Tagged by @sirenascelestiales for 2025 book bingo time [created by @batmanisagatewaydrug]
Literary Fiction: Many of the books from my BA studies list will probably make it here, I imagine. But if I had to pick one, I'd love to re-read The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald or read The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger.
Short Story Collection: I don’t think I’ve ever read anything in this category, so I’ll go with an internet suggestion - Dubliners by James Joyce.
Sequel: This one’s tough… I’m in the mood to re-read The Lost World by Michael Crichton.
Reread a Childhood Favorite: The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, for sure! Another goal connected to this is to read it in French.
20th Century Speculative Fiction: 1984 by George Orwell.
Fantasy: A Game of Thrones and the whole A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin.
Published Before 1950: I’m itching to revisit some Shakespeare. I’d like to re-read A Midsummer Night’s Dream and finally read Hamlet.
Indie Publisher: I have no idea here - maybe someone could recommend something?
Graphic Novel, Comic Book, or Manga: Either some Darth Vader comic or my first try at manga.
Animal on the Cover: Life of Pi by Yann Martel.
Set in a Country You’ve Never Visited: Book’s Kitchen by Kim Jee-Hye, set in South Korea.
Science Fiction: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury.
2025 Debut Author: Bochica by Carolina Flórez-Cerchiaro.
Memoir: Educated by Tara Westover.
Read a Zine & Make a Zine: I’m not familiar with this; I’ll need to do some research.
Essay Collection: On Immunity by Eula Biss.
2024 Award Winner: The Vegetarian by Han Kang.
Nonfiction, Learn Something New: The Plantagenets: The Kings and Queens Who Made England by Dan Jones.
Social Justice & Activism: Disability Visibility by Alice Wong.
Romance Novel: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon - or maybe something by Nora Roberts.
Read & Make a Recipe: Pierogi z kimchi. Kulinarna podróż po Korei by Wioleta Błazucka.
Horror: The Outsider by Stephen King.
Published in the Aughts (2000–2009): The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson.
Historical Fiction: The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco.
Bookseller or Librarian Recommendation: I haven’t picked anything here yet.
It was so hard to choose, but also so much fun! Thank you for tagging me!
I’d love to create a moodboard for some of my 9 upcoming books, but I think I’ll save it for later.
If you want to do this (though no pressure): @quietpainter @profiterole-reads @en-busca-de-mi-ikigai-blog + whoever wants to join!
Jean, Furina, Navia, Ayaka, and Eula play the Prince Charming character very very well.
Then we also have some prime Dashing Rogues with Beidou, Yelan, Shinobu, Hu Tao, Rosaria, and Navia again
Then we can go a touch further, some nice Knight in Shining Armor girls, Ei, Clorinde, Jean and Eula again, and Shenhe.
There's so many fun fairy tale things with the classic heroes, but then what about breaking classics a bit?
Lisa and Ningguang as goodly witches, who use their magic and potions to save you.
Amber and Yoimiya as the best friends who face the dangers even without proper training or powers.
Perhaps a nice mystical creature who joins you on youre journey because they're sure that you'll die alone if they don't? Yae Miko and Ganyu, easily.
And this is just placing the genshin women as the like hero characters, not going much into other roles in the stories, or making up new stuff!
~🐁
Aaaaaa so many ideas for a fairytale au 🥺
I’ve been binging a lot of fantasy anime lately so the idea of all the genshin women in a fairytale-like setting is having me swooning…
Can you imagine how romantic the princely women would be as they kneel on one knee and kiss your hand? Or— or the dashing rogue women saving you from being kidnapped by a bunch of thieves, and whisking you away on the adventure of a lifetime with them…
Also let’s not forget the cute fantasy creature companion that may or may not be a hot woman in disguise tagging along on your adventures with the other women, only to snatch you away and seduce you while acting all smug cuz princess charming, the rogue, the witches, etc. have no choice but to watch as your creature companion takes you away for a date.
The Sons of the Gods slew the Dragon of Gloom once and for all, each with their artifacts of power. The miasma that corrupts the mind, the miasma that petrifies the humans, were cleansed once and for all. They each took their respective throne, and thus the kingdoms of the continent were born. The Calamity is no more...
Eula was not the prophecied Son of the Gods. She was just a spoiled princess who only know how to sit pretty, but she's the only royalty her kingdom have left. She had no soldiers, no generals, no council, no mages. Only an illegal healer whose loyalty she brought with money, and her desperation to save her people.
Chapters: 1 2 ?
They say that out of the four kingdoms of the continent, Princess Eulalia Asha Laureate from The Laureate Kingdom is the most beautiful... and the most disappointing of them all.
Princess Eula shrieked and flung the cup of piping hot tea in her hands to the far wall. It narrowly missed a servant's head on purpose, more as an intimidation tactic than a full-on assault, thank the Gods that the princess had an impeccable aim.
Her maids had entered her room with the dress she was supposed to wear to meet her fiance, and they had the audacity to bring her a frilly pink dress. Something so.. so plain and boring and predictable and conventional. How did they expect her to impress Prince Oberon like this? Are they hoping for him to abandon her? They would like it, would they?
"Have you lost your mind, Evra?!"
Evra, the brown-haired handmaid in front of her stood stall, unfazed even as the rest of the maid flinched and cowered, Eula's newest tea set in pieces next to them.
"What is the matter, Your Highness?" she kept her poise, years and years of practiced patience.
"You want me to meet His Highness Oberon wearing that?" Eula thrust her fingers towards the ugly piece of clothing, fingers shaking, "Were you hoping that I lost this engagement?! Trying to turn me into a joke are we?"
In the face of a royal family's outburst, her eyes only crinkled as Eula fumed. She sighed, almost apologetically, but did not bother to give Eula the satisfaction of such obedience. "Apologies, Your Highness, it seems my habit of seeing you as a child is quite hard to grow out of."
Eula grits her teeth at her words, but she has more pressing matters, and she could never stay mad at Evra for long, "Bring me something else then"
"Of course, Your Highness", she bowed and swept out to pick out a new dress for her, the rest of the useless, tactless maids scurrying after her.
Calm down, she couldn't lose her temper like this in front of the prince.
Oh, Prince Oberon Werner. Crown prince of Ventor, a kingdom rich with ores with their many mountains and mines. Paired with her kingdom of commerce and harbors, their marriage would be a historic moment. She would rule his kingdom by his side as his queen. It was like something out of the fairy tale books she had read so often, something she dreamt of as she grew up.
She would pray every night that this engagement would never fall through. She's nothing without it, just a useless princess, unloved, riding the coattails of her brother the king
Prince Oberon is so gentle towards her, so patient and encouraging even when she didn't say much. He'll kiss the back of her hand and reassure her, it was enough that the beautiful her is there next to him, he looks at her and assure her that she's enough as she is. He's like a dream, too good to be true, but if it is the truth, then she doesn't need anything else.
Prince Oberon needs to stay interested in her.
The maids came back in a blur, now with a royal blue dress, darker, with detailed lacework and less tacky frills, the skirt layered with a crisp, sheer, light fabric to give her dress volume. The buttons running down the top were silver, engraved with wolves. Prince Oberon's House Symbol.
"Good", she nodded in approval before standing up, letting them help her into the dress, braiding her ash blonde hair, so dark it was almost brown, with pearls and flowers. Her maids work with practiced hands, but the newer ones worked with trembling but deft hands. She chose to ignore such carelessness. "Has the prince arrived yet, Evra?"
The prince is visiting the kingdom for business talks today, but he chose to meet her this morning as soon as he arrived for tea before he went to meet her brother.
"He has arrived, and is on his way to the gardens, Your Highness."
"Hurry up then", she snapped, and they worked even faster. She couldn't keep him waiting, not that he would ever complain. Prince Oberon has always been too nice to say anything, but he would have this smile he would give her when his patience run thin.
They dressed her up and she slipped into a simple, low-heeled shoes before sweeping out of her room, her pace quick and brisk as she made her way to the gardens in front of her palace. The maids behind her are practically running to keep up with her long strides, their height and legs too short to follow.
The gardens in the palace are full of hydrangeas, the greens bursting with purples and blues, surrounding a gazebo overlooking a small pond with lotuses and water lilies floating gently on the surface. A soft rustles of leaves and trickle of water, Prince Oberon sat quietly inside the gazebo, the maids already serving him tea with milk. The sun filtered through the trees into the sheltered space, turning his brown hair golden.
On the table in front of him are two cups for them, a platter of candied fruits, and a box of sweets from a patisserie in Ventor. He must've brought them for her.
Her favorite.
She could feel her heart skip a beat, but Eula pushed on, she's kept him waiting for long enough. As she approached, he raised his head and beamed at her, immediately standing up to escort her to the table, "It has been a while, how have you been, Princess Eula?"
"I have been well, Prince Oberon", she smiled at him as he led her to the table, her hand in his, warm and gentle. Elegance, grace, hospitable. "And how is your journey? You must be tired from the long trip.
The prince let out a quiet laugh as they sat down, "It was nothing if I could see your face."
Eula face twitched, You came her to see my brother, I was just on the way.
But she kept her mouth shut and kept the smile plastered on her face as they sat and the maid poured more tea for them. Everything is fine as long as she did not address the problem itself. It always worked that way.
Silence.
They never have much to talk about, and he must be tired from long journey. Maybe he's just as nervous as she was, if not a little shy (she dared to hope). But nevertheless, there was no need to fill the silence for her. His presence was enough.
A bird swept over the pond rustling the trees surrounding the gazebo before taking flight again, scattering leaves that fell into the water.
"Oh, I brought you these," Prince Oberon went and opened the box of sweets on the table, glazed pastries and chocolate sweets, "Your favorites."
Her chest is full of warmth. The prince who noticed her across the ballroom, the only person brave enough to approach the princess of Laureate, even with her in her boring formal royal garments and traditional- Oh no, did he prefer conventional? Maybe she should've worn the ugly, pink, frilly dress?
"Thank you prince, this meant a lot for me," Eula motioned towards Evra, and she came forward to bring her gift for him. A simple brooch he could wear with his less formal wear. Small and golden, with simple shapes and purple amethyst gems that contrasted against his blue eyes. "I have also prepared something for you... To remember me by when you're away."
He blinked and stared at the box of brooch in front of him, confusion ghosting over his features before he smiled at her, "Thank you, my lady. I'm sorry that I cannot come more often"
"No, it was... I was not complaining," she rushed to correct her words. It was a stupid mistake, it was enough that he has come to see her. What if he thought she was being clingy? That she was acting like a child?
But the prince just let out a small laugh before drinking his tea and taking a candied lemon from the platter.
Silence.
She watched as he drank his tea, perfect postures and long fingers, a new ruby ring she has never seen before on his index finger. Is it new?
The way the sunlight hits his hair makes him ethereal, as if he was a spirit that came to bless the heroes before their quest. His eyes are even bluer than the skies above. It drifted towards her.
Eula tore her gaze off of him. Oh no. He caught her staring.
The prince blinked and looked away to stare at his cup of tea. He took a deep breath before his eyes are back to her. He set down his tea.
"Princess Eula."
She blinked, "Yes?"
"I need to talk to you about something"
Why does he look so serious? Was he perhaps... going to propose?
No, no, calm down. She couldn't get ahead of herself.
"Please, I'm listening," she set down her cup of tea, keeping herself from leaning forward in her seat.
He took a deep breath.
Is it really going to happen?
He started, "You have always been so kind and sweet."
Eula could hear a few older maids shifting behind her in protest, those bastards. She knows she was far from how the prince see her as, but what of it? Everybody wants to look the best in front of their love.
"I cannot lie to you any further, Princess Eula, it's not right," he reached for her hand and grasped hers in his, warm and delicate, "I am in love with somebody else."
Eula stared at him. What?
"Oh."
"I did not come here to speak business with your brother. I am here to break off our engagement. I'm sorry princess Eula."
The gardens spun around her. Where did it go wrong. Is it her dress? It took everything for her to keep her poise, to keep herself from throwing herself at his feet to cry and beg and plead. Why?
"If I may know, who is it?" Eula pried her hand away from under his. It slid pathetically atop the table before she laced them together and letting them grip each other, anchoring herself to her seat.
He shifted, face falling as he watched her, "A... A commoner from my kingdom. But please, she didn't do anything wrong"
A commoner? He chose a commoner over her? Her?
"What is she like?"
She just hoped the maids behind her didn't hear anything, she could only hope the earth open up and swallow her whole, or maybe she should dive into the pond after he left. After all that many tantrums she threw, surely the maids has lost all the respect they have for her. Maybe they'll have enough decency to just let her perish right then and there under the waters.
"She's.. She's such a sweet, innocent girl. A bit naive, even, and a bit shy", he smiled, "She could be a bit old-fashioned with her tastes, but it doesn't matter to me, she-"
Eula has already stopped listening.
Oh no.
Evra was right, and Eula was just a stupid spoiled brat.
She should've worn that frilly pink dress.
Eula wasn't sure how she came back to her bedroom. She could only remember the prince going to meet her brother, and her stumbling her way through the stone path from the gazebo. She sat dazed on her bed, the maids standing in attention, warily watching her. Their youngest, the newest addition flinched whenever Eula shifted.
Stupid cowards. Do they think she'll throw a tantrum and blame them for this?
She doesn't even have any energy to raise her voice.
"I was wrong. I should have worn that stupid, frilly, pink dress you lot brought me"
Evra's eyes widened, she rushed to where Eula sat and knelt down to take her hands in hers, "Your Highness, that prince is.. That prince is in the wrong, not your taste in dresses."
"Surely, if I wore something more conventional, if I suit his tastes more, the engagement.. The engagement-" she choked a sob, before she waved towards the rest of the maids, "Leave us, you are all dismissed for today."
It has to be the dress. What else would be wrong? She acted the way every noble lady would, with poise and grace and elegance, she acted perfectly, she's virtuous and charitable. She made visits and half of her monthly expenses went to orphanages and public kitchens and hospitals and schools.
"Surely, he wouldn't care much about it, Your Highness. it was just a color, and you look lovely no matter what you wear."
She should've known better. Evra has always wanted the best for her, she'd known her since childhood, was like the older sister she never had (and she was the terrible, bratty, little sister).
But if it wasn't the dress, then it must've been her that he deemed not good enough, so it must have been the dress, or else she won't be able to take the blow.
It must be the dress.
The following days were a blur of gray.
Every time she looks at the sky, everything looks bleak.
Then a blur of blue.
She spent most of her time inside a bathtub with her azure bath salts, crying and trying to drown herself.
And a blur of white, her pillows and sheets, wet from her tears. She must've cried so pathetically, even though she tried her best to hide them from even her maids. The youngest of them was not even scared of her anymore. She dismissed them early every day, they're practically on vacation for the whole week, but her brother and mother stopped by worried, nevertheless.
A few nobles close to her sent gifts and a few merchants sent her dresses and- Oh, they must've saw how pathetic she is, abandoned by the crown prince for some old-fashioned average woman who doesn't even know how to wear leather. If only she's sweeter, if only she's more personable, friendlier, more-
"Your Highness," Evra swept the curtains of her room open, and the sunlight went inside to laugh at her sorry state on the bed. "Should we take a walk in the city, today? The weather is nice today."
Eula stared out the window, the sky is still grey today, as if it was going to rain soon, but the sun shone bright and the air was cool.
"Please, Your Highness, just the two of us? Even Sir Griffe doesn't have to know"
Evra is readily offering to sneak her out into the city without her knight guard knowing? She must've look pathetic right now, then, to have her spoil her this much.
"We could buy some chocolate cake, and even look at the smithy, if you'd like?"
The smithy. She has always liked to look at how the swords are made, not that she's allowed any chance to come close enough to one. She's a princess, after all. It was unbefitting for a lady to touch weapons, and even more so for one to come close to the sweltering heat of the smithy. I would ruin her flawless skin. But the way an expert work with the metal, refining them and shaping them into something that could be used to protect is almost magical for her.
"...Fine."
So Evra went to sneak her out the palace. When Eula was younger, she has always sneaked out to the city alone, and Evra was always the one who managed to catch her on the way, if not track her down in the city itself. It was when she was older that she realized Evra must've often sneaked out herself, and that must be how she was able to always tell where she is.
Hells, Evra was better than her when it comes to sneaking out.
Sir Griffe, her personal knight escort waits outside the room, so they left through the balcony, dropping down onto the study below. She guided her along empty hallways at just the right time so that the rotation of guards are none the wiser, then across the gardens along just the right path so that their steps didn't scatter any stones.
They circled around the fountains in front of Eula's palace before turning left to the side gate where the cargo comes in from, through a soil path curving between the trees, and then through a small metal gate towering over them. Evra deftly picked the locks for them, and it swung open with ease.
The city was bustling, the same as the rare times she's able to come here. Evra guided her towards the shops and restaurants. Sweets first then, before they went to the smithy.
"What is wrong you? I'm a customer!"
A voice rang loud and clear among the bustling streets, a man dragged out of the sweets shop they're about to enter. Two people hauled him outside as he struggled, hair all mussed up and face red from screaming. Someone else followed him out calmly, the owner of the shop, judging by the apron around his waist. The owner scoffed as he pushed the tomato-red man further out of this shop."We don't serve Ventor citizens. Not after what your shameless prince did to our princess."
Eula's stomach dropped.
It wasn't enough that she went out to escape from her thoughts, now the whole kingdom and even the commoners are pitying her, looking down on her for her pathetic failure. How embarrassing. As if her pathetic failure is not enough, everyone is yelling about it? This must have been a cruel joke played by The Gods.
The red-faced man didn't back down, "And what of it? It was your king who drove up import taxes so far up their ass. How could our prince keep his loyalty to such a kingdom!? He would be killing his people for sticking to such an alliance!"
Import taxes?
Evra clutched at Eula's wrist immediately, adamant and sure that she would pounce on the Ventorian for insulting her brother, but Eula stood there, rooted in place. She wasn't sure what she should be more angry about, that some foreigner are insulting her brother in such a way, or the realization that her brother drove up the import taxes for Ventor.
How could he? Prince Oberon is her fiance, Ventor would be where she would rule in the future.
Is this why she's abandoned? Thrown aside?
Her brother's fault?
A crowd formed around their squabble now, more people shouting obscenities at one another. A barmaid hefting bottles of alcohol set down her cargo to pull a lady from Ventor by her hair, a young boy pulled a middle-aged-man by the collar.
"That cheating bastard prince!"
"What did you just say? Your princess is a spoiled downer! She only have her face going for her!"
"Her Highness Eula doesn't deserve this!"
Eula watched the growing crowd in horror, feeling sick to the stomach. She turned away to find a less crowded spot, but even more people arrived to watch the mess, blocking her way to even leave and go and hide herself in a hole. Her breath came short, it was getting harder to breathe. The crowd's face was a blur.
There.
Next to the sweets shop, are an alleyway. Clean and bright, with flowerboxes decorating the bare walls.
Eula pried Evra's hand off her wrist, practically running into the alley, voices a messy cacophony around her.
"Milady-!" Evra hissed, but stopped herself from calling her by her title. She rushed after her as she ran further in the alleys. "Asha!"
It turned and curved behind the shops on the main streets, houses and warehouses, until it led her to a building at the corner of the alley.
Varun's. Trinkets, cures, and potions.
She could still her the clamor behind her, the crowd growing and growing, louder and louder, and she had nowhere to go. Maybe the shop had something that could finally fix her stupid, stupid failures, maybe she just needs a quiet place to wallow in her self-pity. It doesn't matter. She entered, Evra rushing after her close as she hissed, still panting and out of breath, "Is-.. Is this shop even legal? Let's return-"
The shop was full of rack upon racks of trinkets and antiques lining the walls, a counter dominating the majority of the room. It smelled of herbs and smoke and metal, the shop empty, save for two customers, sitting on one of the guest tables and a clerk behind the counter.
A middle-aged man with orange, curly hair lit up as she entered, practically vaulting over the counter to greet her, "Welcome, welcome! Can I help you, dear customer? Please, sit down, what are you looking for?"
The man is bulky with a pot belly, nothing magical or witchy about him. He smells faintly of blood, an apron splattered with blood thrown haphazardly over the counter. This shop felt like a scam.
"What do you have?"
"Anything you need, of course!" he beamed, guiding them further inside as he motioned towards the shelves, "Brews and teas for your fatigues, pastes and scents and oils for your weariness, and even potions and cures!"
"Potions?"
"Yes! Potions!" he picked a clear bottle of violet liquid, the contents sloshing haphazardly, "To turn your hair blue, as a prank to make your enemies hiccup, or even to make you fire resistant, we have them all, anything you need!"
Eula had no problem acquiring various potions from the palace's alchemy reserve, but the man beamed proudly, confident that he could deliver anything she asked him for. "All, you say?"
"Any needs!"
She's not sure why asked, maybe she's curious, maybe it was his overly confident stance, his overeager motioning towards all the potions on the racks, maybe she just wanted to mess around or maybe it was because she's desperate, "Do you have a love potion, then?"
The man barked out a laugh slapping his hand over his knee, "Ha! What are you? The lovesick Princess Eulalia? Good one! If we have one of those, we would've sent some her way. Maybe she'll manage to keep the wolf prince then."
Evra grip went to her wrist again, but this time, Eula moved faster. She strode up to the laughing man, laugh faltering as he realized she was not joking. She ripped the bottle off his hands and shattered them on the ground, the purple liquid sizzling on the floor.
"How could you?" her voice shook, fist tight. Her eyes started to water again, but she fought them back, "Is my suffering funny to you?"
The two customers behind them stood, chairs clattering as they stumbled backwards, one pushing the other out of the shop, "Get Arjun, quick!"
The clerk just held his hand, scratched from her nails when she wrestled the bottle away from him, she realized. His mouth was open as he stared at her as if she just grew two heads right in his shop. Evra stepped forward, forcing herself between Eula and the man, trying to keep his attention away from Eula. "Forgive me, are you alright?"
The clerk ignored her, instead turning to Eula with wide eyes, face paling, "Your.. Highness.. Eulalia?"
Her eyes started to water. Pathetic. Pathetic. Pathetic.
Why was she even here? Having an outburst in the middle of an illegal magic shop? Taking out her anger on some man just eager to make a sale, just some man with a stupid, insensitive joke, when she should've been angry towards the prince, or even towards her own brother for driving her fiance away?
The bell above the shop door jingled again, and someone new entered behind them. The steps didn't falter, coming closer to them. It's confident even, quick and precise.
Eula shuffled backward, fingers numb, she had to leave, she couldn't - "I.. I-"
"I should stop leaving my shop in your hands, Garon. You kept insulting my customers", the voice behind her spoke, and she turned around.
A young man around her age stood behind her, with brown skin and white wavy hair, the length not quite right to be done in that hairstyle, tied loosely into a half-up ponytail, and oh Gods that horrid white hair full of split ends, he must've washed them every day in whiteberry juices that it's gone both dry and clumpy just to keep that tacky color. He turned to her.
"I apologize for my... assistant's remarks, Your Highness", he bowed to her, "Please, sit down, I will make you some tea. Do not worry about the mess, this is... ", his eyes darted down towards the sizzling remains on the floor, trying to identify what bottle of his merchandise he had just lost. He continued too quickly, "It's nothing of value."
Eula watched as he stepped away to heal the clerk's scratch, blue light illuminating the shop. Illegally, she noted, with no ring of permit on his fingers. Every healer and magician that has graduated from the academy was granted one, and it was mandatory to wear them at all times, especially when treating patients. A legal healer wouldn't be running a shady magic shop, anyways.
The clerk's dark eyes drifted towards her, still watching them, and she shifted uncomfortably.
She shouldn't have thrown that bottle, she should have apologized. That's what a good noble does. They admit their wrongs even toward those below them. But why did he talked so lightly about her problems the way he did?
Eula was about to step forward to open her mouth, unsure if she was supposed to berate him or apologize to him when the white-haired clerk turned to her, the first clerk behind him scurrying away immediately along with the glass fragments, all swept and mopped up.
"Welcome to my humble shop, Your Highness. My name is Arjun. How can I help you?" his smile was... capitalistic. He's eager to make a sale, knowing the weight of her gold waiting in the palace reserves.
"I..."
Arjun stepped closer to her, smile still plastered onto his face as he leaned closer to whisper to her conspiratorily, "I apologize for my rudeness, but... If this is about your... Ah, recent problems, I could help."
Eula blinked, "How?"
He warily glances towards Evra, now sat behind her, before steering Eula away to a corner of the shop for more privacy, "I could fix your broken heart in a few ways. A memory of the wretched prince locked away, or even a few well-placed curses, hexes, or even a potion for revenge.... With the right price, of course."
The exact same promise as the clerk from before.
"Whose shop is this, exactly?"
"It's mine, Your Highness. I had to step away for a moment, so..." he smiled sheepishly, "The butcher next door had to keep an eye on the shop for me."
Eula narrowed her eyes. If she had another outburst, would another person come in to claim that this is their shop?
"We do not have love potions, however. It seems I still have much to learn."
"So you are offering me petty hexes to get back at the prince?"
"Oh, I wouldn't say petty", he smirked, "My hexes are-"
"I'm sorry, but My Lady has better things to do than have herself scammed by the likes of you", Evra dragged her by the wrist before she could say anything.
Arjun did not move to follow. He only smiled at them, the light barely reaching his eyes, "Very well then. I will always be here, Milady."
She threw one last dirty look at Arjun before she swept Eula out of the shop. "This place is bad news. We shouldn't be here for too long."
"I won't get myself scammed, Evra," Eula hissed. "I was just curious."
But she didn't let go, frowning as she threw another wary look at the shop behind them, whispering so harshly it was barely appropriate to direct to a royal, "Even if you sneak out alone without me, Milady, please. Never ever come back to that shop"
She knew her too much, but she wouldn't promise on anything she couldn't keep her word on. "Let's just go back", Eula sighed, "I'm sick of hearing what these commoners think of my broken engagement."
"Yes, of course, My Lady", Evra smiled at her, relieved that she didn't have to drag her away from the shop. They cut through the training grounds by the palace this time, no more reason to hide and scurry around.
The knights are in training, and even her brother, always averse to combat and swordsmanship, is training. She never belonged there, of course. It was below her to dirty her dress and hands, a proper princess did no such things.
Admittedly, she had learned a few of the steps once, during the times both her and her brother were free enough to play around. She was a quick learner and had mastered it even faster than her brother, but the king (though her father's dead now, an accident during a hunt) and the queen hated the idea. What kind of kingdom would let their dainty princess hold a sword? And she agreed, it was ridiculous and she's above doing such laborious things. So why is exactly her brother doing these drills he seems to hate so much?
The groundskeeper sweeping the side of the fields bowed at her as she approached, "Welcome Your Highness! Are you on a walk? The weather is clear today."
"Yes," she nodded at the old man, and he smiled, crow's feet forming at the side of his eyes. Eula watched as his brother sparred with one of his generals. Losing. He's a monarch, not a knight, after all. "It is unusual for His Majesty to train at this time of the day."
"Did you not know, Your Highness? We're declaring war on Ventor."
Eula stared at the groundskeeper, then at her brother across the field. Her stomach plunged down to the ground. She wished she could just melt down into the cracks in the dirt right then and there.
(Listen if he doesn’t end up canonically being the prince then just consider this an AU. It already kinda is but… um… I suck at wording.)
“The prince of Khaenri’ah will be arriving in Mondstadt tomorrow for trade negotiations.” Grand Master Varka explains to Jean, Lisa, Amber, Diluc, Eula, Albedo, Noelle, Klee, and you. “I want all of you to be on your best behavior.”
“He means you and Klee.” Diluc looks over to you.
“Hey! That’s not entirely fair. I’ve been keeping Klee out of trouble for months.”
“Yeah! Miss Knight and I have been very good! I haven’t bothered big brother Albedo, I haven’t blown up any fish, and no one’s got mad at me and dodoco.”
Varka kneels down to Klee. “We’re all very proud of you for that Klee but you need to be extra good okay? Mondstadt needs Khaenri’ah to help us out.”
“Okay, Master Varka! Can me and miss Knight go fishing now?”
Varka sighs and and smiles at her. “Okay, just be careful and don’t blow up anything.”
“Come on you little pyromaniac. Let’s go get some fish.”
“Yay!” Klee cheers and pulls you out of the Knights HQ.
You two make your way down the street towards the front entrance of the city. On you walk you see a stranger at good Hunter. He had blue hair; tan skin; pants, boots, fingerless gloves, and a corset (all black); a short blue vest; a white shirt; and a fur collar with a cape attached.
“Hmm, what should I get? Excuse me, I don’t mean to bother a beautiful woman but do you perhaps have any wine?” He asks Sara.
“Oh, no, I’m sorry. We don’t serve wine here.”
“Oh that’s unfortunate. I suppose it’s made up for by the fact that a stunning, kind, woman works here.”
“Well aren’t you a charmer.” Sara smiles at him.
“I just try to make people’s day.”
“Excuse me!” You and Klee walked over to the man. He turns around and he has a beautiful blue left eye and his right eye is covered by his bangs. His face over all is ethereal. “Um, I, Angel’s Share is known for its immaculate wine. The Cat’s Tail also has some great choices of Alcohol apparently, I don’t usually drink but Crepus does enjoy their drinks.” You blush as this gorgeous man smiles at you.
“Crepus? The owner of Angel’s Share and the Dawn Winery?”
“Yeah, I helped him escape a Fatui Ambush a few years ago at his son’s birthday party.”
“Interesting, so you know the Ragvindrs?”
“Kinda, Diluc and I trained together to become knights. He’s very strong and incredibly and Crepus is so proud. I’ve only met the older Ragvindr a handful of times but he’s been like a father to me.”
“Hm, you and this Diluc must be a very happy couple.”
“Ew! Miss Knight would never be with that weirdo!”
“Klee! Sorry about her. I try to teach her to be nice to the other knights. Diluc and I have a friendly rivalry so we send jabs back and forth and Klee can sometimes be defensive of me.” You smile politely at the cute stranger.
“She’s very cute. Though she looks bit old to be your daughter.” Klee starts tugging on your sleeve.
“Oh no, she’s not mine. I’m more of a nanny. I’m sorry to cut this short but Klee and I were heading to starfell lake.”
“That sounds like a good time.”
“Yeah, she likes catching fish and I sit and watch her to make sure she doesn’t hurt herself. Maybe you’d like to join us.”
“I would actually, thank you. It would be my pleasure to entertain a woman as radiant and stunning as you. For all the stars beauty could never compare to the shining light of your eyes.” He takes your hand and kisses your knuckles. Your heart is thumping wildly in your chest.
During the afternoon you three play at the shore of starfell lake. Well Klee and dodoco play, you and this stranger (who you learn is named Kaeya) talk about life and your interests. He is an incredible charming man.
“Wait so this Diluc guy got his vision on his 18th birthday?”
“Yep, because he helped saved his dad. I don’t want to brag but I did get my vision before him.”
“So you mentioned before that you’re a knight. What’s that like?”
“Well I’m the cavalry captain so I manage funds for the horses. I could take you to meet my horse Marshal. How long do you plan to stay in Mondstadt for? I’ll be busy this week because the prince of Khaenri’ah is visiting but maybe on my lunch break I could introduce you to be noble steed.”
“I’d love to meet Marshal. Oh wow it’s getting late. I should head back. I’ll see you tomorrow miss Cavalry Captain.” He kisses your knuckles again and walks off.
“I call dibs on being the flower girl!” Klee shouts and you blush fiercely at the implication.
——
The next morning you get up and clean your, get on a professional but still combat oriented dress, and made breakfast then rushed off to work.
As you got to the front hall where the other knights were waiting, you joined Diluc and Lisa in the corner.
“Attention! Knights, I’d like to introduce to you all Kaeya Alberich, the prince of Khaenri’ah and his personal guard Dainsleif.” Varka announces.
You look over in shock and see the man from yesterday. He was dressed head to toe in whites and blues. White pants and shoes, a dark blue vest, light blue shirt and jacket with white fur on the bottom trim. He was decked out in sapphires, and his right eye was showing. It was a dazzling glowing gold. He’s so pretty.
Oh yeah and there was a blue eyed blondie in black and blue armor next to him.
—
During lunch he came to your office and knocked on your door. “Hey cute stuff.”
“Hey stranger, or would you like me to call you ‘your highness’?”
(A/n: you guys don’t even know how tempted I am to have Kaeya say “I’d rather you call me your boyfriend.”)
“Kaeya is fine. Varka told me that you were on lunch break so I thought that we could go see Marshal. If you’re not busy, I understand if you are.”
“I’d love to entertain a handsome charming man.” You smirk as you turn his words from yesterday on him. You pull him along and he starts idle conversation with you.
“You have no idea how many times Dain had to stop me from mentioning you.”
“I’m flattered.”
“Well it’s not every day that I see someone who can rival the Archons beauty.”
“You flatter me too much.”
You bring him to meet a white horse with brown spots around one eye and more sporadically around his back. “Hi Marshal!” You pet him.
“He’s adorable.” Kaeya smiles. “Can I ask you something crazy?”
“Go ahead.”
“Will you be my girlfriend? Or at least let me take you out for dinner?”
“I’d love to go on a date with my new boyfriend.” You say as you grab his hands and pull him into a short but intimate peck on the lips which he returns.
A/N : go check out my friend @helvrin , they’re starting up a blog and I’d appreciate it if you gave them love and support <33
Here’s the prompt list i used today!
Characters : Albedo, Eula, Gorou
Reader : Gender Neutral
Genre : Fluffy scenarios
Prompts : “You can’t lie to me, you know.” Albedo
“You’re worthy of my love” Eula
“You’re really cute!” Gorou
Words : 343 Albedo, 395 Eula, 412 Gorou
Tw : Mentions of intoxication,
Albedo
You let out and audible sigh, Dragonspine was a horrible place to be at. The freezing temperature, the cliffs making up it’s landscape , the hostile creatures that inhabited the area, it was all horrible. The only good side to all this is that this is where a certain scientist spent most of his time.
“Hey ‘bedo” your voice trembled a bit, you could see the blonde boy enthralled with something in his hands. Looking around his so called ‘office’ you noticed how Sucrose was not with him. You sort of missed her lovely smile, but relief washed over you since now you had your alone time with Albedo.
“Albedo?” It was only then that he noticed your presence , his chapped lips were slightly separated, you could see when he was breathing due to the cold.
“Hello,” he quickly got up, completely disregarding his concoction, his nose , ears and cheeks were covered with splotches of pink. “what are you doing here love? What about your comis-“
“I’ve got one in Dragonspine, so i decided to come visit!” You abruptly interrupted him, he was staring at you. It was quite alluring to say the least. He didn’t look convinced with your answer, a deadpan expression was staring right back at you.
His hair was quite messy, it looked like as if he just woke up. A small tint of purple was underneath his eyes, only confirming your suspicion. It was bewitching how beautiful he looked, he didn’t even look real. He looked like someone painted him , there wasn’t a single flaw in his appearance .
“You cant lie to me, you know.” He stated as if it was a fact, slowly walking towards you and pulling you into his embrace. He wasn’t that warm, but his skin felt so soft, like the softest petals that would cover the ground in Spring. A small chuckle erupted from your throat, “you’re right, I’m only here to see my chalk prince!” you added more emotion into each word, earning a small giggle from him.
Eula
Why did you choose her to be the one that you love? Simple, even though she always talks about vengeance, has a blunt personality and is very intimidating, she has a soft side underneath all of that.
You entered the tavern searching for a familiar blue haired girl, the overbearing smell of alcohol was infuriating. There were drunk men, women stumbling over everything and anything. Glancing over to the bartender, you gave them an apologetic smile.
You noticed a certain cryo duo asking the bartender for more drinks, you made your way over to them, careful not to smash into anyone. “Hello Kaeya ,” his head turned to meet the direction in which your voice came , “Hello Rosaria” she too turned around to face you, she offered a small smile. She’s always taken a liking towards you. “Have you seen Eul-“ “Second floor and probably in the corner, anyways as I was saying can i have two more drin-“ Kaeya quickly returned to pestering the worker. Taking that as your cue to leave, you swiftly made it to the stairs.
You glanced around the second floor, only to see her in a seat which is next to the wall. She had saved a seat for you, her emotionless expression didn’t let you read her mood. “Eula, hi.” She straightened her posture as you sat yourself down, a faint smile tugged her lips. “Hello Y/N.” “Why did you want me to meet with you?” You swore you could hear how hard you heart was beating.
“I wanted to give you this,” she picked up her bag and started to rummaging through it, her eyes lit up as she discarded the bag and held the present in her hand. “I apologise if you’re not a jewellery person.” She extended her hand to reveal a beautiful silver beaded bracelet, you extended your hand, it was cold to the touch and glistened in the light. “No no don’t worry about that, i love it!” Reassuring her was the most you could do with the state that you were in, blushing so hard that you worried you looked silly.
“How come you’re giving me this?” Asking her was difficult, she wasn’t one to display affection too outwardly. “You’re worthy of my love.” Her mystical coloured hair rested on her red cheeks perfectly, accentuating all of her good features as she stared into your eyes.
Gorou
“Hey Gorou?” You two were cuddling on the bed, hugging eachother so gently that you could barely feel his arms. “Yeah?” Truth be told, you two had to get up in an hour or so to get ready for a meeting with Kokomi. Yet both of your didn’t want to get up, just forget about the world and war and be in eachothers embrace. “We need to get ready for the meeting…” he groaned at your response, “five more minutes?” “No.”
You two dragged yourselves out of bed, doing everything you needed to do before going out. You managed to get ready quicker than a certain general of yours, as you were waiting around you noticed that he was ready to put on his eyeshadow.
“Gorou wait!” “What why?” He raised his voice slightly, startled at you rushing over to him. “Let me do your makeup please.” He stared at you, an expression of confusing contorted his face. “Are you good at it?” “Kinda…” Gorou reluctantly dragged you to the bed and sat down with you, handing you the eye shadow, eye liner and some light mascara.
“If you mess up i am not going outside with it.” His voice was stern yet slightly playful, closing his eyes. Picking up the brush you leaned into him, and started so apply small amounts of red eyeshadow, trying to mimic his normal makeup. It took you a while to perfect it but it got there soon enough. Adding only a little bit of eyeliner, not too dramatic but just enough to make it look good. And then finally the mascara, it was the messiest of them all, a bit got on the side of his nose bridge, quickly cleaning it off with a slight but of embarrassment.
It didn’t look too bad, it was okay. “Okay you can look now.” He opened his eyes as you passed him a mirror, his lips parted a bit, his eyes enthralled with the painting around it. “Y/N…” As much as he tried to stop it, his tail started to wag a little bit. Both of you noticed it, embarrassment came over him as he quickly thought of what to say. “It looks amazing, thank you!” His eyes met yours as he placed down the mirror on the bedside table. “You’re really cute!” You managed to squeak out as you swiftly kissed him on the cheek. He was ready to show off this makeup to everyone around him.
I found this in my drafts from like 2 months ago, so here’s my post after my break! <33
I've had this idea for so so long. But royalty reader x yandere dragon xiao(or anyone who fits that role). Basically he steals you away to be his treasure🤠💦 and keeps you hidden far far away from everyone. When a kind brave knight comes to save you, they are brutality murdered in front of you and then in his bloodlust crazed he will demand a reward from his princess/prince. Even if they don't want to, he will still take his reward no matter what. He often breeds them and forces them to beg him for his cum, thank him for his cum and say that they love it so much😔💦
Bonus points if reader was sold or given to yandere as a peace treaty.
anon, your absolutely brilliant mind!!! this idea plagued me for DAYS. it's is so, so good, because i'm somehow horrified and turned on all at the same time??!! the idea of someone just fucking darling after murdering someone for them. to top it off, the breeding kink?? bloodthirsty + horny + feral xiao... sign me the fuck up.
so i did a little fic here (pretty long actually...) and ugh it was so fun to write feral!xiao. i took some liberties with your prompt, like making xiao birb instead because of his backstory (related to the giant birb peng in chinese mythology). also eula somehow snuck in without me realizing... well.
also, i love the little touches of the emojis. i laughed so hard when i saw it. 🤠😔💦💦 indeed!! no seriously, the emojis made my whole day, it was like some kinda puppet acting out the drama. sent me cackling.
4R’s: Encantadia Season 2 (March 10, 2017 week-ender episode review)
Episode 170
Recap:
The Peace Talks
Ybrahim, Pirena and Muros went to Etheria to finally talk to Hara Avria. They told the Etherian queen that the three kingdoms will acknowledge her as a ruler but in return she will stop terrorizing and capturing encantados and will also respect the three neighboring kingdoms, and it’s rules to maintain peace and order in Encantadia. Being monarchs, they are trying to prevent war as much as possible but if Avria does not agree to this, the three kingdoms will be forced to declare a war against Etheria. The talk between Pirena and Avria almost led into a war between the four kingdoms if it weren’t for Ybrahim’s intervention, again, he reminded his co-leaders that they are preventing war as much as possible, Avria told them to give them time to think.
The many questions of Luna
Still bothered with who she really was, Luna went to Danaya and Imaw and asked if they could use the latter’s cane to find out about her true identity. Luna was fully aware that she isn’t a nymfa like Gilas and wanted to know the truth. Danaya revealed that she is a diwata with a Hathorian blood which explains the reason why the Fire gem chose her to be it’s new keeper. Aside from Luna’s true heritage, Danaya refused to reveal more, especially who her parents were but promised to tell her everything when the right time comes. Ybrahim, Pirena and Muros went back to Lireo and told her how the meeting with Avria concluded. Upon learning about what Avria said, Danaya took this as a sign that the Etherian queen might agree thus another bloody war would be prevented, Pirena warned them not to be too confident about it, for they can never be really sure what’s going through Avria’s mind.
Threat to the new guardians
Rehav Manik was able to pass through the barriers and was brought to Hara Danaya. The queen called for Azulan and Ariana and asked if they really know the Punjabwe, the siblings confirmed that they know the encantado and introduced Manik as the prince of the Punjabwe tribe. Azulan and Ariana were relieved that Manik was able to escape from Etheria’s clutches, truth was Avria brought back Manik’s memories to effectively convince the diwatas but assured that his loyalty will remain with Etheria. Manik was surprised to find out that Ariana is one of the chosen keepers of the gem and asked if he could meet the four others. Still oblivious, Ariana took him to their training site and formally introduced Manik to her new friends, to their surprise, Manik suddenly stabbed Mira from behind and began attacking the others. Lira would have knocked out Manik using her power but Ariana stopped her and attempted to talk to Manik instead, but he didn’t listen and Ariana ended up being a hostage instead, the elders came just in time to witness the commotion, Manik stabbed Ariana and Lira almost ended up like Ariana if she didn’t went ivictus to save herself. The elders tried to stop Manik but was able to escape, Danaya immediately healed the injured, Azulan came in and got yelled by Pirena for letting a vidalje in.
Pirena and Azulan got into a heated argument because of the incident earlier. Azulan admitted he didn’t know that Manik has turned to the enemy’s side, still it wasn’t enough to calm Pirena down, Azulan threatened to kiss Pirena after the latter slapped him. Ybrahim and Imaw came, after the attack the three sensed that Avria isn’t going to make peace with them.
Avria’s plan
Avria wasn’t really going to give in, truth was, she was going to pretend to make amends with the diwatas, and to really convince the other side, Avria ordered Amarro and the other Mashnas to stop terrorizing Encantadia for now. Avria also knew that Andora summoned pashneas to attack Lireo but pretended to have no idea when Amarro told her, it was a good opportunity for Avria to carry out her plans.
Rave/s:
💜 Hahahahaha! Love how Wahid gets all jealous with Pao Pao and Lira’s closeness 😂 but seriously I prefer Lira and Pao to maintain the sibling relationship they had back then, but still I would want Wahid to think that there is something going on between LirPao, that would be cute and funny as well. I wonder how Daddy Ybrahim will react at how these boys seem to be “getting really close” with his daughter?
❤ And ayan na nga, luma-love life na si mareng Piry! Ayiiiie! Okay, in all fairness to Marx I love how he maintained his rude boy aura but I wish he added a little bit of playfulness when he did that scene with Glaiza (that scene when he threatened to kiss Pirena) to really bring out that “kilig” vibe, and of course, he has to work on his facial expressions, the way he delivered those lines was okay BUT, his face is still kinda blank so that’s a minus point for execution, but still all in all, I like that scene.
💎 The episode for tonight is intense af, that interaction between Ms Eula’s Avria and Glaiza’s Pirena is literally to die for! There was so much tension in that scene even though there was no lethal battle going on between the two, the way they delivered those lines seemed like they were having a duel…of who’s the better actress, acting showdown at it’s finest! Hands down to these two award-winning actresses! 👏 Also, I would like to give a shoutout to Joross for being such a versatile actor, he can do drama, he can do comedy, and it’s actually my first time seeing him portray a villain in a show and damn dude, he nailed it!
Rant/s:
😪 I was team replay last night and I was literally expecting so much from Arra. I was hoping that when Mira got stabbed by Manik, Ariana will feel some sort of worry and protectiveness towards Mira and when Manik started to wreck havoc, Ariana will “accidentally channel” her inner Amihan and fight Manik, but NNNOOOO what the hell?! She ended up being a hostage and what’s really masaklap is that Arra doesn’t look like a hostage at all. Remember when I ranted so much about Gabbi’s performance way back in book 1? It’s the same feeling bessies, there’s just too much acting that Arra is making it so obvious that she’s just acting (know what I mean?), I wasn’t worried or scared for her and when she got stabbed I was like, “Um…okay, so now what?” and I swear if it weren’t for Joross and the rest of the cast, this scene would have been so, SO CRINGEWORTHY AF! I was more worried for Mira and Lira who almost got slashed.
😪 BUT WHAT REALLY DISAPPOINTED ME THE MOST IS THAT EFFIN’ YBRIANA SCENE! Wtf! Like girl, I know you’re still on the stage wherein you’re starting to rediscover yourself but chemistry…CHE-MIS-TRY! Where is the CHEMISTRY?! I saw that spark when Ruru and Arra’s characters met for the first time, where the heck is it now?! I was crossing my fingers and praying to all three gods of Encantadia that Arra will connect to Ruru but got really disappointed because still, Ruru is the only one who brought that scene, it seems like he’s the only one who’s making efforts to make this whole Ybriana team up work, and I have read how most fans in the Enca-verse are buying the Pao Pao-Lira-Wahid love triangle than the Ybriana team up (and please do not make me talk about AleBarro, no one’s interested in that anymore except maybe for a few GabRu loyalists). The way how Ybrahim looked at Ariana with concern was so on point, but the problem here is Arra, her face was so…I-don’t-know-how-to-explain that face. But to be fair naman, Kylie and Ruru didn’t really have that much chemistry until the fall of Lireo arc, so sige, a new week, new set of episodes, new set of chances (but seriously this is getting really, really frustrating week after week!)
🤔 Wait, so Lireo’s security isn’t as strong as we think after all. Granted, the Lirean guards must have let Manik in, but still, didn’t Pirena casted an incantation to prevent those who have bad intentions to enter the kingdom? Can’t the gems sense that Manik was only faking it? Hm…guess the gems aren’t as reliable after all.
Best performer/s for this episode:
Glaiza de Castro 🔥
Eula Valdes 🥀
Rating: 8 out of 10💎s
Week-ender thoughts: All in all, this is still an exciting week. Lots of ups and downs in this set of episodes but I enjoyed the roller coaster ride, I have a feeling that Avria’s strategy of defeating the three kingdoms is the same strategy Pirena used to deceive Amihan, and Emre pleeeaaaase! I hope the sang’gres wouldn’t fall for the same trap again (but I wouldn’t be surprised if they do). Also looking forward to Muyak being the sixth guardian, some people are speculating that she’s going to be the spirit guide of the air gem or something like that, but we’ll see.
Overall best performer for this week:
Glaiza de Castro 🔥
Overall rating: 8 out of 10💎s
Photo credits:
From Twitter:
@GMAEncantadia (Encantadia 2016-2017 official twitter acct)
@gmanetwork (GMA network); official website: gmanetwork.com
@GMADrama (GMA Drama)
From Facebook: Encantadia 2016
Video credits: GMA Network via YouTube & dailymotion
