Preview: Reasons why your love couldn't come to fruition.
Cw: [ Angst ], Gn Reader, Regency Au(? Can lowkey be viewed generally too), Tiny Hints of Jealousy, Lots of tropes, Yearning, Reciprocated love and Unrequited love for different characters, Death (Skully), Historically inaccurate cuz they have rings, but who cares lol
Riddle Rosehearts, who can't marry you due to your status. His mother would never approve of his son marrying a commoner. He should've never entertained the idea, and yet... He finds himself drawn to you time and time again. He lies, telling his beloved mother about a business trip, only to meet you at your doorway, with flowers from a garden you could only dream of visiting. You're amazing, the way you smile, the way you laugh - none of it seems wrong in his eyes at all. It's different for his mother. When she finds out, she doesn't confront him. She knows there's a way for him to once again disobey her, and so she gives you an ultimatum. Imagine Riddle's heartbreak when he hears you tell him you've found someone else, one who doesn't have to hide their love for you... When you leave him, you ask Mrs.Roshearts to make sure he finds someone who will truly love him, in a marriage more suited to his status.
Ace Trappola, who has to watch you be betrothed to someone of a higher rank. Worst of all, a prince? He wants you to be happy, no matter what. You're the best thing to have ever happened in his life, but he can't deny... The urge to step between the two of you, proudly declare his love for you, without a care for his pride, was the strongest it had ever been. And yet, the moment he watches as your eyes meet his, he nods with a gentle smile. He knows what you're asking him. He knows, he always does. But, in the end, you deserve the most fulfilling life possibly, because that's what he wishes he could give you. A life full of luxury, one where he could give you everything and everything you want. Ruling together as he gives you the world just because you muttered it in passing in one of your petty talks. But instead, he can only flip cards and show you tricks to let that pretty laugh of yours trickle out. Not nearly a fraction of what you deserve. So, he watches, watches as Malleus Draconia places that ring on your finger.
Deuce Space, who doesn't feel worthy enough to ask for your hand. He has a less-than-ideal past... He's improved upon it since then, now being a model noble in the ton. Sort of. It's impossible to get rid of a history that dishonorable. But, whispers exist. And whispers of his past will always exist, since it was he who decided to act like that. Whenever you seem to hear someone mutter it in passing, though, you act as if it's just silly bad talk. He wonders how you would change if he told you it was all true. And so, he does. He sits you down and tells you every action that has members of society side-eyeing him. And... you don't care in the least. But, you should. And so, all Deuce can think about is how undeserving he is of your swift acceptance. With a countenance like yours, you deserve someone with a clean history. And that won't ever be him, will it?
Leona Kingscholar, who can't marry you because your betrothal is meant for the first prince, not the second. Never the second. It was doomed from the start. He knew from the moment your eyes met that he wasn't yours, yet he couldn't help but act like you were. Gazes that connected far too well, touches that lingered for too long, exchanged words that pierced emotions too often. Nothing that went beyond that, because despite his desire to pick you up and run, he knows how scandalous that would be for you. And... he knows you're not hit to pick up and run away with. No matter how much he wants it, you're meant to stay here and marry the firstborn, it's why you're there. When you see Leona, it's because you're meant to see your betrothed prince. He doesn't even know if you intend to see him or not.
Azul Ashengrotto, who can't marry you because he fears you finding the real noble behind the mask. Every moment, no matter how fleeting, he spends with you, he always notices the way you seem to crack him open. You expose a vulnerability that could be detrimental to him. And yet, he indulges, drinking up every ounce of affection and love you give him. It's only when he holds the ring in his hand does he realize, he can't have you. The carefully curated image of him was always intended to show the ton just how much he's matured since his younger days. He's now a businessman who thrives under all such conditions, putting logic and work over any emotion. And yet, you somehow, someway, reached beneath the plaster. He wants to let you keep doing it, but... what would you think if he showed all of you to him? The thought of you being disappointed in his true persona frightens him. And so, no matter how hard his hands wish to just place that ring on your finger, he holds back.
Floyd Leech, who can't marry you because he can't risk losing you. Between his ever-changing stance on his life and shifting personality, his affection for you stays the same. One dreadful feeling remains constant, though. The fear that he'll have you only to drive you off. Floyd is in tune with his emotions, better than most. Because of it, he knows the fear that rises in his heart when he thinks about finally having you, only to lose you in the same moment. There's a fear in finally being true to yourself, only to be proven it was the wrong choice. Why would he ever want to put himself in that position? Only stupid people do that. But that he starts thinking he might be stupid with the way his thumbs rub circles on your ring finger, a gnawing urge to put the only thing that belongs on there. Every moment he tries, he scares himself back into a corner... He's... had the ring for 2 years now. But every opportunity he has, he shoves it back before you can ask him what it is. Until the moment just never comes.
Jade Leech, who can't marry you because he fears how deeply infatuated he is with you. Whenever his eyes connect to yours, his face hides it perfectly well, but his chest doesn't. He can feel the sudden urge to grab the physical manifestation of your connection and see every part it has garnered in the time you've spent together. But that means he would have to confront the truth. You're everything Jade could ever want in life, bundled into one. He realizes that no matter what he says, thinks, or does, he will always have you in his mind. A forever-burning mark of what he wants in his life. You. And in truth, that's horrifying. It creates something unpredictable, and while he lives for such events, he can't deny the fear that takes root in his heart. Why does he feel this way about you? What made him feel like this? Why do you do this to him...?! He knows the last question is irrelevant because it's not you, it's his own affection that's setting him up in turmoil, but still... He was ever so curious when he was younger, and now he is even more so. But this time, it stems from something entirely different. He's curious about you. He wants to know everything your heart could possibly bear to him. Whether it takes days, weeks, or months, he wants to stay at it for all of it. Which is what he fears. Why... just why does he feel so much when it comes to you?
Jamil Viper, who can't marry you because he can never prioritize you the way he wants to. There's too much for him to manage. When you offer to work alongside him to remedy this workload, he vehemently refuses. He can't have a noble work alongside him, even if you intend to disguise yourself as a regular. But maybe a part of him does want such a scandal. After all, there's a reason he couldn't stop himself from being drawn towards you. Like some invisible thread that tightens around him impossibly tight when you draw near, beckoning him to find you. It only seems to let up when he's with you. With you... and breaking every such rule. He shouldn't, he shouldn't indulge in you this way at all, yet a part of him dies to ask you to marry him as if he could. Even when you asked him several times if he wanted to continue this. Truly... Is it not you who can decide that? You're the one with a reputation, and yet here you are asking him with such worry as if you're making him commit this. He knows you're not; it's all him that's deciding to do this. All because he can't get enough of you. When you ask him to run away together, his answer is cut off when Kalim enters the room, a reminder of why he can't ask for your hand.
Vil Schoenheit, who can't marry you because he's set to move to the city. It's differing opinions. Except, he never had to ask where you wanted to stay. He can tell clear as day with the way you seem to fit right into the scenery of your abode. Forests and quaintness suit you so much. A soft, quiet life made for a wedded pair who wish to get away from the public's view and enjoy life with only each other in their arms. But that isn't him. And you know it isn't. He doesn't tell you his plans, for fear that you would come along. Not even because you wished to, but because he has a feeling he would be the one to ask you to come with him. Maybe even ask you right there to marry him and join him in the city, be by his side as he grows his image the way he's always wanted to. But he can't do that, not when you belong here. And so, when he says his goodbye, his acting skills help him desperately hold back the "Come with me" that wants to escape.
Rook Hunt, who can't marry you because he's too much of a free spirit. Not a bad thing, it shouldn't be at all. But that's why he can't marry you. Even though he serenades you with the most lovely of poems, most lavish of gifts, and most amazing acts of affection, he can't marry you. Because... your duty lies here. In the embedded stone of the town, you are meant to stay here and be a heart to everyone else. He knows it, because you've taken his and all his entirety. It seems you're a better hinter than he is, because despite it all, he could never go for the heart. And yet here you are, holding it in your palms without even knowing you are. So even while his hand itches to just caress your being, and his mouth desires to pepper you in kisses, he holds back. An admirer of the art is never meant to touch it, only watch, and he seems to have carelessly broken that rule.
Idia Shroud, who can't marry you because his family already has someone else in mind for him. He's already noble as is, but of course, his family just has to be cursed with reputation... He hasn't had much publicity since Ortho's passing, and yet his family needs their prospects to continue on. Seriously... why does he have to marry some stranger he doesn't even have a shred of information on, instead of that neighbor of theirs who's known him longer than some of his servants...?! When he tells you, in a secluded spot of the city (Never the forest, you know he doesn't like it there.), about his arrangements, he freezes when you ask him to run away. Can… Is that an option for him? You only ask once, a glint in your eyes as you look at him. You await for his answer, and even when you’re already sure of what his answer will be, you wait for him. Like always, you wait for him. Even when he says he can’t, you wait. He’s bound by his lineage, and no matter how hard he wants the freedom of his books, he can’t. And so, you wait for him to leave. And he waits until he can get over you. Except, that wait never seems to end.
Malleus Draconia, who can't marry you because he can't give you the relaxed life of any regular lover. Your life would be lavished in luxury, but luxury can never be the same as comfort. No matter how much he wants to be by your side, his duty will always have him leave his spot next to you cold and empty. He loves you with all his being, but it's hard to show that when that same being has a kingdom to rule. So no matter how hard he wishes to place that ring on your finger, his care for you runs so deep that he knows you simply aren't built for the life of a ruler. You need to live in a home where you don't need to conform to royal expectations, and unfortunately, that isn't his home. And so he watches, watches as that friend of yours takes your hand, and gives you the life he can only give you in his dreams.
Rollo Flamme, who can't marry you because there's too much pain in the world. And unfortunately for him, he is one of the many victims in the world who suffer this pain. You're the number one cure to all the turmoil, but that's exactly why. For every smile, every laugh, every touch you gift him, he realizes more and more how much you deserve. Like an angel whose job is to guide souls to the right path, you've taken him into this dark den of life and renewed a vigor once lost. But that's it. You deserve someone who can be that light alongside you, not a man who can only relish in the rays you bathe him in. He can't bear the thought of being your anchor. He, unfortunately for both of you, loves you too much.
Skully J. Graves, who can't marry you because he loves you too much. A sentence that doesn't make much sense. But it somehow does. For every poem, every drawing, and word he dedicates to you, you can feel the ever-flowing stream of affection he holds for you. He should be the perfect candidate, yes? Well, he is. But... You'll be dead before he can fully show you the extent of his love. This time, it isn't Skully who believes he can't marry you. No matter how many times he proposes, professing he truly doesn't mind living the rest of his life alone if it means he can spend even a fraction of it with you, you turn him down. After all, he deserves someone who can live out the rest of their days with him. Not someone who can only confine him to a house, as they die of an incurable illness. But he'll take your hand in his, kissing it with cold lips, and say that he doesn't care. He wants to be wedded to you both in this lifetime and the afterlife. He can't try convincing you the next time.
You're to marry Azul Ashengrotto. An extremely sought-after marriage candidate within your community. Goodness... how you lucked out being betrothed to such a talented young man! Except... not really.
While Azul is genuinely in love with you, showering you with gifts and affection that many could only wish to have with their fiancés, you only laugh awkwardly. He's... He's been obsessed with you for years now...! It's why he's rejected all those desperate mothers hoping to wed them into their family, all beacause of... because of you!
And yet, he has no idea why you don't return his affections after all these years. He thought he had finally broken through when you accepted his proposal after so much deliberation. Finally... Finally, you know how much he adores you!
Except. The moment he sees your eyes light up when Jade Leech walks into the room, he understands.
You're in love with his damn butler.
Rare Jade W and common Azul L.
Edit ^^ I thought this was funny and wanted to include it into the post.
IMAGINE IMAGINE READER GETS A FAIRY GOD MOTHER LIKE IN CINDERELLA!!! If they can't get their lover as who they are then maybe they can get them as someone else (it's like several years into the future)
I'ma go with Riddle for this one this time (I gotta give my pookie Rollo a break I'll torture him later with more monster AU) I'll give this scenario a happy ending and say that Mrs. Rosehearts is dead and now Riddle inherited the throne (I assume He's royalty in your post? Or if not then he's like the head now or something idk-) And since he's the new king he'll need a spouse in the future, and everyone is vying for a chance to be his potential partner. You hear about this, and even though it's been years your heart still longs to be with your rose prince. That yearning, you're not sure how, manage to call upon your fairy god mother.
You get your magical girl transformation with the help of your fairy god mother and got to attend the ball Riddle hosted for the purpose of getting to know the other Royals (you still have that limit about only looking like a princess until midnight) When you two meet again Riddle is immediately entrance with your presence. But... he feels a strange familiarity with you? Have you both met before?
You both talk, dance, and even kiss once the dance finished and the music stops. He looks at you so gently, just like he did when you were both younger. Riddle clears his throat, his face flushed a soft shade of pink. He realized he hasn't asked for your name yet!! How unbecoming of him! Just as he was about to though, the big bell rings and the long hand points to 12.
Midnight has fallen. fuck.
You book it straight out the ballroom. Riddle stands there baffled, utterly gobsmacked as he watched you run away. Five seconds later, he's chasing after you. Not only did you hurt his feelings were you incredibly rude, but it's against the rules to leave the king/queen when they're engaging in conservation with you! He chased you down, determined to grab you and demand to know why you're leaving him after everything you've both done tonight.
He's not letting another love get away
-wedding anon
AHHH so cute <333
Those cute romance movie scenes where, despite the sea of people dancing on the ballroom floor, somehow his eyes still seem to find you. Like a natural magnet, you've always caught his attention. Except when he sees you, in a getup befitting of nobility, and a mask that covers all but your eyes and mouth, he doesn't recognize you.
Which is weird, because his heart seems to be in a flutter the moment his gaze casts upon you.
"I don't believe I've seen you before." You jump at the familiar voice. You... You weren't expecting him to come so soon...! You turn around... unceremoniously... You're quite sure you might've bumped an actual noble's shoulder, but before you can apologize, Riddle's in front of you. "Have you come to visit the kingdom only recently?"
"Uhm... Yes! ahaha... You see i'm here to meet someone again."
"Oh? Do you know their family name? I'm sure I could guide you to them." You think he might be fidgeting. It's cute, despite his put-together manner; his gloved hands find themselves viciously aligning the dessert platter to be perfectly straight.
"Well, I've already met them, so it's quite fine." You try your best to subtly shift in your clothes. It's... expensive material. You're not used to it in the least, but you'll manage if it means seeing Riddle for only a few hours.
"I see, well then..." He sticks out his arm, and other nobles among the ton whisper at the sight. You can hear jealous murmurs, some of them wishing it were their hand instead of yours. "May I have this dance?"
"... Of course."
...
You're running barefoot through the forest as Riddle chases after you. Really... where did all this running prowess come from?! Is he not a horse rider?
By the time you finally manage to lose him, you're in your old house, your previously wonderful ballroom wear now back to regular civilian clothes. Unbeknownst to your knowledge, you never lost Riddle.
In fact, he stands red-faced outside of your house.
Not only did you have poor manners at his ball, but you dare to break and enter... into this house? Of all the houses. It's the biggest travesty. A disgrace... how dare you... disrespect the one person Riddle seems to think about everyday.
He'll make sure you understand the gravity of your crime.
...
But imagine his surprise when he catches you before you can pack up and leave. And... instead of that poorly mannered law-breaking noble, he's met... with you.
