Bridgerton | Official RP Thread

[Kristi]

---

Marriage, an honor many dream of, an honor his sister would have dreamed of for herself and him. So, why, why indeed did he not feel honored? It was not to be a love marriage, but Klaus already knew he was never going to have a love marriage. All his life, he had known what he was born for; to serve, to be the man his family wanted him to be, to be a good viscount and thus he knew that of course, he was going to go with the marriage and though he had felt bad for poor Lady Lydia, the sister of Lady Aurelia, who he considered a close friend and a long family friend, for being forced into a marriage, he knew… Oh! he knew that he was a coward for he knew he was not going to go against his father’s wishes. He was going to go against his father’s wishes, nor leave a lady at an altar–he was raised better than that, but still… Watching the wedding before theirs, sweat and horror fell down his spine and he stood up, and almost threw up as he went to the pond to pour water on his face. He needed to freshen up, for if he did not, he felt like he will faint at the wedding.

He did not think anyone saw him leaving, and if they did, it’s not like he won’t return, he had simply needed fresh air but his dear Teddy, his best of friend had seen him and now stood in front of him. Klaus knew that his friend was worried, but he did not want to cause troubles for his friend who was already on ‘hot water’ so he had given him a small fake smile. “I’m quite alright,” He began not looking at Teddy, as he splashed more water on his face. “I simply needed to freshen up…” The way he had said that, was quite nervous, quite shaky… but everyone knew that Klaus was never good at lying, that was why his face was flushed and his head was hung quite low as if guilty of a crime.

---

@Caticorn -Teddy

[benitz786]

Today was the day.

A day the ton would remember not for its warmth, but for its grandeur.

A day the ton would likely never forget as the gossip would keep everyone entertained until next season begin.

A day she, would never forget.

Her sister’s wedding.

They were at the Queen’s Palace, a symbol of splendor —a masterpiece of shimmering silks, and gilded accents that caught the light like jewels. Nobles filled the halls, their laughter and chatter mingling with the faint strains of music that floated through the air. Lanterns lined the garden paths, their soft glow promising beauty.

Aurelia moved through the crowd with the grace of someone who had been born to this world of opulence and performance. She had been trained for this after all. Her emerald green gown shimmered faintly with each step, its delicate gold embroidery catching the sunlight streaming through the palace windows. Her hair, pinned with pearls and soft curls framing her face, was a testament to perfection. She looked every inch the dutiful daughter, every smile and curtsy a well-rehearsed dance.

“Thank you,” she said, her voice soft and melodic as she accepted yet another compliment. “Lydia is radiant today, isn’t she? Truly the perfect bride. We couldn’t be prouder.” Her lips curved into a practiced smile, her hands clasped lightly in front of her. She thanked another guest, nodded politely at yet another remark about how lovely the day was, and laughed demurely when a lady commented on how well the Ellis family seemed to handle the pressures of such a grand occasion.

Inside, her stomach churned.

The words tasted bitter on her tongue, every polite response a lie. She was proud, yes—but not of this. Not of the marriage being forced upon her sister. Not of the carefully woven facade their mother had constructed to convince the ton that the Ellis family was the epitome of grace and unity.

Her mother’s voice broke through her thoughts, sharp and commanding. “Aurelia,” Roselyn said, her tone carrying the weight of expectation. “Have you checked on Lydia? Ensure she is ready. It would not do for her to delay the ceremony.”

Aurelia turned to her mother, her expression serene, her voice measured. “Of course, Mother,” she replied, dipping her head slightly in deference. She lingered just long enough for propriety’s sake before gliding away.

---

The bridal suite was quiet when Aurelia arrived, save for the faint rustling of fabric as maids fussed over Lydia’s dress. The room was bathed in the soft glow of morning light spilling through the tall windows, the bright hues casting an almost ethereal glow. Lydia stood at the center, her gown a masterpiece of ivory lace and delicate embroidery, the train spilling behind her like a river of silk. She looked beautiful.

She looked broken.

Aurelia’s heart clenched, but she forced herself to smile as she stepped inside. “Would you give us a moment?” she said softly to the maids, her tone polite but firm. They exchanged glances before nodding and retreating from the room, leaving the sisters alone.

She moved toward Lydia, her footsteps silent on the plush carpet. “Let me help you,” she said quietly, stepping behind her to adjust the back of her dress. Her fingers worked deftly at the delicate clasps, but her mind raced with thoughts.

For a moment, the silence hung heavy between them. Then Aurelia’s voice broke it, soft but tinged with a sadness she could no longer suppress. “You know, when we were younger, I imagined this day,” she began, her hands pausing briefly before resuming their task. “Seeing you… happy.” She swallowed hard, her voice faltering for a moment. “Suffice to say, this isn’t how I imagined it, Lydia, but you do look beautiful.”

She stepped back, her gaze meeting her sister’s in the mirror. The weight of everything unsaid hung between them, but she pressed on. “I’m proud of you, Lydia. I’m sorry I never told you before.”

Her hands dropped to her sides, her fists clenching slightly to keep her emotions in check. This wasn’t the time to crumble—not yet. The resolve in her eyes, hidden behind the mask of sisterly affection, was unyielding. She had failed Lydia once before. She would not fail her again.

“Are you sure about today?”

@novella

[novella]

══✿══╡°˖✧ ✿ ✧˖°╞══✿══

The Queens’ Palace was as it always was, exuding elegance and splendour, carefully decorated for yet another grand scene. There wasn’t a corner in the building that didn’t signify the momentous occasion taking place, with lavish tables laden with delicacies in every room, illuminated by chandeliers, and elaborate candle displays. Floral arrangements embellished the gates that were wide open for every elite of the society to gather around, resuming their rightful social places in the meticulously constructed world of the ton. A scene of calculated charm, and this time, Lydia Ellis was at the centre of it all.

For the first time, she fit right into place.

Lydia stood in the centre of the bridal suite, her stillness juxtaposing the careful chaos that took place around her as the maids pulled, tugged and adjusted every angle of her. She caught glimpses of herself in the mirror, taking in the sight of her figure, encased the in satin and lace of the wedding dress. Maybe once she would have protested, forsaken the thought of marrying someone else, ran away on the day, even. But something had changed within her in the last few months, and Lydia now felt at peace with the day that would have been her worst nightmare. Today was for the best.

A glimmer of emerald green pierced through the flurry of beiges and browns, and Lydia looked up at the reflection of her sister entering the room, Aurelia’s presence immediately commanding attention. Her expression remained stoic, until Aurelia cleared the room of the quiet but overly observant maids. Lydia’s hardened brows softened and rigid posture relaxed slightly as Aurelia advanced across the room.

Aurelia’s attention fell onto Lydia’s dress, approaching the back of it to make her amendments. As Lia adjusted the waistband, it loosened and an influx of relief passed through Lydia. “Ah breathing. I almost forgot the pleasure,” She expressed light-heartedly, though her voice quiet and smile short-lived, a futile attempt at breaking the tension. Lydia clenched her jaw and looked at Aurelia through the mirror, watching as she carefully chose her words after a long period of silence.

Though when her sister started, Lydia’s gaze dropped to the floor. Aurelia’s soft words of melancholy reminiscence were a jarring contrast to the debates on dress length, flower arrangements, and guests questionable dress sense she had listened to for the past few days. This was more personal, and the shift in tone left her feeling exposed, her chest tightening as she gave a small smile. “You don’t have to apologise for anything,” Lydia assured, her eyes softening and meeting Aurelia’s in the mirror. “But thank you,” She told her simply, though her gaze conveyed a deeper appreciation. For the first time in a while, Aurelia and Lydia were on the same page again.

When Aurelia gave the faintest questioning of the day, Lydia then straightened up, turning to face her with a sudden haste, and enough composure for the both of them. Lydia reached for both her hands, unfolding her clenched fists and linking their fingers together. “Lia, this is the way things were meant to work out,” Lydia told her, with a reassuring look and a more affirmative tone. "It all makes sense to me now more than ever, She continued, a genuine smile of her acceptance crossing her face as she attempted to remedy Aurelia’s apprehensiveness. “This is wedding is a good thing, and I am excited for the entire ton to witness this momentous day come to life.”

“Of course, I am sure,” Lydia assured, giving Aurelia a clear answer to her initial question. “I don’t know what the future will hold after today. But I am hopeful it will be good. Better, even.”

══✿══╡°˖✧ ✿ ✧˖°╞══✿══

@benitz786 Lia
@Kristi Klaus kind of referenced but not directly

[astxrism]

{ the invitation }

---

There are many lies a person tells over the years. Lies whispered in the dark, murmured over teacups, and spoken with fake confidence. Lies to shield one’s heart, to preserve one’s pride. But the most dangerous lies are the lies we tell ourselves. Lies we push away until all we can feel is… nothing. Archie had become something of a master of such untruths.

He had told himself, time and again, that his feelings for Adeline meant nothing more than fondness, a warmth no greater than what one might feel for a childhood friend. He had convinced himself that she deserved more than he could offer, that to love her openly would bring ruin upon them both. And so he had spoken the ultimate lie: I only see you as my dear friend.

A confusing line since the letter Archie wrote to Adeline and never intended to send them… Ended up in her hands.

Letters to Adeline

𝑴𝒚 𝑫𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝑨𝒅𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆,

𝑨𝒔 𝑰 𝒔𝒊𝒕 𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒘𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒍𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓, 𝒎𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 𝒔𝒘𝒊𝒓𝒍 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒚. 𝑰 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒚𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇 𝒂𝒕 𝒂 𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒔, 𝒖𝒏𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒍𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒄𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒐𝒇 – 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒘𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑨𝒅𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆, 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒂 𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒇𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒋𝒐𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒅𝒂𝒚𝒔. 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝑰 𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒉 𝒕𝒐 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒎𝒚 𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑, 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒕𝒉 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑰 𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕.

𝑺𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒆𝒆, 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝑰 𝒂𝒎, 𝒘𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂 𝒇𝒖𝒍𝒍 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕, 𝒚𝒆𝒕 𝒖𝒏𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒄𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈. 𝑰 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒓𝒆. 𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒂 𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆, 𝒂 𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝑰 𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒓. 𝑰 𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒉 𝑰 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒔𝒂𝒚 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆, 𝒕𝒐 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒉 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒚 𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒉 𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒔𝒂𝒚 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒎𝒚 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒉 𝒊𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒅, 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒅𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒔 𝒚𝒆𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖.

𝑨𝒓𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒆

---

𝐌𝐲 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐀𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞,

𝐌𝐲 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐞. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧, 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬. 𝐈𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐞 𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬, 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧, 𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐧. 𝐘𝐞𝐭, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐈 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐫.

𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐭, 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬? 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐲 𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲? 𝐈 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐲, 𝐀𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞, 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭. 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐨𝐧 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞. 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐳𝐯𝐨𝐮𝐬, 𝐮𝐧𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡. 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐝, 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐝.

𝐀𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝*,* 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐬. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐀𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞, 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐈 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞. 𝐈 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐬, 𝐢𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐤𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰s, 𝐦𝐲 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐛𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐲𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧.

𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐲,
𝐀𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞

My Dearest Adeline,

Time has a way of creating its magic, doesn’t it? It seems like only yesterday that we were the carefree children of our beloved town, embarking on thrilling adventures and sharing secrets in the most hidden corners. Yet, with each passing day, I find myself drawn to the memories we created, and to you, in a way I could not have anticipated.

The warmth of your laughter continue to be the brightest stars in the night sky of my memories. Adeline, it’s impossible to deny the profound impact you’ve had on my life, a fact that has grown even more evident as the years have unfolded.

I hope this letter uncovers the depth of the emotions that have been taking root within my heart. It’s as if a seed was planted in my soul during our childhood adventures, and over time, it has grown into something more. The fondness I once held for you has transformed into an affection that I can no longer ignore. Adeline, I find myself drawn to you in a way that goes beyond friendship. I must confess that your smiles have become a source of comfort to me, your laughter a melody I cherish, and your presence peace. It is you who fills my thoughts.

Yours sincerely,

Archie

---

My Dearest Adeline,

As I sit by my window, the moonlight gently casting its silvery glow, I find myself compelled to share thoughts that I’ve held deep within my heart for a long while. It is a secret I’ve guarded closely, a treasure I’ve held for you alone.

From the moment we first embarked on those secret adventures, exploring the mysterious and abandoned corners of our town, a bond formed between us that I have cherished more than words can convey. Your laughter echoed through those echoing halls, and your courage shone brighter than any lantern that ever illuminated our path. It was in those moments that I knew you were the most extraordinary person I had ever met.

You see, Adeline, I have carried with me a silent affection for you, one that has grown stronger with each passing day. It’s an affection that goes beyond friendship, beyond camaraderie. It’s a warmth that fills my heart when I see you smile, a light that guides me through the darkest of times. It’s a profound connection that I cannot deny.

And yet, I have held my feelings close, concealed them as a well-guarded secret, for I could not bear to jeopardize the precious friendship that we share, a friendship that I hold dear.

Your brother Atlas may not always pay you the attention you so rightly deserve, and it pains me to see that. In our childhood, I hoped to be the friend who made you feel included, who stood by your side in those thrilling escapades and whispered adventures. I aimed to be your protector, to ensure that your laughter never faded.

My dearest Adeline, though these words may never be spoken aloud, I wish you to know that they are true. My affection for you remains a secret, and as we continue our lives, I will suppress these feelings, for I understand the importance of timing and circumstance.

We have much ahead of us, and I am not yet ready to consider the prospect of marriage or romance. There are dreams to chase, aspirations to fulfill, and a future to shape.

But always remember, Adeline, that I am your friend, your confidant, and your silent admirer, who wishes nothing but happiness and joy for you, even if it means keeping these feelings locked in the depths of my heart.

Yours sincerely,

Archie

---

My Dearest Adeline,

With each passing day, my affection for you grows stronger, and it is undeniable that my heart longs for the warmth of your presence and the light of your smile. Yet, Adeline, it is truth that I am burdened by a different set of priorities, aspirations, and responsibilities.

The world in which we move, the expectations placed upon our shoulders, are not always forgiving. I find myself compelled to follow a path that has been laid out for me, one filled with obligations to my family, my name, and my own ambitions. It is a path that I walk with the hope of leaving a lasting legacy, of contributing to the world in some meaningful way. But it is also a path that may not easily harmonize with the dreams and aspirations that you may hold, dear.

I fear, dear Adeline, that my inability to fulfill those desires may cast a shadow upon the light of our friendship, which I hold so dear. It is not that I do not wish to see you happy, to bring joy to your heart, but rather a heavy acknowledgment that the road I tread may not lead to the same destinations you seek.

It pains me to think that I may not be able to give you the life you envision or the promises that your heart may crave. I do not wish to stand in the way of your happiness. And then you there is also your brother. We both know how Atlas is.

Adeline, I want nothing more than to see you find the happiness you so rightfully deserve. Please understand that, even if I cannot be the one to provide it, I will always be your friend, your confidant, and your supporter.

Yours sincerely,

Archie

---

Dearest Adeline,

My days and nights are filled with wishes, wishes that I could be the one to make you laugh, to bring light to your life, and to stand by your side as a loving partner. I long to be the one who could share in your dreams and walk with you along the path of happiness.

But the painful reality I must confront is that, for all my desires, I know that I cannot be that person. My heart aches with that knowledge.

I want you to know, Adeline, that this is a truth I wrestle with each day, for my love for you is boundless. I long for the day when I could be the one to make your heart sing and your dreams come true. But I know that my own journey carries me on a different course. I would give anything to be the person you desire.

Yours with a heavy heart,

Archie

---

Dearest Adeline,

As I sit here, rum warming my veins and thoughts of you consuming my mind, I find myself unable to resist the urge to put ink to this parchment and confess what has long been weighing heavily on my heart.

Adeline, my darling, you are the flame that ignites the darkest corners of my soul, casting shadows aside. In your presence, I am intoxicated, unable to resist the magnetic pull of your allure. Oh, how I long to lose myself in the depths of your gaze, to trace the contours of your lips. Your beauty is beyond this world.

But it is not just your physicality that captivates me, no, it is the essence of you. Your wit is sharper than any blade, your intellect nothing but brilliant. And so, my darling, I confess to you now that I am hopelessly, and undeniably in love with you. My heart beats for you and you alone.

I yearn for you, Adeline, body and soul, and I ache to hold you in my arms.

Archie

---

Dearest,

As the night deepens, so does the flame that burns within me for you. I cannot deny the intoxicating effect you have on me. Adeline, you are the embodiment of all my desires. The mere thought of your touch sends shivers down my spine.

How I long to feel the warmth of your skin pressed against mine. Each moment without you feels like an eternity, a cruel punishment inflicted upon a man who knows only the torture of yearning for the unattainable. Tonight, as the moon watches in silent witness, I reveal the depths of my desire for you. I crave the electricity of our connection.

Archie

---

Adeline,

I have come to a decision, one that is both difficult and necessary. It is with a heavy heart that I have chosen not to send these letters to you. As much as I long to share the depths of my affection and admiration for you, I have come to realize that some things are better kept a secret. There is a beauty in the quiet moments, the unspoken emotions, and the bond we share.

Adeline, I understand that sometimes, the most selfless act of love is to let go, to preserve the sanctity of the friendship we hold dear. The world may never know the depth of my feelings, but I want you to know that I carry them with grace, even in silence.

As I close this chapter of unspoken words, I do so with the hope that our friendship will remain as strong. I look forward to the many more moments we will share.

Yours.

---

The morning the invitation arrived, the Hastingston household felt quiet. The faint chiming of the clock had barely announced the start of the day when a footman presented the envelope. Archie was at the dining table, his hand poised over a slice of toast he had no intention of eating. He was reading though anyone paying close attention would notice his gaze did not move in several minutes. Margaret sat across from him, her teacup balanced between her fingers, her eyes sharp and knowing as she observed her brother.

When their mother entered the room with the invitation in hand, a satisfied smile gracing her lips, Margo and Archie looked at each other with the same expression. “An invitation from the Queen’s Palace!” she announced, her voice carrying the excitement of someone who had just received confirmation of their own societal triumph. “The weddings of the season… Two of them! Both to be celebrated in one grand affair.” She unfolded the paper with care, as though the parchment itself was made from gold. ”Who?“ Margaret asked, tho she was already on her feet, grabbing the letter from her mother to read it for herself.
“Why, Lydia Ellis and Klaus Shafer, of course,” their mother said. “And Harrison Davis and Azucena Osuna. What a glorious conclusion to the season!”

That’s when Archie’s eyebrow rose in a surprise. While Azucena used to be a part of his past, he knew she would eventually marry, it was just the name of who she was getting married to that Archie didn’t like. The biggest shock was hearing Lydia’s name. ”Interesting couples,“ Margaret whispered almost to herself, wondering how she missed the signs of them ending up together. ”Lydia, married? I suppose stranger things have happened.“
”She’s never struck me as particularly enthusiastic about the idea,“ Archie said, keeping his tone light, as their mother left the room most likely to find the rest of their family and share the oh so wonderful news. ”Not that it’s any of my concern.“

”And yet you’ve spent more time rescuing her from tedious conversations than you have actually enjoying the season,“ Margo chuckled, getting back to her seat.
”It’s called being a gentleman,“ Archie replied dryly.
His relationship with Lydia had always been one of understanding. She, like him, had little patience for the expectations placed upon them. He had admired her forthrightness, her refusal to let the pressures of society dictate her choices.

---

{ days before the wedding }
{ all I want is nothing more, to hear you knocking at my door }

The storm outside howled like a feral beast, rattling the windows of the gentlemen’s club as if demanding entry. No one minded the weather outside, all that it was important in that moment was the rich aroma of cigars that mingled with the faint spice of freshly poured scotch. Archie sat at the corner of a polished oak table, shuffling a deck of cards. He was in the middle of a game, his opponents leaning forward in quiet anticipation as he played his hand with the precision and confidence of a man known for his skill. The pile of coins at his side had steadily grown throughout the evening, a testament to his mastery. His expression betrayed nothing, save for the faintest curve of his lips - a smile that seemed to promise triumph and invite despair in equal measure.

“Your turn, Hastingston,” one of the men exclaimed, his voice laced with the forced nonchalance of someone who knew he was losing. He leaned forward, his elbow brushing against his glass of scotch, which wobbled but did not spill. The others around the table watched as Archie laid down his hand, his movements precise… a collective groan rose as the cards revealed their tale. One man tossed his own hand onto the table with a sigh, his shoulders slumping in resignation. Another reached for his drink, muttering something about luck favoring the bold.

“You are unbelievable, Hastingston,” said Lord Bertram, a gentleman whose demeanor could not entirely mask his irritation. “A lesser man would accuse you of sorcery. How is it that you win so consistently?” ”Perhaps,“ Archie replied, his tone light but edged with mischief, ”luck simply prefers me.“

As the game ended, a server approached with a tray of glasses. “Another round of Hastingaton’s scotch,” he announced, setting the drinks down with careful precision. Archie leaned back in his chair, observing as the men raised their glasses. For months he had tried to perfect the blend - now he watched as they savored it, their expressions softening with approval. “Exceptional, truly,” Lord Bertram declared. “You’ve a gift, Hastingston. This will make your fortune, mark my words.” Archie acknowledged the compliment with a faint nod, though his thoughts had already begun to drift. The company, the games… none of it could fill the hollow ache in his chest. It was then that a conversation at the table caught his ear. “A fine property, recently listed,” one man was saying, gesturing to a folio spread open before him. “Prime location, and the house itself is… well, see for yourself.”

Archie’s gaze shifted, drawn despite himself. Rising from his chair, he approached the table, his curiosity piqued. The man’s companion, noticing Archie’s interest, turned the folio toward him. “It might even suit a gentleman like you,” he said. “White facade, a generous porch… quite idyllic, really. My cousin is-” Archie’s breath caught as his eyes fell on the illustration. It was as though a memory had leapt from his mind onto the page. The house was almost exactly as Adelaide had described it: white and graceful, with a wide porch. In the background, a river wound its way through the landscape. He could still hear her voice painting the picture in his mind: “A room overlooking the river so I can paint… and a porch where we can sit in our rocking chairs and laugh about how we managed to live away from society for so long.”

And the realization struck him… What was he doing here, amidst cigars and cards, when the very life he yearned for was slipping through his fingers? Without a word he turned and walked toward the door. His companions called after him, surprised and confused, but he paid no attention to them. The storm greeted him as he stepped outside, the rain drenching him within moments… But he did not care. Archie pulled his coat tighter and began the long walk to Adeline’s house, his heart pounding.

---

It was late by the time Archie arrived at her door and he was soaked. He was standing on the threshold of everything he had ever wanted and everything he had been too afraid to claim. He approached the door with urgency, his knuckles rapping against the wood as though to shake the very foundation of the house. He struck the door again, harder this time, as if pouring all his pent-up emotion into the act even if it meant waking up the whole family. Finally, the door creaked open, revealing Thea’s cautious face illuminated by the faint glow of a nearby lamp. Her eyes widened as she took in his state and for a moment she clutched the edge of the door as though bracing herself for what might come next. “Lord Hastingston,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “It’s quite late… and the weather—”

”I must speak to her.“ Archie interrupted, his voice hoarse. ”Now. Please.“ Thea hesitated, her grip on the door tightening. She thought of Adelaide upstairs, how fragile she had seemed these past weeks, and how much pain Archie’s name alone could stir. “Lord Hastingston,” she began cautiously, “Miss Adeline is resting, and—” ”I know,“ he said, his voice breaking slightly. ”But I cannot wait… Not another moment. Please, let me see her.“ Thea’s heart ached at his words, but she remained wary. She had been a quiet witness to Adeline’s sorrow and yet, as she studied Archie now, the way he stood there drenched and unguarded she saw something that gave her pause. Thea searched his face for a moment longer and then, with a sigh she stepped aside, opening the door wider to let him in. As Archie crossed the threshold, water dripping onto the polished floor, Thea’s gaze followed him, her heart torn between fear for Adeline and hope that perhaps, just perhaps, this man might finally make things right.

---

{ The Queen’s Palace / happily ever after }

The view that greeted Archie as he drew back the heavy drapes in his bedroom was serene but it did little to calm his restless thoughts. His valet appeared not long after, carrying a selection of freshly pressed cravats and coats. “The navy, sir,” the man suggested, holding up a finely tailored coat with gold buttons. “A color befitting the occasion.” Archie nodded absently, his mind far from the choice of attire. As his valet fussed over the details, folding his cravat just so, ensuring the shine on his boots was without flaw… Archie’s thoughts wandered.
Wandered to everyone and everything that happened over the year. The way things played out and he never wanted to be a part of any of it but agreed for his sister’s sake.

---

The Hastingston carriage, a stately affair polished to a mirror like gleam, waited at the front drive. His mother and father were already inside, Lady Hastingston issuing instructions to the coachman about their expected arrival time. Margo appeared moments later, her hand brushing a stray curl from her face as she ascended the steps with practiced elegance, followed by their two brothers.

As they all settled into their seats, split between two carriages, Margo broke the since, almost whispering only to Archie. She was sat next to him and this was not a matter of coincidence but one of silent agreement, for Margaret and Archie had always shared a unique bond, one forged in childhood and strengthened over years of confidences and sly, knowing glances across crowded drawing rooms. ”Do you suppose they’re truly looking forward to this day?“ She asked, her tone laced with that dry humor he had come to expect from her. She leaned slightly closer, her gloved hand brushing against the edge of her gown as if to shield her words from the outside world. ”Such a disaster… everything so dreadfully arranged, like pieces on a chessboard.“ Archie’s lips curved into a faint smile as he turned to her, his dark eyes glinting with quiet amusement. ”We cannot truly know, though I imagine they might be looking forward to the day’s conclusion more than its beginning.“ Margaret chuckled, her amusement genuine. ”And you, dear brother? Do you look forward to it?“ For a moment, Archie’s expression remained inscrutable, At last, he spoke, his voice steady but tinged with that particular humor only Margaret could draw out of him.“I look forward to seeing how it unfolds.” They had always delighted in these quiet exchanges, finding solace in their shared propensity for observation and the occasional gossip.

---

Once they arrived and made their way to their appointed seats, Archie’s gaze swept the room. He told himself it was casual, that he was merely observing the spectacle… but he was searching for someone. Each face he passed was a disappointment, each step he took heightening his impatience.

---

@ adie @ couples

[astxrism]

{ The Queen’s Palace / happily ever after }

⎯⎯ ୨୧ ⎯⎯

The sun’s gentle rays began to spill into Margaret’s chamber. The faint chirping of birds outside the window harmonized with the soft rustling of silk as Helena, her maid, busied herself with arranging the accessories laid out on the vanity. Margo, however, was far from eager to embrace the day. She sat by the window, her legs tucked beneath her with a book balanced on her knee. The novel was an old favorite, the pages dog eared from years of devoted reading. She had no intention of attending the grand event with the unbridled enthusiasm her mother had wished to instill in her. Indeed, the thought of yet another wedding where she was to wear an extravagant gown, make polite conversation, and endure unsolicited inquiries about her own prospects of matrimony filled her with no small measure of dread.

“Miss Margaret,” Helena’s voice interrupted her peace, a note of urgency mingling with affection. “You must begin to dress. The household is already in a state of uproar, and your mother insists you make an appearance before the hour grows late.” Margaret sighed, closing her book with deliberate slowness. ”Helena… Tell me - what is the true purpose of these occasions? A parade of silks and jewels or a farce performed for the amusement of those who revel in matchmaking?“ Helena offered a small smile, knowing well the futility of arguing with Margaret in such a mood. “Perhaps both, miss. But surely today is more than that, with two couples to be wed. The joy will be genuine.” Margaret arched an eyebrow, the corner of her mouth lifting in faint amusement. ”Oh, indeed. Lydia and Klaus, Azucena and Harrison… how perfectly harmonious it all is. Yet, I cannot help but wonder how much of that harmony will endure beyond the ceremony.“ Reluctantly, she rose from her seat, allowing Helena to guide her to the vanity. Margaret’s reflection in the mirror revealed a young woman whose beauty was as understated, her chestnut hair framed her face in soft waves, and her hazel eyes, sharp and observant. ”Something simple, if you please,“ Margaret said as Helena began to twist her hair. ”Let others seek to outshine one another… I shall settle for being comfortably unnoticed.“ She whispered as her gaze moved to the window, watching a bird fly by.

Helena suppressed a chuckle. “Miss, you could wear a burlap sack and still draw attention. You have a way about you.” Margaret chose not to reply, though her lips twitched in reluctant acknowledgment. Soon, Helena brought forth the gown selected for the day - a flowing creation of sage green adorned with flower embroidery. Margaret ran her fingers over the fabric, her expression thoughtful. ”It is rather charming,“ she admitted, allowing herself to be dressed. As the final ribbon was tied and gloves were slipped over her hands, the transformation was complete. Margaret looked every inch the young lady prepared to attend a wedding, though her heart remained elsewhere.

---

Stepping outside, Margo encountered her brother Archie. ”Ah, the reluctant bridesmaid emerges,“ he teased. ”Come, Margo, try to look as though you’re enjoying yourself. It is a happy occasion, after all.“ Margaret rolled her eyes but slipped her arm through his as they made their way to the carriage. ”I shall try, Archie, but I make no promises.“

As they all settled into their seats, split between two carriages, Margo broke the since, almost whispering only to Archie. She was sat next to him and this was not a matter of coincidence but one of silent agreement, for Margaret and Archie had always shared a unique bond, one forged in childhood and strengthened over years of confidences and sly, knowing glances across crowded drawing rooms. ”Do you suppose they’re truly looking forward to this day?“ She asked, her tone laced with that dry humor he had come to expect from her. She leaned slightly closer, her gloved hand brushing against the edge of her gown as if to shield her words from the outside world. ”Such a disaster… everything so dreadfully arranged, like pieces on a chessboard.“ Archie’s lips curved into a faint smile as he turned to her, his dark eyes glinting with quiet amusement. ”We cannot truly know, though I imagine they might be looking forward to the day’s conclusion more than its beginning.“ Margaret chuckled, her amusement genuine. ”And you, dear brother? Do you look forward to it?“ For a moment, Archie’s expression remained inscrutable, At last, he spoke, his voice steady but tinged with that particular humor only Margaret could draw out of him.“I look forward to seeing how it unfolds.” They had always delighted in these quiet exchanges, finding solace in their shared propensity for observation and the occasional gossip.

{ flashbacks }

Margaret could still recall the first time Augustus had stepped into her world. He had done so quietly, almost timidly, with none of the ostentation that seemed to characterize so many other suitors. The sprawling estate of the Hatcherman family had become a sanctuary for Margaret over the years. The acres of land and animals were a haven for her restless spirit. Augustus, with his easy laughter and unmatched patience, was always at the heart of it. He had a way of making her feel both seen and safe from the moment they were introduced by Barbara.

Those early days had been uncomplicated. Margo had taught him to weave flower crowns in the shade of the great willow, laughing as he fumbled with the delicate blooms. In return, Augustus shared his world with her - teaching her to feed the skittish lambs, introducing her to his favorite mare, and even letting her name a litter of kittens born in the barn. Their bond was natural… effortless… and deeper than either of them realized.

Yet, somewhere along the way, the simplicity began to shift.

Margo could pinpoint the moment her feelings for Augustus began to change - the stolen kiss beneath the apple blossoms one late spring afternoon. It had been impulsive, fleeting and unforgettable but when the kiss ended, so did the illusion of ease. Margo had grown quiet, her mind tangled with the consequences. She didn’t want to marry, not now, not yet. There were too many doubts… her independence, her fear of losing herself. So she distanced herself, masking her feelings behind coy smiles and lighthearted teasing. But Augustus, ever perceptive, sensed the shift. When he began pulling away, spending less time with her and more time charming other young ladies, Margo felt a pang she couldn’t ignore. At first it was jealousy… sharp and unwelcome, but as the days went on, it became something deeper - fear. She feared losing him, feared the way he might one day smile at another the way he smiled at her.

{ The Queen’s Palace / happily ever after }

As soon as they arrived to the palace, Margo plastered a faint smile on her face and prepared to endure the grand affair with as much grace as she could muster. The palace was still alive with the sounds of preparation - the clatter of carriage wheels on cobblestones, the chatter of guests spilling into the grand halls and the muffled directives of servants darting about with final arrangements. Margo stepped carefully, her skirts brushing against the floors as she followed the flow of arriving guests but the grandeur of it all was overwhelming… She could never understand the world of gleaming crystal chandeliers and mirrors reflecting the finest jewels.

She scanned the room subtly, her fake smile barely faltering. He had to be here somewhere… The thought of seeing him again after their strained encounters sent a thrill of nervous energy through her but she froced herself to focus. With a quick glance over her shoulder to ensure no one was watching too closely, Margo slipped through the crowd into the quieter halls of the palace. She had no intention of waiting for the ceremony to begin, there were words left unsaid. Her search led her to a secluded garden framed by marble columns and climbing ivy. The soft hum of conversation reached her ears and she froze just beyond the entrance, peeking through the archway. There he was, standing beneath an oak tree, his posture relaxed but his attention focused on a young woman speaking animatedly before him. She hesitated, her fingers clutching the fabric of her skirts as she debated retreating… but decided otherwise. Instead Margo stepped out in front of them, the moment her gaze met theirs she put on an expression, a mix of surprise and embarrassment… As if she wasn’t expecting to find anyone there. ”Oh, I… I apologize. I just needed some air.“ She spoke up, hoping they couldn’t tell it wasn’t entirely true. And she said it in a way in which one might expect that person to walk away but she did not move.

⎯⎯ ୨୧ ⎯⎯

@Madilfill : Augustus

[Kristi]

---

Reformed rakes often make the best husbands.

---

The wedding proposal went as one would expect of Harrison, awfully dramatic, awfully romantic. After all, Harrison was a Romeo at heart, or perhaps more like Harrison was a Harrison. See, after revealing the secret of his ‘daughter’ though not biologically his but moreso spiritually his, Harrison had taken liberty to introduce Azucena to his orphanage. He had brought Vera along with them, for of course, it would be his greatest pleasure for his daughter and the woman he planned to wed himself to, to get along and as sneakingly as a mouse, they had made their way to the orphanage.

He remembered telling Vera, about his plans for them to go see the orphanage again, and the soft smile on her face and the way her eyes gleamed. She was getting better, thankfully, he did not know what he would do if she did not get better,and she was smiling more the way a child her age ought to be. And though, Harrison could tell from the way she glanced at Azucena, she had taken a liking to her, he could also tell she missed that one Ellis, though Harrison frowned…he did not know how to break the news to her, that that one Ellis did not remember her at all, for she had perhaps lost her marbles.

“You will love the children,” Harrison had said to Azucena as they walked to the orphanage, Vera in front of them,jumping and hopping, due to her familiarity with this lands. “Don’t jump too much Vera,” he said, concern for her health evident in her face.

“But I’m fine,” She giggled, “And I have never felt so fine before,” She was so lovely in her light blue dress, twirling around as if she had just gotten gold. Harrison knew, it was happiness, happiness to finally being reunited with the other orphans she had befriended and been raised alongside by, and he was happy too, to see his ‘little pots of oats’ as he called them, and happy for Vera, but he did wish she would take more care of her health. She was not fully healed yet, and the nurse he had assigned to her, had said she needed more rest and with a stern voice, he had stopped walking and said again, “Vera, stop.” This time she listened, and pouted. Azucena- had frowned a bit, “Don’t be too harsh, she’s just being a child.” Harrison turned to Azucena with a softened gaze, though his jaw remained tense. “I’m not being harsh,” he replied gently, his tone dipped in concern. “It’s just… she’s still fragile, no matter how much better she feels.” He turned his eyes to Vera, who had momentarily stopped twirling but now shuffled her feet in that guilty way children do when they know they’ve done something wrong but don’t want to admit it.

Azucena glanced between them, her brow knitting, but she let the moment pass, choosing instead to reach for Harrison’s hand, a quiet gesture of support. [color=#ead1dc[ “Alright,” [/color] she murmured, squeezing lightly. “But let her have some joy today. Look at her, Harrison. That’s what she needs more than anything right now.”

He exhaled, his shoulders dropping a fraction as he relented. “And again like a book written in fine ink, you’re as beautiful and wise as ever.” He grinned, “How is it that you always know the words to say to be right, mi tesero? I’m starting to wonder if you’re perhaps a goddesses and not a human.”

Azucena grinned, raising a teasing brow. “Who knows?”

Vera, sensing the shift in tension, took advantage of the moment and clasped her hands together, a twinkle returning to her eyes. “Does that mean I can twirl again?”

Harrison groaned softly, but the corner of his mouth lifted into a smirk. “Fine, twirl all you want. But if you feel dizzy or tired—”

“I’ll stop, I promise!” Vera chirped, already spinning again in a flurry of blue fabric and laughter. Harrison shook his head, helpless against her charm, while Azucena chuckled beside him.

When they reached the orphanage gates, Vera dashed ahead, leaving Harrison and Azucena behind as she pushed them open and raced inside. “I’m back!” her voice rang out, light and clear like a bell.

nside, the other children turned toward her, faces lighting up with recognition and excitement. “Vera!” they cried, rushing toward her in a joyous swarm. For a moment, the world seemed to pause, the air thick with pure, unbridled happiness as the children reunited, their laughter and squeals echoing in the courtyard.

Harrison watched the scene unfold, his heart swelling. Azucena stood quietly beside him, her gaze taking in the lively chaos with a small smile. “They’re beautiful,” she said softly, her voice carrying a hint of awe.

“They are,” Harrison agreed, his voice thick with pride. “They’ve been through so much, but they still find ways to smile. They remind me of Vera. Resilient.”

Azucena turned to him then, her expression thoughtful. “And you,” she added. “You’ve given them a home. You’ve made sure they can smile again.”

Harrison looked down, uncharacteristically shy under her praise. “I didn’t do much,” he muttered. “They’ve made their own joy. I just… provided the space.”

And for a moment, they had simple talked. Not with their voice, oh no no! No words could be heard from their lips, but their eyes, they exchanged words, as the children played and screamed and when the children saw them, simply looking, they had stopped their playing but Harrison had not seen that, because ea small grin had passed his face as he parted his lips to speak. “Azucena,” He began, taking her hand softly, and placing a kiss on her backhand as the children cooed. “I know, our first engagement did not go all so well, and I’m sorry for the hurt that it had caused you and my great ignorance. I do not try to be a man of ignorance, but sometimes It cannot be helped, but I truly would be extremely ignorant if I let you go again. You, who is is the light I never recognized I needed, the warmth I didn’t know I craved, the poet whose verses I was too blind to understand.” Harrison’s voice wavered, heavy with the weight of his confession. His thumb grazed over Azucena’s knuckles as he knelt before her, the moment so still that even the wind seemed to pause in reverence.

Azucena’s dark eyes widened, a storm of emotions brewing within them. She opened her mouth to speak, but he continued, his words spilling out as if he feared he might lose them—or her—forever.

“I judged you unfairly before, Azucena,” His tone breaking with regret, “I was too unfair, and I don’t think there shall ever be a man as unfair as me, for comparing you to someone else throughout our engagement, and trying to find my former love in you, when you’re so much more.I saw your silence as dullness, your shyness as weakness. But it wasn’t that at all. It was bravery—bravery to carry the weight of your thoughts, to create beauty in the quiet corners of the world where no one else thought to look. I see that now. I see you now”

Azucena’s breath hitched, her free hand trembling at her side. “Harrison…” she whispered, her voice cracking like fragile glass. But he pressed on, his eyes never leaving hers.

He had went on his knees, still gripping unto her hands, kissing her palms, kissing the back of it, and cupping her face as he saw her, truly saw and oh, did he like the sight that he saw. For she was so beautiful, so lovely, and she defeated him not in strength or words but by her beauty that was like that of a swan–majestic, bold and lovely. “I’ve lived with the guilt of letting you go, Azucena” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “I thought I was freeing you, but the truth is, I was running. Running from the kind of love I didn’t understand, the kind that doesn’t shout or demand but waits, steady and patient, until it’s seen. And now, I see it. I see you.”

“Azucena,” he said, his voice steady now, though his hands trembled. “Will you give me another chance? Will you let me love you the way you deserve to be loved? Will you be my wife—not out of obligation, not out of my foolish pride—but because I finally understand that my life is brighter, fuller, and infinitely better with you in it?”

The world seemed to hold its breath as Azucena stared at him, tears spilling down her cheeks. Slowly, she knelt before him, their eyes level now. She cupped his face with both hands, her touch feather-light but grounding.

[color=#“Yes,” she had breathed out, her voice a whisper but carrying the strength of a thousand truths,
Her words shattered something inside him, only to rebuild it stronger. Harrison
“Yes,” she said finally, a radiant smile breaking through her tears. “Yes, Harrison. I will marry you.”

The children erupted into cheers, their little voices carrying the joy that seemed to swell and burst around them. Harrison slipped the ring onto her finger, his hands steady now, and pulled her into his arms, holding her as if he might never let go again.

---

When Harrison does things, even marriage it seems, he never does it without a little scandal. For, his wedding, a wedding that the queen was attending, her eyes glued to them like a predator glued to their prey, he had decided, that it was the day to reveal Vera to the public. She wore a flower dress, fit for a lady, and fit for the flower girl and hair was made into little curls. When, he had told his mother his plans of having Vera be his little flower girl, she had reacted the same way she did when Harrison told her about vera and his orphanage… she fainted and then woke up and denied him, and yet Harrison and Azucena still went ahead and did it. He just hoped, Vera does not see the Ellis person too early and run into their arms, now that! He couldnt help but to smirk, would be a scandal. He currently stood at the altar, waiting for his future wife to walk towards him, standing tall and proud in his tailored suit. And then, there, standing so lovely, so eye-catching in her simple and yet majestic wedding dress was his future wife. She approached him, hand in hand with her father and Harrison stared at her, as if he had never started at a person before, and a small graced his lips as his eyes watered a bit. This was it, this was his decision, and was it not the best decision a man has ever made? To be wedded to such a beautiful woman. As she stepped towards him, her eyes lowered, he whispered to her, “You look astonishing, tears flooded my eyes simple from your beauty.”

---

Finished finally, I missed writing Harrison’s corny ass

---

@raviola - Harrison
@benitz786 - Aurelia mentioned indirectly

[Caticorn]

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

After the winter ball, Theodore Radcliffe had been confident that he would never be expected to attend any more events in the ton. And yet, here he was, attending not one, but two weddings in the same day because he was the marquis now. It was his duty.

Teddy had left for Shanghai within a week of the winter ball. He saw no reason for him to remain in England, facing the scrutiny of every mama in the ton. For a month, he had been content managing his father’s business as he had before the season began. He found comfort in seeing Xia again and informing her of everything that had happened during his time away. She understood him in a way that no others could.

His safe haven didn’t last for long.

Teddy still remembered the day the letter arrived. It was his sister’s handwriting, informing him that he needed to return home immediately. Their father had been injured in an accident on one of ships and the doctors believed his death was imminent. He made his travel arrangements immediately but he was too late. By the time Teddy set foot on English soil, he was the marquis. Much to his surprise, his father hadn’t changed his successor and perhaps it was just grief, but his mother seemed relieved to see him.

He could say with absolute certainty that the funeral was the worst day of his life. Seeing the grief-stricken faces of his family, in combination with the guilt of not seeing his father in his final moments, tore at his heart. The tragedy of the loss was one that Teddy didn’t think any of his family members was deserving of.

A month later, he and Xia were wed. A marquis needs his marchioness, and his mother needed a joyous occasion. They held a private ceremony at his mother’s family home in China, inviting only those they considered family. For Teddy, that meant his mother, siblings, Genevieve, Corin, and Klaus. It was not an extravagant, romantic affair like those of the ton. It was merely an agreement between friends who realized that their best options were each other.

When the invitation had come for Klaus’ wedding, he had no doubts about accepting. He couldn’t imagine a world in which he did not watch his friend be wed. The day ended up being a double wedding, but after the first ceremony, Teddy noticed Klaus dart out of the room. Concerned, he followed him and found him splashing water from a pond on his face.

“Klaus?” He said to get his attention as he approached, not wanting to startle him. The man insisted that he was alright and that he ‘simply needed to freshen up’, which Teddy could tell was far from the truth by observing his facial expression. “You look like a man headed for the gallows. What has you in such a state?” He asked, wondering if it had anything to do with the wedding that was quickly approaching.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

@Kristi - Klaus

Mentioned:
@DandelionKate - Corin
@astxrism - Vivi

[sunflowerjm]

☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ༻✧༺ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ ☽

~ day of the wedding ~

It was the day of the two grand weddings at the queen’s palace. Adeline and Atlas had taken their seats, with Priti seated beside Atlas. By now, it was known that Atlas and Priti had begun courting as the season drew to a close.

“You look pale, sister. Is everything alright?” Adeline turned to her brother with a soft smile. “I-I’m alright. Just a bit under the weather,” she said, her voice light but unconvincing.

Atlas narrowed his eyes in concern. “Hmm. I’ve noticed you haven’t been able to keep your food down lately. Perhaps I should have a word with the maids. This cannot keep happening.”

”Oh no, brother, it is not their fault. I promise,” Adeline quickly assured him, her tone a little too eager. “Now, if you will excuse me, I need to use the ladies’ room.”

”Have Ms. Priti accompany—”

”Atlas, I am fine,” Adeline said in annoyance before rising from her seat not letting him finish, she quickly stepped away from her brother and Priti.

Although she felt bad for speaking to her brother like that she needed some fresh air. As the day went on she was beginning to feel more dizzy. Adeline didn’t how long she could keep this secret any longer, a secret only she knew of.

On her way out she caught a glimpse of the only person she wanted to see right now, although she had seen him recently her heart fluttered when their eyes met. Adeline smiled sweetly at him as if to call him towards her but a sudden wave of nausea hit her. Clutching her stomach discreetly, she realized she had no choice but to rush toward the ladies’ room and fast.

---

~ flashback | days before the wedding ~

The storm battered the estate with unrelenting force, rain slamming against the windows and wind howling through the trees. Everyone else had already gone to bed, but Adeline remained awake, seated at her desk, the faint glow of a candle her only companion.

In the quiet of her room, she found herself doing the same thing she had done these past weeks. Adeline wrote letter after letter, spilling out the emotions she could not say aloud: the shame of her rejected confession, the anger and lust she still felt toward Archie, and most painful of all, the love that refused to fade no matter how much she tried to forget him.

A sudden knock echoed through the house, heavy and deliberate. The sound startled her, making her drop the pen and ink in front of her. Adeline glanced toward the door of her room, wondering who could be calling at this hour, and in the middle of such a storm.

Thea’s footsteps were soft but steady as she headed to answer the knock. The faint creak of the grand front door opening followed. Adeline stood to approach her door, opening it just slightly, curiosity getting the best of her. At first, she could hear only muffled voices below. Then, a gust of wind carried the sound upward, and she froze. She recognized the voice.

Archie.

Her fingers tightened around the doorknob, wanting to open it further as her pulse quickened. What was he doing here? Why had he come to her family’s home in the middle of such a storm?
The front door closed with a heavy thud, and the voices fell silent. Adeline sat motionless, her mind racing. The faint sound of footsteps moved through the halls, but she couldn’t bring herself to move.

Moments later, Thea stood at her bedroom door, opening it fully. Adeline looked at her, her heart pounding. Thea didn’t speak; she didn’t need to. The expression on her face told Adeline everything she needed to know.

The realization hit her. Archie was here, for her.

══════⊹⊱≼≽⊰⊹══════

mentioned:

@astxrism arch ahhh <3
@Caticorn priti

@lovely couples

[CerealKiller]

---

If someone asked me at the end,

I’ll tell them put me back in it

Darling, I would do it again,

If I could hold you for a minute

Darling, I’d go through it again,

- Hozier

---

The dawn of the day promised to be nothing short of extraordinary, a spectacle of love and unity, meticulously orchestrated within the hallowed halls and pristine gardens of the Queen’s Palace. The morning sun cast its golden light over the palace’s spires, which shimmered against the blue expanse of the sky. Within its walls, no corner left untouched. Her Majesty, ever a patroness of pageantry and precision, had spared no effort to ensure this day would be remembered not as the conclusion of a lukewarm season but as its crowning triumph. Vast floral arrangements of orchids, lilies, and roses adorned every surface, their sweet aroma mingling with the crisp spring air that filtered through the open terraces. Silk banners hung in elegant cascades, their edges gilded to catch the light, while the faint strains of a string quartet rehearsing in the gardens drifted through the halls.

The day was supposed to be a momentous occasion heralded as the crown jewel of the season, and yet, as Cassian Ellis stood before the mirror in his chambers, his eyes drifted toward the window, where the garden lay bathed in the soft light of the morning. Yet his thoughts were far from the tranquil scene outside, tangled instead in the heavy, unshakable weight that seemed to press down on him like a cloak he could not remove. From the moment he stepped out of bed, the duality of the day loomed over him, a day that promised both joy and heartbreak in equal measure.

Lydia’s wedding was, undoubtedly, a cause for celebration. Cassian had looked forward to it with no small measure of anticipation, not for the pomp and circumstance that came with a society wedding, but for the possibility it held for his baby sister. Lydia, ever fiery and resolute, had fought the notion of the matrimony with every fiber of her being when the subject was first disclosed. Cassian had borne witness to countless arguments, her voice echoing through the halls of the Ellis estate, filled with indignation and defiance. He could not blame her, he, too, had felt the suffocating grip of familial expectations and the inevitability of duty.

Cassian’s heart ached for her happiness. He wanted nothing more than for her to flourish, to find freedom and joy away from the shadows of their lineage. The thought of Lydia standing at the altar, perhaps nervous but not unhappy, gave him hope. Her wedding was a bright spot in the day’s tapestry, one he could cling to as a reminder that, occasionally, the ton’s machinations could yield something good. Klaus Shafer, her intended, was a decent man, the kind who treated people with dignity and respect, a man of good character, or at least that’s how he saw him. Klaus was steady, kind, and capable, qualities rare enough in the so-called gentlemen of the ton, who often prided themselves on titles rather than actual virtues. Cassian believed, or perhaps hoped, that Klaus could maybe offer Lydia the one thing their family never could, a semblance of peace. For all her protests, Cassian understood his sister better than most, beneath her defiance he saw a longing for escape, for freedom from the suffocating grasp of their life and lineage and the expectations it imposed. If Klaus could give her that, even in part, then this union was, in Cassian’s mind, a blessing.

But Azucena.

Her name alone was enough to unsteady him, a whispered reminder of what he almost had. The second wedding of the day belonged to her, to Azucena Osuna and Harrison Davis. Even thinking the name left a bitter taste on his tongue.He was a man Cassian could barely stand to be in the same room with, to say the least. Davis was everything Cassian despised: smug, vain, self-serving, and quite devoid of any qualities that might redeem him. Utterly undeserving of a woman like Azucena. And yet, he was the man she had chosen, again.

Cassian couldn’t help but replay their past together in his mind, the moments that had once felt so certain and full of promise. It may have took him too long to come to that same understanding of the these words his heart speaks, but he had loved her, not with the polite affection the ton expected of its couples but with a fire that had consumed him entirely. He had imagined a life with her, dreamed of a future where they might defy the expectations of society and carve out something real, something meaningful and beautiful. But that dream had died the day she said no. He had bared his heart to her, offered her his future, only for her to turn him away. She hadn’t been cruel, nor dismissive. Her refusal had been laced with regret, her eyes soft with something that almost resembled sorrow. But a refusal it had been, and Cassian had been left to pick up the pieces of a love that had nowhere to go.

And now, here he was, watching her step toward a future with someone else. The very thought of her walking down the aisle toward Harrison twisted something deep inside him, a physical ache that no amount of poise or propriety could dull. He knew he should hate her for it, should curse her for breaking his heart and moving on (technically going back) as though he had never mattered. But he couldn’t. Because he still loved her.

And love, truly, was not selfish.

He had told himself this countless times in the days leading up to the ceremony. Loving someone meant wanting their happiness above all else, even if that happiness didn’t include you. If Harrison was the man who could make Azucena happy, then Cassian would bear it. He would swallow his pride, set aside his pain, and endure the sight of her pledging herself to someone else. He would watch her smile, radiant and sincere, and know that her joy was worth more than his heartbreak.

But the knowing didn’t make it easier.

As the hour approached, Cassian forced himself to dress with meticulous care, the midnight blue tailcoat he selected was a perfect fit, its polished buttons gleaming in the morning light. He adjusted his cravat with steady hands, each button and fold of fabric a distraction from the storm raging within him. He would face the day as he always did, with a steady composure that revealed nothing of the chaos beneath. He would celebrate Lydia’s union with heartfelt pride and affection, his joy for his sister unwavering. And when Azucena and Harrison exchanged their vows, he would clap with polite composure, his applause steady, his expression unreadable, a carefully crafted mask of stoic grace. After all, that was what was expected of him, Cassian Ellis, the ever-unflappable, ever-dutiful heir to the Ellis name.

Yet, in the quiet moments, when the applause dwindled and the guests’ laughter faded into the distant hum of the festivities, he would allow himself to grieve. For the love he had lost. For the life that might have been. For the man he once was, the one who had dared to believe that some bonds were too strong to shatter.
Today, Cassian would play his part in the grand performance of the season. But he would do so knowing that, when the final curtain fell, the weight of it all would still be only his to carry. Wherever he may go, and with all that is yet to come.

---

@novella Lydia mentioned

@raviola Azucena mentioned

@Kristi Klaus and Harrison mentioned

[Kristi]

---

“Headed for the gallows?” Klaus chuckled nervously, staring into the pound, for he did not wish to look directly into his closest friends eyes and lie to him. “Oh, no, no. I had felt a simple… itch on my face and I saw fit to clear it. It won’t be proper to go to my… my… my.” He swallowed, and it was as if he had eaten rocks, for his throat felt so heavy and it had never felt heavy before. The pain in his throat, it was harsher, stronger, more gutwrenching than any fists his father had given him or any wounds he had inflicted upon himself, and he tried not to show it. He stood firm, gave a soft smile that he tried to make reach his eyes. 'I and Miss. Ellis wedding. It’s not proper to let a girl kiss an unfreshened kiss, is that not right?" He followed his words by a slight laughter that felt all too false. “But I promise you, Teddy, I’m alright in all sense of the word. I just like the water.”

---

@Caticorn

mentioned:

@novella - Lydia

[Kristi]

୨♡୧୨♡୧୨♡୧୨♡୧♡୧୨♡୧୨♡୧

Like every noble family currently in England, the Fleurs, as expected were currently in the Queen’s palace to celebrate two weddings. Belle had not wished to come, to do needing to attend to personal matters, but it was a wedding of a friend–Azucena and Lydia–Although on two different schedules, and Belle’s mother had told her that there was no running from attending, she would make the guards drag her if she does not come, and thus she came.

She watched as Harrison stood beside Azucena, reciting his vows with the kind of fervent devotion that perhaps from someone else Belle might have found truthful. But Harrison was everything if not a rake, and she knew Harrison–the rakish brother of a friend. She knew the easy charm he wielded like a sword, the way he danced between lovers with the careless grace of a rake who had never once feared the sting of rejection. His words were moving—almost too moving. They reminded her of the romance novels she had devoured in secret, the same kind she had written under a pen name. And wasn’t that a chilling thought? Had she really once found such honeyed declarations swoon-worthy? Well, Azucena looked happy and her happiness looked truthful there was that. She was happy for her, extremely happy, and she had wished nothing but the best for her, as after all Azucena had always been a lady riddled with the desire for romance and marriage and she was getting her dreams… Though, it would have been better if it was too some other man and not a rake…but did such a man exist anymore in the ton? Except for Klaus Shafer, she supposed, but he was more a German noble than an England noble and English nobles were well… English.Belle let out a quiet breath, shaking her head in faint amusement. Perhaps she was being too cynical—marriage had turned rakes into respectable men before. Though, she had yet to see it happen in a way that lasted beyond a few months of marital bliss before old habits resurfaced. But still, Azucena looked happy. And if Azucena was happy, then Belle supposed she could momentarily silence the skeptic in her mind.

The ceremony moved forward in its stately procession, the Queen’s palace bathed in the glow of chandeliers and candlelight. Belle’s gaze swept over the gathered crowd, noting the careful shifts of expression among the ton. Some looked genuinely moved by the spectacle and others jealous for perhaps they had wanted to marry Harrison, wanted their daughters married to Harrison or the men with bitter looks in their eyes had wanted to be wed to Azucena. Hmm, love truly leaves a bitter taste in one’s mouth.Her fingers smoothed the fabric of her gown absentmindedly as she let her thoughts wander. A wedding was, if nothing else, a stage. And if Harrison was playing the devoted groom today, then she would applaud his performance.

When the ceremony concluded, the guests rose in a flurry of movement. Laughter and conversation filled the air, and Belle found herself drawn away from the center of the festivities. Then, out of the corner of her eye, she caught a familiar gaze and a huge smile graced her face.

“Atlas,” she said softly, as she walked towards him, and hugged him. “I have not gazed upon you in a while, I never realized how much I miss your face. How do you fair? and Adeline?” Atlas smelled the same—of parchment and ink, of something steady and familiar, like an old book that had been read a thousand times and still never lost its charm. Belle lingered in the embrace for just a moment longer before pulling away, her hands still resting lightly on his arms as if to confirm that he was real and not just a specter conjured by nostalgia.

“I have been surrounded by far too many strangers as of late,” she admitted, tilting her head slightly as she regarded him. “It is good to see a face that does not require careful pleasantries or exhausting diplomacy.” A small, knowing smile played at her lips. “And one that does not look at me as though I am some peculiar thing to be studied.”

---

@sunflowerjm

[astxrism]

{ The Queen’s Palace / happily ever after }

---

Archie had been seated among the guests, exchanging pleasantries with familiar faces, but his mind had been elsewhere for most of the morning. Until, in the midst of all the ceremony, his gaze landed on her.
Adeline.

Even in a room filled with people, she stood out. Perhaps it was because he had always been attuned to her presence or perhaps it was the way her eyes looked for his in a sea of people. For a moment everything else fell away. Her soft smile brought out his own but just as swiftly as their gaze met, the moment shattered.

He saw it - the slight paling of her complexion, the sudden urgency in her step as she turned from him and hurried away. Archie had always prided himself on reading people, however now he couldn’t even guess what was wrong. He just knew that something was wrong.

The grand wedding faded into insignificance. Archie stood up, offering a murmured excuse to those seated beside him, though he hardly heard their response. His focus was on something else. As he left the room, he tried to follow Adie, his strides purposeful as he navigated the halls of the palace. He caught sight of her just as she disappeared beyond a doorway.
The ladies’ room.

Archie hesitated only briefly, knowing this was not a place for him to be at but concern won out. Running a hand through his hair, he exhaled sharply before stepping forward and knocking gently against the doorframe. “Adeline?” His voice was softer now, yet unmistakably laced with worry. “Are you alright?”
Silence.
“Adie,” he tried again, his voice low, urgent. “Please talk to me.”

---

flashback
{ days before the wedding }
{ loved you in the darkness and I loved you in fluorescent light }

Archie stepped into the foyer his heart pounding as the reality of what he was about to do settled over him. He watched Thea disappear up the staircase, each second stretching into an eternity. The house was eerily quiet save for the distant sound of the storm raging outside… He glanced around, his eyes lingering on the little details that spoke of Adeline’s touch. That’s when she appeared at the top of the stairs, her expression guarded as it seemed. For a moment, he couldn’t speak, couldn’t move. She was as beautiful as ever, but there was an air of fragility about her now. He took a step forward, then stopped, unsure of how to begin.

”I… I saw it.“ he stammered finally, his voice thick with emotion. ”I saw the house. A house that looked just like the one you described to me - the white walls, the garden, the river… Adeline…“ He took another step closer, his hands trembling at his sides. ”I have come to you, soaked to the bone, because there is no time left for hesitation. There is no more room for pride, for fear. I was a fool, a wretched fool, to let you slip from my grasp for so long… To lie about it.“

His eyes burned with an intensity that seemed to ignite the very room.
Archie pressed on, his voice growing steadier.
He moved up the stairs his feet dragging as if he were pulling himself through the weight of the words he had kept inside for far too long… Until he was facing her.

”I love you, Adeline. I love you with a passion that consumes me, that fills every corner of my soul. Foolishly, irrevocably, maddeningly. I love you with every part of me, and I have loved you for as long as I can remember.“ He reached out, his hand trembling as he took hers in his. ”I have made a terrible mistake, and I am so sorry - for all the ways I have hurt you, for every word I failed to say, for every action that pushed you away and for… Making you believe I did not mean what I wrote in those letters.“ His voice almost cracked as he held her gaze. ”But I cannot stand it anymore. I cannot live in a world where you are not beside me, where I do not share my life with you. The thought of it… it is unbearable.“

Archie’s eyes searched hers desperately, his chest heaving with the weight of his emotions.
”I would give up everything I have to be with you, Adeline. I would give up the world itself if it meant I could build that life with you. I cannot let you go. I cannot lose you,“ he whispered. ”You need not say anything… I … I have said it all and now all I ask is that you take a chance on me… I know I have no right to ask this of you, after everything but… I had no choice.“

---

@sunflowerjm

[Caticorn]

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

“No, I suppose it would not.” He replied when Klaus tried to further explain why he was by the water. It was moments like this when Teddy counted himself lucky that he had been granted the privilege to know his wife well before their wedding. He had not been nervous the day of his wedding because it seemed like nothing compared to what he and Xia had already experienced together. Others may not understand or approve but for Teddy, this was the most favourable marriage arrangement and certainly the best he could hope for.

“It is perfectly acceptable to be nervous on your wedding day, Klaus.” He reassured his friend, letting him know that if he was pretending, he could let go of the act, at least for the moment. “You know you can confide in me. I will take anything you tell me to my grave.” He promised and Theodore Radcliffe was nothing if not a man of his word, especially when it was being given to his closest friend.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

@Kristi - Klaus

[sunflowerjm]

☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ༻✧༺ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ ☽

Adeline could hear Archie’s footsteps just outside the door, his concern evident in the knock that followed the sound of her retching. She gripped the edge of the washbasin, tears slipping down her cheeks as she realized she could no longer keep this secret to herself.

At first, when Adeline began feeling “ill”, her family dismissed it as nothing more than a passing cold. They were assured she would recover. But the maids who changed to her linens had noticed the truth way before anyone else. Her monthly bleeding had not come for some time.

Thea soon heard the whispers of the maids as they discussed how this was even possible but Thea knew immediately. The moment she put the pieces together, she knew. Her dear Adeline, the girl she loved as her own, was with child.

Taking a shaky breath, Adeline wiped her face and straightened her gown before looking at herself in the mirror, her make up was already ruined from all the tears and her wiping her face. ‘He loves you Adeline. You can tell him.’ She thought before letting out a loud sigh.

When she finally stepped out, closing the door behind her, she found Archie waiting, his face filled with worry. The moment their eyes met, her she felt herself become vulnerable once again. Tears formed in her eyes, slipping down her flushed cheeks.

“Oh, Archie,"she whispered, her voice quivering. ”Ihave committed the greatest sin… it was never supposed to happen like this."

She dropped her gaze, shame pressing heavily on her chest. Adeline’s life had always been carefully planned, if not by herself, then by her mother. She was meant to be the diamond of the season, to meet the man of her dreams in a perfect romance, to receive a grand proposal before her family, and to have a wedding blessed by the Queen herself.

Adeline knew Archie was the love of her life, there was no doubt, but maybe if things could have gone differently… would he see her less because of what has happened?

That night when you came to me…" Adeline hesitated, her voice barely above a whisper.

---

~flashback~

Adeline remained frozen, her heart trying to escape from her chest.

Gathering her courage, Adeline stepped into the hall, her hand gripping the banister for support. She could hear his measured footsteps below, and as she reached the top of the sweeping staircase, she froze.

There he was, standing at the base of the stairs. His coat was damp from the rain, his hair disheveled, and yet he looked as composed as ever. Slowly, his gaze lifted, and their eyes met.

Adeline’s breath hitched, her hand tightening on the banister. Archie began to speak, and although she wanted to move, to say something, the flood of emotions kept her rooted in place.

As he stood close to her, breaking the distance between them, and took her hand in his, Adeline finally began to speak.

”Archie, I—”

Adeline, go back to your room.”[/color] Adeline turned, her breath catching at the sound of her brother’s voice.

”Atlas, please don’t—” she whispered before Atlas interrupted her.

”Adeline, I told you to go to your room,” Atlas insisted, his tone firm. As much as she wanted to argue, Adeline reluctantly pulled away from Archie and began heading toward her room, glancing back one last time.

”Thea, please get Lord Hastingston some new clothes,” Atlas said, his gaze not meeting Archie’s. Walking toward his father’s study, he spoke over his shoulder, his voice softening as he finally addressed him, ”After you change, please meet me in my father’s study. We need to talk.”

~~

---

”When you sneaked into my room, we shouldn’t have—" She took a trembling breath, hands shaking. ”I am not saying I regret it. That night was the most magical of my life, but…"

Finally, she looked up at him, her tear-filled eyes searching his.

Slowly, she reached for his hand, guiding it to rest gently against her belly.

“That night, we didn’t just fall into each other’s arms," Adeline said softly placing her other hand on his cheek making sure he looked at her, ”We created something real, something lasting… a little piece of us."

☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ༻✧༺ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ ☽

@astxrism

[Caticorn]

* .✧◦ ━━ ◦ ❖ ◦ ━━ ◦✧. *

Finch could feel his heart in his throat. Perhaps returning this soon was a poor decision but he did not want to miss Azucena’s wedding. His sister had not mentioned whether his parents or other siblings were aware that she had invited him, and he dreaded facing them, especially if his presence was a surprise.

“Oisillon”

“Mm?” He responded as his lover’s voice cut through his thoughts, bringing him back to the present.

Fabien had entered Finch’s life with perfect timing. Until they met, the only people Finch had built any sort of connection with were the elderly couple who ran the boarding house. He had a few passing interactions with people at his music school, but he was lonely and had no one to consider a friend.

Until a young man selling paintings on the street had taken a chance on him. The name Finch Ridlington meant nothing to Fabien Audinet, allowing him the privilege of reinventing his image with the man who became his best friend and then his lover and muse.

“À quoi t’inquiète?”

“Je n’in-”

“Finch.”

Finch sighed as Fabien took his hand. He still was not convinced that Fabien couldn’t read his mind. Or maybe he was not as good at hiding his discomfort as he thought.

"Je sais que ma famille est ici et c’est la première fois que je reviens depuis mon départ. Je ne suis pas sûr que je voudrais les voir ou qu’ils vourdraient me voir. Peut-être que c’est pour le mieux si pas.”

“Finch!” Apparently, fate had other plans. Finch quickly dropped Fabien’s hand when he heard his sister’s voice. “You came!”

“I would not dare miss Azucena’s wedding.” He answered as she hugged him. He returned the embrace but didn’t let it linger for too long.

“Who is this?”

“Lettie, this is Fabien.” His partner became more alert at the sound of his name but Finch could tell that he was confused. “Fabien, voici ma petite sœur, Juliet.”

“Uh, dites-lui que c’est un plaisir de faire sa connaissance.” Fabien spoke softly.

“C’est un plaisir de vous rencontrez aussi.”

“Do mother and father know that I am here?” He asked. The last thing he wanted was to leave Fabien in the dark purposefully, but he didn’t need to be involved in their family drama. He just needed to be sure of what he had gotten himself into.

“No. I told Dorothea but not mother and father.” Juliet confessed, avoiding eye contact with Finch.

“And what of Percival and Nathaniel?”

“They do not know either.”

“Juliet, you do realize what will happen if they see me.”

“They would not dare make a scene at an Ellis wedding.” His sister spoke confidently, and while he was hopeful that she was correct, the uncertainty was uncomfortable. His parents respected the Ellis’ and held their opinions in high regard, which may work in his favour, if they are able to control themselves.

“Oisillon, qu’est-ce qui se passe?” The sound of Fabien’s voice relaxed him and he turned to face him with a smile.

“Rien. Allons-y.” He responded softly, walking away from his sister without another word. He wanted to celebrate his friend and enjoy the festivities before he and his partner had to return to their home in France. If that meant putting more distance between himself and his family, so be it.

* .✧◦ ━━ ◦ ❖ ◦ ━━ ◦✧. *

Approachable

Translations

Oisillon - little bird/birdie
À quoi t’inquiète? - What are you worried about?
Je n’in… - I’m not-
Je sais que ma famille est ici et c’est la première fois que je reviens depuis mon départ. Je ne suis pas sûr que je voudrais les voir ou qu’ils vourdraient me voir. Peut-être que c’est pour le mieux si pas - I know that my family is here and it is the first time I have seen them since I left. I am not sure if I want to see them or if they want to see me. Maybe it is for the best if not.
Voici ma petit sœur - This is my little sister
dites-lui que c’est un plaisir de faire sa connaissance - Tell her that it is pleasure to make her acquaintance
C’est un plaisir de vous recontrez aussi - It is a pleasure to meet you, too
Qu’est-ce qui se passe - What’s happening?
Rien. Allons-y - Nothing. Let’s go.

[Littlefeets]

---

Loneliness can kill as easily as any illness. Maisie could hardly remember her mother. Her father was gone, and her brother may as well have been. In a way, what her brother did was the worst of all. She still needed him, but he chose to leave. He left her. He didn’t want to be there for her. What did that mean for her when even her brother would rather be anywhere but with her? Friends were able to help her through the season with her brother’s absence, but no amount of optimism could allow her to deny the truth. She was alone, and the future no longer looked bright.

It was understandable that she wasn’t fortunate enough for her debut season to wed a man she loved, who loved her, not everyone could. But how was she to manage a second season alone? Her brother was no longer present to be responsible for her, and their family was losing what standing they may have once had, not even delving into the lost wealth they had to endure since before the loss of their father. Her only hopes to wed, would be for a man to fall in love with her and choose her despite her familial circumstances, or for one to take pity on her. Though that left the most important question, how long could she rely on family friends to help her?

When she heard the news of the wedding, there was a mixture of emotions. She was happy for her dear friend. She wanted nothing more than for Klaus to be happy, regardless of who his lovely bride happened to be. However, there was no denying that there was a pain in her heart at the thought of Klaus marrying another girl. They were friends, as simple as that. That was all they could ever be, if their friendship would even be allowed once he was wed, and in a way it felt as though she were losing her dear friend all over again. The feelings she may have had for him couldn’t be allowed to matter, even if a part of her would wonder what could have been.

Despite her mixed feelings, it was still a wedding for someone who meant a lot to her, and she would only wish them the utmost happiness. It was the right thing to do, even if there was a sadness in her heart. She adored weddings and the love they could inspire, yet a part of her only felt more alone. She wanted a love story of her own, with a wedding to a man who looked at her like she was the reason for the stars in the sky, the center of his world, like how king himself looks at his queen, as Maisie had once said all those months ago to the queen herself at the beginning of the season. That was what she wished for most, but now felt further beyond reach than ever. All she could feel was the growing weight upon her soul that it was the dream of a child that would never be.

---

Approachable