aut vincere aut mori

We are Death, We are Glory, We are Eternal. King Alonso Trastámara of Spain, first of his name. 

[kingxfspain]

antiquatus‌:

a delicate matter, the spanish king says and giulio allows himself, for a brief moment, to appear bemused, eyes crinkling at the corners and brows knitting together as he seemed to ponder upon the implication of the other’s statement.  ❛  how blessed that a humble priest such as i might be able to help a king,  ❜  he idly remarks, meeting the other’s gaze and trying to assess just what exactly the other wanted of him or from him. of course, he is no mere priest—he is a cardinal besides, and the Pope’s favourite, which had led many to petition him in the hopes of himself petitioning the Pope—but he tries to let the illusion stay. it is better for him, after all, if he does not appear powerful, constantly keeps the image of a humble priest and nothing more, because then people trust him. as the spanish king does now with this matter of utmost secrecy.  ❛  i would always have the time to serve the most catholic monarch,  ❜  he says.  ❛  i bid you to speak, then, and i will do my utmost to do whatever i can to help.  ❜

It is strange, to be manipulating situations that rest beyond his own fate and rather in the hands of God. Yet Alonso has done his best to put forth enough effort to bring happiness to his brother’s life and must do as best he can to ensure it. It is a delicate intervention to ask for the Pope to intercede on his behalf but he finds he cannot bring much thought to it without doubt creeping in. “You are most kind, Your Eminence, for I do not wish to burden you beyond your daily duties. My brother, Tomas, has been betrothed to a woman he does not wish to wed.” He sighs, unsure of how else to put it, before swallowing thickly and continuing. “I had hope of seeking you out as a man of God to intervene on his behalf to the Pope to annul the betrothal.” 

[kingxfspain]

ofleuchtenberg‌:

closed starter for: @kingxfspain​ event:  fruit picking

King Diebold had been generous in allowing his guests to take a peek at his fruit yard, or at least Matthias had been told. He was never really one for fruit picking and he had assumed that was mostly for servants but here they were, nobles and kings alike all roaming about the fruit yard determined to find the perfect fruit. Matthias wasn’t too fond of pears or lemons but he did find that the apples and plums were exquisite.  After sampling all the different fruits, Matthias had wondered near the cider stall where fruit was being made into fresh ciders. He hadn’t yet finished his apple cider when he collided with a younger man, regal looking of course. “My apologies sir,” Matthias said as he skillfully avoided spilling any drink on the young man. “Allow me to get you a drink as an apology.” 

Alonso longed for the apple orchards and fruit picking he had taken part in as a child, the crisp scent of fresh fruit hanging heavy from the trees until they bowed from the weight. Teresa had been merely a babe then when they had last gone, their mother already in poor health, but the tang of oranges blooming on his tongue had chased all fears from his mind. It is why he eagerly seeks out such commodities in search of greener times when his crown did not outweigh his desires for frivolity and pleasure. A crowd had gathered to sample the fresh cider being created, heaps of pears and lemons lining carts and being carted off as more glasses arrive. 

The taste of it is rich on his tongue, sharp enough to carry the undercurrent of apples but still a refreshing reprieve from the heavy ales and wines they had been taking to as of late. He is only a few sips in before he is jostled, the cider splashing against his boots as his arm jerks in response. He swears under his breath in Spanish, looking up as though to chastise the person responsible but finds only an apologetic face that curbs his temper. Despite his love for the leather they are not his finest pair and enough eyes have been on him that he does not dare enflame such rumors so as to keep the target on his back. “It is quite alright, kind sir. A new glass would do wonders as mine is nearly empty.” 

[kingxfspain]

post count this week  (08/03 to 14/03): n. of replies ( 11 ) + n. of tasks ( 0 ) points gained: 11 points + 2 bonus points (for every 5 replies) = 13 points point allocation: intelligence + 3; luck + 2; physical + 4; wealth + 4 Health total: 110/150

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[jagellicn]

Insecurities | Adelaide & Alonso

[kingxfspain]

jagellicn‌:

It would seem that she saw more of her future family, than her current one. With Sigismund being… well, wherever he was, and Mary being occupied with Wład and Agnieska, Adelaide had very few things to do. She could not pester Barbara, and apparently making new acquaintances was scandalous enough to wreck her reputation, so she refrained from venturing outside for a walk ( and it was a rather warm day. ). After her interesting interaction with Tomas and an even more intriguing tea with queen Beatriz, Addie was left with more questions than answers, her head spinning million miles per second.

She was seated on a chair in her chambers, when someone knocked on her door and a page entered, allowed in by the guards stationed in front of her door. Curiously arching her eyebrow at the intruder, Adelaide rose to greet the guest, carrying a letter from king Alonso Bragança. The letter from - what?. The princess frowned, staring at the seal on the letter with a narrow expression and a lump in her throat. What was this about? For a moment, she thought Tomas had done it. For another moment, she was annoyed to realise she did not know how she felt about that. Tomas was… challenging. She did rather like a good challenge. Skimming through the text, she ignored the feeling of relief which washed over her, upon learning that his majesty had only wanted to speak with her.

Hastily getting herself presentable, Adelaide hurried down the corridor, feeling an ironic sense of deja-vu quickening her heartbeat. She half expected to see her majesty Beatriz behind the desk, when she was admitted in, the guards stepping aside to let her in without so much as blinking this time. Tangling her fingers in front of her, a nervous habit she had had from young age, Adelaide bowed to the king. “Your majesty. I was surprised to receive your invitation. Is… something wrong?” She hesitatingly asked, unsure what he wanted to speak to her about; if he was not going to break off her engagement to Tomas, then what was it all about?

@kingxfspain​

Alonso remained at his desk as he sent off the page with the invitation, scrubbing a hand through his hair at the thought of what was to come. The glass of wine on his desk had long been drained dry but he had little thought to the quantity as his nerves had needed to be calmed outwardly to assure him of success. While he waited he quickly changed to a more reserved attire and slipped his heavy rings onto his fingers once more, finding the weight soothed his soul as he felt reassured once more. When she finally arrives he strides out from his study to greet her, smiling broadly as he bows to her in an uncharacteristic gesture to put her at ease. While she is still but a young princess he does not want her to find ill with his words or his intentions for he dares not risk to ire of Poland. 

“Good evening, Your Highness. I do apologize for the rushed invitation but I had been turning things over in my mind and wished to seek you out. We have not had a chance to talk as of late despite your betrothal to my brother and for that I deeply apologize. Everything is fine, I can assure you. I merely wanted to see how you took to my brother and whether he was behaving as both a member of my family and representative of Spain.” 

[kingxfspain]

teresatrastamara‌:

she’s safe. that is all she knows. safe and warmer than she’d been moments ago. alonso was alive and the world made a little more sense for it. the despair that had sat in her chest dissolved as venomous relief consumed it whole. it would creep back to her, slither around her heart and bones again until she recounted each of them intact but god be good it was like pulling a breath as she’d been suffocating to be held again.  ❛  are you alright ?  ❜  she manages, too dazed to recognise he’d spoken until seconds after the mark. he was alive, but was he well ? was she hurting him as much as she was herself as he held her up like a worn-through doll.

❛  stables,  ❜  she answers finally, still coiled around him as though he might crumble like snow knight should she let him out of the grip. ❛  i found a stable, stayed out of sight. i did not know if it was safe to return… or travel alone. the de medici found me when i came out for food. told me that the duke of alençon would vouch for us at the gate.  ❜  had he ? it felt like a blur. she hardly remembered a thing between bellizona alonso, only that she’d been placed a top a horse and almost fallen, unable to grip with her thighs.

❛  is beatriz… the children ?  ❜  her voice cracked and wavered, pulling back to glance over his features, attempting to read them before he could even form an answer.  ❛  tomas ? mariana ?  ❜  tears blurred her vision, causing her to blink and paw at her eyes, one hand still wrapped around him. she felt as though she might sob or hiccup or something between as she attempted to regain composure despite breaths coming to her quicker and quicker.  ❛  are they… ?  ❜  

His hands scramble over her form as he pulls apart from her long enough to look her over, seeking all of her limbs and extremities remain attached. There is nothing but panic in his eyes as he finds her fully safe and alert, if not frazzled and unkempt. It is enough to ease some of the strain that has drawn a furrow between his brows the past days as he had searched for her, some hidden part of him having despaired over finding her body rather than her well and with breath in her lungs. “All safe, all well,” he reassures her. One hand brushes the matted hair from her face, the delicate red-gold curls now tousled beyond belief and hints of smoke reeking from her. 

“The children have all been located and Beatriz is with them, Tomas and Mariana safe inside. We have been looking for you for near ages and have scarcely been able to sleep knowing you have been missing. I will reward whoever has found you with whatever boon they wish, I had thought you lost...” A lump remains in his throat that he attempts to swallow, wishing to appear stronger than he is, but the thought of losing yet another sister so dear to him is enough to unravel what strength he has left. “Come inside, Teresa, let us get you warm and safe once more.” 

[kingxfspain]

irinatrubetskaya‌:

she may hold the stature of a girl rather than a brave russian shoulder coated in gold and iron, but irina roared like a lion and procured nails as sharp as bear claws. she was eager to defend her ilk, as a mother hen would do to her young - floating over to none other than a KING to point her finger towards. he would not be the first victim to her accusations but he was the boldest; who would ever accuse a KING of such ploys? yet she stood tall, grinding her teeth as the king retorts with meaningless words and the utmost treason towards her loyal rurik dynasty ( and by extension, the blood that ran through her son’s veins ). “the rurik line is strong and bold, whereas all you westerners can do is steal and lie! look, lies fall from your tongue as we speak! do you despise your own people so gravely that you’d offer them to your god?” she tuts, sucking on her teeth before feeling a heavy hand upon her arm to push her back from the king himself. “and look at you! what KING stands behind the walls when your people walk to the slaughter! what MAN dies within the sweet haven of safety and not on the battleground? you are no man and no KING, you are a fool with the looks of a bleating sheep!” foul words were only finally muffled by a gloved hand pressed against her mouth, irina biting on a single finger before the other jumps back with a yelp. “someone came to ruin us, and i blame you and your country on its false golden lands.” 

There is a grit of his teeth as she continues to spit venom at him, nothing but traitorous lies upon her tongue that ooze of hatred from a well of sorrow. He wishes to rage upon her, to shake her bodily until she sees the true panic in his eyes, to turn his own ire back upon her so she might see the real wrath that lies beneath his skin every waking moment. Guards attempt to silence her, hands pulling her backwards as she hisses foul-mouthed curses in his direction until he is unable to keep silent any longer. “I would never endanger my own people or mine own family in such a mess! The loss of innocent life in such sanctimonious grounds under the banner of peace is enough to damn one to hell and my soul remains clean under the stain of such treacherous acts. I would rather die by the hand of a sword than that of underhanded tactics such as this. God may have mercy upon your soul but I do not believe for a second that you would find mercy in my heart or my thoughts. You’d best watch your mouth before you find yourself without a head upon these spikes,” he hisses. His chin tilts up and he nods to the guard holding her stationary, the frantic desire to find his family pushing him ever forward. “Take her away, I have no need to listen to such ilk while my family remains unaccounted for.” 

[kingxfspain]

duchessfriederike‌:

His words rang true, even though Friedi has pushed for peace. There are too many still looking for glory and power, and it took but one man to cause enough dissent for any prospect of an end to conflict to fall apart. “It is my hope,” she began, slowly. “That it was all for nothing, for whoever did it. In times like these, it is clearer than ever that we are all not so different. There are plenty coming together from both sides to help,” she pointed out. Perhaps it was her naivety on display - she had made friends from all countries indiscriminately, but she wanted so desperately for it to be true. “I appreciate that, though I hope she doesn’t need them. I do not know what I’ll do without her,” she confessed. To have family lost in the chaos was a terrible feeling, and there was genuine sympathy in the way she looked at him. “Perhaps I can help you to look?” she offered. She could not sit by when there was something that could be done to help. 

There is something in her innocence as she speaks, a hopeful ray of untouched naivety that from others he would consider disgraceful. Yet her youth and the genuine way at which she speaks from the heart reminds him all too well that he has been fighting a war that shaped him into a man with ideals that he would not wish upon any man or woman. She is not the one who stands accused of violating the treaty and while he values her penchance for peace, his emotions remain too disorganized, far beyond that of reason as exhaustion pulls at his limbs. “Yet there are just as many fingers being pointed as there hands for aid. A culprit will be found and that is all we may look for in this time.” The brief hint of a smile is more of a lifting of the corners of his lips, weariness turning to doubt. “If you could find word of her I would be most grateful.” 

[kingxfspain]

tomcsofbcrcelonc‌:

@kingxfspain​

tomas had been content being left to his own devices after the recent attacks. he understood his brother was busy with all sorts of affairs and thus, he spent his days enjoying the swiss terrain. but so many things had occurred that were … conflicting for his own head and interests. and thus, he found himself in the company of his brother. the conversation always returned to the same subject. 

he remained adamant upon his stance of his engagement. but to lay claim that the woman was despicable was harder to argue as she had been pleasant. it was odd as the relative comparison to her reputation made little sense in his head now. but regardless, perhaps he was only kinder because of the guilt that still lingered from within. he had not forgotten the events, the flashbacks fresh in the back of his mind. he turned to look at alonso, a smile naturally formed on his face. 

“I thought she nearly died but I swear upon God’s name and Jesus but I had no intention of ill will upon her person. it appears that she is fragile to the heat. I do not know how that shall bode for her travels to spain,” he challenged his brother to declare otherwise. “certainly if her health is this fragile, who knows if it will be fortuitous for her to step upon spanish soil as my bride. needless to say, you expect children out of my marriage - well, I presume weak health is not a good omen, is it brother?” tomas sought for every possible avail to free himself still. perhaps the princess would make for a good friend but the idea of a wife was far from appealing. 

Alonso had sought Tomas out for but one purpose and in attempt to call upon his opinion in the face of adversity. There were many things that still needed to be discussed for the sake of both their country and personal matters but he need not have bothered. His mouth has barely opened long enough before Tomas had begun to rush ahead to soothe him, his words spilling out in such a frenzy that it took Alonso a moment to understand what he was saying. He merely blinked once, stunned, before fury overtook his face. “She...nearly died? Tomas! What the hell have you been doing?! I know you are not as pleased with this proposal of marriage as you have so eloquently discussed with me but need I remind you she is still a Princess of royal birth?” 

He strode away from him, muttering under his breath about the failings of their father and lack of duty. He stabs at the air with a finger before throwing his hands in the air, wanting to smack the smug grin off of his face before reminding himself he had promised to never strike family. Instead his fingers curl into a fist and a long drawn out sigh leaves him as he tries to settle into his place of calm fury. “You will be pleased to know then that before you had interrupted to soothe my fears over her ill health,” he levels a look at him, a reminder that that discussion is far from over, “I have been looking at other potential brides for you. Ones you might find far more...appealing.” 

[kingxfspain]

antiquatus‌:

with: @kingxfspain​

the connections that link them together are complex and multi-faceted. first, there is the Church and the king of spain’s role as a most Catholic monarch; second, there is naples at the boot of the peninsula, under spanish control, bordering the Papal states; and third, there is the brother, who giulio will not think about, would not even consider, lest he betray some sort of inner working of his mind, as if by mere sight alone the spanish king would know.

(  except, his mind tells him, there is nothing to know.  )

❛  su alteza real,  ❜  he says, bowing his head in deferment to the rank of the other male.  ❛  is there anything i can do for you ?  i had been told that you’ve requested for me.  ❜  an awkward smile, almost as if he himself doesn’t believe it.  ❛  of course, i may have just misheard,  ❜  he adds, eager to offer up an excuse, as if in a way apologising for his presence.

Alonso is just a man, a man made King, and as much as he would like to play at being a spider with legs ever reaching and spinning webs he is still mortal. His plans and desires are warped by a desire for conquest, for riches, for a world where his children and loved ones may live in the peace his scythe carves out. Thus he spins his webs in secret, plots beneath parchment and waning candlelight to ensure a path that leaves those who would carry on his legacy do not have to work nearly as hard under the weight of this burden. His brother had come to him with a request and he is nothing if not considerate of the happiness of those whom he loves. “Your Eminence,” he calls out, greeting him with a warm smile. “You need not fear or discredit those who have done my bidding, ‘tis true I have asked for you. I have but a humble request and the desire for a discussion, if you have the time. It is a....delicate matter and one I entrust to you with the utmost secrecy.” 

[kingxfspain]

yekatcrina‌:

@kingxfspain​

out of everyone that irina could have accused during the fair chaos, yekaterina was far more disappointed in the accusation to her Spaniard friends. Though her interaction with the queen was brief, and she had yet to meet the king in person, she couldn’t fanthom them attempting to attack anybody, for they seemed perhaps the most genuine people in this entire place. so, she was determined to go apologize to such a man. it was problematic to say the least, to see her leave the sasso corbaro to castlegrande to see the spanish king and queen. it was just a matter of who she would see first. after much persuasion, she was allowed in. 

that happened to be alonso, for she could recall the little she could remember before the separation of germany to the holy roman empire, and her brief encounters with him. wow, how he has grown. one could say so has she, but she was sure he wouldn’t recall her. so, she approached to him and curtsied to the man, the two guards that accompanied introducing the tsaritsa as a matter of safety. how lovely, now safety is taken far more seriously it did before. “your majesty. if you would give me a moment of your time, i would love the opportunity to speak with you.” she asked, on one hand hopping irina’s words were never heard and she could start on a fresh slate with the king, hopefully get to know alonso and see if perhaps a potential betrothal could be at hand. though, it felt like she would be spare nothing.

The woman who approaches is unfamiliar to him but with the cheekbones of a family he faintly recalls. The memory escapes him before it can take shape and he struggles to see the truth behind his foggy confusion but he is nothing if not polite for the sake of gossip. He dips his head in response to her curtsy, formal yet detached, eyeing the guards with her with a curious eye though it is not unexpected given the circumstances. While he is as busy as he is struggling to ensure Spain’s security and lack of suspicion he is all too aware of how many eyes are upon them and seeking cracks. The least he could do is extend some of his precious time to smooth over relations with others lest he appear even more of a scoundrel than he should appear. “But of course, I shall clear my schedule for you. Please, sit, be at ease. Would you care for any refreshments?” 

[kingxfspain]

philliptrastamara‌:

He understands the worry that his cousin feels, Phillip feels it himself as well. With the war on the horizon, they have to start figuring out who they can count on as their allies and then figure out who their true enemies are. These are difficult times, it can be hard to know who you can really trust and who you may want to avoid. Phillip understands why Alonso would count on him to try and find out who their allies are in terms of military, seeing as Phillip is a former soldier. Given this status of his, it would only make sense that Phillip should organize Spain’s military allies. He will be sure to ask his wife what they can expect from the Holy Roman Empire, but for now, he will remain positive for Alonso’s own sanity. “I am sure we will be able to count on the Holy Roman Empire, Alonso. As for our navies, I will be sure to inquire, I will do the same with England.” He reassures, trying to set Alonso’s mind at ease.

When Alonso had been crowned king in his father’s fading legacy, he had felt crushed by the weight of the crown upon his head and the cries of the people beneath him. Those who sought comfort, peace, healing, things he could not give in the midst of war. The end goal was all that mattered, careful plays to be decided for the good of his people, but he still fretted over the lives lost or disrupted in the wake of such ambitions. The growing strength of the countries around them was cause enough for concern and he could not sit idly by without ensuring their armies stood ready to withstand any attack that stood in their way. “You are sure? Convinced utterly? I do not wish to look like a fool in the wake of such miscalculations if they do not stand at our backs when we call upon them. England may be a coming ally in the times as we move forth but that will depend on how well you are able to round up our troops. I’m counting on you, Phillip.” 

[kingxfspain]

maryofpoland‌:

mary had watched the execution with a steeled heart, accustomed to the way royals dealt with their traitors. in her own kingdom she did loath signing death warrants and did her best to avoid it but she was an experienced ruler and the dispensing of justice was no foreign concept to the tudor queen of poland. still, when it was done, mary found herself struck by the thought that such justice could not bring back miss zofia nowak nor any of the others who had lost their lives in the attack. she was only pulled from such thoughts by the approach of the king of spain who meant well, she was sure but likely thought her a soft and easily shaken woman all the same. 

“he is responsible for the death of my loyal zofia and i shed no tears for him, i assure you your majesty.” mary replied with a tone of resignation. alonso was a fair ruler and in the years since she came into her own power, she had considered him something of a litmus test, an example to her own crown. even now as he attempted to draw her thoughts and therefore poland’s, out from the shadows. “but let us not dwell on such tragedy now that the criminals have been dispatched.” there was always more imperative business to discuss and the time for her grief had passed. “i have spoken to my dear sister the princess of masovia. she may not see it yet but from what i have gleaned her betrothal to your brother the duke may prove a solid match.” stubborn as adelaide could be mary had gotten the sense that there had been something of a spark between her and tomás. 

He internally chides himself for forgetting of the loss of those who had loved ones die. While his own family remained mostly unscathed from the carnage he has been one of the lucky few, those who had lost far more struggling in the wake of such unexplained hurt. What had attempted to be a comfort to a grieving woman, a hardened monarch, has fallen fairly short of his goals. He respects Queen Mary for her attempts to move ahead and carry on a conversation neither of them should be having in the wake of such disaster. But that is the nature of rebuilding, is it now? Forging something new in the ashes of what has gone. 

“Ah, yes, those two,” he says with a chuckle. Alonso scratches at the scruff of his beard, unsure how to approach such a weighted topic. It had been a well planned match in his head and one with which he had given much thought, a token of his love for his brother to give him a chance to find love and happiness elsewhere. “I had intended for it to be of some use and to provide some light to them both. Princess Adelaide is of noble blood and beautiful enough....though that has not kept his complaints from reaching my ears. Perhaps there might be a way to sweeten the deal, to ensure he views upon it favorably. 

[kingxfspain]

philliptrastamara‌:

The chaos going on outside passes by Phillip. He is barely clinging to consciousness, being buried under debris created from the attack. He can feel blood dripping down his face, he’s not sure where else he is bleeding. The last thing Phillip remembers is wandering around some of the stalls, but now all that is left of them is the splintered wood and scattered goods among the debris. It had all happened so fast, one moment he was walking around, the next he laying on the ground, unable to get up despite how he might want to. He hears the chaos going on around him, does no one know he is here? He groans, hoping to alert someone that he is underneath the remnants of the fair. He hears Alonso calling out the name of his son and all of a sudden, Phillip is filled with hope and energy! He will not die here!

“Alonso?” His voice is weak at first, but it grows stronger as he gains more determination. “Alonso! Under here!”

Alonso scrambles over the wood that lays splintered beneath his feet, hauling bits of broken wood and cloth out of his way. There is a voice there, however weak, and he shoves as much of it aside as he can. Bits of ruined oranges and trampled banners fly aside under the weight of his ministrations but he still digs deep in an attempt to find that which lies beneath. It is too faint for him to recognize the source or the person behind it but it recognizes him and that is all the encouragement he needs. A brief glimpse of bloodied skin appears and he quickly steps back, grabbing whole pieces as best he can and throwing them aside as well. “Can you move? Can you hear my voice?!”

[kingxfspain]

heartpiercd‌:

a f t e r an exhale, she comes to a realization. she and the king of spain stand on equal ground, if only for this single moment. perhaps it is the stress and strain of the day, perhaps it is the fingers pointed at them, perhaps it is the simple fact that they both refuse to bend for fear that they would snap.

either way, xinning nods in agreement.

honesty is, perhaps, not her strongest of virtues, but here she gives him an ungilded truth. « justice loves to recline and watch as everything goes wrong. » here, her voice rings with clarity, though i ts low tones sound akin to a death knell. she  looks him in the eye now, sombre and heavy-lashed. « if you are strong enough, seek retribution instead. »

There is something of the way she holds herself, tips her head in silence as she thinks, draws upon some inner strength he cannot see save for the twitch of her lip or the tightening of her jaw. She is as much a ruler as he is, regardless of one might think, and she has the strength to look others in the eyes where he would find it difficult to do so. She speaks truth when he would spin webs of deceit, her words poetry and yet simple pushes for action. “Retribution can be strong, in the hands of the right wielder. Would you trust me to seek such a thing in the wake of your approval?” For that is the crux of the issue. They are both akin to monsters in the eyes of the people who would push blame onto others for the sins of their own. 

[kingxfspain]

post count this week (23/02 to 29/02) : n. of replies ( 10 ) + n. of tasks ( 0 ) point gained: 10 points (in-character replies) + 2 bonus points (per five replies) = 12 points point allocation: wealth + 4; luck + 4; physical + 4 Health total: 97/150

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[kingxfspain]

philliptrastamara‌:

As Alonso asks his question, Phillip’s face becomes solemn. He is not optimistic when it comes to the war, but he also does not want his cousin to worry any more. He tries to put on a hopeful act; for Alonso, for himself, for the people of Spain, he figures that false hope may be better than having no hope at all. He doesn’t shrug off the hands placed on his shoulders, determined to give off an air that resembles something like a positive standpoint. Phillip looks at his cousin and attempts to give him a smile. “Alonso, I cannot say much about many of our allies, besides the Holy Roman Empire, my apologies. I have not conversed enough with these parties to know where they stand, but I can only assume they are faithful to us. As for Spain, you needn’t worry. The armies of Spain are more than sufficient to protect our country when the time comes.”

Alonso looks upon Phillip with the hope that one might rise above all of that which holds them under. Which holds them from greatness. There is little to be done in the way of politics when his siblings reign supreme, given mercy and the opportunity to do as they please so long as it does not look badly upon them. He relies so very little on them, to grant them time and peace, but he cannot hold on to that grace for much longer. Phillip may be his cousin but they share the same blood and drive that pushes them to strive for more in achievement for Spain. “We will have to seek out more allies and those who look upon us unfavorably. Do you believe your wife to hold enough sway within her court to aid us? And what of our navy? England may protect our backs for now but I do not wish to stride into this without such knowledge.” 

[kingxfspain]

tomcsofbcrcelonc‌:

the child within tomas didn’t want to let go. he wanted to reassure himself that he wasn’t dreaming and all was truly well and just by holding onto his brother, he could assure himself it was. “yet we are alive here brother, we are alive, thank god for that.”

eventually he parted from his brother’s arms. his tongue felt withdrawn once more as he shook his head. “I don’t know where they are. I have asked and helped but I’ve seen no one. no one else aside from manuel,” he said looking at his nephew with fondness. “how is beatriz? have you found her alonso?” as the rightful king and queen of spain, he worried for their sake the most. 

Alonso clings to him for a moment longer, reveling in the fact that his family is safe, is here, every last one who arrives accounted for more than the last. Teresa remains missing and Mariana just as much but his brother has found his son and for that he is eternally grateful. The anxiety within his chest will never cease until they are found but it lessens ever so slightly at the sight of Tomas well and alive before him. When they withdraw it is with some reluctance but he merely claps him on the shoulder once more, ruffling Manuel’s hair as a desperate attempt for some reassurance that they are here. “She is safe, she is with the children further within the castle. Merde, we are blessed to have us all as safe as we are here. Teresa remains missing, as does Mariana. Though I have faith that God may bring them to us unharmed.”