HALCYON

dunya ♤ twenty-one "a life lived in fear is a life half-lived."

[ofrosanova-blog]

[@ofbattleswon​]

Dunya missed her Scarlet - the horse had to be left back at the estate to be taken care of upon their unplanned leave to Kaborg castle. She’d thrown a fit of complaints at the carriage of course, murmuring about how she’d not leave her horse behind but her sister was relentless, something about a show of loyalty from the Rosanovs that needed to be met, and it all amounted to Dunya leaving her beloved Scarlet behind.

So she had to take two long walks along the stables until she found a horse her heart could beat for, with a beautiful mahogany mane and eyes that followed her in every come and go. She reached out to brush its muzzle softly, before her eyes searched for the stable-boys and found none. It was perfectly convenient. 

The horse must have been readied for another because it was saddled and ready. Dunya led the horse out, her eyes shifting carefully over the grounds before she finally mounted the horse, keeping a broad smile from over-taking her as she focused her attention on the reigns in her hand. But the rush of joy she got from simply riding horses was always a distraction, a distraction from decorum, a distraction from caution - she didn’t even realize the trot had turned into a gallop until her grip tightened around the reigns, and her heart was no longer beating for joy but for fear.

[ofrosanova-blog]

[nabadchikov]

        ‘Give me that.’

Dunya pulled back, cradling the crystal goblet between her fingers, “I believe a servant can find another glass to pour, Most Reverend.”

[ofrosanova-blog]

[tamara-rozanova]

Tamara smiled and moved forward to sit next to her sister. ‘’Is that your way to tell me I don’t get out too much,’’ She said in a teasing voice, ‘’I like it here more. It’s different a good different.’’ In truth their estate held so many bad memories to Tamara. It wasn’t her favorite place. ‘’With so many gardens around, I’m sure you’ll feel like you’re at home in no time.’’

Dunya eyed her with a playful squint before her eyes flickered over the gardens again. “Maybe you’re right.” Dunya murmured, “I would have never guessed you of all people would be someone who’d appreciate different.” Dunya commented as she let one hand hover above teh surface of the cool water, her fingers tracing aimless shapes.

[ofrosanova-blog]

[tamara-rozanova]

At sunset, after finishing all her duties, Tamara slipped from her room down the narrow hall and off to the side where Dunya’s room  was. Upon reaching the door a maid told her Dunya was out again. With a small sigh, Tamara walked through the guarded corridor and out in the gardens. It usually took Tamara an hour to find her; but not this time- this time she knew where to look. ‘’Hm, are you sure?’’ She mused, ‘’ She will not be very pleased.’’

“Oh,” Dunya laughed when she recognized her sister’s silhouette in the darkening hue, “Have you finally decided to leave that castle? As beautiful as it is it compares not to our estate. It’s too...closed.” Dunya moved back towards her seat but found her comfort on the ledge of the fountain, close to the cool water that barely touched her arm. 

[shimmeryourheart]

[ofrosanova-blog]

Dunya was sitting close to the fountains within the gardens, a book cradled between nimble fingers as she eyed the inked words with languid interest. Her wide emeralds cruised along the horizons of the greenery surrounding her, before she tucked the bookmark between the pages and stood up when her eyes caught a sort of movement she was not familiar with. The twilight was setting in as the night brought in a new flat of the ebony sky, ornate with stars that glowed softly in the summer breeze. “---Do tell my sister I won’t be attending dinner. I much rather enjoy reading under free skies.” She called out after who she assumed was a maid sent to call her inside.

[ofrosanova-blog]

[zoya-serene]

“I’m fine yes, just feeling a bit faint all the sudden.”

Dunya’s usually light expression pulled into a ragged grimace, “Then you mustn’t be carrying your heavy gown in such a faint state, Zo-Your Serene Highness.” 

[ofrosanova-blog]

[viktorgolovin]

Solitude — that most precious commodity to Viktor, for it allowed him to think — was nigh impossible to truly procure with Kaborg’s four walls, without interruption from those most pestilent aspects of courtly life. On providential occasions, there was blessed peace to be found in the grounds…but this, quite obviously, was not one. The Prince’s cool gaze fell upon his companion, expression eternally sphinxlike. “  — Good morrow.”

“Good Morrow, dear cousin.” Dunya’s voice was louder than the decibel it should have been, and she quickly righted herself, folding her hand over the skirts of her dress as she bowed her head in reverence, “Forgive me, Your Highness Prince Viktor. Good morrow.” Once she deemed herself released of the formalities, Dunya’s eyes turned skyward, “It is a lovely day, isn’t it?”