I decided to make a partner piece for the Brienne art nouveau picture. I tried to keep the symmetry as high as possible, I know that Jaime is smaller than Brienne so he is a bit smaller in this pic than her, but not too small to break the symmetry.
I included additional flowers with the general meaning of “Forgive me” “I am sorry” “Don’t forget me”…
The sword he holds is the one he knighted her with ;)
The second pic is both of them in one view.
I switched the color palettes for them, symbolizing the exchange in values and experiences, that they’re part of each other now.
Brienne got Lannister like colors whereas Jaime got a few of the Tarth colors and some of the North.
I like that the swords are almost on the same height, giving them somewhat the look of merging, underlining my symbolism here.
both available for art prints (only):
https://www.inprnt.com/gallery/sansho/
There’s such recency bias in fandom. As an author you post something, get a few reactions, and then it goes off into the bin. As a reader you check the tags, see what’s new, and move on. But a lot of old stuff is really good. It’s just sitting there, gathering dust, waiting for someone to take a peek.
I’d argue there’s a bias against like… middle-aged fics in particular. A lot of people sort by kudos or bookmarks, but that’s going to be strongly biased toward older fics, which have had more time to accumulate them. Then there’s people that sort by date and read the newest. But there’s so much good material in that middle area.
A friend taught me her trick for smaller fandoms, which is to sort by kudos and use the published date filters to go through the fandom in 6-month increments. Within a 6-month time span, you’re not really going to get the kudos-over-time bias. Basically, you end up reading the best fics of each 6-month period until you start hitting fics below your quality threshold, wherever that is. You’ll find so much good material that way that would never have crossed your line of sight otherwise.
I think there's something that needs to be said about encouraging readers to leave feedback.
For me it's not about "tell me my writing is amazing and stroke my ego"
It's more about "please engage with me so that I can experience your joy secondhand and foster a connection with you"
I understand that not everyone wants this in their reading experience, some people are shy and a million other reasons why maybe someone wouldn't want to engage and that's perfectly fine!
But what I'm trying to steer away from is being a passive content creator with passive consumers. What I want to steer toward is fostering a community that is essential to fandom. I want to see your reactions because it makes me feel like I'm a part of something.
On encouraging reblogs —
I understand that not everyone is comfortable reblogging, especially explicit content. This is ok!
But just consider that the only reason you were able to enjoy a fic or fanart is because someone else shared it, and by not sharing it yourself you are potentially robbing someone else of the opportunity to enjoy it as much as you did.
As OPs our reach only goes so far and this website relies on reblogs in order for anything to truly get seen by a wider audience.
So that's really it! That's why I encourage these two things at the end of every story I post. Not because I'm trying to be demanding and "make people feel bad" if they don't do it.
I know most other social media sites encourage mindless content consumption and that's just the way of the world nowadays, but I am from a time when community was at the heart of fandom and I just don't want to lose that.
But what I'm trying to steer away from is being a passive content creator with passive consumers. What I want to steer toward is fostering a community that is essential to fandom. I want to see your reactions because it makes me feel like I'm a part of something.
So here is ten pages of "what would have happened if Anthony and Kate had been at John's funeral." Enjoy! <3
“I know things have been tense between the two of you,” The Viscountess says gently. “But he is struggling. He is not listening to me.”
Benedict takes the deepest breath Sophie has possibly ever seen and nods. “Of course, sister. Yes. I'll handle it.”
She shouldn't listen again. She shouldn't have listened the first time.
For a long time there is silence after he walks into the study.
“We cannot make this about him,” Benedict says sadly. “You and I, I know it will be all we think of today, but Francesca needs us to set him aside. We can drink about it later. But right now…”
The Viscount lets out a shaky breath. “Yes.”
There is more silence.
“What of your maid?” The Viscount asks, obviously looking for a distraction.
“Leaving at the end of the week,” Benedict responds. His voice is so quiet Sophie almost doesn't hear. “She ended it.”
“Benedict-”
“Today is hard enough, Anthony. Please.”
Another pause, and then the Viscount speaks again.
“We will drink about this later as well.”
Benedict huffs out a sad laugh. “Are you ready?”
“Not even a little,” the Viscount responds. “But let us go anyway.”
Sophie moves away, out of sight as the two of them leave the study, arms wrapped around each other.
*****
“Is this what Papa’s funeral was like?” Hyacinth asks.
Benedict turns to Anthony and Eloise, looking deeply panicked at the question.
Anthony grips his elbow briefly, before turning to Hyacinth. “That day was also very, very hard, and very, very sad, yes.”
“And you were there,” Gregory adds, wrapping an arm around his sister. “You were in Mama’s belly.”
Anthony grins sadly at his youngest siblings. “Quite right.”
*****
“You ate too many of those biscuits,” Kate chides gently as they relax in the sitting room in their bedroom. “You gave yourself a tummy ache.”
“I would not be surprised if I was not the only one,” Anthony tells her. “It helped Francesca in the moment. That is what is important.”
Kate nods, gazing at him. “You seem…pensive.”
He sighs heavily. “Does it really matter if Benedict loves a maid?” he asks. “I suppose it does. I suppose it has to. But life is so terrifyingly short, Kate. And he is Benedict. If he truly loves her, even if he does physically let her go, he will never actually let her go.” He looks at his wife sadly. “What do I do?”
Kate thinks for a long moment. “What do you actually know about this woman? If Benedict loves her like he says he does, then she must be extraordinary, since he has always shied away from those kinds of deeper feelings.”
Anthony sits back on the sofa, resting against her. “She…is a maid.”
“And?” Kate asks with a soft laugh.
“Eloise and Hyacinth love her,” Anthony responds. “She speaks multiple languages, is apparently educated in art and science…she speaks like a proper lady…”
“That is very unusual for a maid,” Kate comments. “Is that really all you know?”
Anthony blinks and gets to his feet. “Yes. And now that you mention it, I do not like it one bit.”
*****
“I don't think you are a maid.”
Sophie freezes as she tidies in the drawing room after the wake. She hadn't realized the Viscount had walked in. “My lord-”
“Fluent in Korean, Latin and French. Educated in art and science,” he goes on. “Proper accent. Proper posture. Who the blazes are you?”
“My name is Sophie Baek, my lord. I was-”
“Bosh. I've seen governess wages, no one adds on a servant's child,” he cuts her off. “To say nothing of how you have somehow captured that which has been wholly, utterly uncapturable: My brother's attention.”
Sophie goes silent.
“He of the free spirit and adventuresome course, suddenly ready to throw away everything he holds dear for one woman,” the Viscount goes on. “You. So. Who are you?”
She says nothing.
The Viscount lifts his eyebrows. “Ah. You are running from something. Or someone.”
Sophie pales at that.
The Viscount nods. “When we were young, Benedict used to feed stray cats in Grosvenor Square. He felt that their lot was unfair. They deserved as much as anybody to have a good meal. He even snuck one inside once. My father was furious. But Benedict was adamant that he be able to keep the little thing. Missing eye. Strange limp. It lived in the kitchens, catching mice and being adored by our staff until it passed away.”
“And you believe that is what I am to him?” Sophie asks, a little insulted.
“I believe my brother is a soft-hearted man,” the Viscount responds. “And he fell in love with someone who needed his help without even realizing it. Now. We will sit, and you will tell me everything. Or we can stand here in silence. I have all night.”
Sophie stays silent for a long time. “What was the cat's name?” She asks finally.
“DaVinci,” the Viscount responds. “Dav for short.”
Sophie blinks, pursing her lips, trying not to smile.
The Viscount watches her. “Ooh. It is love.”
Sophie looks down, sobering up. “I will be gone by end of week. You will never have to think about me again.”
“Which is all well and good for me, but once Benedict loves you, it is forever. He will never stop loving you, Miss Baek,” the Viscount explains. “And after today, all of these societal rules just feel so pointless and cold. So, you tell me the truth, and if there is even a scrap of a chance that I can help you to be with my brother, I will.”
“Why?” Sophie asks.
The Viscount considers that for a moment. “Because many years ago, there were two boys whose father died quite suddenly, and one promised not to abandon the other to the wolves of his new role as head of house and Viscount. And he never asked for a blessed thing in return.”
Sophie stares at him silently for a moment before beginning to speak. “Once, a long time ago, there was a little girl who lived at Penwood house. She was the Earl's ward, but she called him Papa. And one day, the Earl brought home a new wife with her own daughters. His wife hated the little girl. And when the Earl died, his wife informed the little girl that he had left her nothing in his will. And instead of casting her out, the wife kept the little girl as a house maid. Seven years. No wages.”
The Viscount sits slowly as he listens, face earnestly concerned.
“Until one day the girl disobeyed the Earl's wife too vehemently, and she was thrown out. And through a very odd set of events, found herself working at Bridgerton house. Right next door to the woman who abused her all those years.”
The Viscount stares at her. “And you saw the will.”
Sophie frowns. “I…”
Something deeply annoyed passes over the man's face. “You did not see the will.”
“I-”
“So this woman who hates you, has been benefiting off of what was likely supposed to be your dowry.”
“I was not left a dowry,” Sophie insists.
“Why in God's name would the man bother to educate you and treat you as family if he never meant for you to marry well?!” The Viscount cries. “You and Benedict really are perfect for each other. All feelings. No sense.”
“I have sense, thank you,” Sophie snaps, but stops. “Forgive me.”
“Oh no. If you are to eventually marry my brother, you'll need to be comfortable telling me to shut up,” the Viscount says, getting to his feet. “Excuse me, I must send a note to my solicitor about seeing the contents of that will. You, Miss Baek, are not to leave this house for new employment. And if you try, I will give Benedict my blessing to marry you tomorrow and you will never, ever be rid of him. Ever.”
Sophie blinks at him. “Is that supposed to be a threat or a promise, my lord?”
“Just do not leave!”
*****
Solicitors are called. The Queen is called upon, and she decides she wants nothing to do with any of it. And so she calls in the Duke of Hastings to sort it all out, because what is gentry good for if not doing the things you do not want to?
The large sitting room at Hastings house has been turned into a battlefield.
“As a ward of the Earl, who should have been introduced to society years ago, she would have been invited to the ball anyways!” Anthony cries, bewildered at Lady Penwood’s accusation of impersonation.
“She was not his ward, she was his byblow!” Araminta Gunn snarls.
“And how do you aim to prove that?” Anthony asks. “The will clearly lists Miss Gunn-”
“Baek!”
“Gunn, as his ward! Are we truly to besmirch the late Earl's good name by calling him a liar?”
“But you are perfectly comfortable calling me a liar!”
“Because that is what you are,” Benedict snaps, cutting in angrily. “A liar and a thief. You embezzled eighteen thousand pounds from an innocent young woman. Kept her as practically a slave in her own home. Stole her childhood.” His voice cracks just slightly on that last statement. “To what end, Lady Penwood?”
“Because she never should have been there in the first place!” Araminta yells.
“This is ridiculous,” Daphne speaks up. “It hardly matters why the Dowager Lady Penwood has done what she’s done. The woman should be in prison.”
“Oh, I agree,” Violet nods. “There is no earthly reason she should be allowed to walk free after all of this.”
“Enough!” Simon yells over them. “Family, enough!” He takes a breath and gets to his feet. “As the Queen has charged me with settling this matter, I have to make a decision on what comes next, and I cannot do that if you all will not stop talking!”
“Forgive us, brother,” Kate says earnestly. “Clearly, this matter has brought up quite a few feelings.”
Simon waves her off. “There is one person we have not heard from in all of this, and that is the woman in question. Miss Gunn?”
“Baek!” Lady Penwood snaps.
“Do shut up,” Simon orders. He gestures to Sophie.
She stands slowly, smoothing out her dress, so plain compared to everyone else. She takes a deep breath. “I was raised as a daughter of Penwood house. The Earl was-” she stops, and it finally settles in that she had a dowry. She was not forgotten. She was cared for. “Kind to me,” she manages.
Kate reaches out then, taking her hand in support. “Take your time.”
Sophie looks at her for a moment before beginning to speak again. “I was lied to about the will. I was too young and afraid to question it. And I was turned into a maid overnight. Without wages. For seven years. In the home I had always been told was my own.”
As Benedict takes Sophie’s other hand, Simon shakes his head at Lady Penwood. “Your cruelty is unfathomable.”
The woman snaps her head to look at him.
He shakes his head. “Unmarried women have so few options. They rely on their family's protection until they are married. When that protection falters, innocents suffer. For no very good reason aside from ego and resentment. Clearly, your concern over Miss Gunn’s legitimacy is steeped in satisfying your own rage. You lied about your late husband's will. Why should I take your word for anything else regarding Miss Gunn?”
The woman has no response.
“My brother Benedict is correct,” Simon continues. “You are a liar and a common thief. A disgrace. Miss Gunn's dowry will be paid in full. Her good name as a daughter of Penwood house restored. And back wages paid for the work she was forced to do.”
Sophie stands there, stunned, her hands still being held by Kate and Benedict.
“As for prison, I shall need time to make my recommendation,” Simon tells them. “Because what is more painful? Sitting in a cell or watching the child you hate thrive despite your most vile efforts?”
Lady Penwood swallows but says nothing.
Simon glowers at her. “There is a special place in hell for those who abuse the children left in their care, Lady Penwood. Remember that.” He gets to his feet then and exits the room. Everyone else begins to disperse as well.
Kate turns to Araminta, looking non-plussed. “Our brother the Duke takes the welfare of children very seriously, indeed. And since Sophie was just a girl when you began to mistreat her, I believe his sympathies are in short supply.”
Araminta glowers at her. “Are you enjoying yourself, Viscountess?”
“Not at all,” Kate tells her. “I would much rather my brother marry the woman he loves without stress or issue. But if he must go through all of this, I am glad that at the other end of it, he will have his bride, and you will have your punishment.”
*****
Sophie finds Benedict in the Duke’s study, pouring himself a drink, facing away from the door.
“I…I did not mean for you to find out that way,” she tells him.
“That you are the lady in silver?” he asks softly, before turning to her. “You dropped your necklace in my room.” He pulls it from his pocket and holds it up. “I knew I had seen it somewhere before. It turns out I was right. I drew it.”
He takes slow steps over to her, holding her hand and placing the necklace in her palm.
“Are you…are you angry?” Sophie asks as she puts the necklace back on.
Benedict looks confused. “Why would I be angry?”
She takes a breath. “You were expecting an enchanting young lady, and instead…well…” she gestures towards herself.
“The woman I have fallen in love with?” he asks, still confused. “Maddening and beautiful and real? The woman my entire family has dropped everything to help?”
Sophie shakes her head, looking back at the door. “It is far too much trouble.”
“Sophie.”
She turns back to him, gazing up at him.
“At some point,” he says, smiling at her sadly as he rubs her arms gently. “You are going to have to come to terms with the fact that you are worth all the trouble in the world.”
Sophie purses her lips and tries not to smile. “Your older brother is very...ornery.”
Benedict laughs softly and nods. “He is a little like a small, angry dog sometimes. But he is very, very dear to me.”
“He forbade me from leaving,” she tells him. “He threatened to give you permission to marry me to keep me from taking another job.”
“That is a very confusing…possibly insulting threat,” Benedict chuckles. “But…very Anthony.” He reaches out and takes her hand, rubbing her knuckles with his thumb. “Do you want to get married?”
Sophie blinks, frowning up at him. “We cannot.”
“If Simon restores your status as Sophie Gunn, ward of the late Earl of Penwood, there is not any reason why we cannot,” Benedict points out. “And at this point, I would marry you no matter what anyone said. I cannot just let you go. I am yours.”
She doesn’t get a chance to respond, as Anthony leans into the room.
“Simon is ready to make his final decision,” he says. “You are going to have to save…whatever this is…for later.”
Benedict rolls his eyes. “Thank you, brother. And did you really threaten to give me permission to marry Sophie as a way of keeping her from seeking other employment?”
“Yes,” Anthony nods. “If she had left, and I had given you my blessing, you would have tracked her down to the farthest corner of the earth to be with her. Running from you would be exhausting. And it worked.”
Sophie tries not to laugh, putting a hand to her lips.
Benedict rolls his eyes and takes Sophie’s hand again. “Let’s find out just how irate Simon is, shall we?”
*****
Sophie watches as Araminta paces the room. They seem to be a little early as the Duke hasn’t reentered the room, but everyone else has.
Violet smiles as she sees Benedict and Sophie walk in. “They are sweet together,” she says to Kate.
Kate smiles. “I never thought I would see Benedict get married.”
“They cannot get married!” Aramitna snaps. “She is a maid.”
Kate frowns at her. “Is it tiresome to be so hateful? I imagine it must be.”
“Husband!” Daphne calls. “You delay! And my patience with this woman grows shorter by the second!”
Benedict makes a sheepish “that is my sister” face for Sophie, who rests her head against his arm.
“I am glad to be planning a wedding this season,” Violet comments. “After all that has happened, a happy occasion will be most welcome.”
“Who said you were planning it?” Benedict asks, a little confused.
“I did,” Violet responds with a grin.
“Can we-” Sophie starts, and then stops when all eyes fall upon her. She takes a breath, gathering her courage. “I should very much like to have it at My Cottage. If we are to marry.”
Benedict smiles at her slowly, and lifts her hand, kissing the back of it tenderly. “Then that is what we will do.”
“Oh, My Cottage is so charming,” Daphne gushes. “It will be beautiful.” She huffs. “Where is that man? Your Grace!”
“Yes, Your Grace?!”
“Did you not say that you were ready?!”
“I did! But I wanted to make the woman squirm!”
Daphne rolls her eyes and looks to Sophie. “I have changed my mind. Marriage is not worth it. Never marry. Men are ridiculous.”
Simon steps into the room, then. “I do love when she complains about me. It keeps things interesting.”
“What say you, brother?” Anthony asks.
Simon sits down at the writing desk in the corner. “I say that a child was mistreated by the person who should have cared for her, and I cannot let that stand. Even if that child is now fully grown. As I said before. The dowry listed in the late Earl’s will is to be honored. Miss Gunn’s wages shall be paid in full. Her status as ward of the Earl reinstated.”
“And what of me?” Araminta asks coldly.
Simon considers for a moment before sitting back. “To have you arrested and imprisoned is to get the Queen involved when she does not want to be, so it is, currently, not an option.” He turns to Benedict. “But the man who is in love with the woman you harmed may have some ideas on alternatives.”
Benedict takes a breath, holding Sophie’s hand still. “Move out of Grosvenor Square. Spend the rest of the year in the country. Skip next season. Live somewhere else the following. Stay away from Sophie.”
“That is preposterous,” Araminta snaps.
“I think it rather fair, all things considered,” Daphne comments. “My brother Benedict is the softest one of us, artist and poet that he is, and he would rather ensure his love’s protection than your punishment.”
“I would have had her taken out back and shot,” Anthony comments lightly.
“Too messy,” Simon contends. He takes a breath. “I believe my lady wife is right. Benedict’s proposal is more than fair. The solicitors will ensure that Sophie’s dowry and wages are fully paid, and if I have to buy that house next door I will. It isn’t as if we could not use the room, the way this family is growing. But the Dowager Lady Penwood will move out of Grosvenor Square, spend the rest of the year and the following season in the country and live elsewhere come the season after next.”
Araminta glowers at the Duke.
Simon grins. “And you say…?”
“Yes,” Araminta hisses. “Your Grace.”
“It’s settled then!” Simon nods, satisfied as he gets to his feet. “Terrible meeting adjourned. Lady Penwood, you are free to get out of my house. Everyone else? Dinner?”
THE END!! I can't believe I finally completed this. When I first started this comic, I had no idea that it would end up being this long. A little over 3 years and over 200 parts, so around 2000 panels. (My folder that holds all my files relating to this comic is 3 GB with 2,017 items....). I honestly can't believe that I managed to stick around to the end of this. Thank you all so much for the support, I never imagined that so many people would care about this comic when I started it!
Of course, there are still some loose threads. The kwamis and Nathalie for example, but the core of this series has always been about the emotional conflict between Marinette and Adrien, and that has been resolved. I have some epilogue ideas to cover those loose ends, but this comic has already taken so much of my time and I'm not sure I want to promise that I'll get around to it. ... But who knows. Maybe!
For now, Adrien and Marinette will get some long-deserved rest.
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