ruler defiant

KING DANTE JONSSON OF SWITZERLAND. QUEEN ARIANA RINALDI OF ITALY. private roleplay blog for 1642hqz, as penned by nana.

[royalrites]

KING DANTE JONSSON OF SWITZERLAND

→ INTRO

QUEEN ARIANA RINALDI OF ITALY

→ INTRO

[grandqueens]

Tension went up her spine at the way her husband had managed to come up behind her in her distraction, but beyond her eyes widening for a moment, a twitch that he couldn't see, Valeska's expression went unchanged. "Of course." The lord before her bowed quickly, not daring to contradict the wishes of the king as Valeska turned to him with a smile and took his arm. "Excuse us," Valeska told the lord as she turned, ready to be whisked away. It was only once she felt confident that she wouldn't be overheard that she muttered, "Thank you for the rescue."

[royalrites]

While it had taken years to happen, the plague had resulted in Dante beginning to view Valeska as a partner in ruling if not a partner in life. He didn't love her, maybe he would never love her, but she was the queen, mother of his heir, and in this grand performance on the world stage, and they needed to work with each other if they wanted to pull things off. "You would have managed." Her thanks was dismissed, he didn't need it or want it. "What have you learned about the way people are responding to the news? Have you learned anything about the sickness outside the walls?"

[anneboleynqueen]

Natalie Dormer as Anne Boleyn in The Tudors (2007-2010)

[royalrites]

cfprinces​:

it wasn’t until the light hit her features that franz realized whom he had been confronting. he knew this face, heard tales of her beauty from lands away but never thought he’d ever come to see it in the flesh, considering he wasn’t first choice for an ambassador of austria. “ forgive me for my careless tongue, your majesty. i thought perhaps you were stray guard peering through the cracks. ” as if that made it any better. he comes to his feet, swiping his hand across the desk to gather the pages into an unkempt stack. “ i was attempting to compose a letter — unsuccessfully. ” there’s a brief pause that lingers in the air between them, waiting for chaperones to follow suit. they never do. “ seems a bit unsafe to be roaming the halls at this hour, alone. do you not agree? ”

"They seems to be spying at every turn, don't they?" The words came almost conspiratorially as she swept closer, the rustle of her dress soft as fabric slipped around her. Hands clasped against her stomach, Ariana's eyes fell briefly to the stack of parchment that made up his failed letter - so many attempts, or perhaps a long one that went in the wrong direction. Words could truly be difficult, especially in difficult times such as those plaguing the Swiss castle. While they were terrible circumstances to be certain, Ariana felt as though she was used to terrible circumstances with the way Italy continued to fall into ruin. "Unlike some, I know of no reason for my life to be at risk - and I'm very quiet." A quirk of one corner of her lips, as if she was making a private joke of the way she tried to creep up on him. "You were alone as well."

[grandqueens]

In the Gardens / Open @1642hqzstarters

"I assure you, while I understand that the rumors are concerning, the king will do everything to see to the safety of our guests." She didn't need to ask Dante if that was true or not, because it was the kind of reassurance you gave when something went wrong, and people panicking over assaults and contagion was certainly wrong. "This is only a travel destination for you, but this is our home with our son. Of course we want it to be safe."

[royalrites]

"Well spoken." While Dante hadn't exactly known just what he would find Valeska doing considering their duties as hosts were never ending, he was pleased to find that she was doing something good for the reputation of the country and not sitting around singing back at birds of anything like that. Defending their choices following the attack on the Netherlands Queen was good, and Dante nodded at their guest as he came up beside Valeska, offering her his arm. "If I may borrow my wife for a moment."

[cfprinces]

“  you’re  not  as  discrete  as  you  may  think,  ”  he  announces,  voice  echoing  through  the  large  room  as  he  drops  his  pen  against  the  grain  and  leans  back  into  his  chair,  never  looking  into  their  direction.  he’d  been  attempting  to  compose  a  letter  for  what  felt  like  an  eternity  and  had  failed  miserably  every  time.  a  few  sentences  would  be  written  only  to  be  scribbled  out,  paper  wadded  and  tossed  onto  the  ground  next  to  where  he  sat.  nothing  felt  quite  right  so  maybe  no  word  was  better  than  the  wrong  ones. “  curious,  are  you?  ”

[royalrites]

"Who said that I'm discreet? I'd rather think I'm known for making an entrance, but it seemed kinder not to disturb you." Ariana's voice was all easy confidence, the kind that came from a woman who spent her youth charming all those around her. Truthfully, it was difficult to be very subtle when you were escorted around by a guard everywhere, but Ariana thought it was better to be safe than to be stealthy considering the recent events in the castle. "It seems as though you're having a difficult time there."

[royalrites]

reginamater​:

“ I’m the honoured one to be here, Your Majesty. ” Lixue said with a deep bow of her head in sign of respect for her host. She was honest, as without the man’s approval she knew that not even her connection to the former Empress would have guaranteed her a spot at the summit. The assassin knew she had to be on her best behaviour, and she had no plans to cause harm to anybody - lest they dared harm her first, of course. 

She brows raised at his offered arm, hesitating for a few seconds before she took it to walk along with him; her hand resting on his elbow as she let Dante guide them. It was a move she hadn’t been expecting but that, nonetheless, she appreciated. “ I’m at your service. ” She said without hesitation. “ I’d require a room to warm up my voice, for I don’t wish to disturb the rest of your guests. Are there any requests for the performance? ”

"Easily arranged, it's hardly as though there's only one ballroom. That would be the best sort of room, I imagine." It was said like a statement and Dante wasn't used to being questioned, but in this particular field, he thought he wouldn't be too upset if the professional singer had a different idea of where she would like to practice - he was only assuming that a similar space would be the best.

"When I was abroad, before the plague, I saw a performance called L'Euridice, are you familiar with that?" For all he knew, the songs she was asked to perform in China were quite different from what he'd heard performed, and while there was something to be said about returning to the old and familiar, Dante wasn't against impressing the people with something they hadn't experienced before. "But if there is a song from your home that you love, I wouldn't object to that."

[royalrites]

gcldencrcwns​:

Priya was in a desperate situation of her own in the Netherlands, although there wasn’t much anyone could do to help her. Being without an heir was always a dangerous position for a queen to be in, but even more so now that there were other royals throwing themselves at her husband here. In her heart, she knew that they wouldn’t sway him, but she couldn’t help but worry. If something were to happen to her, then there would be a need for one of the princesses to take her place after all. And they likely would be better received in the Dutch court than she currently was. In truth, Priya didn’t know who at the summit she could fully trust, but the other queens seemed a decent place to start. After all, even with several having children of their own, they understood how troubling her position was. Perhaps that understanding could lead to a bond with a few. 

As she strolled through the gardens, Priya stopped for the Queen of Italy. “Your Majesty,” She greeted in return, offering the other a polite smile. “Yes,” Priya nodded, trying not to let the absence of her husband bother her. She trusted him, and she would never want to smother him or force him to stay by her side constantly. “My husband is busy with diplomatic affairs,” Priya told her, giving a slight shrug in response. “You are on your own as well?” She asked, not spying the King of Italy around either. 

.

"For the moment, yes." Likely far longer than a moment, as Ariana wasn't going to trust any sort of schedule when so many others were involved. If her husband found the opportunity to make nice with someone and potentially find an ally for Italy or a betrothal match for one of his siblings, then Ariana hoped that he took it and damn whatever plans he had with her - especially if the match was for his sister, who insisted on trying to spend funds they didn't have, as if she couldn't comprehend that one of the many casualties of the plague was the ability of the Italian royal family to spend lavishly on themselves. Yes, one more alliance and one less royal around would be useful.

The nature of her thoughts didn't touch Ariana's face and she smiled charmingly at the other queen, as if this was all just an innocent encounter on a pleasant outing. "But if we stay together, we won't be on our own, now will we? No reason not to enjoy ourselves while the men are busy, is there?" Although if you asked Ariana, women were perfectly capable of forging bonds and making connections all on their own, holding power than many never noticed. Certainly, life was hard when you were a woman, there were expectations placed on you that were unfair and demanding, but they weren't helpless fools.

[anneboleynqueen]

Natalie Dormer as Anne Boleyn in The Tudors (2007-2010)

[royalrites]

sundrunked​:

jakob pressed his lips into a thin line, nodded in acknowledgement of dante’s words. “thank you.” it was a nice courtesy, one he’d gotten used to hearing since his brother’s death. still, he hated it. walking around with a gaping hole in his chest, getting told people were sorry, that they were sympathetic. what did it do for him ? but that wasn’t a kind thought, definitely wasn’t polite, & he would never say it.

he paused a little, taking stock of the question — of the intention behind it. he would admit to nothing but strength, but was this the question of a friend or a probing enemy ? “it certainly wasn’t a responsibility i was expecting, but i’ve adjusted. my time with the military taught me leadership as well as the austrian court could.”

"Perhaps a different kind, but no less valuable, I'm sure." Perhaps more valuable, if it meant that Jakob was well prepared for tactics and strategy, how to fight if not necessarily how to handle various squabbles in the court. Someone else could handle those, and an advisor could certainly help, while what Jakob knew seemed more unique. Would military experience lead to greater calm in the crisis of the plague? He didn't know, but it didn't seem that it could hurt.

Shaking his head, Dante soon smiled, playing the part of a good host and not someone wondering about advantages. "But may none of us have need for military leadership or battle knowledge while we're here. This is a time to draw together and find out how to heal one another heal, not start wars."

[royalrites]

ofdynasts​:

Of course he was honored. Renaud wasn’t so blind as to believe that the kindness of those surrounding him was some sort of goodwill born from surviving the plague. They were all hungry and famished like wolves, wanting to snap at scraps, and France was the most bountiful harvest in sight. Everyone wished to be in the good graves of France, to be owed favors by them, and Renaud wasn’t so foolish as to trust in these new friendships.

“It’s been so long since someone else hosted a good party, how could we miss it?” Smiling congenially, Renaud wondered how much longer the empty platitudes would need to go on. “I look forward to reconnecting with everyone. Tell me, where is your lovely wife?”

"I left her attending to some other matters, but who knows what she's found to occupy her time." Looking past his shoulder as if the Queen of Switzerland was meant to be there, as if there wasn't anything she would have willingly missed the arrival of France for, Dante finally shook his head. "With so many people here, there are many details to oversee and she's so devoted to her task."

It didn't matter if she was or not, Dante certainly intended to make her sound good and not like she was in any way snubbing France for some other country. There was always a fine line to walk with other Royals, that was something that Dante knew well and he could only pray that his family was a united front on impressing the rest of the world.

[royalrites]

reginamater​:

Having to play the role of the scorned wife was never in Isabella’s plans; then again, becoming Queen of her country was never something she considered and yet she wore the crown for the past three decades. It hadn’t been easy, especially during the last years with the plague, and more recently when her beloved husband decided to think with the wrong part of his body. And there she was, supporting him and their country; subjecting herself to daily scrunity, and yet while she endured it she had her own plans set in motion. Her suffering will be returned tenfold to a few select individuals at the right time, and then she’ll be at peace.

To her surprise, she was approached by the Italian Queen; she had heard much of the country’s suffering, their plight perhaps worse than any others. It may be worth listening to her, after all they had made it to the summit with the intention of finding favourable allies. “ Queen Ariana, what a sight for sore eyes you are. ” She said with a gentle smile on her lips. “ Ah, you had me at the gardens. The wine simply seals the deal. Shall we? ” She motioned with an arm for them to walk towards the gardens.

"Yes, of course. Things are always more pleasant when there is someone to enjoy them with, no?" And hopefully her husband was busy elsewhere trying to improve the standing of their country. Divide and conquer, or in Italy's case, divide and try to survive. While Ariana truly did wish to know what was bothering the other woman, she also knew that just a chat to check on someone could make for wonderful connecting - and she hated that she had to be so calculating, that she couldn't even sit and chat in a friendly way without wondering about the cost.

Holding back a sigh, Ariana thought longingly of the days when she wasn't worried about the state of Italy's finances, when she could be happy and drink wine and demand ever finer jewelry. "You seemed like a woman with a lot on her mind. We all are, these days, but I find that I miss the smiles of others." And considering the Scottish Queen's reputation for smiling, could one blame Ariana for being curious?

[hellishsuggestion]

you think you can control me? you think you can contain me? you think i respect you? my will is unshakable, my anger is unlimited, and you are a fool.

[limitedseries]

Oscar Isaac as Jonathan Levy Scenes from a Marriage (2021)— “Poli”

[royalrites]

feyremarlowex​:

The sound of giggling and rustling papers filled the air, only slightly muffled by the door to the hallway. Feyre had spent the last hour giving Andrin a lesson on art which, of course, meant she needed to bring in drawing supplies and paint and give the child time to draw anything he could think of. Horses, knights, the sun, flowers- all scribbled and painted on papers scattered across the desk.

When they heard the knock at the door, and the guard announcing the king’s arrival, it was heartwarming to see how excited the boy got to see his father. The girl wiped away the little bit of blue paint that had spattered onto his forehead with the pad of her thumb before she stood, making the prince presentable while completely forgetting about the little green smudge she had gotten on her cheek.

Feyre looked towards the door, offering a warm smile as she curtsied, and said, “Good morning, your majesty.”

@royalrites​

Andrin was something, someone, that Dante wasn't always certain he knew what to do with, and he knew that was his own fault. He looked at Andrin and saw a child, yes, but also a checkmark off a list to prove himself as king. Andrin was heir to his throne, a duty fulfilled, and the moment his birth confirmed that particular success, Dante was off trying to complete some other goal that would mark a success reign.

Considering Andrin was born during the plague, that wasn't exactly an easy task, and the stress kept him away until it seemed he'd missed large swaths of infanthood only to be left with a four year old that oddly adored him. Would he be any better if there were future children, he wondered, or was it simply not something he was capable of?

"Good morning, Feyre." Did she know she had paint on her face? No need to mention it, there were certainly worse things to end up covered in when it came to a child. "I've come to see how Andrin is fairing with all the commotion."

[royalrites]

ofdevotiions​:

nadzia was half-expecting their invitation to be lost. she knew the rest of the countries were too intimidated by her family. still, there was an inkling that the king would send something to her family. it was only deserved, after all, since their would-be betrothal fell through. the blonde nods her head, ringed fingers crossing over the front of her gown. “what an honor to be here.” she blinks, before tilting her head to the side. “the tour? i’m afraid not. are you going to lead it?”

.

"I could." He was a king, not a tour guide, no matter how much he wished to show off his home and boast about it to others. Except for her, Dante knew that he would guide her around the castle, or the gardens, and perhaps anywhere else she wished, and that it wouldn't at all be for the sake of impressing her. (Well, maybe a little.) "After all, who better?" The queen, perhaps, but he didn't want to talk about that, instead offering his arm to her without fully knowing if she would take it, if she would even accept a tour.

[royalrites]

dvalitycfprcmise​:

he gave a nod, moving to pick up her luggage with one hand and put it on top of us after grabbing out one of the straps that went to his weapons. he made sure to tie the luggage together - making it easier to carry or drag to where they needed to be. “i am steffan, crowned prince of denmark,” he gave a slight bow in greeting after he was done. he couldn’t stand introducing himself that way but that was what he was taught to do. “please, show the way.”

It was very impressive how easily he managed to carry her things as well as his own, Ariana's eyebrows going up in surprise and appreciation for his skills. Clearly someone used to manual labor in a way that she wasn't. "A pleasure." Her head dipped and Ariana tried to recall if her husband or his family had mentioned any dealings with Denmark. "Queen Ariana Rinaldi of Italy. I'll need to inform my husband of your assistance." Perhaps the good favor of Italy didn't count for much with the way they'd been decimated by the plague, but she could still act as though her word had weight.