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bleedsirish:

“if you’re genuinely interested in hiring, i’m afraid it’ll cost ye more than that.”

“Ah, well, I suppose that is fair enough. I simply need some help regarding the running of some errands. I do not know the area very well and thought I would ask some guidance. I will gladly pay you a higher sum if that’s what you wish.” 

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eideardtheprince:

Eideard smiled up at her. “No?” he said. “No ruby wine to match the lovely color on your lips?” He took a sip for himself, smiling slightly and shrugging. “But, yes, it is a beautiful day. I fear it may rain in the afternoon. But why should we worry about that now?”

The burst of laughter that escaped Aoife’s lips was laced with a good amount of amusement. “No, I think I must say no at this time. I must go and see my children soon,” she explained, looking around with drowsy fondness. “Exactly. There is no need to worry about that sort of thing when the sun is shining so bright.”

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mcndoza:

“ No. It’s a surprise but i’m quite delighted nonetheless.”

“Ah, of course it would be. I didn’t realise you were standing there, Your Grace. It appears I sometimes find it necessary to recite poetry without any real reason. It is a beautiful piece of literature.” 

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ofaphrcdite:

“You did not disturb.” She waved a hand, lips pursed in the slightest smile. “If anything it was I who disturbed you.” Elisabeth committed the name to memory, it was always useful to know the faces of those you were surrounded by afterall. Only a fool would not bother to learn the names of everyone and their purpose, whether they be an enemy or ally. “You had quite the trip then, Lady Fitzgerald?”

“Perhaps we ought to agree neither of us was disturbed, then,” she suggested with a careful yet genuine smile. It was not often she had the opportunity to socialise with people of such high status, not when most of her time was spent in the domestic sphere. “I did, yes. It was very exciting. We were blessed with very agreeable weather. I’ve heard some terrible horror stories regarding seafaring so I suppose we were quite lucky.”

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ofstvrdusts:

the queen often felt hollow upon finding any sort of remembrance of her husband, and seeing his name printed impeccably in the book of lineages upon her lap only added to the sensation. her mind reeled to imagine a the possibility of the pair of them here together, what a different woman she would be whilst embracing a peace she was sure she’d have believed in wholeheartedly. now, she wasn’t sure where she stood, almost as though she was riding a tide someone else had thrown her toward. may as well go along with it – what was best for her people was best for HER. of only that she was sure. 

as footsteps approached, aurora attempted to hastily turn the pages in the book away from her own family line, instead fumbling with the parchment until it fell with a massive THUD to the floor, barely missing her feet. she swallowed, glancing up at her intruder entering the previously silent library. ‘ what are you doing here so late? ’ she asked, voice trembling somewhat. 

Aoife jumped before taking a step back and nailing her gaze to the floor. She had figured the library would be empty, quiet, and had headed there when it had become evident she would not be falling asleep anytime soon. Sometimes her thoughts were terribly intrusive, keeping her awake and staring at the ceiling when everyone else slept. That particular evening had been no different. And now, well, now she had caused a scene. 

“I apologise. I thought everyone else was asleep,” she admitted, feeling foolish. “I could not bring myself to sleep and thought some reading would help.” 

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mclodramas:

he had come from the battlefields to the peace of bern — notwithstanding the wayward month where he planned an escape — and the contrast was startling. tomas felt as if this place existed outside of everything he had known for the past fifteen years and in a way, he supposed that switzerland did. with pursed lips, he tore his gaze from the happy washmaids, laughing as they hung laundry in the warm sun. “how these people live…” tomas trailed off, words a bare murmur. “when peace is all they know.”

With her children occupied by their language lessons, Aoife had been left alone with only a book for company. She didn’t quite mind it - reading was her favourite pastime, after all - but a growing part of her missed the everyday chores of running her own household. Days seemed too long and lazy when that had been taken away from her. The woman glanced to her side and nodded slightly before addressing the duke in the correct manner. “I am certain they have their own worries,” she spoke carefully, “but they are lucky, yes.” 

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I still remember you as a little girl who overwaters plants because she doesn’t know when to stop giving.

Trista Mateer 

(via tristamateer)

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ladyvcrgas:

“ah, magnífico,” lucia crowed, happy to have found an opponent so quickly. at home, she was usually hard pressed to find anyone still willing to indulge her, after having done so through all of the years her brother had been fighting in the war. she put the pieces back into their places and waited for her opponent to make the first move. “what is talent in chess, really? all it truly requires is knowledge of movements and perhaps a bit of luck.”

Aoife simply smiled and nodded her head ever so slightly as she made sure her skirts were as neat as possible. The presence of so many high-ranking nobles and royals had made incredibly aware of the way her clothes would get wrinkly, how her hair would sometimes refuse to stay in place. None of that had mattered as much back home. “That is certainly true. Perhaps I’m just terrible unlucky when it comes to chess. I am far better at card games.” 

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unconsolablequeen:

“my little lion, so strong…” ayşe cooed at her son, laughing at the way he played with the fabric of her dress. they were both outside, sat on a garden bench, and enjoying the breeze which could be seen in the free flowing locks of her hair. ayşe had been feeling disconnected from the world lately, so it felt good to be enjoying the nature around her. harun seeemed to be enjoying it as well, which made ayşe even happier. for once she felt peaceful and it seemed that nothing could disturb that.

She remained quiet for a moment’s time, busy watching the woman and her child with the sort of fondness of a fellow mother. Her youngest was already four - walking, talking, playing with her older siblings - so meeting younger children was always quite lovely. It reminded her of times when her husband was still alive and well, a doting father to their beautiful offspring. “He’s a very handsome boy,” she commented. 

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rvmanovnas:

     often times, karina got caught up in her own world. she found it far more fascinating than reality. but in doing so, she typically forgot that there are other inhabitants that could witness her fun and games – it was something so appealing yet flawed about the princess. she paused her singing when she heard the inquiry, her wide curious gaze landing on the other woman. ‘ my apologies. ’ the blonde breathed out in english, bowing her head for a brief moment before her usual beaming smile overtook her face.

          ‘ i was simply singing a silly nursey rhyme from back home… mишка косолапый по лесу идёт. ’

Aoife couldn’t blame the young girl, nor could she judge her when she was often found doing very similar things. Yes, she had grown more careful and tried to make sure she wasn’t talking to herself in the presence of others – or at least in polite company – but there were most definitely times when she slipped. “Ah, of course. It sounded quite lovely,” she commented, a warm smile spreading across her lips as she placed her hands on her lap. “May I ask the meaning behind it?”  

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stranger: *pronounces my name right*

me: what are we?

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She was a quiet, fragile creature blindingly beautiful e n c h a n t i n g as a summer rose With a heart that knew only two things: how to explode with love, and beat with sadness.

lovelydisarray, // Handle with Care (via wnq-writers)

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nordkvinde:

Her gaze shifted between the woman and the cat, before finally settling on the other’s features and she smiles a bit. “I see,” Runa says simply as her eyes then found their way onto the pendant of the woman’s necklace; recognizing it as the symbol of Christianity, which was the religion of mostly everyone across Europe — apart from the north, that is, where there is not one religion but many others. She nodded slowly at the woman’s words before saying, “It might appear as so,” she looks up at the stranger and gives her a warm smile. “And she is tame. Do you want to hold her? She’s soft and warm, unlike many other cats — including my own back home.” Runa humors as she takes a step closer to the other person, fingers still on the soft fur of the cat. “Unless you are not too fond with cats, then, I suppose I shall keep her in my arms for the time being.”

“It has been far too long since I’ve petted a cat,” she mused, her smile and voice full of fondness as she admired the little ball of fur. Her husband had owned many hunting dogs – handsome and lean creatures – but the few cats inhabiting the surroundings of the Kilkea castle were far too feral to be held. Their job was to keep the mice away, not to be cuddled. “I hope her owner finds her soon. She’s too small to be wandering about all by herself; it’s such a terribly busy place.” A wider smile lit up her face as the other woman offered her the chance to hold the cat. “I would love to hold her,” she informed with almost childlike enthusiasm before glancing down briefly. “You mentioned having a cat of your own. Is he very wild then?” 

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ofaphrcdite:

Elisabeth raised an eyebrow at the other woman in the room, the pencil on her sketchpad stalling as her dark eyes found the other. “I was muttering to myself, next time just throw something at me.” The Empress was joking, although you would hardly know it. Her tone completely level, only a hint of sarcasm seeping through. Eventually, she set her stuff aside, crossing one leg over the other as she turned her full attention to the strange. “My apologies, but I am afraid I do not know your name?”

Aoife hurried to cross her hands behind her back as she glanced down at the floor, mostly to give herself a moment to look for the right words. “Oh, I would not,” she muttered before looking up again as she realised who she was talking to. “Your Imperial Majesty.” The woman shook her head, smiling as she did so. “Of course not. I mostly keep to myself. I am Aoife Fitzgerald, the Countess of Kildare. From Ireland,” she added, not expecting the Empress to be aware of every single title and earldom in Europe. “I apologise for disturbing.” 

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balthasars:

❝ Forgive me, I have a difficult time understanding. Although I must say the language sounds EXQUISITE when it falls from your lips, I highly doubt I would do it the same justice.❞

A soft, somewhat confused burst of laughter escaped Aoife’s lips. “It is Irish, quite the insignificant language in the grand scheme of things. I was simply reciting an old poem I like. It reminds me of home when I’m missing my country.”