#NET IS A PRINCE BUT NOT FOR THRONE...RIGHT?

[bl-bam-beyond]

THE NEXT PRINCE (2025, THAILAND)

Episode 4

Prince Khanin (CHAWARIN PERDPIRIYAWONG aka NUNEW) is seemingly making a statement as he slips away from his female partner to his bodyguard Charan (PRUK PANICH aka ZEE)

This goes mostly unnoticed until a snafu sets eyes on Male Male couple on the royal dance floor.

His newly found family seem to be in awe including Prince Ramil (KARN KRITSSANAPHAN aka JIMMY) and Calvin (SIRAPHOP MANITHIKHUN aka NET) the Prince of Bhujar (according to MDL but not much is known of this character yet other than NET replaced THOMAS and his new partner JJ replaced KONG due to their BL Your Sky making them unavailable to continue with their roles)

Meanwhile has Khanin let his feelings for his bodyguard be known allowing perhaps the other royal men to be with the men they love...

@pose4photoml @just-another-boyslove-blog @wanderlust-in-my-soul

[gunilslaugh]

Heirs VS Hearts

Kwak Jiseok 👑 Summary: You’re a princess, you’re of royal blood. The heir to your kingdom, but the path to ascending your throne is proving to be rocky when you start being unable to ignore your heart's desire.   WC:~7.3k Warning:angst

The country of Moondoria consists of three different kingdoms: Lisea, Thaethia and Leenavia. To each of these kingdoms there is an heir, or next in line for the throne. Prince Jungsu is the one and only heir for the Kingdom of Lisea. Much like you are the one and only heir of Thaethia due to being an only child. Prince Jiseok is the new heir of Leenavia. Taking the place of his older brother prince Gunil who gave up the throne to marry his non-royal blood lover. 

“Why do you look so glum? I thought you liked skill comp?” You ask, coming to sit beside Jiseok. Who you found sitting on the ground at the top of a hill on the outskirts of his palace’s land. He gives you a half smile when he sees you. 

“I used to, but ever since Gunil my parents have been stricter on. I used to like skill comp because I just had to participate. I was never expected to win anything, but now my parents want me to sweep the board.” He kicks out his legs that he had tucked up to his chest. “Want me to get the most points in hunting. Have the best precision in archery. The most refined brush strokes in painting.” His hands pull at the grass beneath his fingers. 

“Please your parents do not expect you to win painting. That’s Jungsu’s category. He’s literally won it every year since he started competing,” you state. 

“Yeah he should really give someone else a turn. Do you think he’ll give me a turn if I ask?” You could see the desperation lingering in Jiseok’s eyes. 

“Probaly not.” You look at him with pity. “It’s also the only skill he ever wins at, so I doubt he’d be too keen on giving it up.”

“Yeah you’re probably right,” Jiseok sighed. 

“But I can miscalculate the wind in archery and leave some pheasants on the ground in hunting. Since points are only accumulated once the kill is in our net,” you offer. 

“You're the best.” He pulls you into a hug. “Won’t your parents be upset if you don’t win though?” he pulled back. 

“I mean yeah, but I won’t get scolded for it. My mother always tells me to just have fun anyway. I’d just have to survive the disappointed look from my father for the few following weeks. It’s not like me doing those things would guarantee you the win anyway. I’m not throwing the matches, just giving you a step up,” you say. 

“You’re right. Still I appreciate it. At least if I lose it can be with a shallow margin,” he voiced. 

“There’s the spirit,” you say playfully. “Now come on. It’s time for us to lose against Jungsu. Painting starts soon.” You push yourself off of the ground. Jiseok follows you up walking alongside you as you make your way back to the palace.

“Gonna paint marigolds again?” he asked you, knowing that you paint them every year.

“Blue ones,” you emphasized. 

“How fancy.”

“Gonna paint daffodils?” you asked, also knowing that he paints them every year. 

“Pink ones,” he emphasized. 

“How exquisite.” The two of you break into a chortle. 

Jiseok and you had been friends ever since you met at Evercrest School Of Royals. You two are the same age. Which meant that you have basically shared every class since the age of five when you started to attend the school. As the two of you grew older rumors about you dating or even forming a marriage agreement spread around. Though they were more jokes than rumors. Everyone knew that your family was a stickler about keeping the bloodline pure. Meaning you could only marry someone of Thaethian descent. Those long running jokes came to an end when Jiseok was crowned the new heir. It was simply impossible for two heirs to marry one another. Because that would mean either A) one of you has to give up your right to the throne of your kingdom or B) combining two kingdoms. If you weren’t the only heirs to your respective kingdoms maybe option A could be a bit more fathomable, but with you and Jungsu being the only children to your kingdoms Kings and Queens and Jiseok being the only other son and now only heir. Any of you three giving up the throne would result in a brutal battle for the throne. Something nobody wanted to witness or endure. Combining two kingdoms is no easy feat either, so romantic love bestowing between heirs was something that could not happen. It was practically forbidden, though left unspoken. 

Countless pairs of eyes fall on you and Jiseok as the pair of you enter the painting room. You spot Jungsu already set up at his easel. You and Jiseok bow politely at the guest and make your way over to either of your respective easels. 

“Alright!” With a clap of his hands the art professor Mr. Leonard started talking. “Now that Princess y/n and Prince Jisoek have graced us with their presence we can begin painting part of skills comp. Our royals will have three hours to paint whatever they please before judging. Time starts now.” He flipped over an hour glass. 

You picked up your paintbrush delicately dipping in the blue paint when it hit you. “Jiseok, Gunil isn’t here,” you said. 

“Our hydrangeas!” Jiseok realized it too. Every year during skill comp you would paint marigolds, Jiseok would paint daffodils and Gunil would paint hydrangeas. You’re not sure why the three of you decided to paint the same flowers every year. Maybe it was because you knew no matter what you painted you would never beat Jungsu. Maybe it was just a fun tradition. 

“What a very sad day.” Your shoulders fall into a slouch feeling deflated at the awareness that your flower trio has now become a duo. 

“Mind your posture princess,” your personal guard, Seungmin, reminded you as he trades the small pot of paint in your hand for a palette full of all the paints you will need. 

“Thank you,” you tell him, fixing your posture. You dip the brush, picking up more blue paint and carefully apply it to the canvas in front of you. “Jungsu,” you called him casually. 

“Yes princess y/n,” he replied formally, making a small smile grace your lips in amusement. 

“What are you painting this year?” you inquired. The hand that held your paintbrush came to a pause as you turned to look over at Jungsu. 

“Wait and see.” The words of his reply appeared teasing, yet the tone he said them in was nothing special and the gentle look in his eyes almost made them confusing. You nod then return your focus back to the canvas. 

“Time is up. Please set your paintbrushes down,” Mr. Leonard said as the final specs of sand slipped through the hour glass. The three of you set your paintbrushes down while palace staff came to grab your works, moving them to where they will be displayed and judged.

“First we have Prince Jiseok’s Daffodils. Followed by Princess y/n’s Marigolds and finally Prince Jungu’s-”

“Hydrangeas.” You and Jiseok chorused upon seeing Jungsu’s work. A beautiful array of multiple colors of hydrangeas ranging from pinks to blues and purples. The two of you look at each other then back to Jungsu’s painting, then over at him where he stood beside you two. 

“In honor of prince Gunil,” Jungsu says, looking at you and Jiseok. 

“They’re beautiful,” you compliment. 

“Definitely another winning piece,” Jiseok stated.

Jiseok was right. It didn’t take long for it to be decided that Jungsu’s piece was the best. Meaning that he has won the painting category once again. You and Jiseok both offered him your congrats.

Soon enough you're being whisked away to change clothes before archery begins. The maids make quick work in swapping your dress for pants and a button down shirt. Along with putting the arm guards on for you and finally they help you step into your boots. 

“Princess y/n are you and prince Jiseok really just friends?” A maid asked you. 

“We’re not supposed to speak to the princess,” another maid scolded her. “I’m sorry your highness she’s new,” the maid bowed to you in apology. 

“It’s alright. Please there’s no need to bow,” you reassured her. “And it’s also alright. I don’t mind being spoken to.” You turn to the maid who questioned you. “As for Jiseok and I, we are just friends, best friends,” you answer.

“I see, apologies for questioning you. It’s just that there has been word that someone saw the two of you embracing earlier this morning before painting took place,” she informed. 

“Embracing,” you can’t help but laugh as you repeat the word. “That was a hug because Jiseok was feeling nervous about today’s skill comp. A friendly hug because friends can hug,” you state, looking at each of the surrounding maids. 

“Oh princess I was not trying to accuse you of anything I was just-”

“I never said you accused me,” you cut off the panicking maid. “I’m just making it clear since word spreads fast around here. That what that person saw was a hug between friends,” you voiced. 

“Yes princess,” all the maids chorused with a slight bow of their heads. 

With that you are escorted out the archery field. The field was still being set up, so went to take a seat in your throne that was next to your mother’s. 

“I’ve heard some murmuring,” your mother says as she leans over close to you. A small sigh deflates you, knowing what she’s referring to. 

“It was only a hug because he was feeling pressured about today. We’re just friends. You know that.” You looked at your mother.

“I know sweetie. I’m just making sure. You know that-”

“Yes mother I know. I know that I can never be in love with Jiseok. He’s not of Thaethian blood and he’s also an heir, but has it really reached a point that I can’t even hug him anymore?” Your voice became an octave too loud. 

“Y/n please, don’t be upset. I was just going to say that you know it’s for the best.” She placed a hand on your shoulder. 

“Yes, I know that,” your voice became soft. Barely higher than a whisper. “And I’m not upset. Just wondering how many times we need to have this conversation.” You were upset though. You’re not entirely sure why. Maybe you’ve grown tired after defending your friendship with Jisoek over the years. Or perhaps it’s because even though you always state that your friendship with Jisoek is purely platonic you know that there are some romantic feelings threaded throughout it. Feelings that had to be repressed, ignored, mislabeled because they could never be acted on. The more you were reminded that they could never be, the harder it became to dismiss them.

“I’m not very keen on this conversation either. However feelings aren’t fixed. They can change, so I just like to know where you’re at,” your mother tells you. 

“Where I should be, so don’t worry. Now please excuse me. I'd like to take a couple practice shots before the match begins,” you dismiss yourself, standing up from your throne. You head over to where the garden is and walk inside it before eventually sitting down on a bench. 

“Why so glum?” Jiseok slid in next to you. Half of a smile adorns your face when you look at him. 

“I’m not glum,” you denied. 

“Evidence says otherwise.” He uses his pointer fingers to push up the corners of your mouth. Which results in you actually smiling and letting out a light laugh as you bat his hands away. 

“Ok fine. I just had a conversation with my mother because she heard ‘murmuring’,” you quoted. 

“Ah about us ‘embracing’. I just had the same conversation with my mother.” He leaned back onto his hands. An almost imperceivable sigh leaving him. 

“Are you and princess y/n really just friends?” It’s not the first time Jiseok has been asked this question, but this conversation with his older brother Gunil about it does weigh the heaviest. 

Jiseok sighs, shaking his head. “Do I really need to have this conversation with you too?”

“Jiseok please. Sit down.” Gunil pats the spot beside him on the bench. The two of them were supposed to be practicing real life object painting in the garden. Jiseok stares at the spot Gunil patted for a moment before sitting down. 

“We are just…friends,” Jiseok stated. However the small pause Jiseok took before saying the final words made it seem like Jiseok was trying to convince himself that the statement he said was true. 

“Ok. Let me ask a different question. Do you have feelings for them? Is there something more there?” Gunil’s eyes hold a steady gaze at Jiseok, meanwhile Jiseok looks away, collecting his thoughts, before turning back to meet his brother’s gaze. 

“That’s two questions, but if you must know. I love y/n very much, but only as a friend and even if there was something more to it I’m not of Thaethian blood. We could never happen anyway.” ‘I’m not of Thaethian blood.’ Those words felt bitter as they left Jiseok’s tongue. Them being the very reason for any romantic flames that Jiseok might have for you getting snuffed. 

Gunil takes a breath before he speaks, “The reason I ask is because I wish to marry my love.” 

“You do?” Jiseok’s tone changes to a much softer one. 

“I do, but you know mother and father. My love doesn’t have one ounce of royal blood in them. They’ll never accept the heir of the throne marrying a-” he scoffs before finishing “peasant.” 

“You want to give up the throne,” Jiseok inferred. 

“Only if you’re ok with it. I know it’s a lot of weight to bear and if you loved princess y/n then I would let go of my love for yours,” Gunil sincerely tells Jiseok. 

“Gunil no.” Jiseok instantly refused. “There are no words to describe how much I would appreciate you making that sacrifice, but it would be in vain. Y/n and I can never be together.” It pains him to say the words, but they’re true. “Loving them doesn’t change my Leenavian blood to Thaethian. A romantic relationship between us can never be permitted. Friends is the highest our title can go, so please go on and marry your lover. I will take your place as the heir for our kingdom,” he tells Gunil. 

So he does love you. Gunil doesn’t say it, but he thinks it.

“They’ve been asking us that question for years. It almost feels like they’ve decided the answer for us,” you voiced. 

“They’re just ‘making sure,” Jiseok chuckles dryly. 

“But I’m getting tired of it.” You exhale, your head dropping back. “Do we have to tell them that we’re just friends for the rest of our lives?” You picked your head back up. Could you ignore your feelings for the rest of your lives? Jiseok looks at where your hand lies next to his. He yearns to hold it. His fingers stretch out to grab yours. 

“The archery field is ready your highnesses.” Jiseok immediately retracts his hand at the sound of the voice.

“We’ll be there promptly,” Jiseok replied to the palace staff who nodded with a bow and walked away. 

“Guess that was our cue,” you say standing up. Jiseok stands up as well, dusting off his pants. 

“Let’s go,” he said. The two of you made your way out of the garden.

You, Jungsu and Jiseok each take your places in front of your rows of targets. Each of you grab an arrow from your quivers, setting up to take your first shots. You blow out a deep breath trying to clear your mind. Your eye locks on the target as you pull the string of your bow back. ‘Do we have to tell them that we’re just friends for the rest of our lives?’ Your words echoed in your mind. ‘Stop it. Focus.’ You shake your head. You recenter your eyes on your target and release your arrow feeling the gust of wind that caress your face. 

Seven. Not bad, not great. At least you told Jiseok that you would miscalculate the wind. It takes a few more shots, more than it should have, before you find your rhythm, hitting bullseyes and tens.

With your faults Jiseok does end up winning archery. You're happy for him, genuinely. Seeing the bright smile shine across his face makes you smile too without even realizing it. 

You don’t have much time to rest after archery, pretty much going straight into the final game: hunting. You walk out into the forest to your starting position. The forest was divided into sectors. Typically for what kind of prey usually resides in them and some kills in a certain sector gives you more points. 

“Are you feeling alright princess?” Seungmin asked you. 

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?” you responded. 

“You just seemed distracted during archery. Like your head wasn’t clear,” he told you. Of course your personal guard knows exactly how to read you. 

“Guess it wasn’t. I sorta argued with mom before the match. Threw me off a bit,” you say.

“Can I pry about what?” he questioned. 

“My friendship with Jiseok. You’ve probably heard wind of it too. That we were embracing this morning,” you say. 

“I’m sure it was just a hug between friends,” Seungmin said. A small smile perked your lips. You spotted a sparrow sitting in a tree. You grabbed an arrow and loaded your bow, pulling it back and releasing in one motion, successfully hitting the sparrow. Seungmin goes to pick it up, putting it into your net.

“It was, but I’m just getting tired of being asked about our friendship. It feels like even when I say that we’re just friends no one really believes it,” you voice. Perhaps you don’t even believe it. You would think that the more you say it the more you would believe it, but instead everytime you say it it feels less true. Everytime you say it, those specs of romantic ashes burn. 

You continue on ranting, innocent prey of the forest becoming victims of your building anger. 

“Oh no leave those there,” you tell Seungmin as he goes to pick up some pheasants. 

“Why? You won’t get the points,” he questioned. 

“I’m creating a shallow margin,” you tell him. 

“What?” His brows knit together. “Oh, you’re giving prince Jiseok a leg up.” He gets it. The two of you continue on. Moving throughout the forest, racking up points. The hunt was going smoothly until you heard a high pitch squeal followed by a distressed shout. 

“That sounded like a boar,” your voice was filled with worry. 

“It definitely was, but there shouldn’t be any boars here. The forest was thoroughly checked beforehand,” Seungmin stated. 

“We should go help,” you say. 

“Princess no, we need to evacuate. You’re not safe with a wild boar running loose.” Seungmin made an attempt to grab your arm to lead you out of the forest. 

“What about the person who screamed? They clearly need help,” you started to walk off on your own. 

“Princess, it's dangerous.” Seungmin tried to stop you again.

“I have you to protect me. Please we have to help. People could get seriously hurt,” you pleaded. 

“I don’t know who’s more pig headed you or the boar,” he grumbled. “Stay behind me,” he ordered. 

It didn’t take long for you and Seungmin to find the person who shouted or more like they found you. Quick heavy footsteps approached the two of you and when you finally meet the person responsible for them you find no other than prince Jungsu. 

“Princess y/n it’s much too dangerous to be here. There is a- a wild boar and-” Heavy pants interrupt his sentences. “It’s not far behind me.” Almost as if on cue the high pitched squeal of the boar rings loud. Seungmin acts quickly, taking your bow from you and an arrow. When the boar comes into his sight he releases the arrow. It hits the boar directly in the end, effectively taking it out. 

There’s no time for you to feel relieved though because you hear the sound of another shout. Only you recognize this shout. 

“Jiseok!” You're running before you can even think about what you’re doing. 

“Princess!” Seungmin calls after you.

Your lungs burn. Everything passes by in a blur. The only thought occupying your mind is that Jiseok is out there somewhere hurt. Your heart thumps rapidly against your chest, fearing the worst. You can’t lose Jiseok. You’ve never got to tell him that you love him. 

“Jiseok!” His name leaves your lungs again. This time as you see him trapped under the wild boar. Bow shoved in its mouth trying to keep it away from biting him. It’s now that you realize Seungmin still has your bow, but you don’t have any time to waste, so you grab an arrow and sneak up on the boar. Piercing the arrow through its thick skin with all the might that you have. The boar falls limp. You’re already by Jisoek’s side before its heavy weight thuds to the ground. 

“Are you ok? I heard you shout and-” Tears fell down your cheeks and your voice cracked. Jiseok brings a hand up to wipe your tears. That’s when you notice the blood. His white button up is drenched in red on the side of his waist. “You’re hurt.” Your hands quickly go to put pressure on his wound. He grunted in pain.

“It’s not that bad. I’m ok,” he tried to reassure you. 

“I can’t lose you,” you cried. 

“You won’t. Look at me,” he told you, but your terrified eyes can’t leave his still bleeding wound. “Y/n look at me.” He forcefully cupped your face with his hands, making your eyes meet his gaze. “I’m not going anywhere,” he spoke firmly. You nodded, choking on a sob. 

“Prince Jiseok!,” Seungmin said in an alarmed voice as he finally caught up to you.

“Seungmin he’s hurt.” You look at Seungmin with distraught eyes. 

“Hey it’s ok. Let’s get him out here. Everything is gonna be fine,” Seungmin spoke calmly. He helps Jisoek stand, having him wrap one of his arms over his shoulder and the other over yours. “Keep pressure on his wound,” Suengmin told you. 

Your return from the forest is met with shouts about getting the doctor. Your mother appears by your side frantically trying to see if you’re ok, but all you can focus on is the sight of Jiseok being carried away. 

Later you find yourself sitting outside of the palace infirmary. Blood still covers your hands, though it’s become dry and crusted over. 

“Y/n, I know you’re worried, but you should at least wash your hands,” your mother urged you. 

“After I know he’s ok,” you said, looking over at the infirmary doors. Your mother sighs, muttering something about finding a maid to ask for a wet towel. 

“You almost look more concerned about my son than I do?” Jiseok’s mother spoke up. 

“He’s my best friend. I can’t lose him.” You stare down at your blood covered hands. 

“Do you believe that?” Her highness asks, making you confused. 

“Of course I can’t lose him! Why would you even say that?” You couldn’t control your outburst. 

“No,no dear I meant when you called him your best friend. Do you really believe that? I know that’s what both of you say, but I also know the way my son looks at you. Before I couldn’t exactly read you, but now. There’s more than just friendship in your eyes isn’t there?” She placed a hand on your shoulder. 

“All due respect your majesty, but what does it matter?” you questioned. 

“Huh?” the queen was slightly taken back by your response. 

“We’ve basically been told since we were kids that we can never be together. He’s not of Thaethian blood, so my parents would never accept him. Plus we’re both heirs with no one else to pass the throne to, so what does it matter? If we love each other or not?” Jiseok’s mother is saddened by your words. Is that really how the two of you thought? That if you loved each other it wouldn’t even matter?

“Prince Jisoek is now in stable condition,” the doctor came out to alert you guys. The hugest sigh of relief floats through your lungs. 

“Can we see him?” you asked. 

“He’s still asleep, but yes feel free,” the doctor said. 

You walk into the infirmary, seeing Jiseok lying on the bed. His side is now bandaged. You approach the side of the bed, eyes raking up and down his sleeping form. Making sure that he really is ok. That he’s safe now. You release a breath you didn’t know you were holding. 

Her royal highness was on the other side of the bed, delicately brushing some strands of hair away from Jiseok’s face. Neither of you say anything for a while, but then she straightens up. 

“I’ll you two be,” she excused herself. 

“Don’t you want to be with him?” you questioned. Shifting your eyes from Jiseok to her. 

“You killed a wild boar to save him. I trust him in your hands.” She looked down to where you had slipped one of your hands into his. You didn’t even realize that you did that till you followed her line of sight. She gave you a small parting smile and made her way to the exit, but she paused at the door. “It does matter by the way. You’re right that in the end you two can’t be together, but that doesn’t make your feelings irrelevant,” she stated. She didn’t even give you time to respond. She just walked out the door, shutting it behind her, leaving you to sit with her words. Even if your feelings weren’t irrelevant, what good could they possibly do? Having them felt like fighting a losing battle. Whether you acted on them or not the result would be the same. There’s no way you and Jiseok could end up together. 

The twitch of Jiseok’s hand makes you forget about all of that. Subconsciously you squeeze his hand tighter. You lean closer when you see his eyes begin to blink open. 

“Hey,” you call him gently. A smile pulled at his lips when his eyes adjusted. Blurriness leaving them as you come into focus. 

“Hey.” His voice was slightly hoarse. 

“How are you feeling?” you asked.

“Ok, a little sore.” He goes to sit up, wincing slightly. 

“Here.” You aid him in sitting up, propping a pillow behind him. 

“Thanks, sit.” He patted the edge of the bed. As you sit down he notices the dried blood that covers your hands. 

“Why haven’t you washed your hands?” he frowned, picking them up and bringing them over to his lap.

“Wanted to wait till I knew you were ok,” you tell him. 

“I told you I wasn’t going anywhere,” he says, fingers wrapping around your hands. 

“I know, but I was still worried,” you said. 

“Your hands shouldn’t be bloody.” His lips drew downwards. His thumb rakes over the back of your hands, some of the crusted over blood flakes off as he does so. 

“It’s fine. I’ll wash them,” you dismissed. You remove one of your hands from his hold. It trails up his body, brushing lightly before it reaches where the bandages lie. Your touch becomes featherlight almost like you’re not touching him at all. Like you’re afraid he’ll break. Ever so slowly your palm flattens against the bandages. Images flashing through your mind of when the dark red liquid soaked poured from the spot. Jiseok brings his hand up, placing it over your own. You lifted your head, your eyes met his.

“I’m ok,” he repeated. 

“That was the scaredest I’ve ever been,” you confess. 

“Me too, but not really because I thought I might die,” he informs. He brought a hand up to your face. The back of his fingers caressing your cheek before tucking a stray strand of hair behind your ear. His fingers ghost down the side of your neck before resting there. Palm flattening against the warm skin. 

‘Don’t say it.’ You tell yourself as the dangerous words sit on your tongue. They weigh heavy like bombs. I. Love. You. Each word is more dangerous than the last. ‘They won’t do any good.’ ‘It will only hurt.’ You try your best to repress.

“I love you.” He dropped the bombs first. 

“I love you too.” You fired the bombs back. Jiseok pulls you in by the back of your neck. He groans in pain as your palm presses into his injured side, but he doesn’t stop till he feels your lips on his. Then it’s like everything fades away. It’s only the two of you, sharing what had been long repressed. You scoot closer to him on the bed, hands sliding up to his chest then your fingers lock behind his neck. You smile against each other's lips, but tears weld in your eyes. This is all you ever wanted, but it’s also the one thing you can’t have. You pull away from the kiss, hot tears falling from your eyes. 

“Not yet.” Jiseok didn’t let you get far. “Let’s not think about it for a little longer.” He is desperate to ignore the fallout, pulling you towards him once again. Though this time you're leaning in, allowing more of your weight to press into him, to mold into him. Allowing yourself to pretend for just a few moments longer that things could be possible between you two. The hand not holding your back slides around your back. Holding you close. You bask in the feeling of his arm being around you while angling your head to deepen the kiss. 

The crumbling down of your perfect fantasy is imminent. A knock on the door has you two freezing in your places. The reminder of the outside world floods back in. Your heart sinks in your chest. Jiseok presses one last fleeting kiss against your lips. Giving you his best smile as he wipes your tears. 

“Come in!” He called, once you both collected yourselves. It hurt as you moved back away from him on the bed. Putting that inevitable distance between you two. 

“Prince Jiseok, I’m glad to see that you’re awake.” It was your mother, queen of Thaethia. “I knew you still wouldn’t have washed your hands,” she tsked, coming over to you with a bowl of water and a cloth.

“I was gonna do it after,” you say. 

“Give me your hands,” she ordered, setting the bowl of water on the stand beside the bed. She dips the cloth into the water and brings it to your dirty hands. She gingerly wipes the blood off of your hands. 

“Did you notify the doctor that he woke up?” your mother asked. 

“I told her to wait. I wanted to rest a bit first,” Jiseok spoke up. Your mother nodded. 

“That’s understandable, but you still need to be checked, just to be sure,” she said. “Go notify the doctor,” your mother told the maid who was standing by the door. 

“Right away your highness,” the maid bowed before leaving. 

“There, all pure again.” Your mother rests the now red cloth on the side of the bowl. Your stomach turns at her use of the word pure. Obviously your hands weren’t clean before, but her saying the word pure made it feel like she was saying Jiseok’s blood was one of the filthiest things. Her use of the word must have unsettled Jiseok too, feeling him shift beside you. You want to reach out to him, give him some kind of comfort, but you could already see the disapproving look your mother would give you if you did. All you can do is look down at your freshly cleaned hands. The remnants Jisoek washed away. It’s not like having his blood on your hands was good, yet a part of you felt like that was the longest he had ever been with you. Even with your long years of friendship the two of you couldn’t be too close without rumors flying around. Yet with those hours of having his blood on your hands no one ever said a thing about you two. 

“You two should bid your goodbyes. It’s more than past time for us to head home,” your mother says, gathering the bowl and towel. “Meet me at the carriage,” your mother told you as she exited. At the sound of the door clicking shut Jiseok wasted no time in his hand finding yours. Neither of you want to say goodbye. It’s written all over your faces. Despairing looks harboring your eyes. Jiseok wants to ask you to stay, but he knows it’s not possible. Just as you want to stay, yet also know it’s impossible. 

“I should go.” You should go, you need to, but your feet feel anchored to the floor. Reluctant to move. Your brain fighting with your heart. 

“Yeah you should. The doctor will probably be here soon.” Despite both of your words neither of you move. Not wanting to pop the fragile bubble, the puny hope you two hold onto you. 

“I can’t go if you don’t let go,” you say referring to his hand that securely keeps you two together. 

“You’re holding on too.” It’s true, you’re both holding on. Trying your best to protect that spark of flame that stands no chance for oncoming tempest. 

“We have to let go.” Your throat feels tight. You want to convince yourself that things won’t change. That when you walk out of that door you and Jiseok will still be ‘just friends’, but both of you know that’s not true. You two crossed the line and there was no going back. All of those repressed feelings exploded. They fired up through the surface and they won’t be buried again. 

“We have to, but I don’t want to.” He grips your hand tighter and you do the same. 

“I love you,” you fire them first this time. 

“I love you too,” he fired them back. It amazes you how such happy words can feel like bullets to your heart. Still you smile. It’s the most painful smile and it shines with beauty. Jiseok smiles that exact excruciating smile back. 

“See you soon.” You refuse to say goodbye. You can’t. You won’t.

“See you soon.” He won’t say goodbye to you either. You stand, hand still clasped onto his. You have to let go. He has to let go. You each have to let each other go. When the grip of your hands finally snaps, so do the strings of your hearts. Each step you take away signifies a break of your hearts. 

By the time you reach the carriage you were numbed by all the pain. Staring blankly at one of the sides of the carriage. You don’t remember the ride home or changing into your night clothes or getting into bed. Suddenly you're just staring up at the canopy that hangs over your bed. Face stained with tears, pillow wet from them. 

The endangerment of all three of you heirs lit a fire under all three of your kingdoms. There was no rush for your coronations before. Yes you were all of age, but there also wasn’t any posing reason for you guys to step into your leadership positions. All of your parents agreed on it being nice for you three to enjoy more of your lives before stepping up to run your kingdoms. 

However now, after the incident that took place on skills comp days all of your parents were rushing to set coronation dates. Though it wasn’t only coronations being brought up and sorted, marriage was being discussed as well.

“Father, Mother, please can stop with the marriage talk,” you begged. 

“Y/n, once you’re queen you need a king. You need a new heir,” your father insisted. 

“Can’t we just cross this bridge later? I don’t want a loveless marriage.” You didn’t want a marriage at all actually. Because the only person you wanted to marry was the one person you can never be with. 

“I know you don’t like the idea of an arranged marriage, but I promise sweetie I will find you the best husband. You know your father and I were an arranged marriage. It was a learning curve to say the least, but we truly fell in love. The same can happen for you,” your mother tried to persuade. 

“No, it won’t,” you state. 

“Y/n please. We’re trying really hard to create a happy future for you. You have give us a little,” your mother looks at you with pleading eyes. 

“But I know that I won’t fall in love with whoever you say is fit to be my husband,” you say. 

“And why’s that?” she asked. 

“You know why,” your voice became soft, unstable. “You kept asking because you never believed my answer, right? I guess you were right not too because no matter how hard I tried to bury and snuff these heart wrenching feelings, they still found a way to persist. I’m in love with Jiseok and I’m never gonna love anyone else. I know you will never grant our marriage and I’m not asking you to, but please don’t force me to marry someone else.” You dropped down onto your knees. “Please, let’s just figure it out later.” You can’t hold your tears. Your parents' hearts sink at the sight of you. You looked so helpless, so pained. For a moment it makes them wonder if they’re doing the right thing, but only a moment.

Prince Jungsu is the first wedding to take place out of the three of you. It was a beautiful wedding. One that made you want to believe that love could be beautiful, grand, full of happiness. 

The feeling of someone grabbing your wrist and tugging you away from the reception almost makes you shout for help, but then you realize that you recognize the warm palm encasing your wrist. 

“Jiseok,” you say his name like you can’t believe he’s there. You two hadn’t seen each other since that night where he laid in the infirmary. He’s guiding you over to the altar where Jungsu recently wedded. “What are you doing?” you asked. 

“Let’s play pretend. One last time,” he voice waivers. He kneels down onto one knee. 

“Jiseok-” Tears cloud your eyes. 

“Will you marry me?” He pulled out a ring box, displaying the most beautiful ring. You know that you can’t, but right now when it’s only the two of you. In your own little fantasy bubble. 

“Yes,” you sniff. He takes the ring from the box. WIth shaky hands he slides it onto your ring finger. Placing the most tender, loving, kiss over it. He then stands back up, holding your hands in his. 

“Princess y/n do you take prince Jiseok to be your lawfully wedded husband?” Jungsu walked up to the altar. 

“Jungsu? What are you doing here? People are going to notice your absence, no?” you state. 

“Then don’t keep him waiting.” Jungsu glances over to Jiseok, who’s staring at you with the most loving eyes in the world. 

“I do” You squeeze Jiseok’s hands. 

“Prince Jiseok do you take princess y/n do be your lawfully wedded wife?” Jungsu asked. 

“I do,” Jiseok answered without missing a beat. 

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.” Jungsu takes his leave while Jiseok pulls you in. This is going to be the last time he gets to kiss you, to hold you, to be yours, so he pours all of his emotions into the kiss and so do you. The two of you only part when the need for oxygen burns more painfully than your love for one another. After you part he holds you in his arms like he never wants to let you go because he doesn’t. You wrap your arms around him with the same intensity. Neither of you are showing any signs of letting go. You're forced to part when more people come outside. Popping your bubble of solitude and sending all the pain rushing back in. 

A few months later you hear news of Jiseok’s wedding. It breaks your heart all over again. Though you figured he must have known at Jungsu’s wedding that his wedding was set in stone. No matter how much he didn’t want it. That’s why he wanted to play pretend one last time. Still it didn’t make it hurt any less. Feeling like shards of glass were repeatedly piercing your heart. 

You didn’t attend Jiseok’s wedding. You couldn’t. It would have hurt way more than you could have handled. It was for the best that you didn’t attend though because Jiseok wouldn’t have gotten married if you did.

With each passing day your parents become more instant on you finding a husband.

“Y/n you’ve been queen for almost a year. The people of our kingdom are talking, asking when you’ll wed. When you’ll birth the next heir,” your father tells you. 

“Let them keep wondering.” You still didn’t have any intentions of marrying. Even after knowing Jiseok was wedded to another. You couldn’t get over him and you know you never will. You know Jiseok is the same. Even if he was forced into a marriage, you’re the only one who will own his heart. 

“Princess, I know you don’t wish to marry, but how about it be me?” Seungmin proposed to you one night. He was comforting you like he has for over the past year. When after masking your seemingly never ending heartache for the day came to an end. 

“What?” you looked at him with your tear stained face. 

“I don’t expect you to love me. In fact I know that you never will. Not romantically at least, but can I take care of you like I always have?” he asked. You felt like you were betraying Jiseok as you nodded your head yes,

You and Seungmin are wedded in the winter of the following year. When Jiseok heard of the news he also felt the pain of his heart breaking all over again. He tries to comfort himself, knowing that you’ll be well taken care of. In some ways he’s happy that you wedded Seumgin. In other ways he was more envious than he thought imaginable. 

Jiseok didn’t attend your wedding. He couldn’t. It would have hurt way more than he could have handled. It was for the best that he didn’t attend though because you wouldn’t have gotten married if he did. 

Jungsu’s wedding was the last time you and Jiseok ever saw each other, but your minds constantly go back to that night. You two standing at the altar saying your I do’s. Mentally the two of you live there, dreaming of your happily ever after that will never come.

taglist: @purplelady85 @gingerjunhan @chewednails @ezlynkisses @mon2sunjinsuver @mxlly143 @seungseung-minmin @junhanism @bee-the-loser

And @xhoe4life since they're the one who requested :)

[butterflies-dragons]

Why was Jon so mean to poor Myrcella? There is absolutely no indication that she was "insipid" or "stupid" at all. In fact she is quite intelligent and kind compared to the rest of the family.

This is the quote:

"Close behind came Robb, in grey wool trimmed with white, the Stark colors. He had the Princess Myrcella on his arm. She was a wisp of a girl, not quite eight, her hair a cascade of golden curls under a jeweled net. Jon noticed the shy looks she gave Robb as they passed between the tables and the timid way she smiled at him. He decided she was insipid. Robb didn't even have the sense to realize how stupid she was; he was grinning like a fool." —A Game of Thrones - Jon I

Jon was mad jealous of his "true born" siblings, that's all, specially jealous of Robb, who, according to Jon, was grinning like a fool.

Jon was like "I'm not a fool and I wouldn't like to escort some *insipid,* *stupid* princess at all." And this is very much like his famous quote about rescuing a princess in a tower:

Why not? thought Jon. They are all convinced she is a princess. Val looked the part and rode as if she had been born on horseback. A warrior princess, he decided, not some willowy creature who sits up in a tower, brushing her hair and waiting for some knight to rescue her. —A Dance with Dragons - Jon XI

Look how he uses the words "he decided;" he is accommodating reality, because he thinks he can't have what he really wants. He obviously would like to be a true born Stark and be able to escort and rescue princesses, but he tells himself he won't, because he's a bastard and can have those things.

Being a true born Stark would also allows him to train with the royal prince:

"Why aren't you down in the yard?" Arya asked him. He gave her a half smile. "Bastards are not allowed to damage young princes," he said. "Any bruises they take in the practice yard must come from trueborn swords." —A Game of Thrones - Arya I

And that resentment also makes Jon insult Joffrey, but in this case he deserved it. At least this one:

Jon looked down on the scene with a frown. "Joffrey is truly a little shit," he told Arya. —A Game of Thrones - Arya I

But Jon was so extra that he gave us these gems:

Sansa, two years older, drew the crown prince, Joffrey Baratheon. He was twelve, younger than Jon or Robb, but taller than either, to Jon's vast dismay. Prince Joffrey had his sister's hair and his mother's deep green eyes. A thick tangle of blond curls dripped down past his golden choker and high velvet collar. Sansa looked radiant as she walked beside him, but Jon did not like Joffrey's pouty lips or the bored, disdainful way he looked at Winterfell's Great Hall. —A Game of Thrones - Jon I

She looked at Arya. "What did you think of Prince Joff, sister? He's very gallant, don't you think?" "Jon says he looks like a girl," Arya said. Sansa sighed as she stitched. "Poor Jon," she said. "He gets jealous because he's a bastard." —A Game of Thrones - Arya I

Sure Joffrey was a little shit, but feeling "vast dismay" because Joffrey was taller, and saying he looked like a girl was *extra* hilarious.

Again, Jon was mad jealous of a "true born" (lmao) prince escorting a radiant lady. Sansa was right about the origin of Jon's jealousy was being a bastard.

But take note that, even being so jealous of his "true born" siblings, Jon at most called Robb a fool, while he said a lot more against Joffrey. And while Sansa and Myrcella both looked happy to walk beside Robb and Joffrey, he only insulted poor Myrcella calling her "insipid" and "stupid," but he called Sansa "radiant." Basically Jon channeled his jealousy towards the Lannisters, and not against the Starks, because as jealous as he was, he loved them the most.

[marwyn]

Oooookay? You said that Illyrio had “brokered” Dany’s marriage to Khal Drogo and implied that he “made a lot of money in doing so.” But this arrangement between Viserys and Khal Drogo, facilitated by Illyrio, was not conducted for short-term financial gain but as part of a long-term geopolitical strategy to destabilize Westeros and eventually install Young Griff on the throne. Illyrio is a central figure in the Blackfyre restoration conspiracy, working in tandem with Varys. He invested substantial resources into the Targaryen (or pseudo-Targaryen) cause, or more accurately, into manufacturing one. He is financing long-term regime change, not flipping Dany for quick cash. As for the marriages, those are not equivalent situations. Daenerys was married as part of a formal political alliance between two sovereign kingdoms. As the sister of a king and wife to the ruling Prince of Dorne, she held a defined political role: Princess of Dorne and a key figure in the peaceful unification of the realm. The marriage was mutually negotiated between two ruling powers, and is remembered in the historical record as a cornerstone of peaceful integration. Dany's marriage to Drogo, on the other hand, was purely transactional. Viserys was an exiled and powerless claimant with no kingdom, court, army, or formal authority. Dany had no agency in the arrangement and was presented to Drogo without consent or protection. Her function was not political but instrumental. She was a commodity in a transaction intended to secure military support, reduced to an object in a power exchange. She was a slavewife by Dothraki standards, with no initial support system in his khalasar. The transaction failed to secure its intended outcome, and Viserys died without achieving anything. Dany emerged with power because she survived and adapted, not because of the marriage itself. So, one was a political alliance between equals, and the other was a desperate attempt that treated Dany as a commodity. Daenerys was positioned as a diplomatic actor within a structured political system rather than leaving her isolated or powerless in a foreign court with no real influence. Also, we don’t actually know much about Daenerys. What we have are historical fragments: her legacy, yes (the Water Gardens and the children, peace with Dorne), but not a developed narrative presence. There is no textual evidence that she was miserable in her marriage or spent years weeping after Daemon. The tragic romance appears less grounded in her lived experience than in the political mythology that surrounded Daemon. Associating him with a lost love helped elevate him beyond the status of a failed usurper, reframing him as the rightful Targaryen king, wronged not only in blood and crown, but in love as well. Here, Daenerys functions more as a narrative device used to legitimize Daemon’s rebellion by emotionalizing it. And until F&B ii provides more, she remains a silent figure in Daemon’s political arc.

Why’s this message so heated, I feel like Bloodraven is accusing me of spreading Blackfyre propaganda through the weirwood net.

I mentioned Illyrio’s brokerage because it’s one of several ways in which the text establishes a link between Dany’s marriage and slavery, a reading with which you clearly agree! The relevant passage:

It was a truly magnificent gift, though she knew that Illyrio could afford to be lavish. He had collected a fortune in horses and slaves for his part in selling her to Khal Drogo.

(AGOT, Daenerys II)

I also never stated that her marriage to Drogo is an exact equivalent to Daenerys’s marriage to Maron, just that they bear certain similarities however superficial; for instance I highly doubt it’s an accident that both Daeneryses in question were sisters to the king (Viserys’s claim is disputed to say the least, of course, but Dany insists on his being styled posthumously as Viserys III) who married them off in service of an endeavor to reclaim his kingdom and add Dorne to his kingdom, respectively (and the former is clearly unsuccessful while the latter is not).

I do think you’re overestimating the amount of agency possessed by Daeron’s sister, though. Or perhaps I have a dimmer view of Westerosi arranged marriages than you do. On the other hand I never said that she was miserable either, just that she’s clearly positioned as an archetypal dutiful wife. “Archetypal” being the operative word because I never presumed to know her thoughts on the matter, only the ways in which her (few) actions are presented.

[stromuprisahat]

Why do Zoya stans dunk on Alina constantly when without her she'd be dead I don't understand. At least Alina wasn't handed the crown and a throne by her prince bf. It's the people who'd already declared her the Sun Queen something we can't say about Zoya who's male LI had to scheme and bribe people to declare her as their queen.

I don't see how "Nazyalensky" rule will last tbh. Alina was loved because the sun summoner had some religious significance in their world (I think it's because of the existence of fold she was seen as the savior) but Zoya's dragon avatar doesn't have any of that. Like her being a dragon just feels so random to me i really can't take it seriously. Is there any public love for her that there was with Alina? And what happened to the majority of Grisha who sided with the darkling? Where did they go? Did they just accept the monarchy? So many questions

I don't know. I've blocked so many idiots, fandom drama usually doesn't reach me.

There are several issues with both of them.

It's true I don't know, what would Zoya do, if Alina didn't appear to claim the Second Army. Until the Sun Summoner shows up, the remaining Little Palace Grisha are prisoners in their own home. The only person we know of, that was doing anything, is Sergei, who worked on paperwork and probably kept an eye on day-to-day the way his limited options let him. Zoya was bitching, but not contributing.

Her behaviour points towards being a big-mouthed follower, waiting for another powerful figure to worship. Which she does, eventually. Alina becomes the flawless Saint in her memories.

I don't remember Nikolai bribing anyone to proclaim Zoya, but then again- the whole passage was so stupid I was trying not to cry the whole time, while reading it, so I might've missed it.

Alina is more likely to keep the power she had as the Sol Koroleva, but none of it was her merit either. While there likely was some myth regarding Sun Summoners, we don't know anything about it, and in books we're told in several places the Apparat was actively spreading the myth he created about her.

Sometimes I was Sankta Alina, sometimes Alina the Just or the Bright or the Merciful. Daughter of Keramzin, they shouted, Daughter of Ravka. Daughter of the Fold. Rebe Dva Stolba, they called me, Daughter of Two Mills, after the valley that was home to the nameless settlement of my birth. I had the vaguest memory of the ruins the valley was named after, two rocky spindles by the side of a dusty road. The Apparat had been busy breaking open my past, sifting through the rubble to build the story of a Saint.

Siege and Storm- Chapter 10

What she does, is wave and smile. She sucks in leadership and doesn't become better with time. She's misguided at best, and fails even in her official main quest- the Fold isn't destroyed by her, just as it isn't destroyed well.

But hey- it's not entirely her fault. She's victim of her enviroment as much as the author's.

I can see where Alina's support comes from- there's faith to built on, probably a legend we're not aware of, whole net of priests spreading it, Alina tours the country for a while and appears with the Prince, meeting diplomats and delegates...

Zoya's following a new king around, rumoured to be his mistress. One of three Grisha he closely works with a few months after nation-wide pogroms hunting them? Young King with head full of innovations and changes (both usually distrusted, when first applied), rumored to be bastard...

Alina was considered a Saint in her own right.

Zoya's one of many Grisha first and foremost, drawing power from her connection to Nikolai. She wasn't appearing with Alina, she wasn't seen with her by considerable amount of surviving people, they weren't seen to be close in any way. Her reputation of "war hero" is built on nothing. Her close ones claim she fought alongside Alina, and there's too little people to dispute (or confirm) it.

Neither of them have any real achievements, until Zoya sells her soul body to and for a dragon nuke, that's somehow better than the Fold nuke.

Even associations with their power can't be compared and deemed of similar weight. While Sun is mostly viewed in positive light (pun absolutely intended), dragons usually have negative connotations. If you told me Zoya's worshipped in Shu Han- a country inspired by China (I guess.)-, I would believe it, but Slavic countries aren't nearly as clear-cut in their relationship to giant flying lizards (If I'm wrong about China, feel free to correct me- my knowledge of its folklore is superficial at best.). Sure, dragons might be wise and otherwordly (like snakes), but also malevolent and dangerous.

Either way, Zoya's rule has no real(istic) support, and I would love to read a good story about it's gruesome collapse.

As for Aleksander's Grisha- we weren't supposed to ask about them during TGT, so what makes you think they exist now? Unless they're here to establish the Darkling enjoyed killing little children and torturing helpless widows or whatever...

[samieree]

Game of Thrones/House of the Dragon Masterlist

[General Masterlist with list of boys I can write one-shots with here]

[my works are also avaiable on Ao3: Samiere and on wattpad: _Saelin Also on fanfiction net: Samiere (just "Born in Flames")]

MASTERLIST Silver Princess || House of the Dragon (fanfiction)(Daemon Targaryen | Aemond Targaryen | Gwayne Hightower)

King Viserys Targaryen and Queen Aemma Arryn are expecting another child - possibly a new heir to the Iron Throne. After all, after the birth of two princesses, it must finally be time for a prince, right? On this occasion, a tournament is organized in King's Landing, which also attracts the king's brother - Daemon Targaryen to the capital. Unfortunately, the day of the tournament will set in motion a series of events that over the years will eventually lead to Dance of Dragons and something even worse, besides splitting House of the Dragon into three camps…

2. MASTERLIST Dawn of the North || Robb Stark (fanfiction)(Robb Stark x OC)

King Robert Baratheon wanted to get rid of every Targaryen. Apart from Daenerys and Viserys, he hadn’t dealt with the two remaining hidden in the shadows of the Crown. Amalthea has been living from day to day for three years, traveling with her companion throughout the lands of Westeros. Shortly after Joffrey Baratheon takes power, war breaks out, declared because of locking Ned Stark in the dungeons of the Red Keep and accusing him of treason. Amalthea finds herself in the middle of this conflict only because her heart beat faster for a handsome young man two years ago.

3. MASTERLIST Born in Flames || Game of Thrones (fanfiction)(OC x ?😏)

The young former Princess Visenya, and now Maegelle Targaryen, after the death of King Robert I Baratheon can finally come to King's Landing without fear of death at the hands of Robert, who has vowed to kill any Targaryen he can. Exactly, "any Targaryen he can"… He hasn't been able to touch Maegelle since Tywin Lannister took her to Casterly Rock and she was under his care for the next seventeen years, raised to be against her real family. Even her changed name is to make her realize who she should be. But will she listen to it? After all, she had spent her entire life with the murderers of her family…

[shieldherostuffs]

Royalty AU

Just had the thought of Naofumi being the first, but ignored and sometimes condemned prince of a Kingdom. The title of Crown Prince was given to his younger brother as soon as he was old enough since Naofumi didn't show enough talent or want for the crown.

However, after seeing how Naofumi turned out, a lot more pressure was put on his younger brother. Naofumi watched as famous teachers and tutors from all over the land were called and hired to teach and train his younger brother from the moment he could walk and talk, leaving him little to no free time to relax or enjoy any hobbies he may have found.

Meanwhile, Naofumi was left as alone as anyone could afford, though he still had to study, of course. A prince of the Kingdom couldn't be seen lacking. He'd spend his abundance of free time either in the royal library or sneaking into the Castletown, just to spite his parents, should they ever find out, though he doubted they would, with his little they seemed to care.

However, one day, after his brother's 16th birthday and the official announcement of his bachelorship and right to the throne, Naofumi was walking through the royal gardens in the evening, as the party was dying out. While walking through one of the more secluded parts, with tall, maze-like rose bushes, he finds his brother sitting on a bench crying his eyes out.

After listening to his brother's woes and hurts, Naofumi realized his little he'd actually been part of his little brother's life and vowed to change that. He offered his brother support and advice and tried to help lighten the load of his studies enough to free up a little time for relaxation.

However, the moment their parents found out about Naofumi helping his brother, they decided that the little time the two had freed up could be spent learning even more. So, they hired more tutors and reached.

Naofumi had felt guilty, and apologized again and again, despite his brother knowing and saying that it was okay, he'd just been trying to help. As another apology, Nafoumi showed him his second-favorite secret, second only to sneak into the town.

A secret net of catacombs beneath the castle grounds, including one larger room that Naofumi has fashioned into his own little private library and relaxation spot. Apparently, the majority of the catacombs, except for the main exit-entrances had been forgotten to time, and Naofumi had made a game out of exploring them.

However, only two years later, Naofumi's brother fell ill, too overworked from what the healers told, too stressed from all his lessons and piling duties to the kingdom. Despite the healers stating that the best cure would be resting for a while, their parents decided that despite being bedridden, Naofumi's brother could still study a bit while resting.

He didn't get better at all and only became sicker and sicker until he was so overworked that his body became weak and he couldn't leave his bed without help.

When it was declared that the Crown Prince was too sick to do his duties, the King and Queen suddenly turned their eyes back to their first son, the one they'd as good as thrown to the side and left to his own devices. This didn't sit well with Naofumi, as they started buttering up to him and handing all of his brother's duties over for him to complete in his brother's name until he'd gotten better.

However, the longer his brother had been and continued to be sick, Naofumi grew more and more resentful, until he couldn't take it anymore.

Not only was he cast to the side, his brother was also bedridden, his parents didn't truly care for either of them outside their usefulness, the court was riddled with serpents pretending to be advisors, the kingdom was headed into bankruptcy because of the court and nobility, but the people were planning something against the crown!

Unwilling to endure the decline of his kingdom any longer, Naofumi would once again sneak away from the castle, but this time, he wouldn't return for a long time.

Instead, he'd find the leaders of the group planning to overthrow the crown and strike a deal. If they let him sit on the throne after their overthrowing, he'd promised that he'd save this kingdom, and if he couldn't he'd willingly lay his neck under the executioner's blade, as long as they spared his brother. The deal was struck, and they started planning, beginning with Naofumi sharing his nearly-finished map of the forgotten catacombs.

Months later, in the dark of the night, the resistance would sneak into the catacombs under their leaders' and Naofumi's lead, and storm the castle from within. After helping apprehend his parents and throwing them in the dungeons, as the morning sun rose and the cheers resounded through the castle and town, Naofumi would go to his brother's chambers and find him finally looking a little healthier.

[evita-shelby]

The Black Stallion and the Golden Mare

an apology to those who read my last Tommy x Eva one shot, have some westeros!au fluff

Heavenerys and Amos belong to @call-sign-shark

got au! @justrainandcoffee @mischievouslittlecreature @zablife @peakyswritings @thegreatdragonfruta @cillmequick @hoodeddreams13

His sigil is a black horsehead.

Not the gold his elder brother uses nor the gray his aunt uses as Lady Gray, but black, the original sigil of their house.

Thomas Ryswell is not the first to press his suit, but he is the only one who has not taken part in the tourney to gain her attention.

He is a good rider, Heavenerys had confirmed the rumors of House Ryswell having the best horses and riders beyond the Neck. Heavenerys Targaryen had also been having an affair with his brother and would wed him the moment her half-year mourning period was done. It would look bad on her father, Aerys, if she didn’t put on her widow’s weeds for the ghastly Amos Bolton.

After all, she was the only daughter of the new King and was the only hope for his crown not to pass to his mad brother, Rhaegel. Things were expected of Hev, should she have a son, he may rule as his grandsire’s heir since the Dance of the Dragons forever barred women from inheriting the Iron Throne.

Things were not expected from Aeva, well, not beyond keeping some semblance of decorum even if everyone knows how loose her morals are. She was free as the wind and no net would ensnare her for as long as she lived.

They come by each other while riding in the Kingswood, she in her shimmering golden mare and he in his black as coal stallion. No words are exchanged and yet he understands she is suggesting a race between them.

Hev had said he was the best rider in the north, no one could outrace him and as they push their horses to their limits, Aeva considers her cousin may not have been exaggerating because he’s her lover’s brother.

The Princess’ riding veil has fallen off somewhere and her dark mane flows freely behind her. She laughs and purposely loses to him as they race to the stream they intended to take their horses to.

“Well met, Ser.” The princess addresses the Northman whose sorrows cannot leave his eyes no matter what he does. He may not speak to her unless she does first, she was princess and he merely a second son of a vassal house after all.

Amos hated it when Aeva would pull rank on him. The fool believed that because he managed to get his grubby hands on the new king’s only daughter, he had any right to believe himself the family’s equal. Amos was still merely a vassal lord to Lord Stark; Aeva was a daughter of House Martell and House Targaryen through her grandmother Daenerys, the Princess of Peace.

Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken. Aeva would be damned if she didn’t live by her house’s words.

“I am no knight, your highness.” He corrects looking as wild as she does. A less honorable man would’ve demanded his reward already and yet Thomas Ryswell does not push it.

“All men are knights where a woman is concerned, Lord Ryswell.” Aeva manages to make him smile as she quotes Florian the Fool as she comes close enough to see his damnably blue eyes up close. You can see the core of a person through them, discern between friend from foe and lie from truth. “You ride better than most, none have been able to keep up with Erinys like your steed has done.”

“You threw the race, your highness, I would have preferred a fair game.” The dark-haired young man points out and yet stays just a breath away from her.

“One gets tired of winning all the time, not many like giving it their all when going against a princess or a prince.” Eva is the one to move away as they let their horses graze by the stream. He would have kissed her by now if he had wanted to.

“No one wants to suffer the consequences of causing a dragon to die nor face Prince Aerion in a trial of Seven.” The Ashford Tourney had marked history for the worse, had Maeker only reigned in his mad son Baelor Breakspear wouldn’t have died defending a hedge knight and a puppet girl’s honor. Even worse, he wouldn’t have died by his brother’s own Morningstar.

Aerion had returned from Lys far worse than before; he sought to take Heavenerys for himself and jump over his own father and uncle to take the crown. Only he wouldn’t ever have it, his destiny is to celebrate his son’s birth with a cup of wildfire as Daenora, Rhaegel’s younger daughter, screamed.

Aeva wouldn’t miss his demise for the world.

“I suppose self-preservation can make lesser knights forget their vows.” The princess surmised.

“Sweet lady, all men are fools; and all men are knights where a woman is concerned.” This time it is Thomas who quotes Florian the Fool.

“Are you a fool, Lord Ryswell?” she asks, dark violet eyes holding his winter rose ones.

“Aye, I am, I had the chance to kiss a Princess, and I didn’t take it.” Ryswell cracks a small smile as he speaks, it even reaches his eyes.

“There is still time to amend that, Ser Thomas.”  The princess only leans in once she senses he wants it too. She never pursues a man who doesn’t want her. While she may not care if the man is attached or not, she knows better than to waste her time on prey that doesn’t wish to be hunted.

The northerner’s smile turns almost boyish and before the daughter of the sun knows it, she is being dipped and kissed like a maiden in a mummer’s play.

“I have yet to be rewarded for my victory.”  His voice sends a delicious shiver through her and Aeva agrees.

“Your wish is my command, Ser.”

If anyone noticed they arrived back at the royal stables with grass stains and a leaf still stuck to the poorly placed riding veil, there was no mention of it.

---

Florian the Fool and Jonquil of Maidenpool is a story dating from the age of hereos in asoiaf, Sansa's favorite songs are about them and it is the puppet show Tanselle puts on at Ashford Tourney in The Hedge Knight/Dunk and Egg.

this is also Aerys I, younger brother of Baelor Breakspear and older brother to Rhaegel and Maeker. he was king after his father Daeron the Good, same Daeron who's dad was Aegon IV/the Unworthy, grandson of Rhaenyra from house of the dragon. he is not Aerys who Jaime killed prior to GoT. Baelor the Blessed arranged for him to marry Myriah Martell and his sister Daenaerys to Maron Martell after Daeron I (son of Aegon iii) died trying to conquer Dorne.

Daemon Blackfyre was Aegon the Unworthy's eldest son/bastard with his cousin Daena the Defiant who went to claim his half-brother Daeron was a bastard and was legitized along with the rest of Aegon's bastards at his deathbed causing three rebellions by him and his descendants. in this au Tommy's mom was a legitimized targ bastard.

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

Oi noble bell herbivore! What's someone like you doing walking around in a place like this? I would've slept soundly by now, but the click of those shoes of yours made my ears tick. Tch, along with you muttering about judgment, blessings, and God makes it noisy. Heard things about you from Radish sprout and the others, heh. You're mad. Now I do hope you keep the flame inside you, though. *Sighs* wouldn't want my napping spot to catch Hellfire.

I would recommend reading these headcanons after this interaction ^^ I think they serve as a good follow-up to this initial encounter.

Like Fire, Hellfire.

"It's Rollo Flamme," he sternly corrected the man stalking toward him amid the flowers and foliage. The hairs on the back of Rollo's neck stood up, sensing danger. "I do not believe I owe anyone an explanation for simply roaming the school grounds. They are open to any approved visitor such as myself."

The lion beastman bore a face he had seen in various texts: a prince from a far-off land. A Kingscholar, the second-born. Indeed, despite his wayward locks and shirt that practically hung half open, he carried himself with a natural grace only befitting that of one with noble heritage.

Another horrifying mage to add to his growing list of enemies.

Rollo grasped for his safety net, his beloved handkerchief. It swiftly covered his burgeoning grimace.

"All humans are herbivores to me," the Kingscholar scoffed, “and you marched right into a lion’s den. You’re just asking for trouble.”

Trouble—that was the last thing Rollo wanted, not on this (supposedly) cordial visit. It would draw too many eyes to him, attract too much unwanted attention. He forced himself to bend into a stiff bow.

"... Your grace." When he was met with silence, Rollo cautiously lifted his head. "I do apologize if my presence and proclivities have disturbed you. I will make myself scarce on my way out."

"Hoh?" A smirk on the lion's lips, and amusement flitting in his deep voice. "Now this is rich. You're giving me a death stare, but the words you're spouting are straining to stay nice. Radish Sprout and the others were right about you—you're pretty two-faced, hmm?"

"I'm afraid that this is how I always look. It is the one and only face I was born with.”

"That's the second time I've heard someone claim that as a defense. And that other guy?" The beastman was very close to Rollo. Showing his teeth, breath nipping at his skin. "He tried usurping the throne for himself."

“Did he now.”

Rollo’s tone was neutral in spite of the anger curling in him. He was disappointed, but not surprised, at the conferred secret. Mages were doomed to ruin one way or another, seeking power when they were weak and abusing it once it was in their hands.

They will ever know true solace. His mouth pinched.

The prince’s eyes glinted—not from sunlight streaming in through glass panes, but with a lazy interest. “… I smell it on you, you know. That cloying stench of magic. You’ve got it caged up like some poor, feral animal.”

The large cat circled his prey like a shark. Each stride he took was long and effortless, slowly riling up the unease in Rollo. Toying with him.

The wet heat of the Botanical Gardens was suddenly registering in full force. The fabric of Rollo’s robes clung to him, as if it, too, wished to retreat from the wild cat in its proximity. Discomfort settled.

“Unlike you Night Raven College miscreants, I am able to resist such sinful desires. I won’t let them spiral out of my control.”

“Sooner or later, that beast will want to be freed,” the lion coyly purred, “you can’t keep it contained forever. Your mask will slip—and with it, a grip on that dark fire.”

“… My, rather presumptuous of you to make these bold, accusatory comments to a man you just met. I’m aware that lion beastmen have a keen sense of smell, but I might make a recommendation: keep your nose out of other peoples’ matters.”

He threw his head back and laughed—rumbling and resonant against their glass cage. “I’m sure we’ll have to chance to become better acquainted with one another. It’s part of a prince’s duties to host important foreign dignitaries… and I’m nothing if not the paragon of princeliness.”

The sarcasm wasn’t missed.

Rollo allowed himself to openly frown. “You certainly haven’t been playing the part of a dutiful host, let alone royalty of any sort.”

“Oh?” He feigned, a hand drawn to his chest in mock shock. “Where are my manners?”

This time, the lion bowed to Rollo.

His facade, matching. Airs put on. Two playing at the exact same game.

“Leona Kingscholar,” he declared. The name itself was palpable and weighty. “A pleasure to meet your acquaintance, Sir Flamme of the Shaftlands. You simply must pay a visit to Savanaclaw during your stay on Sage’s Island. I think I speak for my entire dorm when I say we’d love to have you for dinner.”

Rollo sniffed. “As though anyone would be convinced by this flattery.”

“Yeah, sure. Act tough and see where that gets you. I know you’ve got to visit us all eventually.” Leona tapped his temple with an index finger. “Social grace and all.”

“… Tch.”

Rollo didn’t want to admit it, but the (infuriating) man was right. His grip on his staff tightened.

“… I humbly accept your kind invitation,” he grumbled through gritted teeth. “Thank you for this invaluable opportunity.”

“Heh. Don’t pop a blood vessel yet.” Leona put a hand on Rollo’s shoulder, nearly shoving him over with a firm pat. (He didn’t look sorry about it as he baked off.) “Like I said, watch yourself. Wouldn’t want to be going and accidentally causing a forest fire, would we?”

Rollo’s eyes went hard.

His next words, dangerously soft.

“No, I suppose we wouldn’t.”

[lateniteghostie]

The Next Prince Episode 5 spoilers/thoughts

Decided I’m gonna liveblog but all in one post lol. About to start the new ep but I have seen the collar gifs so I kinda know some of what’s coming.

Oohhh Ramil being a jerk right off the bat. Considering what happened last ep I suppose it’s to be expected but am I weird for wanting them to be friends??

Yeeaahhh Ava’s dad being like gender is irrelevant - damn right you tell ‘em!

Oh shit they’re adding all kinds of activities to this competition situation. Man what the hell? That seems like a lot of work for someone to win the throne for their dad instead of themselves. Make the old men do it!!

Zeeeeeeeee with glassesssss ahahdjdd

NET I love him so much 😭 he was so good in Bed Friend and I am so excited to see him again. I think JJ is cute too so I’m excited to see them together~

Ohhh the classic giving someone your handkerchief move~ now he’s gonna have to return it somehow~

Oh that was fast lol. They’re classmates!

Damn that’s a fancy ass university.

Awww Khanin is sulky cause he misses Charan 😭 poor Chakri he’s doin his best

Oh nooooo he’s even making Chakri go naaaaaa~ dkdkdkkd I love this butler he’s amazing.

Lololol poor Chakri 😭 chasing him around skdkdkd

Man I LOVE some of the cinematography in this show. The way they transition from the art studio to the bedroom with the turn of Paytai’s head… and the sort of melancholy wailing violins… giving me shivers.

LOL BUSTED

ahhh Charan’s lil smirk when Khanin says he was just passing by… like uh huh sure you were lol

The girls are fighting.

Damn Zee is such a master at the stoic character that shows zero emotion but somehow you still know he’s irritated.

Honestly Chakri deserves some kinda extra compensation for having to put up with this troublemaker lol. He has to attend class too.

Charan trying not to laugh at Khanin’s apple 😭

Ugh Zee drawing in his robe and glasses skdkdkd

Don’t mind this shitty picture of my TV but just how can someone be so pretty? Sheesh. And the lighting? He looks like a classical painting himself.

Can’t stop thinking about his boy tho.

UH OH Ramil is not pleased. I don’t know how I feel about him. He’s got this dangerousness about him that is really hot but I’m also worried about Paytai he seems scared out of his mind 😩

The almost kiss oof.

OKAY HERE WE GO. The collar has a leash too. Now that is hot. LISTEN. As long as it’s all consensual I am here for this level of kink.

Stole his coach how rude.

Khanin is such a lil schemer. He’s like I don’t give a fuck what orders Charan is trying to follow I’m gonna use my cute face and charm to get my king of a grandfather to give me what I want. Then Charan can’t use that as an excuse to be super formal with him akdkdkd

Grandpa’s like yeah okay can’t deny he’s the best for the job lol.

OH. I am not a bargaining chip. That’s such a good line and he’s right I really feel like Khanin is just doing what he wants without considering Charan’s position and feelings. Like I get it, he’s the only one Khanin feels close to and obviously there are ~feelings~ but I just think he needs to be a little more careful.

Oh boy why isn’t the whole show just these two and their emotionally charged scenes?? It’s everything I want 😭

But why does Charan not fence in front of others? Did I misunderstand that or…?

AH oh no his cute lil smile he’s happy!!! Despite his emotionless expression Charan is happy about this situation ah that makes me feel better. I couldn’t tell because he was being so distant but no he’s just trying to hold back and that’s a different thing entirely…

THEY FOUND DAD. I can’t remember his name so he’s just dad to me lol.

HAHAHA making him do a WORK OUT.

I am DYING at the blinking from Khanin and Chakri immediately gets the message lolol he’s faking it the lil menace.

Are you sure you want that? Ohhhh Charan’s about to get serious 👀

OHHH injured for real!

Don’t drop me lol.

THAT PREVIEW AUGH.

Okay I am officially here for more kinky times but also I am just LOVING the dynamic between Khanin and Charan. Like Khanin is just out here being like why can’t you be by my side? And Charan is trying SO HARD to stay appropriate and formal and follow his orders and the traditions but he really wants to just give in and it’s sooooo augh making me crazy!

Er okay I dunno if I’m gonna keep doing this for every episode though because it slows me wayyyy down and I’m an impatient mfer so. But it was fun to try it out!

[kumralada]

Arya’s Queen Foreshadowings

At the Inn of the Kneeling Man, where Torrhen Stark bent the knee and swore fealty to Aegon the Conqueror, Harwin went to knee before Arya

“She broke my nose.” Lem dumped her unceremoniously to the floor. “Who in seven hells is she supposed to be?” “The Hand’s daughter.” Harwin went to one knee before her. “Arya Stark, of Winterfell.”

A Storm of Swords - Arya II

Arya fits perfectly into Varys' features of an ideal ruler speech.

Aegon has been shaped for rule since before he could walk. He has been trained in arms, as befits a knight to be, but that was not the end of his education. He reads and writes, he speaks several tongues, he has studied history and law and poetry. A septa has instructed him in the mysteries of the Faith since he was old enough to understand them. He has lived with fisherfolk, worked with his hands, swum in rivers and mended nets and learned to wash his own clothes at need. He can fish and cook and bind up a wound, he knows what it is like to be hungry, to be hunted, to be afraid. Tommen has been taught that kingship is his right. Aegon knows that kingship is his duty, that a king must put his people first, and live and rule for them."

 - Epilogue, ADWD

Ned tells Arya that she will marry the king and then tells Sansa that she will marry high lord.

"You," Ned said, kissing her lightly on the brow, "will marry a king and  rule his castle, and your sons will be knights and princes and lords  and, yes, perhaps even a High Septon." Arya screwed up her face. “No,” she said, “that’s Sansa.”

A Game of Thrones - Eddard V

"Sweet one," her father said gently, "listen to me. When you're old enough, I will make you a match with a high lord who's worthy of you, someone brave and gentle and strong. This match with Joffrey was a terrible mistake. That boy is no Prince Aemon, you must believe me.

Her direwolf's name comes from a queen.

He was still trying to decide on a name. Robb was calling his Grey Wind, because he ran so fast. Sansa had named hers Lady, and Arya named hers after some old witch queen in the songs, and little Rickon called his Shaggydog, which Bran thought was a pretty stupid name for a direwolf.

A Game of Thrones - Bran II

Old Gods tell her to reclaim her name and call her Daughter of the North

"But there is no pack," she whispered to the weirwood. Bran and Rickon were dead, the Lannisters had Sansa, Jon had gone to the Wall. "I'm not even me now, I'm Nan." "You are Arya of Winterfell, daughter of the north. You told me you could be strong. You have the wolf blood in you."

A Clash of Kings - Arya X 

Arya has many leadership and queen foreshadowings in the books, but here are the most obvious ones.

[therealvinelle]

How does Norway view it’s royal family I’m from Canada and lets just say that we are not big monarchy fans. But I wonder about other countries because commonwealth countries are kind of in a unique situation where their royalty is actually royalty of another country (Britain) and we just pay for it. (no seriously, we pay more for the monarchy in canada than the uk does)

I can't speak for everyone, but I personally am in favor of having a royal family and would find it disappointing and a change for the worse if we became a republic.

The monarchy in Norway came about the right way, when the country became independent in 1905 the people voted with an overwhelming majority in favor of getting the Danish prince Carl to become our king. It was in order words not something imposed upon us by a thousand years of feudalism, but a newly independent people's choice to have a king of our own.

King Haakon proceeded to, when Norway was occupied by the Germans, refuse to accept our government's formal request to disband (as they had been driven into exile and could no longer govern), as well as refuse to surrender. Did this lead to war, yes, but it also meant that through the war we remained an occupied country with a legitimate government overseas broadcasting to every citizen by radio that we could look towards in place of the occupying government imposed upon us.

After King Haakon there was King Olav, who took the bus during the 1973 energy crisis so as to lead by example, and went skiing in the woods like everybody else, he was an immensely popular king. Now there is King Harald, who married a commoner in Queen Sonja and whose children have made even more scandalous marriages (Princess Märtha married an artist and author, Ari Behn, while the crown prince Haakon married a single mother of a child out of wedlock who was and in certain circles remains viewed as very low class), but both Harald and Sonja are very loved. Harald famously is very witty, and more importantly he is a very inclusive and kind-hearted person who made it explicitly clear he is as much the king of immigrants and LGBT people as he is everybody else. He has also competed in the Olympics seveal times, we love an athlete.

The big eyesore is Princess Märtha, whose sins and scandals are money but in a nutshell, she made the choice to be financially independent (good!) only to then do so in the worst ways she could manage. There was the angel school, where you would go learn how to speak with angels (I once went to a party where we read her book and followed her instructions on finding your aura, great fun and I recommend this for a party game), which had everyone laughing at her, to the much less funny adventure she is now on, where she has... gone full Gwyneth Paltrow. As in, she is engaged to a shaman who says children with cancer must have wished the cancer upon themselves and he will also cleanse women's vaginas of evil if they've had too much sex, and she has toured the country with this man using her princess title (The tour was called "The princess and the shaman") which... yes. When they are criticized, they say it's racism because he is black, this has not endeared them to many either.

She can live her life how she wishes, the fact that what she wishes is to give a platform to a man who talks about being a lizard who contains ancient spirits and also the 5G net is bad is what makes people upset and lose respect for the monarchy as a whole.

Personally, I remain in favor of the monarchy because she'll never be on the throne, she is already irrelevant in every way that matters. The relevant royals we do have do their jobs well and responsibly, which is where my wanting to have a monarchy in the first place comes in: I believe in the constitutional monarchy as we practice it in Norway.

The people who make the decisions will be elected by the people, but the person representing the country, whose job is only to represent and better the country through charities and strengthened diplomatic ties, has an advantage if he isn't political and gains a continuity from not being replaced every time he loses the election cycle. In these times of rising populism I think the advantage to having an apolitical head of state and military is even greater. We could in theory vote a populist party into power but we wouldn't have a populist president, the way certain countries experienced not too long ago and stand to do now. As for how one should go about finding such a non-political, continuous leader of the country, I think inheriting the position is as good a way as any to keep the transferrance of power from one sovereign to the next from getting political. In other words, monarchy but keep it constitutional.

(I'm also colored by how King Haakon handled the occupation, as well as how the King of Spain as recently as in 1981 prevented a military coup in Spain by denouncing the military's actions. How relevant these events are to the present day can be debated, but I think the past couple of years have proven that we should not take the status quo for granted and our democracies can come under threat. When they do, I prefer to have every safeguard imaginable in place for them. If that safeguard spend their time promoting art and charity that's just a big bonus.)

[jon-sedai]

“Dead. He’s dead.”

“No.” The eunuch’s voice seemed deeper. “He is here. Aegon has been shaped for rule since before he could walk. He has been trained in arms, as befits a knight to be, but that was not the end of his education. He reads and writes, he speaks several tongues, he has studied history and law and poetry. A septa has instructed him in the mysteries of the Faith since he was old enough to understand them. He has lived with fisherfolk, worked with his hands, swum in rivers and mended nets and learned to wash his own clothes at need. He can fish and cook and bind up a wound, he knows what it is like to be hungry, to be hunted, to be afraid. Tommen has been taught that kingship is his right. Aegon knows that kingship is his duty, that a king must put his people first, and live and rule for them.”

(ADWD Epilogue)

Varys’ words to Kevan Lannister about Prince Aegon are so interesting because of the overarching insinuation that the boy has had a slew of advisors and teachers who have carefully and extensively prepared him for the task of ruling. His listed examples to that point are rather peculiar, however: a knight to train him in arms, a septa to train him in the faith, and various tutors to train him in history and languages.

Now there’s nothing inherently wrong about Aegon’s educators but one has to ask, what do these people even know about actual ruling? What have they seen about the nature of ruling and the nitty gritty of it? What experience do they have? And if they themselves don’t really know what it means to rule, what does that say of their young prince’s education?

It’s an important question to ask when we consider Aegon’s narrative foil: Jon Snow. Jon does not have the expectation of ruling. In fact, as a bastard, he knows that he can never ever get a lordship let alone a crown/throne. Yet Jon has, unlike Aegon, a crew of experienced tutors who have shown him the nitty gritty of ruling. Every single one of his on-page mentors is either a ruler or a leader of men; in addition to the other tutors he had growing up.

So I wanted to take a look at Jon’s mentors and the positions they have held to contrast their experience (and thus the validity of the lessons that they give Jon) as opposed to the lack of experience in Aegon’s crew.

Ned Stark - Jon’s first and (arguably) most impactful mentor. While teaching Jon important lessons about rulership, he was serving as the Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North; thus making him one of the most powerful men in the entire realm. He then went on to serve as Hand of the King - the most powerful official save for the king. The irony is that Ned didn’t teach Jon as a successor. Robb was the one meant to succeed him. Yet Jon absorbed his lessons all the same.

Benjen Stark - we don’t actually see much on-page mentorship from Benjen, yet he still is one of Jon’s many father figures in the series. He is a a man of the Night’s Watch so he is sworn to hold no lands or titles. Yet as First Ranger, he is undoubtedly one for he highest ranking officials in the Watch and potentially a skilled warrior. He takes on the role of the knight or leader of men among Jon’s teachers.

Tyrion Lannister - despite being an ‘outsider’, Tyrion comes to hold considerable power. He is an exceedingly learned and intelligent man and managed to impart important life lessons during his short time with Jon. He rises to become Hand of the King and later Master of Coin. Though he doesn’t actively teach Jon how to rule, he’s still an important part of Jon’s character development.

Maester Aemon - one of the anomalies in this list. Yet his impact on Jon’s life cannot be understated. He is a teacher to Jon; we have various references to Jon going to Aemon for advice on how to lead. Aemon also gives Jon advice meant for kings: “kill the boy and let the man be born”. What makes Aemon an interesting addition is that he is a would-be king. And an interesting contrast between Jon and Aegon is that both parallel Aegon V; Jon more organically, Aegon rather artificially. If we remember, Aegon V was a hidden prince who ultimately became king. This is the very same trope that Jon and Prince Aegon are following. And it’s interesting that Aemon, Aegon V’s brother, gives advice on governance to Jon; the same advice given to the unlikely king. So it’s Jon who is carrying the torch of kingship from Aegon V, not Young Griff.

Jeor Mormont - one of the most direct mentors in Jon’s arc. Not only is he a surrogate father to Jon, he does what Ned never did: he directly grooms Jon to be his heir. Jon gets to watch Jeor actually govern the NW as his steward but it’s interesting that he shadows the LC through servitude. Though Jon is intended to succeed the Old Bear, he has to humble himself; he has to follow before he can lead. It’s a contrast to Aegon who would hold power over most (if not all) of his tutors.

Donal Noye - the other anomaly save for Maester Aemon. He is a humble Blacksmith. Yet he has been in the service of kings (having served the Baratheon boys who would all end up as kings). He plays an important role in bringing Jon’s ego back to earth and helping him sympathize with those less fortunate than himself. Despite his humble origins, he does briefly take command of the Wall during Mance Rayder’s attack and then transfers that command to Jon, purely because he believed in Jon’s ability to lead (and he was right).

Qhorin Halfhand - another who takes on the role of a skilled master at arms for Jon. He is an undoubtably powerful warrior. But he is also a leader of men. He teaches Jon important lessons on leadership during their time together beyond the Wall - e.g., to lead your men you must first know them. And in true ‘fridged mentor’ fashion, Qhorin dies so the young prince can take over and grow as a leader.

Mance Rayder - the King Beyond the Wall and one of the most important leaders in the books despite spending all his time in the North. Mance’s role as a mentor for Jon is doubly important given that he also takes on the role as a Rhaegar proxy. Despite Jon coming to him as an (undercover) enemy, he’s still able to impart powerful lessons on how to command an army and wrangle support from different factions of men. Jon learns a lot about diplomacy from observing and being under the KBTW. Mance is a skilled warrior, commander, and politician. A charismatic and gifted man - the picture perfect king for Jon to emulate.

Tormund Giantsbane - a leader of the freefolk who rises to become an unlikely ally for Jon. A skilled warrior and proven leader (we know that he took charge of a couple of thousand of freefolk), Tormund becomes important when there’s a transfer of power from Mance to Jon as leader of the freefolk.

Stannis Baratheon - by law, he is the rightful king of the seven kingdoms. According to prophecy, as Melisandre says, he is the promised messiah. Despite a less than ideal personality, he’s still an important part of Jon’s political arc in ADWD. Arguably a man of immense administrative potential, Stannis is also one of the most successful military commanders in the series; which is great for Jon since he also learned from Ned, who ran an undefeated streak as a battle commander.

The total count now comes to: two kings, two Hands of the King, a ruling lord, three warriors, one wise maester (who has counseled a king), and one commander. That quite a resume for Jon. All these men have some experience leading men and commanding armies, however big or small. So Jon’s preparation has been quite thorough.

What a stark contrast between the two boys, then. Varys’ words give us a roadmap of a “perfect ruler” (or as perfect as one can be) yet when we actually take the time to examine what we see in the text, Aegon is not at all suited for that role - Jon is. In fact, not a single character in ASOIAF has had the intensive preparation to rule that Jon has.

It’s beautiful irony. The prince, the one promised to rule, is actually quote underprepared for the task of it. Meanwhile the bastard, who is at best promised a life of servitude, is the one with the most preparation (and experience) for rulership. It’s the way Aegon, as a narrative foil to Jon, acts as one who validates Jon’s journey. There are certain things needed of a ruler. Jon has them, Aegon doesn’t.

Winds isn’t out yet so we don’t yet know for certain where these two boys will end up. But I’m almost sure that young Prince Aegon is doomed and though he may hold the throne for a while, he will not be the king at the end of the story. And it just might be his inexperience that ultimately dooms him. So what does that say for Jon then? Aegon can’t hold the throne as he’s unprepared for it, but what about Jon who is?

[k-vanity]

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Over hill, over dale, Thorough bush, thorough brier, Over park, over pale, Thorough flood, thorough fire; I do wander everywhere, Swifter than the moon’s sphere.

Fairy from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream Act 2, scene 1, lines 2-7

Welcome, strangers, though I hope we can call each other friends by night's end. As you find your course through the fantastical veil, be cautious. What lurks may be either friend or foe. Safe travels.

Choose any prompt(s) and create a tale or graphic to celebrate the summer.

Prompts

Themes:

Reincarnation 

Mistaken identities

Transformations

Fae

Strangers to Lovers

Hybrids

Summer solstice

Love Affairs

Weddings

Royalty

Scenarios:

A stranger gives you a love potion, but it affects everyone you come in contact with, either making them fall madly in love or despise you.

Your dreams start to come true.

A fae Prince is looking for his soulmate, he stumbles upon your home, injured and desperate to make you remember who he is.

They knew hearing music in the woods was a bad sign, but why was it so pretty?

A late night walk along the beach with a stranger that’s actually your soulmate?

Dialogue: 

“I’ve been alive for seven hundred years, and you’re the most annoying person I’ve ever met.”

“I’m not asking for your good graces. I’m asking for your throne.”

“You have everyone else in this family fooled, but not me.”

“I know it’s impossible to believe, but I think I might actually have feelings for you.”

“I don’t want you to go.”

“This has been a wonderful date, but I think we should never, under any circumstances, ever see each other again.”

“If I told you, you’d hate me forever.”

“Why? Are you falling for me?”

“Oh, you sweet, sweet fool… If only you had seen what had already been right in front of you.”

“How did you not realize you were getting tricked by her/him?!”

“I think you should go outside for a bit. Take a walk, maybe hug a tree…”

“For someone who got raised by fae, you are exceptionally bad at recognizing when one wants to murder you.” 

Rules

Must be a member of the net

Writers - must be at least 500 words

Visual artists - can be moodboards, gfx, gifs, icons, etc.

Include prompt(s) in some part of your work

Tag #kdream and #kvanity

Net rules and regulations apply to the event

Event Timeline

June 20th-August 31st

M.list posted September 7th

[sixminutestoriesblog]

ides of march

well, its tumblr's favorite holiday and who can blame us? The assassination of Julius Caesar is probably one of the only group projects that ever went down the way it was supposed to with, well, not complete group participation (there were said to be upward of 60 people involved but only 23 stab wounds - obviously someone was not carrying their weight) but at least a good effort was made at it. But lets take a moment, between our jokes about salad and Animal Crossing butterfly nets to look at what else has happened in history on the Ides of March. For instance, did you know, on March 15th:

1493 - Columbus returned to Spain after 'discovering' the new world.

1580 - Phillip II of Spain put a bounty on the head of Prince William I of Orange for 25,000 gold coins for leading the Dutch revolt against the Spanish Hamburgs

1744 - King Louis XV of France declares war on Britain

1767 - Andrew Jackson, who would go on to be the seventh president of the US, was born.

1820 - Maine became the 23rd state in the US

1864 - the Red River Campaign, called 'One damn blunder from beginning to end' started for the Union Forces in the American Civil War

1889 - a typhoon in Apia Harbor, Samoa sinks 6 US and German warships, killing 200

1917 - Czar Nicholas II abdicated the Russian throne, bringing an end to the Romanov dynasty

1955 - the first self-guided missile is introduced by the US Air Force

1965 - TGI Friday's opens its first restaurant in New York City

1991 - in LA, four police officers are brought up on charges for the beating of Rodney King

2018 - Toys R Us announces it will be closing all its stores

2019 - a terrorist attacks two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, killing 51, and wounding 50 others

Oof! Pretty bleak, isn't it? It would almost make you think that the day is just bad luck, start to finish and its probably just as well, we're all focusing on assassination instead of other horrors. But wait - its not all bad news! The Ides of March has some tricks up its sleeve yet (joke intended). I'd be telling you only half the story if I didn't add:

1854 - Emil von Behring is born and will eventually become the first to receive the Nobel Prize in medicine for his discovery of a diphtheria antitoxin, being called 'the children's savoir' for the lives it saves

1867 - Michigan is the first state to use property tax to support a university

1868 - the Cincinnati Red Stockings have ten salaried players, making them the first professional baseball team in the US

1887 - Michigan has the first salaried fish and game warden

1892 - the first automatic ballot voting machine is unveiled in New York City

1907 - Finland gives women the right to vote, becoming the first to do so in Europe

1933 - Ruth Bader Ginsberg is born and will go on to become a US Supreme Court justice

1934 - the 5$ a day wage was introduced by Henry Ford, forcing other companies to raise their wages as well or lose their workers

1937 - the first state sponsored contraceptive clinic in the US opens in Raleigh, North Carolina

1946 - the British Prime minister recognizes India's independence

1947 - the US Navy has its first black commissioned officer, John Lee

1949 - clothes rationing ends in Britain, four years after the end of WWII

1960 - ten nations meet in Geneva for disarmament talks

1968 - the Dioceses of Rome says it will not ban 'rock and roll' from being played during mass but that it deplores the practice - also in 1968, LIFE magazine titles Jimi Hendrix 'the most spectacular guitarist in the world'

1971 - ARPANET, the precursor of the modern day internet, sees its first forum

1984 - Tanzanian adopts a constitution

1985 - symbolics.com, the first internet domain name, is registered

The Ides of March turns out to just be a day, like any other day in history.

Unless you're us. In which case -

[newbookcats]

Why Do We Love to "Hate" the Unlikable Female Heroine? | A Discussion About Every Reader's Favorite Guilty Pleasure

To read more posts like this, visit my blog: https://newbookcatsreads.blogspot.com/

A reader's favorite guilty pleasure is assuming that the sharp wits, scathing remarks, and morally questionable actions of fictional characters are aimed directly at us. These books we have associated as our safety nets do anything to catch us during jarring experiences and the emotional turmoil that typically follows.

For instance, every time I revisit Cassandra Clare's The Infernal Devices trilogy where she showcases a love triangle with only right angles, I consistently brace myself from Will Herondale's cold remarks veiling his (obvious) affection for Tessa Gray and any cruel schemes completed by Jessamine, Nathan, Magister or other villains--not that the Magister's manipulation of his soul-fueled robot army sucks away any remorse I have toward his sorrowful past lending to his desires for revenge against Shadowhunters. Still, their flaws feel personal, their choices oddly intimate, and somehow, their imperfection makes the story better.

Moreover, despite the immediate hatred we are expected to feel for villains and their callous schemes, there are surprisingly many literature heroines widely disliked by readers--and by extension, the family members of said readers who have to listen to thorough dissections of the heroine's role in the story and cry spells resulting from the heroine's ultimate sacrifice to rescue their loved ones from poisoned cake.

And, while Joey undeniably reflects every reader in this scenario, I would also like to express how not-sorry I am for my past and future actions regarding my favorite novels and character.

Still, this begs the question: why do we love to hate these unlikable heroines, particularly the sharp-tongued, self-centered, and sometimes just plain mean ones that somehow steal the spotlight and keep us turning the pages until the night turns into day?

Warning: All of the declarations written by me and featured on this blog are my opinions. I'm an amateur literature dissectionist; further, I barely know how to write a story without one or many plot holes. Please respect my opinions. Moreover, if you share an opinion in the comments, I will respect your takes--even the burning hot ones--regardless of how I personally stand on an issue. If you come across a statement that you have an issue with, I highly recommend for you to consult your local librarian or book club to discuss incidental symptoms of hotheadedness, insomnia, snarky comments, frequent book hangovers, and possible death. This post is not recommended as book therapy or is an associated treatment for people with high prevalence of the above symptoms, and it is recommended for all readers to proceed and share at their own risk. Thank you!

First, let’s address societal expectations. Women in fiction are often expected to be likable, relatable, or at the very least, redeemable. For example, Sansa Stark from George R. R. Martin's Game of Thrones is everything expected of a young woman readied to marry the heir to the Seven Kingdoms: obedient, soft-spoken, and well-mannered albeit a rare occurrence of sass reserved for her siblings. However, throughout a series of torturous character-defining moments as Martin's story progresses, Sansa transforms into a woman that readers strongly admire yet fear. Strong-willed, resilient, and loyal in favor of Daenerys and her brother Jon's resistance against the presently-ruling Lannister family, she earns both fans and enemies; however, her power-hungry tendencies and ambitious attitude show another complexity to her character--even allowing readers to outspokenly crave a downfall in her plans.

Another instance would be when Celeste in Kiera Cass’s The Selection series is painted as the vain and ruthless "mean girl" who is laser-focused on attaining Prince Maxon's heart and the deeply coveted title as Queen of Illéa. But as the trilogy progresses, Celeste surprises readers by risking her life to protect Maxon and America, her competitor. Slowly through the trilogy, her vulnerabilities are revealed, suddenly transforming her from a villain we loved to hate to someone we grudgingly admire. Similarly, Nina Zenik from Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows is introduced as unapologetically brash and self-assured. Despite included as a protagonist of the story, she undeniably embodies traits that readers often find polarizing, making her a magnet for both admiration and critique from readers. These are classic cases of an unlikable heroine being redeemed by layers of complexity and growth.

Meanwhile, male characters, can brood, break hearts, and make all kinds of morally questionable choices while still being applauded as society's next "bookish boyfriend" and excused as “complicated” or “nuanced.” So when an author drops an unlikable female heroine into our laps, she feels refreshing.

But here’s the thing: unlikable heroines reflect real women. Not everyone is a people-pleaser or a cinnamon roll who always says the right thing at the right time. And, let’s be honest, who wants to be?

Unlikable heroines challenge the idea that women must be palatable to be worthy of storytelling. Instead, they showcase flaws in ways that resonate with readers who might see themselves in the unfiltered messiness.

Take, for instance, Cersei Lannister from Martin's Game of Thrones. Yes, despite not being a heroine, Cersei's story is a masterclass in making readers simultaneously love and hate a character. Her snark, cruelty, and morally questionable choices make her divisive. Yet, when her full intentions of keeping her family, especially her children, not only safe but alive in the midst of a dragon-led rebellion are revealed, many readers, especially those who are mothers or caretakers of a family member, suddenly see her in a new light. Still, this begs us to consider if Cersei as a bitter, vengeful, yet deeply loyal woman deserves a redemption arc or if she is irredeemable and should be punished with more than just rotten tomatoes.

Moreover, there’s a fine line between flawed and unbearable. When done well, unlikable heroines make us question our own biases. 

Why does her ambition feel “too much” to me? Am I uncomfortable with her choices because they’re immoral or because they challenge societal norms?

But when done poorly, these characters turn into nothing more than plot devices for shock value or an author’s attempt at forced edginess, becoming caricatures overdressed in universally condemned values and unlikeable personality traits. For example, Storee from Megan Quinn’s How My Neighbor Stole Christmas is a prime example of this. On the surface level, she is quirky and sarcastic, traits that easily evoke adoration. But after further reading and analysis, her incessant snark crosses into grating territory, leaving some readers (ahem, me) rolling their eyes more than rooting for her. It’s a balancing act, and when that balance is off, even the most forgiving audience may find themselves not finishing that supposed "feel-good" story in lieu of reaching for another one.

Still, I believe unlikable heroines have a place on our shelves. They force us to engage critically with our stories, question our assumptions, and maybe even confront our own unlikable traits. Moreover, as I have matured and been exposed to more complex pieces or stories including advanced topics, I have come to enjoy reading about morally gray protagonists--even so far as looking forward to their written presence. Albeit their misunderstood pasts or questionable intentions within their fictional universes, it is refreshing to encounter characters who are neither strictly virtuous or are perpetually untarnished by faults or temptations. 

Albeit not a female heroine, it's refreshing to consider that even the holiest figure of them all, Jesus, in the Bible was admittedly tempted by the devil several times throughout His life and during His preparations. Moreover, He questioned His purpose and final sacrifice. These situations and similar ones dispersed throughout the Bible remind readers that absolute perfection is unattainable for anyone...even for the son of a deity.

And, returning to non-biblical figures, morally gray characters resonate with audiences, when written correctly, because they reflect this messy, intricate reality of humanity that is complicated, often selfish, and undeniably flawed. Everyday, we face that perfection is strictly an illusion, and these characters remind us that these slight imperfections can be captivating, successfully driving a story forward and establishing a character as a timeless literary figure and, oftentimes, an inspiration for others. The complexities of these characters not only challenge us to question our own moral compass but to find empathy in the most unexpected places. And, that includes the countless number of family members and friends I entrusted to hear my most vulnerable thoughts about these characters.

And on a higher note, these characters are fun to include in thoughtful debates and deep philosophical discussions when it comes to values and beliefs--and who doesn’t love a good bookish debate with both readers and non-readers alike?

So, what’s your take? Are unlikable heroines misunderstood gems or literary landmines? Albeit YOUR literal perfection, which characters or literary scenes encouraged you to reflect on your own morals or biases? Is it possible for these unlikable heroines (like Cersei Lannister) to earn redemption from readers, or what are some common traits and actions that make this option widely opposable (such as in the case of the Magister)? Leave your hot takes below (bonus points if you can name a heroine you loved and hated at the same time). Let’s keep this discussion spicy--just like our favorite morally gray protagonists--in the comments below or via my social media accounts.

Love,

Nicole

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