of your children. In fact I should like to meet them if it is possible.” 

[belxvedmargxt-blog]

She noted the light murmur in response to her invitation, but not many appeared to engage her directly. A few whispers, a few smiles, some looked amused while others seemed appalled. But no reaction was one that Margot was not used to. Blue eyes scanned the room around her, searching for someone to merely enjoy this evening with her. To revel in the mere fact that they had survived and now there was a new Pope. All the rules could have been rewritten on this night, but she had no time for political intrigue. The matter at hand was having fun, which is intended to partake in until she had exhausted herself completely.

Meeting another pair of eyes, she looked at the woman. Offering a curtsey and showing the respect she was almost sure was due to such a regal woman, Margot could do nothing but smile. One could do little to sour her mood. “I fear there may be more scheming than celebrating this night. But I do hope that you will do everything in your power to celebrate, in whatever way that you see fit.”

[annclise]

       Erupting from her lips came silvery laughter paired with unwavering chestnut hues. Rome bore scheme faster than a queen could produce an heir, and one man’s public ascension to power could do very little to stop them. “I’m afraid that the coronation of a pope will only incite an abundance of schemes, my lady.” Annelise spoke boldly, abandoning any fear or concern that her words could potentially fall on untrustworthy ears. In truth, Rome was not to be singled out for the schemes that boiled within it, for their entire world depended on the schemes created by those crafty enough to execute them. Schemes were what kept people in line and Kings in power. 

       She had not decided what to make of the woman before her. As any decent noble lady her face was just as pretty as her words, but would there be anything worth remembering beneath the surface? Only an equally pretty smile along with carefully scattered questions could give her the conclusion she wanted. “Perhaps I may have dismissed the offer too quickly. Shall we dance?” 

[secondxscn-blog]

             With a nod of his head, James allowed her to begin to lead the way before he gladly joined her stroll. “I hope your journey was at least comfortable, your Highness? You have indeed travelled far, surely it is worth it to see these..celebrations.” When speaking with other royals it was always stressed that James should keep his accept and smooth as he could, avoid using Gaelic, but since he ha taken up residence in the Highlands it became more difficult. “My journey was long also. I prefer to travel by land opposed to the see, alas I’m from Scotland. Prince James Stewart, it’s a pleasure to meet your Highness.”

[annclise]

       “My father ensured that my party and I would be met with the utmost comfort during our excursion. Though you are correct, the city has warmed me with both its summer sun and the rise of our new pope.” Annelise answered with maximum effort to adorn her typically bone-dry tone. Truthfully, the pope’s coronation provided a decent enough excuse to separate herself from her immediate family. It was uncertain as to how long she would be housed in Rome— a fact that urged her to enjoy every minute that she possibly could before being shuffled back home and swfitly married off. 

        “It seems that you have traveled farther from your homeland than most.” All that she had known of Scotland was that an English princess currently sat as its consort and that its temperature was as unpredictable as God himself. “The pleasure is mine. I normally have an ear for accents, though I must have missed yours entirely.” She added, lifting up her as she stood shorter than him. 

[tenzhin]

[belxvedmargxt-blog]

In an environment of such revelry, Margot thrived. Merely being in the same room gave her newfound energy. How she loved to see the nobility enjoying themselves, especially after the years that the continent had endured. How lucky we are to be alive right now, she reminded herself as she excited swayed on her feet, mimicking the steps of those commanding the floor. The music, the laughter, and the wine all incited such joy in the young duchess. Setting her unfinished chalice down, she found herself quickly entangled in the dance as she inserted herself. Margot had always been so talented at reigning in attention and focusing it on herself. And in a dress of cream and gold, she was a vision of loveliness.

Finding a moment away from her partner, she called out to those spectating. “Will you not join in our celebration?”

[annclise]

       Freeing her right hand of an empty chalice, Annelise returned her arm to waist level— her fingertips repeatedly smoothing over one another in front of her ebony bodice. A gown of all black with intricately stitchedgolden accents proved to be a nice addition to her summer wardrobe and an excellent choice for today’s events. Scanning the floor before her, Annelise refused to envy any of the lords and ladies who chose to spend their evening endlessly twirling. Instead, she chose to engage in a bit of light conversation with a countess who seemed completely taken with her. It was only at the sound of french woman’s voice that Annelise withdrew her attention from the countess and placed it onto a new face.

       “My lady, surely you realize that there are many different means of entertainment and celebration to enjoy this evening besides dancing?”