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A Wedding Fit For An Empress
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2024-10-29 19:42:56As promised, the Vasils partied for three days and three nights, ending with the wedding. Solai and Erara returned Ursa’s wedding gown as promised- although in better condition. It wasn’t a surprise, it was a hastily put together dress. It was a traditional long red gown and matching veil. Solai and Erara had added the embroidery of the Vasils’ most famous flower, the Vlora flower, to the train of the dress as well as the veil, adding an ethereal sense of beauty. Ursa was now looking forward to the wedding, if only to wear the dress.
Ursa found an interesting piece of mythology about Vasil weddings: They usually occur at noon, which is an auspicious time to the Vasils. Swearing on a never changing sun, so the marital bond is strong forever. The Romanovs tend to hold their weddings at dusk, just as the sun was setting, so the Goddess of Love Silenea could bless the union, as legends
Bab terkait
Where Loyalties Lie What Comes At Dusk
“She doesn’t look happy.” Ivan had decided to go pout over by Orlov, giving his new wife some time to herself and her handmaidens. Orlov had been speaking to some noblemen when Ivan rushed over, saying he had urgent business to discuss with him.So it was this.“This is probably just overwhelming. Everything is probably moving too fast for her. Her homeland was taken over, she was betrothed and married, and she’s probably experiencing culture shock,” Orlov reasoned, taking a sip of his champagne.“But I wanted her to like our culture, so she’d feel right at home!”“That doesn’t change the fact that she
Where Loyalties Lie The Powers of an Empress
After the three day honeymoon period the Vasils allotted, Ivan was forced to join Orlov back in court. Ivan deeply regretted leaving Ursa, partially because he enjoyed the time he spent with her- talking with her, being with her- and also because Ivan had a deep hatred of politicians.They were all snakes to him, everyone of them. Well, perhaps Orlov was the exception. Orlov was almost ten years his senior, and was more like a brother to him than any of his blood brothers. Orlov had accepted him and helped him when no one else would. It was hard for Ivan to think ill of Orlov, even if he was a politician.Ivan tried to hide his boredom, but it was hard. All of these ministers, ambassadors, governors- all they did was argue! Ivan was glad he was Emperor- he had final say
Where Loyalties Lie Unrest Among the People
In a pub in the downtown area of Ichares, sat a couple of men, drinking beers after a long day at work. Loud drunks they were, laughing at any slightly comedic event and complaining about their everyday lives.“Did you hear what the ‘Emperor’did today?” one of the drunks said loudly. His companions replied negatively. “That murderer killed old Lord Smirnoff right on the spot and then he gave that Romanov whore access to the courts!” Many men around them laughed at the audacity of that bastard king. What Emperor? He was just a murderer!“That snowflake Kiev even brought it up!” A man from another table added on. Soon everyone in the pub was discussing it.“Those female ‘officials’ backed it up. They’re going to ruin our governme
Where Loyalties Lie A Noble Tea Party
It had been a week since Ursa began attending court. Ivan, true to his word, had a similar court dress made just for her, with the familiar black and gold coloring complete with a headdress. Ivan had even set up a throne of equal size and splendor right next to his. That had gotten a rise out of the officials and his advisors.Orlov was surprised at how tame Ivan was in court the past week compared to his normal behavior. He still kept that same old scrunched up expression to show his displeasure around politicians, but now and then Ivan would glance over at Ursa, who was listening intently to whatever was being said. Then Ivan would turn and whisper to ask Ursa’s opinion on matters. Orlov felt a weird bite at his heart whe
Where Loyalties Lie Unintended Consequences I
After all the women were settled in their seats did the festivities truly begin. Ursa sat and chatted with the girls at her table for at least ten minutes before Erara gave her the signal to start the first event. Ursa stood up, ready to announce the first game, when a few ladies and Lady Tatya stood up as well.“Your Majesty, we were wondering if we could recommend the first game,” Lady Tatya said. The girls behind her nodded along like puppets with strings tied around their necks.“Is that so? That’s a little untraditional,” Ursa replied. If Ursa allowed Lady Tatya to do as she pleased, it would undermine Ursa’s authority and set a precedent that she was a doormat. Ursa was not
Where Loyalties Lie Unintended Consequences II
Right after the Empress was dragged away by the peasants, Lady Irina gathered herself and ran deeper into the hedge maze, distancing herself from the crime. Soon the magic stone would go off and everyone would be called back.Right on time, Lady Tatya’s magic stone started glowing a bright blue, shooting a spark of light into the sky. Lady Irina rushed out of the hedge maze, slowly falling into a trot behind two other noble ladies. Soon after, someone asked, “Where is Her Majesty the Empress?” Most of the noble ladies looked around, searching for the distinguishable empress, but she was nowhere to be found. Lady Irina met Lady Tatya’s gaze, smirking and giving a triumphant nod.“Did Her Majesty get lost?”“Who saw her last?”
Where Loyalties Lie Unintended Consequences III
It didn’t take long for Ursa to come to. By the time she did, she was tied to a chair in a dirty little barn. It had a bit of a haunted feeling to it, with rotting wood and fauna growing in and around the structure. Ursa regretted ripping her dress sleeve- she was a bit cold now. Nothing she couldn’t handle of course, she did grow up in the Romanov territory.Her head throbbed from being hit upside the head. Ursa’s hair was a mess and her dress was ripped and covered in dirt and mud. In other words; she looked disgraceful. She would be embarrassed to see the Emperor in her state.Lady Tatya… Ursa knew without a doubt this was her doing. Now she just wanted to know who did the dirty work for her.As soon as she thought that, the barn doors slid open, and a large, gruff man in all
Where Loyalties Lie Unintended Consequences IV
The dark barn was illuminated by the setting sun on the horizon. The light strayed on a familiar silhouette, which Ivan immediately identified as his wife. She was laying on the ground, tied to a chair with a rough and splintered rope. The legs of the chair were broken, and her face was bloody and swollen. There were black and blue marks around her neck in the shape of a large pair of hands and her dress was ripped up and muddy.Ivan’s heart ached at the sight of Ursa. How could he have let this happen on his watch? How did these scum get into his palace and steal his wife away? Ivan slowly approached her body, cutting the rope with his sword. Ursa’s eyes fluttered and her mouth parted in surprise.“... You?” she asked, her voice raspy and broken. Ivan carefully slid his hands underneath her body to pick her up.
Bab terbaru
Where Loyalties Lie The Ghosts of Wruclas
Aisha spent the entire next day pouring over other material Ursa had pulled from the library and pacing outside of Ursa’s wing. Earlier that morning, she had stopped in to update the Empress on what she and Ivan had found, but the handmaiden Emery firmly stood her ground, chasing away any and all visitors, no matter how important they were.She was like a guard dog, really, the way she looked like she’d bite someone’s head off if they got even remotely close to the doors of Ursa’s apartment. Aisha had wanted to fight Emery on this, but she also knew how much Ivan had been stressing Ursa’s physical recovery from the chaos that occurred at the New Year’s Celebration, so Aisha slinked away back into the library quietly until lunch time, where she and Emery rehashed their earlier arguments. Inside the most heavily guarded doors, an empress laid in her bed with the covers half off, only covering her freezing toes. The rest of her sweated out a non-existent fever, while Cecily dabbed a col
Where Loyalties Lie Sibling Crime
The Poplov townhouse was located in the upper echelons of Ichares. The streets were clean, the houses were opulent and luxurious, the architecture a crude copy of the palace. It was not hard to break into the house, seeing as there were so many windows and not enough guards-- though this criticism could be shared with the palace.Ivan noted this.Aisha and Ivan were both dressed in black clothing-- Ivan in a black poet shirt and tight dark trousers, while Aisha wore a skin tight turtleneck with matching trousers. At present, they sat in a tree, watching the windows as light passed through the dark hallways, a maid checking the corridors.Aisha bounced her leg anxiously, causing the branch to sway with her. Ivan sent her a withering glare, instantly freezing any movement from her leg. They had been sittin
Where Loyalties Lie The Duel
Aisha juggled her broadsword in her hand while her other hand held her dagger tightly. She stared at her brother, only the light from the torches around the arena illuminating his lean frame. Ivan shrugged off his coat and kicked it to the side, his signature sword appearing out of thin air.“How--” Aisha gawked, staring at her own swords that came from the weapons room.“Magic?” Ivan smirked, spinning his sword with his wrist as he got into position. Aisha made sure to note down to have him teach her that trick before getting into her own starting position.Neither of them moved, circling each other. Aisha’s left foot shifted and then she was off, launching herself high into the air, raising her swords up into a crossing motion. She landed on the blunt side of Ivan’s
Where Loyalties Lie Respect, A One Way Street
Ursa gave a shallow wave to the guards stationed outside of Ivan’s study as Aisha trailed behind her with a tray of food. The guards instantly bowed and one stuck their head in to announce her presence. Ivan was hunched over his desk, staring intently at a particular piece of paper as his quill moved on its own-- most likely enchanted by Ivan, writing furiously. “Ivan.” He looked up, surprised to see the two women. “What are you two doing here?” Ursa gave him a funny look. “Our arrival was just announced. Didn’t you hear?” Ivan didn’t respond, choosing to just lounge back in his chair. The quill fell back and landed unceremoniously onto the paper. “We brought you dinner.” Aisha set the tray onto t
Where Loyalties Lie Poplov's Numbered Days
“Your Majesty, Lord Volkov is here to see you,” one of the guards from outside said, peeking his head slightly into the office. Ivan only waved his hand as an indication for the other man to come in. It was the middle of the afternoon, a few hours after the morning’s court session had ended and he finished his meeting with his advisors (without Orlov, he thought bitterly), but Ivan felt so very unproductive.He had sat there while everyone talked at him, only nodding or shaking his head, sometimes yelling at people who got a little too presumptuous. It wasn’t that Ivan didn’t understand the things being said in court-- after so many years of attending, it would be quite stupid for him not to have an idea of how these things worked. But Orlov made it easier for Ivan, always taking a load off of the heavy weights that already pushed Ivan to his knees.
Where Loyalties Lie The Tetsi Trial
“The prosecution would like to call its first witness up to the stand: Yuri Tetsi!” Orlov announced, and waited for the Young Tetsi to make his way to the stand. Ivan sat in his throne in his usual posture, his hand holding his face as he leaned into the side of his throne. Yuri Tetsi clambered up to the stand and took a seat, his hands nervously shaking. Once Young Tetsi looked ready, Orlov began laying the foundation of his questioning, asking simple questions about Young Tetsi himself before delving into the real case. “You claim to have recorded evidence of secret plots against the Empress?” asked Orlov. “I do. My own father, as well as Lord Haschoff, Lady Salisterova, Lord Grieschkov, and Lord Telbor all had conversations with each other and others about a few things. At first, they conversed abo
Where Loyalties Lie Big Reputation Brings Bigger Enemies
Ursa returned to her chambers after a quiet dinner with just Ivan and Aisha. It was a nice and gentle dinner, where the only mention of Orlov was Aisha excitedly announcing she would be helping. Otherwise, the dinner was the perfect glimpse of a life without Orlov constantly breathing down Ivan’s shoulder, and Ursa enjoyed it. But even Ursa could admit, a piece of Ivan was with Orlov in his home, eating dinner alone. Ivan would smile and joke with them, but his gaze was far off, not even in the room. It burned Ursa. It burned Ursa even more to know that a part of her also felt deeply while staring at the empty chair next to Aisha. Once upon a time, Ursa thought that she and the prime minister were friends. Friendly rivals, intellectual equals, and respected colleagues. She missed the mirage.
Where Loyalties Lie A Handmaiden's Tale I / The Princess
Ursa’s lunch didn’t end up being as peaceful as planned, as the second Vasil barged in on her meal. “Sister, I hear you’re heading the Orlov Investigation!” Ursa put down the little bite sized sandwich Cecily had prepared for her as Aisha made herself at home in the chair across from her. “You heard correctly.” “I want to help.” “No.” “Please?” “This is a delicate political matter, Aisha. My apologies if I don’t think you’re quite ready for such a complex matter.” Aisha slid down her seat, crossing her arms. “I can handle it. I’ll be covert. No one has to know we’re working together.” Ursa smirked as she put he
Where Loyalties Lie She Who Does Not Break So Easily
Ursa dropped a bag of coins into the maid’s hand, and the small girl scurried out of the library. After more than half a year at the palace, Ursa learned who could be bought and who could be swayed to join her cause-- her cause being keeping her in the loop of things she otherwise wouldn’t be. That just happened to be any and all court matters, seeing as Ivan specifically kept her out of political matters. “You’re still recovering, Ursa! I can’t have you getting all stressed about these matters when your health is so fragile!” But her health has been ‘fragile’ for a little more than a month and a half. Physically, Ursa was already back in her original form, and more than capable of delving back into court. But the most work Ivan had even let her see had only been the preparations for the upcoming annual Royal Hunting Trip, renamed to the Imperial
