#the royal heir au

[angelasscribbles]

Heir Apparent Chapter 20: Asked and Answered

Series: Heir Apparent.

Fandom: The Royal Romance

Pairings: Drake x Riley, Liam x Riley (past)

Rating: R

Warnings: Mature themes, language

Word count: 1,625

A/N: Every time I think I know where this is heading and how it's going to end, I'm wrong. The characters keep doing their own thing. Half the time I'm surprised when I'm in the middle of writing what I wanted to happen and suddenly something else comes out. Anyway, I already know some of you are going to yell at Liam lol. Sorry/not sorry. I can't help it, I apparently can't control my own damn characters.

Everything else: Master List.

“Whatever it is, just spit it out already!” Riley was unable to take the frustration and suspense any longer.

Her husband had been acting squirely ever since the press conference. He was clearly agitated about something, but he wasn’t forthcoming with details of whatever it was.

“I thought we agreed we were telling each other everything from now on,” she reminded him.

Drake ran a hand nervously through his hair as he took in her demeanor, hand on her hip, a frown on her face, worry in her eyes.

He had to ask her, right? If for no other reason than to settle the whole thing once and for all.

“Yeah, okay, right,” he gestured to the cream-colored loveseat in the middle of the sitting room, inviting her to sit.

She took a seat and looked up at him expectantly, “Well?”

“Well…I…” he took a moment to quell the shaking in his hand as he drew in a fortifying breath, and took the seat next to her. Taking her hand in his, he decided to just spit out quickly, “I just wanted to know if you…if you wanted a Cordonian Arrangement.”

“I don’t know what that is.”

“It’s an addition to the marriage vows, basically a formal agreement opening the marriage-“

She pulled her hand out of his and her body jerked away from him as hurt and anger bubbled up in her heart, “You want to see other people?”

“What? No!” panic swept through him as he tried to explain, “It’s not for me, it’s for you!”

“What do you mean? You’re not making any sense! You want me to see other people?”

“Only if you want to…”

She stared at him as shock and confusion swam through her, “I don’t understand, Drake, why would you think I wanted to see anyone else?”

“Not just anyone, Riley…this would be a way for you to maintain a relationship with Liam….if you wanted to...” he trailed off, sighing with defeat.

“I don’t! Why would you think-“ she stopped midsentence as the answer presented itself to her, “Fucking Liam! This was his idea, wasn’t it?”

“Yes, but-“

“But what, Drake?” She sprang to her feet and stalked away from him, “Are you seriously trying to pimp me out to your best friend right now? Is that what’s happening?”

“No! God…no! This isn’t what I want, but if it’s what you want then-“

“Then what?” She whirled on him, fury blazing from her eyes, “You’d be okay with sharing me with him?”

“No!” He leapt out of his seat as a maelstrom of emotions exploded in his chest, “I told you, this isn’t what I want! But Liam said-“

She made her way back to him with record speed, “I don’t care what Liam said, Drake! You’re my husband, not Liam!”

“I know that Riley but-“

Face red and shaking with fury, she yelled, “I know I fucked up in Vegas, Drake and I’m sorry! I don’t know how many more ways I can make that clear to you! When are you going to stop punishing me for it?”

“Punishing you?” His mouth fell open incredulously, “No, I’m not! That’s not what this…how the hell would letting you continue to sleep with Liam be me punishing you?”

She drew in a deep breath in an attempt to calm herself as she realized he was being serious and forthright, not snarky or sarcastic, “Because, Drake….the fact that you really thought I would want this…that I would say yes to it hurts me!”

“I….” he raked a hand through his hair as relief crashed through him, “it does?”

“Fuck, Drake, yes!” tears spilled down her face, “of course it does!”

He reached for her and drew her into his arms, “Baby, why are you crying?”

“Because it’s my own damn fault that you think that!”

“I’m sorry, please don’t cry. Don’t blame yourself for this.”

She hiccupped a little as she drew away from him, “Oh, I don’t. Not for this! I’m blaming Liam for this!”

“He was just-“

“Just what, Drake? Just putting doubts in your head? After everything we’ve overcome? It’s not okay!”

“I really don’t think he meant-“

“Are you defending him?”

“Um…” he took in the fury in her eyes, “….no…”

She picked up her phone and started dialing.

“Riley, are you sure you should do this right now? Maybe you should-“

“Don’t you dare tell me to calm down!”

“I wasn’t!”

He absolutely had been.

When Liam answered she barely gave him a chance to say hello, “Did you tell my husband to ask for a Cordonian Arrangement?”

“Uh…” in his private office, Liam gestured for the press secretary to leave and give him some privacy.

“Well?” Riley demanded, “Did you?”

As soon as he was alone, Liam leaned back in his chair with a defeated sigh, “I take it by the tone of your voice that the answer is no.”

“Of course, the answer is no, Liam! I thought we’d made a breakthrough in therapy last week! How could you possibly think any of us are ready for something like that? Huh? Drake and I are trying to put our lives back together and I need to focus on the baby right now!”

The sinking disappointment in his chest made a U-turn. He cleared his throat and sat upright, “I apologize, Riley. You’re absolutely right. We did make a breakthrough and I heard you.”

You said you still loved me.

“Okay, good,” she was mollified a little. “If you care about my happiness, or his, please back off and stop this.”

“Absolutely. I promise!” I promise to back off for now.

She said none of them were ready for such a step, not that such a step would never be possible. She said she needed to focus on the baby for now, not that their relationship, such as it was, would never be on the table for discussion.

He was a patient man. Time was on his side. She wasn’t going anywhere. They were going to be coparenting for a long time.

He realized that what he wanted might never happen, but he was all about calculated risk.

It wasn’t even that he wanted to have sex with her again. Of course, he did, but that wasn’t really the point. Sex was easy enough to come by.

He wanted her love. If that took the form of a deep and close friendship, he would settle for that.

He wanted her to trust him again. He wanted her to like him again. He wanted to be a part of her life again. A real part, not just someone on the periphery, an outsider looking in.

He wanted to be a part of his child’s life, a real part, not just a weekend father or an obligation, an amorphous authority figure to please like his own father had been.

To have a good relationship with his child, he had to have a good relationship with the child’s mother. That was common sense.

Riley seemed to think he was an impediment to her marriage and that was the opposite of what he’d been trying to do.

With sudden clarity he realized that the only way to accomplish both of his goals was to repair his relationship with Drake.

Not that he didn’t want to do that for the sake of their lifelong friendship anyway. It was just difficult overcoming all the emotional obstacles that lay in their path.

But just as he knew he needed to repair things with Riley in order to have the best relationship possible with his child, he realized that he needed to repair things with Drake if he had any hope of salvaging anything from the wreckage of what was left of his relationship with the woman he loved.

What a tangled mess the three of them had made.

He supposed he had Drake to thank for her staying in Cordonia so there was that. Of course, if not for Drake she would be married to him right now, by her own admission.

Not happily, though. He had to remind himself of the other part of their conversation.

She still resented him for what had transpired on coronation night and in the days and weeks following.

Of course she had fallen in love with the man that has swooped in and rescued her, the one that had been there for her, the one that could, and had, claimed her publicly. The one that had literally taken a bullet for her.

Drake had been willing to die to protect her, and he almost had.  

Liam would have been willing to throw himself in front of a bullet for her, but he knew he’d never have been allowed to. Security would have tackled him to the ground before he could have moved.

The same moment Drake had been saving Riley’s life, Liam had been drug from the dais and pulled out the door of the ballroom.

As these thoughts poured through his head, he had an epiphany. He had made the right decision not to marry at all regardless of if Riley ever consented to enter into an extramarital relationship with him or not because he simply had nothing to offer a potential wife other than the danger that came with the crown.

Riley was right. He would never be able to put her, or any woman for that matter, first. Cordonia was a harsh mistress and she demanded everything from him.

His jaw set as he determined that the same would not happen to his child. He would make sure of it. And he would make it up to Riley somehow, even if it took the rest of his life to do so.

[ayyy-imma-ninja]

*minor spoilers for Royal Guard!AU*

-wanted to make something a little indulgent with the gays-

You jeeringly order your new guards to kiss your hand every morning and every night. To get back at you, they take that order very seriously.

And of course they don't limit the gesture to just you~

(and friendly reminder Sun and Moon are NOT brothers in this AU)

[otaku553]

More reluctant king sabo au! I realized recently that this au is an excellent excuse for drawing sabo in pretty outfits that he would be absolutely miserable in :)

[jellyfosh]

Redemption Squad Character Sheet, Getting to know them and Introduction.

Hello, Im JellyFosh. Jelly can work. I’m 19 years old and this here contains AVA/M content and maybe other stuff. I also have an Ask blog/Ask of this AU called Redemption Squad.

ANON MAGIC Rules

Anons/Asks are allowed to use Anon magic but not to all V

You are not allowed to fully insert yourself to their lives, like those Y/n x Wattpad stories. No.

If you plan to follow up the Glitch text anon, Please put the translation so i can understand what you trying to say, i will not answer it if theres no translation below it.

You are not allowed to attack them or be Villain Anons to the Redemption Squad. I already plan to make a main story of them with a villain or a group of them.

Ask Redemption Squad

Noticed how some of the asks I received ended up going guess of the squad due to lack of background and lore. To fix it, I made a character sheet regarding The Redemption Squad. I will pin this so it will be more easier. I try to limit the lore since i still want to give it a wow.

I might update this pin in later future.

Plot: All once villains or bad guys are living together in a road of redemption to better themselves. Each of them has stories left to be unfold, experiences and adventures while CG and Purple are on with theirs.

We’ll learn more about them as we progress.

MAIN STORY REDEMPTION SQUAD

As I said earlier at the Anon Magic. I plan to make a main story of the Redemption Squad. As Ask Redemption Squad is different. I plan to call it Road To Redemption. And putting villains so on.

INTRODUCING THE SQUAD V

ADDED ASK (Until i figure out how tf can i make a secondary blog for it) The Living Heir AU

Description: Gold now goes by as Goliath, living in the Nether and rules as it’s Prince. Along with his companion witch/wizard Merlin and his Mentor who is off from time to time.

[hanaleeappreciationweek]

The start of this week has been nothing short of incredible!! We've recieved such amazing work so far - loads of art, fanfic, edits and even a playlist!! Can't wait to see what else you all have up your sleeve 😍

Happy World Book Day to everyone!! Tomorrow, we will be celebrating Hana's love for books and exploring her tastes in reading! Becoming "well-read" was a skill her mother Lorelai insisted she cultivate, but it soon grew into a passion and in some ways a source of comfort for a lonely young Hana! It allowed her to give free rein to her imagination and conceive new worlds for herself!! So tomorrow we will celebrating Hana and her passion for reading!!

Our other theme this time is AU! The sky is the limit for this one. Imagine any alternative universe (whether just for herself or her with whoever you pair her with) and how Hana will respond to this environment!! Surprise us!

Any content is welcome!! Fanfic, fanart, edits, moodboards, interactive, media, headcanons, screenshots, playlists, meta...even screenshots of your favourite scenes would be great!! Our only requirement is that the content is centered on Hana, and that the depiction of her is positive. You can also send in WIPs in case you don't complete a work!

You can also send in a work on the days following a particular theme - this is no pressure for it to be put up exactly that day! We will also have an extra week for anyone who still needs time 💕 May 4th will be our final official date for entries (to incorporate into our video!) but HLAW will still be open for entries for the rest of the year until the next event!

You can find this year's full list of prompts here!

Be sure to do the following when you make your posts:

1. Use the tags #hanaleeappreciationweek and #HLAW in the tags (along with the day you made the post for - #HLAW Day 1, #HLAW Day 2 etc)

2. Tag @hanaleeappreciationweek, and hosts @lizzybeth1986 and @sazanes in your work!

FAN CONTENT BLOGS are instrumental in keeping the fandom alive - with events and fun activities that encourage us all to contribute and create. They have also been amazing in their support towards our character events. Do check them out to see all the new incredible events and prompts coming up!

@choicesficwriterscreations - Primarily fanfic and fanart (no AI allowed). Check out their rules and roster of events!

@choicesmonthlychallenge & @choicesaprilchallenge24 - Any and all content welcome (No AI content)! They have a collection of prompts you can use for the month of April!

@choicespride - Any and all content is welcome, as long as it is centered around queer characters and/or themes.

@choicesflashfics - Primarily fanfic under a 2500 word count. Every week they use new dialogue prompts. The prompts for the coming week will be out soon but the current week's are here.

@choicesholidays - Any and all content welcome, as long as it is centered around one of the holidays listed! Currently, they are hosting Spring Fling!

@choicesprompts - Mostly fanfic preferred! You can check out their current Round Robin event here!

Happy Hana Lee Appreciation Week, everyone!!

[prue84]

The Current and Future Pendragons

Fandom: BBC’s Merlin (canon divergence, post-canon) AU AU: The Royal Husbands (Aithusa Pendragon)

High King Arthur Pendragon and the royal family of Camelot.

AU in which a series of canon divergences lead to Arthur surviving the mortal wound inflicted him by Mordred at Camlann and, with the help of Merlin who then becomes his Prince Consort, bringing the golden age foretold by the prophecies.

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Manip planned few years ago, but started on the prompt of @tavernfest​. It's all @papysanzo's fault on Tumblr for reblogging the May round. Also @merthurotica​, but their post on my RSS feed turned up later.

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More about the AU under the cut and also at the AU edit. (More fanworks from this AU at the links above) (All rambles and how this manip was made under the cut. Please suffer with me.)

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Arthur Pendragon, king of Camelot and High King of Albion. He successfully reunited the lands as the prophecies said, and also brought back magic. Few years after the victory of Camlann he married Merlin, who has become prince consort and second ruler of the kingdom. But, since unfortunately Merlin might be many things, but a woman with a womb he's not, Arthur (with Merlin) had to find a way to conceive a heir while being married to a man. Cue in Mithian, crown princess of Nemeth, equally saddled with the duty to give the throne a heir but uninterested in finding a husband trustful enough to sit at her side without potentially become a danger to her right to the throne. Together, the three of them reach an agreement that satisfies them all and they've been tight-close since. Their peculiar settlement initially was met with confusion and diffidence, but Mithian earned herself the thrust of everyone, and eventually the title of Queen of Camelot, third in line after Merlin. Peter is the first born of this union and rightful heir to the throne of Camelot. He's a talented swordsman but he suffered through all his teen years because of the never-ending comparisons with his warrior father who is on another fighting level. With age he learned to accept that he'll never be a war king and nobody ever asked him to become one either. He isn't his father, his name isn't part of legends or prophecies; he wasn't born to unite Albion but to keep it united once the Age of the Once and Future King sees its dawn. He will be a good and fair king for the peaceful times of the golden age, and his duty will be to make sure all his father - and his father's husband - sacrifices won't be wasted, that what they built is preserved. Susan was conceived because Mithian wanted both a heir for her to entrust Nemeth and a daughter. She's stubborn and strong but also capable of great empathy and kindness, as her mother and the Pendragon women (when they not meet High Priestesses who manipulate them). She's a formidable archer. Handsome Caspian, the son of Gwaine and Lady Vivian, is courting her and she welcomes this game, but Susan is enjoying too much her freedom to settle for a marriage and a family of her own. She has time though. Aithusa is the cute, small thing of the family, although she's actually the oldest of the new Pendragon generation - not counting the centuries spent in the egg that make her older than the castle of Camelot itself. As per usual with the dragon race, Aithusa's growth is stunned by her remaining with her parents. Only by being left on their own to tend to themselves, a dragonling is forced to grow. Thus, despite she was hatched on the dawn of the golden age, before Arthur married Mithian, she's still a dragonling that can fit Arthur's shoulders - her second favorite spot after the sling she made Arthur wear for years under his shirt. She learned the human language and can talk with her half-dragon impaired siblings Peter and Susan, but her speech pattern still needs some work. She doesn't care though. She's not so eager to leave the nest.

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Aithusa, (officially the ward of the king, unofficially considered by anyone in the court his scales-covered, flame-breathing daughter) is actually the eldest, since she was the first to come to the family. So yes, she's the older sibling. Make of this knowledge what you want. She also is firm that Arthur is a dragon, just one kind that looks like humans. But he's totally dragon. And if he doesn't breath fire or doesn't understand the dragon language, is all Uther's fault who didn't teach him his dragon gifts. Since Arthur is clearly a dragon, while Mithian sadly isn't, Peter and Susan are to her half-dragons. She still claims that it's because of the half human blood in their veins that they are impaired and don't have any dragon skill.

There's a fanfic for Aithusa as the (still only) daughter of the royal husbands during Father's Day, if you're interested.

When the time comes, and Arthur retires to Avalon to sleep, Peter will ascend as new king of Camelot, whose court will be moved to the renovated Castle of the Old Kings (or a new castle - still have to decide on this). Susan will succeed to Mithian on the throne of Nemeth. Aithusa will inherit the nest itself, the castle of Camelot, to own and protect until Merlin will be ready to make use of it.

I decided that Caspian would be Gwaine's (and Vivian's) son out of looks alone, and out of a (wrong) belief that he was meant to be Susan's love in Narnia. I never watched the second movie, and by the time I finally read the books, I didn't want to change it. For the same reason, I don't have a woman for Peter. A potential daughter of Gwen and Lancelot wouldn't be bad, but not necessary. (The AU idea ends with Arthur's travel to Avalon for his sleep and a mention of Peter moving the court to another castle, to then a time skip focusing on Merlin, so I didn't really focus on Peter's or Susan's life.)

While I'm writing this I wondered if Merlin wouldn't want to have a child so to kickstart the dragonlords kind (although, unless Magic changes its rules, the child would never inherit the dragonlord powers, since Merlin doesn't die). It never occurred to me before. I'm not sure he'd feel like having children, if he already knew that he would be immortal and he would then be forced to see his children grow old and frail and then die. But who knows. He could have one or more with Mithian, especially once Arthur is gone to Avalon. In case, Edward Pensive is there for the picking. Also Lucy.

About the AU When Lancelot is sent sent back to the world of the livings after he sacrificed himself to close the Veil, Gwen realizes that, between the two boys she loves, a relationship with a knight of humble origins has better chances than the one with a king that comes with a throne and a heavy kingdom, and so she picks Lancelot over Arthur. Arthur, who has given his blessing to the couple, doesn't find the time nor interest to find himself a wife and he's still a golden bachelor by the time Camlann happens. Merlin manages to save him and they eventually acknowledge their feelings. The Court backs Arthur's wish to marry a male servant on the premise that Arthur will pick a woman to give the kingdom a heir. And here comes Mithian, who might be more interested in women, so Camelot and Nemeth can make an agreement that will make both households happy. Since Mithian is wonderful, and fondness between her and the Royal Couple of Camelot grows, she's eventually given the title of Queen of Camelot, third in line after the King and the Prince Consort. Arthur and Mithian will have two children, the first born a male who will inherit Camelot and the second a daughter that will inherit Nemeth.

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Tec stuffs (aka Behind The Manip) Both a challenge and a nightmare. The original picture is four people. I needed five. Now, onto the specific characters - in order of making. Mithian, who had to be moved to make space for Merlin, was surprisingly easy to make. I wished to delete the lions on the dress, and replace them with either the Pendragon dragon or the Nemeth bull, but it was too much even for me, so I gave up. Removing them altogether felt odd - the dress is black with little movement, and without the lions it felt just one blotch of black. Susan. I'm not satisfied. The actress picture was perfect in pose but it has something in colors/lights that makes it stand out and look a bit more fake. Whatever. Peter. It took me a while to find the picture that would fit the body. Initially I kept the original body's curly hair, for I didn't feel like William Moseley's hairstyle would acceptable in a Medieval setting. But then I changed my mind, and remade it. He might be a bit too stocky for my liking but the body is that and making him less bulkier is out of option. On the chest the costume featured a cross: I erased it to be replaced it with the Pendragon dragon in the same style. Quite proud of how that turned out. Can't say the same for the sword. Yes, Arthur's son has a name sword which is coincidentally the sword of Peter Pensive. But the change was a given. Merlin was one challenge. I planned to use another body for his (the same king from Vikings but with another costume) but the picture just didn't work out. The one I chose... featured the man from the knees above. Which meant reconstruction for legs (which meant stealing the legs from Arthur's base - coincidentally it's always the same character!)... and the cloak. That was the true challenge! Also. I like how it turned out, but it just irks me that Colin doesn't look in the camera. But that picture was perfect and the result is fine. It did take me some tinkering to place the circlet but all in all I'm satisfied in how prince Merlin turned out. Bonus point for my headcanon marriage ring that didn't look good (the manip is too small for decent rings renderings), but I managed to add another from a jewelry maker that does rings in a style very similar to Ygraine's canon ring. Be sure to visit their Etsy and die. Ygraine's sigil, that replace the medallion the original body was wearing, is a given as well. Too bad we don't have a decent prop pic of it. Now. Arthur. Bloody Arthur. Tinkering with the original body to change colors from blue to red was funny. The rest NOT. Replacing the original sword with Excalibur, which was mandatory, gave a mild result. Ygraine's ring is there but, given the small size, isn't looking good enough. And those were the easy things! Because then it came the time to place bearded Bradley. Now. We do have few nice bearded Bradley pics, courtesy of the man himself, but they were mostly too small to work with in this manip - and/or in poses that wouldn't fit the body. You might say: there's Vikings: Valhalla. No, my friend. I downloaded ALL the screencaps available and very few worked, and - given the costume the character wears, there was never a inch of Bradley's bearded neck. In the end I worked with one of the pics Bradley released on Instagram. A pic with a black background in which bear and hair blended in. And an hard shadow on the right side of the face. A nightmare to cut, a nightmare to fix. And then the crown. The crown comes from The Hollow Crown. It looks similar but it isn't the same refurbished prop (different decorations, slightly different proportions of the fleur-de-lis). Years ago, when I saw the pics, I decided this would be older!Arthur's crown, for it's more regal with its fake gems and golden coating. There wasn't a pic with the proper perspective, so I had to tweak it a bit. It doesn't look awful, mind me, but I feel something's off with how it's placed on Bradley's head. I can't tell what, though - I used one of Arthur's coronation pics as reference while working, but still I can't fix what's wrong. In hindsight I wonder if I should've used a crowned Arthur pic with the original crown and be done with it. And then Aithusa. We literally have two pics of her, unless you want to work with night/dark screencaps. I knew where I wanted to have her, no idea how to. Still not happy. Does she looks fake? Yes. But at this time I just gave up. Whatever. (Besides, the other options didn't work. Her standing promo pic at Arthur's feet? Her fore legs are in a different perspective. Her standing promo pic on Arthur's shoulders? There was enough space, her head would be cut out from the picture and there was no way to extend the base pic by 50px, that specific background is a bitch to work with).

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Credits

1. + 18. Vikings, season 4 promo pictures. ( farfarawaysite.com/section/vikings/gallery4/gallery21/gallery.htm ) 2. Janet Montgomery from Salem, season 1 promo picture. ( farfarawaysite.com/section/salem/gallery1/gallery14/gallery.htm ) 3. Anna Popplewell from Reign, season 1 promo picture. ( farfarawaysite.com/section/reign/gallery1/gallery1/gallery.htm ) 4. Vikings, season 2 promo picture. ( farfarawaysite.com/section/vikings/gallery2/gallery1/gallery.htm ) 5. Colin Morgan from We Hunt Together. ( farfarawaysite.com/merlin/actors/colin/filmtv3/gallery.htm ) 6. The Hollow Crown, season 1 - Henry V. ( farfarawaysite.com/section/hollow/gallery1/gallery3/gallery.htm ) 7. Merlin, deleted scene - screencap. (Merlin's Keep at Far Far Away) 8. Spinner ring by artisanlook on Etsy. ( etsy.com/listing/462981991/spinner-ring-ruby-ring-silver-band ) 9. William Moseley from Bonnie Paul's 'It Was Love, Now It's War' Music Video photoshoot. ( justjared.com/photo-gallery/2650927/william-moseley-bonnie-paul-it-was-love-now-its-war-01 ) 10 + 11. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian original prop (Peter’s sword and scabbard). ( uk.propstoreauction.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/78/lot/18159 ) 12. Merlin, original prop. (Merlin's Keep at Far Far Away) 13. Bradley James, photoshoot by Jose Palma (2021). ( instagram.com/p/CVvMc_AMC8m ) 14. Merlin, season 2 promo picture. (Merlin's Keep at Far Far Away) 15. The Hollow Crown, season 1 - Henry VI. ( farfarawaysite.com/section/hollow/gallery2/gallery2/gallery.htm ) 16. Bradley James from Vikings: Valhalla, 2x06 - screencap. ( kissthemgoodbye.net/PeriodDrama/index.php?cat=510 ) 17. Merlin, 4x11 - screencap. ( kissthemgoodbye.net/merlin/index.php ) 19 + 20. Merlin, creature picture. (Merlin's Keep at Far Far Away)

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Crossposted Livejournal: prue84.livejournal.com/97890.html Dreamwidth: prue84.dreamwidth.org/89442.html Deviantart: deviantart.com/prue84/art/The-Current-and-Future-Pendragons-964446326

[justcallmefox89]

Cinderfella's Adventures in Cordonia - Chapter Twenty - One

An AU of The Royal Romance with a male MC and a bisexual prince.

Masterlist

Callum makes a request.

“Callum?”

“Hm?”  I don’t look up from the herbs I’m chopping, afraid that once I quit moving I’ll start spiraling after that argument with Pops and my grandda.  So for now I focus on a task I know I can handle; feeding my men.

Drake takes a tentative step into my kitchen, Liam right at his heels.  “You doing ok?”

“Yeah,” I answer absently, setting aside my knife and turning to remove a few strips of bacon from a frying pan and setting them on a folded paper towel. 

“Hey… talk to me.”  Drake steps closer, wrapping his arms around my waist and nuzzling his face into the crook of my neck.  Liam stands to the side awkwardly, a yearning look on his face, but he ultimately remains at distance. 

I sag against Drake, soaking in his warmth and the comforting scent of his cologne.  “I’ll be fine, love.  It’s just been a long fucking night,” I mumbled, pressing a kiss to the top of his head.

He snorts out a small laughing and tightens his hold on me.  “Sorry about that.”

“Don’t worry,” I reply, lightly slapping his ass.  “You’ll be punished later.”

Drake shivers, but the subtle press of his groin into my thigh lets me know he isn’t totally opposed to the idea.  Liam clears his throat softly, interrupting us before my teasing can begin in earnest.

I sigh and gently push Drake towards a seat at my kitchen island.  “Sit down you two and I’ll get you something to eat.”

“We’re not - ” Drake begins, only to be interrupted by an unholy growl from Liam’s stomach.

“That’s what I thought.”  I smirk at the pair.  “Now sit.”

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Liam sits silently on a stool next to an equally quiet Drake, watching Callum butter two small ramekins before deftly cracking three eggs in each, then topping the eggs with a splash of cream and a generous sprinkle of a creamy, herbed cheese.  He places lids on the ramekins and gently sets them in a large casserole dish half full of warm water, then places the entire thing in the oven. 

“So…”  Callum draws out the word as he places several thick pieces of buttered bread into a toaster oven.  “I’m willing to go back to Cordonia with you.”

Drake straightens up, a tentative smile on his face.  “You are?”

Callum reaches into his refrigerator, removing a large contained of cut fruit and a pitcher of orange juice.  “For a few weeks anyway.”

Liam frowns, accepting the glass of juice Callum hands him with a small nod of thanks.  “Have you changed your stance on my… previous offer?”

“No,” Callum says simply, passing a second glass of juice over to Drake.  He moves fluidly through the kitchen, dishing out portions of cut cantaloupe onto two small plates, crumbling the cooked bacon into a bowl, setting various pots of jams and marmalades in front of the waiting men.  “I was serious when I said it was either Madeline or me.”

Liam tamps down the anger that threatens to flare up.  “Then why bother returning to Cordonia?”

“For Drake, you massively egotistical asshole,” Callum snaps.  “Mine isn’t the only heart you’re breaking by marrying Madeline.”

The king winces, glancing over at his best friend and former lover guiltily.  “I didn’t mean to imply - ”

“I know,” Drake interrupts quietly, toying with his glass of juice.  “It’s fine.”

“No it isn’t!” Callum growls, glaring at Liam.  “Why do you let him treat you like - ”

“Callum, stop…” Drake pleads, fatigue written in every line on his face.  “Just let it go.”

Callum opens his mouth again, clearly ready to argue the point, but eventually relents.  He rolls his eyes and gives Liam one last glare for good measure.  “This conversation isn’t over, Your Majesty.”

“Looking forward to it, Mr. MacKenzie.”

“You shouldn’t be.”

Callum turns his back on them, opening the oven with more force than is strictly necessary.  Soon he’s setting steaming ramekins before Liam and Drake.  Callum tops the shirred eggs with finely chopped herbs and a sprinkle of crushed bacon.  He pushes the plates of toast and cantaloupe closer to the pair.

“Go ahead and eat,” he urges.

Despite his annoyance Liam eagerly tucks into the impromptu breakfast, his eyes rolling back in his head as the flavors of the creamy, cheesy eggs combine with the freshness of the herbs and the saltiness of the bacon and explode across his tongue.  Drake lets out a pleased moan next to him, verbalizing Liam’s thoughts.

“Aren’t you going to eat anything?” Drake mumbles through a mouthful of melon.

Callum hums in acknowledgement, pulling a container of cottage cheese from the refrigerator.  As Liam eats he watches as Callum carefully measure one cup of cottage cheese and top with an equally precise half a cup of cantaloupe and begins to eat.  The Callum he remembers would have already been on his second dish of eggs. 

Liam narrows his eyes, carefully studying Callum as the other man leans against the countertop and slowly eats his meager breakfast.  Caught up in all the other drama of the night, Liam hadn’t really taken in Callum’s appearance and what he sees now shocks him.  Callum’s once robust frame is now far leaner than Liam remembers, replaced by smooth, lithe lines of muscle that have clearly been hewn by many hours in the gym.  He wrinkles his nose, Callum’s new diet making slightly more sense.  The shorter haircut just emphasizes the sharp lines of his cheekbones and jaw, making his face look nearly gaunt in the soft light of the kitchen.  Previously unseen dark circles rim Callum’s eyes, the green of his eyes even more vibrant against their bruising.

Callum sighs and sets his spoon in his now empty bowl.  “I meant it when I said I’ll go back to Cordonia for a few weeks.  But if I do this I want Drake to do something for me.”

Liam glances at Drake to see if he knows what’s going on.  His best friend looks equally confused.  His eyes flick back to Callum, curious as to what his request will be.

“Drake, I want you to consider moving to New York after Liam’s wedding.  To moving in with me.  To being with me.  Only me,” Callum says calmly, speaking to Drake but staring directly at Liam.

[txemrn]

Déjà Vu

Chapter 1

Series Summary: After an unforgettable night with a stranger, Princess Eleanor finds herself caught in a secret love triangle between a noble and a commoner.

Chapter Summary: Eleanor prepares for a night out with her best friends despite her mother's wishes for her to attend a special family dinner.

Pairing(s): Liam x Riley (in discussion); more to be revealed

Word Count: ~2740

Warning: 🔞 Mature Audiences Only 🔞 this chapter references drinking; brief language

A/N: Welcome to my Crack Fic! No one asked for this... at least no one of sound mind, and if you're a big fan of TRR, you might actually hate this (no, I'm not killing Liam!). When I pitched this idea (half-joking, half-serious) to some buddies after reading the book Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas, the eager encouragement I normally receive was met with (what's that TikTok trend with that T Swift song?) "horrified looks from everyone in the room". But... I could not get this idea out of my head. So, here we are! I have a general idea of where this story is going... but I'm actually leaving myself open to possibilities. No matter how the road twists and turns, I would be honored if you join me!

A/N 2: This story takes place approximately 2 decades after TRR/TRH. I have made some canonical changes (they will be mentioned). Characters and some plots belong to our friends at Pixelberry! Huge thank you to @charlotteg234 for looking over this for me (and laughing like a maniac with me)! This was not Beta'd; please excuse my errors.

~🖤~

Eleanor

Tapping my newly manicured nails against the glass topper to my vanity, my gaze nervously shifts back and forth between my choices for the evening. I don’t know why this is so hard–or why it’s taking me this long to decide–but somehow, here I am in quite the conundrum.

Perversion or Temptress: that’s it. But, when it came to darkening the outer-corner of my eyelid, picking the right hue of eyeshadow matters. Yes, yes, they’re both a deep black; one is a dark matte that has the potential to smudge all over my porcelain face, but the other one, while dark, has little flecks of silver.

Biting my lip, I look at myself in the mirror before looking back at the YouTube tutorial I was following.  I feel silly making such a big deal over the color; afterall, this is supposed to be fun. Normally, for me, it is.  I’m actually really good at doing my own make-up, thanks to the internet and to my mother who convinced my father when I was fourteen that mascara and lipstick would not lead me down the path of destruction and eternal damnation.

Well, I guess I should clarify: I do a great job on my make-up, my everyday natural, diplomatically poised look. Think lots of pinks and taupes. It’s the latest trend for crown princesses; I should know.

But tonight, I wouldn’t be Princess Eleanor. I didn’t want to be Princess Eleanor. 

Dangit, that came out wrong. I don’t mean to sound like some stereotypical spoiled brat that is born into money and power, who craves freedom from her poor little privileged life.  I am content–actually, very grateful for the life I have been born into. I have been given incredible opportunities and experiences because of it. But, I’m not naive; I know I have a high-calling, one filled with much responsibility and dedication. Someday I will be queen of Cordonia.

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves... 

Tonight, I’m just Nora–at least that’s what my friends call me, and since I’m turning twenty this coming Tuesday, they wanted to take me out over the weekend. This weekend. See? Responsible. But, there is just one problem…

There’s a sudden knock on my door, my mother instantly inviting herself in.  “Dinner’s in thirty Eleanor–”  she freezes as her eyes grow wide. “Y–you’re make-up… don’t you think it’s a bit on the, um… heavy-side?”

“Mom,” I singsong, "it's supposed to be. This is how all the celebrities and models wear their make-up when they hit the town." 

"Hit the town?" My mother gave me that eyebrow, the one that gives away her true unspoken feelings. "You're going out tonight?"

"Mhmm. To dinner." I settle on Urban Decay's Perversion, and start tapping the color against my eyelid. "I told you and Daddy that Josie and Beth were taking me out–"

"Eleanor," my mom shot her first warning signal with her tone. "We discussed that tonight wasn't a good night. And if you ladies could do things tomorrow–"

"It's just a family dinner," I continue to work on my look. "Daddy said it was fine–"

"But you know how important this dinner is. We have a special guest."

Yes, yes. We know.

His name is Drake Walker, and he is–well, was, my parent's best friend back in the day before I was born. He actually grew up with my dad, Drake's father serving as my Grandpa Rys's royal guard when he was king of Cordonia.

But, then there was a falling out of some sort…well, that's according to my Uncle Leo. He means well, but I'm fairly certain the truth has been stretched.

Anyway, I'm not too clear on what happened, but shortly after my parents got married, Drake moved back to his home in America to start a normal life. He never settled down with a wife, but he kept busy with his construction company.

That is until four months ago when he discovered his business partner had been siphoning company funds into off-shore accounts. Now he spends his days laid up on the couch with a fifth of whiskey. And broke as a joke.

Drake's brother-in-law Bertrand Beaumont, the Duke of Ramsford, serves on the royal council with my parents, and after a late meeting one night, he shared the truth about their former best friend. 

Daddy and his bleeding heart… sure, he can see fiery red from time to time and his temper can bubble over, but my father is known for his grace, forgiveness, and charity towards others. He contacted his old friend… which then led to an invitation back to Cordonia.

'It's only for a little while, until he gets back on his feet,' Daddy assured my mom.  'We'll give him tasks around the palace until then.'

Mom called it a 'midlife crisis'. I don't think I was supposed to hear the latter part.

I began to draw on my eyeliner as my mother crossed her arms, glowering at me. Feeling the disappointment radiate from her glare, I stop, shrugging my shoulders. "What?"

"Part of being royal is posing as a unified front as a family."

"You act like this is some official business or a press event–"

"Our closest friends are going to be here, Elle, and–" she stops, her eyes playfully smoldering as her voice becomes angelically romantic. "--I think even Bartie is coming." 

"Mom!" I chuckle, my cheeks pinking in embarrassment from her inflection. "It's not like that with him."

Oh, but it was…

Bartie Beaumont is one of my closest friends. He's a few years older than me and well… I really enjoy spending time with him.  He's incredibly kind and charming in and out of social situations. He's quite handsome with his dark, well-kept hair and deep chestnut eyes. And smart–goodness, he's smart. He can keep up with my father, round-for-round in debating politics and foreign policies.

He's always been fiercely protective of me, even when I was a little girl. But he was always just Bartie, my honorary older brother… that is until he asked me to dance at a charity gala when I was sixteen. I had never been asked to dance by a boy before; I was normally paired with other noble children, usually from the suggestion made by their mothers. But this? It was different… and special. Someone chose to dance with me because they wanted to. And until that moment, I never understood what it meant to let a partner 'lead you', and well… I digress. It was nice. Bartie… he's just nice.

"But seriously, Mom," I continue, "the girls have already set everything up for tonight, and I'm the guest of honor for that. I can't just stand them up."

My mom gives me a long sigh. She's having that internal argument with herself where she compares her younger years as a commoner versus her younger years as a royal. "I guess I was hoping you'd get to meet your Uncle Drake tonight–"

I couldn't control my giggles. Growing up, Mom and Dad always referred to their close friends as 'Aunt' or 'Uncle', like my Uncle Max and Aunt Livvy. But they were also active members in my life that I saw frequently. 'Uncle Drake'? I don't even know the guy. 

"Isn't he living on our couch for a while? I'm sure I'll meet him at breakfast sometime." 

My mom pursed her lips. I think she realizes she has no other reasons to keep me home. Thank goodness.

"Is Lars going with you, or is one of the other guards?"

"Mom," I whine.

"Eleanor, you know the rules–"

"But I just want to be a normal twenty-year-old for the night–"

"Almost twenty-year-old," she smirks, stepping forward to fidget with my wavy, honey-brunette hair. "It's just not safe, baby. People know who you are–good people… and bad people. Even under all of this make-up, people will still recognize you."

I give a little huff, but she was right. I once dyed my hair purple and wore thick-rimmed frames to a show for a local punk band, and I'm pretty sure I posed for more photos with fans than the musicians.

"Fine, I'll ask Lars," I give my mother a half smile. "Anything else, your majesty?"

"One more thing," she twirls me around to face my reflection in the mirror. I'm keeping it pretty casual tonight with a white shirt and black ripped skinny jeans. I am pairing my black moto jacket with some gold accessories and my red Jimmy Choo pumps. Surely the woman doesn't think I'm showing off too much skin. 

Suddenly, she raises my shirt in the back and unclips my white bra.

"Mom!" 

"Eleanor," she snickers, shaking her head at me. "We've been over and over this ever since you got boobs: white shirt, nude undergarments."

I whip off my bra, quickly grabbing a skin-tone t-shirt bra. "No one's going to be looking."

"Someone is always looking." 

After hooking my bra and smoothing out my tee, Mom gave me an approving nod. And then she put her arms around me, pulling me into a hug. "Have a good time tonight. I love you, my twenty-year-old baby."

"Almost twenty-year-old baby." We both fall into titters as we squeeze each other closer. "I love you too, Mommy."

------

I text my bodyguard Lars to let him know about the evening, and as expected, he'll be ready with the car in ten minutes. 

Poor guy was ball-and-chained to me when I got my driver's license. I'm sure when he signed up for the guard, he pictured himself traveling around the world, looking like a badass with my dad. Instead, he got me, and the only traveling he normally does is to gather my morning espresso and cronut. He's made more trips to Sephora than any man should ever make in his lifetime–even more than my Uncle Max.

He's a good guy… if you like the serious, never-crack-a-smile type. He looks like John Cena with a permanent angry expression, complete with a single bulging vein in the center of his forehead. He's a man of few words despite my attempts to make him laugh, but underneath all the brawn and muscle, he has a big heart. He has literally given me his coat so that I wouldn't have to walk through a puddle of half-melted snow. And to think, he has sworn to give so much more for my own life… 

My phone abruptly pings. Beth.

>>> "Hey, bday bish! R U ready for the nite of ur life?"

I chuckle under my breath after reading the text. Night of my life… She always has a flare for the dramatics, but then again Beth has always been the life of the party. She has more personality in her pinkie finger than all of the citizens of Cordonia combined. Her mother is the Countess of Fydelia, and ever since Beth's father left, she's been indisposed.  Mom says that's a more tactful way of saying, 'alcoholic'. 

Beth walks more on the wild side, a real risk-taker. When I get in trouble, chances are she is somehow involved, like the time I got caught with a bottle of Smirnoff Ice at the Baron's Ball. Ugh, talk about the hangover from hell… and that wasn't even my punishment…

But she, along with Josie, are my ride-or-die. My BFFs. My "You jump, I jump, right?". We've grown up together, became women together, and nothing was about to ruin that bond.

I fire a text back to Beth. 

>>> "Can't wait! My car will be ready in a few. What restaurant are we meeting at?"

My phone instantly dings, catching me off guard in my attempts to glide on some lipstick. That was fast. I tap on the message.

>>> "We're coming 4 u! Be ready!"

My face falls. I know it's probably hard to believe, but my friends often forget that I'm a princess. Like, the legit crown princess of Cordonia, and because of that, I need a bodyguard present during all activities outside of the palace that have not otherwise been secured by the royal guard. As you can imagine, that rule made me so popular in grade school when my parents tried giving me a 'normal life'.

In retrospect, I'm quite grateful for the security through the years, especially when I hear about plots made by secret coups against my dad. But still, it would be nice to get my own darn breakfast. And I'm sure Lars would love to sleep in for once.

I text back.

>>> "And Lars"

>>> "R U kidding me? Ur shadow has 2 come?"

I let out a defeated exhale.  She knows this. My phone suddenly rings, her picture lighting up the screen. "Hey–"

"Are you fucking kidding me?" She sounds irritated, as if I did this maliciously to her.

"Beth, you know my parents won't allow me out without him or any other–"

"He can't come with us," she interrupts. I can hear Josie in the back, trying to calm Beth down. 

"And do tell��" I cross an arm over my chest, raising an eyebrow, "--why is that?"

She lets out a huge sigh. "Fine. It was supposed to be a surprise for your birthday, but–" she hesitates, sucking on her front teeth.  "I got us three VIP passes into Core!"

I blink a few times, racking my brain for this to somehow trip a memory. "Core?" Nope. No tripping. "What's Core?"

"Nora!" She scoffs in disbelief. "It's only the newest and hottest club in town. Tonight is opening night. Half price shots–"

"Uh, Beth–?" I could feel my stomach sinking under the weight of her excitement. And Josie wasn't any better, squealing over the line. 

A club? Like, with dancing and drinking? I had never been to one before. And something tells me that the king wouldn't be too approving of his nineteen-year-old daughter partying with half-drunk strangers, groping her in the name of dancing. Still, it sounds like so much fun.

"--and we have a VIP table with bottle service until midnight!"

"Beth!" I call out to get her attention again. "There… there's just no way I can do that. Especially without Lars."

"C'mon, Nora. It's your freaking birthday. You're supposed to let loose–"

I hang my head into my hands. "You know I want to, but… I–I can't do that. My parents–"

"--don't have to know."

That silenced me real quickly into deep thought. I might not be the world's most perfect child, but I have learned never to hide things from Liam and Riley Rys. Never. 

But I'd be lying if a glimmer of hope and excitement didn't blossom in my chest at the thought of going out despite my parent's knowledge. Besides, I am an adult; I'm almost twenty for crying out loud. If anything, I've shown them how responsible I am, and that I can be trusted. Plus, Aunt Livvy has taught me more than enough self-defense maneuvers that I could probably take a second job as a spy with her wife.

Okay. Maybe Beth has a plan.

"And how won't they find out? Lars has to give a detailed report–"

"We won't bring him."

That's the plan? I snicker under my breath, chewing on the inside of my cheek. "And… how do you suggest I get rid of him?"

"Why not a sleepover?" I hear Josie suggest in the background.

A sleepover. That could work. There were few places I could go where security didn't have to be right beside me once a building was given the all clear. Beth's house happened to be one of them. 

"But I'm already dressed up. And–and I told my mom we were going out–"

"So?" Beth interjects. "We changed our minds. We'll have dinner catered."

Crap. Am I really considering this? I look at my reflection in the mirror as I twist my lips. Dangit. And I'm having a really good hair day.

"What's it gonna be, Nora?"

I take a few cleansing breaths. I can feel my pulse, galloping like a racehorse in my ears. Could I actually get away with this? I've been to Beth's house thousands of times. The guard comes in, does a quick sweep, and then keeps watch outside, never to return until it's time for me to leave. We could sneak out the back through the guest house. He would never know.

I swallow thickly, adrenaline pouring into my veins.

"Okay. Let me make a call."

~🖤~

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------

Thank you so much for your support! Every like, comment and reblog means the world to me! 🖤

[onedivinemisfit]

A different kind of captive

AnS (c) Akizuki Sorata

Art: Me

[arcxnumvitae]

Born as the heir of the royal family of a reviled nation, Kaisei felt that he was doomed to fail from the start. His family had a notorious reputation beyond the border of their land of dealing with demons, dark magic, and the like, and the royal family's reputation in turn influenced the way other lands viewed their people. They must all be as duplicitous and bloodthirsty as their rulers.

Kaisei in particular, a child born with horns and said to be "touched by evil", was rumored to be heralded as an exceptional heir, one all the more closer to the demons that his family consorted with. Many speculate that the heir of such a vicious kingdom is as dangerous and deadly as the rest of his people.

Kaisei is certain that he was doomed to fail as the future ruler of his land from the moment he was born.

[angelasscribbles]

Heir Apparent Chapter 19: Going Public

Series: Heir Apparent.

Fandom: The Royal Romance

Pairings: Drake x Riley, Liam x Riley (past)

Rating: R

Warnings: Mature themes, language

Word Count: 2,749

A/N: Huge thank you to @karahalloway, @harleybeaumont and @dcbbw for brainstorming ideas with me for questions hurled by the press, insults tossed around, and newspaper headlines.

Everything else: Master List.

Liam waited for silence and order as he stood at the podium shuffling note cards.

Not that he needed them. He had his statement memorized.

He turned his head slightly in Riley’s direction. She seemed fairly well composed all things considered. The bombshell they were about to drop on the public was going to blow up her life far more than his.

If anything, this was going to make his life easier, while hers became infinitely harder. He recognized that and had taken steps to minimize the impact on her as much as possible.

Her medical records had all been transferred quickly, discreetly, and securely to the royal doctor. Both Valtoria and the palace had been equipped with state-of-the-art obstetric equipment, including its own ultrasound machine.

Her security detail had been ramped up and extra staff had been hired so that she didn’t have to go out in public unless she wanted to.

The plan was to make their public, joint statement, ask the public for privacy and then have her stay out of the spotlight as much as possible.

Drake was on the stage with them. Liam’s press secretary had assured them that it was crucial for him to be there to show his support. Riley was less likely to be viewed negatively by the public if her husband was beside her.

It infuriated him that anyone would cast her in a negative light because she made an error in judgment that night.

If it had been an error, it was one they had made together.

Not that he saw it as an error. He didn’t regret it and it had given him a child. He would never regret that.

It took longer than usual to quiet the room, mostly because it was obvious why they were there.

The curve of Riley’s belly gave them away.

Her oversized t-shirts and baggy clothing had been replaced with a designer wardrobe of maternity clothes.

The simple dress she had chosen for the press conference showed off her baby bump on purpose.

The press secretary thought that the visual proof of an heir would highlight the securing of the line of succession and hopefully minimize any drama surrounding the circumstances of the conception itself.

“Thank you all for coming,” he began, “I am aware of the rumors circulating in the press and I’m sure you’ve already surmised the reason for today’s press conference.”

He waited for the murmurs that rippled through the crowd to subside before continuing, “I am delighted to announce that the rumors are true. Cordonia has an heir on the way. The line of succession is secured.”

He ignored the hurled questions from the press corps.

“Who is the mother?”

“Is Duchess Riley pregnant with your child?”

“Will there be a royal wedding?”

“Are you using a surrogate?”

“Have you been having an affair?”

He turned and held his hand out to Riley, the smile lighting his face was genuine as he took her hand and helped up step up beside him.

Right where she belonged.

He shot a quick glance at Drake, who was seated on the stage behind them, back ramrod straight, jaw clenched, face blank.

Riley stepped up to the podium and smiled out at the crowd.

She also ignored the hurled questions.

“Are you pregnant, Duchess?”

“Is that a baby bump?”

“Is it the king’s baby?”

“What does the duke think about this development?”

“Will there be a divorce?”

Liam’s countenance grew serious as he called for calm to be restored.

When silence once again fell across the crowd, he continued, “As the public is aware, Duchess Riley and I shared a whirlwind romance before circumstances forced us apart.”

The murmurs were more sympathetic this time.

“We both moved on,” he lied, “but there was one last dalliance prior to the duchess’s marriage to her husband, Duke Walker.”

There were a few gasps, but mostly a lot of nodding heads.

Almost everyone understood closure with an ex.

“That dalliance, which again I would like to stress took place prior to her marriage to another man, resulted in a pregnancy.”

A small roar ran through the crowd as more questions were shouted.

“Surely the king should be married to the mother of the heir-“

“If there’s no divorce, then will custody be given to the crown?”

“Will Duke Walker give up custody?”

“Will King Liam raise the child alone?”

“Will the child be brought up traditionally, I mean considering the untraditional nature of the conception…”

“How can you be sure it’s yours? Was there a DNA test?”

Liam waited patiently for the tumult to die down before continuing, “Though our romantic relationship ended, Duchess Riley and I remain close friends and we are thrilled by this news. Paternity was verified by DNA testing and we look forward to co-parenting together, along with her husband, Duke Walker.”

He waited for the crowd to absorb the fact that Riley would remain married to Drake despite carrying his child before finishing, “Cordonia owes its future to the duchess.”

“Isn’t that a bit dramatic?” a reporter called out, “You’re a young man, Your Majesty, you have years to marry and produce heirs.”

Liam’s jaw clenched imperceptibly at the irony.

The press had hounded him relentlessly about the need for an heir. Now that he had produced one, suddenly he had plenty of time. He was used to the fickleness of the press, but it was still galling.  

Liam glanced at Riley. She didn’t know the next part was coming. He leaned into the microphone and announced, “As you all know, I found a loophole in our laws. I only needed to be engaged to ascend the throne, not to retain it. Given that there is no provision in our laws about a sitting monarch’s marital status and given that I have an heir, a biological child, I have no plans to marry. Ever.”

This time pandemonium broke out.

“What the fuck, Liam?” Riley hissed too low to be picked up on the mic.

He covered the microphone with his hand as he smiled at her and whispered, “It’s true. I will never marry. You may have moved on, Riley, but I don’t seem to be able to stop loving you. I’m sorry.”

The din was so loud, they couldn’t hear the questions being shouted at them.

“Quiet!” Liam thundered.

Once order had been restored, what he said to the crowd was, “No one should have to marry for political reasons. Effective immediately, the law will be adjusted to allow our child,” he turned his head quickly to smile at Riley, then looked back out over the crowd, “and every member of the royal family from here on out, to marry whom they wish, if they wish, for love and not duty.”

“What about necessary political alliances?” a reporter called out.

“Yes, alliances still need to be made,” Liam answered, “but by diplomacy, not by bartering the next generation out in what amounts to legalized prostitution.”

Shocked gasps and a few indignant shouts ripped through the crowd, but they were interspersed with sporadic applause and some approving murmurs.

The old guard, his father’s generation versus the newer, more progressive generation.

More questions were fired at them by the press.

“Those are very American ideals…are you being influenced by Duchess Riley?”

“Did you mention marrying for love because you’re still in love with Duchess Riley?”

“Is she the reason you refuse to marry?”

“Is she your mistress?”

Once again, Liam ignored the questions and finished the speech he’d come there to give, “the duchess and I appreciate your support. We promise you regular updates on the health and well-being of the heir and ask for our privacy to be respected as we navigate new parenthood and learn how to blend this family. There will be no questions taken at this time. Feel free to submit them to the royal press secretary to be answered in next week’s official update. Thank you.”

Liam gestured to Alec to clear the way, they had a short walk back to the safety of the palace walls.

Drake was next to Riley before she was off the stage, guiding her down the steps and along the natural flagstone path to the palace, Liam just behind them. He kept an arm protectively at the small of her back as they made their way through the throngs of people being held back by stanchion ropes and security.  

Camera’s flashed, the crowd pressed forward and reporters continued to hurtle questions at them.

“Duke Walker, did you know?”

“Did you pimp your wife out to your best friend?”

“How long has she been cheating on you?”

“Why did she even marry you?”

“Did you do it for the money?”

“Your Majesty, are two commoners fit to raise the heir to the throne?”

Drake clenched his teeth together and ignored every demeaning question, every insulting remark, and every humiliating pronouncement flung at himself. He didn’t care about that, had never cared what others thought of him.

The vitriol lobbed at her was harder for him to ignore.

“Did you get knocked up by the king for the fame, the fortune, or the notoriety?”

“Is that why the king gave you a duchy? Because you’re still sleeping with him?”

“Do you and the duke have a Cordonian arrangement?”

The questions from the press were bad enough, but there were a few hecklers in the crowd as well.

“Gold digger!”

“Crown chaser!”

“Whore!”

Riley kept her eyes forward and her shoulders back, pretending not to hear, her hand tightening in Drake’s.

Liam’s fists clenched at his side and the muscle in his jaw jumped as he struggled to maintain his composure.

They should not be talking to her like that, but he had the crown’s image to protect, he couldn’t react overtly.

Drake had no such qualms.

Fuck his reputation.

Liam saw it coming before it happened, but he couldn’t react fast enough to stop it.

Drake released Riley’s hand and turned in midstride, delivering a staggering uppercut to the jaw of the man who had just called his wife a whore.

The man staggered back into the crowd, falling into several other people, including several members of the press.

The man who had been standing to the right of the fallen man swung on Drake and a struggle ensued.

The man had hold of Drake’s shirt with one fist while trying to hit him with the other. Drake blocked his attempted blow easily and attempted to push the man away.

The first man picked himself up and shoved his way through the crowd to jab Drake in the stomach.

Liam reacted without thought, all his years of training in letting his guards handle things flew right out the window as he witnessed his lifelong best friend get sucker punched by one man while he was grappling with another.

The king of Cordonia sidestepped his personal guard and jumped into the middle of the fray, thudding into one of the assailants with his entire body.

They went down fighting. The guy landed a right hook to the king’s mouth before Liam delivered one of his own across the other man’s cheek.

Complete chaos descended on the scene as guardsmen swarmed the crowd, quickly pulling Liam and Drake out of the tussle and hauling the other two men away in handcuffs.

Drake and Liam found themselves tossed into the back of an SUV while the guard restored order.

Even though the press conference had taken place on palace grounds, vehicles with bulletproof glass were always kept nearby just in case.

An assassination attempt was a more expected thing than the king jumping into the middle of a brawl, but a security event was a security event.

“Well, that went straight to shit!” Liam groused as he gingerly touched his swollen lip.

“Yup,” Drake agreed, “what did you expect though?”

The two men regarded each other for a moment before breaking out into gales of laughter.

The king of Cordonia was flush with victory and adrenaline, “Fuck, that was fun!”

“I can’t believe you decked a guy, Li!” Drake marveled.

“He hit you!” Liam said with such vehemence that Drake stopped laughing.

“Wow, man. I didn’t know you cared so much.”

“Of course I do,” Liam gave him a reproving look, “no matter what else has happened, you’re still my brother!”

Drake clapped him on the shoulder and gave it a little squeeze as he replied, “I feel the same way.”

The panel between the front and back seat lowered and the driver said, “We’re going to drive you back to the palace, Your Majesty.”

Drake looked around in concern, “Where’s Riley?”

“Duchess Riley was removed from the situation as soon as the first punch was thrown, Your Grace. She’s waiting for you back at the palace.”

“Thanks, and just call me Drake, please.”

The driver’s eyes flicked to Liam, who nodded, before answering, “Sure thing, boss.”

Another guard slid into the passenger side of the front seat and handed them each an instant cold pack.

“Thanks,” they said in unison.

The panel slid back up as the car started to move.

Liam squeezed the cold pack to activate it as he said, “I understand now what she meant when she told me that you’ve always been there for her, and I haven’t.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean…I wanted to punch that guy too, Drake! But I couldn’t because I’m the king and I have to represent Cordonia!” Liam slammed his elbow into the side of the door in frustration.

“Yeah, well, I don’t think anyone would recommend following my example. I shouldn’t have let that guy get to me. It’s going to cause issues for you and her. I can see the fucking headlines now.”

“What do you want to bet there already out there?” Liam asked as he pulled out his phone and swiped it open. “Shit, look,” he held the phone between them so Drake could read with him.

Royal press conference descends into royal brawl

King Lands Knockout Punch

This is the man that will raise the heir to the throne

Has the king been compromised by American ideals?

Walker: Texas Liability

“Shit, Li. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry,” Liam shrugged, “as I said, I wanted to punch him too. Maybe if I’d done less worrying about optics and more worrying about standing up for her, things would have worked out differently.”

“Yeah, well…” Drake trailed off, uncertain how to respond to that. He liked the way things had worked out just fine.

The car rocked to a stop and the intercom crackled to life, “We’re here, Your Majesty.”

“Give us a few moments alone,” Liam instructed.

“Yes, sir.” The intercom clicked off.

Drake turned to his lifelong best friend, brows raised in question.

Liam sighed as he brought the cold pack to his face. Leaning back into the leather seat he said quietly, “I still love her, Drake.”

“I know that…” Drake responded carefully.

“I’m not going to stop just because she married you.”

“I know that too.”

“As long as we understand each other.”

“I’m sorry for your pain, I truly am. I wish there was a way we could both be happy,” Drake regretted the distance between Liam and himself but had no idea how to fix any of it.

“What if there was?” Liam’s tone was restrained, purposely neutral, and even.

Drake turned his head in confusion, “What do you mean?”

“What if I could have a relationship with Riley that didn’t threaten your relationship with her?”

“I don’t follow.”

“What if we could come to some kind of an understanding? An arrangement if you know what I mean.”

“I’m not sure I do,” Drake snapped, “What are you trying to get at?”

“I’m talking about a Cordonian Arrangement, Drake,” Liam’s tone stayed measured and calm, “She stays married to you, as she obviously wants to. But you allow her certain….freedoms.”

“Are you suggesting I let you have an affair with my wife?”

Liam shrugged, “Not suggesting, outright asking you to consider it. After discussing it with her, of course.”

Drake stared at him in astonishment, “What if she doesn’t want to be with you, Liam?”

“Then I’ll accept that,” Liam replied quietly, “But what if she does?”

“I…”

“Just think about it, okay? You don’t have to answer right now.”

Liam opened the door and exited the car, leaving Drake staring after him in stunned disbelief.  

[ayyy-imma-ninja]

Royal Guard!AU

You

Fourth ref sheet complete!

It's you! No surprise there. You're not particularly thrilled by this arrangement. After living a stuffy life in the castle you thought this quest would grant you the endless freedom you sought after. You were not expecting some day-and-night babysitter to accompany you.

~sole heir to your kingdom

~carefree

~must embark on a quest

~you don't think you need a guard watching them

~you do whatever you want. Much to Sun's annoyance, you little rulebreaker-

~you warm up to Moon first

~you're skilled with the pan flute

Who knows. Perhaps there's more to them than you realize...

[therealmofamorus]

Ask

Original Male Crossover Stud Horror- Vampire & Royal- Heir

How did Heir to the kingdom Jaune arc meet the vampire known as Lumine? Does he know that she is a vampire at all?

Jaune met Lumine who has been Royal Spymaster since before the birth of his parents and he very much knew she is a vampire considering she didn’t age from the last time he saw her.

Or the time he slept with her when he reach adulthood and how she used her charm to act on his dark urges..

[sparklecryptid]

Noctis at some point shows up to a meeting of the King's Council with a powerpoint presentation titled 'Why Ace Should be Crown Prince and Not Me' and it has 13 slides detailing all the shit Ace has done and his qualifications and the 14th slide is just a picture of a sad black kitten looking imploringly at the audience with the caption 'me if i get made king'

[madmanwonder]

Prompt

Royalty: Royal Heir and Servant

Relationship Status

Between the heir Sonia Nevermind and her servant Makoto Naegi.

--Relationship Status: Close Friendship/Secret Romantic Relationship--

Sonia and Makoto been good close friends with Sonia put her full trust in him and Makoto in return trust her. Though their friendship doesn't last as the two entered a secret romantic relationship to avoid the controversy of the Crown Heir of Novoseli being in relationship with low-born commoner.

Though Sonia has her own plan in making Makoto into being man of her status in the near future.

[tessa-liam]

All is Fair in Love & War

Book: TRR, The Royal Heir Book 2 AU 

Summary: The King and Queen of Cordonia VS The King and Queen of Auvernal, battle for dominance in Tango 

Song Inspiration: King of My Heart, T. Swift 

Video Inspiration: Tango for Two, L. Tarantino & G. Cocomero 

Visual Commission: Liam & Riley @artbyainna 

Dance Tutorial: Argentine Tango by Diego Blanco & Ana Padron 

Pairing: Liam Rys x F!MC Riley Brooks-Rys, OTP (LiRi) 

All characters belong to Pixelberry, except Daniella, who belongs to me. 

A/N1: This is my submission for week #8 @choicesflashfics, Prompt #3 “I’ve never done something like this before.” 

A/N2: This story has not been Beta'd, please excuse all errors. 

Rating: A, 18+, adult conversation 

Word Count: 1663 

✨✨✨✨✨ 

Riley's POV 

As Dr. Ramirez gently places the baby on my chest, I am overwhelmed with emotion, at finally holding our beautiful baby. Gazing upon her for the very first time, I forget about all the pains of childbirth and all the fears I had dissipated. 

“She’s perfect, Riley.” Liam says with tears in his eyes. 

“I can’t believe that just happened! This moment...It’s just so amazing. I’m just so happy to be here with you right now...and with our baby!” Riley tearfully confesses. 

“A little girl...It’s been a long time since we had a princess running around the palace. I’m going to give you the world, my little princess.” Liam emotionally whispers to Eleanor, taking Riley’s hand in his. 

✨✨✨✨✨ 

Liam’s POV 

It feels like yesterday since our baby was born. From that birthday on my primary focus is, and always will be, Riley and my children. 

Their happiness and security are my highest duty; as a husband, as a father and as the King of Cordonia. 

 I refuse to waste my time dwelling on the problems with Auvernal.  Their attempts at coercion to force a betrothal will not succeed. Thus, I delegated the mundane task of dealing with those issues to my Royal Council. 

It’s Monday morning, and I have my usual morning conference with my advisers scheduled to begin in 20 minutes. 

While taking a sip of my coffee, I touch Riley’s number on my cell, knowing that she is in the palace gymnasium. 

“Hi Liam, how is everything?” Riley answers breathlessly on speaker. 

“Riley, you're not overdoing it with these exercises, are you?” 

Maxwell interrupts by saying, “Li, don’t worry, we are fusing dance with the exercises. I will make sure it’s a relaxing and fun experience.” 

“Thank you, Max. I’ll hold you to it. Riley, I will come down after my meeting to take you to lunch.” 

The call is interrupted by a knock on the door, and Liam ends the call and directs his advisors to enter. 

“Your majesty, good morning.” Rashad, Olivia, Bertrand, Kiara, Hana, Drake and Bastien step into his office, each taking seats at the boardroom table. 

Rashad, acting as Liam’s chief legal counsel, begins the meeting with an overview of the challenges caused by the Auvernese leaders.  

After listening intently to each presentation by each council member, Liam states, “whatever actions we decide upon today, always remember, to keep your friends close, your enemies closer.” 

Liam goes on, “One of the greatest books on war strategies, was written by Sun-tzu, a Chinese general and military strategist, ‘The Art of War’. This dispute is not about military force; it is psychological warfare.  

At the end of the productive meeting, a practical action plan was devised. Liam left the meeting with the direction for the council to plan the implementation. 

✨✨✨✨✨ 

Riley and Maxwell had finished their workout and were chatting and enjoying a light snack of fresh fruit and infused water on the patio outside the gym. 

Feeling energized, Riley spotted Liam walking towards her carrying Eleanor in his arms and got up to dance her way to him. 

Liam burst into laughter watching his wife sashay towards him. 

“Hello, my love,” Liam bends down to reward his wife with a kiss. I see all this exercise hasn’t worn you out.” 

“Never! Max is teaching me how to tango,” Riley animatedly exclaims while gently lifting Ellie from Liam’s arms. 

“I wouldn’t say I am an expert...but...tango dancing is a great cardio workout and body toner,” Maxwell states. 

Liam nods in agreement, “tango is a ballroom dance. I learned the Argentine tango as part of my Royal training, as a matter of fact. 

I will arrange for that instructor to join the two of you tomorrow morning. 

...and I will join you as well.” 

“Really? You will work out with us tomorrow?” 

Liam wrapped his arm around Riley, “let’s go for lunch. Max, you are more than welcome to join us.” 

✨✨✨✨✨ 

“I have an idea that I want to run past you, Riley.” Liam sits back on his chair at the dining table, cradling Ellie at lunch. 

“...and you as well, Max.” 

Riley smiles, “you’ve got my attention.” 

“Mine as well,” Maxwell responds. 

Liam moves the baby to rest on his chest, holding her close with one hand. 

“How would you feel about dancing with me at the military charity ball being held in Auvernal later this month? An Argentine tango?” 

Riley’s expression turns inquisitive.  

“I’ve never done something like this before.” 

Maxwell smiles wide and exclaims musically, “that would be awesome! You are so ready to handle this, little blossom. And with Liam leading you? Wow, this will be epic!” 

In the royal gymnasium the next morning, Liam and Riley arrive early to warm up for their first joint dance lesson. 

As the dance instructor enters, followed by Maxwell, 

Liam teasingly calls to Riley, “Okay, your majesty, get into position.” 

“You are so bossy this morning!” Riley saucily responds back, bending down to adjust her shoe strap. 

Liam smirks, tempted to smack her behind, but he has to show decorum. They were in public. So, instead he murmurs in her ear, “just wait till later!” 

Riley stands and straightens, standing beside her husband. Her smirk quickly changing into a smile as they stepped forward to greet their instructor. 

After pleasantries are exchanged, Daniella, the instructor begins, 

“The Argentine tango is a passionate ballroom dance that is great for expressing love between two partners.” 

Riley bashfully smiles lowering her gaze to the floor. Liam gives her hand a squeeze, winking at her when she looks up at him. 

“Tango dancing involves quick, graceful, and playful movements with plenty of room for improvisation. These fun moves create a simple, yet elegant dance that consists of eight steps taken across eight counts.” 

Daniella turns to Maxwell, “we will partner to demonstrate each step.” The grin that formed on Maxwell’s face was enormous.  

“The tango is a fairly straightforward walking dance that just requires precise footwork. It is relatively easy to perform once you master the eight basic steps and understand how the count works.” 

These dance lessons continued daily for the next 3 weeks. 

✨✨✨✨✨ 

Military Charity Ball, Auvernese Royal Palace, Auvernal 

Arriving at the palace in Auvernal, Liam and Riley, along with their Royal council, are ushered to the ballroom. 

Rashad, Bertrand, Kiara and Hana enter the ballroom, while Isabella and Bradshaw meet with Liam and Riley before being heralded into the Ball. 

Olivia, Drake and Bastien stealthily went up the stairs to meet with their contacts on the viewing balcony above the ballroom. Leo stood with Queen Amalas with wide grins as they held up the folder with the birth records for the twins 

As Liam and Riley were learning the tango, the Royal council learned that the children claimed to be royal blood by the King and Queen of Auvernal were illegitimate. Bradshaw’s lover was pregnant with twins. Isabella needed an heir, arranging for the affair to continue if she could falsely claim parentage. Since Leo was courting Queen Amalas in Monterisso, he volunteered to bring the proof with him to the ball, along with Amalas. 

“King Liam and Queen Riley, welcome to our beautiful country,” Bradshaw pretentiously croons. 

Isabella meanwhile studies her queen rival with a jealous eye. 

Riley, after all the dance practices over the past three weeks, was down to her pre-baby weight with added curves that Liam adored. Her shimmering gold cocktail dress hugged her curves perfectly. 

Her dress didn’t go unnoticed by Bradshaw and noticing his lustful gaze, Isabella was shooting seething glares at him. 

Liam’s facial expression remained neutral as he took notice of the unwelcome gawking by his rival towards his wife. He does, however, protectively wrap his arm around Riley snugly, barely keeping the distance required for proper decorum. 

“Yes, thank you for hosting this charity event.  I am sure the military paraphernalia will be well received,” he conceals his contempt for the pair knowing that they now have legal documentation that annuls the betrothal agreement. 

As the evening moves forward, the orchestra begins the first notes of the Argentine tango.  

“Are you ready for this?” Liam questions Riley. “Oh yes, let's bring it on.” Riley answers enthusiastically. 

Liam leads her to center of the dance floor, and once there, he moves his body close to Riley. He extends his left hand forward to capture Riley’s upward flexed right hand. Liam places his right hand on Riley’s back moving her flush to him. Riley places her left hand on Liam’s shoulder. 

Liam nods to the maestro to begin the music, and he takes the first step of the tango. 

All the practice they had dancing allowed them to perform the steps flawlessly. They ended the dance provocatively as she ran her leg up the side of Liam’s leg to his waist. Riley then wrapped her hand around his neck and Liam returned her affection with a passionate kiss. 

The applause was deafening, as they bowed to the audience. 

Isabella was livid. As she began her dance with Bradshaw, she angrily moved around the ballroom like a ‘bull in a China shop’. Bradshaw looked so uncomfortable and he stopped dancing. 

Kiara and Hana, watching them, couldn’t believe the spectacle they were witnessing. Rashad and Bertrand and members of the Cordonian Royal guard encircled Liam and Riley, as Bradshaw and Isabella stormed out of the ballroom. Olivia, Drake, Leo and Amalas intercepted them to confront them. 

✨✨✨✨✨ 

 Returning back to Cordonia at once after the ball ended abruptly, Liam glances down to Ellie sleeping peacefully and securely in her crib. Riley wraps her arms around him and smiles down at their baby, knowing that all is good in their kingdom. 

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