#mariusdanjou

[albertofaustria]

closed for: @mariusdanjou​

location: apartments of the archduke of austria, palácio da correio-mor

The Archduke was a pawn, he knew that well enough, and part of him had come to accept that that was all he’d ever be. His family expected more, as if laying claim to a throne which boasted a plethora of more realistic successors was a simple task. The King of Castile and Albert’s little cousin Magdalena, Prince Nicoleto of Croatia and even the unwilling Prince of Austria all had better chances than he and his Babenberg blood. Even the defector Prince of France retained more influence in the empire than Albert but Marius had proved to be a curious addition to Apollonia’s court. While officially an advisor, he suspected the prince was merely another way for the empress to have a hand wrapped around the throats of neighboring kingdoms. She’d seen that Marius had nowhere else to turn and knew it could be used to her own advantage. The prince himself remained an enigma, unreadable even now as they sat drinking with some of the men of their respective households. Royals were only as strong as their supporters and often a small reward encouraged continued loyalty. Good natured merriment and endless ale was sometimes all it took. 

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many Austrians and Frenchman drinking together,” Albert observed, still nearly sober himself, “We’ll call it a feat of diplomacy under the banner of Her Imperial Majesty.” And he couldn’t help the sardonic edge creeping into his tone though he believed he’d earned a bit of grumbling after the last twenty five years of resilience. “For years I was forbidden to marry and now she commands it so I am to be bound to a Portuguese princess. Her whims never cease to amaze.” Her own son favored Babenberg rule which had done little for Albert’s cause other than earning her ire for why else would she shuffle him off to be wed?

[allfcnso]

location & setting: château de la tournelle, tennis court

closed to @mariusdanjou​

         wherever the empress was, there was marius d’anjou: nipping at her ankles, gnashing his teeth at her guests, yapping insurgently. yet, the grand hall is silent as the king swings his racket forward and the thudding, springy pop of a tennis ball falling into marius’ gloved palm echos around the court –– making the score deliberately even. as courtiers tore their eyes from the game, returning to their fare and their chatter, it proved an opportune time for alfonso to snap his fingers and call the game to a halt; gesturing to the attendants waiting upon him to bestow the pair with refreshments and silken face-cloths.  ❛  you’ve a decent aim, my lord.  ❜  one might wonder where that aim went when his target was the throne?  with a genial cant of his head, the king concedes, reservedly: ❛  and your attendance is much appreciated, all things considered.  ❜ the weight of henrietta von eggenberg’s death looms over alfonso’s words like a leaden cloud, extrapolated in the momentary glance he pins to marius. 

alfonso pressed the provided cloth to his face, dragged down his neck as chilly sweat dripped from his nape and into the white linen of his shift. he did not enjoy the prince’s company so much as he knew it was necessary, and now, deprived of his lady, he prayed his interests and ambitions would be far more honed on the empress’ behalf.  ❛  perhaps that is why she favours you––the empress. ❜  the ghost of a smirk climbs upon his lips, ❛  she enjoys sleight of hand tricks just as much as bold strokes and you, marius, are capable of both. are you not? ❜

[williamoflancaster]

Date: July 18th For: @mariusdanjou

Perhaps inviting Marius wasn’t the wisest decision that William could have made because he seemed like the sort of guest that the French would take exception to. However, William wasn’t a great fan of the French no matter what their alliance said, so it could be considered a test of their devotion to peace if they behaved. 

Besides that, he was under the protection of the Holy Roman Empress, wasn’t he? And considering her presence, he doubted anyone would make too much of a fuss about it. 

Even if they did, William felt certain that John could find some way to use it to their advantage. So look at that, William found a way to be spiteful to the French and John got to observe potential tensions between two countries to search out a possible weakness to exploit. 

Never let it be said that William couldn’t be a thoughtful brother, but when it came to hosting skills, perhaps those could use some polishing. Still, William found himself approaching the man, offering only a short bow before asking, “Tell me, do you have much experience with hunting?”

[ofshiraz]

💛 ft. the French : Alexandrina, Marius, Fiorella

“ hmm... I suppose it would have to be like this; if we’re assuming two women can marry in this scenario, i would marry fiorella; she seems to be the least intimidating out of these three, and besides, the rest are too high in status for me to even try courting. i would fuck... hmmm... i’m - not interested in her like that, but alexandrina certainly is beautiful, and besides, she doesn’t scare me like marius does. he’s frankly... unsettling to say the least. so, i would kill him.”

[leondanjou]

💫 - fight, tickle, insult. (Thomas, Marius, Alfonso)

THREE CHOICES MEME ;

FIGHT: @allfcnso (Leon would literally die so @queenalexandrina could get her country back and we all know Alfonso has grabby hands)

TICKLE: @princethomas (because why not???)

INSULT: @mariusdanjou (I was going to choose fight but this poor man has taken enough of a beating already lbr)

[ofcxterina]

@mariusdanjou​

it had been, thus far, an enchanting evening. as cliché as it sounded, caterina was just as enamored by the foreign dignitaries as she’d been as a young woman in florence, now with the deftness of mind to keep up. she’d spoken in just about all the languages she was fluent in, had struggled her way through a couple more, and was now wrapping up the night with a nibble of forgotten biscuits. 

she’d even been able to avoid the dark political chasm that the french court currently regarded her as, having a few conversations with people here and there but largely avoiding anyone who might have caused a stir. her reintroduction had gone swimmingly, if she could say so herself. picking up a last biscuit, caterina turned to leave the feasting hall, strolling down the corridor feeling accomplished. 

it was then, as she turned the corner, that her good mood evaporated immediately. though they’d been in the same vicinity for the whole night, she’d managed to avoid the flash of dark hair and scowling eyes that made up her estranged husband. caterina wasn’t senseless, she’d known that there’d been eyes on her all night, but she’d expected that from her husband’s rolodex of spies. what she hadn’t expected was a chance encounter round a corner  —  but if she took a moment to think about it, she really shouldn’t have been surprised.

feeling a bit silly with a biscuit in her hand, caterina took a moment to gather herself, shoving the biscuit into her sewn in pocket, a fashion lesson from the ottomans. marius had always had the ability to make her feel small and foolish, but she wasn’t that woman anymore and they both knew it as she held his steady gaze. “for all the pious people in this palace, i see the devil haunts these halls yet. good evening my lord.”

[infantacarclina]

@mariusdanjou​  sent  :  ✿ ( lucrezia )

FRIENDSHIP.     childhood friends  /  work buddies or coworkers  /  family friends  /  friends with benefits  /  smoking buddies  /  adventure buddies  /  fake friends  /  recently friends  /  party buddies  /  friendship of need  /  dying friendship  /  circumstantial friendship  /  partners in crime  /  old friendship  /  [ your muse ] is the good influence  /  [ your muse ] is the bad influence  /  [ my muse ] is the good influence  /  [ my muse ] is the bad influence  /  opposites attract  /  ride or die  /  frenemies  /  roommates or flatmates  /  penpals  /  exes to friends  /  enemies to friends  /  other .

ROMANCE.     childhood sweethearts  /  [ your muse is mines ] childhood crush  /  [ my muse is yours ] childhood crush  /  exes  /  exes to lovers  /  forbidden lovers  /  highschool sweethearts  /  secret relationship  /  opposites attract  /  long distance  /  unrequited [ from your muses side ]  /  unrequited [ from my muses side ]  /  unrequited [ from both sides ]  /  skinny love  /  friends to lovers  /  enemies to lovers  /  spurious relationship  /  power couple  /  newly entered  /  soulmates [ metaphorical ]  /  soulmates  [ literal ]  /  awkward  /  turning toxic  /  toxic love  /  cheating [ on your muse ]  /  cheating [ with your muse ]  /  other .

FAMILIAL.     siblings [ half ]  /  siblings [ step ]  /  [ my muse ] is an older sibling figure to your younger sibling figure  /  [ my muse ] is a younger sibling figure to your older sibling figure muse  /  [ my muse ] is a parental figure to yours  /  [ my muse ] is a child figure to your muse  /  guardian figure  /  legal guardian  /  adoptive child  /  foster child  /  [ your muse ] is taken under mines wing  /  [ my muse ] is taken under yours wing  /  other .

ANTAGONISTIC.     dangerous to each other  /  dangerous to others  /  unpredictable  /  rivals  /  petty  /  developing into sexual or romantic tension  /  based off family matters  /  based of off circumstance  /  based of professional matters  /  based off misunderstanding or lies  /  conflict of ideology  /  betrayal  /  hero - villain dynamic  /  enemies  /  fight club  /  friends turned enemies  /  lovers turned enemies  /  exes turned enemies  /  other .

[bloodwrittcn]

closed starter for @mariusdanjou​ (Marius d’Anjou)

No matter France’s beauty, Cesare could only see ugliness whenever his thoughts drifted back towards Marius. The prince of France, a son born into greatness with titles bestowed upon him, adorning his self. Undeserving and wasted on a man like Marius d’Anjou, the previous husband of Caterina de Medici, the mother of his son, his only warmth and hope at times. He’d been staring at the man for quite some time now, looked at him from afar as others danced and drank, laughing at inoffensive jokes or politics. 

Soon he’d have to answer for his crimes against Florence, for running like a coward. For what reason? Love? The count suppressed his emotionless laugh with wine. Love he was undeserving of and, judging by the latest news, wasn’t his to keep. God did work in mysterious ways, as did Cesare. Walking up towards the man, Cesare bowed only slightly, short and with an attitude that almost left no room for speculations about who stood in front of the prince. “Your highness. If I’d known I was among royalty I’d have introduced myself much earlier. Cesare Sforza, count of Pavia, ambassador of Milan.” the count chuckled “France seems to be forgiving these days, your highness, won’t you agree? Milan, and Florence, aren’t.”

[ofshiraz]

🦋 mihrimah, isabel, nikita

❛  well ,  for  the  sake  of  my  choices  i  will  assume  me  being  younger  than  any  of  these  fine  options  bears  no  consequences  as  far  as  the  adoption  goes .  if  that  is  so ,  i  would  adopt  sultana  mihrimah ,  the  wonderful  young  lady  she  is .  the  one  i  would  befriend  is  grand  duke  nikita ,  as  he  seems  like  a  most  charming  and  polite  man ,  and  high  in  status ,  too .  the  person  i  would  ignore  is ,  as  it  would  seem ,  queen  isabel  ─  i  harbor  no  resentment  or  ill  will  towards  her ,  truly  ─  i  just  have  yet  to  form  an  impression  of  her  majesty  given  the  limited  time  we  have  spent  in  one  city .  ❜