Lord Matthias @ofleuchtenberg - Tumblr Blog

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giovannamedici‌:

“Only a day or two, I saw a physician with Francesco, I trust him with my life… He would not tell a soul,” Giovanna insisted, her hand pressed upon her chest as she watched Matthias responded to the news. Ah, but he had reacted better than he had thought; she was sure that many a man would’ve either fled or jumped into a rage. But he was sweet, with opened arms and loving eyes. So she held his hands once more, holding onto him with wet large eyes as she watched him. His father? The king of Germany was not known for being benevolent; he was known for war-mongering, spinning webs of intrigue and brutal behaviour was whispered amongst the people. Giovanna wanted nothing to do with him, but despite that, she did not think him capable of such a degree of murder. Would he kill Matthias? Giovanna? A baby? She gasped at the prospect, hands latching onto him tight. In truth she cared little for her reputation and dignity; she was older now - avant-garde in her thinking and in love with a married man. There were little such whispers could do to her, as she puckered her lips in a failed attempt to stop a cry. “You’d think he’d… send someone after us, Matthias? Oh, why don’t we - why don’t we run away from here? I have friends who run the harbour of Rome, we could escape on a boat… make a life somewhere else… Us and our love.”

A day or two. The pregnancy was so new and delicate that Matthias wanted to do all he could to protect both Giovanna and their unborn child. Hearing that another knew of their affair, no matter how much she had trusted them, had alarmed the German. “And what does he think of this, of our child and our relationship?” Matthias knew that Giovanna had a good relationship with the majority of her family and it was something he was always a little envious about but now it was different. Her family meant his child would have another, one free of the german court and one that could protect them both when he wasn’t able to. There was comfort in that. Matthias put his arms around Giovanna and embraced her. He didn’t want to worry her but it would be a foolish move if he withheld such information. No, he didn’t want to put her at risk in any sort of way. “Perhaps not you but I can’t imagine he would be thrilled of his bastard son siring one for himself but with a rival country.” He tried to make his tone light and carefree if only for her sake. “And he wouldn’t like that I have shamed my wife and her very loyal and influential family.” Johanna would be devastated at the news but they had been trying for so long and suffered so much heartache that this was different. Though it was early, Matthias felt this child would be different than the others he had sired but had been called up to god too soon. “I can’t run away, I would love nothing more than to be with you and our child but my father is too powerful.” And he couldn’t put his wife through the abandonment.

#c: giavanna de medici #giovanna de medici 4

duchessfriederike‌:

Her brow furrowed, but only momentarily. Then, she shrugged. The lack of children she knew, weighed heavily on her brother, and perhaps, despite their seeming happiness, it was beginning to take its toll on their loving union. “Fine.” She agreed, though privately, she knew it would take more than infertility to stop her looking up to what Matthias and Giovanna had together. “Father paid it.” She pointed out. She had always resisted comparisons between herself and Maximillian, fashioning herself after the mother she did not know, in denial of how her dark hair, her bad temper and her stubborn determination spoke of her father alone. “This is what my husband wants. What I want. The Ottoman court is not like Germany.” Betrayal was common there. If they did not act, it was likely they would find themselves on the end of a sword themselves. She gave him a long look then. She had always been at odds with Leopold, but she did not want him gone from the world. “I suppose you would,” she agreed, hesitantly. “Ferdinand and I are alike in some ways. Neither of us have ever sought father’s approval. We have never been interested in conforming.”

Matthias wanted to tell his sister that there could be many complications to marriages that sometimes love just couldn’t conquer. Children, or lack thereof, was something that weighed heavily on Matthias but he had loved someone else. It was complicated and it didn’t mean that he loved his wife any less but he understood such a thing would destroy his beloved wife and Matthias didn’t want to inflict any harm onto her. “Yes father paid it but its a different world for him then it is for you or me.” She was going to a foreign court, attempting to put her future son on a throne that already belonged to someone. Their father was ruthless but he had the love and support of his nobles and people. Friedi had to start from scratch. “You’re right, it’s a different, unfamiliar court but earn the love of those within it. Show them what we all see and they will fall to their knees.” What a queen she could be. Matthias knew she would accomplish it but he would always be there to lend a hand should she require it. “Ferdinand didn’t have to seek it when it was freely given.” Unfairly given but Matthias could do nothing about that.

#c: dutchess friederike #dutchess friederike 3

tsarevnaa‌:

poets would write about marriage as an ultimate culmination of love. holy men would testify that it is a blessing from the lord, a public declaration of commitment between two partners under his watchful eye. but for rulers and courts, for men and women of power. it was an exchange. women were pawns in strengthening an alliance, in producing an heir. marriage was political, and the tsarevna had become far too aware of that fact. through the betrothal of her sister. through friederike’s marriage. ❝ it was not, ❞ she nodded, ❝ but as you say, the duchess has found joy in it. i can only wish the same for my sister. ❞

her smile faded at his words. she was still naive to the political games at play. of course, a simple union would not change the tide. and rather grimly, she agreed with him. no matter how much she wished for peace, yelena feared war was inevitable. hope dies last, however, and so she held on to it.

❝ i must agree. who’s to say what should happen next, ❞ the optimist in her wished only that the needless loss of lives stopped sooner rather than later. so they may feel safer once again. ❝ switzerland is not quite what it promised to be, is it? ❞

Matthias was under no illusion that this union did not start out as a love match. His didn’t and any member of royal families, even if they were a bastard, very rarely had a love match. It was all about political alliances, strengthening what was already gained and protecting it. Friedi’s match was just that and a token of what was to come for Germany. “I hear some say that love can be a happy accident in any marriage and yet poets claim you need it first. I am glad my sister has an inkling of it now.” He looked on and smiled at his sister. Their father didn’t care if his children found love and happiness in their marriages, why would he when he found it in the beds of his mistresses and Matthias and Ferdinand were proof of such a thing. “This was supposed to be a chance for countries to come together, warring factions now come together but I can still only see the same sides aligning.” His own experience was different. He had found love with an Italian noblewoman but the world was not allowed to know of it for fear of the fallout. Still, war did have its advantages with profits and lands to be gained.

#c: tsarevna yelena #tsarevna yelena 1

giovannamedici‌:

“Our child,” she repeats, nerves taking ahold of her very bones as she stood before Matthias - she had not expected the joy in his voice, the excitement or smile. She had almost hoped for rage, something harsh and testing - but yet, she found herself bringing a smile to her face. A smile that often graced her features, for who was she but the bringer of good thoughts and positive songs? With a giddy noise, she puts her arms around her German love - her lips puckered as they kissed each of his cheeks, the tip of his nose and finally his lips. “There is much to worry about, my love. But to know that you will stand beside me is enough to carry me forward with confidence and grace…” Unreeling herself from his body she took his hand and held it upon the soft, small curve of her belly. She couldn’t imagine herself fully taken with the child, but looked forward to it in some way. She wanted to feel what her mother had felt those four times, how she had expected life with joy. “This… this child will be further proof that peace is within our reach. They will bridge war, chaos and sombre thoughts. For they will be of Italian and German blood…”

It was only natural that his thoughts turned to all the children he had lost. All eight of them provided him with the hope of a future but then it was cruelly taken away and perhaps that was why he was both overjoyed at the news and a little apprehensive. “How long have you known?” Matthias wasn’t angry, in fact, he was the opposite. Giovanna was carrying his child and they were both more precious then anything else on this planet. “My father will kill me if he finds out,” He didn’t want to put such a damper on the news but he didn’t want to miss seeing his son or daughter. “I can’t publically claim our child but I will be an active father in their lives and be with you but if my father found out I couldn’t forgive myself if anything happened to you or our child.” Giovanna was right. The child could be the bridge between two warring factions but his father would never admit that unless he could harness the power for himself. No, Matthias couldn’t let him do that to Giovanna or their child.

#c: giavanna de medici #giovanna de medici 4

giovannamedici‌:

If she had known that Matthias had other worries to think off perhaps Giovanna would’ve fled from his arm, news bubbling upon her throat, daring to escape in a cry…

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to hear about Johanna and her safe travel, it was that her body felt uneasy. Her sway was enough to leave her breathless - but finally, she steps forward and holds his arm. “That is good… But Matthias…”

Her voice was stuck in her throat, her hand dropping from his arm to land upon her belly. Everything felt swollen, on edge, growing.

“I’m… with child...”

Matthias lost all senses with Giovanna’s words and his eyes fell from hers to her belly and without realizing, his hand rested on it. He couldn’t believe it. He had sinned so many times with Giovanna and enjoyed every second of it and Matthias had assumed god would punish him but this wasn’t a punishment. “A child?” He asked, beaming. “Our child?” He was still in shock. He was ecstatic with joy and pride that the worries he had faded away. The child was a blessing but given the current state of affairs between his country and Giovanna’s, his father would kill him without hesitation and perhaps the child growing inside Giovanna. “I promise you I will care and provide for you both. This is a great thing Giovanna you have nothing to worry about.”

#c: giavanna de medici #giovanna de medici 4

ferdinandlorraine‌:

Ferdinand enjoyed the wedding. He laughed, he drank, he flirted though to a more restricted degree, and overall he hid behind the merriment as he held on to the belief that he was celebrating the happiness of his beloved sister. Every now and then a pang of fear would crawl up to his chest. Every now and then Temptation seemed to curl her fingers around his waist and pull at him with handsome eyes and inviting smiles. It was at moments like these that he pulled away from the crowd for a momentary respite from the version of himself among the crowd.

And then his brother had to come and ruin even that. “Please brother,” he said with a forced smile and failed to keep the pleading away, “I love your company, but do not come to give it and then torment me!” Lorrie laughed a mask of a laugh whose purpose was really more akin to a sigh. Even so, he hooked an arm around Matthias’s as if Lorrie were a Lady in his company, and tugged teasingly. He could tell Matthias was in good spirits, and this in turn raised his own. “Mattie you daydream about my supposed wedding more than I’ve ever daydreamed about the German Crown! I have about as much interest in either! Come brother, if I could switch places with you I… wouldn’t, because you’re already married. Never mind. Besides… who is to say I’ll marry? I think the Lady is now as much against it as I’ve always been.”

Even Matthias had thrown himself into the celebrations. He was still the proud son of Germany but he was more relaxed at this function than any he had previously attended. As joyous as he was, Matthias couldn’t help but notice his younger brother wasn’t his usual self. Granted, the smile was almost convincing but Lorrie seemed more restrained than normal. “I meant no torment but everyone seems to be in a wedding mood, I thought you would bask in it given your impending ceremony.” Being bastards meant that their options were extremely limited but Lorrie had secured himself a great match and if he were any other man he might have been overjoyed at the fact. “You know I don’t dream about the crown as much, besides Leopold has it.” It was so hard for Matthias to say the words normally and not through gritted teeth. “Come brother, there must be something you are looking forward to.”

#c: ferdinand of germany #ferdinand of germany 2

duchessfriederike‌:

“If I can be half the wife Johanna is, then that bodes well for my marriage,” her smile was fond as she thought on the idea. Long she had idolised what Matthias and Johanna had, for they were one of only a few examples of a good marriage, and a strong partnership, that she had ever known. She hoped to emulate that with Bayezide (though she hoped it did not make her a bad person to hope, too, that she would prove more fruitful than Johanna). “The risk would be worth the reward though, would it not? If he succeeds, I would be Haseki Sultan. If I have a son, they would sit upon a throne one day.” Perhaps then, they could make Konrad pay for what he had done to their family. Perhaps that was what Maximillian had planned all along, but her own anger burned now, bright and consuming. She looked at Matthias in a different light then, as though putting the pieces of the puzzle together. “Is that what you intend? To pay the price?” Friedi asked, gently. Could Matthias, like her husband, truly topple a brother to claim his seat? She wasn’t sure how she felt about that. Her love for Leopold was nothing compared to her other siblings, but he was still a brother. With the threat of Claudia on the horizon, they could not afford more trouble at Germany’s door. “We have chosen to keep secrets that could lead to our deaths. Ferdinand has not. Does that not make him better than us?” she queried. “He knows. He is content where he is.”

Johanna was everything a wife should be. She was caring and loyal to him and supported her husband in everything but the lack of children really was something that had been playing on his mind. “You shouldn’t compare your marriage to mine,” Matthias almost warned. If her marriage would be anything like his then his new brother in law would find solace in another’s arms and Matthias didn’t want that for his little sister. “And you would pay that price, in blood no doubt, for your son to one day sit on the throne?” It was a sin and Friedi needn’t have that burden on her soul. “If I did commit such a sin in killing a brother then I would lose all of you.” Matthias had spent many nights trying to figure out a way onto the throne without losing the love of his sisters and their support. He needed to prove to the world that he was the future of Germany but it was a long road ahead. “Everyone has secrets Friedi, some we can never admit out loud. “Our father isn’t content with where he is and if I and everyone else has to conform, then he must as well.”

#c: dutchess friederike #dutchess friederike 3

giovannamedici‌:

location : the hunting lodge rented by matthias schleswig-holstein timestamp : the first of may, 1559 @ofleuchtenberg

her lower lip trembled with anxiety as she made her way to the hunting lodge rented for secrecy and diversion. her arms clutched around herself as her twin remained within his chambers. she had told him only out of condolence, and for him to fetch a physician under the most extreme of privacies. alas, she had gone to matthias alone - her heart beating beneath her ribs, her toes numb. what if matthias threw her aside?

after all, a bastard contemplated so much. would his father kill her? assassination, she assumed, was not far from his chosen path.

the news only highlighted the differences that diverted the two souls caught my cupid’s bow. german. italian. roman catholic. lutheran. what else was there to separate them?

disguised in a dark cloak that held around her head, giovanna entered the lodge with the familiar knock of her knuckles; but her tune was off, her counts mistaken. was she happy that she was with child? was she overjoyed? oh, on some accounts she was. others?

terrified.

for what if he had inherited his father’s temper? lying dormant till the time struck. but even then, giovanna knew in her heart that he wouldn’t abonden her - as fragile as she may be.

“matthias? … meine Llebe, we must… i have news.”

Matthias has been inundated with tasks and favours from his father and his advisors. His time had been consumed with late nights going over papers and the general dealings of his own lands. With his wife newly back in Germany it felt as if his workload had doubled as did his worries now that one of his sisters were married. The lodge was the only escape from the madness of court and Giovanna was the one person who could make his worries escape him, even just sitting and talking with a glass of his favourite wine was more comfort than his father's court. He was surprised to receive a notice that Giovanna needed to speak to him but he didn’t hesitate in accepting the request. It was more than just laying in bed with Giovanna and Matthias has never known that his heart could love two people at once. He embraced her as soon as she came through the door and a smile quickly formed on his face as she spoke in his mother tongue. “meine liebe frau I have news as well,” He kissed her quickly. “Johanna has left for Germany to attend to some family matters so I am yours more than ever.” It was hardly news but he had just received her letter that she had made it back safely

margvrets‌:

🌹 german. margaret knew the basic of the language, but liked the similarities it had with her loved english. she knew nothing of the languages’ histories, but the history of germany was very know for her. margot found interesting what king maximilian did — a bold move nonetheless, but an intelligent one too. but they were the enemy, and the princess royal wasn’t the one who would be stupid enough to proclaim that out loud. she also knew very little of the german royality, being acquaintance only of duchess friederike, but would like to meet the rest of them. ❝ good morning. ❞ she replied, a polite smile on her face. ❝ i must agree with you. we are so used to our homelands view that other countries seems to be strange. tell me, my lord, have you been here for long ? ❞

The politics of the English never held any interest to Matthias. They were a small nation, surrounded and supported by other small islands but somehow thought they could contend with the rest? It was comical. “I am surprised that you are here, I thought the queen would have kept her princess in her native lands.” Matthias was never one to judge but he had assumed it was to either teach the girl about the world or find a match to strengthen England, god knows it would need it. “Yes, about two months give or take but it is a beautiful country.”

#c: princess margaret #princess margaret 1

tsarevnaa‌:

for @ofleuchtenberg location: the courtyard of sasso corbaro

rumors spread like wildfires throughout europe. no court was immune to them, better yet, some seemed to welcome the half-truths, aiding in their conquest. who knew so better that she, the madwoman, of their hidden power? it is because of her knowledge that made the tsarevna wary of strangers. trust did not come easy, for how did she know if her company spoke ill-words behind her back?

it is crippling, this constant doubt, and how she would love to trust. not even those in the ottoman coalition were saved from her suspicion. such as lord matthias. by all accounts, she should trust him. he is of the german court, one that had been nothing but pleasant towards her. the man, the bastard son, was surrounded by rumors himself, a kindred spirit, perhaps?

she caught him in the courtyard of sasso corbaro. ❝ your lordship, ❞ she bows, smiling. if she wishes to trust, she must force herself to socialize, to be vulnerable. ❝ your sister’s marriage has us in high spirits still, it seems. could it be a sign of more stable times to come?❞

Matthias had never done anything as scandalous to cause any rumors throughout Europe. He didn’t dare. He wanted, no he deserved to be the rightful heir to the throne but his legitimacy wasn’t what the German courts wanted in an heir. Instead, that fell to his idiot little brother who didn’t know what it would take to be a ruler and his father was too caught up in his own ambitions to see how much better candidate Matthias was. Since his affair with an Italian noblewoman, Matthias had been on edge. It was bad enough that he was cheating on the daughter of one of the most powerful german families but to do it with the enemy, that was unforgivable. He caught the eye of the tsarevna yelena, a woman who had the same spirit as he did. “She is truly happy and that is all a brother can ask,” He said, keeping the smile he reserved for his court appearances. “You and I both know that this originally wasn’t a love match. Germany and the Ottoman Empire are now more aligned than ever. I think this is the calm before the inevitable storm.”

#c: tsarevna yelena #tsarevna yelena 1

duchessfriederike‌:

She parted her lips to answer his question, then paused. It was not a question she had considered, but the guidance of her brother was enough to give her pause. Was she ready? Could she ever possibly be? Without knowing exactly what it was she would sacrifice, it was impossible to say. “I do not know. I suppose it would depend on the price. I suppose it does not matter. If it is what Bayezide wants, I will support him in it. I want to be a good wife.” She looked up at him, for advice, for guidance. She had long thought he was the wisest of their kin, the one who would have been the pride of Germany, if only the circumstances around his birth had been different. “Would you pay it?” She asked. Her nose wrinkled in distaste now that the topic had turned to their father. Even now, he caused an insecurity in her that caused her to rear up in defiance. “Even if Germany stands beside my husband, the victory will be Bayezide’s. Father has already gotten what he wants.” Whilst she knew leaning on her father was the smart choice, it didn’t make it any easier. “You do not know how much your words mean to me, Matthias.” Of their siblings, it had always been she who has received so little praise in their youth. She was not a boy, not dutiful like Eleonor or Elisabeth’s, like Dot. This marriage was the only thing that had ever made her worth anything in their father’s eyes and it still felt strange to be on the receiving end of such affirmation. “Because he is honest. He does not pretend to be what he is not.”

Matthias had asked himself that sort of question a lot, more so when he looked at Leopold and each time he answered it, he became more sure in himself that he would pay whatever cost. On the other hand, as capable as his sister was, Matthias didn’t know if she could live with such a cost. “Johanna says the same thing and she is a wonderful wife but the cost is a great one for our ambitions.” The cost was great and Matthias couldn’t do such a thing without the support of his wife and her powerful family. The same could be said for Bayezide if he truly wanted the crown as this marriage brought the might of Germany to his side. “I would pay it but it is a different situation to yours. I have more obstacles than you but that doesn’t mean I am not willing to risk it.” He was a bastard, without legitimacy while Friedi was legitimate, though female, had more sway due to her birthright. The only thing Matthias had going for him was that the German court would not want a queen to rule them. No, they would legitimize him first. “And what if honesty will be the death of me?” He scoffed, trying to keep his tone light but his words were heavy with truth. “Lorrie has it easier than most, he just doesn’t appreciate it.”

#c: dutchess friederike #dutchess friederike 2

margvrets‌:

open starter to all.

🌹 the feeling of the warm wind was welcomed by margaret with open arms. it wasn’t the same feeling when being in the back of a horse, but she still could enjoy a little walk in the neutral grounds. she felt safier there than in castelgrande — she just hoped that the other coalization didn’t have a mad king like emperor nero and decided to start a fire in the enemy castle. yet, the english guards were following her close, in case someone tried to do harm to her. that person would be a fool, in margaret’s eyes, but she tried to enjoy her time alone without worries. hands clasped in her lap, she started to walk again, going deeper into the gardens. ❝ am i the only finding this to be beautiful, but not as beautiful as my homeland ? i barely arrived and already am homesick, uh ? ❞

A lush plot of grass is framed by young hedges and climbing plants and even Matthias had to admit that this neutral castle was certainly a sight to see. A pond's built near the right edge of the garden, covered in lily pads, and home to many frogs. The rows of flowers are well kept, precisely cut, and meticulously looked after; they're a forest for ants. It seemed like an escape from the stone castle walls and Matthias was glad to be basking in the sun. “guten Morgen,” He says as a feminine voice awakes him from his day dream. The young girl was one he hadn’t seen before but his father’s domain wasn’t exactly welcoming to the English. “I find that the beauty of a persons homeland is one not so easily compared.” He offered the girl a smile knowing that his presence, being the bastard son of a german king, was not usually one to settle nerves of an enemy country.

#c: princess margaret #princess margaret 1

duchessfriederike‌:

“I know that I can,” she said, simply. There was little she would not trust her older brother with, but this had never been her secret to tell, even now. She stayed silent for a moment, picking her words carefully, before finally speaking. “I believe Bayezide intends to be the next Ottoman sultan.” She had been clever with her statement. If word got out, they could claim that it was a figment of her imagination, rather than anything he had said to her - but she trusted that Matthias would not let the word out. “Our father thinks so too. He seemed most pleased at the idea.” Matthias would know the implications behind the statement. Bayezide was a second son, and to achieve such a position, extreme measures would be needed. “I do not know when, or how. He is ambitious. I do not doubt he will succeed.” There’s a certain confidence to her words, for from what she has learned of the Osmans, it is difficult to foresee an outcome that does not include her husband’s victory. “You are too kind to say such things to me, Matthias. I am not sure if I believe them of myself.” Dottie and Nell were far more suited for such things. They were the clever, elegant, capable ones of the family. She had always been nothing but the rebel, no matter how hard she tried to be something other than that. “He is a good man,” she said, stubbornly. Her defence of their brother may be the one area they would never see eye to eye. “He lives his life as he wishes to live it, and there is something very admirable in that.”

Perhaps if his sister made her own dynasty abroad then Germany could be left to Matthias. Yes, there was Leopold to consider but he was a problem that could easily be fixed and as much as Matthias adored his sisters, he knew the nobles of Germany would never have a woman rule their country. No, he was a much better choice. “It will be a heavy price for him to pay but as his wife, are you prepared in paying it as well?” The price of a crown, no matter what country, was a heavy one to pay and wasn’t without sin but what in life was? A laugh escaped him at the mention of their father. It wasn’t a joyous laugh, more of an annoyed one. “Of course he likes the idea, it means his daughter and future grandchildren will rule and he will be the one taking credit.” If it all succeeds that is. “You should believe them, I do not say such things just because you are my sister but because I have seen the woman you have become. Anything you set your mind to, I know you will do it.” In some ways, Matthias had loved Lorrie but the way their father had favoured him, even with a marriage far greater than his own, Matthias could never love him as much as he did his sisters. “But he does not realize the consequences,” He let out a frustrated sigh. It was a little hypocritical given that Matthias was having an affair with an Italian when their countries were at war. “We all should live our lives the way we intend but must he flaunt it? He should have the decency to be discreet like the rest of us.”

#c: dutchess friederike #dutchess friederike 2

giovannamedici‌:

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