sangue di napoli.

Caterina di Napoli a coat of gold, a coat of red. a lion still has claws. mine are long and sharp, my lord, as long and sharp as yours. Princess of Naples.

[hollidayxgrainger]

[hollidayxgrainger]

[courteternaladvert]

“It is true. There are few bonds like that which belongs to one’s own blood, but as it is said, the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb. I do believe that those you choose to love can be just as strong as any between familial.” Astrid knew that it was so. Since she had not been close, geographically, to her family for quite some time, she had been forced to find acquaintance and family-like connections elsewhere in her life. “I was sent to marry the Sultan of Egypt when I was nearing my tenth name day. I have only been back to my home country once since then. Thankfully, I am quite suited to my marriage. I would say that I do love my husband very much. However, I know this is usually not the case. I hope that you can find happiness or solace in whichever match is made for you. Were my son older, I might have even placed his name as a suitor. You seem quite a lovely girl.”

[daughterofnaples-blog]

        “I should like to see a love as you describe it, one day at least. If I am to marry and leave behind my beloved Naples, I hope to find such strength in the new bonds.” Caterina had always been certain to remain level headed, she didn’t want to expect too much from her future marriage for fear of disappointment and would much prefer to expect the worst. She wasn’t entirely hopeless but she didn’t like to admit otherwise out loud. “I am very happy to hear that you have found such love, your Majesty, you are much too kind. You flatter me more than I deserve! I imagine I would be most happy should your son follow in his mother’s footsteps, however I fear time is not on our side. I would very much like to see Egypt, from what I have heard, it sounds most interesting.”

[bianca-calabrese]

“Shall we plan one, then? I think we must! The visiting nobility should have a bit of fun while they are in Rome…and who better to show them how to have fun than two beautiful Italian ladies?”

[daughterofnaples-blog]

          “I have never planned an event before but I do not think I could a better partner. There are none better, of course, after all many say that the renaissance is beginning in our part of this great world. But is there a reason behind your sudden need for festivities?”

[farnsworth-hq]

”I have wine at the ready, and am about to start a game of chess. I would get no enjoyment out of playing on my own…. Care to join me?”

[daughterofnaples-blog]

              “As tempting your offer is, I am afraid I can not. I swore I would refrain from playing the game after too many have suffered the embarrassment of losing against me. I would not wish the same fate upon yourself.”

[thelittleonc-blog]

              Novella had kicked her shoes off long ago and was currently standing with her skirts brushing the floor ( more so than they NORMALLY did ) and gave Caterina a wicked smile.      “ If you’ll not go with me, I will go by myself and have the grandest time. Won’t you come? ”      She asked with a giggle before pulling some of her skirts into her hands so that she would not trip and began to run down the hall. When she reached an adequate speed, she let herself slide and laughter pealed through the room around her.      “ Come ON, Cat! ”

[daughterofnaples-blog]

         Before Caterina could even rise from her seat her dearest cousin had already began to disappear from her sight. With a childish laugh, casting aside the book she had been reading, shoes had been discarded and the slightly elder Princess rushed to catch up with Novella. “Not so quickly!” she laughed, holding her skirts up slightly to keep from tripping over them as the lack of friction between her stockings and the smooth flooring caused her to slide into the corridor. “OH, if our fathers could see us now!”

[kazimierzjagiellonczyk-blog]

“The church tells us that even our thoughts - our lust,” he emphasized, “are sin. Although to act on those thoughts is the true sin, no?” Agreeing with her, Kaziu nodded, "But can it all be true? We are all sinners, then, for all beings carry such thoughts.” Turning as the curtains closed, the duke pondered her statement for a moment. “We do not live in a world that caters to love, especially the nobility. We live to serve - our kingdoms, our family’s. I imagine that were there more of a choice, truer love would be more common. Perhaps it is among the commoners. Although rare, I do believe it a possibility, Your Royal Highness.”

[daughterofnaples-blog]

         “Then we must not act. Indeed, our thoughts are the root of such a sin, but our thoughts remain between ourselves an with God. Actions are for all to see,” not to mention it was doubtful that much could remain a secret with so many people of power in one place. “Do you? That is interesting, I don’t believe I have heard a man ever admit to believing that love is a true possibility. While I disagree with you on that part, I could not agree more that we live to serve; it is a notion lost on many in a position of power. -I do not believe we have been introduced?”

[bianca-calabrese]

“If you were the only person behind a facade, Caterina, it would not be a masque.”

[daughterofnaples-blog]

          “No, if I were the only person behind a facade I would refer to it simply as a Monday. It would be wonderful to be in a room filled by those who only have their words and a mask to hide behind.”

[courteternaladvert]

“False love, perhaps. Even forced love it would seem, but there are loves that sooth like the poppy and ease the mind with sincerity. Though that seems to be rare among our echelon.” Astrid gave a curt nod to the woman as an acceptance of the formal introduction and pomp. “Astrid Valkyrja of Denmark, though I’ve been in Egypt for most of my life. I know how the musings of father’s and councils will go in regards to the betrothal of daughters. Tell me, will you have any say?”

[daughterofnaples-blog]

         “I have never seen such a love, only a love of kin which I believe to be the truest and only pure form of the word.” It was sad, hearing such words come from the lips of a young woman, but Cat held the firmest belief that romantic love was little but fabrication; at least it was something she should never face. “It is a pleasure to meet you, have you been in Egypt through a marriage of your own?” she asked curiously. “No, I will have no say but I see not why I should. Marriage is little more that a bond to be formed between countries, I trust that my father and his council would choose a match to benefit the people of Naples. After all it is their well being I care for most.”

[timothechallamet]

[bianca-calabrese]

“A masque should be hosted in the Imperial Palace in the near future, do you not agree? I do so enjoy the intrigue such events bring.”

[daughterofnaples-blog]

            “Oh but of course, how could one not find intrigue in such anonymity? Especially if I were not the only one hiding behind a facade.”

[hollidayxgrainger]

[kuutamosonaatti]

Is nothing in this damned city what it seems?

The Borgias: season 2

[courteternaladvert]

“Some roads much longer and more literal than others.” Astrid eyed both the girl of the couple sitting away from them and the girl in front of her. The girl looked back on them now curiously. “I think perhaps she had not even made it to betrothal before falling. Are you betrothed, dear girl?”

[daughterofnaples-blog]

         “Most unfortunate, love seems to be harsh and prick like thorns; who would wish for such a complication?” she asked with the truest curiosity, observing the pair briefly once more before stepping away. “Not at this moment, no, though my father’s council whisper words of betrothals amongst themselves. Forgive me, I have not even introduced myself before drawing you into my musings. I’m Caterina of Naples, it is such a pleasure to meet a like-minded woman.”

[kazimierzjagiellonczyk-blog]

“One sees examples of such lust daily, it is so common. And although many realize the transparency of their feelings before making quick decisions,” Kaziu looked pointedly towards the couple below, “not all do.” Turning to face him, Kazimierz noted that though he had seen the girl wandering about, the two had never been formally introduced. “There is never a guarantee, I think,” he agreed, “But can two love without truly knowing one another? Such intimacy requires time.”

[daughterofnaples-blog]

         “Indeed, yet the only way in which it is considered a sin is lust of the flesh. A strange contradiction, don’t you think?” she asked, stepping away from from the balcony and allowing the curtain to fall close behind her. “No, I do not believe one can love without truly knowing another. In truth, my lord, I have yet to see evidence that even time can create such a thing or that it exists in this life.”

[cortegiania]

[demelzacarnes]