le dauphin

LOUIS OF FRANCE//24

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That’s who we really are.

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bethdxrham:

His words made an unexpected flush rise into Beth’s cheeks, the woman lowering her eyes as she fiddled with her rosary. “You have no need to apologize, sir, or to call me lady neither. I’m just - I’m in the employ of the Duke and Duchess of Kent.” She glanced up at him again. “Oh - no, my lord. I don’t want to trouble you. I’ll only be a few moments. You can continue playing, even. If you fancy it.” Beth took a few more steps into the room, clearly hesitant.

Louis almost frowned, but changed his mind and nodded instead. “Well then, if I could have your name, miss,” the informal appellation made him uncomfortable. The woman didn’t dress as a servant, perhaps she was a handmaiden to the Duchess of Kent. Louis would have thought that referring to one such as her as ‘lady’ was to be expected. “Wouldn’t you prefer silence with your prayers?” the discovery surprised him. Most people liked the quiet in chapels, himself included. He had just been under a lot of stress lately, and getting out of his head by playing the organ was a spur of the moment decision. “Perhaps…you can play as well?” Louis had met many who believed that their skills with an instrument were just another way to praise God. In a way, he understood it, as well.

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Be brave.              Live.                     For me.

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hm-charles-of-france:

“Yes, you’ve been nearly as busy as I, haven’t you?” He remarked, his tone casual lest he potentially ruin the peace currently settled between them. He knew that whatever peace that always fell between he and his children was fragile and he didn’t dare make the first step to ruining it. He knew that what he’d said had its own double meaning, especially between the two of them. Unless a crisis occurred, that would be exactly how their relationship would turn out. He started to walk around the chapel, remembering how only a few weeks prior, Anne had been in the room after the attacks. It was odd, to see it now and know that the attacks still weren’t guaranteed to stay away. “Play what you would like,” He answered, looking over at Louis. As much as he missed being in France, music was never something that had truly enthralled him. He liked the sound of it and it often calmed him, but he didn’t ever find that he preferred one over the other. “It may do some good to hear something from home.” 

Louis nodded tightly, a muscle working his jaw before he could help it. Defensiveness clutched at his breast, clawing to blurt out something unwise, but he busied himself with sitting back down, ducking his head to inspect the black and white keys of the instrument. Not so long ago, he’d have taken his father’s words as the highest praise, and would have worked diligently to inspire such a reaction, but not so of late. Kings could do as they pleased, he knew, but that didn’t mean they should. His own responsibilities had little in common with his father’s. “I’ll play something from home, then,” his tone was mild, Louis heartened by his ability to keep his emotions under wraps, at least in this, and he hastened to begin the song, a soothing tune as he was vividly aware of where they were, and did not want to disturb the sacrosanct peace of a chapel with the restless party ditties from court.  The song was brief, and he allowed the last notes to reverberate as he pulled his hands away from the keys. “Father – “ he began hesitatingly, almost halting his tongue altogether. “Is there anything in particular that has brought you here today?”

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R U N

awolnation // ya tender

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this is one of my favorite pieces of music. i think it’s a masterpiece, beginning to end, and this is the best version of it i’ve ever found (because every one is a little different, the organ player puts his little spin on it. makes you wonder what bach’s version sounded like)

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"...our people are the most individual – some might even call them eccentrics. But geniuses are often out of step with ordinary folk."

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bethdxrham:

Beth paused where she was when the music stopped, looking up at the man shyly. She had no idea who he was - just that he had a handsome face and he was well dressed, obviously a nobleman of some kind. “I’m sorry to have interrupted you.” She bowed her head in deference, only glancing up briefly. “I’ve just come to do my prayers.” She cleared her throat softly, moving forward a few steps. “That was quite lovely.”

“You didn’t,” Louis raised from his spot as he caught sight of the woman, answering her bow with one of his own. “I finished playing. I apologize for having not noticed you sooner, my lady. I’m afraid I haven’t practiced in a while, and lost all sense of my surroundings,” he straightened his shoulders, and took a step away from the organ. “Please, forgive my oversight,” a small smile curved his lips upwards at her compliment. “You are too kind. If you would like to be alone, I can leave.” 

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I’ll be good, I’ll be good for all of the times I never could.

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That’s all that matters, in the end. Who is to rule.

Catherynne M. Valente, Deathless (via antigonick)

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ofenglishcrowns:

“I have always admired the attire of the French. It is much more luxurious than the English fashion, I will admit to that.” The Duchess said, smiling gently. Isabelle was a woman of fashion, wearing the fabrics of the royals. It was always Isabelle confusing everyone into questioning whether she was a Queen or not with how she dressed and presented herself. She always had heads turning to her. Though, Isabelle managed to laugh again in mentioning of England’s lack of sunlight. “Indeed, you’re very right, my Lord.”

Louis found himself nodding, before he caught himself. He wasn’t ashamed about how proud he felt of his country, but it still was in poor taste to show it quite so openly to a foreigner. “France has a flourishing textile market, my lady. Our continental commerce routes have proved very useful.” he was quite relieved to have his tone echo so measuredly. “But England has access to trade routes, as well. Our fashions can spread.” it might not have been a vital component of government, but it was certainly an impressive revenue for funds, especially among the nobility. “We have magnificent jewels, as well.”    

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Capricorn with Ravenclaw (Primary) and Slytherin (secondary)

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hm-charles-of-france:

Charles sighed when he realized what kind of interaction this would be; he knew that Louis didn’t agree with his decisions, but still, he’d hoped that they could at least get along without the formalities. “Those that taught you were masters, but it is not their fingers that stroke the keys that produce the sound. That is yours,” He said, shaking his head. He straightened up and took a step into the chapel, looking around the room absently. “You aren’t, no. You were here first, and there is no need for either of us to leave for the other,” He added, shaking his head as he turned his attention back towards Louis. 

Louis bowed his head in acquiescence to his father’s words, getting the sense his flatness had irritated the other man. He nearly sighed to himself, but abstained. “It’s been a while since I played,” he found himself admitting, an apologetic smile on his face. The dauphin had much more pressing matters to attend to than music, he hadn’t found the time to indulge in ages. His head tilted sideways at his father’s next comment, wondering if he was aware of the irony. “Then I shall stay,” his voice softened slightly, wondering what drove the man to seek comfort in a chapel. Before, he’d done it only in dire situations, when serious matters weighed on him. Louis would have been more than happy to relieve him, but that sort of thinking always came easier when he had been younger – now he felt too distanced from the sort of king his father had became (or maybe he was only seeing him objectively for the first time) for his assistance to be earnest. “Would you like me to play something else, perhaps something from home?” he knew religious hymns well, and they calmed him, but he could listen to those during every service across Europe. He missed the French composers more.

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princesamaryam:

She had got the inkling that maybe, just as she had, he wasn’t at his happiest here. Then again, most would’ve preferred to be home; it was welcoming and comforting at home, familiar. “It has been quite gloomy outside, not the nicest weather for a stroll in the gardens, or just around on the castle grounds. I’m just used to warmer conditions.”

Louis frowned slightly at her admission. Being here must have been made even more difficult by such privations. “I’m sure the weather will improve come summer, Your Highness. Even here. In the meantime, I hope you’ve  found sufficient enjoyment in others’ company.”