starrycrown

[starrycrown]

Thinya smiled and looked at Henry in the eyes, feeling completely drawn into his gaze. As he complimented her necklace, the young woman smiled and nodded. "I thank you for your compliment, my Lord. I gave all of my love for it." Her smile grew warmer as she kept dancing with him. It felt so natural, authentic. She was hiding in this bubble of happiness with this handsome man holding her and guiding her for a perfect dance. When he spoke about enjoying quiet moments and what he did, her smile grew wider. "Literature and history! That is wonderful." At the mention of hunting, the woman couldn't help but shake her head. "Forgive me for saying this, but I do not appreciate hunting. I love animals and nature and I do not wish to participate in such activity." She loved animals too much to kill them. His soft smile made her heart race as he was even handsomer. Her smile grew as her green hues sparkled. "Well it sounds like you have quite full days."

As he spoke about her appearance tonight, Thinya's cheeks turned pinker. Her smile grew as she nodded. "I must admit, I was dreadful to come. But your presence soothes my mind and genuinely appreciate this dance now." For once, it was not a lousy suitor who would oversell himself for her to choose him. No, he was natural, not forcing things. She truly appreciated that. When he described his job, Thinya smiled at him and said in a slight teasing tone: "The way you describe this sounds almost royal." She smiled and added: "I can imagine how busy your days can be..." As the music ended, Thinya was reluctant to leave him. She just looked at him in the eyes and smiled at his offer of going to the gardens. "That would be an honor. I would like to continue this conversation as well." She looked around before finding a valet with a tray of drinks. Picking two lemonades, Thinya smiled at Henry and asked: "Shall we go?" Her heart was racing as she was eager to have some time alone with him to get to know him better.

Henry felt her hand in his, small and delicate yet filled with strength and grace, as they danced together. Her passion for crafting and the joy she found in simple pleasures was endearing. He found himself drawn into her world, a place where titles and duty took a backseat to the beauty of creation. "Your necklace is truly exquisite.” The king in disguise noted appreciatively, his gaze automatically dropping to her necklace. As they danced, he thought carefully about his response to her question about his own pursuits. “As for me, I too, enjoy the quiet moments. I am quite fond of literature and history. And I enjoy the outdoors as well. Hunting, not so much for the actual hunt, I must admit; riding, and the occasional archery tournament help to clear my mind when it's cluttered with the weight of the," he explained with a soft smile gracing his lips.

The dance continued, their steps in perfect harmony with the music. For a brief moment, the troubles of the kingdom and the burden of his crown felt a world away. “I’m truly grateful for your appearance tonight. I didn’t think I’d enjoy the event as much.” It wasn’t every day for him to relish his duties quite like tonight. Her question about his work made him chuckle lightly. "Indeed, I do work, maybe not in the most conventional way so to speak. My days are filled with matters of state, treaties, and the welfare of my people. It's a never-ending task, but one I am honored to bear." He looked into her eyes, feeling a connection that was surprisingly easy. "Would it be utterly foolish and indecent of me to ask you to accompany me to the gardens after this dance? Please, fear not, I promise I mean no harm. I would just like to continue this conversation away from prying eyes."

[starrycrown]

/ hello, i'm slowly but surely resuming activity here. was on holidays, then yuki fell from the balcony and we spent those last 6 days focusing on him. he's fine, getting stronger day by day. i also on tuesday will get my bottom wisdom teeth surgically removed and i am extremely anxious about it. i'll be around this week i think. thank you for your patience <3

[starrycrown]

Thinya blushed as Ross took her hand to kiss it. She looked down, her heart racing as she was realizing that she was to be wedded. And not to an unknown man, to the one who saved her once. To the one who became her dear friend, the one her heart always longed for secretly. She knew that Ross was often preoccupied with the mines and leaving little space in his heart for something else. However, she knew that this could be a genuine marriage eventually.

As he spoke those words, Thinya nodded. "Of course it's alright. Three weeks gives plenty of time to prepare. Besides, we do not need a spectacular ceremony, Ross. Even just the two of us with a priest would be enough to me." She said, being genuine in her words. She looked at him in the eyes, her cheeks gently becoming redder as her heart raced. By the light of the sunset, he was so handsome. He was her future husband.

Ross hadn't thought that he would propose on this evening. It was something which had been on his mind lately, but still this had come as a surprise for him as well. He had seen Thinya suffering all these long months and the solution was simple. Why couldn't two friends get married if they saved each other this way?

When Thinya smiled at him, believing that what was not there right now could still come, he smiled as well. "The honor would be mine." Ross answered quietly and brought a hand to his lips to press a kiss to her knuckles. "I will ask for the bans to be read next Sunday and then we can be wed in three weeks time... if... if that is alright with you of course."

[starrycrown]

Thinya noticed Dwight's expression on his face and wondered if she had done something wrong. She though remained quiet as they both danced, swirling around and returning to him. This moment felt like suspended in time, in a bubble. She couldn't help but admire his blue eyes. She smiled at him before keeping dancing close to him, seeing sometimes Ross watching them.

As he admitted that it wasn't entirely for Rosie, Thinya looked at Dwight with surprised. She always thought that he was married to his own job, uninterested in her. "Oh..." She whispered, now feeling her heart swell with hope. What could this mean? It was when he spoke his next words that she smiled warmly. "You honor me, Dr Enys.." Thinya whispered, smiling at him. His visits were the only ones, besides Ross', that she genuinely welcomed in her manor. He was always a ray of sunshine in her dark days.

As the music stopped, Thinya bowed gracefully before him before wrapping her arm around his. Her heart raced as she simply said: "My door is always opened for you. Should you ever wish to come without any purpose."

"Yes." Dwight answered as he hoped calmly although that wasn't really how he felt in that moment. His heart was racing in his chest as Thinya questioned why Ross wanted them to dance together. This wasn't going at all like he had expected. He couldn't however lie to Thinya, she didn't deserve to be treated that way.

"It's not... entirely for Rosie." He admitted and then silenced when Thinya said that she was always looking forward to his visits. Dwight couldn't look away from her after that confession and felt like he should say something. "I... then I must say that it is foremost your I am looking forward to seeing on my visits as well." He quickly said before he lost his nerve.

The music stopped and Dwight gave his formal bow before offering his arm to Thinya so they could walk the room.

[starrycrown]

Thinya couldn't help but smile as she noticed Dwight's cheeks coloring. Did he even know how adorable he was to her own eyes? She bit her lip and shook her head before looking down. "I know. I wouldn't know myself." She then said in almost a whisper: "Probably will never know.." She looked away for a few seconds. The only man her heart was now growing to appreciate was Dwight. She just wasn't sure he would want her.

Hearing Demelza's words, the woman nodded and smiled warmly at her. "Of course, your husband is a dear friend. You will become a dear friend as well. I am here for whatever you need." Hearing Dwight's words, it was now her turn to feel her cheeks coloring. Her green hues looked at the doctor, a certain sparkle in them. "And Dr Enys is a very kind and reliable man. I am sure you will grow to appreciate him."

Ross' arrival made her look down, her heart racing as she tried to compose herself again. As she looked at her friend, Thinya nodded. "Of course, whatever you need, you can count on us.. I mean.." She looked at Dwight, a little nervous smile came across her face. "On me.. But I am sure that Dr Enys would say the same."

Dwight's cheeks colored slightly when Thinya confessed she couldn't help Demelza with her marital duties. "I believe that she can lean on others for that if needed. And perhaps just someone to talk to will already help her." He suggested in a mild tone before they neared the bride and he made sure she was feeling more at ease.

"I have heard of you, Lady Sommerville. You are a great friend to my husband." Demelza answered although it seemed she felt really ill at ease. "Thank you for your kindness. And you, Dr Enys." Dwight gave the bride a gentle smile. "Miss Sommerville is a very kind lady, I'm sure you will get along."

Ross joined them once more, an arm around his wife. "Perhaps you two could come over some time, visit us. We would like that very much."

[starrycrown]

Thinya heard Hunter joining their chambers. She slowly turned around and smiled at her one and only.

"I am okay, don't worry. Just very tired, worn out." She felt his arm wrapping around her body and just stayed closer to him.

As she pressed her lips against his, the woman whispered: "How are you?"

Soon, the rest of the Sprigdragons retired, and Hunter entered their chambers.

"Hey, Darlin, Charlie and Toby offered to put Sunny to bed. Are you feeling alright?"

He asked, gently wrapping an arm around Thinya.

[starrycrown]

Thinya chuckled and looked at the maid as she nodded and backed out. "A dinner here.." She whispered, loving the privacy. As much as she loved Archer's family, Thinya loved spending more time with her husband. It was overwhelming to be surrounded by everyone, as loving as they all were. With her pregnancy, Thinya often needed rest and quiet after all. As Archer spoke, the woman nodded. "This is a perfect plan... And I missed my alone time with you too..." She whispered, pressing her lips against his tenderly.

Archer wrapped his arms around his wife when she sat on his lap as he kissed her back. "Oh you were hot." He charmed as he then looked over to the door opening. "My wife and I will take dinner in our quarters tonight thank you." He told the maid who nodded and backed out. "I think tonight we'll just relax together. I do love my family but I have missed my alone time with you."

[starrycrown]

Thinya laughed when Archer called her his stubborn woman. She noticed his flirty behavior and couldn't help but melt. As she sat on his lap, the woman wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his lips tenderly before nuzzling her face in his neck and watching the view. "And how did I get so lucky too?" She asked, chuckling before then hearing a knock on the door. The maid opened and asked: "Lord Cross. Would you like to have dinner downstairs or here in your quarters?"

"Mhm stubborn woman of mine." He looked her over as he then was looking at her as she spoke. "It truly is breathtaking." He flirted a little bit meaning her and not so much the view. He gently pulled her down to sit on his lap with him so she could look out the window. "How did I get so lucky?" He asked her as he kissed her cheek.

[starrycrown]

Thinya smiled as Ariel agreed for a cup of coffee. "Alright, I'll be right back." She slowly walked behind the counter and put out two coffee cups. Turning on the machine, Thinya prepared the hot beverage and brought back in a tray the cups, as well as sugar and milk in case he needed extras.

As Thinya heard his words, the woman smiled and nodded. "Well that's a start." She started thinking, imagining the party and how this could look like. "Well, I could picture a cake with the design of a diploma. If you give me the details, I can even write on it. And to accompany the cake, I could make cupcakes with graduation hats? If this works for you, I can do any flavor you wish."

knowing that he's probably going to have a cup once he's back home, ariel figures the smart move is to turn down the offer, but given the fact he's nearly physically incapable of saying no to free coffee... "i'd love a cup, thank you," he accepts as he looks through the plate of baked goods she'd also offered him.

"honestly, i'm not entirely sure what i'm wanting," he admits, gaze following thinya. "my little sister is graduating this year, & i'm looking for some sort of cake or treats for her party. i've no clue what would work best, however."

[starrycrown]

Thinya had grown in an environment that raised her to become a Lady. A perfectly suitable one, who surely would attract more than one man, with the hope of making a perfect match to her parents' eyes. While the young woman was anything but interested in marriage, her parents expected otherwise from her. There was something that frustrated her, this particular feeling of being trapped and unable to live her life the way she truly wanted. If she had the possibility, Thinya Somerville would embark a ship and travel the world, discover new cultures, new civilizations. Alas, this was only something reserved to men. Her younger brother would be the new one to travel while her destiny would be to be assigned to a stranger and ensure the Somerville lineage.

Her green hues watched Mr. Darcy as she heard his next words. Her smile grew slightly as she nodded. "I agree with you, Mr. Darcy. That is how this should be. However, it seems that most ladies are desperate to marry the most eligible bachelor." She commented, having witnessed chaotic scenes that made her despise most of the ton. "I do not understand the purpose of arguing for a man. There is so much more than simply becoming one's wife." She looked down, knowing that her next confession could make one walk away from her. "I wish I could travel. I am certainly not made for this." She designated with a nod of her head the ballroom.

Mr. Darcy had at last set his gaze upon the woman, uncertainty marking his countenance, unresolved in interpreting her words in jest or to truly count himself lucky, for having never endured such society as she had described. He would scarcely call any young debutants who acted out in such a manner as 'ladies', but in now having the discernment to avoid the insulting Thinya's peerage directly, he restrained that notion in particular. "If that assembly bore any resemblance to this one, I daresay the absence of gentlemen might well account for the discord amongst the ladies."

A gentleman such as Mr. Darcy, known for his fortune and many desirable connections, would have otherwise found himself in grave danger had he not taken pains to avoid suggestive looks that might attract an eligible into his vicinity. Thinya, he supposed, was no threat when she had briefly spoken of little inclination to secure the hand of anyone present that evening. "How oft ladies forget that it is a man's pleasure to approach first."

[starrycrown]

Thinya shook her head. "You can try to convince me, I won't change my mind.." She smirked and slowly unlaced the corset, letting the whole dress slide down her soft body. It revealed her naked body, her beautiful growing belly and her round breasts. Slowly untying her long hair, Thinya smiled and walked to the silk robe that she wrapped around her body. As she approached Archer, the woman smiled at her husband. "This view is breathtaking."

"I will get you to reconsider." He said confidently, as he then looked at his wife as she unlaced her corset. "Why don't you pull on your night gown and get out of that hot dress?" He asked as he unbuttoned his shirt and sat in a chair by the window as he relaxed and looked out at the gardens. His father had always cared for them for his mother.

[starrycrown]

Thinya looked at Archer and said: "I will keep wearing my dresses until the end." She was stubborn and would always fight for her opinions. She though smiled when she heard Archer declining the offer. They had the evening for themselves, a moment that they could enjoy. No other family members nor children running all around. As she walked slowly to the beautiful family house. While the group got ready to leave, Thinya bid them goodbye and walked into their private quarters. The room had a gorgeous view on the gardens, perfect to watch a romantic sunset. She immediately unlaced her corset to breathe better.

"You will look so attractive no matter what, this is nonsense." He told her as he gave her a stern look. "I will look forward to that day." He kissed her back and watched Thinya relace, as he then looked at his sister. "I think we will be enjoying a quiet dinner here together tonight. You guys all go ahead and enjoy your time downtown." He told his sister as he stood and helped Thinya up. "Come lets walk back both of you." He said as he walked with his sister and his wife back to the home.

[starrycrown]

Thinya chuckled and looked at him. "But having a maternity dress will make me look bigger... I do not wish that." She pouted, knowing that maternity dresses, even as elegant as they were, were still making a woman look less feminine. Thinya was too stubborn to accept this. She looked at her husband and smiled. "He will soon be here and soon you'll watch him being fed so he can become strong and learn from his father." She smiled and kissed his lips sweetly. It was when she heard one of Archer's sisters calling for them that she redid her laces to tighten the corset and cover her to be decent when they all approached. "Ah! There you are! We were thinking of going downtown for dinner, are you joining us?"

Archer nodded his head. "We can take a bath together darling I promise." He loved bathing with his wife. "Thinya, you will always be elegant, but one that accomdates your state might make you more comfortable, cooler even." He tried to press his wife. "We can use the fabrics you love still." He assured her and then nodded. "I know I can see by that round belly that our babe is growing... I can't wait to watch our babe suckle from your breast." He told her honestly.

[starrycrown]

Thinya smiled and looked at Archer. "It's okay, later we can take a bath together.." She whispered before then gasping: "Maternity dresses? No, I want to be elegant!" She chuckled as he commented about her appearance. "Well, your little one is growing, my breasts are getting ready to feed him.." She chuckled sweetly and looked down at her cleavage.

"I meant we can retire to the room for a while so you can strip down." He knew his family could be a lot. He was trying to be as supportive of her that he could. He sat next to her under the tree as he chuckled. "We can get you materinity dresses that do not have a corset in them. Your bossom has... grown during this pregnancy."

[starrycrown]

@scssenach asked: "There is a devil in this world, and I have met him."

Thinya was lost in her thoughts, her mind invaded with worries as she knew that on this specific social gathering, the pressure of her parents was grand. She was expected to find a proper suitor, it was her last chance. There was no other way for her to escape this season, her parents voicing clearly the fact that no Somerville daughter should end up as a spinster. While her heart sank, her dreams of traveling now vanished as her hope was leaving her, Thinya remained quiet and wondered: what would happen if she vanished in the night? Traveled somewhere and lived her own life?

There were so many questions that made her mind spin. It was when a woman spoke those words that Thinya turned her head, green hues now looking at her with surprise. "A devil?" She repeated, now feeling worried. "What... What do you mean with that? Pardon me, I just heard you and I am now intrigued." She commented, a slight hint of interested notable in her tone. "How did you meet the devil? And who might this be?"

[starrycrown]

Thinya shook her head. "No, my love. We can stay here and enjoy your family. This is important for you." She smiled sweetly. Her family wasn't much present lately, her parents always traveling abroad and barely interested with her pregnancy. She felt quite left down by them but decided to focus on her husband. As she sat under the tree, Thinya smiled and unlaced her corset lightly to let her chest relax a bit. "Oh this feels good."

"So lets get you and little one on a walk." He told her as he walked with his wife. "After the baby I will take you for a ride." He told her, walking slowly he found some shade of the trees. Archer looked at his wife and sighed. "We can return home and you can go around our room in your slip for a while so you are out of all of those layers."

[starrycrown]

Thinya smiled. "A walk by the forest can be refreshing, I like that." She felt his hand on her bump. "Little one is kicking wildly, I think he was a bit fed up with the gossiping part." She chuckled, convinced that it was a boy that she carried. She gently wrapped her arm around his and sighed. "I wish I could ride a horse." She slowly walked out of the stables, feeling the sun warming strongly her skin. Her dress was quite heavy and she wished she could simply be naked and enjoying the warmth. "It's terribly hot today."

Archer looked at his wife when she said she needed quiet and peace. "Do you want to go for a stroll with me in the gardens darling? Or we can walk in the forest if you wish." He knew his family could be a lot and with her carrying his heir that could be an extra alot. He reached down and touched her bump. "How is our child today by the way? Behaving?"