#Aristocracy AU

[augustinxxz]

Jester!Heart

Quick sketch of what Heart would look like in my au. Didn't really put so much effort in this.

[mhathotfic]

I don’t think I’ve seen enough pseudocest in aristocracy aus.

I’m thinking of a young woman who just came of age to be considered for marriage and so goes to all the must attend events to catch the eyes of potential suitors. Of course chaperoned by her elder brother as to keep a proper appearance.

Well, her stepbrother, he has no blood relation to her. See his mother had rushed to marry her father in light of her circumstances. Left with all her late husband’s debts well before her son Katsuki could inherit his father’s family wealth and no way to touch the money herself.

She had to find and marry a man quickly, one who was willing to take their debts in exchange for her social connections.

So her he was, escorting the lady he might’ve courted if circumstances were different on dates with potential matches. Ones he knew would fail to go anywhere because she was such a picky woman.

They were always too this or that, never good enough, but he figures that’s a given.

With how many times he finds himself kept up at night after she’s snuck into his bed, he’s certain it isn’t the thrill of the affair but himself that she wants.

Her suitors would never do. They weren’t him, they didn’t know how to make her feel good like he did. Didn’t know how to make her feel safe, or make something so dirty and wrong feel pure and righteous.

They’ll never be like Katsuki. They’ll never compare to him and she fears that if she married anyone but him, she’ll be miserable and missing the nights she would spend in pure bliss when he laid her down on his bed and treated her like his wife.

[teccchou]

Posted new fyolai fanfic!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/45316555/chapters/114012286

wrote this while listening to Bernadette on repeat, hence the... whatever it is. I will change the name once I come up with something more creative :)

[give-me-a-username-plz]

it’s actually a miracle that no one has ever written a French Wars of Religion jegulus au fic.

hear me out, hear me out;

It’s the 1500’s. The French monarchy is desperately trying to keep themselves and the Catholic Church superior to the Protestant faith, specifically the Huguenots. King Henry II of France (Orion) dies unexpectedly, leaving the throne to an eleven year old Henry III (Regulus), after the death of his brother. Too young to take the throne, Catherine de Medici (Walburga) takes over the throne and commits a LOT of violent crimes. The other brother, the Duke of Aleçnon (Sirius) abandons the whole monarchy and joins a group of Protestant Rebels called The Malcontents (tell me that isn’t the closest thing to Marauders you have EVER HEARD). Part of this group is Henry of Navarre (James) a protestant aristocrat attempting to take the throne and promote religious freedom. They call him the Good King Henry (something that SCREAMS James Potter).

[netmors]

One day, admiral of the New Republic fleet, commodore of the Chiss Ascendancy fleet, and diplomat of the “no-longer-Empire” came into the bar… and began to think about how to get from the "books" to the "screen".

And make it clear to one Сhiss that they will not tolerate an armada of zombie stormtroopers and witches “on their shift.” Even if he is their friend.

I'm still trying to comprehend how much I ultimately disliked the Ahsoka series… The first season feels unfinished at all.

[ash-and-starlight]

HIIIII I love your art sososoosooso much and I finally thought of smth to ask you (you probably already answered this) but how does azula fit into your pirate au???? Like is she just her normal role????DOES SHE BECOME A PIRATE??? I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW (also your art is absolutely beautiful thank you for your service in the zukka community)

THANK YOU SO MUUUCH OMGGG Im so happy to hear you like my art 😭😭😭

and as for azula in the pirate au strap in bc I have many thoughts and they’re mostly a mess lmao. I guess she could get a redemption arc? Sice zuko speedran his own by becoming an outlaw & starting to go against the FN at age 13. Which poses certain interesting plot questions like was she sent to capture the avatar and/or kill zuko bc he was becoming too much of a problem? What is the catalyst of her redemption arc? Does she get to meet the dragons? I think it would be funny (by funny I mean Stressful and Chaotic) to have both her & zuko become aang’s firebending teachers. Sorry aang. The thing I’m basically sure about is that at the end azula doesn’t have a breakdown and becomes firelord, since zuko already gave his station up for a life of sailing the seas & being sokka’s trophy husband

[troutfur]

I find it a little weird how much the people I've been surrounding myself with as of late in this fandom seem to be much more theme and message-minded storytellers when that's the farthest from my work you could get. I've said before that works of mine like augur AU which build up an intentionally very flawed society but are ultimately not interested in critiquing or tearing it down beyond "it has a tendency to produce massive assholes" make the story come across as rather conservative in its mindset. But that's not because I personally believe the only faults in a system lie in the bad apples within it. I just like setting up societies as conflict generating engines and after I've calibrated them to my liking I am content to just play around with entering inputs and seeing what outputs I get. I'm always very reluctant to taking a hammer to them in order to make room for them to be reconfigured, procluding the kind of storytelling of social change that seems so in vogue in my circle.

[artificialnocturnesblog]

A Midsummer Night's Deal - Thomas Shelby x Original Female Character - Peaky Blinders - Chapter One

Pairing: Tommy Shelby x Original Female Character

Warning: Canon-Typical Violence / Aristocracy / Historical Inaccuracy / Slow Romance/ Marriage of Convenience/

Summary: Thomas Shelby had no other choice but to get a proper wife, one more suitable for the times of shiny magazines and society photographs, one with a pristine past and no personal history. ...or at least that's what he expected of her.

Aristocrats and gangsters have a lot in common. 

They’re both selfish, get bored easily, and have access to wads of cash they didn’t work honestly to get.  The topper?  Neither have any interest in bourgeois rules or morality. 

Put it all together with a roulette wheel and you get a stunning recipe for success.

“Thomas. We do so hate to be indiscreet, but we have told you many times, if you are to seek power in these days of shiny magazines and society photographs, sooner or later, you will have to find a spouse who is more suitable.” Oswald’s words pounded like a bell inside Tommy’s head, he took deep breaths as an actual bell rang, loud and clear, unlike his thoughts. “A woman with Lizzie's past and personal history really isn't suitable.” He closed his eyes briefly, trying to shake them away, to no avail. “She doesn't deserve you, Mr. Shelby.”

But she does? Thomas questioned himself, as he placed a soft kiss on the pearly gloved his soon-to-be wife had on, trying not to focus on her teary eyes.

“If anyone has an objection to this wedding, speak now, or forever hold your peace.” The priest asked, hoping, no, praying, for no interruptions. As did the bride’s family. 

“ahm…” The girl merely opened her mouth, glanced to her side, and decided to hold her peace, figuring it would be the only peace she would have from now on. 

“Very well, by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband…and wife.” Thomas sighed, forcing a smile, mirroring the crowd gathered inside the church. “You now may kiss the bride.” As soon his hands touched her cheek, he felt the single wet tear that escaped her eyes, falling on his fingers, It was warm but it felt like fire, burning his skin. 

He kissed her regardless, despite the silent cries that came from his wife, and hated himself for it, but not more than she did. His wife.

His pristine, suitable for shiny magazines and society photographs wife. 

Her past and personal history wasn’t like Lizzie’s, it somehow managed to be worse, but who cares when you have money, lands, and a title? 

Not Thomas, not the upper class that surrounded them, oblivious to her true past, or the relatives that dealt her off, relieved to see her gone and neither did the girl herself, after all, she’s a Shelby now.

They did meet in a curious setting, so of course things wouldn’t be as simple

“Close your mouths, eh?” Thomas had warned his brothers as they made their way into the manor. Lord Harold Tate Rutherford was hosting a party with all the interested parties, aristocrats, politicians, and gangsters if there’s any difference at all in such a peculiar crowd. Even though he was part of it, the thought of mingling with the rest of them, made his empty stomach churn. “Those bastards are taught to look down at us since birth, let’s not give them any reason.” 

“Yes, my lord.” Finn smiled and saluted him, walking around the room, wasting no time grabbing a glass of whiskey from a server, whose tray nearly turned when Arthur took two cups at once.  

“Arthur.” His icy blue eyes burned a hole in his brother’s back. 

“Don’t worry, I promised Linda that I would be on my best behavior.” Arthur’s response was unsatisfactory to Thomas, who tilted his head and fixed his tie. “What?”

“Just amused by how tight your leash is.” Thomas scoffed and left his older brother behind. His mood was dreadful as ever, he barely got any sleep and if he did, he was tormented by awful nightmares and worries. 

Worrying became part of him, that’s all he had done for the past few months and he was sick of it. Even if a Lord’s house, well, mansion, was supposedly neutral grounds, it didn’t mean his fellow associates wouldn’t try anything, which would force him to strike back. 

Took him less than a minute to spot Jack Nelson, Oswald Mosley, and worse than all combined, Oswald’s wife, Diana. 

“Mr. Shelby!” Diana came smiling as venomously as always, greeting him a little too closely for his, and Oswald’s, liking. “I was wondering if you had gotten lost. I’m sure it’s your first time in a place like this.” She gesticulated around the pompous room. “It’s easy for your people to get lost.”

“Diana.” Oswald gave her a side eye, smirking nevertheless. “Play nice. I’m sure Mr. Shelby hasn't come all this way from his abode to be picked on.”

“From what I heard, all three of them died. Those nationalists took full responsibility for the attack.” An old woman who had an unbearable smell of funeral flowers whispered as she walked past them, eying him with disdain.

“Well, Mosley,  haven’t, indeed. Especially by two low-ranked pricks that shouldn’t be here in the first place.” His tone was as smooth as the liquor he sipped on. 

“I beg your pardon?” Oswald scoffed, his face turning red from anger.

“Oh, forgive me, I thought you knew. You see, you can’t help to hear people gossiping in a place like this.” His dark brows knitted together, faking confusion as he glanced around the room, gesturing discreetly. “It’s all they talk about.” He raised one suggestive eyebrow, just in time to spot the older woman from before who pointed and whispered, as she wore her best jewelry, desperate to bring some light to her wrinkled and faded by-time face.

Diana’s face turned into a bitter scowl mask but quickly masked up when Jack Nelson came by accompanying Lord Harold, followed by his two children. Twins, Edgard, and Genevieve. Wicked mean-spirited people with even more wicked ways of living, Thomas had heard. 

“My apologies for keeping you all waiting!” Harold said with a smile that didn’t reach his grey eyes. “I’m afraid I got caught up in family matters.”

“Nonsense, Harold.” Diana reached her hand but Genevieve’s sneer was faster. “Lord Tate.”

“Rutherford.” Edgard corrected. “Is Lord Rutherford, not Harold, not Tate. Lord Rutherford.”

“Alright, you two. Enough picking on my guests, that’s extremely rude and unlike you.” Something in his tone told Thomas that this was exactly like them. “Why don’t you two check on your sister, and see if she’ll join us for dinner? Take Lady Diana with you.” Harold’s fake smile dropped as did his facade as soon they left. “Children.” He scoffed. “Good to pass your name on, nothing else. Don’t you agree Mr. Shelby?” 

All eyes turned to him who had been bored out of his mind in this conversation. 

“I don’t have children.” He simply said, happy to see Diana gone. Ever since she tricked him into her bed, she has been more unbearable than ever. He wondered if Oswald knew.

“Nor wife?” Harold frowned his forehead, remembering the extensive report someone brought. He could swear he read the word wife . 

“Not anymore.”

“Oh, I see.” Oswald hid his smile, knowing that Lizze had left him when she discovered he had cheated on her with Diana. That was the last drop. 

This led him to sit at the table, having something similar to what he compared to the Last Supper, except there was no Peter’s or John’s, all but Judas’s around him, in a place that had absolutely no resemblance of anything holy. At least, Jesus had eleven left, I have one , he thought as he glanced at Arthur. Maybe less . 

“Well, at least the mourning suits her.” The elderly crone from earlier continued gossiping. “Do you think she’s with child?”

“Gladys!” Someone reprimanded her but she ignored it. “Stop it, they’ll hear you.” 

“Please, she didn’t even bother to learn the language, not even after her engagement! Spent all her life in sunny Spain, not a word in English. She should thank her uncle, if it was up to me, she could rot elsewhere.” Her tone was harsh, as harsh as the paint she had on her face, the red blusher making her look like a doll, in the worst way imaginable.

“Mr. Shelby, may I have a word?” The host asked, as discreetly as he could, leading him through long, never-ending halls, finally reaching what he figured to be his office. “So, do we have a deal?” He asked as he opened the door, signaling to the girl sitting by the window. “I give you my blessing, you marry my niece.”

“But you get to keep the winery.” Thomas nodded, looking at her for the first time. She had dark hair, such as him, bright but tired eyes, such as him, highborn and noble, not like him. “I heard that she doesn’t speak the language.” 

“Oh, our Ellie is keen to learn it, however, we do have a maid that came from her old house, she’s been our guide in the meanwhile.” Harold sounded almost like a regular vendor, trying to upsell his rotten fruits. “It won’t be a problem, but a blessing in a business such as yours, Mr. Shelby.”

“Can you leave us for a moment?” He asked, looking intensely at the girl who seemed worried. “I would like to talk to her alone.”

“Do you speak the language, Mr. Shelby?” The host said in disbelief, but one cold glare was more than enough, so he left the room.“

“Well, my condolences.” He said, lighting up his cigarette but she just kept looking at him as if she was trying to read him. She was from the Spanish nobility, being raised somewhere he knew he wouldn’t belong but at this point, she looked more out of place than him. “Not a word in English, eh?” 

The girl sighed and looked away, not managing to hold his inquisitive gaze. Thomas was suspicious by nature, he wouldn’t lower his guard, not in a place like this, but curiosity and drunkenness spoke louder. 

“I hear your relatives are dead.” He jabbed. No response. “That you’re the sole heir to an impressive winery your fucker of an uncle is after.”

She looked at him as if had a second mouth on his forehead, looking confused as ever. 

Nothing yet. 

“You know what I think? I think that snobs bastards, heirs if you will, just like yourself are what is wrong with this country. Leeches, feeding off the poor and the common man. If you ask me, your father, brother, and groom had it coming.” 

Still, nothing. She sat down, fidgeting her fingers, nervously.

“Maybe I should just kill him, marry you, and keep the winery to myself.” He pondered, circling her. “What would you think of that?”

“I would be forever grateful.” Her words were vigorous, the fire in her eyes much like his now as she held her hands to her lips, her eyes wide in shock.

He was indeed shocked but remained calm and collected, as usual. “I thought you didn’t speak the language.”

“I’m a fast learner.” Her accent was noticeable, not as thick as he would expect from someone who was still learning. “As are you.”

“What makes you say that? I’m sure your family will be as impressed as I am.”

“You won’t tell him.” She sighed, clutching her crucifix. “They won't believe you. I know that because you know you need a more better wife. A wife that even as foreign, holds more credibility than you. That’s why you need me and you know that.”

“Better wife, not more better.”

“Forgive me, I’m still learning, as you know.” She smiled, and he knew he found what was needed, not what he wanted. “I can cry if you want to, now or at the wedding.” But if she was up for the part, who was he to deny her that? After a short silence of consideration, Thomas Shelby had decided to seal the deal. “Save it for the wedding.” 

[noblehcart]

me @ me: how messed up can i make liesel's french revolution au? liesel: pls no-

[seenthisepisode]

having a cursed idea for an au in the tags and then i am off to sleep

[augustinxxz]

Aegaeon's note.

[ashbtten]

-. taggy droppy~

[llycaons]

and you know I have the brainrot so I gotta talk about the wx parallels again can we talk about the wx parallels for a second you have a sensitive, aristocratic, reserved musician and a passionate, charismatic, common-born man of action who fell deeply in love as teenagers but the musician broke it off because of family pressures and concerns about reputation. and then they meet back up as older adults and fall back in love and takes some twists and turns but they’re more easily able to communicate so they get together as adults! I mean!

[more-than-a-princess]

“Please hold one moment, Sonia-san. There’s something I would like to give you before your inevitable return to Novoselic.” As soon as he manages to capture her attention, Ryuto proceeds to extend a rectangular box adorned with grey wrapping paper and red ribbons towards her. Inside, she’ll find the complete volume of the Monstrumologost series by Rick Yancey, along with a tin of his favourite white peach oolong tea. “I recall hearing you say you had yet to read a certain author’s works and that you are also partial to tea, so I combined both into my gift for you. Hopefully, one of these would serve as a suitable distraction on your plane ride back home.”

Sonia's Birthday 2022 - Accepting birthday asks/posts from mutuals!

She hadn't had much time that day: just long enough to indulge in a cup of milk tea (sans sweets, to her regret) at a café with Ryuto before she needed to go to the airport. Even princesses with private planes kept to a schedule (as best they could), but she'd been firm on spending some time with him before she was thrust back into her royal life with little room to breathe. And if anyone knew what those expectations were like, it was him: royal in everything but title, it seemed. She could be candid with him about the week and a half of ceremonies, of official appearances, of festivals, and finally a ball that would last until sunrise, after which the younger revelers would hop a plane for the unofficial afterparty: 48 hours in Ibiza, before Sonia was mercifully allowed to return home. Some of it she was eager to experience, other bits she dreaded, but it was pertinent to him, or so Sonia thought, as some of the social circles his parents kept were making the journey to the annual Masquerade Ball after wrangling invitations from the Royal Family.

But just as she'd finished paying the bill and prepared to leave, he'd stopped her. Thank goodness, she thought, as she eased back into her seat with a smile. She would've much rather spent the rest of the afternoon and evening in his company, instead of alone on a private plane en route to her old life, but she'd take every minute she could get. "Yes?" She asked, setting her handbag aside on an empty chair. "Oh, Tsukishima-san, you did not have to but I am so pleased you have thought of me! May I open it here?"

His follow-up explanation was indication enough that he meant for it to be enjoyed on the trip home, so she grinned and carefully opened the paper where it had been taped and sealed: ripping right into it was seen as crude and hardly appropriate for a princess. Once she'd unwrapped it fully though, Sonia gasped in delight, holding up the book and the tea in both hands. "Ooh!" She exclaimed, "I've heard of this one! It's supposed to be super cool and super scary, with vivid descriptions of gore! This is exactly the sort of thing I've been wanting to read, fo' sho'! And the tea sounds lovely: the kettle on the plane has multiple settings for brewing tea, so preparing an oolong at the correct temperature should be of no issue. Thank you, Tsukishima-san! These will be a more than suitable distraction, indeed!"

Tucking both items safely into her leather tote, she exhaled a content, yet tired, sigh. She hadn't even gotten on the plane yet and she was already exhausted by what faced her: rigid schedules, rigid diet, people with rigid senses of humor and a hearty appetite for gossip, particularly where her family was concerned. "I feel rather confident you'd detest all of this, but would you mind terribly if I texted you throughout the duration of the trip? Just with things I think you might enjoy, or when it all gets to be too much. I have my limits, with socializing and all: usually when people become too petty and spiteful, I think. And I can't really say what's on my mind most of the time, like I can with you."

[2022animalfarmg2]

Passion or Success

By Ana Luíza Porchat and Ana Luiza Rabello

SYNOPSIS:

The "Passion or Success" fanfiction tells the story of a dashing young fighter named Maverick who's boss is the military chief, Napoleon Montague. One day he bumped into a stunning young lady and immediately fell in love with her intelligence, the only issue is her last name. Ophelia Capulet is the daughter of Napoleon's nemesis, Snowball Capulet, the duke of Windmill. If Maverick pursued his love, he would have to sacrifice his job and the dream of becoming a general, but he doesn't know if he is capable of staying away from the love of his life. Ophelia has the same problems, because her father wants to marry her to a powerful aristocrat, even though she wishes to follow her heart and live the rest of her life with Maverick. Will they choose family over love?

RATING: T

FANFICTION TEXT:

Maverick couldn't believe he was in that situation. All his life he had known his chances of achieving his dream of becoming a military general were basically none, but now it was actually happening. Everything started two years ago when he was walking home from the Big Barn Dining Hall, where he worked as a waiter, and an old lady sheep was being robbed by a filthy cat, which Mave considered the worst kind of animal. He was really tired, but couldn't let that robber walk away with that poor lady's purse. He immediately ran to help her, knocking down that bastard with a trick he learned from his father, while the woman was in panic. After he collected the bag and the cat ran, he restored the belongings to the inside and gave it back to the sheep, who thanked him a lot and told him he would be rewarded for the kindness. Some days later he received a call from the director of an important military school and he was thrilled with the recent news. 

Since that moment his life had improved a lot and his dream was almost fulfilled, he was going to be the first dog to become a general, everything due to his boss, Napoleon Montague. General Montague was the best military in the whole Manor district and like a father to him. His father had been killed when he was little and his mother died last year, so he was totally alone in this world, apart from a distant brother that lived in the neighboring district. Napoleon had been there to help him since the beginning of his career, bringing him into his house like a son and he was really grateful for that. In the middle of his reflexion he heard a knock on his door:

"Officer Williams we need you in the headquarters now! Napoleon wants to talk to you", that was Mercutio, his best friend, calling him.

When he got there Napoleon presented to him a simple mission.

" Maverick," he was so thrilled they were on a first name basis, " recently there have been a lot of manifestations against our military institution, so I'm assigning simple tasks to all officers. Your job is to guard the Bank Farmhouse annual reception."

Maverick didn't want to guard a stupid reception, but every job was important to his relationship with Napoleon, so he went. 

Bank Farmhouse was the biggest bank of the nation, so the party was full of aristocratic figures from all over England. His only duty was to guard the room and be sure no one was robbed or attacked. Everything was very calm in the beginning, a bunch of old rich animals talking about how much money they make and the percentage of it that they spend in cars, jewelry and clothes. He was stunned to see two beautiful ladies, a breathtaking pig and a dove, entering the room. He immediately looked away, after all he was still working, but he stood there thinking about that gorgeous young pig and how she was the most lovely lady he had ever seen. After some time the shock had passed, however he couldn't stop thinking about her. 

When Mave saw her leaving alone he instantly thought about following. Even though he gave up, when he caught the glance of two suspicious ravens following her, he ran outside. He saw that the two burglars were actually trying to take her beautiful pearl necklace. Even before he came to action she noticed the ravens and attacked them, leaving both on the ground. Maverick couldn't be more stunned. He knew she was the perfect girl. He got closer while the burglars ran away. 

"I would never have guessed you were that type of girl" 

"What "type of girl" you thought I was?" she said and Maverick's heart melted "Look, don't even answer that. It probably won't be worth hearing. "

"Sorry, I started the wrong way. I'm Maverick, Maverick Williams. I saw you and your friend coming in and thought you were very different from the rest. When those two followed you I decided to come here and help. It was the first time I saw the victim defend itself without a single drop of fear, I was really impressed."

"No no, I should say sorry. You were only trying to be nice and I ruined it. I had a really bad day and the ball isn't helping. I'm Ophelia. I'm not really in the mood of going back in. Do you want to keep me company?"

That's when everything started. After hours and hours talking and laughing, they discovered they had a lot in common. Both of them had lost their mothers, they were both the youngest sibling and both loved reading books, even though he was more of a terror fan and she liked romance. They were connecting as if they had known each other for years. They could notice they were already falling for each other. The dove, which Maverick learned was Ophelia's nurse, Charlotte, came into the room and said that Ophelia had to go home because she was grounded after running away to a party. They said their goodbyes and exchanged addresses so they would keep in touch by letters. Maverick had never been happier. He had everything except the perfect love interest. On the inside he was always a firm believer in strangers becoming lovers, even though he had never really learned about the word “love”.

That's exactly what happened. They exchanged letters every day and that kept going for weeks. On his day off he used to meet her in the park and do picnics or long walks though the city's sidewalks. They were both happier than ever. Ophelia wasn't running away from home at night anymore and Maverick told the whole military base about them, including Napoleon who loved making fun of how slow their relationship was going and how he should arrange a date so they could meet each other.

On one of their long night walks, Mave decided he would walk her home and ask to enter her house. She blushed and said her father was visiting some cousins so they could go in together. 

The walk home was perfect. Ophelia couldn't believe she had met such a cool and sensitive dog in a party that her dad had ordered her to go to and how her life was better since they've been together. She was floating in happiness. They arrived and Maverick felt something weird as if he had already seen that house. He let it go and while she gave him a kiss on the cheek they entered. They were walking in the living room together and looking at some pictures, but as soon as Maverick saw Ophelia's father he was shocked. Now everything made more sense. He discovered how she was so rich but he never had heard about her family or why he had remembered that place.

"Is something wrong, Mave?"

Maverick had already come to a conclusion, but was afraid of the answer. He just realized something really bad.

"Ophelia, please tell me your last name." he looked really cold and different from before, so she got scared.

"I'm Ophelia Capulet, why?"

"As in Snowball Capulet?"

"Yes! That 's my father. What is happening?"

He couldn't believe where he had got himself into. Snowball Capulet wasn't just Ophelia's father, he was Duke Snowball Capulet of Windmill, General Montague's worst enemy. Napoleon would be furious if he discovered that the girl he was always talking about was the daughter of his nemesis. He quickly thought about responding to her that he had a work emergency and had to go home, but he thought lying would be worse.

"Ophelia, do you know who my boss is?"

"Not exactly, I just remember you mentioning that he’s like a father to you" she was really confused, but somehow, she trusted him.

"My boss is my superior officer. I'm a military officer and my chief is General Napoleon Montague."

Ophelia's jaw dropped. How could he never have mentioned he was a soldier! Her relationship with her father was great recently, but if he knew she was dating Napoleon's little protegee he would never forgive her. She immediately said she had to think and sent him home.

Ophelia didn't know what to do. Maverick was the first guy she had liked in ages and she didn't want her father's judgment getting in the way of her relationship. But her dad's approval was really important. As the only girl in five siblings things had been tough for her, especially because she was the youngest. She had always been very connected to her mom and since she died things got tougher. She was always sad and tried to forget about it by partying and drinking. Her father tried to understand her but he was really distant and her brothers weren't very supportive. Maverick was the first thing that made her happy as she used to be with her mother. She decided that giving up wasn't the solution. She decided to send Mave a letter explaining her plans and asking to meet up and talk. 

Maverick was also really sad. Napoleon had saved his life, but his life wasn't complete without Ophelia. He didn't even comment how happy he felt when she called him "Mave". Nobody ever called him by a nickname. Receiving her letter was a relief. He didn't want to give up on their love, but he also didn't want to make her life more complicated. The letter said how she loved him and couldn't stop thinking about them and asking him to give it a second chance. He had never been happier. That was a sign to follow his love. He wrote her back telling how he would attend the date.

The worst came to happen. The letter arrived one day when Ophelia wasn't home and the mailman delivered it to her father, who thought the address from out of the city was strange and opened it. Snowball was furious. He couldn't believe her daughter was so happy because of someone like Napoleon's protegee. He knew Napoleon couldn't raise a good guy and that all dogs were dirty and selfish. When Ophelia got home he screamed with her until her ears bled.

"Ophelia, are you insane? Why did you even think this would be acceptable? He is a filthy dog!"

"Dad, but I love him! He is certainly not a filthy dog, he is the man of my dreams and I would do anything to be with him." said Ophelia while she cried like crazy.

"I’ve already decided. Next week you are marrying Prince Jonathan of Foxwood and nothing will change my mind. He is a good pig, rich and will be a wonderful husband!"

"You can not decide who I love, father!"

The arguing continued for hours, but Ophelia decided she would go to sleep and continue the next day. She wouldn't give up. Maverick was the perfect guy for her and she didn't mind if she was a noble pig and him a simple dog. Love was more important than that. She arranged the date they'd planned in the previous letters for next week so it wouldn't get so suspicious. 

That was the worst week of her life. Her father had notified Napoleon about their relationship and she was afraid Maverick would be punished. He also talked to the king of Foxwood and the marriage was arranged for next month. The last thing she wanted was to be away from Mave, she couldn't even imagine being married to another random pig she had never talked to just because he’s rich. The worst part was that they couldn't even talk to each other because her father was checking all her letters.

One day she was watching the stars from the windmill balcony, one of the things that distracted her from the chaos that her life had become and she heard a sound from the plants in the backyard. She thought it was a robber or a kidnapper, but her heart jumped in happiness when she saw it was Maverick!

"Come here Mave! Oh, It's so good to see you. I’ve missed you a lot!" she said really fast and made movements that should indicate to him that the leader was here, but he was really confused. 

When he finally realized what she was saying, he got up and whispered  "I love you, Ophelia Capulet" in her ear. She melted from the inside. 

"I love you too and I'm happy you are here, but if my dad catches you here it will be bad for both of us. Tell me, how has it been with Napoleon?"

Maverick started telling her how Napoleon had been distant and cold with him, making up the craziest rules to keep him from seeing her. Maverick was also obligated to do the worst jobs and hadn't gone on a mission outside of the base in days. Ophelia felt really guilty, that it was all her and her dad's fault, but didn't say anything to not interrupt him. They talked for a hour and could continue for a lot, but Ophelia heard her father coming so she quickly said:

"Mave you have to go! My father is coming and I don't want you to get in to trouble."

"Please Ophelia, this is not your fault. I talked to you first and I came here today. Don't be sad. We will talk later, meet me in the square next to the Crop's Theater" then he left.

Every day without him was sadder, but after a long time she felt hope again.

Early in the morning, Maverick was anxiously waiting for Ophelia, right where they had agreed last night. The only animal that the young fighter thought about was her, his princess. He’d be willing to do anything to be with her, spend his entire life at her side. It was certainly love at first sight, something that Maverick had never believed in. As a peasant and fighter, he never believed in those things. He had never been in love. For him “love” was only a word until she came and gave meaning to it.

A beautiful animal walking through the multiple flowers that surrounded the square was coming. Maverick’s eyes shined. She was wearing a blue little bow on her head. That was Ophelia. When she finally got to where Maverick was, she said, excitedly:

"Hi Mave!" The nickname made Maverick feel loved, nobody ever gave him a nickname before.

"Hey Ophelia." he would never be able to have the same spontaneity as her, that was a lovely and unique characteristic of hers.

"Well, what did you want to talk about? You seemed pretty excited last night." he was, indeed, but he was very nervous at the same time.

"Ophelia, I can't see any other solution apart from running away. Well this whole argument between Napoleon and your father has been consuming us and our lives here don't make sense as they used to. I think we could go somewhere else, so we could be together. I love you and if you don't feel the same way it's okay but I really believe we can work it out."

"Oh, I would love to! But how would we pull this off? My father is aware of everything that happens on the windmill and the marriage he arranged for me is getting closer. It was hell just to meet you here…"

"Trust me, we can do this."

And then he told Ophelia the whole plan, it didn’t seem that difficult. At night, when  everybody had fallen asleep, the princess would walk down the stairs, very silently, until she's outside the windmill. Then, they would get a ride with some friends of his to the corners of Manor district and cross the border walking, so nobody could see them, and then they would get the train to the city. Maverick had thought everything through, he would find a way to keep being a military, but not as a fighter commanded by Napoleon. He couldn’t walk away from his job and lose everything he had worked for. He applied to another military base, that way he could run away with the love of his life and keep following his dreams. Mave agreed to send Mercutio to let Ophelia know when he received the application response and both of them went home expecting the following days. 

The next morning, while Maverick was out, Napoleon was searching for him when he was surprised by a paper under Maverick’s pillow. It had a signature. Well, as a supervisor and chief of the base, he started to read the paper. It was a job application! 

Napoleon was in shock, why was Maverick doing that? Then he remembered Snowball's daughter, he was almost certain it was her influence. He didn't believe the dog he treated like a son was stabbing him in the back for a dumb girl. He needed his best fighter to be in his base, so he had an idea. Napoleon called that one military base where Maverick   was applying for, saying that the fighter had changed his mind and canceled his application.

Maverick came back and, in the hallway on the way to his room he bumped into Napoleon. The chief seemed angry, but why? Napoleon stood, in silence, for a while, with a raging mad face and a paper on his hands. He took a long and deep breath and started talking:

"I can’t believe you though I would never discover your application. There is absolutely no way you are going to that place."

"I’m sorry chief, with all the respect, there is nothing you can do about it. I used to think of you as a father to me but you left me no choice."

"Oh, so you believe in that huh? What do you think I am, little man? I command this whole place, for God sake! Do you really think I don’t know what is going on between you and that bastard’s daughter? I'm your direct superior and you can't just walk out without my approval."

Napoleon kept explaining how he had already called the manager of the Pinchfield military base and canceled Maverick's application. Napoleon said that if Maverick tried applying again he would tell Snowball and his precious Ophelia would be married to the Foxwood prince as soon as possible and they wouldn't see each other ever again. He told Maverick that he was trying to do the best for him because he cared about Mave's future and couldn't let him risk everything for a pig he knew wasn't worth the effort, but the dog was really mad. He couldn't believe how Napoleon was invading his personal life and putting his own problems in the way of Maverick's dreams, but he would not risk Napoleon telling Duke Capulet because he would send Ophelia away. He would not survive without knowing she was there for him. 

"What do you want me to do?"

"Stay away from the Capulets and keep working here. You'll become the first dog to be a general and live your best life."

            So that’s what Maverick did, he would do anything for her. He wouldn’t contact her anymore and didn’t even send Mercutio so she would know he was fine. He wouldn’t answer her letters and refused to go by her house. They haven’t been together for weeks since that day, she would go everyday to the same place they used to meet, hoping she would see her dear love again, but he never showed up. Everyday would get sadder. After some time she gave up and stopped going, but always asked Charlotte to check the mail box wishing he would try to contact her.

            One day, Ophelia was coming back to the Windmill when she found a letter from the one and only Mave on her bed. She couldn't be happier to hear from him, but she already expected it to be bad news. The letter said that he was so sorry for the past days, but they couldn’t ever meet up again, or else she would be sent away. She knew that was the truth but seeing him write that made Ophelia cry all night. What would she do now?              

She decided on the easiest way. She couldn't take it anymore. She sent a letter to Maverick telling him all the plans, she would fake her death so they could run away together. 

She drank a special tea created by her grandma's mother with the purpose of making one fall asleep. It was created to trick their fathers and husbands while they went to parties and Ophelia had used it multiple times with her dad. After drinking it, she laid down in the backyard under the windmill and pretended she had jumped over from the balcony. 

An hour later, Snowball came home and the servants delivered the news to him of his daughter's death together with a letter from Ophelia herself, saying she was completely alone and all she wanted was to be with Maverick. Since her father wouldn't let her, she had decided to take her own life rather than marrying someone just for money. Her heart belonged to another animal. Snowball found himself sobbing. He couldn't believe the path things had taken. That was all his fault for not letting her make her own decisions. 

             Snowball came searching for Maverick to tell him the sad news. The dog was completely shocked and his heart had been shattered. The soldier didn’t receive the letter that Ophelia sent him, he didn’t know about her plan. Without thinking twice, Maverick asked Snowball to lead him to the backyard. When they arrived he asked for a moment alone. As soon as they were just the two of them he grabbed his sword. His hands trembled when the cold and sharp metal met his skin. But he didn't think twice while stabbing the blade up to the moment where it met his heart. He died thinking he would be with his love and happy to be by her side. 

           As soon as Ophelia woke up she found a body lying by her. It couldn’t be him, could it? She could recognize those shiny dark eyes anywhere, even dead and empty. She couldn’t believe what she had done. Her plan had gone completely wrong. Mave didn't receive her letter and believed in the trick. If he was capable of taking his own life to be with her she was too. She didn't want to be in a world where Maverick wasn't. Living without him was worse than death. She held his body, soaked in blood and gently kissed him on the cheek. Without thinking twice, Ophelia grabbed Maverick’s sword, her bloody hands trembling. She saw his blood dripping from the sword and knew that was her fate. She forced the blade until you could see it from the other side and fell next to him. Now they would be together forever, without Napoleon or Snowball in the way. 

[hisui-dreamer]

Hi, congratulations on 1k followers! I love your writing a lot and I was hoping you could do Villainess AUs with Malleus? Like isekai manhwa style? Thank you!!

the gazelle's sweet briar

Pairing: Malleus Draconia x f!reader

Synopsis: your first objective was to avoid the main characters, but it's not easy when you only have the memories of your friend's ramblings to work off of

Tags: cliché isekai plot, reincarnation, fluff, arranged marriage, tw (mentioned): bad parenting, patriarchal society, death

Word count: 1.6k+

Notes: @coralinnii has an amazing series based on isekai villainesses, so i definitely recommend you check out her work too! im so in love with it (⁠≧⁠▽⁠≦⁠)

Masterlist

Once upon a time, there lived a villainess of exceptional allure, her visage as enchanting as a moonlit night. However, this bewitching beauty concealed a heart blackened by a singular obsession with appearances.

From the earliest days of her upbringing, her mother, a woman who had managed to step into aristocracy by charming a noble, had instilled in her a cruel belief: that those who were not blessed with physical perfection were destined for lives of relentless mockery and eternal solitude. This twisted ideology consumed the villainess' every thought, blinding her to the virtues of education and morality. She became nothing more than a porcelain doll, admired solely for her aesthetic charm.

The King arranged a marriage between her and Duke Draconia, the enigmatic descendant of the dragons who ruled the northern lands, believing that such a striking bride would surely please the reclusive Duke.

However, the King remained oblivious to the swirling rumours that pervaded the courtly circles. Whispers spoke of the Duke as a hideous man who had never once revealed his face, perpetually concealed behind a forbidding black mask. When the rumours reached the villainess' ears, she threw tantrum after tantrum, vehemently refusing to wed a man whose appearance couldn't possibly match her own.

Yet, a royal decree could not be denied. Reluctantly, the villainess embarked on her journey to the northern realm in bitter acceptance. It had rained the moment she arrived, the castle dark and uninviting, with thorns crawling onto the obsidian walls. The Duke, an oblivious and shy man, did not greet her at the grand entrance. Instead, she was met by the Duke's advisor, a man with a curiously boyish features.

Humiliation welled up within the villainess' heart, for she felt as if she were being played the fool by the entire duchy. On the eve of her arrival, anxiety gnawed at her like a relentless spectre.

As night descended, the Duke, mustering his courage, attempted to approach the vexed lady.

But when the villainess beheld his masked face, terror seized her like a vice. "Stay back! You hideous beast!" she cried out, her voice trembling with fear, and she recoiled, her steps faltering as she retreated from him.

The Duke, wounded by her cruel words, attempted to console her, his outstretched hand beseeching understanding. Yet, her irrational dread overcame her, and she continued her backward retreat until, with a heart-stopping scream, she slipped from an open window.

That was how the villainess' life ended.

you hadn't actually read the book, but it wasn't difficult identifying who you got reincarnated as

especially with how your best friend obsessed over this villainess because, and i quote, "if pretty, why evil, huh???"

you woke up a week before the villainess would depart for the North, but that week alone was enough to make you understand the way she acted

every day, you were fed portions fitting of a child, had your skin rubbed raw as you were bathed, and not a moment of your mother's nitpicking about a sudden imperfection she found in you

in truth, you were more than glad to leave for the North, even if that's where your life would be on the line

the survival plan was simple: maintain an amicable relationship with the duchy until the night the heroine stumbles in to ask for a night of shelter, to which the heroine would heal the emotional wounds of the Duke, and share with him the beauty of love, bringing warmth into his heart

and so, you arrived at the estate, the castle tall and intimidating with the clouds dark and foreboding

still, you stepped out of your carriage (with wobbly legs) and met the advisor (your friend's favourite character, in fact)

the advisor, lilia, though seemed young, was actually the very man who raised the duke in the absence of his parents

he welcomed you as the lady of the duchy, and led you to your quarters

by nightfall, you were quite comfortable with living in the estate

everyone was polite, the food was delicious (and properly sized), and you had no doubt you'd settle nicely here

as a precaution to the death sequence, you decided to take a stroll in the rose garden after dinner

if you were already on the ground floor, you couldn't fall to your death, right?

but unexpectedly, you encountered a lone figure in the centre of the garden

he was incredibly tall, dressed simply, his emerald eyes fixated on the estate

upon closer inspection, you noticed he had long horns as well, perhaps he was a gazelle beastman?

either way, you were curious about what it was that held his attention so strongly that he couldn't notice your presence

"Excuse me, sir? May I ask what is so interesting about the building?" you timidly break the silence of the night.

The man turns to you, his eyes widening in surprise. "... Do you not know who I am?"

You blinked in confusion at his words. His words filled you with a sense of foreboding. You wondered if this person matched any of the characters your friend had so fervently described, but all you could recall was the beautiful villainess and the enigmatic advisor to the Duke.

"My apologies, I'm afraid I do not... May I know your name, sir?"

A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he considered your question. "No... If that is the case, you may call me whatever you wish."

Perplexed by his response, you tried to come up with a suitable name. "Then... May I call you Mr. Gazelle?"

Upon hearing your words, he burst out in laughter. "Hahaha! What an interesting choice. Very well, I accept the name," he said. "In response to your first question, I was observing the gargoyles of the building."

on that night, not only did you learn more about the fascinating functions gargoyles serve, you also made your first friend in this life

strangely enough, you didn't meet the duke at all unlike the novel, which though strange, you greatly welcomed

if you didn't have any ties with him, then it'd be so much easier to just divorce him, get the money, and live a comfortable luxurious life far away from the main characters

though as you say that, you find yourself wanting to spend more and more time with "Mr Gazelle"

despite his intimidating appearance, he turned out to be a very generous person, frequently gifting you little trinkets he's made or bouquets he's arranged

he's started calling you "Briar", after the roses in the garden where he met you

you greatly appreciated the nickname, it felt better to be called that than the name of the villainess, that you could just be yourself and not play the role of a villainess avoiding ruin

you also find that whatever musings you've mentioned to him, they somehow manifest themselves

oh? you wish you could learn about embroidery? the next day there's a basket full of the highest quality threads and fabrics, with a gentle tutor to help you learn

(you still remember how cute "Mr Gazelle" looked when you gave him your first finished product, a handkerchief with an embroidered gargoyle)

what's this? you'd like to try more desserts from the capital you were never allowed to try? say no more! the next day the chef presents you with 10 different choices!

so you assumed he was an advisor of sorts to the Duke, because how else could your requests be granted so easily?

but one day, around two months after you started living in the duchy, "Mr Gazelle" asked you questions about the duke, whether you were afraid of him, would you prefer to meet him, curious questions like that

though surprised by the topic, you answered honestly, saying you don't really believe in the rumours (because you know from your friend he's an ethereal beauty) and yes, you would like to meet your husband

and what do you know? lilia informs you the duke wants to share dinner with you. what a coincidence!! :)

Nervousness held you in its grasp as you stepped into the room. Your gaze remained fixed on the carpet beneath your feet, and your knees bent gracefully as you executed the perfect curtsey.

"Your Grace."

You could hear sounds of shuffling, and then a pair of black boots entered your field of vision. Familiar hands found yours, guiding you to rise and stand upright. "Rise, my Briar," he murmured gently.

With hesitant anticipation, you finally looked up, taking in the obsidian mask that concealed his face. That voice, that nickname, and those enchanting eyes—it was all too familiar.

"Mr Gazelle..." you whispered in disbelief.

His eyes narrowed in mirth as he chuckled. "Although I hold great fondness for that name, I do wish you could call your husband by his name," he said as he began to remove his mask.

"Malleus..." you breathed.

A tender smile graced his lips, and his eyes sparkled with affection as he delicately brushed a stray lock of hair from your face—a gesture he had done countless times before. "My sweet Briar, I implore you to forgive me for deceiving you. I wished nothing more but to know you," he pleaded.

Oh, with how loud your heart was pounding in your chest, you realized that you were irrevocably and hopelessly ensnared in a love story that had deviated far from the original story.

But you didn't feel a single ounce of regret.

Masterlist

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