#archdvchess

[cvcelia]

*         𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐃     𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑         /         @archdvchess           𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍     /     foyer, the grand duke johan and grand duchess cecelia's estate  

    the clicks of her shoes against the floor echoed throughout the hall. she was nearly stomping, but lightened her steps to maintain composure. she threw open the doors to the foyer to find leopoldine, and plastered on a diplomatic smile.     "    your brother just informed me that you were arriving today, so forgive me, a room will not be prepared for you until later in the day. perhaps after supper.     "         she was politely enraged, but did not want to engage with her husband further, especially not on this matter. her sister-in-law would probably now tell the world of her admittedly loose control over her estate, and her reputation would be tarnished.     "     my apologies for that, and also for johan's inability to greet you, he's apparently been unavoidably detained in his study until sundown, or until he tires of work, whichever comes first.     "     cecelia smiled again, more relaxed this time.     "     i have tea coming, it's a brilliant apple brew from the ottoman empire! i hear the sultan speaks highly of it.   "

[chvrlottes]

closed starter @archdvchess​. 

location: the gardens. 

charlotte used to consider alix’s in laws her own relatives, after all, they welcomed her sister in their family, and the younger princess couldn’t be more happy for her sister. sometimes, she wished her family was big as the habsburgs as she probably wouldn’t be as alone as she was growing up. she had some cousins from her mother’s family side, but they were overseas, and the cousins from her father’s weren’t the best people in the world. before being made the king’s heir, she had some fond memories with rené, but that’s all. before her marriage to vasily, she felt them to be strangers, without the complicity she thought they shared. 

but with alix’s unusual behavior, charlotte was starting to think that the habsburgs weren’t as nice as she pictured them to be. she knew her sister was harsh and cold --- being like that since their childhood days ---, but the lack of feelings she demonstrated upon discovering charlotte’s pregnancy was something else. if the roles were reversed, charlotte would be so happy for alix. a child was a blessing to any marriage, to any family. she didn’t want her child to grow up without the presence of their aunt, and needed to discover why --- and what --- her sister’s heart was more cold than ever. 

spotting archduchess leopoldine, one of the nieces of empress claudia, charlotte thought she could try to sort her thoughts of what could have happened ---  instead of listening to the gossip. “ archduchess leopoldine. ” she smiled kindly at the younger woman, bowing softly. “ i hope you remember me. i am alix-marie's younger sister, charlotte. it is nice to see you again. ”