◜ 𝔰𝔲𝔬 𝔧𝔲𝔯𝔢. ◞

maria leonor de trastamara.

[anneboleyns]

[yasemin-polat]

“The French have really tried to make an impression.” Margarita said as she was standing in the royal gardens with some of her ladies-in-waiting by her side. The gardens were not the same lavish ones she was used to be back at her home in the Empire, but they vere designed so regally, with every detail carefuly thought out. The Empress especially appreciated the variety of flowers. “What are your thoughts?”

[shroudsofgold]

❛   THEY ARE OF THE GALLANT SORT, I SUPPOSE  -  pompous, superficial and done with only the though of impressing women.   ❜     As the words fell from her lips, Maria looked to her friend knowing for a fact that she thought more or less of the same.         ❛   almost as if to take away from the putrid smell the water here gives off.   ❜    

[montaguew]

Visit Original Link

I’d rather watch my kingdom fall I want it all or not at all.

[loveofromance]

I just hope he is going to be happy here.

[lifeinpoetry]

“I am all out of pity / and gods to please you with”

— Jennifer Rouse, from “III.,” Riding with Anne Sexton

[catherine-the-great-tv]

Ekaterina tv series [2016] S02EP01 Empress Catherine Alexeevna (later Catherine the Great) & bathroom scene

[shroudsofgold]

◜ I.   ┊ OPHELIA OF BOURBON:◞

Growing up in France as the daughter of a high noble, she had spent plenty of time at the French court, if for no other reason than her father could leave her there unattended and know she was safe so she’d had plenty of time to explore. Now she was back all she wanted was the see if it was all still the same. Realizing the gardens were already occupied the queen was about to back her way back out when the other woman spoke and she paused in her place for a moment. “I was simply seeing if they were still as beautiful as I remembered them to be.” She answered, though she didn’t really owe anyone an explanation. 

SHE WONDERED WHO THE WOMAN WAS.          But the thought, along with her interest was fleeting.            Following along the voice that spoke, she made out a heavy set of curls and a distinct accent.              Her smile remained small, feeling foolish for believing she would find some comfort in French court.              It had taken only the arrival of woman after woman to realize the sole purpose of such green displays were a soft sort of gallantry.

For no reason other than social etiquette, Maria brought the question to her lips             ❛   Is it then? Just as you remember it.   ❜   

[shroudsofgold]

Do you prefer any faceclaims for the King of Spain or could you tell me how you think their relationship might be? I'm between Santiago Cabrera and Jacob Collins-Levy if that helps.

!!!! i would actually die !!!! but no, seriously either choice is really good, out of the two i’d go with jacob just because santiago strikes me as a dude who can do no wrong and well the king of spain has done many wrongs ( i still really love santi tbh so if u pick him im be 110% into it). as far as their relationship goes the future is always up for discussion, i support it going every other way but as of right now their past is terrible and (  current situation ) full of angst. since maria is queen of her own country she often struggles to see when he is genuinely trying to be helpful and it turns into “stop telling me what to do with my country - you just worry about yours ”.  

king of spain: *breathS*maria:

[montaguew]

Visit Original Link

[shroudsofgold]

Here is your princess And here is your horizon 

[wishfulromancing]

[valyrianpoem]

[shroudsofgold]

◜ I.   ┊ CONRAD, HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR:◞

A rare moment alone found in the midst of the chaos of peace, and only one thing on his mind. As necessary as it all was, it was clear that the stress was affecting them all, and so he sought a small pleasure to brighten the busy days for his loves. It was childish, perhaps, to wander off to steal flowers from the gardens for the two, but there was a pleasure in the action of something so simple. It made him feel less like an emperor for a moment, years younger. The sound of soft footsteps made him freeze, a few flowers already in hand.

“Perhaps not taken, but looking for a stolen gift,” he admitted, turning and offering her a bow, despite her eyes lingering on the flowers. “You’ve caught me in the act, it seems; but the bed chamber the empress and I have been given does not yet feel like home.”

THE QUEEN’S SURPRISE WAS EVIDENT          from the way her brow furrowed to how quickly her postured change.         She knew this man - exchanged words with the him many times over both in parchment and through countrymen of their own though she could have never recognized him by him voice much less sight - he was nothing of the portrait she has seen.           How peculiar that feeling was.           To believe in something for so long only to have in change with a couple of words and a hard glance.         Nevertheless, it changed nothing else.         His was the blood her father followed in war and she would not be the one to break faith.

❛   I never believed our first meeting, if at all, with his imperial highness in France of all places, blooms in hand.   ❜     Meeting upon land foreign to them both meant she was spared a bent knee but formalities still dictated a slight dip of her head.         ❛   Maria Leonor of Castile.   ❜

[rosncrntz]

[inkmagician]

look mother, look at me now, kingdoms blooming beneath my feet and a throne of shadows for me.

excerpt from queen of bones, a persephone reimagining | published in unmythologize by a.c. (via inkmagician)

[montaguew]

Visit Original Link

Forgive me, Hera, I cannot stay. He cut out my tongue, there is nothing to say.  Love me? Oh lord, he threw me away. He laughed at my sins, in his arms I must stay.

[shroudsofgold]

me, re-reading all the ansty hcs I wrote for maria + the relationship w/ her husband:

[shroudsofgold]

◜ I.   ┊ HÉLÈNE OF RUSSIA:◞

if helene was a prideful woman, she would definitely not be in these gardens. her loyalty lied in her own gardens, the ones she dedicated most of her time to. sure, gardeners would aid her but she was the primary care-taker of the gardens in her palaces. yet, here she was, enjoying the numerous flowers this palace had to offer. it was gorgeous, and the only place she felt truly comfortable while in france. that was when she came across a woman with such a beautiful complexion to her. helene almost had her breath taken away. 

the girl hesitated before nodding. “yes, these gardens are beautiful. though, i certainly miss the ones back home in russia.” she remarked before approaching her. “i’m helene larisa rurik, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” she introduced, curtsying to the other woman. 

A VOICE WARMER THAN THE SUN CAUGHT HER ATTENTION.          The woman behind her was all bright eyes and a lithe smile.         Though feel it didn’t make feel anymore disposed it did distract her own unpleasant thoughts.         ❛  Yes well, to each bird his nest is the most beautiful, isn’t it? ❜     an honest smile crept on her lips, thinking over how easy it was to forget her formalities in a place so unassuming.         ❛   Forgive, Duchess Hélène. I only meant that I too miss my own.   ❜

❛   Maria Leonor of Castile   ❜     she countered by dipping her head.