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who: @mcstardently (dr. bromley) where: some garden party or other

After having missed the Diamond Ball, Caroline knew that it would be a very long time before she'd be permitted to miss any other events. Not that she'd exactly been permitted to miss the Ball. She had been very ill, as far as anyone knew. But not so ill that they'd needed to bother the doctor about it, she'd assured them. Such balance was not likely to be achieved twice. And so, here she was, out and about. A garden party was significantly less stressful for her than a ball, but she was still confused by the casual nature of English intimacy. People seemed to speak in code, always implying something more than what they said aloud. So Caroline said very little, as always, simply observing the etiquette in hopes of finally learning it. It was all going well until she began to get dizzy. She'd finally allowed her ladies to dress her in a corset. They insisted it would be fine, that everyone wears them, and not to worry. But being so unused to the fashion (and very used to being uncomfortable), she hadn't realized how tightly it was supposed to be tied. Not this tight, she learned, as she felt her vision begin to black out. When she awoke, she was surrounded by a circle of chittering ladies, her forehead being touched by an extraordinarily beautiful man. She'd heard the servants whisper that the doctor was handsome, and it was a shame she hadn't called him, and she knew immediately that this was likely him. Even so, he wasn't her husband, and she did not need to give these ladies anything more to chitter about. She quickly tried to sit up (difficult to do in a too-tight corset), and felt her head swim again. "I'm fine, sir, really," she said softly. "I suppose it's just... hot out today."

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who: @thorneheir when: a few years ago where: calcutta, india

The sun had set hours ago, but the air was still sticky and spicy with heat. She'd come up for a breath of fresh air, assuming anything would be better than the tiny private quarters she'd been confined to below deck. And this was better... if only slightly. She'd been ordered by her father to remain below deck. It was neither proper nor safe, he'd said, for her to be seen by the crew of this ship. Her presence was seen as disruptive to their discipline, whatever that meant, so she was kept well out of sight. That meant she'd been sequestered in her tiny curtained room with only her English officer guards to speak to for six weeks straight. She knew that sneaking out for a walk was likely impossible. She knew that it was extremely unsafe. She knew that being seen in public alone would be a scandal in both Vietnamese and English eyes. But she was on her way to what felt like her death. What else could they possibly take from her? The guards were feeling cabin fever as well, and were drinking merrily on the upper deck with some of the crew, celebrating making it this far. Her dark silks and black hair shielded her from them as she slipped gently past. She'd been trained her whole life to be quiet and unseen. It came in handy, now. The city was chaotic and colourful and beautiful. Even visually, it was loud. It glowed with lanterns and firelight, as if trying to draw her in. There was none of the silent stoic dignity she'd been used to in Huế. Even at this time of night, there were people everywhere, eating and drinking and talking and laughing. It was enchanting. It was terrifying. Not wanting to risk being seen by any of them, she went down a side street that looked rather empty. The air was still sticky, but slightly cooler, and less pungent, here. She did her best to remain part of the shadows, but caught a glimpse of someone else who seemed to be doing the same. She froze - a bit afraid, but mostly curious - and waited, hidden in the hush of the alley, to see what would happen next.

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who: prince arthur @hanovr when: just after the diamond ball where: their bedroom at Carlton House

She could not sleep. This mansion held an unfamiliar kind of quiet; especially tonight, when the entire world seemed to be at the Diamond Ball. She knew it would have been beautiful. She knew she was missing something extraordinary. She knew what people would say. But she was exhausted. The long, arduous journey to England, the immediate erasure of her name and culture, the hectic ridiculous royal wedding, and everything that had been expected of her since... it was too much. The thought of having to perform as Princess Caroline at a ball, smiling, speaking, dancing... felt entirely beyond her. She was exhausted, but she could not sleep. So she sat in bed, in the quiet, alone, and gently braided and rebraided her hair. Part meditation, part ritual, she undid and redid her hair in the candlelight, slowly and softly. It soothed her, and gave her something to do with her hands. She tried not to remember when she would do this for her sister, or when her mother would do this for her. The Prince coming home did startle her, but she'd been long since trained out of flinching. She simply froze for a moment, then lifted her eyes to meet his. "Your highness," she said softly, bowing her head as best she could from where she sat in bed. "I trust the ball went well."

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There was no part of Caroline that was used to this yet. Compared to the sheltered, modest, hidden life she'd lived as a royal in Vietnam, to say English culture was a shock was a vast understatement. As a young woman at home, whenever she'd had a teacher that wasn't a woman or a eunuch, there had to be a wall separating her from him so that he would never lay eyes on her.

Now, on what her chaperones called a promenade in a public park, she felt she may as well be dancing naked in the street.

She tried to keep up with the chatter of her lady companions as they spoke of eligible men and compared fashions with the passersby, but as always, Caroline's mind was elsewhere. She was so silent that her companions didn't notice when she fell behind to stop and take in the smell of some blossoming lilacs.

So she was alone when she was almost run over by a horse. Fear turned her into more of a statue than she normally was, and she just stared with wide eyes for a moment as she processed.

When she was finally able to answer the stranger's question, she nodded, and for some reason, curtsied. She still wasn't great at it, and knew this was not the time and place for such a thing anyway, but the horse had thrown her off.

"Unharmed," she said softly, hoping they could hear her from way up there. "Perhaps I should thank you for waking me from my daydreams."

She smiled at the beautiful creature this person had the privilege of riding. Horses were mostly used for ceremonial military purposes back home, and she'd never seen one this close, and never with a non-male rider. "What a beautiful animal. Do you often... run with horses?" she asked, unsure how to ask whether it was safe to ride them at full speed.

who: kit & open

where: hyde park

Kit was not used to feeling watched when riding. She had been planning to get some exercise, some fresh air after such a long journey trapped within their coach. When she asked, the housekeeper had told her Hyde park was the best place in London to ride. The housekeeper had not mentioned that in Hyde park riding was less about speed and power, and more about being seen looking attractive whilst moving at a slow trot.

Kit was considering turning around and heading home when her mount suddenly reared away from a person she had not noticed. She pulled quickly on the reins, nearly being thrown as she tried to bring it back under control.

Catching herself she dismounted, calming her horse as she pulled it aside "My apologies!" She called, "I didn't see you there. He's been restless all morning and I hoped taking him out would calm him. I think the slow speed has only made him more unsettled." Finally she turned, able to get a proper look at the person she had nearly trampled. "Are you unharmed?"

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Goodness, PRINCESS CAROLINE has arrived in London. SHE is 29, of the HOUSE HANOVER. Though they are RETURNED to the Season, we can only describe them as COMPASSIONATE and DISTRACTED, dear reader. Accompanied by HER HUSBAND PRINCE ARTHUR, they have settled in and are accepting social calls. But be warned: they are known for their NAÏVETÉ. (em, 35, she/her, est)

Disclaimer: I’m a white writer with deep respect for Vietnamese history and culture. This character is a fictional reimagining, created with extensive research, humility, and love, but I know I’m writing from the outside. If I’ve misrepresented anything, I welcome correction and conversation!

bio.

Công chúa Mai Huyền, Daughter of the Dragon Throne and Jewel of the Imperial Lineage, was born under the waning moon of the Mid-Autumn Festival in Huế, Vietnam. 

But Princess Caroline was born a few days after Mai Huyền arrived in England. The English people could simply not pronounce Công chúa Mai Huyền, she was told, and it would be both polite and practical for her to change her name to something easier. So Mai Huyền died - at least a part of her - and Princess Caroline took her place.

She's trying very hard to be a good Englishwoman, a good Princess, a good wife. She was raised behind carved screens and lacquered doors, taught to bow before she spoke, to recite before she questioned, and to listen with downcast eyes. Her world has been quiet, calm and studious... until now.

From birth, she'd had the core values of obedience, modesty, and diligence drilled into her like pearls stitched into silk.

When she was first betrothed to Arthur as a child, the scholars tried to teach her about England, but none of them had ever been there. Her education came from books, and did little to prepare her. She speaks the language fluently, elegantly... but the culture terrifies her.

Here, the women speak of politics, criticize men, dance publicly, and wear revealing clothing; behaviours unthinkable in Huế.

She knows the people of the Ton think she's too quiet, and too formal, and strange. To her, they are boisterious and extravagant and... magical. She wishes for the type of freedom they take for granted.

But she knows that even in England, self-control is expected of a Princess. So she smiles, and nods, and waits quietly, wondering if she'll ever get her time with the music.

headcanons.

She has a small comb she always keeps with her that's engraved with 梅玄 - the characters of her birth name.

Can usually be found embroidering or writing sheet music in her spare time - when she's not staring wistfully out the window, anyway.

wanted plots.

Platonic: someone who tries to help her adjust, someone who just finds her fascinating, or maybe someone foreign-born who understands her homesickness

Romantic: she's been trained to be a good wife to Arthur since she can remember, so anyone interested would absolutely take her by surprise (also so scandalous)

Enemies: anyone who's into Arthur could fall into this one, but also anyone who thinks her quietness means she's got a secret (she does)

basic stats.

Full Name: born Nguyễn Mai Huyền

Known  Alias(es): Princess Caroline

Age: 29

Gender: Cis female

Birthday: October 1st

Religion: Confucian Anglican

Sexual & Romantic Orientation: Honestly, she has no idea.

Status:  Alive

Residencies:  Buckingham Palace, Carlton House

Highest Education Level: Taught by noblewomen and eunuchs at court.

Occupation(s):  Princess Consort of the United Kingdom

physical exam.

Facial  Features: Expressive eyes, soft smile, high cheekbones

Faceclaim:  Dianne Doan

Voice: High pitch, clear tone, very quiet. Surprisingly mild Vietnamese accent.

Eyes: Brown

Hair: Long, straight, shiny black. Often done herself (or fixed herself if it's been done for her) into a Vietnamese style. Subtle resistance.

Body  Type: Ectomorph

Weight: 55 kg

Height: 1.67 m

mental evaluation.

Positive  Traits: Calm, kind, quiet, graceful

Negative  Traits:  Naive, anxious, distracted, overly formal, can seem cold

Alignment  Type:  Lawful neutral

Personality  Type  (MBTI): INFP

Phobias:  Honestly still afraid of English society

Mannerisms:  Plays with her hair while daydreaming.

Hobbies  &  Interests:  Music, embroidery, flowers

affiliations & relationships.

Family:  Daughter of the Vietnamese Emperor and Empress. Two older brothers and one younger sister. (Names TBD)

Allies  &  Associates:  TBA.

Rivalries:  TBA (Ongoing  personal  or  professional  conflicts.)

Enemies:  TBA (Those  actively  working  against  her.)

Romantic  History:  Married to Prince Arthur

Notable  Friends:  TBA. (True  friendships  vs.  strategic  alliances.)

habits & lifestyle.

Daily  Routine:  Structured

Diet  &  Nutrition: Strict

Grooming  Habits:  Meticulous

Substance  Use:  Never

Sleep  Patterns:  Wakes early.

Personal  Aesthetic:  Forced into English gowns, but keeps her hair in a Vietnamese style.

Favorite  Books: The Tale of Kiều, a Vietnamese epic poem by Nguyễn Du

Favorite  Artist: Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun