ᶜʰᵃⁿᵍᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖʳᵒᵖʰᵉᶜʸ

i, like the stars, know what it means to be devoured from the inside out. i know what it means to be on fire and not emit any light. ALYSSA ARRYN the rightful heir of the eyrie CERSEI LANNISTER the light of the west GILLIANE BOLTON the master of laws here i am ─ trying to be less volatile, less violent. i am saying that.

[proph3sy]

[    look  ,  how  even  the  bee  begs  the  honeycomb  .  mouth  ,  an  oval  of  need  .  we  long  to  name  the  yearn  .  the  unflinching  joy  of  saying  :  i  want  this  .  to  touch  each  other  and  say  :  i  want  this  .  a  taste  of  honey  :  i  want  this  .    ]

alderidgecaroline.    the  princess  of  wales,  thirty,  she  or  her    [    lydiapeckham  ] yilmazmümine.    the  dowager  duchess  of  hartfolk,  forty5,  she  or  her  [  tubabüyüküstün  ]

[a1taers]

happiness  .  was  benedict  allowed  such  luxury  ?  it  seemed  no  one  around  him  possessed  it  ,  so  why  should  he  ?  ironic  ,  wasn't  it  ?  one  might  think  that  people  like  the  alderidges  were  afforded  the  choice  to  be  happy  ,  and  perhaps  they  were  ,  however  ,  it  rarely  felt  like  a  choice  at  all  ,  but  rather  something  quietly  lost  to  them  long  before  they  ever  learned  how  to  hold  onto  it  .  benedict  glanced  down  at  his  twin  with  sad  eyes  .  heartbreaking  that  she  wished  happiness  for  him  and  yet  finds  herself  in  the  most  devastating  of  circumstances  . "  i  will  not  have  my  melancholy  thoughts  tarnish  such  a  perfectly  lovely  day  ,  sister  ,  "  he  responded  with  a  sharp  exhale  and  tight  lipped  smile  .  "  and  while  i  do  agree  with  you  that  mama's  intentions  are  well  -  meaning  ,  her  methods  are  somewhat  lacking  in  subtlety  .  "  the  marchioness  was  anything  but  subtle  .  she  was  a  force  that  could  not  be  ignored  ,  nor  easily  reasoned  with  .  a  trait  benedict  could  only  wish  to  possess  .  “  but  if  it  brings  you  comfort  ,  i  am  trying  ,  carrie  .  whistledown  saw  fit  to  note  every  single  lady  i  have  spoken  to  in  her  latest  issue  .  i  am  not  sure  if  i  should  be  flattered  or  mortified  that  my  romantic  prospects  have  become  such  a  matter  of  public  interest  .  ” benedict  paused  briefly  after  the  mention  of  whistledown  .  he  was  no  gossip  and  thought  himself  above  it  ,  it  was  hard  to  ignore  .  not  when  it's  been  the  only  thing  on  everyone's  lips  .  "  are  we  to  discuss  what  happened  with  the  refreshments  table  ,  or  shall  i  assume  it  was  the  victim  of  your  frustrations  ?  "

[proph3sy]

caroline found that she did not quite like the look of pity ( was it pity ? or was it commiseration that their lives were set upon paths that promised little chance of happiness ? ) in his eyes, focusing her attention instead on the shrubbery to bear some semblance of distraction from the way her arm remained tucked against his side in a small, comforting gesture. pride was the only thing left to her and she clung to it fiercely, even among her family ─ especially among her family, whose expectations had always been high for the only alderidge daughter. ❝ ... it does bring me some comfort to know that you are trying. i will try to guide mother from you whenever possible ─ perhaps by directing her to the young ladies mentioned by lady whistledown ? ❞ she would not be his sister if she did not tease, even if there was a measure of truth to her words. caroline could not help but pity the young women of the ton but not even pity would prompt her to stand in the way of the marchioness of elingwood. ❝ honestly ? ❞ her cheeks flushed slightly at the mention of the refreshments table. ❝ i am mortified ... i tried to stand to walk over to charles and darius but then the first punch was thrown ... ❞ and caroline had felt it as though she had been punched, air leaving her lungs in sheer disbelief. in the chaos of it all, she had stumbled back into the table, though reports of her flipping it over were certainly entertaining. ❝ being fought over by princes is much more appealing when it is written in romance books ... the reality is much messier. ❞

[quotewhore]

““in front of my mother and my sisters,
i pretend love is cheap and vulgar.
i act like it’s a sin–
i pretend that love is for women on a dark path.
but at night i dream of a love so heavy
it makes my spine throb–
i dream up a lover who makes love like he is separating salt from water.””

— Salma Deera

[quietlyreadingabook]

words by wolf alice

handmade collage by quietlymakingsomeart on instagram

[balonstrong]

It was strange, at times, to see the gestures of childhood rise up in the woman. Reflexively, Athénaïs' look softened, lips quivering nearly to a smile as Caroline's hand snaked its way to her chest. It was reminiscence alone, however, which filled Athénaïs with fondness for the gesture. She'd known it too long and too well to think it anything other than a sign of some inward distress. There had been a time when the tiny gesture had meant trifles -- but as Carrie's cares had grown, so had her perturbations. Rising, Athénaïs went to the tea set. She did not call for a servant, as was her want, but rather silently poured a cup, first, for her daughter, and next for herself. She watched with some small satisfaction as Caroline took it. Though no word of comfort passed her lips -- she knew her daughter bore her own pride and preferred to think herself as mysterious as Athénaïs chose to believe herself to be -- holding a hot cup in one hand always eased the marchioness. She hoped it might prove a similar balm to her only daughter. Athénaïs after all assumed she knew the source of her daughter's distress. Surely, it was the matter of the child.

"Good," replied the Marchioness with an ironic twang as she began to sip her tea. "It would be a pity were you to waste away and leave me all alone with only men for company." There was, she supposed, Matilda, but though the girl was family to everyone else she held dear -- she was no relation of Athénaïs', whatsoever. She paused, sighed. "You know, I do rely upon you, darling." It was as sentimental as Athénaïs ever seemed to be.

At her daughters' colorful suggestion, Athénaïs chuckled. "If you think that will help then, by all means -- yes, you should." She exhaled, looking her flushed daughter up and down. It was hardly a comfortable subject for mother and daughter to pursue, but Athénaïs was a direct woman, and she men to have this conversation. No embarrassment would put her off. "Darling, no one can doubt in your beauty or charms but -- you must do whatever it takes to entice him. Your husband's scandals are brandished for all the ton to read in these filthy scandal rags. That he is dissolute and dissipated, however, are not matters with which you can afford yet to concern yourself. You must invite him every night to your bed until you are with child. Then, by all means, bar your door every night, but for the time being, it seems you are the sole responsible party in this house, and I am afraid that means doing things which may prove onerous. Besides, my dear, I assure you, that your child will prove as great a comfort to you as your husband may prove a disappointment." She sipped her tea, put it down again, and with a calm mien added. "I know of what I speak."

The marchioness let out a long breath. Well she knew her child, and she saw the little fretwork of anxieties that marched over her face. She saw, too, the echo of her husband's looks looming over her. Whatever troubles Athénaïs faced in her own marriage, tempting her husband into bed (indeed, he had proven a touch too eager to fall into any bed, as it turned out, she thought, unaware that Caroline was facing that demon, as well) had never proven an obstacle to her. "I see." The words were not unkind. Athénaïs rose from her seat across from her, came around the table between them, and sank into the sofa beside her. She took Caroline's cup from her, laid it upon the table and took her soft white hand in her own. "You are my child. You are every inch my child. Because of that, you are strong, but we are not, either of us, made of iron. You need not beg, darling. You can do better. You can bend." So saying, she gently curled her daughter's fingers into a fist and, reaching up, ran her fingers through her hair. "Men think they have all the power, hm? You must not prove them right -- only do not shatter their illusion, all at once. We women will know the truth. If you want something from a man, take it. It is as simple as letting him believe he has conquered, when you were the warrior all along."

She paused, tucking her daughter's hair behind her ear. "Now, tell me, has he rebuffed your...advances?" She arched a suggestive brow. "Repairing your marriage and providing an heir are not always the same thing. You need not be friends, after all, to conceive a child..."

[proph3sy]

whatever secrets that were kept between mother and daughter, there was no denying that the marchioness was experienced and knew well how to persuade caroline out of a sulk, whether she was a child of fourteen, pouting because she could not lower her hems yet, or a woman of thirty who was troubled with matters far greater than a desire to mature quicker. with a warm cup of tea cradled between her palms, caroline found herself longing for the simplicity of girlhood, when her chief concerns were selecting fine fabrics and convincing her brothers to take her out to promenade in the park against the wishes of their mother who could, even now, make her feel inexplicably small. perhaps the discomfort was because she had been withholding the truth from athénaïs ─ at first, it had been out of shame that she had not only failed to nurture a child to birth but also that she could not keep her husband devoted to their marital bed, but then her father's own deception had come to light, wearing the face of a strange woman claiming to be his child. what were her problems compared to the ones that her mother must be facing, forced to deal with the proof of her husband's infidelity and made to smile and accept it ? would that be her fate, some twenty years from now ?

with a furrowed brow, caroline lifted her eyes to look at her mother as she spoke, features pinched in vague embarrassment at the topic at hand and at her mother's insistent knowledge on the matter, though irritation slowly gave way to a dull amusement, discomfort morphing into a smile that she tried to keep hidden behind the rim of her teacup that by the time her mother came to sit beside her, caroline was a measure more receptive to her words and her touch. without the cup to conceal her expressions or her fidgeting, the princess of wales was defenseless against her mother and caroline felt her gaze flutter to a close at the gentleness in which her mother spoke to her. it had been a while since anyone had been both honest and tender with her. ❝ ... i am afraid. ❞ the words were breathed out, almost as though it were forced from her, for caroline certainly seemed surprised that she had even said it. ❝ of trying ... of ... making advances. ❞ that had not been a part of her education ─ she had learned seduction in the months that followed her debut, guided by those that had pursued her with intention to court, teasing and thrilling without actually offering more than a touch. even then, she had been chosen for the prince, kept desirable but unattainable. ❝ it is more than just fear of rejection, mother ... if he refuses me, it is more than just that ... it is duty that he spurns, the legacy of his father and the future of this kingdom. why must it be all on my shoulders ? why must i invite him to my bed ? he knows his way there, does he not ? ❞ certainly, she had rebuffed any attempts at intimacy and comfort following the death of their child, but why had he not kept trying ? she deflated, slumping against the sofa as her mother brushed the hair from her face. ❝ i do not wish to bring a child into such conflict between us, to be used as a weapon. i ... i want to be his friend ─ i want to wake up and know that he will be at the breakfast table. i want to debate politics with him and bully him until he agrees with me. ❞ a faint, fond smile curled at her lips. that had been pleasant, in the early months of their marriage. ❝ i want to ride through the fields and ... ❞ kiss him in the rain. it had given her a terrible head cold afterwards but she was almost certain that was the day that their child had been conceived. ❝ ... but all we do is fight, mother. how can anything good grow from that, let alone a child ? ❞

[proph3sy]

⚲ location : the stables in carlton house. ↬ with : prince darius hanover ( @hopeflickering ).

❝ i ought to bash you over the head and pray that it knocks some sense into you. ❞ an unconventional greeting, even if caroline was closer to darius than she was to most others outside of her immediate family ─ he was, after all, still a prince of england, though she was certain that if she were to inflict a measure of bodily harm on him, not even the queen would fault her for it. the horse in front of her nickered in response to the tension in her approach and caroline soothed it with a soft whisper, rubbing her hand against it's thick neck as she kissed it over the nose, her eyes cutting over to squint at darius where he stood, looking windswept from his ride over. ❝ i told you not to do anything. ❞ she breathed out, nudging the horse's big head away from her shoulder as she offered him wineskin filled with cool water. ❝ i remember explicitly saying that i have it handled ─ that i have him handled. ❞ she certainly did not have anything handled but her own method of dealing with charles ( misunderstandings, followed by shouting and ignoring him for days ) seemed a great deal better than punching him in public. ❝ you silly boy ... what business do you have fighting with your brother ? the ton seems half - torn between some sordid love story between the three of us or worst still, rumors that you wish to become prince of wales over your brother. and now this business with your father ... ❞ she swallowed back a sigh, lifting a hand to rub at her temples. ❝ has your mother spoken to you ? ❞

[proph3sy]

⚲ location : the zhao residence in london. ↬ with : colonel augustus stirling ( @prcsperous ).

time, like most everything else of late, seemed to be slipping through her fingers and nearly a week had passed since the disastrous garden party when the princess of wales finally managed to sit and dedicate an hour to call upon the colonel at his current residence. usually, caroline would demand that the journey be made to carlton house, as it was her right as princess to be provided such comforts, but as augustus was the one inconvenienced by the display between the two princes, she found it only proper to humble herself and cross the short distance between the alderidge and zhao residences in mayfair, accompanied only by her private secretary and her maid. it did not seem as though she was expected, judging by the way that the servants hastened up the staircase to call augustus down, or the thundering footsteps that followed as the kitchen prepared a small spread of tea and cakes for her impromptu visit, and caroline found herself faintly amused by it all, even as the colonel appeared at the door to the sitting room. rising from where she had been seated by the window, caroline strode forward to interrupt whatever greeting he was about to utter by grasping at his hands. ❝ augustus. ❞ overly familiar, perhaps ? they had both been children when adelaide passed ─ she remembered dancing with him at the wedding and squeezing his hand when their families sat next to each other during the funeral. ❝ colonel stirling ... forgive me, i should have come to visit sooner. ❞ her gaze trailed over his features, searching for injury. ❝ were you greatly hurt by the quarrel ? oh, i should have sent the physician over to check on you as well. ❞ she stomped her foot slightly, irritated at her own oversight.

[proph3sy]

⚲ location : gunter's tea shop. ↬ with : miss zhao xinyi ( @hopeflickering ).

it had seemed like a good decision to invite the children for a week - long visit to london ─ marion had been called back from france, robert and francis from eton and francesca from hartfolk manor, all to join their mother as guests in the covenhall home so that the new baron would have companions of his age to socialize with for a time. as she abandoned her children to the care of their nannies and tutors, seeking sanctuary in the cool interiors of the tea shop, mamie realized that distance had made the heart grow fonder, for she was quite done with playing doting mother for the day, and it was only still morning. placing a hand on the display case to balance herself, mamie sighed as she took in the different treats available for the day. while she had her usual order, she had promised the children something sweet as well, and she really ought to buy a gift for marion for her help in corralling the mcallister misbegottens through london. catching the eye of someone who seemed of similar age to her eldest daughter, mamie allowed her hand to brush against miss zhao's elbow to draw her attention. ❝ miss xinyi, if i am not mistaken ? would you be a dear and assist me in a matter of great importance ? i would not burden you unnecessarily but i fear you are the only one capable to provide some insight on my dilemma. ❞

[proph3sy]

⚲ location : the theatre royal, in the morning. ↬ with : lady helena birkenhead ( @withouttend ).

the sounds of the acting troupe in practice echoed through the otherwise empty theatre and from where she sat in the hartfolk box ( graciously shared with the covenhalls whenever they required a public appearance ), mamie watched as the maroon curtains released little flecks of dust that danced in the dimmed sunlight. it was an ideal spot to converge when discussing matters of great importance that one did not want overheard and very few spaces for such conversations were open to women in london, so she hopes that the lady birkenhead does not find insult in the choice of location. a soft rustle of fabric draws her attention away from the troupe and she lifts her head just in time to catch the moment helena slips through the curtains to join her on the balcony. ❝ they are very good. ❞ her chin lifts to point towards the stage, where the antagonist seems to have stabbed the hero with a blunt sword ─ rather than liquid, the decision to play with lights, colors and fabrics seems to add to the dramatics of it all. ❝ i did consider hiring them for the small ... ❞ very large. ❝ ... gathering i am planning for our new friends, the covenhalls, but i am not certain they are quite what i am looking for. i would, of course, welcome your insight, though that is not why i have called you here, dear helena. ❞ a small smile curves at her mouth ─ the most genuine expression she has worn since returning to london for the season. ❝ tell me about the girl. you said she has shown promise in her education but her father wishes for her to leave school and work ? ❞

[a1taers]

ꗃ 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 :  the  drawing  room  at  the  reeve's  london  home ⤷ 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘂𝘀 :   closed  starter  for  lady  mccallister  ,  dowager  duchess  of  hartfolk

 “  it  seems  as  though  news  of  what  transpired  at  the  queen's  garden  party  has  reached  far  beyond  london  ,  ”  seoyeon  hummed  ,  eyes  scanning  the  laid  paper  in  hand  once  more  ,  going  over  her  lady  aunt's  words   before  continuing  ,  “  my  aunt  writes  as  though  she  herself  had  been  standing  beneath  the  very  trellis  when  it  occurred  .  how  remarkable  ,  the  speed  with  which  scandal  travels  when  carried  by  eager  tongues  .  i  don't  suppose  that  lady  whistledown  has  had  a  hand  in  this  ?  "  young  miss  turned  to  her  sponsor  with  a  curious  look  .  her  first  event  in  london  society  ,  and  although  she  was  somewhat  entertained  by  the  spectacle  ,  she  was  now  beginning  to  realize  how  cautious  one  must  be  in  order  to  avoid  becoming  a  victim  to  the  gossip  author’s  quill  .  “  aunt  soojin  sends  her  regards  ,  your  grace  .  she  is  most  disappointed  she  could  not  join  us  sooner  .  ”  seoyeon  folded  the  letter  with  measured  care  ,  tucking  it  between  the  pages  of  the  book  she  was  reading  prior  .  “  i  know  it  is  unbecoming  of  a  lady  to  gossip  but  i  am  curious  to  know  of  her  ladyship's  thoughts  on  the  whole  fiasco  ?  ”

𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗱  :  @proph3sy

[proph3sy]

she had, with permission from the family, taken over the drawing room with boxes of silk gloves, shoes, hats and dresses ─ most of which were for the young miss seated before her, absorbed by the letter that had just been brought in by one of the footmen. impatiently, mamie peered over the edge of the letter with a cheekiness that seemed better suited to a younger woman, smiling faintly at the maturity that seoyeon displayed even when faced with her impudence. ❝ i am certain our mysterious lady w has her fingers in every pie. it seems a rather lucrative business ─ this gossip rag ... how much did they charge for the paper, do you remember ? ❞ the first few editions had been distributed, certainly, but with the demand for gossip, so came the natural exchange of coin. even if half of london was upset with the anonymous author, mamie was more intrigued than anything else and, like a good businesswoman, eager to know if lady whistledown wanted accomplices, if the author could even be uncovered. ❝ for most women, gossip is the most exciting thing we can do, and you, my sweet, must endeavor to find a husband that allows you to do more than just that. however, i will indulge in a bit of whispering, since it is only us two. ❞ she murmured, feigning reluctance. ❝ it seems a rather embarrassing time for her majesty ... never mind the tumble in the water, but the public quarrel between two princes ... ❞ she tutted softly. ❝ i almost wished to call on the marchioness alderidge to see if she knows the reasoning behind the fight, but i fear that would put us at odds. either way, i do not envy the ones throwing a celebration to follow that ... if it is a great success, the queen would not be pleased at being upstaged. if it is another failure, her majesty may be disappointed with the season as a whole. ❞

[charlesofhanover]

Her fingertips were cool against the raging pulse of his wrist. Some part of him wanted to break free, storm away, and see not a soul who had witnessed the event for a month. He could forget all this, particularly the tension with his wife and with his sibling. He could indulge himself in thrills -- cards and women and races and drink. But her hands were soft as they were gentle. She held his hand as if cradling it, not as if a vice and, even as she turned to the servants, goading them into submission, he looked at her, the slant of her face, the brilliant blue of her eyes. He found he was curious, despite it all, to see precisely what she meant to say to him. It was not her family, after all, which had made a spectacle of themselves, here today, thus embroiling him in a pantomime of shock and shame -- it was he who had involved her in the charade. (At least largely -- he did not consider the incident with the table to amount to anything in comparison to even his sister's public display nor, certainly, to his own.)

He scanned the pavilion area quickly, ensuring there were none left there to listen. "What did you observe, Caro? I suppose I can...fill in the gaps." He prayed she did not know she had been the cause of the...debate. He couldn't have said why, exactly. Somehow, though, he thought it might be easier were this simply a brotherly spat. Hadn't it been coming some time, now, after all, even if Caroline had never become embroiled in their family drama? Did not all the world know Darius would make a better king than his brother?

"I've no need of a physician," he muttered, waving a dismissive hand. It seemed a level of drama to him which he did not consider necessary given the peak they'd already achieved. He wasn't entirely sure that sentiment would have remained true, however, had it not been for the interference of a certain gentleman. "Caro, who was it that...came between us? Wasn't that a...cousin of yours, or some such?" He knew he recognized him, and he knew he was connected with his wife in some way, but -- perhaps it was the blow to the head -- he couldn't quite place the fellow at the moment.

His brows arched, concern rolling over his face like a cloud. "Brigitta? Is she all right? I heard she'd fallen into a pool of water -- was she harmed?"

He was glad when she said nothing of Darius, though he little doubted she had ensured his princely sibling would also be attended to -- Caroline wasn't one to let details go astray, nor to risk that anyone overhearing her orders might note the exception towards the person with whom her husband had been brawling. Still, a suspicion was forming in his mind, had been for some time, and he little liked the way it twisted, hard, against his gut.

She dabbed softly at his face, her hands gentle, eyes focused. He'd always admired that quality in her, the absolute focus which she could summon. Her will was a force, he'd often considered, sharp and shrewd, unswerving in its unmitigated capacity. He'd rarely felt its kindling force on himself, when it was bent on softness, on tenderness, on caring caresses, however unwillingly bestowed, or how much born out of simple practicality (it would not do for the Prince of Wales to bleed openly). His gaze flicked to hers, a moment, taking in her every expression, the way her brows pressed soft together, eyes narrowing in concentration, lips pursing then parting, ever so slightly, to reveal the soft pink of her tongue just behind the gleaming pearls of her teeth. Was there no world in which they could make each other happy, now, he wondered, abstractly. Was there no possibility for redress of their wounds?

"Are you in love with him, Caro?" Charles blurted, before he knew what he was saying aloud. "Are you in love with my brother?"

[proph3sy]

it was a pleasant surprise to learn that her touch was not dismissed ( or worst, treated with a measure of disgust that she would understand, considering the viciousness of their last conversation ) but rather tolerated, perhaps even welcomed, and caroline was eager to capitalize on the moment, unaware of just how much she had missed feeling his warmth beneath his fingertips until she had him, somewhat obedient under the weight of her fussing. she was careful not to show just how much this small concession meant to her, features kept purposefully blank as he spoke, even if her nose wrinkled a little at his quick refusal of a physician. ❝ ... i was too far to hear what was said, only that the both of you emerged from the maze, already in a state of agitation. ❞ good god, was it because of her ? caroline was so certain that she had steered darius from his heroics ( which were appreciated but would only lead to trouble, as the fiasco had just proven to them all ) but now, she feared even giving voice to the potential. what if it was not because of her, and she filled charles' head with untoward suspicions ? it was no more than he deserved, certainly, but caroline was not a woman who found satisfaction in debasing herself to get even, especially not if it meant fracturing the royal family. ( a small voice within her head whispered that the damage had already been done, with or without intention. ) ❝ your mother glanced in my direction, which i took as instruction to handle the matter but before i could ... oh, charles ! ❞ a little roughly, she pressed the damp cloth to the cut upon his brow to stem the trickle of blood, focusing her gaze on the small wound there. ❝ what could have driven you to fight with your brother in public ? madness, surely ... the heat ? ❞ her eyes flickered down to meet with his own, brow knitted together in concern even as her face twisted with brief confusion.

who ... ? ❝ ... oh, that was colonel stirling ! ❞ she waved the cloth around, dismissing the thought. ❝ his sister was married to bernard. he matters little in this. are you sure you're quite alright, darling ? ❞ had he been struck across the head too hard, or was it all the excitement that was now finally crashing down upon him ? she would find and apologize to augustus in a few days ─ both for the fight and for her unenthusiasm in the moment, as her hand rested upon charles' forehead, the other cupping his cheek to keep him in place. ❝ your sister is quite fine. ❞ she murmured, trying to soften her voice so that he, too, would be persuaded to calm. unthinking, her thumb brushed over his jaw, features gentling with a small smile. ❝ her pride is more injured than her body, i dare to venture, and she has the finest care there is, if she needs it. you know i would not lie to you about this. ❞ she made a small noise, as though to ask if she could continue to tend to him, and did not wait for his permission to seize it, cleaning the small cuts on his eyebrow and at his lip. it was irritating ─ how handsome he was still, and though he was lightly injured, she could not help the way her pulse began to race at their close proximity, keeping her eyes stubbornly focused on the task at hand out of fear that she would act the fool if she looked into his dark gaze. caroline could not help but tut softly, both at her thoughts and at his persistence in speaking, mouth pressed together in a thin line of disapproval, head shaking faintly even as he blurted out his question.

❝ what ? ❞ there was laughter in her voice as she focused on dabbing at his lip, holding the cloth there as her gaze lifted, feeling his eyes on her. only then did she realize that he was serious, amusement fading into something akin to dull shock. ❝ ... what ? no, of course not. ❞ denial was sharp, almost as though she were guilty of something. caroline cleared her throat and tried again, setting the cloth aside so that she could hold his face between her palms. ❝ no, my love. i will not deny that i ... i like darius very much. ❞ she allowed, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth ─ she would not lie to charles, even if lying seemed kinder in this moment. ❝ he has been so kind and so understanding of everything over the last few years and perhaps ... perhaps, in my ... my desperate for kindness and understanding, i have ... acted overly familiar with him but i do not love him. ❞ that, at least, she knew for certain. ( she also knew that she could come to love him or any one that showed her an inch of gentleness or spared a kind word, so close was she to shattering. ) ❝ please ... please, tell me that was not the cause of the fight. it is not my fault, is it ? ❞ her voice was a whisper, almost horrified at the thought of spoiling yet another part of his future.

[heavensecnt]

" you are wrong. " he rolls his eyes playfully as he sits even closer than she had probably intended. she is the same as she was. alluring even though her small grudges. " let me correct myself. you are a very hard person to find alone. " he reaches for the cup, examining its contents. " we are. " he puts it plainly. " and i miss our friendship. " there's a brief paused as he takes a sip of tea. " and being... friendly. " he places the cup on the table, smiling while glimpses of their past enter his thoughts. " i apologize for the disappointment. i will take it upon myself to make up to you. " preferably alone, in a bed.

[proph3sy]

a small, disbelieving huff escapes her mouth at his words ─ her fingers curl around the handle of her porcelain cup, resisting the urge to reach out and shove at his shoulder, especially as he positions himself too close to be accidentally. she does not protest, or remind him to keep his distance, instead choosing to nudge at his knee lightly as she hides a small smile behind the rim of her teacup. ❝ only bad things can come from us being alone together, mister castelo. ❞ she retorts, amused that after so long, rafael was very much the same, a constant and incurable rake of the highest regard. once his hands are free of his cup, caroline reaches out to squeeze at his fingers, brief and endeared by his presence. ❝ you will have to try very hard, rafael. i've become rather demanding now that i am princess of wales, though i see you haven't changed at all, given what was written in whistledown. ❞ she peers at him with dark, curious eyes. ❝ is there any truth to it ? are you ravaging young ladies in dark corners already ? ❞

[proph3sy]

⚲ location : carlton house, london. ↬ with : lady sarinya howardson ( @a1taers ).

❝ sarinya ... stay a moment. ❞ evening had descended upon carlton house and after a light meal with her ladies, caroline had arranged for them to return to their homes, chartering carriages to escort them safely into the care of their families and friends. she waited for the rest of them to depart before she called out for the lady howardson, gesturing silently for one of her oldest friends to follow her from the receiving hall to her private chambers. ❝ i need help getting ready for bed. do you mind ? ❞ it was not something that caroline often requested from her ladies ─ she enjoyed a measure of independence still and the maids were careful enough in their assistance, so it was clear that there was more that she needed, yet struggled to give word. ❝ ... it has been a while since we have seen the baronet. ❞ she began quietly as she pulled the pins from her hair slowly. ❝ i will not insult you by asking if you miss him but do you miss ... having a man around ? ❞ caroline glanced at sarinya as she spoke, cheeks slightly pink. ❝ in ... in bed, i mean. and among other things, of course, but primarily ... that is to say ... how ... has it been long ? since you've ... ❞ she trailed off, brow furrowed.

[proph3sy]

⚲ location : madame dubois. ↬ with : miss antonella castelo ( @lacqueredhearts ).

❝ miss castelo. ❞ one of the finer dressed misses of the season ( besides those of royal blood ), antonella castelo had caught the eye as soon as she had happened upon the princess of wales during the garden party and caroline had asked that an eye be kept on the youngest carroway sibling, so that she could call upon her whenever it suited her fancy. it had been years since she stepped foot into the modiste ─ the queen's own seamstresses and tailors had been the one to dress caroline since it was decided that she was to become princess of wales ─ and she had almost forgotten just how many fabric options there were to choose from, though thankfully, as she beckoned antonella over, she seemed to have the eye of someone with good taste. ❝ it is kind of you to answer my invitation. ❞ not that there was much of a choice. caroline had gotten too used to agreement and the castelos of house carroway could do with some royal favor on their side. ❝ i have heard that you do not often visit madame dubois, yet you are always impeccably dressed. i still cannot forget the dress you wore during the garden party, and i was hoping you might share some of your insight on a gift or two that i had in mind for my father's new ward. ❞

[proph3sy]

⚲ location : queen anne's conservatory. ↬ with : dowager viscountess yu jie church ( @jovianism ).

a few days had passed since the rather disastrous garden party ─ enough time that mamie felt confident that she would not be scorned for extending an invitation to tea at the conservatory to the dowager viscountess cransbury. society would continue onwards, as it always did, and sometimes it depended on the more seasoned members of the ton to guide it through and past the scandals that were expected to occur, even if said scandal involved members of the royal family. she had certainly witnessed far more interesting moments than two princes quarrelling and a princess falling into the water, though mamie could understand that for the queen, whose life seemed to run on scheduled perfection, such mishaps must be more than embarrassing. idly, as her hand lifted to beckon yu jie over to where she sat, mamie made a note to write to the marchioness of elingwood to offer her support. ❝ my darling viscountess cransbury. ❞ rising from her seat, mamie grasped the other woman by the forearms and pressed two kisses on either side of her cheeks in greeting, pulling back with a fond expression. ❝ thank you for accepting my invitation. it seems that we must, once again, drag the ton into a new day, away from whispers of the garden party. ❞ her voice pitched lower, even if the conservatory was mainly empty. ❝ though perhaps not quite yet. did you get a chance to overhear what was said between the princes ? curse my poor back, i was resting too far from the excitement ! ❞

[heavensecnt]

he found an opportunity to sneak beside the princess before others crowded her. " you are a very hard person to find, your highness. "

[proph3sy]

a small pavilion had been erected for the princess of wales ─ something that made her visible but otherwise untouchable to those that were not permitted too close, yet the more persistent of callers would find a way, as witnessed when rafael castelo presents himself with that same careless confidence that had once ( and still did ) charmed her as a young debutant. ❝ is that so ? it seems to me that perhaps you were not looking hard enough. ❞ she murmured, flicking two fingers to inform her maids to send away anyone that might linger. she had her companion for the morning, it seemed, mouth curving into a small smile. ❝ you may sit closer and have tea with me. i hear from my brothers that your family has recently returned to london but i received no news from you, so you can imagine my disappointment. i thought we were friends, rafael. ❞

[proph3sy]

⚲    location    :    the  games  preparation  tent,  the  garden  party  at  hampton  court  palace. ↬    with    :    charles,  the  prince  of  wales  (  @charlesofhanover  ).

it  was  difficult  to  say  who  had  thrown  the  first  punch  ─  something  akin  to  panic  had  seized  the  heart  at  the  sight  of  her  husband  and  his  brother  emerging  from  the  maze,  for  caroline  had  just  spoken  to  darius  about  the  state  of  her  marriage,  knowing  that  the  prince  felt  it  necessary  to  rise  to  her  defense,  even  if  she  had  persuaded  him  otherwise.  the  two  seemed  to  be  in  a  rather  fierce  conversation  and  had  drawn  the  attention  of  those  around  them,  as  well  as  the  queen.  caroline  had  risen,  hand  pressed  to  her  stomach,  intending  on  breaking  up  the  disagreement  when  the  first  punch  had  been  thrown.  she  had  been  so  surprised,  so  horrified  at  the  shame  of  it  all,  that  she  had  stumbled  back  into  the  table,  knocking  it  over  with  a  clatter  that  drew  the  eye  and  the  ire  of  her  majesty  by  the  time  it  was  all  said  and  done.  with  a  worried  glance  over  her  shoulder  thrown  in  the  direction  that  she  had  seen  last  seen  darius,  and  then  another  concerned  furrow  of  the  brow  to  where  brigitta  was  standing,  soaking  wet,  caroline  excused  herself  to  follow  after  his  husband,  fingers  reaching  for  his  wrist  for  a  moment  before  she  pulled  back,  as  though  afraid  he  might  shake  her  off. ❝  leave  us.  ❞  the  preparation  tents  were  somewhat  empty  as  the  servants  had  rushed  out  refreshments  and  distractions  to  see  off  the  guests  with  something  pleasant,  even  if  she  knew  all  of  london  would  be  speaking  of  the  disastrous  garden  party  for  days.  ❝  must  i  repeat  myself  ?!  get  out  !  ❞  the  sound  of  feet  scurrying  did  little  to  fill  her  with  satisfaction  ─  instead,  it  only  further  shamed  her  even  as  she  grabbed  a  clean  cloth,  soaking  it  in  the  melted  ice  from  the  wine  bottles  to  press  against  his  face.  ❝  the  physician  will  come  shortly.  ❞  she  said  quietly,  breath  and  anger  leaving  her  in  a  soft  huff.  ❝  i've  told  them  to  see  to  brigitta  first,  the  poor  dear.  ❞  brigitta,  she  had  said,  and  then  darius  if  he  was  near,  though  charles  needn't  know  that. ❝  tell  me  what  happened.  the  truth,  if  you  will,  so  that  i  might  begin  to  plan  what  i  will  say  to  your  mother.  ❞  for  certainly  the  queen's  children  will  receive  a  stern  talking  to  but  it  would  be  caroline  that  bears  the  brunt  of  her  wrath  and  disappointment,  caroline  who  must  work  harder  now  to  return  to  her  majesty's  good  graces  for  she  merely  married  into  the  family  and  did  not  even  have  the  love  of  her  husband  to  defend  her  or  a  child  to  prove  her  worth  to  the  crown.