the doorman bows

- ̗̀ ennio este   ̖́- prince of san marino. 33. it's all too EASY, and you're easily bored. NEVER once has it crossed your mind that life's too short ? and there's a third person walking behind us, tap on the back and it's there to remind us: life is a blink of an eye 'til you are no more. so i stand BACK and i watch us fall as we break everything inside these hotel walls. life's for rent then you call us out so i hand back the key as the doorman bows

[nataliademarquis]

[ * / @ennioeste​ ]

gingerly, her arm loops through his and she settles her chin on his shoulder. “ ennio, you wouldn’t happen to remember the LAST TIME we were in africa, do you ? “ she had yet to decide if she should fondly look upon it, or not.

[ennioeste]

He angled his head a bit at the question, he eyed her from the corner of his eye. “Hmm...” He pretended to have a hard time remembering. “I just remember what came after the party,” he replied with an innocent shrug. “Or maybe I don’t. Do you think you can refresh my memory?”

[ennioeste]

nataliademarquis​:

“ MMHMM ? ” let out through her mouthful of arugula, eyes, ears, and head perked up intently. she hardly had time to form a thought before he finished the thought. her mouth stilled, the food in her mouth stopping it from going slack. it was that feeling again – heart-sinking and gut wrenching feeling that always signaled doom. in the silence, her gulp seemed to fill the room. slowly, she set her fork down, her hands coming down to her lap. keeping her hands clenched to the fabric of her skirt could at least keep the tremble at bay. “ is this your way of BREAKING UP with me ? ” her initial expression was slowly morphing with every possibility that was coming to mind. ire began to creep to the front, pulsating on the edges of her mind. was it that easy for him ? “ you would be okay with that ? just letting me walk away ?? “ 

“No, it’s–” Maybe it was. He wanted to be the one to let go rather than be the one to being let go of.  His work clicked against the porcelain of his plate as he set it down to free his hand. “I don’t want you to. This is me giving you an out — San Marino was never England and things are falling apart.” He was falling apart. Did she really need all this baggage after the year she had had? “I don’t want you to stick around, end up dissatisfied and then realize you wasted time on me.” Each passing day it felt like he was losing every race against Giovanni — did Ennio really compare to the future king of Italy? Natalia’s face still fell each time there was a reminder of her relationship with Gio. How would it feel when Ennio became his bitch? “I don’t think I’d handle it very well.” Was this much better? No, but it gave him some control over the circumstances.

[ennioeste]

giorxcci​:

｡     The line delivered was a stark difference from the background noise filled with laughter and the crescendo of rustling leaves. Gio doesn’t pivot to glare at Ennio. Rather, blankly focused ahead at a couple of boys kicking a ball back and forth. “Here I was thinking you’d simply changed numbers. I was tempted to test other measures.” Calloused fingertips drum against the oak bench in what mimicked a gallop. “How–” so? He’d ask over a glass of red if they were different people. But instead, “–this year ends is your decision.” 

“Call Nat the next time, she’ll give the phone to me. She’s honestly being so supportive, she even let’s me check my email from time to time.” He scratched the rough start of a beard on his chin and blankly stared at the white wall far in front of him. “Right, right... my decision. I love having power over this.” The last few meetings they had held had been done almost completely in silence. No one had wanted to say it aloud: they had ran out of options. “Sweeten the deal, Gio. Give us a bit more and you have a deal. I won’t even go behind your back and talk to your aunt about this. You’ll get all the glory.”

[ennioeste]

arturcii​:

he took the bottle gratefully and drank a sip, maybe three, before giving it back, having to clear his throat when he did. “maybe you were.” the warmth blossomed from his throat, licked along the insides of his skull and the backs of his eyes, and he thought he might just go to hell for breaking a promise to a dying woman, but ennio didn’t need to know that. ennio didn’t need to know anything. “taking a break from mingling with people who aren’t my friends. plus, the amount of fish tonight has made me nauseous. a little excessive, i thought, but don’t tell that to the happy couple.”

Ennio almost would have preferred Art to hold onto the bottle. It would have kept the bottle from finding Ennio’s lips. Either Art did not know or he did not care. Either option was perfectly fine with Ennio. He had missed the taste, the rich velvety taste of red wine that lit up every neuron on his tongue. He had expected guilt to ruin the flavour but he couldn’t have been more wrong. “Maybe I were,” Ennio agreed lightly before another generous sip. He did not know how to be around people anymore. People had used to flock to him, his smile had been a permanent accessory and his laugh a loyal companion — now they were rarely around and he did not know where to find them. “Ha! I agree. I fear soon these events will stop having meat. Meat’s not hip and cool enough. Wonder when sober curiousness takes over too.” It might have kept the bottle out of Ennio’s hand.

[ennioeste]

“I’ve been meaning to, uh, talk to you about something.” His knife was refusing to cut through the steak on his plate. It was as if it could sense the weakness in him. Fear had taken over him on the previous two occasions he had tried to bring up the subject. “Things are not looking too good San Marino and I, well, we’re going to make a deal with the Italians. Or at least we’re hoping to.” His eyes were directed at the steak, far away from Natalia’s blue ones. “I think you better leave me now and not later.” He had never compared much to the likes of Giovanni, and once San Marino submitted to the whims of the Italians, whatever he might have had to offer, would disappear in an instant. [ @nataliademarquis​ ]

[giorxcci]

⁎   ╱  @ennioeste​​.

｡     The sight of Ennio alone renders him near speechless. It is one thing to interact with Ennio. A challenge in the presence of Natalia. And if it weren’t for the empty bench next to the Sammarinese, Giovanni would pause for a centering breath. “Ennio Raul Este, riddle me this” his cadence reflective of conceit whilst claiming an adjacent seat, “why is it I must seek you out …is your service down?”

[ennioeste]

A decade ago, Ennio would have turned to Gio with a grin on his face — the wittiness of the Italian rarely left anyone cold. But knowing that the punchline was going to be about himself or the mess that his country had become, it required a great deal of energy to even turn to Gio. “Had to cancel my plan over some financial issues. It’s been a tough year.” Why didn’t he carry cigarettes? It would have felt nice to put one between his lips right now. 

[ennioeste]

arturcii​:

“very.” he motioned for it hurriedly, coughing up a storm for the third time that night. it was getting tiring, having people walk in on him, and one would think that the balcony was the ballroom proper. “you’re not with natalia? where is she?” art managed to eke out, as if ennio was just paid security. he might as well be; it was the only way art would ever see the man. never a prospective in-law, but fancy company.

Ennio hesitated momentarily before handling him the bottle. “It’s still full.” A blessing or a curse? “Mingling with her friends. I felt like the third wheel,” Ennio admitted with a shy smile. He had tried to find Isabela, failed, and then found the bar. Arturio was an unexpected twist. “What are you taking a break from?”

[arturcii-deactivated20240510]

arthur almost choked as he turned at the sound behind him, smoke still half-stuck in his throat. instead, he ended up coughing a storm behind his fist, trying to keep the smoking blunt away from the one who found him hiding. “hey –,” interrupted by another cough, this one burning his throat a little. “you have a drink?” [ @hshqstarters​ ]

[ennioeste]

“Ah, shit.” There were a million doors that lead into the courtyard and Ennio had had to pick the one that lead him straight to another person. He cleared his throat and scratched the back of his neck. It was Arturio – not only would Natalia be upset if Ennio supplied her sobering brother a drink, she would be disappointed to hear that Ennio had one ready. “Are you sure?” Ennio asked as he lifted the uncapped bottle of wine. 

[ennioeste]

giorxcci​:

“I ordered the vegetarian option, instead,” Mimi said as her salad was set in front of her. Not that she’d eat it, anyway; even if she weren’t wearing two layers of too-tight shapewear, her stomach was tied up in knots from the seating situation. “But I hear sardines are good for the skin…” She didn’t know a thing about fish, but boring small talk was preferable to silence or, worse, an argument. “..When ingested, I mean,” she clarified, rambling a little. “Not…Applied topically. –Though I’d be willing to try anything to look a few years younger.” @nataliademarquis· @vitvliyv @sylvianes @krstoffcrs @giorxcci @oh-hxfiz @aromancva @dvisckc

SHE CONSIDERED ONLY SPEAKING RUSSIAN AT THE TABLE, but realized that the only thing worse than having a silly conversation with the youth was having to converse with the eldest russian princess. “ geography lessons. you all need them. ” it was painful to watch, really. “ i doubt there is an island called sardinia for the fun of it. your family owns it, your highness. ” vitaliya tapped her nails against the table a few times looking around the children. “ the herring is fine. considering its history, the swedish have managed to make it surprisingly delicious. i was more looking forward to crawfish though. i may be slightly disappointed. ”

｡       Lips settle in a straight line instead of a low chuckle at Hafiz’s statement. He can’t help himself but to address Nat’s rude interruption. “You’d hear what the north has to say if you were focused on the conversation at hand instead of what this side of the table is doing.” The Mediterraneans who were excluded from the initial conversation, courtesy of Ennio. Turning to the duchess, “the fish named after the island, yes. Back in. .the day it was a staple but it’s since become overly commercialized that many with taste don’t have a palette for it anymore, your grace.” Sweeping generalizations? He could offer many! “Anyway, we should keep the discussion inclusive of all inputs for the rest of the evening, no?” ( table 2 )

Ennio arched a brow at Giovanni the first time the man spoke. Giovanni had made starting arguments into an art form. The subtle digs that his words were littered with were so easy to miss but when they landed, they made surprising amount of damage. “I only asked the Northeners because I know what people in the south think. ” And it was not whatever the fuck Giovanni was trying to convince them of. “What a people’s prince you are... ” Was the point to make Ennio look like an idiot? or just poor? “Just because you eat with golden cutlery off the finest china, doesn’t mean everyone else has abandoned tradition.” Staples did not disappear. there was a reason why they had solidified their place in the first place and a subtle change in attitudes was not enough to cause a shift. “But if we’re listing things that we were looking forward to, I was somewhat hoping they would have mixed some Indian food into the mix. Dill, pepper and salt are what they are,” Ennio mused with a light laugh.

[nataliademarquis]

[ table 2 | @oh-hxfiz​ @hshmimi​ @aromancva @dvisckc​ @sylvianes @krstoffcrs​ @vitvliyv​ @ennioeste​ @giorxcci​ ]

the lull of silence seemed to stretch on and on. the short list of neutral topics had been exhausted. “ OH ! ” wide eyes followed the plates being set in front of them, her expression faltering as she took in the sight. “ herring. how delicious. ” 

[ennioeste]

“So...” If he angled his head right, he could block out Giovanni. He could keep his blood pressure at a normal level. “Did you know that they call herring the northern sardine? If you ask me sardines are a bit better. What do the northerners think?” [ @krstoffcrs​ @aromancva​ @oh-hxfiz​ etc. ]

[ennioeste]

nataliademarquis​:

“ OUR. ” she corrected, “ our duvet, you mean ? “ the jest can only momentarily relieve the weight in the air. she shakes her head. was he simply saying this to cushion her feelings ? “ you’re not hearing me – i- i made those decisions. by myself. “ in hindsight, ‘no’ was option that might have saved her from a lot of pain. it would have been allowed. “ i was OKAY with it. i let them – i wanted them to be proud of me, so i … complied when i could have … i don’t know. “ she sniffed and brought a hand up to wipe a stray tear and partly to cover her face. how could he even stand her after all of this ? her weak will and patheticness. she bit the inside of her cheek, hesitant to speak more; what if there was a point of no return ? “ well now he’s bloody DEAD. it’s not like he can pay for it now. “ a death of convenience ! had he even deserved that ? she was too tired to keep the resentment from seeping in her voice. now, quieter, she muttered: “ maybe i’m not a good person. maybe that’s why this HAD to happen. “

His smile made a brief appearance on his lips. It was just a reaction. It did not reach his eyes nor make him feel less worried. He wanted to disagree, tell her that it wasn’t so. She was mistaken, he knew better. Instead he simply sat there and paid attention to the even rhythm of his own breathing. He had never before found himself in a similar situation. Long fingers cautiously wrapped around her hand and for a moment that was the only form of communication he could offer her. Words slowly formed a string, sentences began to develop. “If that’s true... Let’s say you deserved it.” His voice was quiet and his words came out of his mouth slowly. “Let’s say there’s some grand power that exists to pass judgment and gives out punishments.” His hand held hers more firmly. “If that is true, then it has to be true too that you have paid the price and been forgiven. If you deserved it, you deserve to move on after suffering your punishment too.” 

[vcrcnc]

“ THERE’S ONLY THIRTY DAYS IN APRIL, i don’t wish to waste my time when it’s so limited ! ” it was possible it would have been kind or appropriate to wait a month longer before bullying the prince, but some things could not wait ! and… well, if natalia was the love of his life, the past weeks must have done a number on him. it was an opportunity for the italians. she pushed the document closer to the two men on the other side of the table. “ your land area would actually grow. look at the redrawn map ! how cute is that passage to the sea ? i simply love it. ” her smile practically glittered when she looked between the brothers. “ all you need to do is to simply recognize us as your rightful rulers. what is the difference, really ? san marino’s independence is one small technicality and at the moment it’s costing us all quite a bit money. so, boys, what do you say ? it’s quite a deal. you’d also have better access to our health services. perhaps we’d even fund building a bigger hospital in san marino… ” [  @ennioeste​, @ettoreeste​, @giorxcci​ ]

[ennioeste]

He would never understand how only maniacs made it to the top. Verona di Savoia was one package of crazy. Why did she always smile? Why was she constantly smiling? Who even had let her into the room? Giovanni might have been stubborn and petty, but he was... on top of things. The aunt was talking like they were picking out a new spring wardrobe. Ennio’s eyes dropped to look at the map. It did make San Marino larger, but what did that matter when they would turn into a duchy? “This isn’t a decision Ettore and I are in power to make.” He only said it to make sure that whatever they said from then on, could not be held against San Marino in the future. “I still don’t understand why you’ve gone through all this trouble. The ownership of San Marino shouldn’t matter to you that much.” Talking to the aunt was easier than talking to Giovanni though — the one thing that made Ennio appreciate the woman’s presence. “There’s really not enough benefits for us to take this offer seriously. Our independence costs more than a passage to the sea.” [ @ettoreeste​ / @giorxcci​ / @vcrcnc​ ]

[ennioeste]

nataliademarquis​:

“ i’m serious. you’ll start HATING me for being sleep deprived. ” despite her words, she scooted to make room and, selfishly, spared no time in resting her head on his shoulder. he was right – the presence of something warm and solid had eased the knot in her stomach, until she had to speak. “ kind of. ” but it wasn’t what was keeping her up. the thoughts she was having were those she only ever dealt with alone. “ everyone there was ONLY guilty by association, you know. “ the frenchman had fought for his country, the chinese and french princesses couldn’t help their families, fumiko had been a kind host, and beau wasn’t supposed to even be there. perhaps if verona di savoia had made it on the plane, maybe she’d have less of an argument. “ but i don’t know. ” she caught her bottom lip between her teeth; this is why she dealt with these thoughts by herself. saying it out loud and to another person made it real – and it made her ugly. “ i FEEL like i deserved it. “

“I’ll start hating you when you start stealing my duvet. I’m a fairly understanding man.” It was deeply relieving to realize that he was able to offer her some comfort. He oftentimes found himself doubting the depth of her feelings — was she still around because she couldn’t go anywhere else? Because he was the least bad option? Natalia kept her feelings to herself, held her head up so bravely, and seemed like she didn’t really need him. Sometimes he felt like he barely knew her. Like she didn’t want to tell him things. Yet, here she was. Resting her head on his shoulder, speaking words that were so heavy that even he felt their weight. “You’re not being fair to yourself.” It was the first thought that really came to him, it also felt like the right thing to say. Honest and comforting. “Your father is the one who has to carry the responsibility. You’re no more guilty than the French princess. She has stood behind her brother this whole time — and they’ve been fighting for nothing. You... your fight was about your birthright. You can’t go thinking you’re the reason why there was a civil war.”

[ettoreeste]

@ennioeste​

“how is she?”

[ennioeste]

“Not too well. But she’s in one piece, which I consider a small miracle. Hopefully it will get better over time.”

[nataliademarquis]

[ @ennioeste​ ]​

the balcony door sliding open has her head whipped around, but the momentary rise in her pulse dulls when the lights filter on the face. “ oh. i didn’t wake you up, DID I ? ” she tucks her head back between her knees, staring over the railing. “ i’m just … you should go back to bed. i don’t want to be taking away another night of sleep from you. ” 

[ennioeste]

“No, I was awake.” A lie. He had already drifted into sleep but her sudden movement next to him had bolted him awake. The missing weight next to him had made him get up. “I don’t want to sleep if you’re not alright.” He sat down on the arm of the balcony chair, one hand reaching out to rest on her knee. “It’s pretty terrible to be alone.” Terrible and addictive. In small portions pain made you feel incredibly alive, but the longer it continued the number you felt. It was better to have someone holding your hand right from the start. He had learned it the hard way. “Are you going over it in your head?”

[ennioeste]

nataliademarquis​:

“ i’m sorry. ” she repeated, fingers latching to the fabric of his shirt. the many words she had thought to say on the plane had vanished. she shook her head, the only response she could muster for a minute. she wanted the memory of the three days gone. one arm released to wipe her eyes and pushed back her wind blown hair. “ no, no. nothing awful. ” it is said to quell the concern, even it can’t quite be believed by herself. the ghost of their hands still felt present on her shoulders and arms, the chill still not gone from her bones. “ i just want to go … “ home ? the figurative home that any space shared between the two had become. she stood still for a little longer before looking around. “ did ART come ? ” 

“Don’t apologise. You have no reason to apologise,” he murmured into her hair. If he was not careful, if he let his self-control slip, his tears would surely wet her hair. He felt like he had stopped breathing. All the worry he had held for her for four days was finally beginning to loosen its tight grip on him. “All of your stuff is here. The new place is nice. It’s– it’s... nice.” Their living quarters were such an insignificant thing, he felt silly for wasting time describing them. His hand brushed hers and he was going to take it into his but realized how cold she felt. He quickly shrugged off his jacked and draped it over her shoulders. “Art? He...” Ennio frowned. The half-brother had not even crossed his mind. He had spent the four days locked up in Val and Ettore’s room being of no use. “I’m sure he’s waiting for you. I didn’t... I’m sorry I didn’t realize you’d want him here.” 

[nataliademarquis]

[ @ennioeste​ ]

her eyes scan the small crowd during their descent from the plane’s stairs – the french, the belgians, the chinese, all so relieved to see their family. her eyes moved on until they locked with his dark ones. ennio. wanting to remain composed, her steps quickened just slightly until she was close enough to throw her arms around him. he was there and solid. a silent sob racked her body. “ I’M SORRY. i – i should have … ” what should she have done ? it was the frustrating thing: not know what she could have done differently. “ i should have stayed, i should have … oh, i don’t know. ”

[ennioeste]

He was certain he shoved someone but he did not care who and he did not care to check. His long steps turned into a sprint until he reached Nat. The sound that escaped him was one he would have not been able to mimic, had he wanted to. A whine that let out all of the fear and anxiety that had built up in him over the course of the four days. A sound of utter relief. His arms held her tightly to his chest and her trembling made his chest shake as he held back sobs of his own. “I thought I lost you. I thought you were gone.” His voice was a unsteady whisper. A sound any lounder would have gotten stuck in his throat and broken. “Are you hurt? Did they hurt you?”